Some of the 'Gift Packs' from 2014 I bought for myself

When it comes to gift set (especially during Christmas time), I always hope someone would think as I do, get that gift set I 'woooh and ahhh' about for me. But, that's never really the case. Let's be real, no one would really know exactly what you want (or else, gift buying would be such an easy task for everyone!).

Most gift sets are limited time or edition only and they were normally released near Christmas. It's just the best time of the year to get your hands on some products! Also, did I mention their value are normally awesomely worth it! So, to not miss the chance of owning some of the products I'm drooling over, here are what I gave in and purchased for myself.

1. Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo (link)
One product and I get both of the most talked about products from Nars: Orgasm blush and Laguna Bronzer. It is definitely cheaper than buying both items individually (I think I paid 56AUD for this and it would cost me $49 for the Laguna Bronzer here and $39 for the Orgasm Blush here). However, it might be a smaller portion of them but let's be honest, it would take me a long time to hit pan and 2 product in one compact palette, great for on the go!

2. Nars Digital World Pencil Coffret (link)
Another Nars product! I always wanted to try their lip pencil but can't justify myself to get one (it's $34 each here). I finally picked them up when I saw the gorgeous packaging and the value for this set. Acrylic case with pretty patterns and it's $65 for 5 mini lip pencil (which is not that mini, it's the size of my finger, thats more than enough for me), SOLD!

3. The Body Shop Festive Mini Body Butter Trio (link)
Love their body butter and their limited Christmas scent (Vanilla Brulee, Frosted Cranberry and Glazed Apples) are just so damn delicious! I couldn't decide which one is my favourite so I bought this to have them all!

4. Sanctuary Spa Convent Garden Ultimate Glow Pamper Box
I just want to pamper myself with their spa smelling products :)

I was tempted to get gift packs from Lush but I got them as a Christmas present for my sister in law which she loves! However, I contributed in their awesome boxing day sale though :) Got myself some lovely items!

There are so many goodies around but these are the ones I allowed myself to splurge a little. I know it's a bit late to talk about them but just thought of sharing them here.

Love,
Carol

Read More Books!

One of my 'not so official' new year resolutions is to read at least 12 books this year which means 1 book a month. It's double the book I have read in 2014 (not counting the magazines, I have only read about 5 books in year 2014). Such a bummer!

With the influence of my better half, I have registered as a member in the website he uses to order his books, Book Depository. It's free delivery worldwide and they pretty much have everything on their website with ratings and good price tags! So I have been ordering from them and created my little wish list which also is my 'what to read next' list.

I have been doing well with the reading!

I started #Girlboss just before Chirstmas 2014 and finished this book just after New Year. I know I shouldn't count this as the book I have read in 2015 but just a quick mention here that I really like this book. Sophia Amoruso really inspired me with her story. Highly recommend this book!



Then I decided I want to read more about fashion and started the Paris Street Style. This is my official first book I read in 2015. It's a good read with lots of pictures that is very inspiring and interviews about French styles, French fashion stylist, French designer and so on. It's a book talking all about French style as the book title says it all. Side note, I like how the book cover itself is covered with blue stripes that is French favourite pattern.

After this book, I read The Richest Man in Babylon which was mentioned in #Girlboss. It's a book about how to handle your personal financial with the ancient babylon stories. It seems very easy to save up part of your income but I just got tempted here and there! This book outlined some pointers on how to save and what rules applied. Not a rocket science to figure those pointers but it acted as a reminder to myself, to discipline myself when it comes to my personal finance.

Now I'm reading The Fault in Our Stars. A bit slow to the band wagon, I know! Everyone was raving about what a great book this is but I just didn't have that urge to buy it to read. I saw this book was on sale for $12 at Target the other day and then finally, I picked this book up and put it in my shopping cart. It's very addictive! I just started this book and I'm now half way into it. It started to make me cry and get all emotional. Damn!

I have these books ready to read in my book shelf (I got a new book shelf for myself to store all these books). Gone Girl, Not That Kind of Girl and Outliers: The Story of Success.

Any other books you have in mind for recommendations?

Love,

Carol

So it's 2015 already!

I can't believe it's 2015 already!! I have been so busy for the past couple months with the festive season and especially working in a retail world, December has been flat out for me.

With the new year starting, based on what I have observed on the social media site, there are quite many people were having a bad 2014. Aside from the missing plane tragedy, the terrorist attack incident, disasters here and there and so on, stuff that we can't help with, people aren't really happy with the year 2014.

Not to brag or any other purpose, I thought I had a quiet year until I got sucked in to make the Facebook year recap video based on the pictures you took over the year. I actually had quite a good year. These are the highlights of my year 2014.

• Volunteered at Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival 2014. Got my experiences and the insight of how backstage of a runway really is in Melbourne. 
• A week holiday in Paris, France with my husband. 
• We bought a car.
• Got a job in Ugg Australia and got promoted as a supervisor. 
• Family holiday in Shanghai, China. 
• Celebrated our first wedding anniversary. 

For all these, I'm very grateful and I hope 2015 will be as good or better (who doesn't want a better year?!)

I'm here to wish you all a better year ahead even though it's 7 days late to wish you all but I do hope everyone of you have a better year and more positiveness in 2015!!


Love,
Carol