Chantal has been a constant companion of The Pink List since day 1. She works tirelessly and selflessly to get her wonderful Franc products into the market place and any of you who are users of her gorgeous skin care range know exactly what they are about. I was introduced to Chantal by a fabulous lady Sonia who told me she has been ‘Franc’d’ and loved it and  that she thought that Chantal and The Pink Book Club would fit well and that we should all be Franc’d. She was absolutely right!

I believe Chantal has some pearls of wisdom and asked her to share a few words with us to start this amazing year of Pink Book Club fun….

Chantal’s chatter Jan 2012.

It is that time of year again, whereby you look back over your last year or two and reflect on what happened for you or did not. It also makes me consider what I learnt from it and where do I go from here. I question my values, my intentions and my goals: are they still appropriate, still valid or have some changed? And yes to all of them.

It is a great way to constantly align yourself with yourself and to make sure you are living and breathing your intentions, goals and life the way you really want to.

What I realise again and again is that my life purpose is to use my experience, passion, honesty and humour to support and encourage you to find your sense of self confidence and beauty to lead joyful and fulfilling lives as I have.

I started my journey to bring together a lifetime of experiences to share them with you in a simple and effective way. I really have this overwhelming desire for you to also experience the inner beauty that I now feel.

This led me to create Franc Essential, a beautiful and natural anti-aging skin care range that I know will delight all of you who choose to use it as it does me and so many others. It does feel like magic on your skin – naturally!

Life is truly a journey, no matter, what you do. I never thought that I would start my own business, create a range of skin care products, support the community and charities the way that I have.

Immense love, attention, and dedication have gone into the research and creation of my product range as I wanted it to be elegant, simple and to combine beauty with ease of use.

At times, our lives are so full, that we tend to forget to look after ourselves as we are so busy giving to everyone else. Sound familiar! Or we see this wonderful act of self-care and nurture as being selfish and then we feel guilty. Not to say spending money on ourselves. Amazing how we pick this up in our lives, and then carry it all the way through.

How did this all come about? I was visiting her grandmother in France after the death of my father. I felt this deep need to nurture myself in my grief, so I took the opportunity to spend some time surrounded by nature and immersing myself in the beauty of the lavender farms and other herbal delights in the fields of southern France.

I was deeply touched by my time spent there, despite all the sadness I was feeling over my loss – it went soul deep. I realised then and there the healing power of nature and knew I wanted to share this magical time with you. Yet how? Then it came to me: on a skin deep level.

And that was the beginning of an incredible new path in my life. And one I am very thankful for.
Chantal Vanderhaeghen

Founder Franc Essential

Many of us have these moments in our lives. A real clarity to change the course we have been travelling, a real passion to make a difference in the world.

If you haven’t already, let 2012 move you in an exciting direction to follow your true passion, and who knows what other wonderful gifts we amazing women can offer to the world!

Thanks Chantal

Time stood still and my life has never been the same since the day the words that are forever like a neon sign in my memory and my soul were spoken….Vickie, you have a brain tumour !!!!

As it turned out itl wasn’t quite so simple, no way, if I’m going to do something, ill do it BIG !! Ha ha ha….a rare form of brain cancer, even better !! Ok….there are two ways to deal with this….fall apart ?? NOT AN OPTION !! Face this thing head on….(no pun intended)
I won’t lie, yes there were tough days and still can be but we all have those. This might sound strange to some people but I have no regrets and am actually thankful because this made me sit up and take notice of myself again and reassess what is really important and make the changes. Cliche ?? I really have done it and wouldn’t have had the courage, time or inclination if this disease hadn’t come into life.
So my message to you is….stop and really smell the roses, enjoy every sunrise and sunset, cherish your family and realise that you will find out who your true friends are when confronted with a bump in the road. The new friends I have met now because of my journey are truly a blessing….there is a positive in every negative xx

Vicki Clarke

Hi there

my name is Angelina Carli, I’m 34 years old.

I found out about my breast cancer last November.

What followed was a myriad of changes, treatments, fear and

the unfamiliar.

If you have experienced Chemotherapy you will know what

moody means. And hair loss.

Until then I had no idea how many people volunteer support and care.

I felt so very looked after at the Cancer Support Association in Cottesloe and Solaris in Sir Charles Gairdner.

It is very inspiring to meet people who were or are in similar, rather challenging situations

and the feeling of being different, separated and lost just fades away.

I met so many fantastic people.

I am celebrating my first birthday once again.

Love Angelina

Perfectly Imperfect