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

Stuff That I Grew!

I would like to think I have a bit of a green thumb, but the best I can usually do is green nails. Usually. For the first time ever I have successfully managed to keep a plant alive - in fact I have 8 plants alive at the moment; no mean feat given my track record. I truly have the best of intentions, but plants and I don't often get along (please don't think I have the same killer instinct with animals - my budgie Harvey Birdman is almost a year old, touch wood). I am currently cultivating some sort of indoor tree, a peace lily (no lilies yet), frangipani tree (no flowers yet), tomatoes (no tomatoes yet), tulips (no tulips yet), snap dragons (yay! flowers) and basil with some very large leaves. But my pride and joy is my strawberry plant because it has Real Live Strawberries on it! Or rather, it has A Real Live Strawberry. I tell you what though - it smells amazing! I can't wait for it to get a just a wee bit bigger so I can pick it, whip some cream and enjoyyyyyy.

Price: $3 for seeds
From: Coles

Price: $9 for the pot
From: Flower Power

Growing and eating your own strawberries: Priceless (with thanks to Mastercard for letting me steal their punchline)

Picture credit: my own Canon Ixus 85IS; Polaroided by Poladroid

I need your help!

Current obsession: electric pink lips. BUT even with lip liner and a setting gloss, my lipstick wore right off on Saturday night. Granted I wasn't using the best brand, but it was the right shade of pink so I thought I might be able to make it work. Apparently not. Before I hit the cosmetics counters and start shelling out hundreds to find the right one, can anyone recommend from experience a solid, long-lasting electric pink lipstick? I'm talking magenta pink, not baby pink. Knock your socks off pink. Sell it to me and I'll start shopping and trialling.

Zinc on your nose

When I think zinc, I think stripes of green and blue across my nose as a kid. Remember the school swimming carnivals when you used to have your house name written up and down your legs and arms in a passionate show of Kellerman/Melba/Franklin/Oodgeroo pride (our houses were named after historical Australian women) and there was always that silly girl who didn’t put sunscreen under her zinc and had to come to school the next day sporting a swimming carnival tan with white words scrawled up her red arms. Glad that was never me.

Point is, zinc has changed a lot since the 90s. Take Invisible Zinc for example. While the word zinc conjures images of pore clogging thickness, the Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector is a really light and moisturising cream that sinks right into skin. PLUS this baby is a superfighter. It’s good for all skin types, reflects UV rays (A & B!) and assists in neutralising all the yucky environmental pollutants that do mean things like cause wrinkles and make skin sad. I was spurred on to write about this because I have been passionately using the Invisible Zinc ESP since it launched, and my Dad asked for a recommendation for something strong enough to wear to his outdoor weddings without the whole sweaty white face that seems to come with hardcore sunscreens (background: my Dad is a wedding celebrant and does a lot of outdoor weddings in summer – I highly recommend him, but I’m slightly biased). It might not stop him getting wrinkles at this stage (love you Dad) but it will definitely fight the harsh summer sun while keeping him looking fresh and celebrant-y.

Price: $35
From: David Jones
Why you need it: To fight those harsh UV rays and the evil wrinkle causing pollutants. Bam! Ka-pow!

Picture credit: invisiblezinc.com

She's be-cider herself with the new Strongbow!

I dunno about you, but I burn out pretty quickly from party season. I feel like I’m starting to fade already and there are still 6 weeks to go til we hit 2010. Do you ever think ‘I can’t possibly go to one more function and make small talk with Barry from accounts whilst gagging on house white’? Me too. I would much rather be on my balcony drinking cider.

I will admit I am fairly new to the cider market, after conversion via a good friend and a shouted schooner down the local. Not sure why I had never considered it before; probably because I have never been a fan of apple juice and I just assumed it would be like apple juice on crack – all sugary and harsh. To-ta-lly wrong. I now have a 6-pack of Strongbow Clear in the fridge for days like today (i.e. hot, minimal clothes, too lazy to do anything). Before you ask, yes I did pick the Strongbow Clear because it is 50% less sugar and 35% less carbs. All the finger food at parties and Maccas hangover breakfasts are playing havoc on my waistline.

Here’s the Stuff That I Bought handy checklist for how to drink cider properly:

• It has to be ICE COLD. Chill your glass in the fridge. Throw in some extra ice cubes. Do whatever you need to do to keep it sub-zero.
• Drink outside. Coldness mentioned in previous point juxtaposes well with Australian summer temperatures.
• Best consumed in groups. Not sure why that is, but the more people who are around, the better it tastes.
• The group needs to be naked. Oh wait, that’s an orgy. Wrong list!

How not to drink cider:

• Through your nose. It burns.

Price: $14.99 for a 6-pack, $50.99 for a case
From: Your local bottle-o
Why you need it: To break the heat and the monotony

PS - I would like to take a moment to apologise for the appalling header. I just really wanted to use the word cider in there!

Picture credit: Fostersgroup

Flip flop flip flop - the sound of summer

Just a quicky today to say get these on your hoofs! Since summer has hit us with full force, it’s going to be a beachy kind of weekend and you need to be prepared. This involves sunscreen, hat, esky full of cold ones and a pair of New Zealand safety boots, as my Dad used to call them. Or thongs, if you’re not fluent in 80s ocker slang.

Havaiana’s sexy Brazilian cousin Dupe (doo-pay) has hit our shore and is ready to party. Just as comfy, if not comfier (is that a word?) than Havaianas, they are made from a super-soft, flexible high-tech rubber to protect and cushion your feet while you traipse a kilometre from your parking spot somewhere in the back of Bondi, negotiate the scores of British backpackers on the hot sand and then get you back to the convenience store for a Calippo and a bottle of water. That’s a lot of walking for a relaxing day at the beach! See the gel spot on the heel? That's HXP gel (translation - feels good, man).

Price: starts from $14.95
From: the usual thongs stockists (I got mine from General Pants)
Why you need them: Do you wear anything but thongs in summer?

These same cool cats are also bringing us thongs with an edge. I first spotted Bruna thongs on the feet of the fashion director of one of the big mags and instantly fell in love with the chic studded design on a simple black thong. (FYI - Bruna is the niece of the chick who brought Havaianas to Australia - that's good thong breeding). You can pick from square studs, round studs or rows of crystals on black or white. Consider them your formal thongs, for big occasions. (Thanks to the glamorous Sassi Sam for letting me steal her image of the Bruna's!)

Price: $39.95
From: General Pants
Why you need them: Like I said, do you wear anything but thongs in summer? You need a nice dressy pair for those big occasions (weddings, formals, Christmas parties)

Picture credit: Dupe.com.au, Sassisamblog.com

OMG! Video!

Check this monkey out!



(This is the linky linky I want you to clicky clicky)

Beautyheaven Blogstar - Everything you need to know about faking it

Thanks!! xx

Attention shoppers: grab your wallets!

SO many good sales on this weekend. I would say 'great for buying Christmas presents' but screw everyone else - these are just for you!! This is my pick of the litter:

NATIONAL

• Myer family and friends shopping event - Thurs 19th - Sat 21st. You can download and print out the flyer from their facebook page.
• Kikki.K. Secret Sale - 20% off for those on the members mailing list. If you're not on the list, just let me know and I'll forward you the flyer with the barcode. Thurs 19th - Sun 22nd.
  

SYDNEY-CENTRIC

• Wayne Cooper warehouse sale - time to frock up! Thurs 19th - Sat 21st. 8DD Hiles St, Alexandria. Thurs 9am-7pm; Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 10am - 5pm
• Brasilfit warehouse sale - let's get physical! Fri 20th - Sun 22nd. 866 Bourke St Waterloo (entrance on O'Dea St). 10am-4pm every day.
• Elizabeth Arden sale - something for you and something for the Santa sack. Sat 21st - Sat 28th. Unit 31, 9 Salisbury Rd, Castle Hill. Sat 21st/Sun 22nd 9am-3pm; Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 28th 9am-2pm.

MARK IT IN THE DIARY

• Rachel Gilbert sale - you're gonna be fighting me off here ladies! Wed 25th - Sat 28th. Suite 11, level 5 50 Holt St Surry Hills. Wed 10am-7pm; Thurs 10am-8pm; Fri 10am-7pm; Sat 10am-5:30pm
• Herringbone sale - perfect if you're a corporate monkey (my corporate monkey sister highly recommends this sale.; she got some great stuff last time). Tues 24th - sun 29th. Herringbone Outlet, 118 Commonwealth St Surry Hills. Tues 7am-9pm; Wed 8am-7pm; Thurs 8am-7pm; Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pm.

Picture credit: Myer facebook page

Outfit yourself; look urban

I know I have said this before, but there is nothing greater than receiving a parcel in the post. When you order clothes online though, it is a whole different type of anticipation – excitement mixed in with fear of things not fitting. This feeling is amplified times 100 when you order from the States or the UK and you a) pay a fortune for shipping and b) can’t return it if it isn’t right. This was me last week. I had been lusting over a blazer from Urban Outfitters for weeks and for once in my life I was very restrained and didn’t just rush into the purchase. I must have been sick or something. Two weeks and many page impressions later, I put the credit card details in (and added a few extra things to the cart since I was already paying for shipping) and then...the wait.

Most importantly - thank goodness everything fit!!! I bought the most kick-ass camel Silence & Noise Open Front Blazer, which is going to be one of my summer go-to’s. It has a lovely almost-boyfriend shape to it, and is a versatile colour (even though I am still figuring out what it goes with). I also bought a Silence & Noise Little Brother Blazer in a bright cobalt blue. I have black and navy blazers already so thought I would go for a pop of colour in a fitted, cropped style.
I must have been having a blue moment because I also bought a BDG hammered silk tee in electric blue (or thames blue, as they call it) which creases really really easily. Darn silk. And I bought something else neon blue, but I won’t tell you about it in case it ends up in my sister’s Christmas stocking.

One of the best things about ordering from Urban Outfitters, apart from the super-fast international shipping, is the fact they are so conscious about security. They verify the card on each and every order, either with your bank or with you personally (it involves scanning your drivers license and most recent bill). I give this two very enthusiastic thumbs up because it demonstrates that they care about their customers security, and that can only be a good thing.

Price: They always have stuff on sale – tops starting from US$10 going up to US$100+ for jackets (my camel blazer was US$78) – shipping is US$70
From: Urban Outfitters
Why you need to check out their online store: For cool fashion that you can’t get here!

Picture credit: urbanoutfitters.com

Learn to control your car - it could save your life

My Real Life Day Job is pretty sweet. I have a great team, a kickass boss and we have a lot of laughs in the office. What more could you ask for? We’re planning our end of year blow-out at the moment (lawn bowls! Woo!) and I’m trying to come up with some funny end of year awards (I plan on awarding myself something about messiest desk – it’s like the Bermuda Triangle). If you have any award suggestions, my email address is over there -> and the comment box is down below.

Anyway, as part of my Real Life Day Job, I was fortunate enough to be invited out to Eastern Creek on Saturday to do the Galmatic Defensive Driving Course. Galmatic is a really cool car care garage run by chicks for chicks. I’m totally clueless when it comes to cars, as are most girls, and Eleni (the head Galmatic hottie) has written a book with everything you need to know in a really easy to understand format. She also runs workshops to help you understand your car. Do you have any idea how important tyres are? The answer is Very. The final piece of the Galmatic puzzle is defensive driving courses. This involves heading out west and hitting the drag strip.

Think about it – when was the last time you got to practice emergency braking? Or any kind of braking, for that matter? You don’t. You just drive, hoping that you will never be in a situation where you need to need to slam on the brakes and swerve to avoid a car/truck/small child/cargo load of oranges. Statistically speaking though, you will have 7 car accidents in your lifetime, so you really want to be armed with the skills just in case. (I really had to resist the urge to make a 'stats a lot of accidents' wisecrack - I love a good stat joke)

In conjunction with Galmatic, the trainers for the course come from Driver Skills Australia, and they really know their juice. The day started in the classroom and we were learning the same material and seeing the same presentation as miners out in Western Australia, members of the army and the Australian government. That said, the trainer (hi Mark!) treated us with the same level of respect and dignity as he would treat anyone else, even when we asked silly questions (apparently it’s illegal to drive in thongs, but not illegal to drive barefoot). Once all the important theory was out of the way and I had sufficiently wet myself in fear, we hit the drag strip. I will admit to feeling a little Fast and the Furious and I know I wasn’t the only one (a certain beauty editor showed why she has a bit of a reputation as a rev-head).

We did all sorts of cool stuff like skidding through water and braking, and swerving through cones trying not to hit imaginary school kids. Speed is a variable you have to learn to control, and it's quite alarming to think an extra 10km/hour can add hundreds of metres to your stopping distance. Don't speed people!



Note: the video is me driving someone elses car. Watch for the last few seconds when Mark the trainer leaps out in front of the car. VERY disconcerting!

Is it worth it? Yes. Do I feel like a more confident driver now? Yes. Do I understand how to control my poor little car a bit better? Yes yes yes. Am I hoping I will ever need these skills? God no. But if the day comes when I need them, touch wood, I will be more prepared.

A huge, massive thanks to Eleni at Galmatic for having me!

Price: $225
From: Galmatic
Why you need it: These are potentially life saving skills, people. It’s really worth it, even just for the reminder of how dangerous things like texting and calling are whilst driving. My phone is off when I drive from now on!

Video and picture credit: Eleni @ Galmatic

Be a Diva and stack your wrists

Do you remember two weeks ago when I was talking about how I was going to stick with my basics for the silly season and go nuts on the accessorising? Well I hit up Diva the other day. Impressed++. They have SO much good stuff at the moment.

I was specifically looking for wrist adornments, and Diva didn’t disappoint. I picked up the most awesome studded black bangle which I can mix and match with either coloured or silver pieces, or just wear as a single statement cuff. I think it will be my default from now on. I also picked up a couple of stacks of bangles in different colours and textures (one in blue and purple, and one in black and white, since I know that was your next question) so I can pile them up on my arm and make jangling noises whenever I type. I really think my popularity in the office is steadily decreasing because I always have a wrist full of noisy clankers and they make the most irritating noise when I’m bashing away at the computer. Personally, I love the noise, but I don’t think anyone else does! Have I become that girl in the office? I also spotted a studded black wrist wrap which I intend to go back and pick up this week. That shouldn’t make any noise, so my colleagues will probably appreciate it.

Price: Studded cuff $19.99, stacks from $16.99
From: Diva
Why you need it: Cheap and cheerful jewellery – yes please! Add some variety to your day.

As an aside, did you know Diva have an online shop now? I swear, I can do pretty much all my
Christmas shopping from my desk this year (only on my lunch break Boss, I promise!).

Picture credit: Diva

Get your mits on this!

I test-drove a new fake tan out on the weekend. Not new as in new to market, but new to me. It had been sitting in the bathroom cupboard for a while and I decided it was time to step out of my fake tan comfort zone again and shake things up a bit. SO glad I did.

I normally use a bronzer gel on the legs and gradual tanning cream on the upper body because I am terrified of streaks and messes. It’s reasonably time consuming, but I get a result that I know I’ll be happy with. I think fake tan is one of those things you tool around with for a bit and once you find one that works for you, you buy in bulk and stick with it. Would you agree?

So I tried the Model Co Tan Self Tanning Glove. I have used Model Co Tan Airbrush In A Can before, so I figured I couldn’t go too wrong with the colour (nice and brown, no yuck orange), but I was a bit wary about the whole using it all over the body and not getting streaks business. You slip the glove on your hand and rub your legs, tum, chest, arms and back in a circular motion. It was surprisingly easy to do and I swear I did it in about a third of the time it normally takes with my two different creams! The absolute best thing about Model Co tan though is the fact that it smells like cocoa butter. It doesn’t have gross fake tan potato smell at all. Even Boyfriend approved and he is really really fussy about fake tan, to the point where he won’t come near me for about 12 hours afterwards. This time was fine though! Did I streak? No. Am I patchy? Just a little around the inner wrists and ankles, but that will hopefully fade with a shower. Plus now I know for next time. Would I recommend the tanning gloves? Absolutely.

Price: $38
From: David Jones
Why you need it: Easy to apply and you smell like cocoa butter? Big tick!

Picture credit: modelco.com.au

Price check: the week in stuff

It has been a big week in Stuff this past week. Loads going on. Lets cover it all in point form:

• I had a massage on Friday from the best beauty therapist in Sydney. I think I'm still floating 2 days later. Bliss.
• My order from Urban Outfitters arrived on Friday (it was a big day for me). Everything fit and looks amazing, so I'll tell you more about it later this week.
• I spent yesterday out at Eastern Creek, hooning up and down the drag strip for the Galmatic Defensive Driver Training Course. It was so much fun! I'll also cover this some time during the week, complete with pictures and potentially video as long as you promise not to laugh.
  
• My nails are currently a delicious jade green colour a la Chanel, thanks to Orly Mint Mojito. The jade green nail trend train is starting to leave the station (nail trends are so fickle) but this is a great colour and I'm enjoying the change after weeks of greys and pinks.
  
• I tried out a new fake tan today. Fingers crossed for no streaks! On the plus side, it smells like brown sugar and not yuck tan potato smell.
• Borders now does online shopping and they have free delivery. This is freaking awesome and a half!
• My sister and I have forked out inordinate amounts of money to see Britney Spears lip-sync tomorrow night. I can't decide if I'm excited or if it's only going to shatter all my childhood fan-girling.
• My pizza is on the way so I should probably put my pizza eating pants on (they look suspiciously like pyjama pants). Yes, I ordered pizza on my own on a Sunday afternoon. That's how I roll.

Orly Mint Mojito - from the Tiki Time range
Price: $18.95
From: Blooms Chemists
Why you need it: To ride the Chanel jade green trend train

My final thought for the day - as I'm writing this, the golf is on television in the background and one of the commentators just said "All the players know him and know him as a player". Wise words. I think there's something in that for everyone.

The BEST beauty therapist in Sydney

Does this sound like a big call to you? It's the truth, and I have been to quite a few beauty therapists over the years. Thankfully said beauty therapist happens to manage the best day spa in Sydney, so it's all terribly convenient really.

The beautiful and incredibly talented Melisa Giraldo is the therapist in question and she really knows her juice. She manages the luxurious Fifty Four Park St (located, oddly enough, on Castlereagh St in the Sydney CBD) and while the salon is the first line in glamour and opulence, Giraldo is as down to earth as you could get. She is approachable and gives practical advice, loves a good chat and you can't fault her treatments.

The day spa offers the usual day spa-y services like waxing (I get compliments on my brows they are so good now), spray tan (St Tropez, natually) and manis & pedis. Just on this, before Fifty Four Park St, Giraldo was head manicurist for Miss Frou Frou and helped create the Miss Frou Frou line of nail polishes - she comes from an excellent manicure pedigree. Beyond these, there is also a menu of Carita, Thalgo and MD Formulations eye, face and body treatments. Giraldo's current recommendation is the Thalgo Hydra-Moisture Source facial to get tired skin ready for summer. She explains, "dry winter skin is in need of a pick me up as we go from season to season and this treatment ticks all the boxes in 75 minutes with a steam, extraction, massage and hydrating mask". Sounds like heaven? Yeah, I agree. Or if you want to treat the whole bod, and who doesn't, you should go for the Thalgo Ocean Memory treatment with a full body exfoliation, massage and wrap.

The spa itself is unparalleled in class and style. Beautifully appointed with marble, brass and vintage pieces that would leave any interior designer with their jaws on the floor, it doesn't feel pretentious but it does feel classic and inspiring. Kind of like stepping into the old-world glamour hotels in New York. Gosh I miss New York.

Honestly, if it's good enough for Giraldo's celebrity clients like Cate Blanchett, Kate Bosworth, Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman (she even manicured an Olsen!) then it's good enough for me.

Price: eyebrow wax $30, express mani $55, Hydra-Moisture Source facial $150 - call the reception to enquire about all prices
From: Fifty Four Park St Day Spa - (02) 9282 8999
Why you need to visit: For some special pampering with one of the finest, nay, THE finest therapist around

Picture credit: fiftyfourparkst.com - steveback.com.au

Yay!!

Massive CONGRATULATIONS to Stuff That I Bought reader eskimojo on winning the Look Academy competition for a one day course at the Look Academy here in Sydney. Have a fabulous time! Make sure you come back and share all your beauty goodness with us!

Ring in - style for your handbag

I'm so totally late to the handbag hanger party. I remember seeing them floating around last Christmas and thinking 'yeah they're a nice stocking stuffer idea, but really?'. I think every single Christmas gift guide had them, and there are so many different colours and designs all covered in bling and patterns and crystals and whatnot. Me? I'm not so much of a fan of the flashy bag hanger, BUT I can see their value so I'm pleased that I have found a really nice, basic one. In my humble opinion, it's actually even more versatile than the bling-on-top-hook-on-bottom design, but let me know if you disagree.

Not only does the Clipa hook onto the table, but it also works on doors, stalls (hello, public toilets), rails, sinks and backs of chairs. It's a simple spring loaded ring with rubber grips so it won't move around and it can hold up to 18kg. This is most excellent news if you're keen on sticking your small child in a bag and hanging them from the back of your chair. Plus, because it's just a ring you can leave it attached to your bag all the time. I have the polished gold one, so it blends in perfectly with my handbag (comes in silver and gold). That means when I sit down and want to hang my bag up, the hook is already there and I don't have to go fishing around in the black hole (12 lipglosses and I can never find the one I want!). You could also wear it as a bracelet or tie a scarf around it if you really wanted to accessorise. Fancy.

Price: $29.95
From: handbaghanger.com.au
Why you need it: To keep your bag off the dirty ground

Picture credit: handbaghanger.com.au

Smoothie? Yes please! All over my lips!

I was cruising the Clinique counter the other day (as I have often been known to do) because I am out of my Blushwear Cream Stick and it’s one of my top 5 desert island products. It is seriously one of the greatest products ever – goes on smoothly as a cream, blends well and sets with a light powdery finish. I have been using the 01 Glow Blush because it is a bronzey colour and works really well to highlight and contour my cheeks (using the word contouring feels kind of dirty, but that’s the best way to describe it). I also have the Rosy Blush, so I use the bronze round the edges and the pink on the apples. If you’re looking to take baby steps into the bronzer market, the Glow Blush gives you a nice healthy colour for summer.

Anyway, while I was lurking around the counter I noticed the Vitamin C Lip Smoothie lip gloss. My brain literally went New. Need. Now. and I grabbed for the tester. Not only does this beautiful range come in six juicy shades with an easy brush applicator, but it’s also good for you (smoothie is a food, after all). It contains acai berry, pomegranate and vitamin c, which are like the ultimate trio of anti-aging superheroes. Kind of like if you got Batman, Spiderman and Captain Planet together, but with less fitted lycra & crime fighting and more wrinkle fighting. I tried out Raisin The Bar and it’s my ultimate natural-lip-but-sexier colour (handy hint: if you ever want to know what shade a lipstick/gloss will look when on your lips, test it on your fingertip – it's the closest match you will find in colour and texture and thus will give you the truest indication). This is definitely going to be a repeat purchase for me - fingers crossed they don’t discontinue it like they did for my last favourite super balm! Damn you Clinique and your addictive lip products.

Price: Vitamin C Lip Smoothie - $37, Blushwear Cream Stick $43
From: Clinique
Why you need it: Clinique is a brand you can trust – quality product, best ingredients, skin friendly.

Picture credit: Clinique

Wishlist: Lily Allen jewellery

I'm not ashamed to admit that I am a dirty great Lily Allen fan. There is no shame in loving a pop princess, especially when her songs are so fun and catchy and she is stylish and gorgeous. I'm going to see Britney next week, aren't I? Anyway, YAY that Lily Allen's eponymous jewellery collection is now available in Australia. I remember seeing pics of the line in Grazia at least 2 months ago, and, just as an aside, it's really annoying when a magazine is all 'OMG look at this amazing bag/necklace/dress!!! Yeah, you can't buy it for another 2 months. Suffer in your jocks'. It just makes me angry with anticipation, and that doesn't really make much sense.

The Lily Allen line is exclusively stocked through website Trilby Phoenix, who also sell other really cool jewellery, clothing and accessories. Think of it as the Aussie version of Miijo. (I'm completely in love with the One Of A Kind hamsa bracelet [see above left] and I intend to buy it as a treat for myself for making it through the next 2 weeks, but we're talking about Lily Allen here so I better not derail this post any more). It doesn't look like Trilby Phoenix are stocking the entire range, but they have all the most important pieces like the flamingo necklace, panda necklace and poodle earrings. What is it with me and animal jewellery lately? They also have the gold coin necklace, which Lily has spoken about as a reference to her granny who was a gypsy. Very cool. I'm also partial to the smiley face necklace, which is a reference to her Keith Haring acid house tattoos, some of which she had inked whilst in Australia. Ok, now I'm beginning to sound like a crazy fan-girl.

Price: Pieces start at $70 for earrings, $120 for the big crystal animal necklaces
From: Trilby Phoenix
Why you need it: Awesome jewellery and a piece of pop culture - yes please!

Picture credit: Trilby Phoenix

Sportsgirl gift madness

So I mentioned on Friday that I went a little nuts in Sportsgirl. I couldn’t help it though! They have just brought out their new gift range, meant of course to give as Christmas gifts since we are coming into the biggest consumer period of the year, but it was all gifts for me. Because I’m worth it.

First thing I picked up was the LOVE mirror. Why? I have a real soft spot for the Robert Indiana LOVE pop art sculpture and have been hunting for one of the original 1964 Christmas cards that the image was created for. I’m not sure where I’m going to put it (at the time I seemed to think I knew, but I’ll be buggered if I can remember) but that doesn’t matter! I’ll find somewhere, just give me time.

I also grabbed a jewellery rack. One of the lovely Sportsgirl girls told me that they had sold over 60 of them since they got them in the previous day and that I was purchasing the last one. Kismet – I was meant to have that jewellery rack. Or at least that’s what I told Boyfriend when he asked why I bought a jewellery rack.

Last thing I picked up was probably the most frivolous (and after reading what else I bought, you must really think I’m nuts) – DIY calippo containers aka Freeze and Squeeze icy pole tubes. Yellow and pink silicone moulds that you fill, freeze and enjoy. As an ‘I learnt this the hard way’ lesson – the packaging says “fill with your favourite fruit juice”, which I thought was the packaging’s way of encouraging me to be healthy. Wrongo. Turns out if you use soft drink and then put the lid on the top, the bubbles in the soft drink push the lid back off. Anyone who did science in year 7 would probably have realised that, but I didn’t have any juice in the house and got a little over-excited. Meanwhile, it took some patience but I got some raspberry soft drink frozen so yay for me!

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up for Sportsgirls gift offerings. I’ll be heading back to stock up for other people for Christmas.

Price: LOVE mirror - $14.95; jewellery rack - $19.95; freeze and squeeze - $9.95
From: Sportsgirl
Why you need them: Christmas is coming... (ps - boys take note. If you get a girl in the office secret santa, just head straight to the gift table in the front of your local Sportgirl)

Picture credit: moi. Edited with Poladroid.

Sparkle and shine on a Friday!

Happy Friday! After a quick glance in the mirror, it appears Friday is all about the sparkles. I'm rocking my black sequin cropped jacket that I bought a couple of weeks ago. I went on a lunchtime shopping mission today and got about 6 compliments on my jacket, so the ego is feeling pretty good right about now. It was a cheapie purchase from a little store in the QVB, but, according to my friend who works in fashion, it looks expensive. Works for me.

Speaking of my lunchtime mission, I bought SO much today! I went a little nuts in Sportsgirl and will write all about my purchases at some stage on the weekend. I also popped into Equip and picked up a really fat, chunky sparkler. It's a cocktail ring with a huge dome of black diamantes that is quite heavy and could do some serious damage if you crossed me in a dark alley. It's also a little difficult to type whilst wearing it, but I had to put it on straight away. Nevermind that I will probably end up with bruises on my hands by the end of the day! Maybe I should just stop working now...hmmm...

The jacket

Price: $29.95

From: Ignite - QVB Sydney

Why you need it: Sequin jacket! It turns every outfit into a party.

The ring

Price: $19.99

From: Equip

Why you need it: We covered off cocktail rings on Monday, so hopefully you have retained that important message. This is a small bucks entry into the category.

Picture credit: 'scuse the crappy camera-phone pics

Attention shoppers: it's a sale-y kinda weekend!

If you're a Sydney gal, make sure you grab your wallet, put on something you can modestly change in and out of (singlet and skirt is best) and head down to Fox Studios, sorry, "Entertainment Quarter", on the weekend for the Sass & Bide warehouse sale.

I went down last night to check it out and walked away with a couple of bargains. It's still big bucks for the fashion garments - think sequin vests, jackets, black rats and studded singlets, but the real bargains are in the jeans. With the jeans starting at $30, you're crazy not to just grab armloads. That's chump change for Sass & Bide's! There are a few seasons worth of designs, ranging from the regular blue jeans to the crazy textured, coloured and detailed seasonal stuff. I counted about 12 tables of jeans so you definitely need patience when searching (the signs that indicate what size is available on each table? Merely a guide) but you can uncover a whole bunch of denim gold (but sadly, no gold denim. I checked)

My hot tip is to lurk around the outside of the changing room (that's not as creepy as it sounds) because after people try stuff on and then dump it, it goes back to the table just outside the door to be hung and redistributed. You'll thank me later.

Price: S&B jeans from $30
From: S&B warehouse sale - Byron Kennedy Hall, The Entertainment Quarter (Lang Road, Moore Park) Friday 6th Nov: 10am - 6pm; Saturday 7th Nov: 10am - 5pm; Sunday 8th Nov: 10am - 3pm - Cash EFTPOS and major credit cards accepted.
Why you need it: Everyone needs hot jeans!

Good news for our northern friends: Brisbane gets the goods 26th - 29th November 2009 RNA showgrounds. Melbourne isn't due for another sale til 2010.

Something else special that's happening this weekend is the offtherunway.com.au pop up shop in Woollahra. Usually restricted to the cyber-highways of the interwebs, this lux accessories retailer will be live and in the flesh at 39 Queen St Woollahra peddling their wares from names like Michelle Jank, Elke, Anya Hindmarch, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Luella and many more.

I have my eye on a particular lara bohinc wallet that I have been in love with for quite some time, so if you make it down and see it, ask them to put it aside for me.

Price: $475 for the lara bohinc wallet I want (I can dream, right?!)
From: offtherunway.com.au Pop Up store - 39 Queen St Woollahra Fri 6th - Sun 8th Nov 9am-6pm each day
Why you need it: So you can touch and feel the gorgeous accessories you would normally have to buy online without seeing first.

Picture credit: offtherunway.com.au; sassandbide.com

I wanna be a Beatle!

I think we’re a fairly typical household when I say we have an Xbox, a Wii, a PC, 3 laptops and a Nintendo DS (please don’t rob us!). For shame, we don’t have a PS3, but Boyfriend promises me it is on the way (and can be a tax write-off because of his job). That said, just because our house looks like a games arcade, doesn’t mean the consoles get much loving. I occasionally play some sport on the Wii and Boyfriend plays soccer on the Xbox, but we now have an excuse for pulling out the guitar and switching the Xbox on more regularly. The Beatles.

Rock Band: The Beatles is the same principle as all the other rock band/guitar hero games (guitar, buttons, follow the colours on the screen), but the difference is in the music and the incredible animation (see the intro clip below). If you’re not a Beatles fan then best tune out right now, because there is much gushing and fawning over the Fab Four.

They have used a great cross section of their popular tracks and their lesser known tracks from across their whole career, so there is plenty of variety. My favourite Beatles song isn’t on there just yet (Eleanor Rigby, just fyi) but I’m hoping it will appear down the track as I progress through the levels and unlock more songs (if it isn’t in there, please don’t tell me and ruin the surprise). You can either play in quick-mode by scrolling through the menu and picking your song, or by working through the story; starting at the beginning of their career at Liverpool’s Cavern Club in 1963 and going by venue by venue (and unlocking songs/levels as you go).



The beauty of Rock Band is the fact that 3 people can play at once, with a combination of guitars, drums and microphones. We only have a guitar, so bring your instrument around and play with us! (and that totally isn't meant to sound as dirty as it does)

Price: $99.95 for Xbox and PS3, $79.99 for Wii
From: EB Games, JB Hifi etc
Why you need it: To play through a brilliant musical documentary of one of the worlds greatest boy bands.

Late edit: just after I finished writing this, Boyfriend actually finished the whole game. He unlocked a whole bunch of pictures and video clips, but no Eleanor Rigby. Fingers crossed it's in the downloadable content!

Product Trial: Invisible Zinc Jet Set Spray Tan

Rather than just me giving you my opinions all the time (which I think are great and all, but I’m kind of biased), I thought I would change it up a bit so you get some different eyes and ears on new products. So without further ado, I bring you the first ever Stuff That I Bought Tan Off! On second thoughts, maybe Tan On is a more appropriate turn of phrase. Anyway.

I had two of my clever cookie friends try out the same Invisible Zinc Jet Set Tan. Both ladies are somewhat inexperienced with aerosol spray tans, and both have different skin tones, which gives us a nice similar-but-different set of perspectives.

Let me introduce our guinea pigs.

In the pink corner - Jo
Skin tone: White. Whitey-white.
Skill level with aerosol spray tan: Not a total tanning newbie, but prefers creams to sprays.

And in the blue corner - Kat
Skin tone: Asian
Skill level with aerosol spray tan: Virgin. Struggled to get the cap off.


What Invisible Zinc Jet Set Tan promises:
• Only two active ingredients (DHA and Erythrulose) for a balanced and streak free tan *Erythrulose is a chemical similar to DHA, which is what tanning products usually contain, but this addition means it’s slower to develop, fades more evenly, lasts longer and gives a better bronze colour
• A special bag-on-valve spray mechanism for an even mist
• Quick-dry formula
• Minimised fake-tan stink

What the girls said:

Jo

Colour: Very good; very natural looking. My boyfriend James actually said that I didn’t look tan at all until I pulled down my undies and blinded him with my normal white skin.
Ease of use: Very easy for the front and extremely easy for the back as I had James do it – have no idea how you’d do your whole body without help.
Scent: Very minimal, just a faint touch of that same old fake tan smell. I like that they didn’t try to cover it up with some gross flowery scent.
Streakiness: None.
Drying time: Certainly not instantaneous! It took about half an hour before skin was dry to touch.
Colour strength on your skin tone: Really good – I did about three light layers and I’d say that corresponded to about 2-3 shades darker. I think as long as you ensure the layers you do are nice and light you’re not likely to go way too dark by accident.
Staying power of colour: Not bad. It is starting to come off a bit patchily on my chest now but, to be fair, with moving on the weekend I’ve not really been taking care of it. The can says it may last up to 7 days – I think there might be colour still around on day 7, but it wouldn’t be a nice even tan.

Jo's overall opinion – I’m quite impressed and would buy it in the future – it’s quick and easy to use and gives impressive results (even if you do have to sit around in the nuddy for half an hour after applying).

Kat

Colour: Feet - Orange, Legs - slightly tanned.
Ease of use: It’s very easy to use, but since it’s a clear liquid spray, you can’t tell which areas have been sprayed and which areas haven’t.
Scent: Smells like tanning spray.
Streakiness: Only 1 distinctive one on my foot.
Drying time: 2+ Hours.
Colour strength on your skin tone: Medium (with one coat)
Staying power of colour: I still have even colour after 3 days.

Kat's overall opinion - Since I was a spray tan virgin, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I did follow all the pre-tanning protocols (exfoliate, lightly moisturise knees and toes) and I only sprayed my legs. I did like the mist spray, however I couldn’t see where I had already sprayed and this was my major annoyance. My (very white) boyfriend asked me to spray him too because he was so impressed.

The Invisible Zinc Jet Set tan gets a thumbs up from each of our testers and a third thumb from me because it was easy to use, good colour and didn't stink. Pretty much all you could ask for in a spray tan really.

Price: $38
From: Myer, David Jones, Priceline
Why you need it: If you want to tan, it needs to be fake!

Massive thanks to my guinea pigs for trialling this for me, and thanks to the girls at Invisible Zinc for hooking us up.

Picture credit: invisiblezinc.com

Tasty bubbles for all occasions

Some friends of mine moved house on the weekend (Hi Jo! Hi James!) and I popped over to inspect the new abode (two thumbs up) and managed to get lost, even though they only moved 2 streets from their old house. I also had to drop off a housewarming gift, as one does when friends move. I normally go a bottle of wine or some nice beer, but decided to mix it up this time and go for bubbles instead. I'm not normally a bubbly fan - I find it can be quite tart and sharp. Is acidic the right word? I'm not sure. Kind of like wine is regular tasty cheese, while bubbly is the extra sharp cheddar. Plus it gets me drunk way quicker.

Anyway, I picked a bottle of Perle Vintage Yellowglen because the label was pretty, and I figured Yellowglen meant it would be 'orright. I was so right, if I do say so myself. It had much more flavour than I was used to from a sparkling - you could taste all the fruit, and it was quite smooth. As I understand it, it has to do with the mixture of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier. Either way, it was easy to drink, didn't burn my mouth with sharp bubbles and the bottle was pretty enough to give as a present. This might be my new default gift.

Price: $29
From: The Bottle-O
Why you need it: For a nice sparkling that's easy to drink

Picture credit: yellowglen.com.au

Animal instincts (on your fingers)

I was flicking through my diary the other day and I realised I have quite a lot of events to go to in the next 7.5 weeks leading up to Christmas (can I just add at this point HOLY COW! That’s way too soon for my liking). Lots of events means lots of outfits and posing and smiling and drinking champagne. Incidentally, I learned the hard way last week that champagne from a mini bottle with a straw is an accident waiting to happen, and not in a get drunk way, but in a ‘it fizzles out over the top and goes all over you’ way. I’m all class.

So lots of parties means lots of dressing up. I’m not one for dressing up much, and I don’t wear heels despite my petite stature, so I tend to keep things pretty basic - black skirt, black dress, black top, occasionally a bit of grey to change things up. Basic black means I can recycle outfits quite easily, but it’s also a bit repetitive. SO. My philosophy for this party season is wearing my same basic black outfits (why change when you’re onto a good thing) and making each outfit look different by rotating through my enormous jewellery box. I was off to a good start last week with my new finds at Anna Design (so much colour!) and I have found a new favourite now in Najo cocktail rings.

Najo is an Aussie jewellery company that specialises in sterling silver. They do all sorts of lovely necklaces, brooches, earrings and bracelets, but it’s their cocktails rings I have fallen for. Or more specifically, the cocktails rings from their Fairytale Collection. Think Tortoise and the Hare, Puss In Boots, The Frog Prince, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Theme? Animals. But these animals are sparkling and shiny and set with cubic zirconia’s. I am head-over-heels for my new bumble bee, and my friend had the frog on when we went out last week (sounds weird, looks awesome). These rings certainly aren’t for the faint hearted – if you’re wearing a tiger or a porcupine on your hand you’re making a statement (that you love animals?) and you don’t want to wear too much else to distract away from your hands. Best wear with basic black – how convenient.

Price: They vary, but as an example – bee $205, tiger $279, frog $279, porcupine $155
From: Najo – check their website for stockists
Why you need it: For an interesting and unique statement piece of jewellery this party season (and to appease your childlike need for shiny things)

Picture credit: Najo