Life.Style.Stories

08/12/2021

Spotted in Outback Queensland our Life.Style.Stories slogan tee’s have been selling fast and are available via our website at www.stylingstories.com.au/shop The only one missing out is the gorgeous Willow - maybe it’s doggie tee’s next time 😉

05/12/2021

We may have solved all your Christmas shopping problems! Just in time for Summer our new Life.Style.Stories Tee’s and Totes are now available in our online store and make a great gift for your bestie or to pop under the tree for someone special (You!!)
In 3 different prints and in V-neck or Round, the sayings have special significance and are available in black or white.
To see the full selection or to purchase yours today, go to: www.stylingstories.com.au/shop

27/10/2021

04/10/2021

Our Second Op-Shopping Experience on Saturday November 6th is now open for registrations 🙌
We will take you to some of Robin’s favourite second hand haunts in the Brisbane area, while Renae will help to ensure you pick pieces that work for you and your body shape so you can get the absolute best out of this experience. From high-end designer to department store brands, we will offer guidance to find pieces that will dig you out of the doldrums of wondering what to wear each day. Come on your own, or grab a bunch of your girlfriends and enjoy all that op-shopping has to offer. To register, please click on the link below. Tickets are limited so don't miss out 💃
https://stylingstories.com.au/op-shop-experience/

03/10/2021

Tonight's the night! During the week, we have shown you some of the great pieces we picked up on our last op-shopping trip, and tonight at 7pm, we will announce how you can be part of the next one too!

Renae
Jacket - Ever New ($20)

Robin
Dress - Tokito ($15)

03/10/2021

I have to admit I have been a little bit naughty and not kept up to date with posting our latest outfit finds from our recent Op-Shopping Experience 😬 House painting has meant tracksuit pants and dirty t-shirt's so Saturday night meant I had an excuse to pop on a frock and grab a photo to post next to Robin's gorgeous combo!

Renae
Dress: Sheike (it still had tags on it!)

Robin
Skirt: Paolo Casiaghi
Jacket: Emporio Armani

Stay tuned ladies, we will be announcing our next op-shopping tour tomorrow night!!

28/09/2021

Last week we told you about our first ever op-shopping tour taking in some of Robin's favourite second hand stores. Not only did our participants pick up some great pieces but we may have got some sneaky ones too! This week we are sharing our finds and would love if those who came along post their photos below as well 😉
Renae:
Witchery Midi Dress
Nine West Shoes

Robin:
Leather Top (not sure of the brand)

27/09/2021

There are just a few tickets left for what promises to be a great day as we come together to raise funds for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation and their "Go Pink" Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. Robin will be your Master of Ceremonies and you will hear her story of resilience and how Life.Style.Stories came to be. Renae will present a fashion parade with a difference, highlighting clothing for each body shape and sharing some great take home tips. If you would like to be part of this day, and support a wonderful cause, you can purchase your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3zEhHKk

22/09/2021

Over the weekend, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting our first ever Op-Shopping Experience. Visiting some of Robin’s favourite second hand shops where she finds most of the things that fill her wardrobe, 22 ladies joined us to take a bus tour to find some amazing pieces.
Connections, shopping and some great bargains meant that we are so keen to do another one very soon. Let us know below if you would like to join us and we will be sure to let you know when we have our next date ready.

26/08/2021

Last night it was closing night of the Brisbane Fashion Festival and what a night it was! With the spectacular backdrop of Brisbane City Hall, we had a surprise performance from Sheppard and an amazing set of outfits that took the runway. We are so lucky to be able to enjoy these outdoor performances with a plethora of local talent right on our doorstep.

17/08/2021

We are delighted to announce that we will be taking part in the Glitz and Glam Ball in support of the this coming October 9th at the Greek Club. StandByU is a not-for-profit that provides wearable smart devices for those impacted by family violence that they can use when they are at their most vulnerable. If you are interested in joining us to help raise much needed funds, then you can find more information. by visiting: https://bit.ly/3k4dbyU

06/08/2021

Today would be the start of the 2021 EKKA but with the current COViD lockdown in South East this years event has been cancelled.

This means that 500kilos of strawberries from the iconic Ice Cream Sundae were going to go to waste but we have such a good news story! Our friends at Lang's Gourmet who provide the jams and chutneys for our Styling Stories days have come to the rescue and have created EKKA strawberry jam from all the strawberries.

What you may not know is that the strawberry sundaes sold at EKKA are a major fundraising initiative for the Prince Charles Hospital so profits from all sales will go directly back to the hospital as well as the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association.

If you would like to grab your very own EKKA Strawberry Jam and help support these wonderful causes, please visit www.langsgourmet.com.au

03/08/2021

As the clock ticked over on 2021 this past New Years, we all did a little happy dance as we said goodbye to the awful year that was 2020, but did we really think that just the simple stroke of a clock was going to be what it took to rid us of a pandemic that has swept the world?

This past Saturday, 7 months into 2021 and as it was announced that South East Queensland would be plunged into its second lockdown in a month, I spoke to someone and what they said got me thinking about where we currently are. They proceeded with a verbal spray of how livid they were that yet again, they had to reschedule their weekend plans and miss out on the things they love doing. I stood and I listened and sympathised with them but after their rant was over I simply asked:
“Well, are you vaccinated? Have you done your bit”?
“No, I am waiting until we have the vaccination passport before I get it” they responded.

Only the night before I had been out with some girlfriends and with a couple of cases already in the community, the discussion about a possible lockdown came up and the topic quickly moved to vaccination. Of the five of us, two sat quietly, one said she would not have it and the other said “I just don’t know…I’m just going to wait”

WAIT FOR WHAT?

Wait for another lockdown which ruins the plans you had with friends and family?
Wait until one of your friends or family catches Covid and becomes gravely ill, or worse, dies?
Wait until Christmas plans or special events are cancelled due to an outbreak?
Wait until you lose your job because the small (or large) business that employs you can no longer make ends meet?
Wait until your favourite coffee shop or restaurant goes bust?
Wait until the price of fresh fruit and vegetables becomes so unaffordable because there is no international work force to come and pick it.

I could go on forever about the impacts of “waiting” but the reality is, we can’t. We all know that the only way to exit this cycle of lockdowns and to be able to live with this virus, is for us to reach a point of herd immunity equal to approximately 80%. With Australia currently sitting at only 18% of adults fully vaccinated, we are a long way off and can realistically expect more lockdowns in front of us. It also takes up to 8 weeks from the time you book your first appointment until the time you are actually considered immune for Pfizer and even longer for AstraZeneca. If you haven’t booked yet, you won’t be immune from this virus until at least October.

Vaccine hesitancy can largely be blamed on two things - the fact that we have not really felt the full impacts that this virus can inflict like what they have experienced in countries such as India, the USA and the UK; as well as on the media for the sensationalised reports that have surrounded both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccinations. But when it is all put into perspective, these vaccines are safe. We get in our cars daily as this is a form of freedom we can’t live without but there is more chance of you losing your life when you get in that car than there is of you dying from a Covid vaccine. Surely the freedom to move about freely in the community is just as important as the freedom to get in your car on a daily basis?

My hope is that this lockdown will encourage more of us to realise that we have been lucky in this country but our luck is running out. The virality of the Delta variant means that this lockdown will most likely be extended beyond Sunday and who knows if we will be ticking over to 2022 with this same dark Covid cloud hanging over our heads.

IT’S UP TO YOU

https://www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au/registerforvaccination/

30/07/2021

OP-SHOP CHALLENGE - YOU'RE INVITED!!!
If you loved our $100 Op-Shop Challenge which we featured all week, now you can be part of the fun and join us for what promises to be a truly eye-opening experience!

On Saturday September 18th, we will take you to some of Robin’s favourite second hand haunts in the Brisbane area, while Renae will help to ensure you pick pieces that work for you and your body shape so you can get the absolute best out of this experience. From high-end designer to department store brands, we will offer guidance to find pieces that will dig you out of the doldrums of wondering what to wear each day.

Come on your own, or grab a bunch of your girlfriends and enjoy all that op-shopping has to offer (you can even set up your own $100 challenge!).

For more information and ticket prices, click here: https://stylingstories.com.au/op-shop-experience
Seats are limited so don't miss out!

30/07/2021

OP-SHOP $100 CHALLENGE DAY 5
Last Day of our Challenge and the total amount spent to put our 5 outfits together with other pieces in our wardrobe was Renae: $79.50 and Robin: $78. We had so much fun doing this challenge and then pairing them with other items we already owned. Do you think this is something you would like to do?

Renae
Top: Keepsake the Label $6 Salvos

Robin
Skirt: Portmans $12 RSPCA

29/07/2021

OP-SHOP $100 CHALLENGE DAY 4
Hope you are all enjoying our wins from our Op-Shop Challenge! Do you have a favourite op-shop that you visit?

Renae:
Linen Blend Blouse (No tags) $12 Salvos

Robin:
Bronze Jeans: $20 RSPCA

28/07/2021

OP-SHOP $100 CHALLENGE DAY 3
OK, so we like to call this the mullet look. Business in the front (Renae) and party in the back (Robin) 😆. Here's what we wore:

Renae
Jacket: Cue $12 Red Cross
Jeans: Suzanne $12 Red Cross

Robin
Jeans: Top Trends $15 RSPCA

27/07/2021

OP-SHOP $100 CHALLENGE DAY 2

Renae
Top: Veronica Maine $15 Salvos
Jeans: Velvet Heart $10 Lifeline

Robin:
Top: Monari $8 RSPCA
Skirt: Blockout $6 RSPCA

Do you have a favourite op-shop you like to visit?

26/07/2021

OP-SHOP CHALLENGE DAY 1
For those of you who missed our video last night, we are doing an Op-Shop Challenge to see what we could buy for no more than $100 and how we could mix and match it with items in our wardrobe. So here is our Day One Outfits:

Renae:
For a Day watching kids rugby
Knit Top : Free People $7.50 Endeavour Foundation
Jeans: Blue Grae Denim $5 Endeavour Foundation

Robin:
For a night out Watching Westside Story at QPAC
Dress: Show Po $25 Red Cross

23/07/2021

Last week I wrote about a horrible incident of bullying involving a 13 year old Brisbane girl and for many of you, the reaction was just like mine - one of sheer disbelief and disgust.

I am pleased to say there have been many things done since writing that post including the girls being expelled from their respective schools, they have been charged with assault and the Mother of the victim, is scheduled to meet with the Education Minister to discuss this ongoing problem.

We had the pleasure of meeting the 13 year old victim as well as her Mother, Annette and Sister, Kayla when we invited them along to last weeks Styling Stories. Nothing can undo the awful scars that an incident like this will leave but Robin and I both got the chance to hug them and let them know that there is still plenty of people who really do care.

15/07/2021

Turning on the 6pm news while I am making dinner is a regular occurrence and seeing a litany of sensationalised stories is nothing new. But last night’s headlines made me
Stop.
Pause.
Listen.
My Jaw Drop.
And then I cried.
I cried for a mother who was completely lost in a world where she did not know where to turn to protect her 13 year old daughter who for the past 2 years has undergone relentless bullying. So much so that the mother said her child had not received an education over this time because she was too scared to go to school and her mental health was now in tatters. The pinnacle of this abuse occurred when the young girl was lured into an alley by 3 female students, all in school uniforms from local Brisbane schools and all older than her. They set upon her like a pack of rabid dogs, punching, kicking and hurling abuse all while the incident was filmed and watched by a pack of gutless other teens cheering on the horrific scene. The attack was sickening and hard to watch as the young girl stood and took the abuse and simply tried to protect her face from the relentless onslaught.

After the article had finished, I continued to make dinner for my family, and went on with my life but as I got into bed last night, flashes of this incident came back to me. As I lay there, again I shed tears for this young girl and her mother and the heartache and anguish they must be feeling. All I wanted to do was find them and wrap my arms around them both and let them know that not all in the world are this cruel and there are others who genuinely want to help them. I won’t lie, I also wanted to find those responsible for the attack and stick them in a ring with a UFC kickboxer and see just how they felt when the shoe is on the other foot. Experience what it is like to genuinely fear for your life and experience the pain that they have put another person through.

As the mother of a pre-teen who started high school this year, we have had our share of challenges and tears when friendships aren’t panning out as expected. I know the anguish I would feel when she would come home upset at the end of the day and not wanting to go to school but to fear for your child’s safety in what should be a safe place is a whole other level and something no-one should have to endure.

So while, this story may be distressing, the part that I find even more shocking is what has been done about it. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. This story was brought to the media because the mother of the girl had nowhere else to turn. At the time of the article going to air last night, the girls involved in the attack have not been suspended or expelled from their respective schools, the education department has not yet dealt with them under their “code of conduct”, there has been no charges laid upon these girls (this attack was clearly premeditated) and I would be curious to know just what the parents of the girls involved have done to discipline their own children. So far the attackers have been offered counselling but what of the victim?

I have heard too many stories of bullying of late and I question what right we have to be parents if we can’t guide children down a responsible path to adulthood. I do not have blinkers on and expect a smooth transition from childhood to adulthood but to witness something like this that was so violent and so premeditated shows something very wrong with what these children perceive as right and wrong. We have to sit a drivers license in order to drive a car and keep those on the road safe, but the most precious cargo inside that car, our children, well anyone can bring one of those up without any proof that they have the ability to be responsible and drive them down the correct path of life.

Every child has the right to an education, every child has a right to feel safe and where is the protection and the justice that this young girl so rightly deserves?

12/07/2021

Would you like to join us for some fun, fashion and most definitely a few shenanigans 🥂 We have had 3 last minute tickets become available for this weekend's Styling Stories on Saturday July 17th and we would love for you to join us!
Get some great styling tips and insights on dressing for your body shape from Renae while also learning the art of great make-up application from Mequa. Plus you will also have the chance to talk with Robin one-on-one and tell your story (we all have one!) which may be included in our upcoming Life.Style.Stories Podcast.
If this sounds like something you would love, click on the link below for more information and to purchase tickets.
https://bit.ly/3ARXJh1

07/07/2021

Could there be a better day than this?
July 7th is World Chocolate Day and leaves me feeling guilt free about a little indulgence 🍫🍫
What’s your favourite chocolaty treat?
📷

02/07/2021

One Day at a Time.
Brisbane and Moreton will remain in lockdown for another 24hours beyond the initial lockdown announcement. Hang in there, stay safe and please book in for your vaccination.
Artwork by: .and.company
#ɢᴇᴛᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴀᴛᴇᴅ

29/06/2021

EYEBROW TATTOOING REVIEW

OK - I have to admit that taking a close-up photo for this review was a bit like having a photo in your underwear but one thing Robin and I agreed on was authenticity and sharing things we genuinely care about so here it is: close up with no make-up and all!

I first had my eyebrows tattooed about 8 weeks ago and my initial response was "holy crap" what have I done! Not quite as bad as my brother's response of "what the hell have you done to your face?!?!" But then again, he is never one to hold his tongue!

I had the initial feeling of everyone seeing your eyebrows before they see you, but after a few days, they eventually peeled, healed and calmed down and I have been back and had touch ups done and couldn't be happier!

My eyebrows are the "powder ombre" which is a newly emerging style that does not create the look of hair strands (like the micro-feathering) but rather is designed to be softer towards the bridge of the nose and darker as they extend across your forehead. I don't wear heavy makeup and I have completely blonde eyebrows so without the tattooing, I look as though I have no eyebrows at all and have just crawled out from a 3 month hibernation.

The procedure takes about 3 hours and cost $600 + $100 for the touch ups (which I highly recommend having done and takes about 1 hour) While it is not a cheap procedure, and something that takes time to come to fruition, it is something that I certainly consider to be money and time well spent. Renae x

Have you had your eyebrows done? What was your experience?

20/06/2021

Vanilla slice - Kenmore Bakery
A large slice with a lot of custard with pastry top and bottom. The pastry is doughy not flakey which some people prefer, and no icing but icing sugar on the top . This is a very simple vanilla slice and a good substitute for someone who doesn’t like them too sweet. Very easy to eat.
It was not my favourite in fact for all the above reasons I’m not a fan as I am a ridiculous sweet tooth so needed the icing and the sweetened custard. So for me its a 4.5 but if you like the subtle tastes ..this one is for you.

17/06/2021

Eyebrows can dramatically change the look of your face and if you lived through the 90's and worshipped the super skinny arch (think Drew Barrymore or Gwen Stefani), you may well be regretting all that plucking now 😳

With the trend back towards a fuller brow, I recently had my eyebrows tattooed but before I tell my story, I would love to hear yours. Have you had your eyebrows tattooed? Were you happy with the outcome? Are you thinking about having them done? What are your fears? Let me know below and I'll be revealing my outcome next week. Renae x

13/06/2021

This weeks vanilla slice is from Hunter street Bakery Brassall just down from Ipswich High School. A small family run bakery with really friendly staff and a wide variety of cakes and pastries. My sons (who love custard tarts) say their custard tarts are some of the best they have ever had.
But let’s talk about their vanilla slice!
The icing is traditional but maybe not as thick as I would like (but I am a chronic sweet tooth). The custard is lovely. Sweet but not too sweet and it held together well without being gluggy.
I would have preferred a slightly different mix with more icing and a little thicker pastry to balance out the custard. But if it’s about the taste, this one scores well 7/10.

12/06/2021

A few months ago, Renae said she’d found a jumpsuit that I just had to have. It’s simple yet elegant and surely I would have the perfect event to wear it too!

I did....last night I got to see some of the world's most spectacular art from the European Masters that is usually housed at The Met in New York. Renoir, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cezane to name a few all right here in Brisbane!

So how did we get it? The place where these pieces are housed in The Met, is being renovated and Brisbane won the right to exhibit them while the renovation is completed.
We are the only city to have them … It is truely a rare treat! I can’t tell you how amazing it was to stand so close to such master pieces.

So Renae was right … the perfect outfit for a perfect night. Simple yet elegant. We may not be able to travel overseas but a little piece of New York has come to us!