A few weeks ago I was invited to a media breakfast where the invited speaker was medical doctor and founder of QMS Medicosmetics, Dr Erich Schulte. Founded in Germany over 25 years ago, this leading traumatologist, cosmetic surgeon and skincare pioneer had a vision to design a unique and super effective skincare system, primarily for his plastic surgery patients to use during recovery. QMS combines the highest quality ingredients with cutting edge techniques whilst maintaining the core belief that this is a skincare system that is for every day and for everyone.

I was fascinated to learn just how much science goes into the development of medical grade cosmetics – these are not just products one will find on the supermarket or department store shelves…

Now that I have experienced QMS for the first time I am excited to see what long-term results will be achieved. The results from this morning are amazing! Every single woman I have met who has used these products have RAVED about their results too so I’m not just saying that.

Obviously the number one skincare concern for all women, whatever their age, is to minimise ageing or to reduce the signs of ageing. It’s important to know when selecting a skin care product that there is a difference between active cosmeceutical products that can change the skin, and passive skincare products that maintain the skin.

With that in mind I thought you might find this Q&A session with Dr. med. Erich Schulte rather interesting reading…

Is there anyway we can delay the signs of ageing and turn back time through just diet and lifestyle alone?

The short answer is yes, a healthy lifestyle and diet can most definitely improve the health and quality of the skin, which then results in a delay in the signs of ageing. But you need to recognize there are limits with this method and for best results find ways to boost your skin’s health from within. Nutricosmetics are an excellent way to do this; I specifically formulated our Intravital to recondition, regenerate and protect the skin.

Always remember enjoy life in moderation and you will look younger for longer.

What are the main contributing factors to ageing that we bring on ourselves?

Our lifestyle is the main contributor to how our skin ages. Skin reacts to its external environment and our modern day living is harsh, whether dehydration from air-conditioning to pollutants in the atmosphere, all can detrimentally impact the skin. We are seeing a real growth in younger clients using QMS Medicosmetics around the world and at our central London Flagship Spa our second largest client age sector is what I like to call the ‘Facebook Generation’ i.e. around 30 to 35 who come to us as they want to be proactive in the prevention of ageing.

Genetic related factors are also a major contributor to ageing but these we are born with.

With regard to environmental factors – the sun, etc – does this affect everyone in the same way?

Actually, no, as the more pigmented your skin the less harmful are the UV rays. I do always recommend that everyone protect their skin as UV rays are everywhere and if you are in the sun always use a sun protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Even on a cloudy day 80% of UV rays can pass through and with water reflection you experience increases of 50%.

Do black skins age better than white skins, and if so, why?

Yes. This is because the structure of black skin is more robust and therefore more resistant to the contributing factors that lead to lines and wrinkles. But sunblock should remain paramount.

How important are oral supplements?

This is skin regeneration from within. Our diet is generally lacking in certain vital minerals and vitamins and as we age, absorption also becomes more difficult. I do recommend Intravital, as each capsule contains the necessary vitamins to recondition, regenerate and protect the natural skin structure from within. The hydrolised collagen is effectively absorbed and skin quality is improved.

What have been the biggest scientific breakthroughs in terms of anti-ageing skincare and techniques, including injections/pills/salon treatments?

Science is an absolute passion of mine and early on in my career as a surgeon I understood the importance of revolutionizing scientific techniques to improve how skincare performs

The future of skincare is not new ingredients, but rather the method of transporting the ingredients into the epidermal layer, improving the delivery system and techniques to enhance the metabolism of ingredients in both products and treatments.

My top three breakthroughs are the conditioning of natural soluble collagens to be able to penetrate the skin, Stem Cell technology and Electro Galvanic transportation (electric micro-current technology) through the skin barrier without destroying the protective functions.

Collagen is the most important protein in your skin, 65% of the body’s proteins are collagen and they are responsible for the elasticity of the skin. As a trauma and then cosmetic surgeon I researched wound healing and found collagen to be highly significant. This led me to develop a method to condition natural soluble collagens so that they can be re-absorbed into the epidermis and be applied topically to the skin thereby allowing skin regeneration.

Collagen is the best receptor of moisture but very hard to penetrate the skin unless you change the structure

Secondly my two plant stem products, Cellular Marine and Cellular Alpine, are based on revolutionary technology, which has led to a quantum leap in cosmetics. Plant stem cells are highly regenerative and often considered the fountain of youthful skin; it is their self-renewal capacity that is so valuable in anti-aging skincare and harnessing their power requires a highly complex process. Cellular Marine (Stem Cell Line Eraser) contains herbal stem cells from the tissue of the Sea Fennel, these contain all essential nutrients and ingredients to protect the skin’s stem cells. The basis of Cellular Alpine eye care is the rare Alpine Rose plant as it is ideal for the sensitive area around the eyes.

Using plant stem cells is increasingly common in the skincare sector, for the most effective and intensive anti-aging it is important to use high quality ingredients that will enhance the stimulation of new skin cells, improve the skin’s metabolism and protect against premature skin aging.

E/MC Electric Micro Current technology is driving QMS Medicosmetics next generation in rejuvenating skincare. The first product to use this revolutionary technology is Ion Skin Equaliser, which uses a specially formulated serum and a cream, which work in conjunction to generate a gentle micro current of electricity over the skin. These increases in the skin’s bioelectrical system stimulate collagen and elastin fibres while active ingredients are transferred into the inner epidermal layers through a process that accelerates the metabolism of the skin and maximizes its regenerative mechanisms during the night. Ion Skin Equaliser is unique in the skincare sector as the use of “iontophoresis” is more commonly achieved through specialized equipment. This has proved to be one of the most products in the QMS Medicosmetics collection.

Treatments that increase skin cell metabolism through the use of oxygen have to be one of the most important developments. I customized our Oxygen Energy Applicator to use 98% pure oxygen, which means you can improve this metabolism rate and enhance the effect of active ingredients used in the treatment.

What is the most effective turn-back-time and anti-ageing regime/treatment short of cosmetic surgery?

Tissue augmentation with the help of skin fillers will have an immediate impact on the appearance of fine and wrinkles. For a long-term transformation getting a regime in place is key, an optimum skincare regeneration system would be to commence a collagen replacement therapy. Collagen is critical for the moisturizing process; it is the protein that keeps skin’s tone, youth and elasticity. Skin’s production of collagen decreases as skin ages leading to a loss of moisture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. With QMS Medicosmetics you can help reverse the appearance of ageing by addressing the underlying cause – loss of collagen.

What is the optimum age to start an anti-ageing regime and what can we realistically expect to achieve?

From thirty is a good age to start as from 25 our collagen production starts to decrease and if you get into a good regime by 30 then you can take around five years off your age. If you start young you can definitely stay young.

Preparing the skin with the right cleanser and toner is vitally important for your moisturiser to work

Are women more prone to skin problems than men? If so, why?

It’s all hormonally related. Men hit a problem at puberty. They might get the odd spot or full-blown acne, but then it gradually passes (in general). Women are different due to the complexity of their hormonal system, so they might be prone to problems at different stages of their lives.

Are more men taking on anti-ageing regimes? What treatments are there for them, or specific things they should be doing?

Simple answer is yes, men, and particularly younger men, are taking on more anti-ageing regimes. With QMS Medicosmetics I actually designed the collection to be able to work for men and women of every age as essentially skin shares the same structure. However what we do with our skin creates a differentiation in how we should treat it.

For men keeping skin deeply cleansed, exfoliated and moisturized are the basic regimen but I would always recommend men also to take our Intravital supplements as just two capsules a day will help protect skin from damage as well as stimulate regeneration. Treatments to boost circulation such as oxygen facials not only help maintain a healthy appearance but also target any specific issues. QMS Medicosmetics has a strong following in men and we are creating a highlighted capsule collection, men love the science side and our plant stem cell inspired Cellular Duo are probably the bestsellers with our male clientele.

Having now learnt all about the amazing properties of QMS Medicosmetics I’m sure you are dying to try them too! You’ll be pleased to know that QMS Medicosmetics have just released a Limited Edition ‘Good To Go’ Set This would be the perfect opportunity to try out this unique skincare system for yourself. A skincare system that is regarded as one of the most effective in the industry, one in which the science of skincare is combined with high quality ingredients.

The limited edition collection will appeal to people with busy schedules, as it combines high performance products for face and body offering an ideal balance of hydration, nourishment and body contouring.

Four best selling products have been chosen to feature in the set namely:

1. For the face, the intensely hydrating Hydro Foam Mask restores the moisture balance and reveals smooth, radiant skin. (75ml)

2. The lightly tinted day cream Sport Active Cream gives a naturally fresh and healthy look, rivaling the best BB creams on the market today. (15ml)

3. The innovative Lift-O-Firm Body provides highly effective lifting and firming in problem areas such as legs, stomach, upper arms and breast area. (35ml)

4. Our hands so often neglected and will benefit from the anti-aging protection of Hand Care, an intensely moisturizing and protective treatment without sticky residue. It’s QMS founder Dr Erich Schulte’s favourite product! (40ml)

Our hands are the first part of the body to reveal signs of ageing and so we should make it a point to take good care of them

The Good to Go set is available for R800 and is valid from April while stocks last.

For details of stockists please contact 011 022 1658 or renate@futurethis.co.za
Web: www.qmsmedicosmetics.co.za

Images: QMS

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

In the top image:

Gisele Bündchen in Anthony Vaccarello and David Yurman rings (Photographed by Justin Bishop)

Do you think there was a shoe dress code?? Emma, Carey and Michelle all rocking the t-bar pointy & strappy black shoe!

Carey Mulligan wears Balenciaga and Tiffany & Co. jewellery (Photo: Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage/GettyImages)

Seems like black is the colour associated best with “punk” or maybe it’s just that the girls wearing it looked the classiest against all the other garish outfits of the night? What do you think?

Want to see more of the outfits on the night… Click here. Be warned they aren’t pretty!

Images: Vogue magazine

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

Bete Noir, the newest collection for summer ’13, is a groundbreaking depiction of the strong and stylish direction fashion is taking. In fact, it’s a lot like the designer herself.

How beautiful are the colours Kirsten Goss has used in her new Bete Noire range? Love all these stunning earrings, my favourite pairs are below…

Contact details for Kirsten Goss shops in South Africa:

Joburg : 011 447 2234
Cape Town : 021 424 3453
Durban : 031 312 7573

Website : www.kirstengoss.com

Images: Kirsten Goss

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

Here is a breakdown of what was in the May Rubybox that I received and my thoughts on each product…

1. Bvlgari Jasmin Noir
I am loving this sexy, sensuous, seductive fragrance – a wonderful scent for evenings or for those days when you want to feel mysterious. This is a blend of florals esp jasmine and wood. Stunning. I’ll take a big bottle please!

2. Hannon Miracle Hair Treatment
This super moisturising hair treatment is perfect for dry, coarse hair. My hair is super thick and quite dry at the ends so lapped up this treatment. It’s a great weekly treat during winter esp if you tend to rely more on heat styling during the colder months.

3. Assorted Lee Stafford minis
My mini bottle was called Poker Straight – a flat iron protection shine mist which I’m keen to try out when I finally get to experience the ghd eclipse ghd ;)

4. Rubybox Tools Eyeshadow Brush (full size)
Always handy to have a new makeup brush – my daughter (age 3!) was keen to swipe this but I think I’ll be keeping it for myself for a while. Which reminds me – I really do need to give my other make-up brushes a wash. This sparkly new one is putting them to shame (and who knows what germs they are habouring… eeek)

5. The Body Shop Born Lippy Lipbalm in Strawberry (full size)
Definitely my favourite find of the May box. This cult Body Shop lip balm usually comes in a pot and is now available in a stick format. I have been using this daily and it is the loveliest smelling lipbalm with a super nourishing texture and a pretty, subtle colour. At R45 I would definitely recommend you seek out this product in Body Shop stores.

Do you know how works?

It’s a super easy process and here are the steps you need to follow…

1. Choose your subscription
Opt-in or out with a monthly, recurring subscription for only R119. Feeling flush? Go for an annual subscription and save 20% or send one as a gift to someone.

2. Register and Pay
Once in the checkout, follow the prompts. Choose your preferred payment method (credit/ cheque cards or debit order) and sign up before the cut-off at 12pm the 26th of the month.

3. Complete your beauty profile
In order for us to send the right product mix to you each month, we want to know all about your beauty needs. Tell us about everything from your skin type to fragrance preference.

4. Delivery
If you’ve signed up before the monthly cut-off at 12pm on the 26th of the month, you can look out for your between the 8th and the 15th of the following month.

5. Enjoy your !
Once you’ve received your, have a look through the customised products. Need more info? Read through the info card and have fun testing!

6. Feedback and earn rubyRands
Every month, log in to your account and answer easy surveys. Every completed survey earns you rubypoints which you can redeem in the online boutique.

Images: by Kathryn Rossiter

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

Sheri-Lee is today’s featured blogger. She is otherwise known as SA Fashion Girl and writes the blog of the same name. Here she shares some insights into her life…

What I….

Know: I know that the key to happiness is maximizing the good and minimizing the bad. I know that life is a sort of ferris wheel, sometimes you’re at the bottom and sometimes you’re at the top. I know that I believe in karma. I know that we can do things we wouldn’t even dream of if we put our minds to it. I know that an open mind is a beautiful thing. I know that we need to be happy with ourselves. I know that there is magic everywhere if you believe it. I know that I will never know everything and that’s just fine.

Love: I love enthusiasm. I love the little things in life like curling up under a duvet and looking out at a rainy day. I love pizza, haha. I love having conversations until the sun comes up. I love kisses that seem to pause everything around you. I love spending time with friends and family. I love styling an outfit bit by bit to get a certain look. I love spontaneity. I love thoughtfulness. I love laughing. I love feeling content.

Read: I enjoy reading everything from autobiographies to fluffy chick lit to sci fi novels. Right now I’m reading the Uglies books by Scott Westerfeld, it’s set in the future where everyone becomes “pretty” at the age of sixteen when they undergo a compulsory surgery that comes with a myriad of other problems. It reminds me of the Hunger Games because it’s also Orwellian in nature.

Want: I want to travel. I want to learn a new language. I want to always keep learning. I also want the perfect Burberry trench, hehe. I want to light more candles and go for a massage. I want to always try new things. I want to watch fireworks while swimming in the ocean. I want to go on a road trip. I want to dance and laugh as much as possible. I want to rollerskate! I want it to be summer again. I want to fall into more swimming pools. I want to see the Northern Lights. I want more confetti showers in my life. I want to finally release a fashion line. I want to make people feel fantastic just as they are.

Wear: I wear clothes that are either very saccharine or very edgy. I like to mix the feminine with the rough, I’m really into girly-grunge looks. I’m all about spikes, leather, pastel colours, lace, silk, fur, studs, velvet, monster shoes and accessory overload. I also have cosmetic staples that I swear by; Alien by Thierry Mugler is my favorite fragrance and the Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette is so useful. I also love rocking nail art and 90s body glitter, haha!

Need: I need love and happiness. I need to always keep growing from my experiences. I need beautiful moments. I need time out for myself. I need to keep appreciating every day. I need to feel safe. I need to exercise much more! I need wifi hehehe. I need hugs. I need as much time with my loved ones as possible. I need to get on planes to visit my sisters. I need to not worry about things I have no control over. I need to be kind to myself.

Thanks for taking part Sheri-Lee – some very insightful stuff here!

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

Kitchen Passion is a leading online shop specializing in kitchen gadget and appliances. They are proud stockists of leading European kitchen brands including Zwilling J.A Henckels, Staub, Demeyere and Swiss Diamond.

…a haven for people who love to spend time in their kitchen: creating in it and showing it off. There is a tool for every task – quirky kitchen gadgets and accessories from scales, cookware, porcelain, flatware and forged stainless steel knives – everything you need to give you confidence, inspiration and creativity in the kitchen…

As the colder days of Winter draw near it’s the perfect time to indulge in making soups and stews and what better pot to use than a French classic – the Cocotte. Staub’s round and oval Cocottes are a must-have for hearty family fare, such as roasts and casseroles. Best of all, one pot cooking doesn’t get easier than this, as you can move the dishes – all in gorgeous colours − straight from the oven to the table.

Benefits of the Cocotte:

Smooth enamel bottom, providing constant and optimum performance
Cast iron retains and evenly diffuses heat
For use on all stove types including induction, gas and electric
Dishwasher safe
The self basting system consisting of distributed spikes over the whole inside flat lid ensures a continued ‘rainfall effect’ over the food inside the Cocotte. The Staub self-basting system underneath the lid is 9 times more effective than conventional lids.
Due to the superior construction of the Staub Cocotte lids, less humidity can escape during the cooking process.

Combine the Staub Cocotte and the Staub Steamer Insert to create a quick and easy way to prepare a complete meal at one time. The combination of this innovative steamer and high quality Staub enamelled cast iron cocotte guarantees healthy, tasty, and efficient cooking. The Staub stainless steel Steamer insert has a limited 20-year warranty. The Silicone ring is warranted for 2 years.

I’m so excited to be able to tell you that I am giving away 1 x Staub New Classic Cast Iron Round Cocotte with Steamer insert in Aubergine. This 26cm round cocotte with steamer is valued at R3910!!

What an amazing prize!

How to enter:

Remember to leave a comment on this blog post telling me which item from the Kitchen Passion online store you would most love to get your hands on!

The Staub range of Cocotte pots are available from all Kitchen Passion stores listed below as well as through their secure online shop.

Contact Details:
Parktown North
Cnr. 3rd Avenue and 7th Avenue
Parktown North
Johannesburg
Tel: 011 327 5943
Email: parktownnorth@kitchenpassion.co.za

Sandton City
Shop L335, Lower Level
Sandton City
Sandton
Tel: 011 784 0377
Email: sandtoncity@kitchenpassion.co.za

Lynnwood Bridge
Shop 15
Lynnwood Bridge Centre
Pretoria
Tel: 012 348 5887
Email: lynnwoodbridge@kitchenpassion.co.za

Brooklyn Centre
Shop 80
Brooklyn Shopping Centre
Pretoria
Tel: 012 460 6972
Email: brooklynmall@kitchenpassion.co.za

See more of the amazing selection of kitchen goodies at their website www.kitchenpassion.co.za
Visit them on Facebook at www.facebook/KitchenPassion
Follow them on Twitter @KitchenPassion

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

Holidays and traveling might seem like a luxury to many, but in my mind they are a priority and I like to plan a weekend away every few months and a longer family holiday at least once a year – the perfect way to reconnect with your partner and kids and equally important to take a step out of the busy (and sometimes boring) routine. I adore traveling overseas (and shared some of those experiences in my Timeless Travels series) but at the stage we are at with young kids (and a limited budget) we are currently more than happy to enjoy exploring our home country – South Africa has so much to offer and there are plenty of places I have yet to discover, so it was with huge excitement that we headed off to Grootbos…

In this post I’ll share the diary of our arrival day, Friday. Come back next Monday for details of our second day.

We left a wet and windy Cape Town just before 4pm on Friday afternoon and drove along Baden Powell Drive from Muizenburg to Somerset West to avoid the worst of the weekend traffic. Looking at the clouds and spots of rain on the windshield I was concerned that we would be spending most of our time in our room (and with 2 kids in tow that is NEVER a good thing!) But as we headed up over Sir Lowry’s Pass, my hopes lifted with the clouds.

Our drive took about 2 hours and we wound our way past the pretty Elgin valley, down towards Hermanus and on towards Stanford. Just before Gansbaai we spotted the sign for Grootbos. We arrived just after sunset and all piled out the car and were warmly greeted by a ranger who showed us up the garden path to the reception area of the Garden Lodge where we were welcomed with refreshing drinks for the adults and hot chocolates for the kids. Our guide then talked us through the various activities available for us to sign up for during our stay while another guide drove our car closer to our room and unpacked all our bags! I was already starting to relax and soak up the luxury of 5-star treatment!

There is an abundance of free activities on offer (included in the room rate) such as horse-riding, fynbos flower safaris, land-based whale watching, beach picnics/ sundowners, birding excursions, visiting the prehistoric Klipgat caves at De Kelders, and guided milkwood forest walks. Premium paid-for activities that you can sign up for include boat-based whale watching, shark cage diving, scenic flights, wine tours of the nearby Walker Bay region, or treatments in the gorgeous Bloom Forest Spa in the milkwood forest.

At this stage all of us were pretty keen to see where we would be staying, esp the kids as this was a real novelty for them – their first stay in a hotel. We followed our guide to our suite located along various lit paths and under a canopy of the milkwood trees and discovered our room was a separate cottage with a roaring fire already blazing in the lounge. The excitement levels were epic…

One of the benefits of 5-star accommodation is that you don’t have to unpack your bags – they magically appear in your room so all you need to do is put your feet up and soak up the beautiful room which we did for the hour before supper time while the kids enjoyed watching DSTV (another novelty for them!) The suite was everything you would expect from a 5-star venue, comfortable and classy. Our room had a huge king sized bed with beautifully crisp white linen and a lovely view over the forest below all the way down to the sea. The lounge area had a sleeper couch that converted into twin beds for the kids which they thought was a huge novelty – to be honest we were quite envious of their fireside sleeping spot! Off from the lounge was a large deck with loungers and an umbrella – the perfect spot for an afternoon snooze while listening to the birds.

After we explored our room, we all changed and headed off for supper to the restaurant at the Garden Lodge reception. Now I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with kids in tow at a 5-star venue but my fears were ill-founded within a few minutes of our arrival the General Manager had come over to inform us of the kids play room located on the other end of the building. What a wonderful find – definitely the best part of my Grootbos experience so far! This kid-friendly room is equipped with a large screen tv and dvd player plus a variety of movies to choose from. There is also a foosball table and pool table plus an assortment of puzzles, games, books and toys to keep them occupied – better yet the kids meals could be served in this room! The options for kids meals were chicken nuggets, fish fingers and steak with chips and veggies – both my kids have good appetites so we opted for the steak option on both evenings and it went down a treat! After settling the kids, my husband and I were able to actually enjoy the 5 course meal in (relative) peace and quite – we did have a few visits but compared to what I was expecting, it was blissful!

The food was another huge highlight for us – never before have we dined so well in one weekend. Dinner was a 5 course affair with amuse bouche, a starter, a soup, a palate cleanser, a main meal and dessert – and for most courses there were 2 or 3 dishes to choose from. Every course was an experience – the menu was well prepared and presented and the food was of the highest quality. I became one of “those” people who has to photograph her meal before eating it – but it was all so lovely I didn’t want to forget any detail. You will have to forgive the numerous photos of food here! 5-star dining is definitely something both of us could get very used to!

After our meal we headed off to bed – the kids had stayed up past 9pm but were still surprisingly well behaved. We tucked them up in their cosy room with the stoked fire and then I indulged in my favourite thing to do when staying in a hotel – a long hot bath – followed with a generous lathering of the yummy Charlotte Rhys body lotion! Divine, understated luxurious touches such as this were evident throughout our stay and made the experience even more special.

Details of the rest of our Grootbos weekend will be posted over the next 2 weeks. Come back next Monday for more!

You might like to know about the Grootbos last minute deals where you can get 50% off their room rates if you call 48 hours or less before arrival to reserve your room.

For more info on the origins of Grootbos visit their website here.

Contact Details
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Tel: +27 28 384 8000
Email: info@grootbos.co.za
Web: www.grootbos.com

Disclosure: I enjoyed my stay as a guest of Grootbos but received no other remuneration to write this post and all opinions are my own.

Images: by Kathryn Rossiter

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

Images: Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue UK

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

This year there are more shows, more family-sized enthralling entertainment with an all-new seating plan, designed to maximise the action-packed fantasy journey.

The ice spectacular visits Johannesburg from 21 June for 19 performances at The Coca-Cola Dome. (This following a successful 2012 season where Disney On Ice sold out for eight shows in one weekend!)

The production then moves to Cape Town from 3 July for 13 performances at the Cape Town International Conference Centre. Tickets to both runs of the show go on sale Tuesday 7 May 2013 from Computicket.

Embark on the ultimate sightseeing holiday with all your favorite Disney characters in Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the magical worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Lilo & Stitch. Explore the Pride Lands with Simba, Timon and Pumbaa; voyage under the sea with Ariel and all her aquatic friends; tour London with Peter Pan and Wendy, before flying to Never Land; and travel to Hawaii to visit Lilo and Stitch.

Be sure you don’t miss out – the show was probably the highlight of the year for my little people. The loveable characters and exciting destinations make Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure a holiday you’ll never forget.

The international team of award-winning figure skaters, high-energy choreography and a colourful set design captures all four unique worlds — one filled with magic, music, and best of all, Mickey and Minnie!

The adventure runs from 21 – 30 June in Johannesburg and continues in Cape Town from 3 – 7 July with tickets starting from R195. Tickets are available exclusively from Computicket or 0861 915 800.

Ticket prices:

Mondays – Fridays: R300, R270, R230, R195
Saturdays & Sundays: R330, R295, R240, R195

Show times:

11h00, 15h00, 19h00 (some days only have 1 or 2 shows)

Discover more about Disney On Ice by visiting their website: www.disneyonice.com or www.disneyonice.co.za

Images: Feld Entertainment/ Disney on Ice

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.

After a certain age (and certainly after having kids) there comes a point when a little bit of extra “help” is required to look good. Which is why sales of shapewear are skyrocketing! I don’t know about you but I have been enticed to try on some shapewear and although the end affect (once you are sucked into your outfit) is pretty good, the process to get there is another story. Most shapewear gets it’s inspiration from the corsets of old – which did a great job but weren’t exactly pretty, let alone sexy!!

This is exactly the reason why I’m so pleased to be able to share this secret with you…think of it as my Mother’s Day present to you! The new w-shape lace lingerie.

Isn’t it beautiful and seriously sexy too? Oh la la!

This new range is available at women’secret stores in Johannesburg and Cape Town – an emporium catering for women aged 15 to 50 in the form of underwear, sheer wear, leisurewear, swimwear and accessories such as socks, slippers, sandals, bath robes, vanity vases, handbags and hair accessories. Affordable quality & style is the foundation of the store.

w’shape lace is the latest technology in figure forming shape wear – garments made with an innovative French lace fabric with shaping effect to define your figure while enhancing your sexy side.

The secret in this innovative shaping product is the result of two years of research and development carried out by a prestigious French lace company and the design team at women’secret. The result is an innovative, exclusive, high-quality fabric from women’secret which has everything a shaping product requires:

- Exceptional elasticity, thanks to the high proportion of elastane contained in the fabric;
- Stretch and hold, as a result of the strength of the elastane fibre which makes the fabric adapt to the body perfectly;
- Pattern adaptation so the garments fit like a glove without wrinkling and comfort;

And thanks to the softness and lightness of the fabric, which gives it a pleasant, breathable feel, you don’t even notice it’s there.

Just because you want to functionality of shapewear doesn’t mean you must loose sight of your sexy side!

women’secret stores are located at:

Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre, Johannesburg
Store number 56

Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Cape Town
Store number 653

For more info on this international brand visit their website: http://www.womensecret.com

Ensure you don't miss any posts, sign up to receive a daily email from | Becoming you in your inbox here.