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Want some great packing tips for, stress free, holidays?
“Yes please!” With Coronavirus lockdown being eased, we can, hopefully, look forward to travelling again soon! I thought it would be a good time to share some useful tips on packing for your break
For many people, knowing what to pack, to look good and feel relaxed, whilst travelling, is a huge dilemma so they end up taking everything but the kitchen sink “just in case” they need it!
Below you will find tips on packing to look and feel great whilst staying well within your baggage allowance
1.Avoid Pure Cotton
Unless you don’t mind ironing whilst you’re away! Cotton wrinkles rapidly and it is probably one of the most difficult fabrics to pack when traveling. Instead, look for clothing that is either supposed to be wrinkled, such as linen, or which is wrinkle-resistant. There are several brands of clothing which are specially designed not to need ironing and these work very well for travel.
2.Roll Your Clothes
A good way to pack your clothing is to roll it, rather than fold it. As well as minimising creases, you can make use of every inch of available space e.g. gaps between shoes, bags and hairbrushes etc. If you roll the more delicate items, with a thin towel or washcloth in them, it will help smooth them out even more.
3.Choose A Capsule Wardrobe and Colour Palette
Pick two main colours, that go together, for your wardrobe, plus two or three accent colours. At least one of your two main colours should be neutrals: black, white, brown, tan, or navy. All your main pieces of clothing e.g. skirts, trousers or shorts, should be one of the two main colors. Smaller items like t-shirts, vests, scarves and belts can be in brighter accent colors.
I love taking dresses as can be any colour/pattern, as long as you have shoes in neutral colours (See tip 5 below). Maxis & midi dresses are great as they are a bang on trend and can be worn casually during the day or dressed up with accessories at night. This means that all the clothing in your suitcase can be mixed and matched to look great
I bought this dress on Amazon – I love it and it was a bargain!
Take 2 lots of swimwear so they have time to dry out between swims!
Men’s Hugo Boss Swim shorts Men’s Sports Swimwear A lightweight beachwear cover up, or two, is a must
Crochet Beach Cover up Don’t forget to take a lightweight jacket, or two, as it may be a bit cooler at night. Denim, black or white are great neutral colours
Denim Jacket 4.Pack Lots Of Accessories
Earrings, necklaces and belts take up very little room, yet can change your look in just seconds.
A pair of dangly earrings will dress up a basic blouse for daytime whilst a set of pearl earrings and choker turn that same blouse into the perfect evening wear. You can pack them in a compact jewellery organiser
Bring a couple of different belts and scarves/wraps as well, since these can drastically change how an outfit looks.
A couple of hats would be useful. If they are not foldable, you can put one inside the other and then fill the middle with small items such as, underwear or jewellery. Sunglasses should be packed in your hand luggage so that they are readily available as soon as you step off the plane.
Men’s Panama Hat 5.Stick To Three Pairs of Shoes
A pair of comfortable shoes such as trainers or flip flops, are essential if you plan on doing any walking or sightseeing. Stylish but comfortable, wedge shoes are ideal for a dressier occasion such as dinner out with friends or family and, if you are near the beach or plan to enjoy some warm weather, flat sandals can look nice and still let your feet breathe. There really should be no need for more pairs of shoes and if you go with the neutral colours, in your colour palette (see tip 3. above) the three pairs that you bring will match anything in your travel wardrobe. Metallic silver, gold or bronze shoes are also great as they go with any other colours.
6.Consider Gravity When Packing
Pack heavier items such as shoes, near the bottom and use beach towels or sarongs to create layers and sections in the case so that you can find something in a hurry. Fill the shoes with socks, underwear and accessories to make the best use of available space. *Remember, if you are using a wheelie case, that will be upright a lot of the time, the heaviest items should be near the wheel end to prevent the case from toppling over*
7. Pack For The Time Of Day That You Arrive
If you are due to arrive at your destination in the middle of the night, you may want your nightwear and toiletries are at the top of the case. If, on the other hand, you are due to arrive early in the day and want a dip in the pool before you can check into your room, keep your beach towel, sun cream and swimwear within easy reach. Microfibre beachtowels are great for holidays as they are super lightweight yet absorbant!
Kids/Adults Microfibre Beach Towels 8. Always choose lightweight luggage
This will enable you to put more items in your suitcase and still be within the baggage limits. It will also be so much easier to carry, or pull, around the airport and to lift into overhead lockers on the plane!
9.Downsize Your Toiletries
Carrying miniature sized toiletries will save on space. If you can’t find travel sized versions of your favourite products, you can just decant them into plastic containers, made for the purpose. (Readily available from most pharmacies and supermarkets or on-line stores ) Don’t forget to place containers of liquid in a protective bag in case they leak in transit.
10.Take A Folding Bag (or two!)
These fold away neatly, taking up very little space in your case and can be used as a beach or excursion bag during your break. They are also handy to use on the way home, for duty free shopping! Choose a neutral colour that will go with all your clothes.
Canvas Tote Bag 11. Be Sensible With Security
It’s a good idea to have two identity luggage tags. One should be on the inside in case the outside label is ripped off. This will ensure that if your case goes missing, it will always find its way back to you. Use the name of the hotel where you are staying and your mobile number rather than your home address and telephone number. If you are taking valuables with you, it’s always best to keep them in your hand luggage rather than pack them in the suitcase.
Plan your travel wardrobe ahead of time. Try on everything before you pack it and be sure to only include clothes that fit well and that you find comfortable. Looking great is far easier when you are comfortable with yourself and your clothes. Follow these tips before your next trip and you will be sure to look great and feel great too!
Have a wonderful, relaxing trip!
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How I’m surviving Lockdown!
Whether you are on your own, with your partner or your family during Lockdown, this is a challenging time for all of us.
I returned from a wonderful holiday in Melbourne, Australia, mid March and, fortunately, I got to see my kids, (who are now both working and living in London) for Mother’s Day, which was really lovely! Lockdown followed shortly after and, as I am a single mum, it was quite a shock to the system, going from constant socialising with friends and family in Aus, to suddenly being unable to meet up with my family or friends here. I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this if you are on your own at the moment. Even if you are currently with your partner/family or housemates, you are also likely to be facing challenges – after all, it’s not that easy being stuck at home 24/7, without the odd fallout!
I realised that I must let go of what I couldn’t control and recognise what was within my control so I made a plan of action that was ideal for me. I was determined not to let the situation get me down so I have taken these steps to cope with Lockdown- I hope these could help you too, so give them a try
1. Counting my blessings:
- I am very lucky to have my wonderful family and friends and I look forward to catching up with them, in real life, soon!
- My dad was tested positive for Covid19 but had not symptoms, apart from a high temperature. After 3 weeks in hospital, he tested negative and is now free of the virus and can now be at home with my mum!
- I very fortunate to still have both of my parents
- I have a garden that I can use to sit and relax in
- I have more time to relax and to catch up with household jobs that I’ve been meaning to do for ages!
- I’m saving money by staying at home
- Every day, you should think about 1 thing that you should be grateful for!
2. Staying in touch,virtually, with family and friends :
- Video calls with family, friends colleagues and clients via WhatsApp or, for larger groups, using apps such as Zoom or House Party. We often play games such as Heads Up, Quick Draw & Trivia-General Knowledge or Finish the Song Lyric – all great fun! My parents aren’t tech savvy anymore but we still keep in touch with phone calls!
- If you are at home with your partner, family or housemates, try having some fun times together such as playing games such as Heads Up, Pictionary, Board games for Trivial Pursuit in the house or games such as Swing Ball Tennis, Swing Football, Lawn Twister & Giant Beer Pong in the garden. I found some great ideas here: 27 Fun Outdoor Games You’ll Want To Play All Summer Long
3. Daily Exercise Routines:
- Dancing is great for you as it releases endorphins in the brain, which alleviates stress and worry and makes the workout fun. It’s also great for burning calories, core stability, flexibility and muscle strength. I particularly love my virtual Zumba dance workouts with my instructor, Clare, as my gym is currently closed! You can check out all her classes on her Facebook page here: Live Stream Classes with Clare
- I also enjoy HIIT workouts (High intensity interval training) which are great for improving cardiorespiratory function and for general fitness. As it’s very effective for improving fitness levels, you can get away with shorter workouts, which is always a bonus!
- I love Joe Wicks, The Body Coach HIIT workouts You can either find his DVD workouts & recipe books on Amazon or try his 90day workout programme
- I alternate these workouts with Core strength and weight training. Core strength building is important for preventing and treating back pain, stabilising the spine, improving posture and reducing risk of injuries from sport. Weight training great for building muscle and bone strength, lower your blood pressure and for boosting your metabolism.
- I also love Hollywood trainer, Gunnar Peterson’s Core Secrets workouts– you’ll need some dumbells and a Swiss ball for these!
- If you’d prefer something less highly intense, you can also try Pilates and Yoga workouts. These are great for stretching tense muscles and for mindfulness.
- You can access many great workout DVDs and workout equipment on Amazon I particularly enjoy, Joe Wicks, Denise Austin & Gunnar Petersen I also love Fitness Blender workouts – you can some of these for FREE on their website or on YouTube! Definitely worth giving these a try!
- If you’d prefer to get out of the house, you can walk, run or bike ride outdoors!
4. Organising and De-cluttering:
- The house and the Wardrobe – I love using Pinterest for ideas and have saved some great tips to my Organising & De-cluttering Board
- Making a weekly/daily plan – ticking off completed tasks makes you feel great!
- Storecupboard & Batch cooking – I use what’s in your storecupboard so that I can save money, wherever possible. If you are on your own, you can freeze in batches to eat on another day! Check out some recipes ideas from great British Chefs
- Garden- I love a beautiful garden but I’ve never really been into gardening and all the hard work that’s involved! With some tips from my neighbours, I have managed to complete a few task which have really helped make my decking, balcony and garden look so much nicer. It is still a work in progress thought! Solar lighting is lovely and I’ve actually put on my gardening gloves and have added some lovely, easy care, plants to my, very hot, South facing garden. It is still a work in progress though! I have saved some great ideas to my gardening Pinterest board. You can check them out here: Gorgeous Gardens
5. Rest and Relaxation:
- Listening to Feelgood music – here is Elle Magazine’s list of songs to help you chill out: Best Feel-Good songs
- Watching Feelgood films – I am loving watching Feelgood films right now! They’re great to watch on your own, with your partner, housemates or with your kids. Here’s Empire magazine’s list of 30 Feelgood movies to distract you from the horror of 2020
- Meditation – It’s good for you as makes you feel more relaxed, happier, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and helps you focus. I use the Calm app to help me chill out – you can download from your mobile app store. The Breathe app is another good one from the app store – you can have a free trial of both of these
- Getting a good night’s sleep- This is essential for your physical and mental health as improves your immune funtion, it can improve concentration and productivity, it boosts your metabolism and it can improve you athletic performance, I use the Calm app to listen to, very relaxing, sleep stories. You can find some on the Breathe app too.
6. Making Plans for our, Coronaviris Free Future!
- Create a Vision board – Having a vision board will help you to focus on all the things you want to achieve and will inspire you to to make them happen. The board is a collage of images and words representing a person’s wishes or goals, intended to serve as inspiration or motivation. How to make a vision board I really love this Vision Board Kit It’s a really easy way to get started
- Creating a Bucket list- This is a list of things you want to do in your lifetime i.e. before you “kick the bucket”! -This can include places you want to visit, and things you want to see and do. Here are some great ideas that I have saved to my Pinterest Bucket List board
- Start a new course or find a new hobby – Fancy learning a new language, arts & crafts, creative writing, playing an instument, gardening or photography? Now would be the ideal time to start! I am currently learning French, Spanish and Italian and I’m also doing some on-line business courses. Checkout some that you can try here: 10 hobbies to take up during lockdown to keep yourself busy
I hope this has inspired you to stay positive during these difficult times! Please feel free to leave to comment below.
You can find out more about my Life Coaching services here
I will be sharing some new blog posts soon. Take care and stay safe!
Cindy xx
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Dressing for Your Body Shape- Women
When defining and updating your image and style, several factors need to be considered such as your Lifestyle, Personality, Colouring, Dress Size, Height, Budget and, probably most importantly, your Body Shape.
You if get everything else right but you are not wearing the right clothes for your body shape, the whole effect will be ruined. Get this right, however, and you will look and feel fantastic – just be prepared for all the compliments you are sure to receive!
Aims:
- To balance proportions
- To draw attention to good features
- To play down less positive features
- To improve body confidence
- To define and develop your unique style
- To boost self confidence, raise self esteem and help you look and feel your best
Focus Your Assets
No matter how many flaws you have, or think you have, you also have assets. The best way to look great is to downplay your perceived flaws and accentuate your assets. For example, if you have great legs, but are a little heavy in the hips, opt for a flared skirt, in a darker colour, to minimize your hips and still show off your nice legs. Likewise, if you have a good chest and a not so great stomach, a lower neckline, empire line dress, will flatter your shape and distract from your little bulge. Find ways to draw attention to the parts you love and you’ll find that you look. and feel, great about yourself.
Now, let’s look at –
THE FIVE BASIC FEMALE BODY SHAPES
Here’s how to determine your own..
The Hourglass:
You know you are an Hourglass if:
- You have a clearly defined waist and bust
- Your shoulders are about the same width as hips
- You wear almost the same size on your top and bottom
- You are generally quite well balanced!
- You tend to gain weight fairly evenly
- Your waist is 7 to 12 inches smaller than your bust and hips
Look for clothes that…
- Make the most of your feminine curves
- Keep the figure balanced
Avoid..
- Very baggy clothes as they seem to add extra pounds
- Skirts that are too full as they bring imbalance – unless you can even out the top half!
- Masculine or “boxy” styles with no shape
The Triangle:
You know you are a Triangle if:
- Your shoulders are narrower than your hips
- You take a larger size on your bottom half than your top
- You much fuller hips, bottom and thighs with a smaller top half
- You have a defined waist (at least 7 inches smaller than your hips)
- Tend to gain weight on tummy, hips and thighs
Look for clothes that…
- Draw attention upwards to balance out the larger bottom half
- Minimise the bottom half (darker colours are better)
Avoid…
- Clothes that add bulk to the larger bottom half
- High-waisted trousers or skirts, as they make the bottom look double the size!
The Inverted Triangle:
You know you are an Inverted triangle if:
- You have broader shoulders than her hips
- You have little definition between your waist and hips
- You have a much smaller bottom half than top half!
- Your body can quite angular without very obvious curves
- Your bust is usually much larger than your hips
- You tend to gain weight, particularly, on tummy and upper arms
Look for clothes that..
- Draw the eye down, away from the heavier top half e.g. wearing lighter colours on your bottom half
- Minimise the top half by adding balance to the bottom half e.g. flared dresses
Avoid..
- Clothes that add width to your top half e.g. Double breasted jackets or polo neck jumpers
- Very low waisted jeans or trousers
The Rectangle:
You know you are a rectangle if:
- Your bust, waist and hips are of a similar measurement
- You have a straighter shoulder line
- You have quite a straight rib cage and a flat bottom
- You have very little waist definition
- You have a smallish bust
- You put on weight fairly evenly
Look for clothes that…
- Create the illusion of curves
- Give a softer edge to your shape
Avoid…
- Clothes that are “boxy” or masculine in style
- Clothes that accentuate the straight lines of your body
The Round Figure:
This could be a plus size version of any of the above.
You know you have a rounded body shape if:
- You have a generous bust and waist
- You tend to put on weight around the tummy and upper body
- You have rounded shoulders and shapely legs
- You used to take a smaller dress size but have since gained a substantial amount of weight
- You are a size 16 + if you were an Inverted Triangle or Rectangle before gaining weight or an 18+ if you were an Hourglass or Triangle before gaining weight
Look for clothes that…
- Enhance and define the waist
- Will add height and elongate the figure
Avoid…
- Clothes that add width and unnecessary bulk
- Cropped trousers
- High-neck tops or polo-necks as these make the bust area look massive!
- Pleated, or gathered, skirts
In this video, you can see how these rules apply. We will look at the right and the wrong clothes for each body shape, using real women as models:
Thanks for reading my post- I hope you found it useful. Please feel free to comment below.
You can contact me via the Contact Us or purchase one of my services on the Store page of this blog if you have any questions or check out my website to find out more about my services: https://www.styleandsubstancecoaching.co.uk/Image-and-Style.html
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Free, or low cost, activities to try this summer!
Yes, you really can still have fun, if you’re trying to save some money. I love spending time with family and friends, whether it’s eating out, site seeing, watching movies, quiz nights or participating in outdoor activities. I was often shocked at how much I’d spent by the end of the month though! After a bit of research, I was surprised to discover how much money I could save, without having to compromise too much! You don’t have to spend a lot to have a good time, in fact, you can do a lot of these things for free! Remember to check Lockdown restrictions on some of these suggestions. Hopefully, we can all get back to normal life soon!
Check out some, cost saving, ideas here:
Free Walking Tours
There are some great free Walking Tours all round the world. Yes, they are free but you have the option to donate, any amount you like, to the tour guide. Last year, my friend, Martine and I had a short break in Valencia and decided to do a free walking tour on our first day there. It was the best decision as we actually felt like locals as we knew how to find our way around the city and after our first day there! We used a company called Free Tour Valencia – I would highly recommend them
Wonders of London work in a similar way i.e. the tours are free but you can donate an amount, you would like to, after the tour is complete. Their free tours include the City of London, Harry Potter , Jack the Ripper and Street Art and Grafiti tours. You find details of these, and all their other tours, on their website. As well as the free tours, they also offer special, low cost, tours for just £8pp
Remember to wear comfy shoes as you will be walking a lot!
Picnic in the park
Picnic on Richmond Green Cricket on Richmond Green
There are many lovely U.K. parks offering free entry. The Royal Parks, such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, Bushy Park and St James Park are free to access and welcome picnicking. As the parks are home to a rich variety of wildlife, they ask you to follow these simple guidelines for picnicking in the Royal Parks
I had a lovely picnic with friends, on Richmond Green, last summer. There happened to be a cricket game on that day so that was an added bonus!
Bring your food drink, and a picnic blanket, then chill out and enjoy!
Picnic Set Picnics are a lovely way to have fun, whilst spending very little! Need some more ideas on where to have your picnic? Here’s a guide from https://inews.co.uk/ to the 50 best picnic spots in the UK: from the rugged borders of Scotland to the pristine gardens of south west London
Have a Date Night In
A date night at home can be as special and romantic as a night out and what could be better during lockdown?
You can cook your own meal or perhaps get a meal deal for £12 from M&S & Morrisons or £10 from Tesco
Make it feel special by setting the table as if you were in a restaurant. Play some romantic music whilst you eat
Follow your meal with a romantic movie, with some chocolates or popcorn. Check out my Have a Movie Night In section below for some romantic movie ideas
Play Outdoor or Indoor Games
TV and social media can be enjoyable but I believe that it’s great for families and friends to interact and bond in real life! My family loves a bit of competition and nearly every get-together we have, includes a game. Sometimes it’s a game of Swing Ball outside or Charades, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly indoors. A lot of these games are now available in special themes such as Game of Thrones, Friends, Rohals Dahl Monopoly or Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit.
As well as being great fun, the outdoor games are good for your fitness and co-ordination whilst the indoor games can be great for exercising your brain and improving your general knowledge
If you can’t meet up in real life, you can play games on Zoom or on the Housparty apps
Have a Movie Night In
Iceland’s snacks Grab some popcorn, crisps, dips and a drink or two and watch a film with your partner, family or friends or on your own! You can watch something from your DVD collection or there’s a lot of choice on TV movie channels, or on Netflix. Really does feel like a night out at the cinema, but at a fraction of the cost! For some great Movie Night snacks @ great prices, check out Iceland store here or click on the photo above!
Glamour Magazine’s list of The best Netflix movies to watch on date night
When Harry met Sally Here’s Time Out’s List of the 50 best family movies to watch together
Mrs, Doubtfire Have Afternoon Tea in the Garden
Why not invite some friends round for afternoon tea? Ask all attendees can bring along a plate of food or a bottle of bubbly. That way, you could all enjoy a marvelous tea, at a fraction of the cost of something similar, in a posh London hotel, where they can charge up to £85pp for afternoon tea with a glass of fizz!
You can make it as casual or posh as you would like but it would be fun to all dress up so it feels like a special event. It’s nice to serve the food on 3 tiered plates, with savory snacks at the bottom, scones in the middle and sweet treats on the top. Start eating from the bottom plate and work your way up. Depending on your taste, you could choose a traditional plate style, or something more modern:
You can buy ready made snacks but if you’d like to try baking your own, you can find some great recipes on Mary Berry’s website
How about decorating the garden with some bunting? Again, you can find both traditional and modern styles on Amazon:
Have a Street Party
Street parties are a great way to know your neighbours and build community spirit. Last summer, I was invited to a street party by my great friends, Lisa & Ian. It was held in their cul-de-sac and all their lovely neighbours (most of whom I had previously met) participated in the event. They set up a marquee to serve the food and drink. Music was provided by one of the residents, who also happens to be a DJ. The atmosphere was fabulous and everybody had a very short walk home!
Street parties are ideally held in a cul-de-sac or quiet road. If you are thinking of planning an event, here is a great guide to organising a street party
Read a Book
Relaxing with a book Whether you’re on your sofa, in your bed, sitting in the garden or lounging by a pool, on holiday, reading a book is good for you for so many reasons.
Why reading is good for you:
- It reduces stress and helps you to chill out and relax as you can lose yourself in a good story
- It can help prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia as it keeps your brain active
- It expands your knowledge
- It can inspire you to achieve greater things. This is particularly true of self-help books
- It can expand your vocabulary
- It can improve your concentration
Whether you like to read novels, non-fiction or self help books, you can find some great free e-books on our Free Books page
According to the Independent, these are the 40 best books to read during lockdown Many of these are on my personal list of favourites!
Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
There are many UK museums and art galleries offering free entry, while charges may apply for special exhibitions. These include the British Museum, National Gallery, Museum of London, Royal Academy of Arts, National History Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Modern. If you fancy a bit of culture, check out the Top 27 free museums in London
*Due to Coronavirus lockdown, many, if not all of these, will currently be closed. Hopefully, they will be able to open again soon!
Do a Free Home Workout
No excuse to not work out now the gyms are closed! There are, currently, plenty of free workout videos on YouTube to help you stay fit and healthy during Lockdown
These are some of my favourites:
Denise Austin,
Joe Wicks
Gunnar Peterson
Fitness Blender Workouts
Zumba Dance Workouts
Body Project Workouts
You can find plenty of other free workouts, to suit your taste and fitness level on YouTube
Stay safe and enjoy your summer everyone! xx
Please click on the READ MORE box if you’d like to leave a comment
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In and Around Melbourne Australia
I recently spent a month in Melbourne, visiting family and friends. I was fortunate to have made it back to Blighty just before Lockdown!
We may not be able to travel right now but it’s good to think about future breaks as it gives us something to look forward to!
Melbourne is considered to be one of the most liveable cities in the world. It has a laid back, cosmopolitan vibe and has something for everyone:
- Multicultural dining
- City Food Markets such as Queen Victoria Market
- Art galleries & incredible Street Art
- Chilling out by the Yarra River
- Lovely parks around the city
- Spectator sports
- Lovely beaches
- Day Trips to some amazing places such as the Dandenong Ranges, Peninsula Hot Springs, The Great Ocean Road & Phillip Island with it’s amazing Penguin Parade!
Get your guide to Melbourne some more fun places to visit/things to do here
The City Centre
The Southbank
The Southbank is considered to be Melbourne’s premier cultural destination. Take a lovely walk along the Yarra river and enjoy it’s many cafes, restaurants and shopping areas. If art is your thing, check out the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA). Gallery entry is FREE. For some amazing street art, check out Hosier Lane. You can explore the lane for free or, to find out more about the artists and their work, you take a walking tour. Check out Tripadvisor for more details
ACCA Hosier Lane Street Art
The Crown Casino Complex is not just a place for gamers – it actually has something for everyone! It also offers fine dining @ 29 restaurants, luxury shops such as Hugo Boss Burrbery & Louis Vuitton, entertainment, a cinema, spa, bowling, a playtime arcade and luxury accomodation @ the Crown Towers Hotel, which is, apparently, it’s a popular place to stay for celebrities visiting Melbourne. I found it fascinating to walk around the complex as the interiors are stunning!
Crown Complex Retail Street
Crown Casino Complex Ca de Vin Restaurant is a hidden gem in an alley along Bourke St in the CBD (Central Business District) My cousin Paul took me there as he had been before. The atmosphere was lovely. The authentic Mediterranean food is delicious, the service is great and it’s not overpriced!
Docklands is an inner western suburb of Melbourne, situated on the waterfront. It’s around 2km from the Central Business District.
There there is a myriad of things you can do here:
- Taking a walk along the promenade
- Ride on the Melbourne Star – a giant Ferris wheel, similar to the London Eye
- Discover urban art sculptures, all around the Docklands
- Cruise along the Yarra river
- Enjoy some culinary delights at one of the many restaurants, cafes & bars in the area
- Visit the Artvo Immersive Gallery– with 3D ‘trick-art’ where you can feature in priceless photos in amazing scernarios. Explore the interactive gallery with over 11 themed zones. I visited this place with my cousin, Michelle and loved it. We took some crazy photos here!
St Kilda
St Kilda is an inner suburb of Melbourne, 6km south-east of the Central Business District. It has a beautiful beach and lots of great restaurants and bars and the famous Luna Park amusement park, which is great for families
Luna Park Commonly referred to as “The Epsy”, is a cool place to visit. It’s a grand Victorian hotel with 2 on-site restaurants and 12 bars to choose from. It offers fine food, functions, fun gigs and lovely sea views. Definitely worth visiting this iconic place!
Less than an hour from Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges has breathtaking scenery, quaint hilltop villages such as the charming Olinda, scenic, winding roads, artist’s studios & craft stores, walking & cycling trails, rides on the Puffing Billing steam train and plenty of cute cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from.
Olinda Village
One of my favourite places to visit, in the Dandenong Ranges was the William Rickets Sancturay. The internationally renowned sanctuary is beautiful, tranquil and inspirational. Created by William Rickets, an Australian potter and sculptor and philanthropist, who respected and admired the Aboriginals and their philosophies such as respected the spirituality of Mother Earth and all things in the natural world. Within the sanctuary grounds, there are over 90 different sculptures, carved into rocks and trees, depicting the Aboriginal people engaging with the earth in a pure forest setting. William Rickets lived and worked in the Sanctuary until he passed away in 1993.
The Mornington Peninsula is is located about an hour, south-east of Melbourne. Here you can walk along it’s many beaches including Frankston, the inlets around Mount Eliza and Mount Martha, Safety Beach, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento and Portsea. Explore the cosmopolitan, seaside villages, enjoy it’s galleries, cafes, restaurants, wineries and Spas. I visited my friend Lynne, who lives in Rye and we had a great time on the beach, eating out and chilling at the beautiful Peninsula Hot Springs
Mount Eliza Beach Loved this place! A natural hot mineral spring and spa centre, Relax in the hot water that flows from deep underground into many pools and private baths at this seaside oasis of health and wellbeing. There are also steam rooms, cave pools, spa treatments, the Bath House Cafe and the amazing Amphitheatre where you can watch live music shows and movies whilst lounging on sun beds or bathing in the hot springs! Check out their website for more information Peninsula Hot Springs
Radio Luna Restaurant
Loved this restaurant/bar with it’s delicious food and drink and it’s quirky design. It’s a real hidden gem, near the beach. You can choose from light bites or the main menu and the food is locally sourced . They have live music on the weekends, an outdoor seating and indoor seating and they are dog friendly! The owner Emma and her chef Gabrielle are so lovely. They made everyone feel special with their great service! Definitely a place to visit, if you are in the area. You can check out their Facebook page here: Radio Luna Portsea
Emma & Gabrielle
Rye’s bay beach is popular with swimmers, kite surfers & sailing enthusiasts. It’s Ocean beach is popular with surfers. The seaside town is also popular with foodies as it has a great range of restaurants.
A restaurant close to the beach in Rye. If you enjoy Asian fusion style cuisine, then this is for you! They sum up what they have to offer, really well, on their website:
ABOUT STEAM.
“Steam in essence is hot, fresh and clean… these are the qualities reflected in our modern Asian fusion style.
Featuring our live oysters, from premier regions of Australia, and a heavy emphasis on fresh and local seafood, we have melded the clean delicate flavours of the sea (and the land) with some spice and richness to delight the senses and please the palate…
Our food is designed for the shared table, to be engaging and exciting. It brings friends and family together in a communal dining style that promotes interaction and discussion. The atmosphere is light and festive with a touch of sophistication. Meet our knowledgeable team and discuss our fine selection of local and imported wines and Asian beers complimenting friendly catch ups”
My friend, Lynne and I really enjoyed food here – could be described as Asian style tapas!
Frankston Beach has fairly shallow water so it’s good for families. There is also a children’s park nearby. As with most Victorian beaches, they is a good choice of restaurants.
I visited the area with my cousins, Debbie and Gwen. We enjoyed some genuine Italian food @ Sofia’s Family Restaurant. The menu features traditional and gourmet pizza, pasta, risotto, steaks and fresh seafood and prices are very reasonable! Sofia’s is located at Pier Promenade, Frankston Waterfront with fanstastic sea views. The restaurant has an interesting history- you can find out more on their website
Sofia’s Family Restaurant I hope you found this blog post helpful. There is so much to do in, and around, Melbourne, Victoria. This is a great travel guide, to help you plan you trip: Lonely Planet Melbourne & Victoria (Travel Guide)
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What’s Your Style Personality?
Personal Style – it’s what turns heads and gets you noticed. From the sensual librarian look (which has men checking out more than books), to eclectic, artsy girl-next-door attire, how you dress tells people who you really are.
So, what are you?
Classic, Elegant, Natural, Dramatic, Feminine, Sexy or Creative?
There are 7 main style expression types of which almost everyone falls into a mix between two types with one being dominant and these pairing result in several possible classifications. In fact, even a third type can be present!
There are dozens of different professional, active, sensual and creative styles which stand alone or blend with others that create your unique look. In this quiz there are 50 Style Expression Categories.
Take our Quiz to discover your unique style and how to shop for your look.
It’s fast, it’s fun, and best of all, you’ll learn how to:
- Recognize the positives and pitfalls of your style
- Discover the psychological impression of your appearance
- Learn what celebrities and designers share your style
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Wearing Colour with Confidence
Every season designers introduce new colours in their clothing lines. It is easy to be tempted to try some new colours for the new season. Don’t do it unless these are right for you, because the truth is, not all colours look good on everyone! Camel is an “in” colour this year and I can only wear it on the bottom half of my body i.e. NOT near my face as it makes me look ill! When I was studying colour seasons, my tutor said ” If you want a day off work, wear camel!”
With every item you choose for your wardrobe, be sure the colour will be right for your skin type and hair colour so that you will always look your best.
Here a a few tips to help to discover which colours really suit you:
Seek professional help
The best way to be sure what colours are right for you (and to be confident every time you get dressed) is to have your colours professionally assessed by a certified colour consultant or image professional. They will help you discover your colour season and give you a colour palette that you can take shopping with you to match against new pieces that you may be considering adding to your wardrobe.
The Colour Seasons:
You can find out about all my Personal Styling services here
In the meantime, here are a few tips and tricks to use when choosing your clothing colours:
Dispel Myths
There are some myths that just need to be tossed out the window. A good example is the common assumption that redheads should stay away from anything pink or red. The truth is that, depending on the strength of the red in the hair, it is quite possible for these people to wear clothing with red in them as long it’s the right shade of red i.e. those with more orange or autumnal tones.
Take a another look at any “colour myths” that you have heard and dare to buck them if you feel that you really feel good in them. A good guide is to take note of the times you are told how great you look whilst wearing them! Take time to Test
Take a selection of clothes or fabrics in various colours both warm and cool, light and dark, and stand in front of the mirror in a well-lit room, with natural light and hold each one up. Place it around half your face, chin and one side, to get an accurate idea. You’ll find that some colours tend to make you look pale or yellowish or otherwise not as nice. These are the colours you should NOT be using in your wardrobe. The colours that make your cheeks glow, eyes sparkle and that go with your hair are the ones that should definitely be included. Ask one or two honest friends to help you out if you’re not sure.
Note Your Skin Tone
Everyone has an underlying skin tone. Some people have red or pink undertones, while others have yellow or blue. This will have a major bearing on what colours look good on you. Often, if you pinch the skin on the back of your hand, the underlying colour will be revealed for a few seconds. In general, people with blue or rosy undertones look best in winter colours like brown, white, navy blue and pastel colours. Pink or blue undertones with pale skin goes best with cool summer tones like lavender, pink, blue, etc. Those with golden undertones do well with warm autumn colours; earth tones, beiges and olives are all a good fit for this skin type. People who look good with spring colours like peach, bright blues and reds tend to have skin with light golden undertones. There are occasions where people wear clothes that aren’t in their “colour season” i.e. they can be a Clear Winter who also looks good in some of the Clear Spring colours. For example, you could be a Clear or Cool Winter. If you are a Clear Winter, you will look good in some Spring Colours. If you are a Cool Winter, you can wear some Summer colours. The photo above, shows some celebrity examples of how the colour seasons can blend
Use Buffer Colours
When you have a colour that you like, but it does not particularly go with your skin tone, you can use a buffer colour. Let’s say you see a lovely black shirt that you like,but it washes you out and makes you look pale. Try picking one with a collar or add a scarf in a colour that does look good on you to buffer the black from your skin. This can work with two pieces of clothing, as well. Put the colour you love (that does not look good on you) on the bottom and a shirt or jumper that flatters you on top . . . the shirt acts as a buffer between your skin and the unflattering colour. Check out the photos below to see how to wear camel or beige, if it doesn’t suit you:
Finally –
Knowing which colours look best on you is only the beginning. Now you need to make sure that your wardrobe is made up of these colours. Go through your wardrobe and sell, give away or donate everything that is in a colour that does not work for you and replace them with the correct colours. You’ll be amazed at how much more flattering your outfits will be – and how many more compliments you will receive!
Check out my website to find out more about my services: Style and Substance Coaching
Take a another look at any “colour myths” that you have heard and dare to buck them if you feel that you really feel good in them. A good guide is to take note of the times you are told how great you look whilst wearing them! 
