i need a manicure!

Last week I went to get my nails done again, this time I got a new colour. I love it. Nude nails are definitely in at the moment (according to Sophia).

Whilst I was speaking to my nail technician, she informed me of many different options I have for manicures. I was quite surprised at the number of options I have. So, in order of thickness of the nail, here goes...

Acrylics

BAD BAD BAD BAD. I don't even know why they exist. Pretty much they file your nail down so they're thin as paper and glue plastic on top to add strength and length. Then when you take the nails off, it looks like you've ripped them off. It's dehydrating for your nail bed. Although they may look good, there are other options out there that are a lot more healthy for your nail and look as good (if not BETTER!) The final affect can turn out really bad, being quite thick and can look quite fake.

 

Bio Sculpture Gel Nails

This is what I currently have. They work well for me because my nail bed is still healing from acrylics, so they are quite weak. Bio gel provides a thick coat of gel with a range of colours, including french tips.  You can also get length added on. However they are not as thick as acrylics, and are hydrating for the nail bed. Also, they dry within 2 minutes and don't require hardcore buffing - just a nice light buff that doesn't thin out your nail too much! I definitely recommend these if your nails are still healing, you're trying to strengthen them or you are trying to grow them. When they get taken off the nails do not looked ripped like above. In fact, my ones looked healthier than they ever have. They last for 3-4 weeks and look fantastic!

Shellac

THIS STUFF IS NEWS TO ME! It's thickness is in between bio gel and the natural nail. It's pretty much just a very, very thick gel nail polish - but not as strong as bio gel. I have never had this done but am definitely planning to once my nail bed is healed and strong. It doesn't cost as much as bio gel and looks fantastic - I have seen people with it on. They come in a wide range of colours so you don't have a reason not to choose them! There's no dry time and the colour lasts for 2 weeks. If your nails are healthy and everything but have a tendency to break easily I would recommend these. A great alternative!

And finally... a normal manicure.

Have the most amazing nails ever? Make everybody else jealous because your nails are really strong and never break? Well firstly, screw you, and secondly, a normal manicure is just for you! If you're lucky you might get a hand massage with it along with cuticle treatment, a light buff, nail shaping and a nice colour to go on top. Just don't go and do this...

random little things that make me happy

FIRSTLY, I AM IN A MUSIC VIDEO CLIP. At the very beginning they show images of my top and some of my face. And then at 1.15 I'm at the very right. And then just randomly throughout the clip. Wooo! I feel famous!

The singer is Sabrina Mitwali - she's from Sydney and is absolutely fantastic. I was lucky enough to interview her on Saturday Vibe and she's really lovely. Her voice is amazing and she's got a great team behind her, as you can tell from the standard of the video clip. I could easily imagine her song being popular on the billboard charts! Everyone support this talented girl! 

SECONDLY, WHEN I GOOGLED MYSELF...

THIS HAPPENED. Do you know how happy this makes me feel? Google recognises me as a radio person, Australian and a big fan of Delta Goodrem! WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM!

So yeah this was a short post. The next post will be about nails and the different, more healthier options you have when you get them done, as opposed to acrylics. So stay tuned!

inspiration for anti-procrastination

A close friend in the year above once told me that university was like the HSC every 6 months. I was scared, yes... and right now I would be studying for my upcoming end of semester exams... however, I go to UTS and study Journalism. This means, instead of living the HSC every 6 months, I am loving life, never have to memorise anything, go to uni in the city and spend uni with amazing journalicious people. Why? Because we have no exams.

However this does not mean that I am not feeling the stress. I have 6 assignments due in the next 2 weeks. The only difference between us UTSers and other students is that we don't have to memorise any of our stuff. But, because most of my school friends do have exams, I am taken back to the days of the HSC when we needed to learn to integrate sin, cos and tan; analyse shakespeare's work and write a creative about someone who doesn't belong. And I feel pity for those who have exams.

I'm not here to gloat. I'm here to give you some inspiration for anti-procrastination!

The most effective form of motivation for me during exam time was new stationary. I went to the extent of ordering special Japanese highlighters from New York... but boy, did I highlight. I highlighted everything. I was the highlighting queen. And when it came to go over my notes... everything was nicely colour coded and highlighted in awesome Japanese highlighters. These were no ordinary highlighters, by the way. They were special colours. Not fluro, more a matte, texta finish. But they were so smooth and highlighted like nothing else. They made my exams fun. So, buy new highlighters!

Another strategy I adopted thanks to my mother, was getting my nails manicured. One can feel depressed during exams, as you practically ground yourself, not going out or doing anything fun. Getting your nails done (if you're a girl, that is) will not only make you feel better about yourself and your hands, but will also get you writing. I found that when I wrote things on paper I would stare at my manicured nails, and it made me happy. Plus, it's a well deserved break, only taking about a half-hour or so to do. Can I please take the time out to recommend getting bio-sculpture nails done instead of acrylics. They are so much better in every single way. Click here to go to my previous post about them and read about why I think they are the best thing to ever happen.

Lastly, consider yourself lucky. It's winter time and there's nothing worse than trying to study when the sun is bright 'n shining outside. Rain means concentration. So get rugged up, turn the heater on and watch the rain whilst you study.

On a slightly different note, I am very happy because a handyman fixed the gas heater in the TV room, meaning my mum won't take my heater anymore, meaning I can have it 24/7 so I can get these assignments done!

Over and out.

my wishlist

There are so many things I want to buy. Please tell me if you think these things are worth their money. I will obviously be needing to save up but... ah. I thought I may as well share my wishlist with anyone who cares!

Acapulco Bucket Bag from Nasty Gal at ~$55 AUD

I am loving the long sling bag look at the moment, and these colours are gorgeous.

Long Bar Two Finger Ring from Nasty Gal at ~$12 AUD

I've been searching for something like this for ages, but haven't been able to find it in any physical shop. Does this mean I should pay $12 and buy it online? It would probably be about the same price in store...

Flamingo Chiffon Tee from Nasty Gal at ~$30 AUD

I have been wanting this since, like, April. Probably not the best for winter, but an investment for Summer, Autumn and Spring. I mean I could wear it under a coat or something for winter, but the chiffon isn't going to be the best...

Jeffrey Campbell Black Lita Platform Boot from Nasty Gal at ~$154 AUD

Need I justify? I want these so bad.

Black Galaxy Leggings from Black Milk at ~$67 AUD

I never ever wear jeans, only leggings and jeggings. So why not get these totally awesome galaxy ones? They look amazing.

So there's what I want specifically. I'm also looking for a black maxi skirt but I still don't know which one exactly. I'd like to spend less than $30 and have it high waisted and not too figure hugging, maybe a bit looser. Any ideas?

I'm also thinking of investing in an SLR camera but still don't know if I need one or which one to get. It probably won't be for another year until I manage to save up for this one.

Bargain!

I love bargains! 

I saw this amazing iPhone case at Market City a week or so ago. $9. Being a uni student, this was far too expensive for me. Then a couple of days later I saw the SAME one in a shop in Newtown for $26.95. Umm... are you crazy? So being the typical cheapo I am, I checked ebay... Same thing for $3.29 and free postage! WIN! 

Reasons why I love this:

1. My favourite colour is pink

2. It looks like a real casette 

3. Sophia Phan at Moulin Frock said that it was very me.

4. It's pink.

5. And I love pink.

Reasons why I don't like this

1. The iphone charge connector is covered at the bottom... so annoying

2. It's flimsy

BUT IT WAS WORTH IT! $3.29? I can't go wrong! :)

Newtown adventures

Went to Newtown yesterday with a few friends. It was a lovely sunny day and I felt silly wearing a scarf and barret (stupid unpredictable Sydney weather!) 

There were so many lovely shops there to see. We literally wondered around for about 5 or 6 hours just going and looking at things. I was on a mission to find a copy of Delta Goodrem's 2001 rare single "I Don't Care" but had no luck. Mainly because we didn't come across any second hand CD shops. But there were many lovely music stores with RECORDS! Oh how I love records. And I didn't stop telling everyone how I have stick pictures of Delta's album covers on some random records we have lying at home and stuck them on my pink feature wall. I suppose I shall put a picture of this up sometime soon. Anyway, the CD stores were epic. There is nothing I love more than being surrounded by music (even if it is old rock or new indie stuff that I know nothing about - it still makes me feel like a muso, which I am, in my own way).

Many little stationary book stores popped up, and we never got bored of going through all their trinkets and picture books. Had a long flick through Mary-Kate and Ashley's book and I now know how to tell the two twins apart. I was on the lookout for a stand for my stud earrings, and ended up having to convince a store manager to let me buy one of the ones they used for their own display. Pretty stoked.

$9.95 AU from a random shop in Newtown. This has brought to my attention the great need I have for new earrings.

I was also on a mission to find myself a nice new ring. I didn't really know what I had in mind specifically, but found a pretty one at Dangerfield. My friend bought the same one in black instead of silver. Although I was so keen for some original, vintage ring from some random, vintage, obscure store in Newtown... I didn't really find anything that I actually liked. Mind you, I have never found anything really cool and vintage at Vinnies either, despite so many people telling me it is amazing. Just not lucky.

$10 AU from Dangerfield. Me (left) with the silver version and Sophia (right) with the black version.

Nearly forgot to mention we also went to Magnation. Pretty much magazine heaven, it's got all the mags you'd ever want to read from all different countries. There were so many versions of Cosmo and Vogue I didn't know which one to pick up, until I realised that one was British, one was French, one was American and the other Australian. So I collected a few and went upstairs where they had these cute little bubble domes. We literally sat down for about half an hour just reading all these magazines. Loved it.

We finished the evening off with a lovely Thai meal at "Thai Garn" near a friend's house. Satay chicken, spring rolls, pad thai and pad see yew were delicious. It was a lovely day/night! I recommend Newtown to everybody. Delicious gelato and Asian food!

Us nearing the end of our night.

recent purchases

I am a happy person!

This is a comfortable loose knit jumper - bought from Stelly at $45 AU. It comes in this deep red, light blue, light cream and a mustard-y. Very pleased!

One of those fake chanel bags. Bought from (I think) Bag Scene in Westfield for $49.95 AU. YAY!

Black platform wedges. I ended up going with the ones from Glue because they didn't have lace or an annoying line in the front of the toe. Plus my boyfriend liked these ones better. $79.95 AU but I knew the guy who worked there so I got an 8% discount... win.

As soon as I saw this I fell in love. It's a fake YSL ring from Sportsgirl. Only $16.95 AU. 

Colourful scarf from Dotti, $9.95 AU.

Leggings from Sportsgirl. I love the leather patch on the inside of the leg and seam detail on the thigh part. It's different to the usual black legging or jegging. $79.95 AU.

And that is all! Tell me what you think. :)