My Top 4... - Inspired Living SA

Be Inspired, Gift Stores, Lifestyle, My Top, On-line Shopping

My Top Online Gift Stores

Whether it is a gift for a special friend, a wedding gift or simply a spoil for myself, this is my list of top online gift stores in SA…

Heart and Home

Heart and Home is an online gift shop, specialising in home accessories, soft furnishings and accessories for children and adults. Product styles vary from vintage chic to contemporary. Each product is carefully selected to ensure a unique selection of gifts. I have been snooping around all the online stores since renovating my kitchen and fell in love with these gorgeous red canisters! To visit the Heart and Home Website click here.

Skinny laMinx

Skinny laMinx products are fun and quirky with a definite South African flavour. Skinny laMinx products are 100% South African, with design inspiration lifted from nature and everyday objects. You will find gorgeous Wild Flowers, Pincushions, Duikers and Flower Feilds in shades of Framboos, Blueberry, Cocoa to name but a few. Truly unique and exceptional designs at very affordable prices. To visit the Skinny laMinx Website click here.

Utique

Utique is an amazing on-line gift boutique, which is all about showcasing the very best of South African creative talent by carefully selecting products from local designers, artists and small businesses. To visit the Utqiue Website click here.

Yuppiechef

Yuppiechef is my favourite online kitchen store and sells the world’s best kitchen tools from leading local and international brands. From knives, cookware and bakeware, espresso machines(I have my eye on a pretty red one) – they stock my favourite brands such as Kitchen Aid and Le Creuset. I love my Kitchen Aid and I am very keen to start adding a few of the attachments to my collection, especially the pasta attachment! They also offer free delivery anywhere in South Africa. To visit the Yuppiechef Website click here.

Beauty, Beauty Products

My Top 4 Summer Fragrances

One of the things I love about receiving beauty boxes each month are the fragrance samples I receive! I have been introduced to some wonderful new fragrances!

Paco Rabanne Lady Million – Lady Million has been by far my favourite so far. This fragrance is described as being “sparkling yet sensual”! I love bold fragrances and Lady Million certainly packs a punch, it has distinctly fruity undertones, with one of favourites, neroli oil taking the lead. The wonderful fragrance is further enhanced by the wonderful scent of jasmine, gardenia and the spicy warmth of amber. Can you tell I LOVE it!

Calvin Klein Forbidden Euphoria – A gorgeous sexy floral fragrance, it reminds me of summer flowers! It is one of those happy fragrances, almost whimsical, it is a perfect pick-me-up fragrance if you are having a bad day. It is modern, fresh and mysteriously sexy. Its sparkling top notes seduce the senses with a blend of forbidden fruit such as mandarin, passion fruit, and iced raspberry. Finishing with a hypnotic bouquet of tiger orchid and jasmine.

CH L’eau by Carolina Herrera – This fragrance is said to be flowery on the nose but it is not overly floral. I find it rather fresh with quite a spicy finish, more of a romantic evening out fragrance – so pretty! {Mr loves it too – I may have to hint for it to appear in my Christmas stocking!} It is a fresh delicate fragrance with notes of lemon blossom, bergamot, orange, freesia, rose, violet, lily of the valley, jasmine, heliotrope, sandalwood and cinnamon.

Fame by Lady Gaga – is a Divaesque as the Diva herself, the black fluid turns transparent once it is airborne – freaky right! We would expect nothing less than off-the-wall, from the pop star! I had to do a review on it last month for the Beauty Bulletin and I must admit I was sceptical at first, as to whether I would like it but I love it! It has become my go-to evening fragrance. When sprayed on the skin you can actually see the fluid change from a black to translucent which, truth be told, is rather amazing! The scent is warm and very sensual, pretty much my favourite type of fragrance. It is very sultry and the epitome of sophistication, perfect for wearing out in the evening to compliment your sexy little LBD.

To me perfume is as much about the scent, as it is about the beautiful bottle it comes in!

Be Inspired, Beauty, Beauty Products, My Top

My Top 4 Body Creams

Today I am sharing My Top 4 Body Creams with you, in no particular order. There are certain things a like about each one and tend to use them for different things.

Woolworths Vanilla & Brown Sugar body butter – those that know me know that I LOVE vanilla! I enjoy using body butter, especially in winter when my skin is very dry. This body butter not only smells heavenly but it is very nourishing and does not leave your skin feeling sticky. It is particularly good to use after you have shaved your legs – very soothing!
Beautiful Earth Ylang-Ylang & Rosewood body butter – this is really an amazing product which I reviewed a few months back. It is a wonderfully pure body butter made from only natural ingredients and essential oils, it has a soft subtle fragrance, which matches its pretty pink colour. My tub is just about empty, so it is definitely time to order more.
Busby Liquid Gold Intensive Moisturiser – this is not solely a body cream but I am using it as one. It is extremely moisturising for dry skin and also good for sensitive skin as it contains natural oils and beeswax. I would even go so far as to say it would be great for baby’s skin. It has a fairly thick consistency but is non-greasy and does not have much of a fragrance.
Innoxa Balance Body Lotion with green tea extracts – this is one of the products that I received in my July rubybox and instantly feel in love with it. It is light and non-greasy and smells absolutely amazing, good enough to eat really!!

What is your favourite body cream or body butter? Please share them with us and what you love about them!

For more Beauty Product reviews click here.

Be Inspired, Food, My Top

My Top 4 Foods to Eat

“My top 4 Foods to Eat” in no particular order:

I am definitely more of a savoury person when it comes to food and a bit of a carnivore, so meat is always high on my list of staples. I love nothing better than a delicious fillet steak, with pepper or mushroom sauce and crispy French fries!

My second favourite food to eat would have to be sushi, although if I am dining with my youngest poppet and we are sharing a platter, I have to eat quickly otherwise I lose out! (She loves her sushi!) My favourite sushi roll is a California roll with prawns and avo. (usually accompanied by a few glasses of Graham Beck bubbles!)

Third on my list is Thai curry, well I pretty much love most Thai food but Red Chicken & Prawn Thai curry is a favourite; I often cook it at home and the hotter the better!

OK technically the last item is not really “food” more “desert” but a girls gotta have something sweet in her life – I really “heart” Crème brûlée. Often I will try to get the hubby to share it with me (in an attempt not to look greedy) but I have learnt my lesson it’s better to get my own!

What is your favourite food or desert? Are you more a savoury or a sweet eater?

Be Inspired, Fashion, Fashion, My Top

My Top 4 Fashion Items

There is definitely a trend, as far as the common shade of colour, that runs through most of my favourite fashion items at the moment, tangerine is big this season and I could not resist adding a bit of tangerine to my own wardrobe!

My Top 4 Fashion Items

It is fun and a bit sassy and I feel wonderful in it!
The shell bracelet I am wearing was a gift from brother and my new sister-in-law for Christmas! I am loving it, it’s great with most colours but works exceptionally well with more earthy tones.
The beautiful geometric print scarf was also a gift, from good friends and it is so pretty and soft. It looks beautiful with white linen trousers and a white T or vest.
My old faithful suede wedges have been out and about quite a bit of late, as well as being super comfy they work well with a skirt, a dress or jeans. The colour is neutral so you can get away with wearing them with just about anything, day or night! Oh and the added bonus is they make my legs look awesome!

What are your favourite fashion items? Please share them with us we would love to see what they are!