It’s Friday dudes!  Around here, that means a Mama Boyo pizza movie date night.  And some Boyo Style kid jokes.  Maybe some popcorn.  Definitely some sofa snuggles.

Let’s get this Friday Frivolity kicked off with some old school classics!

Have a great weekend! 

I had the most ridonkulously indulgent “is this really my life” day recently, when I flew to Brisbane to spend the day with some absolute fabulous bloggers, and got pampered head to toe, thanks to Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa and Blog Power Events.

The day didn’t feel particularly glamorous to start off with, I have to be honest, when I was up at 4.30 am and on the road by 5.15 am.  But it soon changed … for the better.  The first sign the day was heading in the right direction was being upgraded to an exit row seat … and it just got better from there!

I was collected at the airport by the lovely Rachel, and her charming husband, from Redcliffe Style and Blog Power Events, and chauffeured along the coast to Margate, a very pretty spot on the Redcliffe Peninsula, where the delights just continued to unfold at the lovely Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa.

I was presented with a goodie bag, a luxurious robe and the fluffiest slippers ever, along with spa underwear that was actually relatively comfortable.  I know right!  Included in this armful of fabulousness was a personalised schedule for my day of luxurious pampering.

The official hashtag for the event was #beautifulyou.  I needed another hashtag to reflect exactly pampered I felt, so  #kimbaisaspoiltbrat was created.

Hair treatment – I was treated to a shampoo and personalised hair treatment application, including a heavenly head massage and hand massage from Narelle from Redken, using the Pureology range.

Pure Fiji Massage – Massage and I aren’t usually BFFs as it leaves me tired and woozy.  However, after waking at 4.30 am and having commenced my first glass of Champagne well before the sun was over the yard arm, I was already tired and woozy and the personalised massage by Simone, concentrating on my neck and back, left me in a state of bliss.  I commented that I was so relaxed I was just a warm puddle of humanity.

Image Facial Peel – Hands down my favourite treatment of the day was the Signature Face Lift.  A four-layer facial peel was applied to my face by Krystle and just one treatment left my skin plumped and glowing and, dare I say it, gorgeous.  I was gifted with an after care package of skincare.  Seriously the best thing I’ve done for my skin ever.  I’m tracking down a Sydney salon where this service is offered stat!

Nibbles and Champagne Break – delicious nibbles, more bubbles and a good girly chat.  Heavenly!

Mini Spa Pedicure – The lovely Toni tended my tootsies, polishing them in a fabulous wintery plum-purple colour.

Lunch – More bubbles and delicious gourmet sandwiches.  May have also been a bit more girly chat.  OK, lots more girly chat.

I was also lucky enough to have my makeup applied using Youngblood, a brand I’d not used before.  I was so impressed I bought the gorgeous Tangelo lipstick and Stripped Lip Gel (clear with sparkles), and have already made a wishlist of other products I may just “need”.

Blue Lagoon Hydrotherapy Spa – I’m not usually terribly keen on baths and find them more hot and sweaty than relaxing and soothing, but this hydrotherapy spa has changed my mind.  The temperature was on the cooler side of warm but not at all cold.  It left me feeling floaty and fabulous and oh so relaxed.  For the first and last five minutes, the hydrotherapy jets were turned to a relaxing level, but for the middle five minutes, the jets were turned higher for an amazing full body exfoliation.

Blow Dry – Christine from Redken had quite the task ahead of her, as my hair was completely dry and a bit frizzy after having dried naturally from my hair treatment some hours before.  She applied some magic product – I was too blissed out after my hydrotherapy spa to recall the name – and gave me a fab straight blowdry.  Four days later, with a little bit of help from my gHD, and a spritz of dry shampoo on the fourth day, the hairstyle is still going strong.  Now, that’s impressive!

Beautiful You is a beautiful space, filled with light and beach glimpses.  The spa rooms are luxurious to the nth degree and the staff are lovely ladies who obviously enjoy their jobs.  Like many of their ilk, they ask questions, but what differentiates them is that they listen and act upon the response.  You get the feeling that nothing is too much trouble and that every service is personalised to the needs of the individual client.

I wish I had a teleporter so I could pop over whenever I wanted.  Think I might be talking the blokefolk into a Queensland holiday soon!

Not only did I get pampered and exfoliated and massaged and blowdried and pedicured and made up and generally spoilt rotten, I also had a fabulous time hanging out with some wonderful ladies who also just happen to be fabulous bloggers.

Jos from Sew Cook Laugh Live

Rosana from Engineer Mum

Olivia from Wait Until the Sunset

Melissa from Suger Coat It

Danielle from Five Little Reasons

Sheri from Sheri Bomb

Stacey from Veggie Mama

The blogger event was a partnership between Beautiful You, owned and operated by the gorgeous Toni, and Blog Power Events, with Lisa and Rachel acting as the Hostesses with the Mostest.

Lisa from Mrs BC’s House of Chaos

Rachel from Redcliffe Style

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa

Unfortunately, it’s not going to be possible for me to visit Beautiful You every time I need some maintenance and pampering, but you can bet your comfy spa underwear that I’ll be booking myself in every single time we go to Brisbane.

Do yourself a favour and go and get yourself all spangly and shiny and sparkly at Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa at gorgeous Margate, Queensland.

Kimba Likes Style Notes:

• Orange Petra Bag – purchased from Sterling & Hyde
• Birdcage Dress – purchased from Verily
• Black leggings – Spanx purchased from David Jones
• Berry suede loafers – purchased from The GAP
• Pink Scarf – purchased from Brown Sugar

Kimba Likes Image Credits:

• All images by Kim-Marie Williams

Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy:

• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy
• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Affiliate Policy
• I received product samples and the services outlined above, but was not otherwise compensated or remunerated for this post.
• You can trust Kimba Likes to keep it real.  Just how I roll, baby.

Time to play DJ again for Fox in Flats Style Dare.  Let’s kick it off for May!

Check out my May playlist picks for Fox in Flats Style Dare a Day.

1. White Shirt – Hate to Say I Told You So by the Hives known for their black and white suit and shirt combos
2. Orange Lipstick – Orange Crush by REM
3. Ear Candy – I Want Candy by The Strangeloves
4. Charlie’s Angels – Charlie’s Angels theme tune
5. Tropical – Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
6. Sequins – Rebel Rebel by David Bowie sequins, glitter, platforms – glam rock at its finest!
   
7. Socks – Hit Me Baby One More Time by Britney Spears a pro for OTK socks and a con for domestic violence
8. Touchable – I Touch Myself by the Divinyls
9. His – Killing Me Softly With His Song by the Fugees
10. Ballerina – Ballerina Girl by Lionel Richie the song he wrote for his daughter Nicole Richie 
11. Foxy – Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix I just love the Wayne’s World version
12. Breakfast in Bed – Breakfast in Bed by UB40 and Chrissie Hynde
13. Mixed Prints – Purple Rain by Prince & The Revolution
14. Blazer – Short Skirt, Long Jacket by Cake
15. Fab Flats – Life is a Highway by Rascall Flats
16. Fragrance – What You Waiting For by Gwen Stefani OK, this is a bit of a stretch.  Gwen has a perfume range
17. Spotty Dotty – Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini by Brian Hyland
18. Head Scarf – Blue Jeans by Lana Del Rey Another stretch, but Ms Lana Puffy Lips Del Rey does rock a good head scarf in a fetching retro cute manner
19. Talking Tops – Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads
20. Red Lipstick – Cherry Lips by Garbage
21. Trench – Someone Like You by Adele Adele rocks a faaaabulous Moschino trench in the music video
22. Bohemian – Bohemian Like You by The Dandy Warhols come on, Queen would have been waaaay too obvious
23. Chunky – Chunky Chunky Air Guitar by The Whitlams
24. Hair Bling – I Remember You by Skid Row classic 80s Hair Rock
25. I’m with the Band – Ruby Tuesday by The Rolling Stones written by Keith Richards about a groupie
26. Pigtails – Wannabe by the Spice Girls Baby Spice and her pigtails
27. Ol’ Blue Eyes – Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra
28. Leather Jacket – I Love My Leather Jacket by The Chills Oh, a Flying Nun Kiwi classic!
29. Pins - Legs by ZZ Top
30. Preppy – Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus The antithesis of preppy, baby
31. Red, White and Blue – Je T’aime by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg

Here’s my May Fox in Flats Style Dare a Day challenge photos so far.  Are you in?  So. Much. Fun!

The weather is turning and winter is coming.  It’s time to start thinking about warmer clothes, pops of colour to brighten gloomy days and things to read and watch when snuggled up inside.  Here are some lovely things I’m currently crushing on to cushion the transition from autumn to winter.

1.  Country Road Leopard Print Mini Skirt I’ve got a thing for shorter skirts this winter, and I’m loving the print and zip detail on this one.  Add an oversized knit, colourful tights and boots and you’re good to go.  This is well priced at $79.95.
2. Hello Darling That’s So Fetch Glitterbug When the weather gets colder, there are more excuses to stay inside.  Prove what a fabulous modern woman you are by multitasking by watching TV and giving yourself a blinged out mani at the same time!  Go you!  Glitterbug is an amazeballs glitter powder nail art product – it’s nail art for the nail art-challenged novice much like, ooh, myself.  A bargain at $9.95.
3. Offspring OK, so I’m a bit behind the times with Offspring, but I downloaded Season 1 from iTunes recently, and am eagerly working my way through them.  Can’t believe it took me this long to jump on the bandwagon!  I’m currently crushing on Season 2 and then I’ll be crushing on Season 3, before joining the rest of the Australian female population for Season 4.  In the meantime, how hot is the student doctor, and Eddie Perfect is a bit adorbs.  Who knew?
4. Yellow skinny leather belt from Verily With all the winter layers, I need to make sure I still have a visible waist or I look like I’m a brick wearing boots.  It’s not really a great look, let’s be honest.  A bright pop of yellow from this gorgeous belt will add much needed cheeriness, and it’s got a pocket friendly price of $32.00.
5. Sterling & Hyde Wide Brimmed Hat I love retro cute fashion but I’m not a big 70s fan.  However, this hat is classic 70s gorgeousness in a fabulous Rust colour. 100% wool with adorable black band detail.  $49.95.  Love it!
6. Warm Bodies novel from Booktopia I recently finished this book and I loved it! OK, I’m basically a middleaged teenager but I am really enjoying the zombie apocalypse genre.  Perfect for snuggling up on the sofa with.  I got mine from iBooks but if you prefer a paper version, Booktopia is your go to option.
7. Glassons Lace Panel Merino Dress The perfect trans-seasonal piece, this lace panelled merino dress can be worn over a tank with flats and leggings now, and worn when the weather gets colder layered over a striped knit and layered under an oversized knitted cardigan, worn with leather-trimmed leggings with boots.  $59.95 and too cute for words!

Are you ready for winter yet?  Ready to snuggle and layer and cocoon?  Don’t tell me if Fraser leaves the series, ‘kay, because I’m kind of enjoying him.  I’ll never be able to look at a cheeseboard in the same way again!

Kimba Likes Image Credits:

• Images from company and brand websites

Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy:

• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy
• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Affiliate Policy
• I was not compensated or remunerated in any way, shape or form for this post.
• You can trust Kimba Likes to keep it real.  Just how I roll, baby.

I love colour.  Or is it more that I don’t love black?  Black has its place in our wardrobes.  It is generally flattering, universally available and classic.

However, black can also be unflattering too close to the face, especially as we age and lose natural colour.  Universally available can also mean that everyone else is wearing the same black outfit as you.  Classic, unfortunately, can also mean boring.  Sometimes classic pieces can be ageing, particularly if worn with other classic pieces.

I’ve been asked several times to share my secret of how to wear colour.

OK.  Here we go.  Are you ready?

JFDI.  Just Fricking Do It.  I’ve made it as pretty and pink as I can but the answer actually is Just Do It!

Really, it’s that simple.

I’m going to walk you through the process.

Step 1

Lay out your outfit in the morning as you usually would to get dressed for your day.  Then take a deep breath, and bravely step into the world of colour.

Step 2

Look at the outfit you’ve laid out and subtract some black or grey pieces and add colour instead.

Work with me here, okay?  I’m imagining a black dress, black tights, black shoes and a black cardigan.  All black but carrying a leather handbag instead of a leather ball.

This is where the fun starts.  Start switching!  Black tights? Nup. Try navy. Grey scarf? Hot pink instead. Black belt? Leopard print FTW.

Step 3

Have fun, don’t blend into the background and stop traffic for all the right reasons!

Now, I’m going to show you exactly what I mean.  In this outfit example, I’m playing nice and switching from all black to black with chic neutrals.  An easy way to Try on the Trend.

The pieces are exactly the same, but oh so different!  By keeping the basic black bottom layer of the dress and tights, I’ve created a blank canvas.  I’m not a fan of black with colour unless there’s a print involved or tonal layers of many shades of the same hue; for example, blues over a black top and tights.

For this reason, I’ve switched the black cardigan for a warm gold lurex version.  The shoes are still comfortable and whisper ever so politely that they are chicly conservative – exactly the same as the black version.  The bag in black would work with this outfit, but the unexpectedness of the grey tones gives it an extra edge.

Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it.

Every woman alive has a version of the classic Casual Jeans outfit in her wardrobe.  The black and grey version is fabulous – the contrast of the skinny jeans with the oversized knit is flattering.  But the addition of some coloured skinnies and some colour in the top really makes this outfit stand out from the crowd.

In both outfits, I’ve used a classic black cross body bag and black ankle boots, as well as the same grey scarf.  Whilst the grey and black work well in tandem, the grey scarf anchors the colourful look, allowing a further pop of colour in the bright earrings to shine like the little star they are.

Still with me?

A super easy way of adding some colour to your outfit is with accessories.  Ditch a boring black bag (yes, I did say boring) for a bright slice of sunshine to swing merrily from your arm.  Add layers of necklaces in metallic hues interspersed with coloured beads.  It doesn’t have to be bright – pastels would work just as well.  Scarves.  Bangles.  Shoes.  Colour Pop!

One of the easiest ways to wear colour is to wear a dress.  All the hard work is done for you!  These images are from my #Frocktober fundraising efforts last year.

1. Tonal Colour – choose a block colour dress and add layers and jewellery and tights in similar colours.
2. Contrasting Colour – wear a patterned dress with contrasting accessories and tights, neutral shoes and bag and a tonal top layer.
3. Block colour – wear a really bold colour in a very simple style and dial back the accessories to plain neutrals.
4. Coordinating colour – choose a patterned dress and select accessories, shoes and tights in one of the colours from the pattern.
5. Coordinating colour – a more casual example.  I’ve also worn this dress with red tights and cardigan, picking up on the button colour.
6. Coordinating colour  - another example of coordinating colour, this time with a patterned dress.  I could have easily worn black tights with this dress but the coordinating tights dials the look up a notch or two.

How to Wear Colour really is as easy as switching a plain black, grey or white piece for something colourful.  I actually do feel happier when I’m wearing colour.  It’s as simple as that.

Check out some of my outfit examples of how I like to add colour to my outfits and happiness to my life.

So, are you with me?  Can you give it a go and switch out some black and grey and white neutrals for some happiness-inducing pops of colour?  I know you can do it and I’d love you to share your examples with me on Instagram or Twitter. Too shy for that?  Email me at
kimba@kimbalikes.com

Now, go forth and colour your world happy!  All together now … JFDI!

Kimba Likes Style Notes:

• Day Dress Outfit details
• Casual Jeans Outfit details

Kimba Likes Image Credits:

• All images by Kim-Marie Williams
• Example outfit images from Polyvore

Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy:

• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy
• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Affiliate Policy
• I was not compensated or remunerated in any way, shape or form for this post.
• You can trust Kimba Likes to keep it real.  Just how I roll, baby.

We are lucky enough to live in beautiful Sydney and even more lucky to have Taronga Zoo mere minutes away.  Speaking of lucky, the Welshman’s work have VIP membership passes available to borrow by staff members.  Love that!

We saw some rock wallabies cuddling on, um, a rock funnily enough.  I know right?  We oohed and aahed at the gorgeous baby elephants, and drooled over the giraffes’ amazeball views.  Did you know that giraffes run at 56 km/h, only need to sleep for 20 minutes per day and have the most amazing blue coloured prehensile tongues?  You do now!

Boyo got into the spirit of Fox in Flats Style Dare by modelling a pair of Fennec Fox ears, and some gorgeous native parrots flew around our heads as we walked through an aviary.  Such a peaceful oasis.

Boyo was beside himself to be selected to go and meet Miya, the gorgeous little Australia fur seal as part of the acclaimed Seal Show.  He got to pat her, shake her flipper and said that she felt like touching rubber.  A lovely lady from the audience shared some photos with me – what a sweetheart!  I was so touched.

My favourite animals to go and hang out with are the sun bears, the elephants (lemphies in my maternal family parlance), gorillas, the binturongs, the tree kangaroos and the giraffes.  I think they seriously have one of the best views in Sydney, don’t you?

In the interests of comfort and cooler mornings, I teamed Brown Sugar skinnies in Eggplant with an autumn-toned faux leather-trimmed checked flannel shirt from Glassons, and a thrifted Gorman knit.  Can’t beat my favourite old Country Road brogue Chelsea boots for comfort and style.  The Fox in Flats Style Dare prompt was “headscarf” so I whipped out a total classic.  Vintage Dior silk square.  Knotted on top of my head.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Do you like visiting the zoo?  I was lucky enough to grow up in a zoo so I appreciate zoos as a valuable resource in our lives, and understand that they play an important role in education and preservation of animal species.  I’m the bossy lady in the crowd who tells you off for tapping the glass and whinging that the animals are sleeping.  What’s your favourite animal to hang out with?  Apart from your children, of course.

Kimba Likes Style Notes:

• Gorman knit – purchased from Vinnies Rozelle
• Brown Sugar Eggplant skinnies – gifted from  Brown Sugar
• Country Road brogue Chelsea boots – purchased from Country Road sale
• Glassons faux leather-trimmed check flannel shirt – purchased from Glassons online
• Vintage Dior silk scarf – purchased from Vinnies Rozelle
• Butterfly SS earrings – gift from the Blokefolk bought from the Paddington Markets
• Karen Walker SS Rabbit earrings – purchased from Auckland Airport
• Lip of the Day – Australis Cosmetics Pout Paste in Pash Me Pink
• Boyo wears the Welshman’s beloved Rugby World Cup 2003 promo hat, Country Road tee, Target shorts, Converse socks and black suede skate shoes.  Stripes and checks – his uniform since he was a baby!

Kimba Likes Image Credits:

• All images by Kim-Marie Williams
• Some seal images by a lovely lady

Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy:

• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy
• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Affiliate Policy
• I was not compensated or remunerated in any way, shape or form for this post.
• You can trust Kimba Likes to keep it real.  Just how I roll, baby.

As huge fans of birthday Festivals, it may come as no surprise that we also like to celebrate Mother’s Day as the Festival of Mama.  The Welshman and Boyo have been making plans for weeks, bless their little cotton socks.

I received an early present of some fabulous Donna Hay Molten Chocolate Chunk Brownies – the only proviso being I had to bake them myself!

Next up was a Saturday night family dinner par excellence – ribeye and T bone from the sublime Victor Churchill butchery, a fabulous glass of Knappstein Hand Picked Clare Valley Riesling and pine mushroom cream sauce.

The pine mushroom cream sauce is fabulous served as a spread on Adriano Zumbo olive & rosemary sourdough toast as a little supper snackette.

I was served breakfast in bed – as you do – and given lovely presents.  Best of all, the gorgeous messages in my cards – I am so lucky to have these gorgeous men in my life.  There are still a few white chocolate covered freeze-dried strawberries left, and the little sterling silver butterfly earrings are prettying up my earlobes as we speak.

Who doesn’t love a happy face for breakfast?

Mother’s Day isn’t complete without a mug and other Mother’s Day Stall treasures.

A family outing to Darling Harbour in the morning.  Beautiful blue skies, an on trend orange-lipsticked fish throwing some awesome jazz fins, a deep sea diver, and a platypus.  Our nickname for the baby bump that became Boyo was Puggle, so it’s extra special to see a platypus on Mother’s Day.  Love this view – my blokefolk walking along together, deep in discussion, as I trail along behind them.  The Welshman and his mini me Boyo.

Isn’t he adorably cute?  I thrifted this hat recently as a joke present for the Welshman but Boyo has claimed it as his own.  I think Boyo Style has taken a turn for the gangster!

A sneaky glass of wine, some chocolate brownie baking and some dedicated R&R time under my recently acquired crocheted Nanna blanket made for some lovely Festival of Mama me time.

Next up, we headed off to Manly for Boyo’s skateboarding lesson, and booked in my own mid life crisis skateboard lesson.  Dear gods!  The Welshman and I went for a walk along the beachfront and Boyo and I had fish and chips for dinner.  He’s so tall now that we can almost walk with our arms around each other’s shoulders.  My heart almost burst in my chest, walking down the street with my Boyo.  Gods, I love him.

Another fab thing about Mother’s Day?  Got to be the opportunity to wear a gorgeous brand new dress, the lovely Navy and Red Dress from Verily .  Oh my, I love this dress.  I felt really ladylike all day, and it was more comfortable than wearing my PJs.

I just wanted to take a little moment to remember those mamas who’ve lost kids, and kids who’ve lost their mamas, and the mamas who are desperately hoping to hold their own baby one day.

I hope your Festival of Mama was everything you wanted it to be.

Kimba Likes Style Notes:

• Navy and Red Dress – purchased from Verily
• Lizzie Collins jacket – thrifted from Red Cross Rozelle
• Shubar suede Albert slippers – thrifted from Red Cross Rozelle
• Butterfly earrings – gift from the Blokefolk bought from the Paddington Markets
• MissSixty denim jacket – thrifted from Red Cross Rozelle
• Black Dig Free leggings – bought from Berlei
• Blueberry rubber flats – bought from Mox

Kimba Likes Image Credits:

• All images by Kim-Marie Williams
• Mother’s Day floral heart from a Trelise Cooper promotional email

Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy:

• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy
• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Affiliate Policy
• I was not compensated or remunerated in any way, shape or form for this post.
• You can trust Kimba Likes to keep it real.  Just how I roll, baby.

Something about Mother’s Day kind of makes you think a new outfit is in order, don’t you think?  Tell me it’s not just me?!

Gorgeous, isn’t it.  The lovely Navy and Red Dress from Verily. Deceptively simple but like all of Leonie’s Verily designs, a huge amount of thought has gone into this dress.  The classic navy and red combo is effortlessly elegant, whilst the crinkled element of the fabric dresses the piece down beautifully.  Casual glam – I love it!

The elbow length sleeves finish at the narrowest part of the woman’s body, highlighting the waist.  The scoop neck is flattering for many figures.  The genius of this dress is the waist line.  Genius, I tell you.  It is an empire line at the front which allows the dress to flow over lumpy bumpy waists and hips.  But from the back, the waist line finishes on the natural waist line, so the Navy and Red Dress flows over the bottom in that fabulous patented Verily way – hugging and skimming oh so cleverly.

Gently flaring, the skirt flows beautifully and is perfect for girls like me with a bit of a square waist, creating a visual illusion of a narrow waist by virtue of the width of the skirt.  It is also perfect for pear shaped women as the empire waist line shows off the narrow waist that pears possess, and the swirly skirt disguises heavier thighs and hips.

The length of the dress is slightly longer than I would usually wear, and I have to admit it took a little getting used to. Once I got it on and felt the fabric swirling around my legs, I felt amazingly ladylike and very elegant.  I teamed it for an outing to Darling Harbour on Mother’s Day with a vintage cropped round neck collarless jacket, black leggings and black suede Albert slippers.

This is an old trick of mine – wearing a wide cropped jacket over a long line piece lengthens the body and enhances the waistline.

I’m not a big fan of black and very infrequently wear it.  Any black pieces have earnt their place in my wardrobe by virtue of being made of beautiful fabric or being an absolute classic item.  Where black came into its own with this outfit was that the navy and red already make quite a statement on their own, so teaming it with black accessories allowed the dress to shine like the star that it is.

For our afternoon jaunt to Manly, I switched the elegant black jacket for a cropped Miss Sixty denim jacket, and the black suede flats for more beach worthy Mox rubber flats in Blueberry.  Utilising my favourite waist magician trick again, obviously!

I am just loving this gorgeous Navy and Red Dress from Verily.  It is going to attain favourite status in my wardrobe.  Anything that is as easy to wear as a pair of PJs, yet makes me feel sexily ladylike is guaranteed high rotation status!

Kimba Likes Style Notes:

• Navy and Red Dress – purchased from Verily
• Lizzie Collins jacket – thrifted from Red Cross Rozelle
• Shubar suede Albert slippers – thrifted from Red Cross Rozelle
• Butterfly earrings – gift from the Blokefolk, and purchased from the Paddington Markets
• Country Road satchel – thrifted from Red Cross Rozelle
• Red hairclip – purchased from Mimco
• Arm party – Red Phoenix Emporium bracelet, sterling silver bangle, link bracelet and Tiffany’s bangle
• MissSixty denim jacket – thrifted from Red Cross Rozelle
• Black Dig Free leggings – purchased from Berlei
• Blueberry rubber flats – purchased from Mox
• Lotus Mendes Goddess ring – fabulous Lipstick & Cake competition prize – lucky, lucky me!
• Rose gold watch – purchased from Lovisa

Kimba Likes Image Credits:

• All images by Kim-Marie Williams

Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy:

• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy
• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Affiliate Policy
• I was not compensated or remunerated in any way, shape or form for this post.
• You can trust Kimba Likes to keep it real.  Just how I roll, baby.

I recently undertook a shopping project for Danielle, a Kimba Likes Styling client.

Danielle was after a versatile neutral shirt that she could wear for the weekend and to the office, perhaps in coffee colour.  She also wanted to buy a bigger style handbag in buttery leather, able to be worn cross-body style and big enough to fit everything in.

Danielle hadn’t been successful in her shopping ventures, so asked for some assistance.  I was more than happy to help!

The Neutral Shirt

I’m sure there are loads of coffee coloured shirts out there, until I needed to find one!  This is as close as I could get for Danielle.  I gave her some options around the $100 mark, with one considerably cheaper and one considerably more expensive.  I selected a patterned shirt in neutral colours, and a left field option, because it’s always a good idea to try something out of your comfort zone.

Danielle thought the Seed silk shirt, which is excellent value for 100% silk, would suit her best.

The Oversized Handbag

Ooh, one of my favourite wardrobe essentials – the oversized leather handbag.  Again, I presented Danielle with a range of options on a sliding budget scale.  I’ve got a real thing for Sterling & Hyde at the moment – can you tell?  Love supporting Australian designers and small business.

This time, the left field option, the totes amazing blue Stacie tote (see what I did there?) appealed to Danielle.

If you need some help sourcing the perfect piece, please contact me on styling@kimbalikes.com.

I’d be delighted to help you out!

Kimba Likes Image Credits:

• Images by Kim-Marie Williams
• Product images from store and brand websites

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• Click here to read the Kimba Likes Keeping it Real Policy
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Did you find any amazeballs thrifted treasures recently?  I hit the Rozelle Markets briefly one Sunday afternoon recently.  Look what I managed to score!

Does your heart beat a little faster when you see something instantly recognisable and eminently covetable?  I spotted this little headband sitting on a sheet on the ground and immediately recognised it as Missoni.  A tenner, thank you very much.

Next up, a beautiful vintage 60s Pierre Cardin felt hat with the most amazing back story.  A group of sisters were having a wardrobe clear out sale at the markets and I spotted a lovely little beige wool felt hat with a jaunty little ivory ribbon.  I immediately tried it on and fell in love.  It belonged to the girls’ mothers and had been worn once – as part of her wedding going away ensemble.  I didn’t feel I should really buy it, but they were insistent that their mum said it had to go.  I felt guilty paying a fiver for it!

I also scored this fabulous 60s handmade jersey knit dress, an slightly beaten up Luella black bag and the pick of the day, a fabulous Isabel Marant skirt.

Now, I’ve got absolutely no hope of fitting into a size 0 Isabel Marant wrap skirt, especially as the back seam is ripped from the last person who tried to squeeze into it, but I just couldn’t resist the absolutely gorgeous printed silk fabric.  Click here to read how I upcycled this gorgeous thrifted piece!

Do tell if you have managed to score any amazing bargains lately?  I’d love to know!

I held my guinea pig session of Kimba Likes Terrific Thrifting Tours last weekend with a couple of brave bloggers who benefited from my vintage op shop expertise as we trawled through the op shops, vintage boutiques and markets of the Rozelle “Golden Triangle”.

Please do let me know if you’re interested in joining me one Sunday morning for three hours of thrifting, personalised styling and shopping assistance from yours truly, and a good gossip over a lovely cup of coffee at one of my favourite local cafes.  You can contact me at styling@kimbalikes.com.