Hello 2013

It's been a while since I wrote in my blog so I thought I would start as I enter into my second year of Uni.  

Life has taken me on an interesting trip last year and my love for my designs has evolved and I see it's place in my life as a source of creativity and also with helping in the community.  

I love it that I help women feel better and I also now get to be home more for my family as I was putting them to the side while I tried to make Wind and Water this raving success.  Then I sat with it and thought, how I want to feel with my business is of service.  To feel that I am contributing to the whole but not necessarily the only.  

So now I work less but think more about what I am to design.  How it fits into my wardrobe and flatters my body.  I don't want to be a major consumer or contributor to that lifestyle.  Just enough.  That's where I am at with it.  Hence the smaller production line, the little bit of this and that.  Talking and helping women feel confident with their choices, so not that one, when necessary.  

I figure my life will turn out how I want to feel within it, rather what I think society expects of me.  As long as I do what's good for me and those around me I figure life will be good, people in general will be happy and I can focus on the good things in life.

Stand up paddle boarding, designing, cooking, VLS on Friday nights with my hubby on the deck watching the kids and walking my dog cause he is getting a little bit too much loving in the kitchen.

It's all about the way we feel, that makes life turn out for the better.  

check out Danielle LaPorte, she's Canadian, crazy and so right..

http://www.daniellelaporte.com/

Keeping it simple

Nothing like doing full on study to reshuffle priorities in your mind. After having my beautiful brother and 6 of his 7 children come to visit. I had the chance to go around to the shops and style the whole family. They did look amazing by the time they left, with their looks a few well cut jeans and tops and frocks for the girls and they were set,.

 So do we really need lots of clothes is it something about the art of a score that makes us have that feeling of satisfaction. I know I get fidgety if I don't have new designs or fabrics coming in. But the shops were crammed with lots of way less than inspiring fashions. Lots of ill fitting clothes, way too tiny, one shop didn't go past 12, and synthetics. Global warming is not a catch phrase. Corn uses more water than cotton and we grow 10 times more corn to feed cattle. So my point is, hang out for the good stuff. Spend a little more for something that has a great cut and style. Don't just consume honour yourself by buying things that fit well, goes with at least a couple of things in your wardrobe. Eat well, call your family at least once a week and read a good book.

 Get inspired about a cause, take time to cook a great meal, learn something new. All these things are what makes for a great life, move more towards the things that inspire you and away from the things that bring you down. Keep

It's simple. Be inspired and inspiring and if we do all of this I think we may just leave this world better than we found it. Check out the story of stuff website. We must be on the same wavelength as her post is what I am talking about. If you are going to buy, buy from the little guys as that money stays in our community.

http://www.storyofstuff.org/

Cleaning your wardrobe part 1

I promise I will get together to do a little you tube video of this so you can see what I am talking about but this will give you study material to work with.

Through the past few style consultations I have done there is one theme that stands out. Everyone keeps their work clothes with their everything else clothes. Now if you love your job and you wear anything you like and wear your casual smart clothes to work then this isn't going to be such a big do, but keeping your work specific clothes seperate is an easy way to start on your wardrobe. Also take notes on clothes that you don't wear due to it needing repairs. Get onto those, either sweet talk some lovely person in your life with cake and tea and a chat while they do your repairs, make it fun or bundle it into a deal for a local sewer maybe semi retired. If you love it fix it, if you don't then throw it, take note what you paired it with and keep an eye out for a replacement next shop. Put a note in your wallet so you remember.

Ok that's it for today, each little step will get you feeling more confident in what you shop for and wear. You will also save money and time when you know what you have and need.

Happy Monday.

Xxoo

Some inspiring things that light my day

As part of my first unit assignments I had to build a web presence on something I was interested in and that was styling. I've had so much fun styling a few select clients this past month and it has inspired me to resume my styling sessions in store at the collective store.
As I wanted to do a few shots from the Satorialist I emailed to ask permission and I got a reply. I think that made everything amazing for me that day. So here is my Satorialist.com shot and others from unknown sources and vogue magazine. Enjoy and I hope it inspires your day.

New designs in the playground

I have been looking at my wardrobe and contemplating what designs I would really love to jump out at me.. So I have been scouting the web to find some inspiration.
Tunics have definitely caught my eye.
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Vintage market place have been my play places to discover styles I like and the op shops locally.

Wiki body types

Through doing some uni work tonight I found this Wikipedia link, it's worth a read.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_body_shape

Feather fashion

You know I have been keeping an eye on this trend and it's one you can subtly add to your wardrobe or not. But there are some clever little bunnies offering some reasonably priced alternatives to high end prices. So check them out.
Wild heart jewellery again another fb business.

Also crystal drop necklaces I live these I have found them on lost.found.made Facebook page.

Update your wardrobe

Now that we are getting into a new season it is about pulling together all different looks. I love revamping my wardrobe with the simple things, a new bracelet, new scarves hello mountain of already existing one's or a pop of the new season colour. Or even more mundane is replacing a staple piece in a new colour to spice up the combo's.
The one thing, or one of the things that the GFC has been good for is to slow down this over the top spending. Pausing before you buy is a good thing, even having too many clothes can cause stress on some level. So window shop to your hearts desire and then when you see that piece that just makes you loose all common sense you will know that that will have many seasons with you.
I am loving the chunky bracelets at the moment, a good place to go in the Valley is Stone and Metal, she has amazing jewelry at great prices. It's like the Collective Store of metal artists of silver and gold and semi precious stones. They are having a Marie Clare Up Late in the Valley on the 29th and so is our own little Collective Store at Wynnum. So dust off you bunny tails and get in some Easter retail therapy before the school holiday boom hits.

http://www.stoneandmetal.com.au/default.asp?contentID=974

Zen Pencils

I subscribe to some really awesome blogs and newsletters and I always try to keep them positive.. For if we do not master the mind the rest of our day just goes to shit... I did 4 years of study of Acupuncture with an awesome group of teachers and it wasn't just all about Acupuncture.. I was about how our organs and our thoughts reflect our health and habits..
So these things keep me on track to keep striving even when the wave seems to have me rolling on the sand and getting slammed..
It's no walk in the path but each little interruption I give to a negative thought takes it's power away.. So here is today's little inspiration and I hope you love it as I think this guy has a big future in the way he reflects his art through positive quotes by famous people..

http://zenpencils.com/

Dressing the slim, athletic body type..

No matter which Style book you look at they will all say the same thing about this figure type.. Adding curves and shape is the most important factor to keep an eye on.. So ruffles, detail, bows, anything you can think of really that will give you detail.. You want to keep away from short crop tops etc that will accentuate the fact that you are straight up and down.. Also you want to go against the verticle line rule as that will not do you justice..
So what to look for, is designs that will give you shape, bias cuts are good for you as the magic of this cut makes the fabric move a bit more while you are wearing it.. Pencil cut skirts done the right way will also add some shape for you..
Slim cut pants - look for one's with pockets on the back as well if you can, trapeze style dresses, florals and graphic prints..
Any body type will have an asset they love and something they don't so make sure when you are looking out for new wardrobe pieces that you take that into account too.. It is never just black and white..
The perfect neck line for you is the wrap top, vneck and boatline, add a little padded bra here and there but don't be locked into them.. Allow ruffles and details to help you there.. My vneck vintage ruffle frock is good for ladies with curves and without.. Pick the right size and it is the magic frock..
Also look out for full circle skirts, accentuate your top with a vneck top with that one and you can go all out at the drop waist styles as well as this will throw off any perceptions about being small on top.. They will be blown away by your style..
With your swimmers keep to the detail rule, opt for the padded bikini or if there aren't any that light your fire then go with one that has tassles or ruffles..
If you are a bit on the tall side either go for floor length or below the knee length, what you can really rock is to wear that mid calf length..
There is no such thing as the perfect figure really, as it varies for everyone what your ideal is, though if you have the perfect wardrobe you can look hot in anything you wear..