Archives - Minkys

The Cellars-Hohenort: A Winters Escape

Loren

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22/04/2016

The only way we know winter is here is because the trees are bare and the autumn shades of leaves have fallen to the ground. The weather says otherwise though, with scorching hot days it feels like it is still mid summer. But we can’t be in denial forever because winter is going to hit us hard, pretty soon! And we’re going to have to finally put on our coats, boots and thermals.

Don’t get me wrong though, I love winter. It’s the perfect excuse to stay home and do nothing but drink wine by the fire, eat good food, snuggle up with a hot water bottle and just enjoy some downtime. It is also an excuse to escape out of the city and drive to not so far off places that feel very much like home.

Say hello to The Cellars-Hohenort.

The Cellars-Hohenhort is located in Constantia Valley, which is known as Cape Towns very own vineyard as it is home to some world famous wine estates. Just a quick 15 minute drive from Cape Towns city centre and you will find yourself in the heart of the ever so picturesque Constantia Valley.

Escaping to The Cellars-Hohenort for a winter sojourn is the perfect excuse to relish in some well deserved down time. Upon entering the Hotel you are greeted by views of Table Mountain and beautifully manicured gardens. The moment you enter, a sense of relaxation and calmness hits you, and all you want to do is walk around the gardens, like Alice in Wonderland, soaking it all in.

The Hotel rooms are beyond cozy but spacious at the same time, offering everything that one desires when escaping out of the city. From a little lounge area and small dining table, to a well stocked mini bar and complimentary wine, a desk to do some work at, and a bed that feels like a cloud, you’re simply forced to live your best life.

When dinner time comes around, you have a choice of two restaurants: a culinary journey at The Greenhouse or feast on a Winter Special Menu at The Conservatory. After dinner you can head to the Greenhouse Bar and sit by the fire place having your last glass of wine before bedtime.

When morning dawns and you have had the best sleep of your life in the cloud of a bed you can look forward to a hearty breakfast. From a selection of fruits, yoghurts, homemade breads, cold meats and cheeses, and a warm dish from the kitchen, you will want to sit for hours eating and enjoying the beautiful garden views.

What’s an escape from the busy hustle and bustle of city life without a visit to the Fresh Wellness Spa at The Cellars-Hohenort. You can be treated to a hot stone massage, a traditional swedish massage or any other treatment on offer, and it will be nothing less than tranquil bliss.

*I was invited to discover the romance of a winter sojourn and escape to The Cellars-Hohenhort and was treated to everything mentioned above. It was nothing short of amazing. From the friendliness of the staff, to the comfort of the hotel room and the most delicious dinner and breakfast, it was the perfect escape from city life, which is just what I needed. Thank you, thank you, thank you to The Cellars-Hohenort for the best night. I will definitely be back 🙂

♥

A Craving for Ice Cream Sandwiches: Crumbs and Cream

Loren

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20/04/2016

12

A Craving for Ice Cream Sandwiches: Crumbs and Cream

Oh crumbs, not another sweet sensation to help with my extremely sweet tooth!

After reading all the hype raving about how absolutely yummy Crumbs and Cream is, the first thing I did when I landed in Cape Town was pay the Crumbs and Cream ice cream truck at the Watershed Market (at the V&A Waterfront) a visit. I’m not one to follow the crowds, but if it’s something that will satisfy the biggest sweet tooth, I am there like a bear.

Once you find the cute ice cream truck, the first thing you do is climb two little stairs so you can peak your head inside and choose what cookies, gelato ice cream and toppings you want. These kinds of things make me so excited, and I start to act like a kid in a candy store. The cookie flavours range from peanut butter, Oreo, choc chip and butter, to brownies and candy crush. The ice cream flavours range from chocolate, mint choc chip, caramel fudge, and rum and raisin to Snickers. You then choose from a bunch of toppings, and voila! you have created an ice cream sandwich that looks too good to eat!

After hmmm’ing and aaaah’ing for a good ten minutes we decided on choc chip cookies and choc mint ice cream and Snickers ice cream. When you are so spoilt for your choice you decide on the simplest combinations but the yummiest ones too.

Crumbs and Cream opened up a flagship store in Regent Road, Sea Point. Here you will find everything the ice cream truck has to offer but more! You can get delicious coffee as well as vegan friendly ice cream and cookies, diabetic friendly ice cream and cookies, and sorbet ice cream! So just about anyone can create a Pinterest worthy ice cream sandwich masterpiece! 🙂

One day I hope to have a little Crumbs and Cream ice cream truck in my garden for when an ice cream sandwich craving strikes. Oh, and also as a show piece – its just so darn cute!

♥

How to Become a Morning Person

Lifestyle

Loren

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18/04/2016

6

When people used to tell me they are an early riser, aka: a morning person, I would roll my eyes at them thinking “how do you do it!?” It was only until recently I realised I, myself, may fit into the category of a morning person (*rolls eyes!*) In the good old university days I would grab the opportunity to lie in bed and only get up for a lecture if it was compulsory, as the thought of waking up too early scared me. Only when I started working did I take those days for granted, and so I was forced to get up with the birds and get ready to tackle a day in the legal world. And now, I can happily say I am an early riser / a morning person / an early bird. Not everyone has the capability of becoming a morning person, but with just a few simple tweaks to your morning routine you can wake up at Sparrows Fart too.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME

Whether you are a tea or coffee person, first things first, have a cup. Or if you are a lemon-water-upon-waking-up person, have a cup of that. Give yourself time to sip on your cuppa and gather all of your thoughts for the day ahead.

The first thing I do when I wake up is boil the kettle. I then greet little Dooey, make my coffee and sit on the couch thinking of the day ahead (while playing with little Dooey). This is the best time to relax a little while giving myself some time to think about everything. I also love getting my morning bunny kisses.

MAKE TO DO LISTS

Writing out a to do list helps waking up easier as you have a purpose for the day and goals to achieve, which you just want to get started on. Write a to-do list the evening before so your goals are visible and you’re more prone to keeping them. This also helps you organise your time more efficiently. Going to bed at night having ticked off what you have done on your to-do list makes you feel like you have actually achieved, which is such a great feeling.

I use my Two Thousand And Sixteen diary for everything! From my to do lists, to writing down any and every little thing in it, from reminders to phone numbers and even all my passwords so I don’t forget them. This little diary is my life.

PREPARE THE NIGHT BEFORE

Getting yourself as prepared as you can the night before is a huge help and a big time saver. Prepare your outfit, take out your clothes, pack your lunch, make your breakfast smoothie, pack your gym bags and do your to do list and you will feel a million times better waking up knowing all of this has been done and you can get on with your morning and still have some time to do what you enjoy, like maybe read for a bit.

Every night I plan my outfit and lay my clothes out. I also plan in my head what I am going to have for breakfast which then makes me wake up super excited for breakfast (breakfast is my favourite meal of the day). This prevents rushing in the morning and just grabbing whatever is the easiest and most convenient. Because I now have some time to spare in the morning, I like to read. Even if its just for 15 minutes or so, while I have breakfast.

KEEP YOUR EMAIL ORGANISED

Without a doubt, the first thing we do in the morning is check our emails. And it is a task we all have to face. If your email is in a mess, where you have 50 tagged emails, 50 unread emails, 50 urgent emails and 50 emails in your drafts folder, the last thing you want to do is check for any new emails, and this in itself is a negative start to the morning. So take some time and sort out all your emails trying to keep it as organised as possible. You can even download an app to help with that.

I recently downloaded Airmail which has made emailing so much easier. It allows for multiple email accounts, it distinguishes between all your email accounts and it is just so user friendly. It also has pink icons, so maybe thats why I love it :).

INVEST IN A PAIR OF SLIPPERS AND A GOWN

One of the reasons we don’t like to get out of bed is because its cold out there 🙂 Our beds hold us hostage as they’re super warm, snuggly and cozy. But if you go from a cozy bed into a cozy gown and cozy slippers, you won’t even notice the difference.

I always make sure I have a gown and a pair of slippers to slip into as soon as I hop out of bed. In summer I have a thin gown and simple slippers. But in winter I have the fluffiest gown and the snuggliest slippers, and thanks to these two basic items getting out of bed is so much easier.

HAVE A TREAT

Lastly, keep some cupcakes on standby for when you feel like a sweet morning treat!

♥

The Kruger Park: Sunsets and Sunrises

Loren

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06/04/2016

9

I am a sunrise and sunset chaser, if you haven’t noticed by now. My Instagram is filled with beautiful shots and I did this post on the breathtaking sunrise in the Seychelles. If you are not an early riser to watch a sunrise, then lets hope my photos can change that, because you’ll be seeing a lot of them. Waking up early, making a cup of coffee, and appreciating what nature has to offer can really change your outlook for the rest of the day.

Every year we take a family trip to the Kruger Park and it is something we look so forward to! Everything about this trip gets us so excited. From booking our accommodation and making sure our favourite camps are available, to the actual drive down and stopping for pancakes on the way, we love every single thing. One of the things I look the most forward to is waking up to watch the sunrise in the morning, and making sure every afternoon we are at another perfect spot to watch the sunset. Thats how it is and everyone knows it 🙂

“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them”

♥

P.S. If you haven’t read the latest beauty post on the blog, you can click here and see the latest on my beauty desk. Or if you feel like shopping, take a look at the latest shopping guide.

Beauty Products on Trial

Loren

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04/04/2016

8

Don’t you love coming home with a packet or two full of beauty products? Yip, I do too, especially on a Friday, because you have two free days ahead of you to start using the new goodies! I will even say that I get so darn excited when I start using a new shampoo and conditioner. Like with the first wash, I stand in the shower with the hugest smile on my face, so excited to see how it lathers and how the scent lingers on my hair. Ha! But enough about that, let me get on with the latest products I have on my beauty desk.

1. Garnier Ultimate Blends – The Strength Restorer

This shampoo and conditioner combo is made from a signature blend of honey, propolis extract and royal jelly. Together, these three ingredients help to nourish, revitalise and protect the hair as well as restore strength to damaged and broken hair. I have washed my hair with this shampoo and conditioner a few times now, and let me just say three words: SOFT, SILKY and VOLUME. Yip, thats how my hair has been each time after I have used it. The shampoo lathers up nicely, the conditioner is rich so you don’t have to apply too much to the ends and it spreads out well, and the scent of this range is so yum! After I shampoo and condition, I towel dry my hair, then let it dry naturally for a bit, and then only do I blow-dry it. My hair looks super soft and it has bounce to it too! Will I be buying these again? Yes *thumbs up*.

2. The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

This Bouncy Sleeping Mask is enriched with Edelweiss Stem Cells, and if left on your face overnight, your skin will be left looking bouncier and feeling replenished. A sleeping mask is used as the last step in your beauty regimen and is worn all night without being washed off until the morning. The first time I applied this mask I thought “oh heavens, this feels sooooo sticky!” but a few minutes later the sticky feeling went away. I have only applied the mask a few times to my skin as apparently it will cause breakouts if you use it every night. I am yet to wake up and look in the mirror and go “wow!” but lets see how it goes and I will report back 🙂

3. Essie’s Chinchilly

Now that it’s autumn, it’s time to bring out the wintery shades. Chinchilly is the most beautiful grey and is perfect for autumn. I used to have a bottle of this but unfortunately lost it. Well I either lost it, or it took a walk and ran away from me. But in any case I replaced it. Now I need to see if I still love this shade as much as I did years ago!

4. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

If you don’t have a post on this product, you’re not a beauty blogger 😉 Ever since I saw my favourite South African blogger Lynette from Pink Purple Dots share a post on Instagram of a mini travel size bottle of Micellar Cleansing Water, I searched high and low for a mini one too. I went from Clicks to Clicks, and Dischem to Dischem, and finally found a whole shelf of the mini’s at my local Dischem (YAY!) and bought a few to keep (anything small, cozy, compact and travel sized gets stock piled in my bathroom cabinet for just incase). Micellar water is made up of micelles which are attracted to dirt and oil, and are able to draw out impurities from the skin without drying the skin. Micellar water is used as a facial wash, make up remover and moisturiser. I honestly love this cleansing water, and love how it manages to do so many things. I love that it is so gentle, especially by your eyes, and it actually cleans you skin and gets all the nitty gritty out. Will I buy this again? YES!

5. Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine

Glimmer Shine is a finishing spray that is infused with argan oil, vitamins and antioxidants, which creates luminous shine and protects the hair against environment elements. After I blow-dry my hair, I like to spray a few sprays all over my hair and then gently scrunch it in. It really does leave my hair shiny/glossy and the scent of it is amazing! I loooove argan oil and if a product has argan oil and smells like argan oil, send it my way. Please.

♥

Picture Perfect Pretville

Loren

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04/04/2016

2

Picture this: walking around a 1950’s film set like you the main star of the show.

Well this can happen, easily, in Pretville. Pretville is the film set of an Afrikaans musical, set in the 1050’s, in a small, vibrant and very colourful town, just near Haartbeesport. The set is open on weekends only from 9am, and with an entrance of R60 for adults and R30 for children, you can be time warped back to an era of vintage cars, colourful buildings and a 1950’s style diner where you feel like you’re part of a scene from Grease. The only operational building that you can go into is the diner. They serve hot dogs, hamburgers, milkshakes and a few other interesting treats.

Le bf and I took a drive out to Pretville a few Sundays ago when we were looking for something fun to do. Pretville is about 45 minutes away from Johannesburg. It is just outside of Haartbeesport, so it isn’t a far drive at all. To walk around this interesting little place took us about an hour or so, as we were soaking up all the buildings and walking into the rooms analysing the antiques on show. We then went into the diner and shared a burger, a strawberry milkshake and a bubblegum milkshake. And, they were so good!

Have you been to Pretville?

More info here.

♥

50 Things To Smile About

Loren

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22/03/2016

15

Everyone has something that they are worrying about and it is the smallest of things that we allow to take over our minds. One little worry has a ripple effect, which in turn leads to a million little worries. How often do we actually stop to smell the roses and appreciate the small things in life that put a smile on our faces and allow us to forget about our worries. In todays times it is the smallest of things that make us happy and the smallest of things to smile about 🙂

Here are 50 things to smile about, that make me smile, a lot!

1. That Friday feeling.

2. My morning cup of coffee.

3. Le bf.

4. Coming home everyday to my little bunny, Dooey.

5. Tea time.

6. Breakfast time.

7. Bath time.

8. My laptop, which allows me to do what I love, every day.

9. Our annual trip to the Kruger Park.

10. Saturday night date night with le bf.

11. Writing my to-do lists and then ticking things off one by one.

12. My stationary collection.

13. My little car that gets me from A to B, and then back to A for nap time.

14. Nap time.

15. My family.

16. Cozy rainy days.

17. The movie Julie & Julia (which is now on Netflix!)

18. Sunday night movie night with le bf.

19. My cozy bed.

20. Reading.

21. A big bowl of pasta.

22. One day knowing I’ll get to Italy.

23. My photography.

24. All my old photographs that I go through regularly.

25. Chocolate.

26. Doughnuts.

27. Pizza.

28. My winter gown.

29. My slippers.

30. Weekends away.

31. Holiday planning.

32. My coffee mug collection.

33. Knowing I am an Attorney.

34. The colour pink.

35. Long weekends.

36. Manicured nails with a pretty shade on them.

37. Breakfast with my mom every Friday.

38. Family dinners.

39. Waking up every morning and doing what I love.

40. A perfect pink lipstick.

41. My makeup collection.

42. When I have a good hair day.

43. Blogging.

44. Peanut butter and jam on toast.

45. The movie Bridesmaids.

46. Gilmore Girls.

47. Fresh fruit.

48. My Nutribullet.

49. Sunrises and sunsets.

50. A perfect cuppacino.

♥

Dress The Part

Loren

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17/03/2016

12

What does it mean to dress the part? I personally believe it means to dress for an occasion so you simply fit in with that occasion. But every person is unique and has their own taste and style, so dressing the part differs from one to another. When Superbalist asked me to pick five different dresses for five different occasions, I was interested to see how I would dress the part for each. With so many beautiful dresses to choose from, narrowing it down to just one for each occasion was difficult. If it was up to me I would have five wardrobe changes a day.

1. WEDDING

Weddings – you can’t wear white, incase you outshine the bride and you can’t wear black, incase people think you have just come from a funeral. So my colour of choice is always a neutral shade. I chose this midi dress as I love the rose gold colour, the glitzy sequins, the not so plungy neckline and that is glamorous and classy at the same time.

2. THE OFFICE

When you are working in an office from 9 to 5 you have to make sure that whatever you are wearing is super comfortable. So having said that, you can’t wear anything that is too tight nor too revealing. My go-to office wear is a classic shirt dress, especially in black. It’s smart, sophisticated, comfortable, and it kind of reminds me of wearing a sleep shirt, but at work. Ha!

3. PARTY

You walk into a club, or a bar, and you want to make a statement. That’s how it always is. So either you choose an extra tight dress to show off your figure, or a super short dress to show off your pins, or you choose an open back dress to show off your latest tattoo that goes from the top of your neck down your spine. Well in my case, none of the above applies, so I choose a statement leopard print number. You are either a leopard print person or you’re not. Roar!

4. DAY ADVENTURE

Sundays are for adventuring! You wake up early, get into the car and see where the road takes you. I normally like to wear something comfortable, so either leggings and a long jersey or even a tracksuit. But my next adventure, I’ll be rocking this colourful t-shirt dress with a pair of white All Stars and I’ll be good to go! I love the colouring of this t-shirt dress.

5. EVERYDAY

Denim is a staple in every wardrobe. Either you have a pair of jeans, denim shorts, a denim jacket or even a denim waste coat or you have everything and want more. My all time favourite is a denim dress. You can wear it with pumps, heals, sandals and it can be taken from day to night with just the right accessories.

Have a look at Superbalist’s extensive range of dresses by clicking here to see how you would dress the part!

♥

All Things Pink Shopping Guide

Loren

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16/03/2016

8

1. Essence – I Love Extreme – Crazy Volume Mascara / 2. Essie in Madison Ave Hue / 3. Revlon Colourbust Balm Stain in Cherish / 4. Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub / 5. The Body Shop British Rose Collection – Petal Soft Bath Foam / 6. Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet / 7. Benefit Cosmetics – Posiebalm Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm / 8. Revlon Photoready Cream Blush / 9. Essence Gel Polish – Sweet As Candy / 10. Real Techniques – Blush Brush / 11. Real Techniques – Sculpting Brush / 12. Lush – Twilight / 13. MAC – Pink Plaid Matte Lipstick / 14. Stila Stay All Day Lipstick in Rosa / 15. Lush Sex Bomb

♥

Essentials for a Lazy Sunday

Lifestyle

Loren

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10/03/2016

10

Lazy days are few and far between and we all wish they came around more often. We work so hard during the week and weekends are always so jam packed. If we don’t have errands to do, then we have people to see, but there is always something! I try make sure that on Sundays I have nothing to do and I can stay home in my pyjamas and enjoy a bit of me time. To make sure a lazy Sunday is well executed, here are my essentials:

A MORNING LIE IN AND COZY BLANKETS

What is a lazy Sunday without a lie in and some super cozy blankets? You have no excuse to hang out in bed for an extra hour or so to soak up the warmth and comfort that you cannot do any other day. A slow Sunday morning, in bed with a perfect cup of coffee, and some biscuits or rusks is my absolute favourite treat.

GOOD COFFEE

The only way we know how to drink our coffee is in a hurry. During the week, we either rushing to finish it and get to work, or we drinking it and focusing on a task at hand and not concentrating at all! On a lazy Sunday, I get up, I put the kettle on, I make a perfect cup of coffee and I get back into bed. Voila! I can now savour every sip. (If I am lucky, then le bf brings me coffee in bed. But I repeat: if I am lucky!)

READ A BOOK

The easiest way to relax and unwind is to read. And I am not saying read Social Media. I am saying read a book! You enter a world where it is just you, your imagination and the characters in the book, and you are forced to switch off from everything and let your mind finally be at ease. Sundays are my favourite days to read.

PAMPER

Sundays are for a full pamper session. I normally let in a Lush bath using my favourite The Comforter, and light some scented candles. I apply a face mask, and a hair mask, I give my body a good scrub, and I will give myself either a manicure or pedicure. After all of this I feel so relaxed and ready to tackle the week ahead!

LAZY WEAR

I wear my coziest pyjamas and my comfiest slippers. And I am good to go (back into bed) 🙂

SERIES & SNACKS

I was never a series person. When everyone was talking about all the latest shows they were glued to, I was always thinking of the books I am reading. But now I have started watching Pretty Little Liars (thanks to Netflix). Oh my heavens! I am now on Season 2, and I am so tempted to google who “A” is, but I. WILL. NOT! My lazy Sunday afternoons are now spent watching PLL and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

So that is my Sunday. Le bf and I will also head out in the late afternoon to our favourite park for a walk. At about 5 o ‘clock, nearly everyone in Joburg who has a dog takes their dog to the James & Ethel Grey Park. We go their, dog-less, might I add, just to see all the cute pooches running around and to get some fresh air.

If we’re not having a lazy Sunday, then le bf and I will head out early on an adventure to discover some hidden gems in and around Joburg.

With the weather changing and it becoming chillier (and now rainy), these essentials will get you by on any lazy day. And once you have had such a cozy, relaxing day, it will be just what the doctor ordered! If you’re not able to take a full day off doing absolutely nothing, just take an hour or so off and enjoy a bit of me time, reading, watching some series, or even having a lengthy bubble bath. It will also be what the doctor has ordered!

♥

How do you spend your Sundays?

Smoothie: An Apple a Day and Some Berries

Loren

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08/03/2016

6

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or so they say! I, however, say a smoothie a day keeps the doctor far far away. Smoothies have become a big part of my daily routine ever since I got my Nutribullet, and somehow my day doesn’t feel right without one, even its just a small one as a snack. They are so easy to make, so healthy and so beneficial. Before I got my Nutribullet, the only way I would eat spinach was if it was on my plate at a restaurant and it was creamed. I also thought kale fell from the sky during a storm. But anyway, lets not harp on that. Now that I incorporate either spinach or kale in my daily smoothie, I have noticed my nails are a lot stronger and my hair seems to have grown quite a bit too. And, my skin looks a lot more healthier too!

I make this smoothie as a mid-morning or afternoon snack when a little boost is needed and to get my greens in for the day.

INGREDIENTS

1 Granny Smith apple, cut up

Chia seeds

1 banana

handful of spinach

a few pieces of cucumber

1/2 cup of frozen berries

some water

Throw all your ingredients into your blender and whizz it up! Drink up 🙂

Making a perfect smoothie is super easy, but can somehow be a little bit scary if you not sure what to add and its your first time experimenting. Here are a few basic tips/guidelines that I have learnt:

♥ Start off using spinach as a base for your smoothie. Just a handful is enough and you won’t taste it at all if you add enough fruit ingredients. Once you get used to the “green flavour” you can then start adding some kale to your smoothie.

♥ Frozen berries make for yummier smoothies. I say this because firstly, they are frozen so they add a slushy texture to the smoothie and you don’t have to add ice. Secondly, they are somehow more flavourful than fresh berries. I also found that fresh berries go funny within two days and I had a lot of wastage, whereas frozen berries are always fresh in the freezer!

♥ You can also freeze your banana and add frozen banana to the smoothie! It makes the texture creamier and slushy as well.

♥ If you don’t like the taste of your smoothie, add another banana and there will be instant sweetness. I sometimes put two bananas in my smoothies as I love the taste of banana so much.

♥ To get the most out of your smoothie, add either oats or psyllium husk to bulk it up. They are both full of fibre and so beneficial to your bodies health.

♥ Chia Seeds is also a perfect addition to your smoothie and are so healthy as they are a superfood! They are full of fibre, protein and antioxidants, and they are said to be the healthiest little things you can put into your body! Adding a spoonful of them will not affect the taste of your smoothie as they have no taste!

♥ Add another vegetable, such as a few pieces of cucumber. Cucumber is made up of 95% water. They help fight inflammation in the body and they are high in antioxidant properties. And they help fight stress as they contain multiple B vitamins.

♥ Granny Smith apple’s are said to be the healthiest of all the apple’s. They are naturally low in calories and are therefore great for weight loss. They are high in fibre and antioxidants and they help regulate blood sugar levels.

♥ Instead of adding water, you can add some coconut water. Coconut water is full of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium.

♥ Lastly, never judge a smoothie by its colour!

♥

Little Black Pots of Lush

Beauty
Skin

Loren

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04/03/2016

14

Lush’s little black pots (of absolute goodness) are made from Lush’s own purified plastic waste, thanks to their amazing recycling system. What does this mean for us Lushies? When you use up 5 black pots, you take them to your nearest Lush and you get a fresh face mask in return. Once you have returned your 5 black pots, they are thoroughly cleaned, heated, and remoulded into new black pots. And maybe one day you will buy your black pot you used before, or a piece of it 😉 But now the question is, what is in some of these black pots?

Marilyn Hair Treatment

This is a pre-wash treatment for blonde hair. This treatment moisturises damaged hair and helps bring out the natural blonde tones with regular use. Marilyn contains a chamomile infusion and fresh organic lemon juice, which together help prevent hair loss, as well as naturally lighten your hair while adding shine. Marilyn also contains linseed mucilage and extra virgin olive oil, which helps give strength to your hair.

♥ I have long blonde hair, and I find that when I do use Marilyn my hair does look noticeably lighter and shinier, so it does work! However, I have noticed that Lush South Africa does not stock Marilyn anymore, so I am forced to use it sparingly as I would hate for it to finish. Having said that I only apply Marilyn when my blonde hair needs a bit of a wake up call 🙂

Mask of Magnaminty

This is a face and body mask that contains all the right ingredients. But what does this mean? Well it contains ground aduki beans and evening primrose seeds, for a natural exfoliating experience. It contains peppermint oil to cool and refresh the skin. It contains bentonite gel and kaolin, which are both types of natural clay, and together they deeply cleanse and gently exfoliate the skin. Lastly, it contains honey, which a both an anti-bacterial and moisturising on the skin.

♥ I apply this mask regularly (like twice or even three times a week), and each time leaving it on for 10 or 15 minutes, until it has hardened, and I then rinse it off. I find this mask does the job! It cleanses, exfoliates and my skin is left feeling soft, smoother and moisturised.

Ultrabland Facial Cleanser

This is a rich, soft oil based cleansing cream that, while it is super gentle on the skin, it does an amazing job of removing all makeup and your skin is left feeling clean and moisturised. This cleanser contains only the most gentle ingredients, like almond oil, rose water, beeswax and honey, so it is perfect for sensitive skin. How it works is you smooth a small amount all over your face in circular motions, and after leaving it to sit for a couple of seconds, you take a damp cloth and wipe it off. It is like a miracle cleanser!

♥ I keep this cleanser in close reach in my bathroom and use it often! My skin is super sensitive so I have to be careful with what products I use. This cleanser is so gentle, and I love the smell – it reminds me of a rose garden (its the rose water – duh!).

Popcorn Lip Scrub

We all know that we must exfoliate our face and our body, but what about our lips? Yes, that is a must too! Lush’s lip scrubs are little pots of pudding – with ingredients like coconut oil, sugar and popping candy, you feel you can eat the stuff! How the lip scrubs work is you apply some to your lips, give them a scrub and a buff until they are soft and then you lick the excess off and apply your favourite lip balm.

♥ We all need one of these little pots in our makeup bags. Enough said!

♥

MINKYS

Minkys

Minkys

1. Garnier Ultimate Blends – The Strength Restorer

2. The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

3. Essie’s Chinchilly

4. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

5. Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine

Picture this: walking around a 1950’s film set like you the main star of the show.

1. WEDDING

2. THE OFFICE

3. PARTY

4. DAY ADVENTURE

5. EVERYDAY

A MORNING LIE IN AND COZY BLANKETS

GOOD COFFEE

READ A BOOK

PAMPER

LAZY WEAR

SERIES & SNACKS

INGREDIENTS

Marilyn Hair Treatment

Mask of Magnaminty

Ultrabland Facial Cleanser

Popcorn Lip Scrub

MINKYS