Glorious...

A little something I've been using a lot lately is the cutely-packaged and sweet smelling "Hand Food" by British brand Soap & Glory.

I'd used other products from their range before (mainly bath stuff) but not the hand cream. This one was actually a present from Sarah of Temporary Secretary, sent as part of a 'care package' that she posted to me full of lots of cute things!

The tube I have is in the handy travel size, and it really lasts quite awhile. I've been using it on nearly every flight since I got it a few months ago and it's only just started to run out.

The pros are it doesn't feel too greasy and you don't need a lot to get the job done. Some people who are sensitive to fragrance might not like the smell but then again that's true of most of the S&G range. However I find fragrance to be a bonus in my job as not only will it function as a hand cream but also as a 'stink shield' in the event of a smelly cabin; just a dab under my nose can get me through the worst clouds made onboard with a smile! ;P

Previously Soap & Glory was only available in the UK but I have since seen it sold at Sephora in the US and also in various locations in Oz. For my Dubai peeps who don't travel, you can buy it at most Boots outlets. (Keep an eye out for the 3-for-2 specials to get extra bang for your buck!)

June Empty- Fa Silk & Magnolia

I didn't get through many empties in June, given that I was off from work a lot and not using as many products as normal. So I only have one empty for this post, which is Fa Shower Cream.

To be honest I hate paying a lot for shower gels/creams since generally they mostly do the same thing and often aren't as moisturising as they claim. This one fits the bill nicely since it doesn't cost a lot and has a nice fragrance. It's a 'Cream & Oil' so you don't need much to get a nice lather. It's not wimpy lather either, feels nice and soapy and takes awhile to wash off completely. The fragrance is 'Silk & Magnolia'. It's fairly strong and leaves traces after you shower, which I like. Doesn't clash too much with perfume though. This actually reminds me of the old Dove Cherry Blossom Shower Creme Oil which I used to use back home, but haven't seen here.

Overall I like this product and have bought it again, gives a nice smell, lathers well and doesn't set me back the earth like other brands here might.

Cost: Dhs15 (About USD$4.10)

Gettin' Savvy

Good news, Priceline fans! (Why did I think of Professor Farnsworth just then?)

Anyway, if you are a Priceline addict like me, you'll be happy to know that the brand Savvy by DB is back in stock in stores. It disappeared off shelves last year, and I was sad it had gone until one of the store assistants told me that it was for re-branding and changing of packaging, not because it was being discontinued. (Which is what usually happens to products I like.)

Aside from work, I only wear lipstick occasionally. Usually it's nude or neutral tones rather than brights, though I have been experimenting with these lately as well. My first go-to shade was a Maybelline, but when it ran out and I bought a replacement in the US, I hated it because the texture was weird and it was so hard to put it on smoothly. It dragged at my lips and made them feel gross. Since I didn't buy it again I'm not sure if it was a one-off production error or if they had changed the formula.

Back to Savvy! I really like it as a range for basics, and to cheaply experiment with colour trends as everything in the range is under $15. Most things which are over $10 are brushes or kits. The makeup items are generally about $8 at the most for fancy eyeliners. I'd been using Savvy for work shades, but since the prices are so reasonable I decided to try out some colours I normally wouldn't.

My latest purchase is their standard lipstick in "Guava". It's slightly shimmery, peachy-pink leaning more toward the orange tones. Easy to put on and I love the colour; it really picks up my complexion and gives me a pop of colour. I'd always been shy of orange/peach tones because I always thought I had yellow undertones to my skin but to my surprise they actually really suit me. The day I bought it I got compliments from three shopgirls on it, so it's doing something right!

Now of course being a cut-price product it's not super glam like department store brands, but I really couldn't tell much difference between Savvy and say, Maybelline or Rimmel. The staying power isn't horrible but not super either, but I didn't expect that given it's not advertised as a long lasting. I do need to touch up if I drink out of a glass or eat something substantial but generally there is colour still left on my lips.

My only real gripe has been with past Savvy lipsticks; after some time in my handbag the lids have become loose and tended to fall off. Since this one has the new tube, I'll keep an eye out and see if it makes any difference.

For under $5 you really can't go wrong, especially if you love to try out colours you're unsure of. The range doesn't seem to get updated hugely often but the eye products do change enough that you'd find some variety. It's also good because you can find something you liked last season and want to buy again. Most girls would find at least one lipstick they like in the range, as there's some for all skin tones and range from neutrals to classic colours and neon brights.

Now if only I can work out how to stop my lipsticks breaking in the Dubai heat...! Feel free to post your tips below.

Savvy is available from Priceline stores, range may vary between locations. This product was purchased by me, all opinions and comments are my own.

Product Review: Banila Hand Cream

On one of my trips to Korea, I ventured upon a cute cosmetics store called Banila Co. It was filled with the usual assortment of Asian cosmetics- bright blushes, an array of fruity smelling face creams, masks in sachets and an range of eye makeup in every colour of the rainbow.

One of my favourite finds was this hand cream, with the cute name of 'Give Me Your Hand'. I purchased the Redcurrant scent, but it also comes in two others which I can't recall at the moment.

Red-Currant Face Pack (Mask/Gel) & Hand Cream

The scent is amazing, and while the cream is slightly greasy feeling at first, if you control the amount used it sinks in very quickly and leaves hands quite soft. I would use this last, before trying to put on jewellery or other fiddly tasks. The scent is lovely but might be too sweet for some. It lasts awhile but not too long to be annoying. All in all I was very happy with this & would definitely buy it again. In fact, I bought the matching 'face pack' on my next visit.

How adorable is the packaging?

 

Sorry- ingredients are only listed in Korean

Currently listed for 8,000won (approx AUD$6.50 at current exchange rates) on the Banila Co website)

I'm not sure if they ship outside of Korea/Asia, but you could probably find this product in other online stores.

O.P.I. Lineup

6 so far with probably more to come!

On my recent trip home I finally succumbed again to the temptation of the '2 for $25' offer in the Aussie duty free stores. I usually wistfully gaze at the basket of colourful polishes as I walk by toting my crew bag, but never stop to buy any. Red is very high maintenance for work and I used to think it was too much hassle to change the colour for days off. However, I'm lately back into my love of all things colourful, shiny and cosmetic. I picked up two new polishes on my arrival (one for my sister) and then again on my way back to Dubai- how indulgent!!

The lineup as follows L-R:

#NL H19 "Passion" Nude Pink
#NL G01 "Aphrodite's Pink Nightie" Shimmery Light Pink
#NL B31 "Flashbulb Fuschia" Metallic/Shiny Hot Pink
#NL R53 "An Affair In Red Square" Metallic Deep Red
#NL R54 "Russian Navy" (A cult OPI Shade) Dark Shiny Blue
#NL Z21 "The Color to Watch" Shimmery Blue/Purple

I also purchased "Shatter" in Black for my sister, as she always wears dark nails & loves to try new things. I also have my eye on "Melon Of Troy" and "Blush Pink". I've tried other polishes, and several friends have recommended me to try Essie polishes, but I really love the range of colour that O.P.I. has. If I'm good and do the proper maintenance, the colour seems to last quite well. My job is quite hard on the hands so some chipping is inevitable. I really must practice some more as my DIY manicures just never look as good as the ones done by someone else.

Do you have a favourite polish/colour? Which do oyu love but never think you'd wear?

Burgundy & Gold (Outfit Post)

I've always liked the combination of burgundy & gold, especially when accented with black and/or white.

I remember seeing Nicole of Gary Pepper Vintage wearing an amazing burgundy pleated skirt in one of her posts, and when I was last in Sydney, pleated skirts were popping up everywhere in the store windows including Dotti and Valleygirl. Sadly, they looked kind of wrong on me.

While on my visit to AdelaideI was very happy to discover a similar, non-pleated skirt in Supre. It also came in black, bone and a tan colour. I really liked the tan and if it's still there next time I get to Sydney I think I'll buy it as well. In the last couple of years I've thought Supre clothes are quite expensive for what they are, but as I wear long skirts all the time in Dubai this purchase would be worth it.

Today I wore it for the first time in Dubai, this test run was to the mall for a nice dinner on my own.



Detail Shot:

This shows what I like to call my 'Lord of the Rings Tree' necklace. I can't recall where I bought this but I know it was $5 or less. I LOOOOVE this necklace & have been wearing it to death lately.



These are also the first pictures of my new hair colour. The lighting is not that great but it's quite red now. Last time I got it coloured it was more a darker, red-brown than a true red-copper brown.

Skirt: Supre
Cardigan: Crossroads, about 4 or 5 years ago
Belt: ICE Brisbane, about 3 years ago
Necklace: Bargain, probably Diva or similar
Shoes: Forever21 New York City
Hair Colour: L'Oreal Excellence #44 ;)
Makeup: Dior Lip Glow, Maybelline Colour Sensational #55 Pinkalicious & Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in #557 with CoverGirl TruBlend Mineral Powder (no longer on sale) :(

Parisian Pink

Yet another dress I'd love to have. I can just imagine this with a white cardigan, for a day of strolling Paris, seeing the Louvre, sitting in a cafe watching passers-by and taking pictures near the Eiffel Tower.



(Pattern from Kallie Designs)

Dashing Dress

Wow, I'm doing ok with keeping up the posts lately (Better not tell work or they will think I'm not flying enough) :P

Here's a catch-up post of one of the dresses I bought shortly before my move, I'm hoping to get some of my own photos but for now these ones taken by 'Trashy Vintage' will have to do.

I'm not normally one for bold designs but this dashiki dress in hot fuschia pink really caught my eye. How fab for wearing around the pool or to somewhere like Bangkok? I can wear it casual with flats or dress it up with a belt and some awesome jewellery for night!


There's such a melting pot of cultures here in Dubai, and I love that a lot of the women still wear the traditional dress of their homelands. I see lots of Indian women in colourful saris, Gulf ladies in colorful abayas and scarves, and of course the Emirati women, while wearing black robes, still have embellishments on their shaylas (headscarves), colourful designer bags and fabulous shoes. I feel like I can get away with a dress like this here much more easily than I could back home.


Have you bought anything fun lately?

Paying Up and Pink

I've been really busy with work lately & haven't really been in the mood to blog, which is why so few updates. I guess also I'm not really sure if anyone reads this so I tend to really only want to update when I have something to say... guess I'm not very chatty at the momennt, hehe.

I've been doing ok in my goal to pay money off my credit cards, of course there is always room to improve but I feel like if I get too strict with it then I'll sabotage my efforts as I will feel like I'm missing out then just go on a big spree to make up for it. A girls' gotta have SOME fun, right? :)

So the only things I have shopped for was to buy a mobile broadband key (Prepaid of ccourse!) so that I can use the internet when I'm away. I have internet on my phone but for certain work purposes a mobile phone doesn't cut it. For example, to log into my online roster or check other work-related websites and download documents. As hotels charge exhorbitant rates (around AUD$30 per day) for internet, I figured it would make sense to get prepaid as I can pay $30 for one month and have access when I need it. Also being prepaid if I'm not using it I don't need to buy any more credit until I do need it. To satisfy my need to feel like I'm having some FUN I bought a pink one:


The other thing was to pay off some shoes I had on layaway before I started my 'credit crunching', which I did, but did not notice until I got home that the silly girl did not give me my receipt. Usually I will let something sit in the closet for a week while I decide if I'm going to use it or not. I had put a dress on layaway for work, as I have a lot of meetings interstate this year and needed non-uniform business wear. I figured I could get along without it and was going to return it but now the girl did not give my my receipt I can't, plus the store said it scans at $21 so that's all I'd get in exchange value. So I guess it stays.

Yesterday in Adelaide, I spotted this cardigan in Bardot which I really, REALLY want; as I have been looking for one just like this one for AGES!!! But I should be really good and not buy it.


Although.... it is my birthday next week, so maybe I could buy it for myself??? Hee hee...

My nail polish of the moment is Flashbulb Fuschia by O.P.I. I got this one in Singapore last year and I LOVE it, it's so pretty & fun and makes me think of cocktails on holiday :)

Pretty in Pink

Seeing as I'm not supposed to be shopping right now, I thought I'd live vicariously through you, my readers, and share another of my favourite websites with you.

I first discovered Pretty In Pink designs back in 2008, on a trip to the Rocks Market in Sydney. The range of girly sweet clothing & cosmetic bags really caught my eye for cute things, and since then, owner Jessica has only been adding to her range of products.

The ultra-cute stall at the Rocks Market, with all the fab adorable products.


Among the items, you can buy vintage-inspired clothing such as aprons, playsuits & pyjamas, all in cute prints that Jessica sources herself from overseas. There are also other handy items such as iPod/phone pouches, pencil cases, keyrings and super-cute aprons for the kitchen.



Cute cake shaped lip gloss pots, great for a little pressie or stocking filler, I wish it was Christmas again!

From the Pretty in Pink site:

Designed and made in Sydney Australia, we have thoroughly researched our materials to ensure the highest quality and long gevity of our product. The unique Pretty In Pink Plastic Fantastic prevents discoloration, fading, wrinkling and cracking caused by sun exposure. Additionally, all Pretty In Pink products are machine washable.

I'd already bought several of the cosmetic pouches in different sizes- they're perfect for keeping your camera, DS and games safe

- but I'd been admiring the clothes as well since Jess released the loungewear range.

So a few months ago (ok, so it was before my shopping ban) while I was browsing the markets, I got one of the tie-front skirts. So cute, and sooooo comfy!

It goes with lots of things in my wardrobe and is great because you can glam it up with heels & some jewellery, or go casual to the beach with flats.

Here's me in Brisbane in my Miss PiP skirt :)

It was great to wear on a really hot day as it helps keep cool & air circulating :P Hee hee
Ok so I also got one of the lounge dresses for when I travel, as I hate the idea of having to go downstairs in my nightie everytime the fire alarm goes off. Lovely Jess also gave me a bonus keyring- yay!


You can check out the Pretty in Pink website to shop online, or find out where in Sydney you can see the Miss PiP range. If you're on Facebook, you can also become a fan of PiP!

Too sweet!

(All product photos from the PiP website, photos of stall and me are, hehe, by me!)

Candy Shop

I'm a bit of a sweet tooth normaally, but I simply couldn't pass up chocolates in such a cute box...
they make me imagine Marie Antoinette daintily eating truffles while she has her pompadour hairdo done by a lady-in-waiting...


These are also available in a larger tray-style box, but I had something else in mind when I chose the smaller treasure-chest shape.

Ooh how yummy do they look! (They tasted even better!) And they're different flavours to the normal Lindt selection, as well.


Now when the chocolates are finished, I plan to line the little gold tray with felt circles & squares in the bottom of the tray, and use it as- a jewellery box! How adorable will that be! (I'm going to try flatten the box out, and have it laminated or something, so it's stronger.)

I think it will be a very girly, royal way to store one's earrings! =D