Lisa O'Neill Stylist

Day 21 - Last day!

2011-11-06T01:49:00.000-07:00

Here I am on my last day. Day 21. This has been a fun filled but very challenging 21 days.

I have learnt a lot and think it has changed the way I will dress for ever!
Wearing constant colour has required a lot of energy and has called on a lot of confidence.
I am looking forward to having a few lazy days. Throwing things on without having to give it as much thought as I have in my past 21 days. The thing that I miss the most is my black and white stripes. I think that I may wear them for a week! I love the graphic drama of black and white.

I think that I may rest the white pants for a while... I have also missed some favourite black shoes.
I will continue to wear lots of colour and will have one day a week of no black minimum. I am happy about being reunited with black but am over my addiction and will no longer let it rule my life!
Please join me in trying at least one blackless day each week x

Day 18

2011-11-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Tonight I attended a fashion event at Ultimate Motor Group, Ford dealership in Tauranga. I got to wear this new dress from the just launched 'Sabine' label. Sabine is a NZ designer label that is now stocked exclusively Farmers - your store. This dress is a fab smokey grey with tiny pleating below the waist. The range has pretty party pieces and some sophisticated separates.
I love to wear glamourous feminine dresses. Many women tell me that they have no where to wear them. Glamour and femininity is a state of mind. Wear them to work, wear them to do school pick up. Start wearing clothes because you want to!

You will be amazed at how great you feel. Dressing for yourself is such a treat. I think that a lot of women have evolved enough to stop dressing in things because their husband approves of them, but there are still a lot who dress safe. "What will people think?" This is a disease that many catch.

Get immunised against it! If some one feels dowdy because you look good, then let them deal with that! x

Day 17

2011-11-03T22:20:00.001-07:00

Here goes! Welcome to the start of Christmas 2011...
The shops are loaded already with gorgeous decorations and presents. I even heard Christmas music today.

I am getting started on my home decorating this weekend and am feeling very inspired!
I have helped two women this morning to find outfits for Christmas Day. How organised is that! Loads of weddings also happening.
Dresses everywhere...
Christmas is coming ready or not! Best you get ready....

It is such a lovely time of year, full of love and giving and pretty decorations. Whats not to love?

If you are a Christmas grinch then get over it and start decorating!!

Lisa x

2011-11-01T01:29:00.000-07:00

Here I am. Levin's answer to Starbucks except the coffee is better and you know everyones name that comes in!

"Caffeinate Too" in the Levin Rose Gardens.
I so look forward to my 'rice milk' latte (allergic to lactose).
Coffee is definitely a spiritual experience for me. Only one a day but it has to be a goodie. No instant for this brightly dressed tart!

People are constantly amazed that I live in Levin. I have for 39 years.
I love it. I have a big house and section that I could not afford in a city.
A large amount of family live close and then of course there are gorgeous friends.

I firmly believe that it is how we live that is important. Not where we live. So here I am living out loud in my 2nd hand blue palazzo pants.
Got many strange looks today. Levin just doesn't seem ready for big bright blue pants! They cost $7!!
I am also wearing a silver satin tee from Ella J Farmers - your store. The big silk scarf is from the best little boutique in NZ Harry's Boutique Wellington. In Seatoun. Next time you are heading to Wellington Airport it is just round the corner.

Allow plenty of time. It is so good you will miss your flight! x

Day 15

2011-11-01T01:19:00.000-07:00

Bright and happy - thats how this dress makes me feel!

It is so important that we wear things that make us happy. We can all identify things in our wardrobe that we don't feel good in.

The top that is a little bit too short, the pants that are too short in the crotch or that dress you have to hold your tummy in all day in!

Yet we wear them, feel yucky, go home & wash and iron them and put them back in our wardrobe!

We do this because we think that we 'should' wear them. We punish ourselves for bad buying decisions. We keep things hanging in our wardrobe as constant reminders of the weight we have put on or the career we used to have!

They are like keeping photos of ex boyfriends. I urge you to get rid of all your 'ex's'. Throw them out, give them away or at the very least move them to somewhere where you do not look at them daily! You will be happier wearing five things you love over and over than 18 things that you hate.

Only buy clothes that you love and that love you back... x

Day 14

2011-10-30T03:34:00.000-07:00

At the Royal NZ Ballet tonight.

God I love the ballet.

Colour, tulle, men in tights!
So is wearing Navy Blue. Not black.

I am wearing a super cute navy blue pencil skirt from Vanilla Ink Boutique. It is stretchy and comfortable and sexy all at the same time! Worn with navy opaques and navy ankle boots from Minx Shoes.

I was told by someone official in my 20's that navy blue was my best colour. At the time navy blue, to me, represented everything I could not bare - conservative, safe and far from creative.
Now old and sometimes sensible I like the feeling I get from Navy Blue.
A sort of wise power. The power to wear what I like.

To know that just because I choose the darkest shade of blue it doe's not mean that I am boring. It is often announced that navy is the new black - for the past 13 days it has been for me.

Navy worn with this 'Mia Tee' in 'candifloss' ( have you ever wanted to wear a colour more!?) also from Vanilla Ink makes me feel sophisticated and elegant. Just like the Ballet! x

Day 13 - Eating Colour

2011-10-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Here is me and my gorgeous cat, Bertie. Not even Bertie is black!
He is a British Blue.

Gorgeous Colour,Fat, Cute and Funny.

I love happy fat people. Better than thin grumpy ones any day!
I meet so many women who are desperate to be thin. They obsess about 2 or 3 kilos. So dumb, so boring.
Do some exercise, learn about the benefits of eating well but relax about a few kilos.

As we age we look better a little heavier than when we were young and thin. The extra weight helps us to look younger and happier and keep warmer!
I am a huge fan of honoring your body and looking after yourself.

I strongly believe that you are what you eat.
Who does'nt want to be a piece of cake every now and then?!

A while ago I read about Colour Eating. It is as much fun as colour dressing. You must eat as many colours you can in a day. If you have food options you take the more colourful one everytime.

Brown rice over white, red potatos over beige! Drink beetroot juice.
Eat a carrot instead of a wine biscuit. Try blueberries as a snack. The nutritional value is highly coloured food is much higher than white and beige food. Go ahead - have a colourful day x

Day 12

2011-10-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

Here I am all festive and springy!

Wearing a great tunic from Yourself @Farmers. Yourself is officially a plus sized label and one of my favourites. Beautiful fabrics and clever cuts. This top goes from a Large up to a 4XL!

So many women get very hung up on the size of the clothing that they wear. Some will only buy a certain number and others are convinced that they are much bigger than they actually are.

Next time you are shopping take two sizes of each item into the changing room. It is amazing what difference a size up of down can make.

Some fabrics are very firm and you are doing yourself a favour wearing a bigger size.

Some garments are made very wide and trying a size down can loose you 5 kg!

Day 11

2011-10-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

A quick cuppa before heading to the airport! So happy in my cream coat today.

Cream is such a luxurious colour. I always feel posh in cream.

Best to be worn when the children are at school! Not good around marmite eaters...

I have two cream coats this one from Vanilla Ink Boutique and a wool one.
Cream lightens your skin and makes your teeth and eyes appear whiter. What's not to love?
If you don't have any cream clothes, try it whipped in your coffee! Yum!

Day 10

2011-10-26T01:37:00.000-07:00

Leaving for work, feeling Smurfy!

I drove to Palmerston North today to run an instore workshop Farmers. Had a fabulous day.

I feel so lucky to have a job that I love so much.

Helping women to feel great about themselves has long been my passion. Now it is my full time reality. I get so spend time, at workshops and instores, working with awesome women.

Women who are not happy with how their bodies have turned out. Women dealing with physical and emotional crisis's.
Women who have lost hope of ever looking good again...

If you are one of those women please do not give up. Spend some time on yourself. Treat yourself as a really good friend would. Buy something that makes you happy. It may be a scarf, a new lipstick, or a dress.

I once read that if you love your job then you get 5 extra days in your weekend! I love my 7 day weekends! x

Day 9

2011-10-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

Laugh Out Loud! Live Out Loud.

Wear stripes. Guaranteed to get comments.

I love stripes, my favourites are black and white. But not this week! Not for another 12 days...

I am really enjoying my vow of colour.

I have always enjoyed getting dressed every morning but now even more so.

More of a challenge.

We all have to get dressed. It is the law.
You might as well have some fun.

Enjoy your day x

Day 8

2011-10-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

At home, wearing tulle, just because I want to!
I love flouncing around in big skirts.

I would have been so good in the 50's in a pinny, making scones.
Making sure I had my lipstick on before hubby came in from work!

Life was simple then. We looked good and they bought home the bacon.

Now women need to look good, bring home some bacon, cook the bacon and then clean up after the bacon.... or do we?
Working, cooking and getting dressed up are all things I like doing. Cleaning is not. So I don't.

I am really enjoying today, a bit of work, a few twirls, a few jobs to do around home.

No cleaning.

Next time you get an overwhelming desire to clean, get really dressed up and then you will loose the urge!

Read a book, talk on the phone and if the mess gets really really bad, just go out...

Day 7

2011-10-23T00:41:00.001-07:00

I have decided today to wear silver. Cannot wear black in support of our All Black boys, so thought silver (for the silver fern) would be a good effort.

Silver is a beautiful colour, especially for those with grey hair.

I have no problem with grey hair, looking forward to it. Nothing cooler for me than to see a beautifully dresses woman with well cut grey hair. They seem so wise and comfortable with themselves. Rather than trying to hold onto their youth with both hands and a bottle of hairdye!

Wearing a silver top, scarf or jewelry can make it look like you meant it all to happen. Embrace your greyness.

Silver looks hot on those with blue eyes and blue based skin but equally as good on gorgeous olive skin tones.

I flew home today with four kids on the plane - I think got more grey hair in the process!

Bring on Grey. And good luck to the All Blacks tonight...

Lisa x

Day 6

2011-10-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

Saw this street sign today; O'Neill Avenue and could not resist!

So enjoying my new pants. Bought these from Switch at Farmers on Thursday.

They are my new trackpants. Super comfy.

Not quite as easy as my trusty blacks.

I have to be careful where I sit and what I do.

I am getting used to 'floaty'. Not as easy to wear fitted clothes when they are not black.

Black can be tight and acceptable - never the same for white!

I do feel summery though. A great way to get into a new season.

Gorgeous day in Christchurch,
Happy Labour Weekend,

Lisa x

Day 5

2011-10-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

Had a blue day today!
Started at a live Smurf show. So cute.

Wore blue, bright cobalt with jeans. I love wearing cobalt.
It is power blue. A strong colour that is still calming.

Cobalt Blue & Jade Green are two colours, known as 'universal colours' that suit all skintones and colourings.

The only other is Coral.

Many women want a guarantee that colours will suit them and are constantly worried that they 'will get it wrong'. My theory is that if you are happy and enjoy wearing a colour, then you cannot go wrong.

Yes their are colours that technically suit some better than others. Don't get too hung up on rules, you are meant to enjoy life, and wearing clothes. Wear whatever makes you happy.

So off you go get something cobalt - I guarantee it will suit you! x

Day 4

2011-10-20T02:19:00.001-07:00

I was way out of my comfort zone today!

White pants can make a girl feel quite vunerable!

l left the house feeling like a popsicle. Got some strange looks walking through Northlands on my way to my Farmers Instore Event.

A lovely lady came straight up to me and said how lovely she thought I looked. I was delighted - maybe on the right path after all...

It turned out to be a case of 'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway'. Sometimes even when we are uncomfortable we need to carry on.

If I was not doing my 21 days in full colour I would never have worn this outfit.

I had a brilliant day, loads of gorgeous women came into store - many left with white pants! The pants I am wearing for the record, are Kamiko 7/8 pant - fully lined $89. The orange top is Jigsaw also $89. I was asked so many times I know it all off by heart!

I challenge you all to wear something you feel uncomfortable in.
Nothing bad will happen and you may even discover you like your new look!
Enjoy,
Lisa x

Day 3

2011-10-19T03:40:00.001-07:00

Pretty in Pink.

The colour of the feminine.

Makes you appear loving and approachable.

Very few women will admit that they want to look pretty. I don't think we have been raised in NZ to be 'pretty'. We are practical people, wearing practical clothes.

The thought of wearing clothes just to be pretty is very foreign to most of us.

The definition of pretty is to 'look attractive in a delicate way'.

I have recently dressed four women for makeovers for the NZ Womans Weekly. All four of them said when they saw themselves - 'I feel so pretty'! It was like they did not think that it was possible. They were delighted.

I believe every woman can look pretty - one of my favourite quotes in by Helena Rubinstein: "There is no such thing as an ugly woman only a lazy one"!

Go and try on something delicate & feminine. In the shops or even in your own wardrobe. Lurking in the back there is probably something you have not seen for a while. Something your wore years ago when you actually felt pretty?

The shops are full of florals and dresses. It won't be hard to find.

Yours in Pink,

Lisa x

Day 2

2011-10-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

Here I am in Kaikoura wearing Blue!

Blue sky, blue sea. So gorgeous.

I was up super early to fly to Christchurch. Normally would just throw on black when traveling and leaving the house at 5.30am! Not today.

My bag was exactly 23 kilos.

I have packed three handbags and 7 pairs of shoes for a 6 day trip!
Black certainly makes packing easier and bags lighter. But wearing so much colour has already made me feel lighter and calmer.

I am surprised at how virtuous I feel. I notice black wearers everywhere. I am convinced they look stressed and tired. Not me even with my early start, I am calm in blue.

Am loving my denim blazer. My first ever denim jacket was a blazer when I was 12. I remember being allowed it. It was the only one my father would let me have as he was convinced denim jackets were for street kids! We compromised on a SKIN denim dark indigo blazer from 'Cactus Jacks' in the Golden Centre in New Plymouth.
I never forget a purchase!

Day 1

2011-10-16T23:53:00.000-07:00

Thought I would start with a roar! I chose Red.

Apparently the colour to wear if you need to portray confidence.... a good idea on the first day of anything new.

I had read that Red can be intimidating and I did get some strange looks in The Plaza in Palmerston North today!

A couple of 'who do you think you are?' a couple of 'what were you thinking' looks!

Certainly not the colour to wear to blend in! There were moments where I thought black might have felt more comfortable and moments where I felt gorgeous and bright. I normally tone this coat down with black pants, so this look was fairly full on. While doing the photos i did feel like a giant saveloy.

Am still in my red, minus the coat and have added grey slippers and a glass of wine.

Perfect end to Day 1.

lisa x

My day to prepare...

2011-10-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here I go – getting ready for my vow of colour. I have packed a whole lot of black temptations away in a suitcase – out of sight out of mind!

I went out with friends last night and wore a couple of special black pieces. I felt like the night before the 40 hour famine when all you could think of was food! I did not realize just how attached I am to a few of my favourite pieces.

So effortless, so chic. Black is cool. But so is colour, so here I go. I have one day to get some clothes sorted, shop for a few essentials and be ready.

The women I have told so far of my 21 day experiment have had varied reactions. Some have glazed over with the thought.

We are a lazy nation of dressers. Kiwi’s are known to be hands on, practical, ‘can do’ people which does not bode well when dressing.

There are some fabulously dressed, fashionable and stylish New Zealanders but on the whole, if you sit and watch at any public place you will see large amounts of casually dressed, practical people, wearing comfortable clothes. They seem have little interest in style or fashion or even how they look.

Too hard? Not enough time? No Money – these are the excuses I get everyday.

The size of my wardrobe puts me in a good position to try this experiment. I appreciate that I probably have more clothes than the average kiwi girl. Still I think that this challenge may not be as easy as I think!

Basics like tights, camisoles, slips – all black! Favourite boots, shoes and my new handbag - alone they will be for 21 days. No outings for them!

I started my Sunday at the gym. Not an activity I enjoy but one that is good for my body. All gym gear – BLACK! Who knows maybe I will be more motivated at the gym when I see my butt in coral leggings!!!

Lisa x

2011-10-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

For 21 days I am taking a vow of colour.

No black for me. Not even an outline.

No shoes, no accessories, not even a handbag!

I love to wear black but do agree that it is all too often our

default setting.

There has not been this much colour in our stores since the 1980’s so there is no excuse except for laziness and old habits.

I will post pictures everyday and would love your feedback on http://www.facebook.com/lisaoNZ

Please let me know your thoughts on why you wear black?

What would make you wear more colour?

Send this to all your friends who wear too much black!

You could even join me?

Yours in colour,

Lisa x

First Ever Blog!

2010-12-28T02:13:00.000-08:00

Well here I go - first blog ever!

It has been a big year, I intended to start this last July but life got away on me and so I thought I would get ahead of 2011 and start early!

I am a stylist, a motivator that enjoys helping people to create a wardrobe that serves them and their lifestyles. Nothing makes life easier than having the right thing to wear for the right occassion...

I am really passionate about people feeling really good about the way that they look and the things that they wear. Looking good for many of us relates directly to feeling good. This is not vanity but learning to value ourselves to honour the people and occasions in our lives.

We do not need a lot of money to look good.

What we need to time. We need to make time. We need to value ourselves enough to know that we deserve to look good, to feel good.

We need to learn how to choose the things that we love. The way we did when we were small. (I love asking my children why they chose the clothes they are wearing)

We need to stop wearing certain types of clothes because our sister or husband likes them or because our daughters tell us we can't wear leggings or that we 'should' wear plain clothes so we don't stick out. Or because your mother told you that you look best in a collar. Let her wear collars.

Wear things for no other reason than that they make you feel 'pretty' or 'powerful' or because you like the way that they feel on your skin.

I currently have a thing for full circle skirts. 1950's housewife ones that make me feel like a gorgeous feminine woman. My waist looks small even!

The bigger the skirt the smaller the waist! How brilliant is that!

Those women new stuff back then! Also covers Christmas thighs and overstuffed knickers.

Off to the gym tomorrow to sort mine.... will keep you posted on that!