Style for Life

One of my listeners questiosn this week was about sleep.  So here is my podcast on the things I have gleaned and learnt over my time having sleep issues and working with clients who also struggle in this area.   Increase bright light exposure during the day Reduce blue light exposure – like phones and computers – 2 hours before bed Reduce caffeine at midday -  And if you’re taking a caffeine supplement, don’t take it within 13 hours of bedtime. Reduce foods that keep you awake at night – refined carbs, anything with caffeine,  fatty foods,  ultra processed foods,    Get rid of irregular or long daytime naps Sleep and wake at a consistent time Take a melatonin supplement Other supplements to try include magnesium, nitrate,  omega 3, resveratrol,    Don’t drink alcohol Get comfy bed, mattress and pillow.  Consider noise, temperature and ventilation.  Don’t eat late in the evening Don’t drink lots of liquids before bed Relax and clear your mind Rule out a sleep disorder Exercise regularly but not before bed Enjoy and please subscribe to and follow the show!  

Just to preface this   - I am not advocating that anyone needs to lose weight.  This podcast is based on a listener request and is about how to lose that extra 5kgs if you want to.    Here are my top tips:   Drink enough water - 2 - 3 litres per day  Adjust the protein content of each serving - around 30grams (of protein not actual weight)  Limit the amount of carbs in the body (eat at the beginning of the day not the end)  Fasting  (14 - 16hours and eating window 10 - 12hours) Do exercises to burn fat. ...Resistance training Cardio vascular exercise Change up your exercise  - tweak Add more fiber in each meal - non starchy veges are a good option  Create a scientific sleep schedule - get a routine and stick to it.  Review your stress levels - high stress is not good for weight loss  Hormone balance  - sex hormones and others  Always stay consistent in your weight loss plan even when you're at the most difficult stage and seek support and talk about it healthily Check out this amazing podcast about nutrition:  https://zoe.com/learn/category/podcasts    

Applying make up can be either a highly enjoyable or daunting task.   This podcast covers the basics from my experience working with some of the best make up artists in New Zealand on events and also having many discussions and instances of trial and error myself.   My top 10 tips (as usual haha) are: Moisturise first Pay attention to your lighting and mirror  Brushes are important - basics are:  Eye shadow brush  Blush brush  Powder brush  Brows next as they frame the face Eye make up before foundation  Base in colour that suits your skintone – cream, white, then a mid colour on centre and dark in C shape on corners  Eye liner on upper lids  Blend and clean up under the eyes afterwards Mascara - For the longest lashes, start by applying mascara on the top lashes, and be sure to coat the entire lash. For a natural look, apply just one or two coats, but if you’re going for a bold look, apply a third. Bottom lashes only need one coat, regardless of how many coats you apply to the top Foundation – always a skin match – persevere until it is right Consider blending a couple to get right tone Apply with a sponge or fingers for lighter look Apply concealer 1st Blush – cool or warm toned - it always feels heavy first off then settles  Highlighter and powder to seal the deal Lips – always last Before you do anything else, scrub the lips with a toothbrush to remove dead skin cells that result in a dry, cracked look. Use a lipliner that is just darker than the lipstick you plan to use. Whether you choose liquid or cream lipstick, pick a colour that works well with your skintone and clothes.   Practice when you are not under pressure and enjoy the process!! 

This was a listener question.  She wanted to know how to have a difficult conversation about someones appearance when they were not or appeared not to know how to dress for a particular occassion or just work.  Here are my top tips;  Establish what the issues are: Smell? Clothing style or fit? Lack of knowledge or understanding about clothing norms? Hair / make up / shortness or exposure? Establish and write a company dress code policy.   Make a time for a casual meet up and find out a bit about them – what are their values and are they in a position to fund new clothes or pay more attention to their appearance.   Ask them if they have noticed what others wear to work around the office Talk to the person on the day that they have dressed inappropriately, in a confidential setting & tell them that their attire may be perceived as inappropriate Define casual Fridays so there is no confusion about what to wear Talk to the person in person not over email Always speak in private Be clear on what the problem is and explain why Be positive about other aspects of their job and reassure them that they are not going to lose their job Act quickly as soon as the issue arises Don’t get personal  - talk about work standards and the image your company is is trying to portray. Help them with solutions   Best of luck and keep the feedback coming.  

We have all heard the old adage 'dress for the job you want,  not the job you have'.   Sometimes it can feel impossible to know where to start with this.  Following a listener question I have popped this list of 10 tips to elevate your style for a promotion or career change together for you.   Take your cues from the people who rank just above you at your company. Be inspired by how they dress. Ensure your clothes fit you properly. I can't emphasise this enough – fit is king. Cheap clothes that fit will look much better on you and give you much more presence than expensive clothes that don't. Change up the default uniform slightly, so you stand out but people don’t know why. Subtle patterns will help you stand out, but make sure they don’t clash.  Choose dark colours like black, burgundy, charcoal, and navy to convey authority and be taken seriously. Limit bright colours and pastels to one piece like a shirt OR a jacket Collect a wardrobe of good basics - quality over quantity - good quality trousers,  blazer, skirts and dresses that are in classic cuts.   Take care of your personal grooming. Haircut,  make up and good nails.   Pay attention to your shoes – good quality shoes do everything for an outfit. Buy the best you can afford.  Ensure everything is pressed and tidy. Well laundered and looks clean and sharp.  Accessories also need to be up to date - jewellery all matches and bags also co-ordinate  If you wear glasses - ensure that the frames are current and suit your face shape.   Good luck! 

Some of my clients ask me how to look slimmer in their clothes.   I just want you guys to know that I am about everyone being the best version of themselves regardless of size.   Here are some of my pointers:  Buy decent underwear Understand your best necklines Wear one colour head to toe Colour placement Wear a tight fitting bodysuit of singlet to smooth out the bulges Choose a shape of dress that works for your figure – a shift if your weight is in your tummy, a wrap or empire line if its in your hips and thighs Add some height in your shoes Put volume in your clothes to balance things out Pair dark pants with a statement top Get your lengths and proportions correct Suggest a waist Look for a good blazer Get out of all black - it can be heavy and solid looking.  Enjoy and please let me know if you have any suggestions for another podcast.     

It was an absolute privilege to chat with my friend,  the lovely Charlotte Cummings about her journey with styling and accountability coaching.  Charlotte is a therapist,  private investigator and master podcaster.   She has also shared this episode on her podcast 'Feel Better'  - a podcast about all things mental health.   This episode is about Charlottes journey to improve her health, wellness and we discuss all things parenting,  mental health and the vagus nerve even gets a mention! I am eternally grateful to Charlotte for starting me on the this podcast journey and I am in awe of al she juggles while raising three small children.  Have a listen to this podcast about how you really can have it all!      

For some people the words black tie can feel like 'black death' and they decline an invitation that they may want to accept.   An event may be a wedding, The Races,  a ball or simply a family gathering that requires you to dress up a little.   This podcast unpacks my 10 top tips for getting sorted for an event.  My tips are as follows;   Understand the invitation Over dress to impress Keep balance and choose what to accentuate Understand what best enhances your figure and colouring Invest in a simple dress or separates that can be worn again Think outside the square Wear statement jewellery Choose comfortable heels Sort your ideal party handbag Be confident Enjoy

It is a common misconception that you have to spend vast amounts of money to look great.  This podcast guides you through 11 ways that you can get the most out of your clothes,  style and wardrobe without spending a lot of money.   Here are the tips for your reference:   Think about the image you want to portray Choose clothes you feel good in  Choose clothes that suit your personality, colouring, shape and lifestyle Create a capsule wardrobe  Create a coordinated look Know what to spend money on  Know what to save money on  Shop in your own wardrobe Have a clothes swapping party Buy preloved clothes Shop smart in the sales    

Accountability coaching is one of my offerings.   This is where I provide intense, totally personalised health and weight management coaching for people who have tried for many years to lose weight and failed.  I help unpack the complexities of weight management and I am there as a support person every step of the way to help you navigate all of the obstacles that come up.   Julie and I have been working together for nearly a year now and she has lost 37kgs and is still on her journey with a goal of completing a half marathon in Queenstown in November.   She has made significant and life changing modifications to her routines that have allowed her to not only lose weight but come off many medications,  participate in activities with her children and ride a horse again.  She feels 20years younger and has stepped back into her life with gusto.   This is her story....     

Colouring your hair comes up all the time for my clients.  It is often an areas that I get a few questions about and getting your hair colour right for your skin tone makes all the difference as to whether or not you look well, awake and healthy.   One of the really tricky areas to navigate is when (if at all) you decide to stop colouring your hair and let it go 'natural'.  My job is to help you feel the best you can about yourself and if that means helping guide you with hair colour (often in consultation with a hairdresser) or helping reassure you that your natural colour will look good then I have succeeded.   This podcast explores all the pros and cons of colouring your hair and when is the 'right time' to change your hair colour especially if you have a lot of gray hair (over 30%).   I refer to a facebook page for women wanting to transition to gray hair.  You will need to join as its s private group and very inspiring:     https://www.facebook.com/groups/550897028360004 I also follow this Luisa on Instagram and she has transitioned to grey hair - she is 53 and shares her story.  Check it out:   https://www.instagram.com/thesilverlining_1970/ This is also the conditioner I sometimes use which comes if a whole raft of colours that can take the heat out of gray hair for one or two washes if you use one close to your natural colour: https://www.wella.com/professional/en-EN/hair-color/color-fresh/color-fresh-mask#/?_k=m87lhe   Enjoy the podcast and keep the feedback coming.   Thank you for listening.            

Confidence is one of those things that can effect all aspects of your life.  More confident people often make healthier lifestyle choices,  have more success in the workplace,  have more positive social interactions and are happier and more resilient.   Check out the podcast to hear my 13 top tips on how to be more confident:  1. Take care of yourself  2.  Keep your promises to yourself and others  3.  Move in a way that feels good and works for your body  4. Celebrate small victories 5.  Stay true to your values  6.  Acknowledge your achievements.  7. Speak positively to yourself  8. Try something new  9.  Surround yourself with support 10.  Dress in a way that feels good  11. Help others  12. Practice something new  13.  Express gratitude    I hope that is helpful and feel free to contact me for suggestions or ideas.      

Learning how to get up when you are down is a tough skill.  Zack has had more than his fair share of knock backs and has certainly had to dig deep to get where he is today.  He has developed some great strategies to manage life as a high performance rower.    This podcast explores some techniques and ideas that may help you when things do not go to plan.   Thank you Zack for being my first guest! 

Sometimes it can be hard to get inspired to get into summer clothes when we have been holed up in winter clothes for ages - but we booked that trip overseas and its time to get the swimwear and shorts out.   This podcast gives tips on what to chose,  how to pack, some tips on best footwear choices for travelling and how to get the best out of the clothes you are wearing when you are away.   I also share tips on how to stay fit and healthy when you are travelling.  It is really easy and appropriate to indulge when you are away but how do you draw the line and ensure that you are not returning home with extra unwanted kgs.    Feel free to listen and leave some comments or suggestions on what you would like to hear more of!   Thank you for listening.  

Buying a winter coat can feel like a big investment and sometimes it feels to hard to select such a big ticket item.   This podcast outlines all that you need to know when selecting a coat, jacket or blazer.      If you want to learn more about how to shop or even whats in the shops then join me on a style tour in Merivale ont eh 8th or 9th of June by clicking on the link below  https://events.humanitix.com/merivale-winter-style-2024...