MOTHERS DAY GIFT IDEAS - PART FOUR

Today I am continuing with another instalment of my Mother's Day gift ideas, which I hope you enjoy and feel make it a little easier to pick that special gift for Mum. If you've missed the previous parts, you can checkout out Part One, and Part Two and Part Three 

If she wants to look after her damaged locks a little better, than this Repair set from Schwarzkopf Bonacure will have her hair back to optimum health in no time. The gift set includes a shampoo and conditioner, which aims to treat hair that has been damaged from too much heat, colouring and straightening, thanks to containing a Cell Perfector and Reversilane technology. These products will helps repair hair at a cellular level, promising to reverse one to three years of damage with just one application, replenishing the inner structure of the hair, while sealing individual strands with anti breakage protection, for a stronger hair with up to 90% less breakage!

For my long and coloured hair the Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure Repair products are the perfect fit, and I could immediately, from the very first tell how gentle the shampoo was, leaving my hair feeling soft and clean after easy wash. And following with the intensely nourishing conditioner, just a few moments with this treatment, which my hair immediately drinks up, and my hair is not only so much easier to comb out afterwards, but it is also left looking and feeling so much softer and not to mention shinier and healthier, also because ends seem less dry too, and frizziness significantly reduced - and all without leaving my hair feeling heavy or weighed down. 


If she is always on the go, and cares about being fit and healthy, then clothing from Svvet would be the ultimate choice. Svvet is the perfect gear, regardless if you are into yoga, running, the gym, or simply chilling at home, as this clothes simply stays put, no more clothes that hike up, or is uncomfortable due to annoying seams.

The Svvet Leggins are designed with a high waist that supports your shape (and tucks in those flabby mummy bits too!), and unlike other workout pants, these Svvet ones do not have the middle seam, but rather the stitching is directed away from the centre to make them both more flattering and also more comfortable. Plus the more heavy duty, thicker and stretchier material means that it simply moves with your body, and offers support where you need it most. The pants are available in both full length, 7/8 length, 3/4 length and short length and are made from moisture-wicking fabric that keeps you dry and fresher for longer, while the mesh behind the knees helps the skin breathe. The seamless design also has silicone bands inside the legs to make them stay in place as you move, double layer around the waist and pant area as well as a higher waist for extra support and stability. Heading towards the cooler months, my pick would be the full length pants, which are really comfortable and really makes me feel good.

The Svvet range also includes grey or red tank tops, sleeveless tops or short sleeved tops, made from the same high quality materials, that helps support where needed and keep you dry and fresh. I particularly love the short sleeved top, which has a gorgeous high cut raglan sleeve, and a scoop neck. It also features a double-layered bra area for extra support, as well as it is tighter around the bottom to keep it in place and stop it from riding up, while it is a little looser around the middle to make it more comfortable, and not to mention it means it won't draw attention to any mummy-muffin-top either. The red shade is so stunning and this is truly so comfortable to wear, and it looks so stylish too, that I can see myself wearing with a pair of jeans too! You really haven't tried active wear until you've tried Svvet, which sets a whole new bar for comfort and functionality!


If your loved one is always on the go, then she'll love this tiny and compact, yet super advanced portable bluetooth speaker from Altec Lansing. This Mini H20 II, is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even floats should you drop it in the pool, and it is so slim, and lightweight that it fits easily into your handbag without weighing it down. Or if you're like me, the carabineer makes it easy to attach to pram or the handbag when you're out and about too. And as it has 6 massive 6 hours battery life, you'll be bobbing away to your music for hours on the go. But wait, that's not all - the Mini H20 II naturally plays your music very clearly, but it also features voice confirmation and an onboard microphone for clear, hands-free communication when you pair it with your mobile, and the simple control panel makes it easy to both adjust the volume as well as navigating tracks. So brilliant that you'd never want to be without it again. Available in red, turquoise-blue, black and cool grey.
 

A new perfume will never go astray, so how about this new Roberto Cavalli Paradiso Assoluto, which includes Pink Pepper and Wisteria in the top notes, Wild jasmine and Red Lily in the middle notes, and Pachouli, Sandalwood and Vanilla in the base notes. This is a such a gorgeous floral scent thanks to the jasmine, lily, patchouli and wisteria, while the sandalwood and vanilla leaves a creamy softness and sweetness that is however not too sweet either thanks to the Pink Pepper. I am not personally fond of too sweet nor too spicy scent, but this one has it just right, with its floral blend with just a touch of sweetness and a hint of spiciness. This is such a gorgeous scent, and while it is strong, for me, it is a perfect day time scent too as it lasts all day. I also love the stunning bottle which is shaped like a faceted diamond, shaded in colours of red and orange, so beautiful that it will look incredible on any dresser.

 
You're probably used to give Dad a bottle of 'grog' for Father's Day, but why not also give her something indulgent she’ll enjoy too. The Solerno blood orange liqueur made from Sicilian Blood Oranges would be a perfect choice. It is zesty and refreshing, and so delicious. You can drink it on the rocks over just ice, or mixed with soda-water and adding ice, and perhaps a slice of orange for a refreshing change> or you can even enjoy it as an orange affogato by taking a capful or two of Solerno and pour it over a scoop of vanilla icecream, and spooning over a shot of espresso, topping it off with a sprinkling of chocolate and perhaps a touch of orange zest for a restaurant worthy look. This would have to be my fave way to 'drink' Solerno.

 

And don't forget to add a personalised handwritten card for her. This premium card featured is an acrylic board with a card on the back from the Hallmark's Signature Collection, and along with the "LOVE YOU MORE" has the beautiful writing inside "More than yesterday, More than anything, More every single day", simple yet beautiful. She'll absolutely love this.


Schwarzkopf Bonacure Repair Set - RRP: $28.95
Available from select haircare salons 

Svvet Full Length Tight Pants - RRP: $89.00
Svvet Short Sleeve Top - RRP: $65.00
Available from Svvet

Altec Lansing Mini H20 II - RRP: $59.95
Available from Target, Big W, Anaconda and The Good Guys 

Roberto Cavalli Paradiso Assoluto EDP - RRP: $110 / ml
Available from select stockists: 1800 812 663

Solerno - RRP $69 / 700ml 
Available from all good liquor stores

Hallmark's Signature Collection Cards - RRP: From $9.99
Available from Target, NewsXpress, The Lucky Charm and select independent retailers 

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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WE ARE HANDSOME X VAALIA SUPPORTING LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER

After my latest pregnancy, and not long after, spending almost 5 months at the Children's Hospital with our little sick boy, and then the following year being dominated by way too frequent full-day trips to the hospital for checkups and giving medicine to our little boy - this year I can hopefully relax a little more and start focusing a little on myself again - and with that, start to get fit again!

And what better encouragement than a new pair of active-wear leggings, and what better option than these limited edition pair of leggings designed by active-wear brand We are Handsome in collaboration with Vaalia. 

The leggings have been designed to help women of all types express their vitality, inspired by the fresh vibrancy of Vaalia. The leggings are inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were once the focal point of the largest and most vibrant city in the world. Fresh, floral, vibrant and dynamic were the key design themes captured with Babylon. And isn't the design just stunning.

But what's even better is that all proceeds from selling these leggings (excluding the postage & handling fee) will be donated to Look Good Feel Better, a free national community service program which supports women with cancer.

Look Good Feel Better - LGFB is dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by cancer treatment. Women participate in a practical workshop leaving them more empowered and ready to face their cancer diagnosis with confidence.

We are Handsome and Vaalia have cooperated on these stunning leggings, supporting LGFB, as Vaalia is all about feeling good on the inside and the outside especially with their yoghurts, which contains a unique trio of probiotics that help maintain gut health - while Australian We are Handsome are known for their beautifully designed active wear and swim wear designs and synonymous with of vitality - together the two brands wanted to inspire woman to express their vitality. 

The leggings feature the bespoke We are Handsome FlexiCool performance fabric, with a construction that has been built for performance and designed to move with you, regardless if you use them for yoga, plates, running or simply lounging around at home. The full length leggings, also have a very comfortable and flattering fit that stay put, without falling down.

For Miss Universe Laura Dundovic, who has helped launch the leggings and campaign, it is not just about keeping fit and eating well, but also feeling strong physically and mentally, but when it does come to food, she says that 'it’s easy to forget that when you’re feeling not so good on the outside it comes down to what’s happening on the inside. She is thus a big believer of probiotics such as those in Vaalia to maintain a healthy gut.

To keep fit, Laura try to go to the gym at least 3 times a week and I train with Base Body

Babes, and during summer she likes to go soft sand running. Her fitness secrets are to "enjoy working out! I don’t make myself do it or feel bad if I’ve been too busy to go. I simply keep active, socially too, power walking or running with friends. I’m not too hard on myself, which helps me enjoy it!

When it comes to food, Laura likes to "eat as clean as I can, but with a varied diet making sure to include the different food groups and foods that are good for my gut too like probiotics". And while she treats herself, she likes to make homemade treats so she knows what's in her food, and her little trick is to "start every day with a glass of lemon water, apple cider vinegar, ginger and honey". 

We are Handsome x Vaalia Babylon Leggings - RRP: $129
Available from We are Handsome until the end of February 2017 or while stocks last. 

*Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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A SEASON OF CHANGE - BODY, SELF-IMAGE & LIFESTYLE EVENT + GIVEAWAY

How healthy are you? It’s been 14 months since I gave birth to our beautiful boy, and I am pleased that I have lost all the pregnancy weight. But that doesn’t mean that I feel healthy. Countless of nights with poor sleep because of a teething toddler, means that I often feel tired, and feel I have no energy to exercise, and by the afternoon I often find myself reaching for an energy quick-fix in the form of a muesli bar, biscuits or the like, - all of which is of course not very healthy, and full of empty calories too.

The good news is that on September 1^st 2014 A Season of Change started up. It is a program that is free of charge – yep, completely free, and it is inviting women from all walks of life to join on-line for a 12-week event that will make a positive, sustainable transformation to the way you eat, exercise and look.

A Season of Change is a 12 week body, self-image and lifestyle event. The program promises a 360 degree approach to well-being, participants will receive free weekly digital TV episodes containing expert advice on nutrition, health and fitness as well as self-image and styling.

 

 

 

 

EXPERT TIPS & ADVICE

The program will offer expert tips and advice on nutrition with eating plans and recipes, health and fitness including exercise programs as well as well as self-image and personal fashion and styling tips to complete their lifestyle transformations.  

 

 

 

 

It is hosted by Australian-raised television personality, Henrietta Moore, and A Season of Change participants will be able to tap into the vast knowledge of an ensemble cast of experts from Australia and New Zealand including nutritionist Dane Fuller, chef Nick Honeyman, fitness guru Luke Sniewski, yoga instructor Claire Robbie, competitive athlete and trainer Anna Bramley and stylist and self-image expert Susana Tuya Sarmiento - all without spending a cent.

According to Evan Matthews, creator of A Season of Change, the new online program isn’t about willpower and it’s not a weight loss “challenge” either. “A Season of Change takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing by helping women to make behavioural changes that they can actually live by long term - one that sustains rather than depletes them and gives them life-enhancing tips, resources and opportunities for long lasting change.”

The episodes are only seven to eight minutes in duration and can be watched from any computer or mobile device, so even the most time poor women can fit watching them into their busy lives,” host Henrietta Moore said. “Plus, everyone starts at the same time, so participants go through the transformation process together, encouraging a sense of community and support between members,” she adds.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Additional resources such as weekly eating plans, recipes, fitness programs, behavioural insights and personal styling tips will be available on the website after each episode airs, providing a weekly area of focus for participants to work on.

“We’ve specifically chosen a team of inspiring experts who’ll guide women through the program, offering nutritional advice, healthy eating tips and delicious recipes, plus trainers who’ll give them the motivation to get moving, while having fun and trying new things along the way. We’ll also give their wardrobes some much-needed attention with styling ideas that help them create a positive new look and get them to a place where they feel completely transformed!” Matthews said.

Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with other like-minded members who have similar goals, backgrounds and aspirations with plenty of ways for them to unite, encourage each other and make friends along the way.

 

 

 

I have already signed up and hope to get a little healthier along the way, and be inspired with some new healthy recipes and get a few lifestyle and styling tips along the way too.

And what are you waiting for? It's not too late, sign up now, and then watch the show online, before visiting the Nutrition, Fitness and Self Image pages for the all the extra information you need to help you succeed with the program.

To join in the program and transform your health and lifestyle this spring, visit A Season of Change 

 

GIVEAWAY

But wait, there’s more – in addition to this amazing free program, to help you succeed and to to celebrate the launch of their free 12-week program, A Season of Change are giving away a unique health and wellness prize pack to one lucky Beauty and Lifestyle Hunter reader.

 

 

 

 

The prize pack contains a unique selection of health and wellness products to help you through the 12-week program,  including Sculpt protein powder and shaker, Yes To Blueberries Facial Towelettes, BeGenki Vital Face Mist, Be Genki Vital Oil Blend, and a selection of Pukka organic tea sachets, all valued at over $100 – pretty cool, isn’t it!

Entry is very simple – but here are the rules of the giveaway, so please read them:
 

• The giveaway begins today, the 3rd September July and finishes on the 18th September 2014.

• This giveaway is open to AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY.

• This competition is a game of skill and will be judged as such. The most creative answers to the blog post question as deemed so by the Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter will be the winner. All mandatory options must be completed to constitute a valid entry.
• You MUST follow The Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter by GFC or Bloglovin’, - and leave your follower name in the comments.

• You MUST like The Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter on Facebook – make sure to leave your facebook name in the comments

• As A Season of Change has kindly sponsored these skincare packs, please show your love by liking them on facebook, and if you would kindly also like and share it on the Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter facebook page or retweet on Twitter, I would greatly appreciate your support

• NOTE: Points generated by the Rafflecopter form are consequently not valid, as this is a game of skill, Rafflecopter is used solely to collate and manage the entries.

• You will be banned from this and future giveaways if you're only following my blog because of the giveaways and un-follow straight after. So if you have previously been following my blog, unfollowed, and now wish to follow again, you are not eligible to enter this giveaway. (I know you are, so don’t waste your time or mine!)
• Giveaway blogs that solely posts about giveaways/competitions are excluded from entering this giveaway.
• You must be 18 or older to enter. If you are under 18 years of age, please get permission from your parent(s), as I will need your postal address if you're chosen as a winner.

• From contacted, the winner has 48 hours to respond with their address details. Failure to respond within this timeframe will result in a new winner being drawn.

• Prize packs will be sent directly from A Season of Change, or I will take no responsibility for damaged, lost or misdirected mail.

Good Luck Everyone!
 

And the winner is...... Rebecca P.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

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SALON REVIEW: HYPOXI - TARGETED WEIGHT LOSS - FINAL RESULTS

Have you been following my journey through HYPOXI? If not, I suggest you check it out here and here.

As most of you would know, I finished the ‘course of treatments’ just over a week ago, but a house move and not being able to connect to the internet has sadly delayed my final post with the final results a little…. But before I reveal, let me just quickly run you over what exactly HYPOXI is…

 

HYPOXI is a targeted body shaping program which works to increase blood circulation, accelerating fat metabolism and detoxifying the connective tissue especially targeting stomach, hips, legs and buttocks, - or in other words, those areas women are always complaining about.


You do the treatments in high tech looking workout machine, and due to a sore foot, and not wanting to put too much pressure on it, I’ve only been using the L-250 where you basically lie down pedalling, while your lower half to be enclosed in an airtight vacuum alternating pressure chamber during the exercise. In this chamber, the therapy is applied to stimulate circulation in the problem areas, in order to remove fat and toxins from the stimulated tissue. The result is slimmer legs and a more tuned buttock!





The L-250

And in spite of being quite unfit, not having done any exercise since before getting pregnant, and now only going for walks with the pram and the dogs, the 30 minute exercise is easy as, and while I do manage to work up a little sweat, it is in no way strenuous.

I did a total of 14 sessions, although 12 is the recommended minimum to achieve some results. I’ve been doing on average of three 30 minute sessions per week, and throughout the course you are measured and weighed to ensure you are on the right track.

In the tight scuba style skirt that creates the vacuum
effect when you're in the machine..

As I mentioned in my previous posts, I am aware that I have not had a lot of weight to loose, getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight about 8 weeks after giving birth, and now back in my old clothes sizes 6-8, so consequently I have not been expecting to see huge results and loss of weight and centimetres. What I was hoping to see was a more toned buttocks area, something that years at the gym hasn’t managed to shift..


After the first three sessions, I had lost a total of 4.5 centimetres from my thighs, bum and stomach… Wow!! After sessions I’d lost a total of 10.5cm, and after 9 sessions I was down 12.5cm.


And how did I the final results look… well, they really seemed to accelerate in the final week, so while I did not lose any weight - but again didn’t really expect to, but actually I seemed to gain 400gms during the course - but as you know, muscle actually weighs more than fat, so it may just be that I've actually built up a bit more muscle tone too during the treatments (that's my excuse anyway, LOL!). And in spite of this small weight gain, I've actually lost a massive 20.5cms. WOW.

 

The breakdown of my final results are:

Weight:              +400gms
Waist:                -2.5cm
Stomach:           -4.0cm
Hips:                 -2.5cm
Bottom:             -3.5cm
Legs:                 -4.0cm
Relaxed leg:       -1.5cm
Contracted Leg: -2.0cm
Knee:                -0.5cm

Total centimeters lost: 20.5cm


I was quite happy with my body size and shape before starting the HYPOXI, knowing well that I shouldn’t complain having been so lucky to lose all my pregnancy weight, and without really trying or exercising to achieve it. But to lose 20.5cms of those dreaded areas in just over a month is just so much beyond my wildest dreams and expectations. I can both see and feel the difference, and my clothes just sit so much nicer. And this result was achieved without making any major change to my diet, as I am fairly healthy as it is (apart from when the 3 o’clock cravings set in!), and I did not do any other exercise during the program apart for the usual short walks with the pram and the dogs.

 

 A course of 12 HYPOXI sessions is unfortunately a little expensive at $690, but when you see results like that, it proves that it really is an efficient and sure way of toning your body and finally once and for all shift those love handles and the saggy bum and floppy thighs.


And the owner Janna and the lovely Alicia at Berwick HYPOXI made the whole experience so much fun and enjoyable. I wish I could continue with these treatments for further results, but sadly my income as a stay-at-home mum (read lack of!), sadly means that it is a luxury that I cannot afford. But while my derriere is still tight, I say bring on summer so I can show off my new body in some skimpier clothes..


For more information, make sure to visit the HYPOXI website, where you can also book in for a free trial session…

*These HYPOXI sessions were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy. 

What do you think of Hypoxi? Keen on trying?

SALON REVIEW: HYPOXI - TARGETED WEIGHT LOSS - PART 1

I have exercised for as long as I can remember, even working at a Nike Network gym at one stage – but in my quest to get pregnant (if you’ve missed my story, you can read it here), I stopped altogether, not wanting to stress my body and risk causing another miscarriage. And since having our little boy 11 months ago, finding the time, between moving house, building a new one etc., is simply a little tricky at the best of times. That is not saying that I am a complete couch potato, I still go for walks with the pram and our two Labradors, I am simply no longer going for long runs or sessions at the gym, however much I miss it!

 

The different HYPOXI training machines..

 

And regardless, I was very lucky to be able to lose my 14 kilos of pregnancy gain and weight gained during IVF, within 8 weeks of giving birth, and without really doing anything to achieve it. And while I am quite happy with my body as it is now, and I can fit into most of my pre-pregnancy clothes, my body shape has definitely changed and I seem to be wider across the bum and thigh area, as well as the tummy too….. so when I was asked to trial out series of sessions at * HYPOXI, I happily accepted..

So what is HYPOXI - it is a method that is combining gentle exercise and compression therapy, and over 4 weeks, with three 30 minute sessions per week, HYPOXI guarantees to be able to shave off centimetres off the stomach, hips, buttocks and thighs.

And independent studies have found that the HYPOXI is 3 times more effective than conventional training for targeted fat loss with the average user losing between 20 – 30 centimetres in just 12 sessions, as well as it has the added benefits of improving tone and texture in the skin, visibly reducing cellulite and the detoxifying benefits of an activated lymphatic system.

Wow, 20-30 centimetres, that’s massive! Now, I am aware that I won’t be able to lose that amount, as I simply have not got that amount to lose, but I do hope that I will tone up my problem areas and shed at least a few centimetres in those areas.

To ensure that the treatment program is on track, the HYPOXI consultants will measure you at the 1st, 6th and 12th sessions – I’ve been going for just over one week now with four sessions down at the HYPOXI Salon in Berwick, so I will of course make sure to report back throughout the process to let you know how things are progressing..

Obviously it is recommended to eat a healthy diet as well to enhance the results, and I will do my very best to do this, but as we normally do eat a fairly healthy diet, I will not be making major changes, and hence any results should be speaking for themselves and be a direct result of the HYPOXI..

 

The L250

 

HYPOXI has several different training devices, but due to still breastfeeding, I am unfortunately unable to try out the HDC, and sadly some pain issues with my one foot, also means that I am unable to Vacunaut system or the S120 – so for now, I will just be using the L250, where I will be biking in an almost lying down position which is not putting too much pressure on my foot.

 

In the corset-style skirt..

 

You wear a special corset-style skirt that seals in the vacuum in the machine from the waist down. You wear heart-rate monitor throughout the session, and you need to ensure that your heart rate is kept within your ‘fat burning zone’ which for me, and my age is somewhere between 120-130BPM (beats per minute). And the 30 minute session is a breeze, although it is a little harder in the periods where vacuum effect in the machine is on, but as you can flick though a magazine, watch TV or catch up on emails or Facebook on your phone meanwhile – so while you do work up a bit of a sweat, it is in no way strenuous and it is all over before you know it.

In the L250 at my first session...

12 HYPOXI sessions will set you back $690, so it is not cheap, but I you can finally, once and for all tone up and lose fat on those areas even hours and hours of sweating it out in the gym won’t help budge, then isn’t it worth it? You can find out more by visiting the HYPOXI website, where you can also book in for a free trial session…

And make sure to check back in a few weeks to hear about my progress..

*These HYPOXI sessions were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Have you ever heard of HYPOXI? Do you exercise? Keen on losing weight and fat? Would you consider doing this?