Style for Life

Episode 34 - How to feel good in a swimsuit

Over my time as a stylist I have seen so many women who either do not swim, or cool off in water very rarely, because they do not like their bodies in a swimsuit.  Their dislike for their body or lack of confidence to get it in a swimsuit means that they miss out on this summer (or winter!) pleasure.  This podcast is about how you can feel good embracing a swimsuit and getting out there in the world and enjoying our beautiful oceans, lakes, rivers and swimming pools.  
 
Top tips for feeling good in a swimsuit are: 
Choose a style that you feel good in - try them all on and give yourself time to make a good choice 
Bring a cover up to the beach that you can throw on after you exit the water 
Prepare beforehand, waxing, tanning, nails - what ever you need to do to feel good about you
Work on your confidence - check out episode 15 for more details on how to master this!!  
Connect to your body and be thankful for what it does for you - everyone has flabbier pieces and things they don't like 
Change your internal narrative and tell yourself you are worthy and enough and that you deserve to be out there enjoying the water 
Practice self-compassion - be kind to yourself you are enough just as you are.  
 
Enjoy our Southern Hemisphere summer and embrace the water!
 
 

Episode 33 - How to stay healthy and not gain weight over the holiday season

Often the holidays and lead up hits us in December and January and we get overrun with social engagements and deadlines and our carefully curated wellness routines fly out the window.  This podcast is about how to navigate this period of time and come out of it feeling rested,  nourished and still healthy..  here are my top tips:  
 
Plan your meals in advance so you don’t go off track
Keep exercising
Know when to say no and balance the social engagements
Holidays and celebrations are about connecting not just about food and drinking
Stay hydrated
One treat a day - indulge but don’t over indulge
Get adequate rest and sleep
80:20 rule - look after yourself with all of these things 80% of the time and the other 20% relax and enjoy the break or celebrations
Connect with people who fill your cup and vice versa
Allow yourself some time to do the things you need to fill your cup 
 
Enjoy and thank you so much for listening.  

Episode 32 - How to manage and dress your changing body in pregnancy, menopause and older age.

A listener question (or 5!) this week about how to dress your body when it changes through your life.  I discussed what happens physiologically in your body in these life changes then how to dress for them. 
The three stages are: 
1. Pregnancy, childbirth and beyond 
2. Menopause 
3. Dressing an older body - specifically over the age of 75.  
Enjoy! 
 

Episode 31 - How to Age in Style

Aging is inevitable.   There are many things we can do to attempt to make this process easier and more comfortable for us.  
Tips for aging gracefully and maintaining a youthful appearance
Be kind to your skin and wear sunscreen.  
Drink plenty of water. 
Mind your diet. Eat a diet rich in plants. 
Mental health matters. .
Stay physically active.  Get moving. 
Lower your stress. .
Quit smoking and decrease alcohol consumption. 
Get enough sleep.
Establish a good routine. 
Limit caffeine.
How to stay stylish as you age
Assess your ‘fashion travalator’ to see where you are currently.
Determine the image you desire to be projecting for the stage of life that you are in. 
Set manageable ‘baby step’ goals for yourself to begin looking more current.
It takes effort to look effortless.  From monthly facials, to a nighttime skincare routine, to regularly auditing your wardrobe, to making sure they know what’s in and what’s out.  Self care.  
Explore skin care and cosmetic treatment solutions for you
Commit to your style regularly
Understand what works for your body now
Keep smiling
 
 

Episode 30 - How to Practice SELF CARE

Self Care is important for building resilience and preventing burnout.  Women are notoriously good at putting everyone else first and themselves last.   This podcast provides some insights into all aspects of self care: 
1.  Physical 
2. Social
3. Mental 
4. Spiritual 
5. Emotional 
 
Enjoy and this week try and give yourself some time to fill your cup and practice some new self care strategies.  
 

Episode 29 - Chat with International Stylist Chelsea Brice

Today i had the privilege of chatting with Chelsea Brice - International stylist from Melbourne Australia.   https://chelseabrice.com/
Chelsea,  Lou Heller and I are delivering a style weekend at Merivale Mall this weekend and we wanted to talk all things style and share the journey we have both had that has got us to this point.  Check Chelea and Lou out on Instagram and click the link below to book in and see us over the weekend.  
https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.brice.style/
https://www.instagram.com/louhellerstylist/
Link for Merivale Style Weekend 
 
https://events.humanitix.com/unlock-your-style-fashion-styling-weekend-at-merivale-mall/tickets?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ6974juukJv580yoAJZSmTaA40yeGif6hmnwALQq2TAUQXI0WrNFlqJMo_aem_CqvE4__eoQ74H84guCFXNA
 

Episode 28 - 'What to wear to the races'

One of the dilemmas people often raise with me is 'what should I wear to the Races?  In Christchurch we have a whole week that is centred around the races where many people attend and want to know what is the best thing to wear.  
In this episode I have had the privilege of chatting with Zane Tate who is the Fashion in the Field Co-ordinator at Riccarton Park Raceway.  We traverse what to wear,  how to wear it and what to look out for if you do want to enter the Fashion in the Field competition.   
Enjoy our chat and see you at the Races!!
https://www.instagram.com/zanetatedesign/
 
Also check out my website for info on all things styling and feel free to reach out if you would like some help to get your Races or any other outfit together...  
 
https://www.brightred.co.nz/
 

Episode 26 - How to choose the best jeans for you

When shopping for jeans consider:
Don’t be tempted to rush - try them on,  sit down in them and make sure they feel comfortable.  Choose 3 sizes when trying on so you can make an informed decision. 
Measure the inseam so you know what your leg length is.   Take your measurement from crotch to floor depending on how long you want them to be. 
Understand the rise of jeans – do you want low rise, thong showing or high rise to suck in the tummy and elongate the legs.
What style are you vibing with – do you want baggy, straight,  relaxed,  skinny and what suits your bodyshape – we had years of the only jeans we could buy were skinny and there was literally nothing else  - now there is so much choice everywhere. 
Shop in person rather than online
They do not need to be expensive. There is plenty of choice out there.  - Glassons,  HM, Max and Zara do great jeans.  
Buy a classic style that will last
Consider stretch and fabric.

Episode 27 - How to sleep well

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

Episode 25 - How to lose that last 5kgs (if you want to!)

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