New Ink Additions

My starsign is Pisces, the body part this sign represents are the feet.  These are my latest additions, free handed by a very talented artist.

Beauty Amnesia

Hello Spring! And hello hay fever.

I have what I call beauty amnesia.  I have baskets and make up cases full of this and that miscellaneous make up items.  I am like a magpie with sparkly, colourful things, or new exciting beauty trends that will change my life.

New BB Cream? Must have it! New mascara that promises longer lusher lashes? Give me two!
However, I should know well enough at my age that I should stick to a certain beauty routine and use tried and true beauty products. 

My skin is like an oil slick, summer or winter, air con outside, no matter what the environmental conditions are.  I also suffer from allergies and hay fever, so constant running eyes and nose does not help. I have to stick to oil free and long lasting make-up or its all slid off my face by lunch time, I kid you not.

So here are my basics that I try to stick to:

Garnier Oily/Combination BB Cream, I use both the light and the medium and mix them to get the right shade for my skin. It really is a miracle worker and stays somewhat in place.

MAC NC20 and Thin Lizzy in Light. Thin Lizzy is also a miracle worker for highligthing and shading.  I draw in my brows with a brown eyeshadow, this one is L'Oreal in a bronze.Powder my face and shade and highlight with a bronzer or my trusty Thin Lizzy.

Then line my eyes with a liquid liner, this one is by Coral Colours, go over that with a cream liner, this one is Maybelline. Try to achieve a smokey eye with the same brown I used on my brows and finish with mascara. I have short stumpy lashes so I like the one that use the white coating then a coating of black. But this one is an Almay for green eyes mascara that works just as well.

I did try permanent make up tattooing as a solution for my disappearing make up, but that is for another post.

Tell me, do you have any oily skin secrets for badly behaved skin?

Minding Your Manners – A lost Art

I have a pet hate.  Well, I have a few, but one of the main ones is bad manners.  

For many years I worked in PR, Marketing and Event production, areas that demanded impeccable courtesy to people I worked for as well as to clients and customer/consumers.  I have developed an engrained high standard of how I behave in professionally circumstances and how I feel others should behave while on the job.  A fairly strict, old fashion upbringing by older parents, had something to do with this as well.

Don’t get me wrong, I know very well how to behave badly, but there is a time and place for good or bad behavior.  On the job, I try to deliver the best possible service, promptly and courteously.  But when I don’t get the same service from others, a piece of the beauty of life dims and fades.

It really is simple, acknowledge the other person and offer them the same respect you would like to be given to you.

If that shop assistant greets you, respond in a pleasant manner, don’t snub her.  Say good morning to the bus driver, most will respond, the odd one will just ignore you, but greet them anyway!

If someone is chasing your business or yourself for money, apologize and speak pleasantly to them. Don’t call them a dickhead, as I was called just the over day…  Not good manners.

Set the standard and inspire others to behaving better towards those around them. It just makes a happier world to live in. xxxx

River

Rivers.   I love rivers, actually make that bridges over rivers as well.

Last year I travels through the UK and most of my photos are of rivers and bridges.  This is the lovely Parramatta River in the morning sun.

Winterlights

In July the Parramatta walking mall is turned into a winter wonderland complete with fairy lights in the trees and an outdoor ice rink. Just a small section, but you walk through a real piece of northern hemisphere winter delight.
I have spent 2 winters in LA and one in England, where the streets are so beautifully set up with lights and colour to combat the dreary cold.  This is just a taste, it sooths my wander lusting heart.

Winterfest Parramatta Park

 

Winterfest in Parramatta Park

Despite the relentless drizzling rain and knee deep mud, Winterfest was in full swing.  I never thought I would see live jousting, it was very cool.

A very interesting insight to a sub-culture hidden within mundane suburban life.  I love these quirky groups that dress up and meet regularly to share common interests.  From 9-5 weekday to the weekend Tournaments, Chivalry and expertly honed Blacksmith skills.

Don't you go out in the rain

It’s been raining all week so I'm posting an image of my trip across our beautiful harbour to the zoo on ANZAC Day to cheer things up.

Since the onset of Autumn I have been wishing for cold weather so I could break out my many coats and boots.  Now I wish for just one sunny day and open toed shoes.