Shopping for Special Events – Grandmother of the Bride Edition

Tags

gold accessories, mustard yellow clothes, Queenspark, rings and bangles, shopping tips, what to wear to a wedding

I recently helped my grandmother pick an outfit for my cousins’ wedding. We had an amazing day but it reminded me that the following “shopping lessons” need to be be repeated often so as not to be forgotten:

Shop often! – this is fun and it doesn’t have to be costly, window shopping is free but it keeps you abreast of what is out in the stores, what colours and styles are filling the racks and it allows you to keep an eye on the sales. Especially the ones that are not advertised and are aimed at moving the last few pieces in a line in store. My grandmother got three amazing pieces from BIB and ts 14+ in Myer last weekend for less than the original price of one of them because we managed to find a 60% off marked prices sale and a few great items in her size.

Try everything on – never forget that what looks amazing on the hanger may look like a sack on you and vice versa. Also make sure that if you plan on wearing a new top, for example, with a particular pair of pants or skirt that you are wearing them in the changing room, especially if they are a colour other than black. If you are stuck find a similar piece to the item you plan on wearing with your new top/ bottom in store to use as a substitute, try on your new clothes then hand it back when you are done.

Take a friend – a good shopping buddy makes a huge difference, they can help you carry your bags, offer a second opinion and get you different sizes in a large store (smaller stores often have staff who will offer to do this for you). They are also a lot of fun to talk to on the way and over coffee or lunch when you’re done.

Say no – any item you buy has to be worth it, if it makes you feel a bit frumpy or uncomfortable in the store no amount of wishing is going to shrink your butt/ tummy when you go to wear it next. So say yes to accepting who you are and a huge  no to anything that doesn’t fit because it is either too large or too small when you at the store. Trust me it will help you avoid a closet full of clothes you can’t wear, negative self talk and a whole bunch of financially based heart ache.

Stay focused – sometimes I shop for fun and on those occasions I can afford to get whatever is in my size, that I like the look of and is a price I’m comfortable paying. However special event outfit shopping is a horse of a different colour. For this type of shopping make sure that you arm yourself with great underwear (to be honest and you know what I’m about to say, good underwear is a must every damn day) and the shoes you plan on wearing with it if at all possible, even the handbag if it’s not too much hassle. Finally, don’t get sidetracked, especially by the 50% off sale on cotton tops just around the corner, at least until after you’ve got what you need for your special event. Make a list or print off a picture of the type of the things you are looking for and if in doubt chat to the sales assistant, they are interested in making a sale sure but good sales assistants will help you find something amazing and will make sure you come back to their store again and again.

Here are a few formal looks I’ve put together using the colour yellow/ mustard as my inspiration:

Red and Gold by beccaannw82 featuring a wire cuff bracelet

Brown and Gold by beccaannw82 featuring michael kors rings

Blue and Gold by beccaannw82 featuring a chain necklace

As a PS The mustard inspiration originally came from this amazing dress available from Queenspark (stockist of clothing sizes 6 to 20) it caught my eye while out shopping this weekend.

What are some of your shopping rules? Share them below.

xox Bec

As a PPS I have a new job so I am looking forward to being able to post regularly again! yay 🙂

Long time; no blog…

Tags

bird print dress, gold accessories, hugs are a girls best friend, leaving home and coming back, navy trench coat, Yellow shoes

I am officially moved in, I arrived late last week in NSW and my boxes arrived yesterday. For the foreseeable future I am calling the Hunter Valley home and from there, who knows.

What I do know is that as hard as it was to say good bye to Western Australian family and friends (and it was bloody hard) I have really enjoyed spending some time with my mum over the last few days; cooking comfort food, reliving family memories and creating new ones.

So here is a look inspired by good old-fashioned comfort, hugs, roast vegies and being with someone who already knows all your stories and can tell you the bits you’ve missed…

 

 

Here’s to the people you will always give a shit about, hugs, Bec.

xoxo

Fashion Inspired by the Movies – Rock of Ages

Tags

alec baldwin, blue jumpsuit, catherine zeta jones, Fashion, gold accessories, Mary J Blige, Rock of Ages, rock of ages fashion, Tom Cruise

I love musicals, I LOVE rock musicals so this was an easy choice for me. I know that Amy was not a fan of this film but it was so much fun and so self aware, silly and over the top that I was in love from the first moment. My only problems were  the “love story” characters, they were too earnest and try hard. I could have eaten all of the other characters with a spoon they were so aligned to my taste. Also Catherine Zeta Jones high kicks like a freaking champion.

In my opinion Mary J Blige was perfection! She looked amazing and she sang really well, she also encouraged girls to go into stripping so maybe I’ll do my own moral lessons/ career advice but seriously this is fabulous in every sense of the word:

So here is my Mary J Blige in Rock of Ages inspired outfit –

Holy gold accessories Batman I’m in love!

xox Bec

AMY

I’m going to be honest with you folks. I couldn’t stand the movie. I thought that Julianna ‘i’m dating Ryan Seacrest’ Hough was terribly miscast (when was the last time you met a ’21’ year old with crows feet?). I thought that there were too many ballads for a ‘rock’ film. I hated the fact that all the songs sounded the same because they were pre-recorded, dubbed or so worked over with a computer that they lost authenticity (I call it the ‘Glee-Affect’) but worst of all? I hated the fact that I thought I was going to see a cool film only to get to the first song and realise that I have come to some tweeny crapfest that makes me crave the days of musicals such as ‘West Side Story’.

The highlights for me were the strippers. Catherine Zeta Jones legs. Tom Cruise. Alec Baldwin’s stubble. Malin Akerman. Open mouth kisses (only authentic thing in the film!).

I did enjoy some of the fashion so here is my take on a few pieces!

Rock of Ages – Proper by littlemisspopit featuring quilted handbags

 
Catherine Zeta Jones’s character was the mayors wife intent on cleaning up the notorious Vegas strip (I think… Honestly, I stopped paying attention at this point). In a particular moment, one of the only times we get to see Catherine in top form, she breaks out in song wearing an excellent pink power suit. Hillary would have been proud so here is my take on it.

Rock of Ages 2 by littlemisspopit featuring metal sunglasses

With this outfit, all you would be missing is a perm to really bring back the 80’s. This look is inspired by the many studs AND leather shown throughout the film and the great hairspray/hair-dryer movement.

Rock Of Ages by littlemisspopit featuring a lace tank

 
Peeka boo bras are oh-so-80’s rock. Taking lace and ‘funking’ it up is so daring yet oh so chic! I love having a peekaboo bra. It is so exciting.

To draw to a close, I have to say I am so glad we all have such differing opinions about films, how boring would life be if we didn’t? What do you think of what we have all put together? Did you love the 80’s or was it not your thing? Do you love Tom Cruise wearing eyeliner as much as me?

Amy
xo