Welcome to Spring in Australia!

Posted on by Nicola

Spring is about abundance and creativity. I am dedicating this article to creative thinking. Allow yourself to ask questions and get out of any ruts you may have found yourself in.

I love spring – The weather is warmer, the sky brighter, and the garden more colourful and fragrant. This is also the time to take a fresh look at the wardrobe (and your life). Clean and put away the winter woollies, assess your needs for the next few months and see what needs to be thrown out, refreshed and replaced.

I have a growing passion for being responsible when bringing stuff into my life. These are the criteria I look to address:

  • Is it made from natural products and non-toxic on or in my body (it’s the only one I have!), not environmentally harmful in its production or use?
  • It didn’t exploit under-privileged people to produce it?
  • It does not provide profits to a company that pays millions to Executives rather than supporting their staff and making the product affordable?

This is a tall order, I know. I may not always get it right, but at least if I can ask these questions it will help the decision making process. I know many people these days are drowning in choice.  We are in the age of information overload. If we can bring our purchasing decisions back to…

  • Do I really need it?
  • Can I get a local product of good quality?
  • Is it produced responsibly and/or is it biodegradable/recyclable?

…then I believe we will all be happier and healthier.

The Salvos stores have a promotion. It challenges us to not buy anything new in October. It is about sustainable shopping, saving money and reducing the impact on our environment all at the same time. I pass on this challenge to you! Apart from consumable toiletries and groceries, if you need or want anything, consider buying second-hand or bartering. It is a great way to get your mind thinking creatively about what you have, what you need, and how you can live your life with a lighter carbon footprint. Go on! I dare you! http://www.nothingnew.com.au/whatisit.html

Continuing the creative thinking theme, let us take a look at how to refresh your Personal Style expression.

Personal Style is not something you discover, put in place, and live by for the rest of your life. It is an expression of who you are now and what you stand for. Therefore, your personal style will change to a varying degree over time. Personal Style is a combination of your beliefs, values, personality, physical characteristics, lifestyle and goals.  Whenever you are feeling frustrated with or uninspired by the way you look, it can mean your personal expression and lifestyle needs are not in sync. If you have ever stood in front of the wardrobe and thought ‘I have nothing to wear!’ this is evidence that you need to make some changes.

In addition to providing physical protection from the elements, what you put on your body should make you feel confident, support your goals, and communicate your value to the world. Everybody’s circumstances and goals are different. This is where the confusion can be when determining your own style expression. If you follow somebody else’s style exactly, it may be expressing who they are, not who you are.

This is where creativity comes in. If you find a style expression that you like, try it out. See if it fits your values, personality, body shape, lifestyle etc. If it does not work completely, get creative and think how you may be able to modify the style expression. Once you get familiar with this creative process, you can easily do it every time you see a new trend emerge, to decide if you will follow the trend as it is or if you can employ one element of it to suit you. The elements you have to play with are colour, fabric, shape, size, accessories, and quality.  There are a number of style categories to help you focus on a theme, such as classic, romantic, elegant, dramatic, creative, and natural. You may have a preference for one or more, but it can also be situation specific. For example, you may wish to maintain a Classic style for work but prefer Romantic or Dramatic socially, especially if you are single. So do not try to pigeon hole yourself for all circumstances. Think about the environment, your intention, your body and then modify a suitable style for your own needs.  The key is to – assess, modify, adapt.

I had a client recently who was struggling with communicating her warm, engaging personal expression in a conservative business environment. She fell into the common trap of sticking to black, and was compromising on fabric quality because she couldn’t find anything that fitted well. I suggested that a chocolate brown colour would still maintain the professional authority of a dark colour yet be more authentic to her personal style and colouring. I also recommended she have a suit made in a good quality wool fabric so she could experience what it is like to own and wear a great quality and good looking suit that fits perfectly. Everybody is entitled to that experience. Just by making these suggestions, new possibilities opened up for her that had not been considered before.If something is not working for you. Think: ‘how can I change it to work for me?’

Life is about experimentation, modification and transformation. Get creative, and for goodness sake have some fun. If we only have one life on this planet and in this body, let’s enjoy the journey. If you have any specific challenges or needs, please do let me know. I may share the challenge (confidentially if you wish) on my blog along with some solutions, as I’m sure there are others with a similar issue who would appreciate knowing they are not alone.

Have a great spring! Don’t hesitate to connect if you have a question.

Posted in Health & Wellbeing, Wardrobe

Raising Eye Brows This Spring

Posted on by Nicola

GROOMING MATTERS: Eye Brows

As an image professional it is an occupational hazard to sometimes get too familiar with what I know and not remember that everyone does not always know what I know. So I thought a discussion on Eyebrows was called for.

Eyebrows are an important part of our facial landscape. They frame the eyes and add expression to our communication. Our eyes are what people look at when communicating directly. Looking at the eyes helps build rapport.

Framing the eyes helps get the attention there more easily. For those of us that have blonde colouring it is often necessary to tint or pencil in some colour to the eyebrows to help provide focus to the eyes. In addition to shaping them appropriately, this is an important part of a person’s grooming maintenance ritual. Years ago I was initially reluctant to darken my light blonde eyebrows, but once I did it and saw the difference it made to my overall look, I was sold to the benefits.

However, if you do define the colour of your brows more, then their shape also becomes more important.

The rules are:

  • If your hair is darker than your eyebrows, tint or pencil in a bit more depth to match.
  • If you dye your hair darker than natural then you also need to darken the eyebrows to balance the look.
  • Shape the brows by waxing or plucking to create an even arc over each eye.
  • Regularly remove hairs growing in the middle.
  • Get rid of the monobrow to create two defined eyebrows.
  • As much as possible have the outer edge of the brow the same height as the inner edge.
  • Lower in the middle can create an older or displeased look.
  • Get your brows professionally shaped first time if unsure of where to shape.
  • The outer edge of each brow should end at the line that connects if you were to draw a line from the edge of your nose up to the edge of your eye.

If you want some “how-to” information check out:   eyebrowz

 

Posted in Grooming

Create A Winter Ritual

Posted on by Nicola

MAINTENANCE MATTERS: The Winter Solstice

At this time of year in the Great Southern Land we are in the depths of winter. The Winter Solstice provides the opportunity to review the past year and plan for the coming year. I find this is best done in front of an open fire with a glass of wine or hot chocolate in hand. If you can do it in the company of friends, even better. This can be a special time. Allowing us to slow the pace of life briefly and reconnect to who we are and what is important. Gazing into the flames of a warming open fire allows our thoughts to drift across memories and dream of the future. The best winter memories are created when we look after ourselves and surround ourselves with friends and/or family. It s a time of renewal and consolidation.  Setting up a ritual around this is a great way to mark the season.

At a recent Winter Solstice dinner I invited family and friends to share a simple roast dinner, warming pudding and some wine. We each wrote on a piece of paper something we were letting go of from the past year and something we wanted to create or attract into our life for the coming year. We then, each in turn, threw the paper into the fire as a ritual of letting go and creating a new beginning. It’s actually very important to do both. Creation is hard work when you try to grow things amongst rubbish and weeds. Clearing the space in Winter means that as Spring approaches you can blossom without the baggage of the past. If you don’t currently have a ritual of review and planning in the Winter, now is the time to put something in place. It is your choice whether you make it a solo or group ritual but either way, make it fun, comforting and reflective.

It is easy to forget the cycles of creation and renewal that happen naturally on the Earth. Our climate controlled lives and globally sourced food supplies can insulate us from the cycle. Rituals such as this allow us to reconnect in a small way to the benefits of renewal. What will you do?

Here are some suggestions:

  • Clean out your wardrobe – get rid of unused clothes from your environment.
  • Replace toiletries, toothbrush, cosmetics. Review skin care needs (we need more moisture in Winter).
  • Clean and declutter a room. Invite friends over for dinner. (this is a great motivator to do some focused cleaning and decluttering.) You can even offer your friends some of the items you are letting go of.

If you create a ritual for yourself, you will do it more regularly and allow yourself the chance to live in the present, and not be buried by the past. What rituals nuture and renew you?

Posted in Etiquette, Grooming, Personal Branding Tagged with: ,

Winter Update

Posted on by Nicola

The change in season is a chance to pause, review and refresh our resources. In Australia, due to the diversity of climate around the country, Winter can mean anything from a complete wardrobe changeover to woollens, heavy coats, scarves and hats down in the southern states, to just bringing out that light wrap for the evening chill up in the tropical north.  June brings the Winter Solstice, shortest and coolest days and often a desire to stay indoors, snuggle up on the couch and enjoy warm oven cooked meals (This is the case for me in Melbourne anyway).  June can be a great opportunity to do a review of not only our wardrobe but of the other elements in our Personal Brand communication plan too.

The potential downside of doing a little physical and mental hibernation in the cooler months can be that we may lose contact with our networks, let the wardrobe and grooming care slip a little and in some instances allow ‘the blues’ to sap energy and focus. Here is some winter warming food for thought and action…

Connection Matters:

It is so tempting to stay home and not attend that business networking function or social gathering. However, you may be doing this at the risk of damaging your reputation. I witness a number of colleagues running events at this time of year that end up having a number of participant ‘no shows’, even though they have paid money to attend! If the event is free, even more so. This may not seem important but every time you commit to doing something, or say you will attend something, and you do not follow through, it becomes a reflection on you. Your actions, or lack of actions, may communicate questionable values, diminished trustworthiness, or lack of respect on your part toward the host. So, the bottom line is – if you are likely to back out, do not commit in the first place.  The goal is to be a person of your word and actions in order to maintain a positive reputation. One way to tackle the inertia can be to commit to attending an event with a friend so you support each other to go. And in many cases you will be glad you made the effort. Maintaining your network connections can often be easier at this time of the year too, as there are less seasonal holidays and other social events to compete with for their attention. If June is busy for end of financial year commitments, make a date in July to meet. And stick to it. Remember, associations and connections need nurturing to bare the best fruit. The most successful professionals and  job seekers are the ones that nurture the relationships while they are still employed and operating successfully, not starting to try and plant seeds when they need a relationship to bare fruit straight away.

Mind Matters:

The shorter hours of sunlight during winter affect the levels of serotonin in the brain which can have implications for mental health. Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as SAD) can affect many people during the winter months and make them more prone to lethargy, depression, or weight gain. Make sure you get some sunlight during the middle of  the day by having lunch outside or going for a walk. Also, make sure you are getting enough sleep. Hosting social gatherings can also be a great way to lift mood and also keep in touch with your network. A double benefit!

Body Matters:

Winter can be an ideal time to review your environment and lifestyle and donate unwanted items to a charity or good cause. Decluttering will clear your head and allow you to contribute to your wider community. It can be tempting to neglect skin and hair care during the winter months as they can be more easily hidden under extra layers of clothing.  However, it is important to maintain your grooming regimes as skin can get dry in winter and hair still grows. How about treating yourself to a massage, facial or pedicure? People may not notice but you will feel great!

What are you going to put on your maintenance plan ‘To do’ list for June?

If you have any tips or winter rituals to share please do let us know!

Posted in Etiquette, Grooming, Health & Wellbeing, Wardrobe

Autumn Refresher

Posted on by Nicola

Welcome to Your Life!

Nearly a quarter of the year has passed! Like most people, did you hope that you had achieved more by this point? Yes, me too. However, you can only do what you can do. So pat yourself on the back for what you have achieved, and reassess what is still important to work toward. In these times of widespread global natural and economic upheaval, it is good to reconsider what is truly important for you to achieve on a personal and professional level. I find that relationship building will always be worthwhile, in addition to making sure your basic daily needs are met.

I find that having a quiet moment on the couch with the cat purring on my lap can be the perspective I need. The cat has nowhere else to be at that moment and that moment is a unique moment in time to be savoured.

The beginning of the year is always a time for reflection and transformation. The following article is a great way to give it perspective.

Transformation

Courtesy of: Jacqueline Bignell, Executive Producer – The Difference™

Transformation is a word we often use when we speak of personal growth and spirituality, but like any word in common parlance, it needs to be looked at carefully. An equivalent word from the Greek is “metanoia”, which translates as changing one’s mind, repenting, being converted. Repentance in this sense isn’t religious breast-beating but a profound acknowledgment that a change of direction is needed in the way we are and the way we think. It is a dramatic and life-giving change in our mode of perception. There is no shame, blame or guilt here, only joy.

We prepare for transformation by embarking on the journey of self-knowledge. “Know thyself,” the ancients said, an instruction that has never lost its wisdom. That journey means seeing the way we live that limits us. It means discovering that our suffering is so often the result of the miserable defences of the ego. We cling to what we identify with as “myself”, “my life”, “the way I am” – which often means seeing ourselves as right, shutting contrary things out, playing victim to imaginary enemies. This leads only to more suffering. Then one day something comes spinning in from left field that knocks the ground from under the ego, that brings a howl of recognition, a storm of tears and a knowing too deep for words – this is the moment of transformation that clears away the rubbish and leaves us breathing clean air. Transformation to what then? To a new awareness of who we are beyond the ego-burden and the pain-body, and a new awareness of the miraculous world we live in. It is like a death, but to die to the (ego) self is to be born into the (Higher) Self. And to do so maybe every day from then on in the unending journey …

There is the realisation of  “a dimension within yourself that is infinitely more vast than thought”. It is the world that quantum physics and mysticism are converging to show us: an inner space where time and distance do not limit us, where we create what we desire because we live and move and have our being also in dimensions beyond this one, where we know ourselves to be part of All That Is and where physical death is merely a transition. With this awareness tucked under our arm, so to speak, we can walk our familiar streets with the sun blazing on our breasts and starfire whirling in our heads. It will make us more peaceful, more compassionate, more alert, more useful, and this will inevitably ripple out into the world.”

For more details about the project go to www.thedifference.tv or www.thedifference.com.au

Image Update:

Autumn is a time to Review-Renew-Refresh

Review your lifestyle and professional activities. It is easy to get busy and not notice when things change and your routine is no longer effective. If you have our checklist this is your reminder to go through it. If not, take a fresh look at your wardrobe, grooming, health, office space, car, tools etc and determine what needs updating for your current needs. then Renew and replace anything that no longer serves you. Refresh and repair anything that is still of value but needs some care. Make your “To Do” list and action it. Do this at least twice a year and you will always look and feel fabulous. Knowing you are up to date and in charge of your personal presentation communication. Remember the 3R’s. It is your image maintenance tool.

Posted in Grooming, Health & Wellbeing, Wardrobe