Super Secret Styling Mission - September..

For the Style Seeking Girl is pleased announce a style/fashion/beauty challenge. The Top Secret Styling Mission - I have always been slightly obsessed with thoughts of secret agents or missions -brought on by my love for books, shows and movies about them {real or not}. When thinking of how I could revamp my initial challenge idea - granted that I wanted to do something that would make myself take leaps with my own choices- I decided that creating a mission type scenario would be perfect.

If people can complete the whole month I will be impressed, but I wanted to create something that meant participants can come and go, they can accept and complete a task one day and decide to have a day off if they are too busy the next.

How it works...
There is no official preview of what the month will involve but each night a task is given to the styling agents {this is YOU} for the next day. I will upload a task memo to instagram, twitter, Facebook and the blog with a theme for the next day. I know this is not a lot of time but that's the point. I liked the idea of having limited time to think of what to wear, what to style or which look to flaunt, I love when people THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

What to expect?
To have fun - my passion is fashion and beauty, I love to style outfits and share them with others who enjoy the same. Expect the unexpected - some days may have two aspects to a theme, or involve imitating someone's style, expect to push the boundaries. You will need to think outside the box, I am hoping people won't feel they have to buy something for the Mission ... if you don't have something for a theme... could you dress the opposite? Or maybe that's the task day you will have off.

Who's involved?
A growing number of instagram fashionistas - head there to see the majority of the action!
Everyone involved becomes what I like to call a 'Styling Agent' {every week I will pick a "Super Special Styling Agent", someone who has blown me away with their Mission completions!}

How do you share and make sure For the Style Seeking Girl sees your pics?
Upload to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or comment with a link to your picture.

If you share on any mediums where hashtags are used, tag #forthestyleseekinggirl
Tag @saregiak on Instagram or @sarahgiak / @styleseekgirl on twitter
for Facebook share on the For the Style Seeking Girl Facebook Page

The Brief:

 The theme doesn't have to take over your whole outfit if you do not want it to- maybe you could incorporate it in a small way... to be considered as completed you just need to have some aspect of your look influenced by the prompt. Upload a photo each day and tag as in the brief as well as in the 'how to share' section.

Do I have to complete each day?
Not at all. Bonus points if you do! But just have fun and choose the tasks you wish to complete. I encourage you to attempt the ones that push you to be a bit more creative - they are fun and exciting!

Can I catch up if I want to?
Of course! I know what it is like to be busy... please do catch up if you have missed a day or found out about a task late... I will still consider that completed!

Day One

 Rock a pair of earrings, wear studs that adorn your clothes or accessories... be seen! Make an impact!

Day Two

Wear the colour that makes you happy, the colour you love yourself sick in! Note; this may not be the colour people always comment on you in.. this theme is all about YOU.


Hope you enjoy your mission, until next time...

Kooklah - For the Style Seeking Girl's Styling Mission Headquarters

Xo

 

 

 

March Style Madness...

My new favourite style inspiration is Andrea Zanetich from Fox in Flats (created to serve as fashion and style inspiration during the busy time motherhood) she has such a fun, quirky and individual style.

Whilst I am not a mother, I do find benefit from the site as I juggle the elements of my hectic life. There are new posts, how tos, inspiration and tips. Something I quite enjoy are the style dares. I attempted the hair dare that lasted a week and last month took part in FABruary - a month long style dare that invloves a prompt for each day.
As the month of February came to an end (devastating) I began to wonder what I would do each day without a prompt - I obviously have been dressing myself for many, many years but I was really enjoying looking at a prompt the night before or on the day and styling an outfit within my tastes (or outside of my comfort zones). So far I have not purposely purchased something to complete the day, instead taking Andrea's advice to "shop our wardrobes". Sharing over facebook, twitter and instagram has also opened up this new world of fashion and beauty lovers - great for networking or to indulge your obsessions!

I was not alone in this thought, many Foxy followers felt the same and then came along Style Dare A Day - March ... same concept, new prompts and a different hashtag (#foxinflatsstyledare) to connect via instagram/twitter. Here is the prompt list:

Day three today, I love a good challenge.. looking forward to completing this one! There are so many that I am excited about.. a few that will be totally easy and a couple that I look forward to the challenge (particuarly #14 and #30 which I will need to borrow my cousin for!)

Find me @saregiak on instagram or @SarahGiak on twitter (will be retweeted to our own twitter account @styleseekgirl)... Let me know if you are doing this - and if you are not you should be!! You can catch it up or just start from now.

Remember to add your own flair and interpret the prompt how you want! The more unique and interesting the better!

Fox In Flats Facebook
For the Style Seeking Girl Facebook

Bring on the madness that comes with a style challenge!! Can you feel the excitement??
Kooklah Xx

 

Found! Amazing beauty site & a fantastic philosophy..

It's late at night and I am trawling through beauty sites, heading from one post to the next. I then stumbled across 'Beauty Heaven' - what a name for starters! This site is managed and contributed to by professionals in the beauty industry and has product reviews, how tos and advice, as well as news and other interesting articles.
I am really looking forward to exploring this site more - will definitely be trying there how tos and contributing to reviews of products (you can do this by becoming a member - read more here).

There is something for everyone here, and if I hadn't been clicking on random links leading to new posts I would never have found this amazing piece of advice I just read from Bobbi Brown the founder and creative director behind Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. What captured me was "I've always believed in showing women what's right about them, instead of what's wrong" , such a simple sentiment but so wise! Dress and style yourself to highlight the aspects you love - you will feel amazing and that will show! To read Bobbi's interview with Beauty Heaven click here.

I then headed to Bobbi's Australian webpage and found this philosophy echoed in the opening lines of her story, "makeup is a way for a woman to look and feel like herself, only prettier and more confident." If you have some time, the story of how she started in the industry in America and formed her company is pretty fascinating (click the link - Bobbi's Story). I had no idea her breakthrough involved an American Vogue cover, Naomi Campbell and selling 100 lipsticks in her first day of retail.

When I was travelling in the USA I picked up a Bobbi Brown eyeliner product and have been waiting for a special occasion to try it out. This weekend I will definitely be doing some makeup trials with it... and if I love it, will expand my collection of products.

Have you recently been inspired by someone's story or philosophy?

Kooklah Xx

Style ME inspired...

Five shots that are inspiring my sense of style this week....


Metallic eye looks with long, lush eyelashes

Simple messy, woven hairdo and winged eyeliner

Bright accessories to add emphasis to an outfit

Slightly structured, messy hair

Zoro-B in Black from Betts


What is inspiring your style currently? All of mine are somewhat edgy with a hint of structure and brights! Kooklah Xx

Anticipation for Beauty..

As anyone who knows me or reads my blogs would know, one of my favourite celebrities is Lauren Conrad. She is one of my icons- for style, beauty and etiquette. Very classy.

I have a hardcopy of 'Style', Lauren's first book on tips, tricks, hits and misses, it is a great guide to sorting out what your own individual style is as well as providing fantastic ideas to try. I am eagerly awaiting the release of another guide called 'Beauty' (see below for the cover). Anyone who watched 'The Hills' will be greatly anticipating 'Beauty' as well- the winged tip eyeliner, perfect (and SENSATIONAL) waved hair, red lips, smooth skin, defined eyebrows and updos for nights out.

Lauren has also stated that she will be including her less then fine moments, which I think is really commendable, it means that she recognises that style and beauty are constantly changing, you learn and grow with your individual tastes and learn from mistakes. I know I definitely have made many, but they have enabled me to improve.. mostly it is just looking back that you notice it-looking at photos and cringing. Below are a few style or beauty misses I have been guilty of over the years:

*  Blue eyeshadow- not in a blended, coloured smokey eye way but in year 8 I LOVED wearing bright blue eyeshadow, with everything. I thought I rocked it... at the time.
*  Just below the knee ugg-boots.. Yep I grew up (in high school), with that trend. Me and my best friend had a matching latte coloured pair with fur/wool at the top of the boot and shoelaces that tied up the side of the boot. Oh dear.
*  Overaccessorising- when I was younger it was multiple bracelets, a necklace, earrings.. Coco Chanel was right, less is more. Or using a eye-catching statement piece that is bold and requires no other
* Tights as pants. Now (unless I am in the comfort of my own home), I use tights paired with dresses, oversized shirts/jumpers where the garment come to atleast mid thigh.

I do not regret any of these as they have all gotten me to the style I have now, I'm not saying it is perfect but I am definitely better at putting together an outfit and often get friends asking for advice or assistance.

I cannot wait to add this book to my collection of style, beauty and fashion guides, lookbooks and how-tos. I use them to learn more about these areas, dicover new tricks or perfect a skill. Coming up in a couple of posts time I am going to be talking about Nina Garcia, currently working at Marie Claire in America as 'Fashion Director', who has some fabulous style tips-which she has released four books about!

Do you have a fashion guide/book/guru who inspires your style and/or the way you achieve it? If so, who and why?

Kooklah Xx

Hint of Glamour- #1

Anyone who knows me knows that I love anything with a hint of glamour. Could be some embellishment, perfectly styled hair, amazing accessories or a take notice outfit.

I was looking through pictures of my favourite outfits for the year so far, and I came across this pic of Australian actress Kate Ritchie, wearing this gorgeous navy-sequined floor length gown from Steven Khalil. This dress showcases absolute glamour whilst highlighting curves and the power of some sparkle!

Would love to hear your thoughts, do you like the dress? I think it is stunning, a breathtaking piece. Perfectly paired with sparkly but understated accessories (see the dulled-embellished clutch and the silver accessories) and simple yet feminine makeup and hair. The dress is able to 'speak' for itself.

Kooklah Xx

Three Essential Make-up Items Kept Close

Like most girls, I always have a few items left in my handbag "just in case". Often they are anything from moisturiser, facial wipes, eyeshadow, clear or glitter nail polish, nail file, eyeliner and foundation.

Whilst looking at a post on Lauren Conrad's website about the three items she makes sure are always in her handbag, I was inspired to think about what mine would be. The three items I would pick as three essential items to keep close (particularly for quick fix-ups, mini makeovers or in situations where you get a last minute invite and need a major touch-up) are concealor, lipgloss and mascara. Below I have included a reason why these are my picks and how they can be used as substitutes for other make-up items.

*Concealor- For blemishes, dark circles if I am in a rush in the morning or need a touch up. But as the concealor I keep in my bag is a stick, if spread thin it can also be used as a back up to foundation.

*Lipgloss- I prefer light or hot pink. Keeps lips smooth and shiny- you never know who is falling in love with your smile! Also if pressed it can be used as a gel blush to add colour over cheeks, put over concealor on eyelids or lips for a matte effect creating an eyeshadow gel (looks especially good if the gloss is shiny or has flecks of glitter).

*Mascara- Essential for 'awake' eyes and to make sure my long eyelashes are nice and curled. Also, if I don't have my trusty eyebrow brush (which is one of my favourite beauty items) a mascara wand makes a good back up.

Happy Styling,
Kooklah Xx

(Please click to view Lauren's article, beauty-essentials)