Want to stop boring your fam, friends and colleagues with your ‘cracked record’ moans and groans about work?
Are you stuck on the killer commute to nowhere-ville?
Is your self-esteem, confidence and happiness levels at an all time low? Want to do something meaningful, purposeful or just plain fun with your working life but don’t know how?

Then Find Your Dream Job is THE go-to-book.

And if that’s not fabulous enough, author and life coach of awesomeness, Carole Ann Rice is hosting a Find Your Dream Job Career Coaching Boot Camp. It will give you the rocket fuel you need to help you soar – if you need convincing, let Carole explain…

So, what is the career coaching boot camp?
The bootcamp came on the back of my book written with sarah Wade – Find Your Dream Job – so many people are unhappy at work and looking to do something that lights their fire. I held one in January and it was a total sell-out, had to squidge people on the stairs to fit them all in, because we ran out of seats. It’s for people looking for inspiration as well as practical tips on how get out of their rut

Will I have to run an assault course?
No you don’t have to do sit-ups while a guy armed with a six pack hollers at you.  You do however have to promise to take action after the event and let us know about it!

What will I get from it?
We’ve some cool speakers -

Gwen Rhys, www.gwenrhys.com  who reveals how to build powerful relationships through Effective Networking.
 
Justin Culver, a career change specialist www.careerenergy.co.uk  who will show you precisely how to write a killer CV.
 
Sally Hindmarch, of www.partnerswithyou.co.uk uses her wit and wisdom to demonstrate the art of giving A First Class Presentation and I’m going to do a coaching session on how to overcome fear and get started on finding your dream job.

We’ve had people of all ages from 20’s up to late 50’s and it’s for anyone looking to up their game or get some rocket fuel.  It was Time Out’s recommended event of the week in January!

When - Saturday 27th March 2010
Where – Creative Venue, 20a Paddenswick Road W6 www.creative-venue.com
 
How Much – Conc £35,  £45 or £50 on the door

Book your place now contact Sarah – sarah@findyourdreamjob.co.uk  07753 612 497

I have been a big fan of the online shop Roxie Sweetheart for a while, it reminds me of my time in Hong Kong, and Michelle, the founder of the brand, came and visited me whilst I was there, to hunt for trinkets and animations to use as inspirations for her collections. Quirky and delightful, Roxie Sweetheart never fails to catch your eye!

Michelle, tell us more about yourself and what you do?
Hello! I am the creator and director of a lovely little company called Roxie Sweetheart!
Roxie Sweetheart is a dressing up box of colourful, creative and cutesy accessories with unique illustrations and quirky prints. Accessorize with pick’n'mix shapes, textures and trinkets…for the beautiful girl who wants to be noticed and create her own fairytale harajuku style! Kawaii! Roxie Sweetheart girls are also fun, creative, passionate and fashionable.

Who/what inspires you and why?
I am inspired by everything; music, art, fashion, nature and architecture.
I adore Japanese culture, art and street fashion. Harajuku girls are my idols, they are not afraid to express themselves, and looking cute does not mean being silly! They know how to layer, how to use colour and combine designers like Vivienne Westwood with Vintage and Hello Kitty!

What do you love about being a woman in the world?
Being able to choose a slice of chocolate fudge cake over a man any day… and not feel guilty about it!

Where are your five must-go destinations for inspiration, life..?
There are many places I still want to travel around the world.
Biggest must-go destinations are Japan (top of my list!), Paris, New York, Thailand and Barcelona.
I am going to visit Barcelona this year just for the stunning and intricate Gaudi architecture, it’s truly amazing!

What has been your proudest moment so far?
My proudest moment has been taking a huge risk by first moving to London a year ago, with no job and no stability I experienced some tough times, but I stuck through it in order to get nearer to reaching my goals and achieving a good career. I am still working hard but I have made some fabulous friends and contacts along the way : )

Which five tracks make Michelle’s day?
Feel-good tunes are good for motivation throughout a busy day in London…
My current top 5 are:
‘Please Mr Postman’ – The Marvelettes
‘Animal’ – Miike Snow
‘It’s Not Fair’ – Lily Allen
‘Coffee and TV’ – Blur
‘Independent Woman’ – Destiny’s Child.

What are your five must-have, can’t live without fashion and beauty items?
I am addicted to MAC make-up! One of my top five would be my two favourite MAC lipsticks (which actually stay on all day…!) ‘So Chaud’ and ‘Chatter Box’.
I also can’t live without my Max Factor Masterpiece MAX mascara, rose tinted Vaseline, Vaseline with aloe vera body lotion and my Gwen Stefani Harajuku Lover’s perfume in ‘Music’ which smells delicious!

What makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
Good friends, music and food in the sunshine

What is your life Motto?
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind… and above all, love what you do.

What is next for you creatively?
I am going to continue designing and promoting Roxie Sweetheart. I believe gaining experience and contacts within the industry is the most important thing you can do, as well as keep being creative all the time, in whichever way you can. I am always designing, making and thinking of new ideas, so keep your eyes peeled for new Roxie Sweetheart collections!

Quick fire round: What is your favourite?
Shop: Gothic Lolita, Camden
Book: “Harry Hill’s TV Burp” Book (hilarious if you have a random sense of humour)
Website/blog: Neurotica – sweet meets sinister clothing… www.thisisneurotica.co.uk
Hang-out: Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, Bethnal Green/ The Cat and Mutton, Broadway Market, London.
City: London (East-side!)
Must-have beauty item: MAC Lipsticks
TV prog: Louis Theroux ‘Weird Weekends’
Food: Parma Ham (in any form…)

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you, Michelle?
Sassy Minx is about embracing being a woman, loving yourself and what you do!

For cute accessories and jewellery visit the Roxie Sweetheart Boutique at www.roxiesweetheart.co.uk!
Also check out my blog http://roxiesweetheart.blogspot.com/

Before I published my first book, Think Pink, I prepared myself for success by ‘acting as if’.
I created a vision board that included a print out of an Amazon top 10 list with my name in the number one slot, when I met new people and they asked what I did for a living, I’d say ‘I’m a writer’, even though my book was yet to be bought by a publisher.

There’s a great quote from a fabulous book called Do Less, Achieve More in which the author, Chi-Ning Chu talks about a conversation in the 1960’s between the super successful cowboy dude, Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds who was a struggling actor at the time:

“Before the Angel of Success arrives in your life, you should devote yourself to preparing your welcome for her. Polish your craft and strengthen your body to be fit so that you can do your job and enjoy success when it comes. Sharpen your mind and spirit so they are ready to face the challenges that accompany a visitation from the Angel of Success.

If you are not ready when the angel knocks, she will flee. And who knows when she will make it back around to your door again?”

Both Burt and I know how important it is to prepare yourself so that when the Angel o’ Success comes a knocking you have a nice mug of hot chocolate and a batch of yummy scrummy cupcakes baking ready for her arrival.

I never doubted I’d be an author-girl. Now, I’m by no means the best writer in the world, but I did do everything I could to learn about the industry – I interviewed my favourite authors, I wasn’t afraid to reach out and ask for help, I learned everything there was to know about the publishing process and most importantly, which lots of wanna-be authors forget to do, I wrote. I practiced my craft every single day – in journals, writing features for magazines, passing up social dates to complete my book. I asked questions, I learned lessons, I inquired about signing books at my local book store – I got myself to a place both mentally and physically where NOT being a published author just wasn’t an option.

By raising my make-it-happen energy to a level of complete go-for-it-ness, I felt positively fearless in my pursuit. For sure I got rejected, I’ve got 42 rejection letters in a box under my bed all saying ‘thanks, but no thanks’, but when you’re prepared for success, these are just mere blips, mini diversions on your road trip to destiny.

Five years on, and I’m now a successful author with 10 published books in the Lola Love series and two brand-new exciting book projects in the pipeline. Of course I have doubts and wobbles and moments where I think ’should I just get a proper job?’ but that’s all they are, just moments and I have a career I absolutely adore all because I ‘acted as if’ and prepared for that Angel o’ Success…

Chris Guillebeau on his blogginz The Art of Nonconformity, says that among his success secrets is to ‘act as if’ too. For example, he says; even if you have a tiny blog with not many readers, act as if you have thousands of readers. Post regularly, give great care to the topics you choose to write about, and make sure that you provide lots of value in each post. You’ll probably never have a lot of readers if your attitude is the following:‘Well, this post isn’t all that great, but there’s really no use in spending lots of time to write an awesome post when I really don’t have that many readers anyway’ or ‘I’ll save my really good stuff for when I have more readers.’

You can’t wait until you’re successful and until you have a large audience to start rocking your very best work. You become successful by producing kick-ass work even when you’re teeny-tiny. This concept applies to everything, not just blogging. In order to be kick-ass, act as if you’re already kick-ass. Go on, I dare you!

Has ‘acting as if’ worked for you? I’d love to know your stories! And if you’d like to book a Sassy Session with me to help prepare you for success and kick-ass-ness contact me now!

LISA IS LOVIN’….

I’m currently having a li’l spiritual fill-up in my happy place, Glastonbury, and yesterday I did quite possibly THE best thing a girl can do to show herself some serious lovin’, I had a massage. Not just any massage, an aromatherapy massage with the ever-so-amazing Nadia at Butterfly Therapies. If you are ever in the Glasto, then you absolutely, positively have to book an appointment with her, she’s incredibly talented, she shifted some big emotional blocks in me as well as working on my writer-girl shoulders and arms – it was a total mind, body and spirit experience – in fact, I suggest you book a trip to Glasto JUST to be massaged by her, tell I sent you – I’m her new number one fan!

www.butterflytherapies.co.uk

Trueblood – Bill Compton, bite me, please? – is back on our screens here in the UK and to celebrate, Southern Comfort has created a dee-lish cocktail that promises to make the mouth of any mere mortal water.
 
The Southern Blood mixes Southern Comfort, a traditional taste of New Orleans, with the juice of half a blood orange – an established drink with a dark twist.
 
Ingredients
50ml Southern Comfort
½ blood orange
Ice

Mixing directions
Fill a glass halfway with ice and pour the Southern Comfort over. 
Squeeze the juice of half a blood orange and stir for a true taste of New Orleans, where Southern Comfort originates.
 
Why not have a True Blood gathering tonight to celebrate the long awaited the amazing series being back on our screen? Check out bigeasycocktails.co.uk for drink ideas to give you and your guests a fang-tastic time!

True Blood, Series Two is on FX on Fridays at 10pm.

I love my mumma, she’s practically perfect in every way but because I can’t be with her this M-day, I have bought her a tub of her fave Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (Phish food – isn’t that everyone’s?) and if you head over to the B&J website right now – www.benjerry.co.uk, you can customise your very own m-day tub of ice-cream lovin’ – how fabulous is that?!

AIMEE IS LOVIN’

THIS picture of Gerard Butler, dressed as a NY policeman, pressing up to an Agent Provocateur clad Jennifer Aniston in W magazine, which hits the stand on March 17th. The photo essay, shot by the amazing Steven Klein, is “where damsels aren’t always in distress and lawmen sometimes break the rules.”
In a tongue in cheek fashion, I am asking the question “Why are American men’s uniforms so much better than British ones?”, and not “Why has Gerard Butler never read me my rights?”.

This weekend is not just mothers day, it is also the male version of Valentines Day, where steak and, uhm, dinner is served. Along with Lisa’s ‘Southern Blood’ cocktail, I’ll be serving the boy a nice bit of juicy sirloin in a Cupcake/Agent Provocateur combination. I recommend Gordon Ramseay’s version, it won’t let you down.

To cook the steak: place one large or two smaller non-stick frying pans over a high heat and leave until smoking hot.

You will need;
Two Sirloin steaks
Groundnut Oil
Salt N Pepper
Butter

1.) Place the steaks onto a large chopping board and if one needs to be cooked well done, roll it flatter with a rolling pin so that all the steaks can all go into the frying pan at the same time. Season the steaks on both sides with salt and black pepper and once the frying pans have reached temperature, add approximately two tablespoons of groundnut oil.

4.) Serve up!!

See the rest of the recipe idea or see how its done for real at: here

My mum might slap me, but as well as lovely flowers, chocolates and Sunday Lunch, I will be giving her a book called “Shmirshky” which is a witty take on one woman’s Menopause. Like a grown up version of “Are you there God, its me, Margaret” combined with “Womens Health”, it documents the feelings and symptoms of a lady called E as she goes through her menopause. Which doesn’t sound very fun, admittedly, but with dashings of humour and things that we can all and, will, relate to as women, its a nifty guide that might help my mum on one of those days. Which is why I’ll give it to her on one of the best days, because I know it will make her laugh, if only for the sentiment.

Whats more, the lovely people at Shmirshky, are offering our readers a 20% off discount on the book. Just enter in SASSYMINX at the checkout!

What are YOU lovin’ this Friday – share your lists o’ love with us!

If I’m honest, the only thing that could make me happier than a filled-to-the-brim bubble bath and a bar of Galaxy chocolate is sweet, sweet smelling prods from Jo Malone.

OHMYSTARS – I’m head over Westwood heels in heart with the new Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise fragrance – if you haven’t had the V&A nosebud experience yet, you HAVE to go find a beauty counter, pronto.

Inspired by the floral landscape of Madagascar, capturing the fleeting moment that the rare vanilla orchid blossoms. The cream and white flowers found on the vanilla vine are a precious discovery: only one or two appear in the morning and seemingly vanish by late afternoon.

Here’s the science bit: Vanilla & Anise blends notes of bergamot, neroli and star anise to create a touch of spice sparkling above transparent layers of delicate vanilla orchid and frangipani. The warmth of vetiver, white amber and the subtlest hint of clove complete this unexpected, modern story of vanilla.

Now, while all that sounds completely fabulous, all I know is that it smells deliciously dee-vine.
Fact.
Boykind will literally be walking into lamp posts because they’re too busy looking for the girl that is smelling so incredible when you’re wearing it. It’s decadent with a hint o’ spice and I simply can’t get enough of it…mmmmmm.

To enhance your fragrance ritual, in addition to the yummy-scrummy cologne – 30 ml, £32.00, choose from the new bath oil – 250 ml £38.00, body crème – 175 ml RRP £44.00 and home candle – 200g, £38.00.

So, it’s not smell o’ internet, but take my word for it, you WILL want to buy everything on this site: www.jomalone.co.uk  

I first introduced the fabulous Vanessa Fristedt here to you via one of her fabulous necklaces. Just like her design pieces, Vanessa is inspiring and unique – come meet her!

Read the rest of this entry »

Miss Lisa and I are all for a cardigan or a hoodie over a dress, and frankly, you can’t get more rock ‘n’ roll right now, than Siren . Especially when their new collection is modelled by one of the coolest models in the land right now, Ben Grimes. With a hint of tattoo, a dash of embellishment and lashings of lace and leather mixed with unicorns, ruffles, skulls and leopard print, its a grown-up girl dream.

One of my personal favourites is the Chanelesque navy blue cardigan with the heart and butterfly embellishment-It is simply adorbz!

To help celebrate the new collection, Siren have invited all Sassy Minxes to their store with an exclusive discount code: SIRENSASSY which means you get 10% all of their wares until the 18th March. What’s not to love about that?!

So I know that here at SM, Miss Aimee and I celebrate kick-ass women EVERY single day – damn it, Miss Aimz is probably the most kick-ass woman I know, but today, March 8th everyone world wide, is giving fellow girl-kind big, big love – hurrah!

Firstly, I want to give big props to Oscar winning girls Sandra Bullock – j’adore, Kathryn Bigelow director of The Hurt Locker and super-inspir-o Mo-nique – check out her acceptance speech, freakin’ love this woman.

I’ve posted this poem before, but I never get tired of reading it and it should absolutely be read and re-read on days like today… It’s Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou who I love x 10000.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Actually, while I’m sharing the love for Maya Angelou, check out the gorgeous women herself reading And So I Rise. It gives me goosbumples…

Minxes, happy International Women’s Day – what members of girl-kind do YOU want to share the love for?

As a diva o’ destiny, I thought I’d give you marvelous minxes the heads up on what’s comin’ up in the next couple o’ weeks…

Has life been a li’l sucky and lack-lustre lately? blame that pesky Mars for being retrograde – grr. The good news is that on the 10th of March, he’s switching it up and finally going forward – hurrah! – which will have us all screaming ‘Why hello passion and drive, welcome back!’

Read the rest of this entry »

THIS WEEK AIMEE IS LOVIN’…

“A lipstick is a symbol of strength and inner confidence. Cyndi and I want to help inspire our fans to be confident in the bedroom and during the condom negotiation, so women will be strong enough and secure enough to say, ‘I have safe sex or no sex at all’.” “Right now, women are at the highest rate of infection; and Cyndi and I represent two demographics, aged 17-24 and 39-60, which are particularly affected,”
- Lady Gaga.

I am Gaga about the Gaga and I am Gaga about MAC make-up too so I am loving that they have both hooked up with Queen Cyndi of the Lauper for Viva Glam, MAC’s Aids and HIV fund, which has so far raised 16 million for charity. Girls just wanna have fun in the safest possible way and I can’t wait to try the disco lipsticks which range from deep red to shocking pink.

From one dose of pink to the next, I am shamefully a little bit in love with this Pauls Boutique Barbie Bag. Pink embossed leather, a gold Barbie logo and a zebra-print inside, it was always gonna happen. I’ve never wanted to look like Barbie but I have always digged her wardrobe, and I’d quite like this number on my arm!

I’ve been feeling a little bit anxious this week, so to try and calm myself I’ve been thinking of my happy places – like Paris magic with Ms L, and Ibiza with my friends-and catching a glimpse of my favourite pictures such as this one by Doisneau, really makes me smile inside, and remember there is beauty and joy in the simplest things.

THIS WEEK LISA IS LOVIN’…

This Too Shall Pass is the best advice I’ve EVER been given, my nanna was a wise, wise lady and I’ve lost count of the amount of times it’s got me through some sticky and icky situations. Not only is it one of my all time favourite mantras, it’s also the title of OK GO’s new single. Check out this video – AMAZING. I met OK GO once at Edinbro airport, they were a little dirty and unwashed. Just the way I like ‘em.

Ohh, I’m so excited – I love nothing more than a little red carpet razzle-dazzle glam, and this weekend is the biggest red carpet event of them all – the Oscars. Now, for some crazy reason my invitation seems to have got lost in the post, but I WILL be watching it from home and I WILL be making sure I’m suitably attired with a sleek ‘do and wearing a lacquer of Rimmel 60 second nail colour in Portabello Pink – it’ll clash perfectly with my red rug in the lounge – now, where’s my leading man?

This week has been pretty awesome for me – I went to Parliament, yep that swanky place where all the big decisions are made, to discuss the need to make PSHE and body image classes in schools compulsory. I’ve never really been a politics kinda girl, ’til now that is. I have never felt so enthused and passionate about something in my entire life – I’ll write more about it next week, but ’til then, you absolutely, positively HAVE to read this blog post written by my gorgeous gal-pal Diane, I am so proud that she’s my friend. Read it, it’s AMAZING.

Ohhh, I’m sneaking in an extra love this week, because, well…just because I can.

I HAVE to tell you all to run, not walk to your local cinema and go see A Single Man. The most exquisitely beautiful film I have EVER seen. It’s quite clear this movie was made by a Virgo fashion-designing male because the attention to detail is quite, quite stunning. I cannot recommend this movie enough. Blown away. Want to see it again. Now.

Think happy thoughts and have a lovely weekend, minxes x

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