For someone that has been known to have a very colourful wardrobe in the past, I was shocked & disturbed when I took a glance inside my closet yesterday and found a whole lotta grey & black… and not much else. When did my wardrobe morph from fun & bright & full of variety to corporate & booooring? Am I in a winter rut, or is this something more sinister? Have I ‘forgotten’ how to wear colour? Eeek!

Whatever the reason, it’s time to incorporate colour back into my clothing collection, and out of fear that my lovely readers might be in the same boat, I’ve come up with some creations to show you how to bring colour back into your life — and wear it with panache!

Be bold! Be bright! Be beautiful!

YAY for colour! I can feel another shopping trip coming on…

Rainbow love & inspiration, 
Rach xxx

1. marilyn monroe by milton greene, 2. veronica lake by george hurrell, 3. black and white liz, 4. marilyn by milton greene, 5. betty grable, 6. audrey hepburn by yousuf karsh, 7. animal magnetism, 8. brigitte bardot, 9. sophia loren, venice, 1955

  
• Hitoki “is an online literary project collecting stories of singular experiences tied to locations in cities worldwide.” Hitoki is a Japanese word that is often translated as “a moment” — a brief, singular stretch of time. Really interesting, take a peek!
• Retouchers ahoy! Check out 70 Beauty-Retouching Photoshop Tutorials! WOW! Learn how to get brighter teeth, a perkier butt, a smaller nose, flawless skin, and god knows what else  — all with the click of a mouse!
• I’m loving this editorial of Naomi Campbell from V Magazine. Oh, and this shoot of Christy Turlington is pretty amazing too! Long live the ‘original’ supermodels!
• Daily horoscopes, video-style on Soul Garden. The presenter is very excitable…
• The Vagina Spa is here! Bahaha! OK, I’m purely including this because it made me laugh.. hard! What is the world coming to? Seriously! Read and weep!
• All the bloggers out there should read How to Be Interesting from Copyblogger! Insightful stuff!
• My future home will have this sink… because IT IS COOL.
• I just discovered Hi-Fructose, which is a really cool counter-culture online art magazine. Check it owwwwt!
• The Importance of Routine and How to Make Your Life Happier in One Simple Change are both fantastic articles from A Miracle a Day! Really useful advice!
• Tina Su delves into the power of language — isn’t it funny how often we unconsciously use negative statements day to day?!
• Check out this girl’s style (via Style Bubble)! So eclectic!  I love what she has to say about personal style… here, here!

Love & bubbles!

Rach xxx

Photo by yyellowbird

This weekend, the boy and I are heading off for a few days to Melbourne (totally an “in-and-out” visit unfortunately!) but it got me thinking about packing for a trip away.

I used to travel interstate and overseas a lot with my last job, and after a few over-zealous packing efforts early on in the piece, I quickly learned how to pack just the necessities! I remember on one of my first work trips, I spent a week in Hong Kong, followed by a week in London (plus a day visiting my best friend, who was living in London at the time!), and I have a particularly painful memory of hauling the world’s heaviest suitcase all the way through Heathrow Airport, up an incredible number of stairs at the train station, and about 5 km’s down the road to her place… and yes, it just happened to be one of those rare, extremely warm London days (oh, and not to mention the fact I was wearing heels and a winter coat!) It was an absolute nightmare! I still shudder just thinking about it!

Needless to say, I well and truly learnt my lesson after that back-breaking journey (that also cost me a small fortune in excessive baggage charges), so I thought I would share with you my tips for packing appropriately, maximising your luggage space, and saving your sanity (and your wallet!)

Step 1: Plan

Determine how many items (be realistic!) and what type of clothing you will need for your trip. What you pack will be heavily dictated by your chosen destination — obviously, you won’t be giving your bikini and short shorts a second thought if you’re hitting the Swiss Alps for a skiing holiday! Plan outfits around basic essentials that can be mixed-and-matched, and dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Also, think about items that can be easily layered.

My fail-safe list includes:

• A versatile black dress
• A skirt
• A good pair of jeans
• A nice pair of tailored trousers
• A few different t-shirts/ tops (dressy and casual)
• A cardigan
• Work out gear (if there is a gym where I am staying, and usually only on longer trips!)
• A pair of thongs (flip-flops) and comfortable shoes (as well as some not-so-comfortable shoes for hitting the town!)
• A jacket (depending on wear you are headed, this will be either lighweight, or a heavier coat)
• Accessories: a wool scarf, a silk/satin scarf (that can double as a headscarf), stud/hoop/dangly earrings, bangles, a necklace, stockings, a nice belt, sunglasses (and if I’m heading somewhere cold — a snood/ knitted hat).

Lay everything out on your bed & add and subtract where needed. This is the time to wash any dirty clothing, and to iron pieces that are looking crumpled and creased, to make everything easier at the other end (do you find that hotel irons are really useless, or is it just me?!) When you’re planning what to pack, it also pays to check the weather forecast ahead of time and enquire into whether there will there be laundry facilities where you’re headed. 

Step 2: Pack

My advice is to pack everything the day before you leave for your destination, then as soon as you arrive, immediately put it all away in the wardrobe/drawers, which will prevent your clothes from becoming wrinkled. The less time they spend in your suitcase, the better! 

Remember to fill every nook and cranny!

I like to do a combination of rolling and stacking when I am packing a suitcase. As a general rule, I will roll items like t-shirts, sweaters, skirts, underwear, pyjamas and workout gear, and place these on the bottom of my case. Then, I will fold pieces such as trousers, dresses, jeans and jackets and lay these on top of the rolled items. 

My other recommendations for successful packing include:

a) Pack your underwear in the side pockets of your suitcase, and stuff your socks and accessories inside your shoes (provided they aren’t smelly, which of course, they wouldn’t be!) You can wrap them in tissue paper first if you want to be extra-cautious!

b) Wrap shoes in plastic bags and arrange them around the edges of your suitcase, with the heel of one in alignment with the toe of the other.

c) Place your toiletries in a plastic bag and sit this in the centre of your case. When it comes to toiletries, don’t go too overboard, and try to bring small bottles where possible (zip-lock bags are also fantastic for storing bottles of lotion so that they don’t spill everywhere). I usually bring: shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, a razor, foundation, blush, mascara, an eyelash curler, two eyeliners, an eyeshadow compact, cleanser, moisturiser, perfume, deodorant (and tweezers and lipgloss, which are always in my handbag!) 

d) For a short trip, if you are super organised, put outfits in separate plastic/ cloth bags (complete with accessories) so that all you have to do each day is grab out your pre-planned outfit! Too easy! Although, if you are like me and tend to change your mind depending on your daily mood, you might have to skip this suggestion! 

Don’t forget the entertainment!

Now it’s time to think about all your gadgets! If you have a laptop, and think it will be worthwhile bringing it along, make sure you have a protective laptop bag to store it in. Same goes for your digital/ video camera (I always bring these all things as carry-on luggage). Don’t forget books, magazines, iPod, a Moleskine/ planner, your phone (and charger! Very important!) and cables/ spare batteries. 

Pimp your bag 

To ensure you suitcase stands out on the carousel, attach a brightly coloured ribbon or crazy luggage tag to the handle. Alternatively, you might like to cover your bag in fluorescent pink stickers and write “HELLO, I BELONG TO …..” all over them! (Whatever tickles your fancy!) 

Additional totally tremendous travelling tips:

• On the plane: stay cosy by ensuring you are wearing comfortable pants (I generally wear pilates/yoga pants on long-haul flights), a warm jacket and thick socks to keep your toes toasty. Ciao Bella Travel sell moisturising socks to rejuvenate your feet while you are on a flight… I’ll  definitely be picking up a pair of these little beauties next time I jet overseas, what a great idea! Also, keep hyrated by sipping lots of water throughout the flight; ask for an eye mask if you are planning on getting some shut-eye and seek herbal help with a sleep balm.
• Be ready for extreme weather conditions — don’t forget to throw a compact umbrella into your suitcase, as well as a cute hat, a pair of colourful bikinis and sunscreen.
• Depending on how long you are going to be away, you might like to add your own ‘personal’ touch to your hotel room to make it more welcoming. Scented candles are awesome when you are having a relaxing bath; likewise, a small bunch of local flowers, or a few photos of your friends/loved ones will make the room feel a bit more like home if you will be away for a while!
• Always pack a spare pair of underwear in your hand luggage in case your suitcase gets waylaid! 
• Music is a must! Whether you are waiting for taxis or trains, or just sitting on a plane, listening to music is a great way to pass the time. Make sure your iPod is charged up and ready to go before you leave.
• If you are partial to straightening your hair, don’t forget to add your straightener to the list! Also, if you have room, bring your own hairdryer, as the majority of the time, the ones provided in hotels aren’t.. err.. fabulous!
• Check out these articles for more information on packing effectively and travelling smart: Packing a Suitcase Can Have You Packing it in; How to Pack a Suitcase: A Guide; How to Pack a Suitcase from eHow, & How to Travel with One Bag.

So, tell me, what are your top travelling tips? How do you ensure that you get from A to B as smoothly (& stylishly!) as possible? Spill forth your words of wisdom!

Zoom, zoom, whoooosh, zooooom! (that’s my plane taking off, in case you were wondering! Ha!)

Rach xxx

Photo by Barb Henry

Gone are the days of having a lone perfume sitting on your dressing table. With literally hundreds of new scents being launched each year, separating the wheat from the chaff (or the roses from the orchids!) to find “The One” is quickly becoming a thing of the past. 

When it comes to clothing, we tirelessly collect pieces that will work for every area of our lives: tailored suits for business, cocktail dresses for a fancy evening out, gym clothes, beach clothes, I-can’t-be-bothered-peeling-myself-off-the-couch clothes (you get the drift, the list goes on!) So, let’s look at perfume in the same light! Just as we wouldn’t dream of making do with just one outfit, why make do with one solitary scent?

Read on to find out how to build and add to your very own fragrance wardrobe — a bountiful scent collection filled with choices that are perfect for every occasion!

Understanding Fragrances

The aroma you wear can identify you as clearly as the way you look, and has the potential to set the tone for how you want to be perceived. For instance, whilst your boyfriend may love it when you are doused in something sexy and intense, when you’re at the office, it’s probably not the best idea to overwhelm your colleagues with the musky base-tones of ‘Eau de Dirty Weekend’!  

Perfumes are generally divided into five categories. Having an understanding of the essential characteristics of different fragrances will set you in good stead when adding pieces to your own collection. Below is a brief explanation of each of the five categories (and for further helpful info, you might like to also check out this guide to finding the perfect perfume for your personality).

Woodsy: Earthy, refreshing and energetic, these are great for casual, everyday wear.

Fruity: Great for warm weather, these are fruity, spicy and tropical.

Floral: Always a classic, floral perfumes are feminine and romantic.

Oceanic: These have a modern smell that uses synthetic elements to evoke the smells of the beach.

Orientals: Spicy and sexy, these scents are dominated by notes of musk, vanilla or heavy flowers.

How to Build Your Fragrance Wardrobe

I’m a huge fan of zesty, citrusy scents, and up until a few years ago, I guess you could say my ’signature scent’ was Ralph Lauren RALPH. To me, Ralph is the embodiment of summer: it reminds me of gorgeous blue skies, crystal clear waters, beach parties, and cocktails at sunset. I think I’ll always have a special place in my heart for this vibrant scent, however, these days, I find wearing one fragrance incredibly limiting, which is why I am now all about accumulating fresh new scents and building my fragrance wardrobe over time, just as you would with clothing and accessories. The romantic in me likes to imagine a day where I will have a slew of perfume bottles lined up, row-upon-row (sorted by colour, darling!) in a beautiful set of old shelves — glittering in the light, winking out at me, and practically begging to be worn! Nice thought, huh?!

Daydreaming aside, I think it’s a good idea to have a general understanding of scent types and when they are best spritzed, so read on for my suggestions and feel free to add your own in the comments!

SCENTS TO SPRITZ: The Office

When you are deciding on which fragrance to wear to work, the best thing to remember is that subtle wins every time. Of course, if you work in a casual environment, you have a bit more creative license, but if you are in a corporate job, be discerning and choose ‘appropriate’ fragrances. Light, refreshing, crisp scents are fantastic for the office, and a little spritz throughout the day may just be the pick-me-up you need to get you through the afternoon! Citrus odours are both energising and uplifting (try ones with lemon, lime and grapefruit). You can also give fragrances with a hint of delicate floral a go if fruity perfumes ain’t your thang.    

SCENTS TO SPRITZ: The Weekend

The weekend is all about winding down from the working week, and since scent and memory are inextricably linked, it’s a good idea to shelve your work-day fragrance in exchange for a perfume that you associate with chilling out and kicking back. Fresh, aquatic scents are ideal — so too are soft florals and “gouramand” fragrances (think perfumes with “dessert-like” qualities — a hint of sugar-n-spice or chocolate and caramel. YUM!) Think effortless and casual, yet sweeter than cupcakes…

SCENTS TO SPRITZ: Girl’s Night Out

The scent you choose to wear on an evening out with the girl’s all depends on your intentions for the night. For a strictly-no-boys-allowed night full of dancing and delight, choose a fun, feminine fragrance that fills you with confidence and smiles! Try spritzing an uplifting combination of citrus and white flowers — sniff out notes of lemon, mandarin, jasmine and bergamot.

On the other hand, if you wouldn’t mind a little bit of attention from the opposite sex when you hit the town, deep, mysterious, oriental scents will ensure you positively smoulder! If you are after an intoxicating, come-hither elixir which really performs, keep your nose out for base-note heavy fragrances featuring lots of vanilla, musk, incense, patchouli and sandalwood. To turbo-charge your fragrances’ seductive powers, dab it above your collarbone and in your cleavage… Raawrr!   

SCENTS TO SPRITZ: Romantic Evening

Spending quality time with your special someone is the perfect excuse to wear something shamelessly girly. This really comes down to individual taste and your plans for the evening.

A lusty, glamourous fragrance will turn heads if the two of you take to the town… but if you are enjoying a quiet night in, your best bet is a sumptuous floral juice that is ultra-feminine and won’t overpower your partner. Orange blossom, sweet fresh fruits and berries, musk and flirty florals are my recommendations — but, like I said, it’s totally up to you and your situation!

SCENTS TO SPRITZ: Holidays

Scents have the power to transport us back to certain moments in time — so why not try a new fragrance next time you go on holiday? Every time you encounter it thereafter, you will be right back on that plane (Yay! Spark those senses!) Any new perfume will do the trick — if you are heading somewhere tropical, opt for fresh, light scents, whilst a strong, rich fragrance is a must-have if you are hitting a city or colder destination. 

Tips to ensure the sweet smell of success!

When choosing a fragrance… 

• Wear what gives you pleasure, find fragrances that complement your individual style, and don’t be afraid to experiment!
• A perfume will not smell the same on everyone, so unfortunately, just picking up the bottle and sniffing the contents isn’t going to give you the best indication of whether or not is it the right one for you. Test it out on your own skin to avoid making expensive mistakes.
• Try to shop for fragrance in the morning when your sense of smell is at its sharpest.
• Steer away from spicy foods or garlic the night before your scent-shopping expedition; they can alter the aroma on your skin.
• Give sales assistants a brief overview of your aromatic preferences and ask them for advice. Be aware of consultants who are working for specific companies and “pushing” products, and don’t ever feel pressured to make a decision on a fragrance if you aren’t 100% sure. Sample all you like!Give the fragrance at least an hour to develop. The top and middle notes will dissipate after about 15 minutes, and after an hour you will be left with the base notes, which is what you will ultimately live with.
• Prevent olfactory overload when selecting a fragrance by sniffing coffee beans between scents, or holding a wool sweater/scarf to your nose (I have no idea where I read the wool thing, but trust me, it works!) 
• Bear in mind that the climate you live in will actually affect how the fragrance will smell. Cool, showery weather will bring out the scent and strengthen it, whereas, strong, dry heat will make it more difficult to smell. Fragrance is intensified in warm, humid countries so choose a lighter scent and spritz it more frequently.
• The scented strips you’ll find on ads in magazines can be misleading, as they often fail to accurately convey the true fragrance. If you don’t absolutely hate it from first impressions, my advice is to test it out in real life!
• Don’t underestimate the power of perfume oils! They are a great alternative to buying a big bottle of perfume, and just a tiny dab will last all day! I have a massive crush on The Body Shop’s entire range, and highly recommend Dewberry and White Musk (check out their online store). BEEYOOTIFUL!

Wearing your fragrance…

• When applying your perfume, hold the bottle about five centimetres from your skin to combat wastage
• Spray the fragrance on your pulse points: wrists, backs of knees, front of elbows and behind the ears (although, Coco Chanel did once say “Put perfume where you want to be kissed,” so if I have forgotten anywhere…) ;D
• Don’t rub your wrists together as this can crush the delicate fragrance notes (apparently this is called “bruising” the fragrance)

Making the most of your scent

• Store it in a cupboard where possible, as heat and light will change the fragrance over time
• If you have enough room, store your glorious elixirs in the fridge — they will keep at least four times longer this way!     

Extra sweet-smelling delights!

• Purchase (obscure) perfume samples for a mere $3 on Lucky Scent!
• Check out the devilishly cool offerings on Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab!
• Sephora and StrawberryNET are both fantastic sites for purchasing fragrances online!

So, spill the beans! What’s your favourite fragrance, and why? Are you a loyal lover with a signature scent, or a fragrance flirt who plays the field? I’d love to hear about all the amazing aroma’s that spellbind and empower you!

Flirty, citrusy kisses!

Rach xxx

Photo by mboogiedown

I work in an industry (Public Relations) where it is all about communication, so I thought I would share my tips for holding fabulous, flowing, and mutually beneficial conversations!

1. MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
This one is pretty self-explanatory — always remember to show off your most glorious, wonderful self! Even if you are feeling low or not in the mood to speak to someone, introduce yourself with a smile, and shake the other person’s hand with a firm (not crushing) grip! Be charming, not fake, and be the person that gets remembered for all the right reasons! 

Check this out for more information on making a good first impression!

2. LISTEN 
This is the most important part of any conversation. Don’t listen solely to find a gap in the conversation in which you can take the floor — be genuine, wait your turn, & show the other person that you have absorbed what they’ve said before rushing in and stealing the limelight! Use eye contact and listening body language. Be careful about crossing your arms and appearing closed or critical; also, avoid looking around the room, or at your shoes or watch!  Occasional statements such as “I see,” or “Okay” show the person that you are listening and you’re interested in what they have to say. Another thing you might like to do, depending on the situation, is lightly touch the person on the arm, which can emphasise your agreement or empathy and make the person feel more connected to you (I’m a pretty “touchy” person, though, so take this as you please!)

WikiHow has a great article on How to Be a Good Listener here.

3. ASK QUESTIONS
What do they do for work? What’s going on in their life? Where are they from/what are they passionate about? Questions and answers naturally flow in conversations, and often one will piggyback off the other — however, be curious and show interest in the other person so that the conversation doesn’t revolve solely around them doing the asking and you doing the answering. People love to talk about themselves or their area of expertise, so ask them questions about their life and show a genuine interest in their responses. Likewise, use this an an opportunity to learn from the other person; everyone has something unique to offer. Ask open ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer, and remember to be polite at all times — probing and asking uncomfortable questions definitely doesn’t make for good conversation! Nobody likes to squirm! 

For suggestions for questions to ask in conversations, read here.

4. CONSIDER YOUR GESTURES 

Effective communicators — those who appear confident, trustworthy and competent — usually have strong body language. Does your body language back you up, or do you appear nervous, withdrawn, or bored? Don’t be afraid to gesture passionately with your hands when you speak — often the way we say something is just as important, if not more important, than the actual words themselves. When you are speaking with conviction, make sure your body language complements your message.

This article has more information on gesturing effectively when you speak.

5. PARAPHRASE

Using your own words, respond to the speaker by reiterating what they have said and showing your understanding. You may like to say something like: “Let me see if I’ve got this right, what you’re saying is…” or “I totally agree with the point you made when you said…” When you use paraphrasing techniques, the speaker has a chance to correct your understanding, affirm it, or embellish on it. A word of warning, though — don’t go over the top! “Parroting” the whole conversation back to the speaker is tres annoying!

6. DON’T PANIC IF THE CONVERSATION LOSES MOMENTUM

If the topic seems to have run out, use the silence to think for a moment and identify another conversation topic or question to ask them. Maybe they mentioned something earlier that you would like to revisit? Or perhaps you want to inject your own thoughts into the conversation? Don’t make a big deal out of the silence (and please, don’t highlight the lack of flow by saying something that draws attention to it, such as: “Gee, that was awkward!”) Take the pause as on opportunity to re-gather your thoughts, ask more questions, give an opinion, or make an observation, and you will transition smoothly back in to conversation in no time! 

7. DON’T INTERRUPT

Try not to cut the other person off mid-sentence. It’s disrespectful and gives the impression that you think that what you have to say is more important than what they are saying. Listen carefully, allow the person to finish & when the time is right, continue on and say your piece! 

Here’s an interesting piece on interrupting!

8. KNOW WHEN THE CONVERSATION IS OVER!

Even the best conversations will eventually run out of steam or be ended by an interruption. Take cues from the other person, and if they are starting to fidget, look around, or appear to be “rushing you” along, know when to wrap it up & make a grand departure! Shake the person’s hand again (and exchange business cards if you are in a work situation), let them know that you have really enjoyed speaking with them, and always end the conversation on a positive note by telling them you would love the opportunity to get together again soon!

Additional Tips: 

• Don’t use the conversation to boost your ego, or show off your knowledge/ wit/ prowess! You should leave a conversation feeling that both parties had ample opportunity to take the floor. 
• Always think before you speak — don’t argue for the sake of it. If you disagree with something the other person has to say, express your viewpoint simply and without putting the other person on the defensive. It is better to simply change the subject in a casual conversation than to get involved in an argument. Remember to be courteous, gracious and respectful. 
• If the other person refuses to listen or contribute, see that as a reflection on them, not you!
• Be sincere! Give compliments when you mean them — over-the-top flattery often comes across as fake, and people will pick up on it!

The purpose of a conversation isn’t to intimidate, control or belittle the person you are communicating with; rather it is to enjoy yourself, ensure the other person is enjoying themself, and if you are lucky, to walk away with having learned something special from that person. Happy conversing my lovelies!

“What I hearing you saying is….(!!!)”

Rach xxx