TIPS FOR A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP

Trouble getting to sleep at night? Find yourself dropping off during the day? Do you wake up with an inexplicable sensation of tiredness? Bedtime is crucial in order to get a good night’s sleep. Here we’re giving a few tips to help you get a better night’s sleep. Sweet dreams!

Turn off those lights: our bodies identify light as a signal to stay awake. Half an hour before you go to bed, dim the lights to allow your brain to adjust to the idea. We always sleep better in total darkness. If you don’t have blinds, then wear a sleep mask.

Get your room ready: even though you may feel the cold, you shouldn’t sleep in an overheated room. The ideal temperature for sleeping is around 22 degrees centigrade. It’s better to go to bed in a pair of full-length pyjamas that keep you nice and snug than to heat the room so you can sleep in a strappy nightdress. This will prevent you from waking up in the middle of the night without really knowing why, because the room is too warm. And in hot weather, don’t sleep with the air conditioning on; cool the room to a temperature that allows you to get to sleep, but no more than that.

Use cotton or natural fibres: this applies to both your bed linen and your sleepwear. If you’re very restless and move around a lot during the night, this will prevent you from generating static electricity and help your muscles to relax more easily.

Aromatherapy: if it regularly takes you more than twenty or thirty minutes to get to sleep, then we recommend you try drinking a vanilla, camomile or lime blossom infusion before you go to bed to help you relax. You can also sprinkle a little lavender or vanilla extract in your bed, or even take a warm bath with a few drops of orange essential oil and do some relaxing deep breathing exercises. Don’t watch television or use your computer in bed, or listen to loud music. And of course, keep that mobile phone out of the bedroom; don’t just switch it to silent mode, as the waves it emits can alter your sleep patterns.

Forget about those stimulating drinks from lunchtime onwards: the amount of caffeine, tobacco or tea you consume during the course of the day may be responsible for making you restless at night and prevent you from sleeping. They accumulate in the body and may affect you for several hours after. They can also cause you to wake up several times during the night, stopping you from getting all the rest you need. Try to cut down, and cut them out completely from lunchtime onwards.

Practise relaxation techniques: We usually take all our worries and anxieties to bed with us: things that have happened during the course of the day and a mental check list of things to do the next. Try to soothe your mind and calm your inner being with some simple relaxation and breathing exercises.

Try some reiki: Considered to be a form of alternative medicine in Japan, reiki aims to heal by channelling universal energy through the hands. You don’t have to be an expert or visit a professional; instead you can try some simple reiki techniques on key spots on your body. For instance, place the palm of your hands on your sternum and chest, moving them clockwise as you breathe and focusing on the movement and the energy you are channelling. This will help to dislodge your anxiety and help it to disappear, enabling you to breathe better. You will feel calmer and able to sleep better.

DRESSED UP BUNNIES

Illustrator Lucy Player started designing a typography based on bunnies around two years ago.

The project has gradually developed and she recently posted her work centred on these cute little animals onto a website. From Madonna to The Beatles, the Ninja Turtles, Cleopatra and Spiderman…no one is safe from being characterised as a bunny! They’re all featured on Hoppy Bunnies. We’re sure you’ll love them.

And if you like what you see you can also take a look at some of Lucy’s other work at her website.

HELLO HOLIDAYS!

Finally, the best bit of summer has arrived… how many times have you muttered “I need a vacation”? Well… Here they are!

Forget about September, meetings, the work that’s waiting for you, the e-mails piling up… All you need to worry about is relaxing, having a great time and regaining your energy.

Trips, excursions, days at the beach, romances, mid-week partying… everything goes when you’re on holiday. Do now what you haven‘t been able to do so far this year. Tire yourself out during the first week discovering a new city and spend the rest of the time resting and seeing all your friends.

But be careful, because in summer we all live very well, and it’s all too easy to gain a few pounds: ice cream is just too delicious.

Above all, the most important thing is that you don’t stay at home doing nothing, but make the most of your free time, which is what we have planned for this month. See you in September!

W’S AND CANON PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION. ONE OF THESE CAMERAS COULD BE YOURS

One of the ten Canon IXUS 130 cameras could be yours. That’s right; we’ve launched an online competition inviting you to send in a summer snapshot. We don’t know if it’s the sunlight, or the fact that you’re feeling relaxed, but whatever the case, summer snapshots are always the best. There are prizes for the ten photos that best sum up the spirit and values of our brand and are essentially w’s – ultra feminine, original and personal. Check out the competition terms and conditions to find out how to take part.

And it’s the perfect opportunity to show you a whole selection of special photos we’ve found on the Internet and have been keeping for a moment just like this. What a lot of talent there is floating around in cyberspace!

SOS, IT’S TIME TO TRY ON THAT SWIMSUIT

Let’s be honest. More than one of us has experienced sheer panic at the thought of trying that swimsuit on. But we’re not just talking about that particular garment; no, we’re talking about swimsuits, bikinis, miniskirts or shorts – the whole lot. We don’t know why, but even the most stunning of models featured in any of our catalogues has confessed that it’s quite a daunting moment. There are absolutely no exceptions: each and every one of us desperately hopes that miracles do exist.

And we’re right – they do! But we’re not trying to pull the wool over your eyes. What we want is for you to keep smiling as you try on that swimsuit. If you’re one of those that make looking after yourself one of your New Year’s Resolutions, but “goodness me! How time flies!” don’t punish yourself. It simply isn’t worth it. Relax. Try and find the way to stick to your resolutions over the last few weeks before that first dip in the sea.

We realise (because we create underwear and swimwear for women and we’re women too) that the stomach, buttocks and legs are the problem zones that give us the biggest headache. So let’s tackle these first.

Get on your skates: a pair of rollerblades can be a real help. Not only do you burn off more calories than normal, but you also work that “zone”. You’ll be cursing us after the first session when you can hardly walk, but keep at it and you’ll soon be singing our praises when you can show off that toned behind this summer!

Draining juices: they won’t just fill you with energy and enthusiasm, these juices made from ingredients with draining properties (grapefruit, kiwi, celery and strawberries) will also help to eliminate excess liquids. You can also add tea or other types of herbal drinks if you prefer.

Localised workouts: Create your own simple exercise routine that you can complete just a few minutes before going to bed. You’ll find lots of ideas here, with these quick exercise and easy-to-follow instructions.

NEXT STOP: SUMMER

We’re almost there… what will this summer be like? Not long enough, that’s for sure! Here at w’s we’d like to stretch summer out like a sunrise in June… How? Easy! By thinking about it as from right now! And if you’d like to join our suuuuuper summer plan, just follow these simple steps.

Be the first to step into those summer sandals, to get that golden summer glow, to wear your sunglasses 24/7 and to post those beach snaps on your social networks. And little by little, your wishes and our tips will end up convincing us all that every day is summer! And we deserve it, after those icy temperatures we’ve had to put up with all over Europe!

Our plan is guaranteed to work. But if you’ve got other ideas about how to make this the longest summer ever, then why not let us in on the secret? Write to us at blog.ws@womensecret.com or write your comments on our Facebook wall – we’d love to hear from you. And we promise to create a post featuring the most original ideas! There’ll be no stopping us.

Get inspired with our new swimwear catalogue and dress up a truly unforgettable and never-ending summer.

OUR BLOG CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY!

Although according to the calendar the year officially starts on 1 January, we often can’t help thinking of September when we talk about our ‘good intentions’ for the year. That’s because when we were kids our lives were organised around the school year. But if you think about it, it makes sense: months of hard work, a month’s holiday and now it’s time to start all over again. The holidays have given us time and space to think about how to improve our lives. It’s time to put all those plans into practice. Let’s make sure it all works out the way we’ve planned. Let’s organise our diaries the way we organise our wardrobes: work (or classes), sport, friends, errands, films, books, travel, hobbies, even our shopping trips… there’s time for all this and more provided you get yourself organised.

Today our blog is celebrating its first anniversary! And we’re celebrating with this

recommendation: invent your own fall. People say that keeping a diary is a way to happiness. Basically, it’s really simple: our minds are full of ideas, but how important they are to us depends on the moment. Why not write (or draw) a list of personal goals and decide what matters most and what really doesn’t matter at all. Then, all that’s left to do is open up the wardrobe door and dress to dazzle.

We’ve done our bit by creating fabulous new collections and adding a huge dollop of enthusiasm. women’secret girls and friends worldwide: happy fall and congratulations on the first anniversary of our blog!

To help you decide what’s really worthwhile in life, check out this truly inspiring website: thingsihavelearnedinmylife.com/

3, 2, 1… WE’RE OFF ON HOLIDAY!

One of the best things about the summer holidays is the sheer pleasure of crossing off the days on the calendar until they arrive. An intense countdown that helps us to recharge our batteries, even if it’s only for a couple of hours a day.

A couple of hours that we spend dreaming of the fun we’ll have when we’re on HOLIDAY. Dreaming of the ice-creams we’ll eat, the dips in the sea, jumping over huge waves, the places we’ll discover and the fun and games we’ll have…. Mmmm… sounds good!

Mentally we’ve packed our cases a thousand and one times. Suitcases play a key role in our holidays -as long as they arrive with you; have any of you ever lost a case at an airport? Our perfect summer suitcase – for girls, naturally – would be as big as our wardrobe. But as, sadly, that dream shall never become a reality, we’ve drawn up a list of the 10 absolute musts when packing this summer (essentially the only things we really need):

A two piece bikini (+ plus an extra bikini bottom for mixing and matching)

A pair of flip-flops (they look great with everything, at any time of day)

A panama hat

A pair of aviator sunglasses

A towel-sarong

A lingerie dress

A maxi tote bag

A book with more than 300 pages

Your I-pod

And naturally, your favourite set of underwear (things tend to hotten up in summer and you have to be ready for any eventuality).

We’re closing in August for our holidays. But we’ll be back with exciting new ideas for you. Have fun!

DETOX BREAKFAST

It’s the same old story every year. There’s just no getting away from it.

Put your hand up anyone who didn’t swear in front of the mirror just before the Christmas party season got into full swing that this year they definitely weren’t going to eat and drink so much. But of course, it’s easier said than done. Old school friends, chums from uni, those cousins you haven’t seen for ages, seeing the old year out and the new year in…It just goes on and on in one big social whirl! So, if you’re one of those incorrigible (or unpredictable – which sounds better) people who, however hard they try, never get round to doing what they intended to do, we’ve come up with a couple of detox juices that will help to beat off the effects of those Christmas excesses. And put your hand up if you’ve never overdone it…not even once! Of course we all have at some time.

We’re not going to give you one of those disgusting recipes based on green apples and maple syrup extract – we’re not as boring as that! Instead we’ve come up with a couple of “detox” juice recipes that are simply delicious at any time of day. These juices are not only truly delicious, but will also help us to “detox” – whatever that really means. At least they’ll stop you from feeling so guilty…

Just try one of these first thing in the morning to get the day off to a great start!

Strawberry and banana shake
Simply put all these ingredients into your blender and mix until you get the required texture.

• 1 large cup of soya milk
• 1 handful of strawberries
• 1 sliced banana
• 1 small glass of natural orange juice

To sweeten, add a dash of honey or a couple of teaspoons of sugar. All right, I know, liquid sweetener is the boring option, but it is an option.

Fruit mix
These are the types of fruit we recommend, but you can use anything you’ve got in your fridge.

• 2 peeled kiwis
• 2 peeled peaches
• 2 slices of pineapple
• A handful of blueberries
• The juice of 1 lemon
• A sprinkle of powdered ginger
• 1 glass of chilled full fat milk
• Several ice cubes

Blend all the ingredients until the liquid is runny and strain if necessary. Crush the ice and add to the shake. Serve chilled!

Vacations, family, gifts, trips, huge meals, parties and a list of resolutions. Christmastime must be here

Our blog is taking a little break until next year! We won’t be publishing new posts for a few days, but we’ll be back rarin’ to go on the 13th of January, and we’ll welcome in the year with a recipe for a detox breakfast – we’ll all need it, so don’t miss it! We all wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We’d like to leave you with an idea: to have a special, personal Christmas created just by you, because handmade is definitely “in”. Here are a few suggestions:

- Love and cookies: make gingerbread cookies with imagination or a message. It’s fun – even better in company – plus afterwards you can give them away.

- Make your own Christmas cards to ring in the New Year, then send them by email, snail mail, courier, whatever you can come up with yourself.

- Think of original text messages to send at midnight on the 31st so that you aren’t just sending the latest tired joke.

For anything that you want to make/cook/set up/build at home this Christmas, let yourself be guided by others at the huge, fascinating website:
www.instructables.com