Haul // Surratt Beauty, H&M, MAC and more

My hauling habits have definitely changed over the past few years; when I once coveted and brought home every little thing I liked the look of, I'm now more sensible and think about if I would actually use the item, and how much I actually want the item as well. I'm sure I'll stumble again as time goes on but I'm enjoying shopping a lot more now, and being selective in my choices means my collection has never been more exciting to me! I recently spent some time in the city for meetings and tacked a round of shopping onto the end of it, and I thought I'd post a collective haul for you all.

A few homey bits made the cut, including a gorgeous foil Kikki K print, H&M Marble Tray and a bronze basket that I plan on using as my 'new product' stash holder on my desk. I also bought some new pens from Kikki K and the pink version of my beloved 'dog scarf' from Ishka - because one dog scarf is just not enough, my friends.

Bits from the new essence Brit-Tea collection made it into my shopping basket as well, and I found some Avene skincare on sale at Chemist Warehouse that I thought would be great to try after I use up my La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+. A trio of Coco-Cola flavoured Lip Smackers were too cute to resist and I finally found the MAC Make You Mine blush I've been searching for since JemOrJerrica started using it in her makeup videos - lemming finally satisfied! Did you know that they've opened up a freestanding MAC counter in Melbourne Central, and that it sells pans just like the Chapel St Pro Store does? I just found that out and am very happy about it!

The crowning glory of my haul? This stunner from Surratt Beauty... 

After reading Liz's post on this silky smooth Surratt Beauty Artistique Blush beauty I knew I had to pick it up. After missing the shade Ponceau online when it sold out, I went to the Myer Melbourne Mecca Cosmetica counter to swatch it and I was immediately sold! Naturally I'm trialling it for a full review so be on the look out for that post soon.

Have you hauled anything fun lately?
Have you changed your hauling habits too?
-Emma

September Lifestyle Favourites



I have a feeling that this is the first time you would have seen a lifestyle favourites on my blog, but I figured that since I love watching them on YouTube it made sense to share my own favourites with you all. The majority ended up being beverages but overall it highlights how chilled (read:boring) my life really is outside of the beauty realm!

writing with my new Kikki K pen // sunny spring days // my planner and favourite pen // my library stack

Kikki K Pen
This pen makes writing about 80% more enjoyable for me, and for that it's a definite lifestyle favourite this month! I hate how it smudges when you highlight over it but the glide is so addictive and I've just seen that they possible have this pen in a Christmas design - be still my heart! I wrote with it to show you what it looks like above and then snapped it sitting on my 2015 Personal Planner* which I'm also loving at the moment!

Sunny Spring Days
My mood has definitely been elevated since the nice weather took hold of Melbourne - it's still light when Mister and I return home from work and we've been enjoying sitting out in the backyard enjoying the sunshine as we wind down from the day.

My Library Card
I'm back on the library bandwagon in the biggest way, and am really enjoying stacking my shelves high with books I don't have to pay for! I've been scrolling through Goodreads stealing recommendations from people I admire and I've also joined the fabulous Look At All These Books book club!

Madame Flavour Mint Choc Rooibos // Jarrah Coconut Hot Choc // Moccona Hint of Caramel // Garlic Prawns with Chicken & Leek Risotto

Madame Flavour Tea Treats - Mint Choc Rooibos
I can't imagine finding a tea that tastes better than this one - it's sweet enough to replace dessert without being overwhelming, it's the perfect mix of choc and mint in tea form, and it makes me happy each night when I drink it in bed reading a book!

Jarrah Coconut Hot Chocolate
I'm definitely not a big hot chocolate fan, but my sister in law gave me a few sachets of this to try and now I'm hooked! I've tried to work coconut into my drinks in the past and always failed, and this was the exact taste I was trying to replicate! Now I just have to convince Jarrah not to EVER discontinue this...

Moccona with a Hint of Caramel
Yet another hot drink - it's clear where my obsession lies, isn't it? This is what I have each morning with sugar and a splash of milk and it's my favourite - sometimes I even choose it over a proper takeaway coffee, and that is saying something!

Garlic Prawns with Chicken & Leek Risotto
I fell into a routine with my dinners through September but this was the clear favourite with juicy prawns sitting on top of creamy and moreish risotto - a definite treat meal that Mister and I really enjoy.

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What were your lifestyle favourites in September?

Any hot drink recommendations for me? I'm seriously obsessed!

Emma x