September Lust Have It Box

There's a few things in this months Lust Have It box that I'm really looking forward to using. For example; Karpati Anti-Age Mask, Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover and the GKMBJ One Minute Hair Mask.
I have used Wotnot Facial Wipes before and they are my pick for facial wipes. They are natural/organic wipes and contain beautiful ingredients like Australian Certified Organic Aloe Vera - which moistens and repairs skin & Certified Organic Sweet Almond Oil - calms redness and restores moisture & Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil - rebalances moisture and regenerates skin. They are soft on the skin and remove all traces of daily makeup and grime, leaving skin feeling refreshed.
I've used the L'Oreal Base Magique Primer but didn't think much of it. It wasn't hydrating enough for me to use as a primer and my foundation would not apply properly over the top of it.
Plus there was a BONUS TOM Organic Tampons (Pk16) that was supposed to be in the box, I missed out! But I did email LHI and they responded within the hour stating they were sorry and they would put a pack in the post for me - that was good.
There were no full size products in this months box, apart from the pencil brush. The Wotnot Wipes were a pack of 5, the GKMBJ Hair Mask was a small sample as was the Mary Kay Makeup Remover and the Karpati Face Mask (single use).
I would rate this box a 3 out of 5.

Australian Summer

Australia's horrific months are January and February
Where heat and humidity build to a crescendo
Stifling heat, ferocious fires...you have to be wary
Stifling heat, just praying for a cool breeze to blow

A man using a grinder on his farm
It takes one stray spark to hit the dry grass
Unintentionally this man's about to cause great harm
Today is 'catastrophic' fire danger...what a jackass!

His attempts to extinguish the flame are futile
Dry grass, perfect fuel for the fire
He frantically taps in 000 on his mobile
As minutes tick by the situation becomes dire

Flashes of red fire truck through the trees in the distance
Whaling of sirens steadily growing louder
Fire fighters are brave...their own downfall, hesitance
Big black boots scuff their way through ashy powder

Huge nozzles concentrate water to the flame
As the 'thud-thud-thud' of chopper blades appear overhead
Our fire fighter in the sky - Elvis is its name
There to lend a hand, put this fire to bed

But the RFS don't stand a chance
The fire's hellish fury is at full force
I'm cocooned in the fire truck watching fire sprites dance
Knowing I'm dead if the wind changes course

Breathing normal is impossible through the thick, smoky veil
The sky outside glowing an ominous red
A kangaroo skips by with singed fur and tail
Trying to outrun the flames, trying to get ahead

In seconds the trucks are filled with firemen once more
Wide eyes staring out of sooty smudged faces
There are some tears, utter horror, emotions are raw
The fire doesn't care; it gathers power and on it races

Radio broadcast "fire threat, life and property in danger"
The trucks and its soldiers fly into action
Knowing loss of life will be a game changer
Their adrenalin is pumping...it's a strange attraction

It takes 10 minutes to reach the destination
A house is burning, flames 100 feet in the air
Nothing they can do, it's a no-win situation
Priority; move civilians to safety somewhere

The road back to town is terrifying
Downed power lines literally electrifying
Fallen trees blocking the way are hampering
The road back to town...horrifying

On the far side of town crews had begun back burning
Eliminating the approaching monsters' fuel
Thoughts of failure not worth contemplating
7000 hectares razed, a twist of fate so cruel

Fire fighters efforts bring success eventually
Fire still burning but finally contained
Wildlife and habitat decimated completely
Life will go on; this rule of nature is ingrained

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©Juanita Torr

Review: The Great Deception - Joy Chambers

I was sent this book by Beauty & Lace to read and review.

It felt like it took an Eternity to complete this book, at times it was like a form of torture to have to read it, when all I really wanted to do was close the page and never open it again. But the only way to give an unbiased and comprehensive review is to read the story in its entirety.

A large part of this story was set in Germany and was boring to read, with parts of the writing not ringing true for me. It was obvious that the Author had done a lot of research about her topic and she had footnotes on some pages, which explained a little more about certain people and places from history.
Joy wrote the entire book using the English language apart from certain words that were repeated over and over and I could not understand why she didn't just write it all in English, the words being; ja, gut and jawohl, I think these words were planted in there to TRY and bring about a German flavour, but it didn't succeed. I found the writing very disjointed and choppy.
The main character, Cole, a supposed secret operative was not at all persuasive. During the story Cole was planted in Germany to impersonate a high ranking SS Officer....although he forgot to do his homework in a number of areas of the impersonated Officers' life; meetings, friends, family. He couldn't even get the accent right or some of the basic traits that were a part of the impersonated Officer. A big no no in the secret agents World I would think!

The story begins in rural NSW with Cole and his wife Shelley living happily as life passes by, seemingly a normal existence. Then one day Shelley is visited by a stranger asking questions about Cole, when she mentions this to Cole, he knows exactly what is happening and exactly what he must do. During one night, Cole enacts his escape plan and disappears, leaving Shelley with many questions. A search through some of Cole's belongings provides more mystery, with a photo surfacing of a woman and a photo of Cole complete with short note and him signing off as someone else.

Shelley decides that she must travel overseas to track down her partner...as you do! Shelley's travels are monotonous and boring at best. The majority of the book is then focused on Germany, WW11 and the Nazis. Enter 3 of Cole's supposed best friends, part of his 'brotherhood' who are intent on killing Cole because of an 'idea' they have of Cole betraying them...no facts, just an inkling and they decide he should die. Joy Chambers does a magnificent job of making Nazis and secret operatives look like bungling, inefficient idiots!

This story should have ample action, drama and intensity while also being completely believable. The characters are all either hardened Nazis or experienced, brazen secret operatives and yet Joy Chambers uses language that a priest would use. A few examples;
- Cole is an undercover SS Officer and uses words like "gosh" and "gee". I do not think he even uttered the words damn or hell. This is a passage from the final page -

"But it's you I want for all time Shell. You're the one I want and need for all time".
"Oh heaven, Cole, then can we go home? Home to Apple Gate?"
"God Shell, yes, we can. Just you and me, that's what I need."

Lame.....

And this...an apology from his 3 friends, who were intent on killing him.

Mako - "Ah, please accept our apology, we made a terrible blunder."
Felix - "Gosh, yeah, Cole, we regret this bloody awful mistake...."
Cole accepts their apologies, which is then followed by a "Heck, thanks Cole."

I do not even know people that talk like that normally, let alone rugged killing machines!

Benefit High Beam

Benefit is in my top 5 of favourite makeup brands. I use many of their products and have never been disappointed. High Beam was on my wish list for ages and I was ecstatic when I finally got my hands on this bottle. This is the perfect highlighting product for your face. It’s a gorgeous girly, fairy floss, candy colour. The bottle is similar to a nail polish bottle and also has a brush applicator like a nail polish brush. The product is a runny liquid consistency but not so runny that it drips everywhere and is messy. The brush applicator makes for precision application, which is great for around the eye area. I use this for my under-brow arch area (to give my eyes a younger appearance and more wide awake look), my eye contour area (so my wrinkles look more diminished) and down onto my cheek bones (this thins my face and pronounces my cheek bones more). It just highlights perfectly and can make your entire face light-up. Great for when you’re feeling tired and worn out as it transforms your face to refreshed and re energised. I am quite pale and the High Beam gives a perfect subtle pink- hued shimmer.

Marriage Equality

On 18th April, 2013, New Zealand became the 13th country to legalise Marriage Equality....hooray!!! Although it is embarrassing that Australia is still lagging behind in this area, which I feel puts us to shame. It does make Australia appear a little backward in our thinking.
Thing is, this is not the way the majority of Australians feel. A Nielson Poll held in 2011-2012 shows that 64% of Australians support marriage equality, and a staggering 53% of Christians support the move.
In Australia today, civil unions (is a legally recognised union of gay couples that allows them many of the rights that go along with marriage; namely for federal entitlements) are legal and allows same sex couples to register their relationship with the Birth, Deaths and Marriages Office but does not give them the right to officially declare and celebrate their partnership...in my opinion, this is splitting hairs, a 'union' or a 'marriage' means the same thing to me.
The past few weeks I have been bombarded on Facebook with requests to sign petitions asking our politicians to bring this topic to a referendum. Naturally I've signed all of them and from the looks of all the 'likes' these petitions are receiving, there's a huge following and support for marriage equality. If only the politicians would listen to us! Aren't they in office on our behalf? Maybe it's about time they began listening and taking notice of what Australians have to say.
I don't believe that anyone has the right to play "God"! The nerve of these decision makers to dictate to the public whether they can or cannot marry, depending on who they love, fills me with anger.  We all live, bleed and love. We are all human and we all need to learn tolerance and acceptance.
Wake up Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, get with the times and grow up!

An Ode To My Sister

My confidante, best friend...my sister

You'll never guess how much I've missed you

All throughout this past year

Many a time I've shed a tear 

Days when I just want you nearby

So upon your shoulder I can cry

Now once again we are together

I wish this week would go on forever 

I love your smile and twinkling eyes

You brighten even the darkest skies

When you are here the puzzles complete

These are moments my memory will never delete 

Memories of fun, family and sisterly love

Along with all the minor conflicts we rise above

A death stare....a cross word

Nothing will stop us from moving forward 

Our love for each other is unconditional

Even though we butt heads and get a tad emotional

I could never contemplate holding a grudge against you

And I believe you feel the exact same way too

Staying mad at you is really quite hard

Cos your spontaniety catches me off guard

Your wonderful weirdness and crazy ways

Working you out is like conquering a maze  

An abundance of talent and personality to boot

There are many reasons why, to you, I salute!

I look up to you for your strength inside

You shook off bad history, re-opening your arms again wide 

Ready to embrace what life had planned

With your focus and drive, on your feet you did land

But it's not all seriousness and work

Behind the facade your quirky side does lurk  

This is the true you, who has us in hysterics

You're funny and brilliant, there's not a thing about you I'd fix

Your generosity towards your family is indescribable

A simple "Thank You" will never be suitable 

You've given my daughter things I never could

You've done above and beyond what most Aunts' would

I've been blessed to have a sister like you

Not only a sister....but a best friend too 

There's one part I hate about you arriving

Because no matter what....it leads to you leaving

So please promise me you'll keep yourself safe and sound

Until this time next year comes back around.

 

©copyright Juanita Torr
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SKN "Enhance" Bust, Boost, Lift and Tone

I've been flat out lately. My daughter and I have been renting our place for 5 years, we love it where we are, it's so central to everything we need; transport, shops, beach, pool, cinema. The person who owned the Unit decided to sell and the new owner decided to evict us. It's coming up to Christmas holidays and where I live is like a holiday hub, so I think he's being greedy and just wants the big bucks over the holidays. Anyway after lots of searching for new accomodation and non-stop packing, we have new arrangements and a new home. We move in 3-4 weeks, my sister is coming over from Perth to lend a hand (she's so sweet).

I met a lady on the Internet about 12 months ago, I cannot remember how it came about. Her name is Vicki Law and she has a history in the beauty industry going back many years. When I stumbled upon her she was in the midst of bringing out a new product designed specifically for Women, and our busts. The product is called SKN Enhance Bust Boost, Lift and Tone. The package comes in striking hot pink and black packaging, very eye-catching. Inside the box is two tubes of cream and a hot pink exercise band and an exercise booklet. One tube contains the Breast Plumping Agent, the other tube contains the Bust Lift & Tone Lotion. It is most effective when applied twice a day (preferably after you shower); the Breast Plumping Agent is massaged in first, then you massage in the Bust Lift & Tone Lotion, then follow with the exercises stipulated in the booklet. You are given quite a few to choose from and you only need to pick three exercises to complete, twice a day. That's it!
The main ingredients in these creams are;
***Pueraria Mirifica, Saw Palmento, Serilisene, Relastase.
My experience with this kit was quite good. I wasn't really expecting anything to happen and about 5 months into it, I acquired a Bursa on my left shoulder and could not do the exercises at all. I still continued with the creams and am still using them. I've found that my skin texture on my breasts and decolletege area have changed noticeably. I used to be very dry, uneven skin-tone, crepe-iness. It wasn't an area on my body that I usually paid attention to. Now my chest area looks like it belongs to a younger woman, my skin is plumped, revitalised, even-toned and feels silky soft.
Over the 5 months I had been using the products, I didn't notice any change in shape or firmness of my breasts, but then again, that would've been a miracle as I am big-busted and being in my 40's, gravity is getting the better of both my boobs.

I think this is a great opportunity for Women to pamper themselves and get into the habit of giving their own breasts some TLC and get to know your breasts; the feel of them, get acquainted. It's an easy way to check ourselves for any lumps in our breasts or anything that feels unusual.