People Watching
Originally uploaded by Gobdol

Lets get things straight right of the bat - we're not talking about creepy stalker behaviour but utilisation of the power of observation. In a world that moves too fast, why not take some time out to slow the pace and observe the goings on around you?

Wikipedia describes observation at the activity of "receiving knowledge of the outside world through the senses". Use your daily observational experiences to grasp a greater understanding of yourself through your relation and reaction to those in your proximity. Take in the motions of others and gain richer gratitude for the experiences you enjoy in your day to day.

Though, observation need not be explored only through watching, but through listening, smelling and touching too. Utilising our other senses may seem somewhat redundant while dealing with the concept of drawing from the experience of observing those around us. However, it is worth remembering that we possess such senses. A simple way to exercise and strengthen our other senses is to close our eyes and hone in on the observations we can still make without our the use of our sight.

Why not:

Take that stool in the window of Starbucks instead of relegating yourself to the far dark back corner. Watch the traffic, the pedestrians, the mums with prams and the suits on their way to and from the office.

Close your eyes while sitting in a coffee shop, guess what the women beside you is drinking. You can smell the strong espresso, but is that a sweet caramel note too? What about the deep delicious aroma of cocoa on a chilly morning... breath deep & enjoy. Decide what their coffee says about them, create characters in your mind.

Take note of the subtly or otherwise of a persons hand when greeting with a handshake. Imagine just what kind of tasks you imagine they have done with their hands.... are their hands tough from years of toiling away in their prized garden... or soft from dedication to Creme de la Mer?

Sit on a park bench with a book in hand, sneakily peering out over the top at the people as they pass. Look at the way they piece together their outfit, draw inspiration and plot your weeks wardrobe.

Sit at the back of the bus, watch as people get on board and write prose about the life you imagine they lead.

Lay in the grass on a sunny day, close your eyes for a few minutes and listen to the conversations around you. (hey, if they're being had in a park, it can be considered for the taking!) Listen too, for the other sounds you miss out on when rushing through your city ordinarily.

Keep an eye out as you go about your day, take one earphone out and stare out, not down, help those who need it - offer seats on public transport, help the person struggling with too many bags, hold the door open for the person with their hands full.


Do you take time out of your busy day/week/life to people watch? Is observation a sorely overlooked simple pleasure and gainful life experience?

Old Sodium Bicarb
Originally uploaded by Shoreline

Bicarb, also known as sodium bicarbonate, bicarbonate of soda and baking soda, is an alkaline salt and a compound found throughout nature (the soil, ocean etc). It is great to use around the home because it’s a natural substance that won’t harm you or the environment. It’s also used extensively in everyday foods, so it’s not only great for cleaning, but cooking too! Ninemsn, Real Living

Bicarbonate Soda - perhaps not the most striking of products, not one to tantalise your senses at its mere mention or invoke delight & ecstasy at its sight? However, this humble product is one of great versatility and one that is often overlooked & pushed aside (to a deep dark part of your kitchen cupboard, relegated to gather dust). Bicarb can of course be utilised in your usual kitchen related ways, but there are loads of other uses

01. We all love a good cup of tea, but don't so much love the icky brown stains tea leaves around the inside of our favourite mugs. To remove tea stains, sprinkle bicarb into mug & wipe clean with wet cloth, as usual.

02. For a Green Clean, create a mixture of water & bicarb that is of a paste like consistency. Wipe onto surfaces using a cleaning cloth/rage and use to clean your bathroom or kitchen. This paste can be used on anything from tiles to sinks!

03. Get rid of food odours from your fridge by placing a few small spoonfuls of bicarb onto a saucer and placing it out of the way at the back of a shelf. The bicarb will absorb the odours - freshen up your bicarb every month or so.

04. As an odour zapper - bicarb is also great for refreshing your dishwasher, just pop an amount in the bottom & run as usual.

05. Make some bath oil!

06. Killer heels are fantastic, killer foot odour isn't! To reduce & neutralise foot odour, sprinkle some bicarb in your shoes & you're set.

07. In the same vein, if your feet are feeling a little worse for wear, try soaking them in a solution of water and a small amount of bicarb- it will leaving you with clean, soft & fresh stilleto ready feet.

08. How’s this for a credit crunching hygeine tip - Gargle bicarb with water for a DIY mouthwash!

Ok so that’s it for TL favourite bicarb tips but there are LOADS, infinite (!), possibilities for using this great little wonder product. What is your wonder product? Have you got any great bicarb DIY tips?

Truck difficulties - Difficultés de camion
Originally uploaded by Vincent Meyer

We all know the feeling – when sometimes it seems that the whole world is out to get you. Be it for a day, a week, or months on end – we all go through periods where the bad outweighs the good and nothing seems to be going quite the way we would’ve hoped. While the types and extremities of adversity we experience in our lives will vary tremendously from person to person – we all face similar emotional reactions to these adverse situations; it is how we deal with these emotions that varies. Ultimately, we want to deal with our feelings in such a way that we can make it through the difficult times and come out with a more positive outlook, we want to overcome our weaknesses, avoid falling prey to adopting a victim mentality and come out as a stronger & and more supreme version of ourselves. We should take with us the tools we use to gain strength and the lessons we’ve learnt from making our way from emotional low times to high times.

One of the most important factors in overcoming any type of adversity is recognition. Recognising there is a better way to live, that there are people that have been through what you are going through or worse and finally, that you are a person worthy of experiencing the best possible life. Spend some time in your head going over what you need out of life and what you deserve to have in your life. Remind yourself of all your positive attributes, your skills, why you’re unique and decide that you deserve to have all those glowing, gleeful parts of you back – quite moping & moaning and reclaim yourself! Make the decision to shine, despite your hardships and not to suffer because of them. The power of positive thinking is not a new concept, it is a tried and true self help favourite, but it’s so classically spot on in it’s intent. You will attract what you put out- you put out glum and you’ll keep it coming – so start smiling and recognise the difference.

It may sound harsh – but you need to love & respect yourself before you can expect the same from others. People are drawn to those with a strong & positive sense of self – so decide to take the reins in your life and stop relying on other people to boost your ego! Surround yourself with support, if you have the privilege of a close group of friends or family, as it’s always nice to have loved ones to catch you when you fall – but if you feel as though, at this time, you don’t have anyone close by to support you & see you through, realise that you’ll always have yourself, no matter what. Be your own champion, stop relying on others to determine your self worth and enjoy the transition from adversity as a solo endeavour – you will gain emotional strength & character & come out the other side with positively renewed sense of love & respect for yourself.

Another important step in reclaiming positivity in the face of adversity is to not allow yourself to become the victim. When up against emotional or physical hardships it is so simple to allow yourself to become a victim of your circumstances; placing blame on someone or something that is disallowing you to prosper in your day to day. This is the easy road to a miserable rut – so break the mould and decide that you do not need someone elses permission to be happy. Decide that sometimes circumstances can not be helped, but misery and glum will certainly not assist in solving them. One fantastic way to overcome a bout of victim mentality is to throw yourself behind finding a solution. If someone close to you is ill, join in with a charity to fundraise for research into the illness. Be part of the solution. Choose to endure difficult times by focusing on big picture solutions rather than dwelling on your personal difficulties.

Overcoming personal misfortune makes way for happiness, look towards the light at the end of the tunnel and make the most of your experiences. Have you ever experiences unforeseen hardships - how did you deal with these hardships? How has adversity effected you?

Write a list: Organisation can be therapeutic. Get yourself in order for the day.

Take ten & enjoy a cuppa: take out cups have ruined the delight of drinking tea & coffee. It is an experience in itself and if you have the time to savour it, do so! Even if just for ten minutes, take yourself away from it all and enjoy your morning cuppa. Use it as time to collect your thoughts and decide what you’ll do with your day. Coffee/Tea break = the girl on the go’s version of meditation. Escape into your mug, just for a bit.

Journal your day a year from now: this time next year where will you be, what will you be, who will you be? Write a page in your journal in the voice of your future self. Be wild, crazy & ambitious. Dream big and remember that in your life, you are the leading lady and you will be every bit as amazing as you want endeavour to be- you just need to dream it first.

Get perspective & awareness: read a few articles from the world section of the newspaper (or online). Keep in mind what else is going on around the globe right at this very moment and be grateful for your situation. It is easy to be overwhelmed by workload and forthcoming tasks at the beginning of a week but it takes mere moments to realise that chance are, whatever it is we are facing in our week, pales in comparison to the plight of those existing in war torn devastation. It is ok to feel scared, upset and inundated but we should be grateful too.

Pop Muzik: regardless of the type of music you enjoy ordinarily, Monday is not the time for sappy ballads or hard out metal. A good dose of pop goes a long way towards improving your Monday morning mood- go for You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray for a few minutes of high intensity super joy or if that’s a little too bold for your sensitivities then jump on the Motown train and enjoy some old school tunes, I Want You Back & River Deep, Mountain High are some of TL’s favourites.

Stretch it out: grab 2 minutes of you time, lock yourself away in a loo cubicle if that’s what it takes and stretch it out, baby! Reach your fingertips up to the ceiling while stood on the tips of your toes. Yawn a huge big yawn. Stick your chest out, lean back, channel Shane Warne and stretch it out cricket style. You’ll give yourself an instant burst of energy & feel all limber & ready to tackle whatever the morning throws at you.

Twitterverse: tweet it up with the rest of the twitterverse, you’ll find inspiration, consolation & just a whole lot of fabulous. While you’re there, add TL.

Look fabulous: if you have an early start on Monday mornings, make life a bit easier for yourself and pick out your outfit on Sunday night. Lay everything out ready to go & wake up to a fab little ensemble all ready to slip into & strut your way to the train station. Do something a bit quirky & different, tie ribbons in your hair, wear frilly ankle socks, do your shirt all the way up to your neck & use a scarf as a makeshift tie, paint your nails hot pink & yellow. & remember, if everything goes arse up, at least you look cute, right?


How are you handling your Monday morning?

Why not?
Originally uploaded by trasguete

Introducing Why Not Wednesdays. This is the inaugural WNW and the very first weekly feature for Tres Lola. This weeks WNW is an indiscriminate melting pot of quirky merriment – but going forward each weeks WNW will be themed – feel free to submit your theme after the beeeeeep (or alternatively, in the comments).

Mixing up your everyday can make the difference between your week being a dull stint of time with indignant routine or a fun stretch of days between weekends that inspire and excite you. Given the choice, we would all be offering ourselves up for a dose of the latter, right? A spattering of glee, a dash of joy, a great ‘ol sprinkling of fabulous – bring on the everyday! Gain some perspective & look at the big picture – remember you’ve got only got once chance to have an awesome day today – tomorrow’s a new one but why not take Vodafones advice & make the most of now?

Write in pink pen

Paint your nails

Pop some cute stickers on your pc monitor

Wear a bow (tie!)

Tell someone how amazing they look – a stranger, your best mate, your boss – we often think someone looks fantastic but quite often fail to voice our praise & compliments can make your day – so, go on, share the love.

Pass the commute by using a permanent marker to doodle on your takeout coffee cup

Say please, thank you and have a nice day… & mean it

Spritz your favourite perfume in your hair

Write your mum a handwritten letter

Channel your childhood & replace your ordinary hairspray with some glitter spray

Bake some choc chip biscuits & take them into work to share

Try a new handcream

Have a play with your Windows theme and coordinate the appearance with your wall paper

Tie ribbons in your hair

Paint your toe nails even if no one apart from your ever gets a peek at your feet!

Try a syrup shot in your plain old latte

Not use calories as a deciphering factor in selecting what to have for lunch today. Calories = energy, energy = positive – let this be your mantra: enjoy everything in moderation!

NOTE: TL is aware that at this precise moment in time, it may be Tuesday where you are – please appreciate the international nature of the wonderful medium that is online – aussies & kiwis are leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of you (!!!) & so, keeping this in mind, WNW’s will endeavour to be published when it is Wednesday somewhere out there in the big wide world. Sweet as?

Fairy Bread
Originally uploaded by Mrs_Bear1981

It’s Wednesday and it seems that the world is in a worse mood then it was on Monday despite being 2 days closer to the weekend. What better to get your heart pumping, blood rushing, fingers typing, feet tapping … then a sweet treat? Introducing – sugar rush Wednesday - where we are kicking back with a delicious tribute to old school kids parties with these top treats to get you through the afternoon at work and well into the Thursday eve! Sound good?

One of the best parts of getting invited to your best mates 10th birthday was that you knew there was going to be a game of Pin the tail on the donkey, followed by some yummy treats like lollies & cocktail franks just to ensure energy levels weren’t too depleted to later enjoy a game of Duck Duck Goose.

Join TL as we pop on our bike pants and care bear tshirts for a jaunt back in time to the land of kiddie party central…. & smile – you’re half way to the weekend already!

Iced Milk Arrowroots (click)
1. Whip up a batch of icing and pop in a few droplets of your favourite food dye (pink, red, blue?!).
2. Ice the base of the Milk Arrowroot biscuit.
3. Decorate with lollies! Try adding a couple of smarties as eyes and a nose and raspberry liquorice or a jellybean as the mouth… pop on some 100’s and 1000’s (sprinkles) for hair and hey presto!


Fairy Bread (click)
1. Grab yourself some white bread, decrust if you fancy.
2. Butter the slice.
3. Cover it in rainbow sprinkles/100’s and 100’s.
4. Enjoy! (& do not utter a single word about calories)


Butterfly Cakes (click)
1. Whip up a batch of your favourite cupcakes
2. Once baked, using a knife, cut a small circle out of the centre of the cake – about 1cm in diameter.
3. Taking the circle cut out – slice in into two halves (this will be used later).
4. Fill the cut out section on the top of your cupcake with either your favourite frosting or some jam & cream.
5. Place the two halves into the frosting/jam&cream – at an angle to bear resemblance to a butterfly’s wings!


What is your favourite kids party treat? And will you be treating yourself to fairy bread instead of a salad sandwich is happy humpday?

Public Transport
Originally uploaded by potecina

If you commute to and from the city on week day mornings it would be easy to assume you’d actually gotten yourself lost in a procession of funeral attendees. Long faces looking like they’d belong better on someone who had lost their last friend rather than that of a commuter on their way to the office, pushy fellow commuters who are far to eager to give you a good hard shove in the back to ensure their place in the carriage, suits whose self loathing is matched only by their selfishness – cutting in front of you at ticket barriers and ticket machines….

And so, the joys of city commuting, with a mixture of equal measures immaturity and depression – it is hardly the most positive start to the day – so how does one avoid feeling like they’ve done a days hard yakka before they’ve even set foot in the office? Here are a few pointers… be sure to share your tips in the comments:

Listen to a bit of Michael Jackson on your mp3 player. Then some Bob Sinclair. Then the Time Warp. Smiling yet?

Switch over to Tiny Dancer – secretly imagine how great it would be if everyone started singing along, Almost Famous style.

Pay attention to the scenery that you pass, take black & white photos as you speed past.

Download some podcasts and use your time productively.

Dream up your next blog post.

Smile at the crankiest looking person within eye shot.

Profile your fellow passengers, imagine what they do, who they do (!), why they’re secretly smiling to themselves/looking so cranky. Dream up their story.

Take a pen and paper, get the creative juices flowing, write for a few pages – anything you think of, it need not be a masterpiece (or even make any sense), just write. Scribbles, blog posts, a play, poetry, letters, conversation observations…

Eavesdrop – sometimes people have the most fascinatingly odd conversations (See: Overheard in New York). Don’t feel bad for listening in, think of public transport conversations like a blog, if they didn’t want their story out there, they’d shut up.

Draw up a set of post it notes with kind words “SMILE!”, “Have an AWESOME day!!” … & stick them in different spots throughout the day for others to find.

Got your laptop? Create a slideshow full of all the embarrassingly funny moments from Friday night drinks to send around to the department at work. Make Monday fun for everyone (bar those who over indulged on aforementioned Friday night).


Alright, over to you – The best way to pass time on the [insert method of public transport here] is _________?

There is a great line in the romantic comedy, The Holiday, "You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for god's sake!". It certainly provokes an amount of thought on just how proactive you are being in striving to lead the best life you can for yourself. You don't want to be a runner up in this life- you want to be the star! And it makes perfect sense for you to be the star in your own story: why elevate someone else to be the lead in your life? The fantastic thing about stepping up to the plate and being your own leading lady is that it is a very achievable goal for each and every one of us. There is not merely one description to neatly slip your stiletto clad foot into. Your concept of leading lady is a construct of your imagination, dreams, hope & ambitions. It can be as wild as you wish and the character you envision to be striding into the lead possie in your story is bound to be miles apart from the leading lady your best girlfriends dream up. Taking lead role in your life is about actively seeking out your dreams & making the best of the opportunities you create.

"All the world's a stage ..."

++ You've got one lifetime to get it right. So keeping trying until you get there. Want it bad. Live and breath your dreams everyday. It will help pass the mundane routine. Means to an end, right?

++ Find out what makes you happy. Helping others. Buying shoes. Making your own clothes. Travelling the world. Volunteering. Baking cakes. Sewing pretty aprons. Dancing. Writing stories. Working in the big city. Riding horses in the country. Making music. Learning languages. All of the above? Once you've figured out your stuff, do it! Do it as much as you can, do it in a big, bold, insane way. Make it the main part of your life and remember you are JUST as entitled to spend your life doing what you love as anyone.

++ Try harder. Don't let a lack of experience or the fact you do not have a degree hold you back from being who you want to be. Don't cop out with lousy excuses. Push yourself until it hurts. You CAN do it.

++ Break the mold. You don't have to follow a path that has already been carved out. You really are only limited by your own imagination. You can be a musician and a scientist. You can be a fashionista and a librarian. You can bake cakes & cookies & be a lawyer. You can volunteer to build huts in South America and study nail art & hairdressing. You've just got to dream big and decide to make it happen.

++ Get yourself a role model. There are some really fantastic women out there doing what they love and leading the way. It can be anyone from Angelina Jolie who is a successful actress, mother and charitable ambassador or bloggers like Gilda, Loulou or Gala; girls following their dreams & documenting their journey.

++ Create your own social calendar/circle. Don't sit at home waiting for people and events to come to you. You will almost certainly not find the answer to a pumping social life in your living room. Be a social butterfly, call around your friends & organise get togethers. Look up whats happening in your area & get down to the cinema, theatre, gigs, art galleries, festivals. Be a tourist in your own town... you'll be amazed at some of the goings on you were previously unaware of... & you'll have a whole heap of fun, & maybe even meet a few fine new friends along the way.

++ Commit to inspiring & healthy relationships. So many people get stuck in relationship ruts. It is too easy to get caught up and become used to being surrounded by toxic people who put out negative energy that stops you from moving forward to a better place in your life. If your relationships are crippling you emotionally, work on them & talk through them. If they can not be fixed, reconsider whether this person (or people) deserves to be in your life. Living your best life includes ensuring you enjoy prosperous relationships. Form friendships with people that excite you and inspire you every day!

++ Choose a theme song. A song that takes you to your happy place. Your fabulous place! A song that feels like the soundtrack to your best possible life. A song that excites you, pumps you up and makes you want to get up sing, dance & shout with glee. Play it loud & proud into your headphones and strut your way down the footpath - smile to yourself and let people wonder what you're happy little secret is, all the while thinking about your plan of attack to make the world your oyster & fill it with fabulous!


Are you your own leading lady?

Day 221 06.16.08 ~ random acts
Originally uploaded by BjdReams

There a loads of movies and books dedicated to the subject of kindness without hope or agenda. It is not a difficult or hard to achieve concept - to do things everyday for the greater good with no selfish intent. It's about conducting your day with common courtesy and simple good manners. Living out kindness does not require massive changes in behaviour or routine, just small considerations with regards to ensuring you keep other peoples feelings in mind while going about your day. And while the ways to achieve this sort of manner of conduct are endless, lets start with a few simple ways you can make someone elses day a little brighter:

Saying thankyou, to the barista that serves your coffee, to the bus driver who lets you off by your workplace, to the drivers that stop to allow you to cross at the pedestrian crossing. Just because it's their job or your right does not mean a simple thankyou is redundant. A smile & kind word can make someones day.

Apologising. Cut someone off? Give them the wave. Step on a fellow shoppers toe in a busy store? Smile & say sorry! Saying a quick sorry can make someone feel a lot better in light of small & often unintended actions.

Holding open doors. Don't just push your way through leaving the door to slam in the face of whoever is behind you, slow down, turn and smile at the person & hold it open for 2 seconds longer! You never know who you're holding it open for... that person could really do with the helping hand... a mother with a pram, a student with their hands full... or just someone not expecting the helpful gesture.

Smiling at strangers. Simple. You don't need a reason. It need not be bold. Just a simple smile as you pass.

Pay for someone elses coffee. Pay for your own & leave a few quid to cover the next persons drink. Way to make someone smile, first thing in the morning!

Giving your train seat up for someone who needs it more. Don't bury yourself in your paper or become all consumed in your music that you miss noticing the pregnant/older/injured person struggling to stand. Jump up & do the right thing... it doesn't matter much to you, but it can make the less abled persons journey a lot safer & more enjoyable.

Listening to your ipod at a level that means the rest of the bus does not need listen too. If only everyone travelling on public transport would adhere to this one. Sometimes metal/techno/euro pop is not what you want to wake up to.

Keeping an eye out for shorties struggling at the supermarket & grabbing down items from those just out of reach high shelves for them. Many a time has a kind little old women injured herself falling after a grand effort to scale the shelves - you can save her ;)

Buying a copy of The Big Issue from street vendors. & tipping them a pound/dollar. These guys are having a rough trot of it, but they are out there trying to do something about turning their circumstances around. So cut them a break and grab a copy of this great publication.

Utilising public recycle bins, rather then just tossing rubbish into general bins, every little helps! At home and at the office most of us have recycling systems set up, but when we are out and about we tend to let the green clean living concept fly out the window. More and more city councils are implementing recycling bins in public areas, so if yours has, make sure to use them.

Giving your old clothes to a charity op shop/thrift store. One womans trash is anothers treasure. Your castaways could be someone elses delightful wardrobe glee or help out clothe someone less fortunate. If it is still good, don't trash it, thrift it!

Donating your time to a local charity. Most charities need more hands then they can get. So if you have a free Saturday morning, why not check out if any groups in your community need a hand.

Bake a cake & share it with your colleagues at morning tea. Bake your cake and eat it too!! It's an easy way to get in with your colleagues.


What random acts of kindness do you implement in your day?

Dream. Conviction. Love.
Originally uploaded by luos3r

"Look at you... You're already better than you think." (Jude Law in The Holiday)

Adoption of victim mentality used as an excuse to wallow rather than prosper.

Not accepting accountability for actions. Denying fault means nothing is learnt.

Using the term 'losing' when referring to weight. We are not losing weight, rather, we aregaining life.

Not truly believing in the power we have as individuals to provide massive change for the better. Many small changes compound to provide enormous change.

Whinging as an attempt to right or justify a wrong. Merely a poor reflection of self.

Having the tools to flourish but not the focus to see things through.

Believing too often the spiteful utterings of those around us. Their words are a reflection of themselves, not of us.

Lacking decisiveness & conviction to allow marvellous plans become marvellous reality.

Having too strong a conviction in the notion that whatever will be, will be. Not taking responsibility for the outcome of our life.

Ignoring our curiosity. Asking too few questions.

Not treating treats as treats. Enjoy everything in moderation.

Identifying the error of our ways is the first step to overcoming the barriers we come up against in our journey towards success & positivity.


What misconception is holding you back from prospering? What do you do to snap yourself out of negative routine?

Is the daily grind starting to, well, grind? Is Monday simply day 5 of the countdown to Friday? Does your life seem like all work and no play? If so, it's time for a shake up! Who says week days need consist only of work, eat, sleep, start over?! It's time to kick start you weekend: starting MONDAY. Enjoy & make the very most of you leisure hours. Here are some top tips to get started:

Celebrate a day well done with a glass of wine.

Spend a few hours watching your favourite television program or movie, uninterrupted. Turn off the mobile & laptop ...now kick back & relax.

Have a long soak in the bath, bubbles mandatory.

Stop by your local pharmacy & grab some face masks & hair treatments. Super cheap & top way to spend some time pampering yourself! While you're at it, moisturise from top to toe and paint your nails - enjoy quality me time.

Have dinner by candle light, romance yourself!

Have dessert & enjoy it.

Call a friend & plot your attack on the social scene for the upcoming weekend.

Dress up, do fancy makeup you wouldn't dare try regularly & take photos.

Dye your hair a new colour.

Write a letter to yourself, on pretty stationery, reminding yourself of all the fabulous things going on with you at the moment.

Stalk your local pet shop & play with the puppies.

Go to a coffee shop & sit for a nice long latte. Coffee is not just for the AM!

Drink tea out of fancy vintage tea cups.

Get a blender & some fruit and start experimenting with new smoothie flavours for that burst of natural energy you need each morning.

Dance to your favourite guilty pleasure music (PCD? Girls Aloud? Celine Dion? Shania Twain? Spice Girls? Mika? Elton John? Choices truly are endless!) in some knee high socks, your fave knickers set & high heels. Be sure to close the curtains to avoid your neighbours getting an unexpected show!

Listen to songs from your favourite musicals & imagine you're the star - pump up the volume & have your own mini karaoke fest. (TL loves & recommends: You Can't Stop the Music from Hairspray, Time Warp or Sweet Transvestite from Rocky Horror Picture Show or Downtown, Don't Leave Me This Way, Go West, Hot Stuff, I've Never Been To Me from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert)

Try on outfits for work, mix & match with your casual stuff and go for some bold accessories & pretty shoes. Take photos of your favourite ensembles to stick up on your wall for dreaded I-have-nothing-to-wear mornings.

Leave work before dark & watch the sunset.

If you live by the ocean, swing by on your way home & stare out into the azure abyss.

What do you to unwind / live it up mid week & avoid the slump of the daily grind?

DSC03551
Originally uploaded by treslola

We've all had days or weeks where the most attractive option seems to be that of staying in, wrapped in a doona, wallowing in our own self loathing - so how and when should we be snapping out of our pity party for one? Well, with enthusiasm & pizazz... and now's good.

The first step is identifying why you're feeling down. It could be entirely obvious, like a break up, an unsuccessful job interview, arguments with your family or friends. Or it might not be... is it that you are experiencing a general feeling of depression or that your feelings are part of a bigger problem that cupcakes in the park simply won't solve? If it is the latter, then it is time to start taking yourself seriously. Depression is painful and frustrating but fortunately there are ways to move past it - so if you are feeling down constantly or for reasons that you simply can not pin point, or if you find yourself gleeful one moment, only to be in the depths of despair a moment later - then haul yourself over for a chat with someone you trust or better yet, go see your GP. It is a huge step towards a better life and one you should be very proud of making - depression is not something to be embarrassed about - it is a problem that goes unrecognised for far too many young people & with only one life to make fabulous, there is no time to waste feeling down.

Once you've identified the things that are causing you to be less then your usual fabulous self you can decide upon a solution. The greatest thing about being discontent if life is the realisation that there are so many exciting ways forward and that the only way is up!


Chicken Soup For The Soul
Just as important as formulating long term plans and crafting exciting ambitions. You need to get your heart pumping and start feeling positive. Oprah recently said something that really struck a chord in regards to this striving to feel good, "Your feelings ... that's your soul talking". How wonderfully simple & true! Here are some quick and simple ways to start fixing those feelings that are reflections of your discontent soul - so that you can then start moving towards a more positive outlook:

Get creative: relieve yourself of negativity by placing your focus on doing something creative, rather than wallowing over the same depressing thoughts over and over. Whether your forte is baking, making jewellery, scrapbooking, webdesign, creating movies, singing, dancing, redecorating your home, writing poetry or prose - you are limited only by your imagination. So start now & put all your energies into creating something beautiful, amazing & unique.

Get your feelings out. Write them down or make a video. You need not share your feelings but simply getting them onto paper & out of your mind is a good way of telling yourself that your feelings have been acknowledged and that there is no need to continue to dwell. But writing them down you can also reflect back upon them and realise that you do not want to go down this road again - that you want to do better for yourself by being happy & positive.

Go for a walk. Even better if it's in the sunshine. Physical activity gets your heart pumping & makes you feel good. Enjoy the beauty that is the world. The trees, grass and sky. Discover a part of your neighbourhood you don't often see. Enjoy a sunset and contemplate the bigger picture.

Eat Chocolate. It's been proven that, in moderation, dark chocolate is actually good for us! Enjoy a few blocks of a really great quality dark chocolate... or a few truffles. It's a treat to yourself and one you need not feel any guilt over!

Make new friends. The most common piece of advice people give as to how to make friends is to join a club. Now, as a 20 something female who isn't too into sports or knitting or religious, what sort of club is it that we should be joining? GREAT question. Clubs are overrated (just TL's humble opinion). Classes on the other hand.... why not try yoga or pilates if you need a calming influence, a cooking class can be fun, salsa lessons tend to be rather popular... but if these are still not quite your cup of tea there is always getting a new job, some flatmates, volunteering or jumping online (online communities can be a wealth of super fabulous people & remember the old saying strangers are just friends you've yet to meet!).


Big Picture: Decisiveness
"The ability to make a decision is the force field that allows you to move forward in your life" Oprah

We get into ruts and moods of self loathing for any number of reasons but the solution to moving into a state of greater contentedness & appreciation for our own lives lies in decisiveness. Put simply: No matter how big or small your problems are, the only way to move past them is to make the decision to do so. Common sense, but as the saying goes, it is easier said than done.

One way that is pivotal in the process of moving towards what you want is in making it a real option for yourself. Realise that this life is the only one you get and despite what anyone may have ever told you- the world truly is your oyster and you can be whoever you want to be & do whatever you want to do. You are only limited by the barriers that you put up for yourself. The most successful people in the world are so because they believe in themselves and have pushed for what they want - you would be hard pressed to find someone truly successful that just had that success fall into their lap.

So make a plan. Write down what it is you want. It may be anything: Be happy single. Go to college to study literature. Live in a big city/move to the country. Make new friends. Find a style that feels like my own. Travel to Samoa. Learn how to salsa. Open a boutique & sell your own designs. Learn to be a barista.

Once you have decided what you want you can start looking at all the ways you can achieve this goal.

Do you need training? If so, are there specialist colleges or classes, can you get funding for your course & start today or will you need to save up, are there scholarships available.

Do you need on the job experience? Start writing letters & sending out your portfolio - dazzle people with your enthusiasm, roll with the punches & don't lose hope.

Do you need a business plan? Research others in your industry, speak to people, think about all the situations you need to cover, use the internet to learn more.

Do you need to save you pennies? Get a job, part time or otherwise, start drawing a plan for your goal (be it travel or college), write yourself a budget & stick to it!

Will all this plotting and planning to occupy your mind, before you know it you will be so preoccupied with moving towards something new & exciting that your pity party will be long over! And sure, things will get tough and sometimes the answer will seem only to lie at the bottom of several mugs of hot chocolate (and there is not a thing wrong with that for a quick fix). But remember to be strong and decisive & go get what you want. Most importantly realise that your wildest dreams & most ambitious goals are nothing short of what you what you truly deserve.

What do you want? What is your pity party quick fix?

The Sorcerer's Hat
Originally uploaded by iceman9294

Movies are made with the intention of entertaining us. Some are to inform us too, while others exist with the sole intention of making us happy and allowing us to escape, if only for 148 or so minutes. A lot of films can be dismissed too quicky when they actually hold the key to some fascinatingly insightful and thought provoking ideas. Quotes and messages can be overlooked due to the big budget of the film, or the genre by which it is classified - chick flicks and romantic comedies, for example, can truly be a treasure trove of memorable (albeit corny) mantras.

The best way to start each day is in a position of strength and the way to do this is through adopting a mindset of positivity from the moment you open your eyes each morning. You determine your own path and this is important on a day to day basis, not just when planning long term or looking to the future. A simple way to put your mind in the right place at the start of each day is through using affirmations and your favourite film quotes can make for some inspirational affirmations. Films have been carefully scripted - they are meant to be meaningful but are open to your own personal interpretation too, so take what you will from it and make it meaningful for you. Now, a few to get the ball rolling...


"I've only got one life, I want it to be a happy one" (Connie & Carla)

This little gem is from the film Connie & Carla (which is well worth a watch, it is tres fabulous). It is about enjoying life and realising that every minute that passes is one you won't get back. It is about making the most of now and ensuring you are having the best experiences.


"Start every day as if it were on purpose" (Hitch)

Now, if THIS quote isn't the single most fabulous thing to chant to yourself at the start of each new day, then can someone suggest what it? Start your day the best way you know how. Do what works for you - plan, eat breakfast, drink a bowl latte, go for a run, sit in the park & write, sleep in, listen to your favourite song while trying on 6 outfits, write a to do list, wear ribbons in your hair...!


"I just figured if I was going to make the world a better place I was going to do it with cookies" (Stranger Than Fiction)

This is about doing things for you - if you want to be a degree educated research analyst, if you want to argue cases in a court of law, if you want to own a cupcake parlour, if you want to be a veterinarian - do what you want FOR YOU and be who you want FOR YOU. Determine your own path and daily actions and do it because it is the best choice for you to make. Having an ivy league education doesn't make you any more accomplished or a better person than if you were to open a bakery or start a dog walking business or travel the world pulling pints to fund your trip. Step outside the mould & carve your own future. Forget what the world thinks & really concentrate on what you think & feel. Start today.


"Use death as your motivation to live better ... it is a surety" (Unknown)

Not too sure where this one came from, but if you aren't too fatalistic about deriving meaning, than it certainly could be looked at as a little boost of motivation! You all know the old saying, there are two sure things in life: taxes & death. Work with it. Say, "YES I'm going to be a goner one day ... but I'll be damned if I'm remembered as being anything short of FABULOUS!". Do something everyday to make someone else smile. Be who you want to be - dress how you want to dress, follow the career path you want to pursue, travel to the countries you long to see, take art classes, sit in the park for hours - live all your dreams no matter how big or small they may be - you've only got one chance.


What are your favourite movie inspired affirmations? How do you make the most of every single day?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY G+Wendi!!!
Originally uploaded by chocolate monster mel

"I just figured if I was going to make the world a better place, I was going to do it with cookies" Stranger Than Fiction


Life has a strange way of taking you to places you could never have imagined... and in ways that you never thought possible. Plans are cast aside to make way for incredible and unexpected journeys of realising dreams you never knew you had. 5 years plans are good to have, if even for the sake of creating a self assuring safety net to the tune of I-know-what-I-want-I-know-where-I'm-headed, a way of asserting some sort of control over existence and contribution to the world.

Plans allow you to describe yourself as ambitious and driven, striving towards something bigger, something better, something great. But sometimes finding yourself on another road, a world away from your 5 year plan, can be more fulfilling than anything that could possibly have been planned. That is not to say we should forget about fostering any kind of ambition and throw away carefully drawn up plans with reckless abandon. Rather, it is with an open heart & mind that we should go forward - enjoying the journey with ambition.. and flexibility.

Make Plans, Lots of them: Plotting & planning can be an exhilarating experience. Putting all your dreams and ambitions to paper is rewarding - the first step in actualising your dreams is saying them out. So write them, yell them, do them! Don't just write those which you perceive to be 'doable', write everything and anything you want to do with your life. Don't be afraid or limit your possibilities. Your life is a one time sort of a deal, so you best be making it a damned good one, right?

Be Open Minded & Embrace Change: Now that you've got your plans down, be willing to let them change or happen in some sort of backwards order. Who knows how your life will pan out - you could travel the world when you are 22 years old and complete a degree at 40. You could hit the big time with a career opportunity at 25 or you might have children at that age and realise career super stardom at 45. You might cram it all in before your 30 and then retire to a different lifestyle all together after that. You plans and actions give you some solid foundations by which to live but if other opportunity present themselves don't be too quick to turn them down just because they don't fit into your life plan. You might just end up living your best life by accident...

Create Your Experiences: While being open to opportunities is a super positive situation to embrace, it is equally as important to create your own. You can't stay curled up in your doona watching reruns of your favourite TV show & expect the world to come to you! (though this is a great way to pass SOME of your time) Putting yourself out there, experiencing new things or partaking more in those things you love are how you can create your own path. If you want to be an entertain, start busking or take classes. Don't wait to be "discovered". If you want to be a vet, volunteer at an animal shelter. Be proactive and bring your dreams into reality- it's up to you to make your life happen in a big & fabulous kind of a way.

Be Truly Present: This idea follows on from the previous. Once you start putting yourself out there and creating these great experiences, you need to enjoy them. Looking to the future is vital, sure, but there is no joy in constantly plotting & planning with disregard for what you are experiencing now. So it is with one eye on your sparkling future, and the other on your fabulous now, that you should go forward & celebrate life. Focusing too heavily on your past or future depletes your emotional energy & consequently your capacity for being truly present in the now.


What do you want to do with your life? Are you doing what you expected you would or have you found yourself on another path? How do you WANT to make the world a better place?

Nice, France
Originally uploaded by snapbits

As women we are quite quick to harshly reprimand ourselves over trivialities that we percieve to be negative and consequently spend a lot of time laden with irrational guilt. This prevents us from giving the best and most positive version of ourselves to the world. There certainly is some truth in the old saying if you don't love yourself, no one else will. It's time to relax the rules and be nice to yourself, physically and emotionally.


01. Spend an afternoon playing dress ups & discover or refine your personal style. If you feel as though your wardrobe needs an overhaul, make a trip to your local thrift store and pick up a few additional pieces on the cheap. Work out what you love to wear, not what you are used to wearing: What flatters your shape? Do you love skirts or are jeans your thing? Do bold bright colours fill you with delight or is a monochromatic chic look your enchantment? Looking good is feeling good and feeling good is looking good; it is worth getting a clear picture of your personal style. So thrift shop or dig through your wardrobe, dress up, take a bunch of photos of your favourite outfits and write yourself a personal style mantra in your journal or make a big poster to pin up inside your wardrobe. (also see article: How To Develop Body Love)

02. Grab a crayon & some paper and finish this sentence "I love my …………. !". Simple body affirmations like this are fundamental to developing an encouraging body image and vital to establishing a more positive overall level of self esteem. Particularly considering the amount of time us girls tend to spend focusing on whats wrong with our bodies. Embracing our unique characteristics (and realising that what looks good on your best mate or your favourite celeb will not necessarily look good on you), not only builds self esteem but it also allows you to radiate the glow of a girl who is comfortable with her body and loves it for what it is. (also see article: Detrimental Female Behaviours - Judge & Compare)

03. Do something indulgent that you have never done before like getting a french manicure, a full body massage or a facial.

04. Commit to going for a long walk around you local area for an hour or two, every weekend. It's a great way to get to know your area and to keep fit. Make it a social event by inviting along your best mates or you mum.

05. Eat fresh strawberries for breakfast. (also see article: Why You Should Be Eating Breakfast)

06. Learn to cook a healthy stirfry full of asian greens and lean pork or tofu (if you are vegetarian).

07. Journal positively everday. Write about the kitsch things you see, the compliments you receive, how you feel you about yourself in general, what you achieved, what made you smile, what got you out of bed. Fill your journal with photos and drawings from or representing your day so that upon later reflection you can be filled with positive memories. Try to write something everyday, no matter how seemingly indescript or simple.

08. Indulge in some "ME" time. Turn off your phone, take a long hot bubble bath and read a good book.

09. Don't make plans before midday on Saturday morning. Enjoy a sleep in and allow your body to become rejuvenated and refreshed after a long hard week.

10. Replace your alarm clock beep with a nice song, wake up in style. (TL loves waking up to Jay check out her website for a free download!)

11. Another ME time exercise: Go spend time in a coffee shop, order a fancy coffee and grab a newspaper or magazine & stay a while... have a coffee break with yourself!

12. Enjoy your food. Don't read the back of the box or ask the waiter to take out the whatever, order a regular latte instead of a skinny, don't think too hard & quit punishing yourself!

13. Pay it forward, think of it as earning karma points.. & enjoy the feel good sensation you good from doing something nice for someone, for no reason at all!

14. Take yourself down to the park on a sunny day, lay in the grass and watch the clouds go by while thinking about all the great things in life.

15. Journal your achievments - compliments, promotions, certificates, travel, moments of discovery (just realised your life passion?), savings goals, sporting personal bests, creating your own jewellery/clothing/scrapbook/baked goods.

16. Bake yourself some cookies or cupcakes. Decorate and frost them. Lick. the. bowl <3

17. Buy/pick yourself some flowers. Wear them in your hair, decorate your apartment, po on your desk at work.


What do you to remind yourself how awesome you are?

The general consensus is that, as far as consumerism goes, our generation are savvy and well informed. We consider ourselves knowledgeable enough to not be swayed by flashy campaigns and gimmicky products - but are we? And if we are persuaded by a campaign, say, a television commercial ("TVC"), does this mean we have been duped just because we have fulfilled the objective that the advertiser was aiming to achieve - or are we simply making an advised decision based on an option that has been well presented to us?

Television campaigns have the ability to work with potential consumers on a number of levels. They can introduce products to us or reinvigorate our interest in existing brands. They have 15 to 30 seconds, in most cases, to get across an idea and sell us a product. There is no time for build up, the TVC must be conceptually exciting and make a lasting & positive impression in order to convert to passive viewers to consumers driven sales. There are some TVC's worth every cent they cost to produce in that they will be remembered for months or even years to come. There are however others, that will do more detriment to a brand then anything else. For example, this commercial for Nando's certainly grabs the attention of the viewer, but for all the wrong reasons, the result is cringe worthy:



On the other hand, there are commercials that are simplistic and demand our attention is positive ways. This TVC for Cadbury is one such example, it was enormously successful in the UK in exciting the public once more with the Dairy Milk brand causing huge growth in product sales and consequently is now being aired around the world, check it out:



Another really great advertisement is this one for Telecom. It is a New Zealand advertisement for a telecommunications giant and makes use of their own technology coupled with the latest single from homegrown band, Elemeno P. The concept is innovative & the result is impressive, take a look:



Finally, this TVC is brought to you by a beer company now reknowned for their inventive & ultimately effective (BIG) advertisments that are now old enough, in TVC relativity, to be deemed classics. Take a look and you'll soon see why (hint: it involves a man, a leotard, leg warmers, flash dance & beer). Enjoy...



So what is your take on advertising - are we being duped or are you thankful for an advertisement that introduced you to a wonder product you otherwise would not have found? What is your favourite advertisement & why is it so great? - link us to youtube if you can, sharing is caring!

Art Journal Page
Originally uploaded by suzanbuckner--thriftycollageartist

While most of us dread the onset of rain invading our precious weekends, the reality is that you can still have a fabulous weekend in spite of the rain – you just have to get a little more creative. Picnics in the park, strolls by the water and dashing about town is off limits without gumboots and a brollie, but there are a ton of fun things you can do and stay dry and occupied in the comfort of your home.

01. Movie Marathon: An obvious choice, but there is a certain charm in having a good movie marathon whether by yourself or with your best mates. Grab a box set of your favourite TV shows or grab a bunch of flicks from the video store, set yourself up with a doona & some snacks & you’re good to go.

02. Bake: Whether you are an old hat with impressive culinary expertise or completely new to the whole baking game, there is no better time to pull out the mixing bowl and switch on the oven then on a rainy weekend. The smell of baked goodies throughout your home & the pay off licking the bowl eating cakes warm from the oven is most excellent! So pull out that dusty cook book or phone up your mum/grandma to steal some recipes and get to it! Try cupcakes or biscuits… then share them with your mates or impress your colleagues on Monday with your domestic prowess, it’s one cure for Mondayitis.

03. Rearrange / Redecorate Apartment: You know the old saying that a change is as good as a holiday so why not spend a few hours decluttering your bits and bobs and rearranging your furniture.

04. Post It Notes: Create a whole set of post it notes with compliments, thoughtful quotes & positive affirmations handwritten on them. Leave them around the apartment for your family or flatmates to find. Alternatively taken them into work and stick to your colleague’s monitors … a simple gesture is often enough to make someone’s day, or in the very least you’ll give them something to smile about.

05. Journal: Pull out that journal from under the pile of whatever and give it some love! It doesn’t matter if all it contains is your well intended New Years Resolutions, it’s never too late to get down your thoughts. Journaling can be quite therapeutic and it’s a great way to judge your emotional achievements in the future – reading old journals can be very insightful (& fun). If paper journals aren’t your dish, jump online and start your very own blog.

06. Girls Night In: Invite your friends around for a throwback to the days of your youth – have a girls night/slumber party, stay up all night playing sing star/karaoke or relive days gone by with games of truth & dare. Order in pizza & make up your own cocktails (get everyone to bring a bottle of something) … and have some good old fashioned fun!

07. Enjoy The Rain/Read A Book: Yes! A real one! And no, Cosmopolitan does NOT count. Curl up in bed with a good book and enjoy the sound of rain coming down outside!

08. Anticipate Sunshine: Make up some flavoured ice cubs. All you need is an ice tray, water and some fruit. Cut fruit into small pieces, pour water into ice tray, pop in a few portions of fruit, freeze - & in a few hours you’ve got yourself a great was to make water more exciting.

09. Get Crafty: Make earrings or beaded jewellery. Try altering some clothes, cut up t-shirts, crop old jeans, sew badges – your only limit if your imagination. If that sort of thing isn’t your cup of tea, why not use some card and photos or pictures torn from magazines to make up some personalised cards to keep in stock for when your friends birthdays or other celebrations come around. Your loved ones will appreciate the obvious effort you’ve gone to.

10. Write Letters: Even if you see your friends & family most everyday, there is nothing quite the same as receiving a hand written letter. So give it a go, write letters to your loved ones, decorated & handwritten, tell them how much better your life is with them in it!

11. Be Ambitious: Design your future business card. From the look, to your position, the company – the works! Visualise where you want to be & do it in style.


What’s your favourite way to spend a rainy weekend?

The internet is rife with fun and creative ways to express yourself & connect with others at the same time. Mixwit is a tool that provides a mash up of the best of both era's of music, providing users with the opportunity to enjoy the convenience of mp3's and the pleasing aesthetic & old school kitsch of a cassette tape. Once creating an account, users are provided with a profile and are invited to create a playlist and select or create a design for the music player in the style of a customizable cassette tape. It also allows it's users to connect as 'fans' and share their own mix tape compilations on their Mixwit profile, embed as a music player on a blog or share on a social networking profile (eg. myspace, bebo, stumbleupon, twitter etc). Think of it as Polyvore for music!

A good way to get the creative juices flowing, ease the boredom on a rainy weekend and find like minded musical souls... This compilation is a super basic example of what can be done with Mixwit. It's a party inspired mix - the sort that might be background music while a few glasses of champagne are enjoyed with your favourite girlfriends as the final preparations are made for a night on the town; for some much more creative mix tape designs, why not have a quick look here, here & here.

Are you using Mixwit? Log on & create your own mix, connect with TL and share the music love! Be sure to share a link to your mix in the comments too!

Photos in B&W

Most girls are guilty of spending a slightly alarming sum on magazines each month. But how much bang do we really get for our buck? Once you've ignored the pages of advertising, how much quality content are you really left with? Well, perhaps not as much as you'd like- nonetheless, we will all continue to indulge in these intriguing little modern day life manuals or journals of social commentary, if you like. They teach us, inspire us and inform us. So lets explore a few ways to ensure you get the most value out of your magazines.

Some might cringe at the mere thought of this concept, but here goes: toss it in the recycle bin. This way it can be turned into another fabulous magazine, right? Can't bring yourself to 'destroy' the mag? Read on...

Do a good deed and give it over to a local doctor’s surgery or women’s refuge.

Use the fashion pages for a dose of daily inspiration: hang a piece of string across your apartment/room (eg. like a clothes line) and use wooden pegs to pin up your favourite pages. Change these as your tastes change and use old favourites to decorate notebook pages.

Cut out your favourite pictures & quotes (or use typography from headings to form your own words, ransom letter style!) and make up some personalised greeting cards. Just grab some light card paper from your local newsagent or art store & get creative. Think coloured pens, glitter, heart shaped stamps, ribbons & scissors that cut funky zig zag edges.

Pin your favourite makeup tutorials to your mirror for some guidance & inspiration, & to remind you of tips & techniques when getting dressed up for the day.

Create a scrapbook compilation of recipes from the food section (weekend newspapers are also good for us one). You've got yourself a DIY cookbook!

Decorate your shoe boxes with photographs & favourite quotes (see: Decluttering Article) or use cut outs to cover your school/uni folders or day planner.

Scan your favourite fashion page each month and use as your desktop wallpaper.

Make up a scrapbook of your favourite feature articles for quick future reference. Having all your favourites in the one place means you can pop it into your handbag for some reading on your commute to work or for some light summer reading when laying out catching some sunshine.

Get travel inspiration: cut out pictures from the travel section and glue them into your moleskine so you can plot & daydream about your future travels to faraway lands.

Commit to writing at least one page in your journal once you've finished reading each magazine. Reading other peoples work, as you do when perusing a magazine, will get your creative juices flowing & getting your own thoughts down on paper can be really beneficial; from simply acknowledging your thoughts to developing your writing skills. You can write on any subject you so desire: your ideas pertaining to what was touched on in the magazine, your reaction to the celebrities that were featured, issues that you feel were not explored to your liking & how you'd have written them or even a mock up letter to the editor. Once you've done writing your own little magazine inspired commentary, read your thoughts aloud (a la Miss Bradshaw - imagine you are narrating your own episode of YOU & the City WORLD!).

What do you do when done with your magazines?

Existing in an unorganised environment can be linked to how we look and act. Professional organiser (and decluttering extraordinaire), Peter Walsh, backed up this particular theory recently when he said "I do not believe you can separate how you live with the vision of who you are", he went on to went on to explain this school of thought in saying "...how you live is who you are ... in terms of your mental outlook". This theory comes from realising that despite being made up of a number of aspects of self (emotional, physical, lifestyle) you are only a whole person when considering all parts, realising that they are inextricably linked to create who you are and acknowledging that you can not simply compartmentalise your life.

The concept of linking a cluttered physical environment to a less than fabulous existence is not a new one, it could even be considered common sense. The difficulty is in accepting that you are still going to be you with or without your "stuff". In a lot cases, that "stuff" you are hoarding is not exemplifying the best version of you. Depending on the type of stuff you are harbouring, it can be anchoring you to your past and distracting you from making the most of being truly present in everyday.

Recognising The Two Types Of Clutter
Peter says there are two types of clutter: "I might need it one day clutter" and "Memory clutter ... stuff that keeps you in the future or the past ... [meaning] you can't live right now ... [and] you can't imagine what it is like to get back into the present". Most of us will have clutter of both varieties. It is important to recognise why you have the stuff you have as this can help you break the ties with that stuff. Most women have a particularly hard time decluttering & letting go of pieces from their wardrobes, simply letting them expand exponentially until the built in wardrobe has turned into walk in closet encompassing what was once a bedroom (with only one third of what exists within ever actually seeing the light of day). Throwing out old shoes does not mean you will forget the memories of your favourite nights on the town in those heels just as parting with that too small little black dress will not be something to regret if you ever return to that dress size. In the spirit of acceptance and moving forward, recognise that we are blessed in that we have access to whatever we could possibly want or need almost whenever we want or need it (& yes you will find another fabulous LBD that actually fits).

Personal Chaos Threshold & Clutter Mentality
It is also important to recognise that each of us have our own person 'chaos threshold'. The point at which we can allow the mess to get to before we overhaul with a mini spring clean. To use our wardrobes again as a metaphor; for some, the chaos threshold is reached when there are more then 3 pairs of shoes that have been thrown aside rather than placed on the shoe rack, for others it is coming to the realisation that they are down to the last pair of clean knickers and the remainder of their wardrobe is now dirty and making itself at home on the bedroom floor. However, being used to living like this should not be used to excuse an untidy environment. You may feel accustomed to living in a bit of a squalor but that does not mean you need to keep accepting it! You should also be able to recognise that you have the potential to flourish when your surroundings are in line with you personal vision for your most marvellous self. Don't confuse a routine of mess with what is best for you; take a stand and be critical of your environment. Remember that everything you do in the practice of decluttering is not to punish yourself; it is to push you towards a better place, one where your environment can reconcile with your ambition to be the best you can be.

Affirmative Actions To Declutter & Gain Life
Here are a few points to get you started on decluttering your environment:

Start in your wardrobe. Be brutal. Pull everything out onto your floor. You now have 3 minutes to go throw and pull out only the things you are absolutely certain you want to keep, use your first instincts, if you have to weigh up the pros and cons then it stays on the floor. Next go through and make a pile of anything you've not worn in the past 6 months, it's gone (this is a perfect example of "I might need it one day clutter" - you haven't needed it & you won't need it!). Anything that doesn't fit can go in the 'gone' pile too, saving jeans as inspiration to drop a pants size very rarely leaves you feeling positive when you spot them, they might have once been your favourite old faithfuls but times change & so it is time to adios the old and accept that YOU WILL find a new favourite pair, that fit you just as you are. Got the general idea? Remember not to literally throw any of your old clothing out, take it all down to your local charity store and revel in the fact that you have not only helped yourself but you've also done a good deed for charity!

Organise papers & trinkets such as payslips, receipts, journal notes, pens, accessories & costume jewellery and notebooks into old shoe boxes. Decorate the shoe boxes with your favourite photos or cut outs from newspapers and magazines. It's cheap, easy, fun & will make you want to keep your important bits and bobs organised. Use a labeller to help remind yourself which box is which.

Overhaul your work environment. If you work in an office, clean out your in tray (yes, even that pesky invoice that you've been putting off for the last 3 weeks). Resolve to have an empty in tray when you walk out the door at the end of each day. A good way to do this is by adopting a fantastic little tip into your mentality: Touch each piece of paper/email once only. Action everything as soon as it falls into your hands, putting things off is what creates clutter & backlog (& subsequent work related stress)!

Don't try and be perfect: allow yourself a 'junk drawer' to throw bits and pieces into every now & then (you know you have one!). Just don't allow your junk drawer to become a junk bench, or junk room! Also do a regular clean out of the junk drawer, file away the important stuff and chuck, recycle, ebay or thrift the rest.

Take photos pre clean up & another post clean up. Notice the difference and pin up the photos to remind yourself of where you were and how far you've come - it will help you get a realistic sense of your own progress and maintain a clutter free environment.

Use personal affirmations. Scrawl them in your journal, write them on your wall, chant them to yourself, do whatever it is that floats your boat. Make reinvention an affirmation. Another great affirmation to create is about the real importance of the things you own. Don't mourn the loss of your stuff when you declutter. Be present in your life: enjoy your relationships & events. Accept that the physical stuff in your home, office, wardrobe will all come and go and that is okay. You are still you with or without red heels, 5 year old size 8 jeans, emails & txts that have made themselves home in your inbox for the last year and those once quirky, now kitsch, deck chairs you once found for cheap in a yard sale but have never come to use.

Bookmark Peter Walsh's website and take note of his Tip of the Day section, you'll thank yourself for it!

Also see this great poster over on Zen Habits: Life Laundry Day.


What is cluttering your environment? How do you declutter? What benefits do you achieve as a result?