taryn k.

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My name is Taryn. I'm in my twenties. I come from the land down under. I'm married. I work full time. I like pretty things. My favourite food is watermelon. I hate dancing. I like to talk. I tend to contradict myself. I hate snails. I like you for reading my blog.

Layout: vehemency
Email: here
Twitter: here
Bloglovin: here
SHOP TARYN K: here

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21 March 2013, 2:46 PM

New Boots!

Surely I'm not the only one who forces myself into winter clothes at the end of summer? I'm talking wayyyy before it cools down. And vice versa, summer clothes at the end of winter. I usually spend at least three weeks either sweating or freezing at the end of each season just because I simply cannot wait another minute to change up my wardrobe. Ridiculous, really.

So basically, I bought new boots, way before their time. I tried to wear the lace-up ones today but alas, it was just too hot.

"Deena & Ozzy" Treaded Combat Boot

"Kimchi Blue" Double Buckle Moto Boot

I kinda wish I had ordered the Kimchi Blue boots in grey colour since I've probably already got enough black boots. So I promise, promise my next boots will be in a colour other than black.

What's that, Taryn? More boots? Surely not.

Surely yes.

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07 March 2013, 2:32 PM

I'm Back, Bitches!

Oh shizz. It's March already and I haven't blogged once this year.

Bad, bad blogger.

I've written a whole bunch of draft blogposts but nothing is really working, so I keep deleting them. I do want to get back into the swing of things though, so think of this as my "comeback" post.

I'll catch you up on things that have been happening over the last few months. I'd do an "On Instagram Lately" post, but every photo I take is of my baby and although I think she is the cutest thing ever (uh, coz she is), I'm sure you'd get bored after the first 257 pictures of her doing messy/cute things.

So here goes in plain text.

I've been back at work now for almost a month. I'm back at the same company, although in a different role and only for two days a week. I was expecting to really hate being back at work, but I've been loving it! I've been really lucky that my mum and mother-in-law have been looking after Taylor while I'm at work as it means I can take my lunch break with her.
Pinterest and I have become the very best of friends (follow me!). I can't believe it took me so long to jump on the bandwagon! At first I was just pretty much addicted to the Home Decor section, but now that I'm starting to plan Taylor's first birthday, I've been pretty much focused on the Kids section. There's just SO MUCH.
Speaking of Taylor, she is just about to hit the 9 month mark. Wow! The time has gone so, so fast. She's been crawling since she was just over five months, eating solids since 6 months, pulling up and cruising since she was seven months, has five teeth and spends her days saying "DADADADDADADA!" Needless to say, she's been keeping me on my toes!
I accidentally ordered some new boots online the other day. I just put them in my basket for fun, then I just entered my card details for fun and then I didn't realise what was happening and I had pressed the confirm button and it was all too late. They are not here yet, but they will be soooooon!
It's mine and my husbands three year wedding anniversary today. Time flies.
The weather is finally, finally starting to get cooler now. Although that said, it's still just over 30C everyday. But it sure beats 42C everyday!
I re-ombred my hair - I kinda failed at it last time because I did it just as I got pregnant and all hell broke loose in my body so I didn't really give it the treatment it deserved. Not once did I tone it last time! This time is different - I am armed with toners, purple shampoos and hair masks galore! Come at me brassy tones and split ends!
Shop Taryn K is still doing well. I've just restocked with new colours from Essie and China Glaze, so if you're from the land of Oz (as in Australia, not the erhm wizard) get on it.

I know it's going to be a bit late, but I'm going to be posting a February Favourites post next, so that'll catch you up on a few things too no doubt.

Thanks for sticking with me through this unplanned hiatus. Talk to y'all soon!

image via http://artpixie.tumblr.com/post/25285539425

Labels: Blah blah blah

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18 December 2012, 9:14 AM

The Holly Jolly Holiday Tag

Hello everyone!

I'm really starting to get into the Christmas spirit now, watching Youtube Vlogmas videos, Pinterest boards filled with Christmas ideas (follow me!), and seeing blogs with all their Christmas recipes and hot chocolates. Obviously it's summer in Australia, so I kind of look at everyone else's cosy Christmas countdowns with a little bit of longing - then I remember I get to spend the day in the pool drinking cocktails and I don't feel so bad.

I thought I'd try the Holly Jolly Holiday tag this year - I don't think I've done a tag in a long time, so I hope this is a bit of fun :)

1. Do you start your Christmas shopping on Black Friday or wait until the last minute?

We don't have Black Friday here in Australia, but I start Christmas shopping usually in early November (usually online shopping) and tend to still be buying right up until the week before Christmas.

2. If you could be in any Christmas movie what would it be?

Not sure if it's considered a Christmas movie, but "Look Who's Talking Now" has a whole lotta Christmas songs in it, and I love that movie, so I'd probably pick that. I'm not sure who I'd be in it mind you.

My sister used to have a Barney (that purple dinosaur) Christmas video when we were kids where they all go to the North Pole or something and I used to love that.

3. Which do you like better: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

I LOVE Christmas day. I'm usually working on Christmas Eve and it's usually a hectic, busy day, so definitely Christmas. Boxing Day gets an honourable mention too, mostly for being very chill.

4. When does your family put up your Christmas tree and who decorates it?

As a kid we used to put the tree up on or around the 1st of December. My dad used to set up the tree and the lights, mum used to pretend to let us think we did the ornaments, but really she used to fix them up when we weren't looking (I don't blame her), and then my sister and I would take turns being lifted up by dad to place the star on top.

Nowadays, I put the tree up as early as possible and leave it up all through January. I decorate the tree myself - Joe is usually there, but he is only allowed to watch. Because I've turned into my mother ;)

5. White lights or colored lights?

White lights - I like a very sleek looking tree.

6. Are you guilty of peeking at your presents or do you like the surprise?

I hate surprises. I generally demand my presents on Christmas Eve because I can't handle the suspense. As a kid, or teenager really, I found my present once and it was AWESOME and I was so excited, but I didn't tell anyone I'd seen it. Then on Christmas day I tried to act as surprised as I could, but I don't think it was good enough and I felt really bad. So, lesson learned.

7. Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or in Santa's Workshop?

Santa's Workshop. Not sure why. Doesn't a witch that eats kids live in a gingerbread house?

8. Tell us your Christmas Eve traditions!

We didn't really have any year to year traditions, but I remember always leaving cookies and milk (or a beer, Dad insisted he'd enjoy that more) for Santa as well as a carrot for Rudolf (stuff the rest of the reindeer apparently). I would always go to

9. If you could be under the mistletoe with anyone who would it be?

Joe. Boring, sorry.

10. What tops your tree?

A glittery, gold star.

11. Can you name the 12 days of Christmas?

They have names?

12. Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?

Nope. I've been to Carols by Candlelight once or twice as a youngun'

13. Do you countdown to Christmas? If so, how many days are left?

Not really. I do get excited though when it get's close and I haven't realised.

14. What are some foods and treats you can count on having every holiday season?

Joe's mum always does as a full roast turkey lunch because they're Welsh and used to a winter Christmas (even after 25 years of living in Australia), but my family usually has a cooked breakfast (bacon, eggs, hashbrowns etc, droooooool) and then a BBQ for dinner.

15. How has Christmas kept its magic for you as you've grown older?

I still love it as much as I always did - guess I'm still a kid at heart. I can't wait for Baby Taylor to start to realise what Christmas is all about, to look forward to Christmas morning. That'll spark a whole new lot of magic in our household :)

How dodgy is this Santa? His beard is covering his NOSE! How awkward.

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27 November 2012, 3:51 PM

Screw you ;)

I just unpacked my shopping from today and had a little giggle - looks a bit different from what I usually buy. Spent a bit of time at Masters (an Australian hardware store) and picked up a rather random assortment of goodies :) Most of it is for my pallet coffee table, but I'm gonna recaulk my shower and we needed a new dust pan and brush. So yeah. That's my haul of the day!

Labels: Blah blah blah

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26 November 2012, 10:06 PM

Guess I spoke too soon - on Saturday we lost all our phone lines. That's the Internet, tv, foxtel (cable) and the telephone. It's now Monday night and the technician is due to come out tomorrow morning, so this is coming to you from my beloved iPhone.

Although I must say, what we thought was going to be a tough few days turned out quite pleasant. We got heaps I jobs done around the house, got some hardening done and I even started working on the pallet coffee table I'd been planning on DIY-ing for a few weeks now. I'll share more on that later.

I don't really have much I say, just wanted to pop on here quickly and say "hello! I haven't abandoned this blog again, don't worry!".

So I guess I'm off to bed - hopefully tomorrow will bring technology back to the House of K. Fingers crossed.

Labels: Blah blah blah

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23 November 2012, 8:39 PM

#firstworldproblems

So.

Fifteen days ago I decided to download the second half of the first season of Pretty Little Liars - I saw it when it was first out on TV but I wanted my iTunes to look all pretty and organised and complete. So there I am in iTunes, happily downloading away, when all of a sudden my internet just died. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Then I realised I had used up my entire download allowance for the month. And I still had fifteen days to go.

And the world ended.

I may be being a touch dramatic - a regular person would just shrug it off and take it as a chance to switch off and have a tech break. But I am a crazy person. I LOVE the internet. It's my outlet into the world, prevents me from going crazy from being a new mum. And 56kbpm just does not cut it.

But it's over now, it's a new billing cycle and the internet is back. So I can blog again.

I don't think I've really done a haul in a little while, so I thought I'd show you a few things I've picked up over the past few weeks.

First up - my new bag. I think I forgot to tell you but I got a pink Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC bag for my birthday in July - I've been using it every day since I got it (along with my nappy bag) and I love it. It's the perfect size for my phone, wallet and car keys, but sometimes I just need something slightly bigger.

I've been drooling over the Alexander Wang Rocco bag for months but that is neeeever gonna happen, so I sort of had my eye out for something similar for like 0.25% of the price.

Once more, Sportsgirl delivered.

Honestly, I think just about every handbag I've owned over the past five years has been from Sportsgirl. That place just gets me. This one is a really good quality faux-leather that I feel looks a lot more expensive than it was, and has awesome studding all over the front. You know how I feel about studs.

Obviously this isn't an exact dupe for the Rocco but I feel like it's in the same family. Kinda like how Layla for Big Brother Au was a part of the Polish royal family - about 75 people would have to die before she would get the crown, but dammit, she would still claim it!

All packed and ready for a trip out into the world.

I also bought my first pair of Sam Edelmann shoes, a pair of neutral ballet flats with studs, naturally.

I love them like no other. But sadly it is pretty much already to hot here to wear anything but thongs (FLIP FLOPS, FLIP FLOPS for all you international readers, before you think I'm a little inappropriate). I'll hopefully get more use out of these when the weather cools off again. You know, some time around April next year.

I preordered The Oatmeal's new book ages ago when he first announced it on his blog, because:

a) I am obsessed with The Oatmeal;

b) I bought his last book in ereader form and it just doesn't do it justice;

c) I am a crazy cat lady; and

d) I'm pretty sure my cat is a sociopath that is potentially plotting to kill someone in my family (most likely my sister)

Turned out to be very informative.

The Lauren Conrad book is just coz I love her style and it was less than $10.

Man, she has amazing hair.

Sportsgirl also provided me with this amazing pair of faux-leather pants.

Coyote Ugly has had a long and lasting affect on me. I will always regard leather pants as the height of fashion and...awesome-ness.

Lastly, I found this adorable pink blazer at Valleygirl - I am trying to inject a little more colour into my wardrobe after realising that over half of it is taken up by black, grey and white. I never thought of myself as a monochromatic dresser, but that's apparently what I am. I love the tangerine lining on this one, perfect for spring.

I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend as of tomorrow - the last few have been awesome but incredibly full on. I can't wait to have some down time with my little family before the craziness of Christmas kicks off. Little Taylor is nearly six months old now - how time flies! She'll be starting solids in a couple of weeks, learning to crawl very soon (she's so close!), then I'll be heading back to work in February for a couple days a week - it'll be all go, so I'm really enjoying this time with her while I can. I love being a mum.

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03 November 2012, 6:47 PM

Yummy Mummy

Let's be honest. The main reason I decided to open an online store selling nail polish was so that I would have an excuse to add more colours to my personal collection. I have a nail polish addiction, plain and simple. The amount of restraint I've shown to be able to leave my stock the hell alone is highly commendable, if I do say so myself.

So you can understand my complete and utter devastation to discover that one of my stock polishes was damaged and could not possibly be sold. Ahem. I actually may have done a little dance of glee.

Let's continue to be honest: I hope with all my might that one day someone random will call me a 'yummy mummy'. That would just make my day.

As you can see in the photos below, it seems this bottle of "Yummy Mummy" by butterLONDON popped in transit, and contained by the cap, it is half empty (or half full, depending on your attitude) and unsellable. So it became mine. Shame.

I was expecting this to be one of those colours that needed to be built up with three or more layers to get any kind of opacity (Disco Biscuit, I'm looking at you, you disappointing thing), but this is only ONE COAT. This is an awesome formula, so easy to work with. It seems to have decent staying power too - I'm up to day 3 without any chips (I'm also wearing Seche Vite top coat FYI). I'm so happy it spilled :)

OMFG TARYN! STOP BITING YOUR CUTICLES, THEY LOOK HORRENDOUS!!

I also bought a new camera. My old Canon got to the point where the lends wouldn't even pop out when I turned it on, which was just no good, and there's only so much an iPhone can do. And while my new Fujifilm isn't the bee's knees by any means, it seems to be doing the job so far. There is potential for me to attach it to my tripod and take far more professional OOTDs. Wouldn't that be a sight?

Labels: Nail Polish

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25 October 2012, 9:21 PM

if i didn't know better

Currently obsessing over this. Clare Bowen's voice is absolutely stunning.

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24 September 2012, 12:40 PM

Shop Taryn K - coming soon!

So yes, I've been a touch quiet on the blog front lately. Many apologies - last time this happened it was due to the fact that was totally preggers. This time the reason is a little different, but neaaaarly as exciting (okay, not quite).

I've been quietly working away at creating a new online store - Shop Taryn K. Yay! I'm getting nearer and nearer to the official launch, so I thought I'd better get you up to speed.

The store will start by retailing nail products that are a little harder to come by in Australia and hopefully move into skin care and cosmetics over the coming months. I'll be opening with products from Essie, butterLONDON and China Glaze (you know, only my favourites), hopefully aquiring a few more over the next few months.

At the moment I'll only be shipping to Australia, but hopefully in the future I'll be able to expand to be able to accomodate international customers.

It would mean so much to me to have your support - even if it's just a 'like' on Facebook. I've had so much fun blogging over the past couple of years and I intend to carry on just like before, so I won't be saying goodbye to any of you guys. And as always, you'll be able to find honest reviews about my products - I'm also not saying goodbye to my integrity, only the best for my lovely customers. :)

You can find me at shop.tarynk.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShopTarynK - hope you can stop by and say hello!

Ps. Shopping for the stock for the store has been the BEST. FUN. EVER. You should probably expect some nail posts soon, haha.