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How to Shop Like a Personal Stylist – Casual Outfits for Around the Home

January 7, 2019 / Fashion / 0 comment

To kick off my series on how to shop like a personal stylist, I’m tackling what we wear when on holidays or when you’re at home. Casual outfits for around the home can mean a whole heap of different styles.

For some, sweat pants and a big tee are their go-to outfits. For others, active wear is their outfit of choice. For others, it could be a casual dress, jeans and top or shorts and top.

Today, I’m going to focus on the tee and shorts ensemble. Mainly because I think this is the most common summer around-the-home style of outfit and it’s one that I tend to wear myself. Not that I think everyone dresses like me. But I find this type of outfit comfortable and I’m sure you will too.

I have a number of tees and a few pairs of shorts that I mix between to create my casual outfits for around the home. I own 5 pairs of shorts. Actually six as I just bought a pair from Gorman during the boxing day sales.

My shorts wardrobe includes two pairs of denim shorts, one pair of navy shorts, one pair of black shorts and patterned shorts with pom poms. I wear patterned, stripe and block tees/tanks with a kaftan over top to create my casual outfits for around the home. To get an idea of the outfits I wear, check out my Instagram or head to the Styled by Bec Facebook page.

For the purpose of this post, I’ve chosen three pairs of shorts (the black and navy work the same as do both the denim shorts). I’ve also chosen a patterned tee, stripe tee and block colour tee. Having a plain black and white tee to create different outfits is also crucial for more outfit making.

I’ve also chosen Frankie 4 slides in Peach and Blonde – as they seem to be the slides with the most sizes available. They also add colour to a plain outfit. I love the pop of colour. Either of these slides could be worn with ALL of these outfits. I usually wear my white Birkenstocks as I’ve had these for years. I may need to invest in new slides this year as they are starting to deteriorate from constant wear.

Here are my three basic casual outfits for around the home

Gorman Brushed Flower Tee $99, Katies Cotton Casual Shorts $25 (on sale), Frankie 4 Hilary Blonde Slides $119.97 (on sale)

Gorman Linen Jersey Tank $55.20 (on sale), Decjuba Emma Tropical Print Shorts $34.95 (on sale), Frankie 4 Hilary Peach Slides $119.97 (on sale)

Bohemian Traders Classic Swing Tee in Stripes $59, Jeans West Kirstie Distress Boyfriend Short $30 (on sale), Frankie 4 Hilary Peach Slides $119.97

When it comes to tees, I’m a big fan of Bohemian Traders. I love their swing tees in a large (I’m a 16) because they don’t clinch at the tummy. They also look great tucked in. They also last after a number of washes. I still own my red stripe tee, black and grey block tees which I have had for years.

Bohemian Traders Classic Swing Tee in Black $59, Bohemian Traders Classic Swing Tee in White $59

I also love my Gorman print tees. Again they wash well and I like their shape. (I wear a size 14 in these.) They also add fun to a simple shorts and tee outfit.

When it comes to shorts, I don’t like short shorts. I have the Katies ones which I wear often and the Jeans West denim shorts. I wear my denim shorts uncuffed as I like a longer hem.

With the three pairs of shorts, I have changed the tops to create these combos. On the middle row, I would totally wear the Gorman tee with a the tropical shorts… but for some that may be too much of a pattern clash so I’ve changed it to a white tee.

Don’t be afraid to intermix your prints. Venture into this pattern clash by pairing a stripe tee with a print.

Once you have your casual shorts and tee outfits organised, you can then venture into adding layers. I absolutely LOVE this kimono from Spell Designs, which can also be worn as a dress.

You can make 3 more outfits by adding this extra layer.

Suddenly, your ‘casual outfits for around the home’ wardrobe is complete.

For most, these types of outfits will be worn frequently throughout the week. For others, it may be the outfits to wear on the weekend only or on a beach holiday.

The key to shopping like a personal stylist is choosing less to create more.

I’ve created 13 outfits on this post from 3 pairs of shorts, 5 tees and 1 kimono.

So buying less, but ensuring each piece has a specific purpose and can be worn again with other items is key. You have to get your basics right before you venture into layers and buying pieces that like to stand out on their own.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my first post on how to shop like a personal stylist. I wear these outfits each week so I live by what I’ve shared here.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost.

What’s Been Going On Inside My Head and How to Shop Like a Personal Stylist

January 5, 2019 / Lifestyle / 4 Comments

Happy 2019 to you. It’s been a long time since I wrote on here. In fact, the last blog post I wrote was on the 20th November 2018 sharing about Christmas Earrings! So much for my 2018 resolution of being more consistent with this blog.

But seriously, Christmas has well and truly gone and we are now in a new year. A new year that can prompt us to change, explore new experiences and question why we do the things we do.

And this has led me to reflect on Styled by Bec. If I’m honest, there have been a number of reasons why I haven’t shared as often as I would have liked last year. I’ve even started to stop sharing my daily outfits on social media. The questions I’ve had in my head have been, what’s the point of another fashion blog when there are so many fashion blogs available to read online? PLUS their social media stats are huge. Who wants to read my advice when I’m so small in influence?

Oh my inner voice can be a bitch.

But seriously. I’ve always been a sensible gal and I do read the figures and if they don’t grow or they stagnate, what is the point? Am I just a broken record repeating what is already being typed in the blogosphere or social mediasphere?

What is the point of sharing what I know? Sharing what I love? Sharing new discoveries and sales that might help you if you’ve been looking for that missing piece too? Is there a point to sharing my opinion on whether it is worth spending the money on the more expensive item, or saving money buying it from your local department store? Is there a point to fashion?

After some self-reflection, I know I don’t share for the attention (because I’m clearly not getting it lol) and I’m not in it for the free clothes (I don’t get many).

I write this blog because I love the thrill of a solution and sharing it with you (if you want to read it!). Maybe it will help you, and maybe it won’t. But ultimately I share because I love sharing what I know.

And not everyone knows what I know.

For some people, putting together an outfit comes naturally. For others, it is difficult and they resort to wearing the same clothes time and time again or they look a bit disheveled and in need of help seeing formulas that can get them out of their fashion rut.

2018 was a year of slight self-loathing about Instagram. Actually it wasn’t slight. It was full on loathing. But it was also a year of realizing that social media is really another advertising outlet and it has now become a driver for more consumption and making you (and me) feel inadequate about the lives we live because we don’t look like this and we don’t have that.

But it is another avenue to share with others and reach people who may be looking for what you offer.

I also discovered when it came to social media sharing, not everything that is shared on there is truth. A lot of it is fabricated. A lot of ‘behind the scenes’ have sets, lights, makeup and filtering to get the right photo. Some images are reshared for the sake of entertaining or having something to post for followers.

For me, when it comes to Instagram, I select my outfit photo out of two or three images taken on my iPhone. Sometimes my husband, Jacob, gets the shot right the first go.

I have no time for props or looking in the distance with my hair to one side, acting as an extra on the Bold and the Beautiful.

I have three kids to drop off to school/daycare, and then articles to write or calls to answer with customers asking me how I can help them with their insurance. I have household demands that I need to attend to just like everyone. It’s not helpful to my state of mind comparing my household to the sexy housewife that does the dishes in her underwear portraying a lifestyle we don’t need to know about or compete with. I mean seriously.

So with those revelations about how I feel about social media, you could say I suffered from a severe case of comparisonitis. Except I love my life. So it was more inadequatitis. Feeling inadequate about the life I love and live, and the blog I write and the photos I share and enough already. With this revelation, it has made me all the more aware of what and how I share with you.

So 2019, where does that leave us? Well, I’m planning to be more consistent on this blog. Not for me, but for you. I want to start a new series on the blog called How to Shop Like a Personal Stylist.

Before you groan about your new years’ resolution of not spending money on clothes this year, don’t unfollow the blog. I will be using new clothes to show how you can make the best decisions when curating your wardrobe. But I’m hoping you may have them in your wardrobe already – or at least something similar. And if you don’t have them, well use the blog as a way to curate a shopping list for when you HAVE THE MONEY to buy those items missing from your wardrobe.

Buying new clothes should be a rarity and a thrill because it’s not something you do all the time. This is why I love shopping. Because I don’t get to do it as often as I like and nothing beats the feeling of finding something full price which you LOVE and having the money to buy because you’ve been mindful about your spending. I also love buying something on sale too, but this year, it’s not buying stuff for the sake of it being on trend, it’s buying it because we love it and know it’s going to work with other pieces within our wardrobe. Bonus if it is also on trend.

I’m going to admit, there may be a bit of Gormanesque type outfits on here in 2019 because I LOVE COLOUR. I love patterns. We should all be embracing colour in 2019. Colour injects personality and happiness. It doesn’t have to be bright, but a little colour can bring out the best in your mood.

If any of what I have typed here has pulled a cord at your own inadequacy and feeling like you ‘don’t measure up’, please believe me when I say Instagram is the worst measurement to use against your life. Every person’s life is a tapestry and lot of the time, to allow the full picture to unfold, there has to be a lot of sewing in one colour, before the pattern changes to complete the next part of the picture. When you see pictures on Instagram, you’re only seeing the change in the colour, not the mundaneness that has been lived before that change was reached.

Bring on 2019. Now I’ve got all that off my chest, I’m hoping this year will be our most stylish, yet abundantly freeing year, yet.

Statement Christmas Earrings

November 20, 2018 / Fashion / 1 Comment

Statement Christmas Earrings are one of my favourite accessories to wear at Christmas.

Truth be told, I love any statement earrings. Much to my dad’s delight! HAHA! I have quite the collection as I have tassel or pom pom earrings to go with most of my outfits.

I have to admit though, statement Christmas earrings are a delight. They add fun to any outfit and may be one of my favourite statements to wear.

I love the creativity of the artisans and handcrafters that have used care to make their earrings.

Who wouldn’t want gingerbread or candy canes hanging from their ear lobes? I think they are super cute.

Hello Robbo Gingerbread Neutral Dangle Earrings $35

Craftanoon Designs My Julia Candy Cane Dangles $59.00

And those Faux Tortoise Shell Christmas Trees? I am absolutely adding these to cart! They are the perfect adornment to a little black dress.

Each to Own Deck Yourself Triple Drops $52.00

I have a some fab laser cut reindeer earrings that I love to wear at Christmas. Mind the none-makeup selfie I took so you could see these beauties for yourself.

Etsy is my go to for a huge range of gorgeous handmade designs. Here are just some locally made statement Christmas earrings to consider this Christmas.

1. Oscar and Matilda Christmas Tree Festive Earrings $24.95

2. LLL Designs by Amanda Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer Earrings $25

3. Alicia Rose Holly Drop Earrings $10.00

4. Christmas Marie Designs Elf Stud Earrings $20.00

5. Pink Marshmallow Christmas Pom Pom Earrings $25.00

6. Poppy Lane Bam Bam Drops Peachy Keen (Pre-order) $39.00

7. Beetwomey Emmy Drop Earrings in Black Tassels $40

These earrings are for those that want something Christmasy, but can be worn all year round. The above design from Poppy Lane Designs could also be worn all year round.

Instead of buying a new dress this Christmas, why not buy a pair of statement Christmas earrings instead?

Disclosure: There are affiliate links on this post. Should you choose to purchase an item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Wearing Terrazzo – A Gold Speckle Necklace For Simple Dressing

November 10, 2018 / Fashion / 0 comment

If you read my blog, The Plumbette, you will know that I’m not a huge fan of Terrazzo.

But what often trends in interiors, can also make a stamp in fashion and accessories.

Accessories have always been my favourite way to add a little pizzazz to an outfit. I love big and bold – so anything that makes a statement is most likely in my accessories collection.

As you know, I love pom poms and tassels. Much to my dad’s delight! HAHA. He always has a dig at me when I have ‘hairy things’ dangling from my ears.

While my love for bold and bright will never wane, I have started to crave more intricate pieces to wear with my dresses.

Sometimes a simple necklace with a pendant is all that I need.

I like simple necklaces to have a point of difference too. Which is why I loved this Black and Gold Specks Necklace by 5mm Paper, made in Portugal. It has a terrazzo look about it which I unusually like!

The necklace is part of a curation of pieces from European designers who sell their wares on CROWDYHOUSE. The mission of CROWDYHOUSE is to showcase unique local designers’ work to the world.

The black and specks necklace is a piece I can wear with a black dress. A white shirt. Anything really. The pendant adds a bit of sparkle to a simple outfit.

If you are on the look out for unique pieces that have been handcrafted, why not support the designer and purchase their wares from CROWDYHOUSE? If you have family or friends that reside overseas, this could be a great option as shipping is worldwide.

Keep an eye out for a giveaway of one of these necklaces on The Plumbette.

Do you like bold and bright accessories, or simple and intricate? Would you wear terrazzo accessories?

Disclosure: I was gifted this necklace for the purpose of this review and it has been written in accordance with my disclosure policy. All opinions are my own.

What Does ‘Dress Cocktail’ Mean?

November 6, 2018 / Fashion / 0 comment

Have you ever been invited to an event, read the dress code and thought ‘what does dress cocktail mean?’

The uncertainty about dress codes is a real thing and even I recently had to consider what was meant by ‘cocktail’.

Now cocktail generally means semi-formal which means a shorter hemline dress is acceptable with heels and a clutch. A pant suit and jump suit are also acceptable.

The problem was, this event was going to be held at the Hilton and it was an awards night. Usually awards nights in the construction industry are formal, gala or black tie occasions – requiring a full length dress/gown, heels and a clutch.

But some perceive cocktail to mean formal and vice versa.

Unless the event is a very formal event the issue is not what you wear, but how you pull it off. What I mean by this is how the dress is accessorized and elevated to suit the occasion.

I decided to meet somewhere in the middle and bought this gorgeous off the shoulder dress from City Chic.

Dress by City Chic Rippled Love Dress $169.95

I love City Chic for their cocktail and formal gowns. I’m in an xs which is a 14. If you are in the size 6-14 range, check out Review, Cue, Veronika Maine, Portmans and Little Party Dress.

For curvy girls like myself, City Chic, Little Party Dress, Gorman and Birdsnest will have cocktail and formal options available.

The rule of thumb when the dress code is ‘dress cocktail’, is a dress or even skirt that is above or just below the knee with heels and a clutch. A maxi dress that is not floor length can also be acceptable.

Here are some cocktail dresses that are bang on the dress code. These dresses are perfect for weddings and events where the dress code is cocktail.

City Chic Black Gracie Dress $179.95

Alannah Hill Lady in Lace Dress $299

Review Puerto Rico Dress in Red $319

Little Party Dress Royal Purple Floral Dress $69.95

City Chic Sweet Love Dress $179.95

Gorman Claire Embellished Dress $229

My black dress is a classic that can be worn to both a cocktail or formal occasion. All that needs to be changed up are the accessories and the way I have my hair.

A little tip as well when getting ready for an occasion like this, I got my makeup done at Malouf Pharmacies. I got my makeup done where I could purchase the products as part of the fee. It’s around this time of year I replace or run out of my makeup so it was perfect timing to get my makeup done and replenish my supply.

I also timed it well to get my hair re-coloured and curled that morning so it would be ready that night.