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/

How to rock the Pear Body.

This photo tells it all for the Pear shape, voluptuous hips and small waist and upper body.. So with any body type focus on your assets always, so for you it is your small waist, arms and your legs.
There is a great trick in styling, to shrink the widest part of the body if you make sure the garment you are wearing cuts right in the middle of it, it will appear smaller.. So take that into account when you are trying on Jackets or shorts depending on where your widest part is for you.
Your staples should be either Aline or full circle skirts, your best cut frock is sleeveless or spaghetti strap styles that flare into an Aline or full skirt...
The optimum pant is the wide leg pant to cover the thigh and to have a relatively flat front, try a slight flare on the bottom to give a balance to your shape.. This will make your legs look longer and leaner, also keep an eye on back pockets as one's that are too small do you no favour neither do too big ones..
Go all out on your tops, that's where your assets are, if you are happy with your arms show them off either by wearing sleeveless designs or by wearing fitted sleeves.
You can pull off the turtle neck, again this flatters you shape at the top, Blazers, remember to keep an eye on the length.. Wide collared shirts are great, or draping tops with rouched or puffed sleeves which will give the perception of the hourglass shape..
Avoid; cargo pants or one's with a lot of detail.. I think everyone should as there are so many other casual pants out there that do so much for you but everyone has a personality that is individual and if you love it, you can wear it.. Keep away from too detailed patterned pants, that just add bulk also don't go cream or light coloured, there are so many other colours that will do you more favours.. Try Turquoise it is actually just as slimming as Black but not as well known..
Try them out, play a little, experiment and not just once, there are so many different fabrics out there. Take the time to explore..
Ideal swimmers for you, high cut on the thighs elongates the legs, go darker, a cool navy looks so stylish and if you can get one with a little slash in the neckline you may be able to pull it off as a top under pants. If it is a one piece go for one with padding, every little bit helps.. Other than that go for embellishments like ruffles, ruching and bold prints and colours on bikini's on top and keep it a solid colour on bottom..
Depending on how your Pear shape manifests there are also rules you can bend.. So go try out these shapes and more.. Think in basic shapes to start and then get more adventurous as you go, i.e. pencil skirts in the right cut..
Designs in my range you can rock are Corset frock, Aline skirts, pleat tops, silk slip, grace pants, or shorts, Bermuda's, Marchella skirt, Nina Pants when they are restocked. Cowl tees are coming and there are lots of frocks coming through like the new Kira Frock, etc.. Happy styling..

Dressing for your Apple Body Type..

Ok so this number is not really correct but I do love the voluptuous Barbie.
Okay so the basic way to determine whether you are an Apple body type it comes down to one simple question.. Do you carry your weight in your middle..? Ok there maybe some on your arms, thighs etc but do you have a waistline? You do not have to be a big woman to be an apple, I am an apple purely because my beautiful babies seemed to train my body that now when I carry weight it goes to my tummy..
So let's get to the basics now on how to get the best out of our beautiful figures that we have right now..
Staples: you should have cute Aline shifts, short skirts, blouses with a gently shaped waistline.. wrap shirts, wrap frocks and wide leg or bootleg pants... I am working on more aline shifts this coming round of designs and a funky blazer that will suit all body types but it is definitely good for Apples.. also long fitted tops and jumpers that fall to the hips.. It elongates the waists.
Go for patterns on your bottoms, bohemian tunics are super cool.. also go for fine knits like Cashmere, it gives you the warmth but not the bulk..
Your best cut dress would be an empire cut waist, something that fits under the bust, please don't for shirring frocks as they don't last quality wise.. It is to have an aline or flared skirt.. The corset frock is perfect for every body type as it shows off the sexy neckline and pulls you in under that bust and billows out softly depending on the fabric..
Avoid; bold patterns on the top, focus away from your middle, hence the detail in the pants, shiny fabrics, they are synthetic anyway and will pill after a few washes.. short jackets or waists that skim the waistline, unless you wear it up all the time and with something fitted on the bottom then yes you can get away with it.. Chunky knits, well you know why.. Tapered pants are evil, you can wear skinny jeans if you have great legs and can add a wedge to the outfit, but remember keep your attention down low..
Necklines; now necklines you should work towards are a cowl neck, hello sexy, a scoop again that neckline is always flattering no matter what you size.. then also the fave the Vneck, it elongates your torso..
Ok so play in the dressing rooms for a while, try on things you would normally say no to and don't buy too big a size.. Showing off your shape is always the right way to go.. Enjoy.

Brisbane Festival on right now..

Ok so not to mention the amazing venues like Powerhouse Museum and Southbank and the Metro Arts all having amazing gigs and performances on.. The Powerhouse has built this temporary stage which is so New York I am going to see anything that is performing there...

http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/

Here is their website to get the lowdown and plan your month as it is happening all September, well almost. There is insane light shows at Southbank every night, Santos City of Lights.. There is a light exhibition there as well that you walk through - Liquid Interactive Light Scope.. There is an amazing funk circus performance on at the Powerhouse tonight at that magical stage, Petit Mal.. I want to split myself in two and go all over..

It is art and creative performance of local and international talent at a high calibre. So give them some of your valuable time and have an awesome day or night out..

Creative Fashion

I love this time of year as it is the time to put together the new collection for Spring.. I never work in a conventional way as I kind of design on a whim.. I love being inspired by creative people and art, so I like to bring a bit of that into my designs..
I research on many fashion websites not to copy but to be inspired. Seeing how things are put together in street fashion blogs, on real people...
Fashion to me should always be practical but it doesn't hurt to work on your assets and show the best of you.. Although today I have a trilby on as my hair isn't playing fair which is usually in Winter, this morning it was a beanie. No-one has to know your reason for what you wear but if you look smoking then that is where your fashion becomes art.
So this coming season for me is going to see cowl tees, singlet tanks and dresses, that will be worn under my silk caftans that are already in production.. They are going to be so addictive I am already looking for more fabrics..
There are two new vintage dresses coming into the range but I am working on tweeking the vneck ruffle into a decadent maxi with metal tabs on you so you put that skirt wherever you want it so it can be a short dress or dragging on the ground...
There is also going to be some old designs coming back, a-line skirts, more colours in the rolldown pants and Grace pants, linen/cotton drawstring pants and I am working on my own screen prints for tees. These aren't going to be just any kind of tee, they are going to be super vintage style...
Life is good. Enjoy the sun..