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Friday 31 October 2014

Santa's Magical Kingdom + GIVEAWAY


It's that time of the year coming around again, crept up on us real quickly I say... CHRISTMAS!!
To make things more magical and special, creating that hype for us all to start of the Christmas spirit.

After a bringing a successful event in 2013, visited by 120,000 people from around Australia, Santa’s Magical Kingdom will return in 2014, at a new location, Caulfield Racecourse. The new venue, will also allow Santa’s Magical Kingdom to be even bigger and better!



Wednesday 22 October 2014

Australian Dancesport Championship + GIVEAWAY


THE 69th AUSTRALIAN DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIP
HISENSE ARENA, MELBOURNE
5 to 7 DECEMBER, 2014
Featuring an exciting floorshow by World & GrandSlam Champions –
 Emanuel Valeri & Tania Kehlet


The prestigious Australian DanceSport Championship will be held this year from 5 to 7 December at Hisense Arena, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne.

Over 1200 athletes will travel from around the world and from across Australia, to take part in this annual event which is acknowledged as one of the leading DanceSport Championships in the world and the only International event held in the Oceanic region.

Couples will compete in the 3 styles of DanceSport, with representative couples from all over the World, the competition will be intense and the dancing HOT! as couples compete to take out the Australian titles in all categories and age groups and the right to represent Australia in all WDSF World Championship Events.


San Churro Fitzroy Official Opening + Sneak Peek Photos


The purveyors of Spanish chocolate, San Churro was all I craved when I was pregnant with my little Niah and to this day is a place I will venture to when I am craving a sweet treat on my cheat days.
San Churro are a chocolate heaven with many delicacies that will tickle anyones fancy.

San Churro unofficially opened their doors to their new concept looked store at 271 Brunswick St, Fitzroy earlier this month but tomorrow evening (23rd October, 2014) they will have their official opening launch of the store as an exclusive invite only to the media session which I am spewing that I cannot attend due to moving houses.

San Churro Fitzroy will be open prior to 6pm and then reopen again to the public from 9pm to 1am in which you can enjoy all the mouth watering pieces that San Churro have to offer.
However some of you may have seen that they have been open for business since the 16th of this month - but if you haven't already checked out this location then do go and visit them!
For the rest of this month they are offering FREE coffee, that's right FREE!!


Burt's Bees Stirring Up A Buzz With Exciting Pop Up


Multi-award winning natural skincare brand, Burt’s Bees today announced their upcoming pop-up store at Westfield Sydney City Pitt Street Mall - an interactive seven day experience to celebrate the Radiance Skincare Collection, featuring hero ingredient, Royal Jelly.

In partnership with Myer, the week-long retail experience, themed ‘Bee Queen Bee Radiant’ will be buzzing with natural beauty and goodness synonymous with the brand.

The pop-up boasts sweet features like unique honeycomb display cases and interactive product testing areas, where visitors will receive free samples of the Burt’s Bees Radiance Skincare range.

“The Burt’s Bees pop-up is purposely designed to give customers a special experience – to learn about Burt’s Bees’ quality natural products and to touch, feel, play and experience the range in a fun and interactive space.” says Vanessa Farrugia, Senior Brand Manager for Burt’s Bees Australia.

In visiting the hive, our VIP customers can also capture their “Queen Bee” moment at the pop-up photo booth for a take-home selfie or an instant social media upload and can expect a sensory experience and special offers including:
  • A FREE Radiance Skin Indulgence Consultation 
  • A Luxurious Royal Hand Massage
  • FREE Loving Earth Luvju Chocolate (while stocks last) 
  • Plus Daily Giveaways 
Royal Jelly is considered to be one of the world’s most nutrient-rich substances, packed with 134 nutrients, including essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins. When used in skincare, Royal Jelly is known for its ability to improve skin’s texture and smoothness. It can also help to enhance a youthful glow and reduce the appearance of fine lines, bringing radiance to the skin.

With more special offers and surprises being unveiled every day, be sure to head to Burts Bees Facebook for details and updates.

The Burt’s Bees Pop-Up Store will be open between 27th October - 2nd November from 11am daily at Westfield Sydney City, Pitt Street Mall (Opposite Zara).

@BurtsBeesAUS #burtsbees #BeeRadiant

Flowerbomb Christmas & Spicebomb Christmas by Viktor&Rolf



It was only this year that I was introduced to the most divine and luxurious fragrance creators ever - Viktor&Rolf when I collaborated with them on a blog feature of their ladies scent - Bon Bon. From then on it's been nothing but pure love for Viktor&Rolf and I've found the missing part to my scent collection.

Viktor&Rolf make no shortcuts when it comes to providing a fragranced scent that lingers all day long after application.

I love a good couple 'his and hers' fragrance set, Dan & I certainly sport an enviable collection of perfumes/colognes and Flowerbomb Christmas & Spicebomb Christmas are a set that I definitely want to add.

I'm very excited to be able to share with you the limited edition christmas bottles from Viktor&Rolf, same gorgeous scents but in the limited edition bottles: 

FLOWERBOMB CHRISTMAS 2014
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Christmas Limited Edition 50ml - RRP $159 

Viktor&Rolf revive the holiday magic by highlighting Flowerbomb in an enchanting and unexpected setting. Bottles in the thousands are delicately placed in sparkling snow, under a starry night. This charming visual magnifies the precious diamond grenade of the House’s iconic feminine fragrance.

Like every year, this otherworldly setting adds a new limited edition of the fragrance. Flowerbomb is adorned by a snowflake with floral lines that interlace its facets before blooming as an invitation to perfume oneself.

Viktor&Rolf here signal a unique and delicate gift that celebrates life as utopia.



SPICEBOMB CHRISTMAS 2014
Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb Christmas Limited Edition 90ml – RRP $125 

For the holidays, VIKTOR&ROLF revisit the bottle of their iconic masculine fragrance for a limited edition with copper facets.

This exclusive and luxurious design instantly captures the attention. The warm hue of copper evokes the scent’s concentration of spices. Resolutely sensual. Absolutely addictive.

Rediscover the hot-cold breath of this surprising fragrance. Its burning harmony of saffron and chilli pepper around which mix the fullness of leather, of tobacco and a distinguished touch of vetiver. The biting freshness of notes of bergamot, grapefruit, and cold spices like elemi and pink pepper.

In this exceptional grenade, Spicebomb imposes itself like an ideal gift. Uncompromising, for an explosive Christmas.

Spicebomb Christmas & Flowerbomb Christmas are on shelves now.
Available at Myer and David Jones department stores.
Stockist: 1300 651 991

Monday 20 October 2014

Myer Christmas Giftorium


Lucky little Niah and me were invited into all things christmas related for a special opening day of the Myer Christmas Giftorium in Melbourne.
Now everyone knows Myer is famous for the brilliant Myer Christmas windows display for the festive season that presents to us at the end of each year - which has really crept up on this year!
It's hard to believe we are so close to Christmas, 10 weeks to be exact!!

Coming into the lifts at Myer there's signs reminding you that the Giftorium is on level 6 and once those doors open upon arrival onto giftorium it just hits you with Christmas spirit and really makes you get into the festivities.
Not only that but before you even get to the Giftorium; you can hear the Christmas carols from many floors down!

Last year was Niah's first Christmas being only 3 months at the time she didn't really understand much but we did head down to the Myer Christmas windows and got our photo with Santa of course! This year we will be sure to do it all over again and will be much more exciting now that Niah will be 15 months old and get into it all a bit more.

I stress out badly when it comes to Christmas because I have a big family to buy for so its here, there and everywhere I go making sure I can get all those Christmas lists filled. Myer truly have it all and I was just gobsmacked at how much they fit into the ONE FLOOR that will allow you to pick up a gift for each and every single person on the present list.
From products ranging from gardening, sports, beauty, clothing, kitchen, toys and more.
Myer have made things real easy by categorizing there christmas floor by having 12 themes to assist you:

  • Dapper Dad
  • Miracle Mum
  • Glamour Gran
  • Trendy Young Things (gifts for teens & young adults) 
  • Kids Cubby (toys and children’s gifts)
  • Food Fanatic (gifts for foodies)
  • Stocking Fillers (small gifts)
  • Techno Freak (tech & gadget gifts)
  • Fashionista (gifts for fashion fans)
  • Globe Trotter (gifts for travellers)
  • Paws Corner (gifts for your pets)
  • Hop, Skip, Juice (product for the health & fitness fans) (That's ME!! I found so many brilliant things within this theme product display that I took photos of them all and sneakily sent them to Dan to ensure he puts them into my Christmas sack this year!) Dan is always hard to buy for when it comes to Christmas but this year round I found that Myer have NBA apparel on the christmas giftorium floor that will be perfect for Dan as he's always nagging for more to add to the collection! 
My customised SodaStream getting put together in store.

Big name brands like Vista Print have opened up a kiosk to print up all those beautiful memories into an image that can be displayed and enjoyed all over again, Happy Lab filling our bellies with quality confectionery, Mr Men and Little Miss characters in which you can get your own personalized print with your own name and selecting your own character to go with it, SodaStream who allow you to custom select your own colored bubbler, Benefit Cosmetics with their huge range of Christmas release special packs that will be sure to be a quick sell out, Dilmah Tea's for the many tea lovers like myself out there and Marvin's Magic to really bring some magic out this Christmas. 

This year Myer will kick off all the official launch celebrations on the 8th of November with each state having their main CBD Myer stores with special festivity activities:

The Benefit Cosmetics Advent Calendar which is at the top of my wish list!
Melbourne: The Face of Myer, Jennifer Hawkins, unveiling the world famous Myer Melbourne animated Christmas Windows, followed by a performance from The Voice winner Harrison Craig and the arrival of Santa.

Sydney: One of Australia’s most popular music stars, Guy Sebastian, will perform in the Pitt Street Mall to celebrate the Myer Christmas Giftorium.

Soon to be announced star performances at the Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide stores.
Thousands of tree hanger christmas decorations!
From then after the 8th of November, every Myer store around the country will schedule, on weekends and selected key dates, a whole host of fun activities.

Activities include children’s face painting, balloon artists, musical performances, Christmas tree and table dressing demonstrations, appearances from children’s characters, cosmetic workshops and children’s Christmas book readings

Myer has added in a few extra things to really come in aid to Christmas this year -

Gifticians are gift giving experts helping customers choose the perfect present. They will assist with choosing gifts for varying age groups, interests and budgets. If customers are stuck for ideas, Gifticians can make gift suggestions from the Myer 12 Themes of Christmas which easily identify gifting groups into categories.

Gift Wrapping station in store - all christmas colour coded of course.
Producticians will be on hand to provide product demonstrations and reveal the latest must-have Christmas gift ideas, sourced from around the world.
Other new in-store services available in all stores this Christmas include the ‘All Wrapped Up’ Christmas Gift registry, gift ordering on iPads when product is not available in-store, Shop and Drop parcel service so you don’t have to carry your bags, and Shop, Wrap and Deliver service.

Those who are lucky enough to be within the 2km radius of the store will be able to have elves hand deliver their presents to them on the same day of ordering! That makes me want to go stand at my sisters work in the CBD and order myself a present just so I can have an elf visit me!
Christmas themed Candy Buffet at the launch event - Photo credit to Myer IG.
Santa will appear in stores for photos from 8th November also - be sure to head online to book your time slot and not have to wait in the queues, this is where I got caught out last year and something I wish I knew of as I headed in store and ended up waited an hour or so in the queue to get a photo on the day.

If only I lived in Sydney as this part of Myer's Christmas celebrations is just something spectacular -
For the first time in Australia, launching on 8 November, Myer has teamed up with Instagram to debut a huge digital screen in one of the Myer Sydney City windows which will flash Instagram images featuring the #Giftorium.
Be sure to use the tag on your social media platforms to have your 5 seconds of fame!

Myer's range of christmas decorations will not disappoint!
Fun Facts & Stats:
  • Across all Myer stores this Christmas, Giftorium will offer 2.2 million products, enough to fill the MCG
  • Giftorium is the largest dedicated Christmas concept area Myer has developed with a total floor space across all stores covering 37,000 square meters (larger than the entire Myer Perth City store). 
  • Over 40km of pine, 8km of plywood and 31,000 chrome hooks were used to make the Giftorium in-store fixtures (this is the distance from Myer Melbourne to Myer Fountain Gate).
  • 15,500 paper decorations will adorn the ceilings above Giftorium areas nationwide. 
  • 1,400 sheets of glitter were used to embellish the Giftorium fixtures and signs. 
  • There will be activities in all 67 Myer stores every Saturday from 8 November.
  • There will be over 5,000 hours of events activity in Myer stores across the country in November and December. 
  • There will be over 12,500 hours of product demonstration sessions by the Producticians. 
  • Across the country, there will be over 120,000 customers who will visit Santa at a Myer store. 
  • The Myer HR team interviewed thousands of candidates from across Australia for over 3,000 newly created Christmas jobs.

My custom SodaStream PLAY - red and white to match the kitchen
Myer always spoil us on our media visits and we went home with Archie the 2014 Christmas Bear, some Dilmah Tea, our own personalised custom made SodaStream (photo above) and were given a $50 voucher to spend in store which had me take home some SodaStream flavouring caps, a christmas gingerbread plush toy, Bonds spotted confetti leggings and some pretend play snow for Niah.
Thank you for having me Myer, it's always a pleasure!

Sunday 19 October 2014

Top 100 Beauty Products of All Time - 2014



All-time best beauty products revealed by Aussie women

Leading Australian online social beauty network beautyheaven.com.au has today unveiled its list of the Top 100 Beauty Products of All Time, revealing that Aussie women value their favourite fragrance above all other beauty products.

Beautyheaven’s list of Top 100 Beauty Products of All Time reveals the ‘crème de la crème’ of the beauty world, which showcases the most-loved products in the cosmetics cases of women across the country. Determined by total number of reviews and overall star rating as from beautyheaven’s 160,000 members, the products taking out the top spots include:
  1. Viva La Juicy, by Juicy Couture
  2.  Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, by Estée Lauder 
  3. Eye Shadow, by MAC
  4. Dermalogica daily microfoliant, by Dermalogica
  5. IV styler, by GHD 
  6. Application Brush, by Nude by Nature 
  7.  EyeStudio Color Tattoo Eye Shadow, by Maybelline New York 
  8. Instant Hand Sanitiser Original, by Dettol 
  9. Powder Blush, by MAC 
  10.  Crealine H20, by Bioderma
Why are these products so popular? Insights from the beautyheaven team include:
  • Women are willing to invest in quality anti-ageing skin care 
  • It used to be about having waterproof mascara, but what we're seeing nowadays is products that offer a fake-lash effect are much more popular 
  • Articles that offer how-to guides on applying blush and bronzer are always popular among women. The Kardashian effect, perhaps? 
  • What some may think of as the traditional 'boring' beauty products (like soap, pantyliners and deodorant) are the ones women buy the most, and hence are actually one of the most important beauty purchases women make 
  • No. 1 is a perfume – the quickest and easiest way to make a woman feel beautiful 
  • A lot of make-up products made the list, indicating women are constantly on the hunt for the perfect foundation/BB cream/lipstick 
  • Leading up to Christmas time, we expect to see a focus on gel liners and volumising mascaras. These long-lasting products are perfect for summer events and celebrations in the heat. 
  • Perfumes make great Christmas presents, so we expect people will return to review more of these early next year.
Carli Alman, Make-up Editor of beautyheaven, says: “The Top 100 list unveils the best of the best in the beauty world, as recommended by Australian women who have shared their real opinions on products from different categories, price points and brands.”

Make-up winners:
Best Mascara: Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara
Best Lip Balm: Nivea Lip Care Essential
Best Blush: MAC Powder Blush
Best Illuminator: Benefit High Beam
Best Concealer: Maybelline New York FIT me! Concealer
Best Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup SPF 10
Best BB Cream: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream Oil-Free

Skin care winners:
Best Cleanser: Bioderma Crealine H20
Best Toner: Nivea Pure & Natural Facial Cleansing Toner
Best Day Moisturiser: L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser X3 Day Cream
Best Night Moisturiser: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II
Best Anti-ageing product: Lancome Advanced Genefique

Hair care winners:
Best Shampoo: Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo
Best Conditioner: Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Conditioner
Best Hair Colour: John Frieda Precision Foam Colour
Best Dry Shampoo: Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

Fragrance winners:
Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy
Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy
Britney Spears Fantasy
M by Mariah Carey
With Love...Hilary Duff

Beautyheaven has more than 160,000 members who have contributed to make it Australia’s most comprehensive beauty site, featuring a pre-shop directory of more than 165,000 product reviews. Before your next beauty purchase, check out the full list of Australia’s most coveted beauty products, from hair care to fragrance, to skin care and make-up at http://www.beautyheaven.com.au/skin-care/anti-ageing/100-best-beauty-products-of-all-time-reviews-13203.

beautyheaven is Australia’s number one social beauty network, featuring the very best and most comprehensive mix of beauty product reviews, news, tips and advice.

The research took all products listed on beautyheaven with 100 reviews or more and ranked them according to star rating to reveal the products consumers are buying, reviewing and enjoying the most.


Viva La Juicy - Juicy Couture Perfume REVIEW


The sweetest and most go to perfume that I have come across.
Longlasting? Massive ticks! This perfume is just a value for money all over.
There is nothing worse than paying top dollar for a perfume and it not giving you your monies worth, Viva La Juicy give you your monies worth and more!

Viva La Juicy is presented in a gorgeously pieced together glass bottle, gold detailing with a crown centre piece feature and then a hot pink bow around the lid with a gold dangles of a safety pin, letter 'J' with a crown head and 'couture' on chains.
There is no other bottle that has this much detailing that really draws me into this luxurious perfume. It screams attention as soon as you un-box it.


Viva La Juicy is available in a 50ml which retails at around the $85 mark and a 100ml which you are looking at about $110. Placing this up against other high end perfumes this is a fab buy price and as I said above - well worth the money!

As soon as the scent of Viva La Juicy hits your nose, it's just a million different sweet and warm smelling beautiful things in one! The sweet hits you first with the top notes of fresh fruits: black currant, mandarin and orange. Middles notes of: honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine. Finally the warm base notes of: amber, sandalwood, praline, caramel and vanilla.
Put this altogether and you have this concoction of a simply bliss power ball of a fragrance.


Something that is a good thing to note about perfumes and why they have the categories of top notes, middles notes and base notes is simply:
Top notes stay around for the first few minutes - around 10 minutes I say.
Middle notes will last a few hours after the top notes are gone.
Base notes will be the very last scents to come out once the perfume is fading away.

A perfume that is perfect for any occasion. For me this is my sacred one that sits on the shelf for only those special occasions/outings.

Sunday 12 October 2014

Gluten Free Expo REVIEW


This year was the first time experiencing the Gluten Free Expo in Melbourne and I tell you now that I will be definitely going back if it makes it way back around to Melbourne again.

The Gluten Free Expo was a try before you buy expo, I heard it to be like that but didn't think that it would be practically every single stall with sampling/ taste testing and thought maybe a few would have sampling.
It would have to be one of the best expos I have been too. It was a real value for money and huge savings off shop prices.

Over 132 stalls to visit. This expo was well set out with ample space to be able to get around and to be seated comfortably in the seminars. Lots of kids fun activities from Coles, Bertoochi, Doh Magic and more was happening to get the younger ones involved that come along for the expo with Mum, Dad or grandparents.

The stall holder business attendants were all wonderful - very kind, friendly and helpful. Taking the much needed time out to discuss all those details about the products.

For all other details head to my initial post.

Here are some of my favourites that I snapped with;


Doh Magic located at stall 130 where the kids can play with the gluten free Playdough mix that can be made up within minutes. All you need to do is add water to the mix and wah la it's done.

Doh Magic requires no baking at all.


Show special of buy 5 bags get 1 free. Individual sell price of $6 at the show.
Each bag makes up 200grams of colourful playdough.



Food for Health are located at stall 7/8 where they have a huge range of their products on big special deals!
They have their new Muesli Pod for purchase at the expo as well!


Eskal have brought along nakd bar's which are all raw bars.
11 different bar flavours to choice from with the best selling being Berry Delight - it really was something delightful!
These bars are selling at $2 a piece from Eskal stall at 13/14.
Samples of some of the bars are available as per below.














Golden Days are big favourites for us.
You can pick up a sample of their new Nude Food bars which is Coconut & Almond or Cacao & Hazelnut - which is said to taste like a chocolate crackle!
Show Bag's can be purchased for $10 at stall 27.

Pana Chocolate located at stall 47 was one that I had trouble leaving. Their chocolate is  raw, organic and homemade with lots of love put into their bars to taste as delicious as they are!
                
                      My recommendations from Pana Chocolate : Mint, Fig & Wild Orange and Coconut & Goji. 

Mamee Snacks especially the vegetable flavoured Rice Sticks are just pure scrumptious!
Mamee Snacks have been a long time childhood favourite!


Sinnamon Muesli  located within the BACKhaus Bakery at stall 111. Handing out sampling of the Sinnamon Muesli. Love the combination

   
Spotted Dog Fudge - most softest, creamiest, melt in your mouth fudge I have ever tried! This fudge is hands down the best I have ever come across.
Best Selling was the Creme Brulee! Located at stall 107 - do not miss this one!


Cocofrio  sampling out all their freezed ice creams. I had the Nakd Coconut and was satisfied with just that. They have quite a delectable range which has your mouth watering before the coconut water ice cream reaches your mouth! Visit them at stall 59.

Tahan International Trade Pty Ltd have the Cocorolls over at stall 61. 
Brookfarm have their bircher, porrij and muesli for sale at stall 64.

SupaNoodle - very low carb alternative to pasta with the use of konjac. Unlike other known products similar to SupaNoodle, the smell of the konjac is not here with them. Good for pasta dishes, stir frys etc. Over at stall 131 is where you'll find them.
Low Sugar and Gluten Free with the still gorgeous taste of muesli - Wholly Granoly are located over at 46 with samples of their muesli.
My fav: Walnut, Date and Pear!
Kez's Kitchen has a big range in the gluten free speciality products and can be taste tested and purchased on massive saving deals at stall 35.
Sign up to the Healthy Food Guide Magazine for the yearly subscription of $57 and receive this goodie bag worth $60 for free! Located at Stall 1 - at the expo entrance. 


The Muesli company was amazing! This muesli is amazing. Stall 84 is where you want to be to ensure you pick up your sample and that you then purchase if need be.



Natures Blend have a healthier alternative to all those baddies hiding in the cupboard... OmegaMite, OmegaMayo and Omega ABC - so close tasting to the real bad thing but made healthier. Visit them at stall 81.

Overall this expo I highly recommend attending. Even if you are not coaelic, then definitely attend to find out more and understand the struggles of someone who is coaelic.
I definitely found so many useful brands that I will be stocking my cupboards time and time again after being sent home with bags full of goodies.

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