Summer Loving

Nothing says summer like swimming and eating fresh fruit by the pool.The Minkpink mirage halterneck one-piece is perfect for summer days like today; I love the bohemian pattern and I think it's very fun and stylish for summer. The swimsuit is incredibly comfortable and I think it has become my favourite! Even better, I was lucky enough to grab it from David Jones for the bargain price of $62, reduced from $90. 

What's your favourite swimsuit & what do you like to do during summer? Share with me in the comments below!

xxx

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

After a friend reccomended to me the new Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, I was slightly hesitant to try it because I have never really been a big fan of mascaras, which is evident as I used to only own two (now I own three..).
I think after many, many years of dance concerts I grew sick of it and never wanted to use it again! My lashes have a natural curl to them already and I never really felt the need to buy mascara; however, I am pleased to say that I have found a mascara I quite like.



The worst things about mascara for me are clumping, heaviness and the formula going onto my eyelids when I blink. Overall I am very impressed with this mascara as I experience little clumping, it isn't as heavy as other mascaras I have tried and the mascara isn't incredibly over the top so much so it would smudge onto my eyelids. I purchased the washable version although I didn't see a waterproof version in store. So even if I was unlucky enough to smudge it, I could easily wipe it off and start again without ruining much of the rest of my makeup.

I like the two sections on the brush, both the large and small sides. The larger side is good for applying the mascara normally, whereas the smaller side is more suited for touch ups and curling the inner part of the eyelash that is most often hard to reach.



I find that there is indeed a noticeable difference before and after application of this mascara. I find that my eyelashes have a more prominent curl while also looking bold, which is a look I love. The mascara stays on for the entire day; say if I apply it in the morning around 9am, it will still look the same until 6pm when I come home and take it off.
I purchased it at Priceline on sale for $15, although the RRP is $21.95. I know that The Chemist Warehouse were selling it for $12.50 recently, but it's available virtually everywhere between the $13 - $22 price range.

I'm satisfied with my latest addition to my small, but good, mascara family. Each mascara gives a different look, and I think the Maybelline Lash Senational is my favourite.



What do you think of the Maybelline Lash Sensational? Have you tried any other mascaras lately? Talk to me in the comments below. 

xxx

Sophie Digard: From France to Madagascar

This evening when I came home and checked the mailbox, I was quite surprised to find a letter in there addressed to myself. It is only on a rare occasion when I receive mail by the good old fashioned postal service, other than my birthday and Christmas or unless I've ordered something for myself online (which of course is another story...). I was intrigued as to who would be sending me a card, on the 7th January, so I eagerly flipped the card over to see the name and address of my Dad's godmother, Sue.

Last month towards the end of December my family celebrated my Nan's 70th birthday in Sydney and Sue was there. I complimented her beautiful handmade flower necklace that had been crocheted, and she explained that she bought it at a locally owned store near her daughter's house. The Parisian designer, Sophie Digard, handcrafts all of her accessories by producing and dying the fibers in France and then ships them to Madagascar where her pieces are individually crafted.

Selvedge describes Digard's work as artwork that 'begs to be touched- curious crocheted flowers velvety with soft buds, each leaf and petal knitted individually. Alongside her super sweet roses are beautifully crafted jewellery, scarves and berets in intricately patterned stripes and swirls, reminiscent of a painting by Klimt. Her extensive colour palette- each hue is made up of sixty threads in merino, mohair, and velvet- gives rich, intense individual tones and makes each item unrepeatable.'

When I opened the envelope from Sue I was gifted with a beautiful card; the message inside made me smile and feel absolutely wonderful and cheerful. Then, inside the card was my very own Sophie Digard necklace.









I absolutely adore it; it is most certainly one of my favourite gifts I have ever received- and of course it is one of my favourite necklaces. I think it is so wonderful, quirky and unique. Digard is quoted to have said "My work is beyond time. It takes from ten days to two months to create a scarf, and several months of work for an armchair. [For clientele] to be touched by a product that can be kept for a long time, on that has the value of work, as opposed to the current logic of urgency". Digard's high-quality products help the lives of those living in Madagascar; as through Fair Trade she has set up her studio in Madagascar and employs local women. These women are then taught the skills needed to create the products- i.e. crocheting, knitting and weaving.

You can find my necklace online here, and some of Digard's other products here and here. 

Sue, if you read this, you will get a card in the mail from me shortly with my reply but this is a public thank you for the beautiful gift. I am so very lucky and appreciative of your kindness, which has made 2016 a wonderful year already for me. Your letter and gift has filled me with joy. Thank you.

What do you think of Sophie Digard's work? Have you seen or purchased any other Fair Trade products before? Let me know in the comments below!

xxx