pretty & PINK

{Via: PrettyGirl}

chrissie PRESSIE idea #16

HOW DARN CUTE IS DONNA HAY EGG COSY WITH EGGCUP?...

I can think of a few people on my Chrissie List who would love to keep their boiled egg snug and warm in this 100 per cent organic merino wool hand-knitted cosy while it sits in this cute ceramic eggcup - can you?

CLICK HERE for all the info and shopping details

loving...

WATCH THIS...  it will make you smile! : )

super-quick BLOW-DRY TRICK

DON'T HAVE TIME TO BLOW-DRY YOUR HAIR? TRY THESE TIPS... 

* Start with damp hair.  

* With a comb draw a line from ear to ear on top of your head and divide the front section into thirds. 

* Blow-dry one side first and then, using a round brush, roll it toward the face. 

* Continue with the crown, followed by the other side of the head, then run your hands through your hair. 

* What you’ll have is a perfectly smooth frame around your face that will blend into the rest of your hair.

chrissie PRESSIE idea #15

GIVE THE GIFT OF [PRICELESS} INSPIRATION BY GIVING A COPY OF HOMELOVE...

This gorgeous book compiles 100 inspiring ideas for creating beautiful rooms by Megan Morton.

CLICK HERE to find out more about getting a signed 

(and personalised, should you wish) copy of HOMELOVE to 

give to someone you love this Christmas!

how BEAUTIFUL...

LOVING this images - just had to share!

X

glow & tell: NINA MAYA

THIS WEEK'S GLOW & TELL COMES FROM SUPER-TALENTED AND SUPER-STYLISH FASHION DESIGNER, NINA MAYA! Here, she takes time out of her busy schedule to share her beauty tips...
BEST BEAUTY ADVICE: Yoga and meditation. Stress is the worst thing for your body so I find my daily yoga and meditation allow me to start the day rested and rejuvenated. And I love Audrey Hepburn’s tip, “Happy Girls are the prettiest!"

CAN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT PRODUCTS: Lucas Paw Paw treatment for your lips. Grown Vanilla & Orange Peel Hand Cream and Dermalogica Tinted Moisturiser.
BEST TIME-SAVING TIPS: Have your stylist cut your hair into a low maintenance, easy-care style. If you get a cut that brings out its natural wave, curl or works with the fact that its straight etc, you can save a LOT of time by skipping all the styling.
CLICK HERE to shop Nina Maya!

snippets of MY WEEK

IT'S BEEN ALL ABOUT GETTING READY FOR SANTA THIS WEEK...

I have two little dudes that are SO excited about Christmas, they could just explode!

Super-cute, super-exciting - and super-infectious!
: )

happy WEEKEND

HOPE YOU HAVE A FUN-FILLED WEEKEND!!

My quote for this weekend... 

“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.” ― Mae West

X

{Pic: Absolutely Beautiful Things}

pretty PRETTY

{Via: Nina Maya}

friday FAVE + {pressie idea #14!}

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A TOTALLY UNIQUE PRESSIE THIS CHRISSIE, 
one that keeps on giving, you have to check out 
WorldVision's Smile gift catalogue...
  By purchasing a gift from the Smiles catalogue on behalf of a friend or loved one,
you'll not only bring them joy, but make a lasting difference in the lives of children, families and communities who need it the most.
 There are gifts to suit every budget and personality that represent the life-changing work WorldVision will carry out on your behalf. You could buy someone a chicken or a goat, or a gift to 'Protect children from exploitation', which will contribute to the education of at-risk communities to help reduce the chance of children falling victim to predators. Or {for the blokes in your life} you could choose a quirky gift, such as a toilet, which will contribute to life-saving sanitation in poor communities. Smiles gifts are also an easy way to avoid spending hours searching for an affordable Kris Kringle gift. 

 CLICK HERE to choose from 47 life-changing Christmas gifts today and spread Smiles around the world.

sleep SCHOOL

THE FIVE WORST SLEEP MISTAKES —I do two of them {the TV and nightcap ones}! Here they all are:
 1. TV TOO CLOSE TO BEDTIME. The light and the content are both incredibly alerting.
 2. NAPPING. The need for sleep builds over the day and should peak right around when you go to bed at night. Naps dissipate this momentum.
 3. A NIGHTCAP. Drinking alcohol makes you much more likely to wake up multiple times during the night.
 4. PETS IN THE BEDROOM. Dogs snore, and cats prowl.
 5. OVERSLEEPING. Not everyone needs eight hours—the range is huge—from four to 11 hours.  Consider how much you tend to sleep at the end of a long vacation. Then see what happens if you get that much sleep. If you wake up just before your alarm goes off, that's your magic number.
{Source: Allure}

holiday HAIR

I LOVE THIS 'DO... {it's great for concealing a fringe that is growing out}...

To DIY: Gently back-combing the hair at the crown with a boar-bristle paddle brush. Then lightly tease your hair throughout and smooth it over with your palms. Don't tease solely at the crown, you'll create a crazy pouf which = tack-o-rama.

{Source: Allure}

so so TRUE

{Via: The Bottom Of The Ironing Basket}

chrissie PRESSIE idea #13

LOVING THIS 'LIVE LOVE LEARN' RING by Australian-based jewellery designer Nicole Fendel at Nina Maya Emporium...

Nicole launched her eponymous collection in 2005, successfully fusing romantic sentiment with a modern jewellery aesthetic. Her delicate bracelets, precious cocktail rings and beautiful pendants with poetic engravings have struck a chord with women throughout Australia, with a celebrity clientele including Ruby Rose, Isabelle Lucas, Kristy Hinze, Yumi Stenes, Jessica and Jennifer Hawkins. 

I'm thinking this is a must for your wish-list!

CLICK HERE for more info and shopping details!

my photo MEMORIES

MR 4 @ ABOUT 8 MONTHS OLD...

just before his very first Christmas!

Awwwww!

: )

mid-week mumma: GWYNETH PALTROW

IF YOU'VE GOT SOME SPARE TIME AND YOU LIKE GWYNNIE THIS IS WORTH A WATCH...

Gwynnie sat down with Chelsea Handler for the late-night talk show host’s Chelsea’s Big Interview Special earlier this week... She chats about her upcoming movie Country Strong, her favourite bevvies, and gaining and losing weight for the film. Gwyn also opened up about her family, including hubby Chris Martin and their two kids Apple and Moses. I love Gwynnie’s imitation of Apple’s American and British accents - very cute!
{Source: Just Jared}

mid-week mumma: HALLE BERRY

HOW STUNNING IS HALLE BERRY? And how divine is her make-up?

 We've all been taught that blush is best applied lightly along the ridge of the cheekbones. But according to InStyle, Halle has swirled a warm apricot hue on the apples of her cheeks and let the colour drift slightly inwards towards the nose. Might be worth giving it a try - it definitely has a glow-ey effect!

chrissie PRESSIE idea #12 + GIVEAWAY

WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO GIVE {OR RECEIVE} THE GIFT OF TOTAL PAMPERING AND RELAXATION?

Meet my next pressie idea... Natio's Dreaming set which contains bath and body care to pamper and invigorate with certified organic plant extracts and essence. Natio Dreaming blends specific certified organic essential oils and plant extracts to help bring peace and calm into your world as you indulge your body, soothe and protect your hands and revitalise tired feet. 

Sound like the perfect gift? Well it gets better... 

Natio has kindly given bellaMUMMA 5 x Dreaming sets {that each contain: Spa Pep-Up Body Cleanser, 210ml Spa Smoothing Mint Foot and Hand Scrub, 100ml Spa Foot Revival Cream, 110ml Spa Heavenly Hand Cream, 90g} to giveaway as early Chrissie pressies.

For your chance to win, all you have to do is 'like' bellaMUMMA on facebook {if you haven't already} and leave a COMMENT below - or email me - telling me why you would like to win? 

Winners will be announced December 8! Good luck!

style LOVE

LOVING THESE CLASSIC LOOKS that are featured in 

net-o-porter magazine!
{I discovered this little gem while searching through apps on my iPhone!}

wow TAYLOR SWIFT

TAYLOR YOUR HAIR STYLIST IS GOOD!!!!

Taylor with super-straight hair {and a fringe} at the 2010 American Music Awards...

She looks amazing - yes?

{Source: Just Jared}

textured TEASE

THIS IS MY NEW HAIRDO LOVE... it's not a wave nor a curl, it's a tease that's textured {that's fancy schmancy beauty talk}! To DIY: Blow-dry your hair with a round brush. Push it back so it falls naturally, and lightly tease the crown to create a halo of flyaways. Mist hair with a texturising spray, and wrap the ends around a curling iron for a couple of seconds to create a slight bend.

Gorgeous!

PS. How divine is January Jones?

{Source: Allure}

glow & tell: KATE FROM HANKER

THIS WEEK'S GLOW & TELL COMES FROM THE CEO and FOUNDER OF HANKER, {which you know is one of my fave websites}... I'm so chuffed that the very gorgeous and super-stylish Kate Evers took time out of busy schedule to share her beauty tips...
BEST BEAUTY ADVICE: Wear a great hat and sunglasses whenever you are outside and only play outdoors in Europe. The sun in the southern hemisphere is just not worth taking a risk with, whereas I always build up a nice soft tan on the Med without even noticing I am doing it. Of course sunscreen is a must wherever you are.

CAN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT PRODUCTS: Definitely Eve Lom cleanser. It’s one of the few things that makes my {rather difficult and sensitive} skin happy and I love the ritual every evening with the muslin cloths. I don’t believe in expensive moisturisers as they usually congest my skin and my very trusted dermatologist, Natasha Cook, told me they are a waste of money. She recommended I just use Cetaphil from my local pharmacy. This advice has probably saved me thousands of dollars so I am very grateful (though she has not yet persuaded me to drop my La Mer eye cream as I am irrationally convinced it works). I love to have simple signature scents for Winter and Summer. I am currently doing Miller Harris Citron Citron for Summer (lovely mandarin notes) and Edouard Flechier Une Rose for Winter (so nostalgic). 

BEST TIME-SAVING BEAUTY TIP: I only use nail polish on my toes and just keep fingernails buffed and French cut. I would love to have glossy coloured nails, but to look good, fingernails really need to be done everyday and the reality is there are lots of things I would rather be doing than having a manicure. On toes I choose classic colours like Essie’s Mademoiselle or Wicked. Essie is free of nasty chemicals and the shadeswork with whatever you're wearing.

chrissie PRESSIE idea #11

MY BOYS GAVE ME ONE OF THESE LAST YEAR - and I love it!

It's a Tiffany & Co Travel Jewellery Case which is super-cute for keeping your precious pieces in while travelling or at home on your bedside table!

CLICK HERE for more info and shopping details!

snippets of MY WEEK

MY WEEK 'THIS WEEK' INCLUDED... 

kindy art {super-cute}... Raspberry Semi-Freddo that my 

'diamond' of a hubbie made {I picked up that new saying too from Virg - 

love it and love her}... 

MakeUp Free Monday {which I highly recommend}...  a story published in body+soul today

... and {much much-needed} coffee!

Hope you had a great week?

X

chrissie PRESSIE idea #10

HERE'S ANOTHER GIFT IDEA THAT {I THINK} WOULD MAKE YOUR BESTIE/SISTER/KINDY TEACHER {for example} FEEL SUPER-SPECIAL...  

It's Benefit's All You Need Is Gloss set and it includes 3 double-ended wands in 6 shimmering shades including: * I'm with the band {golden pink shimmer} 

* almost famous {copper penny} * life on the A list {bubble gum pink} * who are you wearing {passion fruit pink} * back to the fuchsia {sparkling fuchsia} 

* 24k {sexy gold}

It's also a goodie to put on your wish-list!!!

CLICK HERE for more info and shopping details

bangin' on ABOUT BANGS {again!}

THIS POST COMBINES TWO OF MY OBSESSIONS - Alexa Chung and 'the fringe'! 

So, if like me, you had a fringe cut, then decided that you weren't so much into it {and the maintenance} anymore - you can copy-cat Alexa to get you through the growing process! Part your fringe in the middle and push it to either side of your face—then spritz hairspray directly on your fingertips to help smooth the fringe aside, coaxing it to stay in place and off your face. 

{Source: Instyle}

happy WEEKEND

HAVE AN AWESOME + AMAZING WEEKEND... 

My quote for the weekend: “Life is a series of surprises.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

X

chrissie PRESSIE idea #9

ANOTHER SPESH PRESSIE IDEA FOR A BEST FRIEND...
Kate Spade's Grace Avenue Toasting Flutes - who wouldn't want to raise a glass of bubbles with this pretty pair of toasting flutes. In brilliant crystal with a silver-plated stem, Kate's finished each flute with a coordinating bow inspired by her favourite grosgrain ribbon. Very spesh!

CLICK HERE for more info and shopping details

new FAVE SONG

HEARD THIS IN THE CAR TODAY - and just had to share it!
What a great song to lead into the weekend - yes?

X

friday FAVES

MY FOUR FRIDAY FAVES this week are...
1. NINA MAYA HIGH/SUMMER 10 COLLECTION...  If you're looking for a drop-dead-gorgeous dress for the Christmas / party season, look no further than this collection from one of Australia’s most outstanding young designers, Nina Maya. Nina is renowned for creating beautiful, high-end collections with an emphasis on quality, silhouette and finishing and she is fast becoming one fashion's super-stars. CLICK HERE to find out more about Nina Maya and CLICK HERE to 'like' her on Facebook!

2. BOBBI BROWN LIMITED EDITION SMOLDERING EYE PALETTE... Inspired by the runway, Bobbi designed NEW limited edition Smoldering Eye Palette to make all-out eye makeup easy and wearable. Includes a base colour, a bold metallic and a powder liner that’s perfect for creating a modern, smudged look-plus NEW Port Long-Wear Eye Paint, which can be applied wet or dry. Perfection for the smokey eye / nude lip look - loving!  CLICK HERE for more info!

3. ELK CICADA SANDALS... Elk is proudly based in Melbourne, Australia and offers original, contemporary designed fashion accessories featuring jewellery, textiles, shoes and knitted apparel. I love that Elk only releases two ranges each year focusing on seasonal colours and that each piece is created using fine quality raw materials sourced from all over the world - and that everything is made using traditional skills and techniques that guarantee authentic and high quality production. This Cicada sandal is definitely my most fave shoes this summer.  CLICK HERE for more info!

 4. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE KIDS AT THE HOUSE 2011 season... I cannot believe that Babies Proms at the Opera House has been going for 30 years - amazing! Next year is going to feature 17 new shows over the 12 months including magical worlds to explore with Patch Theatre's Me and My Shadow and Denmark's Theater Refleksion delightful Songs From Above. Plus the whole family can discover their inner clown with circus legend Jaimie Adkins in Circus Incognitus. They're also introducing two brand new Family Proms events in the Concert Hall and bringing Charlie and Lola over from the UK for the summer holidays. CLICK HERE to watch the webclip for more info!

put this on you TO-DO LIST

{Via: We Heart It}