Really just a whinge-fest masquerading as a blog post.

I returned to work this week after having a blissful ten days off, where the only activities I actioned were delightfully idle ones like lazing around the house, flexing some credit at boxing day sales, watching chick flicks whilst happily ensconsced in my lounge room with an icypole for company, making best friends with the airconditioning. You get the picture.

The process of returning to my corporate prison this week, to the dreary mundanity of 9-5 life, is getting me down, people. Suddenly I'm back to wearing clothes with a real waistband, waking up before the Today show has finished, and slapping on a full face of makeup every day. Before 8am. It's hard to believe this time last week I was probably curled up on the couch having an afternoon disco nap.

I am hopelessly envious of all you layabouts who still have the good fortune to be swanning around leisurely on holiday time. It feels like everyone else is enjoying a lazy January while I bask in fluroscent light all day long. This week has been so ridiculously difficult. Do you know I let my hair go unwashed for three days after Christmas? I know what you're thinking. Revolting. Truth be told, it is Liberating. Thank the heavens for dry shampoo and ballerina buns.

This morning, as I slapped on foundation (stila oil-free natural finish FYI - it's lovely), patted some cream blush on my cheeks (MAC sweet william blushcreme, in case you're interested) and carefully applied my lippie (MAC long stem rose slimshine - so pretty), I suddenly felt so tired. I know first world dramahs like post-holiday-blues do pass eventually, but right now, I need to wallow. Good thing I slapped on some fake tan and nail polish last night – imagine how low my spirits would be if I were pasty and unmanicured right now!

Let's pop into a time machine and revisit my time off. Let's all dream of sweeter and happier days, where daytime TV reigns supreme, bulging Outlook calendars are but a distant memory, and there's always leftover Christmas pudding in the fridge.

  

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15 in Shade 01, $69 from Mecca

Last week I used this stuff nonstop. Sure, It doesn't have the oil-controlling, superbly mattifying prowess that my work makeup does. It doesn't look good on me past a few hours, it makes my face look like an oil slick when it's decided it's had enough of playing nice on my face. But jeepers, while it's good, it's GOOD. It's uber dewy so I set it with MAC blot powder (my saviour) and chucked some bronzer on over the top (I was loving my stila sun pressed bronzing powder last week). You know those times when you just want to pop out of the house for a spot of shopping, or a catchup with a girlfriend, or a movie? This was perfect for those times when I just wanted to look like I had great skin, if only for a few fleeting hours.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer body mist sunblock

This stuff is my favourite sunscreen for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it's an aerosol spray can! Welcome to the future. Things don't get niftier than this, truly. This stuff is light and easy and reliable and convenient and I tore through my supplies of this stuff last week. I strongly believe I used almost a whole can on New Year's Eve. (Happy late year everyone, by the way!) I also like using its older sister on my face, the dry touch ultra sheer something sunscreen with helioplex thing. I'm far too lazy to look up the exact name, cut me some slack tiger, I should be snoozing in front of Oprah right now.

  

Sportsgirl 'You can't judge a book by its cover' palette for lips, eyes & face

Ohh, hello lover. Last week it just seemed that things like coordinating colours and choosing eyeshadow shades might be too taxing on my fuzzy, post-Christmas brain, and then this little palette came into my life and made things right again. Look at those colours! So summer worthy. These palettes remind me so much of the Too Faced quickie palettes (which I LOVE) – they are just so nifty. There's no guesswork involved. There's no opening compacts and looking for that blush shade and wondering where that eyeshadow disappeared to. I couldn't save a photo off the Sportsgirl site, so I even took my own picture to show it to you. That's how much I care. (Spot my pink leopard print mousepad in the background. It's amazing.) I spotted these on sale on Boxing Day so if you're lucky to find one, do yourself a favour and snap it up, quicksticks. And may I just mention, how impressed I am with Sportsgirl's very excellent makeup range? I have loved everything from the range. Interesting trivia: I used the Sportsgirl mango bodywash this morning. I bet you're grateful I shared that.

 

Unico leave in spray ($21.95 from adorebeauty) and hair serum ($22.95 from adorebeauty)

I am going to be quick here - this stuff is amazing. Let's be honest people - holiday hair, it doesn't always look good. It's generally messy and lazy and low-mai, and my hair was all of those things last week, but in the best way possible. I barely blowdried my hair all week, instead embracing my natural curl and using that hair-styling time to action more important tasks, like baking a birthday cake for my sister and reading overseas mags on the verandah. Both these products kept my hair smooth and happy and unfazed in the face of high temperatures. These products are SO good they deserve their own blog post, which they will get. ASAP. (Bosses who tack on ASAP to the end of every sentence - Fools.)

Lipsmacker in Cotton Candy

Nostalgia is the most powerful aphrodisiac, people. I was given a pack of SIX lip smackers for Christmas and golly, it takes me back. Remember collecting these in primary school? Cotton Candy makes me feel like a little girl again. Don't think I didn't also use the Bubblegum one all week, too.

OPI Chapel of Love and Zoya Barbie nail polishes

I do believe I mentioned how pretty Zoya Barbie is in my Christmas post - I was loving it sick last week. It is such a gorgeous pale pink that made me feel like a lady. No mean feat, people. Chapel of Love is the most adorable pink that has a tinge of watermelon or something in it and made my toes look like they were born to be on holidays.

  

I am off to the beach this weekend (mini break!) and am packing all of the above to take with me! I'll be spending the weekend on a magical little island where penguins roam free and teen superstars dine at local cafes - too bad Miley has gone home, I honestly thought her and I would galpal around Phillip Island together. Sigh. There's always next year. In the meantime, picture my beach weekend as looking something like this:

Happy weekend! x