Too Faced - Peanut Butter and Jelly - Beauty Review

I was waiting for this palette to hit Australia since I saw the announcement, a Peanut Butter and Jelly creation from Too Faced should have been the most perfectly sweet shades you could have imagined but I have really mixed feelings about it.

Let's start with the packaging - The box is really simple and I actually really love it. It kind of reminds me a school lunch brown paper bag which absolutely fits the idea of PB&J. It has an adorable peanut butter spreaded bread lady with the perfect shade of jelly lips. The background is covered with peanuts and has a really nice gold trim. It is smaller than the chocolate palettes but the pots are quite deep so the colours will last me for a long time.

When you open the palette there is a beauty card on how to create 3 looks in line with the 3 styles the palette has – Soft and Sweet, Rich and Creamy and PB&J.

On first impression, the nut colours look really similar. I was expecting this as there’s only so many different shades of nut you can find. The “Jelly” shade looks a little scary as it is so bright and “Spread The Love” is an instant favourite.

After swatching I was left with mixed feelings, there are a few colours that are super pigmented and others that are really really light and hard to blend, which you will be able to see from my dodgy swatch attempts below.

I found myself needing to dig quite deep into some of the colours to get a decent colour on my skin.

Soft and Sweet

Spread The Love - after this being my instant favourite upon first glance I was super disappointed. It is a pale peachy pink colour that has a white base and is just not nice on my skin. 

Peanut Butter - this is a really nice nutty brown colour that is quite matte, great for building up your crease line.

Peanut Butter Cup - this colour is incredibly similar to the brown shades you can find in the Too Faced chocolate palettes which isn't ideal.

Rich and Creamy

Bananas - my absolute favourite shade, it is light, buttery and spreads on super easily. It has a touch of glitter and isn’t yellow at all which is weird because I would assume it would have been with a name like Bananas!

Peanut Brittle - another brown shade similar to what you can find in the Too Faced chocolate palettes.

Jammin’ - a really nice deep plum shade with a touch of glitter throughout.

PB&J

Extra Creamy -  I would only use this as my base eyeshadow to build my colour on top, which I am assuming is the point. 

Jelly - this one actually left me pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a bright purple mess that I would never wear but it actually is a soft purple tone that is easily buildable. You can use a touch of this to create a soft purple/pink shade that would be a really cute touch to your everyday look.

Nuts About U - This brown is the only colour I am a fan of, it is almost a dusky orange colour that really is quite beautiful. 

Overall, if you own the chocolate palettes you probably don't need to own this one as well. 

I don't see myself using this as often as I wanted to. I would probably give it a 2.5/5.

Recipe - Vegan Cheesy Lasagna

With Scott being Vegan I really enjoy experimenting with recipes that we both love and putting a spin on my favourite classics that are usually meat based.

I decided to test out making lasagna with my own recipe and it turned out better than I could have expected, it was super saucy, cheesy and is vegetable based with no mock meat!

Let me know your thoughts, I would love to know if you decided to cook this up for yourself.

Ingredients -

Lasagne Sauce:

Olive Oil

x2 Diced Onions

x4 Tbs Garlic Paste

500g Diced Mushrooms

300g Diced Celery Sticks

x2 Grated Carrots

x2 700g Bottles Passata

x2 Tins Tomato Paste

x2 Sliced Fresh Tomatoes

A Good Handful of Fresh Basil

x1 Tbs Dried Oregano

Salt and Pepper

Cheese Sauce:

1/2 Cup Nuttalex

x2 Tbs Garlic Paste

x1 Block of Notzarella

1/2 Cup Corn Flour

4 Cups Soy Milk

A Good Squeeze of Lemon

Salt and Pepper

Extras:

San Remo Lasagna Sheets

Fresh Spinach

Method:

Lasagne Sauce

1. Add diced onion, garlic paste and a splash of olive oil into a pot and stir until onions are browned.

2. Add the mushrooms, celery and carrots into the pot and cook for 5 minutes or until your veges have softened. 

3. Stir through 2 bottles of passata sauce, 2 tins of tomato paste, your basil and 2 fresh sliced tomatoes.

4. Once your sauce reaches a boil reduce the heat to a simmer and add salt and pepper to your liking, allow sauce to simmer for 30 minutes and stir periodically. 

5. Once your sauce has thickened remove from the boil and set aside. 

Cheese Sauce

1. In a medium saucepan on low heat add 1/2 cup Nuttalex and x2 tbs garlic paste, stir until melted.

2. Whisk in 1/2 cup of corn flour until a paste has formed, keep whisking until combined to avoid the sauce from clumping together.

3. Whisk in 4 cups of soy milk then add the whole block of Notzarella, cut into cubes.

4. Continue whisking the sauce until the Notzarella has melted 3/4 of the way, remove from the heat and whisk until completely melted.

5. Squeeze in lemon and add salt and pepper to your liking.

Assemble

1. In a large baking dish add a base layer of the lasagne sauce, follow by a layer of lasagne sheets and topped with a layer of the cheese sauce.

2. Continue this method until you have almost reached the top of the pan.

3. Finish the layers off with the cheese sauce and sprinkle fresh spinach over the top.

Bake in a pre heated oven on 180 degrees for 40 minutes, turning the tray around in the oven halfway through. 

You may have a slightly greasy top to your lasagna which is normal due to the Notzarella but this is normal for all cheesy lasagnas! This dish is perfect with a fresh spinach, olive oil and lemon salad.

Enjoy xx

Beauty Review - Born This Way

I have found the one!! No but really, I have never been so happy with a makeup purchase before in my whole life.

I don't know why I held out for so long before buying Born This Way by Too Faced but I can't stop kicking myself now because I could have had flawless, soft and perfectly porcelain skin for years now.

This foundation is infused with coconut water but doesn't have the off putting or overly sweet smell I was concerned it may have. It is really hydrating so it doesn't dry out the skin and is long lasting - I wear this all day without needing to touch up my face. The best part is that it only takes one pump to cover my whole face evenly and brightens my skin instantly with a lovely soft matte finish.

I absolutely recommend Born This Way foundation for every single person ever and don't see myself buying another foundation again. 

Oh and one last tip, maybe avoid taking blog photos while your boyfriend is playing Xbox in the background or you will find yourself snapping photos like this one -

Enjoy xx

5 Instagram Favourites - Food

I wanted to share with you my 5 favourite instagrams who have a focus on food. I am super envious of all of these creative minds and if you aren't following them already you definitely should start!

HEARTOFBIANCA - I am probably being biased by placing Bianca first seeing as she is one of my closest girlfriends but she really is incredibly talented. Her recipes are delicious, she is constantly posting delicious food and has recently released her first e-book.

ZOMATO - I have been following the digital transformation of Zomato for a while now and they really are killing it. They had a few hundred followers in June last year and have now just tipped over the 60k mark! I love their concept of reposting from tagged photos to bring a huge variety from different locations in Australia to one Instragram.

NECTARANDSTONE - This is one of my all time favourite Instagrams, every post is absolutely beautiful and the creator is ridiculously talented. I don't think I could eat any of their desserts as everything looks way too good to eat!

PHILSOSOPHYY - I have been following this account forever and the food posted always look so damn good. Philip is constantly posting photos from different bars, cafes and restaurants across Sydney and is always up to date on the latest food happenings. Definitely worth the follow.

TREAT.DREAMS - Again, I am probably being biased here seeing as I am friends with the creator of Treat Dreams but I love love love the imagination behind this business. Lisette's concept is remaking old classics vegan and she has a great range out for Easter including this "Dream Egg".

What are your favourite food grams? I would love to follow more!

Hello Marty

With a very full heart we have welcomed a new baby into our lives! This is little Marty who was named by his Dad and we can all assume his last name is McFly.

He is a beautiful King Charles Cavalier cross Beagle and he is so cuddly and loveable.

Let's just hope Luna comes around the loving her baby brother real soon because right now she isn't impressed...

March Wishlist

I am a self confessed shopping addict. It is actually no secret to anyone who knows me that I have a severe shopping problem that seems to be increasing as the days go by. I have a soft spot for filling up my online shopping carts with clothes I can't afford before shutting the website down, scanning the racks at my local department stores and trying on clothes that I know I can't justify.

It really is a problem and I am sure it is a problem that most of you will have as well.

I have put together my March wishlist with items I am absolutely in love with and will hopefully be adding to my wardrobe over the coming weeks. Click through links on each!

Dorothy Perkins is a brand that I absolutely love, comfortable and stylish and affordable prices. I am loving these Cat Eye Print Skinny Trousers that would be perfect for the cooler months coming up!

Modcloth is really hit and miss for me and I have to really love an item to justify the shipping costs but the Ever the Entrepreneur Dress looks like it could be an exception! 

Vans keep releasing Disney printed shoes that hit my weakness right in the sweet spot. How cute are these Jungle Book Sneakers!?

Sportsgirl have really hit the mark with their new range and this whole outfit is perfect. 

The Daily Edited personalise leather items and I love this Pale Pink Leather Notebook Holder. My initials would look perfect on this absolutely beautiful colour.

Too Faced recently released a Peanut Butter & Jelly eye shadow palette and I need it more than I have needed any other palette ever!!

Kindle is beginning to seem like a smarter option for me every time I want to race out and buy a new book. I am running out of room fast and this seems like a great solution.

Peter Alexander always have really cute pyjamas and this Sleep Tee is another winner.

Tiffany & Co is one of my favourite lines of jewellery and I have wanted this pearl bracelet for a long time. It is so elegant and beautiful.

Indu is a restaurant that I have noticed pop up in Sydney and their food looks amazing, I absolutely want to plan a date night with Scott here soon.

What are your March wishlist items? 

First Impressions - Sportsgirl Lip Swatch

I have always been a big fan of Sportsgirl clothing but have never purchased any of their make up products until today. 

I picked myself up 2 lip creams, a lip gloss and a lipstick and have put together a quick swatch for you guys. All of their pigments are really strong for the price and I am really impressed!

This is my first attempt at actual lip swatches and I honestly had no idea what I was doing so let me know what you think!

Sandstorm - Lip Chalk, Matte Lip Cream - I find it quite hard to find a nude shade that doesn't wash me out but this one is a winner. It has a soft rose tint to the nude so it has a bit more depth than I have seen before.

Peachy Keen - Lip Chalk, Matte Lip Cream - The pigment in this peach is really strong and it has a thick texture that gives even coverage. It is more of a pink peach rather than an orange which suits my skin tone nicely.

Chatterbox - Lipstick - This was the perfect baby pink colour I was promised from Jeffree Starr's Doll Parts shade (still disappointed in him for this)! It is such a cute baby pink shade that I absolutely love. Super cute and such a great cost.

Velvet Coral - Lip Gloss - I'm not a huge lip gloss fan as I find it quite sticky but the texture of this is really nice and thin. It has a strong coral colour I wouldn't expect from a gloss and made my lips feel quite soft and healthy.

Overall I would absolutely recommend each of these products but my two favourites would have to be Sandstorm and Chatterbox!

These products can be purchased instore or online here

Interview Handy Hints

I have worked within the recruitment space for a number of years now and it always surprises me how no two interviews are ever the same. Being a candidate is never easy, job hunting is hard and being interviewed is never a task that should be taken lightly.

There is a distinct difference between interviewing a candidate who has prepared for their interview vs interviewing a candidate who hasn't. 

I have put together a small list of handy hints that can ease your mind before you step into your next interview. Hopefully they are useful - just remember, you can never be too prepared -

1. Dress professionally. If you're going for an office job wear a suit or at least a nice blouse with a pencil skirt or pants. For men, it's important to wear a dress shirt with a good quality pair of trousers and remember to iron! Wear a comfortable pair of shoes that you can actually walk in. I'm not a girl to wear heels often so I love a strong pair of pointed flats.

2. Do your hair. It makes a difference. If you have a fringe I suggest clipping it up so its not falling into your eyes constantly. If you're playing with your hair continuously through an interview it becomes distracting to both parties and can become a negative.

3. Know your story. It's important to know your resume inside and out. You should be able to speak through your story within 2-3 minutes and be able to answer career questions off the top of your head. 

4. Put your phone away. When waiting for your interviewer, don't play with your phone. Speak to the receptionist, take in your surroundings, take a quick mental note of your prepared questions and answers. You want to impress from the get go and sitting on your phone is an easy way to receive a red cross next to your name before you've even begun. Make sure your phone is on silent with no vibrate and don't sit it on the table, you don't want any distractions.

5. Don't lie. You wouldn't believe how small the world is, especially a recruiters world. Someone always knows someone in your history and it's important to be truthful when answering questions - especially when speaking through your current salary package.

6. Research the company. Have at least 3 questions pre prepared for the interview, you want to impress and this is an easy way to show that you're interested in an organisation. If you're meeting with a recruiter for a blind ad then research where you see yourself going and where you know you definitely don't want to be. 

7. Be on time. If you're new to the area plan your trip with enough time to get lost. If you're significantly early then grab a coffee. You don't want to be more than 10 minutes early or late to an interview.

8. Have a strong handshake. There's nothing worse than greeting a candidate with a limp handshake.

9. Body language. Interviews are always unnerving and it's normal for people to work themselves up so much pre-interview that they freeze up. Take deep breaths prior to entering the meeting, smile and engage with the interviewer, listen to their questions and think over your answers before speaking. Have strong posture, don't slouch and make eye contact. There is something called grounding that comes from meditation and it involves you closing your eyes and taking in your surroundings - start with your toes and work your way up visualing each part of your body. As the title suggests, it helps you ground yourself to ease the nerves and gain back that confidence. 

10. Use the S.T.A.R technique. When answering BBI questions (behavioural based interview questions) always answer in this method. S.T.A.R stands for - situation, task, action, result. This will allow you to answer questions in a succinct way that makes sense without rambling off into something totally irrelevant. What was the situation? What task did you need to begin to solve the situation? What action did you take to complete the task? What was the result of your action? 

I really hope these points will help you ace your next interview to land that dream role! 

First Impressions - Too Faced Love Flush

I was so excited when Too Faced released their Limited Edition Love Flush just in time for Valentines Day!

I have never used a Too Faced blush before so having the opportunity to test a few colours in one palette was incredibly appealing and the packaging sold it for me. 

The palette has 6 blush colours and I am obsessed with all of them!

Love Hangover is a medium coral pink shade that is highly pigmented. I didn't need to use much powder to get a good amount of colour on my skin. 

Baby Love has a more subtle rose pink that would be perfect for work, it has almost a warm tone to the colour that makes it stand out from the other options.

I Will Always Love You has an orange tone that I need to be careful with seeing as I am so pale! It will be great to tap onto my cheeks as the colour is quite bright.

How Deep Is Your Love is a light to medium pink which is easy to blend, this will absolutely become a staple to my blush collection.

Justify My Love is my favourite out of the selection! It has a glitter shine through the most adorable baby pink that sits really well on the skin and is really girly without looking like kids make up.

Your Love Is King is the darket pink shade in the palette and has a deeper rose shade, it blends really well and you only need to use a small amount to get a deep colour.

This palette is Limited Edition so I would get in quick if you want to buy one for yourself - Mecca online still have these in stock for $53 but they are selling quickly. You can buy yours here! 

Clovelly to Bondi

One of our goals for 2016 is to get outdoors more and today we did just that!

I'm really lucky to live in Sydney and don't take advantage of our beaches enough... I haven't actually been to the beach to swim or relax for years. 

Today we decided to tackle the Clovelly to Bondi walk, followed by the Bondi to Clovelly walk to get back to the car. It was such a beautiful day for it and I am feeling proud, exhausted and a little embarrassed by my awkward ankle and wrist sunburn!

Once we made it to Bondi we celebrated with Funky Pies, which is a really delicious vegan pie shop. I was so hungry that I forgot to take a photo but we both had the Funky Chunky which tasted exactly like a standard meat pie...but better!

I also had to make a stop at Messina to try their Fairy Bread gelato and it was AMAZING!! Butter and toast ice cream mixed with hundreds and thousands! Soooo goooooodddddd.

It was also amazing to burn such a high calorie amount on a Sunday afternoon!

I am really excited to start making giant walks and hikes a regular occurrence so if anyone has any ideas definitely let me know!