practical accessorising

Now why would anyone pay $2,480 for a Hermes watch when you can get a Michael Kors one that will achieve the same practical yet stylish result at a mere $279? Now, you may debate that the Hermes is better quality being Swiss made and all. Or that it's of a much higher calibre brand, but is it really $2201 more worth of quality and brand? With the $2201 you save, why not invest in a whole new Summer wardrobe?

Please excuse the dodgy photo taken by my Nokia E71, which I do NOT recommend, unlike the Kors watch - my camera is currently on loan.

the real value of fashion

The reason why I try not to buy anything at it's full RRP is because Christian Louboutin shoes are not even worth it's postage back to Paris. Yep it's true, I saw the massacre of the red soled shoes with my own eyes, just to save on a little postage in the process of debiting some slightly faulty shoes (and by slightly, I'm talking minor scratches on the soles).

Ever since working in fashion wholesale, I became aware of the real value of fashion. Nothing you see at the shops are worth it's RRP tag. Especially when it comes to mainstream labels. 90% of the time, you will be able to find a similar item at a lesser price. Take this cami I got from dotti for example. The RRP was $59.95 and I bought it on sale for $15. A day later, browsing level 1 of David Jones, I spotted the exact same cami branded Cooper St at the RRP of $89.95 which was not marked down. Even if the Dotti version wasn't marked down, there's still a price difference of $30 between the 2 labels for the exact same item.

Dotti $15 vs Cooper St $89.95

I'm starting to get back into earrings.

All from Diva, total $22

sunshine, here we come!

All packed and ready for a weekend getaway!

We had a sample sale at work today and I got the merino wool picnic rug/throw with leather harness shown above. It's so cute, I can't wait to use it!

in her shoes - literally

I love my job. I was gifted below shoes worn by Miranda Kerr herself.

I'm not a big fan of the clogs, and I definitely wouldn't pay for a pair. But a gifted pair, I will wear :)

sweet like sorbet

To welcome Spring, mother nature will be gracing Sydney with a sunny, 25 degree day on the 1st of September. I will be welcoming Spring in one of these sorbet pastels.

Yesterday was my favourite charity of the year - daffodil day! 

the day i bought prada pants

Call it luck, call it fate, or call it subliminal instinct. I always seem to stumble across bargain buys. Correction - Awesome bargain buys. This doesn't happen everyday, but does occur on a weekly basis.

Yesterday, while strolling the streets of Paddington, I came across Prada tailored pants for $40. Yes you read correctly. Forty dollars. Four zero. The fit is amazing, and it's in a shade of nude - my colour for Spring/Summer 10. To top it off, it is the perfect length for little 'ol 5ft me - no alterations necessary, which is a nice change.

To keep my nails from getting bored, American Apparel has bought out some delicious colours for the summertime ahead. Check out all the colours here.

Looking forward to Spring and a short getaway to the little red dot below. 

having a moment; Valleygirl

Cheap is the new black. Why pay more when you can get the exact same thing for less than half the price?

Exhibit A:

Sportsgirl; $59.95

Valleygirl; $24.95

This just shows that it's all about the marketing and where you position a brand. Within chain-stores, there is none to very little difference in quality in the price you pay, so why waste your money?

After I saw the exact same shorts in Sportsgirl, I went back to Valleygirl to get them - but they had already sold out in my size :(

For a limited time only, newly opened Valleygirl in Pitt St mall are giving away baby plants with purchases over $29.95. I've got mine sitting on my table at work, and it's doing very well :)

i heart sydney, and i heart you

Bible Garden overlooking Whale Beach

We experienced all types of weather today; sunshine, cloudy, rain, heavy rain, hail, wind, then sunshine again! All within a span of 2 hours.

i've got mail

By mail, I mean parcel. I received my first ever overseas online purchase from Topshop. This is the start of a beautiful relationship. The blush wedges are AMAZING. I literally gasped when I unwrapped them at work. I am tres happy with Topshop's products and delivery. Now all I need is a little sunshine.

Topshop wedges and skort

the little things

$2 flower bowl from a garage sale we drove past last w/e

Rimmel nail colours - buy 2 get 1 free

Last but not least - googled Topshop 10% discount code, score!

dissapointing.

I finally received my heart suspender stockings in the mail today - a MONTH after I had ordered them from leblackbook.com.au. I understand that they were on pre-order when I placed my order, but I was under the understanding that they would arrive in 2 weeks - which it didn't. After a few unresponsive emails about when my stockings would arrive, I have decided that I am never buying from them again, and neither should you. The customer service is TERRIBLE. Maybe because it's a one woman show - but that's no excuse. Go hire someone to help out, Kath Purkins.

However, I do love the stockings, even though the quality does not compare to the awesome $3 stockings from SES. I'm predicting lots more suspender stockings to come!

all access

Today was the day of the David Jones S10 fashion launch. After a very boring hour of standing around and waiting for guests to arrive, we finally got to watch the show. 

The models looked amazing. The clothes were amazing. And to top it off, my favourite colour this spring/summer was hugely dominant on the runway. Nudes and blushes all the way! Cannot wait for my blush wedges to arrive from Topshop.

L-R; Samantha Harris, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Nicole Trunfio, Catherine McNeil, Alexandra Agoston.

They all looked much more beautiful in real life. Like, amazingly beautiful.

For more images of the show, click here. To see the guestlist, click here.

fashion acronyms

PPW (price per wear) is one that I'm sure many of you have referred to when deliberating on whether you should purchase that ridiculously overpriced item. You will have a mini debate in your head and try to reason with the state of your finances - should I really splurge a week/months pay on this? It's only $x per wear if I use it x amount of times... you know the drill. And usually, your finances lose. 

While I was browsing through Prada the other night, I saw that they had my wallet in this gorgeous nude pink, with tonal interior, which is sooo much prettier than my pewter colourway. While I thought about the possibility of upgrading my wallet after 1.5 years (which is still in good condition, with a few scuffs), I thought about it's PPW. It works out to  be $1.06 per use (since I use it everyday) - which sounds totally affordable, no? And it will only get cheaper!

TBH, there are still items in my wardrobe where the PPW is still 100% of its purchase price. Those, are what leaves me with buyers remorse even though they were only a tiny fraction of the price of a Prada wallet.

it's no Miranda, but it will suffice

So in lieu of Miranda Kerr's absence from the David Jones S10 launch, the following models will be filling her size 6 shoes; Abbey Lee Kershaw, Catherine McNeil, Nicole Trunfio and Alexandra Agoston. At least they managed to squeeze in one Victoria's Secret model! The briefing is tomorrow afternoon - I hope I get a role that's backstage, tho I highly doubt it.

Cannot wait until this hits stands. I love Alessandra, and I love RUSSH - what's more to say?

skorts - my summer essential

Skirt + Short = Skort.

I cannot wait until I can frolic in the sunshine in these! In the meanwhile, I shall layer with a pair of awesome $3 opaques.

miranda, estee and tobi to finish off another week

As you are probably all aware, Miranda and Orlando are married and possibly with child. She's pulled out of the David Jones S10 launch on the 3rd of August, which was one of the main reasons I had volunteered to help with the event - so I could watch her walk the runway. I guess I will have to settle with Megan. 

After much deliberation, I gave in to the Estee Lauder GWP. It's rather good value, where you're able to pick and choose products that best suit you.

I bought the Idealist Dual-Action refinishing treatment - which is an exfoliator and deep pore cleansing mask in one. It has a heating sensation upon application which opens your pores to flush out all the dirt - including blackheads. The verdict; the warming sensation is quite pleasant and left my skin rather smooth and slightly more radiant. My blackheads also seem lighter, so perhaps with a few more applications, they will be gone. This is a considerably good result seeing as I've never paid much attention to skin care prior to this.

Here's what I picked out for my freebies;

L-R; Idealist Dual-Action refinishing treatment, Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher, Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Creme, Pure Colour Lipstick in Crystal Baby, High Gloss in Honey, Double Wear Mascara and Pure Colour eyeshadow and Signature Silky Powder Blush pallet.

Last but not least, I love my Tobi. Steamers are a lifesaver when it comes to crumpled silks.

Have a great weekend!!

good thinking, gaga

Only the rich and famous can afford a DIY like this...

Giving the boring Birkin a new lease on life. Love it.

i love free stuff!

Who doesn't?!

Just another day at the office - attended Rockport's S10 launch at The Victoria Room for high tea amongst STYD, Grazia and Famous magazines. Saw a few familiar faces I met through where I used to work. And while Rockport's new womens range is not really my cup of tea, how cute are their current W10 gumboots! I would totally wear them if I were a soccer mum cheering my boys on in this cold wet weather.

The high tea itself was delicious, but after eating lunch, then a workmates birthday donut cake (yes you read right!) followed by 3 tiers of sandwiches and sweets, I felt a little sick. I should have thought about my food logistics earlier on.

If only I get chauffeured around everywhere in a luxury BMW, complete with Vogue magazines in the back!

How cute is the flower arrangement with the hanging shoes!

The selection was AMAZING. So much food for 3 people. If only I skipped lunch...

High Tea at The Victoria Room recipe  book, Mints, Pen & writing pad, Gift voucher for a 1 hour mani pedi at Miss Frou Frou

The goodie bag! I love a beautifully illustrated book - and useful too!

back to basics

I created a wardrobe for my basics so that I don't have to rummage through all my clothes to find that 1 tank top I need. I feel so organised!  

My bag stand was falling apart (see here), so I had to put some of my bags else where.

Can you guess how many bags I've fit into this shallow draw? NINETEEN! I win, Mr bag stand - I don't need you. No, I take that back, I need you for my bigger bags.

Next on my list - a shoe shelf (preferably like this, only bigger - a girl can always dream).

nothing like a bit of sample shopping with a taste baguette on top

As expected, it was crowded during the lunch hour rush. Prices range from $10-$50 (includes leather). Picked up 3 items;

Slouch knit jumper; Mink Pink, Printed racer back tank; Mink Pink, Jersey cropped sloppy joe w/ drawstring; Staple.

The taste baguette we got on the way back to work was just what my hunger needed. For some reason, I think they make them tastier at Surry Hills compared to the branch outside city Myer.

I think my fish is bulimic. It keeps eating it's food, then spitting it out. It truly does belong in the fashion industry - refer to this post.

i miss summer

It's going to be a long Winter ahead..........

my pet

Being the hoarder I am (see below post), I kept the Chambord bottle that my ex house mate wanted to throw out during our move. Makes for a cute fish tank, no? It's a green/blue Siamese fighter fish. I think I will call it Mystique (Mistie for short), like that character on X-men since it's the same colour, and it's feisty! 

1 TV series, 2 movies and 3 books. I like pretty pictures.