5 Reasons why I'm in love with Rarotonga

LIFE

5 Reasons why I’m in love with Rarotonga

November 30, 2015

After spending just one week in Rarotonga, I was completely settled into the relaxed lifestyle and loving the fact that if you wanted to do nothing for the whole day, you could and there would be no reason to feel guilty.

It’s somewhere where you don’t have to be productive and you don’t have to get up and check a million tourist sights off your list, because…. there aren’t any. And that is what is so lovely about the place.

The wifi is expensive and runs really slow so I decided to go without for the week. I thought going wifi free was going to be a real challenge but it was strangely easy. In fact I quite liked it in a lot of ways. The only time I craved it was the first night in bed when I wanted to scroll through my Instagram feed before going to sleep. Which is a really unhealthy habit, I know.. (I’m working on it)

There are so many things I miss and love about Raro and I think you should know about them too, because Raro is a place I believe everyone should get to visit, at least once. So here are my top 5 reasons why I have fallen completely head over heels in love with the island.

1, The people are some of the loveliest I have had the privilege of meeting. All over Rarotonga, the people have such a lovely attitude towards life. Everyone we met was so easy going and their positivity was infectious. They make you feel really welcome and are more than happy to get to know you.

2, Yes the water really is that blue! The lagoon is just insane to look at and until you see it with your own eyes you don’t realize just how truly beautiful it is. We also didn’t need to go far to do our snorkeling. Literally a few steps into the lagoon and you are swimming with thousands of cute little fishy friends.

3, Time goes slowly in Rarotonga and no one is a rush to get anywhere. It’s so peaceful and lively at the same time. It’s the perfect place to head to for a break away from the screen because when your there- the last thing you want to be doing is sitting on your phone or laptop.

4, They have the tastiest fresh Coconuts. Yes we managed to score ourselves some fresh coconuts straight from the tree (thanks to my sisters ability and drive to get it open) I’m not usually a fan of coconut water, but straight from the tree seems to make all the difference. Such a sweet refreshing drink and I have been craving more ever since.

5, Every day is a party! I went with a group of girls and obviously this changes the whole atmosphere of the trip. But we had such a ball and everyday was a real party in itself. Weather we were snorkeling, heading out for dinner or taking the bus singing at the top of lungs to Justin Bieber, we made fun out of every single situation. And that’s what truly makes a holiday great.

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LIFE

Our week in Raro

November 23, 2015

A little mash up of our holiday pics and a (terribly filmed) video summing up our week in Raro.

Last Sunday, we flew out to Rarotonga for 5 nights away. Mom really spoilt us by putting us up in business class, where I was snapped taking badly lit selfies and the Champagne was already flowing before we had even arrived, it made for a really interesting plane ride….

The plan was for me to vlog our daily happenings, but I was on holiday mode and gave up after day two, so instead I put together the footage I did manage to get. Basically me following my sister around the Island. Literally, we biked around the ENTIRE Island…Which was long but fun- obviously we also stopped at like 5 different resorts for a swim and a drink because fitness is boring sober 😛

Rarotonga is one of my favourite places to visit. We stayed at the Moana Sands Villas which was amazing, I loved that we had our own kitchen so we could easily cook our own food instead of having to eat out for every meal. The atmosphere is so chill and basically any night you decide to go out you can find a party….or maybe that was just our group 😉

Girls trips away are so much fun but I’m definitely paying for it now (currently typing from bed)

Until next time Raro!

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LIFE

How to Travel More and Spend Less

November 18, 2015

Traveling is an adventurous experience that no one can take away from you. So how can we get the most out of our travels and spend less while were doing it? Here are some the tips that I have personally tried, tested and loved. These tips help you do more of what you love without completely breaking the bank.

Two locations, one trip.

This is easier in some countries over others obviously. Most people will never go to just one place in Europe, we fit in as much as we can. All the nearby countries are cheap to get too and extremely accessible with various trains, flights and bus routes. This can also be done other countries, taking a road trip to Vegas from LA was a personal favourite of mine. Pack in as much as you can while your there, it makes the adventure that much more exciting.

Use Airbnb. www.airbnb.co.nz/c/agoodfellow?s=8

Airbnb was how I spent most of my European trip. I’ll admit, some places can be a hit and miss but if you do your research, read reviews and the place still looks like the right fit for you- go for it! Airbnb saved me loads of money and allowed me to stay in central locations. It was actually a fun way to do it too because you can live like a local as opposed to staying in a stale hotel room. I have converted so many people onto Airbnb and they have all had great experiences!

Go during the off-season.

Not only is this way more affordable flight and accommodation wise- it’s also so much quieter in the touristy areas. Jump the queue and pay half the price- win win!

Pre-book.

Paying for everything well in advance helps. Look for deals online and keep your eyes open for passes and tickets etc. Buying online before you get to your destination can really help cut costs.

So bottom line is, do your research online. Their are so many deals waiting for you and if you land on the right website on the right day- you can grab yourself some great bargains! Now go live your adventure!

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FASHION

Disney X Pandora

November 16, 2015

Last week, Pandora launched their Disney Collection. They had sent me a few pieces from the collection so I decided to get into the Disney spirit with my cute Mickey Ears! I am a massive Disney geek and especially looove Mickey and Minnie Mouse, this was such a fun shoot and we had so many laughs.. I might post some of the mistakes to my Facebook page soon. What do you think of the purple hair? I just coloured it but I think it’s only temporary!

Hope you like the pictures!

Jewellery: Pandora

Dress: Stop Staring

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Beauty LIFE

What’s in my Beach Bag??

November 13, 2015

Hey everyone! Hope your week has treated you well

On Sunday, I’ll be jetting off for a week! Finally making my return to Rarotonga, the perfect kick start back into Summer! So I thought I would create a quick post showing you all what I’ll be taking in my beach bag!

P.s, What do you guys think of my “100% Boy’s Tears” phone case? I love it! It’s so cuuute!

A waterproof Phone Case

The first thing I’m packing is this waterproof phone case. This one was sent to me from the other day, and I’m pretty stoked. It’s going to be super useful at the beach, I obviously wouldn’t go jumping in the water with it but I am going to use it as a precaution at the beach and pools

A good read is essential when your going on a relaxing holiday. I think I’m going to go ahead and read Girlboss again. I read it a year ago and was so inspired by her so it might be time for a refresher.. Any other good reads you guys can recommend? I have heard some mixed reviews about Lena Dunham’s book, Not that kind of Girl. Has anyone read it? I’d love to know your thoughts!

My bikini is by Victoria’s Secret. I actually picked it up in Hawaii last year so it’s an older style but I love it!

The Products!

I am taking the Day and Night Lip Care products from Chapstick. I love these! I picked them up at the supermarket for like $7. They are soo gooey and rich and keep my lips really hydrated. The only thing I don’t like is they only last an hour or two, but I guess that’s pretty normal with lip balms, at least there easy enough to carry around for a top up.

Moroccan Tan Glow, which is a gradual tanner/tan extender. I really like gradual tanners, a lot more than a self tanner anyway. I just think their a little more natural looking and you can control the depth a little more than a full on Fake tan. I have been using this already the past two weeks and it still looks really natural. No Dorito coloured skin here!

The Aqua Boost Leave in Conditioner, so my hair doesn’t completely dry out. Most bottle blondes will know, bleached hair is already dry enough without the help of sun damage. In summer, it quickly starts looking brittle and yellow. Using a leave in conditioner or any product rich in moisture is essential in Summer! (Not just for blondes!)

Rosehip Oil to leave on my skin overnight. Rosehip oil is extremely repairing and can fight the damage done throughout the day. Always, always keep your skin hydrated. Even if your skin is naturally oily, it’s important to look after it. I remember I never used to moisturise my face because I thought the natural oils were doing it already but I didn’t realise that the cleansers I was using, were actually stripping my natural oils and causing more damage.

The only thing I think I am missing is some waterproof speakers for my phone! Some music at the beach would be great- but I broke my last set and I don’t want to fork out for new ones just yet..

Is there anything you would add to my list?

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How to:

November 11, 2015

Perfect the art of Instagram.

Creating the perfect Instagram theme is all about your personal preference. Everyone obviously has their own style, and that is what makes Instagram so great. It’s somewhere we can express ourselves artistically.

I thought I would share my basic guide to creating a pretty theme that is aesthetically pleasing and helps to encourage others to follow you! With that said, your follower count shouldn’t be the only reason your on Instagram, it’s just a bonus to have more people interested in what your doing. The prettier and more interesting your account- the more buzz you can generate around what your doing. (This is especially great for start up business’, freelance models and photographers and bloggers) The more buzz around you- the more opportunities will come your way.

Anyway, lets get on with my guide for creating your Instagram theme!

Picking Your Theme.

A few basic questions are needed when picking your theme; What type of photos do you like? What colours are you most attracted too? What do you like to take photos of? Picking your theme doesn’t have to be ridiculously strict, even just choosing a colour you like (this is the simplest way to go and then you have a little more freedom with what style pics you take)

Your Photo Formula.

Once you have your theme, you can use this as your personal formula for creating photos. The way you edit photos should become easier because your sticking with a similar style. For editing, I personally like VSCO, Snapseed and Airbrush. My edits are usually concentrating on making the photo a little brighter, contrast a little punchier and altering colour correction. Their are two ways to look at your photo when posting to your Instagram, how does it look as a single photo and how does it look within your feed? If the photo your posting looks good in both ways, your theme will look well thought out and put together.

Build up Your Gallery.

To get a whole new theme happening- you need to take LOTS of photos. Make sure you have a lot of photos to pick and choose from. Don’t post them all at once- you don’t want to post a million photos in one day and then not post again for another a week. This is inconsistent and annoying for your followers. I would suggest posting 2-3 times a day and soon your gallery will start to build up a beautiful new theme. (P.s the best time to post for engagement is about 7pm-9pm) This is when I notice most of my engagement happening and I will hardly ever post in the morning.

Engage with other accounts who have similar themes.

Search popular hashtags (ones that are popular with your theme) and get liking, commenting and following. This is a great way to find inspiration and build up relationships with others on Instagram. The more engagement you put out, the more you will get back.

I hope these tips work out for you! If you liked this post make sure you subscribe to my #Girlsquad for more updates on Instagram, Posts and some pretty sassy giveaways!

You can also find me on Instagram

Beauty

3 Make up finds for less than $20!

November 9, 2015

Budget Makeup Finds I just had to try!

You just never know what your going to find at K-Mart. Call me strange but their is something about those big budget stores that I just love. On Saturday, I found myself their looking for a few bits and pieces and ended up in the make up aisle. I noticed that K Mart seemed to have their own beaut line, which looked very basic but not all bad either. On top of that, the prices were insane. These beauty products were too cheap not to try. Make up can get a little expensive so I thought, why not trial a few budget products out..

First up, is not from the K Mart range but the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation, I picked this up for $17 (I think it was actually on sale)

I chose 235 Pure Beige Matte and Poreless. Unfortunately, you can’t colour match at K-Mart and it is a little too dark for me.. Apart from that, I like the coverage it gives and the texture of the foundation too. I just found it hard to blend because of my poor colour choice. I think if I was a little darker in skin tone, the foundation would be great.. Unfortunately, I am very pale and this is way too orange for my liking.

Would I buy again? If they make a lighter colour! I couldn’t see one available….

Secondly, The Pressed Powder (I think the brand is just K-Mart??) Anyway it was $9!

So, naturally I had to try it. I have naturally quite oily skin and it can be hard to keep it nice and matted all day but I am super impressed with this powder, it seemed to last all day, kept my skin matte and it was quite light too. This powder is a total steal.

Would I buy again? Yes!!

Then I decided to try out the Liquid Eyeliner from the same brand, (K-Mart??) it was $7.

So I was convinced it was worth trying. When I initially opened the packet, I have to admit I was mortified that it looked similar to a magic marker! I thought that applying was going to be a total disaster too, as I am used to using liquid eyeliners with a applicator and pot. Surprisingly, I found applying the eyeliner a dream (actually I prefer this, turns out it’s easier to balance!) If you struggle applying eyeliner I would actually suggest using one similar to this. I was quite happy with the result, when I finished my makeup. However I noticed it didn’t last extremely well, it seemed to run a little into my inner corner, not a whole lot but enough to annoy me. The wing however, stayed perfectly in tact.

Embarrassingly, around midday I had a little coughing fit. It was so bad my eyes started watering, ALOT. (Awkward!!!) So, I unfortunately found out that this eye liner is most definitely NOT waterproof, I had big black marks all down my face and it was not pretty! I would not recommend wearing this to funerals or sad movies, unless of course your planning on scaring everyone with your appearance.

Would I buy again? No, but I’ll probably wear it again.

So those are my 3 budget buys from the weekend, have you got any good budget make up finds you love? Share them with me below!

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Features

First Impressions; Mostly Accessories.

November 6, 2015

Hey guys! Hope your Friday is off to a great start!

This week, I had one particularly good Mail Day. Everything seemed to arrive on the same day which was kind of funny. So I decided to share with you all what was sent to me because they all look so wonderful!

These products have come from all over the world and (apart from the hair colour) are all hand made and have been beautifully crafted! This is something I really value and can also be quite hard to find, so I hope you enjoy this post and maybe find some cool brands you love yourself!

I have only opened the pink one to show you, because the second one was for my sister (I feel mean opening someone else’s gift!!) These purses are so amazing though- better than I initially thought actually. They are leather purses complete with studs and a skull charm. Utterly in love! I won these on Instagram and I’m so glad. This is probably the best purse I have ever owned (no joke)

2, JORD Wood Watches

So excited that these beautiful watches have arrived! One for me and one for Richard! These were hand crafted over in Missouri in the United States for us and the quality of watches are amazing. The detail is the beautifully made watches is outstanding. The box that the watches come in is also really beautiful in itself. The design and appearance has well and truly won me over and I’m so excited to wear mine!

3, Directions Hair Colour

Sorry for the bad quality pic, the packaging was really hard to take a nice clear photograph, and seemed to have messed up the focus haha.

I ordered these over on E-bay and now that they have arrived, I’m freaking out about applying it. I ordered the shade “Lilac” and this looks intense! Well, hopefully it only looks that intense because it’s still sitting all together in the tub. I’ll do a little test strand this weekend just to avoid it looking too strong.. Has anyone else used these? Did you like them..?

4, Flower Headband and Sequin Bow

I seem to be having some good luck with Instagram competitions. I won this cute little set through the Lovely Littles & Co Instagram page. They do a range of bows and flower headbands for all ages, but create some seriously cute things for little girls too! I’m thinking this little bow would totally make my cousins day! You should definitely check them out, these would make amazing Christmas presents for little princesses (or just for yourself!)

What do you guys think of my new accessories? Would you wear them?

Enjoy your weekend guys!

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LIFE Real Talk

What we can all learn from Essena O’Neill

November 3, 2015

Essena O’Neill seems to be hot on everyone’s lips right now, the girl living the Instagram dream, known for her perfect body, having the perfect boyfriend and the ability to take a few thousand decent pictures for her social media account.

Which of course what we learnt is all a lie. Behind the selfies, the photo shoots and the push up bras was a young girl crying out for attention and love.

When it comes down to it, I think Essena just grew up. She was 15 when she started posting pictures of herself in a objectifying manner and thought it was a great way to get noticed. She is now 18, she is a smart girl and she doesn’t want that life anymore. Quite simply, she grew up, she changed, and she realized that she was doing something that she didn’t like and she didn’t value it in other people.

Just think about this for a second. Are you still doing the same things that you were doing at 15? Or 18? Or did you grow up and change your lifestyle to what it is today?

Does that mean that, the life of a promo girl is wrong?

Does that mean that earning money off social media is a bad thing?

Just remember this is not just happening on social media. Celebrities have been paid to advertise big brands for years and years. Everyone knows Justin Bieber isn’t actually using Pro-active, or that Eva Longoria isn’t actually coloring her hair at home with a L’oreal Box color (can we all just try and imagine Eva applying her own color at home for a second!?) They take the jobs simply because they are getting paid.

Essena, what I have learnt from you is that you were very young when you got into the social media game. You didn’t know what you were getting yourself into and you made decisions you now regret. Much like a young celebrity getting thrown a wod of cash to promote a skincare company they weren’t that into…

Girls that are making money through their social media accounts aren’t evil or doing wrong. They are simply making a living. Much like you do, when your at work..

I still believe social media is a great way to connect and share, but just be honest about what your doing. If your getting paid to promote something- be a little more transparent about it.

This goes for any job you happen to find yourself in- Don’t do it just for cash- Do it because you love it and it gives you some sort of satisfaction

If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear them below. This post is not intended to encourage promoting products you don’t believe in, and that is something I never do here on Bonbon Girls. It is quite simply, sharing my opinion on the matter.

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FASHION

Obsessing over Pandora!

November 3, 2015

By now most of you know that Pandora contacted me a few weeks ago about working together on a collaboration. And yes- I did freak out when I received the email, never would I think that Pandora would notice my little blog! Needless to say, I am so excited to not only be able to work with Pandora, but to be able to create some really beautiful styling posts to show you guys the pieces as well.

As I said in my Facebook post, these pieces were not all gifted to me, they are with me on loan for a couple of months to create and style photo’s with. I will be able to keep one piece at the end, and yes I do already know which one!

Today I want to share with you some of the rings they have sent my way. I still have more to show you guys, but they will be coming in the next couple of posts! I hope you like them!

I also learnt recently that every piece of Pandora jewellery is hand finished! I saw a video on YouTube and was totally blown away by the process. P.s the one that I want to keep is amongst this bunch…. Can you guess which one it is?