Oktoberfest outfit x

Prost!

I attended an Oktoberfest party with 68 of my fellow school parents last Saturday night. The home brew was delish and the company was so much fun.  A night out isn't complete in my book without getting to style your outfit and put on some make up and heels. And I had so much fun that I wanted to share this outfit with you:

Ok fahsionista's, let me break it down for you. The bangle is an oldie but a goodie in my jewelry department. Ive worn it alone or with a few extra bits of bling. It's super chunky in an off white with brass trim along both sides. Me thinks I got it from Forever 21 about 5 years ago - seriously.

Jeans are NYDJ pull on denim jeans. I love love love NYDJ (but that's for another post). NYDJ www.nydj.com have a 'tuck/pull technology' that works great for us Mama's who've stretched out our stomachs with our bubba's a few times and well..... it didn't just spring back like we hoped.

Shoes were Franco Sarto www.zappos.com from Nordstrom Rack. Patent wedge heel pump with a cross strap. Nude. These shoes are soooo comfortable and a staple in my closet. I wore them to my 20 year high school reunion in Sydney last Christmas and you know how much effort would of gone into that outfit! Approx $60. See above photo for how they actually looked on my footsies. I like to have a painted toe with this shoe, pop of color never hurt anyone.

The Cheetah print top I bought in Sydney while shopping with my fabulous SIL. The brand is Valley Girl and it was only about $40. I have found a similar one at H&M for about $24.95, current season www.hm.com (search Fine-Knit Sweater, Leopard Print)

Lastly, the earrings I chose were a chandaleir black earring. Since I wouldn't wear a necklace with the top, as it is already so busy with the cheetah print, I opted to bling it out in the ear department and keep all the attention from the waist up (which is a great trick for us bottom heavy gals). 

I really hoped you enjoyed my casual Saturday night party outfit. Cheetah print always reminds me of my daughter who is a big fan on Cheetah design so I am partial to wearing it. 

Coming your way soon is my post on Gwynnie Bee, I have been taking advantage of their 30 day free trial, it's going to be an interesting read and my perspective. Stay tuned. *Update on Gwynnie Bee post, it's not going to happen as my trial was a disaster for many reasons and I cancelled even before my free trial ended.

Keep on Stylin' and leave me a comment. 

Everyday earrings x

I was 16 to the day when I FINALLY was allowed to get my ears pierced, and I think I have appreciated those holes in my ears forever since, decorating them with pretty dangly earrings and dressing them in everyday studs.  Still on my earring wish list are some simple Diamond earrings (no less than 2 carats each please!) and who knows, maybe for my 40th next year! I am a June baby so Pearl Earrings are a must in my earring candy department. 

If you look on Pinterest www.pinterest.com, you will find some super cute earrings, and some very different ones, some available through Etsy or other sites linked to the earrings.  I also like the choices at Forever 21, if you want to try something for that season without spending a fortune. 

I went to a Stella and Dot party recently and tried Janice Studs (see below), I love a pop of color and this would be a great way to achieve that with a simple outfit and with some Coral Tangerine lipstick! They also come in green and turquiose (or as I like to call it in my world - Tiffany Blue). $24 www.stelladot.com

Here are my Top 5 Everyday Earrings according to Melissa

Forever 21, $7.95. I found some similar ones at www.etsy.com by earringsnation for $7.50

Simple pearl earrings (especially for June babies like myself),  similar are on www.etsy.com at EndoraJewellery for $20

I found some similar ones at www.lulus.com in a Mintgreen Anchorwoman design

Simple gold studs. If you have been a REALLY good girl,   go to www.tiffanys.com and look at the Tiffany Bead earrings in 18K gold $375 (mine are NOT - ha ha)

And lastly, these TOO adorbs owl earrings, a guaranteed comment maker when you wear them.  Owls in general made waves in fashion and indoor decor recently. I found some similar ones at www.modcloth.com for Tree's Company Earrings $15.99

Hope you enjoyed hearing all about earrings! Keep on Stylin'! I would love to hear your comments or suggestions below x

Fashion vs Style x

This message speaks volumes to me. I am always interested in what's on the fashion pages but that does not mean I have to become a fashion victim, I am just curious and trying to keep up with the trends. I remember always cringing when short skirts, short shorts (anything above the knee) came into the fashion wave but hoorayed when an item came in that totally fitted my body type (below the knee pencil/A-line skirt). I will say it, I don't love my legs but there are two of them and they get me from A to B so I am incredibly grateful for that. I wished I could pull off a cute short skirt with no dramas, but it's not being myself, being comfortable in my own skin.  As I wrote in my first blog, Meet Melissa, I became more interested in styling when I had kids and became very conscious of giving back to myself, even if it was turning my exhausted sleep deprived frown upside with some fabulous red lipstick! 

As I always say, you have to find YOUR style, what works for YOU. You will always look all the more comfortable with yourself and feel good! 

Style is about being comfortable and individually fabulous.

Keep on Stylin!

Skin Care x

I have always been big on skin care. The day I turned 13 in Australia, my mum whisked me off to David Jones (think Nordstrom) and asked the lady at the Clarins counter to educate me on skin care and set me up with whatever was needed to look after my skin. Since then, I have always had a good skin care routine and watched what I put on my face. As I got older, I paid close attention to making sure my products matched three very important things on my  skin care checklist - 

• paraben free,
•  recycled packaging 
• and not tested on animals. 

Regular facials are paramount, and a good facial can be expensive. I can find a  good deal on Groupon www.groupon.com or a small salon. I love the sauna/steam room 2-3 times a week and I know this really helps keep my skin cleansed. 

Two skin care lines I am very familiar with are: 

Josie Maran

www.josiemarancosmetics.com

I like that the Josie Maran slogan is "Luxury with a Conscience" because it truly lives up to that. I initially started with the 100% Argan Oil that I used under my Origins Day Cream. I always found something under my moisturiser guaranteed me true hydration, a point that was proven at a recent facial where my skin was evaluated under the blue light. The Pure Argan Oil Light was the winner in the Insiders Choice Beauty Awards.  I also love what Josie Maran stands for - "we use pure, Fair Trade Argan Oil, grown and harvested responsibly by co-ops of Moroccan women who earn a living wage. We partner with earth-loving, women-empowering organizations, use eco-friendly packaging"

I love that the Josie Maran Moisturiser is SPF 47, and only a couple of pumps patted on to the face feels amazing.

I got the trial sizes from Sephora (about $24 for all three inc. Oil, Moisturizer and Cleanser) and now I know I am happy to make the larger purchase.

Argan Oil $48, Moisturizer $54, Cleansing Oil $32 (for full sizes)

Origins

www.origins.com

I have been a lover of Origins Skin care for about 8 years now and I have used most of their product range. Origins mission - "We use potent plants, organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils. And our long-standing commitment to protect the planet, its resources and all those who populate it is reaffirmed by our earth and animal friendly practices". I've used all their day creams happily. BUT I love the Origins night cream. It can also be used by men, it's rich enough for their skin.  Apply at night, it feels thick but smells great. The magic happens while you sleep. When you wake up in the morning, you skin feels wonderfully nourished.

Night Cream $41
I adore the Origins body cream, the smell is divine! and it soaks into my skin well.

Body Cream $34 

Daily Cleanser $21

Each morning in the shower I use the Checks and Balances Foaming Face Wash (as does my husband)

One thing I am guilty of (and this was brought up in my skin assessment at my facial) was that I needed to use an eye cream more. My eye cream of choice is....

Eye Cream $43

As with everything in life, you have to choose what works for you. I just hope I gave you some insight into how I have found what works for me. 

Disclaimer:  I am in no way affiliated or paid to write about Origins or Josie Maran, it is purely from my own experience and my own will to share and write about.

Keep on stylin! 

Little Black Dress (LBD) x

An absolute staple in any woman's closet is indeed The LBD (Little Black Dress), even a few of them - in different styles (more fitted/flared).  You can totally change the look of an outfit by choosing some amazing accessories including jewelry, clutch and shoes. As you know, I'm a major fan of lipstick so a little of that can go a long way too. I decided to share with you my LBD outfit from last Saturday night when I put on my dancing shoes and my smokey eye make-up and hit the dance floor! I decided to add some fun accessories to add some color to this outfit than just straight black. 

My bracelets were a rhinestone leather wrist cuff (Nordstrom Rack, current $9.95), some bangles (Forever 21 years ago) and a stretchy gold bracelet (one of a stackable bunch of Avon Mark 4 bracelets, www.avon.com). I added them together to add volume/length as I didn't like the cuff alone. The chunky chain necklace (Nordstrom Rack, current, Union and 21 brand $29.95)  definitely added quite a bit of bling, but chunky jewelry suits my body type and I'm never scared to try a statement accessory. I also think this necklace would look great with a button down shirt. 

This dress is from Table Eight (www.tableeight.com) and I bought it in Australia years ago (about 15 years ago!) and it has taken me to many a fancy affaire. Even a Flapper party! It's a black lacey, sequenced sheath over a thick black lining. You can see at my calves the lace detail. Love Love Love this dress. I chose some shoes that were strappy to add a bit of fun. The straps were very supporting of my ankles. I don't have dainty ankles but I wanted to try a current shoe trend so by choosing the three straps broken up VS one big block of black across the ankle, it doesn't bulk up my ankles and cut me off. 

The shoes are Julianne Hough for Sole Society (Nordstrom $80 www.nordstrom.com). They are a black eyelet leather with a heel zipper, it's the little details. I literally have to sit down to get them on but they look fabulous, so whatever it takes.

Last thing I added to the outfit was a smoky eye! As you know, I highly recommend You Tube tutorials and I found a great one by a lovely young Australian girl named Lauren Curtis www.youtube.com I used a purple pallette and blended, blended, blended! 

So I really hope you have enjoyed sharing my Saturday night LBD party outfit, I really enjoyed sharing it with you. Pretty please leave a comment below or any suggestions of things you would like me to share. Keep on Styling!

Lipsticks x

Lipsticks............... my most FAVOURITE subject! I truly believe that lipstick is the single most thing you can add to any outfit to totally brighten it up (well accessories too but I am lipstick-bias cause I'm a lipstick lover). I also truly believe that lipstick can turn any frown upside down. Lipstick is magical! 

I am known for always wearing lipstick. Even on the early morning school runs, I might have sleep in the corner of my eyes, but I also have my lipstick on!

I have old memories of being a young girl (probably about 8) and watching my Mum always put on lipstick at the front door mirror as we left the house. You could always find a lipstick in her handbag and she would make the most amazing sculptures out of it, slowly with each use.

Now 38 years myself, you can always find a lipstick in my bag, my car, my bike, my bathroom and even a tinted chap-stick beside my bed that I put on religiously each night before bed.

So I have found my absolute favorites over the years from much trial and error. I even totally remember the lipstick I wore on my wedding day over 13 years ago - it was an Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in "Rose Petal". 

I love love love the Maybelline ones from CVS, they are relatively inexpensive and only cost about $10. It is the 14 hours Superstay Lipstick that I most adore. It seriously can stay on for hours, through many cups of coffee. Lips don't feel sticky, but moisturised. I, myself, use "Eternal Rose", "Keep Me Coral" and "Ravishing Rouge".  Keep me Coral is especially good if you want a more neutral color that will also pop a little.  As for me, the brighter, the redder, the better- but that's just me, do what makes you feel comfortable. www.maybelline.com 

My next favourite was discovered about 6 months ago. I adore going into Sephora and on one of my adventures, I found my next go-to lipstick - The Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick -"It Girl 06" -Muted Coral Tangerine (does that not sound lovely!) I am also a lover of "The Red", simple and classic. Both not too expensive - $12.50 www.sephora.com

I also like the  Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Color Balm (retails for about $17.00) www.clinique.com, it doesn't stay on as long but the colors are beautiful and I love the design and how you can twirl the crayon up. Shown here is "Mightiest Maraschino"

On a side note, you can find some great & easy to follow tutorials on the Sephora and You Tube sites www.youtube.com. I have spent many nights learning how to do my hair and make up 80's style for that upcoming 80's party, or that fabulous smoky eye for a party on Saturday night. You Tube even showed me how to get this blog happening! Yay Tutorials!

Meet Melissa x

Hi, I'm Melissa and welcome to my blog YUMMOMUMMO.  I started this blog as a  creative outlook to express myself and my inspirations. I'm having a blast sharing my style insights and I hope you enjoy reading them in return.  I want to empower women to have fun with style.  But I think my most important message is, stay true to yourself. If you feel good, it will show on the outside.