It’s thanks to years of visiting garage sales that I developed my unique sense of style and a penchant for buying as much as I can second hand. To this day, my Mom still occasionally scouts garage sales for treasures. Every time she surprises me with a little vintage number, I ask her, “Where did you get this?” She always replies, with a sparkle in her eye,”Garage sale!”

Whether you like to buy or sell, if you’re into garage sales, make sure you check out Garage Sale Trail, the mother of all garage sales. On the weekend of 21-22 October, Australia’s biggest annual community and reuse event will take place in your local neighbourhood. It’s such a fun way to meet people, make money, score some gems and oh, it’s also great for the environment. Have a squiz [HERE] for more info.

If you see a youthful Chinese lady, with a brown leather purse in tow, bartering away in broken English, say ‘hello’ to my Mom for me!

Although I was thankful that I didn’t lose them, I did get a bit scared about the state of my memory!

I texted 3 of my dearests- hubby, my bestie, and my mom in law about it. Hubby, being the rational and objective dude he is, said that it’s probably just a symptom of chronic sleep deprivation. My girlfriend, who happens to be a GP, reassured me that it’s very common struggle among moms as there is so much to juggle.

So it’s unlikely that I have contracted early dementia. Phew! But my mom in law’s answer was the icing on the cake. She kindly pointed out, “Cc! Don’t you see? God is restoring all the lost things in your life!”

Indeed, what began with the restoration of my wallet, and now the rings, has even extended into other aspects of my life!

Now I’ll just need Him to bring my figure back…

Kate shared some insider tips for spring racing dressing: “This year there’s a welcome return to colour. There are a lot of pastels around, in really feminine pale blues, pinks and lilac, which is a contrast to last year when there was a lot of black and monochrome. Ladylike silhouettes, puffy sleeves and frills are a big trend for this season.” To sum it up in MIMCO’s style motto this season: ‘Just Add Glamour’ !

It seemed like light years ago when I refused to settle for anything less than glamorous. I never left home in the same outfit, sans makeup or heels. “Every day was worth dressing up for“, I lived and breathed my style philosophy. But priorities, timetables and figures change after kids, go figure. And although ‘just add glamour’ may not be the remedy to every one of life’s ailments, I think it’s going to give me a much-needed new perspective on life. Thanks MIMCO for dragging me out of my comfort zone.

Now future-me, take note: even in the mundane, don’t forget to ‘just add glamour’.

Last week, I lost my wallet.

The crazy thing is that I had absolutely no recollection of how, or when it had happened! I had just taken the kids to a cafe to have lunch with friends. I recall my one year old daughter handing the waiter the credit card to pay. I held her in one arm and the wallet in the other. But some time between café and dinner, my wallet had disappeared into thin air.

My initial reaction was to call the bank to cancel our credit cards. But hubby was interstate for work so he would need them to pay for a taxi ride back home that night. Before I allowed my mind to wander off with a worst-case scenario of someone squandering our hard earned cash, I prayed.

Amazingly, a tremendous sense of peace came over me as I recalled this verse. The anxiety and worry melted away. I decided to not fret but to leave the matter to God.

Hours later, during dinner, the police called with the good news that a gentleman had found my wallet at the car park near the cafe and handed it into the police station. The wallet must have fallen out of my bag as I was packing the kids into the car.

I can’t describe to you how grateful I was! Both for the man, his honesty and kindness, and to God for answering my prayer! But what was even more incredible was that my mother in law just happened to come over that night, so she put the kids to bed so that I could whizz off to retrieve the wallet!

So you see? The lost can be found. But I’ll be sure to zip up my bag next time!

That’s why it was such a treat to pay Ilana and Georgia, co-founders and owners of Grace Melbourne a visit. Highly respected in the industry, a godsend to their clientele, trim-and-terrific and yet still down-to-earth, the working-mothers-of-two juggle their boutique business and family life with such aplomb that I was more than determined to unearth their secret.

The pair first met 10 years ago through mutual friends, and then serendipitously, again on a flight to New York. Great ideas must come to those who fly, because mid-air, Georgia and Ilana conceded to create Grace Melbourne, a luxury boutique that delivers the discerning customer the most delicious fashion and lifestyle offerings from around the globe.

Every piece in the boutique is hand-picked by Ilana and Georgia from their buying trips in New York, Paris, Milan and London. Each item is carefully curated with their customers’ lifestyles and needs in mind.

The busy mom dropping off her kids at school? Throw on a cute Bella Freud cashmere jumper with butter soft Ines & Marechal leather pants and you’re good to go. A working exec? Up your style ante by pairing a spotty 3.1 Philip Lim shirt with your suit. Skiing in Aspen? Don’t fly without the fur trimmed Army By Yves Salomon parka. (This jacket is forever!) Holidaying in a sunnier part of the world warrants a vacation wardrobe packed with tassly Talitha pieces or an embroidered Tanya Taylor mini-dress. Want to stand out from the crowd at your next event or simply dress to impress on any occasion? A Maison Michel hat or this ingenious 3.1 Philip Lim bomber just may do the trick.

The most recent addition to Grace is a delectable drop from LOEWE. Get your fix of Jonathan Anderson’s highly covetable bags: embossed leather clutches, animal purses and the puzzle bag in timeless hues of engine red, cobalt blue and of course, black. When Ilana and Georgia visited Loewe’s Headquarters in Madrid, Casa Loewe, they got to meet the artisans who handcraft the leathergoods, many of which have been with Loewe for decades. GRACE was hand-picked by the Spainish luxury label to be their Melbourne stockist outside of their flagship Chadstone store.

But why let Melbournians have all the fun? International clients can now rejoice because recently, Grace Melbourne has joined forces with luxury e-commerce platform Farfetch, so customers from all corners of the world can sample fresh pickings from the boutique.

I couldn’t help but try on a few fresh pickings myself. I would wear this silk Sonia Rykiel set on my next vacation, or just lounging in bed…

Feeling ‘cozy chic’ in a 3.1 Phillip Lim jumper and Proenza Schouler fringed skirt.

This patterned Proenza Schouler day dress made a fine pairing with the statement studded Yves Salomon leather jacket.

As much as I was excited to peruse the amazing collections at Grace Melbourne, I was equally curious to find out how Ilana and Georgia ‘do it all’, juggling their high-flying-buying-styling life with kids thrown into the mix! According to them, supportive spouses, occasional help from nannies and an amazing team of knowledgeable and stylish staff don’t go astray. Oh, and being very, very, very organised.

Ilana and Georgia will fly out to New York and Paris in the coming weeks to purchase their Resort collections. As I bid them adieu and wish them ‘Bon voyage’, I can’t help but wonder what fabulous ideas the duo will conjure up this time, mid-air.

Talk about serendipity, just whilst I was scrolling through the beauty section of Net-A-Porter, wondering why luxurious skincare costs so much, and lamenting over the fact that you can’t trial the products over the pages of the Internet, QV skincare got in touch. This Australian founded, family-owned skincare range has been in my family’s vernacular for years, thanks to an early recommendation from a doctor friend, their non-greasy formulations, dermatologically-tested products and that iconic blue and white logo which I used to get confused with a shopping strip in Melbourne’s CBD.

But QV has had a bit of a face-lift since I last purchased it from the local chemist. QV has upped the ante with a new face range that looks and feels more luxe, and Kate Ritchie is now their ambassador. Apparently she discovered the QV difference after having her daughter.

I love the slogan: “where beautiful skin begins“. It’s quite an understatement considering QV was founded by renowned chemist Gerald Oppenheim after being approached by the dermatology ward of Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Hospital! He and his wife Rae, a nurse, developed a low irritant skincare product (the QV Bath Oil, named in honour of the hospital) to help restore and maintain healthy-looking skin.

My husband likes that QV Skincare isn’t scented. I’m thrilled that there are no nasty irritants for the sake of the little ones. And I also love the idea that QV supports the skin to naturally repair itself!
I was sent a couple of products to try: the Nurturing Night Cream, the Revitalising Eye Cream, the Ultra Calming Moisturiser and the Baby Bath Oil.

The Nurturing Night Cream is my all-time favourite. I love that it smells and feels luxe, but it’s very affordable. Thanks to its creamy formulation, I can perform a mini face massage whilst applying it. It leaves skin feeling supple and nourished. I’m so besotted with it that it actually lives in my hand bag now because it also doubles as a hand cream!

I only started using eyecreams recently to combat the effects of sleep deprivation: fine lines, dark circles and puffy eyes. So the Revitalising Eye cream does exactly what it promises: it revitalises. Just a gentle dab across the brow line and under the eye socket aids lymphatic drainage and reduces pain from technology strain. Every night, my finger tips dance around my eyes with the creamy formulation like I’m playing the piano.

I was skeptical at first with the Ultra Calming Lotion as I’ve never heard of active ingredient Avemide 15™ before. Turns out that it’s an extract from oat kernel. Since we eat ‘Goldilocks porridge’ at home, the lotion was a great fit. Although I technically don’t have sensitive skin, I crave calm. This unscented, hydrating lotion now also lives in my handbag because it’s perfect for moisterurising the kids’ hands after washing, and it serves as a timely reminder to ‘keep ultra calm and carry on’ with whatever I’m doing!

The Baby Bath Oil is another one of my favourites. I find bathtime a joy and delight but in winter, once the kids are out of the bathtub it’s a sprint to get them dressed quickly to ensure that they doesn’t catch a chill. Who has the time to moisteurise them from head to toe? But thank to the Bath Oil, I don’t have to! It’s has already moisturised my kids’ skin whilst they were playing in the bath! No more mother’s guilt!

Since trialing these products, I have been raving about QV skincare to my friends and family. Not only are the products affordable and effective, they don’t break the bank! That means, I can resume my perusal of the editorial pages of Net-a-Porter mag…

I’m talking about parenting. According to many parents, after a newborn joins the family, a previously golden/obedient/delightful older child gradually transforms into a disobedient, loud and obnoxious creature. Apparently it’s a ‘thing’.

Being an only-child myself, I was not particularly sensitive to the feelings of my older child when the younger was born. Now with retrospect as my ally, I can see how a child could feel ‘not-quite-right’ if their parents’ previously undivided love and attention quickly became an unequal split between the helpless babe and said child. But at the time, I was so exasperated and irritated by the naughty behaviour that all I could do was refuse, rebuke and reprimand.

But this ‘reactive’ parenting approach didn’t work. Very soon, we were back to the vicious cycle of child not feeling my love and acting up, me showing annoyance, and repeat. Took me a while to realize it, but if I wanted the situation to change, I had to change. I had to help him to feel my love again! In my desperate attempt to correct his behaviour, I neglected to connect with his heart. Rules without relationship only leads to rebellion.

How do you show someone love whilst they’re making you upset?! Thankfully, I read this, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17″ I realized something: God is the ultimate positive-reinforcement kinda parent! He doesn’t repay rebellion with punishment, He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, instead He showers love and forgiveness!

I tried it out. The next time my child misbehaved, I reacted differently. Instead of following my initial knee-jerk reaction of scolding him no end and withholding my love from him, I remember the way God parents. I get down to his level, wrap my arms around him and speak to him in a loving and encouraging manner. I couldn’t believe how well this approach worked!

Although we are both still ‘works-in-progress’, our relationship has improved dramatically since my change. It seems so illogical and unnatural to rectify naughtiness with love, but apparently, it’s a ‘thing’.

Vintage Dress, Bag & Earrings // YSL Heels

Have you experienced ‘the thing’? How do you exercise loving discipline with your kids?

Last night, I exited my motherhood cave to celebrate FEATHER’S 45th birthday with Margaret, Melbourne’s fashion elite and her beloved FEATHERS family, biological and hired. One of her loyal employees have been with her for 17 years!

The daughter of a milliner, Margaret was destined for fashion. After working for the prestigious Norman Hartnell, the Queen’s dressmaker, in London, Margaret returned equipped with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

In 1972, after having just endured a divorce which left her with 3 boys to raise on her own, Margaret opened the FEATHERS boutique. Fun fact: it used to be called “The Orange Poodle”. Cute hey? But it doesn’t quite have the same ring to it… Personally, I’d tip my hat to anyone with 3 boys, let alone a single, working mom!

It wasn’t until she had carried Australian designers for 25 years that Margaret started designing her own range ‘Feathers by Margaret Porritt’. And the rest, they say, is history!

Margaret strategically placed her office behind the flagship Hawksburn store in order to get feedback from her loyal customers. After all these years in the industry, she knows what Melbournian women want- classic, comfort and chic. Oh, and lots of black! That’s the winning formula of FEATHERS. It’s no wonder that mothers and daughter alike flock to her boutiques. They’re guaranteed styles that last, cuts that fit, and forms that flatter. I can’t wait to take my daughter there in the future. So, here’s to another 45 years of fabulous fashion FEATHERS!

*Drum roll*

Yes you guessed it! It’s Autumn Cashmere!

I stumbled across this dream of a cashmere line last winter just before my second baby was born. Every piece is fashion-forward yet oozes comfort. I was browsing The Outnet for breastfeeding-friendly clothes that were also stylish, and this peekaboo dress came into view. I remember showing it to hubby with a cheeky smile before adding it to my online basket. Then life happened, and I completely forgot about it.

But my attention-to-detail-kind-of-a-man didn’t. He sneaked into my Outnet account just before my birthday and checked out all the pieces I had in my basket, including this little number.

Because I didn’t slim down like I did with baby #1, I left the Autumn Cashmere dress waiting once again. It’s been hibernating in my closet since last winter. I only just took it out for a whirl today. But just as well, because now it can live up to its name: Autumn Cashmere.

Autumn Cashmere Dress // Karla Špetić Skirt (worn as scarf) // Konstruct Hat // Vintage Earrings // Country Road Tights // Maison Martin Margiela Boots

When I found this vintage bomber in the local op shop, I could not for the life of me work out what to pair it with. Denim was tricky and anything darker was out of the question. Weeks went by until one day, ‘green and grey’ popped into my head. What do you think? Have my flarey bottoms met their match?

Vintage Jacket & Shades // Cue Pants // Chloe Bag