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I have spent the last few weeks of every Tuesday A.M. with Larissa Amos from Devine Wellbeing Practice. What she awakens within the four walls of her consciously decorated studio, with modern and retro themes, branded by peacock feathers and a beautiful landscape of attuned crystals, is simply awe inspiring. Larissa greets you with heart at your first consultation, at which moment you are quite assured that you have entered into something quite special. I’m not generally taken by the air and fare that you can experience from ‘so called’ healers, but with Larissa the confidence is raised to a whole new level.

Inside it is both cosy and ambient with soft soulful music playing, the senses are in appreciation. Larissa combines a unique selection of therapies (meditation, massage & healing) which culminate together in both a feel good and life enhancing experience, her time with you is almost always on the generous side, so be sure to spare a few extra minutes, they are well worth it.

Have you ever wondered why you experience the physical and emotional discomforts you do?

Larissa will bring you closer to your answers. “I like to think of emotions as a way of reading information, either sent from an outside source or an internal one, emotions are simply trying to tell us something, my system of healing guides and teaches the individual management of the mind body and spirit” Larissa shares.

My time with her was an awakening experience and a connection to strengths I didn’t know that I had. From the first time that I saw her I have continued to utilise these strengths in the world we live in. Absolutely empowering! I would highly recommend taking a breather to investigate the potential Larissa can elevate you to, truly magical.

The Devine Wellbeing Practice is located in Coolbinia, nestled within the suburban streets, bookings are by appointment only.

Address: 7/23 Ardross Crescent
Coolbinia, Perth 6053
Email: larissa.amos@devinetime.com.au
Mobile: 0419 858 074
Web: http://www.devinetime.com.au

Review by Lavida Rose.

Disclaimer: Devine Time is currently advertising on Wellness WA. This advertising relationship in no way affects the nature or outcome of the review.

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The latest influx of ‘daily deals’ made available online to us beauty lovers can make you go a bit crazy. All those deals! All those bargains! You would be forgiven for thinking you were one of those guys on Wall Street standing in the pit in a brightly coloured jacket waving your arms around, yelling ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ like a maniac, before regaining consciousness and wondering what the hell you had just bought.

But it’s a good deal right? For a procedure that you know and that you like? So where’s the harm. I know what you’re thinking; calm down Adriane, why do you have to hate like that? OK, allow me to share a story. Let’s call it ‘A Story of Caution’.

Recently, thanks to one of those daily emails offering you deals on practically anything, I bought a voucher for IPL. I really like IPL and have had some great results from all four of the salons that I have been to before…well, before this time (see where I’m going here?) Yes.

Now, I would first and foremost like to say that I wont name where I went this time because I really do not believe it was entirely the technician’s fault and she was nice and I don’t want to be mean here. What I will say though is that the plain facts; she was a retired beautician working from home – evidently she had purchased a machine some years ago and was now treating people from there. A little alarm bell went off for me here, it made me feel uncomfortable that the machine was old and although sometimes the paperwork that you have to fill out in a normal salon is annoying it is also there to protect you and protect the business from any damage to either party that may occur as a result of a miscommunication. So when there was no paperwork, I was feeling apprehensive.

Not my burns, but an example of what can happen under a non-qualified technician.

Then the treatment started, Oh. Dear. Me. I had opted for my legs to be done and your legs are pretty tough so don’t any one of you start thinking I’m a big ol’ baby, ok? To say that it ‘hurt’ would be an understatement. It KILLED. It hurt so much that half way through I wanted to say ‘actually you know what, don’t worry about it’. I was actually jolting after every time she administered the pulse of light. She was trying to have a conversation with me and I was trying to speak around the light pulses so that I didn’t sound like I was having an electric shock. That’s harder than it sounds. So why did I let her finish? Because I am an A grade idiot. Because I thought that if I told her I was incredibly uncomfortable and in pain that she would think I was weak, or a complainer, or being difficult. I didn’t want to look stupid.

So fast forward to when I left her house. I got into my car and my skin felt like it was burning underneath my jeans, my hands were shaking (from some kind of shock maybe? Oh who knows) and I drove home, ran a cold bath and stuck my legs in there. What did I see? Burns all over my legs, burns burns burns. I looked like I had been run over by a tractor tyre. The pain subsided but the burns took three weeks to heal. Who looked stupid then (clue: ME)! Luckily I don’t have any scarring or pigmentation damage but why oh why did I not tell her that it was hurting? She could’ve turned down the intensity of the machine or done some other magical thing that would have made it feel like oh-I-don’t-know-I’ll-take-a-stab-in-the-dark-here my skin wasn’t burning.

My burns.

Most of all I’m angry at myself because I had this procedure before and experienced no pain (yeah I thought I was a pretty tough son of a gun after those times) and yet having the exact same thing done this time made me feel like I was being tortured for information. The moral of the story is: please, be careful. The deals are great, no question, but don’t let cheapness make your guard drop. Always speak up. If you are uncomfortable in ANY way, physical, psychologically, emotionally, tell the technician. It’s your money that is paying for their skill and their time so don’t be one of the guys in the Wall Street pit running around like a maniac, be the guy at the beginning who coolly and calmly gets to ring the big bell or something. Bad analogy, but you know what I’m saying- speak up. Don’t look like me. The tyre marks were not good. Be safe!

Article by Adriane Daff, deals-wary dame & current Parisian correspondent.

Be well (and safe!),

xoxo

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Winter. It’s clearly here, intruding its way into our lives with the chilliest of mornings and nights. However, I love winter! The smell in the air on rainy days, that glimmer of raindrops off flowers, getting to rug up in clothes that have spent a year in your closet unloved, a close cuddle with someone special and best of all, long, hot showers! Though as much as I love a long hot shower, like 1 in 3 other Australians – I suffer from eczema, where hot showers mean sore, itchy skin. Thankfully I came across the new Eczema Relief Range from Nyal, and decided after years of searching for a decent shower wash and soap, I would give this newcomer a try.

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First up, the Nyal Eczema Relief Shower and Bath Oil

The first thing I notice is the smell, and it is goood. Most shower washes I’ve used that have eczema relief qualities have been ok when it comes to calming the skin, however they smell like a hospital hallway. Not really an appealing feature for something that you are going use all over yourself. No thanks! However with this productl I’m being hit with a very enjoyable buttery/caramel type smell, which is a nice change to say the least. The oil also lathers to a milky texture as applied and mixed with water, which leaves a smooth feeling afterwards on your skin.

I’ve found it a really good change to have a pleasant smell and a smooth, soft feel to my skin. The best thing about this shower and bath oil is that it’s made with colloidal oatmeal, which is basically a whole bunch of oats ground down into powder that is really effective at soothing and comforting itchy, scratchy dry skin. And before you think to yourself, hmmm really oatmeal, like I have for breakfast, yummo! You can’t eat it. I checked…

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Nyal Eczema Relief Soap Wash

The soap wash seems to be more your traditional-styled eczema wash than the shower and bath oil. It’s comes across nice and mild so you can use it every day, and really seems to cleanse the skin well, leaving your hands feeling nice and soft. The soap wash has been great to me since I started using it, as I recently had a terrible run-in with a nasty massage oil that left my hands with a pretty severe rash for a week or so! Since then, most soaps seem to cause dry skin and eczema to hijack parts of my hand. Not fun. However, this new Nyal soap wash has never given me a problem with that, and I have the comfort of knowing that every time I use it I won’t be applying any soothing cream an hour later. I’ve found it a relief and a much loved addition to the bathroom.

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The other good news is, both of these products do not have any parabens in them which makes them even better for you, as these nasties have been linked to the development of breast cancer. They also don’t contain any lanolin, so our cute woollen friends aren’t contributing to our skin care and can remain woolly and warm throughout winter too!

So if you’re looking for a decent relieving soap or shower oil give the new Nyal range a shot as I really enjoyed using these products and will use them in the future, knowing that long hot showers are back on the menu for wintertime. Yes! Though as we know that skin types can differ, I do suggest you try them first if you have eczema or dry skin, and see how its works for you. I know I found them very helpful and good to use. You can find them at your local supermarket or chemist.

Review by Russell, boyfriend extraordinaire.

Be well,

xoxo

♥ Photo by Paul Monaghan/Ohhtography

I love tea. This can be proven by the following fact: currently there is a dodgy kettle in my apartment, every time my housemate or I switch it on it cuts the power to the rest of the house. The tea love is so strong, that it constantly overrides this knowledge of said dodgy kettle and I continue to try and try, failing every time and shutting off the power (which gets annoying after say, one time).

THANKFULLY, a new kettle is on the way. But for now I’m considering taking a step back about 25 years and boiling some water on the stove to make a delish cuppa.

I have been slowly incorporating more organic into my life lately, the idea that I’m putting a few less pesticides into my body is a good one, therefore I’m going to share with you my absolute fave organic teas today, and hopefully inspire some new pesty-free crushes in you too!

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♥ Endota Organic Teas

I have a giant crush on Endota, while we haven’t been lucky enough yet to have this day spa chain in Perth (though I am promised it will be here early 2012 in a CBD location!), their organic philosophy and natural, earthy treatments give me a brain buzz when I read about them!

I got to try two of these beautiful tea babes, lavender and rosehip – plus check out the box! Tea with a ribbon? Already got my heart. Having never tried LAVENDER tea before, I was pretty excited to get brewin’ late one winter night after a stressful day. It was a delicious soothing sip, and the rosehip tea? Fannnn-tastique, as always, rosehip is so good for you and really tangy & tasty. There is a generous amount of tea packed into the box as well, but you will need a teapot with strainer or some kind of infuser as it’s loose leaf.

My pick is the T2 Small Mesh Tong, it serves me well.

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♥ Clipper Decaffeinated Green Tea

I’ve previously written about this tea. Lurve lurve lurve! It’s decaf so you can drink it at any time of the day or night. My daily ritual is to turn up to work, boil the kettle, brew a cup of this and then settle into my day. I will usually drink 1-2 cups per day, but if you drink 3+ you will see incredible benefits to your skin.

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♥ T2 Organic Teas

T2 also has a new range of organic teas which I’ve checked out a few times and I think it’s great that they’re expanding their range to incorporate more organic. They have a beaut looking lemongrass & ginger tea that will soon be vying for space on my already overflowing shelf – delicious and purrrfect for keeping sniffles at bay!

In closing: tea is a total babe who can make you feel amazing for minimal bucks, certified organic tea is even better so if you haven’t already got some in your life, I reckon you should jump on the ideas above, or seek out some other varieties and organically warm up with some delish liquids! x

What are your favourite teas?

Do you have any organic? Let me know! I love to chat tea 😀

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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You know those times when all you and your skin crave is just a little nurture and comfort – enter ‘Franc Essential’.

Franc are a West Australian company based in Darlington. They make stunning face and body care products without any chemicals or any other yukky harsh stuff. This is why not only are they treatments for your skin, but also work like aromatherapy and are good for the soul.

I live a very busy life and get up at 4am for my current gig and often go to bed late. My poor face was in need of a bit of TLC, hello ‘Franc Serum’! RRP $72

It’s an intense skin rescue that hydrates and helps to stave off the introduction of those pesky fine lines. Silky and indulgent, it goes a long way so you only need to use the smallest amount. From the first use my skin was glowing and my nerves calmed. In its all consuming aroma I can smell lavender, rose & geranium. It’s calming, healing and just beautiful.

The list of ingredients is like a gorgeous summer menu, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, carrot & macadamia oils and more! It’s got to be jammed packed of vitamins! However as this product is made of oils if your skin is more on the oily side this is not for you.

Now on to my next point – are times when you feel yourself flagging? Well crumple no more my lovelies! These days I just reach for my ‘Lemongrass Balancing Mist’ RRP $18 and give myself a big ol’ pickup!

Reminiscent of day spa’s I’ve visited in Asia this uplifting spray is best carried around in your handbag or the top drawer of your desk. It would also be a skin life saver when flying, making you the envy of the other passengers! On top of being a great pick me up it also prepares your skin to make your moisturiser more effective – clever little thing!

So give your skin and your soul a lift and support a fabulous West Australian company – Franc Essential.

Review by Kristy Mollica freelance TV and radio presenter, lover of girl power, farmers markets & things that are so totally not beige!