Living with depression and anxiety of course means vastly different things to different people. But, over time, it also means different things to those who live with it; each month, week, shit…….even each day, I can find myself mired in different manifestations of the same …
WHEN LESS IS BEST – EASIYO’S NEW MINI MAKER New mums will love EasiYo’s new mini yogurt maker. Ideal for making yogurt for baby, the new half-size model means less waste and easy storage. In stylish apple green, smooth surfaces make for easy cleaning and …
The antarctic-like temps that have been plaguing Auckland over the past week have meant the kids and I have been hibernating a bit more than normal. Hard not to do when the boys and I all succumbed to a wicked head cold and Ethan was shaking off a nasty bout of bronchitis. It’s very ironic that the freezing temps are actually caused by a massive high, but this is also resulting in the most stunning, blue sky winter days you could possibly hope for. Better than rain right?
I needed to get out of the house yesterday and enjoy some family time. Dave was away for work three days last week so we really needed to regroup as a family and enjoy spending some time together – outside!
Typically, no one had anything they particularly wanted to do or places they wanted to go so we headed to the city and decided to cruise Wynyard Quarter. Parking on Beaumont Street is easy and free on Sundays, it’s also right at the playground end of Wynyard Quarter so easy for little legs. Nix was riding his little motorbike and Ethan was cruising on his scooter as the wharf, bridge and walkways are so much fun for the kids to enjoy on wheels.
We spent a little time at the playground but I think the boys were delirious over being given some space to roam so we hit the pavement again and meandered up the wharf, stopping to stare down at the decidedly emerald harbour, admiring the bright yellow tugs, the dogs, the tourists and just enjoying a bit of bustle.
It was time for lunch soon enough and because the boys were clamoring for a treat, we had dessert first, settling on some insane gelato from Wynyard Quarter’s Gelatiamo. Nixon’s Vanilla cup was classic and gorgeous while E opted for a cone of beautiful pink marshmallow gelato. Not knowing where we’d end up after that, we wandered through the fish market, introducing Nix to the joys of dead sea creatures. He loved it of course.
Onwards to Sal’s Pizza for lunch. There were restaurants a plenty which Dave and I have been dying to try, but we had two fading boys and we wanted everyone to enjoy a speedy, happy lunch with zero stress. Tip: If you’re in a hurry at Sal’s ordering slices rather than a whole pie is super quick.
The morning was perfection.
Just thinking about how cruisy and relaxed it was brings a smile to my face even today. Great days do not have to be overplanned, sometimes all you need to do is hop in the car and drive.
I AM IN AWE OF THE MANY INCREDIBLE MUMS OUT THERE, DOING A FAB JOB OF RUNNING THEIR OWN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES WHILST SIMULTANEOUSLY HOLDING DOWN THE FORT AT HOME. I’M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE ‘MET’ MANY OF THESE LADIES ONLINE AND CAN’T WAIT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME NEW …
Cotton On isn’t really setting a foot wrong lately. Their growing stable of ranges just added another string to its bow this week with the Auckland launch of the Homewares collection – Mark Tuckey + Cotton On. A breakfast launch, hosted at the flagship Queen …
I’m a big fan of BB Crème and use one every day, either on its own or under foundation. The bonus of adding a BB crème into your make-up routine is that it minimises the products required to achieve a divine complexion. “La Mav’s Organic BB Crème acts as a moisturiser, primer and light foundation and works to give your skin a healthy, radiant glow. Skin imperfections will fade away with La Mav’s colour corrective formula, while the light foundation tint will give you enough coverage to awaken and smooth your skin”.
This formulation is a bit thicker and creamier than most BB Crèmes I’ve used so doesn’t quite glide on as easily as I’m used to. It’s also quite pigmented, which is fine for my skin tone but a little too much for those with paler skin. I’ve given this to my Mum as she likes a bit more coverage than the average BB Créme gives so this offering from La Mav is perfect.
All La Mav products are 100% plant based, certified organic and cruelty free – they are also free from harsh chemicals including parabens, talc, phthalates, petro chemicals, sulphated surfactants, synthetic fragrance and colours and silicon.
Available from Health 2000 and other selected retailers.
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Defining Singles – RRP $58, Available August 3rd, 2015, GiftedI have one of these stunning singles in Naked Gold and quite simply, the depth of colour and creamy finish is luxe. The flawless formulation of the NEW Pure Color Envy Eye Defining Singles is long lasting, non-flaky, blends super well and layers like a charm. Combining the best properties of a cream, powder and gel all-in-one the result is crease-resistant colour that goes the distance.
NEW Pure Color Envy Eye Defining Singles allow you to build a collection of your favourite shades with twenty new hues covering the spectrum.
Available on counter or from Smith and Caughey’s August 3rd 2015.
Ya’ll know how much I LOVE Karen Murrell’s lipsticks {um…>here and here} and Fuchsia Shock is a winner. Warm pink, not an icy one, this lippy has depth and would compliment many skintones. A bright lip is a great way to vamp up a boring outfit, so be brave and wear this bold shade with confidence.
Karen Murrell lipsticks are of course cruelty free, ‘vegetarian’ lispticks, containing natural super-heroes;
Available from selected pharmacies and health food stores. For more information or to locate your nearest stockist, please visit www.karenmurrell.com
My ride-or-die brow bff is Benefit Instant Brow Pencil. I love it. But, tbh, it’s starting to piss me off as it sharpens terribly and the lead always breaks, so I’m finding there is a lot of wastage.
Blinc Eyebrow Mousse is a different creature entirely. It holds and sculpts like a gel (I’ve tried it and it doesn’t go crispy!), tints hair and fills in sparse areas with water resistant colour. Claimed never to fade, run or smudge, blinc is ready for all day wear. Available in 9 shades, I chose the Light Brunette which is actually quite dark. I have black eyebrows, so this works, but it definitely creates a high impact look on me.
This is a great product. The colour is rich and long wearing, however I find it difficult to get a really nice defined line on my brows with the wand, not sure that makes sense, but it’s easy to do with a pencil. It does have the added benefit of anti-aging peptides for your skin.
Available at beauty salons nationwide, 0800 144 562
Love, love, love this! Industrial strength concealer, really? Yes. I ran into the Benefit counter (Dave was parked in a 5 min loading zone) and said “I need an epic concealer!”, the Bene-babe asked what I wanted it to do – cover redness – 30 seconds later I was back in the car with my new best friend. I look forward to putting this on every day. It, doesn’t budge, doesn’t dry, doesn’t cake. But mostly I love it because it wears ALL day long and makes my skin look as amazing as my skin can get. I apply it with my fingers, warming it between your thumb and forefinger makes it glide on super smoothly. This is a wonder-product for me, I highly recommend it.
Available on counter or online at Smith & Caughey’s
Released in March, this Little Black Primer is a multi-tasker’s dream product. It tints, amplifies and sets lashes. As a primer it helps lashes retain curl, and increases the length and volume that can be achieved with mascara. On it’s own I find it a perfect, subtle mascara that’s budge-proof, I don’t get the length I would if I was wearing mascara alone, but sometimes manga eyes are overkill anyway. Thirdly you can wear it as a topcoat for your existing mascara. This is perfect if you need a water-resistant helping hand for the day.
Great product, I prefer wearing it on it’s own or as a top-coat as I find it a little clumpy as a primer.
Available on counter or online at Smith & Caughey’s
To be honest, I was dubious about this product when I first received it. But, after doing some research and having a pretty frank discussion with my hairdresser about how healthy hair is actually achieved, I’m now a Revitalash® convert. It’s hard for me to say I’ve noticed results as I have a memory like a sieve and haven’t actually used the product daily for any period of time (more like 3 times per week), plus I actually already have quite long, full lashes anyway, but, the science makes sense.
This is not the brands description, but I see Revitalash® as a multi-vitamin serum for your lashes. If you keep your follicles healthy it follows that you eyelashes should benefit. Designed to combat eyelash aging and stress, Revitalash® acts to protect against breakage and brittleness plus improve flexibility moisture and shine.
I’ve found the conditioning treatment super easy to apply and use.
RevitaLash® Cosmetics are available at selected beauty therapy clinics nationwide and online at www.blackorchid.co.nz.
Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer – RRP $46, GiftedThis colour (WOW Pop) is amazing. Seriously, so rich and super pigmented. It’s definitely a brave colour for me, I need to be in major babe mode to feel comfortable wearing it, but sometimes this happens…..
The addition of a primer to this new release from Clinique gives Colour Pop max staying power. It’s also non-drying with a lovely velvet finish – which I much prefer over sticky looking lips at the moment. Available in 16 shades, I’ve got the Nude Pop on my wish list!
Available on counter or online at Smith & Caughey’s
I struggle with eyeshadow, I find it super tricky to apply and end up removing it 9/10 times. I may be a total novice in the makeup department but I can hold a pencil, and I can use the new Magic Smokey™ Powder Shadow stick which arrives on counter next month. This is the first time Estée Lauder have offered a powder shadow in a pencil and I’m quite sure this will become a cult favourite. Even I can manage a smokey eye with this pencil!
It glides on effortlessly so you can layer as little or as much as you like depending on how much coverage you want. I’ve got the Slow Burn, which is a stunning bronze in a shimmer finish. It’s perfect as a sheer powder for a day look, or lined along my lashes and layered to create a smokey eye for night time.
Head to an Estée counter and try this, it’s so easy you’ll love it!
Available on counter August 2015 or online at Smith & Caughey’s.
I’ve already reviewed this black box of perfection so if you missed it, take a look here
If you would like to win a Karen Murrell Lipstick in this months featured colour – Fuchsia Shock, just comment below with which product has piqued your interest. I’ll draw the winner on Sunday 12th July. Good luck!
Published by Hachette New Zealand, 23 June 2015 $34.99 / EB $19.99 RRP Though I’ve seen the movies and was seduced by the Sex and the City HBO series, I haven’t read Bushnell’s debut novel – the book which launched a thousand ships so to …
Last week was a bit of whirlwind of blogging events and launches, but there was one standout. On Wednesday morning I braved rush hour traffic and enjoyed a gorgeous, intimate breakfast hosted by the amaze Josh Emett for Nespresso. If you’re a coffee lover, then …
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
80g chorizo,diced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 small onion, fine dice
250g cherry tomatoes
4 free range eggs
1 cup cannellini beans with juice
Handful parsley,chopped Smoked paprika
1 French baguette
Method:
Sweat down the chorizo in the olive oil for a few minutes,add the diced onion and the garlic,fry for a few more minutes.Add the chopped cherry tomatoes and slowly stew until they are soft and breaking up. Add the cannellini beans and a touch of juice from the can or water if moisture is needed, then add chopped parsley. Season with sea salt.
Place in an earthenware dish and flatten gently then crack two eggs on top, bake in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the eggs are just cooked. Sprinkle with smoked paprika and chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread.
We all live for the weekends and with nowhere to go in a hurry mornings become a slow-burner. Breakfast becomes king and Nespresso Rosabaya de Colombia is the perfect companion to a morning spent enjoying the food and the change of pace.
Rosabaya de Colombia
COFFEE
Cappuccino
AROMATIC FAMILY
Flowery & Fruity
INTENSITY NOTES
Intensity 6 – Fruity Winey
Two years after a baby is born, they turn two. Strange but true. What you never expect is just how quickly this happens, how every day feels like they were just born yesterday, like you just woke up and became a mother of two boys …