Blog

October 08, 2024

In Colour

How to Easily Fold a Puffer Jacket

Are you packing away your puffer jacket, or alternatively packing to travel to cooler climates? Puffer Jackets can take up a lot of space, but here is a nifty way to fold yours into a small and easily storable size.

How to Fold a Puffer Jacket for Easy Storage

1. Turn the base of the jacket inside out until it reaches just under the armpits.

2. Now fold the jacket in half lengthways.

3. Bring the arms back over the body of the jacket, and tuck the wrist under so it’s the same width as the body area.

4. Fold the neck or hood over the arms.

5. Bring the top and bottom halves together.

6. Grab the base of the inside out section and pull it up and over so you end up with a neat parcel.

Do you need help packing for your next trip? If you hate packing I am here to help you, I can help you so that you don’t take clothes you never wear and have multiple outfit options for your trip.

Sticky

October 08, 2024

In Travel & Lifestyle, Wardrobe

How to Select Your Best Metal Colour

What’s the Best Way of Choosing the Colour of Metal for Your Jewellery and Accessories?

Use Your Undertone

If you have a cool undertone, silver, white gold and platinum will look fabulous on you.

If you have a warm undertone, yellow gold, old gold, copper and bronze will make you shine.

Rose gold is a crossover metal which suits both warm and cool complexions.

As I have warm colouring I wear gold jewellery as it complements my skin tone.

If you’re not sure of your undertone, then getting a personal colour analysis is the best and fastest way to find out as not only will you discover your best metal colours, you’ll also get a palette of 50 great colours that you can use when shopping plus discover your unique signature colours which make you look more healthy, vibrant and alive. When you have your colour palette and start using your palette when shopping, decisions become so much easier as you know exactly which colours of clothes to choose and what to not bother with. Plus you’ll find that your outfit options expand as your wardrobe becomes more cohesive and the colours naturally mix and match together, so you have more outfits from fewer garments.

Find out more about personal colour analysis and book yours here today.

Sticky

October 07, 2024

In Colour

9 Simple and Quick Ways to Enhance Your Appearance

These tips are easy ways to enhance your appearance with minimal effort and maximum impact. They support increased happiness and confidence and will benefit anyone of any age, gender, size, or ethnicity.

Even if you’re already familiar with these tips and incorporate some of them into your routine, having a friendly reminder is always helpful. After all, we all need a little nudge now and then to stay on track with our appearance goals.

Moisturise your face and body every day

Use a morning face cream with SPF to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. The SPF component reduces the risk of skin cancer, sunburn, and discolouration (e.g. freckles). It also helps to prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Tip: If your skin allows, apply a gentle face exfoliant or mask once a week. If you have rosacea or other skin conditions, ask a specialist for advice on the most suitable options.

A woman's hands are shown pumping body lotion from a white container.

Using face and body moisturisers daily helps keep your skin dewy and hydrated.

Trim or cut your hair regularly

Split ends need attention, so book an appointment every six weeks to keep your hair looking healthy and well-maintained. It’s a good idea to book your next hairdresser appointment at the end of the one you’re currently at. Of course, clean and conditioned hair is a given 🙂

Wear a well-fitting and supportive bra

Like the rest of your body, your breasts change size and shape, so it’s important to get fitted for a new bra every year. Over time, your bras lose shape, too—the elasticised fabric loosens, and straps become slack, offering little or no support. Whether your breasts are small or large, saggy breasts are perceived as ageing. Staff at lingerie stores and large department stores will help you find your perfect fit.

Wear colours that complement your skin tone, hair, and eyes

Colours that suit you draw attention to your face and away from your body. They brighten your skin and make you look more vibrant. They also help diminish dark circles under your eyes and visually lessen double chins and jowls — there’s lots to love! You can see in the example below how one set of colours stands out, and the other is harmonious.

How do you know which colours are right for you? A colour analysis helps you find the exact palette of colours you need.

Four women have multiple coloured fabrics draped under their chins. They have each had a colour analysis to find their best colours.

Colours that harmonise with you amplify your natural beauty.

Prioritise fit and quality

When it comes to your clothes and shoes, always prioritise fit and quality of materials. When your clothes and shoes fit well, they’re comfortable. It is possible to find comfortable, stylish items. They may need some tweaking, like taking up a hem or running in the side seams. It’s worth it in the end because you’ll enjoy wearing the item and want to wear it repeatedly, which equates to a great cost per item. Cost per wear is a concept that helps you understand the value of your purchase. For example, if you buy a top for $ 100 and wear it 100 times, it costs you $ 1 per wear – an excellent investment in your wardrobe!

When you shop in-store, you have the advantage of trying on the item, which gives you a clear idea of how it fits and looks. If you prefer online shopping, use the measurement guide to find your best size, and remember that most online stores have a return policy if the item doesn’t fit quite right.

Tip: Remember that brand names and the price on the swing tag don’t guarantee that the item will fit you well.

Declutter your wardrobe

Simplify your wardrobe by culling items that no longer fit, are uncomfortable, are unrepairable, or are unflattering in colour or style for your body shape. For example, if you have a structured blazer you bought for a job interview years ago but now feels tight and restrictive, and you never wear it because no one else in the office wears blazers, it’s time to let it go.

When your wardrobe is filled with items that complement your body shape and align with your personal style, you’ll enhance your overall appearance and remove any temptation to wear clothes that don’t suit you. And as a bonus, you’ll find it easier to assemble stylish outfits for any occasion.

Add accessories to your outfits.

Enhance your outfits by including accessories. Whether you prefer a more minimalist approach, lean towards maximalism, or fall somewhere in between, incorporating jewellery, a bold handbag, a stylish scarf, a chic belt, or eye-catching headwear can elevate and complete your look.

When in doubt, dress up

You’re doing this for yourself – to feel confident and comfortable for any occasion. Is it a quick fix like shining scuffed shoes or mending the hem of your pants? Or is it swapping a tatty tee for a higher-quality stretch cotton top? It still has the same vibe and takes the look up a notch.

If you usually wear jeans to a party, consider adding a blazer, loafers, or stylish boots. How about trying on a nice pair of pants or wearing that skirt or dress that’s been hanging in your wardrobe forever?

Enhance your appearance with a smile!

It’s human nature to be attracted to people who smile and engage with the world. They’re seen as happy and more fun to be around. Plus, you gain the benefits of increased dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, the body’s hormones that make you feel good. Smiling puts you in a better mood and sends a positive message to those around you. It’s a big win-win for everyone! 🙂

A woman with blonde hair and red glasses is happy and smiling. The Heidi Klum quote underneath her says, "I believe that when you put a smile out there, you get a smile back."

Smile to enhance your appearance 🙂

Sticky

August 13, 2024

In HomePage-Blog

Colour Analysis Interview ABC Radio Sydney

Colour analysis is popular again!

What’s it all about? It’s the practice of draping large pieces of different coloured fabrics under your chin to discover which ones suit your skin tone, eyes and hair. Your best colours make you look healthy and vibrant. The less optimal ones leave you looking sallow and tired, emphasising shadows under your eyes and chin.

Two photos of the same woman. The photo on the left shows her in a white top with no makeup. In the photo on the right, she is draped with colours that flatter her complexion. She is also wearing flattering makeup colours.

Before & After: Colour Analysis

Colour analysis became a global phenomenon in the early 1980s when Carole Jackson’s book ‘Colour Me Beautiful’ was published. The theory used then, is the same theory used today. Your best colours match the intensity, undertone and value of your hair, skin and eyes.

People were categorised into four seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. These days, colour systems are much more nuanced to accommodate our multi-cultural society. I use a system that has 18 different colour palettes!

Recently, I was interviewed on ABC Radio Sydney Mornings about the rise in popularity of colour analysis again. Many women called or text to share their stories about how knowing their best colours has enhanced their lives.

Two women stand in front of an ABC Radio Sydney sign. The lady on the left is Toni Matthews; radio presenter and interviewer. The woman on the right is Ann Vodicka, a colour analysis expert based in Sydney.

Toni Matthews from ABC Radio Sydney interviews Ann Vodicka about colour analysis and its benefits for you.

This is something many people ask about. If you want to know more, you can listen to the recording here.

If you need help knowing the colours that look fabulous on you, the swatch of colours you receive at your fun two-hour colour analysis session will make shopping for clothes, accessories, makeup and hair dye quick, easy and successful. Plus, you’ll gain more confidence and feel great too!

Sticky

April 13, 2023

In Colour, HomePage-Blog

Shop these camisoles here.

9 Essential Layering Clothes For Autumn and Winter

Layering garments is the best way to transition your outfits from warmer to cooler months, as you can easily use trans-seasonal pieces to create stylish outfits. If you’re unsure which wardrobe elements you could add without compromising your style, check out this list of what I find to be my essential layering clothes for autumn and winter.

Early Autumn is the optimal time to invest in these pieces to prepare for the months ahead as you can find the best range of styles and colours.

Layer with a Camisole

You may already own cotton knit camis and tanks that can easily be used as a layering piece and may add a touch of colour to an outfit as they peek out the neckline of your V-neck tops.

Five women wear a variety of camisoles. Camisoles are great layering clothes to keep you warm in autumn and winter.

Layer with Body Fitting Thermal Tops

Lightweight, half-sleeve or long-sleeve thermal tops are handy base layers to wear under your regular clothes. They should fit close to your body with no gaps around the arms, neck and waist (to keep the heat in).

Five female models wear warm thermal tops in different colours.

Find these warm thermal tops here.

Layer with Longline Cardigans

A longline cardigan is such a versatile layering piece. Wear yours with jeans and a tee for a relaxed, casual look, or team it with a dress and heeled boots for a dressier vibe. Remember: bulky knits add bulk, and finer knits are slimming.

Tip: If you have a defined waist, use a belt (either on top of or underneath your cardi) to flatter your figure.

Six women wear cosy longline cardigans in a range of colours.

Find these longline cardigans here.

Layer with a Blazer or Jacket

Own at least one stylish blazer or jacket in a solid colour in one of your best neutrals so it mixes and matches with everything in your wardrobe. Choose a timeless, classic style for longevity. A blazer or jacket is an excellent staple to have in your wardrobe and can be worn all year round. You might choose a denim or moto style jacket or one of the current blazer styles depending on your style preferences.

Seven female models are wearing beautiful blazers in different colours.

Shop these stylish blazers here.

Six women wear modern style denim jackets.

Shop these denim jackets here.

Layer with Fine Wool Jumpers/Sweaters

Fitted jumpers. ‘Sweater weather’ is widely used in America to describe cold days. Jumpers made from soft, lightweight wool, luxurious cashmere, or a blend of materials like 70% wool, 20% acrylic and 10% cashmere are excellent layering items.

Wear a simple tee, cami, or thermal as an underlayer. Or, elevate the look by teaming your sweater with a button-up shirt underneath or wear it under your blazer when it’s chilly.

Fine knits are very versatile. Wear them with a longline cardigan and a scarf for colder days for extra warmth and cosiness.

Layer with Scarves

Scarves protect your neck from cold weather. They keep the air around your neck where it is. Your body warms the air around your neck, and a quality scarf will keep the air there, keeping your neck warm. Choose from natural fibres: cashmere, fleece, wool, and silk.

Plus, scarves are a great way to add colour, texture, and interest to your outfit.

Tip: If it’s really cold, wrap your scarf over your head and ears for extra warmth.

Layer with Hosiery

Tights and socks are great layered under dresses, skirts, and pants. They’re useful under dresses and skirts to protect your legs from cold air. Keep it simple with opaque neutral tones like black, grey, and brown. Or, liven things up with fun, bold hues or patterned tights.

A women is standing in a garden. She is wearing various layering clothes for the cool autumn day. These items include a leather jacket, teal coloured hosiery and a woollen scarf.

Fun layering clothes for Autumn: colourful tights.

Layering Clothes for Autumn: Trench Coat

The classic trench coat is timeless, as they are always in fashion. Choose styles without overly fashion-forward features, such as oversized collars, and ensure it is a comfortable weight and drape for you, so it doesn’t feel heavy or stiff.

Five women wear a variety of stylish trench coats for Autumn and Winter.

Shop these stylish trench coats here.

Layer with a Leather jacket

It can be either genuine or faux leather. Either way, leather-style jackets are an ideal wardrobe staple for the cooler months, mainly if they are lined.

Choose from the blazer, biker or motto style jackets depending on the look you want to achieve.

Five leather jackets suitable for women. The colours are tan, black, maroon, off-white and apricot.

Click the image or here to shop the leather jackets.

Styling Tip: If your upper body looks bulky due to wearing many layers, keep your lower half more streamlined to create visual balance. This concept is called the ‘Principles of Volume’, which you can learn more about here.

If you’d like a ‘style best friend’ to help you select the perfect layering pieces for your Autumn/Winter wardrobe, so you’re sure the items you buy are ideal for you and will last for years, a Personal Shopping Trip is a fun, hands-on experience that will elevate your style and save you time, money and stress. Be your best stylish self today!

Sticky

March 22, 2023

In HomePage-Blog, Shopping, Style, Wardrobe

How To Create More Outfits With Clothes You Already Have

Do you wear the same outfits day in, day out? (And are bored with them.)

Do you have a wardrobe full of clothes but know you only use about 20% of those clothes 80% of the time?

Do you struggle to see new and interesting ways to create multiple outfits from the clothes you already have?

Read on if you answered “Yes” to any of the above.

This blog encourages you to ‘shop’ in your own wardrobe – without having the need to buy more items. It explores ways to experiment with your existing clothes, shoes and accessories and tap into hundreds of new outfit combinations that are waiting to be discovered.

How To Shop Your Wardrobe

Experiment with one patterned top

Mix items together that you’ve never tried before.

Start with a patterned top that you rarely wear.
Lay it on your bed. Look at the colours in it.
Now, choose all your pants and skirts that include any of the colours in that pattern.
Next, physically try on the top with each of your bottoms.
Create two piles of bottoms: 1) Items that don’t work and 2) Items that do work.
Then start playing with your shoes, bags, and accessories.

TIP: Photograph the winning outfits and pop them in an album on your phone for future reference. When you’re running late in the morning, this photo album will be a great source of inspiration and will save you valuable time.

Creating everyday outfits with special occasion garments

Do you have some items you keep for special occasions only? It could be sequined, shiny or shimmery. Team that item with clothes you might consider to be more on the smart-casual side. Think about changing the style of shoes you wear with this item or the jacket you decide to wear with it. For example, you could wear your sequin jacket with dark denim jeans (instead of a more formal dress or skirt), a stacked heel rather than a stiletto, and a good-quality tee.

Use Colour to link garments together

Link the new outfit combination using colour as the ‘glue’. Make sure the undertone and intensity of the colours harmonise to achieve a stylish and cohesive look. If you’re unsure which colours suit you best, a Personal Colour Analysis will put you on the right track.

Not everything will work

Let’s say the items you’ve just put together aren’t working. Can you do or add something to tweak the look so it works? For example, you’re wearing a maxi skirt with a boxy tee. The combination makes you look shapeless and wider. Could you add a belt to create shape? Could you tuck in the tee so there’s less volume up top, making you look narrower? Or, could you find a more fitted tee?

Use Accessories to create different outfits

Play with your accessories to change the look of the new top and bottom combination you’ve put together. For example, wooden beads and flat sandals will create a casual look. Shiny beads and sandals with a higher heel will elevate the look.

Seven pairs of strappy sandals are displayed. These sandals can help you create a casual outfit look. Team them with clothes you already have to create multitudes of outfits.

Click here or click on the board to shop these sandals.

Do you need help creating outfits with the clothes you already have?

If you’d like to get more value from your existing wardrobe and you are time-poor or lack the patience and creativity to put new outfits together, a wardrobe mix-and-match session is a fun ‘dress-ups’ session where I help you style your existing pieces to create new combinations and different looks. You’ll get more wear from your clothes and save yourself time and stress in the morning because you’ll have many photographed outfits you can refer to for inspiration. And, just as importantly, you’ll look stylish and feel fabulous too 🙂

Sticky

February 15, 2023

In HomePage-Blog, Style, Wardrobe

Click here to shop the tops.

7 Style Tips to Make Your Bust Look Larger

If you have a small bust or would like to enhance the size of your bust, here are seven style tips.

Forget ridiculous suggestions like “wear two bras”, “sleep on your back”, or ‘tape your boobs”. Instead, all you need are some carefully selected clothes.

Use these 7 easy styling ideas to create the optical illusion of a fuller bust.

Choose tops with detail and interest over the bust area, e.g. logos and graphic patterns. If logos aren’t your thing, beading or ruffles will create the same effect. Small to medium prints worn on your top half will also enhance the area’s appearance.

Wear lighter, brighter-coloured tops. They will accentuate your upper body as well as draw attention to your face. If you’re unsure about your best colours, I’d love to help you find them with a Personal Colour Analysis.

One model wears different tops in five images. These tops make her bust look larger.

Shiny fabrics have a reflective surface. Light bounces off the surface, making your bust appear more prominent.

Jewellery: Choose small-scale necklaces. The bonuses of this tip are twofold: a) your bust will appear fuller, and b) you’ll be adding an extra element to your outfit, which raises your ‘style game.’

Another way to make you bust look larger is to wear gathered or frill-fronted necklines. The extra fabric will add volume and make your bust appear fuller.

Three women wear tops that make their bust look bigger. One lady wears a top with frills over the bust area. Another woman wears a bright pink top with pin tucks. The third lady wears a red top with gathers at the neckline.

Find these tops here.

Textured or bulky fabrics worn over the bust make your boobs look larger. Also, the extra layer of material used for breast pockets on items such as blouses and denim jackets creates the optical illusion of more.

Lastly, high necklines maximise your bust and draw attention to your face. Boat, crew, turtleneck, and mock turtleneck are some options.

If you’d like to find out what really works for your body, so you stop wasting money on the wrong clothes and are more connected to your style, find out about the incredible value of having a Personal Style Consultation here.

Sticky

January 26, 2023

In HomePage-Blog

Party dresses for the festival season.

24 Party Dresses to Celebrate the Festive Season in Style

You’re busy, busy, busy. Places to be. People to meet. What to wear to a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party is low on your priority list.

Your easiest option is a dress. It’s a one-stop, ‘throw it on and go’ option. No mixing and matching is needed. One piece – that’s it! 🙂

If you’re strapped for time and want something new, I’ve curated a collection of stylish Christmas and New Year party dresses. Some are casual, and others are dressier, depending on where you’re going.

Tip: What’s the dress code? You’ll feel more comfortable and confident if your dress is appropriate for the occasion. For example, if you are attending a work function, choose a dress with a neckline and hemline that’s not too revealing.

These 24 party dresses will have you celebrating Christmas and New Year in style.

Click on the board or the link below to find your fabulous going-out dress. Remember to choose a colour that blends with your perfect colour palette.

Do you have great ankles or killer legs? Flaunt your assets with these colourful styles.

Five women are modelling colourful dresses you could wear to Christmas and New Year parties.

Do you prefer more neutral tones? These dresses would be perfect for a Christmas or New Year get-together.

Five models wear beautiful going-out dresses in neutral tones, such as silver, umber and animal print.

Click here for party dresses in neutral shades.

Are you attracted to patterns? These dresses are fun and have great visual interest.

Five models wear beautiful patterned dresses that are perfect for Christmas and New Year parties.

You can find these patterned dresses here.

Is your tummy your concern? Look at these styles for inspiration.

Click here to shop for dresses to wear to a Christmas or New Year party.

Midi and maxi dresses are floaty and festive – perfect for Christmas/New Year celebrations.

Shop these gorgeous party dresses here.

Once you’ve found the dress, add a bit of bling to show you’re in a festive mood. Anything with some sparkle. Think earrings, a necklace, glittery shoes, a handbag, high-shine lipstick or lip-gloss.

Wishing you a happy and stylish festive season!

Sticky

December 16, 2022

In HomePage-Blog, Shopping, Style

11 Questions to Ask Before Buying at Black Friday Sales

They’re so tempting.

Black Friday sales. Clothes, shoes and accessories are reduced to excellent prices.

You think, ‘That’s a great deal! Quick, I better buy, buy, buy!’

WAIT ✋ – I’m putting on my party-pooper hat here.

Does it pain you to think how much money you’ve wasted on unworn sale items over the years?

It’s something to ponder.

Filling your wardrobe with random items leads to “I have a wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear.”

Here are 11 quick questions to ask yourself before clicking the ‘Buy’ button or tapping your card in-store:

Would I buy this item if it wasn’t on sale?
Does this item suit my style preferences?
Which three things in my existing wardrobe will mix and match with this new purchase?
Does it fit my current body shape and proportions?
What are the cleaning/laundering instructions? An everyday blouse with a ‘Dry Clean only’ label translates into an expensive garment.
Is it a colour that is flattering on me?
Is it comfortable? (especially shoes.)
Is it good quality, so it lasts?
What is the fabric component?
How often will I wear it? (this question is related to cost per wear per item.)
Is it very similar to something I already own?

Shopping with intention ensures you wear what you buy because it ticks all your boxes. Answering the questions will keep you in check. Your bank balance, psyche and wardrobe will thank you for it. ❤️??

Sticky

November 23, 2022

In HomePage-Blog, Shopping