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

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

Photo by jonSpot

“Happiness: something to do, someone to love and something to hope for.”

Happiness is an inside job. It’s not an accident that happens to some people and not to others; happiness is a predictable result created by deliberate ways of thinking and acting.

If you’re familiar with the Bright Side Lover ethos, you’ll know that living a happy life is something I’m extremely passionate about. It’s something I dedicate myself to wholeheartedly, and something I am constantly learning more and more about… so I thought I would share with my beloved readers the conclusions I have come to so far! My hope that the below tips on living a highly satisfying life will help & inspire you as you go about your business! Here goes…

Tip #1 for Living a Happier Life: Be kind to your body

1. Exercise

You’re probably not all that surprised to hear that regular exercise contributes to wellbeing. But, did you know that exercise can be a more effective treatment for depression than anti-depressants? Researchers at Duke University in the US followed the progress of patients with depression who were prescribed drugs (combined with an exercise routine), or just plain exercise, and 6 months after the program ended, it was found that the patients who relied on exercise alone were much more likely to be partly or fully recovered. Amazing news, huh?! In terms of happiness, the reason exercise is so good for us that that it brings on the release of mood-lifting endorphins — the body’s natural opiates (I’m sure you’ve heard this referred to as a “natural high.”

Exercise also keeps your brain in optimum condition as you age, lowers your blood pressure & cholesterol, eases tension & stress, improves self-esteem, assists in weight management and leads to a sounder sleep. Sounds pretty good to me!

Now, before you throw your hands up in horror, realise that, to increase happiness, the exercise you do doesn’t need to be on a huge scale! Go for a quick walk down to the shops, challenge yourself to do 3 sets of sit-ups throughout the day, gyrate to Jane Fonda circa 1982, skip on the spot, or spring clean your house! Every little bit helps!

2. Energetic Eating

Listen to your body. Take note of your body’s sensations after eating — if you feel clear, energetic and satiated, then, chances are, you are fueling your body with the correct foods! Avoid processed foods (read: junk); fill up on fresh fruit & vege; drink lots (and lots!) of water. The aim is to consistently maintain a healthy diet so you can avoid peaks and dips in your blood sugar levels… you’ll be surprised how much this affects your emotions and mental wellbeing!

Personally, if I stop exercising (which inevitably leads to bad eating for me!), I feel unmotivated, unfocused, easily stressed, and unable to have a proper nights’ sleep. Not very appealing, I can assure you! Pass the carrot sticks please…!

3. Sleep

There’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep! People who are sleep deprived are prone to obesity, mood swings, accidents, poor memory and slower reactions — so make sure you get your 8 hours! Turn the TV off, go to bed half an hour earlier than usual, and sleep your way to a clearer, happier, more productive state of being! If work stress is interfering, write your to-do list for the next day, then let it go. There’s no point mulling over everything in your mind — a disrupted sleep will only make the next day ten times more challenging.

Tip #2 for Living a Happier Life: Be thankful

Expressing gratitude is the single most important thing you can do to turbocharge your happiness.

Professor Emmons, author of “Thanks: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier”, says: “The practice of gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%. Second, this is not hard to achieve — a few hours writing a gratitude journal over 3 weeks can create an effect that lasts 6 months, if not more. Third, cultivating gratitude brings other health effects, such as longer and better quality sleep time.”

So — now you know that writing down what you’re grateful for fosters optimism — why not make today the day that you start your very own Gratitude Journal? I try and do this as regularly as I can, and although you may think it’s a bit of a silly concept, it actually works wonders for your mood and perspective so I urge you to give it a go! There have been several occasions where I’ve taken a few minutes out to write down 5 things I am grateful for when my day hasn’t quite been going to plan, and, honestly, it improved my mood out of sight! Sometimes when life throws you a curve ball and everything becomes a bit much (your car dies just as the biggest phone bill you have ever encountered hits your mailbox), writing a gratitude list that details the blessings in your life can really dwarf the other misfortunes into insignificance. It can also highlight the little things that you might be taking for granted.

An example entry in your Gratitude Journal might be: 1) being loved by family and/or partner 2) the sun shining 3) the compliment about my outfit from a stranger 4) that I get paid today 5) that a friend helped me out with * something * and saved me $200 in the process.

Give it a shot, and let me know if you notice a change!

Tip #3 for Living a Happier Life: Look at the Glass as Half-full

Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt once said: “I am more and more convinced that our happiness or unhappiness depends far more on the way we meet the events of life, than on the nature of those events themselves.”

I couldn’t agree more! It all comes back to optimism and pessimism. Pessimists tend to view bad events as uncontrollable and permanent, while optimists see them as temporary and changeable. Whereas pessimists focus their energy on the “worst possible scenario”, optimists don’t get bogged down by negativity and despair; they look for the crack of light, how ever tiny that may be, that signals that the problem can be fixed and the obstacle can be overcome. And want to know the best news? Optimism can be learned!

Take the Learned Optimism test!

Tip #4 for Living a Happier Life: Whatever you put your focus on, you attract to you…

…so make sure it’s what you want, not what you don’t want! If you want to lose weight, don’t keep telling yourself ‘I’m fat’ because that is precisely what you will be putting out there!  Educate yourself to start stating things in advance. So, in the case of wanting to lose weight, continually affirm your desire by saying ‘I am my perfect weight.’Positive affirmations help you stay focused, and in order to create the life you want, you need to speak and act as if your desires and goals have already been reached. Fill your diary or notebook with uplifting phrases; take some time out to visualise your dream life. Visualisation is a very powerful and if done often, it will work! Remember: ‘Thoughts become things!”

Tip #5 for Living a Happier Life: Be mindful of your words

Words are a precious gift that we often squander carelessly. Every time you say something like ‘It’s too good to be true’ or ‘Knowing my luck…’ what you are doing is using your energy to make these statements true. The mind actually processes images — and your subconscious doesn’t know the difference between fact and fiction — so take the time to review your vocabulary and ensure your thoughts, words and actions always support and feed off each other.

Replace restrictive, negative words like ‘problem’ with positive, buoyant words such as ‘opportunity.’ ‘It’s too good to be true’ becomes ‘Good things always happen to me.’ Imagine you are strutting around, shopping for words, and you only want to choose the very best, highest quality, 100% authentic ones to fill your basket. Bypass ‘Negativity’ in Aisle 3 kittens, it’s straight to the checkout with the ‘I can’s’ and the ‘I am’s’!

Also, ask yourself questions. If you have a habit of saying ‘I can’t afford it,’ supplement this with ‘How can I afford it?’ By turning a negative statement into a question, you create an entirely different perspective on the situation and open up a whole new set of possibilities!

Tip #6 for Living a Happier Life: Create something tangible

Whether it’s cooking dinner, building a sandcastle, writing in your journal, finishing a project at work, doing your make-up or snapping interesting photo’s — find the joy in creating things. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel as a result of ‘creating’ is so rewarding; it will give you the impetus to move forward, avoid stagnation, and continue to access irrevocable happiness on a consistent basis!

Tip #7 for Living a Happier Life: Get organised

Get rid of the clutter! Your immediate environment reflects your life, and a calmer environment = more control (and a more serene mood!). Clean out your email inbox regularly, keep on top of your filing, throw out junk. Keep your personal space well-ventilated, ordered and clean. Try to get in the habit of using the “one minute rule”— that is, never postpone any task that can be completed in less than a minute.

Tip #8 for Living a Happier Life: Find your passion

Finding something you are passionate about and doing it daily (or, even better, for a living!) has the power to completely transform your life! In my opinion, passion takes a mediocre, ordinary life and propels it forward into something truly special. It’s what makes getting up in the morning fun & exciting! When you uncover your passion, and live it daily, it will motivate you to keep going when times are tough, spur you to take consistent action, and lead you to an incredibly fulfilling and blissfully happy existence. So, how do you uncover what it is that YOU are passionate about? Here are some suggestions that will help you on your way!

Brainstorm: Grab a piece of paper and start jotting down ideas. Think about the things that inspire you; your hobbies; the things you spend hours reading & learning about. If it’s not apparent, all these ideas will give you a valuable insight into what you actually love doing already. Don’t evaluate your list or close your mind off — just write down anything that comes to mind!

Explore: Talk to other people about their passions. Surf the Net and read other people’s stories. Head to your nearest bookstore or library & glance over the book titles/ areas of interest — all these things will help you on your journey to discovering your personal passion.

Research: Once you have pinpointed your passion, look into the possibility of turning it into a viable means of making a living (and remember, with the advent of the Internet, pretty much anything is possible!) Read websites. Buy books on the topic. Find out what skills and education are needed to become a professional in the field.

Don’t forget to think big, tap into your true potential, and steer your ship confidently in the direction of your wildest dreams! It’s so worth it!

Tip #9 for Living a Happier Life: Be true to YOU!

Throw off those self-imposed shackles and let go of trying to please other people! Putting pressure on yourself by trying to live up to other people’s unrealistic expectations will get you nowhere; you’ll end up unhappy, resentful and completely unfulfilled. Hold your head up high, develop your own code, and learn to love, accept, celebrate and exalt in your own existence.  Self-love is the most important kind — commit that to memory!

Don’t judge yourself on physical beauty — it’s all subjective anyway! No two people will ever have exactly the same impression of you, so rather than living a life of comparison and inferiority, find the quirks in your personality and use them to define who you are. Cultivate an aura of confidence and dignity, and never underestimate the importance of your individuality!

Also, forgive and release the negative experiences of your past… they’re over now, so move forward with power and curiosity. The future is right in front of you, baby!  Rather than being self-conscious, be conscious of who you are… yep, that’s right — imperfect, beautiful, interesting, remarkable YOU! Adopt a spectacularly different approach and don’t apologise to anyone for it! And above all, be real!

Tip #10 for Living a Happier Life: Keep working on it

While sometimes joy descends upon us unexpectedly, you can also take control of your destiny by getting into the habit of regularly planting positive suggestions in your mind. Make forgiveness part of your daily routine; don’t hang on to crap, it doesn’t do anyone any good in the long term. Do something every day to fulfill your own needs, and when life gets you down, always look for the opportunity to grow by remaining proactive, not reactive. When it comes to your relationships, surround yourself with positive people and deepen your connections with others by listening, giving and lowering your expectations.

The most important commitment you will ever make is the one to be happy. At the end of the day, the only real measure of success is how happy you are — and by harnessing the power of your mind, learning to live your own truths, and taking action, you will be well on your way to living a life filled with happiness in its purest form!

Over to you:

What do you do to stay happy? What are the little things you integrate into your life every day that bring you pure, unadulterated joy? What ‘happiness advice’ do you give to others? Pour it all out in the comments, my sweet angels!

Heart-fulls of joy, miles of love & never-ending sparkle,

Rach xxx