I hate my picture quality so much right now.
My camera actually broke so I'm on the lookout for a new digicam, if you have any suggestions please let me know!

So a couple of weeks back Nina and I were spectators at the auditions for Australia's Next Top Model and Charlotte Dawson's jacket brought out the leopard in me! The girls that audtioned were stunning each with a never-ending pair of pins, ahh - how wonderful it would be to be tall, beautiful and fabulous!

L-R: Charlotte Dawson, Alex Perry, Sarah Murdoch, Jas Daly

With that aside, it's housekeeping day! This looks like one bender of a clean up, so to make things a smidge easier I'll reply on blogs for those who have posted a link, as for the remainder of q's- here it goes!

Anonymous: Hi Annie ! Just wondering what is the most expensive item of clothing in your closet?
My most expensive item of clothing has got to be my Ginger & Smart O-Dako Silk dress for $585 (if you'd like a piccie I'll tuck it somewhere in the next post for you!). It was actually a gift from my mother.

Anonymous: Hello Annie =) which sites do you go on to shop online and which online stores have you ordered from. i love online shopping but i dont know how safe it is and im scared =/ oh and have fun in fiji!!!
safe sites that I know/ordered from include: Urban Outfitters, Top Shop, Forever 21, ASOS, American Apparel, Shopbop, Karmaloop, Net-a-porter, MyCatwalk, Maximillia, Stylestalker, Freez, Designerstirredwithvintage, Revolveclothing, Chickdowntown and Missselfridge there's also ebay of course but I've had a few glitches with ebay sellers before. To be safe only buy from trusted sellers with high ratings and good reviews!

Anonymous: IM OBSSESSED WITH LUSH!!!!!! but its pretty expensive, do you think its wise to buy LUSH products online?
Personally I wouldn't buy things online but if you don't have access to a store and you're willing to risk not liking the product then the LUSH website is definitely a safe place to shop but you won't be able to smell and touch your products before buying and if you live in a hot area there's the risk of the product melting before it gets to your door!

Anonymous: in your entry where you had those polaroid pictures what was the name of those shoes that you wanted? they're hot!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Shoes! My dream shoes!

Anonymous: can you do an entry about what are your favourite or must have drugstore products? i LOVE your blog but most of your makeup things (i.e NARS, MAC) is so expensive :(
My makeup collection is still brewing so I don't have that many drugstore products to discuss but I can't live without my Revlon Colorstay Foundation and my Loreal Lineur Intense Liner!

Anonymous: wanted to ask you where you get all your NYX stuff from? because you seem to have eyeshadows and lipsticks too. the other bloggers only know where to buy lipsticks!
The NYX store is near Liverpool Plaza next to where Video Ezy used to be, I'm sorry for such cruddy directions but I hope you're able to find your way there!

Anonymous: a while ago when you did a haul and you bout all those booties and stuff, would you be able to repost about them and maybe take pics of what they look like on? i'm really lemming for them atm!!!!
I have exciting news Anonymous! (Well exciting for me anyway hehe) I actually recieved my shoes today! So I'll include those in the piccies too :)

Suede Wedge Booties from Shopbop


Wedge sneakers from Shoesone

Ava lace up boots from Top Shop

Dolce Vita Cutout wedges from Urban Outfitters (which are actually on sale at the moment for super cheap!)

Anonymous: Hi annie, this is totally un-shoe related, but since u have already made ur decison :) i was thinking maybe you should only show a few posts per page like 2-3 maybe? Because everytime i come on ur site (which is alot) it looads alllll of the pics from previous posts which can be really hurtfull to our bandwith lol :(
Awww I read this comment when I was in fiji and I felt so bad hahaha so after reading it I signed in and changed my layout to only a couple of entries per page (there's still a tonne of pictures to load though - eek!)

Anonymous: How did u buy things from urbanoutfitters btw? thanks !!
After I placed my order I actually got sent an email asking for a number they could use to get in contact with the cardholder so I had to email them the country code + area code + phone number for them to be able to get in contact with from America. There are a few downsides to ordering from UO: I love their Jewellery stands but they're not able to ship them to Australia, shipping charges were quite heavy, quite a bit of wait for delivery but every time I had to get in contact with them by email their responses were almost immediate :)

P: hey annie :) its valentines day coming up soon do you know what youre getting for your bf? and what did you want your bf to get you? my bf is taking me shopping but i have NOOOO idea on what i want!!!!
If I didn't know any better, judging from the choice of letter for your name and the question I would think this question was posted by Paul himself LOL I actually already got Paul an extra early Valentines day present, I'll post up a picture next entry!

Anonymous: hey annie are you just a christmas casual or a permanent casual at bardot? do you get discounts?
I'm a permanent casual at Bardot my anonymous friend! And yes I do recieve discounts :)

Cherri: ANNIEO!!! On your old blog AGESSSS ago someone asked you to do an entry about Autumn/Winter trends what influenced your picks? how did you know what was going to be 'in' for the season and COULD YOU DO ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE ENTRIES REAL SOON!! PRETTY PLEASE XP
Sorry Cherri I had to cut down your comment a bit but I've left the questions :) Since I enjoyed the last I'll probably do another and as for knowing what was going to be 'in' - there is never a knowing what other people were going to like. There were things I was intrigued by and you may have liked the same things I did for the season but others probably didn't, I'm not here to be a trendsetter - I'm here to tell you I'm fond of many different things!

^_^: does it bother you when girls that read your blog copy you? ive loss count of how many bloggers i know that read your blog are now into the things ure into like makeup, fashion, studding, booties/wedges and even doing your signature hair to the side hairstyle. do u notice it at all or is this the first time u've heard of it?
Makeup and fashion are two categories of just about every girl's common interests. Fashion trends change with the season and people are more than likely going to wound up lusting over similar things. Everyone has their own rights to what they want and what they're influenced by, to discourage people from how they express themselves would just be ridiculous! As for my 'signature hairstyle' I can't even claim it my own, my mother originally sported a much more polished version of the do for a formal event and I've stuck with it for years but I've merely just been a loyal fan!

Anonymous: Hey annie you work at bardot, how come you dont wear any bardot jeans? or jeans at all?
I've mentioned this on my old blog before, I try to avoid jeans. I just don't have the right shape for them and lately I've been straying from shorts too :( a sign that I haven't excercised enough these holidays!

Kisskissxx

Decisions, decisions!

My mother thinks they're both god-awful..

But my sights are set and I must have a pair! I just haven't decided which ones :(
Please help me decide and cast your votes!

1st Pair or 2nd Pair?

Housekeeping entry will be next but I need to make this urgent decision before I move on,
All my love!
xx

****UPDATE****
Thankyou for all the responses, it made my decision much more easier to make! (Yes, even the response that agreed with my mother Hahaha!)

It's currently 2:10am and I'm dashing to the airport in 2 hours for Fiji so I quickly commited to buying my items and ended up purchasing the 1st pair (from above) as well as these:

and my toes are tingling with excitement!
Thankyou again for all your help and I'll see you all very, very soon :)
All my love! No, really, all my love - ALL OF IT!
xx

MSF Frenzy

Before I begin:

- Right now I'm capped so I won't be able to reply to comments or visit blogs until next week but I'll be housekeeping next post so feel free to ask me questions, ask away!

- I also have a question to ask you guys: What is a formspring? I had a comment suggesting I make a formspring but you kind of lost me at the word 'formspring' haha please help granny annie keep up with the times! :(

When I realized my bottle of Revlon Colorstay Foundation had no more love to give, strangely I felt a bit liberated. On my way to work I was reminded why... MAC's Warm & Cozy Collection just released the day before and I had an itch for those MSFs - I had it bad!

I know my New Year's resolution was to only buy make up once I've hit pan but who said it had to be one for one? I woke up the next day with a spot on my face so I've paid for my mischief but part of me commends myself for only snatching up two things, the shadesticks were very worth breaking the bank for!

Comfort and By Candelight MSF from the Warm & Cozy collection


Comfort MSF

'Comfort' is a deep bronze with gold veining. It actually is not frosty when applied, it's a lot darker than other bronze MSFs but still gives off a subtle sheen on the skin. Shimmer is minimal and it has quickly become one of my new favourite MSFs!

By Candelight MSF

'By Candelight' is described as a "Golden Pink". Next to 'Soft and Gentle' they could almost pass as twins, both look frosty and both with minimal (if any) veining but surprisingly when swatched, 'By Candelight' is darker with a lot less frost, which I love!

While we're on the topic of MSF's I'll attempt to answer a question I've recieved countless times:

"What are MSFs ?"

MSF - the acronym for Mineralize Skinfinish powders.
They're dome shaped multi-purpose powders which contain minerals and can be used to "add buffed-up highlights to cheeks and brows, or an overall ultra-deluxe polish to the face". They're slowly baked on terracotta tiles therefore can be used wet or dry without causing any damage to the product still inside the compact, each compact contains enough product to last a lifetime, each is unique in colour and veining and I am crazy over peach and bronze MSFs!

Collecting MSFs is a common MAC cult. Almost all MSFs are limited edition and with all the hype over new MSF releases, it's either now or never. Once an MSF becomes rare they're usually listed at crazy prices on ebay. I remember missing out on Shooting Star and watching them sell on ebay for up to $90AUD! Insanity!

There are two types of MSFs. The first type is MSF Natural which come in 7 shades, are completely matte and used as a finishing powder to set and fix foundation.

Medium Dark MSF Natural, Dark Natural & Shimmer MSF


Medium Dark MSF Natural

These MSFs are part of the permanent collection and probably the least domed of all my MSFs because I use it almost all the time.

Dark Natural & Shimmer MSF

This is a limited edition MSF Natural which comes with its own chunk of shimmer. The shimmer is SO pigmented but a bit too frosty to use on its own. But with a little bit o' this and a little bit o' that they make a pretty little mix!

And the remaining MSFs are limited edition (except Gold Deposit and Soft & Gentle, the only 2 permanent MSFs)

Petticoat, Soft and Gentle, Triple Fusion MSFs

(The labelling of the swatches of Petticoat + Soft & Gentle should actually be the other way around!)


Petticoat MSF

'Petticoat' is a pale rose with gold and amber veining. Probably the most beautiful veining of all my MSFs and although it's limited edition and hard to find I'm pretty sure you can still order it from the MAC website online. Although its described as "Pale rose" its quite dark with a beautiful amber sheen.

Soft And Gentle MSF

Described as a "gilded peach bronze". Its very frosty and almost the powdered version of Benefit's high beam. This is my mum's favourite hehe

Triple Fusion MSF

Part of the Color Craft collection and not as smooth in texture as the other MSFs. Its high in shimmer and frost and a lot more glittery.

Warmed, Gold Deposit, So Ceylon MSF


Warmed MSF

Golden Bronze with light yellow gold veining. It's a beautiful golden peach on the skin with minimal glitter but a pretty little sheen!

Gold Deposit MSF

Soft reflective golden bronze. This is also chunkier than other MSFs and higher in glitter which means it should be used in moderation - part of the permanent collection.

So Ceylon MSF

Pink bronze with a gold amber veining. One of the famous MSFs but surprisingly not one of my favourites. Its very rosey and quite pink for a bronze based MSF but another one of mother's favourites :)

This is probably the fastest I've updated, why? Because:

1. I am capped and with these pictures already uploaded into a post I decided to finally post it since nothing else will load.
2. In 5 days I will be off to Fiji!

Back to old habits

Four more NARS compacts later and I realize... the amount of blush I have is ridiculous, the amount I spend on makeup is ridiculous and the only thing I can see in my near future is being diagnosed with compulsive hoarding...

So on my list of New Year's Resolutions will be: To only buy makeup once I've hit pan (I'm aware that this rule will be tweaked through the course of the year but ..eh, I tried.)

But with one category of cosmetics aside, I've been won over by the fresh handmade cosmetics of LUSH. I've drifted in and out of interest with LUSH in the past but I fell back into relapse when one of my best friends, Fiona, let me have a big ol' whiff of her Snow Fairy lip balm.

I gave LUSH a visit, bought some soaps, recieved some samples and we literally spent a whole night watching LUSH hauls on the tube and discussing bubble bars and bath ballistics. Next thing you know, I'm a sworn LUSH fanatic and seeing that one of my new faves in blog world has already fallen into the same ordeal (yes jenny, that is you, hah!) just reassures me that it's okay, spending this much on soaps and such is not that ridiculous ....and I am not alone hahaha.

So I mentioned in my January 1st post that I had a few LUSH things to discuss, I haven't actually got to use them all yet so the best I can do for now is pictures and scent descriptions which is kind of hard because everyone interprets scents differently. I guess this will be "useless-LUSH-rave" for short.

Honey I washed the kids
Is meant to calm sore, sensitive epidermis with rich aloe vera lather to leave the skin feeling smooth. It's LUSH's best selling soap and the scent is described as "sticky toffee and honey with hints of bergamot and orange". I can't smell the bergamot or orange and the smell of "sticky toffee and honey" is really slight, it kind of smells like hardened caramel. The honeycomb top smells a bit sweeter than the rest of the soap but the sweet smell is very subtle. See what I mean by it's hard to describe the scents? haha

Rockstar
Is meant to give a "creamy candy bath" and smell like "sweet, vanilla perfume" but it actually smells exactly like Red Skins! Like sweet raspberry candy and the scent is amazing in the shower. I sliced a chunk to use as hand soap and now I can't stop smelling my hands.. how very lady-like! :P

Vanilla in the mist
There are actually black streaks on top of the soap which are meant to be "real vanilla pods, from the vanilla orchid, dried, crushed and fragrant." The scent should have a dash of coconut and tonka but I think it smells exactly like coconut. Sweet, soapy, coconut.

Ice Blue
Is meant to wake you up in the morning and leave a "peppermint lather" on your skin but it's very minty, kind of smells like toothpaste. I hate the smell of toothpaste.

Sea Vegetable
Has a crust layer of sea salt and black pieces of arame seaweed which should nourish and revive dull skin and "give it the scent of the seaside". LUSH describes the scent as lavender and lime oils but it's sort of like minty menthol.

My LUSH Hitlist for 2010 (in no particular order) so far will be:
1. Porridge
2. Sultana of Soap
3. Butter Ball
4. Chox Away
5. Angels on Bare Skin
6. Snow Fairy Shower Gel
7. Cupcake face mask
8. Ma Bar Bubble Bar
9. Sunny Side Bubble Bar
10. Honey I Washed the Kids solid perfume
11. Mask of Magnaminty
12. Dream Cream

So, the main reason for my lack of updates was because my parents had taken their camera on their Vietnam/Taiwan trip but they're back now! I actually just picked them up from the airport this morning.

Even though I told my mum didn't know what I wanted from Taiwan.. I think she sort of picked up on my fascination with studded things - the amount of studs on the shoes is a bit ludicrous but it was a sweet gesture and it made me laugh haha thankyou mother! She also bought a couple more Fendi goodies from Duty Free for herself. My favourite of her Fendis was her Black Chef Med Boston but she was using it for the day so I'll snap a picture next time.

This entry took forever to do, my brother is downloading Avatar and my laptop is about to have a meltdown. Avatar by the way, is one of the best movies ... ever.

P.S A little side note for those who made it to the end of this entry - Bardot will be having FINAL REDUCTIONS of all sale items starting Tomorrow (Tuesday 12th Jan) we're taking 20% off ALL sale stock! Have fun and ciao bellas! xx