Jhb: Photo & Film Expo...



Tomorrow and sunday are the last 2 days of the Photo & Film Expo at The Dome,  Northgate. 

"THE PHOTO & FILM EXPO in association with PiX Magazine is the largest PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPO on the continent, nowhere in Africa can you see all your favourite photographic brands under one roof..."

I was there today and picked up this little goodie:
So get your bum down there if you enjoy cool gadgets and are looking for tips and workshops on anything and everything photo-related... 



Tickets are R80 at the door. 
Time: 09:00 - 17:00
For more info, click here for the official website



30DaysOfMe...Day 8

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why


click here for more info on what these posts are all about :)


Source: wehearit
Today is the 13th October, so that leaves me with 18 days to achieve a few goals...hmmm.
Well where am I in life right now, I recently resigned from my job (I wasn't there for all that long, but I was there long enough to realise that what I was doing was not for me) so where does that leave me. Well, I have always loved anything and everything to do with beauty. 


So...
goal #1 Do some sort of beauty/makeup course in the next few weeks


goal #2 Start sewing (which I officially started yesterday) so lets rather say that my second goal is to actually finish the dress


goal #3 As I have decided to up and move to Pietermaritzburg till the end of the year (to be closer to Farmboy) my next goal is to start an interesting new blog series (I have a few idea's that I can't wait to share!)


goal #4 Wrap my Santa Shoe Boxes and get them ready for the drop off in November


goal #5 apart from finishing/achieving the above, I need to get further along with this series! I started the #30DaysOfMe just under 3 months ago, and even though I manage to blog about other random stuff just about every day, I am only on Day 8. Shocking...Must fix that!



Vichy...'Health Is Beautiful'

Vichy has got to be one of my absolute favourite skin care brands. Ever since I first tried out their Foaming cleanser a few years ago I have been hooked. However, I am a bit of a sucker for packaging, (Farmboy has often likened me to a crow pursuing shiny things) and so hop and change products like there's no tomorrow. Its also really frustrating that products don't have the same life span. Cleanser always finishes before toner and night cream just never seems to finish :) Well, I recently decided to spoil myself, and Vichy was at the top of my list after visiting AlphaCare Pharmacy in Ballito and finding out about their free facials!! Yes ladies, you heard me, free Vichy facials at selected Pharmacies! Check out their Facebook page for more details...anyway, where was I...ah yes, here are the following products I have added to my face care routine:


Purete Thermale Purifying Water R173.95

Skin Radiance Revealer


With an easy to use pump, water is dispensed as a soft foam which deeply cleanses skin. I love the feel of the foam, and the fact that my skin is never left dry after use. This cleanser is suitable for all skin types. It is allergy tested and soap free, making this the ideal all-rounder cleanser. It even removes all traces of makeup :) My favourite Vichy product!

Purete Thermale 3 in 1 Cleansing Micellar Solution R198.35


This awesome cleanser does everything a girl could want: 1 Cleanses the skin, 2. Removes eye makeup, 3. Soothes the skin. It's a cleanser, makeup remover and toner all rolled into one! even though it does all of the above, I use it after my foaming cleanser, to really make my skin squeaky clean. But sometimes, you just don't feel like getting your face wet, and thats where this cleanser is super cool. It is super gentle on skin, being alcohol, soap and colourant free!

Normaderm Refine Total Pore Resurfacing Essence R213.35


This product was recommended to me by the Vichy consultant when I told her I was looking for a sort of *gentler* kind of dermabrasian. Parts of my skin, particularly my T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) is uneven and with some scaring from breakouts. I have been using it night and day for 1 week now, and havent really noticed a huge difference, but am waiting to see the results after another week or 2. This product claims to be a pore micro-peel and pore firming, hopefully leading to smaller pores and less breakouts! 
Being an essence, it is very easy to blend in, and absorbs very quickly into my skin, without hindering my moisturiser or makeup application :)

Capital Soleil 50+ Protective Micro-Fluid Face R152.15


Living in sunny South Africa it is of the utmost importance that we wear suncream to protect our skin. Not just because of getting wrinkles and developing that "leather" look, but for health reasons too. Protecting our skin from the harmful rays means less money on skin care products and makeup later in life. We all know this, so then why is it that I had only invested in a good quality face suncream recently!? Well, I have a million reasons I could give you (too expensive, too much of a mission to use, makes my skin oily...bla, bla, bla). After finally coming to y senses, I can safely say this is the best face suncream I have ever used, It is a little on the pricy side, but it never leave my skin greasy and has such a pleasant fragrance, i really don't mind the extra few seconds it takes me to put on.

So there you have it :)

 Just a little note on my product reviews...all of the makeup and other products have been bought with my own (mostly *hard earned*) money, and I have not been approached to review them by companies. However, if, by some miraculous chance I am asked to review a product (*hint hint*) I will always let you know so that you get a 100% honest review out of me :)


Clover...*Way Better*



Last wednesday I was invited to Clover's relaunch at the Alexander Theatre in Braamfontein, Joburg. After getting a little too excited at the fact that I had a press badge, farmboy and myself headed into the crowds to meet some new friends and find out what Clover had up their sleeves...


Meet Clover's CEO, Johann Vorster:

This smiley pic came from the awesome little usb each member of the press *i love the sound of that hehe* received after the event 

“We believe that our new Way Better philosophy, culture and approach will position Clover to interact even more meaningfully with all our stakeholders, all of whom have played a vital role in getting us to where we are today as an industry-leading company listed on the JSE,” Vorster.


And meet Clovers new logo:


So Clover is trying to be better, Way Better in fact. In doing so they are re-launching themselves with new packaging, a new TV advert, a slightly modified logo, all this while still keeping c"love"r at it's centre.



During the evening, we were treated to a three-act theatre enactment of the Way Better philosophy. The play  provided the platform for the new logo and television commercial soon to be launched.


The Milky Way was the theme for the evening, and no expense was spared when it came down to the finer details...like yummy canapés with the names Supernova, Twinkle Tarts and Black Hole. 

And to top it off, balloons were released at the end of the evening, with a note to say that Clover had donated R100 to the Reach for a Dream Foundation on behalf of everyone who had attended the function...nice hey :)



I now leave you with the awesomeness that is Clover's new TV ad...drum roll please...





Ruby Ruby Ruby Ruby!

  In case you haven't realised so far, I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with all things makeup and beauty. With this in mind, I was super duper sad to come across the UK based company, GlossyBox. I say sad, because I found out they don't deliver to South Africa. I *WAS* sad until I found out we have our very own box of delights recently launched right here on SA soil...ladies, it is with the utmost pleasure that I introduce to you...RubyBox:



My October RubyBox contained the following:


Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector 
A rubybox exclusive – after twelve years in development this serum combines breakthrough technology to visibly transform the appearance of wrinkles, enlarged pores and uneven skin tone – and you’re trying it first in South Africa. For best results, apply twice daily after cleansing and before moisturising.



L’Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil 

Another rubybox exclusive – hair oils are making waves so add lustre to yours with this nourishing blend of avocado oil and grape seed oil. Apply to damp hair before blow drying for added shine or afterwards for frizz-free polish. Fine hair? Rub one pump in your hands and over your lengths and ends. Thick or coarse hair? Use two pumps instead.


Decléor Hydra Floral Moisturising Mask 

Give your skin a hydrating boost with this fragrant cream mask. Suitable for all skin types, it’s packed with comforting neroli oil and leaves skin soothed, quenched and protected against environmental pollutants. Apply a thick layer to your cleansed face and neck once (or twice a week if your skin is dry). Leave for five to 10 minutes and tissue off.


 black│Up Matifying Base
The ultimate shine-buster; this 2-in-1 primer instantly soaks up excess oil and reduces the signs of visible pores. Plus it makes an excellent makeup base as it preps skin for makeup application and ensures it stays put until you decide to take it off. Apply the silky, non-oily gel after moisturising and before your chosen foundation or wear it alone to combat that mid-morning sheen.




For a monthly fee of R100, the postman delivers a box of goodies (valued at between R300 and R400) right to your door. A post to follow soon on the how/when/who of the whole process.


Market Haul...

On a recent trip to the beach (we swopped sun, sea & sand and for rain, wind and mud) and when the weather had improved slightly, my friend Odette and I headed for the lovely I Heart Market in Durban, which has made the Moses Madiba Stadium it's new home. 

And a trip to the market is never complete without a couple of purchases...


Don't you just love these pegs! Wrapping gifts will never be the same again! The lovely Vanessa at Little Mud Hut Designs also makes magnets, tags, bunting, gift bags and lots lots more, click here to check out her facebook page for more information on where you can get your hands on these goodies


Aren't these little ring holders just so pretty...I had stop myself from buying all of them!

 Up at the Top, Pottery and Mosaic Studio.
 Eleanor Gillitt: upatthetop@gmail.com
35 Laughton Avenue, Glenashley, Durban,


These are my second and third pair of earrings from Sophia Baskin, all made by her from gorgeous pieces of material!
Email her at sophiabasckin@gmail.com for more info ♥


Odette surprised me with this pretty pair of rose earrings :)
Click here to check out the website with all the other goodies to buy!



And the winner is...

Having no bottle on hand to do a 'spin the bottle' draw, I found the closest thing...lipstick (and not just any old one, my favourite Catrice lippie!)



Just a little reminder as to the prize...




Well done Sally! Send me your details (address etc.) or we can arrange a pickup point sometime soon! As I am currently unemployed, I'm happy to travel :) xxx

Thanks to everyone that entered! When I started the giveaway, I had only 74 followers on this blog. Now, only a few weeks later I am up to 94...yippee 


Don't forget that I my 100th follower is also going to get a lovely set of BarryM nail polishes and Soap&Glory hand cream :)


RBH Salon, Ballito


The weather over the past few days has been cold and wet, not ideal for the beach, but ideal for treating oneself to some "rest and relaxation". Thats exactly what Odette and I found at Redlands Beauty and Health Salon in Ballito. An hour later, we walked out the door with the softest pads and cutest toenails...for a lovely R170. The next time you find yourself in Ballito, go on and treat yourself...your feet will love you for it :)




I ♥ Market *October*


After resigning from my job (yes, some of you may be wondering as to my mental state as I had only been there for a month...let's just say, I would have completely lost all sense of normality had I stayed there) I thought it about time for a trip to the sea. And a trip to the north coast sea is never complete without a stop at the I Heart Market. I Heart Market happens once a month, where fabulously talented people gather to sell all sorts of lovely things. Here are just a few of the stalls at this months gathering:



omnomnom deliciousness



Up at the Top, Pottery and Mosaic Studio.
 Eleanor Gillitt: upatthetop@gmail.com
35 Laughton Avenue, Glenashley, Durban,


Freshly Found...vintage refreshed
Denise Kiggan: denise@freshlyfound.com





Vanessa: vanessa.matthews@telkomsa.net
To visit their Facebook page, click here


Sophia Basckin...I just had to treat myself...with another 2 pairs of her gorgeous earrings!
Email her at sophiabasckin@gmail.com for more info ♥



Shopping for glass...

Being Glass Week, I thought it high time I paid a visit to Consols very own shop here in Joburg. Filled to the brim with glass jars and bottles of all shapes and sizes, it's the perfect place to find just the right makeup brush holder/cookie jar/letter in a bottle thingy/anything your mind could possibly think of to do with glass :)

I grabbed my wonderful friend and fellow blogger Raf, and armed with a camera, went to take on the shimmering confines of an untamed room of glass. Here is what awaited us....















Shop opening times:
                                Monday to Friday from 9am – 4pm
  Saturdays from 9am – 1pm
     +27 (0) 11 603 2080

Glass: Wedding Idea's

Day 2 of Glass Week is drawing to a close. But before it does, I want to leave you with these simple (*and cheap!) idea's for adding a touch of romance and old school glam to your big day.

Remember...
Glass is versatile
"Consistent in form and limitless in function, glass is as reliable as it is versatile.  All while maintaining its good looks and strength.  After its initial purpose, all you have to do is wash your glass bottles and jars to reuse and reinvent them over and over and over.  Choose to reinvent.  Choose glass"


Source: IcingOnTheCake

Source: BridalInspiration

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest


MAC Fix+


I've had this 'fix' spray for a while (ok, a little more than a while, like maybe a few years of a while) and have only recently hauled it out of my cupboard for a closer look. I bought it when I had my makeup done at a MAC counter, along with all the other bits and pieces that those very sneaky makeup artists get you to purchase only after you get your makeup done. And well, I sort of had no idea what it was for. The lady who helped me told me it was a "refreshing facial mist"....um?? Ok, so now after using it over my makeup I've found it actually does prolongs the life of my face paint (face paint being Farmboy's own term for the numerous products I 'slap' on).

When it comes to prolonging the wear of your makeup, there are a lot of factors to consider; the humidity, the type of face cream you use, whether or not you've used a primer, loose powder to set the foundation...the list goes on. So here's the truth. When using this spray over my makeup (without using a primer) it does make it last longer than without using the spray. How much longer, well that would be a guess on my part. Anyway, I love the smell and the feel of the mist on my skin and would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for something a little different in terms of makeup. I give this a 4/5.
Find it at your nearest MAC counter for +-R190.


Glass Week **Day 1**

Today marks the start of Glass Week, and to celebrate (it might not sound like the most exciting thing in the world to be celebrating but bear with me here) I'm going to do a few posts on why YOU should choose glass. We are all up to our noses with information on all the gazillion ways to recylce and keep our planet healthy, well here are a few unique ways that not only look pretty, but also help to keep our earth a little greener :)

"Glass is infinitely recyclable. Our legacies are shaped by our decisions.  You can choose to make yours one of preservation, respect and good taste.  The glass you use every day begins its life as sand and retains its composition to the last molecule. This makes glass all natural and 100% recyclable.  With this in mind, it’s perfectly clear why glass packaging is the environmentally-conscious choice.  Choose to recycle.  Choose glass."






To find out more about glass week, check out Consol's Facebook page and follow the on twitter!

To find a glass bank in your area simply sms “GLASS” and the name of your suburb to 32310. SMS costs R1


Body Shop *Beauty Haul*

I first came across the term Beauty "Haul" on ViviannaDoesMakeup. Vivianne is a gorgeous, UK based beauty junkie who does super informative videos and photo posts on all things makeup. The term isn't new, I see it all over the place on international blogs, but I have yet to spy it on the South African field...
Here is my latest haul:


My skin has been especially dry, with winter drawing to a close, and I was on the hunt for a new night cream. The Vitamin E range of products is mild and gentle, whilst still doing what it says on the tub. The face wash gets rid of all traces of makeup and impurities, without drying out my skin, leaving it feeling soft and clean. The night cream does leave my skin feeling a little oily when I wake up. Before using it, my skin was incredibly dry, so a little bit of extra oil has been good for. 
For as long as I can remember, the skin on my nose has always been dry and flaky, no matter what I do. I've tried exfoliating, masks, suncream (as my mom insists it's because I keep getting sunburnt), moisturisers, you name it I've bought it. But the one thing I hadn't tried, was a serum. After cleansing and toning, you massage the serum into your skin, before applying your moisturiser...and voila! My nose has been flake free since I started using this moisture serum. And the best part, it doesn't make my skin oily at all! 



If your skin is on the oily side, this range of products wouldn't be very suitable. I would recommend this range for normal to dry skins, and those in need of a bit of a moisture surge.

Night Cream R110
Moisture Serum R120
Facial Wash R70
Total R230

The Body Shop is having a super awesome sale at the moment, 2 for 3 on selected products. I picked these up for R230...not bad if I do say so myself :)


**Glass** Glorious **Glass**


Next week is Choose Glass Week, and the lovely people behind Consol are doing their best to make people aware of all the fabulous reasons to choose glass. Everyday next week I'll be sharing another reason with you as to why you should choose glass. In the mean time, I'll leave you with a few idea's to get those creative juices flowing:

Image: DreamyWhite

Image: HomeKlondike


Image: CompletelyCoastal
Image: EatDrinkBeMarriedInCali


Image: DreamyWhite

The 16th September was Recycle Day here in South Africa, and if you didn't get the memo, it's never too late to start recycling! To find a glass bank in your area simply sms “GLASS” and the name of your suburb to 32310. SMS costs R1


 P.S. If you have any ideas on creative ways to use/re-use glass, drop me a line below :) xx


*Spring has Sprung*

I wandered around the garden this afternoon, camera in one hand, a cup of tea in the other, and thought I'd share what made me smile...














Yes, this post was pretty random, but these flowers did make me smile today, I hope they do the same for you. If not, click here to enter  my giveaway to win some lovely things that will certainly make you :) xx


Yardley Loose Powder


This translucent powder has become one of my ultimate must haves. At only R79.95, it's preety reasonable as far as powders go. I find it holds my foundation is place for much longer than my very much more expensicve Clinique powder (review to follow shortly!). What I love the most is the smell...soft floral scents that make me enjoy putting my make up on even more :) Being a translucent powder, it will suit any skin tone (except perhaps very dark skin) and it blends in beautifuly. But, in being translucent, it doesn't provide a lot of coverage, and so is best used over your foundation to 'set' it and make sure it stays put. Or if you have clear skin, to provide a very sheer veil of coverage. I give this powder a 4/5.
Find it at your local Clicks or Dischem for R79.95.

P.S Don't forget to enter into my giveaway! Click here for more information on how to get your hands on these pretty products:



Batiste Dry Shampoo...


A little while ago I did a post on TRESemme's Dry Shampoo which was at the top of my list with regards to fab new products, untill I gave Batiste a try. It's even *better!*. Yes, effectively it does the same thing, BUT it also smells good enough to eat and comes in a mini size too! So now ladies you have no excuse for greasy hair. All you have to do is give your roots a good spray, and then make sure you comb/brush your hair thoroughly as the spray leaves a white powder residue (thats whats soaking up that grease!). And voila! Picture perfect hair in seconds. I definitely give this a 5/5!!  Find Batiste at Clicks and Dischem for R35.99 for the mini bottle.


Market on Main...round 2!

I have done a post on the wonder that is the Market on Main in Joburg's town centre, but after a recent visit and lots more photo's I thought I'd do another...why not hey :)

So as not to confuse anyone, ArtsOnMain is the building which houses MarketOnMain :)

Check out her blog (click here) for more stock of her lovely pieces

View of outside, what a pretty Spring Day in Jozi!


omnomnom...ChocolaJ :) 


The most delicious *homemade* marshmallows I have ever encountered!





Get yourself there every Sunday to stuff yourface with good food, mingle with cool looking people and get decked out in awesome  accessories!

Open from 10 am - 3 pm every Sunday. Check out their facebook group for more info.

Directions:
Corner of Fox Street and Main, Joburg.

From the M1 North click here
From OR Thambo International Airport click here
From Jan Smuts Avenue click here
From Houghton Drive click here