Neon Pink, Black leather

Hi Everyone!

I apologise for my absence, I can't believe it's nearly been a month since my last post! Time does fly huh....?

I have been checking my blog though, and making sure I reply to everyone's lovely comments on previous posts I've done.
So just another big thank you to you all, you're lovely notes make my day :-)

So to start off my posts for the month of June I paid a visit to Recycle Boutique, which most of you know by now is my second home.
I go there to pick up some great designer or unkown brand named clothing, shoes and accessories for fantasic prices. I love the hunt for the pieces I find and also mixing and matching unique outfits.
I also went there because I cleared out a lot of old clothing from my wardrobe that I don't either fit anymore or have just grown out of.

First on my list of current purchases are an amazing pair of booties from shoe designer Mi Piaci.
These goregous black 6inch heels were a steal at $82, they're leather inner and outer lining, have amazing foot padding and make my legs go on forever!
I actually wanted these last Winter but the Mi Piaci retailer were selling them at $260 a pop!
A bit out of my price range, so when I found them at $82 and in my tiny size 6 sole from Recycle Boutique I went for it!

They are sooo pretty, I'm totally rapt with them :-)

Ahhhh, I'm in love!

Next on my list of goodies is this cute as 'one size fits all' purple Octopus-type top!

It came with no brand name on it but thought it was quite neat, and I love the colour and detailing this one come's in.

Picked it up for a mere $18 :-)

- A close up detail of the top

pretty cool huh?

And last but not least.....

This gorgeous pink maxi skirt from Australian brand Supre!

I've been trying to hunt down a maxi skirt like this one for the last month, but it's proved difficult with normal retailers.
I knew RB (Recycle Boutique) would be bound to have some in stock,

I saw a black pleated one before this, but I've been wanting to add more colour to my wardrobe and was specifically wanting this type of colour.
An absolute winner, and at $18 it didn't burn too much of a hole in my wallet!

The top I'm wearing with the skirt is an oldie from Jeans West, just in case you wondering...   

Rocking my curves!!!

So thats all from me for now.

Is there anything else you would reccommend for me to wear with the skirt, top or shoes?

I'd love to hear from you all, otherwise I hope you enjoyed my latest post and you'll be hearing from me soon.

Next on the agenda...

I'll leave that to the imagination :-)

Peace out my awesome bloggers!

XOXOX

I'm on Instagram!

Hi Ladies,

Any of you Instagram?

I've been on for a few months now and I really enjoy it, not just for my own leisure but also seeing different photo's taken by hundreds of users over the world from makeup, landscape, tattooists etc...

Here's some photo's I've taken just recently and over the months of being a user of this awesome app:

Taken on a chilly morning. Winter 2012



The First Church of Otago. Taken on my trip to Dunedin in April.




Real rainbow :-)





One of many beautiful buildings in Dunedin, Otago







Sunset in Suburbia

 I have plenty more photo's on my page. My user name is @Amournouveau; I try to take pictures of as much things that I find unique, beautiful or just tickle my fancy!

I'm trying most of my photographic eye in landscape as you can always find interesting angles and of course beauty in the most unlikely places!


So if you're ever in the world of Instagram look me up :-)
So what type of photography really grabs you're attention?
And what apps do you use on you're computer/Iphone or Ipad that makes you're photo's stand out beyond the rest?
And most importantly, what kind of camera's do you use?

I'd like to find out so I can branch out from what I'm using which is Camera+, Photoshop Express, Vintage Camera, ColourSplash, Adobe Revel and much more...

Hope you enjoyed everyone!

XOXOX

First Outfit of The Day (OOTD)

Hi Ladies!

Hope you've had a great week, it's finally finished for me thank goodness!

Now to business.

The last few days of blogging I've been anticipating putting up my first OOTD, and here it is....

I little bit about this outfit.

I wore a week ago to my friends baby shower and received non-stop comments form the guests of how much they loved the look.

I purchased the whole outfit from my second (hand) home Recycle Boutique!
I purchase quite a lot of my clothes from there which I mentioned and showed some good buys in an old post which you can check out here.

So the whole get up is second hand, pretty cool huh?

Starting off the dress.

This gorgeous 1950's inspired leopard print dress was a two day decision that I'm glad I made!

I love twirling around in it and I feel it brings out my inner pin up ;-)

The dress is from a brand called Divided, I love the cute front pocket detailing and for a reasonable $60 I think it looks pretty darn good!

And last, but not least, are my most favourite shoes in my whole wide wardrobe!

The cute peep toe cream coloured pumps were a steal for $60 as they're an authentic pair of Christian Louboutins!

Yeah :-)

As soon as I spotted them I snatched them up without any question after finding out they were from my favourite shoe designer!
Of course trying them on first as well....

So that's my first OOTD and sure wont be the last ;-)

I hope you enjoyed everyone now let's get this weekend started!!!

XOXOX

My pretty smokin' outfit for my gorgeous friend Grace's (middle) baby shower and soon to be big sister Miami (left) :-)

FOTD with M.A.C Knight Divine

OM NOM NOM!

Happy hump day all!
I'm celebrating an end to a long day with a yummy bowl of Cookie's 'n' Cream ice cream, listening to great music and of course blogging about my newest FOTD!

Today's look included a new eyeshadow purchase from M.A.C.
The eyeshadow is Knight Divine, the colour my eye with it's lovely silvery gunpowder shade which I've so far found can be quite a light shade but when applied with more density it can really pop.

The look below is what I did for my friends baby shower last weekend which you can read all about in my last post here.
This look was also created for a friend who wanted to know how to do a simple 'smokey eye' and how I usually do my makeup in general.
So here's what I conjured up for her and also anyone who wants to know how I used my new eyeshadow :)

Eek! A few blemishes, but as you know I've never been too fussed about them. Le' more "natural" le' better ;-)

So first things first!
Starting with my face, here's what I used in order of use and how I applied it:

FACE

• Aveeno Positively Radiant SPF 30 tinted moisteriser - rubbed into the palms of my hands to warm it up then applied to my neck and face in 'upward' strokes and patted gently around the eyes.
• The Body Shop skin primer 'moisterize it' - applied the same as above.
• M.A.C Studio Sculpt SPF 13 Foundation in NC25 - Applied in gentle downward strokes with M.A.C 190 foundation brush all over face and neck.
• Clinique Golden City stick consealer - wipe small amounts off the stick with you're index finger and rub to warm up the consealer into you're thumb and gently dab in and around blemished area's on the face, make sure to blend it well so it doesn't look patchy.
• Bourjois Pastel Teint pressed powder in Rose - used to set the foundation, sweep all over face and neck with M.A.C 187 brush.
• Sugar Baby Glamazon bronzer - applied lightly over forehead, nose, chin and in the contours of you're cheeks with M.A.C 182 Kabuki brush

CHEEKS

• M.A.C Peachykeen sheertone shimmer blush - applied in puff motions from the apples of the cheeks upward and inbetween the contours of you're cheeks with M.A.C Kabuki brush 182.

EYES - Finally!

• M.A.C Bare Study Paint Pot - only need a small amount on fingers and apply in feathering motions inward at the tear ducts of you're eye's then outward and more around the lid.
• M.A.C Knight Divine e/s - applied with definition all around the lid and slightly above the lid and in the outer edges of the eye with The Body Shop e/s blender brush.
• M.A.C Satin Taupe - applied on the outer and middle of the eye lid and around the edges of the eye with The Body Shop e/s blender brush
• M.A.C Blanc Type e/s - applied with The Body Shop blender brush on the upper brow bone (located just below the eye brow to highlight the eyes and make them POP!) and around the tear ducts.
• Collection 2000 black khol eyeliner - start by applying outward of the lid with a flick and work you're way inward by flicking it through gently and use you're fingers to blend it in nicely outward and around the outter edges of you're eye till you reach the middle of you're bottom eye lid.
• M.A.C 'It's a Miracle' e/s - using The Body Shop slanted e/s brush, apply a small amount (of the purple only) and place underneath you're bottom eyelids outward and work you're way in until it almost reaches you're tear duct.
• The Body Shop 'Define and Lengthen' mascara - well DUH! Apply two small coats to you're lower lashes and three to you're upper lashes (depending on how much drama you want).

LIPS

• The Body Shop 'Cranberry Joy lip balm - applied around the lips of course!

Voila!
That's pretty much it; it seems like I used a lot, which I did. But I did it in record time of 25mins and it's such an achievable look which for they eye's invloves a lot of finger blending which givews off the sexy smokey look ;-)

This look is something I usually only wear on the specialist of occasions. Most day's I use only tinted moisteriser and the new Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm.
You can check out my 'everyday' look at a previous post here.

Otherwise, I hope this helped.
You don't have to use M.A.C entirely, try different products I.E. Bourjois, Estee Lauder, Smashbox, Lancome, or even an unknown brand which may be more affordable which can also guarantee the same look :-)
And if you have any tips or even a new product which is MUST BUY then by all means let me know :D
Otherwise I hope you enjoyed and have a great day!

XOXOX

Livin' Da Vida Loca!

Standing right next to the Hunua Ranges (falls) just 45mins out of Auckland

Is it just me or is every year going more faster than the other?

It's hard to keep up with time when most of it has been taken up with work and then only two days of freedom, but who's complaining?

Oh yeah, hello by the way!
Sorry I've been a tad MIA the last month, but with very good reason and outcome :)

WORK! Which has been great and very productive the last month, only just today I received praise from the head operational office based in Wellington for the work I've been doing the last month (umm WINNING!); I've also been hitting the gym and recently took up Spin classes which has helped increase my fitness levels by so much that I'm hardly breaking a sweat!
Other than that, Andrei and I have spent the past weekends going on road trips and getting out into the great outdoors as you can see from the above photo :D

The last weekend would have to be one of the best out of this last month so far.
Last Thursday (OK not exactly the weekend), Andrei and I decided to treat ourselves to a movie and we were both desperate to see The Avengers which I must say was BRILLIANT!
The action, comedy and story line was all put together very well and is definitely one of my favourite Marvel movie's, second to the Punisher...

Ticket Stubs which I have a bad habit of holding onto.

On Saturday my best friend and I went to one of our good friends' baby shower.
The theme was blue as she (Grace) is expecting a baby boy in the next two months, she looked gorgeous and the shower was so much fun; Grace and her friend arranged an array of games and quizzes all revolved around babies e.g. one of the games we played involved one of the guests being blind folded and being baby fed (I happily volunteered!) and also being quizzed on how well you knew you're nursery rhymes, doing the best paper rip out of Grace side on and plenty more.
It was was so much and I don't think I've laughed so much in so long! The highlight of the whole event though were the gorgeous Cookie Monster cupcakes which one of our school friend's made as she's slowly starting up her own cupcake business.
They were also delish!

My beautiful friend Grace and her wonderfully planned shower :)

Come Sunday, which everyone knows is Mothers Day, Andrei and I decided to do a double date with both our mum's and organised lunch at this fantastic little Mediterranean restaurant called the Casablanca Cafe.
The food was delish and it was great catch up on both sides as we both hadn't seen our mothers in a few weeks.

After all of that Andrei and I had nothing better to do but wait for Monday so we caught a late session of Tim Burton's newest movie, Dark Shadows, which stars Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Chole Moretz, Eva Green and Helena Bonham Carter.
I absolutely love Tim Burton's movies I.E. Edward Scissor Hands, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetle Juice.
Dark Shadows was everything weird, (gothic) and wonderful that you expect from his directing skills and it wouldn't have been as great without Johnny and Helena who are regulars in Tim's movies.

Other than that the weekend went fast as usual but it was time spent well and got to see some familiar faces and even meet some new :)

Anyway here's just a random photo of my favourite perfumes, happy Monday ladies!!!

xoxox

From left to Right: "With Love" Hilary Duff, "Fuel for Life" Diesel, "Tommy Girl" Tommy Hilfiger

Weekend getaway!

 

Stunning First Church of Otago

I have just come back from the most amazing trip in Dunedin!

It's a little town located in the South Island and is just absolutely gorgeous!
My last two blog posts have always ended in eager excitement over my 4 day weekend and judging by the photos my boyfriend Andrei and I had every reason to be excited :-)


Excited as! A few hours to go before we headed off on our 4 day adventure :-)




Amazing views



Taieri Railway Station. The second most photographed building in the world,



Our last morning in Dunedin started with a good walk up the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street!

 


Sacred Heart Church


We made sure everything was organised before we left, from transport to accommodation and also having a tidy home to come back too.

Just to add, it was my first time on a plane and I've never been as far as a few hundred kilometres out of Auckland, whereas Andrei, who's from Russia, wasn't too fazed.

I took so many photo's while down there, I'm sure Andrei and his sister were getting sick of had to take stops in between getting places! (we were on foot as everything was in reach)
The architecture and scenery was just gorgeous though so I just had to take every opportunity!

But like every holiday though, it went to quickly and I shamelessly fell in love with the little city.
We did a lot in the time that we were there. We went to the Saturday Farmers Market, The Cadbury Chocolate Factory, The Speights Ale House and Brewery, Taieri Railway Station, saw many Churches (my favourite was The First Church of Otago) and just chilled out which was very new to both of us city slickers who are constantly on the go!

It was sad to come back home and back to work after such a lovely time, but were going to make another trip out there in either August or September for our five year anniversary before we head off to Queenstown which is equally as amazing and you can never wonder why New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world!

Gorgeous picture of the sunrise I caught on out last day!

Anyway I hope I didn't brag too much and also hoped you enjoyed my latest post.

Ciao!

xoxo

FOTD

It's long weekend and I have no money till next Wednesday so the only thing I thought of doing to keep me entertained till then was baking, going to the gym and finding new things to blog about...

The one thing I have been wanting to try out is a Face Of The Day, I see many blogs that I follow doing them and seem to get very good feedback so I thought I'd jump on the band wagon and give it a go as well :-)
That and I've been neglecting my makeup case a wee bit...

So here's what I painted on my lovely face this morning:

I wanted to make my foundation look as natural as possible, even if it ment a few blemishes were showing which I'm not too fussed about :-)

Here are the products I used in order of use for my first FOTD:

FACE

The Body Shop "Skin Primer, moisterize it"

Clinique "City consealer stick in Golden"

M.A.C Studio Sculpt SPF 15 foundation NC25

Bourjois pressed powder in Rose Plaisir

Sugar Baby Glamazon bronze powder

CHEEKS

The Body Shop "Lip and Cheek stain"

M.A.C blush in "Peachy Keen"

EYES

M.A.C Bare Study paint pot

The Body Shop eye shadow in "Starlight"

M.A.C eye shadow in "Tilt" (frost)

M.A.C eye shadow in "Shadowy Lady" (matte)

M.A.C eye shadow in "Blanc Type" (to highlight the top brow bone)

Benefit shimmer powder in "Mint Julep" (used under the bottome eyelids and around the tear ducts)

The Body Shop "Define and Lengthen mascara"

Collection 2000 black kohl eyeliner

LIPS

The Body Shop "Lip and Cheek stain"

The Body Shop "Cranberry Joy lip balm"

I was aiaming for a blueish smokey eye instead of your usual brown and golds.

Andrei thought it looked cool and kinda 50's Gangster :D

Any tips or questions?

I hope you enjoyed and have a lovely long weekend my fellow bloggers!

xoxo

Rock bands and Pinup hair!



The Queen of Rock herself, Amy Lee!


OK the last few days have been the best yet for me since the start of this year and have also added onto 'The Greatest Things to Happen in my Life' list (yeah I got one of those!).

Last weekend, my best friend Beya and I went into the city to go get a signing from our favourite Goth Rock band Evanescence who were playing a concert that evening (really wish I went!) which I noted in my last blog which you can access here.
There latest album and music in general is mind blowing good! And the lead singer Amy Lee is just fantastic and sooo beautiful!
I have been listening to the band for 9years and all I managed to say to Amy (in my startstruck moment) was that I loved her voice and her music which she gave me this puppy dog eye look and said "Aww thank you soo much!".
I am so corny aaaaaaaannnnd a little embarrassed.....
Didn't manage to get a pic with her though as I was so nervous and shot off after meeting them, but I did grab some pics :)



The closest pic I managed to get of her





Hehe :) The whole band was super nice!

But wait, there's more!
Not Evanescence pics, but we ended up heading off to an open day at CutAbove Academy which specialise in teaching of Special Effects Makeup and artistry, hairdressing, beauty therapy etc etc.
I got some cool pics and even got a free hairstyling which I've always wanting something 1940's, 50's Pinup like as I LOVE that era of fashion and glamour and here's what I got....

definately gonna learn how to do my hair like this!

Later on stayed over at my friends which made us feel like 17year old's again gossipping, eating junk food and watching movies (yeah Brokeback Mountain is definately not the best sleepover movie!)
Come Tuesday this week, the Police Station next door to my work place won a radio competition for the best place to work at and got to have New Zealand's best music export , Shihad, play a gig there!
They were so kind to invite my workplace and who would I be to say no?!
Shihad were my first ever concert in '04 and they are amazing, I fully recommend there music :)
Here's some pics I got...

This is my longest blog but I've had such a great time the last few days that I just had to share :)

I hope you enjoyed, and I'll be sure to update you again in a few weeks as I'll be heading down to the South Island with my boyfriend Andrei for a long weekend away in Dunedin.

Until next time fellow bloggers!

xoxox