Lady M

Hello Strangers...

2011-09-26T04:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Lady M readers!! Remember me? If not, I will forgive you, it has been 10 weeks after all!!

The good news:

- Life is now settling down for me and I can focus more on blogging!
- I have so much more free time!
- I am starting a new blog!!!

The bad news:

- Lady M is moving!
- I will no longer be continuing this blog!

I wanted to let you know how you can now find me!

My new blog is The Clever Closet. It is all about creating a re-mixable wardrobe!

New email: theclevercloset@gmail.com (I'd love if you dropped me a line!)

Twitter

Bloglovin

Facebook

I can't wait to catch-up with you all!! Let me know what you think of the new site!! xxx

Congratulations!

2011-06-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

So most of you have heard not that I'm taking a break. As University work is about to step up, I'm not sure how long this break will be! So I thank each and every one of you for your support! I will be back soon!

For now I have the giveaway winner from last week! Andrea from Keepin it Thrifty!!

Congratulations!

Email me Andrea so I can send your prize! moniquezuman@gmail.com

I am so happy! Do you know why?

2011-06-17T04:52:00.000-07:00

Yet another exam today but I am so happy! Do you know why?

1. I only have one exam to go!

2. It is the weekend!

3. I am going car shopping Sunday!

So a very exciting weekend for me! I can't wait to tell you all about it!

I am rocking earthy tones today, the orange scarf, neutral trench coat and the leopard print shoes all add to making my simple black dress a little more special. I have come to love this dress lately, it goes with everything! What's not to love about that! Every girl should definitely have a simple black dress that they can pull out of the closet and make it look different every time it is worn. If you don't have one already, I recommend you go right now and get one! Enjoy your weekend lovelies!

But why not?

2011-06-16T04:31:00.000-07:00

Had another driving lesson today and everything is set for me to finally get my license in a months time. The driving lesson was pretty much the most exciting thing that happened all day, as I studied the rest of the day, yes I know, quite thrilling! I can't wait for exams to be over so that I will have something more exciting to share with you aside from the thrilling tales of my studying adventures.

Thought I would mix things up today, I would not usually wear this combination of clothes, but by doing the 30 for 30 challenge, I wanted to take more risks and change things up, step outside my comfort zone. I definitely did that today! Red and brown I do not usually mix together, but why not? I like it! And with my leopard print shoes, a little tribute to my current pattern obsession!

I'm looking a bit goth today

2011-06-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

Yet another exam today, and bad weather. The two seem to go perfectly hand in hand with each other! It's not so bad because I'm stuck inside anyway, its just a pain traveling into the city and getting wet on the way! I have tomorrow off though, no exams until Friday. So tomorrow just studying and I have a driving lesson again! Really keen to finally get my license, it is so long over due!

So pleats are my new favourite thing. I have found that they are so comfortable to wear and the pretty much go with everything, looking both dressy and casual, great for versatility. I know I'm looking a bit goth today with all this black but it was cold, windy and rainy. So I guess that excuses it!

I hit the snooze button on my alarm at least four times

2011-06-14T05:18:00.000-07:00

Welcome to day two of my 30 for 30 challenge! And may I just say that I had to be brave and face the cold just to bring you this picture today. The weather, to sum it up in one word and keep this blog G-rated is blah. It is rainy, cold and makes it extremely hard to get out of bed! I had an exam today, if it wasn't for that I don't think I would of got out of bed at all! I hit the snooze button on my alarm at least four times! (a record for me).

Today I bring you my silk skirt, I love this skirt so much. It was $10. My wallet and I were both extremely happy. I didn't have much choice but to wear my boots today. It was so wet and didn't want to risk wearing any others. My feet were warm and thats all that matters really. My exam went ok by the way. I have had a lot of well wishes on here and on twitter! I thank you all! Exams are really tough and each comment I receive makes me smile! (seriously!!)

See you all soon!

Ready, set, GO!

2011-06-13T04:24:00.000-07:00

It is the first day of the 30 for 30 challenge, I have to say it really wasn't a challenge to choose what to wear today as I still have pretty much all of my options available. I rarely wear colours in the winter so I wanted to start the challenge off with a bit of colour and give a good lead in to what will hopefully result in me becoming more creative in my use of colour in my outfits. I am loving the colour red mainly because it is so bright, it also is surprisingly easy to match up with a lot of what I already have, something I have already learned on only day one of this challenge!

My goals for the 30 for 30 challenge:

1. To be more creative with the use of colour in my outfits

2. Use accessories to change up boring outfits

3. Step outside my comfort zone of what I usually wear, stop being so safe

I may think of more later but for now that is it! 29 days to go!

If you’ve got it, let’s remix it

2011-06-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

So I have mentioned a couple of times on here and on twitter that I am participating in the 30 for 30 challenge. I am participating in this cycle as I’ve seen lots of people do it but have never been brave enough to do it! The rules are simple; "30 for 30" simply means that I will take 30 items and remix only those items into 30, (hopefully) stylish outfits.

My picks:

8 Tops

8 Skirts

2 Dresses

5 pairs of shoes

6 coats/ trenches

1 cardigan

I think this will be challenging although it will teach me to use what I already have in my wardrobe, which I guess is the aim of the whole exercise! I hope to be able to mix and match things along the way that I ordinarily wouldn’t and use more accessories to change up an outfit! Lucky for me I have many necklaces and scarves are in!

I hope you will follow along!

Enjoying my last moments of freedom

2011-06-11T04:12:00.000-07:00

So today is a rare day, I rarely wear pants outside work! I'm more of a skirt kind of girl! My work entails me to wear jeans everyday, so I feel like I'm going to work when I wear them! So today is a rarity, remember this day, may not come again!

I am loving this purple anorak, perfect for cold weather, layering up underneath with scarfs, pretty sure it will be a staple this winter! This necklace is another one that I got for $5! I have been so lucky lately to have found some amazing bargains (not that I needed anymore jewellery) but for $5, I couldn't say no! The wedges I have not remixed with my jeans before, didn't think they would really fit with the look but I think they look alright!

I am enjoying my last moments of freedom with my wardrobe, I will be participating in Kendi's 30 for 30 challenge (more about this soon) starting from Monday! But you will find out a little more about this soon!

Hope you are having wonderful weekend!

Lady M's first giveaway!

2011-06-10T04:33:00.000-07:00

How lovely is this dress? I know that it is winter here but over in the Northern Hemisphere (where most of my readers are from) it is summer! So this dress will be absolutely PERFECT! The dress is from ASOS and was kindly donated by Francesca from Ms Vagabond's Thingomabobs!

How can you enter I hear you ask? It is simple!

One entry for each:

1. "Like" Lady M on Facebook

2. Follow Lady M on Twitter

3. Follow Lady M on Bloglovin

4. Follow Lady M on GFC

5. Tweet about the giveaway

Comment letting me know each entry you made.

be sure to leave a separate comment for each!

Entries close midnight on the 17th of June!

Good luck!

The size of this dress as per the tags:

UK: 10

Eur:38

USA: 6

Check out my necklace!

2011-06-09T04:07:00.000-07:00

Today was my first driving lesson in a manual car, I went alright, only stalled once! I have to get my license in around about 6 weeks because I am buying myself a car! I know how exciting my first car! I am quite excited, having so much freedom. So over public transport! Not much else to share with you about today that was at all exciting. A little bit of study here and there, although I still feel as though I am getting no where! A lot of what we have to know I already feel I know so it just seems tedious going over boring details!

Moving on...check out my necklace!! I am in love! I received it last week from the lovely people at Kie & Kate! I love the colour and how bold it is! It will definitely be a new staple in my wardrobe! The rest of my wardrobe today I stuck with the basics. Having a necklace that is bold like this one you have no choice but to go simple with the remainder of your outfit. That's just what I did.

I would never in a million years

2011-06-08T05:02:00.000-07:00

So another week has almost gone, I don't have to go to work until Saturday but the next two days will be spent in my room alone with my university books! Not sure which I prefer, work or study! But I think about it and in two weeks I will be completely done with the first semester. The most exciting thing about the end of this semester in particular is that I firstly get a months holiday after our exams but also I have the opportunity to work in a primary school teaching in a classroom for 10 weeks! That is a very long time I hear you say, well when you have a passion for education like me, 10 weeks is not long enough! I love working with children and the satisfaction you get from seeing them succeed is amazing! My university degree is very much about theory in relation to education, it is also great to be able to put that theory to practice, because I believe that you learn best by doing.

Enough about education, hopefully you are not too bored already and have stopped reading! I would never in a million years have worn this shirt before I started my blog. In fact I probably would never have bought a chambray shirt! I usually am a girl who sticks to basics, keeping up with the many fashions but never taking any risks. This outfit is risky!

Camel, grey and black

2011-06-07T05:31:00.000-07:00

I stayed at home all day today and although it was cold outside I was lovely and warm inside in front of the air-conditioning! And once again only got dressed for my lovely readers (yes thats you!) I was meant to study but did very little! I got very carried away changing things on my blog as have probably already noticed! I am quite the amateur when it comes to blog design, although I will credit google here, it has taught me everything I need to know! I also downloaded Photoshop, still can't work out how to edit my photos!

I bought this skirt from a store called Forever New here in Sydney. I bought it because the colour camel is really in right now, and it kind of reminds me of when I used to do ballet. The skirt flows and is very comfortable to wear! It is like nothing else I own either and I can match it with lots of colours; nude, white, black, grey (as seen here) and if I am feeling daring enough RED! I would love to give red a go with this skirt, I think it would look quite daring!

You will find me in more than one place today!

2011-06-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Today you can also find me at My Heart Blogged & Rochelle Approved!

Here is a little preview!

"Go shopping in your existing closet and mix things you ordinarily wouldn’t! It is free and you will learn more about the wardrobe you have"

Guest Post: Rochelle Approved!

2011-06-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

Rochelle is a good blogging friend of mine and I was delighted when she agreed to post on my blog! She has such a fabulous and unique style! Hope you enjoy her post!

Hello everyone! I’m Rochelle from Rochelle Approved and when Monique asked me if I would like to do a featured blogger post, I jumped at the chance! I only recently discovered her blog and I must say that twitter was a great help in getting us to connect as soon as we realized that we are now living on the same side of the world. (I just moved to Okinawa, Japan from North Carolina, USA).

This Little Black Dress, as well as my many other LBDs, has been rather hard for me to style. I have found this one extra hard to style as it has sequins on the shoulders and a rather dressy look to it, so I’ve been waiting for a “dressy” occasion to wear it. Then I saw this look and “pinned” it on Pinterest as inspiration on how to dress down a LBD.

The straw hat, oxfords and layered necklaces really help tone down the dressy nature of this LBD. Sometimes simplicity can tone down a dressier piece to the point where it is comfortable to wear for daily use.

Since Monique lives in Australia she’s been sporting some outfits for winter, so, here is how I would style this LBD to make it winter wear. First of all I would switch out the straw hat for a felt cloche or fedora. Instead of replacing the necklaces I would simply add a few more to the mix. In order to keep from freezing I would layer a thick grey cardigan over it. To finish the look I would wear bright blue tights and black knee socks tucked into tall taupe boots.

Thank you Rochelle for posting for me today! Dont forget to check out Rochelle Approved!

It has grown on me

2011-06-06T04:46:00.000-07:00

I am loving prints at the moment, this top a couple of weeks ago I would not have been caught dead wearing it, but it has grown on me. It is a pretty colour (pink my favourite!) and has a cute pattern, I should have taken a close up! Next time, I promise! These boots are so comfortable! And I know I say that every time I wear them but seriously, AMAZING! This pleated skirt once again makes an appearance! Zara is my new favourite store, although could turn into my worst enemy! I know my wallet is already enemies with Zara!

So there are a few things that I have my eyes on for this week:

1. A black boyfriend blazer

2. Black flats with bows on the front

3. A khaki military jacket

Hopefully I will find these items so I can share them with you all! Hope your Monday was not as drab as mine!

I straightened my hair today just for you

2011-06-05T04:43:00.000-07:00

A fun filled day of studying today, can you detect my sarcasm here? Studying is in no way fun! In fact it is quite the opposite, I can think of many adjectives to describe it, boring, pointless, dreary, tedious, dull and unexciting! Given the chance I could come up with so many more! The only thing that keeps me going is that in two weeks I will have a one month holiday! I will still have to work but at least no University work!

I straightened my hair today just for you. It takes forever to do but I like the end result so worth the effort I say! I have tried to dress up this plain black dress with a bit of colour as it is boring black, and this purple jacket and necklace combination work so well together! Don't you think? My mum bought me these boots 2 years ago and I wore them once, and I have now rediscovered their beauty! They are perfect! A little heel so they could be dressy but not too high that they can't be casual! You will definitely be seeing these more on the blog! Especially because they are nice and warm!

I'd love to hear your tricks of bringing a bit of colour into your wardrobe!

The perfect addition to an already full closet

2011-06-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

I have officially finished all of my University classes for this semester, I have finished all of my assignments and I just have 4 exams to go until I get 4 weeks holiday! I am very much looking forward to the holidays, although the 13 week semester has gone really fast, I feel so drained from all of the work that took place over the semester! I think I need a couple of days where I can just do nothing, now wouldn't that be lovely! Hopefully I will be able to organise a getaway for a couple of days!

Now that the semester is over, I will now be able to focus on designing and making some necklaces that I have been planning for a couple of weeks now and not had the time to make them! We all know that I love my necklaces, and I own way too many, but you will have to stay tuned over the next couple of weeks to see my creations!

Now to today's outfit! Stripes, pleats and neutral tones, an incorporation of three current trends in one outfit! And yes, featuring one of my many necklaces! It is quite pretty if I don't say so myself and how much was this little beauty? $5! You heard right, $5!!! Talk about a bargain!! The other day I shared my Zara shopping experience on twitter and here on my blog, this is the famous skirt that I bought! Isn't it pretty! It will pretty much go with everything that I have in my existing wardrobe! You may call it the perfect addition to an already full closet!

It's the weekend! Time to party! See you soon.

The It List: June 3rd

2011-06-03T04:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone! The IT list is celebrating it's ONE YEAR anniversary this week! It has been published 42 times in the past year... crazy, or what!?!? Also, the IT list will go on a brief summer hiatus for the next couple of weeks - but don't worry, it will return before you know it! In the meantime, enjoy these fabulous links!

alisha of alisha & brandon is challenging herself to mix and match 30 pieces of clothing for the next 30 days (also known as the 30/30 Challenge) - she's off to a great start! (find alisha on twitter!)
infashuation is giving away a super fun multi-colored straw bag. Go enter now... go on! (find infashuation on twitter!)
thought & musing is looking sweet in peach and polka dots - what a fun combo!
a lucky fifth is dreaming in black and white - check out the fun inspiration she has compiled here!
the stylish housewife is rocking a fun striped dress paired with leopard shoes - in my book a perfect match! (find the stylish housewife on twitter!)
rose a la mode is giving away an amazing pair of KM2 Shoes valued at over $300 - pop on over and enter! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
sweetie pie style is crushing on a boho style handbag for summer - check out her picks, all under $100! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
good tots reviews what recipes they have been loving in her household lately... including a super yummy cocktail recipe for the adults!
good clean fun has the perfect summer burger for you... it's stuffed with carmelized onions. So yum! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
lady M is an 'opposite blogger' - she's blogging from the Souther Hemisphere where the weather is changing there, but in a different direction! (find lady M on twitter!)
the capital barbie is featuring some fun silk shifts for summer including this unique one from Forever 21 that is less than $35! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
one hundred inspirations features Ashley Tisdale's fresh summer outfit for only about $100!
good life for less turns a maxi skirt into a dress for a simple summer look. (find good life for less on twitter!)

I used to have no bottoms to wear

2011-06-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

Another week almost gone! Where does time go? I can't believe half of this year has already flown past as well! I had a long day at University, and tonight I am feeling quite drained! I have another presentation tomorrow for University, then I get to go home. Lucky Me! So I will have tomorrow afternoon all to myself, I think I might hit up the shops, I need to buy a few long sleeved tops, as you can tell from my photos, it is getting rather cold here. And lately I have been collecting lots of skirts and pants, which has left me with hardly any tops to match them with! I used to have no bottoms to wear, now it is the opposite! Do you ever find this with your wardrobe?

Today was not as cold as it has been the past couple of days thankfully, but definitely still need to wear a jacket, which is where my black blazer comes in again. You were lucky enough to meet Mr Black Blazer two days ago, and I had a lot of great feedback so I thought I would bring him back. I've never worn this combination before of the blazer and this dress, thought it would be a risky outfit, although I think it turned out well!

An opposite blogger

2011-06-01T04:11:00.000-07:00

For most of you it is the first day of Summer! For me, it’s the first day of winter! Living in the Southern Hemisphere means that my seasons are all opposite to the American seasons (most of my readers come from America, so my blogger stats tell me). So as it gets cold here, it gets hot over there, which is a bummer because I don’t get to wear the same trends as you all because our seasons are opposite! It is hard being an opposite blogger. But in a way it also makes me unique. While you all talk about how you get to go to the beach and sunbake, I get to talk about woolly jumpers and snow! I hope you won’t mind!

I have two more days left of my university semester, boy the 13 week term went fast! Feels like only yesterday I started! But that’s life I guess. Being busy all the time means there is less time to stop and smell the roses, but I like to keep busy, or life becomes monotonous and boring.

Now to my outfit, I know you are all dying to read about it! I rarely wear red, as you can tell from my previous outfits! In winter especially I tend to stick with blacks, greys and whites, but I went with red today! AND I bought a yellow dress today! (it did have a little bit of black in it, is that cheating?). Red with grey is a colour combination I have been yet to try, not sure if I’m 100% happy with it.

What are your thoughts?

Mr Black Blazer

2011-05-31T04:05:00.000-07:00

My backyard has become a pool, we have had so much rain here! It is unbelievable! It is really cold here too! I went shopping at Zara today and I bought a new skirt! It is black and pleated, and I love it! You will more than likely see it on the blog sometime soon! I thought it was a great piece to have in my wardrobe as it can be worn all year round and is such a staple colour, it will go with everything!

Today I introduce you to Mr Black Blazer. I bought this last year (pretty sure it was on sale) and I love it! It has a pretty bow detail on the collar that you can kind of see in these pictures. It is nothing like the black blazers you usually find, and thats why I love it!

I am in the process of completing a few projects, if you want to participate just drop me a comment or an email moniquezuman@gmail.com.

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Giving lace a try

2011-05-30T06:09:00.000-07:00

I wanted to try rocking the neutral trend today. The weather was pretty ordinary today to say the least. Pretty sure there was no point me showering today as I got drenched as soon as I walked out my front door! AND I took the big umbrella!! I am also very surprised my hair is in tact here. My hair went so frizzy! So glad this was taken just after I did my hair!

I tried to pair a bit of lace with this outfit, I rarely wear lace but lately I have really adopted this trend! Lace is so delicate, pretty and feminine! If you haven't given lace a try, I would definitely recommend it! Mixing lace with neutrals is super easy and looks fantastic! I'd love to hear how you have worn lace!

While your here, you can follow me on twitter! HERE.

Simple is best

2011-05-29T04:14:00.000-07:00

My printed stockings are back! I got some great feedback after wearing them yesterday, so they have made a reappearance. I think that they really dress up this, otherwise very basic outfit! Simple is best, but jazzing simple up a little, makes an outfit that little bit more fabulous! Decided that I would show off a bag today too! My bag is from Mimco (an Australian brand), and they have the prettiest designs! I have so many of their bags, which explains where my savings went. I think the little pocket details on the front of this bag are so cute and they are also very practical! Small trinkets and IPods/phones fit very neatly, which makes things easier when fishing around in a bag for important things.

As for yesterday's post where I said that I am planning something, all will be revealed shortly! I got a great response from lots of readers so it is definitely going ahead! So stay tuned! Want to find out what I am planning? Email me: moniquezuman@gmail.com

I am conjuring up a surprise!

2011-05-28T04:06:00.000-07:00

This skirt I bought a month or two ago from target for only $10! It is silk with small pleats down the left-hand side, with a little tie. It is something that is like nothing else in my wardrobe, so when I bought it I knew it was a risky piece, but I have really grown to love it! Im thinking that I can pair it with quite a few colours, and most importantly with my existing wardrobe. I recently have seen quite a few bloggers wearing patterned stockings, so I have given it a go! I picked up this pair from Target for $10! I bought a couple of other pairs too. I liked these the most because they have cute bows on them!

This weekend is going to be pretty ordinary, working, doing University work and my soccer game! Although I am working on a surprise that should be up in the next week or so.

If you post your outfits on your blog and are interested in finding out more, email me moniquezuman@gmail.com for more information! Or leave me a comment!

The perfect shoe

2011-05-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

Another week has past! I don't even know where all of my time goes! University is almost finished for me this semester, one more week then I get a weeks break and then exam time! But after that I'm on holidays for a month! I can't wait!

So today's outfit, my lovely skirt that I bought a couple of weeks ago, although initially I had trouble styling, you can now expect me to be remixing it more often! I love my boots, I got them for my birthday, they are warm and comfortable, what more could you ask for in a shoe? Since it is getting colder here, they are really coming in handy! My necklace is from Forever 21! We don't have a Forever 21 store in Australia, so I ordered this one from Ebay, and I'm pretty sure I only paid about $10 for it! Bargain!!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

The It List: May 27th

2011-05-27T05:03:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday ladies! Can you believe it is the final Friday of May - summer is here! Celebrate this weekend by taking some extra time to peruse these fabulous blogs!

thought and musing looks amazing in layered neutrals... her scarf/belt/necklace combination is very inspiring - I want to try that!
lady M breaks down the color grey with all the inspiration you would ever need to completely fall in love with this color. From a gorgeous dress to your favorite celebs rocking the color - she has it all! (find lady M on twitter!)
100 inspirations has an Angelina Jolie inspired outfit in a gorgeous nude hue - THE color for spring! Check it out!
good clean fun takes a classic summer combo, strawberries and rhubarb, and mixes them up into a fabulous summer cocktail... just in time for the holiday weekend! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
the stylish housewife sports a classic outfit inspired by the one and only Olivia Palermo - check out her spin on the look! (find the stylish housewife on twitter!)
the capital barbie is loving bright orange for summer - this nail polish caught my eye! Check out her other bold and bright picks! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
rose a la mode found the perfect outfit for the long drive back from vacation and I love it! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
a spot of whimsy is crushing on the interior stylings of Ralph Lauren. You will be too after you check out these ultra classic and ultra comfortable digs! (find a spot of whimsy ontwitter!)
sweetie pie style features the Tribeca loft of Erin Featherston - it's superbly feminine! The girly girl in you will love it! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
alisha of alisha & brandon is bringing back a pair of old wide leg jeans to her closet and is also dishing on style versus fashion. (find alisha & brandon on twitter!)
infashuation had my heart skipping a beat with stripes, leopard print and white jeans. This is the ultimate in summer outfit combos! (find infashuation on twitter!)
the fancy red boots is letting her readers choose her new handbag for her - how fun!?!? I am loving one bag in particular... which one are you loving? (find the fancy red boots ontwitter!)
a lucky fifth rounds up her favorite drugstore beauty finds. Who doesn't love a peek into others' makeup stash?
along abbey road brings us her top fashion picks from the Cannes Film Festival. There are so many gorgeous celebrities and dresses!
good life for less is passionate for pink this summer - check out her fun picks from shoes, to clothes to accessories! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - for information on how to be involved, click here!

I have a little secret!

2011-05-26T04:06:00.000-07:00

My Chambray shirt has become quite handy to have in my wardrobe. It is perfect for this weather of in between seasons! The weather today was rainy and cold, so not a good day here! My presentation at University went well, such a relief when it is over! Leaves me thinking, why was I ever worried? So you and my boots have been well acquainted over the past couple of weeks, as a I revealed yesterday, I have a little secret, I wear sports socks underneath! No one can see them, so why not? Keeps my toes toasty!

I want to introduce you to my necklace, haven't worn it for a while, we have recently rediscovered each other! I love finding old loves in the back of my closet! It's like you have been shopping but haven't spent any money! It has a pretty magnetic clasp at the back the hold the necklace together! And the clasp has tiny Swarovski crystals on it! So pretty, and perfect for day or night!

I purchased this lovely necklace from Mimco a while back! But it is simple and timeless that it will never go out of fashion! A must have in any woman's wardrobe!

Sharing the Love

2011-05-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! My name is Talitha of T Time Chatter and I wanted to share with you how to mix

up your wardrobe and utilising what you have. I based 3 outfits around the same skirt. This is

going for casual to work to dressy.

Here is a very casual outfit. I am loving this skirt at the moment and paired with hightop
converse and a leather jacket give you a punk casual look for every day. If you wanted to

tone this down, just wear a simple cardi and some cute flats - easy as.

I thought of an outfit that I would be able to wear to work - so looking corporate. Some

nice heels and a tailored blazer complete the outfit.

Finally an outfit to head to dinner with the girls. I love these heels, and they are so comfy.

With the short skirt and high heels will make your legs look nice and long. Can wear

without the tights in the warmer months. I like to bring some vibrance to the outfit with a

gorgeous necklace.

How easy was all that?

Hope you enjoyed, and remember, it is so simple to take what you have and create many outfits - Be Versatile!!

Talitha xx

You can check out Talitha's blog here; http://www.ttimechatter.blogspot.com

My non-sensible outfit

2011-05-25T04:04:00.000-07:00

I have no fingers or toes left! They have all frozen off!! Not really, but it is so cold here! I thought I was going to freeze to death today! And what I ended up wearing was not sensible, although I never realised how cold it was going to be! This khaki dress has become a wardrobe staple for me, as many people have been saying, the maxi dress is the new track pants! Only more stylish! I did get one thing right, I wore my boots, that I wear socks underneath, so at least my feet were warm, as for the rest of my body, not so much! Should of added a scarf or something!

I have a presentation tomorrow at University so my post today will be shorter, I need to practice! I get really nervous when I have to make speeches in class! I'm not sure why, I just always have! Hopefully I won't get too nervous! My University semester is almost over! I can almost taste the freedom!

Neglected no more!

2011-05-24T03:55:00.000-07:00

The weather today was bad. It was cloudy all day and then it poured with rain! I was lucky I was able to take these photos as it was beginning to rain just as I finished! My grey skirt is back! Last week I tried wearing a blazer with a maxi skirt, and the response I got was amazing! So I am trying it again! This skirt is so perfect for this kind of weather, it is thick and keeps the wind out! I am not usually one for wearing pants, so this skirt is perfect for me on cold days!

My blue necklace is also making a re-appearance today. I promised myself and you guys that I would try to wear this necklace more often because he has been neglected lately, so here it is again! I got quite a few compliments on how lovely the colour was, and I just adore it now! It is my new favourite necklace! The colour added just enough pop to pull this outfit together! What do you think?

Pretzel Necklace

2011-05-23T04:21:00.000-07:00

With this outfit I thought that I would wear this skirt because it is such a pretty colour and is fairly bright, perfect for Monday mornings when I don't even feel like getting out of bed! I also love the plaid detail around the top of the skirt, it is like a belt, but prettier! I have been trying to not wear black lately but I find myself always turning back to this safe colour! I have no idea why! I guess it was cold today and I haven't got that many long sleeved shirts in my wardrobe so I had to go with this one! I think I will let myself off the hook, just this once.

I paired this outfit with these flats that I bought a couple of weeks ago! Very comfortable and pretty much go with everything I own, so an essential purchase! And of course, by now EVERYBODY knows that I love necklaces, I own way too many to count. This one is a particular favourite of mine, mainly because it looks like a pretzel. So I call it my pretzel necklace. Hope you all had a good start to your week, I will see you all soon!

Grey's Anatomy

2011-05-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

I admit, when I think of grey I think of cold and rainy days. But after a little inspiration from a few magazines, anyone can turn grey from drab to fab!

My Grey Picks

(Skirt, Blazer, Heels, Flats, Bag, Shorts, Dress)

Here are some tips for wearing grey:

1.Try not to pair grey with black, as it will make your outfit look very dull.

   2. Use grey accessories if you are not comfortable with
   using a lot of grey in your outfit. A simple scarf or hat
   can be added to an outfit easily, without making your outfit look dull.

   3. Don’t overdo the amount of grey you wear. Don’t go
   overboard with a grey skirt, grey top, grey shoes and
   grey scarf. This is as boring as watching paint dry!

Fashion gurus Trinny and Susannah of Britain’s What Not To Wear tell how to make gray a modern and refined choice for your wardrobe by finding the right shade of gray for your coloring and using tonal colors to break up the solidness of gray and bright accents to enhance the hue.

Is there a trend you would like to see featured on my blog? I would love to hear your ideas!

The It List: May 20th

2011-05-20T04:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone! I am ready for another weekend... take some time to check out these amazing links!

a spot of whimsy features Jess LC's new handbag line... you will fall in love with these bags! Be sure to check them out! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
good clean fun never disappoints with tasty and simple recipes. These Oreo cheesecake bars look SO good! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
fancy red boots is wearing a simple but adorable outfit that I now deem to be my "uniform" this summer! (find fancy red boots on twitter!)
alisha of alisha and brandon is looking fabulous in this striped maxi dress (stripes seem to be the theme today!)... a maxi dress is such a great summer staple. (find alisha ontwitter!)
along abbey road has a great makeup video tutorial featuring her favorite MAC products - be sure to check out her tips and favorites!
rose a la mode is looking particularly happy in this great outfit... check out the great deal she got on this top! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
the capital barbie is loving lime lately - what a fun color for summer! This scarf is a certain favorite. (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
the stylish housewife is sporting a perfectly layered look! What a great look for spring and it's inconsistent temps. (find the stylish housewife on twitter!)
baby shopaholic goes out on the town with some girlfriends - check out the fun beetle ring she is wearing. How fun! (find baby shopaholic on twitter!)
infashuation brings some in-your-face color to you with this amazing outfit. I am loving the bold accessories and bright yellow! (find infashuation on twitter!)
lady M's maxi skirt looks so comfortable and stylish. If you need a simple look for summer - take notes! (find lady M on twitter!)
good tots pulls together sweet and simple summer maternity outfits for all those summer pregnancies!
thought and musing looks dashing with a simple bow in her hair. Plus, check out her adorable blazer!
good life for less is loving the color navy lately... inspired by the lovely Kate Middleton, of course! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - for information on how you can be involved, click here!

I Am Not Short At All

2011-05-19T04:26:00.000-07:00

This skirt is so long! I am wearing heels and it still almost touches the ground, and I am not short at all! I am actually quite tall. I bought this skirt a couple of months ago for $80 and was disappointed to find it 3 weeks later for only $50! I felt so ripped off! Has this ever happened to you?

I love the colour of this skirt as I never used to wear neural colours like this, but I have really found myself using these pastel colours in my outfits as they are so soft and pretty. I paired the skirt with a simple white top, and my blazer. I have never worn this combination of a maxi skirt and a blazer, but I think it turned out quite well, what do you think?

Wearing: Skirt from Portmans. Top from Portmans. Blazer from Portmans. Boots from Target. Necklace from Diva.

Love/Hate Relationship

2011-05-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

So my skirt is new and so is my necklace, well kind of! Both were purchased about 2 months ago and this is the first time I have worn both! I really like this skirt, such a practical length and such a versatile colour! When I purchase things it seems that I love it at the time of purchase and I bring it home and it just sits in my wardrobe, I think that I get confused about how I should style it and implement it into my existing wardrobe. So basically me and my clothes sometimes have a love/hate relationship. I have found that this blog has been great as I am more willing to experiment with my clothes and mix and match things I ordinarily wouldn't.

This necklace is going to be used more in my day to day outfits as it is such a pretty colour and I think it really makes this outfit pop! And after many of my readers commented yesterday in relation to my boots that I am in love with right now, I wore them again, just for you!

Wearing: Top from Glassons. Skirt from Sportsgirl. Boots from Target. Necklace from Diva. Bracelet from Tiffany & Co.

Are You Sick Of These Shoes Yet?

2011-05-17T03:57:00.000-07:00

So this is the first time wearing my new skirt! How does it look? I thought I would start out with a simple look so I paired it with a white three-quarter sleeve shirt, it was a little warmer today so I got away with wearing something a bit lighter. The boots I am wearing, are you getting sick of them yet? I can't stop wearing them because they are just so comfortable! I promise I will wear different shoes tomorrow!

Wearing: Skirt from Forever New. Top from Portmans. Boots from Target. Bracelet from Tiffany & Co.

Anyone doing anything exciting this week?

Find me at Thought and Musing!

2011-05-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

Today, you can find me here, sharing a bit of myself at Thought and Musing!

Hope you all had a lovely day!

Meet Hannah from Thought and Musing!

2011-05-16T04:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Lady M readers! Its nice to "meet" all of you. I'm Hannah of Thought and Musing and I'm thrilled to be guest posting for Monique.

My blog is all about creating fun looks on a minimal budget as I'm a social worker, with the odd recipe post, style trend and general thoughts on life. I'm lucky enough to know Monique in my real life, not just my blog life...her boyfriend is my brother in law!

It's getting cold in Australia and like Monique, sometimes I struggle to put together colourful winter oufits. So I've challenged myself today, to put together a fun, warm outfit with as little use of black as possible! Black seems to be my go to in colder months. Don't be fooled by the sun in these photos, it was FREEZING cold and windy.

I definitely think that you can wear cream or white in winter. I started with this skirt and added my patterned purple tights for a punch of colour. My boots are obviously still black, but baby steps yeah?

Checked Shirts look great in winter. Rather than simply tucking it in, I opted to tie it at the waist, (so 90s but so awesome)which seems to be coming back into popularity. Normally I would have gone for a solid black tank but in the spirit of my challenge I opted for a purpleish grey. I've added a few photos of possible accessories to mix things up even more.

Thanks for having me, Lady M readers. Feel free to visit me at Thought and Musing!

I Need Your Help!

2011-05-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

Ok so I know you have seen this photo before, but I really need your help!

I am in a competition on the Dylan & Rose Facebook Page, basically the most likes wins! So if you like this photo, I would love you to help me out!

You have to like the Dylan & Rose page first, and then like my photo!

The link to my picture is HERE.

Remix

2011-05-15T05:34:00.000-07:00

My skirt is back! Trying a few different remixes. I have paired the skirt with a simple white three-quarter top and my lace-up boots. I have also thrown on a statement necklace, I'm pretty sure by now you know that I love them! And for the first time today you get to see my hair in a bun! I like it so much better when it is up, out of my face. So much easier to do things, especially because my hair is so long!

Wearing: Shirt from Portmans. Skirt from Country Road. Boots from Target. Necklace from a market in Fiji. Bracelet from Tiffany and Co.

And...as I promised I will now reveal my first purchase of the month!

I bought this skirt on Thursday from Forever New in the City. I love it because I can wear it in summer and winter! Not many of my clothes are that versatile, so even though some may disagree, I consider this purchase to be an investment! This photo in no way does the skirt justice!

So this month my budget now stands at:

$240

It Wasn't Love At First Sight

2011-05-14T04:22:00.000-07:00

So Blogger was down yesterday, and has stolen two of my posts! And is yet to return them! I pretty much vented all day yesterday so I won't bore you to tears with it once again!

Here is my outfit for the day!

So I bought this skirt from Country Road a couple of weeks back and I love it! At first it was not love at first sight. To be honest I am not sure why I initially bought it! But it has grown on me! I love the colour, at first I didn't know what to wear with it! But I have newly discovered that grey is so in right now! I will definitely be remixing this skirt over the next couple of weeks, and yes of course I will be sharing them with you!!

Wearing: Shirt from Myer. Skirt from Country Road. Clutch from Jimmy Choo. Boots from Target. Necklace from a market in Fiji.

Stay tuned, tomorrow I will be showcasing a new purchase!

Pyjama Day

2011-05-10T23:26:00.001-07:00

Today I did absolutely nothing. I didn't have to go to work, I didn't have to go to University, but I did have to do some of my assignments. So I won't bore you with the details, because seriously, boring!

So I really got dressed up for nothing, because quite frankly when I am home alone, I really want to curl up on the lounge in my pyjamas and watch television all day. But, I didn't do that and I have all of my lovely readers to thank for that! So basically this is what I wore for about an hour today, I'm not going to lie, because after I took these shots, I put on my pyjamas and curled up in bed. And today was perfect weather for it, the sun luckily just came out while these photos were taken!

Today my outfit features this wonderful necklace from Alannah Hill! I wanted to give you a closer look because the photos of the necklace with my outfit really don't do it any justice! It is so pretty and cost me quite a bit (because it is Alannah Hill) however I really love wearing it. It is not very often I get to wear it because it doesn't go with a lot of my wardrobe, so today I was lucky enough the get the chance to wear it (even if only for an hour).

I’m wearing: Top from Portmans. Skirt from Target. Shoes from Myer. Watch from Guess. Necklace from Alannah Hill.

Want to wear something similar?

(Shirt, Skirt, Shoes, Necklace, Watch)

Now a matter of importance. Yesterday I was emailed by the lovely Katarina from Dylan & Rose and was asked if I would like to enter their current style competition. I jumped at the chance because I love dressing up!

BUT I need YOUR help! Its easy! You have to like the Dylan & Rose fan page first then like my photo that is HERE. And that is it! I really appreciate your help :)

Hope your day was as relaxing as mine, and if not I hope you didn't work too hard!

Transforming My Skirt

2011-05-10T04:39:00.000-07:00

My grandma came over tonight for dinner. I love it when she does because she is so lovely and gives out the best hugs. She is like my second mum, we love to do things together, go shopping or watch the occasional movie. Which brings me to my outfit. Although I have to wear a uniform to work, I did however wear this to dinner and managed to snap a few quick shots before the sun went down, I only got one because the lighting was really bad, so I had to take my photo taking inside the house.

The skirt I am wearing is actually a skirt I bought last year for summer, and I have now rediscovered its beauty and have found a way for it to work in the colder months! Pairing it with this basic top and ruffle shoulder cardigan, I manage to turn this summer skirt into a autumn skirt!

I’m wearing: Top from Target. Skirt from Target. Cardigan from Myer. Shoes from Betts. Earrings from Lovisa. Watch from Fossil. Bracelet from Tiffany & Co.

HAVE A LOVELY TUESDAY!

Leopard Print Shoes and a Red Trench

2011-05-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

So I have been trying to post this for ages! Blogger has been playing up, so I am a little late posting today! And as a result have no time to work on this post!

I still wanted to share with you all what I wore so this is what I wore today! This post will be short and sweet because I have to rush off to work now, but hopefully Blogger will be back to normal when I get home!

I’m wearing: Top from SES. Skirt from Target. Trench from Myer. Shoes from Dianna Ferrari. Earrings from Lovisa. Watch from Guess. Bracelet from Tiffany & Co. Necklace by Trent Nathan.

Hope you all had a wonderful day today! I will see you all again tomorrow!

My Mother's Day Outfit!

2011-05-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This is the outfit I wore on Mother's Day! It is simple yet elegant, and can be both dressy and casual. I love the neutral tones in this outfit as well because they can be mixed and matched with pretty much anything!

(Jeans, Blazer, T-Shirt, Heels, Necklace, Bag)

Today is a day for us to be thankful for our Mother's and all that they do for us, no matter how big or small.

I spent Mother's Day with my family, everyone came to watch my soccer game and then we had Chinese food for dinner. It was a lovely day!

How did you spend Mother's Day?

What Would A Nerd Wear

2011-05-08T04:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Lady M readers! I am Tania from WhatWouldANerdWear! As I'm sure you know, Monique has her thumb on the pulse of trends. I cannot claim to have the same knowledge about what's cool (I mean, just take a look at the title of my blog), but there are a few new looks for summer and spring that I'm looking forward to trying out:

1. White-on-white. This summer, I'm going to play with my color palette a little and do some monochrome looks with white or beige. It doesn't cost a thing to remix a white tee and jeans or a white dress and cardigan, and I think it will bring a little new life to my white tee shirt collection this summer.

2. Big wedges. I used never to wear heels or wedges or anything with height, ever. But I have slowly eased into bigger shoes with really, really comfortable wedges, which are a breeze to walk in (even for a goof like me) and give me a little extra oomph.

3. The maxi dress trend. Though I've been wary of this one for a while, I think I'm going to cave and try it out this summer. It's easy to make a maxi skirt out of a repurposed jersey dress--Elaine from clothedmuch recently made her own and it looks super easy. I picked up a printed dress for $15 at h&m the other weekend and I'm looking forward to trying it out.

4. Florals and stripes seem to be two enduring spring trends (as one friend said to me recently "Every spring, people announce that stripes are in! But stripes never went out, especially for the springtime."). I'm a little shy with pattern mixing still, but I always think stripes and florals look gorgeous together--sophisticated without trying too hard.

5. Simplicity! It might sound silly, but I'm really looking forward to paring things down for spring and summer. Lots of white tops and structured skirts, striped tees and rolled up jeans, and easy little black dresses with sandals.

Thanks for letting me guest post, Monique!

You can check out Tania's blog here:

WhatWouldANerdWear

AND

Twitter

Weekly Roundup

2011-05-07T05:17:00.000-07:00

Good Morning bloggers! I trust you all enjoyed my first outfit post yesterday! If you missed it, you can check it out here. I really did appreciate all of your lovely comments! They mean the world to me!

Weekly Roundup:

1. Bekah from Matters of Merrymaking shared a piece of her style.

2. I created a fun and affordable way to dress just like a celebrity!

3. I decided whether to splurge or save on these gorgeous bags.

4. Styling plaid can be hard, but using my tips it is easy peasy.

5. Vanessa from My Heart Blogged shared a little more about herself.

6. This weeks Fashion Beauty Friend Friday was all about shoes!

7. My first outfit post! It was long awaited, but finally arrived!

I’m wearing: Dress from Target. Trench Coat from Myer. Boots from Sandler. Scarf from Portmans. Earrings from Lovisa. Watch from Guess. Bracelet from Tiffany & Co.

Hope your having a great weekend!

My First Outfit Post!

2011-05-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

So this is my first outfit post! I have been following quite a few blogs now for quite a while! I love looking at different people and what they wear each day! I love blogs so much more than magazines, because blogs are REAL. REAL people, REAL life! Being able to actually relate and talk to some of my favourite bloggers has been amazing!

I would like to thank quite a few people for getting me this far!

Tania- What A Nerd Would Wear

Morgan- Meet Virginia Design

Vanessa- My Heart Blogged

Andrea- Keepin it Thrifty

Linley- Dwelling and Telling

And to all of my loyal followers! It means so much to me! Every little comment, every compliment really makes my day!

So, without further ado, here is my first outfit post!

I’m wearing: Top from Country Road. Skirt from Portmans. Blazer from Portmans. Shoes from Target. Earrings from Lovisa. Watch from Guess. Bracelet from Tiffany & Co.

Let me know what you guys think!

The It List: May 6th

2011-05-06T04:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday ladies! It's hard to believe it is May already... I so thankful for longer sunnier days!Take some time to enjoy these fabulous links today!

rose a la mode has been obsessing over this rose gold Michael Kors watch. It's absolutely gorgeous... see how she snagged it on a budget! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
meet virginia design is looking absolutely smashing in red, one of my favorite hues for spring and summer. Plus, she vows never to become a blogging diva - what a cute post! (find meet virginia design on twitter!)
mama loves papa is sporting a gorgeous green vintage dress for spring. This is such a happy dress and a great silhouette. (find mama loves papa on twitter!)
rebecca with an r always seems to layer so effortlessly I am loving this combo of pale pink with florals. And how cute are her new wedges? (find rebecca with an r on twitter!)
the capital barbie is loving flats for spring and summer - and who doesn't? Check out her fun picks including a pair of metallics that I just love! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
baby shopaholic dishes on her favorite brand and color of blusher. Pop on over there to see what it is, I know I have heard LOTS of bloggers chat up with blush. It's definitely piquing my interest!
a spot of whimsy is still basking in the glow of the royal wedding. And so am I! Check out her favorite British brand - it's one I happen to love as well! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
lady M recreates this Olivia Palermo look on a dime, and it's a good one! A perfect outfit for summer! (find lady M on twitter!)
the stylish housewife is wearing one of the most coveted palettes for summer: neon + neutrals. Check out her gorgeous ensemble! I am in love with that dress!
sweetie pie style just updated her vintage shop, One Sweet Find. Go check out her new offerings and she is offering a discount to IT list readers exclusively, use code: THEITLIST at checkout for 10% off! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
one hundred inspirations recreates this fun Anna Kendrick look for around $100 - I just LOVE these green jeans!
good clean fun brings us this chocolate peanut butter pie recipe. You can thank me (or her!) later - this looks delicious! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
the fancy red boots is looking adorable in this simple red skirt and jean jacket. What a simple and classic look - I love it! (find the fancy red boots on twitter!)
good life for less is loving the white-out trend that is so popular for summer. See how you can pull the look off yourself! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life for less - for information on how to be involved, click here!

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday: Shoes

2011-05-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

1.What is your go-to pair of shoes?
I love a nice ballet flat! I tend to go for comfort. When you walk a lot you have to think of the comfort factor! There are some really nice ballet flats around at the moment! Although I always like to have a nice plain black pair so that I can pair them with pretty much anything!

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions?
When shoe shopping in my mind I am thinking about what outfits I have that will match the shoe! This is important because too many times I buy things that may be really nice, but very hard to style with my existing wardrobe!

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?
I don't really have a lot of just one colour! I have quite a few colours, brown, white, black, pink, red and patterned.

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and why?
I don't really buy shoes based on brands. I do like a few particular brands, Wittner, PeepToe & Diana Ferrari and Target for affordability!

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?
Probably something by Jimmy Choo or Steve Madden are my favourite!

Guest Post: Vanessa from My Heart Blogged

2011-05-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

I'm Vanessa from My Heart Blogged. I blog from Cleveland, Ohio, and I believe that it doesn't need to cost you a lot of money to look great. My favorite things are thrifting shopping, and scouring clearance racks for amazing deals. My mantra is that real everyday women have a place in fashion.

What is the coolest thing in your wardrobe?

Probably my two pairs of yellow flats. I had a pair in high school that I loved until they fell apart. For years I had been obsessed with finding a new pair. Up until last year I couldn't find yellow flats anywhere. Now I have two pairs that I love to bits, and pieces. I feel like yellow shoes can brighten up any outfit, and really stand out.

Is there any direction you want to take your blog?

I always have wanted to keep my blog a budget fashion blog. Most people don't have a lot of money to spend on fashion. With a little work, you can save a lot of money, and still get the things you want. I love writing about thrifting, and repurposing things you already own.

What do you think are the 5 essential things for your wardrobe?

Easy to wear dresses. You can quickly throw it on, and look great. Flats, because I don't wear heels. Cardigans to add color, or a little something extra. Unique accessories to add more personality to outfits. Wide leg trousers. I have a pair of amazing Express (thrifted) trouser jeans which can be easily dressed up or down.

Who is your celebrity crush?

I'm going to get all mushy gushy on you. I have been with my boyfriend for almost five years, and I think he is the hottest thing on earth. Don't get me wrong I find other guys good looking. There is just something about someone having your heart, and loving you for who you are that makes them extra sexy. Oh, and he is an aspiring chef. Which really doesn't hurt.

If you were down to your last $10 what would you spend it on?

If I already had the practical things like food, and gas, I would go get a new treasure from the thrift store. In a perfect world I would find a great pair of red skinny pants. Which has become my new obsession.

Thankyou so much Vanessa for sharing a little more about you with my readers! Vanessa is an amazing blogger! I urge you to check her out!

My Heart Blogged

Would you like to feature on my blog? Leave me a comment or email me; moniquezuman@gmail.com

Steal her Look: Blake Lively

2011-05-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

Blake Lively is the star of Gossip Girl, alongside the likes ofLeighton Meester and Chace Crawford, a show that tells the story of rich kids in New York’s Upper Eastside, and the bloggers and paparazzi that feed off their antics. Off screen, she is a rich kid in New York’s Upper Eastside that is hounded by bloggers and paparazzi. But all irony aside, she is a gorgeous, talented girl and also the most likely Gossip Girl cast member to move on to better things once that show is put out of its misery.

(http://au.askmen.com/celebs/women/actress/blake-lively/index.html)

THE LOOK

(Dress, Tights, Booties, Jacket, Bag)

A total cost of $144.77!

What is a trend you would like to see?

Perfect Plaid

2011-05-04T04:03:00.000-07:00

How to Wear Plaid:

I like the look of plaid shirts worn with denim jeans and a pair of high heels for a casually polished look. I really want to invest in a new plaid top… I really like the red styles, and some of the blue plaid pieces I have found are pretty too. Lightweight and slightly loose fitting would be so sweet!

KEEP IT SUBTLE

Plaid clothing can make a bold statement so it's best to keep the rest of your outfit subtle. Avoid the urge to go plaid crazy by pairing plaid tops with plaid bottoms. Too much plaid can be busy and distracting. Take a close look at your wardrobe and think about how you could add a plaid piece or two to your closet that will pull together what you already own. One of the most versatile purchases would be a fitted plaid blazer or a sleek plaid coat to wear with pants, sweaters, and boots. Think of plaid as a statement piece and keep the rest of your look simple.

CONSIDER PLAID ACCESSORIES

If you won't want to indulge too heavily in the plaid trend, you'll find a variety of plaid accessories for winter that will give you a touch of plaid without overwhelming your frame. Why not wear a pair of low heeled plaid shoes with tights and skirt for a fresh look for winter? Another way to get some plaid to your wardrobe is to carry a plaid handbag or add a plaid belt or headband to an outfit. This is a cost effective way to get the look of plaid while keeping your wardrobe classic.

(http://www.ehow.com/how_4551404_wear-plaid.html#ixzz1LMAjgkwU)

PRETTY PLAID PICKS

1. Ruffle Plaid Shirt

2. Short Sleeve Marcs Plaid Blouse

3. Plaid Double-Breasted Coat

4. White Plaid Skirt

5. Blue Plaid Dress

6. Marcs Bow Detail Dress

7. Lacoste Red Scarf

8. Short Kilt Skirt

9. Plaid Woman’s Watch

Kyla from Blue Collar Catwalk wears plaid and looks so stunning!

Stay tuned for more plaid, I will be copying one celebrity's take on this plaid trend! I wonder who it will be? Her name starts with a B and she is in a TV show starting with G! Can you guess?

Splurge or Save: Satchel Bags

2011-05-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first edition of Splurge or Save! Today we have a black satchel bag. I love these bags! I did a post on these bags a couple of weeks ago; check it out here.

Bag one: Mulberry $1027

The first bag is a lovely leather; The Baywater is arguably the most iconic bags as an instantaneously recognisable piece that reflects the craftsmanship and techniques that Mulberry is known for. It features a signature postman’s lock and has a soft brushed leather interior for the ultimate luxuriously-crafted touch.

Bag two: BlueFly $77

The second bag is Pebbled faux leather with brushed goldtone hardware with a front with decorative, logo engraved turnlock at front; hidden magnetic closure. The bag has inset bands down front sides with decorative rungs with grey twill fabric lined interior with zippered pocket, cell phone and PDA pockets.

Would you splurge or save?

Copy this look: Oliva Palermo under $150

2011-05-03T04:17:00.000-07:00

Olivia Palermo is a self-described “social”—that’s short of “socialite,” or a person who basically makes a name for themselves socializing, drinking champagne, and posing for photographers in expensive outfits. At only 21, Palermo appeared on the New York social scene only a few years ago—she’s the daughter of an interior designer and a real-estate consultant and started making the rounds at high-wattage parties while still a student at NYC’s New School. Currently, the girl who MTV insists on referring to as living “uptown,” rents a $4,100+ a month apartment in Tribeca, which, for those of you who are looking at a map, is significantly downtown from Whitney’s apartment in the Flatiron.

(http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-who-is-olivia-palermo-anyway/)

I have recreated this Olivia Palermo look:

(Shirt, Shorts, Shoes, Necklace, Bag)

$127.38!

Is there a celebrity who's look you want to copy? Email me moniquezuman@gmail.com

Guest Post: Bekah the Merrymaker!

2011-05-02T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hello ladies and lobsters! It's Bekah, the Merrymaker, here... Nice to meet you!

It's no secret that I prefer the merry side of life.
I am so thrilled that Miss Lady Monique herself asked me to talk to you lovelies today!
My blog, Matters of Merrymaking, is where I showcase my outfits, rambunctious ramblings, strong cocktails, and often my current obsessions.

1. What is the coolest thing in your wardrobe?
OH my, oh my! Hmmm. I am one of those people who buys new things, and forget about the old, classic things I once coveted.
But, my staples include my dad's vintage watch that he received as a gift for his first job that he gave to me.
Also, I'm a huge fan of my vast headband collection and my bright colored cardigans. I do have some pretty eclectic clothes that I have not had a chance to style for the blog yet.

2. Is there any direction you want to take your blog?
I really like the groove I have fallen in to over the past 5 months. I love showcasing my OOTDs and weekend leisure activities. I think upon my college graduation and starting my new job, I'd like to share more down-to-earth stylings.
I couldn't possibly wear sequins every day of the week or sky-high heels in my new job, but I hope to steer towards real life wear.

Of course, a kindergarten teacher can still be fashionable!
I'm young and still want to have fun, and I will never stop sharing that merrymaking side to my readers.

3. What do you think are the 5 essential things for your wardrobe?
I think it often varies from season to season. For me, right now, I would say:

1. A perfect pair of jeans that fit you right and make you feel sexy- I prefer my dark, skinny jeans.

2. A dress that you grab every time you want to look fancy, whether it is black, or purple, or sequins.

3. A pair of heels, or wedges for me, that make a statement, while remaining versatile.

4. A favorite headband for those bad hair days!

5. And of course, a bright cardi to bring a pop to your wardrobe.

4.Who is your celebrity crush?
I love Matt Damon's smile, Matthew McConaughey's accent, and everything about Bradley Cooper.

5. If you were down to your last $10 what would you spend it on?
The latest issue of InStyle, a tube of pink lipstick, and a mango margarita.

I hope you guys liked learning a little bit about me! Thanks Monique and thanks to you, Lady M readers!
See ya soon, little chickens.
Bekah
http://mattersofmerrymaking.blogspot.com

Saving Money in May

2011-05-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

This month I am trying something a little different! I am going to set myself a budget each month for clothing and beauty! I am trying to save, because usually I am a bit frivolous with my spending!

My budget for the month of May:

$300

I am going to share with you all this saving/spending journey, and to keep you all up to date I will have a tracker of my spending down the side of my page!

What I wear on the Weekend

2011-05-01T04:40:00.000-07:00

(Pants, Top, Bag, Bracelet, Shoes)

My Weekend: The Run Down

Saturday

- Went to work, just a usual day of selling.

- Went out for dinner with a group of friends from school for a friend's birthday!

Sunday:

- Soccer was cancelled :(

-Worked on my assignment for university.

- Saw a movie with my boyfriend; Fast and Furious 5

- Went out for dinner after the movie,we had yummy pizza!

- Watched a bit of television with my family.

Pretty Ruffles

2011-04-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

Q: I wanted to know a pretty but not too over-the-top way to incorporate ruffles into my wardrobe. I saw so many references to ruffles in magazines, and I love the look, but I'm not sure how to put it together, please help! Thank you!

A: I have never really incorporated ruffles into my own look before! I looked around and I have found that I too want to incorporate this pretty trend into my wardrobe! I came up with these tips:

How To Wear Ruffles

1. Maintain Balance

For those who worry that their body type or ‘problem area’ is not suited to wearing ruffles, the answer is balance. Ruffles add volume. So, if you have large breasts, don’t wear tiered ruffles over them. Balance is the key, because adding ruffles to a problem area will only draw negative attention to that area!

2. Moderation

Ruffles are an accent. Like an accessory, don't over do it!

3. Muted Accessories

When wearing ruffles, be very select with the accessories you choose! I would opt perhaps with a small bracelet, the ruffles should be your main focus in the outfit, not the accessories!

My Ruffle Picks

1. Black Rose Ruffle Dress

2. Frill Top

3. Ruffle One Shoulder Dress

4. V Neck Ruffle Black Blouse

5. Peach Pin Tuck Ruffle Top

6. Tiered Ruffle Chambray Skirt

7. Nude Ruffle Skirt

8. Berry Silk Ruffle Top

9. Red Silk Chiffon Top

Tania from WhatWouldANerdWear owns this amazing neutral coloured cardigan with really cute ruffles down the front! I absolutely love it! It is so versatile too! Here it is...

Have you added me on twitter yet?
Add me HERE.