Lipstick Matchmaker with Poppy King

Image via www.lipstickqueen.com

Image via www.lipstickqueen.com

Ready to brave a bold new lip look or unable to find the perfect lipstick shade to complement your complexion?

Poppy King is back in Australia and if you are a lover of lipstick then I strongly suggest you snap up the opportunity for a personalised lip reading and colour match by none other than the Lipstick Queen herself. (I still get complemented on the lipstick shade Poppy personally picked for me a few years ago!)

Beautifully rich, creamy and vibrant lipstick colours from wine to fuschia, from berry to coral (her lip liners are a personal favourite of mine also) available for purchase after your one-of-a-kind colour consultation at selected Mecca Maxima stores nationally.

Meet Poppy in Melbourne on August 15th, 12pm-4pm at Mecca Maxima Fountain Gate & Melbourne Central. Call Mecca Maxima on (03) 9661 1292 or visit the Facebook event page below for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/events/665498633550819/

You can also visit www.lipstickqueen.com to view the full Lipstick Queen product range.

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Melbourne À La Mode

IMG_20150723_073610

Melbourne’s most glamorous, eclectic and fabulous are coming together for 3 days of styling advice, creative workshops, fashion shows and shopping! All inside a glamorous space at the first ever Melbourne A La Mode event on this Thursday to Saturday at the George Ballroom, St Kilda.

This unique shopping event will include some of the most loved local brands including Lady Petrova, The Eternal Headonist, Dainty & Bold,  T. Serafina, Micky in the Van and Anton Venoir Fine French Antiques. For more information on daily times and workshop bookings go to www.hawkeyevintage.com

DATES: Thursday 23rd July – Saturday 25th July

LOCATION: The George Ballroom, 129 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

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Ask Melbourne Darling: Best place to shop for Mother of the Bride dresses in Melbourne?

Dear Melbourne Darling,

Where can I find the best Mother of the Bride dress?

A mother of the bride outfit can initially seem like a daunting outfit to search for. In my previous styling experience I assisted a number of Mother of the Brides and after a while I would tend to hear the same things:

  • No white
  • Preferably not a black dress
  • Something that won’t clash with the outfits of the bridal party
  • Above all, something that is flattering and elegant

This may seem like you have already ruled out some of your favourite options but I want to show you that you can most definitely find a stunning outfit if you know where to shop in Melbourne!

Similarly to my post on finding wedding shoes in Melbourne, just like a mother of the bride outfit or any special outfit for that matter, when first embarking on a big shopping quest for the perfect outfit, I would always suggest not dismissing Myer and David Jones as your starting point. I find the department stores to be the quickest and most effective way to firstly get a sense for the prominent trends, styles and designer collections currently available. The exposure to a variety of different designers in the one place also makes the department stores the best first stop to allow you to start hitting the fitting rooms. Try on as many different styles as you can, as sometimes it’s the best dresses that don’t look great hanging limp on a rack but do wonders when slipped on the body!

I also want to point out that you may not want to wear a dress, and that’s absolutely fine too! Whether you decide on a perfectly paired two-piece suit, mix and match coordinates, prefer a feature skirt with a simple top and blazer or a gorgeous top and simple black pants set off by a remarkable pair of shoes, you want to choose something that you will be comfortable in and will make you feel and look your best!

After a visit to the department stores, you may want to check out the stand alone stores of the designers you liked the best as they may have a larger selection of new styles or matching coordinates and accessories in the same collection of the pieces you liked. Below are my top suggestions to get you started with the retailers I believe are reliable in regularly stocking a wonderful assortment of styles that can be beautifully suited (pardon the pun) for a mother of the bride outfit. Keep in mind, it will also depend on the personal taste of the individual, so I’ve tried to cater for some different tastes:

Coast London

Coast is still fairly new to the Australian market, only arriving to our shores in 2011. This actually works to our benefit, as Coast has saturated the UK market to the point that I have heard if you were to go to a wedding in the UK and wear a Coast dress, it would not be uncommon to see another wedding guest wearing the same outfit as you! However, it tends to be the opposite in the Australian market where their smaller presence works to our benefit. I still like to refer to Coast as the best kept secret when shopping for occasion wear in Melbourne, with their more traditional yet versatile range of fancy and feminine occasion wear pieces. (Check out their gorgeous collection of mid-heels! Comfy and funky!)

Put simply, Coast London was made for weddings and special occasions. They are a popular destination for bridesmaid dresses and create cleverly designed garments to flatter different body shapes with sizing ranging from a size 6-18. Many of their dresses also come with added practical features like detachable and adjustable straps, boning in the bodice, secret pockets and design features to allow you to wear one dress, multiple ways. Coast London in Australia is hard to find online, but I can tell you that they do have a stand-alone store in Melbourne Central (click here for more details) and a concession store in Myer Bourke Street. You can also buy Coast online at their global website and on ASOS.

Karen Millen

If Coast London is the girly, sweet girl next door, then Karen Millen is her sleek and sophisticated, seriously on-trend sister. Karen Millen, sister brand to Coast London, produce beautiful, ultra-modern floral and graphic patterns and statement prints in dresses and coordinates, usually created with perfectly matching clutches and shoes crafted from the same material.

Cue

Cue has become quite similar to Karen Millen with their focus on modern, sharp tailoring and darker colours for a more edgy yet refined style. Cue pieces sometimes appear to create a more corporate look, so offset this by adding some extra sparkle with statement accessories like a headpiece, cuff or necklace from Mimco.

Review

If you are after something more suited for a day wedding, or something a little more casual or girly, Review is a great option for floral and colourful vintage inspired pieces. Accentuate a very soft and feminine look with accessories from Alannah Hill.

Charlie Brown

For something a little less structured but still makes a statement, Charlie Brown create spectacular patterns in comfortable stretch fabric that can be more suited for day weddings. They particularly produce outstanding maxi dresses too.

Anthea Crawford

Anthea Crawford stock an extremely sumptuous collection of striking dresses with delicate and ornate detailing. They make enough of an impact on their own so all you need to add is a simple pair of shoes and you’re done! Perfect for those who like to keep their accessories to a minimum.

David Lawrence

Alternatively, when less is more head to David Lawrence for more classic, understated pieces and understated coordinates. You can always dress up a classic with some fun accessories and keep it for years to come, creating an entirely new look with the help of on-trend accessories each time you wear it.

Now I wouldn’t be a Melbourne Darling if I didn’t appreciate how to wear a little black dress just as much as the next Melbourne girl, but if you do opt for black or a simple and classic style, don’t underestimate the power of a pop of colour using clever and playful accessories. If you are up for some colour, jewel tones like purples, blues and greens tend to suit most skin tones and make for stunning evening wear options. Alternatively, pastel colours, graphic prints and florals are wonderful choices for daytime, garden themed or more casual weddings.

Don’t forget about comfortable footwear too! For a long day ahead in heels, try a supportive stack heel, a mid heel or choose a shoe with lots of inner support such as the Airflex brand heels. Otherwise prepare to pack Party Feet or invest in a good pair of soft insoles. You’ll be thankful when you hit the dancefloor!

Here are some fantastic finds to inspire you you Mother of the Bride outfit:

Mother of the Bride in Melbourne Outfit - Purple

Mother of the Bride in Melbourne Outfit - Pink

Mother of the Bride in Melbourne Outfit - Blue

  1. David Lawrence Orchid Embellished Corded Lace Dress
  2. Mimco Flashback Clip
  3. Karen Millen Crystal Metallic Asymmetric Court Shoe
  4. Airflex Blake Nude Heel
  5. Anthea Crawford Garnet Sequin Embellished Mesh and Stretch Satin Dress
  6. Anthea Crawford Shiraz Stretch Velour Drape Gown
  7. Jo Mercer Zalia Heel
  8. Samantha Wills Love Like Libra Cuff
  9. Meri By Design Black Rabbit Fur Cape
  10. Review Dion Jacket
  11. Mimco Mini Origami Envelope in Blossom Pink
  12. Oroton Freshwater Pearl Earrings
  13. Coast London Ariel Shoe
  14. Lady Petrova Wonderland Coat
  15. Fillies Collection Pillbox with Large Flower
  16. Swarovski Bolster Bracelet, Atelier Swarovski by Christopher Kane
  17. Coast London Matilda dress
  18. Alannah Hill Close My Eyes Flower in Navy
  19. Samantha Wills Heart of Aries Earrings in Silver
  20. Coast London Jasmine Printed Shoe
  21. Cue Double Weave Origami Dress in Navy
  22. Karen Millen Graphic Stripe Suit Jacket
  23. Cue Stretch Satin A-Line Skirt
  24. Review Eliana Dress in Petrol
  25. Mimco Sporto Large Pouch in Absinthe
  26. Mocha Brighter Than Gold Earrings
  27. David Lawrence Sleeveless Synergy Print Silk Top
  28. Diana Ferrari Tanzy in Black Patent
  29. David Lawrence Synergy Print Wide Bangle

Happy Shopping Melbourne Darlings!

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Curvy Couture Roadshow Melbourne

Curvy Couture Roadshow. Image Via.

Curvy Couture Roadshow. Image Via.

The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) may have advertised its official dates as 17th – 23rd March, but one week later on Sunday March 30th, it was evident that celebrations of a sartorial kind were still in full swing! The Curvy Couture Roadshow was not only a series of outstanding runway shows, but the plus-size fashion runway event was the first of its kind as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Cultural Program.

With a focus on showcasing a high quality selection of independent Australian plus size designers, the Curvy Couture Roadshow not only used accomplished and well known models including Laura Wells, Natalie Wakeling and special guest Hayley Hasselhoff, but also a selection of upcoming plus-size models that were quite new in the modelling industry or had never walked a runway before! What blew me away with this event was the strong and enthusiastic sense of encouragement and support from the audience for each and every design and model. I was so thrilled to have been a part of this exciting event, and honestly, even though I am not classified as plus-size myself, the fun, lively and supportive energy from all those in attendance, as well as the many well designed, genuinely flattering and unique pieces that were on display made this event my highlight of the VAMFF.

I honestly think that everyone in the fashion industry can take something away from this event. The Curvy Couture Roadshow truly captured the spirit that essentially, fashion should be more about, something that goes beyond whether you are plus size or not. Above all, fashion should be a fun way to celebrate bodies and the different shapes and curves it comes with, by adorning them with well made, stylish and flattering pieces that makes the wearer feel confident and beautiful.

Here is my run down of my favourite pieces from the Curvy Couture Roadshow, including some very spectacular names and brands in the plus size fashion industry to look out for!

 

Robyn Lawley Swimwear

  • Almost French Underwire Maillot One piece

The entire range of stunning swimwear by international model and body confidence advocate Robyn Lawley in collaboration with Bond Eye Swimwear were created with quality fabrics, great structure and cleverly designed shapes and cut outs. However, the favourite was always going to be this exquisite one piece. As worn by Miss Carter herself, in the famous shot of Beyonce in Brunswick (Melbourne represent!) as well as in her film clip for ‘No Angel’.

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Robyn Lawley Swimwear - Almost French Underwire Maillot One piece. Image Via.

Robyn Lawley Swimwear – Almost French Underwire Maillot One piece. Image Via.

Beyonce in Brunswick wearing Robyn Lawley Swimwear

Beyonce in Brunswick wearing Robyn Lawley Swimwear. Image Via.

Lucabella

  • Flocked Detail Merino Jumper (100% Merino Wool)

When it comes to getting dressed in Winter, there is always at least one time when you are left weighing up between warmth and style. That is why I loved this jumper from the moment I saw it! It allows you to get the best of both worlds, perfect to keep you warm whilst looking very chic indeed.

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Flocked Detail Merino Jumper Image Via.

Flocked Detail Merino Jumper Image Via.

17 Sundays

  • Take Me Away Sequin Trimmed Jacket

Because whoever said all denim jackets look the same and were created equal was wrong! This is the most stunning, flattering denim jacket I have ever come across. This cleverly designed jacket is made in a stretch denim that hugs the body and creates the ultimate flattering fit with gathered sleeves and a slight cinch towards the waist line to provide a more  hour glass shape. The added touch of the studded detailing provides a distinctive edge to a classic.

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17 Sundays Take Me Away Sequin Trimmed Denim Jacket

17 Sundays Take Me Away Sequin Trimmed Denim Jacket. Image Via.

 Meri By Design

  • Gigi Silk Cape

Meri By Design was all about sophisticated yet easy to wear and simplistic designs that make maximum impact. I loved how each piece made a statement on its own yet could easily be dressed up or down to suit many different occasions. Keep an eye out for their luxurious rabbit jackets and capes that made an appearance on the runway, (shown below) and will be available online and in stores soon.

Meri By Design

Meri By Design

Putting together a striking outfit becomes as simple as slipping on this silk cape, making clothing coordination so damn simple. Every woman should have one of these versatile silk cover ups readily available to add wow factor to any outfit. Throw on top of jeans and a cami or a LBD as your running out the door to take your outfit from So-so to HELLO! It comes in a variety of colours and patterns that make it super simple to match with many of your existing wardrobe pieces.

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 Meri by Design Gigi Silk Cape. Image Via.

Meri by Design Gigi Silk Cape. Image Via.

Misty Belvidere

  • Clairvaux Blazer

This blazer was exceptionally well made, from the flattering cut to the beautiful lining inside and the added quirkiness of the unexpected colours that worked to deliver one show-stopping blazer. I’ll admit, you can’t do this blazer justice until you try it on to really see its magic. Add a completely revamped, amazing new touch to your existing outfit, whether it be with a dress, pants, jeans or a skirt, this design really offers a remarkable new spin on a classic wardrobe staple.

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Misty Belvidere Clairvaux Blazer

Misty Belvidere Clairvaux Blazer

Iridis Cosmetics

Another thing that stood out, apart from the clothing was the makeup on all the models. Peta Gai, founder of Iridis Cosmetics was the make-up artist behind the gorgeous looks.  In particular, I loved the intense smokey eye she created for Hayley Hasselhoff as well as the choice of lipstick worn by Laura Wells, the colour is called ‘Plateaux’, a rich, high gloss berry toned, burgundy hue.

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Hayley Hasselhoff and Laura Wells Makeup by Iridis Cosmetics

Hayley Hasselhoff and Laura Wells Makeup by Iridis Cosmetics

Iridis Cosmetics Lipstick Plateaux

Iridis Cosmetics Lipstick Plateaux Image Via

 

That was my top five picks from the runway fashion, but there were so many more great designs on display. For more information on other designers that were at the Curvy Couture Roadshow, check out their websites below, or keep up to date with the Curvy Couture Roadshow and their plans for next year at curvycoutureroadshow.com

Embody Denim

Beyond the Sea Swimwear

Harlow

Christine Kardashian

Sonsee

Miss Scarlett Did It

Professor’s Daughter

Bombshell Vintage

Curvy Chic Sports

Seraphim

Marij & Jean

Hey Fatty

Fox Parse

To witness some fantastic snippets from the day, have a look at this brilliant video put together by Danielle “Danimezza” Melnyczenko of danimezza.com

 

 

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Luk Beautifood’s Lip Nourish Lip Balm Review

‘A lipstick so natural you can eat it!’

That is the line I eagerly begin with when telling someone about Lük Beautifood’s Lip Nourish. My first experience with lip balm was in early Primary school when I managed to find myself in ownership of a Watermelon flavoured Bonnebell Lip Smacker. I can remember quite clearly it smelled so delicious, in fact, it smelled good enough to eat… and yes maybe I did try to test out that thought but don’t deny you’ve thought about it too, a quick lick of the lips and your tastebuds get a bit too excited over the hint of strawberry in the lip balm you’ve just applied!

As ‘delicious’ as most of our favourite lip balms smell, we often overlook the fact that majority of popular cosmetics contain a number of nasty, toxic ingredients. While the trend of superfoods and clean eating has made us become more aware to make smarter choices with what we put inside our bodies, most people would not think to reconsider the harmful chemicals and toxic ingredients we put on our bodies through our make-up and cosmetics, particularly our lips. There are debatable claims over the average amount of lipstick women consume in their lifetime, but basically, there is no argument in the fact that it is a substantial amount, substantial amount it’s a large amount of chemicals and harmful ingredients entering your body with each swipe of lipstick!

That’s where Lip Nourish offers a fantastic new offering in cosmetics. Created by food scientist Cindy Luken, Lip Nourish is a 100% natural, Australian made lip balm using real food ingredients. Staying true its perfect choice in name, The product that stays true to its name, there really isn’t a better word to genuinely describe this lip balm than beautifully nourishing. Lip Nourish contains natural substitutes for many of the usual ingredients in lip balms and lipsticks such as the use of sesame seed oil, avocado oil, honeycomb and spices.

I tried two variations, ‘Lemon and Mint’ and ‘Orange and Juniper’. They say old habits die hard so of course my first instinct led me to remove the twist top to smell the lip balms and I was delighted with the divine, zesty and fruity fragrance. Lip Nourish comes in a number of shades, all which contain a very subtle hint of colour that when applied, create a lovely sheer appearance that is not overly glossy, but provides a very natural gleam.

Lip Nourish Shades

Lip Nourish Shades. Image Via Luk Beautifood.

The texture is soft, creamy and rich but never sticky or too heavy. The product leaves lips well moisturised, but for those who have become used to the feeling a heavy coat of lip balm, you may find yourself frequently re-applying, as Lip Nourish quickly sinks well into the lips, leaving them soft, smooth and velvety.

The packaging needs to be pointed out as a feature in itself because it is absolutely adorable. Reminiscent of the care and nurturing that Cindy has proudly placed in this product’s creation and development, each Lip Nourish is carefully packaged in a colourful, reusable microfiber cloth that unravels to reveal it’s not so secretive, full disclosure ingredients list and an uplifting message from Cindy on recommendations for usage.

Lip Nourish is perfect for soothing your lips with moisturising goodness every day.  The broad range of easy to wear, soft and neutral shades will suit a large spectrum of skin tones, to allow individuals to easily find a perfect shade to accentuate and complement their own natural lip colouring.

Lip Nourish is an effective, natural alternative to your daily lip balm, or a fantastic substitute to lip stick for those that favour nude and neutral lip shades. At the mid-range price point of $24.95, it is a high quality product that can also make for great gift for younger girls being introduced to lip balm, or those that wish to get their eager hands on their first cosmetic product, due to the absence of the chemicals normally found in cosmetics, and the subtle colour and shine. I honestly am a fan of Lip Nourish because of its natural benefits and I loved the way it left my lips feeling well moisturised and velvet like. As a result, Lip Nourish is a product that has quickly cemented itself as a daily essential in my hand bag! Now I’m not encouraging everyone to start chomping on their lip balm like a Twix bar, but I will say that with Lip Nourish, your lips never tasted so good!

Lip Nourish is available to purchase online for $24.95 including free shipping Australia wide via the following link:

For more information, I found this video to provide great insight into Cindy Luken’s  inspiration and development of Lip Nourish:

Disclosure: The products featured in this post were provided to me for consideration but this in no way influenced my review in any way. As always, my reviews are my 100% honest opinion.

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The Lindy Charm School Vintage Styling Workshop – Review and tips for attending!

A wonderful Vintage Styling workshop that gets girls back to class!

Practising hairstyles during The Lindy Charm School for Girls Class

Practising hairstyles during The Lindy Charm School for Girls Class

For every girl who is inspired and influenced by the likes of Miley CyrusKesha and Kim Kardashian, it is reassuring to know that there are, dare I say, just as many young girls and women who instead, are inspired by the old world glamour and elegance of the likes of Audrey HepburnGrace Kelly and Veronica Lake.

The Lindy Charm School for Girls offers vintage styling workshops, covering make-up, hair, clothing and etiquette tips to help you achieve old-school glamour. These workshops provide simply fabulous, insightful and hands-on lessons in perfecting your vintage inspired looks and reviving the beauty, fashion and charm of women as they lived in decades gone by.

I attended a day of workshops in Melbourne, which included two classes, the Introductory Workshop and the Intermediate Vintage Hairstyling Workshop.  You could attend either just the first 3 hour class for $85 or just attend the 2 hour second class for $100 per person. Alternatively, you could stay for the whole day at a price of $150 for both classes, which was the option I went for. The workshop I attended was held in an exclusive room at the Shopping Town Hotel in Doncaster (opposite Westfield Shoppingtown). The room was set up with tables arranged in a big ‘U’ shape set up like a class room, where each place was set up with a ‘Workshop Manual’ booklet, a pen and a flower clip. The Workshop Manual was great, as not only did it allow you to jot down notes throughout the class, but it provided you with extra instructions and tips to take away with you and help you brush up on your vintage styling lesson at home.

Place-Setting

All set up and ready for the workshops!

In addition to what is provided, it is suggested to bring the following items to the workshops:

  • Your own make up, particularly mascara, eye liner, foundation, blush and lipstick
  • Hairbrush
  • Comb
  • Bobby pins
  • Stand Up Makeup Mirror
  • Hairspray
  • Curling tools (eg. hot rollers or curling irons – optional but recommended)
  • 2 Slide Combs (matching your hair color)

Additional items I would also recommend bringing:

  • Eye makeup remover wipes or pads – Definitely came in handy when practising the notorious winged liner.
  • Bring as much make up as you are comfortable to use. I like to have a variety of make-up to choose from and I found it beneficial to use my own products while learning Headmistress Chrissy’s techniques as I found it easier to go home and recreate the looks using the same products. However, if you don’t own or plan on owning too much make up, it is also perfectly fine to jsut bring what you have, in fact, it is encouraged by Headmistress Chrissy to keep makeup simple, revealing she only regularly uses a handful of make up products herself!
  • Make up brushes
  • Liquid Eyeliner (the best type for applying the winged liner look)
  • Brown eyeliner or eyebrow powder / pencil (for creating a lovely set of shapely brows!)
  • Pink blush
  • Red lipstick
  • Lipliner
  • A stand up make up mirror with lights – If you have one, it would have made a big difference in the room we used as the lighting in the room was terrible (however this was at Shoppingtown Hotel and workshop venues do change).

If you would like to purchase heat curlers /rollers, Headmistress Chrissy recommended these cheap but efficient Remington travel size rollers. Keep in mind this set only comes with 10 rollers, so you would need to buy at least two sets to curl a full head of medium to long length hair. I also saw someone using these Remington Silk + Ceramic Heated Clips and Rollers that worked a treat.

In my experience, I originally went out to buy hot rollers like the ones mentioned above but ended up buying a Muk Curling Stick. This was my personal preference. I liked the fact it comes with three interchangeable heads to allow you to create different sized curls and I find it easier and quicker to use this curl stick than the rollers. To use the Muk Curling Stick (or a curling wand) to create the same effect as rollers, you want to curl the sections of your hair as you would with rollers (as Headmistress Chrissy instructs) and then use pin curl clips to secure the curl in a loop, in place until the hair cools down and sets. Use the links provided in this article to view the products, but for the cheapest deal, I suggest you visit your nearest Hairhouse Warehouse, Price Attack or Priceline store. It is of course, personal preference as to which method or curling you prefer, and the lovely Chrissy and her helpers are skilled at assisting you to create wonderful curls which whatever curling tool you have available to bring along on the day.

If you do forget anything, there are some lovely items for sale including a fantastic ‘Essential Hair Care Kit’, a range of make up, a basic yet effective hair setting solution, also known as The Lindy Charm School “Rocket Fuel” in addition to various different clips and hair accessories specifically designed to create the vintage looks. I found their Hair Setting Spray to the be best I have used so far, because the simple and gentle yet effective ingredients add strong hold to your perfect vintage hairstyles, but it also easily brushes out, allowing you to re-style easily without leaving your hair in a sticky, crunchy mess. Other items on sale included dolly pegs, hairstyling sponges, pin curl clips, snoods, do-rags, panty hose, vintage sunglasses and adorable felt hats (also all available for purchase on The Lindy Charm School for Girls website).

The classes are run by Headmistress Chrissy, vintage styling extroadinaire (and who was Melbourne Darling’s Muse of the Month in November).  The Introductory workshop is a 3 hour course covering vintage make-up and hairstyles through the 1920’s-1960’s. It also briefly covers vintage fashion and the importance of undergarments with some fascinating insights into the history of some of the most popular beauty and fashion items, and how they were originally used.

The class started with Headmistress Chrissy introducing herself and her knowledgeable and friendly helpers Miss Sammy and Miss Kelly. To commence the class, all attendees were asked to stand and recite  The Lindy Charm School Oath. This included the pledge ‘Thou Shalt Endeavour To Always Wear Red Lipstick’ and my personal favourite, to promise ‘Never To Wear Socks with Heels!’ (That’s an F grade for you Alexa Chung!) the Introductory course went through the importance of good posture and undergarments  (where one cannot fully appreciate the magic of a corset until you have seen one demonstrated!). Chrissy followed on to explain the importance of tailoring and how to wear vintage clothing. The make-up tutorial was next, with the class voting on the type of decade inspired look they would like to learn. We went with a 1950’s look but  Chrissy also pointed out tips to change the look to suit different decades along the way.

The beauty of this class (pardon the pun) is that it was perfectly suited for both complete beginners as well as those who are a little more skilled in make-up application and hair. There was an abundance of knowledge shared, along with clever little beauty secrets and historical insights into vintage styling (you will never guess what product Marilyn Monroe used to attain her flawless and dewy skin!) Everyone in the class was free to follow the steps at their own pace while Headmistress Chrissy and her wonderful helpers were always more than welcome to assist those who asked for a little extra help with particular techniques.  We learnt everything from correct blush application to perfecting the perfect pout and mastering the winged eyeliner look. Keep in mind this is not a comprehensive and complete make up application class, but what you will learn is how to apply modern day make up with the tips and tricks to help you recreate vintage inspired looks.

Following on from make up was hair, as we were talked through setting curls in our own hair. While Chrissy and her assistants were happy to lend a helping help, it was great that the workshop was so hands on, so everyone was encouraged to try the techniques themselves, which was the most beneficial for everyone to be able to recreate the techniques themselves at home. After our hair was set, we learnt how to style our hair with pin curls into cascading, soft, ‘Veronica Lake’ style curls.

Miss Sammy demonstrating how to create a1940's hairstyle

Miss Sammy demonstrating how to create a1940′s hairstyle

After an hour break, it was back for the second class, the Intermediate Vintage Hairstyling Workshop. Using the set of curls we had created to style into pincurls, this workshop was used to demonstrate how you could use the same set of curls to recreate a variety of different hairstyles throughout the decades from the 1920’s to 1960’s. The transformation between such different looks was amazing! We learnt how to create a variety of styles from a Bettie Page fake fringe, victory rolls, Bridgitte Bardot quiffs and a Betty Grable ‘peek-a-boo’ updo style. After the great introductory to curling hair and learning about different hairstyles in the Introductory workshop, the second workshop was a more practical and thorough opportunity for everyone to perfect their skills and recreate the different looks that most appealed to them. If you are looking at doing the first class, unless you are definitely not interested in creating vintage hairstyles, I would recommend doing both classes if you can!

Just as a classy and elegant woman of the mid century would possess, I really admired the wise words and lessons Headmistress Chrissy  instilled throughout the workshop on matters of beauty, fashion and grace. Chrissy encouraged the importance of being kind and how to give and receive compliments. She also stressed the underlying importance that when it came to make up,  not only should it be striking, but to always keep it simple, easy and quick (after all, busy women in the forties did not have the time or the money to spend simply on their looks!). It was refreshing to hear Headmistress Chrissy give beauty advice that was honest but also based on a much more minimalistic approach than we are used to hearing in modern times. Above all, through her advice and knowledge shared, Headmistress Chrissy and her assistants always stayed true to the times they described and spoke of being appreciative of the women in previous decades who managed to create these very same looks using such limited resources.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day. It was fantastic seeing a class containing such a wide variety of individuals in terms of age (13 to 50+) and appearance, and how everyone in the room came together through their appreciation of vintage style! Many ladies attended the workshops alone, and everyone in the class was genuinely friendly and supportive of eachother. It was also such a pleasant surprise to see everyone’s end results and how perfectly suited and striking everyone in the room looked once they were transformed by the magic of vintage styling! The most popular accessory I saw all the ladies leaving the workshops with that day was not bouncy pin curls or perfect red pouts, but big smiles, straight backs and confidence!

The lovely Heather showing off her gorgeous vintage inspired look!

The lovely Heather showing off her gorgeous vintage inspired look!

*To all the lovely ladies that attended the same workshops as me on 9th November 2013, you can find all the photos I took from the day on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/melbournedarling

I highly recommend The Lindy Charm School for Girls as a truly fabulous treat for women of all ages. The workshops make for a fun filled and engaging experience, a perfect idea for a hen’s night, special birthday, or even as a treat for yourself!

If you or someone you know would like to book in for an upcoming event, the next Melbourne Vintage Styling Workshop will take place on Saturday, 15th March. (click the links for bookings and more information). In addition, the very first Mother and Daughter Charm School, running on Sunday, 16th March will highlight etiquette, poise and posture and allows for mothers to book a spot in to the workshop and bring their daughters for free! The Lindy Charm School has also announced their latest collaboration with Fossil Vintage to announce the launch of their very first ‘In Styling Night‘, a private shopping night and Vintage Styling event on Friday, 14th March, held exclusively inside the Fossil Vintage Warehouse. Shop til your pin curls drop with a grand selection of their quality wholesale vintage garments on sale as well as getting the opportunity to receive personal styling advice and beauty and hair demonstrations from Miss Chrissy and the girls of The Lindy Charm School.

See the flyers below for more details of the mentioned upcoming events or for a full listing of future workshops and events held around Australia, Head to The Lindy Charm School for Girls website to find out more information or sign up for an upcoming workshop being held in your area!

Melbourne Vintage Styling Workshop

Mother and Daughter Charm School

Fossil Vintage In Styling Night

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Style Notes: Don’t fall victim to this sticky fashion faux pas – What’s worse than a VPL? A VPS! (Visible Price Stickers under the soles of your shoes!)

Eva Longoria Image Via

Eva Longoria Image Via

I feel the need to warn you about a dreadful fashion faux pas that I have recently been noticing more regularly around the city of Melbourne. A fashion faux pas so bad, it has claimed victims amongst the chicest of the chic, the most famous of celebrities and the trendiest of Melbournistas.

Madonna has done it, Eva Longoria has done it, even ultimate style maven Gwyneth Paltrow has been a victim! I’ve seen it happen to the most polished of Melbourne women strutting down Collins Street oblivious to the teeny tiny thing they forgot to do while getting dressed that morning. You’ve heard of the dreaded V.P.L or visible panty line and don’t even get me started on its tacky ugly step-sister the visible bra strap but what you may not be as familiar with, is the sneaky little cousin in this family of fashion faux pas. Without further ado, let me introduce you to the V.P.S – the Visible Price Sticker (particularly those stuck on the bottom of high-heeled shoes!)

Basically, you could be wearing a head to toe amazing outfit but making this little mistake could instantly diminish your style cred and ‘le horreur’ of it all is that while everyone else can see it, you may have no idea you are doing it!

Any girl worth the red soles of her Louboutins or purple soles of her Peeptoe shoes for that matter understands how eye catching a pop of colour can be under an enchanting pair of pumps. Therefore, I stress to make sure you remember to remove the price stickers off the bottom of your heels before you wear them!! That deserves a double, if not triple exclamation mark ‘!!!’ because you would be so surprised at how many polished and professional looking women I see on a day to day basis strutting around the city, immaculately dressed all for one little but alarmingly distracting flash of white, or god forbid a flourescent sales or reduced price sticker stuck to the bottom of their heels.

If they were a jaw-droppingly expensive pair of shoes, don’t showcase it to the world behind you, it just cheapens the entire look of your outfit and we all know money doesn’t buy class so it’s best to keep the price to yourself. Of course, even if they were an absolute bargain, you

Gwyneth Paltrow Image Via

Gwyneth Paltrow Image Via

don’t want to spoil your little secret, so make sure you remove those sticky little devils before you take those brand spanking new heels on their maiden voyage about town.

If you are finding the price stickers are tricky to remove or leave a sticky residue, then apply some Eucalyptus Oil with a cotton ball or cotton pad to the sticker which helps remove the glue. Just be careful to apply the oil only to the soles to ensure the oil does not destroy the material of your shoes.

On a side note, if one day I fall so in love with a pair of heels that they don’t leave my feet from the moment I tried them on in store, help a sister out and let me know I’m flashing a dollar sign on my soles, and I promise I’ll do the same!

Madonna Image Via

Madonna Image Via

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Natio End of Year Warehouse Sale

Natio Warehouse Sale Melbourne

Natio Warehouse Sale Melbourne. Image Via.

The Natio Head Office in Heidelberg West is opening its doors for one last Warehouse Sale for the year this weekend! Open today, Friday 13th and Saturday 14 December from 9am-3pm.

Natio produce a great selection of mineral make-up, nail polishes and gift packs and always feature the best berry shades in their cosmetic collections. I am also a big fan of their illuminators and eye brighteners, not to mention that their men’s skincare range has a loyal following by many Melbourne men!

At the Natio Warehouse Sale you will find a range of current and discontinued Natio skincare, cosmetics, men’s, bath and body products and gift packs all up to 70% off RRP!

Natio Warehouse Sale

9am-3pm

13-14th December

110 Dougharty Road, Heidelberg West VIC 3081

Payment by cash, visa, MasterCard and Eftpos.

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Muse of the Month November 2013: The Lindy Charm School Headmistress – Chrissy Keepence

Chrissy Keepence

Chrissy Keepence

Miss Chrissy is Melbourne Darling’s Muse of the Month not only because she is a refreshingly fine example of embodying grace and lady-like charm in today’s modern world, but because of her inspiring passion for empowering girls of all ages to enhance their own, natural outer & inner beauty through the best of vintage styling, etiquette and manners.

I was lucky enough to attend one of her engaging and fun filled vintage workshops by The Lindy Charm School of Girls (review coming soon) and Chrissy shared with me some personal reflections and thoughtful words of advice on vintage styling in the modern world:

Why do you think there is suddenly such a cherished appreciation for all things vintage?

Not only do the eras between the 1920’s to the 1960’s epitomise the glamour, style & the razzle dazzle we all crave in our lives, but these eras represent times of strength, stoicism, innovation, rebellion, fun and edgy designs in hair, makeup, clothing, ideals and lifestyle.

Instead of looking to be just ‘on trend’ many individuals now look to be individual, different and cutting edge and vintage styling ticks all those boxes as most vintage is individual. However, I do think the media recycles it into the mainstream every few years but this gains exposure for the next generation who may otherwise not always get on board. In this case, I think it is a good thing that every few years a Hollywood Starlet walks the red carpet in a Vintage Gown with Old World (as they call it) hair and makeup and just like that, Vintage styling is popular and in demand once again. Lastly, the increase in education and interest surrounding the concern to save our environment leads individuals to more likely take on the old-fashioned ‘make do and mend’ mentality. As a result, the re-use, re-cycle and up-cycle trends become more popular and mainstream.

I think I was born in the wrong era!’ I have heard this statement a lot and I also wonder whether this is something you hear often from ladies who take part in your classes? 

I do hear that a lot from ladies. I believe that some of us are just ‘old souls’ and this is why we gravitate to an old world. Most people who attend the classes feel they develop a sense of belonging when they are surrounded by vintage styled & vintage loving women who share the same enjoyment in defining, finding or just embracing their own individual vintage style and it’s lovely to watch their confidence blossom.

I had a young girl of just 13 years of age attend a workshop last week. She was not interested in iPhones, iPads or iPods as there was no ‘I’ in ‘us’ and it was the group aspect of ‘us’ that she was enjoying – so cool. She loved being surrounded by a group of women of all ages, excited to learn all the hair and makeup techniques from the 40’s and 50’s. All the women in the room embraced and relished in the brush up of manners, etiquette & good posture and their feedback was that they all admired it and they all wanted to see more of it in the today’s modern world.

Chrissy conducting a hair tutorial at one of her workshops

Chrissy conducting a hair tutorial at one of her workshops

To all the old souls and vintage inspired women out there living in the modern world of today, what is your most important piece of advice?

Make the effort each and every day to spend a few moments on yourself, with yourself and for yourself. Also, don’t be so body conscious. If you look and feel uncomfortable then find another style and don’t try too hard at something that doesn’t come easy to you. Find a look that suits you, your body, your hair, your skin and your lifestyle. Watch some old films and search fashion archives on the internet for some inspiration. You will be amazed with what you find! Even if you cannot find true vintage originals, I believe anyone can still find a vintage inspired look that suits you.

You can be subtle about it, by selecting one piece to be the feature of your outfit i.e. a gorgeous blouse from the 40s, a statement hat from the 20s, a swanky pair of gloves, even a jewel encrusted brooch. On the other hand if you are confident enough to go head to toe, I think it is most important to pay attention to the detail!

Lastly, carry with you in your day to day life a bit of the innocence and modesty that our foremothers possessed and always be charming. Don’t forget the importance of hair and makeup as well as The Lindy Charm School for Girls Oath, ‘Thou shall endeavour to always wear red lipstick.’

How did The Lindy Charm School for Girls come about?

I have been involved in the world of vintage styling and dancing for the past twenty years and The Lindy Charm School for Girls was a natural progression from teaching my own dance students how to re-create and style themselves based on the swing era, which was the music they were predominately dancing to. These home based “styling days” became so popular that I decided to take it on the road and share the knowledge around Australian, New Zealand and more recently in the US.

Most people seeking out a vintage lifestyle usually have a bit of an old soul to start with and have a penchant for the history of old. I grew up with the music and films of the 40’s and 50’s with my dad. My favourite memory growing up was Saturday afternoon movie time with him, always with a black and white Jerry & Dean or an Elvis flick on.

My eye for vintage fashion and style started then, but it was when I was introduced to the dance (“Lindy Hop”) that my passion for swing music grew, and then my further interest in the fashion and lifestyle of the 30’s and 40’s. I remember when I got my first 1940’s original crepe, A-line frock, embellished with beautiful beading. I was in heaven and I matched it with the right hat, accessories, hair and makeup. When I walked into my parents’ home, my dad teared up (and being a soldier, that NEVER happened), he said he thought his mother had walked home.

The name “The Lindy Charm School for Girls” comes from my love of the dance “Lindy Hop” The name also means I often get cute questions like ‘So, does Miss Lindy Ever attend these workshops and teach them herself?’ Since 2005, when I registered the business, I travel almost every week to a different place from my home in Queensland. My team has grown and I now have Mistresses of Style in every state in Australia. I am so lucky that my ‘assistants’ are also my closest friends and we all believe we have come together for a reason. Each special one has entered my life at different times for different reasons and there was once a saying I used to have painted on my bedroom wall from Shakespeare that was never truer, ‘your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years

What has been the most rewarding aspect of running The Lindy Charm School for Girls so far?

The feedback I receive in the letters, emails and calls saying how The Lindy Charm School has changed one’s life, saved one’s live or rebuilt a person’s confidence. It’s comments like these that are very humbling and make us also believe even more in what we are doing and The Lindy Charm School is something that I am so blessed to be at the helm of.

Where are your favourite places to visit in Melbourne?

You are indeed spoilt for choice in Melbourne and when I visit I find that the following never disappoint:

The Vintage Garage  is one of my most favourite places. Mainly because I get to hang out there often when we are doing our Pin Up/Vintage Makeover photoshoots with the amazing Brooke Orchard Photography and also because the gals Marissa and Lisa are so helpful and quirky and fun!  They also stock HEAPS of cool stuff like Bonnie Rose Vintage clothing and Fossil Vintage clothing. Both collectors have amazing vintage finds. The Circa Vintage Clothing is a store  that stocks vintage clothing that is always of the utmost quality.  Owner, Miss Nicole Jenkins is well known for being the pre-eminent authority on all things to do with vintage clothing and because of her knowledge, you don’t just buy the outfit but you learn the history behind it as well.

My favourite restaurant is Longrain on Little Bourke St. Because I had to wait until 10pm for a sitting to dine there and it was totally worth it and I have never tasted Thai food as amazing since! I have many favourite cocktail bars in Melbourne, but I have to say I’ve had the best times with our darling friends at The LuWow and Madame Brussels.

My favourite place to stay and indulge in afternoon tea is at the Hotel Windsor. My team and I presented an ‘Afternoon Tea with a Sip of Manners‘ to 150 patrons two days in a row a while back and the place left such an impression on me with its glorious surrounds.

Chrissy has done a fantastic job at guiding women of all ages to rediscover the old-school glamour and style of the early 20th century. You can meet the charming Chrissy at the Love Vintage Show in Melbourne next year or attend one of her workshops. Keep your eyes peeled for my review on the workshop Chrissy held in Melbourne recently so you can be ready to book yourself into the next Lindy Charm School for Girls Workshop in 2014 and experience the magic of vintage styling for yourself!

Men, don’t feel left out! Look out for the Suave School For Gents, an upcoming feature of The Lindy Charm School, featuring fashion, manners and grooming guidance and advice. This is currently an online feature, with hopes of it becoming a workshop in the future so stay tuned!

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Style Notes – Quick and Easy Halloween Costume Ideas (for people who hate dressing up)

The spookiest time of year is now upon us and I find that Halloween takes on an increasing presence each year in Melbourne. I personally LOVE a good themed event, and still get excited at the invitation to a costume party, but at the same time I know SO many people that are the opposite. Those that approach the effort of putting together and wearing a costume with more disdain and resentment than if you were about to get your wisdom teeth taken out.

For people who love throwing themed parties, I speak for all of us when I say that usually the most fun is had when everyone gets into it! That’s not to say you have to spend a lot of time or effort with a costume, but when it comes to the level of effort you put into a costume for Halloween, you basically want to measure up on a healthy middle range between ‘ghost’ aka. sheet with two eye holes cut out, and Heidi Klum, the ultimate OTT Halloween costume QUEEN. If you are still stuck on what to wear for that Halloween party you have on this weekend, here are some quick and easy yet effective Halloween costume ideas that will have you party ready in less time than it takes to decide what outfit you would’ve worn to a dress up party when everyone else would be in costume but you…

Images Via here and here.

Images Via here and here.

Because let’s face it, you don’t want to be this girl.

Image Via

 

Día De Muertos / Mexican Day of the Dead Costume

The perfect Halloween costume to make use of that flower crown you fell in love with. With this costume, you can wear basically anything neck down, but with the help of some strategic make up, teased hair and a flower crown, you are instantly transformed into a superb sugar skull. This costume does require a good hand with applying make-up, but before you give it a miss, take a look at some easy You-Tube step-by-step makeup tutorials like this video by ASOS. The make-up isn’t actually as difficult to apply as the end product appears. All you need are a few make up basics you most likely already own, a light foundation, red lipstick, black or grey eye shadow and black eyeliner. Because each skull face design is unique, you can make your design as simple or as detailed as you wish!

Image Via

Image Via

If you find the whole face is a bit too full on, you can even try a half-face style to tone it down. Once your make-up is finished, tease your hair, wear it down and add that flower crown. The best bit about this outfit is that neck down you can basically wear whatever you like! Go gothic with all black or wear a white dress to match your pale face. You could even wear a floral dress or colourful peasant style skirt!

 

Hippy / Flower Child

So you’re not too good at getting artistic with the make-up but still have your heart set on wearing that flower crown? A Hippy is a great costume idea, although technically not a traditionally scary Halloween costume (though some may beg to differ). But if scary costumes just give you the creeps, getting in touch with your inner flower child is a fun and amazingly easy costume idea. Nowadays, I dare say majority of new clothing styles are ‘vintage inspired’ and can fit into the category of bohemian or hippy chic. You most likely already own a few items that match the hippy or boho chic trend, the costume element is simply a matter or wearing all of these items  together at once. Whether it be a flowy top or kaftan, a fringed vest, colourful maxi or tie dyed anything,  simply add boots, platform heels or sandals with a flower crown or headband / bandana across your head. Accessorize with semi precious stone jewellery and throw on a few long necklaces and your done!

Bonus points for rose coloured glasses or aviator sunnies and any jewellery embellished with a peace sign. Think you can’t get in touch with your inner hippy? Let me tell you, if Miss J.Lo can look the part of a carefree, flower child as per photographic evidence below, ANYONE can. If you are still unsure on how to incorporate your wardrobe items to create a hippy chic look, google Vanessa Hudgens at a music festival. That is not a joke.

Image Via

Image Via

 

 Fortune Teller

If you don’t own any peace signs or managed to escape the hippy chic trend, you can always wear a flowy skirt, wrap a piece of material around your head like a turban, add a shawl, some hoop earrings and stack on as many rings, bangles and necklaces as you can and go as a a fortune teller! American Apparel featured a great fortune teller get up in addition to other great costume ideas on their Tumblr page. Bonus points for bringing along tarot cards or your very own crystal ball.

Image Via

 

Image Via

Pirate

Own a striped Breton top or a loose fitting shirt? Don’t place those winter boots in storage yet! Use your basic wardrobe staples to create a pirate costume. This is such a versatile choice because you can make your costume as simple or extravagant as you wish. Pair your top and boots with black leggings or black pants and add a vest or a thick buckled belt for extra penzance pizazz. Accessorize with hoop earrings and a bandana and practice your best Aargh! You can even further embellish your outfit with an eye patch, temporary tattoos, a fake sword, binoculars or a compass which you can find at many $2 stores in the kids or dress up section. For the finishing touch go Johnny Depp with your makeup and pack on that eyeliner like there’s no tomorrow!

Image Via

Image Via

My last suggestion if you don’t want to use any of your existing wardrobe pieces, a fun way to shop for a costume is to simply head down to your local op shop. You will be sure to grab a frightening find on the cheap!

So there you have it, easy and simple ways to pull together an effective costume in the most effortless way, hopefully using many items that you already own.  These are also very versatile ideas that you can customise depending on your personal taste and preference when dancing that line from Sexy to Scary costume.

As a result of these quick and easy costume ideas, you may even find yourself saving a lot of time you can now use to do other exciting Halloween activities like carving a pumpkin or learning the dance-move to Thriller, which are obviously both equally productive ways to spend your time in the lead up to Halloween.

Have a terrifyingly fun Halloween!

Love,

Melbourne Darling xo

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