Smaggle Style

I realised something very shocking today. It’s summer in Australia. And that’s not the worst of it… when it’s Summer in the Southern Hemisphere it’s Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. True story. This means zero season appropriate fashion inspiration from the right side of the globe. All the fabulous fashion sites are all about knee high socks and mittens and hats and I am sweltering in 30 degree heat trying to figure out how to look half way decent while wearing the least amount of clothing possible. My solution? One word for you my pretties - ARCHIVES. Oh yes I’m becoming an Internet stalker of the worst kind flicking through the back logs of street style and personal blogs alike. So I’m going to post pictures of my favourite outfits from the other summer. Here is a tasty treat from Lebonbonmulticoloure, my favourite wardrobe remixer. She also has a street style blog called MTLStreet. These are ensembles she was wearing a year ago but it’s fabulous inspiration for us Summer bunnies who are looking for something a little different this silly season…

Here are a few Bon  Bon tips to keep you going  through summer

* Don’t over accessorise - Keep it simple. Wear a statement necklace or bangle but make sure your don’t over do it.

* Keep to neutral tones - Stick to a neutral a palette but add a splash  of colour. Lebonbon is very fond of using shoes as her vehicle for colour promotion.

* Don’t stick to one style - Just because you mostly wear dresses doesn’t mean you can’t break out the jeans.

* Grab a cardigan - Always layer. Always.

* Be quaint - Match your shoes to your bag and belt. It’s a nice way to look sharp in summer when you can’t wear scarves and hats.

Hope you’re all having a  stylish Summer! Or Winter…

Love Lady Smaggle xxx

The photo is a little over exposed today. I’m actually lying. I’m just trying to find an excuse for looking so pasty… Today I cleaned my room and did a few loads of washing. Then I had coffee with Mr Smaggle and some mates and then we all went to see The Darjeeling Limited. It was THE BEST MOVIE EVER! Well it’s the thrid best movie ever. It went straight to my top five movies of all time. It’s the third best movie. I’m still searching  for the fourth and fifth…

* Strapless black dress from Ebay

* Black bag from Billabong

* Black bangle from Diva

* Gisele thongs

* Glass ring from Glassworks from Matt and Ged

* Plaited metal necklace from Mr Smaggle (One of my lovely Christmas presents!)

Yesterday I  went shopping and bought some super cheap and cheerful jewellery from Diva. I got three bangles (my latest obssession) and some yellow beads. But I am most excited about the ring because I had my eye on it before the sales and it was priced at $30. I thought this was a little steep so I pass it by and I got it for $3 yesterday! Oh yeah!

I also bought three books with some vouchers that I won at a quiz night. I think the winning question was something about Carrie Bradshaw. Anyways I got three books - Fashion Babylon, Nylon Pretty and Sock and Glove.

I have only time to flick through them but I think Sock and Glove is my favourite. It’s SO CUTE! The book is by Miyako Kanamori and was apparently a cult buy in Japan and it’s been translated to English. It’s a simple step by step book that shows you how to make snuggly little friends out of socks and gloves. I’m going to make a monkey for Mr Smaggle. He likes monkeys. Although the monkey that they have in the book is really angry. I’ll make a nice monkey.  

Today was exceptionally pleasant. Mr Smaggle and I went shopping and I spent some vouchers that have been burning a hole in my pocket. I got a gorgeous wooden square bangle lined with silver and some awesome books about fashion. We then went for a really long walk around the lake which was so lovely. Then I went out for dinner with an old friend and then I had a soy chai with Mr Smaggle and one of our mates. I’m on holidays for another four days and I am loving it!

* Long black skirt from Tree of Life

* Black beaded top from Tree of Life

 * Black racer back top thrifted from Salvos

* Black hat from FCUK

* Black sandals from Marco Gianni

* Black bag from Billabong

* Bangles from Diva and thrifted

* Tiger head bangle by Kenneth Jay Lane from Mr Smaggle

* Beaded ring thrifted and remixed

And this handsome devil is Mr Smaggle. I don’t normally condone lovey dovey couple-ey crap on fashion blogs but he looked so damn sharp today I couldn’t help it. He is such a stylish lad that one really has to brag sometimes. Methinks Lady Smaggle is one lucky lass…

Today the Smaggles spent most of the day in the car on the way home from the coast. Then when I got home I went out for dinner with Mr Smaggle, his brother and a friend of ours. Then Mr Smaggle and I exchanged our Christmas gifts because we had to spend the day apart this year. I will post photos of my pressies soon but lets just say I am one lucky Lady Smaggle… * White dress from Tree of Life* Wooden bangles from Diva and thrifted* Wooden dinosaur head necklace from Itrip Iskip (gift from friends)* Rubber strappy thongs (No idea of the brand but they are those Gisele endorsed ones - Now I’m no sucker for advertising but seriously these thongs are AMAZING. It’s like walking on clouds) I will back in the swing of fashiony posts soon I promise!   

Merry Christmas! For yesterday… Still haven’t quite mastered the whole ‘posting outfits on the day I wear them’ thing. Anyways this is what I wore on Christmas day. I was at my uncle and aunties’ house in Terrigal on the central coast. The day was quite lovely but it was really cold so I couldn’t go swimming. But I did have a spa which was much more sweaty and dehydrating than I expected. I was wearing… * Black and white gingham top from Forever New* Black long skirt from Tree of Life* Black sandals from Marco Gianni* Lady necklace from Paraphernalia* Knitting needle bangle from Mr Smaggle* Pink hair streaks! This is their Smaggle debut even though I had them done last Thursday. I am DELIGHTED! They are just the right amount and in exactly the right place. Johnny (my hairdresser) spent ages finding the right spot to put the pink and it came out perfectly. And unlike last time I look entirely different and it was worth every cent! Did everybody else have a delightful Christmas day? What did you wear? What did you do? Do share!  

This is the time of year when you will get photographed the most. It’s also the time of year when you are probably a little more pudgy/sunburned/freckled/pale than you would like. Here are a few tips so that your Christmas snaps look gorgeous and not like celebrity tabloids…

* Always pose. I know it sounds awful but relaxed photos of people are usually horrible. I have an incredibly squishy and highly expressive face so any photo of me that I didn’t pose for usually looks like I have had some severely botched plastic surgery. Just be aware if some one is walking around with a camera and flash them a pearl-er if they take your photo. Simple.

* Practice your smile. I find that a HUGE majorly fake smile looks the most natural on camera. It sounds stupid and I guarantee you will feel like a right arse but it works. If you look like you’re having the best time of your life no one will notice your double chin. Your dazzling smile says it all.

* For full body shots always raise your arms a little off your body. You will feel like a Thunderbird but at least you won’t get that horrible fat thing where your arms just sort of flatten against your body. Another popular pose to avoid tuck shop lady arms is to stand with one hand on your hip, body twisted to the side and your other arm hidden.

* For the family shot always stand to the back so everyone at the front will hide you and all the camera will see is your gorgeous face. But if your family is anything like mine they will all be scrambling for the covetable back spots and because you are one of the youngest you are forced to sit on the ground with your fat rolls all bunched up looking a Christmas elf that had too much pudding. The solution to this problem is to grab the nearest child (cousins are ideal) and plonk them on your lap. All bodily misdemeanors are covered and you get the added bonus of photographic evidence of what a delightful cousin you are taking care of the youngins on Christmas day. This trick has been working for me for years although sadly my youngest cousin is now fourteen. Damn my aunties and uncles for stopping the cycle of procreation!

* Sunglasses are fantastic. I ALWAYS wear sunglasses and I am usually horrified when I see photos of myself sans sunnies with all that face hanging out everywhere. Give this one a try but be warned that grandparents are usually on risky behaviour watch. I get caught by Poppy Smaggle every year trying to wear sunnies in the family photo. He was a photographer so Smaggle family Christmas photos are taken seriously and monkey business such as wearing excessive eyewear is not tolerated.

* Pose to the side. Side poses are usually the most flattering and if you sort of half hide your body behind the person standing next you, you will look TINY. You need to do this with someone who doesn’t know what you are doing though. Mama Smaggle and I tousle for ages trying to shove each other to the front until we just give up and hide ourselves behind some other oblivious victim.

* Don’t slouch. You’ll look like Gollum.

Happy snapping my darlings!

I thought this little puppy had much more Christmas style than me so he gets the Daily Style post today! I was really busy today. I only got a few hours sleep last night and then I went and had a manicure and pedicure (which was an absolute disaster!) and then had some champagne with my lovely friend. The Smaggles (Mama, Daddy and Baldren) and I had a mini Christmas this evening where we had dinner and exchanged gifts. We then went for a drive to this gorgeous  house that does crazy Christmas lights and raises money for charity. We found this sad little puppy wandering around with his little hat. He was very tired and wanted to go to bed but he lives at the Christmas house and seemed to know he was in for a long night. I’m off to pack for my Christmas away! I do hope everyone is feeling lovely in the lead up to Christmas!

Just a few little tips to keep you happy and healthy and in good Christmas spirits!

* Pack sunscreen, hair product, aeroguard, face powder… as much stuff as you can carry to help you stay looking beautiful on Christmas day. There are sneaky Christmas day photographers EVERYWHERE and a bit little of planning can help you stay camera worthy all day.

* Pack extra layers. No matter where you are on Christmas day chances are you will be much colder in the evening. Even though it’s technically summer in Australia on Christmas day, for the last three years I have ended up snuggled with a cardigan in front of roaring fire because it’s been so unseasonably cold. Just be prepared.

* Get plenty of sleep the night before. No one likes a cranky pants. Especially on Christmas day. Take care of yourself leading up to the big day and  be your charming self.

* Drink plenty of water. Especially if you are drinking alcohol as well. Just stay hydrated and in control. Getting a bit tipsy with your fam on Christmas day is awesome but getting thrashed is so last season.

*  Have fun! Don’t stress about Christmas… everyone tends to take of themselves so just relax and have a good time. Spend time with your family and enjoy them. The Smaggles are absolutely crazy but I adore them - I have gorgeous aunties and uncles that are hilarious all my baby cousins are delightful little cherubs. So many people get all worked up over Christmas day and forget the fact that it’s supposed to be a celebration.

Its nearly Christmas Eve! What presents are we all wishing for?

This is yesterday’s Daily Style but it’s not my fault  it wasn’t up yesterday. My server people did maintenence for what felt like days and that’s why you couldn’t get to my blog for last 24 hours and also why I couldn’t post. I was so panicked! I was checking it every thirty seconds… I’m such a loser. Anyways I am back in action now and very relieved. Yesterday was delightful because it was my last day of work until New Year! Yay! The girls and I drank champagne in the afternoon and then we went home early. Then I had dinner with the Smaggles quickly before heading off to my play. Afterwards Mr Smaggle and a few of our mates watched the Extras Christmas Special. We’ve waiting for it for AGES so it awesome to finally see it. Slept in this morning and now I’m about to embark upon a few hours washing and cleaning in preparation for Christmas day!

* Black dress from  Felt

* Denim vest thrifted from Salvation Army

* Black sandals from Marco Gianni

* Black head scarf

* Coin necklace from Poppy Smaggle

* Michael Jackson charm bracelet

* Jesus and Our Lady stretch bracelets

How is everyone going with their Christmas lists?