Love at First Site

For the last 20 years, online shopping has progressed in leaps and bounds. With a rapid increase in popularity since the launch of 'Amazon' and 'eBay' in 1995, by 2015 every man and his dog has received a gift or ordered an item from an online store. The beauty of online shopping is whatever you're looking for, someone somewhere is selling it. (Although when dad orders yet another television series from Amazon that I "have to watch" I really start to wonder if this is a pro or a con). Being able to browse through stores from your bed, wrapped under a blanket while avoiding sore feet and losing all feeling in your fingers from twisted plastic bag handles is probably one of the biggest advantages, as well as overall convenience. These overwhelming benefits have created a shop savvy generation who more than readily purchase anything from clothing to Justin Bieber's hair (which sold for a whopping $40,668 in 2011). 

Considering the number of hours I spend browsing on online stores, you'd expect my closet to be overflowing! And while the doors may be in the verge of bursting at the hinges, we aren't quite at the stage where my room is just a mountain of clothes I have to conquer in order to get to my bed. I manage to be relatively restrained  when it comes to purchases, and often research reviews on particular websites, ensure they ship to Australia (without ludicrous postage prices) and look at the measurements to make sure I pick the right size. So over my many late night shopping sprees (which result in me filling and then emptying my shopping cart multiple times) I've unearthed a number of great retail shopping websites, some apps to guide you on the latest looks and a few 'what NOT to do's' in the world of online shopping. 

 ASOS: If you haven't heard of ASOS then oh my god you've been living under a rock! Possibly one of the most popular online stores, this UK retail giant offers a number of brands, and sells about every item of clothing imaginable. The service is great, offering a number of payment methods (including PayPal), shipping to just about anywhere, and usually arriving within a week. This company is reliable! And if you are new to the experience of online shopping, then I recommend checking these guys out as the service is as good as a high end department store, without the pesky sales assistant asking "if you're going to buy anything". 

Motel Rocks: while not as mainstream as ASOS, they cater for an edgy style, offering one off pieces with wild prints and bold colours. Certainly if you are looking for staple items like blue jeans and a white t-shirt then this may not be the right site for you. However motel rocks if perfect for party dresses, bold printed crop tops, or if you simply want a piece which will add colour and life into a wardrobe of monochromes.

Polyvore: this app is amazing if you want some inspiration or if you're just nosy like me and love to see what everyone else has their eyes on, and what they plan to pair it with. The app works like an Instagram for clothes, makeup and interior pieces, letting you favourite everything you fancy. However, you are then able to create outfit ensembles or makeup looks, add a background, some Pinterest worthy text and hey presto you can show the world what you would totally rock to that festival on the weekend if your bank account allowed it. Did I mention everything on the site is also available for sale. 

Scam sites; If you're like me these sites usually pop up in your Facebook feed promoting 70% off, unfortunately more often then not these offers are too good to be true. The world of online shopping is filled with sites trying to cut corners or steal your bank details. Many sites are simply just not up to expected standard with shipping taking up to 2 months and items "going missing" and if they do turn up they either don't look like the picture or are of poor quality. Unlike retail stores it's not as easy to

judge whether a website is legit which is why it's important to google for reviews and pay with PayPal to minimise the risk. 

I hope that your virtual shopping carts don't get too heavy and that their virtual wheels don't go haywire like the ones in real life. 

All The Single Ladies

“Put your hands up and read Gabby’s guide” – Beyoncé

Part 2

In the olden days (like the early 2000’s), breaking up with someone was SO much easier. You just had to avoid places people hung out back then, like church or the local general store. Nowadays, a bad breakup involves blocking them on; facebook, twitter and instagram, all while they find a way around your defence system and message you on pinterest. My mum would never understand this though, because she’s a total luddite (a person who fears and dislikes technology). And I can prove it. For Christmas three years ago I told her I really wanted a laptop, which was followed by 45 minutes of explaining that a laptop is a portable computer. ‘Wow so ingenious, Gabby, I've never heard of something like that!’ I know you’re probably wondering what my mum being an Amish of the technological world has to do with being single. Be patient, this has everything to do with it. I think she secretly wishes we’d grown up in the Stone Age when the only tablets we played with were made of rock. And I used to kind of turn my nose up at her, but she has a point. At least my mum can live her whole life without having written on her tomb stone; beloved wife of an iPhone 6.

Admit it, you’re in a relationship with your phone right now. When it falls, you’re there every step of the way, in sickness and in health. You feed it rice. Every time it buzzes, beeps, whoosh-es and bing!’s you answer. In fact, you no longer need to look at the keys while you type on the touch screen, which is basically sorcery, and defies all laws of human evolution. You may as well change your relationship status to ‘it’s complicated’, because I have no clue how to describe this. You have eyes only for Siri. (Cue my mum: who’s Siri again? Is she that friend who’s a bad influence on you?) No mum, that’s Claire. (Just kidding). If this sounds like you, here are the signs that you’re in a committed relationship with Siri:

-       You turn her on and bring her to bed

-       You check her out in class when you think no one’s watching

-       She’s the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning and the last before you fall asleep

-       You show her off to your family and friends like a trophy wife

-       Sometimes you push her buttons a little too much

-       You give her your undivided love and attention

-       You buy her new accessories

-       You changed your facebook dp to a picture of you and Siri, so it’s now official

Everyone thinks that their relationship will last forever. But after a while, Siri stops doing anything special for you, so you break up. And then you start to feel lonely. Panic sets in, and suddenly your trying to find Siri and you’re ringing and she’s not answering. It’s time for a new relationship. A real one. I'm talking about the new iPhone 6s. Duh!

Xx

All The Single Ladies

“Put your hands up and read Gabby’s guide” – Beyoncé

Part 1

If you’re single then I can probably spot it. You’re a hopeless romantic. You hear music and think, is that John Cusack holding a boom box outside my window? Is this mysterious bouquet of flowers labelled ‘Laura’ for me? And will I get in trouble if I open the chocolates? Too late. (Sorry Laura). The truth is, Hollywood lied to you when they told you that you need a guy to be happy. I know this, because I’m single, and I’m super happy! Right now I’m a wild thing, a rolling stone, a free range pony who can’t be tamed. And I’d like to stay that way a little longer. If this is you, follow my list of the top 10 ways to ensure you stay single a while longer:

-       Argue that the movie is better than the book

-       Continue using your first ever email address (mine was gabby_loves_dolphinsxoxo@hotmail.com)

-       Leave cryptic messages on Facebook like ‘relationships are all about timing’* 
**Ignore unless you are Josh who this message was meant for but I was being intentionally vague so he wouldn't know

-       Send requests to play ‘Candy Crush’ or ‘Farmville’

-       Openly talk about star sign compatibility

-       Mention five times in every conversation that you’re a vegan. Even when the topic of conversion is Dylan O’Brien’s butt

-       Have this conversation in a doorway

-       Purchase your bra from an infomercial

-       Tweet ‘Good morning from *insert tropical holiday destination here*’ late at night, to let everyone know the vast time difference between glamorous, jet-setting you, and your poor, stay-at-home followers.

-      Enough said.

And if you don’t want to end up as a Crazy Cat lady, this list doubles as a comprehensive guideline of exactly what NOT to do, folding up for easy storage under the bed. Pay by credit card and you’ll also receive a complimentary forever alone badge, absolutely free! It’s like Paris and Nicole said, ‘welcome to the single life’. Oh wait, I think it’s ‘The Simple Life’. Never mind.

              

Xx

Read Part 2 here! 

Beauty on a Budget

If you want to avoid the residue of last night’s ‘sultry smoky eye’ becoming this mornings ‘hooker given a black eye’ , then check out our favourite beauty buys that won’t break the bank!

The days I don’t wear makeup are usually those when the only place I’m going is to the gym, or the only person who sees me is my next door neighbour’s dog. This is my rationale considering dogs are colour-blind, and people in the gym are too busy pumping weights to notice (or care) that my lashes aren’t as thick. That’s not to say I don’t love makeup! I know that it’s gotten a lot of hate recently because people say ‘its deceiving men’. Um... I don’t want to date a guy who’s stupid enough to believe my eyelids are naturally glittery green anyway.

*Warning: Please don’t attempt glittery green eye shadow at home. Or ever, for that matter.

Living on the typical college-girl’s budget, it can be comforting to know there are some great drug store beauty products out there! Whether you’re a self-proclaimed YouTube make-up sensation or just starting out, here are a few of our favourites…

Beauty on a Budget by gabriellecapes 

Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Rock'n Curves Mascara
13.50 AUD 

Almay Primer
14 AUD 

Milani Baked Blush
8 AUD

Rimmel London Kate Moss Lipstick
11 AUD 

Maybelline Black Liquid Eyeliner
11 AUD

Revlon Colourstay Foundation
20AUD

Natio Cream Eyeshadow
7 AUD

Maybelline Baby Lips Crystal
5 AUD

Calvin Klein Concealer
20 AUD

Xx

I Believe in Pink

Sugar and spice and all things nice: that's what little girls are made of... NOT!

Metro Goldwyn Mayer's 'Legally Blonde'

As high school draws to a close, I don’t have a clue what career path I should take. So naturally, I reached straight for a magazine quiz 'Find out your Perfect Career' to solve the idle adolescent drama that is centre stage in my life. Fluffy pink gel pens in hand, my step brother and I (yes, he insisted on also finding out his future career), began circling our answers. 

Question 1)You’ve got your BFFs party on tonight, but disatser strikes! You don’t know what to wear. Do you:

A)    Pick whatever you can find off your floor

B)    That would never happen! You’ve had the perfect outfit planned for in your journal for weeks!

C)    Don’t worry about it. All the cute boys are near the fire anyway or

Ughhh I’d rather stay in and watch Netflix than go to this lame as party any day

Question 2) Which 1D lyrics do you relate to most?

A)    You don’t know you’re beautiful

Do I really have to answer this?

Question 3) Which Spice Girl are you most similar to? 

A)    Baby Spice

B)    Posh Spice

C)    Sporty Spice 

D)    Ginger Spice

      Im sorry, but what career requires you to have flaming red hair, except acting as Annie in a broadway musical? And I'm much too old to ever be cast as a child orphan. 

Fourteen questions later and we'd answered mostly D’s with a few B's, meaning we're both a Social Sally!

‘You’re the gal whose smile can light up any workplace. Your talkative personality and confidence makes you perfect for a career as a zumba instructor, nail salon receptionist or personal assistant to the stars!’

40 years from now I’ll look back on this moment wonder what my life would have been like if I’d chosen mostly A’s.

If there's any career woman I aspire to be like, it's Elle Woods. She taught me from the moment I first watched ‘Legally Blonde’ that you succeed in any career, as long as you’re smart, true to yourself and you have a great sense of style! Elle didn’t bow down to the business conservative attire. And quite frankly, I know I’d rather wear vomit! I think I’d like to be a lawyer. Or an editor-in-chief of a magazine, or a human rights activist or a garden gnome or a lion-slash-monkey. (I’m still deciding). And who can forget Elle’s overload of pink; it was her signature colour! Inspired by Miss Woods, I have compiled my all-time favourite pink make-up products, made by cosmetics brand Lancôme!

I Believe in Pink by gabriellecapes 

Lancôme lancome fragrance
92 AUD - lancome-usa.com

Lancôme face care
34 AUD - macys.com

Lancôme nail polish
21 AUD - saksfifthavenue.com

Lancôme bright eyeshadow
68 AUD - bergdorfgoodman.com

Lancôme lancome lipstick
39 AUD - macys.com

Lancôme mascara
47 AUD - harveynichols.com

Lancôme lip gloss makeup
42 AUD - harveynichols.com

Xx

#1 Fangirl

Obsess or go home

Herald Sun June 14, 1964

Rather than by the passing of my birthday each year, stages of my life are defined instead by obsessions. I guess I have an obsessive personality. Actually I don’t guess, I HAVE an obsessive personality. I either fiercely love or desperately hate. Romanticists would call this being ‘passionate’ but in reality it’s all-consuming. I like a pair of shoes? They invade my every thought. I picture my life as being better if I owned them. How I would be able to walk with even more confidence, which I really don’t need. They’re there in my mind when I’m taking a shower, when I’m doing an exam. They’re there when I close my eyes at night – to the point where I HAVE to buy them to maintain my own sanity. I can’t simply ‘like’ a band, a TV show, a colour or a pair of shoes.

Random: ‘I kinda like this song’

Me: YOU DO!! Oh my god let me introduce you to the band. There is a whole fandom out there that you don’t even know about. And you should listen to this song on their 3^rd album and pause at 1:52 cause that part is amazing, but you’ve got to listen through headphones, ok. It’s not their greatest song, but you’ve got to listen to this entire mixed tape I made you uninterrupted because that’s how I intended it. Trust me, you’re going to love it.

My obsessions over my life include (but are not limited to); Harry Potter, Simple Plan, The Twilight Saga, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Audrey Hepburn, Cara Delevingne, Astrology and Nail Art. When I was in third grade I encountered my first ever obsession; Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. I pleaded with my parents every birthday for their endless array of movies, books, TV shows, pens, posters and dolls. I bought right into the commercial trap of instantly wanting anything at all with their name or face plastered on the packaging. I probably would have asked for Mary-Kate and Ashley toilet paper for Christmas if a) It shipped to Australia and b) it was ever invented. One of my BFFs Bettina even had an Olsen twin cake for her 10^th birthday party! We argued over who got to eat Mary-Kate’s face, and I obviously lost since I got stuck with the ‘H’ in ‘Happy Birthday Bettina’. I can still remember their birthdays are June 13, 1986 and Ashley is 2 minutes older. For my 10^th birthday I got their movie ‘New York Minute’ on DVD, and would watch it 8 times in a row for weeks before my mum considered referring me to a child psychologist. Her pleas for me to ‘play outside’ were matched with ‘can we move the TV up against the window, so I can watch the movie from outside?’. 

I try to be just as understanding with my little sister Amber who is absolutely obsessed with British boy band; One Direction. It’s hard at times though, since she blatantly refuses to throw away an old Nando’s napkin because, quote ‘it’s Niall’s favourite place to eat out’. I was roped into celebrating Harry’s 21^st birthday recently, and had to surrender my dignity by cutting a cake she baked from scratch, and spoon-feeding it to her Harry Styles standee. This is my cry for help.

Never underestimate the importance of an obsession. They work their way into your heart and into your life. Right now I’m obsessed with fashion, and as Blair Waldorf says, ‘if Mary Kate and Ashley can build a successful fashion empire bossing around pattern drafters, then so can I’. (Just kidding!) There are people out there in the world, maybe even reading this, whose football team they religiously follow keeps them alive. There’s an immeasurable excitement in waiting for the next book, movie, episode, album or match that is almost unexplainable. It gives people hope. It gives people something to be passionate about. Something to feel a part of. Something to live for.

Xx

Making Waves at the Beach

This Summer, the beaches best waves are in your hair

View on Instagram here 

I love the beach! I feel like I'm walking in a motivational poster that hangs in every waiting room on the planet. You know the ones with headings that say; motivation, potential or challenge with a sappy quote underneath? If a photo of the beach and a common saying is all it takes to motivate you, then you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will take over one day. Such posters also fail to motivate me with my hair, which is why I have perfected easy heat-free waves perfect for a day at the beach! The easiest (and most enjoyable) way to get gorgeous, carefree waves is to spend time swimming, since the salt water will give even the straightest and finest hair texture and volume. If you’re looking for  effortless ‘I just got back from the beach’ waves, minus sand in your shoes and getting sunburnt like an Irish child under a lamp, I recommend spritzing the mid-lengths to the ends of your strands with John Masters Organics Sea Mist Salt Spray, and sleeping overnight in two to four braids. Whether I'm in the middle of Summer or Winter, I'm a huge fan of au-natural beachy waves, and now you can be too!  

Xx

Ocean Waves by gabriellecapes 

John Masters Organics Sea Mist Salt Spray
22 AUD - dermstore.com

Organix Argon Oil Surf Paste
27 AUD - nelly.com

Schwarzkopf Ultimate Beach Texture Powder
19 AUD - nelly.com

Ibiza Hair Curling Brush
54 AUD - ahalife.com

Sunday Somewhere Blue Sunglasses
133 AUD - surfstitch.com

Justine Brooks Starfish Ring
78 AUD - boticca.com

John Robshaw Beach Towel
135 AUD - bloomingdales.com

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Pyjama Party! by gabriellecapes 

It’s been fourteen years since ‘The Princess Diaries’ was released, eleven since ‘Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement’ and one day since I last quoted ‘I’m a Princess. SHUT-UP!’ The films protagonist; Mia Thermopolis paved the way for girls like me. And I’m not talking about frizzy haired and unconfident, I mean undiscovered royalty. Duh! After all, life isn’t some Hollywood chick flick where the teen with the scrunchie gets a makeover and becomes the crown princess of Genovia. I am proud to say I’ve never owned a scrunchie. (If you don’t believe me, just read my resume). Ever since I saw the film, I vowed for my 21^st birthday I was going to have a giant slumber party with mattress surfing and mnm pizza just like in the movie.

Sleepovers with your friends make for some of the best all-nighter candy fuelled girl bonding sessions. That’s when you find out the best gossip in rounds of Truth or Dare (although I have a bad habit of constantly choosing dare, which always gets foiled in the end). ‘I dare you to tell me truthfully how many guys you’ve kissed’.

Afterwards we toss-up between the same chick flicks we’ve watched a hundred times;  Mean Girls, Clueless and Sisterhood of The Travelling Pants­ – which makes me question; how did a pair of pants fit all four girls? Were they jeggings? To this day it remains a mystery to me what guys do at sleepovers. I suppose I shouldn’t guess though, since all of the slumber parties I’ve attended have been a far cry from Victoria’s Secret angel’s pillow fighting in their underwear that they imagine.  

Xx

There's a Hippo in My Wardrobe Eating Cake

After reading Gabrielle's post 'Manicures and Maniacs', that nagging feeling in the back of my mind really started to eat away at me. I'm sure you know all too well the one I'm talking about. You get it during exam periods, or right before a big assignment is due and you've been binging on Netflix for the last 4 hours. Yeah, that one. Talk of horror films and ghouls made me realise that it was time I faced my own fears. After all, if Naomi Watts can stumble around in a derelict cabin in the middle of the night, then I can tackle the enormous project of cleaning out my wardrobe. If Lucy from 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' had stumbled into my closet, there is no way she would have ever found Narnia, due to the fact that it's almost impossible to reach the back. It seems that Hollywood really has educated me in 'how to clean your room like a movie star', as my three easy steps to an instantly tidy floor space consists of lift, shove, and hoping that door doesn't budge!

I know a lot of articles or videos I've watched have suggested when deciding whether to throw away an item, you should ask yourself 'have I worn this in the last 10 months?'. If the answer is no, get rid of it, and if yes, ask yourself whether you felt comfortable wearing the item. If the answer is yes, then that item has successfully survived the purge! No, then it's off to charity quicker then Woody and Buzz were carted off to day-care. It sounds like a simple process right? Wrong! Not when you are a serial outfit repeater like me. I'll admit, I find it easy to just re-use the same outfits over and over again like a weekly planner. Coco Chanel is probably rolling over in her grave right now. It's not that I don't love getting dressed up or trying out new styles, but when push comes to shove at 5:30 am, it's easy just to pull my hair up into a braid and throw something on I know will look good, be warm and comfortable. So when sorting out my wardrobe, I often find much loved favourites which I forgot I even owned. 

But sorting through your wardrobe doesn't have to be a chore! Set aside plenty of time so you're able to tackle ever draw (including socks and undies). Try on everything you haven't worn in a while to see if it still fits, and whether it looks just as good or better on. Experiment with ridiculous outfits and reminisce about that time when you made hot chocolate fudge and spilt it right down the front of you new white dress. While it can be hard letting go of favourites (it really is time you binned your crocs, trust me not even the thrift shop will take those), just think about how much more room and shelf space you'll have for the clothes you really love. I hope your wardrobe isn't as messy as mine and that you don't find any nasty surprises (eg. last years school lunches). I supose after all this writing I'd better get started! Wish me luck, and Gabby if you don't hear from me for a few days, I've found Narnia.

Manicures and Maniacs

The Top 10 horror flicks you must see... or else I will come out of my T.V like that girl in 'The Ring' and scare the absolute bejesus out of you

I’ve always been kind of drawn to the scary stuff; I had a ‘spooky’ themed party when I was seven, at one point I wanted to be a mortician, and I’ve seen Ghostbusters almost 3 times.

*Almost, because the first time I got too scared and had to turn off the movie half-way through 
**That was a joke – it was more like the opening credits.

So you can imagine the months leading up to my 15^th birthday were spent fantasising about the freedom my new coming age would bring. And I'm not talking about drinking alcohol or going to clubs, but being able to go to see MA movies. This was a big deal for a girl whose overbearing parents would only ever allow her to watch Disney! I remember going to Blockbuster when I was 12 (ah, the good ol’ days) and not being allowed to borrow 'The Lizzie McGuire Movie'… THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE!! The back of the DVD is: ‘Lizzie graduates from middle school and takes a trip to Italy with her class. And what was supposed to be only a normal trip, becomes a teenager's dream come true’. ITS THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE! The rare moment I rebelled was at sleepovers, choosing to go all out with ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’ It’s an old black and white film about a former child star that locks her sister away in her Hollywood mansion. I was so scared; I didn’t sleep for days!

For months leading up to our birthdays, Claire and I talked fixatedly about all of the horror movies we were going to see together at the cinema. When the day finally arrived, I went in feeling prepared. I had popcorn, tickets, and a whole cohort of horror movie experience; namely 'Casper the Friendly Ghost'. That night, I was home alone when I heard a creaking noise coming from downstairs. I instantly jumped to the conclusion offered in every Hitchcock movie or episode of 'Dateline'; there was murderer in my house, and all I had to defend myself with was a hockey stick! I gripped the handle as I crept down the stairs, flicking on the light. You can imagine the horror I experienced when I saw a man staring back at me, standing frozen in my empty living room. We both stood there in utter shock; he'd obviously broken in and had no idea that I was even home. It took me about three seconds to realise the man was Niall from One Direction, and another three seconds to recognise it was my sister’s cardboard standee. For the first time in the band’s history, a teenage girl was having a heart attack seeing them, that wasn’t out of love.

Right now I LOVE horror movies! To this, a lot of people say ‘but you’re a girl’, or my personal favourite ‘how very unbecoming of a young lady!’ It’s 2015! As though in the event of a zombie apocalypse, I'm supposed to make cookies in my easy-bake oven and tend to the children. HELL NO! (Sorry, children). I’d be in the front line fighting zombies, left, right and centre. And then getting a manicure to get all of the zombie guts out from under my nails!

Top 10 Horror Flicks:

•          The Ring
•         The Sixth Sense
•     The Blair Witch Project
•     The Conjuring
•     Carrie (original and remake)
•     Insidious
•         The Craft
•      The Shining
•      A Nightmare on Elm Street
•          Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? 

Xx