Lazy Madonna

Braun Silk-epil 7951: a review

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 22:27:00 +0000

So, it's been many, many moons since I was last here, but that's a tale for another time. The condensed version is: I've thought many times about coming back over the past few months, but today is the first time I've put some action behind those thoughts!

So, here in Aust, summer is just around the corner. And here's a confession: true to my name, I have a very lazy attitude towards hair removal. Quite simply, I can't be arsed unless my legs are going to be on view, which is hardly ever, and mostly in the summer. I am not one to present myself at the salon for regular waxing, and the mess it creates when you DIY at home seems hardly worth it.

So I'm a shaver. Now, the thing about shaving for me is that I can get, maybe, 2 days of bare-leggedness before the stubble is visible and I'm back in long pants again.

Recently, I've been considering laser treatment for my legs, but during my research, the option of an epilatory device cropped up. Now, I had an Epilady once, back in the early 90s. I only used it once, and managed to do only one leg before the pain forced me to stop. I packed it away and never used it again, and eventually pawned it at Cash Converters when funds were low (I was a uni student at the time).

But I decided that I should take the plunge again, and after some research, decided the Braun Silk-epil was my best bet. So yesterday, I took myself out and purchased the Silk-epil 7951. I brought it home and charged it, and in the afternoon when I had the house to myself, thought I'd give it a whirl.

Now, be aware that I had been growing my leg hair with the intention of having it waxed or lasered. All the reviews and advice I'd read said that short hair (up to 0.5mm) was optimal for using any kind of epilatory machine, because longer hair can get pulled more and break. So I was prepared for excruciating pain, but I was feeling brave, so went ahead anyway.

Well, it certainly didn't hurt as much as I was expecting. I found the front of my leg, along the leg bone, was most painful, but even that was not more than uncomfortable. The fleshier parts of my calf barely hurt at all. Some reviews I'd read complained that it took an hour to do their legs and that the Braun's charge only lasts 40 minutes. Admittedly, I only did my lower leg (to just aboe the knee), and I'm not sure how long it took but I still had charge left afterwards, and my legs are pretty stocky (so a larger surface area than most) and, as I'd mentioned, pretty hairy!

I'd also read reviews saying that it's not recommended for delicate areas, but after I'd done my legs, I tried out the facial attachment on my upper lip, and while it was certainly prickly, it's no worse than waxing, and definitely better than plucking! Haven't tried it on the bikini line yet but may give that a go over the next few weeks.

So, the result: if I run my hand over my legs, I can feel some stubble. Possibly this is due to the fact my leg hairs were quite long, so they may have broken off rather than being pulled out at the root. It's definitely a more sparse stubble though - not like you would feel from shaving. I think the majority of hair came out the way it should.

All in all, I'm quite happy. I think with practice this is going to end up a good option for me.

Tales of a middle-aged nothing

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:19:00 +0000

That phrase has been running through my head for a few days now. I'm not sure why. I had an idea to start (yet) another blog with that name. It's a bit of a nod to the Judy Blume book that I read about a hundred years ago (I was thinking of Judy Blume the other day when I was trying to come up with possible books that a 6-year-old, highly advanced reader might like).

Jacket - Target
Top - Sara
Jeans - Jeanswest via Vinnies
Boots - Target
Scarf - David Jones

You may or may not have noticed that I've been somewhat absent lately. Well, I'm hardly a regular blogger, so this is nothing new.

A while back I posted how I may be out of a job. Well, that has come to fruition - I am out of a job. Which kind of explains my absence. I really thought I was all good with it (and, for the most part, I am) but it turns out that I am also a little not-good with it. Mostly because I just don't know what I want to do. I don't know what I want out of life. I've been desperately reading career guidance and career planning books and other such motivational tomes, but I always get to the point of throwing them aside in despair. Because at some point, they all ask about your interests or passions. They ask, "What really drives you?" or "If you were to ask your accquaintances, what would they say your talents are?"

Because I don't know. I cannot, for the life of me, point to anything and say, "Yes, this is my talent." Nor can I point to anything and say, "Yes, this is my passion." Simply cannot.

Does that make me seem boring? Like there's nothing going on in my life? Because that is not the case. My life is super-busy and full. I have three kids (and no, as much as I love them, my family is not my passion!) I have (or had, rather) a part-time job. I love to read. I write when I get the chance. I sing, also when I get the chance. I'm in an upcoming, amateur theatre production. I'm on the committee of a theatre group which is pretty time-consuming. I crochet. Occasionally I catch up with friends. Last year I studied part-time and while I'm not studying at the moment, I will be taking it up again in second semester this year. Like I said, I'm busy.

But none of this amounts to a "passion". Definitely not a talent, either. It's all just stuff that I do. If I'm honest, there's nothing there that I couldn't give up if I really had to.

I don't know. I don't know how to take this muddle of stuff and extract the truth about me from it.

It's all very confusing and disheartening. I'm trying hard not to feel like a loser no-life, but I feel a little shattered at the moment. I think it's more than just the job loss.

What's the buzz?

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:36:00 +0000

I kind of look like a bee today:

Dress: Jacqui E
Jacket: Katies
Boots: Target
Necklaces: Vinnies
Belt: ??
Small child: DIY

I very nearly wasn't going to participate in Imogen's April Style Challenge, but this morning as I was getting dressed I had one of those, "Oh, what the hell" moments. Frankly, I need a little distraction from the various dramas occurring in my life at the moment.

Rather than a daily challenge this month, instead we have weekly challenges. This week, the focus is on accessories, and we're building an outfit around "hero" pieces. This morning I duly laid out my necklaces and a few scarves and such, and I'm not sure that I have anything that quite fits the bill as a "hero". Most of my clothing is understated, to put it mildly:

I've used layered necklaces here, which has become something of a favoured accessory option for me. I'm all about the multiple necklaces these days. I've worn the larger of these two here before, but given that I'm a (ahem) larger scale person, think I benefit from making it bolder by layering it with a similar coloured strand.

Together, I think they could possibly be classed as a "hero" piece, because without them the whole lot would look pretty bland.

On another note, do you see how I'm being a big rule-breaker here? With my vertical stripes and my mid-calf boots? I picked up these boots for $30 at Target last week and they are too comfy not to wear, simply because I don't have a similarly toned pair of leggings (I've looked, I promise). So I decided that the general public would just have to deal with my wide calves.

Off with her head! Or not.

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:40:00 +0000

Contrary to my expectations this morning, I haven't been made redundant: But redundancy may be imminent, so let's not all cheer yet.

I want to give a big shout-out to my outfit below:

Shirt: BIg W
Trouser jeans: Sara
Belt: Kmart??
Necklace: gifted
Shoes: Blue Illusion

This is me, again, at the end of my work day. At the end of a day of bending and stretching and sitting around and doing all that workaday kind of stuff. And I still look reasonably pulled-together.

For this feat, I would, first of all, like to thank my Sara trouser jeans, which cost me $21. I have been obsessed with finding the perfect pair of trouser jeans for, oh, a couple of years now. I have tried different options with no success but thought I'd give these a go when I saw them in David Jones a couple of weeks ago. They were a little long, but I have scissors and a needle, and I did my sewy thing to them and now they fit perfectly. And I think they are the most comfortable work pants I have ever worn - totally hug one's bottom as opposed to stretching uncomfortably across it - and they may have stretched a little at the knees during the day, but still look reasonably smart at the end of a long day's work. In fact, I've come home today thinking "I am *so* wearing those tomorrow!" which is a rarity for me, they must be a good trouser.

Props also to my navy shirt, which is from Big W. It's from their standard range (it's an Emerson shirt) and I must say I'm really impressed that they have provided something that the more full-busted among us can wear - it's a size 16 and I am an F-cup, which is pretty good going, I think, for a $10 shirt, especially given I'm a generous 16 to 18 in most labels. Besides which, it is quite a flattering cut. Not too much sagging and gaping, even at the end of the day, as you can see from above. And the puffed sleeves not only remind me of Anne of Green Gables, but are also quite flattering, for some reason. Maybe they are balancing my Chesty La Roux dimensions or something.

Originally I had set aside a camisole (in pink! Pink is becoming mah Signature Colour!) to wear under the shirt but ditched it at the last minute, hence the only accent colour is in the necklace which you can barely see. Definitely needs a kick of colour.

And once again I am feeling completely under-accessorised! Makes me feel naked, really.

Uneasy

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:47:00 +0000

Definitely snapped this pic at the wrong end of the day:

Dress: Monsoon
Shoes: Clarks
Necklace: Thrifted

Today was a long and, as I said in the title, uneasy day. There have been rumblings of downsizings and rationalisations at my place of work and today the first head rolled. She was told that all part-timers and contractors (which is me, on both counts) are going. My immediate boss is also a part-timer and my now-redundant coworker told me that she (my boss) will be given the option of going full-time or taking a redundancy. As a contractor, I get no option but to leave.

So, it was kind of an odd day. My boss's boss is going to be in town tomorrow, I believe, so I guess I will know my fate by this time tomorrow. I've already decided that I will just ask to finish up tomorrow if I'm to be let go, because I see no point in prolonging it.

Anyway. This dress arrived via Ebay and I love it. It's not something I would normally choose, but since I have decided to phase black out of my wardrobe, it seemed like good way to start. This dress was a near-perfect fit when I first put it on this morning, but, as I frequently find with viscose, had stretched out a little by the end of the day. Gorgeous fabric to wear, though.

And is it just me, but do these peeptoe heels make me look like I have cloven hooves, or what?

Shades of grey - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:50:00 +0000

Guess who didn't take an umbrella to work today?

That would be me, and you can see my shoes and hair are a little damp.

This dress is pretty unremarkable, but it is a bit of a "go-to" dress for me. This morning was a bit of a "Ack! I'm running late and my hair is wet and what am I going to wear???" kind of start to the day, so I grabbed this.

I love the floral pattern on it - the colours are all colours that suit me - but as with all my dresses (and I now have several in my arsenal, which is quite a turnaround for someone who until a couple of years ago only wore dresses to weddings and the like) I only ever wear it one way: same necklace, same slip underneath, same shoes.

And after the month of FABruary, where I seemed to really focus on accessories, I feel really underaccessorised today.

Funny how something so pretty can be so dull.

Sheer - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:43:00 +0000

One post on top of another!

Today's theme was sheer:

As you can see, we've had another horribly humid day in Sydney. This photo was taken at 8 am and already I'm glowing with sweat!!

This shirt was another op shop buy. It looks slightly bluish in the photo, but is more a purple, and I'm not a big wearer (or fan) of purple, but I think I can carry it off in this shirt. I've layered a red camisole underneath because I love the combo of red and purple.

This style of shirt, also, would normally look horrendous on me (it's kind of a kaftan style) but I think because of the sheer fabric, and also because it sits nicely when belted due to the drape.

I've also used a couple of my layered necklaces doubled up as a shorter necklace. I had a single strand originally but it felt like too much bare flesh for work!

Going green - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:33:00 +0000

Where has February gone?? I didn't give it permission to be moving so quickly!

So, I have been somewhat distracted of late and haven't been even slightly fabulous, but was glad to be able to chime in again, yesterday, on the "green" theme day.

At first I thought I wouldn't be able to manage it, because I didn't have anything green in my wardrobe. This is despite the fact that green has been my favourite colour ever since I was placed in the "green" house in kindergarten for all sporting carnivals. It wasn't until my late teens that it dawned on me that green was a flattering colour on me, due to being green-eyed.

Despite this, the only visible green in my wardrobe is my favourite, comfortable-to-wear-around-the-house baggy cardigan (which I've sent to the rag-bag many times, only to retrieve it at the last minute). Probably because, as a warmer complexion, my shades of green have been hard to find lately (and it's something I'm constantly on the lookout for!)

But then I remembered this dress/tunic/what-have-you:

Now, if I'm honest, this dress is not a favourite. I really only have it around because I like green. The neck is too high and the background is not quite right for my colouring. And it's kind of nearing the end of it's useful life as it is starting to pill a bit and is not the kind of fabric that takes kindly to defuzzing. Still, it's had a pretty good innings for an op shop purchase (cost me all of $5, I should think).

But this outfit is "green" in other ways, too. The dress is thrifted. The shoes are thrifted. The necklace is thrifted. The pants and belt I have had for at least 8 years. Recycling and re-using = green!

Animal print - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 22:39:00 +0000

Phew! I have totally dropped of the face of the blogworld this week - have been too busy to keep up with posting although I have tried do the challenges.

Today is animal print and I've found myself with an unscheduled workday. It's a Friday, so at least it's casual, so I'm wearing jeans and my faux snakeskin flats. I'm actually a huge fan of the leopard print, but have none in my wardrobe currently - culled my wardrobe a few months back and gave away a fave leopard print dress and blouse as I'd shrunk out of them (can you believe it!) I still have an animal print scarf but it's too hot to wear it today. So flats it is.

I've snapped this pic with my phone as I wait for the train to work, so I hope this works! If not, I'll attempt to amend tonight when I get home.

Multiple necklaces - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 02:41:00 +0000

Multiple necklaces? Easy:

It's a little-known fact that I have loads of necklaces, mostly purchased on my op shopping forays. A couple of these I picked up just the other day. I seem to have a thing for necklaces which use bronzey type of metal, as I have several of varying lengths. So it's easy to layer them because while they have different stones and beads, the metal links them together.

This shirt is also an op shop find. And pink!

This is not a look I would wear to work - I sound like Tinkerbell in this get-up!

Scarves - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 02:36:00 +0000

Well, who's a grumpy birdy, then?

Gosh, what a glum face!

I'm not really as mopey as I look in this photo. I don't know how I didn't manage to snap one with a smile, at least.

Today's challenge is scarves. I had a completely different outfit on earlier today, but then I took my daughter to a party and it was pouring with rain, and I was completely sodden, so I had to change. This also explains my frizzy hair. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, anyway.

These pants mark my first foray into the wide, wide world of ponte clothing. I love them. So comfy! Also love this oversized sweater, although I don't think it loves me. It's from the Sara range of clothing from Ezibuy/David Jones.

Coloured shoes - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 05:41:00 +0000

Oh, Friday! How do I love thee? Very much.

I have to say, I think I am very fortunate that I work part-time. I think I have the perfect balance between work/home life. I don't love my job, by any stretch of the imagination, but I like getting out of the house and being something other than mum. I like getting dressed for work for those three days and looking a bit smarter than I had done for the past several years when my role in life was a stay-at-home-mum.

But come Friday, I'm glad to be back in my jeans again!

Today I treated myself to a visit to one of my favourite op shops. I bought something pink! And I will probably wear it this weekend if I get it cleaned in time. I also scored brilliantly on the acccessories front. So, so happy. Truly - the op shop/thrift store is undoubtedly the best place for costume jewellery. I have two near me that have an incredible range.

I was actually looking for a denim skirt. I don't have one at the moment and have been desperately seeking one for a few weeks now. No luck today, either.

But op shopping called for comfy clothing and footwear, so I pulled on a pair of jeans and my trusty Converse:

It doesn't show too well, but they are purple.

I also wore a jacket for a short amount of time:

I like to say this is a vintage jacket - it's an Innovare jacket which dates back to the early 90s (bought from an op shop - I haven't had it since then!)

Lace - FABruary Style Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:20:00 +0000

Let me be upfront, here: I am NOT a lace person:

Can you spot my "lace"? Can you??

Some time ago, I got myself a copy of the book Style Statement and worked my way through it. At the end of the whole process, my personal style statement was: Simple, Bold. The way a style statement (apparently) works, is the first word is your essence (or something) and accounts for 80% while the second word is how you express that essence.

And in my case, I have to say that "simple, bold" pretty much captures my preferred mode of dressing. I dislike the frilly and the frou frou, and feel uncomfortable in anything gentle and feminine. I prefer simple lines. And my accessories tend to be simple too, and bright. That's the bold bit.

So, a lace challenge is pushing it, for me. The only lace I actually wear is on underthings, and even that is just trimming the edge of my boyleg knickers. Although I must admit, I do have a lace tee which I bought earlier in summer. I've never worn it.

Last night I decided to opt out of this particular challenge. But then this morning when I was getting dressed for work, I had the brilliant idea of swapping the belt I had put out to wear for my el cheapo, reconstituted leather (which is like the leather version of salami or devon) belt with its punched flower design:

This counts as lace, right?

I should add that my necklace (of which I didn't manage to get a good picture) is kind of a textured, woven design. Also a bit "lacy". Right?

Blue - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 08:21:00 +0000

Today, for work, wore a blue jacket:

Kept it on for most of the day, but occasionally took it off to reveal my peplum top:

I never really got into peplums when they were in back in the late 80s, and hadn't really been interested this time around either. Bought this top from Salvos last week and now I'm a peplum convert!

Layer up - FABruary Style Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:19:00 +0000

Ugh. It's late, and I'm exhausted, and I was nearly going to skip today's challenge due to the fact that the photo I've taken is not exactly the outfit I wore. But then, the essentials are there - I just swapped out the shoes for a pair of ankle boots and wore opaque tights too, since it was pouring rain and cold(ish) this morning: And I also ended up throwing on a light cardigan for most of the day:

Kind of a cheat as far as layering is concerned. Since it's summer, I figured it would be too hot to layer too much of anything. And honestly, I don't have many items of clothing that are conducive to layering, so it was just a camisole under a dress. And you absolutely *must* wear something under this dress, which, although a shirt dress, actually doesn't have a buttonhole high enough to Cover One's Modesty at the top, so if you didn't layer something, you'd be all how's-yer-father all day long, which could prove distracting at work.

If you think I sound slightly delirious, well, I kind of am. I had 2 meetings after work today - one for the parent's info night for my youngest, and then the band support meeting for my older son's high school (my eldest is a band nerd (and I say that with pride)). But I'm completely drained. Especially from the band support meeting. I'm just going to come right out and say it here, on the off chance that one of the other support group members is reading: you people are not friendly. And some of you are downright nasty. I do not care to associate with you any further.

So there.

Flowers - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:20:00 +0000

Today was a run-about-town, jeans kind of day, so to fit in with the theme, I just threw on a floral scarf and a chrysanthemum pin:

A close-up view:

I had thought about wearing the rose choker I crocheted a couple of months back:

But pretty as it is, it felt too dressed up.

Well, I colour blocked, but it ain't pretty ...

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 06:25:00 +0000

Sometimes life has a way of intervening. Today I took my boys for a bike ride. The plan was to cycle to the tennis courts in the next suburb, play a couple of sets of tennis, then cycle home again. I rather airily assumed that this bike ride would take about half an hour. As it turned out, it took us nearly an hour to get there, as I'd underestimated the hilliness of the trip, and the sun was hot, so we had to stop in the shade midway for a drink and a 10-minute rest. It was only a 4.4 km trip but it felt more like 10. Uphill the whole way. Well, not really, but it felt like that.

Still, we made it. But our couple of sets was reduced to just 1 (I decided half an hour of tennis was probably enough). And then the boys decided to let Dad pick them up. And since Dad was collecting them, I decided I'd be nice and travel back with them. Although, I probably could have cycled home again - maybe next time I will.

But what kind of colour-blocked outfit does one wear to cycle halfway across the country for a game of tennis?

Look, ma! Pink socks! My cycle helmet
is also pink!

I'm very aware of the lack of makeup in this photo. Once upon a time I wore only mascara and lipstick, if that, but these days I wear makeup most days.

Sparkles for daytime - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 06:56:00 +0000

Worn to go shopping and run around after kids:

You can't see the sparkly bits too well, but it has a sequinned neckline:

Forgive the sweaty sheen - it's about 1,000% humidity today.

Avocado top, Virtu skirt, Naturalizer wedges,
gifted necklace and earrings

I think this top actually looked much better on than it appears in the photos. Also, it's more of a cornflower blue and really quite a pretty shade. I'm a terrible photographer.

Statement rings - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 04:38:00 +0000

I don't really have much in the way of sparkly rings. In fact, I have only one that I never wear. And I didn't wear it today, either. I generally have a preference for fairly simple jewellery, and generally love a big, bold ring - like Scarlett's ring in Four Weddings and a Funeral.

I wore my version of statement rings to work today (it's Casual Friday, hence jeans are fine):

Piper tee, Jag belt, Levi's jeans,
Naturalizer shoes, thrifted necklace,
rings from Diva and Sussan

Slightly more close-up view:

Red lips - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 03:00:00 +0000

I have always stuck to pretty much the same shade of lipstick ever since I first discovered the Rosewood shade by Yardley about 100 years ago. Prior to that I was still getting my 80s on with a kind of peachy shade.

But a plummy-browny-pinky shade has been my go-to lipstick for many, many years. For evening wear I'll go slightly darker, but generally in a similar tone.

Then, a few months back I saw Una from Una Blogs sporting a gorgeous red lip, and I thought to myself, "I want red lips, too!" So I purchased a bright, bright red lipstick.

The first time I wore my new red lipstick, I truly felt as though I was naked apart from the liptstick. It felt so obvious, and I thought everyone would just stare! But they didn't. In fact, no-one even commented. So I got comfortable about wearing it, and now, every so often, I'll pop on a red lipstick when I think the occasion calls for it.

But today's style challenge calls for red lips, so here they are:

Generally I'll go for red lips when I need a pop of colour, but while my outfit today is basically neutral, it's still pretty ... loud:

Jacqui E dress, Katies tee, thrifted belt,
Virtu necklace, Clarks shoes

Originally, this was going to be my "Jacket Up" ensemble:

Innovare jacket

Have I told you how uninspiring I find my workwear? Sheesh.

No FABruary today

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:43:00 +0000

I had an outfit all planned for the 'Jacket Up' theme, but life has intervened. My little one is sick, so we're just at home today, and being at home doesn't really call for a jacket.

So I've had the opportunity to catch up with all the things I don't get to do while I'm at work: like the washing, cleaning the bathrooms - that kind of thing. Such fun. So, what do I wear to do housework and tend to sick people?

Virtu dress, leggings and sandals ?,
necklace gifted

Snakeskin is not my favourite animal print but this dress is extremely comfortable. Also it has pockets! Useful for picking up bits of Lego and hairclips that one finds lying around the house.

I may do a two-for-one FABruary post tomorrow.

Belt it - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Today in the style challenge, this is what I wore to work:

Jane Lamerton cardigan, Jacqui E tee,
Virtu skirt, Fossil belt, Clarks shoes

I wore this Jacqui E tee the other day and, as with the very few other times I've worn it since purchasing it a couple of years ago, was ready to give it up. As with a lot of Jacqui E clothing (and I have a few items in my wardrobe), it's pretty inoffensive and ... well, slightly boring. Which you kind of expect from a wardrobe basic. I thought it might look better paired with a similar-coloured bottom, so decided to pair it with this tan Virtu skirt, and I think it does work much better. And the cardigan adds a pop of colour, which is repeated in an embroidered design on the belt:

I'm also wearing a necklace, which I forgot to put on before the photo.

And just so you can appreciate the trouble I have to go to in order to get a vaguely decent pic, here's what I have to put up with:

Photo-bombed by my own child...

Wear a dress - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 06:23:00 +0000

Today's effort in the FABruary style challenge gets a big, fat F:

Estelle(Myer) dress, belt ?, Wittner flats

Once upon a time I had no dresses in my wardrobe. I lived in pants because I hated my legs. These days I actually wear dresses pretty frequently because I think I look better in them at work. When I wear pants to work I tend to feel a bit frumpy and dumpy.

I've had this dress for some time but hardly ever wear it. Several times I've decided just to get rid of it but I love the floral print on this dress - it's really pretty. But the dress itself does absolutely nothing for me. It's basically a sack with elastic in the middle.

It's not helped by the black flats. I have been looking for a comfortable pair of tan flats for a while to no avail. I generally only wear the black flats with black pants for work, but I didn't want to wear flip-flops today, so the flats it was. Whenever I wear these flats, though, I feel like I am wearing school shoes. Ugh.

So, just a "meh" all 'round for me today. Every time I caught sight of myself in this getup today I felt a little dismayed.

I think I need to take the dress apart and use the fabric to create a better dress...

Denim with style - FABruary style challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 03:12:00 +0000

Today's submission in the FABruary style challenge:

Wearing: Piper tee, Levi's Bold Curve jeans,
Sussan linen blazer, Sussan necklace, Jacqui E cuff

Going: shopping for runners for the kids

Today's challenge was one I could manage pretty easily - denim has always been a bit of a signature item for me, and at one point you would have seen me wearing either jeans or a denim jacket every single day, even on the hottest days of summer. I tend to wear denim a lot less often these days now that I'm no longer a SAHM and I have a bit of a work wardrobe going on. I will frequently wear a denim jacket, however, on my non-work days.

I was thrilled to discover the Levi's Curve ID range a few months back, and even more thrilled to discover the Bold Curve style fitted me perfectly. Back in the olden days I was a faithful wearer of Levi's 501s, so it's nice to be able to wear Levi's again. These jeans have been everywhere with me over the past few months, and while they have a bit of stretch, they have held their shape much, much better than other, similarly priced jeans.

I need to find a spot where my shoes are visible, but this was my footwear today:

Naturalizer wedges

I must give props to Naturalizer for producing a shoe for a wide foot that is comfortable to wear whilst traipsing around a large shopping centre for a couple of hours. Highly recommended if, like me, you have super-dooper wide feet.

Think pink - FABruary Style Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Lazy Madonna) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:31:00 +0000

Day 2 of Imogen's FABruary Style Challenge is Think Pink:

Wearing: Katies denim jacket, Mink Denim tee,
Virtu pink tube skirt, Diana Ferrari flats,
layering tee and leggings from ?, bracelets from
Vinnies and market

It's a Saturday and that means running around after the kids and then to a family BBQ (in this weather! It's pouring!)

I don't often wear pink, but had been eyeing this skirt of on the Virtu website for some time. This week I visited their outlet in Alexandria and was chuffed to discover one on the rack, so it got to come home with me.

This particular outfit has a distinctive 80s vibe to it - I feel like I should be wearing a scrunchie to do it full justice.