Liebster Award!

Blogging is a relatively new venture for me that so far I've thoroughly enjoyed and to be nominated by the lovely Isobel, from Isobel's Basket truly made my day!

So to begin, here are 11 random facts about me

One: I have a degree in Biomedical Science and want to go on to be a Dermatologist

Two: I love to travel. There is nothing quite like exploring new places, new sights, smells and food! I also think the best way to discover a new country is by rummaging through their local supermarket.

Three: I prefer Winter over Summer any day.

Four: I am obsessed with candles, I just how the mood can change in a room simply with a candle.

Five: I love to cook. I'm currently loving Veg Every Day and am constantly trying new recipes and new flavour combinations.

Six: The first thing I do when I get home is make a cup of tea. I could not live without tea.

Seven: I eventually want to move out of Australia to live in England. I've always felt a strong pull there and I love European culture

Eight: I've been to NASA and am pretty much a huge nerd. Brains and Beauty I say ;)

Nine: I've always had a huge fear of spiders, ever since a huge one crawled up my leg in the shower when I was five years old. Ever since spiders seem to flock to me. As well as mosquito's actually, they love me so much I've been bitten through jeans before. Not fun.

Ten: If I didn't go into the science/dermatology route, I was seriously considering interior design. I guess I just love being creative and creating unique spaces.

Eleven: I have an inherited little dog, who has on more than one occasion rubbed against my hand post blush swatching and ended up with rosy cheeks. I feel there's more than one beauty addict in the house....


And now on with questions from Isobel's Basket:

1. What made you want to start blogging?
I've always been a very creative person and loved that this could be an outlet for me. With a very heavy academic focus in my life, I loved the thought of doing something for me, that would enable me to share my passion for everything beauty related.

2. What is your favourite food?
This is a tough one! I absolutely love food in general, but I would probably have to go for Italian. There is nothing quite like home made wood fire pizza.... and red wine.

3. Do you have a favourite childhood memory and will you share it?
I have many fond childhood memories. One however, is when my older brother, who recently passed away, taught me how to tie my shoelaces. It meant the next day I won a shoe-lace tying competition in Kindergarten and I've never forgotten those moments.

4. What is your favourite film?

I have many favourite films and I've always had a special spot in my life for Princess Diaries - don't judge.. 
 
5. Where do you most what to travel and why?
I would love to explore more of Europe and eventually more there one day. I just love the diversity of culture and food and think it's just an exciting place to be.

6. What is your favourite book? 
As cliché as it may be, I've always loved Pride and Prejudice. It's something to do with the language and the social graces which really intrigue me.

7.If you could only choose three make-up products to use for the rest of your life what would they be?
This is a hard question! I would probably go for Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, Eye of Horus Mascara and Daniel Sandler Water Colour Blushes.

8. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Definitely not a morning person and I do tend to stay up a bit later than I really should..

9. What makes you happy?
I think the people you go through life with is what makes me truly happy. Surrounding myself with supportive, kind and loving friends and family.

10. What is your favourite hot beverage? (e.g. Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, etc.)
If you didn't' see above - I'm obsessed with Tea. Definitely Tea.


Liebster Award Rules

Link to blog who nominated you in your post
Write 11 random facts about yourself and answer the ten further questions provided by the person who nominated you.

Nominate  bloggers and give them 11 questions to answer - You can't nominate the blog, who nominated you.

Let the nominees know, that you have nominated them (Unless you don't want them to know they're nominated.... but then there would be no point in this...)

Show The Liebster Award badge on your blog

I would love to nominate...


Zoë -  Zoe Blogs Beauty
Ingrid - Miss Chant
Devon - Little Fashion Thoughts
Andreea - ArtDonatella
Lily - Lily, Not Louise
Hayley  - London Beauty Queen
Sam - Smart Twenties

My Questions to You:

1. What made you want to start blogging and how do you feel about it now?
2. Do you enjoy cooking or eating most? And which food is your favourite?
3. Do you have a favourite childhood memory and will you share it?
4. What is your style icon?
5. Where do you most what to travel and why?
6. What is your favourite book or movie?
7. If you could only choose three make-up products to use for the rest of your life what would they be and how would you use them?
8. What gives you blog post inspiration?
9. What makes you happy?
10. What is your favourite hot beverage? (e.g. Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, etc.)
11. What are your hopes and aspirations for the future?

Again, thank you so much for nominating me Isobel!


Ellen Rozalia xx

Light my Candle Obsession

Candles are kind of an obsession for me. They form part of my night time routine; I generally always have one lit; I thoroughly enjoy the smell of a quality candle; and I think I just find them soothing in general. So I thought I would share my latest candle must- haves, especially as it's coming into winter here in the Southern Hemisphere and there's nothing quite like the flicker of a candle on a cool day/night.


I've recently been delving into the Ecoya Botanicals range and there are three that really make the cut. To me, these are great because they throw scent very well, burn steadily and smell divine.

Jacaranda & Plum is a lovely slightly more earthy fruity scent, with notes of jacaranda petals, red berries and peony and deeper notes of plum, vetiver and patchouli.

Next we have Midnight Orchid which is more deep floral based with notes of black orchid, rose, musk and amber.

 
 
Last, but certainly not least is Coral & Narcissus, which to me is the lightest, most refreshing and delicate of the bunch. It's floral, but with more woody notes of melon, rose water, sea grass and of course coral and narcissus.



What are your favourite candles?

Ellen Rozalia xx

**Disclaimer: All items mentioned were purchased by me and my opinions remain entirely honest and my own.

Paula's Choice Splurge!

I'd like to start this post with apologising for being MIA for the last few weeks. Unfortunately academic life has frizzled and frazzled my mind, as well as dwindling my time away, but I am now back! So thank you to those who have continued to trawl through previous posts, it is much appreciated!!

Ok so all this work, as time consuming as it has been, hasn't stopped my need to shop. So the next few posts I'm planning on playing catch up with my splurges and today is from Paula's Choice.

Now for those of you who aren't aware the Australian division of Paula's Choice faced a dispute with the American team, I believe?, so they've been selling off stock at a hugely discounted price. I'm not sure if they still have stock left, but you can phone them on 1800 819 566 from a landline and give them a buzz.


Ok so on with my splurge! *Please note prices mentioned are the discounted prices*

 

Exfoliants - $15.00

Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution is one that I have already reviewed and loved, so couldn't wait to get my hands on the full size product. This also lead to me to want to try the Extra-Strength version - Extra Strength  Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution. Then of course I wanted to try out the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid , which I am yet to try, but have high hopes for this product.

Masks - $12.00
I'm a bit of a mask addict so went with trying the Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask, which is a lovely thick thoroughly moisturising mask that helps to eliminate dry spots. I also picked up the Skin Balancing Oil- Absorbing Mask, which is a clay based mask that draws out impurities, but isn't overly drying as some can be.

Clinical - $15.00
Always striving for the perfect body butter, I couldn't go past the Clinical Ultra-Rich Soothing Body Butter, which is all the title. A lovely thick body butter that sinks into the skin, leaving it feeling hydrated, but not greasy.

 

Treatment - $20.00, Serum - $21.00
I'm still yet to give these products the proper try out, as I believe over loading the skin can actually hinder the effectiveness of the products and sometimes even leave the skin worse off. I did pick up the RESIST Pure Radiance Skin Brightening Treatment and also the Skin Recovery Super-antioxidant Concentrate Serum. So I will keep you posted on how those go!




Is there anything you are interested in trying from Paula's Choice?


Ellen Rozalia xx


**Disclaimer - All items mentioned were purchased by me and all opinions are honest and my own