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Thoughtful birthday present definition; the act of finding the perfect balance between sentimental, exciting and budget pleasing gifts. Or an alternative definition; an extremely difficult task. However, last night I was lucky enough to bear witness to my friend Amy completing this difficult task and presenting me the perfect birthday present- an Indian cooking class at Latasha’s Kitchen.

If you are anything like me, a lover of Indian food with the desire to replicate the authentic mouth watering smells in your kitchen, yet after reading the long and intricate essay that is the recipe you decide a store bought paste isn’t really that bad…. then this cooking class is for you! Whilst the ingredient lists are on the unique, longer side and you may not have the spices waiting on your spice shelf next to the oregano and cinnamon, it’s nothing that quick trip down to Liquorice in Claremont, Kakulas Bros in Northbridge or if you’re game an Indian supermarket, can’t quickly and cheaply solve.

And believe me, using the authentic and unique ingredients makes a huge difference both to the final taste and the satisfaction you will receive when the aromas are wafting around your kitchen (and your housemate or boyfriend start to linger in the curries’ vicinity like an impatient cat waiting to be fed).

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At 6.00pm we were greeted by Latasha herself, a passionate and knowledgeable Indian woman, with a huge and contagious smile on her face (probably from eating amazing food all day!). After the five of us were led into the back kitchen the class commenced and Latasha constructed 5 delicious meals in front of our eyes. From the toasting and grinding of aromatic spices, the adding of what seemed like buckets full of vibrant (very hot) fresh chilli’s, that unmistakable smell of sautéing onion, garlic and ginger taunting our senses and being introduced to new ingredients (one of which smelt like socks worn with your oldest but most favourite boots all day) I was taught the secrets of Indian cooking.

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It is now safe to say I will never purchase a store bought curry paste again (unless it’s a freshly made one that can be purchased in store at Latasha’s Kitchen of course). There was so much love that went into Latasha’s family, home-style recipes and the demonstration flew by as she made us laugh with her stories from her younger days in India. At the end of the class we sat down, now sporting Latasha’s huge smile on our faces, with our thali of curries, saffron rice and eggplant pickle. The curries were spicy, rich and delicious and I was surprised at how healthy the cooking methods and ingredients were, no greasy, oil laden curries here!

I would highly recommend the vegetarian cooking class at Latasha’s kitchen, I left with an impressive amount of Indian cuisine knowledge and a very full stomach! However I must unfortunately highlight two downsides. Firstly all friends and family have begun requesting that I replicate the delicious meals Latasha created and inviting themselves to dinner and secondly you must wait for 3 hours in the mouth-watering smelling kitchen as the food cooks before you get to taste the food, but believe me it is well worth the wait.

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(Left to right: South Indian Sambhar, Eggplant Kasaundi, Butternut Pumpkin Masala, Mix Vegetable Pal Khari and Saffron Rice)

Where: Latashas Kitchen, 745 Newcastle St Leederville
What: Vegetarian Indian cooking class
How much: $130 for a night of learning to prepare (then devour) a vegetarian feast!
More details: http://www.latashaskitchen.com.au/

Review by future Indian dinner-party queen, Jade Jurewicz (http://jadescinnamon.tumblr.com

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Does anyone remember those fairy shops that you used to visit for birthday parties when you were little? They were such magical places, always playing calming music, they smelt incredible, everything looked all crystal-y and beautiful and you got a feeling while you were in there that a very special secret had been bestowed upon you and that you were in fact an ACTUAL fairy. And that this was the secret. The secret you must take to the grave.

Well there is now a skincare range that has bottled that special feeling. It’s called AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare) and their three phase skincare range (Renew, Rebalance, Replenish) uses ‘spagyric tinctures of crystal energies together with the waveforms of colour’ to create products that will make your outsides look good and your insides feel harmonious and nurtured. ‘Crystal energies’- that’s JUST like the fairies!!!

Random drawing of fairy for extra emphasis.

Ok, let’s put the pause on the fairies (BUT ONLY FOR A MOMENT) and talk about the nuts and bolts. Despite having an inbuilt magical aura about them, do these products work? I tried the AEOS Gentle Exfoliant and the AEOS Energising Conditioner from the Renew and Rebalance lines respectively and I am pleased to say that despite the amount of times I have mentioned the f-word in this article they really are very well researched, very seriously good products.

AEOS Gentle Exfoliant (blue) 30ml – $59

The exfoliant contains Spelt, in the form of the Aura-Soma biodynamic oil which contains a high concentration of Vitamin E and leaves your skin feeling moisturized after giving it a gentle scrub. My skin had been feeling really dry to the point where I could actually feel dry patches emerging (ew) and after three days of using this they were g-o-n-e. To my delight!

AEOS Energising Conditioner 30ml – $89

The real winner though is the Energizing Conditioner. This. Smells. Amazing. It smells purely magical and fairy-like (THEY”RE BACK) and I just can’t get enough. Putting some of this clear lightweight liquid on after washing your face feels like putting on a layer of contact, the kind you cover books with, on your face. That’s how smooth it feels. Seriously contact was the only analogy I could use that comes close to how smooth it feels. Except not plastic, of course.

These products just feel so special that you want to cherish them so it comes as no surprise to me that on the back of each bottle it says ‘made with love and intention’, it just gives you a warm feeling inside. Like the fairy shops did when I was little, at last I can have that feeling back!

Available online via http://www.begenkishop.com and from Karma Living (there is a store in the Claremont Quarter shopping mall) stores nationally.

Please also visit their website to read about their awesome bio-dynamic farm where they grow most of their ingredients. That are then handpicked by fairies. Probably.

Review by Adriane Daff.

Be well,

xoxo

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

I am a professional actor and am currently based in WA. I am also a co-director in an entertainment booking agency called Big Sky Entertainment WA, representing bands, tribute bands, solo artists, duos, trios, jazz, rock, magicians, comedians, burlesque, fight performers etc etc. I am married and have two children, 6 years and 17 months.

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I am pretty fastidious when it comes to a beauty routine both morning and night. Saying that, having small children I have had to make sure I get it down to 5 minutes as time is of the essence these days! For the last 5 years I have pretty much used an American line called ‘Paulas Choice‘. Paula Begoun is an incredible lady who has dedicated her life to researching beauty products and makeup lines all over the world. She is meticulous in her research and has written some wonderful books reviewing the products. She has also developed her own, amazing line of beauty products.

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

I do love a good glycolic peel…..being on the move all the time I don’t tend to stick with one particular beauty therapy, although whenever I can I do love to use Keturah Day Spas.

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

I do stick to my favourite hair salon – Lee Preston Hairdressers in South Perth. They have an incredible team who have provided me with the best cut and styles I have ever had done. They are also a very happy bunch and always seem to be on time – I have never had to wait once!

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Paulas Choice BHA lotion (pictured above)

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Paulas Choice cleansers, BHA products and night moisturiser.

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

Take the 5 min morning and night beauty routine to spend on yourself – not a long time but it makes all the difference in a hectic schedule. I also love ‘my time’ at the gym – I am addicted to spin classes!

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

One of those total spa wellness indulgence packages would be amazing one day….!

Yoghurt!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Muesli and yoghurt for breakfast, coffee and fruit/nuts for mid morning snack, tuna and salad roll for lunch, fruit in the afternoon and either fish or chicken with vegetables for dinner. I am a yoghurt freak so dessert would probably consist of one of my favourite varieties.

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

An ideal week would be to speed walk 50min 3 times a week, spin classes twice a week, and body pump twice a week.

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

My husband is a professional actor as well and also a massage therapist so I try and squeeze in a massage with him when I can.

Thanks Rebecca for taking the time to share your routine with us!

Be well,

xoxo

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Hear ye, hear ye… the winners from our wonderful Amazing Face competition have been announced and the lucky ladies who are going to be swanning around town with the most amazing of faces are….

♥ Louise Sandow!

♥ Kathy Laws!

I will be emailing you both to organise delivery of this prize and I can tell, you’re going to LOVE it!

To everyone else who entered, thank you so much, we have another competition starting in a week or that will get your skin glowing – so stay tuned!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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The myfaceworks face masks have got tailoring to your specific skin concerns down pat. These cute little packets contain a cloth mask which is brimming with ingredients to get your skin on the road to… well, wherever you like!

♥ I need to… detox

The other day I was quite naughty. A gingerbread man, small packet of chips and chocolate bar had all mysteriously made their way into my tummy and I most definitely needed some damage control. A hot bath, freshly cleansed face and detox mask (which is packed full of green tea, cucumber and algae extracts) put me back on the road to recovery quicksmart. If you drink a cuppa green tea while wearing this mask you’ll see even greater benefits to your skin!

♥ I need to… wake up

This Vitamin-C Radiance Mask is perfect for weekend breakfast dates with your girlfriends or boy-friends! Here’s what I like to do:

1. Stumble out of bed, gasping in mild horror at my bleary eyes & dull skin
2. Cleanse with warm water and a gentle face wash (it shouldn’t need to be too harsh in the morning if you remember to take your makeup off the night before!)
3. Tear open the packet and apply to face, this mask has aloe vera, kiwi fruit and loads of Vitamin C
4. Lie back in bed for 15-20 minutes while the mask does its thang and try not to fall back to sleep
5. Peel mask off and rinse off excess serum
6. Marvel at the difference 20 minutes and a winner of a mask can make
7. Rock up to breakfast date with a glow and accept admiration from all angles!

♥ I need… a quickie

With a name like “I need a quickie”, this mask guarantees satisfaction in the shortest possible time. Ingredients include cucumber, grape and radish root and is a pre-makeup express mask. The only thing that confuses me about this one is that the instructions still say 15-20 minutes, same as the others, so it isn’t really any quicker, but it is perfeccct to use before a big night out as it primes the skin and makes your makeup go on smashingly well!

♥ I need to… heal

I haven’t had a chance to use this mask yet as I luckily haven’t had the need, but if you’ve been a naughty little duck and spent too much time at the beach or playing sport and have a burnt face to show for it, THIS IS YOUR GO TO!

Containing 2.6 bucketloads of aloe vera & cucumber juice, this will be just the thing to soothe your red cheeks should you be so silly enough to forget to slip, slop, slap.

The myfaceworks masks come in an even bigger range than I’ve featured here, it’s a choose your own face mask adventure series which also include such flavours as:

♥ I need to… be firm
♥ I need… a clear day
♥ I need to… bring out my youth
♥ I need… damage control

AND MORE!

Check ’em all out at Beauty Works West Australia but be warned – you’ll find it hard to pick just one!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo