Project Use It Up #1

There is nothing more inspiring for a beauty blogger than a great beauty 'project' (except maybe a great makeup collection video, amiright?) They often spur me on to use up products, but as I lamented in my recent empties post the amount of actual makeup that left my stash wasn't very impressive in 2014 so I aim to rectify that this year. Using the wonderful Monika from Rocaille Writes as a direct inspiration (particularly these 'make a dent' posts) I've taken it upon myself  to set up a simple challenge...

I will use up these products in 2015 (preferably in the first half of the year!)

Project Use It Up Products as of January 2015

As you can see I'm not silly - I've chosen the products that need to leave my stash, the previous pan hits and the lip products that I really like and can wear often enough to make this challenge a success. Easy to wear lip colours in a mixture of formulas, a great foundation that I know I'll end up repurchasing and powders that aren't as impressive now that I have the likes of Chanel and Hourglass in my life.

The Products:
-Sportsgirl Get Cheeky Shimmer Powder
-Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation
-Smashbox Sheer Gloss in Overexposed*
-Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Sweetheart
-NYX Powder Blush in Peach
-Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy
-Clinique Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey*

NYX Powder Blush in Peach

Clinique Whole Lotta Honey & Chanel Boy wound all the way up

Sportsgirl Get Cheeky

I know in theory I could easily toss these products, but the temptation of the thrill I'd get once they are completely used up is far too strong for me to do that. I actually really enjoy using all of these products and would probably repurchase some of them down the line (hence why they have been used so frequently already, I suppose) 

I actually forgot to include my mini Nars Laguna and some pans from my Urban Decay Naked palette so I'll have to exclude them from the challenge despite their pans showing. I will be checking in with you as I burn through these to let you know how I go, though I'm not placing stringent rules on myself in regards to not purchasing any other makeup etc. My general plan is to stop buying so many drugstore products that just go to waste and make deliberate and considered choices when it comes to new products entering my collection. A seemingly simple task that I often fail at (though I'm doing well for 2015 thus far!)

My 'Project Use It Up' products on the beautiful tray I received for my birthday

Do you have any tips for my first project?
Wish me luck!
Emma x

*The Smashbox gloss was a PR sample and I won the Clinique Chubby Stick in a Facebook competition on my personal page. Honesty, always.

Recreating Myself // My Wildcard Entry for #BBU12

In terms of makeup, I switch up my look all the time. Some days are bright pink lips, other days it is bright green eyeshadow, but the one look I am afraid of, I decided to tackle for Sara-May's Makeup Utopia Wildcard. For those of you who are unaware, Makeup Utopia are hosting a Beauty Bloggers Conference in September and have 2 wildcard spots available... and I want one!

I present to you, my take on a 'dark and vampy' FOTD!

I used matte shades for the eyes as it is something I don't do often, and it forced me to work at blending a lot more than I normally would as well.

I used theBalm's Meet Matt(e) palette for my eyes, with Matt McDonald being the star player! I blended the edges out with Matt Gallagher and used Matt Chung as the hightlight. The lips were courtesy of MAC Plumful, until I thought of something vampier in my collection...

The new Nars Pure Matte lipstick in Amsterdam fit the vampy bill perfectly!

Whilst most of the other Wildcard entries are full on looks, I thought of this challenge as a way to recreate my way of thinking, and stop fearing certain looks! Makeup is all about having fun (after all, it washes off!) and so I'm grateful for this challenge, which has taught me to try all the looks in my head, and not fear new things!

What new things will you try this week?
What look are you most afraid of?


What do you think of my Wildcard attempt?!

The Shower Situation: Complete!

You might remember about a month ago I shared my overflowing shower situation with you in this post. I ended up impressing myself, instead of finishing up the 5 products I completed 8 items!

Botanics of Australia Revitalising Body Cleanser*
Garnier Fructis Sensitive Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

 L'Occitane Cherry Princess Pearlescent Shower Cream*

  John Frieda Conditioner 3 *
Lush Glogg Shower Gel
Burt's Bees Cranberry and Pomegranate Sugar Scrub
Alpha-H Age Delay Cleansing Oil*
Charmed soap bar

I'm pretty content with having less in my shower caddy, I still have a lot to choose from but more room to store them. I needed to throw out the soap bar, it was never going to be used and looks gross so out it goes. My favourite products from this challenge would have to be the L'Occitane shower cream and the Alpha-H Age Delay. I will be going into mini reviews tomorrow when these also feature in my June Empties, so be sure to check that out if you are interested in seeing what I thought of any of these.

Though I said I would treat myself to some Haus of Gloi products when I finished up some shower items, I came home from work to find some new shower products from Clarins and L'Occitane waiting for me so I am going to hold off for now. It looks like the PR for those companies decided to reward me prematurely!

How much does your shower caddy hold?
Is it overflowing?

*These products were sent for consideration in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

The Shower Situation

An overflowing shower caddy...

...with other products stacked on the shower floor!

I love having some nice shower products to choose from as I unwind at the end of the day, but all of this is getting to be a bit much. I am sick of the half-finished items getting in the way, so have made a deal with myself. When I finish up 5 shower products, I can hop over to Haus of Gloi and haul my butt off. Sounds fair, right?

What do you recommend from Haus of Gloi?

What do you think of my shower situation?

NOTD with OPI DS Opulence/Wellbeing Wednesday

Today I am showcasing one of my nail polish loves. For a non-polish obsessed girl, I love this shade a lot! I actually don't own the shade, as with most of my OPI finds it belongs to Chris' Mum, who this year began a descent into polish obsession. The benefit for me? She is wonderful with sharing her purchases! She chose OPI's DS Opulence randomly one day while perusing the OPI iPhone app, and as Chris and I left for Doncaster Westfield she handed me cash and instructed me to hunt it down. Let me tell you, the app image does not do this shade justice!

Apart from the horrible nails I possess and the chip on the thumb, isn't this so pretty!? The shimmer is deep in the base shade and I lose myself staring into it, we're definitely having a love affair. It's a very wearable pink shade that is in the designer line by OPI, and so retails for $24.95AUD compared to the usual $19.95AUD. We purchased this for her from David Jones at Doncaster.

A subtle sort of shimmerbomb, love it.

See how much depth the shimmer? For this close up I just cropped my nails, no editing at all.

Sigh, pretty nail polishes are good for my wellbeing...smooth, huh?

WELLBEING WEDNESDAY!

Marie the kitty is great for my wellbeing!Especially when she hides from the kidlets inside a nanna basket,haha.

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Last week saw me create a group challenge, as well as my own personal challenge. The group challenge involved getting active at least four times over the course of the week, whether it be walking, jogging, taking classes or anything else you like. I am happy to report that I was successful in this challenge, I alternated between using the treadmill and going for after-dinner walks with my man. My personal challenge was to drink more water and eat more vegetables, which I am happy to say I was successful with, too! I faltered slightly with water over the weekend but overall I exceeded the water target which made up for it. I spent a helluva lotta time in the bathroom, though! I didn't consume any alcohol this week either, and felt so much better on Melbourne Cup Day being able to focus on enjoying the little 'time out' from uni I spent with my family.

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 I ate much more fruit and veg than I have been lately. Takeout for the weekend was from the local noodle house and I loaded it up with so many vegies the box would barely close- yum! My Mum has created this amazing mix of vegies with a touch of sauce and we've been obsessed with it-it's got cabbage, carrot and brussel sprouts among other veg, my favourites!And I've been slicing up an apple at night to munch on while I study or watch TV, which has helped the late night eating habits,too.

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Here are the challenges for the coming week!

Group Challenge: Keep a food diary. It's amazing how seeing all the things we consume each day on paper (or on iPhone in my case) can make a difference to our choices! If you have any ideas for the next challenge, please leave them in the comments below.

Personal Challenge: Spend more time each day with people I love. I've been so wrapped up in uni work and training the new staff at work that I've been spending less time with my family and friends. Seeing my gorgeous niece over the weekend and having dinner with my girlfriends reminded me how much I miss those little moments. I will be repeating the last few personal challenges this week, too (more veg,water,4 workouts etc)
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Building myself up to be the happiest and healthiest I can be! Wanna come along for the ride?

Wellbeing Wednesday

Gearing up for a test this afternoon, so this post will be my Wellbeing Wednesday update as well as a mishmash of things I've been up to lately!

Image taken by me at Belle Bijoux event, which I blogged about here

This past week has been filled with a lot of study and spotted with a few cheeky hauls. I headed into the city twice, and both times I came home with lots of shopping bags filled with things that have been on my wish list for ages! I'm going to share the piccies with you in a few posts time, I adore reading haul posts so decided to bite the bullet and risk a post on my own. I think sometimes people (myself included) are fearful to post hauls in case they appear indulgent, but as a beauty blogger I think it's well documented that I am indulgent, and it isn't something I am ashamed of. I've been popping money away for a while for these things, and I'm still on a high of happiness with the things I took home:)

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I took an hour out of my day last week after class when the sun was beaming down, and read some of the book I had going while I laid on the grass. A bold little birdy with huge feet came up and said hello, but apart from that it was super peaceful and a nice 'time out' sort of moment. I took a snap to share the serenity with you- I love my uni so hard it hurts, it's amazing

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With no group topic formulated for this past weeks Wellbeing Wednesday, I had only my personal challenge to trudge on with...and yet, still failed. My challenge was to hop on the treadmill at least 4 times, but I only managed 3 and a big walk around the city. A semi fail, right? The first night I alternated between the exercise bike (oww my butt) and the treadmill with Chris and then we went for a walk outside for 35 mins because the weather was so nice. After that I just rocked the treadmill, but then work and social life stole away my nights. I know that is no excuse, so I will be redoing that challenge on top of this weeks.

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Group Challenge (made up by moi): Be active at least 4 times this week! This includes treadmill, walks/jogs, classes, whatever you want to do. Let me know how you go and get me moving,too!

Personal Challenge: Drink at least two bottles of water per day (which I estimate is around 4-5 glasses?) I've been using the cute pink spotted bottle I bought from Daiso in Doncaster and it makes drinking water much more fun! I'll also throw in eat more fruit and veg as a general challenge, my body is craving steamed vegies so badly!

My super pretty Daiso bottle!

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By this time next week I will officially be on uni holidays, which sounds exciting but just means I'll be spending more time at work! I'm looking forward to getting stuck into reading books of my own choice, I have started a GoodReads challenge (see box on left hand sidebar if you want to see how I'm doing!) and have already begun shopping for Christmas presents. I pledge to end the year more organised than I began it! Hope you are having an awesome Wednesday, let me know if you're on for the wellbeing challenges, or what you've been up to this past week.