The Secret Influence of Cosmo

Blogger and yummy mummy Latorsha shares her secret affair with Cosmo magazine in this guest post...

Latorsha is the blogger of Life is Hard, Laugh Anyway, a place where she tries to remain optimistic by any means necessary, mostly laughter. She especially loves connecting with new people. On Twitter you can follow her at @AnOptimisticMom or contact her at AnOptimisticMom@gmail.com

Cosmo isn’t just for the singles...

Let me tell you Cosmopolitan isn’t just for singles. I’ve been married for nine years and a couple of years ago I became obsessed, I mean interested, in Cosmo magazine. It became so that I would find myself stalking the magazine aisle for the newest issue.

Secretly, I didn’t want anyone to know I was reading this magazine. You’ve seen their feature articles talking about topics related to sex, naughty tricks, and secret hot spots.

Yes, I am a married woman, but somehow the articles seemed to help me spice up my own bedroom. I know you think married women know exactly what to do, but I confess sometimes you gotta change it up!

Some of the headings that I took interest in over the summer are below.

July 2011 issue: The Sexy Confidence Men Can’t Resist

Sometimes we get caught up in routine and stop displaying the things that made us attractive, such as our confidence. We get so settled and content. Showing confidence not only makes a woman feel irresistible to her man, but for me, I feel more sexy and desirable. So essentially it leads to double the pleasure.

August 2011 issue: His 6 Secret Sex Spots

Who doesn’t love getting the scoop? Why guess when you can get the information from men who know what they like? Sure, I know you probably are thinking I should just ask my husband. Well, sure I can do that and I have done that, however that leaves little surprise impact, don’t you think? Kind of like wrapping your own Christmas presents.

September 2011 issue: Guys Answer Your Sexiest Sex Questions

This article brings it all together with a question and answer session. Absolutely love it! Many times women have the same questions, so you already know you are getting the good stuff you’ve been wondering about.

What a great way to secretly gather information, right?

My husband has even made comments about how the magazine has me a little more…..well, ummm……. Just pick up a copy and see for yourself. I have already said too much.

Just know Cosmo isn’t just for singles.

I feel like Latorsha every time I pick up any of the celebrity gossip magazines like FAMOUS -- it's a guilty pleasure. Do you have a secret or not-so-secret relationship with a glossy? Do tell...

Luxe Blog: Batty's Bath

All craft and beauty bloggers take note -- this is the way to run your online business and blog!

Firstly, I'd like to say that the girl behind the blog, Canadian soap maker, Jamie, is truly a class act. I first encountered Batty's Bath around the blogosphere (on a blog hop, I think?) and became a fan of the Facebook page. Suddenly, I noticed posts about the yummiest beauty products appearing on my feed and eventually, I couldn't take it any more and succumbed to temptation by putting in an order.

I've always preferred my beauty products to contain natural ingredients and smells. Anything fruity, or chocolatey/creamy appeals to me much more than a synthetic "fragrance no. 486". I guess my love of food carries over to my makeup bag and bathroom sink preferences! I also try to buy products that are not tested on animals and are kind to the environment.

Batty's Bath products fit the bill on both counts. Jamie's range includes a line of vegan products and all are eco-friendly and cruelty-free. Aside from that, they sound so darn delicious. I ordered strawberry shampoo, a marshmallow bath bomb and deodorants in buttercream icing and cotton candy. Much better than the usual environmentally-friendly deodorant scents of tea tree oil and eucalyptus on Aussie shelves!

I was thrilled with my order and eager for my precious products to arrive. Unfortunately, there was a mix-up and I was sent the wrong products, then my order was re-sent and didn't arrive. These things happen. Jamie was fantastic throughout the whole situation, quickly responding to my emails and refunding my money. Even when my order was eventually delivered after the refund, Jamie was happy for me to keep the money for my trouble. I know from my work at Consumer Affairs that retailers who excel at customer service like this are worth their weight in gold. I'd happily buy Batty's Bath again knowing Jamie will always look after me no matter what.

And the products? Well, let's just say my armpits are now cupcake-scented, I have Strawberry Shortcake's hair and my lips taste like blueberries thanks to a lip balm freebie. I've satisfied my dessert cravings using beauty products instead of food. The perfect diet plan! Now, on to the web site...

Batty's Bath definitely has a great online presence. It has a gorgeous web site and blog, vibrant Facebook page with 2,837 fans and an impressive 6,446 followers on Twitter (@battysbath). Plus, there's the well-stocked Etsy store.

The blog has a stunning banner which echoes the retro look of the products' labels and packaging. It makes you feel ladylike and luxe just looking at it. Jamie also gives you plenty of personal insight into herself and how she runs her business in her posts, taking you to her stalls at craft shows, showing you the makeover of her workspace, sharing beauty and health tutorials, her inspiration boards, and much more. There's a healthy mixture of photo posts, recipes, videos and lists of "What's New @ Batty's Bath" to keep you updated on sales and new features on the site (I'm thinking I may have to nick this idea for Becks and the City -- it's brilliant!).

There's also ample insight into how she makes her soaps and other items, along with her beauty philosophy. Whether you're an avid fan of Batty's Bath products, seeking natural beauty how-tos, sourcing inspiration or looking for advice on selling your wares on Etsy, the blog is sure to have what you're after. An uncluttered, but substantial sidebar completes the blog's focus on being helpful to visitors (think free downloads, a blog archive, a list of popular posts, profile of Jamie and links to Etsy and Facebook). It's everything you need without unwanted extras. Love it!

My Favourite Posts

Try these beauty-riffic posts to get you started:

1. My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life (A candid behind-the-scenes post.)
2. Friday Favs (Pretty pictures.) 
3. Getting Ready for Spring: Craft Ideas (Chic craft inspiration.)
4. Homemade Herbal Tea: Apple & Cinnamon (Easy, healthy and sounds divine!)
5. Ador-A-Bull Dog Rescue (Admirably supporting such a worthy cause.)

Shockingly, Batty's Bath only has 213 Google followers right now. Pop on over and show Jamie some love!

Fabulous Fridays: 16 September 2011

The hour of flower has arrived! Floral is a massive trend at the moment, so who are we to argue? Have a fantastic, flowery Friday...

• The perfect girly pink clutch, at a tiny, tiny price.
• As a sequel to last week's Adele link, anyone addicted to Angry Birds like my Mr Big will enjoy this parody of "Rolling in the Deep".
• This is kinda cool -- a Star Wars mask made from Adidas. Sneakeriffic!
• A chick with pink hair, a wealth of cupcake recipes and a Turkish Delight flavour? Apparently Jessy.
• How gorgeous is this floral clock? Telling time never looked so chic.

• I've been watching Sense and Sensibility this week. I've never liked the book (although Emma and Pride and Prejudice are another story), but I'm much taken by Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon.
• Sweet treats to brighten up your day. Good(ie) enough to eat.
• A skirt so cute it just has to be workwear appropriate, right?
• Latest blogspiration: I Spy DIY -- A-list style spotting and tips on how to recreate the best looks. Frugally fantastic!
• Yowza! Not sure how you pour yourself into this, but every man within howling distance will be glad you did.
• Push through Iva Davies' horrific mullet and enjoy an absolutely classic 80s melody.

That's it for this week, petals. xx

The Anti 9 to 5 Guide

I actually wrote this review just before Christmas last year and am only posting it now. As you'll be able to tell, I've taken the author's advice on becoming a full-time freelancer to heart...

Does your job resemble Peter Gibbons’ in Office Space? Are you one step away from stapling the company policy to your boss’ forehead? Do you play bullsh*t bingo in meetings, marking your scorecard as managerial types bang on about being “customer centric,” using “best practice” or, God forbid, “value adding”?

If yes, you’ll definitely appreciate Michelle Goodman’s advice for fleeing the cubicle in The Anti 9 to 5 Guide. As a former corporate drone turned freelance writer, she quit the cubicle cold turkey several years back and now advocates a more nicotine patch-style approach to jumping to your dream job. She covers part-time and work-from-home arrangements, temping, and other stop gap measures to help you, as she puts it, “take a flying leap, but wear a helmet”.

Not sure of your dream job destination but break out in hives at the thought of “those self-helpy parachute books”? Goodman’s got you covered with her “Career quiz for women who can’t stand career quizzes”.

Feel free to snoop on my answers...

1. What’s on your nightstand?

It’s basically Magazine Mountain, with Madison, Shop Til You Drop, Cleo, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire all taking up real estate. Also putting in an appearance are Paris and New York travel guides and, of course, The Anti 9 to 5 Guide.

2. Out of all your friends’ jobs, which one are you most jealous of?

Although I’ve never met her, I am totally envious of the chick who won the Westfield shopping centres’ “Get Paid $100,000 to Shop and Tell” competition. It can’t get much better than a year of shopping and blogging for a hundred grand. Hell, I already do that for free, I’m just waiting for the salary to kick in. Any day now.

3. What’s the one thing you’ve been talking about doing forever that your friends are sick of hearing about?

Writing a book and freelancing for magazines.

4. What’s the one off-the-wall, pie-in-the-sky job you’ve always wanted to try that no one knows about?

A computer game or Lego model designer. I also fantasise about building the Big Banana’s and Big Pineapple’s stylish second cousin, the Big Stiletto, and selling shoes, chick flick DVDs, pink cupcakes and Sex and the City memorabilia from the gift shop, with part proceeds going to the RSPCA.

5. If you could start any business or organization, or sell any service or ware, what would it be?

My body. Just jokes – my writing and maybe shoes.

6. If you could work anywhere in the world, in any country or organization, where would it be? Doing what?

In Denmark for Legoland or writing on a deckchair in the Maldives with a chocolate-y cocktail.

7. If “debt,” “years,” and “practical” weren’t words in your vocabulary, what would you be doing now – besides sipping margaritas on your own tropical island?

Oh, besides getting sloshed on a gorgeous beach? I wouldn’t mind job hopping from one crazy role to another and getting paid to write about them at the same time.

The results are quite revealing – I’m nuts, have a shoe fetish, am a not-so-closeted nerd and am gagging to write for fashion mags. What would your answers say about you? Take the quiz and then check out the chapters to help you reach your dream, whether you want to work from home, be your own boss, do work that helps others, feed your wanderlust or crack open the door to a male-dominated field.

Whatever your Holy Grail of occupations, Michelle Goodman’s witty but invaluable advice and nifty action plans will have you on the right track – correction – your right track in no time. And once you’ve taken your cautiously optimistic flying leap out of the cubicle, read the sequel, My So-Called Freelance Life, to learn how to sell your wares once you’re no longer selling your soul. For more info on both books and living a freelance life, drop by Michelle's blog, http://www.anti9to5guide.com/.

Rating: 9/10.

Are you itching to flee the corporate jungle? What's your dream?

100 Ways to be Happier

It's good to have a list of mood boosters for those times you're feeling low, so I decided to create one. Hopefully you'll find something that sounds like fun. C'mon, get happy!

1. Eat fairy bread. Bonus points for using cookie cutters to make shapes.
2. Buy a hula hoop and practise tricks in your garden.
3. Give yourself a neon pink/yellow/blue mani or pedi. Try OPI or Butter LONDON for great shades.
4. Watch LEGO Death Star Canteen.
5. Buy a colouring-in book or download and print and get scribbling! Recycle as wrapping paper when you're finished.
6. Make cupcakes and decorate with extra sprinkles.
7. Shout yourself a fresh bunch of flowers.
8. Collect free brochures at a travel agency and start planning your next holiday.
9. Pack a picnic with sangas, strawberries and pink lemonade. Invite your best friend, Mr Big or fly solo.
10. Chew bubblegum. Blow enormous specimens of bubblehood. Pop loudly.
11. Buy cute stickers like these. Use everywhere.
12. Adopt a fabulous new name, whether you insist your friends call you Starlight Suspenders from now on or you just use it as your online moniker.
13. Wear big, bad-ass earrings. Strut.
14. Invade a photobooth with a friend. Go crazy.
15. Write what's bothering you on notepaper. Place in an envelope. Bury it.
16. Book in for a massage or have a friend with magic fingers give it a go.
17. Visit a psychic (even for a laugh if it's not your thing).
18. Dye your hair the brightest colour you dare.
19. Buy a roaming gnome, take quirky photos of him and send him overseas to a hostel with his Aussie pics and a note. Include a return address or Facebook page to hear about his international exploits.
20. Tickle someone or something, even if it's your own fancy!
21. Dress up for no reason. Take pictures in pin-up girl poses.
22. Splurge on luxurious lingerie or spruce up existing dacks by sewing on cute bows.
23. Collect pretty papers and try your hand at origami.
24. Send a postcard to a foreign land.
25. Join Compingclub.com for free and start entering competitions.
26. Experiment by adding fruit, Nutella, sprinkles, popcorn, chocolate topping or lollies to icecream. Aim for surprising combos.
27. Buy cute fake tattoos and wear them on naughty body parts!
28. Become a pinball wizard at your local burger joint or video game arcade.
29. Memorise three funny jokes for when you're asked to tell one in future.
30. Solve a 9-letter word puzzle.
31. Make yourself a soda spider.
32. Fill a friend's letterbox with a little present (think Juno filling Paulie Bleeker's mailbox with Tic-Tacs!).
33. Rediscover the joys of magic popping gum or hi-sour lollies.
34. Read One Red Paperclip or Yes Man.
35. Enrol in a fun short course and learn archery, to play the harmonica or to make beaded jewellery.
36. Have a hairdresser blowdry your hair.
37. Try making balloon animals using a kit.
38. Learn a party trick like rolling your tongue or wiggling your ears.
39. Build a loungeroom fort from quilts, blankets and chairs. Have a Sex and the City marathon.
40. Help someone by replying to a questions on Yahoo! Answers.
41. Pop bubblewrap.
42. Visit a playground and play on the swings.
43. Set yourself an eBay or Etsy challenge. Find the cutest, cheapest trinket and shout yourself.
44. Slather yourself in moisturiser and slip between the covers of a newly-made bed.
45. Try learning striptease in the privacy of your home.
46. Ring or email your local radio station. Request a song, leave a message or enter a contest.
47. Learn to say "bite your bum" in several languages, just in case.
48. Solve a mystery jigsaw puzzle.
49. Crack open a Kinder Surprise egg.
50. Make yourself a bento box lunch.
51. Hunt for our bobble-hatted hero in a Where's Wally book.
52. Try using up odd ingredients at home to create a makeshift cooking masterpiece.
53. Sign up to volunteer or complete a challenge for charity.
54. Play squares/handball against a wall with a tennis ball.
55. Write a letter to your favourite magazine. You may even win the monthly reader prize!
56. Go for a long walk with a good friend.
57. Pick yourself a bunch of flowers and arrange them in a vase, jar or teacup.
58. Wear outrageously large false lashes. To the supermarket.
59. Get a firemen calendar for your perving pleasure. "Hello 911? I'm on fire..."
60. Grow a jar of alfalfa sprout seeds. Enjoy on buttered bread.
61. Assemble a vision board of magazine tear-outs, photos and postcards that inspire you.
62. Inflate a whole packet of balloons in your living room.
63. Check out a freebies web site and write away for perfume samples, shampoos, coffee and more.
64. Evoke your inner minx with leopard print.
65. Register to become a mystery shopper. Getting paid to shop = win!
66. Apply to be in a magazine using a site like SourceBottle.
67. Visit an online job site and apply for the wackiest roles you can find. That giant human hotdog mascot role is waiting for you.
68. Explore a beautiful plant nursery or secret garden.
69. Wander vintage stores for retro bargains.
70. Get a bouncy ball with rabbit ears and make like a bunny.
71. Play old computer adventure game, Leisure Suit Larry. Endearing and dirty all at once!
72. Jazz up your look with a fascinator, flower or headband. They're not just for the races.
73. Learn to breakdance.
74. Relax with a chocolate biscuit and a copy of Vogue.
75. Sing along to the radio, Singstar or YouTube.
76. Write a little "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. Include your pals as characters and email or post them a copy.
77. Join a book club (in person or online).
78. Find a mentor (try searching online).
79. Knit yourself a rainbow-coloured woolly scarf this week.
80. Start a miniature dolls house in your wardrobe!
81. Browse your local library and borrow a mystery novel or craft book.
82. Go on a free food scavenger hunt.
83. Have someone else wash your hair. Lazy, but luxurious!
84. Indulge in gooey fondue or take fruit and custard out on a picnic. Dipping = fun and delicious.
85. Learn all the lyrics of an iconic song, like Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby to bust out at karaoke nights.
86. Play correspondence chess or Scrabble.
87. Cuddle up to a fluffy animal.
88. Go on one of those kiddy rides outside supermarkets!
89. Pay someone a compliment. It'll make you smile too.
90. Find a Book Crossing book.
91. Day-glo underwear -- look into it!
92. Create a bucket list at 43 Things.
93. Enjoy a pot of exotic tea.
94. Have a long, hot soak. Go crazy with the bubble bath.
95. Watch your favourite childhood program or film. My picks? Sesame Street, The Muppets and Uncle Buck.
96. Sit in a grassy patch of sunshine.
97. Start planning your next birthday party and compile a list of presents you'd love.
98. Introduce more glitter into your wardrobe, stat! Eyeliner? Nail varnish? Stilettos?
99. Play with water balloons in the back yard.
100. Read Becks and the City. ; )

Want even more? Read Gala Darling's post that inspired mine.

How do you give yourself an instant pick-me-up? Share your tips below.