Stuff That I Can't Tell You About

I've got to say...this time of year is not good for blogging (for me, anyway). I'm still shopping loads, but I can't really tell you what I'm buying since I know most of my gift recipients, if not all, happen to read this blog (hi Mum!). The presents are steadily piling up under the tree, or they would be if I had a tree, but I don't want to ruin any surprises so I'll just have to speak generally for a while (Sunday's Miijo post should be a hint to...someone).

That said, I'm going to keep doing my best. I have bought two really amazing gifts for our extended family secret santa gift exchange and that is happening the weekend before Christmas, so I'll post about them the day it happens (unless I crack beforehand; very possible).

On a totally unrelated note (truly) I was given a most definitely excellent present by my almost-brother-in-law two Christmases ago and loved it so much that I have been consistently replacing it ever since. Hand wash. No kidding, hand wash. But not just any hand wash. Oh no. Molton Brown. This is the good juice. It's like the Rolls Royce of soapy products. It was the most exquisite box set of liquid soap and moisturiser, all tied up nicely in a Molton Brown box with a ribbon and a tag. Sigh. I'm such a sucker for a beautifully presented gift. You could give me poop in a box, but if that box was artfully decorated and lovingly wrapped, I would still be appreciative (for a moment, anyway).

If you're in the Sydney CBD, I highly recommend you get into the Molton Brown store in the QVB. You can try all their different scents (my favourite is Naran Ji - sweet orange and grapefruit) and choose from a mix of soaps, moisturisers, skin care, hair care and home fragrance products to find that right gift for Christmas.

Price: $38 for the hand wash
From: Molton Brown - Sydney QVB or David Jones
Why you need it: Excellent choice of gifts for Mum, Mother-in-Law, Nan and other assorted people who you have no idea what to buy.

Picture credit: Moltonbrown.co.uk

How to be trendy without waiting until February

Chanel are known (amongst other things) for setting nail polish trends. You remember the jade right? It’s barely being wiped off fingernails around the world and we are already gearing up for the next collection. Did you catch the pictures from their S/S ’10 collection; Lily Allen performing, barnyard, clogs, hay bales? Do you recall seeing the delicious lacquer on the fingernails? Chanel are calling it taupe, although the official name is Chanel Le Vernis Particuliere. There are 3 shades in the spring 2010 collection – Particuliere (taupe), Tendresse (shell pink) and Inattendu (neutral creamy peach maybe?), but all the attention is on Particuliere.

In my opinion, it’s the perfect neutral - a mix of grey, warm brown and olive, with a hint of lilac. It looks good on pretty much every skin tone as long as you have short, tidy nails. After some intense googling, I have discovered that the closest match to a colour already on the shelf is OPI for Sephora Metro Chic, which, coincidentally I have been rocking for a year now (see pic, right). Take that! Pow!

Sadly, you can’t get OPI for Sephora here (WHEN will you start shipping to Aus, Sephora?! Custom laws be damned!!) BUT it is also a very close match with OPI You Don’t Know Jacques, OPI Over The Taupe, OPI Parlez-vous and Essie Mink Muff (of all those colours, I can only verify You Don’t Know Jacques myself – the rest is based on swatch comparisons online).

Alternately, you could go for the real thing. It will be on Chanel counters for about 15 seconds on Feb 21 (you should probably get on the waiting list if you’re a real keen bean – call 1 300 CHANEL [no, I’m not kidding]), although the trend, in my opinion, will be over by then and we will be lusting after the next colour. Fickle, aren’t we?

Price: OPI for Sephora US$9, OPI $19.95, Chanel $40
From: Sephora, David Jones, DJs/Myer
Why you need it: Get ahead of the curve – pretend you’re a beauty editor...

Picture credit: guess whose fingers...

Attention Shoppers: Miijo! Sale!

Just a quick heads up that the Miijo sale is on until midnight tomorrow. When you check out, put the code PRESENTS09 in to get 20% off. If you haven't checked out Miijo before, I highly recommend you get amongst it. I have bought my sister some really cool Disney Couture jewellery on there before, and I'm a big fan of Dogeared, One of a Kind, House of Harlow and Ettika. They also have cool clothes, scarves and shoes, but for me it's all about the jewellery. You pay $10 shipping and they are really quick (usually 1-2 working days, depending on whether what you want is in stock). I have just done some Christmas shopping and it will arrive at my desk in a couple of days, all nicely giftwrapped and ready for the big day!

Get fresh and natural with Jurlique

I was out shopping at the Myer one day sale (sidenote: CHAOS) and acting as a personal beauty consultant for my good friend Kat when we landed at the Jurlique counter. I ADORE Jurlique. They have made their way into my everyday life with a variety of products and I could never go back. Everything about Jurlique is organic, fresh from their biodynamic farm in South Australia, so you know you’re getting the highest quality, most beautiful ingredients for your skin. It’s one of the few brands I bang on about constantly, so if I haven’t ranted to you about it yet, I’m sure I’ll get to you eventually.

Anyway, Kat was taking her first steps into the world of Jurlique and I recommended (along with the very smart girl at the counter) that she try the Beauty From Balance Introductory Sets. It’s a smart little set that comes in an egg carton (CUTE) and there are four different sets so you can find the right one for your skin concerns: rebalance oiliness, maintain balance, rebalance dryness and rebalance sensitivity. Each set comes with 5 mini versions of some of Jurlique’s signature products. Kat has some crazy combination skin so she went for the Maintain Balance set – Balancing Foaming Cleanser for cleaning her mug, Daily Exfoliating Cream for gently washing away the dead skin cells, Herbal Recovery Gel (the first Jurlique product I ever bought) to fight those yucky signs of ageing, Clarifying Day Care Lotion to keep skin smooth and hydrated and, my all time fav Jurlique product, Rosewater Balancing Mist. If you have never sprayed your face with Jurlique’s Rosewater Balancing Mist, then you haven’t lived. It’s a light rosewater and marshmallow mist that keeps skin fresh and hydrated. Perfect for setting your makeup in place, keeping cool and staying hydrated when you’re stuck in an air conditioned office or airplane.

These sets are a GENIUS way for newbies to try out Jurlique and find out if it works for them, or for experienced Jurlique lovers to buy mini versions for travelling. You get all the essentials for a proper skin care routine without a huge commitment (not many dollars – big return!). I highly recommend these for Mums, Nans, Sisters, Mother-In-Laws and Aunties for Christmas. As long as you know their skin type, you’ll be laughing.

I’ll have Kat check in for us next week and let us know how she went (you got that Kat? Mark it in your diary).

Price: $59 – a really good deal!
From: Jurlique (they have stand alone stores, counters in department stores, and an online shop)
Why you need it: Because your skin deserves the luscious, organic-ness of Jurlique.

Picture credit: Jurlique

Todays post is brought to you by...

...Panadol Rapid.

I've been punched in the face by one of those summer colds that seem to hit around this time every year when the weather goes from hot hot hot to cold cold cold and you're in and out and in and out of air conditioning all day. BLERGH. I need some broccoli and a good nights sleep.

Price: $4.79
From: Coles
Why you need it: For that pounding headache that just won't go awayyyyy

Picture credit: gsk.com.au

Turn the computer off and grab a pen

You know what the start of December means...Christmas beatles! Yep...John, Paul, George and Ringo in santa hats. Just kidding; I totally mean the bugs, silly. Those cute little critters herald the arrival of summer and the festive season (in my mind, anyway). The start of December also means putting up trees, walking around in circles at Bondi Westfield and writing Christmas cards.

I’ve mentioned before what a fan I am of the handwritten note, and Christmas cards are no exception. There’s something really personal and heartfelt about even the simplest of handwritten note or card. Don’t you agree? Handwriting can tell you so much about someone’s personality, and people just don’t write anymore. I was cleaning out my bedside table on the weekend and I found a whole stack of Christmas and birthday cards from the last 5 years – it was really special to read back over them and see what friends and family had written. I also found $350 in one of the cards, but that’s another story.

Anyway, you have a few options when it comes to cards. You can grab a generic pack from Coles or the Two Dollar Shop, or even splash out at Myer or DJ’s. Or you could truly do something special and go for personalised cards or Christmas note cards. My current stationary love is French Navy – they do exquisite note cards with matching envelopes which are just a joy to write on. It isn’t a fold in two card, but it encourages you to use your words rather than images. Imagine yourself sitting in your parlour (what? You don’t have a parlour?) with your beautiful calligraphy pen, inking out messages of good tidings to your loved ones in far flung corners of the globe. You could even send them their own set of French Navy stationary to encourage them to correspond back. Clever you – a gift you benefit from too!

My other favourite cards this year are from mooo.com.au. They do super cute and quirky cards - you can either buy the cards on their own OR have them personalised with your name and/or picture. Having your picture on your Christmas card is a very American thing – I remember when I lived there everyone I knew did that, and even now I still receive the odd posed family portrait in the post at this time of year. Not your thing? Just have your name or a message put on the front. I promise you will stand out in a sea of nativity scenes and trees. Plus, most importantly, those who matter to you will linger over your card a moment longer and appreciate your effort.

French Navy note cards
Price: $35 for 10 (and they come in a classy box)
From: French Navy online
Why you need them: For a touch of sophistication

Mooo Christmas Cards
Price: $20 for 16 cards OR from $40 for personalised cards
From: Mooo
Why you need them: For a quirky, personal missive

Note: If you go with either of these options, make sure you send me one!

Picture credit: frenchnavy.com.au; mooo.com.au

Who's the man in the suit? Who's the cat with the beak?

I have mentioned Harvey Birdman a few times, but I have never actually introduced you. How positively rude of me! I do apologise.

Harvey is my half bird/half man attorney. I kid! He doesn’t practice law anymore. He retired to go travelling and spend time with Peanut.

My boy Harvey flew in to my living room one really hot day just after Christmas last year and planted himself on the classic literature shelf on the bookcase. Clearly a genius, both in reading material and finding a new owner. He made himself quite at home and didn’t want to leave, and who could blame him really – he has been a member of the family ever since. I would love to tell you he is something exciting and exotic, but he’s a regular old budgerigar. He does have a beautiful Tiffany blue belly, crissum and rump though.

I sometimes wonder if he is hatching world domination schemes in his little lair. He has mastered getting the cage door open but, alas, his lack of opposable thumbs means that once he gets the door open, gravity just defies him and it shuts again. One day maybe he will be lucky. Keep tryin' Harv!

He will sit quietly for hours and then when you want to record a video blog he wants to chat and/or throw a tantrum (how very fur-child of him). He sings along with music (again, classic sign of genius) and he eats the newspaper from the bottom of his cage which is kind of like reading it – pretty much ready for Mensa.

Harvey Birdman is of course named after Harvey Birdman, the hilarious and surreal title character from the cartoon comedy full of 60s and 70s Hanna Barbara characters. If you’ve never seen Harvey Birdman I recommend you track down the DVDs, plant your ass on the couch these summer holidays and prepare for some head scratching, eye-rolling good laughs!

Harvey Birdman - Attorney At Law Vol 1
Price: $34
From JB Hi-Fi
Why you need it: Perfect Christmas pressie for boyfriend/brother

Picture credit: Thanks to Harvey for posing; capcom.com

This shiz is bananas B.A.N.A.N.A.S

"Yellow nails" you say, "Isn't that kinda gross and ick?"
"Not even" I say, "as long as you have the right brand and you apply it properly. I'm so fashion forward that Rihanna is eating my dust"



(apologies for the incessant squawking in the background - Harvey ONLY does that when I'm talking. It's either an attention issue or he hates yellow nails)

Here are the obligatory visual aids...

The bottle


















The nails
















The smashed up bottle















Just as I was sitting down to record this video the bottle slipped through my fingers. Apparently OPI bottles don't bounce. Who would have thought? Also, it's a pain in the ass to get nail polish off terracotta outdoor tiles. My landlord is not gonna be impressed, and I have an inspection this week!

Price: $19.95
From: David Jones
Why you need it: Live a little! Put the coral away and go for something bold this party season.

Picture credit: OPI, moi

Product Trial: Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Wet&Dry epilator

Welcome to the Stuff That I Bought Great Hair Off!

My hairy guinea pig and I trialled the new Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Wet&Dry epilator. I am a waxer and she is a shaver so you’ll get two different perspectives on how effective the new wet&dry epilator is and, most importantly, how much it hurts!

What the Braun Silk-epil Xpressive Wet&Dry promises: "The Xpressive Wet&Dry is the first epilator from Braun that is designed to be used both in and out of water. The introduction of in-water use reduces discomfort and provides the gentlest epilation ever from Braun. The Silk-épil Xpressive Wet&Dry is extra kind to your skin, making it ideal for women with sensitive skin and those who are new to epilating. The warm water helps soothe the body and the massaging rollers help comfort the skin, so that hairs can be removed gently. Hairs are removed at the root so the skin will stay smooth and beautiful for up to 4 weeks."

Let’s meet our guinea pig:

Yarni - shaver, cricket fan, second funniest person I know

Length of time shaving: With the best intentions a 13 year old can have when planning her hair removal future, I had my legs waxed until I was 15. However, once the sun from the Summer of '97 hit, it was straight to the razor, ne'er to look back.

Frequency of shaving: A male classmate once called me "Gorilla Legs" at a primary school swimming carnival. Justin Garlick, you owe me 10 years of therapy. With this in mind, I shave every two days.

Pain threshold: Massive sook. Massive.

Length of time took to do a leg: So, apart from one failed epilating attempt when I was 17 (Emjoi Gently? Uhhh no.) this was my first attempt with an epilator. I didn't time myself, but I think it was around 30 minutes for one leg. It would have been much faster if I wasn't a Massive Sook. I also have to admit that I did one leg and then decided I needed a 'rest', so did the other leg the next night. The second time around I was a lot faster; maybe 10 to 15 minutes.

Pain level: Bearable. Less than I thought, that's for sure. There were parts of my leg that hurt a lot more than others (such as around the ankles) but I found if I did it directly under the water it hurt a lot less. Basically the water washed away my sorrow and took away my pain (yesssss Madonna reference.) Keeping the skin taut was also helpful.

Smoothness rating: You know a baby's bottom? Yeah, not my leg. There are some hairs that it didn't grab, and some I think that broke off rather than being pulled out, but these were fairly minimal. If someone had said, 'Hey Yarni, can I touch your leg?' I would've said, 'Totally, man!' and not felt bad about it. Even Justin Garlick.

Length of time hair took to grow back: It was probably about a week later, but it's nothing like shaving regrowth. It was a lot sparser and much, much less noticeable. Gorilla Legs rejoiced.

Would you use it again: Heck yes I would. How else am I going to be able to deal with four nights of camping without a shower at Falls Festival? In all seriousness though, I'm a definite convert. The pain was nowhere near as bad as I imagined it to be and the results are worth it.

Elise - waxer, lover of pie, funniest person I know

Length of time waxing: Every 3-4 weeks for the last 5 years. No wonder I have no money.

Pain threshold: I can fall asleep during a leg wax these days, although not the case for a bikini wax. Make of that what you will.

Length of time took to do a leg: You need to book time in the diary for this cos it’s not quick, but I reckon it took 20-25 minutes all up. And I apologise for all the water I used.

Pain level: Definitely bearable. Didn’t hurt as much on the firmer parts like my calves (these were also easier to do). Doing the wobbly bits was a bit trickier and a fraction more painful, probably from all the moving flesh.

Smoothness rating: My waxer is going to be most disappointed in me. We worked for so long to get all my leg hairs ‘in sync’ i.e. growing at the same rate. I got impatient and used the epilator halfway through my waxing cycle, so the smoothness didn’t last long with all these new little ones coming through. But almost 2 weeks later and I’m still wearing a short skirt no worries. Plus, this baby can pull the short ones (from 0.5mm), so I'll be able to grab them this weekend and hopefully be back in sync again (all this talk of in sync has gotten Bye Bye Bye stuck in my head).

Length of time hair took to grow back: a week or two, but that’s because of my out of sync hairs.

Would you use it again: Ab-so-frickin-lutely! The cost of this baby is the cost of 3.5 waxes for me, so 3 uses and it has paid for itself. Plus I don’t have to make appointments, I can use it when I need to and every few weeks I get to enjoy a long, hot shower.

Also wanted to add: You know how when you get a wax and you have those horrible red dots on your legs for a few hours afterwards, meaning you can't flash your legs until the next day? No red dots with this. So I can do my legs in the morning and wear a skirt in the arvo. So convenient!

Overall verdict: This is a winner for both waxers and shavers. The fact you can use it in the shower is what seals the deal, because the use of water makes the whole thing a lot less painful. It’s a money saver for waxers and it will thin out the hair of shavers. Wins all round.

Price: $208.95
From: Department stores and electrical places
Why you need it: For smooth silky legs without stubble or having to wait for your waxer.

Picture credit: Braun; Polaroided by Poladroid

Put a Tic Tac in your mouth and get a bang out of life!

I'm a big Tic Tac fan. Sure, they rattle in your handbag when you walk, but I don't mind sounding like a maraca for that 2 calorie little hit of sweetness.

Yesterday I discovered what is probably the coolest little blending of two of my favourite things - Tic Tacs and sour candy. I had never seen Tic Tac Bold! before, but my corner store had apple sour and mint. A little bit of research tells me they also come in berry sour, but they aren't readily available in Aus. That's fine, I prefer apple anyway.

The box is opaque, not clear like usual, and more rounded than the signature rectangle shape. The little white Tic Tacs look innocent enough at first, all white and shiny and Tic Tac-y, with a pleasant apple taste on contact. But the real magic is in the centre. BAM! Tongue squirming, lip puckering sour goodness. Delightful! My biggest problem is showing restraint and not eating them all in one sitting.

Price: $1.85
From: your local corner store, or wherever you buy Tic Tacs from
Why you need them: For a flavour burst!

Picture credit: calorieking.com.au

Attention shoppers: get ready to save!

Once again, a weekend chock full of good sales all around Sydney. I have cherry-picked a few designer ones for you, so mark the details down and set your navmans.

SYDNEY-CENTRIC

camilla and marc warehouse sale – their recent stuff has been to die for. Fri 27th-Sat 28th. 291 Young St Waterloo Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm

Seduce Warehouse – forget the work gear and go for their party dresses. Wed 25th – Sun 29th. 51 Princes Highway St Peters. Wed - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat & Sun: 9.30am-5pm

Rachel Gilbert – sequins + dresses! Wed 25th Nov - Sat 28th Nov. Suite 11, Level 5 50 Holt St
Surry Hills. Wed 10am-7pm; Thurs 10am-8pm; Fri 10am-7pm; Sat 10am-5:30pm

Leona Edmiston Vintage Warehouse sale – how very girlie! Fri 27th Nov – Sun 29th Nov. 483 Darling St Balmain. Thu: 10am-5:30pm; Fri: 10am-5:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9:30am-6pm

NIVEA – they know how to treat a lady (oh Niveaaaa). Saturday 28th Nov ONLY. 36 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood. 8:30am - 3:30pm. It's a bit of a mission to Huntingwood but the proceeds go to the Salvation Army so you feel extra good while you're stocking up!

MARK IT IN THE DIARY

MANNING CARTELL warehouse sale – keep your hands off the blazers; they’re mine! Thurs 3rd Dec - Fri 4th. 45-47 Meeks Rd Marrickville. Thu: 9am - 8pm; Fri: 9am - 7pm

Picture credit: Nivea.com.au

Get back in the kitchen and make me some pie!

I have found the bestest, most wonderfulest, most awesomest cookbook ever. See how awesome it is? So awesome that I'm making up words now. THAT'S how awesome.

I was brought up, like many Australians, on a steady diet of food produced using The Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks. These books are like bibles - I challenge you to find me a home that doesn't have at least one. I can sit around with any group of friends/colleagues/randoms around my age and guarantee we can all talk about which cake Mum baked from the cake book (I had, amongst others, the butterfly and the swimming pool). The recipes are idiot proof and guaranteed to work since they are triple tested in the Women's Weekly test kitchen - big call, but they are pretty difficult to stuff up.

Anyway, Women's Weekly have just put out their latest offering called Eating Together. It's a really beautiful A4, 400 page soft cover cookbook full of glossy images of happy people and food porn. The recipes are all designed to be shared; whether it's breakfast with friends, a cocktail party, family dinner or baking in the kitchen with Grandma. I have cooked a few things from it so far (pecan pie - yum!) and flagged about 30 more pages of stuff that I want to try. How very fortunate for my flatmates.

As an added bonus, there is a really hot blogger that you may or may not know featured on pages 366/367. In my not-so-humble opinion, these pictures really make this book worth buying.

Price: $39.95

From: Bookstores

Why you need it: Would be an excellent Christmas present for Mum/Mother-in-law (that's a hint as to what I will be buying my Mum/Mother-in-law this year)

Picture credit: The Australian Women's Weekly