Some people really don't need an excuse...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1232477/Will-glass-red-wine-tooth-decay-bay.html
05 December 2009
Memorable scents
Memorable scents
What: Prada, Marc Jacobs, SJP
Where: department stores, online
Cost: from $35
Worth a bite? Yes, I’ve been told. Many times.
You know you’re onto a classy perfume when every single time you wear it, there are compliments. These are my three top, non-fail scents that get everyone from strangers in the lift to colleagues at work enquiring what scent I’ve sprayed on that morning.
Prada Infusion d’Iris
What girl doesn’t love a bit of Prada, hey? This is not the cheapest of perfumes, but you won’t need to reapply through the day. I have seriously found myself sniffing and wondering WHO had the beautiful perfume on, only to find it was in fact … me. Yes, a blonde thing to do – but if that isn’t the sign of super good perfume, I don’t know what is. This is very sophisticated stuff, very grown-up, perfect for dominating the corporate world or a classical music concert.
Marc Jacobs Daisy
This was recommended to me by a friend and I’m happy to pass on the recommendation to you. It’s summery, it’s floral, it’s youthful, it’s intoxicating. I have a trail of colleagues at work who ask me time after time what the perfume is. One newly-married bloke is buying it for his missus for Christmas. No need to thank me, I’m happy to share the love.
Sarah Jessica Parker Covet
It does seem a bit odd to mention SJP in the same sentence as giants such as Prada and Marc Jacobs, but I’m saying it as it is. Another work colleague has just bought this perfume for his wife for her 40th so it’s got to be good. Like the Prada, you won’t need to reapply through the day. The scent is very elegant, but in a youthful way. Enjoy.
G.Y.O
What: Grow Your Own… veggies and herbs!
Where: on your balcony, at home, in pots…
Cost: cheap as…
Worth a bite? Yes, get to it!!
Oh dear. It seems really a bit odd to be recommending gardening straight after I’ve told you how to make your nails look gorgeous, but oh well. I can’t help but be excited about my new “veggie patch”. My grandpa is a medal and award-winning gardener from way back, so I decided to tap into that invaluable knowledge source and get cracking with a veggie and herb “garden” of sorts on my balcony. I am now the proud owner of parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary, garlic, chives, hot chillies, Tahitian limes, aloe vera AND – wait for it – tomatoes!! Yes, if I can grow them, anyone can. They are cute little cherry ones, and my very first two tomatoes are already turning red. They will be the best tomatoes I’ve ever tasted, I can guarantee you. Now, the reason I got inspired to get down and dirty in the garden is by reading Stephanie Alexander’s latest book Kitchen Garden Companion. She tells you how to grow stuff and then how to cook stuff. Brilliant Christmas present.
TIP: Don’t over-water your plants. It is very, very easy to kill them with too much love. Do it at night, when you come home from work. Grandpa says it’s better for them.
And as for colour...
What: Maybelline Salon Expert nail colour
Where: Pharmacies, Priceline, some supermarkets
Cost: around $12.95 tops
Worth a bite? Yes.
While we would all love to have drawers full of Chanel nail colour, gee let’s face it – sometimes we actually need to spend our money on food, petrol and rent. So let’s talk next best thing when it comes to affordable options. I’m not a fan of Revlon – it scuffs too easily. Rimmel is OK – they have fun colours in the range. Australis – no thanks. Natio and Face of Australia are OK. My favourite for long-lasting colour and durability is Maybelline. Their Salon Expert range is darn easy to use, even for novices. The product doesn’t get gluggy, the curved brush is genius, and you will get a good week of wear – more, if you topcoat a couple of times. My favourite subtle shade is Born With It. A lovely soft pink.
TIP: PLEASE don’t shake the bottle. Roll it around gently, otherwise you’ll have air bubbles.
Long live my pedi
What: Mavala Minute Quick-Finish top coat
Where: Pharmacies
Cost: around $13.95
Worth a bite? Yes.
As I type, my pedicure is nearing the end of week two… and counting. The one I had before (a bright red colour) had a lifespan of three fabulous weeks. The secret to a good pedi and mani is a quality, fast-drying top coat. For almost a year now, the only one I’ve been using is the Swiss brand Mavala Minute Quick-Finish. We all know the Swiss know their stuff and this top coat is brilliant: dries in an instant, tough as nails, and you can even do the dishes that same day and it won’t compromise your colour. It is a small bottle though, for just under $15, but there is no wastage and it doesn’t get gluggy. It will be your nails’ best friend this summer, trust me.
TIP: Apply a couple of times each week for long wear.
27 November 2009
26 November 2009
Richest, yummiest chocolate mousse
A girlfriend at work is having her 29th birthday today. My chocolate mousse with juicy strawberries went down a treat. While I do risk revealing just how easy-peasy it was to make, I do feel that in the interests of satisfying global chocolate addiction, I must play my part and share.
Thanks to the curvaceous Nigella Lawson for the recipe (from Nigella Express).
Ingredients
150g marshmallows (buy mini ones, or just quarter the big ones yourself)
50g soft butter
250g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped
60ml hot water
1 x 300ml(-ish) tub thickened cream (the kind you can whip)
1 tsp vanilla extract or sugar
Method
Put the marshmallows, butter, chocolate and water in a heavy-based saucepan.
Put the saucepan on the cooktop, over medium-high heat, and melt the contents, stirring. Remove from the heat.
While the chocolate mixture is cooling, whip the cream with the vanilla until thick. Fold or gently whisk into the chocolate until you have a smooth mix.
Pour into glasses or ramekins, or one giant gorgeous container. Chill for a few hours or overnight.
Ours was served topped with juicy in-season strawberries.
Happy birthday Em, and thanks to the team (DMac, Paulsy, Ange, Ewski) for their parts.
25 November 2009
Apple-shaped women at double risk of dementia... what will they come up with next?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1230633/Apple-shaped-women-double-risk-dementia.html
24 November 2009
Oh my... doesn't this make your mouth water? A delicious apple strudel recipe from Nigel Slater. Yum.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/nov/22/nigel-slater-apfelstrudel-recipe
Natural high
What: Aesop Rind Aromatique Body Balm
Where: gift shops, www.aesop.net.au
Cost: $99.50 for 500ml
Worth a bite? Yes, if you have thirsty skin
The harsh Aussie summer ahead means girls need to be equipped with a nourishing body moisturizer. Aesop has some fabulous products and it also has some mediocre products. This body balm won’t be for everyone but it’s certainly worth a try if your skin is dry and needs some intense TLC. It’s quite thick & heavy and there will be a hint of stickiness for a few minutes after you apply, but oh the smell is heavenly. It contains orange peel, pink grapefruit and lemon rind. It’s a very happy fragrance, very refreshing. If you put your container into the fridge and use it chilled, it feels gorgeous. Your skin will look and feel beautiful – but the greasiness and price-tag will put some people off.
Present for moi?
What: Elizabeth Arden Luxury Beauty Hamper
Where: Myer (in store and online), David Jones
Cost: $99
Worth a bite? Yes please!
I look forward to this gorgeous box of treats every single year. The beauty pros at Elizabeth Arden put together a best-of bundle around Christmas time and many a devotee rush to counters to get theirs. The pack is all yours for a bargain price of $99 and contains eye shadows and blushes (in warm and cool tones), brushes, lipsticks, pencils, mascara, cheek shimmer and perfume. Oh, and a carry bag and mini-pouch. Apparently mine is already bought, ready to be wrapped up for Chrissie!. It will keep me happy well into 2010 and beyond. If you’re thinking of buying one as a present, do yourself a favour and buy two or else you will have a serious case of make-up envy.
Care for hair
What: L’Oréal Professionnel Expert Série
Age Densiforce shampoo & mask
Where: hairdressers, Price Attack
Cost: $37 for 500ml
Worth a bite? Yes
My hair colourist once asked me, “Would you wash your face with Pantene?” Well, no. “So don’t put it on your hair,” she said. I was too scared to argue and instead went out in search of high quality shampoo & conditioner. I have been a Redken Extreme user for years, but to spice things up every now and again, this L’Oréal series has served me well. My hair is lovely and thick after I use the shampoo, and the density-enhancing mask (instead of conditioner) is pure goodness. The smell, the name and the marketing blurb is more geared towards the older anti-ageing market, but I say it’s never too early to start nourishing your locks.
The best. Without question.
What: Lancôme Bi-facil eye make-up remover
Where: department stores, www.strawberrynet.com
Cost: up to $45
Worth a bite? Yes. Yes. Yes.
Readers may have gathered by now that I do like a bit of eye make-up. OK, a lot of eye make-up. Lots of eyeliner, lots of eyeshadow, lots of mascara. Lots of everything, really. I have tried easily 20 or 30 different eye make-up removers – from the budget Coles kind, to the “cost of a pair of shoes” kind. These days, it’s just one that I use: Lancôme’s Bi-facil. Why? It doesn’t leave an oily film, it doesn’t sting the eyes and a little bit goes a long way. Instant cleansification.
Many a coated lash
What: Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara
Where: Priceline, supermarkets
Cost: $14.95
Worth a bite? Not really
This was an impulse purchase while doing my late-night grocery shopping at Coles. The title sounded good (if slightly exaggerated): but it doesn’t really live up to its promise. It separates the lashes without clumps, but you need SO many coats to make any real impact. If you want the natural look for a weekend, say, it’s not a bad buy. If you want the big & beautiful look, or the “extra super lash” that Rimmel promises, it’s not worth a go.
Toothpaste trick
What: Good old humble toothpaste
Where: on your unwanted pimples
Cost: already in your bathroom (I HOPE!)
Worth a bite? Oh, yea.
As well as keeping your pearly whites in tip top shape, the good old humble tube of toothpaste will help zap your zits. You must use the pure white stuff (none of that blue gel or stripe thing – it’s not as effective). Simply dot it on the offending zit overnight and the toothpaste will dry out the nasties.
17 November 2009
Avoiding the oil slick
What: Clarins UV Plus Protective Day Screen Lotion SPF30+
Where: department stores (David Jones, Myer), www.adorebeauty.com.au
Cost: $46 for 30ml
Worth a bite? Yes, I think so
I have a love / hate relationship with Clarins products. Some of them are just treasures, others are over-rated and over-priced. This one is happily in the former category. I don’t need to tell you that wearing a sunscreen every single day is a must. Under your make up, on its own, I don’t care – just put it on please. The superb thing about this product is that it’s oil free and doesn’t create an oil slick effect on your face. It’s foundation friendly, it’s transparent (no ghostly pale white veil here) and it leaves your face nice and matte. Which we LOVE for summer. The only downside is the cost - $46 for a 30ml bottle isn’t what I call cheap, but a little goes a very long way. As long as you don’t lather your entire body with it, you’ll be right for a few months. There is a similar Neutrogena product on the market, so once I try that, I’ll compare and contrast!
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