don't worry baby // winter & spring staples part 1

 Millers top, Millers pants, Kmart heels, Oasap bag

Hello! I'm greeting you from an icy cold keyboard - I thought Winter wasn't going to come to Australia this year, but I was wrong and I'm currently wrapped up in several layers. To warm things up a bit, here's a lovely Winter/Spring transition outfit - the first in a series of 'Winter and Spring staples! Still a little early for that yet, but I was sent some lovely things from Millers to review and style and I really, really like this pants and top combination. It's effortless and very comfortable - something I would probably wear on a long trip somewhere (minus the heels, because I'm an absolute goof). The black top is also really pretty and something I'll probably wear quite a lot, it's one of those all year 'round staples that you can dress up or down.

Anyway, I'm finally on holidays! Oh, happy day. I can't believe how fast this year is going. I've already completed a semester of Grade 12 and I only have one more to go before I graduate high school. Scary, but exciting and wonderful. The last two days of this week were a slight struggle - we did four practice QCS exams to prepare for the real deal in September - and it's such a relief to finally be free of any school work for at least two weeks. Is it possible for your brain to actually ache? Because that's how it feels right now and it's not pleasant. Need to catch up on some sleep and drink some soothing tea or something! Hope you all have a lovely weekend, and I'll be back soon xo

P.S: So I watched the movie 'Never Been Kissed' (featuring Drew Barrymore) the other day and aside from being the most relatable film to me ever (*ahem*), the song by The Beach Boys that plays in the final scene has been running through my head non-stop. It's so cute and makes me happy. Have a listen!

allie

 Handmade dress from Podie Pie, Kmart shoes, thrifted bag, bracelet from my Mum, Sportsgirl hat

Hello! It's been such a long time since I've posted and I'm really sorry - I knew that blogging absenses would be regular now that I'm in year 12 and my academia is kinda the most important aspect of my life, but I didn't realise it would cause regular week long hiatuses! In today's long awaited post I'm wearing the beautiful dress I never really got a chance to talk about. I bought it for a wedding in April and it's been one of my favourite dresses ever since. It's such a beautiful, classic fit and there's something so calming and serene about light blue. I'm reading The Notebook at the moment and this outfit reminded me a lot of Allie's blue outfit when she goes to see Noah. Although it was a little chilly wearing only this dress (it is Winter after all), it's still perfect for warmer days at the market and things like that. After Friday I am officially on holidays and I cannot wait to be blogging a lot more often with some lovely new clothes that will be arriving over the next few days for review/ styling. 

During the holidays I'm hoping to read lots of fantastic books, give my room a few more decor updates (I've been looking at the pillows from Simons lately, they're are so darn cute!), hang out with my friends as much as I can and most importantly, relax. It's been a very busy term (an awesome one!), but I'm absolutely exhausted. I hope you're having an excellent week so far, and I'll be back soon xo

saving winter hair // a VO5 review

Aside from being terribly overdue for a trim, my hair is suffering considerably in this cool weather change. As much as I enjoy winter and all it has to offer (particularly clothing-wise), it turns my already frizzy mop head (?) into an even bigger mess than usual. Today I'm going to be reviewing VO5's latest 'winter essential' in the form of a three-step 'Give Me Moisture' range designed especially for heat damaged and dry hair.

So this 'nourishing hot oil' claims to:

•  Reduce breakage from brushing and heat styling by up to 60%
• Protect the vibrancy of colour treated hair with a protective UV filter
• Seek out and bind to the weak sites of every strand 
• Remove 75% more chlorine than shampooing alone

For this hair oil to work effectively, you need to use it before shampoo. I've only used it a few times and I can say that it was quite a pleasant experience. Here are a few good things I noticed about it:

• The consistency was must runnier than I expected, which I actually liked because it didn't leave my hair feeling oily or dirty (like a lot of oil treatments do).
• It smells lovely! 
• The ends of my hair were a lot softer and less course than before
• My hair felt very clean - especially when I followed with the shampoo. 

On the down side:

• I have no idea whether the 'UV filter' would've worked because I haven't coloured my hair in about four months!

Now for the shampoo! I'm always excited to try out new shampoos; it's always interesting seeing which ones completely dull my hair and which ones leave it completely clean, but still hydrated. 

This shampoo claims to:

• Contain pearl extract to help restore hair's natural balance
• Leave hair visibly radiant and manageable
• Intensely hydrate dry and damaged hair

Here are the pros: 

• It smells SO good! Scent is a huge thing for me because obviously I want my hair to smell nice. 
• The consistency is pretty standard and it has a pearly sheen to it which was very pretty
• It didn't feel like it stripped my hair down to negative moisture (which is always a good thing!)
• Very clarifying, but still moisturising

And, the cons: 

• The next day when my hair had dried it was still pretty frizzy and dry feeling. I know these treatments aren't supposed to be 'miracle overnight workers' but I wanted at least SOME improvement in my horrendous head of hair. My hair felt soft and moisturised but it didn't look any different

Overall, I liked the shampoo. It was a standard, average shampoo. Left my hair super duper clean, moisturised, but it didn't look any different than usual. 

And last but not least, the conditioner! Similar to the shampoo, this conditioner claims to:

• Be the perfect prep for ultimate style and heat defence
• Intensely hydrate hair
• Lock in moisture and strengthen dry hair

Here are the pros: 

• Smells good enough to eat. 
• Left my hair so, so incredibly soft and hydrated. I really liked this conditioner
• Light consistency; not too thick 

And, the cons:

• My hair was still pretty frizzy when it had dried... but there's only so much a conditioner can do, ya know? Before you realise you've just been born with a thick, untameable mop of hair.

Thanks so much to Monique for sending this to me to review! The products were a delight to try out and my hair will definitely be coping better in this wintry weather. Favourite product out of all of them would definitely have to be the conditioner. 

Hope you guys are having a good weekend! xo

winter OOTD and makeup // video

Hey guys, new video is up! It's a quick little mash-up of my makeup and outfit from the other day. Apologies if my foundation looks a bit patchy on camera, I fixed it after I realised, but I couldn't be bothered re-filming. Hope you're all having a wonderful day. xo

Music: Riptide by Vance Joy (FlicFlac remix)