Lumia Shrub Cocktail

Recipe for a Miss Pink.WARNING: This may or may not work in creating your very own Miss Pink clone. I am not held responsible if it doesn't.
One part straight shooting, add in a gutsy kick of pink, a squeeze of cuteness, and a wedge of glittery zing. Blend some freshly picked honesty, a sprinkling of cleverness and cracked sense of humour over the top.
Pour over ice.
Goes great with vodka.



Image found here and may not be of an actual Watermelon Sherbet Martini.

Or you could just go for a drink like the Watermelon Sherbet Martini from Lumia Shrub.
Russian Standard Vodka shaken with watermelon oleo saccharum, pomegranate, lime sugar, fresh watermelon finished with a watermelon wedge.

Goes great with a Miss Pink.


It's no secret that I'm a cocktail girl. Any kind of catch up where there are cocktails involved and I.am.there. Because of this I've also started to get a very specific idea of what sort of flavour combo's float my boat, and which one's....well have me riding the porcelain train.
The Lumia Shrub Watermelon Sherbet Martini ticks all the boxes for me, and then some. The mix of my poison of choice, the fruity sweetness that isn't too sweet, and the zing of lime to bring it back down. Yes, this is one of those rare harmonious combinations you think you're tasting ten drinks in, but that I could actually taste on my very first sip.

What kind of Lumia Shrub cocktail floats your boat?

This is an entry to Nuffnang's contest to win a night at The West End at Crown Melbourne. Now who wants to come with?

5 Ways to Increase Opportunities with Brands

Today I have a guest post by the very wonderful Hannah DeMilta who is originally from Ohio, U.S.A. but has been living in Sydney, Australia for the last two years. She works in Public Relations and we met a year ago at the Digital Parents Unplugged event. I am so honored that she has shared with us her thoughts on how bloggers can increase their opportunities to work with brands.

Will you just look at me already? Image found here.

5 Ways to Increase Opportunities with Brands

1. Add yourself to public ‘PR Friendly’ directories online – I see new directories popping up all the time. A few Australian specific ones I would recommend include Blog Hub Oz, The Aussie PR Friendly Directory and the Australian Female Blog Directory. Also look at adding yourself to global or US directories if you have an international readership. These free directories are quick way to get picked up by companies looking for new blogs and often one list leads to another. If someone contacts you, consider responding even if you’re not interested in that particular campaign to say you’re welcome to receiving future pitches.

2. Create a media kit – this is turning into a standard for bloggers who want to work with brands and agencies. However, don’t let the idea of creating a whole ‘kit’ overwhelm you. In my experience (9 times out of 10) you can consolidate all of your best information into a one page document and that will be sufficient. Start small, and then let it grow. Ask friends to send you copies of their media kits or rate sheets so you can get a better feel for templates and approaches other bloggers are using.

3. Write your own case study – I think we’ll start seeing more bloggers going with this trend of creating case studies for past promotions. It’s a way of actively demonstrating to new advertisers or agencies what you and your blog community are capable of. Keep it simple, just 2-4 slides sharing the background or challenge, campaign objectives, how you engaged your audience and lastly the results or out outcomes. Ask the brand or agency if they are able to share top-line results for the wider campaign (if applicable) to include that as well.

4. Make sure your contact details are available – you might think one is obvious, but I’ve gone to contact bloggers who have ‘PR Friendly’ badge on their blog and their contact information can’t be found anywhere. Or I’ve spent 20 minutes ‘online stalking’ them to find a hidden page with an email address. Make it obvious and easy to find. My personal preference is when bloggers have an email address (rather than just contact form) because I like to keep my email formatting consistent.

5. Network with brands and agencies – this networking can be online and offline. Be pro-active and introduce yourself to people in the industry. Follow and engage them on Twitter, connect on LinkedIn and don’t underestimate the importance of meeting in-person when possible. Ask friends with blogs for introductions if they are already active working with companies. Remember that your favourite approaches from brands or agencies are likely personal, targeted and genuine, so return the favour when you’re meeting these brands. It will help make you more memorable.

Hannah is the General Manager at Rocketman Media, where she helps partner Australian brands and bloggers. She loves exploring Sydney, travel and meeting new people. Say “hello” on Twitter or follow her ramblings on her personal blog hannahdemilta.com

The Muse Wars. Episode One.

This is a fictional piece for The Muse Wars, which I will be playing along with over on RRSAHM.
Please join in! It will be a lot of fun.
Even if you don't, let me know what you think. I haven't written a fictional piece since I was in high school, so it's been a while. Need to oil the rusty hinges.

Gemmie was pink cheeked average built girl. The girls at school would say tubby, but her mother always said she was beautiful. She had dark hair that often had a mind of it's own so she would tie it up and watch it wage a war against itself as the curls wound around one another. She has big dark eyes with long lashes that would often get lost in her thick untamed eyebrows.

"I still can't believe it!" she sighed as she threw herself down onto her bed.
"An invite for me? To the 'Dawls' sleepover? I didn't even know that Lennie knew my name!"
Her mum smiled at her. She remembered all too well how hard it was to be fourteen. While she was excited for her daughter she also felt apprehension that her baby girl didn't lose too much of herself in her teenage journey. She was an honest and reliable girl with a smart head on her shoulders. If she could just make it through high school a world of doors would open to her daughter, unlike her son who was seventeen and after her husbands passing two years ago had given up his determination in his academics and fulled all his aggression into athletics. Still at least he had that she thought to herself.

Gemmie was busy stuffing things into her bag for the sleepover.
"I doubt that anyone wouldn't know who you are honey."
"Mum, are you kidding me? This is LENNIE. She doesn't have to know who anyone is."
"Ok, well her parents are going to be there, yes?"
"Muuuum. Don't ruin this for me. Of course they will be there. Besides you can drop me off and pick me up in the morning."
Gemmie worried for a second that her mother wasn't going to let her go. She knew that a chance like this would not come her way again, and she needed this to work out. Eventually her mother relented giving her a smile and telling her to be in the car in five.

On the drive over Gemmie chatted giddily about the 'Dawls' to her mother. Apparently the 'Dawls' was a group of girls from her school. There was Lennie, Lizzie, Harrie, Jennie and Sasha. Her mother couldn't help but snort at the familiarity in the names and wondered if those were in fact their real names.
Once they arrived at Lennies, Gemmie burst out of the car before her mother could even put the handbrake on.
"Thanks mum. It's ok you don't need to walk me in I'll be right." Gemmie called, but her mother got out and walked to the door.
"Hey Gemmie. Hi Charlotte." Lennie greeted.
"Mum insisted on walking me to the door" groaned Gemmie.
"Hi Lennie, I just wanted to check that your parents were here and what time I should collect Gemmie in the morning?" Charlotte wasn't comfortable with this girl she had never met using her first name, but I guess this was the hip thing right now.
"Dad is working late tonight, and mum just went to pick up dinner but eleven o'clock should be fine." Lennie offered a pristine white smile which glowed against her tanned skin. Charlotte mused about she hated the cliched look popular girls seemed to follow, but here it was again twenty years later. Still she knew Gemmie was a clever girl and just wanted her to be happy.
"Ok seeya mum" Gemmie said. Charlotte could also take a hint.

"What's for dinner?" Gemmie asked Lennie as they made their way to Lennie's room.
"Oh, that? Not sure yet, I'm sure we will work something out if we get hungry later." Lennie said with a mischievous grin.
"But I thought you said your mum was getting dinner?" Gemmie asked confused but was only met with a laugh from Lennie as she opened the door to her bedroom. Bedroom isn't quite the right word though, the room was enormous. It was half the size of Gemmie's house! All the girls were already there and squealed at Gemmie's arrival like she was one of the gang already. This was going to be good Gemmie thought to herself.
After they chatted and danced around for a while Lennie shouted "MAKEOVERS" whilst raising a wine bottle into the air. Gemmie wasn't sure where that had come from but was so caught up in all the chatter and laughter that she just decided to let Lennie have her fun. It was her choice and she didn't need to drink some if she didn't want to.
After gushing over one another and watching the girls go through Lennies wardrobe and try on clothes Gemmie found herself the centre of attention. Suddenly there was green stuff being spread on her face the words "wax" and "dye" being thrown around as well as some tweezers pinching at her once thick eyebrows. This felt good though, the girls rattling off a strong of words Gemmie never thought would apply to herself. "Sexy, Gorgeous, Vixen, Supermodel."
She wasn't sure how long had passed, but a lot of music, and yeah ok, a few sips from that bottle later and these massive heels were being strapped on to her feet as she was hoisted upright and turned to look in the full length mirror.
Gemmie didn't recognise herself. It was like a garden had crawled into her room and instead of watching out of the window at the pretty world she was now part of it. An overgrown mess of beauty. Untamed. Wild. Free.

"Wow. I look so.....new." Gemmie said as she touched her face in awe.
"You're a Dawl baby" Lennie crackled.

Blog Secrets

A post this week from Maxabella Loves was a real thought provoker.
I am hoping that this won't seem like a rehash to those of you who read the post (and if not you should go and read it right now) but a variation of me sharing my story. Because I can.


Image found here

There is a lot I blog about that people in my life do not know about.
Social anxiety being a big part of this blog, amongst my other anxieties. People in my life do not know of these battles. I simply do not show my struggles because that is who I am. I am not a woe is me person, and I exude a very tough exterior.
It was by chance that I even opened up about it on this blog. That was never the plan, much less what I envisioned for this blog.

But I do share things I wouldn't in person.
It doesn't make me any less true to myself, it actually gives you a bigger understanding of who I am and if we are lucky enough to meet, I hope that you hold that knowledge dear to you because it's a great fucking deal to me.

I don't talk to people. I don't open up and do all the inner feeling talking.
I don't *think* I am cold. I love to hear about what other people are thinking and feeling and really pick their brains. I'm just not big on sharing the deep stuff myself.
Selfish of me huh?

So my blog has become a platform to share that. To be a little less selfish, but in doing so I feel incredibly selfish.

Does this mean I am sharing one side of the story?
No. This is my story, and mine alone.
I do not lie because honestly, the things I live through, the battles I fight against myself are things I only wish I were lying about.
I share in the hopes that someone will understand. That I can make a connection and hopefully when I do need someone I will cross over to being able to talk to someone, anyone instead of battling this myself.

Writing the words here, it's my way of reaching out whilst still holding you at an arms distance.
Please don't be afraid to reach back. I need it more than I'll admit to your face.

Hair and Maintenance.

So most of you would know what my hair looks like. If not let me remind you...

I quite like it, obviously, but it's quite high maintenance.
Firstly, there is the regrowth which needs to be bleached up and then dyed at least every six weeks.
The bleaching takes at least an hour, then a toner (aka colour) is thrown on for 10minutes or so.

When I get my hair done we only ever bleach the roots. This helps to minimise the damage to all of my hair. So instead of drying out all of my hair over and over again causing quite a lot of damage we are causing minimal damage. My hairdresser assures me that my hair is actually quite healthy even with the amount of colouring it takes because we are only ever bleaching the roots.


The colour fades out quite quickly. Actually, for fudge hair dye it does last quite a while, but it generally needs to be done along with my regrowth. While it does fade in those six weeks I am lucky that it fades to a lovely pastel shade that I quite like. But it's nothing like the vibrant colours that shine after being freshly dyed.

Then there's the fringe. It's a new addition to my hair and while I love it, I haven't quite gotten the knack for styling it.
also, yep, you guessed it, being a longer fringe it needs to be cut quite regularly as it doesn't take long for it to be in my eyes.

All of this means, as I said, I am getting my hair done at least every six weeks. I am also growing my hair. My hairdresser has advised that you don't necessarily need a trim every six weeks of your ends as long as they are maintained. We play this part be ear. If there are no split ends we leave it, otherwise we do a tidy up.

How often do you visit with your hairdresser?
Is your hair high maintenance?
Any tips for someone wanting to help their hair to grow faster?

Dumped

Image from here

I took the chance and dived in.
I know I'm not a confident swimmer, but sometimes the best way to learn is to jump right in there and have a go.

So I did just that. I stripped off, and ran to the waves knowing that they would knock me around, and I hoped that I could simply deal with that as it came.
Turns out I can't teach myself to swim by jumping into the deep end.
As I lost my balance and those waves kept coming I found myself getting dumped more often than riding them out. I don't know when but after one of those waves pushed me under and I came up for air I found I had lost my sense of direction.

A sense of direction is invaluable. It's a gut feeling and losing that sense is like using your ability to see and hear at the same time. It's tough. You don't know what to do and if what you're doing is even right for you right now. So I kept on fighting those waves, the one's that kept pushing me under, and eventually I got a cramp.

My social anxiety is always there hammering away in the background, but  over the last few weeks it has come back in full force. I feel like I am spiralling down a drain.
I don't want to talk to people, and I don't want them to talk to me.
I just want to curl up in my bed and drift off into another world.
I know that it's not ok but I can't always change how I will instinctively react.
So I'm not fighting, just drifting. I'm tired of the constant battle and sometimes I think 'Is it really that important that I talk to people?'

But the time will come when I have to come back to reality. Then I'm going to be forced to realise I've been dumped and the only way to shore is if I start swimming back.

The Hollowing

This is another edition for The Black Files. If you're not in the mood for emo-ness just skip on past. Posts in The Black Files may be triggering for some, but hopefully not. Just a little disclaimer, comments are not necessary. I do not publish these posts for a "woe is me" effect, however do feel free to leave a comment (I do love them) or contact me privately if you also wish.





When you think of your structure what do you liken it to?

We're all made up of flesh and bones, muscle and sinew, blood pumping, oxygen inflating....that's the science of it right?

I used to tell people I was iron. A strong suit of armour, but dark and heavy on the inside. Having children slowly melted that away. Instead of trading the light for something strong it became necessary to let some things in. To be able to love my children and hurt for them and open myself up to them.
Instead of the heavy armour melting away to something like a thick sheet of glass, or even a layer of Tupperware (that shit never dies) I found myself wearing a suit of a brittle shell.
I crack and little pieces fall off frequently. Some of those pieces turning to dust so you can never truly repair the structure.
I rely heavily on that iron armour appearance to actually leave my house, which leaves me often times hollow.

Image from here

There are times I wish I could tap into everything my mind processes in a span of a couple of seconds. The process it goes through to readying me to leave the house and take my son to school.
To physically be ready is nothing. No time at all. I do it as if in a dream, but mentally is another story. Sunglasses worn as a shield. Phone on the ready in case I feel like I need to "escape".

Despite what you may think, I am not one to break down to other people. I will make offhanded comments about stuff that bothers me. I'm too pessimistic to be able to restrain myself. i won't come to you with plea's of help. I won't approach you in tears.
Pride.
Apparently it's a sin, and I'm fucking rife with it.

So instead you find a distracted detached shell of a person who just wants to love her kids and do them proud.
A hollowing before your eyes.

How do you love and give all of yourself to those around you when your cracks stop you from being filled up in return?

The End Of School Holidays

Image from here

Today I am pumping my fist in the air and shouting
"Thank fuck that is over!"
Are you with me?

School goes back today for us, and it honestly couldn't come sooner.
I have never had a harder time as a parent than I have in the last couple of weeks.
I usually look forward to time with both my kids. Long stretches of days where we can do whatever we please. Laughter fills my ears, and my heart feels complete with both my boys beside me.

These holidays have been a first.
I'm not sure if it was me, or them. Possibly a mix of both.
We were blessed with some really pretty weather for July, so I cannot say it was that rain was keeping them cooped up. I struggled, I struggled hard and found that hiding myself away from my kids was best because my throat wasn't down with the amount of yelling that happened. Nor was my heart.

I had a lot of plans. Great plans. Not always things out and about, but some real fun things to do at home too. We cancelled most of them because when I threaten I follow through. I'm a bitch mum like that.

So for a change I am happy school is back.
I needed it to be back.
I need my kids back, the children I know. That I raised.
Disrespect doesn't fly in this house.
Time apart is probably best.


How were school holidays in your house?
Did your children have you tearing your hair out and wanting to jump out a window too?

The Weight

Image from here

Sometimes I forget the most simple things. Things we do all the time without thinking. Our body reacting to some unheard command. Things we don't even realise we're doing until it's pointed out to us. Things like blinking, swallowing the saliva that builds up inside your mouth. That kind of stuff.

Anxiety is an unseen weight that you carry around. It's heavy, but after a while you almost don't realise it's there. You don't notice that you've shifted your life so that things that make you feel uneasy, that set  you off, simply aren't a part of it, or that when they are you ensure you are in complete control.

Sometimes when you shift ever so slightly you're reminded of that unbearable weight.
In an instant the entire world seems to spin. Something as simple as placing one foot in front of the other isn't so simple anymore. You feel like a baby learning to walk. The frustration as you stumble because you don't quite have the strength or coordination, or perhaps both, to lift one foot and place it in front of the other.
A feeling of being paralysed. The anger and frustration quickly rising at something you know you can do, but right now you can't. Even though you want to.

Do not even get me started on something like breathing.
How I can watch the rise and fall of my chest  but I cannot feel the oxygen filling my body. I feel cut off from what I need to survive.
In the snap of your fingers things can go from fine to a scramble and chaos without anything really happening.
Anxiety isn't an easy battle because you're fighting yourself and the subconscious you always seems to be that little bit more in control.

How's that weight?

Never Trust A Child With Your Tupperware.

To ease some of my guilt when I go to the gym and my kids go to the gym creche for an hour while I am working out I pack a cooler bag full of my kids favourite foods.
You know, because torturing my body and sweating enough to eliminate the desert in Australia is so selfish of me.
You open this little treasure box and find assorted fruit, yogurt, sultana's, sometimes I add a packet of Tiny Teddies, and of course a drink bottle filled with water.
I shit you not my kids gobble that shit down like it's the best motherfucking candy in the world.

Creepy man in the white van take note, you catch more kids with fruit and veggies.

It's not a large bag, and because Bluey is usually at school Greenie takes charge with being responsible for this bag of goodies, zero problem.
Now, Bluey being older was given the task of being bag manager on a recent visit to the gym. Greenie asked to take it often but I said no that it was Bluey's turn. I'm big on instilling chivalry and mateship, or whatever.
So things were going good right. Kids were behaving, I even decided to take them to Story time at the library even though I was in my stinky gym clothes because I'm a top mum like that.
Until we left the library and I looked at Bluey and said "Where is the bag? Did you leave it at the library?"
A look of horror crossed his face before he mumbled "No, I left it on the bus." The bus we had gotten off an hour earlier. The bus where the last thing I told him was "Don't forget to grab your bag." The bus he and his brother were too busy fighting over who would get to press the button to let the driver know we wanted to get off at the next stop.

And so the adventure of the drink bottle began....

It's dark in here but it's cool and I like being cool. Bluey, my master, he seems to like it when I am especially cool guzzling down the water held inside of me. the ride has become a bit more bumpy, and I can no longer hear his voice chatting away.
Maybe he has fallen asleep?

Suddenly I find myself sliding. I slide quite a way until I hit something.
Bluey hasn't noticed because he's asleep, but it's ok, he will find me when he gets off the bus.

The bus is quiet. I realise we haven't moved for quite a while. I wonder what is going on?
Before I know it I am being picked up. See, I knew he hadn't forgotten me. I've been so kind to him over the years keeping him hydrated and cool.
Besides I'm a first rate drink bottle. I have the Tupperware tattoo, meaning I don't come cheap. I'm fucking first class! But when the bag is opened I am not greeted with the bubbly face of my Bluey but a monster. He tells me it's ok, that he is a bus driver and he will put me somewhere safe so that if my beloved Bluey comes looking for me we will be reunited, but instead I am locked away in a cage. I do not believe this monster and so I weep.

Days, weeks, possibly months pass as I slowly become a shell of a drink bottle in this cage.
How could he have abandoned me? Left me behind? Surely he hasn't traded up to one of those Kleen Kanteens. I've seen his mother eyeing them off, mumbling something about "BPA Free". Doesn't she know I'm the cream of the crop? The best of the best!

A different monster comes back to my cage, unlocking it and picking me up. 'This is it.' I say to myself. My end is here. But then I see her, goddess like with a light shining on her. It's Bluey's mum, she has returned for me! She wraps me up in her arms muttering a thank you to the monster.
It is not long before I am reunited with Bluey who spends some time throwing me up in the air giggling. I have missed my boy, and it seems he has missed me too.

Sunscreen. It's A Year Round Thing.

Make no mistake, just because you can't feel the suns warmth beating down on your skin and drawing tiny beads of moisture from your pores does not mean that it isn't there sending those little rays of evil your way, causing unseen damage.

One of the first things most people are quick to skip when the chilly weather hits is their sunscreen application. Out of sight out of mind, right?
Not in the suns case though. It still sends those little rays of evil your way. Yep, even through the thick heavy clouds.

While I do not apply sunscreen as many times through out the day as I do in summer, it is something I still keep in my routine. Really, it takes less than a minute to lotion up. I do it first thing in the morning along with my cleanse/moisturise/brush my teeth routine.

Two products that are getting a daily workout here are Milk's Dry Touch SPF 30+ Sunscreen ($17.95) and Le Tan's SPF 30+ Coconut Lotion ($10.99).

I love that the Milk Dry Touch Sunscreen is non greasy, it's more like putting on a thin moisturising lotion. I also love that it's packed with lots of skin calming nutrients that my kids skin seems to react to well as they both suffer from eczema, especially Greenie. During summer I would use something with a higher SPF factor, but this is perfect for winter to give them that light coverage.

The Le Tan Coconut Lotion is a hot little favourite of mine, both summer and winter. Firstly, the smell, it brings back the memories of trying to bake myself in the BFF's back yard around her pool. Look, I've never really tanned, but it didn't stop me from trying. Only when I was growing up coconut oil didn't have any SPF factor at all. I feel like when I use this sunscreen I am inviting the sun to kiss my skin whilst also knowing I've protected myself. Much more smart. I used this through summer and didn't get burnt once. Besides, look at that price tag!

How important do you find sunscreen?

Do you use it in summer?

Do you continue to use a sunscreen during winter?

Pink Cocktails

I am going to jump back into my grateful posts.
Truth is, right now I need them. Just to pick one thing that has really helped me to get through the week, or made me look at life in a new light, or be inspired.

I think that's the thing about life. It's very easy to become overwhelmed with the bad, which is a sure to get you pushed down that spiralling slide to the bottom with a thump.



Image found here

This week I am grateful for nights out with my BFF. Look, we may not act too mature when we're out together, but so what? My vagina stays firmly tucked away, as do the boobies these days and it gives me a chance to blow off some steam from the week. To go out and be silly and laugh my arse off for a few hours with someone who gets me like no one else.
It may not be much to some, but she is a kindred of mine. We have been friends for so long that there are no lines crossed and we can instinctively read one another. There is a comfort that is something like sisters share. So much history between us.

I am grateful I have a person I can go to after a crappy week and she will be up for whatever I need to do to forget it.
I am grateful for Mr Black's support, in him agreeing to stay at home with the kids so I can let off steam. It's not always complaint free but he still does it, and I think that makes it mean just that little bit more.

This is how I Blogopolis

9 hours of learning.
21 hours awake.
42 hours away from my babies.
This can only mean one thing.
A blogging conference.

Blogopolis.

Here is my guide to getting your Blogopolis on.
Pink style.

This post was not sponsored by Twinings.

Get there on time or have someone saving you a seat. I feel like a dick walking in when it's already started, looking through a room of hundreds of people to find a familiar face, and they're ALWAYS sitting at a table that is full. So you're left to say hi and then wander off to find whatever seat you can find. that's cool, only it's usually with no one you know and doing introductions when someone is speaking out the front feels rude.
Do carry your charger with you, maybe even a power board if you're clever. I left with a fully charge phone and it was dying just after lunch. Probably around the same time everyone elses phone's were dying and that's why all the power points were taken. A power board would have helped a few of us out.

That's a lot of awesome right there in one room.

Be polite to EVERYONE. You never know who you are talking to, and who they will talk to. Don't go and take someones seat when their bags are on their chair and things are on the table. And if you do accidentally, at least offer them their place back. You know who you are.

Ask people what their twitter handle is. Can you believe I spent all day chatting to Mountains and Musings not realising it was Jennunger from twitter? May be an idea for the people who organise these conferences to include a twitter handle on our name tags. I tend to recognise people by twitter name more often than blog name.



Morning tea couldn't have come fast enough.

Pack some snacks in your bag, or make sure you beeline it to Denwise, she's always got lollies. You can't determine when food will be served and when you will be hungry so having something in your bag is really handy.
Talk to people you don't know, especially those who you've never heard of. It's delightful to put a face to the name and find out you have an insta-BFF but what's really great is when a person you didn't know in the online world pops on over to your blog and says hi in the weeks afterwards.

Don't be upset if people only manage a couple of minutes with you. It's an intense day for us all.

I was a tad in love with our bathroom.

Get a hotel room if possible so you can have a place to chill out if you need to take a minute, and so you can enjoy in the festivities before and after the conference. Getting a roomie is even more awesome because that way you've got "a person" who you can arrive to things with which helps take some of the dauntingness out. My fantastic roomie was Lori, and I think she put up with a lot of my dribble so you should thank her.

Pack more clothes than you need. Seriously. Who didn't have a post drinks outfit? That would be me. Knew I should have crammed in my Cinderella ball gown.

Attend drinks. Pre, post, hey just slip a hip flask in to the event with you. Drinks are one of my favourite parts. Maybe it's because I need that liquid courage? But mostly because it gives you a chance to catch up with a lot of people at the same time.

To those who were privileged to have listened to my drawl on Saturday night...I'm sorry. Yep, I'm totally immature but fuck it, I think I'm as funny as a fart in an elevator and that's all that matters right?

And at the end, if you find yourself in your hotel bathroom fully dressed the next morning then you know it must have been a good fucking night.

Thank you to everyone who came and said hi to me, to those who tweeted the day madly, to those who spoke on the stage, and to those who made the conference possible.
I have a lot of information I need to process and apply now.


Next Blogopolis I vow to shout VAGINA really loudly at an inappropriate time in a man's voice. You will have to make sure you're there so you don't miss it.

Winter Warmers Winners

Image from here

And the winners of the Winter Warmers giveaway are....

The Artist Known As Sawhole
Sonia El-Sheikh
Kookla123
Jenn
Holly Homemaker
Becci Swan

Please check your emails to find out which prize you won and get back to me within 72 hours with your postal address or I will unfortunately have to redraw the prize.
Winners were chosen by Mr Black and my kids and prizes were matched randomly.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

L'Oreal Products to get your hands on

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to an evening with L'Oreal Paris. I will admit, L'Oreal is a brand I tend to skip over being a member of the Gen Y clan, the stuff I remember of L'Oreal is my Nan using it which has had it branded as a "Granny Product".

I wasn't sure what to expect, some heavily moisturising makeup and anti-wrinkle creams mostly. Things that do not work on my aging yet still teenage break out type of skin.

There are three of their new products I need to share with you right now though.

I was excited when they announced their new Youth Code Luminosity range. This is for the 25+ age range and my skin loves it. It's a very light cream, so it's not heavy and greasy leaving my skin oily but it's still nourishing it and keeping it smooth.

I know that not all of my readers fall into my age group, so I have included a picture of both the Revitalift 35+ and Age Perfect 50+ ranges also. Take a look at whichever applies to your age and skin type. I urge you.

This is my new 'everyone must have one of these on their shelf' products.

I first heard about L'Oreal's Nude Magique over on Styling You. I have to admit, that I had put a lot of its work down to the fact that Nikki has naturally gorgeous skin. It was really good to get to question this straight from the source.

Basically it is a pigment corrector, so the white cream changes to match your natural pigmentation working like a light foundation! Yes, hard to believe.
The cream feels like it has real fine sand mixed through it. A bit like a microdermabrasion scrub. You only need a little bit as it spreads out a lot.
When I first put it on I was disappointed as I saw no instant results. I glanced down to pick up my mascara and when I looked up my face definitely looked a lot more evened out and softer. I actually left my makeup with just the Nude Magique, mascara and some lip gloss. Usually I need quite a bit of concealer and then a powder to hide my dark circles.

Look at all those colours!

I like to change my nail polish fairly regularly. I would say once a fortnight at the very least unless I leave my nails bare. This means that I like to collect a lot of different colours and shades because I tire quickly of using the same polish every other month.

Problem is, I find that my polish jars dry up before they run out at least 95% of the time. I hate spending $15+ for a bottle of nail polish when I know I won't get to use it all and so I try really hard not to buy too many so I will use them up rather than throw mostly full bottles out.

Enter L'Oreal's new Colour Riche Le Vernis.

Look at these tiny bottles and the tiny price to go with! This means I will be able to have quite a lot of colours which have a high probability to running out before they dry up.

Plus I love the application brush.

I'll take one in every shade please.

What's a cosmetic product you have purchased recently?

What are you on the hunt for?
Do you have something that bugs you about makeup?

A huge thank you to Louisa from Brand Meets Blog and L'Oreal Paris Australia for having me along. I had a real wonderful time.



Grateful. The Reunion.

One of the things I love about this community is that there is always an abundance of people that understand you, and if not, they just pretend they do, and well that's almost as good.
Sometimes life gets busy, sometimes it doesn't and you just get snowed under, and sometimes you can't stop giving your computer the stink eye. I am going to say that after the massive month June has been for me, I have been guilty of all three.
I had to pull back in a lot of areas this month. It happens.

What it allows for is time spent elsewhere doing other things. Sometimes new.
Sometimes those things replace waning loves. Sometimes it's boring stuff that just needs to be done.

This week I am so unbelievably grateful for empathy.
That people are able to stop and consider your situation or perspective. They don't need to agree, just that they are able to understand, even if they would do things differently.

I am grateful to those who enjoy a difference in opinion, and aren't afraid to stand behind their words and share their thoughts in a respectful manner. I love this because it gets me thinking and makes me challenge my own beliefs. There are times that I am made aware of things I possibly didn't know, or a certain phrasing clicks with me. There are also times when I feel more secure in the things that I believe.
Both, I feel are positive. 
The ability to share an opinion and empathise go hand in hand to me. It's important that whilst sharing our thoughts and beliefs we remain aware that not everyone has to agree, and that that's beautiful in it's own way.

What do you think? Do you like disscussing your beliefs with those who may oppose your stance? Are you able to empathise with others even when you do not agree?

I am inking up with Maxabella Loves this week for a big Grateful Reunion. This is a fabulous linky that I was playing from it's very first beginings. It has moved over to Kidspot Village Voices now but it's still very much got the heart and soul that Maxabella first breathed into it. I encourage you to join up.