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?

1. With nothing except an amazing bra underneith, hit the town in the Shane inspired look. Sass central!


vest&jeans by Tres Lola

2. Wear over a plain collared shirt for a corporate day time look that will take you from Plain Jane to Sassy Sally! Corporate fashion need not be boring.


vest+shirt+corp by Tres Lola


3. Add some pizazz to your regular old tshirt and jeans combo.You can dress up this look with a pair of skyscraper heels or go casual with a pair of faithful converse flats.


jeans+vest+streetstyle by Tres Lola


4. Pair your vest with a pair of blue denim jeans and a tucked in collared ruffled shirt. Add a few strings of costume jewellery for a casual yet classic & classy look. Grab a few vintage accessories & you're good to go for a trip to the art gallery. Oh la!


vest+arty+chic by Tres Lola


How do you wear your black vest/waistcoat?

Film noir (2)
Originally uploaded by elmiguel

“Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as stretching from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style…” Wikipedia

Wear long black silk elbow gloves.

Use black liquid liner to emphasise you eyes, encapsulate the sexy sultry female leading lady mode in a glance. Emphasise your lips with red lipstick, apply with a lip brush for accuracy & stay.

Ditch your opaques for the day in favour of sheer black seamed stockings. Better yet, go for sheer seamed thigh high suspenders for the ultimate in femme fatale style stealing.

Forget colours & glam it up with sophisticated monochromatic black & white.

Strut your stuff in sky high ankle strap patent black heels.

Show off your curves in a high waisted pencil skirt.

Capture femme fatale character; go forth into today with strong will, femininity and a little mystery - but leave it at that – appropriate only the desirable traits of the femme fatale – no dark, cunning manipulation & murderous endeavours need be applied ;) See Lauren Bacall, not Jane Greer.

Part your hair, slightly left of the centre, and style with neat & precise loose waves/curls. Hold in place with a spritz of strong hold hairspray.

Photograph your femme fatale get up in black & white (& share with a link up in the comments!). Make use of light & shadows in true film noir style. Take a gander at this flickr group for some inspiration.

Organise a girls weekend – hit the vintage / op shops, dress up in your new found pieces, take a series of noir photographs and then enjoy a night with a movie marathon film noir style. Better yet - get the boys in on it too! You won't know your boy friends when they're all dapper as film noir men.

bourjoisbrushfoundation
Originally uploaded by treslola

“For a beautifully unified & perfectly smooth complexion”

For years us girls have struggled with a makeup mini crisis: endure the mess of hand application of liquid foundations or the hassle of lugging about expensive makeup brushes to gain a long lasting even finish. French makeup company Bourjois has come up with the perfect answer for the busy yet aesthetically aware girl on the go in the form of their latest offering, Brush Foundation. Coming in a range of shades with one bound to suit your skin colouring, struggle no longer with this top makeup choice.

Put simply, Bourjois’s brush foundation is a liquid foundation with built in brush. It’s easy to apply; using a click button at the base of the handle to release a small portion of foundation straight onto the brush tip. What results is a well blended matte finish without the mess of traditional liquid foundations. By avoiding application with using your finger tips you are effectively ensuring a longer life for your foundation and therefore better value for your hard earned dollar! Application straight from the brush to your face means that no foundation is wasted soaking into your hands.

The convenient and attractive packaging of the product reflects the makeup itself, with its feminine baby pink print on an edgy black backdrop. It is small enough to pop in your handbag but not so small that it would get lost amongst the clutter of your beauty cabinet – or run out after just a few applications.

Just in case you need any further persuasion as to the merits of this great new foundation, Bourjois is a company with a conscious; they assure their public that they do not test their products on animals. Bourjois Brush foundation is available at pharmacies & department stores at a price comparable and competitive to the rest of the high street style makeup market, the key different with this product is that you need not worrying about the expense and bother of buying & cleaning brushes. For more information, see the official website.

NOTES: TL was not remunerated in any way for the above product review. It is a merely an endorsement from a genuine consumer view point. Please do not hesitate the writer with any questions you may have.

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?

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?

There is very little joy in showering in communal washrooms, but from time to time, in the lives of wanderlusting nomad types, it must be done. Communal shower blocks can range from manky pits, inducing fear & turning the stomachs of even the most hardened travellers, right through to those that are more on the 'clean, simple and not too scary' end of the scale. The first step is to decipher which category the communal showers you are considering use of fall into. If it is the former, then perhaps a better consideration would be to pick up some baby wipes, a can of deodorant and some dry shampoo - travelling proves just how long, if pressed, one can go without hot running water as a means of staying clean. If the shower block looks like it could be braved, than there are a few basic tips you can follow in order to have an experience that is not entirely grisly:

THONGS
aka flip flops, jandels, pluggers etc
Wear them. No matter how clean it looks, these are an essential item. You can't see the icky germs that spread fungal foot diseases, but chances are you'll see them on your own feet if you go for a dip without thongs. When sharing foot space with fellow communal shower buddies, it is better to be safe than sorry - foot fungus is one thing you DO NOT want to be sharing, right?

PLASTIC/CALICO BAG
This is for your bits and pieces (ie. clothing & shampoo). Most showers will only have one hook (obviously designed by males), very few will have bench space to leave you clothing on and the floor of a communal bathroom is the last place you want to be putting your clothing. To solve this problem of space, take with you a plastic or calico bag, hang it on the hook and pop all your bits and pieces into the bag while you shower.

PROPER ATTIRE
Wear shorts and a singlet or as little as decently possible. As previously mentioned, space is a hard to come by commodity in the communal showering business, so taking in as little possible makes for a much more pleasant experience. A towel and some fresh knickers plus whatever you are wearing (inclusive of thongs) should do it. If you try changing in and out of jeans or long pants you'll end up with wet pants... which isn't too pleasant.


Where is the oddest place you've had to shower & what are your top tips? How long have you abstained in order to avoid showering in a place that looked as though you'd come out dirtier than you went in?!

DSC03847
Originally uploaded by treslola

As far as accessories go, socks are severely underrated. With the abundance of options offered to us by retailers, we should no longer view socks merely as a means of warming our feet & avoiding the evils of foot / boot odour (!). We should be embracing socks in all their patterned, coloured glory, wearing them with pride & showing them off with confident delight. Not only are socks are simple way to do up your outfit but they are also quite a cheap addition to your wardrobe.

As with most accessories, there are plenty of options as to how you wear your socks (obviously, on your feet is a good start) and with experimentation and over time you'll find your own personal sock accessorising style!


Where to Sock Shop
A great place to start is a department store such as Kmart, Farmers, Big W, Myers etc. They tend to have a wide variety at hard to beat prices and you will often find sale bins & mark downs. If you are lucky enough to have smaller feet you might even be able to sneak a peak in the kids section - they get spoiled with some wonderfully cute sock choices!! Otherwise, head for the ladies underwear section and let the sock fun begin: pick loads of varieties and styles, from retro cute to patterns, to basics, to bold colours - don't be "safe" or stick to the one colour or type of sock - be open minded and think about how you could wear certain socks to contrast or enhance your existing wardrobe.

Chain stores such as Dotti, Glassons and Supre also have a selection of socks in current season styles & colours. Even if you usually try to avoid "trend shopping" there are often a few great basic style socks that can be found for a decent price at chain stores, such as black or grey knee highs or cute argyle socks.


Types of Socks & How to Wear Them
There are loads of different types of socks with different lengths, colours, patterns and materials on offer. When shopping for socks, getting a wide variety is important but so to is considering your current wardrobe & shoe collection. For instance, if the majority of your shoes are boots that come to mid calf height, a good style of sock would be knee or thigh high - any shorter & they would be hidden away!

Knee High socks are a versatile choice as they look fantastic peeping over the top of a pair of winter boots and equally as wonderful teamed with a pair of flats, emulating school girl or asian street fashion.

Argyle patterns are hot for replicating a vintage school boy look. Try with some grey shorts and a white ruffled blouse, add braces if you're feeling a little bold!

If you are looking to add a little something to an all black outfit, a bold colour such as royal blue or red can be just the accessory to lift from blah to bling.

Mid Calf length socks can look really cute with a pair of plane mary jane style heels. Use a cute pattern and work it! See above picture for an example.

Plain coloured ribbed socks can be a great addition to your corporate wardrobe. They are simple enough to be acceptable in an office environment, but stylish enough to add a little pizazz to regular corporate get up.


Tips

Have trouble keeping your socks up? Wear them over opaque stockings, or relive your school days by using a (non toxic) glue stick to stick them to your leg (!) or use a loop of elastic (you could use a thick rubber band or hair tie) to sit around the top of the sock (folding down over the elastic to conceal).

If your thighs are a problem area for you, try knee or just above knee socks rather then thigh highs to avoid finding 'thigh love handles' hanging over the top of your socks ;)

To ensure your socks last, treat them with care and if they are detailed or a little flimsy take the time to hand wash them rather then putting them through a rigorous machine wash with the rest of your clothing.

Dedicate an entire drawer to your socks and only your socks. Not just a corner of your underwear drawer... this way you'll have more space to keep then tidy & find just what you need, when you need it.

If lovely long legs is what you are after, grab yourself a pair of ribbed tights/long socks... they give the appearance of legs that go on and on and on and on and onnnnnnnnn!

Get the right size - too big is certainly not a good thing when it comes to socks. Make sure the ankle of the sock sits on your ankle, not half way up your calf!


How do you wear your socks? Have you got a favourite pair?

Shanelle goes shopping:)
Originally uploaded by ☼ giselaw's photostream

Shops, boutiques, thrift stores, super sales, malls, promo banners, music, people, bargain bins, window displays - us girls can get led astray & somewhat sidetracked in the pursuit of the discovering ultimate new additions to our wardrobes; but we can take steps to helping ourselves not end up in Shopaholics Anonymous & with a bad case of fashion induced debt!

A good starting point is to take heed of the words of the utterly delightful Ms Dita Von Teese, as reiterated recently through the equally delightful Miss Corinne. Now, say aloud:

"'I won't buy anything unless it's more amazing than what I already have on.''


...now theres some words to live shop by....


Mix it up: go into stores you don't often frequent, or ones you've never once stepped foot into before. It will open your eyes to a whole world of fashion possibilities that you hadn't imagined. Even swanky stores you haven't previously shopped because, say, it tips the scales a lot on the side of 'way out of my price range', your truly never know you luck- most stores have bargain bins, sale items, or more affordable versions of their style in the way of accessories like jewellery, scarves or brooches.

Shop with friends: not the ones you always shop with. The ones that have a fab sense of style and with whom you've not shopped with before. Don't be afraid to ask a girlfriend out for a day of hitting the shops & stopping for juice breaks - You'll discover boutiques, thrift stores or wee corner racks you never knew existed, you'll discover new ways to wear old favourites and most of all you'll have fun & stop each other from any potential tragic sale induced fashion indecisions.

Try Lots On: there is some stuff you will simply adore when you catch it on a mannequin or hanging on the shelf but once its on you... disaster? On the other hand, there are some items you will think are a little kitsch, but for one reason or another you'll give it a chance & head on out to a change room for a round of dress ups & hey presto, you've found an absolute winner. Pick up a whole truck load of stuff, stuff you love, stuff you like, stuff you would never usually think to buy... & try it ALL on. Don't worry about the change room girl giving you dirties when you hand her the 8 items you're not taking - that's what she is paid for. Trying your items on before heading to the till will ensure you are getting whats right for YOU, rather then whats right for the plastic mannequin in the store window - not all trends work for all people - your wardrobe, your style - TRY IT ON!

Surf Fashion Blogs: there are some truly inspired girls & guys out there in the blogosphere. Check out fashion bloggers that post their style in way of daily outfit shots & join Chictopia for a whole community of inspirational fashionistas... you can even share your own style!

Daily Outfit Photos: start doing daily photos of your outfits. Or at least a-few-times-a-week-outfit-photos. It will help you get a real sense of your sense of style and in turn will allow you to develop your style. That and it will be loads of fun to look back over in the months & years to come. It'll be a chronicle of your personal style - like a journal of your wardrobe <3 Grab your camera, join Flickr or Chictopia and get started today.


What do you do to stay on style target & avoid the common pit falls of shopping for clothes?

If you work an office job, then chances are you spend quite a significant chunk of time at your desk. You could perhaps, unfortunately, liken it to a second home. While organisation & order is key when coming to creating a productive work space – your desk should reflect a piece of you too. It’s all well and good for your desk to be the epicentre of industrious work related output, but without some personal touches, it can quickly become an idle and mundane environment. You want your work space to enable productivity – not prevent it! Having a desk that is organised and personalised is the best way to remain productive & get inspired while on the job.

Food & Drink stash – maintaining a healthy diet is an issue unto itself, but if you are the type of person who enjoys a snack and you find yourself ducking out of the office at 10am and 3pm to pick up a bag of chips from the convenience store down the street, a good way to save time and money is to stock up. This way you can also enable a more positive diet by preselecting snacks that are in line with what you want to be eating. Keep a box of muesli bars, cereal, dried fruit, herbal tea or whatever you so desire in a desk drawer.

Bottled water – this one is more about organising your health then it is about organising your desk. But if you are spending 8 hours of your day sitting at your desk, why not keep a bottle of water handy. It will save your going back & forth to the kitchen and you’ll easily consume those illustrious 8 glasses a day!

Spare change – good for parking meters, vending machines, coffee breaks, bus tickets home and so forth. There when you need it; it means you don’t need to be digging through your bag in the hope of finding junk change at the bottom.

Desk organisers – pick out a colourful desk organiser to store all your pens/highlighters/correction tape/scissors/etc in. This way you are reducing the amount of clutter about your desk and it also means that you have everything you need at your fingertips, right when you need it.

A place for everything – this is an obvious one, but one that a lot of people fail to put into practice. Ensure there is a place for everything on or around your desk. Don’t leave your desk as you have had it assigned, change it to suit your job and daily tasks. If you require an IN TRAY, make sure you have one, if you don’t, get rid of it to decrease the amount of redundant gear on your desk. & clean out your filing. Yes, the bottom drawer, that you never actually file things into. Clean it out, utilise the space properly & to your advantage. If filing & organising paperwork isn't your thing, make it a little more fun, order in some colourful files and get a colour scheme going. In the very least it will be nice to look at and when people ask you for something you can instruct them "oh, it's in the hot pink file over there by the yellow folders".

Diary– keep a paper diary on your desk to write down the things you need to remember, people names & numbers, meetings, errands, daily task lists. In this world where we are so heavily reliant upon electronic means of organising our schedules and tasks, the merit of a paper day diary is often overlooked. It can be immensely useful for keeping track of important information and progress and act as a back should you be unable to access your electronic calendar / contacts list.

Computer - keep your desktop icons organised and download a wallpaper to personalise (if your company allows this). Make your PC your own. Subscribe to your favourite blogs in Google Reader so you can quickly skim the content when you need a 5 minute break from work tasks.

Personal Touches – pin a few photos of your favourite people up (a digital photo frame is great if you can afford it, won't take up much space & will flick through all your favourite photos for a bit of variety). If that is not quite your style, try pinning up your favourite photos of travel destinations or Vogue's fashion pages. Another idea for a hit of aromatic style inspiration is to keep a fragrance card spritzed with your favourite perfume (from your local department store) on your desk. It will lightly scent your work space - bring to your nose, breath deep & capture the aroma for a calming & invigorating hit you need first thing in the morning or mid afternoon. Write your favourite inspirational or funny quotes on post it notes and keep them in a drawer. Each week, take one out and pin it on your PC or wall - for a little bit of positivity throughout the week. An important thing to remember with personal touches such as photo collages on notice boards is that too much can cause the projected image of clutter- making you feel snowed under when, in actual fact, you have work related tasks under control. Be sure to keep personal touches neat for optimal effect!


What do you do to make your work space a little more comfortable? What inspires you at work?

By all means skip right over this article if your intention is to mourn or pull off a gothic aesthetic. Hiding something (like your tummy or thighs rather than, say, a coat full of hidden candy a la Marge Simpson)? Read on, there is some merit in working with black!

Black is a staple colour in the wardrobes of many women and it’s virtues as a flexible & essential part of any wardrobe are endless.

Black can be a classy and sophisticated look for a corporate office or business function.

Black can be minimalistic and chic.

Black can be your wallpaper to a bold statement!

Black can be fantastically slimming (thus the little black dress as a wardrobe essential).

Black can be flexible & can be mixed and matched with almost all of the other colours in your wardrobe.

Black doesn’t show dirt as easily (for the clumsy in all of us).
…need we go on?

But if you do choose to dress up in blocked black, rather than piecing it together with other colours, that doesn't mean you should sacrifice style and pizazz. The best way to work with an all black (there’s one for the kiwi’s) outfit is amp up the accessories.

Glamorous
Spend a Saturday morning perusing the local markets & thrift stores in search of a vintage style brooch or two. Pin them onto your outfit however you see fit. Throw on some pearls for some more old world charm. If vintage isn’t your cup of tea, a few silver bangles, an understated simple matching necklace and some drop earrings will look equally as glam. Hot pink fingerless gloves are rather girly glam too, if that's your game.

Sophisticated
So you’ve got your hair styled in a sleek bun & you’re black pants suit is ready for action, but you can’t help but feel a little something is missing? That would be your dear friend COLOUR! For something simple and inoffensive that will not detract from your sophisticated get up, try some red lips & coordinate with a red ribbon in your hair. Some plain gold or silver jewellery can also work a charm with the sophisticated style, try a few bangles & a chain.

Modern Chic
Black is simple and chic already so if chic is the name of the game, keep it that way. Try some white opaque stockings for an effortlessly smart look. You could team this up with a simple silk scarf or tie around your waist, neck or wrist.

Bold
Black is the backdrop for your marvellous accessories, so work them! If bold is what you’re after then a the best place to start is by pinning a huge bow in your hair. Loulou Loves You has a fantastic range that will make you stand out from the crowd in the best possible way. Team with some bright patent pumps (go for yellow or hot pink) and you are ready to own the footpath & storm the city!

Corporate / City
Black trench’s are a greatly versatile wardrobe option for the cooler months but whatever cute ensemble you’ve pieced together underneath ends up lost in a sea of black. To make your black coat pop with a bit of attitude, try cinching it at your waist using your favourite belt, go for red or electric blue! Match with your shoes & you’re all set.

Other Tips:

- Use a satin tie (the sort of tie you might get with, say, a satin robe) to cinch around your waist when wearing a black shirt/shirt dress. It is simple, elegant and looks great.

- Decorate your collar with your favourite earrings (perhaps reserve this for your not totally exxy pieces as the earrings will leave slight marks in the fabric!). Like wearing inch badges but much more unique!

- Wear coloured stockings, rather than plain black opaques. Be sure not to go overboard (ie. if you choose hot pink or yellow tights, tone down the rest of your accessories). If you’re feeling a bit daring why not try ripping and cutting them off below the knee, trainee ballet style?

- Steal your boyfriend/brothers ties & use as cuff or tie loosely around your neck.

- Layer up on the chunky beaded necklaces.

How do you dress up black?

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!

Glamour is not for me...

While we may not be of the aristocracy to have our own staff fussing about & feeding us grapes from the vine ... or be so environmentally ignorant that we bath in a tub of milk, as Cleopatra was known to, we certainly can take charge of our style and inject a little glamour into our day. Avoid the usual mundane, lazy routine of falling out of bed & into whatever clothes you've found on the floor. Take some pride in your aesthetic & put some effort into feeling pretty - for no reason other than to impress yourself with your own glamorous prowess.

There are loads of different ways to add a touch of glamour to your day, be sure no to try them all at once!

Why Not:

Doll up with some red manicured nails.

Match with red lipstick.

If red lips aren't your thing, try same clear gloss with dark smokey eyes.

Dress up a little, try some satin elbow length gloves.

Pin up a disco ball in your bedroom & dance.

Go incognito, pop on a pink bob (see image) & go do your groceries/sit on a park bench/walk the dog.

If you work in corporate, steal some style tips from the Mad Men girls: Joan and Betty.

Dress up an outfit with a string of pearls. Borrow some from your grandma's jewellery box or pick up a faux set from an accessory store like Diva or Equip.

Instead of wearing regular stockings to work, try some sexy suspender stockings - no one will know but you; secret, sexy and glamorous.

Invest in a pretty white dressing table with a big oval mirror. Take time to apply your makeup & brush your hair.

Wear some pretty satin knickers, it doesn't have to be a special occasion.

Pop on a beret or other cute hat- whatever style you've been simply dying to try... hats can really dress up an outfit.

Drink a flute of champagne in a bubble bath.

Use a huge fluffy white towel & robe after showering; hotel style!

Wander about an art gallery in high wasted trousers, a collared shirt & black rim glasses. Stand tall, walk leisurely and gaze about the room - own it!

Look to some icons of timeless glamour and beauty for inspiration: Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth.

Host a black & white themed cocktail party.

Emulate old style Hollywood glamour. See this great guide on how to do Old Hollywood Glamour Hair.

Think Carrie Bradshaw, dress up in a pink tulle skirt to go browse the markets for some home made jams & fudge.

Write letters on personalised stationary and spritz with your signature scent.

Wear heels, for no reason other than to feel fabulous.

Wrap up in a scarf & pin it with a vintage brooch.

What do you do to look & feel just a little bit glamorous?

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?

01. Snuggle up with your doona, a mug of hot chocolate or glass of wine & watch a season of Friends.

02. Go for a walk in the sunshine (floaty dress, thongs & a floppy sun hat) / or a dance in the rain (gumboots, umbrella & a big coat, stat!)

03. Drink a mojito with your best friend. Even better, whip up your own mojito's and invite your favourite girlfriends around to share in your cocktail delight.

04. Bake cupcakes, make extra frosting to lick from the bowl & spoon <3

05. Rise early & watch the sunrise with a big glass of fresh juice & some fruit salad for breakfast.

06. Spend an hour in Starbucks with a good book & a latte.

07. Lie in the grass and see what shapes you find in the clouds. Don't forget your sunblock!

08. Grab a brand new moleskine and plan your round the world / overseas trip. Plot all the places you'd like to see and cut out pictures from the travel section of the weekend newspaper.

09. Draw up a personal profile. In your moleskine or as a big poster to pop on your bedroom wall. Put your favourite photo in the middle and around the outside write down all the best bits of you: your personality & unique characteristics, favourite songs, achievements, personal and professional goals and highlights of your life so far!

10. Wander around your local markets on Saturday morning. Pick up some hand made trinkets or get inspiration to create some of your own goodies - clothing, jewellery, baked goods - your creativity is limited only by your imagination!

11. Spend an afternoon making yourself feel like a million bucks (without needing to spend a million bucks to do so!). Run a bath (or take a nice hot shower), soak, shave, wash from tip to toe with your favourite body gel, use a facial scrub or deep cleansing mask, wash your hair and pop in a treatment (you can get great leave in conditions for a couple of dollars at the supermarket), moisturise your whole body (try Palmers Cocoa Butter or The Body Shop body butter) & enjoy feeling soft & luscious, buff & shape your nails (or maybe even a DIY french manicure, see your pharmacy for a kit). Spritz with perfume or scented body spray & then dance to some PCD in your favourite knickers & knee high socks and revel in the fabulousness of being YOU <3

12. Eat dark chocolate, slowly, savour every mouthful. For a great snack try dipping some strawberries in melted dark chocolate, set in fridge and then enjoy!

13. Dress up in your favourite party dress, some high heels & great experimental makeup that you are too shy to wear out (eyeline flicks? yellow eye shadow? bold red lips?), then turn up your Happy Place Playlist & dance with crazy abandon!

14. Forget emails & facebook. Call up a friend you haven't seen in a while just for a chat. If you are overseas try skype or jajah to save on your calls to loved ones that are far away! No excuses now.

15. Wear your hair in plaits & tie with ribbons. If you're feeling brave, add some wire to shape them - think Pippi Longstockings!

Whats some of your favourite things to do when you need a pick me up?

Loving your body is cultivated through developing a deeper respect and love for yourself as a whole. While physicality certainly is not everything when it comes to who we are, it is a big part of how we see ourselves and of course how others view us too. In a world where first impressions are pivotal, projecting your best you on the outside could not be more important. This does not mean losing site of who you are on the inside to focus merely on wearing the right clothes, best makeup or striving to be the skinniest/curviest/sexiest. It's more about ensuring you are content with the version of you that you are putting out there each day. Accepting and developing a confidence that will be evident in your demeanour and physicality. Respecting and loving your body can be ascertained through eating the right foods, getting active several times a week, accentuating your best features and allowing your inner beauty to shine through in your physical self expression (be it with makeup, jewellery, style or simplicity!). Body love is about correctly channelling our ambitious energy to create a physical self that fills us with joy and excitement every day!

Every day we put up loads of barriers to stop us from reaching a place where we can say that we truly love and respect our bodies, just as they are. Our barriers can range from the stock archetypal excuses that we apply to everything we haven't quite yet achieved: I don't have time, It's too hard, I don't know where to start! But lacking a love for your body we've been blessed can run a little deeper than than these simple excuses we apply when posed with the question of why we have yet to start our university assignment. When it comes to loving the our body we also come up against inner emotional conflict that we may be harbouring such as low self esteem levels and a lack of self respect.

In order to break down these barriers we need to recognise them in ourselves and decide that we want better than any sort of negativity that exists in ourselves. Ask yourself how you will be able to demand respect from those around you if you don't give respect to yourself. Remember that while respect is so much to do with characteristics other then simply our physicality, a portion of how we view ourselves certainly DOES comes from what we see when we look in the mirror, but this does not have to be a negative thing! It's about actualisation of body love goals and acceptance of the body you are rocking, after all it is the only one you'll ever have. When it comes to yourself, settling for mediocrity is not okay! You have just one chance to live this life the way you want to live it. You have just one body to get you through, why not make it your best possible? You wouldn't by a beat up 25 year old car & attempt a road trip from LA to NYC, would you? Then best not attempt to get from okay to fabulous with an unhealthy body & battered sense of self love - you know you won't make it.

The first step towards cultivating any sort of affirmative action towards body love is recognising whatever it is you consider your flaws. So open up the moleskine and get writing. Make a list of all the things you are unhappy with. Done? Ok, divide your list into two columns- "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" and "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Some of the sorts of things you might have on the first list could include: hair style, size of thighs (collective sigh?). One your other list will be stuff like: height, size of nose (!), dimples, freckles.

For each item on your "Stuff I Have The Power To Adapt" list, make a plan of action, it doesn't need to be much, just a simple sentence will do. For example, if you are unhappy with your hair colour you could resolve to pick up a box of Loreal colour next time you're at the supermarket or get your hairdresser to suggest a new style of cut. Perhaps, as so many of us tend to be at one stage or another, you are unhappy with your current weight. Think about what you are doing in your current lifestyle to ensure you are at your body's "happy weight": are you eating right most of the time, exercising a few times a week? If you are already doing these things then you are already on your way - put this one on the other list (do it! you don't need a plan, you need acceptance & respect). If you aren't doing the best you can in this regard, you plan might be to add more fresh foods into your diet or go for a jog on the weekends with a bunch of girlfriends.

Moving onto your second list, "Stuff I Will Soon Accept & Love!". Quite aptly named, the goal of this list is for you to recognise these characteristics of yourself as quirks that are special and make you YOU, rather then negative aspects that detract from your ultimate self. Big nose, freckles, dimples, big shoulders, too skinny, too curvy and so forth. First comes realising that you are not alone in your nose, freckly, dimple, shoulder, weight loathing battle! Second of all, you need to stop beating up on yourself and accept that this is the way you were made and you should be making the most of it- not criticizing it. You could find yourself some positive role models that share your features, look at how they work it to their advantage and adopt their sunshine outlook.

Another fantastic way to develop a greater sense of acceptance is by learning the serenity prayer (you don't necessarily need to be religious to find meaning in this gem!). recite this to yourself, pin it on your fall, jot it in your journal and remind yourself that you are a fabulous person.

Grant me the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other.

Another point of action is to realise any negative habits that are halting your progress towards a happy & healthy body. Some of these habits might include smoking, eating lots of fatty or sugary foods, abusing illegal drugs, binge drinking or self harm such as cutting. Recognition of these habits as detrimental to your overall self as well as to your body is the first step to giving them the kick. Seeking support and assistance from friends, family or professionals can often be the most effective path to overcoming these sorts of behaviours as sometimes it is not as simple as stopping the action (ie. to stop smoking/drinking) - it is important to also understand why you made these behaviours an acceptable part of your routine. It is also pivotal to not see overcoming these actions as giving something up, as you are not giving up anything, you are taking back your health. However, by continuing these sorts of behaviours you are giving up your right to a healthy body and ultimately a great body image.

Remember to channel all of your energy positively. Don't judge others out of jealously- compliment them. Don't wish for better clothes or a skinnier or curvier frame: love what you have and make the most of it.

Acknowledging that body image is not just about your WEIGHT!

Time for another list. This time it's about what you love about you (and no, you do not get to write 'Nothing'!). Keep this list someone safe & easily accessible, like your journal, handbag or pin board in your bedroom. Every time you are feeling down read over the list and remember that you are a fabulous individual!

Think about the songs that make you most happy. Put together a play list for those times when you are stuck in a bit of a self loathing rut and need to reach a more positive and self affirming frame of mind. A TL favourite is Mika, he is one fabulous fellow that certainly knows how to do positive!

Journal any compliments you get, no matter how trivial they seem. Use this as another reflection page for those moments of self doubt.

Recognise that it is absolutely okay to covet things & people but remember that you are an individual. You love others for their funky style, but becoming a carbon copy is not the right way to go about actioning your admiration! You must make peace with your body and do what works best for you!

How do you achieve body love? What is your favourite part of your physical self and why is it so great?

Bastille Day is celebrated each year on July 14. It's the national holiday of France, commemorating Fête de la Fédération. But you don't need to be a Parisian princess or a fabulous french fellow to get into the Bastille Day spirit. Why not use this day as an excuse to indulge in french cuisine, festivities & style? Enjoy all the joys of French living; here are a few ideas to celebrate in style:

Enjoy a Champagne Breakfast with your girlfriends.

Have a tipple of a delicious French liqueurs such as Cognac.

Head to the bakery & pick up some French bread & buttery croissants.

Dine at a French Restaurant. Give snails a go! (or don't!)

Put together a picnic basket & enjoy in the park. Pack it with gourmet french goodies, like a cheese platter, breads and some wine.

Dress up: french colours are blue, white & red are the nation colours.

Don some Parisian style: a beret, classic red lips, trench coat ("french trench"!) & pashminas will get you started.

Learn French! Join a class to learn a new skill or brush up on what you learn back in high school. If joining a class is not your thing then jump online and learn a few neat new words & phrases.

Treat yourself to a french manicure.

Look to some french icons for inspiration: Coco Chanel, Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot.

Head to your local department store & spritz some classic french perfume, like Chanel.

Grab your moleskine & jot down all the things you want to do when you one day travel to Pareeeee!

Did you celebrate Bastille Day? What is your favourite French tradition or festivity?

Hosting a killer party can be a trying task & no one wants theirs to be a flop. There are many facets to pulling off a fabulous get together but one that can make a real impression when done right is the desert catering. Organising for an event to be catered is often quite exxy so why not show your own flair by whipping up a few bits and pieces to serve. Keeping in mind that when you play hostess you want to spend your time socialising, not serving, simple nibblies and treats go down nicely whatever type of crowd you are to be entertaining. The ultimate party food should be able to be prepared prior to the event and easy for your guests to consume so sticking with tasty finger foods is a top choice!

In the spirit of simplicity and remembering the goal of creating a super fab soiree, there are a few fantastic little treats you can whip up for the big night that will be a sure hit with your guests. These are easy to prepare, easy to serve, they don't require much cleaning up after and shouldn't break the budget. Give these a go at your next bash...

Baileys Chocolate Mousse
These delicious little indulgences can be served up as mini desert style treat in a shot glass. The simple way to create this treat is using a packet chocolate mousse from your local supermarket and adding Baileys into the mixture in place of milk. Depending on how strong you prefer your deserts to be will decipher the amount of Baileys you use.

If you have a bit more time and consider yourself a bit of a domestic darling you can create a mousse from scratch. Why not try this recipe, adding in your Bailey's when melting your chocolate. The amount of Baileys should be dependant upon desired flavour, but don't get too crazy - you want subtle flavour, not drunk guests after one mini desert!

For both versions of this desert, use your favourite peppermint chocolate bar (Peppermint Crisp's work nicely) to garnish. Grate chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.


Jelly Shots
It is as simple as packet jelly just add vodka!

Some points to remember when creating jelly shots:

Use flexible plastic shot cups. This is super important. You want your guest to be able to gently squeeze the shot glass to swallow the jelly! This means no need for spoons and less chance of jelly stained messes covering your carpets.

Don't use too much vodka. Even if it is tempting to do so! Remember that vodka will not freeze and while you are not intending to freeze your jelly shots, you do need them to set so the more alcohol you use the more cold water you need to balance your mixture with. You want wobble jelly goodness not runny sticky jelly mess!

Use cooking spray! Before pouring jelly mixture into your shot glasses to set, spray them lightly with cooking spray. Don't worry, you wont taste it but it will help your guests push the shots of alkijelly out a lot easier!

Mix it up. You can use any type of spirit you like in your jelly shots. Vodka is most common as it will go with just about any flavour of jelly but some other top ideas include:
- Lime Jelly with Tequila
- Pineapple Jelly with Coconut Rum
- Cranberry Jelly & Vodka

What are your favourite party treats? Have you tried any fabulously flavoured jelly shots in your time?

It will clean your leather, fluff your rice, shine your jewellery, unstain your clothes, help curb your appetite plus heaps more.... & you probably already have a bottle in your home. Check out some of the super useful things that every girl should know how to do with a lowly bottle of vinegar:

1. Clean Leather: Leather bomber jackets are such a hot look at the moment and a simple way to clean your beloved jacket is by using a mixture of white distilled vinegar and linseed oil (you should be able to get both products at a supermarket or health food store). Use a nice soft cloth to wipe the mixture over the the leather. You can also use a mixture of one part water and one part white vinegar on leather shoes, use this mixture sparingly, again wiping over the leather with a soft cloth.

2. Deodorant Stains: Because we all know sometimes those 'no white marks' campaigns are little white lies! If you end up with icky white deodorant stains on your brand new fabulous blouse, not to worry. It can be easily removed by rubbing white distilled vinegar over the stain and then throwing in the wash as per usual.

3. Cleaning Gold Jewellery: Lucky enough to own some bling? Pop solid gold jewellery into a cup of apple cider vinegar for about 15 minutes, remove and dry with a soft cloth- voila! Clean, shiny, gold!

4. Long Lasting Stockings: Opaque black and coloured tights are still a hot seasonal look but buying new pairs regularly can become a bit exxy. Make your stockings last longer by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse water when laundering.

5. Better Rice: Because rice is a hard one to do well, right? Add a teaspoon (not too much, or you'll taste it!) of white distilled vinegar to the boiling water, before you add your rice. This will make your rice easier to serve, less clumpy & sticky.

6. Curb Appetite: Apple cider vinegar is often praised for it's ability to assist in keeping appetite under control, ridding the body of excess fluids and assisting with weight loss. Try combining a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with honey to sweeten and warm water. You could also try a mixture of the apple cider vinegar with ginger ale or grapefruit juice for a better tasting alternative. For the brave, try a straight shot! (Go on, it's just like tequila... without the lick & suck parts). Make sure you invest in good quality vinegar though, not the 99 cent stuff. When you're putting it into your body you don't want to skimp on quality- it's kind of like using a cheap olive oil, not the done thing.

Vinegar can also be used for countless cleaning solutions for the kitchen and bathroom, a quick search of google and you'll see that this really is a wonder product. Got any fun tips of your own?

As women we are innately judgemental. Through judging others we draw comparisons between ourselves and our perception of others. This in itself is not an entirely thought provoking concept; though a facet of this which is rarely considered is that what we are comparing our inner self to someone else’s outer self, not necessarily to their appearance, but to the version of themselves that they project publicly. This is a flawed mentality but one that is prevalent amongst the fairer sex and difficult to escape. A key to determining and reaching positive self worth is not to use others as a control by which to judge yourself but rather by using your current self as a control against the version of yourself that you aspire to become. Working towards implementing positive actions around becoming the person you ultimately strive to be and setting mini goals by which to review your progress is far more beneficial then the act of judge and compare.

There are several steps you can take in order to escape the practice of comparing yourself to those around you and ultimately avoid the negative self talk, or self-righteous superiority, that this sort of judgement brings about. One part of this is acknowledging that judging other people and drawing comparisons based on these judgements is not a valid indicator of your own self worth. To realise this it is important to focus on the idea of people as multi dimensional and understand that the dimension most people project publicly will be the best version of themselves; it is human nature to obscure flaws.

Another important objective is to have an understanding of the different aspects that constitute the makeup of a person overall. A good start point for this kind of awareness is to focus on basic components of inner self versus those of outer (or projected) self. While these will vary from person to person, some points to consider could include emotions, personal and financial obligations and spirituality as facets of the inner self and physical appearance, body language, general demeanour as those of the outer self. A simple example of misinformed and negative judge and compare would be to be envious of another persons good looks and great attitude but to not realise that despite these positive outer facets they are unsatisfied with their career and have a very sick mother, two such points that do not induce envy.

Ultimately what we should all strive to achieve is to break the habit of judge and compare. This, like most things, is easier said than done as we are often quite set in our habits and behaviours and so when we choose to make changes, however small, this provides a challenge. However, through positive actions and planning changing negative behaviours is certainly achievable. The key is to use your judgement of others in a positive light. Identify aspects of their outer self that you are drawn to, tailor the characteristic to fit and emulate it in your own conduct. Being open to positive self change is an admirable quality and by allowing yourself to learn from the positive facets of others you can retrain your mind to focus on self improvement and break the cycle of negative self talk that would usually be associated with judging others.

Try this:

Dedicate a page in your notebook to listing the positive personality attributes you see in others and want to improve in yourself, ie. Improve confidence, relax & laugh more! One you’ve identified the “what”, you can develop a plan for the “how”. This exercise will help you discover what you value in others and how to achieve these characteristics in yourself.

Compliment those who you would usually judge. Instead of thinking ‘Gee, she has much nicer clothes than I do’, pay a compliment such as ‘I really like your outfit’ and concentrate on creating your own look that you can be satisfied with. This way you are using judgemental energy positively and striving towards self improvement all at once!

Make a personal profile. Type it up, jot it in your journal, do whatever works best for you. Make a heading at the top of the page: “WHO I AM”. Below this make two columns: “Inner Self” and “Outer Self”. Under these headings write down all the characteristics you feel you currently possess and compare the columns. Do you have a consistent overall profile or do the different facets of who you are conflict? For example, you exhibit a confident exterior when there is an emotionally hurt inside; or perhaps you feel fabulous inside, but you don’t put much effort into your physical appearance? Once you know the areas of variance you can work towards a resolution. This activity is much like the first, but it’s more focused on who you are currently, though, like the first activity, this will also help you engage in plan to move towards the best version of yourself.

Allowing your Outer Self reflect Inner Self, Points to Note:

Find yourself envying someone’s aesthetic? Again, identify & plan to achieve, ie. Find out what hair products Sally uses to get such shiny hair, recognise how wonderful bright colours can look & so endeavour to introduce more colour into your own wardrobe. Spend an afternoon entirely devoted to refining your physical self, if this is an area you feel you are critical of. Experiment with new hair styles, makeup or none at all, try lots of combinations of outfits you’ve not tried previously – find what works best for you. It’s okay to admire other people’s appearance but remember that self development is about being the best version of yourself, not becoming someone else. Also remember that your physical self is only one part of who you are, albeit, a part that is out there for the world to see & so it should reflect who you feel you are on the inside ie. Wild and crazy? Maybe a few bold streaks of colour through your hair will make a good fit. Girly and sophisticated? Perhaps French tipped nails are for you.

Pay close attention to what it is you are admiring in regards to other peoples appearance. It may be that you think your straight brown hair is rather plain compared with the funky cropped & coloured look sported by your best mate. The object here is to identify why you prefer her hair- it is probably more about the originality of the style than the actual colour/cut. The way to then apply this attribute to your own hair style would be to ask yourself: What style would be original for me and portray who I am?

Over to you: How to you work on projecting the best version of you? Do these points on judgement and comparison resonate with you at all?

Winter is an excuse to add marshmallows to your hot chocolate, to snuggle under your doona and watch hours of trashy television, to don gumboots and stomp around in puddles, to enjoy a warm glass of mulled wine by an open log fire, to hit the ski slopes and play in the snow.... so why then do so many people dread this cosy season?

Winter should be celebrated in all it's frosty glory, so chin up & dress up! Chilly mornings can be combated with sexy scarves & cute coats. Rainy days can be kept at bay by choosing a fab umbrella and some big boots. Winter is about layering up and accessorising: gloves, leg warmers and berets. Forget midriff bearing &