Tips For Learning a Foreign Language

I'm definitely no expert at learning languages, however I am currently trying to learn German and have found some useful tips and tricks that might help people in similar situations.

DuoLingo

If you can find the language you are learning on DuoLingo get it! I have found it so helpful to learn beginners and conversational language. It also helps you learn the different tenses for words etc.

DuoLingo has platforms online and in app form which makes it really handy to learn on the go.

It also great features like it's immersion section where you can read articles and correct them and the discussion section where you can go if you have any problems and discuss with other users.

www.duolingo.com

Children's Books

Although this may seem silly because I'm obviously not a child anymore I am essentially learning in a similar way that I was taught how to speak English as a child. When we were younger we didn't begin by reading massive long chapter books so why should it be any different when learning other languages. 

This website has a good list of German children's books but you can always just look them up online.

Music 

This one doesn't necessarily help me learn German but it definitely helps you learn how words sounds and the way that the language is spoken. I love finding new artists I really enjoy but it also makes me feel closer in a sense to the language and culture of the country. 

I made a Spotify playlist for German music when I first started listening to it and continually add new music to it as I find it. (Also I promise it's not all Cro but he is awesome)

Also if you want to understand what the song is saying/means usually you can find lyric translators online.

The first German song I listened to

Practice with People

This one seems pretty obvious but not everyone does it! I'm lucky enough that one of my best friends is also learning German at the moment as her family is German and we try to practice and help each other and she practices with her mum and Oma at home.

If you don't know anyone personally who speaks the language you are learning you can hire a language tutor or for a less expensive option find a pen pal online and email/message/write to each other. At the same time you may be able to help them learn English and learn more about their culture.

Immersion

I find immersion to be the best way to learn more about a country, culture or language. Whether it's listening to the country's music, watching a foreign movie with the subtitles on, reading books or news articles or just having 'no English speaking days' where you only speak only that language for the day (only if you're with a person who speaks/is learning that language). 

You really just have to practice, I wish that it was easy enough to learn in a few weeks but it takes time, patience and practice to commit to learning a new language, I definitely believe that it pays off in the end though. There are so many languages that I want to learn but unfortunately I need to get a bit better at German before I take on any more languages!

I hope this helps a little bit and gave you some new ideas about how to learn a language or inspired you to start learning a new language because I absolutely love it!

Morgan x

6 Holidays Outfit, Hair & Make-up Ideas

Hi :)

Yesterday on my twitter I promised 2 posts today as yesterday I didn't have time to post so, it's currently 10:17pm Sydney time and I'm just beginning to write this post. Hahah anyway as it's almost Christmas I thought that there are probably a lot of people going to holiday parties or just trying to think of an outfit for Christmas Day or Christmas Eve etc. 

I used Polyvore to create these outfits so although a lot of the actual items of clothing are incredibly overpriced I'm sure you could find cheaper options elsewhere. :) 

All prices in AUD.

Casual Dressy

Black Crop- $31 River Island

Skirt- $55 Chic Wish

Watch- $390 Net-A-Porter

Earrings- $75,000 RRP (!!) Van Cleef and Arpels

Shoes- $31 ASOS

Keep make-up simple with a dramatic smokey eye,and hair in a half up/half down hairstyle that has been loosely curled like Skye's in the picture. If you like you could add a bow either black or dark red to match the skirt.

Classy Casual

 Jeggings- $61 Zara

Hat- $77 Nordstrom

Coat- $59 Blackfive

Shirt- $25 New Look

Scarf- $17 Charlotte Russe

I love Rosie's natural look with a strong contour/highlight, the lip is a muted dark red/burnt orange even. The hair is kept simple with just a blowout parted on the side.

Australian Christmas

Shirt- $595 T by Alexander Wang

Shorts- $22 Chic Nova

Sunglasses- $605 Lindele Palais

Shoes- $98 Converse

Nail Polish- $38 O.P.I

Lipstick- $37 Lancome

Keep make-up natural with a pinky-red lipstick, leave hair in a messy high pony-tail.

 Dressy

Dress- $29 Chic Nova

Bracelet- $19 Oasis

Shoes- $110 Nasty Gal

Lipstick- $46 Nars

Keep hair simple and straight, parted at the side and make-up natural with a deep red lipstick.

 Elegant Casual

Dress- $29 Nelly

Coat- $37 FashionMia

Shoes- $57 Oasis

Nail Polish- $17 Julep

I love Kim's windswept looking hair and natural make-up again focusing on the contouring and eyes.

Lazy/Family Day

Jumper- $26 Chic Nova

Leggings- $19 New Look

Glasses- $245 Ray-Ban

Slippers- $120 Australian Ugg

Keep hair natural in a messy bun and no make-up :)

I think with a lot of these looks you can really pull the entire outfit together by using a deep red lipstick and it keeps the look festive at the same time!

I hoped this helped a little or at least gave you some ideas for your outfits!

Morgan xx

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Long Overdue European 'Face' Haul and Reviews

Hi :)

I'm sorry I haven't been posting recently, I can't really make excuses except for the fact that I've had school and tests. I'm going to try so hard for the rest of the year to get at least 2 posts up a month :/

Anyway, as many of you know in late June- early July I went with my family on a holiday to Europe (France, England, Norway, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland). While I was there I bought quite a few make-up/skincare items and I've been meaning to do a face haul post for a while now.

So here you go! My long overdue Europe 'face' haul with short reviews of each of the products.

Isadora 'Wake Up Make-up Foundation' 00 FAIR- $30+ AUD

This foundation is amazing, I bought it in Sweden. I have oily and acne prone skin and the foundation stayed put for most of the day, it is fairly matte but still has a dewy look.  It has an SPF level of 20 and a velvety smooth finish. I also have light skin and a lot of foundations are too dark for me, this foundation was pretty much a perfect match! It is medium to full coverage and blends really well.

However, this brand is not sold in Australia and getting it sent from friends in Norway would put this foundation to above $45 AUD a lot more than I would normally pay for a foundation. 

UPDATE- I have recently been using Covergirl's 'TRU Blend Foundation' L-1 IVORY- $20 AUD (Priceline) as I'm almost out the Isadora and they have a great variety of colours.

Soap and Glory 'The Fab Pore Purifying Mask and Peel'- Around $18.50 AUD

I've been using this mask once a week usually on a Friday night, the morning after you can definitely see results but it does leave my skin a bit oily which I guess is normal. I just use a make-up wipe and cleanser then a moisturiser and my skin is lovely and soft. The mask is lightly exfoliating but not a peel as it says on the box, I use warm water and a face towel to wipe off the mask by rubbing in small circles. I've seen some Soap and Glory products in Australia but they've always been really expensive, my next purchase from them will hopefully be Soap and Glory's 'Whipped Butter Cream' :)

Benefit 'the Pore-fessional Primer' - $50+ AUD

I had been wanting to try some Benefit products for AGES and was so excited when I arrived in London, Europe sell Benefit products a whole lot cheaper than they do in Australia. I'd heard so much about 'the Pore-fessional  primer' so before I decided to buy the whole tube I bought a Benefit sample pack from Boots to try it out. It was love at first try, it is so silky smooth and makes your skin feel kind of velvety (weird right!) but it does it's job! It makes your foundation stay on longer and creates a much smoother and even effect. As I don't want to waste any I usually only use this on special occasions (parties, concerts etc.) but I have to admit one of my biggest regrets of my trip was not picking up another bottle of this stuff!

Urban Decay 'Naked BASICS Eye-Shadow Palette' - $30+ AUD

I don't typically wear eye shadow so when I do I wear very natural colours, this palette is perfect for me. I was looking at the Naked 1,2 and 3 palettes but in the end this was the one with the colours I would wear most often. My favourite shades in the palette are 'Venus' which is a light, matte peach colour and 'Walk of Shame' which is similar to 'Venus' but with more browny/earthy undertones. All the colours in the palette are easy to build up or wear naturally by themselves and I'm really pleased I bought this palette!

Thanks for reading and I hope you've enjoyed these reviews!

Morgan xx

How to Eat Health-ier Living with Parents

Hi :)

Sorry for being a bit MIA lately, school has been crazy! (Pretty much 12 major assignments and 4 tests and 6-8 weeks for them all).

Today I thought I would write about eating healthier while living at home which is something I've found quite difficult as I normally I don't have control over what's for dinner.

 I just want to make a quick disclaimer saying I'm not a health professional in any way and also eating healthier does not mean losing weight it means living a healthy lifestyle and being the best you that you can be! (All photos by me)

TIPS

• Replace unhealthy energy and soft drinks with better options that still have flavour like herbal tea with honey, fruit smoothies, fresh fruit juices, coconut water etc.
• Replace white bread and rice with multigrain and brown options, quinoa for rice
• Instead of butter use margarines (we use dairy free Nutalex) or better avocado or hommus
• Ask your parents if maybe once a week or more you could cook dinner and choose a healthier option for the family
• Go to the supermarket with your parents so you can help choose healthier options
• Pack your own lunch instead of buying from the canteen, packing things like a premade salad, mixed nuts, hommus and celery or carrot sticks, fruit/vegetables
• When snacking instead of reaching for something full of sugar reach for something with protein instead, it will fill you up more and give you long lasting energy instead of quick fills that cause you to eat more
• Don't over or under eat, make sure you are eating the right amount for your weight, height and age
• Drink lots of water
• Try to eat as fresh as possible, make sure you know what's in the food you're eating, a lot of the foods you buy you can probably make at home so you will know exactly what is in it and you can change ingredients it make the recipe healthier
• Cook some vegetables or make a quick salad to go along with your dinner if your parents don't, this way you'll at least get some nutrition even from a quick, easy meal (you know the one- Friday night pizza... ;P)
• This may sound a bit stupid but follow accounts on Instagram with photos of healthy food, I find great inspiration and new foods/recipes to try on Instagram and a lot of these people also have blogs which have lots of great tips, recipes, inspiration and more. Also I'm a bit of a sticky beak and like seeing what people eat ;)
• Use lots of flavour to add taste instead of needing artificial flavours to get that taste

That's all I can think of at the moment! Hope you enjoyed this and it was helpful, again I'm not a health professional in any way so if you don't agree with anything I've said you don't have to do it :)

Xx