Mini Haul

The last couple of weeks I have been busy with a quick holiday to Adelaide to see my family before uni returns (which is this week). One of the advantages of going on holiday is shopping - and the family members who want buy you things as well!

Cat Cardigan

With it getting colder here in Melbourne, I'm excited to be able to bring this bad boy out of the wardrobe and start wearing it more. I found this wrap cardigan on ASOS (which sadly is no longer in stock) and as soon as I saw the cat print I was in love - being a little obsessed with anything to do with cats, this became a must have for me.

SIMILAR STYLES

Cotton ON | ASOS | ASOS | Cotton ON | ASOS

I added a pop of colour with a tank from Cotton ON (I also bought this in a Black and White), a similar style can be found here. I wore my trusty black skinny jeans, also from Cotton ON and simple black flats from Target (Similar style found at Shoe Shed).

I'm not one for taking photos of myself - so this was out of my comfort zone, haha! Usually if I see a camera I'll be hiding my face with my hands, or pulling a face which either makes for hilarious results or unusable photos. Hope you guys enjoy this look, let me know what your favourite winter piece is.

Smoothies

It has been a little while since I last posted (sorry!), but I have been busy over the last couple of weeks studying for university exams (3 exams in the space of 2 days - not again please!). Today I thought I would post a couple of smoothie recipes that are delicious and a little bit healthy!

The first smoothie is a healthy Spinach and Avocado

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons chopped avocado
2 cups spinach leaves
170g of plain greek yoghurt
Roughly around 15 green or red grapes
1 ripe pear, chopped
1 or 2 tablespoons of lime juice

To serve the smoothie, I just used a washed pasta sauce jar - which is the perfect size for smoothies and cocktails - and used a thick straw from IKEA.

Recipe inspired from Sweet Spinach Smoothie

The second smoothie is a Mixed Berry (makes me think of the All Berry Bang smoothie from Boost Juice!)

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons of mixed berries (mine were frozen)

3 tablespoons of plain greek yogurt (for extra berry flavour you could substitute this for a mixed berry yogurt)

1 tablespoon of chia seeds

A splash of pomegranate juice

Again, I served this smoothie in a washed pasta sauce jar and used the IKEA straw. 

The blender I currently have is an older Bellini model that I purchased from Target a few years ago. This works ok, but isn't good at blending sometimes. The blades are small and don't work the ingredients around too well, as most times you will still have chunks of unblended fruit or ice when you serve. 

I'd love to know your favourite smoothie recipes, and if you try making these two let me know how it went! :)

Winter Fashion Inspiration 2015

I love Winter as you get to layer up with jackets and jumpers, and get to dust off your favourite pair of boots. I also enjoy sitting around home in my trackies and jumpers, and having a marathon of TV shows and movies on cold winter days - which seem to be a more frequent thing now I'm in Melbourne, where it has rained more in the last few months than I can remember happening in Adelaide!

I thought for this post I would try recreate some looks that have inspired me for this winter season. Below are 2 looks/inspiration for my winter wardrobe.

NIKKI REED | PARK CITY, UTAH, 24th JAN 2015

JACKET

I love this simple grey jacket that Nikki is wearing. This style of jacket/coat in general is a good staple piece, as you can team it up with a good pair of jeans or layer it with a simple jumper/cardigan. I found a similar style to this jacket at Cotton On.

Cotton On | ASOS | Dotti | ASOS | Dotti | ASOS 

TOP

This patterned knit top adds a bit of texture to this outfit. I like the monochrome theme that Nikki is going for in this look, and this top is a great winter piece for layering. I found a similar style to this top at Dotti.

Dotti |  ASOS | The Iconic | Sportsgirl | The Iconic | Sportsgirl

PANTS

A good pair of jeans are great for your wardrobe anytime of the year. I like how with this look Nikki is wearing a darker blue jean, instead of a black skinny. Adding a slight variation in colour helps make the outfit flow, and makes it interesting. I found a similar style to these jeans at ASOS.

ASOS | Cotton On | Sportsgirl | The Iconic | ASOS | Dotti

SHOES

Boots are an essential to any winter wardrobe, and I love these simple black heeled boots. I'm more of a chunkier heeled boot wearer, but these stiletto heeled boots are still great to wear from day to night, and a great match to this winter look. I found a similar style to these boots at Shoe Shed.

Shoe Shed | ASOS | Shoe Shed | Rubi Shoes

TAYLOR SWIFT | NYC, JANUARY 17TH 2015

JACKET

I love Taylor's style, and adding a pop of colour from this red coat to your winter wardrobe will definitely make you stand out, and keep away the winter blues. The only red jacket I could find was from The Iconic, and the style is sort of similar to Taylor's.

The Iconic | ASOS | Sportsgirl | Cotton On

PANTS

Taylor's gone with a nice neutral colour pant for this look, which helps bring focus up to the statement red jacket. I have yet to try a neutral/tan coloured pant in my wardrobe, and seeing this look I might have to take the plunge and invest!  Similar colour pants found on ASOS.
ASOS | Dotti | ASOS | Sportsgirl | Cotton On

SHOES

These zip up heeled boots are great for winter. I love this dark burgundy colour, and the boots fit perfectly with the outfit. I tend to go for knee high boots that don't have a high heel (I'm not the most coordinated person), and that are either slip on or have small zips on the side. I found a similar style to these on The Iconic.
The Iconic | ASOS | Sportsgirl | Shoe Shed | The Iconic | Shoe Shed | Rubi Shoes

I hope you enjoyed looking/reading through some of my inspiration for this winter season.

Current Everyday Makeup

My everyday makeup look consists of a few products (and after grabbing the products realising half of them are from Maybelline).

FOUNDATION

I am currently using the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in the shade 210, Sandy Beige. During the winter I like to go with a lighter shade with my foundation, though I may look at a shade lighter than this once this runs out, as I think at the moment it is a tad dark for me. I apply my foundation with a circular foundation sponge, at this stage I haven't found a makeup brush that applies the foundation the way I like.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

CONCEALER

For concealer I am currently using the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in the shade 20, Sand. This concealer has a doe foot applicator, which is great for dabbing the concealer on. I usually place this around the dark circles under my eyes (dabbed in place in a triangle) and blend it in with either my ring finger or a rounded sponge, similar to a beauty blender) and around my nose as it does get redness.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

POWDER

The powder I am currently using is the Maybelline Matte Maker in the shade 30, Natural Beige. I love, love, love this powder. It gives me a nice matte finish over my foundation and concealer, and it is lightweight, so I don't feel it weighing me down. I apply this with a small kabuki brush and apply all over my face, and make sure I apply well over the concealer to set it.

Maybelline Matte Maker Powder

PENCIL

For my eyes, I first start with the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk. I heard great things about this product online, and how versatile this product is. My first impression was that the product itself was smaller than I thought, as the product itself is only about 1cm or so long. Even though it is small, it works wonders. I use it mainly around the outer and inner corners of my eyes, blended in with my ring finger, to give the impression of larger eyes. Though I have yet to venture further to see what other uses this product can be used for, I have seen other ladies use it as a base for eyeshadow, an eyeliner, concealer and a highlighter for the brow. 

NYX Milk

MASCARA

For mascara, I am currently using the Rimmel London Scandaleyes Flex in black. I love this mascara as it really gives my lashes length. The brush itself has straight bristles which help give length, and fan out the lashes making them look longer and widens the eyes. This so far has been one of my favourite mascaras.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Flex Mascara

EYE LINER

I am currently using the Rimmel London Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner in black. This liner is easy to apply, and fast drying. The applicator is a small felt like brush that gives precision when applying to the eyes. I have been using the eyeliner for a while now, and so far it hasn't let me down.

Rimmel London Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner

Job Interview Look

I recently had an interview for a retail clothing brand, and I though I would share what I wore to it.

JACKET

This jacket I bought from ASOS Tall range. I love this jacket as it is over sized on me, and a bit baggy (which will be perfect in winter for layering with jumpers underneath). 

ASOS Tall Festival Parka

Similar Styles

Cotton On | ASOS | Dotti | Sportsgirl

TOP

This floral print top is also from ASOS (I love this store!). I don't usually go for bold prints like this, but when I saw it I fell in love - and needed to add it to my wardrobe.

ASOS T-Shirt with Botanical Print

Similar Styles

The Iconic | ASOS | Dotti | Sportsgirl

PANTS

These pants are just simple black skinny jeans from Cotton On. Any black jean is a staple piece for any wardrobe, and perfect for a more "business casual" type interview.

Cotton On Black Skinny Jean

Similar Styles

Cotton On | ASOS | Dotti | Sportsgirl

SHOES 

These ankle boots are from Therapy shoes, and have been a loved addition in my winter wardrobe for a while. They're just simple black pull on boots, that can be worn day and night - perfect!

Therapy Shoes Eastside

Similar Styles

The Iconic | ASOS | Dotti | Sportsgirl

My cats wanted to join in the fun of taking photos/wanting to sit on the jacket

One Pot Pasta

This pasta is super easy to make and best of all - you only need one pot to prepare it all in!! 

INGREDIENTS

450 grams of spaghetti

1 Chorizo (sliced)

1 large brown onion (sliced)

1 packet/punnet of cherry tomatoes

2 cups of fresh basil leaves

4 cloves of garlic OR 2 teaspoons of garlic paste

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup grated parmesan 

METHOD

In a large pot over a medium heat, combine the spaghetti, chorizo, onion, tomatoes, basil, garlic and 4 1/2 cups of water
Add salt and pepper, to taste
Bring to the boil
Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until the pasta is cooked and the water has reduced
Stir in parmesan
Serve while hot

COMMENTS

This pasta was delicious! Very easy to make, my only concern was the pot I used. Some of the pasta stuck to the bottom, and burnt a bit. Next time I would use a smaller pot, or a dutch oven type pot.

Recipe inspired from : Damn Delicious