The weekend that was...

This weekend I...

...indulged in some quality 'me-time'. I took a solo drive around the Peninsula (one of my favourite things to do) bright and early on Friday morning, then spent the afternoon at the Waterfront. I even went to the movies on my own; something I haven't done in years. I snuck in a Steers burger, sat with my feet up and enjoyed every frivolous, self-indulgent second!

...actually sat down and watched a movie. Better yet, three movies! It may not seem like much, but I can be incredibly impatient at the best of times, so generally stick to watching series or shows that don't require too much commitment. This weekend, I went to watch Young Adult (a brilliant, quirky film starring Charlize Theron) and I also managed to squeeze in the 8pm MNet movie, Water for Elephants, last night. This is so rare, I can't remember the last time I actually sat down to watch the Sunday night movie!

...realised that Gwyneth Paltrow is so much more than just an actress. She is an incredibly talented cook (the majority of the meals I cook come from her book, Notes from My Kitchen Table), and she can sing! (The third movie I finally managed to watch this weekend was Country Strong - such an amazing film, with incredible performances from both Gwyneth and Leighton Meester).

...successfully managed to buy winter basics - all while sticking to my budget. My purchases actually came to well-below my budget; I may just be able to afford that gorgeous (and completely unnecessary) handbag, too!

...realised that household chores are so much more fun to do when you do them with your partner. S and I are not particularly good housekeepers. We like living in beautiful, clean surroundings, but will come up with any number of things to do, other than actually get round to vacuuming. But last night I realised that the mammoth pile of laundry is so much more doable when you tackle it together - I put in a load and S hung up a load, while I folded another. Simple!

...ditched the cosy comforts of home in favour of live music. I have been itching to see Closet Snare live since S first told me about them when we first started dating. Best described as an experimental group, Closet Snare comprises some of the country's best musicians (well, I think so, anyway - they're technically faultless), and makes use of amazing visual displays, courtesy of VJ Grrrl, for a fully-integrated, interactive live music experience. They don't gig very often, so if you hear of an upcoming show, do yourself a favour and go!



image: 1

Decor Obsession

My taste in decor is a bit of an contradiction: my ideal home would involve plenty of clean, minimal lines, neutral pieces, white linen... nothing too fussy, and absolutely no clutter. But in reality, I have a passion for books (I studied English literature and literally cannot part with my beloved books. I have two, fat Shakespeare collections, yet still insist on having each individual play in book format as well), I am a beauty editor by trade (read: my bathroom cabinets are bursting at the seams), and I have three pets, including a black cat (black fur, white linen? No thanks!). Minimalism just isn't an option. So, my previous homes (before I shared my living space with a boy) have always had more of a french cottage feel - think wrought iron bed, white linen, off-white paint and you're on the right track. Not exactly the ideal surroundings for a man, then. Especially an artist/ musician/ illustrator who has a love for bright, vibrant colours (colour just about makes me break out in hives, hence the nearly all-black wardrobe), funky, retro furniture and the art deco period. Talk about clashing!

So it goes without saying that our first home together has been a bit of a mish-mash of styles, but it hasn't been all bad. The lounge, dining room and kitchen work for the most part, while the decor in S's home office was left to his own devices, and I had free reign over the spare room and our room. And yet, I'm not entirely happy with our bedroom - it lacks personality, and the products strewn at the base of my full length mirror just aren't working for me (keeping your products organised in your cupboard sounds great in theory, but for someone who isn't a morning person, this doesn't work. You won't put each product back in it's place, carefully hidden in your cupboard. Trust me on this one). So the plan for our new bedroom, in our new home? A chest of drawers, as a makeshift dresser (my inner minimalist is crying out for one!), and a headboard. I've always wondered what the real purpose of a headboard is, but after living without one for going onto a year, I've realised the importance of one, if only as a statement piece. Here are a few ideas I'd like to try:

images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Wish List: Home Edition

Some of my favourite ways to pass the time? Looking at properties on the net and moving (incidentally, one of my worst activities? Packing!). I'm not entirely sure where this love began, but I think it might have to do with the fact that we moved around quite a bit when I was younger, and that my dad works in property. I remember spending countless hours driving around, looking at houses for sale, while on holiday during my childhood. It's an addiction that my dad seems to have passed on to me. I find nothing more calming that a relaxed drive around the suburbs, looking at houses and imagining the lives unfolding behind those four walls. So, you can imagine my excitement at the prospect of finding (and decorating!) a new home within the next two months. That's right, folks - S and I have decided not to renew our current lease (for a number of reasons, but top of the list, to find a home with a bigger garden for our pets). This is where the obsession starts. You can bet that I will be spending every available moment during the next few weeks scouring the internet, looking for suitable properties, and finding new decor ideas. Here are a few that I've saved to my desktop already:

To see more decor inspiration (as well as my favourite beauty looks and some fashion ideas), follow For The Beauty Of It on Pinterest. (And while you're at it, like my Facebook page, if you haven't done so already).



images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Rock 'n roll dreams

I literally just got back from a Givenchy launch, but I couldn't wait one minute longer and just had to share this video. Immediately. Liv Tyler is not only an incredibly beautiful and a talented actress (and the face of several Givenchy ranges), but she can sing, too. When I heard she was launching a singing career, I anticipated sweet, gentle melodies - Liv does tend to come across as sweet and demure, after all. But rock is in her blood... hit play below and see for yourself. I LOVE this song. And I love her version of it, too. What do you think?

On My Nighstand: Leigh from Lipgloss Is My Life

By far one of my favourite bloggers, Leigh Van Den Berg is the creator of the fabulous beauty blog, Lipgloss is my Life. Known for her no-nonsense attitude and brutal honesty, you can be sure that you won't find a dishonest review anywhere in sight. Leigh tells it as it is, and if she doesn't like a product or finds that it doesn't live up to it's claims, she says so. That being said, she raves (loudly!) about those fabulous beauty treats that DO work and is the first to share her latest beauty finds or let her readers in on various beauty sales happening around the country. Being the avid tester that she is, I was itching to catch a glimpse of Leigh's bedside table - if only to see which products she loves so much, that they've earned a coveted spot beside her bed! 

 "Okay, so due to my OCD tendencies, my nightstand’s painfully tidy:"

"My favourite thing on it is definitely my Yankee Beanswax Wash Day candle. It smells EXACTLY like clean linen drying outside on a summer’s day. I tend to sit in bed with the lap top a lot and like to burn it when I write."

 
"You’ll also find my diary, birth control and a Kindle. (I’m currently annoyed ‘cos I can’t find the cable to charge it and I’m right in the middle of Cutting For Stone. Also can’t wait to download The Hunger Games and see what all the fuss is about...)

Product-wise, we’ve got my usual night time crew: "

"First up is RoC’s retinol serum (now discontinued) which I use together with whatever night cream I happen to be testing/have on hand at the time. (Right now it’s Nimue’s Super Hydrating serum which is really more of a lotion than a ‘serum’.) Then there’s Balm Balm rose geranium face balm which I use on my lips, cuticles and pretty much everywhere else. I LOVE how it smells; just like Iced Zoo biscuits! I’ve also got Differin gel (a spot blitzer) living next to my bed as I’ve currently got a whopping (super painful!) blind pimple hiding beneath one of my eye brows. I also take the odd Solal melatonin about an hour before I go to bed and occasionally roll on my Woolies’ Sleep Calming Pulse Point Balm. It’s been discontinued for years now and at this rate will take me at least another six months to finish up. "

 "Oh! And here we’ve got a merry mix of things I’m currently test driving for my blog. They’re living right next to my bed in plain sight so I don’t forget to reach for them specifically as opposed to my usual products. Of everything in this crowd, I’m most appreciating Max Factor’s Ageless Elixer 2 in 1 foundation + serum. It creates a very nice, airbrushed-looking finish that even my little sister noticed and commented on. It should come out later on this year.

But ja... that’s it. I feel like I’m beyond boring now. If I weren’t so bloody busy I’d go out and buy some super exciting night lamp like this dude:"
 

 
So awful it’s awesome! 


I love it! Thank you so much for sharing, Leigh. I am also besotted with Balm Balm products, so I'm going to try the Rose Geranium Face Balm next. 

To further indulge my curiosity, I'll be doing a regular series called 'On My Nightstand' where fellow bloggers and friends will take a few snap shots of their nightstand and send a brief description for your viewing pleasure, so be sure to check back regularly for the next installment. If you'd like to share the contents of your nightstand, please be in touch. I'd love to hear from you!

Beauty Find: Wild Olive

{The gorgeous Table Mountain Collector's Limited Edition range}

About two weeks ago I joined my fellow beauty editors and bloggers at Wild Olive’s beautiful store at the Cape Quarter for a glass of bubbly and the unveiling of Wild Olive’s new limited edition range, The Table Mountain Collection. Having moved to Cape Town fairly recently, I still find myself gazing at the mountain and sneaking snapshots while walking from the office to my car each evening, so I’m particularly excited about the launch of this beautiful range. 

{A closer look at the collection}

What I love most about the collection is that each product comes packaged in a beautiful porcelain jar, which is either hand-painted using gold leaf or hand-drawn in pencil. It makes the splurge feel even more worth it, because after you’ve used up all the fabulous product, you’ll have a pretty jar that you can use to house your jewelry, make-up brushes or other bits and bobs.

The range includes a luxurious Shea Body Butter (R835), which is ideal for keeping dry skin at bay as we approach winter, and an indulgent, hand-blended Eye Balm (R675). The Eye Balm contains nourishing Jojobo Butter and Beeswax, as well as Carrot Seed Oil and Apricot Kernel, which both have rejuvenating properties - perfect for tired eyes! What’s more, this little wonder doubles up as a luxe lip balm and can even be used to treat dry patches on elbows, knees and even on your feet! The gentle Olive Oil Soap (R565) is handmade and comes packaged with an exquisite soap dish – this one makes for a gorgeous gift (Mother’s Day, anyone?). But my personal favourite item from this magnificent collection has to be the handmade Botanical Candle (R875). The calming floral scent is ideal after a long day at the office and, although it’s a tad pricey, I think it’s worth it if only for the beautiful jar – I can already imagine this jar sitting beside my bed, guarding my lip balms and eye creams from my cat’s treacherous paw (what is it with cats and their love for knocking everything off your bedside table?). It burns for up to 50 hours, so all in all, money well spent, I’d say! 

 

{Wild Olive Shea Body Butter}

 

{The luxurious Eye Balm - great for tired eyes and chapped lips alike}

 {Wild Olive Soap and Soap Dish - could there be a prettier gift?}

 {And my personal favourite... the handmade Botanical Candle}

Sadly, only 50 of each product is available at each Wild Olive Store (so 50 body butters, 50 eye balms, 50 candles and 50 soaps per store), so grab your purse and run to your nearest store, pronto! This is one beauty collection you don’t want to miss! 

 {I love the store's traditional apothecary-inspired set up}

For more information on Wild Olive and the products in the range, click here, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. 


images: Wild Olive, For The Beauty Of It

Wednesday words

 {My dream office. Image here}

Highlight of the day... I've barely seen my desk these past two weeks as I've had so many launches to attend, so I really enjoyed spending the day at the office. I listened to music while making my way down my to-do list, and even had a moment to pop downstairs to Carlucci's for a quick cappuccino. Aah, bliss! However, I have come to the harsh realisation that I need to plan a tidying session of epic proportions - and soon. I'm just about drowning in beauty products and press releases at the moment!

Last night I...  watched my first episode of The Amandas and I must admit: I'm hooked! My inner neat-freak was in heaven, but her lazy alter-ego? Not so much. I have all these plans for new storage solutions and have been meaning to do a proper clear out for quite some time now, but when it comes down to it, I just can't bring myself to begin this mammoth task. I think the fact that we're due to move house in about two months is putting me off - why bother doing all this work now, when I'm going to have to pack it all up again in a few weeks' time?

Current favourite song...  Last week I had the pleasure of joining the amazing Clarins team and my fellow beauty editors at Buitenverwaching Wine Farm in Constantia. We were treated to a delicious breakfast before the Clarins team took us through their spectacular launches for 2012 (FYI: there are some amazing products launching soon!). I always leave Clarins's launches feeling newly inspired, as their presentations often include interesting skincare facts, gorgeous visuals and amazing soundtracks. I discovered this song at last week's launch, and it's been stuck in my head ever since.

Right now I am wearing...  A lot of black! Black leggings from Jay Jays, a short black dress from YDE and my black pumps from Mr Price (which, oddly, have had a much longer life span than their more expensive counterparts that I bought at Nine West. Hmmph!). I've been playing around with nail colour quite a bit lately, so I've opted for Chanel Nail Colour in 'Holiday' on toes (their new summer shade, which will be on counter from 25 May - I've just started planning our Spring issue, so winter feels long gone!) and OPI Nail Lacquer in 'Glitzerland' on fingers. A match made in heaven? Probably not, but it works for me!

Five beauty products I'm obsessed with at the moment...
1. I am obsessed with Estée Lauder DayWear BB Creme SPF35, a brilliant, limited edition stunner that provides sheer coverage, sun protection and hydration in one. I love that it's so easy to use and, more importantly, that it looks natural.
2. Which beauty product is absolutely non-negotiable and should be in every woman's makeup bag? Without hesitation, I would have to say: blusher. It's remarkable what blusher, when applied correctly, can do for your face. I typically swear by Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Brick, a staple for most makeup artists and beauty editors alike, but I've recently discovered a new favourite: MAC Hey, Sailor Powder Blush in Launch Away! I am smitten with the pretty pink glow it creates and love the fact that it looks so natural. I apply a light dusting of Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick as usual, and use this powder blush to add a pop of rosy pink to the apples of my cheeks. (MAC's Hey, Sailor collection will be available at all MAC counters in June.)
3. Late nights, early mornings and busy days call for a good concealer, and I've found just that in new Clinique Even Better Concealer in Natural. The creamy consistency melts into your skin, but doesn't settle into fine lines and wrinkles. It can be used to cover and disguise a multitude of concerns, from dark circles and pigmentation spots to pimples and redness. It's probably best to apply this concealer using a concealer brush, but I use my ring finger to gently dab product where it's needed (that would be under my eyes most days!) and it works like a charm.
4. I could be described as slightly OCD, especially when it comes to washing my hands. As a result, I always carry disinfectant wipes and a waterless hand sanitiser on me. I love The Body Shop's delicious Satsuma Hand Cleanse Gel - the refreshing, citrusy scent instantly revitalises while ensuring that your hands are always germ-free. I carry mine in my handbag at all times and even have one on my desk at work.
5. Most people carry a tube of Lip Ice (or three!) with them at all times to ensure that lips stay moisturised and hydrated all day long, so I think it's safe to say that Lip Ice has become a household staple for most. However, as essential as a good lip balm is, I wouldn't go as far as to say that Lip Ice is an incredibly exciting product - until now, that is. A pretty pink box containing Lip Ice's newest launch arrived on my desk just yesterday and I am already addicted to the gorgeous glosses it contained. Lip Ice Seductions is available in two variants (Alluring Pearl and - my favourite - Sultry Pink) and both offer all the protection and nourishment you've come to expect from Lip Ice. What's more, it contains an SPF 15, Vitamin E to nourish and it smells divine to boot!

Scent of the day... Miss Dior Cherie. 

 {Miss Dior Cherie and a few of my favourite things. Image here}

I'm looking forward to... the end of next week, when all my shoots will be done, deadlines met and I'll have a chance to breathe! 

Now it's your turn! Copy the questions above and include your own answers in the comments section. Pretty please? I can't wait to read your comments!

Good Things

{Beautiful blooms and crisp, white linen}

I’ve had so much energy these past few weeks and I’ve found it really difficult to shut down and allow my mind some time to recharge. I’m usually far more laid back and take much longer to complete tasks, but I’m not complaining about this newfound speed and efficiency.  I find it rather refreshing and I’m making the most of it while it lasts, by writing copy and planning my beauty shoots in advance, cooking delicious, old-school meals, reading books that have been on my nightstand for far too long and even making an attempt at taming my clutter. I’ve often found myself lying awake at night, unable to fall asleep, while planning just about everything, from future beauty features and blog posts to finding our perfect home and our upcoming wedding. These are just a few things that have served to inspire and thrill me along the way…

 {Bubbly at the launch of Wild Olive's Collector's Limited Edition range}

{There's a chill in the air, but Chanel's newest nail colour, 'Holiday', takes me back to Summer}

 {Strolls in the sunshine and time to browse a few books are what weekends were made for}

 {Beautiful packages arrive on my desk everyday. This pretty stationery is going straight into my wedding file}

image credits: For The Beauty Of It