WORDS Of WISDOM...

STYLE TIP - BELT IT...

How to use a belt as a accessory?

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Belts are a great accessory and can really pull your whole look together whether holding up your pants or cinching your waist…

They come in various different styles from statement to thin to broad to rope…you name it, there is a belt for it! I love the statement belt that cinches in your waist and places the focus on the belt. Use it to belt a coat, a dress or a shirt, plus one of my favourite styling tips is to swap the fabric belt that comes with the coat with a statement belt and transform the whole look of the original piece!

Belts are also a fab way to experiment with a look…belt a dress you won't normally or spice up a jeans and t-shirt combo by adding a statement belt…its like a necklace for the waist!

A belt is an inexpensive and stylish accessory that every wardrobe will benefit from. If you not sure about a look…belt it and see it transform!

WORDS OF WISDOM...

WEEKLY FASHION TREND - MULES...

Mules...the shoes not the animal, are a huge trend for the upcoming season! There are quite a few varieties and shapes to choose from. Pointy toe stilettos being the most popular, you also get them in round toe options with a chunkier heel and wedges. Personally I prefer the round toe version with the chunkier heel as I feel they are more versatile and wearable suited to my lifestyle...(my mommy lifestyle). They don't look that great with a short skirt or dress, but work great with pants, jeans, leather pants and maxi skirts or dresses...I'm in love with mine that I got at Target this weekend on sale for $32! This is one trend you can be comfortable and stylish in - kind of the new wedge.

STYLE TIP - T-SHIRTS...

How to glam up your t-shirt?

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I love graphic t-shirts, slogan t-shirts and plain t-shirts in all shapes and sizes…so lets have a look at the various ways you can wear this versatile and classic piece of clothing. Everyone owns at least one t-shirt…

Tuck it - the half tuck is very fashionable and on trend at the moment. It adds some structure and sleek to your outfit and shows of any detail you might have at the waistband or a belt you might be wearing.

Knot it - this is one of my favourite ways to wear my t-shirts at the moment. It draws the attention to your waist which is normally the smallest part of your body and it creates a focal
 point. It's a bit more dressy and a nice little added accessory to your outfit.

Add bling - this is my no.1 style tip! Statement jewellery will always add glamour to anything you wear. Treat the t-shirt like a blank canvas and add on as many accessories as you want! This is your way to personalise the outfit.

Add structure - by adding a jacket you automatically take the style and glam factor up a notch. Together with your statement jewellery and the half tuck or knot your t-shirt will be anything but boring!

AUSTRALIA AND ME...

This is not my usual post…it's not really fashion related and it's at a random time, but I need to write this for myself…I need to reflect on our time here and try and understand why we came here…

After about 20 months in Australia we are leaving…back to the Middle East by choice! Abu Dhabi to be exact and I couldn't be happier!!! Now neither of us or our children are from the Middle East - I'm South African and my husband is English - yet we going back to where it all started for us…where we felt comfortable and at home. Expat life suits us both and its perfectly situated right in the middle between South Africa and England!

After much thought and soul searching as to why we ended up in Australia and our time here…the 10 things Australia has taught me:

1. I am a much stronger woman than I think I am…

2. I have a new appreciation for our life…

3. I realise how privileged we are…

4. I value my family so much…and miss them every single day…

5. I appreciate our friends from all over the world and the richness they have added to our lives…

6. I appreciate house help and the service industry and will never take it for granted again…

7. I have realised to express your feelings to loved ones every day before its too late…

8. I will never take anything for granted again…

9. I have developed a deeper relationship with my faith and came closer to God…

10. Last but not least…I found me…my fashion mojo and my style! I started my fashion journey more intensely and decided the path I want to follow…I started my fashion blog here and made some incredible friends along the way…

With 7 days left before we start our new chapter…I will think back at our time here in Australia with mostly fondness…some sadness and heartache but definitely with love as our beautiful daughter was born here...

WEEKLY FASHION TREND - SLEEVELESS JACKETS...

I love, love, love this latest trend!!! 

This jacket will take you from Spring/Summer right into Autumn/Winter and all the way back again! Wear it with everything you own…in Summer wear it with a dress and some fabulous sandals, shorts, leggings and a simple tank, even a maxi skirt…

In Winter wear it with jeans, leather pants, opaque tights and light knits…the options are endless. This is on my shopping list for the Summer season and I spotted a great one from French Connection…along with mules and culottes! (I will do a post about these gorgeous items over the next 2 weeks)…race you to the shops!!!

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STYLE TIP - LEATHER JACKET...

Can I still wear my black leather jacket in Spring/Summer?

Off course you can!

Just add a floaty dress or maxi skirt, some gorgeous wedges or metallic flats, a bright lippy, mani and pedi a colourful bag and some fabulous statement jewellery and off you go!

It will be a great addition to your outfit and can serve a dual purpose…a little extra cover should it get a little chilly or just drape it over your shoulders like you would a shawl…very fashion forward!

WEEKLY FASHION TREND - FRINGING...

Now this is a trend I'm excited about! 

Fringing! A little bit gypsy and a lot of bohemian…

Think music festivals and old fashioned carnivals…now lets try and incorporate that dreamy, care free feeling into our everyday lives by adding some Boho chic.

I like a fringed bag and you can get quite a few on the high street…my 1st port of call will be Cotton On - they have the whole vibe going on at the moment and just this weekend I bought an amazing cream fringed cami and matching kimono - which is properly my favourite item of fringing! Wear it with leggings, skinny jeans or leather for an edgy look.

Shoes are another great item if you want a subtle hint to the trend and lastly a great fringed poncho - which you can wear with some denim shorts and a basic tank for a stylish laid back summer look. 

My best tip for wearing fringing…don't wear all the items at the same time! You want to look effortlessly glamorous not like you have just been through a shredding machine!

Add your stylish accessories and a statement lippy and you will look like you belong at that hip music festival or gypsy carnival…

 Images courtesy of Pinterest

STYLE TIP - SALE SHOPPING...

How do I shop the sales?

I am the first to admit I'm a sucker for sale shopping! Nothing gets me into a shop faster that the bright red word SALE…I love to rummage and I love a bargain, so the prospect of 25%, 50% or even 80% off is a major attraction to me!

Just yesterday I went shopping and the bright red word attracted me into a shop…right at the back they had a section which read…nothing over $10! WHAT??? 

So off I went in search for my fabulous bargain…I rummaged and was in my element when I spotted the perfect little ensemble! A fabulous animal print camisole and skirt set with slits right up both sides in the perfect light non crease summer fabric…for $25!!! Please, please, please let them have my size…

They did! I grabbed it and raced off the to the change room…tried it on…and it just didn't look right!!! Noooooo I was screaming in my head, frantically going through everything I had in my wardrobe that will look fabulous with it trying to convince myself I need this outfit cause its on SALE and just $25!

Sound familiar? How many times have you stood in a change room trying to convince yourself that something looks fabulous just cause its on SALE???

I know its hard but this is the Golden Rule of SALE shopping - 

Only buy on SALE if you really love it, if it's the right size and fits you perfect! Don't just get it because it's on sale. We all love a good bargain, but make sure you separate the good from the not so good, and walk away with the best of the best of what is on SALE!!!

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GLAM WEDNESDAYS - TAIL FEATHER...

Life is all about Style, Fashion and Glamour right??? Well…some of it anyway! How fabulous is this outfit! 

The feather skirt, paired with the slogan t-shirt and the pop of colour with the neon jacket is so effortlessly stylish! 

Now how do I incorporate this little glamorous ensemble into my ordinary little life you ask??? Easy! Swap the feather skirt for a black skirt (long or short), keep the slogan T, keep the neon jacket, paint your nails a fabulous red and add a gorgeous bag! Voila! If you really want to wear a feather skirt - go ahead! Why not...

WEEKLY FASHION TREND - MAXI SKIRT IT!

I love Spring…its my favourite season and a time for fresh beginnings!

My latest obsession is the maxi skirt - all shapes and forms…particularly the pleated version and I quite love the thigh slit ones as well…

Wear it relaxed or dressed up, with wedges or beautiful flat sandals, NOT pumps or anything with a closed toe, that will just look wrong and way to "heavy" for the softness of the maxi. A basic t-shirt knotted at the side or half tucked will be my preference with lashings of statement jewellery and arm candy. Add a nice smallish bag or clutch that will compliment the colours you choose to wear and never step out without painting your toes…it is spring after all and NO chipped polish either…ever! This look is all about prettiness and girliness. 

Always keeping it Glamour on the Go!

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