Friday, November 6, 2009

Small Business Big Marketing Show!


I thought I would share with you my interview with the so funny your belly will hurt and so talented they will blow your mind Tim Reid and Luke Moulton.

SBBM #13 – So you want to look big? Marketing insights from The Bra Queen.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Changing Careers in the Australian Job Industry!

“If you got offered your dream job but for ½ the money would you take it?”
“Do you know what your dream job is?”

So many people don’t, that is what inspired me to do this post.
I found when you hit your 30’s that is the time you start to dislike your job! You’ve been in it for years you may be over it but don’t know what else to do.
BUT chances are you have a mortgage, kids and it really isn’t the time you want to be changing jobs right? Where do you start OR do even start!

Give yourself time to process everything and get used to the idea. Set aside time for each step so you are actually being proactive about this.

The only way to find a job you truly love is if you-
• Do not to give yourself a job title or think about what you think may be a good job.
• Go through the steps to identify your passions and interests, your abilities and skills, your values and natural desires.

ASK YOURSELF: -
Step 1: Why Do You Want To Change Careers?
• Are you bored,
• You have no room for growth,
• Your colleagues,
• It is no longer challenging you,
• You would like to down size your responsibility,
Note- Try to look at a career change as moving forward and growing, not as escapism.


Step 2: Create Goals & Personal Vision

Your goal is to find a job that you will love for years to come. So be open!
Ask yourself-
• What hours do you want to work?
• What is salary do you have in mind; remember you still need to live comfortably?
• Are you prepared to travel, if so how far?

Do you see yourself?
• Working inside, outside, office, shop.
• Do you have an idea as to work kind of position or tasks you would like to do? I.e. Computers, Clothes, Dogs, Marketing etc
• Would you like a managerial job, if so what level?
• Perhaps you see yourself as an entrepreneur?
• Would you consider self-employment?

Do you have any special requirements such as-
- Paid Maternity Leave
- Day Care Facilities
- Ability to work for home when required
- On Site Gym
Try to outline everything you would like, that way you can get a clearer picture and you are creating a vision and specific goals. This will help you in finding your ideal job.

Step 3: Do you have a hobby or something you’re passionate about?
I hear all too often “I just work for money, I don’t need to love it” Why deny yourself happiness? If you can get paid for what you love doing wouldn’t you prefer that?
• What are your hobbies?
• What were your favorite subjects in school?
• Do you have a favorite section in a book store?
• What puts a fire in your belly? Besides chilli,
• Do you go to a section of the newspaper first?
• Do you still like any aspects of your current job?
• What do you like to talk about?

Start to take notes of what makes you happy or takes your interest. Write it down over a couple of weeks, is there a pattern emerging?

Step 4: What Are Your Values?
Have you thought about the possibility that the reason you may be unhappy is because you don’t believe in your company, their beliefs or their products?
Try to identify what your values are? You may have thought about it as a parent or a partner but not about your job!
Ask yourself this-
• What are you most proud of?
• What legacy do you want to leave behind?
• Who dead or alive would you most like to meet and why?
• What makes you angry?
• What makes you laugh?
• Favorite book- What is the theme?
• Favorite movie- What is the theme?
• Out of all of the world’s problems what would you fix?
• Are you an introvert or extravert
• Do you like tangible or intangible

Step 5: What are Your Skills?
Look at past resumes, performance reviews and also add what you would like to do.
• It may be your natural ability
• A skill you have picked up along the way in your career
• Courses you have taken,
• On-the-job training
• A degree you have
• A trade you have


Step 6: Put It Altogether! Plan of Attack!

Go through each step and write down your Top 3 to 5 answers to each question.
• Goals
• Vision
• Passions and Interests
• Values
• Skills
Once you have gathered your information you can-
• Speak to a career adviser
• Go to a Career Expo
• Talk to friends and family about your list and see if they can identify a job using your list.
• Research on the internet
• What are you seeing for yourself, have any ideas come to mind?
• See a recruitment agency once you start to get a picture of what it is you desire.
Just Ensure-
• Do not make any rash decisions
• Speak it over with loved ones
• Your financial security
• Be honest with yourself about what you want
• Be patient and persistent
• Step outside your comfort zone, you always work better out of it!

Be safe, be happy, good luck!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Bra Review- A Super Push Up Bra, Eden.



Cost- $100.05
Lift- 10/10
Separation- 10/10
Quality- 9/10
Shape- 10/10
Material- 9/10
Appearance- 9/10

Over All- 9.5/10

Bra Queen’s Comments- As you know I ALWAYS get asked about a great Push Up Bra and finally I can recommend one! This Push Up Bra gives your breasts the most beautiful shape and va va voom cleavage AND it is really comfortable. This bra is part of the Selmark Lingerie Collection which isn't a well known brand in Australia, YET! But watch this space it is going to take off! Because it competes with Le Mystere, Simone Perle and all of your luxury lingerie collections however the quality of these bras are far more superior.
What I loved most about this Push up bra is that it isn't heavy, the foam is really light so it molds to your breast and it doesn't weight a tonne.

If you would like to check out this bra or see more of their collections then you can go to Goddess Inc and I will bring you more Bra Reviews from this range in the next few weeks.

Disclaimer: The views, conclusions, findings and opinions of the author are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the product owners, producers and there affiliates.

Monday, November 2, 2009

YOU BEAUTY! DIY CHOCOLATE SKIN TREATMENTS



There’s no denying the health benefits of chocolate. Studies have shown eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate can actually be good for us, but what about chocolate as part of your skincare routine?

Believe it or not, chocolate can provide some natural benefits to your skin. It’s largely regarded for its antioxidant properties, which protects against free radical damage, but it is also a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Even simply smelling chocolate can make you healthier as it boosts your mood and improves your immune system.

Here are some easy chocolate beauty recipes you can use at home for an indulgent experience minus the calories.

Chocolate Facial Recipe

A fantastic all-rounder recipe for the face. Avocado helps reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone. The cream and cottage cheese will soften and smooth skin, and improve circulation. While oatmeal powder provides a deep clean without drying or irritating the skin.

You Will Need:
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. (Use only cocoa powder and not hot chocolate drinking mixes).
4 Tablespoons heavy cream
3 teaspoons cottage cheese
3 teaspoons ripe avocado
1/4 cup honey
3 Tablespoons oatmeal powder (Use rolled, not instant oats and blend finely).

Method:
Mix all ingredients together.
Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes.
Dampen with warm, moist wash cloth to remove, then apply moisturizer.

Chocolate Coconut Body Scrub Recipe
A winning combination of flavours for me, but if the smell of coconut doesn’t appeal to you, simply leave the coconut oil and extract out and use a little olive oil instead to achieve the desired paste-like consistency.

You Will Need:
1 cup coarse brown sugar or raw sugar (or a combination of the two)
1/2 cup liquified coconut oil
3 Tbsp. unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1 tsp. pure vanilla oil (extract will do)
1/2 tsp. or more pure coconut extract

Method:
Mix the oil, extracts and sugar, adjusting amounts until desired consistency is reached.
Gently mix in cocoa powder.
Best applied to moist skin. Use a tablespoon of scrub at a time and use in a circular motion, massaging gently using your fingertips.
Rinse off with warm water.
Store remaining scrub in refrigerator in a glass or plastic container with lid.

Chocolate Milk Bath Sachet
Instead of drinking hot chocolate, bathe in one instead. A fragrant and delicious addition to bathtime.

You Will Need:
1 cup baking soda
1 cup instant non-fat dry milk
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch

Method:
Mix all ingredients together.
Place about 3 tablespoons in the centre of a nice handkerchief or a small square of muslin cloth. Tie with ribbon, leaving a loop to hang over the faucet.
Use one sachet per bath, hanging the sachet on the faucet so that warm water passes through it.
Store in an airtight jar. Will keep up to 6 months.

Chocolate and Coconut Milk Conditioner
A great natural remedy for dark, curly or frizzy hair. A good scalp massage is a gentle way of improving circulation to your face, which can help keep your skin looking younger.

You Will Need:
¾ cup coconut cream
1/3 cup cocoa powder
Method:
Mix both ingredients in a plastic bowl.
Shampoo as normal. Use this recipe in place of regular conditioner.
Use once a month or as often as necessary.

For the ultimate chocolate beauty experience why not book a holiday to Austria, Costa Rica or France where you’ll find day spas specialising in gourmet chocolate beauty treatments such as a whipped cocoa bath, a toffee chocolate wrap or chocolate and cranberry body scrub. Or go for the deep chocolate massage instead with your own bowl of chocolate sweets beside the massage table.

As a cheaper and more fun alternative, grab a bunch of girl friends and set up your own chocolate day spa at home. Don’t forget the chocolate cocktails and an assortment of chocolate treats to make the experience complete!

(A word of advice: Never use ingredients for your home spa treatments that you wouldn't want to eat. Your skin, the largest organ on your body, breathes and will absorb the properties of the ingredients you are using. Use fresh, high quality ingredients for the best results, and do not store the treatment longer than the shelf life of the most perishable ingredient. )

“Bianca Hensman is owner and manager of Coastal Chocolates, an online gift store dedicated to the chocolate lover. A self-proclaimed ‘Chocolate Expert’, Bianca has a slight obsession with all things chocolate. She is hoping to introduce a line of non-edible chocolate gifts including chocolate body products to Coastal Chocolates in early 2010. To subscribe to the Coastal Chocolates newsletter, simply visit www.coastalchocolates.com.au to find out more. “

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sports Bra

Whether you wear Berlei Sports, Triumph, Champion, Enell or Shock Absorber Sports Bras you have to why and the difference between them.

Why do you need a Sports Bra?
Without a Sports Bra your breasts can move up to 10 cms when you exercise. It will stretch your skin and you loose elasticity.
What does that mean?
Once they hit south, they will stay south. That's why it is super important to have a great Sports Bra and now there are Sports Bras for everyone you just have to know where and what to look for.
As a G cup I have always worn 2 Sports bra (at once) to minimize bounce. Jogging or running hurt so I stuck with walking or the cross trainer.

What is the difference in Sports Bras?
You have 2 kinds of Sports Bras:

1.The Crop Top


This has NO UNDERWIRE and works on binding your breasts as much as possible to reduce bounce. It has a wide razor back so the weight is distributed evenly through out your back.
Pro: - If you buy good quality it will have excellent support and it places no pressure on your back.

Con: - You couldn’t wear this Sports Bra all day or for too long because it is quite restrictive because it does squash your breasts. However if you are just wanting it for exercise then it is perfect especially for larger cups. It is usually a thicker material.
E.g. of a quality Crop Top Sports Bra is Oprah's favorite Sports Bra the Enell, I can wear this Sports Bra and happily run and jump without any bounce.

2.Traditional Shape Bra


This has underwire and has thick straps, it is crucial that-
o Band fits snugly around your back
o Underwires sit flush against your chest
o It must be the right shape for you otherwise it will dig in and be very uncomfortable
o NO gapping in the cup, this will create bounce
o NO spillage in the cup, it will not give you the support you need
Some look like traditional bras coming straight across the back while others have razor backs (where the straps cross over at the back) . It is personal preference, one isn’t better then the other. However Sports Bras that have underwire and a razor back can be tricky to put on.

Pro: - You can wear these all day long if you need to. There are a wide variety of styles so you can ensure you get the right shape for you. They are a light weight material to absorb sweat.

Con: - They only go up to an E Cup (some don’t even do that) so larger cup sizes are not catered for at all.
HOT TIP- When trying on Sports Bras jog on the spot and jump up and down that way you’ll know if it stops bounce.

HOTTEST TIP: - Don’t listen to Marketing Hype such as “Worlds Best Sports Bra” or “No 1 selling Sports Bra” It is getting the right shape for you, no 1 sports bra can suit everyone.
Sports Bras still have bra shapes so you may to read It's All About The Shape.
Or if you don’t know your bra size read How To Measure Your Bra Size