Mastering Tricky Trends from Australian Fashion Week 2014

Now, I love trying out new trends especially those from the cat walk, but doing so becomes daring and often hard to piece together. Styling run way trends into your every day wardrobe may become difficult because couture is not necessarily credible on the streets. However, I have some tips inspired from this years Australian Fashion Week, A bit delayed however I had to source out trends and find photos to match.  

I love the prominent trends this year, It's a mix of daring and versatility, however so sheik and classy which is what I love!

I have also found affordable replicas for the trends exhibited on the catwalk, which is what it's all about. Finding cat walk trends on a shoe string budget is gold. And I have what you need while keeping things ordinary yet turning heads in these couture trends. 

The Midriff

When looking to wear this trend it is important to take note of proportion. I always look for a high neck line or long sleeved look when buying a midriff, not that I have many. But for those who enjoy showing some skin keep it subtle by balancing out the bare skin with more coverage else where. 

Above are a few examples of affordable crop's that I have found that fit my brief and are similar to the trends of the AFW cat walks and quiet cheap. 

Sheer

 Depending on how daring you are to bare it all, AFW had a variety of designers playing around with the trend with a lot to display. From modest pieces to somewhat controversial flesh baring garments. The key to mastering a sheer piece is to the push the focus to your best and most favourite asset whether it be your long legs or that six pack that your proud of. Remember don't over-accesorise and when picking the design structure of the item, keep lengths long, this will keep the outfit classy and avoid that unwanted trashy look. 

I have selected a few of my favourite designs from a few designers. 

Above: Two of my favourite affordable brands showcasing AFW trends!! 

White

White is my all time favourite trend and it seemed to be one of the most prominent trends on the run way this year. White on White is a risky, so it seems, however its become a reoccurring and an enjoyable style inspiration for me. White styled with white has seemed to be a key inspiration for most of the designers this year and I can see why. It's so hot! Remember: to keep the outfit from looking flat a mixture of textures will play up the look and keep it looking stylish and interesting. 

I have chosen a few pieces from designers including Ginger & Smart, Strateas Carlucci, Toni Maticevski & Haryono Setiadi 

I hope this post gave you an idea of the trends from AFW 2014 and has helped all you ordinary girls out there looking to freshen up your every day ordinary wardrobes and incorparate those seemingly impossible couture trends. It is possible! And Don't be afraid to try something new, holding back from possible looks is a big regret. So go for it! 

xxxx

(Disclaimer: Credit to Vogue Australia for the cat walk shots)

March Madness: Fav's this year...

It is mid March now and I thought I would share the products that I love so far this year, I'm always looking for the most affordable products, because I believe you don't have to spend a fortune on products to receive good quality. At least in my experience I have found some great, new products at savvy prices. 

1.    I absolutely love hair care at the moment, having dyed my hair lighter, it's always hard to keep your hair looking healthy and shiny once bleaching and colouring, brass has been a thing of the past.   

My current obsession is the Miracle Hair Treatment of ELEVEN Australia. This hair treatment is applied to damp hair, It smells absolutely fantastic and has worked, leaving my hair so smooth. Its a grade higher then drug store standard minus the price, at only $24.95 this treatment is worth every application! LOVE LOVE LOVE...

2.    The second on my list are a few products from the Sukin line.  I love Sukin's Natural Deodorant, Its a mist rather then a roll on, so much more hygienic and fresh. All products of Sukin have the same sort of smell, which I love. The best thing about Sukin is its affordability and the earth-freindly qualities they propose. And has there slogan says " Skincare that doesn't cost the earth" which is true, beauty doesn't need to compensate the environment!

And Sukin's Nourishing Hair Conditioner! leave's my hair clean, fresh and oil free! I'm not sure what it is about this conditioner but it has really served my hair justice, helping with frizz and oil. Smells absolutely fantastical!

 The Sukin line can be found at most chemists, both at such affordable prices, the Deodorant at $4.95 & the Conditioner at $19.95!

3.    And the award for best perfume goes to Salvatore Ferragamo's Signorina. Such an all year round scent! It's so feminine and sexy, but not strong and sickly which I love. Like all perfumes, for quality you have to spend a little bit more, I believe it was about $80.00 however I received it as a gift, so I'm unsure of what they paid for it. But its a great scent! 

4.    My Lipstick loves! This year I have been more daring with the colours I have chosen! And I'm so in love with the more darker colours which is perfect because Autumn is here, I have 3 that I have recently bought and I'm obsessed! 

Miss Shop: A Little Lippy Colour in Roaring Red, to my surprise this lipstick stays on through a day full on adventures and being not a very reputable brand of lipstick I wouldn't have picked that. 

Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Line,  Colour 106 which is a dark pink and 

Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Line, Colour 29 which is a plummy purple. Both have a great smell, smooth application and lastly finish as they claim. All were under $10.00 I love Rimmel, such a great brand!  

5.    And Lastly, HAHA! Hollister California's Body Mist: Tippers Beach. My sister introduced this to me and for a body mist it has such lasting properties and is really strong like a perfume. It is great when you need to freshen up during the day, taking you to the beach or somewhere you'd rather be! Love it! I bought it on sale, at about $8.00, normally sold at maybe $15.00-$20.00. 

I hope this gives you some idea's of what to try this year! Let me know what you love this yea so far! I'd love to know :)

My New Lover

BOBBI BROWN

It becomes a crime when you ignore the facts. Quality, Sophistication & Perfection.

When a price tag screams over-priced, I tend to run the other way. However, I bit the bullet and made a purchasing pursuit that punctured my uni student income, but I am please to say that it was love at first application. Bobbi Brown where have you been all my life! 

As some of you may know, I have been suffering from aggressive acne which has lead to minimal to severe scarring. Finding an effective concealer has been a tortuous journey, but I've finally found the one. 

Bobbi Brown is a household name, but I had never gussied up to make the purchase, because of the price and bad past experiences with other higher end make-up brands. I had my eye on these products for some time now, And I'm a fool for not purchasing them sooner. 

It is worth the investment. And here's why!

Creamy & smooth application, anti-bacterial factors, consistent coverage & perfect colour matching.

Enough said.

1. Bobbi Brown's: Corrector in Bisque 

Applied first before concealing, the corrector acts as liquid-paper essentially giving you a blank, fresh canvas to start with. Depending on your individual discolouration wit determine the tone of corrector. As I have a blue/purple tint to my dark circles I have a peachy, warmed toned correctors. Others with a more green or brown would look at using a yellow based corrector. (Just a tip if you were curious, helped me...) 


2. Bobbi Brown's: Creamy Concealer & Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in Natural Tan & Pale Yellow...

Although I've been told I don't really need an under eye cream. It works a charm when I have had a rough night or the ordeals of a long and dreary week show up as suitcases under my eyes. So highlighting and uplifting. Perfect for when your going for a more fuller and flawless coverage look. 

3.Bobbi Brown's: Face Touch Up Stick in Natural Tan (425) 

With anti-bacterial properties, what more could I ask for. Treating acne whilst wearing make-up is a blessing. Because my scarring is red/blue I have found it hard to find a perfect concealer. Going for cheaper, chemist sold brands were always my safe haven, but I soon realised that quality comes at a price, not news to many I assume... 
Perfect for all-day coverage, lasts and isn't oily. With a full face of make-up or alone, works a treat, blends perfectly and has lasted for me without the need to powder set. 

That is my debut of my newly purchased Bobbi Brown Concealer range. I hope this has helped. 
I will be posting a few more of my "2014 Fave's So Far" soon, so Check in again soon jelly beans. 


Peace. 

From Brunette to Blonde: Care Tips on a budget

I have recently lightened my hair and was fearful of the upkeep! Having had really dark brown, the transition from brunette to blonde was not easy on my hair. Having quiet silky and healthy hair I was worried that the harsh treatment of my hair would kill it! And being a uni student, expensive products was not so appealing...  But for all of you out there with the same first world problems, I have some solutions! 

I'm currently adoring, My Marrakesh Oil and Coconut Express Mousse Treatment (now with Organic Argan Oil) by Schwarzkopf. Just 3 pumps of this baby you have more then enough to lather through the ends of your hair. It's a leave in treatment and is best applied on wet hair. I don't know why or how it works, but It has helped my hair look and feel less stressed. 

Secondly, My beloved Moroccan Gloss Pure Argan Oil by Edward Beale. Love this! I apply just a couple of sprays on the tips of damp hair. Leaving my hair smooth and glossy for days. Argan Oil's of any brand have the same benefits, I have just found Edward Beale's one to not leave my hair feel or look oily and shiny in bad way. Its composition is great.












Lastly, I have found that when you have coloured hair, the more you wash, dry and brush the more brassy and dry you hair looks and feels. Being a serial shampooer myself,  I have thrown in the towel and have shifted to using dry shampoo religiously! It's like fresh new hair in a can without the washing and drying, so convenient and efficient! I use Batiste Dry Shampoo: Coconut & Exotic Tropical. I love its coconutty scent! Although there are dry shampoo's specific for brunette hair the end result hasn't been the same, I always end up back with Batiste!

These products are my top 3 right now, so affordable each under $15. So reliable and of designer brand quality! 

(So thankful for my hairdresser Gabby who gave me this look! Love her and all the stylists at Pierre Haddad)

Hope these tips helped all you guys on a budget, looking for reliable and easy to use hair products to banish the brass! 

Happy hair days! 

Let me know about your secret hair weapons! 

xox 

Day Trippn': Berry Buys!

Lovely family friends of ours, took us to Berry recently. They spoke of this towns tranquility and abundance of relaxation and retreat. As we drove into the boutique town I fell in love instantly, from the vintage architecture to the towns laid back vibe. 

Berry is quiet cultural in a sense of design and mood. There is so much to see, do and BUY! My shopping experience was exhilarating, although not leaving with much, I have keen memories and plans to return soon! 

One store that I could no resist was Scullys & Co. 

New Brand Discovery: Scullys & Co. 

(please use the link to visit their page) 

The store itself is a point of attraction. I loved the rustic and country warmth of its atmosphere, which is inviting on its own. Scully has a deliciously scented range of bath, body and home products including Lavender, Rose, Green Tea, Amberlily and White Gardenia and all products are made using the finest natural ingredients,  including essential oils and bio-active ingredients. 

Berry is home to Scullys only franchise, however all products can be bought from their online store. 

Despite the products’ high quality and beautiful packaging, everything is at a suitable and realistic price   

Here is what I couldn't resist!

(Furtherest to the right) The small blue vile. Scullys Cuticle and Nail Revive. Use this after Scullys Hand Scrub for cuticle and nail care maintenance.

Scullys Lavender Refreshing Mist: Love this! Relax's me so easy! Such a stress relief 

Scullys Lavender Hand Scrub: This product made my hands so silky smooth, it removed all my dead skin whilst massaging the lavender essence through to finger tips. Its such an organically soothing product. 

Outfit of the Day

Inspired by a vintage and modern clash... 
I love embroidery and aged looking clothing and matching them with a summer classic is my favourite

Boots - TopShop $79.95 (I think)

Sweater - Alice in the Eve $30.00 (From General Pants) 

Shorts - Glassons $10.00 (Sale item!!)

Healthy Yummies (Breakfast Edition)

Goodmorning/Goodafternoon dolls!

When living healthily a key factor in reaching success is to be sure that we get a healthy, nutritious & yummy breakfast (because lets face it, breakfast options can be quiet bland, and undesirable).

I can't exactly admit to eating breakfast religiously but I can say that I recognise a difference in the quality of my day when I do. 

Being Winter and having a increasingly busy lifestyle between tackling work, uni, family commitments and squashing in a social life (and being so very lazy...), I find it so hard at times to motivate myself to eat each morning.. (which is crazy because if you knew me, you would understand how much I can eat and how much I LOVE food) 

 I mean it takes forever to get ready and then before you know it I'm practically running down the street for the bus and on the verge of being fired. 

So... breakfast for me is a time risk.. haha..

But, I have come to realise all its benefits and so can you! And I can help...

Put away those bland and lifeless cereals that claim to be 99% fat and sugar free - because lets face it they aren't. Throw out those breakfast diet cookbooks!

I have some simple and easy breakfast ideas, that are yummy, satisfying and healthy. 

1. The simple Museli, Greek Yoghurt and Fresh Berry combination. (my breakfast this morning, pictured below). I know it doesn't seem as enticing as bacon and eggs but I find that greek yoghurt's bitterness and strawberry sweetness compliment each other and my stomach agrees. It easy and simple and goes down well.

2. A Spinach Omelette, I dont know what it is about eggs and spinach but they make me happy! I get so full and satisfied from this meal I'm not hungry for a long time and it fills you up with all this goodnes. 

It made Popeye strong and cartoons wouldn't lie to us, right... 

3. Salmon, Avocado, Philadelphia on Toast. This meal is quiet fancy. Salmon is full of "the good fats" which is always nice to see, Avocado is full of "good oils" and philadelphia is all natural and has 60% less fat then butter or margarine (I'm sold...) 

On an Ending Note, I find that mixing chia seeds with all my meals keeps me fuller for longer and eating a handful of almonds keeps me satisfied. Thats if you are hungry all the time and want to decrease your consumption, which is what I'm trying to achieve. Because my PT boyfriend recently told me that Consumption must balance out with our energy expenditure, which shocked me but if you trying to tone up and live healthy i found it a really assisting tip. 

Lately I have also been trying to drink a glass of water with lemon first thing in the morning to wake up my systems and flush me out (sort of like a mini morning detox). Ill let you know how it works out for me. 

I hope that was helpful, because I never knew breakfast could actually be interesting either until I gave it a go. 

So stay FAB my Ordinary people 

And Im Out. 

xxx