Happy 2020!

2019 was a LOT.

The fact that my Instagram account was deleted by Instagram on the eve of my one year blogging anniversary has really put a dampener on the year.

I’m still upset about it, and don’t see myself getting over it anytime soon. I wrote a panicky blog post here if you want to read more about what had happened…. sadly I have nothing to update you on, I’ve heard nothing from IG and my account is still extinct.

However, onwards and upwards!

I am happy to announce that you can now follow my new ROLLY Mag account here – @ rolly_mag

I also encourage you to follow my back up account @rollymagblog and if you’re a creator, create a back up account for yourself too! I do not trust Instagram as a platform anymore, and so I am always going to be working to keep my content safe.

Because my account was deleted, I took an impromptu digital detox.

To be honest, I never really felt ready to return to Instagram. It made me too sad. But I missed all my blogging babes too much. And I won’t lie, I had a lot of new in items I wanted to share ha.

Although I was so sad about my account during my time off the gram, I reallllllly enjoyed it.

The first few days, I was instinctively tapping on my phone screen where my IG app used to be (I deleted the app entirely). It scared me how much of a habit that was. Every morning, I’d roll over, pick up and my phone and go for a scroll. Except, I obviously couldn’t.

It has definitely given me a wake up call in regards to my relationship with the app.

I plan on being very strict with when and how I use it in the future.

My screen time was something ridiculous like five hours a day in the past. That’s just embarrassing.

So, I’m sure everyone else has a similar 2019 goal, but one of mine is LESS SCREEN TIME!!! And not looking at my phone first thing in the morning, or last thing at night.

Thank you to every one for all of your incredible support of ROLLY Mag this past year.

You guys- my readers and followers- make this all worth it. And the connections I’ve made are the reason I do this in the first place!

I’m excited for the year ahead:

* I plan on saving money for my US trip in 2021.

* Shopping my own beauty stash more frequently.

* Starting uni…

* And turning 20! (In eight months… is it too ealry to start celebrating?)

What are you looking forward to in 2020?

NEW INSTAGRAM HANDLE!!! 

Follow along on IG @rolly_mag>>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly_mag/

Love a bargain? Me too! Find a bargain in my Discount Directory >>> https://rollymag.home.blog/rolly-mags-discount-directory/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com

Happy November, everyone.

I’m actually so sad I forgot to post an October Editor’s Letter last month…lol. By the time I realised I hadn’t done one, I figured it was too late! 

I went to Shawn Mendes’ concert towards the end of October and honestly… the support act, Dan + Shay, were my fave part! But we ate this amazing ice cream- omg!

So I want to do a little ‘Spooky szn’ summary in this post but also talk you through what is to come. 

October and November have been/will be MASSIVE months for me personally… 

And this month, I will be releasing my VERY FIRST Christmas Gift Guide! 

I am so excited. It will be released in the middle of the moth and has a special focus on ‘personalisation’. That’s why I am aiming to release it nice and early so that both you and the creators have enough time to decide on a gift and design in time for gift giving. 

I will have more gift guides being released in the early days of December as well… or should I say, during ‘BLOGMAS’. 

Yep, I’m hoping to publish a blog post every day from the 1st to the 24th of December. Pray for me haha. 

I started preparing last month- ekkkk. 

But let’s stick with the theme of November…

I have my very first work Xmas party and I can’t wait. The theme is ‘glam’ which sound right up my street.

Also, the end of this month is Black Friday sales. So I will be saving all my pennies in the lead up because ya girl is gonnabe spending BIG at Colourpop. My wishlist is already a couple of hundred dollars long. Oh dear.

I also have a goal to get back into reading! I feel like I have said that all year… but this month I MEAN IT!!!!

I ordered ‘Wayward Son’ off Book Depository and the moment it lands on my doorstep, I want to read it. In the mean time, it would be great if I could start re reading the first book in the series, Carry On.

In October, I was invited to two (and my first two!) blogger events.

One was a flop- read about that here.

But the other one, the BYS Cosmetics Halloween Party, as a HUGE success! Omg, you guys I feel so lucky that I was invited.

I took the lovey @byamygee with me to be my plus one and we had a great night.

I attempted to recreate @gemkwatt’s tiger-inspired look. I mean, it was ok haha.

@lianatriesmakeup is crazy talented and had the most incredible makeup look.

I had to pinch myself at this party, honestly, I was in a room full of amazing people and I am so grateful to have been there.

We were also generously gifted a massive goodie bag. Some of those items will feature in my 2K giveaway!!!

Because, um what I reached 2 THOUSAND FOLLOWERS on IG.

Actually bananas.

And the funniest part is that I didn’t even realise it had happened.

Cortney posted her congratulations on her stores and that’s how I found out lol.

It was actually super special and reminds me of how freaking amazing this blogging world is.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I ran a giveaway with Club Candle during October which was a success. So grateful the brand collaborated with me!

I currently have my 2K Giveaway live… be sure to enter here!

Wishing you all a happy month- I’d love to know your plans in the comments below!

Follow along on IG @rolly.mag>>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

Love a bargain? Me too! Find a bargain in my Discount Directory >>> https://rollymag.home.blog/rolly-mags-discount-directory/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com

*September 1st*

Brain: don’t say it don’t say it don’t say it don’t say it

Me: How is it September already!?

Yep.

We have a lot of talk about.

Namely, my birthday! Again!

I celebrated my 19th birthday last month and felt sooooo spoiled by my Insta friends. Truly, you guys!! Thank you.

I have my birthday party next weekend, and let’s just say MUCH EXCITE!!!!!!

Also, I think I have settled my mind about uni.

I don’t think I’m going to go next year.

Just writing that FILLS ME WITH ANXIETY!!!!

I have been trying to figure out what I would study- but I really just couldn’t decide. The prospect of university doesn’t excite me, it fills me with dread- to be honest.

The only issue I have, is that if I don’t go to uni, I will need a full time job. Neither of the two jobs I have now have the capacity to increase to full time.

And one of those jobs is only contracted until the end of this year. Stresssssss.

So I have been hustling- big time. Trying to seek out work, internships etc etc.

I do feel a lot more peace with my decisions. Not to mention, a lot of worry too.

It’s just crazy because I NEVER anticipated that my life post high school would look like this. To be honest, I don’t think anyone did.

Moving forward, I want to write some goals for my nineteenth year. And do you even have goals if you don’t share them on the internet?

Ideally, I’d like to create 19 goals, and realign myself for the rest of 2019. Realistically, I’m yet to find the motivation to do that. And so, to be continued.

1. Go on a Contiki tour (I’ve never had the travel bug, but my confusion and frustration regarding uni has made me feel like I really need to GET OUT!)

Ok, I told you I’m struggling with creating 19 goals! I saw @thesouthsiderhunter share fashion goals and I thought “yes!” She totally articulated what I was thinking! My major focuses are:

2. Remember to wear my beautiful jewellery.

3. Wear gym clothes only when at the gym / dog walks!

What were your goals for 2019? Was it “lose weight”, “get fit”, “look after myself better”?

Can you even remember?

If you haven’t achieved your goals by now, as the year draws to a close, it’s easy to feel disappointed in yourself (Hashtag been there, done that!)

But if “well-being” was one of your goals- don’t get deflated too soon.

There’s one simple (and stylish!) thing you can do… protect your eyes from blue light with @baxterblue_ !

So you’ve heard of Baxter Blue, but who is it and what do they do? BB create non-prescription glasses to filter blue light from digital devices (a fusion of health and wellness 🙌).

The blue light from our screens can cause digital eye strain (sore, tired eyes, headaches and fatigue). But, simply wearing your BBs can protect you from that!

If you’re NY Resolution was to “give back”, you can do that with BB too!

Every time a pair of Baxter’s are purchased, BB donate a pair of reading glasses to someone in need through their pair for a pair pledge with @restoringvision – the ultimate manifestation of “one for you, one for me”! 👯‍♀️❤️

So, what style of Baxter’s will you choose?

Baxter Blue kindly gifted me these Lola frames (💁‍♀️) in champagne 🤩😎

ALSO!! Aussie and US shoppers, use the code “BBEXPRESS”for free express shipping *happy dance!* 🙏🥳

I would love to hear your “end of year” goals in the comments below.

Thanks for reading xxx

Follow along on IG @rolly.mag >>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com

 

Hi everyone!

I was initially going to call this post ‘A Life Update’ but then I thought ‘LOL WHAT A CLICHÉ’ so decided against it. And then I remembered that I hadn’t posted an Editor’s Letter this month-oops. So, um, here it is, I guess.

My absence from the blog has been due to a temporarily increased workload at my ‘day job’ which has left me feeling very tired come the end of the day and with little energy left to spend on the blog.

I’ve even slowed down with IG posts, because I’m either at work or too tired to be engaging with a post.

I honestly don’t know how people can work full time, and have a life outside of their job. It’s tiring!

But, to ease myself back into the blog I thought I would just do a brain dump of a few things.

I have quite a few draft blog posts saved but I hadn’t even had the energy to tie up loose ends on those posts, so you lucky things get this random post instead.

The Flower Beauty Concealer:

Such. A. Hype. And look, I enjoyed it on my face. It covered blemishes very well. But under my eyes, it creased!!! And I don’t even have under eye creases. Honestly, not so sure how that came about. But it really just does not agree with me for that particular use.

Big W Buffing Brush:

I bought this brush ages ago in the clearance section for eight bucks, and omg, it’s amazing! I wish I could link it for you. I’m so impressed and use it to blend my concealer- very happy! I also have a buffing brush from Target but I don’t enjoy that as much. Annnd I have a Chi Chi one but I’m yet to use it.

My birthday:

You are probably well aware that August is my birthday month because I keep harping on about it- but honestly, August came around so quickly and I freaked out because I had nothing planned. But then, I had a stroke of genius and have teamed up with my bestie to have a joint birthday party. My birthday is August 20th and hers is September 15th, and we have booked a hotel room for our friends to stay in during early September. Soooooo excited! I can’t believe we hadn’t thought of this before.

I’m almost more excited for the fact that our ‘lolly bags’ are going to be filled with face masks, chocolates and other fun bits and pieces. Any suggestions?

Random Acts of Kindness:

Recently, I’ve sent out a few packages to some followers of mine who are continuously supportive of ROLLY Mag. I have so many beauty products, that I felt it was only right to pass them onto homes where they’d receive more love. The only negative to this is that I wish I could send a ‘thank you’ package to everyone on IG! But, Aus Post gets expensive so this isn’t always possible. And also, I think we can show our appreciation for people simply by supporting their content as well. I just wanted to tell you this as a reminder to check in on those followers who are always commenting and liking your posts. Where possible, you should do the same to them. It’s the equivalent of giving them a hug. But on the internet ha. I’ve also received a few packages like this from some lovely followers, and honestly, I didn’t know that such kindness could exist in the online world. But the Aussie beauty community I have found is just the best. It reminds me of the saying…

“Your vibe attracts your tribe.”

The Health Code podcast:

Alright, I know I said that I was working a heap and that’s why I slacked off on the blog… But the particular podcast episode that I want to share with you will tell you why you shouldn’t do that. Kurt and Sarah give some tough love about sacrifice. And I agree with them. Nothing good comes easy. I think I definitely will be able to integrate some of their advice into my life. So my blog is my passion… and yes during my busy working period I gave it up. That was a choice I was happy to make. But if you’re unhappy with the choices your making at the expense of your passion and goals- give this a lesson. Because you’re not alone.

Also, should I say that I was busy working for about a week… which isn’t all that long. But it’s potentially seven IG posts and at least three blog posts… so it’s a significant amount of time being ‘offline.’

Anyways, if you got this far- thank you!

Hope you have a fabulous day, and please- share your ‘life updates’ in the comments, however mundane they may be!

 Follow along on IG @rolly.mag >>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com

 

Hello and happy June!

Halfway through this year and WOAH am I right?

Thought I’d share some goals for this month’s editor’s letter- and I’ve honestly really tried to make them as non-cliché as possible. No ‘eat better’ or ‘exercise more’ round here… this month at least. I would love to know your monthly goals in the comments below.

– Read ‘The Flat Share’: In the past, I would literally read a book a day. But when I entered VCE and reading was shoved down the priority list, it has become harder and harder for me to get back into the habit of doing one of my most enjoyed past times. So I would like to at least knock off one book on my TBR. After this, I need to start the ‘Court of Thorns and Roses’ series, as per my bestie’s request.

– Be brave and wear a gosh dang red lip! The web series “Skam” is my current obsession and the character of Noora has the most understated yet stylish fashion sense, and same goes for her makeup. She wears a bare face but a signature red lip. I would love to emulate that look… but I’m scared!!

– Paint my nails more regularly: I had bought a Sally Hansen colour therapy polish (shade 191 Pomegratitude) which is rare for me as I’m usually a Sportsgirl sale nail polish person. But when I did finally end up using it, I noticed such a difference in the quality. And I loved how it looked. You truly can look so much more ‘put together’ by having your nails done. So, even though taking it off once it’s chipped etc is annoying, it’s worth it in the long run! So I’d like to make a habit of it.

– Moisturise my body! I am such an avid fan of facial skincare but neglect the rest of my body. Even though we have heating, I hate getting out of the shower and having to wait around for my moisturiser to “sink in.” I just want to put my pjs on straight away! However, I want to make a conscious effort to moisturise more.

– I have heaps of blog posts sitting in drafts that just need pictures to accompany them and then they’re set to be published! But I have a busy work week ahead and then I have a girls weekend away, so I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to finish them up. (Case in point, the picture I took on a late night Bunnings trip is in this post lololololol) Nonetheless, blog posts are headed your way! Comment your blog/IG in the comments and let’s be friends.

Who else is ready go kick their goals? I sound way more enthusiastic than I am- right now I just wanna stay in bed haha!

Follow along on IG @rolly.mag >>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com

Hi everyone, 

Haha do you think you’re getting a beauty post with this image? Wrong. You’re getting a brain dump post. 

I will tell you first, though. These two products I received from the beautiful Nicky on Instagram… she sent them to me out of the goodness of her own heart when I commented on one of her stories saying how lovely they were. Seriously, she deserves alllll the good karma. 

I really wanted to make monthly ‘Letters From The Editor” a thing. I did it for one month, then fell off the blogging bandwagon. It’s actually not even that I fell off, I just- cue cliché- didn’t have the time. 

Hear me out.

I only left the school system in late 2018 when I graduated Year 12. I haven’t ever had to work 8-9 hour, consecutive days. It’s been a lot to learn. 

I get home from work and I am tired- but there is still more adulting to be done.

The last thing I feel like doing is looking at a screen to type up a blog post.

Don’t get me wrong, I have wanted to write a blog post… I have an overflowing mind of ideas. I just have not had the energy to allow for the effort.

But! 

My schedule looks to be clearing in the next few weeks (I always say this… then more work opportunities pop up and suddenly I am BUSY again) and so I am going to allow for some quality R&R (I woke up with a sore throat this morning and was like please god no) and some quality blogging time. 

So, here is the May ‘Letter From The Editor’… with just under a week of May left. 

In other news:

That should about do it for now, friends. 

I want to keep this primarily a beauty blog but I am the person behind the beauty content and so it makes sense that one cannot occur without the other.

I realise I still have a uni update draft blog post awaiting publication… but that feels like so long ago I don’t know if it’s still relevant. 

TL;DR for those of you who are still with me à Went into a communications course I was really unsure about, tried it for a week, hated it, cried in the middle of Bourke St Mall on the phone to my mum and told her I couldn’t do it anymore… never went back and am now living (but mostly working) happily ever after. 

Can I add, the irony is that when I got the course offer, I posted on IG ‘just got accepted into the course of my dreams’… lol, no. I think that came from relief that I was accepted into anything at all. 

Rant over, big love, hopefully we’ll have some more regular beauty content soon… I’m not promising anything, just hoping for one post a week at this stage (that, and to start working out three times a week. Dreaming big.)

Omg, have I posted a blog post since the Jonas Brothers got back together????… BECAUSE THE JONAS BROTHERS ARE BACK TOGETHER!!!

 Follow along on IG @rolly.mag >>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com

 

Why hello, friends!

I am currently writing this on my phone in the WordPress app on March 31st… nothing like cutting it fine eh?

I have wanted to write an “Editor’s Letter” since I first started reading magazines. My internet inspo for this post comes from Lauren Conrad and Sharni… both of whom’s Ed’s Letters I read monthly and think “dang I really have to do that next month!”… and then I forget for the next three months.

I was very tempted to a) post this later in April or b) just skip this month and try better next time… but enough is enough!

Rushed and not perfect… but published!

Contents:

– Book Club

– No Buy

– Uni Update

– Playlist

– Giveaway

Like this Ed’s Letter… a monthly book club is something I’ve always wanted to incorporate into my blog but just haven’t got around to doing!

It is my goal this month to prioritise reading and finally start (and finish!) The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai. It was a gift from my Year 12 Literature teacher and I would love to be able to tell her that I have read it- haha!

I’ve not heard of the book before and have no expectations. But if you care to follow along the journey of me reading it I will be keeping you updated here on the blog!

I also hope to read What I like about me which I actually won from Babbling Books on Instagram. I am beyond grateful and excited… so I can’t wait to share that with you also once it arrives in the mail!

At this point I’m thinking the “book club” will be a weekly update style post.

Next up… I have decided to embark on another No Buy during the month of April! You may recall I did this throughout February- read here!- and found it really eye opening!

Having gone a little wild spending wise in the latter part of March (Priceline 1/2 price sale I blame you!) I think it is about time to take control of my spending habits again.

I foresee a few challenges/temptations… of which I’ll talk more about during the first update post! But to summarise:

– Innisfree Highpoint store opening

– being off work for three weeks

– Easter (and the sales that come with!)

– friends birthdays (a gift for them, a gift (or two!) for me right?)

Sooooo… in regards to my uni update- I can’t believe I am yet to talk about it on the blog!

It’s been such a major part of my offline life… so I’ll be sure to fill you in properly but basically; I went to uni for a week, decided I really didn’t like it, cried tears of relief in the middle of Bourke Street whilst on the phone to my mum and I’ve now deferred. Best. Decision. I am so happy with my life right now!

Buttttt I have been very busy work wise since this month… and this week ahead! So once that settles down a bit there will be much more time to dedicate to the blog! I’m excited for what I have planned!

And to round off this letter… my favourite tunes of the month! See any faves?

My March/April Playlist

– Sucker: Jonas Brothers (will have this on repeat forever)

– 3 Nights: Dominic Fike

– Woke Up Late: Drax Project ft Hailee Steinfield

– Her: Alex Aiono (what a gift this man is *heart eyes for days*)

– I Don’t Belong In This Club: Why Don’t We ft Macklemore (unlikely collab… And I’m here for it!)

– Mess Her Up: Amy Shark (hashtag girl boss)

Thank you so much for reading and following along on this journey.

If you’re not already following me on IG… please do! I’m always updating and engaging over there so I’d love for you to join the ROLLY Mag community. That’s where you’ll be able to enter the giveaway I’m hosting too! So pleaseeeee stay tuned for that… as I celebrate 400 followers!

Happy April, everyone! Let me know what you think of this style of post in the comments below xxx

Follow along on IG @rolly.mag >>> https://www.instagram.com/rolly.mag/

And say hello via email >>>

hellorollymag@gmail.com