Art break - Donkey Piñata for R's birthday
R loves hitting things and, subsequently, loves piñatas.
So when I saw this Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer piñata for sale, I couldn't resist.
R once worked at a donkey shelter and thus I made the reindeer into a donkey. I cut down the black antlers, added black tissue paper hair, covered his red nose with black tissue paper, added a blanket (made from a scrap of material and decorated with some acrylic paint), and added some saddle bags made of folded up pink tissue paper and a blue ribbon.
A little bit of effort for a more personalized gift!
Sorry about the missed post :(
 |
| It's not lupis |
My stupid shoulder is playing up again
I have some strong pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs but I know that this journey isn't finished yet.
I need a more permanent solution to this nonsense
So after the post on the 12th, I'll be on break again until April 1st
Sorry eggs :c
*******
In the meantime, have a think on anything you would like me to try/make :) All suggestions welcome
Book Review - The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins
Let me just preface this by saying I believe Dawkins to be an insufferable twat. That out of the way, this book presents a very convincing and interesting theory on the origins of life.
Selfish gene theory looks at natural selection through the perspective of the survival of the fittest genes, not the fittest individual. This small shift in perspective provides interesting and satisfying insight into the way species and their characteristics came to be.
Dawkins runs through multiple examples of this theory being supported in nature and I found the book to be delightful overall.
My two issues with it are not really with the work at all, more notes:
1) I consumed this as an audio-book. I could imagine that this work could become a bit dull if you had to rely solely on yourself to keep going. So perhaps try the audio-book of this one.
2) While it is a great theory, Dawkins still annoys the heck out of me. But I don't have to like him to like his book.
Overall: 4/5
QVS - Clever Concealer Brush
This came in a Bellabox and I love it for on-the-go make-up (Read: most of the make up I apply is while I am on a train).
The bristles are soft and don't fall out. It picks up and applies powder well. The brush cover (which is great when you keep it in a handbag) is long enough to actually stay on and can be attached to the other end as a handle (extension).
The silver design is sleek and durable.
I really like this brush and highly recommend it for a travel kit.
Price: 5/5 ($6.99)
User friendly?: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5
Podcast Review - Lore
After getting a taste for the unexplainable, Lore was a nice little historical look at the supernatural, paranormal, and mysterious.
There are 28 episodes at the time I wrote this and they don't take long to power through. They are well produced and Aaron Mahnke's voice is perfect in both tone and timing for this type of podcast.
The only issue I have with this podcast is the plugging of sponsors often goes on for as long as the story part of the podcast itself. But you can skip this. (I don't mind sponsors, podcasts need funding, but it shouldn't be half the download).
Rating: 4.5/5
Catagory: Paranorma/Supernatural
Book Review – The Old Man and The Sea - Ernest Hemingway
You don't know this yet, but you want to read this book.
This novella was written in 1951 by Hemingway and follows part of the story of the Santiago, an weathered fisherman living on the coast of Cuba.
It is only a short read, but leaves an impression. You will find yourself pondering nature, peace, age, acceptance and forgiveness.
There are quite a few references to American baseball, which I know next to nothing about, but I did not feel this lack of knowledge took away from my enjoyment of the story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially for reading while lounging on the beach, listening to the lapping waves.
Overall: 4.5/5
Sally Hansen - 18K Gold Hardener
This is my go to base coat for all the nail polish I wear!
It has actual gold in it and dries SUPER quickly, allowing you to get on with the coloured varnish quicker. It gives a smooth base to work with <3
It is easily removed and doesn't damage the nail (unlike other base coats).
This is a traditional Sally Hansen product in the sense it is high quality and does not disappoint.
Price: 1/5 ($16.95 for 10mL)
Scent: 1/5 (do not smell, but not overly bad for a nail polish)
Effectiveness: 5/5
Woolworths Select - Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover
This contains ethyl acetate (less drying to the skin and nails than acetone), which makes it work a bit slower than it's acetone containing counterpart.
Due to this ethyl acetate, it claims it won't strip or dry out nails, but for the most part seems like any other nail polish remover to me.
It is just that, nail polish remover, nothing more or less... don't buy this preferentially thinking it's better for you. It is still stinky, it is still drying to a degree.
Price: 5/5 ($2.79 for 125mL)
Scent: 0/5 (don't smell it)
Effectiveness: 5/5
It's my birthday today!
...and I'm bring in this life chapter with an injured shoulder (again)! Had a CT scan yesterday and about to go to the doctor to hear the results.
At least they gave me Endone, so I can sleep wtithout the pain waking me up every 30 min XD
Mitchum - Women Clinical - Oxygen Odor Control - Pure Fresh
I'll let you in on a little secret, if you want your antiperspirant to work at its best, put it on at night (after your shower, just before bed). It gives the active ingredients time to soak into the skin and deactivate the sweat glands. You don't need fancy 'clinical' protection antiperspirant.
That being said, I will now review this product like it was any other antiperspirant (which it is).
The many small holes which allow the product through are well dispersed over the top and allow an even spread of product. The packaging winds up easily and the design of the packet is sleek and visually pleasing. (feeling the metallic green-pale green and white, very tennis) The scent is fresh and clean (and non-offensive).
As far as reducing sweat (and thus odour), it works well and I had minimal/no break through sweating.
Price: 2/5 ($12.95 for 45g)
Scent: 3.5/5
Effectiveness: 4.5/5
GU:AAM Method - Whitening Serum
This came to me by way of Memebox (before they abandoned their Australian fan base) and I wish I could like it.
It is sticky and pills. It doesn't absorb at all and smells really unimpressive (weak/ slightly gross).
It just feels like putting diluted glue on your face, and feels just as beneficial.
It contains black pearl and conchiolin 35... but it is just a waste of the gem...
"I want a brightening serum that doesn't suck" Solution:
This Avon vitamin c serum is amazing!
Price: 2.5/5 ($30 for 60mL)
Scent: 1/5
Effectiveness: 0/5
