Beauty Shop Addict

I love going into beauty stores and pharmacies almost as much as I love going to Officeworks or Staples. They are the kinds of places where you are bombarded with new products that you never knew existed. You thought you had tried everything before, but no. Here in front of you is proof that actually, there is more product out there for you to try. Usually this leads to wasting $20 on a cream that makes my skin excessively greasy, but sometimes, success, a new product that has lived up to its claims.

Today I have complied a list of my favourite skin-savers and cosmetics. Some of these I have used for a long time and others are new entires to the list due to the aforementioned new product compulsion.

Top 5 Skin-Savers

1. Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel

I have been using this product for as long as I can remember. While it is not cheap it lasts forever, one pump can cover your whole face and neck. In summer I use this product on it's own with a sunscreen but in winter my skin needs more moisture so I layer a moisturiser on top.

2. Shiseido 'The Skincare' Day Moisture Protection Enriched

This product saved my skin when I first moved to New York. Going from a humid summer in Sydney to snow in New York meant that my skin had big red dry patches that were rough to touch. I tried so many moisturisers and this was the only one that calmed my skin and helped it get back to normal.

I used it again this winter and my skin didn't have any issues.

3. Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm

I have used this hand cream for years. It smells amazing and leaves my dry hands soft and moisturised. My hands can stay a little greasier than I would like but it soaks in much faster than other hand creams I've tried.

4. St. Tropez 'Everyday' Gradual Tan for Body

This is a fairly new product on my list. I needed a bit of colour to help pull me through the last few months of winter, but I didn't want to deal with a regular fake tan. This product produces a gradual, natural colour (that you can control). Plus being a lotion you can rub on as much as you like to ensure an even colour without streaks. It's the lazy girl's fake tan - and perfect for me.

5. Lucas Papaw Ointment

An oldie but a goodie. My Mum used to use this stuff on nappy rash. I use it for chapped lips, dry cuticles, minor burns, as a skin illuminator and whatever else I think of. It is always in my bag.

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Top 5 Cosmetics Must-haves

1. Bare Minerals Original SPF 15 Foundation

Truely the best foundation I have ever used. It is light, but you can build it up to the coverage you need. It balances out my combination skin, and covers my pesky blackheads (that nothing can get rid of). While it is a powder it doesn't make my skin too matte, instead it is left slightly illuminated. I love my skin when I have this foundation on.

2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20

Initially, this was an impulse buy at the counter of Sephora (one of my favourite stores in New York), now it has become part of my regular skincare routine. While I am addicted to mineral make-up (see above), when I want a little extra sun or skin protection I use this product. It's not greasy and offers a nice light coverage. Perfect for evening out my skin without looking too made up. It also leaves my skin looking dewy not greasy.

3. Diorshow Mascara

After not having used this mascara for a few years, instead buying cheaper 'drug-store' mascaras, I don't think I will give up on it again, ever. It is smooth and silky, glides onto my lashes and stays there. I have long eyelashes that are quite fine which means that if a mascara isn't right I can end up looking like I have spiders legs on my eyes. This mascara offers the perfect blend of thickening and lengthening for my eyes. I love it.

4. Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick in Blase Apricot

I have never had so many compliments on a lipstick colour. It is the perfect orangey/coral lip colour for spring. I have been enjoying embracing bright lipstick lately and this one is definitely a favourite. The compliments help too! 

5. Mac Fix+

This is a product that I don't use all that often, but I could never completely live without. It helps to set your make up and for me, that means my face lasts a lot longer. I use it when I am getting really dressed up to go out (say to a wedding or fancy night out) so that I know my make-up won't need touching up as the day/night wears on. It stops my face from running and helps keep shine at bay.

What are some of the beauty products you can't live without?

Day Dreaming

Here are some things that I am dreaming about this week...

Stella McCartney Dresses

PS1 Bag by Proenza Schouler

Kauai Hawaii

Khloe Kardashian's Shoe Collection

Adam Lippes's New York Dining Room

YSL Tribute Sandals

Colourful Outdoor Space

Antique Armchair

At least one of them is going to be a reality, I am honeymooning on Kauai!

New York, A Photo Diary

I have been thinking about our first year in New York a lot lately. It wasn't an easy one. But that being said, sometimes its good to look back and remember all the great things that you have done, rather than dwell on the negatives. It's the good things that you will remember when you are old and grey.

Here is a look back at our time in New York so far...

February 2010

I will never forget this day, it was our second full day in New York and we woke up to snow everywhere. We were not prepared for this kind of weather so we jumped straight in a cab to Paragon Sports and loaded up on snow appropriate shoes and coats. Plus, it was the first time I ever saw snow!

March 2010

By March most of the snow had cleared, although it was still freezing, so we decided to do two days on the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus. We had gotten off way up the top of the East side of the park and it started raining, which meant that all the buses that went past were completely full. So, we walked in the rain and took photos along the way, like this shot outside the Guggenheim Museum.

April 2010

Our first time to the baseball. This was also one of the first mild nights we had, where we didn't need to take a coat. We thoroughly embraced the experience with large beers in plastic cups and hot-dogs for dinner. 

Lets go Yankees!

May 2010

Our first road trip outside of the city for the Memorial Day long weekend. It also coincided with my birthday. How nice to have a long weekend for my birthday! We drove to the very tip of Long Island to a place called Montauk, about half an hour past the Hamptons. This photo was taken after we toured through the Montauk Point Lighthouse, which has been guarding Montauk since 1796.

June 2010

One evening after work (for Michael, not for me), we decided to go up to the Top of the Rock. We had already been up the top of the Empire State Building in our first week and decided to see what the view was like from 30 Rock. I have to say that I think the Top of the Rock view is much better than the Empire State, you actually get to look at the Empire State Building and you get a much better view of Central Park. Plus, the lines move much quicker. If you are only going to do one when you are in New York,  I recommend the Top of the Rock.

July 2010

A hot and humid evening cutting through Central Park. I can't remember what we cutting through the park for, I just know that we only walked through a corner of it. It was a very hot evening and I think it was about to rain.

August 2010

Still being tourists (I don't think we will ever stop) we decided to do the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. I highly recommend it. You can do a half-loop or full-loop of the island of Manhattan.

September 2010

At the US Open tennis. It was so freezing cold and windy that when I went for a walk through the stadium to get coffee they had completely sold out, everywhere! Everyone had the same idea I guess. I think it would have also been a great day for the merchandise stands, everyone would leave their seats and come back in big fleecy US Open jumpers.

October 2010

Our first Halloween and we nailed it! Michael especially was a hit, we couldn't go out on the street without people yelling "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice". It was a very funny night, we had a blast. Although I don't think I will ever do the full face paint ever again, that stuff gets everywhere.

November 2010

I almost missed seeing the Fall Foliage all together, so one day I met a friend up at the park and we walked through taking pictures. This was really at the end of the season though, I am sure that it looked much better in  late October, early November. This year I am going to try and do a weekend upstate to fully appreciate this beautiful time of year.

December 2010

Christmas in New York! This was my first Christmas ever where I wasn't in my hometown with my family. Luckily my brother and sister-in-law came to visit so I still had family around. It was Michael and my first Christmas spent together too, we normally spent Christmas with our own family's.

It wasn't a white Christmas but boy did it snow on Boxing day!

January 2011

We started the New Year at a game of NFL, the New York Jets vs the Buffalo Bills (if I remember correctly), thanks to a Christmas present from my bother and sister-in-law. It was another freezing day and the crowd was a little quiet as the Jets were already safe to make the play-off's. 

February 2011

Sorry no photos of this month, at all. It was too cold and miserable to document. The thrill that I felt seeing snow for the first time last year had well and truly worn off.

March 2011

Watching the New York Knicks vs New Jersey Nets. It was a grudge match and a close game, with the Knicks getting over the line 120-116. The first time I went to the basketball I wasn't that impressed but this game certainly made me rethink my stance. It was an exciting game and the crowd really got into it. 

We even had a Jay-Z sighting that night, he is one of the owners of the Nets.

April 2011

Signs of spring finally starting to show up. It took long enough this year. After the longest winter of my life (and even most New Yorker's) it is so nice to see greenery and colour starting to spring up everywhere. It is a beautiful time of year and a great time to be in New York. Restaurants are starting to take their seating outside, people are getting out of their jackets and coats, and there is a renewed energy in the air. I love it.

Which brings us to now, and another hot and exciting summer ahead. 2011 is shaping up to be a much better year and I am excited about what is in store.

Perfectly Imperfect

While trawling magazine racks for wedding inspiration that was different from the likes of Brides, Weddings and Contemporary Bride (which were not what I was looking for), I came across a magazine called Real Simple Weddings. It was full of great pictures and practical advice like, what season different flowers bloom, when to book the photographer and how to choose a cake. While flicking through, a subscription notice fell out on my lap (as usually happens, even if you already have a subscription). This was an offer to good to be true, a free twelve-month subscription, just for buying the Wedding issue.

I am on to about my third month of said subscription and I am impressed. Each issue is dedicated to a different topic. One was Spring Cleaning, another Energize Your Life and the most recent Organizing Solutions for Every Room. Real Simple isn't a fashion or a home magazine, but it is a lifestyle magazine, and I like it.

I particularly enjoyed the following pictures I saw in the Energise Your Life edition. The article was titled Perfectly Imperfect and I have now decided that is exactly what I would call my own design philosophy.

Images are from Real Living

An online version of the article can be found here.

Shopping On The Net

While I love fashion I find going into stores unbearable at the best of times. But, having lived in New York for over a year, I have become quite obsessed with online shopping. You don't have to deal with crowds, changing rooms or pesky sales staff (no offence, I was once one myself). Plus, I don't get distracted by all the things in store I want, so I don't make as many compulsive purchases as I used to. I get online, get what I need and get off as quickly as possible. Minimal damage done (right Michael?).

Here is a list of my Top 10 shopping websites (in no particular order)...

Urban Outfitters
Great for everything, I am a little obsessed with this store. It helps that it is generally pretty cheap too.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

The Outnet
Wishlist items on sale, what's not to like.
http://www.theoutnet.com/

ASOS
A great website when you know what you're looking for, but can't find it anywhere else.
http://us.asos.com/

Topshop UK
I will always have a soft spot for Topshop.
http://www.topshop.com/

Shopbop
A HUGE range of designer clothing in one place.
http://www.shopbop.com/

Anthropologie
I'm obsessed with these stores, particularly their home section.
http://www.anthropologie.com/

Queens Wardrobe
A recent discovery, definitely worth a look, they have a huge range of clothes on offer.
http://queenswardrobe.com/

Gap
Good for basics, and kids clothes.
http://www.gap.com/

J.Crew
Something for the whole family. This is one of my fiancées favourite stores too.
http://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp
(ships to the USA only)
Australian Alternatives: Witchery and Country Road

Sephora
Make-up, cosmetics and fragrance, oh my!
http://www.sephora.com/
(ships to the USA only)
Australian Alternatives: Skincare Store and StrawberryNet

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While I'm talking about the World Wide Web, here is a list of my Top 5 fashion and shopping blogs:

Refinery29
http://www.refinery29.com/

Who What Wear
http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/home.php

Style.com
http://www.style.com/

Fashionista
http://fashionista.com/

Boutiques.com
http://www.boutiques.com/

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I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Luxe for Less

With the wedding creeping closer and closer, I am tightening the purse strings in order to prepare for the payments ahead. That means having to find alternatives on my wish list items for summer. Actually, truth be told, I usually buy things on the cheaper end of the spectrum. The luxe items usually stay on my wish list. I get so excited when I find something that looks like an item I want but is so much less.

Here are some of my favourite luxe for less swaps this summer...

Wooden Sole Sandals

Swedish Hasbeens vs. Ecote at Urban Outfitters

Strapless Dress

Rebecca Taylor at Bloomingdales vs. Gap

Shorts

Vince at Bloomingdales vs. J.Crew

Bright Bikini

Lanvin at Nordstrom vs. Victoria's Secret

Sunglasses

Burberry at Sunglass Hut vs. Urban Outfitters

Mother's Day

I apologise for my lack of posting lately. We have had lots of visitors in New York these last few weeks and I haven't really had too much time to think about posting. I have some great posts planned for next week though!

In the meantime, I would like to wish all the mother's out there a very happy Mother's Day, especially my beautiful Mum, Mary. I love you, have a great day! xx