PRODUCT REVIEW - Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

It’s review time once again and this time around, I’ll be looking at the unfortunate disappointment that is the Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel. I'm a big fan of Mario B but this product just didn't cut it.

How much is it? $36

How much product do you get? 236ml

The good?

Honestly? Nothing.

Wait, that’s a lie. I do like the bottle and nozzle.

The not-so-good?

It doesn’t leave my skin feeling clean, fresh or soft. Here’s a pic of the back of the bottle and what Mario B claims the product will do:

Well, this stuff didn’t refresh my skin or clean it very well. As for the Alpha Hydroxy Acid breaking down dead skin cells… no. I wasn’t looking for this to be a super-cleanser that would make my skin glow and leave me feeling ultra-refreshed but I was expecting it to clean my skin really well. It failed.

It doesn’t lather/the consistency is kinda weird/crappy (it’s like a thickened gel). The product states that it’s non-foaming but I did expect it to build up some sort of lather so I could easily smooth it around my face. It didn't.

The smell. Truth be told, lots of Mario B’s products aren’t that easy on the schnoz but their awesomeness makes me overlook the stench. Anyway, this stuff smells like dirt. Wet dirt. Gross, wet dirt. Gross, wet dirt and plants. If the product was amazing or even just good, the scent wouldn’t have been an issue at all. However, the fact is that the product sucks and the icky smell just adds to my dislike for it.

NOTE: The scent may appeal to some!

The price. It’s not super-expensive and like I said, if the product was good, I really wouldn’t care about the price but $36 for this cleanser is $36 too much.

...

I used this cleanser for a fair while and gave it a proper shot but it did absolutely nothing for me. While I do have acne, I didn’t buy this to help my skin concerns in any way, shape or form – I just wanted a cleanser that would clean my skin well. Unfortunately, it didn't do that.

I will absolutely not be re-purchasing this product. Massive disappointment considering I’m a Mario Badescu fan.

Have any of you tried this? What did you think?



My Top 5 Acne Products

As I’ve outlined in the post below, acne is the bane of my life. While I haven’t yet found HG products that clear up my skin and keep it clear, I have found some that work really well. Here they are:

Dermalogica Clean Start All Over Clear Spritz – I despise gel acne treatments. I hate their gooeyness, the gross way they sit on my skin and the way they leave my face feeling sticky and icky. I even hate putting them on my fingers to apply them. For me, this stuff is pure awesome. The fact that you just spray it on is a major plus for me as there's no ew-factor or mess. I just shut my eyes and mouth, spritz a few times and I’m done. Plus, it completely sinks in. MAJOR WIN. 

Aside from the ease of application, this stuff dries up zits fast (thanks to the Salicylic Acid) but because you’re spraying your entire face with it (it’s hard not to), it can be a little drying. If I find that my skin is getting a little dry, I use it every second night as opposed to every night. I really love this little treasure and the fact that it's under $40 is epic.

DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask – I love treating myself with a mask every now and again and this one is my favourite. It has 10% sulphur so it not only shrinks pimples but also helps diminish redness and inflammation. The result is instant (which is awesome) and as soon as I wash it off my skin, I see massive improvements in relation to redness and overall skintone clarity. It’s about $55 but the tub is huge (113g) and it works. I bought mine from Kit Cosmetics.  

P.S. Another similar product is the Mario Badescu Drying Mask. It has 5% sulphur (compared to DDF’s 10%), works just as well and is about the same price.   

Dermalogica Special Clearing Booster (part of the mediBac range) – This treatment is a little pricey but totally worth it as it dries up my blemishes fast. It’s Benzoyl Peroxide based (5%) and while I was told to dab this onto each pimple, I pretty much slather it on the bottom half of my face. Works wonders. In 2-3 days, the blemishes have pretty much disappeared. Big ol’ stubborn bastards may take a little longer. Price is about $70.

MD Formulations Face and Body Scrub – Um, LOVE THIS. I’m a big fan of chemical exfoliants and while I've tried quite a few different ones that were decent, this one is by far my absolute favourite. Glycolic acid is it's main ingridient and you basically slap it on, leave it on your skin for about 15 mins and then wash it off to reveal epically smooth skin. I'm talking baby-smooth here, people. Even if you don’t have acne, this stuff is the bomb. Again, it’s hella pricey ($99) but worth every cent.

Organic Rosehip oil (I'm currently using the Natio AGELESS one) – I’ve blogged about this before but it’s a beaut. This stuff doesn’t help with acne perse, but it does hydrate really, really well without the chance of a breakout. Plus, it helps with acne scarring if you use it regularly and really take the time to massage it in. Always a winner and quite the cheapie. You can find a 30mL bottle for approx. $30.

Have guys guys tried any of these little gems? Have you got any recommendations for me?

An Intro To My Skin

Okay, so I’m pretty sure you guys aren’t intensely interested in my skin but I thought it’d be a good idea to show you what state my skin is in without my beloved spackle. My reasons for doing this? I have a stack of skincare and acne-related posts coming up and I think it’d be good for you to understand what the hell I’m on about when I talk about my skin, if the product I’m reviewing at the time would be appropriate for you etc.

I’ve been suffering from pretty severe acne for a few years (mainly concentrated on the lower portion of my face). It sometimes calms down a tad but most of the time my skin looks hella angry. Not entirely sure when it started getting really bad but I’d say I’ve been battling with it for a good four years. FYI, I’m 26. 

After years of stress and approximately 25760 products purchases, facials and peels, I discovered my acne is caused by my high testosterone and insulin level, linked to PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). I’ve been told that my only chance at clear skin is The Pill which I’m very wary of. The side effects spook me big time and the dangers involving breast and cervical cancers as well as blood clots hit a little too close to home.

I have found some products that help calm my skin and zap/shrink my blemishes (next post!) but I’m yet to completely clear up my skin. Boo. One of suckiest things when it comes to my skin is the misconception that I don’t look after it. I once had a friend of a friend ask me if I ever cleansed/washed my face. I wanted to punch her in the face. 

Now, I’m going to post some pics of my skin sans makeup. I’m still not 100% confident with my skin but I’m dealing with it and have learnt to accept it (most days). Here goes:

So, there it is. It sucks but hey, things could be a lot worse.

Have any of you ever had problems with chronic acne or other annoying (and stressful) skin conditions?  

My Top 5 Books

Ugh, this was a hard task. I pretty much love all the books that I own but these are the ones that I’ve re-read the most because they are the most awesome of awesome.

In no particular order…

Air Kisses by Zoë Foster

When I found out that Zoë Foster was penning a book, I lost my shiz. I adore the way she writes. She’s hella witty and has this utterly charming way of stringing words together. She’s incredible. Defo girl-crush/idol.

Air Kisses is the story of a regular, 20-something girl, Hannah Atkins, who finds herself in the glam/batshit-insane world of magazines as a beauty ed. She deals with some major bitches and evil slags but has some damn fun along the way. Think: hot boys, awesome freebies, swanky events and, er, more boys, more freebies and more swanky events.  

Since I’m a massive Zoë fan, an absolute magazine-addict and uber-curious about what really happens behind the closed doors of the glossies, this was an absolute must-buy (even though it's fiction). I knew I’d like it but I didn’t know I’d class it as one of the best reads ever. My little synopsis doesn’t do it justice - it’s a great story, hilarious and well-written. I honestly can’t fault it. I want to describe it as ‘chick-lit’ but I really despise that genre and it’s connotations so I’m just going to class it as ‘awesome’.  

Playing the Field by Zoe Foster

Can you tell I’m a Foster fan? As soon as this book hit shelves, I ran out and snapped up a big, glossy copy. Would it be as good as Air Kisses? Would it add more fuel to the fire that is my love and admiration for Miss Foster? Yes. Oh, yes.

The main character, Jean Bennett, is instantly likeable. She's a 20-something who works in retail and designs jewellery on the side. Life is just dandy (albeit a little dull) until uber-babe/footy player Josh Fox enters the picture and turns her life around (and upside down).

This book is love, bitchy drama, heartbreak and fashion. And WAGS, too (duh). Jean is thrust into a world where tacky threads, tandoori tans, major bling and sluts rule.

Another great book by the Zoëinator. Made me laugh and cry. Yeah, I cried. This may or may not be due to the fact that I was in a relationship at the time of reading and he was being a jerk. ANYWAYS – loved this. 

The Lost Boys by Sam de Brito

I normally wouldn’t even bother reading the back of a book like this. The cover doesn’t do anything for me and neither does the title. Yes, I am one of those people who judges books by their cover. SHOCK HORROR!

However, I came across a glowing review of the novel on a forum I frequent and was already familiar with de Brito’s blog so I had to at least check it out, right? I read the back of it and it was an instant purchase. It really spoke to me at that particular time in my life. Still does. This is the back blurb, FYI:

Ned is 15. He and his friends while away their days smoking dope, trying to root chicks and surfing at Maroubra. Ned's life is only just beginning – tomorrow, some time.

Ned is 35. He and his mates drift through the days snorting cocaine, trying to root chicks, clinging to the pub and surfing at Bondi. For Ned, this is it – tomorrow never came.

What happens when life passes you by? When the drugs no longer work and the promise of the future has become the wreckage of the past? What happens when a generation of men lose their way?  

It’s about a bunch of mates who just go about their ordinary lives. The story constantly shifts from when they were rebellious teens having the time of their lives to them now, as 30-somethings wasting their lives away.

It might not sound like anything special but it is. I absolutely cherish this book. I love the story, the writing and the message. The story also gets quite dark at times so be warned. I’ve read it a squillion times and love it more and more each time. Even if it doesn’t really pique your interest, pick this up. I doubt you'll regret it.

In my skin by Kate Holden

I remember reading a snippet of this book in an issue of New Woman (now defunct) a few years ago and loving it. I went out and bought the book immediately. And the rest, they say, is history.

In my skin is the story of the author’s life as a prostitute and heroin addict in Melbourne. It’s a powerful story and is absolutely mind-blowing. This ain’t no candy-coated tale ala Belle du Jour – this is a dark, brutal and very honest read. She speaks frankly about stuff that would make any other ordinary individual blush wildly. Think: drugs and icky/shocking sex experiences. Very, very much recommended.

P.S. I’ve got a review of Kate’s follow-up to this gem, The Romantic, just a few posts below. Check it out, if you please.

MAMAMIA by Mia Freedman

This is the memoir of another magazine wonder/idol of mine, Mia Freedman. I’ve been following her career since I knew who she was and she’s a real inspiration not only to me but to the plethora of girls who want to make it big in the magazine biz.

Mia talks candidly about everything in this gem – and I mean everything. She covers relationships, the world of magazines, career failures and fuckups, kids, miscarriage and more.

This is one of those books you really, really don’t want to put down. I would find myself skipping meals in order to get another few chapters in and sleeping at (very) odd hours just to find out what happens next. It also made me really clucky. Weird.

MAMAMIA is a definite must-read for Mia fans and anyone wanting to break into mags. Heck, even if you don’t know who the hell Mia is, it’s still an awesome read. It’s so rare to get such an honest insight into the life of someone you admire so damn much. This book is absolute treasure to me.

Have you read any of my picks? If so, what did you think? What are your faves?

How to store your pretty, sparkly things

I’m a jewellery freak. I love it all – rings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, bangles, earrings, cuffs, rings… Did I mention rings? They’re my absolute weakness. 

While I love to buy different bits of jewellery, they’re not the easiest things to home. Plus, I have a penchant for big and chunky items so it’s even harder for me. Ah, the trials and tribulations of jewellery…

Thankfully, I’ve now found some great ways to get everything organised and neat, yet still visible and easily accessible.

Rings – jewellery/random boxes and containers, glasses, teacups and bowls.

Rings are the easiest to store and I’ve utilised all of these options (right now, I'm using a gorgeous glass box). The great thing about using glasses, teacups and bowls is that they’re not only practical storage options but they also prettify your dressing table. Scour places like Vinnies to bag yourself some lovely antique or retro options that are dirt-cheap.

Other ideas: tackle boxes, bead containers/organisers and drawer/office organisation trays also make great storage for rings, especially if they're on the smaller side.

Strapped for cash? Grab an egg carton (yes, really), cut off and ditch the lid, spray paint the half that you're left with (the part with the 'cups') and you’ve got a cute and kitsch ring holder. A friend of mine sprayed hers silver and it looks pretty damn adorable. 

Necklaces – This one’s a toughie if you have a large quantity of neck decoration.

If you’ve got a few… try hooking them onto your doorknob or draping them over the corner of a mirror. You can even attach a decent-sized hook onto your wall and throw them on or tack them onto a corkboard. This option can also house your bracelets and thinner bangles, too.

If you’ve got a lot… try buying a coat/clothes hanger, like mine:

These are fantastic if you’ve got a whole bunch of necklaces because it not only keeps them in one compact area but you can also see exactly what you’ve got and quickly fish items out. You can find these in a bunch of different places but I found mine at Kmart for under $15. Hang that baby over your door for an easy accessory grab before heading out for the day or night. Alternatively, you can buy a variety of hooks or a few corkboards and turn a plain surface into a pretty feature wall.

Earrings - Don't you just love the way earrings give you a pep and a boost when you feel like shit? I do.  

If you’re a small earring/stud fiend... refer to my ring options above. ;)

If you like em big like I do... grab a door and some strong cord or rope (not too thick, though) and sturdily attach each end to one side of the door each. Don’t make it loose – you need it reasonably tight so the cord is pretty straight. Once done, hook on your earrings. If you’ve got clip-ons, clip those on, too. Don't get carried away and overload on heavy earrings unless you have some really heavy duty cord or rope. Trust me.

Tip: If you’re using bowls, cups or glasses for your rings, hook your earrings along the rims and double your storage.

Bangles/bracelets/cuffs – These are probably the trickiest things to store. They’re big, awkward and take up a lot of space. My pick? Toilet roll holders. It sounds stupid (and a little gross) but toilet roll holders are the perfect storage for wrist and arm embellishments. Just stack them on and voila! They take up minimal space and you can clearly see everything in your collection. Here’s how I store my wrist and arm candy:

You can find these everywhere from Target to Kmart to $2 shops. Choose something sleek like thin stainless steel so it’ll take up less room and not look clunky.

Tip: Try to keep your most worn items up the top and the things you’re not super-keen on down the bottom.

General storage tip: Storage towers with drawers, whether they be plastic or wooden (Ikea sells awesome wooden storage towers that you can leave plain or paint and personalise), are fab for storing all sorts of stuff, including jewellery. They come in a bunch of colours and sizes to suit everyone’s tastes, budgets and space capabilities. Just dedicate one drawer per jewellery-type to make things easy.

I hope I gave you some good ideas on how to store your jewellery!

How do you store your sparkly stuff?

     

PRODUCT REVIEW - Australis Makeup Finishing Spritz

This review is on a product that I didn't realise I would become so infatuated with - the Australis Makeup Finishing Spritz.



My nearly empty bottle.



How much is it? $15

How much product do you get? 150ml

It also comes in a smaller size!

The good?

The spray itself is perfect. The nozzle spritzes a perfectly even spray of product all over your face. No annoying squirting.   

It has a light, pleasant fragrance thanks to the Rose Water.

It’s got a bunch of uses. These include:

-         It’s a great face and body refresher spray when it’s hot outside.

-         It gets rid of dry, flaky bits on your face. I have acne so I often have dry, flaky bits on my face where I have blemishes healing/drying out. They become a hell of a lot more prominent when I stipple on my foundation. After I’m done with my makeup, a few spritzes of this and they’re gone. For real. I actually discovered this by accident... score!

-         It’s the perfect way to finish up the whole ‘putting on makeup’ process. It adds some well-needed hydration and freshness to my skin.

-         It’s great for that mid-arvo slump when you feel like your makeup is looking less-than-lush and a little past it's prime. Plus, it gives you a great boost.

It looks cute, doesn't weigh a tonne and is easy to chuck into your bag.

The not-so-good?

It doesn’t live up to it’s claim. Australis claims that this stuff "prevents makeup from fading throughout the day..." but it really doesn't. Not for me, anyway. In all honesty though, I didn't think that it would and that's not why I bought it. 

...

I didn’t think I’d love this product so damn much but I do. I’ve already bagged myself a backup because my bottle’s about to run out.

Have you guys tried this little gem? What did you think?

  

PRODUCT REVIEW - Burt's Bees Beeswax and Banana Hand Creme

This is a relatively recent (and very much loved) purchase – the Burt’s Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Creme. I’d been meaning to try something from Burt’s Bees for a looong time and as soon as I smelt this, I knew that it had to be my first BB purchase.

How much is it? $20
How much product do you get? 57g

The good?

The packaging. I love the look of a jar - I’m a big jar fan. Frankly, I’m sick of hand creams in boring ol’ squeeze tubes. This gem’s packaging is adorable and you will have no issue scraping out every last morsel of product. Win.

It smells ridiculously lush. It’s like banana cream pie in a jar. Truth be told, I’ve never actually smelt or even seen a banana cream pie but I bet it smells exactly like this. Whatever the case, this stuff smells divine and good enough to spread on toast.  

It’s thick and very moisturising. It’s actually quite balm-like. This product is definitely more moisturising than a regular, watery hand cream. Also to be noted is that despite it’s thickness, it sinks in super-fast so there’s no chance of leaving an oily trail of hand cream on door knobs, keyboards and the cookie jar…

It’s not only great for the hands but also for other icky, dry areas like elbows and feet.

The not-so-good?

It’s damn heavy. This isn’t such a problem for me as the jar's cuteness makes up for the hefty weight but if you like to throw a hand cream into your handbag, it'll cause an extra little tug on your shoulder. No real biggie, though.

The delicious scent fades as soon as you’ve massaged it into your hands. Boo.

Because this stuff is so thick, it’s a bit of a struggle to completely coat your hands with it and really smooth it all over. You may find that you need to re-dip into the jar for a proper coating.

...

All in all, I will absolutely re-purchase this product. It smells lush, looks cute and works spectacularly well.

Have any of you tried this product? If so, what did you think? Any other Burt's Bees recommendations for me?



Small Ramble & Advice for Your Former Self

The whole fiasco with the Casey Haynes video made me reminisce about school days. I can somewhat relate to Casey. I was bullied during most of my primary school years and it sucked. Big time. Looking back, the jabs were juvenile and ridiculous but back then, they stung and tore me apart. There were plenty of tears, a lot of stress and it made school a very dark and harrowing daily experience. Aside from the bullying, I still have fond memories of primary and even fonder memories of an amazing time in high school.

Anyways, rambling aside, this incident inspired me to write myself some advice – for my former self. I wish someone had pulled me aside and drilled this into me when I was younger because I made some pretty shitty choices and decisions back then. Guess I wouldn't have listened anyway. Ahh, the joys of adolesence...

Here goes:

• Don’t start smoking – ever. It’s not cool. It’s insanely addictive and one of the worst (and hardest to break) habits out there.
• Be nice to people. Don’t tease, bully or belittle people. Nothing gives you the right to treat people like crap.
• Look after your body. Cherish it and treat it well. Stay healthy. Keep fit. Don’t eat (too much) crap and never let your weight get out of control. Trust me on this one.
• Don’t be so utterly destroyed and heartbroken when people fuck you over. It’ll happen a million more times in your lifetime and 9 times out of 10, it doesn’t even matter. Not a big issue. Some people just suck. Plus, you’ll probably end up doing it to someone as well. Try not to, though.
• Work hard in school. Do your homework. Study. It’s not cool to jig 24/7 and never do anything. Really.
• Stand up for yourself.
• Enjoy school. Enjoy the structure of your days. Enjoy the whole damn experience. Also, recognise and appreciate the fact that you spend time with your friends every single day. It sounds crazy but in the distant future, you’ll yearn to be back at school. Yearn. Yes, really. Stop laughing.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff.  
• Take photos! For the love of God, get your camera out at every opportunity and snap away.
• Popularity means shit. Don’t treat people like crap because you think it furthers your status. Don't be rude to teachers. That stuff doesnt make you cool - it makes you an ass.
• Journal. This one goes hand in hand with taking photos. Memory can only take you so far when you want to reminisce about awesome times.
• Don’t be afraid to express yourself and be yourself wholeheartedly. Wear what you wanna wear and do what you wanna do. Living according to others and stopping yourself from being you because you’re afraid of being judged is foolish.  

A very random post but I thought it would be a little interesting and different. Hope you agree… ;)

So, what did you think about my list? What advice would you give your former self? Also, what did you think of the Casey Heynes bullying video?

   

My Top 10 Winter Essentials PART TWO

Here's part two of my Top 10 Winter Essentials. Enjoy!

Nivea Essential Care lip balm - This stuff is a staple for me. I’ve bought it about a trillion times and it always works awesomely - especially during Winter when cold winds turn my lips red-raw. Plus, it’s under $4. Bargain.

Naturistics Lemon Verbena shower gel - I have certain shower gels depending on my mood, the season and my needs (i.e. if I need an energy boost etc.). Surely, I’m not the only one? Right? Right. This is my go-to Winter shower gel as well as the one I use when I feel like I need a liquid-hug. It seriously smells like a lemon cupcake and is freakin’ incredible. P.S. As far as I know, this baby’s only available at Priceline.

Scarves - This might sound silly but scarves are personal essentials during Winter. I wear them each and every day, as long as the weather is right. They can not only funk up a shitty outfit and transform it into something cool but THEY ALSO KEEP YOU WARM. Bet you didn’t know that, huh? Crazy stuff.

Scented candles - I love making my bedroom smell lush. It makes the space just a little more comforting, relaxing and fun to spend time in. I tend to buy scented candles more in the colder months than I do in the warmer weather. I think a nice, rich scent automatically makes me (and my room) feel warmer. One of my faves during Winter is Apple and Cinnamon. You can pick up a (slightly unglamourous) Glade one at your supermarket that will rock your world. Smells amazing and lingers way after you’ve blown out the flame.

Garnier Fructis Instant Melt-In Mask – Truth be told, I use this all year round but especially during Winter. You see, when it’s hot outside and I’m sweating like a pig, I couldn’t be stuffed making my hair look all pretty. I want it up in a bun and out of my fucking face. When Winter rolls around though, I have my hair out all the time. This mask makes my hair soft and silky and works instantly. I don’t know about you but during Winter, I really don’t want to stand in the shower, freezing my caboose off, waiting for a hair treatment to work.

That already makes 10 but I couldn't leave out my beloved nectar: Coffee. Preferably a skim Mocha. Coffee fo' life!

What do you think of these, guys?

My Top 10 Winter Essentials PART ONE

Everyone has essentials for each season, right? I have 10. Here are (half of) mine:

Organic Rosehip Oil - I have an intense love for rosehip oil - especially during the cooler seasons. Not only does it offer some heavy-duty moisture and help eradicate those gross dry bits on your mug that Winter brings on but if it’s a constant in your routine, it’ll also help to clear up acne scarring and even up your overall skin tone. It also works wonders on dry hands, icky cuticles and various dry patches on your bod. Love this stuff!

P.S. Don’t be spooked by the fact that it’s an oil – it wont clog pores or cause breakouts.

Eulactol heel balm - Winter = dry skin. That includes dry heels and feet. Gross but true. This stuff doesn’t smell nice and you need to really scrub your hands to get it off but it’s a nice, thick balm to slather on your feet and then cover with warm woolly socks to ensure they’re supple and soft. Perfect for Winter.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation – Winter is pretty much the only time of year where I can relish in wearing this great, max-coverage foundation without the fear of it sliding off. Now, this stuff is thick but for good reason – it covers imperfections like nothing else I’ve tried. I will occasionally slap this stuff on during Summer but it’s definitely my number one foundation for Winter.

A heady, sweet fragrance - I love sweet scents. I don’t care if it smells like coconuts or lollies, I want it on me and I want it now. Summer is the time for fruity scents to take centre stage but for Winter, I want a heavier, sweeter perfume. My essentials? Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf and Midnight Fantasy by Britney Spears. The latter is a real cheapie you can find for like $50 (for the big o’ 100ml) and Flowerbomb is a tad more exxy but they’re both incredible.

A (slightly crappy) swatch.

Revlon Powder Blush in Smoky Rose - Fate stepped in with this one. My friend actually gave me this blush because she didn’t want it. Now, this isn’t a colour I would normally pick up (I’m a peach blush junkie) but I thought I’d give it a go. Um, PERFECT WINTER BLUSH EVER! It gives me a really soft glow which isn’t as fun and youthful-looking as peach but looks chic, polished and just plain pretty. It’s like peach’s older, classier sister.

What are your Winter essentials? What did you think of mine?

Stay tuned for Part 2!

BOOK REVIEW - The Romantic by Kate Holden

I love Kate Holden’s work. Her writing is impeccable and her first book, In my skin, is one of my ultimate favourites. I’ve read it about 267 times. Give or take.

Kate’s new instalment, The Romantic, is the follow-up to In my skin and in it, she details her adventures in Italy - notably, Rome and Naples. Her travels stem from a need to sort herself out after some harrowing years addicted to heroin and working as a prostitute in Melbourne. It becomes abundantly clear, very quickly, that Kate has a lot of shit to sort out. No surprise, really.

We begin with Kate in a relationship with a much older (and married) man. After a lot of confusing and slightly odd back and forth and hot and cold, she leaves and commences her journey.

This book is full of sex. Packed to the brim. In fact, the brim is no longer – the sex is pouring out at a fast pace. It’s all over the floor. It seems that Kate, although out of the prostitution game, still sees sex as an asset and currency as well as a source of pleasure. She seems to give it away quite freely and it was a little confusing when at one point, she seemed offended by certain men wanting and expecting to sleep with her. Guess she was giving out a vibe...

Something that was quite astonishing to me was the fact that she was so quick to head off on adventures with complete strangers. Go to their homes. Sleep with them. Sleep with their brothers. Engage in threesomes with their friends. The happenings in this book made Italy seem like an alternate Universe. I mean, do these things really happen? Do people really do shit like this? Is it possible that I’m just a conversation away from being manipulated with a giant dildo by an attractive and married 40 year old man and then whisked off to have a threesome with him and his married friend?

Aside from the sex and the men, there are also many low moments when Kate feels like she no longer knows herself or rather, how to be herself. She’s lonely. Lost. Out of place. In general, very fucking unhappy. But don’t get me wrong, this book isn’t packed with purely emo moments. At times, she’s incredibly happy, too. Just not as often as she is sad.

Towards the end, we see Kate heading towards a happy ending. Alas, it ends. Weirdly. I found that whole ménage à trois really, really, really strange. Yet another reason why I think Italy is a whole other world. Or maybe it’s just Kate and the people she seemed to come across? Who knows.

All in all, while I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t as great as I thought it would be. I adore Kate’s prose but at times, it seemed a little too, er, romantic. A little too airy fairy. A little too fluffy. I enjoy airy fairy but too much can get tiresome. But I guess it mirrors her mindset at the time. After all, the book is called The Romantic.

I’m happy to place this book on my bookshelf. I just don’t know if it’ll get as many re-reads as it’s predecessor.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog!

I’m Angela and [LIFE]blogged is where I will ramble about all things lifestyle. I’m thinking:

- Beauty: raves, rants and reviews. There’ll also be talk of acne, the bane of my life.

- Entertainment: reviews on books, music, TV and movies and more.

- Food: recipes and talk of all things yummy.

- Features: write-ups on whatever I damn well please!
- Home: pretty things to put in it.
- Style: fashion, trends, the joys and dilemmas.
- Current events.

There'll also be rambling. Random, random rambling.

That’s the plan, anyway. Once I get into the rhythm of things, I'll decide what works and what doesn't.

And just for fun, here are some random facts about me. Cuz y’know, that’s always fun.

1. I am drawn to anything remotely sparkly, shimmery, shiny and glittery. Pretty sure I’m part magpie.
2. Smother an ordinary looking guy in tattoos and I will fall (deeply) in love.
3. I journal. Yeah, stfu.
4. I used to read books on stuff like underwater life and then write mini-essays on them back when I was in primary school. I did this during school holidays. In my spare time. I was quite obviously a complete and utter dorkface.
5. I'm a coffee fiend.
6. I have an intense fascination with the prison system, prison life and gangs.
7. E-books will never, ever replace my love for books I can hold, flip through and smell. I love smelling the pages. Is that weird? Don't answer that.
8. I overanalyse every little bloody thing. I’m trying to break this habit. Pretty certain it’s a form of insanity.
9. I have battled with bad skin since I was about 22. It’s hormonal and it’s a fucking bitch.
10. I hate Facebook but love Twitter.

All done! Peace.