You’re not alone if you are wondering where the last 11 months have gone! As December rolls around it’s time to decide whether to have one last crack at that New Year’s resolution or simply give up and embrace the festive season in all its glory! I’ve opted for the latter!

Christmas decorations are up, Summer is here and it’s Christmas party season. Whether you are attending an 80’s music themed party, team lunch, lawn bowls or barbecue, dressing for a work event can be confusing. So here are my top tips on dressing appropriately for every silly season occasion.

After all, you won’t be able to fully enjoy yourself if you are feeling underdressed, overdressed or uncomfortable.

1. The dreaded “themed” event at a function venue. E.g., a jungle theme or ‘70s theme.

Dressed in a suit and tie or skirt and jacket, all year long, it’s no secret that Lawyers and Accountants love an excuse to dress in costume. Any license to be creative and escape the analytical grind should be embraced with open arms. The end of year function is a chance to let your hair down, which is why a lot of offices opt for themed parties.

The office Christmas party is often planned and scheduled well in advance, so make sure it’s locked into your diary (including time to change into costume), ensuring no meetings will be scheduled to take place during the event. Arriving late, wearing a suit with compendium in hand is a sure way to be a party “buzz kill”.

Also, nothing says team player more than someone who embraces the theme. The more elaborate or funny the costume, usually the greater the adoration and respect; setting you up when it comes to office credibility well into the new year.

Better yet, take the initiative to source a costume suitable for a group, then coordinate the quantities, sizes, payment, order and delivery. This demonstrates great team leadership, not to mention removing the associated “dread” in locating an appropriate costume. Also, having a team costume is not only practical but useful for a number of reasons: it subtly reinforces that sense of team unity, makes it easier to find your colleagues in a crowd of costumes, and of course it makes for fantastic photos.

Finally, remember that it is an office party so if you want to avoid awkward conversations with Human Resources, avoid outfits where the political correctness is questionable, for example wearing “black face” or “Nazi uniforms”.

2. Lunch, dinner or drinks at a restaurant/licensed venue/bar/on a cruise.

There are a few different occasions here and depending on who is in attendance should influence your outfit decision. I personally would dress differently for each scenario, so let me break it down.

A lunch or dinner at a restaurant is usually a more formal occasion where you are in direct company with your boss or a client. It’s therefore important that your outfit represents professionalism, polish, confidence and personal style as it is an extension of your personal brand. A “well put together” outfit reinforces your boss’s opinion of you which will only be advantageous when it comes to Christmas bonus discussions. From a client perspective, it is a subtle reminder that you/your firm were the correct decision to engage as business partners, because someone who presents 'well put together' inherently instils confidence and higher levels of competence. These occasions can be particularly important as they often lead to end of year engagement/contract renewal conversations and decisions.

In contrast, an informal team lunch to say thank you to your direct colleagues wouldn’t require any different outfit consideration as your normal office attire is appropriate.

A team lunch or dinner, planned to extend into the night at either a bar or licensed venue are usually more informal. Smart casual dress is a great start, think casual Friday with a touch more effort - so you are prepared for the inescapable photos, Insta-stories and Snapchats.

A fancy dinner at a licensed venue is often a whole of office event. The dress code is typically stipulated on the invitation as “cocktail” or “formal dress”. However, this is not a common type of Christmas party as these are generally reserved for mid-year.

A cruise event, whether it be lunch, dinner or drinks is typically a team/office event and from past experience these are notoriously an absolute blast. I think the secret behind their success can be attributed to the simple fact that you know you are physically stuck on a boat for hours, with no chance of disembarking and zero access to a computer or getting called into the office for a meeting. Accordingly, the dress code is usually quite relaxed. If you really want to embrace the theme consider boat shoes, all white outfits, linen, sun hats and sunglasses.

Thumbs up to those of you who have realised the benefit of scoring yourself an invite to your clients’ Christmas party. Not only does it double your silly season party obligations, but connecting on a social level with your clients is invaluable when it comes to maintaining and building relationships. With regards to appropriate attire, if attending your clients party remember to ask ahead of time so you can appropriately prepare.

If you don’t secure an invite to your clients’ Christmas party, possibly invite them to your firms (if firm policy permits). Another option is to organise a dedicated celebration with your team and the client’s team. The cost of a few drinks or a meal will pay for itself typically tenfold in future business deals; as a result of the existing relationship. Keeping it casual is key, ensuring every effort to relate.

3. In-house drinks and nibbles in the office after work.

A no-fuss in-house event sounds like a recipe for a guaranteed good time and probably the easiest type of office party to dress for. These types of celebrations usually go beyond a glass of bubbly in the office and generally go on into the night. So it’s important to be dressed for the occasion; which is why the concept of “Work to Play” attire exists. “Work to Play” attire simply means, choosing an outfit that is appropriate to wear during the day for meetings, but also stylish enough to take you to the local bar when celebrations kick on. For ladies, the simplest way is to swap your flats for heels (block heels if you plan on dancing), pop on some red lipstick and throw on a pair of feature earrings/necklace. For the gentlemen, casual Friday type attire is appropriate, think chino pants, button up shirt and no tie.

4. Barbecue at the boss’ house, a park, or another casual outdoor venue such as barefoot bowls.

It’s most likely that your boss and your colleagues haven’t seen you dressed in casual weekend wear or in situations in the “real world” i.e. outside the office environment.

Keeping in mind that your attire constitutes your personal brand, so some consideration should be taken when deciding what to wear to these types of events.

A simple trick in navigating this grey area is to adopt and apply the generally accepted office dressing guidelines when it comes to your outfit decision. Specifically, anything that would be considered a faux pas during office hours would generally apply in this circumstance. That means avoid bare midriffs, short hemlines, low necklines and flip flops. Obviously suits and ties are not required.

But do consider the appropriateness of your footwear and bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

5. An “excursion” with an activity which may require certain attire, e.g., laser tag, cooking school, circus skills.

It’s important to carefully read the invitation details before the event; so you don’t run the risk of not being able to participate.

Consider what you’ll need to wear to participate whether it’s active wear, steel capped boots, shorts or black coloured clothing etc.

Similar to a Christmas Barbecue, applying the generally accepted office dressing guidelines will ensure you avoid a faux pas fashion moment.

Now, the outfits are all sorted, enjoy the silly season! You've worked hard all year to enjoy the festivities!

xoxo Emily

Exploring the Boundaries and Limitations of Corporate Dressing

During my time working at PwC (Big 4 accounting firm) 2010-2017, I noticed the evolution of corporate dressing over my seven years. It was too interesting not to share the evolution of office attire and its correlation to changing office environments and working practices. Enjoy!

Working in the accounting and finance profession, there are limited ways to express ones’ creativity and individuality. Which is why I chose my corporate attire as an avenue to express my personality and build my own brand as I continue to climb the corporate ladder. This is especially important that one builds and represents one's own distinct brand and not only proudly represent the firms brand - because when you leave the firm, you need to have an identity.

In 2015, I started my Instagram blog upon the realisation that when peering across the office it was a depressing "sea of black suits". This resonated with my colleagues and my Instagram followers and I noticed other women sharing their outfits with me online, asking for outfit advice as well as the shift in my office's attitude towards their daily corporate attire from traditional suiting, to more colour and versatile fashion. The photos I was posting on Instagram quickly resonated with my followers and my blog and those similar became a source of inspiration.

It should be noted that the official dress policy was still traditional:

Men

Traditional business suit and accessories;Tailored dress trousers;Smart shirts with collar;Fine knitwear;Jacket (optional);Business socks; andDress shoes or boots.

Women

Traditional business suit with smart shoes and accessories;Tailored dress trousers;Tailored dresses;Skirts;Smart shirts, blouses;Fine knitwear;Jacket (optional); and

This policy applied Monday to Friday without any allowance for “Casual Friday”. Contrastingly when meeting clients or working at a client site/office myself on Fridays, my colleagues would also be questioned by the client for not wearing casual attire, especially if it was expected or allowed at that client (n.b. these clients varied in industries including Government, Finance, Mining, Retail). Management would comment and express concerns that they thought it was a show of superiority and disrespect coming to work dressed in suits on a Friday when everyone else underdressed. This was obviously not our intention rather a case of contrasting policies. Accordingly, in future where “Casual Friday” was client policy I informally encouraged my teams to “dress down” if we were working from their office, out of respect to the client and to enhance client working relationships.

In 2014, I do remember an instance where a female partner in my office explicitly banned men from wearing jumpers/cardigans over their white shirts and RM Williams boots, especially if they were meeting with a client that day. This was not a firm policy, but was rolled out locally for my extensive team to comply with. Keeping in mind, in my opinion the men in our office always looked respectable, freshly cut hair, well groomed, polished shoes, ironed and tailored business suits or similar attire. These men are the type of men you'd want to take home to meet your parents. This local policy was not well received by the team and upset the group dynamics by creating unnecessary tension between upper and lower level management. Especially when I remember this female partner in particular was wearing leggings and tunics on regular occasions, contradicting the dress policy. Needless to say, enforcement didn't last and the team stayed true to their style and pushed the boundaries even further, almost like a small act of rebellion.

It is also important to understand that during this time, the team also transitioned to a fully activity based working style, with a relaxed working and collaborative space. In particular, this included: video conference spaces, electronic whiteboards, games room spaces, open kitchen, open TV presentation rooms, that were full of colour, plants and the newest technology. The team organically adapted to this space, which I believe also influenced a natural relaxation of the dress code and promoted outfit creativity that was consistent with the workspace.

It wasn't long after this that a national Flexible Working Arrangements Policy was introduced allowing employees to work flexibly from home, office or client as well relaxing the working hours, scrapping the notion of standard 9-5 office hours.

Then in 2016, the prescriptive dress policy was completely abolished by Sue Horlin, PWC Human Capital Leader. “We trust our people to use their judgement and common sense, and we firmly believe this small but symbolic gesture will help people be more comfortable, more confident and therefore deliver fantastic service to our clients.” (Read more)

Although the other Big 4 firms (EY, Deloitte, KPMG) haven't officially published whether or not they have relaxed their strict dress policy, they have openly discussed their support for more flexible working arrangements. In my opinion, flexible working arrangements will organically influence future office attire whether it is officially adopted and allowed. If not now, then definitely soon, when the next generation of leaders become partners, and the old school traditions and ideologies are retired along with the stereotypical "older, white, Caucasian male" partners. This theory and change is no doubt applicable and able to be extrapolated to the wider finance, banking and legal industries as well.

Regardless of whether a company has a strict or relaxed dress policy, it is really important to bring it back to basics, which is my advice for all graduates looking for a job. As someone who was responsible for recruitment and graduate recruitment, it doesn't matter how amazing your resume may be, if at the end of the day; I don't feel comfortable putting you in front of a client then you won't successfully receive an offer of employment. To determine whether someone is right for the job comes down to a person’s presentation which includes their outfit, but is also a more holistic assessment, encompassing whether the candidate is well groomed, good hygiene, polite, articulate, engaged, sincere, enthusiastic and eager to learn.

I remember an instance where a candidate as part of the vacation employment program, was not offered a graduate position although her work did not drastically differ from her peers. Her inability to perceive what was appropriate workplace attire (she often wore midriff tops), unkempt hair and personal hygiene were ultimately deciding factors. This all supports my theory that your corporate attire is crucial to your personal brand, as someone who presents 'well put together' immediately instils confidence and higher levels of competence.

Striking that balance is key when building a successful corporate wardrobe, but for those starting their professional careers who do not have any prior experience for dressing in the corporate world then the traditional corporate dress guidelines are a good place to start. As your experience and knowledge grows, you will start to identify your own individual brand, find your style and understand what is appropriate in a corporate scenario, which is when you can adapt your wardrobe.

Finally, there is correlation between relaxed dress codes and employee brand marketing, which is touted as one of the most powerful forms of marketing and attracting a lot of attention/buzz lately within the industry. Essentially this is where employees are the marketers for a business/firm by promoting a positive work environment - because an employer who treats their employees well is accretive to their brand.

Essentially this strategy is very low cost and authentic as it relies on organic word of mouth conversations with friends and family and/or sharing their experience on social media. This can include perks like a relaxed dress codes, and extend to free after work events, collaborative and fun office spaces, friends and family discounts, company merchandise or charity days.

If you are reading this and finding it difficult to translate this advice into what to actually wear, they say pictures speak louder than words, so check out my Instagramfor some fun and fashionable examples.

xo Emily

(N.b. these are my opinions and do not represent the opinions of PwC or staff. The contents of this blog is property of Emily Plummer (c) )

Sometimes I have a pinch myself moment, and this is definitely one of them. From quite accountant walking the hallways of grey cubicles to cover girl on Style Magazine the change could not be more different.

Being named one of Brisbane's top trailblazers and being asked to take part in the social stars takeover for the August edition of Style Magazine was such an honour. Creating the feature was incredibly fun, as we shot content and video over the duration of two days with some of my favourite fellow influencers, at Brisbane's most iconic locations. Sharing the cover with Misha and Aicha, two women I call friends and strong female leaders in their field, illustrating our comradery; was icing on the cake!

This was definitely something that's been ticked off the bucket list that I didn't even know was on there. Although, I must admit some of my gorgeous followers often ask me, whether I like being over exposed and recognisable due to my social media profile?

I'll admit it has its ups and downs (like going to the gym without being noticed or judged), but the exposure has done something tremendous for my confidence and improved my style. Most surprisingly it has helped round out my business knowledge - I now have a greater understanding of PR, Marketing, Branding and Advertising, which I had only touched on previously; during my university days.

As crazy as this sounds, I now feel a sense of control and wholeness. With brands knocking on your door wanting to work with me, this is incredibly powerful for one’s ego, but really it gave me the confidence I somehow seemed to be lacking. No longer am I waiting for opportunities to come my way, I chase them and I see the world in a whole new light.

There's also the part of me, that feels sense of duty to be a beacon for other women out there, which is great motivation to keep doing what I do. I feel so privileged to be someone my followers turn to as a role model in many different ways, whether it be a female climbing the corporate ladder, or for fashion inspiration. There is still so much progress to be made when it comes to: gender diversity, gender pay gap and underlying all of that; ensuring women are born with a "I can do anything" mentality instead of a mid-40's epiphany.

xo Emily

Prints, pastels, patterns, lace, embellishments or all of them at once is what makes Australian Designer Alannah Hill’s style so iconic and recognisable. Not afraid of being bold and making a statement, the designs blends classic 1950’s style and unpredictable combinations like floral and stripes.

With the garments typically featuring jewelled embellishments; the dresses are best described as ‘ready to wear’ and perfect for the time poor woman. Alannah’s designs make it easy to achieve a polished and styled look without the hassle of sourcing/styling complementary jewellery and accessories. Both feminine and fashionable, the designs consciously appeal to busy professional women; moving from work to cocktails.

The collections are non-traditional and appear to have no rhyme or reason, in the sense that there are limited “basics” to mix and match with the “showstoppers”, unlike traditional retailers. This refreshing approach to fashion is a license for women to experiment and create unique combinations. Something to consider especially heading into the Spring racing season, when sourcing inspiration and statement separates for the fashion on the fields competitions.

The black lace dress featured, with intricate high neck detail, cap sleeves and appropriate hemline length, is perfect for the office or occasion. Paired with a black handbag featuring a patent bow and styled with a crop blazer with exposed blue and black cat print lining, makes wearing all black anything but boring.

Fashion should be fun, just walking in store will make you smile before you even enter the dressing rooms.

xo Emily

What if I told you; the lines between your style and personal brand have blurred so much that luggage is considered a fashion accessory? Consider first generation mobile phones and laptops, once only available in black but now we are spoiled for choice with colours like: charcoal grey, navy, white, rose gold, silver etc. Just like personal electronic devices, luggage is as much of an accessory as a belt or pair of shoes. Also, chances of a free upgrade are no doubt higher with sleek luggage in tow and a complementary outfit.

Crumpler, designed out of Melbourne with a focus on high quality materials and design, originally entered the market supplying bike riders and couriers with an over the shoulder satchel bag. The product range has expanded to include, laptop bags, overnight bags, camera bags, luggage and backpacks.

In particular, Crumpler luggage is drawing the increasing attention of travellers. The Vis luggage range boasts:

Bold colour combinations such as black luggage with blue straps (Halleluiah gone are the days of attaching pink ribbon to identify luggage on the airport conveyerbelt);Transparent suitcases, which are not only practical to find your belongings without upheaving the whole suitcase, they are a fashion statement in their own right;Gloss red and black varieties which is all class and versatile for both business and leisure travel;Lifetime guarantee…rest assured you will never need to buy luggage again. With luggage notorious for costing a small fortune, this is a great customer initiative as well as demonstrating Crumpler’s belief in their own product;360 degree smooth glide wheels, making the airport hustle an efficient one;Greater volume - the slimline design means there is more space and less suitcase;Interior clothes compression system, doubling as pockets to store loose items or items requiring quick access;Hard casing to protect your valuables and keep them dry; andAvailability of different sizes including 45L, 70L and 95L. The range suitably caters for the aeroplane cabin, a weekend away or long international trips.

Turning heads as you roll on through to the airport lounge has just been made much easier. Happy travels!

xo Emily

Fashion and Lifestyle Journalist for Wintergarden

You can find Crumpler luggage at Wintergarden, Brisbane City.

Whether it be a lunchtime facial, an afternoon massage or a pre-weekend paper the ladies at Jurlique Wintergarden will look after you. A favourite Australian brand, Jurlique are well known for their botanical skin and body products, but also have an in house licensed aestheticians offering range of services including a variety of treatment durations to suit the busiest of diaries.

Something you need to know, Jurlique uses only pure and natural skin care products combining the ancient arts of alchemy, herbal medicine and homeopathy. Most impressive is Jurlique’s commitment to the purity of their skin care that they grow and extract many of the ingredients at an organic and biodynamic Jurlique Farm in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia.

Recently, the ladies looked after me, with a 2 hour “Touch of Heaven” treatment which included a 1 hour full body gentle massage and a 1 hour facial. This was exactly what the doctor ordered after a hectic few months of work, travel, sun exposure and stress. Keeping this in mind, my treatment was thoughtfully tailored to address my skin concerns, whilst the botanical rich formulas were chosen to pamper my skin.

Beginning with a light exfoliation to remove dead skin, I slipped into a light sleep as I my full body was gently massaged, relaxing my muscles and energising my senses. Halfway through, and true to the name, I felt like I was somewhere heavenly.

What followed was a luxurious 60 minute Classic Signature Facial. I gave the ladies a challenge that’s for sure, experts say your face manifests stress, stomach health and everything in between. After just flying home from overseas and a hectic few months, my complexion was far from perfect with pimples, a combination of oily and dry patches as well as pigmentation. However, Jurlique’s tailored treatments to suit each skin type and condition, means no facial treatment is the same.

Using the combination of carefully crafted cleansers, hydrating essences, exfoliating creams, calming mists, serums, moisturising cream, eye cream, clay masks and finally a skin balancing face oil, I’m not even kidding; my face was transformed. Shocked was an understatement, as the redness had reduced, pimples calmed and my skin was feeling perfectly hydrated. I felt like a fool…why had I not done this sooner.

Before leaving and forced to come down from my cloud, I was treated to spring water and tea. As well, I received a booklet detailing my treatment type and the products used during the session, accompanied by sample products to continue post treatment and a loyalty card. n.b. There is a good reason it’s written down… because you leave the store so relaxed and will need it when you come back to ‘Earth’. After following the aftercare routine, within two days my skin remarkably looked and felt respectable again, in what would otherwise take weeks to clear up.

I’m booked in again for another treatment to maintain my skin. Just like the gym… we need to make time. Recently I was informed that facials are no longer considered a luxury rather a necessity, as the hours spent here save you hours at home balancing your skin. It was only two hours of my day and no doubt I’ve made up that time (there are also shorter treatments). No doubt I could get used to this… with the most difficult part of the afternoon deciding on which aromatherapy massage oil to use - I went with rose water FYI.

xo Emily

Fashion and Lifestyle Journalist for Wintergarden

I'm so lucky to have a social media platform to share, inspire and raise awareness for amazing causes, that when I heard about Suited to Success I knew I wanted to sign on and be the official ambassador . It's no secret how passionate I am about getting more women into the workforce. This coupled with passion of corporate fashion and making professional and impactful impressions in the workplace, meant I found the perfect charity to promote and work alongside.

The team is kicking goals, named as finalists in 2017 and again this year, 2018 for a Telstra Business Award - Queensland Social Change Maker Category. If you haven't already heard about Suited to Success, I'll share a little bit more about this amazing charity organisation and what they've achieved so far and how they continue to make a positive impact.

How the community benefits

The team collects donations of suits and other office appropriate attire from corporate firms and individuals, to stock the styling boutique held in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Clients who have faced unemployment or difficult circumstances can come into the boutique for a free personalised styling session and receive an outfit suitable to wear to a job interview or employment (available to both men and women)

There is a dedicated employment job assistance program for youth aged 15-24 years old. The sessions cover:

Personal achievement planJob preparation and interview techniquesSelf-esteemStress-management/Self-careEffective CommunicationUsing TechnologyGetting ready for work; andNetworking

A similar program is open to men and women of any age and background. Unlike other employment programs, the support is tailored and can range from one to twelve sessions based on the needs of the individual, with follow up support is provided for up to 12 months. To ensure ongoing success for the individual, the program also provides the opportunity for people to connect with corporate supporters or industry networks for industry orientation and mentoring opportunities.

There is also a Career Hub program is for people looking to secure long lasting employment. The program provides general career advice and support to develop successful job applications, while you gain practical skills, like resume writing and interview skills.

How can you get involved

The team needs funds and donations to keep the boutique and program alive. You can get involved in a number of ways:

Buy or Donate non work specific clothing - any donations that are not appropriate work attire are sold by volunteers at the Fortitude Valley 'Suited to Success' Retail ShopBuy or Donate designer fashion at our annual "Bubbles & Beauties" fashion event (more below)Donate your corporate wardrobe - there are donation collection points at Toowong Shopping Centre and the Myer CentreMake a cash donation or a recurring cash commitment - to fund employment and career workshops Volunteer your time at the retail store or styling boutiques; orSponsor an event.

The last Bubbles and Beauties event at Brisbane City hall was a huge success, outselling Brisbane Fashion Month. This year the fashion parade was co-ordinated by social media influencers who styled, promoted and modeled, which led to raising a record amount from tickets and sales of donated designer fashion. The amazing community support meant that the only cost for the event was catering, and we can't thank the following sponsors enough for such amazing support.

The social impact in numbers

xo Emily

Ladies looking fresh faced and flawless is not reserved for job interviews, meeting with a new client or addressing the Executive Board... everyday is about bringing your A-game!

As much as I love heels, the saying of "putting your best foot forward" for me, "putting your best face forward" is much more important. First impressions count, and while we can't stop people from making snap decisions the reality is; the briefest glance is enough to form first impressions on a range of social attributes including likability, trustworthiness and competence.

Working late nights in the office, ordering Deliveroo, catching 3am Ubers home, rinsing and repeating everyday doesn't come without battle scars. Dry skin, oily skin, dark bags under the eyes and stress pimples. I wake up some mornings and cry as I look in the mirror at my complexion and see how the 'hustle and grind' lifestyle has impacted my skin.

As much as the feminist part of me wants to walk out the door sans makeup, it's the corporate war paint (aka make up) that gives me the confidence (as cliche as this sounds) to survive in the concrete jungle. Also, perception is reality. As much as I wear make up for my own self confidence, it is also about giving your client or your boss the impression that "everything is under control". (Imagine what they'd think if they saw me after 3 hours sleep, exhausted and sans makeup... maybe they should?! - but that's a topic for a different blog).

Quick, simple and effective is what I'm about... remember I'm a fashion blogger not a beauty blogger. So whether I'm rushing off to work and need my make up to last for 18 hours, or off to a red carpet event, my make routine regime doesn't vary too much.

So here it is...and it may look extensive, but from beginning to finish it only takes 10 minutes! Promise!

1. AUTO PILOT PRE-FOUNDATION SKIN PRIMER

"It's a crime not to prime" as Napoleon said himself. Great pre-makeup primer containing vitamin E, camomile and yarrow extracts to hydrate the skin. Not only that, but it works beneath your foundation to restore your skin.

2. CHINA DOLL FOUNDATION

I honestly think if I had to pick 3 essentials in life, it would be my iphone, credit card and this foundation. Flawless, long wearing, packed with antioxidants which soothes the skins as well as providing full coverage. Not to mention suitable for the beach with SPF 15.

3. PRO PALETTE CONCEALER

No wonder I love this product... it contains caffeine to help stimulate microcirculation! Be gone blemishes and bags under the eyes - again not only does it conceal but the antioxidants vitamin C and E work away to soothe and heal.

4. AUTO PILOT RADIANCE BOOSTING PRIMER

Depending on how fresh and dewy I'm wanting my face to look it can be applied before foundation, after as a highlighter or both if I'm feeling like an extra boost, as the ingredients include a subtle shimmer.

5. BRONZE PATROL

Do you believe in magic? Marble like bronzer transforms you face instantly from looking sleep deprived to sun kist. I don't ask questions, but the paint-like palette of contained chaos is perfect for contouring and highlighting.

Cheekbones, around the hair line and the neckline will give you a glow, definition and make you look thinner... I told you it was magic!

6. BLUSH PATROL

A little bit of blush goes a long way! Tying in a nude lip into your make up look is as easy as a tiny bit of blush on the apple of your cheek to pull it altogether. I'll admit somedays I just rely on Bronzer to get me through if I'm already late for work, but a little bit of blush can emphasise your smile without moving a muscle!

7. COUTURE BROW KIT

Apparently brows need makeup... I will be the first to admit this all seemed too hard and unnecessary! But wow - yes it makes a difference and it's not hard. Basically you add some colour, apply some wax to the comb and comb it through so the brows stay in place! Face is framed and voila!(Simple instruction card included explains in detail how to use the kit).

8. NUDE U - EYES, CHEEKS AND BROWS PALETTE

Keep it simple! Forget the eyeliner and colourful eye palettes. The dark tones replace eyeliner, the neutral blended tones to cover the lids and the lighter shades go right underneath the brow to highlight. Also, a spot of nude shimmer in the corner of the inner eye will give you the illusion of being wide awake! Am I starting to sound like a beauty blogger yet?

9. CAMERA FINISH POWER FOUNDATION

Powdered finish to blend it all together, focusing on the oily areas and avoiding areas prone to dryness.

10. CAMERA FINISH CLOSE-UP COMPLEXION PERFECTING POWDER

Sets the face, reduces fine lines and makes you look flawless even at ungodly hours when everyone else is in bed sleeping!

11. LONG BLACK MASCARA

Long lashes essential to give others the illusion that you are more awake then you actually are... coffee can only do so much!

12. LIP LINER

That lady boss bold red lip...the secret is out! I don't use lipstick... lip liners should not be reserved for just lining. Simply fill in your lip with the Rococo Red lipliner. It will give you precision and also the endurance. The staying power of this beauty is ridiculous - food & coffee all day without any re-application!

I always get asked whether red lips are appropriate for work and my answer is absolutely! Just like great posture, red lips say a lot about a woman's confidence! If you are after a more natural lip, try the "Witty in Pink" shade.

13. TOTAL BAE - GLOSS IT! INTERGALACTIC

Finish with Gloss to make those lips pop! Probably committing a makeup crime, but I actually don't use a lip gloss over my lip liner most days... the creaminess of this liner doesn't need it!

Go get them! May your day be as flawless as your make up!

xo Emily

Spring Racing Carnival is here - the most anticipated carnival on the racing calendar! Let's be honest it's not all about the horses, it’s just as much about the marquees, elaborate floral arrangements, flowing champagne and most importantly it’s about four glorious weeks of race wear fashion! In the style stakes, all eyes are on the Fashion on the Field stage for Derby Day and of course the carnival highlight, Melbourne Cup.

Whether you are a serious race-goer or just after a fun day out there are certain style rules that apply and should be adhered to, especially if you are entering the Fashion on the Field competition for a shot at the prestigious “best dressed” title.

Derby Day is about embracing the monochrome dress code. Black and white is always classic and whether you opt for dramatic colour blocking, statement prints or simple silhouettes, maintaining elegance is key to a great outfit. Making a style statement without colour may be daunting, however elevating an outfit from dull to competition worthy is actually quite simple! Mixing and adding textures to your outfit using lace and metallic is one of the easiest ways to complete an outfit!

Whereas a showstopper of an outfit is the only way to watch the "race that stops the nation", the Melbourne Cup. Melbourne Cup is all about having fun both trackside and with your race wear! It is a license for accentuated colour combinations and complementary patterns – that’s what makes it so exciting! This also applies to your head wear - whether it be a fascinator, hat or crown; the bolder the statement the better!

Keeping in mind, when assembling the perfect race day outfit, it is important to take a holistic approach to your outfit. Fascinators should never look like an afterthought! It’s all about striking that perfect balance between taking a ‘fashion risk’ and showcasing your individuality, as well as keeping it classy and feminine. Adding a touch of yellow to your Melbourne cup outfit is always a good idea for the those serious about following the traditional dress code.

Have fun ladies and remember to keep it classy whilst trackside. No matter how sore those feet are from wearing killer heels all day, shoes belong on feet and not thrown over shoulders or clutched under arms.

Head over to Wintergarden to find these looks.

For more information on the Brisbane Racing Carnival click here.

xo Emily

It may not quite feel like it here yet in sunny Queensland but, Winter is here and the cooler weather is sure to arrive soon, and with that comes of course all the amazing Winter trends!

In saying that, Winter fashion doesn't mean going out and buying a completely new wardrobe. It is about establishing a "capsule wardrobe"... meaning limiting your wardrobe to a few key pieces that will work for you all year round. Mixing in various new season pieces or accessories will ensure your wardrobe is up-to-date each season, without compromising that Summer holiday you've been saving for.

I'm such a fan of the idea of a capsule wardrobe, one that not only takes you from work to play, but from Summer to Winter! All in an effort to simplify our busy lives. I remember watching Peter Walsh - Declutter Expert on Oprah years ago, say that once you declutter your wardrobe you declutter your mind!

So how do we do achieve wardrobe bliss and peace of mind?

My suggestion is, buying a couple of new season coats, incorporating them with your favourite staples and investing in tights to wear with your favourite boots or high heels. And yes ladies, tights and boots are absolutely appropriate for the office... in fact it's my preference. Gone are the days where your employment contract includes clauses defining acceptable workplace attire. Wearing stockings/tights to work with your black or beige high heels is absolutely fine and practical... but wearing them with a high heeled boot will always complement your choice of boot and your outfit.

On the other hand, why should tights and stockings be reserved for the workplace? Black tights in particular translate so well into casual weekend wear also, and mixing up the different deniers will give you different looks and levels of warmth. Time to shake the notion that jeans are the Winter weekend uniform!

As women of high standards and let's be honest, we always want more from our fashion. Scholl's have designed “Light Legs Tights” incorporating new Firm Fibre technology has given designed Light Legs Tights. These are the first of their kind and I am singing their praises!

Why I am now a tights convert:

- No more ladders and pulls, ruining tights before I even get to my desk of a morning thanks to the Ladder Lock technology, even if a hole occurs, the technology contains it!

- This brings me to my second point... the tights last up to 100 washes. Let's not forget I'm an accountant and simple maths means 1 pair of each denier will last me the whole season!

- Is there such a thing as a calf-lift? The Scholl Light Legs tights are gentle gradient compression hosiery which makes your legs appear, firm and toned.

- I wear heels almost every day of the year and long days in the office inevitably make me question my fashion over comfort choices some days. This is no longer an issue with Scholl's breathable tights helping to revitalise and relieve tired, heavy legs.

- The Range is simple, Black 20 Denier, Black 60 Denier for extra warmth and Beige 20 Denier.

I've pulled together and styled some looks for some inspiration. Hope you love them as much as I do!

xo Emily

* These beauties are easy to “get your hands on” from Woolworths, Coles, Priceline and other leading

pharmacies.

A look into my morning routine and how the new 3Q Brushless Hairdryer from VS Sassoon

gives me time for an extra sleep in of a morning, with it's next generation of Smart Tech with superior drying performance and increased hair protection, all thanks to the brushless digital motor inside.