Spring weather has been up, it’s been down. I’ve been in jackets one day, sleeveless tops the next. So, here’s some late spring outfits that I’ve been wearing recently which run all ends of the spectrum.
Nice top & jeans, the “casual” edition. A strong visual on how accessory elements in our outfits can completely shift the mood of the look. Imagine this with some sort of heel, maybe it’s strappy, and I’ve paired it with a bold lip. I’d instantly feel like I could wear it “out out”. But with a ballerina flat that has a high vamp, it feels more dialled down and relaxed. Also loving adding in touches of python to my outfits – a great “neutral” print to have on rotation.
Surprised that I would need a jacket, but also, not mad about having an excuse to reach for this faux shearling number. One thing I recommend getting an understanding for is where you like jackets to hit on your frame. For me, it’s just below the hip as it disguises the fact that’s my widest part (also happy to do a cropped jacket when paired with the right bottoms).
I shared this reel, recently, and mentioned that these Khaite jeans were one of my most expensive “recent” purchases, but that I’d never worn them. A huge part of that comes with just breaking the seal. As much as I love white jeans, I’m weary of wearing them around my kids, especially this pair as they seem to attract marks like no other jean I’ve owned. But, worth it. They look great, and give the illusion that my legs are longer than they are. Probably the highest rise jean I own.
Back in the Khaite jeans again; this time wearing them completely differently. More androgenous, less feminine. A lot of this comes down to the signals certain items in our closets have. The “vibe”. Choosing a relaxed knit over something more fitted. And loafers instead of a heeled, strappy shoe. Also perhaps worth mentioning that this knit is unisex, meaning it has that inherent “borrowed from the boyfriend” type of energy.
Yesterday’s outfit, which I wore to celebrate 110 years of iconic Australian brand, Sportscraft. It’s funny, up until recently, I’d always avoided the pairing of shorts and heels. In large part based on a conversation had with a friend when I was in my teenage years around how one shouldn’t pair shorts with heels. While I didn’t necessarily agree, it’s funny how it just stuck in the back of my subconscious. Here, consciously breaking that stigma in my mind, as in my opinion, a little kitten heel is the perfect pairing with a Bermuda short; it helps to elongate the leg.
What I’m wearing today, on a 25 deg C day in Sydney. While it might seem like I shy away from colour, I do love it in certain doses. I typically tend to seek out these two elements for warmer days: natural fibres, and clothing that has some give. Even though the shirt is oversized, leaving the bottom few buttons undone gives some movement by allowing the shirt to splay at the hem, and rolling the cuffs brings the slim by exposing some of the arm.
One thing I’ve noticed as I’ve aged, is that my tolerance level for uncomfortable shoes has massively declined. Give me a sturdy kitten heel and a wide toe box any day of the week. It’s why I’ve been quick to jump on the heels (pun intended) of any chic podiatrist-designed shoe brands; and Ally Shoes is one that’s stuck. The latest addition to my rotation are the Ally Shoes Tall Boots in chocolate brown.
Perhaps the reason why I was most drawn to them is that on first impressions, they look like a regular boot. But the devil is in the details…
Ally Shoes Tall Boots Review
Price: $848 Available in four colours, three toe box widths, and two calf sizes
I audibly gasped when I pulled these boots out of the box; the design is sleek and understated. Simple, but luxurious, they feature a smooth calfskin outer which is soft and supple, and are lined with stretchy suede lambskin. I also appreciate the low block heel which gives you a modest lift which is comfortable to walk around in all day (of course, I had to put these to the test!).
The key difference for me here, with other pointed toe boots of this calibre, is the specially targeted cushioning in the insole which means that the comfort is unrivalled. That, and the option to select between three toe box options – regular, wide and extra wide – making them a great contender for those with wide feet or bunions (or both!). And I know I’m not alone in my hunt for chic shoes that provide orthotic level support (and girth).
Other details of note are the side zip closure with hidden stretch liner, and cut out rubber sole for grip on slippery surfaces.
Sizing & Fit
I’m typically an EU40 or AU9, but I do recommend completing the Ally Shoes online fit finder which is designed to help you find your perfect fit. For me, that’s an EU41 wide in all Ally Shoes styles.
Pointed toe shoes are notorious for having a tight toe box that squeezes the toes, but I find these to feel generous and roomy.
Also have to appreciate the calf width options; regular and roomy. I mention this specifically as I know it can be a bugbear with boots for those with thicker calves (eg. my beloved Bared boots which I love have a much more snug shaft with no give).
Other notes
I touched on this earlier, but I feel like I need to double down on the comfort and luxury of wearing these boots. They offer ergonomic support through a padded insole, arch support, toe cushioning and soft leather with stretch lining. The chunky low block heel is another boon as it gives you height while evenly distributing weight across the foot. These are the type of heeled boot you can wear for a full day on your feet, and not suffer any blisters or discomfort.
The design the Ally Shoes Tall Boots feels elegant, and is incredibly versatile; the chocolate brown leather offering a softer neutral option to classic black. I’ve styled them with a mini skirt here (also looks cute with tights), but they also work well with a classic skinny, midi skirts, or with trousers to give you an additional bit of coverage on the legs.
I recommend treating them regularly with a leather conditioner, and spraying them with a protectant before wearing them.
One point of note is that most sizes and widths are made to order. You’ll be able to see the estimated wait time for made to order items when checking out.
As someone with specialty foot concerns, it’s a big deal for me when I find a pair which goes above and beyond in both the comfort and style factors. The tailored made to order approach feels personal, allowing you to get your exact custom fit. While this does come with a bit of a price premium, in my experience, it’s worth it. The quality materials, craftsmanship and design are all a 10 out of 10 (also highly recommend their heels for work). Plus their accommodating design makes them a standout option for those with wider feet and calves (not to mention they have a very inclusive size range). Also not mad about the fact that these had zero break in time. All day comfort from the get go gets a big thumbs up from me.
When it comes to summer, I am all about fresh, dewy looking skin – the two just seem to go hand in hand, especially when you have a sun kissed glow (one of my favourite souvenirs of summer). But, sometimes, you have to fake it until you make it, which is where a few key beauty products come in.
I was fortunate enough to be gifted with a very generous selection of staple beauty products from Clinique as part of the launch of their new Even Better Glow Foundation, so I did what any girl would, I applied it all to my face to see what I liked, what I loved, and what I probably won’t be reaching for much at all. I’ve been playing around with these products for a good six weeks now, so I’ve got a pretty good handle on the best way to apply them, and what’s going to work for me long-term. The results are fresh, dewy looking skin that work to enhance your natural beauty rather than conceal it, so read on to find out which products have come out on top.
BASE
I was lucky enough to get to attend a Master Class led by makeup artist Casey Gore, to celebrate the launch of Clinique’s newest foundation, the Even Better Glow Foundation. I was colour matched on site – something I’d highly recommend doing at a Clinique concession – to shade 12 (meringue). I’ve been putting this foundation to the test over the last 4-6 weeks, and not only is it the perfect match for my skin tone, but I’ve also been incredibly impressed with the foundation.
Unlike other foundations that I’ve tried, the Even Better Glow Foundation is loaded with Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C, two ingredients that work to improve the texture and appearance of your skin, and at the Master Class, we were challenged to use the foundation over 30 days, to see the effect that it had on our complexion.
Having sensitive skin by nature, I’m prone to rashes and eczema break outs if I’m not careful with what I’m applying to my face, so most days, I’m happy enough going foundation free, with a little blush or bronzer to add some (often much needed) warmth. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did this foundation not cause any eczema breakouts, but I found my skin looked more luminous at the end of the 30 days, where usually such prolonged use of a foundation would have a more detrimental impact.
For application, I prefer to use either my fingers or a damp beauty sponge, as I find that these two methods result in natural looking skin, whereas applying the foundation with a brush can look a little ‘cakey’ – at least in my experience. The foundation provides sheer to medium coverage, and can be layered for a more flawless looking appearance, and with a fresh and dewy finish. Aside from the fact that this also has a bit of SPF in it – something that’s a great addition to any foundation – I love the glow that this gives me, and that feeling of being ‘lit from within’. The one thing worth noting though, is that you really need to ensure that you have your skin prepped before applying this – if you have dry skin, the foundation will pick that up over the course of the day, and cling to any dry patches – but it’s nothing a healthy dose of moisturiser can’t fix.
BRONZE, BLUSH & HIGHLIGHT
I’ve been a big fan of Clinique’s Chubby Sticks from way back; for many years the lip balms formed the base of my beauty stash, so it’s safe to say I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for them. But, I hadn’t really experimented when it came to the other Chubby Sticks on offer, namely the Cheek Colour Balm, the Sculpting Contour, and the Sculpting Highlight, though as I love a good cream beauty product, I was pretty excited to put these to the test. The premise of these is pretty simple, it’s a twist up tube style packaging that you can either apply directly to you skin, with your fingers, or with a brush.
So, let’s start with the Cheek Colour Balm, which I have in the shade 01 Amp’d Up Apple. This is oil-free, and feels really light on the skin. The colour is a very natural looking pink, that applies quite opaque on the skin but once blended out leaves a sheer wash of colour that adds a healthy looking glow to the cheeks. I’ve been applying three small dashes of this onto the apples of my cheeks and then blending up and towards my cheekbones with a stippling brush. It’s pretty subtle, though I think if you wanted a bit more colour you can really layer this up.
Next up is the Sculpting Contour, which I have in the shade 01 Curvy Contour. I will admit, when I first saw this, I was pretty intimidated by the colour. I’ve been using the Shade & Illuminate Duo from Tom Ford for years, but this is several notches darker, which can look a little intense when you first apply it to the skin. This doesn’t blend out quite as smoothly as the Cheek Colour Balm, as the product has a lot more pigment to it, so you do have to work at it with a fluffy brush to get a natural looking effect. Personally, I find that this is a little too warm to use as a contour, so instead I apply it like a cream bronzer, of which I adore the effect. It’s incredibly creamy, which makes it a dream to apply to the skin (I draw a line around my temples and at the tops of my cheekbones).
Perhaps the product I was most disappointed with (of the bunch, to be fair), is the Sculpting Highlight, which I have in the shade 02 Super Starlight. This is a champagne-toned highlight, which should suit most skin tones, and has that same creamy texture as the Sculpting Contour, whereas the Cheek Chubby Stick is a little more balmy. Where this falls short for me is the glitter; I’ve never been a fan of glittery highlights, so naturally this isn’t a product I’d gravitate towards since I prefer something that looks glossy on the cheekbones.
EYES & BROWS
Since I didn’t have an eyeshadow on hand, I applied some of the Sculpting Contour to my eyes for a wash of colour on the lids. Then I dove in with what’s actually become one of my current favourite products, the Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen. This has a really fine point which is perfect for creating a really sharp wing, and it also doesn’t budge or smudge at all over the course of the day – pretty much all the things I look for in a liquid eyeliner.
For my lashes, I applied the Lash Power Flutter-to-Full Mascara in 01 Black Onyx. This is a mascara that really surprised me. I’ve owned a few mascaras from Clinique in the past and I’ve always liked them, but this one really takes the cake. It coats the lashes with an almost fibrous substance, which makes them appear thicker and longer, and it’s seriously smudge proof. This has a twist up dial that you can adjust depending on how much you want to go ‘all out’ with your lashes. This is definitely worth picking up.
My brows have been getting a lot of attention this year, so the Superfine Liner for Brows (which I have in the shade Soft Brown), was right up my street. At the Master Class, Casey talked about how for natural looking brows, you really need to go with something that’s a little softer, and it’s advice I really took on board. I might have really dark brow hairs, but I don’t think I’d go any darker than Soft Brown in the product to get those fluffy, “my brows but better”. The nib on the twist up pencil is incredibly fine which makes it easy to draw fine hairs into any areas where your brows are looking a little sparse. I then use a spooly to soften the appearance of the product. Another thumbs up from me.
LIPS
Now I wouldn’t usually opt for a three step approach to my lips – a swipe of my favourite lip colour is usually enough – but with a lip liner, a lipstick and a gloss up my sleeve, I figured… why not?
I started with the Quickliner for Lips Intense in the shade 07 Intense Blush, which is a mid-toned pink with brown undertones. This is really creamy and incredibly easy to apply, and I think it’d look nice worn on the lips by itself as unlike the other two lip products, it has a more matte finish to it.
The lipstick I reached for is the Clinique Lip Colour & Primer in the shade 01 Nude Pop. I actually wore a lipstick from Clinique on my wedding day from this particular range, so I already knew I was a fan of the formula. It’s rich and creamy, applies smoothly to the lips without dragging, and wears off evenly – which for a nude or pink hued lipstick, isn’t really of much consequence plus it’s really easy to re-apply. Nude Pop has slightly mauve-y undertones whereas the shade I wore on my wedding day – Beige Pop – is slightly more of a true blush pink. All in all, it’s a nice lipstick with a velvet finish that is comfortable and moisturising on the lips.
Finally, the last product in this round up is the Chubby Plump & Shine Liquid Lip Plumping Gloss in 01 ‘Normous Nude. Now, quick caveat, I’ve mostly avoided gloss since I was an early teen, which if you grew up in Wellington like I did, it’ll be pretty obvious why (wind + gloss don’t mix). Additionaly, I don’t love having sticky feeling lips, yet consequently that’s something that comes hand in hand with lip gloss products in general. The applicator on this is a little unusual, it’s the same ‘Chubby Stick’ appearance, but it has a plastic applicator that disperses the product by twisting it out. I don’t love this method, and I found it was pretty difficult to judge how much product to disperse. The gloss itself has a milky-type appearance to it, and it adds a shine to the lips. Unfortunately, this just wasn’t right for me.
What is your secret to fresh, dewy looking skin? Is there anything else from Clinique that you would recommend I try?
You’ve likely already gotten a good look at our en-suite (and main) bathroom if you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel, but I wanted to take a moment to share it in detail here, too. In case you’ve missed it, my husband and I recently added a second storey to our home, in addition to reconfiguring downstairs and re-designing our kitchen. We’re still settling in, but I’m planning to slowly share a window into each space, and talk through design elements along with where we sourced everything.
Like a good capsule wardrobe, we started our design intentions by setting a theme. Something we were drawn to was the use of natural textures, light and bright airy feeling rooms, and the restrained use of colour guided by what we might see in nature. Which is where green comes in, something you’ll see replicated throughout many spaces in our home. A lot of our interior style preferences over the years have had that minimalist, Scandinavian influence. But that can sometimes lack warmth, which is where some smaller Japanese elements come to play (through the use of paper lanterns etc and colour).
For our bathroom, we knew we wanted a travertine, or travertine look tile as a starting point. To add in warmth, an oak or oak-veneer vanity with stone finish. Then to give the space some personality, a feature tile. We quickly settled on the idea of a half feature wall, which is visible from the door, that adds a real sense of calm to the space.
From a design perspective, you can see we opted for a walk-in shower. This was the most practical option to allow us to maximise the functionality of the space. We used this same design feature in our downstairs bathroom and loved it for ease of use (though note, not practical when you have a wee toddler trying to crawl in during your morning shower!). Because we knew we wanted to have a half tile feature wall, a shower ledge felt like it made much more sense. Not only does it provide lots of space for product, but it acts as a visual break between the two types of tiles.
Because of the length of our shower, we were thankfully able to add in two vertical towel rails at the opposite end to the shower head. This is great as it means we don’t have to exit the shower space to grab a towel, and for me, it’s one of the main luxuries I wanted to have in our bathroom. A couple of other points about the shower? The tap is located at the entrance, so you don’t get wet turning the shower on. We have a tile insert drain which gives the shower space a seamless finish. And we went with a single waterfall shower head, which makes it feel like we’re showering in a hotel.
We had enough space for a 1200mm vanity. We potentially could have gone with a double bowl set up, but the single large centre bowl is perfect, while still allowing plenty of bench space. The configuration is great too, with a small bin on the interior. For practicality, we chose a shaving cabinet style mirror. The key thing here being that we wanted to maximise potential storage space. This particular style opens inwards – as in, the hinges are in the centre, rather than the sides – allowing us to go with a 1200mm mirror as well. Love the little shelves on the sides, too. We utilised the same mirror (larger size) in our main bathroom and the shelves have much more of an impact there – will share, soon!
Finally, the fixtures. We decided to go with brushed nickel; this felt modern, timeless, and a refreshing change from the standard stainless steel.
Overall it’s a tidy space which we’ve maximised to its full potential by being strategic about the finishes and items we chose. What do you think about our Japandi-style ensuite bathroom?
The tail end of winter always hits me by surprise. A 31 deg C day will pop up out of nowhere, cascading into the start of spring even though technically – technically – winter isn’t over yet. And it’s worth noting that Sydney winters as they are translate to “winter lite”.
One thing I finally switched up this season, was sorting myself out with a digital wardrobe cataloguing app so that I had a real visual representation of my outfits. Numbers are one thing, but they only tell you half of the story.
Getting a visual overview of what I was wearing too feels like a game changer and also tells me so much more about my style than how many times I wore a singular item. I’ve been using Indyx , and for the sake of transparency I’ve popped my July and August outfit boards here to give you a good sense of how I’ve been dressing lately.
Also from a numbers perspective, I made the switch to manually tracking my most worn pieces to relying on Indyx for that data in mid-season, so I’ve blended the wear count in order to get a more rounded and accurate view of what I wore on repeat.
Let’s get in my winter most worn items.
MOST WORN TOP
Outfits often tend to be about function, and one of the things that I’m starting to realise about my wardrobe is that I place more stock into accessories or the “third” piece than the actual top I’m wearing. Sure, there are exceptions, but those don’t generally end up being items that get high rotational value for the season. What this tells me? As long as I have the basics – and ample variations to see me through the week – I’ll always find a way to dial up the outfit through other staple pieces.
That said, most worn top for winter? This merino long sleeve from Arket which I have in black. This is such a great base layer; thin, semi-sheer, lightweight and not scratchy. Mine have worn incredibly well. If you can’t access Arket, these ones from COS are essentially the same thing.
MOST WORN SWEATER
One of the things I’ve been reviewing a bit recently has been the type of necklines I gravitate towards. This is a tip I often tell my styling clients to consider, and reviewing my own wardrobe I’m acutely aware that I favour a crew neck over all else. V-necks just aren’t for me (realisation hit a few years back so I avoid buying these), and rollneck or mock neck sweaters I don’t mind, but I feel like I am less likely to wear these over a crew.
So, it’s interesting to see that the most worn knit was a repeat from Autumn, this oversized roll neck sweater from The Frankie Shop. I can see why I wore this a lot. It’s charcoal and not black, so the contrast level is dialled down somewhat. The fabric is a breathable merino and cotton blend so it’s comfortable to wear and surprisingly heavyweight so keeps you warm too.
MOST WORN COAT OR JACKET
I’m often saying buy once, buy well. And the one area of your wardrobe where I think this applies most is for outerwear. Both the coat and jacket which ended up in my most worn for the season are ones I’ve had for a couple of years, and there’s two key points of note.
One, the quality has held up – I’ve maintained them as best I can, but also, they still look good because I opted for items made from quality materials. But two, I went with styles that are reasonably classic. As in, they aren’t going to date over time.
The most worn coat was a Mansur Gavriel number. A black double faced coat I’ve had for a few years now and purchased pre loved. I love the drama of a full length coat, and this one in particular has the dropped lapel and relaxed fit which lean in on that. It’s also black and goes with everything. Ten out of ten, no notes.
My most worn jacket was a trench from Kindersalmon; this always elicits questions when I wear it. It’s probably worth mentioning here that while I love a trench, the style of your most worn jacket might look different. If you aren’t a trench wearer – or don’t think that you would be – don’t fall into the trap of adding this item to your closet. Because chances are, it’ll likely go unworn. Or… you’ll never feel like yourself when you wear it. Anyway, this trench I really enjoy because it is oversized and the water resistant outer has a starchy stiffness to it that creates a sense of structure and shape. It’s a basic that feels anything but as it makes a simple outfit immediately look more interesting.
MOST WORN SKIRT
Another repeat from autumn so I won’t drone on about this one too much. But instead, just to say that you want to consider the details. My most worn skirt was a trouser skirt of all things – this one from Goelia – but what set it apart was not only the fabrication, but the construction. It’s a poly blend which means it’s easy to care for. Then it has a side split detail that gives you a bit of airflow when walking but also has movement. But the detail I like the most is the half elasticated waist. The front is flat, classic zip closure, but then you have the ease of the elastic at the back (perfect if you bloat throughout the day like I do).
MOST WORN JEANS
I’ll never not find it wild that less than five years ago you couldn’t have gotten me out of my skinny jeans. A two decades long style crutch… and listen, I’m not about to “quit” the skinny jean, but they’ve since been succeeded by the straight leg as my sartorial preference (and I know I’m not alone here!).
What the visual overview of my seasonal most worn highlighted for me, was that I tend to wear a darker pair of pants or jeans 80% of the week. Clearly a symptom of having two young kids who tend to treat your clothing with reckless abandon (hello peanut butter everywhere!). So, I suppose it would have been easy for my most worn pair of jeans to be a faded black.
The ones I did end up reaching for the most are the way high style from Everlane. Which I think at this very moment, are going down as one of my favourite jeans of all time. I sized down one to a 25 in this style as they’re slightly generous in the fit, but everything about them is just good. Love the slight touch of stretch, the high rise, the inseam options (I’m wearing the long here – great for a full length style on me). Also this blue rinse is great for dialling up and down depending on whether you want to wear them for a night out, or a casual weekend.
MOST WORN TROUSERS
Are you getting the sense that when I love something, I wear it on repeat? Most worn trousers of the season were again these charcoal grey cropped pair from DISSH. Similar to The Frankie Shop knit, I like that these are a rich charcoal grey that allow me to create contrast that feels a lot less harsh than black. While I’ve technically been colour typed within the “winter” family, I have an olive complexion so colour analysis as a whole can be a bit more complicated given my complexion tends to change from season to season.
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that while that high contrast of wearing black can make my eyes look super clear, it also has the power to wash me out completely and drain the life from my face. Which is why I’ve been leaning on these darker neutrals like charcoal to achieve that same sort of effect which feels a bit more subdued.
Anyway, these pants surprise me, but also, don’t. Cropped pants might not be trending, but if my online vs IRL trends video reminded me is that a lot of what you see on socials exists within the vacuum of social media. As in, just wear what you love.
These particular pants are fab as you can throw them in the wash, they come out looking perfect. And sometimes you just crave a cropped pant over something full length. Because some things never change.
MOST WORN SHOES
There’s one brand that I have been leaning on heavily for shoes and bags; Madewell. Few shoes in my wardrobe are anywhere near as comfortable as these leather Mary janes which happened to be my most worn winter shoe, and this is a huge consideration when I’m getting ready. I think also, I’ve just been impressed with how generally robust they are too as I’ve not yet gotten any scuffs (despite being my clumsiest when wearing these).
Some of the factors that I think make these a winner for me…
One, the elasticated “Mary-jane” strap. This adds in a nice detailed quality, but also, means the shoes don’t slip off your feet at all. They’re firmly on there. It doesn’t dig in either.
Two, the colour. It’s a rich burgundy brown which has turned out to be one of the most versatile neutrals I’ve ever added to my wardrobe and seems to pair well with everything.
Three, the almond shaped toe. It’s a good middle ground which doesn’t feel to formal nor too casual.
They also come in so many colours too.
MOST WORN BAG
My other key accessory for the season is my bag, which again, no surprises was my Madewell bucket tote.and honestly, there’s little else I’d add. Sure, my kids are doing their best to try and scuff it up, but it still looks incredibly despite that. I reached for this 43 times over the season (so, approximately half of winter), and similar to the shoes, it’s because it hit all my key criteria for my bags, while being an incredibly versatile and easy to wear colour.
A reminder to you that your neutrals don’t need to be black or tan.
If I had cause to get this in every single colour I probably would. It’s that good.
OTHER MOST WORN ACCESSORIES
A couple of final honourable mentions as these pieces often tend to form a core part of my outfit. Andersons leather belts. I own this belt both in mock croc and the pebbled leather, and reach for both interchangeably. Love the angular shape of the buckle, the width of the belt is just right, the style quite simple. Quality exceeded expectations (though do expect hardware to fade over time).
And also, my Vieux sunglasses. I love the concept of this brand, where there’s a limited number of each style and then that’s it. I have this interesting olive/tortoise colour which is truly the perfect neutral and I love that the shape combines both soft and sharper elements.
Spring weather has been all over the place. I jumped the gun a little on switching over my seasonal wardrobe, so have been dipping back into my A/W wardrobe almost every other day to compensate. Absolutely zero complaints here though. These outfits are a mix of what I wear on work days, and what I reach for on days when the kids are home/weekends. Typically opting for outfits that feel minimal and chic, but have some personality baked into them. Also, not afraid of the odd smattering of colour.
One thing I keep going back to are basics done well. Like this first outfit. These trousers are hands down one of my favourite that I own. The cut is unique and interesting, and the cropped length adds in a different proportion to the mix. The top I paired them with is an older style; a cotton poplin fabrication which has some good structure to it. I’ll never get tired of seeing tailored pants paired with sandals so that completes the look.
I’ve been trying to remind myself to wear this t-shirt more. I’ve made peace with the fact that I’ll never be a graphic tee kind of girl. Perhaps for the same reason I seldom wear prints near my face; it just feels like too much. But this one, gives me joy for the colour, the embroidery, and also how much my daughter loves this tee (anything with a “catty” is a win). This outfit is simple, but it hits all the style cues I’m seeking.
It’s those trousers again…! These pop up quite a bit on work days as I just love the way that they make me feel. This outfit might be simple, but for me it’s outweighed by the fact that I love each of these items so much individually. The knit can be worn off shoulder which gives it a versatile edge plus the baby cashmere is beyond soft. The shoes are very comfortable – something my wide feet are incredibly happy about – and the modern high vamp feels minimal and slightly unusual (in a good way). And the bag! An affordable alternative for Polene, the leather quality is phenomenal and I highly recommend signing up for the waitlist if it’s sold out.
I remember it was pretty hot the day I wore this, but wholly unsatisfied by the pairing of the tank with the jeans, I workshopped the look and ended up with this lightweight linen shirt as a “third” piece. Seeking out interest in the outfit and a reminder that you don’t need to scrap something because it feels “off”, just figure out what it’s missing (or what it needs tweaked!). PS. I don’t talk about the Everlane day gloves enough but I need to more as they are truly great.
Not in a million years did I think I’d be returning to cargo pants. A style I last wore aged 11. I firmly believe that you should “never say never”, as our eye is constantly adjusting, along with our taste. What sold it for me was the crispy nylon fabrication. I also sized down to get the perfect fit in the Stellas as previous pairs I’ve bought have always felt too big for me. Pairing it with a no-colour-colour tee felt like the perfect way to keep things feeling grounded and casual, but not literal.
Playing around with proportions here by keeping my long sleeved striped top worn loose. I especially like this one as it’s a deep burgundy stripe that works so well with chocolate browns. The straw bag adds in that natural spring-like touch, but feels slightly unexpected in the black raffia.
Something about a creamy, light coloured outfit always gets me. Especially when there is denim involved. As I’ve shifted away from the skinny jean, I’ve found myself happy to explore different silhouettes; the most recent of which is the barrel leg jean. This brings in a sculptural quality to an outfit. A very easy way to add in visual interest. You can see I’ve bookended the look slightly here with the brown belt and shoes; white shirt and jeans.
If I’m ever feeling stuck, or just want an outfit that feels refined without any of the effort, I’ll always start with a fluid drape full length trouser. Instant polish, and styling can determine the mood you take. This was a work day, so I wanted effortless but chic. Opted for a tonal look with the light brown striped knit, and the chocolate brown heels. Belting the trousers gave the outfit a slightly more refined feel by highlighting the waist and adding that extra bit of embellishment.
I love playing around with colour, but am typically quite reserved in wearing it on a day-to-day basis. This was one of those rare days where I felt emboldened, and wanted something that felt quite striking. I’d chosen to recently buy a cotton oversized red shirt for a few reasons… it had been sitting on my wishlist, it’s position likely influenced by the inclusion of red in The Row’s recent collection. But, I’ve always been a fan of red as a colour on me; it’s one of my happy colours, something I’ll gladly reach for so I could see this correlation between the two, perhaps just giving me the space to feel out the style for myself. Personally I’ll be wearing it dialled down with neutrals – here worn with tan Bermuda shorts. The forest green snake print bag is another recent purchase, and one that I admittedly thought wasn’t going to work out but am eating my words as it truly is gorgeous (excellent quality, nicely lined, just feel the strap is a little on the short side).
And ending with what I’m wearing today. The weather has been miserable, pouring down with rain, so all I could think was to reach for something that felt truly cosy, and pair that with some great jeans. One of those outfits that I didn’t overthink, and love for its simplicity (see notes from above). And of course it’s really the cardigan that is doing all the heavy lifting here, with the rich burnt caramel hue, and sculpted shape.
A little round up of mini reviews of all the makeup products I tried in September.
Kicking things off with Jones Road Beauty. Who, I’ve been wanting to try for a good twelve months plus. Mostly because Bobbi’s focus on balm-like products intrigued me (reviews online have been mixed), but being familiar with her namesake brand, and how often things are designed to serve a purpose, I figured there was more than meets the eye.
Firstly, I want to start by saying how much I love the Blush brush. Concise application right on the apple and contour of my cheek, right where I want it.
The blushers kind of blew me away. I gave up using powder products for the most part, because a huge part of how I like makeup to look and sit on my skin is for it to mesh, and be one with my complexion. Powders often have something of a mattifying effect. Sitting on top of, rather than blending into, the cheek. These are none of that. Powder that is lightweight yet pigmented, but still leaves a heavily moisturised, nourished face looking somewhat glossy. Giving that very natural flush. I tried two powders; the best blush in ‘sandy’ and the bronzer in ‘dusty rose’. Despite the naming conventions, I used both in the same way. Liberally applied across the cheeks and nose to add a bit of colour to my face. You’ll be able to see the shade variation between the two from the swatches on my olive complexion. I love both for a natural flush. There’s not discoverable difference between the formula (just the pan size, from what I can tell). You get a little bit of kick up if you are vigorous in swirling your brush in the pan, but the formula doesn’t feel too powdery or chalky. All in all, a love.
I also tried the Lippie Stick, which is essentially a tinted lip balm. The formulation is unusual; quick thick, beeswaxy, ever so slightly stiff. Lips need to be smooth and not flakey on application as otherwise the pigment gets caught in patches on the lips. Very comfortable to wear, and a good alternative to lipstick on a no-makeup “makeup” day when you need that polish, but want to reach for products that feel truly effortless.
Queen Musia is a fairly new to me makeup brand, so when I got asked if I’d like to try a few products, it got me curious. Mostly because the lipstick shade line up had me intrigued as to whether there was one which would rival my love of MERIT Beauty’s ‘Tiger’.
But let’s start by reviewing the 2053 Mascara, which in addition to promising astronomical length and volume, also offers growth properties (which I suspect is down to the addition of castor oil in the formulation). I actually quite like this, but, I do find that the rather wet formula and very bushy brush mean that I have a hard time getting a clean application. I’m almost always tidying up after the fact; mascara dotted all over the upper portion of my eyelid. It’s quite a wet formula, so it means you do need to wait a second before going in with a second coat. The formula leaves lashes looking fluffy, and reasonably natural. Plus there’s no smudging or flaking, even after 8+ hours of wear. Something which makes me happy to overlook the slightly messy application.
The smash hit, is their Matte Creme Lipstick, which based on my research is Queen Musia’s cult product. And I get the hype. The shade ‘Ada’ is listed on their home page as the perfect autumnal shade, and I have to say… the second I applied it I could see the vision. It immediately made me think of the role that my beloved ‘Tiger’ from MERIT plays in my beauty repertoire. I’ve done a side-by-side swatch on my arm as ‘Ada’ on the lips reads like a peachy brown. Something with a bit of grit. Less obvious than your typical coral. So I was surprised to see that it pulls more pink in the swatch than anticipated. Outside of the actual colour swatch, I was delighted by the formula. It’s a matte, but has a creamy finish; my lips didn’t feel like the Sahara desert. Instead, pigmented colour washed over them, which was creamy, comfortable, and had a lingering presence for hours. Firmly placed in my regular rotation of lipsticks.
Laura Mercier is a long standing favourite beauty brand of mine. Every spring I rediscover their Tinted Moisturiser, which truly deserves more hype than it gets (a reminder that we seem to put new and noteworthy on a pedestal). I received a handful of products from their Caviar Collection which has been relaunched with new formulations, colours, and packaging.
Starting with the Caviar Stick Eyeshadow, which has been reformulated. I haven’t put this to the test, but I have heard that once this sets, it doesn’t budge (something that appears massively as someone with oily eyelids). I received ‘Rosegold’, which I actually have the original version of, so naturally, had to compare. The main difference I can tell between the two, is that the reformulation seems to have more visible glitter particles, as well as delivering more of a metallic sheen. Easy to apply; I’ll always start with a eyeshadow base for longevity, draw this all over the mobile lid and the blend with the finger. These are a tried and true staple of Laura Mercier for good reason – something I will always come back to.
I can be a little fussy with mascaras, but have enjoyed the new Caviar Extravagant Mascara which lengthens above all else and also holds a decent curl. Not one that blew me away, but then, I’ve set the bar high. This is a pretty solid option if you’re looking for a higher end mascara that will give you fluffy lengthened lashes.
Final Laura Mercier product that was a “new in” is their Caviar Smoothing Matte Refillable Lipstick. I should preface this by saying that I’m never seeking out a truly matte lipstick finish. My lips are dry enough as is (worsened by eczema and dermatitis), so I’m always on the search for lippies that have an inherently nourishing quality. I found that sadly, this was just a little too mattifying for my lips. I have the shade ‘Blush Chenille’; your typical cool toned rose pink. Colour payoff was great, and I love the luxe packaging but I think a shade like Peach Cashmere or Brown Suede might have been more up my alley. There is a slightly scent to these, it reminds me a little of vanilla on the nose, though I didn’t find it overly offensive.
Any notable beauty releases that you’ve tried this month?
I have these memories of being 15, sitting on the school bus with my girlfriends and buffing and polishing our nails to p-e-r-f-e-c-t-i-o-n. At school, nail polish was not allowed, so as blossoming young women (trying to express ourselves), this was the next best thing.
That was more than ten years ago and boy does it show – ridges have popped up with a vengeance and that all too satisfying shine is just well… a far-flung memory. So, when I had the opportunity to try Scholl’s new Velvet Smooth Electronic Nail Care System*, I jumped at the chance. Who doesn’t want to feel 15 again?
Basically, the idea is that it takes all the legwork out of filing, buffing, and shining your nails – which to someone like me who is often too lazy to removed her chipped nail polish, couldn’t have sounded better. The nail tool comes with three heads, which are all numbered for convenience; 1 for filing, 2 for buffing, and 3 for polishing. And if you’re really wanting to give your nails a treat, there’s a nourishing oil you can use as a fourth step to soften your cuticles (and get rid of hang nails I’d assume!). The way this works is that once turned on, the nail head will move (very quickly) in a back and forward motion – so all you need to do is move this around your nail as desired.
Truthfully, I’ve got to say I have mixed feelings about this. The vibrating motion when filing your nails can become quite uncomfortable, although the process can be quite quick, and I’ve found that it’s been more suitable to fixing up any small snags that I’ve gotten on my nails from time to time.
But really, it’s the second step I have the most reservations about. Perhaps the ridges on my nails are too heavily pronounced, but even after buffing one nail for five minutes, I found that the ridges had not been evened out (just mildly buffed down). It might be better for someone who doesn’t have the same ridge problem I appear to have, as it’s such an easy step. Step three is by far my favorite. The satisfaction you get from looking down at a set of shiny looking nails makes it all worth it. My nails looked healthier than they have in years, and it doesn’t take long to build up a decent amount of shine. The final step, the nail care oil, really does make the whole process seem so luxurious – to the point that I’ve been tempted to ask Luke to massage the oil into my cuticles so it feels like a salon treatment!
It’s definitely a pretty penny to drop on a nail tool so it’s not one for those on a budget! However, one thing I do love about the glossy result is that my nail polish applies a lot more smoothly and appears much more even now than before I started using the tool.
As for any final thoughts… Like with anything, there’s definitely some pros and cons, and ultimately it’s up to what you’re looking for in a nail tool that will determine whether this is right for you. I’m convinced that had my ridges not been so prominent, I would have enjoyed using this more, but for now, I’m still firmly seated on the fence. The one thing that does have me hooked? The ultra glossy shine; there’s nothing like a good throwback to your teens!
I recently spent months coveting a pair of shoes, only to finally bite the bullet and find that they were too narrow for me. The shoes were expensive, so naturally I had been keeping an eagle eye out for a flash sale or discount (I use Carted to track price drops BTW – game changing!). Being from Khaite, the brand is largely inaccessible here in Australia, so often you’re relying on reviews and imagery you’ve found online to fill in the whole picture.
Trying these beautiful Khaite sandals on in my home, I immediately found myself coming up with justifications to keep them. To ignore their narrowness in spite of reason.
But the reality is, that if I had hung on to them, the sheer discomfort from the sides of my foot hanging over the edge would be enough for me to never reach for them. I’d be conscious of this mere fact, too. One of those nuanced details that can be difficult to judge online from a product photograph or a model shot.
This is the kind of thing I would have done in my twenties. Come up with excuses for the “item”, rather than accepting that it’s not me that’s the problem. While it fits all my other criteria, there are certain non-negotiable that just aren’t worth budging on.
For example, my rule to never buy synthetic blend knitwear from Sezane. I’ve learnt my lesson in the past – it’s never washed well for me (wool wash setting, even handwashing) and there’s always this synthetic feel to the touch of the fabric that I can’t look past. Instead, I’ll only buy a sweater from the brand if it’s 100% natural fibres. I’ve made exceptions in the past and it’s been an immediate return as I can sense from the get go that it doesn’t meet my personal requirements and standard for what I want to add into my closet (a solid reminder that what I’m after, and what you’re after might be very different!).
Going back to the sandals… On paper, they were everything I’d been looking for. A chic minimalist design, rather dainty little straps, walkable low sturdy heel, in an easy-going slip on style. The quality is exceptional – everything I would expect from a luxury shoe. But what I hadn’t anticipated was just how narrowly cut they would be. The overhang on both sides was considerable (enough that even my husband immediately noticed); a common problem I run into when trying to buy “dainty” sandals as someone with wide feet.
Despite entertaining keeping these for a couple of minutes, it was an easy “no” for me. The price point made these a high risk piece – they had to fall into the Goldilocks category of just right for me to seriously consider adding them to my closet.
One thing this highlights is just how important the actual “try-on” is. Discovering what does and equally does not work for you is largely trial and error. It’s why your perception of quality changes as you get older and have had access to a larger variety of brands over the years. How you feel out your personal style; the ways you like to wear items, colours you gravitate to (and ones you avoid), the silhouettes you choose.
Sometimes, the trial and error part is not on you and your preferences, but on the way an item is cut – one of those little details that can be tricky to judge on first glance. One thing this has reminded me is how useful it can be to check out the item – or a similar piece if it’s not readily available – ahead of time, so you can rule it out earlier rather than later.
When you settle on something that is so-so, you’re adding an item into the mix that isn’t going to make you feel your best. And when you add in too many of these things to your wardrobe, you can start to feel unhappy in your outfits because the expectation doesn’t meet reality, or feel like if you just buy “one more thing” it’ll solve the problems you’re having with putting together outfits.
Be fussy with what you add into your closet, and it’ll pay you dividends in feeling good in what you wear.
You can only imagine the squeal I made when I found out one of my most beloved beauty brands of the last two years is now shipping to Australia. That’s right, it’s official, as of today, you can shop MERIT Beauty if you’re living down under.
So I thought it would be fun to revisit some of my most loved products, and share mini reviews of an (almost) full face of MERIT Beauty.
MERIT Great Skin Instant Glow Serum
Great Skin is a bi-phase serum which was designed to complement The Minimalist; and, it makes sense as it can be a rather finicky base. Of course, you can pair it with other foundation products. I will say that I prefer the way a traditional primer (like this one from Laura Mercier) feels on my skin, as this leaves an oil-slick like quality to my complexion. Fine when paired with a base that is slightly matte or has a thicker, dry consistency, but with other hydrating illuminating products it can feel a step too far in pursuit of glass skin.
I actually think that this is quite nice as an evening time serum for the girls who don’t typically incorporate an oil into their routine (like me) as it’s non-comedogenic and I’ve not found it to break me out. It’s loaded with four types of hyaluronic acid (music to my ears!), and has other healthy happy skin ingredients like niacinamide and cacao seed extract.
MERIT The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick (shade Bisque)
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with The Minimalist from MERIT. Love this in the summer, when my skin is producing a bit more oil, and has that natural glow. But in the wintertime, the formulation feels a little too thick and seems to highlight each and every pore, with a noticeable “makeup” look. For context, I like my base to be virtually indistinguishable from my actual skin. A tall order, I know, and often one that comes with lower coverage to compensate. So, it could be that my makeup preferences will always mean this is never my ultimate complexion product. That said, I’m still looking forward to adding it back into my regular rotation in the months to come. If you take a look at the full face photos below, you can see that it does a pretty decent job of covering up scarring, minimising redness though still allowing those imperfections of my natural skin to peek through. As someone with olive skin, I do have a hard time finding a perfect match. So while Bisque isn’t an exact like-for-like, it’s a pretty decent match, at least in terms of overall depth of colour.
MERIT Solo Shadow (shade Studio)
I was so excited to get my hands on the Solo Shadows, after hearing all about their budge proof formula. And they delivered. 10 out of 10, no notes needed. It’s a cream-to-powder finish, and you can readily build up the pigmentation on the eye. Personally I’d recommend going one at a time, using a brush to quickly blend out the edges for a soft blurred finish, as the drydown is pretty quick. All of MERIT’s products are formulated with nourishing ingredients that support the skin; the eyeshadows include extracts of chamomile and calendula, magnolia bark, sunflower seed oil and peptides.
MERIT Clean Lash Mascara
When I really love something. And I mean really love something. I won’t mess around. I’m quick to spring the additional cost of mail forwarding to get my hands on it. And blissfully unaware that MERIT was launching in Australia imminently, I placed an order for a top of the my favourite Clean Lash Mascara at the end of July. One of those products in my beauty routine that I don’t really want to be without. I will admit that I’m not big on tubing mascara, but this one has me in a chokehold. Incredibly easy to remove just with warm water and a gentle cream cleanser. What I like most about this, is the way it makes my lashes look. Enhanced, fluttery, slightly fuller, and slightly longer. Nothing extreme or dramatic, but very wearable for every day. Also doesn’t smudge (a non-negotiable for me and my oily eyelids!).
MERIT Flush Balm Cheek Color (shade Terracotta)
This is my second Flush Balm (the original came in the muted grey packaging similar to The Minimalist), so if it’s not immediately obvious, this one is a big thumbs up from me. It gives the most beautiful glow to the cheeks; a naturally flushed appearance that you can build up if you’d like something higher impact, or keep it more subtle for a healthy dose of colour to the face. I’ve tried a few colours and Terracotta is just my favourite. A brown-peach hue which makes me look sun kissed.
Final favourite is the Signature Lip, and specifically in the shade Tiger. What MERIT have really nailed for me with this product is the shade range, which feels broader and more interesting than a lot of other beauty brands. Tiger is an orange/brown brick red; it feels quite autumnal in some ways, but also as I have darker features, is a good complement for me. And coincidentally, it reminds me a bit of the lip colour my mum used to wear – which perhaps might be why I’m so drawn to it. If you’re looking for a lipstick that you can apply once and be done with it, this isn’t for you. Even the website alludes to the fact that this doesn’t have the heaviness of a traditional lipstick. If anything, I’d call it a hybrid between a lip balm and a lipstick. As the pigmentation, buildable component and overall delivery reminds me of every lippie I own, but the formulation, the way it glides on the lips, and wears off after a few hours reminds me of a balm. It feels foolproof though, and again the beauty of this product (like all MERIT products), is that you can build the colour up as desired.
