Redcliffe Style

What I look for when buying clothes.

2013-05-21T12:38:00.000+10:00

There are a few boxes that need to be ticked when I'm on a serious clothes buying mission:

Comfort. If it's not comfortable, I won't wear it. I hate the feeling of claustrophobia when you put on something tight or fitted or itchy or with fabric that doesn't breathe. The more it feels like I'm wearing PJ's the higher it ranks on my 'Get in my Wardrobe' list
It must be easy to put on. It doesn't matter how amazing it makes me look if I pull a muscle pulling up an awkward placed zipper. I'm going to wait until I'm in a nursing home before I ask for help to dress (or undress).
It doesn't need dry cleaning. This is for two really good reasons. I am cheap and lazy. I don't have time to drop off and pick up clothes (I barely have time to pick them off the floor) and if I have the dollars to spend on dry cleaning, I'd rather buy a nice bottle of wine and split it with someone awesome.
It doesn't require ironing. I try hard to avoid ironing. I did iron a dress yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised how uncreased and groomed I looked. I am sure people that know me did double takes. They probably assumed it was my evil, well groomed twin sister;
It must work well with my existing wardrobe; and
It must be a bargain.

Yesterday, I had a meeting in Hamilton and came across the Marg K Boutique closing down sale. Pretty much everything in this shop ticked all my boxes. I was very, very good and only purchased one dress. This Desigual dress was only $80 down from $145. I teamed it with old brown Progetto boots and a necklace from my aunt. I love brown with red, it's softer than teaming it with black.

What puts an item on your "Get in my wardrobe" list?

Win a Family Pass to Disney on Ice, Princesses and Heros

2013-05-21T06:07:00.000+10:00

I have been busy going to plenty of 'grown up' musicals, plays and parties and I've loved every moment. My girls have been watching patiently as I frock up and try hard to get my pretty on. This time I have one for the girls. In the June school holidays I have tickets to see Disney on Ice, Princesses and Heros.

My girls are so freaking excited, they have spent many holidays watching all the Disney Princess movies over and over and over. It will be so exciting for them to see all the princesses twirly, jumping and being very princessy in real life.

I have never been to a Disney on Ice. I have seen the reviews and it looks fab.

But wait, there is more....

I have one family pass (2 adults 2 children) to see Disney on Ice, Princesses and Heros at 11am on 27 June 2013 at the Boondall Entertainment Centre, Brisbane. This will be a fantastic way to entertain your children in the holiday. To enter:

Tell me why you'll be needing a break in the school holidays. Comment below or on facebook - here;
Enter before 6am on 11th June 2013;
If you feel like following Redcliffe Style on the blog or on facebook, that would be cool too but it's not a requirement.

Good luck!

"All the Romance,

All the Adventure,

Live on Ice!"
"Enter a world of wonder where heroes and hearts prevail. Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves, see Prince Philip defeat the evil Maleficent to rescue Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora. Witness high flying jumps, daring acrobatics and breathtaking skating as you discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin and watch in awe as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel and Tiana all come true. "

On Tuesdays I link up with IBOT

My 5 absolute favourite beauty items at this very minute....

2013-05-16T13:02:00.001+10:00

My beauty favourites change constantly. I'll have a favourite lipstick that I must carry everywhere and apply every hour, on the hour and then two days later I'll decide lipstick is dead and it's all about the brows. So at this minute, at 1.01pm on Thursday afternoon, my absolute necessities for the next 5 minutes are:

O.P.I Nail Lacquer in Red my Fortune Cookie

This red is so perfect that I can't imagine I'll ever wear any other colour on my nails ever again.

Desire by Dolce & Gabbana

I wear perfume every day. I'll spritz before grocery shopping, going for a run or even to the tip. I'll even spritz after a shower at night. I got this one for Mother's Day.

Youngblood Brow Artiste in dark brown

I'm brow obsessed and this perfect kit contains everything I need to feed my addiction. I use the dark brown kit because it contains a lighter and darker colours and I can adjust it for the many hair colours I have gone through. It also has a good sized mirror, wax, brush, spiral brush and tweezers.

Maybelline Colour Sensational in Neon Red

I have been wearing this everywhere. People have even stopped me in the streets to ask what lipstick I am wearing. It's definitely not for the fainted-hearted

Finally, Lucas' Papaw Ointment

I have recently rediscovered my love for this product. I am using it for everything. I will not leave the house without it.

What are your current favs? Do they change?

When every thing goes right

2013-05-12T18:39:00.000+10:00

I had one of those days today.

To be honest, I love my girls and my husband but I feel strange celebrating something I just do. I am lucky that my family feels differently and they went all out to make me feel special. I had a great day hanging out with my three favourite people in the entire world.

I woke up and stumbled downstairs to three happy faces and a pile of handmade cards and crafts and a bigger pile of prettily, wrapped presents. I ripped those babies open, oohed and aahed, threw back a cup of coffee and got ready for boot camp.

We dragged my mother along too and she loved it. I think I enjoyed kicking and punching the boxing pad a little too much while she was holding it.

Followed up with a mountain of fruit crepes for breakfast to refuel.

Into Fortitude Valley for Rock climbing. We have done this a few times but we love it more every time we go. We are like a family of monkeys, squawking, squealing and clapping with excited at every climb.

After a few hours we worked up quite an appetite and hit The Vietnamese for vietnamese. It was so good, big and delicious. I was too faint from hunger to take any photos.

On the spur of the moment we decided to stop by DFO. Once I discovered the Mimco store it was difficult to leave. I bought two amazing bargains. This white bag was reduced from $379 to $49!! And the purse was only $69. I'm a happy, happy girl.

Home to champagne. Mmmm.

I hope you had a nice Sunday too.

Another Mother's day highlight was featured in the paper, showing off my little monkeys. They were so thrilled to be in the paper.

Red!

2013-05-08T14:16:00.000+10:00

Last night I had a girly night out with Lisa from Mrs BC's House of Chaos and Cate from Life Behind the Purple door. We went to QPAC to see Red starring Colin Friels and Tom Barton.

Oh my friggin' gosh!! This play is the winner of 6 Tony awards including Best Play 2010. Colin Friels is fantastic to watch in action. He was recently awarded the best male actor gong at the Green Room awards for this role and he completely deserved it. Tom Barton was perfect as the artist's assistant. It would have been hard to come up against a talent like Colin Friels but Tom did it excellently. I loved every moment of this play (expect maybe the 2 minute I had to throw back my wine before the doors locked me out). This play runs until 19 May 2013.

I managed to catch up with Colin Friels and Tom Barton afterwards. They were both completely charming to the fangirl I turned into.

Evidence I am a Superhero...

2013-05-08T05:59:00.000+10:00

Here is all the evidence you need to prove I am a super hero.

At 8.10am I realised it was time to leave for the school run. I was still running around in my PJs. By 8.12am I was heading out the door in my gym wear. There is no way my husband could achieve this in two minutes.

Back from the school run and I notice the kitchen looked like a bomb hit. It would have been impossible for me to concentrate on my run with this mess hanging around. Five minutes later, perfect.

Then the stench of the dogs caught my attention. It's pretty hard wrangling two naughty, wet dogs. But, I managed as only a woman used to wrangling wet, naughty children can. Twelve minutes later, they were clean, sweet smelling and even naughtier.

Time for a run. 51 minutes and 10 kilometres later.

I love a challenge. I had a small window to get ready. I'm heading out tonight to see RED! at QPAC but I needed to get ready before school pick up and I also wanted to be done by 1.30pm so I could devote all the time necessary into obtaining a ticket to #problogger2013. Shower, cheat curls, bright lippy = 17 minutes.

Finally, preparing Bolognese sauce for the family for dinner. Mince + lots of love + 9 minutes = happy fam. Now it just needs to simmer.

Actually, all this proves is that I am an average mum, with all balls in the air, getting it done.

Meet 'The Mum', a superhero found in most homes. I sure hope all the superheros get spoilt this weekend.....

Bootcamp Embarrassment

2013-05-07T06:00:00.000+10:00

As usual, on Sunday we went to family bootcamp. We were given a large wooden post each and were told to run to the beach. The PT apologised because it would be a little tough for me, being a girl and all. My husband stuck up for me saying 'I wouldn't worry about her, she's stronger than me'. Not true, but I appreciated it anyway. My chest puffed out a little, my back straightened and my biceps flexed. I was prepared to prove I could keep up with the men.

100+ push ups
Too many duck walks and lunges
Bicep curls, shoulder presses and more with the wooden posts.

It was time to head back. I noticed people were taking it easy. A power house like me needs to run. I grabbed my post, held it high over my head and took off. I ran around the Personal trainer, zipped passed everyone else and got into a nice rhythm.

I felt like Commando.

Until a car surprised me. I jumped out of it's way and missed the gutter and went arse up with my post. My ankle was all scratched, bruise and bleeding, but nothing compared to my ego when I realised the rest of the bootcampers could still see me.

Don't you hate that.

5 Clothes shopping tips

2013-05-06T19:47:00.000+10:00

I have spent a little time shopping for clothes and I have decided it's time to share a few of my clothes shopping tips.

1. Go with your gut. You know how you feel when you first looked in the mirror. Your body language gives away a lot too. Are you hunching or standing tall?

2. Go shopping wearing clothes that are comfortable and are easy to whip on and off. Also wear flattering undies and bras. You're going to be seeing yourself in weird, semi-dressed positions all day. Your confidence might take a battering, so minimise it as much as you can. I often shop in tunics, leggings and ballet flats. You can always leave the leggings on and ballet flats are easy to kick off. Watch out for smelly shoes though. No-one will be happy to impart honest wisdom to someone that nearly knocked them out with foot odour.

3. Don't be talked into something by friends, family or sales assistants. If you do, it will probably stay hidden in the back of the wardrobe. I could tell you about some doozies I have been talked into.

4. Stick with your size. You are shopping for something to wear now, not in your dreams. It won't motivate you to lose weight or gain weight and it's going to sit in your wardrobe making you feel bad about yourself. Hunt down the clothes that make you feel good - TODAY

5. Don't believe every compliment given by a sales assistant. I'm sure most of them are true but they are also trying to make a sale.

What are your best clothes shopping tips?

Friday Feast

2013-05-04T16:07:00.002+10:00

Last night we had family date night and it was the girls turn to pick the venue. Out of all the local restaurants they picked their new favourite, a recently opened Indian restaurant in Scarborough, Bollywood. They do a delicious all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. We all end up eating more-than-we-should-eat instead. They even have 3 vego curries for those fussy vegetarians (me).

To make up for ~~stuffing our faces~~ over indulging, we woke up early this morning and went for a walk to the beach. The newly renovated Scarborough Park is now open. Children were screaming with delight from every angle. Is it only me that finds happy children slightly annoying? Probably.

If you are local and love Indian food, you really must check this restaurant out. Tell them Rachel sent you and they'll probably seat you at the greedy girl table.

Bollywood
109 Landsborough Avenue, Scarborough
$22 adults and $10 children
Licensed (not BYO)

7 Bargain Makeup Products to create a day face for under $100

2013-05-03T11:49:00.001+10:00

I'm always on the look out for nice, well priced makeup. I don't mind spending a little more to get what I want, but if I can find something good and cheap I am a happy, happy girl.

Here are 7 makeup products that are cheap as chips, can be bought when grocery shopping or in a department store and will enable you to create a natural, simple day time look for under $100:

Face of Australia Pressed Powder $11.50. This is a great light powder to gently dust over your BB.
Australis Creme colour for Cheeks & Lips in Dusty Rose $9.95. I love a product that can do more than one thing
Maybelline Line Express in Ebony Black $8.50. This goes on smoothly, has an intense black colour, and the all important smudger on the end.
Maybelline The Turbo Volum Express mascara in Very Black $17.75. This is my favourite mascara. So cheap and makes the most of the lashes you have.
Maybelline Mastershape eyebrow pencil $11.50. I need to fill my eyebrows to look done. I like this one because it has a natural wax formula and a built in spiral brush.
Covergirl Intense shadow blast in beige blaze $14.95. This is another product that does has a few jobs. It's an eyelid primer and a fantastic base eyeshadow colour. This baby won't move.
Loreal Nude Magique $21.95. I love this because it's not greasy or heavy feeling, has SPF12 and it's fun to put on. It transforms from white to match your face.

Now I'll demonstrate how I use these 7 products to create a 5 minutes easy-peasy day look. I like black eyeliner, but you can use a soft brown to create a softer look, or add a brighter lip to perk it up a bit.

I'd love to know your favourite bargain products.

Have a great weekend!!

What I wore: Early morning on the beach

2013-04-28T06:52:00.000+10:00

It was Lola the Cavoodle's third birthday yesterday. What could be a better way for a dog to celebrate than to hit the beach with their doggy friends and run their damp, sandy legs off? We even found some abandoned tennis balls on the beach (just like a birthday present from God) and a stick. The stick was more exciting for my husband than the dogs. We managed a few games of cricket before the dogs stole the balls.

What I wore: Nude feather sleeved Cooper St t-shirt. This was good for me to blend in with the seagulls. Bright red pants from Why Not (gift from Aunt), ancient denim vest with an orange Witchery scarf, necklace (another gift from Aunt), old nude and khaki sandals and a stolen red hat.

When punishment backfires

2013-04-27T08:56:00.000+10:00

Once when the girls were being really annoying, I decided to be equally annoying and started speaking in an accent. I settled on a terrible version of a Texan accent. It was terrible because I am terrible at any accent.

We were driving through MacDonald's at the time. To the embarrassment of the girls, I kept the accent up through all the windows and even asked a few unnecessary questions to drag it out. I also smiled with all my teeth and asked for extra ketchup.

image source

Now, the girls insist I use the accent whenever we go through a drive through. Lucky this isn't too often. So much for punishment.

Have you had any punishment that has backfired?

Get some air in your hair

2013-04-26T08:09:00.001+10:00

It's no secret that love hair and beauty products. I'm always on the look out for new, delicious goodies I can add to my ever growing collection. What I didn't realise was that I had a massive hole in my collection. Something I didn't even realise I needed and I had needed the entire time. I felt like such a dumb arse when I discovered this missing product.

Am I the only person that didn't know that the correct hair brush makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. I'm not exaggerating. A few years ago some twelve year old girl in a one-shop-sells-everything kinda shop highly recommended a brush for blow drying and I hungrily handed over however much cash she wanted and loyally used that brush for years.

Fast forward to last Wednesday, I casually asked my BFF/hair guru about the GHD brush and which one she uses. I decided on the spur of the moment to purchase it.

I used it this morning. Why did I wait 2 days before using it!! It halved my drying time and gave my hair bounce. Who knew? My concern is, that if she really was my BFF, why didn't she insist I buy one sooner?

Before

completely unaware of my flat, airless hair.

After

Just like a shampoo advertisement.

In with the new, out with the old

Next week, I'll talk about the different kinds of brushes and what they do. I can't let you go through what I have.

How is your brush situation?

Image review and a giveaway valued at $95

2013-04-23T05:28:00.001+10:00

I was asked if I would be interested in reviewing the latest Image Skincare O2 facial and I answered with a 'Hell yes!! I fell in love with this skincare range when I stumbled across it at the Beauty Expo in Sydney last year. My skin has improved dramatically since starting an Image regime.

The O2 facial is designed to exfoliate, illuminate and oxygenate.

The facial steps are:
Cleanser. A gentle milk cleanser massaged in and removed with sponges.
Enzymatic facial peel. I love this, it goes on like gel and then starts getting clumpy and lumpy as it works it's magic.
Oxygenating Facial Masque. This goes on thick and white. Initially, it feels like little ants walking across your face, then like rain drops splashing onto you. You can actually feel and hear the air bubbles popping as the mask starts disappearing. Eventually it's all gone. In the meantime, you are getting a delicious scalp, shoulders and back massage. Here is a teeny video showing the popping mask.

Stem Cell Facial enhancer. This serum is gently massaged over your face, neck and decollate. The facial is finished with moisturiser and eye cream.

As any normal person would, I loved this experience. At one point I felt myself falling asleep but forced myself out of a slumper so I would be able to remember and record my experience. I'll admit that I went into the facial with a huge, red blinder pimple on the side of my nose. Lucky me! After the facial, the redness was gone and the pimple reduced. The next day it was gone altogether.

My skin looked so friggin' awesome that I went out to dinner with my husband later sans makeup. I didn't even need concealer for the blinder. I looked that radiant and fresh that I didn't want to cover it up with products that promised to do the same.

Now you have an opportunity to fall in love with Image skincare and Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa too.

GIVEAWAY!!!! - This competition is closed and the winner has been contacted
Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa have offer to treat one lucky reader to an Image Skincare O2 Facial valued at $95. Make sure you are local or able to get to the Day Spa located in Redcliffe. To enter please:
1. Comment below or on the facebook page. Tell us why you would like to win this treatment.
2. Like Beautiful You on Facebook. You can do that here;
3. If you are feeling generous, you can like Redcliffe Style on facebook too - here
4. Enter before 6am on 30 April 2013

I promise you will love it!

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa
3284 6463

www.beautifulu.com.au

4 Duffield Road, Margate

Today I am linking up with IBOT

Monday's Motivating Playlist

2013-04-22T14:21:00.003+10:00

It's been a little while since my last motivating playlist. I could blame it on children, school holidays or life but that would just be making excuses. Motivation is not about making excuses. So, I haven't done a playlist lately because I haven't.

But now I am really pumped up, I have just done a quick 10km run to this....

Stay - Rihanna
Piece of my Heart - Janis Joplin
Impossible - James Arthur
I never liked you - Rogue Traders
One More Night - Maroon 5
Ja Ho! - A R Rahman
Just Give me a Reason - P!nk
Jungle Drum - Emiliana Torrini
Me and My Imagination - Sophie Ellis-Baxter
When I was your man - Bruno Mars
Landside - Dixie Chicks.

Tomorrow I am stuck on a day long school excursion, Nooooo!!!! Not my favourite thing to do, but at least I'll be hanging with one of the coolest people I know. My youngest daughter.

On Wednesday I'll be aiming for 12km, so I need to add at least 2 more songs to my playlist. Any suggestions?

This is my workout top today. Notice the holes. I'm that thrifty that I'll wear workout clothes to death

Vegetarian gone wild

2013-04-19T05:50:00.000+10:00

Yesterday attended the launch for Variety of Chefs 2013. Nine top Australian chefs have given up their time to help raise money for Variety Children's charity. We got to get up and personal with the chefs and devour a selection of amazing canapés. I have been a vegetarian forever. It's been about 20 years since I have eaten meat, chicken or fish. I decided if these chefs could generously give up their time for this amazing cause, I could give up my fussy eating for a few hours.

After feasting on delicacies like duck liver parfait, deep fried quail egg, sand crab cannelloni, salted caramel filled quail eggs and more. My taste buds didn't know what hit them. I'll admit that I enjoyed every bit of it.

...until I had the oyster. That slimy, salty lump is not for me.

The highlight was listening to Variety discuss the children they have been helping. They visited a school with the chefs the day before and participated in wheelchair dancing with the children. It brought tears to my eyes.

The other highlight was meeting the charming Adrian Richardson.

The Variety of Chefs 2013 Ball will be on 15 June 2013 at the Brisbane Hilton. This will be a fantastic night out with amazing food guaranteed and helping some beautiful children. Tickets are $250 and can be bought online - here

What I wore: Girls day in town

2013-04-18T08:12:00.002+10:00

Today I am heading into town for a girly day out. We'll do a spot of shopping and also stop by the Hilton for a media preview of the 2013 Variety of Chefs Ball. Variety is an amazing children's charity and this will be a fantastic night out. Tickets are $250 they are definitely worth it.

What I'm wearing:

A dress from Kitten D'amour. This is currently reduced from $139 to only $59. I love a bargain and it's so cute and so easy to wear. A pair of voodoo tights. It's a chilly Brisbane morning and a pair of Nu shoes. These are lower than I usually wear but I don't want to get sore feet if we decided to go on a shopping marathon.

I cheated with my hair. Bed hair twisted and pinned. My 2 second hair do plus my new gorgeous 'Pink me up' Maybelline lippy.

I'll fill you in with all the ball details shortly.

PS: at the last minute I had a wardrobe issue. Something to do with a naughty puppy x

How to dress post mastectomy...

2013-04-15T06:53:00.000+10:00

Today I am guest posting on one of my favourite blogs, Styling You. The stylish Nikki Parkinson has been busy with Fashion Week and I have been busy not going to Fashion Week :)

A regular reader of Styling You asked for help dressing post mastectomy. You can read the post here - Dressing after a Mastectomy. Please head over and visit me over there.

Thank you Nikki for the guest posting opportunity.

Hiding at the back of a wardrobe...

2013-04-10T10:48:00.000+10:00

I was digging around the linen wardrobe searching for winter quilts and quilt covers. I found lots of other things. A dead cockroach, a stray shoe 3 sizes too small for the smallest family member, a plank of wood, a broken toy and this.....

I felt a rush of emotion when I saw it. I painted this when I miscarried my first baby. I was heartbroken and I wanted to capture my image of her/him. So many tears landed on this canvas that it must be more water paint than acrylic. I ended up falling pregnant again soon after and having a beautiful blonde baby. My second girl was a brunette and looked just like this.

It's funny what you find in the back of wardrobes. What have you discovered lately?

Redcliffe Style does Mount Coolum

2013-04-10T07:30:00.000+10:00

Last Saturday morning we woke up early to hike up Mount Coolum. It was raining all the way there but we weren't going to let a little rain dampen our spirits.

The girls fashioned a tick protecter around their heads. I guess they must have worked.

The rain stopped for our climb but left the path slightly muddy and a little slippery.

Ah, the view.

Then we hot footed it down the path in search of a second breakfast. Raw Energy in Peregian was awesome. I highly recommend their breakfast Potato stack with basil and cumin sauce. No photos because it was inhaled before I even thought about it.

After a spot of boutique shopping, we hit the beautiful Peregian Beach.

Who knew he was such a romantic?

Now we are planning our adventure for next weekend.

10 things - Wardrobe items that should never be seen in public

2013-04-09T15:34:00.000+10:00

Sometimes I will be driving down the street, or walking through a shopping centre and someone walks past. I'll struggle not to look. I want to check their outfit from the front, side and back and sometimes it's not for good reasons. But, good manners keep my face expressionless and my eyes straight head.

I have complied a list of items that really shouldn't be worn in public:

This is a Redcliffe Style original but feel free to use it.

Really, really short denim shorts. They have become so short that they don't cover butt cheeks. Walking around Westfield, I have stopped noticing teenagers bare, bottoms hanging down low out from under their shorts. This makes me sad. When your bum is at it's most awesome, you want people to appreciate it when you are faulting it. We are now numb to bums.
Tracky daks. I don't even think these should be worn around the house.
Leggings/bike shorts. It's fine to wear them to the gym but when you take them out of the gym setting, this is a problem. I saw a lady today wearing bike shorts grocery shopping. I assume she must have come from the gym, but the fabric was so worn I could make out every crease, dimple and pimple. But good on you for working out hard enough to wear out your shorts.
Crocs. What can I say? Original Crocs are ugly and difficult to walk in.
Out and proud g-string. I understand that sometimes outfits look better with no VPL but that doesn't mean they look better with your G-string proudly displayed over the top of your jeans. Test your outfit out in front of the mirror, crouch down low and bend over. If you are displaying g-string or butt crack come up with a solution. A belt, longer top, higher pants or full brief nickers all work well.
Men wearing ladies skinny jeans. Why!!?? If they are uncomfortable for ladies, how are you managing? If you want children later in life, please stop wearing them. I must be showing my age but I can not imagine any girl being attracted to a boy that steals from her wardrobe;

or Men wearing their pants hanging down to their knees. Beside the fact that it looks like they pooped their pants, we can see all of your undies and you look like a dick head.

Bra straps. Unless it's new and cute and adds something to your outfit, make sure you wear the correct bra for your top or dress. Plus, invisible straps aren't invisible. I'm no superhero and I can see them quite easily.
Bikinis anywhere other than the beach. I could forgive a fish and chip shop or ice-cream shop, but if you are more than 20 metres from the water, it's time to cover up. I'm not asking for much, just a little cotton skirt or a light dress will do.
Bare feet. Anywhere, anytime.
Fur. I mean fur from our beautiful animals but it can extend to a furry back too.

Yup, another original.

What have I forgotten? What do you think shouldn't be worn in public?

5 Common Makeup Hygiene Mistakes

2013-04-05T07:31:00.000+10:00

1. Dirty, dirty brushes. You can imagine how full of dirt and bacteria they are. I have trained my youngest from an early age to clean my brushes and she does an excellent job. It might only happen once every few months but that is a lot better than NEVER. You should be washing your brushes every 2 - 4 weeks and if you suffer from acne you should be washing them even more often.

2. Using old makeup. Like Cupcakes, makeup has a life span too. I dare you to go through your makeup kit and toss out anything that is past its use-by-date. I also toss anything that has changed smell:

3. Sharing. We are taught to share as children but they meant share everything except for makeup. NEVER, EVER share, like EVER.

4. Not washing off makeup or cleaning your face before bed. What??!! I can't believe people actually do this.

5. Avoid makeup testers. Never use testers on your lips or eyes, EVER. I wrote about that here - Would you like some faeces with that?

"...one of out ever five make-up testers contain significant amounts of mould, yeast or faecal matter according to an investigation by a US morning TV show. Samples of make up testers from 10 stores were analysed by New York Uni microbiology dept, which found there was no difference in hygiene between testers at high end or budget outlets..."

and Dr Brooks from Jefferson Medical College said

"..you should just think E. coli equals faeces...the percentage of tainted makeup was 100%.."

AND, resist giving your smelly, bacteria covered, old makeup to your innocent children to play with.

Brisbane Bloggers Workshop

2013-04-03T08:53:00.000+10:00

You may know that I'm part of Blog Power Events. We have been working hard putting together our first Brisbane Bloggers workshop. It's going to be on the North side of Brisbane on 28 April 2013 and it's going to be a doozy. We have organised some awesome speakers:

Annabel Candy from Successful Blogging
Mick Cullen from Redcliffe Marketing Labs
Melissa Walker Horn from Suger Coat it
Dana Flannery from Talk about Creative

These guys know their stuff and are happy to share their knowledge. This is going to be a fun networking and learning workshop. I know I'll be taking notes like crazy. Tickets are only $75 for bloggers.

I hope to see you there!!

The Classic White Shirt: One shirt, 6 looks + Giveaway $169

2013-04-02T05:00:00.000+10:00

A classic white shirt really is blank canvas to build a look. This is one of the most versatile wardrobe items and every one should own one. As evidence, in 5 minutes I have thrown together 6 looks from items in my existing wardrobe. The key item is a White Natasha Rais Bette Shirt Silk Crepe De Chine.

Night time

Natashia Rais white shirt, Kitten D'Amour black pencil skirt and sequinned Nine West heels

Casual

Natashia Rais White shirt, old worn denim vest, orange Witchery scarf, patterned JAG jeans, orange Havaianas and a hat stolen from my 7yo.

Sunday brunch

Natasha Rais White shirt, Navy H&M skirt, Zola Mary Janes and a gold Guess belt

Off to Work

Natasha Rais White shirt, Grey linen VSSP skirt and old black heels

The Movies

Natasha Rais White shirt, Witchery jumper, Kitten D'Amour black capri pants and Django & Juliette ballet flats

Rock Chick

Natasha Rais white shirt, faux fur black vest, leopard scarf, Sussan black skinny jeans and studded black heeled boots.

Giveaway - This giveaway is now closed and the winner has been contacted by email

Thanks to Natasha Rais you have the opportunity to win one of their gorgeous, tailored shirts RRP $169. It comes in Black or white and sizes 8-16 and you can check it out here. To enter please:

1. Tell me your favourite way to wear a white shirt. Comment either below or on the
Redcliffe Style Facebook page;
2. Like Natasha Rais on Facebook. You can do that here; and
3. If you're feeling up to it, you can like Redcliffe Style on Facebook too - here.
4. Enter by 6am on 9th April 2013.

Good luck!

Disclosure: The Natasha Rais shirt was gifted to me, but I did not receive payment. I was very keen to support a local business and thought you guys would love the opportunity to win a beautiful shirt for yourselves.

Eula Graham - Director

PO Box 537

The Gap Qld 4061

www.natasharais.com.au

egraham@natasharais.com.au

07 3511 1141

0402 633 617

On Tuesdays I link up with Essentially Jess

I don't like April Fools' Day

2013-04-01T05:30:00.000+10:00

I have just passed from indifference to annoyance. I like a good laugh and think I have a pretty good sense of humour (don't we all think that about ourselves), but I don't find hoaxes or practical jokes very funny. I have often found the 'tricks' to be a little cruel or used to make others feel silly or embarrassed.

Maybe I am the grinch of April Fools' day? Even the history of AFD is unclear. It seems to be made of a lot of different foolish occasions all thrown together for one giant foolish morning.

The first of April, some do say,

Is set apart for All Fools Day.

But why the people call it so,

Not I, nor they themselves do know.

Wake me up at noon when it's over.

April Fools' day is past and gone

You're the fool and I am none

How do you feel about AFD?

PS: I do love the book April Fools' Day by Bryce Courtenay. I have read this over and over and have tears each time. I'm not indifferent to the awesome Bryce Courtenay

PPS: - I'm pregnant
- Due on Halloween

- It's twins
- We have decided to name them Thing and Uncle Fester regardless of sex
(some of this maybe not be true)