MONTHLY FAVORITES {MARCH}

The first quarter of 2015 is over and now we head into the second quarter, which for countries in the Northern hemisphere means its Spring, whilst in South Africa we head into the nicest time of the year with regards to the weather, especially here in Durban on the Kzn coast.

Here are a couple of my "standout" favourite things from March.

Enjoy!

1.

Crystal Barn in the Natal Midlands was such a refreshing place to visit and I will certainly be back

to savour some more in the near future.

To read my review click on the pink link below.

Crystal Barn Country Estate

2.

L'Occitane launched a new Ltd Edition Collection of Shea Whipped products and I was lucky to try 

several of their products.

To read my review click on the pink link below.

Shea Whipped Body Collection

SUNDAY SAVINGS {FRESH DELIGHTS & BLISS PRODUCTS WOOLWORTHS}

I love a discount or saving..who doesn't?

If you are on a tight budget and want to pamper yourself or a friend then check out my Sunday Savings for this week.

Woolworths have a couple of body and bath ranges that are really well priced and even more so at the moment, as they have a discount running of 30% off, so here are some of my picks. 

All of these products are:

Approved by Beauty Without Cruelty

 Dermatologically tested

Fresh Delights Coconut & Lime Hand Wash - 300ml

R 42.50

R 29.75 

Bliss Foam Bath - 500ml

R 45.00

R 31.50 

Fresh Delights Avocado & Sesame Body Butter - 250ml

R 45.00

R 31.50 

Fresh Delights Sweetpea & Jasmine Hand & Nail Cream - 75ml

R 35.00

R 24.50 

Bliss Hand & Nail Cream - 75ml

R 35.00

R 24.50 

Fresh Delights product range includes the following fragrance options and

 they all sound delicious:

Sweet Pea & Jasmine

Caramel & Cream

Coconut & Lime

Avocado & Sesame

Lotus & Water 

Bliss comes in the following floral fragrance varieties:

Rose & Violet

Freesia & Peach

Orange Blossom & Vanilla

Jasmine & Melon

www.woolworths.co.za

IN PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT PEDI {TEREMOK SPA}

Over the years I have had many pedicures, some good, some bad and some that have left me physically injured!

To me a pedicure is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing of all the beauty treatments you can have. I have decided to do a series of posts on my experiences with pedicures and rate them accordingly.

5 ***** are up for grabs in the seven scoring areas.

I'm really not expecting to find a perfect pedi on my quest, as I believe its quite a tall ask, but I will bring you my personal findings on the day of each pedicure I experience.

                                                                             Onwards in my quest:

My second "pedi" in my series of posts is from the Teremok Spa in Marine Drive Umhlanga Rocks. The spa forms part of the award winning 5* Teremok Lodge and is true to the meaning of the Russian name, being a “little hideaway” for lodge guests and a discerning outside clientele. The Spa offers all the usual treatments you would expect including two options of pedicures, R260 for a 1hr. Pedicure and R300 for a Paraffin Wax Pedicure. 
I was rather excited to see that they also offer a foot peel for R100, which can be a treatment on its own or an add on to the pedicure, but extra time is required.
 Knowing my views on exfoliation this has to be my next treatment, as I have been assured its excellent, so I am there as soon as time allows and you can be sure a review will be posted.

Koi Pond

1. Booking Process: ****

I phoned at 8.40am to make a booking, but an answering machine came on, so I left my details and someone phoned me soon after to take my phone booking, which was handled professionally and enthusiastically with an sms confirmation being sent soon after.

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2. Bonjour: ****

On my arrival I headed up towards the lodge reception, as I was unsure as to where the spa entrance was, other than a gym sign on a door there was no direction boards that I could see. Once I was directed to the door by the Koi pond I was pleasantly greeted and led through to a relaxation lounge area where I filled in the mandatory details and contra indications questionnaire, which many salons do not do! I had a little chuckle to myself as I noticed a lovely floral box that contained reading glasses for those that had forgotten and needing readers myself...I thought this was a really thoughtful touch and one that I can't say I have seen before.

I was offered a selection if drinks including cappuccino, tea and water which is what I opted for. It was a hot day and the infused water came with welcoming ice! I was shown by my pedicurist Kelly to one of the two treatment rooms and once comfortably settled on the treatment bed my pedi began.

Reading Glasses Box

3. Ambiance:***

The usual "salon" type relaxing music was playing in the background and the room, which did have a beautiful feature wall, was darkened and relaxing, but it seemed a pity that they couldn't somehow create a pedi n mani area to overlook the pool or an outside courtyard area.

Treatment Room

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4. Product : ***

When I was asked to chose my nail colour, I was excited to see a great selection of Essie polishes, if for some reason you are not a fan of Essie, which fortunately I am, then you have no other choice. Teremok Spa offers a wide range of face and body treatments available using products from Dermalogica, Mama Mio and Lillian Terry International, and state-of-the-art BT anti-ageing technology.

~~~~~~

5. Treatment: ***

The treatment that lasted an hour included the obligatory and necessary soak and exfoliation in a plastic washing up bowl...yes a plastic washing up bowl!!  A nice touch at the start if the pedi was a heated bean bag around my neck and shoulders. My pedicurist Kelly was friendly, attentive and experienced. She was thorough and had good firm hands when doing the lower leg massage.The usual foot scraping, cuticle pushing and painting all made for a very pleasant pedi at Teremok Spa.

~~~~~~

6. Au Revoir: ***

My "checkout" was handled efficiently and I was asked if I wanted to make a booking for the foot peel that Kelly sold me on. One of the owners was on hand and asked how I enjoyed my pedi, which is always a nice to see.

~~~~~~

7. Was it a perfect pedi?

Whilst it was a good proffessional pedi, I would recommend the Teremok Spa to ditch the plastic washing up bowl for something a little more "in keeping" with the Spa's upmarket image. I can't wait though to return for another pedi and a foot peel.

Overall ****

Finished Result

Teremok Lodge

To find out more about treatments offered at Teremok Spa

www.teremokspa.co.za

Previous posts In Pursuit of the Perfect Pedi

1. The Spa On Fairway

SUNDAY SAMPLE - ATTIMO BY SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

This weeks Sunday Sample post will be a fragrance review, which I must say that despite having spent many years dealing with fragrances and seeing so many "fly" n "die" I tend not to review very many. 

This sample came in a recent Rubybox, so this is what I will be wearing and testing for the rest of the week. 
Look out for my review on Sunday!

Attimo

 L'Eau Florale 

by 

Salvatore Ferragamo.....

"The shoemaker to the stars"

VENDING VARIETY

A vending machine is a machine that dispenses items such as snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, cologne, consumer products, and even gold and gems to customers automatically, after the customer inserts currency or credit into the machine.

I can't say that I've bought very much over the years from a vending machine, other than perhaps a can of cool drink and some chocolate. However I do have memories of machines swallowing my money and not dropping the item into the tray.

Vending machines have been around since, believe it not, the late 1800's and are a familiar sight at airports,train stations and on varsity campuses. Cool drinks. Chocolate, newspapers and pharmacy items are now the accepted norm, but check out some of these famous brands' vending machines that are now popping up around the world. Its seems that nothing can escape being sold in these mini retail units. Even though a premium will be charged for this convenience. I'm sure they no longer steal your money and they deliver into the tray every time! 

Enjoy!

Forgotten your Havaianas? 

Just chose a new pair from the vending machine.

I love the sizing guide on the floor.

~~~~~~

Run out of your favourite Body Shop Body Butter? 

This vending machine stocks all their best sellers.

~~~~~~

For those that can't go without their ''fave" bubbles.

Moet & Chandon

Champagne

~~~~~~

Do you want a vending machine with Benefits?

Here it is and its pink

Love it

~~~~~~

This vending machine is "Open For Beauty" with

Elizabeth Arden goodies

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Do you want something constructive for the kids?

This must be a huge hit...Lego

~~~~~~~

Would I use this vending machine?

You bet as its an Essie Colour Boutique.

Source

DECOREX DURBAN 2015

In 2014 I was a first timer to Decorex Durban and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so I visited it twice. This year it is just as good with many of the regular exhibitors re appearing, whilst there are several interesting "newbie" stands. The best way to show you is via my photos and remember this is just a small glimpse of what is on offer. 

Well worth a visit this weekend.

Enjoy!

Show dates

19 – 22 March 2015

19 March: 10am – 8pm

20 March: 10am – 9pm

21 March: 10am – 8pm

22 March: 10am – 6pm

Ticket prices

Adults: R70

Students / Pensioners: R60

Kids under 12: R15

Trade: R60

Exhibitor: R60

Venue

Durban Exhibition Centre:

11 Walnut Road, Durban 4001

Outdoor Warehouse

The Goodwood Co.

Spitfires

Unwined

Spitfire

Easigrass

Plaisir Du Jardin

Vegmo Accessories

Vegmo Accessories

Bryan Cusack

Daniela's Macarons

www.decorex.co.za

CRYSTAL BARN - COUNTRY ESTATE - FORT NOTTINGHAM

Well..who would have thought it...

the Midlands Meander in KZN has its very own Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Situated close to Fort Nottingham Crystal Barn, which used to be a farm, is found at the end of a not too hectic dirt road and is off the beaten track.
Now.. the name Crystal Barn does in no way prepare you for what you discover housed inside the barn and out. The farm buildings house a small one legged pub (small pub not a small leg), a coffee shop and an extensive retail area with nooks and crannies just overflowing with a mix of both antiques and newer items. 

It reminds me a little of Oom Samie Se Winkel in Stellenbosch in the Cape.

 We arrived for breakfast on a beautiful  Sunday morning and decided to sit outside in the courtyard under the shade of the umbrellas and we couldn't help but be entertained with the kitchen staff  going backwards and forwards to pick fresh produce from the veggie and herb garden, which borders the courtyard, this takes freshness to a whole new level.

Crystal Barn has a small but interesting menu, which includes some lovely home baked goodies. Unfortunately the food even though it was very good somehow took a backseat to the eclectic, Bohemian mix of paraphernalia that dominates every space. Your are constantly distracted with bric a brac items wherever you look , there are things hanging from the ceiling, upside down in the garden and just propped up against a wall. It really is hard to describe and is best viewed for yourself. 

Some may call it wacky, strange, odd, beautiful but its certainly interesting and I highly recommend a visit, in fact make it a long visit, so you don't miss out on anything. 

This is definitely a post that requires many photos,

 so

Enjoy!

They also have 8 en suite bedrooms housed in the old cowsheds, which are very reminiscent of the Exotic Marigold Hotel...and I just loved it, so do yourself a favour and plan that long leisurely visit or a night away you won't be disappointed.

For more info re directions and room rates visit:

crystalbarn.co.za