Bounty Bliss Bowl

I have had a bit of a sweet tooth lately and really felt like chocolate!  As in Chocolate everything! 

Did you know that Cacao is really good for the skin? Researchers found cacao boosts skin health by increasing blood flow and improving skin density and hydration. But that's not all...
It’s packed with Antioxidants & boosts well-being and mood!
It can actually protect the nervous system. That's why it makes perfect sense that we are craving chocolate in times of increased stress!  And that’s why I called this a BLISS bowl. :)  

 IMPORTANT: Don’t confuse Cocoa with Cacao!!!
Raw cacao powder is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans. The process keeps the living enzymes in the cocoa and removes the fat (cacao butter). Cocoa looks the same but it’s not. Cocoa powder is raw cacao that’s been roasted at high temperatures. Sadly, roasting changes the molecular structure of the cocoa bean, reducing the enzyme content and lowering the overall nutritional value.

Good thing that there is is so much yummy & healthy-ish vegan chocolate out there...
And so it happened that most my smoothies, desserts and snacks involved adding some raw cacao & chunks of raw & sugar-free The Chocolate Yogi's creations. 

So instead of my usual Green Smoothie in the morning, I mixed things up, literally.
This works well as Special weekend brekkie! 

I won‘t recommend having a bar of chocolate every morning!
Yet, this is SO much better for you than regular sugar loaded cereal. 

Here is my recipe:
1 handful Red Kale
1 Frozen Banana
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tbsp Raw Cacao powder
1 tbsp raw vegan protein powder (optional)
Half a bar „Happy Thoughts“ Chocolate by The Chocolate Yogi
1 cup Rice Milk (or Almond or any Mylk of your choice)
Blend all the above on in a highspeed blender until smooth & creamy

Top with:
Dried Coconut
Berries in season
& the other half of your chocolate bar!  

Mindfully Wed- THE Eco Wedding Fair

Have you heard of Mindfully Wed? It's a boutique eco-wedding fair here in Sydney.
And it is happening THIS WEEKEND!
I was lucky to team up with a whole bunch of their select "green" & ethical vendors for a photo-shoot lately and let me tell you: This event is not to be missed!
Get your tickets and meet a lot of talented, passionate, like-minded people that can help you realise your green goddess bridal dream and create a wedding that doesn't cost the earth!

The event itself is going to be quite something, with live music, nibbles and some useful planning tools included in the tickets, this will make wedding planning as fun as it should be.

(I won't be able to be there in person (insert sad face) as I am still having all hands full with baby Faye and work right now, but you can find other great green vendors & I highly recommend that you will check it out!)

For some more ideas and inspo check out Eco-Stylists Faye De Lanty's green wedding ideas.

Happy Planning!


 

Sparkling Vegan Makeup Brushes

It feels like Christmas over here! Why? Well, I just received some brand spanking new, shiny, vegan & cruelty-free makeup brushes! 

There are many pro-quality brushes out there these days that no animal had to suffer for!

Besides the ethical issues, vegan brushes are also more durable and won't hold and accumulate bacteria! That's right: Your animal hair brushes have a tendency to spread germs pretty easily!

Of course, all makeup brushes need proper cleaning and sanitizing. And I will always clean all my brushes very thoroughly. Yet, it's good to know that vegan brushes are naturally "cleaner".

For all cream & liquid products, synthetic brushes have been the choice of pro artists for decades. Finally, we have now sophisticated man-made fibres which grab and apply powders fantastically well! 

I just got this set of eye brushes by Nanshy. If you are looking for new pro-quality brushes and makeup artist equipment, check them out! You can find them in Australia via The V-Spot.

All their brushes come in black as well. But I am quite a sucker for all things white!

Spring Hydration & Celebrating Gratitude With Verdura

This is a beauty review, BUT there is a little story of why these two products are so greatly appreciated by me right now. If you don't have time for my waffling, skip the italic part and jump straight to the bold writing!

"We did it!" said husband with a proud grin, let's celebrate tonight!
The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, with me working at multiple destination weddings, photo-shoots & presenting two natural skincare/makeup workshops, Dave being busier at work than ever and both of us being parents to our little 4-month-old baby, Faye.
There are many projects ahead of us and so much to catch up on, but for right now:
Let's celebrate.
(Our celebration was cooking at home, after Dave came home late, making some delicious dessert and being in bed by 9.30pm.)

I do really feel grateful that I am able to work with my family in tow. They have been tagging along and supporting me so well! That said, I am trying to be really mindful of not letting our days get hectic or stressful. Faye is still so little and she deserves a calm nourishing environment and lots and lots of fun and cuddles and of course milk! Although I am doing some work she is still exclusively breastfed.
Moments of mindfulness, healthy plant-based food & aromatherapy are getting me through most days in grace.

Just in time, 2 especially beautiful Verdura Naturalalternatives Products arrived on my desk:
All Verdura Products are ♥ 100% vegan and gluten free ♥ Cruelty-free – no animal testing ♥ No parabens ♥ No artificial fragrance ♥ No synthetic colourants ♥ No petrochemicals ♥ Palm Oil free

Gratitude Botanical Perfume
This little roll-on invited me to pause and focus on gratitude!
It's very subtle scent is totally safe for me to use around bub, as it's  not overpowering nor does it linger for long. If you expect this to be a typical powerful fragrance you might be disappointed, but if you are like me and love to carry little uplifting aromatherapy oils with you, then you will like it. It sits here on my desk and will be my new handbag companion.
The scent is a blend of the sacred oil of Frankincense and notes of Rosewood, Spruce and Blue Tansy. It's calming and peaceful and melts away any worries, helping o be present in this moment...and: Grateful!

Lotus Hydrating Mist
Just the refresher that I needed, to clear my head and get on with things today!
It also has the most beautiful Spring Vibes!
This is going to be my Spring Desk staple! It's so beautiful... Not only to look at but also the way it feels on my skin and the gorgeous smell! Verdura formulated this with very clever &pure hydrating ingredients. Infused with Jasmine, Lotus and Hibiscus it is suitable for all skin types. Facial mists are one of my favourite skin care products and I have found another winner.

Both Products are exclusive to the vegan & toxin-free online shop The V-Spot. (within Australia)

Get The Look - Editorial Makeup Goes Natural

When I recently shared images of this shoot on Instagram, a few of you requested if I could share the products used to create this look! Of course, I am always happy to share which organic/natural/cruelty-free products can achieve pro-quality editorial results!
It actually gets me very excited.
I have been teaching makeup workshops on the topic of natural makeup lately again, so if you are interested in learning more and keen to attend an upcoming one, please get in touch, via comments or email and I will make sure you will be the first in the know, once new dates are confirmed! :)

This editorial look was a campaign for Bride La Boheme, the designer was after a very ethereal, natural no-makeup makeup look...

Get The Look:
Below are the products to achieve the look

Skin Prep:
Edible Beauty Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum, press into the skin for extra hydration and instant plumping
Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion, massage into the skin for glow, circulation and to create a smooth base for your foundation.
(remember to use code LIV15 if you want to purchase Edible Beauty Products, for 15% off!)

Base:
Jane Iredale Glow Time BB Creme & Beyond Matte HD Setting Powder, use a flat foundation brush and apply from the centre and blend outwards. Only a tiny amount needed. Use Powder very lightly through the centre/t-zone.
Setting: Jane Iredale D2O Setting Spray, spray generously as the last step to set makeup in place.
Undereye Concealer: Enlighten Concealer

Cheek/Highlight:
Using the Nude&Noir Bijou Palette, via The V-Spot Shade "Diamond" as a highlight on cheekbones, nose & cupid's bow. Shade "Jasper" as a blush on the apple of the cheek.

Lips:
"Wedding Cake" by The Beauty Archive as prep and vegan lip balm
Using "Jasper" from the Nude&Noir Bijou Palette, via The V-Spot

Eyes:
Ere Perez Waterproof Mascara
Nu Evolution Eye Shadow in Versailles
Jane Iredale Jelly Jar Eyeliner in Brown
Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette

There you have it! A great mix of so many great natural products by outstanding companies.
I hope this was helpful!