MAC Fix+

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I've had this 'fix' spray for a while (ok, a little more than a while, like maybe a few years of a while) and have only recently hauled it out of my cupboard for a closer look. I bought it when I had my makeup done at a MAC counter, along with all the other bits and pieces that those very sneaky makeup artists get you to purchase only after you get your makeup done. And well, I sort of had no idea what it was for. The lady who helped me told me it was a "refreshing facial mist"....um?? Ok, so now after using it over my makeup I've found it actually does prolongs the life of my face paint (face paint being Farmboy's own term for the numerous products I 'slap' on).

When it comes to prolonging the wear of your makeup, there are a lot of factors to consider; the humidity, the type of face cream you use, whether or not you've used a primer, loose powder to set the foundation...the list goes on. So here's the truth. When using this spray over my makeup (without using a primer) it does make it last longer than without using the spray. How much longer, well that would be a guess on my part. Anyway, I love the smell and the feel of the mist on my skin and would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for something a little different in terms of makeup. I give this a 4/5.
Find it at your nearest MAC counter for +-R190.


Glass Week **Day 1**

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Today marks the start of Glass Week, and to celebrate (it might not sound like the most exciting thing in the world to be celebrating but bear with me here) I'm going to do a few posts on why YOU should choose glass. We are all up to our noses with information on all the gazillion ways to recylce and keep our planet healthy, well here are a few unique ways that not only look pretty, but also help to keep our earth a little greener :)

"Glass is infinitely recyclable. Our legacies are shaped by our decisions.  You can choose to make yours one of preservation, respect and good taste.  The glass you use every day begins its life as sand and retains its composition to the last molecule. This makes glass all natural and 100% recyclable.  With this in mind, it’s perfectly clear why glass packaging is the environmentally-conscious choice.  Choose to recycle.  Choose glass."






To find out more about glass week, check out Consol's Facebook page and follow the on twitter!

To find a glass bank in your area simply sms “GLASS” and the name of your suburb to 32310. SMS costs R1


Body Shop *Beauty Haul*

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I first came across the term Beauty "Haul" on ViviannaDoesMakeup. Vivianne is a gorgeous, UK based beauty junkie who does super informative videos and photo posts on all things makeup. The term isn't new, I see it all over the place on international blogs, but I have yet to spy it on the South African field...
Here is my latest haul:


My skin has been especially dry, with winter drawing to a close, and I was on the hunt for a new night cream. The Vitamin E range of products is mild and gentle, whilst still doing what it says on the tub. The face wash gets rid of all traces of makeup and impurities, without drying out my skin, leaving it feeling soft and clean. The night cream does leave my skin feeling a little oily when I wake up. Before using it, my skin was incredibly dry, so a little bit of extra oil has been good for. 
For as long as I can remember, the skin on my nose has always been dry and flaky, no matter what I do. I've tried exfoliating, masks, suncream (as my mom insists it's because I keep getting sunburnt), moisturisers, you name it I've bought it. But the one thing I hadn't tried, was a serum. After cleansing and toning, you massage the serum into your skin, before applying your moisturiser...and voila! My nose has been flake free since I started using this moisture serum. And the best part, it doesn't make my skin oily at all! 



If your skin is on the oily side, this range of products wouldn't be very suitable. I would recommend this range for normal to dry skins, and those in need of a bit of a moisture surge.

Night Cream R110
Moisture Serum R120
Facial Wash R70
Total R230

The Body Shop is having a super awesome sale at the moment, 2 for 3 on selected products. I picked these up for R230...not bad if I do say so myself :)


**Glass** Glorious **Glass**

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Next week is Choose Glass Week, and the lovely people behind Consol are doing their best to make people aware of all the fabulous reasons to choose glass. Everyday next week I'll be sharing another reason with you as to why you should choose glass. In the mean time, I'll leave you with a few idea's to get those creative juices flowing:

Image: DreamyWhite

Image: HomeKlondike


Image: CompletelyCoastal
Image: EatDrinkBeMarriedInCali


Image: DreamyWhite

The 16th September was Recycle Day here in South Africa, and if you didn't get the memo, it's never too late to start recycling! To find a glass bank in your area simply sms “GLASS” and the name of your suburb to 32310. SMS costs R1


 P.S. If you have any ideas on creative ways to use/re-use glass, drop me a line below :) xx


*Spring has Sprung*

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I wandered around the garden this afternoon, camera in one hand, a cup of tea in the other, and thought I'd share what made me smile...














Yes, this post was pretty random, but these flowers did make me smile today, I hope they do the same for you. If not, click here to enter  my giveaway to win some lovely things that will certainly make you :) xx


Yardley Loose Powder

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This translucent powder has become one of my ultimate must haves. At only R79.95, it's preety reasonable as far as powders go. I find it holds my foundation is place for much longer than my very much more expensicve Clinique powder (review to follow shortly!). What I love the most is the smell...soft floral scents that make me enjoy putting my make up on even more :) Being a translucent powder, it will suit any skin tone (except perhaps very dark skin) and it blends in beautifuly. But, in being translucent, it doesn't provide a lot of coverage, and so is best used over your foundation to 'set' it and make sure it stays put. Or if you have clear skin, to provide a very sheer veil of coverage. I give this powder a 4/5.
Find it at your local Clicks or Dischem for R79.95.

P.S Don't forget to enter into my giveaway! Click here for more information on how to get your hands on these pretty products:



Batiste Dry Shampoo...

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A little while ago I did a post on TRESemme's Dry Shampoo which was at the top of my list with regards to fab new products, untill I gave Batiste a try. It's even *better!*. Yes, effectively it does the same thing, BUT it also smells good enough to eat and comes in a mini size too! So now ladies you have no excuse for greasy hair. All you have to do is give your roots a good spray, and then make sure you comb/brush your hair thoroughly as the spray leaves a white powder residue (thats whats soaking up that grease!). And voila! Picture perfect hair in seconds. I definitely give this a 5/5!!  Find Batiste at Clicks and Dischem for R35.99 for the mini bottle.


Market on Main...round 2!

/ Johannesburg, South Africa/
I have done a post on the wonder that is the Market on Main in Joburg's town centre, but after a recent visit and lots more photo's I thought I'd do another...why not hey :)

So as not to confuse anyone, ArtsOnMain is the building which houses MarketOnMain :)

Check out her blog (click here) for more stock of her lovely pieces

View of outside, what a pretty Spring Day in Jozi!


omnomnom...ChocolaJ :) 


The most delicious *homemade* marshmallows I have ever encountered!





Get yourself there every Sunday to stuff yourface with good food, mingle with cool looking people and get decked out in awesome  accessories!

Open from 10 am - 3 pm every Sunday. Check out their facebook group for more info.

Directions:
Corner of Fox Street and Main, Joburg.

From the M1 North click here
From OR Thambo International Airport click here
From Jan Smuts Avenue click here
From Houghton Drive click here


*Stuffed Butternut* for dinner!

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Summer is supposed to be around the corner, but with the last few days being as cold as they have been, here is something to keep you warm and full...

Ingredients
Tin foil
Butternuts 
Olive Oil
Herbs
your choice of stuffing (here I used feta & sun dried tomatoes). Mushrooms, onions, lentils & bacon also work well!

Step 1: Pop the oven onto 180 C. Slice your butternuts in half and remove the seeds

Step 2: slice up your fillings (make sure to have nice bright nails to avoid slicing your finger open!)

Step 3: Once your butternuts are well and truly stuffed full of yummyness, drizzle some olive oil over them and sprinkle with herbs. Wrap in tin foil and pop into the oven.

Step 4: after 40 mins in the oven, unwrap the foil and poke a stick into the butternuts to check how they are doing. Leave the foil off them and bake for another 10-15 mins.

Step 5: Enjoy!!


Catrice Eye Shadow...

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Yay! I am currently at 79 followers! Only 21 to go :) please help me get there ladies (& gents!). All you have to do is follow this blog (click here) and like my facebook group, leave me a comment with your name and email (and what kind of blog posts you enjoy reading) and you could win some really cool prizes! Easy peasy lemon squeezy...click here for more info!
Now, on with the review!


These single eyeshadows are perfect for any look. They blend easily and are highly pigmented. The lightest colour (#090 Bring me Frosted) is the perfect highlighter, while the darkest in the picture above (#350 Starlight Espresso) is great for a smokey eye. The only downside is that I had to really layer on the dark colour to get it to show up, while the light colour showed up perfectly. But for only R39.99 each, I think we can all afford to layer and layer and layer! :) I give these baby's a 5/5!! You cab find the full range of Catrice products at Dischem.

Soap&Glory and BarryM **GiveAway!**

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I am aiming at *hopefully* having 100 followers on this blog in the next few weeks...I am currently at 74. Pretty please can you help me get there :) 

I have some lovely things to giveaway to celebrate the occasion! Well, 2 lovely sets of lovely things to giveaway to be exact...These goodies are extra special as we you can't get your hands on these wonderful brands here in South Africa. Unless you have a magic carpet to take you to England, in which case, can I come with?? 


The first will go to a random lucky someone...all you have to do is comment on this post so I know who's who in the zoo (please also tell me what you'd like to see more of on my blog) 'follow' this blog and 'like' my page on facebook, easy right?

And the second prezzie will go to my 100th** follower!


**the only condition...winners have to reside in South Africa as shipping laws make it very difficult for me to send liquids overseas...so only South Africans will be eligible for this giveaway, but please don't let that stop you from checking out my blog! Lots more giveaways to be done in the future with non-liquidy prizes...yay!

Lucky Draw Winners will be announced on the 30th September 7th October *more time to enter ladies!!*. 
Good luck xx


Catrice Lipstick...

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As promised in this post here is the first review of this wonderful new brand (well at least new to us South Africans!). This Ultimate Colour Lipstick has taken a firm hold of my makeup bag and I carry it wherver I go. "Be Natural" is a nude colour that goes on effortlessly. It's great if you just need a hint of colour, and is the perfect shade for spring. At only R54.95 it's a steal! The only downside, it isn't very long lasting.  I give this a 4/5, and am on way as I speak to get more shades :)

New MakeUp at Dischem: **Catrice**

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I am always on the lookout for new and exciting makeup (while trying to be budget friendly too) and boy have I not found another hit! Essence is still up there as one of the best brands for your rand, but they might be shifting to second position after this new find. With price's from R39.99 to R54.99...what's not to love?? 


Reviews on each of these products to come soon!! xx

In the mean time, click here to check out Catrice's full range of products :)


I lurve presents...

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Tomorrow, I will officially be joining the thousands of other South Africans and becoming a part of the working world...not too excited for this as my new job involves a 6 day week and lots of long hours (*hoping I still get the time to fit in blogging!*). But I am very keen to start this next phase of my life :) So, where does the title of this post come from? Well I headed down to Durbs to see Farmboy as he had a long weekend *not sure when next I'm going to be able to see him as I will be working weekends...sniff sniff* and along the way I met up with a new friend for some hot chocolate and my first nibble of a macaroon. Macaroons are all the rage at the moment, with bloggers going crazy for them, but I wasn't so taken, a little sweet for my liking, but definitely edible!

Anywho...where was I...oh yes, I met up with Megan from ChinaDollIllustrations, *I did a little interview on her a short while ago and we hit it off and have been friends ever since* :) In the process of buying one of her prints, we got our wires crossed and the print that I'm waiting for is still on it's way, so she gave me this one as a little prezzie...it's gorgeous! You have to check out her other work, she is just so darn talented!


**Megan is having a giveaway at the moment! Click here for more info on how to get your paws on a puppy!**


Q&A with Sara of *LuckyYouHandMade*

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I have loved getting to know the wonderfully talented Megan of ChinaDollIllustrations, and Jess of HelloThula. Here's a chance for you to get to know the creative soul behind the blog LuckyYouHandMade!

 Q) First of all, for those readers who have yet to see your blog, what is it that you do?


 I do many things but my focus is on felt brooches, lace and embroidery accessories and I also make paper mache dolls


Q) What materials do you use/prefer to use?

I mainly use hand dyed felt but I love using silk as well.



Q) Did you study your craft? Or did it come out of a passion for making pretty things?

I actually studied to be a chef but have always loved making things. 

Q) Is there anything in particular that you absolutely *love* making more than anything else? Why?

I love making my dolls because they always end up with such personality.


Q) You recently had work displayed at the Mr Price 031 Collection, thats incredible! What
was that like?

It was amazing to be involved with such a professional, slick show with all those talented designers- a real ego boost!

Q) Where can we get our hands on your awesome pieces?

I have some things for sale at Con Amore at the La Lucia Mall in Durban but anyone can mail me with any special orders - sara@luckyou.co.za



Awesome, now to just get my bum down to Durbs to get my paws on some of those hairbands....click here to check our Sara's blog and stay up to date with her latest offerings!


Thrift/Antique Store wanderings...

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If you're on the lookout for something, dare I say it, *vintage*...head out to Queen Street in Kensington for some bargaining and treasure hunting. I am on the hunt for a working type writer...I don't suppose any of you know where I can pick one up for a reasonable price??


Ye Olde Collector 
Furniture - Art - Collectibles
154 Queen Street, Kensington
011 615 4987


Ye Olde Collector (yes, the same name as above!)
Collectibles - Porcelain - Jewelry - Art
156 Queen Street, Kensington
011 616 3578


Revlon Concealer...

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Having tried out a fair share of concealers in my day, I have to say that this one winds hands down. It covers imperfections, and stays put all day long! It's slowly getting warmer, spring is finally on its way, and I know that when it does get hot, this little baby is gonna make sure it does what its supposed to. I have actually been using it instead of foundation, just dabbing on a bit and then setting with powder (review to follow soon) and my skin looks natural and even. Sometimes I find that foundation can look too heavy, so this works like a charm when you just need a little cover. At R170 it's not the cheapest product out there, but it has lasted me for quite a while already and way out performed my MAC Select Moisture Cover which stayed on for about 30 mins before fading. I give this bad boy a 4/5 with the only downside being the price.


500 Pencils

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What would you do with 500 pencils? Bet you wouldn't think to store them like this:


500 pencils is the coolest idea since sliced bread. Every month, 25 pencils get delivered to your door, packaged in tones and hues tantalizing enough to make your mouth water (lemon drop, pumpkin pudding) and some that just make you day dream (drizzly afternoon, mermaids gown). 20 months go by and your left with 500 gorgeous pencils, and some great ideas on how to store them! Now, where's my credit card :) 

Thanks to Elle Decor for posting the above find, I loved it so much I had to repost it to all of you!