Trends to try - Watercolour whimsy

As we head into the beginnings of the Summer party season, I start seeking holiday outfits. Outfits that will work on stinking hot days by the pool, out to lunch with friends, and all the way to sunset cocktails.

Washing straight off the canvas, these bright and breezy watercolour prints are splashing their way into my heart and wardrobe this Summer. And I think they might just be the holiday outfits I need.

The light, airy prints make me happy just looking at them—and they're pretty enough to wear from day to date night. (And the cut of this top and frock make them very forgiving, keeping you looking your best while still leaving space for some holiday indulging.)

Forever New Elsa top, Bohemian Traders Utility shorts, Rayban classic aviators, Louenhide crossbody bag (similar here), Sofia Cruz espadrille wedges (I am in LURVE), Marc Jacobs Daisy Purse Spray

Witchery Gathered Neck Dress, Seed Andrea Espadrille, Witchery mini nail duo in Cobalt, Suzanne Grae bead necklace, A Girl I Know Alissa bracelet, Rimmel Oh My Gloss in Snog

Would you wear watercolour print? Or do you find them wishy-washy? {See what I did there? Hehe.}

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Glasshouse Candle Inji Mist - Cure Brain Cancer

Have you ever wanted to design your own beautiful candle? Who hasn't? I don't really need to though, because Glasshouse Fragrances have already created pretty much the perfect candle for me... their Montego Bay Coconut & Lime scent is on high rotation in this house. I still remember the moment that BB discovered how much Glasshouse candles cost, and did some quick maths to come up with the figure I was spending on candles every year. Oops.

Back to candle designing: on this week's episode of The Block (which I rarely watch, but still enjoy), the teams participated in a candle making challenge with Glasshouse Fragrances Co-Founder, Nicole Eckels. Western Australian sibling pair, Luke and Ebony won the challenge with their candle Inji Mist, inspired by Injidup Point, a surf break in the south-west of Western Australia and dedicated to their family friend who passed away from brain cancer. What a beautiful gesture.

Luke and Ebony with Nicole Eckels of Glasshouse Fragrances

The best part is that all Glasshouse Fragrances' profits from the sale of this candle will go to Ebony and Luke's chosen charity, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation to support their mission to increase five-year survival for brain cancer patients. 

Stop and just think about that statistic for a moment. It's so not ok. I know people who are being hit very hard by the awful effects of brain cancer right now, and it ain't a walk in the park. It's debilitating and brings families to their knees. 

Glasshouse Fragrances Inji Mist

Do the right thing, and stock up on Glasshouse Inji Candles for gifts this Christmas, and get the warm and fuzzies when you think about the double-awesome good deed you're doing.

Do you watch The Block? And what sort of candle would you design if you had the opportunity?

Want more like this? Sure you do, get Katy Potaty via email and go into my monthly subscriber draw to win a Glasshouse Fragrances candle! (What's the betting odds that I'll buy you an Inji Mist one, eh?)

Summer ready skin with Brazilian Beauty Currimundi

As the seasons turn and we head into the glorious warmer months, my spirits are lifted and I'm feeling pumped up for Summer. My skin however... not so much. I'm notoriously bad at looking after my skin, even though I'm well-educated on the importance of caring for my body's largest organ. In my younger years, whilst working on different cosmetics counters at David Jones and Myer, I even had the opportunity to learn from some of Australia's best facialists, yet I still don't regularly use good quality eye cream or moisturiser.

That should do right? A couple of fancy-schmancy skincare products are all you need for healthy, glowing skin. Nope. While quality skincare shouldn't be underestimated, great skin is a result of homecare combined with regular salon treatments. You can cleanse and scrub all you like, but only the professionals can really get to and treat the source of your skin concerns.

Ugh. Brutally close photo of my skin before I left for my salon visit that morning. Dry patches of flaky skin on my forehead and cheeks (where I cop the most sun), enlarged pores everywhere, and a very oily t-section. Deep smile lines (too deep, if you ask me), and some hormonal pimples for good measure.

So when my skin feels dry and flat after a Winter of indoor heating and outdoor wind (I blame my work in retail and at a school sports department), it's time to bring out the big guns. And by big guns, I mean a customised Detox Facial* at the new Brazilian Beauty salon at Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast.

This fresh new skin clinic and beauty salon is part of Queensland's most well-known chains of beauty salons, and I was dying to book a visit as soon as I heard that franchisee Josie Paton was finally opening the first Brazilian Beauty on the Coast.

Josie Paton, owner of the newest Brazilian Beauty salon (and the first on the Sunshine Coast). Keep an eye out on the blog over the next week as I share a bit more about Josie.

After an initial skin scan, popping my face into a nice little dark cave whilst skincare guru Genna had a look under UV light, I was told that my skin was pretty good for a Queenslander (yup, I guess this means us banana-benders generally have pretty damaged skin... oops). Genna then settled me into a lovely fresh treatment room, dimmed the lights and worked her magic. I love when I'm asked about my preferred massage pressure, and Genna got my request for 'hard, but relaxing' just right.

My skin got a much-needed deep cleanse using leading cosmeceutical skincare brand Australian Skin Institute (preservative-free, hurrah!), and my congestion and dead, dry skin cells were bid goodbye with lovely clean-smelling products.

But that's not all… more glorious massaging (scalp, decolletage, arms, hands and feet!), a customised face mask massaged on beautifully, before Genna finished off by applying the ASI Good Night Serum, a highly concentrated delivery of Vitamin C to leave my skin absolutely glowing. With results this good, it's no wonder Genna has fast become renowned for offering one of the best facials in town.

My salon visit was completed with Youngblood Mineral products applied to make me over and send me out for the day looking fresh and fabulous.

Facialist extraordinaire Genna of Brazilian Beauty Currimundi

Now, I'm really no good at photographing myself receiving a facial (that whole eyes-closed relaxing thing gets in the way), so there isn't much point in me sharing photos. What I can share however, is that my skin felt incredibly plump and healthy. 

I've said this before, but I think 34 is the age at which I get serious about committing to a good skincare regime, which includes in-salon facials. They can pump up the moisture levels in your skin way beyond what you can get at home; and it's these elevated products applied consistently that really give good skin.

Whether you've got all day to spare or just need a quick refresh and cleanse, it's definitely worth checking out Brazilian Beauty Currimundi to get on track for great Summer skin!

*I was a guest of Brazilian Beauty Currimundi. I was not paid to write this post; I just loved the experience a LOT and am happy to share the good vibes.

Want more like this? Sure you do, get Katy Potaty via email and go into my monthly subscriber draw to win a Glasshouse candle!

Weekend Reading

I've officially survived my first full term at my school job. (I know, I know, I haven't really blogged about what I'm doing with two jobs, but if you follow me on Instagram, you'll pick it up pretty quickly. I work in a school, and also still at Lorna Jane casually.)

Ok, here are some great things on the internet for you to enjoy this weekend.
1. Here's a sweet post from Vicki over at Style on V, suggesting Five Little Ways to Spread a Little Kindness.

2. Completely in love. My go-to lippie of the last three months has been Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Grapefruit. I use this balm all the time - I'm definitely going to have to re-purchase soon, and with 3 for the price of 2 at Priceline at the moment, I'll try a few other shades in the range too.

3. Tell me, do you want the same thing as me from your blog reading? You want high wit, and low prices? Someone who would wear an amaze ballgown skirt with converse sneakers and a striped tee? Well get following Beth of Almost Posh. She's an Adelaidean with attitude, and she juggles the three big ones - work, her kidlet and blogging - well.

4. It's now almost October. Gah! I'm still searching for a little more inspiration for how best to keep my focus in 2015, and not get too sidetracked. More suggestions are welcome!

5. Trainee Mama (excellent blogger, cool mama, my bestie) is so different from me in so many ways. She's a gym instructor *insert grossed out emoji face here* and she really enjoys green smoothies *insert facepalm emoji here, oh wait, they don't have one yet* FACEPALM.

She wrote this week about a groovy little blend-y appliance with the bottle actually on the top, and was talking about some of her fave smoothie recipes on her Facebook page. If you're that way inclined, head over and check them out. If you're not, pour another dash of cream in your coffee and relax.

6. For those of you not into starting your day with a big ol' bunch of kale, these Apple Bacon Pancakes (let that sink in a moment) by Shay of Mix'n'Match Mama are the bee's knees. The cat's pyjamas. The ant's pants. Go cook them now for someone you love.

So happy weekend! I have huge plans to vacuum and get the media room ready for our new lounge that's being delivered. Then I'll mix and match cushions on it for seventeen hours. Huge plans, eh.

What about you? Discovered anything amazing cruising the internet lately? Good stuff I should read (that's not about Sam and Snez, or the #libspill)?

Anannasa kaftan love - the perfect pool coverup

Now that us Aussies are heading into a hopefully warm Spring and a definitely warm Summer, it's time to start thinking about swimwear season. This in itself is a whole minefield, especially because there seem to be a large proportion of people who are keen on actually working to get a bikini body prior to hitting the beach. I understand their thought processes, I really do... but to me, I have a bikini body. I own bikinis, and I will put them on my body. Voila!

Good on you if you love working out, I wish you the very best. I can't really bear it. It's not for me. I understand that it SHOULD be for me, but no way in hell will I wait until I have my dream lithe body before actually taking a dip in swimwear this Summer.

My biggest concerns through Summer should really be limited to keeping the patio fridge stocked with Sav Blanc (Trainee Mama never turns up empty-handed, which helps) and dipping my toe in the pool to see if it's actually warm enough to swim in yet. Most Queenslanders would say 'not until November', and I tend to agree; although my Tasmanian husband will take the icy plunge in the next few weeks, I'm sure of it.

Fundana Collection Paris tunic* in blue, by Anannasa

Whilst I'm all for wearing whichever bathers you like, I feel the need to have a cover-up or kaftan ready every time I hop out of the pool. Even if you’re not sitting by the water, they're a great option for sunny summer days, especially if you choose a breezy, light fabric.

Friends who visit our place during Summer are often surprised that I've 'glammed up' for a casual or impromptu BBQ, but all I really do is throw on a kaftan or tunic with some fun accessories.

     

This super-breezy georgette style from Anannasa with a few sparkles and sequins around the neckline and cuffs will be a great lazy Summer afternoon choice as it gets warmer, thrown over swimmers with a straw fedora; or I can add skinny distressed white jeans, wedges and some extra bling to jazz it up and head out for cocktails somewhere by the beach.

Are you open to kaftans? Do you think they should stay poolside, or can they be glammed up?

*Fundana tunic-style kaftan gifted from Anannasa - thank you to the lovely Sher for adding such poolside glamour to my wardrobe, I can't wait to show you all the other Anannasa piece that arrived this week too!

I'll be linking up with Kimba Likes Wardrobe Wednesday, so head over and see what infinitely more stylish folk than me have been wearing.

Want more like this? Sure you do, get Katy Potaty via email and go into my monthly subscriber draw to win a Glasshouse candle!