Hi everyone! 
I cannot believe how quickly 2012 has gone by. I hope that your year has been a great one and filled with many happy moments! Mine’s been pretty hard so I have been glad to have my blogging hobby, as well as my Japanese studies too, to keep my mind busy. Not to mention my friends and Mr R!
I have learnt a lot this year, which has been good, and met a lot of nice people, which has been great! However I am certainly ready to see the back of 2012.
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I would like to take this opportunity to say that I do appreciate everyone’s support of the blog. The comments and feedback I receive are important to me, and I enjoy maintaining this little space of the blogopshere. If I am providing at least one reader or fellow blogger with some new knowledge, useful advice or simply entertainment then I am happy! I have also been fortunate to have developed connections with some great PR agencies around Australia and elsewhere, which I am greatful for as it significantly broadens the scope of what I can share with you, readers!
I made some resolutions for 2012… Did I achieve them? I will reflect on this on 1/1/13, as I set my resolutions for 2013. New Year Resolutions are not for everyone, but I like to set them as they give me some general guidance around what I would like to achieve and to reassess what is important to me.
Do you make New Year Resolutions?
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This month I have taken the time to create a proper editorial calendar for 2013. This will mean you will see more balanced content – I aim to feature an Asian beauty brand/product each week – and once a month I aim to write about a topic relating to life and wellbeing (this means I may write about self help, blogging, travel, or other stuff that fits into this category). I don’t know why I didn’t draw up a calendar earlier, but I suppose sometimes one just has to learn the hard way lol!
Without further ado, this is just a tiny taste of what I will be reviewing in January:
Featured brands above include Baviphat and Innoxa, as well as a new local line of cosmetics which are really beautiful!
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You may have noticed that I did not do an “empties” post for November of this year… Consequently I have got a massive bucket full of stuff that I’ve finished (or had to throw out as past expiry!) over the past 2 months:
There are too many items in there to list them all individually (I counted them – there are 17!) but my fave products in there included:
- Neutrogena oil free eye makeup remover. It’s gentle but effective and I have been using it for quite a while… I’m now onto my 3rd bottle (I think?! haha!).
- Wotnot facial wipes* – these come in a handy and recyclable travel case complete with mirror! They are gentle on the skin and contain gentle, natural ingredients.
- Okoii Camelia Deep Penetrating Cream. I received a sample pot of this in a recent Okoii order (they include samples with each order which gives you an opportunity to try a range of their products). It is light but very hydrating and the tiny jar (slightly smaller than an Australian 20c piece) lasted me over a week!
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I hope that you all have wonderful New Year’s Eve celebrations, whether it’s a big night out on the town or a chilled out time at home!
All the best for 2013. May you have a happy and successful year!
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*I received this product during the 2012 Adelaide Beauty Conference.
Views are my own and I did not receive any monetary compensation for featuring this item.
That mask (is it a mask?) looks so cute!! Can’t wait to see these reviews
Happy New Years lovely…
Hi, yes it is!
I had to cover it up as I’ve already used it, ready for review haha! 
thanks and a Happy New Year to you too! 
Baviphat. Yaaaay. You know how I love Asian cosmetic reviews. *w* Just curious, how did you find Salon Selectives?
Bethany recently posted..Etude House Princess Etoinette Crystal Shine Lips PPK002 Review + Swatch
Hi Bethany it is a goodie! Yes me too that’s why I’m going to focus on bringing more of them to the blog, more regularly! I also enjoy reading your reviews; I think between both of us we have and will cover a lot of Asian brands and products lol!
The Salon Selectives shampoo was a dud; I bought it about 2 years ago for $1 when trying to find a basic (i.e. not hydrating) shampoo to use when rinsing out coconut oil hair treatments. In the end it turns out that my usual shampoos (Australian Organics or I also use Organix now and again – they were also in my Empties in a coconut and coffee variety!) work just fine and don’t leave me with greasy hair post oil treatment.
Cheers. Hehe.
That’s why I asked.
I saw it recently for like $2 and figured it must be terrible. Shampoo is just one of those things I’m likely to spend more on. As for Organix, I’m currently using the moroccan argan oil one in my conditioner rotation.
Bethany recently posted..Etude House Princess Etoinette Crystal Shine Lips PPK002 Review + Swatch
Oh yeah it was pretty awful! I’ve seen the moroccan one but haven’t tried it; I’ve been given three new products from their latest “fragrance” in the range – I will let you all know how I go with them!
I hope you have a wonderful 2013 and all of your dream and wants come true!!! XO
Hi Amy, thanks and same to you!
Have you actually moved yet (ie, to ADL?)? I have been a bit scattered lately and not done as much regular reading of blogs as I typically do; so I may have missed updates on this! If you have relocated, I hope you can make one of the ABBM catch ups in the future! 
Happy new year Sarah! Hope you have an awesome 2013!
kerker recently posted..5 things I like about: Dermalogica UltraCalming Super Sensitive Shield
Hi Kerri, thank you and same to you!
I have a good feeling about 2013 as it adds up to 6 – which is my lucky number! 
PS loving the new name and look of your site – aren’t you glad you came over to the “dark side” ie. wordpress?! I will be sure to take time to make a proper visit and looksee around your new site soon. 