Cutex – Qucik’n GO!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Given every time I attempt to paint my nails myself, it ends up looking like I’ve been finger painting and without the luxury of now being able to pop off for a mani or pedi whenever suits me I have discovered a saviour. Seriously, one coat of this nail polish takes your nails from looking like mum/housewife/cleaner to I’m a new mum who’s got it all together. Ok slight exaggeration, who ever has it together as a new mum, but it will have you feeling more confident about how your nails look and not wanting to walk around worried about who’s looking at your hands….and before you sinics out there ask, no I am not endorsed by or have any affiliation with anyone from Cutux, it’s just a product, I’ve found, that works for me, so thought I’d be ever so kind and share it with you. If we all shared one good thing a day, surely that would make life a little easier? You can pick it up pretty much anywhere – Coles, Pricelines, your local chemist. Seriously, you will thank me! And it is only $6, even I can afford that not working.
The French Pink is my favourite, looks like I’ve had a French Manicure….if only.
A little miracle
Sunday, April 3, 2011
It has been a while since I have posted a blog – not without good reasons! Firstly, we have moved from the GC back home to Sydney – yah (but for anyone that has ever moved interstate…you know what I am talking about), secondly I started a contract with a well known and loved Australian Retailer and thirdly (most importantly) I’m having a little baby.
Photo courtesy of Anne Geddes (copyright)
It was quite a shock when we found out, I must admit. Although I hadn’t been feeling well for a few weeks, it just never occurred to me that I could be pregnant. For personal reasons, my husband and I were told we would not be able to conceive naturally, so we were due to start IVF in the coming months…but now I have a little miracle growing inside me, a real miracle. WOW indeed! So much to try and get our heads around!
Most obviously (to me)…my body was changing and whilst I haven’t given up the gym (yes I am still walking daily and doing some weight training twice a week), the changes my body was experiencing were not the type of changes that can be fixed with a week of protein shakes and /or detoxing! My wardrobe, my wardrobe that I just love and have been investing in for years…just wasn’t fitting as it use to. Some of my favourite pieces…they just were not doing up??? But I didn’t look pregnant??
I have dressed hundreds of women over the years, some early stages of pregnancy, some post and as much as I thought I understood what they were saying, there is nothing quite like the experience first hand! As if my boobs were not already large enough (for my liking), no no they decided they needed to be bigger (albeit to my husbands delight).
I am now 14 weeks and starting to get a grip on things…reality is starting to set in and I am starting to feel excited. I took to my wardrobe with a bottle of Ginger Ale and space bag and said ‘see you soon’ to a few of my favourite things that I wasn’t going to need to for a while. No need to tease myself with the skinny clothes that had no chance of making it onto my body over the next months.
Lucky for me having previously stocked up during the oversized trend earlier this year, I was pretty well equipped. But interestingly enough I had never really noticed how there really is a market for some more fashionable maternity wear. Just because us women might be feeling down right dreadful, it doesn’t mean we don’t want to look good in order to help us try and feel good does it??? And I must admit, it is incredibly hard to muster up the energy some days, in between being sick to try and piece together an outfit, something which use to be such an easy task!
So over the coming months, I’m looking quite forward to bringing a few of my favourite things that I find that can help us women still look good whilst dealing with our ever changing bodies!
Welcome to the fashion playground’s new look
Friday, July 9, 2010
Recepción, Bienvenue,Willkommen,Welkom, 歡迎, Benvenuto, ยินดีต้อนรับสู่, WELCOME to the fashion playground’s online home. Anyone that has ever undertaken developing a website, I take my hat off to you, because this has been one of THE most challenging things I have ever done, but here it is.
There are still a few things to be tweaked, but that’s for me to know and you hopefully not to see.
Without sounding like a Logies thank you speech, Mark from Fashion Identity has been superb as has Donna from Donna’s creation (who helped me define my logo). I actually started my website design journey in Dec last year. I made a couple of bad decisions and went with “cheaper” alternatives to design and develop my website, as like any business you try to save money where you can. If there is one thing I have learn’t and seriously I should have known this better than anyone, pay peanuts you will get monkey’s, pay professionals, you will have a site that makes you smile.
With that, I hope you do enjoy our site.There is plenty more to come, but for now, this is a good start! Myself and my team have years of experience in retail therapy and love everything to do with fashion, style and image. We look forward to sharing with you what makes us quiver with excitement, takes pride possession in our wardrobe and thing that you simply just must have or know about!
We’d love to hear from you on what you think of our little project, so please drop me an email – michelle@thefashionplayground.com or visit us on facebook. Time for a well deserved Champagne! x
Your favourite jumper
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Has your favourite jumper seen better days? When unpacking my space bags in preparation for the chily winter days that have arrived and caught me rather unprepared, I noticed under the arms and around the chest, tiny balls of fabric had formed together in little clumps. This is called pilling.
Pilling occurs when groups of short or broken fibers on the surface of fabric become tangled together in a tiny ball – a pill. It occurs as the fabric rubs together or against another surface during normal wear and use ie: carrying a handbag.
I know you can purchase tiny little combs to remove pills, some people often use razors (which I did try many years ago and ended up with lovely little holes in my jumper because of the delicate nature of the fabric – ah we learn, don’t we!).
One of the most effective ways to remove pills is a battery operated pill remover that shaves the pills from the surface of the garment.
Seriously these little gadgets are amazing and for anyone that does not have one, pop in to your local Spotlight and you can pick one up for under $20.
When using the pill remover (you will obviously need batteries), use tiny little circles and for best results use over a hard service ie. Table/bench or even better an ironing board.
In no time, your beloved old jumper will be looking brand spanking new again.
Our new PM’s style….
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Taking the political aspect aside and whilst I am proud of the fact Australia has it’s first femal PM – there is definitely a little bit of room for improvement in the wardrobe dept! Perhaps the cabinet reshuffle could have included a new stylist??
I understand that Ms Gillard is an incredibly busy woman and what she wears is probably the furthest thing from her mind but her image is now more important than ever, so Julia, we are here to help!
I know not everyone has time to shop, let alone enjoys shopping, hence why we have stylists, but her current wardrobe lacks a consistent style, consistent basics – it is very hit and miss, no wonder she’s struggling.
I know it must be hard being in the public domain 24/7 and the last thing we all want is to have a bad picture of us published…anywhere, but the fact of the matter is – she is who she is now and with her position comes an enormous amount of responsibility and so she must dedicate time and resources to looking the part!
Pre PM – Gillard was very conservative, tended to wear very boxy corporate masculine suits. Very rarely did we see her in anything feminine.
Post PM -There is improvement but as they say improvement is the biggest room in the house and seeing the lodge is now empty…. She could definitely do with a little assistance in developing her own classic perhaps more feminine style, similar to that of Quentin Bryce (our GG) who optimizes grace, style and elegance as did Jackie Onassis and Audrey Hepburn. Anna Bligh for that matter is always appropriately and elegantly dressed.
My advice….Ms Gillard would look fabulous in a classic cream Carla Zampatti suit, Anthea Crawford or Veronica Maine number.
I do like her in the black and white polka dot jacket that she was recently snapped in, very stylish indeed. Simple, classic – it just worked, however the necklace did not compliment her outfit and took away from its sophistication.
Mixing of patterns also rarely works so she needs to be very careful ie: a black top with a swirl embedded into the texture under a grey pin stripe suit, did her no favors at all and is definitely a no no.
Its no secret, getting dressed every day can be hard, no denying that.
It can be even trickier for red heads especially when the colour of her hair goes from a fresh vibrant rich red to an orange red.
At least her hair always looks immaculate, id love a boyfriend or husband that gets up at 4.30am in the morning to blow-dry my hair every day…heaven!
So, in a nutshell Julia, keep persevering and if you ever need some assistance, drop us a line, we are here to help!
Am I dreaming?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Ever receive a phone call or email that you think is too good to be true? Well that is what happened to me on Saturday morning when I got an email and then a phonecall telling me I had won the Chatswood Chase, Sydney Women of Style Competition. I was like sorry have you got the right person, me??? Since then, I havent been able to wipe the smile off my face.
“A Stylish Woman is one that epitomises style through her unique approach to fashion and life. She is elegant and captivating, an inspiration to her family and friends. Michelle’s style has been described as a vibrant young professional who knows that success only comes after hard work and that you need to present well to be on top in business. Congratulations Michelle!”
I guess I made the right decision leaving my career as a Lawyer behind and following my passion to bring fashion and style to everyone. I cannot wait until the Instyle Women in Style Awards tomorrow night. I’ve decided not to do a wrap up of Fashion Week last week because there are hundreds out there already and for those wanting to know more jump onto the RAFW Facebook page, Matt Peroz from howgreenisyoureco did a fantastic job blogging every show – even had the privilege of sitting next to and behind him in a couple. I promise Wed morning to bring you everything about the Instyle Awards – I can’t believe I am going to be in a room with so many women that inspire me. Till then thanks Chatswood Chase, for such an amazing opportunity.
Win a $500 Lounge Apparel wardrobe !
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
www.loungeapparel.com – Bookmark it into your browser now and then head straight to the website. Click on the sign up button to not only be in the know about everything Lounge BUT by registering your details you go in the draw to win a $500 Lounge wardrobe or a day spa voucher, either way you are going to feel like a new woman! What are you waiting for?
Arbonne
Monday, March 15, 2010
It’s not fashion strictly speaking, but given I’m all about where fashion, style and image come together and this definitely falls under image, I want to share with you a newly found love of mine….Arbonne. At first I must admit, I was slightly skeptical and thought it would fall into the Avon “ family”, not that I actually know much about or have ever used Avon, but I was given a sample kit of products to try and my goodness, my skin has never been more radiant…ever! The products are truly amazing. I had 2 people at a function last night in Melbourne compliment me on my skin, I was really flattered. It’s funny because usually I am very much a marketers dream. A big one for how things are packaged, but funnily enough this particular product from the Arbonne range are in orange bottles with gold lids (my 2 least favourite colours), but this time, the product has spoken for itself and I have learnt a very valuable lesson.
I have managed to get my hands on some sample packs to give away to readers, so if you would like to give your skin some love and pamper them with Arbonne products , be one of the first 10 people to contact me atmichelle@thefashionplayground.com and beautiful radiant skin will be coming your way. To check out their entire range visit arbonneinternational.com.au. If you wish to place an order I will give you the contact details of the Rep who introduced me to the products, she is great!
What's your wardrobe going to say about you in 2010?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and have your outfits ready and rearing to go for New Year’s Eve!!!
As 2009 draws to a close and 2010 is lurking around the corner, what is your wardrobe going to say about you in 2010?
We all have clothes in our wardrobe taking up precious space. Clothes that no longer fit (because they shrunk of course!), clothes we may have been given as a gift (??) or many many impulse buys that at the time of purchase we simply couldn’t live without, although we since have…sound familiar?
Read the rest of this entry
What's your style?
Monday, December 21, 2009
Style is such an individual thing. It is the expression of your personality through your appearance.
For me personally, my wardrobe is an eclectic mix of everything! And I just love it! Depending on how I feel really does depend on what I wear.
If someone asked me what my style was I’d say classic with an eclectic edge – I’d love to say I can pull of the natural look and perhaps some days I can, but it wouldn’t be without my mineral make up (love the natural look with a little bit of help). For any semi-formal or cocktail events I’m pretty much always top to toe Carla. Her dresses last a lifetime and I splurge on one every year!
So back to styles, there tends to be several distinct groups these days: Read the rest of this entry