Nail Polish: Nude Neutrals

I love nail polish.  Especially the nude neutrals.  And I have always found mannequin hands especially gorgeous: long, elegant fingers with perfectly manicured nails. I'm on the hunt for that nude. But for now, here are some of my favourites.

O.P.I   Nail polish. Worth the splurge?  Yup!

Skull & Gloss bones has to be one of my favourites (pictured below). Grey and unexpected. Putty-like fingers. Part of the Pirates of the Carribean collection. A love of Laura's. You must read her blog!

You can't miss the stands in Farmers selling at around $25 a bottle. Occassionally they have 3 for 2. Keep a look out. I managed to pick this bottle up at one of those legit Parallel Import Warehouse sales. Lookout for knock offs, especially online. You can often tell the fakes because they have blue bottom labels instead of green, meaning that they were produced before they were formaldehyde free. (Or in a shoddy flat).

Essie Nail Polish.   Thee best nail polish.   Better than O.P.I ?   Yup.  Why?

Well having my fingers tested everyday through cleaners, scratching stickers, picking staples and general madness, this nail polish stands up to the test.   The consistency is always consistently good.   The application excellent. The finish, durable. Usually the colour goes opaque in two solid coats. $25 a bottle at Radius Pharmacy.

I love the colour Jazz.   I liken it to a "dead finger nail look". Cue picture with dodgy camera work.

Another nail polish junkie I love.    Miss Glamorazzi.   She often does NOTD's.  (nail of the day's) and is really interesting to read about upcoming collections in the U.S. before they come to our shores.

Butter London's breed of nail polish is pricey, a few colours always catch my eye. They retail around the $27 in Farmers NZ.  They are 3 Free: no nasty chemicals. Okay polishes, but still not of Essie's standard.

On the nude hunt..
This is the colour Tea with the Queen. I have also just finished O.P.I's Samoan Sand. Would anyone recommend Coney Island Cotton Candy? It looks a little too peachy for me. 

Share the love. What's your favourite seasonal nail polish? Any of the holiday collections tickling your fancy?


Budgie xo

WTF?

Just when you think you have life sorted, it turns around and smacks you over one more time.

If there is one thing that life has taught me lately, it is that life is hard.


Called out in the Dark - Snow Patrol

Just thought I'd share this song I love and provide you with an epic background song as you read :)
(Open link in separate tab and continue please...)

A reality check.
Where is my prince charming to come and rescue me? There is none. I am my own saviour. I am the only one to step in and do something about my life. I shouldn't expect any help. It's MY life.

So where are the highs?  I've had more lows lately and where does this leave me?


A reader.
A daughter.
A runner.
A blogger.
A friend.
A shopper.
A consumer.
A thinker.
A floater.
A traveller.
A saver. (hmm mm)


Think positively. Because you can't think about what life is like otherwise.
I'm think I'm coming back to life... and summer is just around the corner :)

Holy Moly- Motocade

Budgie xo

Mascara

It's been a long enduring process, but I think I have finally found my top three mascaras.


The hardest part of trialing a new mascara, is that all mascaras are good when they're new. It's because they are new. The formula is fresh, no clumps and glides on easily.

I love an oily mascara. My lashes are fairly blonde and fine/medium in length. So when it comes to mascara, I'm all about length. If you need thicker lashes, black or dramatic lashes, then maybe try Lash Blast from Covergirl. I don't really try any thickening/dramatic mascaras myself. Let me know your recommendations.

Max Factor's Masterpiece Max Mascara

Masterpiece Max Mascara from Max Factor ( I know, I know- who even stops at that display? ) is actually really good: a great price, easily available in stores and Max Factor Mascara's are often voted in the top ranks of makeup awards each year. Don't knock it til you try it.

I have tried Yves Saint Laurent's Faux Cils mascara at $65NZ duty free and liked it. Also in the high end prices would be Clinque's High Definition Mascara, which was equally as good. But as far as price goes, I don't think you are getting anymore for your buck just for shopping in dutyfree or makeup counters.

All mascaras I will mention are around the $30 - $ 40 mark.

Loreal's Telescopic Clean Definition

I love this mascara. I keep deviating and trying new mascaras, but always come back to this one. It's the right consistency for my love of oiliness. A wee bit greasy, you have to wait until it drys in order to not get those annoying black dots on your upper lids. So no sneezing for at least 5mins.

(Note: I've tried the waterproof version, but found it dried up really fast, any flaky bits irritated my sensitive eyes and it was super hard to remove without time consuming makeup removing).

Revlon's Grow Luscious

Yeah, I know. Gimmicky right? A mascara with Fabulash that makes your eyelashes grow longer?? 

Well, either way, my lashes do look longer after the three month growing cycle it takes to start working its magic. After three months, my lashes don't look as fine. They maybe a hint longer. And they don't have any small patches missing at the root line. So maybe it works? My lashes feel softer each night when I take it off, so that's a bonus. I thought I'd give it a nudge then it would be thrown into the 'tried and failed' pile, but no.
I have made my third purchase of this tube recently, so its a winner in my books.
I love the Blackened Brown shade for daytime.

An interesting mention....  Loreal's Lash Architect 4D

I was really excited when this got released in NZ. I mean, just look at that tube. It's a work of art in itself. 

'False Lash Effect in 4 dimensions'. Well, judging by the goop I removed from the end of the wand, I think it has those icky fibres that attach to your lashes making them thicker and fuller. It creeps me out. I was ready to bin this tube, but gave it one last try by removing most of the formula with a tissue and using the remnants.
It is workable, but definitely forgettable. Will not be repurchasing this one.

Tips:

• Don't keep mascaras, no matter how tempting, for more than three months.
• Put mascara on after a shower when lashes are soft
• Try a brown/brownish black mascara if you want a less dramatic look for blondes
• Invest in a decent black mascara for night time
• Lancome's Eye makeup remover in Bi-Facil is great for sensitive eyes. Love it.

Any mascaras that you love?   Comment below.

Budgie xo

Marauder's Map of Men

Warning: This blog post contains references to Harry Potter.

I was recently out in town one Saturday with my gorgeous, also-single friend, when as one guy so eloquently whispered into my ear, we were being "served on".

Well, more specifically, my friend was being served on.  I was fending them off with a bat.   Okay, Okay ... I was cleaning up the slopping seconds: trying to befriend the tag-along friend as their mate was googly-eyed at my friend.  It was seriously unreal.  At one point her ex was floating around. An ex-fling's brother. A friend. Just while my head was spinning...  then ANOTHER guy came into the bar. He stopped in his tracks, jaw-dropped, hand on heart, declaring his love for my friend. No kidding. No less than four potentials hanging around like moths to an oestrogen-scented flame. It's no surprise though, my friend is friggin gorgeous.

This got me thinking. It's like a game of survival out there. Us girls need a little help....  Haarryy!!

The Marauder's Map was given to Harry Potter in The Prisoner of Azkaban when Fred and George found it in Filch's office while in detention. They then presented it to Harry so he could sneak out of Hogwart's. 

The map works like this. When the reader taps the blank piece of parchment with their wand (hee hee), whilst simultaneously saying "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good", it allows them to track anyone approaching. The small dots reveal the names of people in the corridors of Hogwarts. Once you have finished, you tap it again and say, "Mischief managed", thus making the markings disappear to become a blank piece of parchment once more.

Perfect. Can we adapt and market this?  Instead,  let's call it  'A Marauder's Map of Men for Single Girls' .  

How good would that be?   A constant map of fast-approaching men.  But instead of flashing names above each 'man dot', the map should be colour-coded. Like a Pac Man maze. Yellow for friend. Blue for potential. Pink for gay. And red for Warning! Escape now, danger approaching. Get the f *k out...  Brilliant.

So what do you think?  I might give Facebook a call, and tell them not bother with their "Check ins".

I've got it sorted.

"Mischief Managed ".

Budgie xo

Happy Halloween

All Hallows Day is November the 1st. "All Hallows Eve" is an Old English term for Hallow-e'en (short for evening). The eve of All Hallows Day. Also recognised in Mexico as the Day of the Dead, Remembering the Dead or the day the dead will rise. I love Halloween. After Christmas, it is my favourite holiday. Not even Easter comes close.

Growing up with parents who recently returned from living in Canada and having my older sister there, Halloween was always celebrated in our household. Overall it was reasonably uncommon to recognise Halloween in NZ in the 1980's. The craze of trick or treating quickly caught on in our street once the other kids in our neighbourhood saw the spoils from our own door-knocking.  The great thing about this was that because our visits were unexpected, our bounties would be generous. Whole packets of chocolate biscuits. An unopened 2L bottle of lemonade. An entire packet of family-sized chips. The pantries of our cul-de-sac would be bare and our knapsacks full.

And of course Mum would make our own costumes.

This picture of the Ghost outfit still gives me a headache. Mum sewed sheets for us. I distinctly remember having to hold my eye holes in alignment the entire night just so I could see. I received three fairly could knocks to the head and consequent "egg" contusions from getting my foot caught and tripping up on the front of the sheet. Of course my arm holes were too big and I couldn't brace my fall. So I fell like timber.

And mandatory cat costume complete with matching white jelly shoes for my older sister and I.


So in keeping with tradition, I decorated my apartment this weekend.

( L - R)

 Skull Lolly Jar
Paper candelabra
Spell Book

Spider Webs from craft store

Window silhouette stencils


And a twilight bath to finish my night...

Sydney Glasshouse Candle in Mimosa and Wild Apple, Festive O.P.I nail polish in "The Show Must go On" and

Golden Wonder, Lush Bath Ballistic turned the bathwater blue.

Do you have any holiday traditions?

Budgie xo

My Top Ten Lush Products

Without further adieu, here we go...

10.   Angels on Bare Skin

Described as a medieval cleansing wash with rose and lavender.  This feels like something you could easily make yourself. Ground almonds, honey, olive oil. But the "mehh" attitude in me makes me too lazy. It is lovely. My face feels like a baby's bottom after I wash with it.

9.   Celebrate Lip Tint

A late entry onto the top ten list. This puppy only came out last week in the holiday collection. It's suppose to taste of pink champagne: cognac, lemon and grapefruit. Then there's the golden lustre popping candy on the top. I do love the pinky shimmer though.

I'm a sucker for anything nude/frosty on the lip. This is my favourite festive lip product and a must in my hand bag at the moment.

8.    Ultrabalm 

A natural moisturising balm made with plant waxes: candelilla wax and jojoba oil. Rose wax soothes irritations. 

Great for chapped lips, dry nose from colds. This is a stable on my coffee table. Love it.

7.  Big

Big hair is making a comeback. I tease the crap out of my hair. I still use my straighteners to smooth the kinks, but goodbye iron-flat and stick-to-my-head roots. 

Big Shampoo is a big old pile of rock salt you wash out. A seaweed infusion to soften and fresh lime juice for shine. Great for volume and massaged into my roots. This would be further up my list if I was blonde, but I'm sure it'll make a comeback shortly.

6,  Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter

Softens cuticles. A thick cream for nourishing your nails. Heaven in a pottle. Say no more. This is a must.

5.   Yummy, Yummy, Yummy Shower Cream

All hail the best shower cleanser AND its now discontinued. (Sob sob) Let's unite and bring this back on the Retro List. Strawberry Creamy deliciousness. 

Did you know that..

Strawberries are considered one of the world's healthiest foods? They are a natural source of minerals, folic acid, omega3 fatty acids and powerful antioxidants. They contain a higher concentration of vitamin C, per weight, than oranges.

I can't talk about it anymore, it makes me too upset.

4,  The Olive Branch Shower Gel

Wraps you in its arms and keep you safe. Oh  who needs a man when you have this bad boy? It smells sweet but masculine.

"The Olive Branch has a welcoming, Mediterranean warmth to it, has fairly traded olive oil, an infusion of vine leaves, mineralising sea salt and the fresh juice of mandarins"  -  Lush.

3.  Grass Shower Gel

A deep scent of freshly mown lawns. It takes me back to my Flower Market soap days .

This concoction has wheat grass juice and citrus oils. Summer in a bottle. Not for the faint hearted, it smells like your lawn mower blades, but I love it.

2,  Dorothy  Bubble Bar

Ylang-ylang and sweet figs. Soothing and harmonious. This is beautiful. What else can I say?  It even has bubbles.

and my number one favourite Lush item is.....

1.  Twilight !   Bath Ballistic

Lavender. It's a common fragrance on my list. I love this, (not just because of the name) for its calming, relaxing fragrances. Perfect for  bathing at twilight. 

And lastly, honourable mentions....

- Vanilla Dee-Lite Body Moisturiser- thought I'd get sick of the sickly, sweet honey smell, but no. It's still going strong like my current addiction to Chai Lattes.

-  Ghost and Twilight Shower Gels. Just came out this week, but already a favourite. I'll keep you posted....

Budgie xo

Career Advice at 30

Career Advice? I'm sorry, I have none.

After a recent discussion with a best friend about that serious moment in your life when you finally realise you ARE grown up, it got me thinking. Time IS running out. And when was it a good idea to have to start your career path at 17? How do we know even who we are at 17, let alone having to start mapping out your career.

Don't think for one moment I have any of this sorted. This is an anonymous blog, but let me let me tell you that my closest friends may think I have that career box ticked, paid of my student loan and climbing the corporate ladder. Yes, I think I do my job well. I'm giving about 80% of my effort and energy towards my version of the daily grind. I'm almost working at my full potential. Don't get me wrong, I do love it. But I'm still giving more than enough of my life, blood, sweat and tears. Any more and I feel it will consume me whole. 

So ten years (plus) on and in-hind sight, what would I have done differently? Well, I would ask my twenty year-old self  "What do other people feel that you do well and what comes naturally to you?" The answer for me would've been a nurse or carer. I'm not interested in the medical side, but do love being a listening ear with sympathy and compassion for others. Which interestingly enough is not too far of the mark in my career choice right now.

And for the issue of that hour glass ticking, well I'm all for a career change / break / holiday in my 40's and 50's. We'll see..

I'll leave you with a perfectly timed picture to ensure that you capture time in it's essence right now.

Budgie xo