Mumzilla

My mum (or Mumzilla as she is fondly known….the origins of this remain unclear but may reside in some sort of Godzilla reference ….. which mum can do a pretty good impression of when in a rage) isn’t perfect. No on is perfect and to say my mum is somehow an exception to the rule would make this post no better than a typical cupcakes and bunny rabbits Hallmark card. What I love about my mum is that my mum knows and accepts she isn’t perfect and is therefore always striving to become a better Christian, Human and a better Mum. It also means that when one of her many amazing and wonderful children stuffs up she is there for us with her own lessons and experiences to share. Although she always expects the best from us we know she will be there when we are at our worst. And she’s always got time for a cup of tea.

My mum is a unique and complicated person. She is giving to the point of self sacrifice. She is hard working to extremes that none of us could ever match. She is stubborn, crazy and a little OCD but she is also fun, passionate and intelligent. My mum inspires me to aim for the stars and to expect nothing less than greatness from my life. My mum is an animal maniac and can’t seem to stop turning her small house into a zoo, with animals out numbering people to a scary ratio. She is brave, obsessive, dramatic, creative and beautiful, inside & out,

What I am so thankful for is that my mum is one of my best friends and I know that will never change. We may fight until we cry but then we hug and say sorry, like all friends do. We have gne through good and bad times together and have always been there for each other to get though the stress. Every day I grow more like my mum and unlike some people that isn’t something I mind at all, if I can be half the woman she is I’ll be happy.

So Thank you mum. Thank you for not compromising who you are for what some people expect. Thank you for standing up for your beliefs even when they challenge the norms. Thank you for sharing your lives with us so that we could flourish and grow, knowing you are there when we fall.

I could go on forever with lists of things I am grateful for so il stop with this: Thank you for being my best friend and forgiving my many mistakes, being there all those times I needed you most. I’m sorry I’m not the perfect daughter, but just like you I will keep trying very day to be me a better person.

Love you mum x

Friday’s Letters

Dear Family: Thank you all for coming to my graduation and celebrating with me 4 years of stress and tears that resulted in my two degrees. The day would have meant nothing without the people there beside me, especially as I couldn’t have got through it without any of you. Thankyou for making me reach high and work hard to achieve goals. Dear Callie: Thankyou for the constant cuddles that have helped me through stressful university all nighters, repeated rejections from jobs, sleepless nights and the freezing cold that has now joined us. I love your fluffy butt more than you could understand (also more than most others think is normal…). Dear Sister: Happy birthday for Sunday you crazy, beautiful soul. Don’t ever lose the generosity, passion and stubbornness that makes you such a strong, independent woman. I am blessed to have you as a sister.Dear Cupcakes: I love you and all but after two nights if late-night baking I kind of never want to see another cupcake again….I think I just need some space. Dear Work: This may not be the most interesting or amazing job but I’m really enjoying it and the team I work with makes every day very bearable and even fun at times (gasp!). It’s nice to not dread coming to wok each day. Dear Soy Chai Latte: Ahh we return to our love affair now that winter approaches. I still wish you had caffeine…then you would be the perfect drink.

April Beauty Favourites

Hi all!!

Sorry for running late with posts this month, I had my first week at the new job and came home pretty exhausted haha! Should get into a better routine soon (I hope) but for now you can enjoy some slightly late favourite beauty/skin care things for this lovely month (or last month rather…I shouldn’t write posts so late at night :-/). I apologise in advance for the very mediocre photo but the weather was not my friend and I got lazy waiting.

1. Aveeno positively radiant skin brightening daily scrub
I have trouble with face scrubs and my sensitive skin, usually resulting in tight, red skin and a pretty pissed off Lizzy … But not so with this one by Aveeno! This scrub is gentle yet still actually seems to be effective. A new staple in my skin care routine.

2. Davidoff Cool Water Woman
Although this isn’t the most modern or trendiest perfume at the moment I am a big fan of this classic scent. Having always loved the male scent this one was on my wishlist for a while and received as a lucky Christmas gift. This has been a favourite for work as its fresh and clean without being having a strong floral or fruity scent.

3. Australis Colour Inject Lipstick in Jive
There seems to be a rather work related theme to this month’s favourites as this lipstick was my favourite lip shade to wear to work when I wasn’t wearing another favourite (Revlon’s kissable balm stain in Honey). This lipstick is affordable enough to wear every day without fear of finishing and is my preference to wearing nude lipstick, being a very flattering and wearable light pink.

4. Model Co Black Eyeliner
This was a sample bar box product that I adored from the first time I tried it! Creamy and pigmented this applies like a dream. Nuff’ said!

5. Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla and Macadamia
I couldn’t resist the allure of these new Nivea lip butters and I rather enjoy us first one I picked up. It does show up quite white at first but I tend to use under lipstick so it doesn’t bother me. Creamy and hydrating with a little going a long way and a delicious scent to add to the mix.

6. OPI in Bubble Bath
Going through many job interviews and then Starting this new job I had no idea what the policy was on nails and what kinds of shades I could adorn myself with. So this classic nude pink came to the rescue. A favourite for many, this sheer blushing nude colour is the perfect my nails but better shade and made wearing nude nails (which has the potential to drive me crazy) rather endurable.

What makeup/skin care products have you been loving this month?
Xx

April’s Random Favourites

Hi all!!
So here is my last late post for April, phew! I’ve been settling into the new job (which is exhausting) and I also had my graduation yesterday so life is a little chaotic haha. Here are a few random things that kept me occupied last month.

1. Wunderlist
This app has been a favourite for a while now so I thought I should mention it on here. This free iPhone/iPad app is a great way to make lists for pretty much everything….which in case you didn’t know I love to do! Nice interface and just a generally awesome way to create lists and keep life organised (or just slightly less chaotic in my case).

2. Survivor
I am not proud of my addiction to reality tv shows…but that doesn’t change the fact that they often are the highlight of my week. Survivor is my second favourite reality tv show and I have watched pretty much every season (not something I am particularly proud of guys…). Although I feel like this current season (fans vs favourites) isn’t a particularly strong one I am still enjoying every episode and will die cry when it soon finishes.

3. Whittaker’s Peanut Butter Chocolate
Peanut butter and chocolate are two of my favourite things so this heavenly bar of amazingness did not surprise me by being incredible. Seriously delicious and a must try for those lucky enough to have access to this awesome NZ chocolate company.

4. My Kitchen Rules
In case more evidence is needed for my insane attachment to Reality TV the highlight of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is this Australian cooking show. It’s entertaining, relaxing and a fun way to begin the week. This feels like it has been on for forever so who knows how. Will file when it eventually comes to an end.

5. Twinings Blackcurrent, Ginseng and Vanilla tea
The best thing about this cool autumn weather is the chance to drown myself in various herbal teas, and last month I tried this fruity flavour. I don’t notice the ginseng/vanilla very much as the blackcurrent is pretty strong but I do enjoy the warmth of the flavours when. Get home from work. Inexpensive too which always helps when you drink tea as much as I do!

That’s it for April, Have a magical May!!
Xx

April’s Albums of the Month!

Hi All!

Happy last day of April. April has been a busy, crazy, chaotic but amazing and wonderful month for me (hence the slight lack of blog posts recently) and I couldn’t be more thankful for everything right now even if life is still going to be crazy and exhausting for the foreseeable future. Here is your first installment for my monthly favorites and my 3 favorite albums that I listened to.

1. Frank Ocean: Channel Orange

Hands down my favorite album for the month. For someone who is not big on hip hop/rnb/other types of music this album became a very quick favorite of mine (which annoyed Edd greatly, Sorry!). Singer/songwriter Frank Ocean brings us this great album of what I think is quite a unique blend of alternative hip hop/R&B/soul/gospel/funk with his creativity and talent shining through in every single song. Choosing favorites from this album was so hard as I truly adored every and the different things each song had to offer. Listen to this album, even if it doesn’t sound like your type of thing. I insist. (Sidenote: I sound ridiculous trying to sing along to every song on this…but I do it anyway. His voice is magical).

Songs you should go listen to: Thinkin about you, Sweet Life, Crack Rock, Pyramids (an amazing nine minute ride and my hands down number one song on the album), Forest Gump

2. Calvin Harris: 18 Months

So I should forewarn you all that Ocean’s masterpiece took almost complete control of my musical moments this month but these next two deserve an honorable mention for slipping in occasionally. I’m sure everyone knows Calvin Harris and his music that makes dancing hard to avoid. Useful as gym soundtracks or for a general pick me up!

Songs you should go listen to: Green Valley, Bounce, Feel So Close, We’ll Be Coming Back, Sweet Nothing

3. Kings of Convenience: Declaration of Dependence

I am a big fan of Kings of Convenience and the duo’s simple yet perfectly complicated acoustic harmonies. Another unique band in my opinion that have created yet another favorite album (here is the last time they were mentioned here) that is perfect for a chilled out afternoon or for the nights I can’t get to sleep on want someone to softly sing me into my dreams (wow that came out really corny, sorry). Beautiful guitar, beautiful voices and an impeccable album.

Songs you should listen to: 24-25, Boat Behind, Rule My World, Power of Not Knowing, Freedom and Its Owner

So there are my musical mentions of the month. What has kept your ears occupied lately? Let me know if you know any of the above albums and let me know what you think about them! See you soon with more April favorites

Xx

Friday’s Letters: A new (job) chapter

Dear New Job: I am so relieved and happy to have started you today!! The people are amazing, the work will be challenging and interesting and it will give us the funds to travel! It was a long and emotionally stressful job hunt but I’m just glad it’s over. Dear NZ comedy: There is something special and unique about it and I am very glad the comedy season is starting this week in NZ! I look forward to lots of laughs and good times and a celebration of our nation’s awkward and uniquely kiwi comedy! Dear Callie: you are the cutest! But we have to cut down on all the butter you keep getting your lovely paws on. Dear New Neighbours: I know you only just moved in today but trust me when I say that you better be quiet and polite and nice to my fur baby otherwise my wrath will know no bounds. BEWARE. Dear Apple Crumble: in this cooling weather you are a godsend. Delicious. Dear Brother: I hope you enjoy living away from home and experiencing some new things but don’t forget about all of us (and mum who is probably going insane as we speak because she loves us so much). Dear Apples: I had forgotten what a convenient and delicious breakfast you provided. Dear Life: Good things come to those who wait. Thank you for teaching me to be more patient and to be a stronger person who can cope with more rejection than I ever thought possible.

Tuesday Top 10: Benefit Products on my Wishlist!

Hi all!

Happy Tuesday! Recently Benefit announced on Twitter and other Social Media that they are planning to launch in New Zealand in the very near future. For a country that suffers from a severe lack in certain awesome makeup and beauty brands this news was very well received. I have constantly heard amazing things about a lot of their products but I have never been able to try them. Once I knew they were coming down under a shopping list began forming in my mind, it wasn’t even a conscious thought to put together this list, it just happened! So I figured I might as well make a post about ten of the products I am most excited to try out once they launch. Can I quickly add that I ADORE Benefit packaging, everything is so cute and interesting.

1. They’re real! Mascara
This mascara has to be one of the most talked about mascaras. People seem to love it and it seems to have made its way into many holy grail lists. I love a good mascara and have yet to find my mascara soul mate-could this be it?!

2. High Beam
One of the many gorgeous highlighters offered by Benefit. I wasn’t sure which to choose as my preferred highlighter (highlighter is one of those products I know very little about) but this and sun beam both looked amazing. This cool champagne is probably better suited in terms of my deathly fair complexion.

3. Coralista Box Blush
Ugh these box blushes look amazing and from the look of swatches online I could have included a
lot more on my wishlist (I’m looking at you dandelion and hervana!). This one is top of the list because it is a gorgeous pink coral which looks gorgeous on SO many people I have high hopes for our future relationship.

4. Poisetint
Another product I love the idea of are the lip and cheek tints by Benefit. I love the look of the bene-tint as well but this lighter pink looks a little less scary and from online reviews seems to be a bit easier to use.

5. Hoola Box Bronzer
Not much to say about this except that this looks like a gorgeous, matte Bronzer.

 

6. Longwear powder eye shadows in Nude swing & Thanks a latte
The new line of shadows released recently look amazing and I would happily buy 90% of them. These two are my favourites, with a beautiful rose gold shimmer and then a lovely dark golden brown.

7. The Pore-fessional
A primer/BB cream extraordinaire!! This apparently is great at minimising the appearance of pores, smoothing and also providing some coverage to even out skin tone. Sound like a wonder product.

8. Boi-ing concealer
An industrial strength concealer, industrial!! Sounds pretty awesome to me. Comparable to mac studio fx concealer apparently.

9. Brow zings brow shaping kit
I need to find a good brow kit so this wax/powder combo had to be included on my wishlist.

10. Something about Sofia fragrance
Obviously I hang actually smelt any of these but based on online descriptions this fragrance with an interesting combo of fruity, floral and musky vanilla scents I would love to give this one a shot! I have to say that there are at least 3 others that also sound amazing!!

Well , there’s a very non-exhaustive list of some benefit products I will eyeing up once they reach our shores!! Please let me know what you think about any of these products and whether there is anything I am missing If you are in NZ and want to keep up with Benefit ad their launch follow them on twitter @BenefitNZ for all the updates.

Xx

P.s. this post wasn’t sponsored or influenced by Benefit or any other company and is just the rambling of one rather excited kiwi!