New Purchases

Over the last few months I have made a few new purchases, so I have made a list of the main items so I can tell you what I think of them.

GHD Gold Mk5

First off, the GHD Limited Edition Sahara Gold Mark V. I looove my GHD! Though I would love it even more if I could work out how to curl my hair with it! All the tutorials seem so easy. I try to do the same thing, but somehow my hair gets tangled up & it just does not want to hold a curl. But otherwise, it heats in seconds, I only have to ass it through each section of hair a couple of times & my hair looks awesome every time. It is well worth the money.



Diorsnow

Now truth be told, I am a Dior Addict. I am slowly turning every piece of my cosmetics and skin care products to Dior. My latest purchases make up my skin care regime. I now have the Purifying Foam, which is the 1st step foaming face wash. It feels velvety, yet light, & you don't need much to cover your face. I use a drop smaller than a pea, & if I want some exfoliation I add a little baking soda. Works like a charm!

Secondly, I use twice a week the White Reveal Renewing Mask. This is a creamy mask with a slightly minty feeling that is left on for 10 - 15 minutes. I don't know how it works exactly, but my skin is always fresh feeling & smooth when I take it off. I have also noticed that my pores have significantly reduced since starting to use this one. My cheeks end up a little pink after use, & once I cooked over steam after using it which made the pink stay on my face longer. So just a little warning, if you are planning on cooking dinner for a date, make sure you use the mask that morning or the night before!

Next product is the D-NA White Reveal Night Serum. This one comes with a built in dropper to apply to the face. I usually use 2 drops, but the instructions show 3. Use whatever feels right for you. The night serum has a slight tightening effect on the face, & while it feels nice I don't recommend to use it through the day as once your foundation has dried, it is kind of flaky & feels like dirt on the side of your face. I found that out the hard way!

Lastly, I have the White Reveal Perfecting Emulsion, which is basically a lightweight moisturising lotion. It is light & fresh, & dries quickly on the skin. Awesome for everyday use. I mix it with my foundation sometimes if I want lighter coverage, which always works out great.

I still want to get eventually the Anti-spot Correcting Night Cream & the Illuminating Eye Treatment. Then maybe the D-NA Control White Reveal Day Essence!


MOR Marsmallow

OMG, I am absolutely in love with the scent that is MOR Marshmallow. It is a beautiful musk & vanilla fragrance, best described by this quote from their store -

"Marshmallow is collectively orchestrated with Vanilla Musk and Jasmine Flower that gloriously rapture in this pretty, feminine fragrance. Sugar dipped Rose petals with White Carnation and Cotton Candy play beautifully to create a deliciously sweet perfume" MOR Cosmetics

Better yet, it is a home grown Australian company. So sorry you foreign folk, no MOR for you!

I have the perfume, which I adore & wear everyday. This has become my signature scent. The body wash, sugar scrub, body butter & hand cream. I will eventually get the bathing elixir & some candles too, I just can't get enough of the smell & beautiful bottles & packaging!

Joico K-Pak Reconstruct

I have loved K-Pak for years. Unfortunately I haven't always been able to afford to buy it. This was another treat I decided to get to make me feel nice while in hospital after having Chelsea. I think I will keep trying to get it now I have found a cheap supplier on eBay though. Ebay is great for that! Most luxury items I buy on eBay, I would never be able to afford them otherwise!

Anyway, back to K-Pak. I love the smell, I find it always leaves my hair looking soft & in good condition afterwards. It also leaves a great non-oily shine.







Windows Surface Pro

My new other baby! Originally, I was going to get a Sony Vaio Duo 13, but due to stock limitations & a one day special, I decided to go with a Surface Pro since my husband has one & I already sort of knew what it was like. It was also about $400 cheaper than getting a Sony, so my hip pocket was a lot happier!

I have found it really easy to use, I have quickly gotten used to Windows 8 & the touch screen, and it is so easy to take around everywhere. My previous laptop was a 15", so going from that to the 11.4" of Surface took a little bit of adjustment, but the portability completely makes up for it. I have a little sleeve to keep it in, so I just chuck it in my handbag & off I go. Love it!!! I can even connect up to my mobile internet. Winning!



Forever New 

This is my favorite clothing store, full stop! All the clothes I love are so girly, but you can also pick up something with a bit of an edge too. The prices are a bit on the high side, but the sales are good & the quality is great! I haven't had a piece wear out yet before I recycled it out of my wardrobe! Here are some of my purchases for summer.

Ambrie Lace Shell Top
$69.99

"Mix casual and formal elegance with this lace shell top with polyester satin camisole. This style features a cap sleeve, scoop neck, keyhole with diamante button at center back"

Bella Prom Skirt
$69.99

"Flattering, soft and flirty this beautifully printed prom skirt is a key piece this season. Fully lined with a fixed waist and invisible zip, this subtly pleated skirt accentuates the female form"

Brianna Sleeveless Check Shirt
$49.99

"Give your casual look a playful spin with this sheer checked sleeveless shirt. Featuring functional front pockets, this collared lightweight style has a curved hem that can easily be tucked or left out for an equally effortless style"

Everlyn Embellished Tank
$79.99

"Channel your romantic side with this tank featuring a heavily embellished front with glistening silver beads. This style has two sheer layers which creates a delicate flow as you move, a scoop neck and intricate hand sewn embroidery and embellishment."

H20 X5 Steam Mop

Though not the kind of item I will usually include on my blog, I thought I would talk about it this time because it is SO FREAKIN AWESOME!!! Anyone who has kids will know that sometimes it is a challenge to clean up after them. And if you read my previous entry, you'll know what I'm taking about! This came to me after my husband & I decided we had to do something about Taya's carpet. I have always wanted to try this out since the advertising on TV started & since my el cheapo steamer chucked it in, I thought I would give this a go.

It totally lives u to the ads. There was poo, wee, custard, strawberry milk, and other things I probably don't know about all worked into the carpet. Spot & stain cleaning only got me so far. This mop loosened up anything hard or crusty & melted it away. The remaining poo stains lifted, and all that is left is a bit of wee sent that I hope will go away after another couple of go's & a bit of deodoriser.

I have also used it on the tiles, which was quick & easy, but am yet to try any of the other uses. I hope to do my shower screens in the next few days. BEST. CLEANING. PURCHASE. EVER!!!!!

Now to a couple of things I will be getting soon. My big purchase for the month of October will be this awesome Hot Pink Nintendo 3DS XL, imported from the UK. It is a limited edition made only for the European region (which luckily is the same region as Aus), but unfortunately won't be brought to Australian shops to my knowledge, so I will most likely be the only person here to own one! At least in Brisbane & definitely in our Streetpass group. I can't wait for it to get here!











And lastly I want to layby this awesome Guess Bachelorette 29 Suitcase. Guess is my favourite accessories brand & I have wanted a suitcase for ages. Strandbags has discontinued the line & are selling the leftover stock for 1/2 price. That's right, this bag will be mine for $169.00! I also plan on getting a matching carry on bag. But get inline you cheeky buggers, I'm first!

Taya's Naughty Ways

My nearly 3 year old daughter Taya has been an absolute terror since Chelsea's arrival.

She has drawn all over her walls, so pencils are now banned from her room & she had to help clean up. She's wee'd & poo'd all over her carpet - unfortunately we can't ban bowel movements. Then she smashed her poo with Lego blocks further into the carpet - she did loose her blocks for a day after they were all scrubbed clean. Water gets tipped on the carpet - so now she can't take water to bed. Not all this happens every day mind you, but all the same she frustrates me with this attention seeking behavior. It's not like I don't make time for her. We play ball, we build with Lego, we watch Bananas in Pyjamas, among other things. I hope she grows out of it soon.

What do your crazy kids do?

Chelsea Belinda!

It has been quite some time since my last post, so I will have a bit of catching up to do over the next week or so.

Firstly, the arrival of my beautiful Chelsea. She came into the world via cesarean section on the 9th of August at 12:45am, weighing a hefty 9.3lb or nearly 4.3kg. It wasn't an easy pregnancy, and neither were the first few weeks as she has been colicky & screaming every night, waking every couple of hours. Luckily, she is starting to sleep better now - though not in her cradle - and my sleep/sanity are returning. Her bed of choice has been her Fisher Price swing. What a value for money purchase that has been!

She is a cutie though & is worming her way into our hearts. This last week has brought on some lovely smiles (non windy ones) that have melted me even more. Her big nearly 3yr old sister Taya has been very good with her too. She has actually been very gentle & loving with her, which is surprising because she is rough as guts with everything else! Although, she has had a few naughty turns, but that's another story.

Till next time!

Snow!

The Australian Alps, including Perisher & Falls Creek have had their first snowfalls for the season overnight & today. Ohhh, I hope we can make it down for a visit this year. I am going mental from not being on any trip, little alone to the snow, since our Canadian honeymoon in 2009. Ahh, babble babble goo!!!

New Phone!

Well, I now have a new iPhone 5 thanks to my daughter smashing my old iPhone 4S on the concrete. She had been pretty good with it up to this point, but a throwing tantrum followed me pulling her out from under the table where she appeared to be stuck. No mummy, I'm not stuck - Wham!!!!!!!

Although not how,or when I had planned on upgrading, I am liking the new iPhone. It's new sleek & slim design is very pleasing to the eye, (also the fact that it is shiny & not crusted with Taya's grubby fingerprints!), it makes the 4S feel chunky & heavy, & the new screen resolution & 8MP camera are fantastic! I also hadn't ever transferred my data between iPhones before, & found the process relatively easy, contrary to lots of posts from friends saying they'd lost everyone's phone numbers, etc.

So I am currently very pleased with this new update. That will be until next months bill hits with the extra payout figure. The joys of having kids, hey!

Welcome!

Welcome to Pink Sparkles & Snowflakes. This blog is basically about the things in my life that I love - family, home, travel, photography, beauty, shopping, planning, gaming and of course all things pink, sparkling & wintry. I hope you enjoy!