You may have noticed an increase in the number of photos and posts about fashion and beauty from me recently. This isn’t purely an exercise in narcissism and the superficial. I prefer to think of it as a belated embracing of my body, my self and my sense of style.

I’m 31 and I want to enjoy life! For me, that means feeling good about the way I present myself. Not purely in pursuit of vanity (though to deny that a focus on external beauty is a bit vain would be, well vain) but because I am tired of buying into the idea that beauty and fashion are only for those who wear a size 10, that feeling an looking good is something I need to “hold off on” until I “lose a bit more weight”.

Bah Humbug!

It’s very convenient that this revelation has come at a time when the colours and styles in store feel very “me”.

Truth me told, I have always had a love-hate relationship with fashion. The hate part being, jumping on the bandwagon of the latest fad, the love part being finding clothes I adore that actually fit and suit me . At the moment I love what’s “in” – the colours, the styles – all of it. I know that for many the latest trends are actually just the look they’ve been wearing for years…the gorgeous boho, vintage style with the cute hair and if you can really pull it off (or need to rather), the glasses. I don’t know if I could pull it off but I really love it. And now, after years of watching trendy friends wear trendy clothes, finally, they can be found in places other than op-shops; in sizes I can wear and I’m excited!

I would never wear all these items, but I love them none-the-less!

 

The Architect said to me last week that when I first came to Melbourne nothing I wore matched – it looked like I had just put on my favourite things.

Since doing a major cull of my wardrobe last year and another one just recently, I have been gradually buying pieces that I simply love. I highly recommend it! Now, it’s so much easier to get dressed as my wardrobe is made up of clothes I love and that fit me well.

I’ve also started paying more attention to accessories have now have a growing number of fun scarves and necklaces and even earrings! Recently I’ve added some great pieces to my “collection” if it can be called that – I love them all!

1. Elk Necklace    2. Saltwater Sandals    3. Blue Illusion scarf    4.Emily Green earrings

My 20s are over, my 30s have just arrived and I’m not going to waste them worrying about what “could” be when what “is” is just so darn fantastic!

Do you like the way you dress? Do you feel fun/sexy/confident? If not, what’s holding you back?

 

Incoming search terms:

• adult saltwater sandals
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Last week I started writing a post about wanting a make over. I was feeling in a rut about my “look” and wondered what do to…

Then I realised something, the secret to fashion is confidence. Change it up, embrace wearing the things you want to wear and be confident. So I did, and it was great!

Simple, right?

I’ve had the same hair for years…and years…and years…so I set myself a little challenge: to wear my hair in pigtails everyday for a week. The first day it felt really strange, but after a few days it felt good, fun, normal!

It’s also helped me make a big hair decision…I’m excited.

Oh, and I’m also embracing pink lipstick.

 

What makes you feel fashionable? What would make you feel more confident about how you look?

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I’m loving summer. I’ve always been a colour girl and the fact that colour is “in” at the moment is making shopping a whole lot easier for me!

Some of my favourite summer colours this year have come from the Malaysian store British India.

 

I’ve been told that the whole outfit is very Frida Kahlo and that I should take that as a compliment…not sure I’m convinced but I’ll embrace it anyway. Frida Kahlo, eat your heart out!

British India is another “must visit” for those heading to Malaysia.  Not only are they loving colour this year but they have an amazing range of classics, a great range of yoga/traveller wear and some great menswear too. A full list of locations is available on their website.

Have you embraced colour this season? What’s your favourite?

 

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I’ve discovered an amazing beauty secret over the past week and had to share. For some of you this will be old news but for others it might revolutionize your summer like it has mine.

Ok, that’s possibly overstating things but nevertheless…

Bright nail polish works on people with short nails!

It’s true!

I have man hands – horrible knuckles, stumpy fingers and a true inability to grow my nails. My husband has better hands than me!!

Last week I took the plunge and this was the result…

See?! It actually works!

I’m using Revlon 220 Bubble.

Go on, give it a shot. I dare you!

Have you got a beauty secret to share?

Incoming search terms:

• simple summer nails
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“Pantene, the hair care products that will surprise you!” That’s what I’m calling it anyway. Having been a recent convert to Pantene I am still using and loving the range I have and am thrilled to be able to share some of the fabulousness with you today!

I have got two prize packs to giveaway…first up is the complete Pantene Clinicare Hydro-Surge Revitalising collection (pictured below) RRP $89.95.

The second prize pack is the Shampoo, Conditioner and Treatment for the Pantene Aqua Light Range pictured below. RRP $25.94

To enter leave a comment telling me something you are enjoying about Christmas so far. The winner will be drawn on Thursday 15th December.

The first prize winner will receive the Pantene Clinicare Range RRP $89.95The second prize winner will receive Pantene Aqua Light RRP $25.94Have you liked my new Facebook page yet?

Terms and Conditions
Competition is open to Australian residents only and winner must have an Australian address.
Winner must reply to accept prize within 5 days of notification or competition will be redrawn.
The winners will be announced on the winners page of this blog after the 15th Dec.

Come back this afternoon to see what else I have to give away!

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What’s the one thing you use everyday? Your handbag. When you have kids it becomes your nappy bag. Wouldn’t it be amazing if they could be on in the same thing??

When Bliss was a baby I didn’t have a dedicated nappy bag so just used whatever I had lying around, mostly green bags from Woolies! It was a bit sad, in a very very first world kind of way as bags have always been my “thing” and while not having an abundance of them I had splurged on a couple of beauties in the years pre-kids. The Woolies bag, as functional and simple as it was, did not quite cut it.

Enter Bear, my second baby and add that with a little bit of cashola from my grandmother and I decided to splurge and buy a proper nappy bag – one that I would love and enjoy every single day.

Girls, let me introduce you to Elizabeth.

 

She became mine about 13months ago and if you’ve ever met me in real life you have probably seen this bag. I love it. It was worth every single cent that I (and my grandmother) spent on it. I have to admit that even when I go out in the evening I take her with me…I may have a bit of a girl crush.

The other week Elizabeth got a friend, meet Sofia. Sofia is the newest member of the Storksak family and she is stunning. Breathtaking. I really, really love her!

 

I don’t just love these bags just because they are so beautiful that nobody ever believes they are actually a nappy bag.

I don’t just love them because they are big without being ridiculous and have space to fit everything you could possibly need for two children.

I don’t just love them because they make me feel pretty and special even when I’m walking around with nappies all day!

I love them for all those reasons and more and my Elizabeth bag has been my absolute favourite purchase since becoming a Mum. It was something for me that I get to enjoy every day.

Now I don’t want to be greedy so I’d also like to introduce you to Elizabeth and Sofia’s good friend Emily. Emily is actually friends with Angelina Jolie so this bag will keep anyone who is lucky enough to own it in very good company!

Thanks to the lovely people at Storksak I have one Emily bag to give away RRP $229..

To enter please pop over to the Storksak shop and come back and tell me which is your bag of choice. Winner will be announced on Tuesday 13th December.

I also suggest checking Storksak out on Facebook to keep in touch with the latest news, releases and specials. There’s a promotion on at the moment that for any full-price purchase over $250 you will recieve a gorgeous Jools Bag valued at $179.

While you are on Facebook don’t forget to come and like my new page.

Terms and Conditions
Competition is open to Australian residents only and winner must have an Australian address.
Winner must reply to accept prize within 5 days of notification or competition will be redrawn.
The winners will be announced on the winners page of this blog after the 12th Dec.

Come back tomorrow to see what else I have to give away for Christmas.

Disclaimer: I purchased the Elizabeth bag myself and was gifted the Sophia bag for the purposes of this review.

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