Stephanie.

December 14, 2018 No comments

Day 1

firstly i can't believe its December, secondly i can't believe its almost Christmas and thirdly welcome back to another year of 12 days of Christmas!!

i really enjoyed doing my 12 days of blog posts in the lead up to Christmas last year so here i am back again!

i wasn't sure where to start for day 1 but i decided it was only necessary i did a November beauty favourites post especially after the amount of new beauty products i picked up in over the course of the month.

if you are up to date with me on instagram and on here, you would know that we just got back from our cruise to New Zealand. we spent a few days in Sydney before we left on the cruise and that's where i picked up a ginormous amount of new makeup and beauty products.

1. Nars Climax Mascara in Explicit Black

i had been using a tester of this mascara for a little while before i decided to take the plunge and pick up the full sized product but i am really glad i did. i am really impressed with this mascara, it is super light on the lashes and fans them out nicely. i like that my lashes never look or feel clumpy when i use this mascara. it also makes my lashes look longer and overall they feel fuller. this mascara also never smudges and stays put the entire day, at this point i can't fault it!

2. Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear 24hr Foundation in 005
this foundation was on my wishlist for an extremely long time, i had been watching my favourite beauty gurus use it for months. so of course the first thing i did when i got to Sephora was buy it (we don't have Sephora in the city i live in, so i normally spend my life savings when i get the chance to visit a Sephora store). i picked up the shade 005 which is a near perfect match! so far, i am loving the coverage and finish of this foundation. i feel as if it gives my skin an airbrush finish and i like that its not super matte. the longevity of this foundation is really good, i wore it on a 35 degree day all day in Sydney and it didn't move at all. highly recommending this one!!

3. Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer
my new favourite bronzer!!! i literally have not put this down since i got it. the shade and pigment in this bronzer is perfect, it is extremely buildable but also has the right amount subtleness if you only want a light bronze. i really like how this bronzer sits on my skin, its not too ashy and not too warm. i really think its great for the cooler months, through autumn and winter. i would probably use the regular chocolate bronzer for summer when i really want to be bronzed but otherwise this bronzer is definitely a must buy especially if you are fair skinned like me!

4. Too Faced Just Peachy Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
my fiance bought this for me for our anniversary, i had been waiting to receive it for months so i was super excited to finally use it. of course, like all Too Faced palettes it lived up to my expectations! i love the shade range in this palette, it is really versatile. i can see myself using it during summer but also during winter and autumn. the pigment is amazing; Too Faced always produce the most pigmented shadows. i literally can't fault this palette, i really love the fact it is entirely matte and how usable the colour range is.

xxx

instagram: @lifebyssblog

email: lifebyssblog@gmail.com

December 13, 2018 No comments

November 30, 2018 No comments

DAY 3: SEA DAY (Sunday 04/11/2018)

Ovation of the Seas from the North Star

we are officially home from holiday, i can quite easily say i am VERY depressed about this. it went way too quickly but nonetheless this holiday was AMAZING and the Ovation of the Seas and New Zealand lived up to all my expectations.

my partner also proposed to me before we got on the cruise so that made it extra special. it was truely incredible but i will share a separate post about that! :)

i thought i would break down the holiday posts this time around and instead of doing one for post of the entire trip. i have decided to do one 'sea day' blog post and one 'port day' blog post, sharing in detail what a typical day at sea and in port would look like.

typically i like to be a little more active on a sea day and unlike many, i like to get up early and make the most of the day.

time tends to get away from you whilst you are cruising through the vast ocean, so i like to try and get as much in as i can in the morning and relax in the afternoon.

this particular sea day started of with breakfast in the dining room buffet. we went to the dining room buffet most mornings, it is a lot nicer/better then going to the windjammer (huge buffet). you still get table service for your tea and coffee and can ask for extra things like fried eggs etc that normally aren't in the buffet.

after breakfast we tended to head back to the room and finish getting ready for the rest of the day. i would then browse the cruise compass (the daily schedule of events happening on board) to see if the was anything i would like to do. this sea day we had a few things booked and planned so i didn't have to do much planning.

Good morning world - Coffee was NEEDED

Northstar at it's reach of 90m above sea level

we grabbed a coffee and headed up to deck 14 where we waited on the sun lounges for our turn on the North Star. the North Star is a capsule that suspends 90m above sea level, offering some pretty amazing views over the boat and the ocean. we jumped on the North Star at our booked time of 10.30; bookings for this are essential and it is definitely worth booking before you arrive on the ship via the cruise planner.

the North Star is a must do and super worth it especially if are someone who likes to take photos (i think i took a good hundred).

View from the Northstar

once we were done on the North Star, we walked around on the outside levels of the ship. it was a particularly sunny and surprisingly warm day. the back of the ship, holds the Flow Rider (a simulated surfing ride type thing) and the iFly (pretty much simulated sky diving), both are always great entertainment. we watched people participate on both of these whilst enjoy the sunshine.

View from the Northstar- it was such a nice day!

lunch time rolled round and lucky for us, we had a reservation at Jamie's Italian.

the layout and decor of Jamie's was really nice and perfectly situated on the ship.

before i tell you what we had to eat, let me just say it was the best meal i had on the ship by far!!! so yummy!!

i started off with a bruschetta for entree as well as a anti-pasta platter of cold meats and cheese that we shared. my main course was a tagliatelle bolognese, i can't even describe to you how good this was. the sauce was amazing and no doubt it was almost better then my nonnas!! (and that is saying alot)

for dessert, i finished with a tiramisu which once again has to be up there with one of the best i have ever had. i definitely have no complaints about this dining experience and i wish we went back a second time round. if you are going on the Ovation then definitely add this to your list of things to do.

after lunch, we headed for a spot of shopping. we ventured into Michael Kors where i picked out a nice black coin purse. it was on sale and an absolute bargain so i just couldn't resist. (i wish i bought more stuff from the shops on board because the prices are ALOT better then what they are here in Australia)

as we finished looking around the shops i realised i was going into a full blown food coma, so it was only necessary that we headed to the Two70 lounge to relax whilst we looked over the ocean. the Two70 was one of my favourite venues to hang out, it has 180 degree views of the ocean due to its floor to ceiling glass windows and a lot of comfy chairs.

we sat back and relaxed whilst sipping on some strawberry daiquiri's. i read a bit of 'Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine' and we enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon.

Royal Theatre

we attended our set dinner reservation at 5.30pm with our waiters Ge and Donna and enjoyed a nice 3 course meal. i can promise you that these 3 course meals every night definitely didn't do a lot for my waistline.

the night was finished off with a show in the Royal Theatre called Live Long Legs. i like attending the shows each night as there are always something different.

once the show was over, it was bedtime which was well and truly deserved.

i hope you enjoyed this little insight into our holiday

xxx

instagram: @lifebyssblog

email: lifebyssblog@gmail.com

the bumper cars onboard - we did this on another day but it was SO much fun!

November 22, 2018 No comments

October 26, 2018 No comments

Ovation of the Seas in Sydney (hoping the weather is this good when we get on!!)

the final countdown is officially on! we go on holiday this month, in 12 days to be exact! i can't wait, it is super crazy how fast this holiday has rolled around. but at the same time i feel like i have been waiting for ages.

we head to Sydney on the 31st for a few days to shop and celebrate baes birthday and our anniversary before boarding the Ovation and making our way to New Zealand. everything is pretty much sorted now, i don't think there is much left for me to do besides pack (which i have already started) and get on the plane! although, not going to lie i am completely scared that i have forgotten to organise something important. SOS

WHAT HAS BEEN ORGANISED

since my last holiday prep blog post, we have accomplished a lot. we were able to check in at the 90 day mark and print off our passes and all the important documents. we also received our guest booklets (that was at 40 days to go) which include our luggage tags and a run down of the itinerary etc; again more important paperwork.
checking in and receiving our guest booklets also meant we got our boarding time, if you check in early enough (on the day its opened like i did) you are able to pick your boarding time, and lucky for us we managed to score the earliest time! this is VERY exciting, it means we have more time to get acquainted with the ship and ease into it before sailing off.

we also have bought our foreign currency, both USD and NZD. i spent ages watching the dollar and finally bit the bullet at about 2 months out and purchased what we needed. i highly recommend keeping an eye on the dollar, if you check back on it every day i guarantee you will get a good rate.

around the 90-70 day mark Royal Caribbean start to release bookings for some of the on board activities. they do this because the Ovation is such a big ship and it would be completely chaotic if they didn't allow people to book.

we booked for both the iFly which is like simulated skydiving and for the Northstar which is a observation capsule that suspends you 90 metres above sea level. as i was able to book these early by checking by cruise planner daily i managed to book these for sea days meaning we don't miss out on any shore/destination time.

we booked our final shore excursion for Bay of Islands. we chose to book this one privately as Royal Caribbean didn't offer it and we are able to walk to it from the ship. we chose to do the Waitangi Treaty Grounds tour, which allows us to immerse ourselves in the NZ cultural and experience some traditional practices. the tour was $50 NZD each and includes access to the grounds for the day, a guided tour of the grounds along with a cultural performance.

in regards to getting organised before we leave and making sure everything is in order, i have started to compile all the important documents into a folder for safe keeping; such as a copy of our travel insurance, booking reference, a breakdown of all the items we have purchased (like drinks packages, internet, shore tours etc) in case something is wrong on Royal Caribbeans end, flights and holiday accommodation. it is very important to have copies of everything!!

WHAT WE STILL NEED TO DO

there isn't a whole lot left to do (yay), we just have to decide if we want to purchase some arcade credit for on board and if we want to book another specialty restaurant for lunch. i don't mind the look of Chops Grille which is like a steak house but we shall see. Chops normally is one of the cheaper options for lunch roughly $29 per person whereas some other restaurants can cost upwards of $50.

besides those things, i probably just to need to make sure all the documentation is in order and run through our check in details on the Royal Caribbean website to make sure they are all correct.

then it is just the 'fun' task of packing, which for me is a LONG process and one i start about a month out because it takes me so long to get right.

WHAT I HAVE BROUGHT SO FAR

it's no secret that i have been shopping in the lead up to this holiday, i have managed to pick up a few more items that i deem to be 'necessary'. i have actually been pretty well behaved when it comes to clothes shopping for this trip, last year i swear my whole suitcase was just new clothes (oops).

so this is what i have brought:

Vanity Collections VC Makeup Bag Small - $48 AUD

i got this new makeup case from Vanity Collections and it is perfect!! it is marble print and has so many compartments. there is a top compartment for palettes (which you are unable to see in this picture) then another compartment which is sectioned off for you to personalize for all your products. it also has an area for brushes and pencils. i decided to get this makeup case because i will allow me to have all my makeup in one place; compared to bringing three different bags just so i can fit everything i need in (i am terrible i know). i also really like the fact its able to be customized to suit your needs, which can be done but moving the dividers in the second section.

Billabong Lost Tee in White - $20 AUD (on sale normally $49.99)

if you saw my previous holiday prep post then you will notice a trend here- this Billabong branding. i brought the tshirt to match the jumper and hat and the bag (which you will see below). i couldn't really resist, i just really like this branding for some reason and plus it was on sale! i do recommend sizing up a few sizes in this one though, it seems to run extremely small? i am normally a size 8 and had to buy a size 12 in this.

Lululemon Fast and Free 7/8 Tight II in Black - $139 AUD

as we are going to be outdoors a lot on this holiday and it is going to be fairly cold, i have decided to go for a more comfy athleleisure look. so after loving the look and feel of my other lululemon tights i decided to pick up a black pair aswell. initially i went in store looking to buy them in the same style as my previous tights (the align tight) but decided i didn't want something that looked like a regular legging. the shop assistant showed me these and i was sold, they still feel as comfy as the align tight but look more like a regular gym tight and give that shiny touch on the material. they are also high waisted and the perfect length for me (basically they are full length because i am too short for anything to be 7/8). they were a little pricey but i love the quality of the lululemon tights and i know they will last me a long time!

Boohoo Wrap Over Bodysuit in Black from ASOS - $30 AUD

i needed some new "nightwear/dinner" tops for this holiday seeing as its going to be a lot cooler then our previous cruise. so i decided to go for the simple bodysuit and jeans look with a pair of heels. i normally try and steer clear of anything sheer or wrap around when picking bodysuits but i really liked this one. i also normally don't buy from Boohoo but this piece was exclusive to ASOS.
the fit of this bodysuit is really nice and surprisingly flattering; you can wear it with a camisole underneath, a lacey bra or just taped to stay in place and all would look equally as flattering and nice. i am quite happy with this purchase as it is super versatile and i will definitely be able to wear it again on multiple occasions.

Parisian Wrap Over Floral Bodysuit from ASOS - $36 AUD (not in petite)

this was another bodysuit that i picked up in the same ASOS order and this one is definitely out of my comfort zone but i actually really like it. funnily enough it gives me 'pajama' vibes but in a good way; the material is quite soft and silky. i will more than likely pair this with some black jeans, heels and some statement earrings. again this bodysuit is pretty versatile in the sense that you can wear it with a camisole underneath or with nothing depending on how much skin you want to show. i am glad i took the risk on purchasing this bodysuit because it definitely paid off!

New Balance 247 Classic Sneakers in Black - $80 AUD (on sale normally $130)

as i am going for an "athleisure" vibe this holiday i needed a pair of sneakers that are practical and can be used for exercise but also can be wore casually and still go with everything. i brought these shoes in a grey and teal colourway about two years ago and really like the fit and comfortableness of them. i like that they offer support but still can be worn with casual wear and even jeans if needed. i chose to get a black and white colorway this time because they will go with literally every outfit i am planning. they will also be a good contrast to my white Adidas Ultraboost that i am also taking with me.

Billabong Beloved Carry Bag - $39.99 AUD

i told you there was trend with this Billabong branding (oops). i picked up this bag firstly because of the branding then because it is going to be super convenient on the holiday. it is huge! like im talking i could pretty much fit my whole life in it. the plan is to take it folded up in my carry on suitcase on the way then use it whilst on the boat and on the way home to carry my laptop, books, headphones etc basically things that would normally go into my carry on suitcase. i am then going to use my carry on suitcase for shopping and everything that doesn't fit in my check luggage. so fingers crossed it all works out but nonetheless this bag is such a good buy, it feels like good quality and holds a lot of stuff. definitely worth the price!! (as you can tell i can't wait to be all out matching).

so that is it for the holiday prep posts for this holiday! i am excited to share our holiday in detail with you once i get back (or even during pending if i take my laptop with me). hope you enjoy this posts as much as i enjoy making them

xxx

instagram: @lifebyssblog

email: lifebyssblog@gmail.com

**all photo and link credit goes to respective owners/creators**

October 18, 2018 No comments