Tuesday 30 October 2012

So what is all this Halloween business?

Right now it is October 30 in Australia, which means tomorrow is Halloween. But really, there's nothing special about that. We don't really celebrate it here.

American movies and TV shows have always seemed so strange to me. Seeing swarms of kids wandering from overly-decorated house to overly-decorated house asking for candy. Threatening pranks.

I've been trick or treating once. When I was about 15. Most houses we went to turned us away or threatened to ring the police.

Others would go rummaging through their cupboards, eventually pulling out some expired piece of forgotten candy to hand out.

Some people didn't even know what halloween was.

It's just not a big thing here. So today, I decided to do some research, for any Australian readers who are left wondering every year, what the hell is all this about?!?

So here is what I found out;

1. Some years ago (400BC-ish) there were a group of people in Britain/Ireland/France know an Celts. November 1st was the beginning of the New Year making October 31st (Halloween) their New Years Eve. On NOvember 1st the Celts would celebrate the close of the summer harvest and prepare for the cold months ahead.
The night before this day the Celts believed the barriers between the lands of the living and dead opened.

2. At this point in time October 31st was not a celebratory event. It was believed this night gave way to all kinds of supernatural occurrences. It was the best night to predict the future and it was the night when fairies and other supernatural beings were able to enter the world. In order to evade these harmful spirits Celts dressed up in costumes, held large bonfires, offered sacrifices and held feasts for the dead. They went door to door to seek food for these offerings.

3. Then Christianity came to the Celtic lands and the 'celebrations' began to coincide with the Christian celebration of All Saints Day or Hallows day. The holiday began to be about celebrating saints and praying for the dead not yet in heaven. The Christians also believed the souls of the dead would wander on this evening. Christians would go door to door to collect 'soul cakes' for the souls in purgatory and sometimes wore costumes to evade the evil spirits. In addition to this, jack-o-lanterns were made to represent the souls in purgatory.

So basically an ancient Christian/Celtic belief that ghosts and ghouls were going to get them and as such they had to dress up in costumes and offer sacrifices and food stuffs to the souls of dead people.
And we don't celebrate this because??

What do you love about Halloween? What traditions do you practice?

Until next time :) xxx

Christmas series!!


55 days until Christmas


With less than two months until Christmas is upon us again I thought I would start a Christmas blog series!

At the moment I have planned posts for what to buy the various people in your life, how to decorate your house, and christmas recipes and baking.

Leave a comment on this post if there are any other christmas related posts you would like to see from me =D

I am really excited to begin this series as Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year by far!!!

Until next time :) xxx


Monday 15 October 2012

October Bellabox: Pretty in Pink Party!!!

Yep it's that time again!! My Bellabox just arrived and this months box is AMAZING!!!!
The theme for the October box is Pretty in pink party. To celebrate Bellabox's first birthday, $1 from the sale of each box is being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
The box also contains a range of pink themed beauty products from brands that support a variety of worthy causes and charities!! So cool!
They even included a Chocolatier pink heart chocolate... YUMMY!

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
1. 5ml sample Estee Lauder Resilience lift skin treatment: instantly lift and firm your skin wherever, whenever you need it. Boosts collagen production and elastin retention in the skin. Can even be used over makeup. 30ml RRP$100

2. 7ml sample Clinique turnaround concentrate radiance renewer: instantly creates a luminous-from-within radiance, reveals skin's finest texture, oil free. 30ml RRP$74

3. Full size, Sally Hansen insta-dri fast dry nail colour in Sonic Bloom (260): gorgeous hot pink/coral colour, 60 second manicure nail colour. RRP$13.95

4. 1.5ml sample DKNY fresh blossom eau so intense perfume: the classic DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom scent gets an intense makeover; delicate florals, citrus, and a crisp apple blossom accord combine for a feminine and sensual scent. 100ml RRP$135

5. Full size, Cedel blow dry faster heat protector spray: reduces hair drying time and protects hair from the heat, leaves your hair looking and feeling smooth and super shiny. RRP$9.99

6. Full size, Elf hyper shine gloss in Flirt: twist tube with brush, gorgeous pale pink colour.

7. Full size, Carmex moisture plus lip balm in pink sheer tint: ultra hydrating lip balm, Vitamin E and Aloe moisturising protection, SPF 15; leaves a great subtle pink colour on the lips and is super hydrating and soft. **this product was not listed on the card so I don't know how much it normally is.

Can't wait to see what they come up with next month!!! To subscribe go to www.bellabox.com.au
See what was in last months box click here 

Until next time :) xxx

** I am not sponsored by, nor am I affiliated with any of the brands/services mentioned, all opinions are genuine and my own 



Thursday 4 October 2012

Essence Stay With Me Lipgloss REVIEW!

I have really been loving Essence's Stay with me long lasting lipgloss' and I wanted to tell you all about them!
They are available in Target and Priceline in Australia and retail for only $3.95 each!!

I have four shades:
09 Hottest Pink
03 Candy Bar
01 Me & My Ice-cream
08 Deep Rose

I absolutely love all the colours, the applicator is amazing, the lip gloss goes on quickly, one coat and stays on for hours.
They have great colour pay off, it actually looks like really shiny lipstick, but it doesn't dry out your lips.
And A new colour has just been released (hottest pink) which is perfect for the upcoming summer season. As the name suggests, it is literally the hottest pink. Haha! But it looks awesome on!