violet sun

This time of year is my favourite - school is winding down, the weather is irresistibly warm and my favourite flower blooms and blankets the town in a beautiful purple carpet. Today was a pretty good day, it started out slightly ordinary (...bad luck-ish?) as I was pooped on by a bird as I walked up the hill. Then I sat in English with a clouded brain (Shakespeare isn't coming easily to me this year, I hate to say), then I had double History and nearly fell asleep in my seat! The topic is immensely interesting, but anyone that stays up until midnight will struggle to keep their eyes open for longer than an hour. I was watching the last Lord of the Rings film (silly me, on a school night) and simply couldn't pause it. That story brings me so much joy - I think it may be my favourite over Harry Potter. Anyway! It was a good day overall because we found out school leaders for 2014 today and I was successful in my application! Yay! I'm really proud of myself and my class mates. Next year will be an amazing final year. 

Anyway, I was really pleased with how these photos turned out - the lighting was so beautiful this afternoon! Tess and I spent most of the time mucking around; at one point I dived into the tree to fetch a bouquet of jacarandas and came out covered in grass and then I did several twirls for the camera and proceeded to collapse onto the ground in a dizzy heap. I need sleep. Yep, that's it. I'm off to relax... catch up on SOR homework and watch the latest episode of Downton. I hope you're all having a lovely Monday. xo

daily face // makeup routine

Make-up has become a much easier thing to uphold now that my skin has made so much improvement - I can wear lighter foundation and let my skin breath a lot more and it's easier to achieve a more natural look (something I've always found beautiful). It's been a little while since I last shared my daily make-up routine so here it is! 

Revlon PhotoReady Primer: It's a crime not to prime! Haha, but seriously. I'm a big fan. This primer is one of my new favourites because it does a wonderful job of smoothing skin over to create a lovely base for the foundation. I have a tip for dry skin though: put on some moisturiser (and let it soak in of course!) before applying the primer as it tends to dry the skin out a bit. 

Revlon Nearly Naked foundation: I've been waiting a fair while for this to launch in Australia after seeing so many ads for it in international magazines. It was well worth the wait! The light formula is perfect for everyday and it doesn't feel heavy or cakey at all. It's easily blended and can be built up to medium coverage. The only thing I would recommend having on hand is a powder, as this foundation can get a little shiny. 

Ella Bache foundation: I've talked about the magic of this foundation before. Basically I just use it as a concealer (it's not exactly my colour so I blend, blend, blend!) and a subtle sunscreen over the top of the Nearly Naked foundation. Both have SPF so I'm staying extra protected!

Kohl Professional Eyebrow pencil in taupe: Secret weapon! Perfect for filling in pesky eyebrow gaps. This pencil has lasted me a year now and I love it. It blends beautifully and looks natural too. 

Maybelline mascaras: Wake up! That's generally the phrase I need to hear in the morning. Without mascara I feel like a naked mole rat - so it's kinda essential. These two mascaras work well together and last all day (with only a little bit of fall-out, but hey, nobody's perfect). 

Body Shop Aloe Vera lip balm: This stuff is wonderful! Perfect! The ultimate finishing touch with a lovely glossy and moisturising formula.

I'm thinking of doing another acne/ roaccutane update. That last one was two months ago so what do you think? Let me know! Have a lovely weekend xo

petal

 Dress c/o Oasap, Target platforms, Forever new belt, Lovisa ring, Sportsgirl hat

I think that if you've been reading Avenue Maria from the start, you'll be aware that I sorta kinda ....maybe... (really) like pink. Oh okay, I'm lying to myself. I love pink! Pink is the equivalent to waffles and maple syrup on a Sunday morning, Ryan Gosling singing in Blue Valentine and the smell of old books. So, as you can imagine, I was delighted to unwrap this beautiful frock from Oasap this afternoon. I feel like an an absolute princess in it and it's simply perfect for Spring. I took advantage of the pretty afternoon light and aside from nearly breaking both of my ankles (note: these shoes are not ideal for the countryside), it was a lovely time. It's lucky my photographer is a good sport. *high fives the little sister*

Aside from the usual excuse for my blogging absences - wallowing in school work, horrendous time management skills etcetera - this time around, I have to admit, I've been so unmotivated! School isn't even that busy! I've had many opportunities to do blog things... catch up on emails, return comments, take pictures and put together posts but I simply haven't found the energy! Now, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has hit rock bottom when it comes to lack of inspiration (and I don't want to keep digging), so help! How have you dealt with lapses in inspiration? I would love to know because this blog is supposed to keep me relatively sane and I don't want it to turn into a 'once a week' kinda thing. 

I hope you've all had a wonderful start to the week. I'm off to bed... my eyes are starting to close on me... that's a sign that I'm tired right?! Good night! xo

blue and white ornate

 Temt dress, Kmart shoes, Oasap bag, gifted hat

Happy Sunday (evening!). I hope you've all had a splendid weekend. Mine has been quite busy, but very productive. Tomorrow I'm off to camp with my grade as we prepare for leadership. Next year I will be in year twelve and I still can't believe that. I sat down and did a little journal entry last night and it really freaked me out looking back at all of my high school years and the prospect of this time next year being part of the last few weeks of school ever. *this is sendin' chills right up mah spine!*

Aside from all that emotional, reflective stuff that I just HAD to share - onto the outfit! This dress is a little bit too wonderful and I'm a little bit in love with it. I'm obsessed with sundresses lately - when the temperature sky-rockets to thirty degrees Celsius (and beyond), it's easy to be put off anything but a light, airy dress in a bright colour with pretty details. 

I hope you all have an excellent week and I'll talk to you soon! xo

tuesday chats // what makes you, you

 Dotti dress, thrifted purse, Rubi shoes (again!), WolfCub headband

This post is going to turn out all cheesy and sappy, I just know it! Today I wanted to talk about things that make people unique and special. This is definitely something that I struggle and have struggled with for as long as I can remember. I guess I've found it hard to separate the difference between being a 'freak' and a 'weirdo' and being 'unique' and 'one-of-a-kind'. Everyone has their interesting habits and today, in an effort to improve on my tendency to classify myself as a 'freak' and 'fish out of water', I'm going to share some things about myself that I am totally not ashamed of! So, here we go:

• I may or may not have regular dance parties with my little sisters to Miley Cyrus tunes... yeah, I said it. 
• I've had the biggest crush on Gilbert Blythe for as long as I can remember. He's basically my dream boy. 
• Tripping over, saying something stupid or embarrassing, laughing at my own jokes (no one seems to find them funny and I'm so confused by that!) are things that happen on an hourly basis. 
• Retail therapy is a thing and Becky Bloomwood and I are kindred spirits. Nothing cures a broken heart better than a new dress.
• I make lists. Lists of people to pray for, things I should remember for the future, places I want to visit and well, (you guessed it!), shopping lists. 
• I probably drink more tea than water (... *adds that to the list of things to fix*)
• Not ashamed of the fact that I have had one boyfriend in my entire duration on this earth. It was grade one and, well, he kinda blew it. Ugh, six year olds are so 2003.
• I have an obsession with Johnny Cash, The Seekers, Glen Campbell and Kenny Rogers. I'm not even joking - music was about ten times better back in the 20th century. 
• Now, I know for certain that I'm not alone in this one: The smell of old books is just SO GOOD. There's a copy of Treasure Island in my room that is just the most delicious smelling book I have ever found. When are they going to make a perfume smelling like old books? Because, I need it. Pronto. 
• I get emotionally attached to fictional characters and if they go through rough times, it takes a toll on me too. Exhibit A: Downton Abbey. Julian Fellowes, if by an chance you read Avenue M in your leisure time, I have a message for you: If you kill off one more character from Downton I will cry and drown you in my tears. 
• Oh, and there is an Ace Bus in one of my outfit pictures. 

What's weird (in a good way!) about you? Share it in the comments below and we can all bond over our strange qualities that make us, us! :) Hope you're having an excellent Tuesday!