Fradaz

Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:16:00 +0000

Thank you for stopping by. Fradaz is no longer in production but click on this link and go to a new, super fun, and cute blog by me. Have a beautiful day as well, full of dreams, cheer, love, and fun.

http://thedotdotblog.blogspot.com/

Thank you for reading Fradaz.

A Beautiful Space!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:38:00 +0000

When you think of beauty, you may think of beauty in terms of skin care, makeup, hair styles, perfumes, - really anything to do with your body.

Well I love all of the above things, but I have also found I love making the area around me beautiful too.

At night I have been lighting candles and playing soft jazz music. During the day I have been opening the doors (on a sunny day ;)) and allowing the fresh flowery breezes to wonder in my house. I also spray fresh vanilla essence on my table and benches and it fills the house with pure yum!

These little things really do create a feeling of beauty through sense, touch, sight and sound, in my life, especially in the 'boring' daily chores. It’s just simple stuff that can make a huge difference to your day.

This week, take time out to indulge in some beauty around you, it lifts the spirit and makes life amazing and you truly glow as a beauty in your beautiful world.

What are some of your favourite ideas and things to do that make your life feel beautiful, in any season...?

i.e A bunch of flowers, an evening walk, a mug of hot chocolate, a ......

How to have friends!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 04:58:00 +0000

Random Acts of Kindness. I love this.
Have you heard of this concept? I would be surprised if you have not.
I love it when people do 'kind' or 'caring' things to another. A lot of times this act is associated with doing things for a stranger, again I love this, and think we should all be doing this. But, sometimes I think we can forget a little about our friends!!!

Truth Moment: Bring back the TAF - Towards A Friend.

Sometimes in the dazzle and frazzle of life I feel like, and I know, I can take my friends for granted.
I mean, they are always just there.
They are a wonderful and vital part of my life and I could not live without them, but I can forget about stepping out in my tired, busy state and do an act of kindness towards them. - And I'm not talking about just being there for the big moments as you and I would be, this is in the 'just everyday'.

With a "drrr" and a self imposed slap up the side of my head ;) , I need to simply show my appreciation to my close friends for being in my life and encourage them in theirs too. I attach 'TAF' to my life.

So this week I determine to do a TAF! Yep, a 'Towards A Friend'.

What do you think? -Please share what you do for your friends that let's them know they are appreciated and loved in everyday Life?

Pop that balloon!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:44:00 +0000

Do you ever just randomly stop and think about your life, and no matter how good it is or maybe how frazzled you feel, the thought and feeling of not being in control sneaks in. You noticing that your life is not really how you ever thought it would have turned out as a graduating teen dreamer - Pop that balloon!

Sometimes it feels that so much of life is not a choice anymore and some of my ideas from my 20's where foolish dreams.

Life is a real mix of responsibility, changing stages, unpredictable surprises (the good and the bad), some striving to stay in touch with youthful dreams, settling or forgetting or giving up on dreams, and it's all moving so fast that it can be hard to keep up. - Arrrgg, balloons popping, shrinking, and not being blown up anymore, everywhere!

Truth Moment: Keep blowing up balloons! - But it's what you fill them with that is the difference.

I am learning that it is important to keep having dreams and forging ahead to make a happy, successful life, but I need to fill my dreams, my life, with the power of choice and live out of those choices. In what life throws at me or how I feel, I choose balloons full of:

- Love
- Happy
- Truthfulness
- Giving
- Friendship
- Peace

No matter what my life turns out to be in the end, no matter how many of my dreams I achieve, the stages I go through, and with those unpredictable, unexpected curve balls in life I know, going forward and through with my 'balloons', I have lived well, dazzled!

Let's float some balloons: What do you think? Share with us what 'balloon' of 'choice' you think is important to have in life.
(Click on the comment link below.)

Get a Tan!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:45:00 +0000

Fashion is so much fun, and I find it to be a really great way to express yourself through the latest trends or stepping out and trying something new and unique.

At the moment I am loving 'Tan'. - Belts, shoes, necklaces, bags, ...etc.

It's springtime in Aus and I feel like this colour; leather or wood texture, big or small touches, adds a whimsical, earthy feel to my clothes and in a strange way connects me to the newness of blooming flowers, warm breezes and lengthening balmy evenings that hold a hint of summer.
Try some 'Tan' today.

With so many cute, stylish, and fun colours, looks and feels, out there you just can't go wrong. So, do share with us: What is your favorite accessory colour or item at the moment and why you are loving it?
Can't wait to read what your all into! :)

(Click on the comments link below to view other, or add your own, comment.)

Wooden necklace and belt from: - You can browse heaps of cool necklace ideas.
http://www.shopstyle.co.uk/browse?fts=wooden+necklace

Spontaneous Rain!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:22:00 +0000

It was just yesterday, that I put on my walking shoes and with the whole family = one husband, Miss 5, and Miss 18mnt old. We went for a walk around the neighbourhood.

It was just on dusk, the air was warm, full of balmy blossom scents, and because we live at the beach, was filled with fresh salt. It was really fun and refreshing just walking around our area.
But, as we were heading home it began to rain, big splashy rain. Now, we were just a little to far away from home and I knew we were about to get wet.

Yep, we did. After calming the girls down (lots of reassuring Miss 5 that it's OK to get wet), it was wonderful! It was a spontaneous moment of excitement.

Truth Moment: Sometimes I feel that in life; all the 'busy', responsibilities, and the 'frazzle'... There is no time anymore for spontaneous fun - and these days I don't have the mind space to think up any either.

However, thanks to the sky that night, I had some. It reminded me of how good it felt to feel really alive and it gave joy to my family - I had forgotten (sadly) what 'spontaneous' felt like.
My girls squealed in delight at getting wet, and my hubby simply smiled at me and held my hand in the rain.
From this yummy taste, I am determined to have more spontaneous moments in my life and really enjoy the opportunity's of 'something a little different' or being caught in a 'unchangeable moment' that can always be fun if you choose it to be.
What do you reckon?

Ok, No matter your age or stage in life, do share your most recent spontaneous moment? - What it was, how you felt, or even share what activities you do with your family to keep the fun!

Spring = warm days, lemonade picnics, dresses and dry legs!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:29:00 +0000

I am so loving this warm Spring weather, but my legs are not.
I have been trying my fav dresses on and daring to bare my winter 'white' tan but I have discover I am also baring dry skin too. This will not do.
Yep it's time to spend 10min (ok in my world it has to be 2min) rubbing some moisture into them. So...... what do I use that acts fast and makes my legs look summer ready???

We want to know what you do when it comes to dry skin.
Tell us what you use, how long you spend on your skin and when you rub that moisture in:
(Post your response by clicking the comment link below or view comments by pressing on the same link.)

Can't wait to hear how you get happy, moisturized, soft skin legs.

Elizabeth.

'Share Your Life Moments'

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 07:35:00 +0000

Everyone has a life story or as I like to put it 'life moments', they happen to us all and they are like a bag of 'all sorts', each of us experiencing different types and each of us sharing a few too.
We want to hear from you and hear about your life moments.

Inspire, encourage, or just share with us a funny, exciting, painful, or heartbreaking, frustrated, something interesting, a lessons learnt, or an opps...etc...and more moment.
It can be anything from: marriage, family life, shopping, beauty, health, friendships, having children, cooking, single life, broken relationships, building relationships,... and ...

Simply write in 100 - 200 words an event/situation/moment and comment on how you handled it, learnt from it, were inspired, or needed help and what you did. Don't forget to write a sentence about who you are i.e. Mum of 3, works part time, can't live without shoes, and have been seen pulling my hair out, women from QLD...:) - you get the drift!

Send it to fradazmag@westnet.com.au or through our Facebook page as a Facebook message.http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Fradaz-Mag/100578686657469?ref=sgm

I can't wait to share your 'real life moment' with others to inspire.

Help I've got nothing to wear!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:34:00 +0000

With the change of season it is nice to run out and shop up a new wardrobe. New colors, patterns and styles. Big But: If you don't have the budget it can be a wistful time of 'I've got nothing to wear!!!!!! Here are three steps on how to turn your 'wist' into feeling new season dazzling beautiful.

1) The Basics.
Team your clothes together in basic/base colors. We all have them in our wardrobes, if not save up and invest in some classic, timeless pieces. We're talking: white, denim, gray, and black's together - i.e. denim and a white shirt, or black pants, black shirt, and a gray or black coat...For Spring go for more denim and whites and for autumn start to go into the darks. Then...

2) Accessories.
Accessories don't have to cost a fortune and they are an easy way to bring new season color into any wardrobe. So team your basic look with new season color: bracelets, beads, earrings, shoes, scarves, bags, sunglasses/glasses, headbands,....etc. For Spring we are loving fresh, happy, pale colors and for Autumn, try vibrant yet dark blues and metallic browns. Don't just wear one either, layer them up in the same tones. Finish with...

3) Makeup.
It's all in the makeup so change it up. Tone down to paler soft colors for spring and add soft 'blush' cheeks. Step it up a notch with brighter and darker lip tones for autumn and a touch heavier eye shadow if you dare.

Most of all, it's about having fun, so try a few new colors and makeup looks this season.

Yellow wooden beads from:
http://www.fashionjewelleryhouse.co.uk/fashion-jewellery-blog/index.php/a-wood-bead-bracelet-is-the-easy-way-to-bring-colour-into-your-outfit/

How to be beautiful.

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:38:00 +0000

You feel spectacular! The best you've felt for awhile. Your hair is 'modern glam', your makeup pretty much perfect and you have spent weeks finding the most beautiful dress - You're actually out of jeans or worse 'trackies' for once and sticky finger or nose marks from the kids that usually accessories your outfits are nowhere in sight.

You feel gorgeous, elegant, stunning, hot in your own right and... ...Oh my, across the room is another women wearing the same dress!!!!!

Your heart sinks instantly, you feel that beautiful feeling you had just a second ago disappear, "does she look better in it?" -You can't help think.

You look around to see if anyone has noticed yet. You have a second to work out what you are going to do, and you:

a) Get out of there as fast as possible, race home and change into something, anything, else...

b) Laugh at it, declare that the other women has impeccable taste and get on with enjoying yourself and congratulation the other women on fine taste...

c) Cringe and spend the rest of the evening hiding behind your friends or hubby with one eye on 'that women' while trying to stay at all times at opposite ends of the room from her...

...Well what ever you do it doesn’t really matter, because the real question is: Why do we care so much when this happens????

We've all had this moment and we all feel a touch deflated when it happens. Why? - Because every women wants to feel and be beautiful as her own unique and diverse beauty.

Truth Moment: You already have been created: beautiful, diverse and unique, valuable, important... and we need to embrace it.

It is so easy to feel, and quite unknowingly, that we are competing with every other beauty out there and it doesn't help living in a media age with 'beauty bombardment' every where you turn.

Competing is all about comparing. When you compare yourself to another you always come up short because it's your flaws that you see which only serve to overwhelm, depress and suppress you.

Embracing you, your own beauty, your own uniqueness, and your own value may not come easily, especially if that chocolate bar you ate last night is bulging out of your hips right now, but when you do, you have within the essence of being free.

Free to be: you, happy, being able to stand confident, to not have to be absolutely perfect, to be proud of what you do love about you, and not being bothered deep inside by other beautiful women around you.

The only way to embrace you is by choice. It is a choice to accept you, by you.

When you choose you, and choose to believe you are 'the above Truth Moment', you can: smile, know you really do light up the world, and you realize this world needs your diverse, unique, beautiful self, and that you are the only one who can take your place as the beauty you are amongst the beauty of it all.

There is nothing more beautiful, rare, original, elegant and stunning as a women who has embraced herself.

How to be beautiful? It's a choice.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! Psalm 139

Top 5 fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:04:00 +0000

1) Check out these cute meal time fun plates for the kids. Face plates to inspire your children to eat while having fun at the same
time. http://www.alfrescoemporium.com.au/index.asp?p=store&l=2134&r=142

2) Overnight hair moisturising! Banish the dry winter season away and get your hair into spring silky shape with: Pantene Night Miracle Cream http://www.pantene.com.au/en-AU/product/PANTENE_NIGHT_MIRACLE.jspx

3) Ever forgot to pick up 'that card' for a friend's event, birthday or life happening moment, well never fear just get your self a emergency box of cards to cover any occasion.
http://www.papierdamour.com.au/index.phpPCID=7688&PSO=188&PSID=VB03&PSV=Primary&CDO=

4) Feather jewelry! So whimsical, soft and very spring! Check out these soft pink feather earring from Diva http://www.diva.net.au/#/product/1775

5) Vanilla. The smell of vanilla is gorgeous. Simply fill a spray bottle with metho add some vanilla essence and you have a beautiful surface spray that will fill your house with the smell of cupcakes, candles, love and fresh peace.

Tell us what you love. Send your ideas, hints and beautiful things to fradazmag@westnet.com.au
Check out these earrings I found, and that you can purchase too.

It's time for some Food!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:19:00 +0000

These days it seems like everywhere you go people are talking gluten free, lactose intolerant and more. Below Amanda Bradford shares with us some insights into this world...

Are you one of these people who don’t understand why other people would want to be or have to be Wheat Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, etc, etc, etc…..

There are so many ‘new’ titles for food allergies these days that it’s hard to know what they all are and not to mention do they really exist or is it all just in our heads.

I was one of these people who would secretly scoff when someone ordered a soy latte… why would you want to drink that stuff!

Ok, I am making a formal apology to all persons who fit into the above category because I was judging you from my ignorance. Recently I was not feeling myself and I visited a naturopath who put me on a good old liver cleanse. Not only did she prescribe a really disgusting herbal mixture morning and night but my diet for 3 weeks includes no wheat, dairy, gluten, red meat… oh, let’s just say ‘everything yummy’! And just to top it off - no caffeine - so I hide in the pantry, sniffing the coffee beans…. feels like I’m doing something naughty J

The first week my body ached and a number of other unmentionable changes invaded or maybe better described as escaped my body. It was not nice but then neither was the way I was feeling before all this began. There is 10 days remaining and have to say that I do have more energy and I have started to wake up before the alarm… what’s with that! It certainly is still a work in progress but along this journey the meals I have had to invent have actually been tasty and if only we could continue to incorporate a few of these healthier options into the normal weekly meal plan, our bodies might just thank us!

Manda’s Meal Plan for a day

Breakfast: Brown Rice Flake porridge

Lunch: Salad - cabbage, carrot, capsicum, shallots, celery, olives & pumpkin seeds with dressing of: - Gluten Free soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and honey

Dinner: Lots of free range chicken done a number of ways but my favorite:

Chicken with Tomatoes & Olives

Marinate 800g diced Chicken for 30 - 60 mins in 3tbls olive oil, 3tbls lemon juice & 2tsp

garlic.

In the meantime - roast a capsicum (I did this directly on the gas burner - continue turning every few minutes until totally black then when cooled, rub off the blackened skin and dice the beautiful soft red capsicum.

Cook 1 diced onion in 1tbls olive oil till soft but not brown. Stir in 2tbls of Tomato paste & cook till it begins to darken in color - few of minutes. Add a 400g can of chopped Roma tomatoes in juice and bring to a simmer. Drain chicken and discard marinade, then add chicken to the sauce - add 1tbls of fresh oregano or a tsp of dried oregano, the diced capsicum, half a cup of green olives and season with ground pepper. Simmer for 15mins or till chicken is cooked through. Serves 4-6 YUM YUM!

Extra Tips: Eat bananas and tropical fruits in between meals and drink plenty of water!

Amanda Bradford: 30 years old, 15 years working career = long service, 8 weeks

holiday, caravan, car, awesome hubby, doggy, NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and all this to enjoy

my hobbies of reading, painting, drawing, drinking 'good' black coffee and delicious

Food!

Why not follow Fradaz own writer, Elizabeth, on her 30day challenge to better health.

http://fradazhealth.blogspot.com/

Got any recipes to share? Email them to fradazmag@westnet.com.au - We'd love to

hear from you and share your stuff.

How to make friends!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:03:00 +0000

We love friendships and doing life with other people but sometimes it can be tricky making new friends and we can feel a little lost at how to go about it. Below Amanda shares with us how to be a great friend and get the friendship 'ball rolling'.

Friendship from the start.... it doesn’t matter what age, gender or type of person you are, we all need friendships and we all need advise at times in how to make friends and how to keep them.

I personally had an advantage growing up that forced me to make friends. Approx every year my family moved to a new house, meaning I had to change schools constantly. It can be so difficult being in a new place with no friends and having to figure out how to make them as the new girl!!!
Growing up like this I learnt that I simply had to be the one who would go up to people and talk! BUT, that seems to be where it can stop.... u meet them, u introduce yourself to them and start a conversation...but how do we go from the ‘initial introduction’ to a friendship?

When making friends there is always that bit of nervousness. You’re wondering if they want to get to know you also, if they think you are weird, or if they are wishing you would leave them alone...and how often do we finish our introduction, or second, or third meeting, with “we should have a coffee sometime!”

Now how many of you have had that offer...or made that offer....and NEVER organised something??? Yep!! My hand is up!!!
One of the keys to friendship is following through on our ‘sometime’ moments - from both ends.

We invite people to “coffee”, we get invited to “coffee” and we need to make an effort to go through with it.

When you get an invite I have learnt that you need to organise something then!! Not say “yeah that will be great sometime” but “yes, I am free fri...when suits you?”

Sure sitting down together might be awkward at first and those silences where you don’t know what to say are uncomfortable, but it’s the same for everyone starting out.

Here are some tips that can help get the ball rolling:

1) Ask appropriate questions about the other’s life i.e. Do you work? Do you enjoy your work? How long have you lived in this area? Are you married? Do your children do sport or dance, Have you seen any movies lately? If there is an awkward pause simply ask another question. Don’t interrogate though – not what we are going for!!! lol

2) Really listen to what they share.

3) Simply encourage, care, and compliment the other person in their life and experiences.

4) Organize another "coffee". - Keep building the friendship.

You’ll soon find familiar ground and a friendship blooming.

CHALLANGE.
So, I make you this challenge, and yes I am setting it for myself also!

In the next fortnight, I want you to invite someone for coffee (someone you haven’t yet established a close friendship with). Then follow through and organise it too!

Don’t let the usual “sometime when we are less busy” excuses get you: make time, and this fortnight!
Also, if you are invited by someone you too want to get to know, don’t just say ok, organise a day and time in the next fortnight!

I would love to hear about how people go with it, so share with us your experience in the comment box at Fradaz.
I am hoping out of this challenge many of us will meet a new friend or finally get to know that friend we were meant to 6 months ago!!!

Amanda. xx

To Tattoo or Not?

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 06:36:00 +0000

Ever seriously contemplated if you should get a tattoo? - What about a fleeting thought of: what it would be like or what you would have?
Katherine, who designs tattoos, shares with us just what it is about this 'skin art' that is so very trendy, and if your brave enough to bare your flesh - what to do.

Tattoos can be 'taboo' to many, and to others an exciting ' always wanted one' subject.
This 'skin art' form is becoming more and more popular: business men, house wives and even the younger generation seem to be popping up with them.

There are so many different types of tattoos: plain black and white, color, grey or even a UV tattoo.

Tattoos are all about expression, an express of you, and thats why I love them. I don’t have one yet, but I have already designed and picked two tattoos that I want to get…so far.

My Sister got her first tattoo on her trip to America.
It is Kanji (Japanese text) that means Small Branch. When I asked her why she got it, she replied ever so wisely; “Small Branch comes from John 15, "I am the vine and you are the branches, remain in me" The 'Small part' is to remind me that I am a small part of a bigger picture.”
Her tattoo is really tasteful and sits on top of her foot.
These, day tattoos are not all about great big pieces that cover your whole body but rather tasteful pictures, symbols, and text.

Tattoos not only serve as art, but also as reminders. For the majority of people who have tattoos, it’s a sometimes painful, but pleasant memory of a chapter in their lives.

In getting one and baring my flesh, I have to admit, I’ve thought and thought about the consequences, “what if I don’t like it?” “What will it look like when I get older?” - we all think these thoughts, so here are my 'I'm getting a tattoo tips:

1. Choose your tattoo. If you can’t find a specific design you want, All you need now is an arty friend, who can draw one for you, or you can go into the tattoo parlor and most will design one for you.

2. Research is the key! First mistake in tattoo’s is not researching! I’m very adamant about this because no one wants to end up with something they regret. If you are getting script make sure you have the spelling right and if it is in a different language make sure you get someone who actually speaks that language to make sure it means what it means.

3. Here is an important thing, PLACING! A fun experiment is to get some fake tattoos and place them where you think you want your real one.

4. More Research, this time research Tattoo parlors. Look around on the internet, go visit the shop and talk to your tattooed friends about where they got their’s done. You will never get a hundred percent great feedback on one place, but all you need to do is ask why?

5. Last but MOST IMPORTANT! Don’t be hasty! My number one rule for tattoos is I have to have a picture of the tattoo and put it somewhere i can see it everyday and if I still like it after six to eight months, then I will get it. Try that and see, if after six months you don’t like it, throw it away, and if your sure, then make an appointment and go for it!

I guess in the end its all about personal preference, which is Aok!

Your body is a temple, but how long can you live in the same house before you redecorate? -- Author Unknown

Baby Steps to Better Health

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:43:00 +0000

Sandy our nutritionist shares how easy it is to move in the right direction to having great health - the body you want. Take a step with Sandy:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Confucius

We’re all on our own journey to having better health (eating well and moving more) – whether it’s as simple as eating less chocolate (sigh!), or running for thirty minutes or even in a 10km fun run.

The problem is that sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. How do I lose all those kilos? How do I run when even walking around the block can sometimes be a struggle? (phew!)

You just need to know where to START. And the good news is that starting begins with something very small: a single STEP.

“But something small isn’t going to make any difference!” I hear you say. “Not when my favourite form of physical activity is walking up and down the confectionery aisle in the supermarket…” ;)

The key here is doing something small over time. That means making one small change, and repeating it every day, and every day after that. Have a look at the facts:

- Eating one less 50g chocolate bar a week equals around 4,500kJ saved a month – resulting in weight loss of 1.5 kg in a year!

- Simply switching to reduced fat milk from full cream (2 glasses a day) can help you lose two kg in a year!

- Walking for fifteen minutes extra a day adds up to almost 7,000kJ burnt per month, or loss of over two kg of excess fat a year!

Can you make any (or all) of the above small changes, or baby steps? Sure you can! And I bet you can think of several others – especially if you’ve been completing a food and exercise diary, as recommended in my previous post: (http://fradaz.blogspot.com/2010/06/first-steps-to-healthier-more-visible.html ).

So join today with all of us Fradaz girls in beginning your own baby steps to feeling better and moving more. All you’ve gotta do is START. :)

Sandra Peut keeps busy juggling her varied roles as a wife, mother (to four children aged 6 and under!), nutritionist and health promotion officer in women's health, and writer. Blue Freedom, a romantic thriller and her first novel, is due to be published by Rose and Crown Books later this year.

For more info, visit http://www.sandrapeut.com/

Her first romantic thriller Blue Freedom

Going Nude!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 01:56:00 +0000

How good are shoes = goooood!!!

I love how shoes can take an outfit and simply make it! Why do a pair of shoes make us women feel beautiful? – Who knows but they do, so coming into Spring look out for a pair of ‘nude’ colored shoes.

Nude shoes are in. They are sophisticated, not over the top, and classy.

Heels, wedge, strappy, flats - they come in all styles.

Why wear:

- They lengthen your leg.

- They take a dark outfit and lighten

the look which is great as you

transition from colder months to

warmer weather wardrobe.

- They are sexy summery goodness.

Tips on how to wear:

1) Look for really plain ones and avoid HUGE buckles and embellishment on the toe area.

2) Shinny finish will allow the shoe to stand out more than matte finish but the choice is yours.

3) Look for a color that is slightly darker than your skin tone as you don’t want them disappearing into your leg.

4) Try one with a heel to make your legs appear really long.

5) If you’re not sure what color outfits to pair them with start with with dark denim, dark or strong colors i.e. green, red, blue, pinks, black. They also go really well white and with a bit of beige/nude.

6) In summer pair them with lighter denim and or pastel colors for a light and fresh summer look.

7) Yes you can wear them with flowery patterns.

8) Don’t wear all beige with nude shoes, make sure you add a block color to break up the beige – too much beige is not a good thing.

Have fun with Nude shoes. - Go Nude!

Elizabeth xx

Do share with us: Why do you love shoes???

I need motivation, so i'm getting comfortable!!!!!!?

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:14:00 +0000

Why is it that a change in season can inspire us to 'start'???

Mostly my starts come in the form of get up and start again... do, do, do all those things I know I should. You know: exercise, build my friendships, do that project, eat better, spend more time with the kids, quit going to bed late, get a tan...and on and on...

With Spring nearly here in Aus, I can feel my excitement and motivation rise. I’m going to do it this time!!! ...of course I am!!!...

So, start, start, start...easy, yep, I’m motivated and eager, if only spring would get here...

...Yet there is one problem:

Once I start, how do I maintain that start?!!!!

Arrrrgh it’s not fair, because trailing right behind and all to quickly catching up is ‘effort’ and ‘tired’, ‘what’s the point’, ‘I feel silly’, it’s just too hard’, and even ‘bad attitude’ – it’s the unmotivated gang.

It’s not fair (again), why do they have to come with my starts??? (Arms crossed.) And, to be fair, I want to fit in with them (talk about peer pressure lol).

Truth Moment: It’s not about the awesome start and it’s not about the unmotivated gang, it’s about the result - seen or unseen.

So I've got to switch gangs, and I’m joining the comfortable gang.

You see, I’m learning that if we want to have and do the things in life that we really want, then we have to get comfortable with really focusing on what we are achieving and its result in our life.

I have to get comfortable that there is going to be times of great energy and excitement and times of feeling unmotivated (in my case it's intense unmotivated).

I need to get comfortable with the fact that achieving takes time, far more then I’m willing to accept and continue to give yet I must keep going, that's how it is.

I need to get comfortable that some results are unseen, unnoticeable, particularly at first, yet what I am doing is still of great benefit to my life.

How much of our day comes down to choice? – most of it! It’s a choice to achieve, a choice to ignore my 'unmotivated', a choice to get up and start with or without energy and excitement.

So right now get comfortable!!!

No matter the season,

it really is time to knuckle down and get comfortable – who knew!

Time to share: What is your particular 'start'? - What you want to achieve?

Washing-Induced Hysteria - Wednesday's 'Real' Read.

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:29:00 +0000

Love, love, love this very real snapshot into the life of living with hubby!!!.

Laugh and enjoy as Naomi shares a moment of her day with us that, let's face it, we all can relate - right from the bottom of our inner talk :).

Whether this is your hubby, house mate, kids, or even yourself check it:

What my husband likes

Coke, cycling and sci-fi
Playing with the kids
Stripping off in random locations around the house, leaving his clothes in an inside out puddle.
And flinging dirty socks from the bedroom into the hallway. (Where he will no longer be aware of their presence, no matter how many times he walks past them.)

Me? I have been known to occasionally seethe at the mere sight of his strewn dirty clothes. The energy that courses through my body and the thoughts that charge my through my head is impressive.

He? Doesn’t seem to appreciate my passion for the topic of dirty clothes in the hallway.

One day

I picked up the pile with an almighty sigh and stomped self-righteously to the laundry.
Sweetly, I brought the issue to his attention.
He blinked and stared and nodded, surprisingly unmoved.
And then...
Everything unravelled............................

Really?

All this tension and drama and fuss over some stray laundry?
When did I become this worked-up banshee of a wife?
You know, I figured, maybe I could just pick up his clothes and not even think about it. Be grateful that he has clothes (!) and I have a husband and a hallway to put him in. Ahh, the clothes in.
Maybe, for the rest of our married life, he’ll be a clothes flinger, a random stripper leaving trails of laundry in his wake.
And I? I think, for him, I can pick them up, walk 20m, put them in the laundry and be thankful for a husband who rocks and a home that exudes an ethereal sense of calm and tranquillity :)
Now, my head hurts less and my husband looks hotter in general when I see him.

#how I used inner self talk to farewell washing-induced hysteria.

Check out Naomi's Blog: http://inkcrush.blogspot.com/

Naomi: Girl. 30 (!) Loves all things inky: reading and writing and especially the goodness that is YA. I live @ Coffs Harbour, Australia.

Share with us below what 'housework' moments can get the better of you???

Beauty Spot!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:57:00 +0000

Whether it’s Winter (like here in Aus), or Summer, Autumn or Spring, it is always the season to Moisturise.

I like nothing better than taking 10min and simply smoothing some yummy cream into my skin. However, this is soooooo not something that comes naturally.

I don’t jump out of bed and think oooooh let me moisturise. While I’m frantically throwing ‘all things’ breakfast on the table, getting kids and babies organized, oh and hubby too, I am not thinking ooooh moisturise. Then, during the long day of jobs, droping off and picking up, roles I do - I am, work, play, tidying up mess, more tidying mess,… and on and on... again I am not thinking moisturise. And, as I fall into bed at night and only have the energy to lift the sheet slightly so I can crawl under I am definitely not thinking moisturise - zzz

So when do I moisturise?

Truth Moment: When I make a 10min spot for it!

Yep my beauty indulgences have come down to having to make a spot for it.

It’ just does not magically happen for me as I linger over potions and lotions while butterflies, sparkling glitter and waterfalls cascade, flutter and swirl around me in all that free time of mine, in that perfect world of mine!!! (Is that a unicorn I spy in my bathroom??? lol)

So, for me my spot is in the morning.

I have no energy at night so if it’s going to happen I am going to do it in the morn when I have some and before it’s spent. I also don’t have time for a '10 step, hour long' beauty moisturise program either but I do have time for a 10 minute all over body indulgence, we all do.

Straight after my morn shower or dress time, I light a candle and I have my fav music playing in the background (There is always music on in my house lol). The kids are occupied in another area, whether it is by hubby, or abc kids show, or coloring in – it’s important to have them busy and worth the effort to set them up well so they don’t end up knocking my bathroom door down.

Then it’s just me and my cream, I enjoy the moment, I breath, I relax, I indulge, I feel beautiful, I shut the world out, and I know this act is making a difference to me.

Inside I choose peace and to my skin outside I invest…ooooooooooooooooh la

……Then it’s back into my crazy busy day.

TOP TIPS FOR MOISTURISING:

* Find a cream your happy with. There are so many available with varying purposes and to suit any skin type and any budget.

* Make your ‘10’ an enjoyable moment - no rush job allowed.

Candles, music, quiet, sunshine or stars light through a private window, whatever ministers to you, whatever time of the day.

* Defend and protect that spot. Don’t let life get in and steal it away. Plan for it and make it work for you. If you do miss a day or two get back up and fight for its right to be in your life.

You are valuable, important and able to indulge in your diverse beauty. You are beautiful.

Happy take 10 moisturising to us all.

Elizabeth xxx

Little Black Dress Moments - Wednesday 'Real' Read

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:03:00 +0000

Today Amanda shares her 'life bumped me' moment. Check it out - it is an issue that affects as all - our self talk based on what others say! We all have lived this one. Be simply encouraged.

Self Talk, what a scary thought! The words go off like an alarm, don’t want to go there - nope!

The scary part is that when you get up the courage to take a little peek into your own self talk you have to be honest and put ‘You’ all out on the table: flaws, constant changing moods, struggles, wins, how you feel about your physical looks, your performance as either/or a wife, mother, daughter, sister, or in your career, role, and on.... Self talk = all of me!

So what do I really say about all of me?

Ok..., to be honest it’s something I am working on! Yep I should be nice to me, and lovely, and I should know that I am beautiful for who I am. I should be praying and remembering God’s words during the good and certainly during the struggles... shouldn’t I....??? But yeah, those ‘shoulds’ can all go out the window with that thing called logic, (I am still trying to call it back I think?)

Why?

Because my ‘sneak peek’ revealed that a major contributor to some of my “self talk” seems to come from what others say. Not the best realization; but true none the less.

On a day I am feeling appreciated by others I am great, it’s like “you go girl, you will be fine!” but then there are the other days... Like the other night when I walked out of the bedroom to show my husband what I was wearing out and thinking “wow, I’m looking really hot tonight!” and he said “You're not wearing that are you? - It really doesn’t do anything for you! (Ahhh little ‘black dress’ moments!)

It’s in these moments we can go from feeling great, to one second later feeling like we are useless, we can’t put an outfit together, we can’t do anything right, don’t even mention the body...well if only!

If only I didn’t have the love handles there or I was taller/shorter or weighed a little less. If only I was smarter, had more time, more money, that promotion, looked like her. If only = all of me!!!

Wow, I sound crazy! But you know what I’m talking about.

We know that it should not matter what people say about us and we know that we should not base our self-esteem on what others say, the good (that’s really nice) and the bad, because people can’t be perfect for us. Yet, it does matter...

As hard as we try not to let it, our self talk is influence by the comments of others. So what can we do? It all comes down to reminding myself who I am in God’s eyes and not theirs – and God’s comment is Love.

God loves us just as we are. He created us enough in Him and that includes all our ‘if only’ and ‘shoulds’.

It’s Him I have to come back to.

To say this is easy is a lie, and it’s something I’ve found I have to work on every day, it does not come naturally, but if we keep going, we get better.

“Self talk”? , It’s not really that scary anymore because I’m placing it on the table of ‘I am learning’. Learning to come back to God and what His love means, learning to keep moving forward even when those self doubts caused by me or from others pipe up, and learning to get back up when I am down. We are progressing, and we are not giving up.

Ta Amandaxx

- Amanda Goebel is a soon to be mum with her first bubby on the way. She and hubby Josh can't wait for this new chapter in their life. We will let you know all the details when bub arrives.

Top 5 for July!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:28:00 +0000

It's that time of the month where we share our favorite fun, inspirational, or quaint things for the month.
You are going to have fun with these and feel beautiful too.

Check it, our top 5:

1) Dry skin = no probs. Try something new: Rose Hip Oil, for a really deep moisturize. It smells beautiful and will soften and hydrate dry skin in no time. www.kosmea.com.au

2) Sesame Street Fun. Sesame Street is celebrating 40 years, yep that’s right. So get your Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Grover, Bert and Ernie, Oscar, Count, Snuffi, and more on! Next week pay tribute to this children’s educational and entertainment show that has delighted little kids and big kids:
Wear it, watch it, remember it!

3) Big signature ring. One hand, one finger and on it: Your fav signature you. Flowers, hearts, birds, round, square, gems, plain, just wear what grabs you. We love it just cause we can!! Oh and it does not have to be expensive either, check out the nearest jewelry chain store near you.

4) Money Jar. Christmas is around the bend and that means money$$$$! Check out this great Money Jar idea from ‘be a fun mum’ for a very merry merry Christmas!
http://beafunmum.com/2009/08/the-2-jar/

5) Lipstick message. Do write in lipstick across the mirror, one thing you love about you. Who has not wanted to at times scrawl a special message across the mirror in your fav color lipstick! This message is for you, a defining quality or physical feature you like about you and seal it with your own kiss.
It’s a little moment of real truth for you to remind you of your own diverse beauty inside and out.

Don't forget to check out the Amazon shop, on the right, for all of the above and more July ideas.

Have a great, fun and beautiful Friday and weekend everyone.
Elizabeth xx

Death and Taxes - Wednesday's 'Real' Read

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:24:00 +0000

Life happens to us all. Below Flip, shares her story of what to do when the little things of life push us over the edge inside - check it:

There is a saying that there are two things in life that are guaranteed. Death and Taxes! But this is not true, especially if you live in my house.

There are many guarantees in life and one of them for me is good ole vomit!

Yep vomit!

In the last 24 hours in our house we have faced this very inevitable and yet disgusting part of life that I would think very few of us have never experienced. (If you are one of the blessed ones to have never had this aliment, please let me know because that achievement is up there with winning lotto!!)

Now the poor afflicted soul is and has been my dear 5 year old, Abbi. She has suffered like no other human being has suffered – so she is willing to tell me every 5 minutes!!!

Now, it’s not a nice time when one of you children are sick and they can't help it but there is still this little part of me that just wants to say....stop it!! I mean really I don’t need this now, I’m busy, be quiet, I know your sick but can you suffer in silence...please!!!

Of course being such a self controlled kind of person I would never do this... but sigh.

It’s another guarantee: Our self talk meeting the situation.

Now, being the carer, all sorts of not very caring things pass through my mind and make me not want to be very positive or maternal, especially at 3am.

Abbi is sitting upright beside my bed, holding an empty ice cream chuck up container, saying every 30 seconds “I'm sick, I'm sick, help”. All I want to do is moan and say "go to sleep, I'm tired, don't you realise I'm old and I need more sleep than you!!!”

But then I started thinking what if Abbi was me and I was the one who needed the care, love and attention.

Of course I would want my mum to be there with me, holding the bucket, pulling the hair away from my face as I was chucking up, bringing me water and telling me that is would be okay and asking Jesus to make me all better. That’s what I would want, would need, some love.

So, I gave myself a quick slap upside the head (metaphorically speaking), reign in the self talk, and kick into 'the best mother in the world' mode, even if my head was still thinking...I'm tired.

You see no matter how I feel and no matter what my self talk is, the situation requires a guaranteed ‘I have to act’.

With God it's the same.

Life happens and sometimes we need real help, or we get ourselves into a pickle and cry out... “I'm hurt and I can't get up, I'm very sad, I'm more in need than anyone else right now!!” “HELP!!”

The need is genuine because we are not perfect and we all need help in life at times and we want God to act!!!

Lucky for us God does not struggle with the self talk thing like we do. Complaining about being tired or just wanting us to shut up for 5 mins so He can sleep is not even a thought, He is not wired that way at all and thank goodness for us that He isn't.

Our guarantee with God is that when He meets our situation He acts.

He is always there to listen, hear our call, our silent prayer. He loves us,wants to look after us, and guide us, even if we don’t know it, feel it, see it or understand it.

Read Luke 18. Here, Jesus is walking to Jericho and crowds of people are around him and a blind man is sitting on the road begging. He asks what is going on and the people tell him that Jesus is going past. So he calls out to Jesus, for help but the crowd shushed him, still he cries out even more “Jesus have mercy on me” – al la ‘help’. Jesus heard him and asked him “what is it that you want from me?” (Sounds like what I say to my kids all the time) The blind man said, 'I want to see!' Jesus replied by healing him of his blindness. The blind now ‘sighted’ man glorified God and became His follower, why? Because it was all about love. Love made a difference.

How encouraging, Jesus did not falter, did not question His readiness to help someone in need, he just ‘did’. He did out of love.

So when the issue of life, even vomit, get the better of us, know that God is with us and we can ask for Help when we need it.

And, when we collide with being ‘guaranteed’ needed, we can choose to act out of love like Him, even with our less than perfect self talk, even when it’s hard.

It's a guarantee that acts of Love make a difference.

Flip Glasby is a mum of two gorgeous children, works part time, and loves to laugh. She is passionate about great friendships, is renovating her house and loves her spunk of a husband.

Share with us here at Fradaz, what guarantee's you have found in life....

Exercise = Moaan!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:08:00 +0000

Sandy, Fradaz's Health and Fitness expert, tells us how to turn our exercise into an everyday choice from the inside to the outside.

Please put your hand up if you haven’t found it difficult to get out of bed on a cold or rainy morning to exercise – if there’s anyone out there????, (OK, some of you with a rare gift, lol.)

We all go through times (or days) in our lives when we’d rather be sleeping than stepping out the door, snoring than cycling, lounging then moving it, and putting exercise off because of..... Hey you’re busy!!!

And, it is especially hard during the colder winter months (brrrrrr!).

But it’s during these times that our “positive confession” can be so powerful. You can turn “I’m too tired to exercise today”, into “I’m going to have so much energy after my jog!” Or change “I’m too busy to go to the gym today”, into “I can fit in half an hour in my lunch break or after work”.

By speaking out your desire to exercise, along with verbalising your goals - from running in a 10km fun-run, to looking fabulous in your summer swim-suit or favourite outfit, to simply feeling healthy - you’ll find it much easier to keep up your physical activity habit when that 'moan' surfaces and it seems too hard to go on or do.

In choosing that positive confession you may just find a new love for exercise and also a new type of activity to do and have fun with that you may not have expected. The only way to find out is to do!!!

For those of you who may always have a struggle with the ‘moaaan’ of exercise, you are going to have to choose the benefits over the negatives = “moan, but yep”, after all you are valuable and worth good health and feeling great!

Fun tips to focus on when it comes to exercise:

Find the fun. Choose something you enjoy. If you’re a people person, try walking with a friend or join an exercise class. If you thrive on competition, check out the sports teams available in your local area (or gather some friends to enter your own team).

Focus on the positives. Instead of complaining about having to exercise, think of it as catching up with a friend while you walk, or having fun shaking your booty in a Zumba class.

Make it a lifestyle. If you find it difficult to schedule in regular sessions of “formal” exercise, try to make up for it by being as active as you can in your everyday life. Always take the stairs instead of the elevator; park your car further away from the shops or your work; race through your housework or gardening so you elevate your heart-rate (and get your work done in half the time = more time for you!)

Goal: For this month, try to focus on speaking positively in relation to your exercise routine, and watch it change from something you dread into something you can look forward to. Bring on summer!

We would love to hear from you, so share your favorite type of exercise with us below:

Written by Sandy Peut: http://www.sandrapeut.com/

Picture taken from http://www.strollerwarehouse.com

Great tips and advice on the best strollers to use when you got to take bub with you out on the pavement.

Get Your Grrrrrr On.

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:49:00 +0000

Fradaz has gone all things animal!

Wearing Animal print is really in at the moment, no matter the season. It is really fun, a little daring especially if you have never worn it, and it can look gorgeously hot.

Animal Print is happening everywhere but there are a few rules to look chic in it, and not end up looking a bit tacky.

So, check out these top tips on how to get your Grrrrrr on:

First - it's all in the basics: Build your look around basic outfit neutrals.

We‘re talking: black, white, grey, dark denim, or beige. Never add color, (no arguments), color paired with animal print is a little toooo cute, hey there is cute but then there’s tooooo cute with no chic in sight :) .

Now - the fun bit – your look.

Simply add your animal print to the outfit in either one of these two ways.

Just a touch: The accessory!

Pick a couple of the following to jazz up that outfit with a taste of animal.

Animal print: Necklace, handbag, clutch bag, shoes, scarf, hair band, hats, stylish beanies, earrings, socks, bangles.

- Only add a maximum of 2 accessories as too many will look a little try hard over the top. Try these combos or just stick with one item:

A clutch with either: shoes, beanie, or necklace, or earrings.

A hair band with either: a tote bag, clutch, or shoes.

A scarf with: shoes, or socks.

Bangles with either: shoes, scarf, hat, or earrings.

Experiment and see what you like...

- Don't pair items too close together - all in one area i.e. necklace and

earrings = to much in one spot/area of the body, you just end up looking cluttery.

Or You can go,

Bold: The statement piece!

One piece of clothing that totally sets your outfit on the growl.

Animal Print: Jacket, trench. skirt, floaty dress, shorts, stockings, blouse, knee high boots.

- With a statement look, Only, only, only do one piece of the outfit in animal print, say NO to many.

- Never pair animal print accessories with the statement piece as you will look totally overdone. Keep accessories to basic neutral colors i.e. black earrings, black clutch, black boots, black strap heals ect…

- Steer away from animal print long pants, we are just not going there :) .

- Avoid stretchy cheaper animal print fabrics as they look cheap and a bit tacky on, not what we are going for.

Now all that is left is to walk confidently, you can wear any look if you hold your head up and be You - Get your Grrrrr on!

Gossip Gal

noreply@blogger.com (Fradaz) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:28:00 +0000

Don’t you just hate it when you find out you have been the victim of some gossip?

We hate it because pretty much most of the time it’s untrue talk that taints our personhood and the view of others towards us.

Well, what if I told you that you were the worst gossiper about you?

I can prove it. How?

Because we all have an inner thought life – the stuff we think and then tell ourselves about us, pretty much our gossip to us!

Just like gossip, some of our self talk can really harm us, lie to us and hurt us.

TRUTH MOMENT: What you say to You is going to build you up

or it will tear you down.

This world can throw a lot at us, and as women, juggling all our responsibilities, it is so easy to beat ourselves up about our failings and mistakes. It's easy to want to be that 'super women' yet end up feeling so inadequate. It is easy to hold ourselves to a standard that is so unreachable that we turn on ourself when we can't do it.

We can also be so hard on ourself when someone else fail us and we can even blame ourselves for another persons mistake.

These feelings fuel our self talk and our inner gossip girl is free to have a good old negative session with our heart leaving us feeling discouraged and deflated and believing we are a failure = torn down.

You are so worth more, you are a valuable women, you are created to be beautiful and that means your inner self talk too.

So, when our feelings get the better of us and our self talk gets the baseball bat out here are four things you can do to send a clear message to that inner gossip gal to go elsewhere cause you're not listening:

1. Gut choice: You have to make the decision that you are going to encourage yourself with kind, beautiful, positive words no matter the circumstance. It is a choice to be kind to You, a choice to love you, a choice to accept you.

2. Don't live out of feelings: Our feelings can and do lie to us at times especially when we feel stupid, crazy, shamed and definitely not the super women we are trying so hard to be. You have to ignore feelings.

Instead you need grace - allow grace for You.

Grace gets you on your feet again, helps you accept responsibility if needed, makes you smile at you, it is a hug that let's you know you are still valuable, loved and are enough.

3. God Gossip: Yep you heard me, align your self thoughts with God thoughts about you. Many of you know this, but is it really His voice you want to hear first or do you go to it last?

Make sure God is your foundation, guide and bottom line in how you feel about you. Make His voice the first point of call and now (the tricky bit) - let your heart accept it.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%201:4-6&version=MSG

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139&version=MSG

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203:1&version=MSG

4. Time: Give yourself time to: grow, accept, change, get it right, and have another go. We need to embrace time and the journey that life is. Say nope to being caught up in the: instant great, the have to be right, and the have it all together, that our inner gossip would have us believe.

You are beautiful, you rock, you are enough, be you.

Love,

Elizabeth. xx