Resolving to resolve

2014 is coming to an end. Where did the year go? Seems to have gone by in a blur, but lucky for me I am a fantastic New Year's resolution maker! Have I not mentioned this before? Oh yeah, probably because I forgot my resolutions three hundred and sixty something days ago...

If you think about it, new year resolutions are designed to fail. For a start, there's so little time - isn't the 'New' year over by day two? Then we're back to just a regular, present year. But of course, we are duped into believing that a new year is in fact, a new START. The opportunity to begin afresh. Why, though? We make sweeping declarations that we'll do things differently, then live with the guilt that it didn't work out because shit got in the way.

no more one day wonders

**SWEEPING DECLARATION**

This year, I'm doing things a little differently (oh the irony) and you're invited to join me.

Instead of making the usual pledge to "eat less" "go to gym more" and "clip toenails every week" I will instead pencil in a day a month for an activity of pleasure. I will not commit myself to an unsustainable, unattainable dream that I breezed up at Midnight after too many Martinis (Okay, I'm not that classy - it will be too many Moscatos on ice). I will pencil each activity in the calendar, so that I can't plan anything else, for twelve whole months.  I do acknowledge that my idea of 'pleasure' will be different to yours - swap, change, delete wherever appropriate.

JANUARY: It's tough being the first month - there is so much expectation because we're feeling really positive and fired up to achieve things. Yay things! Let's keep it simple so the bar isn't too high. This month's activity:

Go for a leisurely walk at the beach or through the bush (somewhere with lovely scenery) and admire the beauty. 

To be clear, this isn't a 'burn off a Mars Bar' type of walk. In no way strenuous, just nice and relaxed. I might take a friend, I might not.

FEBRUARY: Feb is a busy month for me - lots of birthdays, including my own. It seems only reasonable that this month's activity is:

Make and decorate a birthday cake from scratch.

Depending on your skills, 'decorating' might mean covering with Smarties, which is perfectly fine. Why not form those Smarties into a smiley face? Achievable people, let's keep it achievable. Also, if you have no birthdays to celebrate, it can be a regular cake. Or fancy dessert.

MARCH: Ah, the first month of autumn and the year is in full swing. Winter is around the corner but  it's not depressing us yet - in fact we might even be looking forward to it! Soon though, you will be in deep hibernation, avoiding the world. Time for this month's social activity:

Get in contact with someone I haven't spoken to in a while, who I like. 

Do you know someone who might not be in your regular communication circle, but you really like their company? Drop them a line, maybe catch up for coffee - while you're prepared to leave the house in clothing that isn't pyjamas.

APRIL: Sure, Easter is the mini-break we've been waiting for, but it's usually more stressful than it should be. Find another April weekend to squeeze in this activity:

Have friends over for pizza and board games night.

There's a reason why you loved Mouse Trap as a kid and it's because board games are awesome. More grown up versions I can suggest are: Cranium, the Logo Game (TV and Movie edition), Articulate, Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit (2000s, NOT 1980s) or a good ol' deck of cards. Laughs aplenty guaranteed.

MAY: The last of the long daylight hours. An extra blanket a night. The days might still be sunny, but are getting crisp. You want something to look forward to and get you through the winter months. Activity:

Spend a day in the garden and plant flowers or vegetables that will bloom in spring.

May is good because it's not quite winter and the plants will have a chance to take with the first rains.

JUNE: Winter arrived and you know what? It's not that bad! Look at all the amazing coats and boots we were saving! We get to layer all our clothes! Gloves! Beanies! Things are looking up. Plus, more time indoors to:

Make a curry from scratch.

Look, I love korma-in-a-jar as much as the next person, but real authentic curries can't be beat. Find a recipe, head to an Indian or Asian supermarket, find the ingredients and get cooking. Hot dang, it will be worth it (allow at least half a day for this).

are we getting somewhere?

JULY: Ready for a holiday? Me too, but we're probably not financially equipped for Puerto Rico. Activity:

Camping (outdoors) with a campfire to snuggle by. 'Glamping' is also acceptable.

Don't need to go too far - could be a tent in the backyard with a weber for a fire. There is nothing better on a cold night, than looking up at the stars with hopefully someone next to you to keep you warm. And toasted marshmallows.

AUGUST: The rain has probably set in and you've binge-watched all your favourite TV shows. Instead of wallowing in boredom, have a go at:

A simple art or craft project to finish in a day or weekend.

Spend some time finding a project you've wanted to do for a while - the time has already been scheduled, so make the most of it. Pinterest is great for finding quick, achievable DIYs.

SEPTEMBER: Spring is here and a slight increase in temperature has helped you realised that you haven't shaved your legs for three months. Never mind, we're probably not ready for sundresses anyway, but a good time to:

Get a mani / pedi / facial / massage / all of the above.

Do this at home or at a local business, either way you'll feel good and get a spring in your step.

OCTOBER: The days are longer (daylight savings for some) and our summer uniform is making an appearance. Shops are gearing up for the festive season (nooooooooooooooo), but we don't need to get organised just yet. Instead, it's time to have:

An outdoor movie night.

The hardest part about this activity is access to a projector, but I'm sure someone knows someone who has one. Hang a white sheet up, pop the popcorn, put out the beanbags. Cinema at home. Bam.

NOVEMBER: It's warm, but not ridiculously hot. The best fruits are in season and filling up our fridges: berries and stone fruits for our bellies. In fact, more fruit than we know what to do with. Time to get out the jars we've been saving and:

Make jam.

Not only will you have delicious preserves in your cupboard, but ready made gifts for the family members you will no doubt forget about on Christmas day. Win-win.

DECEMBER: Where did the year go? Just yesterday (wink) we were writing up a new year plan, and here we are at the end. Final activity for the year?

Find a quiet place, reflect on what was and be thankful.

Years go by so quickly - often the older we get the faster time goes. Give yourself room to think back and remember the good, the not-so-good and what you achieved. You squeezed a lot into one year. You are one of the lucky ones; flaws, failed resolutions and all.

To confirm my commitment, I will post about each of my activities every month. Let us know about your progress - what are you hoping for in 2015?

Happy New Year lovers! 2014 - it was a very good year.

Elouise x

One Maternity Dress 5 Different Ways (at least!)

Hi Ladies, Megan here!

For those of you who don't know me personally (or who aren't following me on Instagram...username meganpotter_stylist in case you're wondering) I'd like to announce that I'm expecting my first child! I'm currently 25 weeks, that's 6 months and 1 week and as a personal stylist I'm having lots of fun dressing for my constantly changing shape.

It can be tricky getting it just right when you need to think about comfort, style, practicality, the humid Brisbane weather, office appropriateness, brunch/shopping with friends and dinner/night time attire but I've found a dress that has the ability to tick all those boxes!!

Look no further than the Sussan Maternity Tee Shirt Dress - you can shop it here. Its comfy viscose, machine washable and doesn't need ironing! (Not a sponsored post, I just like to make it easy for you!)

The model

Me!

 

The easiest and quickest way to style-it-up is to mix and match your jewellery and accessories. Try layering a couple of necklaces at a time to really make the look your own - I find this particularly useful if you're wearing necklaces from a chain-store and you know they've sold thousands of the same necklaces.

Print scarves are also highly useful for styling a plain dress but I've been avoiding them due to the humidity.

If you need a light coat opt for a denim jacket or vest.

 

When heading to the office just throw on a blazer (normally this is still ok in summer because offices are air conditioned) but if you find it too hot for a blazer try a sleeveless version instead.

 

 



To add an element of style without compromising keeping cool, try a kimono or cape. They're absolutely everywhere at the moment so you'll have no trouble finding one to suit your taste and budget.

For an element of fun add some colour and print! ...then throw on some heels and you're ready for a night of Thai food and ginger beer (my idea of a preggo friendly night out!)

Last but certainly not least the best way to get the most out of your tee shirt dress is to wear it as a skirt! Don't waist money buying a black maternity skirt when you can just layer a top over your black dress! It's sheer genius yet so simple!

If you found this post useful, please share it with your preggo friends!

For more maternity styling follow me on Instagram meganpotter_stylist

x

Summer Reading Guide

The holidays are upon us! It's officially summer (sorry Northern Hemisphere) and long, lazy, daylight-filled days ahead. Bliss! Now, pass me a cocktail. And something good to read.

Books are like shoes: when you're not looking, a thousand fantastic options will appear in front of you. But when you're on the hunt in a hurry, you can never find anything you like. Never fear, like Megan's recent summer shoe post, I've done the leg work and complied a few titles to choose from that are entirely pool appropriate.

Memoirs (I was totally into memoirs this year)

Yes Please - Amy Poehler

Just to get it out there, I love Amy Poehler. She is so funny, and humour is an enormous part of this mid-life memoir. Poehler is fairly upfront about her reasons for writing a memoir - she doesn't really know or feel that qualified - but I think this admission is what endears so many people to her. Poehler is trying not to take life too seriously, which isn't always easy. Poehler is on a journey of truth and is merely sharing some of her thoughts along the way, mistakes and all. It's nice.

**Strongly recommended to those looking for a lovely, easy read leaving you with a smile at the end.

#GIRLBOSS - Sophia Amoruso

I would usually be weary of books with #hashtag in the title, but something drew me to #GIRLBOSS. If I'm completely honest, I think it was Amoruso's awesome hair (yep, I totally judge books by their cover). I had no idea who Sophia Amoruso was until this book. Then I spent some time reading everything I could on google. In a nutshell, she's my age and a gazillionaire. MY AGE! Feelings of inadequacy aside, this book is more than a rags-to-riches story. It's very practical and Amoruso is so cool. Her story left me very inspired to take some chances in life - it worked out so well for her!

**Strongly recommmeded if you need a good kick up the arse.

Not That Kind Of Girl - Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham has copped a lot of criticism for her work in this book. I'll leave it to you to read what you will about it, but I think it's pretty undeserved. If you plan to read this, a few notes to think about. Firstly, it's all in the title: 'Not That Kind Of Girl' is a pretty accurate representation of what to expect from a person under 30 with success like Dunham. Her life to now is probably quite different to most. Understanding this will help readers realise that she's not so wholly identifiable with everyone, but she is fascinating nonetheless. Secondly, it's actually a funny book, she is open and sometimes uncomfortably so - but she makes no apologies for this. I couldn't stop reading. Dunham is not 'Hannah' from Girls, despite the fact that she created the program, the same way that Girls is not this generations Sex and The City (they are IN NO WAY SIMILAR, nor should they or need to be). Give it a go, it's worth it.

**Strongly recommended if you don't get what all the fuss is about, but interested to know.

Fiction

The Messenger - Markus Zusak

Zusak is amazing at writing for adults with simplicity. He is a beautiful story-teller and this story is a great example of this. The Messenger is a love story, it's a friendship story, it's a faith-in-humanity story. So many minor plot points work together in such a suspenseful way that you can't help but cheer on the hero at every turn. It takes a while to get the hang of what's going on, but go with it. Also, this book is good for not reading a few nights then picking it up again.

**Strongly recommended if you can stand feeling sad and happy at the same time.



Breath - Tim Winton

Breath is one of those books that you will continue to think about after reading for some time. Winton tells a story that's captured through his descriptions of iconic Australian landscapes and beach culture. It's worth reading just for the words describing the beach and waves. Breath is a window into what Australia was like in the 1970s and the lengths people will go to for adventure.

**Strongly recommend if you're looking for a head scratcher.




Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

Rebecca is an absolute classic. You know those books that are so creepy you can only read them during the day otherwise you'll have nightmares? Rebecca is one of those. What's scary isn't that there's murder, blood and gore, but the idea that there possibly will be murder, blood and gore. Written in 1938, it's a gothic masterpiece. Takes a while to go with the language flow, but once you do it will be your new favourite book that you can only read when other people are around and all the lights on.

**Strongly recommended if you like being spooked.



So there you have it, a few titles to get you through summer. Of course, there are so many others out there - would love to hear what you can recommend.

If you do get to read any on this list, let me know! Would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

Elouise x

Mid-week Meal - Quick, Lean, Delicious

Stuck in a rut with your usual dinner rotation? It happens to all of us because we get busy which then often means we begin to lack motivation in the kitchen so I'm here to inject something quick, lean and delicious. This recipe can be changed-up according to your taste or what you have available in your fridge or freezer but this is how I like it.


Marinated lamb back strap with Asian greens

Ingredients (enough for 2 people)

• Lamb back strap - approximately 500grams
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, extra for frying
• 1/4 cup soy sauce, extra for frying
• 1tbs sesame oil
• 1 bunch of bok choy (or pak choy, chinese broccoli, etc)
• Oil for cooking

Method

1. Combine the sauces and sesame oil in a bowl and add the lamb. Cover the bowl with cling film and put it in the fridge. Allow to marinate for at least an hour or overnight (if you're organised.)
2. Remove the marinated lamb from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature on the bench as this ensures it cooks evenly. Use this time to prepare the Asian greens.
3. Cut the ends off the bok choy, then rinse the leaves and stalks thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit that may have been caught in the ends. Roughly chop or leave whole depending on how you like your presentation. (I like to roughly chop it for ease of eating)
4. Heat a lidded fry pan on medium-high and add a dash of cooking oil. Add the lamb (discarding any unused marinade) and close the lid cooking on one side for 3-4 minutes, depending on how rare you like it. Turn the lamb and cook for another 3-4 minutes with the lid closed.
5. Remove the lamb from the pan onto a plate and cover with foil to rest.
6. Add to the pan a tablespoon of cooking oil, sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce, then throw in your Asian greens. Stir fry for a couple of minutes, they don't take long at all. I also like to pour in any meat juices that have collected on the plate with the resting lamb.
7. Remove the greens from the pan to your serving plates. Slice the lamb on an angle and add it to the greens.

Enjoy!

You can easily extend this meal for a family by increasing the greens or adding rice or noodles.

Megan x

If you're not a lamb eater try chicken, pork or beef. Anything goes!

Top 5 Shoe Trends for Summer 14/15

Ok so what should we have on our footsies now that Summer is upon us? Style, comfort, practicality and uniqueness are on my tick-sheet when looking for the perfect pair of shoes. It's handy to know what's on trend before you hit the shops too so that you can be armed with what to be on the hunt for. Updating your shoes with the seasons is an easy way to update your look without breaking the bank and if accessorising with jewellery is daunting for you then let your personality shine through with your footwear.

1. Slides - The more masculine the better! You see, the idea is that a masculine slide adds that "edge" to an otherwise feminine outfit thus creating the perfect balance. Try them with a midi skirt (another current trend), a maxi dress or even some cuffed skinny jeans. Slip on some slides and you'll have onlookers marvelling at your trendy ensemble and wondering how you get your outfit "just right".

2. Block Heel - I love the block heel for 2 reasons; they look fabulous and they're stable enough to walk in (for gumby heel walkers like me) and the stable heel means you can try a higher heel than you normally would. We loved the block heel during winter for our ankle boots and now for summer you'll see block heeled sandals. In my opinion they're a real winner because they have the ability to add glamour to a pair of jeans yet when worn with a dress they add a tough edge - that's value for money right there! Look out for the "Mule" styles in particular.

3. Two-band Sandal - This summers must have! Comfortable and easy to wear with just about everything. The two-band sandal showed it's head last summer and its back again because even someone who isn't a shoe lover can wear them with ease. The trick with these is to make sure they don't "chop off" the length of your leg - this is really key if your legs are on the shorter side (like mine!) so make sure the ankle strap sits on or below the ankle.

4. Espadrilles - Add a touch of island glam to your outfit with this summer classic! Cool and comfortable and a real investment because these beauties will be a key summer trend time and time again. When you wear them make sure they're fully exposed (avoid long pants/jeans) so that you can really show them off. You'll be seeing these babies EVERYWHERE!

 

5. Wedges - A girls best friend. Comfortable enough for when you're going to be standing all day (or night) and handy if you're not too confident in a heel. You'll find styles that are perfect for casual ensembles or styles that have enough sass for the evening. You'll wear wedges time and time again and if you opt for a neutral, black or metallic (or all 3) they'll be your "go-to" pair for years to come.

All the shoes pictured are Seed, Nine West and Country Road. This post isn't sponsored I just really love the shit out of these shoes!

Bonus points for you if you can combine multiple trends into one shoe, like a two-band block heeled sandal or an espadrille wedge.

Megan x

Op-Shopping - 10 Useful Tips

Op-shopping (charity or thrift shopping for lovers outside of Oz) is a favourite activity of mine and to be completely obnoxious, I'm pretty good at it. It's taken years to perfect - it was strongly encouraged at an early age by mother and grandmother. Back then, op-shopping was a fun day out and an excellent way to fuel my and my sister's elaborate dressing up games. I continue to love it for lots of reasons: it's cheap and enables my ridiculous addiction to clothing. Plus, considering the amount of textiles that end up in landfill, I'm doing my part for the environment.

Not everyone has the same love for op-shops. I get it. Often when people ask me where I get certain clothes and I tell them the 'Salvos' or 'St Vinnies' the response is always the same: 'You find the best stuff in op-shops! I can never find anything'.

My answer is; Yes and No. Yes, I find good stuff. But there is stuff for everyone. It's not just for the hipsters. The more I've thought about, the more I realised I have a bit of a system that I use when I go op-shopping and am now sharing with you. 

It's all about attitude

1. Open your mind. Op shops generally don't have visual merchandisers employed to spruce up their window displays. From experience, I know it's a few retired ladies who pick the prettiest, most sparkly dresses to zhoosh things up a bit. They'll add a sparkly bag and sparkly shoes, but it's probably not to most people's taste and straight out of the 80s (which is perfect if you're going to a fancy dress party). LOOK BEYOND THE SPARKLES! There is many a buried treasure amongst the unwanted bling.

2. Prepare to dig. It would be misleading of me to say that I usually walk into an op-shop, spot a high end item and walk out five minutes later. Whilst that does happen sometimes, more often than not, I spend hours (no exaggeration) sorting through the racks. Don't limit yourself to size, colour, age or even gender. Again from experience, the biddies sorting through donations can't always tell that a pair of skinny jeans are women's, not children's. Also, some op-shops organise by colour, not size, so you have to look long and hard to find your size. This is the FUN part though. When you do stumble upon a gem, it's so worth the wait.

3. Check quality and condition. There's a lot of junk out there and people have a tendency to believe that they are being generous donating goods that probably belong in the bin. Yes, that's harsh - and op-shops are very grateful for continued donations, but if something belongs in the bin why would anyone pay money for it? Having said that, it's crazy what good quality stuff people throw out! (and I won't hold it against you if you've put clothes with tags still on in the charity bin - I've done it).   If you're unsure of the brand or the tag is missing, check the care instructions tag. It's not just how to take care of the garment, but the fabric of the item. Most common would be polyester, but the real scores are wool, silk, viscose, silk blend and cotton. Check for general wear and tear - are they repairable? Also, faded colour - this might be cool on something vintage, but probably not great for cheapie throw-aways. Spend time doing this - I have items that I purchased years ago that have lasted longer than newbies.

4. Use your imagination. Clothes take on the life you give them (omg, how corny), so it's important that you don't limit yourself to what's in fashion. For a start, up-to-the-moment items are unlikely to be donated en masse - a few fashion cycles have passed before they made it to the charity bin. That doesn't mean that there isn't potential for items to be on trend - it's up to you to combine what's in your current rotation with pre-loved finds. Sometimes, a cool print might catch your eye, but the shape is all wrong - can it be cut up a bit and put back together in a different way? Even if it doesn't work out, it probably only cost a few dollars and your time. You might end up with a true covetable original. 

5. Do some research. This completely contradicts point four, but it will help if you flip through a few fashion sites to put you in the right frame of mind. You won't find the exact items from InStyle, BUT you will get a sense of colours in season and basic styles. Crochet, for example, is very boho and oh so chic. Op-shops are filled with the stuff. Warm up your imagination and inspiration, and you're likely to find more. On that note...

6. Don't just buy anything. It would be easy to fall into the excited trap of finding heaps and walking out with 100 items, of which you'll only wear five ('but I only spent twenty bucks!'). The same logic of walking into David Jones is required for walking into an op-shop. BE THRIFTY. If you find brand names, make sure they fit you and look good. Don't buy clothes for the sake of it, or because you thought it was expensive once. These clothes will hang in your wardrobe forever and probably put you off op-shopping again because you never wear them.

OMG, I love your top!

7. Plan ahead. By this, I don't mean write a list of things you want or expect to find at an op shop. BUT, make a plan to maximise your ideal shopping time and op-shop exposure. Usually, I dedicate at least half a day to op-shopping. I won't settle for just one shop, I'll squeeze in several and map out the location. For example, if I know I'll be in a certain area, I will look up op-shops close by. Most suburbs have at least two op-shops, such as well known shops like Goodwill and probably a random church, only open from 11 to 3 and usually the most stinky (they aren't set up like the chain charity stores. Hold your breath, they're still worth it). The more shops you visit, the more lucrative your overall shopping experience will be.

8. Go with a friend. A friend who preferably shares an interest and is prepared to commit the time necessary. There is nothing worse than taking a friend op-shopping who wanders around aimlessly then claims to be bored. I have friends like this (I love them anyway) but they aren't allowed to come op-shopping with me. Take someone fun, dress up together and enjoy. It's also useful for doubling your eyes for treasure you might miss.

9. Give back. Recycled. Pre-loved. Secondhand. All part of the same beautiful cycle. Op-shopping is so great for trying different styles. If you get sick of something, give it away and try again. And be ruthless with your clothes culling. Clothes you haven't worn in ages are just taking up space for new finds. Drop off a bag at Save the Children then wander in and have a squiz. It's the circle of life.

Finally...

10. DON'T HAGGLE. At the end of the day, op-shops are still charity shops. They are raising money that goes back into the community and supports people in need. Sure, a used Target top might not be worth ten bucks, but you don't have buy it. They don't need the money that badly, nor the indignity of privileged people haggling volunteers to take a few dollars off (not that I am accusing you lovely readers, I've just seen it happen and it ain't nice). Feel good that you made a contribution. And if you're lucky, you scored some super sweet threads to show off.

So, Happy Op-shopping! Let us know what you find - we all love a bargain story!

E x

It's out there people, waiting for you to find it...