Shopping And Style Tips To Save Money

June 17, 2013 1:35 am /

fashion tipsThere is a whole world out there that comprises of fashion and how you look. In fact how you look speaks a lot about how you look after yourself, and what your style is. So when you’re looking for shopping and style tips, it’s best to look around at all the options available.   Not everyone can afford a fashion stylist, so let’s look at what you can do to get started on your own.

The first rule of shopping is don’t just impulse buy. Sure, you will see things you like, but before you buy them simply because you like the way they look, or because they are on sale, consider whether you will actually wear them. Does the style and cut actually suit your body type, and does it fit in with anything else in your wardrobe. If you find that at least one of these isn’t the case, don’t buy the item, it’s only going to waste your money and take up space.

When seriously shopping for a specific item, it can be a good idea to look around. Check out different clothing stores for what you’re looking for. You never know when you’ll find something that is a better fit, or is exactly what you are looking for and on sale.

Remember to always take into consideration your style. For example, if you like dresses but never wear them, there’s not a lot of point in buying them. Also, keep in mind the style of your accessories and hair. An outfit is just an outfit, but when it’s accessorised can turn into an amazing creation. Different accessories and hair will create a different look.

When you’re in different stores, don’t be afraid to barter a little. Quite often if you ask the simple question “is this the best price you can do?” shop owners will give leeway a little. They want your business and if giving you a few dollars off does that they will often do it. If they say no sorry, then you have lost nothing.

Also consider where you might where these clothes. If you see that perfect little black dress but have nowhere to wear it to, then it may not be a great idea. However, if you find clothing items or outfits that can be worn in multiple settings, these are the bargain buys to go for. A classic example is jeans. Jeans with the right top and the right accessories can be made to fit into almost any setting.

Shoes are a great way to dress up any outfit, however choose wisely. If you’re used to wearing ballet slippers don’t all of a sudden look around for six inch heels. Make sure your comfortable in your footwear, otherwise your night out might end up being a night sitting down.  If you are too busy to do your own shopping you can get a personal shoppers that will do all the running around for you at http://www.steelemystyle.com/services/shopping/.

There are many different ways of shopping thriftily, and there is always the option to shop online as well. But make sure that anything you purchase you feels comfortable when you’re wearing it. Make sure it fits in with the style you are going for and that it isn’t just an impulse buy.

Check out this great vid for some awesome style and fashion tips.

Posted in: Lifestyle / Tagged:

Tips for Healthy Teeth

June 6, 2013 1:55 am / Leave a Comment /

healthy teethThere are few more parts of your anatomy that are more important than your teeth. They play a huge part in enunciation, speaking and most vitally eating. Even more importantly, you only get one natural set of them in your lifetime! Human beings aren’t like sharks – we can’t grow all of our teeth back if they aren’t there.

This makes it one of your biggest health goals to take good care of your teeth and ensure that they serve you well throughout your lifetime. There are plenty of steps you can take and preparation you can put in place to make sure your teeth stay intact, robust and functional.

Of course, the step that everybody will be familiar with is tooth brushing. The basic foundation of tooth care is brushing at least twice a day for two minutes at a time – this helps to remove damaging plaque from the surface of your teeth and improve overall mouth hygiene.

It’s advisable to use a softer-bristled toothbrush so you don’t damage your gums, and ensure that you brush firmly but gently. Creating a brushing routine is a great idea – even brushing in the shower every morning helps to create an everyday occasion where you brush, and makes it easier to rinse and clean up.

Flossing is another step that many people are already familiar with, but a surprisingly low number of people regularly do. It’s just as important as brushing – if not more so. Flossing helps to get rid of plaque and bacteria from gaps and crevices in teeth where brushing cannot reach, as well as preventing gum disease by cleaning the area where gums meet the tooth.

Again, flossing at least twice a day is highly advisable, and can be incorporated into your post-meal routine. Just make sure that you have a private place to do your flossing – you don’t want to be that rude and inconsiderate person on the train flossing away.

There are plenty of nutritional considerations to have in mind in regards to keeping your teeth at their best. Constant exposure to food acids and sugar will weaken your tooth enamel and more than likely result in some painful and costly cavities, so limit your exposure to overly acidic and sweet food and drink throughout the day.

If you can’t resist soft drinks, make sure you have them at meal times rather than constantly sipping – and be sure to drink some water or have a rinse afterwards to prevent sugars and acids sitting on your teeth for an extended period of time.

Simply thinking about your teeth as you eat and live is all it takes to keep them healthy. Many people take their teeth for granted, but if you’re fully aware of their importance and what you can do to keep them in top working order, you’re already ahead of the pack! Maintaining a great smile will save you a lot of grief in future, and there’s no better time than now to start looking after your teeth.  Make sure you have a good local dentist who you trust and feel comfortable with.

Posted in: Health

Cut Down Your Drinking and Improve Your Health

June 3, 2013 5:45 am / Leave a Comment /

cut down drinkingThe first reason for cutting down on your alcohol consumption isn’t related to health at all – it’s to do with your back pocket. Buying alcohol in Australia is famously expensive; a pint at the pub will set you back around $10, while a glass of wine or spirits at most bars is usually around $7.

Say in the course of the week you were having the equivalent of 5 pints and 6 glasses of wine (probably a modest estimate for most Australians over 18), then you’re spending $92 just on drinks. Think of where else that money could go!

Many people fail to realise that, even when they are not hungover, the alcohol they drank the night before is still affecting – and slowing – their thinking patterns. Because of this, many of those who cut out drinking during the working week are surprised by how much of a difference they notice in their brain functioning. They report feeling more alert, aware, and better able to respond to new thoughts and challenges. This can lead to an overall improvement in job performance.

Possibly most importantly, by significantly cutting back on the booze, you are helping to protect yourself from the devastating long-term effects it can have on your physical health. It’s well known that heavy drinking can cause irreversible damage to the brain and liver.

Over time, damage to the brain can show itself in a number of ways, ranging from little lapses in your memory to permanent, untreatable disorders that can significantly affect your ability to process information. And of course, liver disease is a leading cause of death in heavy drinkers, and its effects are also debilitating. Drinking less will help you to significantly reduce your risk of getting certain cancers, diabetes and heart disease.

Quitting drinking leads to better health in a number of smaller, more immediate ways too. It can help you sleep more soundly, for example. While you may ‘pass out’ when you’ve had a few too many, alcohol interferes with your normal sleeping patterns and the sleep you have is actually of a lower quality.

Because alcohol is actually a depressant, it can also have a negative impact on your emotional well being on a day-to-day basis. And of course, its high calorie count can have a real impact on your waistline.

There are also several social benefits to quitting drinking. Although many people justify the excess consumption of alcohol due to its apparent social benefits (easier bonding with new people, the ability to relax, more enjoyment of social occasions), I’m sure that most drinkers could attest to the fact that it can often lead to embarrassment and regret!

Why not focus on forming better, more ‘real’ relationships with the people you meet rather than using alcohol as a crutch for forming these connections? You may find you actually appreciate what people have to offer much more!

So cut out the booze and start enjoying the benefits today!

Posted in: Lifestyle

A Guide to Your Essential Vitamins

June 3, 2013 5:39 am / Leave a Comment /

essential vitaminsYour body requires 13 vitamins in order to function. Here is a brief description of what each of them does.

Vitamin A: This vitamin helps your body form and maintain healthy teeth and bones, as well as soft tissue, skin and mucus membranes. You can find high levels of vitamin A in cod liver oil, liver, carrots, broccoli and sweet potato.

Biotin: Found in foods including cereal, egg yolks, legumes, milk and chocolate, this vitamin is essential for the production of hormones and cholesterol, and also for the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates.

Vitamin C: Not just great for relieving the symptoms of the common cold – this vitamin is an antioxidant that helps you maintain healthy teeth, gums and tissue, and assists the body’s absorption of iron. It also assists in the quick healing of wounds. Find in high concentration in guava, grapefruit, red and green capsicum, kiwi fruit, strawberry, brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, and the good old orange.

Vitamin D: This vitamin promotes your body’s absorption of calcium (which the body requires for normal development and the maintenance of healthy teeth and bones) and helps your blood retain healthy levels of calcium and phosphorous. Your body gets Vitamin D from the sun, and requires three weekly sessions of 10-15 minutes’ sunshine to produce the requisite amount for healthy functioning. For this reason, many people who don’t live in sunny places don’t get enough of this vitamin.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant which assists the body’s formation of red blood cells and helps the body utilise Vitamin K – a fat-soluble vitamin which, while not technically one of the ‘essential’ vitamins, is needed for the process of blood coagulation (or stick together).

Niacin: Also known as Vitamin B3, niacin is found in dairy products, eggs, fish and more, and helps enhance cholesterol and lipid profiles. A deficiency in niacin can result in poor concentration, fatigue, irritability, apathy and depression. It can also slow the metabolism and make you more susceptible to the common cold.

Folate: This assists in the formation of red blood cells and is necessary for the body to produce DNA. Folate is particularly important for pregnant women, as having low levels of this vitamin is thought to increase the risk of birth defects like spina bifida.

Pantothenic acid: Also called pantothenate or vitamin B5, this vitamin plays an essential role in your metabolism of food and your body’s creation of hormones and cholesterol. You can find pantothenic acid in cereal, chocolate, egg yolks, milk, nuts, yeast, pork and organ meats like liver and kidney.

Riboflavin: Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, works with the other B vitamins to assist the body’s growth and creation of red blood cells.

Thiamine: This is another B vitamin – vitamin B1 – and helps your body convert carbohydrates into energy. This is particularly important for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and also vital for the functioning of the heart and nerve cells. You can find high concentrations of thiamine in pork, cereal, yeast and yeast extract.

Posted in: Vitamins / Tagged: