Dearest Reader...

What makes us happy? Friends and family? Food and fun? Though each of these F words sound quite delightful, I suppose it takes a combination of all of the above (as well as other little trinkets) to make our lives worth living. Such words belonging to this sixth letter of the alphabet seemed to be the theme of the week that was...

Here's a family fun fact for you... I have a younger brother. Which, of course, makes me a big sister. Now, us 'big sisters' tend to get a pretty bad rep. I suppose it's in our nature to be leaders, carers and advisors - quite often mistaken for dictators, tyrants and bullies. I'll have you know that I can be nice... Especially when it comes to making delightful study snacks. See!

Another fun fact... I love sushi (and dumplings). Take me to a good sushi train with decent vegetarian options and I will probably marry you. Not quite. (But maybe...) Either way, I'm sure many of you would agree with me when I say that one of the most lovely lunch dates are those spent chatting away with your dearest friends... Especially whilst colourful plates of delicious nori encased delights waltz by. 

You know what is quite saddening though? Relinquishing hard earned money for products that turn around and break your heart. Painful isn't it? So when I'm casually swatching one too many lip colours in the Maybelline section, and the girl besides me picks up a liquid liner that I know (from experience) will end up all over her eyelids, I never hesitate to tap her on the shoulder and let her know. Call me crazy, but I wouldn't wish such cosmetic catastrophes upon anyone else. Which is also why I like to post reviews on things that make me happy e.g. my most recent post on Maybelline's finest! 

Now going back to the the second F word that I mentioned at the start of this post... My grandmother is definitely one of the most inspiration women I've ever met. A widower who raised four kids on her own and helped them set up new lives in a better country (and that's just a fraction of her achievements!) Though I'm sure she knows how much I love her, I think it's nice to put in a little more effort from time to time. Supporting a cause close to her heart, whilst gifting her with a bouquet of daffodils on Daffodil Day seemed like a good idea! 

And food. A source of life itself and an undeniably marvellous pastime. On the weekends, I love taking my time to make something special for breakfast. There's something so comforting about porridge; especially when it's made with almond milk. To celebrate my favourite part of the week (the weekends!) I decided to make some protein porridge and dressed with some berries that been stewed with vanilla essence and a humble amount of golden syrup. Don't forget to toss some almonds in the mix! Yes, I'll be sure to post a recipe soon.

Then comes Sunday, meaning my post-sleepin berry smoothie for breakfast! Really, this doesn't need much more of a description besides: fantabulous-ness in a cup. 

Finally, what better way to end the week than with a family lunch at a great Thai place i.e. Thai Pothong in Newtown. Roasted vegetarian 'duck' salad... Spicy? Yes. But heavenly? Definitely. Waiter! A lychee cocktail and a glass of water, please? I'm going to need it...

In the form of a text, I received a complaint shortly after posting my last Dearest Reader post. My dear friend was suffering sever hunger pains after reading my post. I do apologise in advanced for any grumbling stomachs I may have triggered!  

Love, 

Julie T.

Maybelline's Finest.

Sometimes, cosmetic houses release life changing products and sometimes, they release products that are quite simply disappointing. In a perfect world, each and every product released would be amazing but it's okay... It's all about understanding such products before you allow your money to come flying out of your wallet! And since Priceline (the Australian Ulta, CVS, Boots etc.) has decided to create a bargin shopping frenzy by throwing a 50% Maybelline sale, I've decided to have a little chat with you about my most loved Maybelline products.

Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow

Bad to the Bronze

First of all... Congratulations, Maybelline. You've created the perfect eyeshadow that's been coveted by every makeup artist, guru and blogger (yes, including myself). It's all too easy to apply this luxuriously pigmented cream eyeshadow and it definitely lives up to its long lasting claims. I like to wear it as a base colour all over the lid before applying any other shadows, however it looks just as fabulous on it's own for a pleasantly understated yet elegant look.

Eye Studio Color Pearls

Bronze Blowout

You know those adorable ankle boots you instinctively reach for when you're leaving the house in a rush? Or that oh so chic tote that just conveniently fits all your necessities? (As well as many 'non-necessities' that might just come in handy later!) This is one of those eyeshadows that I always gravitate towards when I'm in a hurry to get ready for a dinner party or when I just need an instant injection of glamour. The luminous duo comes with an exceptionally versatile chocolatey bronze shadow as well as highly iridescent golden shadow, warmed with marbled shades of peach and ochre. Yes, its quite glamourous isn't it! (Note: I'm always pairing it with the Bad to the Bronze Color Tattoo... Truly a match made in heaven.)

SuperStay 14HR Lipstick

Ravishing Rouge (left)

Enduring Ruby (right)

Ravishing Rouge is indeed... ravishing. Though modest in its shell, this is the most devastatingly velvety red lipstick I've ever come across. When I think of this red lippy, floorsweeping gowns and twinkling lights come to mind. Sound of the evening tide brushing against the harbour and excited giggling and chatter follow suit. Yes, this was the lipstick I wore to my Year 12 Formal. I needed a lipstick that could translate the drama of my red Donna Karan-esque satin gown to my makeup - this was the one. It is definitely long lasting and its slightly matte finish is just perfect for a more classy look. Not to mention, international queen of all makeup artists, Lisa Eldridge adores it (which is why I rushed out to get it in the first place!)

Now, Enduring Ruby is what I like to think of as Ravishing Rouge's big sister. Whilst Miss Rouge twirls about in floor sweeping gowns with princes, sending sweet smiles and breaking hearts... Miss Ruby stands poised at podiums, presenting moving speeches and accepting prestigious awards, her dazzling smile illuminated by flashing cameras. Need I say more? 

Do excuse my transition into such opulent musings... This anatomy lecture is sending me to a world so far away. What was that? Blogging during class? Yes, I'm terrible like that. Anyways, I do hope you find these treasures at your local Priceline before the sale ends on Sunday because everything is disappearing off shelves so quickly! 

Love,

Julie T.

Dearest Reader...

With the whimsical tunes of Miss Lorde on repeat and flowing into my ears, I can't help these head bobbing, foot tapping sensations as I write to you this week. The Love Club takes me back to the idle passions and infatuations of high school - a time when all things petty were paramount and all things paramount were pretty boring. Nothing superficial though... It's all about your perspective. On that note, I've seemed to take a little more time than usual to appreciate the pretty little things around me this week...

Mrs Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself. Ah, high school English... Actually one of my favourite classes! I simply can't help but slow down a little when I'm strolling past a florist. But why slow down when you can stop and have a little wander into the floral heaven? 

They say big things come in small packages. Too true. This little Reese's Peanut Butter Cupcake was indeed big in delighful sweetness and peanut buttery goodness. Besides, such an adorable and modestly sized cupcake shouldn't be treated with guilt! And so, when my dear friend stepped into the locker room with a stack of white cake boxes filled with the little baked treasures, you can imagine the waves of joy that spread round. Thank you R.!

You know what else is really pretty? A glass teacup of Little Red Riding Hood's tea! Well, at least I imagine that's what she'd be sipping on at tea parties with Granny. Don't quite understand what all this fuss is about? Do allow me to explain here...

I do believe that it was towards the end of high school when I first experimented the most ravishing of cosmetic items... The Red Lipstick. This was followed by the exhilarating purchase of fervent red formal gowns and heels. Call it my signature lip colour, call it phase of redundancy... But no one can deny the fierce intensity of this colour. How could I not be addicted?

They say females are drawn to such colours, reds and pinks, due to how our minds have been programmed from the times of gender specific divisions in labour - when men were hunters and women were gathers. Those instincts to spot berries and ripe fruits may still be lingering about. Is that why there's always a punnet of strawberries or a box of frozen berries my shopping basket? Either way they make a brilliant energy boosting smoothie! 

Speaking of food... What's a beautiful meal to you? A thick steak with a side of hot chips? A huge plate of pasta and cheese? For me it's a hearty bowl of Mum's homemade vegetarian phở - garnished with freshly picked Vietnamese basil from the herb garden in my backyard of course. Talk about eating breakfast like a king!

I hope you've enjoyed our little heart-to-heart about the week that was. I do look forward to writing to you again soon!

Love, 

Julie T.

P.S. If you're looking for my Instagram, it's just a click away - linked to the pictures! 

Little Red Riding Hood's Tea.

Once upon a time, an exhausted schoolgirl ventured into her usual tea store. As the shadows of exams drew closer and the nights became longer, fatigue weighed down her weary head. And so she asked for something different... Something refreshing yet heartwarming at the same time. She was offered a strange yet fascinating tin of tiny red needle like leaves. She lifted it to her nose and inhaled. The mellow earthy aromas pirouetted through her thoughts of golden sunsets in enchanted forests from far away lands. From the rugged slopes of the Cedarberg Mountains in South Africa to her dainty glass teacup... A year later, she sips the coppery red infusion of rooibos tea and continues to write this very blogpost...

Rooibos tea tends to remind me of Little Red Riding Hood. Often referred to as 'red tea', I suppose it's the colour of the charming beverage, not to mention the sweet earthy notes that are so reminiscent of the forests Miss Riding Hood frequented.

I really do adore this tea and I can't help but love it even more knowing the high levels of antioxidants that it contains. As a vegetarian, I'm very conscious that my diet includes plenty of vitamins and more importantly, those essential minerals. To my great surprise and delight, I discovered that this caffeine free tea also contains iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium.

I always get my rooibos from T2, and what's brilliant about this whimsical psychedelic tea store is that they are always very generous when it comes to samples! So if you're a bit nervous about purchasing this magical tea, just go in store and ask a friendly shop assistant for a sample to take home. Once you you've tried it, return to the store immediately and purchase. I just know you'll love it!

While your there, perhaps pick up a little sample of the Red Green Vanilla? 'Fresh and light green rooibos blended with velvety vanilla'. Think a couture ruby red Valentino silk cloak and a monogrammed Louis Vuitton wicker basket filled with the most decadent Ladurée macarons. I shall not say more, and I'll let you try it for yourself!

Tea party anyone?

Love,
Julie T.

Dearest Reader...

Throughout the past week, I found myself in caught in an unshakable sense of limbo. What do I mean? Please allow me to explain... It is that period of time where the carefree idleness of the holidays still lingers about in your head. Meanwhile, you feel your heart pounding in the background because deep down you know that there are still lectures to attend and assignments to complete (it's also pounding because you're about to miss your train!) And so, I made the very sensible decision to embrace the calm before the storm... I kid. I am a serial procrastinator.

Now how does one remove the guilt of procrastination? Ensure that whatever irrelevant activity you've chosen has something to do with exercising. Intensely study each and every bone and muscle in the human head or take an invigorating afternoon run beneath the golden sky? I'll take the second option, please.

If neither appeal to you, have coffee with Julie T. However, when your dearest confidant returns from a month of adventures through Europe, coffee alone does not suffice... Whisk him off to your favourite little cafe for a celebratory breakfast! The most delicious fig toast you'll ever taste infused with tales of Paris, London and Rome? I couldn't be happier.

Now, I find that in the midst of a stressful week (or one spent frolicking about in nonchalance...) one of the best way to unwind and escape from reality is to lose yourself amongst ornate gowns and decant creations in the glossy pages of Harper's Bazaar. By the way, Scarlett Johansson... You are beautiful.

I am also proud to announce that I published my first Julie loves... post featuring my favourite products of July. See, I wasn't that unproductive... I really did enjoy sharing my thoughts on such lovely items and I do hope you enjoyed reading! 

Speaking of makeup, I find that you can achieve such classic elegance with just a flick of eyeliner. I rarely line my eyes, but it is quite a joy to sport a cat eye look every once in a while. Add some ruby red lips, a little black dress then layer on a long gold necklace or two and you're ready for that cocktail evening. Here's a little trick, prime your lips with a layer of lipstain (or even better lipliner) before applying and then blotting your lipstick. You'll avoid completely defacing that sparkling flute of champagne with your dramatic lips!

I do confess, I did find myself strolling through The Strand Arcade yet again. I was simply on my way to my Aunty's birthday lunch at La Rosa on the third floor. I must say, the food was divine as always. At this darkened but beautiful restaurant, there is something so exciting and magical about having a candlelit meal in the middle of the day! Caught in the moment, I told the nagging kilojoule counting voice in my head to be quiet, and ordered the most unadorned yet tempting item on the dessert menu... Tiramisu. Let me tell you, I had no regrets.

And as a week of pleasant affairs and delicious delights came to an end, Mother Nature decided to remove her dirty laundry from the skies and bless Sydney with some sunshine. A classic polka dot dress from Ben Sherman seemed fitting for such a jovial occasion! 

I do apologise for the slight delay of this post, though I will have two more coming out by Sunday! I hope that this coming week brings with it a little more productivity and that you won't have to resort to chaining yourself to your desk as I may have to at this rate... 

Love,

Julie T. 

Julie Loves - July Edition.

Promises of vanishing lotions and hydrating potions, can fool even the best of us. When it comes to making purchases in the beauty department, it never hurts to read a review or two... Nobody wants to spend $20 on a enticing concealer that only leaves you feeling heartbroken and tarnished with further inflamed blemishes. 

So, my dearest reader, I've decided to present to you my monthly beauty favourites on the first Monday of each month. I hope this saves you the pain of disappointing purchases and introduces you to beautiful things you'll fall in love with too!

Throughout this past July, I have been adoring...

Revlon's Colour Burst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum

I know that every beauty blogger and her dog has raved on about this product but I must say... The rumours are true. I find that this particular colour adds such a lovely, yet exceptionally natural, flush of pink to the lips. Though it may not last as long as the Revlon Kissable Lip Balm Stain, it's staying power really did surprise me... Think of it as pleasantly hydrating lip balm with a sheer yet sufficient tint of colour. Oh and it also contains mango, shea and coconut butter. Yes!

Covergirl's Clump Crusher Mascara

The Covergirl Lash Blast mascaras are brilliant. But... This is definitely their best mascara yet. The dense and stiff plastic teeth (think teeth of a teeny tiny hair comb instead of your traditional mascara bristles) really do 'crush' those horrid mascara clumps. And for those of you who are serial mascara abusers (Yes, I see you on public transport applying ten times more mascara than you need) this is a must have. I am addicted to it's lash separating and volumising powers and trust me... you won't go back once you've started using it!

Real Techniques Multi-task Brush

Step aside Sigma brushes, Samantha Chapman coming through! Apart from being a long time follower of the lovely Youtuber, I absolutely adore her brushes. By now everybody knows how brilliant they are but I find that the Multi-task Brush rarely gets much time in the spotlight compared to some of its other siblings e.g. Miss Popular Expert Face Brush. It is the perfect size for contouring, especially beneath the cheekbones (though I must say it is just as wonderful for any of your other bronzing/blushing desires). The dense bristles pickup just enough product and also manage to blend quite wonderfully! Tell me, what more could you want? What's that? The perfect bronzer? Read on...

Rimmel's Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze (022)

In the middle of winter, when you combine my olive skin tone with my exceptionally terrible sleeping patterns... You get a rather pale and sickly looking Julie. On a day to day basis, I rarely ever use blush though, just because I find that it is too garish on my skin. However, I love how just a touch of bronzer brings so much warmth to the face, whilst adding dimension and defining your features too. As a devout bronzer advocate, I swear by Rimmel's Natural Bronzer. Who could say no to a natural looking sunny glow! This is actually the second one I've purchased and I've already hit pan.

Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturiser

Back when Julie T. was an acne baring teenager who's benzoyl peroxide prescriptions left her skin 'treated' but quite dry and rather lifeless, her dermatologist handed her a few samples of this moisturiser.  Thus began a long and hydrating relationship filled with comfort, relief and of course, UV protection... This Aveeno moisturiser has stood by me for quite some time now and always makes me feel just that little bit more radiant especially on those cold winter mornings.

 Nivea's Lip Butter in Caramel Cream

Before we even go into how hydrating this lip butter is, can we just pause for a moment and appreciate Nivea's ingenious development of such unique and heartwarming flavours? The Caramel Cream one has such a heartwarming smell and reminds me of Golden Popcorn too... I think I'm just a little obsessed with all things caramel these days... Either way, it is so pleasantly moisturising and doesn't leave your lips with that greasy stickiness (a problem I often encounter with the more hydrating lip balms and butters). This has definitely been my favourite winter lip balm!

Dearest Reader

So here we are at the end of the beginning... The end of the first week of semester two, to be exact. There were times when I felt like staying in bed all day. Well actually, I felt like morphing into a ball of blankets and pillows each and every morning. But you know what? Once you finally make that small step out of bed (i.e. that giant leap for an exhausted and sleep deprived uni student) the day isn't as bad as it seems. Though it is taking some effort to excavate any remnants of optimism from the extremities of my soul, it can be done! Especially with the help of some good food, good company and a treat or two along the way...

I decided that the new semester called for a new laptop case... Trivial, you say? Yes, I know, but I often find that having somewhat flamboyant artefacts scattered here and there, makes my day a little brighter. A wildly red laptop case, doesn't scream Mardi Gras, but it certainly puts a smile on my dial!

On the topic of rouge items, a fresh punnet of strawberries always makes be feel infinitely better! I love that kick you get after single handedly devouring an entire punnet (perhaps it's the vitamin C high?) I assure you, eating fresh is the way to go on those foggy-minded mornings.

'But Julie! I can't survive on strawberries alone!' I know, I know... You know what you need? A gigantic sandwich stuffed with the goodness of lots of fresh vegetables, some grilled eggplant and a wholesome homemade vege patty. 

Now Friday had come and it was time to unwind. It is quite alright for one to treat oneself every once in a while, right? Especially when such a treat involves froyo! Green tea and biscotti froyo, with strawberries, slivered almonds and mochi. Need I say more?

Though treats come in many shapes and sizes, ingredients and kilojoules... To be quite honest with you, sometimes a really good salad can be a treat in itself. It's always nice to appreciate the flavours of natural food that hasn't been concocted in a lab or fried to death. One of my all time favourite salads is a charming mess of vinegarette carrots and fennel, celery, parsley, toasted pine nuts and just a few drops of sesame oil!

They say that aromas have an exceptional effect on our moods too. And on my quest to combat wintery chapped lips, dabbing on some of Nivea's Lip Butter in Caramel Cream has kept me quite cheery!

Speaking of this delightful lip product, I will be publishing my first ever monthly favourites post tomorrow. I've decided to feature all of my most loved beauty products on the first Monday of each month from now on and I do hope you'll pop by to have a peek. See you soon!

Love,
Julie T.

NUTELLA POPCORN!

For any gentlemen reading this post, let me tell you... Food may be the way to a man's heart, but it is also a pretty fast highway to that of a woman's. (Seriously, the recipe only takes about five minutes!)

Having said that, no man nor woman could possibly deny the heavenly hazelnut spread that is... Nutella. Every once in a while it is perfectly fine to treat oneself and what better way to do it than to combine this hazelnutty goodness with the satisfying crunch of our previous Winter Warmers recipe (Golden Popcorn). Simply replace the butter with one very generous tablespoon of Nutella and there you have it: Nutella popcorn... The most simple and satisfying culinary discovery I have ever made.  Feeling extra devilish? Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream! 

Let me know if she said yes,

Julie T.