I'll be back soon! I promise!

Currently, I'm swimming in a massive pile of assignments in my final semester at uni. I've got so so much shit due and they are all so heavily weighted. I'm talking 50%, 60% and 90% of the unit!! So I haven't had much time to blog.
I've got a heap of products and ideas lined up but just haven't had the time. I'll be done in 2 weeks so I hope to be back in full swing from then!

Good luck to anyone who has exams and assignments too!

In the meanwhile, I'm quite active on Instagram.
amanda_arabella !

x 

50 years with Neutrogena : free gift pack (Australia)

After seeing Tezza's post about a free gift pack from Neutrogena to celebrate 50 years, I jumped on Facebook to claim my free pack. They shipped it to me super duper fast as well. Who doesn't love freebies? 

The pack contained 5 deluxe mini samples including the:

- Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub Oil-Free Acne Wash

- Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen Lotion (my favourite sunscreen for my face!)

- Deep Clean Gentle Scrub

- Microclear Oil-Free Acne Wash

Norwegian Formula Hand Cream 

The samples are around 14-15mL. 

The hand cream is so perfect for my over-filled handbag. 

Along with the samples, Neutrogena also provided $5 off vouchers and the good thing is, you get to pick which vouchers you want. 

Jump on Facebook now and go on the Neutrogena Australia page to claim your free gift pack! Enjoy lovelies! x

Disclaimer: I have not affiliated with Neutrogena Australia. 

Product Review: Manicare Base Coat + Strengthener

Being a beauty blogger and a nail art enthusiast, I'm always painting my nails, then removing it, then painting it again and put that on repeat. Because of that, it's no surprise that I'm always on the prowl for a good base coat, strengthener, top coat, cuticle cream and any other products required for the perfect mani.

To me, a base coat is very very important. I NEVER go without a base coat. 60% of the time, I don't put on a top coat to seal off my mani mainly because I don't have time to wait for another layer to dry. But I would never go without a base coat. Why? To prevent my nails from staining and going yellow because that is a pain to get rid off! A base coat also helps strengthen my nails. 

The last time I went without a base coat was around 2 years ago. I wore a navy polish and I had to remove it right before a friend's wedding where I was the Maid of Honour so I could have a french mani for the event. Oh. My. God. I freaked out pretty badly because I kept trying to remove it and the dark blue stain just wouldn't come off! I kept rubbing and rubbing my nails with nail polish remover to the point where my cuticles and finger tips were dry and white. I didn't completely remove the blue stain off before I had the french mani because there was no way it was coming off so I was really conscious of my nails the whole day, especially for close up photos. I definitely learnt a life lesson there. Never apply nail polish without a base coat. If you're desperate, use a top coat as a base coat or even some clear nail polish. 

Another story. I recently noticed a close friend's nails. They were so yellow and disease looking. In disgust, I pointed it out to her (don't worry, we're the type of friends that make fun of each other so her feelings weren't that hurt) and my first question was "did you use a base coat?" Of course, her answer was no and she had left the polish on her nails for weeks. She said that she tried removing it with nail polish remover but it didn't come off. She also said that she gets really embarrassed when she serves customers at work (she works in retail) because they would think she's dirty or sick. So ladies, this is why a base coat is so essential. Nat, I hope you learned your lesson. 

For the past couple of weeks, I've been trialing Manicare's Base Coat Plus Strengthener.

What is it that I look for in a base coat?

- Helps my polish's staying power

- Prevent staining on my nails

- Strengthening

Have I ever found a base coat which meet all 3 of these requirements? Truthfully? No. I always find one that prevents staining or strengthens or both but never ever one that helps make the nail polish last longer. I have never had a manicure that has lasted more than 3 days without chipping. Ever. Maybe it's the way I apply my nail polish or maybe because I work in retail and chipping polish is inevitable as I use my hands for everything. Oh, I've also never had my nails done at a store before. No shellac, no acrylics, no nothing! I've only ever do my nails myself and I get so jealous of girls who have shellac and their mani lasts for days and days but still, no shellac for me thank you. 

What does it claim?

Manicare Base Coat Plus Strengthener claims to help colour nail polish last longer and prevent nails from staining by protecting and strengthening nails. It boasts of a fast drying formula that bonds instantly to nail polish for better adhesion and long lasting wear. 

What do I like about it? 

- It does an excellent job of preventing nail polish from staining.

- It has a smooth and thin consistency which creates a smooth surface for my colour polishes.

- It's really fast drying. Who has time to wait around for a base coat to dry?

- It assists with keeping my nails strong. 

- It's has a really runny formula which I absolutely love because then it wouldn't dry up after a few months. I guess the runny formula is why it's fast drying. 

- It's formaldehyde and toluene free. (A read on chemicals in nail polishes)

What don't I like about it?

- It doesn't help to make nail polish last longer but then again I haven't found one that does. 

- The brush is a little bit thin but it doesn't pose a big problem as it's not a colour polish. 

Overall, I think Manicare's Base Coat and Strengthener is a great base coat for me as it prevents my nails from staining and keeps em strong. It has a beautiful thin formula which dries really quick and that's great for me as I'm always tight with time. I barely have time to sit down and blog or paint my nails, let alone wait for something to dry. It's been my go-to base coat for the last couple of weeks.

Manicare's Base Coat and Strengthener is available for $13.50 from Priceline, Myer, Target, K-Mart, Big W and selected pharmacies. Easy to get and affordable especially since these stores always have sales. Speaking of which, I should post my Priceline 40% off haul soon!

Have you found your HG base coat or top coat yet? Please share! 

Disclaimer: Product was sent for consideration by a PR, however, all opinions are my own. I was not paid, sponsored or reimbursed for this post in any way. All images are my own. 

The Grounds of Alexandria.

Firstly, I'm not a food blogger, food critic, foodie, restaurant reviewer etc or even know much about food and restuarants. But I just really wanted to write about my experience at this restaurant, just because I had such a pleasant experience! I also want a place to upload the photos I've been taking with my new lens. Not only that, I wanted to write something other than beauty for once because honestly, I've been getting heaps of mind blanks with beauty, hence why I have hardly been blogging. I hope this little break from beauty blogging will make me miss it and motivate me again. 

Last week, Tony and I attempted to go to The Grounds of Alexandria and it resulted with me in tears because we were too late. (It closes really early! 4pm!) So this weekend, Tony thought he would make it up to me by taking me, for real this time. He woke up early instead of sleeping in till 3pm.  

We were greeted by a long line for the restaurant so we browsed The Grounds on this beautiful Saturday while waiting for a table. Lemonade stand, coffee cart, a little vegetable garden, a little farm with a real pig and chickens and an eye catching florist. The ambiance was just so welcoming. Cool music, happy people and sunshine. It felt like I was back in the Hunter Valley or Queenstown, New Zealand. The wait was around 15-20 minutes before we were taken to our seats inside. 

Lemonade stand selling fresh lemondae, orange juice, strawberries, toffee apple. So cute!

I thought the pig was a prop, until he moved and oinked.

The inside of the restuarant also had a take away area where people could purchase take away food, coffee and drinks. It consisted of foods such as sandwiches, wraps and finger foods. The take away menu was different to the eat in menu. They also had condiments, oats, granola, herbs etc that could be purchased.

We were quickly seated and attended too. Our waiter was super cool and helpful. There are a handful of waiters and waitresses running around so you'll always have someone to help you. 

I ordered the Grounds Lunch Board which consisted of chicken and lamb skewers, hummus, tabouli, baba ganouche and pita bread. I wasn't expecting such a typical Lebanese meal from a cafe. The pita bread was so soft and good and the skewers were perfectly cooked. The tabouli was perfect and I wished the tabouli portion was much much bigger.

 Tony ordered the Grounds Burger with beer battered fries and chilli mayo. His burger was delicious! My teeth just sunk into the bun and the meat patty was really juicy and tender. It was a bit too small for a big eater like him though. The next time I go, I will definitely order the Grounds Burger, the Chicken Sandwich or the Crispy Chicken! I couldn't help but peep over at other tables and seeing what they were eating and drinking.

My Lunch Board

Tony's burger and fries.

So goooooood for such a little guy!

Hello!

No trip to a trendy cafe is complete without drinks in cool, hippy looking jar glasses. I ordered ginger beer with mint, which actually doesn't have alcohol and Tony ordered watermelon juice. 

Tony, you need a haircut. You're starting to look like Astro Boy LOL!

We were so stuffed after lunch but I couldn't say no to dessert, especially with all the mouth watering cakes and pastries they had on display. It was such a hard choice and I was under so much pressure but I fianlly settled on the Carrot Cake and Chocolate & Berries tart. I really regret not getting the strawberry and mint cheesecake though! 

The Chocolate & Berries tart was delicious and 1 slice was not enough for both Tony and I. We were pretty much fighting for the last bite! The balance between the sweetness of the chocolate and the sourness of the berries was perfect. The tart's shell just broke apart and melted in my mouth. Sooooo good! The Carrot Cake, however, was just very typical carrot cake with heaps of chunky pieces of walnut. It was nothing too special, something I can make on my own. 

After lunch, we drove around and ended up around the Botany Bay/Matraville/Long Bay area where we found a spot by the water to enjoy what was left of the sunshine.

All in all, I had a great day and it was so worth the long drive. Well, I don't drive so I hope Tony didn't mind the long drive. I would definitely go back to The Grounds of Alexandria! I would try go back for breakfast and coffee as they have a very extensive, appetizing breakfast menu. The ambience is like no other in Sydney and the food was just nom. LOL. Yes, nom.

Are there any other good eateries in Sydney that you could recommend me? Tony and I are always stuck on where to go on our days off. We usually just get influenced by what our friends post on Instagram.