Almost Posh: April 2015

Winter Luxe at Home (on the Grocery Budget!)

As I pointed out recently, winter is coming.

Inclement weather and the urge to hibernate can mean an increase in time spent chilling around the house. Well, hopefully not literally chilling because who wants to be cold. Warming, then.

So when I'm just hanging out and warming at home, I want it to be a pleasant environment. Icy cold weather means less opportunity to throw open doors and windows for a good air out and that can lead to a stuffy and - heaven forbid - even stale ambience of comfort food cooking smells, socks and damp laundry drying in front of the heater.

What. To. Do.

Airflow is obviously important but how about something a bit next level like a fresh scent and appealing visuals to lift your mood on a grey day. Something like, oh, I don't know, a decorative candle?

If you're on a budget, dropping big dollars on a scented candle is not going to go down well. However, you can obtain such a thing at your local supermarket during your weekly grocery shop, and everyone knows if it's on the grocery receipt, it's a neccessity and certainly not any kind of indulgent homewares shopping extravagance. Don't be ridiculous.

Have a look at this Air Wick Multicolour Silhouette candle.

This is quite nifty. The candle sits in a jar with a silhouetted scene that comes to life in gently glowing colours that change as the candle burns.

Isn't that soothing? This particular scent is Amber Mandarin Glow, a breezy reminder of summer during the winter months.

If you're after a more traditional scented candle, then the Decorative Jar may be more your thing. This variant in Sweet Summer Fruits is a light, zingy and refreshing scent that is perfect for my bathroom and feels genuinely invigorating. As a small but important point of interest, the label peels off easily for a more elegant appearance.

You can find Air Wick candles and assorted other air freshening products in your local supermarket. Sneak one into your trolley during your next shop!

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These products were kindly provided to me for review. For more information, please see my PR and Media policy.

April 30, 2015
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#PoshLadyIndigo Style Challenge Wrap-Up

accessories

April 27, 2015
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Anzac Commemorations

current events

April 25, 2015
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Throwback Thursday: Dannii Minogue

fashion

April 23, 2015
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Don't Go Ghet-Toe: Keep Your Feet Sweet This Winter

beauty

April 20, 2015
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#PoshLadyIndigo Instagram Style Challenge

challenge

In collaboration with @lady_lambkin and @indigo_daydream, I am excited to present the #PoshLadyIndigo style challenge that will be happening on Instagram between Monday 20 and Sunday 26 April.

We love a style challenge so we thought, why not come up with one of our own?

It’s only a week long so it’s very easy to play along. Our prompts are accessible (well, we think so, anyway) and give lots of scope for imagination and interpretation as you see fit!

Unfortunately, our timing is a bit off due to the #foxpackstyledare challenge running concurrently, but we'd already done the graphic and Stacie (@indigo_daydream) is going overseas for six weeks in May so we wanted to do it before she left. No reason why you can't play along with both though, the more style the better!

So please join in with us on Monday, using the hashtag #PoshLadyIndigo and tag us in too if you like; @beth_almostposh, @lady_lambkin and @indigo_daydream.

If we have more participants than just us three, we may even be in a position to reward your efforts with a little prize; a goody bag of rad autumn swag (Australian residents only, soz). The winner will be as judged by us with much care and consideration. If you miss out, your reward will be seeing lovely pics of the other participants and the many likes you’re sure to receive, looking so fabulous.

Stuck for ideas?

Colour Block Rockin’ Beats

Pair bold solid colours together to create a strong statement.

Metallica

Think edgy jewellery, lurex, metallic thread or shoes. Black rock tee, goatees and dodgy mullets optional.

Mixed Materials

Pair denim and lace, leather and cashmere, knits and weaves . . . whatever takes your fancy.

Mad Hatters

It’s time to don your favourite chapeau. Beret, beanie, felt or fedora, it’s up to you.

That 70s Show

It’s back. Time to deal and embrace the oncoming trend. Click here for some inspo.

Saturday Night

Are you thinking Fever, Alright For Fighting or Cold Chisel's classic doo doo dooooo, doo doo doo doo? Show us what you're rocking this evening.

Tartan, Gingham and Plaid

Be easy like Sunday morning in some cheeky checks.

Hope to see you playing along and sharing your style with us on Insta.

April 17, 2015
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Coaching for Life

friends

So, a few years ago, if you had asked me what I thought someone with a life coach looked like, I’d have described someone very much like this:

"I'm chanting as we speak."

You know the sort.

Gullible, weak, easily led. Someone who hands over their money to any kind of lifestyle program, motivational speaker or spiritual leader. Someone who can’t get out of bed without having a lucky colour channelled for them or chanting affirmations about how worthy they are. Someone who needs their behaviours enabled and validated. Someone who has to "activate the goddess within".

As it happens, this is what someone with a coach looks like:

"It's TEMT, sweetie. TEMT."

I know, I was surprised myself when I realised it.

Over the course of my career, I've been lucky enough to work with some pretty top-level humans.

Brilliant, funny, smart, kind, compassionate – so many of my long-term mates are all people I’ve shared an office space with at one time or another. I’ve been at my current place of employment for nine years and the people I’ve worked with have been with me through some pretty awesome life events; engagement, wedding, milestone birthday, pregnancy, birth and return to work after maternity leave.

They’ve also been with me through the “need a nudge in the right direction/kick in the pants/reality check” times and the seriously rough proper counselling and doctor’s appointment times. I've been very lucky to have such a support network and work with what I call "weekend friends"; people who you want to spend time with out of work hours and who are there for you for coffee chats, lunch, cheeky early minutes, outfit photo shoots and endless messaging via the internal communication system.

In terms of more formalised support, one in particular, let's call him "David" (because that's his name) was my official mentor via our company's mentoring program for a few years. Although he's working elsewhere now, we still catch up regularly. Partly because we're weekend friends but also because David is a coaching master.

How does it work?

Although he's had proper formal training, David keeps it at a casual level; it's a conversation, not an appointment. He allows me to bitch and whine and make petulant comments about the issue at hand without judging (and sometimes, even laughing because let's face it, I am hilarious and he's only human) before we get down to solving the problem.

He doesn't tell me what to do. He asks the questions that I then answer and this leads me to understand what I need to do, or what the real issue is, or what I need out of the situation. It's very clever and it gives me total ownership and accountability.

Throw in absolute trust and utmost respect and you have the prime example of a good coach.

Recently, I had a situation where I needed some emergency coaching prior to a "tough conversation" meeting I needed to have that was causing some significant anxiety. Not only did he make himself available for a phone call almost immediately (he's very busy and important, don't you know) but after ten minutes speaking to him, I walked into that meeting with my chin high and head clear and got what I needed with no agitation or stress on my part. Result!

How do you feel about coaching and mentoring? Do you have one - or are you one yourself?

April 10, 2015
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Review: Nail Beauty Luxury Lounge, Adelaide

adelaide

Warning, this post contains a picture of feet. I know that grosses some people out, so just letting you know what to expect.

I was invited back to Nail Beauty Luxury Lounge by the owner Anthony to try their services under new management, following an indifferent experience late last year which I wrote about on Yelp.

Nail Beauty Luxury Lounge

I called to book my appointment for a mani/pedi and hung up before realising I wasn't asked for my name or contact number. However, this wasn't an issue when I arrived and, after my feedback, has been addressed with staff. I was a little early so I selected my colours and took a seat in the waiting area, a window seat looking into the historic Regent Arcade. There is a decent range of colours to choose from; mostly OPI and some Essie (possibly China Glaze as well but can't confirm). There's also a good selection of fun glitter and textured polishes which I find can be lacking in other salons. I chose regular polish but I could see what looked to be a good range of shellac and gel polishes also if that's your thing.

I was shortly called through to a pedicure chair and enjoyed the foot spa and massage chair action while I was waiting. The filing, shaping and sole scrub all went well (apart from the usual squirming during the ticklish sole scrub). The cuticle scrape and trim also went well and I was happy to not have any bleeding cuticles as I find quite often happens. The leg scrub is still quite vigorous and borders on painful and unfortunately the rinse off jet was initially scalding hot to the point of burning and made me jump and yell. A little refinement in this area would make it more enjoyable. A hot towel wipe off was a nice touch.

Soaking it up

My chosen colour for my toes was an OPI limited edition glittery shade called "Extra-Va-Vaganza" from the Burlesque collection which was applied quickly and expertly and smudges cleaned up after a thorough check over.

Bad pic but just apply a super glitter filter in your mind

It was then time to move over to the manicure station and the same technician performed my manicure. One unusual thing was that she pushed my cuticles back with her own thumb nail which I'd never seen before but actually preferred as being a gentler alternative to the scraper. I chose OPI's "Significant Other Color" which is from the Brights collection and this was also applied quickly and well. Drying is the old school fan method and a coat of finishing spray to end.

Again, hard to capture this colour, lilac that turns bright green in the light

The horrendous easy listening muzak that I was subjected to during the last visit is "burned and buried" and entertainment was the Victoria's Secret runway shows on TV which was an improvement, even if I did have to tolerate a live performance by Justin Beiber.

Speaking to Anthony the owner after my session, he ran me through some of their plans and ideas for the salon going forward, some of which sound really unique and appealing, including having individual tool kits set aside for exclusive use by each member. Although $45 at full price for a mani/pedi is more than I'd usually look to pay, for a decent service and potential member benefits and discounts, it's worth it.

Individual tool kits for members

I was impressed that Anthony had taken the time to contact me via Yelp and was seeking feedback on the changes he was making to the business. This shows a strong desire to improve and an understanding that the customer experience is vital to success!

Nail Beauty Luxury Lounge is located at Shop 28 in the Regent Arcade, 108-109 Rundle Mall, Adelaide. Phone (08) 8123 7898.

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In accordance with my disclosure policy, I received a 50% discount on my mani/pedi and staff were not aware I was reviewing the service at the time.