Long Weekend Pamper!

A few weeks ago I posted the above picture to Instagram and captioned it "Perfect way to start a long weekend" and it was absolutely divine! So I figured it'd be fitting to do a post on it considering this weekend is another long weekend in Australia! So I hope all you Aussies get to have a fun and relaxing long weekend.

Here's what I did for some quality 'me' time to prep for the long weekend!

1. Run a bath and put your bath bomb in. I used 'Cinders' from LUSH - I love this one because the scent is delish and it makes a crackling sound that sounds like a fireplace - so relaxing!

2. Wet face and hair and remove any make-up. Apply face mask liberally over your face avoiding the delicate eye area. I used one by Avene (it was good but not great). Apply hair mask liberally on the ends of your hair and work it up to your scalp. I used Macadamia Natural Oil which I highly recommend! Let it sit while you relax in your bath for at least 15mins. I recommend turning off the lights, lighting your fave candle and listening to some mellow music or reading your favourite book!

3. Rinse off hair and face mask. Exfoliate your skin with your favourite exfoliant. I, of course, used Frank as my body scrub and for my lip exfoliant I used one I made myself :)

4. Pat skin and leave slightly damp. Apply moisturiser! Do your usual facial skin care routine.

5. Now, it's up to you if you want to apply a fake tan or not. Personally, I love fake tan! If you know how to apply it properly it can really liven up your appearance but with that said some people just look devastatingly beautiful with pale skin, I wish I could pull off pale skin :( life would be easier that's for sure!

Well, that's basically it! I hope this inspires you to take some 'me' time this weekend, be it a long weekend or not!

With love,

Char x

The wonder seed: Chia!

Chia seeds have been all the rage and with good cause, they're freaking amazing. I tend to sprinkle/add chia to everything be it on top of my avocado toast, over my veggies, in my smoothie or whatever I'm eating/drinking it's probably been added for the hell of it! Kidding, it's added for the HEALTH of it! 

Check out my top 5 reasons YOU should incorporate chia seeds in your diet!

1.     It contains three times more iron than spinach and more calcium than milk

2.     Chia are the highest known plant source of Omega-3, with 8 times more than salmon!

3.     Chia seeds expand and line your stomach making you feel fuller for longer!

4.     It has a positive impact balancing blood glucose levels (which is awesome for people with diabetes).

5.     Chia provides a slow release of energy which can sustain you for longer.

What's your favourite super food?

With love,

Char x

Wish List!

Can somebody please tell me how it can be March already?! This year is flying by and I've been super busy moving, sleeping, working, eating and playing! It's been a pretty fab year so far, I'm in the middle of organising a mid year rendezvous to Thailand with the BF which we should be booking this weekend! So exciteeeddd!! I might do some posts on travel soon if anybody is interested? I've never been overseas before so it'd be from a different perspective than the usual "I've been everywhere man" travel blogger. And next year I plan on doing a big USA trip so have put a self imposed spending ban in to action so I can save, save, save! It's so hard and I have definitely failed but from March it gets serious!!

Just to tease myself I thought I'd do a fun little post that shows you all the things that I want from the cosmetic world but am not buying :'(

Tiffany - piCture pOlish

This little gem was found courtesy of Laura - my all time fave blogger (http://www.buynowbloglater.com/2014/02/notd-picture-polish-in-tiffany.html)! Not to mention this is Australian - I neeeed.







GLAMGLOW - Super-Mud Clearing Treatment


This face mask just oozes amazing-ness. I've seen so many rave reviews!







Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Powder

This was recommended by my bestie so I'm uber keen to get my hot little hands on this to dust it all over my face!







YSL - Babydoll Mascara

I just want this because I do. And the packaging is pretty. That's not a crime, right?

Sephora - Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation

After watching itsjudytime's first impression video my first impression was - I need!!!







So that's just a little sneak of my wish list, let's see how long it takes me to crack and purchase something!

What's on your wish list?


With love,

Char x

Stocking stuffers for her!

Just thought I'd do a super quick post on some last minute stocking stuffer ideas!

I've been super busy the past week finishing up work for the year (and only just starting my Christmas shopping eek!).

I'm going to head out to look at Christmas lights with my BF, mumma and little brother soon but thought I'd get this up quickly to help all those who are struggling for some last minute, small gifts. These range from affordable to premium but all are as amazing as each other!

1. Fake Bake Golden Faux Glo Perfection Instant Tan Spritz RRP $29.95

This product is perfect for all the seasonal parties coming up! Instant wash off tan is the perfect accompaniment to any outfit!

2. Lush Bath Bombs RRP $3.95 - $8.95

This one featured is called Cinders - it's my favourite to get me in the mood for Christmas time! It smells so delish and has popping candy inside that crack like a fireplace when in the water. Absolutely amaaazing and affordable!

3. YSL Rouge Volupte RRP $55

A little bit of luxury is a perfect find in any stocking - this will have your GF/friend/mum/sister squealing! Beautiful formula and phenomenal selection of colours.

4. Frank Body Scrub RRP $15

The world's best scrub for $15. Need I say more? Check out my review here: http://withlovechar.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/product-rave-lets-be-frank-about-frank.html

5. Essie Nail Polish $16.95

Pretty colours and great formulas! I am loving pastel nails for this summer!

6. Pandora Stackable Rings RRP starts from $49.95

You can create your own ring by stacking different ones together! Totally cute!

Hope this was somewhat helpful in the final countdown for the big jolly man!

I am going to get changed and put on some comfy clothes for my drive around Melbourne tonight - this is a tradition we do every year and I absolutely love it! Do you have any Christmas traditions? Let me know in the comments below!

Merry Christmas!

With love,

Char x

Healthy Recipe: Acai Smoothie ♥

So, I have a new tasty obsession. Acai Berry smoothies. If you don't know what Acai berries are they're basically a super food that taste super good! It's definitely an indulgent treat without the nasty aftermath!

I've done a bit of googling (this is one of my best skills) and created a list of the reported benefits of Acai berries:

1. Aids in heart health
2. Promotes improved skin and cellular health
3. Improves mental function
4. Gives an energy boost (which I need lately!)
5. Aids in weight loss
6. Anti-aging effects



To make it yourself all you need is:

• Frozen Acai Berries
• Yoghurt (I use vanilla but you could use any flavour and swap for a vegan alternative)
• Apple juice (if I can be bothered I will juice this freshly myself)
• Chia seeds
• Ice (about 1-2 cups, I like it a thick consistency)

It's all guess work when it comes to the exact measurements but it leaves you with a creamy delicious smoothie that will probably have you coming back for more! This is a tasty treat that could easily be made vegan friendly!

Let me know if you try it!

Also, please feel free to follow me on Twitter and Instagram for daily updates: @char_balchin

Happy sipping!

With love,

Char x

Product Rave: Let's be Frank... about Frank!

If you're an avid 'instagrammer' like myself then I'm sure you've seen the naked selfies of ladies (& gentlemen) with a dirty substance coating their skin with hashtags like #thefrankeffect #thefrankmovement etc.. No they're not covered in dirt or promoting some weird new insta-porn, in fact it's a fabulous exfoliant (and all around good stuff) from coffee grounds - a yummy scent that is sure to linger in your bathroom for hours to come. Now, I am totally all for jumping on the bandwagon of things so of course, I immediately placed an order online - hello, for only $15 and free shipping - how could I not?!

Delivery was super quick - so I was quickly able to strip down and scrub the abrasive (but not overly irritable) scrub into my poor, dry skin. The unfortunate result of having eczema since I was born -.- but here's yet another bonus, it didn't irritate it!

Safe to say the hype was spot on! This dirty looking scrub

that is making all the girls get naked is phenomenal! Never has my skin felt more soft or smooth - and the BF agrees! Frank is now a few times a week visit kinda deal and BF is okay with it, in fact BF loves Frank just as much as I do!

How I use it:
I use it on both my face and body probably every third day - sometimes more, sometimes less. On my face I do a very small coat and on my body I use a couple of handfuls.
1. Wet skin
2. Turn off shower and scrub desired amount in to skin. I scrub more vigorously in areas like knees and elbows.
3. Stop scrubbing and stand around awkwardly for 10mins - this is the most annoying step but honestly, makes the skin feel much more rejuvenated and supple as opposed to leaving it sit for a couple of minutes or rinsing it straight away.
4. Rinse and pat your skin dry.

Definitely worth the money! And I will be purchasing again (in fact, I already have)!

Let me know if you've tried it and your thoughts!

Happy naked selfie snapping! or you know.. not.

With love,

Char xo