Warm Seashell Massage

Yesterday I was in a bit of a slump. A friend who was at the end of one of my boring 'poor me' conversations later send me a message advising that she had booked me in for a massage. This wasn't necessary but was a pretty awesome thing to do. I wonder if it was a way for her to buy 60mins of silence from my moaning?

Any woo....

So at 9.28am I arrived, dah daaa. Paula, my therapist, started the treatment off with a foot soak, this gave me time to come up with plans to deal with my body issues during the massage. I am ridiculously self conscious. I was relieved when Paula showed me a mound of fluffy towels. When she came back I had hidden every inch of my nudish flesh under all of them.

Paula then began the Warm Seashell massage with Pure Fiji Gingerlily oil. Ummm, Oh my friggin' goodness. This was like a hot stone massage on steriods. After 5 mins I was ready to toss the shackles of those towels so she could do whatever she needed to.

The brochure reads "Drift away while enjoying a relaxing massage with warm sea shells and relaxing blends of aromatherapy oils. Tension is relieved and balance is restored with this unique massage experience"

I can't remember what my earlier problems were but I am thankful I have wonderful, thoughtful friends.


PS: This isn't a sponsored post. I just happen to have really cool friends in really cool places.  If you want to experience this amazing massage, check out Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa 3284 6463 on the waterfront in Redcliffe.

Spring Cleaning and a giveaway!

I hate cleaning but I love cleaning products. My house is always usually glistening and sparkling with scented chemicals wafting through the air. Normally, I wouldn't be interested in writing or promoting cleaning products because there is nothing glamourous about it and I like to give a false impression of a stylish, lady of leisure. But, when I was told about this Brisbane based company, producing quality and environmentally responsible cleaning products, I couldn't refuse.

I was already aware of Orange Power due to their must-have Sticky Spot and Goo Dissolver. This has been a constant in my life since children. Every parent should own this. Orange power is 100% Australian owned, the products are palm oil free and they are endorsed by environmental group Planet Ark. The packaging uses 95% recycled cardboard and is easily recycled.

GIVEAWAY!!
Orange Power have now launched a new line of laundry products and to celebrate, I have two packs to give away to two lucky readers.

Giveaway Packs ($50 value)
2 x NEW! 1kg Orange Power Laundry Powder
2 x NEW! 800 mL Orange Power Laundry Liquid
1 x 500mL Orange Power & Upholstery Cleaner
1 x Orange Power Air Freshener
1 x Orange Power Sticky Spot and Goo Dissolver

To enter, all you have to do is:

1. Comment below and tell me why you would like to win the Orange Power pack. 
2. Enter before 6am on 11 October 2012.
3. Include your email address (so you can be notified if you win)

If you would like to 'like' Redcliffe Style on Facebook that would be cool too but it's not an entry requirement.


Redcliffe Style was sent product to review but did not received payment to review or host a giveaway. All opinions are our own and can not be bought.

Shake It

Last night I went to a new dance class at Genesis Rothwell called Ikin Shake It.

I am not a dancer. I can pick up heavy objects, I can push big things and I can run far but this body has no rhythm. I wasn't going to let this get in the way of having a good time. I love dance classes. I love the loud music, I love the flashing lights, I love exercising when I feel like I am just having fun.

I dragged along two aunts and my cousin's girlfriend. We were really excited and made the effort to dress 'dancy'.  A girl can never wear too many sequins to the gym.

The instructor Anthony was so energetic and fun. He broke down the moves so even I could manage.

There are some sexy, sexy moves. If someone asked me a week ago if I would be grabbing my arse, gropping my breasts and pelvic thrusting with my aunts I would have have choked on my coffee. Lucky, we know how to have a great time.

45 minutes later, red laughing faces, wild sweaty hair and a few great dance moves in our pocket, it was time to head home for a G&T.

What a great addition to their timetable.

This gorgeous guy is Anthony Ikin, the creator and instructor

Image credit

Mon Komo

Last week I received a call asking if I would like to check out the new menu at Mon Komo. Being the greedy girl that I am, I said 'yes', started drooling, then phoned the second greediest girl I knew and invited her to join me. To protect her, I won't mention her name.

The first thing you notice about Mon Komo is the gorgeous setting. It's on the gorgeous Redcliffe Waterfront. The restaurant is beautifully furnished, light and airy. You feel like you could be holidaying on an exotic island.

My sister Kerrin (yeah, I lied and outed her) and I took our seats, ordered a glass of NZ Sauvignon Blanc each and started analysing the menu. I gave her orders:

1. You have to order something different to me
2. You have to let me try yours
3. Use your cutlery and
4. DO NOT EAT before I take photos. This was harder than it sounds

Entree
We decided to share the Turkish bread and grissini with hommus, eggplant kasundi, tussah and balsamic oil. Lucky the Grissini (bread sticks) were there because we could use them as swords to fight over the Eggplant Kasundi. This was amazing.

Mains
I ordered the Sweet pea risotto with Swiss shard, oyster mushroom, sweet potato, goats feta, lemon aioli. This was generous and well presented. I was happy that they catered for vegetarians. I personally don't like mushrooms but I am trying hard to train myself. I tried a few, pushed them aside and devoured the remaining dish.

Kerrin ordered Ricotta and prosciutto stuffed chicken breast with baked semi dried tomato polenta and beetroot oil. This looked amazing. I couldn't help myself and kept stealing bites of her polenta, roast beetroot and sauce. This was probably my highlight.

Dessert
Our awesome waiter, Ronald from the Netherlands, suggested we might like to look at the dessert menu. He could see we were weak, dazed from food and had passed the point of no return.

We split a Kahlua tiramisu with chocolate shards and coffee gelato. This was a great ending.

Then it was time to roll out of the restaurant and pick up the children from school. Back to reality.

I did not receive payment for this post. It appears that I can be bought with food but my opinions are honest and my own

Mon Komo Restaurant 
99 Marine Parade, Redcliffe
3284 6520
https://www.facebook.com/MKHotel

Vlog - Reviewing Finding Nemo 3D

Yes I have vlogged about 'Finding Nemo' 3D. You do have to wonder if I have too much time on my hands.

Yesterday we took the girls to Hoyts Kippa Ring to watch 'Finding Nemo' 3D. We had probably seen it about 300 times between us, but decided to pay about $100 to see it again in 3D.  Was it worth it? Well, you will have to watch the vlog to find out. ***Spoiler alert***

Top Makeup artist's top ten beauty products

A great friend of mine is an amazing makeup artist. With a stroke of her brush and a flick of her wrist she creates dewy gorgeousness on the dullest complexion, sexy goddess looks on the quietest wallflower and delicate beauty on a tired worn out housewife. In fact, she did all this to me in one go. Yes, she is that clever. 

Over the years Rebecca has tried, sourced, begged and discovered hundreds of products and she is happy to share her top ten favourites of all time. I adore it when people are happy to share their knowledge.

1. Inglot Primer. This makes your skin velvety smooth and preps it perfectly for foundation to be flawless and keeps your foundation lasting all day long. $35 at Ingot stores. These are located at most Westfield Shopping Centre
2. Benefit 'Stay don't stray' eye primer. You can use this product all around your eye area. Apply it to your eye lid as a primer under eyeshadows or under your eye before applying your concealer. This has the cutest packaging too. This is $45 and you can find it David Jones.
3. M.A.C. Paint Pot eye primer. Rebecca uses this product on all her clients. It's a gorgeous primer that makes anything you put on your eyelid last forever. It also prevents shadows creasing in the socket and it is the one of her favourite 'I can't live without' products. $35 and they come in many colours. M.A.C can be found in Westfield Shopping Centres.
4. Kranberry Lipstick from Youngblood. Her perfect red lipstick. This is a stunning colour and looks amazing on. Red lipstick instantly makes you feel sexy and glammed up. $32 Beautiful You in Margate stocks Youngblood. You can buy online too.
5. Napoleon Perdis coal eye liner pencils. Rebecca uses the black one daily. $28
6. Maybelline Volume Express Waterproof Mascara. Beside making normal lashes look thick and lush, Rebecca has never had a client react to it. $16
7. Youngblood Brow Artiste kit. This helps creates gorgeous thick, arched, defined eyebrows. The kit includes two powders, a gel, a stiff brush and a pair of tweezers. They cover all brow colours from platinum blonde to black. $69
8. Napoleon Perdis Light Patrol luminizer palette. This is a beautiful highlighting/contouring palette. You can have perfect apples and give definition by creating perfectly highlighted cheek bones. Use the highlighter all over your face to create a luminous glow. This is perfect for spring.  $72
9. NARS Illuminator 'super orgasm'. Use it on your cheeks or mix a little in with your foundation for this spring/summer season ahead and give your foundation a little kick. It will look dewy and youthful. Great for a girl's night out. $48 at Mecca cosmetics.
10. Ardell Duralash lashes. These are Bec's favourite lashes of all time.  You can buy them online or at your favourite Terry White chemist. They are 100% human hair and are cheap as chips. $8.50 for a packet or strip lashes start from $10.95.

Thanks Bec, for sharing your top ten. I love your work. xx

Rebecca lives on the Northside of Brisbane, does weddings, events, workshops, individual lessons and more. You can find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/rebecca.kate.

This is not a sponsored post :)

Image credit

5 Tips to make sure you are happy with your hair when you leave the salon

Every girl must have a great hairdresser that you can trust and that listens to you. A hairdresser that is honest with you about what you can achieve with the hair you have been cursed blessed with.

I luckier now with my current hairdresser but over the years I have had some hair shockers. I still have nightmares about my undercut, the wedge and the Mrs Brady layered do. I think the majority of my hair shockers were caused by a combination of:

• My stupid inspiration choices
• Hairdressers lack of skill
• Our bad communication
• Hairdresser cockiness. I am so great, me, me, me, snip snip snip and "oh...a masterpiece"
• My unrealistic expectations

Here are five tips to ensure you are happier when you leave the salon:

1. Bring in photos of your inspiration and try to include a back of head photos (this is always a little harder but very helpful). If you can't find a photo, then take a photo of someone you see when you are out and about. I find that people are usually happy for you to take a snap and are flattered you like their hair so much.
2. Be honest with yourself about how much time and money you are going to put into maintaining your cut and colour. Blonde can look amazing but are you really going to do your re-growth every 4 weeks? I am poor and lazy, therefore I need a low maintenance do.
3. Ask your hairdresser if this would work with your hair and lifestyle.
4. Keep in mind how much time you have in the morning to achieve your new do.
5. Make you you have the right products for your hair. If you have the right products you will be able to maintain the cut and colour for longer between cuts.

I have always felt I was boring and stuck in a rut with my hair. Then I looked over the last year. I wonder what I should do next?

What is the worst hair do you have had?

It's no secret that I love my hairdresser. I have been seeing her for a few years, before I started blogging and before they were sponsors and advertisers on Redcliffe Style. My high opinion of them hasn't been bought but has been careful nurtured.

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty

4 Duffield Road, Margate
07 3284 6463
www.beautifulu.com.au
beautifulu@bigpond.com

Polynesian Spa Ritual

One of my close friends suggested we have a girl's day and go for a couples Polynesian Spa Ritual at Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa. I had been to the launch a few weeks earlier and it looked amazing but I was a little concerned about how someone as prudish modest as me would go and I am also not good at relaxing, 2.5 hours seems like a long time. But, after a few nights with limited sleep thanks to the insomnia fairy, I was really looking forward to some pampering and forced relaxation.

The therapists greeted us, introduced themselves (we had one each) and then lead us to the spa retreat. The room was warm, candle lit and smelt divine. There were plenty of large towels and disposable bra and undies for the modest lady. After I changed and wrapped myself in the fluffy towel my therapist returned to start my experience.

First she place a special warmed water balloon under my stomach. This adds to the massage because it gives you a gentle rocking sensation.

1. Exotic Island Body Scrub
A combination of coconut shells, Bora Bora white sand, marine salt and Tahitian vanilla is gently rubbed all over your body, including your feet. It's gritty and gorgeous. You know how good it feels when you scratch an itch. Imagine it all over.

My therapist then decided to throw in a head massage here. I die for head massages. I think I may have snored around this point.

2. Lagoon Water bath
The spa is on raised platform. The water is warm, deep, bubbly and enhanced with essential oils. It felt like I was sitting in a witches caldron, and I loved it. The jets were hitting all the knots in my back.

3. Mahana Massage
This is a traditional massage from Bora Bora. They have two small warmed bags of Bora Bora white sand. These are gently pummelled all over. Amazing!!!

4.  Sacred Oil
An amazing scented oil was then massaged into my skin. My skin has never felt so soft. Finished off with an oil that has mother of pearl in it. I felt and smelt like a shimmering goddess.

The time flew by and before I knew it, it was over and at no time did I feel that my modestly was threatened.

This was by far the most relaxing day I have had for a long time. It was so much fun to do with a girlfriend pity we were too busy falling asleep to giggle and just for the record, she snored louder.

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa

Shop 1, 4 Duffield Road, Margate

3284 6463

Redcliffe Style was gifted this experience and the review is an honest opinion of it.

I'm a Covergirl

This is a local magazine, Talking Mums. Guess who is their August 'Cover Girl'

They have released the August cover but not the magazine yet. I'll add the link when I have it. Then you will be able to read the fashion article I wrote on the inside.

PS: I am joining up for Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys

Golf anyone?

This week Northstar Motor Group have provided me with a Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI (Turbo diesel) to test drive. I was thrilled because when I was 18 a Golf hatch drove past me and it immediately became my dream car. I settled for an Hyundi Excel and it never quite satisfied me.

I was also aware of the popularity of the Diesel Golf. I know it's hard to get your hands on a second hand one. These babies are popular. I had also never driven a diesel so I was curious.

What I like about it:

This drives like a dream. I have so much faith in it's ability to know the road and get the job done. It feels capable and I have complete faith it's ability to handle any road, in any weather, under any circumstances.  I wouldn't expect to say that about a hatch.

I love the torque. I have always wanted to talk about torque and this car explodes at traffic lights. I am not going to encourage some silly teenage boy to drag me off at lights but if I wanted to, I could whip their skinny butts with in this.

The boot space is great for a small car. I had no problem fitting in groceries and school bags.

The fuel gauge barely moved. This could be the most fuel efficient car I have ever driven.

Sports mode - it speaks for itself.

What I don't like:
I personally like a bigger car these days and the hatch doesn't appeal to me anymore but I certainly wasn't thinking about that as I cruised around.

Some facts:
Engine:                       Diesel Turbo F/Inj
Engine size:               2.0L
Fuel economy (city):  5.2 L/ 100km
Safety:                        ANCAP 5 star safety rating
Conclusion: I love the feel of driving this car. It is zippy and great for city living. It would be great for a single person, couple or small family. Great driving, braking, comfort and safety.


Northstar Volkswagen
322 Anzac Avenue Kippa-Ring
3480 8600
www.northstarvolkswagen.com.au

Northstar is a paid sponsor of Redcliffe Style but my opinions are not bought and I am always honest.

How to perk up your winter wardrobe cheaply

It is hard to keep up with fashion and change your wardrobe with each season. It can get pretty expensive but one of the easiest and cheapest ways to update your winter wardrobe is with stocking and tights. You can pick up a pair for as little as $5 or $10. I have teamed up with Stockings Online to show you are few of my current favourites.

Colours

If you are about to grab a pair of black tights re-consider and grab a colour instead. It is such an easy and cheap way to change an outfit. Purple is one of my favourite colours and I especially love it with red. It's a great popping winter combination. Don't be scared of a little colour and have fun mixing them up. I teamed them with a black dress from Abby Lee Fashion Boutique, a red Country Road cardigan and red Mary-Janes.

Voodoo Purple Potion totally opaque tights $19.95  

Red, red rover I call over...a pair of gorgeous red tights. I can't walk passed a pair of red tights to warm me up in winter. I threw them on with a grey Metalicus dress, a black Witchery jacket, a scarf from Abby Lee (PS: they have a liquidation sale on at the moment) and old grey studded cowboy boots.

Voodoo Fever Red totally opaque tights $19.95  

Patterns

A-MAZE-ing. I love patterned tights and stockings. They are sexy, classy (the perfect combination) and dress up a simple outfit. Don't be scared to had a simple pattern or add some more textures. I wore a Lilli cardigan with a Kitten d'Amour pencil skirt and black Zu booties. (photo bombed by the cavoodle again!)

Voodoo Fashion tights Maze $22.95

Prints

There are so many great prints to choose from. I picked a subtle digital print. I like the slimming optical illusion they create. Who wouldn't want that? With printed stockings, just like patterned ones, don't be scared to play with textures, prints and colours. I have teamed it with a black shift dress from Country Road, grey sequinned cardigan, a patterned scarf both from Witchery and studded boots.

Platinum Fashion tights Digital Lines $19.95

 

Stockings Online

info@stockingsonline.com.au

07 3162 3688

PO Box 33, Geebung, Qld, 4034

I did receive products but I did not received any payment for this article. I am happy to be paid but my opinions are always honest and can not be bought.

I've been screwed...

...and it wasn't fun. A tyre on my car had been making a clicking sound every time it went around. I realised something was caught in it but I was kinda hoping that whatever it was, was also blocking the hole. That's how it works right?

When I got back to my car after Blogopolis in Syndey (yes, managed to drop it casually into conversation AGAIN) my back tyre was fairly deflated. A little like me. We took it to the servo for a quick blow job at the air pressure stand and it was good to go.

Yesterday, I left the car at Kmart Tyre and Auto in Kippa Ring for them to have a look. When I picked it up they had saved the massive screw imbedded in the tyre because they were so impressed by it's length and width. Typical men!!

It is pretty impressive though.

On Tuesdays I link up with Diary of a SAHM

Designer Liquidation Sale

One of my favourite clothes shops is having a liquidation sale and everything must go. Abby Lee Fashion Boutique on Landsborough Avenue, Scarborough. They stock so many gorgeous labels and they are now going with 50% off AND they have reduced a large amount of stock down to just $50. Some of the labels in stock are Verge, Gabriella Frattini, Vertice, Dusud, Denim Girl, Seafolly, Mela Purdie and Valia. You won't want to miss out on this sale.

I am desperate for this gorgeous jacket. It looks amazing on.

This denim shirt is so soft and has some wonderful quirky features. 

 Accessories galore...

 My eagle eyes noticed this skirt immediately. I love the colours and playfulness of it. 

Drop by and visit Chris and Leanne and pick up some wonderful bargains. They also have more photos of sale stock on their Facebook page, Abby Lee Fashion Boutique

Abby Lee Fashion Boutique
2/87-89 Landsborough Avenue, Scarborough
3880 2221