Life. Where have I been?

I have been missing in action. I don't even know how long it has been since I posted (too afraid to look!) and whilst I secretly hope loads of people missed my witty posts, it is pretty unlikely. Are you there? Can you hear me? I'm sorry I have been so absent but I truly I hope that the days of my slackness have ended. I have pretty decent excuses though.

Me in my awesome winter gear getting ready for London!

I handed in my last assessment for uni on sunday! I shed actual tears. I was overwhelmed with the enormity of finishing another degree (and p.s I managed a 4 year degree in 3) and the relief I felt was incredible. When I finished my first degree I was pretty darn happy, but that was nothing compared to this. I submitted my assignment online then proceeded to do a massive clean out of my room and to throw anything remotely university related in the bin. I've been slowly tackling the amassed crap that is my bedroom in preparation for leaving the country, so it felt great to get through some more throwing out and general organising. Lately I have been thinking 'will I use this in the next 2 months? No? Gone' and so far it is working.

Completely unrelated to the post, but oh my god these peking duck pancakes were amazeballs.

I have also been working loads. I have averaged three days a week of casual teaching work for the past two months which has really been amazing. It's been nice to feel I have a purpose to my weeks aside from finishing assignments. It has been exhausting though! Casual teachers really have a difficult job, but it is often contrasted with periods of complete boredom. Sometimes all you have to do is supervise a class, other times you have to deal with some outrageous behaviour and attempt to have some control over the classroom. The term has just ended, and whilst I am looking forward to a couple of weeks to really truly relax for the first time in three years, there doesn't tend to be a lot of work in term four for casuals so I am a little stressed.

I'm asking the universe to provide. So far it is working!

I am slowly but surely getting myself together for the London move (70 days away as I write this!) but it still feels like I have loads to do. I have a growing collection of proper winter clothes and accessories which I am super excited to wear come December. I am still yet to sort out the whole UK bank account thing but I think it will be much easier to do once I am there. I am considering purchasing a UK arrival pack like this one from 1st Contact but I still need to do some more research. I have basically done everything I need to get teaching work in London, booked a weeks accommodation (fingers crossed I find a flat in my first week but it is pretty unlikely I'd say!) and booked flights to Ireland for Christmas. It is completely spinning me out that I will be in Ireland for the holidays, so bizarre but exciting!

Ear muffs! Question: do people actually wear ear muffs in London?

As time slides closer to two months from my departure, I am starting to freak a little. Not in a 'oh shit what am I doing' way but more about my stress over how organised I need to be and how much I want this. Two months ago I was wanting to leave immediately but now I am glad for these next couple of months to sort myself out. Now that uni is done I can really get down to business and get organised for the adventure of a lifetime. I have been wanting to travel and live overseas since I was 13 and I am absolutely over the freaken moon that I finally got my butt into gear and made it happen.

Savings! I am about half way to my goal which is amazing! 

Ooh on one final note, I have been amping up my fitness/healthy eating big time these last few weeks. I am managing a 30-40 minute power walk most days and some light weights and abs/leg work 3 times a week and I feel amazing. I have lost another three kg and have so much energy. My anxiety is also basically gone which is probably more amazing than the weight loss. I have really started to notice that my diet and exercise has a huge impact on my mood and stress, even down to the fact that eating loads of sugar can actually give me anxiety!

Woah that is a lot of information isn't it? I'm officially on holidays from work for 2 weeks so I will be relaxing and writing a few posts, including my winter favourites which should be up in a couple of days.

xx Samantha Alice

Life. About me...

So I stole this post idea (and all the questions) from Made. I hope she doesn't mind, but I loved it so much I wanted to give it a go! Here are some things about me...

The house I grew up in... 

Which one? We moved a lot when I was a kid, and I have kept moving as an adult. When I started school we lived in this amazing farm house. It had an old stable door at the back and my sister and I would be endlessly entertained playing horses and what not. We had horses and space and creeks to slosh through in our gumboots. When I started high school we lived in this tiny house right near the beach. When I moved away after school it took me the longest time to get used to not hearing the waves all night. 

When I was a child I wanted to be... 

I didn't really mind as long as I was rich and famous. I wanted to be a fashion designer for a long time, and I guess I have landed not far from that dream. I still want to be famous really. 

The moment that changed me for ever... 

I really don't think one moment has changed me in a big way, but rather I am who I am through a collection of tiny moments all bumping against each other. When my Mum's parents died, a couple of years apart, I did feel that it would effect me forever. This year has had some big moments, getting my licence and deciding to move overseas. I hope that getting on that plane to London in 97 days is a big one. 

My greatest inspiration... 

Anyone that has changed their lives for the better and managed to help others along the way is a huge inspiration. I also look at my Mum's life and feel pretty inspired, she raised two girls alone on crappy money whilst suffering with depression and anxiety. We always had enough and I never thought we were destitute. 

My real-life villain... 

Anxiety and overwhelming shyness. Whenever I get complacent and think I have these two suckers beat, they find a new way to get at me. 

My style icon... 

How I'd like to dress and how I do dress are very different! I love Rachel Bilson's style, also Gwen Stefani and Chloe Sevigny. I wish I could dress like Bridgette Bardot everyday though! 

If I could change one thing about myself... 

The fact that I am so hard on myself and really good at coming up with things I'd change. 

At night I dream of... 

London. And cute British boys named Toby and Barnaby. 

What I see when I look in the mirror I see... 

Someone who should be happier with what they see. 

My favourite item of clothing... 

Leggings or blazers. It is a close tie. 

I wish I'd never worn... 

Matching paisly print skirt and top with purple sequins along the hem. It was 1999 and I had no idea about what looked good!

It's not fashionable but I like...

Listening to Britney Spears when I work out. 

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at... 

Waxing eyebrows and cutting hair. If study had been difficult for me I probably would have become a makeup artist. 

You may not know it but I'm no good at... 

Talking to people. I get horribly tongue tied and say the wrong thing all the time. I got a phone call for work the other day and before the woman had asked me how I was I had told her 'good thanks'. What a fool. 

All my money goes on...

Groceries and makeup. I really have to cut back on my spending!

If I have time to myself... 

Three months ago I would have said stay in my room and watch movies. These days I'd go for a walk on the beach or go shopping. 

I drive... 

My Mum's Toyota Carola Ascent. It is white and I love it! 

My house is... 

An old fibro house with ugly plastic cladding and an enormous backyard. 

My most valuable possession is... 

My amazing iMac computer. 

My favourite building... 

The Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. It is such a substantial sandstone building full of amazing art. I could wander it's galleries for hours and hours. 

Movie heaven... 

Strange arty films, Lord of the Rings and soppy romantic dramas. 

A book that changed me...

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingslover. They are both epic stories but about very different things. I have never been so moved to the core by a story ever and highly recommend them both. 

My favourite work of art... 

I have a Bachelor of Art History and Theory so this is a really tricky question!! It's like asking a parent their favourite child. It is probably easier to name my favourite artists than particular artworks. I love Tracey Emin, Barbara Kruger, Jose Gonzalez Torres, Del Katherine Barton, Johannes Vermeer and Gustav Klimt. Right now I'd say my favourite work of art is Klimt's 'The Kiss'.

The last album I bought/downloaded... 

This is tough because I haven't purchased any music for such a long time! I checked my iTunes account and the last song i brought was 'Love You Till the End' by the Pogues. 

The person who really makes me laugh... 

My sister is the funniest most ridiculous person I know. She can have me in absolute stitches so easily. She also drives me mad, so it is lucky for her she makes me laugh so hard I can't breathe. 

The shops I can't walk past... 

Anywhere that sells makeup. I love swatching products and trying new things, even if I know I can't buy anything! 

The best invention ever... 

Apple computers. Oh and moisturiser! 

In 10 years' time, I hope to be... 

Happy, healthy, in love with my work, in a long term relationship with a couple of kids. 

My greatest regret... 

Letting opportunities, whether big or small, go past because of my anxiety and fear. 

My life in seven words... 

Inconsistent, brave, love, organised, pretty, relaxed and compassionate. 

xx samantha Alice

Pretty. A London Wish list

So I hit the three month from my departure mark tomorrow and I sort of can't believe it. It feels so distant, yet as I start to get things sorted (my to do this is scarily long) it creeps ever closer. I am beyond excited to leave and part of me wishes I was off tomorrow, but the other part is glad to have these few months to organise myself and prepare! Perhaps the strangest part of my preparation is buying warm clothes. Not 'Australian' warm clothes, but 'oh my god my face is going to freeze off' winter wear. The strange part is that I leave at the beginning of December and here that means almost Summer weather and 30 C days! Even now, with the lovely spring weather, it feels wrong to be buying ear muffs and winter woolies. I really only want to buy a few basics from Australia, just enough to get me from the airport, to my accommodation and then out into London to explore (and possibly shop?). Here is my London Winter Wish List:

// 1.  Pieces Chunky Knit Scarf // 2. Gypsy Cable Knit Socks  // 3. ASOS Athens Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots // 4. ASOS Fit and Flare Coat //
// 5. ASOS Popper Parker // 6. Topshop Geo Panel Tote // 7.  Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream //

I guess most of the list is pretty self explanatory; I want comfy boots I can slip on and off easily without having to deal with laces or zips, a coat that will go over many layers, a new black bag that will fit loads and some intensive moisturising balm to help with dry skin caused by the cold. 

91 days and counting...

xx Samantha Alice 

Pretty. Bourjois Plower Perfection Foundation.

This foundation from Bourjois is their 'long lasting' base, that like most of their liquid foundations aims to boost radiance and natural glow. It is a thick consistency that splits a little in the bottle so needs to be shaken before use. I was really excited to try this as I love Bourjois foundations and I had heard it was great for people with oily skin. I am always on the lookout for foundation that will last on my skin and not end up in a greasy slick. However, I really didn't get on with this foundation and here is why!

• It is pretty difficult to work into the skin, even with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush (which usually makes foundation go on like a dream).
• It stick to any dry patches like crazy
• It tends to sit on top of my skin rather then blend in with it
• I have figured out that I really don't like full coverage foundation and this is very full coverage!
• It highlights any problem areas, like my large pores and acne scars
• It has a very unattractive matte finish that makes my skin look dull and awful
• The sponge applicator that comes with the product is useless
• And last but not least, it actually doesn't hold up all that well as the day goes on.

I was really disappointed so I am still on the search for my favourite liquid foundation!

Have you tried it and liked it? Let me know in the comments!

xx Samantha Alice 

Life. Made is off (and I wish I was too).

So I am nearly down to the 3 month mark for my London move and am starting to have a think about some of the practicalities. I finished paying off my ticket to day (freaken yay!) so now all I have to do is  save like crazy and get on the plane! Oh and sort out things like a bank account and a UK phone number all all that other stuff. My lovely blogger pal Made is leaving for the UK in 20 days and I thought it would be good to chat to her about the move as I will be in her position in no time at all!



1. So you are off to the UK; what takes you there?

I'm very lucky to be able to go on exchange to the University of Leicester for 12 months through my home university, Deakin University. After going to an information session in March 2011, I realised just how much of an amazing experience living and studying abroad for a year would be, and so I embarked on a crazy 18 month journey of paperwork, saving money and researching my new home! 

 2. What makes you want to experience living in England?

For many years I've dreamed of making the move to the UK, for several reasons. I'm currently studying journalism, and have always been a massive fan of any comedy show, documentary or panel show that comes from the BBC, and I've always harboured a desire to one day work amongst the BBC elite. I figure that my living and studying in the UK for a year might give me the upper hand one day if I do decide to move back and try cutting my teeth in the media world of London. I've also got a bit of a romantic notion of the old country; green pastures, tree-lined laneways, the craggy mountains of the north, and the oh-so-cute accents of the local boys. I'm hoping to fall in love with the people and the lands of Britain! 

 3. What has been most challenging about organising the move?

All the paperwork! The fact that I'm staying in the UK for more than 9 months means that I have had to undergo quite a long and tedious visa application process, although being an Australian (and part of the Commonwealth) has helped a lot. Trying to juggle two jobs, full-time studies at university, living alone in the city and attempting to keep a social life whilst saving for this trip has also been stressful. But that said, one of my dearest friends Tara is coming along with me on exchange to the UK (although she is going to a different university) so we've both relied on each other quite a lot through-out these last few months. We both check in on each other frequently and set aside time to see each other socially without mentioning work, saving or how far away our trip was! 

 4. Now that you have less than a month until your departure, what have you still got to do?

I'm pretty organised at this stage, which is a great relief! According to my To-Do List, I've still got to go to the dentist, enrol for voting, organise my banking details for the UK, put all of my belongings into storage and pay a parking fine. After that I'm pretty much ready to board that plane! 

 5. The flight to England is epic and long. How do you plan on entertaining yourself and not going stir crazy?

I've been asking myself this question a lot lately! I've only been overseas once (to Japan in 2007) and that was the longest 11 hours of my life! This time I'm planning on filling up my iPad with plenty of books, movies and heaps of episodes of my favourite TV shows. Again, I'm lucky that I'm travelling over with my friend Tara, and I'm sure for at least the first half of the journey we'll be bouncing off the walls with excitement! However, when the energy leaves my body and the battery on my iPad dies, I'm planning on putting on some Ugg boots, having a strong Vodka and Tonic, wrapping my head in a blanket and getting some serious shut-eye! 

 6. What is your first port of call when you arrive in London?

 Harrods department store. I'm packing pretty lightly heading over to London, and so we'll be spending the first day indulging in a little retail therapy: buying some nice winter coats, stocking up on some essentials, and treating ourselves after starving ourselves for over a year of any new clothes and nice things! After that though, I'm very keen to see London Tower, Big Ben, the Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, Hyde Park, Camden Market and the changing of the guards. I've got 14 days in ol' London Town, so I'm very keen to get out there, see the sights and begin my life in England! 

 7. What will you miss most about life in Australia?

 I'm a country girl, and when I first moved to Melbourne, I missed the gumtrees, the wide open spaces, the friendly nature of the locals, and the security and sanctuary of the bush. This is something that I struggled with when I moved to the city, although now I love the big smoke! I think I'll miss being out bush the most. I'm in my element up in the mountains, or out on the farm. It is where I feel most as ease with myself. That being said, I've been dreaming so long of exploring the wild and misty moors of the Midlands, the White Cliffs of Dover, and the ancient mountain ranges of Scotland, so I think that I'll find myself a new home in the spirited land of England. 

8. What will you not miss at all?

 I'm very much looking forward to being 'the Aussie girl' at university. I'm a bit of a show-pony, and I love being unique, so I'm looking forward to standing out a little bit and being an international student. I won't miss just being an ordinary girl wandering around Melbourne! 

 9. What do you think will be the biggest adjustment in your life in England?

 I think that the biggest achievement of my life has already passed: I've managed to spend the last year or so working two jobs, renting a house in the city, going to university full-time and being a high-achieving student (gloats!) making incredible friends all while saving for and organising the trip of a lifetime. I feel like I've grown so much in the last year, and whilst it has been hard, I feel like I can do absolutely anything in life, and I'm confident that I will thrive in the UK! 

10. How are you planning on spending Christmas away from your family?

 I haven't actually thought about this that much. I'll be away from my family for the first time for Christmas, as will my friend Tara, so I'm assuming that we'll both make a massive batch of egg-nog, Skype our families, get drunk and enjoy each others company. That being said, I'm sure that by then I'll have met some amazing fellow international students who, like me, will be away from their families for Christmas, so we'll keep each other company through-out the festive season. I'm actually really looking forward to have a white Christmas. I really want to get a knitted festive jumper and play in the snow! I'm so excited!

Thanks Made! So jealous of you leaving so soon but I wish you all the best in your adventures!

xx Samantha Alice

Pretty. Australian Beauty on a Budget.

I have been really enjoying the '$20 makeup Challenge' videos that have been on Youtube lately, they are great for budget friendly tips. Watching them however, makes me a little frustrated. Here in Australia we pay ridiculously high prices for cosmetics and makeup, and I really can't imagine being able to pull off the challenge with any kind of success shopping in Australian pharmacies. I'll try to put it in perspective a little through a couple of price comparisons.

• Revlon Lip Butters: Australian price $20-22AUD which is equivalent to $22 USD and 15 GPB. By comparison, in the UK you can expect to pay around 8 GBP ($12 AUD). That really is an enormous price hike. 
• Real Techniques Brushes: Australian prince at Priceline Pharmacy for the Core Collection is $45 AUD which is equivalent to 30 GBP. You'll pay around 22 pounds for the same product in the UK which is around $33AUD. 

I really don't know why we are forced to pay such expensive prices but it may have something to do with the fact that we really only have a couple of what the Brits would call 'high street' pharmacy chains that stock semi affordable cosmetics. It may also be that our wages are higher in general, but trust me, they aren't that high!

If you want to be well stocked in makeup and skincare here, you have to be pretty savvy about how and where you spend your hard earned dollars. Hopefully I have a few tricks up my sleeve and thought I would share a few!

• Shop online! I know this is fairly obvious, but if things are cheaper overseas, buy them from there! I am an ASOS addict; they always have amazing cosmetics available and great sale prices. I tend to buy foundation on ASOS. Bourjois foundation is around half the price compared to pharmacies so that is a real saving. Plus they have free shipping! iHerb also have fairly reasonable prices, though the makeup brands they stock may not always be what you are after.

• Budget brands to look for: 
• BYS (Kmart) you'll pay around $4 for a nail polish and $5 for an eyeliner/brow pencil. I am in love with their automatic brow pencil in blonde, it is super creamy a great colour and so affordable. 
• Models Prefer (Priceline) This brand has an excellent range of very affordable makeup brushes as well as some great eye shadow palettes. I have tried a few of their mascaras and they are great!
• ELF (online HERE) ELF is well known in the US and the UK but not at all readily available here. However, it is insanely cheap, thought not as cheap as elsewhere. Obviously the quality isn't going to be amazing, but if you are careful about what you buy you can get some great stuff. I have their gel liner and a few eyeshadow brushes. Check out my review here. 

Of course there are other budget brands available, but these are the ones I have tried and been happy with. For more tips on budget beauty in Australia have a look at this video from Goo Roo Beauty. 

xx Samantha Alice