Posts Tagged ‘wardrobe makeover’
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Fashion Swap Items for the Aussie Bloggers Conference
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If you’ve stumbled across this post, you might like to read this introductory post first for a little bit of background information. The items below are on offer to attendees of the Aussie Bloggers Conference 2011 as part of a Fashion Swap project co-ordinated by @Gabfran of Caveat Calcei and myself.
I’m excited about Fashion Swap. I’m sending some old fashion favourites off to a good home and I’m decluttering. Win-Win.
What do I have on offer? Behold:
One From the Heart Maternity Tops
I’m offering these two maternity tops as one item, as they are identical except for the colour. I wore these lovely tops, which I bought from the Pumpkin Patch maternity wear section, both during and after my pregnancy. They are loose and comfortable. Both are medium in size and made from polyester/nylon.
Black Vivienne’s Collection Pants
These tailored pants are in quite a heavy material and fully lined. Unfortunately, thanks to three pregnancies and an addiction to chocolate, I can only wear these pants if I don’t want to breathe at the same time. Tempting, but probably not for the best. The pants are size 10, 100% Australian wool with polyester lining. Spare button still attached to care tag. The flash has made them look a little grey, but they are actually black with no fading. Care tag says dry clean only.
Black Adele Palmer Pants
I adored these pants, but unfortunately they haven’t seen the light of day for some time. Yet another pair of tailored pants that forces me to choose between looking stylish and breathing. The legs are quiet full and the pattern is a dark green stripe with a fine red stripe either side. The pants are lined with a side zip. They are size 10 and made from wool/polyester acetate. Care tag says dry clean only.
Pale Blue Gino Nicci Heeled Sandals
Never worn, these shoes were an impulse buy that simply didn’t match anything that I had in my wardrobe. They are very cute, with Austrian crystals covering one of the straps across the top of the foot. Size 8 1/2 with a 2 inch heel, fabric upper.
Brown No! Shoes
I was never going to fit into these lovely size 7 heeled shoes, but I bought them anyway. Why? Your guess is as good as mine, but they have sat in my wardrobe taunting me for long enough. They have never been worn and I would love to pass them on to someone with (slightly) smaller feet who will love and enjoy them. 1 1/2 inch heel and synthetic upper. The colour is slightly darker than it looks in the photographs.
What now? If you are attending the Aussie Bloggers Conference and would like to claim one of my Fashion Swap items, please list the item and the phrase ‘It’s Mine!’ in the comments below. Make sure that you include an email address, blog and/or Twitter name so that I can contact you to confirm your interest.
Don’t see anything here that suits you? Don’t be discouraged. Follow the #FashSwap hashtag on Twitter and visit the other blogs that are taking part. Check in to the Aussie Bloggers Conference forum at Aussie Mummy Bloggers as well, as we’ll be posting Fashion Swap updates there over the coming week. I’ll be regularly updating the list of participants on my Fashion Swap Guidelines post as well.
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Welcome to the Aussie Bloggers Conference 2011 Fashion Swap
1It started so simply, as it often does, with a random conversation between myself and @Gabfran on Twitter. @Gabfran had blogged about some gorgeous dresses she was willing to pass on to anyone who would like to offer them a new home. I flippantly suggested that she should bring them to the Aussie Bloggers Conference as there was sure to be someone there who would love them and Ta Da! An idea was born.
@Gabfran and I were so keen to see some of our old fashion favourites find a new home, we thought that maybe some other #AusBlogCon2011 attendees might like to join in the fun. The idea is simple – you find up to 5 items from your wardrobe that you no longer wear and blog about them, offering them to other bloggers attending the conference. Now that you’ve made a little extra space in your wardrobe, you can visit the blogs of other bloggers joining in with Fashion Swap and claim some of their unwanted treasures as your own.
To keep things neat and tidy, @Gabfran and I have put together a list of guidelines. We’d love for you to join in, so read the fine print below, rummage through your wardrobe, write your Fashion Swap blog post then visit the blogs of other participants. I’ll add a list of participants to the bottom of this post and update with new links as I become aware of them.
Fashion Swap Guidelines
To make sure Fashion Swap (#FashSwap) runs as smoothly as possible, we have a few basic guidelines for you to follow:
Who Can Swap
If you’re attending the Aussie Bloggers Conference 2011 (#AusBlogCon2011) in Sydney on the 19th March 2011, then you’re welcome to join in with the #FashSwap fun.
What To Swap
The aim of #FashSwap is to get clothing that is in good condition back into circulation. If you have quality items lurking in your wardrobe, consider giving them a second lease on life by offering them to other #AusBlogCon2011 attendees. Items can range from funky T-shirts to dresses, maternity wear to accessories (including hats, scarves, belts and shoes in new/like new condition).
The following guidelines will help you know what items to look for:
- There is a limit of 5 items per blogger – you can offer up to 5 items to others AND you can claim up to 5 items you find on the blogs of other attendees.
- All items offered should be in good condition and free from stains or major flaws. Please make sure that any minor faults, such as a missing button, are noted in your description of the item.
- All items should be clean and folded or pressed.
- Items for women only. This includes general clothing, shoes in good/like new condition and accessories. It does not include undergarments, swimwear or sports clothes.
- There is no money changing hands as part of #FashSwap. Please only list items that you are happy to give to another blogger for free.
How the Swap will Work
- Select up to 5 items of clothing or accessories that you would like to offer for #FashSwap.
- Write a blog post listing the items you would be happy to give to another blogger. Include at least one photograph of the item and a written description of each item including size, label, material and any minor faults.
- Clearly identify each item by number or with a label (eg. black pencil skirt, red print dress)
- Please include these #FashSwap guidelines with your post and/or link back to this page as a reference. Please emphasise in your post that #FashSwap is only open to #AusBlogCon2011 attendees.
- Visit the #FashSwap forum thread at the Aussie Mummy Bloggers group for Aussie Bloggers Conference 2011. Add a comment that includes a link to your blog post so that other #AusBlogCon2011 attendees know you are taking part.
- Use the hashtags #FashSwap and #AusBlogCon2011 to promote your Fashion Swap blog post on Twitter and keep track of posts by other attendees.
- Copy the image/button at the top of this post and use it with your #FashSwap post.
- To claim an item: be the first to comment on the post and stake a claim on a particular item by writing ‘It’s Mine! with the label for the specific item. (eg. Black pencil skirt – It’s Mine!)
- If you are claiming an item: Make sure you include contact details with your claim so that the blogger offering the item can confirm the details with you and organise to deliver your new treasure at #AusBlogCon2011
- If you are offering an item: Make sure you contact anyone claiming your items to confirm their interest and organise to meet with them at #AusBlogCon2011.
- Collect your new fashion treasures at #AusBlogCon2011! This can be done at any suitable time during the conference outside of the information sessions and structured conference activities.
If you have any questions about #FashSwap you can post then at the AMB Fashion Swap Forum Thread, email Susan at susan@whelanflynn.com or chat with Susan (@ReadUpsideDown) or @Gabfran on Twitter.
Fashion Swap Participants
- Susan – Reading Upside Down
- @Gabfran – Caveat Calcei
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March 2011 Challenge Goals
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Short and sweet this month (and a week late. I know! I know!)
There are a few big challenges on the horizon this month which involve goals across a few different areas.
In March I am going to challenge myself by:
- Attending the Aussie Bloggers Conference. A weekend in Sydney meeting with 100 other bloggers, learning about how to make a blog work and networking my little heart out. Can’t wait.
- Finally getting all the paper work organised so that I can start my wardrobe and style makeover with Alison Triffet of Style Counsel.
- Consulting with Adele Blair of Blair Lifestyle Management (and Green Apple Organising) to put a plan into place to help me clear the clutter. Adele says it is possible and I’m looking forward to working with her to bring some order to the chaos.
- Starting up a new blog called ‘Organised Chaos’, where I will be blogging my experiences as I work through the clutter and chaos.
Right. That should be enough to keep me busy and off the streets for the next month.
Do you have any goals for March? What areas in your life are you planning to work on over the coming month?
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Twitter Fashion Advice
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I threw out a random thought on Twitter today. After the first visit to the dressmaker with my daughter for the junior bridesmaid’s dress she will be wearing at her aunt’s wedding, I was wondering out loud what I would wear to that same wedding. The bridesmaids’ dresses are aubergine, the bride will wear cream, mother of the bride TBA.
In the bride’s immediate family there are five additional females. One sister and both nieces are in the bridal party and her mother will be mother of the bride (duh). That leaves me alone in that fashion minefield that is finding a dress to wear that matches everyone else (for the photos) but doesn’t make me look like a bridesmaid wanna-be.
As I wondered aloud about this conundrum on Twitter, I mused that maybe I should go retro and wear a nice 80s style apricot taffeta. I mean, you can’t go wrong with a nice puffy-sleeved taffeta frock in a fancy shade of orange, can you?
From this humble beginning, Suzie Eisfelder (@SuzsSpace), Marg Bates (@MargReads) and Bambi Gordon (@DoTheWoo) joined me on a nostalgic journey through the highlights of 80s fashion which led me to suggest one electric blue shoe/one hot pink shoe worn with one electric blue and one hot pink sock (worn with opposing coloured shoe, of course). Ah, the 80s. What were we thinking?
After much serious deliberation and fashion-savvy advice, my final wedding outfit appears to be a lime and yellow polka dot nylon jumpsuit with blue court stilettos, fluorescent orange socks (courtesy of Suzie), an Adele Palmer white leather jacket (kindly donated by Bambi), a glomesh purse and a circlet of flowers as a headpiece (thanks Marg). We didn’t discuss the specifics, but I imagine the flowers will involve quite a bit of Baby’s Breath.
We even deliberated over makeup – hot pink and blue eyeshadow, electric blue eyeliner and mascara and blue opal lipstick (remember the one that was pink with a blue shimmer to it? Fashion gold, my friends).
Can you hear that sound? It’s Alison Tiffet (@StyleCounsel), who will be helping me with my wardrobe makeover in the near future, hyperventilating in the corner. Take some deep breaths, Alison. It won’t be as nearly as traumatic as you imagine. (I hope).
After everyone had moved on to other topics, I realised that we had forgotten to include legwarmers (would this be overdoing it with the socks and stilettos?) and some nice lace gloves, probably in black and with some hearts or stars on them. Noice.
I think Suzie, Marg, Bambi and I came up with a winning combination, although Alison seems to think she might be able to pull together something even better.
What do you think? Will I be the Belle of the Ball? I’m happy to take further suggestions on board.
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What My Lipsticks Say About Me
1In an attempt to complete the De-clutter Challenge set by The Organised Housewife, I recently decided to de-clutter my cosmetics. Not a huge job, since I don’t use much make-up, but there were definitely some items that could be tossed. Yes, Mother’s Day Stall hand cream gift, I’m talking about you.
After sorting through a few lotions, potions and crumbly lipsticks that needed to go, I was left with a small selection of makeup (foundation, blusher, bronzer, eye shadows, one mascara, lip liners and eye liners) and a pile of lipsticks. Nineteen to be exact.
Just in case you’re assuming that a supply of nineteen lipsticks means I have one to suit every outfit and occasion, behold:
Yes, nineteen lipsticks, but only 3 – 4 shades, all of which are variations of brown.
Despite my lack of makeup application know-how, I do love cosmetics, especially lipstick. You can put on some foundation and lipstick and suddenly you’re ready to face the world. Obviously I think the world is a bit fragile and unable to cope with unexpected change, as I’d look pretty much the same no matter which lipstick I chose from my collection.
“But wait!”, I hear you cry. “There is a bright red one. There, in the centre. Proof that you aren’t totally predictable.” You’re right. There is a red one. It was given to me in a thank-you gift by a friend. I’ve never worn it. *Sigh*
So, after much soul searching (well, a good 2 minutes at least), I have come to the conclusion that my makeup, like the majority of my wardrobe, has been chosen to make it as easy as possible for me to fade into the background, a compensation for my tendency to have strong opinions and a sarcastic sense of humour.
Or maybe I’m just colour blind. Who knows?
I feel a bit like Billy Birmingham’s spoof of legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud with his “cream, bone, white, off-white, ivory or beige” jackets. My monochrome obsession just comes with fancier names like sherbet, dreamy, blush, dusk, hot toffee and marshmallow.
Maybe Alison Triffet will be able to revamp my cosmetics as well as my clothing when she does my wardrobe makeover…
What does your lipstick say about you?
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Not Quite Boombah
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Last year, when the amazing Boombah Club website got up and running, I had every intention of becoming a Boombah myself. I signed up to the website. I joined a local gym. I even went so far as to weigh myself and take some measurements so that I could marvel at my progress over the coming weeks.
Then I got sick. While three days in bed with the ‘flu shouldn’t have derailed my Boombah plans, my underlying health issues ensured that it took me three weeks to recover. Then my three children each got headcolds. Then we entered the chaos that is the final weeks of the school year – assemblies, presentation nights, volunteer morning teas, classroom cleaning, etc, etc. Then Christmas.
As much as that all seems like a long list of excuses, the 2 months after I attempted to join in with all the Boombah motivation and fun were not my best in 2010. A few new developments health-wise and a few changes in commitments (such as withdrawing from my university studies so that I have enough time and energy to give to my writing pursuits) means that I am facing 2011 with a new plan. Actually, make that a New Plan. (I’m sure that those capitals will make a big difference – or should that be A Big Difference).
I’m once again hoping to join the Boombahs in their pursuit of better health and slimmer hips. My way of managing foods is now in the hands of the doctor and dietician taking care of my other health issues, so I am instead going to focus on my goals and try to commit to some regular excise (definitely my weak point). I’m also giving myself an awesome reward at the end of February if I can stay on track for the next 6 weeks.
Since my participation is going to be limited and I can’t really follow along with the food side of things, I am declaring myself merely Boombah-ish rather than going the Full Boombah.
My Boombah-ish Goals
- I will drink more water
- I will visit the gym at least twice a week, three times if possible. I will attempt to get up early and do this. (You can stop laughing now, that might happen.)
- I will limit the number of treats I have. Given the high probability of an exclusion diet in my immediate future, I can’t bring myself to abandon treats all together. They will be snatched from my grasping hands all too soon anyway.
- I would like to weigh around 62kg. Not sure how many kilos I have to lose to get there, but it should only be 3 – 4ish. (I hope).
My Boombah-ish Reward
- At the end of February, I will weigh in. If I have reached my 62kg goal, I am rewarding myself with a wardrobe makeover by the super fabulous Alison Triffet (@stylecounsel). This is also my pre-40th birthday gift to myself.
So, that is my Plan. What do you think? I am hoping to get to the gym in the morning and will weigh myself with their scales to get my starting point. (ETA: Starting weight 65.8 kg)
If you’re looking for motivation and support to deal with an extra kilo or two that has taken up residence on your hips, waist and/or thighs since Christmas, head over to The Boombah Club. The Boombahs are awesome. Make sure you follow them on Twitter as well (@TheBoombahClub) for regular encouragement and chat.
