January 11, 2012

Do you have a style mantra for 2012? Here’s mine.

I feel a bit of a fraud posting this style mantra today.

We’re into day three of VERY hot weather here in Queensland and quite frankly, my style could be at best described as sweaty chic. At worst, it’s just daggy with a capital D.

But it is my first week back blogging here for 2012 … so, I’m going to do it anyway.

Last year I put a style mantra out there to remain accountable to myself. This year I’ve twisted things around a bit.

The list below is something I want to stay true to. Maybe it’s a good starting point for you too?

Be YOU
Less is SO more
Wear sunscreen … every day
Take your makeup off … every night
Eat whole foods
Drink plenty of water
Celebrate with champagne … often
Shop from your wardrobe
Wear a bright lippy
Choose makeup that makes you glow
Wear an accessory that makes you smile
Make a statement

Spoil yourself with massages

Spoil yourself and your skin with facials

Put yourself FIRST

Make friends with your hairdresser
Wear heels once in a while … or often
Honour ALL your wardrobe personalities
Find the ultimate black dress … and wear it .. often
Be comfortable with your shape
Only buy clothes that make you feel fabulous

Go to bed early

Move more
Feel fabulous in your clothes every day
Don’t underestimate the power of a scarf – in any season
Research before you shop
Never settle on a clothing purchase … there is so much choice
Get a makeup lesson from a makeup artist
Try a new nail colour
Keep a well-edited wardrobe
Dress up … for no reason at all
Remember: you ARE fabulous

What can you add to my mantra? How are you going to be true to YOUR style in 2012?

PS. You can make your own infographic over at Tagxedo.

PPS. I’m blogging about summer beauty faves over at Justb today at lunch time.

By Nikki Parkinson

56 comments

http://www.zuni.com.au Jacki

Have been thinking about this one for a while …. overall my mantra is to “Get more from less”. I’ll be trying to do this by: recycling old favourites, mix & matching cleverly, use accessories for a variety of looks and buying classic pieces only.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

That’s a good one, Jacki!

http://www.directionstech.com.au April Neylan

Love it Nikki

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Thanks April x

http://www.astroglideaustralia.com/ Ann

Thanks for the post, will be interesting to see if style spending is up in 2012

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Umm, I wonder … it’s been flat the last three years, so we shall see.

http://nannykatedesign.blogspot.com Manda

Thanks for sharing Nikki. I loved it ALL!! So very true, especially for a busy SAHM. It is always very important for us to look after ourselves mentally and physically,to replenish, so that we have the energy to give back to our family and friends.
x manda

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Yes it is Manda. It took me a while to grasp this concept but once I did the rest falls into place.

http://www.madambipolar.com MadamBipolar

Stop body bullying myself in every outfit I own.
Great post! Love research before you shop.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

That is a good one, Madam BP. And yes, research is so easy now with most online.

Alison

A few rules I will be trying to follow are:

* dont shop when you have PMS or if you have had a few wines. Your decision making ability is compromised and you may end up with hot pink polka dot harem pants and a large credit card bill!
* no one sees the size tag but you and the drycleaner. Buy what fits and looks good not what your ego feels you need
* if you feel uncomfortable, you will look uncomfortable
*Life is too short to wear control underwear (school reunions can be an exception)
*Have at least one stylish “fat day” outfit in your wardrobe that you know works – we all get those days so be prepared!
*Try more of Nikki’s suggestions – I discovered Metallicus after being suspicious for years that it would ever work on me. They are magic clothes that stretch and can work on different body shapes – plus don’t need ironing – whats not to love??

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Hi Alison, I LOVE all your rules. And yes, Metalicus can work, it’s about choosing the best pieces and layering to suit.

http://bunbunmakeuptips.com Bun Bun Makeup Tips

I must learn from the ‘Shop from your own wardrobe’ and ‘Only buy clothes that make you feel fabulous’. Sometimes we buy clothes just because they’re on sale, then we bring it home with double the guilt from it not fitting well and spending money on something that we’d probably not wear ever.

I must sleep early too!

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki @ Styling You

So true, it’s the biggest mistake we all make. Shop mindfully and go for that fabulous feeling in the change room and you’ll never waste $ on clothes again x

http://floridagirlinoklahoma.blogspot.com Rhonda

I love your style mantra. That’s mine basically, although I have been too lax in sleeping with make up on. And going to bed early.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Have a pack of face wipes and your moisturiser by your bed can help you break the habit of not removing your makeup at night, Rhonda … best to do a proper cleanse but this is better than nothing at all x

Rachkln

Fabulous. It has been printed out and put on my fridge. I’m just going to add something about not ignoring health niggles and get them checked! I’ve just had a very young friend diagnosed with breast cancer. I promise to not neglect myself this year. I have 4 beautiful children who need a happy, healthy mummy. Rachelx

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Oh, wow … thanks that’s fantastic! And yes, that’s a very good thing to do. I had the full check-over late last year. Very sensible and we owe it to our kids. I’m really sorry about your friend. I hope her treatment goes as well as possible. x

Emilia

Such a cool infographic! I am so making one with my to-remember list for 2012!

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Thanks – It’s so easy to do too!

http://www.greenteantoast.blogspot.com Anna @ greenteantoast

I think I need to take a few of these points to get me out of my current post baby rut. Still in that annoying phase where clothes either don’t fit or aren’t suitable for feeding. That or I’ve just gone off them all because they’re soooo last year

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

I’d take the “so last year” option and re-think a new you wardrobe, Anna … I found my style changed/was tweaked about after each of my kids … and that’s ok!

http://www.beautyholicsanonymous.com Tine @ Beautyholics Anonymous

I absolutely love your style mantra, Nikki! I’m printing it out and sticking it on my inspiration board

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Oh Tine … thanks so much, that’s such a lovely thing to say and do x

Reannon Hope

I love this Nikki! I’ve never thought of having a style mantra… I love the ” honor all your wardrobe personalities “. I sometimes feel like I’m betraying my style when I do something different lol

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Never think that … we all have different wardrobe personalities to suit our moods, the occasion, who we’re hanging out with … I think that’s just being a woman!!

http://www.littlenotebooksg.com Miss Little Notebook

Hi Nikki,
Love love love your mantra for 2012! I have to keep reminding myself that I MUST take care of myself if I want to do a good job at taking care of my family. If I fall apart, then so will everything else.
My mantra for this year is simple, “Be Awesome Today” and that applies to every part of my life – including my sweaty Singapore style (must remember to wear more dresses!).
Sarah x

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

I love the Be Awesome Today mantra – should be written in lipstick on our bathroom mirrors!

http://www.tallpoppyproject.com Kylie

Hi Nikki,
My life mantra this year includes
connection to me, my loved ones and my community + joyful movement +
simple clean food + daily meditation + following my own advice + standing tall being happily and wholely ME!
designing my very own delicious version of life as we speak.
Happy days!
Kylie x

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Ooh, I LOVE Kylie x

http://Www.skinnyflatwhite.com.au Paula

I have some similar ones to you – massages and facials, scheduled so they do happen as I always put these off as I run out of time. This year I will make time.

And style-wise I kicked things off this week by buying/ splurging on some new sunglasses this week that ROCK – this year is about paring back to simple, good quality style.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Oh, I love that Paula … simple, good quality style … never goes out of fashion x

http://www.lashesandlattes.com Rosemary

I really love ALL of these! Such great mantras, each and every one. Especially the one about honouring all your wardrobe personalities! I’m ashamed to say there are some that I neglect. Big fan of this Nikki. Really awesome resolution.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

I do too … that’s why I wrote all these down … something to always keep working on. Especially putting yourself first x

Pingback: My summer humidity beauty essentials | justb.
http://www.paperbagmarketing.com.au Lorna

I’m trying to keep the weight off that I lost last year and look after my skin, which is like a pubescent teenagers just now! Love the BB cream you had mentioned, it works wonders!

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Oh Lorna, that’s great to hear!

http://www.mdkaos.blogspot.com Mummaducka

I just Looove Tagxedo, I teach it to the kids at school and they loove it too. My style mantra may just be to continue as is except to get out of my PJs on weekends.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Except on the weekends where it’s cold and rainy? They’re compulsory pyjama days!

http://ironmumkarla.blogspot.com Karla (Ironmum Karla)

Nice one Nikki, one that I started last year was ‘will get out of sweaty exercise gear straight away’!! So far so good. Oh and I threw out all my daggy go to clothes so it forced me to wear the clothes that were always ‘too good’ x

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

That is a great one! Although is a great trick if having a busy day.

http://www.themummyautobiography.com Miss Pink

I love this!
Kerri

Nikki can you recommend a makeup person on the sunny coast to see…..one that will give me good product advice not just sell their own??

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Hi Kerri … yes, I can:
http://www.pruedwards.com.au/
http://www.kyliejane.com/
I’ve had makeup done by both and and highly recommend them.

http://vicky-lifeonthehill.blogspot.com Vicky

The thing I love about your mantra is the YOU statements. Its all about honouring yourself. Us girls – especially us mummy girls – have a tendency to put ourselves last, to our own detriment.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Exactly, Vicky … it is about putting us higher up the list. Once you start doing that consistently the rest will happen! Except when it’s hot and sticky like right now!!

http://vicky-lifeonthehill.blogspot.com Vicky

It is rather icky at the moment. I just keep reminding myself that at least its not raining and flooding…

Think that the gorgeous weather over Christmas lulled us into forgetting that QLD is the capital of humidity!

on a side note – when is the weekend away being drawn? or have I missed it!

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

I know! And I’m completing the judging of the comp today, Vicki … stay tuned.

http://www.redcliffestyle.com Rachel from Redcliffe Style

Well put, these are all great. I recently had a makeup lesson from a professional, it was fantastic. Thanks for sharing. Rachel xx

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

How good is it? And makes you more efficient with what you buy and how you apply it too1

http://www.redcliffestyle.com Rachel from Redcliffe Style

It made me want to buy more, more, more. I needed everything this wonderful artist used to turn me from plain to glam. I realised brushes are better than fingers and primers are a must. I didn’t even know eye primers existed, then I was on a mission to find a perfect one. I get a little obsessive sometimes.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Ah, yes initially there is a bigger outlay but once you’ve got those basics in place, it’s easy. And yes, brushes and primers are SO the go (you’ll actually buy less foundation etc in the long run).

http://www.tammilborn.com Tam

Love this! After being pregnant and breastfeeding for the past 18 months or so, I’m declaring this year the year of the dress!

And I’m with you on the scarf thing – I’m slowly building my collection.

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Oh, I love that “The Year of the Dress” … go for it!

http://3pickles.blogspot.com Marnie

I haven’t got anything to add, sorry…I think you covered it beautifully!
The “take your make-up off before bed” is a challenge for me….I’ve really let this slip in 2011…and my skin is paying for it.
Such a great idea to get a make-up lesson from a pro…. a very sound “investment in yourself”
xx Marnie

http://www.stylingyou.com.au Nikki Parkinson

Marnie … I can suggest face wipes as the easiest way to help you get into a night-time routine. Not necessarily for every night but for those nights you just can’t be bothered! And yes I’ve had three makeup lessons over the years … really wish I’d had them at 19!