Why I haven't been posting lately...

Hi all! You're probably wondering where I've been lately, since I did promise to post more frequently. But there's a problem. For those of you that didn't already know, I've just started at boarding school (more on that in a later post, maybe?), and the school wifi blocks blogger :( Wow. I've managed to post this on my phone, but I obviously won't be able to keep up with mobile blogging while I'm still at school.

So I know this is annoying, but please stay tuned! I'll be back home in mid-September, and be writing (and queuing) fresh new posts for the next term I'll be at school. Thanks for understanding, I'll talk to you all again soon xx

2014 Favourites #1

Since it's been about 10 months since I've last published a favourites post (what!? where has the time gone???), I thought I'd start them up again. Since I haven't written a favourites post this year, this will be a recap of my major favourites from the beginning of the year. Who knows? I may even compile a second list in December! (Hey, the interests of a teenager can change a lot in a few months)

Makeup Favourites
I'm going to start by talking about a well-known brand of makeup that is loved by ladies around the world - M.A.C. Sadly, this brand isn't available in the city where I currently live. However, I purchased a few products while I was in America. And wow. I now understand why M.A.C is so popular - the quality is amazing! While it may seem a little expensive, it's definitely worth it. The favourite product I purchased from M.A.C is the Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation. It gives great coverage without giving your skin the 'caked' look. Since it's a liquid, I set it with the M.A.C Mineralise Foundation (loose powder).

Another popular makeup brand is Benefit Cosmetics. Benefit products are recognisable due to the retro-themed posters surrounding them in stores, not to mention their super-cute packaging. I use the Pore-fessional balm I recently purchased and use it as primer, and I absolutely love it! Also, my sister would definitely recommend the They're Real mascara. It may seem a little daunting to be applying a mascara that promises the illusion of fake eyelashes, but trust me - it does wonders for your eyelashes!

Other Favourites
For a while, I've been looking for a simple, classy, everyday watch. And surprise surprise, I found one while I was at Macy's in America! I love Michael Kors products, period. His bags, clothing and even bracelets are all completely gorgeous, but don't get me started on his watches. It's amazing that he's created such a diverse range of watches to suit both men and women, and it was pretty crazy when I saw my watch (pictured below) and instantly knew that it was the only one I wanted. (Okay, I really hope I'm not sounding crazy to all of you right now) But anyway, I nearly purchased the rose gold watch in the same design, but instead chose the gold one. Gold is just so classic, and will go with a lot more of my clothes.

Michael Kors Midsized Golden Runway Watch with Chronograph

Let's move onto hair! In between washes, it's not unusual for the ends of my hair to feel dry. I'm so glad I was introduced to the L'Oreal EverSleek Oil Treatment, because although I love Moroccanoil, it's way too pricey, considering the rest of the market.

Now onto oil treatments in general...
If you've never used an oil treatment on your hair, you should definitely consider trying one. Although it does seem a little strange that tree sap will do any wonders for your hair, you'll be surprised at the results. All you need is 1-2 pumps of whatever product you choose, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Massage it between your fingertips, then run it through the lengths of your hair. You may want to comb your hair to evenly coat the ends, but other than that you're good to go - no rinsing is required!






This next favourite may seem a little twelvie-style for some people, but I'm going to mention it anyway: Arizona Iced Tea in peach flavour. In my opinion, this narrowly beats peach-flavoured Lipton Iced Tea in the taste department, but how can you walk past their packaging? Although I never purchase things for their packaging alone, I have to admit it's a cute bonus.

My sister and I have been obsessed with iFunny for about two and a half years. And finally, we created a joint account! While it's been active for less than three days, it's been fun creating original content and finding photos/gifs/videos to repost. Although the app revolves around American holidays and inside jokes (The Super Bowl! College Decision Day! Freedom!), it's almost guaranteed to make me smile every time I open the app. Go iFunny!

Finally, my favourite song over the past six months has probably been MMM Yeah by Austin Mahone and Pitbull. Remember that favourites post from last year where I mentioned Austin Mahone trying to make it? Well, he's finally broken through with this song! Although it was released some months ago, radio stations have begun to put this particular song on replay. I love the beat of the song, and the music video is a-ma-zing.

It's been a short but jam-packed six months for me. Make the most of these next six months, because 2014 seems to be dissolving quickly. Stay tuned! xx


Currently listening to: It's my Birthday (Will.I.Am feat. Cody Wise)
Currently watching: The Vampire Diaries Season 5

"Wow, eat a cheeseburger."

Disclaimer: Although I understand that everyone has their own opinions on different topics; I'll be talking about the majority of the population in this particular post.

I've been tossing over whether to blog about this particular topic for a few months, and I finally decided to go for it. After all, what do I have to lose? Besides, this isn't exactly a sensitive topic to talk about. Okay, here it is... A question that has been in my mind over the past few years is: why is it acceptable to comment on a person's weight if they're skinny?

If you're confused about what I'm asking, I'll give you an example. When I was about 13/14, I got into the habit of going for a run five times a week. I was already playing soccer and going for short swims about once a week, in addition to studying two sport-related subjects at school that contained practical components. I was exercising almost every day. I also remember feeling very fit and healthy (not that I don't feel the same anymore). Despite this, one of my friends thought otherwise: "Wow, you're really skinny," she said after we had hugged. Before I comment, let's just pretend I was slightly overweight instead. Would that same girl have pulled away from a hug and said; "wow, you're really fat," or "you've gained weight?" Uh, definitely not.

But why is it any different? Just because someone is at an 'ideal' weight, this doesn't mean they have a high self esteem. I shouldn't have let my friend's comment on my weight affect my self-concept, but it did. Following her comment, I began to think I was too skinny and tried arm and shoulder exercises in an attempt to appear broader and less 'bony'. I'm not going to go on about how you shouldn't worry about what other people think of you, because that's not the point - the point is, why did my friend make the comment in the first place? Why did she think it was fine to comment on my low weight, whereas it wouldn't have been fine to make a comment to someone who had a higher weight? It just doesn't make sense.

Sadly, this targeted criticism reaches further than the schoolyard. I've seen model shots of curvy girls receive masses of compliments for their confidence in regard to their body image. If anyone called these curvy girls 'fat', they would likely be hated on. Let's turn things around again. Typically, supermodels such as the Victoria's Secret Angels are regularly described as being 'too skinny' and 'unhealthy'. Why is it only acceptable to make negative comments on someone who is skinny?

Okay, sorry if this was a little too intense for you - obviously, I don't normally rant or write a post around something I am passionate about. I guess the whole point of this post was to bring attention to something most people don't realise they are doing in the first place. Don't worry, though - I'll be back to posting about the usual (you, know... beauty, thoughts, obsessions, fashion) regularly. Till next time xx

Top 10 things you need to do in New York City

New York City: The Big Apple. The City of Dreams. The Concrete Jungle. You get what I'm saying. In actual fact, I was in NYC less than two months ago. It was the first time I'd ever been there, and I absolutely loved it. I love the hectic feeling of being in a city where you're a complete stranger to everyone else. Okay, I'm getting off topic. My point? Since New York can be pretty crazy at times, it's important to have a plan as to what you want to see or do while visiting. Most people, like me, are pretty clueless as to what they want to see/visit/experience while in The City. Don't stress, though - I've done most of the work for you and compiled a list of the top ten things you "must do" while in NYC. Read on.

10. Buy a hot dog from a street vendor
I don't care what kind of attitude you have towards hot dogs (unless you're a vegetarian/vegan, then by all means ignore this), but most people know that hot dog vendors are an iconic thing in New York. In actual fact, the (one) hot dog I ate while in New York was probably one of the best I've ever had.

9. Walk through Times Square
Ahh, Times Square. You'll all probably agree with me when I say that it is absolutely insane. The arrangement of different shaped posters and electronic signs is so beautiful that you may get distracted while walking and end up bumping into another person.
On a side note, I wouldn't recommend walking through Times Square if you're claustrophobic. However, the top deck of a tour bus is a good option.

8. Shopping on 5th Avenue
No matter your budget, shopping on 5th Avenue is almost guaranteed to make you feel 10x more glamorous than usual. For me, walking down an unfamiliar-yet-extremely well-known street (that word may be a little downgrading) is pretty special. You don't even need to purchase anything; just surround yourself in the glamour of beautiful stores (from designers who you may never have even heard of) and soak in the atmosphere - trust me, you'll appreciate the memory after you've left.

7. See a Broadway Show
Yes, Broadway shows are quite expensive. However, I recommend you see a show if you're an international visitor - when else are you going to get the opportunity to go, so just do it! :) My family and I saw Wicked while we were there, and it was honestly the best musical I've ever been to.

6. Go on a river cruise
You can interpret the word 'cruise' however you'd like to, depending on your budget. Basically, it's a good idea to go on a river tour around Manhattan (under the Brooklyn Bridge) and ultimately having a good view of the Statue of Liberty. Have your camera ready!

5. Visit the Empire State Building Observatory
No matter which viewing platform you go to, the view from the top of the Empire State Building is stunning. It's a great way to see Manhattan from above, since you can spend as much time as you'd like analysing just one part of the city. Just a warning, though - it was 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) while I was up there in April. Don't underestimate the temperature at that particular altitude, in addition to the wind chill!

4. Walk through Central Park
There aren't many parks this large that are so close to the CBD of a major city. It would have been lovely to lie in the grass while I was there, however it was pretty cold at the time. The ice skating rink is beautiful, too - can you imagine it in winter? While walking through Central Park is nice in itself, the horse and carriage rides were probably the major highlight for me. How can you resist going on a trip through Central Park via horse and carriage? I've included photos below, just in case you're missing the point here :)

How relaxing does this look?

   

3. Go on a bus tour
It's probably the best way to get to know where everything is (How many blocks is Times Square away from your hotel?). Plus, most companies have hop-on, hop-off tours arriving every fifteen minutes to each stop. I probably enjoyed the Midtown and Downtown tours the most, while I didn't enjoy the Uptown and night tours to Brooklyn as much (although they were still interesting).

I definitely recommend Gray line tours

2. Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Center
When I first laid eyes on The Rink at the Rockefeller Center, I actually gasped. It's the most beautiful ice skating rink I've ever seen. My first assumption was that it was probably incredibly expensive to use, but I was actually quite wrong! I mean, it's expensive for what it is; however, it won't break the bank! Plus, you'll get a good deal if you purchase a conjoined ticket that lets you go up to the Top of the Rock, too!

It actually looks exactly like this

1. Go to the Top of the Rock
In my opinion, this is no doubt the number one thing you need to do while in New York. I mean, the observatory of the Empire State Building (refer to 5) is pretty cool, but isn't the centerpiece of New York the Empire State Building itself? The Top of the Rock has a perfect view of this iconic building, in addition to holding about three observation decks on consecutive floors. That way, it doesn't get too claustrophobic come sunset (trust me, everyone wants a good sunset photo).

Yes, it really is this stunning. I recommend going at dusk for some sunset/night shots

In case you didn't already know, I'm Australian. This means that neither my family or I were extremely interested in various historical sites. However, if you're an American (or interested in American history), you may want to consider visiting locations such as the Twin Towers Memorial. 

Wow, that was my first ever travel post! Which surprises me, because I've always loved travelling and want to share my experiences with you all. If you liked this, please let me know! That's all from me for now, so I'll talk to you all next time xx

Finding the perfect outfit

Hey, everyone! In case you haven't read my latest blog post, I queued this particular post while I was overseas, but for some reason it never got published. I wanted to post it now, so you can all read it :). I know I've been taking a few posts from my second tumblr lately, but this post surprisingly got a lot of notes. Other than that, read on :)

So you’ve got something coming up, but have no idea what to wear? Join the club. Hopefully, after you read this you’ll have all your future worries sorted!

1. Decode the invitation. Take note on any dress codes mentioned, as well as how formal the invitations look. If the invitation is on Facebook or there is no invitation at all, find out who else is coming and try to ask them for their opinion.

Black tie = a long or floor-length dress

2. Pick your outfit. It doesn’t matter how long this part takes, as long as it gets done. There’s nothing worse than throwing clothes all over your room in an attempt to find something to wear at the last minute! Just make sure your outfit matches the theme/dress code.

3. Accessorize! I know you’ve probably heard it a hundred times, but it’s true: accessories really do make an outfit. They can be used to dress up or down, so make sure you pay close attention to this step. (Remember, if in doubt, dress up)

4. The finishing touches. For just a casual party, make sure your hair and make-up isn’t too high maintenance. Limit your touch-ups to 2 max, because you’re there to have fun, not to be constantly worrying about smudging your eyeliner!

 xx

Taken from: My second tumblr

"The Basics"

Okay, so I know what you're thinking: uh, Katrina, why haven't you posted in like, 3 weeks? I know, I know, I can explain! I've actually been overseas, and I queued 2 posts (including this one) to publish while I was away. The problem was, I only realised blogger didn't post them until I got back and one of my friends asked why I hadn't posted anything over the holidays (shoutout to Yemi!). So I'm sorry if I've been seeming inactive lately, but I'll definitely try and get back on top of things. For now, enjoy this post :) xx

Have you recently bought something incredibly cute, but have nothing to wear it with? Already owning all the basic clothing items can save you heaps of time and money when it comes to wearing a new piece with your current wardrobe. Want to know what all the basics are? Read on.

- White and black t-shirts (help with making statement shorts stand out - ones with pockets are extra cute!)

- White and black singlets (great for sheer tops and wearing under normal shirts when it’s cold)

- Trench/winter coat (make sure you try to get one that’s waterproof! And it's a good idea to splurge on a trench coat, as you're likely to keep it for a few years.)

Perhaps you could channel your inner 'A'?

- Denim blue and black jeans (you don’t have to get skinny jeans - choose any sort of cut you want! Thick denim is especially helpful for those chilly days)

- Jeggings (they're so much more comfortable than jeans - great for flights and road trips)

- Nude coloured underwear (never wear white underwear under white clothes - it will show through!)

- Boots (if they aren’t your thing, you could always get booties. It’s best to get leather ones and spray them with waterproof spray.)

If in doubt, dress up...

- Everyday sweatshirt/jumper (get a dark coloured one, so it won’t easily stain and look dirty)

- Casual dress (something that could be worn to the pool or out to lunch)

- Formal dress and shoes (so you don’t have to panic whenever you get invited to a formal dinner)

- Black blazer (for job interviews or any time you need to look formal)



- Everyday earrings (small-ish in size, and at least made of sterling silver so they last longer)


- Swimmers/bathing suit (this is obvious, but I’m saying it anyway)


I’m pretty sure I've covered everything. Since I'm currently overseas and away from my beloved laptop, I'll mainly be using popular posts from my second tumblr until I get back xx

Taken from: My second tumblr

TBT: Forgotten memories that made our childhood

Since it's well and truly 2014 now (what? 3 months have already passed??), I've had the time to really consider how time has literally been flying over these past few years. I mean, it only seems like 6 months ago when I was permanently curled up in front of the TV after school, rather than constantly freaking out about what needs to be done by when. And if your memories of 2004 are still pretty clear in your mind, think about this: 2004 was ten years ago. TEN! So I've been seriously throwing it back lately, because I've come to realise that my childhood was actually pretty great (just about everyone's was!).

I've compiled a list of my favourite childhood memories into a kind of archival-style post. Read on for a throwback into the early 2000's *gels hair*.

Drake and Josh
I'm going to start with a classic: Drake and Josh. What made this show great is that it appealed to everyone at the time it was airing, from introverts to extroverts, and little kids (me at the time) to teenagers. Plus, you can watch any old episode and still find yourself in stitches from laughing too hard!

N Sync
Does the name sound familiar to you? Because I was sure I'd never heard of N Sync before until I listened to  songs like Bye Bye Bye for the first time in about six years, all the while wondering how I had forgotten about them (and the much younger Justin Timberlake). I can almost guarantee you'll remember one of their songs if you just take the time to listen to one of them.

The Jonas Brothers
While I understand that not everyone liked the Jonas Brothers, I know that I'm not the only one who was completely obsessed with them about five years ago. Ever since I heard SOS, I was hooked (oh, and Nick was my favourite, by the way). Although, my infatuation with them only lasted for about 1-2 years, as seasons 2+ of JONAS/JONAS LA were a bit of a letdown for me.

Mmm, that hair! ;)

Every now and then, I'll listen to a few of their songs just to bring back memories :'). And although the Jonas Brothers are old news now, a lot of people don't know that they released a song called Pom Poms just last year. And while they officially broke up last October (*sob*), they'll always have a special place in my heart.

Disney Everything

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...

No, I'm not talking about relatively new Disney movies such as Tangled and Frozen (although those movies were amazing), I'm talking about the classics. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid... They're still great movies, even now we're older and our interests have changed multiple times since then. And whenever I'm having a lazy weekend or down day, one of the classic Disney princess movies is guaranteed to cheer me up.



Miley Cyrus (the early days)
When I was about 10 years old, Miley Cyrus was my idol. I completely loved her, and eagerly awaited new episodes of Hannah Montana to be aired every week. When people started predicting that she would eventually go wild, I didn't believe them - I mean, why would she? And although I was no longer a fan by the time she turned eighteen, I wasn't surprised that she was still completely normal. And then she cut her hair in 2012, and shocked the world multiple times in 2013...

This was actually my favourite hairstyle in 2008

And while I don't agree with some of the decisions she's made in the past few years and the image she currently portrays, I'm glad she was a good role model while I was growing up.

High School Musical
Did you know that the first High School Musical movie was released eight years ago? And while you may not be fan of the twelvie-style fangirling that was happening at the time the trilogy was being released (I definitely wasn't), you're likely to fall in love with the romantic side to these movies. Cue late-night sing-alongs with your best friends!









She's the Man
I think everyone can agree with me when I say that She's the Man is one of the greatest teenage movies of all time. Even though this came out when I was eight years old, I still loved it and continue to love it today.

And the early 00's movies I haven't appreciated until now...
- Mean Girls
- White Chicks
- Bring it On
- Legally Blonde

If you've seen any of these movies, you'll know just how quotable they all are.

Never break the rules

Okay, that's all from me for now! I'm trying to get back in the habit of posting regularly, so keep checking back here every so often. I'll talk to you all soon, bye xx