The Bold & The Beautiful

I recently had a girl date with a friend of mine (who I've known for more than half my life) and we decided to watch Crazy Stupid Love (watch the trailer) with heart throb RYAN GOSLING, 

Just in case you didn't know who he was
(SHOCKED!!)

I always try to look nice when going out, but had come from work and wasn't in the mood to really dress up, anyway... when I met her at our romantic dinner spot, Sushi Train, the first thing I noticed was her drop dead gorgeous turquoise Wittner platforms. She never wears Eiffel tower heels but she looked amazing, she had great height and paired it up with a cute turquoise and red printed top.... DELISH! I obviously looked like I had walked out of bed and met her, but nonetheless if Ryan Gosling walked out the silver screen halfway during the movie he would of walked straight towards her and scooped her up flashing those gorgeous platforms in the air... She was Bold & Beautiful...

Unlike my friend Lindy who looked stunning in bold heels and outfit. I tend to shy away from colour and prefer to pair up my bold heels with a black outfit like Miss B...

Gorgeous Mum to be ( I think!!), Beyonce, pairs up a cute black jersey dress with turquoise Louboutin pumps.... if you're like me, go plain and bold, it allows your new bold beauties to stand out, OR you can be bold like my friend and go bold all over...

Bold outfit and shoes like Camille Belle, and Katy Perry or tame it down like JLo and Olivia Wilde.. Still hot to trot and you and spring will get along well.

Remember Be comfortable with what your in... you don't need to walk out like a rainbow if your not comfortable! Wear the colours that flatter your skin tone and remember where you're going (try not to wear too many colours to someones funeral). 

Tom for You Tom for Me

"Revona, do your next post on Toms" said my lovely friend and co-worker Dora, after I screeched "Eep my friend Bernard wants another post" yes, Bernard is a guy (But I'm happy that my audience is not just female based). 

Anyway..

Toms! What are they, well they're what Zac Efron (pictured above) has on his feet, they're a pair of canvas or corduroy shoes that people seem to be purchasing, for overseas trips, school shoes, and yes ladies they even come in Wedges style (as pictured below).

They're not just celeb inspired, comfy and fashionably styling with this seasons Wedges line but they are made for a good cause. 

The One for One Movement  is an organisation founded in 2006 by an American traveler named Blake Mycoskie, he befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.

So although we are totally privileged with shoes on our feet, some children grow up barefoot, meaning soil transmitted diseases are easier for them to get. 

Want to know what you can do? 

Log on to the Toms Website to learn more or pick up a pair of TOMS through my Style Steal section.

WHY?

BECAUSE 'WITH EVERY PAIR YOU PURCHASE, TOMS WILL GIVE A NEW PAIR OF SHOES TO A CHILD IN NEED.' ONE FOR ONE

'Pump' it Girls

Cleaning.... yes we apparently were programmed to clean (well so the men in our lives think so) but wouldn't it be great to get a workout while you do? 

I flipped through a lifestyle magazine today and came across something that caught my eye... well my eye and my feet, well and my legs - you may not like vacuuming but your carves, bum and thighs will thank you later. 

Vacuuming in heels will workout your legs in all areas, yes I did try it and felt like a Desperate Housewife, but I also felt like my legs strained to keep up with the intensity of cleaning..... yep! a total workout. 

Alright so we decided that vacuuming can be done in heels... but could we exercise in heels? Apparently  NOT! It's not safe and we don't want to hold up real emergencies that are happening.

But there are ways to work out while you're wearing heels and I don't mean pole dancing. Dr Maria Angela from the University of Verona, Italy (yes I looked this up) studied women in heels and found that 'wearing heels can strengthen pelvic and abdominal muscles (yes ladies, having children will be alot easier).

Heels will also make your legs look longer (if you're short like me) and will also make you look leaner and slender. 

Who loves confidence?

WE ALL DO.... and heels will do it for you.. walk with confidence and make sure 'The Shoe Fits' 

I don't have those in black.

Yes, you've all done it, you've all been there.

Alright maybe I'm blaming you for my mistakes, BUT, it's true! How many of you have gone to the shops to get that shoe, because you just don't have it in black, purple, blue (yes we can go on).

I have bought a pair of pumps that were grey in colour with a heel to kick booty with, but I went back to that store saw the black pair and realised 'hang on there's black as well?' and yes I bought them.

Where do we draw the line with how many shoes we own? when you start taking photos of your shoes and sticking them on shoe boxes so you cant tell a pair apart from the other 200 pairs then you might just have a problem (yes I'm talking about myself again).

Shoe addiction? does it exist?

My fingers did some googling and I didn't have to go far. Most websites, blogs and forums have women screaming "help me"

Our stylist and goddess Carrie Bradshaw gives us a clear example of a bona fide shoe addict. We push grocery shopping aside and find those pairs of (no not Jimmy Choo's) we'll say Tony Bianco's or Peep Toe's (something a bit more affordable for the average working girl), Miss Bradshaw (who wears the Manolo's and opts out for Choo's on her feet) encourages us all to just spend that little extra, or go back for that pair you left behind.

So can I help? Yes I can.
Here's some tips that may help you save next time you want to get the same pair of shoes in a different colour or those low cut boots because you have knee high ones.

Help Tip 1: Don't stop buying shoes, we're girls it's what we do! But be purse smart.

Help Tip 2: Find friends with the same shoe size - we love borrowing each others clothes, shoes is just one step further - your shoe closet doubles and you'll save a ton of money. If you're not the shoe sharing type here's help tip 3.

Help Tip 3: Seize the sale - enjoy the sales ladies you will save a tonne of money and you will get the satisfaction of seeing those shoes go full price the week after.

Help Tip 4: Go Vintage - pop into a thrift store, grab an oldie and make it into a goodie.

Help Tip 5: Set aside a little amount every fortnight or when you get paid and treat yourself at the end of the month, you will definitely feel like you deserve them.

We love shoes, Yes we do... but following some of these help hints will help your purse in the long run.. and when you get those pair you want, hold it and say "hello lover" (Carrie Bradshaw) 

Whoever made these, hates feet and wants to see them die!

Fist Pumping to the latest house music may be the most exciting thing you do on the weekend but the joy sometimes or many times may be taken away...

Yes I said it, Fist pump (and I giggle), we plan our weekend; relaxation, church in there somewhere and partying it up... We insist on dancing like Snooki and breaking it down like Sara on 'Save The Last Dance' while our feet burn, feel numb and they cry out to us in pain, yet we keep on dancing.

Why? Because we want to, and we feel fabulous doing it... But is the pain worth the sparkling YSL's on your feet?

I'm not sure if any of you have seen the episode of Friends where Monica gets new boots - Chandler's (her husband) outrage of the $600 pair of leathers suffocating her feet sees Monica (in extreme pain) wearing these boots everywhere she goes including her morning errand run.

The One With Monica's Boots - Watch Clip

We put up with the pain of course for fashion reasons, but do we continue to wear them and if so, is wearing heels good for you? Should we opt for comfort over fashion?

Professor Thorogood gives some heart warming advice saying "women who wear stiletto heels will be reassured to learn that their choice of fashion-before-comfort footwear will not lead to knee joint problems and may even prevent them."

So ladies although wearing heels won't affect us in the long run, I still suggest we look after our feet.

Here's How:

- After Party Shoes are fold up flats you could throw in your bag and throw on your feet when you've
  had enough.

- Go for some Party Feet "They are strictly for the well heeled", they will soothe and nurture that balls of
  your feet.

- And be kind to your feet, treat them with a pedi or a foot massage once in a while by a professional (or
  husband, partner, fiance or boyfriend)

Remember Girls, Be Kind To The Ones Who Get You There.

A Weekend With One Dress, Lauren Conrad Style...

So the weekend's coming up and I know we all need a new wardrobe, some new shoes, a new hair do, a new tote blah blah blah.... 

No need to fear ladies Hills Star Lauren Conrad shows us how to work that Little Black Dress (LBD) that's hanging up next to that Christmas cardigan your grandma gave you (really you knitted it yourself), pull it out and along with Miss Conrad I'll show you how you could save 100 bucks this weekend.

LBD style 1: Bohemian is your vintage style jacket, lace slip and strappy sandals (pumps/boots ladies its winter)

LBD style 2: Evening sees you in embellished stilettos, clutch and nice jewellery.

LBD style 3: To be preppy throw on a cardigan, your mothers pearls, and Mary Jane heels.

LBD style 4: Take it down a notch for Sunday morning brunch with an over sized cardigan and ballet flats.

LBD style 5: Going on a date with Brody Jenner (yum!) 

(Just had to include Brody's picture, you can thank me later) 

or hitting up Sydney City, opt for a leather jacket and ankle boots.

       

Now we know it's one LBD but we do expect you to shower but mix and match these great ideas for any days this weekend... 

Buy Lauren Conrad's Style book at your local Angus and Robertson online store http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/lauren-conrad-style/11801434/ 

Budget? What Budget? It's my wedding!

“That will be $120 per person, that’s excluding alcohol and its only two course”, said Lauriston House’s wedding planner, “your wedding cake is the dessert”

I looked at my fiancé in utter awe, $120 for a 1901 wedding function building, no parking and the choice of either silver, cream or gold chair tie backs, might seem like nothing but it’s ‘your’ wedding day and every detail counts. The wedding planner could see the puzzled look on my face, “oh we do serve your cake with ice-cream”, she said.

At 12 your small feet sink into your mother’s shoes and your drowning in her brand new cream party dress, you stuff her bra with tissues, you throw the table cloth on your head and grab the flowers out the vase. Your little sister gets on the family piano – hits every key she possibly can, and accompanies you in song down the hallway, along with your poor dog who had to wear a bow.

Is this why we spend ridiculous amounts of money on a one-day celebration – because it’s ‘YOUR DAY’ and you’ve dreamt about this moment since you could tell time?

As females we await the day where we can throw the tablecloth out and stick that hand designed Vera Wang net on our head.  And the day when we get asked that ‘special’ question.

According to Money Guide Australia, Financial planner professional Matt Hern, received a survey from Bride to Be Magazine Cost of Love 2008, which found the average cost of a wedding was $49,202. “That is only a couple of thousand dollars less than average Australian wage before tax.” Said Hern, “Since many couples probably earn less than the average wage they need to be saving”.

The average Australian bank will loan couples anything from $10,000 to a six- figure category, is this encouraging couples to come out of their wedding day in debt and going into your marriage paying off your house, the car and your wedding debt? Could you imagine walking down the aisle in that clean crisp white (or cream) dress and hearing, Debt! Debt! Debt! Every step you took.

These women aren’t the only ones who were worried about over spending on their big day, they are all smart to set budgets, but how many couples actually stick to these budgets? My fiancé and I haven’t walked into a function centre, car hire place, florist and cake store without them saying ‘wedding?’ here’s the price list.  What if I had said ‘First Birthday?’ would I get a special listing for that too?  I think we don’t plan to blow $49,000 on a wedding it just happens. After searching for that photographer and those cars ‘he’ wants and that perfect dress we soon realize how much it all adds up to be.

I can’t completely blame the wedding industry for assisting us girls in ‘Our Perfect Day’ and allowing us to blow budgets. I can however sit back, look at my encrusted wedding band, watch the next couple walk into that function centre and say “Halt! Check your budget.”

Check Barefoot Investor Scott Pape's article out! "My Wedding Debt Lasted Longer Than My Marriage"

Granny undies are sooooo in

I know I opt for a pair of 'granny' undies when I'm feeling a little on the bloated side..

Would I wear them in front of my soon to be husband?

Sure why not?

Susi Banks writes a piece on Nanna Knickers an interesting yet entertaining take on the 'latest' fashion craze! Yes Bridget Jones did succumb to great criticism for tucking her oversized bum into granny undies!
But I can tell you I will definitely be running to Target to grab me a pair before my wedding day to suck it all in... we can't completely bag these old bag undies and you can't put me in the category of Bridget Jones anymore because they do come in a range of sexy designs.

So ask yourself the question next time you buy some granny undies... are you feeling sexy, punk?