Making It

So, you've decided to move out of home. You've graduated from high school, sponged off your parents, gone on your long awaited Europe trip and just when all seemed to be going swimmingly your parents asked the dreaded question, 'when are you going to start paying board?' Seriously Mum, why would we pay to live at home when we can just like, move out? And just like that, you're ready to pack your bags and start your journey as a real, fully grown adult.

My experience of moving out came a little earlier than most. I was 17 when I decided to up and leave home. I'd always been super independent with little regard for authority (sorry Mum) so once I had finished high school, moving out felt like the next natural step. I packed up all my furniture, that actually belonged to my parents but it was in my room so it was totally mine, and moved into the city centre with my now ex, ex boyfriend and a few friends.

At first, living out of home was the best! I suddenly had a new found freedom to do whatever I wanted... and I really did do whatever I wanted. I felt it was perfectly acceptable to drink Midori and lemonade for breakfast, do flaming absinthe shooters on a Tuesday evening, eat at a different restaurant every night and I even bought a cat.

But, things soon went south. My first 'crap I'm not ready for this' moment came when I finally went to cook a meal at home, which was about a month in (a fact that surprises no one who has tasted my cooking). I went to put the food packaging in the bin, and realised there was no bin. There was also no Tupperware, cooking utensils or a fridge for that matter. Apparently these things don't just appear in a house, parents actually purchase them *insert brain fart*. It seems I hadn't given much thought to what would happen after I moved out. In my typical spontaneous style...I had just moved out #I'lldowhatIwant. I also realised I really didn't like living with my boyfriend's hipster sister, I was being ripped off with the amount of rent I was paying and apparently I didn't really like cats after all. But time passed, I broke up with my cheating hobbit-sized ex, he stole my cat and my journey into share-housing truly began. Now I have been living out of home for 8 years and I know all the do's and don'ts of moving out and moving house. So, if you're thinking about moving out, read ahead so the experience is fun, painless and you don't lose a stack of money, or a cat, in the process.

1. Choose your roomies wisely

Most of the time you think living with your best friend would be the best. thing. evveerrrrr. It's not. It has only ever worked for me once and that was very recently. Living with a good friend is very different to spending all of your time with them. You know how funny it is that she's really messy and her mum always bitches at her about it? Yeah, well that's about to become your issue and it can cause a lot of tension. Have a good, hard think about your friend's character traits and how those traits will translate into housemate habits. Is she good with money or would she prioritise a new dress over rent? Is she good at sharing and team work or is she totally selfish, but you love her anyway? There have been many relationships left ruined in the wake of a share-house disaster so really take time to consider who to live with.

2. Finding Somewhere to Live

When you are looking for your first share house there are two things playing against you, the first being your age. Real estate agents aren't supposed to discriminate, but of course they do. It's their job to find the best tenants for their clients and, unfortunately, when you're twenty they just think you will be drunk and loud all the time…which in my case was incredibly true #noregrets. The second is that you have no real estate references, so know one knows if you are going to look after their home or completely destroy it. The best thing to do if you are in this situation is to look for private rental listings. These are houses advertised to rent by the owner of the house and not by a real estate agency. Owners are usually a little more lenient and if they meet you and you make a good impression they are likely to give you a chance. These rentals are usually found on places like Gumtree or in your local paper.

3. Signing the Lease Agreement

This is a big one! A lease agreement is a legal, binding document. You can't get out if it just because you've had a fight with your bestie and you're sick of her using all your expensive shampoo. Make sure you read it thoroughly and are comfortable with all the terms and conditions. If you are unsure about the people you are moving in with, or unsure about the location of your property then ask to sign a short 6 month lease instead of committing to a whole year. It is important to know that the real estate agency can increase your rent whenever your lease agreement ends. So understand that if you choose a 6 month lease this gives them the opportunity to up your rent in 6 months time. Also, signing the lease makes you legally responsible for the property and the rent payments. So, if someone wants to move in with you and share the responsibility of the property, make sure they sign the lease agreement too. If you don't they could walk away and leave you to pay all the rent on your own.

4. Bills, Bills, Bills
If you are moving in with multiple people do not, under any circumstance, put all of the bills in your name. When you first move into a house you have to have the electricity and gas officially put in the names of people on the lease agreement. Make everyone equally responsible for the house and put different bills in different people's names. They are more likely to pay you on time if they understand the pressure of paying a bill. You do not want to be the person who is constantly out of pocket and chasing everyone up for bill money.

6. The House Bond
A bond is usually the equivalent of four weeks rent and is handed over to your real estate agent upon signing the lease. The bond is like insurance for the home owners. If you damage part of the property they can keep part or all of your bond to cover the cost of repairs. Regardless if you are renting through an agency or privately, it is a legal requirement that the bond be lodged with a bond administrator. That means your bond money is held in a government account until such a time that your lease ends and you formally apply for its return. Make sure that your real estate agent provides you with a receipt of your bond being lodged, so you know your money is safe. If you are just renting a room off someone, don't just let them keep your bond in their bank account. They might spend your bond on a new Camilla outfit and drunk night out with their best friends and not have it to give back when you need it…

7. Bond Inspection
This is often ignored by young renters because they are so keen to get into their new space. But before you move anything into your sweet new pad get a bond checklist from your real estate agent or home owner. Go through every single room in the house and note down any damage or marks marks on the floor, walls, ceilings and windows. It is also crucial that you take photos of any marks or damage. This goes for the garden too, especially the lawn. Note if it is dead or dying when you move in. I can't tell you how many times I have heard of real estate agents trying to withhold bonds using dead grass as an excuse, even if it was dead to begin with. Like I said, take pics of everything and email them to your agent so they can't blame you for pre-existing damage.

8. Keep a paper trail
Never ring your real estate agent about any issues; always put any concerns you have in writing. This ensures you have dated evidence to provide them with should you get into a sticky situation. For example, I once had a very leaky tap and emailed my agent about it several times to have it fixed. They never organised a plumber and when I received the water bill it was HUGE! I used my emails about the leaking tap as evidence that the excess water consumption was due to the leaky tap and had the home owner pay a portion of the bill. Just be smart kids.

9. What you'll need to move out
The initial move can be pricey. You'll need to make sure you have the amount to cover the cost of your bond PLUS two weeks rent. In addition to your bond you'll be required to pay two weeks rent up front to make sure you're always ahead in your rent payments. so, you have to pay:

bond (4 weeks rent) + 2 weeks rent in advance + have the money to start paying rent straight away.
So all up, you'll need the equivalent to 8 weeks rent. Yay math.

Don't panic about paying the two weeks rent in advance; at the end of the lease you don't have to pay the final two weeks rent. Which means you may actually be able to afford to live that week #perthlife

Oh, and you'll need some furniture too.

So, now that you have all the important details about moving out, you can take the first step into spacial freedom. WOO! On a quick note I'd also just like to mention that Midori was considered cool in 2007. They had cool billboards and everything.

Peace out x

Image via: cassandracomplexblog.wordpress.com

Woah, Woah, Woah, the average gender pay gap in Australia has risen, yes risen, to a staggering 18.2%. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics men receive, on average, $283.20 per week more than women. And it gets worse for women living in Western Australia where the pay gap is the highest in the country at 26%!

If the above figures don't cause your eye to twitch with rage then get a load of this; the gender pay gap starts from the very beginning of a woman's working life. Girls under 17 receive 11.8% less than their male counterparts. So, because girls aren't generally hired to push trollies and instead have to stand behind a checkout, they cop less pay.

Percentages just don't do the absurdity of this situation any justice, so let's make these figures more relatable. Compared with a man, an Australian woman works 67 days per year for free. Yes, you read that correctly. If men working in Australia were to earn the same as their female colleagues, they would have to take an extra 67 days of holiday every year. As of October 27 there will be 67 days left in the year, which means Australia women will work for the rest of 2015... for absolutely nothing.

Still not enraged? Let's take it a little further. If a man earns an extra $283.20 per week, that works out to be an extra $14,726.40 per year. Currently the projected retirement age for the year 2050 is 67 years old. So, if the average Australian works from 18 to 67 years of age, then over the course of their working life women will receive $721,593.60 less than men. That is almost three-quarters of a million dollars, or enough to buy a house in a lovely suburb.

For me, now 25 years old, the annual figure really hit home. An extra $14,726.30 per year would make a huge difference to my lifestyle. So just to make myself more angry, I have produced a list of everything I could have paid for this year with the $14,726.30... or if I were male.

1. A six-week trip to the Greek Islands, staying in beautiful accommodation
2. A new car, the Suzuki Celerio, with almost $2000 spare
3. My rent for the entire year, with almost $3000 to spare
4. Every piece from the Balmain H&M collection I want, with enough change for a complete holiday to Thailand
5. Three new Chanel handbags
6. Eight pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes
7. Three quarters of my higher education loan (HELP DEBT)

You get the picture...in the wise words of Beyonce, 'if I were a boy.'

Having big boobs is awesome. They get you into cute bars without waiting in lines, they ensure a tall man (or woman) will always help you reach something on the top shelf at the supermarket and they make fabulous bongo drums should you be in the situation where you require some.

But having big boobies is not all fun and games, they can be a real handful when trying to find stylish clothing that fit your body properly. So, as a stylist I'm here to give you a few tips of how to dress if you have a bountiful chest!

Necklines
Okay ladies, let's start with necklines. Necklines are super important when dressing a larger chest. Choosing a flattering neckline can accentuate your shape and slim your frame, but choosing a neckline that doesn't suit your body can make you look much bigger than you really are.

Here are the best necklines for big boobs!

1. The V-Neck or Deep V-Neck
This would be my first choice for a big busted woman. Wearing a v-neck makes breasts appear shapely but not bulky. They also make the waist appear smaller.

2. The Scoop Neckline

The scoop neckline is a great choice for a bigger bust. You can still show off your assets but also savour some modesty, making it great for casual outfits. The scoop neck can be partnered with everything from cute skinny jeans to a high waisted skirt.

3. The Sweetheart Neckline

This is one of my favourite necklines. It usually comes partnered with a 50's vibe but can often be found on a gorgeous bustier. If you do go for a bustier and it has inbuilt cups, make sure you try it on first. If it doesn't fit your boobs, it's not for you!

4. The Strapless

There is a bit of a warning that comes along with this option. Many strapless tops or dresses can be worn with a strapless bra, but I find a strapless bra often doesn't give big chested girls enough support. This is where breast lift tape can be a girl's best friend. You can purchase the breast lift tape here. You stick these 'boob stickers' onto your breasts and pull them up. Once you have positioned your boobs where you want them, smooth the tape down and it holds them in place all night. Fabulous! I would suggest this for all larger busted ladies who are wearing a strapless top, dress or gown, that doesn't have in built cups.

Styling tips for big boobies

1. Flowing or Drape Garments

Wearing a flowing or draped garment can be a problem for girls with a big bust. These clothes are usually made for a straight figure, so if you are going to wear them you have three options to make them look fab! One, belt the garment around the waist (only if the garment's shape and fabric will allow it), two, throw on a cute blazer to shape your figure or three, don't wear it.

2. Wearing a cute plain t-shirt

If you want to wear a cute plain tee, don't get one with a high neck. Stick to a v neck or a scoop neck that sits tightly around your bust. If it is too baggy it's going to make you look bulky.

3. High Waisted Bottom Half

A high waisted skirt can be so flattering too. You can tuck flowing or baggy tops into the skirt to create a beautiful feminine figure.

4. Styling Options For the Cleavage Conscious

A lot of the time (at work and such) it's not really appropriate to wear outfits that show off cleavage, which I think it just really crappola. Why should we have to totally cover up to please other people? I'm not talking about going around with your nips half out but a gorgeous top that shows a womanly shape shouldn't be considered inappropriate. Especially, because when a woman has a big chest almost everything can look 'inappropriate'. There have been times when I have been wearing just a tank top and a friend has said 'jeeze put them away'. Where do you suggest I put them? Should I strap them down like Christina Ricci in 'Now and Then' or should I just resort to wearing turtle necks all year round? Bitch please! It's just another way that our society makes a natural or human element completely taboo. But that's a whole other argument, and this is a fashion blog. Anyway... here are some styling options for women who want to cover up a little. And yes, there is more Kim K. How did this happen?

1. The Cowl Neck Top

A great option for large boobies, because it gives shape and drapes off the form. Cowl necks come in all different cuts and are usually a really flattering option for most body shapes. They are also easily transitioned from day to night wear.

2. The slight V Blouse

It's a V-neck but it covers your girls. Again, if it's a floating style, like the one below, it would look best tucked. Or if you don't want to tuck, wear a long necklace that flattens down the fabric.

3. Key Whole Tops and Blouses

This one is a little cheeky option that you can get away with in the office or at lunch with your boyfriend's mum. It shows a bit of skin, flatters your shape but doesn't give away too much.

Styles To Stay Away From

1. Flowing tops that aren't tucked or belted

They will make you look pregnant, which is only okay if you are pregnant.

2. High necklines

They will make you look too bulky up top and tend not to define your gorgeous body.

3. Block coloured dresses with high necklines

NO!

Finally don't forget one of the key rules of styling an outfit. If the top of the outfit has a lot of volume, keep the bottom half quite slim and tight and if your top is tight, you can go for a more volumous pant or skirt.

I'm not entirely certain how this post turned into a homage to Kim Kardashian, but hey the girl knows how to dress for her shape. Hope this helped some big busted ladies!

xxx

A few weeks back I styled an STM shoot with the brilliant Claire Davies. It was such a great creative brief to work with and the Sunday Times crew are all fab! Hendra from MAC did the hair and makeup on the gorgeous Karina White and she just looked amazing! We almost had a huge disaster when some fool let their wet pooch run through our set, but the was crisis averted and thank god because I was not looking forward to explaining to Wheels and Dollbaby why their clothes were covered in huge, muddy paw prints!

Anyway, these are how the pics turned out, and we made the cover. Ohhh yeahhhh!

Food Shoot for STM
Creative Direction: Claire Davies
Stylist: Angie McGivern
Hair and Make-up: Hendra @ Mac
Model: Karina White @Chadwick Models
Photographer: Richard Hatherly
(Miss Tartufo food truck)

I'm just a little bit obsessed with the holographic trend right now. It will most probably come and go quicker than chocolate at a girl's night, so we have to take advantage of it while the garments are available. Personally, I think if you want to work the holographic trend you can't be half-arsed about it. You either have to wear it with a super-cool street look or style it so that it's ultra chic and polished. It's high-end fashion so you have to style it as such.

A lot of girls try to recreate trends straight from the runway...don't so that. You have to remember that looks and trends are exaggerated for runway shows. A head-to-toe holographic outfit may have looked seriously slick on the runway; under heavy lights, on a 6 foot pin-thin model but, changes are, if you take that look and wear it in everyday life you're just going to look like a shiny fool. Be cool about it, if someone has to squint when they look at you, you've taken it too far.