In a Sea of Grey

I’m starting this blog with a little bit of sad news, my time as Belmont Forum’s Fashion Blogger has come to a close. Even though I will be moving onto another very exciting venture I will certainly miss putting together my weekly looks and posts for you all.

However I am not leaving without one last outfit inspiration and I am very excited to bring you this final one. I can think of no better way to end my collaboration with Belmont than with this look. The mixture between a summery bright and the new on trend wintery styles is what I love the most about this outfit.

Sometimes in winter I often feel like I’m in a sea of black, dark blue and grey. Whilst I love these colours sometimes I find myself longing for a punch of summery turquoise or coral. That’s why I love these shoes from Spend Less at Belmont Forum so much! The amazing pinky coral hue works perfectly with almost any other colour and helps to lift an overall dark look. The wedge heel makes it pretty much the perfect shoe, allowing you to wear it almost anywhere and even all day long. This style is especially great for those of you who want to wear heels but can’t stand the idea of aching feet as the high platform makes the actual slant of your foot lower than a lot of other heels.

Considering the cold weather is finally arriving (in small portions) I decided to pair these babies with a more wintery outfit. This not only brightens up my look but also shows that even typical summer shoes can be worn all year long.

My black denim straight legged jeans are a great cut for this style of shoe and they are a little more dressy then your standard indigo or dark blue jeans. If your even unsure as to what cut of jeans to wear then head into Jeans West at Belmont Forum, the friendly staff there can help you with fit and style and with such a fantastic range you shouldn’t have any problems finding a pair that you love.

Blue is also a very popular hue this season and so is the peplum so it was only natural that I opted for this marble patterned top. The peplum style is not only on trend but also quite flattering for both curvy and straight figures. Just make sure if you are a curvier shape to have the end of the top hit above your hips not on them otherwise it will make them appear bigger.

I chose silver accessories as the cooler tone compliments the blue in the top and doesn’t steal any focus from the shoes. Necklaces that are shorter can often cause your neck and chest to appear bigger than they are, however ones that have an elongating effect such as this can help to not only dress up your look but also minimise the bust area.

To get your much needed summer fix in the long winter months head to Belmont Forum and check out Spend Less Shoes, with their amazing range of bright and bold shoes you can’t go wrong.

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

xox

 

 

 

Bold and Prints Come Together

When wearing patterns or colours many people feel that you cannot mix and match them easily and therefore they may opt for simple designs and colours instead. This then often leads to simple, plain or boring outfits with little or no wow factor. Therefore this week I decided to pair both a patterned and a coloured piece together to hopefully encourage anyone out there who may be contemplating exploring these combinations to do it.

The piece I decided to base my outfit around was this amazing blue and silver necklace from Collette at Belmont Forum Shopping centre. The silver detailing gives it a dressier feel and the blue hue makes it fun and playful. This great combination of classy meets youthful makes it the perfect key piece in your wardrobe, suitable for almost any occasion. Blue is also a great hue for those new to the colour game as it’s not as out there or over powering as some shades.

With a necklace like this you could almost match any pattern with it, be it floral, geometric, polka dots or any other print that tickles your fancy. For this week’s outfit I decided to go for my leopard print chiffon blouse. The animal print is very on trend at the moment and the chiffon fabric gives my look a soft, chic feel. When it comes to these sorts of prints often people can feel like they look tacky or cougarish, however if you style them right they can look very classy. When wearing animal prints especially leopard avoid things such as shiny red accessories, anything too tight or fitted or sky high stilettoes.

Luckily for us the low heel has made a stylish comeback and they are a force to be reckoned with. Not only are they comfortable, practical, better for your health and easier to walk in, they suit practically almost any outfit and any occasion. This is one of those outfits; with such an out there print and bold accessory it’s important to keep your look sophisticated and a low pointed pump does just that; the added bit of bling is just a stylish bonus.

This A-line knee length skirt also helped to keep the look sophisticated and out of tacky town. The lace overlay gives it a nice feminine touch and works well with the chiffon top. Opting for a knee length style is also very flattering as the best length to wear skirts and dresses is just above or on your knee. This is because it’s the smallest part of your legs and creates a slimmer leg line.

Lastly, I kept the rest of my accessories simple as I wanted the bold colour of the necklace to really be the statement and standout piece. This simple yet elegant silver ring perfectly complements the necklace without overshadowing it.

So next time you walk past that accessory stand lit up with bold coloured rings, necklaces, earrings and all things sparkly remember that even though they may be the star of the show, they can also be easily worked into almost any outfit, plain or patterned, to create a fun, stylish and fabulous look. If your accessory collection is looking a bit dull or is even non-existent then head over to Belmont Forum they have a range of accessory stores chockers with everything you could ever need. And even if you have an overflowing collection of necklaces, rings and more you should still make a trip to Belmont and check out all their specialty stores; because let’s face it a girl can never have too many accessories.

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

xox

Not That Scary

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about a fantastic winner who won a prize including, makeup, hair styling, personal shopping and a photography session all at Belmont Forum. This week I am lucky enough to have the privilege to share another lucky winner with you all. Meet Judy, my fantastic Belmont Forum winner who was such a ball to work with.

After having her hair and makeup done at Price Attack by Natalie and Priceline by Judy, both at Belmont Forum we had a quick discussion about what look she wanted to go for. We both decided on a smart casual outfit that would work for a dinner with friends, casual party or get together.

Having this look in mind our first stop was Katies for some amazing dark denim jeans. I have blogged about their zipless, straight legged wonder jeans before but feel as they are so fantastic they need a second mention. With the absence of both a zipper and button they slip on easily and create a flat and streamlined look without any bunching or bulging. The darker hue is perfect for a dressier look and compared to lighter denim it is much more flattering around the hip area.

Whilst in Katies we spotted our next two items for this look, an amazing beaded, flowing blouse and a smart yet casual deep green jacket. The cut of the top balances out the slimmer style jeans and the colours work wonderfully for Judy’s complexion. Keeping with the smart casual look I chose to add this green jacket as it’s the perfect mix between dressy and casual and enhances and compliments the cool hues in the blouse. Wearing an open jacket like this also helps to slim and lengthen your torso much like a long line necklace or scarf would.

With the foundation of our look complete we were off to find the finishing touches. Our first stop was Betts to look for an amazing pair of shoes. Judy wanted a style that was sleek and modern with a low heel and fairly comfortable. These fantastic ankle boots in black sued were the perfect match. The rounded toe style and block heel made them chunky enough to suit this look and the soft sued leather gave them a sleek, luxe feel making them work for a dressier occasion.

With the perfect shoes found we then began our hunt for some amazing accessories. Our first stop was Strandbags as I wanted to find the perfect clutch. With so much colour going on up the top of her outfit I decided that all Judy needed was a simple, elegant, black envelope style. This amazing crocodile skin inspired one was perfect for our look and suited Judy’s taste down to a T. The slightly larger size means there is room for all the essentials whilst still being sleek and stylish.

Lastly we headed off to Equip for some fantastic jewellery. As Judy’s blouse already had some fantastic beaded detailing on it we decided to keep everything else simple and opted for just one piece. This fantastic statement gold cuff suits Judy’s smart casual look and gives it an understated and elegant charm.

With all our piece found we made our way to the photography room where the amazingly talented Shirin Carter began Judy’s photo shoot. Being someone who normally avoids cameras at family functions, Judy began to see that having your photo taken isn’t all that scary.

For everything Judy is wearing plus hair and makeup services head to Belmont Forum and check out their variety of fashion and beauty stores.

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

xox

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Winter Warmer

The last days of Summer have passed and there is certainly a new chill in the air. I am often finding myself at a loss as to what to wear; will it be cold, muggy, raining, warm? This uncertain weather can be very hard to predict and it makes getting ready that much harder. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you have something in your wardrobe that can work for pretty much any temperature.

This nautical inspired knit from Jeans West at Belmont Forum is the perfect example of a piece like this. It’s warm and cosy making it perfect for the upcoming winter months but is still light enough to wear on a sunny autumn day too. The striped detail lends itself to a nautical or Parisian look making it very on trend, super stylish and chic.

The knitted style means that it is super snuggly and very comfortable and the slightly looser fit gives it a slouchy casual vibe which is exactly how knits should look.

You could easily pair it with a flippy skirt, some strappy wedges and gold accessories for a perfect daytime look. This is a great versatile combination as you can even add tights if it’s a bit cold and later on if it gets too warm strip off your stockings and the look can keep on working.

As it was quite a chilly day when I put this look together I decided to pair the knit with black straight legged jeans, some wintery boots, an oversized scarf and for that added Parisian chic style, a knitted beanie or beret.  The overall look is what I like to call casual sophistication and is perfect for dinner with friends or a wintery day in the city. You could even swap out the wedge boots for some comfy flats and add a satchel bag making it the perfect wintery Uni outfit.

The reason I opted for a dressier style is because I wanted an outfit that not only kept me warm but was also stylish enough for going out for drinks or dinner with friends. Whilst it isn’t necessarily bar appropriate it is defiantly suitable for a casual pub, café or restaurant. I chose to keep my accessories simple as there was already a lot going on with the scarf and hat and I didn’t want to over work the look. However to add a bit of edge to the outfit I opted for my gold studded bag as the detailing dresses up the overall outfit and gives it a funky twist.

 

Just remember that when looking for knits this winter season always opt for looser styles and make sure they are as versatile as this piece. The whole point of a knitted cardi, jumper or cape is that it can be worn all throughout the cooler season, even on those slightly warmer days when a coat would be way too much.

For a piece like this head to Belmont Forum and check out their wonderful stores brimming with amazing winter warmers that will get you through the entire cold season.

 

Take a Chance…..

When it comes to colours I love wearing bold bright and beautiful shades however one of my most favourite hues is purple. Known as a calming and creative colour I always feel classy and feminine when I’m wearing it. That’s why when I saw this purple coloured top from Millers at Belmont Forum I was super excited. Now often when people think of Millers they think of older styles of clothing and yes its true however they also stock a lot of items that are very versatile and appropriate for almost any age. That’s why I love this top so much it is age appropriate for anyone and is extremely versatile it just depends on what you wear it with.

For me, I decided to pair it with this flippy black skirt, chunky black ankle boots and bold jewellery. You could also style it with straight legged black or dark denim jeans and simple accessories, cropped grey trousers and pretty flat sandals or with a knee length pencil skirt and nude heels for a sophisticated office look.

I chose this black skirt as the shorter style gives the top a funky, fresh look. The looser fit makes the look a little more casual and suits my curvier figure as opposed to a tighter tube style. You could also go for an A-line or soft pleated types.

I then added my big bold gold necklace as it dresses up the look and gives it a funky vibe. The bigger details and gold hue pops against the bold purple colour and the longer style helps to elongate my torso.

As my necklace is so bold I decided to keep the rest of my accessories to a minimum opting for only this gold owl cuff. The owl detailing keeps the look modern and is different and a little quirky.

Lastly I opted for my chunky lace up ankle boots as the bold colour balances out the boldness of the top and the necklace. Normally I don’t recommend wearing black shoes with bare legs as often it can shorten you however this is one exception as anything too light such as nude would get lost in the rest of the outfit. When wearing darker coloured shoes on nude legs always make sure that they cut you off at the smaller part of your ankle and opt for heels as the height will help to elongate your legs and figure.

So next time you write off a store as too old for you remember not to judge a book by its cover and take a chance on something new. You never know what little treasure you will find. Head to Belmont Forum today and check out everything they have to offer.

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

Xox

 

 

The Last of Summer

Summers coming to a close and I often find myself looking forward to warm coats, fluffy scarfs and snuggling up under a blanket on a cold night. However, when I’m pulling out a summery top or a pretty floral frock I sometimes start to dread the oncoming cold months. I begin to remember that it will be a while before we see any more warm sunny days, clear sky’s or be spending the day at the beach. The thought of packing up all my bright, colourful summery clothes is horrible.

These amazing pair of shorts for Rockmans at Belmont Forum are just one of the items I own that makes me wish for an all year summer. The amazing coral colour is the perfect hue for the warmer months and suits pretty much any skin tone. The longer cut leg keeps them stylish and the higher waistline is very slimming. The best part about these babies is that they come with this amazing brown belt which not only helps to emphasises the waist but you also get two items for the price of one. Score!

 

 

I paired the shorts with my lace crochet top as the cream hue works well with both coral and the brown belt. The lace crochet style of top dresses up the casualness of the shorts and creates a stylish and pretty summer outfit. For a more laid back casual look you could change out the top for a simple white or cream T or singlet.

 

For accessories I added this funky long line necklace as the rope detailing and weathered metal gives the outfit a laid back vibe and works well with the summery combination. When wearing a top or dress with such a high neckline it is always a good idea to wear longer style necklaces as they help to minimize the bust line and elongate your figure.

I also opted for this antique chunky gold ring as the yellow stone works well with the rest of the tones in the outfit and the antique style gives the look a rustic and funky edge.

When choosing shoes I decided to go for my simple nude flats as I didn’t want them to steal focus from the rest of my outfit. Another colour that would work is tan or a light brown. Just make sure, that when wearing such bright and summery colours like these coral shorts to avoid black or darker coloured shoes. They will not only draw the eye to your feet but also the darker colour will clash against the lighter combination of the rest of your outfit.

Lastly I chose these floral patterned glasses as the feminine print suits the rest of the look and the Ray-Ban style injects a laid back casualness to the outfit.

So even though the cold is on its way, we still have a few more weeks of sunny days. Embrace the sunshine and warm weather with bright colours and summery styles. Head to Belmont Forum and pick up a pair of these amazing shorts from Rockmans today.

 

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

xox

 

Summer or Winter?… Both!!

I cannot believe that it’s already February!! I was writing an appointment in my diary the other day and when I looked at the date I almost fell off my chair. This year has started at a whirlwind pace with no notion of slowing down. Before you know it the days will get shorter and we will be pulling out all our trusty winter warmers.

With summer on its way out and the cooler months creeping up it can often be confusing what to buy when clothes shopping. Should you start purchasing warmer items ready for chilly, sunless days or should you take advantage of all those end of season sales and snatch up some amazing summery pieces at a fraction of the cost?

While it’s important to make sure you’re ready with the winter essentials like boots, well fitted jeans and cardies, it’s also always a good idea to pick up some last minute summer sale items. The reason for this is not only are you going to get more bang for your buck but you will also have a piece that you can wear right now. I mean let’s face it even though February is technically the last month of summer we still have a couple of months of sun coming our way.

However, there are a few simple guidelines you should follow when shopping at the end of the season. For example, make sure what you’re buying isn’t a TRENDY piece otherwise you may find by the time summer comes around again you won’t want to wear it. You should also try to stick to pieces that are trans-seasonal and can be worn all year round. This will ensure you get wear out of it even if it eventually goes out of fashion.

Take this fantastic loose style singlet from Surf Gear at Belmont Forum. It has such a cool, funky summery vibe to it and is perfect paired with some denim cut offs and leather sandals. Pop on a fedora hat, an across body bag and you have the perfect casual, summer look. However what if you buy this top towards the end of Summer, will you still get wear out of it through Autumn and Winter?

You certainly can!

This singlet is a great example of a piece that can be worn all year round. This week I decided to show how the top could be styled into an outfit perfect for the cooler months.

 

I chose to pair the singlet with these maroon skinny cropped jeans as the colour not only works well with the pattern but it is also a great wintery hue. Some other great colours that would work are emerald green, burnt orange, brown, eggplant purple and taupe. Just remember that if you are concerned about your hips or legs always go for darker colours over bright, light hues as they will be much more slimming.

Next I added a simple rope and skull pendant long, line necklace as the casual style works well with the top and the neon yellow feather injects some interest and creativity into the look. It’s always nice to add a subtle pop of colour to winter outfits to keep them fresh and lively.

To keep the look anchored and give it a bit of edge I decided to go for my plain black suede wedges. The chunkier style and darker colour of the shoes gives the look a solid feel and keeps it from looking un-polished or un-finished. They also bring out the darker hues in the pattern on the top which ties together the outfit.

If you have read any of my other posts you would know that I don’t believe in matching your bag and shoes together, that’s why I chose this wicked multi coloured snake skin style clutch. The earthy tones work well with the other colours in my look without looking too matchy or boring. The difference in both texture and colour adds some depth to the outfit and creates an effortlessly stylish, creative look.

Lastly, I decided to keep my hair wavy for this post because I felt that the outfit called for a fun, laid back style. However, to keep it smart, I opted for a coloured lip and simple eyeliner making the outfit work for both night and day.

So before you rush off and spend all your hard earned cash on wintery pieces, remember that with a few simple styling tricks something as summery as a loose, floaty singlet can be worn during the cooler months too. Take advantage of the end of season sales and head to Belmont Forum for your retail therapy fix.

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

xox

 

 

 

 

 

She’s a Winner!!

I have a surprise for you all this week, my blog is a little bit different…..

If any of you are fans of the Shopnfriends Facebook page you may have seen that we recently ran a competition to win a photo shoot and to be featured in the Threadbare Blog. The competition included hair, makeup, personal shopping, styling and a $100 gift voucher from Belmont Forum. Plus a relaxing and rejuvenating massage, facial and Shellac manicure and pedicure. The lucky winner of this competition was one of our fantastic Facebook fans, Leanne Mullins.

When I first met Leanne she told me that she very rarely got to dress up as she was a mum and was often too busy. Her everyday style was very casual, comfortable and laidback. Therefore for this week’s blog shoot I decided to create a look for her that was a little dressier then her daytime style. We wanted an outfit that would work for dinner with friends or an evening at a nice bar in the city.

With this inspiration in mind, we sent Leanne off to Price Attack in Belmont Forum to get her hair done. When styling your hair for an evening out it’s always nice to have it a little different to your normal do. Therefore the wonderful stylist Natalie at Price Attack chose to create soft loose curls for Leanne. This style works very well for Leanne as it softly frames her face and the looser style curls are dressy without looking OTT. Another fantastic advantage to this look is if your hair holds the curls overnight you can often get a second wear out of them. Simply rake your fingers through to create wavy tussled locks for a casual beachy look.

Price Attack Stylist Natalie with Leanne

 

Once her hair was finished Leanne was off to Priceline at Belmont Forum to get her makeup done. When it comes to doing your makeup it’s all about balance. For example, if you have your hair in a simple up do, such as a bun or ponytail, you can go a little more extravagant for your makeup such as darker eyes or a bold lip. However if you have your hair in a dressier style such as Leanne’s loose curls then it is best to keep your makeup natural and simple. The fantastic makeup artist Renee from Priceline did an amazing job using natural hues such as browns, bronzes, golds and soft shades of peach. The result was a very stylish, elegant and classy look perfect for a night out.

After the hair and makeup was done Leanne and I set off on a hunt for the perfect outfit. Like I said earlier we wanted an elegant and stylish look perfect for a nice dinner or a night out in the City. After creating a few looks from several of the great clothing stores at Belmont Forum such as Forever New and Katies we chose to go with the below outfit.

The first piece that we really fell in love with was this amazing patterned pencil skirt from Katies at Belmont Forum. The classic lines and cut worked perfectly for Leanne’s smaller frame and helped to elongate her body making her look much taller. Longer, slimmer cuts such as this are great for shorter, petite woman as the style really helps to create the illusion of height and length. The geometric pattern is a fantastic statement and helps to keep the look from being too corporate. When wearing items that are traditionally work clothing such as pencil skirts and blazers make sure there is an element that takes it away from that office look. For those of you who feel it’s hard to style a print, opt for neutral coloured patterns such as this cream and black skirt. This mixture of plain shades makes it easy to pair other brighter coloured pieces with it.

 

That’s where this AMAZING turquoise chiffon top from Jeans West comes in. The bold colour pops against the plain hues in the skirt and the blue shade compliments Leanne’s skin, hair and eye colour. Bold tops such as this are a great way to bring attention to your face and when you pick colours that suit your skin, eye and hair colour it really makes you look fantastic. However the beautiful turquoise hue was not the only thing that attracted me to this top. The panelled detailing gives it a classier feel and the looser fit complimented the skirt. When wearing a floaty, blousy piece like this make sure your bottoms are a slimmer fit so your look is balanced and you don’t appear bigger then you are.

 

Once we had chosen the basic foundation of our outfit it was time to accessorise. The first place we headed to was Betts. We were on the hunt for some amazing nude heels. For Leanne’s petite frame I wanted a dainty pair that would help to show off her slimmer legs whilst elongating her figure, making her look taller. We didn’t want anything too chunky, or styles that cut across her ankle or foot as it would shorten her legs, making her look short and small. Therefore, we opted for these amazing suede nude pumps with studded heel detailing. The lower heel made them comfortable and easy to walk in, which let’s face it is necessary, and the nude tone helped to elongate Leanne’s figure. The studded detailing gave them a funkier edge and helped to make the overall look a little more stylish.

Our next stop was Diva for some fantastic jewellery. I didn’t want to overload Leanne’s small frame with oversized accessories and chunky pieces so I opted for just this silver necklace and simple turquoise bangle which created a minimalist yet stylish look. I chose this shorter necklace as it sat nicely with the neckline of the top and the style is dressier than other longer types. Just make sure that when you’re wearing a piece like this it’s not too short as this can create the illusion of a wider, thicker neck. Styles that sit just above the bust line like this one are the ideal length for most body types.

As we only really had one coloured item in this entire look so far I wanted to add something else. This turquoise bangle was the perfect choice as the colour went well with the top and the style was not too chunky for Leanne’s petite frame. When wearing coloured pieces, resist the urge to match your bag, your shoes and all other accessories to each other. We call this a ‘matchy matchy’ look and it can be very dated and boring.

Lastly we headed to Colette to find probably one of the most important accessories a woman could own… a bag. Because we had created a dressier evening outfit I chose to go for an envelope clutch.  Its timeless elegance and style makes it the obvious choice for this particular look. Like I said earlier you should steer clear of matching your bag to your shoes to avoid that ‘matchy matchy’ look. This is why I opted for this classic black and silver detailed clutch. The colour works well with the pattern in the skirt without matching too much and the silver detailing ties in nicely with the necklace and bangle. The bolder hue also gives the look a punchier feel and just adds that little bit extra to the outfit. When picking the right clutch for you make sure the size suits your body type. If you have a smaller frame like Leanne opt for smaller to medium sizes and if you have a medium to bigger frame look for medium to oversized styles.

Now before I finish I would like to add that Leanne never liked having photos taken of her, but after seeing herself in this fantastic outfit with amazing hair and makeup she realised that having your picture taken really wasn’t that bad.

It just goes to show that with the right styling and advice anyone can feel and look amazing!

Everything you see in this week’s outfit, including hair and makeup, can be found at Belmont Forum.

Keep your eyes peeled as I have another competition winner who will be featured on Threadbare in the near future.

To keep up to date with the competitions for my blog and to find out how you can win like both the Belmont Forum and Shopnfriends Facebook pages.

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

xox

Photography by Shirin Cater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neon that Works

When you think of neon you think of bright, bold and of course the 80s. And when you think of the 80s you think big hair, bright accessories and blue eye shadow. So when you see a neon necklace, fluro shoes or highlighter coloured jeans you automatically think 80’s look. However there are ways you can still wear neon brights without looking like an extra from the cast of ‘Flash Dance’.

You can even wear neon to work, it all just depends on how you style them. For example rocking up to the office in a bright highlighter yellow top and citrus green pants may be a little too OTT for a lot of work places but a simple touch here and there is definitely ok.

Take this amazing neon pink necklace from Equip at Belmont Forum, it’s the perfect way to inject a bit of colour into your work wardrobe. The neon detailing paired with gold gives this necklace a classier feel whilst still having a funky, stylish vibe.

 

I chose to pair the necklace with this navy blue top as the two colours work well together. When wearing such a vibrant and non-corporate colour you should always pair it with a traditional workplace hue such as black, charcoal, navy or cream. The navy hue of this top brings a professional and sophisticated feel to the necklace making it work for the office.

 

You also need to stick to traditional lines and styles when you’re wearing such a bright piece. That’s why I chose this plain black pencil skirt. The simple lines and traditional work style helps to further add sophistication and a corporate edge to the look.

The rest of your accessories need to be simple and have a classy feel to them. This cuff is a great example of a stylish, yet work worthy piece, the simple style and clean lines give it a classy edge.

Similarly this gold ring is another good office worthy piece and works well with this overall look. Paired with clean lines of the skirt and classic hue of the top these accessories help to turn a simple, traditional work look into a stylish and sophisticated office outfit.

Lastly I chose these simple black wedges as again the classy and traditional style helps to keep this look appropriate for the office. Because this necklace is such an out there piece you must keep everything else classic and simple. You could also opt for a pair of nude pumps as long as the style of the shoe is classic.

So before you write off neon as a mistake made in the eighty’s and keep it reserved for dress up parties and nights out on the town, remember that with simple elegant styling and classy pieces neon can definitely find its place in the office.

For a necklace like this and a variety of many more head to Belmont Forum where there are a huge range of accessory stores filled with neon pieces just like this.

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

xox

Not Just for Sport

Sneakers, tennis shoes, trainers; whatever you like to call them they are often seen as a must have exercise piece but nothing more. Therefore, I decided to do a look this week using these amazing vibrant orange tennis shoes from Spend Less at Belmont Forum. The shoes are extremely comfortable and the vibrant hue will inject a little creativity to your look.

Most of my blog looks have been quite dressy and I have yet to show how you can be both laid back and stylish at the same time. I felt that these shoes would be the perfect way to do this and with summer in full swing I decided to create a look perfect for heading to a festival, picnicing with friends or spending the day strolling through markets.

With these activities in mind I wanted to make sure that my outfit was comfortable and relaxed, making it easy to sit and move around in. Therefore I chose to go for very relaxed styles and shapes such as this simple black singlet dress. The laid back fit is extremely comfortable and the darker colour really makes the shoes pop. When wearing such a vibrant item such as the Spend Less Shoes make sure you keep the rest of your look basic as you don’t want to look too OTT. By opting for a dress over shorts I ensured that the shoes looked more stylish than sporty. Another good option would be a skater style dress or skirt.

To bring some depth and interest into my outfit I decided to add this loose fit navy blue shirt to the mix. By leaving it unbuttoned it gave the look a casual laid back vibe but the collared style of the shirt still kept the look stylish. The navy blue hue compliments the vibrant colour of the shoes and works well against the black dress. Pairing navy and black can often be seen as bad, however, if done correctly the two colours can lift an otherwise flat outfit.

As I wanted to create a simple and laid back look I decided to keep my accessories minimal. This long line necklace is a great piece for creating a casual look whilst still making it stylish and it also helps in elongating my torso.

These spiked bracelets give the look a funky twist and are again a great way to add a bit of style into this very casual outfit.

I chose this plain wrist watch and simple gold ring as they both compliment the other accessories without being too much.

Lastly, who could forget sunnies, the stylish and sun smart must have for any summer outfit. These classic shades are the perfect addition to this outfit. They exude cool factor and the classy style smartens up this very basic and casual look.

So whether you’re a regular festival goer, like strolling through the markets of Freo or enjoy picnics in the park you will never go wrong when you have a pair of these babies in your wardrobe. Not only are they extremely practical but they can be very stylish too.

Head down to Belmont Forum        where there are a variety of fantastic shoe stores who stock a range of shoes just like these.

Happy Shopping

Ashleigh

xox