Quarterly Empties - From the Bathroom @ Thursday, July 31, 2014



L'Occitane Divine Eye(Cream) 15ml/$90
This eye cream was nice but nothing special (other than the bottle). It was so light it was more of a lotion than cream. A HUGE disappointment to match that HUGE price tag. This is the most expensive product I have ever purchased for my face. Regret. 


Biotherm - Aquasource Moisturizer - 50ml/$60
This moisturizer smells nice, as the name suggests it smells like the sea. It was as good as Clinque's DDML, though it's more expensive (this is after Clinque lowered their prices in Aus) though unlike Clinque it's a tub rather than pump, less hygienic. Also Biotherm is no longer available in Australia since I received this sample. 


Botani - Olive Skin Serum 15ml/$31
I love this serum! It's better than RHO, as it's lighter and less intense in smell. When I'm having an allergic/bad skin day, while this I don't think speeds recovery it does make me feel much better, while my normal creams hurt. We've bought this serum (oil) a few times, when I use it twice a day as a moisturizer it only lasts around a month. Wish it came in a bigger size. 


Natio - Rosewater & Chamomile Gentle Skin Toner Gentle Skin Toner 250ml/$14
My second and last bottle, as while this for sensitive skin it's not for very very sensitive skin. It smells great! Unlike any other toner. But now it just burns. 

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover 112ml/$9
Great product that works with all my mascaras, and eye liners. Repeat purchase. 


Paula's Choice - Lip Perfecting Gentle Scrub with Micro-Beads 0.5oz/$10
This taste bad, but you're not meant to eat/taste it. It feels chemical but works very well, and you only need a tiny bit of the product. I prefer something more natural, plus I can make my own exfoliates, so wouldn't purchase this. 


Simple - Soothing Facial Toner 200ml/$8.40
My new toner, it doesn't burn and works very well. Haven't tested it with removing eye make-up as my eye make-up remover works well. Interestingly the old bottle says it contains two vitamins but the new bottle only has one? Edit - The dermatologist said I can't use a toner. :(



Ego Sunsense - Sensitive/Ultra/Sport SPF 50+ Sunscreen (Link)
I'm allergic to this brand, it itches and burns. Did not go well at all. Fortunately ego's customer service was great and we got a refund (I bought the sensitive in full-size before I received the samples).


The Body Shop - (Spa Wisdom Africa) Ximenia & Salt Scrub 350ml/$50
This smells amazing! Like coconut. Great scrub, though tbh I'm not sure if it does anything for me, as I'm not a scrub person. That and it's really expensive (I normally make my own scrubs), but does last a long time. If I had to have a scrub this would be the one. 


WOTNOT Facial Wipes for Combination/Sensitive skin - 25pk/$8
These are super soft and refreshing. I like this one and the FOA one, this one's organic though as it's just a facial wipe does it really matter that much? Unless all those chemical ones burn. 


H&M @ Wednesday, July 30, 2014



We went for a quick walk and as it wasn't busy we stopped by H&M, though I was planning on getting just tights I also picked up something for le beau, and his bowtie Fridays.


They have nice things for the nursery, though this is creepy.


I do like the way the men's department is styled, it's above the average place, with a country club theme going on. Though le beau is not the average guy, throughout college he worked at the Alannah Hill of menswear, it's pretty but more like stylist and timeless suits and ties for guys.



They sell masks, the next masked ball is going to be hilarious when they all wear the same mask! These would be good as basic masks for the theatre.


I don't get what the big fuss was about (unless you're into the menswear department). 
Have you been to H&M? Did you (like Lily) line up for hours when it first opened? 


First Week Back @ Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Tuesday 22nd July



First Week Back - Still deciding if I want to do the Disney Program or not...


On my way to class it was foggier than it had been for months.

Another level 1 business class, a filler for the lack of subjects I actually need which are not offered. :( The good news is that I know two people in the class. :) Girl who wants to be on that 'Doctor's without Boarders' program and ex-graphics designer guy who grew a beard, wears classes and now has the hipster look. XD



Oh dear...

Acquaintance from a couple years ago is back and had a subject clash, so I offered to take notes for the 30mins that she was still in another class. What didn't occur to me was that Austin took that class, he's back, I'm moving out of Tuesday. The acquaintance fortunately did turn up, or that would have awks. Though me being me I'd still walk out when I get bored. But I do like musical cards... 

For the first time in years (I have no idea how long I've known Austin for, my perception of time is iffy) I'm ok. Because I did not have a panic attack when I saw him, and he's a trigger. I may have hyperventilated and felt like I ran a few hundred meters (my area is speed, not endurance unlike Hector who goes 10km per hour) but I recovered within minutes. With no one offering to call 911 or asking if I was ok. I did not notice if there was someone sitting next to me or not.



Lunch - $8/$9 I forget. 

Third year, it's the first time we tried the hot chocolate at the cafe - it was powdery and watery. Not nice. We also had a panni for lunch which was average. I have not missed out on anything. Can you believe this is the first time in three years I've eaten at cafeteria at school? Yes I sat alone (everyone else was in class or had gone home).



We finally checked out that pop-up soft taco place, if you missed it you didn't miss anything. It's just minced beef and various typical taco fillings. I prefer MadMex's nakid burrito or those chips, like Doritoes but not, can't recall the name atm.




 After that we explored H&M, a bowtie for le beau and tights for me. 
Wow they are crazy tight! Next time I'm getting the XL.
Other than some accessories H&M just isn't my style.
  

Wednesday

The day started with a trip to the dermatologist, who was helpful and gave some tips and recommendations for my crazy sensitive skin, also sending me to get more tests done. She said no to toner, but I just started on another bottle... good thing I don't have anymore in stock. It was rushed so I didn't have an opportunity to ask about the sunscreen. She has the biggest diamond I have ever seen in real life not at a jewelry store, at least 20 carats - though I'm starting to think it's something else, as who would spend that much on a ring? Other than celebs.



We did something spontaneous! We lunch at a Japanese place that I didn't look up a review for. "Conveniently" open 11-4pm weekdays only. Deco was pretty much like your average Vietnamese place, though they had an open kitchen and the place was designed with the idea that it's mainly a take-away place. Tables out front are nice though.




I had the 'Chicken Bento Box' $13 I love bento boxes! This one was fun with many different elements. Unfortunately it tasted average. But the bento did come with miso soup which was good. The teriyaki chicken was alright, not amazing or anywhere as good as 'Purple Peanuts' though. But I'm glad I gave it a shot, it was a very filling lunch.

Made it to skool just as my 3rd class of the day was ending. Met psych friend, Carl (new-ish, he has always been there, great guy though I haven't spoken to him much) and we had some good discussions, which really helped. The topic that we started with was panic attacks, and we looked at solutions/ideas for short/med/long-term. He was a great help and had it was good to see it from someone else's POV, someone who's not involved. Best part of the day. 



Marketing, feeling overwhelmed with so much work! The lecturer is fine, except that I don't like her voice and the fact that she adds "hay" in a deep tone after every few sentences. It is so annoying! Is she aware she does that? Should I tell her? I can't listen to her for 6hrs (literally) every week! This is the bit where I have a huge appreciation for voices that are nice and not annoying. She's not very friendly, but not mean either, she's just in the middle, but not liked/popular. 

I may have slept at different internals during that last lecture, I can't stand her voice. It's not the accent, it's her actual voice, it's not pretty and has no warmth. I went to Austin's presentation, even he has warmth and he's even a tiny bit friendly (his voice, not him). Still amazed that she works 11 hour days with little breaks, and she talks for all those hours... 





Thursday

A long day, we left at 9am got home 10.30pm (missed the train by a minute, as it was 2 minutes earlier than yesterday, though actually it was late yesterday).





Caught an earlier train and we had time to stop for b'fast, baguettes at 'Waffle On' on Degraves, we had the chicken which was delicious though I'd like to add brie. Service was good, though I struggled a tiny bit with le accent. We'll be back for waffles! Oh how I wished they had a turkey & cranberry baguette. 

Photography class, everyone's studying the arts, Looking forwards to learning more skills, especially all things hands on. You do not want to be late to this class - we have more people than chairs and computers. They like to over-enroll as there's an expectation that not everyone will turn up. The teacher's work is amazing, though abstract so not an object, which I struggled with. Her style is exhibited at galleries! Including one in Berlin.



On the way to the library we passed Austin in the hallway. I only saw what he was wearing (same thing as Tuesday O.o) but not him. Like when he's annoyed his eyes darken (funny story, I actually have no idea what colour his eyes are, brown maybe?) but I wasn't looking. Cue panic attack as soon as we went around the corner. On the ground, racing heart, not hyperventilating. 3 minutes and the heart recovered, the brain however did not till it reset. 



We did make it to the library for some research. Had a break, went to the bar, met people. I'm not interested but a easy way to get a guy's contact details, if you have a pro camera with you is to take a good picture of him and then grab his email to send it to him. ;)

Back to the library, oh wow day 4 and I'm still the only person here (other than the phd people). Stopped by Safeway for a pre-dinner snack, though really I've been so tired I don't think I've eaten dinner this week, I just pass out when I get home. The dr is concerned. But we did have a dinner/snack of yoghurt and a berry muffin (frozen, not nice)? Next time we'll skip the muffin.




Friday




Unleash Creative Draw! Pilgrim Workshop
@ Finders Keepers AW14 Melbourne Market



Saturday



Open House Weekend! Well that's what le beau & co went to anyway, I wasn't feeling so good and the dr didn't recommend me accompanying them on Sunday. Plus he may of knew I may whine or not handle spending the day lining up very well... 



Saturday we went to dinner as I wanted McD's fries, though we went to SpudBar and shared one (I can't finish it alone). Home for a movie together, where I fell asleep and have no memory of the movie, but we still spent time together. :)



We'd be worried if it wasn't vegetarian and vegan! 



How was your first week back? Or are you still on vacation?





We need this with a transparent bg...


It's nicer on the inside. Though the Sofitel or at least the new Hilton would have been much nicer. This reminds me of those high apartment buildings where low SES & old people live, not something pretty and glamorous. Also there was no grand staircase, which to me is an essential at a hotel.


In one word today can be summed up as disappointing. We went to High Tea, it was average. Scones were small and a bit on the dry side. Are my expectation too high?

We arrived and were seated in the ballroom for tea, there was a parade by Living Silk with all the models being everyday women with/or who had breast cancer. Great to see normal people up there for once, with clothes you can actually wear. This event's marketing is interesting. It seems to be for mothers, and yet the posters have a 30-something girl, girl not woman featured. So either she's a MILF (generally not good for advertising) or that's what they think women aspire to be? 


Yes those are the scones. 

3 Tiers. Starting at the bottom we have sandwiches (ham), green wraps, pumpkin quiche. As always there were scones, one per person. In the shape and size of the friand - flat, small and dissapointing on size. Skimping to make high profits. It's not like they're using almond meal - which is $$. Cream was freshly whipped but not chantilly. Jam was average, not my favourite brands from France.  


At the top were the sweets, fruit tart with a soggy tart, vanilla slice heading in the same direction. The eclair was nice (I love eclairs) but was average. Macarons were meh, didn't have that fresh crunch almost that you get at Lindt. Didn't eat the brownie, as I'm not a brownie person. 


Vegetarian Option


I had the vegetarian which had sushi - with no soy sauce. I did not come unprepared! But I did cloak my bag with the soy sauce... So instead I dipped it in the "tomato sauce" which turned out to be strawberry jam. But the sushi was average, meaning bad here as the sushi place I go to is great. Everything else was average. My favourite thing was the basic cream and eclair, though that was average too. 

Emily ate most of the savories and not the scone or sweets. She also spent most of the time in the cloak room - and was not attached to the powerpoint charging her phone. 


It was quite a rush with a 90min seating, as there was a show at the start. Showbags filled with stuff I mainly don't use and would give away. Last year they were much better and heaviler. There was also lots of chocolates. And cake from Sara Lee, and a roaming photographer.


Stalls & Help-Yours Champagne. 


The Space


One of the two chandeliers. This was their one staircase. Hardly grand.


Services was a touch-up with make-up and dry shampoo, fibre lashes (mascara + fibres) and nails (one coat of red, already chipping). All the good stuff has being moved to the VIP section. Last year they had more hair, nails and massage.


Picture for a competition, random draw I think.


I like the look of those bracelets, Tudor-style/inspired. 


Most high profit events team up with charities, otherwise they look bad.


Kate & Rose - Vintage Tea Cup Candles and Cake Stands


This lovely candle smells like my Crabtree & Evelyn, rose handcream (I prefer Jurlique).


Showbags


Someone said it's about the experience. So essentially (?) paid for an average high tea, some beauty services (the min.) and to get a bunch of stalls (mainly no-named) in the same place.

If you want to repeat the experience I'd go to a craft market ($2 entry normally) and go to high tea at the Windor for $70 (only $5 more) and the food is very good with an all-you-can-eat (challenge accepted) sugar buffet.  

In one sentence the event was a marketing thing with average food and not enough drinks, dissapointing. Also I hate events where you pay for each step of the way - this is why we never go to charity balls and the likes. So you pay for entry and at every point marketers try to get you to buy their stuff - also attacking someone while they're forced to be there (in a line) is not cool.

The best part of the day was hair and make-up which I had done before the event. No pictures as we didn't see the photographer, seems they were on a break when we arrived, and not roaming. 

We're not doing that again. It seems a lot better than it is - that or it changed. 


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