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Wrap up of the past week: Outdoor cinema picnics, Christmas, Holidays!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! I hope you had an amazing time with family, friends or yourself, and that your wellbeing hasn’t suffered toooo much over the silly season 🙂

Outdoor Cinema Picnics

Behold above, a little picnic feast that I took to go and see Crazy, Stupid, Love (Ryan Gosling anyone?) at the Moonlight Cinemas in Kings Park.

It’s such a gorgeous setup, all nature-y and very relaxing, hopefully I can get down there again sometime soon. The picnic feast included: pikelets with preservative free jam, pitted kalamata olives, fruit salad, raw apple juice (the BEST!) and my friend brought along banana bread, water crackers and apricots and cream cheese salad. Love me a healthy feast 🙂

Christmas (and amazing Christmas candles!)

I wish I’d written about this gorgeous festive scented candle prior to Christmas so everyone could have run out and picked one up!

The White Christmas Candle by Palm Beach Collection smells in-cred-ible and I’ve been burning it non-stop since December 1. It’s a soy candle scented with orange, cinnamon and clove, with 80 hours burn-time and is guaranteed to melt the heart of even the most hardened grinch. Pictured above lighting up our $5 tree! The candle retails for $37.95.

Presents!

While giving presents is better than getting… getting is still pretty good! This Xmas I swooped a lot of awesome goodies, including:

♥ Super-cute brown vegan-leather bag with bow! I’m going to be rocking this hard next year when I go to school, it’s perfect for carrying a few books! From Herbivore Clothing (I don’t think they stock it anymore, but it’s a fantastic website for vegan goods)
The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science – I’ve wanted to read this for a while now, it’s all about neuroplasticity and how the brain can change at any time to overcome previous limitations, such as depression, anxiety, and even strokes.
12 Month Frankie Magazine Subscription – yay! I will be knowledgeable on all things indie & cute for the next year.
♥ Organic chocolate covered macadamias.
♥ $60 voucher for Bodhi J Day Spa – this will be going towards a much needed massage 🙂
♥ Money towards a term worth of yoga classes.
♥ Oil burner + ‘study’ oil which I’ll need for next year!
♥ Some jewellery with stones that are useful for focusing on study. (not pictured)
♥ 2 different caffeine free teas and a really cute floral mug to drink them from!
♥ An Endota ‘Massage Magic’ value pack (thanks Endota!)
♥ A book on smoothies and juices (not pictured)
♥ A copy of Russh magazine (not pictured)
Kit Cosmetics Cheek & Lip Tint (not pictured)

So I think it’s fair to say I cleaned up! Lots of wellness goodies in there too so I’m very pleased 🙂 I also gave some great gifts which were received with smiles and hugs, which was the best!

What did you get/give for christmas? Share your highlights below!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Haley Thompson, Peachy Clean Organic Beauty / STM Social Writer.

First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

Well hello! My name is Haley but I get called Peachy-my nanna was called Pinky as she only ever wore Pink…not just any pink ‘HOT’ Pink! From head to toe! She knew what she loved and so do I. I’m a total nerd for organic skincare! Give me a Friday night researching the effects of things like bromonitrodioxane and diethanolamine and I’m one content little peach! I’m one of those annoying people who won’t let you pull a tube of Lucas Paw Paw ointment out of your pocket without giving you a 15 minute speech on why it’s so toxic- I’ll then make you buy an organic replacement before I let you out of my sight (here’s one we reviewed earlier – Ed.)…I’m also one of those people you call 2 days later saying “thank god you converted me to natural products-I look and feel so much better” ha!

I’ve been a Television Presenter, Radio Announcer, Columnist and MC for the last 10 years so I’ve used a lot of products in that time. I can honestly say that since learning about and switching to natural products-my skin has never been so clear, hydrated and smooth. My passion is my new business Peachy Clean Organic Beauty Boutique! I have personally tried every single product on the site and only sell the brands I find really luxurious and effective!

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

My daily beauty routine is a total treat! I’m lucky I get to wake when the sun is peeping through the trees (and not to some loud beeping-although I do occasionally wake to some loud snoring thanks to my boyfriend!) I believe a good nights sleep and plenty of water are two of the best beauty treatments you can get-but who really ever gets enough of either?

That’s where good skin care comes in. In the morning I use the Vanessa Megan Organic Rose Spray to freshen up and throughout the day I can’t live without my Savi Organic Pomegranate and Passionflower face mist (you can’t get too much of a good thing and a beautiful face mist is definitely a good thing!).

In the shower I love the Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash (It feels like whipped cream and leaves your skin so silky), Vanessa Megan Love Scrub (with rose and lavender petals um-mar it’s good!) usually followed by my Sodashi face care routine of-Rejuvenating Concentrate, Clay Cleanser with Lavender (just the best clay cleanser available!), Calming Rose Face Mist (yes-more mist!), Rejuvenating Face and Neck Moisturiser and either Sodashi Vanilla Body Butter or Vanessa Megan Peruvian Flower Body Moisturiser. My skin care is so natural that if I ever got stranded on an island I could eat it!

What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

My favourite beauty treatment is an all over exfoliation with just 3 drops of Sodashi Rejuvenating Concentrate. Just a little of this liquid gem goes a long way and after using it on my face, I use the rest of the mixture to exfoliate from head to toe (using my Dr Hauschka Organic Cotton Compress)-it’s the only product that is as gentle on your face as it is tough on dry legs and heels! Seriously-it’s a miracle treatment that takes place right in my own bathroom. You should wear a cape and wave a little wand while using it (a ‘Ta-Da!’ is optional but always encouraged).

Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

For years I have searched and spent outrageous amounts of money on fancy hair salons with big advertising campaigns and now I’m finally satisfied! One of my best friends is Natasha Walker-an amazing at home hairdresser and getting my hair done is now fun. A good chat and then whip your hair over the laundry sink before driving home with your head hanging out the car window like a pampered puppy! She listens and has saved me a small fortune too!

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

The best and cheapest beauty treatment is so simple. Be grateful, be loving and be kind. Flip everything on it’s head and be positive. The most beautiful people in the world are happy people. Corny-but so true! Be as healthy as you can but also realise you can’t do everything right all the time-switching to natural skin care is an effortless way to make sure you’re doing something healthy for your body everyday.

Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Just three?? I’m a total product addict-you should see my bathroom cabinet and bedside table! I can’t live without my Savi Pomegranate and Passionflower face mist (I keep it in the fridge on hot days), Sodashi rejuvenating concentrate and the certified organic Eco Tan fake tan-it doesn’t smell or stain and contains chocolate as an ingredient! It gives the most amazing bronze colour. (My 4th would be a beautiful Floriosa soy candle burning in the living room-my fave is the Blackcurrant, Rose Petal and Nectarine-that’s one helluva candle! I have one burning right now!).

Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Definitely! I only use ALL-natural products. The preservatives in most ‘commercial’ skin care actively dry your skin out and cause fine lines and skin irritations. Ever used a lip balm only to feel like you need to keep applying? It’s the parabens (preservative) that dry your lips out! When your lips are so dry, the feeling of putting the balm on your lips makes you feel like it’s working when it’s actually what’s causing the problem! It’s such a mean cycle-and it’s the same in most moisturisers and cleansers. Natural products are the only way to treat the largest organ of your body (your skin) if you want genuine long lasting results. The medicinal Organic Soothing Cream has done wonders to reverse skin irritations caused by sub-par products on many friends! If you have dry or itchy skin problems I recommend it.

What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

I would love to go on a retreat for a few days. Massages, good food, peace and more massages! They get so pricey though! Using luxury products, even just a nice hand cream or room spray is how I bring the day spa to me! It’s important to treat yourself!

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I’m terrible in the mornings-before I notice it’s 1pm and I haven’t had breakfast and then I usually have a massive meal at bedtime! It’s not a good habit so I’m currently sorting it out by having protein shakes with chia seeds and blueberries in the morning, a bigger lunch and then eating lots of fish and veggies for dinner. I naturally prefer healthy foods (nutritionist and cookbook author Janella Purcell is my kindred food spirit-I totally recommend her books – Janella Purcell’s Elixir: How to Use Food as Medicine
) but I don’t deny myself either! I love a fancy champagne and if you take cheese away from me I cry! You gotta enjoy yourself too 😉 (my ‘happy people are beautiful” comment earlier justifies me being naughty whenever I want ha ha!)

Describe your fitness routine.

My fitness routine is…a little on the whimsical and inconsistent side! I live near the beach so I go for a big walk along the coast daily or just as often as I can-it’s just so good for my heart and my head. I sing quite loudly and often skip and grin like an idiot the whole way. It’s great when you smile at someone, then they smile, then someone else smiles back-it’s contagious! It makes looking a bit silly totally worth it!

Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

I try to use food as medicine (my fave nutritionist Janella Purcell has an amazing book called ‘Elixer‘ about this). Your body responds so well to nature! I try to enjoy as many superfoods as I can every day! I do love to get regular massages-I take my own Savi Organic Wellbeing Massage Oil with me to ensure I get a natural treatment-even the masseuse now buys it to use on other clients!

How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

A head to toe beauty treat using products that I know are good for me and smell like heaven in a jar relaxes me every time! I also love to cook and potter in the veggie patch! My boyfriend and I treat ourselves to some fun when we can too-camping in Esperance or a sunset with some oysters and bubbly never fails to re-boot the system and remind you that little worries are never as important as being loved, being healthy and having a giggle!

Thanks to Haley for taking time out of her super busy schedule to have a chat with us and share her deliciously natural routine! 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

Mega Christmas Giveaway: 10 x Gift Packs from LUSH!!!

♥ ♥ ♥

We love you, we love you, we love you! To show our appreciation for the love, support, comments, questions and likes over the past year, we’ve teamed up with Lush to make your chrissy extra sweet n gifty.

Lush have an amazing range of limited edition christmas themed treats and glorious gift-packs, ranging from the perfect secret santa present, to the ultimate love inducing goodie boxes.

Christmas Tweets – $24.95

First up, we’ve got 5 x Christmas Tweets packs to give away. The pack includes:

Three Gold Rings bubble bar
Tiny Hands solid hand serum
60g Snowcake Soap (in a star shape)
Butterball ballistic

Yummy!

A Few of My Favourite Things – $29.50

The second offering under the e-christmas tree is 5 x ‘A Few of My Favourite Things‘ packs! This box includes:

100g The Jilted Elf shower jelly
♥ 100g Gloog shower gel
100g Candy Cane soap
100g Snow Globe soap

How good do both of the prizes look?!! I am in love with both of them.

To WIN one of the 10 prizes on offer, and be the happiest elf this side of the North Pole (or are they unhappy there because they’re working all the time?) all you need to do is:

1. Like Wellness WA on Facebook.
2. Leave a comment below with why you’d like to win!
3. Cross your fingers and give the person closest to you a big hug. (Optional)

The ten best answers will be drawn on the 14th December! Please note that winners will randomly receive one of the above, but they are both fantastic so never fear 🙂

Please note that there is no guarantee that the prizes will arrive before the 25th December. We will certainly do our best though!

Best of luck to you all, Merry Christmas, and heres to a brilliant festive season and new year!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Beauty and Wellbeing Crushes: My Current Skincare Heroes!

Hola amigos! I thought today I’d share with you some of the products that I’ve been using pretty religiously over the last few months. I’m very lucky to be able to try a whole host of different skincare and beauty products, however when I find something that I keep reaching for, I know I’m onto a winner.

These four products have been keeping my skin very clear and glowy recently, along with the supplements that my naturopath has prescribed me.

So here we go!

Ren ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Cleanser

This cleanser is marvelous for combination skins like mine. A lot of the time when I see clay cleansers I think “Ack, too drying” but this isn’t the case with the Clearcalm, it’s very gentle. The 3 is in the product name because it’s meant to work on the three areas of breakout formation – excess sebum, buildup of dead cells and blemish causing bacteria. I’d have to say I agree! Am totally loving it and reccommend it whole-heartedly! Especially when used in conjuction with…

Clarisonic Mia

As previously mentioned, I feel that this is the major reason my skin has been so good to me lately. Breakouts have SERIOUSLY diminished and my skin is smoother than it has been…well, forever. Used twice a day it has my skin beaming (be careful not to use it on any active pimples (the ones with any pus in them…!) though, as it can spread the bacteria and cause more zits. Once they’ve settled a bit it’s fine! The Clarisonic is also the perfect precurser to…

Rosehip oil

I’m always raving about rosehip oil, it can do no wrong in my eyes! Once my skin is smooth and clear from the above two steps, I massage three drops of RHO into my skin at night (I prefer an SPF moisturiser during the day). It works it’s miracles overnight… and in the morning I wake up with even clearer and glowy-er skin. Seriously a miracle prod! It’s packed with vitamin c, and reduces scars, dryness, pimples and even works on oily skin. WHAT CAN’T IT DO? Well it can’t make you a green smoothie unfortunately, but I hear it’s in the pipeline.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

When I want to mix things up a bit and give my skin a break from the Clarisonic, this is my go to. It’s a rice-based enzyme powder which you add water to, then apply to your face for some at-home microdermabrasion! It’s really helpful for brightening and smoothing the skin, and works particularly well on any breakout/blackhead prone areas due to the salicylic acid content (pimple kryptonite). It’s a cult beauty product the world over, and I love it too.


Flashbacks

90 Minute Gem Inspiration Massage @ Cove Spa – super dreamy, christmas is coming and this would make an AMAZING gift!

Echolife Facial Mist Giveaway! – just in time for summer… get into our latest comp!

Product Review: OPI Muppet Collection – Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang are waiting to hang out on your hands and toes.

Restaurant Review: Yongs Green Food, Melbourne – Take a trip interstate to this incredible restaurant that’s worth the airfare in itself.

Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Jade Jurewicz, Wellness WA Contributor – One of our most popular articles of ALL TIME! Find out why so many people want to read about Jade’s fabulous wellness routine.

Much love to everyone!

What are your favourite skincare heroes at the moment?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Bali Day Spa Review: Away Spa, W Retreat and Spa, Bali – Seminyak.

For those who are in the knoW, W Hotels are a chain of worldwide luxury hotels. When I first heard of them, I was intrigued to read that celebrities Heidi Klum and Seal had stayed at the newly opened W Hotel in Bali, Seminyak (where we stayed). From then on, I was very eager to try out the treatments on offer at the on premises amazing sound beauty and wellness centre, the ‘Away Spa‘ and receive some star treatment! I was pleasantly surprised, I was Whisked away by the atmosphere and facilities they have on offer.

Located on the ground level of W Retreat is the exotic looking entrance to the spa. “Whatever, Whenever” is their motto and it’s no wonder because it’s open 24/7 and is the first of it’s kind. The path to the spa is surrounded by water and colourful stones imprinted with “wish” and “hope” which is what W hotels is about, little surprises that delight! The friendly staff greet us as we step in the door and soon after we are introduced to our individual therapists before our 4 hour long appointment. The only requirement for our Pimp Me Up package is “dress to impress and we do the rest”, and they certainly took care of the rest, because for the next 4 hours we were treated to something very special.

As I look around the brightly lit blue massage room, there are robes and slippers prepared for us in the corner. There are two massage tables on a platform infront, and shower facilities behind. After changing into a robe, my therapist asks me to choose 6 out of 10 coloured bottles. These bottles are filled with aromatherapy oils to be used in the massage. After 5 blissful days in Bali, I felt refreshed and energised so I pick 6 vibrant colours, which turn out to be the most zesty scents. I chose a bright orange that smelt like an orange being spritzed into a bottle. This playful little gesture of picking colours added another element to the W spa experience. My therapist made sure to check with me that each scent was okay before applying the oils to my body. Uncertain about the bright blue light at first, I quickly get used to it after the first few minutes of my soothing 90 minute aromatherapy massage.

After a few refreshments the therapist explains to me what is next – the very luxurious Diamond Dust Scrub. The Diamond Dust Scrub is made from actual diamond dust particles and is an exclusive blend. At first it felt quite cold but further into it the scrub was invigorating. My therapist scrubbed my body from head to toe, front and back. A short time later, I stepped into a nice hot shower and rinsed off the scrub, I could still see flecks of diamonds on my skin and it shimmered in the blue light.

Next step in our pimping process, a 24-karat gold wrap. Yes you heard (read) right, a blend of 24-karat gold in a hydrating lotion, massaged on to our exfoliated skin to add moisture while experiencing a bit of glitz and glamour. When the therapist slathered the gold wrap on to my skin, I snuck a peek at my arm and I could see flecks of gold and squealed excitedly to myself. The lotion had a thick consistency and felt soft on my skin was massaged over my entire body. After about 20 minutes I rinsed off (yes shock horror!) the gold lotion in the shower. Hoping that not all the gold had gone down the drain, I came out of the shower and noticed my skin had gold flecks and it was shimmering in the light. A truly unique experience! It’s also good to know that the blend of ingredients in W’s own scrubs and lotions are 100% natural.

Some of the products used in our treatment.

After the whole body treatments, my face was treated to a Bright Eyes facial using a mixture of Priori and W’s products. The Priori range of anti-aging products contain ingredients that are ideal for cleansing and exfoliating the skin and they used a moisturiser that protects and hydrates for more than 8 hours. The Priori eye-serum firms and boosts weary and tired eyes, rich in spirulina, witch hazel and comfrey extracts, thus the Bright Eyes name (not to be confused with the band). A spritz of the ‘Away’ facial mist in a lavender scent to finish the facial, refreshing and light, they also sell the products to take home with you in the salon.

Some of the heavenly face mists.

At last when I opened my eyes, I felt like a goddess that had just woken from a deep slumber, refreshed and rejuvenated. Our therapists took such care with our hands and feet and gave us the most amazing manicure and pedicure using OPI colours. Words can’t even describe how I was feeling after 4 hours of indulgence, it was a truly one of a kind experience.

One of the lovely therapists.

To top off the 5 star treatment, we were served gourmet style tapas in the spa’s dining room accompanied by a choice of a smoothie, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.

And if you thought that wasn’t enough, the spa also has a hot stone bath and cold jet set vitality pool to keep your relaxed, so you don’t have to stop there.

With an extensive list of treatments offered there are endless possibilities at Away Spa & Retreat in Seminyak/Bali, and you’ll come out feeling like a million bucks, (or literally worth a million bucks after the over the top gold wrap!) it is certainly worth the trip.

W also provide the SWEAT Fitness Centre which is also open 24/7. The gym is fully equipped with treadmills, cross-trainers, weight machines, yoga mats and speed ropes for gym junkies that like to go on holiday and keep up with their exercise routine. They also offer personal trainers as part of their Whatever/Whenever service at any time of day. Where else can you get that kind of service?

I would like to extend my gratitude to W hotels and their absolute commitment and accommodating staff and Wellness WA for giving me the opportunity to review this wonderful spa, an ideal escape for a honeymoon or a getaway with a girlfriend for a well deserved break.

AWAY® Spa
Ambience: Sophisticated and Luxurious
Spa Dining: Light Snacks and Drinks at Chill Bar and Decompression Lounge
Special Facilities: 5 Treatment Rooms, 2 Spa Suites, Nail Lounge, and Hair Salon
Spa Hours: 24 Hour
Cost: 4,600,000 aka roughly $495 AUD
More Information: Pimp Me Up

Have you ever been to a spa in Bali? Any other recommendations for us? Share your knowledge below!

Review by Kelly-Anne, newly awakened Balinese princess. Photos by Tegan Taudigani.

Be well,

xoxo