P I N K ◌ O C T O B E R

October is always a good time of year - daylight savings kicks in, we start to feel summer knocking on our door, the wind down to Christmas is in sight and if we are lucky enough have just returned from a thaw-out holiday in Bali or Europe. 

But that's not the only reason why October this year is so special. The other reason? 

BOOBS. 

That's right, this October I am spreading the word with the help of my friends from RevitaLash to everyone out there who has boobs, or who knows someone who has boobs! RevitaLash has been looking after my lashes for quite some time now and the length and thickness of my lashes is a true testament to this product - I JUST LOVE IT! But aside from this, RevitaLash are also supporting a cause that I too support and would like to encourage you all to get behind us on this one.

In support of breast cancer awareness month RevitaLash turns PINK for October and releases a limited edition PINK product - it's super cute and as I've said the product is amazing! For every limited-edition PINK product sold, RevitaLash Cosmetics is going to donate a month supply of RevitaLash (or RevitaBrow) to Look Good Feel Better, which is then gifted to women (and men) going through cancer treatment and attending their free Feel Better classes. The 'buy one - give one' program doesn't stop there, for every PINK product sold, RevitaLash Cosmetics will also donate $2 USD towards breast cancer research and initiatives. 

Breast cancer affects the lives of NINE women every day. That stat is real, and bloody scary! How many amazing women do you know around you? I needn't say more. 

Today in New Zealand the lives of NINE women will be changed forever after being diagnosed with breast cancer. More than 600 kiwis with the same diagnosis will die this year as a result. 

I urge you to get behind this and support breast cancer awareness month (October). 

Grab yourself a limited edition PINK RevitaLash, grab one for your sister, your mum, your aunt, your best friend - wrap them up for Christmas and know that you are helping support a wonderful cause, and donating to research initiatives to find a cure for this killer. 

I hope to see lots of beautiful lashes out there as a result of supporting this great cause!

Gab x

J U S T ◌ R E L A X

Hiiiiiiii Greece

You bloody gorgeous thing, you!! My September was spent discovering a lot of treasures around the beautiful islands in Greece. 

There have been many times (I'm sure you can all relate) where I have just wanted to escape for a bit, get away from life, and relax - and  often daydreamed of a sunny island, white sand as far as the eye can see, where I can sunbath, eat endless seafood, practice yoga and just switch OFF. And in September, that is exactly what I did. I decided I needed some time out for me, so booked myself on a yoga retreat in Corfu - an island off Greece's northwest coast. 

Those joining me on the retreat were 9 others from all walks of life, all with different reasons as to why they were there. It was beautiful to sit in a room with people you'd never met, yet felt so comfortable to be around. 

Just Relax Yoga (please click through and check out their images) was where I chose to relax. We had two beautiful hosts who accommodated us with meals (breakfast & dinner) each day, and made us feel so welcome in a place unfamiliar to all. The food was vegetarian and delicious, lots of fresh fruit and traditional Greek cuisine. And during the day we were able to wander and have lunch in the nearby township, or at a local taverna on the beach (the most amazing kalamari)! 

We practiced every morning for 1.5hrs as the sun rose, followed by breakfast, then a day to explore the surrounds. We then practiced again for 1.5hrs at sunset, followed by dinner (and some local wine). The yoga was for all levels and our instructor became very familiar with each of our abilities, so was able to offer a lot of support and guidance. And the daily practice was never compulsory - if you didn't feel up to it, there was no pressure to skip it. 

During our days off, a few of us grabbed bikes and explored the island - not recommended in 38deg heat, fun nonetheless! Our hosts also organised a day out on the boat where we were taken to Paradise Island for the most breathtaking sunset! 

While I met some amazing people (added bonus), this time was so important for me - to just switch off, relax and be present. It was one of the best things I have ever done, and I was so humbled by the whole experience. I had never traveled by myself in such a way, with no one on the other side that I knew. I had never been in heat up to 44degs, I have never dedicated so much consistent time to my practice, and I had also never done anything like this just for me. Those moments of silence, and the time spent in savasana is something I will forever treasure. 

Namaste x

Sunset at Paradise beach

Paleokastritsa Monastery

F O O D ◌‬ C L U B

A monthly girls' catch up, surrounded by great food and booze which all started with two friends who extended the invite to me, and slowly we continued to invite friends, friends of friends, their friends, and their friends of friends… you get the drift.. 

We basically created a girl gang, who all love getting together to wine and dine. Amazing. 

Our first food club started at RUM KITCHEN - every item on the menu is desirable, with a special shout out to their jerk chicken! The servings are generous so found we definitely over ordered! But hey, it's Food Club so may as well lay it on us… The drinks were seriously mouthwatering with names like Rhumbarb and Rumbustion. We followed Rum Kitchen up with Soho bar CAHOOTS - one word 'Fixerupper' - it's a cocktail and it's to-die-for. This drink, and hidden gem of a bar, is a must-do.

Second food club we decided on a bottomless brunch at TIMMY GREEN, think homemade maple granola, smashed avo with perfectly poached eggs, banana bread (award winning: FACT) and bottomless prosecco and mimosas! Then seeing as we were in best food precinct in Victoria we decided to make our way through Nova Food and drink our way through various wine and cocktail menus... VAGABOND (100 different wines available to try), an amazing concept whereby you place credit onto a Vagabond card and simply enter your card into the wine dispensary where your selected drop is then poured based on the ml's you select - the best vending machine I have ever come across! We then found our way to GREENWOOD where we sipped espresso martinis' and aperol spritz...

Next up we headed to Pop Brixton and found DONOSTIA SOCIAL CLUB, a Basque inspired tapas bar. This is such a great spot, particularly on the weekend as Pop Brixton comes to life with people flooding for some social grazing and a couple of beers. This was another bottomless lunch for us, with all you can drink cava. What I loved most about this Food Club was after Donostia, we popped downstairs to THE NEW ZEALAND CELLAR for a glass of my fave Roaring Meg - it was about as close to home as I'd been for the past 12 months! 

Our last food club was at SKETCH - a London food institution, and for good reason. Built over two expansive floors of an 18th century building, Sketch is one you must book in advance and be patient for the wait. From the minute you walk through the doors you are taken into a world of design and beautifully themed rooms - we dined in the Enchanted Forest room. The menu isn't huge, but undoubtedly everything that was ordered was delicious and plated just as beautifully as the setting. If you are visiting London, make sure you book in advance for either the high tea or brunch. It's also conveniently located in Mayfair, so it was unsuprising I found myself rack-rattling along Regent and Oxford St hours after our lunch ;)

If you are heading to London, and would like some ideas on places to eat - I certainly didn't try them all, but I can defnitely point you in a few right directions! 

Love x

Special food club for two - Cotswolds

Award winning banana bread