What I've learn't over the past week

Let's face it, as women our lives are just one huge roller coaster ride of emotions. Waiting to strike us at any waking moment. I've had a few 'free' rides this week, out of nowhere emotions have been clawing at me like a cat to a rug and before you ask - no, it's not PMS. Here are a few tips I picked up from my friends that have helped me cope with the goings-on inside my body.

When you're feeling (and looking) like you've just stepped out of a fight scene from Batman then you know it's time for some pampering. Start by giving yourself a well deserved bubble bath. Light some candles and breathe in the serenity. After letting the bubbles and warm air soak into your pores for a few minutes use a soft loofah sponge with a salt scrub to wash away the day. Rub the sponge in a clockwise then anti clockwise direction. Your body will feel oh-so fresh and smooth. When you emerge from your hot bath take yourself to a basin. Use the tips of your fingers to apply a good mud mask all over your face - be careful not to rub in too much as masks work best when sitting on the surface of your skin. Leave for 10-15 minutes, relax - take a seat and read a book, rinse, then apply a nourishing moisturiser. Your skin will feel like a soft cloud - Mmmm!

Never under estimate the power of having friends around you. If you feel like absolute shite they'll always be there to put a smile on your face, no matter what they have to do to see that frown turned upside down.

Hire yourself a season of Sex and The City and laugh! As if we all don't want to be just like Carrie, the fabulous, successful writer who's only down side is her obsession with Mr Big (OK, it's not exactly a down-side. He is damn sexy!)

Fill your body with nutritious foods. Forget reaching for that chocolate bar or cigarette- it'll give you a high for about 1 minute after you place it in your mouth, then, voila! You're left with a bitter aftertaste of guilt and 'OMG, I need to get to the gym' moments.

Get thyself to a gym (or beach or whatever other type of exercise regime you can think of) . Exercising releases endorphins (those natural chemical's released into your brain when your heart rate is elevated) and endorphins make everything better (trust me!)!

As humans (well, OK as women) we have a tendency to over exaggerate things and basically make a 'drama' out of anything that we can possibly get our hands on. When things feel like they're getting a bit too much for you sit down, breath and make yourself a cup of yummy herbal tea - good ones for winding down include: Chamomile, Peppermint - anything that doesn't have caffeine in it. FYI: Green Tea has a teensy, weensy bit of caffeine in it so steer clear of this one if you want to calm yourself.

Hopefully that will give you some ammo to get through the tough times if you ever need a little extra TLC.


Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

I have a new job!

As many of you know, for the past 5 months, I have had a mini-break from the world of publishing. It was time for me to break away from the routine of getting up at 6am every morning. The 9am-5.30pm (plus 3 hours travel time each way) had to come to an abrupt end as I was completely and utterly worn out.



I live a 40 minute drive out of the city (that's without traffic) so I took it upon myself to seek out a job that was closer to home. One that was 'easier' to get to and from each day, one that was 'easier' to handle. I chose a job at my local mall in a shoe store, the girls I worked with were lovely but something just wasn't right. It took me 20 minutes to get home each night but I was striving for something bigger and better. I wanted my old life back. My life of getting up at 6am everyday to beat the traffic on said bus. The life of getting freebies day-in and day-out, anything from food, to drinks, to beauty and fashion products.



One day I decided (after having a pair of shoes thrown at me for not giving a customer a 'discount' coz the shoes had a mark on the bottom of them - mind you the shoes were already half price) that enough was enough. This was not leading my career anywhere and my bank account looked like it had an eating disorder. I was bored of standing around all day dreading an upset customer coming in and making my day un-liveable.

I cleaned out my locker, gave my badge back to my manager and the rest is history.



My new job is with a cute little publishing house in St Leonards, Sydney (Good Health Publications). Yes, I will be making myself very acquainted with Sydney's transit system once again, aka The Bus. But you know what? I don't mind. I'll just be happy to sit in an office with other jounalists and chat about journalisty things, like what we'll have for lunch, what we're making for dinner - oh and really important things like who's going to be on the next cover, and what cover lines are going to make the cover, etc, etc. I'll be working on a number of doctor's journals PLUS putting together pretty much the entire issue of Healthy & Heart Wise Magazine, not sure if you know it, but it's definitely worth a looksie. If you're interested in keeping yourself super healthy and keeping your heart super healthy, then sprint on down to your local newsagent's to score yourself a copy. At only $5.95 remind me why you're still sitting there?



Peace out to all my readers taking the next step to achieving the best for your body and well being (By heading to your newsagent's to get a copy of the mag. Now!) I mean, come on -who doesn't like Mike Munro, one of the biggest journalists Oz has to offer?



Girl Next Door xoxox

P.S Website for said magazine is heartwise.com.au

Ooh, yay a little Jessica lovin'!

Some exciting news has just fluttered on into the beauty world, wait for it, Jessica. Simpson. Is. Releasing. Her. Own. Fragrance. Yep, you heard correct!

This soon to be released scent entitled Fancy, has notes of apricot, pear, sandalwood and vanilla. Mmm if you like your fragrances sweet smelling and sophisticated then you'll love this. It's being launched officially in the U.S tomorrow but is already available to buy at one of the biggest department stores in the world; Macy's.

I'm sure it will be launched here in Oz, but there is no hint as to when or if it will be as of yet. I will keep you posted though lovelies.

Love, love, love this pic of her - so sassy, wouldn't you want to smell like her?

Just in case there are any more die hard fans out there Jess will release her debut country album, 'Do you Know?', on the 9th of September. Look out for that one y'all.

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

Do you have BPE (Bad Phone Ettiquette)?

I’ve just been trying to get in contact with one of my close friends, let’s call her Annie; I’ve repeatedly texted her over the past 48 hours. I’ve called her once, left no message but with the technology of today there is no need to, she can see I’ve called when my number flashes up or when she next ‘checks’ her phone. Do you think I’ve heard back from her? No. Zilch, nada, nothing. Not even a prank call (where she’ll call and hang up giving me the message that she has no credit and can I please call her back).

I’m the kind of person that you’ll always get a reply from, maybe not an instant reply but in most cases (even if I’m busy) I’ll text back or call the person who tried to contact me. I know I’m not the only person who does this; I mean we have phones for a reason, don’t we? So we can keep be contactable even in the furthest part of the world, at any time of the day. My bestie who is currently living OS texts me back straight away or calls me even though there’s a 9 hour time difference and two major seas between us!

I have another friend, Daisy, who was told by many of her friends that she was someone who never replied to text messages and never returned calls. Even if the person left a message asking her to call them back, she never would.
I understand if maybe once or twice this happens, it’s easy to forget to call someone back or glance at your mobile if it’s on silent but to just blatantly not call someone back and not return a text is just BPE.
If Nicole Richie has time to reply to a text, then surely we all do?

The thing with Annie is that she is one of my bestest friends, she’s there when I need a shoulder to cry on, she’s there with a bottle of champas when I’m thirsty and she’s there with an ear and a king size block of Cadbury advice when I’m stressed about anything. But, what about when I want to organise a night out and she’s not answering her phone? Whether it’s due to the fact that she has no credit or maybe she’s screening her calls - does that make her a bad friend or just someone who’s really unreliable with their phone?
Maybe it's me with the problem? Perhaps I'll just let my friends contact me from now on.......

Peace Out,

Girl Next Door xoxo

P.S Thanks to Celebrity Baby Blog for the pic of Miss Richie.

Passion, Freedom & Peace - Something we should all be preaching

It’s that time of year again boys and girls; the birds start to chirp a little louder, the flowers start to spread their petals in all shapes, sizes and colours and The Domain gets it’s lawns ready for one of it’s favourite days of the year. Saturday, December 6th is Homebake 2008. The theme for this year is ‘Peace in the Park’.

The famous Aussie festival has teamed up with Amnesty International for their 60th Anniversary of Universal Human Rights, the press release from Homebake reads, “Albeit that we are stating the obvious, this year's spectacular Homebake will focus on an apolitical theme of peace & freedom from conflict without the need for protest – ie; a theme based on a universal attitude of change and with a social slant towards an overall era of wanting (& accepting) of peace & unity.” Basically passing on the message that as human beings we are all born equally. We all have the same rights and freedom advantages as the next person. Or at least we should. Sounds like a pretty fair statement to me and one that we should all support. I also like that Homebake as a brand is doing something good with its popularity. They’re binding us together as one and celebrating our sister and brotherhood to each and every person in this world.

The headlining acts this year are Crowded House, Sneaky Sound System, The Vines, Cut Copy and many more which will no doubt all have something to say about this issue. Homebake is always a great day out showcasing some of the greatest acts our country has to offer. So if you want to get in on the action then head straight to HOMEBAKE.com.au Tickets are $87.50 + booking fee from the site and if you head to Ticketek, FasterLouder & InTheMix you’ll find some there too. If you're not into the whole buying-tickets-online-thing you can also visit one of these supporting outlets to purchase yours; Redeye Records (King Street Sydney City), Mall Music (Warringah Mall), Redback Music Co (Wollongong), Landspeed (Canberra), Rockinghorse Records (Brisbane), BeatDisc (Parramatta). Tickets are available from 9am, Monday August 18th. Oh yeah, and you gotta be over 18 to attend.

Peace Out,



Girl Next Door xoxo