Beauty by a Sparrow

WINTER IS HERE LITTLE BIRDS
AND 

IT
IS

FREEZING

Melbourne has been outdoing herself lately, bringing in sleeting rain, cutting winds and mornings so cold that breath comes in cloud puff or smog options. Frost, ice, and even snow in some of the outer suburbs. So, naturally, I've found myself drawn to warmer options beauty-wise and wardrobe-wise too.

Today I had a mini-spree at Priceline and Chemist Warehouse, and honestly, I shouldn't be allowed in their beauty aisles unsupervised. 

Pictured above are my favourite buys, and newer picks, from July so far. Ripped denim is an easy way to look casual and fresh, without compromising on warmth or style. Ribbed knitwear has been a key trend this Autumn/Winter, and I love the creamy colour of this piece from Cotton On. It works with both blue and black denim, and I love it with tan ankle boots. My navy Converse chucks are an awesome wardrobe staple - so, so comfy, and they're perfect for pairing back dark denim, and they'll work beautifully with summer dresses and skirts. Rose gold is my favourite metal, and this watch from Forever New adds a hint of glam to even the most casual of outfits, and I'm in love with my Samantha Wills Bardot Bohemian Ring!

Before bed, when I want to unwind from a busy day at work, I've been burning my Glasshouse Esperance triple scented candle. It's amazing, it smells of apples and mimosas, and it's just the most relaxing scent. 

Finally today I managed to re-purchase the Maybelline New York Age Rewind concealer. This stuff is amazing, and I can't wait to start using it again. I've had to grab the medium-dark shade this time around, but the Goji berry extract won't be any less effective on these big black circles! Another very necessary repurchase was my Face of Australia matte eye primer. Don't let the 'matte' fool you, shimmer shadows and whites look phenomenal over this cream. 

 

Another very necessary repurchase earlier this week, was the Sportsgirl lipstick in Bombshell. I've worn this shade of red for the last five years and each time I whip her out, I get compliments left, right and centre. 

I LOVE this lipstick. Like the Sportsgirl brow pencil, I'm considering buying about, like, maybe fifty of them, just so I never ever run out of my perfect red lipstick. I'll actually die on the inside if this red ever goes out of production!
The perfect red lipstick means nothing if it isn't perfected on the face, so I took advantage of the Priceline 3 for 2 on Australis eyes and lips, and bought myself a lip liner in 'Lady in Red'. 

Australis claim their lipliners are a 'Emollient and vitamin rich formula that won't dry lips out' - I'll report back if that's true!

Making the most of the 3 for 2 promotion, I grabbed another of their Velour Lips Matte Creams. I adore the shade N-Y-Cee, and I've seen a lot of gorgeous blogger selfies with the 'Hono-Loo-Loo' tone. I was a little nervous, simply because nude-based shades don't always work that well against my pale skin, but I was pleasantly surprised!

I felt like Lana Del Ray with this on

I honestly respect Australis so much as a brand and company. Their products are such a high quality, and I'm so glad to know they're completely cruelty free and still at such a decent price. Even without the 3 for 2, $9.95 is an amazing price for lipstick. 

And the last little Australis goodie I picked up is another that I've been seeing splashed all over Instagram. Last month Australis launched their Metalix eye shadow collection. I was a little unsure, simply because they seemed to be very highly pigmented and better suited to going out/event make-up, something I hardly get to do anymore (social life? Oh social life, where are you?!). I popped a little of the tester on my hand of the shade 'Pearl Jammin' and my rose gold obsession struck. The ROSE GOLD MAN. IT WON'T LEAVE ME BE!

In all seriousness, the shimmer and pigment caught my eye, and I figured, for $8.95, could I really go wrong? 

Look at that shimmer! 

I reaaaalllly want to try this shadow with a bold eyeliner and big, false lashes. I feel like this colour will make my blue eyes pop that little bit more, and I can't wait to have a little more fun experimenting. Believe it or not, I've never used a cream eye shadow before, so this will give me a chance to use new techniques and tools. 

And finally, I bought myself my own little jar of Coconut Oil. I've been borrowing from Mumma Sparrow's cooking cupboard lately and I figured it was time I got my own. Aside from its dandruff fighting properties, and its incredible smell, you can use coconut oil to make exfoliants, face masks, hair masks, and hand moisturiser.

And that's it!

I promise my next post isn't too far away little birds!
Until next time,

Tweet tweet xx

FIRST BRUSH IN
washing out AAAAAALLLL of the make-up and seeing how much there is... ew

SECOND BRUSH IN
Aaaaand that's my lower back that's hurting 

ya' know, from bending over the sink and squeezing all the soap and goop from the bristles

HALF WAY!
Why did I start this? Why why why?

Internet/Fellow Beauty Bloggers/Experts/By the Book People:
"Because your dirty brushes gather bacteria and it's important you clean them!"
Me:

Parents walk past bathroom twenty minutes in and ask what you're doing... And you tell them... And they respond accordingly

When you're finally up to cleaning your shadow brushes and realise it's nearly finished

Finally being finished! And they're all clean and drying and done!

..... but you realise you have to do it all over again in 1-2 weeks' time...

And that's how I wash my make-up brushes!

Tweet tweet xx

whatta babe!

so nice, you see her twice x

Josh Goot 2015

not everyone can make me ugly laugh like this

OHMYGOD FOOD. I love food, and breakfast foods in particular. Eggs, bacon, avocado, I'm all over that like Hollandaise sauce. 

When your working day starts at ten though, you miss out on that opportune brunch bracket and then by the time you eat again (because you HAVE to have breakfast before work!) it's well and truly lunch time and if you try to order poached eggs or muesli people look at you strangely. Also brunch is SUCH a social thing, that doing it alone would feel unnatural.

2. Converse Chucks

If I could wear my Converse Chucks to work I would literally never take them off. They're so comfy, they're so cute, and they perfectly walk that casual/cool line that I so often struggle with. Weekends and sneakers were made for each other, like Nutella and strawberries. Teamed with denim, cute skirts, chunky knits, thick coats and scarves, they work with everything and make Sunday feel like Sunday, to me at least.

3. Exercise

I live near one of the most gorgeous rivers in Melbourne, the Maribyrnong river. It's a great little 4km walk that's scenic, pretty, and just generally a nice thing to do. Driving past all the morning walkers with their dogs and their bright work out gear has made me so jealous, so I can't wait to get out there soon and have a walk with my mum, or maybe some girlfriends! 

(And the best bit? THERE'S A BRUNCH PLACE AT THE END OF THE WALK!)

4. Bed

You have no idea how much you love your bed until you have to drag yourself from it, at six-thirty on a Sunday, and walk across FREEZING bathroom tiles to get ready for the day.

5. Cleaning & Tidying

I know, I know, I was just going on about the amazingness of laziness on Sundays, but I love a good spring clean! Folding and putting away nice, clean laundry, washing your sheets and drying them outside, so they smell like sunshine when you crawl in that night, re-arranging knick-knacks and my bedside table... All the things that I don't get time to do during the week, that make me feel a little more organised and in control of my life. I'm also a fan of all things pretty, so getting into my room and making everything perfect gives me all the warm and fuzzies.

And if I get a chance to re-arrange my make-up bags and storage? THAT'S SERIOUSLY THE BEST

#goals

6. The beach

"But it's winter!"

And...?

I love the beach, regardless of the weather. Any chance I get to be by water, I take. The same way I love walking near the Maribyrnong, walking on the beach is one of my all-time favourite things, especially at the end of a hectic week. There's something about sea air that makes me feel immediately better, no matter what's going on in my life. Sundays and sand just make sense, right?

7. Shopping

Ok, so I've never had a Blair-style splurge, but Sunday shopping is the best kind of shopping, It's more wandering and occasionally spending money than actual shopping. I love going to Puckle Street and Chapel Street in Melbourne, popping in and out of the little boutiques, the big brands, and the DFO's. I love taking time to look at different pieces, feel inspired, and pick and choose what I want. Like brunch, it's a social thing - spending an afternoon with my mum, or one of my close friends, aimlessly looking at everything from clothing to candles, is a luxury to me. 

8. Markets

Image: houseofhumble.com

Since I was little, my mum and I would get ready and go, every second Sunday of the month, to Flemington market, to look at lovely crafts, clever innovations, fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables, and to eat mini-Dutch pancakes with lemon and icing sugar. The boy started taking me to Daylesford markets about two years ago, and again, beautiful, handmade crafts and soaps, fresh produce, and unique things you can't find anywhere else. And donuts. 

There's something about Sunday markets that I absolutely adore. It could just be the mini-Dutch pancakes talking, but I love the idea of shopping local and organic. The best Pink Lady apples I've ever eaten came from a farmer at Flemington market. Wandering around in the sun, picking up trinkets and no-where-else-one-of-a-kind things, and apples, is my idea of a perfect Sunday. 

Well there you have it, little birds, my favourite Sunday things. Stay tuned for what's on my face on these lazy Sundays. 

I hope you all enjoy a sleep-in, some brunch, and most importantly some time in the gorgeous winter sunshine with your favourite people.

Until next time,

Tweet tweet xx

Seriously how pretty is she?!!

If you don't have a friend like Kristyn in your life then I feel very sorry for you. This gorgeous girl and I met through work and we've been buds ever since, and aside from my lovely PT, she's my go-to for fitness and health. She's actually a sponsored athlete for Protein King, because that's how awesome this girl is!

So naturally, when you have an amazingly exquisite gal pal with all that fitness and health knowledge, you want to pick her brain, and luckily enough Kristyn let me do just that! I honestly believe that when you feel good on the inside, it'll show on the outside, and Kristyn is a beautiful example of that. 

Without further ado, here we GO!

Kristyn is bae <3

Sparrow: What is your pre-workout skin routine? (Make-up off, make-up on? Moisturizer or bare face?)

Yeah like that!

And finally, this little sparrow HAD to ask:
Do you even lift bro?

To which the ever-lovely and brilliant Kristyn replied;

Much love and thanks to Kristyn for letting me bombard her with questions! Check out her articles and videos at http://www.proteinking.com.au
See more of her gorgeous face, fitness advice and fitspo on Instagram!

Until next time my little birds,

Tweet tweet xx