The Foodie Post - Rabbit in the Moon

A few weeks ago, Tom and I (along with our trusty breakfast buddies), headed to Rabbit in the Moon, a little place in North Fremantle, for a delicious Sunday brunch. 

It was our first time at this cafe and I have to say I was pretty impressed from the moment I walked in - all the decor is just so bright and fun!

Aside from the lovely interiors, I was also pretty pleased with the breakfast selection (which is really the important part) - as it had a few slightly different options, along with the usual eggs/bacon/avocado (you know, the standard breakfast situation).

I have to admit, I chose my meal - the Coconut Mango Chia Pudding - based on the gorgeous pics I'd seen on Instagram, and luckily I wasn't disappointed, either by the taste or the presentation - just look how pretty that thing is - almost too beautiful to eat!

Tom was also very happy with his choice of the Kaya waffles - "American style waffles with creamy kaya puree, sweet maple, popping candy mascarpone topped with seasonal fruits" - Popping Candy?! Yes please! :)

Our friends chose the more typical breakfast of Eggs Benedict and the Baked Eggs, and both received the thumbs up.

I have to say that the service was great too, with all the staff being really welcoming and friendly, (and I didn't feel too awkward taking so many photos!)

We haven't been back yet, but it's definitely somewhere we'll return to and I recommend checking it out if you're looking for a new breakfast spot in Perth!

Hope you're having a great day!

Lots of Love

Lauren

xxx

The Foodie Post - Tropico North Beach

Today's scrumptious looking food photos are from a restaurant called 

Tropico North Beach

After seeing many mouthwatering, hunger-inducing photos on Instagram (thanks @BreakfastinPerth) we decided it was about time we checked this place out.

So on a rather rainy Sunday morning, Tom and I headed out for a drive and met up with our usual brunch buddies to test out this much hyped breakfast spot (they also do lunch and dinner, but as you know I'm all about the breakfast food!)

With a great menu to select from, a lovely atmosphere and amazing food that tastes just as delicious as it looks, we weren't disappointed. 

I struggled choosing my food (there were so many yummy sounding options), finally settling on the Sourdough toast, smashed avocado and lemon curd, on the proviso that I could also share Tom's Banana bread with spiced banana, honeycomb and vanilla meringue. Both were delicious and it was particularly good to have the mix of sweet and savoury so I'd definitely recommend sharing if you can! 

Their Pineapple, coconut and raspberry smoothie was also very yummy and tasted basically like a non-alcoholic Pina Colada (which is always a good thing in my book)

Our friends had the Tropico breakfast trifle and the Waffles with strawberries, dried grapes and mascarpone with a side of crispy fried chicken (sounds like a weird combination but I had a bite and it was yum!) as well as the Mango, passionfruit and raspberry smoothie and they seemed very happy with their choices. 

Good food and good company - a pretty perfect way to spend a Sunday morning :)

The only downside that I found was you really need to get there early or you could find yourself waiting a good half an hour for a table.

For us it is a bit of a drive, and considering how busy it gets, it requires a bit of pre-planning in order to avoid anyone getting too hangry (something that we don't often do when going out for breakfast - it's usually a last minute decision) so Tropico won't become one of our regular hangouts, but we'll definitely be going back again at some point (there's still so many things to try!)

If you can plan ahead or don't mind the wait, its absolutely worth the drive and I definitely recommend checking it out!

I hope you enjoyed!

Let me know if you've checked out Tropico and what you thought of it.

Also, on a different note, does anyone have any recommendations of things to do in Melbourne?

Tom and I are heading there next week and would love some suggestions!

Lots of Love

Lauren

xxx

The Foodie Post - Typika Artisan Roasters

Hello Hello :)

Today I'm sharing one of mine and Tom's favourite brunch haunts which we always turn to if we're stuck for ideas. Typika in Claremont never disappoints, and these photos are actually from a few different trips so you can tell we really do love this place!

As you'll see from the photos  there's clearly a favourite go-to order - Tom can never go past the Wagyu Beef Burger (which I'm always happy about because it leaves me free to try new things and still get to have a few bites!) It is seriously one of the best burgers out there and the kimchi filling adds a special little flare. The bun is just that perfect mix of soft but still crunchy and there's something about it that reminds me slightly of a Hungry Jacks burger (but a really amazing, delicious, and good quality Hungry Jacks burger!) The chips it's served with are also lovely with some sweet potato ones thrown into the mix to make it even better.

The pancakes pictured above are just as delicious as they look, served with vanilla custard, poached pears, strawberries and a nut crumble sprinkled over the top. It's just a slight variation on the ones in the photos below which are actually hiding under a very generous amount of vanilla custard. The ones below are the Cast Iron Pan - cakes "a doughnut style pancake cooked in steaming hot cast iron", which gives them a delicious puffy crust . I'm not sure these were available last time I was there but they do change up their menu now and then so we'll just have to wait and see if they make a comeback.

My friend Alex is an Egg's Benedict connoisseur and we've actually joked that he needs to start up an "Eggs Benedict of Perth" instagram account he's tried that many places. The Typika Eggs Benedict get's the thumbs up from him so you know they're going to be pretty good.  

Pictured right down the bottom is their Vegetarian Bagel with roasted pumpkin, capsicum, dukkah,  caramalised onion, aioli and spinach. A very nice bagel and another good savoury option (but it doesn't quite match up to the burger or pancakes for me!)

Another of their staple dishes (which I don't have photos of unfortunately) is their Golden French Toast. This one is seriously rich - "french toast served with maple candied bacon and lashings of salted caramel sauce". A delicious one if you're feeling indulgent and have a particularly sweet tooth. I'd recommend sharing this one if you can and maybe having some sort of savoury option on the side!

Ok enough about the food, let's talk about the drinks.

Considering the name of the place is "Typica Artisan Roasters" it's not a surprise that they're mostly known for their coffee which they roast on site. I can't really comment on the coffee myself (I'm just weird and don't actually like coffee) but Tom tells me it's pretty good. 

For those like me who are not so fond of coffee, they also have a pretty decent selection of smoothies, juices and of course chocolate-y drinks - in particular their Ice Chocolate which (in my opinion at least) is the best ice chocolate in Perth.

I usually always start slurping it down as soon as it's placed in front of me, so haven't been able to get an amazing photo of it but as you can see from the quick snap I did get (pictured below), it's served in a mason jar (oh so hip these days) with a scoop of ice cream and a good sprinkling of chocolatey goodness on top. As I mentioned in my last Foodie post, I'm a pretty tough critic when it comes to ice chocolates and this one is seriously the best. None of that over the top sickly sweetness you can sometimes get, just perfectly chocolatey and yummy.

Seeing as we're heading into the cooler months I might be switching up my ice chocolate for something a bit warmer soon and I highly recommend their Deconstructed Hot Chocolate. Served on a platter with a glass of warm frothy milk, chocolate flakes and melted chocolate it's also a winner. 

For those coffee drinkers out there wanting something a bit different, they actually also do an interesting Cold Brew which is served with a beaker of sparkling water and a glass of ice. This one's a favourite of Tom's in summer.
(I don't have a photo of these two at the moment sorry!)

In terms of the service I've read a few unhappy reviews on Urbanspoon,  but personally I've always found the staff to be really friendly and helpful and for us the food has always arrived pretty quickly. The one downside is that it can get quite busy on weekends, so there is usually a bit of a wait for a table. We've never found this to be too much of a problem though as there's usually somewhere to sit and you can always order a drink at their espresso bar if you're really starving! 

Hopefully you're enjoying these posts - they're a bit of a change from my usual ones but it's fun to mix it up a bit. I'm not sure I have many Perth readers so these may not be particularly helpful or relevant, but who doesn't love looking at mouthwatering food photos anyway? ;)

I hope you've had a great day! Let me know what your favourite breakfast food is!

Lots of Love

Lauren

xxx

Beauty Bits - Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet

I will admit that I have a slight addiction to lipstick.

Most other beauty products I can resist and I (try to) keep them to a minimum, but when it comes to lip products, I have very little will power and my collection is getting a little out of control! 

So, despite reading great reviews about the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet's on a number of my favourite beauty blogs, I tried to resist... When I spotted them on sale at Priceline the other day for $10 however (normal price is $24), I caved...

It was worth it though, because let me tell you - they live up to all the hype! Seeing as I'm so fond of them, I thought I may as well add my two cents, so here we go...

They're a liquid lipstick with a matte finish that are super long lasting. Unlike most matte lip products I don't find them to be drying at all (provided you use a lip balm first) and they actually have a really nice, slippery feel on the lips that is very comfortable. 

The doe-foot applicator has a pointed tip which makes precision application nice and simple, and once they set, they stay put all day until you take them off. Seriously - these don't budge at all! As someone who always forgets to reapply, that's a huge positive - particularly when we're talking about such bright bold colours. 

I've tried out three of the eight colours in the collection and have been loving them all. The first two would probably be a little more appropriate in the summery months, but I love a bold lip all year round. 

First up we have Number 02 Frambourjoise, which is a stunning strawberry pink colour that walks that fine line between pink and red. Just gorgeous! (It's my favourite of them all)

Next is Number 03 Hot Pepper, which is a vibrant, fire engine red that is seriously bold. The orangey-red is a lovely warm colour that really brightens up any look and is what I'm wearing in the photo above.

Number 07 Nude-ist, I would describe as a dusky rose colour, more muted than the others and much easier as a "wear every day" kinda colour. This is exactly what I'd hoped the Hourglass Opaque Rouge in Rose to be. Unlike the Hourglass one, it can be layered without getting cakey or flakey and doesn't settle into the lines of your lips (and is a fraction of the price! - bonus!) 

L-R: Hot Pepper, Frambourjoise, Nude-ist

They look a little glossy in the photo above, but once they dry they are completely matte

As you can probably tell by all the gushing, I really love these liquid lipsticks. They're the best I've tried and I'd definitely pick one up if you're a bold lip lover.

If I remember correctly Priceline has 30% off all Bourjois at the moment so now would be a good time to snap one up!

(Sorry for enabling!) :p

Lauren

xxx

Beauty Bits - Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream

Hello hello :) 

So I'm finally sharing a little beauty post today, which I've been meaning to write up for ages. Before I begin though, I do want to start off by saying that when it comes to foundations and skincare, I tend to play it quite safe and stick with what I know works for me. That does unfortunately mean that I don't have a whole lot to compare to, so it's probably best to take this review with a pinch of salt.

I just really wanted to share my thoughts on the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream, because it's a product I've fallen in love with over the past few months.

Let's start off with a bit of background information.

Clinique claims that this CC cream will "instantly colour correct a range of complexion concerns - redness, dullness and sallowness". It's supposed to give sheer to moderate coverage, with a lightweight texture and a "naturally radiant" finish. It also offers oil-free hydration and SPF 30. 

The CC cream is more about "colour correction" (as you could probably guess from the name), as opposed to coverage, so in terms of covering blemishes, it's not going to perform as well as say, the BB cream (which I haven't tried). 

The thing that I find interesting though, is the skincare element. It's supposed to not only provide colour correction while you're wearing it, but actually help to correct your skin tone over time (or so the lovely lady at the Clinique counter told me)

Now, onto my thoughts...

 At first when the Clinique sales person put it on my skin I was a bit unsure, as she applied quite a lot of product, and it appeared quite heavy, making me look very made up (and I'm someone who likes a very natural looking base - I don't like the feeling or the look of having my skin all covered up, and usually I go for either a light mineral foundation, or none at all). I asked for a sample to take home however, and after applying it myself, using just a very small amount of product and blending it in really well, I fell in love with it. 

It is quite a thick consistency with a slightly sunscreen-y scent, which isn't too overpowering. When applied lightly, it gives a gorgeous, fresh, glowy finish that's very natural and it actually does what it claims -  correcting the redness in my skin and helping to disguise my dark under eye circles! It is quite a light coverage, but for me if there's anything more to cover, I find concealer does the job.

The best way I can describe it is that it's like a thin veil that doesn't cover up or mask imperfections, but sort of glides over the skin and adjusts the colour, evening everything out and just making the skin look better and healthier. I find it actually starts to look even better as the day goes on, sort of "melting" into the skin and really blending in nicely. 

My favourite thing about it though, is that I actually notice an improvement in my skin after wearing it. I can't describe it exactly, but my skin just seems to look less blotchy and more even toned and just healthier, the day after I've worn it (Now I guess I could just be imagining this, but I don't think I am!)

The one downside for me is the shade selection. From what I've read there are 9 shades available, but only 5 have been released in Australia. I have it in "Light" which is perfect for me in the autumn months, but in the summer it was just a tad too light for me (and the next shade was too dark). It's a shame, because it would be perfect for summer otherwise, given the SPF 30.

There seem to be mixed reviews on this product with a lot of people finding it disappointing, but I think that it really depends on your skin type, what you're looking for and how you apply it. For me, I have dry, sensitive skin, with my skin problems mainly being redness and the occasional blemish. When I'm looking for a foundation/base, I like something light that's going to even out my skin but not cover it all up. That's what the CC cream does.

I think you would like this product if you have normal to dry, fairly clear skin, and just want something that evens things out, without covering everything up. If you have oilier skin, or you're looking for something with a medium to heavy coverage, this isn't for you, as it's quite moisturising and definitely doesn't cover up all imperfections. (Although you can apparently use it as a base under foundations - I haven't tried it this way though).

My suggestion would definitely be to try it out at the counter and also ask for a sample to take home so you can try applying it in different ways. The look you get definitely varies depending on application method. 

The way I like to use it is:

1) Moisturise really well before applying (even though the CC cream is quite hydrating, I still find it applies much more smoothly when my skin is well moisturised)

2) Squeeze out a pea sized amount and dot it all over my face

3) Blend it all in with the Real Techniques Buffing Brush

And you're done!

All in all I really enjoy using this product. I'd definitely recommend trying it out at the counter if you're after something light!

Hopefully this was helpful for some of you. I'm no beauty blogger and I know this was rather rambley, but I actually really love this product and had a lot to say! I'll try to keep things more concise next time!

Thanks for reading!
If you managed to get this far - let me know if it's something you'd like to try, or your thoughts on it if you already have!

Lauren
xxx 

Beauty Bits - Spring Lip Product Loves

Even though the weather in Perth seems to be a little confused (it's been quite chilly, and raining on and off for the past week), it is technically spring, so I thought I would do a little post on some lovely bright lip products that I'm excited to break out for the warmer months.

Let's get started with the newest additions to my makeup collection - The Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayons. These have been raved about on YouTube, and the colours are stunning, so I just had to try them out! I picked up three of the four colours - Orange Punch, Peach on the Beach, and Red Sunrise. (I decided to skip Fuchsia Libre as I already have too many pinks!)

Orange Punch - This is a great, wearable orange in my opinion. It's pigmented enough that the orange really comes through, but sheer enough so you don't end up looking ridiculous! 

Peach on the Beach - I had really high hopes for this one after seeing Zoella's video where she was wearing it. It is a beautiful peachy-pink colour that is quite unique and looked gorgeous on Zoe, but on me I feel it looks a little strange. I love the colour though, so I'm going to keep trying...

Red Sunrise - This is my favourite. The pinky-red colour is stunning, and in my opinion the most flattering (on my skin tone at least).  It is opaque in just one swipe, and is a very bold colour!

These have a lovely formulation, very creamy and pigmented with a gorgeous glossy finish. They have really good staying power, although I think the claim of lasting 10 hours is going a bit far. In comparison to the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains (which I love), I would have to say the Revlon ones last longer - mainly due to their more lip balm-like quality (which eventually turns into a stain). These are more like a gloss and not quite as moisturising, but the colours are just perfect for spring/summer! 

Moving on to lipsticks...

Mac's Girl About Town - This is another much talked about product. I'd had my eye on if for ages and finally caved. The amplified formula is really creamy, moisturising and opaque and I just love the bright fuchsia colour.

Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick in Monte Carlo - I  love this pink-y coral. It's creamy, moisturising, and quite sheer. It doesn't last a hugely long time but is very easy to reapply (no mirror necessary). This is one of my most worn lipsticks and is an all time favourite.

Mac's Mineralise Rich Lipstick in Lady at Play - Mac describes this as a "mid tonal cool tangerine". I think of it more as a pink-y coral (as you can see I love those kind of colours). It's very opaque and creamy and lasts for ages. 

L-R: Girl About Town, Lady at Play, Monte Carlo, Red Sunrise, Orange Punch, Peach on the Beach

Anyway, those are the bright lip products I'll be wearing this spring and into summer. I'd love to hear about your favourite lipsticks!

Lauren

xxx

Beauty Bits - My Thoughts on the Mac Illustrated Face Kit (Plum)

I was just having "a quick look" at the Mac counter the other day, when this beautiful palette caught my eye, and despite trying to resist, I ended up walking out with it. Just look how gorgeous it is! 

To start off with, the packaging is just divine. It's sleek and compact with a decent sized mirror and magnetic closure. The artwork, designed by fashion designer Rebecca Moses, gives a unique twist that just adds that bit of extra "fun". I also really like that there is a cover over the lipsticks to stop them getting messy!

 L-R: Mocha, Yoghurt, Plum Reduction, Romance Me, Heather Belles, Blankety, Syrup

Moving onto the actual products - the kit comes with:

Matte Powder Blush in Mocha

This is a really lovely matte,  plum-pink with a slight brown tinge, which goes perfectly with the eyeshadows, and is particularly great for winter when you want a slightly deeper blush.  It's pigmented, but not overly so, which makes it very easy to use and just gives a lovely flush to the cheeks. I've had my eye on Mocha for quite a while now, and I figured this was the perfect time to pick it up.

Matte Eyeshadow in Yoghurt

A matte, soft pale pink which looks more of a white/cream colour with only the very slightest hit of pink when applied (on me at least).

Satin Eyeshadow in Plum Reduction

This is described as a light satin brown. It also has a slight plum tone to it.

Lustre Eyeshadow in Romance Me

Described as a warm plum with gold-toned pearl.

Satin Eyeshadow in Heather Belles

Described as an intense black, however I think its more of a charcoal with a slight grey/blue tone to it. It's not really a true black in my opinion. 

Amplified lipstick in Blankety

This is described as a soft pink beige. This is the only colour that I'm not particularly in love with, it's a bit too beige for my lips and kind of washes me out. I never wear nude lipstick colours though, so maybe it's just that I'm not used to it. 

Lustre lipstick in Syrup 

Described as a "cloudy pink", this is a really lovely lipstick. It's a perfect "my lips but better" colour, as cheesy as that is. It has just a hint of plumy-purple and is very natural. The lustre finish goes on so smoothly and feels really nice and moisturising.

Overall I think this is a really great palette. I rationalised buying it because for what you get it really is pretty good value, and it will be perfect for travelling. It's so versatile as well, allowing for a nice light day-time look that can be darkened up for night. So far, I've just been using Yoghurt all over the lid, with Plum Reduction in the crease, and Heather Belles smudged along the lash line. I usually wear very neutral, natural coloured shadows (when I bother to wear eyeshadow at all), so this is  a nice way to add a bit of colour with very subtle pinky-plum tones.

These Illustrated Kits are available at David Jones and Myer now if you wanted to check them out and cost $115. Expensive I know, but much less that you would pay if you bought everything individually!  I've only recently started using Mac, but from watching Youtube videos the list of products I'd like to try is quite extensive, so it is nice to be able to try out a few different things and not have to spend (too much of a) fortune!

Let me know what you think of the palette, and also your favourite Mac products!

Love Lauren

xxx

Little Luxuries - My June Favourites

I thought I would just do a quick post on some of the beauty products I've been enjoying this month. Just some of the little things that have been making me smile:

1. Narciso Rodriguez - For Her Eau de Toilette

This was a birthday present from my Uncle and Aunty, and I absolutely love it! It has a lovely warmth to it that's perfect for winter. Quite musky, but sort of sweet and soft at the same time. Fairly strong, but not in an overpowering way. I'm terrible at describing fragrances, but there you go, there's my two cents! On the Sephora website, it's described as "Warm, sensual and feminine", with notes of "Honey flower, Solar musk, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Amberlyn, Vanilla, Tactile musk, Tactile woods and Vetiver". This perfume lasts a long time and really lingers on your skin as well as on clothes. I'm very picky with scents and don't often venture away from my all time favourite of Vera Wang Princess, but this one has somehow captured my attention and I've just fallen in love with it. It's funny really, because it's not something I would have bought for myself, but now that I've given it a proper try...it's amazing. Definitely worth a sniff!

2. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

These have already been raved about quite a bit on blogs and Youtube, so I won't ramble on, but this is a really great lip balm/stain. I don't often buy many drugstore products because I am allergic to so many things and haven't had much luck with them in the past (particularly lip products), but these had such great reviews that I just couldn't resist giving them a go. I actually picked mine up from Boots when I was in London, so now the scent and minty taste reminds me of my holiday! The formula is lovely and moisturising and leaves a lovely wash of colour once the balm has worn off. I will say that this particular shade does seem to change colour a bit throughout the day though. It goes on as quite a neutral kind of pink, and seems to morph into a slightly brighter, more vibrant colour. I like this as I'm a big fan of pink (as I'm sure you can already tell), but just something to be aware of if you're wanting to give it a try!

3. Ecoya Vanilla Bean Candle

I'm onto my second one of these, and it's my all time favourite candle. The scent is just heavenly, and is quite potent - it fills my whole room just by taking the lid off without even having to burn it!

4. Mini Soap and Glory Hand Food

This has been permanently in my handbag since I picked it up. It really is lovely and moisturising, but my favourite thing about it is the sweet, fruity scent

5. Essie Nail Polish - Chastity

I seem to be having a thing for pink this month. I know in winter the typical nail polish colours are the darker, warmer ones, but this gorgeous bubblegum pink was half price at Myer, and was too beautiful to just leave sitting there! (And of course I had to paint my nails with it as soon as I got home!). I love the formula of Essie polishes, but they're so expensive, so I had to take advantage of the sale! This one is lovely and creamy, easy to apply and completely opaque in just two coats. 

6. Mac Blush in Dame

This is the first Mac blush that I've purchased and it's just a very pretty pink that gives a really  subtle flush of colour. It's a satin finish, and in the pan looks like it has little flecks of iridescent bluey-purple shimmer through it, however on the skin it's pretty much completely matte and very natural looking. Gorgeous!

7. The Body Shop - Wild Strawberry Body Butter

I could only find a picture of the "Strawberry" one, so I'm not sure if they're making the "Wild Strawbery" scent anymore, but I have a mini tub of this from a gift set which I found stashed away at the bottom of my drawer from years ago. It was a gift from my boyfriend when we first started going out, but I never really gave it a go because I'd had a history of being allergic to some (well... a lot) of The Body Shop products. I decided I should at least give it a try, and to my pleasant surprise I haven't had any reaction to it! (Mind you I have only been using it on my legs, but maybe I've finally "grown out" of my allergies!). The scent is lovely, like a strawberry milkshake, and it's really creamy and moisturising.

Hmmm... so much for a "quick" post. Anyway hopefully you've enjoyed and maybe found some new things you'd like to try out? Let me know what you've been loving this month!

Lots of Love

Lauren 

xxx

June Favourites by laurenloveslaughter featuring the body shop

Revlon / Narciso Rodriguez , $160 / Soap & Glory / The Body Shop , $9.42 / Ecoya Metro Jar