PICK ME UP AT CHANOYU URBAN RETREAT AND SPA NEW website review: NM
The Chanoyu Spa Retreat is located in the busy area: 94 Smith Street Collingwoon is hardly known as a quiet location: there are cars, there are busy people, shopping and cafes. Walk in the Japanese restaurant and go right to the back of the venue and go up the stairs and you will feel that you are somewhere in the Japanese country side: the cafe is surrounded by the Japanese garden and the overall feeling is so far away from the urban rush. The tranquility is created and achieved not only by the surroundings and the isolation behind the Japanese rice paper doors but by the very delicate scents and the relaxing conversation that is started by your masseuse. She is gentle with e tender smile which reminds me of the silky cherry blossoms. The Japanese ceremonial sencha tea is offered to me on arrival after I take my shoes off (the Japanese (and Russian) tradition before entering the retreat. I obey - I love the orders. I drink the cup full of fresh aroma and fill up the small form about my general health. I take a "Pick Me Up" package that includes the facial, feet , head and shoulders massage, some beauty samples and more tea. I god, I feel like a queen... The treatment is designed to boost my skin tone and to rejuvenate me in one hour. I surrender - I love t surrender when I feel I am in the hands of a professional. My therapist asks all the right questions. I feel at home and I feel looked after. She has a 15 years experience after all. My facial .. should I say I do not remember anything (?) as I was in the state close to the trans-meditation state of mind when the touch feels like a bliss and the silence feels like a confession. The softest flute music takes me deeper into the peaceful corners of my mind. The creams are applied to my skin in variations following one procedure after another: I feel hot and cold I feel tension and relaxation. I feel... I am there and I am not there... The world has vanished with my eyes wide closed. My healer's hands are more like the petals of the newly blooming iris: the scents in the air are citrusy and herbal. The beauty therapists at the spa use all-natural products, avoiding chemicals and additives, fillers and preservatives I almost feel asleep. I do not have enough words to describe what I was going through. It is s little and calm Japanese paradise indeed. A soft voice wakes me up from the sensitive delight. I have done so many facials before but I discovered I did not know myself well enough. This organic experienced opened up to me few new techniques in the world of touch and should I say "heaven". I get dressed. I look at the studio with even more the curiosity only to discover the Japanese decoration of traditional paintings with y favorite calligraphy, rabbits figurines made by the Japanese craft artist (the owner's friend's grandmother), bamboo features and masterfully folded origami. After the sensational treatment the tea tastes more intense and reveals its hidden flavours. I m prepared to go back to the cosmopolitan life-style; I am silent, quiet but warm, my face s burning with the blush of new blood and happy smile that is hard to hide. I gt the eyes from the people passing me by in the street when I come back to my car. Delicious I smell too as Alex, my husband can not take his nose away from me...
CHANOYU SPA OPEN DAY NEW press release by Colin Ellis
On Thursday night my wife and I were invited to the Chanoya Spa in Collingwood for an “Open house” Japanese Tea Ceremony.
Entrance to the Spa is via a street level restaurant and then up several flights of stairs to the Spa, as per Japanese tradition we removed our shoes and were invited into a pleasant room. We were invited to sit on cushions opposite our host. Our Japanese host was in traditional full Kimono. She offered us a piece of sweet firm jelly and proceeded to use a traditional whisk to make our tea. The tea which was dark and rich in colour, was served in a Japanese bowl.
After all of the group had been served tea (6 of us) our host told us a bit about her history and the importance of the Kimono and its wearing in Japan. One of the interesting facts of the Kimono is that it is disassembled to be washed and then resewn after being cleaned. We also found that they were rather expensive garments to purchase. The conversation then became more of a general nature to include the interests of the group.
The event was enjoyed by us both and we felt it added to our knowledge of Japanese culture. The word Chanoya is a Japanese word meaning "Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony." They promote "Purity Harmony and Tranquillity"in their day spa. One of the themes of this spa is to educate and help women of all ages to improve the health of their skin. Everything done at Chanoyu is customised to the needs of the individual to maximise results and improve the individual’s wellbeing. It is this approach that allows them to deliver a relaxing experience and lovely results. You would no doubt leave with a calm mind and glowing radiant skin.
RAW ARTISTS PERTH NEW website press release by Jane Maringka
The RAW Event Perth titled "Verse" took place on Thursday, 30th March 2017 at Rosemount Hotel in North Perth, WA. The door was opened at 18:30.
Considering many people would have to go to work the next day, I didn't expect the event to be as packed. Yet, the long queue suggested otherwise.
My first impression of the event was that it was eclectic with overall good feel. The exhibition was divided into 3 different sections with the light in the main stage area dimmed to set a tone for the evening. There were a variety of art forms available for purchase, which included but was not limited to jewelry, photography, painting, make-up artistry, fashion, boho boards, graffiti and terrariums. There were few band performances and the fashion show took place at the end of the evening.
Initially, I planned to do a style review and was going to pick my top 5. I started by taking pics of few stylish attendees and models with glittery make-up and cool updos . While gathering materials for my behind the scene clip, I spotted the MC - in her iridescent gown by a local designer - referred to the crowd as a family. She then called out each visual artist and asked them to go on the stage and walk the runway with their masterpieces. The crowd cheered loudly and gave their no d of appreciation. Feeling inspired by the moment, I filmed the "artist's show "Suddenly, it hit me that I was missing the point and decided to change the direction of my bts clip to highlight what the event was really about. Perth local creatives are part of one close-knit family and everyone was there to have fun and support each other. It was a celebration of talents & creative expression and what one wears to the event is secondary. camera and editing: Jane Frances Maringka
I bought shampoo for Alex with a dog picture on it. apart from the "prince. no more mr nice guy" the label reads: "3 in 1 shampoo: for hair, body and face" question: 1. should the men who use this shampoo be bold as the label applies to bold men only (their head is their face at the same time -just bigger area - so it is their body as the hair line does not define any boundary) ... then the question is: why bother writing "hair" on such shampoo at all as there is no hair... then if they do not write "hair" then only "body and face" will be left and some bold men will totally loose their heads while washing! 2. at the same time the men who use such shampoo can be completely hairy and I mean completely when there is no bold boundary between hair, facial and body hair at all... no wonder then they have the dog picture printed on such shampoo... 3. I guess the people who created the label were way too smart for the men, the users of their product. 4. I confused Alex completely with my shampoo philosophy and he softly asked me to get out of the bathroom while he is washing... he could not simply concentrate or perhaps he does not know what category he belongs to now... I bet he is thinking about other versions of using this shampoo too in his Zen state.
though their equipment is still not as good as the nose... little is known by science for example: that every flower has its own distinctive aroma - even the roses from the same bush do not all smell the same... they want to copy something that is un-copy-able ...
MILKMAN PRODUCTS FOR MEN'S GROOMING REVIEW website press release and photography: Rouben Dickranian
I usually write reports on events and opera’s, but to write a review on an upcoming product is a little different for me. I would have to use and see how the product actually performs in comparison to what they claim it can achieve. The products by Milkman are beard and shaving related and as you know me, I do not have a beard. Surprise surprise and yes I have grown a beard, not for these products in particular, but trying for a new image. So the timing to review these products, could not have been timed better.
The Milkman grooming company specialises in beard and shaving products. They say that their products will keep beards tidy, soft and clean. Their clear shaving gel will help improve the harshness of other products. I am always apprehensive about media release articles and what companies claim they can offer. So I came to the table and now ready for the challenge.
The two products came to me fairly quickly by mail. In the box there was the new “Clear Shave Gel” and “Coco-Fresh Beard Balm” and see the photograph. The product packaging looks good. Now, over the next few days I will give the products a go and make my comments on their performance.
Milkman Razor Rail! “Clear Shave Gel” The interesting fact about the clear shave gel, it is a water-based and not soap-based product and that would seem to me its first failings. The issue I had initially was that I was a little biased and also harsh towards the product, as I do with most things and put them through their paces, but then I realised the failings I was getting was due to me. I was not applying sufficient clear shave gel prior to shaving. Upon increasing the volume of gel the shaves improved massively. I use both cut throat and a standard razors when shaving. Although, I admit when using a standard foam cream or gel shaving application, I often use the razor. However ever since using the Milkman clear shave gel, I have now switched to using my cut throat razor more often. I feel more confident using the cut throat with this product. Additionally, the product being water-based actually seemed to moisturise my face, as the soap-based products often leave my face feeling rather dry. The only thing I am perhaps apprehensive about and not that keen on is the fragrance of the clear shave gel, but I am rather fussy when it comes to smells and so the smell may be pleasing to others. Irrespective of this, if I find a product that works for me, then I will simply use it and that is what I will do here.
Milkman Coco-Fresh! “Beard Balm” This was an instant hit for me. It felt rather odd applying this balm to my beard initially, but it really worked. It conditioned and softened my beard. As a bonus it even helped to style the beard. It is a hit for me and I am hooked.
Conclusion After using these two products over a couple of days, I realise I have neglected myself from grooming and taking care of myself. I have had to live with putting up with using the standard products, which often can be rather harsh on my skin. I never realised this until using the Milkman products. I honestly did not think the Milkman products would make much difference, but I was wrong. I am a changed man.