10 Positive Changes For 2013

This year I decided to adopt new changes into my lifestyle.  

In case you don't already know me, I am a SUPER negative person (even though I may come across quite a funny, light-hearted writer) AND I am basically a walking doormat for people to tread all over me AND I am a people pleaser and I get really sensitive when people don't like me.  

WELL, NO MORE PEOPLE!!!  I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!  

Here are 10 positive changes I have started to implement into my life as of 2013 :-

1.  I am trying to become an optimist.  Key word is "trying".  It isn't easy for a negative person like me, but good thing my Husband is the MOST optimistic person I know because I am learning from him.  And this is the MAIN change because everything other change follows on from being optimistic about everything in life...

2.  I've given up trying to please people who have no regard for me whatsoever.  I have learnt to accept that some people are just not meant to be my/our friend(s).  In order to establish a good friendship, it has to be mutual.  And sometimes, it is one-sided due to various reasons beyond my control so I have learnt to let go and not try and fix it.  Read about Example A here.  For some stupid reason, I dwelled WAAAAY too long on this person and even wrote a blog post about them!!  WTF?  No more!!!  I don't have to think or feel or see or hear from this person ever again and even if our paths cross again (which I highly doubt), I won't even bother.  It is over.

3.  Melbourne is my home.  At least for now.  I have never liked Melbourne and it has never liked me.  And initially, we were planning to stay here for 3-4 years and then move on...so in my head, I interpreted that the wrong way and never settled into life here.  But now, after much thinking, it has dawned on me that no matter where we are or where we go to, I should treat the place that I am currently at as "home" - whether I like it or not.

4.  Forming friendships with women.  I come from a family dominated by women so I know all the emotional dramas, neediness and bitchiness that can arise from female friendships.  And you know, having male friends was so much easier for me before marriage because I could flirt, tell my dodgy jokes, be one of the guys and be "The Drama Queen Attention Seeker"...but after marriage, all my single guy friends disappeared from my life and I don't dare make friends with guys in Melbourne - I cannot deal with a jealous husband and he probably can't deal with a flirtatious wife ;)  Anyway, I have found many lovely ladies to be friends with and I can actually be myself without feeling intimidated so YAY!!!

5.  Don't let the little things annoy me.  Sometimes people or things or circumstances test my patience.  And I have always been quite a patient person till a few months ago when the tiniest thing would bug the heck out of me.  I started to hold tiny grudges and let it harbour in my heart.  No more.  Letting it all go.  And I'm working on being patient again and the first thing is to stop letting little insignificant things annoy me.  And then the next step is to work on the bigger things.

6.  Eat healthier.  I could eat junk food every single day.  But I am trying to get the Husband and I into a healthier eating lifestyle.  And we have started juicing and eating out less.  However, saying that we over-indulged in McDonald's recently so...  :(

7.  I have started swearing!!  But only in my head.  WTF?  How can that be a positive change?!  It is a positive change because instead of bottling it up and suppressing how I truly feel, I can rant endlessly and if I want to use a cuss word in there, I will.  However, if I start expressing it ALOUD, I will get worried!!!

8.  Doing more of the things I enjoy.  I used to get sensitive and upset when people criticised me for being on social media and blogging all the time.  EXCUSE ME?  How rude!  Do I criticise you if you enjoy doing housework / baking / reading / watching tv / going to the gym / sleeping / playing video games / shopping / watching sports / earning money?  NO!!!  So instead of trying to do what a "normal 30 plus year old wife should do", I will do WHAT I WANT TO DO!!!  I enjoy it so stuff you!!!

9.  I will no longer be a doormat.  This is a NEW change which I decided to adopt this month.  For example, if someone says something that doesn't agree with me, I have decided to speak up and defend myself.  I have decided to become more expressive about it.  If someone says something that upsets me, instead of pretending NOT to be upset, I will take them aside and let them know.  If someone is taking advantage of me, it will STOP IMMEDIATELY!  Also, if someone (who is not my mother) treats me like a kid or patronises me in any shape or form, I WILL LET THEM HAVE IT because I am sick to death of these type of people who think they know better.

10.  I have decided to make more decisions in life.  I am an indecisive person.  I usually go along with other people's decisions.  NO MORE!!!  I have to take control of my life.  Of course, when it comes to decisions which involve me and my Husband, instead of letting him decide everything, I have decided to have some input.  Finally!!! LOL.  It's funny.  People think of me as the BOSS in our relationship when it is totally not true.  If I was the Boss, would we be in Melbourne?  Exactly!!!  I am the weakest!!!  Just because my Husband does the housework and spoils me, people think I order him to do it.  Hello?  I cannot order him to do anything!!!  And I wouldn't anyway.  I am not his Mum and I don't like it when wives order husbands around like they are children *shudder*  - Apologies if you are reading this and you are female and you wear the pants in your relationship.  Do not get offended!!  My Mum wears the pants so go talk to her LOL!!!

Of course, I might "talk the talk, but not walk the walk" - but at least, I know I am trying to implement these changes because it will make me a much happier person.

Makeup Review & Swatches : Urban Decay The Dangerous Palette

If you have enjoyed the last two dates with Urban Decay - Ammo and Sustainable Shadow palettes - then feast your eyes and get ready to drool for this stunner - Urban Decay The Dangerous Palette.

My Opinions

LOVE!  I have nothing but love for Urban Decay's Dangerous Palette.  Fantastic idea to include Greed, the gold version of UDPP - because it takes the eyeshadows to another level.  I have been using Greed sparingly though because it's just a teeny version and Urban Decay isn't available to purchase in Australia.  Dammit!

If you're looking for a highly pigmented, smooth and fade-proof pencil eyeliner, then you have to check out Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils.  My sister is a big fan of them...but she likes the raccoon eyes look, whereas I'm more light-handed with my eyeliners.  The one provided in the Dangerous Palette is Rockstar - a browny purple aubergine shade.

Swatches

I told you I was a bad eyeshadow swatcher!  These eyeshadows are swatched without Greed and they already look good, but they really pop with Greed as a base.

The shades in the palette are Haight (bright turquoise), Mildew (olive green), Virgin (pale beige), Oil Slick (black with silver glitter), Rockstar (aubergine or eggplant) and Gunmetal (dark grey with silver sheen).

Thanks everyone for joining me on these Urban Decay dates!  It has been so much fun!  And thanks again to Urban Decay for gifting me with these palettes :)

Makeup Review & Swatches : Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box

Second date!  Second date!  Second date with Urban Decay...as promised last week!

My Urban Decay Fairy Godmother presented me with Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box and I swooned when I saw the cool packaging. 



The palette is in an awesome wooden box which slides open on the top left hinge.  Now, that is just genius!  It's like none of my other eyeshadow palettes so yeah, the packaging impressed me before I even looked at what it contained!

There's definitely no disappointments with the contents of Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box.

10 eyeshadows - great colours and many combos to be created with them.  There's also a brush and side mirror to help you if you're out and about with this palette.  I didn't actually put the brush to the test but let's be honest here; it's not gonna be a killer brush but it's adequate for touch-ups on the go.

UDPP Is Magic

And ooh la la!  How cute is the mini Urban Decay Primer Potion?!!!  If you have oily eyelids and you haven't tried this yet, you are sorely missing out!  Not only does it make eyeshadows pop, it also prevents them from creasing so easily. 

BTW, according to Urban Decay, Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box is eco-friendly so woohoo, if you're an eco-lover!

From left to right : YDK (bronzed mocha with golden microglitter), Flipside (electric teal with blue sheen), Grifter (sheer lavender with lots of silver microglitter), Uzi (metallic silver with big iridescent sparkles), Twice Baked (brownie brown with gold glitter), Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (golden beige with bronze, gold, & silver glitter),  Flash (bright iridescent purple), Oil Slick (black with silver glitter),  Kiddie Pool (ocean blue with iridescent glitter),  Half Baked (subtle, lustrous bronze)

Likes :  10 shades to choose from, comes with mini UDPP, mini brush and mirror, fab eco-friendly packaging

Dislikes :   Mini UDPP runs out pretty quickly and if you've already got other UD palettes, you'll realise that there are some repeat shades

Overall :  I love it!  But then again, I'm totally biased because I am a sucker for packaging and a sucker for cute dinky products like the mini UDPP.

Swatches

For the third and last Urban Decay eyeshadow palette review - same time, same place, next week?  It's a third date! 

Review & Swatches : Urban Decay Ammo Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay Ammo Eyeshadow Palette is one of my new loves.

A couple of months ago, the Urban Decay Fairy Godmother gifted me with not 1, not 2, but 3, yes 3 other eyeshadow palettes!!

When I opened the surprise package, I can confirm that there were plenty of *squees*!  I am indeed a blessed beauty blogger!

Today, I am showing you the Urban Decay Ammo Eyeshadow Palette

What Urban Decay Say

This baby is a classic!  We packed a smokin' mirrored compact with 10 of our best-selling shades.  A must for any Urban Decay eyeshadow fan.

Review

Urban Decay is a brand I am familiar with - even though it is not available in Australia - because I grew up with it in my local Boots store.  (For the uninitiated, Boots is a UK pharmacist / cosmetics store and I was a loyal customer there since forever...but for some reason, they have stopped stocking UD products, and Debenhams (think Myer) stocks their goods. 

To be honest, my sister is a bigger fan of their products because her make-up collection has Urban Decay everything from eyeliners to UDPP to their palette sets.

When everyone went crazy over the UD Naked Palette, I just didn't get it.  I still don't.  But that's because I'm not a fan of anything brown.  I love colour!!!  Bright colours!  And that's why I love this Urban Decay Ammo Palette.  The packaging is sexy with its trademark black and purple colours.  It's filled with 10 sexy shimmery shades, a handy mirror inside the box with a sponge applicator.  Very handbag-friendly!!

The downside is the cost.  Okay, it's not crazy like Chanel prices, but if you're largely unemployed, you may want to add it on to your wishlist, like I did...and you never know when the Urban Decay Fairy Godmother may pay you a visit!  *wink*

One more thing, I should mention is - What is with the many aliases of this palette??  On UD website, it is known as Eyeshadow Ammo Shadow Box, on Sephora it is known as Ammo Eye Palette and in UK, it is known as Shadow Box!!!  Confusing much??!!

Eyeshadow Swatches

Eyeshadow swatches (minus primer) from left to right in Smog (deep coppery bronze), Mildew (shimmering metallic green), Oil Slick (black with rainbow glitter), Last Call (iridescent plummy purple) and Chopper (shimmering fawn with glitter).

Followed by Maui Wowie (sandy sheen), Shattered (bright iridescent aquamarine), Polyester Bride (sheer white shimmer), Grifter (sparkling pale purple)  and Sin (light shimmering champagne).

Even without eyeshadow primer, the colours look pretty intense; but for staying power on oily lids, I would highly recommend the legend that is Urban Decay Primer Potion!

And yes, you may call me the worst eyeshadow swatcher in the beauty blogosphere!

For the next Urban Decay eyeshadow palette review - same time, same place, next week?  It's a date!

Review : Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment

The good people at Dermalogica read about how I popped my pimples and were flabbergasted.  Popping pimples is a no-no and can cause scarring so they sent me Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment to make me change from my naughty ways.

Did I like it?  Well, read on for my review...

What Dermalogica Say

An intense treatment with a natural-looking tint ideal for daytime coverage of breakouts. Sulfur and Zinc Oxide quickly target, conceal and help clear breakouts. An amazing alternative for those who prefer treatment products free of Benzoyl Peroxide. Contains no artificial fragrance or color.

What I Say

Now, I have desert-dry skin which means I rarely get spots so if you've read my post on zits, you'll know that when one does creep up, I get uber-excited about popping the sucker.  But I was willing to give Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment a try and so I waited...and waited...and waited for the formation of a zit.

One evening, I felt the throbbing power of a chin zit and ooh la, la!  I looked in the mirror and there was indeed a red pulsing spot which was in its initial stages of birth.  This is the stage where I'd usually touch it with dirty fingers to make it ripen faster, but this time, I brought out Dermalogica Concealing Spot Treatment.

Dermalogica Spot Treatment magically blended into my skin colour and toned down the redness of the spot.  I didn't think much of it as I went to bed.  I woke up the next morning to see that the spot had diminished in size and the redness was gone.  Another dab of the product and by the very next day, there were no remnants of the chin zit.

A miracle?  Well, it's difficult to say because I've only tried it on one spot..and I've been waiting but I haven't had another zit for a while.  Don't look at my Husband because he NEVER gets spots.  So it's pretty hard to say based on one spot.  But I was impressed with how well it concealed and dealt with that one spot.