There’s no question that statement earrings are having a major moment this Summer. Whether it’s colourful tassels or fun acrylic dangles, I’m obsessed with this accessory trend. I’ve rounded up my favorite statement earrings of the season, and already have a few of these pairs in my earring wardrobe. (Note: the best kind of earring wardrobes come from Bon Maxie and MijMoj Design.)
Size matters but so does comfort, so the latest lightweight earrings are right up my alley – no lobestretch here! Another reason I love a statement earring… they distract from tired eyes or even a bad hair day.
Neutral tassels
Trainee Mama wears Lovisa white tassel earrings, I’m wearing $4 Kmart tassel dangles.
I love a neutral tassel with EVERYTHING – all colours, all prints, it’s all good. I especially love a neutral tassel made of natural raffia. Perfection.
Now this is my go-to earring style, I love playful styles with a little sense of humour! I’m wearing Lindy Lou Frida dangles* and Sqwark earrings* from Spotting Unicorns. Think palm trees, birds and animals, even undersea creatures!
Bling earrings are a staple in every earring wardrobe, but they’re not the heavy metal ones of decades past. I’m wearing Sportsgirl Black fan earrings, and Shein acrylic palm earrings (old).
It’s that time of year again – Christmas Party season!
Every year, November brings with it the search for the perfect affordable and stylish dress to wear to work and social occasions.
These are some of my favorite dresses under $80 (some even under $60!), with key trends covered like off-the-shoulder (OTS isn’t going anywhere this Summer), ruffle sleeve and quirky prints. And I’m amazed, there’s not a stripe amongst them!
The navy B Collection Broderie dress from Big W is the perfect budget option for a work Christmas party, while I love the floaty boho style of the Erin Louise maxi and Chasing Case pattern dress for casual family barbeques by the water. And the quirky Santa-hat-wearing flamingos of the Mandy Little Party Dress are fabulous for ANY festive celebration!
Which is your favorite? I don’t think I can go past the flamingo LPD, or the Amy Pineapple shift! (Predictable, I know!)
Ok, so I know I’ve said before that I’m a pretty casual no-makeup kind of girl… but I still love being pampered. I think it’s super important to spend time on yourself and do what makes you feel beautiful.
I have previously had lash extensions, but whilst I loved the dramatic look of them on the day they were applied, they very quickly began to fall out, taking my natural lashes with them. I had been thinking about getting lash extensions again recently, but was nervous, and not sure I could deal with the patchiness and spidery look between appointments. Then I spotted my friend and fellow Sunshine Coast blogger Natalie Tink (AKA Miss Monogram) looking fresh as a daisy with gorgeous long natural-looking lashes, and she gushed about Janice of Blink! the Eyelash Expert*!
Natural-looking Blink lashes
Fate was kind, and Janice actually reached out to me to ask if I’d like to try a set of her lashes, and I agreed… with a little trepidation. Janice works out of Soul Ocean Spa at Ramada Marcoola (the ol’ Surfair for longtime Coasties) and a skin clinic in Mooloolaba, as well as being mobile. That’s right, she can COME TO YOUR HOUSE!
Because I am a sucker for a day spa visit, I trotted along to Soul Ocean Spa which is only 5 minutes from my place, and immediately felt right at home – this place is a hidden treasure on the Sunshine Coast! With plenty of lush plants and gorgeous tropical decor, it’s a stunning spot to get pampered.
Janice asked me to be open and honest about what I wanted from my lashes, and since I am pretty minimal with makeup, I wanted them to look very natural and nothing too dramatic. I also wanted to make sure they wouldn’t look clumpy or spidery at all! After a quick chat, it was time for a nap. Seriously… I have fallen asleep within 5 minutes of every appointment, as it’s just so relaxing!
The results:
Makeup free and fresh with Blink! lash extensions
I feel so much more confident even when I’m not wearing makeup. I can just run out the door and run my errands without really having to worry about putting on makeup since the lashes make my eyes look brighter and fresher – and there’s no mascara residue casting a shadow under my eyes.
Makeup free and fresh with Blink! lash extensions
With all that said, I am SO happy with my experience with Janice from Blink! the Eyelash Expert, she really is an expert. Janice has really customised my lashes to my face and lifestyle, and certainly won’t apply lashes that are too long and heavy that would damage my natural ones. I will share a ‘how to look after your lashes’ post shortly, and can tell you that it’s super-simple really. Just keep ’em dry after application and a few brushes a day!
Straight out of the pool, makeup free and needing a gentle brush through. (Clearly it’s time for me to work on my brows now my lashes are sorted!)
Don’t just take it from me, all of Blink! the Eyelash Extension’s reviews are outstanding and I can see why! If you’re looking for a freshen up for Summer – I love that I can swim makeup-free and not look like a panda – then contact Janice and let her know I sent you, for an exclusive discount on your first appointment!
I’ve harped on recently about the statement earring trend that I love so much, but you can’t exactly have giant chandeliers flanking your face every single day. I like to give my lobes a rest with studs I can wear daily, but are anything but minimal! These Behind the DoorSignature Glass Studs are cute enough to elicit compliments from fashion-forward teens at work, are sparkly enough to flatlay like a boss, and light enough that I can wear them all day long!
Because I like to know the ‘why’ behind small creative businesses (I think anyone taking that step into running their own business is crazy-brave!), I asked the lovely Ali Beer Smith, creative director of Behind the Door a few questions about BTD and her busy life – she has a ‘day-job’ as well as managing her growing business!
Behind the Door Signature Glass Stud Earrings
What do you do? What do you make/sell? Behind the Door is a one-woman run small business, based in Woodcroft, South Australia. At BTD, you will find handcrafted and affordable jewellery and accessories for the colourful at heart. One of the main reasons Behind the Door was born, was because I couldn’t source or locate good quality stud earrings at an affordable price that didn’t irritate my ears. Behind the Door is now known for exactly that – our Signature Glass Stud Earrings that are affordable, easy to wear for those busy mums and hustling babes. Each piece is meticulously handmade with love using a variety of materials and settings, sourced both locally and within Australia. Since the virtual doors opened in 2015, Behind the Door now frequents the market scene within Adelaide throughout the warmer months of the year.
Why and how did you sell your first product? The first product that I ever sold under the Behind the Door label was a paid of Lady Marmalade Glass Stud Earrings in a stainless steel setting. She was so excited to buy a piece of my jewellery, and was boasting about it to all of her friends.
Behind the Door Signature Glass Stud Earrings
Who was your key support during the fledgling stage of Behind the Door? My huz, Wade! What a gem he is. Also my Mama, she even invested in Behind the Door in the very early stages which allowed me to buy packaging to send my pieces out.
How do you manage your time well? Some times I feel like I’m drowning, sometimes I feel like I am slaying at the #hustle! I’ve recently just listed to a Mums with Hustle podcast about this very thing. What I took away from the podcast was to identify 4 main non-negotiable priorities for each week. These are family and friends time, dedicate time to Behind the Door, look after myself by eating well and going to the gym, and be able to give myself 100% to my 9am-5pm job. I know that sounds like so much but a way that I manage my time is to decide what non-negotiables I will do each day. My typical day starts out of getting up and head to the gym or take the dog for a walk. I’m always on my way to my 9-5 job at 7.45am. I like to think I slay that, and then head off home for the day. When I get home, I like to play with the animals for a few minutes and then kick into hustle mode! On a side note, I am a FIFO wife. My husband works away for 4 weeks at a time, and then is home for 1 week. When he is home, family time takes priority of my non-negotiables. When he is away at work, it’s a mix of all four! It’s not uncommon to still find me hustling in the work shop at 1am, however that started to affect my 9-5 job so I had to reassess my routine. I hadan ah-ha moment back in December last year – it is really important to look after myself and take time out for me, so I can give more! If I’m not in the workshop or at my day-job, I’m either out in the garden, playing with my dog and two cats, cooking or soaking in the tub with a fab bath bomb!
If you could have given yourself a piece of knowledge or advice when you started what would that be?Try and shake the guilt of doing what you love and take time out for you!
Behind the Door Signature Glass Stud Earrings
Which opportunities should you have followed?I applied for a very well known market in 2016 that I was accepted for.. I then decided against it because it was such a big investment. I doubted my performance and products, and I wish I didn’t. Behind the Door ROCKS!
How do you conquer any moments of doubt that threaten to stop your great ideas? What pushes you through?It’s the self doubt and self criticism that catches you out.. a lot of the time! In these moments, I think back to why Behind the Door exists first and foremost. I then think of all the fabulous feedback I have received from so many happy customers all over the world.
Behind the Door Signature Glass Stud Earrings
Righto, time for some fun stuff…
What is your ‘uniform’? What do you wear more often than anything else? In my day-job, it’s smart casual – think black, black, black… you get me? It’s hard when I have such a colourful heart! In the workshop and beyond, I love a fabulous Gorman piece! I will always have a handmade piece on, whether that’s something I have made, or that of another biz babe!
What is your favourite thing to wear to make you happy?COLOUR!
Thanks so much Ali, just hearing about your passion and your juggle makes me want to support small creative businesses even more!
Behind the Door Signature Glass Stud Earrings
*I was kindly gifted a few BTD pieces. As always, if I don’t love it, I won’t share it.
I know that Christmas is behind us, and all that most of us are thinking about is spending less, eating less and exercising more. (No… just me? Righto then.) But we’d be lying if we said we were going to stop spending altogether, right? Why not make that spending as pleasurable for the store as it is for you?!
This year, I’d love to introduce you all to some of my favorite shops, both online and locally on the Sunshine Coast. Supporting local and small business is supporting continued growth, prosperity and healthy competition, as well as providing local entrepreneurs and business owners (real people, not giant companies) with continued cashflow. Not only are you more likely to find something unique but it really does feel awesome to to shop small and support these people who are trying to make a living doing what they love!
This month, my blog will be getting a long-overdue facelift (yes, from a local small graphic design business), and I’ll enjoy hanging out here and writing so much more when it’s all pretty and tidy. Along with sorting the the aesthetic side of the blog, and my irregular random thoughts (blogger/oversharer = same/same), I’m hoping to showcase fabulous stores and businesses each week, so if you know of a small Australian-owned business which you think I’d love, let me know!
Now, to my first little round-up of small biz awesomeness.
1. Dew & Rose teal crystal stud earrings – These oversized teal crystals in a simple rose gold setting aren’t just the perfect accessory, they come beautifully packaged and ready for gifting. Dew & Rose supports girls’ education through partnering with One Girl onegirl.org.au, so you’re really giving the gift that gives twice. Winning!
2. H&G Designs black grid mood board – Getting organised for the start of the school, uni or work year never looked so good, with this black wire mood board to display current projects, goals, ideas, photo’s, design objects and memos. The suede straps to hang are super-cute too!
3. The Hello Workshop 2017 desk calendar – Still on the organisational theme, this quirky desk calendar has more than a little nod to the fun-lovin’ 80’s, with bright pastels in geometric designs.
4. MinPinShop Grumpy mood ring – This sterling silver mood ring is definitely the grown-up version of a piece of jewelry you might have worn as an angsty teen. With other mood options available too, you could fill your fingers and really confuse your friends!
5. Clutch Zuha beaded clutch – Need a clutch fancy enough for the big events, but also neutral enough to go with every outfit in your wardrobe? The new arrivals to Clutch are all gorgeous, but this tan, ochre and black beaded zip clutch is my pick, the detachable cross-body strap was the clincher for me.
6. Inactive Wear Can’t Even tank – Created by local genius and all-round sassypants Lauren Jane, Inactive Wear is for the fit and not so fit, who don’t want to take themselves (or their gymtime) too seriously. I’m dying over the Can’t Even, but wait until you check out the Good Fat or the Gluty Call designs, they’re too cheeky!
7. Miss Monogram Miss Victoria large pouch – Sunshine Coast local Natalie Tink recently launched her new personalised accessories line Miss Monogram, and the simple and elegant styles have caught my eye – especially the A4-sized Miss Victoria. In pink, taupe, black or navy (my fave), it’s a classic.
8. Indah Koin Australian 2 cent coin necklace – I have one of these gorgeous silver necklaces from my husband’s birth year, and I get so many compliments about it – one of these necklaces would make a fabulous gift for a special birthday or anniversary! Indah Koin also have bracelets, bangles and rings.
9. Soak Society rose wellness bath soak – Another clever local, Natalie decided that she was sick of seeing lurid and bright bath bombs full of all kinds of nasties, and got back to basics with a range of gorgeously-scented products; and has recent;y branched out into beautiful gift packs too. (Don’t worry everyone, I’ll remind you with plenty of time for my birthday, hehe!)
Now head on over to these amazing stores run by incredible people. Let’s all shop small a bit more everyday!
Sunflower dangles from The Hutt Designs* 
