a virtual dreamboard

Apon reflection i have noticed something about my life. I have always been excited about the "possibilities" of living. Over the years i have created a few dream boards, either the tangible kind with pictures and words, or the internal dialogue of mind movies.

No matter what form these pictures and words have come in something amazing has happened. Almost everything that i have focused on,  has come to pass in my life. This can be equally said for positive and negative.

SO today i thought why not start everyone thinking about their own dreams? Here are some images to get you on your way...a great way to create something of the non-space filling kind - is to make a virtual board. Place it somewhere on your computer that you can see and fill your sub-conscious with everyday! Then as you start laying claim and receiving these things, just replace them with a new set of dreams and goals.

fancy being able to travel to exotic locations?

Or is a change in career direction your plan?

Maybe you want to be a better cook, or spend more time developing a hobby? 

what about owning your dream home?

Or you may just want to be able to devote more time to the simple things in life...

There is something very intelligent and magical about allowing the brain to do its job and create thoughts into actions and in turn reality.

be blessed

joanna xo

spring time

The heat is definitely here! I am having swimming pool issues, and aside from the expense the time consumption is KILLING me. Alas, i shall plod on.

A quick post on some of my favorite spring makeup trends... want something simple? Try natural breathable foundation, pale cream blush, lightly defined brows, separated and curled lashes, a lip stain in a berry hue and you cant go wrong. Also forgo the fake tanning for now...pale skin is definitely IN!

1.Bright lips are key to the season, think matte and creme based formulas.



2.Feeling a little adventurous? try color blocking



3.A more subtle take on a smokey eye using pinks and mauve -



4.I love this peach blush and flawless skin look below



5.coral is a huge player in spring makeup




Need to find a new spring scent? Well these babies should have you covered.
looking for fruity-floral?
Try Vera wang's new addition - preppy princess


or Marc Jacobs "daisy Eau so fresh"


Something fresh and lively more your scene?
try Versaces, Versense-


or

High line by bond no. 9 (described as a green unisex fragrance)



Kenzo L'eau par Kenzo -(a freah oceanic scent)



Perhaps your just a romantic girl at heart and want something to softly whisper it while your reading in the park...

diorissimo - by  christian dior



cherry blossom - by L'Occitane


and lastly my newest addition- which comes into the floral /oriental family-
intimately yours- by Beckham



enjoying flower filled vases, and cloudless skies
joanna xo

how do i make my makeup stay on all day!?

I have many people ask me how i get my makeup to stay on all day long! Well there are several reasons for this, and i will walk you through them all. But first we need to get back to the basic science of liquids.
LIKE attracts to LIKE

So what does this mean for makeup?
Well if you are using a product such as moisturiser that is designed for dry skin, then it is likey to have a major ingredient of OIL. If then you are applying a foundation that is primarily WATER based (as most are) then whats going to happen after a few hours?

Your foundation will begin to slip. The two ingredients don't bond, infact they repel one another! So its important that you check out the basic "compatiblity" of your moisturising products and your foundation. If oil is listed in the top few ingredients (as it is in most creams for dry skin) then you need to make sure your foundation also has a higher oil content.

I will write a post of suitable foundation choices shortly.

Also a common mistake people make before applying their foundation is underestimating the moisturising content in it. Unless it is specially designed for oily skin, then it will have some form of moisturisation. If you over load your products - ie: face cream, sunscreen, eye cream, SPF, primer, then you are asking for TROUBLE! How on earth is anything supposed to stay fixed to that?

 My recommendation for oily skin is; primer + eye cream only, (get your SPF in your foundation.) Normal/combination + dry skin can use a suitable moisturiser of choice an eye cream + primer (if desired) SPF's can be combined in a day cream, or a foundation. The only time this is a problem is if photographs are being taken in which case you would want to avoid SPF, as it reflects the light causing a "pale face".

*Please note i am not a specialist and am only giving you my opinnion as a makeup artist.

Next if you blot your foundation with a tissue before applying powder this will help things last for longer.

The final option (and once again if you have sensitive or dry skin this may be something you want to avoid) is a setting spray - model in a bottle is a good option, but can be irritating as it has alcohol in it, which also drys out the skin. But it does a fantastic job of ensuring everything stays put for the whole day and night!

EYES- always use a primer on the lids my favourites are in listed preference: Too faced eye shadow primer. Urban decay Primer potion. Once this is on, put powder over top before applying your eyeshadow.

LIPS- put foundation over the lips and lightly powder, prior to lining. Always apply a nude liner (this will go with any lipstick choice) filling in the ENTIRE lips. Then use your lipstick of choice, and blot with a tissue, reapply if required and blot again. Forgo the gloss if you dont want to touch up.

Well i hope this helps with making sure you look picture perfect all day long!

be blessed my beautiful friends.
joanna xo

rainy saturdays

Since i have been back from the USA, everything seems to be on either fast forward or total slowmo. i've been blessed to have my sister come and live with me for a few months. Over the school holidays this has been a total god send!

My business partner is also away on holiday (great for her, extra busy for me) so i am struggling to find the time to get all the things done i would like to. Things such as sorting out my house for transition to the states, working out the future of my business, keeping up with my writing, my blogs, maintaining a healthy marriage from half a world away...and the list goes on. BUT you know what? I am soooo happy, i feel incredibly blessed. I know that god is constantly coming through for me- not because i am any different to anyone else, simply because i choose to live in his victory. Everytime i think i have to work hard at something to sort it out, he reminds me its all sorted...and it is!!!

Today i thought it was time to get back in front of that camera and make a tutorial. I must say its not the easiest thing i do. However i do love what i do and sharing it comes naturally, even if seeing ones self on camera doesn't.

enjoy, and be blessed
joanna xo

the black hole of blogersville

So everyone gets to a point in their blog, that they either go on extended vacation, or just egt plain un-inspired! Usually this happens much further into a blog than mine, and i apologise to all three subscribers..haha.

I have been enjoying a new realtionship that has absorbed much of my time. i have also been overseas. But heres a recap on all the news.

I got married. I have another blog that chronicles those events more throughly. But i am back in australia, and focusing on my business, and getting my Visa's sorted so my family and i can go and live in the USA for awhile.  This is a pretty insane time for me, but i am choosing to see it as a huge opportunity to grow and learn in many aspects of my life.

I trust that your all well, and enjoying your journeys xo