Notebooks from Flirty Bird. Plush cactus in a pot from San-X Sabo. Sleep mask from Click for Art.

For many of us this back to work time is one of the hardest of the year. Especially if you’re currently struggling through winter as well and haven’t seen the sun in a long time. I’m one of those odd creatures that actually looks forward to this time of year, as I love the feeling of new beginnings that it brings. So I thought I’d share some of my tips for remaining upbeat and optimistic in the face of the back to work grumps.

1. Be Organised AND Cute!

Treating yourself to new co-ordinated stationery was always one of the greatest things about heading back to school, so do the same for your work. Even if you don’t work in an office, just a cute notebook and matching pen so you can write down thoughts and ideas as they come to you.
If you’re not a paper person and have made the transition to keeping everything electronically, these treats can be new phone cases, iPad/tablet cases, updated wallpapers and lock screens, even new list making apps like Wunderlist (I ADORE this!).

2. Take the time to clean.

Cleaning out your handbag, desk, car and emails is a great way to start the year without feeling the burden of the year before. Many of you will be on top of this already, but how’s that inbox looking? Don’t be afraid to liberally apply the delete button, unsubscribe from unwanted updates, check your FB settings to make sure that your privacy is protected and you’re not getting notifications all day.

Now that you’re on top of the organization front, you can at least go back to work feeling like you have a head start.

3. Beautify your space.

If you have a desk, keep it clear – but not so clear that there is not something to rest the eyes on when you need a “calm blue oceans” moment. Fifty nick nacks is not a help, but a small plant, a picture of puppies/ kittens/ unicorns/Johnny Depp, will!
If you work in a store, or somewhere else where the space is not your own, think of things you can have on you at all times that make you feel a bit more special. Try silk knickers, a new fragrance, a locket with a picture of your happy making place. For chaps, things like gorgeous tie pins, a fresh manicure and even an old fashioned hot shave will go a long way to making you feel brand new.

4. Prepare the snappy come back.

This may sound a little pessimistic, but undoubtedly there will be those who will think nothing of ruining your holiday buzz with their kill joy attitudes. Let’s try-

“ I love being back at work, the dog wasn’t quite enough of an audience for this level of awesomeness.”
“Being back at work is just great. It really makes the weekends that much more fantastic.”
“I’m so thrilled to be back at work, I was really missing those LOL cats.”
“Lucky I’m back at work this week. Now I can stalk you in real life instead of just on FB.”
Or just mess with them and tell everyone that you can’t talk to them unless they hold up this giant @ reply cut out, cause that’s the only way you’ll pay attention these days.
… but seriously..

5. Eat well.

If you were fortunate enough to take your taste buds on a tour this break, bring the flavours back with you. Went to Thailand? Learn to cook a mean green curry and bring some to work. Sip of coconut juice for that tropical flavor. Add Pawpaw to your breakfast and relax with lemon grass tea. I know a few of you should be trying your hand and Malaysian food. And if you didn’t get away, just pretend you did and give your stomach a rest from the peanut butter sandwiches for a while.

6. Sleep.

After the New Years you had you’re still going to need it! It’s hard enough to get our body back into routine, but burn the candle at both ends and you’ll be ruined before the week is out. Plan to spend the evenings of your first week back in the most relaxing way you can. Skip the alcohol in favour of non caffeinated tea. Give yourself a foot spa or a long bath, then relax for half an hour with a chilled or warmed eye mask before hitting the hay before 10pm if you can.

These are my top tips for avoiding the post holiday blues. If you have some excellent ones that work for you, please share them in the comments. Goodness knows we can all do with a hand at this time of year!

Occasionally, only once in a while, an album comes along that is everything you dreamed of and more.  An album that gives you the familiar rush of a teenage fan who plays each track over and over, never tiring of the sound.  That album for me is the latest offering from Nico Duportal and his Rhthym Dudes – “Going Back to Ya”.

A good friend of mine introduced me to Nico’s sound via a phone conversation, where his enthusiasm was so strong that he sat and attempted to play me several tracks over the phone. Now while the sound quality was lacking with this method, it did nothing to dull the passion in his voice. As he said to me, “You know when music just makes your heart sing?”  and I sure did.

Since getting my hands on a copy of this album two months ago, it it a rare day that I have not listened to it or at least one track. I can honestly say that it is simply impossible for me to pick a favourite tune. Every time I think I’ve landed on one, the next one comes around and I’m torn.  Nico’s sound (in very technical music terms), is to die for!  His voice is rich, lush, gritty and has a hefty does of ‘come hither’ mixed in. A sound known to my friends and I as “swoon worthy”. Officially you’d have to categorise the sound as Jump Blues or more commonly, Blues (but I like mine better).

The recording quality of the album is spot on for the feel of both the era and the mood. That wonderful, less than perfect sound you’ll remember from 1950′s produced vinyl albums. It’s funny because when I hear this album on my all too modern iPod, all I can see in my head is a great black and white, lo-fi clip of girls screaming for their idol. It’s that kind of good.

Here is who should buy this album- Guys who want to get a girl into their arms for a dance then a drink afterwards, Girls who like to sing in their cars, Babyboomers who want to remember their heyday, Aspiring blues singers who want to hear from a modern artist just how its done, Women who want the perfect soundtrack to their 50′s fantasies, Musicians for the appreciation and anyone who thinks that music these days has gone to the dogs.

Sunday in Melbourne was the perfect day for High Tea. It was cold, wet and windy outside, so it made perfect sense to be inside eating cakes, sipping tea and talking vintage with friends. It was also the perfect place to wear this fabulous vintage cashmere embellished sweater I recently picked up. (It didn’t have magical properties that made me shrink Alice style – the flowers were just that big!)It has cord and bead detail with three dimensional white plastic flowers too! The skirt is also an original 1950′s atomic star burst skirt that I’m wearing with a yellow silk blouse and that great vintage style framed handbag from yesterday’s post.

An afternoon at the Langham Hotel is all about the ambience. I’d like to pretend this is my home for just a little while… That sweeping staircase, the amber light, the glitter from the chandelier… le sigh..  It forces you to slow down and enjoy the finer things, like these delightful little cakes.

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The arrangement of the chocolate table was beyond belief. There was a swell of gasps and giggles when we reached the table, but it was all so stunning and delicious that to tease you with images on a screen just wouldn’t be fair. You know that expression “good enough to eat”? Well these were all really far too pretty to eat; and yet somehow we managed it.

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Of course, everyone had frocked up for the occasion, not that this is any big surprise with a group like this; but it makes all the difference when you have an appreciative audience and can break out the ‘fine china’.

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No matter how polite we all are, there are definitely thoughts of mugging each other crossing our minds at this stage.

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With my lovely friends Anne Marie from Melbourne store The Button Tree, Dolores Daiquiri Australia’s tease queen and Abbie Cardwell songstress extordinare.

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We were very tempted to start singing show tunes right about now…

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It doesn’t matter how ‘vintage’ you are, there is no escaping the latest apps to capture the day!

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The only thing I think that is still sorely missing from the High Tea menu of everywhere I’ve been is a bit of sneaky ‘Irish’ in the tea!

]]> http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2011/07/06/high-tea-at-the-langham-in-good-company/feed/ 5 http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2011/07/02/what-do-you-get-when-you-cross-blues-rockabilly-and-a-one-man-band-george-kamikawa/ http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2011/07/02/what-do-you-get-when-you-cross-blues-rockabilly-and-a-one-man-band-george-kamikawa/#comments Sat, 02 Jul 2011 03:33:03 +0000 Super Kawaii Mama http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/?p=7560 Thursdays are so often a bit ho hum, as was today. I was wandering around the streets of Melbourne city tackling some late errands and getting nowhere, when out of the blue a sound hit me… and a great big grin lit up my face.  As I made a bee line for the source of the sound, dodging trams and craning my neck to see through the throngs of shoppers, I was astounded to see a solitary man. Cowboy hat perched atop his bowed head, harmonica to his lips and a base line that made me want to jump out of my skin, I quickly pulled my phone from my pocket in an attempt to capture what I saw.

I’m told that George is well known for his thumping blues on the streets of Melbourne and I’d love to see what this guy could do on stage. In 2004 he won the Australian Country Music Busking Championship at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, so clearly his reputation proceeds him.

As I stood there mentally counting the cash in my purse, I was torn between not wanting the song to end and dying to get my hands on his latest CD. But I did wait, and I did pick up George’s new album entitled “Sliding Days”.  And in a rather contradictory fashion, I then rushed right through the mall not even hesitating at the sale racks, just so I could get back to the car and immerse myself in what he had to offer.
To listen to more of his tracks check out the George Kamikawa MySpace page

Having never been to Port Macquarie I didn’t really know what to expect of the town. In fact I had done so little research that it didn’t even occur to me that it would have a beach… duh. And while the weather was wintery as to be expected at this time of year, the entertainment was so hot that we had an unforgettable time.

Getting to Port Macquarie meant a 5 hour layover in Sydney (my bad planning), so I decided to be conscientious and use the time to answer emails while watching the planes taxi off. So I sat by the window, tapping away furiously on the laptop catching up on emails, when an older chap (not elderly by any stretch of the imagination), came and sat beside me. Concentrating, I kept on working away, typing like a demon until about 45 minutes later he interrupts to say, ” My you’re a busy little beaver. Is that work you’re doing there?” Of course I smile and say, “Yes, I’m catching up while I have a chance.” Imagine the stunned expression on my face when he gives me the look one gives a clever child and says, “Now who would give such a pretty girl so much work to do?” Seriously… WTF?! But the lady in me won out over my inner bitch and closed the conversations politely so I could get back to the task at hand.

Being someone who travels to all manner of places, I’m not much fazed by different locations and having to think on the fly; but one thing I always forget is that people aren’t quite used to me.  So stepping off the small propeller plane onto the tarmac in Port Mac with the locals awaiting their loved ones, faces pressed up against the wire fence; my cashmere, full skirts, sequins, dark glasses and hat boxes were quite the sight! This is when you feel a bit like Moses parting the Red Sea… but it is useful for getting to your luggage quickly!

And how beautiful was the first morning…

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Breakfast in the sunshine with the fabulous Miss Chrissy

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I’d like to tell you that each morning was this leisurely experience kicking back in the sun, but generally we were all working so flat out that not much sun (or rain) was seen.  The beauty of mixing pleasure and business on these trips is working with friends, but it does mean that you don’t really get a chance to see all the cars and performances. We spend all day at different ends of town on our various gigs, so of course when the sun goes down…. all bets are off!

My buddy Scotty Baker and I pose for another “Classic 50′s moment snap shot”, of which there were many.

So after a little healthy pizza parlour action for the crew we were sufficiently fortified to hit the town!

A little from my personal party photo album of the week…..

Casual night for kicking up the heels with a bit of Swing dancing.

The fabulous Catherine and Bonnie from Bonnie Rose Vintage

Tara from Lucky Trix, the suave Scotty Baker and Miss Chrissy.

The incredible Heather from Pretty Things Peep Show and Miss Catherine.

yes… the usual suspects.

The Rockabilly Diva Miss Harry Deluxe entertaining us at the after party.

We might possibly be the most glamorous party animals ever.

If you’d like to see even more of our rabble rousing and secret videos, check out my Candice DeVille Faceboook page. Now that I’ve managed a few good nights sleep I’m back on deck and ready to tackle the next project. Stay tuned tomorrow for a look at the big Wintersun 2011 vintage fashion parade in all it’s finery!

]]> http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2011/06/16/wintersun-2011-tales-of-a-traveller/feed/ 8 http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2011/05/24/the-love-vintage-show-in-melbourne/ http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/2011/05/24/the-love-vintage-show-in-melbourne/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 01:01:49 +0000 Super Kawaii Mama http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au/?p=7394

I’m exceedingly excited about this upcoming weekend,because for the first time, the Love Vintage Fair is coming to Melbourne!

You’ve seen a few of my eye candy posts of the Sydney Fairs, but this will be the first time I can bring you the inside scoop from Melbourne.  Over three days you’ll be able to come and enjoy the offerings of over 60 dealers from all over Australia. Clothing, textiles, jewellery and all kinds of ephemera make up just some of the treasures on offer. But that’s not all!

There’s great prizes for the Best Dressed in Vintage; (- 1st Place will win a Classic Pinup Shoot valued at $600 sponsored by the talented Helen McLean Photography) Swing Dancing demos, and of course the most marvelous vintage fashion parade put together by Circa Vintage and yes I’ll be up there too wearing some incredibly beautful pieces.  The ladies from The Lindy Charm School for Girls will also be doing vintage hair & makeup demonstrations.

I’ve been flat out these last few weeks working on a secret project for the fair and can’t wait to show you the results. You’ll find me right next to Circa Vintage and the main stage, so please do come over and say hello! I have some complimentary tickets to give away too, so just leave me a comment on this post and I’ll draw the winners at random tomorrow evening so you can get your passes for the show.

All the details

Friday 27th May  5.30pm – 9.00pm      Saturday 28th May   9.30am – 5.30pm

Sunday 29th May   10am – 4.00pm

Exhibition Hall, Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, AscotVale

Tickets at the door – Adult $14, Pensioner $10, Child $5

More information on the Love Vintage Website.

This is the perfect opportunity to bring your mum, bring your nana or even bring your kids along for an education.  In fact, I’d love to see some children dressed up for the Best Dressed in Vintage this time, so break out the bloomers and let the little darlings loose!

Can’t wait to see you at the fair!

As you well know, a big day of shopping with around 32 other ladies would require some stamina, and certainly the right outfit, and so I planned to wear something cute and comfortable.  The lovely Em from Miskonduct Klothing sent me this stunning little birdy dress to wear. Handmade in the UK to a 1940′s pattern, it is simply to die for. It is one of those heavy cottons that hardly wrinkles, and is nicely lined in the bodice too; but it is the print that has me all gaga.

Birds and blossoms? Just too, too good!

I did feel a little silly posing around in the ‘bush’ in my tiara, but really, how often does one get a chance to break it out?

Anyway, once we’d finished faffing around with our spangles, we headed off to meet the ladies, get them sashed up and hit the shops!  None of those nasty party buses for us though, Miss Chrissy had organised the Mount Tambourine replica trolley to chauffeur us for the day.

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Very regal don’t you think?

Of course, no ladies day would be complete without kicking off with a High Tea, so we stopped at Felicity’s with her rooms of retro treasures and scones. And boy was I going to need those three espresso’s!

When we got to Amanda Darling’s and Helen’s it was sighs of joy all round as the ladies whipped things off the shelves faster than you can imagine. I was waiting to see if any feathers would fly over fedoras or scratches over sequins.  Luckily, the stunning red sequinned number I was eyeing off went to my friend Bonnie, so I can crash tackle her for that another day if need be.

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I found the cutest little posy of velvet violets to pin to my hat, but if you look closely you’ll see the tubs of tiaras that kept asking for my attention too. In fact, I have trouble shopping in groups as I’m not quite sure where to divide my attention… well that’s the excuse I gave when I put my hand up to go back and visit for a little more shopping the next day!

It was then at Kitty’s Vintage & Kitsch that I scored the most divine red, white and blue plasti-cane bag as well as had the time to try on a dress or too.

It was really the most divine day, like hanging with all your best friends on mass in your own slice of heaven.

Le Sigh…

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You know how sometimes you look through the glass window into the cake section, fighting with yourself over “should I, shouldn’t I?”, then when you finally give in an eat those first few forks fulls, it isn’t at all the sensation you expected?  Not so with Sugadeaux. In fact, if you tried to dream up just how wonderful cake could be, it’s likely you still wouldn’t come close to how endorphin inducing these creations are.

Thanks to a chance meeting on Twitter some time ago, I discovered the delicious world of Sugadeaux, cupcake maestro.  So when I was invited to come and taste the latest range of flavours, I whipped out my cake themed skirt and raced there as fast as I could. And oh boy, were we all in for a treat with five brand new flavours about to spark our senses.

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Being a food writers event, most everyone came armed with cameras, notebooks, and their tasting faces on. Me, I had my camera, fancy skirt and stupidly happy grin on.

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Blueberry pie cupcakes, topped with an icing creation that tasted like something from The Magic Faraway Tree!

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PB&J were the overwhelming hit of the evening with their salty sweetness, decadent smooshyness and all around groan of pleasure inducing, ways. (Yes, I’m not much on the technical jargon for food blogging, but I know what tastes amazing!)

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The cupcake maestro herself, Jess from Sugadeaux; and me before I went into raptures of delight over my Blueberry Pie.

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Can you tell we’re all on a brilliant sugar high?

I know seeing all this can be pure torture if you’re reading this before you’ve had lunch; but the good news is that Sugadeaux delivers!  You can actually get online to their website and place your order to be delivered to your door (with a bit of lead time).  In fact, you can even try out these exact flavours come April 21st, when they’ll be available in tasting packs.

Midweek cake fest? Yep, life is tough.

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I did something cruel yesterday. I posted a sneaky picture to Twitter and let you know it was from an upcoming garage sale… but didn’t yet tell you where it was. This Friday the 8th April and Saturday 9th April in Melbourne, some friends are holding a fabulous vintage garage sale!

With all proceeds going towards the National Trust Costume Collection, these lovely ladies have collected donations of wonderful vintage pieces from all around the place.  There is some stunning millinery from a well known Melbourne designer, wonderful dead stock hand made shoes (if you’re extra small or extra large DO NOT miss out!), Victorian garments, 50′s, 60′s 70′s & 80′s vintage, as well as some more modern designer pieces.  And not to forget all the other things that make an outfit, gloves, bags, scarves and  boxes of patterns.  I was fortunate enough to get a bit of a sneak peak yesterday and took a few shots to whet your appetite.

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Details

Vintage Garage Sale

Friday 8th & Saturday 9th April

Opens at 10am – 4pm each day

13 Parlington Street, Canterbury

Make sure to get in early to get the best pieces!

I couldn’t help but bring home a spectacular something from my fact finding mission. shhh..!

When I tweeted the other day that I was heading into Westfield to experience a personal styling session, a great cry went up of “Oh no, you’re not going to loose your vintage styling are you?” Let me assure you that nothing could be further from the truth, but I was indeed off on an adventure.

As a part of their new Personal Styling services, Westfield invited me to spend the morning with one of their top stylists and experience what they have to offer. And what fun we had!

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When I met up with Jo my stylist, I’ll admit to feeling some trepidation about what awaited me. I knew that the khaki trend and I were not on friendly terms, and the leopard print body suits and I were experiencing some generation gap issues; but I was ready to put myself in her skilled hands and see what resulted.

Our first and most essential port of call was to stop for a much-needed coffee and a bit of a chat about my style.  I knew I wasn’t going to be the easiest client in the world, but that is surely one way to test out someone’s skills. Jo and I talked about my style, key elements that are important to me, my rules for ‘never’ (thigh high hems for instance), pieces that are missing from my wardrobe and trends I’d like to experiment with.  To my mind, the biggest benefit of using a personal stylist like Jo is the knowledge they can send you away with.  Not just a simple, “oh cute top!” but in teaching you about your body type, what works, what doesn’t and why.  And with that aim in mind we set out to find some cute ensembles that fit my personal style brief, but also to show you what didn’t work for me and why.

We started out at Forever New, which is full of leopard print, nudes and super soft knits this season. I always fall in love with their advertising images and the overall look of the store, but falter when I see the hemlines. Still, we decided to see what creative combinations we could come up with. And this was the winning Forever New ensemble.

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I’d found this lovely nude beaded dress with a strong 1920’s vibe, but it was cut a good 6 inches above my knee! It was also far too straight up and down for my figure, so we made a few key additions. Finding another ribbon trimmed skirt, we added that underneath, crinoline style, to give it length and volume. Then we used a wide beaded belt to give the dress more waist definition. Topped of with a cropped and beaded angora cardigan, it all came together to create a look that was more elegant princess than tall slender flapper (which I clearly am not). We liked the look, but knew it wasn’t quite on the money, so the adventure continued.

As we wandered around a few more stores, Jo and I decided we would show you just what it is a stylist does for you.  It isn’t just taking you to a random bunch of stores and finding pretty things, (you can do that yourself), but it is in finding out the science of shape, colour and finish that make pieces work for you; or not.   So I decided to be brave and take some shots of the Sad outfit as well as the Happy outfits and what the difference was.

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I’ve never worn a lace dress (being scared by Madonna in the 80’s), but wanted to try out this one in Cue.  But as you can see, some very small details make very big differences. The pic on the left has the sleeves sitting right on top of the shoulder, not at all flattering for my broad shoulders but the pic on the right has them spread out to make a little cap.  Although the difference is actually about 2cm in reality, the overall effect is very different.

But it wasn’t just the sleeves that made a huge difference; let’s see what happens when we add a belt to define the waist.

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I happen to have a long torso, as Jo quickly picked up seeing me in this dress. And as I love the hourglass shape I want to make sure my waist is always defined, but can you see what a difference is made by where I wore the belt?

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It isn’t just where you wear the belt, it’s the width as well.  This plaid dress came off the rack with the belt on the left.  It does nothing for me and nothing for the dress, but switch it out for a wider version and yes!  (Excuse the dishevelled hair, lots of change room shenanigans here..)

Thinking beyond the way something comes off the hanger opens up a world of possibilities. I really liked this plaid taffeta dress, but look what happened when we undid the zip a bit and pinned the neckline differently.

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Total win!

But what about colour? Most of us think we know what suits us and often won’t go near other colours. Sometimes we put something on and think it’s all wrong, but is it the shape that’s the problem or the colour?

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Both cute looks, but the punchy colour on the left is infinitely better on me. Jo knew we could make this even better by taking that same winning colour and picking another shape.

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This was my absolute favourite outfit of the day. The colour, the shape, the balance… and all still very much a ‘me’ look.

Having access to your very own personal style fairy godmother at Westfield, is something that you can use if you’re brand new to the fashion game or even if you have a strong personal sense of style. It isn’t about changing what you love to fit in with the crowd, but to find the secrets of unlocking the best versions of the looks you love- just for you.

You can get a taste of what a Westfield stylist can offer you right now with a complimentary 15 minute session in any of the Westfield fashion centres; but that’s just the beginning. Here’s the brilliant news…. You could win a Personal Styling Session with both your Westfield stylist and me! And not only that, but you’ll also win $1000 to spend on your big day out Could it possibly get any better than that?!

All you have to do is tell me Why you need a Westfield Personal Styling Session for your chance to win the lot!

The winner will be the best entry as chosen by me, so make sure you tell me your story.

Entries are open from Tuesday March 29 – Tuesday 12th April. The conest is open anywhere in Australia, but you must be in Melbourne or able to make your own way here to redeem your prze.

Full terms and conditions can be found here.

So don’t waste a second getting stylish and tell me why YOU need a Westfield Style Session now!!