Short & Sweet

I can't write much about this because I'm already on the verge of tears. Yeah, I'm a pussy.

I'm flying out to Adelaide this afternoon for a work conference. I get to meet geeks in my field, who have to deal with the same morons I do, which will be nice. You know, camaraderie and all.

I'll be there until Saturday (well, I spend most of Saturday travelling back to Christchurch). It's all paid for. I don't have to sit in front of a computer, working. Instead I get to sit in a large conference centre, listening to people blab on about Syllabus Plus, whilst drinking coffee and/or zoning out.

This doesn't bother me.

What does bother me is the fact that I'll be away from Bjorn.

A large amount of my travel experiences have been with Bjorn. It's not like I couldn't travel by myself, it's just that I prefer not to. It's more fun when you can share your experiences with someone else.

And then you have to take into consideration that Bjorn and I spend at least 95% of our time together.

We're sidekicks to each other, and it's just not right to be without your sidekick.

So on one hand I'm looking forward to it, then on the other I'm digging in my nails and kicking and screaming like a child not wanting to leave a toy store.

I never knew travel could be so cruel *shakes fist at it*

McLovin' It

I'm feeling a bit sad today, so I thought instead of moaning about it here, I'd write a post about all the things I'm currently loving.


My iPod

I resisted getting an iPod for along time, because I thought it was just a fancy, overpriced MP3 player that all the trendy sheep had to have. Okay, so that's probably still true. Those trendy bastards are still walking around like a member of the pod police, wanking about how superior their iPod is to your generic MP3 player. But they do have one thing right, iPod's are superior to most generic MP3 players. I say most because I know there are some supremely awesome MP3 players out there, so I won't totally discredit them. I have to admit, whenever I see someone with the white iPod earphones, I actually shudder because I now realise that I'm a part of that group. I can be grouped with these people. It makes me feel a tad uneasy. Then I feel guilty because I don't just have an iPod because it's a must-have. I have one because I researched it, I have one because the specs and features looked totally awesome, and I now don't leave the house without mine because I'm totally and absolutely infatuated with it. Apple has brought out a superior piece of technology (which of course is to be expected!) and it's a shame that it's been labelled as a trendy tool, because it really is awesome and totally lives up to the hype. It has exceeded my expectations, and I haven't even used all the features of it yet. It's truly a sweet piece of musical ass.

No Balance Palace - Kashmir
Kashmir is a Danish band that my stepfather introduced me to. No Balance Palace is their latest album, and in my opinion, definitely their best. My favourites are Ophelia, The Cynic, Kalifornia and Ether. Ack! So good. Go look them up on YouTube and have a listen. I've been thrashing them on my iPod anytime I get the chance. So so good.

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick - Vintage Pink
I had been looking for a nice pink that didn't make my lips look totally ridiculous and came across this lovely shade in the Rimmel collection - I'm a huge fan of Rimmel products, they're awesome. The colour itself is fantastic, and really does live up to it's name (it really is a nice vintage pink!). It's not too light, and not too dark, sits perfectly and doesn't leave flaky streaks on your lips like some lighter shades tend to do. It's a perfect winter lipstick especially when you team it with dark eyes. As Borat would say, VERY NICE!

Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
I fucken LOVE Starbucks. LOVE THEM. I know most people tend to have a hater 'tude towards them because they're a big corporation with some sucky qualities, but damn is their coffee good. I've tried opting for the little man, going to the small local café's for coffee's but they've all failed me. The coffee is either overpriced or burnt or tasted just like milk with a slight coffee flavour or even more unfortunate, all of the above! The café we have at work, you get a Tall sized latte for a fiver, yet if you go to Starbucks, you can get a Venti Caramel Macchiato for only $6.90 (cheaper if you bring your own tumbler) so WTF! As for Caramel Macchiato's, well I know they're not the tradition macchiato's but they're definitely my favourite option on the Starbucks menu. Yuuuuum!

My awesome brown suede tasseled handbag
The unfortunate thing about this sweet handbag is that it's been locked away in my handbag box, whining to be let out to play, but alas the weather has been mighty crappy and altho I've waterproofed it as much as I possibly can, I still don't want to take this precious out into the wet. I've been getting out and petting it occasionally, reassuring it that once the rain goes away, it can come out lol.

Hairy

The shiny mane upon thy head. The wisps of hair remaining on a well-lived, and now hairless scalp. The oh-so important element to our character.

Our hair.

Short hair, long hair, little-to-no hair. It's important.

Blonde hair, brown hair, red hair, green hair (and ham!). We're all different.

But we do have one thing in common; our steadfast battle against the limp, the dull, the brittle, the balding. We all fight for it. It's volume. It's softness. It's shine.

And whilst some pay less attention to theirs than others, we all do like a nice head of hair, whether that be on ourselves or on someone else.

Let's face it, there's really nothing nicer than a good hair of head, that looks nice, feels nice and is in tip-top condition.

Which finally leads me to the point of this entry; HAIR CARE.

SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
I'm currently using a cheap supermarket brand of shampoo & conditioner, because I'm on a budget. If I wasn't on a budget, I'd probably be using one of the two below:

Wen by Chaz Dean
I have to say this stuff looks pretty awesome. Wen products are designed in a way that they won't strip your hair of it's natural oils, something that regular shampoo and conditioners tend to do. It doesn't contain any harsh chemicals and doesn't lather like regular shampoo - such a bonus since my hair turns into a knotted bitchy mess with most regular shampoos.

You've probably all seen the infomercials by now or have read the raves in magazines. Everybody is saying good things about Wen, I even have a couple of friends that use this stuff and as they tell me, it totally lives up to the hype.

If you check out the website, as linked above, you can find out more information about Wen, how it works, how to use it (there are special instructions!) and even some before and after photos which I think are pretty amazing. There's even a special offer on the website, with some free gifts. Now if only I was in America..

SexyHair
I've been wanting to try SexyHair for a while, but haven't managed to get my hands on anything as of yet. SexyHair have a fairly large product range, with products catering for those that need more volume, more curl, more straight, health, strength, and of course, for those that colour their hair. They also have products for silky hair, short hair, and those of us that use only organic products. And it's not just one set per type, it's at least two or three per type! Their range is massive!

A good friend of mine actually uses SexyHair, and sings it's praises, so it's not just another supposedly good product, but one that I know from a reliable source to be a winner. The set in the photo is the Healthy Pumpkin line, which looks absolutely divine!

I'm fortunate enough that if I do feel like splurging on a set of SexyHair products, I can get them reasonably priced on Trade Me, but that will have to wait until the budget allows.

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

John Frieda's Frizz-Ease Straight Ahead Shampoo & Conditioner
This stuff is fantastic, and if you're lucky enough to live in a large countr y, it shouldn't actually work out to be too harsh on the wallet. I found this really worked with my straightening regime. If only NZ has this stuff for a reasonable price!

PPS D-Fuse Shampoo & Conditioner
Oh lord this stuff smells so good you could eat it! But it's not just the smell that makes this stuff so good. My hair really laps up the conditioning and care these products produce, leaving my hair soft and silky. There's also a conditioning treatment, which is fantastic, and a lovely leave-in conditioner (my favourite leave-in!).

Sunsilk Anti-Flat Shampoo & Conditioner
Surprisingly good for a supermarket brand! I'm currently using this set in the Sunsilk range, and it really does exceed supermarket standards. At $4 (sometimes cheaper!) a bottle, you can't really complain. Doesn't strip my hair like most cheaper brands (like Pantene), and really does add a good amount of volume to my otherwise limp hair.

STYLING PRODUCTS
I blow-dry and straighten my hair on a daily basis - ok, so some days I'm lazy and leave it to run wild, but those days are few and far between. Since I heat-style my hair, I really do need to use good products in order to keep my hair in good condition.

I'm guilty of sometimes not doing this. I know, my bad. Here are a few good products that I've either used over the years, or have heard some exceptional things about:

GHD Thermal Protector
I looooove this stuff, but I've recently heard through the hair grapevine that it's being discontinued! WHAT! Say it ain't so! I always thought it strange that the GHD range was a tad hard to come by, considering how good it is. You really have to hunt for this stuff in NZ, which is a shame really, since it's something I'd definitely use if I could get my hands on it more often. I run this spray through my wet hair, then use where needed when styling with my straighteners. This way my hair gets double the protection!

Chi Silk Infusion
I've heard a lot of good things about the Chi hair range, specifically the Silk Infusion. I haven't managed to track this product down yet tho, to try it out on my hair.

Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Serum
I used to use the Frizz-Ease range when I lived in London, and it was d a bomb, seriously. You don't need a lot of this serum, and it's very light and non-sticky, which is a must with my mane. I'd happily still be using this product if it weren't so expensive in NZ! Yo u could use this serum in conjunction with the straightening balm in the Frizz-Ease range (tho if you had to choose between the two, then definitely go with the serum).

Redken Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow-Dry Lotion
Redken, ah what can I say? This product has had some terrific reviews, and it's actually fairly reasonably priced for something that's suppose to work wonders on you hair. I think I might try this one out next when the budget allows :)

Joico Silk Result Thermal Smoother
This is the product I currently use. I apply this to my hair when damp, blow dry, then apply where needed when straightening. It works pretty well, but it does seem to have it's good and bad days (or maybe that's just my hair..) It seems to be doing the job as specified, but you do need to use a leave-in conditioner to follow up, because the end result of just using this product means you hair isn't silky soft, as the name may suggest.

Polished!

I used to absolutely despise nailpolish. I HATED IT. But now I absolutely LOVE IT, and must only have the best. Best by my definition is OPI. Here's a lookie at my collection.

NOTE: I'm going to be showing off some of these colours on my nails over the next month of so, but if you'd like me to wear and review a particular colour (with images of course) then let me know so I can focus on that one in particular.

And here we go..

Over the Taupe
From the Bright Pair collection, this taupe polish is a lovely sophiscated colour. It's a nice change to the regular bright, popping colours that usually feature on my nails. It has brownish/purplely/red tones. The polish itself glides on, and probably needs at least 3 coats to get a decent shade. A bit streaky, so take care, but not clumpy at all.

Coronation - Designer Series
Each year OPI brings out a Designer Series that never fails to please. I unfortunately only own one of these awesome polishes, from the 2008 collection. Coronation is a glittery, holographic dream. The awesome thing about Coronation is you can either apply it as a glittery top coat to another polish, or by applying at least 3 coats, you can have it as a sparkly delicious mess on your tips. I love this colour so much I stylized by cellphone with it lol. This polish is pretty easy to apply, with no clumps, unlike a lot of other glittery polishes.

Peace Baby
Peace Baby is part of the Psychedelic Summer collection (yeah, I couldn't resist it!). It's a lovely pure white shade. White polish can be a bit strange at first, but it does grow on you. I paired this polish with "A Ruby for Rudolph" at Christmas last year to make my lucious candy cane striped nails. Being a white polish, at least 4 coats is needed. It's also fairly thin, so can be quite streaky unless you apply it with care.

A Ruby for Rudolph
The photo for this polish really doesn't do it justice. A Ruby for Rudolph is an amazing ruby red polish, with specks of glittery gold, from the Holiday in Toyland collection. It's such a lovely deep colour. If you're looking for a rich red, this is the one to go for. It's a bit thick, and can get a tad clumpy, so you need skill and patience when applying this one. 2-3 coats needed to obtain a rich rocking red.

Glamour Game
Glamour Game is another from the Holiday in Toyland collection. From the photo, you won't be able to tell, but it's actually a lovely frosty pinky colour (it looks brown in the photo! WTF!). In certain light it can have a yellow-gold shimmer. It runs on pretty smoothly, and depending on how noticeable you want it on your nails, 2-3 coats are needed. An awesome colour for a frosty winter!

Give me the Moon
From the Night Brights colleciton, Give me the Moon has a blueish/grey colour, and is much like Glamour Game in it's tone and frostyness. The name is very appropriate and certainly does remind me of the moon :) 3-4 coats needed for this one. Not clumpy at all.

Purple with a Purpose
From the Brights collection, Purple with a Purpose certainly packs a punch. This one was a tad hard for me to get my mitts on, and I had to request it, then wait about a month to get it. But it was certainly worth the wait. If you're looking for a bright, shiny purple, this one is totally kickin'. It can get a little bit clumpy, but not as bad as some. You need no more than 3 coats for this baby.

Green-Wich Village
Green! Green-Wich Village comes from the Mod About Brights collection, and took me a while to hunt down (everybody wanted it!). This is a fantastic brightish paisley green colour, and definitely fits within this Mod collection. If you're feeling a bit like a hippy, then you MUST be wearing this colour on your nails. 3-4 coats needed to obtain striking green nails.

Sonic Bloom
Sonic Bloom is an oldie, but a goodie and comes from the Brights collection. The photo shows it as a bright teal colour, but it's really not like that at all. Sonic Bloom is a holographic shade, with moments of teal, purple, pink, green and yellow. It's really a melting pot of colours and in different lights, can be totally different shades. You need probably 3-4 coats of this one. Not clumpy, but can be streaky due to it's thinness.

Teal the Cows Come Home
This was my very first OPI, and it certainly was an excellent introduction to the world of quality polishes. Teal the Cows Come Home is a true teal colour from the Brights collection. It runs on very, very smoothly, and depending on how thick you want it, you probably actually only need 2-3 coats of this one. No clumps, no streaking. Just an awesome colour.

Fireflies
I'm a bit disappointed with Fireflies, and it's probably my least favourite in my colletion. Fireflies is a white-ish, greeny shade with hints of yellow shimmer, from the Brights collection. It's not a very thick formula, which is probably it's downfall. You need a decent amount of coats (I'm talking 5-6 coats), and even then it can be very streaky and dull. I wouldn't recommend it, especially when there are so many other awesome colours in the OPI collections.

Golden Rules
A true gold nail polish. Golden Rules is another from the Night Brights collection, and definitely lives up to it's name. It's quite similar to Teal the Cows Come Home in it's consistency, and is very easy to apply. You probably only need 2-3 coats to get some decent gold bling on your fingers. No clumps, and not streaky at all.

My Private Jet
Oh hell, this colour rocks! From the photo, My Private Jet, from the Brights collection, just looks like a boring black polish, huh? But it's not, it's so not. My Private Jet does indeed have a black base, but it also has a rainbow shimmer in any light. There's amazing depth to this colour, and is probably one of my favourites. It goes on pretty easily, no clumps, and isn't streaky at all. You'll need 2-3 coats of this one.

Yoga-ta Get This Blue
A rich royal blue, Yoga-ta Get This Blue is from the India collection, and is definitely one you SHOULD have. If you're into the nautical look, and want to rock some awesome dark navy polish, get this one. It is a bit on the thick side, but is otherwise great. Take care when applying this one. Needs probably 2-3 coats.

At Your Quebec & Call
Obviously from the Canadian collection, At Your Quebec & Call is a lovely goldy, forest green colour. This colour has a dark base to it, which means it shimmers quite nicely in light. It's quite a thick formula, so take care applying this one. Needs 2-3 coats, doesn't streak, but can be clumpy.

Top Coat & Base
An absolute MUST. Both the top and base coat dry super fast and help prevent any chipping (which sucks when you've been hours applying, and waiting for your nails dry!)