Three reasons for the lack of posts...

I've disappeared again haven't I?....sorry.... here's my 3 best excuses, all true...

• I am really busy with life, setting up the new house still (I've just moved the last of my stuff out of my parents and now I have to put it all somewhere), also, coming up to summer in a Sea Side town it's wedding/formal/festive season approaching, that means lots of makeup needling applied.

• I STILL don't have the internet at home, after a lot of running around and making phone calls I have discovered there is no cabling on my side of the road to get phone and/or internet, so until they do that I won't have it, work is scheduled to start on the 16th, fingers crossed because taking photos, then mass writing when I get near the internet is just not helpful.  This is also why I've been a bit absent on Twitter, but also for the above reason.

• I've just invested in an air brush, so I'm trying to practise that on anyone that will sit still for long enough. Which doesn't leave much time between being a mother, working 40+ hrs a week at my day job and then whatever is left for makeup......

Once I have internet it means I'll be able to post whenever I feel like it, as soon as I've taken pictures rather than -take photos-resize on lap top-put onto flash drive-go to mum's and use internet-repeat.

Scout honour (no, seriously I can do that) once that cabling is done and my house is online, I'll be back up to speed, and (trying) to keep you all entertained.

Because of all of the above reasons I'm also really slacking in reading blogs too, so please prepare for mass commenting on what will be ages old posts by the time I'm able.

:)

Tag, taggy, tag, tag

The every so lovely Sophie from Born To Buy tagged me in a rather run post about Blogger Confessions, so without further ado...

 

1. How many hours a week do you spend planning/writing/uploading posts?

At the moment due to not having internet at home I'm having to do massive sessions, so in the past week I haven't written a thing, because the week before I wrote 10 posts and scheduled them, knowing I wouldn't have regular access to the internet.  I spent about 4 hrs on those, including pictures.  I'd say I average 30mins-1hr inc taking photos, resizing etc and the actual writing.

 

2. Are you a spender or a saver?

My mother always told me that money burns a hole in my pocket.  Not so good with the saving!

 

3. When is it easiest for you to write your posts?

When I have access to the internet! Prior to moving out of my parents I have access but no time, now I have time and no access...In the evening I guess, and quiet at my kitchen table.

 

4. What makes writing posts comfortable for you?

A good seat, a comfy desk and usually a drink of some sort, tea, water etc.

 

5. What's your worst make up/hair habit?

I really don't give a shit about my hair...it's like hard work trying to figure it out, so I don't bother, until very recently I washed it every day.  I met the lovely Christina from Hair Romance who told me I didn't have to be good with hair, just learn to style and learn to love dry shampoo.  I'm trying.

 

6. What's one quote you wish the world would live by?

I agree wholeheartedly with Sophie saying 'Treat Others as You Wish to be Treated' I also like 'An Eye for an Eye will leave the Whole World Blind'

 

7. How long do you spend getting ready everyday?

About 20 mins including a shower.  When you start work at 7:30, it's important you have you're whole routine down to a fine art.

When I'm not working I like to take lots of time on my makeup, not much else.

 

8. What's your favourite post on your blog?

It actually wasn't on my blog, but Makeup Utopia- which we all know I write for too, about Dirty Makeup Brushes I think it's my fave because it mixed my love of science with my love of makeup, and even I was shocked by the results. Other than that, I really like playing with tags and making them my own, like 10 items I would repurchase after surviving a Zombie Apocalypse

 

9. Who is a beauty blogger that you think deserves more subscribers that they have? 

I'm really slack about knowing how many subscribers a blog has, I couldn't tell you anyone's, I hate that there is so much 'competition' in blogging, like some people hold their cards close to their chest, what's the point? we're all in the same arena, but playing different games, we should support each other, we write differently about different things and I don't care for snobbery. Who ever you are, OR however many subscribers you have! 

You know that saying about having 1 good friend over 10 fakes? I feel the same about my readers, I would rather have 10 people who LOVE my blog and enjoy what they read and interact with me in the comments section or on Twitter, than 250 subscribers who 'are too lazy to unsubscribe'- rant over.

 

10. What's one this you're excited about in the coming year? 

In the next 12 months? Well, I'm about to start learning how to do airbrush makeup, next year I'm hoping to study a Diploma of Specialist Makeup part time, AND for my dad's 65th Birthday, my family (as in my bother, sister in law, nephews and the +1 who is on the way- all of whom live in England AND my parents, and my sister and of course my son) are going on a holiday to Bali.  I'm REALLY looking forward to it.

 

11. What's been your favourite blogging moment? 

Without a doubt Beauty Blogger's Utopia, it was a fun filled few days, the most exciting thing was meeting everyone. 

You probably wouldn't realise it, but I am HORRIFICALLY shy, I fear being judged and I am paranoid about what people think.  To overcome this I play the uber bubbly card, I don't care what people think, but I would prefer it to be positive.  In a world where we (as bloggers) literally focus on beauty, I was terrified. Scared I'd get lost in Sydney, Scared people wouldn't be interested in me, Scared people wouldn't care who I was (this blog is tiny, but Makeup Utopia is not, I am proud to be a contributor) because I'm 'just a contributor' WELL, all that effort of thought was pointless, everyone was lovely, the people who I was most excited to meet were in fact some of the loveliest. It was a great weekend.

 

12. How long does it take to prep for a post?

Depends what it's on, how many pictures I need, what the light is doing etc.

 

13. Are you wearing jeans/skirt right now or are you wearing pajama bottoms?

Corporate work pants....

 

14. What are you most proud of in your life?

Among others, not limited to, and in no order:

Graduation, being a mum, owning my own home, calling myself a makeup artist (which even though I have the certificate, business cards, clients and the tools, I still feel like a bit of a fraud, I think because I have always wanted this and now I have it, even I don't believe it)

 

Right, I tag you, if you have a blog, please leave a link, if not, please leave an answer to a couple of the questions!

New Essence Shadow Swatches

It's not secret I love Essence Shadows, for the price, you can't beat them, I picked these up a while ago, but I'm only getting to them now... slack!

 Kermit Says Hello, Hyped up and Happy hour.  The above swatch is with out a primer/base.

Seriously loving Essence shadows, and did you know they are also Really easy to depot if you don't like the packaging or find it too flimsy?

What's in my Makeup Bag?

I generally don't carry a makeup bag, when I do, its for emergencies more then touch ups, you know, like when you think your eyeliner is perfect then get in the car, drive somewhere, check your mirror and realise it looks uneven?
My bag is one my mum bought me as part of a Lancome set, it has an expander zip, so you can make it bigger or smaller, oh, and its purple!

I'm pretty good at Tetris, so I get loads on here:

Like I say, it's more for emergencies than full touch ups, so with that:

A mirror, a powder, a teeny tiny perfume and half a nail file- my dear son snapped it, but it still does the job.

Blotting paper and makeup remover wipes, because you just never know.

A double ended mascara and liquid liner- black, of course.

2 small Palettes with shadows, blush, gloss and bronzer.

Annnnd it wouldn't be me without a mini brush set!

There we have it, pretty simple, if I'm going out I will take any particular item too, but these are the staples I run with.

What's in your makeup bag?

US Haul- What's left...

The last of it, well the beauty goodies anyway.

This is a Clinique gift set, its got some pretty sweet things in it, including a 50ml bottle of my fave eye makeup remover ever!

And some nail glitter, I don't really use nail stuff, well I didn't before Beauty Blogger Utopia, but there are heaps of fun.

Thanks for bearing with me through all of the haul posts, I had to finish what I started!

:) again, Thanks Mum- she doesn't read my blog, but it seems the polite thing to do!

Mo Makuep Mo Coffee

Great title right? well it's because this isn't about Makeup or Coffee, not really.  (no makeup no coffee...heh heh ohmyiamsofunny)

Anyway it's about Movember, now I know lots of us girls hate it, 30 days for which most of it our male friends, co-workers, family members etc. look like we should call them Sanchez and keep them away from our kids, jokes aside it does raise awareness for 2 things very close to my heart.  Men's Mental health (it's not OK to cry, toughen up....urgh) and Prostate cancer- 1 in 9 men will develop Prostate Cancer- take a look around, for me that would be a large percentage of my co-workers, its a 72:25 men to women ratio at my work place.

Why do I care so much? Well, you see while in my last year of Uni, my dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  It was a shock, because he had no symptoms, but his Grandfather (my Great Grandfather) had died from it, so we were aware it runs in our family. It didn't make it easier to hear and it didn't make the fight easier to watch.  He's fine now, but he was sick. It was scary.

For the month of November I will me a Mosista, supporting my team the Cheesy Mo's to raise money for the cause.  I will personally be donning moustache earrings, a ring and out fit permitting a necklace.  Because it's what I can do to support the boys.

If you feel so inclined, you can sponsor me by heading over to my page here and throwing some money at the cause.

If you can't, that's OK too, perhaps you could utilise this and rock it like you grew it:

OR maybe just tell the next Cheesy Mo you spot he's doing a good thing!

FTR we are totes having a comp at works and there is a prize for the most money raised and I'd love to kick the boy's butts! Just sayin....

The Makeup Box- Stash Flash

Warning, if you hate Flash your Stash type posts- Feel free to jog on.

While at Beauty Blogger's Utopia, the wonderful sponsors The Makeup Box Shop gave each of us a mini makeup box.

When I got home form Sydney (actually, I was on the train) I found out I have won a large one in Sophie's giveaway comp over at Born to Buy.

I've been pretty much drooling over these since I came across the site, and I had decided that once my makeup room is up and running I would get one.  Well, fate intervened and I haven't had to (but I probably still will, because they are lovely)

I've devoted the smaller of the 2 to eye products, and the larger to 'items used most often' I have also put the makeup form my Project 100 Pan in there so I remember to use it. 
I can guarantee what is in these boxes now, might not be in 3 months, I find rearranging my makeup to be quite relaxing and these babies help!

Here's some photos of them full:

Apart from being hardy and see through they also have handy little features like stoppers, so the drawers won't come out if you pull them a bit far.  Mostly they are pretty and functional! Win Win.

The larger of the 2 site brilliantly by my sink so I can get to my P100P items easily and quickly.

Who else has one of these delightful boxes?  Do you keep the contents the same or do you change them?

(more) USA Haul Part....3 (maybe) Palettes etc

I never got through the whole haul my mum brought back, so here's the rest, picture heavy because I don't have much to say!
Palettes:

Sephora Palette

Lots of colours, 36 Shadows, 12 glosses, 6 blushes.

Nordstrom Palette

48 Shadows, 48 glosses, 6 blushes and a big mirror!

Estee Lauder Palette

Stunning Palette, beautiful and luxurious, 6 shadows, 6 glosses and mini brushes.

MAC Lippies

5 of the lippies were BAC2MAC so didn't have boxes, the 6th Viva Glam- Nicki

Still think I'm a pretty lucky gal to have an awesome and generous mum, who brings back such goodies! Thanks mum!

I haven't named or swatched the lippies, there isn't anything new about them, but if you want to know about any of them in particular I can do it!

The Balm Vs Illamasqua- battle of the liners

When my The Balm goodies arrived, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between Schwing and Precision Ink

 I've had the Illamasqua liner for a good while so I don't have the box...

Pretty much the same...

Same...

Same...

The brushes are very similar, the left is Schwing, the right is Precision Ink, the precision ink is a thicker brush, although I have had it longer and would expect it to be more blunt.

The lines are pretty similar, Schwing might me more glossy...

Just as I was about to claim these to be the same, I thought of one more thing, that, for me, stands Illamasqua liners apart form the rest, the ability to survive a water fight...

Annnd we have a winner, Schwing rubbed off with a little water and the Precision ink is still there...

Phew, I don't really know why it mattered to me so much, but it did, I don't like to buy one thing and find another identical, but cheaper/more expensive....OK I don't mind if I paid less for it and find it pricier elsewhere, but still, not cool!