2

The Body Shop Event Dublin - Dundrum Town Centre - Sat 6th Feb

It was a pleasure to open my inbox and read about a Body Shop Event in Dublin. I always jealous of the beauty bloggers in the UK who also have some sort of event to attend. It’s about time there were more in Dublin as the beauty community is growing raipdly.

The Body Shop - Love Etc…™ fragrance collection

The Body Shop are launching a new perfume range; the Love Etc…™ fragrance collection, described as; “An irresistibly seductive fragrance, Love Etc…™ is a sensuous union of luminous jasmine with indulgent notes of mouth-watering vanilla and warm sandalwood.   Developed by the world renowned ‘nose’ Dominique Ropion, the fragrance opens with elegant, zesty notes of pear, bittersweet neroli and bergamot.

It then builds to a floral bouquet of delicate, feminine jasmine with heliotrope and lily of the valley before finally settling on a sophisticated base of vanilla, sandalwood and musk cream.  An intoxication of the senses, the Love Etc…™ fragrance evokes delight and joie de vivre.  It’s like spraying on a feel-good factor!”

The Body Shop will host the ultimate ‘photo booth’ competition on Saturday, 6th of February 2010 in the Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin. The theme of the competition, ‘Celebrate your love for all the special people in your life’, aims to inspire everyone to capture their own signature photograph which will be posted on The Body Shop Facebook and Flickr.

The Body Shop - Love Etc…™ Gift Set

The winner will receive a dinner for 2 in Roly’s Bistro in Dundrum to the value of €200, together with a basket of The Body Shop goodies valued at €300. Furthermore, all those who enter on the day will receive a special discount code to redeem 20% off all products in The Body Shop (the offer will be valid from the 6th till the 14th of Feb).

The competition will be judged before February 14th by three of Ireland’s top photo bloggers.

Ladies, you’ll probably be in Dundrum Town Centre on Saturday anyway if your anything like me, so why not treat yourself? Go on, you deserve it! And fella’s pop along and get some nice perfume for the missus for Valentine’s Day.

Happy shopping! <3 <3

Mwah

1

Eilat, Israel

Last June, Mum won complimentary flights to Tel Aviv with BMI through a Jewish Woman’s Week Lunch. Daddy K wasn’t interested in a visit to the Holy Land so never one to turn down a free holiday, I jumped on the bandwagon! We decided a week of sunshine in January in Eilat couldn’t hurt.

Mum booked the hotel and internal flight however it wasn’t all plain sailing. BMI were recently bought out by Lufthansa and proceeded to cancel the London Heathrow - Tel Aviv route. Right up to Christmas we had no idea if we would actually be going on the trip, we thought we might be sent through Frankfurt instead of London but just before New Year we got confirmation we were being transferred to an El Al flight.

I would guess El Al are the safest airline to fly, you may laugh but after 20 questions by security, practically, what did you have for breakfast Monday 3 weeks ago? It’s funny, El Al don’t bother with the liquid checks like other airlines however there’s not a hope of any B words getting onboard!

After 3 flights, and 4 airports we made it to the lovely Royal Beach, Eilat. We were upgraded to a Royal Room with jacuzzi bath, funky, if I wasn’t there with my Mum!

The hotel was lovely, the breakfasts filled with fresh fruit, omelettes, eggs etc cooked how you like them, pastries, donuts, pancakes, and anything you can imagine. It was also situated right on the beach and within walking distance of the Mall and market stalls.

Eilat itself is more like a resort which could be in any country as opposed to Israel, the Holy Land however while in the country I wanted to get some Jewish supplies for our house As agreed with Mr Bkenny I was allowed get a Chanukiah (please see my previous post)  & a Mezuzah.

Chanukiah

A Mezuzah is a piece of parchment inscribed with the prayer The Shema. The Mezuzah is fixed to the front door post of Jewish houses to fulfil the Mitzvah (good deed). Mezuzot are meant to be on each door way of the home except bathrooms and really small rooms however most people just have the one outside the front door. The parchment is rolled up and placed inside the Mezuzah.

Mezuzah & Parchment

Although the weather on our trip wasn’t great, we did manage to fit in swimming with dolphins at Dolphin Reef and snorkeling off Coral Beach.

Dolphin Reef 1

Dolphin Reef 2

Can’t believe  I’m posting these but here goes! I actually made it into a wet suit! Please excuse quality, I had to scan the originals.

Mummy K & I

Underwater Lee

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So after a week of relaxation and a lot of travelling I’m back to reality & back to work.

I am going to do a separate post with my other Israeli purchases so stay tuned

Lilah Tov (goodnight)  -לילה טוב

Mwah

0

Catch Up - Muffin & My 27th Birthday

Hope you all had a great Christmas break and a belated Happy New Year!

I wasn’t planning to but somehow I have taken a bit of a break from blogging. It wasn’t intentional it just kinda happened with the hectic run up to Christmas, being busy in work & relaxing over the Holidays I haven’t been able to give my blog any <3 !

So what’s been going down in the life of Lee?!

Well, for those of you that don’t follow me on Twitter or Facebook you may not know but for Christmas, Brian & I got a new puppy. We are the proud doggy parent’s of a Bichon Frise and her name is Muffin. We are enjoying her so much. She is the best companion and she has settled in just perfectly.

Here she is in her special Christmas collar:

Muffin on Christmas Day 2009

Of course Muffin is just another excuse to shop! She had to have a funky lead so I headed to Mollys in Dun Laoghaire, the staff were so helpful, I thoroughly recommend a visit. I finally settled on the Floral Fling Retractable Lead by Avant Garde, even with the consent of Brian.

Floral Fling Retractable Lead by Avant Garde

Although Muffin is only small, I decided to go for the medium size lead, which extends to 15ft compared to the small which is 9ft and I am delighted with my decision. 15ft seems to be just perfect; I feel that 9ft is too short even for a little pooch like Muffster

So what else is news… Well, last Saturday was my 27th birthday and boy was I spoilt rotten. Friday was my “work birthday”, the mortifying moment the whole office sings & then stuffs their faces with Marks & Spencer cake. Family dinner on Friday night was lovely and Mummy K produced her famous Sticky Toffee Pudding with a musical candle

A day full of surprises courtesy of Brian followed on Saturday. From surprise trips to the hairdresser to a shopping spree to dinner for two turning out to be dinner for a few. My day was FANTASTIC and major brownie points were earned and we haven’t even mentioned my presents yet!

Bvlgari Tubogas sunglasses with crystals

From Brian as well as all my surprises I was lucky enough to get my Bvlgari Tubogas wraparound sunglasses with crystals. Mod. 6030B, to say I LOVE them is an understatement. I prayed for sun at the weekend so I could wear them & I have to say I was pretty lucky. Every time I pass a window, bus stop etc I can’t help but sneak a look!

My sister & brother have arranged some spa treatments while on my holiday later in the week in Eilat, Israel and my parents are going to mend the ring that had to be cut off my hand in Spain in August when my fingers were caught in a car door (never a dull moment!).

I am off to the Holy Land on Thursday with Mummy K for a girlie week away in the sun (fingers crossed).

On that note, I think it’s best to say that I’m back, please check back for regular posts.

Brian & I on my 27th Birthday

Mwah

5

Simply Make Up DVD Giveaway

Simply Make-up DVD

I was recently sent some  Simply Make Up DVD’s by Beautyme &  The Irish Academy of Training & Education to give away on my blog.

Having watched the DVD myself I would say it would be ideal for beginners and people just starting to learn how to apply their make up.

There are 3 looks on the DVD; Daytime, Evening & Glamorous.

The DVD is easy to follow however I found the steps quite repetitive as the foundation and concealer steps are repeated identically in all three looks.

Their Glamorous look which is the Smokey Eye gives some good tips however I think there would have been more of an effect if they had created the look with browns or dark greys to navys. I think some of the effect is lost due to using green however it does suit the model.

The Irish Academy of Training & Education specialises in training for careers in beauty therapy and make-up so please check out their website for more information; www.beautycourses.ie

So whether its to brush up on the basics for yourself, or give to someone for tips all you have to do is comment below to enter.

There are two DVDs to giveaway. Please enter by Monday 1st Feb. Winners will be picked using random.org.

Good luck! PS I will post anywhere in the world!

Mwah

2

Chrismukkah

As the holiday season is well upon us, I’ve been reminiscing on Chanukah’s & Christmas’s past.

Growing up as a Jewish girl in Ireland my family have always celebrated both Chanukah and Christmas which is commonly referred to as Chrismukkah.

Chanukah is the “Festival of Lights”; it starts on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev and lasts for eight days.

A long time ago, in the land of Judea, the Syrian king, Antiochus ordered the Jewish people to reject their G-d, traditions and customs and start to worship the Greek gods. Judah Maccabee and his four brothers refused to give up their faith and set up an army later to be known as The Maccabees. After 3 years of fighting the Maccabees drove the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple.

The festival is to celebrate the miracle that the small amount of oil left in the Temple that should have lit the candles for only one day but remarkably lasted for eight days.

Chanukiah

There are a number of traditions for Chanukah however the most well known is the lighting of the Chanukiah.

Different Style Chanukiah

As you can see from both images one candle holder is positioned higher than the others, this is called the Shamash. The Shamash candle is placed first. Then that night’s candles are placed in the Menorah from right to left. The Shamash is also the first candle lit and used to light the night’s candles from left to right. A blessing is made over the candles and we sing Maoz Tzur.

Other traditions including receiving gifts, sometimes one for every day of the festival, Chanukah gelt (money), eating greasy foods such as donuts and latkas (potato cakes).

Growing up I always had Santa come to visit but we never had a Christmas tree or decorated the house. We used to get pillow cases full of goodies instead of stockings Christmas Day was a family meal with turkey (no ham!), crackers and the likes.

Now that I am older and have my own home with my boyfriend Brian we are celebrating Chrismukkah. Although Chanukah came up on us very suddenly this year we weren’t prepared, we do not own a Menorah yet but I hope to pick one up for next year when I’m in Israel with my Mum in January (fingers crossed, if BMI /Lufthansa sort out our flights). We did buy a bag of donuts in M&S yesterday, lol

Our Tree

We have our tree up and looking pretty. This year we will spend Christmas Eve with Brian’s family, I will go to my sister’s for Christmas Day lunch and we will have a Kutner Chrismukkah celebration on the 27th.

Hope you enjoyed this little post as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Mwah

1

HairMare is no more! Fixed by Fusion Hairdressers, Dun Laoghaire

My hair is fixed, whoop whoop! I feel like shouting it from the rooftops. My hair is shiny again, the cut has shape and it’s easy to manage however it is shorter than I would like but it needed to be done to fix the mess that Peter Mark left me with.

Shiney Hair

I went to Fusion, Dun Laoghaire (01 2845016), Robbie for colour and Aideen for cut. I cannot recommend the hairdresser’s enough. They were both fantastic. Without any prompting I was informed that my hair had been lopsided , I wonder what Peter Marks would say about that if I’d gone for my “assessment”.

What have a learnt from this experience? When you find a good hairdresser, stick with them. They get to know you, your hair and they are hard to find. While people might be tempted by the Peter Mark 20% off discount like I was, my advice; don’t do it! As Daddy Kutner would say, “cheap is expensive in the long run”.

Thank you all for your support while I was having such a hairmare, really helped to get it off my chest and hear everyones experiences.

Just including a few snaps with my fixed hair from my friends wedding at the weekend

Lee Kutner & Brian Kenny

Mummy & Daddy Kutner, Lee & Brian

We don’t scrub up too bad

Mwah

1

Eyebrow Threading - Vanity Rooms, Dublin

Having heard the latest buzz about threading on blogs and Twitter. I HAD to give it a go. I was hoping to go to Neelus Salon however she seems to be in Arnotts now full time and I am never in town.

I then remembered of a pretty salon I’d driven by in Stepaside; Vanity Rooms. I checked their site and found that they did threading so I booked in. The lady, Bridget that does the threading is fantastic. Very friendly and explains everything as she is doing it. The selling and redness is much less than waxing and the sensation is unusual but not sore at all. It was fantastic; I don’t think I will ever go back to waxing or plucking my brows.

The shape has lasted much longer than waxing however I believe the regrowth started back sooner. I have maintained my brows using my fab new Polka Dot Tweezerman which I purchased in Boots, Liffey Valley for a whopping €29.99. Love it, thoroughly recommend a Tweezerman if anyone is looking for a new tweezers and haven’t tried one before.

Polka Dot Tweezerman

I can’t wait to go to back to Vanity Rooms for more treatments, maybe a little bit more of a treat than threading.

Have you been? Let me know what treatments you recommend, I am dying for a facial!

Mwah

0

Xccelerate your Friday Nights

Xccelerate 3e Fridays 7pm

This Friday sees the premiere of new Irish Motoring Show on 3e at 7pm. This is the first Irish show of it’s kind. The show is produced in Ireland, with Irish cars, on location in Ireland and with Irish presenters, Conor Twomey and Rachel Wyse.

Conor Twomey is a fulltime Motoring Writer and Photographer based in Dublin; starting out as Motoring Editor in his native, Cork, for the Evening Echo, a move to the States beckoned and Conor wrote for the “Houston Chronicle” (4th largest newspaper in America), “Dub” Magazine and www.thecarconnection.com. While in the States, Conor was also working as Irish Times Motors and Car Buyers’ Guide (as U.S. correspondent).  After a return to Ireland, Conor joined the Car Buyers Guide magazines and CBG.ie online, becoming the Editor of New Car. Conor is also a regular contributor to the Irish Times Motors as well as Editor for Motoring Editor Irish Sun. With Conor’s background and experience we know we are in for a treat with Xccelerate.

Conor Twomey & Rachel Wyse

Rachel Wyse, the co-presenter is a graduate from the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dun Laoghaire with a degree in Business Studies and Arts Management and moved into television. Rachel was producing and presenting her own entertainment/cultural programme on City Channel Television. Since then Rachel has stepped into sport presenting with The Show Jumping Ireland Premier Series on Sky Sports, Horse & Country and TG4. Rahcel was also chosen by Leinster Rugby to be the face of their online television channel.

Xccelerate promises to keep us in the loop with all the latest cars hitting the Irish streets as well as some of the most desirable cars on the planet. So if you aren’t around on Friday night, set the Sky + and series link

Tune in this Friday, 20th Nov 09, 3e @ 7pm. Best of luck guys!

Mwah

7

Peter Mark Response

Peter Mark Response to Peter Mark Experience blog post.

Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who commented on the last post, and all the lovely people on Twitter who gave me huge support and encouragement last night when I first issued the post. It was so reassuring to know that people have experienced things like this before and that you understood my situation and how upset I am.

Peter Mark Head Office just rang.

I am “allowed” go in for an assessment of the cut, then they will see if they think I should get it fixed or as I requested a refund. So basically, if they think the cuts ok I get nothing, even though it’s not what I wanted! As for the colour, it’s too long ago and sure most of their clients would be getting ready to rebook in for another colour treatment, sure it’s nearly 8 weeks ago!!!

As I will never trust any member of PM’s team near me with a scissors, the only thing I would want from Peter Mark is my money back to go towards fixing my hair colour & cut at an alternative hairdressers of my choice.

To say that there was tension on the line is putting it mildly. I believe that I would never have heard from them again if it wasn’t for my blog.  When I asked why my call was never returned, the subject was changed pretty rapidly.

Now, it’s decision time. Do I want to go in for an assessment with a top stylist in their Dundrum branch? Do I want to go through the humiliation of it all & possibly for nothing if they deem my cut ok, even though as the customer I am not happy.

Hmmmmmmmmm, what do you reckon ladies? I would love to hear your feedback and I will then go with the majority decision. Apart from the embarassment I have nothing to loose!!!

Mwah

11

Peter Mark Experience

For me personally finding a good hairdresser has never been an easy task. To me my hair is a huge part of my appearance and I take huge pride in it.

During the summer, I went from my natural shiny brunette barnett to a golden blonde highlighted look. I <3 ‘d it. However, being so dark meant major roots every few weeks.

Blondey Lee

After maintaining the look for a couple of months I realised I missed my soft, shiny natural colour and made the decision to go au natural again. I decided to wait till after my holidays to do this so that the colour didn’t fade in the sun. First Saturday back I booked in…

After changing my appointment time at the request of the receptionist when I called so that my hairdresser could do my cut & colour, I was fairly annoyed when I was handed over to someone else, how and ever, I said nothing. It was mentioned in passing that I was going to need a “pre-colour”, at no point was a cost discussed. However, I was pretty happy with the end results;  and apart from the die leaving stains around my hairline.

Lovely chocolate brown colour, “check”, super shine “check”, ends trimmed, “check”. I went to pay and instead of costing the price quoted when I made my appointment, approx €70, the bill was €98. I was shocked at the jump but didn’t cause a fuss and paid it.

That night I went to my friend’s hens so here is the photo evidence, please excuse the bunny ears & dickie bow, LOL

Glossy Shiny Brown

The colour and shine lasted from 7 to 10 days. I was devastated. My glossy, shiny hair was gone and I was left with a dry, coarse head of straw! Ok slight exaggeration! I rang the hairdressers and spoke with the hairdresser; I even drove to the salon on my lunch break to show her. She told me it hadn’t faded at all and suggested I buy a Kerastase treatment, so I spent another €30 on that.

That night I washed my hair, put the treatment in, slept with it in & washed it out in the morning. My hair felt slightly softer but no major improvement. I immediately regretted the purchase and wished I’d gone for my usual Aveda Damage Remedy.

I was getting more & more upset at the colour & condition of my hair but I didn’t know what to do, I’d already showed my hairdresser, what else was there.

Hair getting lighter

Then the time came for a hair cut. I was secretly hoping the hairdresser would see the lack of colour in my hair & the auburnie colour I am left with and offer to fix it….. However, I was not expecting the comments that came! She was actually shocked herself at the colour, I could tell & when I pushed her a bit about it, looking for her help… She told me I should use a home die!!!!!!! Well, if I’d done that in the first place, I would be at least €120 better off! The cheek, I couldn’t understand it. I wonder are Peter Marks aware of their staff actually recommending this to clients.

So now, on to the cut. Following a chat with some of the girlies on Twitter, I decided to go back to a graduated bob, similar to Alexandra Bourke’s look on her X Factor performance a few weeks ago. This would have also been to have a lot of the split ends and dryness cut out. The result: I currently have a pretty standard bob with absolutely no shape. It’s so hard to control & style that I am currently trying to decide where to go to have both my colour & cut fixed.

Current Hair - No Flash

Current Hair - With Flash

I was away for 5 days after the cut so as soon as I landed back in the country; I nipped into the hairdressers to speak to them. My hairdresser was off sick so I decided to just leave.

After the Bank Holiday wkend last week, I was more & more distraught. I didn’t know what to do so last Tuesday morning, first thing; I picked up the phone and rang the Peter Marks Head Office. I spoke to the receptionist about my experience and she told me someone from customer service would be in touch, I had made it particularly clear I didn’t want to speak to anyone in my branch of the salon. I waited until after 4pm and I called back after not hearing anything. A few minutes later, a lady from my branch called, she was very defensive about my complaints and told me that it was too long after the colour was put in my hair to do anything. When I explained I had called in very soon after the colour was done, she dismissed it. She offered for me to go into the salon to see her for a chat and I refused point blank, I have no intention of ever stepping foot in that salon again. She even had the odessity to ask me what shampoo I use (Herbal Essence & Pantene btw) and blame that!!! She lacked any customer service and just infuriated an already angry customer.

The same lady rang back after a few minutes; she then told me that I had my colour done before my holiday and it was MY fault the colour had faded from the sun. I had to laugh, since when did she know my diary!!!! The absolute cheek of her. I was in shock. She offered me a cut in the Dundrum branch to fix the cut. I refused. I would never ever enter a Peter Mark’s salon. Not even for a blow dry because as far as I’m concerned, they’d probably mess that up too.

At the end of the conversation she told me that she would talk to Head Office again. My blood was boiling, I had no intention of waiting for Head Office to call me, I was calling them. Well, I tried, the lady was conveniently unavailable. I left a message.

The next morning my phone was having some issues and I did miss a call from this lady. I rang back on Wednesday afternoon and left a message and at this point on Sunday evening, I am still waiting for my call to be returned…. I have a feeling it might be a long wait……….

Has anyone else had a similar experience with Peter Marks? Can anyone recommend a good hairdressers in South Dublin? I am considering returning to Fusion in Dun Laoghaire. Watch this space!!!

Mwah