Tuesday, January 14, 2014

January Drugstore/Budget Haul

Merely a preview because I am a complete numnut.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Best Album of 2013

Greetings from home!

I only just got back from Sydney and I'm already blogging. One of my 2014 resolutions was to blog more (and when I say blog, I mean blog - if y'know what I mean) and I'm trying to make a habit out of it. Can I just say that I think the weather god/being/whatevarghhhhh.. really hates me.

In 2012, my Sydney/Melbourne trip was burdened by rain and 10 degree Celcius days.

(Also, that the temperature rose immediately to the high 20s the day I left.)

In 2013, I went to Korea during winter (as if that wasn't going to be cold enough already?!).. and it was the coldest winter they'd had in like a decade or something.

(I'm totally making that up, but it adds to the effect.)

(Can I also add that it has rained every single time I've been away from home?)

(And at home, too.)

So basically, everyone and everything hates me. This is what I have concluded, with my two-decade-old, full-of-wisdom-and-lack-of-naivety brain.

Hmph. I'm going to lock myself in a room.

Cynicism aside. I haven't written anything in a while, which is why this post seems like it deserves a spot in my 2010 archives and is overly angsty.

Now - where was I?

My favourite album of 2013: Pine Trails by Satellite Stories - hands down. An honourable mention must go to Acid Rap by Chance the Rapper.. but my heart lies with the former.

Actually, a month ago, I didn't even know who Satellite Stories were. I just happened to come across them during one of my MV trawling sessions and haven't looked back since. Satellite Stories is a Finnish band comprising four members. And they have fantastic music. If I had to compare them to some other sounds, I'd say.. Two Door Cinema Club, New Navy and Last Dinosaurs. Indie rock has definitely become my thing.

You know how most albums have their "make it" songs and then some "break it" songs? Well, Pine Trails is 100% make it. Absolutely no sign of break it, anywhere. About half of the songs have acoustic versions, and usually I end up loving those more than the originals, but I must say, the balance is absolutely remarkable. If I ever had to marry an album, this would be it. They're definitely among my favourite bands of all time and tickets will be purchased if they ever tour in Australia (hint, hint?).

These are my favourite songs from the album:



(The acoustic version of Lights Go Low is also fabulous)




Please, give them a listen. If any of you like music which is even remotely similar to my taste, you may end up loving them too.

Tracklist and album info available on: Itunes | SoundCloud | Facebook

In short, I am completely and absolutely in love.

In. Love.

(It was a close call between Pine Trails and An Awesome Wave - alt-J.. except the latter was released in 2012. Oops.)

And that's it for me! Lots of love x

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Pre-Sydney Mini Haul

I'm going to take a minute to discuss the weather in Brisbane right now.

Horrendous. Absolutely horrendous.

The air conditioning on the bus did not suffice. Also, the bus on the way home had a broken air conditioner. Obviously I have the best luck in all the land.

When I got home, I thought I'd take an early shower to cool off a bit. Let's just say I had my shower set to the coldest temperature and it was still too hot, and now I've just hit a wall. Maybe I have heatstroke or something.

But then again, maybe not. I probably wouldn't be able to type anything out.

I bought a few things today before I went to Sydney. I really wanted a new non-exfoliating cleanser for rotation (because the scrub is too harsh) and the NARS foundation pump (even though my current one is on its last legs) for the other unopened bottle I have. I also wanted to find a chartreuse nail polish.

And bought I did.

Travel Beauty Staples '14: January

So even before I start this post, I must apologise for a lapse in memory - I totally forgot mascara.

What a rookie error. My bad.

"Seriously, Michelle?!" you may be thinking.

Seriously.

I apologise.

With that aside, I decided to make a post about the most important products I'd take when travelling. Maybe because I'm going to Sydney.. TOMORROW. Goodness gracious, time has passed.

Obviously this is not everything that I'd take on a plane (I've left out accessories - brushes being the most important, followed by nightly skincare), but if there were only a few things I could take travelling with me, this is what I would pack.

Plus the mascara.

In my defence, I probably (at least subconsciously) left it out because I haven't found a mascara that I love.

My justification suffices.

Here we go.

*Disclaimer: this is a post on the general products I would take, rather than reviews on each, because I am both lazy and tired.. and it would take much too long.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Produits Fini: 2013

If you know me at all, you will know that I am absolutely compulsive when it comes to beauty products, and I'm one of those people who will open my purchases as soon as my foot steps into the door. And it happens so often, which is the main reason why I can never finish any sort of product.

Ever.

And that is not a half-hearted, but a strong, definitive, confident 'ever'. There is no sense of exaggeration in the slightest. That's not how I roll.

Looking back on 2013, I've started to realise that I actually only have one face and with my current collection, it will take approximately 94385798475 or so years to finish everything.

Such is life.

Take it or leave it.

Mostly take.

But a little leave.

Alas, there are 3 that are either completely dried and shrivelled, or pretty well on the way to that stage. "Only three?!" you may be thinking. Oh, you are mistaken. For me to be dedicated enough to finish just one is almost a miracle.

I'm getting there.