Day spas: one of my secret places ♥

Hello everyone, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year!
I went to Paynesville Victoria with my boyfriend and his family which was so pretty!

We went to Raymond Island, and saw Koalas sleeping in the trees, and they were soooo cute.
ended up watching the fireworks on the beach!
(look for photos in my last post)

Today, I'm writing about my love of day spas, so enjoy.
I have wanted to write about my day spa visits for a while now so here it is.
I absolutely love day spas, and as you might know, I'm a qualified beauty therapist so I've been to spas around Australia / Middle east and the UK, all of them breathtakingly beautiful, and ever since I have absolutely fallen in love with them. Unfortunately, yes they are a huge luxury for me and expensive, so I pay my visits wisely and do what I can afford to.
 I often find myself dreaming about a body wrap and a relaxing massage because these treatments are just heavenly in my opinion.

 If you've never been to a day spa, you really need to give it a try, it's just soo good! :D

 

As I said, I can't visit often so I try and plan these spa days when I am feeling stressed or I'm sore lol.
I wish I could get them more often, I really do, but I'd just spend too much money.
I'd go completely overboard!

A spa I frequent is in the beautiful Yarra Valley.

Natskin Day Spa Retreat at Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort
The surrounding views here are stunning, and I always find myself relaxing as I admire them on the car journey down there.
The spa offers a range of beauty and spa treatments, and is just a truly beautiful,

♥

 



Waiting / Relaxation room
This room makes the whole experience all that much better.
While you wait for your therapist, you are offered a tea or water to relax in this room before and after your treatment.
There's always a beautiful scented candle burning and spa music in the background.
Oh and the couches are so comfy!♥

 

 









 

 

 

The massage sandals I received before my treatment.
And the heated floors of the changing rooms. ♥
 

I am almost certain this post has made me crave another trip to the spa. 

Another spa I am interested in visiting is the Endota day spas, I've bought a gift card from one close to me which I will have to visit one day soon, but never actually had a treatment there.

Endota spas are all over Australia and
they also have their own skincare range which looks incredible and that I must try for sure.

What's your favourite spa / spa treatment?

Emily. x

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Summer holiday checklist

I love to travel soooo much! I dream of travelling the world, but unfortunately I don't have enough $$$ and I can't travel as much as I'd love to,
however I am extremely lucky to have been where I have, so I'm grateful for that. I am still happy with seeing Australia for now and I'm sure one day I will see the world again... but in the meantime

if I am going away for a weekend or a trip to another state in summertime, this is what I'd take...

I'm actually in Paynesville (gippsland victoria) with my boyfriend and his family at the moment! And I thought I'd share some things that were on my packing checklist! 

Ps. Went to Raymond island yesterday and saw like 20 Koalas sleeping in the trees! 

(I'll insert a photo here when I get back) 

I try and take a small amount of makeup with me while travelling.
I usually take way more than I usually ever need, and I'm not going to show you everything I would take, just some essentials which I believe everyone needs for a summer holiday!

Summer holiday checklist
Model Co Daily Face Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50+
SunFX Summer's Secret Gradual Tan
Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder
The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer
Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Shadow & Liner

ModelCo Daily Face Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50+
A facial sunscreen is an essential every day throughout the year, but especially important in the summer months. A good sunscreen with a high SPF is great. The Daily Face Sunscreen from ModelCo is great protection for your day at the beach and also provides a sheer coverage if you're wanting to go natural for the day.

SunFX Summer's Secret Gradual Tan

I like to think that gradual tan is good to have all year round, but that's up to personal preference.
I am not a big user of gradual tan, but I think if you're going for that sunkissed summer tan, for the beach, I think gradual tanning before you leave is a great way to look like you've been laying on the beach all day without the damaging effects of the sun!

Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder

This smells like Pina Coladas / Coconuts! Smells so nice,
and perfect for bronzing up your face after you've developed that glowy tan!

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

This highlighter is amazing, I use this all the time and I'd be lost without it. It highlights beautifully and doesn't require much product to go a long way.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Shadow & Liner

This eye shadow palette is great for travel if you want to have a few simple colours for the day time to create a natural look, or you can build them up to create a smoky eye of some kind and go out with it! I think this palette is great for a relaxed holiday... If you're going out clubbing you can make use of the black too.

What do you take in your travel bag? 

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Emily.

xx

 

Christmas goodies!

Merry Christmas everyone!
hope you all had / are having a great Christmas !

I was way too spoilt this year and I thought I'd share with you what I got :)
I'm not trying to brag in any way, just sharing some of the things I received for Chrissy.
I've had a really good day, apart from being sick! (my whole family woke up with a flu )
I hope you have a good day too. :)

I couple of days ago I went into work (I work at Coles) and they said there was a present for me!
I was so surprised to see the huge present sitting at the service desk!
They had been running a December gift competition where each day up until Christmas eve they draw one team members name out of a barrel and that team member receives a gift.
The present gets bigger and better as the month goes on!
I got this on the 21st so the box was pretty big haha.
Here's what I got:

 

Maltesers Bon bon
Mix Vanilla Candle
Taylor Swift's 1989 Album
& Hillier's Famous Red Box
I also got a elf microphone thing that I ended up giving to the kids next door haha.

And now for the presents I got from my boyfriend's family...



Candle holder
Vanilla & Cinnamon Scented Candle
Cadbury Roses

 

 

The Body Shop Strawberry Body ScrubThe Body Shop Wild Rose Hand Cream SPF 15
In Essence Aromatherapy Night Cream
In Essence Aromatherapy Rose Soap
& ECOYA Sweet Pea & Jasmine Candle

I got the Honey Farm Lush gift from his sister which I loooove!
including:

Honey I washed the kids Shower gel
Honey Bee Bath Bomb
Butterball Bath Bomb
Honey I Washed the Kids Soap
&  the Soft Coeur Massage Bar

From my boyfriend...



Chi Chi Working 9 to 5 Nudes Nail Set
Napoleon Perdis DeVine Goddess Lipstick in shade 'Niki'
Lush Hot Toddy Shower gel
Lush Egg Nog Soap
Marley Jammin' Collection Headphones

LOVEEEE It all, especially the headphones which are incredible! And my gorgeous parents..



Scented Drawer Sheets
The Happiness Code Novel
Natural Instinct Daily Moisturizer
Hair Square Hair ties & Pretty plaited headbands!

I also got some chocolates and $50 from my nan! :)

What did you get for Christmas / How was your Christmas?

Emily

xx

I'm back :)

Hello to everyone who reads my blog.
I have had a very very long break from blogging & my YouTube channel lately and I've been waiting for the right time to start blogging again but I've just been soooo busy applying for uni (yes, I'm finally progressing in the career department) and running around buying Christmas presents / sorting life out and I've also been quite run down which is really getting on my nerves / making life hard and annoying! :(

 

But anyway I'm back, and here to stay!
I've got some interesting blog posts / video ideas on my mind and I'm excited to get back to it all!
On the makeup side of things I have recently discovered two amazing shops I didn't even know existed...
I thought Mecca Maxima was just an online store but I'd never bought from it, and while shopping the other week I realized they'd opened a new store at a shopping centre close to me, I think I almost fell over!
You can buy international brands / high end brands all in one place...
too faced, narz, Clarisonic all that kind of stuff and try it all on without having to buy online!
Unfortunately I was with my boyfriend at the time and didn't want to spend too much time looking around and bore him to death, so I kinda rushed to have a look.
Ahwell I'm sure I'll be able to have a better look next time for sure! :)
The second store is one I've been meaning to have a look at for a while now but never had time / forgot all about it after driving past!
It's a makeup outlet that sells international brands like  LA colors, Wet 'N' wild, Milani and Jordana.
as well as many other drugstore brands, MAC and skincare too which is really handy.




So yeah, will definitely be paying that shop another visit soon too.
But yeah, sorry there's not a whole lot of interesting stuff in this post ...
It's just a update post on what's been happening / why I haven't been posting kind of post haha.
I hope you all have a great Christmas if I don't post in the next couple of days
(although I'm sure I will) haha.

Emily.
xo




 

Christmas gift ideas!

I've seen quite a few beauty bloggers posting about Christmas gift ideas in the last couple of weeks and I wanted to get in on the trend haha. 

More for myself though because I always struggle in this area!

I'm terrible when it comes to thinking of presents for everyone, so I try and start thinking early on so I have it all covered! I especially struggle when thinking of presents for men
and I have absolutely no clue what to buy so I think this post will be very helpful.
I might even discover some things that I want to buy! (most probably will) and hopefully you will too! 

Because it's definitely not an easy task.

♥

So I've done my research and found some great beauty / self care buys for everyone, men and kids included! 

 When you don't know what to buy for Kris Kringle...

Lush Shine Gift
Includes:
So White Shower Gel 
Multi-purpose Gold Fun and Reindeer Rock Soap

AUD $19.95

I love the Lush christmas gifts available this year, and I think I will definitely be buying a few!
They're just so easy, all the products are put together for you instead of choosing them one by one.
There's no thinking for this one, you don't even have to wrap them and for $20 I think you're getting quite a bit for your money!
Perfect for Kris Kringle or another little something to put under the tree!

MOR Sparkle Duo in Lychee Flower
Hand cream and Soapette

AUD $19.95

This set is beautiful, I absolutely love MOR's packaging!
Perfect for Kris Kringle and so pretty.
I think any girl would appreciate this.

Bulldog Skincare For Men Man's Best Friend Due Gift Set
Includes: Original Face Wash & Original Moisturiser
with collectable tin.

AUD $18.

90

Now I'm not quite sure how many men would appreciate self care products
in a Kris Kringle, but if you think they may like it / are that kind of guy who likes to look good / take care of himself, I think it could definitely work!

Miki Cosmetics Lip Gloss LadiesAll on keychains! 
AUD $9.95

I've seen these in chemists everywhere and they are so cute!
Miki cosmetics is such a cute company and if you need a Kris Kringle for kids
this ones perfect. They can hang them on their school bag too!

And when you're buying for family or friends...

I had to include some more Lush gifts because they are just so cool haha.
Lush ♥



Santa Claus is Coming to Town Gift
Includes: Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, So White Shower Gel,
Snow Angel Bath Melt, Butterbear Bath Bomb,
Dashing Santa Bath Bomb, Snowman Jelly, Reindeer Rock Soap,
Holly Go Lightly Bubble Bar.

 

AUD $59.95

If you want to spoil someone, this is definitely a gift to consider! There's a whole heap of different ones on the Lush website, at all different prices and sizes.
I'm just choosing ones to show here that I like most!




e.l.f 12 Piece Nail Cube
Colours included: Desert Haze, Wedding Bells, Prissy Chrissy, Nude, Purple Pleaser, Blush,  Sea Escape, Gold Star, Gina Girl, Smokin Hot, Raspberry, and Purple Dream

 

 

AUD $25.00

This is a great gift for a mother, a daughter, or a friend!




Le Labo Classic Collection - Solid Perfume
In any scent from Le Labo

$85.00

This is a unisex solid perfume which I think is a great idea for men especially.
They can put it in their toiletries bag or in their pocket, I think it's easy and stylish!

So there you go, I hope I've given you some inspiration for Christmas presents this year!
I love unique presents and I think these are perfect! :)

Good luck with your Christmas shopping
and I will talk to you in my next post . x

Byyeeee!

My Beauty & Fashion Wish List ♥

 

I'm always lusting over new makeup, skincare and a little bit of fashion too.

There's always something I want to try out that I've seen on a blog, YouTube channel or something that has caught my eye. I thought I'd share my wish list with you, I guess this could be my Christmas wish list, but I never really ask for anything at Christmas!
These are the things I will be getting my hands on in hopefully very soon!

I get so excited going to buy things when I've been thinking about buying it for a while or a day... ha

♥

 

Lush
There's quite a few Lush products I've got my eye on at the moment which I am actually planning on buying as soon as I finish this blog post most likely.
These include:

Big Liquid Shampoo

I read a review about this on a blog a couple of weeks ago and I think it might just help out with my hair situation. My hair is quite thin, it has hardly any volume to it and will get weighed down with any products or styling you put in. So when I heard about what this shampoo does and read some reviews, I think I might just have to try it!

    

Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask
 If you've read my last post about my skin, you'll know I have acne.
And through reading some blogs, I've come across a mask that I neeeeeed to get onto my skin now!
The Catastrophe Cosmetic Mask is made from fresh blueberries, calamine powder, Irish moss and almond oil to soothe, calm and reduce inflammation.
I need this, it sounds like it smells amazing, and might keep my angry spots under control!

Vanillary Perfume - 30ml Spritzer

The only reasons I want this is because I need a new perfume, I was on the Lush website, saw their new gorilla perfumes and fell in love with the packaging.
I probably need to go to the shop to test all these products because I find that I don't really know what I want until I smell the them. If it doesn't smell good, I won't buy it.
And obviously with perfume scent is the most important thing.
So I better go to lush instead of buy online.
Wish it was a little closer to me, it's like 40 mins away :/
I love the packaging though ♥

 

You can also get this in a 10ml spritzer and a solid perfume balm.

 

 

MOR

These products are soooo pretty. I just can't get over it.

Love love them and every time I see them I'm drawn to the marshmallow scented products.

 I'd really like to try out one of their candles and a body wash so

I'll definitely have to look around on their website a little more but I want these two for sure...

Little Luxuries Marshmallow Petite Candle

 Marshmallow Hand and Body Milk

 

 

 

FOA

I am in need of some new lip liners, I have got into the habit of not wearing lip liner, and it really does make a difference to the look of your lipstick. I've come across these Face of Australia mechanical liners. I've tried a few testers in store, and I'll be buying them in red and nude.

 

 

                                 
 

 

TheBalm
The balm have some really cute nail colours.
They're called Hot Ticket Nail Polish...
And they're the last beauty related things...


Lookbook and Hunted Dreams Boutique

I have fallen in love with these two beautiful pieces of clothing from lookbookstore.co and Hunted Dreams Boutique. The first one is by lookbookstore and I love this sooooo much. The fact that it's Spring in Australia and I am willing to buy this NOW shows how much I love it. It's just so unique, I love the frills. I love everything about it. Even if I have to wait like six months to wear it !
I'm going to get my hands on it somehow. They actually said on instagram that they 'might' be putting this on their website, but they have to! I don't know what I'm going to do if they don't. :(




And this one... this just looks adoreable.
I love the colours, and the flowers... yeah.
I think it speaks for itself. It's a beautiful piece.

 http://www.hunteddreams.com/shop/jumpsuits?product_id=1082

What's on your beauty / fashion wish list?

♥

 

 

Acne struggles!

I'm not sure why I decided to write a title like that, maybe because it's raining outside!?
I must admit I have been lazy with makeup for a long time. I know it's a bit on the strange side since this is a beauty blog but the reason for this is my acne.
For some reason sugar and junk food don't agree with me anymore - in the last year or so.
But since I have stopped eating all the bad stuff (3 days so far - I wonder how long I last), and after reading a very interesting book about the connection between diet and acne. 

I'm almost 100% sure that the spots on my face are related to diet.
I have have a healthy diet, but one chocolate bar or packet of chips and I'll wake up the next morning with multiple spots every time, even if I have them sometimes!

And I know what you're thinking... people wear makeup to hide their acne...that's what concealer's for right? Well for me, it just feels disgusting when I have painful spots coming up all over my face.

My skin is clearing up and I am going to commit to eating healthy from now on 

and since I've said it here, I can't really cheat can I?  

Anyway, that's the reason I'm not wearing makeup as much as I would like to which really sucks when you've got acne too, you develop a love-hate relationship with makeup! 

When I've got painful spots I just like to give my skin a breather and in reality, that's one of the
best things you can do for you skin!

If you're suffering with acne and you think it may be related to diet, or you haven't changed your diet and you think it may be another way to help, try Erica Angyal's books:

Gorgeous Skin for teens & Gorgeous Skin in 30 days.
http://www.gorgeous-skin.com/

I've definitely seen a difference!
I don't particularly want to upload a photo, but I will definitely make a blog post
sometime when my spots clear up.

If that guy on supersize me can eat McDonalds for 30 days in a row (ew) then I can eat healthy for 30 days.

I don't know if that makes sense but I think I know what I mean lol!
And I'm hoping that I will see a difference in my skin. 

I will get back to you in 27 days, (20th December) 

And see how everything goes.

Update: Tried, and failed miserably with this challenge! :(
And also discovered that a lot of my 'acne' isn't actually acne anymore, and just red marks or macules as they call them left over after they have healed.
I've read up about it and they say that good exfoliation works wonders at reducing the appearance of them. I am planning on buying a Clarisonic type brush.

Thanks for reading! 

Emily. x

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