Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Fitness and Fashion...

Hi everyone,

I never thought I'd be saying this again, but a couple of months ago, I joined the gym! I've never been good with consistent exercise (except for my dancing years, of which there were 10!!) but since then, I haven't had the motivation to stick to it. I stopped dancing when I was 18, due to university and work commitments, and decided to join the gym....

After a few months, I couldn't find the motivation to go. The gym I went to didn't hold many classes and I was fairly shy and self-conscious that I didn't want to attend a class by myself. I stuck to the women's section of the gym for cardio and weights, with the occasional Pilates class. Since I was a student, I got student prices and when I stopped going, I wasn't too worried about losing the cost of my membership.

However, many years later, here I am again - a member of a gym. However, this time, I'm a lot more motivated! I've been going to the gym several times a week, for cardio, weights and classes! The plus of my gym is that there are so many classes to choose from, PLUS they have other gyms that hold different classes as well which I can attend if I wish.

I found I wasn't happy with my gym attire, as it was from when I was 18. I had two 3/4 pants that flared out at the knee and two baggy t-shirts that had shrunk in the wash. I felt frumpy when I was working out! For six weeks, I looked for nice gym clothes that wouldn't break the bank, but never succeeded. I was losing hope! Finally, a friend convinced me to have a look at Lorna Jane. Now, all I knew about Lorna Jane was that they stocked gym clothes that were expensive!

Nevertheless, one Sunday, I set off to the shops to have a look. I didn't have high expectations, as I hadn't found anything so far...However, once I had gathered several pieces on my arms, I entered the dressing room. I was impressed! Singlets, shirts, pants and crop tops were ALL comfortable and proved to be great for maximum-effort workouts (proven by my jumping and dancing around the massive dressing room). I found that I was the one size for everything - another convenient factor!

Now the trouble was deciding what to buy! I ended up with several outfits...I got some items on sale, as well as full-priced items. I mentioned that it was expensive, but I figured if I bought fantastic-quality clothing that would last longer, I was better off than having to constantly buy cheap clothing that wore quickly. Also, Lorna Jane uses a specialised fabric for their clothing that is great for working out. 

Not only do the outfits feel comfortable and look great, I feel more confident in myself and always feel I look fantastic while working out! Plus, getting to mix-and-match tops and bottoms is always fun! I didn't think I'd be interested in workout fashion, but here I am...

I would definitely recommend having a look at Lorna Jane if you are in need of workout clothes...spending the little extra is worth it, I promise! Plus, there are always sale items available (at stores and online). There are also special offers available - I scored a new (and cute!) gym bag for $50, instead of $90 :)

Let me know if you've purchased Lorna Jane clothing or anything about your workout routine and what keeps you motivated!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

My Favourite: Base/Top Coat Polishes!

For a while now, I've been using the same top coat and love it! I haven't seen it for sale in Australia, but I discovered it when my overseas friend sent me a bottle, and when I go overseas, I stock up!


My favourite top coat is INM Out The Door Super Fast Drying Top Coat! It dries my nail polish quicker than other brands I've tested (which claim the same statement about being fast drying!). The only thing that can get frustrating is if the top coat is applied too thickly, it bubbles...


As for base coat, I'm not as fussy - I'll try anything I can get my hands on! Currently, I'm liking L.A. Colors Triple Play (Base/Top/Hardener in one). It dries quick, is smooth to apply and has three benefits!!


I'd love to hear your favourite base/top coats!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Favourites by YOU!

Hi everyone,


If you follow my blog or my YouTube channel, you'll know I've never gotten into monthly favourites, instead I'll do 'what I'm loving now'. I've been thinking about doing a blog series (maybe videos?) about different favourite interests and would love your input! 


The reason I'm thinking about a blog series, is because I know I slack off with my blog but every time I check it and try to write an entry, I come up blank with what to write about...I want to hear from YOU!


With the favourite topics, I was thinking about the below topics:
- nail polish (base/top coats, colour groups, nail care etc)
- makeup
- skincare


Let me know what YOU'D like to read about :) 

Sunday, April 29, 2012

New Love - Easy Polish Removal Technique!

For awhile now, I've been seeing a technique on YouTube on how to remove difficult nail polish, especially glitter polishes...now, I thought it looked a bit ridiculous, but after seeing different people have the same results, I thought that I better try it.


I've been meaning to try it for months, but I kept forgetting to buy cotton balls (I use cotton pads to remove my nail polish) but while I was at the dollar store the other day I picked up a big bag of cotton balls and a cheap roll of alfoil (aluminium foil) for $2 each! Bargain!


Yesterday, I painted my nails using China Glaze Foie Gras (beautiful chocolate brown) and added China Glaze Luxe and Lush (clear flakie polish) over the top! Now, although these colours are beautiful by themselves, I wasn't a fan of them together. I kept thinking my nails looked like chocolate with pieces of honeycomb poking out! I knew it was going to be a pain to remove, so out came the cotton balls and alfoil...


If you haven't heard of this technique before, you put nail polish remover on the cotton ball, place it on your nail and wrap a square of alfoil around your finger. I could only do one hand at a time, as I could master using my hand while my fingers were wrapped like a mummy, but I think it looked hilarious! After a few minutes, I unwrapped the alfoil and swiped the cotton call over my nail as I took it off and like magic, the nail polish was gone! No unnecessary scrubbing and using unlimited cotton pads to remove difficult polish...


I'm in love with this method!! I'll be practicing so I can manage to do both hands at once...I'd love to hear if you've used this before, or if you've never heard of it and try it out :)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Another BIG nail polish haul + nail polish storage dilemma!

I feel that the heading gave away the point of this post, but it was going to be obvious sooner or later...

Ben and I travelled to Hawaii in March for three weeks! Amongst the island hopping, zip lining, ATV-ing, horse riding, swimming at the beach, hiking, driving and relaxing, I may have found time to do some shopping...only a little, of course! (Did anybody else believe that last sentence?...)

If you've checked out my YouTube channel lately, I filmed a series of videos entitled 'Hawaii Haul Series' (original I know!) and I'm slowly posting them as I get the chance to edit them. My latest video to be uploaded was my nail polish haul!

Now, I didn't buy as many nail polishes as I did in Canada last year, however, I bought enough that my current nail polish storage has become pointless. I trawled through blogs, websites and YouTube to find something or anything to fix my dilemma, and I found it! The chance to use my handyman (or handywoman) skills...

My lovely husband did offer to help me though, and I wasn't going to refuse! Between the two of us, we've built a beautiful wooden shelf that houses all of my nail polishes! I'm still in the process of organising my collection and reorganising my desk shelf (where my current nail racks are). I was planning on making a video of how we built my shelf, so keep your eyes open!

I would love to hear how you store your nail polishes! If you haven't seen my haul video, jump on over to have a peek!


Sunday, April 1, 2012

Hauling Time!!

Hey everyone!!


Just a pre-warning for you all - keep an eye out on my YouTube channel for some awesome hauling I did when I was holidaying in Hawaii! 


I had a filming day yesterday and filmed a gazillion videos for you all! Now I'm off to organise my cupboards and shelves to find space for it all!


Talk soon,


Karlee

Saturday, March 24, 2012

G'day! I'm back home!!

Hi everyone!


I'm back home from holidaying in Hawaii! We had a blast and I definitely shopped up a storm...Ben thinks I supported the Hawaiian economy single-handedly with my shopping (haha). The main thing is that I had fun while doing it...


This was my fourth trip overseas (three to the USA and once to Canada) and I'm still surprised with how cheap everything is!! I mainly purchased cosmetics, skincare, hair products, nail items and clothes, and I'm so happy with all of my purchases :) Since we had no food in the house, we went grocery shopping this morning and Ben tried steering me away from the cosmetic/skincare/haircare aisle (since I bought up BIG in Hawaii), but I wanted to show him how much I saved from buying my things overseas. For example, a foundation I bought cost me US$8, at my local supermarket it was priced at AU$22! Another example is a cleanser I purchased for US$11, was priced at AU$35! I could keep going but I think you get the idea!


I found that most products were at least half the cost in Hawaii, if not more! I would love to hear if you've had similar experiences when travelling!

Monday, March 5, 2012

A quick post!

Aloha! 

My husband and I are flying to Hawaii for our holiday tomorrow, but before I head to bed, I wanted to post this quickly!!

These are my nails that I've done for the beginning of our trip - bright and fun!


You know how much I love my dotting tool!



Saturday, January 7, 2012

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!


I know my Youtube videos and blogposts have been few and far between in 2011, but I'm hoping 2012 will be a better year for it! 


There's only one little issue, I'm not sure what you guys would like to see!


Comment below or send me an email (aussietiger29@hotmail.com) with ideas or suggestions you'd like to see for videos or blogposts!!