A Winter stock take

Happy Friday readers! (And it’s a gorgeous one too)

We have had such a beautiful week weather wise that it’s hard to believe we had a brief encounter with Winter last week! It has prompted me to start to start the seasonal stock take of my wardrobe, as I find myself at a loss in terms of co-ordinating warmer outfits. It feels as if my brain did not grasp the sudden onset of Winter after being on vacation in tropical heat. 

In an attempt to make getting dressed easier, I usually do a seasonal stock take. This helps to pack away summer wear and evaluate what I’ve worn this past summer and what hasn’t been worn. I also know what is in my wardrobe for winter, and if required, what I need (would like) to purchase. 

So if you’re struggling to find outfits generally, a stock take is what you need. 

Since I do this each season, it’s easy for me to swap my seasonal pieces around. This ‘swap’ involves moving last season (Summer) clothes to the higher shelves and bringing the upcoming/ current seasons clothes to eye level. The idea is to be able to see whats in the closet. If you’re low on space, pack them into storage (usually transparent plastic storage boxes work in case you need anything).

Here’s my process:

1. Unpack everything in the closet with the winter pieces top of mind.
2. Evaluate your summer pieces, in terms of the following:
• Have I worn it this season? 
• Will it transcend into next summer? i.e. still be trendy / relevant
• Is it a classic (valuable) piece?
• Check that all items are clean and in wearable condition before storing.
3. Evaluate the winter pieces in terms of the following:
• Is it still relevant this winter?
• Does it still fit?
• Is it still in good condition?
• Do I still love it?
4. When I pack it back into the closet I usually separate my pieces into work wear and leisurewear, but since leaving the corporate world they are interchangeable now. 
5. I hang all coats co-ordinated by colour and one per hanger.
6. Knits are folded and packed onto shelves as hanging them may cause them to be come misshaped.
7. Sandals are packed away (with dust overs if you have them) into boxes; and boots, sneakers and pumps are packed where they are visible. (This works with a walk in, but a shelved cupboard will work just as well).
8. I tackle underwear, socks and PJ drawers in the same way, this helps to get rid of pieces which have reached the end of their lifespan and look tatty.
9. Once all the pieces have been packed away and stored, my wardrobe is now done. I then take notes of what I need (want) for the upcoming season. 
10. Now when I shop, I know what is in the wardrobe and what I need to co-ordinate outfits. This helps to avoid buying similar pieces which I may have forgotten about.

Good luck! 

And if you’ve tried my suggestions, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Today’s lookpost is one for cooler weather, with pieces from previous seasons. I have bought some pieces for Winter abroad, so I haven’t really been shopping for winter yet. This cotton knit from ZARA is lightweight for Autumn, and pairs well with the boyfriend jeans. The heels add a sophisticated finish to an oversize outfit to prevent it from looking sloppy. 

Outfit details:

ZARA knit

Woolworths boyfriend jeans

Scarf gifted

Snakeskin Witchery heels

Michael Kors bag

Ralph Lauren sunglasses

Pearl cuff bracelet (old)

Caio for now,
RuBe xoxo

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Timeless trendy shirt dress

Welcome Readers!

After a wonderful week break to recharge the batteries, I feel restored and geared up for the rest of this year which promises to be a roller coaster in so many respects. This break was a timeout for my little family to reconnect and be removed from external influences. We spent a lot of time together, which is something we don’t always have the opportunity to do in our home space. Each family member has so many activities and obligations which take us away from the shared space, so it is a rare occasion to have everyone in one place (apart from the daily family dinner). 

It was an added bonus, depending on one’s perception of the situation, to have no cellphone reception or wifi. It essentially meant having to keep busy without the constant social media interactions and communication from all and sundry. Work and friends were on the back burner for a few days, with nothing but activities on board the ship and sun and sea to enjoy. My boys had some withdrawal symptoms, but adjusted quickly to absorb all the experience had to offer, whether it was an activity or a stroll on the deck or just taking a nap. There were no TV games, social media, social gatherings; and instead, physical games, swimming, listening to music, reading and time for some well deserved relaxation. 

These breaks from the routine are essential for us to touch base which our busy daily schedules do not allow. I try to stress the importance of family bonding time, and when we’re on vacation the boys are compelled to share a room, instead of all heading off to their own rooms the moment they get home. It is neccessary to take them out of their comfort zones as a reminder of their privileges they enjoy each day. It is enriching for them to see how other cultures live and how the less fortunate need to toil to make ends meet.

We arrived back home, so delighted with our creature comforts and appreciative of the blessings we enjoy daily. My kids have been ’shaken’ out of oblivion; albeit for a limited time, after which they will most likely return to their comfort zones. But the experience of travel will remain with them, will expand their horizons and open their minds. 

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” - Gustave Flaubert

Today’s lookpost features a quality shirt dress bought years ago and is still on trend. Paired with sporty leggings and sneakers for a laid back casual look. My H & M fringe bag completes the look.

To take this dress to the office, pair with plain leggings, heels and a slim belt which instantly transforms the whole outfit.

Outfit details:

Trenery shirt dress

Adidas ZA leggings

Old Khaki scarf

Adidas Superstar sneakers

H&M bag

Giorgio Armani sunglasses from Sunglass Hut

Swarovski and various other bracelets

Rebelfunk necklace

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Transitional blazer; No Judgement

Hello dear readers, 

It’s Friday, school holidays are upon us and I have a week getaway on my horizon; so I’m on a high. A break from playing mom’s taxi, classes, cooking meals, helping with homework and weekend soccer matches… These little vacations make the routine bearable and when I return I will be ready to resume with gusto.

Despite having a dream holiday on my radar, and feeling on top of the world, this week has certainly raised some disturbing issues. It has been a week where we have seen cyber bullying at it’s best (worst), judgements being passed and individuals being attacked. 

With the growing influence of social media, our youth think it is ‘acceptable’ to pass mean comments and make hateful statements, all with the premise that it’s OK to express an opinion, whether solicited or not (albeit from the safety of behind a screen). It has become ‘acceptable’ to express an opinion on how badly dressed someone is, or how fat someone has become and the reactions spiral into a frenzy of sensationalism. This kind of behaviour illustrates how destructive we are as a society, without giving a thought for the feelings or struggles an individual (celebrity or not) may be going through. Just because their vocation has placed them in the public eye does not mean that it is fine to pass hateful comments, or express a malicious unsolicited opinion. Everybody experiences difficulties at some point, and we have no idea of the space the person we are directing it at, may be at the time of making these venomous judgements or statements. 

Young girls and boys are struggling with body shaming, self esteem and peer pressure apart from the pressures of just being an adolescent and all the changes happening within themselves. Society creates unrealistic expectations for the youth and celebrities provide such skewed versions of role models, that as parents we have a tough job ahead of us… Just to ensure our kids grow up with healthy body image, good self esteem and confidence and at the same time respecting the next person. I aim to teach them empathy and diplomacy, able to stand their ground without arrogance. 

And while I have focused on the youth, it has become plainly obvious that this behaviour is not unique to teenagers. Adults have shown the same mean, judgemental side without respect or regard for the next person. I reiterate that everyone is entitled to have an opinion, but if you have not been asked, a negative remark may sting in a place you were not aware of. A negative remark may just deepen a depression that person is fighting, may reinforce their low self esteem or be the straw to break the camels back and prompt a withdrawal from the world. 

Having suffered from low self esteem myself, I know the hard road one has to travel to build it back up, that even a veiled insult could derail your healing. I was always an overachiever, probably due to the fact that I needed to excel to be able to feel good about myself, but this in itself sends a message to society that I am strong enough to handle the nastiness, the judgements; when all it does is affect the healing; until the day you reach a point where these things no longer affects your balance. Unfortunately this point only happened for me as an adult, I hope and pray that the youth of today will be able to withstand the punches thrown at them by societies trolls.

“When you know yourself you are empowered, 

When you accept yourself you are invincible” 

- Tina Lifford

On that note, today I’m sharing a relaxed work look using a blazer to transition into Autumn. I’ve paired an oversized t-shirt and olive skinny (this colour is in all stores this season) with chunky heeled sandals. Fringe remains relevant into Winter as can be seen in all the Bohemian influences in the latest ranges.

Outfit:

Country Road blazer

Woolworths t-shirt

H&M olive skinny

Heels from Zando

Zibastyles neckpiece

Scarf from Bespoke Hijabi (now Hse of Bespoke by WH)

Pearl earrings purchased abroad (Bali jeweller)

Mimco chunky bracelet

Ciao for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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Pre-Autumn Colour and Tragedies

Welcome readers, 

We have such tragedies in the Western Cape this past week with the death of two teenage girls. The senseless violence has shocked me to the core, mainly because the one incident happened after 4pm on a Monday afternoon, at a time when kids are out and about around people. My kids are walking to and from activities at that time, they are on that routine of sport and school and life. To hear that another teen on the other side of Cape Town was attacked while my son was making his way to sport practice (at exactly the same time!),  a 15 minute walk, threw me off  kilter that day. 

I had the urgent need to rush through the roads I knew he’d be walking, to go and wait at the open soccer field they practice at, just to ensure his safety. But the reality is that it’s not practical, at some point they need to exercise their independence if they are to be well functioning adults. And while it may not be practical, the urge to protect and shield our kids from the atrocities in this world is so strong. Kids are being harmed at every turn, from young toddlers to teenagers just entering young adulthood with their faces turned towards the future. It’s heartbreaking when those dreams and aspirations are cut short by a pointless murder or violent act.

It’s even harder having to explain to kids that something like this has happened, unprovoked and with no reason. It leaves them feeling confused, scared and unsure of how to avoid the same fate. This is one of those instances where parents don’t have the answers and there are no solutions. 

The best one can do is raise our youth with a sense of responsibility and a belief that humanity is not all about these incidences, that humanity is still good. We have to highlight the good acts, with the hope that the good will outweigh the bad. And even though we have serious challenges ahead of us as a country with social inequalities, struggling emerging economy and political issues, the only way to effect positive change is to empower our youth. Our youth will be our saving grace, so let’s work at protecting them, inspiring optimism and hope, helping them recover from trauma and provide the best support structures equally at all levels of society.

Today’s outfit features an old bargain jumpsuit paired with a Witchery First Edition cape. The idea is to demonstrate that even a low cost piece can still be dressed up; and when paired with the right accessories and pieces can combine into a stylish outfit.

Outfit:

Mr P floral jumpsuit (old)

Witchery Cape

Trenery scarf

H&M wedges

Gifted bag (old)

Ralph Lauren sunglasses (Sunglass Hut, Bali)

Caio for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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