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So if ever you were unsure about how I look...now you know! Okay even this post (or at least the photos) is a tad bit over the top and vain for me. I only did it so you could really and I mean really get the idea of the trend I'm trying to pull off here ;) Having my face plastered all over this blog is definitely not why I started it in the first place. But I thought that if I'm going to show you what this two toned blush look, looks like on a plain Jane like me... then I'd rather do it 200% or not at all ;)

I wish this was my very own and very original idea, but sadly not... I stole it from my new online obsession xoVain. If ever you were looking for website that had hilarious and at the same time insightful writing on everything beauty, then this is that place! Zero pretentiousness and and 100% honesty, or at least that's my opinion.
The post that caught my attention read, and I quote "Another Asian Beauty Trend To Try ASAP!". So obviously this caught my attention!  As luck would have it, I also got to try these new black Up blushes out for work :) Coincidence I think not! Just something short about the blushes: they are AMAZING! Great pigment, great pay off and it's all very blendable and buildable (I think I just made up two new words).

I'm absolutely loving this idea of two tone blushes as you can see! So far I haven't ventured out of my room since trying it and obviously I have no feedback... But I like it so much, I would actually wear it outside of my room! I think the only tips here would be to keep your makeup and clothes very simplistic - you don't want anything else to steal the attention away from your cheeks now!! If your going out to a party, turn up the colour intensity (without looking like a clown) and I'm almost sure all the girls will be dying of envy because they didn't think to try this first ;)

Soooo let me know what you think AND even better, if you've tried this look!

Until my next beautiful find...

Jana
xxx

p.s Go have a look at xoVain, especially if you need some entertainment, it really is hilarious and good!

Photos courtesy of House & Leisure, Bloomingdales, Goodreads, Boxwood Clippings, Elle UK, hey gorgeous,  Sunglass Hut, John Mayer, Erato, Dilligo

We girls thrive on lists! And if you're anything like me, then you're either writing lists or making them in your head. So today I thought I'll share one of my favourite lists with you...My LUSTS LIST! Now it's not what you think... My Lust List is made up with things I dream of buying, either somewhere in the near or far future. It's almost like a mid year Christmas/Birthday wish list, but for myself ;) Some of the things on here have been on the list for a while now and some of them I have only recently added. So lets get down to it...

1. Dear Deer Satin Pillow Slips. I first saw these beauties on a beauty blog a while back and since then I just knew I had to have one. These satin slips should be part of every woman's beauty routine at night in my opinion. They help retain moisture in your hair and skin and it can help reduce wrinkles and puffiness. They are available in a variety of beautiful colours. 
Pop on over to their Facebook page and have a look at these beautiful pillow slips and where you can find your nearest stockist or visit Diligo, an online store, that's offering a special on the slips for Mother's Day at the moment! 
I think these slips will make a great gift for your mom or maybe even for bridesmaids.

2. Jo Malone, Wild Fig & Cassis Scented Candle. These candles from Jo Malone are an absolute spoil! Jo Malone is known for their luxurious scents and this candle will definitely lift any spirit. Unfortunately at R655, the price is a bit too luxurious for my pocket at the moment...no wonder it's on my Lust List, seeing as that's all the candle and I can do. Lust and be on the list.

3. Lauren Conrad's lastest book, BEAUTY. So I have a mini, well okay I'll admit a kind of huge girl crush on Lauren Conrad! This girl can do no wrong in my eyes and I religiously check in on her websites. As far as I know this book is not yet available in store in South Africa. I'm sure you can buy it online, but I suck at buying stuff online! I'll have to ask the momster to buy it for me the next time she visits the States ;)
Basically this book covers all things beauty, from picking the right foundation for your skin to exercising and maintaining a healthy diet. It's filled with tutorials and Lauren's go to beauty tips and secrets. I can't wait to get my hands on it in the near future!

4. Hunter Boots. Aaaaaah I can not express how much I want a pair of Hunter wellies!!!!!! They've been on my lust list for about two years now and needless to say they are going stay on there for a while... I did some research though and Hunter Boots (I think) are getting more affordable in SA. You can buy them on Zando or the Hunter online store.
Hunter wellies have been around since 1856 and the demand for the wellies were greatly boosted by both World Wars. Almost 2 million trench boots were made during WWI and the fashionable boot became a functional necessity. Hunter also became the trusted supplier to the Royal Households. These wellies keep feet warm and dry, from the Royal family to hard working farmers, festival-goers and hopefully in the near future mine!

5. Grace: A Memoir. We all saw Grace Coddington walking with her memoir under the arm at the 2012 fashion shows during the many fashion weeks and we all wanted to have a sneak peek at this wild red haired most personal thoughts. Finally (well for a while now) the book is available and I can't wait to get my hands on it!
If not for the 2009 hit doccie, The September Issue, Coddington might have stayed one of fashion's best  kept secrets. We all fell in love with the big red haired Grace that actually had the *ahem* balls to take on Anna Wintour. The mostly camera and publicity shy Grace is finally sharing her life with us - from her days as a model to her relationship with Ms Wintour.
Now I wouldn't mind curling up with this memoir in front of the fireplace ...

6. hey gorgeous SKINCARE. So this skincare range is one of my most recent finds and a new addition to the Lust List. All the products are handmade to order with only the finest natural products. Their scrubs and bodybutters look absolutely AHmazing and the skincare range is a great local option if you're looking for natural and organic skincare.
Pop on over to their Facebook page or download their brochure to find out more about this range! They also offer gift sets that would make great prezzies for all your girlfriends on a special day or even as a late Mother's Day gift ;)

7. Vogue Sunnies. There nothing quite like a nice pair of sunglasses to make a girl feel like a princess or celebrity... you choose! Now I know I could pick a bigger luxury brand, but I try my best to kind of keep my Lust List realistic and I really like these sunnies! They're R850 and available at Sunglass Hut, pop on over there and have a look at your dream sunnies 8)

8. John Mayer's Born and Raised. John Mayer released his latest cd, Born and Raised, somewhere last year. Mayer took a two year break after having to remove 'nodes' from his vocal chords. Lo and behold Mayer he returned with a new sound... and I LOVE it! It's a mix between folk and country rock. I can just see myself lazing in the sun on a warm Sunday afternoon having a glass of wine with friends...Aaah bliss!

9. The Beige Alexa Tote @ Erato. A nice handbag is just another one of those things that makes a girl feel like a princess/celeb. I spotted this all-grown-up handbag on yet another online store, Erato. I don't think I need say a lot more about this handbag, other than that I think it's absolutely gorgeous (and I want it)! 

10. Distressed Mocha Riding Boots. These beautiful boots are from the Diligo Leather Collection. Now this last item on my Lust List is a bit of a cheat seeing as I actually bought it a few days ago! I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival and I am hoping to do a blog post on it :)
Just a short note on Diligo...As of now it's my favourite online store. Why? You don't have to have a credit card to shop with them, you can do a bank transfer! Don't judge me because I don't have a credit card, just be happy that Diligo has now made it easy for us non-creditcard holders to shop online, hooray!!!

Soooo now it's time for you to tell me what's on your Lust Lists! Can't wait ;)

Untill my next beautiful finds...
Jana
xxx

ps I love this song, There's something about Olivia, from Mayer's Born and Raised album... Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! (Have a five minute dance sesh to get those happy hormones flowing!)

My Latest Beauty Haul...

I am seriously considering buying shares in Clicks and/or Dischem! Either that or I have to start attending BPA (Beauty Products Anonymous) meetings *sigh*. I find it very hard to walk out of either shops without buying ANYTHING! So I thought maybe if I keep a 'beauty diary' (ala food diary) and share with you my purchases it will hopefully shock me into buying less??? O well, one can only try and hope for the best. That or a steady income to support my growing beauty addiction ;)

So lets see my latest offense...

1. Essence Nail Cuticle Softener Pencil. I've been searching for this type of product for a while now. There are a few out there, but they are a bit pricie for my pocket! Finally I found this one from Essence and @R34.95 really is almost a third of the price if other similar products out there. It contains apricot seed and jojoba oils that will help soften your cuticles so you can easily push them back, either with the tip or the specially designed cap. It also has a nice citrus smell to it.This is definitely a product I would repurchase!

2. Yankee Candles. As I am writing this post my Apple Cider Yankee candle is burning very bright! I've only heard great things about these candles and they're always on a few girls' wish list. Finally I saw them in a store and bought two minis - Apple Cider and Midsummer's Night. The Apple Cider smells like Christmas and the Midsummer's Night a little bit manly, which I like because it reminds me of my dad. I think buying these minis is a great way of trying different types and finding your favourite without making serious damage to your monthly budget. I bought the minis @R40 per candle at a tabaco shop of all places! I'm not aware of specific retailer, but I'm sure if you keep your eyes (and nose!) open you will find them. 

3. Exfoliac Acnomega 100, Matifying Care. Exfoliac is a Noreva Laboratories product, which in turn is part of Cipla. That's quite a mouthful, but I thought you'd like to know that it's part of a pharmaceutical company, where as most beauty products we buy is from beauty companies. This product is highly recommended for people with acne problems and it can be uses in conjunction with medical treatment. So I may not have the worst skin, but it's always good to prevent rather than treat! One of the ingredients is glycolic acid which is one of the most common AHA used in skin care products. So what does this mean? This cream will gently exfoliate your skin whenever you are using it, thus help get rid of dead skin that can clog pores and contribute to blemishes. I'm very eager to try this product and will give you a full review when I've used it for a bit. O yes, @R81,95 for 30ml it's  not waaay expensive either! And as far as I know it's only available at Dischem, if you don't find it on the shelf just ask at the beauty counter and I'm sure they'll be able to help :)

*Note: Please remember this is my personal opinion regarding Exfoliac and if you're really struggling with acne it is always best to visit your doctor or dermatologist. Also it might not be the best idea to use this product and a product that contains retinol at the same time! 

4. Catrice Ultimate Colour 060 in Oh Juicy! As you can see on the photo this is a very bright orange and exactly what I was looking for ;) The colour pay-off is great and it has nice creamy texture. @R54.95 you won't break the bank buying this lippie! I'm very happy with this purchase as I was really searching far and wide for an affordable bright orange lipstick. Despite the fact that I bought the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 040 Rendezvous the other day (I told you I have a problem!), I couldn't resist this popping colour which I knew would give a greater pay-off. So my plan of action is to initially use the Catrice and just fill the spaces with the Revlon when it wears off during the day or night. Now all I need is an orange lip pencil... teehee...

5. Lee Stafford's POKeR STRAiGHT FLaT iRON PRoTeCTION ShINE MiST. I've already done a review on this product which you can have a look at here if you haven't seen it yet! My mini bottle that I originally bought is almost at its end, so it was time for me to commit to the full size product.  I'm keeping my mini bottle so that I can fill it up and just throw it in my vanity for a weekend away. The fact that I'm willing to buy the full product must tell you that I really really love it and that it works! @R94,99 it's affordable and I'm almost certain that this will last me the rest if the year, as the mini lasted me more than three months! Just remember that Lee Stafford is exclusively available to Clicks stores in SA.

6. MAVALA Nail Colour 212 in Gold Diamond. So I have a little girl crush on Lauren Conrad and   everything she does! And when I recently spotted this gold mani on The Beauty Departement  and variations thereof on Pinterest I just had to try it! Let me just tell you that I'm absolutely rotten at nail art, so I'm always looking for something easy but pretty and this mani just nails it! I bought this nail colour at Dischem @R29.99, which I think is bit cheaper than their usual polishes so it might have been some of the old polishes that they wanted to get rid of - yay for me!

7. Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Anti-Wrinkle Serum. This was my most expensive buy this weekend @R129.75, which I still don't think is that expensive for a retinol serum. I might have bought this a bit prematurely seeing as I don't have any visible wrinkles to speak of. But as I said earlier it's always best to act preventive rather than trying to treat something. Most articles will tell you that from 25 to 30 is when those nasty wrinkles start forming as the elastin in your skin starts to weaken and you start producing less of it. This is where retinol comes in, retinol (a form of vit. A) gently exfoliates your skin that will smooth the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. It's best applied at night as retinol can make your skin sensitive. If you do apply retinol containing skin care products during the day it's extra important to apply an spf and avoid direct sunlight!! Retinol SA (Sustained Action), which is exclusively patented by Neutragena, penetrates the skin better and will continue to work for 12 hours after its application. I look forward to seeing some results as I am struggling with some pigmentation! 

Phew, that was more than a mouth full! What was your latest beauty haul??

Until next time beautiful finds...

Jana

xxx

My Ebony & Ivory Affair

Ebony & Ivory is this amazing shop in Diep River, Cape Town. I first fell in love with their beautiful variety of ribbons and am now a collector/hoarder of ribbon thanks to them ;) Whenever I'm in Cape Town I make sure to stop at E&I and a) have money to spend and b) a lot of time to browse through the shop seeing as they always have new and beautiful things! That and then there's me trying to convince myself that I really DO need everything I placed in my basket, because one day I will use it!

So here's what I bought on my last trip to Ebony & Ivory....

Round and round the rabbit hole we go with cute bunny paper clips @ R25

Pucker up with this lippie stamp @ R12

Put a band aid sticky on it to remind yourself all will okay @ R13.15

This typography sticky tape will keep everything in place @ R45

Put HOME MADE stamp on it @ R150

Bobbins before....@ R25 for 2

And bobbins after a good tea/coffee dye (they just looked way to white and new!)

Any favourites??

Until my next beautiful finds...

Jana
xxx

Brands in Full Bloom

I will admit I have sporadic but elaborate affair with Pinterest every now and then. I have to be either really bored or at the top of my procrastinating game when go on my Pinterest account! Today I found these blooming beautiful illustrations by Deryl Feril via Behance and just had to share them with you!

Until I find some more beautiful things to share with you...

Jana

xxx

It's A Red Affair

Since I can remember my mom has been wearing her signature red lips and. It seems that red has always featured in her style, she's always had a few signature pieces of red clothing and if you go through her handbag you'll find at least three red lipsticks. My mom has taught me and my sister a lot about style, mostly without even knowing it. So whenever I see red (no pun intended) I think mature and timeless style. 

I have this fond memory of my mom trying on clothes. It was the one outfit after the other, but everything just seemed 'to not work' or 'it didn't feel right'. (We have this thing in our family where we weigh in on each other's outfit. You do have the option of listening to it or ignoring it. Funny enough my dad was always the first one in line to give a fashion verdict!) So my dad kept telling my mom that the outfit wasn't right or it didn't work. Finally she tried on something red and my dad just said: 'Wow now you look great!'

So today I'll just be sharing some of my favourite 'red pictures' with you....

Red Tips by Gorgeois Pig

Big and bold a-la Katy Perry (photo: Source)

Chanel Rouge Allure (photo: Chanel)

Now what girl doesn't want this little red number in her handbag??

And here's some of my favourite red carpet looks this past award season...

Rihanna at the Grammy Awards (photo: PA Photos) 

    

mrs. Carter at the Grammy Awards (photo: PA Photos)

For some reason it seems a cat eye, whether it's bold or subtle just completes the whole look when wearing red lips! 

Laura Whitmore at the BAFTA Awards (photo: PA Photos)

Bond girl Olga Kurylenko at the BAFTA Awards (photo: Rex Features)

Now that the show and tell is all done, there is nothing more awful than a woman who's red lips are wearing off. Wearing red lips are very high maintenance and if you're not prepared to do a few touch ups every now and then you'll end up looking like a very sad clown the rest of the night! So I'll share some of my favourite tricks that will help keep any bold lipstick a few hours longer...

> Nothing spoils a bold lip like rough lips (Ugh)! Make sure your lips are smooth and moisturised. You can give them a run over with an old toothbrush and vaseline.

> The best thing to do is to colour in your lips with a matching lip pencil. Go over it with your lipstick and blot.

> The next best thing is to have some baby powder close by, because buying a matching lip pencil in every bold lipstick you own just spoils all the fun of trying out something new! Apply your lipstick, blot and lightly brush some baby powder over your lips. This will give it a nice matt finish that will last a few more hours! p.s don't apply to much baby powder as it can dry your lips out...

> Or just opt for a matt lipstick, that is if you can find one!

Thanks for listening to my red rantings!

xxx

Lee Stafford Love

You kind of have to be blind if you walk down the hair care isle and NOT notice the Lee Stafford brand. Everything is VERY pink. So it was only a matter of time before I bought something from that range. After that the Barbie pink tubes and bottles took over my shower and dresser. I also attended the recent launch of the latest Lee Stafford products, where he took us through all the ranges - which was good for the first timers like me. Aside from the schooling, I could just listen to Lee all day long. VERY enthusiastic about his brand and a great storyteller!

my BiG FAT Healthy HAiR SHaMPOO and CoNDiTiONER

The BiG FAT Healthy HAiR-range contains a Pro-Volume complex that's a combination of hair conditioning agents, including Panthenol, that will help add volume and create thick and full looking hair. All that said, I didn't really notice that big of a difference. But then again I don't blow dry my hair, (I look like a mushroom if I do) my ghd and I have a monogamous relationship. It's only when I went to my hairdresser and she commented on my hair's volume, that I realised the products were actually doing what it promised! If the promises of big fat healthy hair doesn't convince you then the smell definitely will. The whole range is signified by a handful of characteristics, which the smell is one of.

TREaTMENT for HAiR that neVer GROWs past a CERTAiN LeNTH

This treatment was purchase number 2. No wonder I'm such a beauty addict - I'll believe almost anything these products tell me! I started using this treatment (which is almost finished) before the launch. Once again I haven't seen a huge growth spurt in my hair since I've started using it so I'll have talk to my hairdresser again, she has a way better 'hair-memory' than I do it seems. I will admit though that I DO LOVE how this treatment makes my hair feel - very soft, silk-like and hydrated!

According to mr Stafford they can't manufacture this product fast enough in the UK. If the shops run out, people actually start selling it online...crazy I tell you! On average they sell 6000 jars a week!!

Lee gave this little bite of advice to everyone there, which now that you think of it sound like common sense, but at the time I felt very enlightened.

"Make sure to use a treatment AFTER you have shampooed and BEFORE you condition. The reason for this is because shampoo initially roughs up the cuticles of the hair, which released the dirt from the hair shaft. This naturally leaves the hair shaft open, becoming the perfect absorbing environment for your treatment. It allows the proteins to penetrate deeper into your hair, for the best results possible. You would then use conditioner to slick the cuticles of your hair back down, creating the shiniest glossiest hair ever!"

So what's this product all about? It's a hair growth treatment with Pro-Growth complex that is protein based (if you read the ingredients it almost seems that every second one is a protein...) that will fertilize your follicles, creating a healthy environment on the scalp to help hair grow faster and reach it's maximum potential length. Their motto is: "If the earth's not nourished you'll never grow beautiful flowers."

They've also completed this range with a HAiR GRowTH SHaMPOO & CoNDiTiONER. So if you want to put your hair on a protein diet I would suggest investing in this range! 

POKeR STRAiGHT FLaT iRON PRoTeCTION ShINE MiST

So to make this new range even more amazing and attractive, they've launched their products in minis! Perfect for those of you (and me) that want to try something out, but are not willing to commit to a full product or use it while traveling. Have a look at the website to find out which products are available in minis ;) 

I've only heard great things about the POKeR STRAiGHT FLaT iRON PRoTeCTION ShINE MiST. 

It's one of their best sellers, it tripled their sales when it was released and won them awards!
This protection mist contains green tea extracts (an anti-oxidant) that will help protect your hair against environmental and heat damage reducing free radical formation caused by UV and heat styling.
I've only used this product once, but I will definitely invest in the full product once this baby is finished!
Again the smell is absolutely amazing! It's like perfume for your hair ;)

This is only the tip of the very pink Lee Stafford iceberg! The DeHUMIDIFIER, Beach BaBe Sea SaLT SPRaY and the BLiNDing BruneTTe range is at the top of my wish list.
Keep an eye out for the all the new products in stores which includes BLiNDing BruneTTe and Argan Oil ranges.

If you've used any of the Lee Stafford products I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xxx

*All Lee Stafford products are exclusive to Clicks stores in South Africa

Artists That Make Me Whimsical #2

It seems that this post comes rather later than sooner than promised... But to make up for it I will make a second post later! Today I share a pair of artists' work with you that I just absolutely fell in love with and it just so happens that what they make is one thing I struggle to resist from buying. I'm talking about jewellery. I have so many pieces of jewellery that are absolutely invaluable to me - not because of their money worth, but of the fond memories and sentimental value I have of them.
I have rings that my father gave me as Christmas presents and especially now that he has passed away it makes them even more special. I have a pendant that was my mother's when she was a student and started working. And whenever I receive a substantial birthday donation I make a point of buying a piece of jewellery. Why? Because it's something that can remind me of that person whenever I'm wearing it and hopefully it's something that I will always have and pass on when the time is right.

And so it was inevitable that my path cross with Lady Peculiar. This peculiar, romantic and absolutely whimsical jewellery is made in the heart of Stellenbosch by two very talented jewellery makers, Truda and Louise. They capture the heart of South Africa in their pieces, but at the same time keep it universal, romantic, emotional and absolutely beautiful.

I bought these earrings in 2011 when I first visited Stellenbosch. I still get compliments every time I wear them. I love these earrings because of their whimsical and at the same time grown up feeling. 

I had absolutely no resistance left and ended up buying this ring as well on the same day. (I told you I have a weak spot for jewellery!) This flower ring is something that you find in most South African gardens and they grow wild along the roads, especially in the Western Cape during the winter time. The right name is an Arum lily and in Afrikaans we also call it a 'varkoor' that can be translated to pig's ear (???). These flowers were growing absolutely wild everywhere in Cape Town and surrounding areas when I visited. 

And so I moved to Cape Town last year *lucky me*. My mom came to visit me for my birthday and I received some money from my grandparents. So when we visited Stellenbosch that weekend I marched straight to shop no. 3 in Andringa street and bought this little nut. It reminds me of my hometown Potchefstroom that has an oak lane of 6.84km long. 

For more information and some mid-week inspiration visit Lady Peculiar either on their website or pop in at their shop in Stellenbosch. I promise you won't be disappointed!

xxx

Artists That Make Me Whimsical #1

I love collecting and surrounding myself with beautiful things - I mean who doesn't? Whether it's drawings, jewellery, books, shoes, clothes *sigh* the list goes on and on. Today I'll be sharing some of those beautiful things and the artists that created them.

First up is the beautiful and whimsical drawings of Whimsy by Amelia Jane Smith. The drawings take you back to a place and time where everything and anything was possible. A place where you sailed the seven seas with your imaginary friend, a dragon, and a time when you believed you could fly with the help of glue, a few pieces of stick and feathers.

Amelia studied at the Michaelis School of Fine Art in Cape Town. Ready for a career in high-brow art appreciation, as she puts it, she was surprised to stumble upon a small, winged girl with a tag-a-long menagerie in the pages of her sketchbook.

Stories with Swans #2

The Collector

Where Stories Come From

I bought these three prints a few years ago and they've been traveling and moving with me where ever I go. You can find Amelia and Whimsy either at the I Heart Market in Durban or pop in for a visit at their website and online store where you will find more beautiful prints and exciting adventures.

Post #2 on "Artists That Make Me Whimsical" soon to follow....

xxx