Best of Bloom.. #10daysofgiving

This is just pure decadence for any  host, relative or friend during this festive period. One of my personal favorites has to be the Peony & Blush Suede which I religiously light and move from room to room so that it leaves it's heavenly scent everywhere I go.

                                Peony & Blush Suede Candle R600.00 Jo Malone

Sweet memoirs..

Writing has always come very naturally to me, and I'm grateful to many including my parents who nurtured my passion for reading and inspiring such a great love in my life. At times it can be very daunting, and yes there are days when I've been completely up against a wall. 

Having amazing content however, makes writing just a little bit more of a breeze. In this case, more like a sultry ocean breeze.

I popped by another sweet little soirée at the Jo Malone boutique in Canal Walk, to celebrate the launch and experience some Wood Sage & Sea Salt Fragrance.

Instead of the traditional signature black ribbon, Wood Sage & Sea Salt has sailors rope and knots as part of the packaging. So in keeping with this theme, ladies were treated to a jewellry making workshop on how to tie bracelet knots, creatively clever I know. I opted for a simpler baby blue bead because the whole tying of knots was a bit too much for me. 

Coming back to the fragrance, one would imagine sea salt to be an odd combination in any fragrance, but knowing Jo Malone, I graciously accept the unexpected. I love how one's sense of smell has this amazing way of triggering memories, and associating it with a particular time in your life. Inspired by the English coast, a feeling of being caught in a comforting fresh salty ocean breeze, with waves splashing onto white sandy shores is exactly how this scent made me feel. It gave me happy thoughts and childhood memories about balmy summer days. It's clean, it's earthy, it's fresh, it's subtly woody with the sultry sage also playing around there quite happily.

With Jo Malone, every fragrance is possible. If you new to the brand, this is an amazing fragrance as a first purchase. For those in the know, it's a wonderful addition to your Jo collection. 

Here's to new memories and blissful sunny days

Happy weekend..xx

Daddy love..❤️❤️

It's Father's Day weekend so I've compiled a list of heavenly treats for the amazing men in your life. I do so love a man who takes care of his appearance, and if he doesn't..well then it's best you do your bit and nudge him in the right direction. In fact, I love birthdays and any occasion to buy gifts and I normally do a combination of different things just to keep it interesting.

1. If he's the sporty type, then a good mustard bath soak is perfect for those tired muscles. It's therapeutic and soothing, and great for just a relaxing hot tub chill. 

2. I LOVE Lancome and so I was quite excited about this 'Lancôme Loves Men' campaign. Cleansers, moisturizers, anti-ageing and shaving products to keep him looking fabulous and fresh faced for years to come. It's never too early or too late to start beauty routines and make sure to give him some quick tips as to "how to" if he's a newbie. Trust me..he will appreciate the extra attention.

3. Those who know me well, know that I am head over heels..stars in my eyes kind of lovestruck with the Jo Malone cologne intense range, a perfect buy for both. The Velvet Rose and Oud has an alluring scent so provocative and indulgent, but yet still not overwhelming and I'm dreaming Arabian nights and desert safaris ala 'Sex in the City' style.

4. Massage treatments like manis and pedis are a real treat..I mean who doesn't love smooth sultry caresses instead of rough touches. Do a dual booking for you and your baby daddy/husband and you can enjoy it together.

5. A variety of good quality chocolates always tops my list. No explanation required.

6. And then Brunch is always a good idea..whip up a couple of pancakes with sweet strawberries, some fresh fruit and a little sparkling something to drink and get all the kids around the table. The love of a family is the best gift anyone can receive.

I don't have the luxury of having my dad around..so I spend these special days with those closest in my life. Love and appreciate who you have in your life..for tomorrow is never certain..❤️❤️

Keep warm and cosy this loooong weekend..

Big bear hugs

Xx

some JO MALONE love..

When the Queen of Luxury & Indulgence sends out royal invitations..it's best to RSVP, clear your schedule and attend. So....this weekend had me feeling rather royal when invited to a fabulous pamper session at the gorgeous Jo Malone Boutique store in Canal Walk. An experience which had me reminiscing about my trip to London, and that certain British class that cannot be bottled, or so I thought. 

We were welcomed by the chic & fabulous Jo Malone stylists, and served delish coffee and chocolates before settling down and treated to a hand and arm massage using the delicious cremes and heavenly colognes from the TASTING BAR.

The stylists are very knowledgable about the products and I used that as a guide when choosing my lotions and beauty potions. After having an invigorating Vitamin E sugar scrub, I 'ordered' the Red Roses bath oil, which when added to the water dissolved into a milky wash leaving no oily residue. This was followed by a Lime & Mandarin body and hand wash, the Nutmeg & Ginger body creme and lastly the Wild Bluebell cologne.

What's great is that all these fragrances can be applied in your preferred combination and layered to create your personalised scent. How POSH spice is that!

Now I adore the smell of Saffron (NOT pronounced Safram!) and wasn't too sure how this would be interpreted into a fragrance, but the Cologne Intense Range just blew my mind. Think alluring middle eastern notes of rose, amber, Kyara wood and oud infusions, to name but a few. Nothing remotely close to the overpowering oud I was accustomed to. The Jo Malone fragrances are everything you never expected fragrances to be. 

Understated..'Timeless and elegant..but always infused with a charming dash of wit and whimsy' - mmmm sounds familiar.

Pop by their boutique stores in V&A Waterfront and Canal Walk to create your signature fragrance, or just spoil yourself with one of those scented candles which I'm so crushing on. Hugs and kisses to Raeesa and Nazley at the Canal Walk store for the wonderful experience, and to the talented artist Stephen Kulp who sent us home with a beautiful hand painted Jo Malone gift box.

Fab Monday everyone..xx

All hands on deck..

GUILTY as charged...for not spending as much time looking after my hands as I should, and much to my own detriment. The constant washing of hands and being in the sun etc tends to leave my hands dry and wrinkly so much so that they look much older than me :)) 

I must admit I spend quality time cleaning and moisturizing my face but I don't always make the 'time' to slap on a little hand cream..tsk tsk!

I've started by investing in a few tubes of good quality hand cream, and also have been given some lovely gifts. They a great gift by the way, whether a birthday or just a sweet 'I'M THINKING OF YOU' kind of gift to a friend. I make a note of leaving them all around the house, in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and my car so I don't have an excuse not to moisturize. It's a lovely indulgent spoil just before getting into bed and I'm crazy like that because I use it on my feet as well. Hand creams generally are more rich in texture so it's a wonderful treat for the twinkly toes after a long day.

There are so many available depending on how much you want to spend. From the basic department store brands to the more lux beauty brands and speciality body stores like the Crabtree and Evelyn, Jo Malone, The Body Shop and Lush who all stock some great products.

Do yourself a favour and don't neglect your hands, it's a dead giveaway if you trying to fool the age department. ; )

Happy Saturday lovelies..

xx