Just in! Juju Hats at tabletonic.com.au!

JUST LANDED! Beautiful big Table Tonic Juju Hats are here in Orange and Red! And how could I not "try them on" in our own dining room? I think Mr Tonic is getting rather attached, just quietly... 

Table Tonic Juju Hats all come with a little loop on the back, so they're ready to slip straight onto a hook on the wall! Easy! Oh yeah and PS:

Brown Button

Happy weekend you guys!

A day in the life: 29.09.11

The Sunnies: Kiwi designer Karen Walker sure knows her way around a pair of sunglasses - as the evidence suggests! If pink sunglasses are your thing, click to buy. Oh, and click to buy these - my other sunnies (also Karen Walker).

The Book: 100 Australian Gardens and Landscapes, Edited by Gary Takle (288 pages, rrp $49.95). "As Australians we have an innate love of the outdoors and are lucky to live in a country where we can enjoy our unique natural landscape 365 days a year. There is little more enticing than the idea of having our own private sanctuary to retreat to. A place to play with our kids, entertain our friends or just laze and soak up the sun and the fresh air – appreciating the dramatic beauty to be found in the simplicity of nature. From sprawling rural estates to inner city courtyards and every thing in between, this book showcases 100 of Australia’s most moving landscapes, uniquely beautiful in the way they foster that sought-after alfresco lifestyle. Proving that size and budget are of no consequence to what is achievable with a bit of imagination, the talented landscape and pool designers featured throughout these pages will no doubt inspire you to put your passion and personality into the creation of your very own private getaway". Click to buy.

Just a word of warning: It brings on a serious case of pool envy... If Mr Tonic hadn't already drawn up our pool, I would certainly be tugging on his sleeve right about now... We neeeeeeed a pool, Mr Tonic!

The Breakfast: This is what the kids have been begging me for every morning, since I bought my Vitamix - Call it what you like, but we call it "Gelato for Breakfast"! You'll need: 1 frozen banana (peel prior to freezing), 1 orange (peeled), a handful of frozen berries. Chuck it all in the blender and whizz away! Make 1 big serve. The Vitamix is especially great, because it gets your smoothie completely (and I mean completely) smooth. Fussy kids will approve!

The reader email: "Hi Louise - thought you might like to see some of your lovely Table Tonic cushions at work in my freshly painted sun-room. They really spruced up the el-cheapo eBay day-bed. As you might tell, I have a bit of a green thing....". Thanks Clare - You make a quite a stylist!

Clare purchased the Green Chevron Ikat cushions (45cm). CLICK TO BUY.

The Show: Are you pregnant? Just had a baby? Toddler in tow? The "essential event" for those with bump/baby/toddler, the Baby & Toddler show will be on in Sydney all weekend, starting tomorrow! Click here for all the info. And PS They've even made a Sydney Baby & Toddler Show iPhone App (it's free!). Clever.

The reminder: 20% off all Moroccan Leather Pouffes on Table Tonic until midnight Sunday! Wheeeeee! Click to shop.

Oh, and just for fun? Check out the blog post I did exactly a year ago today. It's one of my faaaavourites!! Happy Thursday Tonic-ettes!

On sale today: Country Style

Country Style magazine's October edition (the "garden issue") is on sale today! To find out more information or to join the conversation, visit the home life website and the Country Style Facebook page.

Modern Wisdom

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MORE Table Tonic in the HSW catalogue!

How did I miss this?! First there was this exciting Table Tonic mention, now I've learned that Table Tonic's handwoven Ikat cushions and Moroccan Leather Pouffes also feature in the new Howard's Storage World catalogue (view it online here)!

(above) Turquoise Spot Ikat cushion (click to buy)

Blue & White Ikat cushion (click to buy)

(above) ALSO featured were the Grey Moroccan Leather Pouffes. Huge thanks to the brilliant and delightful (she really is) Miss Eliza for some fab styling!

20% off ALL pouffes at Table Tonic!

This week only! Click to shop!

14 bookmark-worthy sites I (only) discovered last week

Note to Self

note to self misc
note to sarah misc
vital living central health
little and brave stylish parenting
bitter sweet sour health/food
vanessa and valentine decor/fashion
daniella marie lifestyle
heather eats almond butter food/fitness
eat spin run repeat food/fitness

detoxinista health
liz ashlee health/wellness
the spring blog misc
fizzle out misc
frederic patenaude health

The Style Net: A Day in the Life of Louise Bell

If you're missing me today, head on over to The Style Net and read A Day in the Life of Louise Bell. And then bookmark aforementioned The Style Net. Because I know you'll love it.

In other news, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Vitamix  with my birthday money (thank you all for the beautiful birthday messages!!). They're not cheap (far from it), but I read so many "best investment ever" testimonials, that I was 110% convinced. And this morning, I threw a frozen banana, frozen berries and some ice into it for the kids. They couldn't believe they were having "gelato" for breakfast!! And well, finally, I am drinking smoooooth green smoothies! Such a nice change! I also bought this $69 Celsius "rebounder" (fancy word for a mini trampoline) from Rebel Sport on Tuesday, and it is a whole lot of fun. They actually use this brand at my mum's gym. Bouncing is extremely good for the lymphatic system (read what The Alkaline Sisters have to say about it) and when you throw in an iPod and some Bjork, the time just flies! Happy weekend Tonic-ettes! Oh, and don't forget:

Click to shop tabletonic.com.au

Modern Wisdom

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PS Like it? Buy the oringinal print here (small) or here (large)!
 

Table Tonic "clean" beauty buys: PART II

Brand: Simplicité www.simplicite.com.au
Skincare or haircare? Skincare 
I tried: (above) Macadamia and Bush Gardenia Body Scrub, Nourishing Hand & Nail Creme, Sage Face Oil, Angelica Lip Care Balm, Luxurious Mandarin Body Butter, Results Lift Gel, One Step Exfoliating Cleanser, Firming Rehydration Eye Cream, Anti-Oxidant Plant Serum.
Clean creds: Simplicité uses the best possible quality extracts from plants and flowers to give a healthy-looking, radiant complexion. Not tested on animals. And click here to see what they WON'T use - It's too long to list!
Best bit: Having had a several email conversations with Robin (one half of Simplicité), I get the impression they really know their stuff - their ingredients, their science, their results. And they are passionate to boot. And then some! They want what you want - great skin, naturally.

Standout product: The Mandarin Body Butter is soooo lovely. Really rich and goopy and luxurious, and it smells get-outta-town good. Special mention has to be given to the Simplicité Angelica Lip Balm. It's so soothing (it has the consistency of an eye cream) – and it fixes all lip ailments in record time. Not like "chap sticks", which, because they’re based on mineral oil actually draw moisture from the lips on every application – so you need to keep on, keep on putting on... The Angelica Lip Balm is really different. And really works.
Bonus points: I applaud Simplicité for having a dedicated dehydrated/mature skin range. Dehydration is a constant skin "issue" for me, so I'm a bit happy about that.
Where to buy: Click for stockists

Buy online at: Simplicité

I had a few more questions, so I put them to Robin and David: How often should I cleanse/wash my face (and why)? I know that people say their face is ‘clean’ in the morning.  So why do they need to cleanse?
The skin releases metabolic waste overnight. Regardless of whether makeup was worn or not, and regardless of whether the skin feels 'dirty' or not, the skin needs effective cleansing twice daily, and also again after sport/exercising/perspiring. Splashing the face and neck with water in the morning just feeds odour causing bacteria. We understand that many people get out of the habit of cleansing in the morning as many cleansers they've used in the past are just too 'stripping'. The skin feels too taut and dry if you use these more than once daily!  Even the 'plant based' ones!

What does "certified organic" actually mean?
We're not sure ourselves!  To achieve 'organic' status in Australia skin care products just have to have 70% organic content.  Explain that one!  That's like eating an apple that's 70% organic... it makes no sense to us and we think the certification is weak and is used for marketing purposes. Our herbs are 'medicinal grade' which means one thing only - of a standard, grade and efficacy that can be used to make remedies for prescription by Herbalists. Plant extracts in most products are also invariably weak (‘certified organic’ doesn’t mean effective); the amount used can be so very tiny – to say it is a drop in a bucket would be being generous. This won’t give positive, lasting results for skin." David has been sent samples of organically grown herbs and he always has these analyzed. They usually are 'organic' as claimed; free of pesticides, herbicides and heavy metal contamination but they often are very low in what are called 'active principles' ie the constituents that make the herb 'work'! Reasons: wrong soil type for this herb, wrong climate, over-watering.  These all have an impact on the activity and quality of the herb, just like growing grapes for the finest wine. Just one example: David sources lavender for Simplicité products only from the French and Italian Alps where it grows at altitudes of above 1000 metres. He won’t use any lavender grown in Australia because it doesn’t grow at a high enough altitude to be medicinal grade. In fact it’s most often camphorous, and this is usually what people are reacting to who say they’re allergic to lavender.

Tell me more about my favourite product - the Mandarin Body Butter. I asked David to make me a body butter a couple of years ago because my legs have always been a bit dry no matter what – not anymore! It's a lasting, deep rehydration and refirming moisturizer (perfect for rough heels and dry elbows as well!) Cocoa Butter & Mandarin firms loss of tone and mproves the appearance of sun damage. Shea Butter & Carrot are both used in the treatment of rashes including dermatitis and eczema.  Because of its rich levels of vitamin A precursors, carrot is used in the treatment of many other skin conditions including skin cancers. Marjoram encourages a smoother looking skin, soothes irritated skin conditions and is warming to the skin. It also protects cell membranes against early ageing, We source it from Granada (Spain). The body butter gives even better results for rehydrating skin when you use the Macadamia Body Scrub a couple of times a week in the shower.

Why is oil good for my skin? Won't it block my pores and make my face/skin greasy?  
Face Oils are used to give deep rehydration to the skin. They contain fine plant oils that absorb very quickly into any skin that is exfoliated regularly. These plant oils provide essential nutrients, in a hydrophillic matrix (able to dissolve easily), which allows the deep absorption of soluble vitamins. Face Oils are also recommended for even the oiliest skin or skin with acne as the deep absorption helps to keep the pores clear, minimising the formation of blackheads and pimples. The amount used is adjustable according to skin type and weather (i.e. low humidity). Apply between ½ and 1-2 pumps into palm of hand, rub hands together and pat on, then massage into skin which has been moistened with the Flower Water Toning Lotion. The face oil will never feel greasy if there is regular exfoliation and the oil is applied in the correct manner. (See this video gallery for detailed info on why and how to apply the two types of Simplicité face oils.) Some typical key Ingredients & benefits of our face oils are: Wheatgerm - encourages collagen formation. Calendula - stimulates cellular renewal. Encourages the restructuring of damaged tissue, a source of provitamins essential for skin firming. Used for centuries to tone weakened (surface) blood vessels. Patchouli - specific benefits for wrinkled dry skin. Used on dermatitis and eczema. Minimises reactive rednessof the skin. Antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal.

clean beauty blog

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy one of my newest bookmark-worthy blog discoveries - the clean beauty blog. It rocks! And if it seems like everyone is detoxing their beauty cabinets right now, it's because they are! Read on, Tonic-ettes:

The Dirty Thirty: 30 Most Toxic Beauty Ingredients (The Wellness Warrior); How to Detox Your Beauty Cupboard (Sarah Wilson); HOW TO: Go Clean (The clean beauty blog)

Happy Birthday to me!

Wow. Thirty seven. I'm thirty-freakin-seven! Seems like only a week ago that I turned thirty six! Isn't it strange how you always feel SO much older on your birthday than you did the year prior? That's said, I still maintain you're only as old as you feel, and I still laugh when people compliment me on how "mature" my blog is. Because I still feel 25. And that's how I'd like it to stay. But it's been a killer year. So much change, growth and enlightenment. So much awesome-ness. Happy Birthday to me indeed! Oh, and PS:

bohemian-children

17 bookmark-worthy sites I (only) discovered last week

blithely unaware

blithely unaware decor/misc

rescu fashion/beauty/lifestyle

the beauty chef natural beauty

clos-ette decor/organising

confetti style decor/misc

decor & harmony @ 4290 decor

the trend report fashion
hibiscus bloem misc
andrea beaman health/food
three new leaves health
pilar valtierra photography photography/lifestyle
marks daily apple health (amazing)
lana purcell health
nefotlak craft/decor
naturopathic health health
jo girls journey decor/misc
green smoothies blog health

Take $20 off EVERY Table Tonic cushion!

It's a rare moment when every single Table Tonic cushion is in stock! It's hard to keep up when they just fly out the door, so I had to share the news! And people are constantly telling me they're even more beautiful in the flesh, so see for yourself! Click to shop Table Tonic cushions and get an instant spring in your step!

Yes! Take $20 off EVERY Table Tonic cushion with coupon code blog20 at final checkout stage*. That's just $59 each! Happy shopping! *Ends Sunday 25th September.

Don't forget to take $20 off EVERY Table Tonic cushion with coupon code blog20 at final checkout stage*. That's just $59 each! Happy shopping! *Ends Sunday 25th September.

Modern Wisdom: Pinterest

jogirlsjourney

Table Tonic: My week in review

The September/October mag drop: Thankfully, three of these are on loan from my Mum - who I clearly inherited my mag-addict gene from...

(below) The October issue of Real Living (on sale Monday) comes with a bonus 32-page "before and after special"!

The lunch: Did you see the My New Roots blog yesterday? As part of "Meatless Monday", (Danish chef) Sarah shared the recipe for this incredible green olive and hazelnut tapenade on the Whole Living blog. With it, she made a beetroot, rocket sandwich (below)...

(below) ...and I turned it into a salad (leaves, potato, green beans, baked beetroot)! Admittedly, I left the tarragon (didn't have any) and capers (forgot) out of the tapenade. I also added half a clove of garlic and the zest of a lemon - I find it so hard to just juice a lemon and throw out the beautiful skin!

The Spring fair: Jasper's school Spring fair was held last Sunday and the kids were in heaven - up to their eyeballs in fairy floss, toffee apples, snow cones and (chocolate) showbags! It was really fun, and such a treat to tear Mr Tonic away from renovating duties for a whole day!

(below) I picked up these heart-shaped sunnies for 2 bucks at the showbag stall... (the lenses were red too - that was interesting!?!?). I felt a bit like Kirsten Dunst. Sort of.

The denim: Or, should I say, theeee denim. Yesterday's threads featured my Sportsgirl Abbie jeans, $99 (again). Perfect length (not too long) and cut. Can't wear them enough.

(above) Remo "stripey thing" top, Sportsgirl "Abbie" jeans, K Jacques sandals from Bloodorange, Vanessa Bruno tote from Netaporter, vintage belt.

The Smoothie: Still on yesterday, I seem to have nailed the green smoothie thing - Kale, Avocado, Banana, Coconut oil, Cinnamon, Macca Powder, Bee Pollen, Lemon, Rice Syrup - all organic. And after I took this photo, I added a dollop of Almond butter. Oh my giddy aunt it was good! PS When you guys freeze bananas for smoothies, do you peel them first? I think maybe I should have?!

The (other) Smoothie: With frozen berries. My Woolies has huge bags of mixed frozen berries (Nannas brand - the bag looks like this) for around $7.99. And PS I'm psyching up to buy a Vitamix blender, just quietly.... Have heard they're the bees knees. Heck, I've watched enough video demos to know - They are the bees knees!

The bargain health tip: Edamame Beans (they're technically a pea). Just $1.98 a bag from Tokyo Mart at Northbridge (Sydney). Did I buy six bags? Yes. Yes I did. And the kids practically inhale them. Love that.

The Tabouleh: Chopped continental parsley, tomato, cracked wheat (you boil it first), hummus, raw cashews, lemon zest, olive oil, lemon juice, celtic sea salt, cayenne pepper.

The stewed rhubarb: Add orange peel and apple for sweetness - and a flavour hit. Great on porridge/yoghurt! PS You may want to add some kind of sweetener as well.

Happy Thursday Tonic-ettes! (Only 4 sleeps til my birthday! Wheeeeeee!)

Table Tonic in the Howard's Storage World catalogue!

Remember this picture of Anoushka-Tonic's newly decorated room? 

Well! Much to my delight, the folks over at Howard's Storage World were so enamored with my use/styling of their "Tubtrugs", that they gave me a shout out in their newest catalogue (I know!!!!!), which hit all HSW stores last Monday, and will be in stores for a year(!).

Ironically, I picked up the new catalogue when I was in Howard's Storage World buying even more "Tubtrugs" for the TV room! I call them a very easy solution to kid's toys strewn throughout the entire house (they have handles, people!). And yes, I'm addicted.
Click to view the Howard's Storage World catalogue online.

Isn't the cover great? So, what's your star buy at Howards Storage World? Tell me!