Real-girl words to style by: The Styling You Manifesto

When I first started writing about fashion and beauty about 14 years ago, I was winging it.

Not winging it so much in what I wrote but in the advice I was dishing out but missing the mark on myself.

I’ll let you in on a little secret.

Yes, I’ve always been obsessed by all things clothes and makeup and skincare but I really didn’t have a clue about style and how to maybe get some of it happening in my life.

Clueless, I tell you.

I’d been in that many ruts over the years that my wardrobe was starting to resemble a dirt road in desperate need of some love from a grader.

But then a funny thing happened. Writing about my obsession became akin to driving a grader over the ruts in my wardrobe.

I learned a trick or two from clever experts and took strategic mental notes from the stylish girlfriends in my life.

I have to say, though, it was when I finally left journalism to follow a dream to style real women instead of models that that learning curve took on the proportions of a very steep rise.

In 3.5 years I worked with more than 200 women of all shapes, sizes and ages.

Women who let me into their wardrobe or humoured me as I threw clothes at them in the change rooms of boutiques, chain stores and department stores.

These women taught me to trust the knowledge I’d accidentally amassed in pursuit of escaping my own style rut history.

And many of the mantras I shared with these women, I’ve shared here on the blog over the past 4.5 years.

So, today, in the spirit of the Christmas season, I’d like to share these mantras with you in one place  … drum roll, please.

Presenting … the first Styling You Manifesto.

A manifesto that represents the core messages that help me get my style on – and keep it on most days. I hope they help you too.

I’ve been working with the uber-talented Kelly Exeter from Swish Design and The Smile Collective.

Kelly has not only given Styling You a sassy new logo but she’s captured the essence of my words in a manifesto design that I hope you’ll love and share with the women in your life.

How to make the manifesto your own

1. My Christmas gift to you:  Click here for a FREE printable pdf download.

2. Something a little more swish and stylish {puns very much intended}: Purchase an 8×10 print, A3 print or beautiful canvas print through the Smile Collective.

But … I know you want more

I got to chatting with Cameron Parker, the clever cookie behind The Dairy.

I’d already bought a phone case {hello lovely Keren Brown pineapples to match my cushion} and asked about the custom design option The Dairy offered. Turns out it was too easy and next thing you know there are not one but three Styling You phone covers now for sale through the site.

I picked out my three most repeated mantras from the manifesto, Kelly wove her design magic and now you can carry them around with you as a reminder to keep away from those ruts in your style road.

3. Let your phone do the talking: Shop the Styling You phone case collection here.

Oh, and of course, “selfies” are very much encouraged.

Tell me …

Which of the mantras in the Styling You Manifesto most resonates with you?

Which gives you the biggest kick up the style bum to take a little rut-escaping action?