♥

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

I’m a wife to a very busy husband (Channel 7 Sports Presenter, Basil Zempilas) and mum to a very busy little bee, my 15 month old daughter Ava. I also have a blog called Absolute Amy which I started a few months ago. I cover everything from recipes, beauty, travel, motherhood, fashion and lifestyle.

♥

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I start my day with a gentle cleanser, I just started using Q Silica which recently won a Best Overall Skincare award in the UK. It’s made from all natural ingredients which I love. I then use Garnier BB Cream which is essentially 3 products in 1. It provides a light coverage, sunscreen and moisturiser and creates a really subtle, fresh glow. I then use concealer for under my eyes, Australis Killer Curves mascara, MAC Blush in Desert Rose and Lancome Juicy Tubes lip gloss in Melon (Available on StrawberryNET).

Before I go to bed, I use La Prairie eye cream and Seven Wonders Argan Oil serum which contains antioxidants and Vitamin E , I’ve just started using it and have been very impressed with the results. I wake up and my skin feels super smooth and hydrated.

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

I really love to have my nails done, I don’t quite feel dressed or ‘finished’ if my nails aren’t polished. I usually head to Stylish Nails in Mount Hawthorn to get them done.

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

I go to Le Chic in Nedlands, Ranj and Mackenzie are both amazing colourists and stylists. I always leave completely happy with my hair. They’re the best!

♥

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I absolutely love using Lavender oil, which you can find in the local supermarket. It has so many uses; from sprinkling a few drops onto my pillow at night, to popping a few drops onto a warm flannel to soothe my skin. I always take this with me when I travel as it can be used on bites and stings, as an antiseptic, and a few drops in the bath creates an immediate day spa sensation.

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

It’s so difficult to narrow it down to just three! I have to say that I have used Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat under my eyes since I was about 17. It’s the ultimate concealer for dark circles.

I also couldn’t live without lip balm, I have quite a collection but I have to say that Lucas Paw Paw ointment is my favourite.

My third product would have to be The Body Shop’s Japanese Cherry Blossom Shower gel, the smell is out of this world! It’s so clean and fresh and yummy and it also has great sentimental value as I used it when I was in labour with Ava, so it brings back wonderful memories.

♥

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

It might sound predictable, but I try to get enough sleep, eat well, fit in some exercise and drink lots of water. If I’m feeling tired or run down, bronzer and a big smile usually helps me look and feel better.

♥ Pool view at Gwinganna Health Retreat

♥ 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 to a beautiful health retreat, even for a weekend. I have it on my list of things to do.

♥

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I start my day pretty early, sometimes around 5.30am and I usually make myself a coffee. I then have either a bowl of oatmeal with honey or share some toast and fruit with my daughter. Lunch is generally a sandwich, veggie slice or rice crackers with cheese, avocado and tomato. Afternoon tea is fruit and cheese with my daughter and I usually cook a healthy dinner for my hubby and I, something like Tuna & Veggie Pasta or a stir fry. Every night I indulge in a Whittakers coconut mini slab, I love chocolate and have found that it’s pointless to try and deny myself – it’s all about moderation and I really look forward to my little treat after dinner.

♥

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

As much as I’d love to, I don’t get time to go to any classes or the gym, but I do make an effort to walk to the local park at least a couple of times a week with my daughter. That as well as housework seems to keep me pretty fit. I would love to fit in a yoga class, I did pregnancy yoga with Ava and it was just amazing – it really helped with my breathing for childbirth.

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

I take a multi vitamin every day, and also see a chiropractor every 6 – 8 weeks.

♥

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

I love having candles scattered through my house and will burn one every night as away to wind down. I also love to have a cup of lemongrass and ginger tea every night, it’s so delicious and soothing. On the weekends I indulge in a glass of red, which is always a great way to relax!

Thanks to Amy for taking time out of her super busy schedule to share her routine with us!

If you have any questions, please leave them below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

♥ POBM Gals ♥

This Sunday just passed was the culmination of months of organising and planning, the result? The first Perth Online Beauty Media event! So what exactly is POBM? Well it’s a group of girls (no guys…yet!) from Perth / WA who blog and write online content related to beauty and wellbeing. There’s plenty of us, and it was high time that we all stepped out from behind our respective computer screens and got together for an afternoon of networking and strengthening of the online beauty media industry in WA.

It was an amazing day, held at the gorgeous Djurra Day Spa in Fremantle, with healthy raw food pizza and sweets provided by The Raw Kitchen and beautifying drinks by Emma & Toms. A host of other generous sponsors supplied items for the goodie bags (links below)!

I’ve decided to share some of the less formal photos, scroll down and check out the behind the scenes action, as well as a whole heap of blog posts from our attendees which go into a bit more detail! Enjoy!

Find out what everyone else though with this amazing array of blog posts below!

♥ Dempeaux – Perth Online Beauty Media #POBM
♥ Amgoorie – Perth Online Beauty Media #POBM & haul post!
♥ Creatures of Commonplace – POBM, way better than CHOGM
♥ Beautifully Glossy – Perth Online Beauty Media Event – POBM!
♥ Don’t you know April Rose? – Perth Online Beauty Media Event
♥ Dont they know who I am? – Perth Online Beauty Media Event – watch us creep out from behind our computers!
♥ Beauty in the Sky – POBM girls are doing it for themselves!
♥ Beauty Down Under – POBM – Perth’s Online Beauty Meet Up
♥ Coveted Canvas – Perth Online Beauty Media Event
♥ Bride in White – POBM

Hope you enjoyed checking them out! 🙂 Can’t wait for the next event.

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

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

I’m a fashion blogger, freelance journalist and law student from Perth, WA. Writing and fashion have always been my two passions, and now I am able to indulge them through the same avenue! My blog, Bonnie Friday focuses on mainly Western Australian designers, boutiques and personalities. Recently I was flown to New York to cover New York Fashion Week for Nokia and Elle.com! Since then I have realized that fashion media is what I really want to get into. Now all I have to do is chase the opportunities!

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I’m a person who is starved for time. Between working, studying and trying to build a journalism/styling portfolio, I don’t have time for a lengthy beauty routine. In the shower I use Bliss body wash which I bought in New York and a Nivea facial toner. After my morning shower I moisturize with an Olay cream and if my skin needs a little bit of extra TLC I use a Lancome moisturizing and de-stressing gel or the SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 gel. In the evening I repeat my shower beauty routine and cleanse my face with a Clearasil cleanser. I also use the Garnier eye roll-on day and night to control puffy circles.

♥

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

I can’t live without eyebrow shaping. I believe it’s a simple treatment that can make a huge difference when it comes to framing your face. I have my eyebrows shaped at the Benefit Eyebrow bar in Myer. The ladies there take it seriously and are really professional. I’ve never been anything less than 100% satisfied!

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

I get my hair done at Bangs Salon on Murray Street. My hair stylist Naomi has just left for Melbourne so I am a little distraught, but everyone there is amazing. They know exactly what I want even when I say things like “you know, I want hair like Lara Bingle” and the prices are really reasonable!

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

You don’t have to spend a lot on treatments for your hair. There are so many products out there that provide the same results at home as the salon! I deep condition my hair with a Schwarzkopf deep condition about once per month. The results are amazing and I bought the tub for around $10 a year ago!

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

I live for my Bliss body wash. There is something really soothing about stepping out of the shower, feeling clean and smelling like orange blossom! Maybe it is also because it reminds me of my trip to New York! I’ve also just run out of my SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel which is like liquid gold! I have never found a product that has been so great for my skin. Thirdly I have issues with puffy circles around my eyes. Since trying the Garnier eye roll on I will never go back. I know some people are dubious about the benefits but even if the caffeine has no effect, the results are soothing and hydrating. I have noticed a marked difference in the skin around my eyes!

♥

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

Drinking lots of water and eating well is essential for looking and feeling great, but it is no secret! I suppose I try to be positive as much as I can. I think that makes a huge difference in how you look and feel. Happiness is by far the best beauty therapy!

♥

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

I would love to try Bikram yoga because I have heard so many great things about it. I’m not sure though if I would be able to handle the heat… literally!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I usually get breakfast with my morning coffee in the city to save time at home. I’m a little bit naughty and will often have a muffin or a croissant! Lunch depends on whether I am at work or uni. At work I will often have an avocado roll or a pesto chicken wrap from Croissant Express. At uni I can’t go past the rice paper rolls at Café 55 in Fremantle! I try to cook every night and keep it as diverse as possible. A couple of regulars are rice with butter chicken, and veal ravioli in a creamy tomato sauce!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

On a good day I’ll try to do 30 minutes of cardio on top of my daily running around. I never drive to work so that means I get at least 40 minutes of fast walking each day. When I get home I play with the dog in the front yard or workout to the Zumba video I got for Christmas.

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

I take a Vitamin B supplement which helps me to keep my stress under control and seems to put everything into perspective. Whenever I call my Mum to tell her about an issue I’m having she asks me “Have you had a Vitamin B lately?” It may sound silly but it’s true, Vitamin B is really important for me to ensure I balance my stress!

♥

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

Nothing beats a holiday to Rottnest. I can never be stressed on Rottnest Island – lazing around in the sun, riding my bike around the island and swimming in the crystal clear waters! That’s rarely an option though so for day to day de-stressing I take a deep breath, go for a walk and have some “me” time. I also think it’s important to spend some quality time with my family and partner when I’m feeling stressed. Sunday is my ultimate relax day because I lounge around with my partner and our dog watching movies and talking about our weeks!

Thanks to Bonnie for sharing her beauty & wellbeing routine!

If you’d like to ask Bonnie any questions, you can do so in the comments below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo