For me this is the easiest poll to date. Team Necklace all the way. The last time I wore earrings was on my wedding day, 13 years ago (vintage pearl earrings borrowed from Mum).

I have never been a big earrings wearer, even though my ears were pieced at a very young age. When I was wearing earrings I wore tiny studs, and you guessed it – they were pearl studs most of the time.

When I started wearing specs all day the whole earrings thing no longer worked for my look. I have a small head, small face and dainty features. Once the specs were on there was no room for earrings. Even studs looked overpowering. So I have completely eliminated earrings from my style. Even when I leave off the specs for super fancy occasions, I prefer to wear a necklace than earrings.

But I adore earring style on others. Anything from the smallest diamond stud to the most dramatic chandeliers. Fabulous earrings can look killer, especially when the neckline of a formal dress demands it.

Are you Team Earrings or Team Necklace? Tell us why and you have to pick a side. No batting for both Teams!

“Premium price” means different things to different people according to their budget and their personal perceptions of value. But a simple universal definition is that the price is significantly more than you would typically pay for a particular wardrobe item.

I can think of many reasons to pay extra for certain wardrobe items. Superior fabric, unique design, an out of the ordinary colour, sublime fit, longevity and better-end quality all spring to mind.

When it comes to shoes, comfort is a big, big issue and that’s why my pockets are extra deep for footwear. To some degree this is desperation. I won’t compromise comfort or aesthetics and unfortunately that comes at a high price for my fussy feet.

I have to admit that sometimes a purchase experience conjures up so much positive emotion that I am happy to pay a premium. Like the time I bought two Anne Fontaine shirts in Paris, or when I recently purchased a pair of Prada boots in Milan. Of course, both of these examples have many of the other characteristics above — design, quality and fit — but there was also something enjoyable about the process that made it easier to part with the premium. Greg and I were having fun on vacation and these beautiful items are mementos of that, reminding me of our experience every time I wear them.

Do any of these reasons resonate with you? Do you ever pay a premium, and if so, why?

I recently stumbled across an article on the wackiest beauty products ever and I thought it would be fun to share. Here they are:

1. Press-on eyeshadow: In the spirit of keeping an open mind, it could be fab for rock concerts, fancy-dress parties and theater costumes. I wonder how well it works?
2. Tooth gems: Certainly one way to add a little sparkle to your life.
3. Foot tanning machine: I don’t understand this one. My lower legs and feet (along with my face and forearms) tan before other parts of my body. Remember my two toned feet? I could better understand a thigh tanning machine.
4. Twilight makeup: Again, great for costumes and fancy-dress parties.
5. Detox footpads: Very skeptical about this type of thing.
6. Breastmilk soap: Interesting…..
7. Bacon flavored lip balm: As a person who does not eat mammals – no thank you.
8. Eau de Play-Dough: Hah! Great name. I did love the smell of play dough when I was little, but doubt I’d sport it as a perfume today. I’m sticking with Kenzo Flower.
9. Sheep placenta face cream: Really?
10. Mood nail polish: This nail polish changes colour when your body changes temperature. Probably the most fun product on this list.

And if you are using any of these products, please set me straight in the comments. It is quite possible that I need to have a more open mind.

I love the look of flat oxford shoes and vote yay. But I do so with caution because I’ve found them one of the hardest types of shoe to style.

As soon as flat oxfords started resurfacing a few years ago, I was over the moon. I thought: Yes! A spunky flat casual closed shoe! Move over ballet flats, loafers and booties.

I can’t tell you how many clients I’ve had try them on, only to pass on the look. As inviting as they are on display, you really need to get all the elements of your outfit right to pull off the trend with panache, AND feel fab too. Flat oxfords look masculine fast, and not in a good way. They also have the tendency to make the wearer feel stumpy and dumpy because of the flat heel and high vamp. Heeled oxford shoes that ooze a feminine touch are easier to pair with an outfit in my opinion.

That being said, I’m still a fan of the darling little ped. I especially like flat oxfords worn in daring and arty combinations with Bermuda shorts, short shorts, cropped pants, skinny and straight leg jeans and pants, dresses and skirts – sans socks or hosiery.

So how say you?  Yay or nay for flat oxfords and tell us why.

After searching high and low for the perfect pair of flat oxfords, I went with the comfortable Fitzwell Justice in black and white (bottom left). No matter how often I tried on black, grey or brown flat oxfords – they never looked right. They felt too masculine and did not bookend my look with my blonde hair. The two toned black and white oxfords make me feel more girly, and that’s why they work. I almost went for a white pair of flat oxfords instead, but decided against them when the comfort and gangster vibe of the Fitzwells won me over.