OOTD: night at the market

Every year Queen Victoria Market turns into a night market, full of great food, music, art and clothing pieces. I've been a huge fan of markets seen I was very young, probably because my mum used to drag my sister and I to every market she ever heard of. Even though I've been to most, if not all markets held around my area, Queen Victoria Market's night market always stand out. With the crazy buzz of people buying their food to the different types of music playing in every corner.

Its always exciting to choose your outfit for a night out and so this is my OOTD.

 I love this outfit so much, I'm all about prints so I love these shorts and animal print sunglasses. I kept the colours very cool toned, with the light blue shirt and black and white accessories. The only pop of colour is from my bright berry toned pink lipstick. I think this look is very effortless, the prints don't clash and the look is a very simple, but sophisticated.


My sunglasses are a pretty bold statement accessory, I usually stick to very simple accessories to compliment my more out there outfit. This outfit is defiantly all about the sunglasses. This year I've been all over the animal print trend, I used to think animal print = cougars. I was wrong animal print if worn the right the way can look very classy and very young and modern. I'm still not comfortable wearing animal print as a large part of my outfit, but I love wearing it as part of an accessory, such as the sunglasses. I love the size of the sunglasses, its very comfortable to wear and the shape reminds me of those expensive Prada sunglasses, how it takes up half of your face. I also feel that because the print is in black and white, its not as loud and crazy and adds more of sophistication and makes my entire outfit look more expansive than it is.
sunglasses-Portmans

I bought this top ages ago and haven't worn it for ever, I don't know why since every time I pull it out I'm reminded of how much I love it. The colour is so nice and the shape gives a very relaxed and smart look to any outfit. I feel like a lot of people stay away from wearing coloured shirts and stick to white and black. Which is fine, but it can easy become boring and very forgettable, you want to stand out from the crowd and for your outfit to be talked about, well I do anyway. Also I went to the market around the afternoon, so if was still fairly warm, so pushing up the sleeves gives more movement and kept me cool, but the shirt is long sleeved so I can roll it down when I need more protecting from the chilling air. I knew that my big fancy print sunglasses was my stand out accessory so I wanted the other accessories to be very dainty and simple.
shirt-Zara
necklace-Marc by Marc Jacobs 

I'm completely obsessed with these pair of dressy shorts. The print, the colour and the fabric. It so up my alley, I used to always be seen in a printed skirt, but shorts are really growing on me. I love that the fabric and the print makes the look as dressy as a skirt, but it gives me much more movement. Also it gives the look a more manly and strong feel, while if it was a skirt it'll give more a feminine look. I think that the tribal print is loud, but the colour makes it wearable and really makes it easy to pair anything with it. This is why the sunglasses and the shorts didn't clash, because they are both loud prints but with the same colour scheme, black and white. I think this is an absolutely essential in any girls wardrobe, a loud dressy shorts.
shorts-vintage store

Apart from my sunglasses, the rest of the accessories are very simple, gold pieces. I love this gold bracelet on my right arm, its very thin so it gives a very subtle attention to my hands, I wear this when I don't want to leave my arms bare, but don't want to make a statement. It says dream in cursive writing, I love accessories with little encouraging words or phrases and it has been a huge trend for quiet some time now. On the same hand I have my rose shaped ring, I love rose shaped rings, I pair it with everything. This black colour is so cool, even though its a flower, which can be cute and girly the colour is so strong and dark it gives a twist the a very sweet piece of accessory. Onto my left arm I have my thick, gold bangle, which has the message The best is yet to come engraved in it. Its so cute, but very meaningful and I love simple pieces of accessories like this and this bangle is in my top 5 favourite pieces. To my last piece of accessory it's my black hair tie, these have been all the rage to teens world wide. They cute and versatile, which is why they are so incredibly popular, have you ever wanted to tie your hair back, such as going out for lunch, but who would want to put of an ugly elastic hair tie on their wrist it's not cute and it cuts of circulation for me. So I'm so glad of these cute little hair ties were invented.

This is so my go to outfit, I love to look smart and put together, which this outfit is, but the shorts lets me move and all the accessories really make this outfit fun and cute. xoxo - Monica

2014 favourites

Sadly 2014 is over and a brand new year has started, that means new make up, skincare and beauty products, but before we run out to buy these new product lets look back on our 2014 favourites. Today I'll be sharing with you my ultimate holy grail items of 2014, these items have been my saviour and angel products that I truly and forever love. so without further ado lets dig in to my favourites.

Favourite face product: Avene thermal spring water - $25.99

I cannot say enough good things about this product, it tones, moisturise, prime, refresh and add a glow to my face. It can also be sprayed onto brushes to intensify eye shadows, if water wasn't cutting it and buying MAC's fixplus is a waste of money get the Avene thermal spring water. This is ideal for summer time when your hot and stuffy and your face is getting ridiculously grease and you don't want to go to the bathroom to cleanse your face (cleansing too much strips off the nature moistures on the face leaving it grey and dry) just a quick spritz of this refreshes your skin. It literally like taking a shower in a magical waterfall, at the comfort of your room.

Favourite eye product: Covergirl lash blast - $17.95
This mascara is amazing, I love it so so much. I was so excited about the Maybelline the rocket mascara and I only ever buy Maybelline mascara's because I trust their formulas and prices make me happy. I unfortunately could not get my hands on the waterproof version and my lashes only stay curled if its a waterproof mascara. So the rocket was a huge fail and I was on a hunt for a mascara alike, but in the waterproof formula and that's when I discover the Covergirl lash blast. The brush is identical and the formula is very black and very waterproof, also I live in a hot climate area and even waterproof formulas get a little tired and weigh my lashes a few millimetres down, but not the Covergirl lash blast. 

Favourite lip product: Ulta3 lip liner in dusk - $2.99
Lip liners never appealed to me I was too lazy and I figured it was going to take to much time an d skill. I was so wrong! To apply it's as simple as smiling with your mouth closed and just line where the natural lips outline or draw on a little bit outside the perimeter of the outline to give the illusion of a fuller lip. I love the formula it glides on, but it sets and wont budge, it's great on its own or underneath a nude or pink lipstick.

Favourite skincare product: Neutrogena fresh foaming cleanser - $11.49
I love this so much, I do change up my cleanser depending on my mood, but this is the one I count on and come back to time and time again. It's great for sensitive skin, because it's a combination of a make up remover and a cleanser so you can go really close on the eyes and it wont irritate. I love that the formula is really smooth and foaming, unlike most cleansers where they have the harsh gritty beads of scrubs. Your skin feels really smooth, clean and moisturised.

Favourite hair product: Garnier fructis oily roots and dry ends shampoo and conditioner - $5.99 
My hair can get super oily after the 24hr mark and I need a product that gives me control of that and this is it. I have tried different ones, but this one is the best for me. First I fell in love with the scent it very citrusy and the scent lingers lightly when dry. I love the formula, a little goes a long way for this product especially for the shampoo, it really strips my oily roots but adds a good healthy amount of moisture back to my roots. Also the shampoo formula not only cleans my hair but detangles and smooths out my hair, ready for the next step, conditioning. The conditioner moisturises my ends and really detangles and smooths out my ends, I believe their is no conditioner on the market at this price that detangles my hair as fast and pain free as this does.

Favourite fashion item: Zara NWT grey floral flared mini skirt - $35.95
I have a good amount of hand me down Zara items from my mum, but this is the first item I choose and bought on my own. I love it so so much, its has a thick material that its a cross between a skater skirt and a tight skirt.  Its flowy enough that it moves, but tight enough to give a very sophisticated silhouette. I love that it can be dressed up or down depending on the shoes and top to pair it with. The floral print it very dark and is a very sophisticated and feminine, which is what Zara is all about. I think the shape is so flattering on all body shapes and the length is so perfect, the length definitely makes it appropriate for younger buyers like myself and thankfully doesn't  make it look like I've been playing dress up in my mums closet.

Hope you enjoyed my list of top product of 2014, maybe you agreed with some of the products listed and hopefully I gave you enough reasons to try out some of the products yourself. Please leave a comment below on your favourite products of 2014 and I'll check them out. xoxo - Monica

Celeb of the week

This weeks celeb of the week is an English actress who has had numerous talk on her cool beauty and fashion sense, but also playing the determined wife of Stephen Hawking in the theory of everything. Have you guessed it yet??? Its Felicity Jones.

The 31 year old actress has first been buzzed about since 2011, playing helpless lovers in like crazy and a dangerous love affair in the invisible woman.She's known for her very girly, but sophisticated style, very inspired by the 60's and style icon like Audrey Hepburn. She usually sticks with a classic black and white look, but sometimes brings out her prints and a splash of colour.

At the 2011 Gotham Independent Film Awards Jones went for a very cute and simple pale sea green dress by Proenza Schouler. The dress was paired with some nude heels and overall the dress was safe and cute, but a slit straight down the middle of her dress showing a little stripy print gives the dress interest and an unexpected twist. She goes for her usual hair style, thick bangs on loose mid-length waves and also her signature smoky eye. This look sure showed off Jones more playful and sweet side.

Jones everyday look has not much changed over the years sticking with her black and white look and very simple and classic style for day and night. Here Jones pairs a long-sleeved white blouse with a black leather skater skirt, some black stocking and a pair of shiny black ankle strap heels and the complete the look adds a simple shiny black baguette bag. Jones has this ease with her outfits they are super style icon worthy, but very simple and achievable style. That why we all love her so much, she models for young woman that been a fashionista doesn't mean going out and wearing crazy runway, you can be a fashion icon, but still play it safe.

My Top 3 Favourite Outfits of Felicity Jones.

Please leave a comment below on who should be our December style icon. xoxo - Monica

Arriving in Tokyo, Disneyland, winnie the Pooh obsession

Today me and my family arrived at the hot hot hot city of Tokyo. I was pumped to go on all the amazing and super detailed attractions that are only available in the beautiful world of Disney.

Disneyland had well and truly begun their awesome HALLOWEEN decoration! Obviously the colour team is black and orange and even though Orange is the worst colour in the world, Disney pulls it off and from the entrance through to the end, it's super festive.

I've been to Disneyland couple times in my life, but I don't know my way around too well. This is where my expert in all things Disney cousin comes in, she is a Disney fanatic. She knows every single Disney song and when ever we have movie night at our house she still request The little mermaid. The great thing about Disneyland is that they have these free fast pass tickets, which anyone can get once every hour and you can jump the queue. This is like the best thing to happen to theme parks, because who wants to be waiting HOURS under the hot sun for a ride that lasts for couple of minutes? Not me.

The first thing you see when you walk in to Disneyland are all the adorable gift shop lined through the streets. Also because its was September when I went to Disneyland they already have their Halloween gift set and Halloween themed clothing for the Disney characters. My favourite was the Winnie the pooh outfit, because I love Pooh so much, he was a huge part of my Disney childhood and he still is now and I just love everything about him. well anyway the outfit was Pooh in a huge pumpkin outfit, its the cutest thing I ever seen, its a bear in a pumpkin!

The first place we went to in Disneyland was Tomorrowland, this was where all the futuristic rides were and the first thing we went on was yes the Star Wars ride. Well big surprise I'm not a huge fan of Star Wars the movies I never got into and I was just not a huge fan of robots and just seemed a bit geeky (don't hate me if your a fan). Well that all turned around when we went on the ride, it was one of those rides where we sit in a small space ship with a huge movie screen at the front you watch it through the 3D glasses. The ride moves rapidly and the screen makes it look like you're speeding away in space at some crazy speed. It was so cool and I loved it and I always felt like Disneyland rides were all for show and it wasn't like scary and fun, but I was dead wrong. It was a awesome ride to start on my day at Disneyland.

Then we walked around a bit and looked at the beautiful castle in the heart of Disneyland. Its so pretty and I couldn't help but look through the windows searching for Cinderella and Prince Charming. I also love the Disney songs that play around and the song is different depending on where you are, so if your near the Snow white ride the songs that play are from the Snow white movies and it changes when you move to the Winnie the pooh ride. Its very nostalgic and makes me look back on my childhood and really transports you into a kid again. 

One of the best things and without it wouldn't be a full Disneyland experience if you haven't tried the Disney inspired food. From the legendary popcorn to the Mickey mouse shaped churros you need to try it all and multiple times throughout the day.The popcorn is one of the things that I looked forward to the most when we go to Disneyland because they have some awesome, but unusual flavours like curry and soy sauce and salt. Soy sauce and salt was by far the most popular and the line was so long I thought they were all lining up for a ride. Also I discovered my new favourite drink in the whole entire planet, the pink lemonade with rainbow tapioca. It's so good I had it multiple times during the day, its so refreshing and the tapioca has a bit of a sherbet taste which gives the drink a little tang and interest. 

We had some time out, just sat and relaxed with our awesome treats and watched the Disney show. The music and the crowd going wide and waiting to see what character is going to come down next just gives me such excitement and thrill. I went insane when I saw Pooh, he just so adorable and he just stands out from all the other Disney characters, well in my mind.

One of the coolest things was when I got to visit the Snow White's well, it was so cool, because it as identical to the one in the movie. I just a had a small fail at pretending to be Snow and trying to mirror her beautiful high pitched voice. I'm glad I had my Snow white moment.

This what I've been waiting for this whole day to ride the Winnie the pooh ride. It was like a dream walking in, the whole place is filled with the Winnie the pooh book, like a life size version of it. It was all in English so I was reading it while we were waiting, the ride itself is adorable you in a huge jar of Honey!!!! I loved it so much the gift shop was adorable and my wonderful mum got me a Winnie the pooh doll when you talk or sing or clap to it, it nods its cute head! I'm so easily amused OK.

 We ended the night by watching 2 night shows, one was the Dream Lights Parade and the other was the Once upon a dream show. They were both so pretty, but I think I like the once upon a dream show better. Its a projector showing small clips from popular Disney movies and instead of putting it on a wall or screen it is shown on the Cinderella castle. Seriously it's so pretty and its truly magical and is kind of a huge display of what Disney is and I loved it so so much. 

I loved the whole day so much even though we seriously got off a 10 hour flight and went to Disneyland I wasn't tired, it only hit me how tired I was when I sat down in the the car and immediately fell asleep.

Monica: Makeup is my drug

Monica: Makeup is my drug: I can not remember the exact time I started wearing makeup, but I do remember when I started to wear a full face of makeup daily. It started...

Monica: Dream or reality job

Monica: Dream or reality job: If you don't know me which I'm guessing is all of you, than you probably don't know that I'm currently completing Yr 9 at my...

Dream or reality job

If you don't know me which I'm guessing is all of you, than you probably don't know that I'm currently completing Yr 9 at my high school. I know this is the year to make all those important decision that shape the future of my career and I know that must sound so stressful and nerve wrecking, but to me its another step to landing my dream job as a beauty editor in a magazine. Its always been a dream of mine and I don't think I realised that I wanted it to be my career until very recently.

think most people who are or want to be in a creative industry are dreamers and I'm exactly that. People often tell me that I'm over confident and I don't know if I was born that way or through magazines, but my guess is that it's a little bit of both. I think I have these dream of doing or becoming or having things that I believe I'll eventually do, be and have, like being a boss in a major magazine company, with an office in a skyscraper with a huge clear wall over looking New York City or meeting Marc Jacobs or have those machines that calculate which of my outfits match (you know the one in the movie Clueless).

I sometimes feel like I have this small, hard shell of overconfidence in myself and with a crazy optimistic personality. But I have doubts too and I feel scared that all this crazy future I see for myself is just a big far away dream. I feel time is always going too fast or too slow and never in time with me. I think the worst advise anyone has ever given me and I promise someone has told you this too is, 'don't stress go with the flow and everything will be fine.' That is bullshark, this world we live in is competitive, it's filled with talented people just like you and me, so saying to just relax and get everything handed to you is NEVER going to happen. We have to work for what we want and push ourselves to our very limit and this isn't going to guarantee me spot in the front row of Chanel fashion show or anything in the magazine industry except for maybe getting coffee runs for all the lucky staff, but we have to try. And that's why I think I'm so excited about making decision it's because, I finally get to start on my journey to turning my dream job into a reality.