After all, what we wear not only surrounds and protects us, it enhances our features and expresses our personality.

I have to admit though, getting dressed for the day can become confusing and burdensome especially when one minute you are at a netball game or trudging around a hilly golf course, and the next at a dinner with your girlfriends in a gorgeous Sydney restaurant …

The change of season also throws me and I find a closet clean-out clears the decks for the new season and breathes fresh air into my wardrobe, allowing space for some new and necessary pieces.

Cue Sydney personal shopper and stylist extraordinaire, FiFi!

The time and money saved by hiring a stylist at least once a year is invaluable to me and this is why…

– They help cull your wardrobe of clothes which no longer serve you (pass these on to friends, family and/or charity).
 
– They are experts in optimising and transforming what already exists in your wardrobe. 

– They make an inventory of items you need to buy which makes getting dressed each day effortless, allowing you to get the most out of your wardrobe, and they know exactly where to get them from no matter what budget.
 
– They save money on new purchases and wrong purchases which never see the light of day #guilty #guilty #guilty
 
– They save you the the agony of looking through racks of clothes when you have kids to pick up from school in an hour! 
 
– They help you feel confident every time you step out the door.

– They give back time in your day because getting dressed each morning and looking chic becomes quick and effortless.

Our shopping session consisted of FiFi finding all the missing pieces to make getting ready for any occasion, effortless.

According to FiFi I’m ready and set for at least the next 7-8 Winters with the perfect pieces she found for me.

The whole experience was such a pleasure with FiFi doing the research and pounding the pavement first, then organising all the clothes for me in the dressing rooms of the different stores to try on.

Now I couldn’t be happier or more excited to get dressed each day.

Quite the ultimate act of self-care, because I’m totallyworth it ❤

A personal style session with FiFi would make a fab Mother’s Day gift don’t you think?

So below I am sharing three, 3 in 1 looks FiFi styled together for me, to showcase the versatility of some new and specific items I invested in. Look out for FiFi’s style tips below.

3 Ways with Black Leather Leggings

FiFi Style Tip: Black leather leggings add an edge for your look but are still a classic versatile black piece. For casual day time in the week toss on a big slouchy sweater white sneakers and an easy bucket bag. For wintery weekends it’s about wearing these leggings with a big parka, a simple knit, white sneakers and a tote. For evening add heels, a chic sophisticated wrap shirt plus grab a clutch ! Done !

3 Ways with Dark Denim Flares

FiFi Style Tip: A great new addition to your wardrobe are these dark denim high waist flares from Country Road, they are just so versatile. Not as casual as jeans but not boring black pants. They fill a gap in your wardrobe. For casual day time wear with a long brown cardigan, crisp white tee and sneakers. Add a tan bag to tie it in all and tone together. For a more dressed up day time look or a casual dinner toss over a check blazer with the tee and grab a small chic bag. For evening these jeans look fabulous with a simple black top, heels and a clutch. Add earrings.

3 Ways with Animal Print Dress

FiFi Style Tip: A long covered up dress is a a great piece for winter. It will take you from day to evening. It should have long sleeves, and go for a longer length. It should be over the knee. for a sophisticated day look try with long boots and a leather jacket. For casual weekends toss over a sweater and add boots and a big tote bag. For lunch or dinner add gold sandals and a chic designer bag.

Can’t really hide it, but I’m as happy as a pig in mud!

So tell me, what do you think of these looks? Do you have a fave?

Follow FiFi on instagram where she shares so many of her fab finds from luxe to less, and also keep an eye on my instagram too. FiFi and I discussed the possibility of doing a regular, fun Friday Fashion post series with looks for the different occasions I’ve got coming up …! 

Bren x

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Dijanna from Wardrobe 101 was sent on a journey to unlock some of the dark secrets of my wardrobe with the only half tongue-in-cheek warning that there might be more work in there than she bargained for. It was as much a search-and-destroy mission as it was a mercy dash to search-and-accessorise! It’s not that bad, really, but many of my clothes had ceased being an inspiration, and that needed to change. Or the clothes had to! The equation was pretty clear.

Sure enough, when I returned not five minutes later, it was to a heap of clothes that resembled the detritus of the fashion world and the early stages of a bonfire much more than it did a well-maintained treasure. So I guess I didn’t disappoint her .. or maybe I did!

In any case, after explaining why these clothes were headed to the great clothes rack in the sky (which you can see in the video), she softened the blow with some kind words for a cropped black jacket which had survived the cull due to its versatility. Dijanna showed me three easy and gorgeous ways to style it that will see me off to a casual lunch with girlfriends, a more formal meeting with a corporate client, or a movie opening at the Verona.

You can check the outfits out below, but in the meantime, see what was ditched and why.

While Dijanna was working her magic, I had snuck into the kitchen to whizz her up Quirky Cooking’s ‘My Favourite Green Smoothie’. It’s actually my second favourite smoothie, beaten to the no.1 ranking by the Coconut Chai Green Smoothie from her new cookbook (which is one of the prizes in this big giveaway!). It’s a great breakfast option for Dijanna and her family (and quick!), and I’m hoping she will add it into her growing repetoire of nourishing, yet snappy family meals.

Here’s how to make this delicious green smoothie…

GIVEAWAY (This giveaway is closed and winner has been contacted)

I’ve decided to run a fantastic giveaway which includes five amazing prizes valued at over $400!!! Entry details below.

Food versus fashion giveaway includes:

<1 x Wardrobe 101 sustainable eco-friendly T-shirt, making it easier to make smart fashion choices without compromising the planet. It is 100% organic. Value $145.

1 x Chasing Issy one off necklace. Value $120.

1 x Quirky Cooking cookbook that contains over 130 healthy, mouth-watering recipes catering to a broad spectrum of specialist diets. Value $50.

1 x case of Natural Raw C coconut water. Low in sugar and super delish. Value $40

1 x copy of Wardrobe 101, a go-to manual to create your perfect core wardrobe.  Value $34.95

3 simple steps to enter for your chance to win all these prizes:

Firstly like the Facebook pages of:

Wardrobe 101
Chasing Issy
Quirky Cooking
Natural Raw C 
Brenda Janschek Health and Lifestyle

And then sign up to my free newsletter here.

Finally, leave a comment in this blog telling me which cropped jacket outfit  is your favourite (1, 2 or 3) and why.

Terms and conditions:

* This giveaway runs until midnight, 6th of August 2014.
* The winner will be chosen randomly.
* This competition is open to Australian residents only.
* The winner will be announced by email.

Best of luck everyone!

Bren x

PS: Did anyone notice I’m wearing the same shoes and bag in each picture. She’s a clever gal that Dijanna!