How to boost your self esteem

Low self esteem can make you feel unhappy and unsatisfied with yourself. It is something that some of us deal with for years. Self-esteem is your opinion of yourself. Having a healthy self-esteem means you like yourself and value your achievements.

There are a few ways to boost your self esteem and accept yourself for who you are and be confident.

1. Embrace your positive qualities - you do have them!  Make a list of your skills, experiences, talents and anything else that makes you feel good about yourself. Put them up somewhere where you can see them and remind yourself of them, it will help boost your self confidence.

2. Trust yourself, you can do it! Look at how far you have come, you would have had problems in the past that you have combated which is great. You have got the skills and knowledge to do things, you just have to believe it. Start up a new hobby and see that you can achieve what you set out to do. It may not be easy but there is always a way.

3. Accept yourself for who you are! No one is perfect, so there will be mistakes we will make but we can always learn from them and do better next time. Surround yourself with happy, positive pictures of yourself (usually taking a photo of yourself smiling works well) and when you look at it see how happy you are and remember that you are unique and can be happy.

4. Have fun! Do things that you like and will make you happy, like go for a walk, visit a museum, hang out with fun friends, read a good book, watch a movie or join a community group/classes. Finding what you like and joining in activities will help you grow, learn and have confidence in yourself!

What do you like to do when you need a boost of self esteem?

Book: Silver Smoke by Monica Leonelle and Kindle Fire Giveaway

Do you love to read?  You will definitely want to check out the new novel by Monica Leonelle called Silver Smoke, the first novel in the series. 

Silver Smoke blurb -  A broken family, a deadly secret, and an impossible romance. Brie van Rossum has fame, fortune, and beauty, but there's one thing she doesn't have--the name of her mother's supernatural killer.

The Hallows, descendants of the archangels, don't think Milena was murdered.. but can Brie trust them when their government, the New Order, wants her dead?

She'd better figure it all out soon...… because when Brie finds out who she really is, the hunt will begin.

And Milena might not be the only casualty. Like mother, like daughter...

I was able to interview Monica Leonelle and ask her a few questions about her fantastic book:

DanniiBeauty: Tell us a little about yourself?
Monica Leonelle: I'm a 27 year old entrepreneur and writer living in Chicago. Aside from writing, I am a marketing consultant and help companies with their digital strategies. Naturally, I'm trying to transition out of that and focus solely on my novels. I'm getting there, but I'm still developing my readership.

DanniiBeauty: What inspired you to write this book?
Monica Leonelle: At the time I was writing it, I was pretty depressed, to be honest. I had always planned to write a novel, but never could seem to find the time. I was working in Atlanta at an agency as a marketing director, managing some the digital marketing for some really huge brands. Every day when I got home from work, I would fall asleep and not wake up until the next morning when I had to work. It was pretty insane. I was alive but not really living.

I couldn't express my feelings in writing just due to being a professional and not wanting to risk my job, so I started writing about this girl who was extremely depressed because her mother died. The girl had lost everything, her friends, her home, etc. I wrote like 40 pages of this super depressing manuscript, almost none of which made the cut to the actual book. But at the end of all that, I was not depressed anymore and I had Brie van Rossum, the main character of Silver Smoke. The book starts about two months after her mom dies, but those 40 pages I wrote are the in-between--what she goes through before the book actually starts.

DanniiBeauty: What is the book about?
Monica Leonelle: The book is about a girl who is looking for her mother's killer, but it's not a crime story because it has a supernatural twist. For Brie, the stakes are high, because she's developing supernatural powers and needs her mother's help to understand what's really going on. She has the help of the Hallows, who know part of the story, and can offer her a best guess. But they don't have all the answers. So Brie gets obsessed with the idea of finding her mom's killer and uncovering her family secrets. In the meantime, a lot of other crazy stuff is happening and that stuff keeps her in Honolulu, away from the mainland, where she's more likely to find answers. It's very frustrating for her, but she eventually learns the answers and they set her on a different path than she expected.

DanniiBeauty: Where did your ideas for this book/characters come from?
Monica Leonelle: I was raised Roman Catholic, so christian mythology fascinates me. I loved the idea of the archangels at the center of this major battle where humans are, in a sense, just pawns in a larger game. I guess you could say it's a bit like Percy Jackson and the Olympians in that sense.

DanniiBeauty: What are your book plans for the future?
Monica Leonelle: I have two books coming out in January--the second book in the Seven Halos series called Tin Soldier, and the first book in a new series called Socialpunk. Tin Soldier is going to be really fun--it takes place a few weeks after Silver Smoke ends, and most of the characters are miserable. Their all dealing with their pain in different ways. There are new characters and the book moves from Honolulu to New York City. Some of the characters also visit Chicago and Washington DC. Tin Soldier is much more urban--where Silver Smoke was influenced heavily by oceanic myths, Tin Soldier will have lots of references to urban legends.

Socialpunk is an entirely different series. It's a cyberpunk with a heavy focus on technology, set in near-future Chicago. Ima, the main character, is a lot tougher than Brie. Where Brie is naturally popular, a classic beauty, and kind of that girl that you can't help being jealous of, Ima is more of an outcast who only hangs out with the guys. She has some terrible stuff happen in her childhood that causes mental stress during her teenage years, when the book takes place. She's a lot rougher around the edges, and I think she'll be more relatable than Brie is.


Monica Leonelle


To celebrate the release of a new novel to the Seven Halos series, author Monica Leonelle is doing a Kindle Fire giveaway for Silver Smoke, the first novel in the series! Silver Smoke is the highly-rated (4.8 stars on Amazon) debut novel about the Hallows and the Nephilim, the descendants of archangels and humans.

CONTEST DATES: December 20th thru December 31st (12 days long)

EASY WAYS TO ENTER:
1. (3 entries) Blog about this contest and forward a link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com
2. (3 entries each) Share a sentence about the book with your Facebook or Twitter followers, and include a link to the book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble (you pick). One entry per social media account per day during the contest. Forward a screenshot or link of your sentence+link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com.
3. (10 entries each) Write an honest Amazon and/or B and N review of Silver Smoke and send a link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com

PRIZES!!!Grand Prize Winner: Kindle Fire (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
2nd Place (two winners): Kindle Touch (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
3rd Place (three winners): Kindle (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
Winners will be selected using Random.org on January 1, 2012 and announced on How To Be An Author by January 2, 2012.

If your interested in checking out Silver Smoke, it is available in paperback and on kindle from Amazon.

What book are you reading at the moment?

Sunspirit Aromatherapy gift pack giveaway (CLOSED)

Need a easy way to relax? Sunspirit have a range of essential oils, herbal ointments and massage oils that naturally care for your health and wellbeing and are available in pharmacies and health shops in Australia and internationally.

What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy uses the essential oils extracted from aromatic plants to restore or enhance health, beauty and well-being. When you inhale a fragrance, its molecules stimulate the olfactory nerve (your sense of smell) which activates the limbic system (the emotional part of your brain). When the limbic system receives signals from the olfactory nerves, it triggers an emotional, physiological and endocrine (hormone) response. This is how essential oils make you feel a certain way. Studies with brain wave frequency have shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation. While Jasmine increases beta waves in the front of the head, which creates a more alert state.

There are lots of ways to use essential oils for aromatherapy such as:

Massage: Essential oils can be used topically on the skin to provide a therapeutic massage when combined with carrier oils like almond or grape seed (essential oils should not be put directly onto the skin without being diluted). Because essential oils have very small molecules they absorb easily into the skin and enter your lymphatic system and circulate into the blood stream to reduce inflammation, fix imbalances, increase blood circulation and eliminate toxins.

Aromatherapy bath: Another way to use essential oils is to have a pampering aromatherapy bath to make use of the oils therapeutic benefits. If you want to lift your mood just add 5-10 drops of Jasmine oil or use Lavender oil to boost your immunity and regenerate your skin for a youthful glow.

Oil burner: Another popular way to use essential oils is to add them to an oil burner to fragrance the home and let the healing vapours work to improve your mood, reduce stress, increase energy and help you relax and fall asleep more easily. Add 5 drops of Sunspirit’s Clary Sage to an oil burner to help relieve stress. To relieve the symptoms of a cold, flu or sore throat add 5 drops to an oil burner where the lively citrus smell will infuse in the air.

Pregnant women, people with severe asthma, and people with a history of allergies should avoid all essential oils. You can check out more of the Sunspirit range at their website http://www.sunspirit.com.au/



******************************************GIVEAWAY*************(CLOSED)

I have TWO Sunspirit Aromatherapy gift packs to giveaway, each valued at $60. The gift pack includes: Sunspirit's Harmony essential oil blend, Less Stress massage oil and an oil burner to help create an atmosphere of peace and wellbeing.

The Harmony essential oil can be used in an oil burner to infuse the home with its beautiful calming scent. It can be added to water to make a perfume spritzer that can be used as a perfume or sprayed in the air to provide a pleasant, therapeutic atmosphere. Or for the ultimate indulgement add 5-10 drops to your bath and soak in while your skin and senses absorb the delicious healing blend. The Less Stress massage oil can be used to relieve stress from the whole body or it can be rubbed on the temples and shoulders to relieve headaches and stiffness.

For your chance to win, let me know - what do you like to do to relax? in the comments below.


Terms and conditions:
1. Open to Australian residents only.
2. Be a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect
3. This giveaway finishes 9th of December 2011 at 10pm. (AEST)
4. Please ensure that I can email you, if you are the winner.
5. Sunspirit will be sending out the prizes.

****Optional.........( let me know in the coments below if you have done an extra entry)

•For an extra entry, 'Like' my facebook page DanniiBeauty


Thanks to everyone who entered!



The winners are:


Kylie Ofiu aka Aspiring Millionaire



MichVee


Stay tuned for more great giveaways soon!

Pamper yourself with Pauls Milk

A few weeks ago, I received a gorgeous pamper pack from Pauls Milk! Pauls Milk have redesigned their packaging and made it easier to open the milk caps. You just lift, pull the tab up and clockwise and it's open, easy - no spill, no mess.

The cartons have a sloping top angle so that it stacks better on the shelf and in the fridge. I love buying these 1litre milk cartons as they are handy, convenient and now mess free.

I love milk for making my favourite warm drink  - hot chocolate!

I have tried the Pauls Milk body scrub recipe which is very nice on the skin, here is how I made it:

What you will need:

• 2 tablespoons of Pauls Skinny Milk
• 1/3 cup of salt
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• 4 drops of Vanilla essential oil

Method:

Add all the ingredients into a jar and shake or stir with a small spoon until well combined.

When in the shower, run the water to dampen your skin and then turn it off. Gently massage the scrub into your skin and then turn the water back on and rinse it off.

Store the milk scrub with the lid tightened, in the fridge for 2-3 days.

You can also add this entire mixture to your bath for the ultimate in relaxation.

I'm definitely impressed with the Pauls Milk packaging - no more spilling the milk for me, as I love these new easy to use caps, check them out at your local supermarket. Next time your in need of some pampering, try out a home made body scrub or even a yummy hot chocolate with Pauls Milk!

Also checkout what some architecture students have created with the Pauls Milk new look cartons - amazing!

What do you do to pamper yourself when you have the time?

The Mum Who Roared by Christie Nicholas - Book Review

We all know that raising children is a beautiful gift and journey to take in life. There are so many joys and happy moments. At the same time though, it can be an overwhelming experience and changes your life from the day you bring your newborn home.

After attending an event, I got a copy of 'The Mum Who Roared' a book written by Christie Nicholas. I absolutely love this book. This book is my new best friend, literally it answers everything I would ask a best friend.

I cannot believe how much I related to this book. I was nodding and agreeing with everything I was reading and I was finding so many great practical tips. I was finding out so much, about things I had questioned or wanted to ask someone, but just didn't. This book is an excellent resource and guide to what you need to know after having a baby, to have control of your life and be true to yourself. This book reassured me that as a mother of two, I can still have a balanced life looking after my children and myself as a woman. The book left me feeling motivated, confident to pursue my passion in life and be a woman who has love and respect for my mind, body and attitude.

The author of The Mum Who Roared, Christie Nicholas, is a mum of two and entrepreneur who runs KidsBusiness a marketing and public relations business. I have briefly met Christie at the events she has organised and she truly is lovely and so inspiring which really comes out in her book as well. Here she is giving us a brief overview of her book.

The Mum Who Roared is definitely a great book for all mothers and mothers-to-be. This book would make a wonderful gift for any woman. You can check out and purchase the book on the, The Mum Who Roared website .

Do you know anyone who would benefit from this book? If your a mother, did you have support to help you when your children were young?

Do you light a candle? Yankee candles review

I absolutely love candles! I find them relaxing and calming. Recently I was invited to a Yankee Candles event that I couldn't attend as it was in a different state, so I was sent some Yankee candles to try from the Aromatherapy Spa range. I have never heard of Yankee candles before, they debuted in Australia last year. Yankee candles are made with fragrance extracts and real essential oils.

The first one I got is the Relax, lotus flower and sea salt scent which is sea-inspired with light floral notes, the scent evokes feelings of peace, tranquility, and balance. 

The second one is the True bliss, sage and white tea scent which create a blissful formula that clears away anxieties and lifts the spirits.

These candles are definitely a winner in the scent department! They are absolutely gorgeous and have a beautiful scent that fills the room. They are also very long lasting over forty hours which is great as I usually have a candle on every night so something that lasts really long is definitely needed.

Yankee candles have a huge range of candles and fantastic scents too. I often think of what type of scents I would love to smell in a candle.

Now that Yankee candles are in Australia ( available online or at selected retailers) they may be able to make the perfect Australian candle. What do you think would be a perfect Australian scent? I think maybe coconut, honey or the smell of spring.

What do you think would make the perfect candle scent for you?

Why should I take vitamins?

I always try to eat a healthy well balanced diet (although I am not a vegetables person!), but that is not always possible. Sometimes just being too busy and not having enough time means I don't always get a healthy balanced diet everyday. So I have always taken vitamins for years now, to ensure that I am not deficient in anything.

My essentials that I take daily are a multivitamin and fish oil supplements. Depending on what else is going on with my body I will look at other supplements, for example if I feel I am tired all the time and have no energy I will take a Vitamin B supplement.

Blackmores is a brand that I trust and use for many of my vitamins. I usually buy my vitamins from supermarkets or priceline and wait for the sales to stock up on what I need.

I always take a multivitamin everyday to ensure that I have the daily vitamins and minerals I need for the day. The Blackmores Women's Vitality Multi is great as it has vitamins that are tailored for womens needs. I also buy the Blackmores Men's Performance Multi for my husband and he likes it too.

Recently I have been using the Women's De-Stress which I like as it helps to support the nervous system particularly in times of stress. Who isn't stressed these days?! So it's great to give your body extra support when dealing with exhaustion and stress.

A few weeks ago I woke up with a sore throat and knew I was starting to get a cold. So I started that day to use the Cold and Flu Day/Night I took one tablet three times during the day and one at night. These work instantly by the end of the first day I could feel my body trying to fight off the cold. After a few days I felt better and never got a cold. Excellent result!

These are what I have used recently and would recommend.

I am currently trialling the Blackmores Nails Hair and Skin tablets - will let you know once I've reached the twelve week mark my results, so far they are great.

When deciding on whether you need to take vitamins or supplements, everyone is different and have different needs. I do a lot of research when deciding what my body needs and what would work best for me. Always consult with your doctor if you are unsure .

Blackmores have a great online website with over 300,000 members, lots of great information and access to a naturopath that you can contact.

Do you take vitamins? Are there any vitamins that you would recommend that work for you?

Eight things I am enjoying at the moment

It is always great to reflect on what you are enjoying at the moment. Life goes by so fast that sometimes we forget to stop and think what are we enjoying? So I have put together a list of eight things that I am enjoying.

1. Flowers - love flowers, I usually buy myself some every week.

2. Jewellery  - I love shopping for jewellery - you can pick up some great pieces for a few dollars and they will compliment any outfit.

3. Nailpolish- I love nailpolish and usually will change my nail colour every week. It makes my hands look very feminine and classy ( if you know what I mean!)

4. Lipstick - I love being able to apply some lipstick in the morning, it makes me feel brighter and happier knowing that I have some colour on my face.

5. Stationary - I love all types of stationary, pens, notepads, diaries - anything I love collecting and using stationary.

6. Leather gloves - It has been freezing here, with winter in full swing - so I bought myself some leather gloves and love them.

7. Parks/Walks - my kids love going to the park, so lately I've been taking them lots and I really enjoy it too. Love the outdoors, fresh air and exercise.

8. Photo collage - Lately I have been really into making collages. I have been finding some old photos that I have been able to turn into a collage and also magazine collages. Before throwing out magazines I go through them and find interesting/inspirational pictures and turn them into collages.

What are you enjoying 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?

Sequins and Sand - online shopping for all your swimwear needs!

I recently discovered an online summer fashion site that I wanted to tell you about as it offers women a fantastic selection of resortwear and swimwear, it is called Sequins and Sand.

I was interested in this site as I find shopping for swimwear is the hardest fashion clothing to shop for. I’m just really fussy when it comes to choosing swimwear as I am sure a lot of women are too.

The Sequins and Sand website offers a great range of colours, style and variety in swimwear and accessories for sizes 10-22.

The founder Anita McLachlan was frustrated at the lack of suitable swimwear that catered for women of all sizes and age so she started the site Sequins and Sand.

Anita says ‘Instead of sticking to just one or two cover-ups, we have an exceptional variety in kaftans, swimwear, summer dresses, summer basics and hard-to-find pieces to suit all body shapes. Each item is hand picked for its fabric, fit and flexibility'.

Sequins and Sand is a online website that is easy to navigate and reasonably priced. There are lots of styles to choose from and a great range of products like Swimdresses, Bikinis, Sarongs, Rash Vests, Jewellery, Beach bags and so much more.

They ship worldwide and have a returns policy that is easy to follow.

So if you find it hard to find the right swimwear and want something that is great quality and style check out their website Sequins and Sand, they are also on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

Do you find it difficult to buy swimwear?



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How to be inspired?

The one question that a lot of us ask ourselves is How to be inspired?

When things are not looking so good, when it feels like there is no escape or it feels like its all too much, remember - there is always a way to make things right. When you hit rock bottom the only way is to get back up.

I love each and every morning. It is a new day - a day of possibilities and a day that will bring something new. Wake up each morning ready to face the day, ready to conquer whatever it is that the day will bring because each day is a new day!

Here a few things that help inspire me - some are easy to do and some require effort.

Read inspirational books

Watch inspirational movies

Watch the sunset or sunrise

Think about what you are grateful for in your life

Take a walk in beautiful nature surroundings

Watch your children play, they are so free and joyful living in the present

Surround yourself with inspirational people that will make you laugh and be happy

Listen to music and be free to dance

Surround yourself with photos of happy things/moments.

Find pictures from magazines that will lift your spirit and give you hope.

Go to the beach and watch the water, let it set your mind free

Light a scented candle and watch the fire light your room and create a beautiful smelling surrounding

Write down what you want to achieve your dreams, seeing them will inspire you to work towards them

Tell me what you do to feel inspired?

Lux Exotic Oil Infusion Body Wash review

I love a good body wash, something that will help my skin feel sparkling!

I have never used Lux body washes, so I picked this one up a few months ago at Priceline. The Lux Exotic Oil Infusion body wash, that comes in a handy bottle with flip top lid, easy to grip and love the packaging, purple is one of my favourite colours.

The entire Lux range is 100% soap free and produces a pH balanced skin cleansing lather.

Lux says: Live an exotic life with Lux Exotic Oil Infusion Body Wash. With a fusion of Moroccan oil extracts this body wash may help you infuse that exotic feel into every day.

This has a absolutely gorgeous smell of moroccan exotic extracts, that leaves the skin smelling really good. The scent will linger on the skin too which is relaxing. The exotic oil formula has extracts of anise and cumin oils.

I use all my body washes with a exfoliating glove. The texture of the body is a soft creamy coloured wash. This body wash feels like it is deep cleaning the skin, as it has little exfoliating bits in it and makes the skin feel soft and moisturised. It gives the skin a feeling of being refreshed and relaxed.

This is a great body wash if you want soft, moisturised and great smelling skin. There are a variety of Lux body washes to choose from.

The Lux Exotic Oil Infusion Body Wash is a 400ml bottle that retails for $5.50 aud, available in supermarkets.

Do you use Body Washes? Do you have a favourite?

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?

How to look after your teeth?

Whats the first thing you notice when someone smiles? Their teeth! We all know we need to brush our teeth regularly and look after them. I have always been conscious of my teeth especially as I had to wear braces for four years when I was a teenager. I like using whitening toothpastes to help keep my teeth whiter.

Interestingly enough Oral B surveyed over a thousand Australians and asked them to compare two photos of the same woman – one showing clean, healthy-looking teeth, and the other with yellow, stained teeth.

They were then asked to make assumptions on the age and salary of the woman based on each photo.
More than half of those surveyed assumed that the woman with the whiter smile was under 30 years old and earning more than the woman with discoloured, plaque-stained teeth, who was perceived as being older than 30 years old and earning less in salary. Interesting!

I got the opportunity to ask Dentist Stephen Blatchford a few questions:

How do we look after our teeth?

Brush for two minutes, twice a day and remember to floss! A common mistake is when people think they have a great dental routine, but are only brushing for 30 seconds. It’s really important to ensure you brush thoroughly, gently and for two minutes. Using a power toothbrush such as the Oral-B Triumph with SmartGuide, which comes with a wireless display that provides feedback while you brush, will help improve brushing habits. To reduce bacteria and bad breath, use a mouth rinse such as the Oral-B Tooth and Gum Care Rinse. Other tips include, eating well and avoiding (or limiting) foods and drinks that can cause tooth decay, erosion and discolouring. Also make sure you drink plenty of water.

Can certain foods affect the teeth?

Foods that cause erosion, decay and discolouration are those high in sugars and acid such as fruit juice, wine, carbonated spirits, drinks, tea, and coffee. Refined food and drink with added sugars such as cakes, biscuits, sweets and soft drinks will contribute to plaque build-up and should be consumed in moderation. Citrus fruits like grapefruits and lemons have a high acid content and should also be limited or avoided as they may lead to erosion. Limiting or avoiding these foods and drinks will assist in ensuring that a healthy smile is maintained.

Braces can stain teeth. What’s the best way to maintain teeth after braces?

A proper brushing technique will assist in removing plaque and stain build-up. Using the Triumph toothbrush with a Pro-Bright brush head is recommended as it has a special polishing cup, designed to remove surface stains. It’s important to continue to brush twice a day, floss and rinse. If you feel that your teeth are still stained, a thorough clean by a dentist may be required. Your dentist can also recommend tooth whitening procedures.

How often do we need to visit our dentist?
It is recommended that you visit the dentist at least twice a year. Regular visits are important as they allow dentists to detect problems when they are smaller and easier to fix, and will also allow them to give you advice on preventing any future problems that may arise. It is also important to make sure you are taking good care of your teeth and gums in the mean time by brushing twice a day, flossing and using a mouth rinse to minimise any problems between dental visits.

Have you tried any whitening products to help keep your teeth white?

Tips on how to achieve your goals

To achieve your goals it takes focus, drive and determination. So many times we can get frustrated when we are not achieving what we wanted and then give up. When this happens, don't give up, but rather step back and reassess your goals. Give yourself time to go over your goals and how you are going to acheive them. A goal can be big or small.

Here are some tips to achieving your goal:

1. Make sure you have a actual goal - When thinking of a goal, think what it is that YOU want to achieve? Is this what YOU are passionate about? Is this what YOU want and you are not influenced by anyone else?  For example your goal is to read a novel or write a article.

2. Be realistic -  Make sure the goal you are setting is realistic. You have to be able to achieve this goal, so don't set a goal that cannot be achieved. Think it through carefully. For example trying to read a novel in two days is not realistic, reading a novel in a month is realistic.

3. Can you keep track of how you are going? - When thinking of setting a goal you need to give yourself something to measure your progress by to be able to keep track of how you are going. Your goal needs to be really specific about what it is and how you are going to achieve it. For example I am going to eat well, is something you can't measure. I am going to have two fruits and one vegetable everyday is measurable.

4. Timeframe -  You need to have a timeframe of when you are going to achieve your goal. A timeframe allows you to see how you are progressing and you can stay motivated knowing exactly where you are at with your goal.

Setting goals can be a daunting experience because it means you have to change what you have been doing so far and be accountable to achieve your goals. Its easy to get sidetracked and then you think 'oh well there is always next year'. Don't let this happen, be determined to achieve what you want. YOU are the only person that can make things happen. Do it for you, do it because it makes you happy.

Remember anything is possible if YOU make it happen!

Do you set goals for yourself? What do you do, to get back on track?

What makes you happy?

I love thinking about things that make me happy. Its weird because life is so full on and busy that sometimes I can't see past what is happening at the moment. If you sit back and take fifteen minutes and just think 'what makes me happy?' its interesting what you come up with.

Here is my list of things that make me happy at the moment. A random list but when I think of these things they put a smile on my face.

Flowers

My handbag

Music

My children

Reading 

Cheesecake

Winter jackets

Car

Photos

Socks

Shopping

Makeup

Jewellery

Phone
My Blog

What are some things that make you happy?

Feeling overwhelmed? Today is a new day.

Today is a new day. If you woke up feeling down and sad, or its just all getting too much think of a sunrise.

Every day is a new day, a new beginning, today you can choose to see all difficulties as opportunities to make you a stronger person.

Accept where you are in life and be grateful for it. Every day we learn and grow. Lets move forward  - the past has no power over us. Choose to let it go and look forward only to the future, because you can choose your future.

Every day is a new day with a new beginning and a new end.

Lets enjoy life and make the most of it.

I like writing a list of things that I want to achieve in a week, as this helps me look forward to them and gives me hope that things will work out. I also like going for a walk to think things through and rejuvenate my mind.

What do you do when things just get too much?

How my morning beauty routine is done?

 

Looking after your skin is the most important beauty advice you will hear. Your skin needs constant attention in order for it to look and feel great. I have no problem with looking after my skin in the evening, its the mornings that always seem to be the hardest for me. Trying to get breakfast ready and two young children ready, is plenty to keep me busy and neglect my skin.

But it only takes a few extra minutes to look after your skin. This is what I find works best for me:

• I rinse my face with warm water.
• Cleanse my face. (I'm using a Dove cleanser at the moment)
• Rinse off with cold water.
• Apply my moisturiser and let it absorb for about five minutes. (I'm using Neutrogena health defence day moisturiser at the moment)
• Apply primer and let it absorb for about five minutes too ( using a primer is optional) ( I use the face of australis face primer at the moment)
• Now my face is ready for makeup.

The key is to let the products you use to absorb into the skin for a few minutes. There are days where I dont have time to cleanse in the morning, so I usually use makeup wipes to give my face a quick clean and then apply my makeup.

Once you get in the habit of a quick routine, your skin will love you for it!

Do you cleanse your face every morning?  

The Stylish blogger award and the Versatile blogger awards!

In the last week or so I have been awarded awards by four great bloggers!

I have been awarded the Stylish blogger award by  My Best beauty buys , Mei Mei's Beauty Blog and Life's Visual Journal.

Thankyou so much for thinking of me and I really feel honored that I have received an award.

I definitely recommend to all my readers that you all check out these three fantastic blogs, they are all so unique and fantastic.

The second award is the Versatile blogger award, and this was awarded to me by Msglitterazzi . Thank you so much and I definitely recommend you check out her fantastic blog.

The rules to these awards are:

• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post
• Tell us seven things about yourself
• Award 7 recently discovered new bloggers
• Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award.

Here are a few things about me:

1. I have always wanted (and still do!) to work as a TV presenter. ( Instead I have worked the last thirteen years in a public service job)
2. I love reading. When I was a teenager, I read over 50 books in a year.
3. I am a very organised person and punctual ( 99% of the time)
4. I love anything colourful and creative, I find it inspires me.
5. I collect fridge magnets.
6. I was born in Australia, and have never travelled outside of Australia ( but really want to, hopefully in the next few years)
7. My favourite movie of all time is Maid in Manhattan, love the message in the movie ' that anyone can do it, just keep on trying.'

I am awarding the Stylish blogger award to these amazing bloggers:

Love Vulcanella
Miss Sensuous
Jess  - missjshopaholic
Miss LV
Bluestars Makeup blog
Ellegance
An obsession with the fabulous

I am awarding the Versatile blogger award to these amazing bloggers:

A dose of dannie
Greenway Stuff and Things
This mid 30's life
Feather and Nest
Candy apples
Annika's little world
Everyone wants this

Each and every blogger out there is so unique and your blogs are all wonderful. Keep up the great work!