Don’t Judge Me. I Can Do It ALL By Myself!

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Alison @ Style Counsel

 

We all judge books by their covers. But are things always as they seem?

A recent conversation with a Twitter follower  has got me to thinking (yep, again!).  She shared a preconceived idea of what/who I was. Don’t get me wrong – she wasn’t mean (at all) but her opinion of me was based purely on appearance and first impressions, because after all, that’s all anyone really has to go on – at least initially anyway!

Some people admit how nervous they are when they first meet me. They worry about what I’ll think of their clothing choices! I want to assure them of the opposite – I fear they will judge ME! That they will say to themselves “OMG! Look at what she’s wearing, and SHE’S A STYLIST!”

We all fear being judged harshly or incorrectly. We all fear rejection. We all crave love and acceptance. Don’t we? Well, at the risk of all the above, do you wanna know just how imperfect I am? Go on, admit it! You know you do! Continue reading →

Posted in Image, Life & Lessons Learned, Social Commentary, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, True Style, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Nicole Kidman – Love her or hate her? I’d like to know “Why”?

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Alison @ Style Counsel

Is it Nicole's hair? Is it her fame? What is it we women love to hate about Nicole? Can someone enlighten me?

Here’s an exerpt from MamaMia’s Blog – a post by Bryce Corbett about Nicole Kidman. I have wondered about this particular Celeb-bashing phenomena for years so when I read this post on MamaMia I felt compelled to share it on my humble little blog with my own readers. You are all entitled to your opinion, ofcourse, but the small excerpt I’ve shared below (please click through the links to read the entire post) spoke volumes to me. And I hope it does for you too.

Celebs. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they are  not going to go away and unless you turn off your telly and never pick up another magazine, the power of celeb is hard to ignore. Some use their celebrity for good. Others it to feather their own nest. Some use it for not much at all except a free ride to jail or rehab. Why then do we Aussies hate “our Nicole” so much? I’m not sure. I for one share the sentiment of Bryce Corbett (below). Let me know what you think… Continue reading →

Posted in Social Commentary, Style Inspirations, The Good The Bad The downright Tacky, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, True Style, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Lori Dwyer’s Story

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Alison @ Style Counsel

 

Lori Dwyer in happier times

Lori Dwyer writes a Blog that I follow and love. It’s called Random Ramblings from a Stay At Home Mum  Here’s the link to Lori’s Blog

Recently, life dealt Lori and her family a particularly cruel blow and now, this lovely lady is going through what I can only describe as pure hell. Her husband Tony is in ICU and the latest update is not good. Not that Lori or anyone is going to give up – miracles can and do happen, and if anyone deserves a miracle right now it’s Lori & Tony! But Lori really needs our prayers & support, and while I know she has lots of love and support from her dear friends and family to see the support flooding through from fellow Bloggers and Tweeps is so uplifting, it brings tears to my eyes as I type.
Life is short, so precious. None of us should ever take for granted the gifts we’ve been given. When you read Lori’s story you will see what I mean. Continue reading →
Posted in Life & Lessons Learned, Social Commentary, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, True Style, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Life Is Short and So Am I – Love, Loss & New Years Resolutions

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Alison @ Style Counsel

Happy New Year from all the Triffs! May the coming year be kind to us all!

In September of last year (2009 – only a few weeks after my Dad passed away) I received a message similar to what I’m sharing with you here in my last Blog Post for 2010.   A gentle reminder of how short life is.  And as a New Year always brings with it time for reflection of what we think we may like to change for the coming year, I thought this may be worthwhile sharing -  as not only a reminder to myself, but to everyone who reads it.

Life is short. Don’t waste a minute of it worrying about a past you can’t change. Continue reading →

Posted in 365 Acts Of Kindness, Life & Lessons Learned, Social Commentary, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, True Style, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Ponderings – Confidence Suckers & Boosters

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Alison @ Style Counsel

What makes you feel confident? What sucks your self-esteem?

I saw something the other day as I waited in a cafe to meet with a client. I watched the group dynamics of a group of young mums meeting for morning tea and it got me thinking about what I was observing: The power of friendship groups and how they can boost or suck your self-esteem.

As I watched these women played a game with myself, trying to work out who was the alpha female – the leader of the pack. Who was the one on the outer – trying to get closer; which two were ‘besties’ and who appeared to be just tagging along for a cuppa/company. Are they together just because they all happened to have met through their children’s school but really have little in common; or are a group who’ve known eachother since highschool?

It got me to thinking about confidence and friendships. About why sometimes I positively OOOZE it, and on other bad-hair days I feel like a whimpering, whining bundle of low self-esteem

Continue reading →

Posted in Image, Life & Lessons Learned, Social Commentary, The Good The Bad The downright Tacky, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, True Style, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

365 Acts Of Kindness

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Alison @ Style Counsel

 

I'm working on an e-calendar full of Acts of Kindness - one for every day of the year! But I need your help!

Looking good always makes us feel better and gives us a boost, but I truly believe the best way to make yourself feel good is to make someone else feel even better! By giving someone else a boost you get lifted too!

With that in mind and Christmas just around the corner, I got to thinking…You know those  24 Days of Xmas Advent Calendars we make for kids? Where we get to countdown to Xmas and eat a chocky or treat ourselves? Well, wouldn’t it be great if we had an Advent-style Calendar that lasts 365 days of the year?

The true spirit of Xmas is in the giving right? So how about one that goes all year round – but instead of you taking (a chocky or gift) you GIVE to someone else? Then, that got me to thinking…(people always tell me I think too much!)… Continue reading →

Posted in 365 Acts Of Kindness, Life & Lessons Learned, Social Commentary, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, True Style, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 94 Comments

My Style. Your Style. So What’s Your Flavour?

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Alison @ Style Counsel

Al giving lessons in style. If you think it's all about fashion, prepare to be enlightened!

I often talk about “what I know for sure”, and what I know for sure is this… Most people know what they don’t like, but they don’t necessarily know what they DO like! That’s why we all criticize, judge, complain etc with ease, and why it seems almost rare to hear people praise, compliment, recommend or talk about what we DO like! It’s also why most of us have a wardrobe full of clothes we hardly ever wear! We buy  because we didn’t want to come home with nothing. Or because we didn’t really hate it and thought “This will just have to do”!  So with that in mind, I thought I’d share with you all what inspires me in the hope that it inspires you to find out what makes you YOU…

Continue reading →

Posted in Image, Style Inspirations, Styling Tips & Wardrobe Essentials, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, True Style, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

The Style Counsel Challenge – Sporting Heroes & Role Models

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Alison @ Style Counsel


Family comes first for Hawk Shane Crawford

The media is a very powerful beast but all too often it teaches our kids that poor choices can still make you famous. Many believe that any publicity is better than no publicity but is it really out of the question for the media to inspire and motivate  with more prime-time coverage of stories such as those below?  Let’s spread the word that we  (the viewers, the readers, the listeners) are more interested in inspirational stories about  the GOOD eggs. The people who use their talents/skills/wealth or celebrity for GOOD. The people who know the true meaning of STYLE! Stories about true role-models like these guys…

Continue reading →

Posted in Life & Lessons Learned, Social Commentary, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, True Style, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

What Are You Like In the Bedroom?

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Alison @ Style Counsel

We all have our own style whether we may know it or not. We all choose certain styles of clothing, favour certain colours, communicate in a certain way, and have our own style of coping with pretty much all of what life dishes out.  But last night’s sleep got me to thinking about our Bedroom Styles – so much so, this morning I felt sure I would awaken to a husband who would resemble a piece of Swiss Cheese instead of  a man. Why? Because of the number of times I poked and prodded him to get him to stop moaning, groaning or semi-snoring.

I eventually gave in to my previously tried & true, gentle, subtle but very effective style of coercion…a feather-light touch on the tip of the nose (which makes him think there’s a bug crawling on him!). I vary things a little – last night I discovered a toe-tickle on the back of the butt will also make him jump – quite high in fact! Oh well…I figure a woman’s gotta do what a woman’s gotta do! And desperate, sleep-deprived times call for desperate measures and creative thinking.  Here’s a brief rundown of our individual bedroom styles – what are yours? And if you have any other tips on how I can get him to come around to MY style of sleeping, feel free to share them with me!

Note: The pics below of “Shane on the Bed” were taken in various hotel rooms during our 20th Wedding Anniversary trip to Europe. Clearly at least someone “does bed well”! Continue reading →

Posted in Life & Lessons Learned, Social Commentary, Things I Like; Things I Don't Like, Travel in Style, True Style, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

In Memory of my Dad & Dealing with Pain

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Alison @ Style Counsel

In loving memory. Kon Dimakis 15 Aug 1928 - 26 Aug 2009

1928 – 15th Aug - Dad arrived on this earth.

1954 - Dad left Greece and settled in Australia.

2009 – 15th Aug – Dad turned 81. This was also the last day I heard his voice as I played a Youtube clip of Zorba the Greek on my iPhone, holding it up close to make sure he could hear it. His words “Oh, you’re lovely” will live in my heart forever

2009 – 26th Aug – Dad left this earth as quietly and dignified as he lived his life.

2010 onwards - I will ALWAYS miss him…

A man of great style – emotional, affectionate, intelligent, loving and the most generous soul I’ve ever known. He was a true “gentle”man and the reason for any of the good in the person I am today.

Writing about my Dad as I approach the 1st anniversary of his death may well be painful as all hell for me, but it’s something I must do for me. I must acknowledge that the pain is not just going to go away even if I do manage to stay busy and distracted.  I’m a talker. I need to get things out. It’s how I’ve “dealt” all of my life. I need to give a voice to the pain of my loss and pay a small tribute  to the wonderful man who continues to guide me from heaven, what/where ever that may be.  Dad was very emotional, and wrong or right that’s also my style. Talking about pain is how I deal with it… Continue reading →

Posted in Life & Lessons Learned, True Style, Uncategorized | 11 Comments