Bikram Yoga ... by Louise Jeckells

After just finishing my first Bikram yoga class at the new studio, my body is sore, my mind is clear and I feel fantastic. So fantastic I’m lying face down on the floor hoping it will open up and swallow me. Why? Because I’m in a tiny bit of pain and I can’t seem to cool down. I drink too much, I eat bad foods, I have sleep-less nights and I worry about the small things. I know I need to start setting up a better lifestyle for my body, and I’m not the only one!

My experience was, in fact, amazing. I feel like I have taken up meditation, therapy and yoga all in one. I went into the class stressed and bloated from a day at work and have left sore and weary, but after a few hours of drinking water and the feeling returning to my body I feel flushed and … taller. No stress pulling me down.

Bikram yoga is yoga for all ages and strengths. It is a series of 26 positions and two breathing exercises. It is conducted in a room with the temp turned up to 38 degrees. Half way through the class, I knew I wasn’t pushing myself to the limits but it was because my body was adjusting to the heat. I would have passed out if I pushed my body to its expected limits. It was a ninety minute class and it was only when I could hear the next class arrive that I knew it was coming to an end.

The teacher, Anna was amazing. She had the body I wanted, so that was enough motivation for me to come back again. Throughout class she talks you through the exercises, which means no matter where you are in the room, you still understand what you should be doing.

After class, I asked her about one of the positions that I was unsure of, she was so helpful! It's important to get the positions right and breath correctly, otherwise you could hurt your body.

On returning to my mat and stepping out of the 38 degree room, I knew I had been converted.
I feel surprisingly lighter and focused on the week ahead.

I have signed up for the introduction offer - 6am tomorrow morning, I will be back inside that room, giving my body the best go at looking its finest.

If I knew the guy at the front desk was such a dish, I would have signed up earlier! Muscles, toned, handsome and sweet … mmmmmm my kind of guy.

Reminder* next time wear my new slimming pants, not the ones with holes in them!

Louise, a lover of yoga … Bikram style.

These boots were made for walking... by Louise Jeckells

I know it may seem too hot to wear boots during the day, even though it is autumn and the beach still looks inviting as usual, but boots are very hard to find, so start now ladies because it might take awhile!

When researching boots I discovered that ankle or knee high boots won’t satisfy this winter. Conservative is out, and testing the limits is high on the fashion priority list.

Okay fashionistas, be excited because over-the-knee boots and thigh-high boots are sexy, new and jumping two feet into our wardrobes this season.

Thigh-high boots are daring, but can be pulled off if worn with confidence. Personally I am opting for a matte brown or olive green leather. If leather seems too risky, suede is always a safe option, especially in blacks and browns or maybe even a dark maroon.

But remember; if wearing the boots that make your legs look longer and your hemlines look shorter - dress appropriately to ensure no hooker labels are following you around.

I think I have found mine…but I have to order them online. I am getting my beautiful booties from Urban Outfitters, an amazing all-you-want apparel store from the USA. Be sure to check it out!

Buying boots online is definitely the way to go for unique shoes that you won’t see on every girl walking down the street. So try buying online. Most stores allow you to send them back if they are not the right size! Take a chance; you definitely won’t regret it when the compliments start rolling in.

Some sites to visit that won’t blow your budget include urbanoutfitters.com, wantedshoes.com.au, topshop.com and stylepalace.com.au. Even though it is spring now, boots are still going crazy in Europe!

And, some stores that will blow your mind and can be put down on your wish list include Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Prada and of course Louis Vuitton.

Winter clothing is making me go slightly crazy this year, and without a constant job (a poor university student...), I can barely afford a new blazer with daring shoulder pads…but boots are necessary, they define my winter look, so don’t be safe and let your shoes grab all the attention this winter.

Louise - exfoliating and keeping my feet beautiful, ready to fill my new buys!

The Importance of Sunscreen... by Louise Jeckells

Summer is over and all we have to look forward to is a gorgeous winter boot and the return of our milky white legs.

Once summer is over we tend to get slack on keeping ourselves protected from the sun’s harmful rays. In summer we soak up as much vitamin D as we can which gives us a well-balanced mind and happiness. Summer is also the time for creating a better you; I worked out more, I wore tinier clothes (only to show off my toned body!), I looked after my skin and I drank more fluids.

Now that summer is over, we see the decline of women wearing sunscreen and the increase of skin cancer developing in younger people.

While writing this blog I was on YouTube trying to find a clip I could show you about the importance of sunscreen, instead I found some girls giving demonstrations on how to apply sunscreen (pretty straight forward) and the chemicals that can be put into sunscreens.

If you are worried about these chemicals I will share with you my well kept secret. Tinted moisturiser. The answer to not wearing foundation and still achieving an even skin tone - who knew such a thing existed.

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, which affects two in three Australians before the age of seventy. That means someone close to you, your daughter, father, cousin or best friend could not be looking after themselves correctly.

I made a pact with myself that I will continue to treat my body as if it was summer all year round. I will have the same attitude of looking after myself now as I do when I’m wearing a two piece bathing suit and being tanned, within an inch of my life.

My mother may have not told me to stay away from boys with tattoos and men with mother issues, but she did strongly advise me to wear sunscreen all year round and to look after my skin.

Style Palace Guest Blogger - Louise Jeckells ...
Saying no to crow’s feet and blemishes … www.melanoma.org.au.

Fake or Not? by Louise Jeckells...

Is plastic surgery a new addiction that is being circulated through magazines, endorsed by celebrities? Women around the world are constantly buying into the world of fake.

Whether i'ts buying fake hair, fake nails, fake eyelashes, or going under the knife for fake boobs, or another nose. When is this pandemic of perfection going too far?

A recent example of this is The Hills star, Heidi Montag. Her plastic face has been all over magazines across the world addressing the stars obsession with exploiting plastic surgery. She had ten surgeries in one day, all to improve her body and face. Her reasoning is she wanted to become the ‘best me’ possible.

This had me thinking, is plastic surgery a new addiction or is it something that is becoming widely popular because it is so publicised as an acceptable form of beauty maintenance?

As I sit and write this blog, in my Peter Alexander pjamas, with my hair in remains from last nights creation, and my feet in pain, from the heels I wear, I think about all the imperfections I could change on my body.

I’d love the height of Heidi Klum and a Jennifer Aniston nose but in saying that, I would never consider plastic surgery as an option. What would I tell my future daughters? “Mummy had to transform her face, just so she could feel good about herself”. This shouldn’t be the answer for women with low self-esteem.

Women have the materials to become someone they are not, but the real question is… would you choose to get the ‘Heidi Montag face’ or to live a long and luscious life with a few crows feet.

By Louise Jeckells, a fresh-faced 21 year old.

Style Palace introduces our Weekly Guest Blogger, Louise Jeckells & her Burlesque Dancing Adventures ...

Style Palace would like to introduce our new weekly blogger - Louise Jeckells (aka Princess Louise, as she is known at the Palace). Once a week she will share her thoughts with us. Today, channel your inner burlesque and read a little about her recent adventure ...

Feeling disappointed after Valentine's Day? Ate too much during Christmas time and need to shed that extra layer of Christmas cake attached to your thighs? Just realised that your optimal weight is achievable via a little more exercise? You hate the gym and dread bicycles?

I have the perfect suggestion ...

Ladies, grab your high heels (not necessary), let your hair flow out, find those saucy dance pants and push up bra because we are starting burlesque.

Burlesque dancing has large history dating back to 1898, where gold hit Canada and dancers made their way to the saloons to entertain the many men that invaded their land. The first burlesque house opened up in 1913 in Montreal and since then burlesque has outlasted many eras of change in style and dance.

You don’t need to be a past dancer, but a bit of coordination is necessary otherwise, all you will achieve is a bruised bottom. You don’t even need to be young or full of sex appeal. Instead, you need to be able to laugh at yourself and know how to have fun.

I started two weeks ago, amongst reserved expectations I decided to develop an alias in the burlesque world. I dragged along a friend that is self-conscious in her body.

We started with a light warm up, then when straight into some butt-shaking, back breaking movements. From time to time, we would look at each other and lose it in laughter but none the less we were having fun.

Not only were we having fun but I sweated out all my bad habits from the weekend. My friend, even after 2 weeks, has gained confidence through appreciating her body.

I have gained nothing! Just lost a few cherry ripes around my hips - which I am very happy about.

Burlesque dancing is an incredible powerful experience that every woman should try. Look at Dita von Teese, who wouldn’t want to look like her ... enough said!

Louise Jeckells, burlesque dancer in training. Update in a few weeks time on how my hips and sex appeal is coming on.