♥

The power of positive thinking has resurged in recent times thanks to ethically dubious sources such as Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret, as well as a far more pleasant upsurge in wellness exercise programs like Yoga and Tai Chi. Anyone who has participated in something as common as a Yoga program can attest to the focus on wellbeing and inward calm – processes like breathing exercises, guided meditations and the setting of intentions are all wound up in the Yoga experience, and I think we can all agree that the feeling of a decent Yoga class is one of the more dizzily euphoric – perhaps topped by tripping and falling into Jeremy Renner’s lap. Maybe.

One of the more pleasantly materialistic side effects of this popularity is the product focus – beautiful LuluLemon exercise gear, indestructible branded yoga mats, even homewares with definite Eastern slants have flourished, and one of the more beautiful and enjoyable sides of this is jewellery – Yoga/Wellbeing specific jewellery, created with precious stones and with the intent to focus and improve the outlook of the wearer.

♥

Ananda Designs is the brainchild of the charming and lovely Christina Zipperlen, dividing her time between Bali and Perth while designing and overseeing the creation of her pieces. She collected stones as a child, and inherited two special pieces from her mother, inspiring her further studies into semi-precious stones and their meanings. The fruits of her labor are stunning, handcrafted pieces with stones relating to their unique functions – to restore wellbeing, to detoxify and cleanse, and to balance.

“My daily yoga practice has become a very special time in my day, allowing me to deeply connect with myself and just be, and leaving me with such a beautiful feeling of inner peace. My wish is to spread this feeling to everyone who wears my jewellery.” – Christina

♥ The gorgeous Christina

And Yoga laces the whole way through the collections: Yoga-centric terminology like “Shanti” and “Santosa” reappeared through the product listings, and as an additional dose of sweetness, all the rings bear the word “love” engraved into the inside band. It’s a gorgeous touch and bears testament to the level of detail and work that goes into each piece. Additionally there are detailed listings of the chakras and their aligning stones, to help a buyer more specifically target their custom made piece.

♥

Of particular interest (personally) are the Malas – a long chain of stone beads that accompany a traditional priest or monk in prayer, in much the same way as rosary beads are used. There are a pre-determined number of stones for the short and long lengths, and the effect is truly gorgeous. Definitely at the top of my shopping list.

♥

The pieces are created in Indonesia and Bali, 10% of each sale going to the Sacred Childhoods Foundation, an organisation preventing child trafficking and prostitution. Similarly the stones are sourced from ethically viable sources, and it’s rather nice to have such good intentions surrounding a piece of jewellery. It also helps that they’re beautiful.

♥

Ananda Designs has a brand spanking new website, and a corresponding Facebook page. I think my yoga practice would benefit from a Mala. Yep, definitely.

Have you heard of yoga inspired jewellery before? Keen to incorporate some into your routine? Leave a comment below!

Article by Suzanne from Don’t They Know Who I Am?

Be well,

xoxo

♥

Vanessa Megan Anti-Ageing Serum

After stumbling across the econest.blogspot.com.au, I have become increasingly obsessed with natural skincare. The past few weeks have seen me slowly replace my old products in favour of natural and chemical free alternatives! One product I’m currently crushing on is Vanessa Megan’s Kakadu Plum Anti-ageing Serum. Natural and organic, the serum is full of vitamin C and a super hydrating marine algae. Both ingredients help with evening out skin tone, elasticity and reduce sagging. The serum is silky smooth, non greasy and easy to apply, whooop! Read more about it here!

♥

♥ Raw Cacao Butter Buttons

Another natural product I am currently fixated on (and using in every way possible) are these organic raw cacao butter buttons I found at the Fremantle Markets last weekend. Traditionally used in the kitchen for baking or chocolate making, I’ve been using these little babies in the bathroom instead!

♥

Popping a handful, about 8, buttons into a hot bath makes for a heavenly bathing experience! Bonus- not only do you get out feeling extra hydrated and smooth, but also smelling like delicious chocolatey goodness 😀 YUMM! These can also be used in the shower. Run under hot water and when semi melted you can rub them all over your skin!

♥

♥ English Tea Shop Teas

I have a slight obsession with tea… and by slight I mean MASSIVE :p Needless to say I couldn’t contain my excitement after spotting this new range of teas at my local grocer. The range boasts both organic and fair-trade varieties and priced at $5 for a box of 20 bags is an absolute bargain! My favourite is the rooibos with a teaspoon of Natvia. A delicious guilt free sweet treat for any time of day 🙂

♥

♥ Hungry For Change

I’ve lent my copy of this DVD out to so many people that a friend had to write a ‘this belongs to’ tag on the inside cover! The film explores a simple and common sense approach to healthy eating and will change the way you think about food forever. The film also explores the concept of eating for beauty- a topic that will be of interest to all! Check it out at http://www.hungryforchange.tv

♥ Healthy Food Blogs

The mouth-watering photos on this blog (http://wholepromise.blogspot.com.au/) will make you want to make every single recipe (I’ve already bookmarked half, not kidding!) Drool then carry on. Nough said.

This weeks crushes are brought to you courtesy of Kavisha.

What are you crushing on this week? Leave a comment below!

Be well,

xoxo

Gooooood mornin! I hope that your day has gotten off to a wonderful start, and you’re feeling fired up with feelings of positivity, calm and a deep sense of wellness. It’s time for one of my fave segments – beauty and wellbeing crushes! I absolutely love sharing my latest wellness finds and things that are firing me up (in a good way!). There’s a lot this week, so lets get started!!

♥

♥ Oxygen Facial at Cove Spa

“I can’t live without having a weekly Oxygen facial – Intraceuticals facials leave my skin glowing and radiant! When I want to look my best I find a body massage beforehand also works wonders.” – Miranda Kerr.

It was with this pinnacle of testimonials in mind that I headed to Cove Spa in South Perth for a 90 minute oxygen facial, because lets be real, who in their right mind doesn’t want skin like the gorgeous MK? My experience didn’t disappoint. While I can’t afford them every week, after 90 minutes of cleansing, facial massage, serums & having the oxygen applied to my face, my skin was looking a LOT glowier than it was before.

I also have to pay special tribute to my therapist, Melissa, who is one of the top two facialists that I’ve experienced in Perth. It was truly something special! Highly recommended! $195 for 1 hour 45 mins.

♥

♥ Cute Cloud Chopping Boards & Raw Vegan Cinnamon Chocolate

HOW CUTE IS THIS AMAZING NEW BREAD BOARD I JUST PICKED UP FROM MR SPARROW?!?! I am seriously in love, and if I’m being honest will probably not be using it to chop too many things on because it’s just SO cute! But it will be making appearances on the blog, so watch this space! It’s from Germany, and I had to wait 2+ months for it to be re-shipped, but I am in love.

The second excellent thing in this photo is the little block of raw, handmade, vegan, organic (phew) choccy from Pana Chocolate – who have just changed their name from Conscious Chocolate, thus the old wrapper. I was sent the brand new cinnamon flavour to test out and it’s delightful. If you love chocolate and are looking for a healthy alternative then this is your go to!

♥

♥ O&M Haircare

How cute are these milk-bottle-esque shampoo and conditioner containers from Original & Mineral (O&M)? Pretty darling if you ask me! They look very cute lined up in my shower. And also on my balcony, as above.

O&M claim to “reduce the chemical load” on your hair, and their products are free of many of the harsh chemicals found in traditional salon haircare. I tried the cutely named Maintain the Mane shamps n condish and really enjoyed them. They don’t leave my hair quite as silky smooth as your usual suspects, but that’s because there’s no silicon in them, which is what gives that shiny sleek look. I’ve found if I rub a couple of drops of jojoba oil in my hands then smooth over my hair and blowdry afterwards then my hair looks pretty darn good.

I’d definitely recommend O&M products for anyone interested in taking some steps towards more natural haircare!

♥

♥ New Lululemon Pants

I’m in love with my new yoga pants. I feel like a blue tiger cub when I wear them, and they are SO SO comfy. I also picked them up on sale, $69 down from about $99! WIN! 🙂

♥

♥ Sun Warrior Protein + UDO’s Oil

I’ve recently added these two nifty products to my smoothie routine and they are doing wonders!

UDO’s oil is a product that I’ve wanted to try for a loooooong time. It has the optimum blend of omega 3, 6 & 9 essential fatty acids that your body needs to be healthy, and my brain is always a little more switched on when I’m including a tablespoon of this stuff in my smoothie. It’s a lot more mellow tasting than just plain flaxseed oil on it’s own, too. Plus it has the added benefit of vitamin e + you can use it in a number of ways, including drizzling it on veggies (YUM!). This is my go-to health oil now.

♥

I bought the Sun Warrior Protein in vanilla flavour, and it’s a great way to add a little sweetness to smoothies with tangy berries (such as raspberry) in them. It’s 100% raw & vegan, which is exciting, and since I’m currently on a bit of a fitness kick I feel like it’s a great way to add a bit of post-workout protein into my diet! It costs $70-75 for a 1kg bag, pricey, but it’s a pure product, so if you’re looking for the healthiest possible protein powder then this may well be it.

What are you crushing on wellness-wise this week?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

As you know, I like to spoil you all for being the wonderful little wellness bees that you are – SO, I’ve organised yet another competition to give you a little nudge towards happiness and being the best version of yourselves 🙂

If you’re looking to move towards more skin-friendly products, but aren’t sure where to start, then this weeks giveaway could be just the thing to get you started!

One very lucky reader will score a delicious natural skincare pack from our friends over at RICH Skincare (check out our glowing review here!)

Up for grabs is the fabulous Ultra Hydrating Day Cream ($49.95) and the Advanced Peptide Night Cream ($59.95) – your skin will be thrilled!

For your chance to win this great RICH Skincare prize pack, valued at $109.90, just follow Wellness WA on Facebook OR Twitter, and answer the following question in the comments below:

Good luck! The winner will be drawn on Tuesday 14 August!!! Update: will now be drawn on the 18th August! X

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥

Not too long ago, opting for natural skincare meant you might have to compromise on quality or results. But the recent explosion of eco-friendly products onto the market, as well as tried and trusted brands amping up their purity credentials, has changed the beauty landscape immeasurably.

Whilst this is something to celebrate for the conscious consumer, it also introduces the conundrum of choice. Time spent poring over lotions and potions deciding which one to spend your precious dollars on can be enjoyable, but it can also be a tad bewildering. So we at Wellness WA are very pleased to help fast-track your decision making process by trialling some of the loveliest newcomer ‘au naturel’ brands available.

One such new kid on the block is RICH Skincare. It ticks all the right boxes for clean skincare, with no sulphates, parabens, artificial colours or fragrances. The range combines science with nature, incorporating the best natural elements from anti-ageing research. More superficially, it has beautiful, chic packaging, which looks very pretty in your bathroom.

I tested three products, replacing the ones I use day-to-day – the Deep Cleansing Milk, Ultra Hydrating Day Cream and Advanced Peptide Night Cream. As their name suggests, the products are very succulent – perfect for my winter skin. They have a delicate, fresh fragrance, in keeping with the natural ethos. But how did they perform?

♥

♥ The Deep Cleansing Milk ($44.95) was very effective at removing make up, including eye make-up, and without making my eyes sting like some other natural cleansers I’ve used. It glided on smoothly and rinsed off cleanly leaving my skin soft and refreshed.

♥ The Ultra Hydrating Day Cream ($49.95) was very moisturising, but without the heaviness you sometimes get in anti-ageing creams. I also found that a little went a long way, so good value.

♥

♥ The Advanced Peptide Night Cream ($59.95) was my favourite of the three. It felt like such a soothing and luscious treat for my skin after a long day and the fine lines around my eyes do seem to have softened.

All that and RICH is also made in Australia, so a smaller carbon footprint too. One more thing to make your skin glow!

If you’d like to trial this range, you’re in luck! Tomorrow we’ll be giving one lucky reader the chance to win a goodie pack consisting of an Ultra Hydrating Day Cream & an Advanced Peptide Night Cream!!! Stay tuned 🙂

Review by Karen Miller.

Be well,

xoxo