Inspired Living SA - Inspired Living SA

{ Inspiration } Feel Good Friday

Welcome to Inspired Living and our Feel Good Friday Inspiration…. [Read more…]

Win Swimwear from Royal Beach SA

Royal Beach SA are a proudly South African company, who sell a fun and fashionable range of swimwear – perfect for the little peeps in your life!

The girls swimwear ranges from age 3 – 14 years, with gorgeous one piece swimsuits and the cutest bikinis.

A recent addition to Royal Beach SA, is a fun range of board shorts for boys, which range from age 3 – 12 years.

Royal Beach SA also sell a range of towelling beach gowns, which range from age 3 -12 years – perfect for drying off and keeping warm after a swim!

Exciting news! You can win swimwear from Royal Beach SA! I am giving away a R500 voucher, which can be spent on your choice of either boys or girls swimwear. So if it is for the little person in your life or you would like to spoil your grand-kids or niece or nephew then get entering!

To enter use the Rafflecopter entry form below. {Please read the *Terms and Conditions below carefully, to ensure you have met with all the entry criteria}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms & Conditions:

Entries are open from 5th February 2014 the 17th February 2014.
Enter via the Rafflecopter form above. You will be required to like Royal Beach SA Facebook Page and Inspired Living SA’s Facebook Page. Please note that the 3rd Entry is optional but will earn you one extra entry into the competition.
Please leave a comment below telling me who you would like to spoil with this fab prize!
Royal Beach swimwear ranges from R250 to R300. Please be advised that Royal Beach SA stock and sizes are subject to availability.
To ensure that your entry in processed correctly (please use a valid email address). Your details will only be used to validate your entry and inform you, if you are selected as a winner.
Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.
This competition is open to South African residents only.
The winner has 30 days to claim their prize.

If you would like to find out more about Royal Beach Swimwear the visit the Royal Beach FaceBook Page or contact them via email.

Cape Town Lifestyle, FAR Photography, Instagram, Lifestyle

My Week on Instagram

Hi everyone it is Monday again and time for me to share My Week on Instagram! I am afraid I have been a bit slack on the blogging front but things have been a bit chaotic around here! From organising my daughters 13th Birthday party this Saturday, to my poor pooch having to go in for an operation this week, there has not been much time for anything else!

The one thing I am trying to maintain in the midst of all the chaos is healthy living and healthy eating! We are trying, as a family, to eat a well-balanced diet, which means cutting out all the processed foods and including lots of fresh fruit and veg. The other side of staying healthy – for me anyway, is maintaining my fitness level, my goal is to exercise at least 6 out of 7 days of the week. This is not easy to do with a busy schedule but I am determined to keep it up!

As well as eating and living a healthy life, it is vital to take some time out to enjoy life and what would life be without coffee!!?? As you know I am vaguely obsessed with coffee and really wish I had more time on my hands to explore more of the fab coffee spots in Cape Town! I recently discovered a little hidden gem at Buitenverwachting wine farm, called the Coffee Bloc. They not only serve the most awesome coffee, served on a heart-shaped wooden board but they have the most amazing tapas!

Last week I received Bukeela Nespresso capsules, to try out! Bukeela is a new pure origin Lungo coffee, from Ethiopia. I really enjoyed the flavour but it is not quite as intense in flavour, as the other Nespresso coffees I drink!{I like my coffee quite strong!} I would classify it as a well rounded, flavourful, easy drinking coffee 🙂

I absolutely love makeup and looking good, it is amazing how quickly a bright lippie can lift your mood! There is also nothing better than a pretty mani and pedi and although I don’t always have time to pop in to a salon, I try to keep my nails looking good! This summer I have really been enjoying all the gorgeous bright makeup colours – especially coral and fuchsia shades. One of my favourite lipsticks for summer, has to be Vegas Vault, by MAC Cosmetics.

If you would like to see more of my pics, then pop over to my Instagram feed, or follow me @inspiredlivingsa. Please leave your Instagram user name or link in the comment section below so that I can follow back.

Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

My Favourite Facial Primers for 2013

Following on from My Favourite Fragrances for 2013, I thought I would share My Favourite Facial Primers for 2013.

I only started using a facial primer at the beginning of last year and when I asked around for advice on which ones to try, most everyone I asked, recommended MAC primers! I have been using MAC since then but recently discovered the Smashbox Photo Finish Primers, at a beauty event I attended.

MAC Stobe Liquid Lotion

The MAC Stobe Liquid Lotion was the first primer I bought, which is technically more of a light diffuser, as it contains iridescent pigments. These pigments produce a soft, radiant light on the skin, reducing the appearance of skin imperfections by providing a natural-looking glow.

I have enjoyed using it and love the silky finish it gives my skin! I did however find that it made my pigmentation more exaggerated! I actually stopped using it for a while but recently discovered that if I use it over my MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance Primer, it works really well and gives my skin a lovely luminous glow, without making my pigmentation appear darker. Retail price R335.

MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance

The MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance primer is definitely my favourite-favourite! I have found that no matter how much product I have on my skin, this primer stops my skin from breaking out. It forms an invisible barrier between my skin and any product I apply afterwards, protecting it from any harsh chemicals. The formula is a silky gel emulsion, rich in natural ingredients, which hydrate and prime the skin, to improve foundation or powder application. It also controls oil buildup on the skin and promotes a smooth texture. It contains Vitamins E and C to protect the skin and caffeine to calm the skin.

As I mentioned above I have been applying the MAC Prep+Prime and following that with the MAC Strobe Liquid Lotion, before I apply my foundation. I usually use this combination if I am going out and want my makeup to last that bit longer. For everyday makeup application I usually use either the MAC Prep+Prime or the Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control. Retail price R380.

Smashbox Photo Finish More Than Primer Blemish Control

The Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control is a more recent addition to my beauty regime, I was introduced to it at a Smashbox beauty event I attended last year. Smashbox has quite an extensive range of facial primers, with the recent introduction of the Blemish Control and Dark Spot Correcting Primers.

The Blemish Control Primer which I received to try out, treats breakouts, provides oil-free hydration and keeps skin clearer over time. It contains 2% salicylic acid which helps treat breakouts. I was advised to use this primer before I apply my face cream, whereas the other primers I apply after my face cream and sunscreen. I have enjoyed using this primer but after I recently changed my facial sunscreen and have found that using the two products together causes a strange reaction when I apply my foundation. I have taken to only using this primer at night, when I do not use a sunscreen and if I am going out and need to apply makeup. Smashbox Photo Finish Primers range from R350 – R380.

I would really like to try the Smashbox Dark Spot Correcting Primer and see if it makes any difference to the appearance of my pigmentation. I have added this to my list of new products I would like to try. I am also trying out a primer from Dermologica at the moment.

Do you use a facial primer? If so which one works for you? Please leave a comment below the post letting me know.

Beauty, Competitions, Winner

Winner of the Inspired Living Summer Makeover

The moment you have all been waiting for ~ The Winner of the Inspired Living Summer Makeover has been chosen! The winner of this awesome Summer Makeover Competition is Emy-Lou Clarke. [Read more…]