I think I’ve said before that being spoilt by natural and organic beauty prods is on the top of my non-guilty pleasures list. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been lucky enough to come across 5 new products that have made me swoon/spend many hours locked in my bathroom in beauty heaven. Please allow me to share them with you!

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1. Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil – from $21.95

While being excellent for scars, stretch marks and wrinkles, rosehip oil is also the BEST hydration remedy. Like many of us find in the winter months, I’m accustomed to red, tight skin after my nightly shower. I find that rosehip oil over my normal moisturiser before bed restores some of that moisture and I wake up with plump, smoother skin. Handy hint: Pull your hair back off your face so you don’t wake up looking like someone smeared your locks with grease.

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2. Trilogy Face Care Vital Moisturising Cream – $40.95

Another Trilogy love! I’ve recently begun a new job where I’m confined to an office – much to my skin’s disgust. This is causing my skin to produce more oil to compensate for the lack of hydration caused by artificial heating (clever body huh?). This moisturiser has been perfect for everyday use – super hydrating but also light enough for the morning.

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3. Joi Pure Recovery Eye Serum – $35

This product hails from our very own Swan Valley, is 95% certified organic and made from so many yummy ingredients including rose water, rosehip oil, shea butter, green tea and ginseng. If I apply before bed, I wake up and don’t look tired even if I’ve only had 5 hours sleep. Need I say more?

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4. Rejuvenate Beautifying Organic Night Cream – $69.85

This little night cream is incredibly deceiving. At first glance it could be just another organic face cream. However, I’ve been taking this product EVERYWHERE – the texture is beautiful and it’s in a pump bottle that makes it easy for girls on the go. It comes with a little info lanyard that sits around the neck of the bottle with pictures of the ingredients – such a unique idea!

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5. Herbfarmacy Organic Mallow Beauty Balm

Thanks to the lovely Perth organic beauty website Bathing Beauty, this beauty balm has become my new lip balm. I’ve previously been using a popular lip ointment that never really sank in, so didn’t combat dryness and cracking. This beauty balm is made from natural oils that absorb with ease. Use it like Vaseline – on your eyes, lips, cracked elbows…anywhere! I’ve even got my parents hooked.

Written by Ellie Swift, a new graduate in PR and journalism and loving less study/more money.

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A Sunday must!

There’s something I do almost every Sunday morning that makes my heart sing and puts a spring in my step. I visit the amazing Growers Green Community Market at South Fremantle Senior High School and my week ahead is always better for it.

Here everyone is invited, all ages and their dogs are welcomed with open arms! While freshly face painted children climb the trees or dance to the band and the dogs wag their tails at each other, you will be amazed at what you can find.

My first stop was Miss Bolly’s Adventures in Spice where you can slurp on chai, fresh lemonade or a spicy ginger and lime soda. Next as I wandered past the delightful selection of breads and pastries I tried a scrumptious garlic prawn from Fremantle Market Seafood.

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Next I stumbled upon Kara Orchard from Karagullen that thanks to its huge selection of fruit and veg, always does a roaring trade. Then on to ‘RAW Juice’ where Rene will happily let you taste test. Whilst the juice with kale and lemon didn’t tickle my tastebuds the organic ‘Tiger’ with carrot, ginger and cinnamon did, so too the watermelon, strawberry and apple. Mmmmmmm!

However if you just want a cuppa then help yourself to a communal coffee cup and just wash it up when you are finished, this really sums up the vibe of the market.

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There are foods from almost every corner of the world. Mother and daughter team Anna & Iliana hand make Salvadorian Pupases with cheese and red kidney beans, or tamales with chicken, potato and olives wrapped in a banana leaf – exotic! Elsewhere there are Portuguese Empada’s and Tucha, Turkish & Greek delights, crepes and so very much more. One of my new favourites is from ‘Heritage Hogs’ in Brookton who serve free range pork and goat burgers with homemade tomato salsa or apple and ginger sauce – delicious!

P&G Burger.

Also, totally inspired, I purchased 5 plants for $15 from ‘Herbs are Us’. Now my garden is stocked with kale, lemongrass, thyme, oregano and basil and all the advice I needed.

Thank you Growers Green Farmers Market you really are the highlight of my week that is why I keep coming back again and again I think readers should too!

Growers Green Community Market
South Fremantle High School, Lefroy rd, South Fremantle.

Winter opening hours 8:30am – 12:30pm. Big market first Sunday of every month, regular market for the rest of the month.

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

Be well,

xoxo

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A day at a day spa… the scene was set with a perfect, blue-skied, almost winter day with a latte, Johnny Cash bellowing poetry on the speakers and my GPS pointing me in the wrong direction.

When heading out to the dreamy wonderland of Brookleigh – don’t trust your Sat Nav, people! Fortunately, I knew Brookleigh was next to Belvoir Amphitheatre and a lot closer than the GPS suggested. And it’s a problem the owners of Brookleigh have dealt with a lot, so get your directions clear before you hit the road unless you want a 45-minute detour.

So, back to the blue skies, latte and Johnny Cash… I arrived feeling pretty peaced-out and ready to relax. I met the wellness consultant and personal trainer, Rachel and owner Nikki on arrival and was impressed by how healthy they both looked. Both had glowing skin, very fit bodies and huge smiles… these were happy people and I was ready to discover the secret to their sunshine.

A Brookleigh horse

My day began with a personal training session with Rachel. We jogged past the beautiful horse stables (Brookleigh started out as an equestrian centre and still is an Olympic training venue), the chateau where the spa resides and guests stay and a “roundabout” which is a gorgeous, meditation-style garden.

Roundabout

We kept on joggin’ past all of these beauties and out the back of the property where an “obstacle course” awaits. It’s also an equestrian training area but nicely doubles as a people fitness area too. The jumps were utilised as push up, dip and sit up stations while a trotting area was used for some punishing sprints (it was here the heart rate monitor I had to wear really betrayed me, sounding like a hideous alarm going off as if warning everyone I was about to drop dead).

After the PT workout, we stretched by the small lake where Brookleigh hosts weddings every weekend throughout October to May. You can see why, with a quaint gazebo overlooking the lake which is perfect for the ceremony to take place. Huge trees, the neighing of horses and the surrounding paddocks combine to make you feel as though you are far, far from civilisation.

Next up was the spa treatment. I met with the lovely consultant, Lisa, and discussed facial options and confessed my skin woes. Breakouts in certain areas were plaguing me and I definitely needed help. I was treated to a lime sugar exfoliation to start, which sloughed off any dead skin on my legs. Despite Lisa warning me it might hurt a little as the sugar did its job, the scrubbing felt just right and my skin was glowing by the time it finished. The smell of lime was delicious. The massage was next and thankfully Lisa applied just the right pressure for the knots in my muscles to be erased while sending me into a state of utter bliss. Despite trying very hard not to, I also fell asleep in the later stages but I guess it’s a sign of ultimate relaxation so I tried not to beat myself up about it too much.

Guinot Facial @ Brookleigh.

The facial did wonders for my skin. Brookleigh has either Guinot or the local, organic range Joi Pure. Despite trialling Joi Pure previously and knowing it was delicious, my skin was in need for something a little stronger and Guinot was enlisted. I had the classic facial and Lisa used a peel around the troubled areas to break up the congestion. Despite my skin glowing afterwards, it was also a tad red and it wasn’t until a couple of days later that I really noticed the benefits. My skin really cleared up and it totally confirmed what I’d suspected all along… I need to be getting regular facials.

To complete the day spa package, I had lunch at Stewart’s Restaurant which is also a part of Brookleigh. Stewart’s is one of the best restaurants in the Swan Valley and has plenty of healthy options to complement the day spas and health retreats that are on offer. I had the salmon with roasted beetroot and pumpkin with a lemon sauce and holy yum, it was sensational. And post-meal, I felt as though my body was being further nourished rather than overly-full like you might at many of the wineries boasting first class restaurants in the area.

Urban Spoon rsetaurant rating:

Nikki and Rachel mentioned the three and five-day health retreats now on offer and I think they sound fabulous. Half a day out at Brookleigh and I felt rejuvenated and as though I’d been much further from Perth than the 45-minute drive it was.

If you’re looking for a girls’ weekend (classy hens’ weekends would be perfect there), doing something for your health or simply a getaway from the daily grind without travelling too far, Brookleigh is the place you’re looking for.

Check out their website to see enticing pics and more info, call (08) 9296 0018 or email Nikki or Rachel on info@brookleigh.com.au.

Brookleigh is located at 1235 Great Northern Highway,
 Upper Swan in the Swan Valley.

Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and Brookleigh’s newest devotee!

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Just being told that a product is organic is really not enough these days, so when I’m told a product is Certified Organic and Cruelty Free, I tend to stand up and take notice. This is the case with Planet Eve Organics, yummy Australian-owned skincare products that live up to their name, with an abundance of natural ingredients.

I was lucky enough to trial the Facial Cleansing Oil, Luxe Body Creme and Super 5 Eye Firming Gel.

The cleansing oil is PERFECT for all skin types, which is a rarity. As someone with combination skin, I felt the smooth and nourishing cleanser was moisturising my cheeks, while my nose and chin didn’t have that oily feeling that makes you think you just washed your face with a margherita pizza. The perfect balance!

The Luxe Body Creme is exactly that – luxe. With the combination of rose, shea butter, jojoba and macadamia, I felt like I was treating my skin to the love it deserves. The first time I applied, I was aware of the strong smell, but this seemed to grow on me over the week. While it’s a lovely scent of rose, I’d put off use until the morning if you have a sexy significant-other staying in your bed and you haven’t quite hit the ‘long-term and in love’ phase of your relationship!

The Super 5 Eye Firming Gel was definitely my fav, with some excellent packaging bonuses. The gel comes like a pen, where you simply click the end to produce the gel and then gently roll the cooling ball around eyes. This allows the opportunity to massage the delicate eye area while revitalising and firming the skin. The Super 5 are incredible ingredients: Acai berry, gingko biloba, acacia, aloe and rose. This combination is both anti-ageing (you’re never too young to start thinking about this!) and ideal after a big night out (more to my benefit!). This product has already taken prime position in my handbag!

Let us know which products sound good to you?

Do you have any Certified Organic & Cruelty Free favourites?

Reviewed by Ellie Swift, part-time music industry participant and writer, full time product junkie.

Be well,

xoxo

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When was the last time you really fell in love, disappointment free? I fall in love over and over again when my will leads me towards the scenic hills landscape of Roleystone.

Where to? Genesis in the Hills; where the division between food and love is negligible.

You’ll know you are on your way to something special when the road starts winding and the still of nature starts to permeate.

The organic garden @ Genesis

You will be welcomed through a fairytale pathway which leads to the outdoor decking of this beautiful eatery, dressed with both lounge and formal style seating, naturally bathed in morning or afternoon sun. Inside the French doors; you will be greeted by a homely feeling that will bend your will, just enough. Yes, you’ll be staying, a little longer, than you usually would.

People are an essential ingredient to the overall effect of Genesis in the Hills. You will feel openly welcomed by Ita and Rivka, the women behind the concept, who, without fail, express a warmth that couples perfectly with winter chills and warm vegetarian food.

Genesis in the Hills is open Thursday to Sunday every week. 10:30-5pm on Thursday and 8:30-5pm Friday to Sunday, I adore mornings, simply because, a smile is a perfect way to meet the day. You can expect delectable cakes, quality coffees, elegant teas (like Persian rose and Sencha green) and simply scrumptious mains (vegetarian/vegan friendly).

Yum! ♥

I favour a spiced fruit and sweet potato cake with a soy cappuccino or raw juice with ginger, but I have pleasured in many other taste delights, from herbed sour dough breads to soups, salads and open sandwiches (unclose-able because they are so generous).

Aside from boasting incomparable coffee, food and atmosphere, they also host Art exhibitions throughout the year, which makes every visit to this location, a complete sensory experience. Unequalled, Genesis in the Hills is a love worth experiencing at least once. I guarantee it, but don’t hold me accountable if you become addicted! It is only natural. Enjoy!

Contact details:

Genesis in the Hills
124 Croyden Road
Roleystone WA 6111

Ph: 9397 7799

Genesis Facebook page
Web: http://www.genesisinthehills.com.au
The next up and coming event at Genesis in the Hills!

Review by Lavida Rose.

Be well,

xoxo