FASHION Archives -

How Busy, Working Mums Can Get Out of the House Alive (looking Fab!)

April 30, 2019 No Comments

Let’s face it. Mornings are tough! Mornings with young kids are tougher and mornings with young kids when you need to get to work are near freaking impossible. Time seems to fly by at light speed and before you know it you’ve spent 45 minutes trying to put pants on your 2 years old.

Here are some simple tips for the super-mums out there to get you out the door and arriving at work looking fresh faced and fabulous, minus the stress.

Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time

Those beautiful people who appear at the office looking effortlessly chic and “put together” have thought about their outfit ahead of time. Oh yes, mam, they have! They certainly weren’t rushing around in the dark at 6am trying to get dressed while the baby is screaming from the other room and your toddler is throwing cereal over her head like confetti. Set yourself up for success and spend 20-30 mins on the weekend putting your “work wardrobe” together. Making sure everything is ironed and ready to go, including accessories. If you have room, invest in a small portable clothes stand where you can hang your clothes & park your shoes underneath for maximum satisfaction and extra brownie points.

Get up BEFORE your Kids

This one is SO important and I personally swear by it. Set your alarm and give yourself 15-30 mins before your kids wake up to wash your face, moisturise, put your make up on, get dressed and even enjoy a quick cuppa in peace before the chaos begins. Having that small amount of time to quietly ponder and prepare for the day ahead with help you to feel calm and in control. Your outfit is already prepped and waiting so you can get dressed with ease and grace. No stress here! You be in charge. You set the tone for the day by being organised and amazing from the get go! Nice work, mama.

Add some Colour to your Face

You will never regret spending 5-10 mins each morning putting on a little make up to help you look a little more alive after what feels like a life time of broken sleep. Just because you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus, doesn’t mean you have to look like it. Think of it like a little mini pamper for yourself. If you’re new to makeup or don’t like to wear a lot, no problem, but a little can go a long way. Using a good under eye concealer that hides those dark circles is a non negotiable and an absolute must for any tired mum. A little blush on your cheeks, a sweep of mascara and a slick of your favourite lippy will have you feeling great and ready to slay your day!

Good Hair = Good Day

Consider washing and styling your hair on Sundays (or the night before your work week starts) to set yourself up for ultimate morning success. A quick restyle if it’s absolutely necessary takes only seconds and won’t completely derail your morning. Stock up on dry shampoo like the world is ending. It’s brilliant for creating volume and getting an extra day or two out of your do. If you find yourself in a situation where you only have seconds in the morning to get it together, tame those frizzes and go for a sleek ponytail, low bun or top knot for a quick and chic look. HOT TIP: If you have an important presentation, interview or business meeting, why not treat yourself to a professional blow-dry. You will feel like a million bucks and appear polished and professional – And BTW – you deserve it, Queen!

Don’t be SO Serious – Have Fun!

When planning your outfits, think outside the box a little and don’t be too serious. “Office attire” can easily become dull and boring with dark colours and power suits. *eyeroll*. Inject a little (or a lot) of your personality into your outfits to celebrate you. Wearing something you really love is a sure fire way to lift your spirits and will get you noticed for all the right reasons. Wearing a bright colour that speaks to you, a fun necklace, a bold lipstick or your favourite new pair of heels will put a little spring in your step. When you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, true magic happens!

Colour Analysis, FASHION

September 21, 2018 No Comments

I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for Spring and all the colours that come with it.

So many of us hibernate in Winter, we stick to our dark neutrals; black, brown & navy as if they were our uniform and if we’re feeling really outrageous we might slap on a dark berry lipstick.

Well those days are gone, so get excited about the latest colour trends for Spring.

Ladies who Lavender

Seen all over the runways for Spring / Summer fashion shows, this colour trend is a “must have” for any fashionista’s wardrobe.

Why not try an oversized lavender cardi worn with boyfriend jeans and your favourite white tee. A pair of Lavender skinny jeans with a striped tank and leather jacket.

Or if you’re really ready to commit, why not go tonal and piece together an outfit with varying shades of lavender as worn by Victoria Beckham below.

For those of you who love the lavender trend but are not ready to dive in, head first – try a nail colour or a pretty scarf to get your toes wet.

Pretty In PINK!

Think feminine, think flowing fabric and think romance. This beautiful blush pink is so soft and unassuming, it could easily be inserted into your wardrobe as one of your lightest neutrals. Instead of white, why not try a pale pink shirt tucked into a pair of high waisted trousers for the office, or a pretty pink blouse worn with skinny white jeans for an effortlessly chic look.

Bright, Bold & Beautiful

Wall flowers, step aside – this is not a trend for you. Big, bold, bright colours are back, baby, so ditch the black and express your sense of fun by introducing these colours into your life.

Wearing a bold colour from head to toe can be very intimidating & all eyes will be on you, so why not inject pops of colour into your outfit. Seek out a bright blazer in fuchsia, or a red pencil skirt paired with a leopard print blouse & your favourite pumps. Or, if this is still too much, turn to your accessories. A bright yellow belt, a bold blue tote or hot pink nails.

Silver Metallics

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am metallic obsessed.. I can spot a shimmery item on a sale rack at 100 paces.

The silver metallic trend is absolutely stunning and can easily be incorporated into every day life. A metallic hand bag is an essential item, in my book. I have a few I like to throw around, and I’m constantly being stopped by women in shopping malls and public bathrooms asking me about “the bag”.

To incorporate this trend into your wardrobe, go for a metallic pleated skirt which is elegant in style and more versatile than you think. It can be paired with a crisp white shirt for a preppy office look, or worn with your fav rock tee for an edgy, “I’m with the band” look.

Try dusting your eyelids with a shimmery silver shadow for a night out with the girls, or who in their right mind could pass up a metallic mani?

FASHION

July 4, 2018 No Comments

Now, I don’t know about you, but I really struggle in the cold. I mean, I’m freezing when it’s 20 degrees. This could have something to do with why I have a huge collection of jackets & warm, cosy cardigans.

The right jacket can really take your outfit to the next level and you will appear polished and chic.

Here are some of my favourites:

The Denim Jacket

The Denim Jacket is a golden oldie but an absolute essential item in any successful wardrobe.

It just works on so many levels. You can throw it over your drop crutch pants and stripy top for an outing to the park with the kiddies, over a summer dress with sandals for Sunday brunch with the girls, or paired with a leather skirt, printed tee and ankle boots for a rockstar look. I’m also a huge believer in tying a denim jacket around your waist to add dimension and create an easy laidback look. You can pick one up for under $50 so if you don’t already own one, get cracking!!

The Leather Jacket

This has to be my absolute, all time favourite jacket. Have you ever noticed that everyone looks instantly, well, cooler when rocking this bad boy? It’s true!

Pair this jacket with your boyfriend jeans, a hoodie and white sneakers for an effortlessly cool look. Wear it over a maxi dress with an oversized tote for a day of shopping, or with that sexy frock you bought online to wear to your friend’s birthday drinks. Because this jacket is so versatile and you will wear it to death, it is worth investing in a real one. However, if your budget simply won’t allow for this, there are some great synthetic versions around that will still do the trick. Fake it till you make it, I always say! Put this one on your wish list or find an online store with after-pay. You won’t regret it.

The Blazer

This one is essential for my hardworking, over achieving, career focused sisters out there. You will look polished and professional in a well fitting blazer and no-one would dare not take you seriously.

Once you’ve mastered the black, you can branch out and purchase another one in a great block colour that ties in with your existing work wardrobe. Or, show people your unique sense of style by being bold & confident in a printed blazer. You can wear your blazer of choice with a pencil skirt and blouse combination, over your favourite shift dress with stockings and pumps or even over jeans with a cute cami to wear on the weekend.

Hot tip! You can also stretch the rules with this one. I may have recently been spotted in the office wearing my skinny jeans, black pumps and an Iron Maiden tee. Gasp! But no one even battered an eyelid because blazers are chic and professional and a style staple in every wardrobe.

The Leopard Print Jacket

Now, I will admit that I do have a silly obsession with anything that’s leopard print. So, let’s consider this one more of a nice to have than an essential buy. But none the less, you will be surprised at how versatile this jacket is, even though it’s a print. In my book, leopard print should be considered a neutral and works with almost anything.

I love pairing leopard print with stripes, which sounds strange, but trust me it works. Leopard print and red are a match made in style heaven. Try an all black ensemble with your LP jacket, a red bag or red pumps and a top knot and you will look incredibly chic and cool.

Or for an edgier look, and one of my favourites.. throw it on over your ripped black jeans, a band tee and a studded bag for a “I’m with the band” look. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll love it & you’ll never regret this purchase.

FASHION

June 27, 2018 No Comments

I used to be of the opinion that white jeans should be reserved for the likes of Kate Moss, and well, that’s about it.

It’s been ingrained in us for years that black is slimming, black is safe, black goes with everything, black, black, black. Well, forget everything you thought you knew ladies, because white jeans are ah-mazing and once you’ve found that perfect pair that has you jumping up and down in the change room and high fiving yourself in the mirror, they are a great asset to any wardrobe.

To achieve that “I just got back from a weekend in the hamptons” look:

Stick to all white. Have you ever noticed that a woman dressed from head to toe in white looks elegant and expensive? Paired with a metallic sandal and gold accessories, you’re bound to turn heads. And if you want to take it one step further, channel your inner Rosie Huntington Whiteley, slick your hair back into a bun and throw on a beige trench. Who knows, you may even bag your very own Jason Statham.. just sayin’.

White + neutrals = CHIC!

White jeans also look effortlessly chic when worn with a neutral colour palette. Throw on a light grey tee or knit, a fedora a pair of cute loafers and a denim jacket and you have yourself the perfect outfit for a day shopping with the girls.

For an edgier look…

(and my god do I love edgy), rock your white jeans with a stripy tank, an army style sleeveless vest and tie a grey jumper around your waist for an easy, laid back look. Oh, and don’t forget your trusty converse sneakers. You’ll be the best dressed mum at the park AND be able to chase after your toddler who can practically run the hundred in under 10 secs. #winning!!

To dress those bad boys up…

Why not try a black and white ensemble, which is always timeless and classic. Pair your white jeans with a black blouse and a monochrome coat. To inject a pop of colour, wear a bold berry lip or a pair of red pumps. Too easy!!