advice

Taking Care Of Your Cheap Bling

Cheap Bling

If you’re anything like me you’ve got a whole stack of cheap but precious jewellery stashed on your dresser. Mood rings, beach trinkets, costume jewellery and vintage buttons on a chain. Here’s a couple of tips to help you take care of your accessories and treasure your bling for longer!

+ Use a clear nail varnish to seal your accessory – you’ll prevent the metal tarnishing quickly. This action will also help prevent naughty metals like nickel causing an allergic reaction (fabulous for those tacky rings).

+ Keep the cheap goodies away from water. This means showers, baths, spas, pools and saunas! The deadly combination of chemicals and water is one way to ensure your “jewels” disintegrate quickly.

+ Stay organised. Treat your cheap bling like real gems – keep your necklaces separated, rings on ring tree, etc. Chains need to be fastened before you store them, and earrings need to be kept as a pair with their butterflies/backs.

If you’ve got a huge box of accessories and nowhere to hang your various necklaces, I recommend the use of small plastic craft bags – one bag per item – to keep everything separate and easy to view.

+ Love it? Buy two! If it’s really that special (and cheap), why not buy two? Just in case… If it’s chain store or vintage, chances are you’ll not find the gem of your collection again.

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“All that glitters is not gold.”

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10 More Fun Things To Do For Cheap Or Free

I had a very thrifty weekend, but I did a hell of a lot! It was inspiration to write about 10 more cheap thrills. See this post for 30 other fun things to do for less.

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The focus is on things you can do that don’t involve spending a lot of money – to relax, entertain or simply change tack away from the couch:

1. Visit your local gourmet food market. My favourite Auckland spot is the Parnell Farmers Market – places like these often have samples galore. Learn a little bit, taste a little bit and have a chat with vendors! I usually head straight to the fromagerie.

Cheese

2. Meet a friend for coffee. Or don’t. Develop a love of herbal tea – it saves you money and buys you time! At most cafes (for the price of a latte) you’ll get you get an entire pot of tea, giving you longer to loiter, chat, work on your screenplay. My little red pot of raspberry and peach tea cost $3.00!

3. Cook something laborious from scratch. It doesn’t have to be expensive – just time consuming! Think vegetable risotto with homemade bread. Invite friends around and add a bottle of wine for an instant dinner party.

4. Find a cheap nail salon and get an outrageous manicure. Orange and aqua with diamantes. Leopard print. Cute fruits? I particularly love the elaborate drying process and reading trashy mags while my nails harden. Another option is to grab one of your girlfriends and do it yourself.

5. Find an addictive computer game and clock that mother. I favour Roller Coaster Tycoon and other old school games I wanted to dominate as a kid.

6. Go for a run. It’s free, you get fit and some fresh air. Win win.

7. Host a couchsurfer. Do a weary traveller a favour by offering them a couch, and in exchange you’ll enjoy scintillating conversation, a taste of a new culture and perhaps make a new friend! Do give it a go, you weren’t sitting on that couch anyway.

8. Make a pinhole camera!

9. Structured photo missions - shoot yellow hues only, snap pictures of things starting with A, circles, whatever. Choose something and stick to it. This is one of my favourite time wasting activities – it’ll make you look at the world with fresh eyes!

10. Play pool. Hanging out at a pool hall for a few hours won’t cost much at all… improve your skills, drink, talk a load of crap with your friends or just soak up the atmosphere. The mustier the hall, the better!

pool hall

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What do you do to entertain yourself that’s affordable, and rad? I’d love to know!

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How To Buy A Men’s Shirt

Whether for your good self (or women, for your nearest dude!), it is imperative to know what you’re in for when you go shopping for men’s shirts. A great fit makes all the difference in looking like a true professional, while knowing how to choose good material will make life a lot easier!

Dior Homme - this is a slim fit...

As my friend Matt can testify, wearing a great shirt changes people’s perception instantly. In a sloppy t-shirt you might be vaguely recognizable as the DJ from some club, but wearing a shirt you’re transformed into trusted professional. Yes, I will give you my money.

Whether you’ve bought 30 shirts already or you’re about to buy your first one, it’s always nice to brush up on the basic rules. So, with your best image interests at heart, here are a few guidelines to follow when shirt shopping:

MEASURE UP

Size and fit are the two most important things to think about when buying a shirt. First, you’re going to need to know a couple of measurements: neck and sleeve length.

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WORDS OF WISDOM: COMMIT TO IT

Advice I received recently from a very smart cookie:

"Don't commit to things in bits, commit to what you have already. Build on it."

Stick at it, hunker down. Finish writing one great novel rather than starting 50 mediocre opening chapters. It’s about balance too – don’t spread yourself too thin… build the castle, then work on all the other bits of empire.

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Roller Girl – The Cutest Skates

A question from Courtney, a beleaguered disco-bunny:

“…I just want a pair of roller skates! Where would I buy these?”

Alice Dellal

Dearest Courtney,

I know, me too. I’m sure you want more than a simple pair of roller skates too… you want the cutest ones out! A pair so ace you’ll want to wear them 24/7. Just imagine the fun to be had skating around your house in the morning, pouring cereal for breakfast and opening the curtains… Le sigh!

You’re going to want to try them on for a good fit, so to start off your search by popping into your local big box sports retailer first (in New Zealand I suggest Rebel Sport). If you have children sized feet you’re probably going to be in luck – kids always seem to have great skates. If you can’t find anything, fear not, your next move is to turn to the internet!

Here are my top 5 picks from the online skate merchants I found:

1. I declare the Riedell Palomino Deluxe Ladies model to be the Cadillac of roller skates! Hand coloured in teal, red or any other colour you like, they will be sure to turn heads as you whip past:

teal-skates

2. However don’t worry if you’re on a tighter budget – Zappos will sell you these sweet pink wheeled women’s Chicago Rink Skates for an affordable US$55:

chicago-rink-skate

3. I read about the Preen x Nokia skate collaboration on Fur Coat No Knickers last year. Alice Dellal was the face of their skates-love-child and associated UK events (as seen above). Who knows if you’ll be able to find the skates now (try eBay), but they too super-styling to ignore:

preen-roller-skates

4. The Rollergirl website sells a ton of different styles, so do look there – there’s something for everyone, including vinyl skates for vegans and others who don’t want to wear leather. I really liked the Electric Lady style in pink but they allow you to customise your lace and wheel colour combination.

electric lady skates

5. If you’re going to get into Roller Derby, you’re going to need more hardcore equipment.

“Roller Derby’s Classic 300 Women’s Quad Roller Skate features a freestyle boot with quilted leather lining and reinforced ankle support for a better skating performance. The Vacuum Chrome Nylon chassis, with the Double Action Cushion Aluminum trucks, provides enhanced control. The 56mm Grip Lite Speed Urethane and ABEC-3 bearings wheels provide a fast ride with smooth traction.”

Now I don’t know what it all means but it sounds extreme. Here’s a a visual reference – I’m digging the green:

roller derby skates

Phew! There’s lot to choose from. To finish, I leave you with a styling suggestion from French Vogue – pair your skates with bubblegum coloured acrylic bangles, a sequined mini and delicately patterned hosiery.

vogue-paris-skates

Your location may vary – but no doubt your satorial excellence and the fun you’re having with your new wheels will cause you to writhe on the ground in glee! ❤

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CFS-ACELIFT

Currently I’m working with a designer to remodel this blog from top to toe – which is thrilling step to take in a little blog’s life.

Why work with a designer? To put it simply, they make things not only look better (whether that’s more professional, fresher or friendlier) – but they make things work better. Logically, if things both look and work better, you’ll be able to deliver your message even more clearly… and that’s the aim of the game!

Pantone

Of course, it can be a scary prospect to work with a designer if you don’t know the various stages or aren’t too sure of the lingo. While I work with designers every day (they’re a beautiful breed) – I realise many people haven’t had the same joy.

That’s why over the next few weeks I’ll be taking this opportunity to take you step by step through the design process and give you an insight as to what it’s like to work with a graphic designer – from a client’s point of view.

MEET THE DESIGNER

Emma K I’ll be working with my friend, and frequent collaborator, Emma Kaniuk. She has a particularly genius approach to typography, publication design and small identities.

Aside from being an awesome designer, Emma is an accomplished foodie and frequent globetrotter!

Stay tuned as we take this beast on and give it a fresh new look.

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CFS LOVES 21

CFS Loves

bamboo bicycle

  • Sweet bikes made out of wood. If you’re in New York you can take a 2-day class on making a bamboo bicycle – rad!
  • Thinking outside the square with alternative materials and techniques, tattoo artist Scott Campbell has created a series of laser cut currency. Each stack is formed from one dollar bills. They were part of his Make It Rain solo show at O.H.W.O.W. Gallery. I adore the skulls!

Scott Campbell

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30 Fun Things To Do For Cheap Or Free

It seems everyone you talk to now days is saving their pennies. Post travel extravaganza, I’ll be looking to plot and save for my next adventure. However, that doesn’t mean lying on my bed staring at the ceiling!

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Here’s a list of things you can do that don’t involve spending a lot of money – to relax, entertain or simply change tack away from the couch:

1. Instead of storing them, cut up your old magazines and create inspiration notebooks to refer to. I find this process incredibly relaxing, from destroying the magazine spines (kneel on them & tug) to snipping out bouffant hairdos.

2. Indulge in a single scoop of the most decadent flavoured gelato. My local has incredible flavours like Ferrero Rocher, Red Bull and Forrest Fruits.

3. Pick up brochures from your local information centre/historical society that give you self guided routes. Follow the walks to learn about your ‘hood!

4. Reorganise your CD/record/book/DVD collection with an alternate approach. Genre, year, alphabetical, spine colour. It’s time to get OCD.

5. Meditate. Focus on breath work first if you are having a hard time quelling your mind.

6. Set challenges for yourself. Abstain from alcohol, coffee, sex or chocolate for a month. Whatever your vice, keep away and you will be entertained no end. At the end you may even feel better. Too hard? How about a challenge to win $1000 worth of prizes in a month. Keep, swap, sell!

7. Attend art gallery openings. They are always good for filling those Monday and Tuesday evenings, and there’s almost always wine. Mm, wine culture!

8. Bands always need people in their music videos aka “a crowd of raging fans”. Go along and adopt a band, it’s always really really fun to rock out of control (even if they’re bad).

9. Feed ducks at your local pond. This is especially rewarding in spring when there’s ducklings and cygnets, aw.

10. Swim in the ocean. Or the lake! Try a variety of weathers – swimming in the sea when it’s raining is one of my favourite things ever.

swimming

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11. Go camping for a single night in your nearest regional/national park. You get fresh air, a change of scenery and a mini hassle free adventure.

12. Become an origami expert - there’s lots of good videos on YouTube. A friend of mine is a champ at making tiny piglets!

13. Go thrift shopping, limiting yourself to $10 or less. What can you get? Something weird, classy, cool or for your best friend (I always buy old man cardigans for my bffs).

14. Make stupid videos - I spent serious time making this video as part of going away card. You can do better, rise to the level of internet meme… hours of fun!

15. Geek out and become the kind of person who can name plants and tell you all about their secret lives. Every time people see my tattoos they shoot me botany questions, so I am starting to gather a little knowledge on hydrangeas. Why yes, that is a Hydrangea macrophylla! (Boys who can name plants are incredibly sexy by the way. Swoon. Combine that skill with a picnic in a garden and I’m yours.)

16. On that note, organise a picnic with friends. Each of you is to bring one plate of treats, someone is to bring a blanket and voila! A modern feast.

17. Listen to the entire body of work by one musician/band. Form an opinion. Share that opinion. No idea? Start with Bob Dylan.

18. Likewise, read the entire body of an author’s work. Borrow these (potentially stacks) of books from the library. No idea? Start with Joyce Carol Oates.

19. Start a blog. I heart WordPress and there’s a free hosted version available. Vent, rant, discuss, share what you’re thinking in that cute lil head of yours… and tell me when you’ve done so!

20. Scan old photographs and reminisce. Even better, do it with a friend. You can talk abut times that were, or the times that explain why you are who you are today. Fun.

old-photographs

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21. Pub quizzes are grand. Drink a beer, squabble with your friends and learn some new facts. If you go every week your accumulated bar tabs will start covering the entire team’s drinks! Good for those empty Mondays and Tuesdays.

22. Acquire language tapes and learn a new tongue. I like putting Plimsleur lessons on my iPod and brushing up on my Japanese while running.

23. Make play-dough. I’m serious. Get back to your childhood and whip up a batch of dough (recipe here) and use food colouring to dye it wild hues. Sculpt and carve away your frustrations!

24. Plan that trip. Get into the nitty gritty of itineraries and budgets. Research: how much for that Cuban visa? How much for a meaty snack on the Trans-Siberian railway? What’s a good local coffee shop to visit in Glasgow?

25.  DIY some fashion. Dainty tights, studded ballet flats and mini top-hats to decorate thy head. Learn to knit if you can’t already!

26. Write letters to all your nearest and dearest letting them know some of the reasons why you appreciate them… “I love you because you are not afraid to be silly and dance like a maniac with me, we share a Japanese obsession and I can always encourage you to do shots.” Post them.

27. Craft haiku. Modern ones, innit. I’ve written haiku about Trent Reznor’s hair, the emotional toll of public buses and the smell of the sea when you’re in love.

28. Head to your nearest mega-chain-book store like Borders - the modern library. Sit down somewhere paw at all the latest editions of foreign magazines, lap up the latest sci-fi fiction or read some manga. Then leave, without paying a cent. Muahaha! Sometimes if I’m feeling saucy I take my pile of reading material to the cafe and splash out on a ridiculously named coffee.

29. Gig guides and event listings are your friends! You should be able to find a free event to attend every night of the week. Go forth and discover new venues, music styles and subcultures. Raves, Romanian folk or clubs laid out like rabbit warrens – explore them all!

30. Live near the country? See if there is somewhere you can pick your own fruit and vegetables, or head to your local urban farmers market. Then take your seasonal produce and get in touch with your domestic side. For example, if you could get cheap fruit, there’s a world of preserves and jams to explore. Failing that, grab a bottle of vodka – there is always litres of cocktails to be made!

Domestic efforts

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EXTRA EXTRA! Read about 10 More Fun Things To Do For Cheap or Free. Hurrah!

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Avoiding Jet Lag And Other Long Haul Tips

Out the plane window

Ah, jetsetting… I love to fly. In fact before we reach the midpoint of this year, I will have racked up more than 15 flights. (Oops, that’s a lot of carbon. Hopefully my vegetarianism, lack of car and other paid offsetting will help!)

Of course with this much zipping around the world (it turns out I haven’t spent one Easter in New Zealand in the last 5 years) I’ve got the art of long haul flying down. Here’s some helpful things to keep in mind before and during your flight:

JET LAG

+ Water, water everywhere. Please do not consume alcohol, it’ll just make you feel sluggish, which is not good when your body clock is going to be topsy turvey anyway. Alcohol also dehydrates you and when combined with air-con = DANGER… abstain and your skin will thank you.

+ A homeopathic remedy could aid your jet lag woes. I loved using ‘No Jet Lag’ – chewable tablets that relieved symptoms. After using these twice on extreme long distance flights, I declare them a lifesaver.

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SLEEP

+ As soon as you get on the plane, set your watch to local time and start to live by it. No sleep until your destination is sleeping!

+ Like falling asleep to music? Make a calming play list to help you settle in for a nap. My favourite sleepy mix features The Eels and Otis Redding amongst others.

+ Masks are good for blocking out the light and forgetting the presence of your fellow travellers. Zone out. No mask? A scarf works a treat, or as I discovered rather recently, fabric headbands can also be employed for this purpose.

Sleeping Mask

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EAT

+ Make food a trouble free experience by ordering vegetarian/vegan. It solves all the mystery meat issues and lessens the chances of an upset tummy. As a bonus, specially requested meals are always served first, mitigating any annoying waits.

+ Be sure to try a nibble of everything – stretch out those minutes.

+ Snacks are always entertaining. I like dried fruit and muesli bars the best – good for keeping your energy levels up and you can indulge in some variety. Chocolate is a super treat to keep your spirits and sugar levels high.

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ENTERTAINMENT

+ Nothing beats a good book for whiling away the hours. Here’s 5 good reads I have enjoyed while travelling:

  • Con Brio by Brina Svit, light French fiction about a novelist’s tempestuous relationship.
  • Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell – you’ll step off the plane incredibly inspired and motivated. Also, since reading this I’ve referenced it about 10 times for work too. Business and pleasure!
  • The Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami – a lengthy, engaging read – this one will have you set both there and back.
  • Pattern Recognition by William Gibson – globetrotting digital adventures slash dream brand land. I like Gibson, his work drips with adjectives.
  • If it’s SERIOUS travelling and you like fantasy, try Robert Jordan’s Wheel Of Time series. It’s epic – eleven books so far, plus companion volumes. You could possibly stretch the books out to last a good six months of globe trotting…

travel-reads

+ Indulge in a movie marathon. Do it. Catch up on everything you always meant to see but didn’t. I’ve recently enjoyed Woody Allen’s Manhattan, Slumdog Millionaire, Madagascar 2 and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. BYO Jaffas or favourite cinema snacks.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

If you’re looking to fly with an airline with particularly extensive entertainment system, I vote for Air New Zealand it’s one of the world’s best. Singapore Airlines is also renowned for its Kris World system. Games, music, movies, good times!

+ If you’re travelling with a companion, have a debate. Try a good intellectual chinwag about the merits of Nietzsche, or a lighter discussion on whether undercuts are really that naff (no!). Attempt to solve the world’s problems in 10 hours.

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GENERAL COMFORT

+ Bring a pair of shoes you can slip out of as soon as you get on the plane. Travellers to the US and the UK will also appreciate the ease of slip-on shoes when it comes to security checks. While wearing your favourite boots can save space in your luggage, taking them on and off constantly will only interrupt your flow.

+ Pack a spare pair of socks in your hand luggage to change into for the second half of your journey – it’ll help your feet feel a bit fresher! A clean pair of undies is also useful – you never know when you’ll be delayed.

+ Put your boarding pass in a safe place like a note book or travel wallet – you’ll need it if you’re transferring, and then again when your home to check/collect airline rewards. I always seem to lose mine… Do as I say, not as I do, so watch out – they’re slippery beasties!

Boarding Pass

Hold on tight!

+ Long hair? Keep it tied up and off your face. A fabric headband works wonders. If it’s not 3am when you land, brush your hair before you disembark. It’ll make you feel a lot better about taking on the duty free shopping or meeting someone special at the other end.

+ If you’re feeling a bit poorly, do take a break from the confines of your seat. Walk round the plane, definitely do the plane exercises that make you (and I) feel self conscious. When you return to your seat, breathe deeply and relax your shoulders. Drink water regularly.

+ Above all else, be kind to your fellow passengers, officials and crew. Travel karma is good to accrue. No matter what happens, remain calm and maintain a positive demeanour. Don’t worry, you’ll be there soon – godspeed!

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HOW TO HAVE THE PERFECT EASTER

Cadbury Creme Egg

Just eat one. Indulge ceremoniously, making the moment stretch out as long as possible. Get dressed up for the occasion if you feel like it, perhaps with some decorative head wear (boys and girls both).

A lesson in finding bliss in moderation ❤

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How To Light Your Bedroom

Lighting is incredibly important. It sets the mood, the atmosphere and the scale of a room. Would you rather go to a starkly lit dinner party or one possessing a comfortable glow? I think the glow is optimal; the lighting of our favourite little restaurant is something we should aspire to in our own spaces.

Light

Thanks to a past life as a cinematography student and current forays into photography, I’ve learned what makes people and eyes happy. Thus, I offer my view on how to perfectly light your bedroom, your boudoir.

masculine bedroom

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So how do we create friendly environments with light? My philosophy is to layer lamps across a room. This is to create rooms that we enjoy being in as well as simply shells in which to rest our bodies and keep our stuff. Aside from making the most of natural light sources, I believe there is one golden rule to great lighting:

Nothing is to be lit directly from overhead!

Bedrooms are for relaxing, not washed out faces. You want to feel your best in your bedroom, not be squinting and squirming at the sight of your nose casting bizarre cubist shadows everywhere. To achieve a warmly lit bedroom scene, I use three tiers of lighting: atmospheric, task and decorative.

ATMOSPHERIC:

These are the main sources of light in the room. I love the liberal use of standing floor lamps, preferably at different levels. However most bedrooms are average sized and therefore don’t necessitate a forest of lamps. A more appropriate set up therefore would be a low floor lamp (such as a globe), a table height lamp and a large standing light source.

lamps

TASK:

This layer is about the lights above your mirror and your bedside lamps. The functional stuff shouldn’t be neglected – making sure your bases are covered will make everything that much more harmonious and liveable:

  • It’s highly recommended that if you are sharing a bedroom, make sure there is two separately controlled beside light sources. Me? I like to have two lamps anyway, so it doesn’t matter which side I stretch out to sleep on, hee.

Side light

  • A light source above your mirror will save time; whether doing your make up, plucking nose hairs or just general preening. Fumbling in the dark always hinders “going out” preparation.
  • If you must have a desk or workspace in your room (if only we all had the space to make bedrooms only for sleeping and relaxing in), allow it its own light source, with a high wattage bulb. No need for utilitarian pieces here however… check out this piece of lamp porn by industrial design demigod Yves Béhar, the Leaf Light:

Leaf Light

DECORATIVE:

This layer serves the purpose of adding magic to your rituals (like drinking tea before bed), for romance and for when Stella McCartney hires your bedroom for a lingerie shoot or your mates band needs a suitably captivating location for their latest video.

  • Indulge in a variety of beautiful candles or use some sparkling fairy lights!
  • Embrace different colours – blue light disco or red light district? I wish a light rope came in a lilac.

red rope

  • Try digging around antique or curios stores to discover a crazy feature piece – I have always wanted a giant glowing matchstick as a centrepiece.  Go wild on this layer! Not just in quantity, but with your creativity.

Decorative

INSPIRATION/OTHER THOUGHTS:

  • Look to the books and magazines written by stylist and designer Ilse Crawford. She is a genius at making homes 4 dimensional bubbles of happiness and aesthetic pleasure. In particular I like her book Home is Where the Heart is and Elle Decor back issues.
  • Bare bulbs are naff. Your bedroom is not a post-modernist Berlin cafe. If you must use something like this, multiply it – have 20 or 100 bare bulbs instead.
  • Browse the Apartment Therapy archives. They have a billion articles and photographic features on beautiful rooms. If you’re inclined to do-it-yourself, check out this tutorial on how to rewire a lamp – perhaps make your own version of this gorgeous tea party affair!

Teapot lampshade

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Photos sourced from we heart it.

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2009 PERSONAL STYLE RESOLUTIONS

A new year often triggers a desire to start new habits, try fresh looks and generally buck trends!

Because of the perceived demarcation of time, it’s a good time to set goals and resolve to do thing differently. In particular I like the New Year for reassessing my style for the year ahead – it’s mid season too, so you have a wee bit of thinking and preparation time.

This year my personal fashion resolutions are:

- To wear lipstick more often or, at least, some sort of stain. I’m kind of lazy and just use gloss all the time, when the lovely MAC colours that seduced me at the counter go unused.

- To buy a pair of Frye boots. I love these stormy ones and would like to make them mine!

- To wear my Chucks less (to work). I love them but sometimes they don’t work so well in the boardroom. Plus it’s an opportunity to buy some towering wedges I have had my eye on.

- To go to the gym more often (3x a week). Right now I have a rather sporadic approach to my training, which is a shame because I was so good for months! Routines are necessary and must be followed.

- To wear more hats! I adore fascinators and the way they manage to turn a plain outfit into something sultry. I’d like to embrace the hat look with open arms – I want to be the fancy girl in the feather finery!

What are your style resolutions or goals?

If you want to change your style but are having trouble deciding on exactly what to do; take it small and easy to begin with. Initially I brainstormed one thing to wear more of, one thing to wear less of, one thing to buy, a beauty wish and a health/fitness goal! Goal maestros recommend making things even more specific, so break these thoughts down even further. For instance, wear make up more is a bit generic so I then focused it on my lips. Sassier shoes became buying the Frye boots.

Another tact you could try is writing a style statement and highlighting the elements you want to build upon this year:

“2K9 is the year robots take over planet Earth and force us to wear a uniform of black hooded dresses and blue metallic tights. I ward off the negative energies of the everyday by wearing amulets of amethyst and large powder-coated chain necklaces. 6 inch towering black heels keep me looking above the heads of the crowd, keeping an eye out for ‘bots.”

More of a visual person? Destroy a few of those magazines you have lying around – snip imagery that takes your fancy and create some fashion inspiration collages to refer to. Be sure to note down designers of pieces you particularly like!

style notebook

One of my (in progress!) 2009 style inspiration collages.

For others, it may be a combination of the two. I’m going to print out my list, along with a few of my favourite collages of late, and pin them to the inside of my wardrobe. Everyday inspiration, voila! And hopefully, some style resolutions we can stick to!

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TEN EASY WAYS FOR WOMEN TO LOOK SHARP – PART 2

Here are the next five recommendations in the list of ten easy tips for ladies to look stylish, fresh and sharp. Part 1 of the article discussed the merits of sunglasses, the many uses of Vaseline, headbands, gigantic bags and scarves. Ready? Let’s go!

6. PRETTY FINGERS, SENSATIONAL TOES

If you don’t have the time or the inclination for acrylics/manicures, it’s best to still keep your nails trimmed and tidy. For consistently good-looking nails I recommend a simple buff and shine with a clear coat – no colour.

Don’t believe the hype, chipped nail polish looks terrible! If you are really keen on some sort of shiny shellac, my favourite trick is to use a clear glitter polish. The random glitter pattern makes it less obvious you’ve done a less than stellar job, and chips are well hidden. It works well for toes too!

Other suitable alternatives are nude/pearlescent colours, which both cover imperfections and wear well.

7. GIRL IN THE PEARL EARRINGS

Whether worn with a vintage band t-shirt, a crisp suit or a cocktail frock, in every situation they serve to give you a look of distinction and poise. Simple, yet dashingly effective.

8. TUCKING IN WHEN YOU’RE TURNING OUT

It’s amazing what tucking in does for your image. It simply radiates an aura of consideration and professionalism – for who tucks in their shirts now days? Organised professionals, who would be unfavourably looked upon if they didn’t look their best.

Here’s a few examples of casually framed waists – tucking in also creates defined edges for the eye, giving a streamlined impression:

Lyell

Lyell

Photos from the Sartorialist

Photos from the Sartorialist

9. STAND TALL

Improving your posture can hide a multitude of sins. It makes you look instantly more confident, healthy and secure. It unfortunately may also take a while to retrain your body if you are chronically slouchy. Think Simple Now has a detailed guide to posture, which will aid you in making a change.

Here are two helpful hints in the mean time:

- Try taking up yoga. Not only does it help strengthen your back muscles, it inspires more awareness of your body all the time, making you less willing to slouch.

- Imagine a string running from your toes, up your spine, to above your head. Now pull the string up, lifting your entire form upwards.

In addition to making a conscious effort to stand up straight, getting a professional bra fitting will make an immediate difference. Buy a couple in your real size – it will make such a tremendous difference in your shape. I’m sure you will be astonished!

10. WHERE YOU CAN SEE IT

A common tip given to goal setters is to keep your dreams where you can see them. This also applies to those whose ambition is to look sharp with little fuss! Make up – and make up remover – should be placed somewhere you can reach them easily and can swiftly work through your routine.

I keep my makeup laid out in a drawer, which I can simply pull out and grab what I need easily – there are no lipstick-smeared bags to rummage through! I also keep cotton pads and a bottle of makeup remover right by my bedside so no matter what state or time I come home in I can take off “my face”. Removing your make up daily is one of the most highly recommended beauty tips so make it easy for yourself – avoiding clogged pores and irritated skin is definitely a sharp move!

Hair adornments and fashion accessories should also be kept in site and well organised to inspire you to use them. How about trying one of the following?

- Put nails on the back of a wardrobe or bedroom door to neatly hang necklaces from.

- Jewellery can be stored in compartments; sorted by colour, material or occasion! Or for a prettier look, use a dainty glass cake stand for easy perusal of your collection.

- Keep scarves on a hanger designed for ties – organised in one place.

- A few small decorative bowls can be filled with hair ties, bobby pins and clips. Keep these, your hair straightener, hairdryer and products all in one “zone” to make the process faster.

For bonus points, why don’t you write out your dream or goal on an index card taped to your mirror, or for the more adventurous, written in cherry red lipstick!

I hope you find the tips collection useful, and do check out part one (tips 1-5) if you haven’t already. Again, if you have any super style ninja moves, please do share them. Here’s to sharp sassy looks for all! ❤

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10 Easy Ways For Women To Look Sharp – Part 1

Recently I read an article on Lifehacker describing the Top 10 Easy Ways to Look Sharp – and promptly noticed a few protests that it was mostly male orientated!

I agreed and decided to create a fresh new list of ferociously sharp tips for ladies to look stylish. These are hacks as well as a few great tips that will let you sail through every day. Every time I’m faced with 5 minutes extra time to snooze I’ll take it, so you can trust these ideas have been carefully tested. Let’s get started with the first 5!

1. THE EYES HAVE IT COVERED

Get a pair of sunglasses that suit your face and wear them religiously. The reason for this is twofold. First, glasses give you the aura of being a suave, cool person who can accessorize. The second function of sunnies is to protect your eyes. More glasses wearing means less Shar-Pei-esque wrinkles in the future = and less squinting now. Squinting is never sexy.

Chloe Myrte acrylic sunglasses

Your sunglasses can be either classic (think faux tortoise-shell, over sized frames) or cheeky (think lolly coloured wayfarers). Bigger will protect the skin around your eyes more but cheeky, is well, fun! Some eye protection is better than none so you’re okay, whatever your choice. If you need advice or inspiration, wander over to Eye Heart Glasses and look at Jo’s expert picks.

Ray Ban pink wayfarers

2. A TOUCH OF GLOSS

Vaseline is the wonder balm, seriously – first up, use it on lips for shine if you have no time for lipstick. I always seem to wake up with scraggly askew eyebrows after a night’s sleep; use it to tame your wayward eyebrows before you dash out the door!

In a pinch, a tiny slick of Vaseline applied to your eyelashes will give them a shiny waterproofed, lengthened look.  You can also use it to micromanage out-of-control hair when styling; a tiny dab works well to tame fly-aways!

3. HEADBANDS FOR THE WIN

I will say straight up that headbands don’t have to make you look like a little girl. They come in a wide variety – skinny brushed silver, wide black patent leather or sweet fabric ones – as seen here on Brigitte Bardot.

Alice bands in particular are your saving grace for days when your hair just isn’t behaving and you need to look swish in seconds.

Alice Bands

Alice Bands

I simply brush my hair back and up towards my crown, give it a once over with hairspray and sweep the headband on. After that, another spritz of hairspray will keep it all in place. Perfecto, for the rest of the day! You can also use this as an up-do, putting your hair in a high pony before putting on the band.

4. JANE AND THE GIANT BAG

An over-sized bag is an essential wardrobe foundation for those who favour laissez-faire personal style but still want to look sharp. This may come in a) leather – or a damn good fake for those of you not on board the leather train, but be aware pleather does not age well. Or b) canvas.  Your bag should be one of the following colours – navy, ivory, brown (preferably chestnut) or black.  If you are rocking the canvas you can venture towards brighter colour palettes like eggplant or cherry.

Serena tote and Kiah bag - both from Country Road

Serena tote and Kiah bag - both from Country Road

The bigger the better! Why? Because you can obviously fit more guff in: your DSLR, the book you’re reading, tissues and your 570 plastic cards.  This doesn’t have to be an everyday tote but it’s brilliant to have something that will do in a pinch that you can just dump stuff into. It also does the double duty of making you look tiny in comparison – the big bag theory. This is an illusion that really works – hurrah!

5. FAST WITH A SCARF

Scarves are your saving grace on a day with not enough time to get ready. You probably have a large fashion imagination but just not that much time – so chuck on that boring black tee you’ve already worn this week, wear your usual denim if you have to, and put on a scarf… voila! French blogger Betty, from Le Blog De Betty, is an inspiration when it comes to rocking a variety of pretty scarves.

Indeed, I have an extensive collection of scarves (am currently wearing black linen shorts, a black t-shirt and an eye-popping coral scarf) that save me time and time again. They give you an instant splash of colour, added textural interest and a practical disguise for that occasional coffee stain. Easy.

Right, there you have it lovelies, the first five tips to streamline your style! Let me know how these go and if you have any life-saving tips please share them in the comments. It’s the goal for all girls really, maximum sharpness in style, minimum effort – more time for fun.

Please step this way for Ten Easy Ways For Women To Look Sharp – Part 2 – the next 5 brilliant tips.

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