Just Wear it!

Get it out of your cupboard and put it on!



Lisa Brown on display at Toscana.

That's my new rant!  Don't save it!! After looking at the hundreds of pairs of shoes etc.. in my cupboard, I have decided to wear them all. The same thing goes for clothes etc....  I save everything for "Good". And where the bloody hell is good?   A lunch every 2-3 months is not enough to give my clothes an outing.

 So when I'm going to get milk in Tedder Ave in my wedges please don't think I look ridiculous and over the top - I'd rather you think of me looking practical!  Oh and please ignore the fact I can barely walk in them - that is a story for another blog....

I was eluding to the "just wear it" rant with Lisa Brown in a previous post - "It's a Miracle!".  Last summer I was agonising about Lisa Brown shorts and top.  They were way too expensive for a non working Mum, until Judith (from Toscana where I buy Lisa Brown from) says "It's not for good - wear it, wash it, and wear it again."  Clever Judith! One comment like that and she had my money.  The best part was that she was right. I wore it, and wore it,  and wore it and got my dollars worth. In fact, I'm looking forward to wearing it again this season.  

More Lisa Brown...

http://lisa-brown.com.au/SS1213.html

Remember to subscribe or find me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dressme.gc?ref=hl

Talk Monday.

Shopping is a Challenge.

That's right - Game on!

Shopping is for me a game some times - it becomes a challenge just to own that particular item.  It's a "got to have that" attitude, when in reality I don't need it, and will probably never wear it.

Have you seen my wedges?  (Shoes kind - yes I know what you're thinking)!  I refuse to buy any wedges this season, because I have a cupboard full of them, some I have never worn.  You see I love wedges and heels, however unless I wear them to school pick up, there are about a hand full of places to wear them.  I buy them because I like them.

So this summer I am turning the challenge around and I am going to think about what I need before I buy it.  It's going to be tough because I already have that shopping devil in my head saying "what if it's sold out when you need to buy it?"  Maybe I can run next door to Sarah my life saving neighbour?


Bardot Tie Dye Crop Jean $139.95.
Looks better with navy blue.

Agenda snake print stretch
 jean. $129 at DJ's.

Bardot Bling jegging $139.95

http://www.bardot.com.au/Home.aspx

 

Stuff that may interest you....

- Myer have 20% off full priced Country Road if you are a Myer One card holder.
- The Saba Metallic jeans are a comfy jean and easy to wear.
- I am not buying anything unless I need it.
- The Seed Floral jeans are annoying to wear - I think the cut on the legs is awkward.
- I've been to Japan!
- Seed has free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Special thanks to Dress Me followers - esp Teresa for this comment:

"By the way, you are ahead of the fashion pack. Grazia has featured the Seed sandals (fluro & leopard skin combo) as the Editor's pick this week. We saw them here first at dressmegc! Keep up the trend spotting."

Don'f forget to subscribe or find Dress Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/dressme.gc



Talk Tomorrow.....





Looking like Lorna?

Not for me....

lululemon Run: catch me tank $75-

lululemon
Runnin with my
hommies crop $109-

What do I wear when exercising? Should I spend money and buy nice clothes to train in like lululemon or wear gym gear from Coles Mix Apparel etc...?  I actually think I hate spending hard earned $ on clothes that I run around and sweat in, and besides I go home for a shower after training anyway. 

I was buying Lorna Jane gear for a while there, but that's not going to happen anymore.  The Besties that I train with gave me a voucher to go shopping at LJ.  I bought tights and a few things, and it totalled $150.  All good, until I got home and realised there was an offer if I spent $200 I could get a free jacket.  So back to LJ, with goods and receipt in hand and I picked out tights, and because I can't help myself singlets etc.. totalling an extra $170.

Coles Mix Apparel
Front slit tank $12-

Coles Mix Apparel
Wide Band Tight $19-

Yahoo - I'm going to look pretty good running around the park.  WRONG.  You see the staff at LJ had other ideas, as they would  not refund my purchase only credit it, so with a credit in the system it couldn't add up to the $200- to get me a free jacket. 

This is not a joke, but the sales staff member said "Computer says no", "Sorry", and gave me my original purchase and turned her back on me! I wrote to LJ explaining what happened and they wrote back a one page letter that basically said "too bad - we have systems and we don't care".  I showed alot of people the letter and the general consensus was it was so bad it was bordering on laughable. There you go - no more looking like Lorna.

In Step into Life singlet with
Cath my running (and shopping) buddy. 

 My trainer, Ian, from Step into Life sells his branded sports gear and he has made me run distances I could only drive (the man is a freak!), so I wear his branded sports gear when I train. http://www.stepintolife.com.au/  There are Step Into Life venues all around Australia - have a look - just don't check into facebook on a Sunday morning run, as everyone thinks your at church!

Dont forget to subscribe or follow me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dressme.gc?ref=hl#!/dressme.gc
Thanks for your comments and messages - I really appreciate it!

Talk Tomorrow.


https://www.mixapparel.com.au/collection#womenswear/activewear
http://www.lululemon.com.au/products/category/women

It's a Miracle!

Lisa Brown

Is in the shops and there is no fluro to be seen!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!

 

Lisa Brown is one of my favourite designers.  Her gear is fantastic, however you need to be careful buying her clothes as there is nothing worse than spending $400 plus on a dress and seeing yourself everywhere.  I prefer Lisa's "casual range" (my term).  I'd rather spend the money on top and shorts/pants and wearing them to death, and getting my dollars worth.  Plus it's so easy to wear with sandals and accessories that are already in your cupboard. 

Her models are very slim, so most of the time the combinations on the pics don't work for me, so don't be afraid to mix it up to suit yourself.  Be careful of wearing silk in summer as it marks easily. These pics are only a small snipet of her spring/summer collection, so take the time to see the rest. http://lisa-brown.com.au/SS1213.html

I buy Lisa Brown from Toscana, Chevron Island.  Judith and the girls are really helpful and can take orders over the phone. https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.waller#!/ToscanaOnline.

And while you are on your computer, please subscribe to Dress Me or find Dress Me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dressme.gc?ref=hl.

Talk Tomorrow.

F#%*!

Is what I said...

There I was all dressed in my new Lisa Brown sequinned dress (previous blog : "The Sequin Dress"), hair straightened, make up on, grabbed new Nine West shoes  (previous blog: "Drinks Trolley Please"), out of the box and thats when the swearing started - they were the wrong size!! Yes F#%*! 

Why does that happen to me - why do the sales staff give me the wrong size shoes?  So mad scramble to my wonderful neighbour and life saver and ta da.... off to the ball I went.   It was a fundraising function for research into Motor Neurone Disease.  The whole shoe drama pales into nothing once you arrive and mix with patients and families of this hideous disease. http://www.mndandme.com.au/mnd-and-me-supporting-research-2011/

Coloured Pants...can't be avoided...

Try these from Cotton on: Ally Side Zip Skinny Jean.
http://shop.cottonon.com/shop/women/jeans/   At $49.95 a pair, you can get the pastel pink ones too.

Thank-You to the regulars for your support. Dont forget you can find Dress Me on Facebook or you can be a subscriber or follower.


Talk Tomorrow.

P.S Lunch on Friday was fantastic... 

Unwanted Attention.

Disaster Unfolding

This blog is attracting unwanted Attention.  It's managed to spread its way in the direction of my husband.  Some of you might think that's nice that he's interested, however to me it spells MAJOR CRISIS!   We have been married for a long time and one of the reasons our marriage is so good is that he has taken no interest in my shopping pursuits  - until I started writing about it!  Unfortunately the standard comment of: "I've had this for years" is not going to work any more.

He  has never known whats old, and what's new, until Dress Me started. The Irony! This blog about shopping is about to stop me shopping! 

What to look out for on the week-end:

Seed Femme knit top with scarf.

Seed Femme again. http://www.seedheritage.com/
Can you tell I am loving their stuff?  Sorry about my photo - I can't find these items on the website.  This Lilac jumper is perfect for this time of year.  I wear it with navy jeggings and navy singlet, and navy ankle boots. The scarf is quite pretty and is also from Femme.

Dress Me is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dressme.gc?ref=hl


I'm off to lunch. Time for a dressing tantrum!

Talk Monday.

Good Clothes Open All Doors.

What do I wear?

There is a birthday lunch on tomorrow, and I don't know what to wear as it is hot one minute and freezing the next!  AND I want to go out afterwards and need to wear something that gets me from day to night.  So I know it's going to end up with my bedroom covered in clothes and me racing out the door not feeling properly dressed.   And my hairdresser is booked out! 

So I'll quote my friend Amanda: "Bad outfit, rubbish hair - alcohol is my only hope"!  When I read that on facebook, I laughed and laughed as I loved her honesty and lets admit it, most of us have been there.  

If you feel good, you usually have a great time.  Then there are the times that by coincidence you manage to get an outfit together.  Generally by the time you get there, take a seat, and realise you are having a wine with your girlfriends, you really don't care anyway! You can have all the clothes in the world in your cupboard - sometimes its hard to know what to wear.

We'll see what tomorrow brings...  Note to self: log off facebook after third glass of wine.

Continuing on from previous blog: "If the shoe fits"...

I found a new website called "Shoes of Prey":  http://www.shoesofprey.com/  



I haven't ordered anything yet, but it's great to know that shoes are available in whatever style we choose.

Talk Tomorrow.

The Lows and Highs



CR coated jegging. $99-



On the Warpath... Duck for cover!

The Country Road Coated Jeggings in natural are making me messy.  I have them on for two minutes and somehow anything I go near has been absorbed by the fabric like a magnet!  Over the week-end I started to think I had gone mad (yeah yeah I hear you).  I would wear them and have to get changed before I left the house.

Fortunately a quick shopping chat with Mrs Coffee herself - Sarah from Koncubine, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Koncubine-Espresso-Bar/215982471754166 and I realised I was not alone. Now Sarah is a fellow shopping tragic and wears clothes beautifully, so I knew (told you so) I wasn't mad!

SO! Trusty Facebook to the rescue...a query to CR and they sent me back to Myer and the very helpful Marta exchanged them for a new pair.  (I am however going to swap for something else as I am sure the same problem is going to arise). 

Then the High...

Off to Saba at David Jones Robina and had amazing service.  I bought the Saba metallic jeggings - see previous post "I'm blaming Christian Grey". I'm not convinced they are for me and my trophy (yep after having 4 children I have a trophy to prove it - my big bottom)! I need to try them on at home with different things before I decide.

And the part I'm too scared to tell... (wait I'll get a glass of wine)...

I bought the Seed Femme Full Bloom Floral Jeans.....BUT WAIT...it gets worse....the same jeans are available in kids sizes...And NO I did not buy a pair for Miss 6! (Happy Darling)?
http://www.seedheritage.com/pants-shorts/full-bloom-floral-jean/w1/i2179234_1001335/

Talk Tomorrow.

If the shoe fits...

Buy them all!

Bloch ballet flats..... One Word - Fantastic! I find most ballet flats uncomfortable and squash my toes. These ones are drawstring, so I buy a bigger size that fits my foot and the bow at the front pulls them in to fit...tada! I buy them from Blockout Outlet at Harbourtown for around $89, however they have stores around Australia. http://blockoutclothing.com.au/site/4/stores. The ones pictured don't look as soft as the ones I buy and they come in different colours from plain black to various metallic shades.



Espadrilles from Soludos come in different colours - even stripes and prints! Soludos are available online http://www.soludos.com/, or at David Jones stores. Espadrilles are great for this time of the year when it too hot for boots and cool for sandals.   Seed Femme also have Espadrilles.  They have for the last two years had metallic silver - a must for your wardrobe. Fingers crossed they re-release them.

Eve two tone snake criss-cross slide
$175- Also in Tan & Black.

Sambag is an another fave...

Eve two tone snake criss-cross are an easy slide without slopping around in Havianas.  Havis are very handy to get to and from the beach, and maybe to put the rubbish out. http://www.sambag.com.au/eve-tan-two-tone-snake-criss-cross

Talk Tomorrow.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

Shopping Tragics

like me find shopping a real challenge at this time of the year.


CR Sequin front top - sold out online.

Because yesterday was the final day for Country Road spend and save, I madly jumped online last night to see what else I could buy - most of the things I liked had sold out! 
Which probably explains why there wasn't much I liked in store last week, and made me realise that the only stuff left was fluro. See I am not alone in my distaste for the 80's revival?!

I find it hard to envision what I will need and wear when it's still a: cold, and b: not knowing what parties, functions I'll be going too? 

So do I buy and hope I'll will wear it? Buy and know I'll probably sell it on ebay in a few months, or don't buy and then get mad when I want something and it's sold out?  I have a winter jacket hanging in my cupboard with tags on that I bought in March - Yep it's been really handy this winter? Oh the decisions!

More from last weeks arm candy: 

This brown belt cuff is $6.29 on ebay with free postage.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130660032300?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648


The pink one with magnetic clasp is $3.74 with free postage and also comes in other colours. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251082772310?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Over the week-end I managed a sleep over in Brisbane with some of my besties from way way back.  We had dinner at Ortiga. If you get a chance to go there I highly recommend it. http://www.ortiga.com.au/  This is us after dinner.

 I wore my Watson X Watson black leather pants (if you get a pair make sure you get the smaller size - they do stretch),  and the Seed Femme Super Slinky top (also comes in orange). http://www.seedheritage.com/tops/super-slinky-top/w1/i2179243_1001329/

Dont forget to find Dress Me on facebook....https://www.facebook.com/dressme.gc?ref=hl#!/dressme.gc

Talk Tomorrow.

Girl Interrupted.



I was having a great time shopping, until I got the phone call..."Quick Mum, we caught a Stingray and you have to see it before we put it back!"



Seed Femme
 colour border scarf $29.95

A quick trip to the post office late yesterday gave shopping an opportunity to redeem itself!  It gave me 10 mins in Seed, Marina Mirage.  Despite the fact their windows have mannequins dressed in fluro, don't be deterred.



Seed Femme
 Multi Stripe Scarf
$49.95



Seed Femme have scarves with perfect POC (pop of colour).  Teamed with browns, whites, pinks, silvers etc...It keeps you with the trends and not looking like a lolipop! http://www.seedheritage.com/hats-scarves-gloves/w1/i1001340/

 

That's when the phone rang and it was time to race home to rescue a baby stingray!

Which brings me to my other shopping purchases...Wine.

Have a great week-end.  Cheers!

Drinks Trolley Please.

I had a quick flick around the shops this afternoon and I am depressed!  I'm sorry, but the Neon thing is driving me to drink!  I am so sick of it already - It's EVERYWHERE!!

Maybe when it's hot and feels like Summer I'll change my mind, but at this stage I'll keep sipping on my wine hoping it goes away. In saying that some people do look good in it, I just don't think it's for me. 

I hardly bought anything at Country Road.  I tried heaps on and all I could see in the mirror was a lollipop! I'm not against colour - it's just a bit sickly.

 

I did however, find these pieces:

Seed Femme Slinky Gathered Dress.
http://www.seedheritage.com/new-arrivals/slinky-gather-dress/w1/i2179474_1001285/

An easy trans season dress - looks good with tights, boot and a coat, or with strappy heels and tanned legs as it get warmer.  Easy to add POC (pop of colour) with this too.

French Connection FCUK has great sequinned tees. I don't mind this owl one, and at $49.99 less 30% it's good buying.

http://www.frenchconnection.com.au/bestsellers/lady-owl-sequins-ss-tee/w2/i3853540_2405775/

These Nine West pumps go with everything at $149-
http://www.ninewest.com.au/pumps/w2/i1433822/

That's all. I going to track down that Drink Trolley! Cheers!       Talk Tomorrow.......

Arm Candy

I love Cuffs, Beads & Bangles...

They are an easy way of tying colours together to complete an outfit. In fact most accessories, can do that, so it's good to have lots of pieces to interchange. Over the past few months I have been trialling a few different suppliers and places to buy them.

The red cuff I bought on ebay for $3.75 with free postage - AND - Wait, there's more.... It comes in different colours!!!  http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Punk-Rock-Multi-Layer-wrap-Wide-Leather-Belt-Wristband-Cuff-bangle-Bracelet-NEW-/230800970580?pt=AU_Men_Accessories&var=&hash=item7b6a122d6e  So don't hesitate to try a few different ebay sellers. It is pretty safe to purchase internationally using Paypal.

The other place I LOVE LOVE LOVE is Me Me Me. http://www.mememeaccessories.com/.  It's in the UK, and I have ordered alot from this site over the years and have never had any trouble.  You can pay via paypal and they also sell on ebay if you feel more comfortable buying that way.

They have handbags to die for! Most aren't cheap, but I love having good handbags that are different from everyone else



Antonio Ben Chimol make these leather wrist bands with magnetic clasps. They come in all different colours and are great to mix with other beads, and cuffs. I bought these from Me me me via ebay.

I'll be quick...No one will see me!

WRONG!  My Golden rule is NEVER leave the house without a shower and lip gloss! So this morning, I decided to do school drop off in my tracksuit. It's not that bad - grey Seed Femme track pants, FCUK track top and Minnetonka mocassins. When I got home I decided to park in the street and run inside it all went wrong! I ran into two of my husbands friends who just had a breakfast meeting. Cringe..Cringe...

With Spring approaching, now is the time to start getting your pedicure booked and a general maintenance overhaul. If the weather turns and you need to put sandals on, you'll get caught like me this morning.

Talk Tomorrow.....

Summer Sneakies and Winter Wannabes

Whoa! Hold your horses!

Over the week-end I noticed a few around....Summer Sneakies!  Thats the women in summer jeans despite the fact it is still technically winter and it was cold.  I know we are BUSTING for summer, and warmer weather, but you need to be patient.  The only people who should be wearing their summer clothes are retail staff to work.   Rememer POC - Pop of Colour (Thanks Cath and Alison) -  is for the Spring/Summer - not now.

Spring starts on the first of Sept, so unless we get a heat wave keep your new purchases until then.  I don't mean wearing heavy winter clothes - trans season stuff. Jeans, tees and jackets/vests with ballet flats etc...

The reverse applies leading into winter.   Wearing winter clothes in 25 degree heat is a really bad look - "Winter Wannabes" are the worst, and a big No No! 

What do you think?

Brands I have recently discovered:

This top is a brand that I have mentioned before Hunkydory Stokholm. http://www.hunkydory.se/web/intropage.aspx  I am loving this brand, and as my British friend Rhonomie ("sequins too" she says!), went crazy when she saw me at school drop off this morning, I had to show you.  Let me know if you see any stockists. I bought this one at Janine Edwards, Marina Mirage, Gold Coast.

Johnny Was, is a new brand I have discoved and love, although be careful it can get a bit too much boho, however they have some very nice pieces. It's stocked at St Barts, although I buy online from the US.  http://www.johnnywas.com/ 

Still hoping to hit the shops later on.  I have some accessories to show you soon - super cheap and very cool! 

Please remember to subscribe and follow me in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dressme.gc?ref=hl

Talk Tomorrow.....

I'm blaming Christian Grey!

Hello! I'm Back... 

After not having read a book for about 10-15 years I started reading "Fifty Shades of Grey", and could not put it down!  Yes Yes....I know what you're all thinking, BUT,  I just wanted to know what happened in the end. True Story! 

OK! Saba Silver jeggings - yes!  http://www.saba.com.au/silver-jegging/w1/i7697718/  I am yet to try them on, but at $149 teamed with white, silver or grey, they are a must.   I wanted the Saba black python print jeans this winter and couldn't get my size. I ended up finding a copy at Target for less than 1/2 the price, however there is nothing on their website that is even close to these.

Make sure you shop around.  Most of us have smart phones that we can search the internet whilst in a changeroom or photograph items when we see them - Don't mention the boots I didn't photograph when I was in Japan last December! (sorry to my regulars - I could help myself - JAPAN!)

I'm hoping to hit the shops tomorrow so stay tuned, I may even blog on the go as I see things....  Apparently this summer is all about POC - Pop of Colour! I really need to get my head around it!

On a more serious note, I really appreciate your feedback and encouragment so far - esp from regular followers (Josephine).  I'm sorry I was led astray by Mr Grey - it won't happen again.  Dress Me is now on facebook if are a facebooker! https://www.facebook.com/#!/dressme.gc

Talk Tomorrow.....

Can't help Myself

 I can't help myself for 2 reasons...

The 1st is because I have barely shopped in three days and I have been working (the horror) making lampshades (more horror) so have decided to come home and drink wine - better than shopping - almost!!

  

   

I have collected lots of bits and pieces over the years and made a wall hanging that I change from time to time.... Maybe the love heart can go outside and the stars get a turn? Maybe the bilums get busy in Summer as a beach bag? (I treasure the bilums - they are almost too good to use?) Whatever thats Meredith, me and Natalie drinking wine in front of the wall hanging.

The 2nd is that I still managed a purchase via facebook.  I mentioned Sivad Designs yesterday so I bought some rusty wire stars from their facebook page today http://www.sivaddesigns.com.au/ .Helen from Sivad was very patient.   I am not sure what I'll do with them, but I'm excited about receiving them. Stay tuned I'll show you pictures as I work them out....

 So there you go...It's wine time, I'll leave you with another photo:

Here's "Sammy" (my shadow) who sits under my desk and my Seed Femme black glitter riding boots. I Love them - a bit of subtle bling. I got them from Harbour Town Outlet Shopping.  You can get them for under $50, maybe even under $40? at Harbourtown. They go well with black or grey/silver leggings.


Talk Tomorrow....

Sidetracked

Making Lampshades

Today was supposed to be The Country Road Spend & Save Day (http://www.countryroad.com.au/).    Instead, I received a call from my mother in law needing help to make lampshades.  She makes lampshades for a living and now all the kids are at school she and my husband think I have time to help! What? Are they for real?

These were no ordinay lampshades - they were from a shopping centre in Brisbane and needed two of us to lift them!  I am quite useful in the lampshade business as I used to be a Milliner before I decided that spending 6 days hand sewing a hat that somone wants to pay $150 for was not viable.  Not to mention the part about going out after the races and sitting on the hat etc...and expecting me to fix the thing for free afterwards. Do you take your jeans back to Myer when you spill you wine on them?

Ok I'm digressing....Yesterday Stella dropped my phone (for the 3rd time in about as many weeks).  I can't repeat what I said as someone will call child services. Ok! Ok! I did feel sorry for her in the end as she was very upset and...ok...still digressing....  So nothing like turning a negative into a positive...

I HAD to go to the Apple store today to get the screen fixed and woohoo Country Road is in the same centre! What a coincidence?! Unfortunately I could only look as the lampshades were waiting BUT, they have some really nice stuff!  I am busting to get back and try it all on.  

Sivad designs is on facebook and has some fantastic homewear items.  It's worth a look.

Talk Tomorrow.....