What I wore on Wednesday

Don’t you just hate it when your real job gets in the way of your blog! I have been so busy trying to squeeze in a few extra working hours over the last two weeks – most of which have been spent glued to the home computer in a pair of blue velvet trackie-pants and teal blue singlet from target. Yes, even I have my off days - that I have completely missed sharing my numerous fabulous fashion moments with you, and believe me...there have been many. Like Friday for example, when I finally got to wear my gorgeous short-sleeved grey jacket with deep lapel and skinny-leg tuxedo pants from Cue. So for the sake of maintaining my infamous reputation as the average women-on-a-budget-with-two-kids’ stylette about town, What am I wearing on Wednesday has temporarily become What I wore on Wednesday, and I think you will agree that what I wore is so fabulous I am considering wearing it everyday!

The knee-length tunic dress was a Jacqui E sale item purchased for $59.95 when BB2 was just a few weeks old. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t advise myself or anyone else for that matter to shop for a frock like this just after giving birth – the E cups and maternity bra just couldn’t cope, but it was on sale and the perfect replacement for my poor old Katies frock that was starting to see better days. It’s a gorgeous little dress with a most flattering empire bodice and knee-length pencil skirt with matching pleats on the sides. It’s a little bit too saucy in the cleavage department to pass for a behind-the-desk type of attire, so the short-sleeve burgundy shirt from the Cue ‘In the City’ range is a perfect compromise, and I just adore the tie feature at the front. As you know, I promised myself when I returned to work in January I would glam it up, because there is simply no sense in spending over eight hours a day dressed in something that resembles a well used door-mat. I’m afraid I don’t subscribe to the theory of saving your best...if I did that then the smallest wardrobe in the world wouldn’t be a problem, and really, where is the fun in that? Anyway, the shirt was part of my five item haul from the post-chrissie sales at the Cue outlet in Harbour Town WA and purchased for a very respectable $50. So respectable, I brought two more! The t-bar platforms from the Wittner outlet at DFO South Wharf were a perfect alternative to a more traditional black pump, and my fail-safe Guess handbag added a splash of colour. A couple of bangles from Bardot and Diva, both purchased for $5 and my favourite pewter flower bling ring, also from Diva provided the finishing touches. Oh, and you might have noticed I included my iphone, which incidentally was one of the many return-to-work pressies I brought for myself, as an accessory. I had a meeting across town and had to catch to three trains to get there, and two trains and a tram to return. Having just downloaded Stephanie Meyers’ New Moon as an audiobook, it was attached to me for the most of the trip. A justifiable addition to any outfit I say. Let’s check it out:

Jacqui E dress 50 per cent off at $59.95
Cue shirt, reduced to $50 from $80
Wittner t-bars, reduced to $40 from $169
Guess handbag, $95AUD from Macys in LA
Chrome bangle from Diva, $5
Wooden bangle from Bardot, $5
Bling ring from Diva on a 2-for-1-sale, $7.95
iPhone from Telstra, $2.82 per day
Total spend $265.72

Hot tip: If have a tunic dress in your wardrobe that you think is a bit shapeless then whack on a cinch belt to create an empire line then spend half an hour admiring yourself in the mirror, because I can almost guarantee you, you will look fabulous. Plus, it will breathe new life into a piece of clothing you thought you could no longer wear. Do play around with different styles of cinch belts, because like anything different styles will suit different shapes and different outfits. For reasonable quality belts at an affordable price check out stores like Jacqui E, Sussan or Forever New. They do a good job for about $30-$40. If you can afford to go higher and invest in a piece of wearable art then head straight for Cue. In my mind, they have the whole cinch belt game completely covered. You won’t be sorry and neither will your daughter. MFxx

What am I wearing Wednesday

After a day spent working from home, which involved several outfit changes because really what do you wear to work from home so you can still feel glamorous, and once again I’m excited to be back at work tomorrow with yet another excuse to embark on my own personal weekly fashion experience. To be honest, I didn’t think my proposed style expedition would eventuate. DH came home from work early feeling a tad poorly and BB1 and BB2 conspired with each other to stay awake for as long as possible, which totally threatened to derail my end of evening goal...discovering what delights I had waiting for me in the smallest wardrobe in the world. Luckily an old episode of the original Trinny and Susannah and two tiring children who decided to take pity on their frazzled mummy did the trick, and I quickly got to work. Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather at how quickly this outfit came together. Equally, I was completely bowled over at how the top half combo of singlet and drape cardi from Sussans could easily go from casual affair to sexy, smart professional in one tiny clasp of a cinch belt. The singlet, in case you are interested has a twisted strap on the left shoulder which causes a subtle drape affect across the cleavage...gorgeous. Anyhow, my cousin Kate, you know the one with the defective fashion gene and over-sized Brady Bunch tee shirt is sure to love this look. The skirt is identical to the one we purchased for her during our capsule collection experience at the table eight clearance store at DFO South Wharf. It’s gold satin with a touch of mustard and I loved it so much that I brought one too. At $14.95 it was a complete bargain. If she looks close enough, I think Kate will also recognise the belt - $10 from Jacqui E also at DFO South Wharf and also identical to one she procured on same said shopping expedition. I know what you are thinking – fashion stalker! But no, we are related...it’s allowed. To top it off I added a set of purple crystal beads I brought from Myer a couple of years ago at 50 per cent off the lowest marked price and my fabulous taupe coloured peep-toes from Steve Madden. The very same peep-toes I might add, I nearly wore with my purple Leona dress last week that I thought hurt my feet. Turns out, if you remove the heel cinchers that were put in the very first time you wore them they don’t hurt anymore. Brilliant! I also popped on a purple flower ring from Diva and after some debate added a spark of colour with an Olga Berg bag in tones of red, metallic pink and purple suede. I just love this outfit...let’s check it out:

Singlet from Sussans with a twist strap, full price $59.95
Drape cardi also Sussans, $39.95 reduced from $99.95
Skirt from Table Eight clearance store, $14.95 reduced from $39.95
Cinch belt from Jacqui E, $10.00 reduced from $29.95
Ring, $5 Diva
Steve Madden peep toes, $21 reduced from $129.00
Olga Berg handbag, gift from cousin
Necklace $14.95 during a 50 per cent off lowest mark price sale at Myer
Total spend: $165.80

HOT TIP: The twisted strap singlet featured in this look is currently on sale at selected Sussans stores for $29.95. It’s fabulous. I’ve worn it with my wide-legged jeans from target and ballet flats for a casual look and my skinny jeans and witchery taupe pants with cardi and heels for a more glam effect. Now I’m wearing it to work with a gold satin pencil skirt and peep toe heels. $59.95 well spent, don’t you think?

My friend Jacqui

It’s been 16 days since the biggest annual event on the shopping calendar - the post Christmas Day sales, and I know what you are all thinking. Where is Milla? Well, I’ll tell you…shopping, where else! I have been out and about perusing stores, checking out change-rooms and rating what I consider to be the pick of the bunch for those of us who are trying to look like we are living like champagne on a beer budget. Kudos to the fashion buyers of the well known chain-stores. In the face of the GFC, they’ve bought up a storm over the last two seasons so that most of the brands affordable to those of us with mortgages and/or dependents are brimming with post Christmas bargains at ridiculous prices. My pick of the bunch is without a doubt, is the lovely Miss Jacquie E. Jacquie Who, I hear some of you more prone to high-end brand names saying in aghast. Jacquie E…she’s pretty, she’s affordable and she is so overflowing with massive reductions that you should shop there just out of principle. What I like best about Jacqui E, is her adaptability. It doesn’t matter what size, shape or age you are…this sexy, sophisticated little lass will deck you out in her finest for half the price. Dresses that retail in season for over $120.00 have been dramatically reduced…some by 50%, others by 70%. My fav (and one I’m trying to find in my size such is its popularity!!!) is a knee length drape dress with beaded detail around the neck in white and orange. Team it with a pair of beige, taupe or black gladiators and you are going to look hot! hot! hot! Or, whack on a pair of thongs and ridiculously large straw hat and glasses and meet the girls at the beach for a decaf soy latte and bit of a chat.

For the more professional, pencil shirts (PS) and shirts and blouses take on a whole new look with daring reptile or geometric prints and pretty frills and flounces. They can be had from as little as $20 (reduced from $80), although depending on your professional style, don’t discount the white and orange number…I want that dress. I fell particularly in love with a classic white PS with beige reptile print and skinny hip belt, but with my thighs…it was never going to happen. Not worry, I was spoiled by choice because that is what Jacquie E does…choice! Just remember to grab as much as you can in one go, and try it all on…preferably as ensembles, not as singles…leave that for another day. My cousin and I went mental just a few days ago and nearly sampled the entire store, much to the sales lady’s delight. Which leads me to another thing…the staff. Always very nice and very helpful, but still in it for the sale. So take a friend.

HOT TIP: If you are lucky to live by a DFO or harbour town then my advice is to skip the regular retail stores and make a bee-line for bargain heaven. Most of the clearance outlets stock the latest discards so you won’t miss out on what was just hot!

CHECK IT OUT: While you are there suss out Jacquie E’s answer to the short-sleeve jacket. It is style heaven for any shape or occasion. It sucks you in in all the right places, gives you cleavage if you don’t have it, and softens it if you do. Button it up for day or night, or leave it open with a tee and a pair of jeans. It is on sale for $99 and worth every penny.