If you buy one thing from the new Mr P Denim Collection

Make it these black overalls. I picked them up earlier this week and couldn't love them more. They're a slimming, skinny fit and I am going to live in them. I can't wait to take them along to our American road trip in two weeks - but I am also going to wear holes in them over the coming winter.

Since our winters aren't too severe, you can pair these with ballet pumps, smoking slippers and skate shoes or even ankle boots and heels. A simple white, chambray or striped shirt or top will tie your look together - its so effortless. I also love the way a leather biker jacket looks over these and a white shirt.
If they're good enough for Olivia Palermo and Blair of Atlantic Pacific, they're certainly good enough for me. Need some styling inspiration? I've sourced a few images from my favourite style mavens below.

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Current obsession

If you haven't made time to go an peek into the Missibaba and Kirsten Goss space on Bree street, you really should. And carve out plenty of time because you'll want to stare and linger over every single piece - Missibaba handbags are not just handbags, they're wearable art and I want them all.

Drugstore Beauty

Expensive doesn't always mean good, and cheap doesn't always mean bad. There are some phenomenal drugstore beauty products that have become cult favourites and feature in almost every beauty blogger and editors top shelf. I love trawling the aisles at Clicks for something new while stocking up on my favourites.

Speaking of our favourite budget beauty store, we all have had a Clicks card since varsity, am I right? And we have all collected our quarterly vouchers in our wallets until they are so crumbled they barely manage to scan when you finally use them on a roll of wrapping paper and a TV Bar.

Well they’ve finally joined us in the age of technology and your vouchers are now loaded onto your card and you can see your balance of points at the bottom of each till slip. Since the switch I have been really impressed with how well the staff know the new system. Every time they have offered to tell me my balance and asked if I’d like to pay a portion of my total with my points. Its that easy.

So seeing as we never go into Clicks for just that one item we came in for, I’ve put together some of my favorite drugstore beauty buys, all of which can be found at good ‘ol Clicks.

The Body Shop smudge brush - perfect for blending, smudging and getting a perfect finish.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution - if you don't already have this in your artillery for makeup removal there is something wrong with you.

Essence finds that I am loving - their concealer kit, brow kit and this beautiful highlighter. I keep these in my handbag or at my desk for touch-ups before heading out for post-office drinks.

Dirty Works Miracle Cream - a budget night cream that I have been very impressed with. 

Brand new on our shelves, Eu Thermale Avéne thermal spring water - spritz on before you apply your makeup and throughout the day to keep your skin happy and glowing.

Labello Fruity shine in watermelon - yum!

Pantene's Moisture Renewal range - which I love for my bleached locks. Pantene launched their Pro-v technology across their ranges, which neutralises the effects of the water we use to wash and rinse our hair. High salt, mineral and chemical contents in our tap water can actually dry out your hair, so this helps make sure you get the best results from your product. 

Enjoy spending those club card vouchers. See you at Clicks for yet another beauty spree!

Contouring for dummies

A little while back I got to attend a rather lush event thrown by Elizabeth Arden so they could show off their amazing new foundation. What we didn’t expect was to be told to arrive with no make-up on – a bloggers worst nightmare come true. But being a goody two-shoes, I did what I was told and arrived bare faced.

We then had our skin tone checked by an incredible little gadget, which then churned out the details of the EXACT shade of foundation we should be wearing, and were matched up with a bottle of it straight away.

We then sat down at a table brimming with makeup while the incomparable Gina Myers (celebrity makeup artist in case you live under a rock) taught us how to contour. This has been a technique I have actively avoided trying, fearing it is best left to a Kardashian sister, and even they don’t always get it right and look like a bad painting. So it was my lucky day and we got a live demo and lesson. I learnt that with the right tools, it is actually pretty easy.

So while some might have you buying into chubby sticks, powders and creams – I would suggest using what we did at the event. I found it much easier. Westarted with a layer of foundation, and combined it with two shades of Elizabeth Arden’s miracle product, the Flawless Finish Highlighting and Correcting Perfector pen (which I’ve raved about here and got stones thrown at me because I said its better that YSL Touche Eclat - which it is. *ducks under desk*).

You need two of these - one pen in two shades lighter, and one in two shades darker. For me this was shade Number 2 and Number 5. The reason I loved learning with these is they have a small, fine brush so using small amounts, and dotting if need be, was easy – and I needed my intro to contouring to be easy. I also prefer the light, foundation-like formula which made it easy to blend. This I learned, was key. You spend more time blending than applying.

I’ve got a few photos of during and after our session, and you can clearly see the difference contouring makes in defining your cheek bones and shrinking your snorkel. I also found it quite helpful to search online for where to place highlighter, shadow and blush for difference face shapes, to make sure I'm making my features work. I found loads of videos and images that were so helpful. It looks way harder than it is, and you just need to remember to blend dark into light, and to blend, blend, blend. Then blend some more.

Below is a cheat sheet from genius beauty blogger Cara of Maskcara - its the guide I found most helpful to use when practicing my new skills. Elizabeth Arden products can be found in Woolies, Foschini and Edgars, so next time you're out shopping, ask one of their staff to help you in trying out your own unique mix of foundation and contouring and highlighting pens. You won't look back.

Save the Date

Its almost my favourite event of the year. Save the date and start hunting for that perfect dress because on Saturday, 30 May, 5 for Change will host its Fourth Annual Black Tie Charity Gala at the iconic Cape Town City Hall, bringing together over 500 of South Africa’s most influential professionals and business people for a spectacular evening dedicated to making a difference in one of Africa's leading cities.

What is 5 For Change you ask? Its a non-profit platform dedicated to promoting organisations which are changing the way we give back. The event was founded in 2012 by three young professionals who were inspired by the examples of black tie galas promoting social transformation abroad and who believed that Cape Town deserved its own black tie event.

Each year 5 For Change selects and showcases 5 social enterprises which are making a difference in the lives of others in unique and innovative ways, and this year's selected beneficiaries are no exception. Click on the links below to find out more about each one.

Beyond Expectation Environmental Project  http://beep.org.za
Generation Ubuntu http:://www.genubuntu.org
MyOwnCup http://www.myowncup.co.za
Read to Rise http://www.readtorise.co.za
Trade-Mark http://www.trade-mark.co.za

To book tickets, donate or for further information please visit the 5 For Change website at www.5forchange.co.za, or email info@5forchange.co.za. 

Now for some ground rules before you start planning that outfit:

 The event is black tie. Not a cocktail party. The hosts have gone to great lengths to ensure a fabulous and classy evening, so your hoochie skirt won't do (and no work suits for the boys either). 

A black tux and long length evening gowns are the proper attire for this kind of event and you're being rude and spoiling the fun if you arrive dressed for a garden brunch. 

While floor length gowns are best, cocktail dresses are acceptable in darker hues such as black, jewel tones or metallics - it is 2015 after all. Again, keep the length classy. If you have to hold it down to dance, you belong at a club, not at a black tie event.

Be bold and embrace fashion. The boys don't have to limit themselves to a black tuxedo. Look to your favourite celebrities at awards ceremonies for inspiration. Even the boys can mix it up if they're feeling brave enough. Just look at Ryan Reynolds below.

Lastly, enjoy it. How often do you really get to dress up like this? Cape Town is so casual most of the time, we never take off our Havaianas. So get glamorous, and have fun and indulge in one night of black tie glitz and glam.

Photos: WENN

Eye Style

It was that time of year for the good 'ol annual eye test. I use Mellins in Canal Walk thanks to discovering them last year. They're conveniently situated right near Mugg & Bean on the bottom floor, so you have no excuse not get sort your peepers out. Let me show you around the place...

You have a myriad of designer frames to choose from - from Calvin Klein, Diesel, Lacoste and Silhouette to name a few. I could spend hours trying them on - they've come a long way since the boring black and brown frames you wore at high school. I went for a very striking blue and turquoise pair - which I'll show you when I pick them up next week.

 Mellins was one of the first to adopt new technology in the field and they use a rather fancy robot-looking machine called the i-Profiler to diagnose. This machine delivers a diagnosis 4 times more accurate than anything else existing in optometry right now, so its the real deal. I simply had to stare at a pretty picture of a hot air balloon for a few minutes and then we were done and diagnosed! (The only room for improvement would be to change the picture to a shirtless Adam Levine)

 After that we moved inside and on to a more traditional device that helps you get the right lenses picked out, and then you're done. In under 20 minutes I went from blind as a bat to seeing in HD. The Ziess i-Scription technology digitally measures 2500 points on the eye and effectively takes a fingerprint - so your diagnosis and lenses are entirely unique to you. They even take it a step further and can engrave your initials on your lenses for that personal touch!
The Zeiss lenses are made to order in Germany and while that might sound like you'll only get them next year, they actually get them done in under two weeks.

 There was an extra incentive to get my eyes tested this year, and that was the opportunity to get involved in their new campaign, which, should I win, my chosen charity will win R100 000. All the details on the competition are over HERE. I'll do just about anything to help animals in need. Even post pictures of me with alien goggles on that will haunt your nightmares....see below.

Three voting Fan’s also stand a chance of winning fantastic prizes which include: A pair of prescription frames with Zeiss i.Scription lenses up to the value of R10, 000 OR a pair of luxury sunglasses to the value of R5 000 should they not need prescription lenses. 

Get your eyes tested. Go and vote. Do it for the puppies.

Splurge vs Steal

Today we're earning some serious street style cred and talking about wedged work boots. Every celeb has been spotted in a variation of Timberland boots every single winter, from Jessica Alba, to J.Lo and even the Kardashians (not a fan, but they know their street style).

I love Timberland boots. I love the colour, the chunky heel, the leather ankle detail and the signature laces. But I am also really, really short. Therefore chunky boots like these or Doc Martens don't work for me, and they cut my legs short and make me look bulky. The stiletto and wedge versions of this cult classic are my only options. While I adore the stiletto version, its not really practical for my lifestyle and all the running around I do. So I'm sticking with comfort here.

Getting hold of a pair of Timberland wedges will set you back about R2000. Instead, snap up a pair from local brand, Bronx, for R629 in the original colour, or a gorgeous light grey. Instant style points at a fraction of the cost. Paired with skinny jeans, a comfy knit and a fur gilet = cosy, comfy winter style. Or black leggings, white t-shirt and chambray shirt for a casual day out. I've even added some outfit inspiration below.

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Must love dogs

I've been lucky enough to be named an ambassador for Moscon Optics and Mellins i-Style Optometrists. They have an amazing new Zeiss inscription promotion running where the charity of my choice could win R100 000 if I win. 
The charity I've chosen is the amazing Raise 'n Rescue who rescue and re-home dogs and cats from impoverished areas. They do such great work and they could really use the funds to assist with the amazing work that they do. So please go vote for me, and hopefully we can get these funds to those adorable balls of fluff that so badly need it.

I hate spamming you, but I can't say no to such a good cause and one so close to my heart. 

TO VOTE: Like their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/mellinsistyle?fref=photo and then go vote over here: http://www.mellins.co.za and scroll down until you see my dorky face looking back at you and click vote!

Thank you thank you thank you thank you!

Insta Life

 The past few weeks have been so much fun. I've been a lucky enough ducky to attend some amazing Autumn/Winter launches - from Spree, Bronx shoes, Luisa Spagnioli to one of my all time favourite makeup brands, Elizabeth Arden. I don't even know where to begin in telling you guys all about it - but one thing is for sure, it is going to be our most stylish season yet. The stuff at Spree alone....my heart...be still. And Bronx brought the street style, as always. Eyeing out some wedge work boots that I've spotted on the fabulous J. Lo a few times.

At Elizabeth Arden, I finally learnt how to contour. I could just open mouth smooch Alice, Gina and Lucoh and the rest of the team at Elizabeth Arden. I've watched a few tutorials but it helped so much having a live demo.
The new products are phenomenal. Loved the Flawless Finish Perfectly Satin foundation (EA seem to love a mouthful when it comes to product names) and the 8 new lipstick shades that just launched. Particularly the Raspberry. I've been wearing both every day since the launch and I am loving my new makeup skills.

On the personal side, it has been a great few weeks too. Mum and I went to see Michael Buble, who never disappoints. I've seen him three times now and what can I say, I am as obsessed as ever. The man puts on a great show, and his opening act, Naturally Seven, is the most incredible a cappella act I've ever seen. (Find them on Youtube, you'll love it)

Dave and I celebrated three wonderful years together. For our anniversary we got up early, packed a breakfast picnic and went cycling along the promenade and then into the park. It was the perfect start to the day and something I want to do more often. Bike rental is incredibly cheap at R50 for an hour, and R80 for two hours.
For dinner Dave and I got dressed up and went out for a fabulous dinner at Carne on Keerom Street. We've wanted to try it out for ages and it was fantastic.

We also celebrated finalising our trip to America. We've got a week in Chicago, followed by a few days road-tripping down to Washington DC, finishing off with a few days in NYC. I am bursting with excitement and can barely concentrate on much else. If you've been before, please tell me where to eat and what to do. I am so excited to shop as well. Oh who am I kidding, its hardly an afterthought, that is priority number one! 

Please give me your travel tips in the comments section. xx