A Beautiful Space!

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 ......

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

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'

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.

How to be beautiful.

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

To Tattoo or Not?

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

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 2010   

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!

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???

Beauty Spot!

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

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.