Survey Sunday - November 18th 2012

It's good old Survey Sunday time again! I hope you are all enjoying your Novembers thus far. Mine has been pretty crazy busy lately, and I'm really counting down the days to Christmas and my little fortnight of holidays I've taken off. Need it so badly! 

Anyway hope you are all doing really well, and let's jump into this fortnight's batch of questions:

1. How did you name your blog and why (if you have one)?
Mine's called Yakatey Yak because it incorporates my name - yaKATEy yak, and it also means to chatter away, which is what I do on here. My sister helped me think up its witty name... so a big thanks goes to her!

2. Where do you type the majority of your blog posts? 
Usually via an email to myself. I just write on the train or wherever I am and email myself the post or snippets of it and compile it on the actual blog post page later. Sometimes I type on my computer at home, but posts usually come to me when I'm bored and out of the house doing things.

3. How much time do you get off over Christmas and what are your plans? 
I've taken two weeks off, and sadly mourn the three months of university holidays that I once had. Oh well, two weeks is more than I've had all year, so pretty psyched about that. Just plan to do Christmas lunch and dinner with family at various people's houses, and relax lots and LOTS.

4. What are your top 5 favourite stores to shop for clothes in? 
Marcs, MNG (or Mango), Portmans, Topshop, and I shop in little boutiques a lot.

5. If you were an animal what kind would you be?
I think I'd be a horse. I was going to say a dolphin but then I remembered the deep ocean is kind of scary and I hate sharks so yeah probably a horse. Love horses, and I love the idea of galloping across meadows haha.

6. Are you single or taken? If taken, how long have you been with your partner and where did you meet? 
Taken, and have been with him for 3 years and 3 months (woah). We met through a mutual friend once when I was at school (he dropped a pint of beer on my foot at a party!!), and then years later met him in a lecture at uni again. He thought my name was Claire... but that has since been overlooked :P Now I think about it he didn't start off very well haha!!! ;)

7. What is your favourite makeup brand of all time? 

I would have to say MAC. I just love all of their eyeshadows, eye liners, lipsticks, lipglosses and brushes so incredibly much. I hate their foundations though. And they are quite expensive, and their staff are usually so rude! But I still love their products and just love browsing their counters so much :P

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So now it's your turn to answer the questions! Just copy and paste the below questions and answer them in the comments section below:

1. How did you name your blog and why (if you have one)?
2. Where do you type the majority of your blog posts?
3. How much time do you get off over Christmas and what are your plans?
4. What are your top 5 favourite stores to shop for clothes in?
5. If you were an animal what kind would you be?
6. Are you single or taken? If taken, how long have you been with your partner and where did you meet?
7. What is your favourite makeup brand of all time?

Survey Sunday - November 4th 2012

Hi guys! Happy first week of November! If you read my Christmas Haul post the other day you would have read that I've decided to do Survey Sundays every second Sunday from now on. This will allow me to focus on doing more posts of substance as well as keeping the questions fresh and fun! It's also harder than one might think to continually think up new questions! So Survey Sundays will be held on a fortnightly basis from now on.

So into this fortnight's batch of questions:

1. What foundation do you use? 

I use Maybelline Mineral Power Powder every day as it's just a very natural looking foundation that buffs into your skin making it look flawless and it evens out your skin tone and gives it a matte finish. If I want to spend more time on my makeup or go out at night I use my brand new Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation or my Body Shop Moisture Foundation which actually really deserves a whole lot more credit that it's given. It provides great coverage, a perfect flawless finish and it's really light and not at all cakey.

2. What phone do you own?

My trusty iPhone 4. I've heard that my friends who have iPhone 5s miss their iPhone 4s for reasons like it has a far better battery life, etc. So I'm extra happy with my good old 4 :P

3. What is your favourite milkshake flavour? 

This would probably be a tie between Vanilla or Strawberry. Love both, so long as the vanilla isn't too plain and just milk flavoured, or the strawberry isn't too fake syrupy tasting.

4. Do you have any superstitious tendencies?

Not really. I say "touch wood" and tap on wood sometimes. That's about the extent of it now. 

When I was little I used to have to recite this list of things I was scared about right before I went to bed because I heard that if you think about scary things before bed then you won't have nightmares about them. So just felt like I had to cover my bases you know? :P Also I had to quadruple check my rabbits hutch was shut at night, like I couldn't just trust one check of it. Now I check it twice. Haha I'm so weird. But I can't have my bunny running away can I?! :P

5. Have you ever had braces? 

Yep for two years in year 7-9. Good times.

6. What is your favourite meal to cook/bake? 

Anything sweet! Cupcakes because then you get to decorate them all prettily!

7. Favourite colour to paint your nails? 

Anything pastel or pink. Pastel pinks, corals, blues and greens are my favourites.

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Now it's your turn to answer the questions! Just copy and paste the questions into the comment section below.

1. What foundation do you use? 

2. What phone do you own?

3. What is your favourite milkshake flavour? 

4. Do you have any superstitious tendencies?

5. Have you ever had braces? 

6. What is your favourite meal to cook/bake? 

7. Favourite colour to paint your nails? 

Can't wait to read your responses! xx

Survey Sunday - October 21st 2012

It's Survey Sunday time!! Here we go...

1. Have you ever broken a bone, and if so what one?
Never! *touches wood* But I have dislocated a few fingers a couple of times playing basketball.

2. Do you have any tattoos or piercings? If so where and what of?
Just my ears are pierced. I am so scared of needles that it took me until year 9 to summon up the courage to go, and even then it was like a lamb going to slaughter situation. Barely hurt, but it’s the psychological aspect of needles I can’t take! No tattoos, that’s a few too many needles thanks!

3. What concerts have you been to? What was your favourite and least favourite?
I’ve been to quite a few. Lots of festival type ones like Big Day Out, Groovin the Moo, Pyramid Rock and Sound Relief, and then other solo ones. Probably my favourite solo concert I've ever been to was The Cure. Also another favourite was Vampire Weekend, they were absolutely amazing. And Bloc Party was incredible too.

I went to the Animal Collective concert and really didn’t like their set. Instead of playing their famous songs they just jammed randomly and it was absolutely terrible. Just messy loud noise. Also I went to Pyramid Rock the year all the music was cancelled on New Years because of the huge storm that occurred. Was the craziest thing ever, so many angry people camping out and so much rain and thunder. Bad combination.

4. Favourite meal of the day?
I would say it’s dinner, just because I always rush breakfast, and never feel like a massive lunch. I’m a snacker. But I like to have a sit down dinner or go out for a meal. I actually really do like going out for breakfast or brunch though, it feels fancy and the food choices (eggs/pancakes/French toast etc) are divine.

5. What is your favourite cartoon character?
Without a doubt it’s Ike Broflovski from South Park. I’m obsessed with that little man. I have watched every single episode that he is in, and just squirm with delight when he is on screen. I know this is a weird answer but don’t judge me guys. Just go watch him and you’ll see what I mean! “DON’T KICK THE GODDAMN BABY”

Source

6. What is your favourite topping on a pancake?
Generally I just like some maple syrup, sometimes with some creamy butter. Otherwise I sometimes like to mix it up with some nutella and banana. Or perhaps some hot chocolate fudge and sprinkles. But I'm not really a lemon and sugar kind of girl. Anything else though... love my strawberries and hot apple and nuts options from The Pancake Parlour. I am also a big fan of the potato and cheese pancake at this establishment. Basically it's just my favourite restaurant ever. Lovely.

7. Do you face towards or away from the water in the shower?
This is a very odd question! It came up in a discussion I had tonight and we were all surprised at the results when people did things differently to ourselves! I am a face the water person. I need to keep my hair dry when I'm not washing it, plus I just like facing the stream of water so I can see it. You have better control over the water this way! I think I swapped halfway through my life though. When I was younger I wore a shower cap and then I faced away because my hair wouldn't get wet. I just hate the feeling of my whole head being under water, it feels like I'm being water boarded or something. Haha this is such a weird question :P

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So now it's your turn to answer the questions! I look forward to reading your answers!

1. Have you ever broken a bone, and if so what one? 

2. Do you have any tattoos or piercings? If so where and what of?

3. What concerts have you been to? What was your favourite and least favourite?

4. Favourite meal of the day? 

5. What is your favourite cartoon character? 

6. What is your favourite topping on a pancake?

7. Do you face towards or away from the water in the shower?

Survey Sunday - October 14th 2012

Oh my goodness I've been so so busy I'm so sorry! I really need to start scheduling posts, I think I will really try to do that from now on. For some reason I always liked the idea of spontaneously writing posts then immediately posting them, but it makes sense to write a few when you have time and schedule them. 

So my apologies lovely people, I will get my act back together soon I promise. I have a long list of posts in the pipeline, so I will find the time to get them happening.

Here's a random cute picture of my bunny snoozing to help apologise for my lack of posting lots lately! Isn't she the cutest!! :P

I hope all of you had very lovely weeks and weekends. I just switched teams at work for my first ever graduate rotation (we do four in two years), so that's been pretty hectic. It's good though because my new rotation is more in line with what I want to do and less stats/numbers based. So fingers crossed this will be a good change for me :)

Anyway on to this week's batch of Survey Sunday questions:

1. What's your favourite Disney film? 
It's a tie for me between Aladdin and Cinderella. I was so carried away by the magic and rags to riches ideas of both of these as a child. Plus I loved Jasmine and the Genie, and that glass slipper!

2. What's your morning makeup routine? 
After cleansing and moisturising, I usually use mineral powder foundation (or a sheerer liquid if I have more time), blush, eyeshadow and mascara. Occasionally I'll add in some bronzer or eyeliner if I have the time.

3. Are you a coffee or tea person? 
I'm a tea girl all the way. Can't stand coffee. I drink English Breakfast with a bit of milk, and go through about 3-4 cups a day!

4. What skincare products/brands do you use?
I currently use Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish, Liz Earle's Instant Boost toner, and Clarins HydraQuench Cream. 
I sometimes alternate (or use in the mornings) Dermalogica products such as the Essential Cleansing Solution, the Multi-Active Toner, the Skin Smoothing Cream, and the Gentle Cream Exfoliant. I also sometimes use the the Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase or the Dior One Essential Skin Boosting Super Serum.

5. What's your star sign? 
Leo... rarrr! I don't believe in star signs etc, but the traits associated with Leo seem pretty spot on for me. And it's fun to read them occasionally in the paper/magazines.

6. What exercise do you do?
Recently I've started a bit of a health kick, and I've pleasantly surprised myself a bit with my ability to keep it up! I do weekly circuit type sessions with my friends every Sunday morning, and during the week I try to do 2 or so exercise DVDs. 
I find Jillian Michael's DVDs to be the best for quicker workouts that really deliver results and make you work up an enormous sweat. And the muscle burn the next day is proof that these DVDs do really work. I've done posts on her 30 Day Shred and my Spring Health Kick if you want more information.

7. What are you most looking forward to over the next week?
Tonight I'm seeing one of my uni friends for dinner and to see the new Wuthering Heights movie with Effie from Skins in it, so that should be fun! I'm also looking forward to seeing Taken 2 with my boyfriend at some stage this week, having lunch with my grad friends at work, celebrating my best friends birthday on Wednesday night and celebrating my Mums birthday next weekend. 

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Now it's your turn to answer! Just copy and paste the questions in the comments section below:


1. What's your favourite Disney film? 
2. What's your morning makeup routine?
3. Are you a coffee or tea person?
4. What skincare products/brands do you use?
5. What's your star sign?
6. What exercise do you do?
7. What are you most looking forward to over the next week?

Can't wait to read your answers! :)

Survey Sunday - October 7th 2012

How is it seriously Sunday again? This is crazy!! Today daylight savings switched over and all of our clocks went forward so now it will stay lighter at night time. I can't wait to get home from work and it will still be light outside! We had a BBQ tonight to welcome the arrival of warmer nights and sunshine :)


Now onto this week's questions:


1. How tall are you?

I'm 5 foot 7 inches. I think that equates to about 167 cm. So I'm a pretty average height for a girl. 

I never thought anything much of my height before, but at work now I'm surrounded by the shortest, tiniest girls ever so I feel like such a giant! 

2. Are you planning your next holiday and where are you going?

I am indeed! I'm planning a trip to America for next May with my boyfriend! It's our first big/international trip together, how exciting :) 

At this stage we are planning on going for about 3 and a half weeks. We will spend over a week in New York, then probably do Boston and Washington, and Orlando and Miami in Florida. 

ANY OF YOU AMERICANS...PLEASE HELP! Do you have any recommendations of places to go if we want to stick around the east coast? Or if you have ever travelled to that side of America, please help with your advice on where to go! :D

3. What sibling position in your family are you?

I am the oldest and I have one sister who is three years younger.

4. What is your favourite musical/play you've ever seen?

I absolutely loved seeing Wicked on the West End in London. Also The Lion King was probably the most incredible musical overall for all of its crowd involvement, and using the whole theatre and not just the stage. And the songs!

5. What's your favourite board game?

It would be The Game of Life. Or Articulate. My friends and I play Articulate non stop, best game ever. Look it up and buy it... you won't regret it.

6. What's your earliest childhood memory?

It's hard to know what your earliest memory is and whether you are just remembering the home movies or photo albums your parents put together. But I think the earliest memory I have that isn't documented anywhere else is driving with my dad at age 3 to buy our new white car. I remember it so vividly! Odd first memory to have though.

7. What is the most expensive item of clothing you've ever bought?

This is a hard one! I don't tend to hugely splash out on super expensive clothes. Some of my big winter jackets were around the $250-$300 mark, but I think I bought most of them slightly discounted from like $500 or something. So I'd say it's probably something like that. 

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So now it's your turn to answer the questions. Just copy them into the comments section below. Looking forward to read your answers!


1. How tall are you?

2. Are you planning your next holiday and where are you going?

3. What sibling position in your family are you?

4. What is your favourite musical/play you've ever seen?

5. What's your favourite board game?

6. What's your earliest childhood memory?

7. What is the most expensive item of clothing you've ever bought?


Have a great week everyone! :)

Survey Sunday - September 30th 2012

It's Survey Sunday time once again! Here are this week's questions:

1. Have you ever met or encountered someone famous? If so who, and where?

Sadly my celebrity sightings are sitting at a bare minimum. On my first day in Italy I was wandering around the Vatican and bumped into Kate Voegele and her boyfriend. She is a famous singer in America and she plays Mia Catalano on One Tree Hill. We went to the bathroom at the same time and SHARED a hand dryer. Can you believe my excitement?! Also my friend called out ‘Kate’ to me and SHE ALSO LOOKED. Isn’t that incredible right? 

My sneaky photo of Kate Voegele! 

More interested in taking sneaky shots of her than looking at the beautiful floor oops!

My cousin is also a famous Australian actor so I’ve met quite a few Aussie actors he’s worked with/is friends with. Other than that I can’t think of a time when I’ve randomly spotted a celebrity unfortunately.

2. Have you ever been to Australia/seen a kangaroo or koala/tasted Vegemite?
I have done all of these things numerous times, funnily enough. However kangaroos don’t just hop down the street and koalas don’t just climb suburban trees so you have to go more rural/to the zoo to see those. I’m always asked this when I travel! Also Vegemite is amazing, but not everyone's taste.

3. What were some of your favourite book series when you were a child?
Harry Potter, The Famous Five and all of Enid Blyton’s books such as The Magic Faraway Tree and The Wishing Chair, Deltora Quest, A Series of Unfortunate Events.

4. What is your favourite sweet biscuit and chocolate bar?
Favourite sweet biscuit would be Tim Tams (have you guys tried these!?! If not get your hands on some pronto). Favourite chocolate bar would probably be Twix, Mars Bar or Milky Way! I am odd because I really don't like M&Ms - the chocolate tastes bad in them!

5. What are your top three favourite eyeshadows to use on your eyes?
Satin Taupe, Patina and Naked Lunch (all by MAC).

6. What has been your favourite themed party you’ve ever attended?
That Harry Potter one I planned would come in one of the top spots for me! Also my mum threw me incredible themed parties throughout my whole childhood so all of those (thanks Mum!!). Plus anything from a cool era (20s/60s/80s) where you can dress like someone from that time.

7. What is your all time favourite mascara? 

This is hard because I haven’t found my Holy Grail one yet. I’ve currently got testers of Diorshow Extase, Chanel Inimitable, and YSL’s Shocking, of which I prefer the YSL. So it is most likely I will purchase YSL’s Shocking soon as it seems to be my consistent favourite!

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Now it's your turn, copy and paste the questions and answer them in the comments below!

1. Have you ever met or encountered someone famous? If so who, and where?

2. Have you ever been to Australia/seen a kangaroo or koala/tasted Vegemite?
3. What were some of your favourite book series when you were a child?
4. What is your favourite sweet biscuit and chocolate bar?
5. What are your top three favourite eyeshadows to use on your eyes?
6. What has been your favourite themed party you’ve ever attended?
7. What is your all time favourite mascara? 

Really excited to read your answers guys! Hope you are all enjoying your Sundays! 

Laine Blogger Award!

I was incredibly lucky to be nominated for the Laine Blogger Award by the lovely Maya from Spider Leg Lashes and Sneha from Sneha Says. 

These two girls are some of the loveliest girls I've encountered since blogging, and were among my first ever followers :) They are two of my favourite bloggers and you should most definitely check them out because they are incredible! Thanks so much for the nomination ladies!!

The Rules:

Tag the blogger who awarded you.

Answer the five questions below.

Award the Laine Blogger Award to 5 of your favourite bloggers.

Question 1: What is your current beauty obsession? 

I’m obsessed with eye makeup lately. I love looking at eye shadows and swatching them all on the back of my hand and arms until I look like a colourful zebra. I love the effect eye shadow can have if you know how to apply it properly, and how it can really make your eyes look bigger and more defined. I’m also fascinated by how different mascaras affect the lashes, and love playing around with kohl and gel eyeliners. I keep my eyes pretty natural looking, but it’s really surprising how many variations of 'natural' there are! Playing around with eye makeup feels so arty and creative.

Question 2: What is one beauty item you wished you owned? 

I have been dreaming of owning the Naked Palette by Urban Decay for so long, and FINALLY it has appeared on Beauty Bay so I’ve just ordered it. So my dream will be a reality shortly! Then I’ll want to own the Naked 2 Palette! I also really want a MAC blending brush but can’t justify the exorbitant cost of them here in Australia.

Question 3: What is your favourite post to read or write about? 

My favourite post to write about is creative/crafty ideas, or more personal ones and answering questions. I love my Survey Sunday ones. My favourite to read would also be more personal ones, or monthly beauty favourites, reviews, or creative ones.

Question 4: What inspired you to become a blogger? 

I have always loved writing and haven’t done a lot of it lately. I didn’t realise just how much I missed it until I started this blog. My friend also became a makeup artist, she recommended all these beauty Youtubers for me to watch, and I started full time work where I had to look presentable all around the same time. This resulted in developing a strong interest in makeup and using the internet as a form of expression, and I just got inspired to write my own to contribute my opinions and ideas to the world in some small way. It also provided me with the creative outlet I was desiring and lacking at work.

Question 5: What nail polish are you wearing right now? 

OPI’s Nein Nein Nein, OK Fine! It’s from the Germany collection and is a lovely creamy dark grey/green colour. I’m very surprised at how much I like it! And I love the super glossy finish.

So now I nominate the following amazing bloggers (love your work girls!!):

1. Ellie from Ellalogy

2. George from Life at the Coop

3. Perla from Perlaxmakeup

4. Laura from White Winters

5. Rachel from Live.Food.Love

Thanks again for the nominations Maya and Sneha, and can't wait to read the answers of the lovely bloggers I've nominated! 

Hope you all have a lovely weekend! It's Grand Final Day here in Melbourne and everyone is all excited!! 

x