MARCH 2014
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When the Chic Treat Club was but a dream, we didn’t envisage that we would be several months in and preparing to introduce our first limited edition box, the ‘Yummy Mummy’ box and yet here we are, with old friends and new! We know all too well that moms juggle and juggle like no other and the biggest luxury whether you are a new mom or indeed your offspring have left the nest is ‘ME TIME’. The Yummy Mummy box is yours to enjoy and with hints of Mother’s Day floating around, there’s never been a better time to start being kind to yourself! This extra special limited edition box is jam packed with goodies to indulge your beauty wants, pander to your secret shopping desires and cosset that insatiable yearning for something sweet…yip, we have it covered! The box has been handpicked to introduce you to new things, give you the opportunity to try something that perhaps you haven’t thought of trying in the past while also ensuring it lasts beyond a day! Our beauty routine is something we all like to refresh now and again, and we’ve got a number of treats to help you do exactly that! You lucky ladies are getting an exclusive opportunity to preview one of the latest beauty ranges set to hit Irish shores ahead of their launch in June: Physicians Formula Happy Boost Blush and you’ll get to re-vamp your nails thanks to a revolutionary new weekly polish system from CND VINYLUX™ so no more worrying about chipped nails when you don’t have time to keep doing them! We are all well aware that collagen production doesn’t remain what it once was and as such we’ve included the new DermaGlo Skin Health Drink that will protect and boost the appearance of the skin. And from your top to your toes, we know that running here there and everywhere is a given as a mom so Burt’s Bees have come to the rescue with their gloriously indulgent Coconut Foot Cream. We don’t know many that don’t like to have a sneaky chocolate fix every now and again and we teamed up with Irish chocolatier Lily O’Brien’s to make sure you are drooling before you even open your crispy hearts; these are so
good we seriously contemplated keeping them all for ourselves! Not forgetting the fashion stakes and humouring that ‘retail therapy’ we all need, we’ve teamed up with Ireland’s answer to Net a Porter ElaineCurtis.ie to offer our Yummy Mummy’s an exclusive 25% off in their online boutique so you can shop in the comfort of your own home with the added bonus of getting a serious discount! We wanted to give you Chic Treats and hope you enjoy you first Yummy Mummy box as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you and hopefully we’ll be able to share our journey over the coming months as we prepare to launch Mr Treat Club in May for the men in our lives and our Totes Teen boxes which will be out later this summer! So tuck into this box full of gorgeous goodies, go on, spoil yourself, you deserve it!
Until next time, Slán xxx
Top 10 Multi-Tasking Beauty Buys
BY SARAH LANAGAN www.sarahlanagan.com Twitter: @Prettyeasy
When it comes to early mornings, a few extra minutes in bed can make all the difference so we asked makeup artist and beauty expert Sarah Lanagan to give us her top tips and product advice so you can prepare to start hitting the snooze button more often with these time saving beauty buys that work as hard as you do!
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Vaseline: Hailed as the ultimate beauty multi-tasker, the humble pot of petroleum jelly has been soothing chapped lips since 1870 but can also double up as a serum to tame fly away frizz and act as a highlighter when dabbed on cheek bones too.
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Translucent Powder: Don’t limit the potential of loose powder to simply reducing shine - this is also a magic makeup eraser that can be used to tone down blusher/bronzer/ eye shadow if you’ve accidentally applied too much and can even be used as a makeshift dry shampoo if you’re in a jam.
Brown Eyeliner: Aside from lining eyes, a neutral brown liner can be used to fill in sparse areas on your brows too. Forgot your eye shadow? Simply applying the pencil all over your lids, and blend out with your finger for a super quick smoky effect.
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Bio Oil: Primarily known for its ability to reduce stretch marks Bio Oil can also be used as a repairing, nighttime mask for dehydrated skin as well as a treatment for cuticles.
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Conditioner: Yes it keeps your hair soft and tangle free but did you know that a thick, creamy conditioner can also be used in lieu of shaving cream for de-fuzzing legs and under arms?
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Hair Spray: Another multi-tasking wonder, a can of hair spray is great for styling hair but comes in very handy as a way to reduce static in clingy fabrics and can also put a stop to laddering in tights when you’re caught on the hop.
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Armani Maestro Concealer: Designed to hide signs of tiredness and stress this clever concealer also contains ingredients to actively reduce and lighten dark circles with continued use meaning no eye cream required!
NARS Multiples: As the name suggests these little beauties were specifically created to work in multiple ways including as a cream blusher, lip colour, highlighter or eye shadow. The best sellers are Copacabana (a pearly pink-white) and Orgasm (peachy-pink).
Honey: A tasty topping for a piece of toast in the morning it may be, but honey is also a natural anti-septic making it a great face mask or on the spot treatment for breakouts.
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La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5: An all rounder if ever there was one this unscented cream can be used safely on both adults and children suffering with dry skin including ailments ranging from nappy rash to chapped heels to post flu, red raw noses making it a handbag essential for any busy Mum.
THE BIG REVEAL! a look at what’s inside
The very first
ox B y m m u M y m m u Y
CND VINYLUX™ Nothing adds to your beauty look like gorgeous nails, so luckily CND have you covered. Your nails will be looking gorgeous with the use of their new, easy to use VINYLUX™ weekly polish system and we have included one of their super colours whether it is Wildfire, Married in Mauve or Rubble along with their revolutionary top coat! CND, the global leader in professional nail care and maker of CND Shellac™, has recently launched VINYLUX™, an amazing new weekly polish system that unites fashion and technology with superfast application. This week-long wear polish is available in 62 super shades, 30 of which match the popular CND Shellac colours for pedicures and at home touch-ups which will be news to many a ladies ear! The breakthrough VINYLUX system includes a self-adhering colour coat that eliminates the need for Base Coat and a Top Coat that becomes more durable with exposure to natural light due to new ProLight Technology. This technology prevents yellowing and protects the colour coat therefore ensuring
increased durability with exposure to natural light while delivering superior adhesion with no staining and faster drying and did we mention it removes easily with regular acetone-based polish remover! CND Weekly Polish €11.95 CND Weekly Top Coat €11.95 is available from CND Salons nationwide
PHYSICIANS FORMULA HAPPY BOOST BLUSH Launching in Ireland in June 2014, as the experts in bringing colour correction to the masses (a concept previously used only by makeup artists), Physicians Formula will be introducing unique and easy-to-use products to Irish shores that will help you hide those nasty imperfections and uncover a more beautiful-looking complexion and you our yummy mummies are getting a chance to try it out ahead of anyone else in the country! This ultra-soft and blendable blushing powder features a fresh and vibrant mix of blushing tones infused with a pop of colour to create a healthy glow. Its multi-
reflective pearls provide a soft iridescence to highlight contour and add radiance to cheeks. This beautiful blusher is infused with a ‘Happy Boost Blend’, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress. This is also ideal for those with sensitive skin. You’ll be looking blushingly beautiful for weeks on end after using this one. Physicians Formula will be available nationwide June 2014
DERMAGLO Collagen production decreases at a rate of more than 1.5% per annum from the age of 25 and Dermaglo skin and health drink has been created to assist protect, maintain and stimulate collagen production from the inside out! Taken over a 4 week period, it improves skin firmness and elasticity while the hyaluronic acid content gives fluid and elasticity to the skin. This has been used for the role of skin rejuvenation for decades widely as a topical product in skincare creams and gels however topical collagen molecules cannot replenish collagen and as such people are now looking to protect and generate collagen throughout the body. Containing
Vitamins A, B, D, E, Dermaglo reduces tiredness and fatigue while regulating hormones, supports strong nails, bones and teeth and is designed to support the normal functions of the eyes, maintain the immune system and protect and boost the appearance of the skin. Direction for use: Drink on an empty stomach in the morning or before bed as cells are rejuvenated during sleep. Recommended dose: Drink 1 bottle per day for a consecutive 4 weeks; continue for 8 weeks for longer lasting results Dermaglo (€3.99) available from www.healthzest.ie
LILY O’BRIEN CRISPY HEART POUCH Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates started life as the brainchild of Mary Ann O’Brien who, having recovered from a debilitating illness in the early 1990s, discovered her true passion for all things chocolate. Embarking on a journey of discovery, Mary Ann honed her chocolate-making skills among world class chefs and chocolatiers in both South Africa and Europe before starting her own mini enterprise from her Kildare kitchen in 1992. With little more than two saucepans, a wooden spoon and her then toddler, Lily, acting as production manager Mary Ann began to create high quality chocolate recipes for friends and family and now you get to enjoy the fruits of her labour as we bring you the Lily O’Brien Crispy Heart Pouch to enjoy. Chocolates are the ideal way to indulge on Mother’s Day, and Lily O’Brien’s gorgeous chocolates are so yummy, you won’t want to share them! Each Crispy Heart Pouch contains
7 Crunchy honeycomb pieces smothered in Lily O’Brien’s uniquely delicious and mouth-watering milk chocolate. The Lily O’Brien Crispy Heart Pouch (€3.49) is available nationwide
BURT’S BEES’ COCONUT FOOT CREAM Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream is a natural foot cream which combines coconut oil, lanolin and vegetable glycerin to revive and rejuvenate even the driest, most neglected feet. There’s also a hint of rosemary and peppermint oils to refresh tired feet. Burt’s Bees has been offering distinctive natural health and beauty care products for over 25 years. From a beekeeper’s backyard in Maine USA, to the leading edge of natural, Burt’s
Bees knows natural body care solutions from head-to-toe. The company creates products for total skin health that keep the Greater Good™ top of mind. The products contain non petrochemicals, phthalates, parabens or sodium lauryl sulfate and are not tested on animals. Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream 120gm €14.95 is available across Ireland in selected health stores.
WWW.ELAINECURTIS.IE We have your beauty and chocolate needs covered, now it’s time to address the essential fashion fix of our Yummy Mummies! We are thrilled to have Ireland’s answer to ‘Net a Porter’ join us for the inaugural Yummy Mummy Box bringing you the best of national and international fashion to your doorstep with the gift of an exclusive 25% off purchases to our club members. This ‘Image Magazine’s Boutique of the Year’ is now more accessible to fans of the destination boutique with their comprehensive online boutique including the latest stock in store from highly coveted designer brands including Irish brands, Lennon Courtney, Lucy Nagle, Mary K Jewellery and home from home to the renowned Fitzpatrick’s shoes and bags of Grafton Street! International labels include By Malene Birger, Canopi, Just in Case, Diane Von Furstenberg, Maison Scotch, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel. The latest addition has been Irish milliner Aoife Kirwan so now you can make sure you are kitted out from head to toe for any occasion! With an excellent delivery and returns policy the online designer boutique offers you the opportunity to browse the stock at your leisure in the privacy of your own homes, make queries and seek advice from the highly experienced team of style experts. www.elainecurtis.ie
Ireland’s Answer to Net a Porter! We meet the owner Elaine Curtis
Elaine and her vastly experienced and dedicated team of fashionable ladies take great care in choosing labels from all over the world; Labels that not only work well for their customers but that also works well together. The results are cohesive, refreshing and eclectic. We met the woman behind this online shopping mecca to get the low down on the season ahead…
URTIS
Married with twin girls, Elaine’s ability to juggle and keen eye, along with her broad experience have contributed enormously to the success of the store, which is full to the brim with some truly beautiful investment pieces and designer labels. The latest additions to the store are bright, colourful and beautifully tailored, with a collection that will dress you from head to toe! Spoilt for choice isn’t the word!!
ELAINE C
Elaine Curtis has a long history with fashion from studying fashion design in college, to establishing herself as a well-known award winning knitwear designer and in turn, establishing a successful boutique ‘Elaine Curtis’ in Carlow. Many years on, and with countless charity fashion shows under her belt, Elaine launched her online store elainecurtis.ie, which has fast and furiously become Ireland’s answer to Net a Porter. This is only one of the many reasons why Elaine featured as a finalist in the IMAGE Business Woman of the Year awards this year!
What has been one of your favourite looks on the catwalk so far for spring summer 2014? I have always been a fan of tailoring and love the contemporary tailored looks that the older fashion houses such as Chanel showed on the runways. Our customers also love this trend as it a long term wardrobe investment. Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti has sold very well for us this season; we bought exquisitely tailored pieces that can be mixed and matched that proved a huge hit, particularly their peplum jacket. Italians really do tailoring well!
What is a timeless piece that will keep on coming back in style? A good pair of tailored jeans teamed with a chic blazer and simple tee is my go to off-duty look. This season we have taken on two new jeans brands; Rag and Bone and Koral. Both brands offer sleek, chic denim that flatters almost every figure. Our cream blazer from By Malene Birger provides a fresh alternative to last season’s darker blazers. I love grey and cream together for a softer take on black and white so will be wearing one of our luxury basic t-shirts from Maison Scotch.
What three accessories are a must and worth investing in? We are lucky enough to have a Fitzpatrick’s Shoes concession in-store. I cannot exaggerate the merits of a good pair of shoes. We have a contemporary yet classic selection that are available both in-store and on our online boutique. We also have a small selection of bags from Fitzpatrick’s that are proving very popular. A Diane Von Furstenberg printed scarf is fantastic for lifting an outfit and bringing a look together. She does beautiful scarves in a myriad of luxury fabrics and colours and lastly the aforementioned jeans. Buy a good quality pair of tailored jeans in a classic wash and they will owe you and your wardrobe nothing.
Your store is a must stop boutique for the women in Ireland. What advice would you offer them while shopping online if they are not regular online shoppers and are worried about sizing or returns? Whilst our website delivers worldwide and we are thrilled with its popularity, we are still very much conscious of maintaining the personal touch. We encourage people to call us with any queries. For anyone that is new to online shopping and not sure of their size, I would recommend buying the two sizes that
they may think they are. That way they can try on and compare the two sizes in the comfort of their own home and we have a no-fuss and customer-friendly returns policy. So you can get it right every time!
What is the must have accessory that can dress up anything from a plain white Tee and jeans to a black LBD? A piece of jewellery always adds a bit of personality to a look. This season we have stocked Mary K jewellery for the first time. Sometimes simplicity is perfection and our customers love this about the collection. She uses brightly coloured semi-precious stones along with plated 18 and 22carat gold. They really do complete a look and as her prices are pocket friendly you could afford to buy a few pieces of this Irish designer’s collection.
What recent developments at the store have excited you most? We have just received some beautiful hats from Irish milliner Aoife Kirwan so now you can literally purchase your complete look from us. We are delighted with this coup! This means that all the accessories brands we stock at Elaine Curtis are from Irish designers or companies. I think it is very important to support Irish designers and promote Irish business. Our customers obviously think so too. We had one particular sale just recently on our online boutique, whereby a lady from New York purchased 5 pieces from us; all of them from our Irish designers. www.elainecurtis.ie offers free worldwide shipping
Interview with Mary Ann O’Brien
When she first started out, Mary had one main objective: to make the best chocolates she possibly could. Of course, with this vision to create truly delicious chocolate came a hope to one day earn a salary and make a living from it, which (thankfully for all of us chocolate lovers) became a reality.
, N N O BRIE MARY AN
Renowned Irish Chocolatier Mary Ann O’Brien is the brain behind Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates. Mary Ann discovered her passion for chocolate after she recovered from a debilitating illness in the early 1990s. What started as a passion soon translated into a successful (and extremely tasty!) business venture (all started from her Kildare kitchen), which is more successful than ever! Using her daughter Lily as inspiration, she honed her chocolatemaking skills among world-class chefs and chocolatiers in both South Africa and Europe before going it alone, and as a result of all her dedication and hard work, we can now get delicious, high quality chocolate and recipes all around Ireland. Now this is a woman we all want to be best friends with as her talents seem to be endless. Mary Ann sat down with Chic Treat Club to tell us what inspires her, offer some wise words of advice and to tell how she juggles family life!
As time went on (and the customers became more travelled and sophisticated), the chocolate recipes just kept getting better, and even more interesting! “Who would have ever thought that dark chocolate, creamy caramel and Himalayan sea salt would be our best seller?” Mary Ann said, laughing. There’s no doubt about it, business can be a tough venture these days, with many obstacles on the road to success, and Mary Ann says she certainly wasn’t immune to this. “Trying to juggle a family and business and give everyone 100% is definitely one of the toughest challenges for women in business today, and I often feel that even I don’t achieve a good balance at all! Juggle is a good word, as it is definitely a juggle, but I don’t complain, I am so lucky to have my health and be able to work and race about!”
Mary Ann is certainly one busy lady, but she says an effective support system has been key to managing it all. She mentions her lovely child carer and her sisters in particular, and says she couldn’t function without these superb ladies in her life. We’re fairly certain that her kitchen must have been a pretty delicious place to be over the years, so we had to ask: what other wonders have come out it? She explains that she tries to keep it casual. “I just love food and people coming over so it’s always very casual,” she continued. “There’s been baked potatoes flying through the air, with a large round table in my kitchen full of dishes like salmon marinated and cooked in ginger, apple juice, tamari, Chinese five spice powder with a huge salad, followed by a lovely cheese board and a delicious chocolate roulade or maybe a chocolate caramel mousse.” It all sounds divine to us! Mother’s Day is all about family to Mary Ann, and she told us what makes it a perfect day each year. “To me, Mother’s Day means a dodgy breakfast in bed for me served by Molly, my youngest, and rushing down to see my own mum and produce yet another orchid, which she always receives as if it was her first.” This is one lady with some serious, top notch experience under her belt, so her advice to all moms on the go? To enjoy it as it comes. “Pace yourself, enjoy the journey and do not be in a rush to get there. The little people grow up fast and the most important thing for me was to enjoy every moment I could with them, as time with these precious people has a habit of absolutely flying by!” And on that subject, as Mother’s Day and Easter are just around the corner, we’ve no doubt that this is a particuraly busy time of year for Mary Ann, so she told us one of he all-time favourite treats from Lily O’Brien’s that are perfect for both occasions: “Our Ultimate gift-
wrapped collection would be my box of choice to gift to a mum. For an Easter gift, it would have to be the Flame Wrapped Honeycomb Egg.” Finally, Mary Ann let us in on a few exciting things that are happening for Lily O’Brien’s at the moment. “With our current Celebrate with Lily O’Brien’s promotion, we are giving away three fabulous parties each worth €5,000. There are also 100 runner-up prizes of mouth-watering Lily O’Brien’s chocolates up for grabs. To enter, simply input the unique code found inside special packs of Lily O’Brien’s chocolates on lilyobriens. ie, from now until 16th May, and you will be in with a chance of winning a fabulous party.” We have chocolate cravings already! You can buy Lily O’Brien’s online at www.lilyobriens.com and in stockists nationwide. For the latest Lily O’Brien’s news, competitions and prize draws check out Facebook.com/LilyOBriens and @lilyobriens on Twitter.
BEST BEAUTY ADVICE
We caught up with a few well known faces and moms in the know on their beauty and health secrets…
Vivienne Connolly
Anna Daly
Actress & Mom I’m a firm believer in beauty from the inside out and there’s nothing that beats good nutrition! Plenty of fruit and vegetables, that’s why I’m such an advocate of juicing, it shows immediate results in your hair, skin and eyes. After that I can’t stress how important water is in our diet, get as much of it into you as possible. Exercise oxygenates the skin and gives the ‘glow’ and CoEnzymes Q10 are great for women post 40! When it comes to much have creams, I love Chanel and Dermalogica! www.transformwithviv.com for details on ‘Transform With Viv’ health and beauty retreat
TV Presenter & Mom Cleanse your face well especially after makeup but don’t splurge on expensive cleansers that are only on your skin for a very short period of time. Invest in a good moisturiser instead; it’s on your skin all day so it might as well be a good one! Anna Daly, Ireland AM, TV3 weekdays 7am- 10.30am
Pippa O’Connor
Model, Mom & Columnist The best beauty advice I ever got was to start looking after my skin at a young age. I got into a good skin care routine very early on, like cleansing toning & moisturising. Also I was told to always wear a high sun factor on your face, even in winter www.pippa.ie
Alison Canavan
International Model, Parenting Expert & Presenter The best beauty advice I ever received was from Jo Wyckmans: Healthy on the inside, beautiful on the outside. Good food, water and exercise make your skin glow! www.alisoncanavan.com
Available to order May 2014 www.chictreatclub.com