SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday, November 30, 2015

Monday Food Post ♡ Churros & Branch At Ragazzi Cafe & Wine Bar

Monday Food Post: churros

The best way to cheer up my drowsy Monday morning is to look back at some of the yummiest food I had this past weekend. mmm nom nom nom 

I am not a morning person at all nor am I an easily angry person, but I get so frustrated when people knock on my door at 10 o'clock in the morning in the weekend, especially on a Sunday. Of course when it comes to food my attitudes change towards getting up early. When it comes to yummy food, I would set 10 alarms to make sure that I wake up at 9am sharp and get ready for the churros I have been waiting for all week!

Monday Food Post: Ragazzi Cafe's cappuccino
Monday Food Post: Ragazzi Cafe's cappuccino

This weekend I tried a cafe that a few people has recommended and it is the Ragazzi Cafe & Wine Bar in Takapuna. I had a medium size cappuccino and a Ragazzi Big Breakfast. The plate was too big for me that I couldn't finish, but the food is nice.

Monday Food Post: Ragazzi Big Breakfast
Monday Food Post: Ragazzi Big Breakfast


What did you get up to this weekend?
Monday, November 16, 2015

Mecca Cosmetica Haul ♡ ft. Hourglass, NARS & Stila

Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Hourglass, NARS & Stila

I was very excited when Mecca Cosmetica announced the new arrival of Holiday 2015 Gift Sets.  I have been eyeing up and drooling over the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette ever since it became available on Sephora, but due to the busy time of the year, non of my Sephora orders ever make it to shipmentsand plus, American dollars is so expensive right now, I often have to think three times before placing an order.

Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Hourglass, NARS & Stila

♥ WHAT I PURCHASED...
Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edits
Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edits

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edits is a Limited Edition handmade powders, blushes, bronzers and highlighters; all-in-one palette that gives you everything you need to finish, brighten, contour and highlight your skin. The palette features the Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Iridescent Strobe Light (a rose pearl powder that gives a refined glow to the complexion), Luminous Flush Blush (a champagne rose), Mood Exposure Blush (a soft plum), Luminous Bronze Light (a medium tan shade fused with luminous light for a softer look), Dim Light (a neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlighters in complexion) and Diffused Light (a soft, warm, pale yellow powder that conceals redness).

Prices Comparison:
Mecca Cosmetica - $128.00 NZD
Sephora - $80.00 USD / $122.38 NZD

There is only $5.62 NZD difference between Mecca and Sephora. Mecca price includes free shipping while Sephora does not, if adding the postage fee on top of the above price, I could imagine at least $30.00 NZD gap between the two, where Sephora would end up more expensive.

As for the palette itself, I love it! Despite all the negative reviews online about its pricing and its sizes. Each individual powder is truly small compares to the original ones; I personally thinks it's great for people like me who owns quite a few blushes and for someone who loves trying new products but does not want to commit to a full size. I also love that it's bronzer, blush and luminous powder all in one, the palette is handy and it is travel friendly.

Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. NARS Steven Klein Despair Cheek Palette
Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. NARS Steven Klein Despair Cheek Palette
Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. NARS Steven Klein Despair Cheek Palette

NARS Steven Klein Despair Cheek Palette is a Limited Edition blush palette that features four blushes - Nico (a light beige with satin shimmer), Savage (a medium coral), Esoteric (a medium orange with gold shimmer) and Ferocious (a medium dark plum with pearly sheen); also included in the palette is a mini Ita kabuki brush.

Price Comparison:
Mecca Cosmetica - $104.00 NZD
Nordstrom - $65.00 USD / $99.49 NZD

Similar to Hourglass, NARS prices is only $4.51 NZD difference between Mecca and Nordstrom and again, Nordstrom price does not include shipping, while Mecca is free shipping due to their all-time free shipping offers if spends up to $75.00 NZD.

When I first opened the NARS Despair Palette, one of its blush pan has came off as shown in the above picture; it was easily fixed and it did not affect or ruin the blushes, so I didn't think it was necessary to inform Mecca.

Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. NARS Steven Klein Despair Cheek Palette
Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Stila Eternally Yours Liquid Lipstick Set
Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Stila Eternally Yours Liquid Lipstick Set
Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Stila Eternally Yours Liquid Lipstick Set

Stila Eternally Yours Liquid Lipstick Set is an exclusive set that features six award winning Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks, the set includes two new shades. These liquid lipsticks are described as full coverage, creamy matte that promise to wear for up to six hours. Stila claims these are weightless and very comfortable to wear and the rich color does not bleed nor transfer.

Price Comparison:
Mecca Cosmetica - $62.00 NZD
Sephora - $39.00 USD / $59.69 NZD

I have always been too scared to buy the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks, because last time I was disappointed when I realized their lipgloss sets were made in China. This time I am glad to see that these liquid lipsticks are made in Italy and I love every single shades included.

Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Stila Eternally Yours Liquid Lipstick Set

My first impression of the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks is that the formula is so smooth and creamy, they are fast drying and each lip color dries to a complete matte. The darker shades stains and all six colors weren't easy to remove, even when cleaning with waterproof makeup remover. 


Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Hourglass, NARS & Stila
Mecca Cosmetica Haul ft. Hourglass, NARS & Stila

Overall, another great shopping experience with Mecca Cosmetica. image Mecca never fails to impressed with their customer service and products qualities.

I placed my order on Wednesday 11 November 2015 late in the afternoon and I received an email to inform me that my parcel is on its way the following day, Thursday 12 November 2015; and on the same day, around 4pm I received my parcel! All wrapped carefully in bubble wraps and this time it arrives in a pink-ish coral Mecca Cosmetica gift box which I collect and reuse for other purpose.

Mecca Cosmetica Ratings:
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Mecca Cosmetica has been my favourite online store for so long, they also have physical stores in Newmarket, Ponsonby, Wellington and Christchurch. I have never been to any of their physical stores as they are a bit too far from me, but their online or phone services has always been amazingly helpful. I would be inform quickly for a refund if an item I ordered was out of stock and I would often call in and ask for samples and their staff are always happy to help match my shades.

K Approved & 100% recommended