With Christmas just nine days away it's not too late to write your Santa List! Or, you could just forward this wish list of gorgeous goodies onto your partner/husband/parents/kids for ideas? I have put together a list of items that would definitely bring a smile to my face on Christmas Day. But in all honesty the biggest smile on my face will come from seeing the kids unwrap their presents and being together as a family. 

Merry Christmas to you all xx

A Christmas day dress, something with a beautiful print but that is relaxed enough to hide my Christmas lunch tummy!
Country Road Curved Hem Maxi $229.00
French Connection Off the Shoulder Printed Dress $199.90
Witchery Ruffle Ditsy Print Dress $149.90

Nothing says holidays more than a straw hat. Think boater, panama or floppy, all styles are in and will help you to keep cool, look cool and protect your face.
Seed Heritage Patterned Panama $59.90
Glassons Straw Fedora $19.99
​Decjuba Out of Office Wide Brim Hat AU$49.95

A statement necklace can jazz up a plain t-shirt, add the final touches to your off-the-shoulder outfit, or simply save as something glam tucked away for a special occasion. 
Florence Broadhurst Aubrey Statement Pendant AU$99.95
Redcurrant Pink Embellished Boho Necklace $55.00
​Witchery Picasso Necklace $89.90

A new bikini or one piece is always a bit of a daunting task to get right, to find something you feel comfortable in. I am searching for a new swimsuit and each of these styles I love for a different reason, the pattern, the support and the detail. 
The Iconic Seafolly Active Deep V Mailot AU$149.95
Tigerlilly Heera Onepiece $190.00
​Witchery Castaway Onepiece $169.90

Summer sandals, I love a good ankle strap! Team them with dresses, skirts, shorts, or in the evening as an alternative to heels.
Country Road Ella Sandal $149.00
Mi Piaci Halliwell Dress Sandal $240.00
​Trenery Larissa Dark Navy Sandal $149.00

A new leather handbag is on my wish list. Unfortunately real leather isn't cheap but it will last forever and in these colours and styles will stay eternally on trend.
Country Road Sandra Slouchy Hobo $349.00
Moochi Segment Bag $389.99
​SABEN Baby Frankie Khaki $389.00

A crisp white summer t-shirt is an essential. But don't just opt for a plain tee, think of a logo or some other detail to take it from plain white to interesting.
French Connection Flutter Sleeve Sequin Tee $69.90
Ruby Cancer T Shirt $109.00
​Witchery Lace Panel Tee $64.90

As promised, I have scoured the latest magazines, on line shopping and hit the shops to compile some gorgeous goodies that I hope will give you some inspiration to add to that Santa list, and look gorgeous for the summer holidays ahead!

Also check out my Shoes post for the summer sandal of the moment - the slide.

Summer at the beach - first of all choose a high waisted bikini to cover your Christmas indulgences, then throw on a Kaftan and some denim shorts OR an easy summer dress, some silver slides, a hat and a colourful beach tote.
Bikini - Witchery Los Angeles Top $89.90 and  Toco Bottom $79.90.
Outfit 1 - Bendon Heidi Klum Tamarin Sands Sort Cover Up $109.00, Just Jeans Billie Relaxed Bermuda Short AU$59.95.
Outfit 2 - NextDirect.com Spliced Print Short Beach Dress $40.00.
Accessories - Country Road Allegra Slide $109.00, Seed Heritage Tri Colour Hat $59.90, The Warehouse Beach Works Rope Handle Tote $20.00.

BBQ with friends - structured linen shorts paired with an off the shoulder blouse OR a Navy wrap dress with a gold belt, team both with gold slides a woven tote and statement earrings.
Outfit 1 - French Connection off the Shoulder Printed Shirt $99.90, Country Road Tailored Linen Short $139.00.
Outfit 2 - Witchery Wrap Maxi Dress $109.90, Portmans Metal Tile Waist Belt AU$29.95.
Accessories - Witchery Savannah Red Earrings  $44.90, Seed Heritage Kiki Tote $59.90, Country Road Chain Hoop $44.90, The Iconic Soul Sana Myrtle Sandals AU$199.95.

Sales shopping - when you hit the summer sales you want comfortable clothes that are easy to get on and off. How about a boho blouse teamed with loose fitting jeans OR an easy pull on maxi dress. Pair both looks with simple jewellery, funky slides and an easy sling bag.
Outfit 1 - Seed Heritage Oversized Pom Pom Top $119.90, Max Helena Ripped Knee Jean $99.99.
Outfit 2 - French Connection Stripe Jersey Maxi Dress $119.90.
Accessories - Seed Heritage Mixed Stretch Tassel Bracelet $22.90, Witchery Lido Organic Stud $21.90, Country Road Charlize Pocket Sling $229.00.

Finally the temperatures are beginning to rise, and with summer hopefully approaching now, nothing screams summer like a maxi skirt. Unless you’re slim and tall, wearing a full-length piece like this can be difficult but, thanks to the rise in popularity of street style sites and fashion bloggers, (like me!), you now have access to hundreds of ideas as to how to wear them.

​I have selected a few different ways to wear the maxi from Pinterest, to show you that they can be worn by different shapes and styled in numerous ways. 

You will see from all of these shots that the tops are cropped or tucked in or worn with a belt. Don't be afraid to show off your waist/middle, by doing this you are giving yourself a flattering shape, as opposed to letting tops hang loosely down, which adds volume .

I have picked a variety of maxi skirts for you to enjoy and there should be a style for everyone here.

TROPICAL & FLORAL
The Iconic Cooper St Curvy Jourdan Maxi Skirt AU$139.95, Country Road Tropical Print Maxi $199.00, Seed Heritage Floral Maxi $169.90, ​Witchery Soft Pleat Skirt $139.90.

PRINTED
ASOS Scuba Prom Midaxi Skirt in Spot Print $82.06, The Iconic Tigerlilly Dharma Maxi Skirt AU$180.00, Trelise Cooper  The Co-Op Gather Round Skirt $199.00, ​Cotton On Woven Raya Wrap Skirt $39.99.

& THE OTHERS
Country Road Wrap Skirt $199.00, Seed Heritage Maxi Skirt $139.90, Country Road Mini Stripe Maxi $229.00, Esprit Summery Maxi Skirt with lace details AU$99.95, ​Forever New Tina Ruffle Tiered Maxi Skirt AU$99.99.

This spring/summer is all about the culotte or wide leg trouser. I feature both as culottes, which are a shorter trouser, can be hard to pull off.  If you are on the shorter side I have some tips so that everyone can at least try a pair on and see for yourself;

1. Firstly, try a pair on. Clothes look so different on you than on the hanger, and different good, not bad! 
2. If you think this look is too long for you try the petite section. Forever New have started a petite range and they have some gorgeous printed wide leg trousers. Check out my Look of the Week. Also ASOS, EZIBUY and The Iconic all offer petite ranges.
3. Taller ladies can pull off a mid-calf length, and full length trouser, but a safer bet for petites is just below the knee. 
4. Heels will help to elongate your leg and block heel mules especially are all the rage right now. 
5. If you do wear flats, make them slim and pointed to elongate legs.  Or make sure the trouser is to the floor if you wear sandals.
6. And finally, balance the volume of the bottoms with a defined waist. The Paperbag belted styles naturally nip you in at the waist. Otherwise choose a cropped top or fine-knit jumper, or tuck in a sleek blouse or tee. 

There are loads of different styles in the shops right now and I have broken them down into printed, black and neutral.
​
PRINTED
Ezibuy Emerge Wide Leg Pant $59.99
Country Road Wide Leg Print $159.00
Trelise Cooper The CoOp Thanks Culotte Pant $199.00
Seed Heritage Printed Drape Pant $159.90
​Portmans High Waist Tie Palazzo Pant AU$77.41

This week I have picked new pieces from the stores that can add to your existing wardrobes but bring them up to speed with the emerging summer trends. These are all pieces that can be mixed and matched with your existing jeans, basic tees or casual summer trousers/skirts. As well as a couple of dressier pieces for a night out enjoying summer cocktails?!

I have created a scrolling montage of photos, with descriptions and prices on each item. Click on the arrows at the top or the thumbnails below to bring up the photo you want to see. You can also click through directly to the stores website to purchase. Enjoy!

Last weekend I attended a Navy function at the Langham with my husband. (If you check out my Look of the Week you will see what I wore.) My dress was purchased overseas, but 'dressing up' got me thinking about Christmas Functions, BBQ's with friends and drinks with the girls, all of which require a new dress. So I hit the shops and scoped out a few different types of dresses for different occasions from some of my favourite stores and labels.

​COUNTRY ROAD
Gingham Wrap Dress $199.00 - this is a cute wrap dress that can be worn with sneakers or heels.
Mini Stripe Max $349.00 - on-trend one shoulder dress, team with nude heels and bold earrings and you're ready for a night out.
One Shoulder Bodycon Dress $199.00 - every woman should own a little black dress. This style would suit a multitude of body-shapes.

GORMAN
Best Buds Silk Dress AU$329.00 - afternoon Tea with the girls.
Elephant Tea Tie Dress AU$169.00 - a stylish but casual look for work.
Garden Sweater Dress AU$189.00 - hit the school run with a bold sweater dress.

RUBY / LIAM 
Liam Vicarious Gown $389.00 - a silky navy dress that will create curves in all the right places.
Ruby Belladonna Gown $399.00 - a beautiful alternative for a formal dress code.
Ruby Reverie Gown $399.00 - a strappy little black dress, in a classic style.

SEED HERITAGE
Frill Detail Maxi $269.90 - a beautiful, striking dress to take you from day to night.
Off Shoulder Frill Dress $239.90 - a racy take on the little black dress, short and off-the-shoulder.
Striped Frill Sleeve Dress $99.90 - a classic striped dress with frill detail, wear with sneakers for on the go.

WITCHERY
Scallop Detail Dress $229.90 - lace and red for a stand out cocktail dress.
Milano Maxi $159.90 - a black maxi that will work with sandals or heels and gold accessories.
​Structured Off-the-shoulder Ruffle Dress $199.90 - a cute pink off-the-shoulder dress, team with nude heels.

TRELISE COOPER
Cooper More Rose Please Dress $599.00 - a fun maxi for bbq parties.
Holy Chic Special Pleat Sweat Dress $145.00 - a cute sweat dress for lazy sunny days.
The CoOp Slip into the Night Dress$199.00 - an on-trend satin slip, team with sandals for drinks with the girls.

Another spring trend hitting the shops right now is ruffles. It started with a little flutter on the sleeves and then peplum details on skirts and now a ruffle is emerging everywhere. They have even been spied on the spring/summer 2018 catwalks so get ahead of the trend!

​I have picked my favourites from the shops and styled two outfits using the ruffle look.

WITCHERY
Printed Ruffle Sleeve Blouse $139.90, Ruffle Detail Dress $169.90, Ruffle Detail Top $149.90, Soft Ruffle Print Dress $179.90.

PORTMANS
Dahlia Drop Shoulder Ruffle Top AU$69.95, Dahlia Ruffle Sleeve Shift AU$99.95, Ruby Work Top AU$59.95

DECJUBA
Bridget Ruffle Sleeve Top AU$69.95, Daria Mini Spot Wrap Dress AU$129.95, Gracie Ruffle Cut Out Shoulder $99.95.

COTTON ON
Bronte Ruffle Short Sleeve Top $24.99, Melody Ruffle Pullover $15.00, Reggie One Shoulder Ruffle $34.99

SEED HERITAGE
Asymmetrical Frill Dress $239.90, Trim Frill Top $139.90, Tiered Frill Dress $199.90, Frilly Shoulder Tank $69.90.

STORM
Ruffle Me Stripe Top $189.00, All Ruffled Knit Sleeve Dress $229.00, Under my Wings Ruffle Sweater $169.00.

LOOK 1 - out & about, add some colour to your ruffles.
Storm Ruffle Me Stripe Top $189.00, Seed Heritage Panel Detail Jean $119.90, Redcurrant Aqua & Pink Animal Print Scarf $35.00, Mi Piaci Wintour Dress Flat $240.00, Redcurrant Black City Maxi Bag $98.50
Country Road Natasha Earring $64.90.

LOOK 2 - rough up a pretty look with distressed denim.
Witchery Soft Ruffle Print Dress $179.90, Jeans West Kali Distressed Denim Jacket AU$109.00, Country Road Sterling Silver Disc Earring $54.90, Seed Heritage Elle Frill Tote $109.90, Merchant 1948 Ritter Mesh Sneaker $139.90.

If you're looking for something fresh for your spring wardrobe then why not look for checks! Gingham was big news on the spring catwalks and has appeared in the shops on tops, dresses, shoes and accessories. Whether it's black and white or brightly coloured or embroidered, there are a few different ways to style it. Check out my looks I've put together to give you some ideas.

​TOPS
Cotton On Hayley Cold Shoulder Top $20.00, Nextdirect.com Warehouse Navy Delia Gingham Top $62.00
Forever New Catalina Tie Front Long Sleeve Top AU$59.99, The Iconic Miss Selfridge Gingham Embroidered Shirt AU$59.99, ​Marksandspencers.com Cotton Gingham Sleeveless Shell Top $36.00.

DRESSES
​ASOS Gingham One Shoulder Dress with Cutouts $79.06, Forever New Laurina Gingham Wrap Dress AU$99.99, French Connection Off The Shoulder Gingham Dress $159.90, ​Portmans Gingham Wrap Dress AU$99.95.

AND THE REST
ASOS New Look Gingham Lace Up Flat Sandal $39.51, French Connection Gingham Cap $39.90
Cotton On Jodi Low Rise Sneaker $29.95, Marksandspencers.com Gingham Ruffle Pencil Midi Skirt $65.00
Cotton On Veronica One Piece $49.95.

LOOK 1
​Marksandspencers.com Gingham Ruffle Pencil Midi Skirt $65.00, Witchery Pleat Ruffle Tee $79.90
Witchery Zip Denim Jacket $179.90, SABEN Baby Frankie Grey $389.00, Country Road Annette Flat $109.00, Country Road Megan Earring $44.90.

LOOK 2
​Forever New Catalina Tie Front Long Sleeve Top AU$59.99, Country Road Wrap Maxi Skirt $199.00, Witchery Chain Statement Earring $44.90, Trenery Cotton Sling Sylvie Bag $74.92, Merchant 1948 Cairo Dress Sandal $199.90.

As I write this I am excited to think that next week heralds the first day of Spring! With that in mind I have been scanning the shops, online stores, fashion influencers and catwalks, to get to grips with the new Spring trends. 

There are lots of spring looks coming into the shops right now and I love the new colours and textiles that are beginning to pop up. Of all the trends that seem to be emerging, I have picked four that will update your wardrobe for Spring and carry over into Summer. I will feature one trend a week over the next few weeks, and style them into a couple of looks with other pieces that I think you should be considering for Spring.

My four major trends are;

1. Sleeves - think detail on the sleeve, embroidery, lace, ruched, flared, bell - the sleeve is big news!
2. Gingham - this print is being used in different colours and for clothing, shoes and accessories.
3. Ruffle details - ruffles add a feminine edge and can be found on tops, bottoms and dresses this Spring.
4. Off the shoulder looks - this look has not really gone away since last year but this Spring there are new cuts to dresses and tops that allow you to bare a bit of shoulder.

As the weather heats up I'll bring you tips on packing away your winter wardrobe, yay! As well as how to shop for the right pieces to add to your wardrobe and bring it up to date.

SLEEVES
This Spring/Summer it is all about the sleeve. The catwalks highlighted sleeves with ties, bell sleeves, ruched, cut-out, pleated, frilled and flared! This then trickles down to the high-street and to what you now see in store. 

TOPS
If you have a billowing sleeve pair it with a slim trouser or tuck it into a skirt so that you are still creating an illusion of a waist. Which will make the sleeve look bigger and your waist smaller.
Top Row - Country Road Pleated Sleeve Top $199.00, Forever New Adelle Embroidered Flare Sleeve Top AU$79.99, Witchery Balloon Sleeve Top $109.90.
Bottom Row - Seed Heritage Tie Sleeve Tee $59.90, Portmans Willow Wrap Top AU$79.95, Storm Textured Shirred Cuff Blouse $189.00

JACKETS & JUMPERS
​Even Jackets and Jumpers get a nod towards sleeve details. Jumpers are beginning to fade out but you will still find lightweight knits in the shops with sleeve details. 
Top Row - Decjuba Selina Bell Sleeve Denim Jacket AU$139.95, French Connection Billowing Bell Sleeve Knit $159.90
Marks & Spencers.com Textured Round Neck Flute sleeve Sweatshirt $45.00
Bottom Row - Trelise Cooper The CoOp Jumper Wraps Top $149.00, Marks & Spencer.com Colour Block Flared Sleeve Jumper $53.00, Seed Heritage Denim Peplum Jacket $169.90

DRESSES
A detailed sleeve adds a feminine edge to tunic dresses and you'll see lots of billowing sleeves on spring maxi dresses over the next few months.
​Cotton On Woven Casey Bell Sleeve Shift $44.90, Trelise Cooper The CoOp Fit The Frill Dress $249.00, Kate Sylvester Marley Dress $299.00, Portmans Chasing Vines Midi Dress AU$129.95.

LOOK 1
Team a satin flared sleeve top with frayed hem jeans, (denim is all roughed up and undone for Spring), and some peep toe booties.
Country Road Pleated Sleeve Top $199.00, Witchery Indigo Raw Hem Jean $149.90, Witchery Drop Sphere Earring $44.90, Seed Heritage Sara Ring Clutch $AU$59.95, Cotton On Rubi Savannah Perf Peep Toe Sock Boot $59.95.

LOOK 2
Update your 9-5 look with a scrunched sleeve gingham print wrap top, and you're ticking two trends off in one outfit!
Portmans Willow Wrap Top AU$79.95, Seed Heritage Cropped Culotte AU$159.90, Seed Heritage Bauble Earrings $29.90, Saben Baby Frankie Bag $389.00, Witchery Heidi Block Heel $199.90​.

With the beginning of August a few days away, we are officially in the last month of winter, yay! The shops are already stocking spring clothing, with lighter fabrics, lighter colours and spring dresses.

Dresses are a great winter/spring buy as you can layer them with thick tights or leggings and cardigans, or merino's underneath. Team them with ankle boots, knee-highs, or sneakers or heels, they can be dressed up or down, and they will take you into spring.

I have picked my favourites from floaty and floral, denim and striped, all big themes in the shops. Also trending still is the shoulder! Add a touch of bare shoulder to your look, as this will be a common theme through spring.

FLOATY & FLORAL
​ASOS V Neck Smock Balloon Sleeve Dress $60.47, Witchery Eastern Bloom Dress $179.90, ASOS YAS Blooming Floral Long Sleeve Dress $118.78, ​French Connection Falling Spot Printed Swing Dress $179.90

DENIM
Country Road Denim Shirt Dress $199.00, Esprit Dress in Flowing Denim AU$99.95, Witchery Button Chambray Dress $149.90, ​Ezibuy Capture Shirt Dress $79.99. 

STRIPES
Cotton On Avery Cold Shoulder L-S Midi Dress $39.99, Seed Heritage Stripe Dress $99.90, ​Witchery Stripe Ponte Dress $149.90, ​Country Road Stripe Dress $159.00.

LOOK 1 - Coffee with the girls.
ASOS YAS Blooming Floral Long Sleeve Dress $118.78, Mi Piaci Emeka Long Boot $330.00, Witchery Mohair Coatigan $229.90, Seed Layered Bead Choker $34.90, Seed Heritage Fine Metal Bangle Set $19.90

LOOK 2 - Casual Sunday dressing.
Country Road Stripe Dress $159.00, Witchery Spot Stripe Scarf $54.90, The Iconic Compton Puffer Bomber Jacket AU$129.95, Witchery Orb Wrap Bracelet $44.90, Merchant 1948 Amelia Stud Sneaker $189.90.