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Veronique Photography Feature and Giveaway

 

*ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED*

Today I am featuring the lovely Veronique Mills on my blog. Veronique is a talented local photographer, who is very passionate about what she does, she believes that a photograph can capture a certain moment in time and portray great emotion.

I believe art is a personal experience. It gives me the greatest feeling of achievement when people look at my photos and experience the captured essence and feel of a moment in time.

Newborns are one of her favourite subjects, she feels that there is something so special in capturing those first few days of a little baby’s life, something a parent treasures forever! Her newborn photographic studio, Veronique Photography, is based in Kenridge, Cape Town.

I love all things baby and have bought some great props for my newborn shoots.

During her newborn photo sessions Veronique’s aim is to ensure that your precious bundle of joy is happy at all times! She has a heater to keep them warm, white noise to soothe them and lots of blankies, props and hats to make the whole experience magical. Her recommendation is to capture your little one within the first 5-8 days after birth, as they tend to be more sleepy and less likely to wake up or cry.

I am super excited to announce that we will be giving away a Newborn Studio Package worth R1000, to one lucky mom & her babe!

The package includes:

  • A 4 Hour shoot in her studio situated in Kenridge, Cape Town
  • A DVD with between 30 – 70 high-resolution photos, professionally compiled and edited
  • A Slideshow of images to music

All you need to do is Show some lovin’ by liking  Super Mom Blogs Facebook Page and Veronique photography’s Facebook Page. Then leave a comment below the post telling us about your precious bundle or who you will be gifting the photo shoot to.

Competition Details:

  • The Veronique Photography Giveaway will run from 2nd August 2012, until the 9th August 2012. The winner will then be randomly selected and announced on my blog on the 13th August 2012  . The winner will also be notified via email that they have won.
  • The winner will receive a Newborn Studio Package worth R1000.
  • Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address). If you do not complete this step your entry will not be valid.
  • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway but please advised that Veronique Photography is based in Cape Town and the winner will need to make their own way to Cape Town to receive the prize. The prize may not be exchanged for cash. 

 

Cape Town Lifestyle, Events, Fashion, Fashion, Lifestyle, Out & About, Pret-A-porter

Michelle Ludek – MBFWC

On Friday I experienced my first “grown-up” fashion show when I attended the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Cape Town, at the CTICC. Unfortunately I left booking for the MBFWC quite late, so many of the shows were already sold out, that will definitely not happen next year! It felt wonderfully civilised sitting sipping champers before the show. My favourite designer on Friday was Michelle Ludek, so I thought I would share some of her designs with you.

Michelle Ludek – MBFWC

The Michelle Ludek Summer Collection featured at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2012, intriguingly tells two stories, Michelle says “I have tried to find a balance between creativity and reality: while each story is unique there is an uncompromising liaison in each that takes its inspiration from the Art Deco period.”

The collection features tailored pieces, fringing detail and bright striped fabrics, reminiscent of the 1920’s. Michelle’s use of geometric shapes in both the garments as well as the accessories complemented the soft billowy fabric so well.  I particularly loved the subtle colour palette used throughout the collection, with punches of Tangerines, Cobalt Blues and a unique colour, “Celery”, created by the designer. The collection is rather bold in its use of colour and form giving it a playful and rather sexy feel, which makes it perfect for a summers evening out with the gals or packed in your suitcase for an exotic vacation!

Michelle has also launched the Michelle Ludek Shoe Collection which made its debut on the runway during the show on Friday. Designed by Michelle, these hand-made shoes will be produced by Bennett and co, using only the best finishes and fabrications.

On this collection Michelle has also collaborated with up-coming creative talents, such as Bridgette de Waal, who created all the crochet and knitted pieces in the collection. As well as Belinda-Lee Ludek, who created exclusive inspired jewellery pieces to complete this summer collection.

 My inspiration comes from my inherent love of nature, especially the South African landscape with its textures, organic shapes and unexpected details. I’m also inspired by the effortless flair of Europeans with their irreverent cool take on fashion. As an artist, I am always true to my impulsive and playful instincts and who I am as a woman. ` Michelle Ludek

Photography courtesy of SDR Photo

Be Inspired, Children, Family, Fitness, Lifestyle, Reviews and Features

Flexi-bar

 

The Flexi-bar is a revolutionary fitness tool from Germany, which activates both voluntary and involuntary muscles in a shorter space of time. The Flexi-Bar was originally developed by physiotherapists in Germany and was designed for rehabilitation purposes. The tool assists with injury prevention and faster injury rehabilitation.

Due to our modern-day lifestyle, our children spend far too much time indoors and not enough time engaging in physical activities such as climbing trees, playing on jungle gyms and riding bikes. This type of inactive lifestyle has led to an increase in the under development of children’s muscles and co-ordination skills.

The Flexi-Bar, available from Flexi-Sports SA, is a great tool for introducing the concepts of core conditioning and dynamic torso stability to children, as well as being an entertaining and stress relieving way to exercise. The Flexi-Bar is a proven therapy for mending and preventing back pain, therefore training with the bars will result in strong healthy backs and better circulation for the learners and this will lead to more effective working.

According to ADHASA, ADHD is believed to affect 10% of the South Africa population, and is prevalent in every ethnic and socio-economic cluster. Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder is believed to affect 8-12% of school-aged children worldwide.

Children suffering from ADD and ADHD can benefit from using the Flexi-bar, as it helps improve concentration, blood flow, oxygen intake and co-ordination. The Flexi-Bar engages muscle inter-play and improves intra and inter-muscle coordination.

Traditional gym work-outs are not enough to combat ADD and ADHD in children as the training only encourages muscles to work in isolation as opposed to interplaying and working together.

The Flexi-Bar uses vibration training to create muscle tone and strength.  As you swing a Flexi-Bar, vibrations pass through your body. These signals tell the muscles they are being pushed away from their centre and they must automatically contract to bring themselves back. The deep core muscles are involuntary, thus they are notoriously difficult to target and strengthen effectively. This is why 80% of the population suffers from back pain at some stage of their lives.

The Flexi-Bar can be used off the sports field and in the classroom by remedial departments and results in improved concentration, blood flow, oxygen intake, coordination, as well as right and left side brain stimulation.

Many schools in South Africa have joined the likes of some of the world’s top sporting teams such as Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Newcastle FC and a host of Olympic gold medallists, in choosing the Flexi-Bar tool to add to their existing sports-specific programme.

To order your Flexi-Bar and enquire about Flexi-Bar training sessions please visit www.flexi-sports.co.za  or call 021 683 9981. You can also follow Flexi-Bar on Facebook.

We are giving away a Kids Flexi-Bar, valued at R900, to one lucky reader. All you need to do is “like”  Super Mom Blog on Facebook and “like” Flexi-bar on Facebook. Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above, along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address).

 

Competition Details:

  • This giveaway will run from Friday 20th July 2012, until the 27th July 2012. The winner will then be randomly selected and announced on my blog on the 28th July. The winners will also be notified via email that they have won.
  • The winner will receive 1 Kids Flexi-bar to the value of R900.
  • Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address). If you do not complete this step your entry will not be valid.
  • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway but please advised that Flex-bar is situated in South Africa and the prize will only be shipped within South Africa.  The prize may not be exchanged for cash. 

This competition is closed

Be Inspired, Beauty, Beauty Spa, Cape Town Lifestyle, Fashion, Lifestyle, Reviews and Features

Equinox Spa Cape Royale

On Tuesday morning I was treated to a wonderful spa experience at the Equinox Spa Cape Royale, in Green Point Cape Town. The timing could not have been more perfect as the girls went back to school on Tuesday as well, so it was indeed a bit of much-needed, rather self indulgent “me-time”.

The Cape Royale is situated in Green Point overlooking the grandiose Green Point Stadium and is perfectly positioned just outside the Cape Town CBD and the V&A Waterfront making it perfect for businesses and leisure travellers.

Upon arrival at the hotel I was greeted by a door man adorned in a top hat and tails and escorted through the elegant reception area, to the elevators which take you up to the Equinox Spa. The decor in the spa is magnificent, luxurious with a hint of drama. A monochromatic colour scheme is punctuated with bursts of colour. Black and white damask wallpaper adorns the walls and a beautiful ornate chandelier in the reception area gives the spa an almost ethereal feeling.

I was greeted by the friendly staff who showed me to the changing area, fully equipped with lockers and showers for guests to use. I was asked to change into a crisp white robe and shown to a waiting area, here I was offered cucumber flavoured water and a selection of healthy nibbles. My therapist Zama then took me to the treatment room which was warm and inviting. I was then treated to an hour-long hot candle massage, which is not a treatment that I have had before so I was very intrigued to experience it for the first time.

The oil that collects at the top of the burning candle, is used for the massage, it felt sublime on my skin. The hot oil is said to relieve muscle pain and stimulate blood circulation in the body. Needless to say the treatment was amazing, from the beautifully scented candle, raspberry and lavender I believe, to the gloriously warm and soothing oil the candle produces – I was in heaven! The massage itself was wonderful, with just the necessary amount of pressure, I tend to carry my stress in my neck and shoulders so there were lots of knots to work out.

 Equinox is a realm of indulgence, offering individualized professional therapies with a touch of couture elegance

I would definitely recommend a visit to the Equinox Spa and I will definitely be back there in the future to experience more of their world-class treatments. To find out more about the spa and other treatments they offer, visit their website here.

I loved the experience so much that I would like to treat one of my lucky readers to a Nimue Facial!

Here is what you need to do:

  • Show some love by liking  Super Mom Blogs Facebook page and Cape Royale Hotel & Spa Facebook Page
  • Leave a comment below this post telling me why you deserve to win this treatment

Please shout out and tell your friends about this awesome competition by tweeting the following – win with  @supermomsablog &  @Equinox_Spa @Cape_Royale

Competition Details:

  • This giveaway will run from Thursday 19th July 2012, until the 26th July 2012. The winner will then be randomly selected and announced on my blog on the 27th July. The winners will also be notified via email that they have won.
  • The winner will receive a 1 Hour Nimue Facial at the Equinox Spa at the Cape Royale Hotel in Green Point Cape Town.
  • Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address). If you do not complete this step your entry will not be valid.
  • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway but please advised that the Equinox Spa at the Cape Royale Hotel is in Cape Town and the prize does not include travel costs, therefore the winner will need to be in Cape Town to redeem their prize.  The prize may not be exchanged for cash. 

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