Mother's Day with Estée Lauder and a recipe for the yummiest Peanut Butter Paleo Cookies

Estée Lauder Simple Pleasures Gift Set, Eau de Parfum Spray 30ml and Body Lotion 75ml $85.00 (also contains makeup bag not shown) available on counter and www.esteelauder.com.au until stocks last.

This Sunday marks the 30th Mother's Day I have spent with my gorgeous Mumma, as I've grown older she's only grown wiser and every year I appreciate her so much more than the last. 

Mother's Day is a day to spoil all the lovely generous Mums of the world and I'm going to have so much fun spoiling mine. Most Mothers tend to deprive themselves of lifes little luxuries so as to give their children everything they can. A nice fragrance is an indulgence that most Mother's tend to skip buying for themselves, which is why it makes a thoughtful and sweet pressie.

Estée Lauder has released a selection of favourite fragrances and makeup sets for Mother's Day, which are all extremely beautiful and any Mum would be over the moon to receive along with a cup of tea in bed. For me Estée Lauder's fragrance Pleasures is quite a memorable scent, my favourite grade one teacher Mrs Henderson wore it and I remember smelling it when she would put stickers on my spelling tests, I saved money from my first job to buy it for my Grandmother for her birthday and on sunday I will be giving it to my Mum as a thank you for being my greatest inspiration, best friend and putting up with me for the past 30 years.

Estée Lauder Pleasures is a fresh sheer fragrance, floral notes include Jasmine, lilies, Peonies and exotic Baie Rose. I cannot wait to smell it on Mum when she gives me the best hugs in the world.

If you like to spoil your Mum with some sweet baked treats then here is one of my favourite recipes, these cookies are best enjoyed with a cup of milky tea and lovely long chat. 

PEANUT-BUTTER PALEO GUILT FREE COOKIES

(very technicial measurments and instructions coming up....NOT!)

3/4 cup Almond meal 

1 egg

2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut-butter

2 tablespoons of brown sugar

1 tablespoon of linseeds

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Sprinkle of cinnamon

Half a handful of sultanas or raisins 

1. Mix all ingredients with fork till it forms a very sticky mixture.

2. Using the best tools god gave you, your hands! Roll into ping-pong ball sized pieces.

3. Line a tray with baking paper and arrange your cookie balls in a formation so they don't touch each other.

4. Bake for 12-15mins or till they smell ready!

Happy guilt free baking babes!

Here are a couple of my favourite photos of my beautiful Mother and I, hope you all have a lovely day with your Mother's and if you are not together then celebrate them with their favourite things.

xxx Nella

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** I was kindly gifted these products for blog consideration. This did not, in any way, influence my opinion on the product. Please refer to my policy and disclaimer for more information.

Products inspired by the sliver screen feat. Blue Crush, Frances Ha, Mermaids and Daria

Toni & Guy Sea Salt Texturizing Spray $15.99 available from www.priceline.com.au, Model Co Gradual Tan $14.95 available from www.modelcocosmetics.com,  Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport $45.00 available from www.dermalogica.com.au (available December 1st)

Blue Crush was one of those movies that immediately after watching it, made you want to learn to surf stat! Also start doing soft sand running to get Kate Bossie's amazing bum. The babes in Blue Crush were super tanned but never burnt which means they would have definitely used a good sunscreen like Dermalogica's newie Protection 50 Sport. They would have topped up their tans with a daily moisturising gradual tan for sure and every beach babe knows the importance of a generous spritz of Toni & Guy's Sea Salt Texturizing Spray to get that post swim beach texture even if you haven't been near the surf.

Make Up Store Cake Eyeliner in Black $32.00 available from www.makeupstore.se, Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Terre De Feu $40.00 available from www.meccacosmetica.com.au, Chapstick Classic $4.69 available from www.priceline.com.au

Daria was the flat line 90's saviour of teen-toon culture, she saved me from a saturation of fluffy pink Baby Spice hair accessories and blow up furniture. Daria would have totally loved some matte black liner all the way around the eye and waterline smudged a little influenced by any Fiona Apple video clip, my favourite is The Make Up Store's cake liner in Black because it is really really black. The next pick is a shout out to Jane who was constantly wearing the most perfect brown based dark red lipstick, even though it was just a cartoon I am going to use some creative licence here and bet it was a matte, and probably everything Nars's Terre De Feu is and more. Chapstick Classic is the perfect pocket lipbalm for any nonchalant 'alt' teen, right?

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara $15.95 available from www.priceline.com.au, Dr Bronner's Magic Soap in Peppermint $3.20 available from www.lateralfood.com Rosebud Salve $12.95 available from www.adorebeauty.com.au

Frances Ha was my favourite movie of 2013....I have seen it 4 times now, that's all. Frances is hopelessly lovable and perfectly useless and all I wanted to know is what was in her beaten up back pack, so I guessed. She would totally have loved a mascara but not a fussy one, Maybelline's Great Lash is the perfect mascara for non fussy lashes. Frances is constantly moving apartment so a mini Dr Bronner's Peppermint soap seems like it would be a back pack essential for her. If you haven't seen the movie *SPOILER ALERT* she goes to Paris and with not much money at all but she would have totally picked up a posh lip balm like Smith's Rosebud Salve from Galeries Lafayette.

Clinique Superpowder Double Face Powder $50.00 available from www.clinique.com.au, Estee Lauder Hydra Luster Lipstick in Rich Red $42.00 available from www.esteelauder.com.au, Rimmel Gel Eye Liner in Blackest Black $12.95 available from www.priceline.com.au

Charlotte Flax lost her virginity in the bell tower of a nunnery drunk whilst her sister almost drowned in a stream...heavy 90's cinema. My favourite thing about Mermaids was the 90's interpretation of 60's make up. There was zero dewiness on the skin, it was all about a overly powdered matte finish, Clinique's iconic jade powder compact is a perfect 90's/60's match. The scene when Charlotte is putting on her mother's makeup on, smearing lipstick on it is from gold bullet and totallly Estee Lauder's signature packaging. A cat flicked eye perfected Charlotte's makeup, Rimmel's gel liner is a super easy formula to use and the brush on top of the pot is perfect to apply the product. Mermaid's was iconic for me, it was on repeat every school holiday and I wanted my Mum to be as cool as Cher, disappointed in my stable family and that I didn't live near a nunnery and Michael Schoeffling didn't drive the school bus.

xxx Nella

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GIRLS at the Emmy Awards + What's in your party clutch?

                       

So even though GIRLS didn't win any actual Emmy's this season it has been the best series since Twin Peaks in my opinion. I felt compelled to take to my blog to express this, which I am sure one character or another from the show would have done if they were in my position, shit I might even put this on Twitter too and Instagram the hell out of it. Because that's what girls do in their 20's, right?  My favorite line from Girls is when Hannah is talking to her parents about how she is going to become a writer and needs them to support her financially for a little while (I have had this exact same conversation with my parents, but was too pre-occupied with myself to blab out such a winning line) and the way she delivered it made me think she was such a jerk and it also made myself feel like a mega jerk : 'I think I may be the voice of my generation......or at least a voice.....of a generation.'

So-what, this is a total make believe 'What's in my clutch?' The way GIRLS is written you kinda feel like you know each of the characters really well - almost too well, either your best friend reminds you of Shoshanna or you work with a Marnie or your boyfriend cheated on you with Jessa and you like me cringe at the fact that you have more than 10 similarities to Hannah.

Clutch : Marni from £345.85
None of the girls carried a clutch, I just am obsessed with this cutie from Marni and am thinking that if I put it into the universe magically in my come to me in someway.
www.net-a-porter.com

Mini Oreo's : Before the Emmy's Lena Denham instagrammed a photo of her naked eating a whole cake with her hands, so from that we know the girl likes sweets. Did anyone else even watch the Emmy's? It was about 1 million hours long and with all those constricting dresses in the room and actresses that hadn't eaten in days the most annoying thing would be to wave a packet of mini oreo's in their faces.

Chanel blotting papers : These were released a little while ago, I don't know if they are still available? But I have them in my makeup stash waiting for a fancy enough occasion to whip them out.
www.chanel.com

Dior Kohl Eyeliner in Black : I have kind of imagined that Lena, Zosia and Alison all got ready together in a hotel room and they all had their makeup done and no one was more famous than the others. What I liked most about Lena's makeup was her strong kohl eye, it wasn't a slutty I am wearing heaps of eye makeup kardashian vibe it was an even kohl matte outline of the eyes which made her chestnut eyes look incredible.
www.dior.com

Ellis Faas Glazed Lips in Sheer Soft pink : There was no throw back retro lips amongst the GIRLS cast, leave that to Zooey Deschanel. Ellis Faas is a brand which is interesting enough to show off in a bathroom full of famous people in a bathroom at the Emmy's but the lasting time and colours are also very flattering and classic.
www.ellisfaas.com

Prada Candy EDP : Maybe to match her dress or maybe because it smells like cake. I had this perfume on my desk for ages and to be honest I immediately hated it, it is sickly sweet but since the Night Jasmine is in bloom and everything in life is sweeter again I have found myself reaching for it.
www.prada.com

Estee Lauder Alligator print gold compact : I have a strong image in my mind of starlets leaning up to the Emmy's bathroom mirror all powdering their noses with these gold compacts. This is totally a fictional day dream and I know and probably the only person who carries a compact like this around in real life if Joan Collins.
www.esteelauder.com.au

Iphone : Probably with a jazzy/cute/comedy cover on it. To instagram /tweet/facebook and remember the whole night with.

A foundation guide for ALL skin types.

There is a misconception by women that foundation is a product which is very masking or too heavy for their skin. At the moment there are so many different types of foundation available from very sheer to complete full coverage so something for everyone. Here are some tips on finding the right foundation for you:

- When buying a high end or expensive foundation ask for samples of two colours you think are the closest to your skin tone and test them over a couple of days and in different lights. I have been mismatched by cosmetics counter babes too many times and I have put it down to the horrific un-natural lighting in department stores OR if you don't have the time to the foundations at home, ask for an application of 2 shades one on either side of your face and then go outside and check which you like best in natural light.

- If you are expecting to be photographed (i.e your just very popular or its your wedding day) steer clear of foundations with SPF's as they can cast white on the skin and reflect the flash in a weird way

-Expensive or very cheap it doesn't matter if it matches your skin, if it does what you need it to do then its a good foundation for you.

-Change your foundation seasonally, in Summer use a light coverage with high SPF and in Winter use a hydrating foundation. You also maybe 2 different colours a couple of shade difference between Summer and Winter depending on if you tan or not.

-Choose a foundation based on your skin type not on what you want your skin to look like, everyone want perfect skin duh:

Combination Skin: Medium coverage light reflecting illuminating foundation 

Oily Skin: Oil free Medium coverage foundation and a mattifying finish

Dry Skin: A hydrating foundation with a light coverage and illuminating properties and a dewy finish

Acne Prone Skin: Water based oil free fragrance free foundation all over and then a full coverage on problem areas

Aged Skin: Medium coverage which is hydrating without giving a shiny finish

Young/Teen Skin: Sheer tint to let the natural qualities show through the foundation

SHEER COVERAGE:
If you want a dewy glow to your skin and a sheer amount of coverage a tinted moisturizer is probably your best product pick. Tinted moisturizers are not buidable because they soak into the skin and hydrate, if you want more coverage in certain areas then do a little spot concealing and finish with a setting powder.
COVERAGE: 
Slightly even out skin tone
WEAR TIME:

2-3 hours, longer if you powder definitely not a full day                                            

1. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer $59.00

2. Clarins Hydraquench Tined Moisturizer $48.00

3. Face of Australia Tined Moisturizer $11.95

4. Garnier Mirecal Skin Perfecter $11.70

5. Stila Sheer Colour Tined Moisturizer $55.00

LIGHT COVERAGE:
Somewhere between a tinted moisturizer and a traditional foundation are water based foundations. They give a light amount of coverage and are buildbale, if you want a long wear time out of these foundations make sure to use a primer and a powder on top. If you have blemish prone skin a water based foundation (or an oil free) is great for you just also make sure it is fragrance free.
COVERAGE: 
Evens out skin tones and redness, slight imperfections and pore appearance
WEAR TIME:
3-6 Hours with Powder, longer if your skin isn't oily.

1. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua $75.00

2. Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid $68.00

3. Nars Sheer Glow $68.00

4. Mac Face and Body $60.00

5. Natio Skin Sheer Foundation $17.25

 MEDIUM COVERAGE:

These are traditional foundations, most chemist brands fall into this category. Rich in constancy and formulated to give you all over coverage. If don't wear powder and want foundation which is slightly matte in appearance these guys are for you. Buildable but formulated as a one stop shop for a base, fuss free. 

COVERAGE:

Dark Circles, slight pigmentation, blemishes, redness, slight scaring, freckles, sun spots

WEAR TIME:

5-9 Hours only powder if you have very oily skin otherwise it can look cakey

1. Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer $78.00
2. Bourjois Healthy Mix & Healthy Mix Serum $29.00
3. Rimmel Wake Me Up $19.95
4. Lancome Teint Miracle $68.00

FULL COVERAGE:

If you want to look like an extra on The Only Way is Essex or If you have acne scaring of very contrasting pigmentation and want to cover it up completely then try a full coverage foundation on effected areas then blend it out with a medium coverage to the areas not effected. Full coverage foundations can be quite thick and need to be blended into the skin really well to give a natural appearance.

COVERAGE: 

Pigmentation, scaring, blemishes, pores, redness, rosacea, acne bumps, freckles, birth marks, sun spots

WEAR TIME:

6-9 hours, just be careful if you do have acne that oil doesn't break through.    

1. Vichy Dermablend Smooth Indulgence  $49.05

2. Estee Lauder Double Wear $68.00

3. Revlon ColourStay $26.70

4. Ella Baché Sunguard  $46.00

*Please note all prices are in Australian dollars at recommended retail prices.

BB Creams : Why? What? How? Huh?

Spending a bit of time in Japan last year I became really intrigued with the phenomenon of BB Creams in the Asian beauty market. What was the point of them? Were they a foundation or a Primer? How much coverage did they give? BB Creams are relatively new to the western beauty market and the BB Creams that are available here on the mainstream market aren't really BB Creams. So I went on to explore all things BB the following are my findings, I am hoping this will be a beauty version of Myth Busters. (my Dads favorite show!)

So what the heck is a BB Cream?

BB stands for 'Blemish Balm', it is a cream with multiple beneficial properties for your skin including High SPF protection against UVA and UVB's, Moisturizer and Hydrating serums, Sebrum Control (absorbs sweat), Vitamins A,C,E, Collagen - Each brand differs in the benefits they offer. It also has a light coverage or tint to give the skin a healthy glow.  Many of the Korean brands do contain skin lightening/whitening chemicals in them. Skin lightening/whitening is a popular cultural point of difference in Asian skin care and makeup, I am not aware of its benefits I think it is purely a cultural aesthetic which is desirable.

In western beauty it is usually a moisturizer which contains all skin benefiting properties and then make up is applied on top such as a foundation which is purely for coverage. BB Creams are just an extra step of adding more 'health' benefits to the skin while evening out skin tone with the slight tint. The consistency is very different to a tinted moisturizer because BB Creams do have a high amount of silicone which is what fills in your pores and give you that 'Puri Kura' glow.

I really REALLY like BB Creams, the reason I wear a BB Cream is that living in such a warm and humid climate during the day your pores will open and wearing foundation/concealer without a base such as a BB Cream your pores will absorb the makeup congesting them. The western alternative to a BB Cream is a primer, primers are a seal or barrier which make up sits on top of, they don't contain any benefits like SPF or moisturizing qualities. So the BB Cream for me acts as a protective beneficial base for my makeup and you can never have enough SPF. Personally I wouldn't use it instead of a foundation because it doesn't give enough coverage and also the high SPF's are really light reflective often leaving your skin looking slightly white cast. 

My prefered BB Cream of choice (and believe me I have tried ALOT!) is the
Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ (Korean) - $42.00

Why this out of the hundreds of other BB Creams? It is 50% water - not just regular water but 'Advanced Water Bead Technology'- FANCY. It's super dooper hydrating and leaves your skin looking hydrated and dewy,  it is very light and feels like you have nothing on your skin at all. It works really well if you are using a sheer foundation on top like Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua,  Nars Sheer Glow or Estée Lauders invisible skin. However if you like a matte heavier coverage foundation then the Dr.Jart+ Gold Label Premium BB Cream would be better suited.

(Ok so you cant see much difference in these but my skin is more even and I do slap about 3 more layers on after the BB Cream anyway.)

Western interpretations of a BB Cream such as the Garnier Miracle Skin perfector $14.45  and Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream $13.60 are in my opinion not BB Creams at all, they are tinted moisturizers with SPF. They do not have the skin benefits of traditional Korean style BB Creams, and definitely do not help your make up stay on. They are good if you are looking for a light coverage tinted moisturizer with SPF. Loreal Nude Magique BB Cream  $13.60 is a better option but it is still not a BB Cream this is a tinted primer packed with silicone, it leaves your skin super fake soft and creepy.
The Western style BB's selling points are that they smooth skin tone and blur imperfections, where as the Korean BB's are more about the beneficial qualities and the secondary function is to even out skin tone. You only need to look at the ingredients of both BB's to see the difference is vast.

Estée Lauder have a new BB Cream coming out soon which is very comparable to the Korean styles and I am very excited to try it!