Following on from my Loreal make-up post - check this out!

Case closed

For today and everyday

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

'desiderata' means desired things in Latin

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for there will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

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UK gets tough on air-brushing ad campaigns - here, here!!

L'Oréal's Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington ad campaigns banned | Media | The Guardian

It's about time someone challenged the big beauty houses who blatantly airbrush their models so the skin looks completely flawless!  Can we please use a new angle to advertise make-up?  It's so boring.

And don't get me started on the mascara ads that claim to thicken and lengthen - when the model is CLEARLY wearing false eyelashes.

We're not stupid.

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In the wake of Norway's tragedy these photos give me hope...Nan Goldin's photographs of children

Nan Goldin's photographs of children – in pictures | Art and design | guardian.co.uk

"It's about hoping that my friends will bring up a new species of people." Nan Goldin

Russell Brand on Amy Winehouse: 'We have lost a beautiful, talented woman' | Music | guardian.co.uk

Russell Brand on Amy Winehouse: 'We have lost a beautiful, talented woman' | Music | guardian.co.uk

Beautifully written!

Taller women more likely to develop cancer | Science | The Guardian

Taller women more likely to develop cancer | Science | The Guardian

So being 5"10 has its disadvantages - I know I've already had 2 x cancerous incidents.

I wanted to know the reasons and apparently its not 100% certain, but could be due to the growth hormones released making us taller or the fact that being taller means there are more cells in our body. "The most likely explanation is that hormonal changes that are related to tallness in women may also be related to growth abnormalities, especially in the breast, that lead to cancer," said Professor Karol Sikora, the medical director of CancerPartnersUK private treatment centres."

It's even more crucial for tall women to get regular checks and keep healthy!

Science empowers but can also make you a bit paranoid.

‪Latest Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall‬‏ - YouTube

‪Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall‬‏ - YouTube

Beautiful song, stunning video - love the colours!

"I turn the music up, I put my records on, I shut the world outside till the lights come on"

Now I need to find out when the new album is being released.

Bring on their live concert in Cape Town in October! Woo hoo!

Mr Price Limited Edition SA designer ranges

Mr Price

Check out the link - loving the lace dress, skirt with tuile trim and those harem pants!

I'll let you know where and when I find them in stores.

Mich's Pantry

Michelle, a crazily creative friend has launched her amazing ready-mix range called Mich’s Pantry.  She's selling at local markets around Cape Town.   

Coincidently a colleague arrived at work last Monday raving about this jar of brownie mix which produced a heavenly brownie to eat – and she brought some to share  - so I can vouch for them!

YUM

The best part is the mix is in a reusable jar with a special blackboard paint where you can write over for the jar’s next purpose!

Here are the details:

Gran's Crunchie Mix R55

Cowboy Cookie Mix: R75

Choc Chip Cookie Mix: R75

White Choc & Cranberry Cookie Mix: R85

Gooey Chocolate Brownie Mix: R85

And her contact details: 0832921452 or info@michs-pantry.co.za

Catch Mich’s pantry at the City Bowl Market  or the Earth Fair Market

Happy Tuesday!

Skin Science

I work in the beauty/skincare industry - so I've become familiar with ingredients, brands and what works and doesn't.
There's a lot of product out there which costs a fortune and doesn't work.  There are also other products which aren't well known but actually work brilliantly!
It's hard to know what to believe and what to spend your money on wisely.
If you were to believe the beauty/fashion mags - you'd think that Creme de la mer at around R2,000 (yes over £200 / $250 a tub) is the miracle you should aspire to for your skin!

Honestly - who has that kind of cash to spend on a face cream - its just immoral when there are starving children in the world.  Save the children

But the real point of this post is to share a new skincare range Skin Science  I'm trialling (for myself).  I heard about it thanks to job contact with the cosmetic scientist who developed the formulation.  It uses apple stem cell technology  that helps the skin rejuvenate and repair damaged cells.

I'm trying the day cream and so far am very impressed.  My skin (combination, with oiliness on t-zone) is looking healthy and doesn't feel too greasy at the end of the day.  It also is SPF 20, which is fantastic - I've been searching for a stronger SPF than 15 which doesn't leave a white palour.

The face wash is also good and feels fresh when applying.  It doesn't foam as well as I think it should - but this means it doesn't dry the skin out and is gentle enough to remove eye make up as well.

So far the flaws lies in the packaging - it's trying to be too much - silver, grey and snazzy - and comes off cheaply done.  The copy on the packaging (yes I read it) is badly written, edited and half-finished.  This is a bad reflection on the company who didn't take the details seriously.  And in business it should be all about the details.

But I can forgive the outer transgressions knowing that what goes in it is legitimate and will certainly be beneficial for my skin.  I'd rather this - than empty promises in pretty packaging I've paid a fortune for.

Pumps - shoes with a twist

I've decided I can handle animal prints on shoes and accessories - not body-con dresses!  It's taken about 3 years of denial, hoping these prints were a fad, destined to disappear next season...

But

They
Just
Don't
Go Away

So I've embraced it with a new pair of pumps!

Trick to ensuring you don't look like Ivana Trump










is to tone down what you wear on top - black 3/4 pants, white shirt, denim jacket does the look.

I also just love the red trim and flower and I'm sure that makes them more wearable.

Monkey photos: made my day!

Macaque photos: One of the photos taken by the monkey using David's camera

Eyecandy Brows special for July

I can't recommend having your eyebrows done at EyeCandy Brows enough!  If you've ever wondered how some women manage to have perfectly scuplted, clean eye brows - their secret is threading - which is what Eyecandy specialise in!

And they're running a special in July where you get a free tint with each eyebrow thread at R80 a pop!

The trick is to grow those brows out (I know, its awful, but try and channel your '80's Madonna) then go to them for a brow makeover.  It's worth it!