Simply Laser

I recently started laser again which I mentioned a few posts ago. I didn't talk too much about the treatment, the process and the results, therefore I decided to dedicate a post to it. The reason I say I started again is because I attempted laser a few years ago - I did a few treatments and became lazy to drive all the way. Since SIMPLY LASER relocated it has motivated me to stick to my appointments ;)

Many people are still under the impression that laser is painful. Let me just dispel that myth right away. If I can tolerate the 'pain' anyone can. My threshold for pain is in the negatives and even I can manage without applying numbing gel. The Soprano Diode laser System which is FDA approved provides pain-free permanent hair reduction on any skin type.

Generally, after each treatment, you’ll see a noticeable, permanent reduction in the number of hairs that re-grow in the treatment area. A common misconception is that laser in completely permanent which is just not true. Laser hair removal offers you a dramatic decrease in hair quantity and hair density. Over a period of sessions allocated by your therapist you can be reduced to maintenance to treat minor hair growth.

Furthermore, I am only on my third session but I have noticed my hair growth dramatically reducing. If you are in the position to undergo laser hair removal, I strongly suggest it. It works out to be much more affordable in the long-run. 

Jacqui Emmanuel

Last week I attended the Jacqui Emmanuel show. Launching her new Sports Luxe collection, this showcase oozed luxury and sexiness. The collection featured both men's and women's wear with fabrics such as velour, cotton knit and laser cut pleather to mention a few. The collection featured many monochrome pieces with an underlying butterfly theme. I think the butterflies worked well to tie the collection together. A few of my favourites were the men's bottle green velour tracksuit and the women's wrap skirts. The items are so versatile so you're definitely going to get a good few looks out of each item. I didn't get too much info on the collection but do pop into her store at 8 on Morrison to have a look.

What I wore:

My look for the show was sourced by Neil. It's different to my style as I hardly wear dresses, however I do like to change things up now and then so we decided to go with his look. My awesome ponytail was done by none other than my bestie Sawleha Hansa of GlamHairDon'tCare. Makeup was done by myself. I prefer subtle makeup, especially eyes so I used neutral colours to give a softness to the overall look. 

Here are a few pictures of the collection...

How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Cleaning makeup brushes is a real schlep and most of the time the stains don't come off. I've read numerous blog posts and watched tons of videos on how to clean makeup brushes however, I could never get my brushes to look brand new. 

I tried something we all have in our homes, Handy Andy, and this worked like a charm. It removes all stains and kills bacteria. I don't know what this product does to the bristles of the brush but if you're like me, not planning to keep your brushes forever, it works just fine. I've cleaned my brushes with Handy Andy for a year now and so far I have not seen any damage. The product doesn't have the best scent so I suggest mixing a shampoo or scented soap to the detergent.

 Step One: Wet brushes with warm water

Step Two: Apply some detergent to a Brush Egg and gently run the brush over in a back and forth motion until the brush is clean. 

Step Three: Rinse the brush until clean and run your brush over a black towel (so there are no stains) to absorb the excess water.

Step Five: Place brushes on the towel and leave to air dry.

Craft Parkhurst

Known for their exceptional burgers and ribs, Craft Parkhurst has recently introduced a  mouth-watering extension of waffles and extreme milkshakes to their dessert menu alongside their Guilt-Free Cheesecake and Salted Caramel Panna Cotta to name a few...

On my recent trip to Johannesburg, a few friends and I were treated to a delectable array of desserts at Craft Parkhurst. The evening was rainy and cold and what better way to spend it with good friends and food. Thinking back to that night makes me want feel for their Peanut Butter milkshake. Our mission was to sample the new additions to the dessert menu beginning with the Guilt-Free Cheesecake which is carb and sugar free. It is Banting and diet-friendly. Served in a cute little cast-iron pot on a wooden serving board, the baseless cheesecake topped with almonds and berries is perfect for two. Sweet and creamy and totally guilt-free, this dessert is perfect for the health-conscious!

Next we tried out the Vanilla milkshake and the Peanut Butter milkshake. With the simple presentation, all the glory is in the shake. Sugary sweet and delicious is all I have to say. I'm going to jump to the pizza and mention that it was divine! A medium-base pizza with vegetables hit the spot on a cold night! 

Back to the desserts... The Salted Caramel Panna Cotta was my favourite of the night. It's not too sweet which is my preference since my days of sugar-loading are long gone. Served on a wooden serving board with a side of sugared pop corn and spun sugar as well as a generous drizzle of caramel. May I just add that the caramel was made to perfection. There was no trace of burnt sugar. 

By this time we all were nearing the point of 'Food Coma' but we continued, relentlessly. Next we gave the Roasted Marshmallow waffles a go. Home-made buttermilk waffles topped with an assortment of Marshmallows and Marshmallow fluff. This was a treat! I was too full to have more than a few bites however, I really enjoyed it!

The Piece de Resistance, the Cotton Candy,Candy Popping Extreme Milkshake. This was a feast for the eyes! Looking at the work of art milkshake was such a treat. Served on a wooden board as well, this milkshake was topped with whipped cream, cotton candy and m&m's. It was almost too good to try! Nevertheless, we each had our chance to devour it. It tastes like little fairies dancing on your tastebuds and fireworks going off in the distance leaving behind a trace of sparkles...

Our overall experience was delightful. From the time we arrived, we were treated with hospitality and friendliness from George Camara the Manager and Zee Inyoni our waiter. The atmosphere was lively buzzing with people. I definitely recommend this place for a fun girls night out or for a quick coffee!

*My apologies for the poor quality images. I didn't have a camera with me so I had to resort to phone pictures.

Something Old Something New Something Borrowed Something Blue

I hope your week has been fruitful thus far. I feel like I have accomplished quite a bit this week. I managed to get all my admin work up to date, styled a photoshoot and finally started laser again! I used to have laser done about a year ago but never made it to my follow-up appointments. Laziness accompanied  by the drive there made it impossible. Lucky for me, Simply Laser has relocated to Windermere (Lilian Ngoyi) Road which is just a stone throw away from me. I was quite impressed by the set up and service as the staff were friendly and so helpful! They also have a new machine which makes the treatment almost pain-free!

After my treatment I stopped at Cafe Saint-Germain (French Fusion Cafe) across the road, they're part of the Fusion cooking school which is run by the students as part of their practical training. I just popped in as I needed a quiet place to work, which this place was! Watching the students brought back so many fond memories of my time at chef school. The waitress' face was so sour. When I asked for a table she looked at me blankly as if to say "so have a seat, why are you asking me?" Looking at her made me think about the long hours I had to endure forcing a smile at patrons when all I wanted to do was sleep (on the filthiest, disease-infested couch in the student room). At the time, that couch was heaven for anyone who was on their twelfth hour of work. 

Reminiscing about the good old days puts a smile on my face. It was the most difficult year of my life but if I had to do it again I most definitely would! The best part of chef school was all the free food! Every day I ate the best food, needless to say I gained a whole lot of weight too! I don't work as a chef but I'm sure my training will come in handy one day.

What I'm Wearing:

The title of the post is really fitting; the top is borrowed from my sister's wardrobe. I sometimes grow tired of looking at my cupboard. After a few hundred times of looking in my cupboard, all the clothes start to look like one. That's when I know it's time to start shopping in her closet! The jacket was bought from Zara whilst shopping with my friend. I wore it for the first time for this shoot so it serves as a new item and a blue item! I really do love it but Durban is still too hot and humid for it so it will have to find it's place in my wardrobe until Winter. The bag is from Topshop, which was purchased about a year ago so I guess it's the 'old' item. 

Jacket - Zara // T-shirt Dress - Cotton On // Tights - Cotton On // Sneakers - Christian Louboutin // Metallic Bag - Topshop //  Sunglasses - Prada at Sunglass Hut // Necklace - Mr Price

Photography by Pagiel Chetty www.pagielchetty.co.za 

Instagram: @pagielchetty

Birthday

This post was scheduled to be published last week - before my birthday however, my sister gave birth to my sweet, little nephew so all my plans went out the window! I'm a bit reserved when it comes to kids but when I saw my nephew for the first time, I actually felt like tearing out of pure joy and love. It's so surreal how such a tiny being can captivate the hearts of so many. Within a minute of his existence we were all beside ourselves with excitement! Writing about him makes me want to hold him and shower him with tender kisses. 

This year I turned 25. A quarter of a century! I never thought I'd even make it to 25. Alas! Here i am! This birthday brought on bittersweet feelings. On the one hand I'm grateful for my life and my experiences but on the other hand, I feel like I haven't achieved enough. I'm proud of myself however, for all that I have achieved yet I know I still have a long road of experiences ahead of me.

We tried to do something a little different with this post. It really was such a blast shooting this segment with Pagiel. It's a lot more playful than my usual work and a lot more relaxed... And the cupcake was really tasty too!

Pink Suede T-Shirt - River Island // Black Fringe Waistcoat - Cotton On // Denim Jeans - Cotton On //  Purple Heels - Sue Ellen by Dora at Castello // Black Chocker - Miss Selfridge // Chain - Fashion World // Watch - Casio.

Photography - Pagiel Chetty www.pagielchetty.co.za // Instagram: @pagielchetty

Weighty Issues

My friend and colleague Rookaya recently introduced me to her range of health products. Those who know me know that I am a test-bunny. I will try (almost) any new product on the market especially health and beauty products!

Coconut oil capsules and Moringa capsules. Both are said to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Both are a natural source of vitamins and minerals. These products work in conjunction with each other and when combined, they promote better digestion, healthy bones as well as being brain food. It is known to significantly improve mental focus and clarity.

I didn't try it with the intention of losing weight or curbing my appetite but I figured its natural so it won't harm me.

About two weeks in I thought about it, trying to figure out if the pills are even making any difference to my overall health, I can't really say I feel any better or more energetic however, I have noticed my appetite has reduced as well as my sugar cravings! Bear in mind that if you're in a situation where you find yourself in front of a sumptuous slice of cake, some self restraint will have to be exercised! I haven't dieted as such and I've noticed a bit of weight loss. I believe that good ol' diet and exercise is the primary source of weight loss (that and good genes) but these products assist in helping to curb the appetite thus making dieting easier. Furthermore, I must make mention of the fact that my diet is generally healthy - I rarely eat fast food or carbs, my only downfall is that sumptuous slice of cake...

I can vouch for this product! It really does work to reduce sugar cravings and slightly reduces appetite. Give it a try if you have similar concerns!

Available from Rookaya at R300 a bottle which is about a month's supply. For this price point and for the amount of capsules I feel this price is quite competitive. I had a look at a few other brands and their prices are in the same price bracket.

Contact Rookaya on 0827757786

Tunnel Vision

Great News! I am officially the newest member of 4 Elements Media! I'm quite excited to be a part of their amazing team. The year has already gotten off to a great start and I'm excited for what this year has in store for me!

These images were shot just before sunset so we didn't have much time as we were chasing day light. When I put this look together I saw myself at an African safari hence why I needed the lightweight fabrics and light colours. I modelled a few options for my mom and this one was the winner. As I grow older, I find myself choosing looser cuts and silhouettes, especially in Summer. The worst thing for me is wearing something thats' stuck to my body and making me feel like I'm wearing a sausage casing. 

I especially liked the lace-up detail and the pockets of the shirt, which is very on trend at the moment. The pants is actually the same pants as my previous post in a different colour. I am like that though. If I really like something I want it in all colours.

I slept really late last night so I'm going to take a nap. Have a great weekend! xoxo

Shirt - Zara // Pants - Zara // Brogues - Hudson // Hat - Gifted To Me // Watch - DKNY

Makeup done by myself // Photography by Pagiel Chetty.

www.pagielchetty.co.za or Instagram: @pagielchetty

Beauty Review: Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

As you know, Lush's concept is focused around fresh, handmade, natural cosmetics. The stores are so fun to spend time in. From the array of handmade soaps to the nifty products, a trip to the store is always a treat. 

Recently I picked up the Bubblegum Lip Scrub. My lips were going through a rough patch - mind the pun- and I needed something to smoothen and moisturise my lips so I opted for this scrub, because I'm an all natural girl. I do use chemical products however I prefer natural goodies. 

So back to the scrub... The ingredients are sugar, Jojoba oil and a bit of colouring. The sugar works as an exfoliant while the Jojoba oil moisturises lips leaving them baby soft. It smells delicious! and tastes even better! The candy floss yumminess got me applying it every so often just to lick it off. It's great as a sweet treat but as far as it's effectiveness, I didn't see much of a difference. I especially like to use it before applying a deep lipstick. There's nothing worse than cracked lipstick which is why I thought it would help. Needless to say, my lips were still a bit dry. I can't remember the cost, I'm sure I paid well over R100 which I think, for the price point, the results are satisfactory. 

All in all, this product looks, smells and tastes great however I wasn't totally satisfied with the results.

What's your opinion of this product? Comment below

Image not my own

2016

Hi everyone! It's been too long! I feel like I should say Happy New year even though we're nearing the end of the month. Wow! I can't even... Why is time going by so quickly? Anyway, I hope you all had a relaxing holiday. I didn't take a holiday last/this year which is partly why I have been absent on my blog - I was so busy with life. I won't reflect on the past year because, truth be told, I can't remember. It feels like one big blur. I will however, mention that everything I prayed and worked so hard for came true so I am extremely grateful. With that being said, this year I plan to work just as hard to make my dreams a reality and so far, I'm off to a productive start. 

It took me some time to get myself into gear with blog content but it's finally gotten done! This past week alone, I had to get myself to both my jobs (makeup and styling), plan and host a baby shower, shoot some content for the blog and try to fit in family and friends. I don't know how, but it all got done! I did start a new book but sadly it had to take the backseat for the past week. Hopefully this week I'll allocate some me-time and get a few hours of reading in.

What I'm Wearing:

During the December holiday I managed to do a bit of shopping. I was quite disappointed because I didn't find anything I fell in love with. I feel I bought clothes just because I needed new stuff. A few friends and I were chatting and we all came to the conclusion, Cotton On was the only store we found  decent items in. Eventually I had to stop. I don't want my wardrobe to consist of Cotton On only (even though I love their clothes). The Pants is from Zara - I got this one on sale. It was priced really reasonably so I took it in two colours. The denim Shirt is from Cotton on and the necklace is from Colette Hayman. The shoes (Zara) and hat (Mr Price) are from deep within my closet...

Denim Shirt - Cotton On // Rust Pants - Zara // Cobalt Heels - Zara // Pearl Necklace - Colette by Colette Hayman 

Makeup: Done by Myself // Photography - Pagiel Chetty www.pagielchetty.com //  Instagram: @pagielchetty

Onyx By Aneesa Solomon Summer 2016

Hi everyone. Last year I flew to Cape Town for the Summer 2016 Range for Onyx by Aneesa Solomon. I documented it on my Snapchat as well as wrote a post about the Brand. If you missed the post, you can view it here

I'm excited to announce that the collection is finally available! Please visit the website (www.aneesasolomon.com) or the Facebook Page (Onyx) to view the entire collection as well as purchase. Also, for all the European and Middle Eastern followers, the garments are exclusively available to you via www.haute-elan.com