New: Carrière Frères Industrie candles

By Tammi Ireland

Since moving to Bondi, I have burnt more candles than I remember, as I spend long nights writing by the ‘fire’ they produce, being transported by their scent – to Tahiti (coconut and lime), to Donnybrook (French pear), to Paris (almondine).  The memories and feelings candles can help emerge are frequent, and I must thank the candles I find for eliminating moments of homesickness as soon as the match is struck to light them.

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As a result, I’m always on the look-out for a great candle with the trifecta – aesthetically pleasing, gorgeous scent, long-lasting.  Ambrosia Candles has a carefully selected library of international and Australian candles that tick all three boxes, some of which I’ve previously reviewed here and here.  The latest brand to join their coveted store is Carrière Frères Industrie, a French brand founded in the 1800s by two brothers.

‘The Beauty Night’ and why you must schedule one

By Tammi Ireland

Ladies, you have to agree with me there is nothing better than feeling sexy, confident and beautiful – just for you.  But how do you get that way if you’ve worked three different deadlines in a row, felt sick from lunch and been told some horrible news?  You schedule it!  Just like your dentist appointment or meeting your superiors, this is important, too.  Once a week is all I ask, and I’ll explain why it’s so great right now…

Tonight was my ‘Beauty Night’.  I try to schedule one a week or – failing that – one a fortnight.  On ‘Beauty Night’ everything gets done. And I mean everything.  Here’s my ‘To Do’ list…

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Obviously there’s no way I could (nor should) do all these on a daily basis, so scheduling one night a week to check everything off the list is not only a great idea, but also something to look forward to.  Because you feel AMAZING afterwards.

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It’s all in the products you use – ‘Beauty Night’ is not the night to skimp on products. On ‘Beauty Night’ it’s the best of the best.  Here are my must haves, working down the ‘To Do’ list:

Natural Body Scrubs – Not All Are Built Equal

By Tammi Ireland

Body scrubs are one of those products that you don’t really need, and which can all be a bit same-same.  They exfoliate (so does shower gel with a loofah) and they wash off anyway, so why spend big, right?  Well, I had to eat my words when I tried Burt’s Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub (RRP$29.95) because the experience and the results were amazing.

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The first thing I noticed when I opened the Burt’s Bees Sugar Scrub tub is just how thick the product is – you literally have to dig down and then scoop out the scrub.  Next, I notice the texture – not too granular (read: not painful to use). Check and check!

Inspirational Smells

By Tammi Ireland

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As a writer, it’s often hard to stay motivated when you’re staring into the eyes of a deadline.  Every scribe has a different remedy for their writer’s block, but mine has got to be the Two S’s – sound and scent.  Give me some Beyoncé (currently playing: Love On Top) and a candle, and my fingers just can’t type fast enough.  Obviously, it’s important your scent isn’t too relaxing or distracting.  I’m currently burning Votivo ‘Moroccan Fig’ (RRP $60) in the office and it is divine.

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Botanics of Australia – Making Aussies Smell Great since 2011

By Tammi Ireland

Botanics of Australia is another of my latest great discoveries. Inspired by nature, boa allowed me to take time, relax, treat my body and smell amazing all at once when using their products.  It was an amazing experience.

I like to have fun with my products.

The boa Smoothing Body Scrub is the brand’s hero product thanks to its delicious lime smell.  It’s extremely zingy and took me a while to place the scent, which I decided reminded me of the lime lollies I used to get post-netball games as a child.  Fresh smelling and with delightful little Wattleseed exfoliants, the scrub has made its way into my ‘everyday essentials’.  Hero. 

Scents and Sensibility

By Tammi Ireland

Just over two months ago, I packed all my books, magazines, clothes and shoes into boxes and lugged them out of my parent’s place and into a one-bedroom to call my own.  I was living the life, decorating my little flat with the goods I’d collected over the years and cheating on all things fashion with furniture.  Times change though, and the bliss I used to get from living alone and cooking whatever I wanted for dinner has now dissipated and made way for routine and ritual once more.  The only thing that changed the feel of my teeny apartment is to imagine it as a place of refuge from the busy workday, done by changing its scent.

The Aromatherapy Co. Madame Plume 'Blue Mood'

A sucker for anything sweet (in both shape and scent), The Aromatherapy Co.‘s Madame Plume diffuser ticked all the boxes.  With a jar that actually looks like it belongs on display that flays the reeds beautifully, ‘Blue Mood’ is the perfect subtle scent.  Not so overpowering that it hits me in the face when I walk in the door, this ‘Blue Mood’ is a bargain at $24.95.

T x

Results! Smooth and Strong Hair with (a different) Moroccan Oil

By Tammi Ireland

The hair every woman covets.

Women the world over have fallen in love with the little blue package and, more importantly, what comes within it.  No, I’m not talking about a Tiffany & Co. bracelet; I’m talking about Moroccan Oil.  While we love the tried and true original brand, we also love to support local businesses, so when we heard a Perth company had designed their own hair products using the North African oil, we got mighty excited!

Seven Wonders Natural Hair Care is salon grade and smells divine.  Their Moroccan Oil Shampoo (RRP $15.95) is slightly transparent and blends into a thick lather when massaged, while their Moroccan Oil Conditioner (RRP $15.95) is creamy and made my dry hair turn smooth enough to easily run my fingers through.

*STAR*

The hero product, however, is the Moroccan Oil Treatment (RRP $34.95), making hair easier to straighten, smell delicious and SHINE.  Amazing!

Those that love Moroccan Oil will love this.  Those that don’t… well, who am I kidding? There aren’t any.

T x

pics: We Heart It

Get Her Look: MIRANDA | Sex and the City 2 – the Movie

On Coveted Canvas over the past week we’ve been looking at the makeup looks of Sex and the City 2 with Charlotte, Samantha and Carrie‘s how to’s. Now we’re rounding up the four fabulous friends with Miranda, the lawyer, mother and good friend.

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Miranda’s makeup is a little more playful in the second part of the movie when she has more time for her.  Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Pink Shimmer (RRP $9.95) is not a likely choice for a red head but works well because of its shiny qualities.  Other colours great for those with fair skin and flaming hair include red, bronze and nude.

Get Her Look: CARRIE | Sex and the City 2 – the Movie

Growing up, I would watch Sex and the City religiously.  Often out of the eyes of my parents, I’d watch Carrie date countless men, muse on her relationships and write about them in her column.  I’d admire Miranda’s work ethic and Samantha’s no-holds-barred attitude, and I’d love Charlotte’s determination for the picture perfect romance.  I learnt a lot from those four friends, be it that clashing prints work, that I want to be a writer, that friendship is one of the strongest bonds you will find in life or that romance – any and every type – is just fabulous.

SATC the TV series.

When the first movie came out, I was beyond thrilled.  I hated it in cinemas but loved it during the re-watch.  The second movie was cheesy, a full romp.  But the fashion was wonderful and the friendship stronger than ever.

SATC the Movie.

What I most loved in SATC2 was the makeup.  The girls had each changed just a little.  Samantha was rocking a powerful red lip, Miranda had a more relaxed attitude thanks to the fact she quit her job, Charlotte was mostly the same, save for a bit more pink (influenced by her girls?) and Carrie – with the biggest noticeable change – had a more tanned, bronzed makeup.

Throughout the week we’ll be showing you how how you can use their makeup progression for inspiration.  First, the star of the show, Carrie Bradshaw…

A Little Sniff of Luxury

Following on from my post about the importance of relaxation, I’d like to introduce you to two things.  The first is the lovely Yaz Turker’s blog, aptly called The Happiness Cocktail where Yaz sporadically posts about the importance of taking time.  It’s a great read!

Second is MOR‘s Black Cherry Plum candle, yet another great scent for relaxation.  Everything about this candle is sexy!  It’s packaging is seductive, it’s black, shiny glass and black wax is sophisticated and the scent itself is luxurious.  Plus, the MOR logo is stamped on in 24 carat gold.

Luxury in a candle.