Jenna Smith

The night before my tonsillectomy I had a full panic spiral, because the internet loves a horror story. Mine? Surprisingly civilised. No complications, and I was basically back to myself by day 7. This is the exact kit I used to keep swallowing possible, hydration constant (crucial), and sleep doable when day 4 arrived with ear pain and an attitude problem. Every item earned its place. None of it is filler. Practical indulgence.DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice, just what worked for me. Follow your surgeon’s instructions, and check with your pharmacist/doctor if you’re unsure what’s safe with your medications.

If you have dry skin, you already know it’s not just “a bit thirsty”. It’s tight by lunchtime. Makeup clinging to nothing. That feeling like your face is quietly negotiating with you all day. For most of my life, my skincare routine was: cleanse, moisturise, pray. But now I’m 32, and I’ve entered my hydrate and protect the face I’m taking into the future era. Mostly because I started seeing a dermatologist in 2025 and realised my skin actually responds when I stop treating it like an afterthought. So this is my real, unromantic, bathroom-shelf list for dry / dehydrated / slightly sun-damaged skin. What I use, what earns its spot, what I’ll repurchase, and what’s just…fine. No “miracle” claims. No twelve-step rituals. Just products that make my skin feel like it’s being looked after, not punished. And yes, sometimes my skin still gives stressed croissant. But we’re improving the situation.

If your curls wake up choosing violence and your skin is permanently auditioning for “parched”, hello. This is my actual rotation. Not aspirational, not influencer-perfect, just the products that keep me looking vaguely polished with minimal effort and maximum control. I live in Brisbane, Australia. The Queensland humidity is relentless. The water is hard. And I’m not interested in spending my life battling my own hair. So this routine is built around one principle: fix it at the source, then coast for the rest of the week (hopefully!)

If you want that sweet, pretty, “I’ve got my life together” drink (without it tasting like lawn clippings), welcome. I love strawberry matcha and review it everywhere in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Australia.My standard is simple: the strawberry has to be properly sweet, but the matcha still needs to show up smooth, earthy, and present. If it tastes like dirt, cordial, or sand, it doesn’t make the cut.