The Year I Learned To Love My Life - Jean Edelstein courtesy of RED Magazine

I read this two-page article in the February issue of RED Magazine and *loved* it. As much as I love Social Media (and I do!!) there is a danger that you take people's best posts and compare them to the lowest parts of your life. Dangerous! 

Hopefully you can enlarge the pictures to read this article. If not, get thee to a newagent and buy the issue stat!

I Heart YouTube

You know when you're in the work's kitchen, waiting for the kettle, and you say something random to your colleague like how you could do with a loooooooong break??!! 

For me, I never expected to actually get it. When I thought of the aforementioned imagined lovely long break, I imagined Bora Bora or the Hong Kong - not surgery, bed rest, surgery and more bed rest. 

B-O-R-I-N-G.

Now nine times out of ten, my nose will be in a book. I love books (or Kindles) and I love reading. Love it! But for a million different reasons, books have not been able to captivate me (as much) or help pass the time as I expected.

Thankfully the monotony has been broken up with YouTube. What a bloody marvellous invention. I hadn't realised before what a gem I had at my fingertips. 

Pre-long-boring-unexpected-and-unwelcome-break, my YouTube visitation was to solely hear (and see) latest single from Singer X or Band Y. The end. 

Then I discovered TEDTalks and my relationship with YouTube expanded substantially. (TEDTalks - another bloody brilliant invention!)

My first round of bed rest, I hunkered down, tuned into TED and ..... Couldn't last the distance. Whhaaaatttttt?!!!!! What my brain / soul / body needed was (a) lots of laughs and/or (b) light entertainment. Thus entered the period of:

1/. Jimmy Fallon

2/. Celebrities Read Mean Tweets (OMG! Totes adorbs!)

and for me, most surprising (c) Make-up/Beauty/Skincare videos

What?! You heard me. Make-up videos. My make-up "routine" (God, I use that word loosely) consisted of mascara (if I remembered). Well, not quite but not far off.

But what caused me to fall in love with these videos and the folks behind them was their authentic vulnerability. These gals are *PASSIONATE* about make-up, skincare and beauty tips which is infectious. Their passion is such that they often appear on camera sans make-up (dark circles, spots etc exposed). So, you might say, but I am not sure I would be brave enough to do it myself to 1 or to a million subscribers and then face the wrath of a mean comment. 

What starts out as make-up, often segues into life beliefs, favourite TV shows, weather, love, life in another country/city and the formation of another wonderfully different human being who, through a little camera, is letting you into their life.

Brené Brown (who I love) often talks about vulnerability and how to live your best life, you need to give in and embrace your vulnerability and these YouTubers remind me of that. Who would have thunk I'd come away with such a great lesson as well as a great lipstick recommendation??!

Since my first bed rest, James Corden's Carpool Karaoke has also made my list of YouTube videos I *must* watch. I'd love to know what YouTube channels you love and are subscribed to.

January Favourites 2016

Christmas is over and all of a sudden the dark nights (with twinkly lights) start to look gloomy rather than romantic and festive; making January usually a TOUGH month. And let's not even discuss how long it feels until Pay Day finally arrives!!

But not even January is alllllll bad and this month, I had quite a few favourite things that kept me smiling all month long.

The first being the Kate Spade Glitter Cat iPhone Case received as a surprise gift from Kate Spade. O to the M to the G. I have coveted this forrrrrrever and it is EVEN BETTER in person than I could have hoped. I - freaking - love - this!

Surgery recovery has meant bed rest which has meant a loooooooot of TV and DVDs. Low and behold I stumbled upon Season Two of a fantastic Italian drama called The Young Montalbano. It is brilliant and resembles an Italian version of "Endeavour" (another show I love). It follows the life of newly appointed Police Chief, Salvo Montalbano (brilliantly played by Michele Riondino!!!) in the fictional town of Vigàta in Sicily, Italy. The stories are brilliant - unusual crimes with lots of twists and turns which aren't overly complicated interspersed with light-hearted, everyday comic moments. I love it. So much so that I ordered Season One on DVD immediately! 

There are studies on the therapeutic "powers" of essential oils and I can't help but agree. There are some scents that immediately help me relax.  My absolute, all-time favourite essential oil is from Neal's Yard called Women's Balance: Relaxing. I can't pinpoint what specifically it is about this scent but one thing I know with absolute certainty is that is ALWAYS chills me out. Always. And it has featured a lot this month thanks to my newly bought Aglaia Aroma Diffuser (now also a favourite!) This dynamic little machine, with a stylish glass cover, produces a fine mist (either constantly or on-and-off every 30 seconds) for 3 hours or until the water well runs dry. I also love how it turns itself off. There is also a light function with either constantly changing lights, selecting one specific colour or no light at all.  I personally like the constant fine mist and no light and have it on my bedside table to mist away while I read or sleep. LOVE IT!

 

 

I have two lip balm favourites and it was a case of duelling banjos for the top spot which finally went to the Bite Me Agave Lip Mask (only available in Sephora Canada). It is AMAZING. It has a thick consistency and I usually pop it on at night before bed and my lips are still moisturised and fabulous in the morning. The bonus is that it's not, I think, overly sticky or thick. Perfect for winter and this is the first year ever, I've not had cracked lips thanks to this little beauty. I saw online there are tinted versions too.... I so need to go to Canada to get them all!!

 

The next lip balm is by Clarins and it is the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in the colour (?) Honey. This is more a lip gloss that actually soothes and heals your lips (as oppposed to just making them look pretty) and I loooooooooooooooooove the applicator. It is MASSIVE and so soft. I keep putting it on because I love that freaking thing so much! These balms are so different but both are fabulous. I really love them (and have ordered the Raspberry tinted version of the Clarins to try too!)

Hands down - the BEST eye make up remover (in the world!) is by YSL and it is called Top Secrets Eye Make-Up Remover Bi-Phase.   This is the stuff of legends. It is made up of two components so it needs to be shaken up before use but there is NOOOOOOO oily residue or stinging red eyes afterwards -- and this stuff removes EVERYTHING.  If allllll that wasn't enough, it seems to be a never-ending bottle and it lasts forever. When I do run out, this is a definite re-purchase. I love it.

I thought nothing would ever, ever, ever replace Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle as my all-time favourite perfume -- then I discovered Black Opium by YSL. I've said it before but O to the M to the G. It is stunning. I am rubbish at describing scents but my best attempt is that it is a slightly masculine scent but not too heavy and completing alluring. I love it. I think some folk might think it's a winter-only scent but I can't imagine not wearing it so will see how I feel / how it stands up when Spring arrives. Love it and I love the bottle too!

Last but not least are my Joules Floral Sunnies. I love that they are bright without being BRIGHT. The tinted lenses are clear and not too dark (or light) and it is like carrying a bit of Spring-fever with you wherever you go. I am a big fan of sunglasses in winter. I know it is contentious but I grew up in Australia and that bright winter sun not only gets in your eyes but all that squinting leads to even more fine lines - no thank you sir!

 

Oscar Predictions 2016

Can I just say - Leo DiCaprio - give the man an Oscar! I am not a "fan girl" but give the man his due, he is a phenomenal actor (I was SURE he would win for Wolf of Wall Street). I don't care what his performance is like in The Revenant (having not seen it yet) but for the love of God, give - him - an - Oscar!

My Oscar predictions, based on nothing but who and what I have liked or think will win, are:

Best Picture: The Martian - this was both heart warming and comically genius. There is a heavy field of contenders but does every Oscar-winning picture have to be gut-wretching or blood-thirsty?!
Best Actor: Leo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Carol
Best Supporing Actor: Easy! Sylvester Stallone, Creed
Best Supporing Actress: Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Animated Feature Film: Inside Out
Cinematography: The Revenant
Costume Design: Please let it be Cinderella -- I so want THAT dress
Directing: The Revenant
Make-up and Hairstyling: The Revenant
Music: Writing's on the Wall, Spectre
Production Design: The Martian
Visual Effects: The Martian

We'll find out on 28th February!

Some Things Just Make You Smile....

Some things just make you smile .. like this picture. And my friends.  And my family. My pets. My job. My home. The village where I live. E-mail which makes the world feel smaller and brings friends closer....

There are infinitely and innumerable blessings in my life. Today is a good day to remember this.

Powerful Poetry

I am a huge fan of TED Talks. What a brilliant and powerful movement available to everyone across the world thanks to the Internet.

So while I worked for my Dad's company this weekend, instead of listening to background music, I chose to listen to TED Talks.

WOW! What an inspiring way to be motivated, inspired and speak to your heart while you work.

Then I listened to this powerful TED Talk by Cristina Domenech [complete with English subtitles].

Prepare to be moved.

Forget your Purpose... Find your Passion

I am a HUGE fan of Shannon Kaiser and as such, I couldn't let this video go unshared.

Hope you love it as much as I do.  #FindYourPassion




Shannon's Websites:
http://www.playwiththeworld.com/home/
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/wc/shannon-Kaiser
https://www.facebook.com/ShannonKaiserWrites
https://twitter.com/shannonlkaiser
https://www.youtube.com/user/PLAYWITHTHEWORLD