It’s often easy to get swept up in the Valentine’s Day bubble and forget the most important love you can have, self-love. At MidCity, we think that making time for yourself, being kind to yourself and treating yourself are all essential to a loving and healthy relationship with your mind and body.
We caught up with model and content creator, Oceana Strachan to talk about all things self-love, positivity and pampering.
What does ‘self-love’ mean to you?
It is easy to get caught up with work, the daily grind and social events that taking a step back and doing something for you is easily pushed aside. Self love can be the most complicated form of love, it can be about making time for yourself and your mental space or it can be more visual about how you see yourself and loving you for who you are. For me, self love is all about making time in my day that I can be selfish and focus on something for me.
What is something you do everyday to practise self-love?
Everyday I exercise, I get up at 5:30am and have an hour in the gym. This sets me up for the day, gets my body moving and allows my mind to focus on something other than work.
I am super routinal as well, part of my journey to self love was to set myself a good skin routine which i make sure I do every morning and night. I feel like if I make time to appreciate and take care of my appearance it puts me into a more positive mindset.
Get your daily dose of exercise in, at Virgin Active.
What are your favourite ‘treat yourself’ essentials?
Definitely a good pair of headphones for when i’m working out! Beauty wise, a good face mask and a nice smelling candle before bed. It really helps me wind down.
Find Oceana’s favourite headphones at Rebel and pamper essentials at Jurlique.
How do you move past negativity in your life?
Unfortunately negativity is a common occurrence for many of us, whether it’s coming from social media, within our family homes or our own mindset. My biggest tip is to remove yourself from the situation and do something you love instead, don’t overthink the situation, take your mind away from it and if necessary come back to it when you are ready.
Moving forward from any sort of negativity can take time but make sure you are taking steps forward to improve your mental mindset.
What would be a good starting place for someone wanting to practice self love?
Do something small for yourself everyday, take 5 minutes of your day to breathe and be grateful that you are here and have a chance to live your life. We, as humans, take too many things for granted.
Treat yourself today to a rejuvenating treatment at My Healthy Massage.
What are your favourite quotes or mantras that you live by?
My mum always told me to “embrace the power and beauty of your youth” – you will never be as young as you are today.
Living in such a fast paced, digital world, it’s easy to feel fatigued and overwhelmed. Making time for yourself is the perfect way to refresh your energy and refocus on what’s important. At MidCity, we want you to always feel your best so here are some simple ways to make yourself a priority.
Take A Breather
Feeling tense and stressed after a hectic work week? Take some time to indulge in a treatment at My Healthy Massage. Specialising in Chinese Massage, choose from acupressure massage, reflexology, aromatherapy and feel your fatigue and strain melt away.
Taking time to unwind and relax will revive your energy and help you refocus so you can keep kicking your goals! Take that relaxed, floaty feeling home with some new all-natural skincare from Jurlique.
Creating an evening ritual like running a bath, cleansing and moisturising your skin will conclude your day with serenity allowing for a better night’s sleep.
Ease Into The Day
Establishing a morning routine is a simple way to ensure you have a productive day. Energise your morning with an early yoga class at Virgin Active followed by your favourite coffee from Caffe Dante. While you wait, take the time to plan out your day to create a clear purpose for a productive day.
Find Your Fit
Don’t let fitness slip away as just another New Year’s resolution! The key to keeping active is finding an activity you love doing and that makes you feel good. Virgin Active offer a holistic approach to health and fitness, encompassing strength, stamina and soul. This outlook combined with a huge variety of classes will have you squatting, gliding and feeling motivated all year around.
No workout is complete without the perfect outfit so reward yourself with a new kit from Rebel. With favourite brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma you’ll be the most stylish gym junkie around!
Dress To Impress
New Year, new wardrobe… right? Sweeten up your look with some new threads to have you looking and feeling fabulous. Just Jeans has your casual, comfy needs covered with shorts, skirts and dresses that pair perfectly with new pair of kicks from Hype DC. If you’re looking to freshen up your workwear, Witchery and Portmans will have you get your hustle on in no time.
Dare To Adventure
Hit the ultimate refresh button by getting away. Stepping out of your bubble and into a new environment is the perfect way to clear your mind. Whether it’s a weekend road trip or an overseas adventure, it is important to give yourself a break regularly.
Travel Money Oz take the hassle out of your travel plans by getting you on that plane with no stress. Convert your cash to any currency at the best rates with no annoying fees. Or, go paperless with a Travel Money Card that can load 10 different currencies at once and be used anywhere around the world. Plus with no surprise transaction surcharges, you can enjoy your trip without fear of a big bill waiting for you at home! Don’t forget to sort out your travel insurance and pick up a travel adaptor before you jet off!
Whether you’ve been friends for five years or you’ve been glued to the hip since you were kids, your best friend is special. Which means they deserve an extra-thoughtful gift holiday season.
For every kind of friend, whether they are a sentimental person or the one who’s always looking for the latest and greatest fashion and beauty products, we’ve got something for everyone at MidCity.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorites, ranging in price, personalisation and sentiment. You are bound to find a gift as special, meaningful and funny as they are.
For the friend who seeks glowing skin. Your beauty loving bff will adore this gorgeous Signature Rose Duo.
Includes a relaxing, calming and instantly hydrating hand cream plus hydrating mist. The perfect duo to keep in the purse or carry-on to use on the go. Available at Jurlique.
For the friend who loves sentimental gifts. This would make a gorgeous gift for the home. An elegant design in polished silver-tone metal gleams with 6,300 crystals. Simply add in those favourite photos from over the years to express how much they mean to you. Available at Swarovski
For the fitness freak friend. This slim and stylish Vivosmart 4 helps to set and achieve health goals. It monitors heart rate and blood levels as well as sleep. It’s compact but nifty. Available at Rebel.
For the friend who loves the finer things in life. This chic jewellery organiser is the perfect accessory to keep valuables safe. Plus the colour is what pink dreams are made of. Available at Mimco
For the pajama lover. Make their gift even more special this Christmas with an embroidered name on these silky PJS. So luxe! Available at Peter Alexander
For the unorganised friend. There is nothing worse than when it rains and your unprepared. This rain jacket packs away into its own pocket. This gift is a feel-good, look-fly must have. Available at Kathmandu
For the friend who loves their basics. The Aussie Christmas is definitely not your typical Christmas, with a lack of snow and a quirky take on the holiday. A typical Aussie Christmas is sure to have warm weather and a BBQ which is why these Birkenstocks are the perfect choice. Moulded portions to support toes and adjustable buckle leather straps, this is the perfect sandal. Available at Hype DC
Before we talk all things shopping.. What is Black Friday? Every year in the United States, Black Friday is held the day after Thanksgiving, November 29th 2019. This event is where all of your favourite brands go on SALE!
Everything from fashion, beauty, jewellery, skincare and tech are all on sale. It’s the perfect time to start crossing off your Santa wish list!
We all know the madness that sales can bring and heading to the shops can feel like a recipe for disaster, so how do we shop Black Friday?
1. Make a budget – So that you don’t get too tempted and spend it all on one day. Set yourself a budget for how much you are willing to spend over the sale weekend.
2. Make a list for what you want to buy – This helps reduce impulsive buying.
3. Research the items you want to buy – Be organised and see if the items you are after are available at your local store.
4. Use this time to be proactive – Think smart and plan ahead for any events that you may have coming up such as Christmas parties! You can also use this opportunity to start buying Christmas gifts for loved ones.
5. Social Media – Social media makes it so much easier to get your hands lust after items. Search online to see if your favourite retailer is having sale by looking at their social media, or keep an eye on MidCityshopping on Instagram.
6. Start Early – We’re not saying get up early and outside stores at 6am, but early getting in when the store opens is a good way to ensure it’s not too busy and you can browse in peace.
7. Enjoy – Most importantly, enjoy this day and get some great bargains!
Spring Racing Season is upon us once again, so it’s time to dust off those fascinators and go shopping for a new dress!
No matter if you’re an avid race goer or it’s your first time out with the girls, we have the perfect outfit for all the important events of the Spring Racing calendar!
2nd November 2019 – Derby Day
Cup week always starts with a fusion of monochrome fashion so opt for classic black and white on Derby Day. While strict with its dress code rules, sticking to monochrome doesn’t have to be boring!
Black and white is always a winning look and with so many options to choose from we have narrowed down our top 5 picks!
From left to right: Sheike Trifecta dress, Forever New Karli dress, Portmans Amelia dress, Portmans Shae jumpsuit, Sheike Verona dress
5th November 2019 – Melbourne Cup Day
An iconic Australian event in the racing calendar is, of course, the $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup and the highlight of cup week. There is no such thing as ‘too much’ when it comes to dressing for Cup Day so be prepared to go all out with your strongest fashion statement.
There are only ever a few occasions in a girl’s life where finding the right dress is crucial – here are our top 5 picks for Cup Day greatness!
From left to right: Forever New Tiffany dress, Sheike Vanity dress, Witchery Marlene dress, Portmans Neon Garden dress, Sheike Daydream dress
7th November 2019 – Kennedy Oaks Day
The tradition of Kennedy Oaks Day is beauty, femininity, style and grace. Traditionally known as Ladies Day, Oaks Day is all about florals, pastels, and lots of pink! The significance of this day is the crowning of Fashions on the Field and to help secure yourself as number 1 on the day, we have put together our favourite top 5 looks for Oaks Day!
From left to right: Sheike Aurora dress, Forever New Lily dress, Portmans Jet Set dress, Witchery Ruffle dress, Sheike Eve dress
9th November 2019 – Stakes Day
To draw a close to Spring Racing’s most crazy but fun-filled week, Stakes Day is considered more of a relaxed dressing affair with attendees opting for a more laid-back classic approach.
Draw inspiration below from our favourite 5 picks for Stakes Day.
From left to right: Forever New Daniella jumpsuit, Sheike Flutter dress, Witchery V-Neck knit dress, Portmans structured spot jumpsuit, Sheike Stargazing dress
Whether you’re gearing up for the 42km marathon or the 3.5km family run, it’s essential to prepare your body and mind, to get the most out of your run. At MidCity, we love wellness and fitness and want to help you out this running season.
Train to last!
As soon as you sign up, it’s time to get training! To build up your stamina and strength be sure to join a variety of classes available at Virgin Active. Avoid fatigue halfway through by putting in the time for pre-training and your body will thank you!
Look the part
Now that your training is underway, you need to think about what to wear to give yourself a little edge. Kathmandu and Rebel have you sorted with incredible running specific ranges. Think light, breathable fabrics that won’t hold you back.
And of course, don’t forget about your feet! Make sure they are comfy and supported in a new pair of Sketchers sneakers. Be sure to wear them in a little before the big day to avoid blisters.
Get the gadgets
Grab a few gadgets to keep you motivated during prep and the run. There is nothing more annoying than earphone cables getting in the way or even worse, falling out! Be ahead of the pack with Wireless Sport Bluetooth Earphones. Enjoy your favourite pump-up playlist without the worry.
If you really want to go all out, a Smart Watch is the ultimate running assistant. The easiest way to track your progress as well as monitor your heart rate, breathing, pace and more. You won’t need to worry about lugging your phone around, with all your essentials and music on your wrist.
Recovery Time!
After all that prep and the run itself your body will be screaming for a little TLC. Be sure to stock up on your favourite muscle recovery bath soaks and creams from Chemist Warehouse. Add these to your post-training ritual to avoid injury and boost recovery.
After the big run, why not treat yourself to a relaxing massage at My Healthy Massage? Soothe any muscle niggles and feel your aches and tension melt away.
Father’s Day is creeping up! Don’t get caught out last minute and get the same old boring socks like last year. Snag the perfect gift to show your Dad how much you love and appreciate him.
Whether you have a small budget or are really wanting to treat your Dad, MidCity has your gifting needs covered.
For the gym junkie Dad. Whether he’s a fitness fanatic or just getting started, a Virgin Active gym membership is the perfect choice. With 3 or 12 month options, it’s a great motivation to keep him going. Plus, he will have access to heaps of daily classes like boxing, cycle and yoga. Available at Virgin Active.
For the chill Dad. Who doesn’t love a big, cosy robe? Your Dad will be the pinnacle of relaxation in this comfy, plush number. Perfect for chilly nights, just light a warm hug from Dad. Available at Peter Alexander.
For the sports obsessed Dad. Whether he’s a die hard football, rugby or cricket supporter you can score a huge range of Fangear at Rebel. Have him sorted for the grandstand cheering on his favourite team with a shirt, hat, jacket and more. Available at Rebel.
For the eco-friendly Dad. Who knew sustainability could look so good? A fresh pair of trainers will have not only him looking and feeling good but reduce his environmental footprint. Made from recycled and naturally organic materials, these are the perfect option for an Eco-Dad. Available at Hype DC.
For the classic Dad. For the ultimate luxe gift, treat your Dad to a timeless piece from Tissot. The elegant, simple design makes it suitable for any occasion or outfit. Swiss made since 1853, you know this timepiece will be treasured and last a lifetime. Available at Tissot.
The Australian summer is endless – and winter is so short and sweet when it does arrive. This winter, take the opportunity to rug up and escape on a camping weekend.
Whether it’s a stay-cation locally on the beach or you are packing up for a 4X4 adventure get-away, check out @kathmandugear.
Kathmandu was born in NZ and they believe that adventure begins when you pack your bag. Now, the staff at in store are the real professionals but here’s what we know…
You need a good tent, come rain, hail or shine your tent is your home! Better to be over prepared than under prepared. Here’s some good options for your home away from home…
The Retreat 80 3 Person Tent easily fits 3 people or the right amount of space for you, your partner and all the stuff you just HAD to bring with you.
Connect it to the Retreat Compass Hub for an indoor dining and leisure area for when nights are super chilly. You can store your UNO cards here, as well as the extra snacks. If you can get enough friends on board this Hub can connect to up to four tents.
Secondly, there is no electricity. A seasoned camper may have grasped this, however for the first timers this means no lights, no charging points – no nothing! I know, it sounds like a lot and if it’s too much you can always look into powered camping sites. Otherwise, Kathmandu has it covered. Source lanterns, cooktops, cutlery and even dehydrated outdoor meals for the extra dedicated participants. You can even get batteries and solar power kits for your camp set up.
For those of us who love a gadget, you will appreciate the illuminosity generated through four different settings on this Retreat 1200 Lantern, with a handy beam distance of 39 metres.
Finally, you can’t forget sturdy footwear, warm socks and a good winter coat, thankfully all are available at Kathmandu. Comfort is key when you are trying something new. Try bringing your pillow from home for an extra touch.
Now, grab all your goodies, pack the esky and take that weekend off.
SHEIKE yellow jumpsuit, SWAROVSKI jewellery
It’s time to swap those heavy jumpers and scarves for floral dresses and singlets because it’s finally warming up!
We’ve collated our favourite casual and formal looks below for this Spring/Summer season, all available at MidCity Shopping Centre.
He wears JUST JEANS shirt and jeans. She wears JUST JEANS jacket and jeans, MIMCO jewellery
Everyone knows that when it comes to denim, quality over quantity is the best way to shop – and what better place to find the perfect fit than at Just Jeans!
SHEIKE floral dress, SWAROVSKI jewellery
When your Monday to Friday office appropriate outfits lack colour, find your inner style queen on the weekend and shop at Sheike MidCity.
WITCHERY dress, SHEIKE clutch and earrings
When date night comes around why not dress to impress? Find this gorgeous burnt orange dress from Witchery MidCity.
SHEIKE White blouse and shorts, SWAROVSKI jewellery
Does your workplace have casual Friday? Find these fun striped shorts and loose blouse at Sheike MidCity.
Whole outfit from REMBRANDT
FOREVER NEW lace dress, SHEIKE earrings, SWAROVSKI jewellery
Whole outfit from WOLF KANAT
Look the part at this year’s Spring carnival with an outfit from Wolf Kanat, Rembrandt or Forever New.
Want to see what else is on offer at MidCity? Just visit our Store Directory!
*Items may have sold out and may not be available in-store.