Winter Wellbeing: Body, Hair & Face

As you know - or will come to know - I get excited at anything that sparkles, glows, emanates colour, smells beautiful, looks amazing... whether it's eyeshadow, yoga pants, organic coconut oil, if it's divinely presented and a joy to use, I'm all for it.

Now that Winter Is Here, it's time to ease up on the self tanning if you're so inclined and instead to slather on moisturiser under your socks and sleeves. If, like me, heavily over heated rooms and shops really play havoc with your sinuses, I totally recommend Xlear. I discovered it at a health foods store but it's also in Priceline and other pharmacies. No steroids, no nasties, all natural and it clears up and moisturises at the same time. Alternatively, saline spray might be your best friend.

Life is short, and you only get one, so use all the good things and indulge yourself in beauty and wellness rituals that revive your body and your spirit. Sometimes it's the tiniest luxuries that remind you there are simple joys to be had every single day.

Eminence Coconut Body Firming Lotion is a richly scented, creamy lotion that is perfect for winter. Rather than disguising your scaly little limbs under full length leggings all winter, get out of your steamy shower and smear this all over. Then go forth into your day or night, knowing you are channelling some tropical summer vibes of your own.

I've just had my hair lightened to a very pale blonde ombre at the ends so it is super sensitive and dry. Because I refuse to give up on sleek, smooth and straight, I have to do all the things. Here's my advice regardless of whether you have coloured hair or not:

• Use a heat-protection spray or leave-in product
• Don't use the same old straightening irons you've been using for years (they're too hot!)
• Invest in quality hair care and high tech stylers if you use them regularly (I have recently discovered 100% Australian EVY iQ styler. Never going back - this is the best!)
• Wash twice a week and use a masque once a fortnight or more often if needed

Scents for Your Studio, Your Body and Your Yoga Mat

Don't underestimate the power of the senses in affecting your daily life.

Sometimes it just takes a new soap or rose-scented facial cleanser to pep up the morning and start everything off right. Herewith, my favourite scents for my home, the studio environment, my yoga mat and my limbs.

Home & Studio

Living in an apartment, I have the luxury of knowing a candle or a diffuser will travel. This means, however, that if I pick the wrong scent, I'm stuck with it in every room. So! I am very careful. If you are in a studio environment, you don't want to be overwhelmed by scent nor offended. I find incense really makes me feel congested and claustrophobic and I have avoided going to yoga classes where I know the instructor will be burning it before and during class.
At home, I use MOR Neroli and Clementine diffuser. The beauty of this is that it takes no thought or maintenance. I just set up the diffuser initially and leave it. This is unlike candles where you need to light them and remember not to leave the house while they're still burning.
Neroli and Clementine is citrus fresh but subtle and just leaves a zesty, slightly Mediterranean fragrance lingering.

Body 

There's nothing worse than trying to get your weights workout on when the person next to you is either:
a) not wearing deodorant at all; or
b) wearing a powerful aftershave/perfume/anti-perspirant

Be authentic. Wear a fragrance that reflects your personality, your mood and your style but also be aware that you don't need to intoxicate the people around you. The gym or the yoga studio is not the place for Dior Poison, people.
I love The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Body Mist because it's fresh, it's subtle and it reminds me of beaches, fresh grapefruit juice, island time and has just enough sweetness to balance the citrus zing. Plus there's no nasty additives and it's ethically produced, you can be sure.

Yoga Mat 

Four Thieves is a combination of organic oils that are designed to not only purify and cleanse, but to uplift the senses and transport you. I use this to cleanse my mat before and after practicing and it has the beautiful, sage-based scent that reminds me of Bali and jungles, beaches, wild nature and beauty. Try Melbourne yoga teacher Amanda's blend - made locally for yogis! Four Thieves by Ananda Aromamist.

Body Art by Genuine Tattoo Artists, No Needles

Correct, no needles.
No commitment.

You may have seen the range of metallic temporary tattoos Beyonce was wearing and promoting last year and thought, looks good in a music video but once I've flashed it on Instagram, do I really want to wear this?

As most of you know, I have a few tattoos. As in, real ones, done with a needle and ink. But, as much as I toy with the idea, I have no intention of adding more. I'm going to sate my desire to play with designs and placement by indulging in temporary tattoos.

Before you go, whoa there! Like the ones in the cereal box when you were 10?
No.

These have bona fide tattoo artists behind them.

Canadian store Tattoo You collaborates with tattoo artists and illustrators to create high quality temporary tattoos that you can wear with confidence.

Like me, perhaps you already have body art and you want to test drive a design or see how a certain shape looks on your wrist, your ribcage or your shoulder before you commit to something permanent there.

Perhaps you just want to horrify your mother by casually rolling up your sleeve on Mother's Day and baring a giant skull.


Perhaps you have an event for which body art is your adornment of choice - we all missed out on Coachella, but there's still Splendour In the Grass (if you got tickets).

I'm currently wearing designs by Marie Massolin ("Beetle"). an Alberta based illustrator and designer; Arizona native Jon Garber who is a mind-blowingly awesome tattoo artist; Sasha Unisex from Moscow, Russia, and Sasha Masiuk also from Russia. Her strong black line drawings are gorgeously romantic and feminine without being flouncy.

Check out Tattoo You on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you are a designer, tattoo artist or illustrator, you can contribute a design.
TattooYou.Com

I Am A Real Woman & So Is Every Woman Even In Yoga Pants

I fully endorse the feelings expressed here by the wonderful yoga teacher, Kathryn Budig. I wear tight, fitted clothing for teaching and working out and I yet I feel like I need to wear a big logo warning people not to give me their opinions on my body.
I'm not wrapping myself up like chopped meat that you can scan and decide if you'll buy me. I am human in yoga pants. So keep your opinions to yourself. That goes for all men and women in tight pants. We're human, too.
Also - if you love barre but you're sick of all the airbrushed models on Instagram that are apparently the "summer bodies" or "barre bodies" you're going to achieve if you pay to do classes, don't subscribe. I have had to let a few go. Barre is amazing for your body - both how it looks and feels. And it's fun. Be selective with the images and messages you subscribe to.

Caffeine Buzz for Ultimate Performance....of your skincare

Coffee is a natural stimulant and a powerful antioxidant. This not only makes it the perfect pre-workout, pre-work kickstart, but also a wicked tonic for your skin and hair.

So, make an espresso and read on because caffeine will perk up your body and your complexion.

Caffeine constricts small blood vessels and reduces inflammation, making it perfect for minimising dark circles and fluid build-up under the eyes. 

Try Swisse Argan Anti-Aging Eye Cream (argan oil, vitamin K2 & caffeine). 

Keep in mind, eye creams offer temporary benefits so you need to question your diet and lifestyle for those dark circles and bags!

Those tightening and fluid-fighting agents will also do wonders for your skin. The Body Shop has a range that uses all natural ingredients – including caffeine – to nourish, firm and rejuvenate skin. Considering the nasty winter weather here, this is a shower must have for me.

With caffeine plus grapefruit and lemon essential oils, this also has an attached massage head for a super luxe at-home massage. Genius! Spa Fit Firming & Toning Gel-Cream Massager.

If you’re a self-tanner like me, you’ll need to regularly exfoliate to make sure you’re not looking flaky (you know what I’m talking about) – so you can either go the luxe version from Body Shop (zesty citrus scrub 100% natural-origin citrus ingredients) OR add your used coffee grinds to your existing bath or shower gel and not only reduce, reuse, recycle but glow with a natural “I am a DIY Skincare Master” knowledge!

Get along to my Facebook page to let me know if you use a caffeine spiked product that you love!

Protein for Body, Mind and Muscle

Protein is essential for building, maintaining and restoring your muscle, especially if you're active.
There's a lot out there about what types, how much and the timing around it. So I'm going to make it simple and you can take it or leave it, but do read it.

Eat protein in the morning to recharge with nutrients. Protein also satiates the appetite so you are less likely to find yourself craving jelly beans at 10am. This can be as simple as milk (protein fortified is good), a handful of nuts, miso soup or soy-based cereal. Rolled oats (WHOLEGRAIN) or eggs (boiled or poached!) are also a fabulous source of protein.

Consuming protein before a work out kickstarts muscle synthesis (repairing and building muscle) throughout and even after hitting the weights.

Drink chocolate milk after a workout. Eat within half an hour of your workout. A milk-based smoothie is an excellent choice. Throw in some berries and you've got an antioxidant fix too!

Eat a fish, lean meat, soya/tofu based lunch. Go heavy on the protein in the middle of the day to ensure you have the energy to restore from your morning and have ongoing energy through the afternoon until evening. Don't ruin your meal by choosing high-fat, overly processed foods and please don't think a protein bar is a healthy choice. Yuck. Choose lean meat with a high protein content, like chicken, beef, lamb or kangaroo. Trimmed of fat, these are power foods.
Combined with fresh vegetables and a healthy choice of fat, you have a well-rounded and nutrient rich fuel for living. Healthy fats might include avocado, walnuts, coconut oil or inherently omega-3 rich foods like salmon and trout.

Snack on protein before dinner. A 250g tub of yoghurt, a smoothie, a handful of walnuts... your body will use the protein to repair and rebuild overnight.

Eat a protein-rich dinner. All the lunchtime protein options are great. You might also include a chickpea or kidney bean salad, quinoia or boiled egg.

Great picks: Salmon, Skinless Chicken Thigh, Wholegrain Rolled Oats, Kangaroo fillet, Quinoa, Eggs, Steak, Chickpeas, Homemade Protein Balls or slices.

Try this recipe from The Naked Kitchen: Chocolate Almond Protein Bars

Five Foot Fierce Females in Flares

So I love, love, love a flared pant. One that comfortably vacuum sucks to the thighs and then flares out below the knee to the ankle bone.
So flattering.
I'm talking somewhere between a bootleg and a jacked-up true seventies flare. Not that nasty big circus tent flare you might be fearing!

Also? I'm 5"1. Yep. I'm short.

Now, let me tell you what I hate. Anyone telling me I can't wear something, or do something, or be something, go somewhere or achieve something just because you can't, or didn't or won't.

So, two things now. First of all, I can do, wear, say, be, think and achieve what I want to and if I don't, it certainly won't be for lack of trying!

Secondly, I can rock flared pants like you wouldn't believe. And here's a whole lot of proof that short girls are freakin' hot, fierce and rocking fashion however, wherever and whenever they like. Rachel Bilson is 5"2 and the Olsen twins rock flared pants like goddesses and they are 5"0 and 5"1 respectively. Make it your mantra! Don't Tell Cat What She Can and Can't Do. Or Wear.