Meet Tucker

Hi Everyone,
This week I thought I would introduce you to my dog Tucker. We called him Tucker because when he was a puppy and he was having his food (tucker) he would lift his back legs off the ground because he was so excited.

He is about 8 years old now and is a Jack Russell crossed with a Schnauzer. He is very cute and loves cuddles and gets very excited whenever we have visitors or whenever we come home after being out! he loves people.

His favorite thing to do is to go in the car, all you have to do is put your shoes on and he will be out waiting by the car door to get in.

He can be a bit of  a weirdo sometimes I quite often wonder what goes through his head.

One of his favorite toys is a homemade one. When we put some of his edible treats in a small box or egg carton and tape it up. he goes crazy and won't stop digging and trying to get it open until he succeeds. So for Christmas last year we gave him this as his present with wrapping paper and everything and he loved it. Here is a video of him unwrapping it. (I hope it works)

Do you have any pets? What is their favorite toy?

Autumn/Fall Haul

Hi Everyone,
Since it has become Autumn, I have felt that I havn't had many basic pieces of clothing for this time of year, which is sometimes warm and sometimes not so. So, over the past few weeks I have picked up a few bits to help my wardrobe be more Autumn like and also not so black.

I'll go through each piece and tell you where I got it from. I was bargain hunting so a lot of it was on sale. These items are all pretty cheap as I don't have much money at the moment and wanted things to go with my more expensive pieces. Also, most of these are Australian shops so I'm sorry if you cant get them where you are.

So here is what I got:

This top came from Kmart. I really like this shirt as it has a bit of chiffon on the bottom which is different and floaty and soft. I can wear it open or done up, giving me two different looks. Also from Kmart is this cute horse scarf. I love this as I'm a horsey girl and I like the colours, navy and cream, I think they go with alot.

Next, I got a really cute sweatshirt with Micky Mouse on it which was actually from the mens section at Myer, its by a brand called Kenji. I think it will be great with jeans or tights or even a pencil skirt for going out. You could dress it up or down if you liked.

Then, I just got a few plain singlets in army green, white and a burgundy colour I forgot to photograph the burgundy one as I was wearing it haha, but I have it on with the scarf and shirt if you would like to see the colour, I'm really loving this colour at the moment. They were from Ally.

I got this Green Bay Pakers long singlet top from Cotton On, I'm not sure how im going to wear this yet but I really liked it and it was on sale, and I think I will like wearing it. Also, from Cotton On I got a pale blue lace pencil skirt which is lovely and soft and just a really nice skirt on. The bottom part has no lining so it is just lace.

I also got this black dress I wasn't sure about it in the shop but I got it cause it was only $2 from Supre. when I got home its actually really cute on and fits perfectly! There are lots of ways I could wear it too.

While I was at Supre I found this t shirt that I so love, it is such nice colours. Ive already worn it and got lots of compliments. It looks really square in the picture but looks much better on and when I wore it I put a knot in the side of it to give it more shape.

I just got a plain light brown cardi for $3 and a cream three quarter sleeved top for $1 both from Big W. I loved the price of these and they will be so handy.

Then I got the cutest shoes from the second hand shop! They had never been worn and were in perfect condition they are a bit old fashioned but I love that about them and think you can still make them look cool and modern. They were 1 dollar!

Last but not least I got a few pairs of socks. The dog ones are from Kmart for I think $1.50 and the other two were on sale at Factorie for $3 they are so cute.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I got for Autumn. I was thinking I might do a look book for Autumn or maybe Winter so let me know in the comments if you would like that.

Whats your go to fashion item?

Everyday Makeup

Hi Everyone, I hope you are having a good week. I have been very busy lately. I have just got a new job that I start next week which is very exciting. I have also had a couple of assignments due over the last week that I left till the last minute, oops.

In the last month I have also decided to start my own business through Nutrimetics. For those of you who don't know what, or who, Nutrimetics is they are a New Zealand and Australian based direct selling company which means you can't buy our products in the shops, only from a consultant (like me) or on our website. They sell skin care and makeup, the products are all natural with the only animal product in them being bees wax and honey other than that they are all plant based ingredients.
They do NOT test on animals at all, which I really like and they are lovely products and smell amazing.

Now you know a little about the company I thought I would demonstrate some for you. Today I'm going to show you a makeup I did the other day on myself. I took a before and after photo to show you the difference.

 Before:

 After:

What I used:
Foundation:  Cover Rich Moisturising Foundation in Porcelain with the Velvet Finish Mineral                                   Foundation Powder in Ivory
Blusher:        Marble Rouge in the colour Arial
Eye shadow: Marbleyes in Cosmos
Mascara:       Fibre Lash Enhancer with Lash Impact Mascara Black
EyeLiner:      Liquid Eye Definer
Lips:              Lip Lightning Lip Gloss in Blush

What do you think of the makeup? I love it !!!!
If you were interested in trying some of the Nutrimetics products and you live in Australia or New Zealand you can go to my website and have a look which is https://www.nutrimetics.com.au/hannahvanleeuwen/Home.aspx or if you live anywhere else but would still like to try some you can contact me via email which is redhairedbliss@gmail.com or any of my social media pages and I can help you out.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I hope you love the look as much as I do. xx

Have you got a favorite makeup brand???

Happy Cake (Quick easy Chocolate Brownie)

Hi Everyone, 
This week I am going to do one of my favorite recipes.

My mum used to make this brownie if we were having visitors at short notice because it is so quick and easy and soooo yummy especially when you have it warm with ice cream.

All you need is: 

30cm round diameter microwave safe dish (greased)

2 Eggs 

100g Butter

¼ cup Cocoa

1 cup Sugar

1 ½ Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

5 drop Vanilla Essence

½ cup Chocolate Chips (optional)

Then just mix it all together until smooth and put in the microwave for 5 minutes.

I sifted all the dry ingredients just get rid of any lumps and also melted the butter to make it quicker than trying to mix in a big lump.

If you want to get creative you can cut out two circles and a crescent shape from baking paper and sprinkle with icing sugar to make a smiley face hence the Happy Cake name. You could also use a piece of lace for a pretty look. 

Whats you favorite recipe from your childhood? 

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Zayn... The missing link

Hi everyone, this week I thought Id share my thoughts on Zayn leaving One Direction. As a fan of The Boys I was so shocked to read this it wasn't a very nice way to start my Thursday.

 (Photo from google)

The thing that upsets me the most is how Niall, Harry Louis and Liam must be feeling. I feel more sad for them because they have to carry on doing what they are doing, whereas Zayn has been able to remove himself from their normal environment. The rest of the boys still have to go out and do shows and give their fans a great show even though its probably the last thing they feel like doing right now.

As for all the rumors (which Im trying my very best to ignore) about why and how Zayn left, I think we should only believe what has been released as a statement from their official PR people and just brush everything else you hear aside until confirmed by them or their team. Even if the rumors are true there will be a reason they aren't saying anything. We have no idea what goes on behind the scenes of their crazy world and we have no right to judge anyone or make things up to make others look bad or in the wrong.

I just hope The Boys keep making music for a long time and that their fans support them no matter what, the music is what we are in this for not an individual in the band (well we should be anyway).

 (Photo from google)

I really hope that Harry, Niall, Louis and Liam are doing OK and just want to say that they can do this and they can be just as successful as a four piece. I will definitely still be buying albums and merchandise and concert tickets if they ever come back to Australia. I will still be here supporting them.

Also I hope that Zayn gets help for his stress and feels better soon. I know what stress can be like its not fun, and sometimes the only way to help it is to remove yourself from the situation. Hopefully, he has his family and friends around him and they are being supportive of him and his decision. I bet it was the hardest thing he has ever had to do.



That's all I wanted to say, I hope you agree, and if you are a fan that you keep supporting One Direction. They are still a band, its not the end of them just yet.

What are your thoughts on Zayn leaving and the other boys carrying on as a four?

Besame Lipstick Review

Hi Everyone,
This week I'm going to do a review on the Besame lipsticks. I have the whole Besame range because I was going to start my own beauty salon from home but decided against it because I didn't feel I had enough experience to do everything myself. At the time I looked into it I hadn't worked in a salon. Anyway, I have now started using them myself and I really like them.

I really only use 3 of the lipsticks as the other colours aren't right for me. I use the colours Dusty Rose, Red Velvet and Carmine. They have a lovely vintage style packaging, which I love because I'm a vintage girl!! (When I got them out to take a photo I chose a few more to take out for the winter to try so we will see.)

They are great quality and last really well. Sticking with the vintage theme they are more of a matte lipstick.

Here is the Besame Cosmetics link if you would like to try them for yourself, they really are a beautiful range.

Whats your favorite lipstick?

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Happy St Patricks Day

Hi everyone, this week I have decided to do a St Patricks Day post. So last night I made some cup cakes and decorated them with St Paddys themed things. Here they are I hope you like them.

I have included the recipe below if you would like to have a go at making them, I made mine green for St Paddys:

Vanilla Cup Cakes 

Ingredients:
150g Unsalted Butter - softened
150g Caster Sugar (powdered sugar)
175g Self-raising Flour
3 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 drops of green food colouring if you want green cupcakes like mine or you can use any other colour or have them plain if you like.

Method:
1. Pre-heat Oven 180 degrees celsius (350F)
2. Line 12 cup cake pans with cup cake papers.
3. Crack eggs into a cup and beat lightly with a fork.
4. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
5. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until light and creamy.
6. Divide the mixture evenly between the cake cases.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes until risen and firm to the touch.
8. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.
9. Allow to cool fully before icing.
10. Ice with whatever you fancy :) I hope you enjoy being creative!

Have you got any plans for St Patrick's Day?

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My Life in Numbers...

Hi Everyone,


I saw this on Jennys blog (From The Desk of J) a little while ago and really like it a cool way to get to know me a bit more.

My line up of books to read.

1 Sibling (younger brother)
2 Years I've lived in Australia
3 How many One Direction concerts I've been too
4 The number of books I have lined up to read
5 Pencil Skirts hanging in my closet
6 Lipsticks/Lip glosses in my hand bag
7 My shoe size
8 Pillows on my bed
9 Blog post ideas I have but haven't written yet
14 Bloglovin followers (you should go follow me)
17 Photos on Instagram as of today
22 How old I am
46 Tweets Ive tweeted
8,056 Days I've been alive

 What does your life look like in numbers?

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The Struggle of the Unemployed

Hi everyone,
Today's post is a little different to normal. I’ve been trying to get a job for the past 3 months and have had no luck, so I thought I would share my thoughts with you.

I was talking to my mum today and I feel like the employment world has changed a lot. It seems employers want people with qualifications and experience and aren’t willing to employ people with little or no experience but are very capable of doing that job and are so willing to do their best they just don't have the piece of paper to prove it.

I mean employers don’t have to because for every job that is advertised they have hundreds of applicants, why would they employ someone that needs more training when they can pick someone who can fit right in and not need anytime spent on them?
But this makes it very hard for people like me and I’m sure a lot of other people who have had a bit of experience but still need a little help to get up to speed when starting out in a new job. It frustrates me because I have wanted to work since I was about 15, but to this day have not had a full time job because no one will give me a chance to start.

I am a qualified beauty therapist with just under a year of experience. My last job I was there on a "trial" for 3 months and when that finish they told me they didn’t want me to work there any more as their clients didn’t like having a younger therapist and that I couldn't communicate with them because of the age difference and didn’t have much experience dealing with customers. 

But instead of them giving me the experience I needed to help me grow they let me go, I would have been quite happy to do reception or anything if it meant it would help my career in the future.

I think employers are becoming lazy because they have so much choice they don’t have to up skill the staff they have because there are plenty of other people looking for work that don’t need the training. It makes me feel like I am unemployable and will never get a good job and get to do some of the things I want to and achieve my goals.

Is this in every field of work or just the beauty industry?

I'm 22 years old living off my parents still, with a student loan that has to be paid off or next time i go home to New Zealand I won’t be able to leave till it is. I had plans to travel at the end of the year but that won’t be happening for a very long time now as right now I have $50 to my name. You're probably thinking "why don't you just get any job like a cleaner or waitress" (I have actually done these jobs to get by in the past).

I'm probably too fussy but I would like to get a job in the field I trained in, and still have to pay for, but from today I will be applying for anything I can get again. Because, if I don't get the work experience now is anyone going to employ me in a year or so when Ive had even more time out of school and still no experience.

I am sorry this is a bit of a negative post but I wanted to write something a bit deeper than about my "favorite lipstick or drink at the moment" I wanted to share a little of what I’m thinking and how im feeling. I had planned to post some facts about me and have written that post which I will put up next week, so check back for that.

Has anyone else found getting work hard? Or have any tips for me on how to get a job I can call a career?

P.S. Make sure you follow me on social media the links are on the side I would really appreciate it. You all help to keep me motivated to keep posting. xx

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What to do in Melbourne???

Hi everyone,

This week I am going to tell you about things to do in Melbourne. If you have been reading my blog you will know I went to Melbourne for my birthday, and also for a One Direction concert on Valentines Day. I have been to Melbourne four times now, as I have friends that I have visited there and its a great place to visit and explore.
I thought if I told you about a few of the things I did when I have been there, if you ever found yourself in Melbourne, Australia, it may help you with a few things to do, how to get around and accommodation.

Transport
Whenever I go to Melbourne I fly there. The way I to get from the airport to the city is to take a SkyBus which is a bus service that runs 24/7 and is about $17AUD per person, each way.
Once you are in the city they have free trams within the city to help you get around, but if you want to go out of this area or use the trains you will need to get a Miki card they are sold at most 7/11s and you can download the Melbourne transport app from your app store to get timetables etc.

Image is from Google my photography skills aren't the best sorry.

Accommodation
I have stayed somewhere different every time. This last time I stayed just up the road from Crown Entertainment Complex which I thought was a very good thing because it has everything you could want such as a cinema, cafes, restaurants, bars, beauty salons, fast food and a bit of shopping. Its a good central base, i'm not saying stay there, although it would be lovely, and I will one day, it is very expensive to do so. But staying anywhere close to there or in the city is good if you want to explore the CBD.

Things To Do
There are so many great things to do in Melbourne you don't even have to leave the city. There is the Eureka Skydeck 88 it is the tallest building in Melbourne at 88 stories tall. When you get to the top you get the most amazing view of the city and surrounding areas its breathtaking and pretty cool, and not too expensive.
The zoo is good too, its not the best zoo I've been to but its pretty cool, especially if you want see the native animals. You do have to catch the train out to the zoo.
Also, in the city is the old gaol which is very cool, it has lots of information on the convicts, especially Ned Kelly. So, if history is your thing head there it is close to the museum which is awesome. If you would like to see more animals and learn all about them then head to the aquarium, they have so much information and fun exhibits, its great. That's just a few of the things I have been to, there are also lots of arts, theater and art galleys to see and enjoy.

 

Image is from Google my photography skills aren't the best sorry.

Image is from Google my photography skills aren't the best sorry.

As for shopping, there is a ridiculous amount of places to go. Like I said earlier, crown has some shops but they are more high end ones like Guess, Forever New and Peter Alexander. but if that's not you, or you want more choice, there is a lot to choose from like The Emporium shopping centre which has shops like Topshop and more high end shops as well. There is also Melbourne Central, Docklands harbor town, and Chadstone which is the biggest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere and has everything you could imagine.

Dining and Nightlife
There is an unfathomable amount of places to eat they are just everywhere, I have only been to a few. But from those I have tried they have all been lovely. I went to this really cool Irish pub for my birthday, it was like you had stepped into Ireland itself and it was just how I would imagine them to be there. The food was really yum and it was called P.J. O'Brien's I had a lovely night and even tried my first Guinness. There is also a lot of places that do breakfast too if you want to go out and start your day with something delicious.

Image is from Google my photography skills aren't the best sorry.

As for the night life, like clubs and stuff, the only place I went for that was in The Crown Entertainment Complex, they have a few clubs, lots of bars and a massive casino. We went on a Saturday night and it was very busy. If thats not your scene, I'm sure there are plenty of other places within the cbd I'm just not sure where they are.

I hope you find this a little helpful if you are planning a trip to the lovely city of Melbourne, Australia. I love it there and so i hope you do too.
 
If you want to know more just ask and I will try my best to help you from what I know or if you have any other suggestions for things I should check out next time I'm there please let me know.


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One Direction Concert

Hi everyone,

I’ve had such a wonderful week on holiday in Melbourne with my mum and catching up with friends that I’m going to do a post on my whole trip next week, but today I will tell you about the highlight of my holiday, the ONE DIRECTION concert!

So, I went to the Valentine ’s Day concert and it was amazing! We got to the stadium really early because I was very excited and didn’t want to miss a thing. We had hot seat tickets which meant we got a free watch and lanyard and seat quite close to the stage.

It seemed like such a long wait before anyone came on. Samantha Jade was first, I’m not really a fan of hers, she looked like a girl having a dance in a club with her friends and not so professional. It was hard for her because she didn’t have all the big lights and stuff and it was still day time. 

I was so happy to hear that McBusted were going to be the opening act for the show because I love them.  I sang along to every song! Not many people knew their songs, I felt like the only one. They had amazing energy and looked like they had a ball up on stage.

Then there was a very long wait before “The Boys” came on, it was never-ending ads and music videos, because they were late coming on stage.

Then finally, the intro video started and all the lights went down, the smoke came and they appeared from the middle of the stage looking and sounding lovely. Everyone was screaming, some louder than others and I danced the whole time, it was amazing. My mum was taking the photos so I could enjoy the show, thanks mum.

The show felt like it went really fast, I swear it was only 10 minutes long. The highlight of the show for me was when I caught Harrys drink bottle when he threw it into the crowd. The girl next to me and I went for it at the same time but I got it first and she said well-done which was very nice of her. I was so happy.

I had a fantastic time it was a great way to spend Valentine ’s Day. I can’t wait to see them again!!!

Have you ever been to a concert? If so who did you see and did you enjoy it? I’d love to hear your experiences...

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