Zoo Daze

Releasing your inner-child can be more fun than you may think as I discovered today on my adventurous adventure to the local Zoo (by “local” I mean two hours travelling on multiple buses – I really need to get my drivers license).  The plan had been set for months, we just needed a day when the two of us were free, and the weather wasn’t too bad considering it’s turning into winter over here.

Dates got postponed and so on and so forth, but we finally made it! Unfortunately, it coincided with the school holidays this meant lots of young children running around, something we had hoped to avoid.

Little Chimp playing with a plastic bottle

Nevertheless, we powered on, pushing the kids out of the way so that we had the perfect view… Kidding! Wellington Zoo is by no means on par with Auckland, or any Australian zoos, but it’s fun, cheap, and a good form of exercise (is there no such thing as flat land in New Zealand?)

Exploring the African Village...

Hope you’ve all had lovely weekends too,

~ Caity xxx

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D.I.Y. Decorating

As I mentioned in my last post I am intending on re-decorating my bedroom in the near future. I plan to make this a sort of mini-series; posting updates whenever something new happens with accompanying photos. So, without further ado...

Part One: Inspiration

I've been collating a bunch of pictures on my Tumblr and elsewhere of decoration aspects I liked and want to try and recreate.

My first point of inspiration is from Zoella's Festive Room Tour video. I like her clean, minimalist style and wish I could just have her bedroom! Alas that's impossible and so here are a few of the pictures I've found:

For the most part I like the shabby-chic style, but perhaps a slightly more toned down version. I don't want anything too frilly, or over the top, instead something slightly more elegant.

I'll keep you posted on how everything is going and my take on a shabby-chic style.

As always, thanks for reading,

~ Caity xxx

Links | Tumblr | Instagram | Twitter | Blog

Eighteen Facts for Eighteen Years

I suppose I should start with an apology, for the two week gap. I managed to start blogging with a bang and then fizzled out into oblivion. My camera is on the fritz at the moment and I can't find the battery charger for my mum's one, so *cue impromptu subject* I thought I'd do a small post on… myself!

Let's call it: Eighteen Facts for Eighteen Years… 

Shall we just jump straight in then?

1. Hi, I'm Caitlin, I tell everyone I'm 5'2" but I'm most likely 5'1", I don't want to measure myself in case I really am that short.

2. I have a cat called Molly.

3. Chocolate, ice cream, milkshakes, and Starbucks frappuccinos are my kryptonite.

4. I have a massive phobia of bees and wasps. I have never been stung by either, but know that if I do one day I will be reduced to a pool of tears - whether it hurt that much or not.

5. When it comes to my school work, I'm a perfectionist.

6. I'm really interested in interior decorating and am about to start the much needed re-decoration of my room into a 'shabby-chic' style.

7. It's no surprise really but due to my height I have tiny feet (size four!!) and find it very difficult to find shoes in the woman's section that actually fit me.

8. Family is really important to me, and I get on really well with my parents and older brother.

9. I study Film and English at university and so should be "in-tune" with the cinematic complexities and a well constructed narrative, however I'd prefer a good, cheesy, cliched rom-com any day.

10. I'm practically blind and have worn glasses for over ten years now (blame my short-sighted parents)! One time I tried contact lenses, but the little devils are particularly difficult to get in and out of my eyes (but that's an embarrassing story for another day). Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to try again.

11. I used to bite my nails, the only reason I grew out of the habit was because I wanted to be able to paint my nails pretty colour.

12. I don't have a favourite colour. When I was young it used to be pink, but now I don't have one. I never like every single shade of a basic colour, which means I'd have to choose specific ones, for example; teal, mint blue, coral, etc.

13. At first glance my eyes are brown, but upon closer inspection there is a little green amidst the chocolate… hazel is, of course, the easiest way to describe this.

14. Winter is my favourite season. so long as I don't have to go outside, which becomes a tiny bit impractical.

15. Music means a lot to me. I can't play an instrument, but I enjoy singing (so long as I'm in the shower and no one can hear me), and I think if I lost my iPod I would cry. I've spent so many years honing and perfecting my collection; I prefer the acoustic driven artists who have yet to be discovered, but their talent is undeniable. (My favourite song as of right now: Nothing - Lewis Watson)

16. Slightly more trivial: I can't stand pepper on my food. That is weird, right? It's not my fault, I just can't stand the taste! One time I even asked the waiter to "hold the pepper" - needless to say I got an extremely weird look.

17. I am useless at walking in high heels. Sober or not, I always seem to trip over.

Image taken from Tumblr

18. And finally, my favourite quote is "; your story isn't over yet", as an English major student this speaks to me on multiple levels. Obviously the semicolon signifies the possible end of a sentence, but instead of using an immovable full stop, continuing on to finish writing your story.

And with that, I shall leave you. Sorry for the Selfie-Central post - I literally have no other pictures! (Disclaimer: all, except quote, are taken by me and can found on my instagram - follow, let me know, and I'll follow back!)

As always, thanks for for reading,

~ Caitlin xxx 

Review - Philosophy Box of Truffles Palette

Supernatural Windows to the Soul Eyeshadow Palette by Philosophy
Box of Truffles
(From left: Latte, Mocha, Cocoa, Chocolate)

I was gifted the lovely Supernatural Windows to the Soul Eyeshadow Palette by Philosophy in the colour Box of Truffles for Christmas. I'm always on the lookout for new eyeshadows by any brand in any (neutral) colour - I'm not that adventurous!

Excuse the Slightly Chipped Nails

While I ultimately like this eyeshadow and wear it daily there was some disappointment. The base colour for the main part of your lid (mocha) is useless. I find there's no colour whatsoever I can't even tell I've put any eyeshadow on! Now for some of you this might be perfect, but for me… I don't know, I want my eyes to stand out in a way this colour simply doesn't. To rectify this problem I simply use a different beige eyeshadow (one with just a hint more shimmer) and voila! Problem solved!

The third colour to be used on the crease (cocoa) is perfect. Easy to use, easy to blend, looks natural (but with a hint of shimmer), and sits well. No complaints about this one.

And lastly, the darkest shade (chocolate) is one to line the eyes. I'll admit to only having used this once or twice. As a personal preference, I tend to go for a black liquid eyeliner. Although the brown is a warmer tone than black, I find that using a liner, for me, tends to look much cleaner with a nicer finish than when I use an eyeshadow or Kohl (though would use this if I was attempting a smokey eye).

The price is unknown as it was a present, and from research online I can't tell, some say it's $20 others $30, some are American websites some are Australian. In the end, who knows?! I'm sure you can find it in shops and it won't be too pricey...

Overall: 4/5 and I would buy it again (though I've got my eye on the Plum Delicious one this time)

~ Caitlin 

OPI Nails

Left: Samoan Sand, Right: Tickle My France

I, like many a girl before me, have drooled over the OPI range every time I pass them in the shop. Unfortunately at approximately $25 a pop I simply can't condone the purchasing of more than one at a time and thus I still drool every time I walk past.

But luck was on my side. As I walked through duty free at Melbourne airport I spotted a container full to the brim of OPI nail varnishes. At the price of two for AUD $25 how could I resist? And so I chose a simple Samoan Sand, and Tickle My Francey. Samoan Sand is a definite beige with hints of yellow undertones whereas Tickle My Francey is more of a muted aubergine colour as I would describe it.

Sorry for my useless swatches, it was the best I could do

On a slightly different note, who else loves OPI's names? I love a nail polish with a good name, I think it completes the product, and if you know me, I love a good pun! The only downside to the OPI nail varnishes in my opinion is that they take longer to dry. I know, *rolls eyes* how terribly inconvenient for the patience impaired girl to have to wait mere minutes. I am, however, more used to Revlon's fast drying collection which, by the time you finish the the pinky on your last hand, is beginning to dry already.

In New Zealand OPI can cost between $24.90 to the designer collections at $39.99 and can be purchased at Farmers, the Life Pharmacy, Kirkaldie & Stains, or online.

Next on my OPI wish list is a light pink like the old Mod About You colour. The OPI website lets you "try on" the nail polishes - adjusting nail length to your own, and the skin colour etc before purchasing. On the website/try it on page Samoan Sand can be found under Nudes/Neutrals.

~ Caitlin xxx

Review - Lucas' Papaw Ointment

Lucas' Papaw Ointment

Lucas' Papaw Ointment is New Zealand's latest lip craze. I have not been paid or contacted in anyway by the Australian company, I have however, noticed the ever increasing amount of papaw usage, and thought I would share it with you…

It gets its name from the Carica Papaya fruit (a.k.a papaw), grown in Australia. While it doesn't smell of much apart from the slight fruity smell (it doesn't taste of anything too - yes I just licked my lips a little) it leaves your lips with a natural looking shine.

The back of the product highlights it's soothing effects on: boils, burns, chaffing, cuts, cracked lips, gravel rash, splinters, open wounds, insect bites and nappy rash. For almost all of these I would suggest buying the bigger 200g pottle so as not to find yourself caught short with the smaller 25g tube.

This tube, however, is perfect for lip application. I've only used this papaw ointment on my lips and at first the consistency is disconcerting; the gel-like balm is more like vaseline than lip balm (TIP: apply in small quantities, you do not want too much of this on your lips) but once rubbed in feels just like any other balm.

I can't say I have exceptionally dry lips, in fact, my lips are usually pretty good. They might get cracked - oh I don't know, twice a year when I have a cold, but other than that they're usually pretty kind to me, and it is for that reason that I am extraordinarily useless at remembering to use a lip balm to keep them moisturised when it's not blindingly obvious that they need some TLC.

I can however, vouch for the product, I know a lot of friends who use it when they have dry or cracked lips and it seems to work for them!

This product is currently only available in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong but can be bought direct from their website. It can cost between $10 - $30 from a range of supermarkets, and pharmacies.

Overall: a good balm and definitely recommended.

Sorry, no pun for you this time,

~ Caitlin xxx 

Eggcellent Easter

Kit Kat Bunny

It's that time of the year again. A time for the unabashed indulgence of many a chocolate treats. A time for the fairy tales and magic of youth to come alive. And, most importantly for me, a time of undulated laughter with family and friends. Yes, Easter is upon us and that sweet smell of chocolate is filling the air once again.

MaltEaster Bunnies - the most delicious chocolate treat

Happy Easter to all reading this, I hope the break has been kind, and the aftermath of all that chocolate eating even kinder.

That's all from me yolks (sorry, excuse the necessary pun), until next time...

Mum's origami bunny filled with miniature eggs, and
a Lindt bunny

~ Caitlin xx