Mani Monday: Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant nail polishes

Today I've got 5 shades to show you from the new Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant* nail polish range (RRP $6.95). These polishes are meant to contain both a base coat and a top coat so you achieve perfectly glossy long lasting colour with one simple step. Overall I think the concept is great, especially for lazy people like me who hate the whole base/top coat process, but if you really want them to last a top coat is a must.

The colours left to right are:

• Wine to Five - Deep wine creme. There was absolutely no staining when I swatched this shade which is great as colours like these are notorious for staining your nails if worn without a base coat. 
• Ever Reddy - An orange based red creme. 
• Tickled Pink - Beautiful bright fuchsia pink creme. Perfect spring shade. I'm wearing this shade right now and unfortunately after 2 days it's already chipped on the sides. 
• Everbloom - Muted dusky pink creme. Loved it. I wore this one all of last week and only experienced minor chipping after about 4 days. 
• Perma-pink - Pearl pale pink shade. I'm not a fan of pearl formulas as they end up very streaky on my nails. Though not as bad as some other pearls I've tried, I still experienced streakiness after 3 coats. 

Now for some swatches... The colours are in reverse order to the above and I'm wearing 2 coats without any base/top coats.

5 to Try - Statement Necklaces

Long time readers will know how much I love statement necklaces, and I'm always being asked where I get mine from. Besides my usual haunts of Diva, Lovisa and Colette I also turn to online stores. In fact lately I've been loving the items in online stores that little bit more, as they're more unique. Here are 5 statement necklaces that I'm loving, and the online store where you can get it from. You'll also notice that they're all reasonably priced as I don't believe in spending a fortune on fashion jewellery that I'll only wear for a few months.

1. The woven necklace
Grey Cord & Bead Necklace from Fun Accessories - $29.95. I've already got the red one which I'm wearing in THIS post, but now I have my eye on this dark grey one as well. It'll be perfect to dress up a wintery outfit.

2. The lace necklace
Call me necklace in gold from Coco Kitten. This is normally $29.95 but if you use code CocoMakeupMacaroons you can get it for $14.95 until 23 May 2013. It's also available in white and neon-yellow.

3. The braided necklace
Cord and Chrystal braided necklace from Bellucci Collection - $34.95. I absolutely adore the colour of this one, makes me think of warm summer days. It would look great worn with a strapless white dress or even to brighten an all black outfit.

4. The tassel necklace
Metal tassel necklace from Vyviart Boutique - normally $30.00 but on sale for $22.00. I think this would look incredible worn with a v-neck blouse.

5. The chunky necklace
Soft green glamour statement necklace from Issy Bags - $34.00. Another one that conjures warm summer days, but could also look great worn over a crisp white shirt to dress up a casual outfit.

What are some of your favourite places to shop for statement necklaces?

*please note that Coco Kitten is an affiliate link

Friday's letters #4

Dear Angelina,
What you did was very brave. I'm especially happy for your children as they don't have to worry about losing you too soon to breast cancer, since having that double mastectomy has greatly reduced your chances of getting that evil disease. And bravo for not keeping it a secret either. Team Angelina forever.

Dear Friday,
How is it Friday already? It seems like between being a full time mummy and a part time corporate slave my days just fly in the brink of an eye. Don't get me wrong, I love that it's almost the weekend, but I just feel like I'm not achieving anything as the days are going by too fast.

Dear winter, 
Looks like you are just around the corner. The nights are getting freezing and the days are cooler too. But at least we still have sunshine.

Dear wardrobe, 
How is it that you are full to the brim yet I have nothing to wear? #firstworldproblems

Dear makeup, 
I'm feeling a bit uninspired this week. I seem to be stuck in a smokey eye, pink lip rut and I don't know how to get out.

Dear Luca, 
It's been a big week for you. You went to your very first swimming lesson this week, and didn't hate it. And you managed to pull yourself up to a standing position for the first time! While mummy was thinking you were sleeping you were busy practicing standing in your cot. My sneaky little boy.


*image credit

SAX All Day & All Night Mascara review

I love mascaras. It's my desert island product. However I don't think I'll ever find, or even want to find, THE one for me as I love trying out new ones. One that I've been testing for the last few weeks is All Day & All Night mascara by SAX*.

Easy Tiramisu Recipe (low fat)

Tiramisu is one of my favourite desserts but I try not to indulge in it too often as it's not exactly figure friendly. However I do have a low(ish) fat recipe that I use from time to time whenever I feel like tiramisu but don't want the calories of the full fat version. I made this last weekend for mother's day and it was a hit with everyone.

Low Fat Tiramisu Recipe

250gm Marscapone cheese
250gm light Ricotta cheese
2 x egg whites
3tbs sugar
3tbs marsala or brandy
20 Savoiardi sponge finger biscuits - you can get these at most Italian delis or large supermarkets
1 cup of freshly brewed coffee
Cocoa powder to garnish

Step 1
Pour the marsala/brandy and the freshly brewed coffee into a shallow dish and set aside.

Step 2
With electric mixer beat the egg whites with the sugar until firm peaks form.

Step 3
In a separate bowl beat the Marscapone and Ricotta cheeses until smooth, then fold the egg white mixture into it.

Step 4
Dip the savoiardi biscuits, one at a time, in the coffee and lay them down on the bottom of a ceramic serving dish (20cm) in a single layer. Cover the biscuits with half the mixture, then add another layer of coffee soaked biscuits. Pour the remaining mixture over this layer, then wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (or overnight). I prefer making this the night before as the cream cheese mixture really soaks into the biscuits making them super soft and yummy.

Step 5
Sprinkle with cocoa powder just before serving and enjoy!

Enjoy!