Welcome Summer
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Skip Breakfast and Pay For it Later (with Calories!)
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Do you think that by skipping breakfast you can “save” your calories for that fancy dinner or holiday party you’re going to tonight? Think again! While some people do succeed at not overeating later, most people find that they are extremely hungry once they get to a party, and will have a tendency toward the least healthy dishes served.
Everyone has heard that breakfast is the “most important meal of the day” and there are countless studies showing that people who eat breakfast have lower body weights and kids who eat breakfast perform better in school. Through my own experience working with clients, I have found that those who don’t eat a healthy breakfast tend to have problems with binge eating or nighttime snacking.
A recent study presented at the Neuroscience 2012 Conference did indeed find that when people skip breakfast, they are more likely to seek out calorie-dense foods and overeat later in the day compared to when they eat breakfast.The researchers did brain scans on 21 normal weight people and found that the part of the brain involved in food appeal became activated when subjects were shown high calorie foods, but not low calorie foods, on days they weren’t fed breakfast. Subjects also consumed larger lunches on days they were not fed breakfast. The take-home message from this study was that eating breakfast takes the edge of your appetite, so that you are less likely to be tempted by high calorie foods, and will end up eating fewer calories later in the day.
I know during the holiday party season people are tempted to fast throughout the day and “save” their calories for later. This study suggests, and most health experts would advise against that mentality: you will probably end up making healthier choices at the parties if you do eat a nice breakfast and don’t starve yourself early-on. If you fast throughout the day, chances are that eggnog, artichoke dip, and cookies are going to look even more delicious, and you will probably end up consuming more calories than if you had a simple, healthy, breakfast. It only takes a mere 15 minutes out of your 24 hour day to make and eat a healthy breakfast, and it can potentially save you the hassle (and health consequences of gaining weight and needing to lose it ;-)
Reference: Society for Neuroscience, news release, Oct. 16, 2012
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Black and White Chic
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I wear black for work day in, day out - it's a Melbourne thing really.
So on the weekends I like to escape work mode by wearing lots of bright colours.
However I do think brunettes with gorgeous olive skin
look amazing in black and white summer fashions.
Black or white swimwear on golden tanned skin
and a good figure looks just stunning!
Melissah xox
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Rules To Live By
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HERE ARE 10 RULES I LIVE BY
Just a few simple things that help me navigate my way through life.
1. Trust yourself.
“The secret to feeling attractive, and to being attractive, is the confidence that comes from knowing who you are and what you believe in.”
2. Accept the passage of time.
“The older you get, the more you should learn to love life and appreciate the beauty that comes with age.”
3. Document your life.
“Keep a diary, write a blog, take photos -
they all hep to create an inspiring visual diary of your life.”
they all hep to create an inspiring visual diary of your life.”
4. Dress for your shape and your age
“Don't be a slave to fashion and trends -
choose clothes that suit your body type and are age appropriate.
Buy less but buy better quality. Buy clothes that make you feel good.
choose clothes that suit your body type and are age appropriate.
Buy less but buy better quality. Buy clothes that make you feel good.
5. Dress for your personality.
“Always choose styles that also accentuate your personality.
Don’t use fashion to try and project a different persona. Authenticity is key.”
6. Look after your friends.
“A GOOD FRIEND is a connection to life -
a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.”
Friends make you laugh, lighten your burden, keep you real
and provide a shoulder to cry on.
a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.”
Friends make you laugh, lighten your burden, keep you real
and provide a shoulder to cry on.
7. Use your feminine power.
“My mother taught me that being a woman is a privilege because the world revolves around us! It is a precious gift, and its power should be used in a subtle and respectful way.”
8. Travel.
“Anyone who has ever gone anywhere will tell you that traveling is one of the most exciting and life-changing activities that you can do. Observing a different culture will expand your mind and educate you while making you appreciate the life you already live.
9. Indulge yourself.
“Book regular facials and massages.
I’m sure it helps to keep everything firm and in it’s place!”
I’m sure it helps to keep everything firm and in it’s place!”
10. Lead a balanced life.
“The best regimen is to keep moving! Never stop working, travelling and seeking adventure.
Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol and sugar and get to your yoga class!
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Bright Pink for Summer
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With only a few days to go I am getting in the mood for summer ~
I can't wait for leisurely days by the pool
brightly coloured icy-poles
relaxed days at the beach and the smell of coconut suscreen.
I am looking forward to
the smell of jasmine in the air,
the feeling of salty, sun-kissed skin
and the relaxed, laid back, happy vibe
that comes with living by the beach in summer.
that comes with living by the beach in summer.
Melissah xox
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Beach House Shopping (in Melbourne)
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| Hermon and Hermon |
One of my favourite aspects of being an interior designer is the decorating and putting the finishing touches on a job. Most of my work is alongside an architect selecting the colours, finishes and fittings for a project so it's lots of fun when you start shopping and decorating. That's when the magic happens!
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| Hermon and Hermon |
Retail Heaven
So here are a few of my favourite haunts when shopping for a beach house. My work takes me from one side of the bay to the other so whether you are a decorating a place in Portsea, Lorne or Flinders these shops are my top picks.
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| Hermon and Hermon |
For a one stop shop in Melbourne - it's Hermon and Hermon in Richmond. It is literally an Aladdin's cave of amazing furniture, lighting and accessories. It has an eclectic, global feel with product sourced from all of the world that you won't find anywhere else. It's a beautifully presented store with stock changing on a constant basis so the product mix is always fresh and exciting. They custom make the big ticket items like sofas, dining tables and beds so you can get the perfect size and perfect look for every house!
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| Jardan |
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| Jardan |
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| Jardan |
Jardan is my absolute fave for sofas and cool leather chairs - they are made in Melbourne and available through Hermon and Hermon as well as number of other retailers. Check on their website for stockists. Their designs are spot on - big, fabulous, stylish, modern and comfortable. There is a design and style to suit every family!
Down the coast
The best shops for coastal style is on the Mornington Pennisula - there are a number of retail outlets specialising in beachside living and they are literally treasure troves of fabulous accessories, homewares, furniture and seaside treasures to fill your beach house. I am literally beside myself with excitement when let loose in these shops!
Here is a brief outline of what they each have to offer: -
Big Chair Living as a huge shop in Mornington which has 3 levels of furniture and homewares - literally everything you need to deck out a beach house. They have a second, smaller shop in Sorrento it has less on range but I think it has a more stylish product mix so it's worth checking out both stores. I have found some really interesting antique and one off pieces like an antique brass ship's lantern which now sits proudly on a client's hall stand!
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| Big Chair Living |
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| Big Chair Living |
Coastal Living occupies a huge warehouse-sized space in Rosebud. It has everything you could dream of for the perfect beach house including artwork, furniture, lighting, books, homewares and outdoor furniture. It is upmarket, stylish and beautifully presented. It has a slightly more traditional feel to the furniture but has a lot of rustic, weathered pieces that always catch my eye. They also have a small but delightful shop in Sorrento that specialises in homewares and decorator items. This is where I stock up on shells, beautiful books, lovely soaps, coral and whatever else takes my fancy ... which is most of the shop!
Saltwater Trading in Sorrento, is great for decorator accessories - starfish, shells, maritime objects as well as more global and ethnic artefacts. These pieces are great for adding a unique and personal feel to a house.
So Happy Shopping -
I am sure you will love these shops!
Melissah xox
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Summer Essentials
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One of the hottest chairs around at the moment is Xavier Pauchard Tolix chair. It works fantastically well with a whole bunch of interior styles including - modern, vintage, rustic and industrial. It has enjoyed popularity since 1934 and is still going strong. I love it in the bright powdercoated colours perfect for summer living especially when the colours are mix and matched. Add some extra pop and team the Tolix chairs with other bright accessories. Country Road has got a great range of bright summer homewares to add some colour and fun around the house.
Melissah xox
Images via 1, 3, moodboards by Coastal Style
Check out my other blogs Scrapbook and Country Style Chic
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