I seem to be having problems uploading pics onto my blog since yesterday. A pictureless review post definitely won’t work! I’m trying to resolve this soonest possible. Hopefully I’ll manage it and make it work somehow.

Hello darlings!

I know I haven’t been updating much lately, that’s because since I got back to Melbourne from Malaysia earlier this month, I’ve been crazy busy with work and everything else. Also, since I’m really trying super, duper hard as part of my 2010 resolution (let’s see how long it lasts) to save my expenditure on beauty products and really, really finish what now have. Hence, I’m running out of juice for my blog or rather I’m really trying hard to stretch the products I have to blog about slowly so that I don’t run out of steam in one month!

Anyway, I received an email from Amber from 21st Century Formulations on the cute giveaway basket they’re running on their website and she’d like me to let my readers know about it! Basically this giveaway is now live and will run until February 8th to allow for ample shipping time prior to Valentine’s Day.

To enter, VISIT http://www.skinmdnatural.com/forms/valentines-giveaway.php

Enter your name and Email Address!

It’s that EASY! I’ve entered it myself!

If you’re the lucky winner, you’ll get:

The prize basket is valued at $100 and contains the following
- Bottle of Skin MD Natural shielding lotion
- Bottle of Skin MD Natural + SPF 15 shielding lotion
- One pound of See’s dark assorted chocolates
- Pack of Starbucks VIA Ready brew coffee pouches
- Kiss Me coffee mug
- A Cuddly teddy bear
- Lollipop Bouquet

Go on, enter away!

Having said that, don’t forget the other Skin MD giveaway that I’m running on my blog where the winner will be getting a full size Shielding Lotion and a few samples. This finishes end of next week Jan 31st!

On another note……

I celebrated my first wedding anniversary last weekend….and next Wednesday’s my birthday, so…..we have planned for a two-in-one holiday to the Whitsundays Island.

I’m so excited! I’m flying off tomorrow and will be back Thursday next week!

Till then…hello Whitsunday and I’ll blog again when I get back! Take care my lovelies!

I thought I’d be a follower to everyone else’s year end wrap up. Though mine’s a few days late (5 to be exact), hey, better late than never right?

Where should I start? All right, in my head, I’ll go month by month and think through of what I did throughout the year…

Personal Life

I got married in January 2009 and our first anniversary is coming in two weeks!

Indulgent Reviews Blog

This blog which I started in 2008 as a platform to indulge in my two greatest loves – beauty and writing – seemingly reached a wider audience in 2009. I hosted my first giveaway in March and since then have managed to host many giveaways, a few sponsored and a few of my own. Being a freshie to the beauty blogging scene, this feels like a true achievement for me.

Beauty

- I think I’ve overindulged myself in beauty spending this year, but, its all worth it! For 2010, I will try my hardest not to overspend on beauty products I don’t need and slowly finish them first before buying a new one to try out. My beauty corner’s getting all too cram, what with the various creams and lotions, and let’s not even mention makeup! Plus, I think Hubs might be getting a tad bit annoyed with the many products that I’ve got! Tee hee hee

- Went to beauty school at Gorgeous Cosmetics! So, so worth it!

- Had my hair cut twice in Melbourne at pricey salons like Seri and Picone! I hated having the money going out of my wallet, but the results were so good…

- My sis-in-law treated me to an amazing body spa experience back home in KL recently! Absolutely delightful! I’m contemplating going for more regular facials and indulgent sessions here in Melbourne. Perhaps once every quarter??

- I’m trying hard to scale back the amount of skincare products I use to just basic ones and not add in all the frills. I’m also trying to use more affordable products so the money that used to be spent on the likes of Shiseido and Biotherm could perhaps be spent on something else.

- 2009 was a year I discovered that Clinique products were actually quite good and has served me well this year. I found it to be fairly affordable too, most of it anyway! This used to be a brand I never even had a glance at. Now, Clinique, Paula’s Choice and Olay are my three coveted skincare products for 2009.

- My makeup brand of the year? Always a loyal fan to Benefit, but some of MAC’s collection definitely captivated my interest this year too…

- Didn’t buy a single perfume this year. A true feat since I’d usually get at least 3 bottles in a year whenever a new release strikes me. Felt that I’d better finish the 7 bottles I have on my dressing table at the moment

Fashion

- My wardrobe is ever expanding and is bursting at the seams. Time to hit the Salvos?

- As I get older, I’m beginning to sense a personal style developing for myself.

- Shoes…I used to buy cheapo shoes that looked absolutely fab and dressy, but weren’t comfy at all. My feet are absolutely disastrous at the moment. Hence, 2009 was a year I opted for comfort rather than fashion and style. I’ve started buying Geox, Hush Puppies, Scholl and even walk to work in sneakers at times. However, I still have the bug to buy fashion shoes every now and again, so I settle for slightly more expensive fashion shoes from the likes of Nine West and Witchery.

Handbags

I only got myself two handbags this year – a Burberry Prossum and a Coach Leather Bag (this was a gift from my mum). I used to buy heaps of bags a year, but somehow, Nine West’s bags just didn’t quite cut it for me this year and everyone in Australia wears an Oroton! Wanting something different, I saved up and now am absolutely pleased that I did! I have myself the two most gorgeous bags and am such a happy camper because of them this year!

Health & Fitness

Like everyone else, my goal this year is to eat healthy, stay healthy and get absolutely fit. I intend to boost up my immune system by actually eating the multitudes of vitamins and supplements I buy instead of just storing them and also hitting the gym which I diligently pay for on a monthly basis.

Two years ago, due to an extremely high stress work environment, I put my health and fitness in shambles and since then, have been suffering all sorts of health problems. Now, I’m aiming to make sure I bring myself up to scratch again in that department, for my own sake, if nobody else’s.

Femme Habitat – my new business venture

Throughout 2009, I managed to get in touch with a few contacts and then slowly, painstakingly but enjoying every minute of it, I put up my e-boutique online for its launch on November 1st. Sales have been slow, but stock’s moving, so that’s a plus side! The fact that it’s only two months old keeps me looking on the brighter side and hopefully 2010 will bring more fresh introductions and breath into my e-boutique. Hopefully also 2010 will be the year it’s propelled to success! Can’t wait! I have always wanted to be a boutique owner, an entrepreneur…and I’m finally there…the whole experience of getting contacts, negotiations, building the website and more was a true learning experience. An extremely enjoyable one at that!

That seems to be my wrap up for 2009! A beautiful year indeed – full of mishaps, life experience, adventures, splurges and steals!

To all my amazing readers, thank you for a great 2009 year with you and may 2010 bring you all beautiful things physically, emotionally and financially!

Take care, all, and stay indulgent!

I’m going for a short vacation back home over the Christmas holiday period to attend a family wedding and spend the rest of the time with family and friends! Wish I could go back for longer, but unfortunately, that’s all the annual leave I could get. Normally I’d go back for a month at least! December’s the busiest period for us at work and 5 annual leave days was all I could manage to squeeze in! Oh well, better than nothing I guess! 5 annual leave during Christmas period is the best coz you get 10 days out of it for free!

Anyway, I will be back on Jan 4th, postings will resume then. Have a safe and fantastic festive season ahead and take care!

Stay indulgent, stay fabulous!

I went to school today. Makeup school, that is. After years of yearning to go learn makeup application properly, I enrolled myself in a one-on-one session with a Professional Makeup Artist at Gorgeous Cosmetics for a full 3 hour tutorial.

It was amazing! She taught me through a day look and night look. She did half of my face and I would do the other and it’s all done step by step, and she’d guide me through each step of the way. I felt like I really took out a lot from this session, something I’ve never had before although I’ve always had makeovers done by professionals.

I think the difference between going for those makeovers versus the lessons is that this time, I actually know how to correct the mistakes I’ve been making all these years. Best of all, I now know how to apply eye makeup. Although I write a beauty blog, I know nuts about applying eye makeup. She went through simple looks with me and did a smoky eye as well. She even taught me how to put on falsies. I know these may all sound trivial to most of you, and I know I’m practically gushing at something most of you probably already know in your sleep. But, seriously, this lesson taught me a lot.

I have always been a primer-foundation-blush-lipgloss/lipstick-sometimes liner and mascara kinda girl. Today, I got to know the works! I never knew how to apply eye makeup properly, I never knew how to manage eye liner properly, I also didn’t know that my technique for applying mascara wasn’t all that correct. Today, I learnt it all. I feel like I’ve achieved something today going through this beauty school – achieved a sense of confidence to make myself up like professionals can make me up.

The tutorial costs $150, but is completely redeemable against their products. You need to book ahead of course, since they allocate a whole 3 hours for you.

I redeemed my $150 against a primer (finished mine recently), a foundation (a girl can never have too many foundation and powder), a powder, a set of false lashes (never had one, thought I’ll try it out) and a lip liner (liked the feel of it).

I thought of getting eyeshadows and brushes, but then I’ve already got plenty of those and haven’t even gotten much use out of those ones. I know I’ve got plenty of foundations and powders too, but then I really get a lot of use out of those. So I might as well get more. It’s great value too,considering I’m practically getting the primer for free! They have a Christmas pack now: Foundation + Primer + Powder = $140.

To those in Australia ever thinking of learning makeup skills or simply just to update what you already know, invest time in makeup school. I think its great! MAC runs the same too for about $120 I believe!

Apologies for going MIA again. I had been planning to stay diligent to this blog by regularly writing almost on a daily basis, but again I had to go MIA past few days.

See, on Monday night, I had a bad fall in the shower and bumped my head hard against the tiled wall and had both my legs and arms bleeding profusely. My bum was painful and aching for the past few days as well!

Anyway, thank God I didn’t faint or anything as I was all alone at home then. I had a slight concussion though because of that and I’ve been having a bad case of migraine for the past few days. Hence, I couldn’t go near the PC as the glare of the screen just makes my head throb even more.

It’s subsided now. Thank God! So I’m back…:) All’s well now…no more headaches, no more body aches…just swollen and bruised hands and feet…but otherwise, all good!

Looking forward to a weekend of blogging…:) Have a great weekend, my dears!

Stay indulgent!

Our Femme Habitat Launch Giveaway Contest ends tomorrow! I’ve received quite a surprising number of entries thus far, so, for those of you who have not entered yet and are waiting for the last minute, here’s your chance! Come on and email me already!

Good luck to all!

Results will be announced here first thing Monday morning!

Have a fantabulous weekend, girls and stay indulgent!

Got this tip from Tine’s Beautyholics Anonymous Blog a few weeks ago. Thanks Tine!

So, following suit from all other beauty bloggers who have gone IPhone/IPod friendly, I have also installed the WPTouch Plugin onto my blog’s Wordpress Platform to make this blog easier to read for all you readers who uses IPhone or IPod to read it.

This will make life easier for all of you tech-savvy readers. So, instead of seeing tiny, teensy weensy words and graphics, you’ll now see this clutter-free, less painful to the eyes and takes up less bandwidth which is certainly a better solution than what it was before.

Again, Thanks Tine! I wouldn’t have known about this plugin if it weren’t for your kindness to share it with all of us on your blog!

Apart from reviewing beauty products and my weakness for glossy magazines, I absolutely love shopping for fashion apparel and accessories – bags, shoes and all sorts of other girly knick knacks! In fact, if I had just a quarter of Paris Hilton’s fortune, I bet I’d be in and out of all the boutiques of the world, both brick and mortar and online shops! I bet all women’s the same too!

Obviously I do not have Paris’s fortune and not many of us do, but my love for fashion and all things girly is so strong that I started scouring around through contacts with my friends for cutesy, elegant and lovely apparel in efforts to expand my wardrobe without killing my budget too much. Shopping often at Review, Portmans, Zara and Mango can definitely cut through a large hole in your pocket after a while.

Whilst happily expanding my wardrobe with things I like, I began to find more and more interesting stuff and the idea to plunge into the boutique business began to form in my head. I started to look for more stuff and have now established a pretty solid set of contacts to bring my idea into fruition.

The concept of having an all-in-one e-boutique where all women could click in to shop for carefully selected apparel, lovely and handcrafted accessories and other knick knacks drew me in so strongly and excited me so much that I had to start putting my thoughts into action. I started conceptualizing my e-boutique from start to finish, i.e. branding, packaging and eventually I bought my first batch of apparel which is my launch collection.

My sister, who has also been playing around with handcrafting jewellery also started an online business at Love Me Jewellery, and we thought why not display her collection for sale at my e-boutique as well so that the whole e-boutique concept truly comes through.

I won’t go on and on about how I conceptualized my thoughts and started bringing my ideas into fruition.

Today, I am proud to announce to you the official launch of my e-boutique, Femme Habitat – an online shopping cove for women.

Right now, we have a selection of women apparel and Love Me Jewellery’s handcrafted jewellery. My next order will be coming through this week and hopefully I’d be able to showcase them by this weekend.

My aim is to bring to you a selection of elegant, chic and cute women’s fashion and accessories. I am also aiming to expand and diversify the lines I’ve got currently to include other women’s interests like bags and other knick knacks.

If I have been neglecting Indulgent Reviews for a while, its because I have been so busy and diligently working on my e-boutique, to bring to you the best of what I scoured around for and am hoping for more to come. It has been an exhilarating and exciting experience. Balancing a day job and working on my e-boutique project on weeknights and weekends hasn’t been easy, but I have to admit that it has been fun. It has certainly injected a lot of colour into my life. I now have an online fashion and accessories boutique with many, many growth plans in my head.

Okay, enough small talk about my concept story. I am now pleased to welcome you through the doors of my e-boutique, Femme Habitat!!

As part of the launch, we’re offering a couple of giveaways as perks for all you lovely Indulgent Reviews readers out there. The giveaways are open to all readers, worldwide.

1) Bree Indian Print Tunic in Blue – A silky tunic with indian prints which is definitely perfect for spring and summer weather.

2)  Annabelle Pearls Bracelet

• Sterling silver chain (lobster claw) and findings
• 3mm swarovski platinum pearls
• new xillion cut 4mm swarovski bicone – greige
• new xillion cut 4mm swarovski bicone – crystal AB
• measures about 7" can shorten if the winner has smaller hands

HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Email me at with the giveaway you’re entering as the subject line i.e. “Bree Tunic Giveaway” or “Annabelle Bracelet Giveaway”

The contest runs until November 15th at midnight local Melbourne, Australia time (UTC/GMT + 11 hours).

To obtain extra entries, you can:

a) Blog about it – link back please, and email me once you’ve done so

b) Twitter or Facebook about it – email me once you’ve done so

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Both giveaways are open to ALL readers worldwide.
2. You can enter one or both, if you like. Make clear note on the subject header. You can enter regardless of whether you’ve won other giveaways on this blog before.
3. Please use a valid email address as this is how I’ll contact you if you’ve won. If no response has been made, I will draw another winner after 48 hours.
4. Please only submit your entries via email.
5. I will randomly pick winners using a list randomizer and it will be announced here on November 16th.

Oh, one other thing, a few more perks as part of the launch:

a) A 10% discount applies storewide automatically with any purchase from now till 15 November

b) Free shipping applies as below:

• Australia & New Zealand – Orders above $150, Jewellery Only Orders Above $75
• International – Orders above $200, Jewellery Only Orders Above $150

Feel free to spread the word!! I’d certainly appreciate it!

Good luck, all!

In the lead up to 2010, I’ve planned for plenty of exciting stuff on Indulgent Reviews. In the next coming weeks, I’m hoping to make a little announcement on a project I’ve been working on and also plenty of giveaways throughout November and December, this alongside the usual reviews postings!!

Hope you’re all as excited as I am!! Till then, stay tuned!!