One shirt dress three ways : Statement necklace and snakeskin shoes

        Casual shopper                                            Night out                                               Mom Photographer on the run                                    

 Casual Shopper or Lunch with the girls

THE DEETS :
Dress : Fashion Express (they also have a gorgeous green at a mere R160.00)
Belt : Fashion World
Sandals : Unknown
Bag : CCI
Necklace : Truworths

With this styling, you could also go for a little kitten heel pump or strappy sandals with a wedge to give it a little lift.  I'm not wild about wearing completely flat shoes and I'm not fond of how my legs look when I have an ankle strap on my shoes. But this outfit I could really see myself wearing out for lunch with friends or shopping.

Dinner/Date night or spunky office gal

 THE DEETS :

Dress : Fashion Express
Belt : Edgars
Shoes : Woolworths
Necklace :
Bracelets : Contempo
Handbag : Woolworths

This outfit made me feel rather fierce!

If wearing this to dinner, it would definitely need to be a little more upmarket than say McDonalds or even Ocean Basket.  I'm saddened by the reality that people just don't bother about going the extra mile when going out, or even when going to work, very often.  You could even swap out the bag for a smaller evening bag/clutch which would really take it over the edge for evening wear.

I'd wear this to the office but keep an eye on the length and not lean back too far and would then swap out the belt for a thinner patent leather one and maybe just a simple string of pearls to bring it down a notch, but if you're a confident lady, you'd easily carry this look off.

Note to self - a fitted belt hikes this up quite a bit - bear that in mind ;-)

 Mom/Photographer on the move

 

THE DEETS :
Dress : Fashion Express
Shoes : Truworths
Belt : Truworths
Handbag : Woolworths
Necklace : Made by my daughter Taryn in 2006

Off to get printing done and need to be able to carry an A4 plastic envelope and this bag totally fits the fill.  I've even considered having it lined/reinforced to be able to use it as a camera bag.  I bought it in the mens' department at the Woolworths Sale possibly last year.  I often scout around  the mens' department for satchel/messenger type bags as they tend to be roomier when made for men - which I just can't understand ... lol.

This look would be great for doing photographs in as the leggings keep you decent and able to move about quickly and bend and even lie on the ground if needed without worrying that you're showing off some private parts.

If you have young'uns, this would be a snap for getting out to the park or the garden and getting down 'n dirty with 'em.

So folks, this is my first how to style and would love your feedback.

Have a stylish day friends.

Stripes, coral and for good measure, a bit of lace.

Lace skirt with striped top

Simply Sassy Style:

WHEN: 
September 26, 2013 : Thursday

THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS:
Top : Contempo (This season)
Skirt : Truworths

THE BASICS:
Kitten heels - Can't remember where I got them

THE FINISHING TOUCHES:
Pendant : Mr. Price
Watch : Tempo - Taryn was going to give it away, so I nabbed it for myself, because she does not wear yellow gold.
Sunnies : Feebies with the latest Fairlady magazine ;-)


THE DAY PLAN : The weather bureau threatened that the temps today would rise 32⁰C and that had me in a quandary as far as what to wear.  I decided that since I intended to be indoors most of the day anyway, I'd be able to handle this outfit, since the top is 97 % polyester and 3% elastaine, its really not the thing to wear out in the heat.  But since all I did in the outdoors was walk to my car and back, it was totally bearable.

I worked on module 3 yesterday, but when I uploaded the images, the colours looked really off, so I spent this morning re-reading some of the module and then went about taking the photos this afternoon.

Jarod and I went off half way through and did the dinner shopping and then he took me for coffee.  I think he was feeling a little lonely because Liam has been at his friend since yesterday.

We came home and I'd just got back to work when the little man arrived.

THE VERDICT : I bought the t-shirt last month from money given me for my birthday.  I like the additional coral and mint stripe at the top.  I have not worn this skirt in a while and thought I'd give the stripes of the top and the lace finish of the skirt a try together and I liked how it looked.

ITEMS SEEN PREVIOUSLY : Top worn previously here and skirt worn previously here and here.

Stripes and shorts

We're on the road to Spring already and in all honesty, I'm expecting quite a few cold spells yet.  We've had an extremely mild winter this year and I read that it has an impact on the ticks in the area and we can expect a bit on an problem with them .. with cats and dogs, its a big worry for me.  So we'll be shaving them down early this year and taking them for dips without a doubt.

 

With being home, I've become a little lazy about photographing my outfits as they're really casual and mostly jeans and I despite having worn a dress and some skirts I've ju.st not gotten around to photographing the looks.  I do admit, I get up and get dressed and do my hair and face every day - although I'm finding I'm wearing a lot less eye makeup than before.

 

But I've decided to keep blogging even though the style is fairly casual and of course, my new challenge to rework last seasons style without adding.  No set income means my clothing budget is a great big Zero!  My biggest challenge is that despite having quite a lot of clothing, a lot of it is very office work orientated - so dressing it down is going to be my challenge.

 

Admittedly though, yesterday I bought three items with money I have been given for my birthday.  I bought a navy and green striped dress from Ackermans for all of R100 which I can also wear as a tunic or swimming cover-up, olive/khaki green ankle grazes and a pair of black cotton cargo-style pants from Miladys on their sale.  I think the black pants will work great for when I'm photographing babies and families as they're thin cotton with a bit of stretch and not as restrictive as my jeans and with summer on the way they'd be a lot cooler than jeans too.  I don't feel comfortable or appropriate working in skirts and dresses as you just don't have the same freedom of movement and of course you have to worry about flashing yourself to everyone around.

 

Back to today - with it being a fairly warm day and me intending to be indoors most of the day, I pulled out my black shorts (Fashion Express) and a taupe and white striped nylon 'knit' top (Pick 'n Pay - Cherokee) that is as old as the hills and my black pumps (Truworths) sadly, the black hose I wore laddered within 2 minutes of me putting them on.  No wonder they sell them in packs of three, it seems to me that you always ladder the first pair, no matter how careful you are :-(.

For indoors - without the jacket

 

 Faux leather biker jacket - Truworths

 

 

 Listening to Like Janis - Rodrigues

And you measure for wealth by the things you can hold / And you measure for love by the sweet things you're told / And you live in the past or a dream that you're in / And your selfishness is your cardinal sin

Casual Monday

And just like that, another Monday rolls around a month ago today was my last working day.  I really can't believe an entire month has whizzed by so quickly.

 Today I needed to go to the bank to get documents signed and to see two creditors.  What I thought would be a fairly quick 1 - 2 hour outing ended up being almost four hours.

The deets : Jeans : OBR at Truworths | T-shirt : Pick 'n Pay | Shirt : Mr. Price (Mens) | Handbag : Woolworths | Bracelet, Earrings and Necklace : Kays Jewellers | Boots : Edgars

Schatz allowed me to indulge in the handbag pictured above when he sent me off to pick up a pair of boots from him at the Woolworths 50% off sale.  Tomorrow the clothing sale starts and I'm staying as far away as possible.

I've been hard at work getting my site sorted and am about 95% of the way.  Now to do some marketing - why is it so paralysing?

If you have a free moment, please visit my site and let me know what you think of it (just remember, its not totally done yet) and if you feel so inspired, please like the facebook page for Simply Sassy Photography.

A casual outfit



I haven't posted an outfit post in what feels like forever.  One of the reasons in that I've been wearing a lot of jeans since I'm at home and then on the days I've thought the outfit was worth photographing, I just did not getting around to taking pictures.  But today, as I stepped a little out of my new comfort zone, I thought I should share this outfit.  I wanted to wear something besides jeans or leggings and that's when inspiration struck - shorts with tights seemed like a pretty good idea to wear at home and also for running errands, without looking too tatty.  I'm considering wearing this out to Saturday lunch with a low heel or booties - I think I could pull that off.  I like that I could also wear this top with a number of my skirts and wear it tucked in or out and I think it would great with my skinny jeans as well.





The deets : Top : PQ Outlet | Belt : Woolworths | Shorts : Fashion Express | Tights : Woolworths | Pumps : Truworths \ Infinity bracelet : Kay Jewellers (a birthday gift from my sweet daughter Taryn)

Kay Jewellers - Infinity Bracelet

Isn't it gorgeous.  I had sent her an image asking if she could find an infinity symbol on costume jewellery but she said she could not, so she bought me the bracelet I sent as an example.  I adore it.  Thank you Miss Tanna.

Taryn and TJ are doing an engagement shoot this weekend.  I do hope that they're blessed with a magnificent sunset and a little breeze.

In other news - tomorrow my youngest officially becomes a teenager.  I can't believe it.  He's away on school camp and we're not sure if we'll be able to wish him for his big day.

  

I had a total hissy fit today!  I was working on my other Photography site and did a ton of work - at least 5 hours of it when suddenly the entire folder disappeared.  Well, I blew a gasket when the tech support at my host told me to calm down and proceeded to laugh at me.  I was put on hold for more than 5 minutes and then just killed the call.  I later got an email telling my problem had been resolved, however, my entire wordpress/prophoto site is gone.  I've asked that they restore it with their backup to what was there last night and am hoping that when I get up in the morning my site it there.  However, it seems that all my work from today is gone.  I'm reading up on how to backup my site locally in future - but then of course I'll need to remember to do it whenever I change something just to be safe.  I've raved about my hosting company often, who also happens to be our ISP, but since this is now the second time I've experienced this, my heart is a little sad and my faith in them is wavering.  So sad when a relationship of more than 5 years start to sour.

Polka dot hose

Red black and cream with polka dot hose

I have not worn this skirt in ages.  I started off wanting to wear my white and black polka dot shirt, but it did not look too great together, which had me back at the wardrobe trying to find something else.  I then thought the cream and black cardigan would go well. Overall I'm satisfied with this look, but I don't think the necklace was the best choice.  Although I'd like this skirt to be a little shorter, the length is not negotiable as there is a pleated design in the back and it would look silly in the back if it were shorter.

 

I got to say goodbye to two gents from our client - a little bit of reality settling in.  Tomorrow may be interesting.

 

Today we were chatting about alternate forms of employment.  This has my head whirling at this point.  There are possibilities and opportunities, its just to hunt them down.  I'll let you know what happens one way or the other, but as off tomorrow, I'm on a little bit of break while I search and plot and plan.

Red statement necklace

The Details : Skirt and Cardigan : Truworths | Tank : Pick 'n Pay | Shoes : Foschini | Necklace : Woolworths | Watch : Diva

Chanel style cardigan

Diamante accessories

Black, white, grey and a dash of coral blue.

 

Feeling emotionally stuck in the doldrums, I had to about drag myself out of bed today to get ready for work.  I believe the days that you feel the most challenged is when you put o  something that you love and that makes you feel confident.  So, I paired my favourite lace skirt with a coral cami and this Chanel style cardigan.  This is a potential interview outfit.  Not too stuffy, but with a little bit of pizzazz and edge.  I think I could get away with this look instead of a suit - what are your thoughts?

 

 The deets : Cardigan : Identity | Cami : Chinese Store | Skirt & earrings : Truworths | Heels : Legit | Watch : La Diva | Ring : American Swiss |



A dress?!

And a straight dress at that.   

Wearing a dress!

Not just a dress, but oh dear, its way above my knee.  I felt a little awkward because I had not realised just how short it is when I tried it on the first time.  But, I went with it instead of whipping it off as I initially felt like doing.  Wearing tights makes me feel a little less naked.  

The Deets : Dress : Foschini | Shoes : Truworths | Cardigan : ??? | Necklace : Legit | Bracelets & Ring : Truworths

Looking at the pattern in this dress, I do wish the light bit had been across the tummy instead of above and below it.  Next time I wear this dress, I do intend wearing something bright with it ... maybe my red blazer.

I had tried a few different belts but I did not like how it caused the dress to bulk over my hips.  I even tried the belts over the dress and cardigan. I am considering having the dress altered to be a little more fitted, but not skin tight, just too give it a little more shape.

I choose silver accessories.  The necklace cost me all of about R15- and I think I picked it up at Legit.  Its the first time I've worn it despite having it for at least 3 months.  I really like the cut out design of it, it reminds me a little of the necklace that Schatz bought me for Christmas.  I added three bangles, which did drive me a little batty by the end of the day because they clunked it a lot ... lol.

Considering all the aspects, I quite liked this look and don't think the legs looked too bad.  A previous comment by Annette had me thinking about why I wear most of my skirts at the length I do and the reason goes way back to around 1997 when a lady I loved and respected very much said that women should not wear their skirts above their knees because no one has pretty knees.  I think that has stuck with me and whenever I see my knees I wonder if they're the ugliest on the planet. 

That's all for now folks ... thanks for visiting, reading and leaving me your thoughts.

Pearls and polka dots

My sisters and me met for our Sistas dinner and celebrated Mothers Day since we are all mothers, at the Mugg and Bean.   The meal was great,  the service excellent and the company insane.

 

For work I wore my newish Mr. Price mens polka dot shirt.  I still need to alter it a little but will need to be inspired to do that.   I teamed or with my new pearl necklace,  basic black work trousers, red blazer and pearl bracelets.

 

 

The details : Pants : Truworths | Shirt : Mr. Price | Blazer : Edgars | Boots : The Jet | Necklace : Truworths | Bracelets : Contempo | Ring : Sterns | Belt : Mr. Price