Skincare. A pet subject for me as all of you who have been following me for a while know only too well. Apart from products, I always like exploring new techniques in the field to improve my skin's tone and function.
Enter the ancient technique of Gua Sha which I can share with you courtesy of natural skincare brand Ellie & Carl. Following one of the Pink magazine networking events, I met up with the lovely Elleria, the ball of energy behind Ellie & Carl and chatted with her about this ancient technique and what benefits it has for our skin and general well-being of our organism.
Let's start with the basics, Gua Sha is a technique that has been practised for centuries as part of the world-renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine. It can be applied all over the body to release trapped, stagnant energy 'qi', which causes pain and puffiness. At home, you can apply the same technique in a more gentle manner on your face by means of a Bian stone. The one from Ellie & Carl is shaped in the form of a fish to resemble the facial contours. When done frequently, Gua Sha reaps many benefits for the user, including firming of sagging facial muscles, reduces the appearance of fine wrinkles, improves dark circles and bags around the eyes as well as unearthing a rosier, brighter complexion.
Ellie & Carl Bian stone Gua Sha tool
The technique is actually very simple and you will notice its effects almost immediately after the first employment. It focuses on various acupuncture and pressure points which you go over with the Bian stone whilst applying gentle pressure and manoeuvring the stone according to the facial contours to reach all the different points.
Gua Sha facial massage directions
I have been making use of Gua Sha for around a month now and as far as products are concerned, nothing has ever come this close to giving me great skin! I love how my skin turns a little red from the pressure and when it would have dissipated by morning, all I'm left with is good-looking skin that barely needs any makeup!
I like to use the Ellie & Carl Gua Sha Bian stone every day before I go to bed, either immediately after I moisturise my skin or else after using the Ellie & Carl Vitamin A, E & C Night Serum so as to give a better glide to the stone. My skin has been looking better and I have been experiencing considerably fewer breakouts ever since I have been using the Gua Sha technique. To clean the stone after use, I just wipe it with a cotton disc soaked in surgical spirit.
Elleria was kind enough to further introduce me to Ellie & Carl through some more products from her range which I supplement my usual skincare routine with as follows - Balance Face Serum in the morning and a Sensitive Skin Face Mask which comes in a powder that I mix with water first then apply to my skin once every two weeks.
Explore the full range of Ellie & Carl botanical products for all the family on their website! I would totally recommend you getting the Gua Sha stone and implementing the technique as part of your skincare regime asap!
For the past three or four years, it has become a bit of a tradition for me to buy myself a luxury gift. Hey, I survived another year during which I would have worked hard in all aspects of my life, so I guess a little extra special treat won't hurt! This is going to be a long post so make yourself comfortable and read through if you're interested in knowing how I chose the bag and all the drama it took to get her home!
So, back to the subject, this year, I hit the big 3-0 and this was one of the most rewarding years yet so I wanted something really special. I knew I was going for a bag so I had my eyes on four contenders. Number 1, the Chanel Classic Flap; number 2, the Chanel Boy, number 3, Lady Dior and number 4, the Diorama.
I had been eyeing the first two for what seems like a thousand years but I knew I wouldn't bring myself to spend almost €6000 on a bag so I quickly put them in the wishlist again, not be resurrected for the foreseeable future. That left me with the two options from Dior - the classic Lady Dior and the contemporary Diorama. I like both bags as they are both styles I would wear but I was more inclined towards the Lady Dior for a number of reasons. First off, it is a Dior classic; an iconic piece from an iconic fashion house. It has historical connotations (I'll get into this in a minute) and it's overall elegant and ties well with my style. I guess for me, she was a natural choice.
When we went to the Dior cafe' in Japan during our honeymoon in July, I couldn't help but ask to see the bags up close so I could decide on a colour and size. I wasn't planning on buying it there though as prices for luxury goods in Japan are extortionate. At this point, I was between the mini and the My Lady Dior (or as it is now known, My ABC Dior) which is the small size. Being only 5 feet tall, any size from the medium upwards is too big for my frame and I feel that the bigger the bag gets, the less elegance it conveys.
Fast forward to two weeks before my birthday, and hubby surprised me with a weekend getaway in Venice. I researched the bag a bit more in a bid to settle on a size and colour and I was determined to get it from Venice. In the meantime, life had other plans. The Dior boutique in Venice only had the blush pink colour in the mini size which I decided was too small to fit my phone in so it was a complete waste of money for me but I did try the My ABC Dior in other colours to see how it looks on me and what it fits. I didn't think much of them not having the bag there as I figured I could always buy it online, only to discover that they don't ship to Malta 😒.
With no further travel plans yet, my brain was working at the speed of light to figure out a way of getting the bag so I emailed the Dior customer service and also messaged a friend who lives abroad to see if she would get it for me (which she agreed to! thank you, you know who you are 😉 👼). In the meantime, the Dior customer service team were looking into the matter for me and to cut a long story short, they found the exact bag I wanted at the Florence boutique and they called to bear the news. I agreed to pay the additional shipping fee of course and the bag was delivered last Monday afternoon, safe and sound! Here's a little tit-bit; the bag was shipped on the 24th of October which incidentally is the death anniversary of Mr Dior. Words can never thank the Dior staff for their exceptional customer service, including at the Venice boutique where we were served by the loveliest of ladies and she walked me through the bag and other articles I was interested in seeing. So now, without further ado, here she is in all her glory!
I promised I would tell you the history behind this iconic bag, so here goes. In 1995, Lady Diana was visiting Paris for a Cezanne exhibition and the First Lady of France at the time, Mme. Bernardette Chirac presented this iconic bag to Lady Diana as a gift. Following this episode, Lady Diana was seen carrying the bag multiple times and her being elegance impersonated, it was only apt for the house of Dior to rename the bag as Lady Dior.
What really drew me to this bag was the sturdy structure, which I always look for in a bag, whether it's luxury or not and the cannage quilting pattern, which is inspired by the Napoleon III chairs. I also like the sound the handles make when moved. Mr Christian Dior was a very superstitious man and he was fond of lucky charms and astrology, believed 8 was the perfect number and he also loved gardens. The bag is an ode to all that Christian Dior loved - from the DIOR charms on the front of the bag to the elegantly tapered structured sides reminiscent of the Dior dresses, the bag has timeless written all over it.
The previous edition of the My Lady Dior featured more coloured charms such as star signs if I'm not mistaken but now they have changed them to letters, the number 8, a bee, a star and a heart. In fact, the bag has been renamed to My ABC Dior, which is the one I have. It comes with a leather strap that can hold up to 6 charms (3 are included in the price then it's €50 for each additional one), therefore you can personalise it to your liking, hence the bag model being called 'My' Lady Dior. I chose to have my name spelled out.
Here's another curious fact - did you know that it takes over 140 pieces to make the Lady Dior? The craftsmanship is really alive in this bag (see video further up) and I love that fact that the hardware is in champagne gold as it goes with both gold and silver jewellery. Oh, and the last curiosity I wanted to share with you is that if you look at the handles when they are open horizontally, they spell, C D - Christian Dior! This bag, same as the mini size has a flap opening as opposed to the zip opening on the larger sizes.
The inside of the bag also has the cannage pattern on silk chocolate brown lining. The bag has one large compartment and has a zip pocket at the back on the inside and another pocket on the front on the inside as well.
Now for the price. Dior have increased their prices this month and this bag has gone from €2950 to €3200 so an increase of €250. Apparently, most of the big fashion houses tend to increase their prices this time of year so if you're eyeing a particular bag or leather good, now is the time to buy before it goes up again.
If you've made it this far, thank you! That means a lot to me 😊 I hope you enjoyed reading through this post and learning a bit about an iconic piece of fashion history. Now excuse me while I go plan some outfits with this bag as the stand-out piece!
A lot of you look forward to seeing the new releases from Essence every time they come out with a new collection so here goes a peek into the latest products launches from the brand!
The packaging is all very colourful, typical for Essence which is loved by adults and teenagers alike. I was sent two of the Crystal Power Palettes, one with highlighters and blushers and one with eyeshadows, my favourite being the latter. I love the faced crystal look of the palettes, indicative of the colours inside.
The eyeshadow palette has 9 shades of warm hues, perfect for the transitional season while the blush and highlight palette has 4 shades - gold, white and two warm pinks.
The palette is not the only new release as far as blush and highlight is concerned; there is also a new series for the core collection which is equally pigmented and perhaps, more travel friendly. No new Essence collection is complete without a contouring palette and this duo for lighter skin looks like it's going to be perfect product for skin that will lose its tan soon.
Lastly, I have a new mascara which I have already used and I highly recommend! It gives the lashes volume without clumping them and I love that fanned out look it gives! There's a new range of lipsticks too as well as a shimmery clear gloss with a plumping effect that can be used on its own or paired with your favourite lipstick for a cushy lips look.
Today's post is a bit different than the usual and it is courtesy of the Homework Club International, which I'm sure most of you parents will find useful :) Go on and have a read through, there's even a discount code and a chance for you to win €100 off a full academic year programme!
Are you a parent struggling have a career and at the same time making sure that your child is picked up from school, gets lunch and is in a safe, nurturing environment to finish homework and studies? Homework Club International is a new venture on the Maltese islands, promising to revolutionize the system.
Homework Club International is a space where young people aged 6-24 years from all backgrounds receive homework assistance and working of past-paper / worksheets, appropriate to the subject matter from our tutors. It provides an opportunity for revision not only for exams, but throughout the year in a relaxed, friendly and cooperative learning environment for those studying.
During the winter term, students can be directly dropped off from school to our location with some unwinding time and a light lunch being provided on arrival. Slots may be chosen to be 2 hours, 4 hours or 6 hours long. Students are given a 15 minute break every hour, as we strongly believe that regular, short breaks can help them focus, increase their productivity, and reduce their stress.
During the summer term, students will be covering sessions once or twice a week, with a planned schedule covering multiple subjects throughout Summer.
Our central hub is located in Gudja and we are at a stage where we are also expanding to various other locations including at schools themselves. Our plans include various options ranging between 2 hours - 6 hours. Students will be provided with a light lunch and snacks, inclusive of help with their own homework, help with revision, together with further worksheets and last but not least, a very important rest time, where students can recharge by discussing with other students, watching a documentary or working in small groups on interesting projects. Such recharge time is usually provided to students for 15 minutes, within every 2 hour slot.
Our programme also provides weekly sessions of personal and academic growth, such as 'How to organise your study routine', 'Learning how to public speak', 'What it takes to build a business'. Students will not only have the time and environment to thrive with their homework, but finish the academic year with a baggage of skills added to them.
We are providing all readers of this blog with a 10% discount when you book for the full academic year (starting in November) with a minimum of 3 days during the week. You are asked to use the code LARA10 to avail of the discount.
We are also giving anyone liking this post, sharing it on their Facebook page and also like our Facebook page @homeworkclubinternational the opportunity to be part of a competition, which entitles you to EUR 100 off a full academic year programme.
Many times, when I post the makeup products I have used on a particular day to my Instastories, there is almost always a Catrice foundation or concealer or both. In this post, I will be comparing two foundations and two concealers which luckily they haven't discontinued yet. Keep reading to find out which ones I like and for what!
Foundation
We all know that Catrice tend to update and replace their products very frequently through the year and I always get disappointed when they discontinue a favourite product of mine; but, strangely enough, (I don't want to jinx it here), these two foundations are still there! I guess that means they are good and people love them!
HD Liquid Coverage Foundation 010 Light Beige*
This is my favourite out of the two, so much so, that I asked my makeup artist to use it on my wedding day. As always, the results were nothing short of spectacular, even if I say so myself. I love the HD finish which looks like second skin and I only need a small amount to make my skin look perfect. It offers a high coverage but doesn't feel like it and it lasts all day! What's more? It is a vegan product and it only retails for €7.49 for 30ml
My wedding day makeup; wearing Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation 010
All Matt Plus Shine Control Makeup 010*
This foundation is also high coverage but I find it lasts for a little less than the HD Liquid Coverage Foundation. It provides a completely matte finish and the colour is slightly paler although it carries the same shade number. I love using this foundation in winter mostly, because of its pale tone. It has a thicker texture, but again, a little goes a long way. Price is €6.99 for 30ml.
Concealer
I'm quite picky when it comes to concealer; some of the things I look for are texture, coverage and if it will crack with time. These two are my best bet and I haven't found anything close to them yet. Way to go Catrice!
One Drop Coverage Concealer
This is my favourite out of the two I will be sharing with you in this post today. It literally does what the name says - one drop goes a long way and provides excellent coverage for under eyes, pimples and uneven skin. It doesn't crease and stays put all the time while wearing it. This is my favourite under-eye concealer and sometimes, I even wear it on its own without foundation. Retails for €5.19 for 7ml.
Liquid Camouflage Concealer*
This is the perfect accompaniment to the HD foundation but I also like to use it with other foundations as well. This is slightly thicker than the One Drop Coverage and I prefer using it for colour correction and covering pimples. Price is €3.89.
Catrice products are highly affordable and widely available, making them one of the most loved brands. What are your favourite foundations and concealers? Do you prefer drugstore or high-end ones?
I love discovering new brands as much as the next person, especially when the products are based on natural ingredients and they fall under the skin-care realm.
My latest discovery (and obsession) is Apivita. A Greek brand born in 1979 after two scientists developed their first cream made out of bee products and herb extracts. The company's name translates to 'life of a bee', and like a bee, Apivita is committed to creating value for the community, natural environment and the economy.
Oh, and did you know that bees have recently been acknowledged as the most important species on Earth? I personally couldn't agree more as they contribute to maintaining harmony throughout the ecosystem and they provide us with so many useful products! In fact, the company has its own beekeeping farm where they produce bee products that are pesticide-free while also promoting mild beekeeping practices.
Today, Apivita boasts a full range of products for all the family and every skin type's needs; they also have hair products and well-being items so that they remain true to the classical Greek ideal of 'kállos' - inner and outer beauty, high aesthetic value, balance, moderation and well-being.
I was kindly given a set of face masks which the brand markets as a facial menu pack as it is like you're doing a facial at home with products containing ingredients derived from the Mediterranean diet. They recommend you do an exfoliating mask, a cleansing mask and a moisturising one, one after the other. I chose the Olive Face Scrub as my exfoliant, the Pink Clay Mask as my cleansing one and the Aloe Face Mask as my moisturising mask.
The masks come in a set of two from each one, so you can do the 'mini facial' twice. Each mask has a different texture according to its purpose of course, with my favourite being the Olive one. The exfoliating bits feel really nice on the skin and I could tell that brighter skin will be revealed once I rinse my face and I was not wrong at all! What followed were a couple more moments of pure bliss as my skin was being treated with good ingredients that brought out the best of it!
The Pink Clay mask is the thickest of the three and I love its texture for my oily skin while it also takes care of the more sensitive areas around my face. I left this mask on for a little while longer to make sure it cleansed my skin well.
Lastly, we have the refreshing and moisturising Aloe mask to seal the deal. My skin felt so soft after using this! I love how plump it looked and how refreshed it felt!
I guess these mini facials will be regulars in my weekly skin pampering sessions and I look forward to trying more versions of these masks as well as some other products from Apivita. Should you wish to know your nearest stockist, contact them on their Facebook page and I also encourage you to have a look at their website for more information about the brand and its commitment towards preserving nature and it's guardians, the bees!
As you may know, my husband surprised me with a weekend getaway in Venice for my 30th birthday. Venice is a popular destination at all times of year especially during Carnival and in summer; but, if like us, you tend to prefer avoiding the crowds, October is one of the best months to visit.
We spent a half-day in Venice and a day exploring the nearby islands of Burano and Murano. Here's what we were up to and the top sites to visit while you're here.
First things first, I have to give a shout-out to the hotel we stayed in for 2 nights - Hotel Ca' Alvise (4★). We opted to stay right in the middle of Venice since we were only there for a couple of days but bear in mind that accommodation here is expensive. We arrived at the hotel around 11am, which is much earlier than the check-in time and they let us store the luggage in their locker room so that we could explore the city's main attractions. They provided us with one of the biggest rooms they have, Room 304 on the uppermost floor. Beds were comfortable and the room was spotless. Breakfast was a delight and they even packed us a to-go bag since we were checking out very early on Sunday morning. Moreover, the hotel was only a short walk from the main attractions and some of the best eateries. Cannot recommend this hotel enough!
Try to spot hubby hiding in one of the photos 😂
Venice
Ok, so back to the actual itinerary and spots to visit. We started with the Basilica di San Marco, a unique gem that's worth going in for it has priceless architectural value since it is the only Byzantine basilica in Europe. It is captivating both from the outside and the inside and it only costs €3 per person to be admitted inside. It is best to book online to skip the line. Also, try not to take big bags with you as they are not allowed to be brought inside but if you do, they will ask you to deposit them at a nearby post.
A couple minutes' walk will take you to the Doge's Palace which we only saw from outside because of the limited time we had. It is a majestic palace, synonymous with Venice's grandeur and a treasure trove for any architecture fanatic.
Further down the palace is the Brige of Sighs or Ponte dei Sospiri in Italian. It offers magnificent views of the Church of San Giorgio Maggore on the opposite end of the Grand Canal, making you sigh at the sheer beauty of it all.
Next we took a 10 minute stroll to Libreria Aqua Alta, the oldest book shop in Venice where you can find many genres of books and most of them sell at a very cheap price. You can also find a resident cat and lots of cat-themed souvenirs to shop here and there's also a surprise at the very end of the shop ;)
It was time to visit the famous Rialto Bridge to take some pictures of it before we headed to our pre-booked gondola ride. I pre-booked the ride online and we took the 5pm ride. We found this to be a good time as the canals aren't as crowded as later in the evening. We paid €105 for a 30 minute ride which is slightly more expensive than the supposed €80 they usually charge but we didn't want to risk having the gondoliers ask for a more expensive price. Oh and we had the gondola all to ourselves too!
By this time we were exhausted and headed to dinner at Osteria Leon Bianco which is a short walk from the hotel and we had a divine meal, worthy of the Italian food gods...mmmhhh squisito! And that concluded day 1.
Burano & Murano
The next day we woke up early to head to the nearby islands of Burano & Murano which I'm sure most of you have heard about.
To get to the islands, it's no difficult feat. Just head to the San Zaccaria water bus stop and catch the ferry number 12 to Burano. We purchased a Venezia Unica ticket for €20 each which allowed us to travel by water buses for 24 hours (this came in handy the day after when we needed to catch the 5am ferry to the bus station as it was still active of course).
Going early has it's pluses, mainly you avoid crowds and you can get a lot of perfect pictures, especially on the colourful island of Burano. The island is home to brightly coloured houses which is something fishermen used to do back in the day to recognize their own home. This was definitely my favourite of the two!
While you're there, the lace museum is worth visiting just to admire the various types of lace worked through the centures on this little island. The shops around the area are worth checking out for some unique, handmade goods. We bought some very nice lace Christmas decorations here.
We had lunch in Burano at Campiello del Principe and we cannot recommend the food enough. We both had pizza and it was cooked to perfection, just they way I like it and the staff are super friendly too and provide an exceptional service. The caramel panna cotta was just the cherry on the cake - the right consistency and well, it tasted like a bit of heaven!
It was time to visit Murano so we made our way back to the ferry stop and got on ferry number 12 again, this time heading back. Murano is famous for it's glass work and our first stop here was of course the glass museum where we learned how they make the different types of colourful glass and how they shape it to achieve unique designs.
Our last stop before heading home was the Basilica of Santa Maria and San Donato. It is also in a Byzantine style but it is not as rich as the Basilica di San Marco and even the outside is rather plain. Nonetheless, it is worth visiting, if anything just for the peaceful aura surrounding the place.
The only two things we didn't manage to visit were the Giardini della Biennale and the Gallerie dell'Accademia and I would consider visiting them if I go to Venice again.
