SHOP & STYLE
Some of the Many Decluttering Benefits Include:
- Saving time – How much time do you waste looking for items?
- Saving space – Decluttering frees up room to make movement easier in your home or office
- Hygiene – Decluttering and tidying makes cleaning easier
- Discovery – Decluttering can uncover many forgotten items that you haven’t seen for a long time
- Energy – It takes physical and mental energy looking through clutter, plus stress when you cant find things
- Satisfaction – When you experience the satisfaction of seeing your decluttered, tidy and streamlined wardrobe or room you will understand how rewarding decluttering is.
Today is the best time to start.
Just like creating a healthy lifestyle can start immediately you can also create a beautiful clear and tidy life right now.
Decluttering is a progressive and constant process. Some areas which can be decluttered are:
Bathroom cupboards
Ensure medicines are current. Carefully and safely dispose of expired medications. Go through makeup to get rid of any old products which could be contaminated with bacteria so charts with makeup expiration times are good to check out. Bathroom cupboards can be organised tidily to get all your cleansing, self care and makeup routines done leaving a clean and orderly bathroom so here are some bathroom organisation ideas
Wardrobe
Go through each item of clothing, shoes and accessories to decide whether they “earn a place” in your wardrobe. A good tip is to think to yourself “Would I choose/buy this item if I didn’t already own it?” However if you do have trouble deciding which items to keep download my Wardrobe Organizing Workbook . The average woman spends 90 minutes a week deciding what to wear. This time can be shortened by decluttering.The goal is to be able to reach into your wardrobe and select an outfit to wear within five minutes. You know you will look and feel fabulous because it is the right colour, right style and right fit.
Home or Work Office Desk
Can you see the top of your desk? Are you able to locate a piece of paper or receipt that you need straight away? The goal with decluttering is to be able to locate something within a few minutes. As well as a beautiful, clear space you want your desk to be functional as this makes you more efficient and eliminates stress. You will provide better service for your clients and you will make your life and the life of your family a lot easier. This article contains some great Marie Kondo tips for tidying your desk or office space as well as decluttering your computer.
Toy Cupboard or Toybox
Decluttering the toybox or cupboard where toys are stored is a good idea to ensure the toys are not broken, are appropriate for the age and are not just taking up valuable space. It is also a good example to set for your children to keep this area clean and tidy. My daughter has had a conversation with her children about toys and donating to others less fortunate if they are not using them anymore. She said “kids are natural hoarders” so sometimes decluttering these areas can be done when they aren’t around. Many mums have written great articles on this topic. Remember though that our partners and children cant be expected to declutter their “stuff” if we haven’t gone through our own decluttering.
Refrigerator and Freezer
Once a week decluttering the refrigerator and freezer is a good habit to get into checking for food that is past its use by date. This applies especially to fresh fruit and vegetables. If you can make vegetables into stock or soups do this before they lose their vitamins and minerals. Here is a useful table of how long fresh food will last in your refrigerator and even at room temperature as some fruit and vegetables are actually better kept at room temperature.
Motor Vehicle
When my children were young it was easy for the car to get more and more cluttered especially if they are involved in a lot of different activities. A good habit to get into is to clear out the car at the end of each day. Encourage children to take their own bags, hats and other belongings with them when they get out of the car. A basket or container in the back of the car with essentials that you use from day to day is a good idea. Standard items that are good to keep in a car are tissues, wet wipes, sanitiser, umbrellas, spray water bottle, pen and notepad, phone charger and first aid kit. Here are the top 10 tips for cleaning your car out.
Books
Recipe and reading books can tend to accumulate. If you love reading like me it may be something you enjoy having around. I was interested to see some information on the Japanese word Tsundoku. The term means collecting books to read at a later date. As I have met so many other authors lately and have bought their books I appreciate having them when I get time to read.
My Best Tip – A “Clear the Deck Basket”
The best tool I used for decluttering was when I had a young family. It was a basket that I used for “clearing the deck”. If anyone was looking for something and couldn’t find it this basket had the most recent items in that didn’t get put into their proper place. It was sorted and emptied once a week to rightful homes or the contents trashed.
I now have a similar item under my home desk (pictured) and find that even with two of us at home there are times I need to “clear the decks” and it comes in handy.
Happy decluttering! Hope this is useful.
Contact Moana for an obligation free discovery call on 0419 120087
Bali Travel
Bali is a popular destination for Aussies, mainly due to its friendly locals, rich culture and heritage, show stopping natural beauty, and value for money shopping. Packing however, is always frustrating, regardless of your destination, and is often the least favourite part of your holiday.
Do you continually struggle with your packing? Not knowing what to take with you and what to leave at home? Are your bags usually overweight? If you struggle with your holiday packing, here are our top tips for getting it right for your trip to paradise.
What to wear on the plane
The flight to Bali from Australia is only 3hrs 44mins from Perth, but it’s 6hrs 25mins from Sydney, 6hrs 10mins from Brisbane, and 6hrs 5mins from Melbourne. So if you’re travelling from the west coast it will take you half the time compared to the east coast of Australia. These flight times can make a big difference to how you spend your time on the plane, but it won’t make much difference to what you wear.
Essentially, you want to be comfortable during your flight – whether there’s any time to sleep or not. Wear super comfortable clothes and slip on shoes on the plane. It’s also a good idea to carry a pair of socks in case your feet get cold!
What to pack in your carry-on luggage
Airlines always restrict the weight of your carry-on luggage, so you need to be judicious in your packing. The basics you need are your passport and other travel documents, your wallet or purse, cash, credit cards, hotel and car reservation info and your phone. Other essential items can include eye drops (aircraft cabins have low humidity), eye mask if you have time to sleep, ear plugs, hand sanitiser, lip balm and moisturiser. You should also pack a pen to fill out immigration and customs forms.
Also pack any medications you need for the flight. Its a good idea to pack all your medications in your carry-on luggage, just in case your main luggage is lost. Don’t forget your toothbrush and toothpaste and chargers for your phone and iPad or tablet. A change of clothes is also a good idea – just in case!
What to pack in your checked-in luggage
Bali is usually very hot and humid and has lots of cheap shopping, so you might not need to carry many clothes in your checked-in luggage. Consider taking the following: one swimsuit, one shawl or lightweight jacket, one summer dress and one evening dress. You also need enough underwear for your holiday, a couple of pairs of shorts, two or three pairs of yoga pants, and three lightweight t-shirts. Also pack a pair of thongs or sandals, wide brimmed hat, comfortable walking shoes, box of tissues, hair brush and hair products, and sunscreen.
In Bali, you can pretty much wear the same clothes as in Australia, but if you want to visit the temples, both men and women need to cover their shoulders and knees. So keep this in mind when packing.
In summary here is a suggested checklist for your packing:
Cabin Luggage
- Comfortable outfit for the plane
- Socks
- Slip on shoes
- Calm X (Magnesium)
- Antioxidants
- Eye Mask
- Pashmina, scarf or shawl with some essential oil drops to guard against bactaria and to keep over your mouth and nose during the flight
- Oil to reduce vata
Checked in Luggage
- 3 pairs yoga pants
- 2 bras
- 3 tank tops
- 4 pairs undies
- 2 pairs socks
- 1 dress or skirt for relaxing in and going out
- 1 shawl or pashmina for plane, meditation and going out
- 1 swimsuit
- Slip on shoes or thongs
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Journal and pens
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash all under 100ml
- Toiletries incl. lip balm, sunscreen eyedrops, tweezers, etc
- Probiotics (Metagenics LGG is recommended as does not need refrigeration)
- Reversatrol, fish oil or Vitamin E as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant
- Your favourite sleep tonic (such as Neurocalm Sleep)
This information has been complied with help from Isabel Gordon BSc Exercise Physiologist, Yoga Therapist and Accupuncturist, owner of Cabarita Beach Yoga in NSW.
Contact Moana Robinson at B Styled for Life for personal styling advice on 1300 366 675 or email moana@www.bstyledforlife.com.au
“Uncomfortable Shoes Equals Ugly Face” …
A Beauty Therapist friend said this and it is so true… what is the point in wearing pretty shoes if they are not comfortable.
Consider the following tips so your shoes don’t end up as an expensive mistake staring at you in your closet – or as the saying goes “like throwing money down the toilet”
- Consider width, style, height, material and construction. Do you need arch support or a lower vamp (shoe front cut out) to accommodate a high instep?
- Hard material, exposed seams inside, wrong shape or wrong size can cause blisters
- Plantar fasciitis are tiny tears in the ligaments that support the arch of your foot. Flip flops may seem a comfortable option but the toes need to grip to keep them on and can cause this condition.
- Wearing stiletto heels constantly don’t give the tendon at the back of the heels a chance to relax. This can cause a condition called Achilles tendinitis
- The best time to try on shoes is actually at the end of the day when your feet may be hot or swollen
- Buy shoes with a leather or rubber sole for maximum shock absorption.
- “Witchypoo” or long pointy toes are extremely bad for your feet as your toes cannot possibly reach that far into the shoe. These can cause bunions to develop where the foot is widest just below where the toes start. Neuromas, benign growths of nerve tissue between the third and fourth toes can also develop. The symptoms may be tingling and numbness in the ball of the foot or a sharp shooting pain.
- Not all flat shoes are easy on your feet. It is better to have a little lift to the heel especially if you have a tendency to roll inward or have flat feet.
- You should never have to “break shoes in”. They should be comfortable as soon as you try them on.
- It is best not to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row as they need to “rest” in between to decompress from pressure and dry out from the moisture they absorb.
- Tight shoes can cause bunions which are enlarged, misaligned big-toe joints.
- Friction can occur as the result of wearing shoes that are too small or too large. This can cause the skin to thicken into calluses (on soles) and corns (on toes).
- As with clothing shoe sizes can vary from designer to designer. Shoes made in Europe are usually narrower in the front. Always ask if there is a half a size smaller or larger just to check the size even if it feels right.
- Get your feet measured yearly at the shoe store with the Brannock shoe measuring device which measures length and width. Feet can flatten and widen or the opposite with age, pregnancy and weight gain/loss.
- Many people find they have one foot longer or wider than the other. This is a normal variant and there is nothing to worry about. This can be genetic and you can blame Mum or Dad. One of our daughters has one foot like myself and the other foot like her Dad!.
- High quality leather, suede or fabric is ideal.. Patent leather is not very flexible and topstiching can make the patent shoes even more inflexible.
- Use thin gel inserts for greater comfort, particularly under the ball of the foot on high heels.
- Mid heel height is best and chunky heels are way more supportive than the stiletto thin heels. It is better if your weight is distributed evenly under your heel and not placed too far back.
- Wedges and platform heels have solid bottoms and act as good shock absorbers. Be careful with wedge shoes as there is a danger of rolling your foot to the side because of the inflexibility of the wedge. Platform shoes give the illusion of a higher heel without the feel of high heels.
- If you have problems with your feet swelling go with adjustable straps, ties and laces.
- When purchasing court shoes the sole should be flexible and bend at the front of the arch but be stiff through the actual arch.
- Try to push in the area around the heel of a shoe when it is off the foot – if you are able to push in enough to touch the insole the shoe will not be supportive enough
- Always make sure the toe area of the shoe you are trying on has enough room through the ball of the foot. Test by pushing on that area of the shoe when its on to ensure there is enough padding.
- Look for shoes that have leather or suede insoles which are breathable and pliable as they prevent chafing and blistering – or buy some good innersoles.
- See how the shoe looks when it is stand on its own – does it look balanced and stable? This will give an indicator on how supportive it will be on your foot.
- An easy way to test your arch is to step on concrete with wet feet. A high arch will show the ball and heel in the footprint but only a narrow side foot. A low or flat arch will look almost solid from ball to heel, A regular arch will have the classic footprint look with the curved side foot connecting the ball and the heel.
- When buying a pair of shoes there should be a thumb’s width between the tip of the longest toe in your foot and the end of the shoe. Always buy a pair of shoes that fit the bigger foot. You can place an over the counter insole in the larger one to take up some of room or prevent foot slippage. Never force your foot into a shoe that is too small or tight. No matter how attractive the shoe is bunions, corns, calluses and blisters are not.
Take your time when selecting a pair of shoes – try not to buy on emotion only. Easier said than done – as a lover of shoes I know!
Contact Moana Robinson of B Styled for Life for advice on Wardrobe Audits, Shopping, Colour and Style
Thinking about Creativity
“Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.” — Bruce Garrabrandt
I watched two interesting documentaries during long haul flights recently. These films got me thinking about the importance of creativity in professional sport, fashion and life.
Creativity in Sport
“In Search of Greatness” by Gabe Polsky includes a series of interviews with hugely successful sportsmen. There is place in Indianapolis called Lucas Oil Stadium which is right near where we stayed last year. At this stadium every year they hold a Scouting Combine for the NFL. They test players for 40-yard dash, vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle, and 3 cone drill tests. The evaluations are measuring the strength, speed and fitness of promising athletes.
Jerry Rice a successful professional football player said he felt he wasn’t the most talented receiver in the game based on the test statistics. He said when it came to the 40 yard dash if he didn’t have his football uniform on there was no way he could run it like the sprinters. It was his passion for football which made him successful. As a child Jerry used to like to get the feel of the football. He used to throw the ball around in the dark in his bedroom at night. This was creativity born out of a desire to get better and better.
As a young boy Wayne Gretzky a well known ice hockey champion used to watch the games on television. He would draw the game on piece of paper following every movement of the puck every time it was hit. Wayne said neither his father nor his coach had told him to do this. He just did it. It was his own idea and creativity. Friends who used to come and invite him to the movies but he would rather go outside and practice hitting the puck around. Ice hockey was his passion.
Exploring Creativity at an Early Age
Exploring and using imagination as children is what develops creativity. As Sir Ken Robinson who is author and speaker said “Nobody teaches children how to walk, or talk. They learn through exposure and a process of self discovery. Children played and learned and got creative. He said that people often had immense deep talents often overlooked because of systems they had to follow.
Children need unstructured play to develop skills and imagination, They have less free time now than children did in the 60s, 70s and 80s. As Sir Ken Robinson says “Childhood is a precious time that lays the foundation for the rest of our lives”. He also said that people are diverse and creative and want fulfilment and meaning and not drudgery but if you are pro conformity that is what you get”. He said that “creativity is the essence of humanity”. Even without being a huge sports fan I really enjoyed watching this documentary.
The Creative and Inspiring New York Fashion Icon Iris Apfel
The second film I watched was on Iris Apfel who was 90 at the time of production in 2014. She is a fascinating woman and reminds me so much of my late Aunt Pauline. Iris said she loves to improvise and has been collecting her costume jewellery for years. She has had exhibitions of her fashion and jewellery collections and has also used her creative talents in the past as interior decorator for many important people including work at the White House. Iris and her husband Carl who had his 100th birthday during filming of the documentary made a charming couple. Her character drew people to her and she is adored and well known in her loved city of New York. This amazing woman loves the challenge of finding her beautiful chunky and statement pieces of jewellery and gorgeous clothing made from exquisite and unusual fabrics and prints. Some of the items are designer and some were chosen for their eclectic design. Iris said when she was young the owner of a famous department store told her that she was “not pretty and will never be pretty”. The woman said to Iris “You have something better – You have style“.
Iris said “You have to play around with an outfit; it’s like doing a painting.” She was very much influenced by her mother who Iris said “worshipped at the alter of the accessories”.
The enjoyment of hunting for her pieces is something she thrives on. Iris said even if she didn’t feel well before going on one of her shopping jaunts she would “feel only nineteen and a half” once she was in the swing of it. She has enough clothing, jewellery and decor to fill warehouses with donations going to museums and art galleries.
It seems to be a creative art for Iris and has been part of her life to dress flamboyantly and how she pleases. She says “There are no rules or regulations. “It’s instinct and gut feeling. I don’t do these things intellectually; if you do, they’re always very stiff. I don’t have rules because I’d only break them.” Without a doubt Iris Apfel would be a Creative Style Personality. If you want to explore this wonderful “rare bird of fashion” check out the ultimate creative Iris Apfel here.
My desire to feed my own creativity has been fuelled by watching these documentaries. I am now keen to watch Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talks and read his books. I will enjoy seeing more about Iris also.
When I arrived in London I attended the Body Worlds exhibition which also fascinated me. As a qualified mBIT Coach I know that the highest form of expression for the brain is creativity. Creativity cultivates excitement and passion and purpose for your life. Understanding what your values are opens up the possibilities for creativity.
I enjoy helping some of my coaching clients discover their Passion and Purpose. It is also part of my Style Consultation to carry out a Style Personality Assessment. “Creative” is actually one of the style personalities. Creativity is definitely part of business, style, and all aspects of life. It really is worth exploring more. Have you ever wanted to develop the creative side of your personality?
“Creativity is the Highest Expression of the Brain” – mBraining – Using your Multiple Brains to do Cool Stuff by Grant Soosalu and Marvin Oka
Moana Robinson, Personal Stylist and Life Coach. Ph 1300 366 675 moana@www.bstyledforlife.com.au
Make a Difference | Business Image
Show that you care by thinking about business image.
Caring about your business image is smart. As well as identifying the type of business you are in it does help with that first impression if your clients can identify you with your business. If you are an accountant and turn up for an appointment wearing board shorts and a T shirt how seriously do you think the client would take your business? If you sell surf boards and turned up for a business meeting you still may dress differently to the accountant. Not in board shorts and a T shirt. Board shorts are for the weekend and “time off”. Smart casual would be more appropriate such as good pants and a collared shirt depending on the situation and type of meeting.
To be taken seriously and to charge for your time and services it is respectful to your clients to show up to a business meeting dressing for that occasion.
Your own personal style can definitely be incorporated into your business and it is a positive if you can incorporate this into your branding. This can even be done consciously so that people identify your style with your business for all the right reasons.
Clean tidy attire and attention to detail all counts for that all important great first impression. Even if you love to dress casually and your business does not fit with wearing suits or shirt/tie or formal business attire my advice would be to consider the following
- Branding with a colour scheme for your business image that resonates with you and maybe having some garments embroidered with your logo. It does not have to feel like a work “uniform” as you could have a variety of different garments that you wear to work
- Make sure your business image is a change from what you would wear on your days off and relaxing. I am talking about really relaxing … shorts, sweatshirts, singlets, thongs.
- Think about the type of business you are in or even if you are a job candidate at a job interview – Think about the type of work you do in your business, or will be doing at the job you are applying for and dress accordingly. Make sure how you dress is congruent with this.
- Professional sports trainers and Personal Trainers may be wearing their sports attire as this IS their business. This would be appropriate dress for them. Possibly a jacket to wear for meetings which goes with their normal training attire.
- Think about the person you are meeting with and take this into account also. It helps to build rapport if you can find out about the person you are meeting. Also take into account the venue you are meeting in.
Imagine the guy in this photo has just had a business meeting with a new client. He can’t understand why he hasn’t been taken as seriously as he would like to be. Can you imagine the different reaction if he dressed in a tidy shirt with (or even without) a logo, a smart pair of trousers and some good shoes other than joggers. He is good at what he does (lets say for example “a graphic artist”) . He has charged accordingly for his great work. He cannot understand why he has difficulty in people seeing his value on first meeting.
Visual appearance does count. It shows respect for your clients, yourself and your business. You may be incredibly good at what you do so why make things hard for yourself? Create that all important good first impression and then the rest is providing that top business value to your clients. You really can create a great image and still keep your personal identity. We do not need to sacrifice personal style and comfort for a great business image.
Contact Moana Robinson at B Styled for Life for confidential, friendly and professional assistance and advice.
One of the initial big decisions you will have to make in creating your business is whether to build a personal or business brand. While a personal brand revolves around you personally, a business brand is created for your business, independent of your personal identity. There are certain situations that are best for personal branding and others that benefit business branding, as we will point out below.
When to Create a Personal Brand
You will most likely want to use your personal name for your brand of business when you want a flexible image. In other words, if you choose a personal brand and then later want to change your selection of services or products, it is easier to do so when the business is branded by your name; there is no need to change your business name in this instance. Also, if you have a one-person business then a personal brand is ideal. Examples are:
- Expert speakers
- Authors
- Directors
- Specialists
In these instances, the goal is about selling yourself as your business and gaining clients this way.
Is a Business Brand Better?
The answer depends on what type of business you have. Although the brand of a business can be difficult to create, you may see benefits that you won’t get with a personal brand. To craft a good business name and brand, consider:
- What products or services you will offer
- Who is your target audience
- What you want to be known for in your business.
Some great positives about a business brand is that you can:
- Tell your target customer exactly what your business is about just from its name
- Get people enthusiastic about what you’re offering right from the get go
- When it is time to sell your business, which most owners will do at some point, it will be easier to sell it with a name that is not directly linked to you personally.
Finding the Best One for You
Use the above tips to help you determine whether a personal brand or business brand is best for you. Another option is to find a balance between personal and business branding by creating a business name and situating yourself as the authority behind it by speaking professionally, guest posting, and telling others personally about your company brand. Whatever you decide, personal brand or business brand the colours of your logo, the look and feel of your style is a very important aspect to consider. A colour consultation will help clarify the signature colours to use in your logo , stationery, website and uniforms if this applies. If you would like to know about business branding and/or personal styling please visit B Styled for Life’s Personal Styling page, Contact Moana to fill in the form, or just call Moana on 1300 366 675.
Life balance – What is the secret? Someone who is a Libra Star Sign loves balance, peace and harmony. Life balance in its true sense can successfully give you the latter two and so much more as well.
Do you Have Work Life Balance
If you enjoy your work then the work and life balance goal can sound as though work is not part of your life. It is in fact a big part of your life in most cases. The key is to be doing work that you enjoy and then that percentage of life is good. If your work is not fulfilling and satisfying it is time to make some choices.
Choice
Everyone has some sort of a choice. Sometimes it can take a little while to realise what your choices are and this is where a life coach can assist.
Information is Power
It is important to create your balance for your life. See a good Naturopath and/or Nutritionist if as a woman you are feeling there may be some imbalance in your hormones. Some women experience a lack of balance in this area. Too much estrogen can cause that imbalance. Not enough progesterone can also cause imbalance.
How About the Opposite
Life balance as spoken about a lot by life coaches and counsellors. We are all naturally inclined to be one way or another …
- Active or inactive
- Outsp0ken or quiet
- Caring or indifferent
- Excitable or calm
Your Personality
If the way you are naturally is suppressed or you say “I must not be so outspoken”, “I need to keep myself always calm and not be so excitable” do you think that is going to take away from you and your unique individual personality?
More or Less
What if …. instead of suppressing the way you naturally are you balance your natural excitement at life with times of calmness? What if you balanced your outspoken views with a conscious decision to stop and listen more. You do not need to stop being who you are or the way you are. You can have both. You can make a conscious choice to balance those traits with the opposite. Try it and see how you go. Maybe for a week instead of curbing your natural tendancies to be one way see if you can balance by tempering whatever it is you feel you may be “too much of” with the opposite. If it is watching tv – balance it with being outside and in nature. If it is being around people a lot of the time try being alone for a bit to balance life for a week. Sometimes our natural tendancies aren’t even recognised by us. Listen to what your loved ones and friends say about your personality. If what they are saying sounds like a criticism maybe you can be “more” of the opposite instead of “less” of the trait they are criticising. Equal parts create the balance. In relationships this is what the Five Love Languages book is about – taking notice of what we naturally already bring to the relationship and bringing more of what our partner likes. This creates a balanced healthy and respectful relationship. If you would like to know about Life Coaching Services that Moana can offer, please visit B Styled for Life’s Life Coaching Page, Contact Moana to fill in the form, or just call Moana on 1300 366 675.
Everyone strives to be happy.
The mistake is that most people think happiness is the destination or end goal. A happy life is enjoying the journey and realizing that happiness, sadness and all other emotions that we experience are all part of what make up the tapestry of life.
Happiness is a choice!
You can choose to make your life happy. So here are a few ways you can get more of the happy feelings more often:
1. Let go of past memories.
Everyone has both sad and happy moments. So forget about your painful memories. Focus on your good memories and move on.
2. Be optimistic
Endeavour to get into the habit of always looking on the bright side of things. Look for the silver lining behind each dark cloud. For example, if you had an unfortunate accident and your car is badly dented, but on the bright side would be that nobody got hurt and it could have been a lot worse.
3. Be close to your family
If possible maintain a close relationship with your family and friends. Our relationships with them have more on our happiness than anything else. Human beings are made to be social creatures. So appreciate the existing relationships that you have.
4. Your Work
Find a job that gives you happiness. If you are feeling stressed out in your current job and not getting the job satisfaction that you want, perhaps it is time for a career change. Job satisfaction plays an important part in your happiness. So give your job a chance. Try having a positive attitude in your job. If that doesn’t work, it may time for a change.
5. Make friends and good connections
You need to make friends with people who share a common interest. Find something that you are deeply passionate about. It could be a hobby or an organization you can volunteer in. There you could meet people who the same interest and passion as you.
6. Exercise and Eat Well
Exercising releases endorphins. So as well as taking care of your body you will automatically start to feel good about yourself. Always think about what you are eating and why. We should eat to live not live to eat.
7. Change your thinking
You have to start living life to the fullest. Don’t delay your life a second longer. Try something new everyday or pick up a new skill!
8. Don’t let the small stuff bug you.
Remember all the small petty stuff that used to bother you? Forget all about it and focus on the bigger picture. Life is too short to be worry about trivial things. If something is bugging you today push it to the side and you may be surprised that tomorrow it doesn’t amount to anything. My aunt used to have a favourite saying “It all comes out in the wash” … and remember that catchy Bobby McFerrin tune “Don’t worry Be Happy”
9. Live your life for yourself
Stop trying to live your life up to other people’s expectations. You are your own person. So start living it for yourself!
10. Lastly, always remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life.
You always have the chance right here, right now, this minute to choose to be happy.
If you would like to know about Life Coaching Services that Moana can offer, please visit B Styled for Life’s Life Coaching Page, Contact Moana to fill in the form, or just call Moana on 1300 366 675.
Time is something we are always saying we don’t have enough of. Have you said that yet this year? We all have the same amount of hours in a day, days in a week, weeks in a month and months in a year. It is how we use that time that counts. Some of the most common wishes are more time for:
- Exercise
- Family
- Friends
- Personal maintenance
- Home maintenance
- Car mantenance
- Holidays
- Fun
- Hobbies
- Tasks at work
Most of all … sometimes we Just need more time to think
Recharge and Balance
The strange thing is that the more time we take out to recharge the more use we seem to make of the balance of that time. There is a lot to be said for recharging the batteries. I know that even just having two days off can make a huge difference which is why the “Week-end” came about. A lot of people spend some of their weekend working either because they need to financially or because they absolutely love what they do. I fall into the latter category. Some my favourite “recharging the batteries activities” are
- Walking on the beach
- Swimming in the ocean
- Movies with friends
- Meals with friends and family
- Sunday breakfasts together
- Creating things – art/sewing/anything!
- Reading
- Floating (a recent discovery)
- Yoga
- Shopping
- Playing with children
- Reading to children
What is the Answer?
The answer to “I need more time” is going to be that I just cant have it … therefore the answer will be that I need to make the best use out of the time that I do have. This will be different for every individual person and it is a matter of choice. To live the life you wish to live you need to make choices. There are ways to ensure you make the most of each and every day so that you wake up feeling excited about the day and sleep satisfied with how the day went. Its all about looking at possibilities for your life and how you can spend your time for that personal satisfaction. We are on a constant mission to ensure that the Wheel of Life is balanced and we are filling each section of that wheel so that we each have the most satisfaction for our own personal life. If you are finding that you are always saying “I need more time” we can work out what your priorities are, how to get those priorities into the time that you have in a day so that you are leading a satisfied fulfilled life every day in every way. If you would like to know about Life Coaching Services that Moana can offer, please visit B Styled for Life’s Life Coaching Page, Contact Moana to fill in the form, or just call Moana on 1300 366 675.
Do you feel confident and comfortable in what you wear?
If you you are not confident and comfortable your clothes may be holding you back from your full potential…
Our surveys show that What you wear has a significant effect on your self-esteem.
Before and after styling transformations clearly show confidence levels increase as much as 800% when you get your wardrobe working for you!
Most women struggle finding the right clothes for them because they are unaware of the Key Styling Secrets. And in today’s fast paced, competitive business world you need every advantage you can get. Your wardrobe is a key part of your business and professional success.
Today’s Number One Key Styling Secret: The Power Psychology of Colour
Colours have a profound effect on how you feel each day and how you will perform at work. Going into a power meeting wearing light colours and wishy washy patterns actually can make you feel literally feel the same way. Wearing more vibrant, dominant colours can actually make you feel more confident and energetic. Think about the type of event you are attending and dress accordingly. There’s a lot behind the psychology of colour and how it can make yourself and others feel. Use it to your advantage to feel more confident and comfortable in your own skin and your surroundings:
Here are the neuroscience messages of the colours in your wardrobe:
Whites – Pure, Modern, Immaculate, Fair & Just
Anyone dealing with others in the business world who wants to impart a sense of being cool, calm and collected will portray this image by wearing crisp white. You can look organized and serene even when surrounded by chaos!
Reds – Passionate, Energetic, Optimistic, Powerful
Red is a great colour for persuasion in a meeting or sales talk. It stands out, shows you know what you want and demonstrates a sense of power.
Yellows – Animated, Carefree, Vivacious, Alive
If you want the element of surprise wearing yellow or even a few touches of it can lift the spirits and demonstrate a unique element of fun into what could be a dull business environment. Be careful with this colour as it is not good to wear if you want to be taken very seriously at a critical meeting or appointment
Orange – Animated, Dynamic, Creative
Orange is one of those colours that some people just cannot wear so you would definitely stand out if it is a colour that suits you. Again, not a colour to wear if you are in an environment which is very serious and formal.
Violets – Unique, Perceptive, Serene
Violets or shades of purple are colours which many people in the alternative healing business tend to wear. Combining the stimulation of red and the calmness of blue and can be associated with royalty, luxury and wisdom and justice. The colour purple can encourage creativity. In Japan it is symbolic of wealth and status.
Browns – Welcoming. Receptive, grounded
Wearing browns in business evokes a sense of safety and reliability. It gives off a sense of earthiness. It is not however a very powerful colour and would not be ideal to wear to a meeting where you want to assert some influence.
Black – Dignified, Cosmopolitan
Wearing black can communicate sophistication and glamour. It is the most commonly worn neutral in corporate offices and business. Black is a colour that is taken seriously. Consider brands such as Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) and other high end brands. Simple and classy black can be staple for anyone to wear who needs to appear neutral and avoid distracting colours.
Blues – Composed, Dependable, Trustworthy
Wearing blue especially dark blue is one of the best colours to wear to impart a sense of trust and confidence. Many banks have blue in their logo for this reason. You will see the difference straight away when Cathryn who is a Trademark Attorney wears this blue dress. The lace texture is feminine and the navy blue looks smart and gives that important confident appearance. The feminine aspect makes her appearance approachable and friendly.
Pinks – Delicate, Feminine, Open to new ideas
Wearing pink at work or in your business really does depend on the type of work you are doing. As opposed to men wearing pink which shows they have balance and are in touch with both their masculine and feminine side – it seems that women wearing pink gives an impression of serenity and femininity and depending on the shade it is more of a “party” hue. Wearing pink in business is best paired with a neutral such as black, navy or grey.
Greens – Strong, Persistent, Wealth
Green is the colour of calm and relaxation. This is the reason the waiting room before going on a tv set is called the “Green Room”. Again, the shade will determine how formal the attire is with regard to colour which would be suitable for business. The deeper the green the more formal and b
usiness-like.
Greys – Reputable, Calm, Controlled
Wearing grey communicates independence and in a business or career situation this can be a positive as it can show that you are able to think independently, that you are self-sufficient and capable of thinking on your own.
The power of colour can have an effect on you and those around you. Colour can give you confidence and as William Arruda who is the author of Ditch, Dare.Do! says “When you wear something that just feels right, you are confident. And it is also great to have a trademark look. It makes you memo
rable and distinctive”
Want your biggest style question answered? Simply contact Moana and if selected we’ll write up a whole post to answer your question (don’t worry you can stay anonymous).
Remember, having a wardrobe which you feel confident and comfortable with is a powerful tool to accelerate your success.
Not all women love clothes shopping. Many women actually suffer from anxiety at the thought of going shopping. They would rather go to the dentist than suffer through trying on clothes that don’t fit right to standing in long lines in stores. For these women shopping can be anything but joyful.
Is this you? You’re a busy woman and want to get in and out of the stores efficiently, right? Thankfully, there are ways to shop smarter and enjoy the process.
Hi, I am Moana Robinson from B Styled for Life, I love helping women look, feel and be their best! Here are my top tips to making shopping fun and finding the right clothes for you:
1. Plan Ahead
Firstly, ask yourself what you need in your wardrobe to look and feel great. Get basics that will go with a range of items already in your closet by buying them in neutral colors. If you are looking for clothing in colours – know your colours. Check what you have in your wardrobe that is working for you and make a list of anywhere that you have “gaps”
- As a rule, if you are buying neutrals – women with warm skin tones will suit creams, beiges and browns whereas women with cool skin tones will suit whites, blacks and navy. The one that doesn’t suit you will make your skin tone appear more. Look for more of a sallow than skintone with the other shade. Before shopping, know what colours best accentuate your skin, hair and eye colour.
- If you are looking for basics – know the best style for your body shape.
- As a rule, if you are wanting to look taller and slimmer – monochromatic colours will bring the eye down the length of the body (so similar colour in tops and bottoms, and shoes also).
- If you have a strong upper body, add more volume to your lower half by choosing skirts and pants with more material and keep the tops slimmer fitting.
- If you are narrower at the shoulders and upper half look for tops, shirts, blouses and jackets with more detail at the top.
2. Make a List
Make a list of what you want to buy. Rather than going shopping to “find clothes for summer,” for example or “start my winter wardrobe”, go shopping with a definite goal in mind – knowing you will get two blouses, two skirts, etc. Be specific and focused with your shopping. List the type of garments or accessories you need to purchase, add a description and the time frame for purchase. You may have an event coming up in a few months and can keep an eye out for outfits while you are shopping for more basic items.
3. Additional In-Store Tips
Know which stores sell your style of clothing as it can be distracting if you have too many stores to look at. If shopping is not a favourite pastime, you will get frustrated if you do not achieve your goals quickly. For example:
- If you love feminine, romantic clothes try Review or Forever New
- If you love natural, comfortable styles try Country Road or Just Jeans
- If you love sharp, clean lines and more dramatic styles try Cue, Events or Kookai
- If you are the sporty type try Cotton on or Sportsgirl
- If you love classic styles such as pencil skirts, tops and pearls try Laura Ashley or Sportscraft
- If you are in a hurry and want to see a lot of fashion brands or styles all at once with minimum time spent at the shops, go to a department store like Myer, David Jones or H&M
Distracted while in the store? Return to the original list in your plan and only look for those items. Ask for a shop assistant to point you in the right direction to find those items quickly.
Lastly, if you are after basics and see a top or pair of pants that you really like, which are the right fit, right style and the right colour, buy two of them to save yourself having to look for another similar pair next year. This gives you more time to do what you enjoy doing.
Want your biggest style question answered? Simply email me and if selected we’ll write up a whole post to answer your question (don’t worry you can stay anonymous).
Spring Clean today as there is no time like the present … The new season is a chance to spring clean your house, wardrobe, office and health
1. Spring clean your wardrobe
Go right through your wardrobe to work out what you wear and what you dont. Download a free Wardrobe Organising Workbook here
2. Tidy your office
Excess clutter can have a negative impact on your ability to focus and process information. There have many been studies done on this topic. No matter what your theory is regarding tidy desks I am sure if you spend more time looking for something than necessary it is going to cause you some frustration. Here are some tips on having a tidy desk.
3. Computer Housekeeping
Delete or archive any un-used files. A good Virtual Assistant can definitely help with this rather than you or one of your key people spending hours behind your computer. A messy computer causes the same frustration as 2. above.
4. Declutter your pantry
Remove all unhealthy items. Also you may be amazed by the amount of items stored that are past their use-by date. If you are really stuck on this and want to make a fresh start there are professional “pantry people” who can help with this
5. Tidy that Bathroom Cosmetic Graveyard
Bathroom cupboards can cleaned out and old tired makeup removed. Here is a handy checklist on safe lengths of time to keep makeup. A good way to do this is move completely out of your bathroom and only move back .in what you use and is up-to-date.
6. Clean out one cupboard or drawer every day
Do this consistently and it will make a difference. You could even tick it off on a calendar when done.
7. Make a Rule
Make it a rule to delete one before you add one. Out with the old and in with the new. This goes for everything. The principles of running a lean business and lean manufacturing can also be applied to other areas of life.
8. Clear your mind
Let anything go from the past that no longer serves you. Contact us for some help with this.
9. Health Check on your Body
Your body is so important to keep in good running order. Make an appointment with a good clinical naturopath to find out about digestion issues, detoxing and so much more. You will be amazed at what a consultation can do for you. Clear professional guidance and support is needed for health changes, weight loss and nutrition advice. 10. Last but not least … Enjoy Your Spring Clean Remember you are a work in progress and by taking small steps you will achieve a sustainable long lasting result. We build habits in 21 days and decluttering is a start for how we mean to go on – getting better and better in every day and every way. No matter how busy you are you can do this and feel so much better for it. Booking a session with a Life Coach for your mind Spring Clean and a Personal Stylist for a Wardrobe Spring Clean is an excellent way to start. See this great article for further details and more tips and ideas on decluttering
A Spring Clean will
- Re-energise
- Motivate
- Free up your thinking space
- Change to positive new ways of thinking
- Become aware of all the new possibilities for your life
- Help you realise the “release” and “relief” of a decluttered home, workspace, body and mind
Keep an eye out for more articles on how to add the good things you want to achieve after you have done your spring clean Contact Moana Robinson today for a no obligation telephone or skype call to discuss how you can spring clean your life today Ph 1300 366 675