alexa chung's BEAUTY MUST-HAVES

ALEXA CHUNG IS IN SYDNEY AT THE MOMENT 

as she's an ambassador for ACP Magazines’ 30 Days of Fashion and Beauty...

Today at her first press conference she disclosed her must-have beauty products ...

1. Lucas Paw Paw Ointment - her 'favourite beauty product'.

2. MAC lipstick in Vegas Volt, which she then "adds pale concealer to. I want my lips to look like salmon," she jokes.

3. Weleda Baby Calenda Face Cream - "I'm addicted to it. I slather it on morning, noon and night."

4. Chanel Ecriture de Chanel Liquid Eyeliner. {Fantastic, now we know!}

5.  Essie and OPI nail polish. Colour-wise? She says, "coral. I'm actually addicted to the coral/salmon scene."

 {Harpers Bazaar October issue, on sale September 5!}

snippet of MY DAY

VIEW FROM MY OFFICE...

~ well, from nearly any room in our house!

{We have a lot of palm trees!}

: )

loving... LOVISA JEWELLERY

IF YOU LOVE JEWELLERY, YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE MY LATEST DISCOVERY, LOVISA...

OMG, there are so many stunning pieces choose from 

their Urban Boho, 70's Glamour and Days Of Disco collections

+

If you're looking for wristwear ~

 have a squizz at their 3 for $20 sale!

home inspiration: CUTE & QUIRKY

LOVE EACH OF THESE ROOM'S PERSONALITIES...

maybe a little 'crazy', but I like that!

{Pics: Pinterest}

mid-week mumma: ANGELINA JOLIE

ANGELINA LOOK GORGEOUS ON VANITY FAIR'S OCTOBER COVER...

Here’s what she shared with the mag: 

On plans for the future: “No secret wedding..I’m not pregnant. I’m not adopting at the moment.” 

On Brad’s level of professional support: “He’s been so supportive. But it’s hard to separate the person that loves you from the critic, so I don’t think he’s a fair judge.” 

On how directing In the Land of Blood and Honey has changed her view on acting: “Brad thinks I’m going to be a nightmare…I had such a good experience he thinks I’m going to be

impatient with directors, which I already am.” 

On writing the script for her film: “I had the flu…I had to be quarantined from the children for two days. I was in the attic of a house in France. I was isolated, pacing. I don’t watch TV and I wasn’t reading anything. So I started writing. I went from the beginning to the end. I didn’t know any other way.” 

For more from Angie, visit vanityfair.com!

The issue with Angie goes on sale on newstands tomorrow 

& Sept 6 for the iPad version

snippet of MY DAY

TODAY bellaMUMMA WAS FEATURED 

on one of my fave sites, The Hoopla ~ filed under 'Things We Love'...

right back atya The Hoopla!

CLICK HERE to visit The Hoopla {to stay in-the-loop & in-the-know} 

+

 HERE to 'like' them on FB!

X

home inspiration: BEAUTY-FULL BEDS

THREE {VERY DIFFERENT} HEAVENLY BEDS ~

classic, modern and pretty...

I love them all!

{Pics: Pinterest}

skin DRINK

THE TRICK TO WELL-NOURISHED, GLOWING SKIN... 

is to apply your moisturiser directly after having your bath or shower!

Don't towel-off too much, just gently pat skin with your towel, then massage in your cream or lotion. 

The reason why —damp skin acts like a sponge and retains more moisture.
{Pic: Pinterest}

foot NOTES

CRACKED HEELS ARE NOT ONLY A FASHION FAUX PAS, 

they can be very painful... 

the cause: The most common cause is open backed shoes. They offer limited stability and toes are forced to claw to keep the shoe on. This contributes to the foot rolling in which can create callus formation and cracking. There’s also the theory that continual slapping of the shoe against the heel can contributes to cracking. 

the cure: Wear shoes with a strap around the heel or ankle to offer stability and decrease callus formation. Use a foot file weekly and a foot cream which contains a salicylic acid. If this fails you should see a podiatrist for a professional treatment.

snippet of MY DAY

CONGRATULATIONS GIRL!!!

Adele has won three awards at MTV's VMA's today ~ woot hoo!
{And you've probably heard Beyonce announced that she's preggers ~ that's Beyonce, not Adele!}

Anyway, hubbie sent me this Tiny Desk Concert vid of Adele performing in a stripped-down three-song set at the NPR Music offices & I just had to share it... it's seriously A-MAZING!

+  
you can also CLICK HERE to see Adele performing live at the VMA's

start to SLEEP BETTER

IF YOU'RE SO BUSY AND FIND IT HARD TO GET TO BED BEFORE 11 ~

you're in the same boat as me and need some serious restorative zzz's!

Here are the top sleep experts' tips for getting some 'quality' sleep, 

{hopefully 'quantity' factor won't be too far behind}:

1. Snack yourself to sleep: Eating a small carbohydrate snack with a bit of protein (think a scoop of light ice cream with berries, or a rice cake with a slice of turkey) a couple of hours before bed gets the brain to produce the calming neurotransmitter serotonin. To help the snack along, cut off caffeine eight hours before bed (chocolate included), and steer clear of nicotine beginning four hours before.

2. Keep all electronic devices—including digital alarm clocks, smart phones, and computers—away from your bed. Even the tiniest bit of light can disrupt melatonin levels, making it hard to fall asleep.

3. Ditch the heated blanket {and turn down the heating}: Keeping your bedroom cooler actually helps you fall into a deeper and more restful sleep.

4. Stay hydrated. Being even mildly dehydrated cuts your mental and physical energy dramatically. Sleep experts recommend drinking plenty throughout the day, and downing a full glass of water in the first few minutes of waking up

5. Resist the urge to hit the snooze button—you're just putting off the inevitable—and head to the shower. Lather up with something that contains peppermint—the ingredient has been shown to make people stronger, faster, and more attentive.

home inspiration: DISPLAY TABLES

I LOVE LITTLE SIDE TABLES

that show off random little fave trinkets and treasures...

like the one above!

{Pic: Pinterest}

cheap beauty-full TRICKS

EVERYTHING CAN HELP WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING MONEY ON BEAUTY-FULL ESSENTIALS... right?

Here's how you can get more for what you paid for...

* Make your own scented body lotion by adding a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil or perfume to sorbolene cream.

* Rub almond oil into your nails to nourish them and soften your cuticles.

* If you can’t afford your favourite perfume, you can still wear the fragrance in a less expensive form, such as body spray, powder or shower gel.

* Save on face exfoliators by rubbing your face with a dry towel before cleansing, or with a damp face cloth afterwards.

* To save money at the hairdressers, ask for a cut without a blowdry.

* Learn to mix your make-up to create new colours rather than buying new make-up every season.

* When you can’t squeeze anymore out of a tube, cut it in half, you’ll be surprised how much product will be inside.

snippet of MY DAY

{QUICKLY} SNAPPED HUBBIE

having a {kid-free} minute! 

{Love you babe!}

X

loving... MARBLED NAIL POLISH

HOW COOL IS THIS...
And it 'seems' quite easy to do!
{Source: CutePolish}

words of WISDOM #61

{Source: bellaMUMMA loves...}

weekend hair: TWIST & TIE

LOVING HOW SIMPLE THIS STYLE IS...

It puts a whole 'new twist' on the classic ponytail!

{Also loving the feather earrings ~ a great alternative to feather hair extensions 

yet just as lovely!}

{Pic: Pinterest}

happy WEEKEND

HAPPY WEEKEND BELLA'S ~

some food for thought...

“Happiness is the by-product of an effort to make someone else happy.” 
― Gretta Brooker Palmer

snippet of MY DAY

MY TAKE ON YESTERDAY'S MESSY 'DO POST...

The trick is not brush your hair before you put it into a bun & keep on finger-teasing it during the day

 to keep it messy looking!

: )

friday fave #4... {LOL!}

LOVE!

{Via: French By Design}

friday fave #3: DIY GLITTER SHOES

IMAGINE TAKING AN AVERAGE PAIR OF SHOES

and be able to make them sparkle?

You can! 

CLICK HERE for all the DIY deets!

friday fave #2: BEAUTY BOX

WHAT A GENIUS IDEA ~

love the idea of receiving a pressie box containing big brand samples every month...
A super-chic way to try before you buy!

CLICK HERE for more deets

home inspiration: COUNTRY CHIC

CUTE, CHIC & COSY...

how much are you loving this country cottage?

{And that bed ~ perfect for day naps!}

pedi PEP-UP plan

TREAT YOUR FEET AND PUT A PEP IN YOUR STEP 

with this great DIY pedicure plan from Allure mag... 

Take a milk bath. Not as ridiculous as it sounds! The lactic acid in the milk will help smooth calluses, so fill a large bowl or tub with equal parts milk and warm water, add a few drops of lavender oil, and soak your feet for five to ten minutes. 

Care for your cuticles. Rub a drop of cuticle oil into each toenail bed and push back any thickened skin with an orangewood stick. Use a coarse-grain emery board to file your nails straight across to prevent ingrowns, and then slightly round the edges. 

Soften your soles. Refill the bowl with clean water, then thoroughly exfoliate both feet with a coarse foot scrub and rinse them clean. Remove calluses on your heels, the balls of your feet, and your toes with a foot file or pumice stone. 

Add some moisture. After rinsing off the scrub, coat your feet and lower legs in a moisturising foot mask. Let the ingredients sink in for five to ten minutes, then rinse your feet and legs. 

 Prepare your nails. Pat your feet dry, then massage in a hydrating foot cream. Wipe the lotion off nails with a nonacetone polish remover pad before slipping in a pair of foam toe separators. Swipe a basecoat from bottom to top of each toenail. 

 Paint away. Apply three strips of polish, one up the centre, then one on either side. After about two minutes, paint on a second coat, and follow with a topcoat after another two minutes. 

Let your toes dry for at least an hour.

friday fave #1: FULL CIRCLE CLEANING PRODUCTS

I SPIED THESE THE OTHER DAY @ THOMAS DUX...

and instantly 'liked' them {liked them alot}!

Introducing Full Circle’s line of super-stylish, functional products made from sustainable and renewable resources ~ including scrubbing brushes with sleek, bamboo handles and sponges made from cellulose, a plant-based fibre. They even have pot scrubbers that fully biodegrade!

But that's not all that's great about Full Circle...

 * They source raw materials close to where all of the processes and packaging is done to minimize transportation. 

 * They ensure scraps and waste materials are recycled. 

 * They use recycled and FSC certified paper for our marketing materials and packaging 

 * They audit our factories according to the following: fair labor practices, health & safety, compensation & work hours, environmental conditions including air and water, as well as waste disposal. 

* They don'r claim to be perfect, but they do closely monitor the environmental and social impact of our products. 

+ they welcome comments or suggestions.

CLICK HERE to find out more about their mission

 & HERE to shop their products

double ACTS

HERE'S HOW TO MAKE YOUR MAKE-UP WORK OVER-TIME... 
* Blend lipstick onto your cheeks to create a sheer coloured blush
{but make sure your skin is well moisturised}. 

* Lipgloss can double as a highlighter for your cheeks and eyes.
* Eye pencils can be used to outline and define your lips too.
* Shimmery eyeshadow is great for defining cheekbones and collarbones.
* Rub lipbalm into your nails to nourish and soften your cuticles.
* Mix Vaseline with a little loose powder eyeshadow to create a shimmery highlighter for your face and body.

flowers for FRIDAY

{Pic: bellaMUMMA loves...}

snippet of MY DAY

IT WAS SUCH A GORGEOUS DAY TODAY...

that opened up the whole house + opened up all our closets to let the fresh air in!

 {I know, a 'lightbulb' moment LOL}

copy-cat her hair: THE MESSY BUN

MY NEW FAVE...

best attempted with 2 to 3-day 'unwashed' hair!

: )

shoe LOVE

I'LL HAVE A PAIR OF EACH, SIZE 38...

thank you very much!

{These babies are on my lust-have list!}

: )

on tele TONIGHT!

DON'T FORGET TO WATCH IT {WE LOVED THE LAST SERIES}...

If you didn't see it, here's the jist: Australia's toughest food critic, Matthew Evans, has chucked in his city life for a taste of some small farm living in Tasmania. Once a single man trying his hand at farming and experimenting with making artisanal produce, Matthew is now a fully fledged family man with partner and son {he looks SO cute}. So this time, he has to get serious about 'bringing home the bacon'.
It looks like it's going to be good, so set the IQ...
GOURMET FARMER – 7.30pm Thursdays, SBS ONE.

home inspiration: MEG MORTON'S HOME

I MET MEG A SQUILLION YEARS AGO IN OUR MAGAZINE DAYS...

and I've watched her interior stylist career explode from afar!

This girl has STYLE!

Here's a peek at her home ~ the first time it's been shot...

and you can CLICK HERE to see more!