Announcement: New Blog!!

Hi everyone,

Just a quick post tonight to tell you about my new blog, in my last post I let you know that I was thinking about starting a new project and it's finally done! I spent a bit of time away from blogging to just read other people's blogs and what out what I wanted to do with mine and after that little break I was so happy to get back into it again!

For those who are interested my new blog is called "Notes from a Twenty-Something and you can find me at www.notesfromatwenty-something.blogspot.com, I will be still doing my beauty posts, I couldn't not do those, it's an obsession... But there will also be a few more lifestyle posts as well, what I'm reading, where I'm travelling, a post about my new apartment or two... And just generally what's happening in my life. The newest addition is my current skincare routine. I'd love if you popped over to say hi!

I hope you are all having a lovely start to you week!

Zoe xx

Opening that Window

Hello lovely readers,

I haven't spent much time here lately, partly because life has gotten in the way and partly because I have been lacking blogging motivation. But after much deliberation I've come to the conclusion that it wasn't that I didn't want to blog, but that I'm changing the direction of my blogging a little and this may not be the place for me anymore.

I have been chatting a little with some of my very wise and more experienced blogger friends and am in the process of starting a new blog. Because this is something I want to be very sure about it may take me some time to figure out, even just things like a new name etc. but when I do get all the logistics sorted I will be sure to let you know so watch this space.

Thank you all so much for all of you finding me and leaving such lovely comments, it has been such a great space and I am looking forward to seeing what my blogging future holds. In the meantime I will just enjoy reading all the great things you are all writing about and seeing the adventures you have been getting up to.

So while this door closes, I'm pretty excited about what opening that window will mean for me... Wish me luck!

Zoe xx

Chapter 25: A Rocky Start

It’s been over a month since I last blogged. Since then I have turned 25 and become a home owner, bought my first ever fridge, payed my first mortgage payment, even the seasons have changed. I have high hopes for 25, I think it’s going to be a good year. It did not, however, get off to the best start.

My first year of being 25 was one of the most stressful weeks of my life. My house settlement was delayed, I spend every spare moment either chasing solicitors or real estate agents or packing, my long distance relationship which is usually fairly functional was taking its toll. By the end of the week I was well and truly in meltdown mode and had quite the “I hate being 25, 25 sucks, I just want to be 24 again” rant. Oh dear.

But that was month ago now and things all seem to have fallen into place, I think things usually do, but it’s easy to lose perspective sometimes.

My little apartment is perfect for me, it’s cozy and definitely still a work in progress, but it’s MY work in progress and I love coming home at the end of each day. I have been renting or in share housing since I started uni at 17, and while that was an amazing experience and I have met people who will be in my life for a long time, I was so ready to take this step. And quite frankly, I very much enjoy my own company. I appreciate the quiet that I come home to and knowing that I can be naked in any room in my house anytime I want!

I do plan on posting some photos of my place, but like I said, it’s still a work in progress. For those interested here is one of my favourite places, my book shelf…

My home internet won’t be up and running for another two weeks, and initially I quite liked distancing myself from social media interactions beyond what my phone could provide, but the last two weeks I have really missed blogging, and I can’t wait to get back into it and to catch up on all of my favourite blogs. It’s such a great, supportive community and I am very grateful to be a part of it.

So one month in and 25 has really turned around. I think this might just be my best year yet…

Zoe xx

UK Beauty Swap!

A few weeks ago (maybe a month or two now, time flies!) the lovely Lora from Lora Loves... asked if I would possibly like to do a beauty swap with her, intrigued by the idea I asked one of my more experienced blogger friends what she thought, after discussing with her and a little more research I found that these beauty swaps happen fairly regularly in the beauty blogging community, who knew..? I have heard so many things about lots of products that I can't get hold of easily and happily accepted!

For those who follow my blog you will know that I have been on a spending ban for a while and haven't bought myself any beauty products for quite some time, I just couldn't resist this opportunity though and my spending ban will now probably continue until Christmas, I think Lora has well and truly stocked my beauty stash for the next year!

Lora and I emailed back and forth for quite a while, we quickly discovered that we had so much in common in terms of our taste in make up and products, and I felt like I was chatting to an old friend! We gave each other some info about brands and products we were interested in trying, but we were both fairly easy going and willing to be guided by the others knowledge and recommendations. Then we set a budget and hit the shops! Everything with the swap went so smoothly, we kept in regular contact and our packages arrived on each others doorsteps at about the same time, overall, it was a lovely experience and I think Lora and I will definitely keep in touch. I hope if she ever comes to Australia that she will come and visit and I know if I find myself in the UK I will be looking her up for a coffee and Boots date!

Now onto the amazing package that I received...

My Australian Adventures: Tathra

Over the New Year I spent a few weeks in New Zealand, it was absolutely beautiful and I had such a nice time writing a little blog series about my adventures.

I have found myself missing writing about my travel adventures, and with no overseas trips on the horizon I thought it would be nice to share some of the places in Australia that I have discovered and think are blog-worthy. I'm not sure how long or regular this series will be, but I am hoping to spend some more time exploring the amazing places we have here, and we are beginning our adventure in Tathra...

A few weeks ago I was invited to a wedding in Tathra, upon receiving this invitation I proceeded to Google this unknown location... It is on the South Coast of New South Wales, about two hours south of Batemans Bay and about 20 minutes from Tathra.

We took the coast road and travelled leisurely through some really cute towns, stopping at the Braidwood bakery and taking a quick walk along the beach in Narooma... As far as car trips go, it was a very nice one.

Now before I go any further I must confess I am not a beach lover. I think I was scarred growing up in Sydney spending all day on hot, crowded beaches and neglecting my sun protection and hydration, and then having to catch a ferry and train home feeling sandy and unhappy. But since then I have been coming around to beaches again, and Tathra seems to have all the things I look for in a beach.

Bobby Pins: Friend or Foe?

I love bobby pins. I'm pretty sure that there are at least a million in my house right now. Seriously. I don't know where they come from, and they all seem to mysteriously disappear when needed... But generally, the little guys are good to me.

However, I found out some information recently while being educated by Podcast, and my feelings towards bobby pins changed momentarily...

I, like many others I'm sure, use my teeth to open bobby pins. I didn't ever really think much of this until last night when I was listening to a Podcast which made reference to a phenomenon known as "bobby pin teeth", a small dent that has been found on the bottom of one of the front teeth, particularly in women, which has been linked with using your teeth to open bobby pins.

March Favourites 2013

 

I don't know about you guys but March was a crazy busy month for me, it was the good kind of busy, weddings, work, catching up with friends etc. But nonetheless, I found it hard finding time to take a break, let alone catch up with my blog. So for that I apologise, but I thought a fun way to remind you all that I am still around was with some monthly favourites, I have a variety of products to tell you about this month, and I really love all of them! Alright, let's get into the fun stuff...