tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71852516356528635402024-03-07T05:34:25.374+02:00Suzy Q-tipAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.comBlogger292125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-15300935229898327642019-02-28T07:00:00.000+02:002019-02-28T07:00:06.447+02:00Monthly Favourites: February<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just like that, it's been just over two months since Christmas! It's like time speeds up more and more each year. There are a lot of favourites this month, both skincare and makeup.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kAnDMgVUE27RtC3C2TNpig2M72scpIPMvpF60uRN6vZ80r3jpk1ca5BSqaYfS75USMEa5ifHW0ScFjkW3RozSb_afHfo8yOf5LNymnzQHCOAo7AUyL6p7H7rAb3m7kL704GWcfgKQ_0/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="1600" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kAnDMgVUE27RtC3C2TNpig2M72scpIPMvpF60uRN6vZ80r3jpk1ca5BSqaYfS75USMEa5ifHW0ScFjkW3RozSb_afHfo8yOf5LNymnzQHCOAo7AUyL6p7H7rAb3m7kL704GWcfgKQ_0/s640/IMG_0033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Skincare</h3>
As far as skincare goes, there's a lot of new stuff I've been loving this past month. The <b>Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser</b> was part of a K-Beauty travel bag I bought from Glow Theory. I've been using this cleanser in the morning when showering. It's a clear gel that smells like tea tree oil (one of the main ingredients). It lathers up instead of foaming and it cleans my skin without stripping it. My skin feels fresh and clean afterwards. Another K-Beauty product that made the cut is the <b>Cosrx Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence</b>. It contains 96% snail excretion (apparently no snails were harmed in the making of this product) which sounds terribly disgusting but it has so many skincare benefits. It's apparently good for hydration as well as taking care of scarring, premature aging, and dry patches. The essence is quite sticky and if you're wondering, it doesn't smell like anything. I take two small pumps on my palms and pat it into my skin after using a toner and before using my serum. I don't think I've used it long enough to say if the claims are valid (I've used it for a couple of weeks and it barely looks like I've used it!) but I can feel that it certainly hydrates my skin. The third and last K-Beauty product for this post is the newly-released <b>Huxley Secret of Sahara Good Night Sleep Mask</b>. At R435 for 100 ml this is quite inexpensive for a sleeping mask, in my opinion. It's formulated with prickly pear cactus extract which is the new buzzword in skincare (as far as I've read). It is high in antioxidants which is always a good thing for a skincare product! It also includes Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. It's a silky gel cream that sinks into the skin beautifully. The next morning I wake up with plump, clear, and hydrated skin. A definite winner.<br />
<br />
Another overnight mask that I've been loving this past month is the <b>Bioderma HydraBio Moisturising Mask</b> for sensitive and dehydrated skin. It's a white gel cream that reminds me of the Avene soothing mask, just a but thicker. I slather it on at night after all my toners and essences and it sinks into the skin completely. This also leaves me with soft and plump skin the next morning. The last skincare favourite is a new lip balm that I discovered after losing the lipbalm I always carry in my handbag. The <b>La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Barrier Repairing Balm</b> can be applied to the lips and anywhere else where skin is dry and chapped. It contains 5% Panthenol to soothe and repair skin. It's a thick cream and it tastes sweet (I always taste lip balms, ok!). After applying it to my lips I can still feel it's there an hour later, which to me is quite amazing. It doesn't feel waxy or greasy on the lips, it just feels like a comfortable creamy lipstick. I recently fell and have scabs on my arm that started to dry out and itch. I applied the balm to the itchy area and within two applications the itching was gone and the area felt hydrated and supple.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Makeup</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPpmcbOqSL9F3rsNcoKBvWbs_ULEldWN8CfIHIg_I7emQNx0Id4A8MtO2gkj0TOqGNTk1K4at-xvlAE3FgXyQfyDUqD35NG_3zeEhcorompuEbV0Nb4Yogl3x42Phz9O6KtdEwqFZ-xQ/s1600/IMG_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1546" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPpmcbOqSL9F3rsNcoKBvWbs_ULEldWN8CfIHIg_I7emQNx0Id4A8MtO2gkj0TOqGNTk1K4at-xvlAE3FgXyQfyDUqD35NG_3zeEhcorompuEbV0Nb4Yogl3x42Phz9O6KtdEwqFZ-xQ/s640/IMG_0035.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
<br />
There were two oldies from the drugstore that I used this month but I don't think I've ever mentioned them in a favourites post. The first is the <b>NYX Blush in "Pinched"</b> which is supposedly a dupe for NARS' Orgasm. It's a beautiful pink with golden shimmer running through it. I find it really perks up my complexion and especially on mornings where I don't have time to apply blush AND highlight, I just use this. The second oldie is <b>Benefit's Erase Paste</b>. I believe this has been repackaged and renamed as the Boi'ing concealer, but I could be wrong. This little pot is perfect for your handbag or travel bag. It's a salmon concealer, a corrector, to be more specific. I use it on the dark circles under my eyes to counteract the blue hue of my skin. Afterwards I go in with my normal concealer on top. It's very creamy and blendable and it does the job of hiding my dark circles.<br />
<br />
I bought the <b>Wet N Wild PhotoFocus Pressed Powder in "Neutral Beige"</b> a while ago but I've only recently started using it. It's a pressed powder and I use it with a big fluffy kabuki brush to dust over my T-zone to set my makeup in place. It's a nice little compact, the packaging is sturdy, and the powder does the job of setting my makeup. I do, however, have to be light-handed with this as it can look cakey if I pile too much of it on. Another Wet N Wild product that made the list this month is the <b>PhotoFocus Natural Finish Setting Spray</b>. I love the dinky little bottle and the spray is quite fine and even, no one likes big droplets of water ruining their makeup! It makes my makeup last throughout the day and it doesn't make me look shiny or too matte, it's just the right middle ground. My last favourite for the month is the <b>essence I Need A Miracle Volumizing & Strengthening Mascara</b>. It's supposed to have a lash tinting complex that tints your lashes over time, but I can't speak to that. The wand is slightly hourglass-shaped and the bristles are far enough apart to comb through your lashes, coating each one in mascara. At first I didn't really like it, but as the formula dried down slightly, I've been loving it more and more. This is a super affordable mascara and it makes my lashes look thick and long. There is no clumping and it transfers minimally to my brow bone. All in all, I really like this mascara.<br />
<br />
Which of these products have you used before? Let me know in the comment section!<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-72873586716649239262019-02-25T07:00:00.000+02:002019-02-25T07:00:15.384+02:00Empties Post #15: Skincare<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know my previous post was also an empties post, but I really have a lot of them to get through so sorry if it feels like that is all I post! I promise Thursday's post will be fresh and new...<br />
<br />
It also feels like every second empties post I do contains skincare! That's probably because I love trying out new skincare, and because it's something that I use every day, twice a day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPbQ-cFZjZi9ukKzShLgdxodUpjhQwpIa7thP0hZyGpUkyUUg_C9IkrX0viY80SXUd1ZIe5G4FQIkPii5twk5TcdH6mj3rJa-T4ID6AqnAtMsJK75XW2d1pNo5oFgp4aQO5UpYa_tCeU/s1600/IMG_4774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1452" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPbQ-cFZjZi9ukKzShLgdxodUpjhQwpIa7thP0hZyGpUkyUUg_C9IkrX0viY80SXUd1ZIe5G4FQIkPii5twk5TcdH6mj3rJa-T4ID6AqnAtMsJK75XW2d1pNo5oFgp4aQO5UpYa_tCeU/s640/IMG_4774.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Serums</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know exactly why I bought the <b>Nivea Cellular Anti-Age Cell Renewal Serum</b> (I think it was because Nivea was on a 3-for-2 promotion), but I won't repurchase. It has the same texture and smell as Nivea body moisturisers, and although I love a good Nivea body lotion, I didn't feel that this did anything for my (facial) skin. The <b>Clarins Double Serum</b>, on the other hand, was far more expensive, but a pleasure to use. If it revolutionised my skin I can't say, but I did notice that my skin was more plump and youthful with continued use. Will I repurchase? I don't know... I like it but it's quite expensive so I'd probably repurchase only if it was on promotion.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Moisturisers</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cheapest of the three moisturisers is the <b>Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel</b>. I've gone through two pots of this (I bought one and then I won a pot as part of a competition) and I might just purchase a third one. It has the same texture and feel as the Clinique Moisture Surge moisturiser but at a fraction of the price. It really hydrated my skin well and it doesn't make my skin feel heavy or sticky. I wrote a blog post on the Hydro Boost range that you can read <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2017/04/first-impressions-neutrogena-hydro.html">here</a>. Keeping with the "hydro" moisturisers: the <b>Clinique Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer</b> honestly didn't blow me away. It's supposed to hydrate your skin as well as smooth out imperfections, but I found it to be very average. I got it on promotion and honestly, if I hadn't received a discount I would feel like I wasted my money. It's alright, but it's not great and I wouldn't repurchase. The <b>Kiehl's Ultra Facial</b> range is the OG of Kiehl's skincare: no mess, no fuss, just simple and straightforward skincare. I enjoyed using the Ultra Facial moisturizer but...I prefer something a bit more interesting (texture, smell, feel). It does what it says on the tin, but I just got a bit bored with it. I might repurchase this small size for traveling, but not the large size.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which of these products have you used before? Let me know in the comment section!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
* All the products mentioned in this post were purchased by me.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-58498151005622339752019-02-11T07:00:00.000+02:002019-02-11T07:00:01.133+02:00Empties Post #14: Toners, Essences, and Thermal Spring Waters<div style="text-align: justify;">
This isn't a category that I thought I'd ever do an entire empties blog post on, but here we are. I love a good facial spritz/mist and recently I've been very into toners as a second step in my skincare routine.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl7CfMH4ATUerkMpxjiz_NY3eMeBiLNvsN8q_L_KqEJTBRr9bnwPdxdVWSsoDc0_CcjCLzpAo7Xzrh6UjbJYzN_AS3q91BOA2ed_oAwb7PWl8w3JkB6ndogodnhGgMUekJjn67GaV5A8/s1600/IMG_4771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1529" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl7CfMH4ATUerkMpxjiz_NY3eMeBiLNvsN8q_L_KqEJTBRr9bnwPdxdVWSsoDc0_CcjCLzpAo7Xzrh6UjbJYzN_AS3q91BOA2ed_oAwb7PWl8w3JkB6ndogodnhGgMUekJjn67GaV5A8/s640/IMG_4771.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Thermal Spring Water</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I used up both the <b>Avène Thermal Spring Water</b> and the <b>La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water</b>. I honestly can't say if there's a difference between the two, but I enjoyed using both. I use thermal spring water as a toner and to refresh my skin during the day. Would I repurchase? Definitely (on both counts).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Essences</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oddly enough I have three products from The Body Shop in this category. The <b>British Rose Petal-Soft Gel Toner</b> is a favourite in my beauty cabinet. It's quite a thick gel toner that I apply with a cotton pad after cleansing. I have used this as part of my take on the 7 skin method (it's a K-beauty ritual where you put layers and layers of toner on your skin for optimal hydration, but I only do three or four layers) and it works beautifully. I have repurchased and I will again! The <b>Vitamin E Aqua Boost Essence Lotion</b> has a similar function but it's much thinner and doesn't smell nearly as nice as the British Rose one. I have repurchased it but next time I'd rather buy the British Rose one. The <b>Drops of Youth Youth Fresh Emulsion</b> is kind of a weird product and I'm actually not too sure if it fits into the essence category or the serum category. For the price I would have hoped for a bigger bottle and I honestly can't see a difference in my skin. I wouldn't repurchase. The <b>Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner</b> is also perfect for the 7 skin method and is a really fuss-free product. It doesn't contain fragrance and it's very good value for money. I bought a small bottle on Glow Theory and afterwards repurchased the big bottle. I think I will repurchase this again!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Exfoliating Toner</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last product of the post is <b>Pixi's Glow Tonic</b>. This isn't available in the country but there are a few alternatives that I think would work just as well. One is the exfoliating toner from Clarins and I see REN also has one. Glow Tonic works well as a step between toning and moisturising at night, but I won't say it's groundbreaking. It's very gentle and that's probably why I didn't really see a difference in my skin. If I had the opportunity I'd rather purchase some of Pixi's other skincare products!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which of these products have you used before? Let me know in the comment section.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-29593545977841382502019-02-04T07:00:00.000+02:002019-02-04T07:00:04.503+02:00K-Beauty Haul<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am obsessed with K-Beauty (Korean Beauty) and I've just received my fourth <a href="https://glowtheory.co.za/">Glow Theory</a> order. Every time I order from them I think, I need to post my haul, and then I forget and end up using everything before I can get a chance to take photos. So what I'll do in this post is give a quick list of what I've bought in the past and then show you in detail what I bought this time. In future posts I will go into more detail regarding K-Beauty, but for now let's just stick to hauls.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
My First Couple of Hauls</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe0UXUE8I3TAPWPqSRrI8sO0Ht4XF2yRYbvxTom5s0iucWsiNCQTyWG8ppQHg2pcaOnT5fu5j95o7p3z6ukOEzmeBaJ3SWoL862f3z-Iaz-hSaE32UZLtDnc9gvZHRTWI65cgwW069qI/s1600/Haul1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe0UXUE8I3TAPWPqSRrI8sO0Ht4XF2yRYbvxTom5s0iucWsiNCQTyWG8ppQHg2pcaOnT5fu5j95o7p3z6ukOEzmeBaJ3SWoL862f3z-Iaz-hSaE32UZLtDnc9gvZHRTWI65cgwW069qI/s640/Haul1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For my first haul I bought the <b>Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in "Berry" </b>(it's nice and thick but I won't say it transforms my lips), <b>J.One Black Jelly Pack</b> (Holy Grail status pending, it's an amazing product!), <b>A'Pieu Milk Sheet Mask in "Banana"</b> (fantastic sheet mask, it left my skin so soft and plump), <b>The Saem Natural Red Ginseng Sheet Mask</b> (haven't used it yet), and the <b>J.One Jelly Pack Vita 2-Step Mask</b> (sheet mask and jelly pack - have only used the jelly pack and I absolutely love it for before makeup).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6Sp-Pg1xbkk5Fhtdaat6MN5zFB7T-joHzS-4MkDodjakyiqBTp4uwLxjIfqU6HJhCiN1Fm5un2nmlC5PpDLbztSTxBf9-6XR5wpR0pAu1r0eGj8LJuRPzk_OBLokDay4hbT-UHyKWBY/s1600/Haul2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6Sp-Pg1xbkk5Fhtdaat6MN5zFB7T-joHzS-4MkDodjakyiqBTp4uwLxjIfqU6HJhCiN1Fm5un2nmlC5PpDLbztSTxBf9-6XR5wpR0pAu1r0eGj8LJuRPzk_OBLokDay4hbT-UHyKWBY/s640/Haul2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
For my second haul I bought the <b>Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner</b> (love this), the <b>Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner</b> (love this too), <b>Leaders Amino Moisture Sheet Mask</b> (haven't used it yet), <b>A'Pieu Milk Sheet Mask in "Green Tea"</b> (this is even better than the banana one), <b>Tony Moly Kiss Kiss Lovely Lip Patch</b> (haven't used it yet, also not sure why I bought it...), and <b>Cosrx Clear Fit Master Patch</b> (haven't had a pimple to use it on yet!)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For my third haul I bought a bigger version of the <b>Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner</b> as well as the "Glow-trotter Travel Kit" which I unfortunately can't find a photo of. It had a lot of travel sizes and samples which I took with me on holiday in December, but I will probably blog about that at a later stage.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTAdxUb5vbOOVQ43RCPAcFLRV00WhJ1j_H6t0N0UeC6qs6QrgIIOr_NpmGMdaYgKVO2AZ9ekooU_S5NeoRXDI9yIjA-jOJpHj8f7cgPwPiz3ccUocm_oM1AhX2DOw-7mXJPXrHpIeFag/s1600/IMG_4720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTAdxUb5vbOOVQ43RCPAcFLRV00WhJ1j_H6t0N0UeC6qs6QrgIIOr_NpmGMdaYgKVO2AZ9ekooU_S5NeoRXDI9yIjA-jOJpHj8f7cgPwPiz3ccUocm_oM1AhX2DOw-7mXJPXrHpIeFag/s640/IMG_4720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For my fourth haul I decided on three products: <b>Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence</b>, <b>Cosrx One Step Moisture Up Pad</b>, and <b>Huxley Good Night Sleep Mask</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50HAvlFL_HBTkgukBzoR2EvgEGXprPeLYzFoH4ENVf8WfCg38hkwqGNC93eAA8LJLs-Klix_SAgqcDZ84lnXRqjBhSgicwM8I6KheyXQphyphenhyphen6rXntzXUJIRun-q6WI_2dI30VlVMxdsM0/s1600/IMG_4717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50HAvlFL_HBTkgukBzoR2EvgEGXprPeLYzFoH4ENVf8WfCg38hkwqGNC93eAA8LJLs-Klix_SAgqcDZ84lnXRqjBhSgicwM8I6KheyXQphyphenhyphen6rXntzXUJIRun-q6WI_2dI30VlVMxdsM0/s640/IMG_4717.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a cult favourite under K-Beauty junkies. It promises to visibly repair and revitalise skin and it helps with acne scarring, dehydrated skin, premature aging, sensitivity, dry patches, you name it. I've only used it once and the slightly sticky gel texture is quite interesting. It did leave my skin nice and plump so I have high hopes!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUXeUSobPgl6JasyY7QQGQskHBOoi9CCV8mG5NXET3OOV9jPdtyrnoe-cs_XS1jpiBZ3_5xFpVcoFPu-2VjzTqxBsdyv02mPxlI5Gb-pFORV3pSAVMbutQ2U8vKw1snQ6MUac-pPCYc0/s1600/IMG_4718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUXeUSobPgl6JasyY7QQGQskHBOoi9CCV8mG5NXET3OOV9jPdtyrnoe-cs_XS1jpiBZ3_5xFpVcoFPu-2VjzTqxBsdyv02mPxlI5Gb-pFORV3pSAVMbutQ2U8vKw1snQ6MUac-pPCYc0/s640/IMG_4718.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These soaked cotton pads are like the exfoliating pads you get, except these are for exfoliation and hydration. They contain Propolis extract and hyaluronic acid to leave skin smooth and clear. Propolis extract is apparently an antiseptic that is good for soothing red and inflamed skin. Hyaluronic acid, as we all know, is for hydration as it attracts and retains water to keep skin nice and plump.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pFhn8sGFuqg_YV3N-ZkTxWdJQ-YmB8n_vNkgpXsMxtRBTSjB3E6lGW-crogBiawPkzx2PmqrE1c6PlZMqff7Z1dXStPT1-oUrx4GLlGqivxftqsYwn1H8-JXW2tZyjDlLEUQWgrPQzU/s1600/IMG_4719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pFhn8sGFuqg_YV3N-ZkTxWdJQ-YmB8n_vNkgpXsMxtRBTSjB3E6lGW-crogBiawPkzx2PmqrE1c6PlZMqff7Z1dXStPT1-oUrx4GLlGqivxftqsYwn1H8-JXW2tZyjDlLEUQWgrPQzU/s640/IMG_4719.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know I love a good face mask so when I saw this I had to get it. The Huxley Good Night Sleep Mask contains prickly pear seed oil which is extremely rich in antioxidants. It's a nourishing overnight sleeping mask that hydrates and energises the skin. It comes in such cool packaging (a cardboard tube with a tin lid) and it smells delicious but not overpowering. I tried it on the back of my hand and it's not sticky at all and sinks into the skin immediately, so no ruined pillow cases! At R435 (for 120g - about the size of a full-size Origins tube mask) this was the most expensive item of the three, so yes, K-beauty is very affordable.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGD_jfPaxA5cNtW2fh05n9weJ092X8PAErU34FRRNLwKRX0c62XSA9Y9Us562ZofCy_33kqP6TaLtfJw1PF2stUA6rp2sxtlgWt3PgbWX-Qg6H6MpObXTHzxCdIMXai_GsQtvm9sO7Mk/s1600/IMG_4721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGD_jfPaxA5cNtW2fh05n9weJ092X8PAErU34FRRNLwKRX0c62XSA9Y9Us562ZofCy_33kqP6TaLtfJw1PF2stUA6rp2sxtlgWt3PgbWX-Qg6H6MpObXTHzxCdIMXai_GsQtvm9sO7Mk/s640/IMG_4721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4D-5mScEauTLJyPMLsXNr71WieY1C5wrN_RS6AhJDlkZxbvYtyTyL7tX0DJmTUIRXld7rsaHrlfaiYinRvwSMD0KavXj-_v6weITE5sqMsropwRQE3AOjOUa1gmwLOtj6KyK07IMbAM/s1600/IMG_4722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4D-5mScEauTLJyPMLsXNr71WieY1C5wrN_RS6AhJDlkZxbvYtyTyL7tX0DJmTUIRXld7rsaHrlfaiYinRvwSMD0KavXj-_v6weITE5sqMsropwRQE3AOjOUa1gmwLOtj6KyK07IMbAM/s640/IMG_4722.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also received a few samples to try out (samples are included in every order). I've received Pyunkang Yul samples before but more doesn't hurt! I also received a sample of the Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream which I almost bought in any case.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wanted to buy more products (I am obsessed and I had a birthday discount code, why not?) but they were all sold out. I'll just have to place another order then...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you every used any of these products before? Which of them look interesting to you? Let me know in the comments!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-27316798144789790832019-01-28T07:00:00.000+02:002019-01-28T07:00:01.948+02:00Current Favourite Netflix Shows<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was ill a lot during the last quarter of 2018 and one day when I was in bed, again, booked off sick, I decided to download Netflix and open an account. I mean, if you can't lie in bed on your sick days and watch Netflix, then when can you? I asked on Instagram stories (if you don't follow me yet, my handle is @hildegarde_k, same as on Twitter) for recommendations and I got a lot of good stuff! While looking for these titles on Netflix and scrolling through the offerings, I found a lot of other series as well. This extremely non-beauty, non-travel post list the shows I've been enjoying most. Who knows, you might find something here you like.<br />
<br />
Two things I like about Netflix original shows (in particular) is that they're fresh and new in their themes, characters, storylines, and they make you think. Some of the series are also only one season which means that the storylines aren't drawn out until infinity (I'm looking at you, Grey's Anatomy).<br />
<br />
<h3>
Shows That I Would Recommend (Thus Far)</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOhYActCYHyJZIbOrS0jfBCoNMyrXelsO2Tm5I_4YxJQukhOIsyFU2_-PfLBqBFCp1_WKA4-3Q0C7vIqjUbk3IvD0-GuAOMIOierJaNmoWLlUusCORG5K54hqc9mnmgHmgP3ySWP8FMo/s1600/Collage_Fotor1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOhYActCYHyJZIbOrS0jfBCoNMyrXelsO2Tm5I_4YxJQukhOIsyFU2_-PfLBqBFCp1_WKA4-3Q0C7vIqjUbk3IvD0-GuAOMIOierJaNmoWLlUusCORG5K54hqc9mnmgHmgP3ySWP8FMo/s640/Collage_Fotor1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDsKVXXoPjAPz07B4A91iB3PkJej1My0-wph7IvI3XpttGZV6zwZRl64kBMeiyi8AON9jBLYfuikIHsNAj0Vi7dG-u6DlWO7atcw9PYpASZOce_JlPOMu-IXieA5-R6rybmeo4E_65AE/s1600/Collage_Fotor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDsKVXXoPjAPz07B4A91iB3PkJej1My0-wph7IvI3XpttGZV6zwZRl64kBMeiyi8AON9jBLYfuikIHsNAj0Vi7dG-u6DlWO7atcw9PYpASZOce_JlPOMu-IXieA5-R6rybmeo4E_65AE/s640/Collage_Fotor2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the first Netflix show I watched was <b>Maniac</b> starring Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Justin Theroux, and Sally Fields. It's a quirky series about two struggling strangers who both enter a drug trial for a dodgy new pharmaceutical. The doctor in charge of the drug trial has problems of his own as well as serious mommy issues, not to mention an emotionally complex computer. It's off-beat and not your typical predictable TV series which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. The show focusses on deep and meaningful issues but there is also plenty of humor.<br />
<br />
<b>Ozark</b> is quite a dark show and if you liked Breaking Bad, you're going to like this. Financial advisor Marty Byrd moves his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel. In a bid to save the life of his family he promises to launder $500 million in 5 years' time. Just like Breaking Bad kind of taught us how to cook meth, Ozark teaches us how to launder money. I still don't completely understand all the processes, but it's not something I would want to get into. The series also focusses on family issues to a lesser degree and most of the other characters are also equally messed up, from the gay FBI agent to the druggie lodge owner to the farming couple with their secret business.<br />
<br />
On the other end of the spectrum we have <b>The Good Place</b>. I've heard lots of conflicting reviews on it but I personally love it. The show stars the charming silver fox Ted Danson and Kristen Bell. Kristen Bell's role is much more Jeannie Van Der Hooven from House Of Lies than it is Veronica Mars. Kristen plays the role of Eleanor Shellstrop who dies and wrongly ends up at The Good Place instead of The Real Eleanor. Ted Danson is Michael, the keeper of the neighbourhood in The Good Place. Tip: if you start off watching it and think it's a bit weird, give it a chance. There's a nice little twist at the end of the first season that's bound to have you coming back for more. What I love about the show is the fact that it's unpredictable and that they manage to write an entire show about heaven and hell without calling it that and without bringing religion into it whatsoever. I can't wait for the next season!<br />
<br />
If you're looking for a hilarious comedy, look no further than <b>Schitts Creek</b>. The extremely wealthy Rose family fall onto hard times and are court-ordered to go live in a town, Schitts Creek, that Mr Rose bought for his son as a joke years ago. They have to stay in the town's motel and try to adapt to small-town living. Hilarity ensues. One of my favourite characters has to be the son, David, who is pansexual (Roland Schitt, "Pansexual? Does he have a pan fetish?"). I love researching series I am watching and an interesting thing I found out was that Schitts Creek is a real-life family affair: the father and son team on the show are father and son in real life! They also produce the show with the help of another family member.<br />
<br />
I started watching <b>Orange Is The New Black</b> years ago when it first came out so I just continued watching it on Netflix. Piper Chapman lands in jail after her involvement in a drug ring comes to light. The woman she was in a relationship with at the time lands in jail beside her. The show focusses on different characters and why they landed in jail, as well as their relationships in jail itself. I've always loved prison stories (hello, Prisoner: Cell Block H and Prison Break seasons 1-2), so there was never any doubt that I would like this!<br />
<br />
Another comedy worth mentioning is <b>Grace and Frankie</b>. This isn't my absolute favourite thing I've watched on Netflix, but it is watchable. The star-studded cast include Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston. Grace and Frankie find out that their respective spouses are gay and have been cheating on them (with each other) for the past 20 years. Stylish Grace and eccentric Frankie move into their joint beach house and try to make sense of everything that happened. I think I'm about 20 years too young to fully appreciate all the humor, but I like it nonetheless. The show is made a bit "younger" by the fact that both couples' adult children also frequently feature. My favourite by far is the feisty Brianna (daughter of Grace and Robert) who speaks her mind but is also absolutely hilarious and gorgeous.<br />
<br />
One of the most talked-about shows recently is <b>Tidying Up With Marie Kondo</b>. Marie Kondo is a Japanese "organising consultant" who has written numerous books about the subject, most notably her best-seller "The life-changing magic of tidying up". I read the book a few years ago and instead of inspired, I felt overwhelmed and bleak. The book comes across as very rigid and judge-y: throw away your possessions or else! But, this is not a book review, it's a TV show review! I find the series to be much more relatable and doable. After episode two I was ready to #KonMari my house! On the show she visits a different family in each episode and helps them to declutter their homes. She shows them what to do and then leaves them with their "homework" until the next week. The only problem I have with this method is that it relies on you having drawers to put your clothes in, while I (and most of us, I'm gathering) have shelves. That being said, I already KonMari-ed Olivia's clothes in her dresser and I couldn't be more chuffed! There's a lot of divided opinions on the show (my husband doesn't understand how I can watch something "so boring") but I personally really enjoy it as I've always loved anything to do with organisation.<br />
<br />
The last two shows are the ones I've finished most recently. <b>Sex Education</b> is an absolutely brilliant British show (featuring the American actress Gillian Anderson of The X Files) about teenage sex and all the issues around it. It not only focusses on sex, but also on relationships between parents and children, relationships between friends, and relationships that the children have with themselves. Awkward teenager Otis lives with his mom who is a renowned sex therapist and his best friend Eric is gay and struggling with his own issues. Otis befriends alternative rock chick Maeve and they open a "sex-therapy clinic" at school where they charge their fellow students money for advice provided by Otis. The show is set in an 80s flashback and, apart from the great content, the scenery is breathtaking. Apparently the show was filmed in the northeastern part of Wales (note to self: book tickets to Wales).<br />
<br />
Lastly is <b>You</b>, the show that's been on everyone's lips these past few weeks. Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl stars in this psychological thriller about a brilliant bookstore manager who falls in love with an aspiring writer and student. He stalks her and tries to insert himself into her life at any chance he gets. He believes he loves her and would do anything to protect her- with dire consequences for anyone who tries to come between them. I really, really enjoyed this show because I enjoy thrillers, the story was very exciting and unpredictable (I didn't read the books), but it also made me question my own morals and ethics. Joe is clearly the bad guy, but often I found myself rooting for him. And the leading lady, Beck, really worked on my nerves. I don't like her character at all. There are quite a couple of crazies in this show, be warned. I finished the series just as I was busy writing this post, and oh my goodness, what an ending! It wasn't the ending I had hoped for ór expected and now I don't know how to feel about it. Hopefully the second season will clear things up.<br />
<br />
Other shows that I'm busy watching with the husband are <b>Narcos</b> and <b>Godless</b>. Both received excellent rating but I'm struggling to get into them. Narcos is very good but it's dark and there are a lot of subtitles, which makes it difficult to do anything else while watching (eating, playing on my phone *ahem*). Narcos documents the rise and reign of Pablo Escobar's cocaine trade in Colombia and it's very interesting to see how and where it all started.<br />
<br />
Godless is a short one-season show but the episodes are very long and I find that I lose interest after a few minutes. It's a western but there are a lot of characters and I find it confusing. Some parts are very watchable but currently I'm just watching it to finish it.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The One Show Thus Far I Didn't Like...</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNW0fdW8j1FztDvoDaPyXc265vJbBteiSN6iOh7P0rGZ8BSoX4fSxNw8ynvQPdYgzfO_5lko1bTPIunhFI-We73yu24a-kAgBdUSEuljZqEEUOCLe2x0ACa8cS-sWSizhp5p9j9QT1e8/s1600/santaclaritadiet.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="284" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNW0fdW8j1FztDvoDaPyXc265vJbBteiSN6iOh7P0rGZ8BSoX4fSxNw8ynvQPdYgzfO_5lko1bTPIunhFI-We73yu24a-kAgBdUSEuljZqEEUOCLe2x0ACa8cS-sWSizhp5p9j9QT1e8/s400/santaclaritadiet.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I heard average-to-good things about <b>Santa Clarita Diet</b>, and because Drew Barrymore stars in it (what a babe!) I decided to watch it. Now, you have to know this about me: I have issues with starting something and not finishing it. I have to really dislike a TV show to stop after a season or three (case in point: I watched all six seasons of Desperate Housewives even though I only really enjoyed the first few. I stopped watching Prison Break after they broke out of prison, I mean, wasn't that the point?). So I gave Santa Clarita Diet three episodes chance and I honestly don't like it. I love Drew Barrymore and it is quite funny, but I found the whole blood and flesh-eating thing gross. Plus, I'm scared of zombies (even though I watch and enjoy The Walking Dead).<br />
<br />
And that's my Netflix picks thus far! Do you have any recommendations of what I should watch next? Please leave your suggestions in the comment section.<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
<br />
*All images are courtesy of Netflix</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-45275976489895593202018-12-14T07:00:00.000+02:002018-12-14T07:00:10.760+02:00My Spring 2018 Favourites<div style="text-align: justify;">
I haven't blogged in ages and I haven't done a favourites post in even longer, oops! I thought that I'd combine the previous months' favourites post into one and then it hit me: I haven't done any favourites posts during the past three months, so this is now my spring favourites post.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've pretty much used the same products for months because that has just been the easiest. Between working full time, taking care of a baby, and running a household, there hasn't been too much time or energy for blogging or trying out new products! In today's post I'm only mentioning skincare and makeup products that I haven't mentioned in a favourites post before.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeOvrUi3Qx48cP7mHUFEvDNjbNlR7LBgQu6_cbDcfO_O9YnfMgrttqX2oWfvVWAfBwPD538ZZP0RPEgl5rQ299uGOc8MKWME4xmH1O3r-ElDbZqoPKm5SOmp2SAyiZTlxUJc1HlyriIs/s1600/IMG_3980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1256" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeOvrUi3Qx48cP7mHUFEvDNjbNlR7LBgQu6_cbDcfO_O9YnfMgrttqX2oWfvVWAfBwPD538ZZP0RPEgl5rQ299uGOc8MKWME4xmH1O3r-ElDbZqoPKm5SOmp2SAyiZTlxUJc1HlyriIs/s640/IMG_3980.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Skincare</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9GcB3yrBekMPg4jUKcdPp_g2eAL24exUbQpWxMMI9mtVNGpHaq-6XRs6qhSH_NzRJGY7Rbi1Qh5xbKiorWXa-jGRjPa9-g0O7cbVZFGO2OmyFqd15QG1koMqWvgLsRz43QiRA3qOFUk/s1600/IMG_4041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9GcB3yrBekMPg4jUKcdPp_g2eAL24exUbQpWxMMI9mtVNGpHaq-6XRs6qhSH_NzRJGY7Rbi1Qh5xbKiorWXa-jGRjPa9-g0O7cbVZFGO2OmyFqd15QG1koMqWvgLsRz43QiRA3qOFUk/s640/IMG_4041.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I've placed three orders on <a href="https://glowtheory.co.za/">Glow Theory</a> (let me know in the comments if you'd like to know what I bought) and I've been trying to incorporate more Korean Beauty skincare products into my routine. The K-Beauty rituals absolutely fascinate me and who wouldn't want glass skin? My K-Beauty favourites of the past three months include the Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner, J.One Jelly Pack, and the J.One Black Jelly Pack. The Pyunkang Yul mist toner comes in a spray bottle (obviously) and I spritz it onto cleaned and exfoliated skin. It gives my skin a nice burst of hydration and everything just feels nice and plumped and refreshed afterwards. I don't like the smell, but luckily it goes away very quickly.<br />
<br />
The two J.One products are, however, the stars of the show! At first I was a bit hesitant to use the J.One Jelly Pack (white tube) as the consistency is very weird: it's a clear gel but it's extremely tacky. When it comes into contact with your skin it almost turns into superglue. You can't rub it in, you have to pat it in. It creates a sticky base for whatever you put on afterwards. It is to be used as the last step in your skincare routine so it makes an excellent base for your foundation or BB cream. My makeup goes on beautifully and it stays put all day long. It really is quite an amazing product! I love the J.One Black Jelly Pack as a sleeping pack (at night, obviously). The product comes out as a blue-gray jelly and it smells good too. It almost feels cooling on the skin and it leaves my skin plump, juicy, and hydrated. I honestly don't know what else to write about it - just go and try it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBChtZbWrUh4yuvwYtiqVlJFCIU9IRf2JsWbGgEqy9cnsNCUbkzjf9Tp1YisaTOcNFdc5fkhkR_ZpvQitK5-VtlNEj06LPF-XD6S77DPbhuZktE_h4OYGQMToSjOqAc5Dz8ibMUoL4lQ/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="1600" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBChtZbWrUh4yuvwYtiqVlJFCIU9IRf2JsWbGgEqy9cnsNCUbkzjf9Tp1YisaTOcNFdc5fkhkR_ZpvQitK5-VtlNEj06LPF-XD6S77DPbhuZktE_h4OYGQMToSjOqAc5Dz8ibMUoL4lQ/s640/IMG_0011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other skincare favourites include the Nivea Q10 Plus C Anti-wrinkle + Energy cream and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF50 sunscreen. I was skeptical about the Nivea Q10 cream because if I'm being honest I'd much rather slap Nivea on my body than on my face. That being said, I did read a few positive reviews from bloggers I trust so I decided to try it. I can't say that this has revolutionised my skin, but I can say that on nights where I've used this, I wake up to clear and smooth skin the next morning.<br />
<br />
I've been a bit slack with applying SPF to my skin, especially my face, so now I'm making a concerted effort to protect my facial skin at least. Some recommended the La Roche-Posay and I have to say, I quite like it. It's a little bit more tacky and greasy than, say, the Kiehl's SPF50, but it's a lot less greasy and sticky than what I used in previous years. Makeup goes on easily afterwards and I don't experience more shininess than usual.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Makeup</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EA0ZCYOul3S8AUT1_5Po7ptZET0SnD8Pb5U3ShBUeEBoJf7iS5JdJlQm0mkZefnaevjc0FA-pfL47_ti5B2By5Xy7B3cTQ4NyGNI5bQRm9EXyZjlKSeUZ71g1fG-P_d7r9A5T32dm9s/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1600" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EA0ZCYOul3S8AUT1_5Po7ptZET0SnD8Pb5U3ShBUeEBoJf7iS5JdJlQm0mkZefnaevjc0FA-pfL47_ti5B2By5Xy7B3cTQ4NyGNI5bQRm9EXyZjlKSeUZ71g1fG-P_d7r9A5T32dm9s/s640/IMG_0014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've heard lots of overseas bloggers rave about the Catrice Prime and Fine Multitalent Fixing Spray and I'm really enjoying it. I haven't used it for the full three months, but for as long as I've used it I've like it. I like this more than the Catrice mattifying fixing spray (it smelled weird and made my lips tingle). I've used this both as a primer and as a fixing spray and I like it both ways. It makes my skin dewy without making it look oily.<br />
<br />
At long last we have the Maybelline Instant Anti-age Eraser concealer in South Africa! When I saw it in my local Dischem I nearly fainted. I have it in the shade "Light" which I thought was going to be too light for me, but in actual fact is a good match. I apply it on my undereye area (on top of a bit of Benefit Erase Paste) and blend it in with a damp Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I absolutely adore this concealer and will definitely repurchase.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcis5sZzgzLZfywWzBL-LO-zCJ4mgmzi7if0bvVpWRT7XsYAZvzk8JgZGvp7t2qJmAlc1StBryVOJqVswNm-aVaBy55SyJ1dhMzuRoOOfcAW00m8HsnvAJnE6MoYSMcWoVsCkk8JximWc/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcis5sZzgzLZfywWzBL-LO-zCJ4mgmzi7if0bvVpWRT7XsYAZvzk8JgZGvp7t2qJmAlc1StBryVOJqVswNm-aVaBy55SyJ1dhMzuRoOOfcAW00m8HsnvAJnE6MoYSMcWoVsCkk8JximWc/s640/IMG_0016.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-i5O7TOs4WB80MtkLRjdrU1GSnpcnLT7LjCex83wozmAd0n4kUR_0oH0lqzi2AKo0JOOAv-suic1rSho5VEZGRh2ivZcB_pzVwlFaCs8Hngk9XYhDVX7f6GZv6tPeyWXZkIcvpO6PKc/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1118" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-i5O7TOs4WB80MtkLRjdrU1GSnpcnLT7LjCex83wozmAd0n4kUR_0oH0lqzi2AKo0JOOAv-suic1rSho5VEZGRh2ivZcB_pzVwlFaCs8Hngk9XYhDVX7f6GZv6tPeyWXZkIcvpO6PKc/s640/IMG_0017.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next up are two mascaras, Smashbox Full Exposure mascara and essence I Need A Miracle Volumizing & Strengthening Mascara. The Smashbox has a cone-shaped brush and I find that it does a great job at adding length and volume to my lashes. It's very black and it's not too wet so that it smudges everywhere. The essence mascara has an odd almost hourglass-shaped wand that also adds a good amount of volume to my lashes. It's supposed to tint your lashes over time but I can't say that I've experienced that (I don't use the same mascara each day). I love the packaging and since it's essence, it is super affordable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kdt25Iu-rneUHhvc5BIKJ7uNRv_YhzwULzEE0FUIBR_P9XRr_2lLlRp0dZy3QfjF5M_7TyvoP0etW3oCmhjG4MkDQzDrQcKICiP2ZyqUqQtfeKaKPcDN9Hin56LrDqHCU48_IwC2YXo/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kdt25Iu-rneUHhvc5BIKJ7uNRv_YhzwULzEE0FUIBR_P9XRr_2lLlRp0dZy3QfjF5M_7TyvoP0etW3oCmhjG4MkDQzDrQcKICiP2ZyqUqQtfeKaKPcDN9Hin56LrDqHCU48_IwC2YXo/s640/IMG_0013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My final favourites for spring are two eyeshadow palettes that look quite the same but aren't in the same price bracket: Smashbox Cover Shot: Neutrals eyeshadow palette and Makeup Revolution Reloaded Iconic Fever eyeshadow palette. The Smashbox eyeshadow palette is small and compact and contains eight shadows and a mirror. There are three matte shadows and the rest are gorgeous subtly shimmery shades. It's very warm toned and ranges from a rich camel brown to a deep dark chocolate brown, with bronzy red shades in-between. The Makeup Revolution palette contains 15 large eyeshadow pans and no mirror, but the price point is fantastic (R130 at selected Clicks stores). Nine of the shadows are matte and the rest are shimmery. This palette is also very warm toned but I feel that the difference between the different shades aren't as pronounced as in the Smashbox palette. Both palettes' shadows are buttery and soft, but I find that the shimmery shades in the Makeup Revolution palette don't layer as well on top of the matte shades as I would like them to, but maybe I should use it with Mac Fix+ spray or something.<br />
<br />
And that's a wrap for my spring 2018 favourites! Which of these products have you used? Let me know in the comment section.<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-66912049874644671392018-08-20T07:00:00.000+02:002018-08-20T07:00:08.887+02:00Empties Post #13: Cleansers<div style="text-align: justify;">
Over the past few months I have accumulated a lot of beauty junk and I think it's time that I start blogging about them so that I can finally throw the empties away! Today we'll start with cleansing products, both facial cleansers and micellar waters.<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOTLcWl-6ut3KHnImaJcIk7SGQm7zeK9q2siTS9bxvg3FeaxujhN9k_ccBMGRxNPzVxyVr3WVaMdXHyfjoRp7nFURvyykiSh17fORjcTOGn-r8vfgH6dFvKfIAWJbzS6dU5OTNdQrjNI/s1600/IMG_2377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOTLcWl-6ut3KHnImaJcIk7SGQm7zeK9q2siTS9bxvg3FeaxujhN9k_ccBMGRxNPzVxyVr3WVaMdXHyfjoRp7nFURvyykiSh17fORjcTOGn-r8vfgH6dFvKfIAWJbzS6dU5OTNdQrjNI/s640/IMG_2377.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: start;">
Cleansers</h3>
I really enjoyed the <b>Neutrogena HydroBoost water gel cleanser</b>. It's a gel that foams up but it doesn't leave my face feeling squeaky clean - my skin feels nice and clean but still comfortable. It also smells nice, comes in a pump bottle, and is very affordable. Would I repurchase? Definitely.<br />
<br />
I think as far as cleansers go, the <b>Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel</b> is by far one of my favourites. It might even hold the number one spot. It's very expensive, but the larger the bottle you buy, the cheaper it works out. I started with a few travel sizes, then this medium size (250 ml), and last year I bought the gigantic bottle (500 ml). It's also a gel that foams up and doesn't strip your skin. Compared to the Neutrogena one, my face feels even more comfortable after using the Dermalogica. I started using the special cleansing gel on holidays and found that my skin looked really great after using it once or twice: it's as if the cleansing gel "balances" my skin out. It smells very medicinal and on some weird subconscious level I feel as if that makes it work better (it doesn't). Would I repurchase? Well, I have already.<br />
<br />
This <b>Melvita milky cleansing oil</b> for face and eyes is very, very old. I bought it overseas a few years ago and I don't think you can get it here. It's a very liquidy oil and it does remove every last trace of makeup. It's quite heavily perfumed but I don't mind it as it smells like roses. Scent is an important part of skincare (well to me at least) so I associate the rose scent with nighttime and winding down for bed. I also like the fact that it comes in a pump bottle. Would I repurchase? Yes, but sadly I don't know where.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: start;">
Micellar Waters</h3>
The <b>Nivea Perfect & Radiant 3-in-1 Micellar</b> cleansing water is good, but I've used better. The gigantic bottle is good value for money (around R100 for 400 ml) and the micellar water itself is good, although I struggled to remove mascara with it. I'm glad I tried it out but I'd rather use one of the Garnier micellar waters.<br />
<br />
Speaking of which...this green <b>Garnier Fresh micellar water</b> is still not available in SA as far as I know (I bought it in Italy). I was quite disappointed with it as I found that it didn't do much. Out of all the Garnier micellar waters, this one is my least favourite (my favourites: yellow, then pink, and then blue green). If it launches in SA I won't be repurchasing it.<br />
<br />
Have you ever tried any of these products before? What did you think? Leave me a comment down below.<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-68094414157548242092018-08-16T07:00:00.000+02:002018-08-16T07:00:04.013+02:00Personal Post: When Things Don't Go As Planned<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a four month hiatus, I'm back. Well, sort of. Four months ago I had this grand idea of starting up the blog again whenever I wanted to, but these days I can think of 100 more important things to do than to blog. I have missed blogging, though, I just don't know if I'll be able to dive right into my usual schedule of posting twice a week.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For those of you who've been following the blog for a while, I had my baby girl on the 12th of April. Now I know this isn't a mommy blog but I thought I'd share with you where I've been these past four months and what happened on THAT day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The baby's due date was 1 April 2018 (Easter Sunday) and I hoped and prayed that she would either arrive a few days early, or very late. You see, my doctor was away on Easter Holiday and I was dead scared of having the baby while she was away. But my baby apparently enjoyed her warm and cosy home because she wouldn't budge, despite being in the optimal position to be born and laying very low for weeks. The due date came and went, my doctor returned from her holiday, Granny flew up from Cape Town because "surely she'll be here by the 6th?", and our neighbours with whom we are great friends also returned from their holiday. Still no baby. That following Tuesday when I was 41 weeks 2 days pregnant I went to the doctor and she said that the baby has to be born before the end of the week as my amniotic fluid was starting to get less and the placenta was beginning to calcify. The doctor wanted to schedule me for an induction and I asked her to please give us two more days. My induction was scheduled for Thursday the 12th of April and so I went home with a knot in my stomach as I've not heard great things about inductions. The labour pains after an induction are apparently worse than they normally would be and most inductions end up in C-sections: something I didn't want unless absolutely necessary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Thursday morning we arrived super early at the hospital and I was hooked up to machines measuring my heart rate, the baby's heart rate, as well as a machine that measures the strength of contractions. At 06:00 the machine started registering contractions: the baby had decided that she won't be induced, she's coming out on her own. I was so relieved that I didn't have to be induced and I was also chuckling at my headstrong little girl who decided that she'll come into this world on her own time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The labour got progressively worse (as all labours do) but I was completely zoned out. The hours flew by and halfway during the morning I asked for an injection. I can't remember the name but it doesn't really take away the pain, it just helps you cope better. They told me that it would wear off at around 13:00 as I was very anxious that it would harm the baby (it wouldn't). At 13:15 the doctor said that I could start pushing and at 13:40 my baby was born. The baby was big, much bigger than anticipated (4.2 kg!) and the doctor had to make small cuts so that I wouldn't tear (sorry for the overshare). When Olivia Isabella was born they put her on my stomach for about 30 seconds before towelling her off, cutting the umbilical cord, and whisking her away to the other side of the birthing suite. I slowly came out of my zone and alarm bells started ringing. I know babies aren't very pretty to look at when they're born, but why is mine so swollen and purple? When they took her away I asked, "Is my baby ok?" and nobody answered me. When we discussed my birth plan weeks before the birth, the doctor convinced my husband to cut the umbilical cord himself. Their deal was that he would cut it only if everything goes according to plan (we were going to delay the cord clamping to ensure the maximum benefit for the baby). So when the doctor cut the cord within the first minute without hesitation, we knew something was wrong. Nobody spoke to me and I could sense panic. I was still too zoned out to freak out, but the next moment a nurse (an NICU nurse, I would find out later) rushed in, didn't even greet us, just took the baby in a towel and stormed out again. My baby had somehow inhaled her meconium (first poop) and it went into her lungs rendering them unable to circulate oxygen. Nobody knows for sure if it happened in utero or during the birth process, but they assured me over and over again that none of it was my fault. It's uncommon, but it does happen, usually in overdue babies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I tried to eat something: it was 14:00 and the last time I ate something was at 05:30. The nurses encouraged me to take a shower and standing between the shower and the basin, I fainted. The shock and the lack of sustenance was just too much. I woke up in my husband's arms with the midwife checking my pulse: my husband had seen me turning pale and called out to me and when I didn't respond he knew what was going to happen and ran into the bathroom. They put me back into bed and connected me to a glucose drip to replenish my sugar levels. I wasn't allowed to shower after that... By 17:00 I still haven't seen my baby and I cried every time a nurse came to check my blood pressure and asked how my baby is doing. One nurse felt sorry for me and said she promises she'll get a porter to take me to my baby. The husband went in first and took photos of little Olivia. He showed me the photos with the disclaimer to "not freak out". I did freak out. My baby was on a ventilator and full of wires and tape and stickers. I couldn't believe that after an amazing pregnancy and a natural birth, this was how everything turned out. We went to the NICU and I cried so hard when I saw her. Everything felt very real and in that moment all I wanted to do was hold my baby. All the books talk about how important skin-to-skin contact is, especially in the first few hours, and there I was, unable to even touch my baby, let alone put her on my chest. Being discharged on the Saturday was bittersweet because I looked forward to sleeping in my own bed and using my own bathroom, but heartbroken that I had to leave my baby behind in hospital. This wasn't how things were supposed to be!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The NICU is a scary but a wonderful place. The first time you go there it's just wires and incubators and beeping, but the more I went there, the less wires I saw. The people working there are absolutely incredible. I am so fond of those nurses. Sure there were one or two who I didn't want near my baby, but the rest of them are incredible. They limit the number of visitors in the NICU (each baby is only allowed three non-parent visits, except on Sundays when it's "Grandparents Day"), but parents are allowed any time and all the time. We tried to go as much as possible but it's hard to keep up. Luckily the hospital is only a 5 minute drive from our house, but the constant back and forth really got to us after a few days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Olivia improved remarkably as the days went by and after a few days they took her off the ventilator and eventually she cried for the first time. A hoarse sound, but it became louder and clearer as the days went by. Every day they would remove more wires and stickers and she started to look more like a baby. I felt such intense loss: yes my baby would be ok, but I mourned those missed first hours and first days that we would never get back, and, never truly recover from. After about five days I could finally hold my baby. She was so small and so different from the big swollen baby they had put on my stomach five days earlier. Breastfeeding got off to a good start and on the ninth day I slept over in the hospital so that I could breastfeed her on demand. It was so weird staying in the hospital without actually being admitted! I only had to pay for my meals (it was something ridiculous like R35 per meal) and I got tea and snacks along with the other patients. The NICU staff would phone me when it was time to feed Olivia. On day 10 they discharged Olivia and we were scared and excited to finally go home. I was relieved to be taking her home but I also felt a bit of Stockholm Syndrome towards the NICU as it had become my second home during that week and a half.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEG5liPOsygpJ2DIAETxExz394jpvv5X5fBAT-38XdYoBTmGbt9GJV8LUVKm1zYo_BdD5iqM8Z4VVQiCVi_rRzPHl1odZeHrFm5TyHC-rltjyg0At73ucM6Uh6bSq2VrT_NJbIGOUFIM/s1600/IMG_1047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEG5liPOsygpJ2DIAETxExz394jpvv5X5fBAT-38XdYoBTmGbt9GJV8LUVKm1zYo_BdD5iqM8Z4VVQiCVi_rRzPHl1odZeHrFm5TyHC-rltjyg0At73ucM6Uh6bSq2VrT_NJbIGOUFIM/s640/IMG_1047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Olivia is now four months old and retains absolutely nothing from her ordeal. There is nothing wrong with her lungs, she was born with severe pneumonia. It's been a rocky road up to this day (all new parents will agree), but it's been so worthwhile. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAruYsd2M5we8XPbbTyedBNpHQPUSvWrFKKQ-RbR-sSY8hbnCuNv5rFk0Led68gGhtB6NhQRgvK7Ir6qwNdkZcAjtY9BhHsKn7_X_2p9LJvtjJwq-CFFiXr7HHevTgit3kbhrqNo4GEKs/s1600/IMG_2254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAruYsd2M5we8XPbbTyedBNpHQPUSvWrFKKQ-RbR-sSY8hbnCuNv5rFk0Led68gGhtB6NhQRgvK7Ir6qwNdkZcAjtY9BhHsKn7_X_2p9LJvtjJwq-CFFiXr7HHevTgit3kbhrqNo4GEKs/s640/IMG_2254.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for me: I'm in good health and everything healed perfectly. I just need to accept my new body which is a bit of a struggle, but I'm getting there. As I type this Olivia is snoozing next door (today was her second day at creche) and I'm wondering what to wear tomorrow on my first day back at work in over four months. I hope my work wardrobe still fits...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-5393418444250084502018-04-09T07:00:00.000+02:002018-04-09T07:00:20.459+02:00What to do when a Skincare Product Causes a Breakout?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recently I tested a drugstore serum which broke me out in such a bad way that it necessitated the writing of an entire blog post. I'm not going to slam the product (it's the Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-wrinkle Replenishing Serum Pearls if you're wondering), but I will tell you what to do when you're in a similar situation. Different skin types respond differently to products and ingredients, so what worked for me might not work for you, and vice versa, but I do believe the approach will still be the same.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjwU4N5952jwjjp5ZzASzUz13bH7l_lzLHE9oFdGrXz9M0NCqyW_zenCS1UC2xe49lOra6QB7dEbL0E-BZMv95rpDM2Nu2vFGcGfTVOCVEFfgi0g8VQWbOGS9v0H6l8ge5j4t5j6ExoY/s1600/toner-906142_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="960" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjwU4N5952jwjjp5ZzASzUz13bH7l_lzLHE9oFdGrXz9M0NCqyW_zenCS1UC2xe49lOra6QB7dEbL0E-BZMv95rpDM2Nu2vFGcGfTVOCVEFfgi0g8VQWbOGS9v0H6l8ge5j4t5j6ExoY/s640/toner-906142_960_720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
The Backstory</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My first impression of the serum was that I really liked the packaging, but that the product itself was a bit weird. When you press down on the pump, the yellow pearls are squished together and dispensed as a bright yellow cream (it looks a bit like mushy peas), and it smells exactly like men's shower gel, which should probably have given me my first clue. I used it morning and night for about two or three days and everything seemed fine (I didn't change anything else in my skincare routine). On the evening of the second or third day I saw that my skin looked a bit lackluster and bumpy so I decided to use a clay mask that I have used <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2017/04/review-loreal-pure-clay-face-masks.html">many times before</a> (the green L'Oreal clay mask). I rinsed it off and everything was fine. The next morning when I woke up the skin on my cheeks was a bit red, but nothing out of the ordinary. I applied the serum and my usual skincare products and put on makeup. When I arrived home about two hours later (we had a doctor's appointment the morning) my skin was an absolute disaster. I immediately washed my face and saw that my skin had the texture of the moon landscape: my cheeks were red and inflamed and I had white bumps (that looked like pimples) dotted all over my cheeks. There were a few white bumps on my chin and even down my neck (I always take the excess serum down my neck). I was shocked and upset that my skin had taken a turn for the worst so quickly! After some TLC my skin recovered after about four days and today's post will explain how I did it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Tips on How to Recover</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first thing to do is: <b>stop using the aggravating product</b>. As a beauty blogger I've learned (the hard way) to not just jump in and try lots of new products at once: you will mess up your skin in a bad way. If you're using new products, introduce them one at a time to give your skin a chance to acclimatise to the new product(s). This way you will also know which one is the offending product if anything goes wrong. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The next thing to remember is <b>do NOT exfoliate</b> your skin! It can be very tempting to just go to town with the exfoliation in the hopes of removing every last bump and "starting over". Exfoliation will definitely make things worse, so don't do it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Return to the basics</b>: your skin is in a very fragile position and you need to be very, very gentle with it. Stick to your old routine and try to pare it back if you're a bit on the heavy side with the skincare steps. For me this meant using a gentle face wash morning and night (and not washing my face in the shower in the mornings) - I recently repurchased the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel which is a fail-safe to me. My skin always looks good when I use it and I know it won't break me out. After that I applied The Body Shop's British Rose Petal-Soft Gel Toner on a cotton pad (very gently) to my entire face, and I spritzed on some La Roche Posay thermal water, and when I ran out, the Avene thermal water. After letting that sink in I applied a few drops of the Dermalogica UltraCalming Barrier Oil (only from the second day onwards), and then lastly some of the Dermalogica UltraCalming Water Moisturiser. The reason I applied these products is because that's what I've been using in the weeks before messing up my skin with a drugstore serum. You can use anything that's been working for you before the mishap. Luckily for me that meant two products from the Dermalogica UltraCalming range! You don't need to spend thousands on products claiming to solve your skincare problems: the main thing is just to not upset your skin any further.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Go for <b>gentle products</b>. I'm a firm believer in using thermal water (Uriage, Vichy, Avene, La Roche Posay) to calm down irritated skin. I've used it on sunburnt skin, shaving rashes (on the husband), insect bites, you name it. It cools down the area and gently calms the skin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been lucky in that I could stay home those few days while my skin was recovering, so I didn't wear any makeup. When I did go out I just applied a BB cream, concealer, and powder and tried not to faff too much with my skin. Now would also be a good time to tell you to <b>not touch your face</b>! By touching your face you can spread bacteria from your hands to your face, and goodness knows, this is the last thing you need now!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At night I would gently <b>double cleanse</b> if I've worn makeup, or else do a gentle <b>single cleanse</b>. <b>Hot cloth cleansing</b> proved to be the most effective way at cleaning my skin while soothing it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Patience</b>. I know, I know. I do not have patience but trust me when I say, you can't rush this process. You just have to be gentle with your skin and give it time to heal. It took me four days but my skin is back to normal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do you have any tips or tricks for getting your skin to get back to looking its best? Let me know in the comment section.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo<br />
<br />
<br />
* Image with thanks from <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/toner-skin-skincare-cooling-facial-906142/">Pixabay</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-12064623360819002232018-04-06T07:00:00.000+02:002018-04-06T07:00:24.227+02:00Dipping My Toe Into the K-Beauty Pool: K-Beauty Shopping List<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've always been very intrigued by other people's skincare routines, but even more so by K-Beauty routines. A skincare routine consisting of 10 steps that lead to the most perfect skin ever? Uhm, sign me up, please! Although I don't always even follow all the steps in my own skincare routine, there is a lot we can learn from K-Beauty routines.<br />
<br />
When we went to Italy in November I bought a few K-Beauty things from Sephora (you can see my haul <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2017/12/haul-sephora-and-duty-free-buys-from.html">here</a>), but I didn't do any research beforehand so I ended up only getting a few sheet masks and not any skincare except for a face wash and an eye cooling stick. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I saw someone on Twitter posting about a new South African online shop (<a href="http://glowtheory.co.za/">Glow Theory</a>) who only sell K-Beauty products and I immediately investigated. Glow Theory was born out of necessity: it's not like we can easily get K-Beauty products here in South Africa! I have a few Tony Moly "I'm real" sheet masks and I can tell you, it's a fraction of the price at Glow Theory (R40!)... The rest of the products also seem reasonably priced, although I didn't compare the entire store's pricing to the likes of Sephora (my frame of reference).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I signed up and received a R100 voucher to spend on anything in the store, which I think is a big bonus. That R100 will cover the shipping (shipping is quite expensive, but it is next day courier) and a bit more. My only problem is: what to buy? "Everything" is unfortunately not an option. I then obviously took the next logical step and started googling what to buy. I came across this <a href="https://theklog.co/flight-attendant-k-beauty-hacks/">article</a> entitled "The K-Beauty Products and Hacks a Flight Attendant Swears By". As I started searching for the products mentioned in the article on Glow Theory, I saw that quite a few of the products were there! This is both a good and a very, very bad thing! Last week Julia from All Dolled Up uploaded a <a href="http://alldolledup.co.za/2018/03/k-beauty-unboxing/">video</a> where she unboxed her K-Beauty haul from Glow Theory and that gave me the kick in the butt to work on my wishlist some more... Below is my current wishlist.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbqfJBU9_0ku22VbHuFl-VP1QYr09au4-BYrtQvQEHKCywiT-hU0ohXRNo2mg6q_TigHTUIh3F4wX1VTARnprApQl02LApKWSZ56j8o9CWlEEUq-Sq4cHGw_owBCFscQOdkEw0y1jqDo/s1600/Collage_Fotor1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbqfJBU9_0ku22VbHuFl-VP1QYr09au4-BYrtQvQEHKCywiT-hU0ohXRNo2mg6q_TigHTUIh3F4wX1VTARnprApQl02LApKWSZ56j8o9CWlEEUq-Sq4cHGw_owBCFscQOdkEw0y1jqDo/s640/Collage_Fotor1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0i5s8ZQeVjbSq08My-zvve3A3GFgHANr2hooBFXs1HsrmE1nvLm1tRcWpIjr-dRqZibfctD1nMHsCZReLyTiepJt61siZHL0AZDb_momDZafGqAOMlZZSXV78HQah5H3M5e1IrHWZ-ng/s1600/Collage_Fotor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0i5s8ZQeVjbSq08My-zvve3A3GFgHANr2hooBFXs1HsrmE1nvLm1tRcWpIjr-dRqZibfctD1nMHsCZReLyTiepJt61siZHL0AZDb_momDZafGqAOMlZZSXV78HQah5H3M5e1IrHWZ-ng/s640/Collage_Fotor2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The <b>Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask</b> has fascinated me for a long time and I'm super stoked that I now have the opportunity to purchase it locally. It comes in two flavours (vanilla and berry) and is a cross between a lip balm and a mask that you apply to your lips before you go to bed. You apparently wake up with super soft and hydrated lips. Sign me up! This costs R365 for a small jar (I'm sure it'll last a while) and I have my eye on the berry flavour.<br />
<br />
<b>Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine</b> sounds like something straight out of a "plastic surgery gone bad" TV show, but in actual fact it is chemical exfoliating pads that contain a wine extract. Apparently each pad has a textured and a smooth side: you use the textured side to exfoliate your skin and then flip the pad around and use the smooth side to wipe away any dead skin cells. This costs R385.<br />
<br />
<b>Son & Park Beauty Water</b> is an interesting product. It sounds like it might be a micellar water, but it's touted as a "cleansing water" that can also be used as an exfoliating toner. It contains all sorts of goodies like willow bark and papaya extract (to gently remove dead skin cells), and rose water, lavender water and orange extract for hydration. It's apparently very gentle on the skin. The 60 ml bottle costs R155 and the 340 ml bottle costs R455.<br />
<br />
The <b>Tony Moly I'm Real sheet masks </b>are amazing and each one is for a different skin goal, whether it be hydration or radiance. I don't know how many different masks you get, but Glow Theory has avocado (nutrition), lemon (brightening), pomegranate (elasticity), red wine (pore care), tea tree (soothing), tomato (radiance), broccoli (vitality), and aloe (moisturising). At R40 a sheet mask these masks are on par with the masks we can get at Clicks and Dischem. I've only used the avocado sheet mask that I bought from Sephora and I absolutely loved it - I will definitely be stocking up on a couple of these masks.<br />
<br />
After reading the descriptions I want pretty much all the J.One products stocked on Glow theory! The <b>J.One Jelly Pack Vita Mask</b> sounds very intriguing: it's a two-step treatment sheet mask to hydrate, firm, and soften fine lines. The first step is a sheet mask and the second step is a sample of the cult Jelly Pack which is a miracle combination of a moisturiser and a primer. You can purchase this as a single-serving pack or as a box of five (it works out R53 per mask for a box and R60 for a single-serving).<br />
<br />
The <b>Banila Co Clean It Zero Classic</b> is a balm cleanser and is apparently a cult classic among K-Beauty devotees. I love balm cleansers so I'm sure I'll enjoy using this! You can buy this one or a big tub, and there's also a version for super sensitive skin. The normal sized tub costs R345 (100 ml) and the big tub (180 ml) costs R395.<br />
<br />
On the makeup front I have two eyeshadow products on my wishlist, both from The Saem. First up is the <b>Eco Soul Water Eye Tint</b> (R145) and the <b>Eco Soul Glam Eyes</b> (R145). Tati from Glam Life Guru raved about these two products, and after seeing Julia from All Dolled Up swatch the ones she purchased, I am now sold. The water eye tint is basically a cream eyeshadow in a tube with a doe foot applicator, and the glam eyes is a pressed pigment eyeshadow. Stunning!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-45571709124290283142018-04-02T07:00:00.000+02:002018-04-02T07:00:27.046+02:00Monthly Favourites: March<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been trying out a lot of new things lately and many of them have made the cut for my monthly favourites. This month's roundup includes a lot of new items.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cK6VEuLyZ7TEDe1A3R1C1EbMwuLu_ZUlO5KH3NT9qCWnjGOQXg4jH-euOSWpGGNqVK1anqML4sctVlPzr3FSy7JcQvL2STPsPLScq9KzthMQjq44LcCV2NZ_M9P8MFjLR66Mi6YdI-c/s1600/IMG_0850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cK6VEuLyZ7TEDe1A3R1C1EbMwuLu_ZUlO5KH3NT9qCWnjGOQXg4jH-euOSWpGGNqVK1anqML4sctVlPzr3FSy7JcQvL2STPsPLScq9KzthMQjq44LcCV2NZ_M9P8MFjLR66Mi6YdI-c/s640/IMG_0850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor in "700 HD Sand"</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnQiGMGLkFL3lRLmm3f74r-QoftN9Y1fFyOhFO22rYZK6qGenbk9t4Tsscf1G4DJUtLMN8Zo-dcKuQMLDd_3B70JneUVOkjOj3SbTdMlNPkjFwe4PnStTuYgNXVDqMKyYoh5vvmLpEAg/s1600/IMG_0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnQiGMGLkFL3lRLmm3f74r-QoftN9Y1fFyOhFO22rYZK6qGenbk9t4Tsscf1G4DJUtLMN8Zo-dcKuQMLDd_3B70JneUVOkjOj3SbTdMlNPkjFwe4PnStTuYgNXVDqMKyYoh5vvmLpEAg/s640/IMG_0863.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmkPFafnOaYAOJ4U9UrdnHng_buMGltInayr8c2_mrP28Q9vmVfiYscM3kqzKhE-EbcCJi2Mv1ya6gvy8Z8iM5MyI70xrhHlHjCbDjDRulJm0v6YQw6ANCL78wbTYOWzz88GxS3oGSvk/s1600/IMG_0864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmkPFafnOaYAOJ4U9UrdnHng_buMGltInayr8c2_mrP28Q9vmVfiYscM3kqzKhE-EbcCJi2Mv1ya6gvy8Z8iM5MyI70xrhHlHjCbDjDRulJm0v6YQw6ANCL78wbTYOWzz88GxS3oGSvk/s640/IMG_0864.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been eyeing this for months, but when Luzanne from Pink Peonies Blog raved about it in her Instagram stories one day, I knew that I needed to get it. I can kick myself for not picking it up sooner, because it's pretty perfect. It's a cross between a lipstick and a lip balm and it reminds me a lot of Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Butters in terms of consistency. The gel lip colours are colour coded according to their shades and come in a long, slim twist-up pen. It's incredibly creamy and applies beautifully. It's quite opaque and leaves the lips looking and feeling juicy. It doesn't dry down (it's a gel, not a matte) so it will definitely come off when you eat or drink, but reapplication is easy and doesn't look gross. The shade itself is a stunning nude: the perfect mix of peach, pink, and brown. I can honestly go on and on about this, but instead I'm rather going to look online which shade I'll be getting next...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This retails for R185 but I've found that Dischem is a little bit cheaper (around R170 when I bought mine earlier in March).<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Physicians Formula Butter Blush in "Natural Glow"</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWnQK4o4hew64hIG3pB5N1mQlxGc3hHYyIP-oskUkBqWGaVbYYKjZl_LCC-wnlJQ9Gzihi08oE4NDtaYIsDzhAwV6kytDGi2BAe9FPmrddxMbv5LKNzDe06eExCcQzKagK0UPW80i91g/s1600/IMG_0858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWnQK4o4hew64hIG3pB5N1mQlxGc3hHYyIP-oskUkBqWGaVbYYKjZl_LCC-wnlJQ9Gzihi08oE4NDtaYIsDzhAwV6kytDGi2BAe9FPmrddxMbv5LKNzDe06eExCcQzKagK0UPW80i91g/s640/IMG_0858.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I spoke about the Butter range <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2018/03/review-physicians-formula-butter-range_16.html">here</a>, and out of all three products the blush in Nude Glow is definitely my favourite. It's a cross between a blush and a highlighter, so if you're pressed for time you can just use this instead of using both a blush and a highlighter. It's a rosy pink and makes the cheeks look nice and healthy and glowy. What's not to like about that?<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Wet N Wild PhotoFocus Foundation in "Soft beige"</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkzApag_qKDighJyXpGJAtYstvt8aJ6T2lO79OmNUtmi3csRk2ObBbPsTweWtf2AxjBOE__bOiO84fBjq-y_F6HvDiceVknklBDIt4Q-ByxZnc4VnKeRidPWjww1rSEMNFgv05dRQzLY/s1600/IMG_0716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1547" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkzApag_qKDighJyXpGJAtYstvt8aJ6T2lO79OmNUtmi3csRk2ObBbPsTweWtf2AxjBOE__bOiO84fBjq-y_F6HvDiceVknklBDIt4Q-ByxZnc4VnKeRidPWjww1rSEMNFgv05dRQzLY/s640/IMG_0716.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I reviewed the PhotoFocus range <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2018/03/review-wet-n-wild-photofocus.html">here</a> and currently the foundation is my favourite from the bunch. It doesn't make my skin look like a mask, but it does give good coverage. I apply it with a damp beauty sponge and I'm really liking the finish it gives. I'm honestly not sure you can do better for R100...<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Dermalogica UltraCalming Duo*</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO7NK8kdEKoE48le3gsI4UkhKRT-45R7eA-GxzfQ3c2AxhAxa34Y1_xRDMSo65WDn2JwJTfX-ddBDT8n7u_VxzpLJSz-ppudf_YVEdTKjvubfb8XZWpKSU5USo5AsW25r9PpucuBsJyk/s1600/UltraCalming+Duo+-+Booster+Cap+Off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1384" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO7NK8kdEKoE48le3gsI4UkhKRT-45R7eA-GxzfQ3c2AxhAxa34Y1_xRDMSo65WDn2JwJTfX-ddBDT8n7u_VxzpLJSz-ppudf_YVEdTKjvubfb8XZWpKSU5USo5AsW25r9PpucuBsJyk/s640/UltraCalming+Duo+-+Booster+Cap+Off.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I spoke about the new UltraCalming Duo <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2018/02/new-in-dermalogica-ultracalming-duo.html">here</a> and I've been loving both products this month. I tend to use the Barrier Oil only at night: I dot a drop on each cheek, one on my chin, and one on my forehead before massaging it in. I then go in with a drop of the Calm Water Gel moisturiser and my skin is loving the combination.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
The Body Shop British Rose Petal-Soft Gel Toner </h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifg_vrI2eL5GiY-Y4P-S1mS8aT_KJH8mDRTHjTVwm0wjwpI-XGpRL_oQwewbFZVJWunr4XID4TBCYAQKly3TZ4Mgg3txoFpBMClSaSpU4z8BrGWkJ4EzA8wAr1vu5biz7sTQDdmmCUHUs/s1600/IMG_0860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifg_vrI2eL5GiY-Y4P-S1mS8aT_KJH8mDRTHjTVwm0wjwpI-XGpRL_oQwewbFZVJWunr4XID4TBCYAQKly3TZ4Mgg3txoFpBMClSaSpU4z8BrGWkJ4EzA8wAr1vu5biz7sTQDdmmCUHUs/s640/IMG_0860.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a bit of a strange product as it's supposed to be a toner but it has a gel consistency. It smells of roses and the scent is just incredible! I apply a bit on a cotton pad and sweep it across my skin after washing off my cleanser (morning and evening). I can feel it adds a nice boost of hydration to my skin and I find the scent to be very comforting. If it does anything more than just feel nice, I don't know, but I haven't had any breakouts because of this and I find that my skin feels soft and hydrated after using it.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Lux Soft Caress Softening Body Wash</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n5PHuuIeScWa2YGNHUIKs-f6OhHcNp-nhl4PYDLvKZqBcYDR7qHGUnI7chihih532E4NkGeqrpskjtESKXN2myZgiY41Fc2BpENsnT5OVJ-oEHvCMeunFlHkwxuerI06ap0D5g-D6lA/s1600/IMG_0857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n5PHuuIeScWa2YGNHUIKs-f6OhHcNp-nhl4PYDLvKZqBcYDR7qHGUnI7chihih532E4NkGeqrpskjtESKXN2myZgiY41Fc2BpENsnT5OVJ-oEHvCMeunFlHkwxuerI06ap0D5g-D6lA/s640/IMG_0857.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This favourite is a cheap as chips option that I bought at Dischem's Beauty Fair. I think the special was that you can buy two of these gigantic bottles for R75. I love the fact that it has a pump - perfect to use in the shower. It also smells incredible and the shower cream is very creamy and rich, without making my skin feel greasy. That being said, my skin also doesn't feel stripped and dry when I step out of the shower as so many other cheap shower gels tend to do.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Garnier Mineral Action Control Thermic 72h Non Stop Anti-Perspirant</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTBX7pyvagVTFWglO0IhSuL1asJg6duyDy6bBJixHaXrOY46olFP5Awn4vaVeswhlIniNE-fbb3HZX3MFPSeT_CH74tFA86T7RUnq8W_MrHBYLbCWO6SNNYBR_pqm7glJhzcs3veqNdc/s1600/IMG_0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTBX7pyvagVTFWglO0IhSuL1asJg6duyDy6bBJixHaXrOY46olFP5Awn4vaVeswhlIniNE-fbb3HZX3MFPSeT_CH74tFA86T7RUnq8W_MrHBYLbCWO6SNNYBR_pqm7glJhzcs3veqNdc/s640/IMG_0859.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a bit of a weird favourite to add as it's very boring, but I've really enjoyed using this anti-perspirant this past month. Due to pregnancy hormones and the fact that I've been hot hot hot since end of January means that I've been sweating a lot more than usual. My normal anti-perspirant doesn't do the job anymore but I've found that this one keeps me cool and fresh for much longer. It also doesn't irritate my underarm area and so far I haven't ruined any clothing items from stains or powdery residue. The scent is also very nice and strangely enough goes well with my J.Lo Glow perfume. The J.Lo perfume is very soft and feminine with an almost powdery scent, and I find that these two products compliment each other well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Mavala Colorfix Strong, Flexible Top Coat</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhtcAULX0UUtluxL3zl5Bqq5iu0zd4pwYJX0NSjlu0Wp-eSlWlRpfS33clJRelecN8mUQKpRduDGbet01bkcRbRJwI7RrNdsfnfwrd0l0PWkjERdPbXP0IqPUr_R3FTT-LPHkLSUyK74/s1600/IMG_0862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhtcAULX0UUtluxL3zl5Bqq5iu0zd4pwYJX0NSjlu0Wp-eSlWlRpfS33clJRelecN8mUQKpRduDGbet01bkcRbRJwI7RrNdsfnfwrd0l0PWkjERdPbXP0IqPUr_R3FTT-LPHkLSUyK74/s640/IMG_0862.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I have had this top coat sitting in a drawer for quite some time, but after two botched manicures with a crappy Sally Hansen top coat, I decided to rather use the Mavala top coat. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! The brush is a bit scraggly for my liking, but the top coat is nice and thick. It's not as thick as, say, the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, but it's not as thin as some other top coats I've used in the past. I can't really say which is better, but personally I like a thick top coat. This top coat is said to dry down to basically an acrylic, and I definitely agree with the hardness claim. My manicures now last five to six days where they usually only lasted about two to three days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What were your favourites for the month of March? Let me know in the comment section!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*PR sample</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.1px Calibri; color: #000000}
</style>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-76104662301713085822018-03-29T07:00:00.000+02:002018-03-29T07:00:30.612+02:00Pregnancy Update: 36-39+ Weeks<div style="text-align: justify;">
This will probably be my last pregnancy update post because I have, according to the calendar, pretty much come to the end of my pregnancy. As I write this I am 39.5 weeks pregnant and my baby is considered full term, which means that she can arrive any day and when she arrives she should be healthy and "ready".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbSf982bAiTg8CLzvm7lEH-Oj8toXSV8ZhXDimBMdqGW3XNHX9AR0cgnsZEQTbjqejPxPLYrCNBbD15BxxffO4UzAZA6XeX4rhsvIOeKyv5LKAJnVudQ0YB-JfPb7ZWguiwaAzFQ4PLE/s1600/3990f859-d310-45b1-80dd-91d4f3463109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbSf982bAiTg8CLzvm7lEH-Oj8toXSV8ZhXDimBMdqGW3XNHX9AR0cgnsZEQTbjqejPxPLYrCNBbD15BxxffO4UzAZA6XeX4rhsvIOeKyv5LKAJnVudQ0YB-JfPb7ZWguiwaAzFQ4PLE/s640/3990f859-d310-45b1-80dd-91d4f3463109.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My maternity leave was supposed to start on the 22nd of March (the day after the public holiday), but at my 37 week scan the week before, my doctor said she's going to book me off on sick leave for 19-20 March because "What are you still doing at work??" and she reckons I need to stay home and relax before the baby arrives. My boss made me go to work on the Monday for an "HR meeting" which turned out to be a surprise baby shower, so I wasn't too cross with him! I didn't know how I would fare at home alone with nothing to do except wait for the baby, so I set up something each day to keep busy. The Monday afternoon one of my good friends came to visit me at home with Seattle coffees in hand, the Tuesday I went for milkshakes after work with one of my blogger besties, and the Wednesday was the public holiday so the hubby and I spent the day at home vegging on the couch. The Thursday was our 38 week scan at the doctor after which I went grocery shopping, and on the Friday I went for lunch with two of my friends. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the 38 week scan last Thursday the doctor said that I was already 2 cm dilated and that she would be surprised if I made my 39 week scan on the 28th of March... Her prediction was that Olive would arrive on the weekend of the 23rd, but, as you are reading this it's already past that and Olive is still snuggled up in her home of the past nine months... I went for my 39 week scan and the doctor said that not much has changed since the previous scan. So now we wait...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As far as symptoms go, the extreme tiredness has subsided, but that's probably because I can now nap whenever I want to and for how long I want to! The other day I had three naps in a ten-hour span, each lasting up to one hour. The heartburn has also subsided for the most part, probably because Olive dropped and is no longer squishing my intestines. Moving around is just a pain, and bending down even more so. My right leg is constantly in pain as Olive is pressing on some or other nerve that sometimes sends shockwaves through my right thigh and my crotch ("lightning crotch" is a real thing!). Besides that I miss being able to close my legs (sorry) as it's now pretty impossible to sit with my legs closed without it hurting. Speaking of legs hurting: I have leg pains when I sleep at night. They're not cramps, just pains. I take a SlowMag capsule every evening and that helps somewhat, but I still wake up in the early hours of the morning and have horrible leg pains around my knees and calves. Anyone else experienced this?<br />
<br />
Olive's room is now officially finished (you can see the nursery tour <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2018/03/nursery-tour.html">here</a>): we even got a lamp for the side table (picture below). The car seats are also ready to be installed, we just don't want to put it in our cars just yet, it is South Africa after all and I don't want my window to be smashed just for a car seat! Her carry cot is also ready to be snoozed in. The idea is that she will sleep in our room in her carry cot until she either outgrows the carry cot or she is six months old, then she can sleep in her own cot in her own room. I would like her to sleep in her own cot during the day, just to get used to her own room, but we'll see how it goes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjj1G_3aE2QA_8EFxTLCY70YP4ywMyHhF2suPiKZgp0oc6DDjHqrlrDvw6ZCLLkaA5XWeK5D2epGQ1_lC2Cb-yDVKUi68x2MqyPWb-IIv0M2a81SMbBxw0dukRpW59NbIzujQcPK3up8/s1600/IMG_0820.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="715" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjj1G_3aE2QA_8EFxTLCY70YP4ywMyHhF2suPiKZgp0oc6DDjHqrlrDvw6ZCLLkaA5XWeK5D2epGQ1_lC2Cb-yDVKUi68x2MqyPWb-IIv0M2a81SMbBxw0dukRpW59NbIzujQcPK3up8/s640/IMG_0820.PNG" width="466" /></a></div>
<br />
I oscillate between being very nervous and very excited: I have this fear that I'll go into labour and not know it! Not everyone's water breaks before going into labour so I'm scared that this will be me and that I won't realise the contractions are, in actual fact, contractions. The flip side to this is that every ache and pain is now scrutinised and analysed! Everyone around me is on baby watch and almost every day someone will Whatsapp me and ask if I'm still pregnant. In the beginning it was funny but now I'm getting slightly annoyed. I know everyone is excited and that they care, but really people, you'll know when I go into labour!<br />
<br />
The one thing that is also making me very scared is the fact that my doctor is going on holiday (for a week!) a day before my due date. I want my baby to arrive when she's ready, I don't want to be induced or to fiddle with the process of starting labour, but I do wish that she'll arrive before my doctor leaves. I don't know the stand-in doctor and I feel that this is a very personal and special event and that my doctor and I have built up a good and trusting relationship over the past nine months. That being said, I'm sure my doctor wouldn't just have any random doctor fill in for her, so I'll just have to trust the process and believe everything will work out perfectly. Otherwise I'll just have to stay in bed and "knyp" until the doctor comes back (the husband's solution)...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-35454068461186520722018-03-22T07:00:00.000+02:002018-03-22T07:00:13.321+02:00Nursery Tour<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've been working on the nursery for months on end and we're finally finished. When we moved into our home in 2016 we kept the spare bedroom next to our bedroom empty. We told friends and family that it will be a "store room", but we always knew that it would one day (God willing) become a nursery. Today I'll be taking you through the nursery and showing you all the things we've bought and made. I am incredibly proud of the nursery and especially proud of my husband's handiwork.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKWmSy-naKmzEP_JeRVwXwH3raoHG2L56veHhbs4DCi7_U5z5bVyZC4Gb5tIHAtj0veBqM40xcSNBOCGYiuiW0zR3NC-Zclv-4qTWpdjxY9dpycekgY0ZOCrHTsUBHfliLNOLR_3reCc/s1600/IMG_0798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKWmSy-naKmzEP_JeRVwXwH3raoHG2L56veHhbs4DCi7_U5z5bVyZC4Gb5tIHAtj0veBqM40xcSNBOCGYiuiW0zR3NC-Zclv-4qTWpdjxY9dpycekgY0ZOCrHTsUBHfliLNOLR_3reCc/s640/IMG_0798.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
First off, we painted (ok, my husband painted, I just supervised and checked for missed spots) the walls white and grey: the bottom third is dark grey and the top two thirds are white (ceiling is also white). Coincidentally the grey on the walls perfectly match the curtains, but I've had the curtains since we moved into the house. The curtains are lined cheapies from Mr Price Home. The idea was to replace them later on (we just bought the cheapest decent ones we could find so that we at least had something to hang in front of the windows!), but they grew on me and now they're staying.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9hOJnPzzol8EkQkqAdvPvUXUgmZno0t3WHgiXNzhQJejEhjdYy35EkQbq9u5x-wRFC0-Q-2vkWYQDHcBu8Bvbijk5n464AW3CQnb3l7UOYVYvtJKVp3iC92P_2zzmmA8Jn74W7YKD6Q/s1600/laminate_flooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9hOJnPzzol8EkQkqAdvPvUXUgmZno0t3WHgiXNzhQJejEhjdYy35EkQbq9u5x-wRFC0-Q-2vkWYQDHcBu8Bvbijk5n464AW3CQnb3l7UOYVYvtJKVp3iC92P_2zzmmA8Jn74W7YKD6Q/s640/laminate_flooring.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We initially had thick textured carpets in a chocolate brown colour in the room, but with a baby and all the bodily fluids that come with that, we didn't want to risk it. Initially we couldn't decide between (thinner) carpets, tiles, or laminate flooring, but in the end laminate flooring won as it's easier to keep clean than carpets, but not nearly as cold as tiles. That was the only thing in the nursery that we didn't do ourselves. We got a very reasonable quote from a company and it took them all of 90 minutes to remove the carpets, put in laminate flooring, and put up new matching skirtings. We're very happy with the result and it makes the room look much bigger and lighter. It also goes surprisingly well with the two-toned walls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRbUUczs2YxNtLg2oiHRDYn0FODfNmMc87EzFunwKxbf692vX-ShAhX47oW35edwrfQEDSW8FFebB4dQ74ON_MJ1zYd5J5jZz88J8OE3EDzLcp1Vl3rUA0uejmCLKy9zt9wlWw58RAQU/s1600/IMG_0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRbUUczs2YxNtLg2oiHRDYn0FODfNmMc87EzFunwKxbf692vX-ShAhX47oW35edwrfQEDSW8FFebB4dQ74ON_MJ1zYd5J5jZz88J8OE3EDzLcp1Vl3rUA0uejmCLKy9zt9wlWw58RAQU/s640/IMG_0783.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZDMFqApYZjIyoStLKL9ezCj_RHUsYBmIYAB6ttqBUXq_seV748TRPXctsi44Gj7OEtNlewnlekft2T4ZkvW52ib8uCUGklWTJyblLiKaez8j9iO4AAaLOO0lDWrNRLYE4B8s9DGS8oE/s1600/IMG_0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZDMFqApYZjIyoStLKL9ezCj_RHUsYBmIYAB6ttqBUXq_seV748TRPXctsi44Gj7OEtNlewnlekft2T4ZkvW52ib8uCUGklWTJyblLiKaez8j9iO4AAaLOO0lDWrNRLYE4B8s9DGS8oE/s640/IMG_0784.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The white cot we bought second hand from Gumtree. At the time I didn't know you get different sized cots; I thought a cot was a cot was a cot. We got a large cot so everything else also had to be large: the mattress, the waterproofs, and the fitted sheets. We bought the Snuggletime Healthtex 3-in-1 mattress from Takealot as Takealot were the cheapest at the time. I received a few waterproof fitted sheets as well as soft cotton fitted sheets (such as the pink one on the photo) as presents for my babyshower. The mosquito net I got at Mr Price Home - I initially bought one for a cot but it was too small so I had to exchange it for a larger one. I like the pom-pom details and as it is actually for a single or three quarter bed, I can still use it when Olive gets bigger and sleeps in a bed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0eV0UtyI5gbOOTQWRxZ-FCOrT_LXg8HU5IVIJP4dkb2OUlOoaPVGbVHzkgRxR9_pAdhLsQ6FqHsac5LNQdDTldmrk7Pj57y4XmfWDxQ_3ruJ6RbDn_SEQn3utCTJpzG3DNiUlS2RQzQ/s1600/IMG_0785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0eV0UtyI5gbOOTQWRxZ-FCOrT_LXg8HU5IVIJP4dkb2OUlOoaPVGbVHzkgRxR9_pAdhLsQ6FqHsac5LNQdDTldmrk7Pj57y4XmfWDxQ_3ruJ6RbDn_SEQn3utCTJpzG3DNiUlS2RQzQ/s640/IMG_0785.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunFIXEn5pTrn9BWUxUE9rr29mhT-qPttFtf5AyHAlMsKHNZnW7nxx-IuYnS3ocgz7gpGlEoLjaBczF8V686mSy0NCC27THLJkAeObwGql9t4gFRAD6GEuH8NpX0VAvK10jzHu7Mb9A8I/s1600/IMG_0786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunFIXEn5pTrn9BWUxUE9rr29mhT-qPttFtf5AyHAlMsKHNZnW7nxx-IuYnS3ocgz7gpGlEoLjaBczF8V686mSy0NCC27THLJkAeObwGql9t4gFRAD6GEuH8NpX0VAvK10jzHu7Mb9A8I/s640/IMG_0786.jpg" width="640" /><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ6pIwELwUgZ1l2PxTMRvzZ3JGyX04aOLVIYPLHI82vVWVtFGOHj2y7n7P-ljYwxV2AiwxN50vT4KF505BCXaJXw8hoXO4eDjbkksW7TQOo-7k-1eW1dAdk_g3gTUjNPUXHJnDsAVPZI/s1600/IMG_0787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQ6pIwELwUgZ1l2PxTMRvzZ3JGyX04aOLVIYPLHI82vVWVtFGOHj2y7n7P-ljYwxV2AiwxN50vT4KF505BCXaJXw8hoXO4eDjbkksW7TQOo-7k-1eW1dAdk_g3gTUjNPUXHJnDsAVPZI/s640/IMG_0787.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I know not to put toys in a baby's cot (choking and suffocation hazard and all that), but since she's not here yet the cot looks incredibly empty without the stuffed toys... The star and moon pillows are both from Mr Price Home and the soft toys are from various shops. The beautiful pink bear is a babyshower gift made by an aunt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeGN6JUKR8yYYDZQk3go81ayHULsnJQ3FE8JNPiAtlgZDzRJWTp_ZTVTQL-r8fh3W5kdxr1Hro4o3v0ZcfEkJmMxD_S2GdHxbbRixRTowkTVINx4i1vbbcEpgwf1pCz7WEt_NCE9RMMo/s1600/IMG_0788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeGN6JUKR8yYYDZQk3go81ayHULsnJQ3FE8JNPiAtlgZDzRJWTp_ZTVTQL-r8fh3W5kdxr1Hro4o3v0ZcfEkJmMxD_S2GdHxbbRixRTowkTVINx4i1vbbcEpgwf1pCz7WEt_NCE9RMMo/s640/IMG_0788.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We decided to rather get a chest of drawers and put a changing mattress on top than buy a dedicated changing table or compactum. When the baby's older we can still use the chest of drawers as a chest of drawers. The changing mattress/pad is a Snuggletime mattress from Babies R Us as they were the cheapest. I poked and prodded a couple of changing mattresses and the one from Snuggletime felt the sturdiest, plus it has a plastic cover so easy to wipe off. The white frame around the changing mattress is a wooden changing station made by my dear husband. It's a bit larger than the chest of drawers and it has a frame surrounding the changing mattress so that the mattress can't slide off the chest. It also has space for toiletries on the side.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJNmOyI3N43K4y299bA3JHjtcKIhuhPd9DyxclGfzOUuFiXmGA-r7aGUEWnYR17zMG-NAXLThdZvjoe6Fdzx0aHfOfaQoKVWIzw3tlq6mwnryYMIbJndh_Opt0AYB33BcfLADmvgJsps/s1600/IMG_0791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJNmOyI3N43K4y299bA3JHjtcKIhuhPd9DyxclGfzOUuFiXmGA-r7aGUEWnYR17zMG-NAXLThdZvjoe6Fdzx0aHfOfaQoKVWIzw3tlq6mwnryYMIbJndh_Opt0AYB33BcfLADmvgJsps/s640/IMG_0791.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtksQ7s19sI6lKAwhpo8a_KFYAKwQLS2imIACP-nE2gSJfbzu60_8lTNEpMZ9A4VgF-xnxXgny-IWDmzwktJep7-i67q37eOO_Qa1pSwQYgdUcYcVB9cNFRyCt0eMMczX1gMSgxgvfPCU/s1600/IMG_0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtksQ7s19sI6lKAwhpo8a_KFYAKwQLS2imIACP-nE2gSJfbzu60_8lTNEpMZ9A4VgF-xnxXgny-IWDmzwktJep7-i67q37eOO_Qa1pSwQYgdUcYcVB9cNFRyCt0eMMczX1gMSgxgvfPCU/s640/IMG_0792.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The toiletries on the right hand side are bath time and changing time toiletries: cotton wool, cotton wool balls, baby oil, Sudocrem, baby jelly, lotion, wash, earbuds, wash cloths, comb, brush, and nail clippers. I might put most of these things back in the drawers, but this is how it looks for now! The bath time supplies will be getting their own container and moving to the bathroom across the hallway, but for now everything is kept in the nursery.<br />
<br />
Our Tommee Tippee nappy bin is next to the chest of drawers, behind the door. I know I can just use a normal plastic bin, but gosh, I really can't stand the smell of dirty nappies! Our house and yard is also quite big and the outside dustbin is literally on the other side of the yard, so I'm not at all keen on walking that far every time Olive has a dirty nappy...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPFQsez17BzLSYdatlMObqBulW12ICB6TPmf1uqINUXu__eElhCMrhBhmfaBd13krK3l4dMi4WH5NnaGORFS_rzW1J3oQda9i6v2egiIFAFoROikQXC70VmIS3gFE_RBoYgWHkDURCkI/s1600/IMG_0793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPFQsez17BzLSYdatlMObqBulW12ICB6TPmf1uqINUXu__eElhCMrhBhmfaBd13krK3l4dMi4WH5NnaGORFS_rzW1J3oQda9i6v2egiIFAFoROikQXC70VmIS3gFE_RBoYgWHkDURCkI/s640/IMG_0793.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Inside the first small drawer I keep a lot of nappies - these are newborn nappies that I got as part of a baby shower gift. I also keep a packet of Johnson's baby wipes in there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumoWlDCRPVWYC8wP4hyInNpIpoLQbotTeUf754GTIMdv5ch_WqDqhK7v9UsspWHIGqHAJxtp1h2Yp4NEoUEZjClVvJwgVKaHJpwdiI_hWfE5A403uTRtiqJp3r0Q2J8JZgBivB1zZix8/s1600/IMG_0794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumoWlDCRPVWYC8wP4hyInNpIpoLQbotTeUf754GTIMdv5ch_WqDqhK7v9UsspWHIGqHAJxtp1h2Yp4NEoUEZjClVvJwgVKaHJpwdiI_hWfE5A403uTRtiqJp3r0Q2J8JZgBivB1zZix8/s640/IMG_0794.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the second small drawer I keep more toiletries: some of the things on top of the chest of drawers might end up back here depending on what I'll be using. In here are more cotton wool balls, linen savers, bath thermometer, wash cloths, baby powder, Sudocrem, bum cream, and soap bars.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lLTELj2wu065m0wR2JzuzDgKr5u1OXhE82l93MEnw1jFVJHhE-o0dpJ365RIVjVUrwFm0SYBrraCrgRiifdJvAMmICkDugix5wW73BDR88POWlbKqpdCpxmHSw-pa7zrNV1d4DmTiPE/s1600/IMG_0795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lLTELj2wu065m0wR2JzuzDgKr5u1OXhE82l93MEnw1jFVJHhE-o0dpJ365RIVjVUrwFm0SYBrraCrgRiifdJvAMmICkDugix5wW73BDR88POWlbKqpdCpxmHSw-pa7zrNV1d4DmTiPE/s640/IMG_0795.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
In the first large drawer I keep newborn and 0-3 month clothes. I don't know how big she's going to be or how long she will be wearing newborn clothes, so I decided to pack both sizes in here. The drawer looks incredibly untidy, but the drawers are very small so it's difficult to fit in everything the way I want to!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X2QPpNC6RuxkYQ-8xsQKWwV3tECRwaiOlzn5W7NXxlocAVgIwW7Gb3sb3ds3PheCvBZCJwxbrUAQa0BV9vbn9C3JN1Mf7osGhUoWzI4eRQ6vRsjfE9R4Kk4QwR0dfY4-ngrLbMsRHpA/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X2QPpNC6RuxkYQ-8xsQKWwV3tECRwaiOlzn5W7NXxlocAVgIwW7Gb3sb3ds3PheCvBZCJwxbrUAQa0BV9vbn9C3JN1Mf7osGhUoWzI4eRQ6vRsjfE9R4Kk4QwR0dfY4-ngrLbMsRHpA/s640/IMG_0796.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
In the second large drawer I keep her socks and booties, more wash cloths, burp cloths, towels, and random things like nasal aspirators, dummy clips, dummies, a medicine dropper, etcetera.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5wfDHVfm61CK3Bozo6tGMeH0B85lps2QsBx9inIzvoPATzuW4bWqYa8rSSWr2JUMpw6FO-5tVWyv99uUdTmHYlePRln0PZcKOTpaeT82dj4Q8PNSsndHwWu6TdsZM7hK3f8_ipC3Nzc/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5wfDHVfm61CK3Bozo6tGMeH0B85lps2QsBx9inIzvoPATzuW4bWqYa8rSSWr2JUMpw6FO-5tVWyv99uUdTmHYlePRln0PZcKOTpaeT82dj4Q8PNSsndHwWu6TdsZM7hK3f8_ipC3Nzc/s640/IMG_0797.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the third large drawer I keep her muslin and swaddling blankets and a few other fluffy and fleecy blankets (and her lamb snuggle blanky). The rest of the blankets are too thick for the chest of drawers so I keep them in the closet.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBWcZ28GxcCf19cnWrA-QI4xxNlFcC9CkRqEXUPhZHE-OzRl3ZMyTaY5kNXVRdST23gBB37jaxbPalW_-HVaJhEpu2_YtxahUPj9q2R8BEgJNQYEVfZysclNsR_DgLUIWLiYP0n1m60w/s1600/IMG_0790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBWcZ28GxcCf19cnWrA-QI4xxNlFcC9CkRqEXUPhZHE-OzRl3ZMyTaY5kNXVRdST23gBB37jaxbPalW_-HVaJhEpu2_YtxahUPj9q2R8BEgJNQYEVfZysclNsR_DgLUIWLiYP0n1m60w/s640/IMG_0790.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the other side of the chest of drawers we have a woven laundry basket. I got it at Mr Price Home for next to nothing. I think it was originally priced at R699 but I got more than half off, score!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDtNE6XKSpBnP4d4BM3eMRdD33hVnTX4GeKz5925BQ8vKvVgThUz8tLt0t5O7-rvw7bwbxDGxIYFGMUa9k_S8DpUfwJOTRF96_z6uIZTOYxB7ISm5iTq2ua4IHZV8KXFFYAvH6HqDrw/s1600/IMG_0789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDtNE6XKSpBnP4d4BM3eMRdD33hVnTX4GeKz5925BQ8vKvVgThUz8tLt0t5O7-rvw7bwbxDGxIYFGMUa9k_S8DpUfwJOTRF96_z6uIZTOYxB7ISm5iTq2ua4IHZV8KXFFYAvH6HqDrw/s640/IMG_0789.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We put two floating shelves up in the nursery and both are from Mr Price Home. The one above the changing table is a 90 cm one in "natural" (there are about five colours to choose from), and the one above the feeding chair is a 60 cm one also in "natural". On this shelf we have a lot of small random things. I might change it later on, but this is what it looks like for now. The rubber ducky set was part of a baby shower gift. The picture frame (this one and the one right at the beginning of the post) we bought on special at Builder's Warehouse. The bear and the shoes were gifts. The white star nightlight is from Mr Price Home, and the grey stars are actually coat hooks that we still need to put up (maybe), also from Mr Price Home.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOTNmrvQkMkGK8l7Q55VzHT-9tJ0vNo9bSyUYhXoGqpLhd15ErI6LpsgkJ1ma6sbPfehrXMiJZN3GLDxSMC3ysrE8XwzKrPk9Lt1gN6NYuhclvuGlyhv0zibtrVDt6875vg0hdD1rzVI/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1238" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOTNmrvQkMkGK8l7Q55VzHT-9tJ0vNo9bSyUYhXoGqpLhd15ErI6LpsgkJ1ma6sbPfehrXMiJZN3GLDxSMC3ysrE8XwzKrPk9Lt1gN6NYuhclvuGlyhv0zibtrVDt6875vg0hdD1rzVI/s640/IMG_0800.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_MCCQl3dduYPpgtoxblZDZvJDuvnvxo8Zzx-HES43vryUwLO-W2nP2JEXap1SwAkdyvGDrpwDIl5Pq6eoWGdIcylgpZmLsNMEx1KfLtybQnJKJ789Ct1xp8FzEHYQ7Av-L42KiZvGM0/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_MCCQl3dduYPpgtoxblZDZvJDuvnvxo8Zzx-HES43vryUwLO-W2nP2JEXap1SwAkdyvGDrpwDIl5Pq6eoWGdIcylgpZmLsNMEx1KfLtybQnJKJ789Ct1xp8FzEHYQ7Av-L42KiZvGM0/s640/IMG_0804.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We got the feeding chair at Eric Barnard Furnishers on special. I'm very thankful because I was not going to pay R3,000 for a chair! The white and grey blanket was a gift from my Gran. The side table actually comes a long way: I bought it about 6 or 7 years ago from Ericcsons Mattress and Pine for something ridiculous like R70. It's been used in the most random places since then, but when we couldn't get an affordable side table (why are they so expensive?!) we decided to just use this one. The husband fixed it up: sanded the legs, oiled the legs, put vinyl on top, and did the edging. and I think it looks great! I still need a lamp for the side table, but I'll get to that this week now that I'm on maternity leave.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gZibJ0uXVFeRcEnqA02eYGyzxsFLkyFht1JlQvDVLGaAxiovVlZN_CnovsPnONgFq_rVmqYNCz1pj47Q8BYhvm-6Z_85w5wheDII5It9M7HjQhz5mM28kHMkcrh8uGlt0-GCV3gv0bM/s1600/IMG_0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gZibJ0uXVFeRcEnqA02eYGyzxsFLkyFht1JlQvDVLGaAxiovVlZN_CnovsPnONgFq_rVmqYNCz1pj47Q8BYhvm-6Z_85w5wheDII5It9M7HjQhz5mM28kHMkcrh8uGlt0-GCV3gv0bM/s640/IMG_0799.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the floating shelf I put all the books that Olive received as gifts. The trinket box, the pink bear book stand, and the Carol Boyes picture frame were all gifts from friends and family. I bought a baby record book at Baby Boom to record all her milestones and I was very chuffed to find an Afrikaans one!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-xwPXytoka0A7SVOyD7igPsAzlPABrW120JoQ2Ra8-yWD0TVS7FvMonNuxlDiFXS_FY__LJIPRsh2yxYC1LRkf4PxjOi1jks3gXgD4fWxFNIZRDUxNxK2Cc0dRI7MkkiAwDGwmU9wW8/s1600/IMG_0803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-xwPXytoka0A7SVOyD7igPsAzlPABrW120JoQ2Ra8-yWD0TVS7FvMonNuxlDiFXS_FY__LJIPRsh2yxYC1LRkf4PxjOi1jks3gXgD4fWxFNIZRDUxNxK2Cc0dRI7MkkiAwDGwmU9wW8/s640/IMG_0803.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The multicoloured rug in the middle of the room was another steal of a deal from Mr Price Home. I went in there one day looking for something else when this caught my eye on the Priced To Go rack... It really adds a lovely pop of colour to the room without being too contrasting.<br />
<br />
We have a small walk-in closet in this room with lots of shelves. Unfortunately this is where we store a multitude of stuff, including our fancy evening wear and clothes that we don't wear very often but that are too bulky to fold up. I made space on the shelves for Olive's things and it really helps!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgkF7vWbJF8Jh7r2HxEAJxqGOrt7Ucz3tjZMWKC0cDHJ1NjzxrTdNah9tEo8jH611P0tJHF-cGia-8ulTknQ31gGo82t9ohYfmppMPQM1VKbE1xg1x4Z6I2M5TlUI1FwxPFpcfIH55Jg/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgkF7vWbJF8Jh7r2HxEAJxqGOrt7Ucz3tjZMWKC0cDHJ1NjzxrTdNah9tEo8jH611P0tJHF-cGia-8ulTknQ31gGo82t9ohYfmppMPQM1VKbE1xg1x4Z6I2M5TlUI1FwxPFpcfIH55Jg/s640/IMG_0816.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first shelf contains three woven baskets from Mr Price Home with clothes that will be too big for Olive now: 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-18 months. There are also two pairs of shoes (so cute!) and a few things for me such as breast pads. On the second shelf are extra toiletries. We got a lot of wet wipes when we bought nappies at the Baby Expo, as well as for my babyshowers. There's also extra shampoos and lotions, nappy bin refills, linen savers, a Tommee Tippee microwave steriliser, Phillips Avent bottles, bottle brush, breastmilk bags, and a breastmilk bottle. The third shelf is currently a bit unorganised and contains a baby wrap, baby carrier, baby pamphlets, feeding bottles, feeding sets, and toys to use when she's a bit older. The fourth shelf contains size 1 nappies.<br />
<br />
On the floor I keep size 2 nappies. Next to the shelves there are size 3 nappies, extra bed linen (I need a better way to store them), as well as thicker blankets that don't fit into the chest of drawers. She only has about three dresses, so they hang on teeny tiny hangers on the rail next to the shelves. I also put my Medela breast pump that came with the City Style Bag on the floor so that I know where it is when I need to use it. My Dischem baby bag is also there, packed and ready to go when we're out and about (I'm taking my other bag to hospital for now).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtGZO46m2wz7H39mNWLhfmPeK19hTkwdcD3L0yDHL-Wd_6CdoZNooFVb0n7onSpwSzAJ-saToT64vLEc-zGZl4K2EM57UlXhmKplaB7Z1vjEBfdZX4YVIH5SbVKHFcR30iqduHePX1qo/s1600/IMG_0630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1391" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtGZO46m2wz7H39mNWLhfmPeK19hTkwdcD3L0yDHL-Wd_6CdoZNooFVb0n7onSpwSzAJ-saToT64vLEc-zGZl4K2EM57UlXhmKplaB7Z1vjEBfdZX4YVIH5SbVKHFcR30iqduHePX1qo/s640/IMG_0630.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
<br />
Something that's for the baby but that isn't in the nursery itself is our bath trolley. I bought a baby bath at Mr Price Home (I promise this post isn't sponsored by them!) and then we had to figure out how we're going to make it work so that I don't have to bend over or stand on my knees next to the big bath tub. My wonderful husband decided to build a trolley (at the right height) so that I can put the baby bath on top and not strain my back. It has wheels (and brakes!) so that we can move it around. The idea is to use it as a kitchen island when we're done using it for the baby.<br />
<br />
If you're still reading this, kudos! I know it's a monster of a blog post, but I'm so chuffed with the way the nursery came out, and I'm looking forward to spending lots of time in there..<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-46997051681649473972018-03-19T07:00:00.000+02:002018-03-19T07:00:02.005+02:00Review: Wet N Wild PhotoFocus<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been a big fan of Wet N Wild cosmetics ever since they launched in South Africa. Most of their products are high quality and their prices are very affordable. Their eyeshadow trios and eyeshadow palettes are some of my favourites. Their PhotoFocus range is fast becoming a favourite in my makeup bag and today I'll show you some of the products I have acquired from the range and let you know my thoughts on them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M8EPhs4tHZF2NlTzU0MOGjvLA4lLXmCDT8fX3YYnuq3YU1-wO-i6Iyn1AmrZxZCRKD2V1h8hYopZR1u7CODvx0PXn1jAIpDVt6_OBYuGEsOOCx9ubQ0SSxmRzVyVNKFtaOA-aGjWJfc/s1600/IMG_0707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1477" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M8EPhs4tHZF2NlTzU0MOGjvLA4lLXmCDT8fX3YYnuq3YU1-wO-i6Iyn1AmrZxZCRKD2V1h8hYopZR1u7CODvx0PXn1jAIpDVt6_OBYuGEsOOCx9ubQ0SSxmRzVyVNKFtaOA-aGjWJfc/s640/IMG_0707.jpg" width="590" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYQlWa3A5E2qMJlqi3RYfxbwx5DtOfeCUXrj2uHJ1iArgHmIrhPJhZt57sq9FYPXLwb0aBEyCBqIT6qOZIZB3UzCdy7BkFOGMRC5RPB_TG5B_qUMSLJMLMHAtX7lQqlwMdEJYMTz9jsA/s1600/IMG_0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYQlWa3A5E2qMJlqi3RYfxbwx5DtOfeCUXrj2uHJ1iArgHmIrhPJhZt57sq9FYPXLwb0aBEyCBqIT6qOZIZB3UzCdy7BkFOGMRC5RPB_TG5B_qUMSLJMLMHAtX7lQqlwMdEJYMTz9jsA/s640/IMG_0711.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
PhotoFocus Eyeshadow Primer</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDCc0TfF32eJahrfDm84cuhVYs7ucbsLTBp7V7QJiJEGKxNXA2v7JHb-mVG75UExmOb87nniigd-wbYP0U51KTLpQF1ZsqgdfEpp0P76IfwoaYpMLtkPdOGQXJRkZXKrBieJA7aSfndU/s1600/IMG_0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1134" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDCc0TfF32eJahrfDm84cuhVYs7ucbsLTBp7V7QJiJEGKxNXA2v7JHb-mVG75UExmOb87nniigd-wbYP0U51KTLpQF1ZsqgdfEpp0P76IfwoaYpMLtkPdOGQXJRkZXKrBieJA7aSfndU/s640/IMG_0712.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVdNX2h_2IzK9tuNzmuXlzoIA4VEgQ5FFTaZM_I5ShOEYmdImwP13OCAu73VRNIsWDCNdUsP3rvLv2mPDBZrqbl3cpxlDFWCPSWGr4EoDV8T61i8DuumAk-_wkyMPLUH31gchkH8uD84/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1437" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVdNX2h_2IzK9tuNzmuXlzoIA4VEgQ5FFTaZM_I5ShOEYmdImwP13OCAu73VRNIsWDCNdUsP3rvLv2mPDBZrqbl3cpxlDFWCPSWGr4EoDV8T61i8DuumAk-_wkyMPLUH31gchkH8uD84/s640/IMG_0713.jpg" width="574" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It all started with an eyeshadow primer... About a year ago I was looking for a new eyeshadow primer and I happened to see this one from Wet N Wild. At R130 I was a bit sceptic as that is quite a lot to pay for a drugstore eyeshadow primer. However, I quickly fell in love with this product. It comes in a 10ml tube and it will last you a long time as you really only need a tiny bit at a time. The texture reminds me of a NYX eyeshadow primer I once used (the one with the doe foot applicator, I can't recall the name now). It's very creamy and spreads easily onto the lid without tugging at the skin. If you apply too much it will leave you with a weird white cast after you've set it with powder, so be warned! That being said...this is the best eyeshadow primer I have used except for the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potions (and those are very expensive). My eyelids are extremely oily and even on days where I don't wear eyeshadow, I still apply this to my lids as they will otherwise be creasy and gross by 17:00. It really prolongs my eyeshadow looks and I can highly recommend it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
PhotoFocus Foundation in "Soft Beige"</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrSEQ4furE6bjIif-7ZCppeBStpXPcdsrgc289u3b262CEC40BXW7ZqUlPW7Fcyl-TXW3kb_1ZzfsXMAfqTKAxZXUC_zPVGGKqT0j5VNbAa-qNduYcOwY2OX8eB7fGDLu-_OvykWAubU/s1600/IMG_0716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1547" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrSEQ4furE6bjIif-7ZCppeBStpXPcdsrgc289u3b262CEC40BXW7ZqUlPW7Fcyl-TXW3kb_1ZzfsXMAfqTKAxZXUC_zPVGGKqT0j5VNbAa-qNduYcOwY2OX8eB7fGDLu-_OvykWAubU/s640/IMG_0716.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After watching Tati from the Glam Life Guru profess her love for this foundation, I knew I had to get it when it launched in South Africa. I trust her opinion so if (1) she loves it, (2) it's available in South Africa, and (3) it's affordable, I'm definitely going to try it. The foundation claims to eliminate photo flashback (no white cast when your photo is taken with the flash on) under seven light conditions with top smartphone models, and both with and without flash. Now I haven't tried any of these claims, but I can say that I am really enjoying this foundation. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The glass bottle looks very high-end and it's nice and heavy. The cap twists off and you get a spatula-type applicator to apply the foundation with. As you can see from the above photo, things are bound to get messy real soon. I scoop out a tiny bit on the back of my hand and then either apply dots to my face, or directly dab my beauty sponge on the back of my hand before bopping it onto my face. The texture of the foundation is a bit thicker than a serum foundation, but more liquidy than, say, the Rimmel Match Perfection foundation or the essence Fresh & Fit Awake Make Up foundation. I personally prefer a more liquidy foundation as I find it easier to apply and to slightly sheer out. The foundation looks like skin but does offer enough coverage to hide imperfections and blemishes. I will continue to use this and I'm sure I'll still like it after a few more weeks. This retails for R100 but the shade range is very limited.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
PhotoFocus Concealer in "Light/Medium Beige"</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges_Eel0l0LKV-_B1BTgg3UFM7avBw1jQRjdgllAmzbGikYSePdWw2Zd0yk84mJaOVYL8dl7gIeW6W5N7yCq4w2hffByCYS1bZLaHxGHKfgwnzVAVajfqHIDRKSp2JaoqXSmx8gjE95XE/s1600/IMG_0714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges_Eel0l0LKV-_B1BTgg3UFM7avBw1jQRjdgllAmzbGikYSePdWw2Zd0yk84mJaOVYL8dl7gIeW6W5N7yCq4w2hffByCYS1bZLaHxGHKfgwnzVAVajfqHIDRKSp2JaoqXSmx8gjE95XE/s640/IMG_0714.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I bought the foundation I also picked up this concealer. I can't remember all the details, but I think Tati said that she loved the foundation but not the concealer. Anyway, I still wanted to try it out for myself. The concealer comes with a doe foot applicator and is quite creamy, but not as creamy as my beloved Bourjois Radiance Reveal concealer. It applies nicely with a damp beauty sponge, but I would've like it to be a bit more creamy. It's also a bit warmer than the foundation, but not so much that it looks weird when applied on top of the foundation. It doesn't crease or cake under my eyes and it goes nicely with the foundation, and for R65, it's a steal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
PhotoFocus Pressed Powder in "Neutral Beige"</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3O3AIdkbAs9N4r3vCuhVceVkLOcSUvRzE6ph3UXVZEhNZD9bdzcpMNoxMoJGhCks11-pu-vw0AgsSdW3s_Sd2hyphenhyphenAKi5rEB3SQbPwDp3cTe8YbCz8eEUkgGLf2tkHfIyvSVGmZt1qwAM/s1600/IMG_0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1297" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3O3AIdkbAs9N4r3vCuhVceVkLOcSUvRzE6ph3UXVZEhNZD9bdzcpMNoxMoJGhCks11-pu-vw0AgsSdW3s_Sd2hyphenhyphenAKi5rEB3SQbPwDp3cTe8YbCz8eEUkgGLf2tkHfIyvSVGmZt1qwAM/s640/IMG_0715.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was looking for a new powder and this domed pressed powder looked really interesting. I haven't really used it a lot so I can't comment on the staying power or the coverage, but I can say that it is extremely soft and finely milled. It's also a breeze picking up product on a brush, even if the brush is quite fluffy. I have the feeling that if you're oily skinned but you don't like the look or feel of a liquid foundation that this might do the trick for you. At R90 this is also a very good price for a high-quality pressed powder.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wet N Wild products are currently on a 3-for-2 special at Clicks (online and in-store). I'm thinking of picking up another eyeshadow primer as mine is almost empty, as well as a contouring kit, and maybe a mascara. What are your picks? Let me know in the comments section! Come on, enable me...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-15226227019039032442018-03-16T07:00:00.000+02:002018-03-16T07:00:30.820+02:00Review: Physicians Formula Butter Range<div style="text-align: justify;">
After watching many overseas bloggers rave about these products, we finally have the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzers and Butter Blushes on our shores! In South Africa, Physicians Formula (PF) is sold exclusively at selected Dischem stores. I've never really paid much attention to the brand except for a blush here and a CC Cream there. Ever since the Butter range landed on our shores everyone is stalking the shelves feverishly in the hopes of getting their hands on a blush or a bronzer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4we3r8CnF11l3udRaKr6Fe5xYof1FTOKSh9ifztEG8hr_pFnhIq3cysl_O4R_uIHmJXmOj-VhyphenhyphenSnLP9WRg1fehbTyHUeeupssi6BfvCwHQlnp7njkKe0toakpcEdYPy9gna2rZ1ZQkb8/s1600/IMG_0646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1600" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4we3r8CnF11l3udRaKr6Fe5xYof1FTOKSh9ifztEG8hr_pFnhIq3cysl_O4R_uIHmJXmOj-VhyphenhyphenSnLP9WRg1fehbTyHUeeupssi6BfvCwHQlnp7njkKe0toakpcEdYPy9gna2rZ1ZQkb8/s640/IMG_0646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
True to form we're not getting the entire range in South Africa, but we are however getting about three blushes and one or two bronzers (although I've only managed to find one). They aren't very cheap - you're looking at around R210 for a blush or a bronzer. That being said, the pans are nice and big so you'll get lots of use from it. The bronzer is also a bit larger than the blushes (11 g versus 7.5 g worth of product).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I bought two blushes and a bronzer (one I bought on their recent Beauty Fair when they had 20% off all PF products). I also bought the Argan Oil and Coconut Primer, but more on that in a later post. The blushes are in the shades "Plum Rose" and "Natural Glow", while the bronzer is in the shade "Light Bronzer".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcC3vlWA4kokpNb2O4oja4Oc9tAvwCKheWBi2wIJ3MPUhirKGsb9B_uRcjnMKkTj9SZEEyE06J8GQXnKeNvg1p30n8AA1hESHXH-57DiztN08aHvjTzuaAlhekEBl-urIBZTQMAz3gl8/s1600/IMG_0651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcC3vlWA4kokpNb2O4oja4Oc9tAvwCKheWBi2wIJ3MPUhirKGsb9B_uRcjnMKkTj9SZEEyE06J8GQXnKeNvg1p30n8AA1hESHXH-57DiztN08aHvjTzuaAlhekEBl-urIBZTQMAz3gl8/s640/IMG_0651.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The packaging of both the bronzer and the blushes are super bright and fun with a very summery feel. The packaging is quite sturdy but quite bulky, so maybe not be the best for travel. The packaging is pretty much a trademark of PF: round plastic compact and when you open it there's a pan of blush/bronzer and when you lift that up there's a small brush and a round mirror. I don't use the brush but I always think the PF packaging is super cute. Then there's the smell: both the bronzer and the blushes smell like coconut. The overseas bloggers like to say it smells like holiday, and I've heard other people say that none of their holidays ever smelled like artificial coconut, but I digress. I personally love the warm coconutty scent, but if you don't, don't worry: it dissipates within a few minutes of application.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9iBy8x7tKueuJLYQBzQDufp4icsxtsBtDDOiXxsg8R5TUd6BJKIjbVUOVcUfC5jhwygvVu4_STOXxW5pgG3JgmpSQMGzj1bGjsDxUnWEeocsguBeX_h8yafNzGfYeSsDt8mVxBOtURo/s1600/IMG_0647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9iBy8x7tKueuJLYQBzQDufp4icsxtsBtDDOiXxsg8R5TUd6BJKIjbVUOVcUfC5jhwygvVu4_STOXxW5pgG3JgmpSQMGzj1bGjsDxUnWEeocsguBeX_h8yafNzGfYeSsDt8mVxBOtURo/s640/IMG_0647.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRvRuAbYMupsxCq8zDrGWagsQYtqcExDrmPKSCvri6bwC6IP9p1uZmpEwQVg5W82POd2Kkq4KikjJFYZoIH1BJGC0p7y7uAunwRU4_EMBJWQFfVthBjSM7rr0mqZiQlCQBWeGEMQ8Q4k/s1600/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRvRuAbYMupsxCq8zDrGWagsQYtqcExDrmPKSCvri6bwC6IP9p1uZmpEwQVg5W82POd2Kkq4KikjJFYZoIH1BJGC0p7y7uAunwRU4_EMBJWQFfVthBjSM7rr0mqZiQlCQBWeGEMQ8Q4k/s640/IMG_0649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The texture of both the bronzer and the blushes is very silky and, well, buttery. Brushes pick up a nice amount of product although all the shades I've chosen look incredibly natural on my skintone. Plum Rose doesn't really look plummy or rosy to me and I have to say that it's my least favourite of the three, just because of the fact that it doesn't really show up on my skin. Natural Glow is a beautiful pinky gold and looks more like a highlighter than a blush if you build it up. Light Bronzer looks incredibly natural on me but it's possible to build it up. It's better to have to build up a bronzer than having to tone it down! I think I might need the darker bronzer, but at the time my local Dischem only had one or two compacts of the light bronzer left.<br />
<br />
Below you can see swatches of, from top to bottom, the bronzer, "Natural glow", and "Plum rose".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJULaWHjFF3JIc8Hx2CEsT9hziGaihSC_BE6wRxdbTYkjhXIROrOzI4WO3n-_CIBrAxkJ1zw0WYFBRDW7DIYSuBvXbTWAJSOBz8uivbH-RXFvj44Jh56_TGRrT4bIJDmWs3ShDzjG0PgQ/s1600/IMG_0652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJULaWHjFF3JIc8Hx2CEsT9hziGaihSC_BE6wRxdbTYkjhXIROrOzI4WO3n-_CIBrAxkJ1zw0WYFBRDW7DIYSuBvXbTWAJSOBz8uivbH-RXFvj44Jh56_TGRrT4bIJDmWs3ShDzjG0PgQ/s640/IMG_0652.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWa-NfszB91kSTTxdSJ1meh3nfKz5WCb8a1NBqgsB4KbiHJMJC0iA1mjDmkdFPnNl-huz3kQ9M3YTuQaiK5efJ6LJdPya5stx_m__3A9lUT9CYVgRuQNJpdCSQS2LnXFNft6PITyHhxg/s1600/IMG_0653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="1600" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWa-NfszB91kSTTxdSJ1meh3nfKz5WCb8a1NBqgsB4KbiHJMJC0iA1mjDmkdFPnNl-huz3kQ9M3YTuQaiK5efJ6LJdPya5stx_m__3A9lUT9CYVgRuQNJpdCSQS2LnXFNft6PITyHhxg/s640/IMG_0653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmH8sBmOBMkxNBEV72qFR070FRxJ6Ad4slWDTwg1x1iwc4DNeuA7Ykz_upxSMXksnUe99JyUAAhG6fl-qYnX1PLocSBVfb7uEc91b-aG_YCBx5ik-qkxWSlU8KgWraCrGyp_-9Yf_C2M/s1600/IMG_0654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="1600" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmH8sBmOBMkxNBEV72qFR070FRxJ6Ad4slWDTwg1x1iwc4DNeuA7Ykz_upxSMXksnUe99JyUAAhG6fl-qYnX1PLocSBVfb7uEc91b-aG_YCBx5ik-qkxWSlU8KgWraCrGyp_-9Yf_C2M/s640/IMG_0654.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I can't really say anything about the wear time of these products as blushes and bronzers don't tend to last on my skin in any case. I do, however, enjoy using all three of them and I personally enjoy the scent.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you ever tried any of these? Which shades should I try next? Let me know!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-9402797870996232032018-03-12T07:00:00.000+02:002018-03-12T07:00:00.211+02:00What's in My Bag?: Hospital Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant and my hospital bags are finally packed. I've been packing them on and off for weeks while I've been figuring out what exactly to pack. I've been reading up on hospital bags on blog posts, forums, magazines, and YouTube. Our hospital also gave us a booklet with a very short list that I can't figure out if it's for natural births or c-section births. My plan (or rather, my "wish") is to have a natural delivery, but I suppose you need to be prepared for anything.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
My bag</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx8AberSvaOn2ShwqNdHJCUUHI0oOZ6OAIIO2w9MFL6oAnfrnZaaDZAbeKqj06ZJsVYKz7JwlcFxbSV4s0dmq7DafnBtwHjShcGop_g6TQgUWo28gHnfmkRKg6Y0hU06G0PtbUnXEfaM/s1600/IMG_0595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx8AberSvaOn2ShwqNdHJCUUHI0oOZ6OAIIO2w9MFL6oAnfrnZaaDZAbeKqj06ZJsVYKz7JwlcFxbSV4s0dmq7DafnBtwHjShcGop_g6TQgUWo28gHnfmkRKg6Y0hU06G0PtbUnXEfaM/s640/IMG_0595.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For my bag I actually packed two bags: one for labour and one for afterwards. It might seem a bit excessive but when I read it it made sense to bring two separate bags. For the labour I packed a leather overnight bag that used to be my mother-in-law's. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Inside my bag:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Towel</li>
<li>Face cloth x2</li>
<li>Laundry bag (for dirty clothes)</li>
<li>Sleep shirt (cheap one that I can chuck if it becomes gross)</li>
<li>Gown (for walking around in, should I want to)</li>
<li>Slippers</li>
<li>Magazine</li>
<li>Board game - Phase 10</li>
<li>Juice boxes</li>
<li>iPhone charger + cable</li>
<li>Earphones</li>
<li>Toiletry bag</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc-bdZxLBqaao7h-g5gXzinmM9FQsbM8B9dyzXzvVA0LjpqaEubzJr8b4duqnlMvdOgPBZzyAe7QA_a-fSA6yYTkZFbQfGPI1-YGL-Eoq1qc1urXjFU2ls8iYsG0hMS-szfEP4HlGMCw/s1600/IMG_0598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc-bdZxLBqaao7h-g5gXzinmM9FQsbM8B9dyzXzvVA0LjpqaEubzJr8b4duqnlMvdOgPBZzyAe7QA_a-fSA6yYTkZFbQfGPI1-YGL-Eoq1qc1urXjFU2ls8iYsG0hMS-szfEP4HlGMCw/s640/IMG_0598.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvz6aDrca_-PBBMoLBQE1f0XZR5RH9UGbeAfzDtwzImNE5tmrZJ9AMcq58QUUdg0fSw51EMplQ6DyLghopk9pj7OYSjySAIWslLRnIx9bx3x18NeV6xAOpFf78VenN3zIfolk1bw51niI/s1600/IMG_0596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvz6aDrca_-PBBMoLBQE1f0XZR5RH9UGbeAfzDtwzImNE5tmrZJ9AMcq58QUUdg0fSw51EMplQ6DyLghopk9pj7OYSjySAIWslLRnIx9bx3x18NeV6xAOpFf78VenN3zIfolk1bw51niI/s640/IMG_0596.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4FOJe0qHZ8nvhPcy66MKQvtXGIQJu7xdLtbhxLtVYM_09UXTle3vcNSwwwJvZmQVhKtYp2pZCd6GDPPGstycJ0vJT4sOSDnwDZ82oL7U8bAfBAoxYqIM4G9zaLW9gm6id7uKeMT9IYU/s1600/IMG_0597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4FOJe0qHZ8nvhPcy66MKQvtXGIQJu7xdLtbhxLtVYM_09UXTle3vcNSwwwJvZmQVhKtYp2pZCd6GDPPGstycJ0vJT4sOSDnwDZ82oL7U8bAfBAoxYqIM4G9zaLW9gm6id7uKeMT9IYU/s640/IMG_0597.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In my toiletry bag I packed my usual travel bag plus a few extras: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, earbuds, travel size Bio-Oil, Garnier Micellar face wipes, Sorbet Spa shower gel, Oh So Heavenly hand cream, toothbrush plus holder, travel toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush plus spare Invisibobble, nail file, wide tooth comb, floss, shampoo and conditioner decanted into travel bottles, bath lily, and CoLab Active dry shampoo (it smells amazing).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for documents I am taking my birth plan (I downloaded one from the internet and just checked the necessary boxes), black pen for filling in forms, hospital stay confirmation (I booked my spot in December already), medical aid authorisation number, and a copy of my ID.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
My second bag</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For my second bag I packed a small hand luggage suitcase with wheels. Inside the bag:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Linen savers (I know I'll be in a hospital but I'll be mortified if I ruin the linen)</li>
<li>Travel breastfeeding pillow</li>
<li>Breastfeeding bras x2</li>
<li>Disposable panties x3</li>
<li>Panties x3 (cheap ones in case I hate the disposable ones and that I can chuck if need be)</li>
<li>Front-opening PJs x2 (front-opening for breastfeeding)</li>
<li>Maternity pads (sexy...)</li>
<li>Breast pads</li>
<li>Travel hairdryer</li>
<li>Clothes to go home in (comfy pants and maternity T-shirt)</li>
<li>Small makeup bag (primer, BB cream, powder, Beauty Blender, eyebrow products, mascara sample)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Baby's bag</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwMc8n7gA3Xd3b0vwZanUnyFdess52viISAyJuBaW2tcrT9iP3XwtumpB_fdXWvdGi5NgXGkfjzXKX7Lg83dE6kmhK-QLuz2qspKimCYzmUSi8wVYHTou6qC2apTdoVcyDV98MjBtpZ0/s1600/IMG_0599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwMc8n7gA3Xd3b0vwZanUnyFdess52viISAyJuBaW2tcrT9iP3XwtumpB_fdXWvdGi5NgXGkfjzXKX7Lg83dE6kmhK-QLuz2qspKimCYzmUSi8wVYHTou6qC2apTdoVcyDV98MjBtpZ0/s640/IMG_0599.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I received this beautiful light grey Winnie The Pooh nappy bag from my grandmother as part of my baby shower gifts. The hospital's booklet gave a short list of what to pack in the baby's bag, but it didn't distinguish between natural births (short hospital stay) and c-section births (longer hospital stay), so we're going to have to wing it. They do give you a nappy bag in hospital containing a beanie, a teddy, nappies, maternity pads, and samples, but the head of the maternity unit told me to rather bring along extra nappies, pads, wipes, and surgical spirits. Inside the bag:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Packet of newborn nappies</li>
<li>Wet wipes (Dove Baby suitable for newborns)</li>
<li>Surgical spirits (for the umbilical stump)</li>
<li>Blankets x3 (one fleece, two brushed cotton)</li>
<li>Cloth diaper</li>
<li>Warm onesies x5 (two cotton, two fleecy, one fuzzy)</li>
<li>Vests x5 (two short-sleeved, three long-sleeved)</li>
<li>Socks x5</li>
<li>Hats x2</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rVGpr4-FGACzsRIxPlu-zm0BVap2rvoKiHJTObws0Kr_q_hmf1j0jD0NZSXUEelXysGfEY70A5Gg70qxzFMQkOpYc9neVKSymEfZTgYoh6Fyky5n3cru9f-CFY-0BLWdFnqNoq2GiZg/s1600/IMG_0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rVGpr4-FGACzsRIxPlu-zm0BVap2rvoKiHJTObws0Kr_q_hmf1j0jD0NZSXUEelXysGfEY70A5Gg70qxzFMQkOpYc9neVKSymEfZTgYoh6Fyky5n3cru9f-CFY-0BLWdFnqNoq2GiZg/s640/IMG_0600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oMhzzX6hyE77RkY87g0sf4RfVagXTdGvAVfZTVd2rBAmn8YLpKGrPK9O1SPDsp_GZAY42m2VqiStF2tqYqSHvM0FzcIil6wefjTmHzatbmd4k14KR7oe4UMg3c_gSQ9oI-5BmDVnyOw/s1600/IMG_0601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1568" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oMhzzX6hyE77RkY87g0sf4RfVagXTdGvAVfZTVd2rBAmn8YLpKGrPK9O1SPDsp_GZAY42m2VqiStF2tqYqSHvM0FzcIil6wefjTmHzatbmd4k14KR7oe4UMg3c_gSQ9oI-5BmDVnyOw/s640/IMG_0601.jpg" width="626" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPi7iaY5g7KrzoUB25oXCyNnDDu0EL7re_Llvv2RHj4OvbVBCRW7qUVpRXGQYEip_0b5mIrBZfOZvyfROWN5HY5FXLJEPLHFD8a0BclBqhfZh9FkYkzl5FdJb5fFgtah2funQucIsb7o/s1600/IMG_0603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1482" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPi7iaY5g7KrzoUB25oXCyNnDDu0EL7re_Llvv2RHj4OvbVBCRW7qUVpRXGQYEip_0b5mIrBZfOZvyfROWN5HY5FXLJEPLHFD8a0BclBqhfZh9FkYkzl5FdJb5fFgtah2funQucIsb7o/s640/IMG_0603.jpg" width="592" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7b3l1lWzofta4lk62THaTyjihxZd8q-Clvk6snUCpPItPJY8D59UiPVxB507sXZEAKDs1Dtn2X0sdpi3C_PP0ZxPV6iJMfhc99roycKGjML_9UbTSPk6V-7PVXF-_0ToiXtgMJEQTPQ/s1600/IMG_0608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1242" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7b3l1lWzofta4lk62THaTyjihxZd8q-Clvk6snUCpPItPJY8D59UiPVxB507sXZEAKDs1Dtn2X0sdpi3C_PP0ZxPV6iJMfhc99roycKGjML_9UbTSPk6V-7PVXF-_0ToiXtgMJEQTPQ/s640/IMG_0608.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iWSD01k-dP7ArndldaEbDuwX0Y6Y3Z4xVtM7MLWSfy03S1nJiUY_67lrYyHHGrIFNiqcjY5QM9w0DlpgptMRJg_09UxXHWM4swfhkYJwpMudlNp-8m7PiEbfQR-Ci6dAaea6HKvcFS8/s1600/IMG_0609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iWSD01k-dP7ArndldaEbDuwX0Y6Y3Z4xVtM7MLWSfy03S1nJiUY_67lrYyHHGrIFNiqcjY5QM9w0DlpgptMRJg_09UxXHWM4swfhkYJwpMudlNp-8m7PiEbfQR-Ci6dAaea6HKvcFS8/s640/IMG_0609.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwF-EDybPS0yF7KiiFIxPyt0ZD8J53GDIZGNYcgEFs9-8yWRnurHg8VPpqFN2kBg1ajqJfXY3e46fJ6s0ENwH0c4kAUITuRdgiu2-CNnB85TB0J3wwGSYFxxsaqMsJ5_VYpspz1aZ-Y8/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwF-EDybPS0yF7KiiFIxPyt0ZD8J53GDIZGNYcgEFs9-8yWRnurHg8VPpqFN2kBg1ajqJfXY3e46fJ6s0ENwH0c4kAUITuRdgiu2-CNnB85TB0J3wwGSYFxxsaqMsJ5_VYpspz1aZ-Y8/s640/IMG_0610.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtftwonhzGu3_WzEBvVoAPBvQsxt-8yidNDlr9Xo5l0S5wBxs-xFZkA4dR3P_lz9P5BEAH-ZEu0ShFVKAg3zUUMG-AsjPWd0wxVMI2hfnj2Vh_fsBrDjKW0VfEqkbrtt1zcJDhVPMkMm8/s1600/IMG_0611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtftwonhzGu3_WzEBvVoAPBvQsxt-8yidNDlr9Xo5l0S5wBxs-xFZkA4dR3P_lz9P5BEAH-ZEu0ShFVKAg3zUUMG-AsjPWd0wxVMI2hfnj2Vh_fsBrDjKW0VfEqkbrtt1zcJDhVPMkMm8/s640/IMG_0611.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxLevuuifLMKUFH4s7WNViuP9sgpaFY9XsOIchS1AYAa6aqs37weEKX6hp5caRf-Z1a-81yE7E1lU-983boAd2BuRtNtptQeaAgESfXBX9SwvsjdRWv8j2_KZIT7mVW0iylJas4pvKUM/s1600/IMG_0612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxLevuuifLMKUFH4s7WNViuP9sgpaFY9XsOIchS1AYAa6aqs37weEKX6hp5caRf-Z1a-81yE7E1lU-983boAd2BuRtNtptQeaAgESfXBX9SwvsjdRWv8j2_KZIT7mVW0iylJas4pvKUM/s640/IMG_0612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlHOfUgF69KMq23vHenY3Yc8A5NlMZPbU3tUdoO_wEE_OKVXBmu23ijSgUMLFBIbyzPcDgxQnQdaICpgWh795Ib8weSg4NpqeZUtCmJKJ2hFl2xioh8TxjK8DqkCS-gutKgy3ACwyT8k/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlHOfUgF69KMq23vHenY3Yc8A5NlMZPbU3tUdoO_wEE_OKVXBmu23ijSgUMLFBIbyzPcDgxQnQdaICpgWh795Ib8weSg4NpqeZUtCmJKJ2hFl2xioh8TxjK8DqkCS-gutKgy3ACwyT8k/s640/IMG_0614.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISKAXlRz0XtXII2Ay-6aekfOT1MMaV37lf2Mu2pWWKyF4YQogBZ1x57TIKH4bn8dySKIabA4C7CDqJY-hICjAVrU6j9kf1mUBkyCqmnLBIdMEOijKzUHCjx0lhM3FK-uU4j0w7G85-Nk/s1600/IMG_0615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISKAXlRz0XtXII2Ay-6aekfOT1MMaV37lf2Mu2pWWKyF4YQogBZ1x57TIKH4bn8dySKIabA4C7CDqJY-hICjAVrU6j9kf1mUBkyCqmnLBIdMEOijKzUHCjx0lhM3FK-uU4j0w7G85-Nk/s640/IMG_0615.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A friend of mine gave birth at the same hospital two years ago and she said what really helped her is to pack the baby's outfits into ziploc bags so that the nurses can just take a ziploc bag out instead of having to rummage through the entire nappy bag. For a going home outfit I packed an all-pink outfit: pink long-sleeved body vest, pink fuzzy onesie (that her daddy picked out, might I add), and a pink hat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cotton onesies are from Woolworths and Ackermans, the fleecy onesies are from Ackermans, and the fuzzy onesie is from Jet. Ackermans and Jet have the cutest baby clothes and so affordable! The vests are all either from Jet or Ackermans, and the socks and hats I can't remember.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Things that I still need to pack in my bag include my iPod, my Fitbit charger (I'm still using it), my medical aid card (still in my wallet), my ID book (still in my handbag), my prenatal vitamins, and some snacks (I'm still trying to think what to get). What would you recommend for snacks?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-8181351373416102552018-03-01T07:00:00.000+02:002018-03-01T07:00:14.829+02:00Pregnancy Update: Weeks 31-35<div style="text-align: justify;">
Time is really flying by now and I'm starting to slowly but surely freak out. I'm more than three quarters of the way there and reality is sinking in: in a couple of weeks (5!) I'll be a mom, ahhhh! A lot has happened in these past few weeks so I'm going to try and remember everything...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDdiSeOPs8jiqVnZr934CelxlXtkM0qT_bUSPBi7pYSt6vkYBvKtf0Y_pILg2Ka9aMr0LnCfeMOFfVOvXL-k-DyDprbHfVaMSSWrsdW9KjtV8F8ngqtvdvPXjqeG8_b1jIKUzKCj3kKI/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDdiSeOPs8jiqVnZr934CelxlXtkM0qT_bUSPBi7pYSt6vkYBvKtf0Y_pILg2Ka9aMr0LnCfeMOFfVOvXL-k-DyDprbHfVaMSSWrsdW9KjtV8F8ngqtvdvPXjqeG8_b1jIKUzKCj3kKI/s640/IMG_4211.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My birthday was on the first of February and my mother and youngest brother decided to do a road trip from Cape Town to Pretoria for my birthday. It was so cool having them here! My amazing friends also threw me a surprise baby shower on the Saturday just after my birthday so that my mom could also be there. I was one day short of 32 weeks along on my baby shower and I was sporting a very round bump, but I wasn't so big that I got tired easily. The baby shower was held at Ginger Apple (full name Ginger Apple Cafe & Culinary Architects) in Moreleta Park, Pretoria. I loved having my close friends and my mom with me, it really was a special morning! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSsqh0BzVc_Dl1mazsu4P9tn_qQ6gvrpEBB19cyXAaVUIHHWoQc1zAOvtG7GfQDcsBNSupKiiJXCo6FpZujdHkrZ45skkpZYYpgmZWA5GQIqaBhDLI01Wtm5b4i936KmZarPsjt8fYvk/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSsqh0BzVc_Dl1mazsu4P9tn_qQ6gvrpEBB19cyXAaVUIHHWoQc1zAOvtG7GfQDcsBNSupKiiJXCo6FpZujdHkrZ45skkpZYYpgmZWA5GQIqaBhDLI01Wtm5b4i936KmZarPsjt8fYvk/s640/IMG_0058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJoikSPWAP7OMaH2ATUJeJqzWljUPs2eIibhOSNOBaRQE5tWY_xDa5kOTmlwrTlVBzdv034jMG7TjFShkItAJsvlUZxYlTiITH1edccP2qhd9Da5iGdRXBjjM-MkGNzMoKeydFyUJJVM/s1600/IMG_0303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJoikSPWAP7OMaH2ATUJeJqzWljUPs2eIibhOSNOBaRQE5tWY_xDa5kOTmlwrTlVBzdv034jMG7TjFShkItAJsvlUZxYlTiITH1edccP2qhd9Da5iGdRXBjjM-MkGNzMoKeydFyUJJVM/s640/IMG_0303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We played three games which I thoroughly enjoyed even though I didn't win any at my own baby shower... For the first game everyone got a bunch of teeny tiny plastic dummies. We weren't allowed to say the words "baby" or "baba": if you were caught saying it the person accusing you could demand that you hand over a dummy. The person who had the most dummies at the end of the party won a prize. For the second game I had to go around the tables with a ball of string and a pair of scissors. Everyone had to eye my bump (no measuring!) and then decide how long the piece of string should be to go around my bump. The person who got the closest to my actual measurements won a prize. The last game included 11 baby-related items thrown into a fabric bag. You were allowed to rummage through the bag all you want, but without taking a peek. You then had to write down what you felt (rubber ducky, dummy, Baby-on-board sticker, etcetera). The person who could correctly identify all 11 items then won a prize.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPiczuCPXhz-XglU-KH2tJpoo-n00-UAS706j4LKcAQG1DkWJ7Q37EnhKUvaUivY93qTqhwN7e-HLU-Qe4wrqX1_InCtd_SoKRePvfELQfq15y2PZ7A2_bC5fAfqy_UYvwJd9wjoZ5GM/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPiczuCPXhz-XglU-KH2tJpoo-n00-UAS706j4LKcAQG1DkWJ7Q37EnhKUvaUivY93qTqhwN7e-HLU-Qe4wrqX1_InCtd_SoKRePvfELQfq15y2PZ7A2_bC5fAfqy_UYvwJd9wjoZ5GM/s640/IMG_0072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt_3vJuHgqVMCzLCjx9yFvBPKn1x7wGhjpKXNt99QUJISd4cT3P99EG9CaHaCinfPz7JsEUGH5QV1dKLGJp31RgeyLoajnuhiPkdEkxOwggIfeHko3qxqecZYvAxvQu8J7IvvThzZQ-o/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt_3vJuHgqVMCzLCjx9yFvBPKn1x7wGhjpKXNt99QUJISd4cT3P99EG9CaHaCinfPz7JsEUGH5QV1dKLGJp31RgeyLoajnuhiPkdEkxOwggIfeHko3qxqecZYvAxvQu8J7IvvThzZQ-o/s640/IMG_0066.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We had breakfast and the most amazing cake, also baked by Ginger Apple. I got to take the leftovers home and the boys were also very happy to have a slice or two! I got spoilt rotten with beautiful gifts and I also got to take home the contents of the mystery bag, as well as two cute "diaper cakes" made by my very talented friend, Natasha (who also organised the baby shower).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJXaSoEp-Bu8KVgP0kYNpXIyR0cMj1qh6zecKFsCRlKRc6182L2c4I_71FM_JqDXAXAr6sgEHkBVdnlfKOCWZHMstdRvyzQqyVRc38iH0S4mDg54mr8Sm9DYOC-9-lo6gNw4syfWcI5c/s1600/IMG_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJXaSoEp-Bu8KVgP0kYNpXIyR0cMj1qh6zecKFsCRlKRc6182L2c4I_71FM_JqDXAXAr6sgEHkBVdnlfKOCWZHMstdRvyzQqyVRc38iH0S4mDg54mr8Sm9DYOC-9-lo6gNw4syfWcI5c/s640/IMG_0062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLTTFHsocEx5Ru9qFl14fSUjrMM0iVQ-YZ22QTXvXWvUnmb_0OB6NqGX5B9DUROsGTWA69OOQbfz3yPloVe-Fa3fMCNOBH-i1G61QnWqOPBfHQ9NdO3OZMDe9aJ6D0_rwEXvzIi_rzYM/s1600/IMG_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLTTFHsocEx5Ru9qFl14fSUjrMM0iVQ-YZ22QTXvXWvUnmb_0OB6NqGX5B9DUROsGTWA69OOQbfz3yPloVe-Fa3fMCNOBH-i1G61QnWqOPBfHQ9NdO3OZMDe9aJ6D0_rwEXvzIi_rzYM/s640/IMG_0055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After my mom and brother left for Cape Town again, it was time to work on the nursery. I had gotten very antsy about how little time was left so I was very relieved when we finally got it together. My husband assembled the cot and we purchased a cot mattress and a small chest of drawers. The chest of drawers isn't the best of quality nor is it exactly what I wanted, but we were pressed for time and the price was ok. We bought a changing mattress to put on top of the chest of drawers, and the husband is currently building a wooden frame to put between the two so that the mattress doesn't slide off of the chest of drawers. We also looked around for a big and comfy chair that suited the room but was also in our budget (some of these chairs are ridiculously expensive!). We managed to go pick up the chair last weekend and it, together with the rug, makes a huge difference in the room. I bought a very cheerful (and cheap!) rug at Mr Price Home. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw the huge mat on the "Priced to go" shelf! I'm just sharing snapshots of the nursery here, I plan to do a full nursery tour later when we're completely finished (if that happens in time!).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjgZ7_Dqw6qwm4cRn3UTSgJajYhZ6yQTpq2XmTLvbvlr4Np55rh4PmF18UuJTdbsZAtXym2t71hJTWZ-d4fWrC8OVkGUzsB0HFfgj-HzuEHgaERsyt_SLb8Lbt47HvVubUjIgXPC68Qs/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjgZ7_Dqw6qwm4cRn3UTSgJajYhZ6yQTpq2XmTLvbvlr4Np55rh4PmF18UuJTdbsZAtXym2t71hJTWZ-d4fWrC8OVkGUzsB0HFfgj-HzuEHgaERsyt_SLb8Lbt47HvVubUjIgXPC68Qs/s640/IMG_0326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RUBmOB0-bR37cPyTmWu_JgdG-5XGo93edwn3-qhsnqb3Rfg5ZZsqSDogfUbXpKRFzqxozawEJiipb4kuwrBcbIldqI877pt6f4cdQPBUoGAs_xs1JMhpmXsI6t5F-D4tIgthQBASXnE/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RUBmOB0-bR37cPyTmWu_JgdG-5XGo93edwn3-qhsnqb3Rfg5ZZsqSDogfUbXpKRFzqxozawEJiipb4kuwrBcbIldqI877pt6f4cdQPBUoGAs_xs1JMhpmXsI6t5F-D4tIgthQBASXnE/s640/IMG_0506.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I washed all of Olive's clothes, bedding, towels, you name it. What a mission! I decided to sort the items according to colour (whites with whites, yellows with yellows, etcetera) and it feels like it took forever to dry! Someone told me that baby clothes are supposed to hang outside in the sunshine to kill any lurking bacteria, but after about the third load of washing I just decided, you know what, these clothes have never been worn, I think it'll be ok just this once. At least I'm washing everything?!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At 34 weeks we had a maternity shoot at the Harmonie Protea Farm just outside Rayton (on the way to Cullinan). Initially I didn't want to do a maternity shoot but then my reluctance turned into FOMO and I decided to go for it. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it or to pose with my bump exposed for the world to see, I just wanted a few nice, professional pictures of me, my husband, and the bump to look back on. The protea farm was absolutely stunning and I even got to take home a bunch of proteas and fynbos. I can't wait for the photos! Hopefully they'll be ready in time for my next (and probably last, eek!) pregnancy update post.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiU-aTc1Gjh9QaBuc3jJGnodOiyDWWIL7ck83TtxmfaeQ1siW5uLbH148SaODtRBInrIEsH9PgdSp3eexiA7CCPCVih7hc6y_DGJnFzvG-XIfZtLe2nlvZzECbyqD07OQBMStu1ZOIfU/s1600/ab3e4688-070f-4df6-a9a4-969408e8ad38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiU-aTc1Gjh9QaBuc3jJGnodOiyDWWIL7ck83TtxmfaeQ1siW5uLbH148SaODtRBInrIEsH9PgdSp3eexiA7CCPCVih7hc6y_DGJnFzvG-XIfZtLe2nlvZzECbyqD07OQBMStu1ZOIfU/s640/ab3e4688-070f-4df6-a9a4-969408e8ad38.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymkpZm9QiIdbepW2239UMu-KZcNi62Et1Mjtp0wTJdEZSA1WSvDs_pc8Je_0WCqsKgvuxpGS1_yiGgN8XNGLQeK5ABJl0fzQIJ_ldHL-D2Y_8VNsJsJpFCuBE4GcV6HcjWuUvLbyOqL8/s1600/DB8DCEDC-CDB8-4A90-8007-82D438C9A285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymkpZm9QiIdbepW2239UMu-KZcNi62Et1Mjtp0wTJdEZSA1WSvDs_pc8Je_0WCqsKgvuxpGS1_yiGgN8XNGLQeK5ABJl0fzQIJ_ldHL-D2Y_8VNsJsJpFCuBE4GcV6HcjWuUvLbyOqL8/s640/DB8DCEDC-CDB8-4A90-8007-82D438C9A285.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've also started packing our hospital bags, although I think I've packed it about twice now. I keep on forgetting what's already in the bag and then I have to take everything out and start again! I do have a list, but the list doesn't distinguish between things I have and things I've already packed in... I'm also not entirely sure what to pack in my baby's bag, so I'm packing what I think is right and then I'll wait for our hospital tour on the 11th of March.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for me, I'm starting to feel really uncomfortable now. I know I'm growing a human, but I feel so useless at times. I can't pick up stuff (bending down is now really getting tough), I get tired easily, and everyone keeps telling me to "sit down" and "take it easy". I have a total of seven outfits that fit me and I'm wearing these outfits to work and over the weekends. I'm actually enjoying having so few options, I've found that it makes getting dressed in the mornings easier! Having seven fixed outfits (five dresses, two pairs of leggings, and two maternity T-shirts) really takes the guesswork out of getting dressed!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm sleeping ok, it's just a pain turning over from the one side to the other. I'm not the most peaceful sleeper and I have to turn regularly otherwise my body gets achy and sore. That being said, I sometimes struggle with aching legs. I sometimes get leg cramps but my doctor told me that I can take Slow Mag at night and that keeps the cramps away, but it doesn't always help for the leg pains. It's like my legs get sore from sleeping in one position too long, although I can't imagine that that's true. Anyone else experience this? I wake up in the middle of the night from the pain and then I flex my legs (sometimes it's just the one leg) and point my toes and go back to sleep. When I wake up the pain is usually gone. So random!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My biggest issues at the moment, however, are heat-related: I'm dying from heat (even though it's cool outside) and from heartburn! It's become a running joke at work and people laugh when I tell them we sleep with the fan on almost every night now... My poor husband dives under the duvet while I sleep on top (usually it's the other way round). My fingers and ankles are also swollen - I can't wear my rings and I can't wear sneakers or any other closed shoes. So with my seven outfits I have a total of two pairs of shoes to wear with it, oh well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for the baby: Olive is growing nicely and she's kicking up a storm! She turned head-down in the past month, now we're just waiting for her to flip over so that she is facing my back, which is the optimal position to deliver in. Apparently there is enough fluid for her to turn, and she's very active, so I am confident that she'll flip over in time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That's my 31-35 week update! If you're still reading, thanks for sticking it out! Do you have any tips for me at this stage? And must-have items for the hospital bags? Let me know!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-45901596416247432252018-02-27T07:00:00.000+02:002018-02-27T07:00:35.977+02:00New in: Dermalogica UltraCalming Duo<div style="text-align: justify;">
Allergic reactions, everyday stresses and stressors, pollution, diet, a lack of sleep - all these things can contribute to skin that doesn't look its best. Add to that sun exposure and changing weather conditions and it won't come as a surprise that many of us struggle with our skin. When I say "struggle" I don't necessarily mean acne or breakouts, but anything from an excess of oil to dry flaky skin to red and irritated skin. The two products that I'm talking about today are specially formulated to address red, irritated, and sensitive skin. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
Dermalogica UltraCalming Duo*</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8HHxIKjkf47SzU8Y0-YlkQTHBvMI9hjuQKs8zzJY509bEqGNk_lmBQote0MTiYEMneSBPDtgBDO-bHQKmKJhX9KI4656iAVZcm6vDkJ3az9AbSEdZ2DXuAOuWv0Ps6dnXMSwGZTocls/s1600/UltraCalming+Duo+-+Booster+Cap+Off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1283" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8HHxIKjkf47SzU8Y0-YlkQTHBvMI9hjuQKs8zzJY509bEqGNk_lmBQote0MTiYEMneSBPDtgBDO-bHQKmKJhX9KI4656iAVZcm6vDkJ3az9AbSEdZ2DXuAOuWv0Ps6dnXMSwGZTocls/s640/UltraCalming+Duo+-+Booster+Cap+Off.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sensitivity means something different to each of us: to me it means angry, red, dry and flaky skin. I have to admit, I haven't had a flare-up in a long time, but my skin keeps on being too red for my liking and no matter what I do, it doesn't go away. This is where Dermalogica's new UltraCalming Duo comes in. No matter what your level of sensitivity, these products will soothe your skin by treating the irritation and dehydration that causes your sensitivity. Both products contain a blend of botanical extracts together with Dermalogica's innovative technology. These two products can be used on their own or layered to achieve maximum benefit.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
Barrier Defense Booster</h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwyAdzfMw0EDQJPHgMdg7GbdMSQtG5q6pmEtxB1aQWOcemBqpzkWuac_uqlbk6Ea1nE352kkhXhdI8TiKWKAwXwj8DYueqdZgFgSDwsdYOc6Wp0aMGhNuyRiXi36d_hJM6a0sK7XfzD8/s1600/Barrier+Defense+Booster+-+Retail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="867" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwyAdzfMw0EDQJPHgMdg7GbdMSQtG5q6pmEtxB1aQWOcemBqpzkWuac_uqlbk6Ea1nE352kkhXhdI8TiKWKAwXwj8DYueqdZgFgSDwsdYOc6Wp0aMGhNuyRiXi36d_hJM6a0sK7XfzD8/s640/Barrier+Defense+Booster+-+Retail.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Barrier Defense Booster can be seen as the first step. It's a concentrated oil booster that soothes and nourishes the skin to restore balance. I love the packaging: the grey part on the bottom is a "button" that you lightly press (when holding the bottle upside down) to release a drop of oil at a time. The product is eye-wateringly expensive, but this way you can at least control how much you dispense at a time. I've been using this for about a week and I'm really enjoying it. Is it better than my other oils? I don't know. Does it make my skin less red and less irritated? Yes. I don't know if it's the oil or the combination of products, but my skin is definitely looking more hydrated and less red. You can purchase this for R1,220 (30 ml bottle) at all Dermalogica stockists.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
Calm Water Gel</h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGbyC1Ydj1kUTj_wAkMtuZY9FNfAuMvQ-I8Otk2igs4hP9FHFYbnGhDtNUqQK5OfMooyrq9MnOiKXytE8yLlMiI1K9D0fXne0wCPGwG0dqaG_Y14vAV8x0qMO5bULLi2mdaNvjBgVZ4k/s1600/Calm+Water+Gel+-+Retail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="934" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGbyC1Ydj1kUTj_wAkMtuZY9FNfAuMvQ-I8Otk2igs4hP9FHFYbnGhDtNUqQK5OfMooyrq9MnOiKXytE8yLlMiI1K9D0fXne0wCPGwG0dqaG_Y14vAV8x0qMO5bULLi2mdaNvjBgVZ4k/s640/Calm+Water+Gel+-+Retail.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Calm Water Gel can be seen as the second step and is a water-gel moisturiser that hydrates dry and sensitive skin. The texture is that of a normal gel moisturiser (think of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost for instance), but as soon as it comes into contact with your skin, it changes into an almost water-like consistency. It is very cool and the result of this is that you need much less product to cover your entire face. I know, many times when bloggers/brands say "you only need a little bit" it is to rationalise the price, but in this case you REALLY only need a little bit. The spreadability is incredible and the texture is luxurious without being sticky or tacky. It sinks into the skin beautifully. Of the two products I have to say that this one is my favourite. Both products also have the distinct "herby" Dermalogica smell. You can buy this for R890 (50 ml bottle) at Dermalogica stockists.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know these products are pricey, and I'm not saying you should rush out and buy them both, but if you have the money and you do struggle with redness and sensitivity, these products might just be what you've been looking for.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*PR sample</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-64300006536452044862018-02-22T07:00:00.000+02:002018-02-22T07:00:52.408+02:00New in: REN Perfect Canvas<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm excited to show you a new product that was kindly sent to me from one of my absolute favourite skincare brands, REN. I love REN's Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask as well as their clay detox mask, and recently they've come up with a couple of really exciting and innovative products. One of these exciting and innovative products is launching this month and I thought I'd give you a sneak peek.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
REN Perfect Canvas*</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsA0uETBGcqFQE8_YuOmK_HMpZJB3pv4nlsxqI-EjLB6CrTAiMHDTFnTkenWmnj_Yon6CwVa0nwpVijpkYOV_nmmTEYtFmQqSCB08yWQvlgEjK2gbfE84y_q_zvi31j3wAIGKgkcvYZY8/s1600/ren084_ren_perfectcanvas_1560x1960-p4qyg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsA0uETBGcqFQE8_YuOmK_HMpZJB3pv4nlsxqI-EjLB6CrTAiMHDTFnTkenWmnj_Yon6CwVa0nwpVijpkYOV_nmmTEYtFmQqSCB08yWQvlgEjK2gbfE84y_q_zvi31j3wAIGKgkcvYZY8/s640/ren084_ren_perfectcanvas_1560x1960-p4qyg.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First off, the packaging is stunning. Forget the old REN packaging that we all know so well: the Perfect Canvas comes in a matte white bottle. The packaging feels luxurious and expensive and, although it shouldn't be part of your decision to buy it, it does help to justify the price a teensy bit.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I first received this product I was unsure of what it was or how to use it. It's called a "Skin finishing serum", but the directions say to apply it after your moisturiser, thereby making it a primer. To say I was both confused and intrigued is an understatement! The directions say to apply a few drops to your skin (after moisturiser) and then to massage it in. It's silicone-free and you can immediately feel that when applying it to your skin: it feels more like a light oil than anything else. It doesn't feel sticky or greasy, my skin just feels nourished.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It contains "bio-actives" which boils down to probiotic extract, hyaluronans, inulin, and alpha-glucans. The probiotic extract is supposed to speed up cell recovery and epidermal growth to assist in strengthening your skin's natural barrier. I'm not going to bore you with the sciency stuff, but the bottom line is, probiotic extract promotes smooth and hydrated skin, and prevents bad bacteria from penetrating your skin. Hyaluronans convert to hyaluronic acid in the skin and increases skin hydration as well as aids in keeping your skin's barrier in tact. It also boosts the production of elastin which means less wrinkles. Now for the kicker: Inulin comes from Agave Tequilana which is the agave plant used to produce tequila! Yes, you read that correctly: you're basically slapping a tequila derivate on your face (this does somehow explain the price). Inulin is a natural filler and has a short-term lifting effect. Lastly, the alpha-glucans balance the flora on the skin (much like the probiotic extract) and encourages the growth of good bacteria. So you can see a pattern here: reduces bad bacteria, hydration, improved skin barrier, lifting, and line filling.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It claims to smooth and lift the skin and make it look naturally filled, "resulting in a matte finish and creating the perfect canvas upon which to apply make-up". I've used this a couple of times, and I must say, I like it. It feels great on the skin, in fact, it feels more like a skincare step than a makeup step. I've recently moved more towards skincare and slightly away from makeup and using this makes me feel like I'm doing something good for my skin instead of just slapping on another silicone primer that's going to clog my pores. I still need to use it some more to truly test out the claims, but so far it seems that my makeup is sitting better on my face and that it doesn't just melt off before the end of the workday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This product is suitable for all skin types and retails for R995. You can purchase it from REN's own <a href="http://renskincare.co.za/product/perfect-canvas/">website</a>, Clicks, selected Woolworths stores, and Wellness Warehouse stores nationwide.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Will you be purchasing this? Let me know in the comment section!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*PR sample</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-43602287898179996312018-02-15T07:00:00.000+02:002018-02-15T07:00:36.185+02:00Pregnancy Perk: Dischem Baby Bag<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even before I got pregnant I read somewhere about the Dischem Baby Bag. It's a free diaper bag filled with samples and baby goodies supplied by Dischem. I think it's a really great idea as they make diaper bags accessible for everyone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxlNp69xVtennJVfRXdFGnPinEzbNhx4hVSZvmEo-8X3apmSADzVJ0jDwbOQPlPAj3D-uUBdwq6dcCARZzohCaM55NT5Z9KPG0cxIWtDaNsxvFIBzqQwyB1UFanm5_3BTJRFGY0ortL8/s1600/IMG_9750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxlNp69xVtennJVfRXdFGnPinEzbNhx4hVSZvmEo-8X3apmSADzVJ0jDwbOQPlPAj3D-uUBdwq6dcCARZzohCaM55NT5Z9KPG0cxIWtDaNsxvFIBzqQwyB1UFanm5_3BTJRFGY0ortL8/s640/IMG_9750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikia6U9yrRntHOjUef700oJ-GFdTcEWmU7k3C7izIx86JhL3Wl3_ZPxDrxTDUMoEswcgU8EgWgh4dRa2MbCOjVaJ4LXy4MA4vu-yVd5MKF4cGAst3qtto7C-DVFICAQf1f90dB95qMcIQ/s1600/IMG_9753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1071" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikia6U9yrRntHOjUef700oJ-GFdTcEWmU7k3C7izIx86JhL3Wl3_ZPxDrxTDUMoEswcgU8EgWgh4dRa2MbCOjVaJ4LXy4MA4vu-yVd5MKF4cGAst3qtto7C-DVFICAQf1f90dB95qMcIQ/s640/IMG_9753.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
How to get the baby bag</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
You need to be a part of the Dischem Baby Club and have a Dischem Benefits card. Joining these clubs cost absolutely nothing. Every time you buy something at Dischem and swipe your Benefits card you earn points (just like the Clicks rewards card) which can be used as cash off on future purchases. The Baby Club is just an extension of that: you need to register your pregnancy and input your due date. When you are 20+ weeks pregnant and have 950 points on your Benefit card (I think it equates to R9.50 which really is nothing) you can go to the clinic nurse at your local Dischem for a "baby bag consultation". The nurse I went to took my blood pressure and asked me a few questions regarding my pregnancy. She explained the vaccination and immunisation schedule to me and gave me a fridge magnet with the schedule on it (injection X at Y weeks, and so on). She then gave me a slip which I had to go pay at the till: the 15 min consultation, and thus the diaper bag, cost me R35. At around 27 weeks I got a phone call from my Dischem saying that my baby bag is ready for collection. I went there with my Benefits card and I had to fill out a form while I waited for them to fetch my baby bag. And that was it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
What's in the bag?</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1klKk4gukd3J7Rnfpf_CxukUM48syZ83r97ETHlTjsymk1cACvaTjMfqaO1Fy2TyLgOVxyGefACYbBHxc3aium7LTFGNNwlla2cYHXAojNxItEWT8UJKgckoPqiJyxDS9eBM47lw8cA/s1600/IMG_9754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1301" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1klKk4gukd3J7Rnfpf_CxukUM48syZ83r97ETHlTjsymk1cACvaTjMfqaO1Fy2TyLgOVxyGefACYbBHxc3aium7LTFGNNwlla2cYHXAojNxItEWT8UJKgckoPqiJyxDS9eBM47lw8cA/s640/IMG_9754.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The bag itself is a very gender-neutral black and white. It's neutral enough so that dads can carry it around without fear of looking silly (not that that should be a big consideration, but you get what I'm saying). It has a big compartment and then a smaller zip pocket in front. It also has an elastic mesh pocket on each side for bottles. It has two handles and a shoulder strap. Inside is a matching changing pad that closes with a velcro strip. The nicest part of the bag, however, is all the amazing goodies! There are a few bits and bobs for me, but most of the stuff are for Olive and some of them are things that I haven't really thought of getting (and that I now don't need to get, yay!).</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
For me</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvAx2VdxmZxXRsDi-Uit2O-JBpRvoVltbwKwCUbKSoawlXHpV4gu4Z0C1ie2Ov30XA8llyhKQ9ubkUj-Coo-U0eIN2IYCZPJgR2M7dc3jwGxo2YVg2mF6ctsdpXx0h_gFekW2kkqM3ts/s1600/IMG_9756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvAx2VdxmZxXRsDi-Uit2O-JBpRvoVltbwKwCUbKSoawlXHpV4gu4Z0C1ie2Ov30XA8llyhKQ9ubkUj-Coo-U0eIN2IYCZPJgR2M7dc3jwGxo2YVg2mF6ctsdpXx0h_gFekW2kkqM3ts/s640/IMG_9756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>A pack of 6 Softi maternity pads (apparently normal night pads aren't going to cut it)</li>
<li>Three pairs of Softi nursing pads (breast pads)</li>
<li>A pack of three disposable panties to wear in hospital</li>
<li>A travel size hand sanitiser</li>
<li>A sample of the Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco conditioner</li>
<li>Palmer's Stretch Mark cream</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
For Baby</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrnnKhhthF714bU1zEr8EclmCNgCbm_LH0Gzi89eldftmotVvhlYpeIKZRBxTiD7puHVBDdkYUzZAquZkPz80N1wTtoXpKmfNN5ai3FP-xwn1piltYUc-kCX5SrPfg_nZe0ufcfEdkTg/s1600/IMG_9755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1321" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrnnKhhthF714bU1zEr8EclmCNgCbm_LH0Gzi89eldftmotVvhlYpeIKZRBxTiD7puHVBDdkYUzZAquZkPz80N1wTtoXpKmfNN5ai3FP-xwn1piltYUc-kCX5SrPfg_nZe0ufcfEdkTg/s640/IMG_9755.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>A sample packet of size 1 Pampers nappies</li>
<li>Sample pack of baby wipes</li>
<li>Tom & Jerry travel wipes</li>
<li>Nappy bags</li>
<li>Softi cotton wool</li>
<li>Nuk breast milk storage bottle</li>
<li>Surgical spirits (to put on baby's umbilical stump)</li>
<li>Teejel soft finger-toothbrush</li>
<li>Softi cotton buds</li>
<li>Sample Sudocrem</li>
<li>Tommee Tippee newborn dummy</li>
<li>Travel sizes body wash, shampoo, baby oil, lotion</li>
<li>Epimax lotion sample</li>
<li>Nipple cream sample</li>
<li>Bennetts massage drops sample</li>
<li>Bennetts aqueous cream sample (not pictured)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And there you have it! A beautiful baby bag filled with goodies for only R35. Apart from one or two things I'm pretty much sorted for my diaper bag! I did get another beautiful Winnie the Pooh bag from my gran, so I'll rotate the two bags to get use out of both.<br />
<br />
Do you have one of these Dischem bags? What other goodies did you get? Let me know in the comment section.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-59337602638648351392018-02-12T07:00:00.000+02:002018-02-12T07:00:21.323+02:00Monthly Favourites: January<div style="text-align: justify;">
With what feels like the blink of an eye, the first month of the year is gone! I've actually rounded up quite a few products that I've been using a lot this past month and this time round it's a nice selection of makeup and skincare products.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg077Kwn8P6i8GCTjxv5LTaPYER9YxXZpoJGTjKy3k4GXuUVkBmncKQwWKBx9DDEYrfCeNjStVc7IJ9_3EJfRIqvkswNrMlTkLUPPzYcgN9MKelYhfYR9hAwImF8lj381bVmZ4KMpPzqS0/s1600/IMG_E0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg077Kwn8P6i8GCTjxv5LTaPYER9YxXZpoJGTjKy3k4GXuUVkBmncKQwWKBx9DDEYrfCeNjStVc7IJ9_3EJfRIqvkswNrMlTkLUPPzYcgN9MKelYhfYR9hAwImF8lj381bVmZ4KMpPzqS0/s640/IMG_E0319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieazrsa2of55d-DFUbnXXCQxl20wt9Vy0YFWTtR39cGdVR9jcUW4r1wS2_LGTsjpqoSYejB1qBJbjF9C16-25R4n5_2TKDaVGwpZyCcyECmFsPZ1btxbD5dxt4UFTLwOm1Dl6OkK7cvo8/s1600/IMG_9096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieazrsa2of55d-DFUbnXXCQxl20wt9Vy0YFWTtR39cGdVR9jcUW4r1wS2_LGTsjpqoSYejB1qBJbjF9C16-25R4n5_2TKDaVGwpZyCcyECmFsPZ1btxbD5dxt4UFTLwOm1Dl6OkK7cvo8/s640/IMG_9096.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I've spoken about this <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2017/12/new-from-drugstore.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2018/01/review-maybelline-dream-cushion.html">here</a>. We don't really get drugstore cushion foundations in South Africa so there isn't much to compare it to. That being said, I really like this foundation. The coverage can be built up if needed and the shade range is extensive (for a drugstore brand). The only downside thus far is the price which comes in at a drugstore-hefty R300.<br />
<br />
<h3>
essence Fresh & Fit Awake Primer</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TonLpdzhCkIE5pMvDxQVWA4SXrfenrpZrSUpW_E8FHltaiWYqrf-PEou1yXbH82g0u_QAh1bJ6z28ttIN3pl1p9rox_wZrnF3A3w8TAfGxRkGFQd1tzQXqTg-A_g_bv3Glk9cCtfKxA/s1600/IMG_0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TonLpdzhCkIE5pMvDxQVWA4SXrfenrpZrSUpW_E8FHltaiWYqrf-PEou1yXbH82g0u_QAh1bJ6z28ttIN3pl1p9rox_wZrnF3A3w8TAfGxRkGFQd1tzQXqTg-A_g_bv3Glk9cCtfKxA/s640/IMG_0320.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I've been using this primer on its own and mixing it with the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and I like it either way. It's supposed to minimise your pores and provide your skin with a healthy glow. It contains a vitamin complex and cranberry water. It's very glowy but not siliconey and there's no glitter to be found. It's also very cheap, which is a bonus.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpKcvm8qT0jI1x-612hn3pp_4KTA6IRvhxRDneqTt-sJRaHiawSEAWM5RVKnR3n8GJFlf9HRCxlvrECmFALjyuEfjGq9J7wVnjIa1DfQCKqztSX7Olm6MZVbapPZao3WHNxneTMHN1kg/s1600/IMG_0322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpKcvm8qT0jI1x-612hn3pp_4KTA6IRvhxRDneqTt-sJRaHiawSEAWM5RVKnR3n8GJFlf9HRCxlvrECmFALjyuEfjGq9J7wVnjIa1DfQCKqztSX7Olm6MZVbapPZao3WHNxneTMHN1kg/s640/IMG_0322.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I bought this at OR Tambo international airport while we were waiting to board our flight to Frankfurt (first leg of our Italy trip) in November. I've been using it non-stop on flights and at work and it's still not finished. The texture is kind of like a creamy sorbet and it smells delicious: a bit eight hour cream-y but there's also something else in there that I can't put my finger on. It's very nourishing without being greasy or sticky. The directions say to slap it on at night or whenever your lips need some comfort. Currently this is pretty much any time of the day for me... It immediately hydrates and soothes my lips and I don't need to reapply it for a couple of hours. It's not the cheapest lip treatment but after using it for 3 months without running out I'd say it's pretty good value for money.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Clinique High Lengths Mascara</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05SLOchNAbaZV2PA-qNN0QIej6PtWJeOCFkM52QuPUhSaVT0mCZ3HRgbwyXOQ0Q6NlVs4qb9RraKMw_GcgJnwQDHJ_IUwpFUYO8pSTQ-3bW_zL7pJjV8vgjbCwCBuTmlPTtc9S1ye7z4/s1600/IMG_0323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1393" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05SLOchNAbaZV2PA-qNN0QIej6PtWJeOCFkM52QuPUhSaVT0mCZ3HRgbwyXOQ0Q6NlVs4qb9RraKMw_GcgJnwQDHJ_IUwpFUYO8pSTQ-3bW_zL7pJjV8vgjbCwCBuTmlPTtc9S1ye7z4/s640/IMG_0323.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I got this as a gift with purchase when I used Luzanne from <a href="http://pinkpeonies.co.za/">Pink Peonies</a>' discount code during the Black Friday sale. At first I didn't think much of the skinny curved wand, but since I've gotten the hang of it (ie, not poking myself in the eye), I'm obsessed. It creates length and volume and it doesn't clump: it makes my lashes, in a word, perfect. This is not a cheap mascara, but seeing that I got it for free I might be pursuaded to purchase my next tube...<br />
<br />
<h3>
Skin Creamery Oil-Milk Facial Cleanser</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TDGhNhlrpvLqcnw56uHPZkp7ZvkI3uflkO3gPah0xWi_ocNspe1KdlvOWluordlBToJ4vdZaT87IVNFsqLunEx1WfustTxoZ8XAiL6fGexv90Gt8JkCXZX5CWfLdaAc3YkmAqy42O50/s1600/IMG_0324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TDGhNhlrpvLqcnw56uHPZkp7ZvkI3uflkO3gPah0xWi_ocNspe1KdlvOWluordlBToJ4vdZaT87IVNFsqLunEx1WfustTxoZ8XAiL6fGexv90Gt8JkCXZX5CWfLdaAc3YkmAqy42O50/s640/IMG_0324.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Recently I've started double cleansing at night again after quite a long (lazy) hiatus and it has really made a visible difference to my skin. At first I used an oil for my first cleanse, but when I ran out I rediscovered my Skin Creamery Oil-Milk Cleanser. I've been using it every night as a first cleanse and I find it incredibly comforting and relaxing to use. It removes all traces of makeup and mascara and the scent is intoxicating.<br />
<br />
<h3>
L.A. Girl Pro Powder in "Banana"</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3Cy8MwWf4Psbctu4w6vugjqEwOK1NjPQ3MWdJ_7kVGXF6l4JPXbchgd3AtFDiuFZ4h6-b-vx_jsRIsrCPuViBUDq33pEtyqaiEHLEuIe5ob4fW7jx_rSW4Zfz-sWN6Id0RAAkhDu-64/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3Cy8MwWf4Psbctu4w6vugjqEwOK1NjPQ3MWdJ_7kVGXF6l4JPXbchgd3AtFDiuFZ4h6-b-vx_jsRIsrCPuViBUDq33pEtyqaiEHLEuIe5ob4fW7jx_rSW4Zfz-sWN6Id0RAAkhDu-64/s640/IMG_0321.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I've documented my love for the translucent Pro Powder but that has been trumped by the banana powder in the same range. I use it to set my makeup and I find that the yellow tone doesn't produce a cast on my skin like some other loose powders. Another bonus is that it doesn't leave my skin looking ashy or cakey, I think I might even look slightly more alive and healthy thanks to the yellow tone. The packaging is also quite compact for a loose powder and it comes in at around R80, which is not a lot considering you only need a little bit of powder at a time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Have you ever tried any of these products? Let me know in the comment section.<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-5664664409879575582018-01-29T07:00:00.000+02:002018-01-29T07:00:35.700+02:00Review: Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation On-The-Go<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a post from last month I mentioned the Maybelline Dream Cushion foundation (you can read it <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2017/12/new-from-drugstore.html">here</a>) and today I'll be reviewing it in full.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoL-JO2P6PALGzHe5c55v1WCwQo6CgfO-bJF5iXFHpEb_zA8w-x5mmlUTlxyO4Z5Ln-BHFsYBySRrsHuAbBSYewcxZOiTZ775dXlalju8-yTJPQSebOEzfIQHdWRlHOaudfPoY98Es6s/s1600/IMG_9096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoL-JO2P6PALGzHe5c55v1WCwQo6CgfO-bJF5iXFHpEb_zA8w-x5mmlUTlxyO4Z5Ln-BHFsYBySRrsHuAbBSYewcxZOiTZ775dXlalju8-yTJPQSebOEzfIQHdWRlHOaudfPoY98Es6s/s640/IMG_9096.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Firstly, the packaging is quite bulky, but you have to remember that a pot of foundation is now basically decanted in a powder compact - it's going to be bulky. I like the white and champagne gold colour of the packaging. The compact also snaps shut with a satisfying click, but I do have to say that mine didn't last long: the tiny hinge keeping the lid on the compact broke off on one side after a few weeks and the other one followed a few weeks later. Now this isn't a deal breaker per se: the compact still shuts tightly, but when I open it I have to be careful of not having the lid fall off and land on the floor.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW58ctkxipptnY7gqsZmAsv-j7wKDWSOfGMPN9agWD3VadT3_jbpotLVXJLsFe3gRY0wpIteGWI-C_PxeFk-dQcTzYdGMLk-LWFRWady8WmYhas8c5qiuY63b16OA8730Z2-JU-eSd_I/s1600/IMG_9098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW58ctkxipptnY7gqsZmAsv-j7wKDWSOfGMPN9agWD3VadT3_jbpotLVXJLsFe3gRY0wpIteGWI-C_PxeFk-dQcTzYdGMLk-LWFRWady8WmYhas8c5qiuY63b16OA8730Z2-JU-eSd_I/s640/IMG_9098.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCfujlhw5mhbEyX0hBrfgO-AoMuIZJ0Mb_3iJM96J8VMMIlSJProI5jJo99nuetyVkVXiry9o8TVDo-GuPkO41R6NagpkFj6qI3uomkfEdH74nE578p_DT0rfAME6nX8Qlqu3lOhH81o/s1600/IMG_9099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="479" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCfujlhw5mhbEyX0hBrfgO-AoMuIZJ0Mb_3iJM96J8VMMIlSJProI5jJo99nuetyVkVXiry9o8TVDo-GuPkO41R6NagpkFj6qI3uomkfEdH74nE578p_DT0rfAME6nX8Qlqu3lOhH81o/s640/IMG_9099.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When you open the lid there is a mirror and a small round puff. Under the puff is a small lip thing that you pull, revealing the cushioned foundation. Now if you've never seen a cushion foundation before; that is exactly what it is: foundation in a cushion, or, a sponge, if we're being technical. The idea is to dip the puff/sponge/brush into the cushion and then apply it to your skin.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVkaST_5H-rtWXOtGX-qbseGkroFXilhsAab_pmnqH8Yq8xBUqLzcHHOGQ9uYskceeX-G2jLPiEPahY6Q3N3my3AM8XJsalIml_Uj6cGOM5VgWYy4PGsF0GGQVqvxnPSzP84xCYgVe4E/s1600/IMG_9100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVkaST_5H-rtWXOtGX-qbseGkroFXilhsAab_pmnqH8Yq8xBUqLzcHHOGQ9uYskceeX-G2jLPiEPahY6Q3N3my3AM8XJsalIml_Uj6cGOM5VgWYy4PGsF0GGQVqvxnPSzP84xCYgVe4E/s640/IMG_9100.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you can see from the photo above, the foundation itself is thin but still provides coverage. The packaging says that your skin will be "naturally luminous", you will have a "fresh face finish", the foundation is "medium coverage", and that it "smoothes and perfects skin". It also has an SPF of 20. I have the shade "21 Nude" which I think is a good shade for me. I haven't used the puff with the foundation, but I find that using my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge does the trick beautifully. I dampen my sponge, dab it lightly onto the cushion and bop it onto my face (yes, that's the technical term). If I'm a bit heavy-handed I find that the coverage is quite full, but I prefer to have a light to medium coverage which you can achieve with a damp beauty sponge.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It sits well on my skin and plays nicely with primers: I've tried primers ranging from mattifying primers to Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, nothing moves around or pills. My concealers also work nicely with the foundation (I used Bourjois Radiance Reveal and am now back on my Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer) and nothing gets cakey or crepey. It makes my skin look very healthy and smooth. I won't say that it is overly glowy, but it is definitely not matte either. I set it with powder just because I have combination oily skin and I *always* set my foundation, no matter what foundation I'm using. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I find that it wears well throughout the day and that by lunchtime my makeup still looks good. I haven't noticed that it oxidizes on me, and at the end of that day I can see from my cotton rounds and my facecloth that there is still a lot of product left on my skin (ie my skin didn't eat the foundation).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The verdict: I really like this foundation! I've been using it pretty much non-stop since buying it. The only problem? The price. At R300 this is one pricey drugstore foundation. That being said: there aren't really any other cushion foundations available in the drugstore, the only other one I know of (available locally) is the one from The Body Shop and at R360 that is even more expensive (I like the Maybelline one better).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you tried this foundation? Are you going to try it? Let me know!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-54341585600005296482018-01-25T07:00:00.000+02:002018-01-25T07:00:12.666+02:00Pregnancy Update: Weeks 25-30<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know how, but it's already been five weeks since my previous pregnancy update. Time is absolutely flying now and I desperately want it to slow down. Sure, I'm excited to meet my baby girl, but there's so much I still want/need to do and I feel SO unprepared!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i5s16A3f63nFXZgsHLVdBNpFgcmLEvnZqJAsl3ReFeH8M50fX-39N6Dozv2ihwfRTh5HqyoHTQmk8X-9JDI91a77qPvulopzRwhXMqvOIb9rrok_xzMpJMPGhJQDmN-DGz9nGyoNdM8/s1600/IMG_3930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i5s16A3f63nFXZgsHLVdBNpFgcmLEvnZqJAsl3ReFeH8M50fX-39N6Dozv2ihwfRTh5HqyoHTQmk8X-9JDI91a77qPvulopzRwhXMqvOIb9rrok_xzMpJMPGhJQDmN-DGz9nGyoNdM8/s640/IMG_3930.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We wanted to go to prenatal classes, but decided against it for a number of different reasons. Firstly the timing is all wrong. I didn't want to go too early as some of my friends said that they forgot a lot of information because they went too early (pregnancy brain and all that), but there are no prenatal classes in our area in December or January: the classes only start mid-January. That in itself isn't a train smash, but the one lady I emailed said that her classes are 12 weeks long (one night a week) so I'll probably miss the last two classes owing to the fact that I'd have already given birth by then! The other lady's classes are only six weeks, but each class is three hours long! It's hot and I'm pregnant and tired; I really don't feel like putting myself through this kind of torture! That being said, I am freaking out slightly because I feel like I know nothing and I have only 10 weeks left... We did, however, make an appointment at our hospital for a hospital tour. It's on a Saturday in March from 8:30 until 15:30. They'll be giving us a tour of the facilities as well as a prenatal crash course. I figure that this, together with all the research I'm currently doing, will be enough. My doctor said that we should do a breastfeeding class, but, like my husband said, it'll only be theory, right? It's not like you can practice with a real baby, so what's the difference between going to the class and reading up on it or watching videos? You'll need help in the hospital when it's your turn anyway...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7eA98zd6cZIHHDX4_KzfRel3LGbnD2tNebQVtrHGVE_BRoAW1-v4t4mFQoBUYPdECaBd5onGgLstN3wDs8xVxe0_EVeE0oVmlM4T2SwqKLXOlK_4Xcogm-MIb0bxOI5oqgvMzOjhoTQ/s1600/IMG_9557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7eA98zd6cZIHHDX4_KzfRel3LGbnD2tNebQVtrHGVE_BRoAW1-v4t4mFQoBUYPdECaBd5onGgLstN3wDs8xVxe0_EVeE0oVmlM4T2SwqKLXOlK_4Xcogm-MIb0bxOI5oqgvMzOjhoTQ/s640/IMG_9557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuYaQyuSPBeb2BQKmznTF2dmpXQG3KQ_1SCtLBWDk0CAQMO1o9g-QcqXeYNnoBd9LntpjBpo-3rhKawykTBSeVyP_Lx6jKoiQWT0lDX9B7MIO83wVt4KzsUJj1Q_mkAdB6bdK20a4Zeg/s1600/IMG_9558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuYaQyuSPBeb2BQKmznTF2dmpXQG3KQ_1SCtLBWDk0CAQMO1o9g-QcqXeYNnoBd9LntpjBpo-3rhKawykTBSeVyP_Lx6jKoiQWT0lDX9B7MIO83wVt4KzsUJj1Q_mkAdB6bdK20a4Zeg/s640/IMG_9558.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTdlKT23GfjFtG1vtnzv-DQXD28XPcymECeOMMLdf5nl0ru9KQehQkyqVUWjSvYu_2677jrfsdZm2xjS6Y3CYcsUdqMhm24wb-moOe2z9oBZWi2S-_FW0S2DgEsdE3scNQ9I16oGCIrE/s1600/IMG_9575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTdlKT23GfjFtG1vtnzv-DQXD28XPcymECeOMMLdf5nl0ru9KQehQkyqVUWjSvYu_2677jrfsdZm2xjS6Y3CYcsUdqMhm24wb-moOe2z9oBZWi2S-_FW0S2DgEsdE3scNQ9I16oGCIrE/s640/IMG_9575.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWtEb86ATgsF7TyhRDrp9oASkHUiPtHdSkuxGKqPXTv43Ww6Fen2Rsl-6BNXwsj7Iz9ntAhonjPCsuBFYG_Pxpj1cMuD0zNDQXu9OAo2kPBPv7s0D_neOsD0gmlZoB8aRs4vx-iS0PWg/s1600/IMG_9601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="1600" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWtEb86ATgsF7TyhRDrp9oASkHUiPtHdSkuxGKqPXTv43Ww6Fen2Rsl-6BNXwsj7Iz9ntAhonjPCsuBFYG_Pxpj1cMuD0zNDQXu9OAo2kPBPv7s0D_neOsD0gmlZoB8aRs4vx-iS0PWg/s640/IMG_9601.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6P9oZ1954OI3Al3nXSpf9hQ82MQ9olVo9h1m3sIyrXDg6X2SYMlOPJSjupCbJuM6asGqhOi5B8n7vKyr-_mf1_YQoVTzb8agM3zPskdSHEFRNiNFJG6oQmorWZiHHCIwV4b39vldbQE/s1600/IMG_9743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="1600" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6P9oZ1954OI3Al3nXSpf9hQ82MQ9olVo9h1m3sIyrXDg6X2SYMlOPJSjupCbJuM6asGqhOi5B8n7vKyr-_mf1_YQoVTzb8agM3zPskdSHEFRNiNFJG6oQmorWZiHHCIwV4b39vldbQE/s640/IMG_9743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We went to Cape Town for Christmas and my dear mom had a baby shower for me. It was so great having all my aunties and women I look up to together in one room. They really spoiled Olive with everything from clothes to toys to blankets. I made a list of what clothes she will need (from various forums, blog posts, magazines, and books) and compared it to what I received at the baby shower. I then bought a few items of clothing that were lacking from the list. My mom is also on a mission to buy more stuff and I'm letting her. I really don't have a problem with other people (especially Granny!) buying things for my baby. I'm incredibly lucky and blessed to have people in my life who are so excited with me! Speaking of which: my own Granny went on a shopping spree of note for little Olive and bought her the cutest things, amongst others a cute Winnie The Pooh diaper bag.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SPVzlD0ko9QxKiVS2yKbxPDB6EGPejUAp_PQy6bXvBfVjoNu8aUpDs5qydTqPdhe7Dg2UJnX1L-jrNrPLMcoFJoLTwiRwVIPYIzR36OEF-h77xewCzmf_Du2d5cDaSxrJ-E-4bYiPho/s1600/IMG_9750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SPVzlD0ko9QxKiVS2yKbxPDB6EGPejUAp_PQy6bXvBfVjoNu8aUpDs5qydTqPdhe7Dg2UJnX1L-jrNrPLMcoFJoLTwiRwVIPYIzR36OEF-h77xewCzmf_Du2d5cDaSxrJ-E-4bYiPho/s640/IMG_9750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before we left for Cape Town I also registered at Dischem for a diaper bag. You go for a short consultation at the Dischem clinic and then they order a baby bag for you. I'll be doing a post on this soon as I think it's a great idea that many pregnant ladies might not be aware of.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXYewgvLGfjTXvZIDZtb5HuS_arQSujUidyx3ycQjEfx1E8ZZ_2Q4q6848KygwAJ0eTZuzZzTKWMzo1-4QYB5ng7ZtYv61Yrfx82lLV0dy4gDltyvqhmCJsYOHAldGIrRcmXxaI3ThI0/s1600/IMG_9944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXYewgvLGfjTXvZIDZtb5HuS_arQSujUidyx3ycQjEfx1E8ZZ_2Q4q6848KygwAJ0eTZuzZzTKWMzo1-4QYB5ng7ZtYv61Yrfx82lLV0dy4gDltyvqhmCJsYOHAldGIrRcmXxaI3ThI0/s640/IMG_9944.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G6n44w3NkYtLtNmnnRebNf142VM7XH8DoCdXYsiymv3NRUv_76LCUq1pHWvMftYMlaGOY5V2tdAW6JU_azhviOyfYAOrj79JsHwqmygv6f1fDEfaeV5getDWTgIkMG7vTZOO6lkyhug/s1600/IMG_9946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G6n44w3NkYtLtNmnnRebNf142VM7XH8DoCdXYsiymv3NRUv_76LCUq1pHWvMftYMlaGOY5V2tdAW6JU_azhviOyfYAOrj79JsHwqmygv6f1fDEfaeV5getDWTgIkMG7vTZOO6lkyhug/s640/IMG_9946.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPkeQImRSeOrUmLTvi-rRXmrl4HJotBWGWdMxMHdnXCKDfk1z1klh9zb0NwhKOl3K9NJcO9ikU4BObf6IwgwY-qhvcWrqE4b5OqGDkltP9KkpvCn1s14C36-8rHTUbBFDSfUcQ-KFa8U/s1600/IMG_9948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPkeQImRSeOrUmLTvi-rRXmrl4HJotBWGWdMxMHdnXCKDfk1z1klh9zb0NwhKOl3K9NJcO9ikU4BObf6IwgwY-qhvcWrqE4b5OqGDkltP9KkpvCn1s14C36-8rHTUbBFDSfUcQ-KFa8U/s640/IMG_9948.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As for the nursery: things are coming together slowly but surely. I've been incredibly frustrated and irritable because I felt that things were moving too slowly. We finally had the laminate wood floors put in and it looks stunning! The next thing I'll have to buy is a dresser. We decided on a dresser instead of a changing table as a changing table has limited uses, whereas a dresser will always be a dresser. I plan on just buying a changing mat to put on top of the dresser. The drawers will be for her toiletries, diapers, clothes, and blankets. When she grows up we can use the dresser/changing area as a normal dresser without having to buy more furniture.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L0gu9SLEB0FgVDDVduljldpnkTmNRWWagG8IZClBhFHmNE8HtbjqJfXYlStvcg44nSlGcss7tSLfihsDxLKMcsZDAv5MOAg0BVBc4VOnLfR4lb6ZVeNQF0Xu2T-lV7awDECO0zAYY1U/s1600/chestofdrawers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="738" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L0gu9SLEB0FgVDDVduljldpnkTmNRWWagG8IZClBhFHmNE8HtbjqJfXYlStvcg44nSlGcss7tSLfihsDxLKMcsZDAv5MOAg0BVBc4VOnLfR4lb6ZVeNQF0Xu2T-lV7awDECO0zAYY1U/s640/chestofdrawers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've decided to do a moon and stars theme for her room and my mom and I are currently busy with a couple of DIY decor projects. They're still in the beginning stages but I'll keep you updated on our progress. They should be finished by the time I write my next pregnancy update.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Health wise I've been well except for heartburn. I have never in my life experienced heartburn like I have these past few weeks! It doesn't matter what I eat or even *if* I eat: heartburn can strike at any moment. I've found that Rennies work in a way, but that Gaviscon chew tablets are by far the most effective (and most expensive). I'm also starting to have trouble finding a comfortable position to sleep in. I did buy a maternity pillow (or "preggy roll") at the Baby Expo, but it's so hot! I don't feel like having more things on my bed that add to the heat. I've really been struggling with the heat. I'm lucky to have air-con in my office, but our house is a different kettle of fish. Fans don't really help, but when you're at home for the day there isn't really much you can do except lay on the couch in front of the fan and drink lots of cold water.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My appetite has increased even more and I'm obsessed with fresh fruit: watermelon, white seedless grapes, and cherries. I'm not really eating as much veggies as I should be (oops), but I think I'm more than making up for it with all the fruit I'm consuming! With the growing appetite and the growing tummy comes the growing wardrobe: most of my clothes don't fit anymore. I currently have a few maternity dresses on rotation and that's how it's going to be for the next 10 weeks or so. I only wear a dress one day (is there anyone who can wear a dress twice??) before throwing it in the wash, and I really don't feel like doing washing multiple times a week. I already do laundry twice a week so my wardrobe needs to last me at least three days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My skin is also looking the best that it's been in weeks: looking at the first picture in the post I think I finally have "that pregnancy glow", but it's also owing to the altered skincare routine I'm currently following. At the beginning of the year I trialled two Vitamin C products that wreaked havoc with my skin (more on this in an upcoming post) so I had to get back to basics with my skincare routine. Would you be interested in an updated skincare post?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Olive has also been very busy: some days I feel like she's doing a rumba in my belly! I haven't really established any patterns, but she does seem more active when I'm sitting down at my desk (right after I get to work), after I've had sweet and cold things to eat or drink, or when I'm lying on the bed after being busy for a while. At the 28 week scan the doctor said she's lying breech (head up) but that there's enough time and enough room for her to move down into the correct position. About half of the scans we've had so far she's been upside down doing gymnastics, so I'm confident that by the next scan she'll be upside down again!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hildegarde</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-86116614685952031642018-01-22T07:00:00.000+02:002018-01-22T07:00:10.474+02:00My Best Makeup Finds of 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
In last week's post I showed you my <a href="http://www.suzyqtip.com/2018/01/my-best-skincare-finds-of-2017.html">top skincare finds of 2017</a> and today I'll be going through my top makeup finds of 2017. There were a couple of knockout drugstore favourites and it was difficult to narrow it down to just six!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n0VZateRBJhimGYuKLpfrNUEgwNM0o-YgsT8ZrnRw-rDN82ONxB3DSTDcv-C_gHa6CJNQ3xaR7QA7zJ9zPKjIrqQAVkSGEy0B6MT5trw-dSFaFZdUQzvqP5ErwAypQrDs9Gv-7QzMvQ/s1600/Collage_Fotor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n0VZateRBJhimGYuKLpfrNUEgwNM0o-YgsT8ZrnRw-rDN82ONxB3DSTDcv-C_gHa6CJNQ3xaR7QA7zJ9zPKjIrqQAVkSGEy0B6MT5trw-dSFaFZdUQzvqP5ErwAypQrDs9Gv-7QzMvQ/s640/Collage_Fotor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
More of a winter favourite, but the <b>MAC Diva lipstick</b> is a stunning deep red/burgundy matte lipstick. Although it's matte it doesn't dry out my lips and it still feels very comfortable. It even lasts through eating and drinking and fades evenly. Reapplication is also painless and leaves with you with a seductive pout that looks as good as the first time you applied it.<br />
<br />
I've used the <b>Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer </b>for most of 2017, the tube just never seemed to run out or dry up. The consistency is creamy yet light and it covers anything from under-eye circles to blemishes. It comes with a slanted doe foot applicator that applies just enough product to the area of concern. I've recently started using a tube of my beloved Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer, and I have to say, the Bourjois is better.<br />
<br />
I hate doing my brows and I'm very finicky about what I use on them. The <b>Maybelline BrowPrecise Fiber Filler</b> is a godsend for the scarce-of-brow. It has a flat, almost spade-like applicator with small teeth and the product itself has fibers that bulk up your brows. It clings to your brow hairs making them look more bushy, without looking clumpy. I use a brow pencil to draw in hairs and then go over my brows with this. It also sets my brows without making it feel crunchy.<br />
<br />
Speaking of brows: my eyebrow pencil of choice this past year has definitely been the <b>L.A. Girl Shady Slim brow pencil</b>. It's a very thin (skinny) pencil and is just the right balance between waxy and creamy. It makes filling in my brows very easy and it costs a whopping R85 at Dischem.<br />
<br />
My makeup setting spray of choice has been the <b>essence Instant Matt Make-Up Setting Spray</b>. It sets my makeup without making it look cakey or powdery, and I find that my makeup lasts much longer than usual. It's also a very travel-friendly bottle and only costs R60.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <b>Maybelline Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation On-The-Go</b> is a winner in my books. It's compact, there are a lot of shades, and it gives the skin a healthy and glowy look without being greasy. I'll be doing an in-depth review on this soon.<br />
<br />
What were your makeup finds of 2017? Let me know in the comment section.<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185251635652863540.post-53932082149345631322018-01-15T07:00:00.000+02:002018-01-15T07:00:05.082+02:00My Best Skincare Finds of 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been meaning to sit down and write this post for a week now, but I keep on finding excuses not to! During December I wrote three blog posts a week for almost a month and now I find myself being too lazy to write even this one, oops. I hope you all had a good break and that you returned to work (or will be returning to work) refreshed and well-rested. My holiday felt very short, but I did manage to rest a bit and take it easy. I'm normally not someone who can lay on the couch or the bed for hours on end reading or sleeping or "taking it easy" - I'm always busy with something, be it organising a cupboard or cleaning the floors or cooking/baking something new, so now that I'm seven months pregnant I find it difficult to just sit on my butt and do nothing! That being said, I do realise the importance of relaxing, especially now that I find it difficult to bend down or get off the couch on my own!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I thought I'd start off the blog post writing for this year with a "Best of" post - today will feature my best skincare and body care finds of 2017, and the next post will feature all my favourite makeup finds of the past year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlxnCEMQnNR5taaV0uV4A7EvdvS5bBEmYhm5afXZ8Us2Xjq994RQwf2nXcvK6W46t6HH4wspz40a7kc5TzfRS0j9-ExiJJ6FENZaOue9f4gKelT6K7SBiXq73L-OKBo14ICm8g9bqssc/s1600/skincare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlxnCEMQnNR5taaV0uV4A7EvdvS5bBEmYhm5afXZ8Us2Xjq994RQwf2nXcvK6W46t6HH4wspz40a7kc5TzfRS0j9-ExiJJ6FENZaOue9f4gKelT6K7SBiXq73L-OKBo14ICm8g9bqssc/s640/skincare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Since I've been three months pregnant I've used Bio-Oil diligently every single day after showering. It keeps my skin soft and supple and it helps a lot with the itchiness that comes along with being pregnant (your skin starts to itch as your belly expands and the skin becomes thinner). I'm currently on my second large bottle and I can see myself repurchasing this again and again.<br />
<br />
As for shower cream: the Palmolive Gourmet Spa Shower Cream in "Mint Shake" has definitely been a highlight of my skincare year! It is extremely affordable (think around R40 for a big bottle) and doesn't leave my skin feeling dry and taut like some other cheap shower creams or gels. It's very cooling and smells exactly like a Peppermint Crisp chocolate bar!<br />
<br />
I've always been bad with applying sunscreen, but The Body Shop's Skin Defence Essence (SPF 50) for the face has really helped. It's not your typical thick and gloopy formula, it's actually much more watery than I anticipated, but it sinks into my skin quickly and easily. My makeup goes on smoothly afterwards and I've had no breakouts like I've had in the past from thick, pore-clogging sunscreen products. I've almost finished my bottle and I will definitely be repurchasing.<br />
<br />
Clinique has really impressed me in 2017. I used to love their products but I felt like it stopped working for me after university. I don't know if it's because of the drier air in Pretoria or if my skin changed, but I had to switch over to other brands. Then they released their Pep-Start range and I was immediately intrigued: the packaging and products were fresh and new and after trying this 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser, I was hooked. It reminds me of their 7 Day Scrub Cream, but it's a bit more gentle and includes a cleanser, so you only have to use the one product. I can highly recommend this, especially for combination skin, as it leaves your skin silky smooth although it's not so rough that you're left with red cheeks after using it.<br />
<br />
My last skincare find for 2017 is the hydrating facial oil by Skin Creamery. I love everything about this oil from the packaging to the scent to the way it makes my skin feel. I've tried it many different ways, but my current favourite way is to mix two to three drops of it into my serum and apply it at night. I find the scent extremely relaxing and comforting, the perfect thing to end off my day.<br />
<br />
What were your favourites for 2017? Let me know in the comments section!<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Hildegarde<br />
xoxo</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654766057966855879noreply@blogger.com2