Put your best foot forward for the office, then turn some heads later at the bar. Mix and match smart skirts with blazers, your favourite scarf, bag or heels – and off you go!
Our friends at Stylehunter.com.au show you how to get the look, and there’s lots more to choose from in their eBoutique.

1. Pop your office outfit with this Forcast cropped jacket, $69.95 from Coco Pink 2. Beat the basic black trench with this floral print Sunnygirl Jacquard Trench, $79 from Freez 3. The scarf is this seasons must have accessory. Snakeskin printed scarf, $26 from pinkcandy 4. Corporate chic… this is it! Sunnygirl jacket, $49 from Freez 5. Take this bag from day to night. Ooh La Lili bag, $34.95 from Coco Pink 6. Store this one in the top drawer to add some fun to any outfit. Swirl bangle, $24 from pinkcandy 7. Make heads turn in this bow tie high waisted Ladakh skirt, $59 from Freez 8. The only spots in the office that everyone will want. Ladakh blouse, $59.95 from Coco Pink 9. Keep that long lunch hidden, with this black suede belt, $19 from pinkcandy 10. This is a nice alternative to the usual blazer. MinkPink jacket, $79.90 from About A Girl 11. An easy option for days when you’re running late. ForeverEbony dress, $25 from I Want A Bargain 12. Heading out for Friday night drinks? This is a must! Ruffle dress, $75 from Frock Lobster 13. Corporate can be comfortable, if you add a little sparkle. Mimmi ballet flats, $49.95 from Coco Pink 14. Been a long day? This will make you feel better! Leila leather cuff, $77 from MarLey Rose 15. These are any working girls’ afternoon delight. Boston Babe stud heels, $84.95 from Coco Pink

The term “It-girl” looks set to adopt a new meaning as geek chic carves a space for itself on fashion catwalks. HP’s new Butterfly Lovers “digital clutch” is a must-have for IT-girls (information technology-fluent fashionistas).

This feather-light, tech couture accessory [pictured right] made its runway debut at New York Fashion Week as part of Vivienne Tam’s Spring 2010 collection.

It’s the second time the Chinese-born designer has loaned her signature East-meets-West style to HP’s Mini laptop range. Her first designer digital clutch was unveiled in 2008.

With a 10.1″ display, 320GB HD storage, 2Gig memory and up to 11 hours battery life – the sleek HP Mini 210 Web-connects in seconds. It’s so tech-fabulous, it even makes an appearance in Sex and the City 2 [premiering in Australia June 3].

UK fashion catwalks are awash with pretty pastels for their 2010 Spring/Summer collections. That means soft hues of blue, lovely lilac, spearmint, yellow and powdery pink will soon be hitting our shores.

So why not get in early? Bridge the gap between Winter and Summer with these playful pastel looks from our friends at Stylehunter.com.au

1. Mix it up with this Melinda Young Stackable bubble rings, $165 from Oye Modern
2. Be playful in this Cashmere Pocket Stud Tee, $20 from I Want A Bargain
3. Keep it fresh with this cute mint ForeverEbony Crotchet Trim Top, $12 from I Want A Bargain
4. Lighten up dreary winter days with a Junk biker jacket, $79 from Freez
5. Beat the chill with a Condura round knit hat, $11.95 from Hula Hut
6. For the glamorous player – Elegant Pearl Cocktail Ring, $59 from Pink Candy
7. The perfect pastel purse! Luxe Accessories Wallet, $85 from Handbag Fetish
8. Break the black down with some MinkPink Jeans, $69 from Freez
9. This beautiful blue will go with any colour of the rainbow. Cashmere Ruffle Top, $20 from I Want A Bargain
10. What a fabulous pastel paint job! MinkPink tank dress, $59 from Freez
11. Highlight that waist of yours with this Knotted Waist Belt, $16 from Pink Candy
12. This gorgeous Treesje Turner Handbag will fast forward any outfit, $629 from Found
13. Add some pastel power to your look with this Handbag Luxe Accessories, $240 from Handbag Fetish
14. Be pretty in pink with these Bloch Ballerina Ballet Flats, $100 from European Wardrobe

Alright, so power suits have been out for a while. But the point is, we here at SNOBS HQ are loving what vintage style is doing for the working women’s wardrobe!

It’s not what you’d call a fashion revival. The feminine-fitted and full-skirted frilly numbers, popular throughout the 1930-50’s, has never really died off. Just ask any swing dancer or Rockabilly.

But there’s no doubt pop culture viewing like Mad Men, has helped remind us just how stylish these retro looks are for the office. The good old 1930’s “house dress” was anything but; considering what we view as a domestic chore-attire these days.

So I’m pretty excited to have stumbled across these gorgeous frocks above, and below, from a shop that’s actually a dance shoe supplier! Covelli Dance Shoe Specialists are based in the Hunter Region of NSW.

Although I can’t see myself attending a dance class, I’m dancing a little jig of excitement about getting my hands on their dress supplies.

If you know of any other stores who stock a range of classic, vintage-inspired “house dresses” – please, please let us know (and leave a link if possible) in the comments box. Ta!

Do you own to-die-for heels, too painful to stand in? At dinner or work you can slide them off under the table for relief. Sadly, a method that won’t slide on your big day.

It’s a blessing that wedding gowns are traditionally floor-length; allowing brides to get away with unattractive “comfort” footwear. But imagine a stunning heel you’d feel comfortable in long after walking the aisle!

Vivaz Dance Proprietor, Vivienne Moult, had a brilliant idea before her big day. The result is a range of bridal heels manufactured to the “ultra comfort” standards applied to her professional dance shoe range.

You could tie-the-knot feeling as though you’re walking on a cloud – in more ways than one! Visit www.vivazdance.com.au to view the full range.

How delightful are these cupcake wrappers! Sure, cupcakes were already very pretty but if you can add an extra element of design, why not?

They are the clever creation of two Melbourne-based mums, Kat and Nat, who launched The Cupcake Wrapper Co. in 2008.

Wrappers are available in a pack of 12 for AU$14.95 and can be purchased via Etsy, or there’s a list of retailers at their blog.

It’s so easy to ignore the basics of good health when work has you run off your feet. So here’s a few simple reminders. Foods and tips to make you feel great!

Eat

Believe it or not, food plays an important role in determining your mood! Below are some foods that actually enhance your ability to be happy, less stressed and more focused!

• Bananas: Contain B6 and Tryptophan which increase serotonin production, making you happier.
• Nuts, seeds, avocado: All contain ‘good fats’ to feed the brain and make you more focused.
• Organic dark chocolate and leafy greens: Such as lettuce, kale etc. All are high in magnesium which is a mineral that cannot be made by the body. It helps maintain regular, steady blood flow, plays a big part in structure and strengthening of bones and leftover magnesium in our bodies is stored in our muscles where it acts like a muscle relaxant!

My Tip: Start the day with a complete protein brekkie. Later in the day, eat your colours (aim for five). At dinner, don’t eat too heavy or too late at night. Otherwise, we spend the night digesting our food and don’t sleep properly.

Sleep

Sleep is so important; designed to repair our organs and vital if we’re feeling stressed or not 100%. Avoid going to bed with work on your mind. Read a novel and ensure you stay off the computer just before you go to bed. This can be too stimulating on the mind.

Drink

1 litre of water for every 22 kilos you weigh. Introduce it slowly and the body will normalise over a few days. With more exercise you’ll find it much easier to increase water intake. Also, try a glass of warm water with a squeeze of lemon in the morning; it stimulates metabolism.

Listen…

To your body! When you’re not feeling 100% take action. Slow the pace down, eat healthy, have a bath and relax a bit. Epsom salt, or essential oils – lavender, chamomile, rosewood, cedarwood, jasmine or vanilla extract – are all great stress relievers.

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Some women have the most professional, sleek-looking hair everyday. For those of us who don’t, it’s infuriating!

You turn up to a meeting looking all stylish with a nice handbag, shoes and the perfect “professional clothes” ensemble. But your hair – pulled back for convenience and efficiency – is in a ponytail identical to the one from your year 8 school photo.

Lots of women turn to super short haircuts as a way to solve the eternal problem that is: creating chic, sleek hairdos in less than five minutes. But if you’d rather not crop, here are six video tutorials for fast, professional looks that are seriously easy to DIY.

1. Bobby Pins to the Rescue

What a magical invention. This clip shows three different ways you can put them to use for a more “styled” look.

2. Suddenly Short Long Hair

Long-haired ladies are often tempted to chop but Ford Models hairstylist, Johnny Lavoy, has an alternate, short-term option. It’s the temporary bob. You need layered hair for this one.

3. Tipsy Tail Up Do

There are actually three looks demonstrated in this video tutorial, but it’s made this list because of the first look: the “tipsy tail”. For a hairstyle that takes less than one minute to achieve, it’s our hands-down favourite! There’s been at least one tipsy tail at SNOBS HQ everyday since we found this.

4. The Sarah Palin Look

This is a fairly obvious corporate look, and one that you see a lot, but this video is still worth a watch for the tips on getting a bit of volume in it without teasing or sticky hair products. And the presenter’s final piece of advice is amusing: “Make it business-like with your favourite glasses”.
Those with perfect vision could probably leave that bit out and still look good.

5. Two-Minute Wispy-Bits Bun

A slight variation on the half-pull ponytail that most women with long hair wear most days of their life. These tips make it look a bit fancier.

6. Two Buns and a Poof

Sounds strange, but looks really nice. This one will take you a few minutes more than the rest, but looks like something you’d get faster at the more you do it.

Do you have any hairstyle tips to share?

Tell us, or drop a link to your favourite tutorial in the comment box…

If you’re a dedicated business owner or manager you probably rate reading, research and education as top priorities for improvement. That’s good, because exercising your mind and sharpening your skills is paramount to business success.

But how often do you exercise your mind and body in the physical sense? Do you regularly reschedule exercise to get more work done? If so, you could be sabotaging your chance of success because “the greatest benefit of physical exercise is not fitness; it’s what it does to your head and your self esteem.” – Dr. Stephen Covey.

Below are five excerpts from audio (and print) publications that have recently done the rounds at SNOBS HQ. Each title was purchased because it fits the category: ‘recommended reading for personal or business success’.

But, guess what? They all hit on the importance of good health and regular exercise for achieving your goals – in one case dedicating a whole chapter to it!

EXCERPT ONE

The Dr. Stephen Covey quote, in the intro, is pulled from his world-famous book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It’s actually from ‘habit no.7′ which Covey refers to as “sharpening the saw”.

It so brilliantly hammers-home this entire concept. So instead of a text-excerpt, kick back and enjoy an 8-minute audio excerpt from Covey himself. Click to hear about ‘sharpening the saw’.

EXCERPT TWO

In The Big Moo, Seth Godin presents stories, advice and ideas from 33 of the world’s best business minds. Here’s what one of them had to say:

“Imagine a pot-bellied, nervous, cigarette smoking salesmen pacing back and forth outside his office building. He’s puffing as hard as he can, anxious about getting back to work. This guy’s focused on solving the urgent problems in his life… he’s not focused one bit on giving up cigarettes, losing weight or understanding how tense he is. He figures there’s time for that later.
Right now, he needs to panic about the sales figures that are due tomorrow. He’ll have time to panic about his health when he’s in the hospital having bypass surgery.

“The time to panic about his health, of course, is right now while he can still do something about it. Taking action today on a long term problem is easier, cheaper, more effective and far less time consuming than waiting for it to become an emergency.”

EXCERPT THREE

Real estate man John McGrath dedicates an entire chapter to health in his 2003 book: You, Inc. (How to Attract Amazing Success into Your Life and Business).

From Chapter 4: Are you fit for business?

“Are you wondering why I’ve included a section of health and fitness in a book about creating a successful business? You might be tempted to skip over this chapter and go straight to the sections on sales and management.

“If you did, you’d be making a big mistake because the simple fact is, you can’t run a successful business without good health and lots of positive energy.”

EXCERPT FOUR

Even as far back as the 1930’s, successful people understood the benefits of good health. Napoleon Hill was America’s pioneering motivational author, who taught the ‘17 Principles of Personal Achievement’ in his book Think and Grow Rich [published in 1937].

From Principle no. 15: Health

“Sound health begins with a sound health consciousness, just as financial success begins with a prosperity consciousness.”

[NB: SNOBS’ recommends the revised and updated version of the ’17 Principles’, presented in Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Success. It includes exercises for self-analysis and advice with a more contemporary slant.]

EXCERPT FIVE

In the book Focal Point: A Proven System to Simplify Your Life, Double Your Productivity, and Achieve All Your Goals, motivational speaker Brian Tracy also gives good health a plug:

“Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.”

Tell us, how do you manage your workload and regular exercise?

It’s day 4 of SNOBS website reconstruction. I haven’t slept a lot, but have overcome the initial shock of the first major theme change. Now, I’m really excited about what’s to come and loving this idea of documenting changes as they happen. Real time web development! Ooh, cutting edge.

Besides content mapping and archive re-organising [more on that in my next update] the most recent decisions and experiments have revolved around my favourite website design topic – colour palettes! I’m almost glad I’m not a designer because I’d go haywire trying to overlap the incredible range of palettes and patterns available. Love this, love this, and this, oh and let’s not forget this.

But I’ve been forcing myself to focus on the main colour priority, which is keeping the “SNOBS-green” (or a shade nearby) as used in my website banner. Web developer, Mat, suggested I view colourlovers.com ‘trends’ section for a look at current magazine cover palettes. I immediately loved the yellow-and-snobs-green of this InStyle cover with Eva Longoria but didn’t think yellow would be particularly workable online. Finally, I got my top 3 palette-inspirations whittled down to websites only:

fortysevenmedia.com (I like this shade of snobs-green, but the overall look is more “retro” than “vintage”, I think…)

www.style4you.it (I have been seriously contemplating a complete colour palette change)

mister-aero.com (this one’s more on the money though, hence my ‘notes to Mat’ all over it)

As you can see from the site right now, tweaks are still being made. For instance we’ve dropped in a bit of Instyle-inspired yellow, and I really like it! But the rusty red hyperlinks are going; don’t like those. And the site, as a whole, is still really flat – no texture, depth or effects applied as yet so there’s plenty of exciting changes still to come!

For future reference (when more changes have been made): refer to the screen grab below for what SNOBS’ homepage looked like on the day this article was published [02/02/2010]. Also, if you’re looking for a little style and colour inspiration for your own web or design project – check out our recently published list of really cool online colour tools.