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?