Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Youtube: My Speed Drawing of Angelica from Rugrats!

I'm really starting to enjoy doing speed drawing, so many flashbacks!
Rugrats was one of my favourite childhood TV shows.
I remember my friend and I being ecstatic when the movie came out. I think my favourite characters were Lil and Phil, they were completely bizarre. Not sure why I chose to draw Angelica, but here she is. 



Monday, July 22, 2013

Lust Have It July 2013 - Vibrant Beauty




Nude By Nature Tinted moisturiser with Sunscreen
30ml - $19.95
FULL SIZE

This is my most anticipated product of the box! I have been thoroughly impressed with all the lovely full-size Nude by Nature products from LHI. This product prevents ageing, moisturise your skin, tint to cover blemishes and can be used as a primer. Although, I can't seem to find the SPF for this product.


California Mango - Mango and Jojoba Body Lotion
2oz $3.49
FULL SIZE 

I probably have a life time supply of body lotion but this smells delicious!!! 


Swisse Hand Cream with Vitamin F and Pomegranate
500ml - $29.95
Received 30ml

I received this product from a previous Bellabox, it's been living in my hand bag. The texture is quite thick - not as thick as loccitane but will definitely moisturise your hands! I can't smell the pomegranate, it smells more like lemons to me.


Knotties by Condition Culture Hair Ties
$6.25 US
FULL SIZE

Reminds me of twist bands. I love the colours! I hope they will last longer than my usual black hair ties!



Health Essentials Maqui Berry Active
150g - $45
6g Sample

Usually I'm not too keen to try any edible health products from Beauty Boxes, this is an exception! I've tried Acai powder (gives antioxidant) at the Organic Expo and I thought it was delicious! Lets hope this is equally good - apparently 3x more antioxidant than Acai!


Coloursmash By Conditioned Culture Hair Shadow
RRP $15
Sample 3g

As soon as I saw this product in reviews I've been flicking through, I knew this wasn't for me! My jet black hair is useless when it comes to temporary colours. I tried the product on the tips of my hair and no cigar. It looked like dandruff  >_< 


Schwarzkopf Extra Care Volume Powder
10g - $8.99
FULL SIZE 

Coolest product in the box. I have no volume what-so-ever when it comes to hair. My hair looks like I glued a piece of black paper over my scalp. This just might do me some good. Apparently the powder becomes invisible within seconds! Yay! No more weird bird-poo looking gel residue in my hair! 


PHYT's Lait Hydrop Nettoyant and Soin Riche Protecteur

On my card, it says a cleanser and a moisturiser but I received 2 creams - Anti Aging and Anti-redness. 100% certified organic. 



Overall, I'm fairly pleased with the variety of full size products. Definitely some innovative and novel goodies in this one ^_^

I'm Back on Youtube and some Spam Problems

I think my blogspot got spammed! My blogger reader is FULL of posts by expressivemakeup.blogspot.com

My reading pages looks like this at the moment... all the posts I can see is from this JOHAN AT EXPR... If anyone knows how to get rid of this please let me know! :(



In other news, I'm back on YOUTUBE - I decided that I will not resume filming beauty videos and settled for another hobby!

I am now a part of an arty-leisure youtube channel! I did a little bit of drawing as a kid but haven't been drawing since I started uni. My friend told me she started doing some speed drawing, I thought it was a wonderful idea... I have A LOT of colour crayons and pencils!! This is just for fun really, I'm not a particularly good artist - which is probably why I'm in the Health Science faculty and not the creative arts! There are 3 videos so far, this one is mine ^_^

Sunday, July 21, 2013

India I.C.O.N Giveaway Winner!



Congrats Samantha!  I have sent you an email ^_^
Thanks to everyone who entered!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Bellabox July 2013 - Luxe Travel Box

I've been flipping through everyone's review on this month's box, there seems to be a fantastic variation of products!

My initial reaction when I got the box was, "Ooohhh heavy..... SOAP!?! =D??". I'm not sure what my receiving-a-soap-from-a-beauty-subscription-box fascination is. Hopeful, but no soap :(
One day Lily, one day!




Luxe City Guide - Singapore 
RRP $12.99
FULL SIZE

YES!!!!!! I got Singapore! I always wanted to go there. It is probably one of the most likely destinations that I can afford within the next year or so! So happy I got this!


Yu-Be Moisuturising skin cream
RRP $34.95 for 70g
Sample - 3g

I haven't tried a lot of Japanese skin care other than Shiseido. So I'm looking forward to try it.






Libra Hotties heat patches
2 per pack $4.99
FULL SIZE

This is a new product for me. Apparently it is great for cramps, heats up to 50 degrees and lasts for 8 hours. EDIT: I just read on BB, that the date is the batch date not the expiry date. Good to use! ^_^


La Fresh Nail Polish Remover
18-20 satchels for $16.50
Received 1 pad

I have tried the La Fresh face wipes previously, they were fantastic for travel. I hope this is as good!


Egyptian Magic all purpose skin cream
$49 for 118ml
Sample- 3ml

This sounds interesting, I hope it's good for sensitive skin!


Model Co Cheek and Lip Tint
10ml for $24
Sample: 5ml

I have seen some reviews for this product, it looks novel but I'm not too keen to stain my fingers after every application, especially since I'm always on the go and sacrifice makeup time for sleep time. Application tips anyone?


La Clinica Balancing green tea and mineral water mist spray
RRP $23
Received 50ml

Best product of the box! ^_^




Clear Scalp shampoo and conditioner
200ml @ $5.99
Received 50ml ea.

The this the only product in the box this month that made me go "Noooooooooooooooo". I think I have received too many random drugstore hair wash products.




Not a bad box overall, I'm quite content, love the product variations. ^_^

Friday, July 12, 2013

Move Review: The Way, Way Back

Release date: Only at the movies August 1
Classification: PG

Synopsis

THE WAY, WAY BACK is the funny and poignant coming-of-age story of 14-year-old Duncan's (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter Steph (Zoe Levin). Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up and begins to finally find his place in the world—all during a summer he will never forget.





I went to the screening of The Way, Way Back last night, a movie directed by Jim Rash and Nat Faxon. . I've watched the trailer a couple of times prior to the screening, my initial reaction was "This movie reminds me of Little Miss Sunshine". The preview was relatively appealing, however I did not expect the movie to be up to par.. oh, how wrong I was!



The opening of the film defines the relationship between Trent and Duncan, from the first interaction you get a real sense of their inability to understand and communicate with each other. I also gained an insight into who Trent is and how rude and brutal he can be. I felt that Liam James' awkwardness seemed reasonably forced and unconvincing, but he got much better, you can definitely see his character building throughout the film. Toni Collette was amazing as always, she played her character well, you can visibly see and sense the period of ambivalence her character was experiencing - the constant juggle and prioritisation of her role in a relationship and her role as a mother.



 Sam Rockwell was brilliant in this film, he suited the role well - a careless, humorous, yet caring character.  Steve Carell played an authoritative figure with a fatherly facade. His character, Trent would consistently place judgement on Duncan's ability and need for improvement throughout the movie. Carell blew my mind in this film, this is the first serious role I've seen him in. His acting was so convincing that I literally hated his character, Trent. Allison Janney played the role of Trent's friend and neighbour Betty, a witty and brutally honest character with sexual undertones embedded within her dialogue. Overall, the characters were very well portrayed by each cast member. 




There was a good use of dialogue with many quotable lines and references. The comedy is multi-layered where sexual innuendos are masked within the dialogue and recognised by interpretations, therefore the film is able to reach a wider demographic and is suitable for viewers of all ages. This movie greatly exceeded my expectations!


To find out more click here 

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Travel with Me: Blue Mountains Food Post - Picture Heavy!



First stop, we went to the Three Sisters Cafe for lunch - it was one of the only cafes close by.

We were planning to have a "snack" but the portion was much bigger than anticipated! We ordered a Greek Salad and Vegetable Breakfast - essentially a burger with veggie patty... the patty tasted like a vegetable samosa filling.





Three Sisters Cafe Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ThreeSistersCafe


That night we made our way to the infamous Common Ground Cafe, also known as  The Yellow Deli. The history is quite fascinating, it is run by a religious group called Twelve Tribes. Apparently the workers there do not get paid, their labour is exchanged with food and accommodation. I have also read up on it's alleged cult-like structure and accusations of racism, child abuse, domestic violence, child labour... etc. Other articles and people who have lived among them describe the group as friendly, well mannered, good nature bunch with well balanced children. Hmm... anyway.

Food and services-wise...If you are ever in the area, you must come here. Amazing food, good service and fascinating interior made from scraps. Although food can be a bit slow as it is usually packed at night. We waited for about 20 mins to get a seat and 30 mins for the food. It was worth the wait.

Photo from Trip Advisor





Hot Not Chocolate - I'm guessing it's not chocolate? There was a hint of coffee in there.


Blueberry smoothie with Yerba Mate - very interesting taste... my partner really enjoyed it.


Veggie Burger with tofu patty - This was delicious. Oh and fresh WHOLEMEAL BUNS! I love my bread wholemeal and/or seeded. I'm so sick of seeing glucose buns at burger joints. It ruins the whole burger.


Barramundi Burger. I heard they make everything by scratch. My hunch is they make their own bread and the thinly sliced chips. Again, delicious wholemeal bread, REAL barramundi - not crumbled - and home made tartare sauce.

The next day we were off to Bygone Beautys for high tea - another "must go" place if you are in Katoomba!









The waiter with our high tea! Music was played as he wheeled it out ^_^



Tea, Water, Sugar, milk etc - we got Irish Breakfast.




Bottom Tier: Ham and mustard sandwhich + Cucumber and spinach? sandwhich

Second Tier: Pistachio macrons (better than Zumbos...) , Caramalised popcorn, Banana cake, Passionfruit cheesecake, caramel slice with peppermint chocolate, biscuits and a brownie with marshmallows.

Top Tier: SCONES!

It was delicious, SO MUCH SWEETS ^_^


We had our final meal at Sanwiye Korea Cafe. The place was jam packed when we walked past on previous nights, so we decided to give it a go!




Soy and Honey peanuts - I'm not too big on this, my mum make something similar to this at home



Warm Tofu Salad - The tofu was packed full of flavours! The shallots and seaweed did a great job!



Hot and Spicy noodle soup with enoki mushroom - again, fantastic flavour. Generous amount. Although the noodles looked like 2 minute noodles.



Pan Fried dumplings, all their dumplings are vegetarian. Fantastic flavour, lots of garlic ^_^


Pumpkin Tea


Hot Corn Tea - I really liked this, a hint of sweetness. The baggie was in Korean... I've been trying to hunt it down! If anyone know anything about it please let me know!


Last stop - Norman Lindsay's Gallery. We took a bite at the Lindsay Cafe.




German Apple Crumble with Ice cream


Sticky Date Pudding

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