The invitation I received to Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story describes the plot as ‘the true twisted love story of the 1920s Chicago students who killed for the thrill’.  I clearly skimmed past that bit, zoned in on ‘award-winning musical’ and promptly sent through my RSVP. I’ve always been partial to a good sing-a-long and sequins.

Note to self: Read invitations properly*.

Thrill Me is a cautionary tale of obsession, co-dependency and addiction to another person. This is the story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, a couple who brutally murdered fourteen year old Bobby Franks in the mid 1920s, and were sentenced to life in prison. What drove them to do this? Their desire to commit the ultimate crime undetected.

And I thought Les Misérables was bordering on dark…

Trapped in a master-slave relationship and completely absorbed in each other, Nathan and Richards’ intimate connection twists beyond the realm of normal and leads them to make a horrible life changing decision. Think of the worst crush you ever had and just keep multiplying. These two were literally nuts about each other.

I put a call out to the PR world to see what is being spruiked this Valentine’s Day and there really is something for everyone. Read on to see what tickles your fancy for this February 14.

Fly over Paris, Venice or Rome…

Too cash strapped to jet off to a romantic city this Valentine’s Day? Check out www.flightexperience.com.au and give your beau the ultimate, ahem, ride.

You can whisper sweet nothings at 10,000ft over the likes of Paris, to your loved-one for a fraction of the price.

• When you say goodbye in the morning KISS him goodbye, no words just kiss, enjoy and walk out the door.

• Buy a nice lingerie set for yourself, think of it as a win/win situation.

• If you’re feeling daring you may want to send him a MMS of your new set.

• Cook his favourite meal for dinner and enjoy his company (even if he’s been driving you crazy)

• Enjoy a wine together, have a laugh and see the sparkle in his eye and take it from there.

Relax, enjoy yourself and just let the evening flow. You both will feel great for it.


I promise you will spice up your love life and I’m sure he’ll will return the favour.

Good Luck & Happy Valentine’s!

Bra Queen Meet Australia’s Number 1 Bra Critic, Writer/Author, Lingerie Consultant. Bringing you ALL you need to know and look for in a bra.

My pick of the month:

Crimson and Steam by Liz Maverick ($17.95 RRP)

This book has been a long time coming for those who have followed the Crimson City Series.  This series is hot & with the contribution of several authors, including Marjorie M Liu, it doesn’t grow stale.  This time the tale revolves around Marius and Jill.  Marius is a Vampire and Jill the human woman who has waited a very long time to be with him.  But the political subplot requires that he marry another, as the Head of the House of Dumont – enter Tatiana – a Werewolf.. While it is the 8th book in this series it continues with an unmistakable style.  You may prefer to read the series from the beginning though so that you understand the characters, were they come from and how they have evolved.
I rate this one 5 stars all the way.

A Little About Genres:

This month, focus on how to choose a book that caters to your needs.  Are you into the Paranormal romance or is the romance part less important to you?  If the romantic part is only an underlying thread in your favourite books, then perhaps you need to look at Urban Fantasy.  Traditionally these are books that have a strong paranormal story and the romance is usually secondary.  Many of these are series, so you don’t have to say goodbye to your favourite characters straight away.  For Paranormal books – try authors such as Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan or even Anya Bast.  Looking for a new author in the Urban Fantasy section?  Why not have a look at Karen Chance, Stacey Jay or even LJ Smith.
What about a bit of action and adventure?  Then the Romantic Suspense is the best bet.  There is nothing like strong

Much has been said in the media of late about the airbrushed models and celebrities frequenting the covers of women's magazines.

As a result, there's been a backlash of sorts, with many glossies boasting of their current use of unretouched images.

While still gorgeous, expertly lit, perfectly posed and stunningly groomed, this recent trend has been a positive step forward for the representation of...dare I say it... real women.

But while women are speaking loud, their message crystal clear - the airbrushing phenomenon is not limited to we ladies.

Take a look at the cover of any men's lifestyle magazine... I dare say those six-packs have had some assistance, along with the remarkably even skin tone and perhaps a couple of other, shall we say, attributes.

It seems the modern bloke must also live up to a false ideal, comparing themselves to the incredibly sculptured bodies of the new male model.

But perhaps

With the new year upon us, wouldn’t it be great to start the new year with a clear conscious by having all those unfinished work tasks/projects completed?

I’m talking about those tasks/projects that play on our mind, weighing us down and preventing us from feeling like we are on top of things.   They are almost always thought of in a negative frame of mind and make us feel like we are failing.

Let’s get started and make it a reality!  

Think about (or actually stand in) the room that you do your most work in, whether it be at your office, in a home office or a space in the home where you spend the most time working.   Picture it in your mind or if you are there, look around and get a really good feel for exactly what your office contains.  Pay close attention to the following:

·    The ambience – is it too dark, musty, unventilated?
·    The layout of furniture
·    Miscellaneous items and their placement
·    The many piles of paper all over the desk
·    The contents of drawers and cupboards

Now ask yourself the following questions:

Fernmark Inn is unique in the Bega Valley. 

Feel instantly at home as young, welcoming hosts inspire you with their passion for modern rural living on 90 acres of glorious bush. Hallie and Corinne moved from overseas in Autumn 2000. The idea for their B&B has been in their dreams and thoughts for more than 4 years, first as they sat in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the sea on the island of Lamu, Kenya.

As they both love travelling, they designed the Fernmark Inn with 4 exotically modelled theme rooms from different places in the world they experienced.

Each deluxe room has its own ensuite and a private terrace.

The Middle East room has a beautiful domed ceiling and curved edges to represent the feeling of the domed rooms in the Sinai desert on the edge of the Red Sea. The colour scheme is in blues and whites and the floor is painted the colour of sand. This room is wheelchair accessible and is fitted with a queen-size bed, ensuite bathroom and private terrace with ramp.

The Thai room is designed in bamboo and hessian and includes Thai silk wall hangings, handmade leadlight and pottery sink and tiles designed by a local artist. The feel is intended to be that of a bamboo bungalow. Colours are purple and green. This room contains a queen-size bed, ensuite bathroom and private terrace.

Women with Purpose - Your Own Worst Enemy – (HOW NOT TO BE!)

Six key steps to setting goals

Well, it’s the New Year and I am guessing most of you (me included) have set at least one goal or New Year resolution.  So before you go much further, make sure that you set yourself up for success and give yourself the best possible chance to achieve your goals.  

Today I share with you 6 key steps to writing goals that will help you achieve them.

1.    State your goal positively
2.    Put your goal in context
3.    Express your goal in specific, sensory terms
4.    Choose a goal you can fulfil yourself
5.    Evaluate honestly the effects of achieving your goal
6.    Choose a worthwhile goal.

Many of the people I coach have radically improved different aspects of their lives by using this approach to setting and achieving their goals.

1. State your goal positively

How to Avoid Lost Luggage…
and be prepared in case it happens to you.

Summer is just around the corner and while ‘tis the season to be jolly, ‘tis also the season for family holidays! For those lucky enough to fly to this year’s holiday destination, it can be a challenge trying to fit everything you think everyone will need in a limited number of bags. So imagine what it would be like if you lost just one of your bags along the way…

Having almost done just that on a recent family holiday to the US (the bag I almost lost had all our passports, cash, and credit cards!), I am quite happy to share some tips on how to avoid lost luggage… and be prepared in case it happens to you!

Firstly, how to avoid it…

Your Own Worst Enemy – (HOW NOT TO BE!)

Top secrets to staying motivated and on track with your goals.

Have you ever set yourself a goal or committed to stoping or staring something (a diet, an exercise plan) and not managed to follow through?  

If you are like every other person in the world then I am guessing the answer is yes, at least once!

Just because you set yourself a goal it does not mean that you will achieve the outcome you want.

Do you sometimes have a that little voice inside your head that says “I am finding it really hard to stay motivated to stick to this goal or “I wish I was more motivated to do the things I know need doing”

For all of us at one time or another we have found it difficult to find the motivation and keep it.

Unfortunately motivation won’t just fall into your lap – you have to take steps to create it.

Wanting to do something and then actually doing it can be really hard.  

We often mistake sheer will power with motivation.  Will power is no good without motivation. If you try to achieve your goals through sheer will power without motivation you will be likely to fail.  

Here are 6 effective ways you can help yourself to more effectively achieve your goals.