NaNa May's Magic Hands, Magic For The Whole Body

I first discovered Nana May's Magic Hands at the Taste of Melbourne 2010. But don't get me wrong, Nana May's Magic Hands AIN'T FOOD. It's for EXTERNAL USE only. So, if you decided to taste it, please do it at you own risk.

About 
Nana May's Magic Hands is the Sunshine Coast's original hand and body scrub, which can be use from the shoulder down to the feet. While, it's facial scrub can be use for face and neck (avoid eye area). Both products contains all natural ingredients: Salt of - dead sea salts & celtic salts; Carrier oils of - apricot seed, hazelnut, jojoba, vitamin E & avocado; Essential oils of - lemon, orange, grapefruit, rosemary, spearmint, peppermint and chamomile. According to Nana May, the ingredients used will leaves your hand feeling silky smooth and clean without leaving a greasy residue and it is not only good for people with skin conditions but also suitable for people whose hands are in contact with water often. Click here for information or download the Brochure.

What's the difference between Magic Hands & Magic Facial Scrub
Beside's the same ingredients between the two, salts in Magic Facial scrub are much finer that the salts in Magic Hands. You will be able to feel the difference when you stir it with spatula (spatula provided ). I snap a picture to show you the difference between the salts sizes.

Left: Magic Facial Scrub salts; Right: Magic Hands salts

How to use
By looking at the packaging the first question that pop into my mind was  'How do I get those salt and oil out of the jar?' Well, as said earlier, spatula is provided upon purchase. So what you need to do is to just (1) use the spatula to stir the product; (2) tap the spatula on the side of the jar because the thin coating of product left on the spatula is all you need for one (whole face, both hands or specific area on body) treatment. If you want to use it as whole body treatment, then, 5 times of the 'one treatment' amount is recommended by Nana May; (3) massage/scrub the product onto face/skin or whereever areas desire. Remember the skin must be dry, not wet because unlike other products Nana May requires unwet skin before applying; (4) rinse off using warm water and pat dry. You do not need to apply cleanser, toner, moisturiser or lotion after that.

The spatula's smaller surface is for Magic Facial Scrub & the wider surface is for Magic Hands

Stir

Amount after tapping (Magic Facial Scrub)

Amount after tapping (Magic Hands)

My experience with Nana May's Magic Facial Scrub and Magic Hands
As mention above I discovered this fantastic product at the Taste of Melbourne 2010. Those little candle cupcakes were the ones that attracts me first. Looks yummy don't they? Such a clever marketing tools and suited the theme of the event as well. So, on that event, Nana May provides free hands treatment for under a minute. All I need to do was to get the amount of 'one treatment' on my hands (Nana May's representative stirred, tapped and put it on my hand), massage/scrub my own hands, rinse off with warm water (provided) and pat dry (paper towel provided too).  The result was amazing. Magic hands left my hands feeling smooth, soft, clean, fresh and not greasy at all despite of the oils used in the product. Since they were having promotion for gift pack, which consist of 50g Magic Hand and 50g Magic Facial Scrub, I decided to get one. I don't remember how much it cost exactly, $35 maybe.

Since then (which was a month ago) I have been using these products once a day, everyday, for my face and hands and I did whole body scrub/treatment once a week. My face feels amazingly clean, moist, smooth and fresh after I scrubbed/treated it with Magic Facial Scrub. My face no longer feels 'tight' after cleansing. I used to have black heads and uneven skin tone problem. After using this, my black heads has lessen drastically and I no longer had uneven skin tone. I usually use this at night before bed so that I don't have to worry about toner and night cream. Besides, it felt really good sleeping with fresh and naturally cleansed face. I used Magic Hands in the morning for soft, cleaned and fresh feeling hand and also as preparation  for the possible water contact. Magic Hands managed to keep my hand soft and smooth for all day even after numerous contact with water.

From my experience, I would like to advise you to do your scrubing/treatment for face and hands in the sink and jump into shower cubicle for body scrub/treatment. Things could get a little messy at times from the dripping oils and salts. By doing so, it's going to be easier for you to clean up too.

Where To Buy
You can buy Nana May's product from their selected distributor or stockist in Australia and International. Alternatively, you can also order your desire product online through Nana May's Magic Hands Pty Ltd website. If you are living in Australia, you may find them at certain shows or events.

Price
Nana May's Magic Hand are price from AUD 29.95 - AUD 69.95 and Nana May's Facial Scrub cost between AUD 39.95 - AUD 69.95. For countries other than Australia I guess you would have the work out the currency conversion

Would I repurchase?
Definately. This is one of the best hand and face treatment I've ever experience.

Nana May's Contact Information

Nana May's Magic Hand Pyt Ltd

PO Box 515, Coolum Beach, QLD 4573

+61 07 5471 7776

sales@nanamaysmagichands.com

Website

Sofia Restaurant, Balwyn

I decided to give Sofia Restaurant at Balwyn a try last night. Being the Sofia's return customer for many times (not the one in Balwyn thou) I assumed no matter which Sofia I went to, the quality and quantity would be similar just like the one in Camberwell and Burwood. Although I personally feels that the food quality in Burwood is a little better than the one in Camberwell. So, based on my brilliant assumption, I totally skip my restaurant reviews routine.

Sofia Restaurant, Balwyn

252 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, 3103 (map)

9836 3300/9830 5111

Website

Upon arrival, we were greeted and seated in no time. There were less than 5 tables downstairs, so unlike other Sofia's which constantly jam pack with customers. Then, we proceeded to order what we often have in Sofia.

Food & Drink

We started with Sofia Fruit Cup. Sorry I forgotten to snap the picture. It suppose to be the mixed fruits juice with yogurt. The colour and the 'thickness' presentation of the fruit cup is as pleasant as usual. However, upon slurping it (without stirring), I could taste flour in the drink. After stirring the flour taste lessen a little but it was still there. I just could not drink it anymore. Could they be substituting yogurt with flour to thicken the drink?

Next, we ordered Chicken Caesar Salad. It had the Sofia's standard presentation but the quality, taste and quantity was a total disappointment. It was less than half of the Sofia's standard serving. First of all, the chicken and bacon was way overcooked and dry. The poached egg white was rubbery and you should be able to imagine what happen to the yolk. I could not taste the existence of Parmesan cheese and the dressing was too little comparable to the amount of lettuce in the dish. The lettuce is quite fresh, however, the kitchen staff did not seem to have any effort to separate the leaves properly before serving. The amount of anchovies was alright and I would have to say the best part of the dish was the Croutons.

Chicken Caesar Salad $15.80

We also ordered small size Super Special Pizza. It was actually the lot without pineapple and anchovies. The topping includes cheese, shrimps, green capsicums, olives, ham, tomatoes and  mushrooms with tomato base. Despite of the variety they were less generous on the quantity of toppings and it looks dry and empty. The base was a disappointment too. Besides slightly undercooked, which I could still taste the uncooked dough and it was soggy as well.

Small Super Special Pizza $9.90

We ordered Vitello Alla Funghi as the main. The presentation and size was alright. It had pieces of veal (of course), mushrooms and served with white wine and cream sauce. On top of that we had a choice of salad, chips or vegetables. We chose vegetables. The vegetables contains of few potatoes (I am not sure if they are boiled or roasted), broccoli florets and a piece of pumpkin. The vegetables was nicely cooked but the veal was a little too tough to my liking and the gravy was lack of the creamy touch.

Vitello Alla Funghi $19.80

I initially plan for dessert after the meal. But after seeing and tasting the quality of the food I decided not to do so. Thinking that I may went to the restaurant at the wrong time, you know shits happen, I decided to check on reviews later that night. Guess what, the majority of the reviews said that they doesn't like it.

Ambiance

Nothing much to say about it. Just the typical simple decoration and it is not as noisy as the other Sofia maybe due to lack of customer.

Service

Despite of being greeted and seated immediately, I would not say the service is particularly good or bad. The waiter took our drinks order wrongly and he willingly got it changed and another floor staff offer to change our plates to the one larger (we were sharing). They were available when we need them. However, they don't looked very motivated and eager.

Value

I don't think Sofia Restaurant in Balwyn is value for money. Not because the serving is much smaller, it's because the quality and the taste of the food is really disappointing.

Overall

I will not return to Sofia Restaurant in Balwyn. If I feel like having Sofia, I will rather go to the one in Camberwell or Burwood

NOTE: Just in case you are interested, they did home delivery and have gluten free pizza base (small)

Johnson and Johnson Baby Oil The Dry Skin Hero

I guess my tomorrow (please refer to my 'First Ever Blog') arrives exactly a week later. I am sorry. I have been busy reconstructing and updating my other blog. Not that I am neglecting this blog but I just want to get the other blog done first so that I can fully dedicate my time to this product 'Johnson & Johnson (JJ) Baby Oil', product that never disappoint me in keeping my skin moist during winter and summer (well, spring and Autumn too) and also in tropical weather  for years.

When I first use JJ baby oil I was suffering from patches of dry skin especially on my arm. I had tried various types of body creams and lotions but non actually works. In the midst of frustration, I decided to try JJ Baby Oil which manages to heal my dry patches in no time, rehydrate my skin and keep it moisture.

I apply JJ Baby Oil after shower with bare hands. Just pat dry skin, rubbed a few drops into the palm and massage over skin while the skin is still damp. It also help to avoid the oil from being spilt everywhere. Although you may immediately feel the effect after application, frequent use will keep the skin soft and smooth. Although JJ baby oil claim that it is a fast absorbing oil but I needed about 5 minutes for it to be fully absorb into my skin and may take longer in warmer weather. When I am in hurry, I just dab my skin with towel before I put on my clothes.

I ONLY use JJ Baby Oil to moisten my skin. If you would like to use Johnson Baby Oil as facial moisturiser, make up remover and (or) anythings else I advise you to seek for professional(s) advise.

Price

JJ Baby oil is widely available at supermarket and pharmacies. It usually priced around AUD 4.50 for a 200ml bottle.

Would I repurchase?

Definately. I really could see and feel the difference. It is so value for money because it took me awhile to finish the 200ml bottle even with daily application.

First Post Here Ever!!!!

Well, as the title says this is my first post in this blog. I was contemplating whether to do an introduction post or not... and you know the answer. If not you won't be able to read my random mumble now.

So, at this very moment I am not very sure what should I post in this blog.. well I do have plans but to put it in a proper words.. not yet. I was thinking to post everything that i found it to be interesting and useful.. such as product that I used, restaurants, food, travel, shopping, homes, fashion, books etc etc (we will see how it goes)... but not recipe thou. I run another blog which consist only recipes. If you are interest click here.

So, yea.. I will be back tomorrow with some interesting stuff... :D

Oh BTW, its Friday today .. Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!!!

Updated 23/09/2010: Just realise I have heaps of stuffs to share but haven't got time to do so yet :(