Top South African Lifestyle Blog
Lush South Africa has officially opened it’s doors for the first time today, 1st October 2012, in the V&A Waterfront, opposite the iStore. Today is the official opening and the media launch will be held later this week, which I will be attending, to get the inside scoop on the stores local offering. What a way to end a relaxing week away! So I will let you know more after the launch – watch this space. Exciting stuff!!!
Recently I was invited to experience a unique massage treatment at enmasse Massage Concept, in Gardens, Cape Town. The massage experience is like no other in the Western world, by simply elevating and reinventing the positive aspects of oil-free, hygienic and fully clothed Thai massage, enmasse offers regular de-stressing from the modern world.
From Tai Chi to Chai tea, many aspects of the Orient have been assimilated into Western Culture over the last few decades. Now, a uniquely new type of venue called enmasse is about to change the notion of massage forever by combining the allure of authenticity with the familiarity of convenience, something never seen in the field of massage.
Upon arrival at enmasse I was welcomed and given the opportunity to lock away any of my valuables in a secure safe. Then I changed from my city clothing into white linen robes. Once kited out in my white ninja garb, I was led to the upstairs massage area, surrounded by dark walls and white massage mats – it was something quite surreal. The soothing music, a mix of house and lounge – rather different from the usual music played in spa’s, allows you to be drawn into a comforting and relaxing world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
I am always in need of a massage as I carry all my stress in my neck and back (all those hours in front of my computer), I opted for medium to firm pressure, my therapist explained that he would be using a technique called acupressure, which at times was fairly painful but very necessary to loosen all the tight bits! After my massage I was encouraged to relax under a warm covering and allow the relaxation to continue.
After allowing the massage to take its full effect I ventured down to the tea lounge, where you are spoilt for choice with a variety of herbal and black teas. I chose a Rooibos Chai tea, which is brewed in a glass tea-pot, while you sit back and page through a magazine of your choosing. This was really a treat, to just sit and do nothing! I was truly reluctant to have to change back into my clothing and face the real world but alas all good things must come to an end!
To contact enmasse and find out more about their massage menu and for contact details click over to their website here.
Image Source: enmasse
While in Cavendish Square on Saturday, buying a new printer, my girls and I happened upon Typo, a new rather exciting addition to the centre, enough to make “Mr” breakout into a cold sweat! Typo is an amazing treasure trove of awesome goodies, I could spend hours there but we did not have too much time on Saturday but we still manged to come away with the gorgeous decor goodies above! My girls are redecorating their bedrooms and fell in love with the beautiful canvasses they had on display, they each picked one but I think we will be back for more. We also found great scatter cushions for their rooms and the best thing of all was the price and the sales assistant even threw in a funky water bottle for free! {That’s mine! 🙂 }
Typo has gorgeous stationary all colour coordinated, beautiful lap top covers and myriad of other knick-knacky bits. As I said we did not have much time, so a second visit is definitely in order! The store is on the 1st floor in Cavendish, next door to Timberland and they also have a store in Canal Walk, so if you have not been yet do yourself a favour and get there!
If you are not familiar with the LUSH brand then you have been missing out! I fell in love with their quirky style of cosmetics and bath products on our visits to the UK. The super exciting news is that they will be opening right here in the Mother City later this month!
This British High Street beauty retailer’s approach to retail-cosmetics is somewhat “out-the-box” – they are a self-proclaimed cosmetics grocers rather than a traditional cosmetics company. Think hand-made, natural and fresh merchandise, butchers’ blocks, pricing by weight, greaseproof paper wrapping and even best-by dates.
In LUSH’s “beauty delis”, soaps are piled high on Provencal-style wooden tables like strange exotic cheeses, whilst a myriad of orbs (fizzing bath ballistics) are presented in-store like perfectly round apples.
I’ve always loved the way fruit and vegetables are displayed in a grocery store,” says Mark Constantine, LUSH’s managing director who set up the company in 1995 with a close-knit team with whom he has worked for over 20 years. The inspiration behind the store design was, he says, “cheese shops and German veggie restaurants – and any fresh fish counter.”
At LUSH, customers are encouraged to choose their cosmetics personally from a pic’n’mix style display. You can choose from chunks of solid shampoo, bubble slices or from the Bio Fresh Range, where products carry use-by dates and are displayed on the chilled fish counter-style cabinet.
“The whole point of LUSH is that it should be fun for our customers and fun for us, while at the same time offering original products that work and give value for money. ” ~ Mark Constantine
LUSH cosmetics are made to be as natural as possible and are crammed with top quality organic (where possible) ingredients such as herbs, fruit, flowers and essential oils. They avoid the use of synthetic preservatives, which are damaging to the environment. Not only do they use the freshest ingredients but the majority of the products have little or no packaging, making it an ecologically responsible choice as well.
Product ingredients are clearly labelled and merchandise includes items that are suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. None of the LUSH products are tested on animals, and they also guarantee that none of their suppliers, test any of their raw materials (including those not bought directly by LUSH) on animals either.
With over 800 shops worldwide, the brand has grown dramatically since the first shop opened in Poole (UK) in April 1994. The September 2012 opening will see the launch of the first Lush store on African soil, here in our very own city – Cape Town!
For a little fun pop over to Lush.com and check your Emotional Brilliance:
Super Mom Blog will be attending the launch and will report back afterwards to tell you all about it, with a few pics as well!
To stay up to date with opening dates and product news you can follow LUSH on Facebook or Twitter.
These are a few of my pics from my visit to the Earth Fair Market Noordhoek, last week Thursday. It was still a bit chilly but no rain so that was great. The market is perfect to stock up on some amazing artisan foodie delights and if like me you do not feel like cooking, a quick easy dinner! My youngest loves sushi so the first stop is usually the Village Sushi table, well truth be told it is the drinks vendor for an artisan beer for Mr and a cheeky Sauvignon for me, then the sushi. Another of our favourites are the glorious home-made pies, my choice is the Lamb and Rosemary – yum!
We could not leave before sampling the gorgeous home-made Gelato, my favourite was the Strawberry but the chocolate was really good as well!
If you have not been to the market yet, it is well worth a visit and especially now with the weather improving – it’s a great way to spend the evening!
The market is held at the Noordhoek Farm Village, from 4pm- 8.30/9pm every Thursday evening. If you would like to find out more about the Earth Fair Market click here.
