So chic

I see Michelle Obama all over this Oscar de la Renta outfit from the resort 2014 collection 

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Gucci Resort 2014

Laid back chic

This amazing collection for Resort 2014 can be seen in full via style.com

Why Prada? Why?

Is it just me or are the current bags getting boring?? There’s nothing new out there…

Everywhere I turn I see a Celine Phantom, Luggage Tote, Prada Gallerie, Chanel Flap even the ever so exclusive Hermes Birkin & the Kelly bag are in constant sight so much for them being exclusive….

I love bags!!! Absolutely Love them but when you see them everywhere they kinda lose their edge. What happened to the days of only a few being made & if your lucky you get to be the few who got to buy one just in time. Even shoes seem more exclusive these days. If I don’t get it the day I see them guaranteed I won’t see them the next time. Even the next day or few hours after…..btw typing of shoes selling out… I’m in desperate search for those Chanel Espadrilles. While I was busy in wedding mode they sold out & now I’m soo sad….. If you or anyone you know can get me a size 40 I’ll most appreciate it. 

Anyhooo……Bags, nowadays seem like they’ve become mass produced so many available. 

I don’t own a black bag & I’m in search for a easy to use daily that isn’t any of the above (although… A Birkin or Kelly -my fav btw won’t hurt) looking round and round I can’t seem to see anything. I don’t want a fad ‘it’ bag. I’m not that kinda girl I want something classic & chic. Easy to use & timeless. 

So a few days ago I was in Selfridges & my dear heart skipped a slight beat as I noticed Prada had a new bag!!! *jumping with excitement I jollily skipped in with wide bright eyes……However,on closer inspection there was slight disappointment……..

I like Prada, I think the brand is cool, it has an effortless style, very chic, simple & neat just how I like it but I’m slightly let down. The new bag Dettagli is…ummmm…. Like a Celine Phantom????How? Why? Because?? I don’t get it? What happened? It’s not even in their regular Seffiano leather. 

If it didn’t look like the Celine i’d like this a lot. it’s a cool bag. It’s rugged, easy to carry for a daily & looks durable.  But why??? I’m confused maybe it’ll grow on me. What do you think?

I do like it tho…boo hoo hoooo

Here’s the Celine Luggage Tote & the Phantom

Very similar right? 

14 things successful people do on the weekends

To be sustain success it’s important to manage your time well.
working from dawn to dusk doesn’t get you anywhere but a confused mind, sore eyes and a irritable attitude.

One of my new year goals is to have a structure and routine that I can stick to regardless what work constraints come up. Knowing that the world will not stop if an email goes an answered is crucial to a sane mind and life/work balance.

As the weekend is here I came across this and thought I’d share. One thing I learnt at Sunday service this week was we have to start creating habits as ‘habits are key to reaching your goal’. Here’s a list of 14 things successful people do (or like me should be doing) on the weekends. Not just X-Factor or whatever ITV is showing….

1. Make time for family and friends. This is especially important for those who don’t spend much time with their loved ones during the week.

2. Exercise. Everyone needs to do it, and if you can’t work out 4 to 5 days during the workweek, you need to be active on weekends to make up for some of that time. It’s the perfect opportunity to clear you mind and create fresh ideas.

“I know an owner of a PR firm who takes walks in the park with his dog to spark ideas about how to pitch a new client, or what angle to take with the press for a story,” Kurow says.

Cohen suggests spin classes and outdoor cycling in the warmer months. “Both are energizing and can be organized among people with shared interests. For example, it is not uncommon for hedge fund folks and Wall Street professionals to ride together on weekends. It is a great way to establish and cultivate relationships based on membership in this elite professional community.”

3. Pursue a passion. “There’s a creative director of a greeting card company who went back to school to pursue an MFA because of her love of art,” Kurow says. “Pursuing this passion turned into a love of poetry that she now writes on weekends.

4. Vacation. Getting away for the weekend provides a great respite from the grind of an intense week at work, Cohen says.“Successful people make time for what is important or fun,” Egan adds. “They make space for activities that add to their life balance.”

5.  Disconnect. The most successful people avoid e-mail for a period of time, Vanderkam says. “I’m not saying the whole weekend, but even just a walk without the phone can feel liberating. I advocate taking a ‘tech Sabbath.’ If you don’t have a specific religious obligation of no-work time, taking Saturday night to mid-day Sunday off is a nice, ecumenical time that works for many people.”

6. Volunteer. “I know a commercial real estate broker who volunteers to help with cook-off events whose proceeds are donated to the Food Bank,” Kurow says. “The volunteer work provides a balance to the heavy analytical work she does all week and fulfills her need to be creative — she designs the promotional material for the non-profit.”

Cohen says a lot of successful people participate in fundraising events. “This is a great way to network and to meet others with similar interests,” he says. “The visibility also helps in branding a successful person as philanthropic.”

7. Avoid chores. Every weekend has a few have-to-dos, but you want these to take the minimum amount of time possible, Vanderkam explains. Create a small window for chores and errands, and then banish them from your mind the rest of the time.

8. Plan. “Planning makes people more effective, and doing it before the week starts means you can hit Monday ready to go, and means you’ll give clear directions to the people who work for you, so they will be ready to go, too,” Vanderkam says.

Trunk agrees. She says successful people plan their month and year because “if you get stuck on short-term lists you don’t get anything big accomplished.”

9. Socialize. “Humans are social creatures, and studies of people’s experienced happiness through the day finds that socializing ranks right up there, not too far down below sex,” Vanderkam says.

Go out with friends and family, or get involved in the local community.

“It has been demonstrated that successful people find great satisfaction in giving back,” Cohen says. “Board membership, for example, also offers access to other successful folks.”

10. Gardening/crafts/games/sports/cooking/cultural activities.This is especially important for those cooped up in an office all week.

“For the pure joy, some folks find great satisfaction in creating beautiful gardens,” Cohen says.

Kurow knows an attorney who uses her weekends to garden and do mosaics and tile work to satisfy her creative side. “Filling her life this way enables her to be refreshed on Monday and ready to tackle the litigation and trial prep work. Artwork for her is fulfilling in a way that feeds her soul and her need to connect with her spiritual side.”

Bridge lessons and groups can also sharpen the mind and often create relationships among highly competitive smart professionals, Cohen says. “I once saw a printout of a bridge club’s membership list; its members were a who’s who of Wall Street.”

Theatre, opera and sporting events can also enrich one’s spirit, he adds.

11. Network. “Networking isn’t an event for a successful person, it’s a lifestyle,” Trunk says. Wherever they go and whatever they do, they manage to connect with new people.

12. Reflect. Egan says truly successful people make time on weekends to appreciate what they have and reflect on their happiness and accomplishments. As Rascoff said, “weekends are a great chance to reflect and be more introspective about bigger issues.”

13. Meditate. Classes and private instruction offer a bespoke approach to insight and peace of mind, Cohen says. “How better to equip yourself for success in this very tough world?”

14. Recharge. We live in a competitive world, Vanderkam says. “Peak performance requires managing downtime, too–with the goal of really recharging your batteries.” That’s how the most successful people get so much done.

Successful people know that time is too precious to be totally leisurely about leisure, Vanderkam concludes. “You’re not going to waste that time by failing to think about what you’d like to do with it, and thus losing the weekend to TV, puttering, inefficient e-mail checking, and chores. If you don’t have a busy workweek, your weekend doesn’t matter so much. But if you’re going from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, it certainly does.”

Came across this on forbes.com

Have a good weekend.

Great start to 2013

Her mistake my gain…. Hehehe

She must have written her note and placed the paper on her dresser or something.

I’m sure because of her contracted endorsements she quickly realised and took it down and reposted.

Well at least it’s not only me that loves the products.

http://www.motivesmakeupuk.com

Happy New Year ya’ll

See you on the other side

No one knows where your coming from or where your going and what 2013 holds.

Individually we will likely experience different degrees of highs & lows, so for the approaching new year we should try & be kind and thoughtful to each other, showing love & kindness to make it easier.

I’ve had a good year despite the passing of loved ones and a few low moments. One of the main reasons I can see such good is because this year I’ve learned to look for blessings in the midst of trials. I’ve realised that things pass and with faith they turn to minuscule problems that are even laughed at.

A simple proof is right here: me writing this on the last day of the year! Many people haven’t made it this far. That in its self is one of the most important blessings we can all have. Because I truly believe “Once there is life, there is hope”

I wish you all an amazing year ahead filled with hope, faith, love & joy.

Happy New Year

Plenty blessings for all

Always keep your eyes on the ball….

Every time I see a Nokia advert I always remember a time when they dominated the market. Most people around me had one and there was always a moment of conversation when a new model was released about the latest features, the colour screen, new snakes game and so on.

Fast forward to today, and you find a large demographic mix of old and young with a Samsung, Blackberry or IPhone. Nokia on the other hand is no where to be seen! I’m sure a few people use one as a primary phone but I usually see it used as an additional mobile for Lebara or another one of those international low cost networks.

Let me get to the point. Basically if you have a brand, product or anything in the market it is wise to not only keep a close eye on whats happening but never think your position is safe.

Never get comfortable. Always work hard to improve yourself, product & game!

Take for example Apple. Apple has a large population of the market but who knows what’s next… samsung is already showing strength as a good contender.

I’m sure Serena & Venus share this mantra. Because in every game they play their best never getting comfortable or carried away by all their numerous wins.

Just a random rant that I thought I’d share.

Set your goals, plan your route & score.

It’s always a time of reflection as the year comes to an end. I think about how my year went, what was right, what was wrong and who affected me for good or bad.

Assessing the year is vital to set clear goals for success, as it allows you to look back and know what or whom you want to carry forward into the next year.

Set your goals, plan your route and score…

As you plan your route you’ll begin to see a clear vision of what you want and what you don’t want. Knowing this will definitely lead to a happier more fulfilled life.
“Goals are not only necessary to motivate us; they are essential to really keep us alive” – Robert H Schuller

Over the weekend Andrew Weissman sent an to the Market UK team which I absolutely loved. It wasn’t anything in depth about work just something he ran across and wanted to share to encourage and motivate. This email is actually what inspired this post as I thought it would be great to also share with my own network.

This is what was shared. Enjoy

60 TIPS FOR A STUNNINGLY GREAT LIFE by Robin Sharma, author of the international bestseller “The Leader Who Had No Title”.

Ultimately, life goes by in a blink. And too many people live the same year 80 times. To avoid getting to the end and feeling flooded regret over a live half-lived, read (and then apply) these tips:

1. Exercise daily.

2. Get serious about gratitude.

3. See your work as a craft.

4. Expect the best and prepare for the worst.

5. Keep a journal.

6. Read “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin”

7. Plan a schedule for your week.

8. Know the 5 highest priorities of your life.

9. Say no to distractions.

10. Drink a lot of water.

11. Improve your work every single day.

12. Get a mentor.

13. Hire a coach.

14. Get up at 5 am each day.

15. Eat less food.

16. Find more heroes.

17. Be a hero to someone.

18. Smile at strangers.

19. Be the most ethical person you know.

20. Don’t settle for anything less than excellence.

21. Savor life’s simplest pleasures.

22. Save 10% of your income each month.

23. Spend time at art galleries.

24. Walk in the woods.

25. Write thank you letters to those who’ve helped you.

26. Forgive those who’ve wronged you.

27. Remember that leadership is about influence and impact, not title and accolades.

28. Create unforgettable moments with those you love.

29. Have 5 great friends.

30. Become stunningly polite.

31. Unplug your TV.

32. Sell your TV.

33. Read daily.

34. Avoid the news.

35. Be content with what you have.

36. Pursue your dreams.

37. Be authentic.

38. Be passionate.

39. Say sorry when you know you should.

40. Never miss a moment to celebrate another.

41. Have a vision for your life.

42. Know your strengths.

43. Focus your mind on the good versus the lack.

44. Be patient.

45. Don’t give up.

46. Clean up your messes.

47. Use impeccable words.

48. Travel more.

49. Read “As You Think” by James Allen
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577310748?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwrobinsharc-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1577310748

50. Honor your parents.

51. Tip taxi drivers well.

52. Be a great teammate.

53. Give no energy to critics.

54. Spend time in the mountains.

55. Know your top 5 values.

56. Shift from being busy to achieving results.

57. Innovate and iterate.

58. Speak less. Listen more.

59. Be the best person you know.

60. Make your life matter.

PS. Harrods, Hamleys & Laura Ashley recently joined uk.Shop.com check out the site via http://www.SourceShopEarn.com and start getting cashback for your normal store purchases.

Online shopping just got even more exciting.

#WhatsYourMotives?

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