Today


After what has been a kind-of yucky start to the week, today I arrived at the front gates of my clients home and I was greeted with the most beautiful sight...masses and masses of agapanthus in flower.  Not only do they line their driveway, they pretty much line their entire property.  The very generous J wouldn't let me leave without a huge armful of flowers.  I was absolutely delighted.  They certainly cheered me up.




I brought them home and arranged them in one of my large glass vases.  They are so pretty.  You might notice the black and white card sitting on the table...



I was thrilled to receive an invitation today to attend the very exciting Chanel party at old Government House in a couple of weeks time.  I can't believe little old Brisbane town now has it's very own Chanel store.  I tried to visit the newly opened store on Saturday just gone but I don't do queues so I'll be sure to enjoy my visit when the queues slow down.


As I go by my maiden name Brad sometimes gets tagged with it too!  It was funny to see the address on the invite with him as Spiro! 

This will be one party we won't be missing.  The WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR conversation has already begun!!

xx
Anna

Interview with Lia Miller


Tell me about yourself:

"I am a single mother of three daughters. One of whomis a teenager. I promote natural living, active parenting and aspiritually driven lifestyle. I am a commercial print and promotional modeland, have worked in nursing, the past 12 years. I also have background in highend fashion resale/retail and boutique ownership. I have lived in a total oftwo countries, seven states, approximately 25 cities and every coast in the US. I canrelate to most anyone. My talents are - cooking and concept creating. I standon an active children right’s platform, with a strong focus on the abolishmentof child sex trafficking. I enjoy - playing with my children, reading, cooking,quote and poetry writing, reflexology, attending concerts, swimming, finedining, natural alternative research and watching new films. I love my life andwould not change a thing."

Tell me about your natural hair:
"I have been natural most of my life because of mytri-racial makeup. I made attempts to use relaxers in the past, but chemicalsnever took to my hair. With one shampoo or drop of rain, my kinks and wavesreturned. I feel and look far better with my natural hair. Now that I amcompletely natural, to the point of just “wash and go,” it has affected me in avery positive way. I don’t have to spend any of my time styling my hair, norbuying an excessive amount of products. Being natural tends to bother some people."  Not everyone is "kink/curl fans. I ownmy beauty and can only encourage opposing views to remaining true to characterand self confidence. I have always described my hair as a war against manynations, that are all leading in equal victory. My hair is kinky, curly, wavyand silky. With a good conditioner and brushing, it becomes straight towavy.  My hair regiment is very simple. Ishampoo daily, with Miss Jessie’s Shampoo and Aubrey's all natural lavenderconditioners. Then just comb through wet hair with a large comb, shake and airdry. Occasionally, I mix and apply organic coconut oil and lavender oil to myscalp and hair. The Miss Jessie’s Super Slip Sudsy Detangling Shampoo is a musthave in my home, as my three daughters are also natural. It is a time, and lifesaver. The mistakes I’ve made with my hair that I have learned from are,applying damaging heat, going against my curl pattern and combing my hair whileit is dry. I enjoy a wet comb through and a ionic blow out, with a diffuser,when I want to switch up my style now and then."


What advice would you give others:
"One piece of advise I would give anyone that is newlynatural or considering the transition, is to allow the walls of dissimulationto fall. Remaining true to who we really are is far more admirable and selffulfilling. The very best thing about being natural is, freedom of embracing myorigin."

Lia is located in Atlanta, Georgia. To see more and learn more about Lia, go to -  Online Portfolio and her Blog.  To contact Lia, email her at www.vixenliamiller@live.com.

Guest # 1 - Faux Fuchsia



Faux Fuchsia was so gracious in accepting my invitation to be involved in our recent online store photo shoot at the beautiful Seaforth Cottage.  If you don't already know about FF then make sure you head over to her very popular blog http://www.fauxfuchsiastyle.blogspot.com/ where she takes her readers on her daily journey talking about everything from gardening through to fashion.  She certainly has a wonderful way with words and is very witty and often has me laughing out loud.

So FF I would love to know....

What has been your most memorable Christmas?
I've spent a few Christmases in Hong Kong with my sister and her her husband who live there and I always have a wonderful time with them.  It's cold there and I love wearing all my winter clothes and enjoying how cosy everything is.

 What is a Christmas tradition in your family?
My family lives all around the world so we decided a few years ago in the spirit of thrift to only give presents to the children and not to the grown ups. We already have everything we want anyway and our birthdays are our big present giving times. And because I follow a Retail Christmas, I action the tree as soon as Christmas stuff appears in the shops. This year I put it up in October.

Where are you celebrating Christmas this year?
I'm not sure where I'll be celebrating Christmas this year but I am so excited to be sharing my baby's first Christmas. I have lovely memories of Christmas Day with my family where my Mum cooked a beautiful traditional roast lunch and made a pudding and we were all so excited to see what Santa left us under the tree. I can't wait to share these traditions with my son.

What are you giving for Christmas this year?
I'm not sure what I'll be giving for Christmas because I haven't started my shopping yet but I really do love to give books as gifts.

What do you hope to receive for Christmas this year?
Now that I have my baby, there's nothing more in the world I really want. Although jewellery is always welcome!

 What does Christmas mean to you?
This is my first Christmas as a mother which I am very excited about. It used to mean time off work, travelling, cooking huge feasts, beach holidays and lots of presents but I think this year the focus will be on the Baby's First Christmas, and creating special memories for him. Everyone has told me that having a baby at Christmas time makes it so much more fun and special.


FF, I'm sure you are going to have a very special Christmas this year with your beautiful baby boy.  Thanks so much for being part of our online store Christmas/Summer photo shoot.  It wouldn't have been the same without you!!
xx
Anna

PS.  If you haven't already visited our online store, here's the web address - http://www.absolutelybeautifulthings.com.au/

Summery Daze





























I must admit I am in a bit of a Summery daze.  After a very hectic couple of weeks all I can think about is going to the beach for a few weeks at Christmas.  I can't get it out of my head.  I am so desperately longing for the holidays to roll in.  Not long now.  I thought I'd post a few pictures I have been saving for Summer. 

BTW - I will be posting some fun interviews here this week from my Summer Vignette guests.

xx
Anna

images 1,2,3 via milenachka, image 4 matchbook magazine via notestosarah, image 5, 7 - rachel mcginn photography, image 6 via chance via matchbook tumblr, image 8 via cottages and gardens mag, image 9 via pretty stuff tumblr

Waxelene! A Healthier Alternative

I wanted to let you all know about a great product called Waxelene. It is an organic alternative of  vaseline/petroleum jelly.  I have been looking for alternatives to using vaseline, after I watched an episode of Dr. OZ and found out that it can cause health problems over time -
"Petroleum jelly is a byproduct of oil drilling, and whenyou spread it on your lips, you end up eating it, which is essentially the sameas drinking gasoline. Add up the amount of lip-gloss the average woman uses(and consumes) over a decade, and it equals 7 pounds. The European Union hasbanned many petroleum jelly products, and experts are concerned they could belinked to cancer. Women with breast cancer have twice the levels ofhydrocarbons (substances found in petroleum jelly) in their breasts than womenwho haven’t had breast cancer." - Source:     Dr. Oz The Top Three Dangers In Your Beauty Products
Great USE's WAXELENE FOR:
  • Anything you would use petroleum jelly for and more!
  • Skin moisturizing, protection, and lubrication - lips, feet – anywhere!
  • Protection from chafing, friction, and wind burn - jogging, biking, volleyball, etc.
  • Make-up & removal - add extra gloss to lips/face or remove make-up the healthy way.
  • Soothing chapped, dry skin (Eczema & Psoriasis)
  • Reducing diaper irritation - babies love Waxelene!
  • Aftershave for face/legs etc.
  • Wetsuit rash prevention - won't deteriorate wetsuit and no petroleum in the water!
  • Hair - thick texture aids in styling while moisturizing and nourishing
  • After Sun
  • Hands - relieving drying effects from repeated hand washings or doing dishes
  • Tons of other creative household and cosmetic uses
BENEFITS:
  • Non-petroleum based - Healthier for your family and the planet!
  • Eco-friendly, biodegradable, no GMOs
  • No parabens or artificial ingredients
  • Smooth and silky consistency
  • All natural
  • Contains organic ingredients
  • Water/sweat resistant - Lasting protection.
  • Not Greasy
  • Goes on clear
  • No animal testing
For more information, go to Waxelene.com.

Natural Beauty of the Week! Tomayaful


Name: Tamaratare Omaya

Style Inspiration:  I love the singer Monica’s fashionsense...... and Brandy Norwood. Classy meets sexy is my style inspiration. I like collared work button upshirts with shorts, and a pair of heels, or short sexy suits....Big dazzlingearrings, bangles, and makeup. I love the bold red lip, the Smokey eye...pretty foundation... burgundy, and brown shades, and well as the nude pink orbeige look on lips. I also love false eyelashes to make my face pop. I love Glamorouseyes to go with the Glamorous afro! Whooooo!
Favorite looks on how I rock my natural hair: Chunky twistouts are my favorite it makes such a statement with me, and brings me out. Ilove it. I also like my hair in mini twists as a protective style, and I playup my look with big earrings, and pretty lips!  I love silk scarves with vibrant colors,and clips to accessorize the blown out fro, or chunky twist out fro.

Advice I would like to give other naturals: Look intothe mirror, and call yourself beautiful every morning. Please look at people onyoutube, there very informative, and theirs a whole natural hair community waitingfor you with open arms. Research, and ask other naturals questions. Take aprofessional photo shoot for more confidence. Try a different style every week.Make Natural hair goals, and length goals. Thank your creator with what he hasblessed you with, and DONT COMPARE your hair with someone else's.

To see and learn more about Tamaratare, go to Youtube & Facebook.

Great Artwork


Love this piece! Artist unknown. Source: Valrain