Thursday, July 24, 2008
Off to Zara!
Wendy has gone for a quick break to Asia to visit Zara (and maybe catch up with friends and family in between). She will be back on Monday with an update on the latest finds from Asia.
Accessories & Accessories
I have had a few people who have seen me present, ask where I get my accessories from. The answer is I'm like a homing beacon for accessories. Everywhere I am I have a little blinker on trying to spot a good piece. The trick is to always have your eye open and look for something that looks like it's worth more than what you paid - weight and a nice finish (not the shiny tacky stuff) is crucial.
Glammadonna
One favourite is Glammadonna in MLC Centre - they don't open Sundays but otherwise pay them a little visit. Stock constantly changes but they do a staple range of beautiful necklaces with semi precious stones and glass, which lie flat on your decolletage, at around the $90 mark. Trust me they add and lift to any boring work outfit and to a plain shirt and jeans.
Bijoux Terver
This crazy little shop is in the MET Centre in the city, as you walk towards Wynyard Station through the little underground arcade. They claim "nothing over $20". I walked in and waded through a whole lot of tacky gold and silver chain necklace and earring sets, and some bad "pashminas" (i think they were handkerchiefs posing as pashminas... i'm not sure, I didn't touch them...) and found: 1. a cuff watch in black (and also a red version) with diamond surrounds, very reminiscent of the Dior Christal watch, and 2. a range of really really fabulous and chunky bracelets and necklaces. All for just $20. Pretty impressive after all and worth a trawl at lunchtime if you work that way. They also have a shop in Sydney Airport.
Glammadonna
One favourite is Glammadonna in MLC Centre - they don't open Sundays but otherwise pay them a little visit. Stock constantly changes but they do a staple range of beautiful necklaces with semi precious stones and glass, which lie flat on your decolletage, at around the $90 mark. Trust me they add and lift to any boring work outfit and to a plain shirt and jeans.
Bijoux Terver
This crazy little shop is in the MET Centre in the city, as you walk towards Wynyard Station through the little underground arcade. They claim "nothing over $20". I walked in and waded through a whole lot of tacky gold and silver chain necklace and earring sets, and some bad "pashminas" (i think they were handkerchiefs posing as pashminas... i'm not sure, I didn't touch them...) and found: 1. a cuff watch in black (and also a red version) with diamond surrounds, very reminiscent of the Dior Christal watch, and 2. a range of really really fabulous and chunky bracelets and necklaces. All for just $20. Pretty impressive after all and worth a trawl at lunchtime if you work that way. They also have a shop in Sydney Airport.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Insider Style Tip!!
Do you love how your clear plastic shoe boxes stack neatly in your wardrobe and make organising your shoes much neater? But do you hate how you can’t see what shoes are in which box? Check out www.benjibox.com.au . They have clear shoe boxes that PULL OUT like a drawer, so they are stackable and you can find the shoes you want! Love it.
Spied At The Shops...
Wrap Dresses: If you’re looking for wrap dresses (everyone loves a good wrap dress), look out for the two printed versions offered by Sportscraft (grey on cream print) and Table Eight (Black on ivory print). Both can be found in DJ’s and are delightful. Each priced at $199.95 but Sportscraft currently have 20% off full priced merchandise in DJ’s.
We Love: The new knit military style cropped, long sleeved jacket in black with silver buttons, from French Connection. $149.00, in stores now. HOT with high waisted pants / skirt and your Dior Extreme inspired shoes from Wittner if you are under 50, and HOT left undone over a tailored dress for those over 50. So now that you know it suits every lady in your household, it should be easier to justify buying it!!!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Another One Bites The Dust...
Sad news for our devoted La Voca fans…. I received word last week that the entire chain will be closing down soon. Difficult retail conditions have been cited as the reason. This is a pity as those of you that I’ve introduced to La Voca stores, will know that this was a value-for-money range that catered for a much more realistic body shape (bigger in the bust, with a bit of belly and hips).
There is a real gap in the market for such clothing, with most stores catering for a slim-ish size 14 / 16, or else catering for a real plus-size in the size 18+ category. There really isn’t much for a lady in her late 30’s – 50’s, who is hovering in the size 12 – 16 mark. We love Veronika Maine but it is more geared for corporate wear than weekend wear. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, feel free to post a comment!
Meanwhile, run to your local La Voca store for a closing down bargain ….
There is a real gap in the market for such clothing, with most stores catering for a slim-ish size 14 / 16, or else catering for a real plus-size in the size 18+ category. There really isn’t much for a lady in her late 30’s – 50’s, who is hovering in the size 12 – 16 mark. We love Veronika Maine but it is more geared for corporate wear than weekend wear. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, feel free to post a comment!
Meanwhile, run to your local La Voca store for a closing down bargain ….
Monday, July 7, 2008
Of Slaves and Salvation and Other Such Shoes...
Last season at Wittner shoes was a bit ho-hum, but their new season collection is slowly trickling in and if what I saw over the weekend is a sample of what’s to come, then start saving your pocket money because it is FANTASTIC. Wittner is one of the few chain stores that produce quality, designer-inspired shoes, at a great price. Our picks of the season:
Salvation $149 and Slave $119 – gladiator sandals will be BIG this summer, and Wittner’s take on these sandals is bang on the money. Well made, expensive looking, on-trend and will give your summer outfits an edgy, “come and get me” feel. Salvation is the version that rises mid calf, and Slave to the ankle. Both are flat sandals, so choose the mid-calf version only if you have long legs, or else you’ll run the risk of looking a bit cut off. Both come in black and patent black. No prizes for guessing what this stylist chose… (always always patent…shiny is good!). No time to wait for the sales for these shoes - when we were in store 3 separate customers were all scrambling to try them on.
Vixen $169 – these are a fantastic take on Dior's "Extreme" shoes (black finished with tiny bronze studs), as worn religiously by Carrie in SATC movie - need we say more?? HOT (and you won't have to sell your house to afford it).
Veronique $169 – inspired by Dior’s latest range shoes (as worn religiously by Carrie in SATC movie). Available in pewter and black. Fantastic, dangerous and daringly sexy.
Dana $89 – this is a cute , patent quilted shoulder bag with fun Pucci inspired lining. Available in cream/black and all black, both are a charming take on the Chanel quilted bags at a fantastic price. Small bags dangling across your shoulder and resting at about hip height is the next new wave for bags, so nab yourself this bag and be ahead of the pack! (Warning: these bags are small-ish, so you will need to adopt a zen-like philosophy and clear your handbag of clutter to use this. Alternatively use the VIP Hangbag Inserts as reported in our blog last month).
Salvation $149 and Slave $119 – gladiator sandals will be BIG this summer, and Wittner’s take on these sandals is bang on the money. Well made, expensive looking, on-trend and will give your summer outfits an edgy, “come and get me” feel. Salvation is the version that rises mid calf, and Slave to the ankle. Both are flat sandals, so choose the mid-calf version only if you have long legs, or else you’ll run the risk of looking a bit cut off. Both come in black and patent black. No prizes for guessing what this stylist chose… (always always patent…shiny is good!). No time to wait for the sales for these shoes - when we were in store 3 separate customers were all scrambling to try them on.
Vixen $169 – these are a fantastic take on Dior's "Extreme" shoes (black finished with tiny bronze studs), as worn religiously by Carrie in SATC movie - need we say more?? HOT (and you won't have to sell your house to afford it).
Veronique $169 – inspired by Dior’s latest range shoes (as worn religiously by Carrie in SATC movie). Available in pewter and black. Fantastic, dangerous and daringly sexy.
Dana $89 – this is a cute , patent quilted shoulder bag with fun Pucci inspired lining. Available in cream/black and all black, both are a charming take on the Chanel quilted bags at a fantastic price. Small bags dangling across your shoulder and resting at about hip height is the next new wave for bags, so nab yourself this bag and be ahead of the pack! (Warning: these bags are small-ish, so you will need to adopt a zen-like philosophy and clear your handbag of clutter to use this. Alternatively use the VIP Hangbag Inserts as reported in our blog last month).
Friday, July 4, 2008
New Shop Alerts
Ojay, Veronika Maine and Witchery have all opened up stores on the corner of George and Market Streets in Sydney, across the road from Myer. OK, so they've been there for a couple of months now, but not many people know they are there so they still count as a new shop alert!
Rumour has it the retail space underneath Myer (where most of these shops used to or still do have a presence) will be refurbished, and that the new space on George Street is currently being redeveloped to include a whole new shopping, food and office precinct.
We love these new shops because they are (as yet) unknown, and thus carry more sizes and stock, and all have beautiful big new change rooms (very important for stress free shopping!).
Also, right next door is a brand spanking new Priceline... perfect for picking up a bottle of Garnier Ambre Solaire DIY spray tan - our favourite ever home spray tan solution - so you can buy a new dress and wear it with a gorgeous tan.
Rumour has it the retail space underneath Myer (where most of these shops used to or still do have a presence) will be refurbished, and that the new space on George Street is currently being redeveloped to include a whole new shopping, food and office precinct.
We love these new shops because they are (as yet) unknown, and thus carry more sizes and stock, and all have beautiful big new change rooms (very important for stress free shopping!).
Also, right next door is a brand spanking new Priceline... perfect for picking up a bottle of Garnier Ambre Solaire DIY spray tan - our favourite ever home spray tan solution - so you can buy a new dress and wear it with a gorgeous tan.
Pointy Shoes Are Coming BACK
But when did they go out of style, I hear you ask. They did on the runways and in Vogue, in favour of chunky round toed shoes or the last 2 - 3 years.... however don't distress if you've been wearing your pointy toed shoes this whole time - they never left the shops or commercial fashion, and the round toed shoes didn't always suit everyone.
If you do have a closet full of round toed, Dior inspired shoes though, don't fret. There's still a good couple of seasons left where you'll see them around and can still wear them before you might consider retiring them in favour of your trusty stilettos again.
If you do have a closet full of round toed, Dior inspired shoes though, don't fret. There's still a good couple of seasons left where you'll see them around and can still wear them before you might consider retiring them in favour of your trusty stilettos again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)