The Beauty Sample Box

I have found so many Australian beauty sample boxes delivered straight to your door to try for no more than $15 every month! The idea behind a beauty sample box is to have a personalised selection of beauty products delivered to your door every month. You get to try the latest and greatest products, and often save a fortune as the items you receive usually far outweigh the price you pay for the subscription.

What a great deal, they all seem to supply amazing high-end, on-trend and specialist niche brands. Most of the services work the same way and cost about the same, so picking the right one for you may just come down to the brands they have.

The below breakdowns will help you to find what suits you. 

Glossybox

The Glossybox service gives you a mix of 5 deluxe samples and miniature products from well known local and international brands.

Price: $14.95 per month (including delivery)

Brands: Bobbi Brown, Essie, Calvin Klein Fragrances, Australis Cosmetics, Bio-Oil, Biotherm, Clinique, Garnier, Illamasqua, Jurlique, John Frieda, Sally Hansen, Shiseido, Shu Uemera, Thalgo, YSL, Gorgeous Cosmetics, Carmex, Tigi.

Packaging: A soft pink hard box with the goods wrapped in tissue paper and a ribbon. Great for reusing as storage. 

NEW: Glossybox for MEN A selection of grooming 6-8 luxury products, starts in January for $19.95 (incl. delivery) per quarter.

Beauty Basket


The Beauty Basket is developed by the team behind Just Be magazine, you will receive 5 luxe beauty samples each month that have been featured in the magazine.


Price: $15 per month (including delivery)


Brands: A’kin, Australia, Derma Research, Elizabeth Arden, Imperial Leather, Yes To, Narciso Rodriguez.


Packaging: Items come in a real basket. A cute idea and reusable for packaging other gifts.

Special Offer: Sign up for 3 months and receive a FREE 12 month subscription to Just Be magazine. Also available as a 6 month subscription.

Lust Have It!

The Lust Have It! supply high-end and boutique products hand picked for you to try of 5-6 premium size beauty and skincare samples each month.


Price: $14.95 per month or $160 annual membership (including delivery)


Brands: Kosmea, Evo, Moxie, Glasshouse Fragrances, Nude By Nature, Roc, MD Formulations, Decleor, Lush, Taut, Laura Mercier, OPI, Kérastase Paris, Burt’s Bees, Dermalogica, Lancome, Naked Tan, Mirenesse, Urban Ritualle, Bio Effect, Pure Fiji.
Packaging: A branded eco-friendly white cardboard box with tissue paper wrapping.


Special Offers: 6 month subscriptions are now available for $89.

"discover what works for you"

Bellabox


From Bellabox they handpick 5 of the most luxurious beauty products to hit the market.


Price: $15 per month or $165 annual membership (including delivery)


Brands: A’Kin, Alpha-H, American Crew, Batiste Dry Shampoo, Avene, Elemis, Erborian, Eylure, Gatineau, Givenchy Parfums, Kenzo, Kosmea, Lancome, Milk & Co, Napoleon Perdis, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC), Ozotic, Panda Pen, Savoir Fair, Wine Wipes.


Packaging: A branded tan and green hard board box with the goods wrapped in tissue paper. 

Bellabox for Men are handpicked and deliver 6-8 of the best grooming products to hit the market, $30 subscription per quarter.



I Love This Box

I Love This Box offers 4-5 small size luxury beauty products. You'll receive anything from skincare and makeup to cult beauty tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems.


Price: $14.95 per month or $164 annual membership (including delivery)


Brands: Nvey Eco, Pod, Ahava, Magnolia Silver Jewellery, Elizabeth Arden, Essie, Caudalie, Decleor, Elixir, Revlon, Smashbox, Lancôme, Chanel, Soy Lites.


Packaging: A branded white hard board box with the goods wrapped in tissue paper. 

Do you subscribe to any beauty sample boxes? What are your thoughts on this service? Let me know by commenting below, would like to subscribe and I don't know which one...

Amanda xo

Von Follies by Dita Von Teese

The Ms lovely Dita Von Teese has finally released her own upcoming lingerie collection to be launched on the 8th February 2012 exclusively to Target Australia just in time for Valentine's Day. Internationally renowned as the Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese has also established herself as a well-respected fashion icon for her distinctive style and eternally immaculate presentation.

Explaining the inspiration for the range, Dita Von Teese noted, "There are so many vintage lingerie pieces I love that I haven't been able to find in all my years of collecting. I wanted to design pieces that are tributes to my vintage obsessions, to make them beautiful and functional, while modernising them for everyday wear."

"It was very important to me to offer lingerie in a large range of sizes. Size range was one of the first things I asked when I was approached to create this collection. It was important to me to accomplish the task of making these beautiful things in sizes that can make any woman feel sexy and glamorous, and I'm very proud that we have been able to do that, while keeping prices affordable," she concluded.

WIN! Meet Dita Von Teese at The L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival

You and a friend will be flown to Melbourne on Saturday 10 March 2012, to watch Dita walk the catwalk at the Dita Von Teese for Target runway show and meet Dita personally at the exclusive after party!
Competition opens 16/12/11 and closes 16/02/12 at 12.00pm (AEDT).

Amanda xo

Necklaces that make a Statement

One of my favourite fashion trends right now is the big, bold statement necklace. I love a statement necklace and when it's paired up with something simple, it always looks so amazing and completes your outfit.  The fact that one piece of jewellery could alter your entire look is pretty cool. The power of the necklace is strong!

I believe that if you wear the statement necklace, it should be the center of attention to your outfit. Try to keep your neckline simple by avoiding halterneck outfits. Stay with v-neck or strapless for your look. Also keep your other jewellery simple to keep the focus on the necklace. You should avoid chunky bangles, big earrings and headwear to keep it simple.

It’s all about statement. Go creative and experiment!

PeepToe Jewellery 

Belle Noel by Kim Kardashian

Kate Spade New York

Forever New

I've just picked some of my favourites off Nordstrom

1. Spring Street Design Group Turquoise Stone & Chain Statement Necklace 
2. Cara Couture Crystal Bib Statement Necklace 
3. Cara Couture Short Crystal Statement Necklace 
4.  House of Harlow 1960 Leather Station Necklace 

Amanda xo

Amore Jewels

My weekend was quite interesting, I was window shopping at The Star in Sydney and to my surprise I came across these gorgeous jewels by Pasquale Bruni Amore design.

Love his quote...

"MOVEMENT IS LIFE COLOUR IS MYSTERY PAVE IS LIGHT EMOTION IS LOVE"

I took this photo from my iPhone

I LOVE all the pieces he has created with the word AMORE, which means love. Some of his pieces I have found online are engraved by the word LOVE from many different languages.

I would absolutely love this piece for my birthday!

Amanda xo

A cup of Tea?

These four simple words invoke a sense of calm, a release of tension, and an enormous collective sigh the world over.  It’s the universal language for taking a break and resting a while.  But it’s also rich in history, art, nostalgia and an amazing sense of ritual.

I love drinking tea, I have at least two cups a day. Not just your normal black tea, I am talking about white, red, green, jasmine and flavoured herbal infusion teas.  My pantry is full of Tea... am I nuts!?

I have found the special benefits of tea to help cleanse the system.

Which Tea?

• Nettle tea is a diuretic, meaning it helps your body excrete water, so it will flush out your toxins more quickly.
• Milk thistle tea contains silymarin which makes the liver less susceptible to toxin damage and increases its production of glutathione.
• Red sorrel tea is a terrific liver and gall bladder cleanser, and a recent study has indicated that it decreases the blood triglyceride levels (high levels are associated with heart disease and diabetes).
• Dandelion leaf tea has a diuretic action, while dandelion root coffee is an effective detox aid, stimulating the flow of bile so that more toxins are eliminated through the bowels.
• Rooibos (or Red Bush) tea helps you to shed toxins through sweat, can relieve bloating and aid the digestive process. It also claimed to reduce the effects of ageing, keep skin, teeth and bones healthy, and it can aid sleep. 
• Chamomile tea is calming, soporific and can help to relieve mild headaches.
• Lemon balm helps with depression and anxiety.
• Spearmint and peppermint tea both aid digestion.
• Fennel tea stimulates the liver.

My Teapot Collection 

Some of my herbal tea collection I have at home in my pantry

  

Madame Flavour

 Inexpensive Tea found in your local supermarket,

my favourite Mint Lavender Tisane box

T2

Over 180 teas to choose from!

Red Fancy Fruit is my Rooibos morning tea fix

The Tea Centre

 Anti Stress tea, definitely calms the nerves

White Ambrosia

fine white tea

One of my favourite relaxing tea - bought in Hawaii

The herbal teabags are absolutely fine, but once you have tried making your own brew from fresh leaves there will be no going back. A big handful of fresh mint leaves steeped in boiling water for 5 minutes make the most delicious mint tea.

What about Iced Tea?

Everyone loves enjoying a cup of tea, but have you ever thought to brew your hot tea and turn it into iced tea? There's nothing quite as refreshing as iced tea on a summer hot day.

I have followed a few simple steps on how to brew iced tea from T2 recipes, a couple of them is Strawberries & Cream but I have tried the Turkish Apple, it's so sweet and tasty you will loved it.

Enjoy

Amanda xo

Healthy, Quick & Easy Lunch Meal

It’s very expensive buying your lunch meal every day during work. This healthy quick and easy & inexpensive recipe is tasty, you’ll want to make some more.

Tuna, Avocado & Cucumber dish

Ingredients;

1x Quick Cups in Brown Rice by SunRice 40 seconds in microwave

1x Tuna in springwater or extra virgin olive oil

1x whole Avocado chopped

1x cucumber (optional) chopped

Dash of Soy Sauce

Mix everything in a bowl, and season to taste

Image taken by Me

Try it and let me know what you think?

Amanda xo

MOR Products

One of the beauty scented products I came across recently is by MOR Cosmetics. They supply exquisite products from scented candles, body butter, fragrance, lip gloss, soaps, hand cream, hand & body lotion and many more.  My favourite scent is the marshmallow collection, smells delicious!  Great for gift ideas to a special someone.

 Marshmallow Collection

 MOR Emporium Candle, Oolong Tea

MOR Lip Balm

MOR Little Luxuries perfume oil

If you shop MOR online and spend over $20, you will receive a selection of Free samples

Stockist World Wide – Australia, United States, Canada & New Zealand

Amanda xo

Grazia for Target

My sister always had the Grazia Magazine laying around the house and I’d look through the amazing fashion pictures by editor Kellie Hush, the gorgeous picture designs that caught my eye was Grazia designs for Target, launched October 17, 2011 nationally.  All items have been co-designed by Grazia’s editor Kellie Hush and fashion director Thelma McQuillan, together with Target’s merchandise and design teams, with product retail from $49.

Target: Hot Options exclusively for Grazia collection

LOOK 1: THE MAXI-DRESS.
Price: Sunray pleated maxi dress $119

LOOK 2: MINI
Price: Printed low back dress $69 (a bargain!)

LOOK 3: TAILORED JACKET
Price: Printed tank dress $59, Structured jacket $79

Currently in Store @ Target

Happy shopping

Amanda xo

Thoughts on Planning your Wedding

I love beautiful things, especially planning a wedding! I am an expert now when it comes to wedding planning. I loved planning my own wedding 16 months ago, it was so much fun, it was the best day of my life.

Here comes the fun part 'planning', each point is very time consuming and thinkable;

• The ring – has he surprised you with the ring or will you pick it;
• Engagement Party – do you really want to celebrate your exciting news formally with family and friends or just casual drinks;
• Budget – work out your budget on both sides and who will be paying for what;
• Set the date – once that’s organised, you can start the fun times of booking everything else;
• Guest List – this is a must before you go hunting for your reception party;
• Most important is who will marry you off and where;
• Reception – Looking for a reception venue is the most expensive part of organising for the big day, make sure you read the contract before signing away;
• Photographer & Videographer – look at their previous work before making a decision; 
• Theme – think about your colour scheme and theme for your decoration, plus the colour of your bridesmaids;
• Your dress – before you pick your dream dress, make sure you try different types of cuts and style to suit your body shape.
• The little bits and pieces can be organised much closer to the date, like invitations, jewellery, shoes, grooms suit and honeymoon... 

The little details are by far the most important

Image by XSiGHT


My contacts

Colour Scheme: Ivory, Cafe Latte with a touch of Lace & Pearls
My Dress: Designed by Personalised Weddings Couture
My Shoes: by Jimmy Choo
Bridal Hair: by L’Bridal Hair by Lizzie
Make-Up: by Makeup by Therese Montoya
Jewellery: *Earrings – Cecile’s Jewellery 
*Hair piece – Bejewelled by Tracey  *Rosary beads bracelet – Vee Love Couture
Invitation: by Personalised Weddings Couture

My advice for Brides To Be: The journey of each bride is different at the end of the day, a humble bride can see that each bride is special in her own way and that is where I really believe the difference is. You must absorb each moment on the day because it will fly by with a blink of an eye. Take a moment with your husband, it will be the only moment you will share together from all the attention and keep smiling. Don't let your nerves take over you.  

Amanda xo

Real Life Wedding

Our wedding is currently featured in the Complete Wedding Sydney magazine summer issue out now under Real Life Weddings page 129.

Complete Wedding

www.completewedding.com.au

Read a little bit more about our special day featured on their website.

My Wedding Gown, My Shoes, Reception, Bridesmaids, and Cake.    

Celebration of LOVE

Keep an eye out on Wedding Planning tips and my contacts to plan your special day.

Amanda xo

Semi-Newlywed!

I've been married to my partner now for 16 months, he is the love of my life. Lets just say, we have come a long way before marriage...

Newlyweds face many common challenges on the road to a long, strong marriage, I have the rest of my life to look forward to spending this journey with him. The first year of marriage is particularly difficult for newlyweds for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that you are still getting used to a new kind of relationship with the love of your life. “The little things you overlooked when you were dating, you don’t overlook them when you’re married” ! 

A special taste of our Wedding Day - 4th September 2010



Images by XSiGHT Photography & Video

www.xsight.com.au

Amanda xo

New Year's Resolution

By the end of the year we all think about our new year's resolution as a way to start the new year. We think about so many ideas; Get fit, Loose weight, Start a new hobby... I have started my own new year's resolution - start my own Blog!  I can't wait to tell you all about my love for fashion, beauty, food, home decor, celebrities, and life in general.

10 Things That Inspire Me

One day I will travel to Paris

Ms Audrey Hepburn

High Tea

Keeping Fit & Healthy

Tiffany Blue my Favourite Colour

Fashion Design

Shoe Lover

My nickname 'Amor'

Make Up

My addiction Tiramisu & Coffee

Amanda xo