Monday, March 27, 2023

My Week In Pictures

 


Hi guys! I thought I'd do a quick 'My Life In Pictures' post today. Kind of like a #WordlessWednesday but on a Monday and with words haha. Let's go!



Monday I published 'My Top 10 Netflix Recommendations' blog post and advertised it across my social media channels. I really put some effort in on that post and wanted it to do well.


Tuesday I washed my hair for an event the next night and went shopping for a campaign I'm working on. I had a little cat helper when I was getting ready.



Wednesday I shot my first bunch of content for the collaboration during the day. At night we attended the John Wick: Chapter 4 preview screening which was really cool! We went to dinner first at Spargo's but the steak wasn't very good (although the garlic bread was yummy).


Thursday I had planned to go out, but opted to stay home and get all my collab post content ready to publish Friday, editing photos, working out hashtags and writing the caption. But before that, I treated myself to this Chai Latte from a local cafe after school drop off. I also published John Wick: Chapter 4 pics onto my personal and @whatmaxwatches Instagram accounts.


Friday I got my carousel post published for the shopping campaign and engaged on my food account. I also cooked Spaghetti Bolognese, styled and shot content for the second post in that campaign. All this left me exhausted lol. Love Is Blind Season 4 was released on Netflix, so I watched some episodes of that at night.


Saturday, yet more cooking, styling and shooting for this campaign. Two dishes, this time! This took me all afternoon. Again, exhausting work. In the night time we watched John Wick, the original movie, after loving the fourth one earlier in the week. Then I got myself up to date with Love Is Blind S4 episodes.


Sunday I realised I had been too busy all week to get a blog post ready to publish on 27/3, so I sat down and wrote this blog post you're reading now. Nothing like a last minute post, hey!? I also did a few hours of housework. Fun times. Above is a banana bread and juice combo I enjoyed during the week.

I really need for things to calm down, as I've been super busy lately, and there have been a number of occasions where I've found myself totally overwhelmed. I know I've got too many collaborations going at once and even though I couldn't resist accepting another food collab during the week, I did turn down two beauty collabs. So there's that. I think in about two week's time I might be in a better position.

Wishing you all a lovely week Xx


Monday, March 20, 2023

My Top 10 Netflix Recommendations

 


Hi guys! Not sure what to watch? You've come to the right place! I've been watching a lot of Netflix lately, so I thought I'd write about what shows I've been loving. Let's take a look at my Spoiler-Free rundown... 



1. WEDNESDAY

From Jenna Ortega's deadpan delivery as Wednesday, to the gothic sets, dark feel and the much talked about 'dance scene', Wednesday is such a fun show from start to finish. Based on the original The Addams Family characters, Tim Burton's updated version (I'm calling it his - he directs half of the episodes and serves as Executive Producer on the show) brings the mystery and intrigue and is a standout in the comedy/horror/supernatural genre.




2. THE WATCHER

Another mysterious show that had me absolutely hooked, The Watcher is actually based on real-life events, making it even creepier to watch! This stars Naomi Watts, along with Bobby Cannavale and absolute icon Jennifer Coolidge, with support from Mia Farrow and Richard Kind. It's a horror/mystery/thriller about a family who move into their dream home, only to be terrorized by threatening letters from a stalker, and a bunch of very creepy neighbours. Even though I dislike scary shows, I really liked The Watcher.




3. DEAD TO ME

I've loved following the characters of Judy and Jen through the seasons, so it's sad to see Dead To Me come to an end, but it was necessary due to star Christina Applegate's Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis and worsening health. This last send-off is not all doom and gloom; thankfully there are still laughs to be had in this final season. You can check out my Review of the previous seasons of Dead To Me here.




4. YOU

Not as good as seasons 1-3 but still extremely bingeable (I watched it in two days), You season 4 is a psychological thriller based around Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager and serial killer. If you're a fan of this series, you know some shit is gonna go down, and things will get real dark, real quick. I found S4 went in a bit of a different direction (and was also based in a completely different part of the world) but is still very good. In interviews, star Penn Badgley has said he wants one more season of You so that Joe can get what's coming to him, so let's hope he gets his wish.




5. THE CIRCLE

The Circle is always a fun watch, if you don't mind loud, screechy extroverts, with a seemingly endless supply of enthusiasm. Contestants are separated into different apartments within The Circle building and can only communicate via 'The Chat', an online messaging system. They can play as themselves or try to Catfish the other players, which adds a whole other layer to proceedings. Watching them build relationships and alliances, compete in character-revealing games and strategize to be the final winner makes for entertaining (and at times exhausting) but ultimately super-fun viewing.


Short on time? You may be interested in Binge It In A Day




6. THE RECRUIT

I watched this on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! It stars Netflix-favourite Noah Centineo as Owen Hendricks, a CIA lawyer, who becomes involved in international conflicts with some very dangerous criminals after an asset tries to expose her relationship to the agency. The Recruit has plenty of action, drama but also laughs and intrigue. It's a spy thriller/adventure with great performances, that will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. This has been renewed for a second season, which I'll happily be watching.




7. PERFECT MATCH

If you're as much of a reality TV tragic as me, you will love this trashy excuse for a show. Featuring familiar faces from Love Is Blind (Shayne, Bartise, Damian), The Mole (Dom, Will!), Too Hot To Handle (Francesca, Georgia, Chase)) and The Circle (Joey, Nick, Chloe))  among others, it's guilty pleasure territory as these personalities compete to 'match up' and stay in the house to ultimately be the winners of Perfect Match.




8. BLING EMPIRE: NEW YORK

No thinking required with this one, making it the perfect show to throw on in the background. Fans of Bling Empire will notice along with the new city, we are also introduced to a whole new cast of wealthy Asian-Americans, with only one familiar face, Dorothy, featuring in this spin-off series. I challenge you not to fall in love with Blake, possibly the only somewhat-genuine person in the show. Be dazzled by opulence, jewels, outlandish outfits and ridiculously bougie parties as we follow the rich and famous around New York.




9. PHYSICAL: 100

This is a great reality show to watch with your family, as I'm sure kids will get a kick out of all the various gruelling challenges, as 100 of the top physical athletes in Korea compete to find out who is in the best physical shape. This is dubbed over and the English translations are a hoot, too.




10. BYRON BAES

This may only appeal to a niche audience (perhaps reality tragics like myself) and I admit it can be annoying. It follows a group of artists, influencers and entrepreneurs in Byron Bay as they work, socialise and try to make their dreams come true. If you can stand the crystals, flowy fashion and hippie-dippy shit, this is an easy to watch and fascinating, if not highly-scripted, piece of Aussie reality TV.


Happily I am now up to date with Bling Empire off this list of Unfinished Business and am continuing with Dynasty. I'm near the end of The Staircase so really should buckle down and finish that off too.

Have you seen any of these shows? Or if you have any recommendations let me know in the comments! You can always follow along on @whatmaxwatches to see what a super cool Unicorn called Max watches. 

Monday, March 13, 2023

February Empties

 


Hi guys. I thought I'd write an Empties post as I haven't in a long time. Here's every beauty product I finished last month...

Colab Dry Shampoo Extreme Volume
I adore this stuff and will continue to purchase. I already have multiple back-ups in the cupboard as I can't be without it.

Rexona Clinical Protection Shower Clean AntiPerspirant Deodorant
I buy these when they are on special at the supermarket. Although more expensive, I find this deodorant is more effective than most others I've tried.

Nature's Way Collagen Gummies
I've stopped using these as I think they are useless and have yet to see them make a difference.

Antipodes Hosanna H2O Intensive Skin Plumping Serum
I used to love this but my interest and use has waned, meaning this bottle has gone off so I'm binning it. Will not re-purchase.

The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel
I love the refreshing scent of this and really enjoyed using it but have plenty of other shower gels, mousses, soaps, etc to use up.




Boost Lab 2D Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum
Love love love this stuff and will continue to purchase it. Already have my next bottle which I've blogged about in this Boost Lab Serum Haul post.

Models Prefer Eye Brightener Light Diffusing Concealer
I enjoy using this under my eyes, mixed with some argan oil concealer as it can be a bit drying, but the argan oil moistens things up making it easy to blend without creasing. I already have a back-up on the go.

Maybelline Masterliner in Black
I will forever buy this, my holy grail eyeliner. I routinely buy them on special and have up to five back-ups on hand, haha.

Revlon Colorstay Skin Awaken 5-in-1 Concealer
I find this works best under my eyes as a first step after I've applied my eye cream. Love it and will continue to buy.

3 x Garnier Micellar Cleansing Wipes (Sensitive Skin)
I swear by the 3 pack of these, they're so effective and comforting to me. I've already replaced.

L'Oreal Revitalift Filler Deep Replumping Anti-Ageing Day Cream
I'm up in the air about whether to re-purchase as I can only use it before bed. This is effective and feels lovely but pills up badly meaning I can't use it under makeup.

L'Oreal Age Perfect Collagen Tightening Day Cream
I'm now firmly addicted to this cream and already on my third jar. Check out my review of it here. I'll definitely continue to buy it.

Monday, March 6, 2023

Mani Monday: Ulta3 Colour Bomb!

 


Hi guys. I've never felt as burnt out as I do right now. This week has been hectic to say the least and I really need a break. Monday I published my blog post, took a 1 hour 20 minute each way bus trip to a food invite collab, came home, then got another post published on Instagram from an event I'd attended over the weekend. Tuesday I had to prep all work for a beauty collab, put away so many groceries from an online delivery and post my Boost Lab Haul photo on Instagram, as well as prep work for Monday's food collab. Wednesday I posted Monday's food visit collab to Instagram, washed my hair and continued working on my beauty collab, writing the caption and researching some hashtags. Thursday I went into town and edited some photos for another post. By this stage I was mentally exhausted and put off posting my beauty collab photo, but did do some Stories for it. I also did a quick giveaway on my food account Stories of some codes for fairy floss I was gifted but couldn't use. Friday (edit - the day I wrote this) I finally got my beauty collab work finished and posted on Instagram, did some housework, did some prep for a food collab I'm going into the city for tomorrow and wrote this blog post. I think I might be taking on too much!

This week's post features the newly released Colour Bomb shades from Ulta3. I got sent these nail polishes in December last year, but the launch date kept getting delayed. Finally I can post about them! I love these pretty colours, and decided to apply all of them in the one epic mani lol.




These colours are playful, fun and light-hearted and are inspired by the nostalgic tones of the early 2000's. The shades are Frost, Aquamarine, Acid Lime and Marmalade. I hope you enjoy this mani!




Disclaimer: These products were PR gifted.