Whether you are one or you know someone, we all have that hard to buy for person in our lives... Or if you get tasked with shopping for someone you hardly know in the work kris kringle! Here are some gifting ideas from your local girl-who-has-everything. Under $50 Louis Vuitton city guide ($44.00) Probably the coolest gift for under $50, a LV travel guide in your friends favourite city is a great coffee table addition, and might even inspire their next trip! Definitely get the full gift wrapping treatment!! It's so beautiful, I'd pay $50 just for the wrapping and the box itself! Kikki K leather key ring($16.95+ monogramming cost) Cutest little stocking filler, who doesnt need a cute love heart to help keep track of their keys? YSL's Mon Paris gift set is great for the girl on the go who loves a bit of luxury. Lucky for the gift giver this present won't break the bank. The perfume is super sweet and the little bottle is a great handbag addition for top ups during the day. Plus the super cute lipstick and mini mascara you may as well get one for yourself too! ($45.00)* Under $100 King & Hamilton Face Exfoliator ($69.99)* Great for the skincare lover in your life, or someone in your life who's skin shows a lot of stress (eg. a stressed out uni student like me lol) The Daily Edited Monogrammed Makeup Bag ($89.95) Super cute for the girl who is always wanderlusting over her next holiday or loves a good staycation. Fits the essentials and who doesn't love some personalisation? Under $200 Slip Silk pillow case ($126 - on sale now at net a porter!) Basically if you don't have a silk pillow case do you even luxury? Not only do they feel amazing to sleep on, they're supposedly amazing for your skin and help extend blow waves ! * items gifted to us Whats the top of your wish list? Let us know in the comments!
This time of year is also a great time to take a moment to think about those less fortunate than us, why not make a donation on behalf of someone to a charity that is close to their heart?
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Adelaide, Radelaide, whatever you want to call it there are many things to do during a weekend visit! Beyond the wineries (which are beautiful), there is a budding brunch scene that is, dare I say it, on par with Melbourne! Because our lives revolve around food, lets discuss this first. Prices for food at local Radelaide establishments are cheaper than in Melbourne - take this smashed pea and avocado from "Trouble and Strife" , it was only $9!! I did have to pay $3 extra for the egg, just don't ask me why I randomly went with a fried egg obviously poached are superior.... This cute little cafe also had a great bircher that I had on another morning. The service was friendly, food was quick and the coffee was actually pretty good. Also not to mention the perfectly blonde timber table but it was perfect for my insta feed and didn't even need any editing! Another destination that we visited that wasn't just more free wine tasting in the Adelaide Hills or Barossa Valley was the Maggie Beer Farm Shop. It is super quaint in the Barossa Valley, there are heaps of free tastings in the store, you can book into do cooking classes and you can get coffee and cakes too. There is a sit down restaurant but it was a bit expensive and the servings looked really small. For dinner we went to Jamie Oliver's restaurant called Jamie's Italian. You'd think with such a straightforward name that the restaurant would be straightforward too!
Wrong! When we got there for our 730pm booking, there were 3 firetrucks out the front and what seemed like the whole of Adelaide crowding around the entrance. Turns out something in the kitchen had triggered the fire alarm! We couldn't work out if the interior of the building was inspired by an old bank or if it actually was an old bank. We were thinking about this while our food took foreeverrrr to come out. By the time it did I actually said to the waitress "it's been so long I forgot what I ordered". She gave an awkward laugh and walked away. The octopus ravioli I had was very rich and creamy, but looked like it had literally been plonked onto the plate so it wasn't the most photographic thing. A highlight of the trip was a chocolate tour of Haighs! Did you know that all their chocolate is made and all their packaging is still done by hand!? How cool! But that also explains how expensive it is! If you can get to the factory, which is just south of the city (everything is very close in Adelaide, its like 10 minutes to anywhere by car), there are a few products in a "factory seconds" discount section and you can score up to 70% off products that just didn't quite make the standards of other items. With more time or in subsequent visits there are a few cool rooftop bars that are probably worth checking out. Going during the annual Fringe Festival is definitely a great idea because the city becomes alive with people and has the same energy as bustling Melbourne- at other times it can seem more of a ghost town. We have been lucky enough to trial Acer's Switch Alpha laptop/tablet hybrid over the last few weeks!! As busy students constantly trying to balance work, study and rest this computer has definitely been an easy addition to our lifestyle.
We are totally not tech heads, but we do know when something is too hard to use we will not like it!! Using all Apple everything in our day to day lives, switching up to the Acer and Microsoft system was straight forward and not difficult like we expected. The first thing we noticed is how light it is!! It is super easy to carry around during a long day at uni! Switching between the laptop/tablet modes means you can read your notes in tablet mode and then convert it back to laptop mode when you're ready to start writing that essay! The detatacheable keyboard feels nice to type on, but it is dangerously hard to stop yourself from pulling the magnetised board off and on again constantly!! We all love to Netflix and chill in bed and there's nothing worse than awkwardly balancing your laptop on awkward angles as you try and get comfy. Switching it up (see what we did there) to the tablet mode means that you can lay on your side without having to worry about your laptop staying balanced because in tablet form it is way easier to control! Over the next couple of weeks we will be trialling another laptop from Acer! Trying to keep the fun alive in the middle of peak assessment time! We were lucky enough to attend the 2017 Fashion Writing Workshop organised by VAMFF.
It was a long day , 12.30-5.30 but it was jam packed with interesting speakers, surrounddd by a room full of interesting people! Start up magazine editors, bloggers, aspiring journalists all from a range of age groups too! Read on below for our top 5 things that we learnt during the day! 1. Don't be scared to ask or answer questions! If you have a question on your mind, chances are someone else is dying to know the answer! On the other hand, if someone asks a question and you know the answer, never be afraid to speak up! 2. Don't be scared of rejection! Sending out your work for others to read is the first step in getting published! But, don't be upset with constructive criticism , always find a positive aspect to a negative situation ! 3. Practice practice practice Know your fave publications and practice writing in their style! Take a not pad with you and practice writing opening sentences on the train! 4. Take a chance to network! If you're on the street and you see someone you follow on Instagram, introduce yourself! Have a fan girl moment! Tell them you love their work and have an awesome conversation! 5. Set goals Goal setting is one of those things everyone talks about at the moment but it actually helps! Keep a To Do list and check tasks off once you're done, visualise things you want to achieve in the month, 6 months or even 6 years! Christmas is a beautiful time of the year - giving and receiving presents, pretty decorations everywhere, and organising New Years celebrations with friends. But buying for some people can be really really ridiculously hard. Don't let the silly season make you stressed. We'll give you some tips for shopping for the fussiest people in everyone's lives : teenage girls! From first hand experience (we can't even decide what colour lipstick to wear some days!), we've got some tips below for shopping for us! 1. Choose something useful, that can remember the special occasion it was given on. Like this super cute T2 T41 tea pot and teacup all in one. So your teen can sip away her antioxidant filled green tea and remember you! 2. Get that gal something she wouldn't normally buy herself - but really really wants. Like fancy, specialised makeup that is totally lust worthy and Insta famous! Urban Decay is a really awesome and popular brand at the moment - well deserved too because their products are super awesome. This limited edition highlighter adds the perfect touch of sparkle - making it the perfect pick for the makeup addict or glitter lover! 3. It's always hard to know exactly what to get... But neverrr resort to a gift voucher!!! It looks lazy and like you didn't even try!! Soo instead get them something that they already know and love! Stock up on their favourite makeup products, buy them that new hair straightener they've always wanted or why not even buy them that new phone she's been desperate for! 4. Try something summery! We are lucky to have our Christmas over summer anything beach related given as a gift can be used straight away! Why not give a round towel as a present? They are super popular right now and really convenient for sharing with friends at the beach! If you buy from SandCloud make sure to use our discount code twocogs25 to save 25% from your order! 5. We all know that girl who is totally Insta obsessed - contstantly looking for the best lighitng for selfies most photogenic brunch place.. Influential blogger Aimee Song's book called Capture Your Style is the perfect gift for the budding blogger babe in your life.
Three days in Byron Byron Bay is a beautiful part of Australia with beaches that are tough competition for some of the most famous beaches in the world. Slow down to Byron time, bring out your inner boho style and enjoy! Day 1: Wear: A statement jumpsuit that is comfy chic for the airplane but then awesome for going straight to a cafe! Check into your hotel, preferably one within walking distance of the Main Street, Jonson Street. You'll want to be close to the nightlife, wholesome cafes and quirky shopping spots. Refuel from the journey at Bayleaf cafe and choose from one of their specialty coffee choices or the yummy Bayleaf Smoothie (super pretty for your Instagram!) Stroll down main street for some window shopping before catching the last few rays of sunshine at Main Beach. Dusk sunlight is super flattering for taking photos or selfies! After going home to get your boho glam on, get to Miss Margarita in time for their happy hour, with $10 from 4-6! Then get to people watching at The Italian for a bit of a more refined atmosphere. You might spot young couples getting engaged or some Swedish fashion bloggers! Day 2 Wear: Throw on an easy breezy maxi dress and hat that you'll feel fabulous in all day Rise and shine nice and early so you don't have to wait too long to try everything you say on the menu yesterday! The Dukkah eggs are 👌 Grab a take away from next door at Lock and Grain and drive over to Wategos Beach! After warming up in the sun, pop in for a swim in the blue waters and then walk amongst the rock pools to see if you can spot any pretty sea shells! Also keep your eyes open for any whales or dolphins because they regularly splash around in these parts! If you can be bothered, do get up to the lighthouse ( you can walk or drive!) and then you can proudly say you've been to the most easterly point of Australia! Get a late lunch at Naked Treaties which is not too far from Bayleaf. Don't be fooled by their shabby chic exterior, their interiors and food offerings are busting with energy and vitality. If you loved the atmosphere at Miss Margarita the night before, make sure you reserve a table to have dinner there and try their amazing pulled pork nachos and burritos! Before you go out for dinner, check out the newly opened Mez bar. It's minimalistic white washed interiors are a great place to kick off an evening. Day 3 Wear: A cute mini dress that shows off your bronzed limbs and is easy to throw over wet bathers or try on denim shorts under! On your last day, why not go to the Melbourne cafe Combi that has recently opened in Byron Bay. Why drive to Elwood when you can fly to Byron? It's quirky interiors feel relaxing and welcoming. There's so many smoothie bowl flavours to choose from, but they'll all add a pop of colour to your Insta grid and let you practice your food photography skillz. Make sure to take a raw caramel slice takeaway for a snack later in the day! Head around the corner to Miss Brown Vintage shop to find yourself the most perfect pair of vintage denim shorts and an array of fabulous dresses!! Across the road is Emte, which stocks some wonderful jewellery designers - local and well known. Have some fish and chips on Main Beach from Fish Heads or the pub whilst taking your last few selfies! Sometimes the traffic leaving the "CBD" can get a bit wild, so leave plenty of time to get to the airport stress free! Xoxo Eliza Tl;dr Eat: Bayleaf cafe Combi Naked Treaties Fish Heads The Italian Shop: Mrs Brown Vintage Emte Spell Byron Bay Do: Walk to the light house Visit Watsons Bay Spring has well and truly sprung, with warmer weather becoming more and more consistent here in Melbourne. With holiday season fast approaching (and Eliza's birthday!) , it is now time to look for some Spring/ Summer garden party ideas. You don't need a reason to celebrate, just some great company and a sunny day! Browse the gallery to get your fix of summer florals, tanned pins and some #gardengoals! A motto to style yourself by this summer? Pretty in Pastel Petals :) Make sure to check out our post about the best fake tans to go with your fun dresses http://twocogsinawheel.weebly.com/adventures--fashion/best-fake-tans Infamous CEO, self proclaimed Girlboss, Sophia Amoruso has a lot of knowledge to share.
As anyone who knows a lot of stuff does, Sophia wrote a book about everything she knows. This book, #Girlboss, is a self motivation - slash - autobiography is written in a very casual, colloquial and cool manner. It's train of thought style is a bit confusing but works nicely, helping to obviously portray Sophia's message : you do you! The book didn't make it to the top of the New York times best seller list for no reason! I finished it in two glorious days sitting on the Surfer's Paradise beach, scheming and planning for my future with the help of Sophia! I've always loved Nasty Gal, so it was an interesting insight to its humble beginnings. 8/10 worth a read Xoxo Eliza The intricate art of TV Moore has come to Melbourne at ACCA. Moore is a multimedia artist who is based in New York. The very weird and deep artworks that Moore has created can be interpreted and looked at in many different ways. ‘Art’ is a very broad term and Moore’s artworks have often been ridiculed about not being real art.
Moore’s artwork is really amazing and it is really weird. The mixed media paintings that he has created are something to see, the primary colours of the space in which the artworks are found really compliment and add more depth to the artworks. Standing far away you might begin to understand what Moore is trying to achieve but coming towards the artwork and standing right in front of it makes you re-think and you remember that it is all abstract, it is all beautiful. There was one painting that I really loved and every time I looked at it I learnt something new about it. When I first looked at it I just saw it at a few bits of paint on a canvas in a cool room with bright blue tiles and bright red carpet, but coming closer towards it I saw that it wasn’t paint but in fact it was photographs or photo copies of paint layered on top of each other to create a sense of deep space in the artwork. There appeared to be multiple layers on the artwork and if you looked close enough you could very clearly see two eyes starring right at you. The whole collection of When cats dream of everything is very stunning and reminds me of why I absolutely love modern art. The animation part of the exhibition was very confronting and once again, very weird. I definitely recommend going to have a look at the exhibition while it is on (15 August - 27 September 2015) xoxo G Award winning film Boyhood didn't win many hearts over in our household over the weekend.
Every time something remotely suspenseful happened, like when he was checking his phone whilst driving, we were sure he was going to crash and die. For those who love action thrillers, you'll be disappointed. This film literally tracks him from childhood, through to boyhood and then young adulthood. It feels more like a documentary than a movie though, and it is well acted with an honest true to life progression. A super interesting film if you can sit it out for the whole length! Let us know if you agree! Because I am a part of the younger generation of today’s society I am expected to learn and understand people form the past. But what we are really being taught is that dwelling on the past is the answer. Eg. Romeo and Juliet not being able to go out because of some family feud that no one can remember what started it.
I am currently doing a whole thing on Shakespeare in English and drama. But don’t get me wrong, he is a visionary and one of the most important people who ever lived but why is memorizing a whole chunk of text from midsummers night dream going to help me? I am sorry but I cannot act so Miss please, do not expect me to memorise it. Thinking about it, we could probably learn more from One Direction than Shakespeare… One direction shows all the honourable and respectful traits and beliefs that most people should have in today's world :they support gay marriage, equality for everyone and over all I mean they are just so freaking cute!! These are people (unfortunately only 4 *insert crying emoji*) are people who we should look up too, not Shakespeare who doesn’t know how 2 use txt language/ who we can't even understand his sentences! 1D are also very inspirational, “Let’s live while we’re young” PREACH!! I am a young person who needs to learn to move forward and live and not need to recite a whole passage from Shakespeare. I mean honestly what does any of it even mean… I will leave you with this – “If thou has slain Lysander in his sleep and you’re in blood, then to this secret keep… Kill me too! The suns not so true to the day as he to me. Tell me, he stole away? And I will believe this as soon as the whole earth may be bored and that the moon creep through that way. Speak to me of Lysander where is he? Ay, Demetrius, wilt thou give him me? Thou driv’st me past the bounds of a maidens patience. Has thou slain him never to be numbered amongst men? An awake man fends but who doth fend for men asleep? Madder. I if u say as far as you can tell. He’s not dead, yet tell me he is not well.” So I am totally for one direction, to come take over the school and teach us about the future no the past! While they're here they can tell us that we don't know we're beautiful. -G Early to catch a flight the other week, I realised I left the Grace Kelly biography I was reading at home. With the anticipated release of yet another John Green masterpiece converted to film, I needed little persuasion to quickly pick up Paper Towns at the book store~ why is it that we always just go for the familiar?
Paper Towns (pt), is light, easy reading, typical to Green's young adult fiction style on general. At first I was a bit hesitant to read a book from the point of view of an adolescent male, however this turned out not to be an obstacle at all. Green presents Q or Quinton as a goofy, somewhat nerdy isolated teenager. This theme of not having a large group of friends echoes that of The Fault In Our Stars. So does the romantic plot of the importance of love, but what is a young adult fiction novel without a bit of romance! The novel starts of quite slow, introducing the reader to the world of Q, establishing the connections between him and his closed circle of friends, his parents, his neighbour Margo (played by Carl Delevigne in the film) but also most importantly himself. Once the plot begins to pick up pace, it seems as though Q is having some sort of existential crisis, as he becomes quite self centred and concerned for himself. A confusing incident near the middle of the novel didn't seem relevant to the progression of the plot, but with deeper analysis I guess it showed how helpless Q really is, and it demonstrated the importance of his friends to his life (if you've read the book, I'm talking about the car crash, if you haven't read it just ignore this). Overall, not as emotional or thought provoking as The Fault In Our Stars, but instead is a light-hearted and typical young adult novel. Since I'm not a fan of young adult fiction, I'll only give this a 6/10 Were you more of a fan than I am? Let us know in the comments! Xoxo E To start off with ~ why did no one tell me that Ansell Elgort was in the film? What. A. Babe. If he asked me if I like dragons at the check out of a service station, my answer would be yes. ;)
But as all film adaptations of books are (perhaps with exception of Chronicals of Narnia and the Disney classics), this just didn't live up to my expectations. Sure the actors and actresses did a good job. It must be said that Cara D did a good job, but the scene where she was looking out of the car windows did kinda remind me of a perfume ad... It just annoys me when directors take creative license and mess with the plot! Spoiler The most annoying change for me was when Margo was all like Oh Q I need your help for these 9 missions tonight but they only did 5 (maybe 6, I can't quite remember)! Your normal movie goer : ie. The dad that took his prepubescent daughter to the film, probably wouldn't notice this or be excited to see a seaworld breakin... But I, nor every other read of the John Green novel are not said Dad. Thus, the question must be asked: why not just say you are going to do 5 missions, why be inaccurate?? Secondly, the road trip to find MRS was quite boring, the well written scene where I thought they were going to die was just melodramatic, and the fact that his friends left him in the middle of some real-but-not-real town was totally unbelievable. It has to be said that the movie did have an awesome sound track! Go humble St Kevin's boy Vance Joy being all internationally known and stuff. Overall, 6/10 Xoxo E |