Search Results
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on October 24, 2011
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♥ 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.
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♥ 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!
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♥ 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!
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♥ 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!
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♥ 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
Posted in Interviews | 
5 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on September 30, 2011
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I’ve done it! I’ve FOUND it! My search is over. I’ve been on a mission to overhaul my skincare routine for some time now and now I think I’ve found the goodies I was after.
So, a little about me. Mid-30’s gal (I refuse to be more specific here), healthy, acne problems all through adulthood (not really disastrous acne, but enough to shake my confidence) and just coming to terms with the new lines and wrinkles that are appearing on my face.
I’m also at a point where I’ve started to switch over to organic and natural products, be it cleaning products, hair products, food and skin care.
So in regards to the skin care world, I wanted to switch to a certified organic range and this proved to be more difficult than I imagined.
So, ‘certified’ organic? You got it. CERTIFIED ORGANIC. There is a huge difference between an organic product and a ‘certified’ organic product and until I looked into it, I didn’t realise just how big a difference there is.
Anyone can claim to have an organic or natural product just by having one natural or organic ingredient in the product, but they can and usually still do contain a number of potentially harmful chemicals. To be ‘certified organic’ the product needs to be in its purest form, 100% chemical free, in other words no nasties and all the good stuff. How many times have you been tempted to buy a moisturiser or shampoo that has the words ‘Organic’ or ‘Natural’ plastered all over the label and snap it up believing you are doing something good for your wellbeing? We all do! It’s only now that I realise, anyone can plaster this claim over their labels, but scratch the surface and quite often you’ll find the actual organic or natural quota is miniscule, but because it exists in the product, they push it as a selling point. For the most part, we’re fooled by it!
So, in my mission to find a certified organic skin care range, I found Serenade Organic.
Yelo!
While basking in the sun, sipping a smoothie at Yelo overlooking Trigg beach, I saw a range of skin products perched on the shelf, nestled amongst the vintage aprons, organic muesli and environmentally friendly bits and bobs. They have a moisturiser (Nourish), a cleanser (Purify) and an eye cream (Restore). The packaging was lovely and was beautifully presented with testers. Being the ‘free sample’ whore that I am, I popped some of the moisturiser and eye cream on to give it a whirl.
♥ Travel Pamper Pack
I loved it instantly, but I wanted to see how my skin reacted to it over a longer period of use. To my delight, they had a travel pamper pack available which is a 10 day sample of 3 products for $29.95. 10 days was a great opportunity to trial it at a great price. So there began my new friendship with Serenade Organic. I took it home and used it that very night.
What first grabbed me, was the gorgeous fragrance. Natural fragrance, mind you! It’s like nothing else I’ve ever used. So hard to put into words, but it reminds me of being in the countryside. It smells like a flipping meadow! Not overpowering, but completely fresh and uplifting. I’ve been using Serenade for 6 months now and still it is the wonderful smell that gives me a lift every morning and every night. Friends will say, “Ooooh, you smell nice!” and the only thing I have on is Serenade.
So aside from the magical meadow smell, the texture and feel was the next thing to impress. Serenade has managed to get that perfect consistency of ‘not too gluggy’ and ‘not too runny’ with their moisturiser so it glides on beautifully and gives your face a feeling of firmness and invigoration. You don’t have to use a lot of it, so it lasts for ages.
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Then there’s the eye cream. My new best friend. I kid you not, I would marry it if only the laws would change to allow it. Every morning and every night this goes on without fail. In the morning, my eyes feel fresh and hydrated. Even after a big night! I wake up now with bright eyes that don’t resemble that of a badger.
Their cleanser is the other part to their trinity of wondrous products. Wonderfully soothing and doesn’t strip the skin like so many other cleansers can. Massaged into the skin and removed with cotton balls, removes all of the day’s impurities leaving my face fresh and clean, ready for moisturising. This cleanser has usurped all other cleansers that ever called my bathroom cabinet home.
I’ve seen on their website that they’re bringing out an Age Defy Facial Serum soon, so I’m eagerly awaiting the day that I can adopt that and give it a home. My age certainly needs defying and I love the word ‘serum’. Sounds like it has super powers!
Hailing from this gorgeous part of the world…
So there you have it! I can’t rave about this stuff more (actually I could, but you must surely get the point by now – it’s amazing!). I also love the fact it’s a W.A. product created in one of my favourite parts of the state – Yallingup. I’ve since bought the travel pamper pack for gifts for 4 of my girlfriends who are all interested in making the switch to certified organic and we are all in agreement. Jackpot!
Website: http://www.serenadeorganic.com.au
Email: hello@serenadeorganic.com.au
Review by Sheridan Crofts, music quiz master & certified organic convert!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Organic, Products, Reviews | 3 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on September 13, 2011
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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m a mother to three gorgeous girls, one in her early 20’s, one seven and a half and one who just turned four in June. I believe in falling in love with ourselves truly, madly and deeply and I have a web tv show where I talk to and interview people who can inspire, educate and motivate you to have a life you love. I believe that my purpose in life is to use my creativity and inspiration to support and guide myself and others to live a life of health, fun and abundance, to love and accept each other and to be surrounded by beauty.
I plan on doing that through my web tv shows, my blog and running courses, as well as one-on-one coaching showing just how you too can have a life that ROCKS!
I live in Hillarys with my husband and two younger daughters, who I homeschool (my oldest just moved back to Melbourne) and I feel so blessed to be able to create a life that I love and help others to do the same.
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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
My daily beauty routine is fairly simple.
I wake up in the morning and drink 1 litre of water before anything else. I wash my face with warm water and a face cloth and then moisturise with my Raw Gaia MSM Beauty Cream.
For make-up I use RMS ‘uncoverup’ 44 and a the Lip 2 Cheek colour. Occassionally I use a mineral eyeliner.
At night I take off my make-up with Raw Gaia Living Cleanser. I don’t moisturise at night.
Both Raw Gaia and RMS are unique in the sense that they are raw products, so none of the ingredients used are heated above 40 degrees ensuring that the life force and nutrients of their ingredients is retained.
Qi Facial with the tiny magnets!
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
I have just started having Qi Facials and I can feel and see the improvement in my skin already!
The beautiful Bec Haas is the absolute best! She’s also a naturopath, massage therapist and acupuncturist here in Perth and is so talented I highly recommend that you check her out. You can call her on 0400 550 060
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
Bec at Living Colour in Marmion is awesome. She listens to what you ask for and I know that whenever I see her I’ll walk out feeling and looking amazing.
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
Foot massage from my gorgeous husband, usually once a week – how lucky am I? (Ed: very!)
Hurraw! Balm – Sooo cute!
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
RMS ‘uncover’ up, I buy it from Bathing Beauty Organic Apothecary a Perth-based online store, Julie Quach is just lovely and the personification of excellent customer service, Chocolate Hurraw Lip Balm and Raw Gaia MSM cream.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Green Smoothies! These have changed my life. I have one every morning, they’re filling, delicious, nutrient rich. I also believe that it’s more what you do internally that will make a difference to the way you look, so lots of fresh foods, a high raw diet, walking and fresh air. Most important tip – LOVE and GRATITUDE. Love yourself, be grateful for all you have and you will glow – I guarantee it!
♥ 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 on an Embracing Health Retreat. A little hard with the younger two though. There’s one in November in Busselton that I would love to get to.
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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
1 litre of water first thing
Approximately 1 litre of Green Smoothie.
That’s my breakfast which I’ll have anytime from 7 – 9. I don’t actually move onto the smoothie until I feel hungry.
For lunch I usually have a green salad, if I’m home. If I’m out and about quite often I will have sushi, or just steamed rice and steamed vegetables.
Dinner is varied, but I usually have a salad followed by another dish, raw zucchini pasta with a pesto sauce, or raw nachos, with nut taco meat and nut sour cream.
In winter we do a lot of vegetable soups, rice and vegetables.
My girls love raw vegetables so we will have lots of cut up broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery etc. with raw cashew nut butter, or just on their own.
I also make sure to drink LOTS of filtered water during the day.
Oh, and I forget to mention, I do travel 22km nearly every day to get my ‘fix’ of caffeine in the form of a soy flat white from Txtshots in North Perth – the best coffee in the world! Everyone has to have a vice (or two).
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♥ Describe your fitness routine.
I was doing yoga every morning and evening but that came to a standstill after we went on holiday so I’m getting back on track with that.
Running around after my two youngest is probably the main component of my fitness routine in winter. Now that spring is just around the corner though we start walking to most places and I would like to do some jogging on the beach, or at least walking.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I do add maca and spirulina to my daily smoothies. There’s huge controversy at the moment (in fact most of the time) about whether supplements are good for you, or not, whether they’re a waste of money, whether they’re necessary. I tend to go with my experience, and in my personal experience those two work beautifully for me. I believe in fresh raw foods being the best way to get what I need.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Relaxing in the sunshine reading a good book, watching my children laughing and playing together, talking to my husband, spending time with my eldest daughter. Time with the fabulous family and friends that I have.
Thanks so much to Chizelle, I hope you all enjoyed reading her answers as much as I did 🙂
Any questions please leave them below.
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Interviews | 3 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on September 7, 2011
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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a 26 year old Boutique owner, dog lover and reality TV addict. My current project is getting my brand new website and online store up and running….I’m preparing for a buying trip to NYC in a month and I’m also doing a little bit of design for my small in-house fashion label which starts arriving at the end of the year…It’s pretty crazy at the moment!
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
Morning time starts with cleansing, I use Priori Gentle Facial cleanser then I follow with Priori Cellular Recovery serum and then Priori Barrier Repair Complex. Before Makeup I always prime my skin with Nars classic primer. I use Giorgio Armani Foundation and blush…Nars bronzer, Stila Eyeshadow and a Japanese black liquid eyeliner that Ive been using for nearly 10 years…Its by B+C (I order it online) Maybelline or Max Factor Mascara and Nars or Lancome Lip Gloss.
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Nightime I always take off my makeup with Simple Cleansing wipes (These are the BEST) wash with Neutrogena’s Oil Free Acne wash to take the days oil and pollution off my skin and follow with Lancome Generifique Youth Activating Serum and Lancome Hydra Zen Nuit Cream.
Image from Aussie Bombshell.
♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
It would have to be a Spray Tan…I’m a very pale girl and I avoid the sun….so a spray tan is an absolute essential for looking good all year round. I will only use Aussie Bombshell. Penni and her team are the best in the business and I wont go anywhere else.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
Melissa at Reno’s in Claremont. She does the best balayage in town. Full stop.
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
I cant beat a simple Aapri face scrub…the stuff is cheap as chips and its been around forever…so great for congestion in your T-zone.
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Oh gosh….thats an impossible ask but I’ll try…..Simple Cleansing Wipes (I buy 6 or 8 packs at a time…OBSESSED), Carmex Lip Balm and Giorgio Armani Luminous silk foundation.
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♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
I don’t have any big secrets, I just like to stay on top of the little things like always having manicured and polished fingers and toes…Expertly shaped brows and well maintained hair. I find if I pay attention to those things I have to put in less effort in the morning to make myself look presentable.
♥ 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 Power Plate classes…I hear they are amazing for fast fat burning! I would also like to try an oxygen facial, I think that sounds so good!
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
I have been following the Dukan Diet for a couple of months and its been working well. I start my day with scrambled eggs and Oatbran Porridge with Soy Milk. Lunch is roasted chicken or veal meatballs and salad or a chicken and veggie soup. Snacks are sugar free jelly and yoghurt. Dinner is Salmon and greens or steak and veggies. It’s lucky I like protein!
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
I have just started Personal Training again…this time with my girlfriends..which is such a nice change. I’ve also been power walking with a friend that lives in my area. I think adding friends to my fitness routine has been fantastic and I notice the difference in my motivation.
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I don’t really like taking too many things, but I do take Blackmore’s Immuno Defence when I’m feeling like I’m coming down with something and they work like an absolute charm.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
I love spending time with my Boyfriend, we enjoy going to the movies or out to breakfast. De-stressing for me simply means not being at work…Oh and I LOVE bad reality TV…I’m a big Kardashians fan.
Thank you Zara for taking time out of your busy, busy schedule to share with us your thoughts on beauty & wellbeing!!
If anyone has any questions please leave them below 🙂
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Interviews | Comments Off on Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Zara Bryson…Zara Bryson Boutique!
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on August 17, 2011
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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m a certified Life Coach, Detox and Health Coach, and my passion is helping you to live the life you want in a body you love. I use cellular cleansing and a holistic nutrition and lifestyle approach to create profound and lasting transformation in your health and life.
I educate and work with amazing clients all over the world through my one to one consultations, group coaching programs, motivational speaking, educational and food preparation classes, detox programs and two eBooks.
I live in Perth with my partner and feel so blessed to create and live my dream life every day. Oh, and I also like long walks on the beach 😉
♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
My beauty routine mostly takes the form of ensuring I have excellent health on the inside. This is then reflected on the outside. I support my body to detoxify as best as it possibly can every single day. We have a lot to contend with in our world from pollution to stress to processed food and alcohol, so my first point of call for health and beauty is ensuring my body stays as clean as possible and that my body is able to eliminate toxins as efficiently as possible.
I eat clean whole foods, mostly raw and green. I drink fresh vegetable juice daily. I don’t eat all day so I am not constantly digesting and as a consequence having less energy for everything else. I move my body, meditate and get fresh air and sunshine almost every day. I also think healthy thoughts and aim to live with gratitude for everything in my life. In my opinion, this is so essential if you want to feel beautiful.
I also only ever use the purest beauty products I can find. These Ann Marie Gianni products are my current favourites.
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♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?
Fresh vegetable juice daily! I also can’t live without an extremely pure cold pressed oil to moisturise with daily. I love olive oil, coconut oil and argan oil.
♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
This question made me laugh because I am extremely low maintenance when it comes to hair and make up. I prefer to spend my money on fresh organic produce that makes my hair shine and my skin glow than dyes and treatments. But I do love a good hair cut too!
♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?
Argan oil or coconut oil! I love it massaged through my hair as a treatment, on my body as a moisturiser and as a make up remover. I also adore the Ayurvedic Facial Scrub in this range.
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♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
The Ayurvedic Facial Scrub, a long handled natural bristle dry body brush and cold pressed oils for moisturisers.
♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Many! I eat a really healthy diet, get plenty of pure water, drink fresh vegetable juice daily, move my body, nourish my mind and my emotions with practices that support them to be healthy, cleanse my colon, do work I am totally in love with, love and be playful all the time and nurture my relationships. These things keep me feeling incredible and looking my best.
♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)
A hot stone massage! I’ve been wanting to try one of these for many years now but haven’t gotten there yet.
Ed: Check out our reviews of hot stone massages – one, two & three!
♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
Every day I drink at least 2 litres of pure water plus herbal teas. I drink a full litre or more of fresh vegetable juice (mostly green vegetables). I eat salad and smoothies every day and often I eat some lightly cooked veggies. I focus on lots of fresh vegetables, a small amount of fruit and tons of avocado – my love!
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
Currently I am running a free Strong Is Sexy Fitness Challenge and it’s so much fun! I love yoga, walking and rebounding, but I’m now also doing regular High Intensity Interval Training with Bodyrock TV workouts. Extremely challenging but great fun!
♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I take supplements as I feel they would be helpful. I almost always take a high quality probiotic and digestive enzymes but I believe in getting as much as you can from your food. Fresh vegetable juice is my main “supplement”.
I do colon cleansing regularly and enjoy acupuncture and massage occasionally. I also love using essential oils.
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♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
Lots of things! I adore sitting in the sunshine with my juice and a great book and losing time in my own version of heaven. I love trail walking and hiking, beach walking, and getting out into Nature in any way I can. Yoga and meditation are also regular staples for me. Nothing beats laughing with friends and family and I also love to have a dance around the house and bust out a few moves that no one could ever call graceful ;).
Casey Thomas, certified Detox, Health and Life Coach, shows you how to get radiant health and energy, lose weight and heal naturally so that you can live the life you want in a body you love. Casey is based in Perth Australia and conducts phone consultations internationally. If you’re ready to ditch the frumpy feeling and start looking and feeling friggin’ fantastic in 7 steps, get your FREE report, tips and guidance now at www.CaseyLorraine.com
Thanks Casey!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Interviews | 2 Comments »
