Style for Life

In this episode Stephanie explores the basis and need for human connection.  She covers off what it is and how we can improve our relationships by being better connected to each other.  In a world where much of our connection has moved online the way we connect has changed and there is an impact.    This episode also discusses loneliness which can be the end result of no connection.  Sometimes loneliness can lead to poor mental health.  If you feel at risk please see some of the links below that point you to areas of support.   https://www.lifeline.org.nz/ As always a big thank you to Clare and the team from Image Innovators for their sponsorship of this podcast.  https://imageinnovators.com/ If you want to read more about this topic feel free to check out Stephanie's blog. https://www.brightred.co.nz/blog      

In this episode as the summer here in New Zealand is (mostly lol) in full swing Stephanie unpacks what she is seeing the the shops that you can buy now.   Stephanie explains how to wear these trends and also how things can be recycled from years gone by...   The trends explored in this issue are:  1. Chocolate brown  2. Long full skirts  3. Co-ords - this is matching tops and bottoms  4. The Pantone colour of the year - 'Cloud dancer’ which is just white  5. Low rise wider legged jeans 6. Low rise longer shorts 7. Some shorter shorts low rise  8. 90's slip dresses and camisole tops 9. One shouldered and asymmetric tops  10. Chunky necklaces and jewellery 11. Birkenstocks and lattice footwear A big thank you to our sponsor Image Innovators.  https://imageinnovators.com/ Feel free to contact me if you some help with your style.   https://www.brightred.co.nz/ Have a great week...     

At this busy time of the year, it is really challenging to find time to prioritise self-care.  In this episode, Stephanie discusses the stats around exercise adherence and reiterates the recommended guidelines for exercise.  She also covers the common barriers to exercise and what the health impacts are of not exercising.    She then gives some top tips to get you moving at this time of the year:    Make it enjoyable.  Pair up with others/buddy system  Start small and build habits  Schedule exercise  Set goals  Track progress  Give yourself a non-food reward  Know your ‘why’ and let it motivate you Focus on how it makes you feel  Stay consistent    She troubleshoots all the issues that can get in the way and provides practical tips to help you navigate the challenges that inevitably come up.     For help with all things motivation and exercise, please contact Steph    https://www.brightred.co.nz/accountability-coaching   Thank you to Image Innovators for their amazing sponsorship of this podcast.     https://imageinnovators.com/

In May of 2025 it was my great pleasure to sign Melody up for a 6 month accountability coaching package.  She came to me feeling extremely body conscious,  exhausted and very frustrated with her health outcomes.  We had a long conversation and made a plan for her that worked with her busy family with two small children and a husband and got started.     This podcast tells Melody’s story and it really is a story of transformation,  finding herself again after babies and becoming the best version of herself.  Without giving too much away have a listen and hear for yourself how it all unfolded.  Warning you might need a tissue as things get a little emotional (in a great way)…..    Check out the link below if you want to find out more about accountability coaching or any of the services I offer.   https://www.brightred.co.nz/accountability-coaching   Many thanks to Clare Maxfield from Image Innovators for her amazing support of the podcast.  I am very grateful.     https://imageinnovators.com/

Today we’re bringing you one of our most popular episodes of 2025, a listener favourite we’re re-releasing for Boxing Day while we take a short break. I was so privileged to interview my beautiful friend Shannon-Leigh Litt who is in the middle of attempting to break the Guiness world record for the most number of consecutive ultra marathons run - this is over 51kms per day.  Today she completed ultra 382 - the current record is 200.   Listen for some super heated inspiration from this incredible athlete and human.   Thank you Shannon and best of luck with your amazing journey.  

Today we’re bringing you one of our most popular episodes of 2025, a listener favourite we’re re-releasing while we take a short break. In this episode, Stephanie shares her journey of packing light for an extended holiday. She discusses her strategies for choosing the right bags, selecting essential clothing, and organising her items using packing cells. Stephanie talks about the importance of comfort in footwear and shares her go-to travel snacks. She also covers toiletries and personal care items, and concludes with a checklist for her carry-on essentials, all while aiming to travel efficiently and avoid overpacking. For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/ For info on the cotopaxi bag, check out: https://www.cotopaxi.co.nz/

Right on Christmas time, we spend weeks celebrating the end of our year.  This involves many celebrations, parties and get-togethers that almost always revolve around food and alcohol.  It’s a great thing to connect with others in this way, with food and often alcohol being a social lubricant and a common enjoyment.  Sometimes these celebrations and events do not provide options that support your health outcome, which can lead to feeling bloated,  unwell and sometimes regretful.     The top 10 tips that Stephanie discusses are below:      Ask yourself is this s 10/10 for me?  Have I pre planned how I am going to show up to this event?   How am I treating alcohol?  Am I bringing a plate or checking the menu first?  Can we make the function an ‘active’ on so the focus is on the event not drinking and eating  Are we practising mindful eating rather than mindless snacking while talking to someone.   If things get out of hand can we get back on track the next day and nourish our bodies?  Are we practising gratitude?  What’s happening with water?   Are we connecting with people not just food.    Feels free to reach out if you hold celebrations have got a little off track and you need some help to get back into focus.   https://www.brightred.co.nz/accountability-coaching   A huge thank you to Clare Maxfield at Image Innovators for her continued and generous support of the podcast.      https://imageinnovators.com/

In this episode, Stephanie explores the causes and management strategies for dealing with Christmas burnout.     Christmas burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by the stress of the holiday season, which can be triggered by financial pressures, family expectations, and packed schedules. Signs include fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, a loss of joy, and feeling overwhelmed. This often occurs in the lead-up to Christmas.     She identifies that Christmas burnout can be caused by any of the following:      Financial pressure Family expectations  A packed schedule  Comparison  Perfectionism   She also discusses some suggestions to manage it, including managing self-care, amongst others.  Tune in to learn more.     Thank you to Image Innovators for their sponsorship of Style for Life.     https://imageinnovators.com/   Thank you so much for listening.     https://www.brightred.co.nz/

Many aspects of fashion styling have seen a resurgence over the past few years  - colour analysis being the big one! Such a great service!  The other service that has risen in popularity is exploring your clothing style personality.   This is a service I have offered my clients for 20 years and I thought it may be useful to unpack it on the podcast this week so you understand the relevance and intention of discovering this fun fact about yourself.     I offer an online quiz that helps you work out where you sit.  This is super useful when you are shopping or even working out how you want to show up in the world.  The 7 clothing style personalities covered are:   Classic Creative Dramatic Elegant Feminine  Natural  Sexy    Have a listen and learn how it all works and maybe you can work out which one sounds like you?   IF you want to know for sure check out the link today to discover who you are…    https://brightred.myprivatestylist.com/your-style-expression/   If you want to know even more then check out my website for all styling options.     https://www.brightred.co.nz/   A massive thank you to our great premium who sponsor Image Innovators who offer all things style.     https://imageinnovators.com/   Until next week…

This week, Steph explores empty nest syndrome and shares her experiences.  She also discusses the challenges and positives of the children leaving home.     The challenges traversed are.     Identity crisis, as your purpose has changed  Anxiety and worry about your children away from home  Loss of control of your children’s day-to-day life  Regret and guilt about your parenting choices and behaviours.   Financial implications of supporting a child outside the home Role transformation to a supportive guide rather than a parent  Unrecognised grief from others who have not experienced this or who do not share it  Changed social interactions as your children’s friends and their parents are often no longer in your realm.     Positives of Empty Nest Syndrome  Rediscover and pursue personal interests Focus on career and preprofessional development  More time for self-care and mental well-being. A sense of accomplishment in seeing their children become successful, independent adults.  Deeper marital  / partner satisfaction New parent-child dynamic to a more mature, supportive friendship based on mutual respect and shared experiences. Stronger social connections with old and new friends  Time to spend with your aging parents    This week, we are really excited to have a premium sponsor, Image Innovators Australia, on board.  Please check out this link to see what they offer.  I am proud to be partnering with them to offer Fashion Stylist Training heading into 2026.     https://imageinnovators.com/

In this episode, Steph unpacks all there is to know about wearing prints.  She explains the difference between. Plain and printed fabric and discusses the different types of prints in 5 broad categories:   Floral  Geometric  Abstract  Animal print Ethnic print    She discusses the reasons why people may choose not to wear a print and gives some encouragement to think outside the box when it comes to print.      She also explains how print can stretch and grow your wardrobe and give you plenty of options to choose from  - it also takes the thinking out of dressing when you pair it with other solid colours.    So many tips and tricks in this podcast for everyone.   https://www.brightred.co.nz/colour-analysis-consultation

This week Steph takes a deep dive into her wardrobe to show you how to put together an outfit for Race day.  Whether you are attending for fun with a group of friends,  wanting to enter the best dressed or going with a bent for the horses there are certain things that make a race day outfit work well.   Start with one element and work the rest of your outfit around it.  In this episode Steph shares how she started with a Zambesi dress when she won Addington Cup Days Fashion in the Field in 2006.  She then styled the hat, shoes, jacket and all accessories to work with the dress.    Alternatively she explains how you can start with a hat or fascinator and then work your outfit to fit with the vibe..  Aligning colours and shapes makes your outfit look cohesive – so if your clothing has circles in the fabric emulating this in your accessories and footwear gives a ‘styled’ look.    If you want advice for racewear or any style advice links are below.    Brightred.co.nz

In this episode, Stephanie explores the concept of amygdala hijack, a term used to describe the emotional responses that occur during conflict or escalation.   She identifies three primary responses: fight, flight, and freeze, and emphasises the importance of recognising which response one is experiencing in order to manage emotions effectively during challenging conversations.   For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/

In this episode, Stephanie walks us through the latest spring-summer fashion trends, providing insights into various styles, colours, and combinations.   She emphasises the importance of personal style over trends and showcases items from her own wardrobe to illustrate key points.   The conversation covers a range of topics, including nightie dresses, tank tops, athleisure, plaid, utility styles, and masculine suits, concluding with a recap of the trends discussed.   Watch it on YouTube to see the examples as Steph walks us through them.   For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/

Stephanie talks with Olivia Hay-Smith, a young entrepreneur who has successfully launched two businesses in vintage fashion and marketing.   They discuss Olivia's journey into vintage fashion, the challenges of thrifting, the ethics surrounding fast fashion, and the importance of sustainability.   Olivia shares her insights on content creation and marketing strategies, emphasising the need for patience and creativity in the vintage reselling business.   They also reflect on the benefits of self-employment and the importance of collaboration across generations in the business world.   Follow Liv’s journey: https://www.lovedbyliv.co.nz/ https://www.marketingwithliv.co.nz/   For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/

In this episode, Stephanie shares her personal journey through menopause, discussing the various symptoms she experienced, the impact of COVID-19 on her health, and her exploration of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She emphasises the importance of knowledge and support during this transition and offers insights into managing anxiety and lifestyle changes. Steph also touches on Frocktober, a fundraising initiative for ovarian cancer, and expresses her commitment to helping others navigate their menopause journey. For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/

Stephanie talks with Suli, a seasoned group fitness instructor and community health advocate.   Suli shares his journey from teaching fitness classes to becoming a registered nurse, emphasising the importance of community health, particularly for Māori and Pacific populations.   The conversation explores the significance of building relationships in fitness, the challenges faced by the rainbow community, and the holistic approach to health and wellness.   Suli also discusses his initiatives, including Moana Vibes, which promotes inclusivity in fitness. The episode concludes with reflections on personal influences and aspirations for the future. For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/   Check out Moana Va:  Instagram @moana_va Facebook @moana vā TikTok @moanava.pacificpride YouTube @MoanaVa LinkedIn @Moana Vā Podcast @Two Fat ‘Fine Email info@moanava.org Website www.moanava.org

This week, Stephanie discusses the different body shapes and how to dress for them.   She talks about why understanding your body shape and proportions is important, and how this knowledge can lead to better styling choices.   She explains the significance of vertical proportions and the role of visual harmony in dressing, and highlights the limitations of AI in accurately assessing body shapes and encourages listeners to embrace their unique bodies while exploring fashion.   For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/

Stephanie talks with Clare Maxfield, the owner and director of Image Innovators, a leading company in image consulting and stylist training about what it takes to be a stylist in 2025.   Steph and Clare discuss the importance of training for stylists, the evolving role of technology and AI in colour analysis, and the comprehensive services offered by Image Innovators.   Clare emphasises the need for empathy and understanding in personal styling, and shares her insights on motivation and inspiration in the field of image consulting.   For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/

In this episode, Stephanie discusses why colour analysis could completely change the way you think about your wardrobe. Steph delves into the world of colour analysis, explaining its significance in fashion styling and personal branding. She discusses the benefits of understanding your colour palette, the process of colour consultation, and the evolution of tools used in colour analysis. She also talks about the importance of technology in modern colour analysis and how it enhances the client experience.   If you want to book your own colour analysis and start the journey towards a better understanding of what works best for you, check out https://www.brightred.co.nz/   Listen to related episodes on Apple Podcasts: Should the colour black really be a staple in your wardrobe? https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/should-the-colour-black-really-be-a-staple-in-your-wardrobe/id1750397394?i=1000721134830 Does understanding your colours really matter? https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-2-does-understanding-your-colours-really-matter/id1750397394?i=1000657870814 For resources and information around accountability coaching and personal styling, check out: https://www.brightred.co.nz/