THE JUNE // JULY EDIT

The June/ July period is often a very exciting one for me, not only because it's Winter (and the colder months in Queensland are much more preferable to me than the warmer months), but because my uni holidays are around this time which means I can devote more time to blogging AND trying out new beauty products for somewhat drier skin. Over the last month I have been loving lots of things, including my favourite perfume, Miss Dior Cherie, which I repurchased a while ago, some makeup, and of course, skincare. Enjoy!

As a lot of you know, I am still on roaccutane (this is the second treatment process for me... read more about it here), so my skin is really, really dry at the moment. My forehead, around my nose and my chin get really dry especially, resulting in a bit of peeling and flaking, depending on how high my daily dosage of the medication is. At the moment, I am taking 20mg, twice a week which has significantly reduced these side effects, but makes the overall "getting better" stage slower. My dermatologist has made quite a few suggestions on what moisturizers and facial washes are okay for me to use, but with the dryness around my forehead annoying me a bit, I've been open to try a new face cream (so long as it's natural and gentle on my skin). 

A lovely woman I have been following since 2012 has just realized her own skincare line; a bunch of handmade, beautiful products suitable for a range of skincare types. Tabitha Emma has always been a major inspiration to me, as I used to gaze admirably at the beautiful graphic design work she did for some of my favourite blogs. In the last year, she's been juggling two little ones, as well as putting together her lovely skincare range called "Nourish and Nurture". At the moment it consists of a variety of face creams and lipbalms, but hopefully in the near future, there will be more goodies to treat your faces to! I would also like to mention that 50c from every purchase goes towards SEND HOPE, NOT FLOWERS. This charity helps save the lives of mothers (in childbirth) in developing countries.

I was really keen to try out the "Red Dust" lip balm and "The Glow" face cream, so I popped them in my cart and eagerly awaited their arrival. They came in the form of brown paper packages tied up with string (ahh) from Orange in New South Wales, along with a little info card and ideas on how you can recycle the little glass jars they come in. 

So, without further adieu, here is my review on these goodies from Nourish and Nurture: 

THE GLOW - Face Cream for Blemished Skin, $20

I am a very skeptical face-creamer. However, when I read the ingredients list on the website for this little pot, I couldn't resist giving it a go. This formula is very thick, which was surprising to me at first, but once I warmed it up in my hand, it melted a little, creating a perfect consistency for spreading across cheeks, neck and chin. At first, due to the thickness of it, I didn't think I would be able to use this as a day-cream and decided to stick with it only before bed. Every morning, I woke up and my skin felt really lovely and hydrated. It also worked especially well as an under-eye cream, which made it a neat 2-in-1 package. I ran out of my primer a few weeks ago though AND my day cream on the same day, so I decided to give this a go as a base for my makeup and it worked incredibly well! I've yet to actually purchase another primer and have instead been just using this and I couldn't be happier with how it makes my makeup look, and last. 

Overall, I love this product. It doesn't last me as long as I would like... but I think that's because I apply it very generously, using it twice a day in hefty amounts. It didn't necessarily clear up my skin, or improve my pimple situation (I didn't expect it to, because I am on medication for that), but it was very kind to my problem areas and soothed redness and inflammation.

PROS

• Handmade
• Vegan 
• All-natural 
• Very hydrating
• Smells beautiful
• Also worked for me as a primer and under-eye cream

CONS

• Though it is beautiful to look at, I've never been a big fan of jar packaging, and always prefer a pump for hygiene reasons. 
• Depending on how much cream you need, it may not last you too long. I've had mine for a month, and have just run out of it. 

RED DUST -  'You Little Beauty' macadamia lipbalm, $14

I have a slight obsession with lip balms. I have tried SO MANY different formulas, flavours and brands... and I really liked this one! Once again, drawn to it because of the "all-natural" part and because I love macadamias. This lip balm is definitely what I would like to call a "kissing friendly" lip balm. It doesn't really have a particular taste, it makes your lips look soft and shiny, and it feels really good. Once again, the formula wasn't what I expected. It's actually quite hard set into the jar, and you have to work it a little to warm it up. Once you've applied it, it feels a little like having coconut oil on your lips, only thicker and a lot more hydrating. I love, love, LOVE the smell of this stuff. It's got a fresh, citrus-y vibe to it and is very comfortable to wear. Before this, Blistex was my go-to, but I really don't like lip balms that have a heavy smell or taste to them, so I ditched that one and am now very happy with my natural, kissing-friendly** replacement. 

Overall, this is a great lip balm! I love wearing it, I love telling (...forcing...) my housemates to wear it, "HERE, try this amazing lip balm!!" and it's natural, vegan, handmade, and smells nice. Oh! And kissing-friendly, for all of you lip-lockers. 

PROS

• As before: handmade, vegan, all-natural
• Love the smell
• Comfortable 
• Doesn't taste weird 
• You get a lot of it. That little jar will probably last me about 6 months. 

CONS

• A little bulky if you need lipbalm during the day and it lives in your handbag. It's do-able (to take around), but it's not a light-weight thingamajig. 
• The lasting power... not so great, you would probably have to reapply it regularly. It's not a heavy-duty "This will protect my lips from windburn if I go hiking up a tall mountain" lip balm. It's more of a simple balm for everyday use.
• No SPF! Dang it. Ah well, you can't have everything in life. To be honest, adding SPF would probably ruin the lovely smell, texture and lack of taste this product has, so it might be a good thing. 

**Now, I am currently single, however, if I WAS to be kissing a particular boy, I would want to be wearing this stuff, and he would probably want to be wearing it too. 

NOW! On to zee makeup. Phew! This is longer than I thought it would be. I've got some great products to talk about, starting with:

NARS SHEER GLOW foundation, $67: I am in shade "Mont Blanc". This is my new favourite, go-to foundation. I have been using this since April, and I still have quite a fair bit of product left! Everything about it makes me happy with my face, EVEN when I have pimples. The consistency isn't too thick, nor is it too liquid-y and it glides on super slick and smooth. The colour match is also perfect. I actually cannot fault this foundation and will probably continue repurchasing until I am dead... whoever is in charge of preparing my body for burial, please make sure I am wearing this stuff. It's great, and the lasting power will see me through. Mr Nars is also a legend because he actually recommends applying this foundation with your fingers too, which is great, because my hands are my favourite makeup-application tools. 

Only con; the fact that you have to purchase a pump separately for a whole $4 or $5. Annoying, but hey, it's still a pump. 

FULL N SOFT mascara, approx $10-$15: This is a favourite within my family of girls. We've all used it at some point, or are using it. I love this mascara because it does everything for me: volume, definition and lasting power (yet it still easily comes off in the shower at night). A few people at work have asked me if I have been wearing false eyelashes, which was flattering for two reasons; "Wow, do my lashes really look that amazing!!?" and "Wow, I am flattered you think I could even apply false lashes, thanks!!". Great mascara. Big tick from Avenue Maria. 

NAPOLEON PERDIS blush in "Blushing About": This was a gift to me so I don't know the price, and I don't think it's available anymore, but here's a similar one. This blush is really beautiful on my skin because it blends seamlessly with my foundation, almost melting into the skin. The colour is also very flattering. It's a lovely peach-y shade with a subtle warm undertone. There also isn't too much shimmer which is great, because I want my highlighter to stand on its own two feet, thank you very much. 

ESSENCE lipsticks in "On the Runway" and "Barely There!", $4.50: Okay, these lipsticks cost less than a cup of coffee and they are my absolute favourite go-to lipsticks for every event. "Barely There!" is my favourite lipstick and this is my fourth repurchase. It's the perfect nude for my skintone, it's pretty comfortable to wear, provided I wear a lip balm prior to application. The finish is matte, but not too matte. "On the Runway" is a very flattering red lipstick, that is very comfortable to wear. The finish isn't matte, but it's not too shiny either. It's very necessary to wear a lipliner with this one though, as it does tend to smudge. Lovely products though; so cheap and great for my fair skin! 

Thank you for reading! I hope you are all having a great week so far. Any questions can be left in the comment section below or you can email me directly at avenuemblog@gmail.com.  

holloway... this way

It's interesting, looking back and seeing how certain fashion icons have influenced my own choices in the morning when I'm getting dressed for the day, or perhaps the evening, when I'm going out for drinks with my friends.  I've been through a few fashion phases in my short life. They've included an obsession with looking like a porcelain doll (cue the lacy collars, abhorrent ruffles and socks-with-heels) and the "hideous vintage" phase that revolved around wearing blouses with unflattering shoulder pads and too-long skirts that doubled as floor-sweeping devices. None of these obsessions have stuck around fortunately (you're welcome to see for yourself... start with the 2013 archives...). There were some icons however that I look back on with fondness as I remember how much I wanted to dress like them when I was "older" and "more mature" and "had curves". 

The first time I saw a picture of Joan Holloway, I fell in love with everything about her style. THEN, I watched Mad Men, and realized that not only does she dress beautifully, but she's a pretty incredible and complex character too. To me, women are women, no matter what shape and size they are, but when I saw Joan, it helped me picture an older version of my younger self at the time. Joan's confidence radiated from her outer beauty through the way she held herself in difficult situations and her constant assertion when confronted with idiots. Joan is an important character in Mad Men for me because she is such an independent woman. She respects herself, therefore other's respect her. That's the type of woman I want to be. Confident, self-assured and perfectly content with who I am. Sure, she has her flaws, but her positive attributes and triumphs were what left me with something to think about when the screen went blank after the end of an episode. 

"Well, Marilyn's really a Joan, not the other way around"

This outfit reminds me of Joan. Replace the denim jacket with a camel-coloured coat and I feel like it's something she would've worn on a Monday morning to the office... making important phone calls, firing people who can't do their job properly and well, being a boss-woman who deserves all the success possible!

WEARING: H&M top, Dotti skirt, Target jacket, Rayban specs

LISTENING TO: This Night by Billy Joel

I'M ON MY WAY // winter uniform

 Tokito blouse, Target jeans, Topshop shoes

Hello!

I can't even remember whether I made it clear just how excited I am about being on holidays! Yes, it's true. I've got three weeks of pure bliss ahead of me. And since I clicked publish on the last couple of posts, life has significantly improved. The end of financial year has been a benefit in a number of areas of my life; most importantly, it's meant that Centrelink has upped my fortnightly pay by such a sum that a lot of my financial trouble will be relieved for the second half of the year. It's still not a lot that I will be getting, but when you're a student with multiple bills to pay and minimal work hours, every penny helps. Which leads me to my next point... I'm still not sure whether I will actually continue my studies for next semester (hopefully will come to a conclusion by next week). It's tough because I am halfway through my degree and if I keep going, I will be a graduate at 20, which is an immensely enticing thought. However, it all comes down to money, really. Being poor and having that financial strain adds to a degree that I'm not really enjoying; making it unbearable... which I have already emphasized enough! Ha. 

Anyway, onto more positive things - I am home again with my family, which has been a lot of fun. Basically, my time here consists of watching romcoms with my little sisters, eating WAY TOO MANY cookies, making dance movies and doing what sisters do... muck around and squabble with a bounce back rate of about 3 mins after an argument. Living the dream!

I'm feeling vastly more optimistic about life because of plans for the next few weeks; some friends and I are going on a road trip to NSW to go camping and bush walking in single digit weather (which will be very cold and very fun... and great driving experience for me!). I am also going to be my FIRST EVER concert too, so that's exciting. Apparently there's this thing called a moshpit? Not sure what that is but I will let you know how it goes. 

I hope wherever you are, or whatever you are doing, you are happy, and you have a great weekend/ week/ life. Over and out!

P.S: These jeans are called "Girlfriend" jeans, and are a slightly more fitted version of the "Boyfriend" jean that were popular a few years ago. Winter in Queensland is very mild, so this is basically what I wear every day when it's chilly. Sartorial life is quite simple these days when you're not sweating like a piglet in the sun, and there's a lovely fresh breeze blowing almost always. 

Currently listening to: I'm On My Way by The Proclaimers 

PART 2 // Anxiety & Mental Health

“QUICK! Run away from the Creativity Graveyard before it buries you!” – PART 2 (in a series of life improving steps by Maria Savage)

Happy weekend, friends! 

The last post was pretty heavy – I get that – but it was an important stepping stone for me. Recognizing one’s own dissatisfaction and unhappiness isn’t the easiest thing to do. Having your life together is the desirable status – so admitting that, hey, I don’t at the moment, means I’ve had to choke down a whopping portion of humble pie... apparently the perfect life doesn't exist?!

I thought I would update you all on what I have done so far since my recent publishing of the ‘creativity graveyard’ that is (according to me) my life. 

Firstly, I’ve had anxiety for a while now, but it’s the first time I’ve actually made an effort to actively address the issue and nip it in the butt before it gets worse and makes life even more miserable. It’s a hard thing to describe as a lot of people can experience anxiety (and depression) differently, but for me it sometimes gets so crippling that I can’t go about my everyday life routine without negative thoughts and irrational fears ruining my plans and turning me into the opposite of myself; a nervous and distressed character. My loved ones know about it, and have obviously experienced it first hand, and I’ve had a few recommendations to try out anti-depressants and pills to help improve the situation, but for me, I would rather do anything else. I’m a talker, so I’ve booked in to regularly see someone about what has been bothering me, and I’ll definitely keep you all updated on that as well. I am a very happy, and also blessed young woman, so waking up in the morning and feeling sad, unmotivated and generally very underwhelmed with my life is worrying and nonsensical to me. 

In between appointments with the psychologist, I’ve been doing a few things that have significantly helped in reducing my stress, anxiety and general “being sad” state. You don’t have to do these things, even if you just get up and get dressed for the day that’s an awesome achievement in itself, but if you are feeling particularly strong, here’s what you could do :)

• Are there any markets on where you live? Markets have an extremely positive and beautiful atmosphere about them. Every Wednesday in Brisbane city I head to the Farmer’s market. There are always colorful, fresh flowers; the smell of freshly baked goods and wholesome fruit and veg to appreciate. You can spend little to no money – just being in the presence of it all makes me happy. 
• Call you Mum. Or your sister, or your brother or an aunt, or an uncle. Even better, visit home for a few days. If things are really starting to get overwhelming, cancel your weekend plans and visit your family. 
• Fresh air. Exercise is such a weird thing for me… before doing it I HATE the thought of it, during I usually am thinking “Hey this isn’t so bad… I could get used to this!” and afterwards I ALWAYS think, ‘Wow, that was amazing!’. Even if it’s just a 20min brisk walk in the late afternoon. It’s also a beautiful bonus if you get to see a spectacular sunset. 
• Put on a cheerful playlist and clean something. It’s productive and distracting! 
• Write a letter to someone you care about – even print out some photos for it too. Doing something nice for someone else has amazingly powerful “warm fuzzies” feelings for you, too. 
• (If you are religious… or even if you aren’t!) Go to mass. Going in the morning at 7am is a good time to go for me because I can usually go for a walk before or after. It’s very quiet and relaxing and can be a really positive way to start the day. 
• Be kind… to yourself. This is the hardest thing for me to do out of all of the above. I get so frustrated with myself and the negative self-talk can be pretty horrible. Someone once said to me, “don’t say to yourself what you wouldn’t say to your best friend if she was feeling sad/depressed/ lonely”. So, be kind. Be nourishing, be gentle. It’s probably one of the most important things you can do, and I am still struggling with that. 

This is a small list of things that have been helpful to me… obviously there are a lot more, but I will add to it over time. Feel free to leave suggestions below of what helps you if you are feeling a little… flat. 

So… that’s Part 2 of ‘Life Improving methods by Maria Savage’ – even though it’s pretty self-explanatory, it can be hard to do, getting help if you are struggling with something. Mental health, especially within the younger generation, is something I am really passionate about, and I think the first step towards being actively passionate about something is addressing your own struggles with it first, and hopefully overcoming them. 

I will be back soon – thanks for reading! Part 3… hopefully that is a detailed plan of what I am hoping to do with the rest of my life… I mean, the next 6 months at least, would be a start. 

P.S: Big shout out to my little sister who so wonderfully took these photos for me today! A real patient operator she is, I am the *pickiest* when it comes to angles, lighting and composition…