Party and Special Occasion Season doesn't have to cost a bomb!!

Isn't it always the way that party season seems to happen all in one swoop. We have school formals that seem to culminate in the second half of the year, that many a parent can go broke over, Melbourne Cup and race season and Christmas Parties to top it all off. After that comes New Year's Eve and before you know it, not only are our wallets detoxing, so is the body.

Most of us can face this time of year and really start to dread it. What's suitable for raceday isn't usually right for a Christmas Party. What is gorgeous and special on Christmas Day, you'd probably never wear if you're a mother of the bride. As a Stylist I find with so many different body shapes and styles out there, it's special occasion dressing that seems to be the biggest nightmare and create the wallet dent that takes a while to patch up. They're often from boutiques that are hard to find and when you do find the perfect garment, it's the wrong size, it needs adjusting and if you've just about given up, it's when a dressmaker is searched out and then it's never quite the same when completed.

Why is it that typical mother of the bride or special occasion wear is made from shiny fabrics or heavy structured fabric that makes us look bigger, needs dry cleaning only and then sits in the wardrobe for another year without ever being pulled out again.

I spoke to a bride and her mum only a couple of weeks ago. On the hanger the mums dress looked gorgeous but when it went on the body, the seams were wrong, the fit was wrong and she didn't feel as fabulous and glamorous as she wanted to. But of course, it was her daughter's day so she kept quiet about it. A bridesmaid admitted later that her dress went to lifeline straight after the occasion as she felt it was simply unwearable.


I've even dreaded when a client comes to me saying 'I need a special occasion dress' when I know most boutiques can help us with business and every day, but when you want to look special and spectacular, they're few and far between.


Not any more. My favourite designer of special occasion wear now has her outlet at Burleigh Heads. There's hundreds and hundreds of dresses all under one roof and I'll be running an educational style, colour and fit class there. You'll get to try on the dresses, actually see what works and what doesn't, plus you'll shop at exclusive designer outlet prices. Up to 70% and more off the usual retail price. We'll do it over gorgeous morning tea, at your leisure and you'll get to see what suits other body types and colouring, so you'll have a far better idea.


Who's the Designer?: Diane Freis

She's been around for ages and perfected her style year after year. Her spring summer 2010 collection is just exquisite.

Where: The Diane Freis Outlet, 15/4 Leda Drve, Burleigh Heads

When: Saturday October 30th, 10am til about 1pm

Cost: $25 to cover morning tea and individual styling

Call and prebook: Anne on annen@tpg.com.au


I'll give you eft details when I speak to you. and email me for the full pdf flyer if it doesn't look clear enough here.

Wellness & Self Image - it's all connected

For years while I worked as Secretary, Administrator, PA, Office Clerk, Switchboard Operator and Waitress I wondered why I was never chosen for promotion or why I didn't move ahead at the rate that others around me did. I blamed the lack of a University degree for years.

It soon dawned on me academic qualifications have nothing to do with how far you move in life and career. It wasn't until I'd been working for over 25 years and while closely observing those who moved ahead, those who were moved sideways and those who were noticed by decision makers in the organisation that their self image had everything to do with whether they got the job, the promotion or for that matter the relationship.

My own self esteem for a long time was pretty shattered, but I soon woke up to myself and realised I'd better do something about it if I want to be noticed by these decision makers or for that matter attract the right people and circumstances into my life. You see, we human beings make quick snap judgements of others. The way the world perceives us can be decided upon within the first 30 seconds of meeting us.

Think about it - when you lay eyes on someone for the first few seconds all sorts of thoughts can run through your mind. Before he or she even starts to speak we're making subconcious judgements about their age, their colour, their trustworthiness, their confidence etc. In effect, we decide whether we like them or not and ultimately whether we want to deal with them. That's why there's so many stylists and image specialists who make a career out of creating that perfect first impression.

But a great first impression comes from not only packaging ourselves for our audience. It's key, for sure. But a great first impression for a potential employer or for making ourselves feel a whole heap better about the person in the mirror comes from a deep sense of wellbeing. That means Resetting your Health and Weight, Reshaping your Mind and Restyling your Look.

Colour knowledge, knowing what works specifically for your personal colouring and knowing how to recognise your body shape and dress it can save thousands of dollars over the years. Knowing how to package your outer self appropriately for your audience makes the world of difference to how far that audience will allow you to go.

Once I knew that, when I saw first hand the results of what a perfectly honed inner and outer self image can do in the workplace and for business owners is when I decided to move into teaching people how they can get the body they want, the health they deserve and the look they dream of.

So, this brand new blog will be posting articles about how to achieve that ideal self image through wellness, health, exercise, colour, style and body shape knowledge and developing your attitude and mindset to get what you want.

Please leave comments to let me know the kinds of things you'd like to see.