Three ways to make your outfit sparkle on NYE

Posted in Beauty, Fashion by Brianna Johnson

NEW Year’s Eve is almost upon us!
Aside from freaking out about where the year has gone, I’m starting to plan my outfit for the big night.
I’m a huge fan of sequins, glitter any anything else that shines but it can be daunting to put these into an outfit without looking like a walking disco ball, especially for more casual events.
Here are three easy ways to throw in a bit of shine into your look, to get 2015 off to a great start!

We’re set for a warm NYE! I’ll be by the pool.

A sequinned belt:
I paired this gold belt with a floaty maxi dress and sandals for a low-key bit of sparkle.
NYE is usually hot even after the sun goes down in Australia so this would be great for a barbecue or a few relaxed drinks with friends.
It’s not too over-the-top but is still fun.
I threw in a plain white clutch so the belt would be the feature and my gold Juicy Couture charm bracelet – a gift from my lovely sister on a recent trip to Hong Kong. (There’s a close-up photo of these jewellery pieces at the bottom of this post.)

This outfit is perfect for a more casual shindig.

Gold accessories bring the whole thing together.

The showstopper:
This gold sequinned top is definitely in my top ten favourite items in my wardrobe.
You’re not going to be missed in this thing!
This shirt has a black faux-leather (pleather) back and sleeves so it’s not full-on sequins the whole way around.
I paired it with a plain black skirt and minimal accessories – this top does all the talking.

The faux-leather backing makes this shirt a bit warm, though.

Shiny accessories:
If you’re searching for something minimal to add to your outfit, simple, shiny accessories are always a good option.
This cat ear headband is a bit silly and fun but definitely cute!
Make-up wise I’m going to be keeping things pretty simple – just pink lips and liquid eyeliner.
For this look I used MAC’s Magenta lip liner and Max Factor’s Flipstick Colour Effect in Boreal Mauve 15.

I love this headband!

Let’s take another look at the accessories I used for these outfits.
The big silver necklace from my dolphin skirt OOTD post would also be a winner, especially if paired with a little black dress.
You can pick up a Juicy Couture charm bracelet just like mine here.

So many shiny things in one image.

This bracelet just gets me.

What are you wearing on New Year’s Eve? Let me know in the comments!

23Dec2014

My Christmas wish list

Posted in Life by Brianna Johnson

CHRISTMAS is almost here so I thought I’d share my wish list with you.

Source: http://www.mapsofworld.com/travel/blog/culture/christmas-celebrations-in-australia

Most of these are things I’ve had bookmarked for ages and I will probably end up buying anyway eventually!

Ice cream sandwich pool bed:
Who doesn’t want to float away the day on a pool toy shaped like dessert? Pick one up here.

Source: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/m/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=31918915&color=020&category=MO_MORE_IDEAS

More Lime Crime makeup:
I’ve fallen in love with Geradium but I’ve got my eye on some of the Carousel Glosses but too. You can never have too many shades! Check them all out here.

Source: http://limecrime.com/lips/opaque-lipstick-22.html

Kikki.K travel diary:
What better way to take notes about all of the beautiful places I go to? See more stationary goodness here.
Also, I’m in love with kikki.K since I picked up my adorable new 2015 diary.

Source: http://www.kikki-k.com/travel-notes-adventure-awaits

Fujifilm Instax Share SP-1 Printer:
This awesome little box links to your phone via bluetooth and lets you print photos from your camera roll onto Fujifilm Instax film. Check it out here.

Source: http://newtechlight.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/instax-share-sp-1-smartphone-wi-fi.html

A Rosita Bonita necklace:
These dreamy, hand-make necklaces are so beautiful! See more here.

Source: http://www.rositabonita.com/rositabonita/SHOP.html

A K is for Kani floral headpiece:
I’ve been following Connie’s blog for ages and it’s impressive to see how far she’s come.
Her hand-made floral headpieces are just beautiful! See more here.

Source: https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/157628333/pink-blue-peony-statement-flower-crown?ref=related-5

I can’t believe the big day is just around the corner!
What is on your Christmas wish list? Share in the comments!

21Dec2014

My favourite dolphin skirt

Posted in Fashion, Life by Brianna Johnson

I LOVE any item of clothing that has animals on it, so this skirt is one of my favourites.
I bought it from a rack of clothes outside a tiny store in Singapore’s Chinatown.

I took this look to a friend’s birthday party this weekend.

I paired the bright skirt with a pop of pink in my handbag and my biggest, shiniest necklace.
The necklace was another travel purchase – I picked it up in Florence in a random boutique.
It was just so over-the-top that I knew I had to buy it!
I’m house-sitting at the moment so today I had a canine helper for my photos!
I also put on Lime Crime’s Centrifuschia lipstick — I can’t get enough of this fun colour. Read my review of it here.

I think he approves of my dolphins.

I’m a cat person but I just can’t resist that face!

Do you have a favourite piece of animal-print clothing? I’d love to hear about it!

18Dec2014

New year, new 2015 diary

Posted in Fashion, Life by Brianna Johnson

I CAN’T believe it’s almost the end of the year!
Just a quick post tonight – today has been absolutely jam-packed and I’m beat.
On the plus side – almost all of my Christmas/December birthday present shopping is done.
I managed to restrain myself quite well at the shops – I’m trying to remember that everything I buy gets me further away from saving a house deposit.
But I just couldn’t resist this adorable kikki.K diary.

It’s seriously cute.

It’s full of colourful little pictures and has a year’s worth of whole-month calendars at the start and then shows each week to a page.
There are so many things I need to keep track of so this should really help.
It’s also small enough to carry around in my handbag every day.

Who doesn’t want to see pictures of breakfast foods when they write their appointments?!

Or sausage dogs.

Or whales, for that matter.

I also couldn’t resist this ‘full-time fashion blogger’ shirt.
I’d seen pictures of it as a jumper online and spotted it in an Ally store.
Pick it up here.
A girl can dream!

I HAD to get myself a Christmas gift, after all.

How are you getting organised in the new year?

14Dec2014

Fluoro skirts are hard to miss

Posted in Fashion by Brianna Johnson

I LOVE this bright pink skirt!
While there’s every chance of it searing your retinas, when I spotted it in a Dotti store last year (it was hard to miss) I couldn’t resist snapping it up.

I love how bright it this outfit is!

I’m a big fan of fluro pink in everyday outfits – my current handbag is a similar shade to this skirt.
To balance out the crazy colour I paired this with a simple black tee, bag and a dark necklace.
While a lot of style guides may say my sky blue flats are a bit much, they just felt really fun when I put them on with the pink.
I also threw on a faux leather jacket with a studded collar that I picked up for only five dollars at an op shop!
I like the mix of circles on my necklace and squares on the lapel.
To finish it off I chose the brightest pink lipstick I own!

This faux leather jacket was a wardrobe staple for me this winter.

This faux leather jacket has been a wardrobe staple for me.

Top: Zara.
Skirt: Dotti.
Jacket: op shop. Originally Ally.
Shoes: Cotton On.
Necklace: op shop.
Lips: Maybelline Colour Sensational – fuchsia fever.

What’s your favourite bright colour piece in your wardrobe?

13Dec2014

My Liebster Award nomination

Posted in Life by Brianna Johnson

I AM finally getting around to doing this post after Franzi from Live Laugh Love nominated me!
This is about spreading the love to the other new blogs we’ve found and finding a bit more out about each other.

Source: http://littlebigbell.com/the-liebster-blog-award/

For people who haven’t done this before, here are the rules:
1. Mention the blogger who nominated you.
2. Answer the 11 questions that have been sent to you.
3. Nominate 11 other bloggers that have less than 200 followers.
4. Create 11 questions for you nominees to answer.

Here are my answers:
1) If you could choose where you want to live. Where would that be?
There are so many lovely places in the world! Venice or Paris would be incredible, just to soak in all of the history and art and culture. But having a holiday home on the Greek islands (probably Santorini) or Tuscany would be ideal! A girl can dream!

2) I’m from Germany and I like to ask people what the think and know about Germany. So what do you know and think about us Germans and our country?
When I think of Germany I think Oktoberfest! Beer and sausages and a really fun time. I know there’s more to this to the country than this, though.

3) Your best concert experience?
I went to Laneway in Perth in 2012 with my lovely friend Candice and we got to see M83 play. Their set included their amazing song Midnight City, the weather was warm and we just danced like crazy! It was an exhilarating, uplifting experience that has always stayed with me.

4) There are so many different TV series on. Which one would you suggest to your best friends?
TRUE DETECTIVE. I seriously can’t get enough of this show. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are an absolutely stellar team of detectives solving a gruesome string of crimes. Not for the faint of heart but incredible, gripping viewing.

5) If you could travel to the past, what year of event would you like to go? Why?
I’d love to go to the Palace of Versailles in the 1700s and attend a fancy party.

6) Guilty pleasure?
Energy drinks. I love them so much but I know they’re terrible for you so I’m always trying to give them up.

7) What do you think has shaped your personality the most growing up?
My family. I’m one of five kids but we’re all really close and our parents (mum in particular) never let us treat each other badly. Being in a house with seven people really helps you learn to share and not take things too personally.

8) Why did you start a blog?
I wanted a creative outlet – a place where I could share my writing and photos and get away from the grind of everyday life!

9) Who’s your favourite blogger?
The sisters behind A Beautiful Mess, Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman are so inspiring. Their blog is always a pleasure to look at and lovely to read.

10) British or American English?
Being Australian my choice is British, or course.

11) Who would you love to meet and why?
David Attenborough! A few years ago I was in the front row for his talk with Ray Martin in Melbourne and it was fantastic. He’s led such an interesting life, has a unique way of seeing the world and he’s one of my all-time heroes.

I had a hard time picking just 11 blogs to nominate because there are just so many amazing up-and-coming bloggers out there (and in my Bloglovin feed!)
All of these choices have beautiful photos and their creators are full of life. I highly recommend giving them a read!

My nominees are:
1. Catherine Luise
2. Jeanne Christine Marie
3. Dose of Patty
4. Jennifer Cooper
5. Katielou
6. Ella Kate
7. Call Me Clare
8. Holly of the Sky
9. HelloEllenor
10. Saturday’s Girl
11. Vogue et Voyage

My questions are as follows:
1. Who is your celebrity style inspiration?
2. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
3. What is your dream job or ideal field to work in?
4. What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?
5. What products are on your wishlist right now? (Hopefully Santa is listening!)
6. What is your favourite way to exercise?
7. Do you prefer dogs or cats?
8. What is your favourite thing to do to relax?
9. If you could invite any three people to dinner, who would it be and why?
10. What is your favourite type of blog post to create? (Eg: outfit posts, reviews, personal experiences)
11. If you were a main character in a movie, who would you want to play you?

Good luck and happy reading!

11Dec2014

Hope for dry skin: Nutrimetics Moisturising System review

Posted in Beauty by Brianna Johnson

I THINK I’ve found a game-changer.
My dry, sensitive skin drives me crazy every day and I feel like I’ve been searching for something to help me for years.
I heard about this product at a Nutrimetics party and was at first confused – this product isn’t a moisturiser but it helps your skin lock in the moisture.

Nutrimetics ultra care moisturising system

The double lids stumped me at first – the dropper is hidden away.

According to the makers, the serum “attracts and binds continuous hydration to the skin” — but if you look past the waffle, it keeps dry skin at bay.
I use about two drops of this morning and night after cleansing, lightly dotting it over my face until I feel I’ve covered it all.
Then after letting it soak in for a minute or two, I use my regular sorbolene moisturiser.
Even the first time I used it I noticed my skin didn’t get that pinched feeling it usually does in the few minutes before I moisturise.
After using this for about two weeks I’ve noticed my skin is not red and patchy in the morning, is less irritated and handles the freezing cold airconditioning in my office better.
I often get eczema on my cheeks and around my eyes and even when I get rid of it with a prescribed steroid cream it always comes back after a few days (especially when life is extra stressful).
But so far this month IT HAS NOT COME BACK. (Victory dance, anyone?)
It’s really exciting to get up in the morning and not worry about having to cover up a face full of redness… Because there isn’t any!
It makes sense – this product helps lock in moisture so skin that’s not as dry wouldn’t be as prone to being irritated.
My whole face feels soft and it’s nice to know this is helping take care of my skin.
This is definitely something I’ll keep in my daily routine.
(NOTE: This is NOT a sponsored post, I am just ridiculously excited about something that’s worked for me.)

Are you battling dry skin? What do you use to for it?

6Dec2014

Silver and sequins and (faux) leather, oh my!

Posted in Fashion by Brianna Johnson

ON THURSDAY I snagged an amazing haul of clothes in an unusual place.
A workmate sporting an incredible metallic gold jumper told me about a giant sale at Supre.
Yes, Supre. (They’re still around!)

The place is known for horrific booty-exposing short-shorts and fluoro crop tops — but it turns out they still have some nice things!

The tartan top, silver jumper and silver skirt were only $5! FIVE DOLLARS. (I may or may not have gotten so excited about buying all these that I ended up having an asthma attack.)

I can’t wait to wear all of these pieces out – I gave the faux leather pencil skirt a run at work yesterday. (Full outfit post to come for that.)

I can never resist a bargain!
What’s the best thing you’ve ever picked up on sale? Let me know in the comments!

4Dec2014

Bali is beautiful | photos

Posted in Photography, Travel by Brianna Johnson

LAST weekend I took a whirlwind trip to Bali with my family to celebrate mum’s 60th birthday.
I could only stay for three days but it was good to be back, even just for a short while.
These shots were taken around the grounds of the amazing hotel we stayed at – the Patra Jasa in Tuban, near Kuta and the airport.
It had stormed the night before so everything was wet but the weather was still extremely hot and humid.

If you’ve never been, I hope these photos inspire you to make the trip! (Or someone equally as tropical.)
I want to organise another trip to go back already!