Kelsey Rose Hair Design

Picture taken by Debbie Jean Malton Pictures

I think I must be THE worst client for a hairdresser. Well, I used to be.
I would go and have my hair cut or coloured or "trimmed", leave the salon, get home and then burst into tears because I hated what the hairdresser had done to my hair.
I would then return the next day and ask them to fix it.
This happened every time I went to my hairdresser that eventually I started trying different hairdressers out.

Luckily for me, my cousin Kelsey decided to become a hairdresser. With her humble, patient and professional personality she has now made me putty in her hands and somehow I trust her COMPLETELY with my hair.

Kelsey has been cutting my hair for well over two years now and she has been working from her own home studio for about the same time; Kelsey Rose Hair Design ( please click on her page to like her facebook page).

Somehow Kelsey has held her tongue when I complained like a 3 year old, convinced me to stop dyeing my hair blonde ( I am a natural strawberry blonde / auburn) and cut my hair into a short pixie style. She is the ONLY hairdresser I have ever allowed full control to and it has nothing to do with the fact that we family.

From cuts, blow waves, trims, upstyles, cutting childrens hair from young, wedding hair and hair for the Durban July Fashion shows; Kelsey is someone I can recommend with ease and I know that person will be one happy customer.

Please contact Kelsey on her facebook page Kelsey Rose Hair Design or give her a call on 0848451323.

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ELLE Female Factor

A few weeks ago I was chosen as the lucky ELLE reader to be part of Durban's leg of Female Factor Discussion.
I was over the moon, scared, nervous, anxious and proud to have be chosen.
Questions fluttered through my head like what should I wear? What if I cannot contribute to the conversation? What if I am out of my league?
But after the discussion I realised that those questions are exactly why 30% of women do not follow their dreams or pursue their thoughts. The "what if/" question.

Female Factor is all about women and everything women related. ELLE has some great articles and you should go and have a look here to read more.

The discussion for the Durban leg of FF was the last leg as Cape Town and JHB had already had their conversations. At first the conversation started off slowly with born leaders starting the discussion and it was slightly daunting with a videographer shooting the entire discussion.
Discussion topics ranged from owning or starting your own business and entrepreneurship, the "work - life" balance, mentor-ship and women as we are today and how we were back then.

Ladies present in the discussion were Tarryn Gill ( Perfect Score - and thank you Tarryn for a wonderful opportunity and smoothly organised event), Jackie Burger ( editor of ELLE magazine), Jenna McArthur ( ELLE magazie), Annelize Visser ( ELLE magazine), Unilever and Beirsdorf marketing managers, a women of the year and McCarthy CSI manager, a performer, young entrepreneurs, owner of Ice Model Management and an attorney amongst many more. These ladies may have been "labelled" by their titles or job descriptions or what they do for a living but in the end they are all women, mothers, wives or partners, care givers nurturers and dream followers.

I was blown away and in awe of ALL of these women and they made me realise that I too have the "fight" in me to dream and follow my goals and one day achieve EXACTLY what I want.
With 85% of brand decisions being made by females in the work place, we have a very important role within society and the economy but we are not using it to our full potential.

Statements that stood out for me on the day were:
" How do you define success?"
" Why is it only a dream and not a reality?"
" Put the fish on the table"
" Let us be visible!"

I could keep on writing on this topic for ages but if I do that I will end up eating the entire Lindt mousse chocolate slab from the ELLE gift bag. Thank you for spoiling me ELLE with the opportunity to take part in this discussion and for the gorgeous gift bag.

So as a women with a DREAM...what are you waiting for?

LaurenLeigh cc

P.S. I stumbled across a picture of myself on the ELLE website today ( mixed emotion moment) and that picture was taken at the ELLE Female Factor Discussions morning. So my outfit choice was a good one. Always trust your gut and go with it!

And the #30daydetoxchallenge comes to an end

Monday was my last day of the Lisa Raleigh 30 day detox challenge. For those of you who have been following my progress, hearing me complain or simply not understanding why I am doing this or have done it; you can all take a deep breathe and relax...as I have decided to continue with the detox challenge as best as I can as a way of life.

Its not about trying to lose weight or look good or even compare stories with other girls who are dieting ( and doing it the VERY wrong way). It is simply about living healthy, feeling AMAZING, appreciating food, experimenting with food and looking after your insides.
And at the end of the day, if your inside body is healthy then your outside body will reflect those results.

By completing this detox, it has shown me really how bad certain foods can be for you. Obviously you cannot live this strictly forever as there will be the occasion where you have to "cheat" due to circumstances that are unforeseen; but then cheat! If its one meal or one day or even one weekend; the trick is to go back to your old/ new habits of healthy eating as soon as you can.

Pro's of the detox so far:
* strong nails
* better focus or concentration
* look forward to meal times and cooking
* my insides are happy with me ( I usually suffer with : Everything I eat, my stomach HATES)
* bowel movements have increased drastically ( this is a celebration in my house)
* my skin looks and feels amazing ( my skin therapist even noticed)
* added bonus - I lost 3.5 Kgs without any form of exercise ( try to exercise on this detox - I just didn't have time or was too lazy)
* and many many more

Con's of the detox so far:
* it is quite a lot of preparation
* grocery bill has doubled as its alot more fresh ingredients
* I feel like I have a hangover if I eat sugar, wheat, dairy or meat now ( good thing to avoid them now then)
* difficult when dining with friends or at a restaurant but its about changing your mindset and making the right choices now

Try it today and see the difference. Who knows? Maybe it will be the best thing you do in 2012.
Good Luck!

LaurenLeigh cc

Beauty Banter: Rubybox

The murmur on facebook and twitter seems to be something called rubybox.
After some investigation online, I discovered exactly what all the hype is about.
A small box that arrives at your door ( be it work or home) on a monthly basis if you so choose with 4- 5 sample size and /or real sized products for you to try and test out. All for only R100 per box!

This seemed to good to be true! So I decided to give rubybox a try in June and this is my experience:

* Amazingly easy to use website and very informative
* Great customer service in that Fastway sent me an email to let me know that my rubybox had been dispatched and when to expect it.
* My rubybox arrived with the following goodies inside: R50 gift voucher for Runway, 1.2ml Calvin Klein Forbidden Euphoria sample, Prevage Hydrating fluid (5ml), Piz Buin In Sun Sun Lipstick SPF20 and a Maybelline Master precise Liquid Eyeliner.

A bit more information on the products:

The Calvin Klein Forbidden Euphoria is a fruity floral mix with the perfect combination of subtly and bursts of energy both at the same time.

Prevage Hydrating Fluid has arrived at the perfect time - the start of winter. Full of ingredients to hydrate, smooth and full the skin with antioxidants, this Prevage skincare product is a luxury fluid applied onto the skin after cleansing.

Piz Buin Sun Lipstick is in fact a sun protection lip balm to soothe and protect the lips from damaging UV rays. With aloe vera to soothe and the gentle smell of vanilla to taste great, Piz buin offers an all in one product.

Maybelline Master precise liquid eyeliner is my favourite treat in the whole box. I am not going to lie to you, I am a MAC girl through and through but this eyeliner is phenomenal. It looks like a felt tip pen and has a "nib" that is only 0.4mm in thickness! Ultra sleek and easy to you makes it my best friend especially when I am rushing in the morning but still want to look glam!

Give rubybox a try. Look at there website here for more information.

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South Africa vs England Rugby

Today at 5pm will mark one of the biggest games in Durban for 2012 - South Africa Springboks vs England.

And due to our spoil at Christmas time last year; we have season tickets to go and watch. Excitement!!!!!

The atmosphere, crowd, support and commitment to our Bokke will be there is full force...especially if it is raining and everyone stays put!

So here is to holding thumbs we kick some serious English butt, no rain and a festive night out and about Durban.

Hope you all have fun!

LaurenLeigh cc

Miss Molly Fashions GIVEAWAY

How amazing is this giveaway that Miss Molly is doing in conjunction with Sass Diva, Stuttafords and Zaba Simbine?

Go and look at the details here and enter!

Picture from Miss Molly Fashions Blog

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Genevieve Motley Competition

Amazing competition from the very talented Durban jewellery designer Genevieve Motley.
Have a look below and follow her on facebook here

Picture from Gen Motley Facebook page

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Vintage Mondays with Marie Claire and Bonnie and Clyde

A few weeks back I tweeted a picture of myself in a coral sheer pleated skirt with white polka dots teamed with a white vest to Marie Claire magazine for their #VintageMondays hashtag competition and I was lucky enough to win a R250 gift voucher from Bonnie and Clyde in Glenwood.

Situated behind Corner Cafe coffee shop in Glenwood, Bonnie and Clyde boasts both old, new and vintage collections of outerwear, accessories, shoes, handbags and coats.

Last week I went in to go and see what I could get with my voucher and I stumbled across these gorgeous, crazy and loud silver metallic court shoes. And I fell in love with them.

And how retro is the bag I left the shop with? We have used it twice on picnics to carry our blankets and cushions. Attention to detail and being able to use the bag afterwards - awesome for me as a customer.

So if you are in the mood for some vintage shopping then please go and have a look at Bonnie and Clyde. And the coffee at Corner Cafe is to die for!

LaurenLeigh cc

Good luck Comrades runners

Today is the Comrades Marathon.
All of my friends and family running - I think you crazy but I also have the utmost respect and support for you all.

A special mention to Lisa, who is running her second comrades today and I look forward to seeing her after tollgate bridge. Chin up and go Lisa!

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