by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jul 9, 2012 | Wellness Tips
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♥ 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.
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♥ 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!
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♥ 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.
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♥ 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.
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♥ 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.
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♥ 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.
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♥ 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
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jul 5, 2012 | Makeup, Products, Reviews
Who likes drawing?
HAHA THAT’S A TRICK QUESTION- everyone loves drawing! I love drawing. And I love drawing on my face, that’s part of the reason why I love makeup so much. Because, if you feel like so inclined, it’s your way of showing the world that pink and green and red and freckles and glitter can co exist in a peaceful harmony of lines and lashes. Drawing on my own face satisfies some deep childhood, primal need.
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Some months ago I purchased Benefit’s High Beam Illuminator, which is a kind of pearly paint that you put on your face with a mini paint brush to make yourself look awesome. And I lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvve it (I’d put like a million vs in there if it wasn’t so obnoxious), oh my goodness I wear it practically every day.
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So imagine my giddy heights of excitement when I learnt that Benefit are now releasing another product which is the same principle of High Beam but in a pencil AND in a different color. Woah, woah, woah did you say PENCIL? Where do I sign up? Whereas High Beam gives you a Snow Queen chilling vibrancy, the new benefit High Brow Glow pencil gives you a champagne pink glow, like some sort of Studio 54 goddess. Yeahhhhhhhhh (with a million more hs). So here’s what I thought.
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The High Beam paint (lets call it that for ease) will always have a place in my makeup bag because of the doll-like non-greasy sheen it gives my skin. I usually use it on my brow bone, top my cheekbones and sometimes even the inner corners of my eyes.
The beauty of the new pencil is that you get a different color therefore a warmer look- I’m quite pale so the frostiness of High Beam works for me but I’m imagining when we came back into summer or for the more olive toned ladies amongst us, this new color in the High Beam Glow pencil, will be like all your Christmases have come in June.
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Also, being a pencil, I found I had greater precision and control, for example the pencil meant the inner corners of my eyes were a lot easier to get to. I also must point out, because this is kind of cool, you can use this nifty pencil on the sides of your nose and other places on your face for contouring!!! I don’t know a lot about contouring but I wish to know more, are you someone who knows a lot about this? Or would you like to know? Do you want your face to have the smooth plains and contours of the Swiss Alps? Yeah same. You should get the pencil.
Actually, can you get both? You should. Wonderful products that are not just for eyebrows, that have filled a big hole in my makeup routine, nice work benefit!
Available at Adore Beauty!
Also Check out Jade’s review of Benefit’s Watts Up illuminator on this very website, these guys have something for everyone!! <3
What do you think of the High Beam Illuminator and High Brow Glow Pencil? Do you like drawing? Lets talk about these things in the comments!
Review by Adriane Daff, glow enthusiast, drawing lover, excitable human being.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jul 3, 2012 | Exercise, North of River, Reviews
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Ever had that feeling when you’re in a HUGE exercise funk? Bored of the gym, not feeling Zen enough for yoga, can’t be bothered to drag yourself out for a run? Yep…me too. I don’t know if it’s the cooler weather, but the pull of comfort food and a cosy night in is currently much more seductive than getting my exercise groove on.
I might have just the thing for you if so. Something that will make you giggle and grin and possibly even forget that you’re getting a super dooper workout. Possibly.
Enter the Power Plate at Perth Pilates Studio. I recently had the pleasure of a private session with the lithe and graceful Liz Wilson who took me through a 30 minute session, which is apparently equivalent to a hard 60-90 minutes weights workout. So super-efficient too.
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Power Plate works by stimulating the body’s natural response to vibration which activates accelerated muscle contractions. It’s a low impact exercise, so suitable for people recovering from injuries, as well as exercise renegades like me.
There’s a definite knack to positioning yourself on the Plate. Before you get this there can be a strange ‘teeth chattering’ effect at times, which is rather unnerving. But Liz is there to guide you through all of this, with sessions offered either one to one or small groups.
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The session involved a series of static and dynamic exercises, such as lunges and crunches, and while it was challenging, it was also fun, novel and boredom-busting. Another bonus was the massage at the end of the workout, as the Power Plate doubles up as your own personal masseuse. This boosts circulation, reducing post-workout soreness and, so they say, decreases cellulite. It’s also a great reward for all of your efforts. Did I mention super-efficient?!
Intrigued? Find out more at the Perth Pilates Studio website.
Have you ever ventured onto the Power Plate? How did you find it if so? And what are your tips for mixing things up with your exercise routine?
Article by Karen Miller, reformed gym junkie, but self-confessed endorphin addict!
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jun 27, 2012 | Other, Products, Reviews
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A little bit of excitement over here in my office, as the last edition of the X-Press Fashion Magazine is out!! Yours truly writes an article once a quarter for this print publication, you can pick up a copy where X-Press is distributed, BUT if you don’t feel like venturing out into the cold then it’s lovingly served it up online here for you: X-Press Fashion Magazine – Winter 2012.
The ‘Forest Fresh’ article takes a look at beauty and wellness therapies and products that take inspiration from our local woodlands… let me know what you think!
Best regards,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Jun 22, 2012 | Events, Food, Green Smoothies, Interstate/International, Yoga
♥ Beautiful Purple Kale!
Hola! So, how ’bout this weather we’ve been having? I’m a big rain fan – so long as I’m warmly tucked up inside, complete with dressing gown, socks and a cup ‘o herbal tea. Venturing out into it is another story.
These past few weeks I’ve been flu-stricken and in the final two weeks of my Public Relations course, as well as having taken on an internship at an agency 2 days a week. Needless to say things have been HECTIC and I haven’t been able to update as much as I’d like. That doesn’t mean we’ve been laying dormant though, we have SO many exciting things in the works… so as always, stay tuned, and check out the wonderful bits and pieces that have been rocking my little wellness world this week! Xo
♥ Purple Kale
Pictured above is the cruciferous vegetable of my eye this week, the delightful purple kale. When I spied this beauty at The Boatshed Market in Cottesloe on the weekend, I could not contain my excitement! Granted, the whole trip to Boatshed was exciting as I’d never been there before and it is just AMAZINGLY well stocked with fresh produce. Pricier than your average store, but I feel like it’s worth it.
This violet vegetable has been on many adventures this week, being mixed into a smoothie one day, gently steamed the next and is about to be made into some delicious kale chips! A+++. Love me some alterna-kale.
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♥ CNR Cafe Vegan Breakfast
My new favourite. So many vegan, vegetarian and raw options at CNR that your mind just might explode! The vegan breakfast (above) is in-cred-ible, and it’s available til 3pm all week. Including Sundays. I will be doing a proper review of it shortly, but it is definitely one of my new faves to head to when I have some extra pennies in my pockets. The vegan brekky is $18, so not the cheapest morning eats in town, however it is insanely delicious and filling, features macadamia & pepper nut cheese, house made beans, toasted ciabatta, pan fried mushrooms and tomatoes, caramelised onions AND potato chippy things.
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They also do a killer green smoothie, breakfast of vegan champions! Check them out.
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♥ Stuart Watkins’ Bali Yoga Retreat
If you’re looking for an incredibly inspiring yoga filled getaway, then look no further. Join Stuart Watkins for 7 days and 6 nights on the north-east coast of Bali at Villa-Boreh with daily yoga, sun drenched relaxation and an array of soul nurturing activities including jungle treks, secret waterfall visits, hot springs and dolphin hangouts! Vegetarian and vegan meals will nourish your body, yoga will nourish your spirit. Find our more details here!
What’s inspiring you this week? Please feel free to share with me and spread the crush-love!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
