Black & Blonde

First look I gave my viewers on Instagram and my Facebook page :-)

It's the last day on January *sigh.
I don't know what it is about January that I love so much, I love that I'm always relaxed and feel tranquillity from the hot summer days, the warm breeze and especially going to the beach and eating fish & chips!

Or may be it's cause my birthday's in January......

Any who, I'm at a net cafe listening to Metallica's "Turn the Page", it's a song a strongly relate to and above all else I love Metallica :D

Yesterday I went back to Total Care Hair and Beauty salon as I've officially become my dear friend Daena's hair model as part of her hairdressing training :-)
At the moment she's trying her magic hands at cascading (or ombre) hair and I didn't hesitate to put my hand up!

Here's the low down...

Starting out

Hairs looking a wee bit sad :-(

Remember this baby!!!! #spaceship

Does this look suit me?

It took two and a half hours to foil and clean my hair up, but that was ok. Time flew by with all the chatting and foiling of the ends of my hair Daena was doing :P

And it was well worth the wait as miss Daena did a fantastic job!

YOWZA!

I was a bit bored this morning and put some black smoke on my eyes :-)

End result

I love my new look, I was scared it wouldn't suit me but I fought the fear and did it anyway!

And it didn't cost me an arm and a leg :P

So now you've seen the 'Blonde', it's now time for the 'Black' in "Black & Blonde".

Face

• The Body Shop BB Cream in 01
• Clinique City Stick Concealer in 10
• M.A.C Pro Longwear Foundation in NW20
• M.A.C MSFN powder in light
• M.A.C Peachy Keen blush

Eyes

• M.A.C paint pot in Bare Study - all over lid
• M.A.C Blanc Type - all over lid and upper brow bone
• M.A.C Knight Devine e/s - in crease, 3/4 eye lid
• Collection 2000 black Kohl e/l - on upper and lower lash line and rim
• The Body Shop 'Starlight' e/s - black half used over lid, in crease and lower lash line for dramatic effect
• Vaseline for eyelashes

Lips

• M.A.C Red satin lipstick
• Calvin Klein lipgloss in Taffy

Very achievable look I must say :-)

So waddaya think?

I hope you like my latest and last post for the month of January, there's plenty more to come!

XOXOX

Mangere Starwberry Farm

Here's a little post that will sure to satisfy or send you're cravings into overload!!!

About a month ago, just as summer started here in NZ, I went to a local strawberry farm that are famous for their freshly grown produce and there AMAZING homemade strawberry ice creams!

And as you all know by know, I LIVE for ice cream!!!

The farm is located in the rural / suburb of Mangere in South Auckland and I kid you not it is always packed!

Here's some photo's of my experience...

They have acres of land that grow anything and everything from their delish strawberries and veges!

It was around 10 or 11am and the place was slowly getting busy

STRAWBERRIES!

They not only make ice cream cones but also pancakes, sundaes and milkshakes!

How it's made

The sheer deliciousness!!!! I had a bite of the top as you can see :P

This place is worth going to when the fruit is in season!
I paid only $3.80 for a waffle cone and the photo above does it no justice as it was much bigger than that (obviously!).
They have a seating area outside with umbrellas so you can enjoy the lovely summer breeze and also the produce that was purchased.

I ended up buying some freshly grown carrots, radishes and peas that tasted nothing like what you buy in the grocery store but better!

Would I recommend this place?
ABSOLUTELY!!!

If you're not sure how to get there you can find out here, and if you're reading this from overseas then this would be one reason to visit New Zealand :-)

I'll be visiting the farm this week and will be purchasing a punnet to make a beautiful vanilla, strawberry and nectarine tart so watch this space :-)

XOXOX

M.A.C Haul!

Can't go wrong with a gorge smoky eye and a bright lippy :-)

For my 22nd Birthday last week I was very lucky to receive a M.A.C Voucher from one of my very dear friends.

I totally didn't expect anything which made the surprise really lovely and also her knowing how much I love M.A.C makeup!

So without further adieu, here's what I splurged on...

Perluxe eyeshadow

I've been getting into plums and gold tone eye shadows at the moment as they really make my hazel eyes POP!

I had some assistance from a M.A.C rep choosing this shade as I struggled to make the purple in my mineralize e/s 'It's a Miracle' really pop.

He recommend the above shade and showed me how to apply it and also with mineral e/s to add a little water when applying (yes I'm still learning).

To my satisfaction, it worked quite beautifully :-)



"Star Violet" really adds a great contrasting colour with a bit of gold/bronze e/s and a bit of plum e/s

How gorgeous is this ombre effect I did?!
Totally rapt :-)

And last but not least, I've been wanting a bright stand out lipstick and I think this one did quite the trick :-)

Cremesheen lippy "Lickable" - lives up to the name really.

The M.A.C store I went into unfortunately didn't have the lipstick I've been pining for for ages which was "Impassioned", but I think 'Lickable' sufficed.

It's quite a sexy hot pink shade with a yellow undertone and you can't deny that lovely vanilla scent :-)

5 STARS!

I will be doing a tutorial of products I used and how I applied them shortly plus some more posts to follow!

I hoped you liked my latest, it's not exactly a big haul but I have so much makeup already that I have to get through!

Cheers for reading :-)

XOXOX

New Year, new posts!

Hi everyone!

Hope you've all been well and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

First things first, apologies for my abscence, It's been a very busy past few months with Christmas, New Years and also Birthday Celebrations that have come up.

Although it sounds like a lot it hasn't really been too hectic. Such as my Christmas celebrations were quite quiet and spent with mine and my partner Andrei's family which I really enjoyed as every year I feel like I have to put my heart and soul into making it a great day but it more relaxed this year which was great :-)

New Years was spent at home this year with the family (it was celebrated in the city last year) so I didn't feel too bad "almost" polishing off a 1Litre Beer mug full of cider per my pic below!
My resolutions...... keep trying......try a little more.....just do it....just try doing it.......and keep trying to do it!
Yeah I was a little drunk :P but hey it made for an easy resolution this year!

This month in Birthday's were my big sister Shalon's and my mum Avice's. Quiet celebrations again with family around, summer BBQ's and plenty of laughs :-)

The weather has been great so far too! I had a few day's off work last week so Andrei, my little brother Dante, his girlfriend and I hit Shakespear Beach - the most coolest beach in Auckland!
I also got a wee bit brown which I'm stoked about as last summer rained way too much so that made for a long winter!

Below are some pics of what I've been up to and other activities I've ended up doing :-)

Celebrated my New Year with a pint of cider!

 

Went to a local Strawberry Farm and had a delicious homemade ice cream plus brought some of their freshly grown produce!





Watched some classics :-)
Some Like it Hot, Breakfast at Tiffany's & The Seven Year Itch



Drew this fabulous Christian Louboutin inspired shoe for my work place!

And chilled out at one of Auckland's finest beaches!

So that is what my new year has consisted of so far.

It's a little brief, but I'm not finished yet, you'll get more dets a little later :-)

Another quick update too! It's my Birthday tomorrow so you'll be hearing about what I got up to, clothes I wore and makeup that was applied. I can't wait to show you!
This year in Tattoos & Vintage Diamonds is looking quite promising :-)

I've also made a page for my blog on Facebook too, check it out and please feel free to follow here.

Cheer for reading and take care my lovlies!!!!

XOXOX

Sal's Authentic NY Pizza, in Auckland

A few weekends ago I finally convinced my boyfriend, Andrei, to go to this amazing pizzeria in the city after about a year of trying!

Needless to say, it was love at first bite!

The pizzeria I'm talking about is an awesome American/Kiwi run family business called Sal's Authentic New York Pizza; and to have something like that in NZ is like you're finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

What we call pizza here is Dominos and Pizza Hut.
And after trying Sal's, Dominos and Pizza Hut were easily well forgotten.

Image provided by Sal's website

There are a few little spots provided around Auckland I.E. K'Rd, Takapuna, New Market, Commerce Street - which is the one we went to and it was packed!

Commerce Street store

Awesome birds eye view NY Wallpaper

We managed to get a table after ordering an 18' Meatball pizza for two people :P
Don't judge, I'd just finished work and I was starving!

And here's the gold....

I'm in love!

One slice was almost as big as my head!

leftovers :-)

The size of the pizza was outstanding! It's exactly what you see in the movies which Drei and I couldn't stop buzzing about.
The flavours, however, were another story. A deliciously good story.

I kid you not, y-know how with most pizza you can really taste only one or two flavours, whether it be the pepperoni or tomato paste, with this pizza you could taste EVERYTHING!
Everything from the mixed herb seasoning, to the cheese, tomato paste and the meatball it was simply heaven :-)
The base as well was fresh and crispy and not too oily, bonus!
And whats better as that you needed both hands to hold up the pizza and (movie ref again!) the cheese strung out like you see in the movies ahhhh it was too cool!!!! :D

Can you tell I'm impressed yet?
I've been to Sal's before and always had there Garlic Knots (to die for!), but there pizza is beyond incredible.
I tell ya, the Americans know their stuff! And it's so cool when you get that kind of food quality because you have stories like this that make what you do worth it all the more :-)

So Sal's, you guys are amazing. The service of you're staff at Commerce was excellent too, very friendly and genuine despite how hectic and late it was getting :-)

I recommend you read their story too so you can appreciate the love that goes into the pizza. It's all based on feeling and knowing you're food, something I think we all can relate too :-)

The man himself, Sal (right). Not afraid to get his hands dirty and connect with staff.

Drei and I managed two slices each before we were stuffed, a whole pizza like that could feed at least four people, so get a group together and go! It's well worth the experience and they have awesome combo meals that are worth the price you pay. Quality over quantity I always say!

So have any of tried Sal's or have had an amazing food experience like I did?
Or do you have any food secrets that are a hit every time?
I would love to hear them!

Thanks for reading :-)

XOXOX

Hollywood Glamour! MOTN & OOTN

Hi Everyone!

Hope you all are well?
It's finally Summer here in little New Zealand, and so far it has been impressive!
Sunshine all around but also a lot of people walking around looking like tomato's from not wearing there sunscreen!
I'll def be sure to do that when I head to the beach for some RNR tomorrow.

Otherwise, I finally have the latest pics of how I looked for my work place's Christmas party last week!
It was held at a very nice hotel in the city last Tuesday, the theme was Hollywood Glamour.

I instantly knew what I would be wearing which was my gorgeous figure hugging ASOS Rose-Gold dress  which I brought for me and my boyfriend Andrei's 5year Anniversary.
I instantly knew as well as to what makeup I would be wearing, stated in the pictures below of my OOTN & MOTN (Outfit Of The Night & Makeup Of The Night).....

Phase one: Natural and simple makeup application

Face

• The Body Shop 'All in One BB Cream' - 01
• Clinique City Stick Consealer - 10
• MAC Pro Longwear Foundation - NW20
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder
• MAC Peachy Keen blush

Subtle smokey eye - pic 1
Glamified winged liner and smoky eye - pic 2

 Eyes

• MAC Bare Study Paint Pot - all over lid and tear duct
• MAC Goldbit e/s - all over lid and tear duct
• MAC Satin Taupe e/s - through crease, 3/4 upper and lower lash line
• MAC Blanc Type e/s - under eyes and brow bone
• Collection 2000 black khol e.l - through rim of lower lash line
• MAC Black Track e/l gel - create winged liner look

Final product -  Hollywood Glam?

Lips

• The Body Shop Cranberry Joy lip balm - actually wore MAC Red lipstick on the night

Brushes

• Real Techniques by Sam Chapman - Core Collection and stippling brush
• The Body Shop Slanted brush and line softener - e/l application
• The Body Shop Blender brush - e/s app.
• Generic store brought brow brush

Hair

• Soft curls and ringlets created by GHD
• Hold done by Schwarzkopf Volume Power hairspray

Sexy brown leather pumps!

Outfit

• ASOS Rose Gold dress
• Brown Leather stilleto pumps by 'Siren' from Wild Pair
• Portmans sparkly black head band

My amazing ASOS gold dress which screams Hollywood Glamour!

The back view of my dress. Gives a pretty swell view of my tat :-)

The whole night was amazing!
It consisted of every single staff member being recognised for their amazing efforts achieved in the company the past year.
Staff that went above and beyond were awarded little Oscars too :P
There was a lovely buffet of food and a dance floor which me and some of my co-workers friends dance to Gangnam style too, so much fun!

Above all else, everyone was dressed to nines.
And yes, I was thrilled to be back in my LGD (Little Gold Dress) which makes me feel like a 1950's Glamour girl or even better, a Bond Girl ;-)


Reality check.
As much as I love a good night, I simply can't resist a good night in wearing my fave trackies and sweater :-)

Love my huge FILA sweater!

That's all from me for now, hope you enjoyed my latest and you'll hear from me soon!

XOXOX

M.I.A

Hi my lovelies!!!

Sorry I've been a tad M.I.A lately!

I've been so busy enjoying my new job and just life in general that I've totally forgotten that I had a blog!

Pretty sad.

Haha Chuck Norris, so cheesy :P

No matter, I have good news that I will be updating you soon with new outfits, purchases and an awesome work Christmas party that I'll be attending soon that I just can't wait to update you on.

I'll give you hint about the theme, it's Hollywood Glamour!

So I'm going all out with that :-) I've purchased a great new pair of 'jeggings' as well and I'll leave it at that as I don't wanna give too much away!

Another quick update, it's the first day of Summer here in NZ (FINALLY) and it was amazing! Sunny most of the day (were always having that one bad stroke of weather here in Auckland, typical buzz kill) but definitely enjoyable. Had a BBQ and made a nice fruit salad with watermelon, apples, kiwi, banana and drizzled it with lemon juice YUM!

It's also the first of December, which also mean's Christmas isn't far off!

I really can't believe where the year has gone, I still remember this New Years celebration like it was last week!

Anyone feeling the same?

Anyway, that's my quick update for now and you'll hear more from me soon :-)

In the mean time, feel free to read some of my old posts and comment if you like, and also a big WASSUP to my newest 'lovely followers' additions :-)

That's all folks, cheers for reading!

XOXOX

Baking, New Shoes & Pinterest

Kia Ora Everyone!

Just in case you're not a Kiwi, that means "Hello" and/or "Thank You" in Maori :-)

Before I go any further I would like to apologise for my absence and also welcome my newest followers!

Since my last post alot has happened!

One, I've finally landed a job (chicka chicka YEAH!).

Two, I baked today :-)

Three, have a new pair of shoes which I'm stoked about!

And four, I'm on Pinterest! (a tad late on the bandwagon, but hey I made it!). 

So to start my first post for October, even though the month is nearly over, will be with what I baked today.

I saw a picture of this on Pinterest:

FOOD PORN!

And can I say that I fell in LOVE with what I was seeing!

The name for this is Cinnamon & Sugar Pull-Apart bread; I Googled a recipe for this immediately and came across this website called 'Recipe Snob' - very appropriate name :-)

I found the recipe's method very easy to follow, I will advise, though, that you add at least double (X2) to what is shows on the ingredients as I didn't find mine to be enough.

And also to add more flour as the dough is incredibly sticky!

Here is my step by step procedure, going via the link by Recipe Snob:

 

Final outcome! And it pulls apart!



The outcome was amazing!

Although mine didn't turn out exactly like the websites did, I was still pretty happy :-)

They were delicious served with a side of ice cream and pulled apart as the name suggests, I recommend you give it a go!

This, along with many other treats, will be on my Christmas menu. I'll post about those later.

Part two of my October post is that I finally got a job!

It's at this amazing NZ shoe company called Overland Footwear :-)

And as part of me joining the team I am to represent the company by wearing their product.

As were heading heading into warmer months here in NZ, I chose these stylish and comfy red wedge heels!

The shoes are from one of the many brands we accommodate called Isabella Anselmi, which is named after the founders daughter.

I can't begin to say how comfy they are!

They have cushy padding, and are made with leather upper and lining (there is leather on the inside of the rainbow elastic so there is no rubbing).

I love the red colour too. My current shoe collection consists of earth tones E.G. Black, nude, white, brown... So adding the red really gives my collection a POP of colour! 

They would look great with any outfit too; which I'll be sure to update you on that soon and also the 'God-send' products the company sells....

I'm a huge shoe addict as well so working here is a dream but also very dangerous!

Last, but not least......

I HAVE FINALLY JOINED PINTEREST!

I've been on a month and bit now and I am ADDICTED!

It's so hard not to get carried away, there are so many things you like that people are pinning that you just have to as well!

You can check me out here. I pin anything and everything from food, home decor, fashion, makeup you name it!

You wont be disappointed and I follow all my followers back :-)

So that is all me for my first October post.

I'll be back again soon and I hope you enjoyed reading my life story LMAO!

XOXOX