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Sunday, 25 February 2018
The Monday Piece - Fun Tailored Pieces
This week's Monday Piece is on fun tailored pieces! Whether you dress up smart for work, or just like looking super chic, tailored pieces are always an ideal purchase as they are so versatile and timeless. I've been checking out some awesome styles that i adore - the Balmain double breasted blazer is an absolute classic, it's a hefty investment but this pink style is so sassy, i'd wear it with everything from a checked mini skirt to skinny jeans and boots. If (like me) you're not in the market for a splurge, there are some inspired pieces on the high street, i love the tuxedo style River Island dresses. I'm also loving the cropped tailored trousers, i'd wear mine with an oversized shirt and chunky loafers! To brighten up a smart look even more, i can't keep away from cute accessories - a pink bobble hat or an adorable Burberry charm satisfies my luxury girly needs.
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Saturday, 24 February 2018
The New Generation Office Dress Code
Dressing for work: how to modernise your workwear
Take a look around you the next time you’re at your desk: what are people wearing for work? Chances are, there are only a few wearing stereotypical ‘office clothing’. Now, workwear has transformed! It seems so strange to think that, once, the workplace dress code was all about power dressing — think formal suits, smart blouses and an almost exclusively monochrome colour palette.
So, why the big change? Could it be because we’re socialising more after work and need a good outfit to take us from office to bar? Possibly, but this isn’t without its difficulties. Go too casual and you risk an awkward chat with your manager about appropriateness, while a formal outfit may look like you’re over-dressing to your colleagues.
Want in on the trend? Check out our 2018 office dress code style guide for advice…
Incorporate denim
Wearing jeans to work?! It happens. Although, perhaps stay away from cut and frayed options… Opt for plain, rip-free denim in a darker wash to give a more formal vibe, then pair your jeans with a smart-casual shirt, formal flats and a chic blazer. Of course, if your company has a strict dress code, you may not be able to wear jeans at all, so check before your start date!
Spruce up your trouser options
A strong trouser outfit can really make you feel prepared for a big day at work. Wear tapered trousers to enhance your figure and wear them with flats or heels. Of course, there are also frill-hem trousers and culottes to consider — as long as you think they’re not too risqué. Perhaps stay clear of bolder prints and colours and stick to classic checks and stripes, to be safe.
When it comes to your top, this is where you can get creative. For a formal look, wear a smart blouse or an embroidered shirt, and when you fancy going more casual, pull on a loose-fitting plain t-shirt and slouchy cardigan.
Sample new shoes for work
Your footwear also offers you a world of possibilities in the workplace. Over-the-knee boots teamed with a jumper dress and tights is an on trend look for 2018. Then again, heeled boots are also a great option when you want that extra height, while flat boots can also work for walking about the office.
Loafers are chic and stylish — perfect to wear with trousers, dresses and jeans. You’ll definitely need black loafers and it’s wise to invest in a nude pair, too.
When it comes to heels, be careful about height. A high stiletto heel might cause you hours of pain in the office — not ideal when you have a long shift ahead! But that doesn’t mean you have to wear kitten heels; mid-heeled, closed-toe shoes are the perfect choice. Strappy sandals are also good — especially when teamed with wide-leg trousers for a chic daytime look.
Revamp your work-ready dresses
From party dresses to maxi dresses, there are lots of styles you can don for a day at the office. However, is there such a thing as ‘too far’?
Possibly… So, if you’re deliberating whether it’s too low-cut or the hemline is too short, it’s best to err on the side of caution and leave it at home. Alternatively, why not choose a simple and chic midi dress in a plain style or subtle print? These dresses look great at any time of year and you can dress them up with high heels and jewellery, or down with tights and ankle boots, depending on your working environment.
Of course, there’s also the risk that you’ll be too casual, as well as too dressy with dresses. Would a jumper dress work well at your workplace? This is a top style for the colder months, while belted shirt dresses are ideal for spring and summer — plus, their collars will naturally make your feel smarter and more office-ready! Pair with cute pumps and jewellery.
Don’t be afraid to revamp your 2018 workwear wardrobe — just keep our tips in mind!
Sunday, 18 February 2018
The Monday Piece - The Differences Between Australia and The UK
This week's Monday Piece is on the differences between Australia and the UK! Before i moved over to Australia i had lots of friends say how similar Australia was to the UK, and that it was like the UK but with ‘better weather’ – well after living here for a year, it’s much more different than I first anticipated. I've been loving getting to know the countries people, way of life and daily happenings, so i've summed up a few of the big differences i've noticed during my time here so far.
Weather - The biggest difference when you come overseas from the UK to Australia is the weather, it is amazing having lots of sunshine and heat when England always seems so cold, miserable and wet. During the summer months the temperature can regularly reach 40 degrees and higher, very different from the UK! Queensland doesn't have a winter and it's bikini weather all year round so it's a huge change being able to enjoy the outdoors, swim in the pool, or walk along the beach - if you go south they have more notable seasons, but even still the usual winter temperature sits at around a mild 15 degrees.
The accent – an obvious difference, but i thought i’d meet lots of Brits abroad like us, and that Oz would be full of people with our familiar accent but this was definitely not the case. We’ve not come across many people from the UK, and the Aussie accent is very different to ours so it took a little getting used to!
Americanisms – It’s very ‘American’ out here, as Australia is quite a new country the architecture, buildings, signage and everything in between looks very American - with giant signs above restaurants and shops, visually it looks very different, especially in areas like Queensland where there are virtually no buildings over 50 years old…. They’ve also incorporated American phrases and words into daily life which was odd at first!
TV – The TV shows and formats aren’t the greatest, but then again I’m not sure what the Aussies make of our British humour...
Food and eating out – There aren’t many Australian delicacies, and much of the food is pretty similar, but eating out there is a huge variety, but the main food joints here are Chinese/Thai/Vietnamese. The food in the supermarkets is priced pretty much the same as the UK but the freshness isn’t as good as most of the fruit and veg has to be transported from further away due to the enormity of the country.
Everything is far away – Living in Melbourne is awesome as there’s so much variety and it’s ever changing, but if you fancy escaping the city for a weekend or popping over to Sydney or Adelaide for a few days, prepare to fly for 2-3 hours to get there. The states are absolutely gigantic, though it does mean that there is so much to see, do and explore in Australia which is awesome. If you live interstate then expect to drive for at least 2-3 hours just to get to a decent sized supermarket!
Money – Wages here are much higher than the UK, the minimum wage in the UK at the moment is £7.05, whereas in Australia it’s $18.29, which converts to around £10.17 – a huge difference! Most jobs like café/bar work however pay a minimum of $21.00 (£11.86) – if you’re working an admin or office job expect to earn around $25.00 (£14.12) plus an hour, then the rate gets much higher if you're in a skilled or experienced position. This is awesome if you want to save a bit of money to travel the country as well as live a pretty comfortable life!
Way of life – This is the biggest difference, Australia is a very relaxed country – whether you’re late to work or dressed super casual for a job interview, chances are no one will even notice. There’s no real sense of urgency and everyone lives life at their own leisure, there’s no rat race or hectic commute, people are just generally much more chilled out and easy going! It’s awesome!
Cost of living – Depending on where you live, the cost of living is not that different to the UK. If you live in Melbourne or Sydney, and you live in a share house with friends, expect to pay anything between $150-300 per person per week for rent, if you’re a couple and you want your own apartment the prices are around $375-600 per week. Places like The Gold Coast, Brisbane and Adelaide are cheaper - in the Gold Coast we rented our own modern, large one bedroom apartment with a balcony, pool and sea view for only $350 a week for the two of us! Depending on your lifestyle and what type of apartment/house you choose it’s easy to find cheap accommodation that is similar to prices in the UK. Bills are sometimes included, especially if you share an apartment, but otherwise electricity and gas come in at around $100 or less per month. Also eating out is much cheaper than the UK, you can grab a tasty hot lunch in a restaurant for $10 or less and dinner for around $14 or more which is mega reasonable. Other things like phone bills, travel and everyday spending are the same as the UK.
Standard of living - As most people have a decent incoming, the standard of living is much better - people have more money to travel, go out, eat out and save, which in turn makes people happier! There's not so much of a focus on work here like there is in the UK, again this probably comes alongside the relaxed Aussie mentality, but the work environment is healthy, fun, and much more relaxed making lots of happy employees.
People - It's definitely true that the Australians aren't afraid of having a good time, from my time here i've met some of the most awesome, fun people, who are always up for a laugh and enjoy making the most of life. Aussie's seem like such free spirits and are super friendly and helpful - don't be surprised if they stop you in the street just to say hello or for a chat!
Culture - This is a big one for me, i had a huge culture shock when i arrived in Australia, nothing really prepares you for how different the culture is. There is vast, interesting Aboriginal history all across Australia that is truly fascinating, however unfortunately there is only a small piece of this history that we know about today. In terms of places of interest, historical monuments and buildings, and history dramas, there is very little in comparison to Europe as the country is in comparison very 'new' - the buildings are new and the cities are small, but it's great to embrace the modernity and changing shape of this exciting country.
Have you ever visited Australia?
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Weather - The biggest difference when you come overseas from the UK to Australia is the weather, it is amazing having lots of sunshine and heat when England always seems so cold, miserable and wet. During the summer months the temperature can regularly reach 40 degrees and higher, very different from the UK! Queensland doesn't have a winter and it's bikini weather all year round so it's a huge change being able to enjoy the outdoors, swim in the pool, or walk along the beach - if you go south they have more notable seasons, but even still the usual winter temperature sits at around a mild 15 degrees.
The accent – an obvious difference, but i thought i’d meet lots of Brits abroad like us, and that Oz would be full of people with our familiar accent but this was definitely not the case. We’ve not come across many people from the UK, and the Aussie accent is very different to ours so it took a little getting used to!
Americanisms – It’s very ‘American’ out here, as Australia is quite a new country the architecture, buildings, signage and everything in between looks very American - with giant signs above restaurants and shops, visually it looks very different, especially in areas like Queensland where there are virtually no buildings over 50 years old…. They’ve also incorporated American phrases and words into daily life which was odd at first!
TV – The TV shows and formats aren’t the greatest, but then again I’m not sure what the Aussies make of our British humour...
Food and eating out – There aren’t many Australian delicacies, and much of the food is pretty similar, but eating out there is a huge variety, but the main food joints here are Chinese/Thai/Vietnamese. The food in the supermarkets is priced pretty much the same as the UK but the freshness isn’t as good as most of the fruit and veg has to be transported from further away due to the enormity of the country.
Everything is far away – Living in Melbourne is awesome as there’s so much variety and it’s ever changing, but if you fancy escaping the city for a weekend or popping over to Sydney or Adelaide for a few days, prepare to fly for 2-3 hours to get there. The states are absolutely gigantic, though it does mean that there is so much to see, do and explore in Australia which is awesome. If you live interstate then expect to drive for at least 2-3 hours just to get to a decent sized supermarket!
Money – Wages here are much higher than the UK, the minimum wage in the UK at the moment is £7.05, whereas in Australia it’s $18.29, which converts to around £10.17 – a huge difference! Most jobs like café/bar work however pay a minimum of $21.00 (£11.86) – if you’re working an admin or office job expect to earn around $25.00 (£14.12) plus an hour, then the rate gets much higher if you're in a skilled or experienced position. This is awesome if you want to save a bit of money to travel the country as well as live a pretty comfortable life!
Way of life – This is the biggest difference, Australia is a very relaxed country – whether you’re late to work or dressed super casual for a job interview, chances are no one will even notice. There’s no real sense of urgency and everyone lives life at their own leisure, there’s no rat race or hectic commute, people are just generally much more chilled out and easy going! It’s awesome!
Cost of living – Depending on where you live, the cost of living is not that different to the UK. If you live in Melbourne or Sydney, and you live in a share house with friends, expect to pay anything between $150-300 per person per week for rent, if you’re a couple and you want your own apartment the prices are around $375-600 per week. Places like The Gold Coast, Brisbane and Adelaide are cheaper - in the Gold Coast we rented our own modern, large one bedroom apartment with a balcony, pool and sea view for only $350 a week for the two of us! Depending on your lifestyle and what type of apartment/house you choose it’s easy to find cheap accommodation that is similar to prices in the UK. Bills are sometimes included, especially if you share an apartment, but otherwise electricity and gas come in at around $100 or less per month. Also eating out is much cheaper than the UK, you can grab a tasty hot lunch in a restaurant for $10 or less and dinner for around $14 or more which is mega reasonable. Other things like phone bills, travel and everyday spending are the same as the UK.
Standard of living - As most people have a decent incoming, the standard of living is much better - people have more money to travel, go out, eat out and save, which in turn makes people happier! There's not so much of a focus on work here like there is in the UK, again this probably comes alongside the relaxed Aussie mentality, but the work environment is healthy, fun, and much more relaxed making lots of happy employees.
People - It's definitely true that the Australians aren't afraid of having a good time, from my time here i've met some of the most awesome, fun people, who are always up for a laugh and enjoy making the most of life. Aussie's seem like such free spirits and are super friendly and helpful - don't be surprised if they stop you in the street just to say hello or for a chat!
Culture - This is a big one for me, i had a huge culture shock when i arrived in Australia, nothing really prepares you for how different the culture is. There is vast, interesting Aboriginal history all across Australia that is truly fascinating, however unfortunately there is only a small piece of this history that we know about today. In terms of places of interest, historical monuments and buildings, and history dramas, there is very little in comparison to Europe as the country is in comparison very 'new' - the buildings are new and the cities are small, but it's great to embrace the modernity and changing shape of this exciting country.
Have you ever visited Australia?
X
Sunday, 11 February 2018
The Monday Piece - Grampians National Park
This week's Monday Piece is on Grampians National Park! Last weekend we took a trip out of the city to The Grampians where we hiked and enjoyed the incredibly beautiful scenery around us - if you've not heard of Grampians National Park i'll cover it in a nutshell. The region has been home to the Indigenous people for 20,000 years, known to them as Gariwerd, and contains the largest concentration of rock art paintings and assemblage of Aboriginal art motifs in Victoria. An inspirational landscape world famous for beautiful landscapes of rugged sandstone escarpments, high rocky plateaus and sheltered gullies, The Grampians have inspired works by Australian writers, poets, photographers and painters, it's no surprise as it's possibly the most stunning natural landscape we've seen during our time in Australia. This unique landscape also supports an abundant array of fauna and flora, supporting high levels of biodiversity - we had an awesome tour guide who taught us about the uniqueness and variety The Grampians has to offer as many species of native plants are only found in the park. I definitely recommend tagging along on a tour as it's fairly easy to wander off the track into the bush... As the majority of the western Victoria plains have been cleared for agriculture, the remainder of protected bushland in the Grampians National Park has become a refuge for native plants and animals - we were stunned by the vivid greenery and vast rocky landscape, we also visited the MacKenzie Falls waterfalls as it's one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria, definitely a sight not to be missed!
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Sunday, 4 February 2018
The Monday Piece - Hot Weather Want List
This week's Monday Piece is on hot weather want list! Summer is in full swing in Melbourne and it's not always easy deciding what to wear in the hot weather, i've been browsing online for some lightweight easy pieces to look fancy in. Cut off shorts and a loose cami top are always a classic combination, it's comfortable and looks great to when you just want to bumble around the city or pop out and run a few errands, this ruffle hem top from With Chic is such a cute shape and has a feminine flirty feel to it. When i want to 'dress up' a little more i look for smarter styles, loose fitting jeans look so chic and are a great alternative to skinny jeans which are pretty much impossible to wear as they stick and cling to every piece of you...i love the Acne Studios straight leg jeans, they have a classic shape and would look great with a tailored cropped top. Of course the best place to go to embrace the heat is the beach, it's awesome to just grab your bikini like this marble print two piece from Shop Elettra, and a few beach essentials for a relaxing day at the seaside!
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