Layering for Winter - Air Wick Life Scents review

We all know that Winter is about layering. I just got back from a week-long camping adventure with BB and Stevie, and the quantity of clothing I was wearing... well, let's just say that I'm surprised nobody hauled me back to be the statue in front of the Michelin building.

I'll share more about that trip soon, but in the meantime, I've been busy wearing pyjamas all day, drinking coffee and hot chocolate, and doing ALL THE LAUNDRY THAT EVER EXISTED. Have you ever tried to wash that campfire smell out of a cashmere sweater? HAVE YOU?

So, my laundry stinks. It smells like campfire and bush, and wet dog, and wet wool (I'm not sure which is worse). Quite good timing then to receive a sweet package of new Air Wick Life Scents products to review, don't you think? Definitely time to address the stank with some serious odour control systems, and Air Wick came to the rescue.

I do love a candle, but some of my candles are 'too fancy' to burn just because I'm having a big laundry day. Air freshening sprays are great and always work, but I'm always forgetting to actually SPRAY them! Trying Air Wick's new Life Scents Freshmatic could be the answer, particularly in often-musty rooms like our laundry.

The Freshmatic Kit came complete with everything you'll need; two AA batteries and a canister of scent are included along with the unit itself. I've gotta say, the first thing I liked about this air freshener was that it didn't look clinical, and the neutral stone-looking surface was much more appealing than typical white air fresheners which look like they belong in a railway station bathroom.

So... the smell? Well, I gave the Winter Moments fragrance a go, and it was absolutely perfect for the grey and overcast day. They say it smells like baked pear, pie crust and vanilla; and they aren't far off. It was warm and rich, and smelt just like BB was baking a big buttery pear crumble in the kitchen. (Hint hint BB, feel free to actually do that.) That's where the layering of this blog post title comes in - the layering of the three scents was just so lovely, and stops the fragrance being cloying or smelling overwhelmingly artificial.

I actually loved this scent so much that I took the Freshmatic thingo out of the laundry and put it in the media room on the bookshelf, it completely blended in and I don't have to worry about burning candles on our beautiful mangowood bookshelf.

See it up there on the top right shelf? No? Perfect.

Since I took the Freshmatic out of the laundry, I needed something decent happening in the laundry fragrance-wise, something crisp and bright and not as edible-smelling. Something I can leave in here all the time to preempt smelly laundry day. Enter the Air Wick Life Scents Scented Oil Plug In thingo in Turquoise Oasis. And if the name Turquoise Oasis isn't enough to get you over the line, what about if I tell you that it smells like driftwood, sea spray and warm breeze? 

Again, you can hardly notice it plugged in the laundry above our washing machine.

BB (who has a nose like a bloodhound and isn't backwards in coming forwards if he hates a smell) didn't complain once about this fresher fragrance, and I noticed after less than 12 hours that the musty and campfire smell that was lingering in the laundry was completely gone!

Would I buy these Air Wick products? As usual, my review is all my own opinions. I received products to sample, but would purchase this product without hesitation, and am looking forward to trying more of the Life Scents range.

At any rate when you are in need of a way to freshen up your home quickly, or get rid of manky smells, I'm all for using Air Wick Life Scents products. I am planning to keep a supply on hand at all times that way I can grab them and plug them in whenever I am planning to entertain or have company over but don't have time to clean from top to bottom. Plug in, straighten the house and nobody will know the difference, they will think you spent the day cleaning. I won't tell if you won't!

Footy Fashion (Queenslander!)

So we all know that international colour authority Pantone announced Marsala as their 2015 Colour of the Year. Because that's a thing.

Described as a naturally robust and earthy wine red, according to the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability.

Now I don't know about that, because stability and confidence are not my natural jam, but I DO know that Marsala bears a very strong resemblance to my sports colour of choice... maroon. Whether you say mar-own or mar-oon, it's the only colour to sport at football games of any code in Queensland during Winter.

If you're not a sports-follower, feel free to click away now (I'll provide a helpful link to cute puppy videos here, you're welcome). But if you do like watching sportsters play sports and get interviewed about sports and talk sports in Queensland, it's a fairly good bet that you've got a maroon jersey or two in your wardrobe.

Me, I have two; and I'm pretty sure BB has three. My first and forever football love will be the Queensland Maroons in State of Origin footy, but of course I support the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL competition. Neither of us can get behind the Brisbane Lions though, that's just embarrassing.

Ok, so let's talk jerseys. It's so hard to wear them well, and by well, I mean cute. They're invariably a heavy cotton, with a collar that just wont sit right; but they can be cute.

Now, my husband would probably kill me if he read this, but I firmly believe the trick to looking good in a jersey is to pick a team with a great colour. I'm talking the teals, the royal and navy blues, the maroons. Avoid barracking for a team whose colours are mustard gold or brown (sorry Hawks fans), and you'll probably be fine. This is why my AFL team is Collingwood - everyone looks amaze in monochrome!

And for Pete's sake, don't dress up too much. A flat boot and a skinny-leg jean are really all that you can pull off with something as casual as a jersey; and the real footy-loving girls will always mock that sporty sister who is trying to wear a pencil miniskirt or pointy heels with her recently purchased jersey, just to impress the new boyfriend. (Although, we've all done it.)

QLD Maroons jersey from Rebel Sport, Katies Uplifting Slim jeans, Supersoft by Diana Ferrari Brianne boots, Louenhide Arden crossbody bag, Rimmel Oh My Gloss in Snog, Rimmel Salon Pro in Urban Purple, Saba beanie

Someone who can pull off a great footy look with a jersey and a skirt is my lovely friend Brooke of Blonde Ambition; I love the navy boots and opaque tights!

Adorable sidenote: Brooke was born on Origin night (I'm not telling how many years ago), and her father, a typical QLD publican, still managed to get to the game on time! I don't know if she could be any more of a Queensland girl!

Here's another photo of some seriously stylish jerseys. No, you're not seeing double - Peta and her twin Vanessa look rather cute in their matching Maroons gear.

On Wednesday night, BB and I were fortunate enough to be guests at a corporate State of Origin viewing at the Gold Class cinemas in Chermside - can we all just take a moment to appreciate how cool it is to watch a great footy game in the comfort of a leather recliner, with delicious meals, alcohol, popcorn and choc-top icecreams brought right to you? Lush. I've gotta thank Suncoast Asphalt for the great night out!

I wore QLD Maroons jersey from Rebel Sport, Katies Uplifting Slim jeans, Colorado Tara boots, Louenhide Crossbody bag, Rimmel Oh My Gloss in Snog, Rimmel Salon Pro in Urban Purple

Who's your team? And did you choose them based on their colours?

Weekends don't need to be fancy to be excellent

How does that saying go? A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content? Well, how about a long weekend spent doing not much around the house brings a week of overdue laundry?

I've been lucky enough to enjoy two long weekends in a row - well, last weekend was a regular two day weekend, but due to my dropping a shift a week at Lorna Jane, I now get both Saturdays and Sundays off, like regular working people! And this past weekend was a divine three-day weekend that I got to spend with BB, doing lovely Wintery things, thanks to the Sunshine Coast Show holiday.

To be honest, the long weekend started pretty poorly. I wasn't feeling at all well when I got home from work on Thursday evening, even though BB text me this photo:

How I wasn't excited about receiving this text from BB as I counted down the last hour of work

before heading home on Thursday evening, I'll never know!

After a delicious dinner of spaghetti bolognaise and an early night, Friday dawned grey and cool. We shmoozed around with Stevie in the house for the morning before heading out for a coffee and perhaps a stroll around the local Homemaker Centre, looking for bedroom furniture inspiration. As often happens, we got pretty sidetracked and ended up buying an entire room for furniture... for the family room!

I've taken some before shots, and will blog about this room's transformation as we go - it's going to be quite the change. (On a sidenote, if you're near the Sunshine Coast and interested in buying a chocolate leather three-seater recliner couch and two recliners in excellent condition, shoot me an email - we'll need them out of the family room soon!)

The buying process at Oz Design Furniture actually took two days, with the whole 'must head home and measure up' thing; but both BB and I love the direction we've chosen for that room. It's currently a room with a big TV on one wall and a couch facing it, but we really want to make it more social and welcoming, more of a place for conversations and interactions, so we're getting two couches to face each other instead. We have a cosy media room as well, so it's going to be nice to have the family room less about the TV.

Sunday was another very relaxed day, but slightly more social - we met up with Trainee Mama and family for Australia's Biggest Morning Tea before heading up the range to enjoy a hearty lunch together at the Mary Cairncross Reserve Cafe - thank goodness there was a were blankets at each table and a large fireplace burning when we arrived, the cafe literally sits in the clouds!

I chose the toasted lamb wrap with shredded braised lamb shanks, sweet potato and beetroot ($14.95);

while BB decided on the chicken fajita ($17.95) - it was the largest fajita I've ever seen, he could hardly get his big man-hands around it!

Now, this ain't a restaurant review blog, but it must be said that the meals were incredibly filling and good value for money, and pretty darn tasty. It's a great space for a family get-together, and the blankets to tuck over your legs were a nice touch.

Peta and I obviously couldn't leave without an outfit photo, although a flat grey background was about all we could muster - remember, we were in the clouds!

I wore Dotti long-sleeve tee, French Connection vest and jeans, and brightened it all up with my Tangerine Louenhide Baby Switch and coral Oroton brolly. 

I was pretty toasty in my furry vest; I've had it a few years now but only pull it out once or twice a Winter. Peta was rocking a fluffy vest as well, and the husbos thought it was funny to joke that they had tweeted each other prior to meeting up this morning to arrange to wear matching hoodies. In hindsight, open-ish ballet flats were a bad idea, my feet were frozen and I was jealous of Peta in her Hunter wellies. (Note to self, keep an eye out for coral Hunters ever going on sale!)

Good times with these two, although I confess I was really only hugging Ned because he's like a little soft squidgy radiator, emanating heat. 

I think I've got back into the swing of having two days off with my husband pretty well, we're hoping more short camping trips are on the cards  over the next few months as well as more more local Sunday drives and exploring.

How was your weekend? Was it long? And did you manage to avoid all household chores like me?

Life lately

It's been another month of change here at the Potaty household (and in a sidenote, can I just say how much I adore it when my friends call my husband Mr Potaty? Love. It.) and life is moving quickly.

I didn't think I'd be writing another job-change blog post so soon, but here we are. Another change in circumstance had me stepping away from my contract role within the health and wellness field, and thinking about spending time at home with BB and Stevie with relaxation and sleep-ins on the agenda. Seriously, finally taking that big step to get a rescue puppy = best decision ever!

I could've looked back through the past zillion pics I've taken of Stevie, but I just snapped this as she's laying here in the study between BB and I on our computers. The family that interwebs together, stays together. Or something like that.

Well, of course there's no such thing as downtime, and literally the minute my calendar opened up, so did another door!

I'm stoked (Peta will love the Coastie coming out in me there) to report that I'm back working casually within education admin at a local independent school's Sports Department. I've actually worked in a very similar position before in Hervey Bay - which was my very favourite job of all time - so I'm super-ready to get my teeth stuck in. I was given a great and easy entry to the team at the College, and everyone has been very friendly (whilst also offering semi-joking condolences, as my new boss is quite the character and his booming voice precedes him wherever he goes, as does his reputation for being the socialite of the department). He's already turned up at my desk with coffee and chocolate brownies from the school canteen, so we're gonna get along juuuuust fiiiiiine.

I'm managing to balance my casual Lorna Jane shifts (which are just too much fun, honestly... working with some of those girls on Noosa's Hastings Street is one of the best ways to spend a day) with my College work, but I'm aware that I won't be able to make that last forever.

For the moment though, life is grand, I have time up my sleeve to hang with the people that matter, and both BB and I are happy and comfortable and enjoying life. And that's all that matters, isn't it?

What's moving and shaking in your life lately? Big changes afoot, or are you enjoying a calm spell?

The eyes have it - Noosa Brow Co salon review

Two weeks ago*, I visited a new brow salon here on the Sunshine Coast, and experienced their Custom Noosa Brow Co Service.

Whilst I'm certainly no beauty blogger, I like to think I have my finger on the pulse of what's new in different salon treatments, so when I noticed a new salon opening along the gorgeous Noosa River, it was very easy for me to decide to give it a try, and booked in for their two most popular services - a custom brow service and lash extensions.

As I entered Noosa Brow Co's fresh white foyer accented with sunny yellow, I felt world's away from the one previous lash extension place I'd visited before, years ago. There was no ruby red or leopard print, and I didn't feel in danger of leaving looking like a china doll, with over-curled spiky eyelashes touching my eyelids! Noosa Brow Co epitomises the classic beachside style that Noosa women demand, and owner Hannah Dahl has done a magnificent job of creating a warm welcome. Soothing cafe music played through speakers and the floor to ceiling curtains kept prying eyes at the front of the salon from seeing me enjoying my service.

As I reclined on the comfy treatment chair, Hannah asked me about my current brow maintenance schedule (none!) and politely didn't judge my lack of brow care. She's a wealth of knowledge and educated me on some common brow problems as well as described exactly what she was going to do to give me better brows. There was talk of elongating lines and facial lifting, but to be honest, she had me at looking younger.

During some waxing (not painful at all) and tweezing (again, I hardly felt a thing), Hannah told me about her recent move from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast. She has worked at some of Brisbane's best salons and still has a full client roster in Brisbane, so has definitely earned her title as a brow aficionado. Hannah waxed both the top and bottom of my brows, then reshaped my brows to give a straighter line. Once the hair removal was out of the way, she custom mixed a brow tint and applied it to select areas of my brows to even out the colour.

Forget The Block, Hannah really is the master of the big reveal. Before showing me my brows, she started on my lash extensions. For the duration of the lash application (approximately an hour), I had my eyes closed. I'd previously experienced stinging when having lashes applied for my Hens party and wedding, and was pleasantly surprised this time around, because I didn't have any discomfort at all.

The 2D lashes that Hannah applied are the newest thing in the lash world, and are designed to be lighter and less artificial-looking than other extensions - perfect for the natural look I was after. The 2D (or Russian) lash is a technique where 2 super-fine extensions are applied to one single natural eyelash, creating soft volume. It can actually go up to four lashes per each natural lash (as opposed to a 1:1 ratio for regular extensions) without weighing them down, and as a result, lashes will look much fuller, not just longer and darker.

Once the lashes were all applied and the adhesive dried, Hannah gently opened my eyes and sat me up to look in a mirror. Holy fluttering eyelashes... I was impressed!

Before: patchy brows with no shape, and spiky little straight lashes

After: a smooth brow line with even colour throughout, and long, natural-looking lashes

Will I repurchase or come back for another session? Honestly, I went into this thinking that they'd be a bit of fun, and that I'd not want to have them reapplied. And yes, eyelash extensions could be quite challenging to maintain. But these were so great, and I hardly lost a single natural eyelash in the first two weeks, that I'd definitely consider reapplication. Hannah is a skilled brow artist, and the compliments I received about my peepers were so fabulous that I could become an addict!

Two weeks on: still long and luscious, with no visible gaps

  

My brows still look amazing, and require no maintenance brushing!

And not wearing eye makeup has cut down my getting-ready-for-work time immensely!

Hannah has generously shared two wonderful offers for my Sunshine Coast readers, and I can't speak highly enough of her salon and services, so I'm happy to share!

Simply mention you read this review (but without sounding like you're name-dropping) when you book, and you will get a complimentary lash tint with your first brow appointment, and/or your first set of 2D lashes for $140 (normally $180).

Thank you so much to Hannah of Noosa Brow Co for inviting me in to her lovely new salon, I know it'll be a hit with local Sunshine Coast ladies who have highbrow expectations.

Noosa Brow Co
Shop 8 Da'Vos
201 Gympie Terrace
Noosaville 4566 (entry via Thomas Street)
Phone 07 5474 1218

Check out their Facebook page here, and their oh-so-classy Instagram here!

*I did have all sorts of good intentions about blogging about this visit straight away, but decided to wait to two weeks to see if the lashes lasted the distance. The answer is yes.