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Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on August 30, 2012
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Posted in Alternative Therapy, Products, Yoga | 
6 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on August 28, 2012
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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m the owner and operator of Vanity Box Skin Couture Perth, a Hollywood Regency inspired, appointment only salon that specialises in bespoke face and body treatment sessions. I’ve always been passionate about all things beauty related so it was no surprise I would become a beauty therapist. I love my job! I get to make women feel like a million dollars after they have a treatment. It’s such a joy, I am really lucky, and it’s a dream come true that I now have my own salon!
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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.
Ok where do I start! Being an owner of a beauty salon I have an endless choice of products and always like to mix it up so my skin keeps improving. At the moment I’m loving Priori CoffeeBerry Natureceuticals as it’s the first and only natural skincare brand to deliver “Cosmeceutical” results designed for the eco-concious, earth friendly consumer.
At the moment every Morning and night I cleanse my skin with Priori Revitalizing Cleanser which is a 99.2 % natural formula fortified with CoffeeBerry extract, natures most potent antioxidants to fight free radicals and the causes of skin aging.
After Cleansing Morning and night I apply a small amount of Priori CoffeeBerry Brightening Facial Complex which helps reduce the appearance of an uneven skin tone in a natural way.
I then apply a small amount of Priori CoffeeBerry Radiance Eye Serum around the delicate eye area to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
Almost done! I then apply a small amount of Priori Coffeeberry Day Complex in the day and Coffeeberry Night Complex at night.
Lastly if it’s in the day I apply my 30+ True Solutions cream and Touch of Priori Coffeeberry 25+ minerals to protect my skin from the harsh environment.
All Priori products are available in salon.
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♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favorite place to have it done?
My most favorite treatment is the Priori WOW Facial. It’s a Priori facial using the Idebenone products that honestly makes you look as if you’ve had a mini facelift without the surgery! My favorite place to have it done is the W Retreat Seminyak Bali where my Fiancé and I got engaged, it’s the most amazing place ever!
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♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?
I’ve been seeing Anita Green the owner of Salon 44 in Claremont for years. I trust her with my hair as she always listens to what I want and always gets my cut, color or blow-dry perfect every time.
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♥ Favorite budget / at home beauty treatment?
My favourite at home beauty treatment is Dry Body Brushing with my Elemis cactus bristle brush. Its so stimulating and great for combating dry skin and cellulite!
♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?
Oooh this ones hard there’s so many!
♥ First one is my NARS orgasm blush
♥ Second is my NARS sheer glow foundation in Barcelona
♥ Third is my NARS Niagara lipstick
As you can see I’m a lover of NARS! It’s amazing makeup!
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♥ Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
My secret is lots of sleep and water and a monthly facial (at the moment I’m having the Priori Coffeeberry Yoga Facial). Totes Amazing!!!
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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 a short stay wellness retreat at the ISIKA Spa at the Burswood Entertainment Complex where a personalized itinerary is developed based on your desired health outcomes and incorporates spa treatments, fitness programmes and water therapy.
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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.
I try and follow the Paleo diet as much as I can as it is based on how our ancestors used to eat and as our Paleothic ancestors had virtually no ailments or diseases I try and eat this way!
My day starts with a glass of water with a drop of apple cider vinegar followed by a green smoothie.
An hour later I have an egg and bacon muffin. It’s basically a muffin with no bad carbohydrates. All you do is line a muffin tray with bacon,break an egg in the middle sprinkle with organic cheese and chives and bake for around 10 minutes.
For lunch I usually make a tuna salad or have organic soup that I make the night before.
Dinner is usually a recipe chosen out of my favorite book ‘The Green Grocer’ by Leanne Kitchen. It’s a great book that teaches you to respect the source. And eating as well as you can by developing your knowledge of the ingredients that form the basis of the meals you set on your table.
One night a week I have cheat night in which I have what ever I feel like for dinner followed by dessert of some sort.
♥ Describe your fitness routine.
My fitness routine consists of two training sessions in the gym with Elizabeth Rose from ‘Life with Elizabeth Rose’. Elizabeth has created for me a weight, strength & resistance training program which consists of a variety of exercises using dumbbells, a swissball and different equipment in the gym to shape my body.
Three days a week I go to Bobbi’s Pole Studio Perth to do two pole classes and a splits and flex class which is a Yoga/Pilates/Dance class rolled into 1!!!
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♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.
I start each morning with a green smoothie followed by a couple of spirulina and iron tablets.
♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?
To de-stress I like to book a massage, my favorite is deep tissue as I get a lot of knots from massaging other people.
If you have any questions for Suzey, please leave them below! 🙂
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Interviews, Wellness Tips | 3 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on August 27, 2012
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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!
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♥ 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!
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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!
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♥ 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 🙂
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♥ 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
Posted in Products, Reviews, Wellness Tips | 8 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on August 24, 2012
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The Diamond Flower Peel system at Willow Advanced Beauty Therapy in Jindalee is a first for Perth, and the buzz that it’s generated is considerable. As something of a microdermabrasion novice (I’ve had it done, without really knowing what it was), it took me a little puzzling to clarify the difference between regular microdermabrasion and DFPS – in layman’s terms, the material that comes in contact with the skin is organically sourced, thus gentler, and comes in three options: Lavender for sensitive skin, Rose for older or dehydrated skin, and Tea Tree for oily or acne prone skin.
Lauren (my ultra friendly beautician and proprietor) recommended Lavender for my oily, sensitive skin – she also explained that depending on my skins response to this session, we could switch to Tea Tree in a later session.
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The options are based on more than scent, though – the small, airborne particles in the microdermabrasion handset are also derived from the plant chosen, meaning that everything going on your face is naturally derived – and hygienic, the particles are ejected and collected in a waste chamber on the machine.
The treatment commences much like a normal facial – a deep cleanse, toning, light exfoliation, then the microdermabrasion. Lauren used a tool that was similar to a narrow air chamber with a suction nozzle on the end – the idea being that a circle of skin is gently sucked into the air chamber, where the flying particles within remove the dead layer of skin and polish the new layer beneath. Afterwards Lauren put a mask on me, massaged me (I’ve had shoulder massages and hand massages, but I had NO IDEA arm massages were so good) and applied serum, eye cream and moisturiser. It’s roughly a one hour session, in a low-lit room, under a heated blanket. And yes, it was just as awesome as it sounds.
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We’d ascertained fairly early that I was far more touch-sensitive than product sensitive, so I emerged rather pink – but my skin felt really plump and refreshed, and I was extremely mellow all the way home. You really can’t overestimate the wellbeing you get from just an hour of being tended to – massage, facial, whatever. Once my skin had paled back out, over the next few days I noticed how easily makeup slid on and stayed put, and how much more easily it removed. My face felt and looked – tighter, and had more of an even tone than it usually does.
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Microdermabrasion traditionally takes place over a set number of courses, and I can only imagine the results after a full six. This is a process I’d absolutely be happy to do a full row set of when my skins looking dull – beyond brightening and lifting the skin, it’s a full on sensory luxury. Visit Lauren in the Jindalee clinic for a similarly blissed out experience.
Lauren has also extended a Microdermabrasion special to Wellness WA readers – book in for a six-session run and pay $540, a hefty saving of $210
Add a product infusion treatment to the procedure and pay $700, saving $380. This is good stuff, kids. Give them a call on 9562 7362 and tell em Wellness WA sent you.
Review by Suzanne from Don’t They Know Who I Am?
Do you like the look of this treatment? Fancy having some flowers on your face? Let us know in the comments below!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Alternative Therapy, Beauty Salon, North of River, Reviews | 2 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on August 22, 2012
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I first heard about green smoothies when I attended a raw food seminar in 2009. Eating greens had always been a challenge for me, because although I loved my salads, fruits and vegetables, it was hard for me to sit down & find time to eat loads of leafy greens such as spinach or kale. At the seminar, I learnt that greens possess more valuable nutrients than any other food group and all these nutrients are stored inside the cells of plants. These cells are made of tough material and to release these valuable nutrients, the cell walls needed to be ruptured. In simple words, we need to chew our greens to a creamy consistency in order to get the benefits and chewing them thoroughly with our teeth does not always satisfy our nutritional needs as much as blending our greens!
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This is how I learnt that blending my greens and drinking them in a smoothie form was actually more beneficial for my body in order to absorb the nutrients. And smoothies on the go were easier to digest than salads on the go!
This recipe below is one of my favourite recipes, as I can always get the ingredients at the grocery store, and it is quick, easy, satisfying, cleansing, nutritious and tasty for my hectic lifestyle.
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Karen’s Quick & Easy Green Smoothie
♥ 1 handful of hydroponic lettuce
♥ 1/2 cucumber
♥ 1 ripe banana
♥ 1 cup of chemical free water
♥ 1/2 a Green apple
♥ 1/2 a Red apple
♥ 1/2 cup frozen berries
Blend for 2 minutes and add 1/2 avocado (optional) if you want a more creamy consistency or are a bit more hungry.
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Enjoy!
Article by Karen Then, yoga instructor & owner of Bikram Yoga Victoria Park!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Green Smoothies | 4 Comments »
