Everything you ever wanted to know about a Total Makeover but weren't sure what to ask!

Come and join me on this makeover with my good friend Ally.

She’s a great sport and has agreed to allow me to show you some of her photographic record of the makeover I gave her last week. We both had a ball and by the end of the day were both exhausted. I want to share this experience with you so you can see what kind of fun we both had and most importantly, how fabulous Ally looked at the end of it all.   Here's where we began.

We started by going through her wardrobe, working out what still works and what’s passed it’s use by date. Followed by an instructional makeup, where I showed Ally how to bring out her natural beauty. Ally has a sunny complexion, jewel green eyes, with a golden sunkissed underglow. Man, she looked gorgeous with a deep terracotta shadow around her eyes and a touch of bronzer.

Then we hit the shops. Ally has a gorgeous hourglass shape and is after a certain look. An hourglass shape with a great pair of legs looks great in shapes that set a good bustline, a great waist and pins off and really gets that sexy ‘goddess’ look happening but still with a sense of style without being too 'out there'.  So we were looking for dresses that really worked for her, a great cut pair of trousers and a jacket that would be suitable for business but not look too ‘tailored’. And we found exactly what she wanted.

I have favourite boutiques that I like to take clients to. I rarely will take a client to a department store, simply because it’s overwhelming, confusing and rarely is there someone to help us. The reason I like private boutiques is because you’ll always get help when you need it and I would like to thank Anna at Network at Greenslopes because she worked just as hard, helping to make Ally feel beautiful.

Mind you, I’m tough! I’ll make you try on stuff you would never normally even consider. Check out the results!

After seeing and photographing Ally in at least a dozen different outfits, then she had to make a decision on what she felt she really needed. Considering her lifestyle and work needs and budget, she went for the items that she knew she’d get great wear from.

Do you think she’s having fun??? Yet another garment that really made her look and feel just how she wanted to look and feel.

Then it was off to the hairstylist to warm her up and shape the hair beautifully and set off her natural facial shape.

Here’s what Ally herself had to say.


"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Anne, for a fun, wonderful experience of my "makeover" on 15 October 2009.


As my small business has been growing steadily, I felt that I had all the skills and the training to be a successful businesswoman, but there was a gap - my image and my self confidence. I knew I needed to change my image to project myself differently, more professionally. I heard Anne talk about her makeovers, and I knew this could be the answer. I wasn’t disappointed by Anne's skill in motivating, persuading and inspiring my transformation.

Anne helped me to see my beauty that I could not see myself.


By showing me how a belt over a dress shows off my hourglass figure


By helping me feel proud and confident about my body, face and hair.

Anne saw the potential in me and gently coaxed me to see it too, to bring out the WOW factor!


When we went through my wardrobe Anne was gentle about suggesting what was not suitable, however I appreciated many of her suggestions and as a result we discarded a big box full of clothes.


I love how she did my makeup, accentuating my eyes and showing me how the right colours can make SUCH a difference to the way I look (and feel)


I found Anne's enthusiasm infectious, especially when we found a dress or outfit that suited me and the feminine professional "look" that we were searching for. - Allison Thomas, Tantric Massage, Personal Organiser and Coach.

Someone said to me once that if you're not doing something to make another person feel great about themselves, you're not doing enough.    My vision for my Personal Styling and Image business is to bring out the true beauty of every client even if they lost site of it themself many years before.    I watched Ally's body language and self esteem blossom on our day out.    I know now that she has a whole new approach to life and business.
 
I love that Ally finished her day with me feeling absolutely wonderful and gaining that missing confidence.
 
Make sure you call or email any time if you want to talk about giving your personal image a 'workout':)

10 Tips to get noticed by those who matter

It’s all about Image!



Underestimate it’s power and be prepared to suffer the consequences.


While working as a Professional, Personal and Business Stylist since 1998, thought I'd pass on 10 key tips for how you can use your personal image as a tool to get noticed by those who matter. Whether it’s the boss, that special someone, your team, clients, or you just want to make more of an impact in your chosen field, consider these points.


1. Image is a perception – Think about how others perceive YOU!

What others say, and how you leave people feeling after you deal with them is a sure barometer.


2. Know what colour works for you as it can be powerful.

Black is safe, but colour speaks volumes. It can make you look healthy, vibrant and welcoming when chosen well or pastey, lethargic and ill when it’s not.


3. Know your unique body shape! It’s far simpler than you think.

No, it’s not all about columns, goblets and bells. Body shape is simple and when you know your unique features, choosing garments well will save you literally thousands.


4. How’s your grooming and hygiene.

Nails, hair, skin, makeup, fragrance and body smell. Believe me, people notice the things you never realised were an issue.  Judgements are made immediately on grooming alone and people will avoid you and you won't know why.


5. Body Language speaks louder than words.

I’ve seen deals broken because of lousy eye contact, handshakes, conversation, mixed messages and general nervous behaviour at crucial moments.


6. The written and spoken word on business cards, email etc.

Your emails, letters, business card and your presence on social media all add up to an image of YOU. Bad grammar and spelling might reflect a cute personality, but in a world where image is everything, it’s too risky.


7. What shows on the outside is a reflection of what’s going on inside.

Your personal state of health will show in your skin, posture, eyes, nails, hair and teeth. And that's just the visible bits.  Your personal nutrition and health program will show in your whole image. How’s your digestion? What’s going on in the gut will reveal more than you think.


8. How do you network and who do you network with?

You are judged on your relationships. The office grapevine and political network is a jungle – and we haven’t even touched on social networking!


9. Behaviour, Emotional Intelligence and Etiquette.

Best not choose the office Christmas party to let the boss know how unhappy you’ve been all year and careful how you behave when it's deadline time.  It’s the social events where you’re observed more than ever.


10. Dress for your audience whether it’s one person or many!

If the audience expects a suit, wear one. If soft knits or casual dresses are more expected, then wear them. But never, ever, ever, ever dress down to come to another level. Always be a step above.

I could go on and on.    It's such an underestimated area.    Keep a look out for more articles or if you'd like to know more about the power of image, from the inside out and outside in, tell me what you'd like to see more of!

Anne Noonan

Owner of Reset Reshape Restyle
Personal, Professional and Business Stylist and Wellness Coach

www.resetreshaperestyle.com

Do You Need Vitamins?

Man, what a huge subject.   There are entrepreneurs, doctors, wellness specialists, pharmacists, nutritionists, dieticians, students, paramedicals, nurses, alternate therapy specialists, naturopaths, journalists, the guy next door and the list goes on and on and you'll hear just as many opinions.   Every paper you pick up, most of the books in the local bookstore will all have their take on whether we need vitamins and/or what kind of nutrition we should be taking or what kind of fad diet we should be on.

Do we really need Vitamins and can't we get all the vitamins we need from our food?

I love picking the Sunday paper up and reading the Health and Beauty section just to have a laugh about what the latest diet is, what kind of foods they're telling us to eat in order to lose weight.   Last Sunday's lift out section I think was loaded - every page - with diet advice.

But Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants!  Do we need to take them especially if we eat well?  

The following is my opinion.   You may disagree.   But it comes from years of observation, learning, researching and full on experience.

In my work as a Stylist and Wellness Coach, I see the phrase 'your outer beauty is totally reflective of what's going on inside' played out pretty much every day.   The degenerative disease numbers are getting out of control and the pharmaeceutical industry has a  lot to answer for - did you know death by prescription drugs is the 3rd highest cause of death in the US?

So?  What's that got to do with whether we need vitamins or not?   

Let me ask you a few questions.    Just think about it and see how many you answer YES to.

1. Do you drink coffee, alcohol or smoke AT ALL?
2. Do you eat all food purchased only from the local supermarket rather than totally organic or farmers market produce?
3. Do you live and work in a totally toxin free environment?
4. Do you live within 50 kilometres of a major city?
5. Have you ever been or are you on medication?
6. Have you ever taken an antibiotic?
7. Have you recieved vaccinations?
8. Do you have amalgams in your teeth?
9. Do you eat any kind of confectionary?
10. Do you or have you ever drunk any kind of soft drink?
11. Do you eat takeaway foods?
12. Do you eat any food that contains refined flour, e.g. cakes, bread, cookies, pastry?
13. Do you, at any time of your day, inhale car exhaust?
14. Do you have any kind of stress in your life?
15. Have you ever had an emotional trauma in your life?

There's a lot more questions but let's stop there.  How many did you answer yes to?   There will be some that you will have answered no.   But there's hardly a person in Australia who'd be able to answer no to all of them.   Think about why there's so much disease.  Now think about what we're eating and how we live.    Do you think our lifestyle has anything to do with the reason why we're getting sick?   We can't avoid it, it's the way it is.   As I said, it's my opinion, but there's been no study done any time anywhere to prove to me that we don't need high quality, potency guaranteed vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

I also believe in Quantam Physics.   We as human beings have the power to heal ourselves with positive energy.   But that's a very advanced 'out there' science.   Most of us will never grasp it in this lifetime.  So for right here, right now - I believe the purest, most proven, ranked number 1 product in the world created by an Albert Einstein Award winning microbiologist who is changing the face of disease.

I don't know what you want out of life.    But what I want is for it to be long and full.   And I want it full of great moments, great health, strength and I want to be able to keep doing all the things I can do now.  There's no old people's home or illness in my future - I'll make sure of it.

I refuse to give into the lifestyle or the expectation of age - THIS is the reason I take Usana vitamins.

Anne
http://www.annemike.usana.com/
http://www.resetreshaperestyle.com/

Why Low GI makes you feel full and can help reduce belly fat

Eating a low GI (glycemic index) meal will keep you feeling fuller for longer, King’s scientists have discovered in what could be the key to how the GI diet works.

Researchers from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in King's College London have found that low GI (glycemic index) meals increase gut hormone production which leads to the suppression of appetite and the feeling of fullness. This is the first study to provide clues as to how a low GI meal produces satiety.

When you read ‘low GI’, also read protein and fat.  When you read 'carbs' only think green leafy and colourful vegetables.  

A low GI way of eating is also a high fat, healthy way of eating. For example, healthy fats, not trans fats or bad fats need to be a part of your diet. Nuts, olives, avocado, cream, meats, cheeses are all considered high fat, but they’re also low GI.  Think about the French way of cooking – lots of cream, plenty of meat but no starch and no sugar and all in small portions. This way of eating – like the Mediterranean way – is what keeps us fuller for longer, halts the insulin resistance process and in turn reduces the middle weight gain.    Meat and other fatty carbs like avocado, nuts and eggs actually don't have a GI - better still for a healthy filling diet.

I don't know about you, but I've no desire to 'diet'.   The word diet conjures up that feeling of being hungry.   I can't function when I'm hungry and the only way I feel good, focussing on what I have to do and happy within myself is with a diet loaded with good fats.

The trick is to stay fuller for longer.
GI is a ranking assigned to carbohydrates according to their effect on the body’s blood sugar levels. Remember, all carbohydrates when broken down create blood sugar.   A low GI meal takes longer to digest and releases sugar into the bloodstream more slowly than a high GI meal. A low GI diet is known to cause reduced appetite but the mechanisms behind this have so far remained unknown. To address this Dr Tony Leeds, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, and Reza Norouzy at King’s College London looked at the effects of a single low versus high GI meal on gut hormone levels in 12 healthy volunteers.

Each participant ate an identical medium GI meal for dinner, fasted overnight, and was given either a low (46) or high (66) GI meal for breakfast. Blood samples were then taken every 30 minutes for 150 minutes, and levels of the gut hormone GLP-1 and insulin measured. GLP-1 is a hormone produced by the gut that has been shown to cause a feeling of fullness and suppression of appetite.

Volunteers who ate a low GI breakfast had 20 per cent higher blood plasma levels of GLP-1 and 38 per cent lower levels of insulin compared to those who had consumed a high GI breakfast. These results show for the first time that eating a low GI meal increases GLP-1 production and suggest a physiological mechanism as to why a low GI meal makes you feel fuller than a high GI meal.

Determining the GI of foods
To find out what foods are high or low GI, head to www.glycemicindex.com. The GI is measured against 100, as glucose and it’s affect on blood sugar is the benchmark. A low GI is a food ranked at 40 and below. Mid GI is 40 to about 60 and above 60 is considered high GI. The sugar you consume will be the key culprit in the accumulation of fat around the middle. This also means that we need to be very wary of fruit. It’s been said that fruit is "nature’s candy".   Tasty, and we think it's healthy, and to a degree and taken very sparingly it is.   But overdosing on the fruit, a lot like overdosing on fruit juice, is not going to do our blood sugar level any good.    For example, we may think that munching on dates is nice and healthy - their GI is 110 - way too much sugar.

Go very easy on it and if you’re in the habit of loading up your plate with a pile of fruit for breakfast, could be well worth reconsidering. You’re in effect starting your day with a sugar load and can almost guarantee you’ll be hungry by mid morning.

Finally, what's the consequences of a high GI diet?
Eating high GI all the time will constantly spike your blood sugar and will put your arteries into spasm. (See Dr Ray Strands 'Releasing Fat').    A high GI diet is a sugary one.  It includes starchy vegetables, lots of fruit, breads, pastas, rice, confectionary, cakes, biscuits, desserts, alcohol, some chocolate (not all), many grains and refined foods containing white flour.    We eat sugar and it's natural response is to make us hungry again very shortly after eating it and we need another sugar hit.   We don't crave salt or fat when we eat a lot of sugar, the body craves the next hit of sugar just as it would the next hit of niccotine.    With the constant swings of high and low crashes throughout the day we're consuming way too many empty calories to keep ourselves going.    What happens then?   It literally opens the pathways to disease - diabetes, cancer and heart disease to name a few.    We get cranky, irritable and don't know why.    At work we lose concentration, get foggy headed and can become listless.    Weightgain is an inevitable result and in the dangerous middle area.  

Out of all the diets out there, the one message that we need to take home out of this is - sugar is the biggest killer.   It's the one thing responsible for so many middle age problems of weight and disease.   So cut it out - and live long and strong.

Professor Peter Emery, Head of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, and one of the paper’s author’s comments: "The findings of this study are an important first step in understanding how low GI foods can help to address issues of weight control and what part they should play in a balanced diet."

Source: King's College London Press Release 18 Mar 2009