Summer Playlist

A small playlist of songs I've been loving this summer! 

Bliss n Eso - Act Your Age 
Empire of the Sun - Alive 
Odesza - All We Need 
Odesza - Say My Name 
Ellie Goulding - Anything Could Happen 
One Direction - No Control 
One Direction - Perfect 
One Direction - Steal My Girl 
One Direction- History 
San Cisco - Run 
Troye Sivan - Wild 
Troye Sivan - Fun 
Meg Mac - Never Be 
Meg Mac - Every Lie 
Can't Stop Won't Stop - Up and Away 
Can't Stop Won't Stop - Scrape the Sky 
Atlas Genius - Trojans 
The Beach - Thieves 
Zella Day - East of Eden 
Vance Joy - Riptide
Vance Joy - Fire and the Flood 
Kiiara - Gold 
James Bay - If you ever want to be in love 
Rüfüs - You Were Right 
The 1975 - Heart Out 
Disclosure - Latch 
Disclosure - Latch (TEEMID x Daniela Andrade edition) 
Cold War Kids - First 
Jesse McCartney - Shake 
Justin Bieber - Sorry 
Tuca - Big Jet Plane 
Nikki Minaj - The night is still young 


THIS IS MY LAST POST FOR THE YEAR!! 
I wish you all a safe and happy New Year, and hope that 2016 brings you all you could ever ask for x 

Spring Makeup Products

Hello Everyone!

As I'm sure you all know, the heat has well and truly hit us in Australia. With a change of season comes a change of fashion and trends, so I thought I would share some of my top picks for spring makeup!

*BB cream

Using a BB cream instead of foundation can be a great alternative for the warmer months. This is essentially a multi-purpose product, offering sun protection, soothing properties, reduces appearance of pores, prevents blemishes and so much more. I find that these creams give really good coverage - masking the imperfections I want to hide - while giving a light and natural finish.

I recommend

·        Rimmel matter 9-in-1 BB cream.

*Benefit Hoola bronzer

This bronzer is a tone that would suit most people all year round. It gives a lovely sun kissed glow to the face and is great for defining those natural cheekbones and jaw line.

*Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer

This concealer is loved by many for its ability to cover up dark under eye circles and pesky blemishes. This product gives great coverage and tends to last the entire day. It also has a highlighter-type effect, really brightening up the face as suggested by the name. With this concealer you’ll be bright eyed and bushy tailed for all of spring and summer!

*Pink/bronze eye shadow

These two shades are certainly on trend this season, especially when they shimmer! It’s been all about the eyes this year and spring is no exception. Shimmery cream eye shadows in these shades help brighten the eyes and add a bit of a dewy look to the face.

I recommend

·        NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 625 Sparkle Nude.

·        Urban Decay - Naked palettes 2 & 3.

·        ChiChi palettes – Fresh, Naturals.

·        Too faced – Boudoir Eyes palette, Chocolate Bar eye shadow collection.

*Powder

If when you hear ‘dewy’ you think ‘sweaty’, you’ll probably be reaching for some trusty powder to complete your makeup look. I particularly advise using pressed powder if you have oily/combination skin and/or know that being outside will lead to an unwanted shiny complexion.

I recommend

·        Rimmel Stay Matte powder - great for controlling shine for around 5 hours, ands helps minimise the appearance of pores.

*Lashes

I believe mascara is what completes any makeup look, and for added glam falsies are a gem. This spring you want to opt for long fluttery lashes.

I recommend

Benefit – they’re real mascara, roller lash

Tanya Burr false lashes

Hope this give you some inspiration!

Bella x 

Spring Lookbook

 

Playsuit - eBay

Boots - Famous Footwear

Kimono - Dotti

Shirt - eBay

Shorts - Factorie

Boots - Famous Footwear

Shirt - Supre

Shorts - Factorie

 

Halter top - Overseas (Thailand)

Shorts - Valleygirl

Boots - Factorie

 

Choker - TopShop

Pendant - Overseas (Vietnam)

Halter top - Overseas (Thailand)

 

Shirt - Overseas (Vietnam)

Shirt - Overseas (Vietnam)

Shorts - Valleygirl

Boots - Famous Footwear

Dress - City Beach

Boots - Famous Footwear

3 Ingredient Vegan Ice cream

Here in Australia we've finally reached Spring! And to celebrate our move into the warmer months I decided to have a crack at vegan ice cream! Please don't be daunted by the term 'vegan', this stuff tastes so so goooood!

To serve 2

Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas
Cinnamon
Cacao powder

Method:
Chop your bananas into smaller pieces and blend in a blender. Add cinnamon and cacao powder to taste, and blend them through. Leave your mixture in the freezer for a few hours so that it gets to an ice cream-like consistency. When you're ready to eat take it out and enjoy!
It's that simple!

Optional - Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of chia seeds for an extra health benefit.

Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I do :)

Bella x

The National Eisteddfod

On the 24th of July, I set off with 12 other students on the most amazing dance experience. We flew down to Sydney feeling very eager to compete  in the McDonald's Sydney Eisteddfod, and take part in a couple of dance workshops.

On the first day we had an incredible contemporary workshop at the Sydney Dance Company! For me this was one of those moments where you know this is what you love and what you can't live without. Shoutout to Shelley Moore for teaching us that day!

The next day we got to explore some Sydney markets and check out our surroundings. We also had a commercial jazz workshop at Brent Street! Eep! So much fun :) 

These 2 workshops were great experience and I honestly learnt so much from them both. 

Then came Sunday, the day of our big performance! We had never competed in an eisteddfod as important as this one, and honestly we didn't expect to walk away with a placing. But who would've thought the only Queensland group who had only been practicing for a term would walk away with SECOND PLACE!! That's right! The largest eisteddfod in Australia, 38 competitors, and the little Queensland troupe came second! I couldn't be more proud of the girls I got to dance alongside.

Monday was a day full of shopping and exploring through Pitt Street mall. We don't have shopping like that where I come from, so needless to say I spent all my money on a shopping frenzy! 

These days were filled with excitement and happiness and I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to travel with. I'm so so proud of everyone and very grateful for this experience. From late night pranks (and almost being kicked out of our accommodation), to exploring the streets of Sydney, I loved every moment and can only hope for another trip like this in the future!

Bella x 

Sweet Potato fries

I have been cooking these nonstop because they taste great and are a healthy little snack! 

Ingredients: 

1 roughly chopped sweet potato 

Moroccan spice 

Extra Virgin Olive oil 

Lightly coat chopped potato in olive oil, and sprinkle with Moroccan spice. 

Bake in the oven at 200c for 30 mins each side. 

Enjoy!

(This recipe also works well with your average potato and eggplant!)

Bella x  

10 Things to Learn For Being 16

I turned sixteen last month and I'm so grateful for the people who filled my celebrations with happiness and made it memorable! Big love :) 

And I realised that through my few teenage years, I've actually learnt so much from my own experiences and others. So I've decided to share just 10 pieces of advice from 16 year old me. 

1. Wearing a darker foundation shade doesn't make you looked tanned! You'll look like a strange carrot. DON'T DO IT!

2. If someone is bringing negativity into your life then let them go. Yes this is easier said than done, but once you finally say goodbye to misery, you will start saying hello to empowerment and happiness! You deserve the best! So surround yourself with others that support you and bring positive vibes. 

3. There is always someone to talk to, even when you feel alone and helpless. No matter how difficult a situation might be, someone is out there ready to listen and assist. This might be a family member, friend, teacher or even a support worker. Never feel like you can't reach out when times get tough. 

4. You can't wear everything. We all have different bodies and individual styles to suit us. The truth is not everyone can rock a midriff or a maxi dress. You need to look at what really compliments your figure and style, and not just buy the latest trends. 

5. People will hurt you but you will overcome this. Life as a teen is not always fun and pretty. You will experience friendship troubles heartache, family issues and even problems with people you don't know! Keep your chin up high and power through like the strong independent person you are! Laugh at situations, compliment yourself and try your best to stay positive. You can't control the fact that people will be mean, but you can control how you react. 

6. Waxing yourself will hurt more! 

7. Life changes dramatically as a teenager. Your friendships will evolve, change and maybe even be destroyed. You'll experience physical and mental changes. You'll be placed in foreign situations that may be uncomfortable. And it's ok! It's normal! Overwhelming, yes. But not something to be afraid of. 

8. It's ok to say no. If you are being pressured into something that makes you feel uneasy or unsure, then speak up for yourself! You should never be forced into something that makes you nervous and uncomfortable, and if the people you're with really care about you, they'll understand you're decision to back away. 

9. Leading on from number 8, think before you speak/act. Words and actions can have huge consequences; you don't want to regret a silly mistake you made. 

10. And finally, please fill in your brows beautifully and naturally. They do not need to be thick black caterpillars! 

Recent Favourites!

Hey Everyone!

Haven't posted a monthly favourites in a long time. Oops sorry! So these are the top products I've been loving from the recent months :)

*Mor body wash, marshmallow scent
I am in love with this body wash! It smells amazing! Kind of a mix between musk and marshmallow. I use it so often that I'm running low :( need a replacement asap!

*Original Source Vanilla and Raspberry shower gel
This smells strongly of strawberries and cream! Fruity and fresh, a great morning shower scent!

*NYX jumbo eye pencil, 625 sparkle nude
This is basically a cream eyeshadow in stick form. It applies really easily and is quite pigmented. The shade I'm using is a nude/rose gold colour which is great for a day time or evening look. I've also had my eye on a gold shade which looks like a great cheaper alternative to the By Terry Ombré Blackstar in Beyond Gold. These pencils are very affordable and do a great job!

*Rimmel London 9 in 1 Bb cream
I never have the best experience with liquid foundation. They always make me look cakey, oily and heavy, which is never good. So for the past months I've been using this bb cream :) and I love it! It lasts really well and gives just the right amount of coverage. It isn't like a foundation, in that it's supposed to completely mask every blemish and imperfection. It provides more of a natural coverage and gives a healthy glow. This 9 in 1 cream also has 9 great benefits such as controlling shine, soothes skin and has an SPF of 15. Love it!
Tip! When buying a foundation/bb cream you still want to see your freckles/moles through the coverage, otherwise it's much too heavy.

*Herbal Essences naked shampoo/conditioner
I always change my hair products hoping to find something truly incredible, and I think I've just about done that. This shampoo/conditioner is part of the Moisture collection and has made my hair feel the softest and silkiest it has in a LONG time! Well done Herbal Essences!

*Aveeno daily moisturising lotion
I've talked about this lotion before and I'm still loving it! I use this on both my body and face as its non oily/greasy and super moisturising.

*Soft Hands Kind Heart hand lotion
I lo lo love The Body Shop! And I love their hand lotion! Perfect travel size so you can chuck it in your handbag for the day. I put this on every night and my hands are feeling so soft and smooth!

*Lush bath products 
I recently made my first purchase at Lush and I'm in love with that store! I've used the Rising Phoenix bath bomb, which was beautiful and left my skin feeling so smooth! This has a lovely cinnamon and nutmeg-like scent (making it great for a cozy winter nigh!t), and turns your bath into an amazing magenta/purple colour. Definitely purchasing this again! 

I am still yet to use the Floating Island bath melt (lemon and sandalwood scent; moisturises skin), but I have high expectations as it smells incredible and is very popular! (To me it has a subtle white chocolate smell).

*Pretty Little Liars!
So I know this is already such a huge hit and I'm just a tiny little bit late to the fandom... Right? Seriously if you don't watch this show you need to! Now! Binge watching this series with a cup of coffee is just how I like to spend my lazy days haha.

Bella x 

Winter Haul! Part 2

Continued

*Black pinafore - Dotti 

Cute and plain. This black pinafore looks sweet with a collared shirt underneath, some tights and a pair of boots. 

*Track (sweat) pants - Factorie

Everyone needs some lazy day trackies for those... Well, lazy days! These come in different colours, and look pretty cool for something so essential. (I also grabbed a grey pair)

*Dotti socks 

I've talked about these before, but these little sockies are my best friends on a cold night. Fluffy - check, warm - check, cute winter pattern - check, non slip - check. Grab em while you can! 

Grey knit socks - Coles

A supermarket may seem like an odd place to buy clothes, and yes I totally agree. But when I randomly spotted these I just had to pop them in the trolley. Not the warmest, but they look cute and have non slip grips on the soles.

Not very seasonal, but I bought these as well... 

*Black running shorts - Kmart 

Just some simple workout shorts. Really great, fit well, look good. Big thumbs up from me! 

*Off-the-shoulder lace shirt - Supre 

I'm a little obsessed with off-the-shoulder items at the moment, and luckily they really suit me :) This white lace shirt would be perfect in spring or summer. But I actually wore this the other day with my green parka while I wasn't too chilly. 

Let me know what your winter staples are. 

Bella x 

Winter Haul! Part 1

Hola Everyone! 

I've tried to upload this about 13687421788643 times, so fingers crossed this works!!

It's definitely getting colder in Australia (actually freezing)! So I've recently collected a bunch of new items for my winter wardrobe. What better time do a bit of a winter haul?? 

*Green fur lined parka - City Beach 

Green parkas and anoraks seem to be a hot trend this season! Am I right? I'm absolutely loving my cozy parka! Constantly wearing it. It's very warm and keeps the wind out. It goes with basically everything and is right on trend this winter. 

*White turtle neck - Trade Secret 

Perfect to wear with jeans and boots. Not super fancy, but a fashionable basic I've been loving. Turtlenecks seems to be back in style! 

*Black leggings - Paper Scissors 

I've said it before, but you can never go wrong with basic black leggings! I grabbed a new pair really cheap for $7. Easy to wear and comfy = massive win! 

*TopShop Tee 

The other day I grabbed this basic T shirt, that's just white with blue around the neckline and sleeves. So simple but I absolutely love it!! Goes with everything, super comfy, looks great, you just can't go wrong with this basic. Is it just me or did I get too excited over a shirt? Haha 

*Onesie - Kmart 

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing this feels! This is sooo soft and fluffy! And definitely keeps me warm at night. It's white with pink love hearts, and has a hoodie with little ears. Awwh. Let's just say you need to grab yourself one of these!! 

*Faux flannie - Kmart 

Just a long sleeve shirt with a flannie print. Quite thin so you might need to wear a camisole underneath. I purposely grabbed this in a much larger size so I can wear it as an oversized pyjama shirt. 

*Brown boots 

I actually got these specially made in Vietnam. However, they remind me of timberlands which are certainly in season. Brown boots are a winter staple in my eyes. 

Part 2 of my haul was uploaded separately due to technical issues.

Bella x

My Autumn/Winter Essentials

Hey Everyone!
As the temperature here in Aus is definitely starting to drop, and the leaves are changing colour, there is no doubt that we are well into autumn (fall).
And as the seasons are changing I thought this would be the perfect time to recommend some of my autumn/winter must haves.

1. Moisturiser!
This is the time of year where your skin can easily dry out and get itchy. Blah! No one wants that! I recommend the Vaseline total moisture aloe fresh lotion and the Redwin sorbolene moisturiser. Both of these are great for achieving smooth and soft skin!

2. Face moisturiser
Same goes for the face, it can easily dry and become irritated in the cool weather. Lately I've been using the Aveeno daily moisturising lotion. I use this every night, and when I wake up my face feels  great! It doesn't leave my skin feeling/looking oily, which other moisturisers do. So far this has been a little treasure!

3. Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment
This  little tube of magic is an absolute essential! It's honestly the best lip balm I've ever tried, and I seem to carry it with me everywhere! Not only used to keep them luscious lips looking great, this ointment can also be used for sunburn, cuts, bites, rashes and more.

4. Cosy Socks!!!!
I'm a massive  fan of warm fluffy socks! Especially at night when the floor and bed can be chilly, a pair of these little guys makes for a happy Bella. The ones I'm wearing in the picture above are $12.95 from Dotti. Definitely recommend getting your hands on these while you can!

5. Oversized Jumpers
Whether you're heading out or chilling at home, baggy sweaters and hoodies are both fashionable and comfy.

6. Leggings
Ahh leggings, a simple item that can be thrown on with a jumper while you spend your day indoors, or worn with some boots and a military jacket for a trendy look. Either way black leggings are easy to wear and super cheap. I recently spotted some for $7 at Paper Scissors.

7. Hot Chocolate (or warm drinks of your choice)
There's nothing quite like snuggling up under a blanket with a nice hot drink. So go and grab yourself a hot chocolate or chai latte as you welcome the cooler months.

8. Vitamin C
Bit of a weird one, but there's nothing worse than catching a cold or flu. Vitamin C isn't something that our bodies hold onto, so it's important for us to take this every day. I'm not telling you to go out and buy yourself tablets, as this vitamin can be found in many fruits and vegetables. Take care of yourselves and avoid the disgusting flu!

Happy Easter 2015!

Hello Everyone! 
Happy Easter Sunday! And for those who don't celebrate it I wish you a wonderful day nonetheless :) 
Hope you have a great day with great people, and received some special treats from the Easter Bunny 🐰
Wish you all happy and safe celebrations! 

Bella x

January 2015 Favourites

Hey Everyone!
We're already in February! So what better time to share my monthly favourites of January?
These aren't all beauty related and you may find some a little odd,  but here you go! 




Rimmel stay matte powder in 001 transparent. Claims to control shine for 5 hours, and it seems to do exactly that! Plus this is one of the only powders I've tried that doesn't make me look super cakey.



Nude by nature Mineral Mascara. This makes my lashes appear long and dark, without ugly clumps. Perfect for a natural look, or even when heading out for a special occasion.






Essie nail polish  in 79 sand tropez. Absolutely LOVING this right now! It's a nude/grey colour which looks like more of winter shade, however I think it can easily be worn all year round.



Vera Wang Princess eau de toilette. A really pretty floral scent I've been wearing heaps recently!

 

A but of a weird one, but this Palmolive Peppermint Crush shower gel smells AMAZING! Smells just like a sweet candy cane. It's a nice Christmassy winter scent, and is also a really refreshing summer scent. Plus it moisturises and exfoliates your body.



Lastly I've been really enjoying drinking this Dilmah Rose with French Vanilla tea. It's the perfect sweet blend to have after a long day!

Back to School: Makeup

     

Hi Everyone!
So it's that time where students are heading back to school again (I can't say I'm too enthusiastic), so I thought I would share the products that I use for a super quick and super simple makeup look.

Firstly I use the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer in the colour ivory. I just apply this with either a little brush or my finger to my under eyes, and any redness or blemishes. I've tried several concealers before but this is the one I always go back to. It offers fairly good coverage and makes me look much more awake than I actually am on a school morning!

Next is the Maybelline Fit Me! powder, in the number 120 classic ivory. I just use a powder brush to apply this all over my face, especially in my T zone where I know I get a little oily.  To be honest this isn't my favourite powder, as it doesn't last the entire day very well, and it can make me look a little cakey. But for a quick school look it manages to do the job.

After that I use a Revlon brown eye shadow palette (it's really old so I'm not sure if you can still find it in stores, but I think it's called Overtime Shadow)  to fill in my brows a little. I use the dark brown in the top right corner and just brush it through.
*Quick tip - if you don't have/lost a small angled brush, you can use a little lip stick brush instead.

And finally I use the Maybelline Mega Plush Volum' Express mascara on my top lashes.

Hope this helps!

Bella x

2015, The Start of Something New

Well Hello there!

 So the new year is upon us and as 2015 has begun! 
And as a new project I've decided to start this blog which I envision to be yet another beauty, health, and lifestyle place, while also sharing any quirky opinions and thoughts I want to express. 

This year I haven't made resolutions as such, but goals. Things to work towards in the hope of not just having a great year, but becoming a greater person (I know it sounds cheesy but bear with me). 
These goals include: 
*Becoming generally kinder and more compassionate 
*Being more independent 
*Working harder 
*Being healthier (typical) 
*And not getting caught up in the online world

Now I know the last one might sound a little strange as I've just decided to create a blog. But I feel like this is a good change. It encourages me to get out and do things, experience new things, so that it can be recorded here, as a kind of journal that is open to the public.

Now I can't successfully achieve these goals without making changes. Real changes. And I encourage each and every one of you to do the same! These might sound easier said than done, but you can do it! Here are just 3 changes I've made/am making, and I hope you can give these a go. 

1. If you're not happy with the people who surround you, then move on. You deserve happiness and you deserve to be surrounded by friends who appreciate and support you. Moving on to find someone new can be a daunting thought, but it will make you feel so much better! 

2. Cut down on technology. Yes it can be tricky when we live in a world run by it, but just take some time out each day to appreciate the world around you without pulling your phone out or scrolling  through social media sites. This will sound deep so grab your snorkels, but I've realised just how much beauty and life I've been missing out on, all because I get too caught up in staring at a screen. 

3. Listen more. Giving the time to listen to what someone has to say can really make that person happy. So next time that annoying relative wants to have a chat, don't avoid them and make an excuse to leave, just take a minute out of your time to listen to what they have to say. 

I wish you all the best year you've ever had! And hope you've enjoyed this first post. 

Bella x