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Friday 30 January 2015

january bella box


If you've been reading my blog a little while (thank you, 50 followers!), you'll know that as a little Christmas present to myself I bought a subscription to Bella Box. Last month I did a review of what I received in my box so I thought I might do one for January as well! Again, the Bella Box came in it's cute little brown box, which I adore, and I couldn't wait to open it up...


This month I received...
Garnier Moisture Match Goodbye Dry Moisturiser (sample size) RRP $9.99
Wen by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner (sample size) RRP $34.99
Laqa & Co Lip Lube Bees Knees (full size) RRP $24.95
WotNot Facial Wipes for Oily/Sensitive Skin (sample size) RRP $8.40
SkinnyMint Ultimate Teatox (sample size) RRP $54.90
Exclusive Bella Box Makeup Pouch (full size) RRP $7.95
All in Australian dollars.


This is such a great moisturiser! It's exactly what I need in summer - something for my skin to drink up but with a matte finish. I have combination skin, that gets especially dry during winter and shiny in the summer, so once I purchase this it'll definitely be my go-to moisturiser. This makes me so happy, as I've been looking for a face moisturiser for ages! The best part is that Garnier have a range of this product for different skin types so in the winter I might just have to reach for their dry skin one.Very impressed! :)


I'm yet to try this product but one thing is for sure - my hair needs it. Honestly, I treat it terribly (sorry hair!) so my ends are split, my mid-lengths are dry and frazzled, and it never feels properly clean, so this'll definitely come in handy. My sister used her's pretty much right away and her hair was silky soft.


This is an interesting product! It's called a 'lip lube' which I guess I'd describe as a matte finish tinted lipbalm? It's tricky to describe! The colour is sheer, which is quite the relief as this is not a colour I'd usually wear, but when applied it looks more peach than orange. It's enriched with peppermint and shea butter, and you can really feel the peppermint working - my lips tingle after application, but it feels quite conditioning! However, it doesn't feel too moisturising, and if you have dry lips you might want to use a scrub beforehand.


I was so excited to try this. These are natural wipes and also organic, which makes my conscience a little lighter. The list of ingredients make me happy (rosehip oil is amazing), and it removes my make up nicely. I'm not sure what I can say for results as I've only used it once, but I do have to say it's pretty much like any other make up wipe. Get's rid of any dirt, build up, and make up. The organic part of this does make me feel like purchasing these over another brand, though.


I'm definitely not a tea person. Bring me a coffee or hot chocolate any day, but tea is only for when I'm sick. I've also heard that detox teas always taste awful, so I'm a bit cautious about these, but they've got a whole list of health benefits, so I might as well give them a go. Follow me on twitter and I might give you an update on how they are! Click on the twitter icon in the sidebar to go to my page.



An item exclusive to Bella Box is their make up pouch. It's super cute, with the same pattern as the box, and made of a translucent jelly material. It kind of reminds me of pencil cases used in primary school, haha! To be honest, it's a bit small for what I like to pack for daily make up, but it's a cute storage space anyway.

Do you sign up for any beauty boxes? How were yours this month? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I'm usually quick to reply!

xx Silje

Friday 23 January 2015

life lately vol. 1

Hey folks! This is just a short one today as I have a lot of photos but not very long stories to go with them, so I thought I could compile them here. One of the things I love doing is taking photos, not necessarily as a photography type thing (I leave that to my very talented boyfriend) but to keep a visual journal of memories. I'm horrible at journalling, with entries usually being one a day for a week while I'm feeling inspired which then turns to every other month if I feel like it/remember, and my memory is shocking, so I find having a collection of photos a little pleasure.

Since November last year I've been using the Collect photo app as a photo-journal, and I'm completely loving it. It's a super simple layout and really cute and easy to use. I know I'm sounding like an advertisement (I promise I'm not getting paid to say this!), but this really is such a great way to store photos and memories.

On to some moments of the past month!

My boyfriend and I went to The Taste of Tasmania, and this was our dessert, lemon curd tart and raspberry tart - amazingly delicious! // My friend C, who I've mentioned on this blog a few times now, recently got her driver's license, so of course we went driving around and parked at the beach. However, because of the drizzly weather we decided to stay in the car. // The cutest little cafe called The Sweet Hut. All their stuff looked so amazing! I went for a mango pudding while my sister grabbed herself a banoffee pie milkshake (which I can say was pretty awesome, having snuck a couple of sips myself).

All the big chainstores I've been to have been stocking back to school items, and this is the first year that I haven't needed to, which honestly made me a little sad. So I decided to treat myself to an art book and some watercolours. Needless to say, I'm still getting the hang of it. // An absolutely gorgeous breakfast of garlicky mushrooms on toast with a side of fresh summer berries under a bright blue sky. What more could you ask for? // Finally got a diary for 2015! I ordered one online back in December but my payment mustn't have gone through because I never received it... However, I think I like this one even more! Sky blue and gold is a gorgeous combination, and the pages are filled with quotes, recipes, and beautiful illustrations.

Flower picking around my backyard ended up looking much better than I thought it would! // This chocolate is quite possibly one of the yummiest things ever. Even better, it's organic and fair-trade. Woohoo! // Made myself quite the yummy lunch, which is beginning to reappear more and more. New staple meal? Move over Mexican quinoa, rainbow salad is here.

If you want to see some more of my daily snaps, head over to my Instagram page or search me @faunaloublog. I promise there'll be lots of pretty pictures! You can also find me on other social media websites by clicking on the icons in the sidebar.

xx Silje | Fauna Lou

Thursday 22 January 2015

dots & stripes



Today is an outfit post! Which I have never done before so excuse my amateurism (is that a word?). However, I slept in a plait last night to keep my hair from knotting, and when I woke up I expected frizz and kinks, but instead I had lovely, bouncy waves. I know sleeping in a plait is the classic way to get wavy hair, but it usually doesn't work too well for me. Maybe it's the new shampoo I bought - works a treat!

I was just going to take photos of it for Instagram (you can click on the social media icon on the side to be lead to my profile), but then I thought 'might as well do my makeup', which lead to the thought, 'might as well get dressed nicely'. You see where I'm going with this, right? I ended up dressed and made up with nice hair, without anywhere to go.

That's when I took all the photos with an improvised tripod, a point-and-shoot camera, and a horrible drizzly sky. But my outfit was nice! It felt a little vintage-y which is why I decided to go for a 1960s filter, however on second thought it kinda looks like a twelve year old just got Instagram.

And yes, I am a total poser.





shirt: dotti // skirt: princess highway // shoes: emerson // hat: sportsgirl

xx Silje | Fauna Lou


Friday 16 January 2015

pink hair don't care

You may have read my blog post that I wrote late last year talking about how I have waaay too much hair. I still do, so I thought that I might as well do a little something with it. A few months ago I came across a hair product that stated the colour only lasted one or two washes, so I thought, why not? It was super easy to use, as it came in mousse form and all you had to do was paint it onto your hair, and then wait for it to dry. Don't even have to rinse or use gloves! Just make sure to wash your hands afterwards. ;)

Introducing you to my very temporary pink hair!


Isn't it pretty? I already have light hair (unnaturally, as you will see from further photos), so the colour showed up quite well. The product was advertised as being pastel pink which was a bit disappointing as I find it a bit more light red than pastel pink. Ah, well. I also put in purple at the very tips if you can manage to make that out, which I really like.

Way too much hair, and way too much regrowth.


I used Brite Organix's One Day Colour Conditioning Mousse in pastel pink and pastel purple for all you wondering. Those of you in Australia can find these at your local Woolworths, but for any of you international folk, I'm not sure where you can find them, sorry!

Wednesday 14 January 2015

December Bella Box



If you follow my Twitter, you'll know that last December I decided to gift my sister with a three month Bella Box subscription for Christmas, and couldn't resist purchasing a subscription for myself as well. I mean, at $15 per month you can understand why, right?!

Bella Box is a beauty box, which means each month I receive 4-6 beauty items, some full size and some samples. Bella Box is an Australian company which means I receive Australian products, which is great because as well as introducing me to great new products and brands, I'm being part of the Australian community. It also means I have easy access to purchasing/repurchasing items, as I don't have to look online or pay ridiculous shipping fees.

Let's start the opening process!







As you can see, Bella Box comes packaged in vintage style brown paper, and the actual box is a cute but bold polka dot print. So exciting to open!

It's Christmas... time to eat, play, & love.

The first thing I found inside was an adorable Christmas card that could be used to regift or simply as a nice decoration for your pinboard/fridge etc. Under that was a little pamphlet describing each product. And the products were...


Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr Clay Purifying Mask (full size) RRP $49.95
Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Mascara (sample size) RRP $25.00
Coastal Scents Revealed Palette (sample size) RRP $35.00
Allegra Rhodes Hand and Nail Cream in Sweet Apple & Grapefruit (sample size) RRP $32.95
Waxaway Sensitive Wax Pack (sample size) RRP $10.45
Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation (sample size) RRP $23.95

All in Australian dollars.


You guys have no idea how excited I was to try this! This product came full size, so I managed to snab $50 worth for $10! That's the beauty of beauty boxes (see what I did there?). I've used this a few times now, and I'm aiming to use it twice a week to get some good results. My skin always feels soft and supple, and it feels like a treat for my face.


Apparently this is a cult product in the US, but honestly, I don't see the fuss. My eyelashes were certainly longer, however it's main claim is volume and I found that rather lacking, and ended up having to put a coat of different mascara over the top. It is great for casual wear though, as it doesn't clump as much as other mascaras do.



I absolutely love eyeshadow palettes. Like, love-love-love them. I have a growing collection stashed in my makeup draw and yes, they are all nude shades. Can't get enough! Now I haven't yet tried this palette, but this one looks so pretty, and the selection from the full size is great.


This hand and nail cream is infused with eau da parfum, which makes it the best smelling hand cream I've ever used. It's a really thin consistency, so it feels amazingly moisturising and sinks right in. I'd love to buy the full size, but I hoard so many creams and lotions that I feel a bit guilty splurging!


I can't really say much for this product, as I'll only know once I use it how good it is, and I haven't yet. I'm too impatient to let me hair grow! I really hope this works well, though, as my previous attempts at waxing have been miserable failures.


Maybelline have been one of my go-to drugstore brands (baby lips, anyone?!) but I find their foundations way too dark for my pale skin. Luckily for my sister, this shade fits her, so that'll be a little pressie for her. ;)

Have you signed up for any beauty boxes? I'd love to hear what you think of yours!

Tuesday 13 January 2015

mexican quinoa dish {vegan, gluten free}


Not to brag or anything, but I am a master at this dish. This dish incorporates lots of yummy flavours and mouthwatering spices with lots of different textures to become an awesome, and even better yet healthy dish.

Fine, I'll admit - this is about one of the easiest dishes I have come across. But that only makes it better! It's perfect to use up vegetables in the fridge, and all the ingredients are usually right there in the cupboard. I makes a great weekday dinner, and you can store it for a couple of days in the fridge to bring to work/school for lunch. You can also alter it to make it non-vegan (here it is shown with a sprinkling of cheese) or non-vegetarian as it is super flexible.

Most of all, though, it tastes pretty darn great!

Mexican Quinoa Dish
Adapted from Damn Delicious
Serves 4

Ingredients:
enough olive oil to coat the bottom of your pan
2 cloves garlic
1 onion, red or brown
1 red capsicum
1 cup quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth
1 can beans - I like kidney beans, but whatever option suits you is fine
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 can super sweet corn kernels
chilli powder, 1 tsp or to taste
ground cumin, 1/2 tsp or to taste
paprika, 1 tsp or to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
1 avocado
1/2 lemon or lime

Method:
Coat your pan with olive oil, and set to a medium-high heat. Cook the garlic, onion, and capsicum until softened before adding the quinoa, broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, and spices. Bring to the boil before simmering at a low heat until quinoa has absorbed most of the liquid, around 10-15 minutes. Serve with sliced avocado and a squeeze of lemon or lime.

I like to serve mine with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkling of mozzarella, which makes it non-vegan, but it still tastes great without. Even as a meat eater, I can tell you that this vegan dish is just plain awesome.

Let me know if you try it out for yourselves! Maybe post your pics on Twitter and I'll be sure to check them out. :)

Love always, xx.

Sunday 11 January 2015

8 Positive Goals!

Image found via Pinterest

If you read my blog you'll know that I do a series on Sundays called 8 Positive Things. This week I decided to publish 8 Positive Goals, as it is the new year and the time for listing down what you want to achieve! These aren't exactly resolutions, but more specific things that I want to do, and something I can actually achieve (goodbye "take up running" haha).

1) Be more grateful for friends and family, and be more considerate.

2) Put away at least $200 a month for my Europe trip.

3) Go on more dates with the boyfriend, finding new places to explore and things we can do on a budget without compromising fun.

4) Say yes to more things, and take up opportunities.

5) Go on more walks - not for the exercise, but for the view at the end.

6) See a movie at the cinema. To elaborate, I have a ridiculous fear of the cinema, so I want to be able to get rid of that.

7) Start university!

8) Keep on writing in all possible ways, including this blog.

I remember reading an article on choosing a word for 2015 and I have decided mine is growth. I want to grow as a person, grow in intelligence, grow in my health and happiness. After a horrible year full of mental illness I am ready to grow from that and make myself a better person for it.

What are some of your goals for 2015?

Thursday 8 January 2015

what i've been up to lately

Hello all, and happy new year! It's been a teeny while since I updated the blog as I've been busy celebrating Christmas and the new year and surrounding myself with friends and family. However, I'll be getting back on track now as one of my resolutions is to focus on my writing, blogging included.

I thought I'd just share with you a quick post on what I've been up to lately through a selection of photos. I promise you there will be plenty more posts to come! :)