After being inspired by a documentary on Kenya the night before, the pair aged six and seven,  set out from their home in Langenhagen, Germany to fly across the world from their sub-zero temperatures to the African desert and tie the knot.

Without passports, tickets or any idea where Africa was, the pair had a simple mission. Said Anna-Lena: “We wanted to get married and so we just thought: Let’s go there!”

The plan hit a flaw when a guard at the local train station noticed something was amiss.

“What struck us was that the little ones were completely on their own and had lots of swimming gear with them.”

WIN: What does Summer Love mean to you?

Bold spontaneity like Mika and Anna-Lena? Shy subtle romance? Pash and dash?

Tell us in the comments below and be in to win a Body Shop pack consisting of their delicious new rose-scented Roseflower Collection. Your pack contains one Roseflower Radiance stick in sheer pink, one Roseflower Eyes palette in Sunshine Gold, one Roseflower Blush compact and one Roseflower Lips in deep pink.

I am, because the Saben Heidi in its crisp white leather and plaited details is just calling out for a beach visit. And it’s big enough to fit my sunscreen and hat into, but I can just as easily tote it off to the local afterwards. Of course if you want a more conventional beach bag then you can do that too, the Country Road red tote is a little slice of hotness. And how can you go past the Nellie bag from Lesportsac in its leafy pattern?

Maybe you want something in the classic tote vein like the Day 172 bag from Floozy, which has all the pockets and add ons you could possibly desire. Or keep it simple with the bagladies canvas totes, the cheeky, My Other Bags Are Prada, is my favourite, but the brand boasts tonnes of summer-worthy prints. For the fashionista whose other bags are actually Prada then the Emilio Pucci bag from Net a Porter is a must have purchase for your Visa Debitplus Card, Pucci prints scream summer and this bag is just the thing to have heads turning on the beach or poolside this summer.

Lastly for the woman that thinks bigger is better (or will be hitting the beach with children and their various paraphernalia in tow) the American Apparel tote is essential. You can shop through their international site, or pick the bag up from selected stockists nationwide.

1: Day 172 beach bag $59.99 from Floozy
2: Saben Heidi $325.00 from Saben
3: Emilio Pucci Vivara vinyl shopper £363.69 from Net A Porter
4: My Other Bags Are Prada bag $AU29.95 from bagladies
5: Regan Paisley bag $24.99 from Glassons
6: Cotton canvas pocket tote $US34.00 from American Apparel
7: Night Sky tote $54.90 from Country Road
8: Natural Wonder beaded tote $AU159.20 from Mimco
9: Lesportsac Nellie bag in Carmen $110.00 from Karmaloop
10: Country Road red tote $54.90 from Country Road

Which is your picks of th beach bags above?
What’s your essential beach bag item?

Let us know in the comments section below.

Maybe that’s what I need? We give you the background on the world that is mineral foundation, why mineral is such a big buzz word in beauty and some of the best mineral beauty buys.

So Minerals?
The advertising sounds amazing, promising pure skin and an end to skin problems. Fresh-faced girls grace TV screens and chuck typical foundations in the bin before saying hello to sultry skin with the swipe of a brush. But hang on, why is this stuff amazing? Mineral foundations promise better skin by cutting out the bad stuff and only focussing on the good stuff – in this case naturally occurring minerals. Most report to be free from binders and perfumes, and report that light reflecting pigments, like mica, give the skin a healthy natural glow.

Miracle Minerals?
Like many things in life there is a little argument about how good/bad minerals are you have one camp saying “Miracle, magical minerals – yes!” And the other saying, “umm no… You crazy people get sucked in by anything!” Many dermatologists however say that the sheer fact that mineral foundations lack binders, fragrances and other ‘add on’ ingredients makes them a better choice for many - whilst makeup buffs swear by the weightless finish and smooth effect the powder based formulations give.

 Whilst nay-sayers argue that minerals like mica and titanium dioxide are common ingredients in many cosmetics and hold pretty much no mystical powers – more argue that powder-based formulations just aren’t suited to some skin types and can be just as problematic for those with skin issues. And of course, it must be noted that not all companies think that mineral foundation means the same thing, and with the term ‘mineral’ not a binding word, it’s up to your vigilance and the cosmetic company’s honesty about the product, for you to get what you want.

This Sounds Complicated!
I’d be lying if I said it would be as simple as rocking down to the corner store, picking up some mineral foundation and calling it a day. But it’s not complicated at all, just as you had to hunt around a little for the perfect lipstick, or your favourite moisturiser, mineral foundations are the same. And there will be some trial and error involved; the best thing is to work the counter samples, read the forums and ask your friends what they are using.

As for the ‘how natural is my natural product’ argument - any product that cuts out at least some of those skin nasties is, in my opinion, a product to at least try. Whilst your mineral foundation may contain things like talc, if it lacks fragrances and synthetic dyes and your skin is fine with it then by all means keep using it! It’s not a competition, it’s about us all making the best decisions we can for ourselves – makeup should never be so serious!

Why not try:
1: Prescriptives All Minerals foundation $82.00 from Mecca Cosmetica
2: Maybelline Mineral Power foundation $35.99 from Farmers
3: Revlon ColorStay mineral foundation $39.00 from Life Pharmacy
4: i.d. bareMinerals foundation $78.00 from Nature Unplugged

Have you tried mineral makeup yet?
Do you have a tried and true foundation that you swear by?
Is your skin sensitives to any common makeup ingredients?

Let us know in the comments section below.

This week we are up to the letter G in the A – Z of Bastardry and G is for the Gorgeous Bastard…

Be still my beating heart – a gorgeous bastard does approach but caution ladies, he can be a wily beast indeed.

Stereotypically, beautiful men may not be the brightest crayon in the box, nor the sweetest flower in the bouquet. And before you slam me for making gross generalisations bear in mind that stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason!

Whether it’s a genetic thing (looks outweighs brains), an evolutionary thing (the beautiful are always looked after, therefore gradually lose the ability to fend for themselves over generations) or a completely unproven statement of fact (like Jesus to Christians) beautiful bastards can certainly cause a girl some heartbreak.

To put it bluntly, I have dated above my physical and beauty status on more than one occasion. How did that happen? I’m as clueless as the people who no doubt wondered the same thing as they saw us sauntering down the street together. Him: resplendent in his beauty; Me: basking in the warm glow that comes from his preference for my inner beauty as opposed to any number of beautiful plumage displays that surrounded him at his modelling agency/acting classes/beautiful person club meetings.

But beauty on the inside does not always equate to beauty of the mind or spirit. To put it bluntly he was an absolute arse (with an absolutely perfect arse!). Instead of living a supremely confident, glowing life of beauty and ease that I naively presumed was his birthright, he was insecure, sly and downright mean to others. Others meaning mainly me.

Instead of being proud and happy of his looks and natural good health he constantly compared himself to other people.

“Are my eyes as sparkly as his? Do I have cellulite behind my knees? That guy’s calves are WAY more symmetrical than mine. My hair is much better than his isn’t it? Do you think I should smile with one dimple or two?  I’m better looking than him – why did he get that job over me?”

Of course the one person he could win against every time was me. And he was preoccupied with this… “Do you feel uncomfortable knowing that everyone is looking at you, thinking ‘how did she get him’?! Do I make you feel fat? Does it bother you that you disappear next to me? People don’t like me because they are threatened by my beauty, I’m not just a pretty face!”

Yes he was an arrogant, shallow arse crippled by insecurity. He was also lazy (“why should I practice? They’re not going to find anyone better looking than me for the role”). He was unfeeling. (“Fat people are disgusting. I’d kill myself if I looked like that. You don’t want to kill yourself do you?”). He was controlling (“Why would you go anywhere without me? It’s not like you’ll get anyone who’s like me. Or even half as good. Plus you look way better when you’re with me”)

He was also my EX-boyfriend pretty darn quick!

Unfortunately, I found a lot of the same traits in the two other certifiably gorgeous boyfriends I have had. (I would like to point out that I obviously haven’t dated anyone I don’t find attractive – just my idea of attractive can be somewhat different to mainstream ideas of beauty). Beauty really did seem to be a blessing (for them) and a curse (for me).

So here’s a list of clues to help identify the gorgeous bastard

• He spends longer getting ready than you do - though he may well deny it. Secretly, he’s an expert in blending, he’s mastered the art of dishevelled beauty and he tries on twice as many outfits as you do before you get dressed

• He always walks into a room first and tends to be a half step in front of you. He’ll claim it’s his nature to assume a leading, therefore front, position.

• He tends to ask for clothing sizes loudly when shopping; highlighting his perfect proportions and your shortcomings. This is often done under the guise of conspiratorial whispered conversations with fellow beautiful people “do you have this in a 14? I think the 12 is going to be a tad too small. Poor thing finds it hard to get clothes that fit”.
If by an accident of God the clothes he has selected for himself don’t fit, it’s because his muscles are too big, his legs too long, his shoulders too broad.

• He will casually remind you of calorie or fat content. “Shall we be naughty and have dessert? I really shouldn’t – so much fat in it. Are you going to have fruit salad?”
• He will nonchalantly ask you if you’re going to fix your hair/face/clothes before you leave even though he knows you just spent 20 minutes getting dressed.
• He’ll often announce that beauty isn’t important to him – he loves things for what they are, not what they look like; cue meaningful look in your direction or gentle squeeze.
• He will preen in public like a male peacock, expecting attention from others in return
• He will insist on being seen where the other beautiful people are – careful: ugly and fat can be catching!
   

The gorgeous bastard can also be a terrible flirt - justifying it by saying he can’t help it if women find him attractive and that he’s just being friendly. Even better is when he suggests that the reason you are bothered by it is that you are insecure over why he’s with you and not someone more beautiful.

Do not forget though, that there are some sweet but dumb gorgeous bastards out there too. Like fluffy little kittens and cute puppy dogs they are an absolute delight. Until you get sick of them piddling in the corner or trying to eat poo.  I have a friend who specialised in this breed of gorgeous bastards – always maintaining that she just wanted them for her visual amusement or the beautiful children they could make. She never dated anyone for more than a month and is now happily married to a fat balding accountant 20 years her senior who I’m pretty sure NEVER modelled for Country Road.

Remember though, that there are plenty of beautiful women out there and you may very well be one of them. Date your equal and stand up for yourself. If, like me, you snag an Adonis on occasion make sure you’re there because you like him and he likes you. A relationship should not be about competition - it should be about celebrating the beauty of your souls and minds as well as your loins!

Libby Doh x

Have you come across a gorgeous bastard?
What do you think - vain, or just misunderstood?

Let us know in the comments section below.