Confessions of a beauty blogger tag.

Hi lovelies!

I was tagged to do this post a little while ago by the beautiful Mandy from Make Me Up Mandy, but I've only just managed to find time to write this now. Mandy is someone I've never met in person, but nevertheless, I consider her a friend; she's such a beauty both inside and out!

Her tag has 14 questions aimed at getting to know the beauty blogger behind each blog. I do love these tags as I enjoy writing and sharing a part of myself with all of you, it's just that time sometimes gets away from me and I end up being very late with some of these! Please don't take it personally if I don't end up doing a post you've tagged me in, chances are I've just run out of time to do it all!

On with the tag questions!

1. How many hours a week do you spend planning/writing/uploading posts?
Here's where I confess I don't actually plan things out. I always have a mental list of posts I'd like to do, but I'm constantly juggling my full time job as an engineer (slightly demanding, I must confess), a social life, household chores (I live alone) and my other interests (walks, 'me' time to do my nails, read, etc). However, I try to do at least 2-3 posts a week, and it often takes me about 5-6 hours per week to write/upload these posts, although I'd say the majority of that is devoted to editing the photos! I probably struggle more with photos (thank goodness for summer and longer daylight hours) than I do with the writing aspect.

2. Are you a spender or a saver?
I think I'm a bit of both. I do try to save a bit but I also believe that life is too short and little indulgences make life worth living. I read a quote somewhere once that has stayed with me, "the result of hard work is being able to pay your bills, but the reward of hard work is being able to afford life's little luxuries''.

3. When is it easiest for you to write your posts?
At night. I'm a bit of a night owl and I'm always most active and creative at night. It also helps when I'm not completely flat out and juggling various commitments!

4. What makes writing posts comfortable for you?
I'm quite a creative person and I have always found it easier to express myself through the written word than through the spoken word. I'm also a big fan of reading so writing just seems to come quite naturally to me.

5. What's your worst make up/hair habit?
I think I've definitely confessed to this before (read about it here) but I definitely don't wash my makeup brushes as often as I should (but hey, any excuse to buy more brushes, right?). As for hair, I don't use a deep conditioning treatment as often as I'd like (or should)!

6. What's one quote you wish the world would live by?
"Live and let live". Live your life the way you wish to, but always remember that you need to be able to look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day. Also remember that everyone has a right to live their lives the way they wish to, even if you don't necessarily agree with it!

7. How long do you spend getting ready everyday?
Depends on what I'm getting ready for. If I'm getting ready for work, I'm probably done in about 20  -30 minutes. If I'm going with just a statement lip, then maybe 10-15 minutes. However, if I want to do something really special with my eye makeup, it might take a bit longer. And if I'm going out somewhere nice and see that as a chance to do something special with my makeup, I sometimes give myself an hour to get ready (including putting curls in my hair, etc). Sometimes I think the thrill of primping and anticipation of the night ahead can actually surpass the event itself!

8. What's your favourite post on your blog?
Gosh, that's like asking a mother to pick a favourite child! If it's beauty related, I'd choose the eye look I did with red eyeshadow (read it here), as it was my first attempt at trying red shadow, and it can be a hard colour to work with. If it's a personal post, then I'd have to pick the open letter I wrote on turning 30 (read it here), as it truly came from the heart, I didn't even have to think about it before writing it.

9. Who is a beauty blogger that you think deserves more subscribers that they have?
This is a tough question as there are so many bloggers I think are absolutely amazing and don't get enough recognition! Off the top of my head, I'm going to pick Ingrid from In Glossy Beauty (because she shares so much of herself and her life in her posts), Amy from Beauty in a Bottle (because she writes excellent reviews and is always showing other bloggers so much love), and Sarah from Breathe Beauty (because she is so sweet and it's quite evident that she puts a lot of thought into her posts). All three beauties write regularly, and it's very clear (to me, anyway) that they blog for the love of blogging and helping others, so do check them out if you haven't already!

10. What's one thing you're excited about in the coming year?
I'm excited about a new year heralding new beginnings. My cousin is expecting a new baby, and I also want to travel more and explore new countries, so while I don't have any specific plans set yet, I look forward to making them. I'm also excited about the blog and what new possibilities lie on the horizon.

11. What's been your favourite blogging moment?
It's really hard to pick one, as I feel like blogging has led to so much personal growth. I feel like I've learnt so much this year, really worked on expressing my creativity, gotten to meet and make many wonderful new friends, shortlisted in the BeautyHeaven Blogstar awards, and been published a couple of times on Primped. I also love getting comments from my readers, and I find it very rewarding when my readers tell me they purchased a product on my recommendation and absolutely loved it!

12. How long does it take to prep for a post?
It can take anywhere between 1-3 hours, inclusive of doing the makeup, taking/editing photos and writing it up! I'm also a perfectionist so I always proof-read a few times before publishing.

13. Are you wearing jeans/skirt right now or are you wearing pyjama bottoms?
I'm in shorts, which is going to pass for my pyjamas tonight! It's actually quite warm in Melbourne as I'm writing this.

14. What are you most proud of in your life?
Personally, I'm proud of being a female in a largely male-dominated industry, as it can be a little difficult sometimes. I'm proud that I've been living on my own for the last decade (particularly when you consider how sheltered I was before I decided to move countries to Australia and live on my own without friends/family). There's also a sense of achievement from how often I've had to step outside my comfort zone (beetle crawling up your leg inside your jeans while driving, anyone?) and the emotional growth I've made in the past year, or perhaps it's the last ten years. I'm also very proud of my parents, for having a happy marriage, giving me a loving environment to grow up in (and that remains till present day), instilling great values and providing all the support any child could ask for, for without them, I would not be half the person I am today.

I hope you enjoyed getting to know me, lovelies. I certainly found it quite therapeutic!

I'm not going to tag anyone specifically, but I'd love for anyone reading this to participate! Please leave me your link in a comment so I can come visit and get to know you a little better! If you don't blog, then please feel free to just answer a couple of these questions (or as many as you like) in the comments below! I'd especially love to know what you are most proud of in your life and what you are looking forward to next year!

Much love,
MM.
x