Get it December

December 2015

E E FR

m a g a z i n e

Colour fun

Adult colouring in is taking over the world - literally

Office party survival Patsy Rowe: Make sure you still have a job next year

Background check

Holiday

Private investigator Bill Edgar has seen it all – and then some

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Contents • fashion • accessories • Providing a premium shopping experience!

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Features

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Profile: Survive the office Christmas party Entertainment: Laughing yoga Cover feature: Colouring in is not just for kids Real Life: Private eyes Business: To be successful you need this one thing Success: When the sun doesn’t shine Travel: Five things you need to know about an African safari Spice: It’s the season to connect

Fashion & Beauty

22 23 24 29 32 38

Get Stylish: Find swimwear to flatter your body shape Beauty: This month’s gorgeous haul Fashion: Sail away Hair and makeup: Are you party ready?

Shopping: Christmas gift guide Health: Stay fit and healthy over Christmas

Regulars

8 9 11 19

Get out: This month on the Coast Get thinking: Which mythological parent are you?

Win: A host of fabulous prizes Women of the Month: Showcasing the Gold Coast’s wonderful women 20 We Love: We are crushing on these hot items

for a festive summer soiree 34 Pets: Are pets really the key to our happiness?

42 Recipes: Easy and delicious dishes 45 Get Scene: Have you been snapped?

48 Horoscopes: What’s in your stars this month?

50 Last Word: Get on Santa’s good side

Adorne Adrift Banana Blue Chocolat

David Pond Indigo + Co Mist N.Y.D.J.

SAIL AWAY PAGE 24

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4

L I NK S RESTAURANT / BAR

NEW Summ Menu!er

from the editor ELIZABETH CAMPBELL

Work-life balance. Is there really such a thing? I don’t know about you, but I get to this time of year and it’s like a volcanic eruption of excitement and exhaustion after what always seems to have been a big year.

Try as I might, I can’t get that balance right, which begs my above question. There’s always too much work or too much partying, and not a “balanced” mix of the two.

And at this time of year, it always leans to the “too much partying” side of the scale. I’m sure you get it?

In this December edition, we’ve got a few things up our sleeve that will help you find that balance, we hope. At least that’s the theory.

LINKS RESTAURANT

Contributor Heather Grant-Campbell gives us the low down on laughing yoga. Yes, you read that correctly.

Essentially, we need to act more like kids to destress, especially at this time of year.

The casually elegant Links Restaurant & Bar in the clubhouse is the perfect location for you to relax and enjoy our menu. Boasting locally sourced fresh produce and meats and showcasing simple yet interesting flavours.

LINKS HOPE ISLAND

Still on the topic of chilling out, adult colouring in is taking the world by storm. Literally millions of colouringin books are being sold and you guys are loving it.

Combining classic, well tested dishes and modern interpretations and presentation, there is something to please all diners.

See what we are crushing on in our fashion and beauty sections, and enjoy the creations stylist Eli McMahon has put together.

Meanwhile, I was honoured to be at the Northern Gold Coast Business Lunch to hear Gold Coast Suns CEO Andrew Travis speak on the topic of leadership. He’s an amazing man and it was interesting to hear how the club has dealt with a multitude of crises (including injured players, bad player behaviour and negative press). There’s a lesson (or seven) in there for us all.

Open for breakfast and lunch daily and dinner on Friday evenings.

Mention this ad to receive a bottle of wine with the purchase of two main course meals.*

So here’s cheers to another great year. We’ve had a blast bringing you 12 super sexy and informative editions of the magazine, and thank you for your support. Now go celebrate with a glass of bubbles and try to find this “balance” everyone speaks of…You’ve earned it!

What gets you going? liz@getit-magazine.com.au www.getitmagazine.com.au

* not valid with any other offer or discount.

Offer ends 31st January 2016

For reservations and information contact Links Bar & Restaurant 07 5530 9051

Follow me on:

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5

December 2015

Contributors

Fencing that’s all about the view!

PUBLISHER Leanne Hart leanne@getit-magazine.com.au

Editor Elizabeth Campbell liz@getit-magazine.com.au

Art Director Aimi Hart aimi@getit-magazine.com.au

Publishing + digital assistant Sophie Wood sophie@getit-magazine.com.au

Fashion + styling Elizabeth McMahon elizabeth@getit-magazine.com.au

Does your pool neeD a fence?

Contributors Sarah Blinco | Amanda Higl | Heather Grant-Campbell | Patsy Rowe | Alana Wills | Trevor Russell

Partners Dan Molloy Photography

Editorial Enquiries info@getit-magazine.com.au

Sales Enquiries We specialise in: - Frameless Glass - Semi Frameless Glass - Glass Balustrades - Aluminium Fencing - Temporary Fencing - Slider Gates

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PRINTING BPA Print Group, Ashmore Get it Magazine PO Box 7602, GCMC QLD 9726 P: 1300 858 932 e: info@getit-magazine.com.au w: getitmagazine.com.au December 2015

EE FR

m a g a z i n e

Colour fun

Adult colouring in is taking over the world - literally

Office party survival Patsy Rowe: Make sure you still have a job next year

Does your pool coMply?

Don’t risk a fine or other expenses. Call us now for more information or to arrange a quote.

Background check

Holiday

Private investigator Bill Edgar has seen it all – and then some

claraMont fencInG

Publishers Indemnity: Those who make advertising placements and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to Get it Magazine, undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe any copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title, breach of confidence, does not contain anything obscene or indecent, or does not infringe the Trade Practices Act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to the above mentioned these persons agree to indemnify the publisher and/or its agents against any investigations, claims or judgements. In this magazine we have listed a range of products, prices and stores in across Australia and online. Although prices are correct at the time of printing, they are indicative only as prices and stock may vary from store to store. All prices were provided to Get it Magazine by relevant retailers and suppliers. We advise you to contact the relevant retailers for further information about price and availability. Get it Magazine does not accept any responsibility for price variations, availability or quality of products.

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WHAT’S ON with Sophie Wood

get out

and about in December Send your event to sophie@getit-magazine.com.au

A ROCKIN’ CHRISTMAS

BRICK MAN EXPERIENCE LEGO EXHIBITION

December 18-19 The Arts Centre Gold Coast Celebrate the festive season with a delicious three-course meal and then jitterbug the night away to Elvis, Buddy Holly, Dusty and many more. theartscentregc.com.au

December 10-22 Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Brick Man Experience is Australia’s largest Lego exhibition made entirely from Lego bricks and it’s coming to Brisbane for 13 days only. brickmanexperience.com.au

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SKYPOINT

SURFERS PARADISE CAROLS ON THE BEACH

December 31 SkyPoint, Surfers Paradise Enjoy uninterrupted views of the fireworks while indulging in delicious food, scrumptious drinks and amazing entertainment, high above the coastline. skypoint.com.au

December 20 Surfers Paradise Beach Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy an evening of song at the Gold Coast’s biggest Christmas carols event, held under the stars on the beach. surfersparadise.com

WHITE PARTY NYE 2015

December 31 Secret Island Location Put on your most elegant white outfit and enjoy a sunset boat cruise, reserved to take you and 1000 other party people to a secret island location. whitepartynye.com.au

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GET THINKING

Which mythological

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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If you were to craft a cradle, what would it be made from?

A Peacock feathers B Clouds C Blossoms D Seaweed What is your favourite colour?

A Red B Grey C Pink D Blue Your children would be conceived during a: A Clear and starry night B Storm C Romantic weekend away D Sailing trip Your partner cheated on you and had a child as a result, you: A Plot to punish the child B No one would cheat on you, you do the cheating C Celebrate, love should be shared D Get mad enough to cause an earthquake What would be your strategy to win a dispute?

A Be sneaky and cunning B Scare them silly with your power C Seduce them D Become violent with everyone Your child is in danger, what do you do to help them?

A Punish their enemy and their enemy’s friends B Disguise them C Kindle love in their antagonist’s heart D Smite their foe What would you most like to rule over?

A Marriage B Storms C Love D Water

Mostly A: Hera Known for her jealousy of Zeus’s mistresses and her punishment of his illegitimate offspring, Hera is lesser known for ruling over marriage and childbirth. Though she is firm in her dealings with opponents, Hera also embodies infinite love and understanding of an unfaithful partner and cares for women in all aspects of their lives.

Mostly B: Zeus Best known as the ruler of the Olympian gods, Zeus was a philanderer and fathered many offspring with his lovers. Fearing the wrath of his wife Hera, he often disguised his children as animals or hid them in the mortal realm.

Zeus is the master of storms and is often represented by the lightning bolt.

Mostly C: Aphrodite Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty and desire. Famous for interfering with the love lives of other gods and encouraging their desire for mortals, she was also the object of much affection. Embodying the regeneration of nature, Aphrodite was considered the mother of all living things.

Mostly D: Poseidon With his moody disposition and immense power, Poseidon would often use his mastery of the sea to overcome his enemies. Armed with his trident, Poseidon would cause earthquakes and shipwrecks when angry, or calm seas and new lands when content.Together with Zeus and Hera, Poseidon is a child of Cronus and Rhea.

9

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December 2015

PROFILE

Survive the office Christmas party Author Patsy Rowe gives the low-down on staying classy at this year’s festive soirees

Patsy Rowe, the author of four books on today’s etiquette, including the revised and updated third edition of her book Business Etiquette, says how you behave at the company Christmas drinks this year could jeopardise your future next year.

Here are her 10 hot tips on surviving the office Christmas party (and ensure you’re invited next year).

1 2 3

Eat before you drink … and keep eating! Drinking soft drink between hard drinks is a good idea too.

Women should avoid wearing anything low-cut, see-through or provocative; think of the office party as an extension of the workplace.

Have a “buddy” system, that is, your pal keeps an eye on you (and bundles you into a taxi when you start weeping into your wine) and you do the same for them.

4 5

Don’t take liberties such as calling the senior partner by his first name or worse, his nickname “Spud”.

Avoid bad language and telling jokes with strong sexual innuendo, which could be misinterpreted.

December 2015

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Don’t get yourself into intimate situations such as dancing “cheek to cheek” with a fellow male employee (or a senior member of staff ), or sitting on their knee.

This is not the time to ask the boss for a raise, a bigger office or, in fact, any serious business.

Think carefully before you bring a partner, husband or wife with you. If they don’t know anyone and are not outgoing and good “mixers”, they may get bored, jealous or drink too much.

Be careful what photos you post on Facebook and what comments you make on social media.

Don’t go home with anyone you didn’t come with.

Remember, you’ll be working with these people tomorrow, so make sure you’ll be able to face them.

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homewares 12

ENTERTAINMENT

5 reasons to put the “ho ho ho” into your life If you’re feeling a bit Grinch-like and the blood pressure rising every time you hear ‘It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas’, you may need a dose of laughter, writes Heather Grant-Campbell he Christmas season is supposed to be a joyful time, yet it’s often overwhelmingly stressful with endless lists of “perfect” gifts to buy and food to prepare, end-of-year activities to attend, and a heightened expectation that friends and family will all get on.

Then there’s the jolly man in the red suit who magically appears in every shopping centre, checking his list of who’s naughty and nice.

It can be enough to make you want to scream, but what you really need, according to certified gelotologist Sandy Hunter, is a laugh - and not a five-second half-hearted ‘hahaha’ laugh but rather a half-hour or more of exertive laughter.

“Australia does have a serious health problem. We need to lighten up,” Sandy, from Laugh4Wellness, says.

She’s one of a handful of laughter professionals in Queensland running laughter yoga, devised 20 years ago

by Indian physician Dr Madan Kataria after he scientifically researched the “laughter is good medicine” adage.

That research confirmed physical and psychological benefits of laughing, but it needed to be sustained. Laughter yoga developed as a blend of deep-cleansing yogic breathing, chanting, clapping and simulated laughter, channelling an often-lost playfulness.

What started with just five people in a public park in Mumbai in 1995 has grown into a worldwide movement with more than 6000 laughter yoga clubs, including some in Queensland.

“Everyone can laugh when times are good. The real test is laughing when faced with challenge,” Sandy says. “The brain can’t distinguish between simulated laughter and real laughter, but it registers the action, creating chemical reactions that make us feel good.

Here are Sandy’s top five reasons to laugh: H Laughter yoga changes your mood within minutes by releasing the body’s natural happy hormones, endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. You will stay cheerful and in a good mood throughout the day and find yourself laughing more than you normally do, topping the “feel goods” up. If your mood is good, you can get on and do more, happily and effectively.

H That happy cocktail also tells the body to stress less. Blood pressure drops, heart rate slows and an overall glow of “happiness in the moment” replaces anxiety or stress.

H Sustained hearty laughter is aerobic. One study measured the cardio impact of 10 minutes hearty laughter as equally 30 minutes on a rowing machine.

H Laughter provides a scalpel-free mini facelift. Your facial muscles get a real work-out and your skin glows.

H Laughter helps to create a positive mental state to deal with negative situations and negative people. It gives hope and optimism to cope with difficult times – like the rellies from hell visiting on Christmas Day. “The human brain is hardwired to respond positively to laughter and smiles. Even when we smile at ourselves in the mirror, the brain responds,” Sandy says.

“It’s the same when we simulate laughing with enthusiasm.”

While laughing yoga happens all over Brisbane and the south east (facebook.com/laughteryoga.brisbane), Gold Coasters can stay tuned for the activity coming to a park near you.

Christmas fun!

P 5 571 14 4 9 7 / 2 4 Te d d e r A v e , Main Beach 13

December 2015

December 2015

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December 2015

COVER FEATURE

Elizabeth Campbell and Alana Wills

t s u j t o n s i n i Colouring ely and storm, with Australians complet by rld wo the en tak s ha in g rin Adult colou Coast too ng stress levels all over the Gold eri low it’s d an – it g cin bra em y utterl

’s doing it So I decided to investigate: Who and why. ghgood Gold Coaster Bernadette Thorou n the whe rise surp by n was completely take ago. th mon a ut abo her on up t craze crep and her bandwagon.

“I was at my sister’s house in. g urin colo lt What is it? Adu k and boo a her husband had just bought craze is a bit.

This beautiful and colourful out l chil to her get some gel pens to noses with with g happening right under our dlin doo in ed rest inte e I was mor selling like e writ to millions of colouring-in books nice the pens as they were really There are the of hotcakes all around the world. one g urin with and just started colo even colouring-in murals. e talking to e pictures while I was sitting ther pag k boo A quick question on my Face . her,” she says multitude of 6-yearand I was bombarded with a “I actually got right into it and my in. g urin colo lt adu on s didn’t I comments and like but , help old nephew wanted to trend? I How is that I have missed this me in as ure pict e sam the want him to do to sign up. love trends and am usually first

friends, veryone’s doing it. My Mum, my est of keli unli the n eve – my colleagues tralia Aus ng taki n eno nom phe a is people. It the on are by storm and Gold Coasters

s! That’s my case he went outside of the line mentioned had Mum My . out OCD coming k much thin ’t she was also doing it, but I didn . face my of it until it was there in people I “I’m amazed at the amount of tion men I e onc it into are who d have foun are s eye my I’m colouring; and now that ks boo g urin colo of open to it, the amount ne.” insa is ps sho for adults at the children, No longer the purview of only shelves the colouring books are hitting ies in enc sag new of bookstores and are not they and – bers num unprecedented d. min in dren chil created with ired by Adult colouring books are insp dalas, man gs, bein nature, mythological

and focusing on g in ur lo co by at th ed er ov Scientists have disc easurable changes in m il, ta de d an rn tte pa n, io repetit tivity are affected heart rate and brainwave ac est sellers n away promise to be among the bigg is visual-spatial; it directs attentio ed with this Christmas. from parts of the brain associat adult Among Australia’s most popular n on ntio atte ses focu anxiety, and instead and den colouring books are Secret Gar colours, patterns and shapes. ing plet com are lined Enchanted Forest. People Scientists believe colouring out ia med al soci via them mandalas pages and sharing patterns and pictures such as and – t eres Pint and m agra Inst iety than including facilitates a greater drop in anx r crayons. page. It inspiring others to take up thei k blan a on ing draw by simply onnect disc to There is no better way on that is, put simply, a form of meditati real and tal digi l ssfu stre , or active from the bustling requires no focused breathing s lytic ana n brai lefton s focu world, and emptying of the mind. n brai t by than to embrace the creative righ Scientists have discovered that n, and colour in. titio repe colouring and focusing on sing s Is adult colouring simply a pas nge cha ble sura pattern and detail, mea see. and t wai only vity are fad? We can in heart rate and brainwave acti ting knit as such s vitie acti ike affected. Unl uring colo lt), resu e sam the ieve ach (which requires no special skill.

Bernadette agrees. tend “It’s actually really relaxing ... you trate on cen con and e zon a into go to just use and the colour theme you want to drink also I it. in ed ross you get really eng and g urin colo y Colouring-in books for adults bus too I’m as less wine are outselling cookbooks, crime concentrating,” she says.

I k. wee a novels and autobiographies as s time “I do it a couple of adults look to unwind, ease stress d I was get bored watching TV and foun k and spark creativity with a tin of Faceboo sitting there scrolling through pencils and a book full of intricate ing, but or something equally as uninspir black outlines, according to QBD now this has my interest.

The Bookshop. go to a “It’s definitely calming and you . ked hoo happy place. At the moment I am Director Mark Robinson says this stage, at fad a just it’s if sure not I’m like the Harry Potter series and do get satisfaction from seeing you but 50 Shades of Grey trilogy - the ures and surreal images, hipster pict ed works.” plet com r you craze had surpassed all of these colouring abstract patterns. The popularity lt Adu expectations, with Secret ks has e craz a adult-targeted colouring boo as ed Garden: An Inky Treasure inat orig in fact, the three placed some on bestseller lists; Hunt and Colouring ce Fran in Amazon in on ks boo ling tsel bes two Book reportedly top years ago. The ks. And it’s selling more than April were adult colouring boo hold k trend too 1.4 million copies a not simply an artistic pursuit. trali Aus in d. tren this ind beh nce scie worldwide. is There on March this a source is vity acti an as in g urin Colo year and tens brain and “We’ve never seen of stress relief; it distracts the thousands of are you n Whe thing like it ity. any clar and provides calm of these books ates solid Mark says. con re,” n befo brai the , ious anx or stressed have sold every g are saying urin rs colo lishe on “Pub this experience. By focusing month since – not more ng tive selli crea are and they e or another repetitiv to mention colouring in Australia ks is boo n g-in atio urin solid colo con of cess pursuit, this pro cils and markers. Last pen le of who the in and are ned than they in interrupted. Colouring is a defi year, there were minimal sales just e hav ans trali her Aus neit UK. is the d born mildly challenging task that this arena – it is very much a tren . says he it,” d s race doe emb how But un ing. e beg problematic nor bor in 2015. All publishers have sinc and they ks boo g urin colo it work? e thes ting crea uring The part of the brain used for colo

Adult colouring in catches on

for kids

17

December 2015

REAL LIFE

Private eyes

There’s always someone watching… in this case it’s private investigator and debt collector Bill Edgar

old Coast private investigator and debt collector My clients find somebody online, meet them and get to Bill Edgar has seen it all.

Dates gone horribly wrong, high-profile people know them a little. Then they’ll call me and ask if I can do a blackmailed, seniors ripped off by insurance companies, hundreds of cases of cheating spouses quick search on the person to make sure they are kosher. and plenty of other seedy stories.

A private investigator for eight years, Bill’s tragic INTERNET DATING childhood set him up to help people, which he “This is quite intriguing. My clients find somebody online, meet openly talks about in his memoir Defined By What I Do or Who I Am, them and get to know them a little. Then they’ll call me and ask if I What Makes Me Me? can do a quick search on the person to make sure they are kosher,” “I was sexually, physically and mentally abused from the he says. “I’ve got to say, more than 90 per cent of the time these age of 7. It was traumatic. I was dealing with that when I won a people are lying. There’s only one or two cases were the couples scholarship to a high-profile school when I was 12. Two years into are still together today - and that’s absolutely wonderful. Recently I investigated a person wearing a police uniform, standing next to that, I confessed to a teacher what was happening at home, only a police bike, stating he was a policeman and engaging with one for him to molest me as well,” he says. of my clients … he hadn’t been a policeman for a good 10 years.

“At 14, I left and became a street kid for a few years.”

Another one said he was a barrister. But when I checked his profile, It wasn’t until later in life that Bill returned to the books, taught he wasn’t a barrister; he wasn’t anything in the legal profession. himself the education he missed out on and got his life together.

He was an adviser. I find it is mostly men who lie about their “I had this vision that I wanted to help people expose their profession and who they are, so they can capture the girl.” predators and I couldn’t join the police force because I was too CHEATING SPOUSES augmented by then,” he says. “I was around 40 when I got my PI “When I first started PI work, it was all about following people’s licence and thought the best way to help was to investigate, but husbands and wives because my clients thought they were having couldn’t unless I was accredited and properly certified, so I sat the an affair. If you need to hire a private investigator to follow your exams to become a PI. spouse because you are suspicious they are cheating … they “In the beginning, a different door opened for me in the probably are. Instead of hiring a PI, you are better off walking away.

I know it’s hard, but do you really want the physical proof? Do numbers game. I ended up helping people being harassed, you want to know this person that they are seeing? I don’t follow bullied and intimidated by debt collectors. Primarily, I started people any more. It’s just too dangerous.” investigating their debts, if they were insured or underwritten and FINANCIAL POSITION whether they were still liable for those debts. More than 90 per “The biggest one; I investigate insurance companies that don’t cent of the time those paying their debts were not liable for it.” pay out, especially to the elderly. It’s close to my heart. This is when His all-round set of skills has allowed him to help more than an elderly person thinks they are insured but when someone breaks 8500 people in the past six years since starting his debt-collection in and steals their jewellery, the insurance company tells them they business, Freedom From Debt Collectors. Of those, Bill has about didn’t fill out the forms properly and they are not covered. It ends 320 clients currently on his books who are over 50. up a fight for that elderly person to get anywhere. They don’t have There are three main issues that affect these clients: Internet the money to take on the insurance company and they are passed dating, cheating spouses and financial position. from person to person. It’s a tactic, so I help them.”

December 2015

18

WOMEN OF THE MONTH

Ladies, all the ladies

Welcome to Get it magazine’s Women of the Month – where we shine a light on and celebrate our Gold Coast women

Julie Bankowski Circus ring master/Desk jockey/ Chick in charge, Claramont

Felicity Dredge Owner/ Manager, Hair Paradisio What does your role entail?

My role is the everyday running of a salon.

I am hands-on and do hair three days a week.

What has been your biggest achievement?

My biggest achievement has been my beautiful daughter, who has watched me compete in sport and build a fabulous life through my work to get to where I am today. Now I watch her in her sport and working life, and feel very proud.

Why do you love what you do?

I love what I do. Making people happy and comfortable makes me feel good about my contribution to their lives. The hair-do is only 10 per cent of what we do, having a relationship with our customers is the biggest part of the job. I’m a talker so there is always lots of chatter in the salon.

But it also stays in the salon. Clients sometimes need to offload and we are happy to listen.

How do you define success?

Success is happiness. Waking up and wanting to go to work and being there for someone who needs a lift.

What do you do in your down time?

I love the water and the beach, and spending time with my fabulous partner.

Favourite inspirational quote?

The best things in life … aren’t things.

What does your role entail?

Running the office and organising four guys (or wrangling the kids, as I say).

What has been your biggest achievement?

Sounds cliché, but I would have to say raising four successful children and still being in a relationship with Pete (my hubby) after 24 years.

Why do you love what you do?

We are both very creative and seeing the before and afters of our jobs is always amazing.

How do you define success?

In business, to me it is a happy staff and happy customers; in life, happy and loving children.

What do you do in your down time?

Hahaha, oh it’s not a joke?! I would have to say fishing. The whole family and staff love the water.

Favourite inspirational quote?

I have two.“Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody” and “Go big or go home”

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FASHION POLICE Mimi drawstring bag, $119.95, Hush Puppies, hushpuppies.com.au

PITCH IT Bondi black and white sunshade, $199.95, Sunny Jim, sunnyjim.com.au

< AT YOUR SERVICE Acacia Long Serving Platter, $42.95, Larder Homeware, larder.com.au

DRINK UP Tinny Retro Tin Cooler, $59.95, LiFE!, lifeliveitup.com.au

CHOCOLATE FIX Cadbury Coco, $3.99 (blocks) and $12.99 (gifting packs), leading supermarkets

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ICE COLD Summer jug and glass set, $69, Viva La Franki, vivalafranki.com.au

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December 2015

FASHION

Find swimwear to flatter your body shape

with Elizabeth McMahon

Purple metallic ombre bandeau underwire one piece // $125 //

Nautical tank frill one piece // $125 // Violet rose tankini (on sale in store) // $65 //

Striped crop bikini // $99 //

Striped zip-through rashie one piece // $59 //

Space Age one piece // $125 //

December 2015

Nautical square neck one piece // $125 //

Nautical Surplice one piece // $125 //

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With the warmer months and Christmas holidays fast approaching, now is a great time to update your summer wardrobe and find the perfect swimsuit. Togs Swimwear is a muchloved brand on the Coast and the latest collection can help you achieve an effortless summer look. Here’s how to find swimwear that fits and flatters your figure: Column: (Straight up and down figure, slight waist, long legs) • Horizontal stripes and a bra with padding.

• A two-piece bikini with frills, bows and detailing will help create an illusion of curves.

Pear shape: (Small breasts, long waist, fuller thighs, narrow shoulders) • Darker bottoms or solid colours with small pretty prints.

• Frills,buckles,padded bikini top to enhance your bust.

• Halter neckline to broaden shoulders.

• High-cut pieces will help make your legs look longer.

Hour glass: (Large breasts, small waist, short waist, generous hips, equally proportioned figure) • Push-up tops with under-wire cups to support and enhance your bust.

• Classic 1950s style swimwear are made for hourglass shape.

• Thick straps are good for support.

• Make sure your swimwear fits properly and is secure.

Rectangular (Broad shoulders, large breasts, no waist, narrow hips and long legs) • Wear built-in, waist-defining one-piece swimwear.

• Crossover swimsuits are perfect for your shape.

Apple shape: (Small breasts, small bum, larger tummy) • Swimwear with contouring, gathering and built-in waist support is great for your shape.

• Pick swimwear with large print in circular shapes.

• Boy-leg style is the best for great coverage.

Cornet: (Broad shoulder, slim hips, small breasts, long legs, no waist) • Boy-leg briefs or low-leg styles to broaden the hips.

• The use of frills, accessories, buckles, strings and rings should be used on the hip part of the swimwear.

Bell: (Small shoulders, big thighs, small waist, small breasts) • V-necklines with buckle to enhance the breasts.

• Avoid busy prints.

• Block colours are the best for your body shape.

• Elongate the body with vertical lines or diagonal lines.

Wishing you a happy holiday, see you in 2016. For more fashion and styling advice visit elizabethmcmahon.com.au or come in and see me at my studio at 3/63 Thomas Drive, Chevron Island.

BEAUTY STYLE

what’snew

with Elizabeth Campbell

The latest and greatest just in time for summer

Jurlique Limited Edition Rose Body Oil, $88, David Jones, Myer and jurlique.com.au

Pure Elements Lime Blossom Medium Hold Finishing Spray, Hibiscus Firm Hold Spray, $32, luxbc.com.au

Bor Organics Eye Love Skin, $34.95, bororganics.com

Thin Lizzy All Day Flexi Mascara, $29.99, Priceline, priceline.com.au

Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Spray, SPF30, $16.99, Priceline Pharmacy and Woolworths

Dermalogica AGE Smart Overnight Retinol Repair, $135, dermalogica.com.au

Evian Facial Spray, $7.50, Priceline, priceline.com.au

Jeunesse Global Instantly Ageless, $96.80, call 1800 104 833 for stockists or jeunesseglobal.com

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FASHION STYLE

with Elizabeth McMahon elizabethmcmahon.com.au

STRIPE DELIGHT

BY MAGESTIC striped tank // $87 // MALENE BIRGER white skirt // $243 // and PENNY BLACK metallic shoes // $161 // all Christensen Copenhagen Marina Mirage // 5591 1350

sail away Photographer: Dan Molloy Stylist and Creative Director: Elizabeth McMahon Location: Sanctuary Cove Marina Gold Coast Sailing Experience 0405 912 405

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JOIN THE NAVY MALENE BIRGER top // $410 // and skirt // $410 // and CHRISTIAN LACROIX scarf // $107 // all Christensen Copenhagen Marina Mirage // 5591 1350 // and sunglasses stylistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own

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December 2015

BOARDSHORTS BABE TOGS red square-neck one piece // $125 // and striped boardshorts // $30 // togsswimwear.com // 5539 3309 // and metallic shoes // $161 // Christensen Copenhagen Marina Mirage // 5591 1350

MODEL: Amelia Armistead Make up AND HAIR: Amelda Webster closeupmakeupandhair.com 0402 308 917

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BUSTIER BEAUTY TOGS white swimwear // $125 // togsswimwear.com // 5539 3309

TWO’S BETTER THAN ONE TOGS navy and white // $125 // togsswimwear.com // 5539 3309 // and sunglasses stylist’s own

PRETTY IN PINK ALEXANDER MCQUEEN pink tank top // $385 // and TIBI striped shorts // $310 // both Christensen Copenhagen Marina Mirage // 5591 1350 // and sunglasses stylist’s own

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December 2015

Business

with Trevor Russell

PART 3

To be successful you need this one thing

In his last instalment, business coach and speaker Trevor Russell shares his final secret for business victory s a business owner, you must know how to meet and present to any client in a way where you and your team can take them on a journey so they want to buy from you. You must be able to do this so well that they ask you: “I’ll have what you’re offering, where do I pay?”.

I call it my “Consultation to Engage a Client Successfully Process” or the CTCCSP. Just ponder this question for a minute: Can you and your team speak with any potential client or customer, and know how to take them on a conversational journey that builds a high connection and value; deals with their concerns about time or money; and effectively asks them for the business - and gets a yes response more than 80 per cent of the time?

If your answer is “kind of, well maybe or a flat out no”, then you best read on because this is going to be extremely important to the future success or failure of your business.

If you are going to be outstanding and achieve high sales and profits in your industry, in this new economy, you and your team must clearly know, whether it’s for two minutes, 20 minutes or two hours, how to meet, consult and enrol clients into buying from you.

So how do you do this? Here is the six-step format: 1 Connection: How you connect and relax and related to your potential client.

December 2015

2 Frame up: Who you are and what your intention is with assisting their needs.

3

Exploration: Determining their pains, needs, wants and desires, and how it’s relevant to what you sell.

4 Creation: Presenting the benefits, results and value of your product or service offering.

5 Confirming: Confirming that what they want and what you provide is a match and high value.

6

Enrolling: Managing and clearing concerns from the get go, so they buy from you.

What’s next?

That’s the $10 million question. Will you step up and take a look at what needs to change in you and your team, and how you run your business? Or will you just keep doing the same because it all feels way too hard?

If you feel it’s going to be the latter choice, can I suggest you consider these questions? l What would it be like to let go of fear and be open and willing to just take a look and explore trying some new ways of conducting your business? l What would it be like to start the day thinking about how you’re going to

28

really be there for your customers and your team, to do the little extras to serve, support and praise? l What would it be like to get back to why you started your business in the first place and think about that place it all started and what drove, lifted and inspired you? l What about if you finally got excited about the value your products and services can deliver to people, and be willing to get past the fear of selling and marketing? l How many people can you really create into long-term happy and rewarded clients? l Can you dare to be bold and ask for help and direction to find out how you can do, be and have everything that you truly desire?

If you would like a 10-page report on how to have a successful sales conversation, email Trevor at info@trevorrussell.com.au Trevor Russell is a business strategist, coach, sales and speaker trainer, author and keynote speaker. He has worked with more than 200 businesses across varied industries and is experienced in peak human performance, marketing, finance and sales. To find out more visit trevorrussell.com.au

HAIR AND MAKE UP with Amanda Higl

Are you party ready?

The festive season is here: Santa is on his way, balmy nights have arrived and the party invitations are flowing just as much as the Champagne ith the sultry nights that are upon us, here’s how to avoid frizzy hair and shiny faces. Check out these hot tips from resident hair and makeup artist Amanda Higl.

The messy up-do It’s a fool-proof party style guaranteed to stay in all night … and look good. When putting together your ’do opt for placing and pinning pieces section by section. Look in the mirror place pieces, when they look good, pin them. Effortless is what you are going for so don’t over think it.

Hair is best to put up in a messy up-do when it is a little dirty, so don’t wash it and use dry shampoo at the roots to give it some fullness. Also, don’t brush it. Having a rough tousled texture to put up will make it all the more easy to create.

If you have lots of length to try and put somewhere, tie knots in your tresses and pin.

HOT TIP: Buy professional bobby pins to avoid your style slipping out. They are actually available in three different sizes (small, medium and large).

For most hair types medium is perfect, however, if your hair is thick or long buy both medium and large - you will thank me later.

For extra hold create a cross shape with the pins - like on the train track sign - this will ensure your party ’do stays in perfectly.

Go glossy not shiny Yes, there is a difference. Our wonderful weather does make it hard to get from morning to night with the same face of makeup for some.

Prime, prime, prime! Primer will help your makeup stay in place all day and night. For oily skin choose Jane Iredale Absence primer. It is amazing.

Set your makeup with a powder. This will reduce the shine and help take your look from morning to night. There is also an array of setting sprays on the market now, so try them out. These help with water resistance. I would not use them every day but if you have a party on, and it is a quick turn around this could just save you.

Ever had a photo taken and been the girl with the white face? HOT TIP: Do not put sunscreen on under your makeup if you are having photos as it will reflect white. UV protection is really important day to day, but keep this in mind for a special occasion. Some makeup products do contain UV protection and they are still photo-finish

products. The best way to check out if yours is one of them is to take notice of photos where you were wearing that product.

The best preparation for a party is to be ready to get home from work, spin around in the shower and go again with only a mere touch-up on your hair and makeup. With these party-ready preparation tips you will look your best at any stage of the festive season. amandahiglhairandmakeup.com.au

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December 2015

SUCCESS

When the sun doesn’t shine When the going gets tough the tough get going – and that’s what happened to the Gold Coast Suns this year.

CEO Andrew Travis shares his insights into leading a team in times of adversity fter an eventful and challenging AFL season, Gold Coast Suns CEO Andrew Travis says it was the company’s plan that got them through it.

“We thought we’d done the hard yards and this year was the year. We thought things were going to happen,” he says, addressing a group of 80 business owners at the North Gold Coast Business Lunch at Coomera recently.

“In March, things were looking really solid.

We had a new coach, new sponsors, good membership numbers and we had just got $20 million for a new training and registration building.

“I shared this news with a group of members, while also saying that things were good right now because we were still undefeated – we hadn’t played a game of football yet. Unfortunately, we got to round one and we lost. Not only did we lose, but our captain - who had been out the previous season - had played and it became apparent his health wasn’t quite right and he needed a lengthy spell on the sideline. We also found out our best rising young player, who was playing a trial game that day, was stretchered off with a knee injury, and we were told he would be out for the rest of the season without even playing a game.

“It wasn’t a great start. But what you do in this business is regroup. But we lost again – we lost the first four games. Then a whole lot December 2015

of other players got injured. We were running out of good players and losing games.

“Soon after that we started appearing in the press around our player behaviour. The bottom line was the plan we had in place for 2015 went out the door – as a club we were being challenged like never before.”

So what did the club do? Here are seven lessons they learned about leadership from CEO Andrew Travis: 1 Sense of purpose There was a lot of noise taking place from the media and staff started talking. We needed to remember the purpose of our business? We reconnected our staff with our sense of purpose and why we were here. We had created a set of values for our staff from day one and pointed everyone back to this document.

2 Control the controllables It’s easy to get distracted by things you can’t control when it’s not going well. Don’t worry about it if you can’t control it. Focus on what you can control.

3 Communication We had challenges internally and externally. The principle we applied was that we were going to keep fronting up – there was no bunker mentality in these challenging times. We were going to stand in front of the cameras and talk. We got up in front of our staff and worked our way through these challenges together. We shared the load so 30

it wasn’t just one voice. Our communication came from our key people. We made sure we had discussions and that they were happening at the right time and place, and afterwards we would evaluate and debrief.

4 Maintain the energy The role of the CEO was to keep the tempo positive. Everyone looks to their leaders to maintain the energy in times of adversity. So a calm energy was good as staff always look for calm when things are challenging.

5 Care for your team Take some time to check in with your staff.

They are on the frontline and are also doing it tough. So make sure they are OK and they know you care.

6 Don’t compromise your standards It’s easy to compromise your standards when things aren’t going well. You can cut people some slack and turn a blind eye. We went the other way and said we are going to dig in and enhance our standards even more.

We got the staff together to workshop the four behaviours we wanted to highlight and then we started rewarding those behaviours and held each other accountable.

7 Maximise learnings There’s never a better time to influence or effect change when things aren’t going well.

We didn’t want to waste a good crisis. We’d had a shocker, but we wanted to maximise the learnings from it.

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December 2015

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December 2015

PETS

Are pets really the key to our happiness? f course, pet lovers know this, but new research reveals Australians are laughing more, less stressed and more sociable.

And it’s all due to having a fluffy, feathery or scaly friend.

The national research reveals 97 per cent of pet owners are happier as a result of living with a pet and are likely to laugh out loud about once a day or more (74 per cent) compared to non-pet owners (64 per cent).

Leading psychologist Dr Timothy Sharp, from The Happiness Institute, supports the research findings and believes pets have a big place in our lives,

December 2015

Pets bring a sense of fun and playfulness into the lives of their owners and in doing so, contribute to substantial benefits positively contributing to our emotional state.

“Pets bring a sense of fun and playfulness into the lives of their owners and in doing so, contribute to substantial benefits such as enhanced positive mood states, relaxation, even creativity and resilience,” Dr Sharp says.

Interestingly, the research, commissioned by Petbarn, also revealed that among non-pet owners with kids, six

34

in 10 claim their kids pressure them to get a pet, with 20 per cent stating they receive requests on a weekly or more frequent basis.

“The research shows owning a pet can enrich our lives in so many ways. By being more compassionate and kind, as well as less stressed and lonely, pets help make us humans just a little bit better,” spokeswoman Jody Wentworth says.

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

New shows announced Be uplifted, challenged and inspired with the launch of the 2016 Season at The Arts Centre Gold Coast. evealing a stellar program of 22 events, you will find a mix of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest musicians, dancers, actors, singers and acrobats set to grace the stage. This sophisticated programming makes high-end artistic experiences accessible for local audiences, while enabling the Gold Coast to emerge as a significant player on the national cultural map.

With shows including Mary Poppins fully produced by The Arts Centre Gold Coast, Ritorno by Circa, The Firebird by QSO, Othello, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, Snugglepot & Cuddlepie, Always and Patsy Cline, the works promise to take audiences on journeys across new worlds and emerge from the theatre with fresh views and perspectives.

Save money by purchasing five or more shows with a Season Package. Those who book a Season Package before January 4, 2016 will go in the draw to win a trip to QT Port Douglas, including a trip to the reef.

For a full list of shows go to theartscentregc.com.au

CounterMove Sydney Dance Company

ShenYun.com 35

December 2015

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

Christmas … again?

Has Christmas come around again and you haven’t quite recovered from the last festive season? Didn’t quite get around to losing those few extra kilos and giving your liver a bit of love?

By John Burchell ND

ne of the issues of annual indulgences is overlooking the need for hitting the reset button. Consider how many annual events you attend that include lots of food, dessert and alcohol. On average there will be: Christmas, Easter, Australia Day, Melbourne Cup day, anniversaries, birthdays, work events, weddings, christenings, funerals, hens’ nights and bucks’ nights - and that’s just a few.

Generally, in the midst of a hangover or feeling bloated, heavy and unmotivated it might cross your mind that you should review your state of health. But life goes on and you pick up the pace and settle in to being ok(ish), not recognising that bit by bit you are not the weight you were last year; breathing is not as easy as last year and you are not as fit and energetic. Multiply that by a few years.

For men, unchecked overindulgences can lead to increased weight, increased blood sugar levels, reduced liver function, low testosterone levels, increased cholesterol and decreased cardiac fitness. Aside from the obvious reduction in ability to meet the demands of work and family life, it also impacts on relationships. Less energy and fitness leads

to lowered tolerance and patience and less virility in the bedroom are all negatives for sustainable healthy love life.

For women, it’s a similar deal. In the majority of cases, the effect of overindulging (without doing some inner-house cleaning) results in the liver being less effective in dealing with hormonal metabolites. When this occurs, bad estrogens circulate, altering the all essential estrogen/progesterone balance.

In most cases, the “bad” estrogen dominates over good estrogen resulting in increased weight, mood changes, tiredness, low libido and increase in susceptibility to breast, uterine and ovarian disorders.

Gut and liver health are the essence of being able to enjoy the culinary delights of any celebrated event.

Enzymes, herbs, amino acids, probiotics, dietary considerations and exercise all contribute positively to gut and liver health.

High-carb foods, fried foods, processed wheat, dairy and sugar foods and food additives, combined with alcohol and poor exercise habits contribute negatively to gut and liver health.

• • • • • •

• •

Here are some rules: Choose the least processed options.

Choose smaller portions.

Eat slowly and have breaks between courses. This way your appetite can pace itself.

Should you feel full, stop eating.

Choose drinks with the least additives. If you know you react badly to dioxides or sulphites, avoid them.

Desserts, try them all but in small amounts.

It is more often the combination of desserts and alcohol that causes the whole business to fall apart.

Keep hydrated. Alcohol, sugar, salt and food additives will dehydrate you.

Before and after Christmas indulgences, do a low-load diet or even a detox, but make sure you are under the guidance of a capable practitioner with sound knowledge on the subject.

New APPROACH to Family HealtH No longer choose between “Conventional” and “Alternative” Medicine.

Female Doctors, Naturopaths and Physical Therapists working together for your families better health.

Our practitioners have a special interest in children – they too have young children.

Holistic Medical Doctors l Naturopaths l Homeopath l Osteopath Acupuncture l Massage l Chiropractor l Hypnotherapy l Yoga General Practitioners practicing Nutritional Medicine

December 2015

150 Ashmore Rd, Benowa Book today, you will feel better for it www.medsan.com.au

36

5564 5013

5564 5013

ADVERTISING PROMOTION

We’re all ears Grant Collins, the principal audiologist at Clarity Hearing Solutions, talks about hearing healthcare and how you can get the hearing aid you need and not one that means a bigger commission for the provider recent report on ABC Radio National concerning commissions and hearing aid sales has increased awareness got conversations under way about the ethics of having commissions in hearing healthcare and the lack of disclosure of this practice.

What are commissions and how are they paid?

Commissions may be paid to staff within the hearing clinic, including call centre staff, administrative staff and, of course, the clinicians. It can start with the call centre employee being paid a commission for booking in a patient after cold calling them.

During the call the employee might offer a free hearing screen to entice you to book.

Once you do, they are paid a commission.

You attend their clinic and have your hearing screen, commonly conducted by an administrative employee. If you fail your hearing screen, they book you in for a full hearing assessment appointment with a clinician. This appointment booking may result in a commission for the administrative employee.

Finally, and most significantly, the clinician you see for your hearing treatment would be on the largest commission of all.

Generally, they would be paid a percentage

on the actual hearing device you are fitted with. The more expensive the hearing device, the more they receive. Commissions can be a massive carrot for a clinician to up-sell to more expensive devices with features that aren’t necessary for the patient’s needs.

How can they affect you?

I have seen many patients over the years who have been badgered into making an appointment by an overzealous call centre staff member chasing their commission.

I’ve had patients book in for a full audiological assessment in a panic as they’ve failed one of these hearing screens.

Unsurprisingly, we find they have completely normal hearing and their results were most likely exaggerated by the administration staff member in order to receive their commission. And, of course, not all clinicians are commission driven, but the temptation is there. I frequently see patients with very basic hearing needs who’ve been recommended top-of-the-range hearing aids with features they would never use and are not congruent with their actual needs.

Until we remove commissions from all areas of the industry, patients have every

right to question the motives of their hearing care provider. At the very least, commissions should be disclosed to the patient from the outset, especially given that almost every large hearing company in Australia pays their staff commissions.

I’m proud to say that Clarity Hearing Solutions, at Hope Island, operates under five basic principles of ethics in hearing care.

One of these principles is that we do not offer commissions to any staff within the clinic. If you feel you want or need a second opinion, we’ll be happy to help.

Until next time, a very Merry Christmas to you and yours.

5 ethical principles for better hearing...

These days you can’t trust your hearing to just anyone. At Clarity Hearing Solutions we base your treatment on five simple, yet hard to come by principles. It’s what sets us apart. Try us today.

Call 1300 CLARITY or 3366 7888

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Accurate diagnosis: we only employ the best university Masters qualified and registered Audiologists.

Evidence-based recommendations and treatment: we only prescribe treatment, hearing aids and features where there’s medical evidence it will actually help you.

3 Transparent pricing: our

5 Independent since 2008:

4

For Queensland’s largest range of hearing aids and implant solutions talk to us today for your first, or even your second opinion!

margins are the same across our entire range so there is no incentive to prescribe technology other than what is best for you.

No sales commissions: we don’t reward our team for selling hearing aids. We reward good outcomes for you.

being independent we can provide hearing aids and implants from all manufacturers so you get the one right for your needs.

Hope Island, Mater Misericordiae Health Care, 8 Halcyon Way Spring Hill | Bribie Island | Caboolture | Carindale | Loganholme | Sunnybank Hills | Townsville | Mackay Rockhampton | Gladstone | Ayr | Barcaldine | Bowen | Charleville | Charters Towers | Clermont Collinsville | Emerald | Gladstone | Ingham | Longreach | Mt Isa | Palm Island | Proserpine | Roma | Sarina

www.clarityhearingsolutions.com.au

enquiries@clarityhearingsolutions.com.au

37

Advanced Hearing Aid and Audiological Specialists

December 2015

HEALTH

Stay fit and healthy over Christmas It’s just one day, says personal trainer Sharif Deen, but so many health and fitness plans go pear shaped at this time of year

t gets us every year … we’ve been good leading up to Christmas and the festive season and then all of sudden our healthy routine goes out the window. Tell us about it!

That’s why we’ve enlisted the advice of personal trainer Sharif Deen, a former Biggest Loser contestant, to give us the lowdown on how to stay fit and healthy during the silly season.

Basically, how do we stay fit over Christmas?

The easiest way to stay fit is to maintain your habit and regime.

Christmas is only one day, as is New Year’s Day, everything else is just another day.

What are your top five tips?

1. Maintain your regular habits and routine as much as possible.

2. Make sure you have a plan. I’ve learned that success doesn’t happen by accident, it requires a plan.

3. Stay focused on your goals. Christmas and New Year’s Day are two single days, don’t get caught in the excuse of the “’tis the season” myth.

4. Keep challenging yourself; life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.

5. Have fun in what you’re doing. Don’t treat being fit and healthy as a chore. Treat it for what it is: a positive choice.

December 2015

What foods should we minimise?

It’s not so much food, but how much and when. Try a bit of everything, but approach it like a sampling plate. The thing I always have to remind myself (and fail miserably at when it comes to certain Christmas foods) is that you just treat each meal it like a regular meal. Don’t wig out just because there are rum balls or trifle (or whatever you really enjoy).

What about alcohol - how do we not over indulge?

Be a realist. Enjoy your favourite beverage, but don’t drink like you’ve just won an NRL Grand Final.

What holiday exercises can you recommend for people travelling or not wanting exercise (so it doesn’t feel like exercise)?

Take advantage of the extra time you have and just stay active.

Load your backpack with water and go for a walk or a ride. Get outside with the wind in your face and the sun on your skin.

My favourite thing is to just go for a ride and find a new coffee shop to have a long black, or just hit a bushwalk trail. Remember, 50 per cent of something is better than 100 per cent of nothing.

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ADVERTISING PROMOTION

7 ways to beat the festive bulge Christmas is a wonderful time of year – we eat, drink and be merry. It’s also the time of year when a few extra kilos can creep up on you. Here’s how to ensure that doesn’t happen to you

1. Lose the guilt: Feeling guilty for eating “bad” foods at this time of year only leads to poor emotions that lead you to continue to eat “sometimes foods” more often – which won’t work for you either. If you are going to have some foods you know aren’t good for you, just enjoy them and then get back to eating well.

2. Look after your body: The best way to make sure you don’t stack on every gram of what you eat is to become more insulin sensitive in the weeks leading up to Christmas, New Year’s Eve or a certain event. That simply means, reduce your carbs, do some more exercise and eat lots of vegetables.

3. Eat breakfast: The best thing you can do is to start your day off with a hearty breakfast – we’re talking eggs with ham and veggies. This will give your body a great hit of protein to really get your day under way and make sure you don’t store fat all day long.

4. Drink lemon water: Citrus juice (lemon and water) dampens your body’s response to carbs and lowers your insulin response, so sip on it throughout the day.

5. Try green tea: Green tea will help rev up your metabolism before you eat and get you burning more of what you consume rather than storing it. Have a green tea before your meal.

6. Have lots of water: A hydrated body will always work better and if you are going to have a few Champagnes it will also improve your recovery.

7. Exercise more: The day after your event, it is important that you get up and do some exercise, no matter how bad you feel. Not only will the exercise help you feel better, you will kick start your fat-burning hormones so they can get working on whatever damage you have done the night before.

By doing these seven things you’ll set yourself up for a great start to 2016. Be sure to look after yourself and stay safe over the festive period.

P 5538 4788 or visionpt.com.au for more information.

39

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December 2015

TRAVEL

things you need to know about an African safari frican safari veteran Richard Field knows African safari holidays like the back of his hand. Here are his top five tips you must understand if you want a truly incredible safari experience.

1 Go wild A safari isn’t just about seeing animals – you can do that at the zoo. The important thing is how you feel when you see the animals and this has everything to do with the way you experience it, which, in turn, has much to do with how wild and remote you are.

In a truly wild environment – no fences, very little “management” or interference from humans, and no guarantees – there is a real feeling of excitement and anticipation. Being in a wilder environment also means fewer other people. When you know that what you are witnessing is just for you (and maybe one or two other vehicles) then your appreciation of the experience goes through the roof.

2 Quality over quantity If you do a safari well, you don’t need to do it for a long time. A week to 10 days is plenty.

Any more and your own personal memory card will fill up, and you will either forget what you have already seen, or not be able to fully appreciate what you are now witnessing.

Often people are tempted to travel for long periods of time on a smaller budget, but in my opinion using that same budget and focusing on really high-quality safari for a shorter time will result in a far more impactful experience.

3 Cheap safaris always have an associated cost A good safari is not a cheap experience and nor should it be. If you are doing it properly, you are getting out into vast, wild, remote places teaming with wildlife and with very few people.

This is something precious.

Be wary of cheap safaris. It generally means a “mass market” experience – soulless hotels, lots of people, below par guides, no care for the wildlife or the environment, cramped viewing conditions and a generally unpleasant experience. There are often many hidden costs as well and these really sting when you are already having an average time.

As a general rule of thumb, a high-quality safari experience in a great wilderness area price will start from roughly US$500-600 per person December 2015

An African safari is on most people’s bucket list and generally seen as a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so expectations are high. But how do you ensure those expectations are not only met, but exceeded? per night sharing. Prices will go up relative to the levels of luxury in the camp, the quality of game viewing and the relative exclusivity.

4 Book early The best camps are generally very small and intimate (3-10 rooms total) and they fill up quickly, so start making enquiries early.

This is particularly the case between June and October (the drier “peak” game viewing months).

If you are travelling as a couple and you are set on specific travel dates then you should be booking 6-12 months ahead and 12-18 months for groups of four or more. If you are travelling in a particularly large group (10-20 people) then you would want to be making enquiries a full two years out.

5 Get some qualified help If you are serious about doing a great safari, don’t try and do it alone. Without a reasonable level of experience it is almost impossible to understand how all the moving parts in a safari fit together. Reading reviews on Trip Advisor won’t give you clarity or confidence that the camps you are booking will actually provide the experience you are looking for.

And how will you get yourself from one wild and remote camp to the next without stressing over whether someone will actually be there to collect you? Doing it yourself often works out to be more expensive as specialist safari travel agents get access to the best rates.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing an African travel provider. l How well do they know Africa? Have they been to the places that they are looking to send you? Are they obsessed with giving you the ultimate safari experience? l Are they independent or are they trying to sell you a product that they have a vested interest in? l Do they really care about you and your experience, or are they just trying to get the best commission?

40

Where to go?

The Okavango Delta, Botswana The Okavango Delta is unique and spectacular safari area. Situated in the Kalahari Desert, in April each year it is inundated with floodwaters arriving from Angola. The Okavango is home to large numbers of elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and many other antelope species. It is also home to predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas. In areas of permanent water, you can find rare and elusive animals like the sitatunga – an aquatic antelope. The birdlife is astounding.

The Serengeti, Tanzania The Serengeti is one of the most famous wildlife areas in the world - and rightly so. It is home to more than 1.5 million wildebeest, which migrate each year through the ecosystem in a circular route. In addition there are several hundred thousand zebras, antelopes and gazelles. Along the way they have major hurdles, such as the Grumeti and Mara rivers, which are home to some of the largest and most aggressive crocodiles in Africa.

The Skeleton Coast, Namibia There is no place on Earth like Namibia’s Skeleton Coast – it is like travelling to the moon, or maybe Mars. Around every corner the landscape changes in astonishing ways, from rugged mountains to sand dunes, gravel plains and even the odd oasis. It is home to a surprising array of wildlife including elephants, giraffes, jackals, springboks, oryx, black rhinos and even lions (if you are lucky). You don’t see the same quantity or have the same proximity to the wildlife as you would have in the Serengeti or Okavango, but the wildlife you see will be framed by the most remarkable landscapes.

Richard Field has lived and worked as a safari guide throughout Africa’s wild places for the past 19 years. He is now the owner and director of African Family Safaris (africanfamilysafaris.com)

The Serengeti, Ta nzania

The Okavango De lta, Botswana

Game viewing in the

The Serengeti, Ta nzania

Serengeti

The Skeleton Co ast, Namibia

The Skeleton Co ast, Namibia

The Okavango De lta, Bostwana

The Skeleton Co ast, Namibia

LIFESTYLE RECIPES

This month’s recipes are by Emmanuel Cohergne, the head chef at The Institution Ale House & Dining, Surfers Paradise.

Traditional

with a twist

PRAWN MARIE-ROSE

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS Sauce: • 110g tomato ketchup • 100g mayonnaise • 1 pinch Szechuan pepper • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • Juice of half a lemon • 1 tsp of Chipotle Tabasco Cocktail: • 400g cooked prawns • 1 avocado • 1 iceberg lettuce METHOD Combine all of the sauce ingredients and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Add the prawns to the sauce and stir to coat.

Shred the iceberg lettuce and place on the bottom of four glasses or glass bowls.

Cut the avocado into wedges and place on top of the lettuce, then add a generous spoonful of the prawn mix.

December 2015

42

GOLDEN ALE AND HONEY GLAZED LEG OF HAM Serves 2 INGREDIENTS • 1 cooked leg ham • 345ml Golden Ale • 1 finely grated orange • 1 finely grated lemon • 2 finely chopped garlic cloves • 20 whole cloves • 75g Dijon mustard • 110g brown sugar • 20ml soy sauce • 180g honey METHOD: Preheat oven to 180C. Carefully remove the skin from the ham and score a diamond pattern across the fat with a small sharp knife, being careful not to cut all the way through the fat. Arrange the cloves on each diamond created by the scores. Replace the skin on the leg of ham and place the ham in a large roasting pan and set aside. Mix the Golden Ale, garlic, soy, mustard, brown sugar, orange and honey, and heat in a pan (just to melt the sugar and honey).

Pour the glaze over the ham and bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 180C. Carve and serve.

PLUM PUDDING CHEESECAKE

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS • 50g butter unsalted • 125g digestive biscuits • 100g cream cheese • 25g icing sugar • 25ml Baileys • 80ml whipped cream • Half an individual plum pudding from supermarket METHOD: Melt the butter slowly over a low heat in a medium pan.

Crush the biscuits in a large bowl using a rolling pin. Add the melted butter to create the biscuit base.

Grease a cake tin with a removable bottom and spoon the biscuit base into the tin. Set for an hour. Lightly whip the cream cheese in a large bowl, add the Baileys and sugar.

Stir until smooth. Add the whipped cream and fold into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Using a blender, blitz the plum pudding (you do want it to be chunky) and fold it in the cream cheese mixture. Spoon the mixture on to the cooled biscuit base and spread evenly with a spatula.

Allow to set for an hour in the fridge and then serve.

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December 2015

WHAT’S ON FOR

Christmas

& New Year’s Eve Festive Celebrations

DRACULA’S CABARET

Christmas Day

Join us at 12 noon for an adults only five course degustation menu. Your Christmas feast includes a three hour beverage package with selected fine wines, premium beer and soft drinks. The soothing classical sounds of harpist Margaret Curtis will accompany you on your gastronomic Christmas journey. $230 per person To book: goldcoasttickets.com.au/event/1730

Welcome in the New Year with an elegant evening of dinner and dancing featuring the sounds of Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin as performed by Rhydian Lewis & band. You will be guided through five degustation courses of culinary art. Your event includes a five hour beverage package featuring selected fine wines, premium beer and Veuve Clicquot on arrival and for your midnight toast.

Bloodbath, the latest vaudevillian spectacle to splash onto Dracula’s stage, presents a fast-paced evening of shock-rock and vampire variety. It’s an insane bouillabaisse of aerial acrobatics, suicide circus, mind-warping optical illusions and gender-bending,tummy clutching comedy. Experience the zombie puppet lap dancer, the human syringe experiment, breathing marble statues, stilted cyborg robots and a skeleton that strips down to the bone. Featuring a talented cast of multi-skilled vampires, set to hypnotic live music, amazing stage effects and presented in the elegant cabaret showroom know as Dracula’s Cabaret. Splash out for New Year’s Eve - $150 per person, ticket also includes champagne at midnight, countdown and Live DJ. Book now while there’s still room in the bath!

$275 per person To book: goldcoasttickets.com.au/event/1735

Bookings essential, call now on 07 5563 4900 or book online at www.draculas.com.au

P 5570 0396

Dracula’s is MA 15+ adult dinner cabaret and is not suitable for children.

New Years Eve

Mario’s Italian Restaurant

Celebrate in

style

Looking for beautiful food and a night out with a relaxed atmosphere, then Mario’s is the place for your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Enjoy an early dinner then step outside to see the sky light up for the fireworks show on the beach just meters away. Mario’s extensive menu provides the perfect option for all appetites, including pizza, pasta, seafood, delicious deserts and an extensive wine list for your celebration.

P 55921899 mariosrestaurant.com.au December 2015

NYE 2015

THURSDAY, 31ST DECEMBER 8PM-1AM (DOORS OPEN 7.30PM) BEER, WINE, BASIC SPIRITS

ALTO SIGNATURE PLATTERS ANTIPASTO & TASTE BUFFET | CHEESE & DESSERT BUFFET

RESIDENT DJ

PLAYING ALL THE LATEST & GREATEST SPINNING YOU INTO THE NEW YEAR

TICKETS $165 OR $140 FOR ALTO VIP’S

(Must be purchased before 26th Dec. Not available at the door)

TO PURCHASE TICKETS CALL 5539 0377

BEACH END, THE OASIS, BROADBEACH MALL

44

GETscene

SOCIALSCENE

Download these images and see more at facebook.com/get.it.mag

Women In Tourism Cliffords in the Watermark Hotel was the first foray into a restaurant venue for the members and guests of Women in Tourism. Lindsay Wallace from Pacific Fair enlightened us to the wonderful bespoke services that will be on offer from this iconic Gold Coast centre. Be sure to book your ticket to the December event, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a doozy!

The perfect gift ideas for Christmas!

BED

BATH

HOME

Exclusive retailer of Missoni Home on the Gold Coast

Seaworld Drive, Main Beach Like us on Facebook

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bongenre.com.au P 5528 5002

December 2015

GETscene

SOCIALSCENE

MY JEWELLERY SHOP Finding the perfect Christmas gift was at the front of everyone’s mind at the VIP night held at My Jewellery Shop. Bubbles and nibbles kept the guests nourished as they shopped up a storm and one lucky winner took home a jewellery box full of goodies.

November 2015

EE FR

m a g a z i N e

Story glory

Subscribe to Get it Magazine, the Gold Coast’s favourite monthly magazine.

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Local business owner Alana Beattie is taking the coffee industry by storm

Diets don’t work

Hallelujah! Weight loss expert Kylie Ryan shares the reasons why

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The perfect Christmas gift!

PHONE 1300 858 932 sales@getit-magazine.com.au

December 2015

Adverse tales lead to words of wisdom being used to connect, heal and inspire

46

Celebrate

SOCIALSCENE

GETscene

Helloworld Hope Island Local ladies enjoyed Lunch at the Captains Table when Helloworld Hope Island hosted a fashion, travel and fun event at Red Rock Waterfront Restaurant. Designer labels presented by Marina V Boutique provided the style factor and Oceania and Uniworld Cruises provided the temptation. All profits from the day went to Hopewell Hospice.

The One Stop Shop for Boaties!

• Discounted fuel – petrol, diesel • Swap n’ Go Gas • Boating supplies and chandlery • Ice, Bait & Tackle • Coffee shop & takeaways • Boat Brokerage • Pontoon Hire, self drive OPEN 7 DAYS marinasedge.com.au marinasales@marinasedge.com.au

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marina’s edge boat brokerage 1 John Lund Drive, Hope Island Mobile: 0439 195 158 December 2015

GET YOUR STARS

with Patrick Arundell

Get your horoscope H Sagittarius Nov 22 – Dec 22 If you’ve recently felt hemmed in by responsibilities and disappointed at a lack of progress then it may be time for a few changes. December 11 is the time to take control and push forward in the direction of your dreams. In addition, a sound seasonal budget can ease financial angst.

H Capricorn December 22 – January 20 Though keen to advance your goals, it helps to be choosy. Don’t overload your schedule if you want to enjoy the weeks ahead, as the focus of the month is to recharge between projects. Even so, by the holiday week you’ll be more upbeat and ready to play a big part in gatherings and festivities.

H Aquarius January 21 – February 19 The call to speak your truth may be hard to resist early on, when you may want to divest yourself of a relationship in which your authenticity has long been sacrificed. The resulting feeling of freedom could brighten your mood considerably. By Christmas you’ll be ready to unwind and give yourself a much-needed rest.

H Pisces February 19 – March 20 It’s time to lay your cards on the table Pisces, and to say if an arrangement, relationship or financial deal doesn’t suit you. You could call time on an agreement that’s been a drain on you for a while now. You’ll then have more energy to put into your goals and ambitions, and into enjoying the pleasures of the Christmas season.

December 2015

H Aries March 20 – April 19 Start as you mean to go on and don’t feel duty-bound to rush around dancing to everyone else’s tune as you might end up resenting it. Bringing structure to areas of your life where it’s been lacking can help you feel in control. Over the festive week, early preparations allow you make the most of the party scene.

H LEO July 22 – August 23 While getting feedback or advice from others can be a source of support, you might suffer a setback if it proves wrong, leading to a potential falling out. Indeed, making your own decisions brings positive rewards this month. In addition, creating a sound fitness schedule could be a way to avoid the temptation to overindulge.

H Taurus April 20 – May 21 There’s no point in implementing a festive budget if you spend it all on your friends.

Clever accounting can leave you better off financially if you’re prepared to be canny with your cash. Plan to delegate some of the bigger chores so you can unwind too.

Faces from the past or faraway may visit, adding sparkle to the holiday week.

H Virgo August 23 - September 22 It seems you’ll embrace the organisational aspect of this month avidly, working to make sure friends and family have a wonderful time. Even so, stepping back for a while might help you get a sense of perspective.

H Gemini May 21 – June 21 You may need to tread a careful path between doing what you want to do and involving yourself in plans of your family or partner. If you desperately need space, insist on some me-time. December 11 is a good time to expand your social horizons but leave yourself time to relax.

H Cancer June 21 – July 22 Sometimes disruptions can serve a useful purpose, with the chance that chaotic scenes around December 10 might move you to take control in an area where you may have been too lax. Spending Christmas with family nourishes you, leaving you feeling buoyant leading into the new year.

48

H Libra September 22 – October 23 Welcome to the season of goodwill, when someone may get a ticking off from you if they take you for granted. Indeed, doing so can set the tone for better times ahead.

Meanwhile, give yourself leeway to explore those activities that boost your spirits. A key relationship stabilises moving into the new year.

H Scorpio October 23 – November 22 This month you’ll be ready to move in new circles and connect with like-minded people. Around mid-month though, one person may stand out from the crowd.

Though you’ll happily attend festive get-togethers with family and friends, spending time with them may not be a priority for you.

SPICE with Sophie Wood

It’s the season

to connect

You don’t have to spend the holiday season alone.

Check out these dating sites and get connected he holiday season can be a stressful time if you’re riding solo to work Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations. You can’t even go to family dinners without being asked,“So how is your love life?”.

Suddenly Christmas is more embarrassing than jolly. So why not surprise everyone with a hot new date at your next get-together? It can be as simple as downloading an app and letting it do all the hard work for you.

Here are three you may not know about: Happn – Happn is a dating app that allows you to find people you’ve crossed paths with. Using GPS technology, a person’s profile will pop up if you have encountered them in real life. Then it maps out exactly where you saw them and how many times you’ve bumped into each other. If you like what you see, then Happn gives you a chance to secretly send them a heart or nudge them with a charm. Hearts can only be seen if that person likes you back, but if you’re feeling game and want to get noticed then send them a charm. happn.com Stitch – Stitch is a dating site for mature adults who are looking for a partner, friend or companion. Offering three main methods to connect, Stitch recognises that companionship comes in all forms. Its unique profile browsing system focuses on quality connections and emphasises the importance of common interests and activities. The

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dating site even provides the opportunity to meet face-to-face at an event or travel adventure. Committed to safety, all individuals undergo identity checks, making the site less risky than others. stitch.net Hinge – Hinge is the dating app claiming to help you find something real by connecting you with someone through the friends you trust. Allowing you to see a potential date’s occupation, location and mutual friend’s on Facebook, Hinge is an app for meaningful connections as opposed to a one-night stand. You can even list ideal dating spots to see if you’re compatible or not.

No more awkward moments or surprises as everything is on the table. hinge.co

December 2015

LAST WORD

with Sarah Blinco

ere’s the thing about 2015 − I feel that this year as a collective, we’ve brought “nice” back again. Now you’re possibly shaking your head at me in disdain, wondering how I could overlook all the terrible things going on around the place. One glance at the news (and Facebook, for that matter) reminds us so. However, the Swiftys, Winslets and Hemsworths of the world have officially made it cool again to be nice: From A-listers to authors like Liz Gilbert; activists such as the incredible Malala Yousafzai, plus online celebrities or entrepreneurs like Gabby Bernstein, Marie Forleo, Natalie MacNeil and Aussies Ben Angel and Rebecca Campbell − they’re proving that not only does nice not finish last, but they can win while making a difference in the process.

I believe this is worth celebrating, regardless of all reminders to the contrary.

It’s not just those in the limelight making a difference. You and I can too, and Hannah Brencher’s story is a nice example of how. I read about this 27-year-old a few months ago. She is from New York and on finishing college she didn’t have a dime to her name, yet she was determined to make the best of her big city experience. As a relative newcomer to the Big Apple she’d not made any real friends, but had her love of writing to keep her content.

She told Glamour Magazine: “One day (on the train) I noticed an older Hispanic woman sitting across from me. We couldn’t have been more different − me in my pencil skirt and heels, and her in her workman’s clothes and red cap.

She looked exhausted and on the verge of tears.

Something inside me wanted to check if she was

Get on Santa’s good side OK, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. So I decided to write her a note. I wanted to tell her that she matters, that she’s important and that however bad her day is she needs to keep pressing on.

I’d planned on putting the letter at her feet, but I was so immersed in writing that I didn’t even notice her get up and exit the train. I was crushed, but then I remember thinking: ‘This letter could be for anybody’. At that moment I decided I would leave letters throughout the city to inspire people and offer them words of encouragement.

It seemed like such a nice thing to do in a city full of people struggling to make their way.”

Hannah continued to do just that, anonymously pinning letters around town that held kind words for the strangers who would inevitably discover them, no doubt at just the moment a surprise loving message was most needed.

The simple idea grew into something larger than Hannah and she came to write and distribute many letters across the city each day.

She decided to start a blog about this unique project of hers and, in the process, offered to write a love letter to anyone who asked. Within December 2015

10 months she wrote more than 400 letters to strangers and ended up with more than 20,000 online fans. Her intention to share a little kindness made a big difference in the lives of many and paid dividends for her too. She’s since presented a TED Talk and authored the book, If You Find This Letter.

So you see, one little kind idea can spread far and wide, and influence others for the better and in a big way. Not to mention, it’s great that our kids are witnessing examples of “nice” in the world on all levels (from movie star to Instagrammer) and aspiring for kindness themselves.

Yes, it is easy to look around and note how all those appearing to cheat the system, lie and manipulate their way forward apparently get ahead. But are we all comfortable enough to implement that behaviour to achieve perceived success? Probably not, and I don’t think most of us care to try. I see that this story proves yet again that being nice will help you win in the long run; practicing kindness and compassion towards ourselves and others helps us to stay aligned with our individual passions, gifts, ideas; aligned with our true selves.

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It also means Santa will stop by for a visit, if the songs and stories are to be believed.

What I hope to leave you with this year − and indeed this festive season − is the inspiration to pause a while and think about how else, or perhaps how better, you might contribute to the space around you. Hannah showcases something most of us already appreciate, in that you do not have to (and should not be expected to) spend a lot of money, if any, to make a significant difference to someone else’s world.You don’t even have to be known to them! Let me throw in too that being kind goes hand in hand with being thankful, so this Christmas make a list (and check it twice) of the people who have gone out of their way to pave the way for a better day for you. Let them know they matter and are appreciated.

If we could keep this kind of momentum going, the world really would be a better place, and I don’t care if you read this and think I’m naive, clichéd or high on ... life. I believe and this Last Word is for those of you who do too. It’s time to be proud of being nice, after all, it is cool to be kind, especially at Christmas time.

Happy holidays x

Christ mas

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