It Takes A Village… to raise a child. So, I’m asking bloggers from my village to each write a message for me to pass on to my girls. If you’d like to write one, let me know.

This week’s message to my girls is from the business savvy, super stylish, ultra supportive, kind-hearted  Nikki Parkinson – the everything behind the wildly successful blog Styling You. Oh yeah, and she’s one my good mates who I adore.

Dear LittleWords,


You know your mum is, like, THE coolest chick out, don’t you?


We first met on this thing called Twitter where you can only write 140 characters or less between each other (I know … old school!). I knew that she would be a lot of fun to meet in real life. And she was.

She knows her way around a wine glass and a dance floor and I truly to believe these are very good skills to possess as you travel through life. I think she wanted me to write to you to share my fashion and beauty know-how. I won’t kid you though. I really didn’t have any fashion or beauty smarts for a VERY LONG TIME.

Hopefully if you take a few of these pointers on board, you may just have your style act together when you’re still young enough to pull of any trend that comes your way. Here goes …

1.     Your mum actually does know what suits you. Secretly you know this but will not admit it … probably ever.

2.     Just because your friends are following a particular fashion trend doesn’t mean that you have to.  Walk your own fashion beat.

3.     While you might be seduced by the latest fashion and accessories, stop and think before you buy something new. Do you really love it? Will it work with things you already own?

4.     You know the jeans/swimsuit that you think you can’t really wear because you think you’re too fat to do so? YOU ARE NOT FAT. The end.

5.     When it comes to school formal time, you do not need to look like a puffy fairy princess. Those photos will be lingering around a very long time. Opt for something fresh and elegant and you will not be embarrassed when someone tags you in a photo in a school reunion Facebook group 10, 20 or even 30 years down the track.

6.     Even though you don’t need to wear makeup you probably will. Get some good advice on how to look like you’re not actually wearing any. This is actually a particular skill that requires a gazillion products but will deceive any school principal but probably not your mum.

7.     Even though you really, really want to, don’t squeeze those zits. They do leave scars, which far outweighs the short-term effect of being caught with a pimple or two. At the first sign (usually a feeling), apply a bit of teatree oil and leave over night. If more than a pimple or two, call in the big guns and let your mum talk it over with your GP. Do not be seduced by the ads on the TV – your skin is young, beautiful and sensitive. Keep it that way.

8.     Please wear sunscreen every day. Even those days where you go to the beach with your friends who have olive skin and never burn. If they are still your friends when you are all 40 you will laugh with fewer crows feet and your face will not resemble an old pair of leather boots.


Lots of love, 
Aunty Nikki

Nikki was never allowed a Barbie doll as a child. Her politically correct mum thought Lego and Tonka trucks were more fitting. Now the Queensland-based blogger advises women what to wear and put on their face for a living. The former journo and magazine editor manages an award-winning blog Styling You – offering real world fashion and beauty advice for busy women.  Don’t tell anyone but she’s secretly a closet dag who likes nothing more than relaxing at home with her family but open a champagne bottle and she can have her heels on and hair done in minutes.