The Stray Kitten

Greetings from Hobart, Tasmania!  I knew I had forgotten to bring a lot with me, when I arrived at the airport and both my aunt and mother said "gee, you pack light!" For starters, I forgot to bring warmer clothing.  You have to be dressed for both drought and torrential rain at all times.  But seriously, I forgot my makeup brushes!  So which brushes do I wish I had packed?  I'm glad you asked! Firstly, everybody needs a flat- shader eyeshadow brush.  I like the Mac 239, but Sigma also do a great one.  It should be pretty stiff to pack on shadow with minimal fallout. Secondly, you need a crease brush.  The size will depend on how much space you've got between your lid and brow.  The crease brush should be slightly fluffy and dome- shaped.  If it's too stiff, it will be hard to blend your shadow. I'm lazy, so I often use the fluffy crease brush to do my brow bone, too.  Otherwise, a slightly bigger and fluffier brush is good for depositing a minimal amount of c

A few years ago, I was the manager of an online store selling rare and discontinued beauty products.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the funds to keep replenishing stock, and had to close shop.  Despite this, I learned a lot about online marketing.  In my experience, I got a lot more customers by advertising through social media like Twitter and Facebook.   However, strategies like buying followers, spamming, or following to unfollow never even crossed my mind.  The integrity of my business was important to me.   Now as an online shopper and heavy social media user, I can see things from the perspective of the consumer.  I typically only follow businesses that I am loyal to, because I love their products and service, and would like to be informed about any new stuff or promotions.  If they become too 'salesy', stop providing 'value', or post too much/infrequently, I simply unfollow.  Keep in mind that I usually only follow brands that I've initially discovered in

How many people can hand-on-heart say that they actually like their mother-in-law?  I was having this discussion with a friend recently, who like myself, found herself coming head-to-head with a monster-in-law.   Her first MIL was caught red-handed assassinating my friend's character on speakerphone, while her son and my friend's mother listened on in horror. The bile that came out of her mouth was vexatious and completely irrelevant to the conversation.  This leads me to believe that this particular MIL had been plotting against my friend from the start. So why do some mothers instinctively have it in for the women that their sons choose to be with?  Firstly, they put their sons on a pedestal because they believe that they are a reflection of them.  Hence nobody is 'good enough' for their boy.  In fact, they most likely already have some other girl in mind who fits the bill.  Perhaps an ex, or at least someone of the same ethnicity.  By contrast, they may also simultan

Yesterday, I convinced Nadia and a very reluctant hubby to accompany me to the brand new Hello Kitty Diner in Chatswood.  This was my third attempt at visiting the place, because there was a bit of a kerfuffle about the opening date. Well, I'm happy to report that it was worth the wait!  The Diner is kind of hidden away in the District section at the Chatswood Interchange, so being from out of town, we were a little lost.  Thus we were famished by the time we got there.  Even on a Sunday afternoon, there was a line, but this gives you the chance to make up your mind about what you want- as you order before being seated.  We started with a side of lamb ribs and French fries.  The ribs were nothing to write home about, and the fries were very similar to the ones you get at Maccas, only not as salty.  The HK soda, was average, but I appreciated the fact that it was not sickly sweet.  The smoked lemonade was ok, too.  However, the pancake milkshake kinda just tasted like a Maccas thick

Whether you're having a dry spell or an entire desert, at some point, you've probably wondered why somebody hasn't taken you off the market.  After discussing this matter with Nadia at length, we came up with several reasons that some of our male friends can't seem to get a break when it comes to matters of the heart.  Here are our Top 5! 1.  You've got standards that you don't meet, yourself If you have very rigid criteria about what kind of person you're searching for, you've probably been disappointed on a regular basis.  I'm not suggesting that you lower your standards, but perhaps review them.  For example, you can't expect your partner to be financially stable if you're on struggle street.  Work on being a catch yourself before you dismiss others for superficial reasons. 2.  You're getting bad advice from family and friends Sometimes, your friends (and even family) might knock your girl because they're jealous.  You might have a

On Tuesday, I finally finished writing my first ebook, and after much thought, I decided to publish it through Kindle Direct Publishing.  There were several reasons for this.  Firstly, people are already on Amazon searching for books, so I wouldn't have to pay for Google Adwords to get traffic to my landing page.  In fact, publishing with Amazon was absolutely free.  I simply uploaded my Word document, and in less than 24 hours it was available as an ebook in the Kindle Store! I was also concerned about copyright.  Amazon enables Kindle books to be shared for a limited period of time only.  Despite these advantages, there are some down sides to KDP.  Amazon suggested that I sell my book for a measly $2.99!  It wouldn't even let me sell it for more than $9.99.  I guess it calculates this based on similar titles in the store. In addition, Amazon takes a huge cut on top of tax.  So, I will probably end up with a mere $3 per book after all.  I will let you know how the book sales a

This month, Nadia and I spent some time in New York City.  It was my first time visiting the U.S., and I didn't have any expectations other than what others had told me- e.g it looks just like the movies, Manhattan is dirty and smelly, New Yorkers are rude etc. We stayed at the Sheraton in Downtown Brooklyn, and while the hotel was what you'd expect from a Sheraton, it seemed very out of place in the area!  Brooklyn is full of character, and full of characters, too.  If I had to compare it to a suburb of Sydney, it would be similar to Auburn.  The people seemed uninhibited as they walked around, having loud conversations on their phones, arguing in the street, and eating various fried foods. I noticed a shirt in the window of Old Navy that said 'Broke but still shopping', and I think many of the people there could relate to that, as there wasn't much else to do! Nonetheless, the people of Brooklyn were very polite and friendly to us, and this didn't fit the desc

If you grew up in the 90s, you probably plucked your brows pencil thin- and have struggled to make them look 'normal' for the last 5 years or so!  Strong brows are one beauty trend that doesn't appear to be going anywhere soon.  Fuller brows are flattering and youthful, but trying to achieve them often looks unnatural at best. My brows are too thin to be professionally shaped, and have seemed to stop growing.  So after messing around with various brow pencils, stencils, and powders, I decided to give Gimme Brow a try. When I received it in the mail, I was shocked at how tiny the tube was.  At only 3 grams, it is rather pricey.  However, it works a treat!  It applies like a regular brow gel, but deposits colour on the brow hairs and the skin to give the illusion of fuller brows.  The Medium/deep shade is perfect for my dark brows, and can be used on top of any brow powder. My only complaint is that it gets a bit clumpy after a couple of months, but despite this, I will defin

Have you ever wanted to achieve a particular makeup look, but then realised you don't have the colours required in your collection?  I was pretty sure I had seen a YouTube tutorial about making lipstick out of crayons, so after discovering that this was a thing (there are now several tutorials!), I decided to try it. I took a small saucepan and filled it with a little water.  I then placed it on the stove over a very low heat.  I placed a small glass jar in the centre of the saucepan, and broke the desired crayon into thirds. I then peeled the paper, and put two thirds into the jar.  As it melted, I added a level teaspoon of coconut oil, and mixed it.  Once everything was liquid, I carefully poured the mixture into a contact lens case.  It set very quickly, and looked great! However, I was a little disappointed with the result, as it was quite sheer.  I really had to pack it on, and even then, it wasn't all that pigmented.  I might try again using more crayon or less coconut oi

So Nadia and I have booked our trip to New York City, and although it's two whole months away, the psychotic planner in me is already thinking about packing! Of course what you pack will depend on where you are going, how long you will stay, and what activities you'll get up to.  If you're lucky enough to be going on round-the-world trip, be prepared for all seasons! I like to pack light, so here are a few things I think you could do without. 1.  Hairdryer/Straightener Most hotels already have a hairdryer, and the plug on your appliances might not fit the socket in the country you're travelling to.  Plus, you're on holiday!  Think low-maintenance. 2.  Toiletries Most hotels provide toiletries, too.  I'll never forget the time that I opened my suitcase to find shampoo all over my clothes!  If you must bring them, pop them in a plastic bag. 3.  High-heeled shoes You're going to be doing a lot of walking, so comfort is key.  Perhaps one pair that goes with ever

Today I attended a graduation ceremony for the first time.  It wasn't my first time graduating, but I always felt like I didn't need all the fanfare.  Because this was a masters degree, I figured I may as well rock up, and experience something new. Most people would say, "well the gown is going to cover me, so who cares what I'm wearing?"  This is an incorrect assumption.  The gown is open, and your legs and feet are not covered.  Not to mention the celebratory drinks you will be having afterwards with family and friends. I noticed a lot of the undergrads were dressed to the nines, in cocktail dresses and stiletto pumps.  This is fine, if you are accustomed to walking in heels.  I  wore some low heeled black suede booties, floral fishnet stockings, and a dress from the Dannii for Target range.  The dress was neither flattering, nor comfortable.  Perhaps I may have eaten one too many burritos lately, but I could have looked and felt better in a size up.  I also wor

I discovered El Amigo when I was looking for restaurants to take my friend, who is visiting from the United States. He is accustomed to cosy, down home eateries such as the Cuban 'Black Bean Cafe' in Miami, which I remember fondly from my own travels in Miami. I did not expect to find an equivalent in Sydney, and had more or less resigned myself to showing my friend our overpriced fancy food restaurants. Enter: El Amigo. Its humble decor evokes the real Peru, not some fancy suit and tie version. This is obviously an entirely family owned and run business, which is exceptional nowadays (I often find that the staff and chefs at restaurants are disconnected from the culture of the cuisine they are serving up). The parents appear to do most of the cooking, while the lovely waitress appears to be their daughter. The food itself is to die for. Authentic, honest food. No chopping boards with fancy squiggles, or drinks served in jam/mason jars. This food is hearty, wholesome, a

Sydney is expensive. Maybe not as expensive as Tokyo, but we're getting there! Perhaps one of the reasons the locals like to get pissed on the weekends is because other activities are just too damn pricey. Recently, Nadia and I have had the pleasure of entertaining a distinguished guest from the United States in our amazing city. As soon as I found out that he was coming to the land Down Under, the psychotic planner in me began writing a comprehensive list of things he must see. However, we soon realised that these activities were sending us broke. Thus, I have revised my list to just a few items that are almost free aka #BallinOnABudget.  1. Bondi to Coogee walk  Bondi is the most iconic beach in Sydney, and a definite must-see if you're here for a short stay. Aside from enjoying the sand and surf, there is a string of eateries across the road, serving up fresh oysters, curries, sushi- even fried Mars Bars! The walk from Bondi to Coogee beach takes approximately

These days, I use eBay mainly as a portal for sourcing rare and discontinued items, as well as offloading things I no longer use. However, for a time it was my only source of income. I have been an eBayer for many years, and have seen it go through many changes, both good and bad. In spite of this, I know I could not live without it. I know this because one day, I was unceremoniously booted off without warning. Apparently, according to the powers that be at eBay headquarters, my sister and I were 'the same person', even though I had proven otherwise by faxing them several forms of identification. In those times, there was virtually no customer service. Things have improved slightly in that department, although sadly, the days of 'getting rich' on eBay may be over. When I found myself without a job for a few months, I decided to start an eBay business- selling men's shirts that I bought in bulk from a factory seconds shop. This worked well, particularly for

Too many clothes but nothing to wear?  About a year ago, I finally figured out how to avoid this common dilemma.  I must warn you, it involves limiting the amount of clothing you buy, and saving money! At the beginning of every season, I make a plan for what I will wear each day of the week.  For example, today's outfit (my Tuesday outfit) is a magenta knit and grey pants.  While you may question my fashion sense, you have to admit it makes life easier! In addition, I try to limit my clothing purchases to 7 outfits every season.  If I have some favourites from the season before, I'll mix them in.  Buying outfits is far better than buying individual pieces that you may never wear, in my experience. Once I've determined what I'll be wearing for the next three months, I pack away the rest of my clothes.  If I come across something I know I won't wear again, I'll sell it on eBay, or give it to charity. I must add that sometimes your Saturday outfit will be inappropr

Two short weeks ago, I had put having a stall at the markets in the 'too hard basket'.  However, I figured it would be a lot easier than having a stand at an expo, not to mention much cheaper.  So I completed a form on the website of my preferred organic market, and was contacted by them soon after.   Two of the main things you will need are insurance and a unique product or service.  A good idea would be to go to the market as a customer and see what is already there.  Consider the demographics of the customers that attend that market.  Would they really be interested in what you're offering?   If you've been reading this blog or following me on Instagram, you'll know  that I've been ranting about henna tattoos for a while!  Promoting your stall on social media can help generate interest and hopefully drive some customers to buy your stuff. You'll also need to be there super early to set up.  For my friend and I, it meant waking up at 5.30 in the morning!  

On my return from a recent trip to Tasmania, I vowed it was time to practice what I preach, or rather, put into practice everything I'd read about health over the years but hadn't really taken to heart. This move was catalysed by a few things: turning 30, my current state of health, my fluctuating energy levels, poor sleep, lapses into negative thinking. I remember my former personal trainer telling me that food only offers short-term gratification, which is not to be confused with happiness. I would agree, because i've certainly eaten decadently at times and found myself unhappy. Lara Briden's 'Happy Hormones' blog, Harold Lancer, and other sources that escape me right now were also influences. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: So now I'm eating gluten-free (complete elimination at this stage), dairy-free and sugar-free. I'm conscious of being the 'annoying' person at the cafe/restaurant asking for GF/SF/DF grub. Gratefully, my requests have been a

One day during a tutorial, one of my classmates exclaimed that uni is "not about doing well- it's about getting through".  Although he was half-joking, this had been my mantra throughout my undergrad and first post-grad degree.  However, it left me feeling a bit unworthy when I graduated.  I had secretly wished that I had 'done well', not to mention that my transcript was riddled with 'fail-discontinued', and my GPA was a joke. Fast-forward to 2012, I decided to do a masters degree by distance-mode at a different uni.  Suddenly, I got a taste of what it was like to 'do well', and never looked back! So here are my tips for getting an HD; 1.  Find out what the set textbook is for your subject before the semester starts.  Knuckle down, and read it from cover to cover.  If it's all Greek to you, find another textbook on the same subject.  Sometimes, it IS just the book that is the problem. 2.  If you get to choose your essay topic, run it by your l

I've been to Tassie several times, but only recently have come to appreciate the fresh air, fine food, and beautiful scenery. It is only 1.5 hours on the plane from Sydney, so it could be the perfect weekend getaway.  Here are my top 5 activities for a short stay in Hobart. 1.  Salamanca Market Salamanca is by the water and full of character.  It is the perfect spot to have a cuppa, and buy unique gifts and fine food.  The markets are not your typical rowdy affairs with merchants trying to palm off any old crap- they're beautiful hand-made items, and local organic produce.  Try some Tasmanian fudge! 2.  Battery Point This is a historical region, sometimes referred to as the 'Vaucluse of Hobart'.  Here you'll see spectacular water views, and relax at some of the eateries along Hampden road.  Try the Bircher muesli at the Pollen Tea Room for a healthy and delicious breakfast, or a gourmet pie from Jack's for lunch! 3.  Sandy Bay If you're up for a spot of shop

This look was inspired by the MAC Barbie doll that came out aaaaaages ago.  Products listed below! MAC steamy eyeshadow MAC satin taupe eyeshadow MAC knight divine eyeshadow MAC whistle eyeshadow MAC playful eyeshadow Black eyeliner Sephora navy blue mascara MUFE powder MUFE HD foundation Benefit Hoola bronzer MAC Spice lip pencil Maybelline Lip Polish in Nude Flash

Becoming an extra won't make you super-rich, but it can lead to other things that might!  Unrecognisable extras can make anything from 75 to a few hundred dollars a day.  The work isn't always easy- there is usually a lot of waiting around, and some acting ability may be required.  But you'll usually get fed, and meet lots of interesting people! The most important requirement is availability.  If you've got a good agent, you don't want to be letting them down due to other commitments.  You can source extras work from websites like StarNow, however there is no guarantee that they'll pay up after the shoot.  On the other hand, work that you source on your own won't incur hefty agency fees!  Not to mention there are plenty of dodgy agencies who take more than their share, or sometimes don't pay up at all! An interesting look will also work in your favour.  If you're lucky enough to have Afro hair, or be of mixed race, there may be plenty of work for you

Admittedly, I picked the worst time to go to Darwin- Christmas and during the wet season!  All the fine-dining I had carefully planned on TripAdvisor had to be scrapped because nothing was open apart from Subway :S.  Nevertheless, I got to see some of the beautiful sites, and meet the locals. My first experience was buying some supplies on the infamous Mitchell Street. I had planned to go there on a Saturday night to experience Darwin's nightlife, but it was terrifying enough during the day!  When one of the locals pegged a bottle into the ground metres away from me, I knew it was time to go back to the hotel. That evening, I decided to go and watch the sunset on Mindil Beach. The casino was nearby, but it was nothing to write home about.  A few buffet restaurants and lots of poker machines. The following day I went to East Point Reserve and Nightcliff Jetty. It was very humid, so I was very grateful when it started to rain! Finally, a car hire company decided to open for business,

A lot of people look down on microwave cookery (yes, there is such a thing), but it can be a lifesaver if you need to whip something up in a hurry.  If you're looking for an easy side dish, this is it!  It's not all that healthy, but it's quick and delicious.  This recipe serves about 4 people- or one greedy one :D You will need: Pyrex dish One brown onion Butter Milk 4 potatoes Grated cheese Method: 1.  Peel the onion and chop it into rings 2.  Put the rings in a bowl 3.  Put 2 tablespoons of butter over the rings 4.  Microwave for 3 minutes 5.  Peel and slice the potatoes, thinly 6.  Arrange half the potatoes in a thin layer in the Pyrex dish.   7.  Pour the onion/butter mixture evenly over the potatoes 8.  Arrange remaining potatoes evenly over the onions & add pepper 9.  Pour a bit of milk over the potatoes 10. Sprinkle some grated cheese on top 11. Cover dish with cling wrap and prick with a fork 12. Heat for 8 minutes 13. Carefully remove from microwave and remove

There are several paths you can take in becoming an English language teacher.  Mine was a bit unusual.  I graduated with a BA, and was unsure of what to do with it, when I stumbled upon an ad on the uni job board- to teach English in South Korea.  I will talk about these experiences in another blog! Fast forward one year, and I had decided to pursue a career in TESOL in Australia. With my overseas experience, I was able to work at a few private colleges, but decided to study a Graduate Diploma in TESOL to expand my options.  This only took a year, and after sending my pitch to every English school in Sydney, I scored a job teaching English to migrants and refugees.  Since then, I have gained a couple more qualifications to add to my resume- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (now essential for working at any RTO), and a Master of Teaching (TESOL). My advice for those who already have a Bachelors Degree is to go straight to the Masters!  There are faster and easier ways to get

Here's a super easy dish you can make in a hurry.  It's not exactly healthy, but you can always substitute the ingredients with healthier options. Ingredients -------------- *  olive oil *  garlic *  large can of tuna (springwater) *  250g of fresh cream *  tomato paste *  250g sliced mushrooms *  pasta Method ---------- 1.  Put 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan 2.  Add 1 teaspoon of crushed garlic and salt, pepper and chilli to taste 3.  Add the tuna 4.  Add the cream and simmer for 2 minutes 5.  Add one tablespoon of tomato paste 6.  Add the mushrooms and simmer for 15 minutes 7.  Serve on your favourite pasta with a side of salad 8.  Enjoy :p

Part of being a good makeup artist is being prepared- for anything!  It's not a great feeling when you realise you've forgotten disposable mascara wands or that magical foundation brush.  I'll never forget the time I did the makeup for a corporate video.  Some of the men did love having their makeup done, but after the shoot, they wanted it removed.  Yikes- I had forgotten the makeup remover!  Luckily, I had some primer and cotton balls, which funnily enough, removes makeup!   You don't need to spend heaps of money on a kit- you can put one together easily bit by bit.  The first thing you need is a bag with lots of compartments.  Train cases look cool, but they can be cumbersome when you're on location.  You'll also need: -------------- Eyeshadow base  Neutral eyeshadow palette Colourful eyeshadow palette Smoky eyeshadow palette Fluidline Black eyeliner pencil Eyelash curler  Mascara  Falsies  Lash glue  Tweezers  Eyebrow stencils Brow gel  Brow powder Primer Po

If you're on Instagram, you'll notice that a lot of women can do their own makeup really, really well.  So how can you turn those skills and passion into a profession?  Well, that really depends on what kind of makeup artist you want to be. If you want to work at cosmetics counter, they'll usually want to see a qualification, and lots of retail experience.  The qualification is necessary because they want to be sure that you've learnt some basic hygiene practices.  Retail experience is important because as well as doing makeup, you'll be expected to meet and exceed sales targets.  You will also be asked to do a trial, so make sure you've had lots of practice on a variety of faces. If you want to freelance, you don't need any qualifications.  However, you do need some business sense and some knowledge of basic hygiene.  You'll need to get yourself some public liability insurance just in case.  The hardest thing about freelancing is finding work!  You'

When I was living abroad, one thing I really missed about Sydney was the variety of food.  Sydneysiders are extremely fortunate to have all the world's culinary delights at their fingertips. However, having an abundance of eateries means that the quality of food and service can be hit and miss.  For instance, many restaurants really overdo it with the salt, which makes you wonder how fresh their ingredients are.  Or sometimes you'll go to a restaurant once, give it a glowing review, only to be disappointed on subsequent visits.  Often a new restaurant will start out well, and then reduce their portion sizes and quality in a greedy attempt to maximise profits. There are a few eateries in Sydney that are consistently outstanding, and I will list them here.  Let me know your thoughts on them, and any others you would add! In no particular order; 1.  Indian - Darbar, Glebe My recommendations: The banquet (minimum 2 people) 2.  Chinese/Malaysian - Neptune Palace, Circular Quay My re

Ever since Dannii Minogue's petite clothing line came out, it has been all I wear.  I had never previously shopped at Target, so I could definitely appreciate the savings.  Now, I can't tolerate ill-fitting clothing.  I am, however, a little disappointed with the quality of the garments.  Stitching comes undone easily, and just not feeling the fabrics. So I've been gradually trying to add other brands into my wardrobe.  My size is somewhere between an Australian size 6 and 8, although I prefer to squeeze myself into a 6 than be drowning in fabric.  I'm yet to find a decent alterations place! Some shops/brands that I've found suitable for petites are; * Portmans - great for corporate clothing, although sometimes their sizing can be a bit off (e.g. Shoulders too wide, pants too long) * Dangerfield - their size 6 is tiny! * Lee jeans - still a staple in my wardrobe,  love the Licks- find the right fit for you * Guess - size XS will fit most petites, and size 24 jeans f