I always visit this particular Witchery store at Mt Omaney Shopping Centre because the store manager knows me and my 20 month old daughter well.

The relationship started when my daughter lost her shoe in the store on a shopping trip when she was only a couple of months old. I remember having to retrace my steps to find the shoe. I went back into Witchery, and there on the counter was my daughter’s shoe. The store manager said ‘So Cinderella has come back for her shoe?’ and she eagerly put it on my daughter’s foot.

This store manager is ALWAYS lovely (even when I don’t spend a thing!) and she has always remembered my daughter’s name and it’s this type of personalised service that makes me want to shop there more.

When I made my first purchase in the store, I signed up to the Witchery loyalty program and I have to say it is one of the best loyalty programs I have signed up with.

You get 5% off retail price and receive vouchers for

• When you spend over a $150
• On your birthday
• On the anniversary date from when you first signed up. 

The vouchers can be use online or instore.

My bargain sunglasses were already on sale 50% off, plus as a Witchery member I received 5% off again AND I had a $15.00 voucher to be redeemed that I had accrued on my card. As a result I walked away with sunglasses that were worth $50 for less than $10.

If you want more information about the Witchery loyalty program please click here.

Brought up as a Christian, my mum taught me from an early age to wear a dress for church on Sunday morning. Jeans were a NO-NO. Ironically to this day I still can’t wear a pair of jeans to church in the morning and I feel out of place when I wear a pair of pants rather than a nice dress or skirt. I am also instilling this fashion etiquette to my 19 month old daughter even though she goes to creche!

But am I too ‘old fashioned and stuck in religious etiquette’ or should I not care about what I wear because ultimately God judges the heart?

You will have to stay tuned as I research this interesting topic. My dream and goal is to develop a study for women about cherishing their body and treating it as a temple of God. I am amazed at what God has already revealed to me as I have enquired Him about this. Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on this topic.

a)    The items don’t fit because they are the wrong size or wrong shape

b)    The items are no longer in fashion

c)     The items sit in the  ‘One day I’ll wear it…’ pile

d)    The item needs fixing for example a new button, shorter hem etc

e)     The items are uninspiring

Wouldn’t it be great NOT to spend money on a new wardrobe and utilize everything in your current wardrobe and give it some life?

Some women find this really hard to do, so here are some tips to get your wardrobe de-cluttered and in 100% wearable order. (Alternatively you can give me a call and I can do this for you for a fee!)

1. Go through your wardrobe and TRY everything on to find out what fits and suits your body shape. The items that don’t fit or suit your shape put them in a separate pile. These can either be donated to a charity, sold individually on ebay for cash to update your wardrobe OR sold in a bulk pile if the clothes aren’t the best labels. $10 is $10 and can go towards a new top or even accessories!
2. Sort your ‘fitting’ wardrobe into tops, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets etc.
3. If some items are no longer in fashion, look at magazines or online through Pinterest or fashion websites to get inspiration on how to wear it without looking dated.
4. Any clothes that need mending – mend them or drop them to a friend or family member who can fix them for you. Alternatively if you are embarrassed to ask someone close to you to mend your clothes, find your local dry-cleaner as they will have a clothes altering service.
5. Now that your wardrobe is sorted, start experimenting putting outfits together. If certain things are missing in your wardrobe, make a note to write them down and when you have the money from items you have sold on ebay, go shopping!

We have gone to the theatre before, but have attended the night performances, not the day ones. My dilemma was ‘Is the dress code different if you attend the matinee show?’

In the end I decided to wear the black dress I recently bought from Target. (you can read that post here) I dressed it up with a black belt, Scarlett red heels and a Kate Hill handbag with jewellery to match. It had been a wet week in Brisbane and the weather on Saturday was dreary. I didn’t feel like wearing something bright or over the top.

My husband wore his grey pants fromCountry Road and a blue checked shirt from Rhodes & Beckett. We looked smart and stylish. I was surprised to see the attire of other attendees which included a tee, jeans and thongs for some or a simple day dress and sandals.

It raised the question about what is acceptable attire to the theatre and after some research into the matter I have concluded that the Theatre is a once in a blue moon function to attend… unless you are rich and can afford to go to every show that is shown at Qpac! So it requires our respect and we must dress accordingly.

Throughout history only the elite and prestigious townspeople went to the theatre and they wore their Sunday best. Hats and tail coats for the men and Victorian dresses for the ladies. History hasn’t changed much except that it isn’t the elite and rich that attend the show nowadays, it’s those that can afford such luxuries or wait for the opening sales to get the best seat at the cheapest price.

The theatre is an atmosphere and production show that requires the respect of our attire. For women a smart cocktail dress or pants suit would be correct choices. Choose an outfit that you would wear to a wedding or formal function. Not formal enough to wear to a black tie unless it is the premier or opening night. These same outfits should be worn to the matinee sessions. The theatre is the theatre whether it’s day or night. Also make sure you bring a bolero or a pashmina for your shoulders if you get cool from the air conditioning. For men a classy suit worn open with a long sleeve shirt. A tie should be worn on opening night.

What’s the big deal about dress code anyway? Well it’s a big deal when you attend a job interview or when you perform your job. What we wear leaves an impression on the people we meet. It’s also a reflection on you as a person. A neat and tidy appearance says you respect yourself and others enough to put the effort into making your self look good.  By dressing formally to the theatre you are giving respect to the many actors and actresses that have spent time practicing to give you a good show. It’s not often we get dressed up, so going to the Theatre is a good reason to wear that expensive dress you thought you’d only wear once to a wedding!

Sometimes what I like doesn’t always suit me. For example I wish I could wear kaftans but unfortunately they make me look huge! Short shorts are also a no no for me but it’s a look I’ve always wished I could wear.

But there are many styles that do suit me and I’m not scared to try a trend. When experimenting, be bold and wear it with confidence. I don’t always follow trends either. You can waste money on trends that are here for a season and gone the next and as a stylist it’s important to look your best and ensure that the clothes you wear are Tran seasonal and will last a number of years.

This is why I always encourage clients to change their accessories because they are a cheap and easy way to follow a trend and they can be easily stored away until the next time they are back ‘in’ fashion.

I am always inspired by looks from past era’s and sometimes I wish I was born then because the dresses in the 1940’s, 50’s and early 60’s would have suited me to a tee! But rather than wishing I go back in time and wearing these beautiful figure flattering dresses, I just need to start wearing them now and inspire others with my style.

My grandma has been wearing these lovely cream Chrysanthemum earrings which are so sweet and they are the type of earring that can be worn with the most simplest of outfits but make it look stylish. Instead of hunting the shops to find a pair, I made some. I have listed them on my facebook page and will sell them in my shop on madeit.com.au. Inspiration can come from young and old! (If you want to purchase a pair, check out my store http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=59226)

When discovering your style, look in magazines, books, shops and next time you’re at your mall – people gaze! Some people have the most amazing outfits that can inspire you. Don’t just follow the trends, wear what suits you and what you love.

If you are a budget fashionista like myself you would have already looked at what your wardrobe lacks and made a list of things that you need. You would also have made a list of items you will need for the coming Autumn/Winter season 2012. The question is how can you buy for Autumn/Winter 2012 when you don’t know what the season trends will be for that season? Well I’m about to tell you!

My list included a black dress for all occasions, new t-shirt bras, black footless tights, pair of jeans and some smart casual tops both short-sleeve and ¾ sleeve to wear with jeans and cargos – easy casual wear for a mum running after a toddler.

As most mums know, gone are the days you could stand in your wardrobe and um and ah over what to wear. When the sun breaks, the day has started with little mouths to feed and you don’t have the luxury of ‘creating’ a cute outfit and trying on 3 different pants to get the right ‘look’. My outfits need to be comfortable, but fashionable, but not too trendy that I will cry if I get mashed banana or stamp ink on them.

I headed to Target where there was HEAPS of items reduced. This was where I found my gorgeous black sheer chiffon overlay dress with a necktie and brown belt. It was a steal at $30 (reduced from $59) and it’s a dress that I can dress up or down depending on the occasion. My t-shirt bras came from David Jones and were Simone Perele brand. They were originally $99.95, reduced to $29.95. When it comes to bras, you really need to get fitted for the right size and quality is of the upmost importance as you wear them everyday. David Jones and Myer have a free measuring service and their sales are always worth having a look at.

For my jeans, I can’t talk enough about the Katies Ultimate Denim range, especially if you have been pregnant. For me, after I had my daughter, I started in a size 16 and I have slowly gone down each size to a size 10. For $49.95 these jeans are a MUST HAVE for all women. They really do cinch in your tummy and butt to make you a size smaller than you really are.

My final shop was at Witchery and I can’t buy enough from this shop. To be quite honest I RARELY buy full price here because I often think the prices are hefty for what you get BUT when they have sales, they are worth popping in and browsing the racks.

At present Witchery have a promotion that if you buy two items you get the third free even on sale items. So here I bought a stunning ¾ sleeve animal print dress, a batik print tunic, a batik print tee, footless black tights and 2 ¾ sleeve t-shirts for Autumn.

Being a stylist and knowing my shape and colours means I  don’t have to fully apply trends for Autumn/Winter 2012 because when I wear what suits me, I will always look on trend anyway. BUT if you are quite fanatic about trends, here are the predictions from the runway for Autumn/Winter 2012 –

• Tailored wool coats with a feminine detail  –  For inspiration look at the Duchess of Cambrige aka Catherine Middleton. Burberry has some gorgeous designs but for budget fashionista’s like myself, wait for the department stores to bring in their 2012 range.
• Colours in the shades of moss green, deep grape and mauve as well as blue based greys and cherry pinks and reds. ‘Burnt’ colours will also have a look in so look at your burnt orange, mustard, red based browns and charcoal and black.
• 70’s bohemian and and sophisticated glamour from 2011 will also impact 2012.
• Wide leg pants, bell bottom and bootleg are the pants to wear for the season. In most cases, opt for the bootleg as the wide leg and bell bottom will overwhelm most body shapes unless you are tall and athletic
• Patchwork jumpers/jackets and pants – try this trend sparingly!
• Sheer blouses and maxi dresses (hint, my black dress from Target is perfect for this trend layered with a tailored wool coat)
• Dare I say it winter jump suits
• Knee high boots and ankle boots

Don’t let colour

 COLOUR BLOCKING IS THE NEW SEASON TREND FOR SUMMER 2011/2012 but which colours suit you?

 Colour Parties are an affordably great way for you to find out what colours suit you. Host a party for 2-10 friends and learn what colours you can wear well and which ones to avoid.

 The colour trends for this summer are watermelon, coral, tangerine, aqua, red, hot pink and vibrant purple.

 When colour blocking, only mix two to three colours max so that you don’t look like you’ve come out of the ensemble of Joseph and the Technicolour dream coat!!

 Pair unlikely colours together to make a fashion statement, for example tangerine and purple, yellow and blue, orange and red, aqua and red… the possibilities are endless!

 As well as the recent launch of “Colour Parties”, I have been very busy mastering the art of creating resin bangles.  I have made block colour bangles and palette bangles that contain ribbons relating to each season. I can post the bangles Australia wide. Feel free to order by email or fill out the online form.

I love scarves because they can add colour or interest to any outfit and they aren’t expensive. My favourite site for scarves is Scarf World. They are are UK shop but they have every scarf under the sun and they have a sale on right now with 20% off all their scarves. They deliver worldwide too. With Spring on the way, my picks for Spring 2011 is the Brown animal print scarf which can be paired with most coloured tops and for a floral spring hit, the pink or purple floral cotton scarf.

Scarves look great paired with a plain coloured tee and jeans or a maxi skirt. Scarves are also versatile in that you don’t have to wear them around your neck, if they are long enough you can wear them around your waist as a belt or around your hair as a head band. Scarves can also be tied around your handbag to add interest to your outfit. The sky is the limit with scarves… you can never have too many they are a versatile fashion staple every woman (and man) should own.

Isabella Oliver also design non-maternity dresses that are simply stunning on any female silhouette. They have a 50% sale on this line as well. My picks from this line for the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival are the Print Silk Belted dress or the Lace Easy Fit skirt teamed with the gorgeous Red Silk Flutter Sleeve top. For your work Christmas party why not try the Sequin dress in black or gold?

Dress shopping has never been this easy or this CHEAP! If you order your dresses now, they will be shipped in time before Spring, with time to return and receive the correct size if you order the incorrect size on your original order.

Happy Shopping!

Having also been busy being a mother to my 11 month old daughter, I got stuck in a rut fashion wise. Whatever was clean and fitted was generally chucked on – and essentially fashion should be easy when you are running around after a baby but when you are also a stylist, you would expect that they would have it ‘altogether’ with their clothing ensembles. Unfortunately I haven’t.

It wasn’t until I went away on a much needed holiday to the Gold Coast in April that I got my shopping MOJO back and I realized that while people have lost ‘things’, ‘things’ can be replaced with better and new ‘things’. (Same can’t be said for photos and items that hold sentimental value, but I am generally speaking fashion here).

I love the Winter fashion for 2011. The colours of khaki green, Cadbury purple, dark grey and your basic black and white are the colours of this season. Burnt Orange is another favourite and the lovely thing about these colours is that they all go well together. Leopard print and vintage florals are also fabulous teamed with these colours.

When it comes to shoes, flats are in HALLELUJAH! Loafers are the new heels which really excites me because since becoming a mum, I can’t seem to walk well in high heels. They are also a safety hazard when running around after your baby!

Jeans are my live in staple during winter, but I have also bought a pair of skinny cargos in khaki which will give my jeans a rest and can be worn dressed up or down.

So what will I be wearing this winter 2011?

Skinny cargos or jeans with a basic long sleeve tee teamed with a leopard print or floral print scarf. My patent leather cinnamon loafers from Wittner will also been worn to death as well as my black knee high boots – no heel of course.

If you want to update your wardrobe, but don’t have a lot of money, look at your department stores like Kmart and Big W. They offer some great current fashion styles that will suit any budget.

I have also been working on another website called Belly Elegant Maternity. It is a store specifically catering for pregnant women who need fashionable maternity clothes at a price anyone can afford. I have included links of stores that I have had friends purchase their clothes from when they were pregnant so I have included these stores on the website.

When I had Esther, I found that all my maternity clothes weren’t suitable for breastfeeding so I have also included nursing tops and dresses for post pregnancy. Another issue was finding a suitable dress for my brothers wedding. I have also included maternity evening gowns, maternity wedding dresses and a special maternity dress to wear to your baby shower.

A lot of the products are from Amazon and shipped from America but most items have free shipping and due to the strong Aussie dollar, you will get an even bigger and better bargain. Feel free to check it out at www.bellyelegant.com.