Beauty Shout Box

31 January 2014

FOSCHINI FRAGRANCE GIFT VOUCHER BOX

I'm not quite sure how I have missed this "Fragrance Gift Voucher Box" idea that is exclusive to Foschini, as apparently it has been around for a couple of years!

Here's how it works:

Choose your box, there are several different options for Him & Her, and then follow the 3 steps on the back:

Step 1

Purchase the fragrance gift box

Step 2

Sample the fragrance and choose your favourite

(Depending on which box you buy it could contain between 9 and 11 samples of the fragrances featured on the front of the box)

Step 3

Bring the voucher into Foschini and redeem it for your full size fragrance specified on the voucher.

The box also contains another voucher that enables you to receive R100 off (T&C'S apply)

Celebrity box

R430

Contains samples of some of the best selling Celebrity fragrances,

e.g. JLO by Jennifer Lopez and Killer Queen by Katy Perry

To read review

Designer Box

R620 (Her)

R745 (Him)

This box contains samples of..you've guessed it, Designer fragrances like Calvin Klein, Roberto Cavalli, Donna Karan and Valentino to name a few.
There is also a male box option.

DELUXE BOX

R820

This is my personal favourite of all the voucher gift boxes as it contains samples of the Deluxe fragrances like the classic fragrance Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana and Yves Saint Laurents 2013 launch Manifesto

To read Manifesto review

I really think that this Fragrance Gift Voucher Box is a great idea, especially for the male species that sometimes find it daunting to go into a cosmetic department and buy a fragrance, let only choose something new or different.

It would be a case of quick into Foschini, decide on the box,pay and leave the store.

I know that many men would find this idea very appealing.

It's a Win Win situation!

These boxes give the receiver the option to try 9 - 11 samples, of the top selling perfumes, away from the store environment. I am sure that they will fall in love with at least one of the samples and then they can redeem their voucher for a full sized bottle of their new favourite fragrance.

The only drawback, would be the possible loss of the voucher and I know several of my friends that have either lost gift vouchers or let them expire.

Well Done Foschini.....bring on some more good ideas!

www.foschini.co.za

28 January 2014

LUPA OSTERIA RESTAURANT {REVIEW}

My hubby and I found ourselves up in Hillcrest this past Saturday,
so this was the perfect time to try Lupa Osteria for lunch.

Having heard so much about this Italian eatery, I was expecting great things!

As you know I am somewhat of a harsh critic when it comes to food, as I want to come away from any eating place with that "I can't wait to go back again" feeling.

As soon as you enter the large 1st floor restaurant you get that "feel good" factor, as on the left behind glass is the pasta station and on the right is the Parma Ham slicer, which is somehow comforting to know that these guys...
Chris Black & Guy Cluver know their stuff.

Parma Ham slicer

The restaurant has a New York meets Italy kinda vibe and look, with a large feature brick wall. Wine displays are used effectively as room dividers and large floor to ceiling glass windows allow you to view the hustle and bustle of
Old Main Road.

The restaurant was fairly busy, but there were plenty of tables and we were soon seated.

Our table was waited on by two waitrons , one of which was very attentive in an efficient,

non obtrusive way, whilst the other waitron had attitude.

As you can imagine this didn't go down too well with me. I couldn't help but feel we were being rushed to order our drinks before we had even sat in our seats.
To be honest he irritated me the whole time we were there.

Onto the food...
The menu is extensive and as always I found it difficult to make my choice, as there were several dishes that took my fancy.

To view menu

I decided to order one of the specials off the fairy light framed chalk board,
which by the way changes weekly.
(The specials change not the fairy lights)

The Gnocchi Fantasia caught my eye, as it was a dish of 2 halves, spicy bolognaise sauce and creamy Gorgonzola and both halves were delicious, but very rich.

The Gorgonzola sauce was a cheese lovers fantasy hence the name, whilst the bolognaise
sauce was spicy and extremely tasty.
I am still undecided as to which half I preferred.

The food was served in a large bowl and the portion was huge, so much so that I really didn't make much of a dent, but my hubby came to the rescue after he had finished his spicy chicken livers, which he gave a big thumbs up to!
He also gave a thumbs up to the wine menu and the good selection of Craft beers.