there is always someone that cares...

there is always someone that cares... by stylediva13 featuring giorgio armani perfume

Today I wanted to showcase one of my recent sets and talk about what I love about it in terms of fashion. I find it hard to define my style but most of the sets I make are, very selfishly, only things that I personally would wear. What I love about the outfit above is the simplicity. A pair of boyfriend jeans, a cute, slouchy tee and some wedges. It is then the accessories that really make it stand out. This set is in tribute to Rebecca Minkoff, an absolutely amazing designer. I just adore the clutch and the jacket and it takes a very simply ensemble and turns it into something special. You see being fashionable isn't always about being uncomfortable and being unable to breathe properly. Yes, some outfits you wear will be slightly restrictive but it is possible to look chic and fabulous and still be comfy. In fact one of my favourite bloggers Karla Deras (www.karlascloset.com) took a Nike sweatshirt paired it with some white jeans and gorgeous sandals and BAM had a look to die for and was she comfy? I bet she was! I guess what I'm saying is this, fashion and comfort aren't mutually exclusive, they can be married together and form a lasting and fabulous union. So, ladies and gents, there really is no excuse for not looking gorgeous at all times! 

Thanks for stopping by.

xoxo

Ode to Accessories..

I am about to bastardise the divine Ms. Jane Austen and I hope you will forgive me but it is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman in possession of any fortune whatsoever, must love to shop. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, those few women who do not like shopping and take no comfort in spending a couple of hours at the mall.. I am not one of them. There is nothing like the heady rush you feel when finding an amazing bargain; spotting the perfect pair of shoes, fabulous bag or gorgeous bangles, earrings or necklaces. Since I don't have the budget of Paris Hilton I do pride myself on finding good buys, the trick - buy things that look expensive but aren't.. Easier said than done I know but it is possible. Here are a few examples of my current obsessions! 

Comfy and fabulous, best of all bought with a Christmas voucher and best of all they look like Christian Louboutins without the price tag! 

My latest purchase making me smile.. Bought number 535 May in May and best of all it was bought with another gift card. 

Multi coloured strappy flats were a gift from my gorgeous partner, tan platforms and pumps with orange bows from Dorothy Perkins (God I love internet shopping) and those leopard print beauties were bought last season and are still divine! 

Yep I am a sunglasses fanatic, all cheap and cheerful (which suits me fine because I can have heaps of them) 

Rings, always loved them and always will.. Check out the faux Yves Saint Laurent adorning my first finger, picked it up for $15 from Diva! 

Adore my watch, gold and silver accents with enough bling to make PDiddy proud. The beautiful flower ring was R20 from Mr. Price... 

Nothing fake about this baby.. My 30th birthday pressie from my BFF Tegan, a stunning and classic Michael Kors wallet. 

Fashion is a fickle mistress at the best of times but some amazing accessories will stand you in good stead for seasons and best of all you don't have to break the bank in order to acquire them! 


Thanks for stopping by! 
xoxo

Going Nowhere Slowly...

Los Angeles Confidential Editorial Free * Spirits, June 2008 Shot #1 |... (clipped to polyvore.com)

These days nothing is done slowly, everything is a constant rush, leaving people feeling overwhelmed and over stressed. We chase the big money, the important job, corner office, cool car and big ol' house but what we fail to realise is that our single minded determination to rise to the top means we are missing out on the view on our way up there! Don't get me wrong I am as ambitious and determined to be successful as the next gal (I mean my Louboutin obsession won't just go away!) but I also know the importance of taking time to smell the roses. Yes, yes an old cliche if ever there was one but nonetheless a very solid kernel of truth. In today's hurry me, rush me society so much of what we are working for is forgotten in the melee and it is truly sad. 

I speak from experience having managed to attain the high powered job, the fantastic salary and the gorgeous apartment in the right location only to give it all up because I wanted more; not more stuff and not a better job, but a better life. I wanted passion and happiness in my career, I wanted fulfilment and satisfaction and I wanted contentment. These are all things that money cannot buy, and though my journey has been and still is a tough one, I am meeting the challenges head on and enjoying them because these challenges are all in pursuit of my happiness. This may sound trite and once again I am rolling out another well worn cliche but we only get this one life, it sure is hell ain't a dress rehearsal, so we should make sure it's fabulous. 

My passions are acting and fashion, it's doubtful that I will ever make it onto the big (or little) screen, much to my dismay, but I can pursue my dream of working in and with fashion, whether it be on Polyvore creating amazing sets and looking at others gorgeous work, starting my own personal styling business, talking about fashion in my blog or tweeting about great fashion that catches my eye. The point is this, I may not have the fancy car (yet) or my own home, I may be on the wrong side of 20, I may be facing more challenges now than I have ever faced in my life BUT I have fire in my belly, I have hope in my heart and I am determined to get there... as my Gran used to say "slowly, slowly catch a monkey!" 

In the meantime I am going to live each day to the full, I will take notice of things around me and appreciate them. I will enjoy the company of my loved ones. I will learn how to bake. I will grow my business every way I can. I will explore my new Country and make new friends and most of all I will allow my spirit some freedom to simply just be... No rush, no hurry, just... going nowhere slowly! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Nyika 

xoxo

A Weekend of Fashion..

There is nothing better than having a little bit of money and taking yourself off to the Mall and finding some great fashion buys, on sale! I am starting a business that is, hopefully, going to make fashion my life so I thought it was necessary to add some key items to my wardrobe. After all I would hate to go to my first meeting with a client and have them look at me and think "She's going to style ME!" 

I tend to be a very classic dresser as it is, which I guess can sometimes be misinterpreted as boring but at least it never goes out of style! This brings me to the main focus of this post.. Fashion versus style. It's easy to be fashionable, I mean off you go to the shops and you have mannequins dressed in outfits that you're supposed to buy and wear, but, is it as easy to be stylish? I don't think so, you see style is the x factor of the Fashion World, style does not fade and it certainly does not conform. Every day I see fashionable people but you wonder how they are taking the current fashion trends and making them their own. Many people don't but sometimes you find a true gem, a stand out and you can marvel at their style flair. Olivia Palermo is definitely one of those style icons, someone who takes a fashionable outfit and styles it up so that it screams Olivia Only Style! 

Olivia Palermo Out & About - NYC

Take a look at this very classic ensemble, anyone can put it together but everyone should style it differently. Copy cat fashion is not fashion! A pair of black skinny jeans, a white top, a fabulous white waistcoat and some brogues and hey presto an amazing look. However, the love is in the details, accessories matter almost as much (no wait, who am I kidding!) they matter as much as the clothes on your back. A look can fail because it is accessorised badly. Always make sure your bag looks good i.e. is in good condition, nothing takes you from style goddess to style failure quicker than a scruffy, dirty handbag - the same rule applies for shoes. Olivia has added two chunky perspex bangles to this look but being a very classic style canvas anything goes. Leave the vest unbuttoned and add a gorgeous necklace. Wear a beautiful cuff, add some colour like some turquoise rings. It really is up to you, most of all don't be afraid to experiment, to try new things and to bring who you are into your look, that is what will make you a true style diva. 

Conformity is safe, easy and less scary but being your own person is definitely more fun! Fashion is my passion but great style is my everlasting quest; and I'm sure it's going to be a journey fraught with some fashion missteps but the learning is in the mistakes! 

On that note have a fabulous Monday everyone and thanks for stopping by! 

Nyika 

xoxo

Allow Myself to Introduce Myself....

My name is Nyika Triegaardt and I am embarking on my FIRST BLOG! Eek! Whilst I consider myself a techie (I lust after the Sony Vaio, the iPad2 and a Kindle) I find blogging somewhat intimidating. Hell, I only just got to grips with the hash tag thingy on Twitter and I've been tweeting since about 2009! It's a strange paradox, this loving technology but being frightened of it at the same time. I am sure I am not alone where this is concerned but I had to GET A GRIP! I am trying to start my own little personal styling and wardrobe re-invention business and the best thing at my disposal is, yup, you guessed it, technology and whilst I have had the amazing website Polyvore at my disposal for a year I also want to make my voice heard in another forum and so my blog is being born.

It's going to be quite an exciting venture, both the business and the blog, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts on a variety of topics. I am sure the blog will be quite hedonistic in a way, dealing with subject matter that I am fond of, but at the same time I hope that it is interesting for everyone else to take a gander at and maybe comment on. The main focus will be fashion but I love so much; film and acting (the biggest passion in my life!), music, books, crosswords, animals, politics, travel... the list is endless... that I hope to fill the blog with an array of exciting topics that people can identify with. 

So the title of this post is Allow Myself to Introduce Myself and that is exactly what I shall do. You all now know I am blog-impaired but here are some of the other salient facts about me. The name of my blog is Treat and my business is called Treat Yourself, Treat comes from my surname of Triegaardt and I think it is such a lovely word. After all anyone wanting to re-style themselves will be treating themselves to a great, new positive experience. 

I am a South African who is now living in Australia, I adore Australia and am so happy to be here though I am proud of my status as a South African, we are a funny, tough and cool bunch of people and I was very lucky to be raised in such a wonderous, diverse and difficult place. Embarking on a new life journey is bittersweet, there are always people you leave behind and lonliness is an issue but it certainly does make one try things one had never contemplated before (like blogging!) 

I love, adore and respect all living things and whilst not a Buddhist or, to my shame, a vegetarian, I try my utmost to not harm things in my life or in my fashion aesthetic. I shy away from all fur unless it's fake, I do not find lizard, snake or crocodile skin appealing and completely believe that animals have better places to be than on my feet, on my arm or around my shoulders. Right, climbing down from soap box... NOW! Of course I welcome different opinions and I do not judge others who love fur and skins, that is their prerogative, it's just not my thang! 

I am aware that there are squillions of blogs out there that will perhaps be more polished than mine, or wittier or offer pure fashion views that are not clouded by other topics but I hope that people will check in on Treat every once in a while and give it a shot. As the weeks march on I hope to become a more sophisticated blogger and offer up a blog that is as pretty to look at as it is fun to read, for now all I can offer is good, solid style advice, opinions, some bitchiness (this is fashion, dahling, it is a given) and an all around great read. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Nyika 

xoxo