My last stop in Israel is Elate, a resort town located in south Israel on the red sea. From there, I went across the Israel and Jordan boarder to start my journey in Jordan.

It all went very fast, so I didn’t even have the chance to feel excited about seeing Petra in just a couple of days!

Wish I had more time to explore Elate and really enjoy my hotel room which has a big balcony looking right towards the Red Sea. Looking back, I’ve ticked off so many travel bucket list items in such a short period of time and it still feels unreal!

I caught a domestic flight from Jerusalem to Elate and experienced the most stringent security check at the airport. Arriving at the Jerusalem airport quite early alone, with a huge luggage, I quickly became a target in the eyes of airport security staff.

Firstly I was taken to a security officer and asked many many questions. The most asked questions were, “are you carrying any weapon?” “Do you have a gun?” Coming from Australia, where guns are illegal to possess, I don’t even know why to buy a gun if I want. So the answer was always a quick “No.” The second most popular question was, “Who are you travelling with?” I was travelling alone. I guess having a surname nobody could pronounce properly was another problem. I was taken to a second security office. Again they asked me if I carried any weapon. Then they proceeded to open my luggage to scan every single item using an electronic device.

By every single item, I mean literally every. single. item. From my flip flop to my dental floss. While I was waiting, a female passenger was asked to layout all her coins to be checked. She got really upset and offended. I wasn’t upset about being checked so throughly at all. I just worried about missing my flight and delaying the rest of my journey. And I felt a little embarrassed by a male officer going through all my personally stuff in my luggage. But hey, at least you know they take the airport security very seriously and the chance of a plane explosion is minimised.

It only took them two hours to finish scanning all my things in the my suitcase. I was the first to arrive at the airport and last to get onto that plane. But I got on just in time. And landed in Elate safely. How I enjoyed the view over looking the Red Sea from my hotel room:

I even started to take some bokeh shots because why not.

Views in the morning is refreshing. I did go in that big shopping centre and went through the most stringent security check entering a shopping centre lol. I wanted to be able to spend more time in Elate but in a way, it was ok to just do a quick stop over because it was just a little too difficult to go anywhere.

Here’s the boarder of Israel and Jordan! Once again, I answered the question of “Are you carrying any weapon?” departing Israel before heading to the Jordan side a couple of hundreds meters aways.

Entering Jordan! Guess what, it only took a couple of minutes to go through Jordan boarder. The security officer even smiled at me. I was shocked.

It was a sunny and warm day touring around the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River Baptism site.

I didn’t mind 30+ degree heat at all. And it’s always good to see the sun shine everyday. Sun makes people happy. It surely makes me happy. What I love the most about travelling in the warm countries is walking around in the sun all day and sleeping like a baby at night. Who needs artificial light all day anyway?

Oh look, isn’t this red roofed church the prettiest on the lake site? I first saw it while touring Capernaum.

Truth is, there are so many pretty things in Israel. Like those radom stones with chalk drawings on them, and the cute decorations in the restaurant. This must be the ONLY restaurant in the neighborhood. There were hundreds of people waiting to be fed during lunch hours! Despite the huge crowd, we didn’t wait for long to be served. I had the famous fried whole fish fresh from the Sea of Galilee, lamb kabab, a variety of salad. Then finished it off with large dates and black coffee. That was delicious and I could barely move after the meal.

After lunch and short break waking on the the beach, we went off to baptism site on the Jordan River. Plenty of people get baptised here everyday. If you are not religious and just here for sight seeing, you can still soak your feet in the cool and clean Jordan river. I did just that and it was super refreshing!

Want to see more photos? Here more photo posts from my trip to Middle East.

Spring is very much upon us. The sky is brightening, the temperature is climbing, and there are signs of springtime all around us. The trees are greener. The grass is flourishing. The beaches are starting to get busier, and flowers are popping up all over the place. Another thing that might be showing signs of spring is your wardrobe. Waterproofs and chunky jumpers are being packed away for another year as we instead reach for our shorts, bikinis, tank tops, loose tees and summer dresses.

Accessorising Your Spring Wardrobe

Spring is a great time for colour. If you’ve been in jeans and dark tops all through the colder months, it can be great to throw on some bright colours and floral prints. But, all this colour can make it hard to accessorise your outfits. You want to add something extra, as well as more practical accessories, but you don’t want to go too OTT, or find yourself having to buy matching pieces for every outfit, because everything else clashes or doesn’t look right. Here are some key accessorising tips for spring style.

Invest in Quality

Choosing between quality and quantity can be tough, and there’s no one right answer. It’s great to have some cheaper pieces, like fun sandals, fashion jewellery and bright clutches that don’t cost much, only go with a few outfits and don’t get too much use. You don’t mind if these get damaged or lost, but they look great and add some sparkle to your outfits.

But, it’s also great to invest in some higher quality, more expensive items. A large leather bag for example, in black or brown, will go with all of your outfits, be big enough to fit in everything that you need, and last the test of time. A good denim jacket, comfortable leather shoes and good sunglasses, with UV protection, are other items, worth spending a little more on.

Keep it Simple

If you love your spring wardrobe bright and eye-catching, it can be a good idea to keep your accessories simple, dainty and classic. Simple silver or gold jewellery look great with brighter outfits.

Make sure you’ve also got some statement, colourful pieces to go with more casual and dressed down outfits.

Add a Scarf

Lightweight, oversized scarves can be an excellent option in spring and summer. They look great with lightweight tops, or strappy vests, without overpowering your look. But, they also give you options. A scarf can give you some extra coverage and protect your skin on scorching days, as well as adding an extra light layer on cooler spring evenings. You can even turn it into a cool boho head scarf to keep your hair out of your face, and free from knots and sand for a day on the beach.

Get Your Shades Right

Sunglasses are a vital part of your wardrobe, they look great, and they protect your eyes. But, make sure that you get the right shape to suit your face. It’s not as easy as you might think. There are round, oval, heart-shaped, oversized, small, thick-framed, no frames, squared and more. There’s a lot to consider. Get a second opinion before committing to an expensive pair.

capsule wardrobe

To start off simply – what is a capsule wardrobe? The idea began in France but has spread throughout the Western world – the concept is that your wardrobe consists of a handful of items that can be mixed and matched with each other to create many different outfits. It uses basic clothes to build fantastic outfits that are both versatile and fashionable.

However, a complete capsule wardrobe isn’t for everyone, or rather it isn’t enough for everyone. Where it does take away the panic of finding the right outfit, or wondering whether certain combinations will match, but it can also take away variety in your wardrobe; if everything matches each other, then owning a pair of khaki jeans and a maroon top would just make you look like Christmas. You can use a capsule wardrobe as your base, and then add on another handful of items that match half of the things in your wardrobe – this helps to cover almost every situation and occasion, and lets you introduce more colour into your outfit choices.

 

So here are our choices for ten things you should include in your capsule wardrobe, and then ten things you should add in as your wardrobe expansion pack.

Capsule Wardrobe

1| Short Sleeved Tee Shirt

This shirt is so versatile. If you keep it plain and with a floaty cut, you can dress it up for work with a blazer, keep it casual on it’s own or with a cardigan, or tuck it into a skirt for a cuter look. Choose a neckline that flatters your shape and a colour that goes with everything.

Related: Styling Your Outfit To A Tee: Accessorising A Simple T-Shirt

2| Long Sleeved Top

Keep it loose or tight – a long sleeved top is just as versatile as it’s short sleeved sister. Introduce a pattern here, with stripes or a delicate print. Keep it simple, and make sure that the sleeves aren’t too short or long on you.

3| Shirt or Blouse

For smarter occasions you might need a smarter top. A button-up shirt can be fitted and tailored to your shape, and a blouse is perfectly feminine and floaty. Keep it print-free, but the cut can be a little more exciting on a blouse. Oversized cuffs on a shirt keeps it fresh and modern.

4| Knit

Choose an item of knitwear – jumper or cardigan? The suggestion either way is to go oversized. A large cardigan can double as a jacket when the days get warmer, and an oversized jumper, with a large knit, is right on trend. These items are perfect for layering in any situation.

capsule wardrobe

 

5| Little Black Dress

What wardrobe is complete with one? You can dress it up or down with heels or flats. Make it more serious with a blazer, or perfect for a night out on it’s own. Body con with a mid-length cut is perfect and on trend, and suits literally everybody.

6| Blazer

Fitted and tailored this item is perfect for all your professional outfit choices. You can even introduce some colour here. Most capsule wardrobes stick to a black, grey and white palette to ensure that it all matches, so pretty much any colour blazer will match. Burgundy, green, okra and dusty pink are the top choices throughout the seasons.

7| Jeans

A good pair of jeans are the staple look for any wardrobe regardless of its size. It’s up to you weather you choose a more casual look with a pair of boyfriend jeans, or you go with a pair of black skinny jeans. The former is perfect for all your casual outfits, and the later for your professional and going out choices.

8| Skirt

A little black skirt is perfect in casual and going out situations, but you might decide to choose a more tailored cut for a smarter look. A pencil skirt isn’t flattering for everybody, but it does add to your professional outfits. Choice a skirt that works for you and not for a particular occasion.

9| Boots

The perfect pair of ankle, knee-length, or even thigh-high boots is needed for every wardrobe. The don’t need to be heeled, and if they are you can choose between a stiletto or block heel. You can add some colour here, or keep to a black shoe to integrate with every outfit and occasion. If you do choose a colour, make sure it matches you coloured blazer, as you are very likely to want to wear these two together.

10| Flats

Slip on shoes or sneakers? Slip-on flats can go with every outfit, where sneakers do limit you to a casual choice. Either way, choose a pair that isn’t going to fall apart, that works with your colour scheme, and that is comfy.  

Extension Pack

1| Jumpsuit

Date night, birthday meal, clubbing, wedding, office – the right jumpsuit will see you through every occasion. Follow the rules or a little black dress, and keep the colour dark, but choose a looser cut that nips you in at the waist. Cropped trousers are on trend at the moment, and look fantastic with ankle boots or heels.

2| Jeans

Whichever choice you made for your capsule wardrobe – pick the opposite one now. Choose a lasting brand though, like Levis, so that your choice isn’t going to get worn out any time soon.

3| Heels

To sit next to you boots of choice, now get yourself a pair of heels. Stiletto or black heel doesn’t make difference – unless you can’t walk in a stiletto of course. You can add some colour to your outfits easily with your shoes, and a pair of heels will see you through every occasion, and can easily dress up the most casual of outfits.

4| Lace Cami

Wear it under your sheer blouse, on it’s own its under your knitted jumper. The hint of lace at the neckline is feminine and creates interest through layers. Black is best with your cami as it goes with every other colour, and white camis can easily dull to grey in the wash.

5| Leggings

A pair of leggings can be a welcome break from your jeans in a casual outfit. And if your shirt or blouse is longer than your hips, good quality leggings can easily be incorporated into a smarter or fancier outfit.

6| Brogues

They add to both your smart and casual wardrobe, and can give your outfit a slightly quirkier finish. They always look best in a dark tan, and made from leather or good quality faux leather material.

7| Hat

Do you prefer a fedora, snapback, or oversized sun hat? Hats can be very particular in regards to it’s occasion, but it can be a great finish to your outfit. The most versatile choice might be a fedora or pork pie hat.

8| Trench Coat

Your capsule wardrobe might be lacking in the coat department – so start off with a trench coat. It’s perfect for your smart, professional and dinner date occasions. A tan coat is great with any outfit.

9| Parka

Either padded with a faux fur trim, or thinly quilted and waterproof, a parka is perfect for your more casual outfits.

10| Shirt or Blouse

Whatever your choice for your capsule wardrobe, you can now extend it with the opposite choice. This opens up your professional outfit choices, and if you;re adding in the blouse, adds to your night out outfits too.

Obviously your wardrobe is always going to be particular to you, and filled with cuts and styles perfect for your body type and fashion inspirations. But the key to a versatile wardrobe lies in choosing items that compliment each other in style and colour. You might decide to have a capsule wardrobe for your work clothes, and then a very full one for your casual and going out outfits. Or have one for each season. If you’re  a person who changes their style frequently, then a handful of capsule wardrobes might serve your purposes as you can just rotate them as you change your mind.

A ‘capsule wardrobe’ means a small amount of clothes to suit every occasion. But that doesn’t mean that you have to keep it that small if you don’t want to. You can take whichever practices you like from the idea and incorporate them into your wardrobe however you like. Or you might want the simplicity of a capsule wardrobe – in which case, go for it and let me know how it works out for you!

capsule wardrobe

 

Capernaum used to be  a fishing village located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

A house turned into a church by the Byzantines is said to be the home of Saint Peter. This is a modern Memorial built over the house of St Peter.

The foundations of octagonal 5th-century church, runs of the house of Saint Perter underneath the memorial. It’s also visible through a glass floor of the memorial:

Ruins of the Roman-period town:
Those squares of black stones were windows of ancient people’s houses. Above those black ruins are ruins of of the 4th-century synagogue. Remember I said I love ancient ruins? Capernum is ruins heaven!

Capernaum synagogue:

Look at that – how beautiful is Capernaum?

During the tour to the Sea of Galilee region, we visited the church of the Multiplication in Tabgha. Here are some photos this Roman catholic church. Of course there are lots of fish related objects because this is where 5000 people were fed:)

get up early in the morning

To get up early in the morning might be easy for a lot of people but never was for me. I’m a little ashamed of admitting it – my major life goal was to be able to sleep in until I wake up naturally. I hated getting up early (6am, which is not that early by many people’s standard) in the morning to go to school when I was little and I hated waking up by alarm clock every morning to go to office. In fact, I was a just miserable person who disliked my life and thought all my problems would be solved if only I could sleep as long as I wanted in the morning.

My goal of getting up whenever I wanted was achieved a few years ago after I finally quit my day job. Heaven! I could get as much beauty sleep in the morning as possible, right? Right. I didn’t become a happier person (or more beautiful) by getting up after 10am every morning of course. I became a lost soul aiming to play small and sleep walk the rest of my life.

Then one day I decided to be less miserable by developing good habits every day, starting from getting up early earlier in the morning. To get up early in the morning wasn’t easy at the beginning, especially for someone who kept telling herself: “I’m not a morning person.” The thing is, you never know what you are capable of, unless you try and see the result yourself.

By trying to get up earlier everyday, I’ve gained an extra hour or two each day to prepare the day ahead. Months later, I found myself happier and feeling more productive.

Here’s how I trained myself to get up early in the morning and my morning routine:

Find motivation to get up early in the morning everyday.

Want to get you up early in the morning? Suppose you don’t have to get up to work, take kids to school, pressing appointments etc etc, what’s your burning desire that make you happily jump out of bed in the morning? For some people it’ll be training in the morning to have that perfect body. For me, it was imagining what I could eat. Yep, I’m that type of person who could have salmon for breakfast. Lucky I live so close to Sydney Fish Market so I could indulge since early in the morning. Oh well, whatever works to get up earlier!

get up early in the morningDrink a glass of warm water. 

I normally have very dry throat waking up in the morning so a full glass warm water really helps nourishing my body.

Stretch gently.

I also wake up with a stiff neck so first thing I do after rolling out of bed is a big stretch, like sun solute pose in Yoga. Then I’ll slowly turn my neck in different directions to wake up my body.

Plan the day.

I’ve always used “To Do List” but now I have a more systematic approach to it. I’d first gather my thoughts & think about my plan for the day after waking up, focusing on what needs to be done today to make each day count. As soon as my thoughts are clear, I’ll get up to write down my to do list or refine it (if it was done the night before).

Push ups or go out or a walk + jog.

The stretches will wake up my body gently but I really need a little push to be pulped for the new day. This requires nothing dramatic. Normally 10 push ups and a 40 minutes walk + jog in the park will do the trick. Though I’d feel dead immediately after a few push ups or jogging, energy will flood in shortly after the pain. No pain, no gain.

Read/listen to something inspiring.

Zig Ziggler said, “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing.  That’s why we recommend it daily.” For me, it is especially true because I’m so lazy naturally and I need a daily reminder to push forward.

Related: 120 Best Quotes About Life To Inspire You Everyday

Tidy something up.

I’m naturally a disorganised person so there’s always something to tidy up in my house and there are so many things you can get rid of to have a better life. To me, clearing up one area early in the morning does wonders for my day. It gives me a great sense of achievement and helps set up for the rest of the day to be productive.

Prioritise.

Remember that to do list? While I’ve had a to do list for years, it wasn’t fully functional. I used to just make a list and keep adding things on it. At the end of the day, I either forgot about my list altogether or felt defeated because nothing was really done and the list only grew longer. My solution to this is to choose and tackle that one thing on the list matters to me (my day) the most. No matter what happens during the day, that one task must be accomplished.

Check in with my mood.

Can I tell you how I wish to be less moody? I used to get up in the morning and the first thought came to my mind would be “I’m not happy.” Nowadays, I consciously check in with my mood every morning. If feeling down, I’ll force myself to think about something good happened to me lately and be grateful. If I feel so depressed that there’s absolutely nothing good I could think of (those days are getting less and less), I’d ask myself “Why you are so unhappy; what you can do right now to make the situation better?” It does help a great deal.

Have a protein rich breakfast.

I love food and normally eat more than a six foot tall man. My diet is meat rich with close to zero vegetable intake. Breakfast? It’s all over the shop. I used to have breakfast around 12 noon because I got up so late. Then I’d have a whole mud cake as breakfast, or a full bucket of fried chicken wings.

I still do badly about breakfast but improvements have been made, such as having breakfast after my morning stretch/exercise and incorporating oats or boiled eggs into my breakfast menu. Ideally, I should have healthy, protein rich breakfast often because from experience, protein rich breakfast doesn’t make me feeling sluggish.

Enjoy quiet time and be present.

One thing I love the most about getting up early in the morning is that you’ll have some quite time all to yourself. Instead of letting my imagination run wild and wasting precious time day dreaming aimlessly, I’d spend a couple of minutes alone time revisiting my plan for the day and visualising my day ahead of me.

Read aloud.

Though I wish to be articulate, I’m neither naturally talented in speech nor making a consistent effort to improve my skills in that area. Well it’s never too late right? I’d squeeze a few minutes in the morning whenever possible to read aloud and pronounce every syllables clearly.

Stay focused.

My random thoughts used to control my day. My past pattern was,  I set up to do one thing and something else came up while I was doing the first thing then I lost my focus to chase that something else. Then something else came up while I was doing the second thing & I’d switch my focus to chase up that new thing.

By the end of the day, my to do list was totally obsolete and I ended up feeling unproductive. Nowadays I don’t check emails, browse online or answer phone calls before 9am. I keep reminding myself to stay focused and “Finish what you’ve started.

Be confident. 

It’s easy to react and get upset when things don’t go according the plan. The reality is, life is full of surprise and things often don’t go accordingly the plan. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that staying calm is always better than getting reactive quickly. When something not so good happens, instead of complaining, think about ways to make it better. When worried about something, I’d try my best to prepare myself and be confident that everything has a solution.

By trying to get up early in the morning no matter what and stick to a morning routine, I feel more accomplished and less miserable. What gets you up in the morning?

Wish I had read the Bible thoroughly so I’d be more knowledgeable about all the churches and Bible stories. But thanks to the tour, I picked up a lot along the way.

We travelled to Nazareth in northern Israel where the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph are located.

“The Church of Annunciation was established over the site where the Catholic tradition holds to be the house of Virgin Mary and where angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced that she would conceive and bear the Son of God, Jesus – an event know as the Annunciation.” – wikipedia

 Photos of the Church of Annunciation:

Different versions of Virgin Mary and the Son of God from different countries are displayed along the way to the church as well as inside the church. It was so fascinating to see how countries styled the mother and son in their own tradition.
This door to the Church of Annunciation dissipated Jesus’ whole life:

Inside the church: This the Australia version – without the sign next to it, I couldn’t figure out this is typical Australian. Maybe I’m still not Australian enough after 21 years?

Photos of the church of St. Joseph:

St. Joseph looked a bit sad here, do you reckon? The statues shinning knees reminded me the foot of John Harvard statue at Harvard University. I know why EVERYONE touched Johns’s feet so much at Harvard University but I’m not sure why people touched St. Joseph’s knees so much. Can someone tell me why?

A great t-shirt is one hell of a wardrobe staple! They are comfortable to wear, you can dress them up or down, and as a bonus, they are easy to wash and iron as well. However, very often we think the humble t-shirts are boring and find it difficult to style them. The good news is, I have that covered, no matter what look you are going for, in the post below.

Rock a statement bag

What better way to show off a statement piece like a designer handbag than against the clean lines of a plain t-shirt. Get this look right, your t-shirt will be elevated to the next level!

Firstly you only need to pick a black, white, or at a push marl grey t-shirt. Rock it with jeans for a more casual effect, or go for a pencil skirt for something a little more flirty and tuck that shirt in:)

Of course you want your handbag to be in the best condition possible. That means putting it away in its dust cover after each use, and sending it to the repair shop if its showing sign of wear, as scuffed handbag might ruin the whole look.

Wear just the right necklace

Another way to perfectly accessories and style an plain, everyday t-shirt look is to pair it with just the right necklace. As you’ve probably seen, there are millions of necklaces designs, making it a challenge to get your choice spot on every time.

Luckily, there are some simple rules that you can apply for choosing a necklace that will work with your T-shirt. Matching the right neckline to the style and length is one of them. For example, a t-shirt with a crew neck can look fantastic with a large chunky statement collar piece. While a shirt with a v neck will look much better with a more delicate pendant on a chain.

Scoop neck t-shirts work best with rounded chains.

Once you have decided on the style of necklace, you will need to consider the material that your piece is made from too. Surprisingly, plastic items can look quite stylish, especially if they are oversized.Something that makes them perfect for teaming with a plain white t-shirt f you want a more delicate and feminine look.

Try a scarf

Lastly, another fab way of accessorising a plain t-shirt is to use a scarf. In fact, we are seeing this a lot in fashion publications at the moment, as the boho look is very much on trend.

To achieve this look yourself is quite easy enough too. All you need to do is to pick a scarf in a shade that suits your skin tone. You can check out the video above for the different ways you can tie it, and voila, you have a simple way to dress up any plain, boring old t-shirt and make it look remarkable!

Jericho is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. It’s located near the Jordan River in the West Bank in the Palestinian Territories.

The day I went to Jericho, it was 43 degrees but I deal heat way better than cold. So I didn’t feel suffering as much as some fellow travellers did.

Still, it wasn’t pleasant to stay in the little shopping complex for nearly 2 hours lunch break without air conditioning.

We saw mount Temptation, where Jesus fasted for forty days and nights above Jericho and walked among many ruins from Bronze age.

Once again, I wouldn’t dare to walk on the streets of Jericho alone without joining a tour. This is a snap shot of the streets from my tour bus:

The Russian Museum in Jericho on the other hand, looks stunning and much civilised. Looking by photos, I can’t even believe those places belong to the same city.

 

Paris, Milan, New York — so many cities are known for their focus on fashion and chic design, so when it comes to city breaks, you want to look the part. Of course, a lot of the natives will look like they’ve just stepped off the catwalk, and if you’re paying for a holiday, you might not be rolling in money and designer gear. So, here’s how you can look city-break ready, without breaking the bank!

A maxi dress

If you are planning on walking by the canals in Venice or exploring the museums in Amsterdam, a flowy maxi dress looks beautiful as well as being easy to wear, and will keep you cool if the weather is warm. Maxi dresses come in a rainbow of colours, and they’re so light you can pack several in your suitcase and not have them take up too much space. They are definitely a great thing to chuck in for the days when you want something easy.

Related: My Top 5 Reasons To Wear Maxi Dress in Summer

A coat or jacket

Although you may be hoping for beautiful sunshine throughout your trip, that’s not always the case. So make sure you have a smart cover-up that can be worn with every outfit, at any time of day. For example, a lightweight trench coat, or a printed oversized blazer will look stylish, as well as keeping you warm, especially if it gets a little cold in the evenings.

Comfortable shoes

Whether you’re a culture vulture, wanting to check out the museums, or more of a shopaholic wanting to check out the sales, you are likely going to be walking quite a lot on a city break. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your style. Look for shoes with a good sole, that are breathable and comfortable but that will go with everything.

Some stylish sneakers or slip-ons will be good for walking around during the day, and sandals or heels can dress up an outfit for the evening. If you are going in winter, make sure you pack some waterproof boots with good grip to stop you taking a tumble!

A shoulder bag

Keep your valuables secure with a crossbody bag that you can wear with every outfit. It needs to be big enough to store your phone, purse, makeup etc, but without being too cumbersome as you walk around. Something that offers detachable straps is really versatile as you can mix it up and use it as a clutch if you’re going out of an evening too!

Related: Designer Handbag Guides

Jeans

There is nothing more classic than a simple pair of jeans. They can be dressed up with heels, a blouse and blazer for a meal of an evening, or worn with a simple t-shirt and sneakers during the day — mix up your look with accessories and no one need know that you’ve worn the same pair for a few days in a row! They are a wardrobe staple and will help you blend in perfectly on a city break.

Related: 4 Chic Ways to Cuff Your Jeans

What do you wear for a city break? Let me know in the comments below.

Sometimes, in life, it can be good to take some time out for yourself – and what better way than taking a solo break away from it all to replenish and refocus.

We’ve all heard the revolution of solo female travellers trailblazing the way for independent solo female travel with blogs and vlogs aplenty… but, if you’re looking for a trip to get your heart and head together, you might need a different approach.

After all, whilst taking snaps by a luxurious pool with your outfit from Bohemian Treasure will certainly make you look the part, the point of this trip is for you to allow yourself the time and freedom to be yourself and really get to grips with where you want to go in life.

In that vein, here are some top tips…

  1. CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION WISELY

If you’re looking for a solo getaway, to do some soul searching, then your choice of destination is going to be the hardest thing.  Let’s face it, the majority of people planning such a trip will have recently undergone some form of loss – often in the context of a relationship, so you don’t necessarily want to be checking into a honeymoon hotel that would feel akin to the guy in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”.

That said, you want more soul than a business complex and perhaps a little more comfort than a backpacker town – meaning, the most ideal destination in terms of accommodation is likely something a little quirky and upmarket but rustic and rural.  This tends to attract a reasonably gentile crowd that, if they are couples, aren’t usually rubbing it in your face – preferring to read a book by the pool and have a relaxing meal at night.

  1.  BE ACTIVE

You want to make sure that this trip has enough activity to keep you entertained, whilst not being so busy you’re too distracted to focus and connect with your innermost feelings.  In this sense, a yoga holiday often works well because there’s something to do, but it’s not like a firework distracting you from the purpose of your trip.

The key point, is you want to have enough activities planned for your trip to keep you entertained and not sat, feeling alone, perhaps dwelling a little too much on your emotions. You want to be true to the purpose of the trip which is to take a break away from it all in order to connect with yourself.

  1.  INDULGE

You don’t necessarily need to spend heaps of money to indulge, but treat your inner child to what it needs – for instance, if you fancy an ice cream be sure to get your favourite flavours and indulge in the gastronomy of the local area… if you see a speed boat trip you would love to go on, then book it.  The point is, that just because you’re by yourself doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the things everyone else does.

Give yourself permission to indulge, and look after the most important person in your life – yourself.

Related: Travelling Solo: 5 Pieces of Equipment You’ll Need

best quotes about life

Happy Monday everyone! I hope your week is off to a great start. I’ve stopped dreading Monday because I found the secret to love everyday is to do what you love. If you still don’t like Monday and are feeling time is going to fast, don’t worry. There’s a saying September is the new January so I’m compiling a list of best quotes about life to keep us motivated for the rest of the year.

Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once said: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” If you’ve failed to keep ALL your New Year’s resolutions, you still have 4 months and about 17 weeks until the end of this year!  How about making the most of the feeling of renewal and fresh start of September? Now is the perfect time to sit down and start considering the small changes you could make to improve your life day after day. Feeling uninspired? A little depressed? Maybe those can help you. Here’s a list of best quotes about life for your dose of daily motivation.

Best Quotes About Life To Inspire You Everyday

Week 1

  1. “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.” -F.Scott Fitzgerald
  2. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”-Chinese Proverb
  3. “But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” -Ernest Hemingway
  4. “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt
  5. “There is nothing permanent except change.” -Heraclitus
  6. “It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.” -George Washington
  7. “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” -Napoleon Hill

best quotes about lifeWeek 2

  1. “Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” -Thomas Carlyle
  2. “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” -Walt Whitman
  3. “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” -Aldous Huxley
  4. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”-Lao Tzu
  5. “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.” -Henry David Thoreau
  6. “The best reparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” -H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
  7. “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” -Samuel Beckett

Quotes About Life To Inspire You Everyday Week 3

  1. “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” -Voltaire
  2. “Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” -Simone de Beauvoir
  3. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt
  4. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” -Thomas A. Edison
  5. “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. -Mark Twain
  6. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney
  7. “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” -Swami Vivekananda

Week 4

  1. “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” –George Bernard Shaw
  2. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” –Socrates
  3. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt
  4. “Do all things with love.” -Og Mandino
  5. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” -Winston Churchill
  6. “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” –Buddha
  7. “Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.” –Joseph Campbell

Week 5

  1. “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” –Aristotle
  2. “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” Napoleon Hill
  3. “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” -Albert Einstein
  4. “Fear is stupid. So are regrets.” Marilyn Monroe
  5. “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”-Jim Rohn
  6. “If you haven’t found it yet keep looking.” –Steve Jobs
  7. “To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.” –Mark Twain

Week 6

  1. “If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” -Steve Jobs
  2. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” -Og Mandino
  3. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” -Maya Angelou
  4. “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” -Henry Ford
  5. “Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” -Helen Keller
  6. “Do what you can with all you have, wherever you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt
  7. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” -John Lennon

Week 7

  1. “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” -Marcus Aurelius
  2. “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.” -Benjamin Franklin
  3. “Life is like playing a violin in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.” -Samuel Butler
  4. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” -Abraham Lincoln
  5. “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” -Omar Khayyam
  6. “Get busy living or get busy dying.” -Stephen King
  7. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” -Mae West

Week 8

  1. “The mind is everything. What you think you become.” Buddha
  2. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. Steve Jobs
  3. “Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” -George S. Patton
  4. “Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.” -Eleanor Roosevelt
  5. “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” -Albert Einstein
  6. “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” -Babe Ruth
  7. “Keep calm and carry on.” -Winston Churchill

Week 9

  1. “The purpose of life is to believe, to hope, and to strive.” -Indira Gandhi
  2. “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” -Oscar Wilde
  3. “When you arise in the morning think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” -Marcus Aurelius
  4. “In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity.” -Albert Einstein
  5. “Be willing to sacrifice what you think you have today for the life that you want tomorrow.” -Neil Strauss
  6. “If you say you can or you can’t you are right either way.” -Henry Ford
  7. “When you arise in the morning think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” -Marcus Aurelius

Week 10

  1. “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” -Walter Hagen
  2. “Most great people have attained their greatest success one step beyond their greatest failure.” -Napoleon Hill
  3. “Life doesn’t require that we be the best, only that we try our best.” -H. Jackson Brown Jr.
  4. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela
  5. “Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really: Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success.”-Thomas J. Watson
  6. “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” -Christopher Reeve
  7. “Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.” -Marilyn Monroe

Week 11

  1. “Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.” -Norman Cousins
  2. “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”-John F. Kennedy
  3. “Life is trying things to see if they work.” -Ray Bradbury
  4. “Life is essentially an endless series of problems. The solution to one problem is merely the creation of the next one. Don’t hope for a life without problems. There’s no such thing. Instead, hope for a life full of good problems.” -Mark Manson
  5. “The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.” -Frank Sinatra
  6. “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” -Maya Angelou
  7. “In every success story, you will find someone who has made a courageous decision.” -Peter F. Drucker

Week 12

  1. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.” -Ferris Bueller
  2. “Close some doors today. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they lead you nowhere.”-Paulo Coelho
  3. “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
  4. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them―that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” –Lao Tzu
  5. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Nelson Mandela
  6. “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” – Buddha
  7. “Do not let making a living prevent you from making a life.” -John Wooden

Week 13

  1. “It is impossible to escape the impression that people commonly use false standards of measurement — that they seek power, success and wealth for themselves and admire them in others, and that they underestimate what is of true value in life.” -Sigmund Freud
  2. “Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.” -Oscar Wilde
  3. “Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.” -Grandma Moses
  4. “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” -Benjamin Franklin
  5. “The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” -Aristotle
  6. “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”-Helen Keller
  7. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” -Mark Twain

Week 14

  1. “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow. ” -William Shakespeare
  2. “I can’t give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time.” -Herbert Bayard Swope
  3. “Defeat is simply a signal to press onward.” -Helen Keller
  4. “He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.” -Benjamin Franklin
  5. “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” -Lucille Ball
  6. “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” -Leonardo Da Vinci
  7. “It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”- J. K Rowling

Week 15

  1. “If you want to be happy, be.” -Leo Tolstoy
  2. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” -Thomas A. Edison
  3. “Success is just a war of attrition. Sure, there’s an element of talent you should probably possess. But if you just stick around long enough, eventually something is going to happen.” -Dax Shepard
  4. “You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.” -Maya Angelou
  5. “Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were.” -David Rockefeller
  6. “May you live all the days of your life.” -Jonathan Swift
  7. “You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying. To the best you can do everyday.” -Jason Mraz

Week 16

  1. “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”-Jim Rohn
  2. “The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-it; third, common sense.”-Thomas A. Edison
  3. “A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.”-Bob Dylan
  4. “The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.”-Henry Ford
  5. “Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” -Robert H. Schuller
  6. “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”-Aristotle
  7. “If you aren’t going all the way, why go at all?” -Joe Namath

Week 17

  1. “Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.”-Leo Burnett
  2. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. ” -Oscar Wilde
  3. “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. ” -Omar Khayyam
  4. “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”-Albert Einstein
  5. “Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like its heaven on earth. ” -Mark Twain
  6. “When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” -Viktor E. Frankl
  7. “Use what talents you possess, the woods will be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” -Henry van Dyke

best quotes about life

Spring cleaning list

It’s the 1st of September, hence the official start of Spring season in Southern hemisphere! Spring marks the new beginnings in many ways and one of the best things to start off is to get a deep spring cleaning. If you are like me who’s actually afraid of the task of deep cleaning, fear not. This year I’ve prepared a thorough Spring cleaning list to share with you so we can tackle it with ease!

spring clean list

Why we call it Spring Cleaning?

A lot people never bothered to do a proper Spring cleaning. I was one of them, but surly life has taught me some good lessons over the years. As a result, I know first hand Spring clean is really worth the effort. For that reason I’ve prepared this Spring clean list for future references. Why it’s called Spring cleaning? According to tradition, the Catholic church thoroughly cleans the church altar and everything associated with it on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, in the Spring. In North American and Europe, people throughly clean theirs homes in Spring after a long, cold winter. Nowadays, the term of Spring clean has evolved into any kind of deep cleaning.

Why deep cleaning is good for your soul?

Many of us perceive cleaning as a daunting task, therefore avoid it whenever possible. Before we go into the details of my Spring cleaning list and be freaked out, let’s first take a look at the benefits of Spring cleaning.

It marks a new beginning and fresh start

Make your home a better place through deep cleaning will refresh your mind and make you feel energised. What better time to do it after a long Winter? This year, Sydney’s had a long and cold winter so it’s great to welcome the warmer season and more brighter days. In theory we might not be able to complain about the weather, because when I say cold, it’s close to zero degree the lowest. Compared some really freezing weather conditions, it’s not that cold.  But without central heating inside the house, it can be pretty cold and uncomfortable! That’s why I always feel good about Spring. Start to clean and make changes to your surroundings at home can help keep you motivated to make other small changes and improve your life day after day.

It helps release stress

We all feel a little stressed from time to time. Imagine being in a messy or dirty home when you are stressed. It’ll sure make things even worse! Your home should always be the place that makes you feel safe, calm and at ease. The only way to achieve that is to declutter and clean thoroughly.

It helps you breath better 

Do you sneeze a lot at home or in the office? That’s probably because the place you are staying is overly dusty. While you might not be able to do much in the air conditioned office, you can certainly improve the situation at home! The air at home will be much cleaner, fresher after you’ve dusted, vacuumed and cleaned everywhere. Being able to breath properly is not only essential for someone who suffers from allergy, it is essential for everybody!

A clean home helps you stay focused and improve productivity

If your home is cluttered and untidy, chances are you are feeling slightly stressed or depressed right now. Our everyday environment is pretty much a good reflection of our state of mind. Clutter is the enemy. An untidy space makes an untidy mind.Organise your stuff and find that your life follows suit. A clean and organised home is will  help us stay focused with better things and be more productive.

Deep cleaning itself is a good workout

We all know exercise is good for us so let’s get to it! I’m not talking about going to the gym here of course. Who needs the gym? Just start to clean at home, right now:). Cleaning is a wonderful full body workout indeed. All the sweeping, wiping, squatting and working around is actually good for your body! The reward? A fabulously toned body and immaculately clean home.

It helps you sleep better

Exercise will make you sleep better. We’ve just covered that deep cleaning your home is a wonderful form of exercise. Fresh air also helps you sleep better. And most importantly, a clean bedroom will definitely help you sleep better! Who doesn’t like the feeling of sleeping in a bed with fresh, clean sheets, cleaned pillows and mattress.

It improves your mood

Cleaning itself might be a daunting task to many of us. The psychological benefit of deep Spring cleaning is enormous. Just think about the great satisfaction after you’ve thrown out a lot of unwanted items, cleaned and organised everything at home. You’ll feel that a whole weight is off your shoulder. You can breath better. You feel lighter and happier!

Now that you’ve seen all these benefits about deep cleaning, are you ready for the Spring cleaning list?

The modern day Spring cleaning list

Why I say the modern day Spring cleaning list? Because this Spring cleaning list contains two main components. The first part is Spring cleaning list for the traditional household, while the second part is a digital Spring cleaning list.

Firstly let’s have a look at the house spring cleaning list. This includes different areas at home: kitchen/dining area, living room, laundry/utility room, bathrooms, bedrooms, home office, hall way, kids play areas, cars and outdoor area. Before we get to the details to different areas, here’s the Spring cleaning list that applies to the all general areas in your home:

  • Walls: Wash smudges off the walls.
  • Ceilings: Dust the cobwebs off of all ceilings.
  • Skirting/base boards and crown moulding: Dust and wipe them clean.
  • Light switches and outlets: Clean and disinfect all light switches and outlets at home.
  • Doors: Wash smudges, figure prints off the doors and clean all door knobs.
  • Windows: Dust and clean windows inside and out; wash all window curtains and blinds; clean all window grooves with a small brush then wipe them clean; dust and wipe clean all windowsills.
  • Plants: Clean the surface of all indoor plant pots. Dust and clean big leaves of indoor plants.
  • Hard floors: Sweep, vacuum and mop all hard floors.
  • Carpets: Vacuum and shampoo all carpets.
  • Rugs: Vacuum and clean rugs in all areas.
  • Air vents: All air vents need to be cleaned.
  • Ceiling fans and air conditioning unit: Clean surface of all ceiling fans and air conditioning unit.
  • Smoke detectors: Clean all smoke detectors at home.
  • Rubbish bins: Scrub, clean and disinfect all rubbish bins.
  • Shelves and picture frames: Dust and wipe clean all shelves and picture frames.
  • Underneath furniture: Move furniture around, vacuum and clean all areas underneath your furniture. You’ll be amazed how dust can accumulate so easily.
Kitchen/Dining room area:

Unwanted rubbish, old food laying around: Discard all of them.

Kitchen sink: Scrub and clean kitchen sink throughly including kitchen sink taps and plugs.

Kitchen tiles splashback: Wipe them clean with good kitchen cleaning products.

Rang hood: Change range hood filter if required. Thoroughly clean the entire range hood.

Stove top burners: Scrub and clean.

Kitchen bench tops: Scrub and clean.

Pantry: Discard expired unwanted food suppliers. Reorganise your pantry in easy to use order.

Microwave: Scrub and clean inside and out.

Oven and grill: Scrub and clean inside and out.

Dishwasher: Clean inside and out. Clear the waste filler inside dishwasher. – vinegar

Refrigerator: Discard old, expired food both in fridge and freezer. Take shelve and baskets out of fridge and freezer, then soak and clean them. Wipe down figure prints and smudges on doors of refrigerator. Pull refrigerator out and clean behind and beneath it.

Kitchen cabinets: Discard old spices, unwanted plastic containers, cups, dishes and pots.Dust, wipe down shelves and inside cabinets. Clean and polish cabinets doors.

Kitchen drawers: Deep clean kitchen drawers organise.

Cups, bowls, plates, pots and frying pans: Wash them and keep them organised in the right places.

Water kettle: Clean it inside out.

Under the sink: Tidy up and clean.

Table linens and tea towels: Wash and air dry.

Chopping board and knives: Sanitise chopping board and sharpen knives. I’m never good with knives so I got a great knife sharpener. My life in the kitchen has been much easier because of that.

Living room:

Table tops: Dust and wipe them clean.

Electronics including TV, remote control etc: Dust and wipe them clean.

Magazines and books: Discard old magazines and unwanted books. Organise and tidy the rest.

Wood furniture: Wipe clean and polish wood furniture. Vacuum and clean underneath all furniture.

Sofa: Clean underneath cushions; wash sofa covers. Vacuum and clean underneath sofa.

Kids play area: Sort and put away toys.

laundry/utility room

Utility shelves cabinets: Dust and wipe down shelves and inside cabinets.

Cleaning suppliers: Discard expired or empty cleaning suppliers, then keep the rest organised.

Washing machine: Clean surface of and inside washing machine. Clean behide and underneath it.

Dryer: Clean dryer vent. Clean behind and underneath the dryer. Clear out the lint that has gathered towards the bottom of the opening.

Laundry room sink: Scrub sink and clean under the sink.

Bathrooms

Bath tubs: Dust and wipe clean.

Vanity Unit: Scrub and clean vanity unit including the sink, counter top, cabinets, drawers and under the sink. Clean underneath the vanity unit. Clean cabinet shelves, doors, knobs

Makeup and bathroom suppliers: Discard expired makeup, beauty products and empty bathroom supplier bottles.

Mirror: Clean mirror thoroughly using Windex.

Toilet: Wash and disinfect toilet, including toilet seat, toilet bowl, around the base, under the hinges, flush buttons.

Towels: Wash hand/bath towels and discard old ones.

Shower: Clean shower candy; scrub clean shower screens; wipe down tiles.

Bedrooms

Beddings and pillows: Wash all beddings and pillows (not just pillow cases).

Mattress: Vacuum your mattress. It helps to get rid of the majority of dust mites that may have made your bed their home, and generally freshens it up. If you haven’t replaced your mattress in the last 8 years, it’s a good reminder to do it to keep your posture great and give you a good night’s sleep.

Drawers and closet: Empty drawers and clean them. Discard extremely old underwear and single socks. Donate or resell unwanted clothes. Organise your wardrobe.

Wardrobe sliding doors: Wipe down sliding doors and clean sliding door grooves.

Cushions: Air cushions and wash cushion covers.

Home office

Office furniture and equipment. Dust and wipe clean.

Paperwork: File paperwork in right folders; discard/shred paperwork no longer in need.

Desk: A clean desk speaks a happy mind. Try to keep your desk clean and organised everyday!

Drawers and filing cabinets: Because things get piled up or thrown into drawers and cabinets, we need to declutter and reorganise.

Outdoor areas

Entrance: Clean door matts; sweep and mop floor.

Garage + tool shed: Dust the cobwebs off; sweep floor clean; keep things inside tidy and organised.

Garden/ Balcony: Sweep and mop balcony floor; keep potted plants tidy; wipe clean outdoor furniture.

Gutters: clear it out.

Now it’s time for the equally important Digital Spring cleaning list:

Passwords: organise and save your password list.

Photos/digital images: Delete useless images; create folders and file images into relevant folders.

Computer desktop: Delete files and keep your computer desktop as clean as possible. That’ll also speed up your computer speed.

Document files: Create and organise folder for all your document files for easy accesss.

Bookmarks: Delete unwanted sites from your web browser bookmark. Keep the rest in relevant folders.

Emails: Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters; simplify email folders; delete past conversations that are no longer useful; save important files to USB or a hard drive for back up.

There you have it. The modern day Spring cleaning list! The easiest way to get it done is to try to do small things at a time. Remember you don’t have to finish everything in one day! Spread those tasks across a period of time, say a week up to a month. And you can hire cleaners to help you with some of the chores you really don’t enjoy.

Most importantly, once you’ve get it done, maintain your home clean and organised. It’ll only take a few minutes a day to keep it that way. You’ll be able to clean your home much easier and enjoy your clean, organised home all year round!

Spring cleaning list