Diva Days live

The site for the alternative diva - a diva in jeans, not stilettos.

Some people are like Slinkies: not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

My blog is a mix of promo, info and general fun. I don't want them to be just a billboard because who would come back to read them?

This is the site for the alternative diva. We live in our jeans but we can be glam when we want to. We love to work but we also love to play.

Friday Funny 3

It is Friday already, and this week has gone so quickly!

Congratulations to Pinkapple again for her winning comment on last weeks Friday Funny. We might have to rake up a prize for you at this rate, Chris!

Here is this weeks Friday Funny.


Can you think of the perfect caption for this image? You have one week to submit them and you can submit as many as you like. All you have to do is to post your caption as a comment on this post.

Good luck.

Spotted - a 'you-beaut' sale

If you are looking for some wonderful gifts then head on over to Tonic Gifts. It is end of year sale time. "For 3 days only until midnight on Friday 27 June, Tonic Gifts is offering 20% off all stock including beauty and bath products, gourmet gifts, books, toys, children's clothing, stationery and much more."

 

Visit the Tonic Gifts Blog, too, for some product reviews. It will make your shopping easier. The blog is full of tips and information, so it is a great read whether or not you want to shop.

Life Insurance

Life insurance is an essential investment for all responsible adults. With an adequate life insurance policy, individuals can rest assured that heir family will be taken care of, their assests will be managed in a responsible matter, and one's estate will be taken care of.
For those considering life insurance in Australia, the internet is an invaluable resource. It enables consumers to compare life insurance and determine which is the best to suit their needs and provide their spouse with adequate coverage. It is easy to compare life insurance on the internet without evefry having to leave the house. Several factors may be taken into consideration when purchasing life insurance Australia. An individual's gender, age, health status, and if that person has ever smoked may effect the price of life insurance policy.
When a person chooses life insurance, they are choosing to give their loved ones peace of mind and the event that something tragic should occur. Burial costs which are quite considerable will be covered. Debts can be paid and a family can be cared for as a result of an adequate insurance policy. Breathe easy today, compare life insurance policies, and provide family with enough insurance coverage today.

Top 5 Image Boosters (for those difficult mornings)

Some days it is an effort just to get out of bed. How hard is it to find something to wear and make yourself look presentable on that sort of morning?

Here are my Top 5 Image Boosters for really hard mornings.

1. Decent Underwear.
There are two reasons for this. Firstly, nothing makes you feel better like wearing your gorgeous lingerie. It almost sends subliminal messages of confidence to the brain. On a day when you need a boost, lingerie can give it to you.

Secondly, well fitting lingerie, especially your bra, can take years off your appearance. Nothing makes you look older or more rounded than a chest that sits on your belly. It is definitely worth being professionally fitted for a good bra.

2. Bronzer.
My skin is naturally pale but some days it can look washed out. A light dusting of bronzer is enough to give me some instant health. If your skin is fair keep the bronzer light in colour. You don't need a lot to make a difference, but you can dust it across your face and neckline to add colour. If you are scared of the thought of a bronzer at least use a little blush on your cheeks.

3. Lipstick.
I have to admit that lipstick is a lifesaver. It adds colour to your look and gives a finished look to your appearance.

4. Favourite Outfit.
When the morning is this hard, you will feel best in your favourite outfit. Sometimes a new outfit can energise you, but it can also be a bit of hard work sorting accessories to match. Stick with the familiar. It has proven itself, you look good in it and you know exactly what to team it with.

5. Jewellery.
Jewellery has many uses other than decorative. It finishes your look. Careful placement can attract the eye to your best features. On a bad day, it can distract the eye from your tired features too. Don't go overboard with it, but select a piece with definite style and impact.

6. Perfume.
OK, I cheated. I just can't go anywhere without perfume...... A quick dab boosts me straight away. In fact, if I can find a perfume to suit my pj's I might skip the first 5 steps altogether!

Now get up and get going!

Small Business, Big Opportunity

I have found a great little book for those of us trying to build a business in Australia. It is called Small Business, Big Opportunity and it is free! Sensis has teamed up with best-selling author Rob Hartnett to produce the Guide.

It is a really comprehensive guide covering start ups through to business building.

The chapters are:
Chapter 1: Small Business in Australia
Chapter 2: The entrepreneurial
Chapter 3: Marketing to drive
Chapter 4: Marketing
Chapter 5: How image and brand drive
Chapter 6: Developing your unique buying
Chapter 7: Finding more of the right customers
Chapter 8: Turning browsers into buyers
Chapter 9: Winning the customer's heart
Chapter 10: Creating advertising that sells
Chapter 11: Making your message seen
Chapter 12: Local area marketing
Chapter 13: Direct marketing
Chapter 14: Driving results with directory advertising
Chapter 15: Virtual profits - an overview of digital marketing
Chapter 16: Search engine marketing
Chapter 17: Broadcast media
Chapter 18: Print media
Chapter 19: Outdoor advertising
Chapter 20: Public relations
Chapter 21: The road ahead

You can download the chapter that is relevant to you or download the whole book. You can even order a printed version to keep, and it is all free.

This is a wonderful book so grab a copy or download it now.

Another Diva Recipe

Not all of us can be great cooks, but we can strut with authority around the kitchen (even in stilettos) if we are handy with a can opener. This is a great recipe to have on standby when you need to produce a fast and impressive meal.




Creamy Chicken with Pasta and Asparagus.
Serves 6


INGREDIENTS:
225 g uncooked penne
1 can asparagus spears
1 tspn margarine (optional)
250 g skinless, boneless chicken strips
40 g chopped onions
2/3 can condensed cream of chicken soup
80 ml milk
80 ml white wine (or water if preferred)
40 g cream cheese, softened and chopped up
40 g grated Parmesan cheese


DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place penne in the pot, and cook until spaghetti is al dente. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl.

Melt the margarine in a pan (or spray pan with oil) over medium heat, and cook the chicken and onion 5 minutes until the onions are softened

In a bowl, whisk together the soup, wine, milk, and cream cheese until smooth. Add to the pan with the chicken and onion, and bring to the boil. Simmer 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

Add in the asparagus spears and penne and stir gently to mix. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Serve in a large bowl with crusty bread.

I need a massage.

Recently on Diva Days we ran a poll on what you would do with your free time if you had any. The overall winner by a clear majority was “Have a massage”. What a great choice that is. Not only does it relax you, but it has other benefits too.

Massage has probably been around as long as human have. What mother hasn’t instinctively rubbed the back of her baby or child to help soothe it? There is written evidence dating from 5000 years ago that massage was used in ancient China, and later in India and Egypt. In the early 19th century Per Henrik Ling developed the system of massage that we are familiar with today, often called Swedish massage.

Massage has physical and psychological benefits and is something that we should experience regularly. Massage stimulates circulation and boosts the immune system. It aids in digestion and can ease respiratory complaints. It helps to flush toxins out of our systems, and above all it relieves tired and stressed muscles. Reflexology, reiki and shiatsu are different forms of massage but all rely on the power of touch. Massage for relaxation should be gentle and soothing, and conducted in a soft and serene environment. It is a technique that should be used with care as the hands become instruments of healing.

Today we live our lives at such a hectic pace that our bodies carry the stresses of the mind every day. Depression, heart attacks, back pain and general bodily pain or stiffness are common throughout society. Our minds never stop working as we rush through the days. Massage can soothe the mind and ease bodily tension which, in turn, will help to stop the onset of physical and nervous diseases. It is a preventative tool as much as a treatment and is something that we really should schedule into our week. Yes, I said schedule. If you don’t mark it in you won’t make the time for it in your busy day.

Prevention is better than a cure, particularly in this case. Why wait for ‘if we have the time’? Perhaps a better question would be ‘Why don’t you make the time?”

When Opportunity Knocks

They say that opportunity knocks but in reality it can hurl itself at you or, sometimes, slink in the back door. It can be really difficult to be ready for opportunity when you don't know where it will come from.

Some things that you can do:
Keep your eyes open - and by that I mean really be alert. If you look for opportunities you will see them.
Update yourself - Keep your skills, knowledge and yourself up to date. If you are lagging a year or two behind you may not be able to use the opportunity when it arrives.

Change your habits or your processes. Sometimes this might even create an opportunity!
Keep your resume and personal documentation up to date and ready to present in an instant.
Maintain your health. You can't reach very high if you are bedridden.
Exercise your thinking. You may need to be creative to see how to use the opportunity.
Practice positivity - don't let the possible pitfalls blind you to the bonuses.
Many of us are just too scared to try new things in case we fail. Others just jump blindly into the deep end. Personally, I would rather take the risk and try out the opportunity than miss out altogether.
The opportunity presented to myself as well - we bought a house! Very nice location and a bargain! Pity we have to pay over $20k in stamp duty to the government (source: http://stampduty.calculatorsaustralia.com.au/). But overall very happy with the property we bought :))

Are you a secret blogger?

Well don't keep it secret any longer. Come and join the Blog Whammy.

What is a whammy? It is a way of boosting traffic to member blogs and have a lot of fun in the process. Oz-e-wahm Blog Whammy was started by Kylie from Aussie WAHM blog. She want to help build the blog impact for work at home mums. Her idea is that the whammy will increase the traffic, comments and links to your blog which will help to increase your blogs popularity.

At the moment there are 10 blogs that participate regularly but we would love some more to be involved. If you are a wahm and have a blog that you would like to promote then come over and visit us at Blog Whammy.