How to... 8 Tips on How to Write a Will (Sp)

Meet me. Reigning Queen of Procrastination. Ruler of putting boring things off. Chief Executive Delayer. 

I am organised at work, getting organised at home (hello school notes!), and this year, 2015, is the  year of Lexi getting everything else in line. Tax. Super. Holidays. And a Will. 

Sounds pretty exciting, right? I know. Sigh. Not exciting. But things that need to be checked off. And the chief reason I delay most of these tasks? I feel intimidated by them.

So today I am sharing eight tips on how to write a will, so we can cross that one off the list ASAP!

But first - why do you even need a Will? A Will will (ha, see what I did there) ensure that your assets are distributed the way you want when you die - and saves a lot of ugly family arguments in the aftermath. Because you won't be there - your will will be the document that conveys your wishes. 

It's important - if you don't have a Will, the courts will potentially decide who and where your assets are going. Plus your money and assets could go to bills and taxes, instead of your loved ones. 

This is something I have been putting off because it feels a bit morbid talking about it, and I haven't wanted to think about it, but heck. Let's do this.

1. When should I write a Will? As early as possible - life hands us turns and twists, so it's good to have something written down - which can always be updated later on.

2. Write a list: Start by writing down a list - or a few lists including:
- Any assets you have
- Gifts you want to give
- People you want to include
- Any charities you would like to include
- Who you'd like to be the executor of your estate

You might add to this list later on - so take your time, and discuss it with your partner or spouse. 

3. Which assets? Here's my big problem. I don't really have any exciting assets unless you count my vintage teacup collection - however I don't think anyone else feels the same way I do about it. But when you're thinking about your Will you should definitely include:
- Physical assets such as houses, property, jewellery, teacup collections
- Financial assets e.g. savings, shares etc
- Heirlooms or sentimental pieces - again with the vintage teacup collection

4. Be picky about your executor: Choose someone with the least to inherit, someone who can be the most objective. The executor should be someone who is going to outlive you, someone younger. 

5. Chat with your family: Find out who wants what. Who really loves my vintage teacup collection? Who loves my vintage hat collection? Er, no one? Surely some people feel an affinity with some things, so it's good to find out what they love - lack of discussion can spark feuding. Ugly. 

6. Be specific: Name people, but include date of birth, relationship to you, and address - add as much detail into your Will as possible to avoid any doubt/discrepancies. 

7. Regularly Update: You should keep your Will updated - definitely if you have a new child, get divorced, retired etc - you want it current and relevant.

8. Harness an expert: Seek legal advice to ensure your Will is solid and complies with state and territory legislation. They'll also be able to provide tips, or remind you of things you haven't included.  Avoid free Wills because they may not be compliant and your Will may be rendered invalid - and your wishes may not be carried out. It could mean it takes longer for your loved ones to be given what you wished, and legal costs will be taken out of the assets. Plus sometimes "free" wills come with hidden clauses charging fees and taking a percentage as payment for executing your will. 




This post is sponsored by Firths - The Compensation Lawyers

How To Not Cry At The School Concert: 6 Tips

It's that time of the year when we celebrate the milestones of our children with end of year concerts, presentations and all the malarky that comes with Christmas. If you're like me, sometimes your eyes get drippy - it's a little documented fact that once those maternal hormones start churning - your eyes drip. A lot. And I - at your service, have come up with a way to thwart those pesky drips. 

1. Be Anna Wintour: You know how Anna wears sunglasses, like, everywhere. Well why can't you? Go into the classroom with your oversized Von Zippers (oh - maybe they're Chanel?) - no one needs to know your eyeballs are sweating. Do they? Nope. You're sitting front row at the end of year concert and the pollen goes - bOOM - smack bang into your eye? Sunglasses will stop that pollen from even getting close to your cornea. Your little cherub receives an award and your eyes starting that tell-tale tingling? Make like you're a celebrimummy and don a pair of oversized sunnies and not only stop your eyes from melting - but look like a complete kooky snob. Who knew reading the concert program could be so, er, difficult wearing sunglasses?

2. Bite the inside of your mouth - or your tongue: Did you know that if you bite the interior of your mouth - it is associated with distracting your eyes from become pools of water? Try it. I do. Often. This tip will serve you well in school concerts to come. 

3. Go cross-eyed: Try crying and being cross-eyed at the same time. You just can not do that. And then add a mirror into it - yes go on, just slip that compact mirror out and have a wee peek at how silly you look. See. Look who's not crying now. 

4. Look Upwards: What? I'm not crying! The sun's in my eyes. Ok it may not work indoors, but worth a shot outside. Oh ouch - something just flew into my eye. There's another tip I threw in as a freebie. 

5. Laugh: Pump up the volume on those endorphins and laugh. Or smile. Whatever floats your little boat. 

6. Pinch Yourself. Hard: Have you ever tried this? Nope probably not, because I am probably the only one that's afflicted with lactating eyeballs. But if you ever find yourself in that sitch - then pinch yourself. And hard. No. Not that hard. Just enough so that the pain distracts you. 

But of course, my favourite is number one. Mainly because I want to sing this to any mums that turn up wearing sunglasses in the school hall. 

There-ends my tutorial on how not to cry at the school concert. Early next year I'll be hosting a how-to not cry at the school gate as our little babes head off to Kindergarten. That's right. I'm going to be the one sobbing in the car afterwards. But not at the gate!

What's Not To Love About A Quiff

Back in the day, when I wore a younger girl's shoe, I used to love making my hair really big. Like really, really big (not too dissimilar from the above images). I had a mantra and the mantra was this:

"The higher the hair, the closer to God."

It wasn't my mantra, I didn't craft it, instead, I stole it and lived and breathed it. I loved having massive hair. It was my thing. Just as Anna Wintour has a Lego style bob, I had massive hair. 

Sometimes my friends tried to flatten it down a bit, but I was devoted to that big hair, and if I had a few too many sherbets, it'd grow even bigger. I loved that big hair. In fact, maybe I'll bring it back.

It was with great delight that this week I received news of how to get the 'masculine quiff' from Vivienne Westwood's show - as created by Sam McKnight for Pantene. A little less big, a lot more rock 'n' roll.

Let's take a look shall we? And then this week I can have a go at recreating it. Since, like, my hair is so much longer than it's been for a while (don't tempt me Michelle Williams - no paparazzi shots please!). If you try this 'do - upload a pic to the PMM Facebook page so I can marvel at your coiffing prowess. 

Get the look – masculine quiff:

1. Always start with freshly washed and conditioned hair. Pantene Pro-V Aqua Light Shampoo and Conditioner provides the perfect base for this look.

2. Apply an ample amount of Pantene Pro-V Body Builder Mousse to damp or dry hair. Blow dry hair away from the face.

3. Clip away the top section of hair leaving hair in place each side from the arch of the eyebrow downwards.

4. Apply Pantene Pro-V Intensive Damage Repair Oil into the two side sections and using a fine toothcomb to smooth out the hair pull the two side sections together and secure at the back of the head.

5. Release the top section of hair and blow dry using your fingers to lift the roots and give you even more volume.

6. Remove hair elastic at back of the head (the sides should remain in place). Using the Pantene Pro-V All Day Smooth Leave in Crème as a styling aide, apply to the hair with your fingers and rake through to the ends to give a heavy textured effect.

7. Take the top section above the slick sides and twist into a pleat forcing a quiff at the top of the head.  Ensure the quiff is set in place adding Pantene Pro-V Stay Smooth Hairspray and pins as needed.

So I promise, I totes promise I will be back with the hair later this week and I will share my attempt with you. And if you do, share it on Facey.