South Africa has certainly jumped onto the band wagon of the World Cup spirit in recent weeks and so far our country has probably been the most exciting host of this infamous sport event. Not only does South Africa offer a diversity in culture, it also has excellent weather and an amazing diversity in geographics and outdoor activities for both locals and visitors to enjoy.

If you are one of the lucky few, holding tickets to the final match, you can certainly be proud of having guaranteed access into the Soccer City stadium on 11 July. Thousands are still desperate to get their hands on tickets, which have now become extremely difficult to get hold of!

About Soccer City

The design of the stadium was inspired by a range of concepts; from the acknowledgement of Jo’burg’s disappearing mine dumps; the kgotla (defined by the tree) of the African city state; the African map as a horizontal representation, which includes the roof as a desert plane supported by tropical trees, set within the mineral wealth of Southern Africa; to a representation of the protea, South Africa’s national flower.

However, the calabash (an African pot), was selected as being the most recognisable object to represent what would be associated most with the African continent.

Recommended Accommodation

The Peruzzi apartment complex is situated in Sandton on the northern side of Johannesburg; a five-minute drive from the all time favourite shop-’til-you-drop Sandton City and Mandela Square. Virgin Active Morningside is within walking distance and 800m down the road, the Rivionia Shopping Centre.

Peruzzi offers to its residents a swimming pool, covered parking and 24 hour security. An ideal location to experience the buzz of Jo’burg, whilst watching the World Cup 2010 final!

To book your stay at Peruzzi, contact Michelle van Wyk on 021 525 5300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 021 525 5300 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (o/h) or email michellevw [at] amazingvouchers.com.

While you are in sporty spirits, take a moment and have a look at our amazing sport vouchers!

Altech Autopage, countrywide, are now offering this amazing mobile phone to Amazing Vouchers members for free on a Weekend Everyday contract, discounted to R114.50 per month. The phone has a sleek design and offers imaging, sharing and messaging – a perfect fit with your everyday life.

Features

The new user interface with improved clarity and simplicity makes important tasks like messaging and imaging effortless. This is complemented with a durable design with stainless steel covers and an ergonomic shape that feels great in your hand.

The Nokia 6303i can be charged the conventional way, or conveniently via USB from your PC. It also offers extended battery performance for longer talking and messaging. Weighing only 96g (with battery), this mobile phone is slim and accommodates a MicroSD memory card slot up to 8 GB (2 GB memory card included).

The phone further includes GPS and navigation (Nokia Maps 2.0 preloaded), a 3.2 megapixel camera, music player, stereo radio, gaming and video capture.

Simply sign up to our Smart or Sassy membership to benefit from this amazing deal!

This great phone comes to you for free on a discounted Weekend Everyday package – R79 subscription, R23 Itemised or Online Billing, R4 Autosim and R8.50 Call Line Identity. The total monthly cost is a staggeringly low R114.5! Once off Sim and Connection of R 202 including VAT applies.

We all have an idol – a mentor – a hero we look up to. Someone we sometimes wish we were instead, or simply enjoy admiring their successes and dream about our own. This will especially be applicable during the World Cup tournament, now in full swing in South Africa.

The nation is singing, dancing, painting their faces, waving flags, cheering and blowing their vuvuzelas. And same, our kids absorb the vibe and are keen to see and admire their very own soccer heroes who are playing right here on South African turf!

School holidays are extended to accommodate the crowds and ease logistics. But amongst the noise and chaos, we have to maintain the usual day-to-day chores and activities. Take the opportunity to inspire your kids with the notion of sport success and camaraderie, through letting them explore and participate in a sport themselves during the holidays. Not only will these sessions keep them busy and rid that extra energy, it will also give mom and dad a much-needed break!

You have the opportunity to let them try out new things, and discover their likes and dislikes. Perhaps practicing martial arts is an undiscovered talent, or maybe they already excel in one sport, but need an alternative activity to balance life. Horse riding lessons, hip hop dance lessons, swimming lessons and gymnastics are among the freebies we have on offer for kids to try out. For the not so sporty ones, there are art classes, paintball, drumming lessons, mosaic crafts, balloon decor and scrapbooking lessons.

Whichever type of activity your child likes, there is bound to be things to discover and even rediscover by browsing through our Family Fun category.

Unfortunately foot care tends to be at the bottom of our list of beauty and health treatments, often resulting in feet looking rather battered and neglected. This can be very unflattering during the summer months when open shoes and sandals are worn. Here, a series of pedicures can be very helpful. If your feet are in need of a little TLC, now is the time to have them regularly treated with some pedicures, to help them recover and look fabulous by the time spring starts.

If you have cracks, calluses or broken toenails, it could take a while for them to grow or soften until they eventually disappear after a few pedicure treatments – that is why it is necessary to start with pedicures a few weeks in advance, if you need to attend a special event, or want beautiful summer feet. You can further spruce them up with a spray tan for a healthy, glowing look.

A pedicure typically involves grooming the toenails, exfoliating dead skin that may have become dry and hard, tending to the cuticles, moisturising and nail beautification through the application of nail enamels. Toenails can be further beautified through nail art, such as attaching gem-like chips and items of glitter with a special glue. Although this may be over the top for you, just a basic pedicure with some nail varnish is really all you need for healthy looking feet.

Amazing Vouchers has some great freebies for pedicures and tanning sessions, to help you spruce up those feet at practically no cost. Maybe you have never had a pedicure treatment at a salon? Why not print a voucher and try it out? If you have pretty feet, you should use them as an asset, groom them regularly and show them off during summer and glam events!

A beautiful makeover starts with the right foundation. Unless you are blessed with naturally flawless skin, you must wear a foundation that will allow you to create the illusion of having flawless skin. Your foundation must fit like a second skin.

The perfect makeover is similar to a work of art. Just like the artist who primes his canvas to mask the imperfections, we also need to do the same – with foundation. The ideal foundation must have full coverage but should not leave your skin looking pink, orange, ashy or two-toned. It must be totally natural-looking.

When you have created the look of having flawless-looking skin, you can then explore your creativity with your cheek, lip and especially your eye colors.

Build up with some Eye liner

For wide set eyes, emphasize the inner corners of the eyes. For close set eyes, emphasize the outer corners, keeping the inner corners highlighted. For drooping eyes, turn the outer end of the liner in an upward direction.

Create shape and depth with Eye shadow

Your eyes are the focal point of your face. Be sure that your eye makeup techniques and choice of colors are most flattering to your eye shape and color.
With eye color you can create the illusion of new shapes and sizes. Always keep in mind that light colors highlight and dark colors shrink or recede.

Powder eyeshadows come in singles or color coordinated duos, trios or quads. Try to find eye shadows that are highly pigmented. Simply put, you want the shade you see in the container to be the color you see on your eyes.

When applying eyeshadow sweep the lightest shade over the entire area from lash line to brow. This shade will be your base color and is to your eye, what your foundation is to your face. It will hold your color and prevent creasing.

After applying your base color, apply a medium shade on the lower lid. This is the part of the eye that most women apply eyeshadow. Blend into your base shade.
A third color can then be added. Use a deep, dark shade to create depth. Apply this shade along the lash line, and at the outer corner of the eye, emphasizing the crease of the eye and brow bone. Blend well. This is your accent shade and when used can create a more defined eye.

Sexy mascara

Next to lipstick, mascara is your most effective makeup tool. It is a great eye opener that emphasizes the lashes. Apart from the obvious choice of color, many brands promise to thicken, lengthen, darken, volumize and condition your lashes. Mascaras are also available in waterproof and regular formulas.

Using a proper application technique when applying mascara is extremely important to achieve a finished look. You must ensure that the mascara covers the lashes from the root to the tip of the lash.

For your upper lashes, wiggle the mascara wand back and forth at the base of the lashes to deposit color before rolling the brush through your lashes. Coat lashes from the very base to the tips with full strokes. This method creates a thicker looking lash with the ends separated and the base well defined.

Hold the wand vertically when applying mascara to lower lashes, running this from side to side. Be extremely careful as to avoid smudging the under eye area.

When applying more than one coat, combing through lashes between coats will help prevent clumping.

Rosy cheeks

The only color that should be applied to the cheeks, should come from blush. Blush should be used to “lift” the cheek bones and sculpt the cheeks. They add warmth and color to the face. The look most women want to achieve is that of a warm, natural glow.

Blushers are available in powder, cream or liquid and in a wide variety of tones. Liquid and cream blush should be applied before powder. Generally most women prefer to use a powder blush as it is much easier to apply.

Luscious lips

The most popular beauty product world over, is lipstick. Form the corner store to the largest cosmetic counter you are sure to find lipsticks available. There is a wide variety of brands, colors, textures and finishes to create those much sought after lush, beautiful lips.

You can find lipsticks in traditional tubes, pots, pencils, and even wands with innovative designs emerging daily. While color selection is a personal choice, current fashion trends also play a big part in influencing a woman’s choice of lipstick.

To create that perfect pair of lips you should start by lining with a neutral colored pencil following your natural lip line. Using a lip brush fill in with lip color of your choice. Use your lip brush to blend the two so that there are no harsh edges.

The secret of creating the picture-perfect lips lies in the choice of color and correct application.

About our beauty vouchers

Amazing Vouchers has various beauty vouchers available; facials, manicures, skin analysis, spa treatments, bridal pampering, beauty hampers, to name a few. Log in to view and print these great offerings.

Palm Lakes Estate is listed as one of our hottest vacation destinations – situated in the Tinley Manor area on the KwaZulu Natal North Coast, the site is described as being of undulating topography and just a stone’s throw from Ballito.

Ballito here we come!

Ballito’s main attraction is undoubtedly the magnificent stretch of sun-drenched golden beaches. Willard Beach, the main bathing beach, which also has blue flag status, provides safe swimming with qualified lifeguards out seven days a week and is also protected by shark nets. A stroll along the Willard Beach boardwalk offers spectacular views of bays and coves.

Other activities and attractions the area has to offer are scuba diving and snorkeling, fishing, golf courses, shopping and the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve. In and around the estate, visitors can enjoy paddling, fishing, bird-watching, quad-bike and skateboard parks, tennis courts, a rock-climbing and abseiling wall, and ten-pin bowling – the perfect destination to unwind and recuperate from the busy city life.

Various two and three bedroom units are available for booking. Sassy members automatically qualify for a week of free accommodation for a family of 4 at the anniversary of their Amazing Vouchers membership. Click here to learn how it works.