1. Get fruity 

Watermelon is delicious but so messy to eat. That need no longer be a worry! Cut a small slit into the skin at the bottom of a watermelon slice, thread a paper cupcake holder onto an ice-lolly stick, and wedge it into the slice, so the paper can catch any sticky juice. 

2. Get the good glow! 

Make-up meltdown in summer is real! Thankfully, blotting sheets are here to save the day! Avoid the cakey look that setting powder can create and keep your complexion matt but glowing by patting your face with a sheet to remove excess shine.

Bonus: These babies usually come in super convenient packaging to.

3. Light it up!

This one is for the campers (or if you plan to have a sunset picnic on the beach): To create a wonderful ambient light effect, strap a head-lamp to a 5-litre bottle of water, with the light facing inwards. Switch it on and voila! Beautiful lighting!

4. The Heat is Off

Find yourself sprawling out on every tiled surface just to get a touch of cool relief? Prevent the heat from getting into your house by keeping the doors and windows closed during the day, only opening them at night for ventilation and a refreshing draught.

5. Powder Power

Don’t head to the beach without talcum powder. A sprinkling of powder over sand-covered bodies means super quick moisture absorption, and the sand can be brushed off easily. 

6. Bowl in a Jiffy

Got a packet of chips, but no bowl? No problem! All you need is a pair of scissors. Set the packet lying horizontally on the table, and start cutting in a spiral shape from the middle to the outside until you’ve cut a hole for your hand to fit in. The packet is now a handy bowl.

7. Flip Flop Fix

Flip-flops break at the hole all the time, but a bread-bag tag could save the day. Push the popped strap back through the hole and fit the bread tag around it, between the round end and the sole of the flip-flop. Ta-Da!

8. Pita Up

We do love the appeal of a freshly made sandwich (did someone say BLT?), but when it comes to entertaining al fresco, bread can quickly dry out in the summer heat. Enter the humble pita! These babies are better suited to warmer temperatures, plus you don’t risk the filling falling out the sides and making a mess!

9. We All Scream For Ice Cream

When you buy a tub of ice cream, store it in a ziplock bag and pop it in the freezer. The ice cream will keep it’s wonderful creamy consistency (no crystals!), and it’ll be a breeze scooping it up for a treat when the temperature rises.

10. Braai Master

Cleaning a braai grid looks like a mission until you’ve tried this trick: Cut an onion in half, pierce the round side of one half with a braai fork, and slide the cut side along the grid metal. It will be clean in no time!

Words: Dominique Brown

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Your Mind & Nutrition Are Connected To The Food You Eat!

This might be old news to you, but what we eat and drink influence much more than our body fat percentage. As stated by the Mental Health Foundation, ‘What we eat and drink affects how we feel, think and behave.’ Mental health and nutrition, therefore, go hand in hand, and there are some foods to avoid (as much as possible) and others to eat more of to help to decrease the chances of mental health-related problems. Fill your diet with fruit and vegetables, fish and whole grains, and create some distance between you and processed foods of any kind.

The Benefits Of Beets

Fun Fact it’s beet season! And while some have no interest in these root vegetables, those who do enjoy them can be sure to reap the benefits that are found in them. Beets are great sources of vitamins and nutrients, such as vitamin B6, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, to name but a few. They also fight anemia, high blood pressure and inflammation. Being so low in calories means they also make the perfect addition to your diet if you’re looking to lose or maintain weight.

45% 

Did you know that, according to statistics, more or less 45% of adults snore every now and then, while 25% snore regularly. Maybe you are the snorer in the house, or perhaps it’s your partner that’s ‘mowing the lawn’. But one thing is for sure, it can cause quite the disturbance when you’re trying to get in a good night’s sleep. There are some factors that could make you more susceptible to snoring, such as being overweight, sinuses and colds. As a result, losing weight and taking nasal congestion treatments might help. It’s also suggested that you sleep on your side at night.

Effective yet Unusual Workouts!

Fun fact, running backwards is said to burn more calories, and there is less impact on your knees than with regular running. Naked yoga allows for a more mindful, free, confident and connected practice. Karaoke spinning is a workout that involves karaoke and spinning and an interesting yet effective fitness experience.

Are you Tone Deaf?

Did you know that being unable to sing on tune, and being unable to hear differences in pitch do not co-exist. Truly tone-deaf people aren’t able to hear the differences in pitch. According to research, the white matter between the right temporal lobes (sound processing) and the right frontal lobe (higher thinking) of those with tone deafness is much thinner than others. 

Words: Bianca Muller | Image: Pexels

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Big wins for inclusion in the toy, fashion and beauty industry. The rise of Muslim women who are making their mark on the world while wearing hijab proves that representation matters. We list 3 of our top modest fashion muses on a global scale. Who’s your favourite influencer?

Ibtihaj Muhammad
After capturing the world’s attention at last year’s Olympics, this gold medallist and athlete recently announced her very own Barbie Doll in collaboration with Mattel. Muhammad’s “Shero” doll is fully kitted in fencing attire, protective mask, athletic shoes and hijab included. The doll is a celebration of not only Muhammed’s accolades but her ability to inspire little girls everywhere who never saw themselves represented in a Barbie doll.

Halima Aden
This supermodel made headlines after being the first ever hijab-wearing model to grace the cover of iconic women’s beauty and lifestyle magazines such as Vogue and Allure. She recently starred in Rihanna’s much anticipated, Fenty Beauty Line, a campaign which seeks to celebrate the diversity of women of all colours, religions and ethnicities. In a society that’s constantly putting pressure on women to look a certain way, Aden is breaking down the boundaries in the fashion and beauty industry of what it constitutes to be a woman.

Nabilah Kariem Peck
The aspiring fashion designer, Instagram “It girl” and modest fashionista, always looks effortlessly chic. Nabilah has been noticed by brands such as Rimmell London and Dior and has recently collaborated on a fashion editorial with Woolworths South Africa for a campaign that champions local designers. Nabilah has received innumerable praise from her followers for the way in which she inspires women through fashion in a manner that still celebrates modesty on all levels.

Faida Chikwatu
The designer whose final year range won her the best ready-to-wear collection at Lisof School of Fashion in 2016 is a leader in the local modest fashion movement. Her latest collection titled “Awraah” is an Arabic term used which denotes the intimate parts of the body, for both men and women, which must be covered with clothing. The trendy clothing line features african prints, light summer retro dresses and Cotton Candy Soft Satin garments.

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South Africa erupted in applause and pride late last year when Sedgefield local, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters scooped up the Miss Universe Crown in an elaborate ceremony held at the Planet Hollywood resort in Las Vegas. Since then, the dark haired beauty has been taking the world by storm and has been set up in The Big Apple for the year of her reign- just one of the many ways in which this small town beauty’s life has changed in a big way. Even with her busy schedule she has found time to return to SA. She views her win as a win for the whole country, and she hopes that her new title will inspire people, especially South Africans, to follow their dreams and work hard.

Pageants that promote a superficial notion of what it means to be beautiful and feminine are slowly coming to an end. Demi-Leigh proves that beauty and brains are not two separate notions. The current Miss Universe has a degree in Business Management at North West University located in Potchefstroom, South Africa. There are stigmas attached to women who participate in pageants, that they are superficial and possibly vapid. However, Demi-Leigh is an intelligent and inspiring woman who encourages women to make their dreams a reality (as she has) everyday. It took Demi-Leigh a lot of hard work, dedication and perseverance for her to get to where she is today and she uses her influence to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people in her community, in South Africa and now the world.

After Demi-Leigh experienced an attempted hijacking she was inspired to launch a campaign called Unbreakable, which aims to educate, uplift and empower women through self-defence. For Demi-Leigh, self-defence gives women power over their bodies and minds as they are able to take charge in difficult situations as well as escape toxic relationships with spouses. In being able to keep themselves safe, the women who attend the program are able to control the outcome of a situation and most importantly believe in themselves and their capabilities.  

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Utility Vests

The utility vest gets a cool upgrade this season and is no longer limited to the closet of your local farmer. With the introduction of the trendiest colours and fabrics to the standard masculine cut this versatile piece has been reinvented and can be seen on the best dressed street stylers the world over. This lightweight vest with loads of pockets has loads of room for storing all your essentials. This is the perfect style for layering, especially in chillier weather. Wear over a casual tee or pullover sweater.

The Beret

Popularised by the French, berets have stood the test of time for hundreds of thousands years. It has crept into the hearts of designers, stylists and fashion bloggers alike. If you’re confident enough to try out the trend you’ll soon notice how stylish it can make an ordinary outfit appear.We love pairing beret’s with pinstripe suits or overcoats in winter. Part of the beret’s appeal is that it adds an edginess to your look, just make sure to get the right size and always remember when picking out a beret that the tighter the fit the better.

Athleisure

Athleisure is a street style favourite and for good reason- it blends comfy sportswear and everyday wearability. To get this look right it’s important to invest in quality sneakers as a well-chosen pair of kicks will complete your look and tie your outfit together. Slim fit casual trousers work best for this look and are a great alternative to formal suit pants.

Wearing Black & Navy

Once upon a time ago in fashion there were unsaid rules- pairing navy and black together was one of those fashion no-no’s. Wearing navy and black together in an outfit can be a reliable style choice for those days you don’t feel like donning all black and experimenting with colour choices. Make sure to choose different fabric textures and pack on the layers so that the colour difference appears starker.

Newsboy Cap

Hats are definitely having a moment. This functional piece is a great addition to your Autumn accessories and is the perfect cherry on top of your sauve outfits. The newsboy cap is a dressier alternative to a casual beanie in the colder months and adds character to any outfit. Stick to the tweed versions instead of reaching for the leather options as the former are more comfortable and can be worn through the seasons.  

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Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in reducing your water consumption whether you live in drought stricken Cape Town or just care about your environmental footprint and water usage. We’ve put together a list of products to add to your beauty bag, if you haven’t already, to help you save water and stay fresh without using a drop of water.

Cleansing Wipes

Cleansing wipe can be used both for your face and body. They cleanse the surface of the skin and leave you feeling refreshed. They can also remove makeup so that you don’t have to turn on the tap in order to remove excess oil and makeup on your skin after a long day at the office. Keep them close at hand so that you can wip them out at the gym after a sweaty session. Nivea Daily Essentials Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Facial Wipes and L’Oréal Paris Sublime Fresh Purifying Cleansing Wipes hydrate the skin and are even able to remove waterproof mascara.

Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is the modern woman’s beauty saviour- and for good reason. This wonder product will refresh and revive your hair so that you can skip a wash for another day, giving you more time to lie in bed and snooze your alarm (guilt free). The magic ingredients in dry shampoo absorb the grease and product build up in your hair, leaving it looking refreshed and revitalised. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to use a drop of water to extend the life of your hairstyle! Picking the right products for your hair type is essential, the Gosh Fresh Up! Dry Shampoo Clear is great for giving your hair some volume while the Kardashian Beauty Take 2 Dry Shampoo is great for giving limp hair a new leash on life. The Balmain Dry Shampoo is great for those who are willing to splurge a little on haircare.

Micellar Water

Thanks to the French we now have a way to wash our faces without actually using water! The cleansing agents in Micellar water remove makeup, dirt and other impurities from the surface of your skin. Stash one in your bag so that you can carry it everywhere with you whether using it after an early morning run or at the end of the day to remove the oil and dirt that have built up on your skin throughout the day. The best part of this miracle product is that no rubbing is needed, simply soak a cotton pad in the micellar water and hold it over the areas of your face for a few seconds to remove the dirt and makeup. If you have dry skin don’t forget to follow a micellar water facial cleanse with your favourite moisturiser. The  Lancôme Pur Rituel Eau Micellaire Douceur Cleansing Water is potent yet gentle on the skin while the Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Oil-Infused Cleansing Water-Micellar Oil is great for dry and sensitive skin as it nourishes while getting rid of impurities. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Micellar Water leaves skin feeling touchably supple increasing the amount of water in your skin cells which leaves your face feeling hydrated.

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Robyn Rihanna Fenty is more than just a singer and entertainer. She’s been popular since she first emerged on the music scene with her hit song Pon de Replay and has won multiple awards including several Grammy’s, MTV Music Awards and BET Awards over the past thirteen years! We admire Riri’s no-nonsense attitude when it comes to haters, often replying with witty comebacks to her internet trolls. But her most endearing qualities include her charitable nature, passion for fashion and confidence. Here are just a few reasons why we love Rihanna.

Rihanna’s style is constantly changing and along with the help of her resident stylist, Mel Ottenberg, the singing sensation is always changing up her looks from cool and casual to full on glamour and often risqué apparel. Rihanna has been the face of many fashion brands including Puma, Dior and Balmain. Her fearless fashion choices can only ever be pulled off by her. Who can forget her completely sheer Swarovski-encrusted fishnet gown complete with matching gloves and headscarves worn to the 2014 CFDA Awards? Needless to say, whenever Riri is set to make a red carpet appearance, we wait patiently to see what she’s wearing!

Everything Rihanna touches turns in to a gold mine. With the introduction of her Fenty Beauty line in September last year, beauty gurus and make-up lovers alike erupted in applause of her 40-shade range foundation, a feat women of colour the world over celebrated. Riri is an avid make-up lover herself and as a young girl she would watch her mother do her make-up in the mirror and look on entranced as her mother would pull faces as she fixed her lipstick or applied mascara. Her boundary breaking Fenty Beauty line allows women of all colour to express themselves through make-up, to feel empowered and most importantly included.

Last year Rihanna was awarded the, “Harvard University Humanitarian of the Year award”. Many people don’t know the full extent of just how charitable this Caribbean Queen is. Her contribution to the world has been plentiful in and of itself. She has teamed up with people like the soon to be married Prince Harry to raise awareness of HIV and Aids, French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron to raise money for education in third world countries. In 2012, Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel foundation which supports and funds healthcare, education and emergency relief around the world. Her passion for helping those less fortunate than her is truly admirable.

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The Oscar’s  is one of the most anticipated award’s ceremonies of the year. This year was no exception as the event brought together Hollywood’s brightest and best stars. This year’s red carpet fashion was nothing short of memorable. While everyone can’t win an Oscar, these celebs sure deserve an award for their glamorous dresses.

Metallics!

Metallic dresses were a prominent feature of last night’s Oscar’s. Miss Congeniality Sandra Bullock, Dior clad Jeniffer Lawrence and Wakandan warrior, Lupita Nyongo all donned shimmery dresses that rivalled the golden Oscar itself. These heavy metal alternatives are a refreshing contrast to the usual frilly and fluffy dresses often preferred by celebrities.

Big Bows

These celebs sure made a statement with oversized bows! Big Little Lies actress Nicole Kidman turned heads in a midnight blue gown with thigh high slit and massive bow. She kept her accessories and makeup simple so that her gown could shine. Presenter, Kelly Ripa, donned a strapless black dress with a bow made from pink, green and navy fabric. Saoirse Ronan, who was nominated for Best Actress for her role in the film Lady Bird, worked it for the cameras in a soft pink gown and gave onlookers a full view of her Calvin Klein gown with a big bow at the back of her dress.

Wowing In White

White was a prominent colour on last night’s red carpet, a stark contrast to all the black dresses worn at the Golden Globes (earlier this year) in support of the “Time’s Up” movement. While actresses may have passed over black ensembles, the pins in support of the movement remained. Hollywood icon, Jane Fonda, accessorized her pearl-dusted and beaded Balmain gown with a“Time’s Up” pin. Margot Robbie, as usual slayed the day in a white Chanel gown. Singer Mary J Blige’s pearl embellished white gown and actress Laura Dern’s Calvin Klein ruffled shoulder dress were both elegant showstoppers.

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When it comes to footwear, the boot trend is a classic style staple that remains popular through every season. The right pair of boots can instantly dress up any outfit. Though some of us may gravitate towards our favourite styles of boots (the military boot, the riding boot or even uggs), we’ve compiled a list of trendy boots to splurge on.

We love slouch boots! They cover your legs so you won’t feel the chill on colder days. Pair black thigh high boots with a floral dress to add sleekness to the casual print. Accessorise with a matching black bag to tie the look together.

These thigh high boots instantly give you the appearance of sleekness and elongates your body. It’s a winner for all women on the shorter side. Thigh high boots are the perfect transitioning piece to have in your wardrobe as they can be worn in warmer weather or in winter. The key when styling statement thigh highs (especially in bold colours) is to let them make the statement by toning down the rest of your outfit with muted tones of clothing so that your boots stand out.

Can’t stand heels but find flats don’t give you the look you want? Then these pointed kitten heeled boots are just the pair for you. Perfect for the office or after work dinner plans. The kitten heel is so versatile that it can be worn through every season, pair with a short floaty floral dress in summer or layer on the  basics in colder weather. If you’re bold enough go for these oxblood pointy’s from Foschini. These eye catching boots look paired with good old denim basics will transform your look from drab to fab.

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With the busy lives we lead as mothers, full time professionals and all round boss babes, we need fuss-free make-up that will last through lunches, car karaoke and after work drinks. We’ve done you the favour of compiling a list of step-by-step tips to follow so that your pout stays on point for hours! Here’s a list of how to make your lipstick last all day – you’re welcome!

Exfoliate

The first step to attaining luscious lips is exfoliation. It’s essential to remove dead skin cells from your lips before applying lipstick so that you have a smooth base to work with. You could make a homemade lip scrub with ingredients that can be found in your kitchen such as brown sugar,  honey and coconut oil. The moisture from the honey combined with the brown sugar exfoliant will keep your lips softer for longer.

Moisturize

Don’t forget to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water as hydration is the key to achieving plump and supple lips. Your lips dry out faster than any of the skin on the rest of your body because it’s so thin! Keep your lips moisturised with balms and creams that keep your lips hydrated and protected from the harsh environment. Avoid products with ingredients that can dry out your skin such as alcohol and flavoured lip products. Foschini Beauty has a range of products to ensure balanced hydration and all day lip protection.

Line

Lipstick tends to last longer when you line your and fill in your lips with a lipliner. To prevent lipstick from bleeding and lip colour from migrating onto places like your chin, fill in your lips completely with pencil before applying your lipstick making sure to start at the outer corners of your lips. You don’t have to buy a liner to match every lipstick you own, a liner one or two shades darker than your natural lip tone will do the trick. This will make your lips look larger and more defined- Kylie Jenner who?

Apply Lipstick

Whether you use a lip brush, your finger or apply lipstick directly to your lips make sure your pout is evenly coated. Start from your cupid’s bow and work your way to the outer corners of your top lip. Use swiping motions on your bottom lip. These Smashbox lipstick’s have a satin smooth finish that glides on like silk and gives brilliant colour with just one swipe.

Blot

When you’re happy with your first coat of lipstick, whip out some blotting paper from your makeup bag- tissues will do. Lightly blot your lips to remove any excess oil from your first coat of lipstick. This step is vital if you want your lipstick to have serious staying power. Kiss the tissue or paper gently or rub over your lips.

Powder Your Lips

Do not underestimate the impact that this step will have on your lipstick. This step has been in the secret arsenal of makeup artists for years. Grab your favourite loose powder (preferably one with a bit of colour) and a fluffy brush. Dip the brush in the powder and gently tap over your entire lip, this will set your first layer of lipstick and make sure that your lipstick won’t budge.  Yardley Loose Powder is great value for money and does absolute wonders at setting your lipstick in place.

Second Coat

Apply your second and final coat of lipstick in much the same way that you applied your first application. Bam! You’ve got a perfect pout to last you through the day.

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