Time for the important things...

photos by the talented Photography By Nadean

I do love being busy and I am always so full of new ideas and passion about my work that it's hard for me to sit still. However there are things that I miss in these crazy times, most of all: Sleep! 2nd: The time to make healthy food, sit down to eat and eat well, 3rd: Time for cuddles and hanging out with my two fav boys in the world and at last, number 4: Reading!

So I made some things priority no matter how busy everything felt, I bought some fresh flowers, and yummy groceries and cooked at home a few days in a row! Cuddles on the couch followed and also some earlier bed times. All this was inspired by a brand new amazing healthy food cook book named "my darling, lemon, thyme..." which I found in my goodie bag at a wonderful evening that was all about a completely different book "Sapphire Skies" by Belinda Alexandra. Who was just the loveliest person and a true animal lover, so we instantly had something in common. Through my job I got the last minute opportunity to attend a truly magical night at the Watson's Bay Boutique Hotel hosted by the wonderful Nat from the Eat Read Love blog. I guess that was really the theme over the last weeks Eat, Read and LOVE. It was a book launch dinner party, where the author was present and all tables were filled with Sydney's finest creative talents, from photographers, bloggers, stylist, artists, editors, writers, entrepreneurs in many many fields ....

This night really inspired me on so many levels, and also showed me once again how important it is to make room to get together with great people. While I haven't actually had the chance yet to start the book, (I will save it for times of travel and holiday!) I made time for some other important things and returned full of energy back to work with my wonderful clients.

If you are interested in finding out more and seeing more pictures check out the original post over at Eat Read Love

Smile Brilliant! Teeth whitening DIY style

Smile and you will always look lovely! I truly believe in this. While enjoying coffee quite a bit I found myself in need for some teeth whitening help. My teeth are ok to start of with, but there is a slight discoloration. How about turning my admin and writing days in the home office into a tooth whitening session? DIY Style.

Most of my brides get their teeth whitened before their weddings and I do think that it makes a big difference in your appearance. Its important not to go overboard though, as completely bleeched super white teeth do look fake and unnatural and aren't really a good look at all, while healthy looking pearl white teeth look amazing.

While I was at first thinking that getting your teeth whitened at a professional dentist might be a better and safer option, my research showed that they will use the same products to achieve the result. Of course at home it's down to your won judgement of the strength and time and you will need to make your own custom trays too. At a fraction of the cost I decided to give it a go and was hoping not to damage my healthy happy teeth in the process, however I have recently talked to a few clients who happily did the process at home without any problems.

A little bit wary if it will work and be safe I agreed to test smile brilliant teeth whitening pen with the LED lights for a home treatment.

I started a week ago with my treatments and while it's not the most comfortable experience, I did notice a difference. It's super easy to use the clicky pen, the gel can directly be applied with a little brush straight of the pen. The smell of the product was really pleasant of peppermint and I was able to hold the LED light with my lips, so I could actually work while whitening my teeth, it was much easier then I thought. I did 4 sessions starting with 30min and then increasing the time to an hour. I am really happy with the result as my teeth are still natural looking but definitely brighter than before. It was really easy enough to do by myself.

My teeth are a little sensitive in general so I would like to try their desensitizing gel I might review this at a later time and will let you know if it makes any difference.

Did you ever try to bleach your teeth at home or did you go to a dentist?

The set was provided to me by PR for consideration without charge, however this does not affect my personal opinion.

Dress hunting inspiration- The different bridal POP UP shop

A little while ago I have received an email from the genius behind a totally new bridal store concept from San Francisco I was smitten by her enthusiasm about independent, up and coming designers from around the world and her style. This is my kinda shop...only that I am not in the USA nor am I in need of a wedding dress right now. Otherwise I would possibly hop in the next plane. While I can't be there in person I felt I really wanted to share the LOVE and hopefully inspire some of you lovely readers. In case any of you are around California, I had to share her Pop Up Invitation with you and hope you can make it. Otherwise do check out her website and stay tuned for updates! I am sure it will be worth it and I would love to see this for myself. This looks like fun and totally different to the conventional dusty and sometimes intimidating bridal stores out there.

Good luck with your dress hunt!

Luxury Line Your Eyes!

Luxury line? Yep, Eyeliner has just gone one step up! It is already a constant on all high fashion catwalks as much as in most of our staple makeup bag, to sum it up: Eyeliner is amazing!!!

My favourite product form are Gel Liners. They are easy peasy to apply and they last and last and .... yes. You got it. Last. They can mimic a defined line like a liquid liner or the smudge soft edges of a pencil, they can even be used in the inner rim.

Eyeliner suits any eye shape and colour and transform any look.

In my professional kit I use them A LOT. So I was super excited to hear that Jane Iredale just released a very luxurious version: The Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner. As usual the ingredients go far beyond makeup, they contain skincare! As they combine new technologies they pair natural coconut oil with silicones. If you aren't a beauty geek, never mind, you will love this regardless even if you can't be impressed with new ingredient combinations and high tech formulas, in the end what you will notice is a smooth easy application and lasting result. I was instantly in love with the pretty little glass jar with the golden lid. It is water resistant which makes it great for humid weather and weddings, or for the movie theater, when you watch one of those films...you know?

PRO TIP: If you always struggle to get a smooth line with your eyeliner, try using an angled brush! It will do the work for you as you just stamp along your lashline! No more excuses :)

A week in Fiji...Hooray for desitination weddings

...or how to get the destination wedding tan on before getting on the plane! While it's beautifully sunny over here in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, we are all sometimes a little too busy to spend the day by the beach. Help is on the way the local Bondi based self tan label Sunescape creates wonderful products that help you look like you spend a week in Fiji (medium tan) a weekend in Bondi (light tan) or even a month in Maui (deep tan). All products are Australian made too packed with natural oils, antioxidants and skin pampering goodness! I have recenty booked my flights to upcoming destination weddings, and since many brides are after a very natural looking tan for their special day, it is good timing to tell you about my current favourite Sunescape tan! I love the smell of the products, summer, beach, coconuts and holiday come to my my mind immediately when I opened the bottles. The shower gel and body butter are sending me away to exotic beaches every time I have a shower, that's quite something. Like an instant holiday. And the tan makes me look like I have been on holiday too! I am hooked. The actual self tan comes as a hydrating mousse, which works best with the Sunescapes Tanning Mitt. Very easy and super quick to apply it goes on evenly and without creating mess in your bathroom. My tan came out very even and natural. My skin loves the products and feels moisturized and glowing after the application. No wonder the Hydrating Shower Gel is super gentle and suitable for sensitive skin as it's Sulfate and soap free and packed with natural hydrating oils and antioxidants. And so is the hydrating body butter, which feels really luxurious. It's pampering your skin while helping to make your tan last longer. I am impressed! And I am in the mood for my upcoming destination weddings and I won't go without my new favourite body products.

Thanks to the lovely Team at Sunescape for providing your products for a review.