Have you made your bucket list? Maybe it’s the fact that time keeps speeding on by, but last week I was reflecting on my life and realising that time stops for no one. I have read numerous passages and books that reference to that moment when someone is lying on their death bed and they rattle off the things they regret. There is a common theme, typically it’s the fact they wished they had taken more risks. Keeping in the spirit of this I decided the time to construct my bucket list was NOW! So here are my top 10 things to do before I die. I hope this inspires you to create your own list!

1. Take a Pilgrimage. This may not hold the meaning it used to in the spiritual sense, but think of that place which makes your heart sing. For me I have always longed to visit the great wall of China. At 7m high, 7m thick and over 8000km long it blows my mind that this structure was made by human efforts. 
   
   
2. Forgive. Something that sounds so simple yet can be so hard. In the end unforgiveness is something that poisons your spirit not the person you are mad at. 
   
   
3. See the Pyramids. I have always longed to see this Egyptian marvel. Once again I am in awe of what human brilliance can accomplish! 
   
   
4. Go Skinny Dipping. The scaredy cat in me has never shed all my clothing and bravely jumped into the sea. One day I am going to take a shot of something, be extra brave, carefree and all of that..one day I shall skinny-dip.
   
   
5. Get Engaged on top of the Eiffel Tower. Ok so many of you know I’m already married. This is a dream I would love to reenact one day. But to all you dreamers out there, this is definitely #goals.
   
   
6. Float in the Dead Sea. This is just plain cool. I would love to know what this salt dense body of water feels like, one day I am determined I will!
   
   
7. See the Northern Lights. Something again I have always longed to do. The earth is an amazing place, what a creation! 
   
   
8. Finish a Journal. I am a self-confessed journal-a-holic. I love paper, crafts and stickers. Planning in my planner, writing down thoughts in my journal and numerous to-do lists. I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever finished a journal, I always get to the middle and excitedly buy another and start that one. One day I shall have a complete journal!
   
   
9. Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride. Sipping on some champagne, watching the sunset from a Hot Air Balloon, sigh. It would be absolute magic to float silently across the skyline!
   
   
10. Love Deeply. Tell the people in my world whether it be family or not…tell I love them. It's so easy to assume that people can read our minds and they should know, but do they? Spread a little love around, it will cost you nothing but will give so much!

Now that I have started my list I realise I could actually make this 50 or 100 things to do before you die. I think more than going out there, taking out a loan and ticking off the list, just putting these thoughts down gives you a sense of something more. A sense of not just living a 9-5 existence but searching for more and longing for not just material things but experiences. Let it never be said of us that we had regrets! 

The Noosa is our bestseller here at John Taylor Watches. A combination of Rose Gold casing and a Blush leather strap makes this a feminine combination. Yet whilst being feminine its minimal design makes it not overly fussy. Below are some ways you can style your very own Noosa timepiece.

 A little background behind the name. The Noosa is named after one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, Noosa Beach. Having been to Noosa many times I am always taken back by its beauty. Noosa as a whole is a blend of the Australian beach lifestyle and upper class elegance. The streets team with tourists shopping at the exclusive boutiques, coffee in hand, scoping out the best spot for lunch. There are certainly relaxed vibes but it takes a pretty penny to live in Noosa.

When I wear the Noosa I am always surprised by how many different ways I can style the Noosa timepiece. The Blush makes it’s perfect for jeans and t-shirt casual yet it’s a great date night look too.

 Creating a distinct woman’s watch, the Noosa is one of my favourite designs.  I believe the Noosa will remain a core product for John Taylor Watches for a very long time. Make sure you show us how you style your Noosa timepiece using the hashtags #myjtstory & #johntaylorwatches.

As a teenager I just couldn’t understand the lure of coffee.  The smell was vaguely appealing, the taste was truly disgusting and at the time the only benefit I could see was its ability to keep you awake.  This was enough to get me to try it.. and years later I can well and truly say I am a convert.

 Words like crema, roast and bean get my taste buds tingling and my senses stirred.

That feeling of walking into a cafe, you look across at the Barista and clearly by the signs of his dreads and piercings knowing it’s gonna be great! You glance at the trendy decor which screams…we are the new breed of hipster.

The seats are few because the place is jammed with twenty-somethings spending their hard earned cash on a weekend breakfast out. There are gluten free offerings in the cabinet and ‘raw’ brownies…when did they need to be raw I ask myself? I glance at the price…$5 for a regular coffee….ah well it’s not just the coffee after all is it…we are paying for the experience.

The first few sips are glorious and the drive was all worth it.  We are emerged in the coffee culture and thankfully for us it doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.

From a coffee lover xo

Whilst researching a number of ideas for this blog post I happened upon that famous line ‘The power of positive thinking’. First made famous by author Norman Vincent Peale, this has long been a topic of discussion.

I wanted to break this down a little and talk about my thoughts on the power of positive thinking. I feel like this year, 2017 has meant a major life shift for me. Mindsets have changed and thought patterns shifted.

What is positive thinking? Simply it’s replacing that negative thought ‘I would be hopeless at rock climbing’ to ‘I’m going to give it a go and I bet I will be awesome’. I feel positive thinking is speaking good stuff over your life before it’s even happened.

Professor Barbara Fredrickson a psychologist from the University of North Carolina, USA suggests that positivity is a mindset and helps to produce emotions such as amusement, joy, happiness, well-being, inspiration and gratitude. 

You and I both know that negative emotions can lead to all sorts of things…ulcers, inadvertent weight gain or loss and anxiety. Professor Fredrickson says ‘I think of positive emotions as nutrients. In the same way that we need to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to be healthy, we need a variety of positive emotions in our daily experience to help us become more resourceful versions of ourselves’.

Training our minds to focus on positive thoughts and not let yourself be drowned out by negativity can be tough. This requires discipline and a constant replacing that negative thought and in its place putting a positive one. I often tell my children that sometimes you need to ‘fake it till you make it’. The same is true for positive thinking. The mind is fickle and can be lazy too! The more you keep replacing those negative thoughts with positive ones, the more natural this process becomes. It may be a lot of effort to start but keep going it gets easier!  

The Mayo Clinic reports some of the benefits of positive thinking may provide an increased life span, lower rates of depression and stress, being able to withstand the common cold even! Better heart health and coping skills in times of worry and pressure. These are huge benefits!

Positive thinking is definitely something I want to work better at. I suggest a couple of resources to start you on this process of a positive lifestyle. Grab a copy of ‘The Power of Positive thinking’ by Norman Vincent Peale and even a gratitude journal, which will help you to focus on the good things in your life. Just because we are almost into March doesn’t mean you can’t make this your best year yet!

1. Warm Lemon Water: I have heard this one talked about for years and never really been keen until recently. The New Year brings a 'new me' and I am embracing it with open arms. Warm lemon water every morning has helped with my digestion and also gives your body a boost of Vitamin C.
   
   
2. Start a journal: Whether it’s a gratitude journal, a prayer book or simply a place to scribble down thoughts, a journal is a great way to help align your mind. I’ve found when I get all my thoughts down I feel more centered and ready to face current issues that are going on in my life. I feel grateful for all I have and open to new opportunities. 
   
   
3. Hydrate! We have had this drummed into us for so long and there is truth in the drumming. There are so many benefits that outweigh the constant trips to the bathroom. Clear skin, less snacking, excess hunger, the overall health benefits are too numerous to list! I like to carry my favourite water bottle around with me and also on occasion add fun flavours like lime and berries. 
   
   
   
   
4. Get some sun! Getting enough vitamin D is essential for strong bones and a good mood. Get out of the office or study chair at least once each day to take a walk and get some vitamin D. 10 minutes a day is all you need.
   
   
5. Sleep More. I know what your saying…ok, this is a habit I could get behind. Getting enough sleep of a night is essential for your overall health. I have recently found an awesome function on my iphone called the Bedtime function, which alerts me when I need to head off to bed to get my 8 eight hours in. Although I usually ignore it, I am trying to train my body to obey. 
   
   

The New Year is a magical time where all that has passed in the previous year can be forgotten. People can be redeemed. New habits can be started. Slates are wiped clean and all your dreams are achievable! 

The New Year is a chance. A chance where you can write down a new set of goals and dreams and actually feel like anything is possible! 

Some tips on goal setting and nutting out those New Years resolutions. 

1. Stay Balanced - have different categories for different areas of growth in your life. For example: Have a goal for your Health, and then another for your Mental Growth and then another for your Financial Area. 
   
   
2. Keep them achievable. All too often I have set myself lofty goals, I will read 20 books…I will loose 30kg. Making goals too lofty to achieve can also be a great discourager. Make sure you can achieve whatever you set yourself, even if it’s small increments at a time.
   
   
3. Put them somewhere you can see them. Such a simple thing but so effective. I make sure my goals are in my planner and also put up somewhere I can see them daily, the fridge is a great location.
   
   
   Let’s make 2017 the year we believe, achieve and succeed! 

The temperature is starting to rise ……. Summer is here!

One of my favourite times of year is Summer. Packing up the car, towels, sunscreen and BBQ’s. Good vibes are all round. Beach cricket and relaxing in the sun. Let’s face it Summer rocks! Below are some essentials to make Summer and your trip to the beach the best yet!

Eyewear. That morning sun can be deceiving and often we can underestimate the power of those rays. If you don’t want to have premature ageing around those eyes, grab your favourite pair of sunglasses. Preferably for a day at the beach you would go for a polarised pair which cuts the glare off the water. Not only do you look chic but you’re protecting your eyes.

Snacks and Drinks. The last you want to do is to finally have your beach set up, lie down and hunger strikes…but I don't wanna move and where is the closest shop? Perfect solution is to bring your snacks and drinks down onto the sand with you. Consider bringing an esky or cooler down to keep your drinks cool. Cutting up fruit and snacks in containers will save you the mess and inconvenience of preparing on the sand.  Get rid of the guilt and choose healthy options.

Shade. It may seem boring and practical but trust me, when it’s 35 degrees on a hot Australian beach you will be grateful for carting down that gazebo or umbrella.

A cute cover-up. We put a lot of focus on the best pair of swimmers or bikini, but when it’s time for a break from swimming a cute cover-up is what makes our beach fashion perfect. Whether it’s a crochet dress or cotton playsuit, comfort and style go hand in hand.

Ultimate Playlist. Beach tunes are the perfect companion for a great beach experience. Creating the right vibes and putting you in the mood for relaxing, fun and beach awesomeness. See below our Summer Playlist!

Spotify Playsuit for Summer

Whenever I head off on a trip I spend probably two weeks prior stressing over what I will pack. It becomes so overwhelming that I tend to wait until two days prior before I put anything into a suitcase.

Where will I be going? Is there a pool? Are we going out to dinner? All these various occasions require different outfits, different footwear and different accessories. A first world problem I know, yet still one I have to deal with time to time. 

On recent travels to Hong Kong I had an epiphany with my packing and I have some thoughts on dressing for travels and what to pack that might be helpful to some. 

My first thought is let your accessories do the talking. Whether it’s your John Taylor watch, pair of converse sneakers or in my case Louis Vuitton cross body speedy, that’s what makes the travel outfit chic. A diamond bracelet teamed with your John Taylor Watch adds an immediate element of class for a dinner out. 

Keeping the outfit simple is important, as it needs to be when walking extensive amounts. By keeping it simple you have more freedom to change things up with your accessory game. 

Another tip is to keep everything in a similar tone or shade. For this trip I packed a lot of white and blue, crisp and cool shades. Outfits were easier to style when things were similar in tone. By wearing say a white t-shirt and slacks, you can always pop on a floral cover up to completely change the look of the outfit, and it weighs next to nothing in your luggage, bonus! 

Fit was the important factor. Hong Kong is a city that requires a lot of walking so keeping my outfits cool, breezy and a comfortable fit was important. I chose flowy dresses, loose blouses and black comfy tights. 

A major part of enjoying my travels is feeling comfortable, chic and put together. With just a little bit of planning and some clever accessories this is made a whole lot easier. 

When it comes to style there are hundreds possibly thousands of takes that each and everyone of us could have on which John Taylor watch is perfect for you! 

Being the co-creator I have access to every style and I am kind of glad for that. Every five minutes I change my mind on my favourite style and why. Let me give you a break down on my thoughts on the six different styles. Keep in mind that this is purely my opinion and there are no hard and fast rules on any of the styles. How I choose to style my watch is my opinion and I so value YOUR opinion. When your JT watch arrives make sure that you tag #myjtstory or #johntaylorwatches and we can all have a look how you uniquely style your watch! I am certain that you will inspire not only me but anyone else who sees your picture. 

THE BYRON: The Byron, a famous Australian beach, is to me is our most traditional design. A classic tan strap paired with silver hardware is the ultimate traditionalist. A pair of Chino’s for a guy with a white linen shirt, add in the Byron and you are ready for drinks on the terrace for a sundowner. For a woman, the Byron is gorgeous with dark blue skinny jeans and also that same white linen classic shirt. I would even make the look pop with a red lip. 

THE NOOSA: The Noosa is stunning, clean and crisp white face, with rose gold hardware. I would call Noosa our feminine watch but the call is yours, if you’re a guy who rocks blush and rose gold GO for it! Typically when I look at the Noosa I think pearls, chambray blues and white skinny jeans. 

THE COTTESLOE:  Many people that I have talked to on my travels have assumed the Cottesloe with it’s black face and brown strap is decidedly a male watch. I actually disagree. I believe the black face and tan strap is such a gorgeous strong style and I have worn it myself with either blue jeans and a black top or even a more day appropriate black dress. 

THE WHITEHAVEN:  The Whitehaven is certainly a statement. All white its fresh, minimal and clean appeal makes me imagine white bohemian flowing dresses. The Whitehaven surprised me with it’s versatility. I have worn this during the day with a more relaxed style and even at night with a beige short dress and strappy nude heels. 

THE BELLS: A unisex style and once again an understated elegant watch. Black on black design is truly a gorgeous addition to any outfit. Today I paired a short denim dress with black tights and boots, the Bells looked amazing. Definitely a standout accessory, yet didn’t overwhelm in any way. 

THE BONDI: The Bondi is certainly elegant, black face with gold hardware immediately dresses up any outfit. My dad being a professional is often having to be quite well dressed day to day and the Bondi was a natural choice for him. I think for a man, this style, is a confident expression of style. For me I love to pair the Bondi with lots of gold rings and bracelets to bring out the gold hardware. 

If there was a word that expressed our John Taylor Collections I would say versatile. There isn’t a style I wouldn’t wear, yes I am slightly biased but I do believe in what I have helped to create. As I mentioned above I would LOVE to see what style you end up choosing and how you make your watch work with your lifestyle. 

We all know that skill or passion is not the only thing you need to achieve success in life. If you don’t have a charming and elegant personality, you might end up in the failure category in spite of having the best talent and skill in your  field. You need to do anything to make yourself a better professional every day, and wearing a watch can boost your confidence as a professional and even add a certain charismatic element to your personality. Although people often argue smartphones and other electronic devices are all that's needed to keep the time, millions of people still buy and wear watches as it can bring the following few elements in your life that can really make a big difference both personally and professionally.

Watches Bring Elegance and Charisma in Your Personality

Only a few people have the charisma in order to pursue their career in a corporate world or become popular in their social circle. Most people have to try harder in order to get that kind of social charisma and watches surely bring a particular charisma to your personality, which makes you confident and fearless no matter how tough the other one is.

Watches Let You Enjoy Professional Success

Have you ever felt the need to find out what the time is during an interview? Most of us do and imagine if you’re looking at your smartphone during an interview. Won’t it destroy your chances of getting the job at the spot?

Job interview is the one of the toughest tasks for employees to go through especially if you’re applying for a job for the first time. You just have a degree but don’t have much relevant experience to convince the customer on paper. Now it depends all upon your interview skills. Remember the quotation, “First impression is your last impression” and your job interview requires you to get your first impression to be great. First impression won’t come with your skill and talent to answer the questions being asked during the interview but it’ll actually be the kind of personality you have and how you feel towards the required job. Here you need essential life changing factors like confidence, fearlessness, a risk-taker and a perfect professional. Watches will surely help you boost your skill set.