My Last Cent

Many of us have been or are in the position where we are starting full time employment for the first time, I like to call it, becoming a grown up. The problem is, becoming a grown up is hard and most of us are ill prepared for it. Suddenly, for the first time, bills need to be paid on time, the loans from a credit card are unlike the loans from your parents because Visa actually demand their money back and the reasoning between buying new shoes and having money for food isn't always sound. I often found myself near penniless but with some beautiful new thing in my life.
My career began in London where I had little to no support network and big dreams. After being settled for six months my brother came to visit and while he stayed with me, he bought the most glorious Lemon Curd from Harvey Nichols.

After he returned to Australia and reported to all about how well I was doing I began filling my emotional hole of homesickness with things, any thing. Often, left near penniless, I would go to Harvey Nichols, buy the Lemon Curd and then go to Tesco for cheap, white, fluff bread and would live off the two for my last remaining week before pay day.
Some years later, when I had become more adept at filling my pantry and my bank account, I would often look to see if I had enough food in the pantry, fridge and freezer and then happily go off and spend my last dollars on flowers. I had decided that the feeding of my aesthetic senses was far more important than the feeding of my stomach. I would (and will) buy anything in masses. I love roses, tulips, hydrangea and ranunculus. The are few colours or flowers I dislike (although I do hate sunflowers). Great clumps of cottage-y flowers are often strewn around my home in any room. I love the lift that flowers give a room and they make the rooms inhabitants happier too.

It is important to remember sometimes that true luxury is not derived from great expense, but from the very small things that are a struggle to afford but enhance our life nonetheless. How you spend your hard earned money is your decision, my only financial advice is to buy what makes you happy.

Please note: These images are the creative work of other, very talented people and I do not claim them as my own.
If you would like to see more of me you can follow me on Instagram. I am chicexchange.

Fitting in Versus Standing out

Many years ago, when I was starting school, I wanted (as all teenagers do) to fit in. My all girls catholic school had a lovely uniform (which has since sadly, been changed) and you would be forgiven for thinking that this would make it easy to look the same.

Unfortunately for me, my mother refused to buy the expensive woollen, ribbed tights the school uniform shop offered and instead bought me opaque stockings from a regular store. I hated everything about these stockings, they were brown not fawn, they were smooth not ribbed, they were far too big and had to be rolled at the top, they did not have the lovely teddy-bear coziness of the woollen tights and (worst of all) they were bought on sale to save money.

Oh, how I suffered in those tights! I felt so conspicuous in something different from everyone else. It was never commented on by anyone but I felt it in my bones that people knew we couldn't afford the expensive woollen tights and worse that these had been on sale when we bought them. Later, in my schooling I got the teddy bear tights and loved them however, the fact that I was now the same as everyone else similarly went unnoticed by everyone much to my dismay.

Two big things have changed since then. I no longer wish to fit in and seek out bespoke, one off items to make me a unique individual. My work place is not known for its sartorial finesse but I make a point of dressing differently to everyone else and it often gets noticed. And secondly, I love a sale in fact, I love a bargain and will often bore friends with tales of one.

I still see this today, hordes of teenagers on the weekend, huddled in groups, all dressed the same. They don't care if the current trend suites them or not. they simply want to fit in and so when the appointed alpha makes a fashion decision it is quickly adopted by the rest of the group. I can just imagine all the Facebook messages casually enquiring what she was going to wear and then the frenzy of activity trying to assemble a suitable approximation of this.

Why is it as adults we stop doing this? I would never think to ask a friend what she will be wearing when next we meet. I love the surprise of seeing them and enjoying the creativity and flair they display. It is as much about our outward selves as it is our inner. We eventually figure out who we are and feel comfortable enough expressing that thus the need to appear the same disappears. I wish I could tell the 12 year old me not to worry but the best I can do is dress for myself and express myself every day.

Find inspiration in your freedom and express who you really are the next time you get the opportunity.

Now Put Your Hands Up... But only if they look good

Hands are a very quick and easy sign to tell a persons true age. It is so important to take care of them your entire life and the same must be said for nails.

For many years I was a nail biter; an awful, unsanitary, nervous habit I developed. As a result my nails flaked and chipped and cracked constantly. I have tried many different hardeners over the years, most of which simply come off with nail polish remover and leave your nails no better off. That is until I found Herome. If you have weak nails you must get this. It is the absolute best. I swear to you my nails actually feel thicker and stronger. They grow so well now I have to actually have to cut and shape them for the first time in my adult life. I know someone who used Herome for a year and has never looked back, she has hard nails all the time now.

As for the hands, it has to be Estee Lauder Renutriv hand cream. I got turned on to this by a woman with cancer who had the hardest, driest hands you ever saw as a result of her chemotherapy. this cream worked for her and it works for me. I use it last thing in the morning before I walk out the door so it has time to sink in and last thing at night so it's there all night and my hands look great. It has given me an even skin tone without any blemishes or marks and leaves my hands looking healthy and feeling moist.

These two simple products have really helped my hands so, who knows, maybe they will help yours too!

A side note. I also, ALWAYS put sunscreen on my hands, every day, all year round. Sun damage in the worst!

a side, side note. I had started noticing that my summer tan on my shoulders and decolletage was taking longer than it used to fade and was worried about permanent skin damage. The last time I bought my hand cream Estee Lauder gave me a sample of the renutriv face cream and as I have very sensitive skin I used it on my shoulders and decolletage rather than my face. It was remarkable the difference it made so, I also recommend it as a product.

If you would like to see more of my pics please, follow me on Instagram. I am chichexchange

The Classics

Winter has hit Melbourne like a prizefighter this week. It has been cold, wet and miserable and I have been caught sartorially off guard. I have struggled with what to wear all week and have oscillated between cold arms, cold legs or cold feet the whole time. It got me thinking, about what my go to pieces are for any season and any occasion; so, here they are and how to wear them...the Classics

1. The trench coat
If you have to leave the house and are not totally happy with your outfit, you can pull this on and cover everything else up. An instant outfit facelift.

2. The white shirt
Wear yours 100 different ways this winter. Under jumpers, with a tiny vest on its own with a great scarf. Just wear it. Every time you see a new one that works for your shape, buy it.

3. The flared jean
These work on every. single. body. shape. It doesn't matter if you have a little extra junk in your trunk or you're a gym junkie. These work every time (and leather is fabulous).

4. The pencil skirt
Any work day this should be a go to. I can't think of a workplace where a pencil skirt wouldn't look chic. Keeping it just above the knee is key to this one. As far as the top goes, the world is your oyster.

5. The Pump
 A great pump works with trousers and skirts and will make your legs look great. Don't let them get too chunky so your legs stay slim.

6. The flat
When your feet are tired you really must give yourself the time off the heels. Ballets flats are gorgeous but not every girl feels they're for her and that's where the loafer has been a great alternative. They're a bit more manly but good cuts are still fine enough they don't look masculine.

7. The men's watch
A chunky watch is so cool on a woman. It has that 'I just borrowed this from my man' carefree vibe to it and speaks of a certain confidence in the wearer. He might get mad that you took it for a day, but he'll get over it. Try it on for size.

Please note: These images are the creative work of other very talented people and I do not claim them as my own.
If you would like to see more of me you can follow me on Instagram. I am chicexchange.

A brief word on...The Met Ball

A lot has already been said about this years Met Ball Gala. So I am just going to give you my short list of hits. Given that the theme was a bit tricky (Punk: Chaos to Couture) I really think those who did well deserve this honourable mention...
Nicole Richie: She died her hair grey and rocked a serious gold ear cuff. I love it.

SJP. Her look has gotten a bit tired of late but on this occasion, with a Phillip Treacy gold mohawk hairpiece she really is a highlight.

Please note: These images are the creative work of other very talented people and I do not claim them as my own.
If you would like to see more of me you can follow me on Instagram. I am chicexchange.

The Enemy

So, growing your hair is not easy. And to make it worse, there are always little wispy fly-away's that prevent a smooth, sleek look when you are growing it. I have been growing and straightening my hair for some time and these fly-away's are the most irritating part of my morning. Turns out, there is a simple reason for them and an easy solution to preventing them.

I have a great hairdresser, I trust her with my hair which is like saying I trust her with my mental stability. I know that my thick, curly, unmanageable hair will come away from time with her looking gorgeous. She listens to me, and I listen to her. I visit Tamara only four times a year; I know, not often enough but I'm growing my hair out and I'm busy. the last time I saw her at the fantastic Lou Salon on Greville St Prahran she told me a little secret...

Hair ties, even cotton coated break your hair. Hearing this in summer would be a disaster but in winter it's kind of good news for us all. Long hair keeps you warm and looks great draped over the collar of a coat. So prevent breakages and leave your hair out this winter.

If you absolutely must put your hair up (and I must in the shower) get a butterfly clip and hold it up that way. I feel about butterfly clips the way Carrie Bradshaw thought about scrunchies, they should not be seen outside. Save it for the bathroom and you'll be fine.

Most importantly, wear your hair out - that's what you're growing it for after all.

Contact Lou Salon on 9529 7818

Please note: These images are the creative work of other very talented people and I do not claim them as my own.
If you would like to see more of me you can follow me on Instagram. I am chicexchange.

Thank you...notes

We all love to hear 'Thank you' and a 'Thank you' note is the very best way to receive it. I often have (or rather find) occasion to write a letter of thanks and I really love doing so.

I remember distinctly as a child, being forced, after each birthday, to sit down and write 'Thank you' notes to all the lovely friends and family who sent me birthday wishes. It started at a time when I was still too young to write in straight lines and so began with me ruling up some cards, composing a practise piece on scrap paper and then showing it to my mother for her approval. I know at the time I would have much preferred to be playing with my gifts than writing notes about them but now, as an adult, I kind of love writing them.

Firstly, they are a reason for lovely stationery. On a recent trip to the U.S. I found many great cards in Target of all places. Plain inside but, bright and colourful and tasteful on the out. I was using them before I even got them home to Australia. I also love a postcard 'Thank you' as this way you can choose an image suitable specifically to the recipient.

Secondly, I know when writing a note that the recipient will always be pleased to get it. I will write a thank you to a person who's job was well done, from a colleague, to a sales assistant to a trades-person. My motto is: Just because it's a job doesn't mean it should be thankless. Many people in my workplace do things that impact directly on me and my job so when they work, I work and I like to acknowledge that.

I sent out 'Thank you' notes this week to someone who lent me a Myki, a wonderful woman who got me great tickets to the theatre and to a teenager who's words inspired me. When did you last send one? Maybe now would be a good time to make someones day...