emerald city

 Blouse c/o Sheinside, Rubi flats, thrifted bag, Target skirt

It may not look like it in these photos, but it was so cold today! I was shivering my toes off while these pictures were being taken! I was dying to show you guys this blouse though. It's so interesting! It arrived in the mail this morning while I was devouring my avocado on toast and my family were giving the usual "helpful" comments referring to it as "the weirdest shirt" they've ever seen and "looks like a turkey... or an ostrich! a green one!"good luck styling it miss Avenue M".

*Rolls eyes* what do they know about fashion?! I happen to love it! It's such a unique style and something that will be perfect for wearing in the Spring. Anyway, I really must flee, I have such a colossal amount of school work to do that I shouldn't even be blogging... but I'm Maria and that's what I do. If there's one thing I am guaranteed to get a VHA in during high school is procrastination. I am a professional. 

Isn't it fabulous to be a fashion blogger? :)P.S: Guess what?! The silly old braces will be off in a matter of weeks, yippee!

diy lip scrub

Heyo everybody! Since I've been on Roaccutane for about seven weeks now, most of the side effects have kicked into full gear; which includes really dry lips. It also doesn't help that it's freezing cold right now and my skin is just drying out to a pulp. I decided to make a yummy lip scrub that will double as a lovely exfoliant as well as a super hydrating finish. It's really easy and makes a great weekend project!

Ingredients: For mine, I really improvised my way through it because I wasn't really sure how much the container would hold. I decided to add a mix of ingredients to up the amount of benefits! Basically, you'll need some sort of main exfoliant, like fine sugar. Then, you'll need some moisturising base (such as coconut oil and honey) that will also make it moisturising and lastly, food colouring. All you need is a tiny drop and this will just give it a fun colour. Oh! You will also need a little container or jar. Mine was from a cosmetic mask sample; I simply washed it out and it was perfect.

Method: Combine all ingredients until you have the desired consistency. It should be quite sugary in the end but also have an even amount of coconut oil and honey. When you're happy, spoon into the container and compact it in. See, super easy!

beauty things: my makeup bag

I got an email the other day from Meghan, a lovely Avenue M reader in Sydney asking me what's in my travel makeup bag. The things I 'can't live without'. So, I thought I might share these with you all! The majority of these products are available world-wide too, if you're interested, and I've put a few links to where most of them can be found :)

Revlon Colorstay foundation: Best. Foundation. Ever! Well, from what I've tried! This stuff is full coverage, matches my skintone so much better than the majority of foundations at the drugstore and has great staying power throughout the day (hence the name!). It comes in a decent size bottle that lasts me at least three months. I highly recommend it! My colour is the lightest available; Ivory.

Rimmel Stay Matte powder: This stuff is great! It the perfect finishing touch to liquid foundation and is really great value for money. I got mine from Asos for around $7.

Rimmel Lasting Finish blush: The prettiest pop of colour for your cheeks! I chose 'Pink Rose' and was really happy with how it worked with my pale skin. It's a very subtle pink with a romantic shimmer that catches the light at all the right times. The only downside to this product is the packaging. It's super fiddly and tiny... I would have preferred it if it were packaged like the other Rimmel blushes.

Maybelline 'The Falsies' mascara: Unless you live under a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean then you would've heard about this product at some point. It gets so much hype! I think it's a great mascara that looks even more amazing on if you've curled your lashes before-hand. It does get a little flakey, so next time I might have to get the waterproof version.

Professional Make-up eyebrow pencil: This is an absolute essential! It's my exact eyebrow shade and is perfect for filling in those pesky little gaps where the hair just won't co-operate. I'm not really sure where this is available... I got it from my beauty therapist and I'm hoping that when I run out of this she'll have another one for me or else it will be the end of the world!

Maybelline Master Precise eyeliner: This is the ultimate eyeliner for beginners. It's very fine tip is perfect for those with an unsteady hand (*ahem* me) and creates the prettiest winged eye perfect for everyday. If it wasn't for Ms Fifi I would be sporting a cat-eye everyday at school!

Bourjois eyeshadow in 'Beige Rose': This is the third time I've re-purchased this little beauty. It's my favourite eyeshadow/ highlighter ever and can be used wet or dry. I love the packaging and it's just *sheds a tear* one of my fave products ever :)

Lucas' Papaw Ointment: The ultimate Aussie-girl essential. I think this is my fourth bottle in the last 6 weeks. The only lip balm that doesn't end up drying my lips out (Maybelline Babylips anyone?!) and adds the loveliest subtle gloss. Always in my bag.

La Roche-Posay thermal spray: This is aerosol thermal spring water designed to soothe red, irritated skin. I'm into the sixth week of the Roaccutane and it's really been quite awful this week. I've been leaving the shower with very inflamed skin that's itchy and downright horrid. This is great for soothing it and detoxifying.

Sportsgirl 'In My Dreams' roll-on: Izzy gave this to me for my birthday and it smells so good! It's an oil-based roll-on so it lasts all day and smells similiar to Marc Jacobs' Daisy. Another hand-bag essential.

insta-update (summer to autumn)

Hello all! Hope you are having a really great week so far! Mine's been very busy, but lots of good things happened so that's the most important thing. I'm slightly frazzled right now (three drafts have to be handed in tomorrow, yikes!) so I thought I would do a quick update from Instagram! I haven't done one of these since last year so I thought it was high time I shared a few pretty photos. If you like, you can follow me on avenuemaria and say hi!
P.S: My three year blogging anniversary is coming up! Woohoo! I'm also getting a mini blog makeover too, the lovely Christina is designing me a new header and layout over the next few weeks so I couldn't be more excited about that. Talk to ya'll soon!

wonderland florals

 Thrifted dress (for $6!), Miss Shop boots, Rubi bag, cat ears headband from here

On Saturday, my friend Ruby decided to spend the morning op-shopping and eating out at a cute little cafe that was full of fabulous food as well as half price vintage galore. I picked out a cream coloured sweater with embroidery along the neckline and this beauty for only $10 all up. Both were splendid finds and I think this dress will look beautiful with black lace tights and boots for the Winter. I really like the print too, it reminds me of the flowers in Alice in Wonderland.
How was your weekend? Apart from Saturday mornings outing, I spent most of it doing homework and reading The Secret River, the novel I mistakenly chose for English. It's so boring that I've even used it as a sleep remedy. Let's just say the history of Australia is not my favourite thing to read about...