Summer, Strawberries, Sun and Specials!

Hey you,

Daylight Savings has started!  I hope you all have remembered to turn your clocks forward an hour.  Summer is so close - I can almost smell the sunscreen, the BBQs and the freshly mown lawns. 

And I’m really excited because strawberries are making a comeback into the supermarket!  Strawberries are my favourite berry, they are amazingly good for you and super versatile.  Did you know that strawberries are the only berries with seeds on the outside?  And that they are actually a member of the rose family.  If you are worried that you might have had a strawberry overindulgence episode, think again!  One cup of strawberries contains just 188 kilojoules (or 45 calories for you calcounters).  They are high in vitamin C, which is the new thing in anti-ageing and also phytochemicals that contain immune-boosting and other health promoting properties.

So, with that in mind, what better way to get all that good stuff into your body than by making a super delicious Strawberry Daiquiri cocktail!  This is a recipe that I love to make:  get yourself 50ml of white rum, about  10ml freshly squeezed lime juice, 5 or so ripe strawberries and some sugar syrup* to taste.  Stick it all in a blender and serve in a margarita glass with some mint leaves to garnish.  Tastes just as good in a virgin version as well ;)

Finding out that strawberries are anti-ageing was a true bonus.  I’m just had another birthday and to be honest, I am really beginning to think about the ageing process and looking/feeling my best in this stage of my life.  With so many products on the market, it’s really confusing what is good and what is a total gimmick.  Retinol, night creams, eye creams, day creams, sunscreens.  So I asked my beauty guru, Jenna from Beautique what she recommends to someone like me:  “Products containing vitamin A and C products are the most effective in terms of anti-ageing.  And from the inside, Omega 3 and 6, so lots of fish and seafood.  A have regular facials using trusted, recognised brands”.

All potions and lotions aside, one recipe for the Fountain of Youth still remains:  lots of sleep, lots of water, lots of exercise, lots of fresh fruit and vege, sunscreen and happy thoughts.  And quit smoking!  Wow, that’s really easier than it sounds.  I’d be lucky to do two of those in a week!  Perhaps I should just be happy with ageing (dis)gracefully.

One thing I won't be doing this summer is showing off my winter coat!  With the weather warming up and hemlines/shirt sleeves getting shorter, I've been casting a (rather critical) eye over myself and I have decided it's time to get in shape for summer.  No more of my favourite food groups for me - pastry, chocolate, chips, WINE.  And a healthy prescription of daily exercise.  I bet my resolve lasts all of one day.  The diet choices isn't too much of a problem, I actually find that I prefer healthier options most times, especially in summer.  There is nothing better than fresh veggies and fruit.  But it's the exercise that gets me.  Walking/running really bores me, I can't commit to the gym or a program (because of the nature of my job)....so what can I do?  This season, I have banned myself from the lift.  It's my mission to use the stairs 90% of the time.  Let's see how I go. 

In saying that, if you can find a buddy that is keen to exercise with you then exercise is generally much easier.  And more rewarding.  Hit up your workmates, friends, family, neighbours and get motivated this summer!

Now, we here at LHIFTG are very excited because we have just launched our exclusive registration system!  By registering pre-event, you can book yourself into all sorts of amazing treatments at show only prices.  Honestly, you can’t get these specials, even at the show!  AND you are guaranteed a super special speciality goodie bag, crammed full of exclusive treats.  It’s almost too good to be true!  Click here and register yourself right now! 

Until next time,

LHIFTG Team x  

PS.  Look out for our new billboards, they go up this weekend!

* (Quick sugar syrup recipe:  stir 500g sugar into 250ml water and bring to boil, stirring constantly. Cool and refrigerate.)

Rugby World Cup - outfits and eye-candy.

Hi there,

You have probably looked at the title of this particular post and turned up your nose.  Fair enough too, the Rugby World Cup is something distinctly un-Let's hear it for the girls-ish.  It's so hard not to get caught up in the hype though!

I guess you could say I am into rugby - in as much as I like sitting down with my Dad at home and watching him freak out, yelling instructions to the players and insulting the ref.  But that's as far as it goes for me.  On the opposite end of the scale, I have a close girlfriend who is totally rugby mad, she even has a rugby memorabilia room in her house.  Each girl to their own of course, I know that there are heaps of awesome ladies really excited about the rugby!

It's a huge event and a great one for New Zealand.  Being the patriot that I am, I am going to attempt to get excited about it, but in my own special way :)

I am very lucky to be hosting the parent's of one of the American players at my house over the time that they have their games in New Plymouth.  I don't know a lot about the American team, so I decided to do a little digging to find out more about them.  It's not that I am interested in player stats or how many international tests that they have played.  It's a little embarrassing, but I am only really interested in how nice they look on the field.  The USA Eagles are playing the Irish lads on Sunday, since I am now bias by association to the USA team, I started thinking about an appropriate outfit to wear to show my support....

A red and white striped merino, paired back with some skinny denim jeans (blue of course), some black boots, a cosy jacket and perhaps a white hat, like a beret or cosy beanie would be the perfect outfit to wear to the rugby.  Warm, stylish, chic and very Americano without being overly Uncle Sam.  Check out this merino from Glassons.  And this hat from one of my all time favourite websites Etsy.com. 

Before anyone crucifies me for supporting any team other than the All Blacks, can I just say that I will be absolutely behind them 100%, like any other good Kiwi girl.  Rugby is our national game and while I may not be able to explain the rules of a line-out, I can definitely appreciate the dedication and talent our boys have.  Win or lose, I will still be proud of them.

With rugby royalty in town, it would be fair to say that us New Zealander's will be in the presence of some pretty famous faces.  And their girlfriends!  Check out some of the hot couples arriving on our shores.  I bet these ladies can explain what a line-out is!  It was nice to see our very own Dan Carter and his lady Honor in amongst the names.  

Tomorrow is the big day, the kick off!  There are huge parties happening all over the country and I hope to be at the New Plymouth one, being held at Puke Ariki.  I might see you there!

Love from the LHIFTG Team x 
     

TGIF and hi, how are you? 

There has been so much going on at LHIFTG, it's overwhelming!  We've finally got the proofs through for our fabulous new billboards and posters, we can't wait to get them out there!  I've been working flat stick on the programme, making sure that it's totally jam packed full of really cool seminars, performances and demonstrations.  There is going to be so much to see and do at the show, you are definitely going to need to get together with your girlfriends and plan your day. 

Talking about planning your day, have I told you that soon you will be able to register online and book yourself in for treatments at the show?  And that all of these treatments are at amazing prices, only available for those of you that register?!  AND you will be guaranteed one of our specialty goodie bags as well....oh my gosh, watch this space!  I will definitely let you know when we open the registrations so you can jump in and secure your spots.

A girlfriend and I were having a coffee together recently and noticed a young lady walking down the street.  Both of us noticed her and commented at the same time: she just looked so full of life and confident!  She there was nothing really remarkable about her, but the way she carried herself got me to thinking:  what can we as woman do to boost our confidence in ourselves and our bodies?  And this is what I came up with....

1)  DON'T COMPARE.  We are bombarded everyday with images of beautiful, stick thin woman with amazing skin/hair/teeth.  It's all airbrushing and not at all a representation of reality.  We need to stop torturing ourselves!  Put down the beauty magazines and give your lovely body a hug!

2)  GET CONFIDENCE FROM WITHIN.  Allow the beautiful person you are on the inside to be what everyone else sees on the outside!  Loving yourself just the way you are, warts and all, will give you confidence in everything you do.   

3)  DRESS YOURSELF CONFIDENT.  Spend some time researching what looks good on your particular figure type.  Take a girlfriend shopping, someone who will be honest with you and veto your choices.  Don't get into fashion ruts!  While black is always in, take a risk on that gorgeous cobalt wrap dress and work it girl!

4)  HEALTHY.  NOT WEIGHTY.  A healthy body is a confident one.  Step off those scales, forget about the kilos and focus on being healthy!   

5)  RUN SKIP JUMP!  While we are all probably a little bored of hearing about how amazing exercise is, the truth is it really does work.  Try just a couple of minutes, dance to The Wiggles with your kids, make those chores part of your workout, park your car a little further away from your destination and walk! 

6)  BE NICE.  When we feel bad about ourselves, we generally project that onto others.  Whether it be through gossip, snarky remarks or just generally being grumpy around others, it can really bring the people around you down.  We are most critical of in others, that which we are most critical of in ourselves.  If you are feeling down, try giving someone a compliment.  Their happiness will ultimately rub off on you, turning that frown upside down! 

I really do feel like I need to mention New Zealand Fashion Week and our very own Kerry Wanoa's Whiri label's showing at fashion week.  Taking inspiration from traditional Maori designs and giving them a modern twist, Whiri is a truly unique label, one that I am in love with.  Whiri is going to be showing on the catwalk at LHIFTG and I can't wait to be front at centre at the show!

Enjoy your weekend! 

LHIFTG x