Introducing THE ICONIC - Australian Online Fashion Store

Hi readers, hope you've all had a great start to the week so far. Today I'll be introducing an online fashion store from Australia called THE ICONIC which I only recently discovered. Late last week I received an email from Koraljka who is part of THE ICONIC's marketing team where I was first introduced to THE ICONIC. Let's take a look at the site:

And here's a little bit about their company:

THE ICONIC is Australia’s newest and most exciting online destination for fashion and

foot wear and was launched approximately a month ago. Bringing you an Australian lens on global trends, THE ICONIC will offer the best in men’s and women’s global fashion and footwear.

WHAT MAKES THE ICONIC UNIQUE?

Guided by fashion expert and former Project Runway Australia judge Sarah Gale, THE

ICONIC will feature regular trend reports, style tips and everything you need to know to

create the best looks. “I’m so excited to be part of this new venture. It’s wonderful to be able

to showcase the best Australian talent and international labels on this new platform. Online

retail is definitely the future within this industry,” Sarah said.

If you didn't already know, I am from Australia (born and raised here) and when I see Australian online stores, it makes me happy. It might be the same for other countries but for us Australians, we're very patriotic :) There are many overseas stores which only ship to their own country or ship to Australia with high shipping fees. Especially the clothing stores that we all know and love. But now Australia has THE ICONIC which is an online store with the latest fashion trends that only ships within the country... for FREE.

That's right, free shipping on all orders! And for lucky people who live in Sydney, The ICONIC are able to deliver orders to metropolitan areas within 3 HOURS! Fastest shipping I have ever heard... this makes me wish that I lived in Sydney =O But either way, delivery is still fast for Australians, just a couple of working days.

I've decided to pick out a few of their clothing pieces to share. I hardly do outfits of the day anymore and although this isn't a replacement for those, I reckon this will give you the chance to know more about my sense of style. I admit it's not that great but either way, you'll get to see what THE ICONIC has to offer.

Jen's picks from THE ICONIC - women's clothing

Since spring is almost over and summer is on its way, these choices of mine will all be suitable for the hot weather:

Finders Keepers Magic Dance Body Dress

AU $129

This is a stunner, just look at the back... I absolutely adore it and I am a massive fan of lace. It has elegance and classy written all over it. I know some may find lace to be too hot to wear during summer but lace stitching over the chest shouldn't be much of a problem, especially because the dress is almost backless. Plenty of breathing space lol, despite the body dress being tightly fitted. It looks so gorgeous on the model and the lace detail on the sides of the dress really emphasises her hips (and would emphasise everyone's hips, which is a good thing). In other words, the lace around the waist is slimming!

Bluejuice Monet Dress

AU $89.95

To me this is simply eye-catching. The floral print is so feminine and cute, perfect for summer. Many of the dresses that I own have tie-waisted belts because I think it looks good for loose-fitted dresses like these. I wouldn't be able to wear a straight dress, I'd need it hug around my waist! This is why I don't own any maxi dresses... all my curves are hidden =/

You may have thought that the dress was pretty ordinary at the front but there are some nice features of this dress that makes it stand out from the rest. The straps from afar look like single, thick straps but in fact they consist of three slim straps on each side, how unique! The triangle shape that reveals the back is one that I have not seen before. I would love it just a little bit more if the triangle was a heart shape instead, hehe. The thin strap on the top will prevent straps from slipping down - genius :)

Finders Keepers Pretty Thing Skirt

AU $129

I really want a skirt like this! I haven't been able to find any like this in stores, I love the design. What I like most about this skirt is that you can pair it up with a plain black singlet and wa-lah, a lovely outfit for day or night. It's such a stylish piece with so much versatility. Very beautiful indeed!

Sass Stella Fireworks Cami

AU $44.95

The pastel colours give a very fresh look for summer and I like how there are ruffles on the neckline. The crossover straps on the back gives another element to the singlet and can also prevent strap slippages :P

A cami with bold print can easily be worn with an apricot blazer and cargo shorts. I love this outfit, edgy yet neat. It makes me think that sometimes less is more. The important thing is that all of the attention is brought to the singlet, which of course is the star of the outfit.

Ladakh Bohemian Punk Tee

AU $39.95

With my casual outfits a white tee with a design on the front is what I usually go by. I like relaxed, street-style because it's a youthful look. Once I'm much older, I wouldn't feel as comfortable wearing tees like these so while I am still young, I wear them out as often as I can :) Feathers are still a trend and the dreamcatcher print on the front makes this t-shirt more fashionable. I really like the batwing sleeves, it makes this shirt different to regular t-shirts. I'd definitely pair this with black skinny jeans or shorts. No excessive accessorising required!

Ladakh Carry On Shirt

AU $49.95

I've seen people wear these kinds of tops before, very feminine and vintage. The terracotta colour is beautiful and you can achieve a sophisticated look by simple pairing this with black skinny pants, leggings or shorts. I really like the side detailing, it makes the top more bold.

I don't own a shirt like this but I reckon if I raid my mum's clothes that she no longer wears which are slightly vintage, I can find something like this. I love collared shirts!

Living Doll Blush Shorts

AU $49.95

Coral shorts, I wish I had a pair! I am also aware that scallop shorts seem to be one of summer's latest trends but I wasn't able to find a pair on THE ICONIC. Anyway, I quite like the side/pocket detail of the pleat and button, it's nothing ordinary. These shorts can be worn during the day or night, that's something I love about them ^_^

Since there already is quite a bit of detail on the shorts, the top to pair with them needs to only be simple. The outfit comprised of a white top and coral shorts may seem plain but it actually gives a nice playful edge. If you feel that this look is too plain, add some accessories!

That's all for my clothing picks, I chose a something from each clothing category that I particularly liked or found to be impressive and different from the rest. THE ICONIC also has a wide range of shoes from Australian and international brands.

If you are interested from purchasing from THE ICONIC, I would recommend that you sign up for their newsletter where you will be given a $10 voucher to spend online! A discount and free shipping, what more could you possibly want?! :D

I'd love to hear from you if you are thinking of purchasing from THE ICONIC, or if you spot a nice piece. It's great to take advantage of the sales page where you could possibly grab yourself a bargain!

My questjen of the week for you is:

What is your favourite summer outfit?

I know there are people who are reading this and are experiencing cooler whether now but I'd still like to hear what your style is like for warmer weather! For me, it's everything I mentioned above ;)

Thanks for reading my post guys!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post nor is it an advertorial as I do not get monetary compensation. All ideas, thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and of my own.

Cetaphil Skincare Products Review

Hi beauties, I have a review today of some various Cetaphil skincare products that were sent to me by one of their PR representatives. To be honest, this is a really delayed post because I received these items about 3 months ago (and possibly more; I haven't kept track). The reason why this has been very delayed is because I had a total of 6 items to trial! They were extremely generous to send me these products:

I came home to a full box of products with tissue paper wrapping

It was packaged neater than that but for photography purposes I arranged it in a way that all the products can be seen. Oh and after I took the picture I realised that I forgot to put two tube creams back into their boxes, oops!

A range of products for different skin types - something for everyone :)

As always, my reviews are 100% honest with no influence of whether the item/s were purchased or sent to me. I do not get monetary compensation for my review and I am not affiliated with Cetaphil.

Before you read my review, it might be best to take note of my skin type as being sensitive and dry, because my experience with these products may be different for those with other skin types:

Cetaphil is a skincare brand that I do believe is known worldwide but especially in Australia (Cetaphil Australian website - www.cetaphil.com.au). The products are actually made in Canada and what I love about this brand is that their range caters for all different skin types, from soft/sensitive skin that infants have to oily skin.

Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion

For all skin types

Size: 250ml

Price: RRP $9.99 AU

Scent: N/A

Texture: smooth, non-sticky, non-greasy

Ingredient/s and their purpose:

No specific ones mentioned.

What the product claims to do:

To provide everyday hydration for all skin types including infants. Helps protect baby's delicate skin.

My thoughts:

For a while I have been looking for a really good moisturiser for both my face and body, and now I've found this one! I think it's rare to find a product that is for both because I usually only come across body moisturisers or face moisturisers, not 2-in-1. I love how lightweight it is on my skin - it doesn't feel heavy at all and once it's properly rubbed in, it feels great to have on. Definitely a product I would use daily! Knowing that it is suitable for all skin types including infants means that I don't have to worry about it irritating my sensitive skin because it won't :)

Pros (+) and Cons (-):

+ Dermatologist recommended

+ Caters for all skin types

+ Does what it claims

+ Fragrance free

+ Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)

+ Lightweight moisturiser

+ Lanolin free

+ Paraben free

+ Non-greasy

+ For facial and body use

+ Hygienic and suitable packaging (screw-top lid)

+ Reasonable price for size and quality of product
+ Expiry date on the bottle

- Bottle may be too bulky for some

- Not the most handbag-friendly packaging

Repurchase?

Yes I'd definitely recommend this to others and would consider (re)purchasing! 

Cetaphil Intensive Moisturising Cream
For very dry hands, feet, elbows and knees

Size: 85g

Price: RRP $9.69 AU

Scent: N/A

Texture: smooth, non-sticky

Ingredient/s and their purpose:

• Shea butter = locks in moisture for softer, healthier skin

What the product claims to do:

Rapid, long-lasting moisturiser with Shea Butter, which is known for its intense moisturising properties. Helps restore the natural protective barrier of your skin. For very dry, rough skin.

My thoughts:

As you can see in the pictures above, this product has been used quite a fair bit! I've been specifically testing this product on my elbows and knees as they are covered with the driest skin on my body. I absolutely detest how dry my knees and elbows are - they are also darker than my skin elsewhere :( So this is why I am so thankful for discovering this product, thanks Cetaphil for this amazing intensive moisturiser! I could see improvements on those areas from just a few morning and night applications.

Pros (+) and Cons (-):

+ Dermatologist recommended

+ Does what it claims

+ Fragrance free

+ Non-greasy

+ Easily absorbed

+ Rather lightweight

+ Non-irritating

+ Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)

+ Decent price

+ Purse-friendly packaging

+ Hygienic squeeze tube with screw-top/flap lid
+ Expiry date on the box

- Dry knees/elbows/feet/hands etc. can be a problem again if use of this product is discontinued (in other words, this product is likely to only give a temporary 'fix')

Repurchase?

I really like the idea of an intensive moisturiser specifically targeting these dry areas so I can see myself purchasing this product once mine runs out. For years I have only been using regular body moisturisers that are great for other areas but not the best for my problematic, dry areas. 

Cetaphil DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion

For dry to very dry skin

Size: 85g

Price: RRP $9.49 AU

Scent: N/A

Texture: silky smooth, non-sticky

Ingredient/s and their purpose:

• Contains Epidermal Replenishing Complex5, a unique combination of 5 key ingredients that protect dry skin and enhance hydration.

What the product claims to do:

To hydrate and protect dry skin for 24 hours. To provide intense moisturisation for dry to very dry skin. Leaves your body feeling soft, hydrated and smooth.

My thoughts:

It is said to be a 'luxurious lotion' on the back of the bottle but I really don't know what that means :/ To me, 'luxurious' means high-end.. and since Cetaphil is a drugstore brand, it's not exactly 'high-end'. Hmm, maybe someone should explain this to me or give me their intepretation. For now I will asssume that it means 'high-quality'. Well anyway, this product has been a joy to use on my dry skin as I felt that it helped and made it feel hydrated. I didn't do a 24-hour test but I am confident that this moisturiser would leave my skin feeling hydrating for many hours.

Pros (+) and Cons (-):

+ Dermatologist recommended

+ Suitable for use on sensitive skin and babies

+ Does what it claims

+ Fragrance free

+ Non-greasy

+ Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)

+ Reasonable price

+ Purse-friendly packaging

+ Hygienic squeeze tube with screw-top/flap lid
+ Expiry date on the box

- Only limited to body use

Repurchase?

As much 'good' in this product I found, overall it's not enough to make me want to repurchase this product (sadly!). I have tried many different body moisturisers like these and I don't have a favourite as they have all been similar in quality. Some are cheaper and are just as good. This is probably because I don't have very dry skin - if I did I'd probably see this as a life saver... so if anyone does have very dry skin, I recommend that you try this product =]

Cetaphil RestoraDerm Skin Moisturising Body Moisturiser

Formulated for use in eczema

Size: 295ml

Price: RRP $25.99 AU

Scent: N/A

Texture: smooth, non-sticky

Ingredient/s and their purpose:

No specific ones mentioned.

What the product claims to do:

Provides intensive and long lasting hydration to help relieve itchy, dry skin. Helps restore the skin's protective barrier.

My thoughts:

Although I don't have eczema, I still gave this product a try. I wasn't able to test whether it relieves itchy skin, only tested it on my dry skin. With this I can say that it was extremely gentle with a slightly different scent to the previous fragrance free products. My skin felt much more soft and smooth after applying it.

Pros (+) and Cons (-):

+ Dermatologist recommended

+ Does what it claims

+ Preservative free
+ Fragrance free

+ Non-greasy

+ Fast absorbing

+ Hypoallergenic

+ Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)

+ Suitable for all ages including infants

+ Suitable for use in eczema
+ Lightweight

+ Hygienic pump mechanism with twist lock
+ Expiry date on the bottle

- Not handbag-friendly

- A rather pricey product
- Only for body use

Repurchase?

Since I don't have eczema and I consider this to be a very pricey product, I wouldn't purchase this. It's common sense, right? I would however, recommend this product for eczema sufferers - Cetaphil is a proud sponsor of the Eczema Association of Australasia.

Cetaphil RestoraDerm Skin Moisturising Body Wash

Formulated for use in eczema

Size: 295g

Price: RRP $19.99 AU

Scent: N/A

Texture: smooth, non-sticky, creamy

Ingredient/s and their purpose:

No specific ones mentioned.

What the product claims to do:

Provides non-irritating and non-drying cleansing to help relieve itchy, dry skin. Contains oils that replenish dry skin.

My thoughts:
Again, I'm not an eczema sufferer so I cannot give a full and detailed review of the product. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who has eczema so I wasn't able to give this to them to try. Even though I have sensitive skin, I am still able to use scented body washes without experiencing serious irritations. So for my point of view... I wouldn't like the idea of constantly using non-scented body washes. Same goes for non-scented shampoos (if there is such thing), it's just not ideal for me. But I can understand how non-scented body washes are the best alternative for sensitive, itchy, dry skin. I know what it's like to have to find alternative products to things that are for 'normal skin', which I sadly don't have :( Finding alternatives are great because it makes you feel 'normal' and less disadvantaged :)

Pros (+) and Cons (-):

+ Dermatologist recommended

+ Restores moisture

+ Does what it claims

+ The ability to soothe itchy, dry skin

+ Very gentle on the skin

+ Non-irritating

+ Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)

+ Rinses easily, leaves skin feeling soft and smooth

+ Hypoallergenic and soap-free

+ Fragrance free

+ Suitable for all ages including infants

+ Suitable for use in eczema

+ Appropriate packaging with screw-top/flap lid (good for bathroom use)
+ Expiry date on the bottle

- May be too expensive for people

Repurchase?

No I wouldn't purchase this but if I had eczema I may consider it. Honestly I don't like the thought of spending $20 on a body wash! I'd recommend this product though, I had a good experience with it and I saw no negatives with the body wash itself.

Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser

For oily, combination or acne-prone skin that needs special care

Size: 235ml

Price: RRP $10.59 AU

Scent: N/A

Texture: smooth, non-sticky

Ingredient/s and their purpose:
No specific ones mentioned.

What the product claims to do:
Remove excess oil without drying, removes surface oils, dirt, skin debris and makeup from the skin with a gentle foaming action.

My thoughts:

When I first received this, I had a quick look at it and put it away because there was no way that I would test out this product. I did specify that I had sensitive/dry skin to the PR representative that I was in contact with. It is never good to use a product that is not suitable for you, no matter what it is! It's not worth taking the risk. This was the only product that I could not use so instead I gave it to my friend to try, who has oily/acne-prone skin. So what I will say about this product will be based on their opinions, not mine.

My friend found this to be the best acne/oily skin cleanser for them, and they have tried other various drugstore brands previously! I guess this means that they can finally settle for one that is perfect for them :)

Pros (+) and Cons (-):
+ Recommended by dermatologists
+ Does what it claims
+ Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
+ Cleanses without leaving the skin feeling tight or overly dry
+ Soap free
+ Pleasant, non-overpowering scent
+ Positive results seen, some pimples disappeared and others became less noticeable

+ Reasonable price
+ Hygienic packaging with screw-top/flap lid
+ Expiry date on the bottle

Repurchase?

I wouldn't purchase this product for myself but my friend would definitely repurchase this. There were no cons about it and they saw results that made them very pleased with this cleanser. I'm so glad that it worked out in the end, me offering them this product and them benefiting from it! They also managed to finish the whole bottle which is impressive :D

Final words
That's it for my reviews, 6 products done... phew that took a long time! I hope you found this helpful. Thanks for reading, maybe you've learnt something new about Cetaphil products or skincare in general. With all of these, I have no excuse to have bad or dry skin anymore haha. If anyone has any questions about these products, feel free to let me know.

Overall I am happy with the Cetaphil range and I love how they cater for ALL skin types for ALL ages! I rarely see skincare brands doing this and it's great to see that the products are at reasonable prices and are high quality. I can say that Cetaphil is a trustworthy brand.

If anyone would like 5g jar samples of any of the products reviewed in this post, feel free to request! They will be free of charge (excluding shipping cost) I will send them out to you :) If you are interested, email me at jlyxoxo@gmail.com and we can discuss this further.

I've got a busy week ahead of me so apologies in advance if I do not post as often as I said I would! Will try my best though =]

Lace Nail Stickers from Born Pretty Store

Hi guys! I have a NOTD (Nails of the day) to share with you guys ^^ For this NOTD I used 3D nail stickers which resemble lace trimmings. Lace has got to be one of my favourite 'designs' for clothing pieces and accessories - it's so pretty and I love the texture, haha.

NOTD: Purple Elegance

 Nail polish: China Glaze - Robotika

2mm purple rhinestones from Born Pretty Store

Lace stickers from Born Pretty Store

Since my nail polish colour was a metallic purple, I decided to use purple rhinestones to complement the lace and the nails!

It was my first time using white lace trimming designs on my nails. I've seen them on other peoples' nails many times, either with stickers or konad stamps. These nail stickers were kindly sent to me by Born Pretty Store to review :)

 10 pcs Elegant Lace Style Sticker Nail Art DIY Glitter HL211

 $5.23 + Free shipping

I'm not sure whether I'll get around to using all 10 sheets ahaha... so for that reason I'll be including at least one sheet in a future giveaway.

I had a look at the instructions at the back of the packet and as you can see, they are very simple and clear. I guess the Chinese is a not as simply written compared to the English because I can't understand it (I only know how to read basic, simplified Chinese). Diagrams are used to assist the writing if the person reading cannot understand English and/or Chinese. If I were a grammar/punctuation nazi then I would criticise the inconsistent spacing, spelling and capitalisation. But since I'm nice and not a nazi, I'll let all of that slide ;]

 

For both nails I only needed one sheet and I still had some leftover. I liked how there were different patterns but two of each of them so I could have the same on both hands. Having different lace patterns made my nails look less plain and repetitive. Cutting is needed to fit the stickers on your nails and this is great because nails of all shapes and sizes can have these stickers perfectly stuck on.

What is Born Pretty Store?

It's an online shop that sells nail art materials, makeup and accessories at wholesale prices. Which is entirely true because for 10 of these nail stickers, it's only $5.23! Definitely not the same price that other regular stores sell them. Sometimes I get 2 or 3 sheets for $5 in physical stores... and now that I think about it, it wasn't really worth it :/ But now that I have discovered Born Pretty Store, it's probably better that I purchase all of my nail art products from there since it's cheaper and there's FREE shipping on all orders ^_^

These nail stickers have a bit of a rubbery feel to them and they stick well and can be removed without using too much force and leaves no sticky residue. Although, I wouldn't recommend just wearing the stickers on your nails as I reckon they won't last that long so you're better off applying a top coat on (as instructed in the nail sticker instructions, duh Jennifer!) Hehehe I never used to apply a top coat on so I'm just saying so you' all know better ^^"

What I find amazing about Born Pretty Store:

* When I first heard about them, they were having so many freebie promotions and giveaways, it was awesome! Through this I was able to get 2 x 12 Colors 2mm Rhinestone Nail Art Decoration, Hello Kitty & Chanel Logo Nail Sticker, Hello Kitty Nail Art Plate and a pair of gold and black false lashes which I don't think they sell on their shop. But anyway, they always have awesome freebies to check out :D They have a few currently~

* Wholesale-priced items. Enough said :3

* There is always free shipping no matter how little or big you spend! Free worldwide shipping is amazing! I don't know how they can be so generous with this offer, especially considering that they sell items at wholesale prices so it makes me wonder, how do they get profit? But yes, good on you Born Pretty Store =]

* Discount codes! Amanda from Born Pretty Store gave me a discount/promo code to share with my readers to use at the checkout - JENL73. Also, if 10 people use this code, Amanda will offer a Born Pretty Store giveaway for you guys!

I haven't tested the code out myself but if anyone does, I'd love to know if you do because I'm curious as to how it works.

Overall thoughts on Born Pretty Store

They have always shipped out my items quickly (please remember that shipping time is NOT the same as arrival time! People tend to get them mixed up or think they're the same) but I think they are sent from Hong Kong to Singapore (I may need to double check on this, it could be the other way around) because the customs declaration is from Hong Kong but the return address is from Singapore. A little but confusing but yeah, what I'm meaning to say is that the time it takes to arrive is usually longer than it should be from a country in Asia to Australia and vice-versa. I think it's supposed to take a bit less than two weeks but with this product and previous products from Born Pretty Store, it has taken no less than two weeks with about a maximum of three. To be honest I'm not too fussed about arrival time, only shipping time because for me there shouldn't be a holdup if I've already ordered and paid for my item and it is in stock. I am quite patient when packages take their time to arrive, it makes the waiting game more exciting *looks around* Not really but it makes me temporarily forget about them. And when they do come it's like a surprise... pretty sure I'm not the only one who experiences this :P

Their emails are written well and I am able to communicate to them with ease. I can completely understand if there are some typos here and there etc. because English may not be their first language. They are very friendly and answer all questions. Born Pretty Store love to received feedback from their customers 'cause that's what they're about, excellent customer service :) I have received emails from them regarding past items that have been sent to me and they would ask whether I had received it yet and if there were any problems. The first time I received this email I was really surprised since many other online stores would not be so 'caring' towards their customers. Probably because they have this mindset that once they ship something, it's no longer their responsibility or concern as to whether or not the package reached their customer safely. Thank you Born Pretty Store for showing your concern, I really appreciate it!

I hope you liked my NOTD. I am definitely not very creative or artistic so don't tell me if it looks bad or ugly xP I won't be offended, I just reckon it's not necessary to say! It's like telling someone who knows they suck at dancing but they'll still dance anyway because it makes them happy... gahh bad comparison but you know what I mean, right?!

Sadly it is no longer on my nails anymore (hence I called it NOTD instead of NOTW) as I am back at work where I cannot have my nails painted at all! It's a little upsetting for someone who is starting to love nail polish so much :( I've got to make this sacrifice for my job lol. Before I get more questions about why I can't wear nail polish I'll just answer it here - I handle food so it's common sense to have hands and nails and clean as possible.

And working also explains my uhh... 'not-as-often-blogging-that-I-said-I-would-do-now-that-I-am-on-holidays' xD Yes... I'm looking at you Frances LOL, dear oh dear I am under pressure to blog more now! Sorry I got a little lazy and tired from working n_n" Not a good enough excuse I know, so I promise to blog again within the next few days before I work again this week!!

To other news... I finally got my fringe cut this week and it now sits above my eyebrows and it's still a side fringe. I'll wait a couple of weeks to grow maybe half a centimeter and then I'll take a picture of myself. Unless I feel like taking one soon then I will :)~

Okay I am out of here, see you all in my next post!

BY THE WAY AUS BLOGGERS! Have you joined the 2011 Kris Kringle?? There's only one day left to enter to get a KK! More info here on my previous post

Hope everyone's having a great week so far ^.^

OH YEAH! Almost forgot my questjen of the week...

What's your favourite nail art design?

Do you like lace? Stripes? Spots? Crackle effect? Bows? Rhinestones/bling? Leopard print? Roses? Something else?

I love versatility, so for me it's all of the above! As long as it looks good with a nice combination of colours =)

Aus Bloggers Kris Kringle 2011

Hey guys! I have a little announcement to make - my blog friend Melody aka Melludee has a arranged a KK thing among Aus bloggers for Christmas this year :D This was entirely her idea so all credits go to her, woohoo :) She was kind enough to ask me to be a host for this with her and without a doubt I agreed ^^

I'm pretty sure that you're all aware of what Kris Kringle is, but if not here is a little explanation: It is also known as 'Secret Santa' and it usually involves many people i.e. work colleagues or school classmates etc. where each person randomly picks a name out and whoever they pick is their KK. That person will then anonymously give their KK a gift and in return they would receive an anonymous gift from the person that chose their name. And then everyone gets a chance to guess and find out who had them as a KK! It's a way of giving everyone a Christmas gift without excluding someone :)

For the first time, we've decided to do KK's through mail with amazing bloggers from all over Australia *_* Everyone who participates will have a KK, yay!

A basic summary of how it will work! Drawn by Melody n_n

THE RULES:
(Please read before entering)

1. This is open to AUSTRALIAN residents only, with a legitimate Australian postal address.
Sorry about the caps, I had to make this clear to avoid confusion and invalid entry submissions. And sorry that it isn't international, it's just that it makes it more fair with shipping costs and package arrival times.

2. There is a minimum and maximum spend for the KK present. It must be between $10-$20
Again, for fairness.

3. You MUST send out your package by the latest, December 16th 2011
This is to avoid delays, because during the Christmas period is where most packages are sent!

4. Have your name/blog address written on a card in the package to send off!
Just so they know who sent it!

Now that's all out of the way, below is the entry form. This is the exact same form on Melody's blog post so you only need to fill it out once~

Entries must be in by November 23rd 2011 so that we can sort out the KKs for everyone by the 24th of November.

I really hope this goes smoothly, especially since it's our first time doing something like this. If it does become successful then we'd be more than happy to host one again next year (actually I haven't mentioned to Melody about future blog KKs but because she's an absolute sweetie, I'm sure she'd be cool with it ;D)

Be sure to check your emails on the 24th of November to find out who your KK is, as either myself or Melody will be emailing you with your KK's details and what they would like to receive as their present.

DISCLAIMER: Your postal address will not be shared with anyone apart from the person buying the present for you.

Enjoy the Christmas festivities and I hope that many Aus bloggers will participate in this :D

If there are any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me or Melody via email/comment!

I'm back + Tag Q&A

Hiiiii *waves frantically* my exams are complete and my first year of uni is already over! Gosh I can't believe how fast this has gone by, I am so stoked to be on break right now because I will be on holidays for the next 3-4 months straight :D Ah it's really exciting to have this long break again and now that I know how fast those months can go by (had a similar break like this for the first time starting last year), I am bound to make the most of each and everyday. Today marks the first day of being stress-free and exam-less *dances*

It's great to be blogging again after a couple of weeks and you're all probably sick of coming to my page seeing my previous post being the latest post (back in Halloween lol). Now I'll be able to blog more often instead of the usual once a week. Give it time but I reckon I can do twice a week, maybe even three times a week. We shall see!

As I was saying on Twitter today, I usually have exciting news to follow on from a comeback post. Last time I had a hair colour change. Last year I had news about giveaways. This time though..... nothing :( Sadly nothing exciting has happened to me within the last couple of weeks. Studying for exams is definitely not exciting! Of course I am excited about being back and all but what's in it for you guys, hmm? There could potentially be giveaway but only until I reach my next milestone *hint, probably not anytime soon*

Sorry I don't even have an updated picture of myself to post here! Instead I am going to use a picture that I took about a week before my hiatus:

Can you guess who those pretty ladies on my wall are?

The girls with the power of 9 - SNSD aka Girls' Generation! So yeah, I purchased my first ever poster and it happens to be a K-pop poster.... of my favourite K-pop girl group. Everytime I mention them here or on Twitter I feel like a bunch of haters are going to bash on me for liking them and stuff :( I don't know why they are so many antis, these girls are awesome! 

And I totally hate myself for not seeing them perform at Sydney's K-pop Music Festival on Saturday night

Oh and you're probably wondering why I'm wearing so much eye makeup. I wasn't going anywhere, just um playing around with my eyeshadow palettes and eyeliner.

iPod camera totally washed out the vibrancy but it was a blue-green gradient

I haven't done makeup looks and tutorials in ages, should I do them again?

Do you like my Hello Kitty cover? I know someone who would. Suzy from the group MissA has the same cover design as me!! I swear I bought mine before knowing that she has the same and before seeing her picture of it here:

Lol! *fangirl moment*

Never have I seen a celebrity with something the same as me, wow. And I purchased my cover on eBay... so does that mean Suzy buys from eBay too? Hahaha, who knows. Again I totally hate myself for not seeing Suzy and MissA in Sydney on Saturday night, fml.

The only exciting thing I could do a blog post on where I lack photos would be tag questions. I've been tagged quite a few times yet I never had the chance to do the tags and answer them! Here are two that I have been tagged in:

This award was given to me by Nancy of Ms Nancy's Fancies!

So for this award/tag I have to list 7 random things about me and answer some questions.

Share seven random things about yourself:

 
1. I can't stand having overly dry hands. I always need hand cream. If I don't have hand cream with me, I would have the urge to wash my hands just to make them moist, even though they are already clean.

2. My face and skin are better off without the use of cleansers, toners etc. I experimented with this when I didn't use anything for a couple of weeks and my face was baby-skin smooth and clear. It still is.

3. I have forehead wrinkles when I raise my eyebrows. I have noticed this since I was young and had always thought it was normal until my boyfriend pointed it out to me. This is why I believe I should always have a side fringe and never have my forehead showing.

4. I am fascinated by piercings, but only on the ears. I would get conch/tragus/rook piercings but I am too afraid to pierce through cartilage. And you know what? My most viewed post of 3000+ views is my post about my new lobe piercing

5. I would consider getting non-surgical rhinoplasty in the future when I know a certified place in my city to get it done and when I have the money.

6. I want K-pop to be more involved in my life than it already is. If my uni offered Korean classes, I would take them. If I could host a K-pop radio show, I would do it. If I could travel to South Korea, I would go there. But with that said I am by no means, a wannabe. The singers and groups are my idols and I hope to see them in concert one day.

7. I think I have good fashion sense but my wardrobe doesn't fully consist of really pretty pieces because those are always so pricey... and I rarely spend heaps on clothes. Now you know why I rarely do outfit posts and would rather do fashion posts about online shops and their gorgeous designs.

Answer the following questions:

Favourite colour: Pink

Favourite song: At the moment I'm loving 'Cry Cry' by T-ara, both the normal and ballad version. However it feels really bias to say that because I mention those girls so much on my blog :/ But I really do like their latest song, way more than their last few releases! Without seeming bias though, my other favourite song right now is 'Bad' by Tablo feat. Jinsil.

Favourite dessert: No favourite, I like cake/ice creams

What is pissing you off: My fringe which desperately needs a cut. It's long enough to cover my eyes but not long enough to tuck behind my ear. FUUUU so annoying. I'll probably get it cut soon.... 

When you're upset, you: Listen to music

Your favourite pet: My baby cat Coco

Black or white: White

Biggest fear: Death. I'm scared to lose the ones I love ='[ Next biggest fear would be spiders

Best feature: My non-fussiness. I hardly ever complain and I am always grateful and thankful for all the good in my life (sounds cheesy, I know)

Everyday attitude: Start each day being positive and see where it gets you

What is perfection: Definitely not me

Guilty pleasure: Indulging in sweets and savouries a bit too often :3

Okay now to a q&a that i was recently tagged by Gerry! Thanks lovely ^_^

11 questions tag game

1. What is your full name and how old are you?

My full name is Jennifer (I’ll leave out my surname) and I am 18 and a half years old. I’d be happy to stay 18 for the rest of my life (only bad thing would be the no pay rise ;/).

2. What are your hobbies?

Blogging, watching dramas/music shows, singing, listening to music, makeup lol... yes makeup is a hobby. There's more I think but meh.

3. What's your style like? Who/what inspires you?

I like the chic, elegant look but mostly I’m girly. I love florals, lace and bows. Nothing and no one inspires me.

4. Best fashion/beauty tip?

Mm I’m not much of a fashionista so I’ll give a beauty tip instead – use a lash comb after applying mascara. People get put off by using a mascara that clumps but that problem can easily be fixed with combing your lashes :) Then you'll always have clump-free lashes!

5. One thing that you cannot live without? And I don't mean air, food or your boyfriend!

Haha I would have said all of the above! But since I can’t I’ll say that I can’t live without water. Not only is water essential for well... everything and everyone but I am an absolute ‘water hog’ (I got the name from Tezza, we’re both the same lol). Water bottle is with me everywhere I go. If I don’t have water with me I will feel worried because I hate feeling thirsty. I always have a water bottle in my room and bag. I can't see how people can dislike drinking water, it's so healthy, 0 calories and quenches thirst!

6. Celebrity crush? Why?

Ooh! I haven’t spoken about a celebrity crush in ages *blushes* I think the last time I answered a question like this was back in primary school in those quizzes from those girly magazines like Total Girl xD Even at this age of 18, I’m sort of blushing when I admit that I do have celebrity crush/es. And guess what? They’re all K-pop idols... lol. I’ve had like 3-4 in the past 3 years of being into K-pop lmao, equates to about one a year! Now my top two male biases are Jonghyun from SHINee (I’m still so devastated about missing out on seeing him and the others in Sydney last Saturday... FML) and Donghae from Super Junior, ahaha (glad Suju didn’t come to Australia too last weekend or else I would’ve cried a river). And why you ask? Because I love their personalities as well as their looks. I won’t say more just in case I start fangirling *cough* I’ve tried to start admiring younger, new male idols and groups but some the members turn out to be a couple of years younger than me... and I just can’t have a crush on someone younger than me! Someone who has less life experience than me :S

7. Favorite body feature(s)? Why?

Yes I have to make another K-pop reference. Just want to put it out there that I love Secret and SNSD. Both groups have girls with gorgeous bodies and I like them for different reasons. SNSD as you may know have amazing, slender figures which motivates me to perhaps work out to tone up my body here and there (probably won’t happen but oh well). And Secret make curves look sexy! Honey thighs ftw :D So my favourite body features would be... height and eyes. Height because I reckon I’m average as I have the same amount of taller and shorter friends. My eyes because I like the way they look when I wear eye makeup.

8. If you could be any animal, which animal would you pick and why? It can be a mystical animal.

Not that familiar with mystical animals so I’ll go with an animal that I have at home – a cat of course! They’re so cute, fluffy but can be fierce with their meows (or ‘reows’) and sharp claws and teeth. I love how clean they are always so curious – just like me ^^

9. Most embarrassing/scariest thing that happened to you?

With these things, they are my suppressed memories which I tend to bury and never want to think about ever again. So I’ve probably had a tonne of each but cannot remember them all. Not sure about the 'most' but scary would be when I had tonsilitis. It was the most sick that I had ever been and I was on a drip and needed to visit the hospital for a while.

10. Biggest regret? Please don't say, "I don't regret anything because it made me who I am today".

It would be not going to the K-pop festival........................ nah I wouldn’t really call that a regret since I didn’t choose not to go.... I just wasn’t allowed because I had exams. A more serious regret would be about school. My studious ways have made me feel regretful =/

11. In five words, how would you describe yourself?

Kind, smiley, mature, brave and persistent. I never know what to say for questions like these. I'd prefer someone else to tell me what I'm like!

Done! I know I'm supposed to tag people after but I hate leaving people out and then sometimes the people I tag have already answered so I'll be lazy and a rule breaker by taggine YOU reading this right now. Yes I'm talking to you gorgeous ;P Feel free to do this tag, any of the two I've done above.

I hope you've learnt more about me and that you found it interesting. If there are any specific questions that you'd like me to answer, you can leave them in my Formspring

Apologies again for the lack of pictures. I'll blog again very soon with plenty of pictures, I promise :)