Where have I been?

Hi guys!!

I'll be the first to admit, it has been too long since I blogged! I do, however, return with very exciting news. This past Thursday I completed my last University exam. After 4 and a half year all the hard work has paid off!

I have many memories from my years at uni but am definitely glad that its over haha. Being that I now have much more spare time on my hands, I'm excited to get back to blogging!! I have a few fun posts lined up which will be released over the next week, so make sure you check back :)

For those of you considering a University degree I will say, from personal experience while it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, it is so rewarding to have followed through. The only thing advice I can give is study what you are passionate about! 

I'll leave you with a couple of celebration snaps from the last few days! Xx

Instagram pic I snapped after my last exam!

Flower from a very proud and supportive boyfriend

Cute card from my friend Sarah! 

Congrats balloon from the girlies at work! 

(had to crop out the bottom for privacy reasons but it was tied to a cute little glass with a fresh yellow Gerbera, so cute!)

Back to School: Motivation & Organisation

With the holidays slowly coming to a close and a new year of school and work ahead, I thought I would share with you how I stay motivated and organised when it comes to a hectic lifestyle. Between University studies, work, errands and chores, and finding time to relax a little, my life can very crazy at times. I have had 4 years to adjust to life being this way for me, and am finally to begin to feel as if I have found a good mindset and a work/life balance. For me, staying organised is the key to finding time to do the things you love.

It all starts with my diary….

I got this diary from a store called Kiki.K (you can find it HERE), I love that it has cute little pictures all through, and extra stickers so you can add your own touches. This is a weekly diary but also has a month to month section in the front which I love, I can easily see the major events I have coming up for the given month. I keep all appointments, work hours, uni classes birthdays, bills due - pretty much everything except my to do list - in here. Everything is organised by colour, blue for work, green for birthdays, purple for social things… and so on.

Next up - my monthly planner…

This, again, I got at Kiki.K (you can find it HERE). I love this because I can leave it out on my desk so its in easy view as a constant reminder of things I need to get done, or important deadlines which mustn't be forgotten! For example, I will mainly use this for blogs to be posted and grad program application closes (I graduate in July and am going through the gruelling process of grad job applications and interviews this semester). I may also add my cleaning schedule to this to help stay on top of things!

Daily "to-do" lists….

I like to use a pad like this for my daily to-do lists as i can tear the page off and carry it with me for the day, ticking off things as I complete them. This was actually a gift from a friend last year, I think she got it from a shop called Typo, but you can get these pretty much anywhere.

Planning & Inspiration…

To organise my thoughts and planning out things that inspire me I use an A5 tabbed notebook like this one. Writing things down helps keep me motivated and reaching my goals.

Lastly, these are the pens I picked up to use this year…

These are all medium point felt tip pens, the ones to the left are from Kiki.K (available HERE), and on the right are just some ones from Paper Mate. Keeping the stationary I use fun and colourful helps to make me want to stay motivated, its so much prettier!! Ha ha!

So those are the tools I use to keep myself organised. I try to get everything done as early in the day as possible, giving me the rest of the day to relax and enjoy! I'm also quite big on motivational quotes, I've been considering starting a once a week post with my quote of the week.

In line with today's post, I finally got my butt into gear and started a Facebook page! I know not everyone has blogger accounts to keep up to date… so here are my social media bits:

Facebook: Rachel Michelle (click HERE)
Instagram: rachelmichelle25
Twitter: @Rachy2589

I hope to see you there!

Snow White & Grumpy, + the New Naked Palette

Hi Guys!

I'm back at uni for summer semester now, but on my last weekend of freedom until after christmas I had a costume party to attend! Everyone made an effort and dressed up, all looking amazing. Roki and I went as Snow White and Grumpy! Haha! Not the most typical but everyone thought it was pretty funny. I've posted some pictures below of our costumes, I just kind of threw mine together with what I had but Roki's mum made his for him on very short notice! She did a fantastic job too!

On a separate but very exciting note, as I logged on today I noticed a new post by Kandee Johnson about a new Urban Decay Naked Palett! I have both the first and second and use them daily. The new one is a lot smaller, with only 6 shadows in total but they all look amazing. From the pictures they all appear to be rather pink toned. I don't want to use her photo's but if you want to head on over and check them out just click HERE!

The Grumpy to my Snow White! <3 

Flowers, Puppies and Yellow Sundresses

Hi guys!

I've been enjoying my few days off before uni starts again. Catching up with friends and just trying to relax a little bit. Here's a few pictures from the last few days!

Loving this beautiful yellow dress with this dark purple/burgundy coloured nail polish (Plum Attraction)

The sequel to The Passage in the Justin Cronin trilogy, I bought this yesterday but I don't think I'll have time to read it for a while!! I hope its as good as the first one. 

Pretty flowers my boyfriend got me for the end of semester.

Hypo puppies!! Haha

Updated Skincare Routine

Hi Guys!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day wherever you are :) It's starting to get pretty hot here on the Gold Coast at the moment…

I filmed an updated skincare routine last night which is available to watch on my YouTube channel HERE if you would like to check that out. Don't forget to like and subscribe!! I'm trying to post a minimum of 1 video a week which is going well at the moment.

It is exam time at uni so things have been pretty hectic lately. I'm looking forward to December when i finish for the year, and then only one semester before i graduate!! yaayy!!! haha.

Time to get ready for class, let me know what you think of the video and I'd love to hear about your favourite skincare products!!

xo

Big Announcement!!

Hi guys, 

I know its been aaaaaaages… it has definitely been a hectic year. But I'm back now with a big announcement!!

…. I made a YouTube channel!! I have one video up at the moment and plan on filming another one on Friday which I think will be a halloween tutorial :) I would love for you to head over and subscribe and I will post the video below if you would like to watch!

Head on over to my channel by clicking HERE and subscribe! 

Something I made for you

Hey guys!!

Today's post isn't beauty related but I would really love for you to check it out. It's a youtube video of a new song written and performed by a friend of mine!! Like, favorite and subscribe if you like it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlH0jVuZclA&feature=plcp&context=C38d12fdUDOEgsToPDskLycdVmLzwwQ6NW74zFCeBL

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year :) We had a roommate Christmas this year as my mum was away and my bf's mum had to work Christmas day. To make up for that we had Christmas dinner at Roki's parents last night. I took some snaps of the amazing food she made. Happy holidays!! 

Study and bowling...

I'm wondering if this assignment will ever endddd. And then I have 2 more to go after this. Thankfully they will be easier :)

This is my desk at this stage lol.....

I did get to go ten pin bowling on the weekend for a friends birthday though, which was so much fun :)

Bowling shoes are so comfy, and this place had fluro lights so they glowed!!

It's back to work for now :( I'll have a more interesting post up this weekend when my assignment is all done!!

Thanks for reading!

Rachel xo

Recent favorites

Hi guys!

I was going to do a monthly favorites but being the 12th already I thought it was a bit late haha. So, seeing as I haven't posted in a while I thought I'd just make it a recent favorites :)

So here's what I've been loving makeup-wise lately!

Urban Decay Naked Pallet. I use this everyday!

Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow in Not Just Nudes. These colours are sooo pretty and blend really well.

Revlon lipstick in Petal (096). This is just my daily lipstick :)

M.A.C blush in Margin which is a really pretty peachy bronze frosty colour.

M.A.C 219 pencil brush. I bought this kinda recently and I use it everyday I do my makeup, it's such a handy brush.

M.A.C Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Truth & Light. This was a gift from Wakako, you can use it as an all over face powder but I love to use it as a highlight. It gives your skin a gorgeous dewy look, and it feels like water when you put it on!! <3

That's all the products I've been loving lately, let me know what you think in the comments below :)

Thanks for reading!

Rachel xo

IKEA trip

Hi guys!

Once again it has been forever, I'm so sorry! Just the usual things, uni, study etc. I've been working really hard to stay on top of all my study this semester. But I'm back now! And I'm working on more than one post at the moment so I have some back up haha.

My boyfriend, my mum and I went for an adventure to IKEA yesterday! I loooove IKEA, we spent like 5 hours wandering around and having lunch. I got a few things, best of all I finally got bedside tables (it only took me a year lol). So I thought I'd share my new tables and how  have them set up :)

Here's some pics! 

Thanks for reading! I'll have another post up, probably tomorrow :)

Rachel xo

Japan haul 1!!

Hi guys!

Ok so I know its been FOREVER since I did a post :( im so sorry. I took on a very heavy load of subjects last semester and things were just crazy busy. But I'm on holidays now so I have plenty of time to catch up :) After my 3 weeks of exams I went back to Japan for the 4th time to visit my friends/host family. In particular I went to see Wakako! I think I have explained before but Wakako was my host family for only 3 days in Japan but we caught up on weekends and we've stayed in touch for almost 4 years now. 

I think I might post some random pics of the trip in another post, but today I have my first Japan haul to show u :D I'm not sure how many posts it will take to show everything but I'm hoping only 2 lol.

Just before I show everything, let me say, when I go to Japan I go to see friends etc but also to stock up on Japanese things me and my bf can't get in Australia. My bf is Japanese and we both really love the quality of Japanese products and theres some things you just cant get here. So i don't shop for this much stuff all the time lol.

These I got from Tokyo Disneyland, I got a plastic folder for uni, a hair band to keep hair off your face, an Alice in Wonderland tin (it came with sweets inside but I really just wanted the tin lol), and the daisy duck egg thing was a gift from the girls I went with :)

Pore strips, Pore's Care which if you put on before the pore strips gets so much more out (I bought 2 packs lol), thanks for the tip Wakako!!, and a Rikkuma chap stick which I just thought was so cute >.<

Blotting Paper, 3 sets of eyelashes, lash glue and Nanoce BB cream (recommended by Wakako, she was so helpful with what brands etc to buy <3)

Hair wax (for my bf and his brother), 4 packs of eye drops (Japanese eye drops are awesome... I love the "Cool" or "mint" ones), and Gatsubi refreshing face wipes for my bf.

I finally got to get some more FANCL!! Its my all time favorite make up remover, it is a little pricey but its so worth it. Also, I got a new camera case cos mine was kinda old and not very cute :P

The latest ViVi magazine, cooling gel strips (for when u have a head ache or fever), Rikkuma gel sticky things (I put them in my bathroom hehe)

Cotton face masks. I ended up getting like another 3 or 4 packs of these, they're so expensive in Australia and in Japan they make them really well and its only like $4 or something for 5 sheets!!

Well, that's all for now, I'll be back soon with lots more products!

Thanks for reading :)

Rachel xo

Japan Disaster

Hi Guys. So it's now been 4 days since the disaster in Japan and the grief continues for a country that has been completely shattered. More bad news was released today as radiation from the nuclear reactors in Fukushima has reached as far as Tokyo. The death toll is currently at 2734and at least 3743 people missing, not to mention the thousands of injured people. I've been n contact with friends and family in Japan, Tokyo currently has water, gas and electricity but are starting to see a shortage of food.

This is a terrible thing to happen to such an amazing country with beautifully natured people. I personally lived in Japan for almost a year, attending 11th grade in High School. The friend's I made and families I lived with were unconditionally kind and giving. Wakako, who's blog I have mentioned before was my host family for 3 days in the summer and it was probably the best 3 days of the year. She became my best friend while I was there and we still talk almost everyday! Her family, luckily are all safe and sound. 

This is a time for humanity to band together, and remember that  we all live together on this earth as equals. Race, language, culture and borders shouldn't determine what a human life is worth. The best way you can help at this stage is through donation. Even if all you can afford is a dollar, it all counts. 

I wanted to include a list of some trustworthy of charities where you can donate. The charities I will include are those that have specific appeals for the Japan disaster so you will know that your money will be going towards the earthquake and tsunami disaster:

• Lady Gaga wristband appeal
• Red Cross
• Global Giving
• Save the Children

(to go to the site to donate just click on the word and it will link you to the page)

A group of me and my friends have decided to put funds together to donate to Global Giving. We are just appealing to friends and family to donate and have set up a secure PayPal account to make things easier. I'll put the link here in case you would like to donate. If we receive a good response I will keep you updated on how much we have been able to raise and when we make the donation.

One last thing, when donating please be careful to avoid scams. It is sad but true that some people use disasters like this to take advantage of people kindness. And if you know of any other safe ways to donate please comment below!

Thats all for now, I will have a more beauty related post up soon :)

Thanks for reading!

Rachel xo

Discalimer: I take no credit for the image in this post. Image was taken from google and all copywrites remain with the owner

A Thought for Japan

Hi guys.

As you have probably seen there was a 8.9 earthquake in Japan today followed by a Tsunami. During your day please take a moment to spare a thought or say a prayer for all the families of the victims affected by the disaster. I do have some friends and family in and near Tokyo, thankfully they are all ok but some people aren't so lucky.

My thoughts are with those in Japan.

Rachel xo

Update

Just wanted to update on what's been happening...
Its the last week of classes at Uni so things are getting very busy... i was at Uni until 1am the other day ><
But it's also birthday season it seems. I had a 23rd bday last weekend which was a costume party...

The theme was something starting with 'm', because the birthday boy's name starts with m. My boyfriend went as micheal jackson, which looked pretty freaky lol. I didnt have time to organize a costume so i just had to go with what i had... i went as the goddess Metis haha. and my puppy went as herself cos her name is Molly!! lol

The second birthday was a 21st last night. I didnt get a pic of my outfit but i wore an orange, patterned strapless dress and black suede tony bianco pumps :)

well thats all for now...i probably wont have time to post until after classes finish now.

thanks for reading!
xo