hi, again

[18/01/2015]

Oh look, a selfie. That's kinda rare for me but I actually want to change that this year. Not because I'm extra into myself this year (rofl) but because I've always been so camera shy that I really would like to change that. Aaand I've already diverged off topic..  I thought I was going to throw the towel in when it came to this blog but today I kinda realised I still want this little place hanging around. My mindset has changed drastically in the last few months (thanks America) but it might be more accurate to say that it's gone back to where it should be, but version 2.0 this time.  So where has it gone back to? My first ever, ever love, music. I started allowing myself to pursue it a few years back now and starting from scratch as an adult was a much bigger task than I initially thought. Not just the lack of experience and skillset (compared to even that of a teenager) but the mindset. I went from being an academically driven girl to a girl realising she did it because it was so externally rewarding and so fitting in to her surrounding universe. So from that to who I see myself as now, a creative, has been a long and unexpected shift and process.  

  I sort of fell out of love of music for awhile there. Never completely, but it became a ritual. Add to that were some negative people that really impacted me and my view on it and I'm glad to say that I'm now rid of them. In that mean time, I fell in love with blogs. How these girls (and I say girls because 100% of the blogs I follow are by these beautiful, smart, creative babes) run these thoughtful and inspiring, personalised spaces was and is really something to me. Many of them are carving out a career out of being a creative, regardless of the controversy (which I honestly scoff at - every industry has it's honest and dishonest folk) and to me that is inspiring. I definitely had very little influence from successful and creative people growing up so I'm glad for such industries to be strengthening. But that was my case in point, these girls are creative. They put on makeup for the love and fun of it, they wear what they want because that's who they are, and discovering those sorts of blogs was such a source of inspiration during that time.

  But v2.0 me, the music girl, is back. I finally feel like I might really have something to share and instead of just worrying about the career part. And so that bloody should be. So in the last few months I kinda neglected this little space here. But while practising my scales today, I realised I kinda missed it. When I came up with the blog name, I knew it was a keeper. While I'm definitely no ViviannaDoesMakeup or the girls at A Beautiful Mess, I definitely love writing. So.. I'm keeping it :) *audience cheer*. Instead of a blog of assorted goods, it's now my diary companion to my music journey, a letter box of notes and tidbits, if you will.

So, hi again :)

x, mai-anne

twtw 12: the week of finishing stuff and moving on..

[18/05/2014]

Concise title. I know. Things haven't been interesting enough and have been a slight blur so hence the missing twtw posts of late. But last week's theme was definitely one that felt like things were ending, but mostly in a good kind of way. 

First up, I did it! I finished the blogilates beginner's calendar! Since I'm a total noob at sports, my body is really stiff and so I decided to go lightly at it (and still felt the pain - how unfit am I!). I let myself skip a day a week though by the 2nd half, I was doing some kind of exercise everyday. I'm going to do it again and try to attack everything on the list and harder. Even though I was expecting nothing, I actually am starting to feel more strength, even in my own character too, and my core muscles (I now actually have some!) are starting to look firmer. Still hundreds of miles to go but the first mile has been knocked down. Yes..!

On the lifey side, my weirdass work schedule has now been sorted but it has meant saying a few goodbyes which were sadder than I expected. It is strange how people come into your life, in a big or small way, and then leave. What's even sadder is that you know you probably won't ever see them again. But life moves on and you have to make decisions like these but it's something I wonder about a lot. I sound super corny right now but in truth, I am a little miffed by it. On the plus side, I feel anew again for the coming week. I'm ready to work hard and go get my dreams. Let's do this!

x, mai-anne

getting my health on #1: the start

[11/05/2014]

It was time. To whip my 20-something body in shape. I've never been one with the sports. At school I ran the slowest, jumped the shortest, couldn't catch, couldn't throw and was a complete liability on anyone's sports team. YUP. I was that kid. As an adult, well I can't say much has changed, eek. Lately I've been inspired by seeing how fit some of my friends are and seeing that fellow junkfood lover ViviannaDoesMakeup could kick up her game, I had that well maybe I can do it too, thought. And somehow, I've managed to get excited by it. 

To start, I needed gear. All I previously had were my Sketchers from school (remember when they were cool?!) which were really unappealing. So my bargain eyes went hunting for a sale and found these Puma sneakers on TheIconic for $54, it's a sign. I bought a few sports bras from Target which are quite good for a beginner like me and I found these 1kg dumbbells for $5 at BigW. Pretty weak, but at 1kg, they're not intimidating, meaning that I'll actually use them.

I'm also in the midst of adjusting my diet to include more fibre and protein for my apple shaped body. I am averagely built/slightly on the small side but for someone of my size, I have a really high percentage body fat. Something I've accepted as my body shape thus far, but it's time to change that mentality. It's not healthy and it can be helped. In my quest for chia seeds I found this beetroot supplement instead and it's quite yummy with yoghurt! Great for blood circulation and general good health. I plan on doing some health food hauling soon..

The biggest change is that I'm doing blogilates as mentioned in a previous twtw post :D And I just started my last week of the beginner's calendar! I'm so happy I've stuck to it thus far, and while I have been determined to, part of me is surprised that this unsporty girl didn't change her mind about it *fist pump*. Even though it's only been 3 weeks, I already can feel the changes - I mean I can actually feel that I have muscles! My body is still very stiff though so I plan on doing the same calendar another 2 times (with all the boxes completed) with my own adjustments made for my body and needs, ie extra cardio.

Now to lift some dumbbells..

mini usa beauty haul

[07/05/2014]

Don't cha just love it when you have a friend travelling to the US? :D I had a very small wishlist as I always feel guilty asking for too much, especially knowing she was going to a festival (and coachella at that, *drools*).  As usual I had MAC on the hitlist as most items are marked up more than 200% here down under (hmph). I caved and asked for the 217 brush, curiosity has gotten the better of me and I plan to collect a few dupes for a comparison post. But yes, it does apply and blend eyeshadow like a dream, particularly for one-wash wonder shadows. The shadows I've had serious lemmings for were the khaki toned Coquette and chocolate hue of Handwritten, just perfect for the wintery eyes I'm lusting after. 

I also asked for a mini of the Urban Decay Primer Potion to see if it could do it's creaseless magic on my eyes, but sadly no - it still creased after a few short hours even when powdered on top, weep. My lovely friend also threw in a gift in there, a Chanel Nail Polish in Rouge Noir. My first Chanel product. I have never loved red nails of any sort so I was apprehensive, but it being Chanel, I tried it (of course). And the colour is gorgeous. The deep red hue also makes your hands look really healthy too. Downside? It chips so fast. So fast. I'm talking full nail chips after a shower. Eek, more experimenting required...

Now back to my parcel forwarding plans for more US goodies.. (that's if they happen!).

twtw #11 - the greatest new tv show ever

[27/04/2014]

That's right, I just discovered one of the best tv shows ever. Brooklyn Nine Nine. In short, it's BRILLIANT. I'm not a massive tv person, I don't watch that many, I just have Friends periodically on in the background and watch my fave tuber's doin' their thang when it's lunchtime (or when a new one popping up in my sub box, let's be honest) but after How I Met Your Mother ended (terribly, so terribly..) there was a little tv hole in my life. I had heard of BNN from their Golden Globes win and since I discovered 30 Rock that way, it was on my radar. And Thank God. There are so many good things about this show: the writing, the cast, Andy Samberg (warning: I'm now silly fangirl of his - funny, geeky boys *heart eyed emoticon*) and with small snippets of social commentary slipped in. Perfect. I literally laugh out loud in every episode. I really appreciate how each character is really developed, how well tied together each episode and the series storyline arc is and the diversity of the cast whilst allowing "typically similar characters" to work together instead of having them compete (with two Latina girls and two Afro-American guys, who are in the senior roles might I add). The staff really thought about it all beforehand and not just develop them as they went along. It's got that stupid-smart comedic style which I love, when characters/storylines seem so stupid but it's you know it's so clever at the same time. I hate throwing the word talent around, but the team behind this show has got it. Fingers crossed for high ratings so that this show goes on for a long, long time. Gawd, I've gushed way too much already, oops..

A really good mate of mine told me about John Newman's voice (really unfortunate name if you live in Sydney, Australia, particularly the South-West, if you know what I mean) and I listened with my jaw dropped. Such an interesting tone he's got there and while it's not super natural sounding, who cares. I'm a huge fan of Otis Redding who he references as a major influence and you can really hear that in JN's voice. I was really surprised to hear that he has the same high-pitched tone and rasp as OR did. His album Tribute is rather good and I'm sure with a few more spins I'll really get into it. 

One of my favourite moments this week was having a games night with my pals. We get super competitive and while my general knowledge just sucks (I'm such an all-or-nothing person which isn't a great skill in these scenarios) it was fun. Best of all, we played the greatest ever group game - MAFIA. Highly recommended. So recommended by me that I will look down upon those who don't enjoy it. I'm kidding, not. Ha!

it's not about the stuff (anymore)

[20/11/2014]

A few years ago I caught the beauty bug. From simply wanting to relieve my sexy eczema ailments, I found myself building skincare regimes and having too-much-makeup problems. And quite honestly, I loved it. Like a lot of beauty lovers,  I got into watching youtube videos and squealed over new releases and mac eyeshadows (still a real weakness). It’s something a lot of people don’t get and usually lump with vanity (a topic i definitely want to post about at some point) and while I once only saw that “ugly” side to it (oh to be adolescent and judgemental), I truly do see the actual beauty side of that coin now. 

So why the post title? I’ve really come to the realisation that I'm no viviannadoesmakeup (girl is the next Sally Hughes fo sho) with an insatiable lust for beauty and talent for beauty writing, or Lisa Eldridge with a deep knowledge and skill about makeup, I really just like, or love, the self-expression side. I had definitely gotten caught up in wanting to “test" products, create seasonal edits like my favourite blogs to now properly realising that isn’t the main way I enjoy it myself, even though I do get that side (oh yes, siree). It really hit me the other day the part I love most about this whole beauty shebang is that it allows for self expression, not the products themselves. It's the part where I get to look the way I want to because I chose to. Where I get to pair certain colours together because that’s what I'm feelin'. It sounds dramatic but isn't that is one of the best parts about art, that feeling it evokes or brings out in us. (Even though I’m nowhere near as avante garde as that sentence might suggest). I still love all of this, it's just much less about the stuff side now. And this light bulb moment has got me excited for this little corner of the interwebs again. Yey :)

the sunday scribble #04: grandma night in

[19/10/2014]

ANTIPODES GRAPESEED BUTTER CLEANSER || MICHAEL TODD AVOCADO & MANGO HYDRATING FACIAL MASK || ESSIE GROW FASTER BASE COAT || ULTRA NAILS NAIL STRENGTHENER || CLINIQUE NAIL ENAMEL, BLACK HONEY || SALLY HANSEN MEGA SHINE TOP COAT

on the playlist: george ezra, wanted on voyage

Sometimes, you need a granny night in and chill. I had this one in the books and after really only planning a movie length to pamper, I ended up staying up much later after a long chat with my mum and some night writing inspiration, whoops. So while I'm a little tired this morning, I hath no regrets. :D
  The pamper started with some serious cleansing with the Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser and Lisa Eldridge's face massage video to guide. While I previously thought the video fascinating to watch (as are all LE's videos) I thought it might be slightly boring to actually do but nope, I'm converted. Boy did my face feel relaxed after that session and the cleanser was a great choice with plenty of slip and a slight pretty menthol fragrance. After the surprise burn from the Michael Todd Pumpkin Mask (maybe a face massage shouldn't be followed by a AHA mask?) I turned to a trusted goodie and it's another MT mask, but this time the Avocado + Mango Hydrating Facial Mask. It smells of my favourite fruits and is seriously hydrating, it's really becoming a favourite around here.  The amount of work needed to paint my nails can put me off but the weeks of bare tips finally got to me  so last night I finally gave them a paint job. While spring has sprung here down under, I really wanted to try a newbie to the stash and that is the Clinique's Black Honey. While it doesn't make the hands look as healthy as Chanel's Rouge Noir, it's still very pretty.

Accompanying me on the night was a "chick flick", but of course. I picked About Time mainly because I love Rachel McAdams, and she and movie didn't disappoint. The film is nothing groundbreaking but it is heartwarming and sometimes that's all you need.  Domhnall Gleeson is such a sweetheart (Bill Weasely!) and I didn't realise how much I like Richard Curtis' work! *doh!*

(PS, man is this George Eszra album, good. And this is only my first spin.. wowser.)

mystery unsolved

[26/08/2014]

 I'm an eyeshadow girl through and through. Growing up I loved staring at smokey eyes in the magazines and now I feel like something is missing without a bit of shadow around my peepers. But with my oily and hooded lids, it's a been a problematic journey. Sigh. This is an area where everything I've tried, cult or not, has not lived up to what it promises and I'm starting to think, it's just me. *cries*

Eye Primers

The lot in the pictures is just a fraction of the few that I've tried. From Urban Decay to Nars, nothing has got me past the 5 hour mark without a crease and I even powder them before shadow which does add another hour or so but does make shadows tougher to blend. I'm starting to just accept that creasy lids is a way of life, weep.

Mascaras

I have elephant lashes. My lashes are on the thick side, and not too shabby in length, but the combination of these two mean that they stick down stubbornly. I've tried many a waterproof mascara that promise hours of wear, the black under my eyes after an hour or so prove otherwise. I've been looking into tube mascaras but the priciness attached really turns me off. So while this is the crucial step most people's makeup, I can't say I love it.

Cream Shadows

Oh how I love the idea of cream shadows. Swipe, smudge and go - done. But no, these last the least on me from creamy to liquid formulas and to creamy pencils. Even the very exxy ByTerry Ombre Blackstar smudges on me. It's strength on my lower lash line does give me hope but on the top, nada (primer or not). If I've truly have given up on anything, it is definitely this category.

Pencil Liners

Yup you guessed it, more smudging. From Stila's smudge sticks to Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencils to Rimmel Scandal'eyes, nuffin works. Liquid liners are better but for a smokey eye lovin' girl, it's just not my preferred look. Eyeshadows are now my go too, better lasting power and wear off well, and not too panda style..

winter cliche

[12/08/2014]
 BOOHOO ADELE CABLE KNIT CARDIGAN || SPORTSGIRL HEADBAND ||
MAC EYESHADOW, HANDWRITTEN || NARS BLUSH, MOUNIA || CHANEL LE VERNIS, ROUGE NOIR

currently on play: one republic, secrets 

I can't help it, this colour really is so beautiful but it really is something special in the winter. Although Sydney winter is well, not really winter, Imma indulge in this colour anyway :D The chunky Boohoo cardigan has become quite the staple lately and while my mum says it's a bit granny-ish, she does admit to it looking rather nice on! The head gear love continues with this $2 treat from Sportsgirl headband and it keeps my thick head of hair down, a yay for bad hair days. One of my favourite blushes is Nars' Mounia which I still can't believe that it's been discontinued. It's so crazily pigmented and isn't the most blendable making it difficult to work with, but the colour is worth it. While it is a bit temperamental I love using it on fast makeup days as the strong colour is a quick way to get some oomph on my face, plus it lasts really well. I don't tend to wear burgandy all over the lid much but I've been constantly reaching out to MAC's Handwritten to line the lids and then smudged out. It's neutral enough to work with almost everything but the reddish tones still bring out this pretty wintery hue. Lastly is a burgandy polish, something I thought I would never like. This Chanel polish was gifted and thankfully so as I really love this colour on the fingertips. It just makes the hands look healthy! Another 3 weeks left of our pseudo winter, sigh, I'm definitely a wintery girl at heart.

this week's most loved #06

[10/08/2014]

Lots of new loves in this week, including a sneaky one from today (does anyone else consider Sunday the beginning of the week?). I started using the Collect app to encourage myself to take more pictures in my daily life. I'm a little instagram shy (which is very silly) so this has been a really cool way to start getting used to documenting moments in picture form which hopefully encourages me to get on instagram more! I also bought a few new glasses from The Glasses Shop for $50 each. What?! Not the best quality but for the price, I really ain't complaining. It would've been cheaper if I wasn't so blind and didn't need a better lens type, doh! I'm also on board the hype train for the Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm. It. Is. Gorgeous. And it lasts till the morning which really shows how hydrating it is. And lastly, a slight running update, and I mean slight. I went for a run this morning and it was the first time it really felt good. Feet didn't hurt and I ran more of it than I have ever before - yippee! Starting slow really is best. Am going to really push myself to do this more :)

green love

[07/08/2014]

MELVITA APICOSMA ULTRA NOURISHING SKIN CREAM || SKIN BLOSSOM REVIVING EYE CREAM || MOOGOOD ROSEHIP OIL || BURT'S BEES TINTED LIP BALM, HONEYSUCKLE 

I'm quite a stickler to green brands for my skincare. It's not just because I'm ingredients mad, but if I can support companies doing the good and green thing then they have my heart.  While I'm more yolo with my makeup, I definitely love green beauty in general. Lately these four have really shown their chops especially with my dire winter skin. Melvita is a French skincare brand (double win) and their Nourishing Apicosma Skin Cream is a beaute. It has such a gorgeous honey smell and is quite a lovely hydrator for something not uber buttery thick. To amp it up even more, I mix in some rosehip oil, something I've been doing with my day cream too since my skin is ridic at the moment. It's not the thickest of oils so it makes for a great booster for moisturisers. The Skin Blossom Reviving Eye Cream has been a huge surprise and if you're looking for a good budget eye cream, this is it. It feels cooling on the eyes and it really feels like you've just hit your skin with some extra moisture. A repurchase is definitely on the cards. Lastly is a lip product love, what?! I was no lip product lover, give me an eyeshadow any day, but the Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm has been a game changer. I have to credit it's incredible creamy texture that makes me realise why plump and hydrated lips feels so good. I know, I sound like an ogre but it was once on my cbf list. Glad to report that things have changed! I have it in the colour Honeysuckle which is a tint of  peachy nude that builds lightly as you apply more.  Definitely stocking up on these in other colours when I'm in the States!

the basics

[31/07/2014]

BOOHOO BOOTS || BOOHOO GREY SWEATER || ILLUSTRATED PEOPLE LOVE LONDON RAGLAN SWEATER || ASOS INDIGO SOFT JEANS || MONKI WHITE SHIRT || RIVER ISLAND BEANIE || 

currently on play: sam smith, in the lonely hour album

I'm not really a minimalist. I find basics really boring but I've slowly realised how necessary they are and how often I end up wearing them. Yeah I know, nuh-duh. Lots of the pieces in here I didn't realise how much I would end up turning to when I bought them so while it felt painful to part with the money, they've been really handy and admittedly, worth it. They're not all the best quality but well you know, I'm getting there!

the natural days

[12/07/2014]

TOOFACED NATURAL EYE PALETTE || MAC 217 || BDELLIUM TOOLS 776 BRUSH

I've had the Toofaced Natural Eye Palette in my arsenal for quite sometime now and honestly speaking, I hadn't made much of a dent in it. I don't know what it is about pre-made palettes, but they kerfuffle me. It takes me awhile to really come around and see how I can use it, as opposed to my MAC palette which I know so well because I picked the colours out myself. But finally in the last few weeks, I think I get it. I really love palette now and is becoming a staple in my stash.  It's been repackaged now and while I like the old, ruddy cardboard package more I think the upgraded version has a better colour selection. In saying that, this palette already does have everything I need in one place, a medium matte neutral brown for blending, a dark shade for lining the lids on non-eyeliner days, a good balance between cool and warm tones and pretty shimmers to make the lids look well, pretty. This was an uber-natural day when I took this shot, just layering the rosey tinted 'push up' over 'velvet revolver' which tones down the shimmer, and 'sexpresso' to line the lids. Done.

this week's most loved #3

[20/07/2014]

My copy of Sophia Amoruso's #Girlboss came this week and I love it. Just looking at the cover makes me want to work hard. It's got a funny effect on me when I read it - on one hand I want to keep reading to hear what she has to say, on the other I get so motivated I feel like putting the book down and get shit done. The irony kills me. Continuing with my health kick I started making smoothies with the Sunbeam Blender and Go and it bloomin rocks. Tanya Burr's green shake has been my favourite so far, but it's been so good to inject good stuff into the diet and I can take it with me to work too. The big trick is add chia seeds to everything, you can't taste it and it's so damned healthy! On the beauty front, good ol' Rosehip Oil is back on my radar as my skin has been annoying dry. It's not the heaviest of oils out there but that means it mixes really well with moisturisers giving them an extra hit of moisture and glow which I adore again. Lastly I must add another Korean drama to my watched list and it's the endearing and well-worth-the-hype Coffee Prince. The last few EPs had me and my tissues going as it's so nice to have a series spend time on feel good moments as opposed to ongoing conflict and overt drama. Yoon Eun Hye is just my fave girl and the way it handled homosexuality is pretty applaudable considering it is a Korean drama and is 7 years old now. Fave moment? Han Kyul singing into the phone on the rooftop, *faints*.

this week's most loved #2

[12/07/2014]

Mate, I tried to make this picture as pretty as I could whilst being pretty darn hungry and rushed on time for dinner (excuses, excuses..). But here is the 2nd instalment of TWML :D

I ran out of my previous oil cleanser and decided to give coconut oil a go to take my makeup off. It worked pretty darn well and left my skin feeling really soft. I'm trialling this famous oil for a range of things right now in prep for some possible long-term travelling and it really is coming up with the goods. Plus, it smells gorgeous.  On the playlist, I've been loving Lorde's Pure Heroine. I sort of cast her aside when there was so much hype around her, but when I properly gave this album a go, I was impressed. The production isn't over the top, and for an "indie" sounding record, I think the melodies and songs are really strong which is definitely one of my favourite combinations. The earphones pictured are these cheap-o Sony earphones that for $12, actually sound really good. Much better than the stock standard Apple earphones. I found myself dying without some music in my buds whilst walking around and decided to get the cheapest ones I could find, well prepared for some tinny sounds. These were a really pleasant surprise. Lastly, I picked this Sportsgirl headband up whilst shopping with my mum for a mere $2 (a new week, another new head accessory eh? :D). I've never been a fan of the turban look but this one doesn't come across like that and it goes with my current hair colour really nicely.  Purrty.. 

Hope you've had a good week! I just came home from my mum's birthday dinner sans dessert since they "ran out".  Now I need some icecream in my belly, badly.. *cries*

light peach

[12/07/2014]

NARS BLUSH, LUSTER || REVLON PHOTOREADY CREAM BLUSH, PINCHED || REVLON MATTE BALMS STAIN, MISCHIEVOUS + COMPLEX 

currently on play: joni mitchell, blue

I know, it's winter, but peach is my default colour through every season. It's such a nice colour to slap on the face on lighter days and suits so many skin tones. This post idea came after I layered two very lightly pigmented blushes and it's now become one of my favourite go to combos. The first layer is the Revlon Photoready blush in Pinched which is such a lovely light peach wash on it's own. The pigmentation isn't there so it's best to layer up, which makes it completely fool proof for pale girls but is unfortunately unlikely to turn up on tan and deeper skin tones. I've had Nars Blusher in Luster for so long but I never fell in love with it despite the hype. When I got my hands on Pinched, I knew it'd be the perfect combo. Luster pulls quite pink on me despite the orange tones in the pan, but in this combo, the warmth comes through and with the bonus a sheeny finish, purrty.

I didn't realise I had matched the cheeks to the lips till after so hence no extra photo here! *slaps forehead* It was another duo with two Revlon's Matte Balm stains in Mischievous and Complex on top. Mischevious is sometimes too strong for the lip product noob that I am, so Complex brings the colour down whilst still maintaining the yep, you guessed it, the peach tones.  Are you sick of the word peach yet? *sheepish grin*

winter wonders

[17/06/2014]

Winter skin is not pretty. Especially for skin that is already on the dry side most of the yea, ugh. I've been amping up my game in the past few weeks, and have been turning to these moisture wonders to aid through the southern hemisphere's winter (ie. you northies' version of spring eh? I'm weak, I know.)

First off is the ever present argan oil and I swear by the one by Acure. A fair trade and well priced bottle - I'm not trying any alternatives! This was the first ever skincare product that actually visibly helped my skin a few years ago when I first started using it. I use oil as a last step in my regime, not as a serum because I believe it works best outside water based creams as it acts as a barrier and holds the moisture in. I'm not usually a hand cream person but I'm starting to feel the parchness in my hands and quite frankly, I don't like it. After finishing a trial size of the Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream awhile back I knew it was a good 'un for the super dry. Not greasy for something so thick but not for the faint hearted either, this does take a few seconds of massaging it in but it's worth it to keep them hands from looking crepey. There's a new love in the house and it's the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. A cult classic with a well deserved status. While it doesn't help smooth over dry patches before foundation, I find that it helps foundations last so much longer (preventing my dry skin from drinking up the moisture in the foundation, eek) and boosts that glow that winter skin usually lacks. It's helped almost every foundation I've mixed it with that I can see myself always having this in my drawer.  Last but not least is the Bloom Soothing Lip Balm. In attempt to step up my beauty game, I'm using lip balm more consistently and I'm lovin' it. I used to be so lazy but I'm slowly understand that habit of reapplying and wanting to reapply lip balms, that I see so many people do. This guy lasts on the lips till the morning - beaute. 

What do you turn to when the air starts to chill? Recommendations are always welcome ;)

the foundation fixer

[24/06/2014]

Ahh, the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. It's been talked about for yonks and now I know why. While it doesn't do what I was hoping when I first bought it, which was to smooth over dry patches, it helps all the above foundations last longer, look better and apply better. Tick, tick, tick!

I had the biggest problem with the Nars Sheer Glow for the longest time. Maybe because the colour Deauville was a little off, but moreover because it didn't blend well, clung to dry patches, and would wear away in a patchy style. I didn't get why it was so beloved and after trying it over different moisturisers, sunscreens, mixing it with other foundations, experimented with different brushes, I was out of ideas. Enter the flash balm and now this is one of my favourite foundations to slap on. YUP. A mix of these two gives a beautiful glowy, medium finish to the skin that lasts the whole day. It is my most favourite finish so far, I loved it so much I bought a second bottle in Fiji so I could mix the colours and get my perfect match. This is the only foundation I've ever bought two colours of so I'm not kidding, this is a yummy combo.

After that success I started mixing it in with my other foundations. With winter skin not looking so plump, the Bourjois Happy Light Foundation (50) was looking a little lacklustre on its own. Good ol CBFB fixed that problem right up, and it is now happy light indeed. I reach for this combo for short makeup days, to ease that bank balance's pain.

Last up is mixed in with the Laura Mercier Silk Creme in Beige Ivory. This on it's own is already one of my favourites but it can feel a little heavy on the skin and it just wasn't lasting as long as I wanted it to. Somehow when mixed with CBFB, it manages to make it feel weightless as the skin feels so much more hydrated and plump. It also lasts longer too since my skin isn't absorbing all the moisture in the foundation (doesn't that just sound gross?!). While these two don't mix as seamlessly on the hand, they really do work well together. It also helps the foundation smooth out easier with a slightly sheerer finish. On a side note, I do apply a little extra of the balm along my dry t-zone as it is parch-city there.

It's not the cheapest product out there but I really think it's worth it. It comes in a 50mL tube so that does help ease the price a little. I'm still curious to try other primers and whatnot, but I this is definitely a staple in my beauty bumf. Have you tried it?

twtw #15: yes you can

[15/06/2014]

If there's anything that's been drummed into me in the past few months, and having especially clicked in the past week is that you can do what you think you can't. Even if it's small things, you can do it.

Back in April, I started doing blogilates. And while it's only been 2 months, I'm starting to feel really different from when I started including ways I didn't expect. I'm literally the unfittest person I know. I'm not exaggerating. I would walk 1km on the treadmill and call it an achievement. I didn't realise it till now but I didn't just hate exercise, I feared it. I was that kid at school who couldn't throw, catch, I ran the slowest, jumped the lowest, you get the picture. While it was laughed off and my friends and I thought of me as the non-sporty one, it planted a tiny but strong seed of insecurity that never left. I know this doesn't sound like a big deal, but this was the one thing I was convinced I was never going to do. So you can imagine, doing blogilates,  or any kind of sport voluntarily (without any superficial aim) was a huuge step. I didn't expect to get any results for months with my stiff muscles but after two weeks, I started noticing that tiny bit of extra strength, that tiny bit of muscle, the tiny but growing ability to push through pain.. and I thought, shit. I can do this. I can push myself and get results. It was literally the first time I felt like I did something I really believed I couldn't. Now I'm even thinking of adding running to the calibre. And if I could fit it in, I would love to take up dancing/hip hop classes, especially because I've always wanted to and feared starting as an adult. (Seriously, who am I..?) And now, slowly but surely, I'm starting to question every moment I think I can't do it.

Since, I've started to feel like other parts of my mind and therefore other parts of my life are opening up. I'm really getting used to questioning moments I think I can't do something. Because it's not a matter of yes or no, but how. Creating a plan and sticking with it. Trust me, I'm still starting small. But it's not where you start, it's where you push yourself to be. So if there's something you think you can't do. Do it.

You heard the him. 

x, mai-anne

twtw #14: girl crushin'

[01/06/2014]

I have to say this but I can't believe May is over, and it's now June. No more it's-sorta-the-beginning-of-the-year thinking, 2014 is on. And I definitely need to kick it up a notch! But stereotypical end of month over, onto this week's loves. And the theme is definitely on some people that I think are just fab.

Claire Marshall is just the bomb diggity (did I use that phrase right?!). Such a real girl who does what she wants, has an opinion without ego and fear and she is who she is. I discovered her months ago but didn't get into her videos as much since we don't have quite the same taste, but somehow I started having some serious crushin' on this girl of late. She's one of the few girls on youtube that I feel that don't necessarily follows trends and she breaks so many stereotypes to me that I really admire her for that. Such a great reminder for me that you don't have to be like everyone else to be happy, you can be who you are and build your life from that regardless of how most people will think. I linked this video because it was one of the first videos that made me love her: just so down-to-earth and she's single and lovin it. A boat I am definitely on but am constantly made to feel like it's a bad thing. And that's another thing I love about CM, she talks about what others are often shy to talk about and in a really real, upfront, honest and casual way.

Other than the obvious fact that this girl is gorgeous, I super admire Coco Rocha's approach to her career. She's creative, intelligent, has a voice, doesn't over-think it and has no fear to take risks. I admit, I may have watched the first season of The Face US version *sheepish grin* and while I didn't enjoy the series half as much as the Australian one, I watched it because of her. I didn't realise she had such a theatrical approach to modelling until the series and as soon as I realised that, I became much more interested in her. A model who is different? Cool. Yes, I know, so is Cara Delevigne (who I do love, I mean, dem eyebrows..), but Coco to me is much more inspiring because she really seems like she does things with purpose and good humour. And that is one of my favourite combos.


Back in my kpop days, Boa was queen. While I have no idea what's going on now, back in the day I was really into kpop, and it was just before it really exploded and got "cooler" (heh). Boa was hence a massive guilty pleasure but I always admired how hard she worked. In the 16 years since she was first plucked, she's never really taken a holiday and I really do believe she really was pushed by her record company especially early on. For the last few years I hadn't stayed in the loop but somehow recently she's kinda crept back in. And good timing too - every time I see any video of hers I feel like kicking my own arse to work harder and stay focussed on my dreams. Plus she seriously gives me lemmings to start dancing, the only kind of physical sport I have any inclination towards (though I do love blogilates now). Only One is my latest favourite song of hers, it's so, so catchy and I'm seriously impressed she wrote it! Now that I'm an adult, I have no shame in openly declaring my love for this girl, haha :D

the throwback pieces

[31/05/2014]

There is definitely some 90s vibin' here. And while yes, "it's back" I didn't realise that I was feelin' it that much until I realised I had a few new purchases that made me harken back to some old memories. First up is definitely the clubmasters. No they're not the real Ray-bans ones, I can't decide if they actually suit me to really splash the cash there boy do these remind me of my childhood.  I was that kid with the big wired glasses. Heck I even have memories of being teased about how big my glasses were so I'm really surprised I even picked these up. But y'know that old time feelin'. After seeing Suzie's outfit post in my Asos basket it went! Some other classics are the Casio watch (similar here) and platform, sorry flatform sneakers. Gawd I'm getting into white shoes at the moment, pray these don't get too dirty (yeah right).

But the piece that really inspired this post was the Irish Luck Ring I found when randomly browsing Asos. I remember really lusting after it when I was a kid after seeing all the cool highschoolers wear them (well any highschoolers really!). And after I lost my gold ring I had worn since I was 13, a gift from my auntie, my naked hands have never felt the same. I don't know what it is about this ring but it makes me feel happy to have it in my life. So happy that I think I might buy a nice one made of something a bit nicer and have a standard jewellery piece back in my life again. I think what makes me happy about it is that it's something I can get myself as opposed to when I was a child I had no such ability other than to ask for it (which I never did). And that is how it should be eh? 

I'm definitely starting to feel the vintage lust grow within me again after more high street haulin' of late. woo..

twtw #13: life lessons

[26/05/2015]

It's been one of those weeks where I've questioned myself, a lot. I feel like I've let myself down quite a bit in the past two months and let them pass me by. I guess that's what happens with work and what not, but prior to April I really felt like I lived each day. I don't want to sit here and moan, because I just did and I then backspaced it all away (heh). But it's time to snap out of it.  Lots of the things I found this week were things poking me to get out of this headspace. Thank God.

One of things that really got me thinking was this quote by Bruce Lee:

As you think, so shall you become.

Holy Cow. I'm a big believer in tunnel vision this year, and admittedly I lost it in the past two months. But you are the only one that can turn what you believe into something real. No one else has to see it to validate it. After reading this quote, I've been questioning a lot about how I've been steering my mind. Steering it into a comfortable oblivion is not where I want to go. 

Another more fun find was the series The Face with Naomi Campbell. I don't know what it is, but I love model search shows, I think it's my equivalent for everyone's obsession with the Kardashians (I really don't get the hype around them and don't lust after their makeup looks either!). I must also say, Australian versions of them are quite good, much less bitchy than overseas versions from what I've seen. I randomly just heard about it the other day and I've guiltily am on the finale after just two days (there are only 8 episodes, and it's the weekend!). But my god, Naomi Campbell is incredible. Scary, but incredible. You can see exactly why she has achieved  the sort of success she has. The woman knows what she wants, goes and gets it without hesitation and is good at it. One awesome moment was when she lashed back at a contestant and told her off for wanting fame: "don't play the fame card with me. I never sought to be famous. When you are good at what you do, the fame will come." Burn.
   That moment got me. It is so easy to be distracted and want success, but when you give everything you've got to do good at whatever it is, that's when you really feel successful - not because someone else thinks so. This show makes me question how thick skinned am I, how much do I want my dreams, whether I'm really taking risks and whether I have enough drive, and the ecetera (see why I like this show?!). As "reality tv" it might be, there really are some things on it that really get me. And as silly as it might seem, this show and in particular Miss NC is triggering my inner self back on track.

So here we go. This week, is a new week.

x, mai-anne

summer loved // the makeup

[25/04/2014]

The cold is starting to hit Sydney (hello electric blanket nights) so I thought it was time to round up some of my summer favourites and write a little ode to them. I find these posts really funny because recapping products at the end of a season sort of means that it's time to stop using them instead of being enticed to buy them. But since us down-underers are the minority it actually could help those hitting the warmer front coming their way! Ironic problems solved once again, cheers. *Big grin*.

The perfect summer base combo was definitely the Nars Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (I wear Alaska) topped with the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light. Cliche? Yes, I think so. But damn these products are nice! The TM has a surprising amount of coverage given its name and just makes the skin look healthy. For extra coverage I would top up with the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (shade has rubbed off, why.. why!) which provided an ample amount of pigment to hide some not so pretty spots. And the powder, heck who knew my dry-proned skin could get on with powders. But this just takes away any greasy looking shine while keepings radiant and blurred. Just bootiful.

On the eyes my favourite shade as to be MAC's Amber Light, an orange toned shimmery shade that actually kinda looks like sunset (barf - my descriptions are terrible). This colour would suit everyone. Really. I still love a bit of eyeliner and I can really depend on the Stila Waterproof Liquid Pen Liner. Seriously, my lids are oily and hooded and everything creases, but this liner stays put! I'm still unsure about the liquid eyeliner look on me but I love that it's dependable.

On the cheeks I've turned to Physcian's Formula Organic Wear Bronzer in Peachy Glow Bronze which is the perfect warm-neutral toned colour for a bit of contouring and bronzing up yer cheeks. Lurvely ingredients too. On fancier days I'd crack out Nars Laguna Bronzer because of it's lasting power and well, because it's kinda fancy. Colour wise I loved the Bourjois Cream Blush in 02 which is such a perky colour on the cheeks and definitely one of my all-time fave blushers in my drawer. The biggest surprise in this round up is the Nars Blush in Mistinguette from the Guy Bourdin Palette. Who knew blue toned pinks could work so well on warmer skin tones? (Though to note, I'm very confused about my skin tone. My face is more neutral/slightly pink toned but I wear more yellow toned foundations because the rest of my body leans more yellow so err.. ?) But seriously, I only tried it on because it was in the palette and expected nothing. But when yer cheeks light up like that, it's a winner. I think this would look gorg' on many different skin tones.

So bye bye murky summer days (thanks global warming and capitalist-driven governments) and ahoy to murky autuminal/wintery days. Time to bust out hazy dark eyes and heavy duty moisturisers, yarrm.

twtw #10: happy easter

[21/04/2014]
It's Monday night, Easter weekend is almost over. A late twtw is in order to include a marvellous 4 day weekend ;)

This week I started diggin' soul music again. This is like the core of my heart. Those voices, the spirit, that vintage 60s sound - what an amazing era when this was "pop music". So inspiring. Sam Cooke is my ultimate favourite and so I've set one of my pandora radios to him to tune into this era. Eerie, it's almost like listening to an actual radio back then..

I have a new blog obsession. And I mean obsession. Fashion Your Seatbelts is an amazing blog by a girl who is cracking into the business herself (something I also admire). Toni has brilliant style that really comes across in her blog and work and it is just up my street. Her style is simple yet quirky and you can see her own aesthetic and style come through in a really cool yet unpretentious kind of way. I practically panicked when I saw this outfit she styled, and not to intentionally sound silly (though I will), but that is me in an outfit. Done. From that moment I scrambled through her blog and just loved just about all of her posts. Love love love.

Where have I been? I've caught the blogilates craze and have just started the beginner's calendar! I did day 2 today and I'm actually kinda sore. And I didn't even really try. My body just doesn't remember the last time I even remotely strained it. I've been feeling sluggish lately and felt really inspired by Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup's fitness posts (the origin of my blogilates discovery) to do something about my health. I want to be fit grandma, and if that's the case, I must start now. I'm sick of feeling weak and unfit and am looking forward to feeling strong and motivated. I'm also apple shaped and while I'm arguably on the smaller side of life, it's just not healthy to have such a high percentage of body fat (heart disease and diabetes amongst what we middle heavy girls are prone to, fun). I do think I'll have to do the beginner's calendar three times before I really feel like I can move on from it. Let the challenge begin! And how amazing is Cassey? Wowser..

It's so nice to have a bit of a breather and some time at home, for me it's always fun to really get into things when you have a bit of time on your hands. One of this weekend's projects entered my life Friday night, perfect. It was the 'Hack the Piano' e-book by piano-couture.com. This is THE way to learn piano if you don't want to go down the classical piano route. I went down that route, and got pretty damn far for someone who isn't naturally that way inclined. This book is brilliant in explaining the "theory" side to things without the bore, ego and intention to scare you off learning a new skill. I planned to get through this entire thing during the weekend and I'm so glad I did. Don't do that if you haven't played the keys before, I have for a long time so I let myself do that since it is designed to start you from the beginning. Why did I like it then? When it came to piano/music theory, I felt like a mess of paper on the floor. This helped me put them into a book and on the shelf. HIGHLY recommended. Plus the creator is super nice too.

Hope you've had a great week and recovering from all those easter chocolates.. I'm off to munch on my last bunny legs, hey it's easter..  :)

twtw #9: april's colours

[12/04/2014]

For some reason, April has been a really weird month for me for a really long time. Some of the worst things happened and worst decisions were made around this time and this is the first year I'm getting to live since realising this pattern. So I this time, I'm prepared. Weird introduction, but I wanted to put this thought out there in the void - you know that feelin'. So er.. here are some of the highlights and finds from this week!

This song.. is just incredible. I'm rather nuts about London Grammar right now and in an interview they mentioned The National, so naturally I had to look them up. You can definitely hear the influence on LG. I Need My Girl, is beautiful. This is songwriting. Definitely one of the best songs, I've ever heard.

Currently the world's biggest cliche, but when something is good, there's is a reason for it. One of my main reasons for loving Game of Thrones (other than the incredible storylines and engaging characters of course) is just the depth of the production, the thought that goes behind every line, set, costume, music - it's that sort of dedication that is so inspiring and awestriking (that's not a word is it? what word am I thinking of?!). I love going to the GoT channel after I've watched the episode to hear what the producers and behind the scene guys have to say. Fricken geniuses.

The main picture I snagged from tumblr is one of the thoughts that struck me this week. Okay, well not really, but this week I really realised how you choose what people are around you. And when they are just flat-out dickheads, leave them.  When there's someone who doesn't just not help you grow, but could actually make you a bad person, go. And this week I decided that. It's definitely been one of a few endings, and hopefully some new beginnings around the corner. April's colours are showing and I am so ready this time (did I err.. say that already..? *sheepish grin*). Back to more consistent blogging next week!

twtw #8: the working weekend

[06/04/2014]

This is what happens when you've shirked off doing many things during the weekend, everything is left on the weekend to do and finish up. But that's okay, I'm actually looking forward to it :P I've got loads to do this weekend, and when I'm done, I'm rewarding myself with Game of Thrones on Monday night! Wheeee!!
But first - aim, shoot and kill. After this weekend, hopefully I'll be out of this "preparing for my life" period I've been in the for the first quarter of 2014, and get on with just working hard and killin' it. Because sistas, are doin' it for themselves..

inspire me #2: blogs + yt channels

[02/04/2014]

I've been toying with having a blog and doing the whole shebang for ages now. The last few years have been big years for me to find and become myself that I my ideas and tastes changed so quickly I never felt satisfied with whatever I came up with. In the recent few months since finding the blog name I have now, I felt like a light bulb has been turned on and I'm starting to properly find my feet with it all. Baby steps but still. These are the blogs that really inspire me to do this, as my second creative outlet (because music is my first real love, of course :P) and as visual diary-esque place.

My favourite blogs/bloggers are the the ones that I feel have a bit of edge, style or an interesting point of view, whether they are beauty or fashion ones. You can really hear Milkteef's voice come across in her writing and she has quite a decided point of view. Plus her photos are gorgeous and while she has that English aesthetic I see a lot (and of course, adore), I still feel like her personality comes through. From Roses also has such a beautiful beauty blog, and her photography prowess really comes through. While she isn't loudly opinionated, her posts are so thoughtful that I always click through.

For me, style and character really come through more "fashion-y" blogs and that may be because that's such a big way for me to express myself that that is what I really relate to. I simply adore Tiaelisabeth's approach to blogging and videos, she has a point of view and it really comes across. While she's relatively new on the blog, you can just tell she's going to be amazing. She's creative with what she's got, is hard working and you can see she's really developing her own way of doing this. The girls behind the camera is a new blog favourite for me, and I in particular love Silvi. She has such great presence in her photos, and just seems so darn apologetic in them, something I often struggle with (and with being in front of a camera - eek!). Love both of these girls' aesthetics, I definitely lean towards that more street/styled look.

I love llymlrs' blogs, but I especially love her videos. Snappy, bright and fun to watch - she is my biggest yt inspiration (in this "genre" anyway). She is one of the few bloggers I feel who really is her own "brand" with such a strong point of view and clear, unapologetic (keyword here!) taste. Who she is really comes across in everything she does and I freakin' admire that. Lily Pebbles' is also someone I think is starting to come on her own. She gets lumped with Anna a lot (who I of course adore too) but I think her videos are really becoming something. For some weird reason I watched her video about the Nars Matte Multiples multiples of times (and now I'm after them, le sigh), but most of all, I love her vlogs. She captures them so nicely and edits music into it, and has that whole chilled out but still put together vibe going on. Naice. I love the idea of making life, art and being able to share it with others too.

Yap over. Now onto turning these inspirations into something. *fist pumps*

twtw #7: friends are forever

[30/03/2014]

'Tis been a good week this week. I caught up with a few of my mates this week and last night I went to a long lost friend's wedding. While it might be an average week for most regular joes, for me it was a good reminder that good friendships really are forever. For someone who felt quite isolated and not too long ago (tmi?) I'm chuffed to have had the week I had. 

These were some of the pics taken last night at the wedding, my mate paid top dollar for the photographer to print out the pictures on the night (the rich bastard, ha!). Was so great to see him again, it had been like 5 years. Too long ago. I was so excited to see his face again when I did and his excitement made me realise what a good friend he really was back in the day. On top of that, that night I saw so many people I knew from that "era" which was so fun.

It's funny how things line up. If it wasn't for a super late AM train I had to catch 3 weeks ago, I wouldn't have bumped into someone from that era, and then be able to reconnect with one of my close mates from 5 years ago and just in time before he got married.  I'm just feeling so grateful right now.

big hair don't care

[24/03/2014]

I know, to some people this ain't big hair, but for a ghd lovin' girl, yes, yes it is.  I've straightened my locks since I discovered the ghd after high school and when it did, it changed this naturally boofy haired girl's life. My hair is naturally really thick, both in terms of the strands and the amount and have always found it hard to manage. In primary school, the other kids would ask me if I was wearing a wig. Hell after working with someone and realising that we went to primary school together, he remembered me as "the girl with the boofy hair". Attractive huh?

     So when I discovered the ghd it changed my life. I could finally keep my hair out of an elastic and it aided me out of those puberty blues. I've been loyal to it since but in the last few years, since getting the beauty kick a few years ago, I discovered how super conditioning products can help keep the volume down. 6 weeks back my hair had quite the chop, it's the shortest I've had it since I was a kid and it's pretty much as short as can get according to the hair dresser (or else it'll bounce right back up!). While it was thinned out a bit lots of people have told me that my hair looks even thicker at this length so ever since, I've really been cranking out the ghd. This week I took a gamble and decided to see if I could handle it without the ol' straightener, and surprisingly.. I kinda like it! I was so happy I decided to take these quick snaps just to make sure. So 'scuse the mess in the background and the arm in there, I'm really not used to "selfies" (I seriously don't know if I can get my head around that word.. sounds so.. icky).

     A big thanks though is to the Bumble & Bumble Straight Lotion which I feel really has helped keep my hair down without the flat iron. Another week of success and I'm popping a full size in my basket. It sorta struck me today that I didn't mind my hair this way and I've always liked the bed head look, just thought I could never achieve it. Plus the irony of using a straightening lotion to help me get the voluminous look just kills me *cheesy grin*. I'll keep experimenting but if I can go without the heat, then this may be the next stage in my hair evolution. Who would've thunked it.. 

twtw #6: why not be confident?

[22/03/2014]

Life things are finally starting to get sorted, and yes, it did take me till pretty much the end of March to figure that one out! I am glad for the extra time I've had, and I'm looking forward to revving things up another notch from next week.  In the mean time, here were some of my favourite things from this past week..

This was THE tv show I grew up on. I used to tape Friends and watch it over and over and never got sick of it somehow.  Chandler practically shaped my entire sense of humour, I wanted to be as funny as him growing up (and well, now too really). This time round I've found a major soft spot for Phoebe - I finally get why people raved about her being such a talented actress, that is one heck of a hard character to pull off, to make seem real and relatable. This is also the first time I'm properly watching everything in order and seeing the progression properly. Mind you I do know the episodes well enough to just have it in the background while I do other things and still know, exactly what is going on (and no, I don't think that's sad.. no really). It's funny when you watch things as an adult, you finally get what these guys are going through. That's kinda the best part about watching it all over again.  Best TV show ever. Period.

I could write several odes to Lisa Eldridge, and this video got me all excited again for skincare. Skincare was my first beauty love, it kicked off my beauty obsession and blog/youtube love. Once I got into makeup, it took a backseat but now I'm starting to feel it again. Lisa is so knowledgeable and while she doesn't stick to green products like I do in that department, I trust her opinion, especially when she creates the sort of work she does and well when the woman looks that gorgeous, you sit and listen when she tells you to massage yer face!

I know, I'm jumping on the major blog hype about John Green's The Fault in Our Stars. Admittedly, I don't think this is the best writing ever (though I appreciate the big words thrown in so I can scroll to my kindle's inbuilt dictionary and hope that I'll remember them for future usage - usually not, sigh) but there is something special about the characters. It's aYA novel so of course it's not meant to be a head scratcher but I appreciate the thoughtful quotes thrown in, positive or negative. I also like that John Green himself is a positive guy who is thoughtful and hardworking, and while you shouldn't judge an author's merit on their own personal character, things like that make their work more appealing to me. One of the biggest plus-sides as well, it's that it's the second book in the row that I haven't wanted to put down and it's getting me excited about reading again. And after years of feeling guilty for not being a big reader since when I was a kid, and then feeling like a I should be a big reader, I'm glad to actually genuinely love it again.  And that's a big yay in my books ('scuse the pun!) :)

The title of the blog post was a thought that I had pop into my head this week. Whilst just practicing my jams, I realised I felt a bit apprehensive for some reason. And instead of letting it get to me, this thought just popped into my head. Well, why not be confident? We have all these reasons to feel insecure, but no good and real reasons to not be confident.  This thought really stuck with me this week and started changing my approach to things I usually think twice about. Truly, why not just be confident? There is no need to ask for permission from anyone. 

lots of love,

mai-anne