Valentine's Day perfection

Valentine's Day perfection by fashionzenstyle featuring heart jewelry

Loving A-line skirts teemed up with lace sandals for a perfect spring look.

Loving A-line skirts teemed up with lace sandals for a perfect spring look. by fashionzenstyle featuring a button bracelet

Top 10 Trends for Spring

I always get excited about a new fashion season. I get energize by clearing out my wardrobe and making room for the trends and pieces that excite me. I'm not a slave to trends but I love new ideas, colours and styles and I am always open to experimenting and trying on new styles. If it fits and suits my body shape then I will add to cart.

And that is the important point. Make sure it suits your lifestyle, personality and body shape. If you love it, than wear it.

Here are my must have Top 10 trends  for Spring.


1. Slouchy leather  bags

This earthy colour is back, adding warmth to our wardrobes. Slouchy, suede, soft leather; goes with everything. If you can't afford the real deal go for a good faux leather one instead. Oh and did I forget to say Tassels are huge as well? So much fun having one swinging from your bag. A bit Boho, a bit rebellious.

Mimco, Asos

2. Lace up shoes

I am loving this trend. I have a thing for shoes and can't get enough of these beauties.  The lace up trend is so edgy and  sexy. Laces will make any outfit just a little bit sexier and fun and make your legs look HOT. Choose a style to suit and bring on Spring

Sportsgirl flat and Windsor Smith Heel

3.Earthy Colours

This spring has seen the emergence of earthy neutral colours such as Terracotta, Moss, Stone  and Camel. 

Choose a colour that suits your skin tone to give you that luscious summer glow. I can't do Moss or dark green but love Stone and Terracotta. Team with white plus some  fun sandals and enjoy that golden glow

Veronika Maine dress, Bardot dress

 4. Culottes

Culottes are having a moment and they are this seasons must have pants. These crop wide pants look best with a pair of heels to give you height. Make sure the panels are flat around the waist to give you a streamline look up top without adding bulk. Tall girls look fabulous in them and can get away with wearing flats. Keep the upper half of your body simple to balance out the volume  below

Boohoo.com, Target 

5. Monochrome Stripes

Stripes always look so fresh and smart. Choose ones that suit your figure. Avoid big horizontal stripes across your bust or hip line if you are a larger girl. Think diagonal or vertical stripes for a flattering silhouette.

Veronika Maine, Boohoo.com,

6. Matching Sets

Once upon a time, matching sets where relegated to grandma's wardrobe. Not anymore. The new sets are fresh, fun and have bold prints. Choose a style that suits you, either covering up or showing a bit of mid-rift. This style is so elegant and screams "I'm sorted"

Veronika Maine, Asos


7. A-Line skirts

The 70's revival has bought back the A-Line skirt in fabulous earthy tones and prints. This skirt is super flattering hiding all lumps and bumps but creating a sleek look. Teem with a soft white linen blouse for that sweet spring feel.

Asos skirts

8. Boho Chic

Folk-inspired 70's dresses with their beautiful patterns and softness are a must have especially in the tropics. Teemed with a slouchy hat, flat sandals and leather  bag and you will be feeling cool and relaxed under the sun.

Target shift dress, Forever 21 maxi 

9. The new Neutrals

The nude heel has stepped away from its prim sister, The pump a la Kate Middleton and emerged as the fun it girl you want to hang around with this Spring. Think lace, straps and  cutouts. This neutral heel will go with absolutely anything in your wardrobe and put a spring into your step!

Spendless Shoes, Windsor Smith shoes

10.Safari Chic

The new safari look is casual,relaxed and brings images of tropical lazy days sipping cocktails near the pool. Go for either the earthy colours  or stick to the freshness of white. Add your lace up heels or sandals and you are good to go. Gin and Tonic anyone?

My 6 Special Pieces

Here is the story of each outfit  I chose to wear for the August edition of  Duo Magazine and how I felt they  represented who I am. It took  awhile to choose just 6 out of so many favourites in my wardrobe, I wanted to show different sides of my personality through the choices I made. Each outfit highlights different aspects of who I am as a person. Fashion is a vehicle of expression and creativity and I find I am the blank canvas that I gleefully look forward to creating everyday.
Left to Right

Cue Jumpsuit.

I love jumpsuits even though they are highly impractical when going to the loo. If you are the slightest bit shy about being almost totally naked  in the ladies then forget about wearing one of these.
I love the bold print and colour of this outfit. It appeals to the artist in me. I'm not afraid of wearing colour and standing out in the crowd. I love the wide pants as they are so breezy and cool and the length is very flattering. I love this photo as I feel it shows me striding forward confidently and powerfully into the future.



Forever New Black jeans, Bardot sleeveless longline vest, Ice grey marle top, Collette statement necklace and Famous orange heels

This is quite a thoughtful pose and it matches my outfit perfectly. I feel in this photo, I'm reflecting on what I have left behind and what awaits for me in the future. A healthy, successful and exciting one that I am choosing to create. My no nonsense, neutral and structured outfit says "I mean Business" but I  add a bit of colour and bling because that is what makes it fun. Long line vests look fabulous for lengthening the torso and white is such a flattering colour and gives light to the complexion. Keeping it sassy are the skinny black jeans. I feel strong and powerful in this outfit.


Morrisey leopard print coat, Queenspark blouse, Forcast Skirt

Behind the  careful businesswoman there is the  bit of a wild, crazy, Latin woman who's  not afraid to own her own power and sexuality. As I am now 50, I feel I can express my sexuality with more confidence and no excuses. Fitted knee length nude skirt and top make for an earthy and warm palette. The lepeoard print coat is fun and a little bit rebellious. Loose coats worn over more fitted clothes are a great way of layering, which I don't get to do too much in our warm North Queensland Climate.

Valleygirl skirt, Ice black top, Zu Shoes,  

I love having fun and this outfit really brings out the girl in me. Who doesn't love a girly full skirt which you can twirl in. The colour of the skirt just makes me so happy. Yellow and green just brings me so much  joy. To anchor the look so it doesn't become too sugary, I tone it down with a black top and some edgy shoes which say "I'm no Princess"
I like to pick up the green in the skirt with jewelry which has that same colour to link it all together.



Stella Moda Cobalt blue evening dress, Famous Shoes- white heels

When I first saw this dress I was immediately attracted to it by it's stunning colour. When I tried it on it just fitted like a glove and was so comfortable with it's beautiful stretch lace. Believe me it hid a multitude of sins and made my figure look amazing. The colour did great things for my skin. The deep neckline is extremely flattering as it creates length and because I'm a small A-Cup I can get away  with it. The side slit shows just enough leg. Hey! At 50 I'm running out of time so I might as well show those pins off while I can. I love the  long sleeves,which create a sexy but elegant look. I feel very classic and sure of myself in this dress.


Dorothy Perkins Silk Blouse( Endeavour) Cue skirt, Big W heels

I love a bargain and I love finding a treasure like this gorgeous blouse with sequin detailing on the collar and cuffs. The soft peach colour matches perfectly with my tailored paneled Cue Skirt. This pretty, soft combo  is feminine but strong. The buckled heels stop the outfit becoming too sweet and tones down the peach.
This is a very relaxed, comfortable me who loves to mix and match bargains  with more expensive pieces. It is the cut and quality you are looking for that makes the outfit, not necessarily how expensive it is.




 My style is quite eclectic and my moods govern my choices as to what I will wear in the morning. I don't care about whether something has come from an op shop. I'm quite proud I can make pre- loved or cheaper clothes look good. I dress to suit and please myself and age is no barrier to me when it comes to experimenting with new styles and colours.
I like to mix it up, keep it exciting and never be afraid to move forward.

     " Never compare, never explain, just live your truth and be 

        authentic in everything you do including your wardrobe"

                                                                                            Liz Simonsen

3 Words to Adopt to Ensure Business Success

The other evening I was fortunate enough to be invited to join a women's panel at a Business in Heels Function In Townsville. I was one of three businesswomen being asked questions about how we started in business, what motivated us and what  advise we could give to the 120 plus women attending.

One of the questions I was asked was;

 " What three pieces of advice would you give someone who wants to become a successful business
person?"

I thought carefully about this and came up with 3 Words

Number 1 - BELIEF

Belief in yourself and the product you are selling and promoting. You have to believe in your business because there will be many times when people will not believe in you or your brand and you must stand firm and push through, Block out the negative voices who say it can't be done, it's too hard, there is no market for that kind of service in your area. blah, blah, blah!
You will come across people that only see why YOU shouldn't do something and not why YOU should.
Belief in yourself and your dreams will keep you going. Never listen to what your limitations are but believe in what your potential is.

Number 2- PERSERVERANCE

The day you start your business be prepared to be in it for the long haul. Success doesn't happen overnight. When you hear of actors/models/entrepeneurs being overnight successes, usually they have been treading the boards for many years. There will be many years of planning, networking , building and growing ahead of you. Some times it will feel easy and everything is going your way and other times it will feel like nothing is going well.  Money is short, ideas are short and energy is depleted.
Keep going. If you BELIEVE in what you are doing then eventually you will hit GOLD but owning a business is a privilege and the buck stops with you. Be prepared for the roller-coaster of owning a business and strap yourself in for the ride.

Number 3 - RESILIENCE

Owning a business is hard work but fun.You need to prepare yourself mentally, physically and emotionally for the ups and downs of your fabulous dream.
You need to develop coping skills to keep that stress under control. Invest in a good diet to give you enough energy to face the daily challenges that will come your way.
Find out ways to decrease stress other than drinking copious amounts of wine ( guilty as charged) Start learning meditation, incorporate exercise in your daily routine or have a strong core of good mentors that you can turn to for advice.
Looking at the bigger picture rather than focusing on what's immediately in front of you is also helpful.
Don't take criticism too personally (also guilty as charged) Accept it gracefully  and learn from it and improve your vision
A thick skin and optimism is crucial to stayin' Alive in the new Age of business.

5 Top Tips to get Back to Work in Style

5 Top Tips to get Back to Work in Style

Returning to work after months or years as a woman can be a daunting prospect but dressing for success can help put you on the right path. Taking the time to look professional will not only boost your confidence in the workplace but your credibility.

What you have been likely to be wearing at home or when meeting up with friends may not be appropriate for the workplace. Updating your wardrobe, pampering yourself (nails, hair, make-up) can go a long way to lifting your confidence.

Always dress for success. Dressing to impress for a job interview not only tells the interviewer that you are serious about the job, but also that you are serious about yourself.

Organizing your wardrobe for the long term will help you both professionally and credibly.

If you have been a stay at home mum for awhile, you tend to forget what suits you and that certain clothes, although comfortable, might not be as flattering or appropriate for work.

If you haven't suited up for awhile, here are my top 5 tips to getting back to work in style




1. DRESS STANDARD

Find out from your employer what the dress requirements are. You are the face of the business and different rules apply for different jobs and positions. If the workplace offers a uniform, don't forget personal grooming.




2. ORGANISE YOUR WARDROBE

Designate a section of your closet as your working wardrobe. This will make it easier and faster to dress in the morning and for you to see what you have available without spending precious minutes searching for the right look.

3. BUY THE BASICS

Fill your working wardrobe with the essential basics. For example, black fitted skirts, black tailored pants,fitted black jacket plus white shirts. A few simple dresses plus nude or black pumps will round out your wardrobe. From there you can build up your wardrobe by adding colour and accessories.

4. STICK TO A BUDGET

You can find great basics without blowing the budget if you are just returning to work and money is tight. Shop at Target, Big W or K-Mart for simple basics. As you earn and save more you can replace those items with better quality pieces that will last the distance.

5. BE PREPARED

Plan your outfit the night before as mornings are busy especially if you have children to organize.Why not take photos of outfits beforehand and have displayed on a pin board so you can remember what goes with what. There are also apps that help you do this such as: Pureple-freecloset.org, stuff n style, closet fashions wardrobe manager. A wardrobe diary such as TravelFashionGirl.com, where you plan a whole week in advance is also useful if you like to be super organized and prefer writing things down.

Returning to work shouldn't be daunting and with a few helpful tips not only will you look fabulous but you will go into your new phase with calm and above all confidence. 

Fashion Styling workshop