Showing posts with label women. Show all posts

Personal Improvements and Confidence: Elevate Your Life

Confidence and self-improvement go hand in hand, influencing how we feel about ourselves and how we present ourselves to the world. Making small but impactful changes to our daily routine, personal style, and mindset can dramatically improve self-esteem and overall well-being. 

confident woman

Whether it's finding the perfect Miss Dior dupe to enhance your signature scent or wearing a meaningful Crown of Thorns ring as a symbol of faith and strength, the right choices can make all the difference. In this article, we explore ways to boost confidence through personal improvements.

The Power of Scent: Finding Your Signature Perfume


A well-chosen fragrance can leave a lasting impression and elevate your self-confidence. However, designer perfumes often come with a hefty price tag. Thankfully, a Miss Dior dupe allows you to enjoy the same luxurious scent profile without breaking the bank.

Fragrances have a direct impact on mood and confidence. A floral, fresh, or musky scent can make you feel more put together, powerful, or even romantic. Choosing a high-quality dupe ensures you get the same experience as wearing a designer perfume, helping you feel elegant and self-assured every day.

Jewellery and Personal Identity: The Meaning Behind Accessories


Jewellery is more than just decoration; it can be deeply personal and symbolic. A Crown of Thorns ring, for example, is not just a striking piece but a representation of resilience, faith, and inner strength. Wearing meaningful jewellery can serve as a reminder of your values, boosting confidence and reinforcing your sense of identity.

Whether it’s a ring, necklace, or bracelet, choosing accessories that resonate with you can enhance your personal style and self-expression. The right piece of jewellery can provide comfort, empowerment, and a sense of purpose.

Dressing for Confidence: How Fashion Affects Mindset


The way you dress has a profound effect on how you feel. When you wear clothes that fit well, complement your features, and align with your personal style, you naturally feel more confident.

  • Power Dressing: Wearing structured blazers, fitted trousers, or elegant dresses can create a professional and authoritative appearance.
  • Casual Chic: A well-thought-out casual look can still exude confidence, whether it’s a crisp white shirt, tailored jeans, or stylish trainers.
  • Accessorising with Purpose: Small details like a statement watch, a bold ring, or a quality handbag can transform an outfit and elevate your overall confidence.

Investing in your wardrobe doesn’t have to mean spending excessively. Learning to mix and match pieces, shopping smartly, and incorporating timeless staples can make a significant difference in how you present yourself.

Mindset Shifts for Lasting Confidence


While physical appearance plays a role in confidence, a strong mindset is the key to long-term self-assurance. Here are some ways to improve mental resilience:

1. Positive Self-Talk

What you tell yourself daily matters. Replace self-doubt with affirmations like:"I am capable and strong."
"I deserve success and happiness."
"I am confident in my abilities."

2. Setting Achievable Goals

Confidence grows when you set and accomplish goals, no matter how small. Whether it's improving fitness, learning a new skill, or advancing in your career, achieving milestones builds self-belief.

3. Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Taking risks and challenging yourself fosters growth and resilience. Whether it’s public speaking, socialising more, or trying a new hobby, pushing your limits can significantly boost confidence over time.

Self-Care and Well-Being: The Foundation of Confidence


Looking after yourself physically and mentally is fundamental to feeling your best. Some essential self-care habits include:
  • Regular Exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins, which naturally boost mood and confidence.
  • Proper Skincare and Grooming: A simple skincare routine and proper grooming habits can make you feel refreshed and put together.
  • Healthy Eating: A balanced diet enhances energy levels and improves overall well-being, making you feel more confident in your body.
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Funding For Business - What Women Need To Know

If you are a woman and have a great business idea you may be excited about starting your business, but where do you start in raising investment?  

 As a woman looking to fund a start-up or put money into an existing business, finding ways to raise funds can be a little bit harder. Some still think it's a man's world and many women also have the challenges of juggling family life, caring for children and perhaps elderly parents with running a business. We are often time and maybe cash-poor but have the business ideas and just want to put them into reality. 

 So let's have a look at some of the main ways to fund a business and what women need to know to get a cash injection. 

Grants

If you live in the UK, there are a number of grants available, let's have a look a some of them.

 If you are under the age of 30 the Prince's Trust could help you with funding a start-up. Their enterprise programme has helped over 86,000 young people start their own business. If you are unemployed the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme can help you access over £2000 worth of support. If you are a woman in the technology sector there are a couple of female-specific awards available such as the Women Startup Challenge Europe and from the Anita Borg Institute For Women. In fact, there are many grants that are locality or sector-specific and I would suggest you look at the sector you are in and the locality to search for options for these.

Loans


There are a number of small business loans for women available. Small business loans are particularly useful if you can't access grants or other funding. 

Loans can be particularly useful if you need to raise the cash urgently. Loans are available from banks and other financial institutions but also from the government. Some banks may have special provisions for women business owners so it's worth asking about this, or if you are a minority and a business owner, then you could be eligible for minority business loans. These can be beneficial in terms of economic empowerment and community development. There also are specific start-up loans available, so if you are a start-up look into this and do your research. When applying for a business loan, be sure to have a concise and clear business plan, detailing your potential outgoings and potential incomings. If you have an existing business show your financial records. Show how you can pay the loan back and you should be in with a good chance of accessing a loan.

Angel investing


An angel investor will invest in a business with their own money, which they see as potentially profitable and in turn, take shares in the business. 

 An advantage of an investor like this is that they often share their business knowledge, help and acumen. They will often give you input to help their investment grow.  They may invest alone or as part of a bigger group. It is estimated that angel investors in the UK invest over 1.5 billion per annum and there are over 18,000 angel investors in the UK. To find an angel investor check out the UK Angel Business Association. Some investors may look for women in particular so check out who they invest in. 

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding to raise money for a business is usually done through an online platform. You ask people for small amounts of money, either for a donation or for something in return like a product you sell or shares in the business.

 Crowdfunding is a new way of finding investment for your business idea.  If you are crowdfunding there are different types. People invest in crowdfunding for various reasons including for a return in their investment because they believe in the project or cause. You are more likely to get crowdfunding if you have an engaged audience or community behind you. 

 Friends and family

Another way in which businesses can raise funding is through friends and family.

 Asking friends and family for a loan though is not without its risks. Be sure you have some form of documentation showing how much was lent, any interest and terms to avoid complications later. Ensure you treat them like any other lender and do not take them for granted or it could affect your relationship. 

 So as you can see from loans to angel investments there are a lot of ways in which you can raise money for a business. There are also some ways of financing your business aimed at women and it's worth seeking them out.

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Women's Expedition Jacket Review By Scruffs

Have you heard of Scruffs? Scruffs is a British company that are known for their amazing waterproof coats, sturdy footwear and hardy workwear.  From safety boots and hiker boots to high-tech water and windproof coats, it's the perfect website for those that work outdoors or for outdoor lovers everywhere.
Women's Expedition Jacket from Scruffs £54.95

 I've been looking for a super functional, warm and waterproof coat for a while, so when Scruffs offered to send me one to review I was keen to try it on.  

 The women's 'Expedition Jacket' in graphite, is packed full of cool features. Firstly it is made of a soft and breathable 3M Thinsulate padding, which means it's thin and light but still cosy and warm. 

 The coat is designed in panels that mean flexibility without bulk and the stretch panels under the arms help with ease of movement, great if you love walking or hiking. You certainly won't feel like the Michelin man in this coat as the bulk isn't there!

 The inner section zips right up to the top to stop cold and wind getting in and the hood had a detachable faux fur collar - a fashion addition but if you don't like it, it is easy to remove.
I also love the graphite colour of the jacket, this dark grey goes with most things and the teal edging adds a little colour. It's super functional too with two zipped pockets for your hands, a chest pocket and one pocket on the inside of the coat, for when you want to keep things extra secure. If you want to keep some money with you when you are out on your walk pop it in the inside pocket.

 If you want a warm cosy jacket for the Winter weather then I can highly recommend this jacket. The Scruffs women's clothes section is small but perfectly formed. They do, however, excel in their hard working menswear, so if you do have a partner or son that work outdoors, or are manual workers, you need to check out the site. They say their clothes make it easy for trades people to look good when grafting hard and I think they are spot on!

 Recommended.

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Inspiring Women With Georg Jensen #IamNeverTooMuch

There are many inspiring women in the world. Women who are politicians, humanitarians, businesswomen, campaigners, and writers. Women who are leaders in their careers, and who strive to cut a different path in their area of expertise to come out on top.

These women are smart, they are driven, they are authentic to themselves and others. They make their own success in a still male dominated world. They are feminists and they are leaders. They may have had many struggles but they have come out on top.

Malala Yousafzai  Pakistani activist for female education - copyright Southbank Centre, Flickr CC license

Women like Malala Yousafzai. This young Pakistani activist for female education was the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. Her family has a background in education, running a number of schools. As a young girl, she defied the Taliban in Pakistan and demanded that girls be allowed to receive an education. In return, she was targeted by the Taliban and shockingly shot in the head by a gunman in 2012 when she was just 15. Two other of her classmates were also injured. Luckily she and her classmates survived.

Today she continues to be an active advocate for girls education worldwide. A fund set up in her name helps children in education around the world, and she went on to receive the Noble Peace Prize, the first Pakistani ever. An outstanding inspiring young woman you must agree.


Jessica Ennis-Hill - world champion triathlete - copyright Al King, Flickr CC license 

Women like Jessica Ennis-Hill, MBE. This quietly spoken unassuming British triathlete is an amazing role model to women everywhere. The World championship record holder and gold medal winner from the 2012 Olympics, always has a smile on her face and after having a baby, went on to win a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics. Besides her athletic achievements in 2014, the star bravely spoke out when her local football club, Sheffield United, was considering re-hiring convicted rapist Ched Evans on his release from prison. She didn't have to do that but she stood up for what was right and declared it the public eye, even after threats of rape online because of her stance. What an inspiring woman and mother.

Jessica says "I'm proud of the way I've dealt with setbacks. It's hard when you feel down and you think, 'Why is the world doing this to me?' But you have to pick yourself up again."
Jennifer Lawrence - outspoken Hollywood star, copyright Gage Skidmore, Flickr CC license 

Although she is a Hollywood star, Jennifer Lawrence is a real inspiration to women. She's sassy, she's down to earth, she's funny and she speaks her mind, which is refreshing in such a fake industry. She's also an advocate for equal pay for women in Hollywood. When she was paid less than her male counterparts in American Hustle considering she is a bankable star with a billion dollar Hunger Games franchise, she spoke out about it, and rightly so.

She also loves her food and tries not to conform to the Hollywood pressure on women to be skinny. One of my favourite quotes of Jen's is "‘I think that people are built the way that they’re built. There’s that Kate Moss quote that’s like “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” and I can name a lot of things that taste better than skinny feels: bread, potatoes… a Philly cheesesteak and fries.’ Although she is a Hollywood star she is relatable and strong and that is what makes her inspiring.

Behnaz Shafieli, motocross rider - one of George Jensen's inspiring women

There are actually too many amazing women in the world to mention in this post, Angelina Jolie (actor, breast cancer campaigner, humanitarian), Katie Piper (model, campaigner for facial disfigurement) JK Rowling (single mother, inspiring author) are but a few more. These are famous, inspiring women. Women who never compromised their personalities. Women like the women, Georg Jensen, the jewellery and silverware brand, use in their new campaign. The difference with the Georg Jensen campaign is that they use inspiring real-life women, that are strong role models, but that you may have never have heard of. The heart of the campaign You Can Never Be Too Much You is that women can never be "too much" of anything. You will always be too much of something to someone, but if you round your edges you loose your edge. The message is, keep being exactly who you are. The campaign transcends ideals about beauty and focuses on personality first and must be truly applauded for that.

Women featured include Dominique Crenn, Behnaz Shafieli and Suzanne Bier.

Dominique Crenn, one of George Jensen's inspiring women

Dominique Crenn is the first female chef in the U.S. to earn two Michelin stars. and in June this year, she was awarded the title ''Best female chef'' at the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Award. A culinary achievement I think you will agree.  Another of Georg Jensen's inspiring women is Behnaz Shafieli, an Iranian professional motocross rider. This is even more of a challenge in Iran, as she comes from a country where women are banned from driving motorcycles on the road. The last of Georg Jensen's inspiring women I am going to mention is Suzanne Bier, a female Academy Award-winning director making it in an industry that is totally male dominated. When you consider research undertaken in 2015 by the Centre For Study Of Women In Television and Film, called ''Celluloid Ceiling'', found that only 9% of directors are female, then that is a surely a considerable achievement. 

 To find out more and check out the other inspiring women, search for the campaign #IamNeverTooMuch on social media and check out the video below.

Tell me your inspiring women. Who are your role models, who do you admire and why?
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10 Travel Safety Tips For Women

Travelling to different places around the World is so exciting. At the same time, most women worry about safety, even seasoned travellers. Yet it is absolutely safe for a woman to travel wherever she wants if she makes sure to adhere to a few safety tips. 

Here are 10 travel safety tips to ensure that women make the best out of every adventure, and I hope this is especially useful if you are on a solo trip.




Image copyright Antonio Guillem Shutterstock


1. Keep your valuables on you
Do not take anything that is too valuable or expensive and you cannot afford to lose. Leave the expensive jewellery and family momentos at home. As for the other things like your phone, laptop, and camera, take a day bag that you can carry on you at all times and never leave it out of your sight, or place in a secure safe in your hotel.

2. Take only what you need
When you are out exploring, take only the essentials with you. You do not have to carry stuff like your credit cards, all your cash, and your passport with you at all times. You can leave them locked up safe, and just carry an essential amount of cash. Just take what you need that day.

3. Control drinking
Make sure you do not drink too much. It is essential to drink sensibly and to never accept drinks from strangers.

4. Spend money to stay safe
Make sure you stay in a reputable place that is safe, even if it is costly. Remember, safety is of utmost importance. I would chose a hotel over a motel anyway as most motel rooms can be accessed from outside the building whilst most hotel rooms can only be accessed from inside the building and through a secure reception area.

5. Get travel insurance
Travel insurance is necessary to help you out even in the worst situations. Make sure you get comprehensive travel insurance to cover all eventualities such as losing buggage, accidents, natural disasters, and robbery, to give you peace of mind.

6. Check in regularly
Keep in touch with at least one family member regularly. Give a copy of your itinerary so that they know where to reach you and keep up-to-date with them on Skype, Facetime or by phone/email.

7. Keep a copy of your documents online and some secret cash
Even if the worst happens, make sure you have a copy of your documents online, and some secret cash stashed away in your luggage to help you out. Consider taking an amount of travellers cheques that can be replaced when lost or stolen or a prepaid card.

8. Blend in
Try not to look like a tourist especially in areas off the beaten track. Try to blend in to the place you are in and act as a local so others do not take advantage of you.

9. Don’t trust easily
Keep your watch and do not trust anyone too quickly. Stay on your guard and keep your wits about you. If someone knocks on your room unannounced ring reception to check who they are. Beware local scammers, on the streets that use distraction techniques. In Paris a group tried to persuade me that I lost a gold ring. I knew it wasn't mine. I then saw them try it on with someone else.

10. Make use of thorough research
Read up on your destination before you get there. This will help you get around, and blend in. Be sure to read about any unsafe areas and orientate yourself on a map so you don't go there by mistake.

I hope these travel tips have helped you stay safe with your travels. Have a great journey. Bon Voyage!
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