I love receiving a handmade gift, you know that time and thought has gone into creating it, just for you, so this Easter I wanted to make gifts from the heart. I didn’t want to buy your everyday foil wrapped Easter eggs, I wanted to make personalized gifts for family and friends, selecting their favourite chocolates and lollies and presenting them  in a simple and creative way.

Jam jars are the latest trend at the moment, they are used for vases, drinking glasses, candle holders and even light fixtures. I picked my jars up for around $3 at my local discount store, I also found some great twine and ribbon for decoration.

Next I visited my local supermarket to find yummy goodies to fill my jars with and to my delight I ran into The Easter Bunny, I couldn't resist having a photo, too cute!!
 
On my list:

• Mini marshmallows
• Mini Caramel eggs 
• Malteasers
• Smarties
• Candy mini eggs
• Medium chocolate eggs
• Chocolate lollypops

Once I arrived home with all my goodies, I washed and dried my jam jars and placed the ingredients in bowls. Now the fun part, creating and assembling.

Results
It all went well: while working on my lollypop jar I discovered if you stabbed the lollypops into the marshmallows it stopped them from falling over. The multi-level jar was probably the trickiest, making sure there was a definite layer between ingredients. The only other issue was that few chocolates went missing in the process, I had to taste them to check that they weren’t bad!!!




The Easter Bunny Legend
A colleague asked me what the connection was with Easter and the rabbit, not knowing the answer myself I researched it and discovered this:

Centuries ago a Norse goddess (Scandinavian mythology) named Eastre was responsible for ushering in the new year during the spring season. One year she was late in her duties and, to make up for her mistake, she saved a little bird injured in the cold. Because the bird could no longer fly as a result of its damaged wings, Eastre changed it unto a hare which had the ability to lay eggs, but only on the day Eastre was celebrated. Thus was born the tradition of an egg-laying bunny responsible for hidden chocolate all over our homes.

Even though the Easter Bunny stems from an old tradition, the rabbit itself still fits well within the modern Christian symbolism of the season. Just as the Atonement brings new life, so does spring. New life springs forth after the winter, and rabbits are a prime example of fertility and birth, since they have the ability to produce many offspring.

Like most holidays, much of the meaning behind the celebration is lost due to commercialization. However, even with colourful eggs and bunnies, the important messages behind Easter and the true significance of what took place two thousand years ago can still be remembered.

http://universe.byu.edu/2012/04/05/what-happened-to-easter/

Till next time, Happy Easter, Julie

We adore Autumn for its bright blue skies, golden leaves and stunning sunsets. With such a stunning colour palette in the air, our Melton Jacket is a tasteful layer that will keep you warm through the crisper days ahead.

Our Melton coat is a pretty pastel pink that tastefully combines feminine chic with tradition. It’s a lovely layer that can also be one of the most hardworking coats in your wardrobe. Whether you are on duty or off duty, a Melton jacket can stylishly transform your look.

On duty 
A Melton jacket is the perfect addition to creating a classy ladylike look. To wear your Melton like the duchess, team with a feminine dress and complete the look with fairy-tale accessories to add a bit of sparkle and colour for the occasion. Think pretty flowers and diamantes and you can’t go wrong.

Shop: Necklace, Jacket

Shop: Earrings, Top, Bangles

As Autumn has now officially arrived at the Millers head office we are getting excited about the new season and what this means for our wardrobe!

Our gorgeous collection Boho Spice is now instore and online. It is a mix of vivid paisley prints, soft pants, cosy knits and lace textured tops. We love this modern and feminine look and have relished in the vibrant tones and colour palette that it brings.

One of the must have colours from this collection is purple and every shade it comes in… lavender, lilac, mauve, plum and violet!

Our two key items from this collection and ideal for Autumn is the Print Peasant Top and Twist Detail Jumper.

Print Peasant Top 
Feel feminine and pretty in this flowing top with elegant detail. It features an all-over floral print with a contrast printed border at the hem, in flowing fabric with subtle intricate crochet detailing throughout.
It has 3/4 length sleeves with elasticated cuffing and a flattering pleating down the front panel for extra comfort. We have teamed it with classic black jeans, beautiful bangles and wonderful mid heeled boots for daytime glamour.
             
Twist Detail Jumper
This is a great piece to throw on for comfort on relaxing days. This jumper features 3/4 length sleeves with a twist detail knit throughout adding special detail to a charming jumper. We have teamed with light wash denim jeans and black mid heeled boots with buckle detail.

The Body:
As we age our bodies change, our metabolism slows down and muscle is replaced by fat, so portion sizes are key to maintaining a healthy weight. Choose lean meats, fish high in omega 3 fatty acids, fresh fruit and vegies, nuts, seeds, legumes and low fat dairy products. Our bones become more brittle so calcium and vitamin D is vital to prevent Osteoporosis and just because we choose low fat dairy products it doesn’t mean we are getting less calcium, in fact many low fat milks contain a little more calcium than regular milk. Choose a calcium fortified cereal as a breakfast option which is high in both calcium and vitamin D.
Eating the right food, getting enough rest and regular physical activity are keys for good health and fighting fatigue. Experts recommend 30 minutes a day of exercise most days of the week, so what types of activities are suited to you? What about a “walking group with friends and neighbours”,gardening, dancing, swimming, water aerobics or Tai Chi.

Here are a few other ideas that you may like.

Tree Top Walks:
Australia boasts some of the most amazing rainforests in the world and Tree top walks are a great way to preserve the natural habitat while experiencing the beauty of the rainforests from above. Tree top walks are constructed using steel cable spans and suspension bridges high above the rainforest floor. This means there is minimal impact on the forest and helps maintain environmental sustainability. There are numerous walks across Australia you can explore designed for all ages and mobility.  Here are a few:

• Otway Fly Tree Top Walk, Victoria
• Valley of the Giants, Western Australia
• Illawarra Fly, New South Wales
• Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, Queensland

Zumba:
Zumba is an aerobic fitness programme featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed primarily to Latin American dance music. It is loads of fun and a great way to workout with your friends. Zumba is very popular here in Australia and there are specifically designed classes catering for all ages and abilities.


Zumba Gold:
Perfect for: Active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity.
How It Works: The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat, and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong.
Benefits: Class focuses on all elements of fitness: cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance.

Staying and active and healthy is easy with so many different options out there. Check your local area for Fitness groups for over fifties like this one and get moving.





http://www.healthpromotion.com.au/ActiveOver50.html

The Brain:
We know that exercise is good for our bodies, but it is just as important to exercise our brain. There's a lot you can do to keep your mind sharp and alert. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day delivers an oxygen boost to the brain. The brain is like a muscle if you don't give it regular workouts, its functions will decline. Researchers have found memory loss can be improved by 30- 50% simply by doing mental exercises.

Here are a few brainy ideas:

• Play brain and mind games like Sudoku, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, trivia, chess, cards, Bingo and jigsaw puzzles. 
• Start a new hobby and learn something new, like, painting or cupcake decorating. 
• Watch 'question and answer' game shows on television, and play along. 

Jigsaw Puzzles
I can’t walk past an unfinished jigsaw puzzle without getting drawn in. I love the challenge of finding the right missing piece, it is addictive and a lot of fun. There are so many different jigsaws to choose from, designed with all ages and abilities in mind. There are even 3D puzzles that look very impressive. It is also very handy to have a jigsaw mat that rolls up and packs away with your puzzle still intact.                                                


Cupcake Decorating
The humble cupcake has come a long way and cake decorating has become very popular .It seems if you can imagine it, you can create it. From beautiful blossoms to crazy monsters, cupcakes are being transformed into edible art. Maybe this could become your new hobby?




You can pick up cupcake decorating kits at department stores, I found this Wilton 12 piece kit from my local Spotlight store.

If you think you may need a little more guidance, why not find a cooking class near you, I found the Classic Cupcake Co. in Mosman, where you can take a 2 hour class and learn how to create Buttercream Flower Cupcakes, sounds delicious!!!

So I hope I have given you some useful tips and fun new ideas to keep you fit and fabulous.

Till next time, Julie

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th across the world. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.

IWD is a day to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of all women.We recognize and honour women who have played an incredible role in the history of their countries and communities. We show appreciation and respect for the many amazing women today who are paving the way and creating opportunities and equality for our future generations. The day has focused and fought for many different issues in the last 100 years, from its beginnings in women's right to vote to highlighting violence against women in the 21st century. The focus this year is to empower women, envisioning a world where every girl and woman can exercise their right to have choices, get an education, have an income and live in a society free from violence and discrimination.

How to celebrate on the 8th of March:
There are many ways to show your support this International Women’s Day. Contact your local council or community groups to see what’s happening in your area this Sunday or organize your own event, here are a few other ideas that may inspire you:

• Morning tea, brunch, lunch, dinner
• A women’s festival
• A tribute to female role models
• Evening events that whole families can attend
• Mother and daughter events for uniting different communities and ethnic backgrounds
• Public lectures, forums on current women’s issues
• Spend time with other women for the day eg. picnic, sports day
• Storytelling evening
• Involve local groups and  community in your activities
• Wear Purple: symbolically, purple represents dignity and self-respect.
















All About Women, Sydney Opera House: 8th  March.
Sydney Opera House brings together some of the world’s most eloquent women to share, discuss and celebrate their stories in a series of 19 events. International speakers, including authors Brigid Schulte and Elizabeth Gilbert, and marine biologist Sylvia Earle, are joined by home grown talents, such as journalist Annabel Crabb, author Helen Garner, and feminist Germaine Greer.

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” - Diane Mariechild

Till next time, Julie

Inject interesting depth and variety into your outfits this season with an array of tasteful textures. Our Crepe Jacket and lady-like lace tops are key to staying on-trend with the latest looks and seasonal textiles. Teamed together or worn as statement pieces, both work wonders when dressing your look up or down.

Shop Outfit 1 (right): Top, Pants, Necklace Shop Outfit 2 (left): Top, Cardigan, Denim,