Styling You

10 more formal outfit tips

Nikki Parkinson — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Miss SY isn’t a girly girl. Don’t get me wrong, she loves clothes, wears some makeup and likes to spray on some perfume every day but generally she’s not about the frou frou.

Thank goodness.

We’re just on the other side of The School Formal and I don’t think I would have coped “working” with a frou-frou and frills kind of girl.

More than six months of thought and preparation came to a beautiful conclusion on Saturday when she put on her heels and walked into the pre-formal gathering and photo session with her 14 girlfriends.

Yes, there were tears (mine, not her’s). Yes, I couldn’t have been prouder.

Not because she looked so incredibly beautiful (she did … but I’m biased); not because she looked all grown up … it was more looking at her and seeing that she felt confident in all that she was wearing and how she looked.

So many of us – many years older – strive for that feeling, yet often fall flat.

To see that confidence on the face of my 16-year-old daughter? Priceless.

Here are some formal outfit tips I learned along the way that might come in handy should you find yourself in formal planning mode (for more tips, check out this earlier post).

1. Let the outfit creation process be lead by your daughter. It’s important that it’s about her style – not yours.

2. Set a budget for you both to work within. Or come to an arrangement where she is paying for some of the formal outfit and other costs; you the others.

3. Start the dress hunt early. This is not a rushed purchase and securing the gown early will enable you to pull together the accessories with consideration.

4. Do encourage a style of dress that is timeless. If your daughter is heading to university, there’s a big chance she will need gowns for balls hosted by faculties and colleges.

5. It’s rare that a dress will fit “off the rack”. Factor in quality alterations to your budget and you’ll be able to create a gown that was made for your daughter.

6. Have hair styled to suit your daughter’s dress and personality style. Talk about it ahead of time with her hairdresser and share ideas long before the day.

7. Ditto with makeup. Even if your daughter wears makeup every day, this will probably be an amplified version of that. You still want it to look like her, only more dressed up and photo-ready.

8. Avoid being matchy-matchy with accessories. They should complement each other and the dress but don’t have to come as a “set”.

9. If your daughter is not a regular heels wearer, then opt out all together (why not ballet slippers?) or don’t spend too much on said heels as she may not wear them again.

10. Beg or borrow. Not every part of your daughter’s outfit has to be brand new. Let her look in your accessories collection. Maybe you’ve got a vintage dress collection that with the help of some clever alterations could become a stand-out on the night.

Beauty steps

We’d already been working on getting her skin ready for the big day with monthly facials and a more regular skincare routine.

Beauty preparation on the day started at 11am, which I understand from others was a lucky late start for us.

I managed to slip in my own hair appointment while she was having her nails done, so that cut down my prep time as well. Strategy all the way, I say.

1. Nails: Essie Ballet Slipper | 2. Toe-nails: Essie Chinchilly with a layer of clear glitter on top | 3. Dry hair was packed with mousse and blow-dried | 4. & 5. Hair was sectioned out and curled using a ghd | 6. & 7. & 8. A loose waterfall braid was added from the left side through to the right | 9. The braid sat in the side-swept curls for a relaxed, youthful style | 10. & 11. Makeup started with creating a flawless canvas on the face, a smokey eye based on browns and taupes and Burt’s Bees gloss in Sunny Day.

Accessories

In keeping with the simple, yet classic style of the gown, the accessories were bought and borrowed to complement that style.

1. Mimco studs (borrowed from me) | 2. Juicy Couture necklace (borrowed from me) | 3. Mimco bracelet (borrowed from me) | 4. Witchery clutch $99.95 | 5. Novo shoes $79.95

The gown

Miss SY found this Me Too by Matthew Eager gown online at Eve Boutique back in January. There was only one left, one size larger than her size. We went in store to try it on and see whether it could be altered.

It had been reduced to $300.

It could be altered (we took it to a bridal alteration specialist and it now fits her like it was made for her, including bra clasps to keep straps from slipping).

What’s more … Miss SY loved it.

Right there I knew we’d escaped A LOT of dress shopping dramas and a potentially hefty price tag.

The extra win? I know she’ll have this one in her wardrobe for many years to come. Unlike my pale pink taffeta number from 1984.

My outfit

At my daughter’s school, parents are invited along for the first 1.5 hours for drinks and official photos so that requires dressing the part.

Don’t think a jeans and tee would cut it next to a formal gown .

I didn’t mean to play twinsies with my colour choice. The colour of my dress is more indigo than cobalt but in the afternoon light we did indeed look matchy-matchy. Guilty as charged.

Leona Edmiston Ruby dress (purchased on sale last month on a two for $150 offer with this dress) | Samantha Wills earrings (purchased 18 months ago) | Country Road heels (purchased four years ago)

The transport

Apart from the wonderful fundraising aspect of my daughter’s school formal – they even call it a Benefit Ball and raised thousands of dollars for Bloomhill Cancer support – there is not a “necessity” to have a partner for the event.

Instead Miss SY and 14 of her girlfriends had pre-formal drinks and photos at one of the parents’ homes … before getting into their transport for the night.

A hummer. OF COURSE.

This week it’s back into the business of the year. Year 12 is almost over.

My baby girl is growing up by the second. Didn’t I just bring her home from hospital?

Have you got any more tips to add for parents heading down the school formal path this year or next?

PS. After my son’s formal last year, some SY readers shared their own formal photos. You can check them out here. If you’d like to share yours, just add it to the comments section below by clicking on the “photo” icon.

The post 10 more formal outfit tips appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

Manland: The Lady Room edition

Kester Hubbard — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

There is a war going on at the Styling You beach shack.

A war over something quite precious in our fun little abode … space.

We don’t have much of it to spare at our place, so if someone or something takes up too much of it, it sure gets noticed.

Team SY underwent a major change earlier this year when our eldest boy left home for his first year of university and into his very own unit at a residential college (oh to be 18 again).

The departure of our future engineering star meant that for the first time in five years we had a room at the SY beach shack that wasn’t completely spoken for.

Leading up to boy’s move The Stylist went to great lengths to publicly declare how much she was going to miss her first born.

But when it came to the crunch, the poor bugger hadn’t even finished packing his bags and The Stylist let off the first salvos of her campaign with a rapid-fire unleashment of her clothing into the recently vacated wardrobe.

“Fair enough,” I thought, “there is more space for all of us to use, I’ll bring my new mountain bike in to store here too, because I’d rather not leave it exposed to the sea air if I don’t have too.”

Apparently that wasn’t part of the deal! No, apparently this was now a room dedicated only to feminine activities.

And this is where I partly blame The Stylist’s mate Mrs Woog for introducing a new phrase into the vernacular: the Lady Room.

Apparently every woman now needs a Lady Room, as well as a bedroom, to store all of their shoes, jewellery and lady … sh*t! Regardless of whether the rest of the family has a few bits and bobs they’d like to store as well.

I put the argument to The Stylist that it wasn’t fair that she could have a Lady Room at the expense of a common spare/rumpus room that the rest of the family could use collectively.

But that didn’t wash.

Instead a full wardrobe rampage began that saw even more girly gear dragged into her new zone and another mirror appear thanks to a dash down the road to the local furniture store.

At the height of the offensive, The Stylist tried to rationalise her actions to me by pointing out that with her new storage arrangements there would no longer be a few hundred items of clothing hanging off the door of our bedroom, preventing any chance of actually closing it.

Did that mean we would get to close the door a little more often, I wondered?

But rather than get distracted by this sneaky comment, I stayed focused on my campaign and counter-punched by pointing out that there was still a sofa bed in the “ladyroom” and she was now welcome to spend much more time sleeping in there too if she really wanted to, useless throw cushions and all.

BANG!

Does anyone else out there need or wish for a Lady Room?

Necessary footnote: I’m adding this footnote to respond in advance to the comments that I kind of expect from poking this hornet’s nest. There are some positives to The Stylist’s blitzkrieg. 1. There is a sh*tload less hair to deal with on the bathroom floor now that she is not doing her hair in there. 2. There is more space (yes, space) in the bathroom without all of the makeup. 3. Yes, we can actually open and close the bedroom door properly now that it has been retired from its second job and a quasi-clothes stand. Simple wins, but wins all the same.

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Bloke stuff

I’ve been using* a really nice range of grooming products for the past month and have been very impressed for several reasons.

The Bulldog skin care range was founded by two British blokes back in 2006 and the company still remains small and independent despite now being available across the United Kingdom and increasingly overseas.

All of their products are free of nasties like parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances or ingredients from animal sources. None of the products is tested on animals either.

The products are great to use. In the shower I have been using the Original Face Wash ($9.95) and have found the tea tree base gives a nice fragrance while being effective enough to feel like I’ve had a proper wash.

The Original Shave Gel ($9.95) froths up nicely without being too thick and the Original Moisturiser ($11.95) is soothing on my face and neck after the shave.

You can pick up the products at Big W and Woolworths.

The post Manland: The Lady Room edition appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

10 easy hair care and styling tips to try at home

Nikki Parkinson — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Sponsored by Schwarzkopf

I have a pretty good relationship with my hair. I treat it with respect (most of the time) and it gives me love back (most of the time).

I can be feeling pretty awful, like right now with a stupid head cold, but a visit to the salon for a re-blonding, style cut and blow-dry will have me at least faking a GOOD day.

Because that’s the power of a good hair day, isn’t it? Never underestimate it.

Last Friday I flew to Sydney to spend the afternoon with some wonderful people at Schwarzkopf. It was for the launch of the Schwarzkopf Style Studio, of which I’m excited to be a part.

It had been a 4am start and my hair had been pretty much left to its own devices from straightening the night before.

So, I was a very happy hair pig indeed to be ushered into the Schwarzkopf Studio for a bit of schuzzing.

Here’s a visual:

Necklace by Jess at Epheriell Designs

At the launch, I got to meet Schwarzkopf’s national technical educator, Grant Withnell.

Grant knows his stuff. I love getting into the heads (pun intended) of hair experts as you can always be assured of getting some pretty good take-home advice.

10 hair care and styling tips

1. If you need great colour coverage you need a colour with ammonia-based product. Use just the colour cream, not the developer (in a home colour kit).

2. Oils in haircare products provide suppleness and retain elasticity in your hair, they don’t make your hair oily.

3. If you have a really dry scalp, treat it with jojoba oil.

4. The best thing you can do with your hair is use a leave-in treatment – wet or dry. They are designed to make the surface of the hair look flat, so light will more easily reflect off that surface and you’ll have shiny hair. Use a liquid spray-on treatment if you have fine hair.

5. Silicone doesn’t build up on hair because silicone is water soluble and will wash out. However if you’re washing your hair with a silicone-based product it may cause a problem. And if you are colouring your hair and you use a high-silicone-based product, do a deep cleanse shampoo before you colour it. Use your normal shampoo and mix some bi-carbonate soda with it.

6. If you put a colour on your hair and it goes too dark, use the mix of anti-dandruff shampoo and bi-carbonate soda, scrubbing it through the hair to remove any excess pigment from the hair.

7. Volume powder is your hair’s best friend. It looks like talcum powder but massages in clear. Shake a little in your hands or straight into your hair and work it in using your fingers through your hair to the scalp. Hair is visibility lifted and stays there. If you straighten your hair and it goes flat the next day, add volume powder. It’s different from dry shampoo, which is a powder that absorbs oil and is designed to be brushed out.

8. Don’t rely on hairspray or lacquer to hold your style. It’s the foundation products like mousse, gel, styling creams, which you add before styling that will keep your style in place. That way you keep movement in your hair and don’t create a solid mass.

9. Always use a thermal hair protector before drying and straightening or curling.

10. Finish with hairspray for down styles; lacquer for up styles.

Got those tips memorised? Awesome.

Moving on …

The Fringer

Remember, last winter when I decided to embrace the fringe?

Turns out I was so on-trend I was ahead of myself as Schwarzkopf has identified “The Fringer” as one of the four key catwalk looks for 2013.

If you’ve been considering embracing the fringe, read my at-home care tips first.

Hosting a fringe on your forehead is not unlike having a pet. It’s not just for Christmas – or that moment you step out of the salon. You really need to take good care of it to keep it looking good.

Have you got a home hair care tip you can share with us? Thoughts on embracing The Fringer?

The post 10 easy hair care and styling tips to try at home appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

Wardrobe boot camp: how to do casual with style

Nikki Parkinson — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Editor’s note: This is regular series in which we help Styling You readers solve a particular wardrobe or clothing crisis with a little advice and some shopping suggestions. If you think you’d like to be considered as part of a Wardrobe Boot Camp post, then please email me (nikki@stylingyou.com.au) with a couple of photos and a brief run down of what specific help you would like.

Rebecca is a former journalist-turned PR freelancer and student. When she needs to do corporate, she’s got it sorted but she’s looking for casual at-home wardrobe solutions that still have style.

The plea

I’m a former newspaper journo now freelancing in PR so my work style is quite corporate. I do like Nolita, Rock and Republic and Guess but my fave would be Lorna Jane purely for comfort. I can be at my sons’ footy game then go to a cafe for lunch and not feel under dressed.

I am studying a post grad teaching degree so I want to find more smart casual clothes and find a way to be comfy and stylish on my days at home. I like colour so will often team a fuchsia or orange blouse with a charcoal suit.

I am wearing more flats these days because I get back pain but I do still wear heels to work. I love unique but classic stilettos but not always practical.

My usual comfy clothes would be Lorna Jane flash dance pants, a t-shirt and my Dianna Ferrari sneakers or a dress or denim shorts, tee and thongs.

The tips

1. Doing casual with style isn’t as easy as it looks. Looking effortless takes some effort, especially if you want to be comfortable as well. The key really is in layering, which is a whole lot easier in autumn-winter then in the middle of summer. Click here for some tips on layering.

2. In summer, opt for easy-wear/easy-care dresses. Yes, frocks. One frock, some cute sandals and you’re good to go. I’d add in a necklace as well because adding one accessory is always icing on your outfit cake.

3. In autumn-winter, work your layered outfits around either leggings or jeans. The leggings with tunic tops/dresses; the jeans with tees/shirts.

4. Remember that even adding just a jacket and a scarf to a tee and jeans outfit will give the whole outfit a lift and take it from at-home casual to stylish streetwear.

5. Find comfortable ballet flats, loafers or boots that can be worn all day while you’re on the move. This can be a bit of a quest but worth persevering for the end result.

6. Keep gym gear for exercise only. Much as you love your Lorna Janes, I do think that they are best left to the task for which they were designed. It’s still possible to be just as comfortable in leggings or jeans.

The shopping

1. Witchery tee $39.95 | 2. Mollini loafers $109.95 @ Style Tread | 3. Motto scarf $50 | 4. Country Road jeans $99 | 5. Seed jersey blazer $129.95

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1. Bella Lido tunic $105 | 2. Sussan scarf $59.95 | 3. Metalicus ponte pant $149.95 | 4. Misano ballet flats

Do you wear mostly casual clothes? What are your tips for Rebecca when it comes to being comfortable but still having style?

The post Wardrobe boot camp: how to do casual with style appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

Am I fashion’s Invisible Woman?

Nikki Parkinson — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

It’s a few weeks until my next birthday. It’s not a milestone birthday, more a tipping point birthday … tipping me down the slope closer to the next birthday ending in “0″.

I have no problem with the number and I have no problem with the celebration factor that goes alongside being a birthday girl. I am a Gemini after all.

What I have a problem with is the way with each advancing year, the fashion industry – the industry that I’ve known and loved since my first pay check as a 15-year-old – seemingly likes me less.

Not me personally, except for that label whose designer chased me to work with them last year but then this year dropped me like a sack of (old!) potatoes in favour of a new marketing strategy that included sweet young things. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against sweet young things. I just find it strange that the apparent demographic of the target customer for this label has done a complete about turn and is ignoring the very people who buy their product.

Did I feel a little bit rejected? Damn straight. I’m only human. An ageing human but human all the same.

More than rejection it made me really open my eyes to all the similar messages that are around me – and possibly you – everyday. In media, on television, at the movies, on my bloody Instagram feed.

I feel like fashion’s Invisible Woman, walking around seemingly under a Harry Potter Cloak of Invisibility.

If it’s about fashion, it’s about youth.

I realise that young women have to get up and get dressed everyday but so do I … and so do you.

Why are we not marketed to in the same way?

Why if we want to get some idea about how to adopt and translate trends for our wardrobe that we have to look at a glamazon barely in her 20s as inspiration?

Inspiration, my middle-aged butt.

What fashion marketers seem to forget is that there is no magical age when we simply give up and don’t care about what we wear and how we look. Truth be told if we’ve ever given two hoots about our wardrobe, we don’t plan on ever giving up.

What’s more, we are now more likely to have the money to indulge our fashion whims.

We are more sure of who we are, less likely to follow the pack, instead applauding loudly anyone who stands out from it.

And that’s how it should be. Style does not come with a use-by-date.

Whenever I’m asked in an interview who influences or inspires my style, I know the interviewer is expecting me to say some Hollywood star (past or present) but, in all honesty, my style inspiration comes from the women around me.

My girlfriends range in age from their late 20s through to 60s. Each of them has incredible personal style, incorporating a wardrobe uniquely their own. Their clothes reflect who they are and they exude confidence accordingly.

In my perfect fashion world vision, more labels and stores would incorporate “real” women like my girlfriends into their marketing campaigns.

I’m not talking just about size here because I believe ALL women are real. I’m talking about everyday women – like you, like me, like your sister, like your girlfriend, like your mum – wearing the clothes we’d like to buy but just can’t visualise ourselves wearing.

It’s the very reason I started The Model and Me posts - not because I think I look better than a model – more that I’m offering alternative. I challenge labels and stores to take the same initiative and photograph each of their designs on a range of sizes and ages.

When I see super expensive gowns and accessories being modelled on young girls, I shake my head like the nana I’m clearly expected to be. It scares me that they are being marketed to young women, of whom few would be able to actually afford such a piece.

Imagine … just imagine … the potential if the fashion industry really started looking beyond its perfect bubble.

The designers and the store buyers may just find that we – their brands’ potential customers – are not so invisible after all.

Do you feel like an invisible woman when it comes to fashion? At what age did you find that fashion marketing was no longer relevant to you? Where do you now get your ideas and inspiration?

The post Am I fashion’s Invisible Woman? appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

Keeping it real: the Mother’s Day outfit

Nikki Parkinson — Sun, 12 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

I got what I wished for Mother’s Day … a sleep-in till 9am; a minor fuss made over me with pressies and a light breakfast in bed; lunch at one of my fave restaurants; and an afternoon chilling at home, while giving another mum doing it solo yesterday a small break.

Mr SY is whipping up a roast chicken dinner for us all as I type (Mr Almost 18 is home for the weekend so having the five of us together seemed roast-worthy). Life doesn’t get much better.

Wardrobe wise, Mother’s Day around these parts usually represents a turning point in the weather. I was lucky to receive some winter PJs, bed socks and a new knit jumper to have me prepared for the weeks ahead.

From now on the nights will get cooler; and the days will start and end with a nip in the air. It’s exactly at this time of year that my love of tunic dresses comes to the fore.

I’ll wear them now with just boots or ballet flats, adding in leggings, underneath layers, coats and scarves as the weather continues to cool down.

In Queensland, it’s not unusual to work with all these layers in just one day so a flexible wardrobe arrangement is a must.

Yesterday’s flexibility factor required minimal layers for my Mother’s Day outfit.

The outfit

A few weeks ago I jumped on a seemingly too-good-to-be-true offer from Leona Edmiston – two Ruby frocks for $150 – this is one of them. The other I’ll trot out for my daughter’s formal next weekend. This is a super light viscose/rayon mix and so, so easy to wear. I popped a slip dress underneath in case of untimely wind gusts. As it cools down, I’ll wear a black, long-sleeve Metalicus dress underneath, tights and boots or ballet flats with leggings. A coat or cardi can easily be added over the top should it get even colder.

The boots? Loved bringing these Zoe Kraztmann beauties out again – this time with bare legs and a tunic instead of leather pants. Love a nude boot with a frock for a trans-seasonal shoe-robe alternative. Quote of the day goes to Mr SY re the boots: “You haven’t done your laces up”. Ummm … fashion really is lost on men, isn’t it?

Leona Edmiston Ruby dress $100 (on sale) | Zoe Kratzmann Curator boots | Red Phoenix Emporium earrings

Beauty note

Feeling not so fresh after a big week, I called on some new additions to my makeup drawer* to make me look anything but what I felt. Very, very happy with Dermalogica skinperfect primer SPF 30+. It combines a skin prep with a little illumination and an SPF is perfect for a daytime look. Boosting up the illumination factor, I turned to a mineral makeup combination from Nude by Nature – all in the Light shade. The coverage of Liquid Foundation is buildable – probably not enough for me on its own but perfect for those who like their liquid foundation on the more sheer side. For me, Liquid Mineral Concealer caught the under-eye area nicely and with a dusting of Natural Mineral Cover I had the type of coverage I prefer.

From left: Dermalogica AGE smart skinperfect primer spf 30 $65 | Nude by Nature Liquid Mineral Concealer $19.95 | Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover $39.95 | Nude by Nature Liquid Mineral Foundation $39.95

The backdrop

Mooloolaba was showing off today. Mostly fine, a light breeze and beautiful lines of swell rolling into the bay. This place has long held my heart. And that of plenty others too … the parks on the foreshore were packed and carparks were at a premium.

The restaurant

One of our fave places to go out and eat on the Sunshine Coast is Sakana Sushi Bar at the end of The Spit at Mooloolaba. The whole family tucked into edamame, wakame (the only greens they eat with gusto!) and gyoza to start before ordering their favourite sushi. I’ve never tasted any as fresh. The rice is light, fluffy with just the right amount of rice-wine-vinegar stickiness and the sashimi doesn’t get any better, sourced straight off the boats that pull into the wharves behind the restaurant. My drink of choice, Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut sparkling. Cheers to me .

How did your Mother’s Day pan out? Want to share any pressies you received or what you got up to?

The post Keeping it real: the Mother’s Day outfit appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

9 tips for updating your wardrobe on a budget

Nikki Parkinson — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:00:00 +0000

There is a change in the air, a change in temperature that for me is always a signal to start thinking about how I can update my wardrobe for the season. I never overhaul it completely but I do like to add new pieces to give fresh options with which to play.

For me, this translates into giving me a little lift, especially on those days when I really could do with one.

Any wardrobe updating I do has to fit within our family budget too. I’d love to tell you that I’m good at that but I’d be telling a big porky pie. I don’t always have wins in that department but out of necessity (and maturity!) I’ve become more mindful on what I spend my hard-earned money and what earns a place in my wardrobe.

I also appreciate that everyone’s budget is different. What I think is a good bargain may be more than you’re ever willing to pay for one piece. Similarly what I think is out of my league budget-wise, might be very do-able for you. I think it’s important to shop within your means and only buy what’s truly necessary.

My only rule? Don’t buy it unless you LOVE it. If you don’t love it in the store, there is little chance you will when you get home.

Apart from that over-riding rule, head on over to Planning With Kids, where I’m sharing my nine tips for updating your wardrobe on a budget at any time of the year.

Do you have any tips for saving money on clothes purchases?

The post 9 tips for updating your wardrobe on a budget appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

Create your ideal Mother’s Day

Nikki Parkinson — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Sponsored by Dettol Mission for Health

I’m a big believer in taking responsibility for how I wish my day, week or year to pan out.

Sometimes it’s total pie-in-the-sky stuff; other times it’s actually do-able stuff that can be implemented and rolled out for the benefit of all concerned.

Some people may put this down to my control-freak tendencies.

I poo-poo that … and them.

It’s really all about putting in place measures that ensure you are not disappointed.

Case in point, Mother’s Day.

Now, you’ve been playing along with the challenge I’m hosting on the Dettol Mission for Health site, haven’t you?

Each of the challenges has been designed to give you a little boost as a woman and a mum. To honour that role you play everyday and to prioritise yourself in the day-to-day family mix.

There are three more challenges to go, ending on Mother’s Day. Find all the details here.

Me? I can’t enter but I’m thinking that a weekend at Gwinganna would be up there as my dream Mother’s Day gift. It’s not currently on the cards this year but mark my words, I’ll be back.

Mother’s Day for me can go one of two ways … blissfully peaceful and beautiful or completely off the non-relaxation Richter scale.

To avoid the latter, I suggest you follow my lead, take control and put these steps in place to ensure that “blissfully peaceful” wins out in the end.

1. Set your ideal wake-up time. Kids get excited about giving you gifts but if your sleep bank is in need of a healthy deposit, then give them a time that they can come and lavish you with tea, toast and those thoughtfully chosen gifts from the school Mother’s Day stall.

2. Get your husband/partner on board. This is key to my plan going to … well … plan. Mr SY will know in advance where I would like to eat, what I’d like cooked and when I’d like my coffee, tea or wine served. Princess much? On days like this? Yes, hand me my tiara.

3. Create some alone time. This is a tricky one. Hasn’t always worked – especially when Mr SY worked weekends and the kids were tiny – but now it’s a different story. And if it requires headphones, music, a good book and a locked door, then so be it. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.

4. It’s not all about you. Many mums will also have mums and grandmas who need special attention on Sunday. Lavish them … they know more than any other just what this parenting gig is all about. Similarly, got a girlfriend who doesn’t have a partner she can outsource the kids to for part of the day? Offer to help out … or outsource your partner/hubby to look after her kids and yours and both head off for a massage.

5. Set your mind to having a good day. This took me a long time to get my head around. All the best plans could be in place but if I’m not in an easy-going, nothing-is-going-to-spoil-my-day mood then for sure the day will grate on me like hearing the Pokemon theme song on repeat (and this is my second generation of children obsessed by Pokemon … #justsaying).

Today’s Mother’s Day Challenge is about finding time to chill. What’s your favourite way to relax? Head on over here, watch the video and leave your answer for a chance at the daily prize or the big one – a weekend for two at Gwinganna.

The post Create your ideal Mother’s Day appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

5 school formal skincare tips

Nikki Parkinson — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

THE school formal is nine days away.

When I say THE, I’m talking about the only school formal that’s causing a kerfuffle in the SY household … Miss SY’s school formal, that’s what.

There is a trend at many schools to now hold the Year 12 formal earlier in the year. Something I’m very much in favour of. The girls think of nothing else leading up to it. I’m generalising, of course, but given that conversations between Miss SY and her friends have been going on about it since last year, I don’t think I’m too far off the mark.

The timing isn’t perfect – smack bang in the middle of some pretty important assessments and a week after the school musical – but I don’t think there is a perfect time for a Y12er. Life is busy and the finish line is in sight.

At my daughter’s school they focus on raising funds for a charity so it is a Benefit Ball and not all about them. This year will be particularly poignant as two much-loved teachers are giving cancer a kick where it hurts and they’ve chosen a local cancer support charity to which to donate the proceeds (if you’re a business which would like to support the event by donating a raffle prize, please email me!).

We’ve nailed the dress, shoes and accessories; have booked in for hair, makeup and nails on the big day. I’m sworn to secrecy about the dress but I can say it was nabbed on sale back in January and is definitely one that will be worn again. All will be revealed the week after next but if you’re in the throes of formal dress shopping, don’t leave home without first reading this post.

Getting formal ready

Today’s post … and yes, I’m finally getting to the point of it … is all about what Miss SY has been using on her skin in the lead up to the big day and what school formal skincare tips I can recommend based on that.

Now, I know it seems a bit excessive to be worrying about 16-year-old skin for one night of her life. Oh, ok, you got me. Yes, it is DEFINITELY excessive but so is the whole school formal shebang.

I have reminded my daughter often during this whole process that “back in the day” I bought $30 worth (a week and half of my part-time supermarket deli wage) of pale pink taffeta and a McCalls pattern so my best friend Tracey’s gorgeous mum could whip me up a suitably puffy number. I washed my own hair, brushed it in place Princess-Di style, didn’t wear foundation but in my head felt very 1980s glam. Must have been the white kitten heels and pearls.

Insert many a teenage eye roll here.

Anyhoo, as a matter of goodwill and a gazillion Mother of the Year points, I told Miss SY that I would be her Fairy Formal Beauty Godmother and that she could embark on a series of monthly mini-facials in the lead up to the big day.

This she embraced wholeheartedly, as you would if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a facial. The facials were specifically designed to work on the congestion on her face in her t-zone, something that flares up with the dreaded hormones each month. And I have to say they have been hugely beneficial. She just had the final one of five last week and didn’t require any extractions. Her skin did flare up a couple of days afterwards but has re-settled down.

In between facials I’ve noticed a strange thing occurring. Miss SY had become extremely consistent with her at-home skincare routine. All of her own doing, no prodding required. Plus, two really good products that were sent to me to trial (more on that in a bit) but were more suited to her skin became part of that new routine. She only started using these a couple of months after I gave them to her. Two weeks later she said, “Mum, they really do work. It’s made a difference”.

Mmmm. What would I know, right?

1. Do consider a series of facials before the big day if there are skin issues you’d like to tackle long term. It’s best to start at least six months out from the event and to avoid any in the week of the event, unless it’s a calming treatment that won’t get the skin all huffy and puffy before the big day. Ask around for local recommendations in your area and also ask if they can do a package deal for you to reduce costs. Contact beauty training schools to see if they have a day that their students are offering services at reduced rates. Miss SY went to Lime Health and Beauty at Cotton Tree. The treatments were half and hour long and we paid extra if extractions were needed.

2. Get consistent with your skincare routine – morning AND night. It’s no use paying money for facials when in between the salon treatments you are leaving your skin to its own hormonal devices. Miss SY has had success with the Teen Aspect kit (2), a range with a cosmeceutical focus (about $60 for four products; stockists: ph 1800 648 851) which we buy from our local GP. She’s on her third set of the products and they’ve proven themselves over time.

And those products that Miss SY reluctantly used but with which has had surprising results? They are: Sodashi’s Balancing Serum ($106.50), which she applies after cleansing, and Sodashi Balancing Face and Neck moisturiser ($109.30). If you’re wanting to try this range, a great starting point would be the Balance Skin Care Kit (1. $226.60). Yes, it’s quite a bit above what I’d spend on skincare for her but a little really has gone a long way so I’ll probably re-stock. Especially as it’s working and chemical-free.

3. Get sleep. Easier said than done, I know. Most teens have a full school schedule, probably play a sport and might have a part-time job … oh and then there is their social life … and their phone. Switch off devices at least 30 minutes before hitting the sack and aim for eight hours each night. Without good sleep bank deposits, over time health will suffer and your skin will be the first to show signs of that.

4. Keep hydrated. With water. Skip the softdrinks and keep “cleansing” throughout the day with good old H2O. No need to get fancy about it. Just drink it.

5. Think about what you’re eating. Not so much, thinking about when you last had a Maccas fix; more, have you eaten two pieces of fruit and a decent amount of veggies today? We can slap all the stuff we like on our face but if we’re not looking after what’s on the inside, it will all be in vain. And pimples just love sugar and fat. Keep them as treats.

Do you have a teenager in the house? Any skincare tips that have worked for them that you’d like to share?

The post 5 school formal skincare tips appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)

Wardrobe bootcamp: how to find the best everyday handbag

Nikki Parkinson — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Nardia is a regular reader here at Styling You. She’s returned to work after maternity leave and is on a new quest to find the best everyday handbag that can work for her on the corporate frontline as well as when out with her baby. She’s currently using three bags and wants to streamline that down to one.

The plea

Since returning to work two months ago after seven month’s maternity leave, I have been on a quest to find the ultimate everyday handbag. I have handbags (many, many, many handbags) but I’m finding that all my favourites are now all too small to be able to transition from a corporate handbag to one that becomes filled with the needs of my bubba.

We’re a pretty low maintenance pair and I normally only take the bare necessities when we’re out and about anyway but sometimes I find having to take my wallet, keys etc from my “work” bag to throw into my nappy bag just another task that my poor brain can’t cope with (because it is true that baby brain sticks around long after the baby has arrived!). This results in trips down the street sans wallet or phone or nappies etc.

I prefer a slouched/style (ie not rigid), oversized bag so there is plenty of room for the extras like a hundred pens, trillion lip glosses, dozen USB sticks, couple of moisturisers, a magazine etc – you know, all the important stuff .

I’m not into fads but am into unique elements that make the bag stand out a bit. Once upon a time I was the fad queen, but these days, quality is key. I’d rather pay a couple of hundred dollars for a quality bag that will still be stylish in a few years than go for the gorgeous new fad (as much as I might love it).

I want a beautiful quality piece that will last me a while, be all that I need and be able to reflect my personality somewhat. Surely that’s not too much to ask for!

These are the bags I’m currently using (see below):

1. Oi Oi Nappy bag: I really love this nappy bag. And when I know I’m out for the day on my day off or on the weekend it’s perfect. It’s big enough for what I need (I don’t use the change mat or bottle warmer which take up most of the space!), has a long strap to fling across my body if I’ve got my arms full and it’s a little bit different in colour than some of the more traditional style of nappy bag. But it’s not very corporate or practical for work.

2. Red KK bag: I bought this bag online on a whim thinking it was a lot bigger than it is. I don’t like it because the top opening is quite small – a real pet hate of mine! I tend to ditch the long shoulder straps on my work bags, but I definitely need enough room to be able to have the carry straps on my shoulder. Am a huge fan of colour but am also very fussy. In hindsight, this bag is not really me at all.

3. Black Jendi bag: This was given to me by a girlfriend for Christmas and I LOVE it. I sometimes fly from regional Victoria to Melbourne for day meetings and it’s the perfect size for an A4 notebook, a few files, a laptop or ipad and my personal items. It is also great as an overnight bag too (If I have to stay overnight, I use this as the overnight bag and take another handbag). I went to Melbourne about three weeks ago for a meeting and used this bag and couldn’t bear to revert back to the KK bag. The downsides – the tab over the top is really inconvenient on a day-to-day level. Without the files and laptop/ipad in there, it’s very cavernous and empty! Plus it’s very rigid which makes it seem even bigger (that said, I have walked to the supermarket in my lunch break and fit some baby wipes, a can of formula, a pumpkin, some carrots and zucchini and a couple of cans of tuna in there without having to carry a shopping bag back to work – LOL!). I’ve just got into patent leather recently, but even after a few uses, I’m seeing scuff marks and chips in the base which means it’s not going to last particularly long. I do love this bag, but again, it’s not what I want for an everyday bag.

The tips

1. Searching for the perfect everyday bag can seem like an impossible mission. I claim I’m still trying to find The One … but that could be to justify ongoing handbag purchases . The good news for Nardia is that she’s only made one purchase that didn’t suit her needs. She can put that bag in storage until her baby is at school and she’s looking for an easy bag for the weekend – one that’s distinct from her Monday-Friday option.

2. Make a list of all the ideal components of your perfect everyday bag. Nardia’s reads: Slouchy, oversized, plenty of room for extras, quality, easy opening, straps that can go over her shoulder, something with some personality. Also take stock of what you actually want to fit into your bag everyday. Does it need to fit a tablet or laptop?

3. Measure up an existing bag that you’re happy with as a guide to finding a replacement online or in store. I need an everyday bag to have a width greater than 30cm but maximum of 42cm as then it’s getting into overnight bag territory and that’s a whole other purchase altogether.

4. Nardia’s Jendi bag will still come in handy for those trips away, so I’d hang on to that because I think if you travel you do need two types of bags – the one you carry each day and the one that has to work a little harder if you’re on the road. This My Best Friend is a Bag leather tote bag works for me when I travel as it perfectly handles all my stuff plus has a laptop compartment built in.

5. Buy the best your budget can afford. The word everyday means that it will be used everyday. That’s a lot of wear and tear. And a lovely cost-per-wear ratio.

6. Opt for a wide opening bag that also includes external and/or internal storage options. This minimises the handbag rummage when looking for a lipgloss or keys.

8. Beware of heavy hardware on your bag. I’ve been caught out with a new everyday bag weighing a tonne once I’d put my stuff in because it was already quite a weight in itself.

9. Want your bag to stand out from the crowd? Design your own. The Bag Department lets you choose the colours and trims on its three available designs.

10. Look for bags like Il Tutto’s After Baby bag. This is a bag that meets your weekday needs but can also easily adapt for weekends when you need to carry extra bits for a baby or kids. Love the outside pockets.

11. Invest in a range of handbag liners. These make my bag switch very easy – I’m a big fan of the Borne Naked liners as you can see what’s in them. That way if you want to revert to the nappy bag at weekends and casual situations, it’s a matter of swapping over the insert filled with essentials.

The shopping

Have you found the perfect everyday bag? What would I find in your bag today? Any tips for Nardia and her quest to find one that works for her working week?

* I was gifted the Il Tutto After Baby bag for review purposes and will be giving one away in my June multi-draw giveaway. Stay tuned.

The post Wardrobe bootcamp: how to find the best everyday handbag appeared first on Styling You. (Would love you to click through and read the post in full on my blog ... it's way more stylish over there.)