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Hire her by simplastic featuring opi nail polish

Mango sleeveless shirt / Witchery linen blazer, $200 / Just Cavalli bootcut jeans, $135 / Boutique 9 leather shoes / Bardot oversized handbag, $37 / Bardot collar jewelry, $24 / Dorothy Perkins / Ray-Ban wayfarer sunglasses / Tech accessory, $57 / OPI nail polish, $26 / Areaware - Universal Hand Dock, $105 / Instacanv.as Photo by simplasticity

Laundry disco day- Make the Mundane AMAZING

I give you a challenge:
Find a way to make the mundane amazing.
For the simplest of tasks, there is a chance to play, be it with fashion or to blend your loves into your day.

• Do laundry with music blasting, your own party to look forward to.
  
• Make cleaning your fishtank a chance for a photoshoot and get some instagram fame from your fishy friends.
  
• Sing at the top of your lungs as you vacuum, no one can hear you.
  
• Have a dusting hunt with a friend, whoever has the cleanest duster is stuck with the dishes (to the death!).
  
• Dance your way from one side of the house to the other as you clean, burn a few calories in the process.
  
• Gets kids to help with safe tasks (if you have them and they're willing). The cute factor of a tot with a feather duster is numbing and they learn through role play. Make it exciting! WHOA, cracking walnuts!
  
• Challenge yourself- try to break your best time, cook a new recipe, learn how to clean without chemicals, just keep it fresh and try to wander away from Pinterest into the real world every now and then.
  
• Share the load- most people love to feel important and help (within reason). It's more fun with a friend (unless you're a hermit with an audiobook).

What about you, what do you do to beat the housework humbugs?

3.1 Phillip Lim scoop neck top / Stella McCartney / Stella McCartney lingerie panty / theyskens' theory velvet shorts, $335 / Converse / Vera Bradley handbag / Betty Jackson. Black bangle bracelet, $12 / Amrita Singh turquoise jewelry / Nail lacquer, $12 / Music Notes on Graph, Custom Ceramic Mosaic / Disco Tiles Aqua sticker heart, $7.29

Navy- How do you wear it?

Sailor suits, boat shoes, stripes and sack bags, oh my!
Looks like it's 'anchors away' on this trend in 2013.

Dabble in a little navy or brave the white pant.
Button up and give it a little modern feel with coloured metallics, wedges and prints.

Just be wary of wandering around like a lost sailor moon cosplayer and be sure to pack it with an edgy or girlie punch (think baby pink or a metallic Burberry trench).

Cowl neck sweater, $225 / Wallis collar sweater / Vero Moda blue blazer, $36 / Raoul / Lauren Ralph Lauren ralph lauren pants, $170 / By Malene Birger black pleated skirt / Trasparenze black tight, $31 / Wolford pantyhose, $23 / Stripe socks, $13 / Sperry Top-Sider wide shoes / 80%20 wedge heels / Esquivel lace up heels, $345 / Long necklace / Antique jewelry / Club Manhattan long earrings, $26 / I Like Birds anchor jewelry, $29 / Kate Spade / Bow earrings, $13 / Meredith Wendell / SELECTED striped scarve, $39 / Tech accessory / Gold hair accessory / Sports eyewear / Neff Sailor Beanie / Converse Jack Purcell Boat Shoe Ox, $78 / MAC Cosmetics lip makeup, $22 / MAC Cosmetics / MAC Cosmetics lip pencil, $23 / Pluto Scented Candle Sailor, $5.61 / Sailor Girl Iconic Velour Daydreamer / NAPSAC 6 Gallon Sack

Style icons- Which one will you be?

What is a style icon?
It could be a stranger on the street, someone you know or even a celebrity.

What they all have in common is this:
They have the ability to wear (or not wear) clothes which is striking and memorable.
They may turn heads and start trends, breaking all the right rules.

Think Twiggy, Anna Wintour, Grace Kelly, Lady Gaga, James Dean, Madonna and Brigitte Bardot, Rachel Zoe.
They all took a chance to secure their own styles.

What we choose to wear and how we wear it defines our style.
Daring to try something new, against the norm is what makes an icon.

"Find what works for you and stick with it.
Be inspired, but creative.".

Trends come and go, but knowing what suits you and your body best can define your style.
There are two easy ways to highlight your own:

Simplicity:

An item placed against a blank background stands out much more than one in a cluttered scene.
Make one stand out piece (cut, makeup or even accessory) in your outfit the star, with clean cut pieces and minimal (or similar) colours.
Sticking to simple shades, such as black, white and grey for your background can also make your outfit more adaptable throughout the day for different social occasions.
Your signature, be it flared pants, bright eyeshadow, a headband, puff sleeves, delicate chains or even your favourite colour can be incorporated subtly in to any outfit with a little imagination.

Eccentricity:

There's no mistaking that style, it's yours alone. You have an ancient traditional garment mixed with the latest metallic hybrid material, or you have more vests than teeth, from fringed to floral.
These are examples of style fusion, history and interpretation.
It's all about mixing your discoveries up, breaking moulds in a fluid fashion of trial and (hopefully few) errors.
These are the amazing people who thought beetroot + necklace + Vintage dress and made it work in their own way.

No matter what level you take it to, whether you sport neon specs or care to clash your prints, it's a fun form of expression and experimentation.

Make it recognisably you by with a memorable haircut or accessory.

Above all, whether you choose to be inspired by the girl next door or inspire with your own garb, have a blast, be comfortable and enjoy!

Abercrombie & Fitch vintage dress / Lace up peep toe booties / ASOS , $40 / Gold jewelry, $145 / Accessorize carved ring / Monki , $13 / Tech accessory, $54

New years Resolution #1

Happy 2013!
What resolutions are you looking to follow in the new year?
Looking at the throwaway fashions of today, it's easy to get caught up in trends and bargain finds.
But what is a bargain?

It may be cheap, but is it the perfect colour, size, style that your heart was set on?
If the answer is no to any of these, put it down!
Put that wallet away!

There are so many choices in fashion today, anyone can cultivate their own style.
The things to remember are what you love to wear and what suits you.
Do you feel comfortable in boot leg jeans? Is arm candy your thing? Do you love to adorn your hair?
It's your own special mix of recognising (in a long term view) your own likes and dislikes which can really make your personality shine through.

Wardrobe planning, no matter how simple can save you a lot of frustration and potentially money.
Look for colours which compliment your skin tone, basics you can mix and match and stand out accessories you're excited to tote about.

Be prepared to invest in well made pieces (within your price range) rather than speed through a few poor fitting or inferior alternatives simply because they're going cheap.
Here less is more, get rid of clothes you'll never fit into again, fix stained, holy or ripped items, or give them the flick.
A good system of maintenance is as you bring one item in, one must go to make room.
Consider this as you shop the sales.
Make sure it's comfortable, functional and above all, trade a cluttered wardrobe for one you can't wait to dive into.

Dorothy Perkins peach top, $27 / Mango pants / Lilly Pulitzer t strap wedge sandal / Cheap Monday / Chloé bangle bracelet, $290 / Knitted scarve / Stella McCartney logo sunglasses / Moooi Altdeutsche Wardrobe, $8,105

Oh, the places you'll go

Is 2013 your time to travel?

No matter if your journey takes you 20,000 miles away or simply 2, here are a few things to consider before you leave:

1. Cultural sensitivities: A quick check before you leave to see if you might be breaking any laws or taboos can be the entire difference between a good trip and bad. Sites like Australia's www.smarttraveller.com.au can help point you in the right direction.

2. Home away from home: Make sure your home will be looked after while you're gone. Arrange for someone to look after any pets if you cannot take them with you. A drip system for plants, a holiday feed food block for fish and a friend willing to pop by and check everything's okay are invaluable.
Take care of any food which may spoil before you return, make sure all rubbish bins are empty and your power points (excluding the fridge of course) are turned off.

3. Emergency plan: Not essential, but consider an emergency plan an air bag if any problems arise in your trip.
Having some funds, contacts, alternative accommodation and even details of other travel services at your fingertips may put your mind at ease if any difficulties arise.

4. What to wear: Visitors to sunny Australia are often surprised upon arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, the city of 4 seasons in one day. Know the weather and season you will be arriving into and pack accordingly.
If you plan to pack small and buy as you go, remember that in some countries and areas, sizes vary and larger or smaller sizes may not be available to suit all shapes (especially important in the case of undergarments and footwear).

5. You don't have to plan it all: Having a little time to explore without direction can lead you to the most amazing places.
Remember to make sure you're not wandering into danger, but when possible, live like a local, sample the cuisine, wear the garb, join in the celebrations and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Studded collar blouse / FAIR+true bright tank, $47 / Stretch jeans, $130 / Scholl shoes / Cross body handbag, $72 / Beaded bracelet, $65 / Victorian necklace / Stella McCartney / Vintage Globe with Wooden Stand / Arthouse Meath Hand Printed Sketchbook, $9.61

Dinner party princess

So here in 2013, what is a great dinner party spread?
Well, tired of pasta I tried a spread of sushi, rice paper rolls and cold hoikken noodle salad.

Tofu-stuffed and all, my meat-eating friends devoured the vegan goodness and were happy to finish with a favourite, fresh strawberries smashed through vanilla icecream with salted caramel sauce.

Perhaps eating in is the new eating out?
I know which I prefer (except for the resulting dishes), how about you?

Calypso St. Barth oversized shirt / Dorothy Perkins linen pants / Vic Matie high heel booties / Irregular Choice cross body shoulder bag / Earrings / Chloé bangle jewelry, $290 / Stella McCartney sunglasses / scottibe's Instacanv.as Gallery / Ana Spike Hairband