My Crazy Camp Adventures

This is going to be a little different to what I'd typically post, mostly because this is going to be about my real life. (What!? Katrina has a life outside the internet? Believe me, I'm shocked, too)
Last week, I went on school camp to a little town right next to the ocean. And don't let the location mislead you, because we didn't go tanning and swimming all day... Just read on :)

On the first day, we drove to a little caravan park and had lunch, then we were dropped off at the entrance to a 27km track through the rainforest (no!). And to top it all off, most of us had backpacks weighing about 13kg (NO!). It was okay though, because we only walked 8km on relatively flat ground. (Actually, don't tell anyone but I pretty much died, shh) But in reality, the whole walk was much easier than what everyone made it out to be.

The next day, we got up at 5:30am, packed up our entire camp and left by 7am. In my opinion, this was by far the hardest day for the whole camp, mostly because there were So. Many. Hills! I was a bit sick, but I was still pretty happy with the speed I walked at - And I think some expert deep heat massages helped everyone's muscles to feel a lot better ;) -

The last day of the walk!!!! Today was basically just 4km's of going up one massive hill, before nearly tripping down the other (very steep) side. Also, our "parkour" (jumping over rocks with our backpacks on) helped pass the time. After we finished, we all went back to the caravan park and showered (finally!), then went into town and ate our way through McDonald's - hey, I'd just gone through 2 days of eating nothing but muesli bars!

The next day, we left our trek bags at the caravan park and swapped them with smaller backpacks because... we were going to an island! And instead of travelling there on a boat like normal people, we kayaked about 5km to get to the island. It was super fun, but my shoulders are still sunburnt :(. That afternoon, we had heaps of fun burying people in sand/coral, and just hanging out on the beach in general. It would have been nice if we stayed for longer, but we still had to go home the next day (I still loved it and had so much fun!).

On the way back from the island, I made a terrible decision by convincing myself that I'd be able to steer the kayak. After getting a little too close to everyone else, some of my friends thought it would be funny to flip up our steering thing (yeah, I forgot the name), causing us to go backwards for a while until I realised what was wrong. After this, I decided to keep well away from everyone else - and ended up bumping into a stationary yacht with 200m left to paddle. Yeah yeah, laugh all you want - but it's hard to steer with your feet! (Oh, and we saw a dolphin about 10m from our boat - seriously!)

Sadly, this isn't my photography... but this view is amazing!

Aaaaand that was my week! If I had the chance, I would live it over again because I had so much fun and I absolutely loved it! :) - I know I've left some inside jokes in this post, but I know a few of my friends read this blog. - The things I'll remember the most about the camp include...
- One of my friends running down the street with a McDonald's bag on his head :')
- Watching massage trains :')
- Finishing the hike without any scratches or sprains
If you liked this week's post and want to hear more about my "adventures" and whatnot, leave a comment! Other than that, that's all from me for now and I'll talk to you next time, bye xx

Next Week: Getting Motivated. You can do it!

September Favourites ♡

Hey Hey! That's right - my monthly favourites are here yet again! So let's skip the intro and get straight into it, shall we? :)

Beauty Favourites
For those of you who don't know, lip balm is by far my favourite beauty product, ever. The Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balms are super good quality, and come in a range of pretty shades (I own the rose tinted one). These take literally no time to quickly swipe on your lips as you run out of the door, and the right colour can make you look much more polished.

Secondly, paw paw (or is is papaw?) ointment has been my love for months now. It can be used as a lip balm, clear mascara, brow gel or even a highlighter. Yeah, I know - What!? Since the formula is nearly transparent, it can easily be used in your everyday routine without being detected as makeup (if you have a no-makeup rule at your school like I do).

Casual Favourites
Yeah, I know The Hills is pretty much old news by now... But I absolutely love it! I watched one episode to see what the big deal was about (and because LC stars in it), and next think I knew I was already onto the second season. Scripted or not, this show is super addicting!

Ever since I got some black high-top Converse shoes from some very generous friends on my birthday this year, coordinating outfits with shoes has been so much easier. Whatever you're wearing, these can easily be slipped on and still look cute! Plus, since they're enclosed, they are appropriate for just about anything you do. (I actually wear mine to theme parks so I don't have to keep slipping them on and off between rides)

My favourite song lately has been "R U Crazy" by Conor Manyard. It's seriously catchy and I think it's Conor's best song yet!                                                                                       Oh, and just to be fair, "Better Be Mine" by Cody Simpson isn't my favourite song at the moment, but it's still pretty amazing so I think it deserves a special mention :)

I'm actually away camping right now, so I've had to quickly write this on the weekend. Next month, there'll be heaps more favourites, I promise! xx

Next Week: My Crazy Camp Adventures

Finding your Signature Scent

Anonymous asked, “I need a perfume that I can wear every day, because I have no idea!!”

Well, normally people break perfumes up into four groups: woody, oriental, floral and fresh. These are the basic four, but click here if you'd like to see a full list of perfume categories. Figure out what type you like first (ask your mum and friends if you can sniff some of theirs, or for their personal opinions) before you go shopping. Go to a store with a lot of different perfumes available for you to choose from.

Tell a staff member about what type of perfume you’d like, (tell him/her about one of the four groups I mentioned earlier) and they should be able to help you. If the store has some coffee beans, it’s good to sniff them because it clears your nose before you try on your perfume (if not, sniffing your bare skin works just as well, if not better!). Also, make sure you leave a minute or two between fragrances so your nose doesn't get confused.

Once you've chosen your perfume, it’s good to ask for the larger version because it’s usually better value for money. Forget about the price - perfume is worth it, because it'll make you super happy knowing you now have an amazing signature scent!

Keep your perfume in a cool place away from direct sunlight, so it lasts longer. Keep sending in your questions! xx

Taken from: My second tumblr (I'm in the middle of exam week, and I'll start writing more original posts soon!)

Next Week: September Favourites ♡

First World Problems

Although first world "problems" aren't actually real problems, they're so easy to relate to that everyone loves talking about them. I mean, it's not like I can't post about them at least once on this blog! (And Yemi said I had to) So without further ado, here's a list of what I think are some pretty common first world problems.

- Finishing 3 seasons of a TV show in 3 days and wondering what to do with your life

- When your cookie is too big to fit into your glass of milk

- You reach your post limit on Tumblr or Twitter for the day

- When you look amazing, go out and see no one you know. Then, when you look horrible it's like a reunion.

- When you're singing really loudly and forget the words to a song, then just sit there mumbling to yourself

- There're nowhere to put the sticker from your apple

- I don't know what I want for my birthday, and everyone keeps asking me

- You stuff up your waterproof eyeliner and it takes 5 minutes to get it off

- When your favourite singer/band is touring and you can't go because you have to travel on an hour-long flight to get to the closest city that they'll be playing at.

- The TV remote is way over there... But you're way over here

- YouTube loads the advertisements perfectly, but has trouble buffering a 10 second video

- When you see a really cute, single guy but can't think of anything to say so you don't talk to him (or maybe that's just me?)

- McDonald's is so cheap and easy to reach, but you know you'll feel super guilty afterwards

Why can't my glass just be a little wider?

Of course, there's problems that are much more important than the ones I've just mentioned. So grab a straw, suck it up and appreciate how lucky you are to have the amazing life you do! :) Bye xx

Next Week: Finding your Signature Scent

The Perfect Subtle Make-up Tutorial

School, work, a fancy lunch - sometimes it's just more appropriate for your makeup to be a little subtle. This can get a little tricky, especially if you've stuck to the same makeup routine for ages and can't imagine ever having to alter it. Remember, subtle makeup doesn't necessarily mean you have to ditch it all - keep your same products, but look for colour alternatives where you can. Too confusing? I've described everything in detail below...

Base
Before you open those foundation bottles, it's a really good idea to apply BB or CC Cream first. This will even out your coverage so you won't need as much proper, heavy-duty makeup afterwards.

Concealer, baby! Use a concealer that is an exact match to your skin, if you're lucky enough to find one. If you've had a really hard time sleeping, use a concealer/eye brightener one shade lighter than your skin tone to the area under your eyes only. Apply your normal concealer to under-eye circles and any blemishes you may have.

At this point, you can either apply a lightweight foundation all over your face or a heavy-duty one only on the areas you really need it (which shouldn't be much after you're used concealer). When you set your foundation, opt for a translucent-coloured powder rather than one that is yellow-based. This will keep it looking super natural!

Eyes
The best part about mascara is that you can pile it on and it almost never looks OTT. The only things you need to watch out for are clumps and lashes that are way too long (easily avoided).

You can definitely apply eyeliner and stay subtle! Just keep the line relatively thin and stay away from winged lines.

Barbara Palvin

When it comes to eyeshadow, think about the colours of the normal products you'd use before you pile it all on. Use a light brown as your "base" colour, then use a darker colour for your outer crease. Finish it off with using a very light colour on the inner corners of your eye, as well as a brow highlighter. Remember, this is all optional.

Lips
Sadly, you should keep your lips looking natural. This doesn't mean you have to keep your lips bare - just try to use lipsticks that are brownish-pink, or ones that are quite close to your natural lip colour. I always stick to my Maybelline Baby Lips, because it's moisturising and easy to keep in your bag.

Extras
If it's winter and you haven't quite kept your tan from summer, you can definitely get away with bronzer! Draw a "3" on both sides of your face from your forehead, through your cheekbones and down to your jawline.

When it comes to looking subtle, I would try to stay away from blush. Most people naturally have slightly pink cheeks anyway, so no one will know the difference!


Wow, that was actually a lot of writing! Remember to let me know if this helped you at all, because I don't normally post about tutorials. Till next time xx

Next Week: First World Problems

Making a Statement. You know you want to.

Party? School? Whatever the occasion, sometimes (or all the time) you feel like you just need to make a statement. But do you know how to? Read on.

Make-up: And the golden rule is… only focus on one area at a time. This means a bold lip during the day, then taking your lipstick off and having a smoky eye at night (whatever works for you!).

Clothes: Try to have plain colours around your statement piece. For example, you may have an Aztec print shirt and choose to pair it with a black skirt. For belts, try to wear the opposite colour to the colour of the belt (for a black belt, wear light clothes, and for lighter or neon belts, wear darker colours). For shoes, you can wear (almost) whatever you want with them, keeping in mind that printed jeans won’t draw attention to your shoes.
                             

Jewelry: It’s all about the bling! If your jewelry sparkles or is metallic (silver/gold/charcoal), make sure if it matches your outfit (only for necklaces and earrings). You can go crazy with your bracelets etc. For colourful jewelry, make sure you wear something white to really bring out the colours!

When it comes to jewelry, you can be as subtle or obvious as you're comfortable with

Hair: Do something you wouldn’t normally do. If you check my archive for this blog, you’ll be able to find something new to try that you haven’t even taken a second thought about!

Nina Dobrev

Nails: White clothes look so pretty with coral coloured nails! Black looks amazing with glittery colours, especially silver. For other colours, just look on a colour wheel and go either similar colours or the complete opposite of the wheel!


If you keep these tips in mind, it’ll be all eyes on you next time you’re out and about. If you need just one more tip from me, it is to be confident! You’re beautiful no matter what, just remember that. Till next time xx
Taken from: My Second Tumblr

Next Week: The Perfect Subtle Make-up Tutorial

August Favourites!

Hey Hey! So this week I'll be talking about my August favourites (oh, and is it just me or is 2013 going way too fast?). I have no idea what else to say in this intro, so let's get started :)

Makeup Favourites

I like to think that I'm pretty good when it comes to applying makeup, but there's just one problem: I've only learnt half of it! I mean, I've got blending concealer and applying mascara down pat, but I've never been brave enough to try the complicated stuff, like eyeshadow. Yeah yeah, I know - I'm boring! Since then, I've started to make an effort in learning how to master eyeliner. I decided to purchase a liquid eyeliner because I was struggling with my kohl pencil, but a very helpful sales assistant deterred me from the expensive brands and to the ChiChi Black is Black Liquid Eyeliner Pen instead. It worked just as well, if not better, than any other eyeliner from a well-known brand. (plus, it's a fraction on the price!) Remember, sales assistants are paid to help you, so make the most out of them!

Ahh, Maybelline Baby Lips! Just about all my friends keep one in their pencil case at school, because they're so handy to have wherever you are! Plus, the name isn't misleading; your lips are so soft when you regularly use it!

Okay, this is another long-time favourites of mine. For too long, I've been suffering from dark circles (no matter how much sleep I get). However, it's unlikely that you'll ever see them while I have makeup on. My secret? I've been using the Garnier Anti-Dark Circles Roll-on nearly every day for the past 2 years, because I love it so much! It's not the strongest concealer out there, so it doesn't look like you've covered your face in makeup - but still covers your dark circles. In addition to this, the formula includes caffeine, which helps to de-puff your eyes. Seriously, this thing works!

Beauty Favourites

As horrible as it is, a lot of people have dandruff. Also, cheap shampoos that you pick up from your local supermarket may seem to fix the problem, but will actually damage your hair if you use them for long enough. As for the expensive products? As much as I hate to say it, the upmarket products are the ones you should be looking at. Sure, they may be expensive, but they definitely work. Currently, my favourite hair product is the Kerastase Bain Exfoliant Purifiant anti-dandruff shampoo. 

                                

Casual Favourites

My favourite clothing item for this month are the Lorna Jane tank tops (wow, trust me to include workout clothes in my favourites!). But hear me out: everything from Lorna Jane is perfect for almost any sport, no matter what your size. Also, I find their clothes are super comfy, and are made from good quality, breathable materials. 

Okay, I know you're all probably sick of hearing me talk about Lauren Conrad's books, but seriously! I'm currently reading the final book in her The Fame Game series, and I'm literally glued to it! I strongly recommend reading her books, because they're really well-written and the stories are quite unique. 

TV Favourites! Okay, so whoever hasn't seen an episode of Pretty Little Liars should definitely consider doing so (Warning: you'll be hooked). The storyline isn't the best, but it's just too easy to watch episode after episode without hesitation once you get started. Plus, the clothes these (extremely lucky) girls wear will definitely give you some fashion inspo. 

Finally, my favourite song is currently Summertime of our Lives, by Cody Simpson. I can't think of what else to say, so I'll leave you to form your own opinion on this super-catchy song. 

                  

That's all my favourites for August, but I'll definitely have a lot more next month! Don't forget to keep visiting this blog every Thursday for weekly posts. Till next time xx

Next Week: Making a Statement. You know you want to.