I hope the school holidays were enjoyable for you all, and those of you that have kids, (and were able to spend time with them), enjoyed the break from the school routine. I enjoyed family and friends staying, walks on the beach and day trips with the kids. It was also a chance to give the kids chill-out time and just play, even though this usually eventuated in all out war between the two of them towards the end! 

I also managed to squeeze in a day at the shops checking out the sales, (without children), and a couple of quick shop visits with the kids, (which involved bargaining with them in order to placate their cries of, "I'm bored!")

When shopping the sales don't be lulled by the cheaper prices, and end up buying items that you wouldn't normally consider, because you know they will still be in your wardrobe with the label on next year. ​I find the end of season sales can be a great way to purchase investment pieces, or something that you have had your eye on but didn't want to pay the full price.

Consider the sales the time to buy investment pieces; 
A Leather Jacket
A Dress
Chunky Jumper
Coatigan/Cardigan
Blouse
As well as Shoes and Accessories; Knee High Boots, Flats or Jewellery and Bags. Check out my Shoes and Accessories pages for these sale picks. 

All the items I have chosen below I consider to be wardrobe staples, items that will stand the test of time and not become outdated. I have styled them into outfits to give you an idea of how to incorporate pieces into your wardrobe.

Decjuba Angela Felt Assym Skirt AU$50.00, Country Road Rib Button Knit $109.00, Pinch & Fold Shooting Star Droplets $29.00, Witchery Kris Sling Bag $109.90, ​Merchant Lynch Long Boot $279.90.

Country Road Wide Rib Waterfall Cardigan $79.90, Witchery Raw Coated Jean $89.90, Decjuba Mary High Neck Blouse AU$50.00, Merchant Bryson Ankle Boot $219.90, ​Storm 3's A Charm Bracelet set $19.00.

Forever New Sydney Stripe Cardi Coat AU$84.95, Country Road Paisley Print Dress $111.75, Merchant 1948 Ethan Long Boot $249.90, Witchery Mobo Wide Fedora $44.90, Country Road Orbit earring $15.00.

Esprit Short Leather Jacket AU$299.95, MAX Curved Hem Stripe Tee $39.99, Decjuba Doris PU Pleated skirt AU$50.00, Country Road Tiered Fringed Tote $54.90, ​Witchery Elliot Flat $99.90.

Witchery Sleeveless Vest $109.90, Witchery Linear Pendant $21.90, Esprit Pants Denim Length Service AU$49.95, Cotton On Brooklyn Shirt $20.00, Merchant Bosal Ankle boot $209.90, Witchery Link Tassel Bracelet $29.90.

I hit the shops this week in search of off-the-shoulder styles. This look seems to be very popular as it has been styled into Tops, Knitwear and Dresses for Winter. 

Personally, its not a look I could wear every-day, as I hate feeling cold and I couldn't imagine wearing anything in the middle of Winter that reveals a hint of skin! (Although, a slouchy off-the-shoulder knit could be the warmer option for me.) But a girlfriend, who recently stayed with me, looked stunning dressed for a party in the black Country Road top. It is definitely a look for a night on the town!

Here are my favourites from the shops as well as a couple of ways I'd like to style them.

Tops / Blouses
Forever New Uma Off Shoulder Bell Top AU$89.99, Country Road Off the Shoulder T-shirt $89.90, Decjuba Nelly Off The Shoulder AU$69.95, Dotti Sadie Stripe Shoulder Top AU$49.99.

More tops..
Witchery Cross Shoulder Top $89.90, Glassons Off Shoulder Long sleeve Top $24.99, Seed Heritage Off Shoulder Flare Top $69.90, Country Road Off Shoulder Bell Sleeve Top $159.00.

Knitwear
Witchery Fringe Shoulder Knit $179.90, Witchery Pheobe Fold Over Wool Top $139.90, Country Road Off Shoulder Knit $169.00.

Dresses
Forever New Sonia Smock Shoulder Dress AU$99.99, RUBY Bunny Velvet Dress $229.00, Seed Heritage Off Shoulder Crepe Blue Dress $159.90.

I love the idea of a slouchy, wool off-the-shoulder knit.  Teamed with a faux-leather choker and knee-high suede boots and you'll be looking hot to trot! (I love these suede boots from Merchant 1948, and they are currently on sale!)
​Country Road Off Shoulder Knit $169.00, Glassons Super Skinny Jean Mid Wash $39.99, Merchant 1948 Ethan Long Boot $249.90, Glassons Leather Look Wrap Choker $9.99​, Witchery Lea Tote $109.90.

For a night out, team an off-the-shoulder look with slim line trousers to balance the floaty sleeves. If trying to find the right necklace is too hard, leave your neckline bare and opt for some earrings.
​Forever New Uma Off Shoulder Bell Top AU$89.99, Decjuba Nelly Skinny Biker Jean AU$119.95, Decjuba Beatrice Jem Earring $29.95, Mi Paici Charlotte handbag $100.00, Mi Piaci Silas Ankle boot (on sale) $230.00.

While writing this week I have spent most time sitting, listening to the constant downpour of rain outside. It is grey and wet, and winter is finally here. If you find it hard work to get outside and stay fit in winter, then I may have a few pieces that might inspire you to get moving.

I am on the lookout for a new hoodie and full length leggings to keep me warm. I tend to pick bright coloured workout gear, as I find this lifts my mood, and encourages me to want to put my workout clothes on, which in turn means once I have it on I have to do something!! 

I have been checking out new pieces from some of my favourite stores and online. If your looking for colour then check out the Adidas collaborations with Rita Ora, Stella McCartney or Pharrall Williams, the designs and colours are wonderful.

Also check out my Shoes page for some sneaker ideas, and my Fashion News page for more Celebrity / Active-wear collaborations.
​
​Hoodies, Sweatshirts.
​Adidas.co.nz Gym Hoodie $100.00, Cotton On AthFash Hanky Hem Hoodie $19.95, Adidas.co.nz Zip Hoodie $120.00.
Lulu Lemon Scuba Hoodie Fleece $145.00, ASOS Adidas Pharrell Williams Trefoil Crew Daisy Print $186.20, Lulu Lemon Define Jacket $145.00.

Tanks, Tees, Tops.
Cotton On Ath Fash Twisted Muscle $19.95, Adidas.co.nz Womens Soccer Tank Top $70.00, Lulu Lemon About that Base Long Sleeve Top $109.00.
The Iconic Nike Printed Muscle Tank AU$40.00, Rebel Sport Running Bare Womens Easy Rider Muscle Tank $54.99,  Stirling Sport Lorna Jane Animal Excel Tank $80.00.
Stirling sport Adidas Lightweight Tank Pink $35.00, The Iconic Easy Rider Crew-Neck Muscle Tank AU$45.47, Stirling Sport Nike Pro Inside Loose Tank Purple $80.00.

Leggings.
​Adidas.co.nz Floral Engraving Leggings $55.00, Rebel Sport Puma Womens Night Cat Tight $76.49, Cotton On On the Run Legging $24.95.
Rebel Sport Running Bare Womens High Rise Gemma Runway Pant $119.99, ASOS Adidas Orignals Rita Ora 3 stripe Legging $74.48, Lulu Lemon High Times Pant $135.00.