Layering with Scarves and Necklaces

I never used to be a scarf lover until last year, when I realised how they can add so much to any outfit. I went on a bit of a scarf shopping spree, and love my collection of scarves to put on during the colder mornings.

I did struggle with jewellery and scarves though, as as the day got warmer my outfit felt bare without some bling if I took my scarf off. I have been experimenting with some looks to wear both a scarf and a necklace together, and I have been very pleased with the results!

The first look is a long necklace paired with a longline scarf. This lets both pieces shine, and still makes the outfit interesting once I take off my scarf. Simply wrap the scarf around your neck and leave both sides hanging down to draw the eye to your necklace.



I call this one 'The Drape' where I have simply draped the scarf over my shoulders for an extra layer of warmth. The necklace still shows through and the scarf ties my shoes to the rest of the outfit.



On chillier mornings, a puffer vest is my best friend! I wrapped my pink print and leopard scarf around my neck a couple of times, tying at the side to make a snood shape. I then left the hearts from my necklace dangle down below the scarf.



This same scarf also does 'The Drape' well, and it added a much needed pop of colour to this black and white outfit. As you can see, this style works for daintier necklaces as well as chunky and statement styles.



For my last outfit, I wanted the bead necklace and the scarf to work as two separates so I tied a knot in the middle of my scarf, placed it around my neck and then brought each end around the back of my neck to drape at the front.



Here is a closer photo so that you can see the knot in the scarf.



Don't be scared to layer your scarves with jewellery, as it can create a beautiful visual point for your outfit and I guarantee you will receive compliments!

If you need more ideas on how to wear scarves this winter, you can check out my post here or look up the #SYscarf16 hashtag on Instagram.

Six Ways with Statement necklaces

Autumn usually finds me in plain layers, and so the best way for me to add interest to an outfit is with a statement necklace.

Statment necklaces are fabulous for anchoring an outfit, pinning down billowy fabric and allowing the eye to focus on a certain point in your outfit. With a statement necklace, you can draw attention to parts of the body you like, and take attention away from the parts you aren't as fond of!

Lets begin with the Chevron necklace, a great silver piece that goes with most things in my wardrobe! A plain gold or silver statement necklace is a must have in your autumn wardrobe.

Here I have paired the Chevron necklace with a striped sweater, black jeans and grey boots. You can see how it instantly creates a focal point to my outfit and ties the shades of grey together.



The Chevron necklace is also stunning with a monochromatic colour scheme. This statement piece helps my outfit to look finished and also provides an extra layer of interest without being too busy.



A coloured statement necklace also does wonders to bring a smile to my face! The 5 Strand Jewel Tone necklace is certainly a show-stopper, and takes my tonal outfit from drab to fab with the addition of extra colour and interest.



It works well with strong colours like the green above, and this purple top. Paired with neutrals, it really holds its own, but would also look fabolous with a patterned top or dress in complimentary colours.



The same coloured top and statement necklace can also work well together if there is a contrast in texture or some feature piece to stand out within the necklace. Here, the Red and Black Cross necklace can be paired with a red top, as the mix of red and grey beads allows the eye to be drawn down to the cross pendant at the bottom. I must admit, this is one of my favourite necklaces to wear with red or black! It also draws the eye down to a great pair of shoes, an interesting belt or some textured pants if you need a secondary feature piece.



I am still getting days of sunshine this early ion May, which has been a great excuse to get my shorts out! A choker-style chunky necklace is a great addition to a wardrobe where you will be wearing plain long sleeved tops with a shorter hem, as it keeps the look balanced. This Fireball and Pearls necklace looks stunning with bold colours, greys and creams, and would be great for an evening out.



As you can see, plain coloured tops get a new lease of life when paired with an eye-catching necklace. Next week, I will be sharing some ways on how to wear statement necklaces with scarves as the weather gets cooler.

I would love to know which necklace is your favourite!

Disclaimer: I was gifted these pieces, however all opinions are my own and I only share products I love with you!

Shaking up my Style

Recently, Nikki from Styling You suggested 35 tips to help shake up your style. Here are six of the tips that resonated with me, and how I am implementing them.

Treat yourself to a new lip colour.
I tend to shy away from bright lip colours, going with muted browns and some purples. However, when I saw this lipstick I had to have it. Apple Berry is the perfect colour for autumn with warm purple tones and it adds a great pop of colour to your face on gloomy days.

Be consistent with your home skin care routine.
After Christmas, I purchased a Cleansing Brush and this has totally changed the way I use my skincare. I enjoy washing my face now, as silly as that may sound! It is like having a mini facial every morning, and because I can use the brush in the shower it is so easy to cleanse my face properly.

Always wear sunscreen. The pay off will come over time.
I have always put sunscreen on my face since I am outside so often. However, I must admit I neglect my neck, shoulders and limbs a lot. Even after my melanoma scare, I have sometimes been in a rush to leave the house in the morning and have shrugged it off, but since January I have been slathering on the sunscreen every day.

Take daily photos of your outfits and save to a folder on your phone.
I fell off the #everydaystyle bandwagon while I was ill and recovering from my surgery and subsequent hospital stays, but I am now back sharing my daily outfits on Instagram. I sometimes feel a bit weird sharing my outfits, as I am by no means a model and I worry what people will think, but I must admit it has been a great way to meet other fashion-minded women and also create a visual diary of outfits I love.



Commit to spending more on the types of shoes you wear more often.
This resonated with me as I am on my feet all day, walking to and from everywhere, and yet I continue to spend $20 or less on shoes that fall apart after one season. I have always felt guilty about spending money on shoes, but now my poor feet have decided that enough is enough. I have been enjoying my Mox shoes, and these Grosby comfort boots feel like heaven to walk on! My feet are certainly a lot happier since I have started investing in quality shoes.




Wear horizontal stripes.
I have well and truly embraced the stripe in my wardrobe, and have worn horizontal stripes on a few occasions since reading this suggestion. I am now on the hunt for some striped long sleeved tops for autumn and winter.



To see the full 35 tips, click here.

Easy Style with Ezibuy

As a stay at home mum, I love online shopping! One of my favourite clothing stores to shop online is Ezibuy, and their new Autumn 2016 catalogue is chock full of amazing items that will be great for my Autumn capsule wardrobe.

First up is this casual striped top, which I have paired with these great chinos and casual sneakers. I have also gone for a pattern clash with this scarf, which I already have in my wardrobe.

Casual striped Top by laurenmoore-ii

Next up is a great outfit for a rainy day school run- this cute polka dot sweater is paired with skinny vintage jeans and a great jacket to keep me dry. This jacket is available in some fun colours, guaranteed to make you stand out on a gloomy day!

Rainy Day school run by laurenmoore-ii

I am a big fan of double layered tops, and this top is perfect for a day relaxing at home or equally fancy for a girl's day out. I saw one of the ladies from playgroup in these pants and they look amazingly comfortable, so I chose a khaki pair to go with the earthy tones in my current wardrobe.

A Day at Home by laurenmoore-ii

I am also in need of some new pyjamas, and Ezibuy have a mix and match deal going on with their pyjama tops and bottoms.

Pyjamas by laurenmoore-ii 

This lace top is perfect for dressier days, and paired with some slimline pants and a crossbody bag I could do a number of errands whilst looking put together!

Errands Outfit by laurenmoore-ii

Lastly, I need some options to take my current dresses into the colder months, so this jacket and these tan boots will go with this dress as well as most other dresses in my wardrobe.

Country Cute by laurenmoore-ii

Which Ezibuy look is your favourite? I would love to know!

December outfits inspired by Emma Stone

One of my favourite celebrities right now is Emma Stone- her ability to pull off different outfits, hair colours and makeup trends keeps her fresh and relevant to a lot of women.

I especially love her dress sense, and I have put together a few outfits for this holiday season based on some of my favourite Emma Stone outfits.

First up is monochrome with pops of red, perfect for Christmas! This outfit could work in a more casual office, or glam up an evening function. Pop a black blazer on if it gets too cold, and you can always add a bolder lip colour.

shop this look here

I love Emma's tapestry Heidi look here, paired with nude shoes to lengthen the leg. Here I have gone with a LBD version, with nude pumps and pearl earrings to keep it ladylike. The draping detail on this dress will disguise all those Christmas cocktails, and the length is very flattering.

shop this look here

Of course, Christmas is not all glamour. There are shops to hit and children to wrangle.Some days, jeans and sandals will get you from place to place- the trick is to have fun with your shoes and rock some big sunglasses!

shop this look here

Pattern clash is huge right now, and monochrome works best for those who have not had much experience with this trend. The trick is to stick with the same colour family, and match a small print with a large print instead of having two similar prints. Add a red lip and you can go from the office to a function!

shop this look here

Finally, there are some parties where you need to get glammed up, and I cannot think of anything better than pink. I love how Emma has debunked the myth that redheads cannot wear pink! There are different types of pink to suit all skin types. I love bright pink but cannot wear it next to my face, so here I have opted to have the brighter half on the bottom and tone down the pink with the top. Some neutral, ladylike accessories add to the glamour.

shop this look here

Which outfit is your favourite?

Linking up with Wardrobe Wednesday, Confident Twosday and Thursday Fashion Files.

Spin the Pin- Tu-Tu Fun!

Today I am joining in with Jo at iCurvy and her fabulous Spin the Pin challenge!

The idea is to take style inspiration from a fellow fashionista's pinned outfit, and put our own twist the outfit.

I loved the animal print shoes and the tu-tu skirt, so here is my take....



I paired the skirt with a simple black top and added a cord jacket for added texture. The leopard print flats were definitely inspired by this pin, although I can't wear heels that high and so flats were my choice of footwear!

I paired this look with a simple gold necklace (gifted to me from the lovely Lauren!) and matched my lipstick to the skirt for a touch of glam.

This skirt is still in stock at Boohoo.com- and 25% off too!

Jacket: Sportsgirl, T-Shirt: Pagani (exact), Skirt: Boohoo (exact), Shoes: Number One Shoes (similar)

Denim Jacket Perfection

It has probably been too early to start hunting down a denim jacket, but with Autumn upon us and new season styles hitting stores, I have been on the lookout for a functional yet fashionable jacket. One that can go from brunch to school pick ups to date night- without being too stiff, short or baggy.

I finally found a perfect Denim Jacket that was fitted, a very good price, and also not frumpy.

I have shared some ways of styling this jacket, that would look great with any denim jacket this season!

The first way is simplistic, with black jeans and a touch of leopard. The high boots and textured t-shirt add some elements of interest as well.

Demin Jacket- Leopard by laurenmoore-ii featuring skinny fit jeans

Midi skirts are in this season, and a plain black midi skirt paired with check, denim and gold accesories is a sure way to turn heads. Monochrome keeps things classic, while the shoes add a fun touch.

Denim Jacket- Midi by laurenmoore-ii featuring a gold multi chain necklace

This dress is such a gorgeous colour for the cooler months, and I love it paired with tan accessories. This would be great for a trip out during the weekend, or even to a casual party.

Denim Jacket- Weekend Wine by laurenmoore-ii featuring a chiffon dress

I never used to wear pink, but now I am experimenting with shades of pink including hot pink and pastels. Vamp things up with these heels and you have a great date night outfit.

Denim Jacket- Pretty in Pink by laurenmoore-ii featuring a teardrop pendant necklace

This dress from the new Boohoo Petite range is perfect for thse of us who are vertically challenged! The stripes elongate your lower half, and the dress is proportioned for those of us 160cm and under. I love the orange pops in the necklace and clutch, and these boots are great with or without tights.

Denim Jacket- Striped by laurenmoore-ii featuring a black dress

I hope you have been inspired by some ways to wear a denim jacket this Autumn- I would love to know your favourite look!

Folkloric Fashion for Autumn

One of the big trends coming up for Autumn is Folklore- think fur coats, tapestry inspired jackets, flared pants, blanket cardigans and coats, maxi dresses, winter shorts and floaty blouses.

I can't see myself in some of these items, but it is definitely a trend that I will have some fun with as the days transition from cool, to warm, then cool again.

One of the best things about this trend is the materials. The combination of soft and heavy fabrics such as silk, fur, chiffon and wool can be very versatile for layering. This comes in handy when the days start out chilly and then the sun breaks through at 10am.

Here is an outfit I put together to take advantage of the trend, featuring a sheer blouse, fun tapestry jacket and flared jeans. Some pink accents in the necklace, shoes and handbag keep the jacket from overpowering the look, and I am loving soft pink and navy together at the moment!

Folkloric Fashion by laurenmoore-ii featuring a black flat top

This outfit can take me from school run to coffee dates and then to a craft evening, as the top layer could be easily removed from this outfit and you will still have a polished look. The cardigan fits the tapestry trend without being too over the top, and this particular style of flared jean is wonderful for those of us who are a bit shorter as the flare isn't too dramatic.

Do you have any folklore inspired items on your wishlist for Autumn?

Sweater Weather

One of my hobbies is online clothes browsing, and I recently discovered that a website my American friends rave about ships to New Zealand! Modcloth has unique and cute clothes, and their website got me thinking about winter and autumn layering.

One of my colours is deep teal, so when I was browsing through sweaters and saw this, I immediately knew it would fit perfectly in my wardrobe. The Couldn't Task For More Sweater looks like it was made for me! (Another thing I like about Modcloth; all their clothes have such fun names!)The loose fit will lend itself well to layering, and it has a slight sheen to it. It even has a hood on the back, great for those days when I need to pop to the shops and the wind gets a bit chilly.

Modcloth Feature Sweater by laurenmoore-ii featuring a bohemian necklace

Being sheer, this sweater would look great with different pops of colour showing through. However, I have gone with a monochromatic look since this colour is one of my favourites and I want the sweater to be the hero of this outfit. A simple teal camisole will provide some warmth, and this button down top won't add too much extra bulk but is detailed enough to stand on its own if you need to take off your sweater. A slightly higher collar on the top will make the layering of this outfit look polished, without being too sombre and boring.

Usually I would pair teal with grey, but when I saw the beautiful bird weekender bag I knew I had to complement it with brown booties and some light brown pants. I also added a bird inspired necklace as a longline necklace is always flattering!

Modcloth now ship to over 50 countries, and with detailed descriptions and customer reviews on the website I am highly confident about ordering my dream outfit.  I would love to know which item you would order- or if there is anything else on the Modcloth website that takes your fancy!

Travellin' Light

I am soon to head off for a week's summer holiday, and have been trying to figure out what to pack. I want to pack a small amount, but where I am heading it can be hot yet pouring with rain, so I have to work with variable weather conditions!

As per my Pinterest Resolutions, I wanted to create a capsule wardrobe with minimal fuss.

Here is what I packed (excluding underwear, pajamas, running gear and a pair of togs). 3 dresses, 2 cardigans, four tops, two skirts, two shorts, four pairs of shoes and four jewellery sets.

I have worked out 24 combos- more than enough to get me through seven days, weather changes and activities! My days will be varied between walking, swimming, being on a boat, wine trails, speedway racing and going out for diner, so I also need a mix of casual and dressy outfits. I am sure there are more that 24 combinations possible when you take into account change of shoes, jewellery and adding one of the tops, but these are the combinations I am planning to wear for different occasions.

This is my first time trying flat lays- but I have discovered that they can be extremely helpful when planning outfits!

My maxi is paired with gold, with or without a drape bolero. My basic monochrome outfit is my black blouse, patterned black and white skirt, and black accessories.

My monochrome outfit can be glammed up with a chunky necklace and heels, or dressed up with my bolero and gold accents. Going back to basics I can pair it with my white blouse instead of black.

Black and white can also be changed by layering with a black bolero or my grey cardigan. Then I can add colour interest with my green t-shirt and bold green jewellery.

This top goes well with my other bottom options; the patterned skirt, denim shorts and beige cargoes.

This blue tank can work with either my cargoes or the coloured skirt, keeping with the blue accessories. My cargoes will also go with the white top and gold jewellery for when it gets really hot!

This top will keep me cool with the patterned skirt, either with gold or blue accents. I can also pair it with the denim shorts for a casual look.

Back to basics with my black top, black accessories and cargo pants, or with my denim shorts. Onto my grey dress, I will keep it simple with black shoes and let my necklace be the focal point.

This dress can be worn casually, but I am planning to wear it out for heels for a large dinner we have planned. If we end up going out another night to somewhere fancy, my grey dress will be fancied up with my bolero, statement necklace and heels.

If you still need more inspiration, the lovely Nikki has also written a great guide to packing clothes for a holiday. I took on board her suggestions of going monochrome with pops of colour, considering my activities, packing some active wear and checking the weather. Thanks Nikki!

Linking up with Wardrobe Wednesday, What Wives Wear and Fashionomics Friday.