Travelling the world for a year or two has become a rite of passage for many young Australians. But without the proper preparation, that trip of a lifetime can descend into a holiday from hell. Bhriannon Stokes offers four golden rules to ensure you’re not caught out… Your bags are packed, every last piece of clothing neatly folded in your suitcase. Passport in hand you begin your new journey to a foreign land in the hope that you’ll walk away from your year overseas with a new perspective on life and hundreds of great memories. Then you arrive. The water is undrinkable, you have no idea what anyone is saying, the food is not to your liking and people just refuse to stop staring at you. It occurs to you that this year might not be all it promised. Suddenly, inexplicably, you start to miss home. Although some might call this ‘bad luck’, such occurrences are not uncommon. All you need to do to survive living in a foreign country is keep in mind these simple rules. 1. Know your new home It may seem an obvious point, but it is one a lot of people forget. Do the customs of this country require you to bow instead of shaking people’s hands? Will you need to brush your teeth with bottled water? Is bribery both expected and illegal at the same time? A little research can go a long way – as can talking to a few of the locals before you arrive. It can save you from some embarrassing encounters and run-ins with the law. 2. Check dress codes and the status of women This one may offend some readers, but it is an undeniable fact of life. In some countries, the status of women is lower than that of men and dressing accordingly is a must. If you’re not comfortable with this, it’s probably best to avoid the country altogether. Even in countries where equality is a major factor, it may be inappropriate to dress in your favourite cut-off tee and shorts when strolling down the street. 3. Learn that sexy, foreign language You don’t have to be bilingual before you leave, but it’s a good idea to know enough of the language to get around town. Not only will be enormously helpful if you get lost or in other difficulties, but the locals will love you for at least trying to speak their language. Talking loudly and slowly in English is a poor substitute. 4. Climate change… or lack thereof Ever tried going from 30 degree heat to -11? It’s not fun. Make sure you work out the temperatures before you leave so you’re not ending up heading to a country 40 degrees colder than your own (and it goes without saying that you need to pack appropriately). If you can, plan to leave at a time when the climates of your hometown and your destination will be similar (generally spring/autumn) to give yourself time to adjust. If you follow these rules, by the end of the trip you should return home fulfilled and proud of yourself for facing the trials and tribulations of a year away from home. Now, time to plan your next adventure… Image by: Heaven`s Gate (John)

Over the past few years, leggings have taken off as a wardrobe ‘must.’ They have made the wardrobe transition between seasons almost seamless. Dresses are now able to be worn across all seasons, regardless of dropping temps outside. It seems this trend has evolved once more in crossing over to the jeans world. The denim leggings trend is apparently the next best thing for someone unsure of what to wear in the morning. Throwing on a pair of denim leggings are a way of looking like you’re wearing your skinny jeans without losing comfort. Top quality versions can fool the eye from afar, but even cheaper versions pull off the “skinny jean” look for any outfit. Denim leggings come in a variety of washes and styles even, complete with faux wrinkles to give an authentic jeans look. However, this trend may cause a serious concern of whether leggings are pants or not. They are a perfect answer when wearing a tunic, oversized shirt, or dress. However, are they the better option for dressing your bottom when you tuck in your shirt? Denim leggings fans have a good point about this trend being a comfy alternative to skinny jeans. But I’m not so sure I’m sold when I see a woman-even a stick thin one-wearing them with her shirt tucked in. Just because Paris Hilton does it, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s everyday acceptable. What do you think about this growing trend? It seems to have come out of nowhere, but has caught on quickly. Is denim leggings the next skinny or is it just another faux pas to quickly move past?

Winter is approaching quickly and you are probably starting to feel like you are already wearing the same things over and over.  It seems as though winter clothes have a way of making you feel bored with your wardrobe and definitely make you appreciate skirts, dresses and thongs on your commute to work.  Not to fret, I have put together a list of warmer ponte options for the upcoming chilly months that will surely keep you warm and looking great! Wool Ponte Jacket Ponte is all the rage this season due to its timeless nature and comfortable, classy look.  This jacket is a staple for winter so throw it over your cocktail dress or a pair of jeans for a casual, stylish look. Ponte Knit Gathered Dress Ponte is a great fabric for the winter, as it is warm, soft, and stretchy.  This dress is perfect for winter with a cute pair leggings and boots, plus it is only $19.99, how can you go wrong?? Ponte Party Dress This looks similar to a sweater dress but less bulky and much more stylish.  It would be great for a night out or a dressy party. Ponte Knit Pants These pants are versatile and classic, great with flats or tucked into a pair of boots.  Not only can you wear these to the office, but you can also wear these and stay warm at the rugby game or walk around the city.  Everyone needs a pair of pants that act as formal and casual depending on what you match up with them. Knit Top This knit top is simple and classic and comes in my favorite royal blue that looks lovely on anyone.  Match it up with  your new pants and, voila! Also, if you are going on a trip in the near future and wondering what to take, check out our travelling and packing advice!

Need something to warm you up during those long cool winter nights? Here are few chicken-based recipes that will keep you warm and happy during this upcoming winter season. Deep-dish Chicken Pie Maybe not the pie you were hoping for, but it will leave you wanting more.  You can easily experiment with different vegetables with this dish. Regardless of what alterations you make, you and your stomach will be warm and satisfied. Thai Chicken Noodle Soup A modern Asian twist on the traditional recipe, this dish has received great reviews from online users so far. Instead of your basic chicken, noodles and a few veggies, it adds Asian elements to create a new taste for your mouth. If you are looking for an adventurous taste that still retains some familiar elements, try this. It is also ideal for people with time constraints. Chicken, Tomato and Chickpea Soup Full of color and heartiness, this soup is ideal for the winter. Tons of veggies and meat make this recipe the perfect end to a long winter day. You can experiment by adding more vegetables to your liking. Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup Add a little heat to your winter with this Mexican-inspired soup. Similar to other soups, this one adds a spicy kick to it to heat up the cold night. As with any recipe, it is a guide. Feel free to add your personal flare to it and make it your own. Image by avlxyz

Have you ever stood in a shop, with a gorgeous pair of shoes on your feet, wanting to buy them, but wondering if maybe the heel is a little too high? I do that all the time. I buy these lovely shoes, thinking that this is the pair that will force me to learn how to walk in high heels. I have numerous pairs of shoes in my closet that are just too uncomfortable to wear. I certainly try to wear them as often as possible, but unfortunately my opportunities to put on fabulous heels are few. As for finding ways to make your heels more comfortable, investing in a couple of gel cushions can be a great relief. Your feet still hurt after a long night, but the cushions delay the agony by a few hours. Also make sure that the shoe fits you properly. Not just in length, but width and shape of your feet. This article gives some good tips on how to walk better in heels, and they agree with my own strategy that the best way of wearing high heels is to bring a pair of flats in the handbag. Another tip from the article is to not actually walk in your shoes, but take a taxi.