Be inspired: Do you love yourself?

No matter how much we try and make ourselves beautiful from the outside, beauty really does start from within. Do you love yourself for who you are?

I really believe that beauty starts by loving yourself. Accepting yourself for who you are and loving you. No matter how you look, what size you are, what you wear or what you have - beauty is what you make of it.

Don't listen to others who say you need to be more beautiful, because you already are. Don't listen to others who say you are too fat or too skinny, because you are right just the way you are.

Loving yourself means having self respect, believing in yourself, that you have lots of value and worth and always wanting the best for yourself.

By loving ourselves we create our world to be full of encouragement, praise, acceptance and approval of ourselves. This helps us to be confident, have good self-esteem and appreciate others as well.

Having respect for yourself, enables you to work out what you like and enjoy those things leading to a wholesome and enjoyable life.

Loving yourself will help you to work on those things that you are not entirely happy with in your life and turn them around to be the happiest you can be.

Loving yourself means you will do practical things that will help you overall - like getting a good nights rest, eating healthy food as much as possible, buying clothes you feel good in and feel comfortable, spending time on your hobbies, just for you.

Always remember that loving yourself is knowing that you are worthy. You are worthy of having a great and enjoyable life, worthy of letting go of anything that will bring you down, worthy of doing things that are going to make you happy and worthy of having the very best.

 'Who says' by Selena Gomez is a gorgeous song - hope this inspires you as well.




Loving yourself is believing in yourself, being confident in taking chances and pursuing what you love!

What does loving yourself mean to you?

How to feel good about yourself!

We can all feel good about ourselves if we want to, but sometimes it can be hard depending on what is happening in our lives. Feeling good about yourself should be top priority in life, as it will then most definitely help in other aspects of your life.

I am a huge believer in making the most out of life. We only live once, so let's enjoy it and do as much as we can to be happy.  I am not the ideal size and don't have perfect looks, but I don't let that stop me from following my goals, dreams and feeling good about myself.

Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves, no matter who they are, what shape or size they are or what they look like. So if you haven't already started feeling good about yourself, now you can.

Here are five ways to feel good about yourself, that can be achieved:

1. Respect your body - This is the most important thing to do. Respecting your body means looking after your body. Remember to make healthier eating choices, take vitamins and exercise, even if it is only for 10-15 minutes. Look after your looks - get a regular haircut and look after your skin. It really does work to look after your body, it really makes me appreciate myself, for who I am. (which I guess is why I am beauty obsessed!)

2. Wear comforable clothing - Going through your wardrobe regularly and cleaning it out is liberating and great for your confidence. When you wear clothes that are comfortable and make you look good, you will feel good. Work out your body shape and wear clothes that are appropriate for you. If a piece of clothing doesn't feel right for example it is too tight or too big, then don't wear it. Comfortable clothing will make you feel good.

3. Take time out for you - Schedule some 'me' time for yourself. Even if it is 30 minutes or 60 minutes, that is your time and do something that you love. You could read a book, go shopping, go for a walk, watch a movie, listen to music or have a hobby. Doing something that is just for you, will help you feel good about yourself and you will look forward to that time, just for you! Doing things that you will enjoy and love will help you feel great, relaxed and rejuvenated.

4. Don't compare yourself to others -  Each and every one of us is unique in our own way. Don't compare yourself to someone else. You can aspire to learn things from others but don't think you have to be like them. You have many gifts and talents and that is what is important.  Accept yourself for who you are and grow in your strenghts. Don't listen to anyone that is going to put you down or say negative things to you, you are a great unique person that has a lot to offer.

5. Sleep - We all know that we need 8 hours of sleep but as life is hectic this is not always possible. Try to make a effort though to get 8 hours of sleep as many days as possible. It really will help you feel emotionally and physically better about yourself.

Being positive about things overall is also a great way to start feeling good about yourself. Here is a post I wrote on How to be positive. Being confident (A post on Be confident and be yourself) and accepting who you are, is definitely a step forward to feeling good about yourself.

Do you do any of these things? What do you do to feel good about yourself?

Don't take life for granted

Life is something I am really passionate about. I cherish my life, I thank god every morning that I am alive and I love living my life. My life is not perfect, there are many ups and downs but I am really happy to be able to live my life.

Watching the news hearing about accidents due to reckless driving or suicide bombers or murders or abuse the list goes on, makes me think 'how is it that people don't appreciate life?'.

Life is so precious. You are born into this world to have a chance at living the best possible life available to you. No its not easy, but there is always hope. We can make the choices in our lives to get the most out of life.

Don't take life for granted.

Even in the toughest times there is a brighter way. There is help you can get from family, friends, proffessionals - someone who can motivate, inspire and give you positive affirmations.

Life can be taken away from us so quickly. Enjoy every moment. Don't worry about little things in life as things will sort themselves out, think smartly.

Say I love you to your loved ones everyday. Enjoy your children and praise them everyday, tell them you love them and spend time with them.

No matter what you do in your life, enjoy it. Every walk you take, every shopping experience you have, every holiday.....treasure the moments.

Life is unpredictable in that one day everything could be perfect and the next day could be the worst ever. Whether its a financial problem, work problem, health problem whatever it may be it can crush your dreams and goals.

So don't take life for granted, cherish every moment, life is precious.

What would you say to someone that is having a hard time at the moment?

You can be happy, you have to choose happiness!

The one thing I'm sure you will all agree on with me is that we all want to be happy. Thats what life is about being happy, living a fulfilled life and getting the most out of life.

Yet with so many things that can happen in life, being happy can sometimes feel so far away. Whether its financial, career, or family problems these things can weigh us down. Life is not perfect and things will happen that are unexpected or not according to plan, but we need to find a way to be happy.

We need to focus on the positives and be grateful for what we have in life and be happy.

Here are a few tips that work for me to be happy:

1. Sleep - If you are constantly tired or fatigued this can affect our mood. Try and get as much sleep as you can even if it means taking a nap during the day. If you can't get a full eight hours sleep, power naps are great.
2. Music - A instant lift me up is music. Put on music you enjoy to listen to and you will see a instant change in your mood. Music is uplifting and a great way to make you happy and relaxed.
3. Clean - Literally cleaning your home, room, space - can create a happy environment. Knowing that everything is in its place where it should be will help you be more relaxed. Likewise cleaning your 'daily schedule' as such, can help to alleviate unneccessary appointments or committments that your not interested in. You can say no to certain activities or outings that you are not too keen on.
4. Be in the moment - Worrying or stressing about what may happen tomorrow is not going to help the situation. Instead try and live for this moment, enjoy your situation now.
5. Learn from your mistakes - We all make mistakes, so forgive yourself for the mistake you have done and keep on going. If you dwell on a mistake or wish it never happened, you will be stuck in that mindset and won't be able to move forward. Accept what you have done and know that you have learnt from it and will do it better next time.

Be kind to yourself - happiness is a beautiful thing to have in your life, but many times we let the negatives overtake the positives. Don't let that happen to you. There is always a way to work through things and be happy. Choose to be happy!

What do you do to be happy? What makes you happy?

Don't ever give up!

Everyone has at some point thought - 'I just want to give up'. You feel like everything is against you, nothing is working out right, you feel sick about things, and no one has anything nice to say to you. It seems the easiest to just quit, BUT DON'T. Never give up!

Quitting is not the answer. Its seems like an easy option now but it's not the smartest option. Life is full of surprises and not everything will be right all the time.

When I feel like 'giving up' I usually draw on the things that inspire me.

I take a break and sit back to reevaluate what is going on.

Why am I feeling like giving up? Do I need to change jobs? Do I need to reevaluate my finances? Do I need to ask for help? Do I need to replan things better?

Taking a few days away from day to day life is a good way to rejuvenate yourself. If you can't go away somewhere, take a break from the same routine you do everyday and do something relaxing. Like go for a walk twice a day, go to the beach, go to a park, read a book etc....

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. In fact if you have negative people around you, get rid of them. Sometimes its your closest family or friends that can be negative, you don't need them so don't associate with them. You need positive, happy people around you that will see the goodness in life and help you along too.

Writing is a great way to see on paper where you are at and to get your thoughts on to paper. Write a list of things you want to achieve and how you are going to achieve them.

Just never give up! Life is too short to give up your dreams. Rather lets keep on trying to achieve our dreams.

What do you do to help you keep on going? How do you motivate yourself?

Butterflies - I love them!

I love butterflies, they are so pretty and unique.

They start out as a caterpillar eating as much as they can until they get big enough to start a cocoon. They spin a web of silk to hide in and change into a butterfly.

They give me inspiration, to keep trying!

Is there an animal that inspires you?

Don't be afraid, take the first step.

Ever feel like you have so many dreams but you don't want to take the first step? It could be out of fear or feeling like you won't succeed?

Taking the first step in anything we do is always the hardest. Whether you are wanting to start studying or start a new job or start a business or change your career or anything else you are faced with in life, it can be daunting and can hold a lot of people back from achieving what they want.

But unless you take that first step you will always be wandering what if? or even missing out on the opportunity. Don't be afraid to take that first step!

There have been many times when I have wanted to do something but I was afraid. I didn't think anyone would want to give me a chance or hear what I have to say. I would see others who were given opportunities and think why isn't that me? you know why, because I didn't ask. If you don't try, you will never know. Don't pass up the opportunity because of fear. You deserve it, so do it.

To take that first step, believe in yourself, have courage and determination to make things happen. I love this quote and often will refer to it, if in doubt:

Inspire yourself and others will be inspired.

Motivate yourself and others will be motivated.

Develop yourself and others will start to develop themselves.

Be an example first and then the world changes around you

Author Unknown

You are the only one that knows what you truly want to do and what your dreams are. Don't let anything stop you, go for it!

Have you ever felt like you have missed out on a opportunity or dream? How do you stay focused?

10 tips on how to be organised

Ever since I can remember I have been a organised person. In school I had everything categorised and ready to go everyday. As an adult, my diary and calendar are my best friends. I just have to write everything down so I don't forget.

There have been many times though, no matter how much I try to be organised - things can get a little out of control. I go back to my list of general tips on how to be organised here it is:

1. Shopping online for groceries saves me time and money. It takes away the stress of going out to do the shopping when sometimes I just don't have the time.

2. I buy in bulk whenever there are sales - on grocery items, household goods or kids clothing.

3. Keep a fridge notebook on the fridge and write on it things you need to remember or do - its a great reminder.

4. Cleaning a cupboard or room per week, helps to keep on top of the clutter that may accumulate.

5. I always make sure I have washed the dishes before going to bed. Its just easier to wake up to a clean sink, after breakfast the dishes pile up again, so it helps to keep dirty dishes to a minimum.

6. I have a organised filing system, where I keep all our bills, statements etc..... I also have a emergency folder where I keep birth certificates, house insurance, bank account numbers etc in case there is a emergency evacuation.

7. I have a garbage bag that I keep in my walk in wardrobe and as I find clothes that don't fit or don't want anymore I put them straight in there and take it to the second hand shop.

8. I always plan the clothes I am going to wear for the next day the night before. That way I am not spending too much time in the morning trying to work out what to wear and possibly risk being late, which has happended before!

9. I have three separate baskets in the laundry, one for whites, one for coloured and one for towels. This way I am not spending time sorting through them as they are already sorted.

10. Clean as you go - this is my motto that I have the whole family working on. If we use something we put it back where it belongs. Or if the kids have been playing and leave things  - we pack them up before going to bed.

So apart from these tips, my phone calendar is great to set alarms for certain events or things I need to do to remind myself. I think being organised is something you can never know too much about, there is always something new to learn.

Tell me what are your tips to be organised? Do you do any of these things too?

You are beautiful, yes you are!

Do you suffer from low self esteem? Do you wake up in the morning dreading the day? Feel like nobody appreciates you? Feeling unloved? Feeling your not good enough? Struggle to make friends?

Self esteem is about valuing who you are and believing in yourself and what you can do, that is what matters the most. You and how you feel about yourself is what will increase your self esteem.

Our self esteem is affected by the way others treat us  - as it affects how you feel about yourself. Someone that is putting you down, gives you negative comments like 'your clothes are ugly' or 'you can't do that' or 'your not beautfiul' will make you feel down and less confident about your self.

Many people have times when they feel bad about themselves - but that is when it is time to start thinking positive. Be happy about the good things that are in your life. People who have high self esteem are happy with who they are and make the most of being fun and are full of life, caring about themselves and others.

So talk to yourself about how you want high self esteem into your life and think that you can do it, because you can. You need to be your own best friend. Treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend.

No one is born with self esteem. Self esteem is influenced by our family, friends, workmates, environment but it us up to you to recognise negative thoughts and influences and get rid of them.

 To maintain a healthy self esteem remember these points:

• You are beautiful inside and out
• You are a very important and worthwhile person  - don't compare yourself, you are unique.
• If you are different, it doesn't matter - we can't all be exactly the same, accept yourself for who you are.
• It is up to you to have your own feelings, opinions and friends - don't be someone you are not.
• You are not alone, there are others who have been in a similar way and have made it through, you can too.
• You deserve the best, you deserve love and you deserve respect, strive for it.

At some point in life we have all suffered from low self esteem. But achieving high self esteem is something that needs to be worked on and can be achieved. Make small changes and focus on yourself because you deserve to have high self esteem.

What helps you to achieve high self esteem?

Are you really happy?

I usually read the lastest news on line and it can be quite depressing. There are so many horrible things that happen in this world. I think it is really important to think about the things that make us happy. When your feeling down or sad, its nice to be able to read a list of the things that make you happy. It will put a smile on your face and help you look at the positives in life.

So here is my list of some of the things that make me happy.

Going on holidays or day trips

Mountain walking

Going to the movies

Listening and dancing to music ( yes I have some cool dance moves!)

Reading a great inspirational book
Going to the beach

Drinking a warm drink - hot chocolate or a cappacino

Chocolate ( of course!)

Shopping especially finding lots of bargains or sales

Spending time with hubby and kids

Getting a massage

Eating out at a nice restaurant

Hope you are inspired to think about what makes you happy. Life is too short, so lets focus on the positives and enjoy each day.

What are a few things that make you happy?

One Year Blog Anniversary!

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to all my wonderful readers!

It was exactly one year ago that I decided to start my blog. After having read so many blogs,  I built up the courage to give it a go and start my own blog. I was a bit apprehensive to put myself out there because I didn't think that anyone would read it or that it would be good enough, but I am so happy I did.

I love sharing, reviewing and inspiring others, in the hope that I have made a difference to someone and put a smile on their face.

A few weeks after starting my blog, I ventured into the big wide world of YouTube and started my own beauty channel, which has also been very exciting.

I am learning so much and really enjoy it. I have worked with some great PR and marketing people that are so lovely and I am grateful for the opportunities they have given me.

Where to from here for DanniiBeauty? I am excited to see what happens next. I am looking forward to so many more opportunities. My passion is writing, sharing, beauty, fashion and inspiration. Ideally I'd love to be able to work from home and not have to go back to my public service job of thirteen years at the end of this year, but we will see how that goes.

For now I'd love to explore working more with brands, events, PR companies and venturing into freelance writing or media work, the list is endless. A girl can always dream!

One thing is for sure, the support and blogging community out there is beyond words. Its fantastic to see how so many inspirational and talented people can come together through a passion that we all share.

Thanks again for coming back to my blog and sharing this great journey with me, without YOU this journey wouldn't have been as fun or exciting as it has been. I love every interaction I have had with my readers, its great to be able to share information together.

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube or contact me by email.

I am celebrating by hosting five great giveaways over the next five days, so come back tomorrow to enter the first great giveaway!

I'd love to know: Is there anything you would like to see more of on DanniiBeauty? Reviews? How to's? Tips? Lifestyle? What keeps you coming back?

How to not look tired?

We all know that sleep is important for our general well being. An adult should have at least eight hours sleep. However this doesn't always happen so let's talk about a few things we can do in the beauty department to look like we have had sleep - even though we haven't! ( Links are to products I have reviewed)

Eyes

Using a concealer to cover and conceal the under eye area is going to help brighten up the under eye area. Be sure to apply the concealer under the eye and bring it down in a triangle shape on top of the cheek as well. Blend it all well and then set it with a powder.

Use neutral colours for eyeshadow to keep the eye look simple. If you have a shimmer eyeshadow thats even better as it will add sparkle to your eyes. Mascara is great to make your eyes look open and awake.

Face

Blush is definitely great to give your face some colour and warmth. Go for a peachy or pinky colour as a lighter colour will give your face a glowy look.

Lips

Definitely a great lip colour will help give your face a overall great look. You can either use a lipstick or lipgloss, to give your face some colour and gloss ( if using a lipgloss) and the look of freshness.

Fashion

Adding jewellery to your outfit will definitely brighten up your whole outfit. Necklaces and/or earrings that are bold and colourful will look great.

When choosing your clothes, don't just go for dark colour clothing, but rather add some bright colours to your outfit. Perhaps black pants, red top and a brown jacket. You can also add a scarf (if your not wearing a necklace).

Having your hair up in a ponytail or in a half up do hairstyle will give your face a lift. Having a 'up' style will give your face a open, clean look.

Do you get told you 'look tired'? What do you do to look awake?

Need some encouragement?

When your feeling down or sad, you can do little things to make the day better. I have been feeling a little sad and worried lately about a few things, but things will work themselves out. Whatever your circumstances, time to think things through or make the right decision is the smartest way to deal with issues.

Give yourself time to think things through

Take time to do something fun like playing a sport, going out with friends.

Read a book

Pray to god, or talk to a friend you trust.

Watch a movie, something that will encourage and inspire you.

Do something nice for yourself, treat yourself! ( Shopping? !)

Everyday we are faced with challenges, but just know that you are awesome and that you have so much to offer. Make things happen for yourself, don't be afraid. Take the step and try, you will surprise yourself and learn so much!

What do you do to encourage yourself or someone you know?

Take care of your heart

Are you looking after your heart?

Our heart is what keeps us going, so keeping it healthy and strong is of utmost importance. Take care of your heart so you can enjoy the fantastic opportunities life has to offer YOU!

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What is life?

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is bliss, taste it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

Mother Teresa

I love this quote. I strongly believe that life is precious. Tell me what is life to you?

How to be positive!

Negativity is not a good thing. It can bring you down, sad, depressed and feeling like there is no solution. Although in life there are certainly times which are negative, we must try and stay positive as much as possible. It can be done, it takes effort and willpower to be positive. So how do you be and remain positive? Here are a  few pointers:

1.Positive thoughts - Its really important how we think. The moment you see that you are diving into frustration, sorrow and low self-esteem, change your thoughts by thinking about something completely unrelated and positive.

2. Get rid of negativity - There will always be someone you know that is negative. It could be a family member, co-worker, or friend. Limit your interaction with them, and tell them you don't want to hear their negativity. Don't be afraid to do this, no matter who they are, you are more important and thats what matters.

3. Learn from the experience - There is always a lesson to be learned from every situation. No matter how sad the situation is, try and find the beautiful lessons that can be learnt. Every problem is a learning opportunity in disguise. We all make mistakes, but now you can accept it and know that you will make a different decision in the future. Be appreciative for the experience they teach us to be better prepared.

4. Be grateful - You can't be angry and grateful at the same time. Look around you and count the blessings and miracles in your life, start looking for them and you will find them. There is lots to be grateful for.  You are alive and breathing, thats a big one to be grateful for! Recognise how lucky you are and all the abundance in your life.

5. Look and smile  - Its a simple smile, try it - just smile for a minute, even if you don't mean it, just smile. Sometimes just thinking of a simple happy thought or seeing something, can make you positive. Surround yourself with uplifting messages in your study area, or office desk, you can setup your email to send you positive affirmations, or buy a desk calendar with positive affirmations.

The habit of remaining positive in all situations takes practice and a commitment to yourself to take control. Start by wanting to change. I am constantly working on this and therefore wanted to share it with you. I want to be a positive energy source, and although it will take time, I am keen to keep on trying.

Do you agree? What do you do to keep positive?