Loads of Lifestyle: February 2016

Spend or Save Series: Beauty Swap

, by Mel R

I was recently contacted by RY.com.au to review one of the amazing Australian brands they offer on their website.

ASAP Skincare is Australia's number one cosmeceutical skin care range, offering scientifically proven skin care solutions for women and men of all skin types. Proudly 100% Australian made and owned, asap is committed to providing simple, effective and affordable skin care with fast-acting, visible results.

From their range, I chose two of their serums (serums are my favourite skincare item);

Super A+ & Super B serums are designed to be used together (or alone) so thats why I picked those two specifically.

Super A+ Serum is a high potency overnight treatment containing Vitamin A (retinol), Hyaluronic Acid plus Biomimetic Tripeptide to help get rid of sun damage/pigmentation and create better skin tone and texture.

Super B Complex is a fast-acting serum that contains a high concentration of Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to boost collagen production and reduce pigmentation. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins B5 & B9 to improve the skins texture and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

I use the Super B complex daily (morning and night) and the Super A+ serum every second night. I have definitely seen an improvement in my skin since beginning using both of these serums. My skin is more plump and I've noticed the normally (though not overly) dry parts of my face (my cheeks) are more hydrated and my make-up is applying better. Also the texture of my skin - which was pretty good before hand due the use of another Glycolic Acid product - has become even better.

I would definitely recommend the ASAP Super A+ serum and Super B complex as a part of your skincare routine. And I cannot wait to try more things from the ASAP range.

Have you tried any of the ASAP Skincare range?

Mel x

As always, between posts you can find me:

Instagram: @loadsoflifestyle
Twitter: @loadsoflifestyl
Pinterest: @loadsoflifestyl
Bloglovin': Loads of Lifestyle

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*Some products in this post were sent for consideration*

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, by Mel R

In beauty, Empties

Empties #2

8Comments

, by Mel R

In Blogger Love,

Blogger Love #1

Today I thought I would share some of my favourite bloggers who I follow religiously - on bloglovin', IG, FB, snapchat & twitter! I am including a variation of bloggers in this list, from well known large accounts, to smaller accounts and maybe not so well known!

Ash - The Beauty Collection

Ash has a knack for taking amazing pictures, whether it be for her blog or instagram! They are always styled so beautifully - and her posts are always so informative! I am also loving her product directory - which I have just discovered in the last week!

Jess wandering around the back streets of Tokyo

Jess - Tuula

Jess was one of the very first blogs I ever read, back then it was all about her vintage fashion finds and she would even have a market stall at Sydney markers & in her home town area of the Central Coast NSW - only and hour from home for me! - Jess is now a very well known fashion and travel blogger and has over 2 million followers on instagram. I love following her adventures around the globe!

Sarah - Bows & Pleats

It's no secret that Sarah is my blogging sole-mate! After meeting at last years Obsession blogging event in Brisbane, we instantly connected! We talk regularly - about blogging and life in general. She is one of the most genuine and lovely people I have ever met - plus she is a mega babe! This year we started a blogging series together about trying to save money and use what we already have in our collections. It's called the Spend or Save series and so far includes; 5 ways to save money when your a beauty addict and a project pan. We still have a few more posts up our sleeves, so keep an eye out for them!

Daniela - Miss New Beauty

You only have to look at Daniela's pictures to see how talented she is! From the very beginning they have been on point and just keep getting better! Girl can #flatlay - I always try these messy type flatlays and they never look like this!

One of my favourite posts from Tegan - some of her indoor plant collection

Tegan - Permanent Procrastination

Tegan is based in Newcastle (NSW) which is about 20 minutes from where I grew up! I love finding bloggers who are located around places that have significance to me! Throughout Tegan’s pictures I can see places I have been or spent time when I was growing up! Tegan’s post ranges from beauty to lifestyle and fashion to movie reviews, I love the variety she shows with her blog!

Tasha - Shiwashiful

Tasha – oh my god girl. She is so witty and hilarious in her blog posts! When I read them, I feel like she is in my head reading it out to me and I always have a little giggle to myself. She definitely has a way with words! I have had the pleasure of meeting Tasha twice now at different blogging events – and although she is a little shy at first – by the end of the day she is that witty funny person you can see in her blog posts!

Geneva wearing of her DIY's - zip skirt

Geneva - A Pair & A Spare

I had a major DIY thing a couple of years back and after discovering A Pair & a Spare – I though all my DIY dreams had come true!! Most of the posts back then were more fashion based, but over time Geneva has molded her blog to include travel, homeware DIY’s and food related posts! Seeing all her wanderings around Hong Kong (where she is based) makes me want to visit Hong Kong. One day I would love to attend one of her DIY workshops too!

That's it for today's Blogger Love - I will be back regularly with new installments showcasing more of my favourite bloggers! But in the mean time - who are your favourite bloggers that I should check out?

Mel x

As always, between posts you can find me:

Instagram: @loadsoflifestyle
Twitter: @loadsoflifestyl
Pinterest: @loadsoflifestyl
Bloglovin': Loads of Lifestyle

Facebook: Loads of Lifestyle

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, by Mel R

In Food, recipe

No time for Breakfast?

I am not much of a breakfast eater – which I know is super bad for you! But I would rather spend an extra 10 minutes snoozing then making and eating breakfast. But lately I have been into making smoothies for an easy on-the-go breakfast! Now I don’t have much of a transit to work – all of about 3 minutes – but I can sit at my desk, get myself together and enjoy my smoothie whilst returning emails and phone calls.

Ingredient wise, fresh is always best, but frozen is amazing too, as it can make a smoothie thick and creamy. If something is on special (eg. 2 for 1 punnets of berries) and you know you won’t eat them before they start to turn bad. Wash and chop them and pop them into zip lock bags or containers and freeze them, ready to use for your morning smoothie!

Now I don’t really like dairy based smoothies as they tend to make me feel bloated and gross for the rest of the day, but feel free to mix up these recipes as much as you want - Add more water/liquid to make it a runnier consistency or less liquid to make it into a smoothie bowl.

So I have compiled a list of my go-to smoothie recipes. Normally I just throw in random amounts until it looks good, so I have tried to make actual measurements for you guys!!

Recipes

Green Machine

4-5 Spinach Cubes*
1 frozen banana (or non-frozen banana plus 2-3 ice cubes)
Handful of pineapple
1 scoop (tbsp) of green powder
Half a cup of Coconut water/water

Banana Berry

2 frozen bananas
1 cup of frozen berries (I love blueberries but you can use whatever you have)
1 tbsp of Açai powder
1 cup of Coconut Water/Water

Banana Mylk

(adapted from Feel the Lean by Loni Jane)

3 frozen bananas
2 medjool dates (pitted)
2 cups of water or 1 ½ cups of water and ½ cup of coconut water

some of the "superfood" additives I use

Choc-nana

2 frozen bananas
1 cup of your chosen milk (almond, dairy, soy etc)
2 tsp of raw cacao powder
2 medjool dates (pitted)

Tropical

1/2 cup of pineapple
1 cup watermelon
Half a mango or 2/3 mango cubes*
1/2 cup coconut water

Breakfast Smoothie

1 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen berries (your choice)
1/4 cup oats
2 tbsp. of Greek yoghurt
1/2 cup water

*To make spinach cubes:

Pack your blender full of spinach, add a little bit of water to make a thick but pour-able consistency, and blend until smooth. Pour into ice-cube moulds, freeze, then keep in a zip-lock bag or container until ready to use.

This above method can be used with multiple ingredients:

Spinach/Kale
Mango or any fruit you have on hand

Equipment I use:

High Speed Blender – I use a KitchenAid Blender
Measuring cups/spoons (if you want to be super accurate)
Mason Ball Jar – 750ml (wide mouth) and lid
Cuppow Lid
Stainless steel straw

All of these recipes you can make ahead of time and put them into individual zip lock bags, so all you have to do is put it all in the blender, add your chosen liquid and blend away! That means you can snooze for an extra 5 minutes! (Winning!).

What are your favourite smoothie combinations? I want to try putting a nut-butter into one soon! YUM!

Mel x

As always, between posts you can find me:

Instagram: @loadsoflifestyle
Twitter: @loadsoflifestyl
Pinterest: @loadsoflifestyl
Bloglovin': Loads of Lifestyle
Facebook: Loads of Lifestyle

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, by Mel R

In beauty, Make-Up

Spend or Save Series: Project Pan

For the second post in the Spend or Save series, Sarah (from Bows & Pleats) and I thought a Project Pan would be the perfect accompaniment to the series. Trying to use up already opened products before opening new ones can be a little hard, especially when you have shiny new products waiting to be tried and tested!

For those who aren't aware Project Pan is pretty much a plan where you try to use up certain products you have either had open for a little while, or have multiple of open. Some items of make-up are easier to use up than others, like products you would use every single day (foundation, concealer, mascaras etc) other items, like eye shadow, blushes and highlighters are harder to use up because you only use a minimal amount of that product each day.

So my project pan for this half of the year is mainly base products but there are a few other products thrown in there too.

Base:

Napoleon Perdis - Auto Pilot primer – I’ve had this primer for years! As you can probably tell because the new packaging is gold. It’s a nice everyday primer, I normally keep this one in my kit, and I have since replaced it, so I want to use this up!
Hourglass - Mineral Veil Primer – I’ve only had this one for a year or so and it’s a favourite of mine! You only need a tiny little bit to cover your whole face. I mainly only use this on my T-zone as it is perfect for my oiliness that I get in the region.
Urban Decay – Naked Skin foundation – I am going to be completely honest. I have probably used this foundation twice or 3 times.. I have put this on the list purely to use it..
Nars - Sheer Glow foundation – this is foundation is pretty much my perfect shade match ever! It is a great everyday foundation, medium coverage and makes your skin look perfect! (check out my foundation focus post here)
Nars - Radiant Creamy Concealer – Since getting my Urban Decay concealer, this hasn’t been getting nearly enough love, so I want to try and use it up, and keep my UD concealer for events.
Estee Lauder - Double Wear Brush On Glow BB – a great highlighting pen that I use on top of my concealer. Its light enough to wear on no-make-up-days or on top of other concealers.
MAC - Pro Long Wear Concealer – I have seriously had this for years.. Its almost finished and it is a great concealer, it just had terrible packaging that over-dispenses the product.
Nars Laguna Bronzer - A staple bronzer that would be in most beauty lovers collection. As you can see below, I have already hit pan on this one, and now its time to use it all up!
Nars Multiple - Orgasm - My very first Nars product! I absolutely love the no fuss approach to this product. I just dab it on my cheeks and blend in with my fingers! I just need to use it more!

Eyes:

Rimmel London - ScandalEyes Mascara - A perfect everyday drugstore mascara. It has been open a while, so its time to use this baby up. (review here)
Rimmel London - Wake Me Up Mascara - Pretty much the same as above, but it smells amazing! (like cucumbers!)
Napoleon Perdis - Liquid Liner x 2 - I've had these both for a while (one longer than the other) however I misplaced one so I bought another, and then found the other one. Time to rock a nice flick to work everyday!
Anastasia Beverley Hills - Brow Wiz - I use this on days when I have a little more time up my sleeve (compared to my normal Gimme Brow rush job) It is a beautiful product but I do have quite a few brow products currently!

Lips:

MAC Lipstick - Lady Danger - my absolute favourite colour! whenever I am feeling down, or need something to make a look stand out.. This is what I reach for! Its almost finished and I will utilising MAC's Back2Mac program and getting a fresh one!
MAC Lipstick – Crème Cup (not pictured) - a classic pink toned nude lipstick. Another staple in any make-up lovers collection. This one wasn't set in the case correctly and it scrapes up and down the side of the bullet, which annoys me! So time to use this one up and get a new one (maybe).
Maybelline Colour Drama Lip Pencil - Nude Perfection - These are a great drugstore alternative to the Nars Velvet Lip pencils! At about $10 a pop, you can pick up the whole range! I love this beautiful nude colour and its perfect paired with a clear gloss.
Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil - Happy Days - this is a perfect no-make-up-day lip colour, its sheer, glossy with just a hint of colour.

To check out Sarah's choices for her Project Pan head on over to her post:

Bows & Pleats

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Hopefully I can get through these products within the next 6 months, and I will be giving you an update around May/June, to see how I am going with using it all up!

Mel x

As always, between posts you can find me:

Instagram: @loadsoflifestyle
Twitter: @loadsoflifestyl
Pinterest: @loadsoflifestyl
Bloglovin': Loads of Lifestyle
Facebook: Loads of Lifestyle

9Comments

, by Mel R

In Food, Tea Addict

Confessions of a Tea Addict #1

Hello,

My name is Melissa, and I am a tea addict. I cannot walk into T2 without purchasing at least 1 box of tea. I have 4 different teas at work because; variety! I have multiple tea pots, cups, strainers, canisters and iced tea jugs.

some of my tea pots L-R: glass pot (gift), Japanese designed pot, T2 (Tokyo Collection)

I. Am. Addicted.

But how often I actually drink tea? At work, most days. At home, not so much. I really need to work on this, I have pretty much a whole cupboard of pretty smelling tea, either stored in beautiful canisters or unopened.

Today I am going through my collection of tea with you. I will show you my favourites that I will continue to re-purchase, and in the coming posts, I will show you how I make iced tea, amazing combinations of tea and hopefully that this series inspires me to drink a pot every night before bed and start using it all up!!

Now most of my tea comes from T2, but I do have a few random ones that I have purchased elsewhere, like Japan - because, Japan! I was in the homeland of green tea, how could I not??

My favourite tea is Green, but hey I'm not fussy, if all else fails give me a cup of good old Lipton Yellow Label.

In my collection currently is:

Sencha Quince - The fresh herbaceous qualities of sencha play with pretty cornflower blossoms and the sweet assertiveness of quince.

Sencha Peach - Sweet herbaceous sencha blended with the warm summer flavours of peachy perfection. The wafting fruit flavour doesn't overwhelm but leaves a long, subtly sweet fruity finish.

Sencha Vanilla - This grassy sencha blend with a hint of vanilla is a balanced sweet sensation.

Buddha's Tears - Made from a series of unopened tender white pekoe buds and young leaves hand-rolled into a sphere. Each tear gracefully unfurls and dances in the water, gradually releasing a sublime and refined flavour. A delicate and beautifully light infusion, flavour builds upon each sip, filling the mouth with an ethereal jasmine aroma.

Twinkleberry - Raspberry, apple, hibiscus and flowers are blushing in this brew. A berry tisane that tastes like a fresh punnet from the market.

Turkish Apple - Very sweet and chock full of crisp, crunchy apple flavour, conventionally served hot but fantastic iced in summer.

Fruitilicious - With a tantalising mix of cranberries, blueberries, dragon fruit and goji berries, your taste buds will be deliriously screaming for mercy!

Sencha Mango - A bright and sunny brew, this is one of the fruitier greens in our range. Juicy mango sweetness is definitely present, but doesn't overwhelm the senses.

my canisters T - LE from T2 & plain black canister from T2 with label from box stuck on
B - beautiful paper canisters from Japan

Southern Sunrise - White Hibiscus, Lemongrass and Grapefruit bring this fruity brew to life.

Cocoa Loco - Made from 100% pure cocoa bean husks, the flavour is unmistakably chocolate, but with a hint of elegant subtlety.

Citrus Punch - A sweet and zesty citrus flavoured blend. Great aroma and satisfying fruity flavour.

Bright Eyes (LE) - Earthy Oolong is the base to sweet liquorice root and for a twist.. a dash of beetroot!

T2 Blossom - Fine hand-woven ornamental tea from Yunnan opens to reveal a "glorious burst".

Chilli Berry Boom! (LE) - Be your own hero with the action-packed brew. Its strawberry-sweet guise will turn on the charm before exploding with a fiery kick.