Beautiful brights

I love browsing Etsy.com for inspiration...


It's a wonderful online world of crafts, home wares, vintage jewellery, original designs, art, blogs...I could go on and on. I find it relaxing and inspiring. I will give anything ago... I've always been the type of person to see something and then think "I could do that myself". It doesn't always turn out, but it's quite fun creating something and putting your own spin on it.

Here are some beautiful creations from BeautiSHE (http://www.etsy.com/people/BeautiSHE). It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside browsing through her shop. I want to do it too!

These cute butterflies are from ThePrettyPaperShop on etsy.com. I want to arrange them in a white photo frame - 3D butterflies!

I'll show you my own little creation I made yesterday...It took me forever...I had to paint the frame white (I could only find jet black frames out here) and the crepe paper flower took forever! But it was a bit of fun...

I would like to make 3 more of these...then hang them on my wall...And I think all up it only cost me about $1.20 for the crepe paper, $5 for the frame, $2 for the paint and $1 for the yellow paper behind the flower...and I've still got oodles left to make more!

Love Annie xoxox

Cloncas/Clonny/The Curry....Cloncurry

For those of you who have never lived in the outback ( I too was once in that club), I will show some piccies of my scenery...It's not the prettiest town, but the people are nice and friendly. I think it's because there are limited numbers in the population out here, so you make friends with anyone. When you go into Woolworths (and yes, we have a Woolies AND a Foodworks), you will have half the shop saying 'hello' as you pass by. That just doesn't happen in the city (ever). The city lifestyle is busy, we are always in such a hurry to get from A-B. But out here, there is no sense of urgency. We have all the time in the world...

Our landscape

The town centre

Chinaman Dam - our beach?

So there you have it...a part of me really misses the tall buildings, the bridges, the shops..but I must say that it is nice having some time out from the busyness and making my own fun from what is around me.  I think I will be a much better person from my time out here...more self-satisfying and creative.

So, will this be your next holiday destination? (haha) Cloncurry - from where you'd rather be! :)

Annie xoxo

I'm dreaming of...

I am in love with Spain.

Yes, I know, it is because I am in love with a Spanish man, say what you will, but I find it the style so appealing.


I love the white wash exteriors and the rustic oranges/reds/terracotta interiors. What I would give to reside in places like these...

Nerja

Hello...I live here...

My dream home

So beautiful...take me away...

Annie xo

Spray, don't lay!

Now, I may not know alot of things, but let me assure you, I do know something when it comes to self tanning. I first began my love affair for tanning (the safe way) when I was 15 years old. So after nearly 10 years (!), I feel quite confident to share my tips and best tans in all price ranges...

So by now, we all know the key to a glowing, even tan is to scrub, scrub, scrub. If you didn't, now you do. Grab a pair of exfoliating gloves, some lovely creamy body wash (or I've found that normal cheap boring soap works wonderfully, but it can dry out your skin) and if you have an old stubborn tan already on, use some St Tropez Tan Remover. Smells quite potent, but it really does the trick.

My favourite gloves are at The Body Shop, they really are much better than supermarket ones.

We all want a nice tan for the weekend, so I recommend starting the scrub process on a Wednesday or Thursday night, then lathering your body in some luscious body butter to keep it nice and moisturised.

Now you are ready to get bronzed! 

So my favourite tan at the moment is Eco Tan. It's natural and uses only organic ingredients. I was starting to get worried about all the chemicals I was putting on my skin and my sister had given me a bottle to try and I loved it! My boyfriend said it was the nicest tan he had seen on me, and the most natural looking too! Go to Ecotan.com.au. You only need one coat and it gives a gorgeous colour. Put it on the night before. Did I mention it was organic?

 If you are in a hurry, and need a nice tan immediately - then go for Le Tan in Le Can. Smells like potent jersey caramels, but it is nice tan. And because you spray it on, you can see exactly where you have missed, so great for beginners.

www.letan.com.au

One of my faves, but quite up there in price is St Tropez in the mousse. I stocked up while in America, it was so cheap there (like all makeup...sigh) but I cant justify the money back home when you can get cheaper and nice alternatives. But I do love it!

www.sttropez.com

Happy tanning ladies! I also recommend getting  professional spray tan once in a while...my favourite brands are Eco Tan, Vani-T and Blackout.

Annie xo

My makeup must-haves

I often get asked about my makeup. I have been told it always looks nice and stays on so well. And I have also spread the word and had a few friends switch to my foundation.Nil complaints from anyone! I have found in the past that I've had to switch my foundations/powders after a year or so of usage, as it has just stopped looking and feeling right. However, my current makeup has had no such drama. I've been using it for nearly 2 years and it never disappoints me! Ever!
So here it is what I use on a daily basis....

Honestly, these 2 products rock! Both are mineral. The foundation goes on silky smooth and the powder just sets perfectly, allowing it to last all day-night. It is so worth the money.

Next up is makeup for the eyes. I swear by MAC roll-up eyeliner in Khol. It's black black, and my gosh it lasts all day!



It's also fantastic for smudging, and so soft on the eyes. Beautiful.

AHHHH, my fave! This is MAC mineral skin finish. You can use it as a highlighter for cheeks etc, but I use it as a base for my eyeshadow, and it is just stunning. It highlights your eyes, and the actual shadow lasts for so long! Over a year! You won't regret ladies.

The real winner is this palette that I got from America. I don't think we can get it in Australia (which is heartbreaking) The brand is Urban Decay and the quality of the shadows is worth the money. These colours are everyday use and have a delightful shimmer through them. Yum yum. If Urban Decay was sold in Australia, I would buy shares in the company. My biggest regret is not stocking up in America when I had the chance....

This blush is Orgasm by NARS. Gorey! It literally leaves you looking like you have really had an.....erm..cough cough.....you know what I mean!

And finally.....I adore MAC lippie. I am particularly fond of the Lady Gaga pink lippie. I mix it up with a bright lip gloss. There is no other lippie I use - MAC have incredible colours and they smell nice too!
Plus, good news, if you bring in 5 used MAC items, they will give you a free lippie for being so good and recycling! Yes please!

You can find all these products at mac.com.au, meccacosmetics.com.au, lauramercier website and urban decay website.
I literally use all these products daily. I can't live without them!

Annie xoxox

Totally wack for shellac!

Manicure lovers unite!
As many of you are probably aware, shellac is a new(ish) nail polish taking the industry by storm. Nail polish guaranteed to last upto 2 weeks without chipping? Nail polish that doesn't harm like acrylics and gels? Nail polish that helps you grow your nails? Hells yes!
I have recently joined the bandwagon and started doing my own shellac from home. It gives me something to do that I enjoy, meet new girls in town, plus I earn some money from it. I can't stress enough how fantastic shellac is - even better when you work in an industry like me - I am constantly washing my hands and using alcohol rub. Thus I have no chance in having a delicious coat of polish on my nails to keep them strong. So here are a few pics to show you how great it is....

This one was done by yours truly..I'm pretty happy with this result!

Photo courtesy of cnd.com

Ladies, if you haven't tried shellac yet, I urge you to get to your nearest nail salon and indulge in a manicure! Prices will probably range from $25-$50. It's amazing, I promise!

Love, Annie xo

The list (continued)

In my first ever blog, I decided I would compile a list of things I would like to do/achieve while living out in the country. There are no movie theatres, no beautiful parks, no shopping centres, no beaches. Very different to what I am used to for sure. So to keep myself happy, occupied and productive, this is what I have come up with. There is no timeline for these, and in no particular order....

1. Join a sports team

2. Get creative - painting, crafting and sewing! I am going to learn how to sew!

3. Make a dress/skirt

4. Candle and soap making

5. Get fit and fabulous

6. Flower decorations

7. Promote my nail business

8. Read 50 books 

9. Further study (possibly do my CN's, or post-grad courses)

10. Travel outback Australia - Darwin, Broome, see Uluru

11. Travel overseas (particularly Europe)

12. Cooking (I can cook, but only a handful of dishes)

13. Write a book (probably for my eyes only)

Has anyone got any more ideas for me? Keeping in mind I don't have access to many shops, places etc.

I would love to hear them!

Annie xo