First Impressions: Yves Rocher product review

I'm not one who usually writes product reviews ... unless I'm actually so blown away by a product (or some) that I'd be raving about it/them to all and sundry.

This is one such case.  Even though I had seen Yves Rocher plenty of times abroad, especially during my travels to Brussles, I will admit I had never bought anything ... or even stepped into one of the shops to be quite honest.  Last year, the eco-cosmetics brand landed in Malta and I was quite jubilant about it ... but only until a few weeks ago I actually got to try some of their stuff.

Having run out of some of my go-to morning routine items, I decided to give Yves Rocher a go. Here's what I got and my first impressions after a few days of use:

Micellar cleansing water

Having what could be termed a teenage skin despite my mid-30s, I prefer water-based cleansers and this one just fit the bill.  With its mix of tea extracts (green, white and Madagascar!) this is proving to be quite a treat for my skin! I love how fresh it feels and the cotton disk shows me just exactly how much gunk it can take off from my day-long make-up

Sebo Specific Zero Default

I actually bought this as a night cream to fight my skin imperfections while I'm asleep but back home I realised it's both a day and night cream - double win! The consistency is lush without being too rich or sticky for my oily skin.  I can vouch that it does exactly what it says on the package (or website rather ...) i.e. "To tighten, open pores and conceal minor imperfections [...] Your skin is smooth, flawless, your complexion is matt and beautiful." Result!

Anti-age global

This is a fantastic eye-cream - with its metallic nozzle which doubles up as a massager to rub in the cream, it's the perfect wake-up solution for my eyes, especially in the morning.  All the sleepy puffiness is gone in seconds ... and well, the first signs of ageing should be history in a matter of days (or at least I hope so!) It can also be used at night, so another double win there!

Have you ever tried any of these products?  Or any other Yves Rocher products which you recommend?  Let me know in the comments section below x



N.B. This is not a paid or sponsored post and all opinions are my own thoughts.

Event post: Teodor Reljic - Two launch

I have finally finished reading Teodor Reljic's debut novel, Two.  Not because the narrative is boring or nowhere close to intriguing or entertaining.  Far from it.  Very far from it.

As I attended the book launch organised by Merlin Publishers in collaboration with Creative Island last Friday, I made it my plan to immerse myself into this other world for three solid days maximum, making the most of the long weekend.  Alas, now that I no longer have the luxury of laying in bed all day while the parents (bless them) carry out the errands and chores (I'm a grown up, independent woman of sorts now), my duties dragged me, rather unwillingly, away from Two's world.

Or should I say worlds? Without giving out any spoilers, the narrative revolves around William's reality and Vermillion's world - a world which only William, his mother and the reader seem to be privy of. William's candid thoughts are conveyed by the narrator and I loved the candour, honesty and innocence captured in this young voice.

The launch itself was captivating enough.  Set in the hauntingly beautiful Cafe Wignacourt in Rabat, those attending the launch were lead towards a 'Well of Secrets' where we could listen in on others' untold truths.  Then, hooded creatures, masked with what looked like bark from trees, ushered us to the 'Tree of Secrets', where again, we could spy into others' hidden tales which this time were hanging from the branches. Being given access into others' secrets meant that we had to reciprocate by writing down our own secrets and throwing them into the 'Vessels of Secrets.' (Sharing most of my life on this blog meant I found this actually rather difficult to do!) Wine and nibbles flowed with the attendees' words, floating on the fresh spring breeze.

For logistical reasons, we seem to have missed the author's speech, if there actually was one.  And though until then my 'fangirl' status was still undetermined, I would have loved to have a chat with Reljic to find out more about the creative process.  But I had only read one page of the book until then - Two passed Ford Madox Ford's test with flying colours in my opinion: "Open the book to page 99 and read, and the quality of the whole will be revealed to you." 

The rest of the pages, well, if I hadn't enjoyed the book or the event that launched it, I wouldn't be blogging about it, let's face it.  It's up to you to get engulfed in Two now.

"I need to get between the shadows like an insect or a snake.  Without my parents around me I feel like a different thing, like I'm an animal, a creature.  All alone, I can be whatever I want to be."

Photos courtesy of Jacob Sammut.  For more of his photography, please click here.

Buy Teodor Reljic's novel Two here.



N.B. This is not a paid or sponsored post and all opinions are my own thoughts.

 

App of the month: Moldiv

Hands up those of you who are Instagram addicts? Come on, don't be shy.  I'm the first one to admit it - I was on tenterhooks until it had opened up for Android users during my pre-iPhone days ... I never looked back since my first insta pic way back in April 2012.

But let's face it, sometimes the 19 filters and frames are just not enough.  Sometimes you need that specific vintagey hue to make your skin-tone look more dreamy in your millionth selfie, or accentuate your mono-with-a pop-of-colour #ootd ... In walks Moldiv to save the day.

Moldiv lets you combine and edit multiple photos to make amazing collages. Moldiv has fantastic frames and lots of professional editing options. Especially Moldiv offers awesome photo effects and great decoration features like text captions and numerous stamps.

Make your stories in Moldiv and share them on your favorite social media networks including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. (Moldiv)

What I love about Moldiv is the fact you can create collages - even without following the set templates - as well as stitch photos together as you deem fit.  I love the flexibility of having a straight-edged, rounded or no frame at all.  There are of course also premium packages which you can upgrade to to give you added flexibility - but the starter pack - which comes FREE-HEEEE - gives you so much already that you're definitely going to get hooked.  I'm just showing you some basics in these screen-grabs but I encourage you to try it for yourselves.

 

For more information on Moldiv, click here.

N.B. This is not a paid or sponsored post and all opinions are my own thoughts. 

Event post: Clare Azzopardi - Kulhadd halla isem warajh launch

There are so many stories to be told.  Some more moving than the others.  Some which make you laugh, others which make you cry. Just last night, I met two of my girl friends over some dinner and a glass of wine as we recounted personal anecdotes from the last weeks since we've met.  We told each other stories we were told by others, or that we read or heard about as we put on our coats to head over to Blitz to hear some more narratives. 

Last night Merlin Publishers (Malta) launched Clare Azzopardi's latest offering Kulħadd ħalla isem warajh at Blitz in Valletta.  Kulħadd ħalla isem warajh is a collection of 8 stories inspired by 8 women the author has come across at some point or other in her life.  Giving life and providing a teasing insight into the book, the haunting venue was set up in moody lighting, with a popcorn machine in one room, free-flowing wine in another, dresses hung as makeshift curtains, and if I'm not too mistaken, songs by female singers or with female names for song titles being played in the background.  It was difficult to hear exactly what was being played but it was not important.  Gathered there, were other local literary greats and upcoming authors whose lectures I've had the honour of attending, or whose books I've had the pleasure of reading.  Male actors read out snippets from three of the stories found in the collection, each giving a different life and interpretation to extracts from the same story.  I wish my grainy photos could give the event due justice, but I hope they whet your appetite for this book.  

I won't give you any spoilers, even because I'm only half way through the book myself, which I only started reading about an hour ago.  Sandra, Rita, Gracey, Roża, Lily, Margaret, Camilla and Polly are going to keep me company on this rainy afternoon. I feel I know them already.  I hope you get to know them too.  

Buy Kulħadd ħalla isem warajh here. 

App of the month: Covet Fashion

As you know, I'm pretty equally obsessed with fashion and gadgetry and all the apps that go with the latter.  So whenever these interests come together, I get a bit jelly-kneed and over-excited. Since all this excitement can't always be contained, I've decided to start bringing you an app of the month post every third week of the month.  It's my little way of sending some love back to the apps that keep me company on flights, bus rides and when I just want to zone out!

The first app of the month is COVET FASHION.  Did you actually think I could start with a non-fashion related app!?!

image courtesy of Crowdstar

I actually came across COVET FASHION during my Christmas vay-cay as I was browsing the app store on my iPad in search of games to keep me busy, or rather help me relax as I intended to when I wasn't out and about.  Over the last month, I have become terribly hooked on it, and for good reason.

First off, this app has the blessing of stylist to the stars and designer Rachel Zoe.  The game, which has a paper-dolls concept, is developed by Crowdstar, which have also brought us games such as Top Stylist and Social Girl, among others.  Playing COVET FASHION, users can dress up their avatars with digital renditions of real life clothes which are really available during the current season collections available from real brands.

“Everyone knows that I’m completely obsessed with fashion, style and anything glamorous and beautiful. I think everyone can and should have style, and what better way than to experiment and play with it online?” - Rachel Zoe

I'm emphasising the word 'real' here: yes, because the digital renditions are so fantastically accurate that it's truly as though you are dressing your doll up in real clothes.  Moreover, if you like a look so much, an online interface allows you to find it directly from the online store.  Having said that, I will concede that this being a US-based app, us Maltese may not always be able to get our paws on our coveted items ... unless we actually fly out for them!

Anyway, back to the game: On a daily basis, players are given daily styling challenges with a theme on which other players vote for.  Other challenges include $10K / $25K / $50K wardrobes and feature brand challenges.  Players get to use their own closet items, borrow from friends, or 'shop' for the right items from the game's store to perfect their style.  It's almost like going on a trip to the mall on a daily basis.  In fact, besides Rachel Zoe's own label, users can find gorgeous clothing and accessories from brands like  Rebecca Minkoff, French Connection, Hudson Jeans, Joie, Nanette Lepore, Dannijo, Fallon, Halston Heritage, and a whole host of other names, marking the app's edge over other fashion / styling games.

Another great feature of the game is the social sharing aspect - you can share your styles on your Facebook wall as well as your Pinterest boards (see mine here!); and, for every Facebook friend who joins, you get $1,000 in game money to shop till your finger-tips drop!

The game is available for download from App Store, Google Play as well as Amazon apps.

All in all, having myself tried other gamified styling apps, I believe this to be the one which is most enjoyable, not just for the ease in playing, but also for the realistic rendering of the clothes, making it appealing even to the more seasoned fashionistas.

I ♥︎ VLT

As I walk into Valletta this afternoon, I am greeted by the sound of Peruvian pan-pipes.  Further down Republic street, a clarinetist plays Skyfall while 'Blurred Lines' blurts out from some super-sized speaker at the Embassy.  Further down the road, 'Caruso (Te voglio bene assai)' is being played on a French horn.  Valletta is abuzz with music.

But that isn't the purpose of my visit.  Neither is shopping, which is as you well know, a habit, or rather addiction for me.

I head straight down to Strait Street, past my favourite drinking hole, and on to the once glorious Splendid, currently home to Nadine Noko's exhibition Two Heads and a City.

Arguably, one can say that the exhibition per se starts at the City gate, where a mural has been affixed on the boards concealing (?) the site of the new Parliament building.  I love this prelude to the exhibition, and the greater part of me hopes in it surviving beyond the exhibition itself. Noko has managed to capture the essence of all that awaits the visitor upon entering the City walls - from the Valletta lawyers one sees on a daily basis, striding along the main street; to the all-seeing, unseen eyes, watching their neighbours' every move from their window; to the baskets hanging and waiting for the daily consignment of bread.  Much of what I see on this mural fills me with a sense of nostalgia for the Valletta I always loved, the Valletta I lived in before moving abroad.

My nostalgia is triggered again when I thread on the steps of Splendid, where the locale's name is emblazoned in a faded red over grey granite.  Walking around the exhibition together with Nadine, I am filled with memories of when I used to go to swim at the Valletta waterpolo pitch, or when as a child, I would visit an exhibition with my dad and then head over to Prego for pastizzi and peach juice - my drink de rigeur as a tiny tot. Entering the second exhibition room, I recognise the undertaker whose garage / shop was right round the corner from where I lived.  Nadine recounts her own encounters with the same chap and his family, and she takes me through a neighbourhood journey where the cabby drivers call out "madam wanna ride my horse?" and the old spinsters and widows gather in the neighbourhood square to say the rosary.

Nadine tells me about how her creative process came together on this project: how, moving to Valletta three years ago, she would seek inspiration among the City's streets, sketch-book in hand, immortalising the characters - human and non-human - who epitomise the City. With innumerable sketches and photos for reference, Nadine embarked on the Two Heads and a City project which features 20 archival prints which are to last 100 years.  I find this detail as appealing as the colourful characters and illustrations themselves: I like to think that Francois, the tattooed gas cylinder distributor, will live for 100 years more on someone's wall.  We talk about how we find the mundane - gas cylinders particularly - as incredibly beautiful.
 

I gravitate towards a painting of a female swimmer at the Valletta pitch.  I love the birds' eye view and the linear flow.  The more I look at this piece, the more it becomes my favourite.  It might be the connection I feel with the place it depicts.  Whatever it is, I feel a certain magnetic draw towards it.

This second visit to the exhibition was possibly the best idea I had over this last week.  While the opening last Friday was a great event, I now found the time to take in each piece and have a little tête-à-tête with the creative genius behind it. Everything about this exhibition fills me with a feeling of belonging.  The City is beckoning, and I must answer its call.

If you haven't been to Two Heads and a City, you have to go now. The exhibition is open until Tuesday 29th October and is supported by the Malta Arts Fund, V.18, Valletta European Capital of Culture and Farsons Group.

what happens in Brussels ... according to Guze Stagno

This is not a review.

And this is not a Magrittian statement on the lines of "c'est n'est pas une pipe."

This is just an attempt at illustrating an experience ... the experience of reading What happens in Brussels stays in Brussels, the latest offering by Maltese author Guze Stagno.

Let me start with the premise that hadn't I had to go to work or stop to eat / sleep / shower over the three days it took me to read it, I would have probably gone through it in three hours.  One day, while doing some reading on the bus-stop on my way to work at 6am, I even caught the wrong bus.  Hadn't I lifted my head just to stretch my neck in time, I'd have ended up at the airport instead of Valletta.

Yes, the book is like a drug.  Much like Stagno's own Ramon u z-Zerbinotti a couple of years back.  I wish I could say the same about Inbid ta' kuljum and Xemx wisq sabiha. I know I read the latter but can't remember it (note to self: re-read it asap) while Inbid remains in my memory as a pinching rendition of the civil service I'm actually part of when I'm not blogging.

Back to What happens in Brussels stays in Brussels.

Anyone who has had the (mis)fortune of heading to Brussels for work will have inevitably come across one of the MEP canvasser / supporter groups en route to the European capital for an orientation tour, if that's what it actually is.  I've never been on such tours, but boy have I met these groups.  Upon reading the first pages, I started mentally going through all my flights to / from Brussels over the last eight years. Through Stagno's writings which, as is oft done, are comparable to the narrations we're familiar with on the Fantozzi films, as well as my personal experiences, I could recognise il-Bebeto, il-Commando, il-Pied u nofs and il-Junker, Terry and Marija Pija. I could see them in all their finery: the men in their suits customarily reserved for weddings / funerals / court appearances ... the women with their freshly dyed mahogany / auburn short hair (so typical of Maltese women of a certain age - those with a 'young at heart' attitude would have highlights done, which on short hair, always made me think of it as some bloodied leopard print), their "sjuts" and matching hand-bags and shoes, and of course their freshly applied nail extensions, complete with bejewelled nail-art which render them completely helpless given as they wouldn't be used to having dolled up nails.

Stagno also provides the reader with a glimpse of the Maltese community in Brussels ... the ones who have transplanted themselves there for work.  I must confess that I tend to be a bit of a snob whenever I'm in Brussels and actively seek to avoid meeting anyone I know/worked with.  Not that I wouldn't want to.  It's more a case of using my work trip as a means of escape from the island routine. I guess, it's the same form of escapism which somehow possessed these individuals in seeking to work abroad. I suppose I fear I wouldn't necessarily get that escape if I hang around my fellow countrymen whenever I'm there.

When you're in my line of work, moreover, reading a book like What happens in Brussels... can be a bit of an uncomfortable experience.  As entertaining as it is, I found myself wondering - at times, exclaiming out loudly to myself - whether the various characters in the novel are whom I would think they are.  Assuming that the author is familiar with the same nucleus of Maltese abroad I'm familiar with, I shudder to think my suppositions are correct.  I'm not sure if everyone would be comfortable with the notion of having a 'fictional' character based on them.

Certainly something that I thoroughly enjoyed was the very visual descriptions which Stagno is by now renowned for.  One of my favourite quotes is his description of the MEP's attire:

Charlo kien neża l-kappott u anki l-ingravata u preżentament kien qiegħed bil-qmis biss: wahda minn dawk il-qomos Naracamicie li x'aktarx jilbsu 1) dawk li 'jħossuha' daqsxejn; jew 2) iċ-chavs Mediterranji; jew inkella 3) it-tnejn f'daqqa.  Din ta' Charlo kellha l-għonq vagament Edwardjan, il-pulzieri bojod ukoll u l-bqija lewn il-qar'aħmar.  Fuq il-pulzier ix-xellugi, bħal Gianni Agnelli: biċċa t'arloġġ tad-deheb daqs taġen tal-World Marketing li anki min-naha l-oħra tar-ristorant Gustav seta' jara x'ħin sar.

I could almost have been on the same dining table as Gustav I could see this so clearly.  Possibly, also, because I have come across one too many "chavs Mediterranji" to picture this so well.

Without revealing much to those who haven't read it as yet, I will come clean in saying that I was somewhat let down by the book's ending.  At one point Gustav, the main character, gave me hope.  A sense of hope that I personally experienced when I moved abroad.  I thought he would have made the run for it.  But the ending, as disappointing as I may have found it a few days ago when I turned the last page, I realise now, is the most realistic ending I should have expected.

Buy What happens in Brussels stays in Brussels  by Guze Stagno here

astrid + miyu september secret box

I was more or less having the typical Monday - bad mood, feeling somewhat sickie and lousy - when the unexpected happened: upon returning home I found the Astrid & Miyu September Secret Box waiting for me on my bed.

It was the perfect pick-me-up for today!

I referred to this as 'unexpected' because, while I consciously subscribed to the September Secret Box last week, I (a) didn't think it'd arrive so quickly and (b) I almost forgot about it I'm so hassled and crazy with work right now! So finding it today on my bed was the right kind of 'extra element of surprise'.

I had found out about Astrid & Miyu through the gorgeous Stefy Puglisevich's blog when she reviewed the June Secret Box.  I kept thinking about whether or not to subscribe to the Secret Box, until last week I received a reminder email from Astrid & Miyu that they were taking the last orders.  Much on a whim, I decided to go for it ... and I'm very much glad I did.

how does it work? 

all the details can be found here but if you're not in the mood to click the link let me summarise it here:

• you subscribe by clicking here and compiling a short survey sent via email so that the contents of your box are picked to your likings
• every 3 months, you pay £39 + FREE UK & EU delivery
• every 3 months, you receive Astrid & Miyu jewellery and treats worth double the value!

what did I get? 

Pretty much everything I found in my September Secret Box got my heart thumping! There were even a couple of items which I recall specifically listing among the 5 most favourite items in stock! Here's what I found: 

• 'Conflicting Choices' necklace in gold (retails at £29)

I love how this necklace sits on the collar bone! I don't wear much silver so definitely I was pretty chuffed to find the gold version of this stunner in my box.  The studs are not too ostentatious, but there're very definitely there ... making it quite perfect even for the office under an open shirt especially when you're in a 'don't mess with me' kind of mood. 

• 'Conflicting Choices' bracelet in gold (retails at £24)

I must admit that I'm not one who's generally fond of matching jewellery.  I could be wearing pearls on my ears and a turquoise skull bracelet on my wrist.  So when I found the matching bracelet in my box, I was at first taken aback.  But then I checked myself and realised that the bracelet is as wearable as the necklace on so many occasions, that I really don't have to wear them together!

• 'Rosy Delight' ring [press pick] (retails at £29)

This is one of my absolutely favourite pieces.  It may come as a surprise to those who are used to seeing me in rings which are bigger than my hand ... but I absolutely love the daintiness of the ring, and most especially, the colour.  Rose gold is the new black, in terms of jewellery.  

• 'Delicate Dagger' bracelet (retails at £15)

This is another absolute favourite which, like the ring, I remember listing on my subscription survey.  I love its delicate but 'dangerous' look ... almost reminds me of the iconic 'fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee' quip made famous by Cassius Clay ... a motto which comes in pretty handy in some situations! I very much think I'll be wearing this on a daily basis to remind me of it!

• 'Love Love' earrings [press pick] (retails at £29)

Now this pair of earrings may not have necessarily been something I'd have gone for, I must admit, but I do seriously see me wearing them ... especially when I'm having those quirky, 'I wish I could be Zooey Deschanel' days.  

That's an awesome total of £126 worth of jewellery! Not bad, huh?! 

Inside the September Secret Box, I also found how to make a home-made Avocado mask as well as a mini-tutorial on how to apply some sultry, smokey eye make-up.  I adore these little 'extras' ... they make everything a little more special than it already would be. 

At this point, I almost can't wait for tomorrow to wear something from the box (probably the 'Delicate Dagger' bracelet for reasons mentioned before!) ... and definitely can't wait for the December Secret Box!!