Straight Talking and a few Curls of Wisdom

We have started the wedding season! Take a look at our last blog it has photos from our last season and information on why you should book your wedding at Turret House. Anyway, for this months useless and not so useless information please read on!

We are listening to...Eat,Pray Love Soundtrack and a couple of french ditties by Babylon Circus. Songs are way more sexy when you can't understand the words.

Drinking Croft wine the 2006 pinot is fabulous

We are loving this blog http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Quick fixes for the face

If you can't afford beautiful french clay which we use by the way, then use kitty litter. Apparently you add a little water and make a paste. I can't say we have tried it yet but if you do let us know the result!

Ooh and we can't forget to tell you about our new product, from Lot 8 a beautiful facial product made of olive oil and infused with other natural aromatic oils - its wonderful and - if you have a wee bit of acne add a drop of lavendar oil to the oil. Perfect skin food!

Our exercise goal for the season - to have a waist size 70% of our hip size. Apparently that's sexy...and do we care...yes actually.

What you should do right now...

If you want to do something special then consider a couples package - we have had quite a few people through lately and what a wonderful way to reconnect. Its a wonderful pampering with delightful food and drink. You need to experience it, people love it - it is truly the ultimate.

At this time of year it is easy to be 'run down' by winter so we recommend the following to give yourself a instant pick me up.

- Get a professional browshape. Groomed brows make you look polished and allow you to get away with wearing less make up.
- Bronze up. Applying a tan makes you feel thinner.
- Splurge on a manicure or pedicure. Fresh shiny nails make you happy whenever they catch your eye.
- De fuzz all over. Being smooth and hair free make you feel good.
- Get a blowdry. Get bouncy voluminous hair with not too much product and it should last for days.

A tribute to the brides...

This month we take a break from our usual format to pay tribute to the brides that year after year put their faith in us and give us the chance to be part of a very very special day. We hope you enjoy just a few of the photos we have on file from our Summer season.

If you are thinking about a wedding then the current makeup trends are:
Romantic goth polished, dramatic, moody and glamorous. Purple is a key shade for this season and characterizes well the dramatic undertow of dark, gothic romanticism.

The image of a ballerina projects poise, grace, and polished elegance. Natural tones offset this classic feminine, luxury look. Muted dove greys, pastel mauves, dusty flesh pinks and creamy nude tones, edged with charcoal and a touch of black, to give definition to the pastel palette.

Hair - keep with classic and soft styles with a modern or playful twist such as the traditional chignon or high bun with curling or backcombing. Pin high on the crown its so glamorous. Try a hair accessory such as silk flowers, lace, clips or headband.

Remember these are just trends and you can do whatever you like. And hey if you don't know we have plenty of up to date mags to trawl through.

If you are thinking of a hair and makeup artist for your wedding consider the following:

Your lead artist at Turret House reported to Peter King and Peter Owen the guys who got an Oscar for Lord of the Rings. She led a huge team of hair and makeup artists and worked on a number of the stars. She has also spent 10 years doing top end European commercials with the like of Tony Kaye and Ridley Scott.

We are not stuck with one makeup brand - we just buy the best of the different brands. YSL, Revlon, Chanel, Guerlain just to name a few.

We don't just view your face but we also look at your decolletage, back and shoulders. We also do a whole range of pre wedding preparations such as manicures, pedicures and facials.

Turret House is the perfect place to enjoy the preparation - its relaxing and the staff are dedicated to helping you with anything, even the last minute speech! Although we travel to anywhere, this is the perfect place to get away from what can be stressful preparation. Coming here is about you, not about everything else.

See you soon
The Turret House Team

As another season comes to a close, a whole new season of possibility opens up. The Oscars always serve to remind us of the glamour and there is a part of so many of us that likes to imagine we can have a bit of the glamour in our own lives. Although not in any way supported by the Oscar establishment, the movie Nine is an inspiration to glamour. It is our movie of the month and the music is the soundtrack to the movie. See it, listen to it and love it for what it is.

Words of wisdom

Live for today, not yesterday - it's gone dammit (but love your memories)

Where to eat

Go to Vynfields - what a fab place to eat and good food to boot. Their
food and wine is organic - we love those people who give a damn about what we put in our mouths.

Sushi for lunch from the Martinborough Hotel on a Wednesday.

Books....

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra and as you might already know we have a great choice of beautiful magazines but the best value for money is the Harpers Bazaar.
And please if you have borrowed books bring them back!

What to eat

Make the most of the last of the seasons raspberries and blueberries
And to make someone's day make some jam or a pie and give it to someone special.

And as the nights get cooler then have a candlelit dinner, put a fire on and just embrace what good things autumm brings.

The beautiful people...

We love Johnny Depp at the moment - and Kate Hudson. Kate looks like a whole heap of fun.


Style Guide

The colder weather often means we go from warm rooms to cold outdoors - so you need to hydrate your skin with moisturiser.

Boots are also in the shops - which means cutting your toenails shorter for a comfortable fit.

Wear deep red lipstick and nail polish oh the glamour! In the words of Penelope Cruz in her song from Nine 'A call from the Vatican'..."I will kiss your toes",get in here for a pedicure for kissable toes.

Don't forget we stock the very lovely Italian Davines shampoo and conditioner range. With names like Love, Nounou and Momo and by the number of clients we have that are delighted with it, it must be good!

Heres to the beautiful autumn leaves...

Gail and the Team

Rituals

We all have our little but important rituals. We have wonderful clients who come each month to have facials, to have waxing to have their hair coloured. These are rituals that make us feel comfortable with ourselves. So embrace your rituals, we know the importance of them and are privileged to share these with you.

The photo is from a special photo shoot by Graeme Bowden with makeup and hair by Gail of course - we don't have any clients who have this as their ritual but I am sure you get the point!

We have been a little quiet lately with the blog - with the death of Gail's father we have been keeping a low profile. However we are all back and in full swing. The wedding season marches on and keeps us very busy - we have already received a number of photos from the beautiful brides which we will post soon.

For our usual wee pearls of advice, some thoughts from us and some useless information we have the following:

Words of wisdom
From my (Gail's) father "don't forget my dreams of tomorrow"

Movie to see
Easy Virtue - the costumes a fab and Colin Firth has to be the sexiest man on the big screen...I guess its the accent.

Music
"Happy" by Leona Lewis

Eating, eating and eating
I am sure we have used salmon before and add to that blueberries. What fabulous super foods. Here is a great recipe from the Donna Hay mag.
Salsa Verde Salmon: Cut 4 skinless salmon fillets into even pieces. Toss with oil and thread onto skewers. Barbeque for 1-2 minutes each side or until cooked through. roughly chp 1 cup mint leaves, 1/2 cup each of flat leaf parsley leaves and chives, 1 tablespoon rinsed salt capers and 1 clove arlic and combine with 2 tablespoons olice oil. Spoon salsa verde over the salmon to serve.

When in Wellington choose Osteria del Toro for food and Hummingbird for a "passion" cocktail

Book to read

Optimistic Wisdom "living in peace without worry"

Other stuff...

Men, how about doing the dishes, the ironing, stuff the chicken and buy your girl a pair of shoes.

Best looking women belongs to Alberta Ferreti

Style Guide

For make-up - lots of colour is in.
Lipstick is Marigold from Elizabeth Arden (thanks Penny)
If you are looking for great short haircuts have a look at Sharon Stone
Shoes - go for Grrrrl Power animal power
Choose Freya underwear from Kirkcaldie and Stains
Jewellery - a strand of pearls is a classic and a beautiful way to complete the bride.

Hair maketh the woman...or man

Our crowning glory should be entrusted to the best. Our hair is often regarded as the best accessory we have and it affects the way we feel about ourselves. So why not have the best? Have a stylist who made it on the World cup circuit placing second in men's cutting and highly in both women's glamour and avant garde. Don't do average - get a fab cut at Turret House.

Check out our hair specials on the website!

Words of wisdom

We should give chances to ourselves and others to correct and improve.

Food for the month

This month we have a list of fat burning foods which we thought we should list since we have already consumed 4 cupcakes today and it's only 11am.

Soya Beans
Almonds
Mustard
Oranges
Berries
Swiss Cheese
Cinnamon
Kumara

Book(s) to read this month

"How to be Lovely" by Melissa Hellstern (if you have mastered this then tell us how!)
For the ultimate antiaging "The Perricone Prescription" by Nicholas Perricone MD

Beautiful Skin

For those who don't know, we use Danne skin care products. Danne has a reputation as one of the best range of treatment products you can find anywhere in the world. If you have troubled skin then let us guide you to improving it - through using Danne products which where possible are natural, you will see real results. We love the products which although not the cheapest, are so well worth it for the results.

Flower for October

It goes without saying - Peonies are starting to bloom. They are with us for such a short time - so treat yourself and buy some. We get ours from Louise St John at Ponatahi Peonies.

Monthly Style Guide

Indulge in something feminine and girly. The Giselle Bundchen Ipanema jandals at Hannahs are fantastic.

I know we said this last month but it hasn't changed.... nail colours are Red Carpet, Haute Red and Green Apple. Red lipstick is in.

We are doing so many Spray tans at the moment - what a great way to look buff for any event or just to give yourself a lift.

Product of the Moment

Olive Oil! We love it...we don't sell it but hey its something we often have in the cupboard. Use it on your skin, your hair. Lot 8 olive oil is one of the best.

Music

"I look so good (without you)" by Jesse James. This is the new theme song for Turret House.
With the words "Got me a new hair do, looking fresh and brand new" hey its no surprise we love it.

Gail and the Crew

What we are thinking about...

There is so much inspiration out there but finding the time to find the things that inspire us is always the catch. There are a few things that we like to think might help you make the most of your time so take a moment to read and we hope that our little insights might just direct you toward inspiration.

If you want some help organising yourself for Christmas then listen up. Gift vouchers are a fab idea for your friends, family, staff. We will put ribbons on it, make it beautiful, post it...it will be so easy.

Saying of the month

People should give without condition, not even an expectation of kind words.

Food for the month (this is always the first thing we start talking about, it just gets moved down the list so you don't think its the first thing!)

We say no to eating horse and yes to eating salmon (organic preferably from common sense organics.) Raw almonds slowly roasted with a little olive oil are yum but check them regularly. Eat Lindt Pear Intense chocolate. White vienna bread is not so hot.

Book to read this month
"Before your teenagers drive you crazy, read this!" by Nigel Latta

Monthly Style Guide

Glamour is in. See Coco Chanel at the movies.

Neck scarfs and fascinators are big style assets.

Grow your hair long - you will be wearing less at Christmas.

Latest nail colours Red Carpet, Haute Red and Green Apple. Red lipstick is in.

Music for the month

We have just downloaded the music of the last seasons weddings. We made a list of the music that was to be played at the crucial moments of each wedding and now have the compilation. Wonderfully romantic although it does include "I was made for loving you" by Kiss so just a little out there.

Advice for the man

Men, make your woman feel a million dollars by spending just over a hundred and bring her in for a manicure and pedicure.

Weddings

For a top notch hair and makeup job then we strongly suggest you come here on your wedding day. The credentials of Gail are astonishing and her experience with the stars is a well kept secret. Gail prefers to keep it as a well kept secret but her PA has a big mouth...(and its the PA writing this). She will add something special to your day. The photos above are from a few of the weddings we have been lucky enough to be a part of.

Pina Colada tropical cake layered in cream cheese icing with toasted coconut and pineapple makes the perfect wedding cake.

We have just finished the ball season - thankyou for coming to us to make yourself look beautiful.

Heres to a fabulous spring.

Gail and the Crew

The End of Winter...

We are coming toward the end of July and yes we have started contemplating the end of winter...a little optimistic but hey if it's one thing we are not short of it's optimism. So bring on Spring, and a bit of sunshine to go with it! We here at Turret House have put together some of the things that make winter that little bit brighter... enjoy.

Food for the season

Organic Manuka Honey (build resistance to flu and cold) and organic peanut butter (try on toast with blue cheese, alfafa sprouts and a little mayo)

The best drink

A yard glass full with ice, fresh basil passionfruit vodka and passionfruit liqueur and topped off with Chi

Flower of the moment

Plant anemones ready for spring. And we can’t go passed hydrangeas – they rock in any colour.

Words of wisdom

“You’ll be okay”

Relationship advice (from Gail alone!!!!)

Stay up and give him dinner and ask how his day was…no matter how late at night.

( Oh stoppitt you lot!)

Hottest woman

The Russian woman on the cover of the June British Vogue – Natalia Vodianova.

Hottest man

Ryan Reynolds (go see The Proposal at the movie theatre)

Hottest dance

The hoedown with Miley Cyrus – learn this dance with your children (Thalia is offering leesons)

Hottest beauty treatments

Beauty treatment for the season and forever more is The Brazilian

The ultimate winter treat is a pedicure with “it’s up to blue” polish. (for finger nails try “Naughty” a lush choc brown).

Think about having a facial to remove the dry winter skin – spring will be here soon, honest! An exfoliating massage and spray tan will change the way you feel about yourself. Say good bye to pasty winter skin.

Lipstick - nudes are in

Product of the moment

Playball soda hair sparkler and for men OSIS+ Mess up

In General...

Need a present for a wedding or anniversary - “The Red Thread, a love story” by Leslie Walters or a silver serving spoon with the initials of the bride and groom engraved.

Men buy your woman a voucher for a massage. it's the most wonderfully indulgent thing a person could have.

See you soon

Gail and the team