5 Tips for Looking Good on a Budget

Growing up, I've never had much money. However, I've always had an interest in fashion, make up & accessories (along with many other bank-draining activities). This is quite clearly a conflicting matter, but being the stubborn, hard-headed girl that I am, I was never going to let the issue of 'not having enough money' bring me down.

I learnt (over time) how to be able to indulge my love for shopping and all things pretty without breaking the bank, and still manage to look great (well, I hope so anyway)!

Here are my five helpful tips for looking good on a budget!

1. You don't need to buy all of the latest trends! The latest trends come and go, and if you're spending all your cash on a passing fad, you're gonna run out of money - fast.

2. Have a wardrobe of basic pieces that you can wear with just about anything! I have basic pieces from several years ago that I still wear to this day. A black cardigan, for example, can be added to just about any outfit. A simple white crop can be dressed down with some jeans or shorts, or dressed up with a colourful bodycon skirt.

3. Buy things when they go on sale! Things go on sale a lot more often than you may think. I recently found a gorgeous scarf in Cotton On for $20, new in for the Fall season. Despite absolutely loving it, I decided to pass on it as I only had the $20 and still needed to pick up some other things. Well, whaddaya' know? This scarf was now only $10. That's a 50% reduction on new stock, two days after seeing it full price. This wasn't an advertised sale either, but trust me, stores randomly mark down their products a heck of a lot more than they're willing to share! And the leftover $10 meant I was able to grab some lip gloss to go with my new scarf!

4. Get creative with your old clothes! Do you have a bunch of now out-of-fashion items? Have you lost or gained some weight? Do you have old clothes that are ready to go into retirement? Why not pull out your scissors and get creative! An old pair of jeans, for example, could be turned into a pair of shorts and a purse with a bit of D.I.Y! You'll still be making good use of your old clothing, and have something totally one of a kind to show off!

5. Shop around! If you see something you absolutely love, then by all means you should be able to get it! But before purchasing it (love at first sight, aye?), it's always a good idea to check out other stores to see if they have the same thing at a better price, or of a higher quality. You should always try to get your moneys worth!

I hope my tips for looking good on a budget were helpful to you! If you have any of your own tips you'd like to add, let me know in the comments below!

xx Chontelle Louise

My Photoshoot With Christopher Robert Photography

A couple of weeks ago Chris and I met up in the city to shoot together. I had seen (and loved) Chris' photography on Instagram and contacted him about setting up a time to shoot. The plan was to spend some time shooting in the city before heading back to the studio, where the fun would begin.

Well, the city aspect of our shoot didn't last too long as somebody (read: me) is a bit of a wimp and not too good at dealing with the cold and windy weather. I was literally freezing, and getting a runny nose... not the best look (even post-editing)!

So we made our way over to the studio (me, thankful to be out of the cold/wind). From there, I began to relax a bit more and Chris started to work his photo-magic and take some great shots of yours truly. These are some of my favourites from the shoot, however there were over 500 really great unedited photos in total, which made picking the few that made the final cut was incredibly difficult. 

I had an awesome time shooting with Chris, so if there's anyone in the Melbourne area interested in shooting with him, or if you just like looking at seriously great photos, you can check his work out at Christopher Robert Photography!

xx Chontelle Louise

6 Things I Miss About London

It's been nearly six months since my first ever trip to the incredible city of London and I can honestly say that I absolutely loved it there. There are many days where I'll be sitting with my thoughts and my mind will wander to the days spent roaming the streets of London, gasping at the gorgeous buildings and sights, eating some of the most delicious cakes at cute little bakeries and coffee shops, having a stroll through the many famous parks and gardens after a long day of shopping, catching the iconic double decker buses all around the city (which can be much more enjoyable than a dull trip on the tube), or even a simple meal of sausages, veggies and mash with family (how stereotypically Brittish)!

Sometimes, especially since moving to Melbourne (titled the most European city in Australia, and for good reason!), I will see something that reminds me of London, or get caught in the wind and rain in the middle of a previously bright and sunny day (ahem) and recall the times that the exact same thing happened in London.

It's safe to say, I left my heart in London - and one day in the near future I hope to make the trip across the pond (and over the whole of Asia/Arabia/Europe too while I'm at it) and move into my very own little London Town apartment.

So today's post is sort a of tribute to the little things I enjoyed over my time in London, things that pop up in my mind throughout the day and make me miss London that little bit more each time!

1. The beatuiful buildings & architecture! London is a beautiful city, full of old, historic buildings that each tell their own different story. Something I noticed while I was there is that it was almost impossible to take a boring photo - the streets, buildings, parks, shop fronts, gates, doors - just about everything about London is so picturesque!
    

    

2. Harrods! I could have spent days wandering around Harrods, there was so much to see! It really is as great as everyone says it is. Don't have a large budget? No worries, there's something in there to suit every price range! I especially loved the coffee, tea, chocolate, biscuits and fudge section (check out the delicious fudges and incredible coffee grinding machine)!

3. Everything is open late! Honestly, this can apply to the majority of the cities I've visited in my travels throughout the UK, Europe and the USA. However, for me this just adds to how exciting and alive the city of London truly is and makes me miss it even more. Here in Australia it's not that common to be open late. Inner city cafes for example are rarely open past 4pm on a weekday, and sometimes closed over the weekends! And while they're open from 6-7am here in Melbourne, back in Brisbane you'd rarely find any 'decent' (insert coffee snobbery here) cafe's open before 9-10am on a good day. Also, most shops (post offices, clothing etc) tend to close early too. So the luxury of being able to wander around looking at all sorts of clothing, books and more before sitting down for a coffee and a snack is a little something I've missed having since coming home.

     

4. Having a Pub Lunch! Another stereotypical thing to do when in London (well, the UK in general really) is to go out for lunch at the pub (fish and chips or a good ol' roast, anyone?). We did this twice during our time in the UK (once in Edinburgh, and once for our family meal our last day in London) and it's always a lovely experience. The pub's are so cute and cosy, the food is hearty and tasty (not to mention relatively cheap!), and there's always a friendly and laid back atmosphere. Definitely something I crave on a rainy Melbourne day.



5. The public transport! London's public transport system - with the infamous double decker buses and the tube - is in my opinion, the best in the world. It's clean and functional, totally iconic the world over, and so frequent that if you blink and miss your bus/train, you probably won't even notice as the next one will be right behind it!

6. The whole of Europe is only a skip, jump & hop away! Living in London, you literally have the world at your fingertips. Not only is every country in the UK and Europe so easily (and cheaply!) accessible, but places like New York for example are only a couple of hours flight away. In comparison, you have to travel a long way to get to the next city in Australia, and there aren't too many of them, and exploring new countries is a lot more difficult when you're on an isolated island (anyone remember the time the government suggest renaming our country, 'The Island of Australia?).

So there we have it, six of the many things I miss about London! Have you ever been to London before? Did you love? Hate it? Let me know what YOU miss about London below, or what makes you want to visit!

xx Chontelle Louise

Exploring The Queen Victoria Markets!

It's now been almost two months since my mother and I packed up our house and belongings up in Brisbane and made the 20+ hour drive down to Melbourne, and a whole month since we moved into our new little home.

Visiting the Queen Victoria Markets was something that we had been planning to do since before we left Brisbane (after all, it is on just about every touristy 'must do' list on the web), and on Saturday, we finally decided to check it out.

We arrived a bit later than planned after sleeping in (whoops!) and stopping for a coffee at Starbucks first, but we arrived nonetheless at around 11:00am.

We started by checking out the fresh fruit and veggies section, which looks seriously amazing in pictures (as evidenced above). Everything looked great, definitely fresh and of good quality, decent prices, however not really anything special - meaning that there was nothing you wouldn't be able to find at your local grocery store or market.

We then moved on to the outskirts of the plants and souvenirs section for a quick browse, however we didn't stay long as we had already spent a fair bit of time walking from one end of the city to the other and were starting to get tired. I will however take this chance to mention to any visitors to Melbourne that there's a massive variety of souvenirs you can pick up at decent prices to take home with you as a memory of your trip! So yeah, if you're visiting Melbourne then definitely come along to check out the souvenirs!

               

Next on our agenda was a stroll through the fresh meats and seafood section, which led us through to the delicatessen area. All I can say is, the cheeses! Oh, the cheeses! There were so many different varieties and they all looked equally delicious, the part of me with a mild case of lactose intolerance was screaming, haha! I'm a massive fan of a simple meal of cheeses, deli meats, antipasto and fresh bread (which paints a lovely picture of many of the meals I consumed in Paris and Italy, so simple yet so amazing)! Which brings me the bread (and some sneaky cakes).

               

There was some lovely freshly baked bread for sale, and again, so many different varieties! There was white, multigrain, wheat, sourdough, rye, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, organic, even a small selection of gluten free breads! So A+ for variety! The bread itself looked quite nice, however in a similar sense to the fresh fruit and veggies on offer at the Queen Victoria Markets, it wasn't anything special. The only difference I found between the bread here and the bread nearer to home was the variety - and the price. I could save a couple of dollars purchasing from a slightly smaller variety closer to home, and most likely will.

The cakes are a similar story - lovely but nothing out of the ordinary. However being nothing out of the ordinary doesn't stop you from drooling over these lovely fresh treats! I almost caved in to my cravings for one of the lovely chocolate brownies I could see staring back at me. But before I had the chance to do that, I turned around and saw some even more delectable treats.

               

               

Yes, the chocolates. Possibly the only thing that could make you stop lusting after cake in favour of a much smaller piece of sweet goodness at a relatively larger price. There was a string on chocolate stalls with a huge selection of chocolately treats to choose from, but in the end we were drawn most to Koko Black. As we were trying to select only two little chocolates each (at $2.10 each, we weren't planning to go all out), a group doing one of those 'Melbourne Chocolate Walking Tours' arrived. Obviously, having a walking tour visit the shop you're about to purchase some treats from is generally a pretty good sign that you've made the right decision!

I ended up going for the Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Cluster and the Aurelia Champagne Truffle. Mum went for the Baileys and the Orange Cointreau Truffle. We also decided to grab the Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Trio (a Trio of three milk chocolate bunnies) in the name of having some Easter themed chocolate over the Easter long weekend!

As we were heading out of the market hall, mum tapped me on the shoulder and pointed over to a small store in the corner. I turned to see what she was pointing at and instantly knew we'd be making another purchase before leaving. McIver's had a gorgeous selection of beautiful whole roasted coffee beans in a range of different flavours and strengths - from dark and fruity to light, creamy and nutty. Being the coffee enthusiast I am, I had to try some. We decided on the East Timor - also one of the organic beans on offer - a sweet, hazelnut and chocolate flavoured roast. Perfect.

 

And with that final purchase, we were ready to leave the markets. We still had a bit of a walk to the train station, followed by a 30 minute train ride back home, so we decided to take in a coffee to refuel for the journey home. We were actually going to grab a coffee inside the market hall at a fancy looking coffee stall, but they only served their coffee with full-cream organic milk. I love organic, but my stomach just is not made for full-cream. So we ended up leaving the market hall and finding this cute cafe (Coffea Coffee) on Elizabeth Street, just outside of the markets and the tram stop. And thankfully, they had Soy milk!*happy dance* There was seating both inside and out, but the interior was really cute and kitsch so we pulled up our chairs and settled in for a seriously good coffee!

All in all, it was a lovely day out. Although I wouldn't go there every week, it's definitely an interesting way to spend the day every now and again, and worth sparing a couple of hours to check out if you're visiting Melbourne! The Queen Victoria Markets are located on the corner of Victoria Street and Elizabeth Street in the Melbourne CBD, and are open Tuesdays and Thursdays 6am-2pm, Fridays 6am-5pm, Saturdays 6am-3pm and Sundays 9am-4pm.

OOTD: Market Day & Coffee!

My Outfit:

Turtle neck sweater - H&M.

High-waisted skinny jeans/jeggings - Valley Girl.

Beige leather style boots - Spend Less Shoes.

Grey/silver shoulder bag - Ruby & Kit.

Mum and I decided to visit the Queen Victoria Markets in the Melbourne CBD today for a change of scenery. We'd been planning to check the markets out since we got down here but something had always gotten in the way, or we were too late (terrible time management between the two of us, like mother, like daughter). 

The temperature today only reached a high of 20*C, and it was much lower this morning. So the plan was definitely to dress warm and cosy, but also comfy and casual. Obviously jeans are a staple closet item during the Autumn/Winter season, so these light denim high-waisted jeans/jeggings from Valley Girl were the first thing I picked up. I absolutely love these pants - they're super comfy and look good paired with just about anything. The material is soft and relatively stretchy, meaning it doesn't feel stiff and uncomfortable as you go about your day (and is perfect to wear when going out for a meal, ie. no need to loosen a button or two). Not to mention, I have a bit of an obsession with high-waisted clothing!

I paired the jeans with this lovely soft, dusky pink turtle neck sweater that I recently purchased for only $30 from H&M. Honestly, I was really hesitant about this purchase as despite my love for sweaters, the whole turtle neck look is not something I'd usually go for. However, for some reason the sweater caught my eye, and when I tried it on I fell in love. The material is so warm and cosy, I never want to take it off! And the fit is perfect, it's a bit slouchy (which I love) and it still compliments my figure. 

I got my bag on sale from Zelows back in 2012, and despite being a little worn from constant use it remains one of my favourite accessories. The neutral colour of the bag makes it possible to include in just about any ensemble.

I decided to round off my look with a pair of beige, low chunky heeled boots. I've only worn these boots before on a couple of occasions, as even in winter it can be too hot for boots in Brisbane. But now that I'm in Melbourne I decided it was high time to take these babies out of the closet and indulge my obsession of boots. Meaning, you can expect a lot more OOTD posts featuring boots! Anyway, I loved the way the light, creamy beige colour of the boots complimented the dusky pink of my sweater and my light coloured hair. These boots were also the perfect choice for a day of walking around the markets, as well as the CBD. 

What do you think of my OOTD? Yay, or nay? Let me know in the comments below!

xx Chontelle Louise

My Top 4 Skincare Products!

                              

With the recent stress of moving interstate, finding a new place, and now trying to settle into a new routine, my skin has most definitely been suffering. So as soon as we got the new place, I set out on a mission to find myself the best skincare products possible to return my skin to its former (ahem) glory.

Now I don't have the greatest budget to spend on top quality, name-brand products, but I believe that you can get just as good results with affordable drug store and supermarket purchased products. I also tend to lean towards the more organic/natural skincare products as I believe they are both better for my skin, and better for the environment.

I should also mention that I am no expert in skincare, and have a tendency to up and change the products I use every few months. However, these are the products I'm loving at the moment and I hope that you'll enjoy reading about them! And who knows, you might even find a new favourite for your skincare routine!

So with all of that in mind, I'd like to introduce you the first skincare product on my 'Top 4' list.

1. Nivea Pure & Natural Facial Cleansing Wipes. When I get home after a long day wearing clore-plogging make up, running one of these cleansing wipes over my face is like a breath of fresh air. They always leave my skin feeling clean, fresh and hydrated, not to mention the lovely glow my skin has after using them. They have quickly become a staple of my daily skin care and make up routine.

These cleansing wipes are free of silicones, colourants, mineral oils, and alcohol, meaning that without all of these extra chemicals they are much softer on your skin - perfect for anyone that may have sensitive skin like myself.

2. St. Ives Apricot Scrub. On my first trip to Coles to stock up on essentials after moving into the new house, I spotted this lovely product beside a bright yellow tag advertising a half price sale. At only $7, it was a steal. 

I'd been looking to switch up my facial scrub for a while, the scrub I had previously been using was no longer effective. After using this scrub for the first time, there was a clear difference in my skin. First of all, it was definitely smoother and softer than before (kudos to the St. Ives team for delivering on their promise)! By the second use, I noticed that the blackheads which had been accumulating around my t-zone (due to not looking after my skin properly while we were searching for a house) and my skin was beginning to clear up again. This product delivered on everything it said it could do, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking to try out a new facial scrub!

St. Ives Apricot Scrub is free of sulfate, parabens and oil, and made of 100% natural exfoliants.

3. Crop Daily Facial Moisturiser. I'm absolutely in love with this moisturiser right now. I'd never seen this product before but was instantly drawn to the tubes cute and quirky design. Upon further inspection, I discovered that the product is a 95% naturally derived blend of essential oils including mandarin, lemongrass, bergamot and nutmeg, giving it a light and delightful scent.

I was a bit worried about the whole 'essential oil blend' thing, given that I struggle with semi-oily skin myself, however I had a good feeling about this product and decided to give it a try anyhow, and boy am I glad I did! If you've also got oily skin and are worried about using a product that contains oils, then as far as this particular product is concerned, don't be. It really is perfect for all skin types, and leaves skin soft and glowing! I cannot fault this moisturiser at all!

And last but not least...

4. Freeman Feeling Beautiful Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask. I love avocado. And I love oatmeal. I love any skin care products made with one of the two. So when I found a clay mask that combined both of these lovely ingredients, I just had to have it!

This clay mask smells absolutely beautiful, a light avocado scent with the underlying oatmeal. The smooth texture of the mask makes it easy to apply, and it feels lovely against your skin! And when you wash it off a minute or two later, your skin is left feeling incredibly clean and soft to the touch! I recommend using this product once or twice a week along with your usual skincare routine.


I hope you enjoyed reading about my top 4 skincare products! What are your favourite skincare products at the moment (or all time)? Have you tried any of these? And if you have, what is your opinion on them?

xx Chontelle Louise

First Photo Shoot as a Melburnian

First of all, some of you may already have seen this post - I apologise for the repost but I went full-retard and deleted it! One click, and it's gone! Ugh, just my luck.

Anyway. This will be a shorter version of the original post, which went on longer than necessary in the first place due to my rambling away about complete nonsense and going totally off-track.

My first photo shoot as an official resident was a boho-themed shoot on the 28th of February with photographer Henry Louey. We had met the day before to go over everything in preparation for the shoot, fitting, and a quick test shoot (as seen below).

The day of the shoot, I was extremely nervous. I didn't have much confidence in myself, and was totally prepared to make a complete and utter fool of myself (in typical Chontelle fashion)! I arrived in the evening, right on time. The MUA ended up missing the turn-off and therefore was around half an hour late - note to self, don't drive in the city! We got started, went through the process of wardrobe, hair and makeup, and then it was time to shoot.

Despite my nerves, the shoot went surprisingly well, and I really enjoyed it! Henry's advice and direction was really helpful for me as a model, and in the days following this shoot I was able to draw from this experience to assist in my posing and the overall quality of the result!

If you'd like to see more modelling-related posts, let me know! 

xx Chontelle Louise