Changes, Cameras and Sharing the love!

Well there's no time like the present to sit back and reflect. It's been a very long year for me so far in terms of my personal life, and it has shown in Bought by Birdette. I'm not updating as much as I'd like but I'm hoping to change that in the upcoming build to Christmas and the holidays, I just haven't had a day completely to myself in months.
But there are a few things I'd like to share with you, hopefully some changes of the good kind for the blog and something you will like! Of course, this is a great time to let me know what you're loving, and what you'd like to see more of, just leave me a comment.
I have recently bought a newfangled camera on eBay and I'm waiting for it patiently by my mailbox. I've been complimented often for my outfits for a long time so now I'm hoping to point this blog in a personal style direction as well! This will also mean much, much better photos for everything on Bought by Birdette too, as well as the potential for tutorials, swatches, and lots of graphics in general.

Lastly, I'm going to ask you all a favour. If you would be so kind, please follow, like and share Bought by Birdette where you can. Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, Google Connect and my RSS Feed are all craving your love and attention and are great ways to keep in contact with what's new, and share the love for Birdette's unique flavour of advice and style!

On holiday!

Hey guys, I've landed in Melbourne to visit family and go shopping, I can't guarantee regular posts for the next week, but I'll do what I can.

Tip of the day: More anti aging

I've been meaning to post this since the weather has started heating up, its a good tip that can be overlooked.
Everytime you go outside you should be wearing sunnies. Why? Because squinting will give you wrinkles, and the glasses will reduce the urge.
The hottest style this season to be looking out for are fifties style cat eyes, there are a lot of flattering styles out there at a range of prices, my best picks for a bargain are Sportsgirl and Jay Jays.
I'm not understanding the fugly odd looking glasses that are out now though, can't say they're appealing to me when you can look so much better in classier styles.

P.S still no internet, this is starting to really annoy me.

Update

So we have an ETA on the internet being connected at the new place. Next Wednesday, sigh. Of course it's never as soon as you want it. But fear not, I have bought some gorgeous things I can't wait to show off, and have found some good topics to chat about so stay tuned, I'll be back in my full capacity very soon. Until then, please find me on twitter as birdettebuys, I'd love to have more followers!

Slow week warning

Hey guys, I just moved into my new house and hopefully won't have to even think about packing up my gear and moving for another few years. Totally over it. So Just being polite and letting you know that I can't post much until I get the internet up and running again, which should only be a few days anyway. Thank you for your interest and patience, I'll still be on twitter if you'd like to follow me the link is on the right!

Going to get my hair did!

Spring is certainly here up in Brisbane and there can't be any doubt about it, after a shock of rain last Friday we have had nothing but bright blue skies, cool nights and the urge to take off our stockings and bare our legs.
Another thing that normally strikes me at this time of year, is the idea of dying my hair for the new season. I'm normally quite happy to DIY it, because I haven't done anything that drastic before, (except an at home bleach job without toner that we then dyed bright pink ...done correctly I would've set trends but no, it was horrid.)
So I'm off to my trusted Hairdresser today, and she's going to do Balyalage on me. She nicknamed it the 'regrowth dye job' -geez, thanks Lisa!- and advised me to look at some pictures and bring in what I liked, so I've google image searched and the girl that keeps popping up that I like is Lily Aldridge, good hair Lily!

Source

Could also help that she's a model but you know!

I think one of the tricks is to make sure that the roots in the picture are similar to the hair colour you have. Naturally my hair is pretty average thickness and can be considered dark brown and touches the top of my bra cups. hers isn't far off. However her skin colouring is darker so that may affect it. 

I'm seeing that block coloured hair and blunter cuts are what's coming into fashion, but I think it's better to go in baby steps when you're doing something to your hair you're never done before. I could look horrific as a blond! Or it might totally kill my hair and make me wish I'd never even thought about it. When it comes to hair, do what you're comfortable with, and if you want to try something drastic, it can help to try on wigs first to see if you could do it, (when cutting all your hair off to a crop, it helps.) But don't get stuck in a rut, every season or so, take a look at it maybe you've seen something you like on someone else or in a magazine? Perhaps just a few highlights could make all the difference?

Either way, I have a busy weekend ahead, what with baby showers, Circus shows to see, and getting my hair did ... and should really start packing and cleaning as I'm moving on the 26th! Oh well!

Just Fab

Went to another 30 days of FAB workshop today, this time hosted by the lovely Leigh Campbell of Cosmopolitan Magazine (I'm a big fan of hers and it was epic to meet her!) Free copy of Cosmopolitan and another awesome and free goodie bag, certainly worthwhile to go to if there are any you can get to!
Leigh walked us through some tips on how to master a 'red carpet' look with flicked eyeliner and nude lips, and I finally figured out where I was going wrong with my eye liner!
I have always flicked it up right at the end of my eyes, when the make up artist did my make up while I was there, she started the flick before the outer corner and my god it looks so cute! Tiny flick, big results.
 Le sigh, I just wish these thiings came around more often during the year.

MBFF Graduate show tonight!

So I may be a little excited. And so one of my best friends may be showing her clothes in a competition parade tonight ... I'm totally stoked! Had nothing to wear as I thought all my good frocks were still packed away but hanging in my closet was a black satin and lace beacon of hope! Thank god. I'm shocked I didn't realize earlier. Handbag is full to the brim with make up so I can run to the show straight from work.
So my tip? Buy a dress that you love, even if you can't think of when you'll wear it. I have found that the day will pop up (five somewhat unexpected weddings in a year anyone? Yes, it happened to me.)
Even if you outgrow it in anyway. Chances are it'll sell for a good price on eBay.
I believe tickets are still on sale for tonights shows. I really do recommend these in particular. Tickets can be bought and picked up at ticketek, and they have an office in QPAC, two minutes walk from the tent!

I miss my pink Dell!

So my computer is still in the shop, well at least in the hands of my friend who is run off his feet at the moment and hasn't the chance to fix it yet. I'm dying to put up posts about the stalls I checked out at the Young Designers Market and I hope to get at least some of them up over the weekend working off the boyf's computer. I miss my photoshop!
I also wanted to tell you that there will be extra Young Designers Markets on during MBFF next weekend, check here for more info.

Tip of the day: Skincare and Make-up when you have a cold/the flu

There are two things that spring to most minds in Brisbane when EKKA is mentioned, one of course is the show, and the other is the Flu. Both are timed at near identical times of the year for many.
And some are like me, the trendsetters who already have the damn flu. I have been sick all week and its really playing on my looks. But there are ways to minimise this.
My first tip is to STAY HOME if at all possible and look after yourself! I do understand this isn't something that everyone can do, When you work in retail, when you're a mum, when you run your own business and no one can fill your shoes. Do everything you can at home, gets friends and partners to help you out with errands. Repay the favour when they are sick. It's good karma.
Secondly, do not stop your skincare routine, it can be hard to drag yourself over to the bathroom when you have to find your way through mountains of tissues, but don't drop the ball.
Aloe Vera Tissues are awesome, get them on hand ASAP. They will make you less of a red nose monster.
Use a thicker moisturiser then normal around your nostrils. Kind of an icky thought and description, but it'll help stop your skin freaking out.
Do not forget to use a scrub. But don't over-do it, your skin will become duller because you are skin, give it a hand to look it's best.
Kinda linked to the previous, but use brightening skincare too.  Your skin needs help to glow again. I like Loreal Skin Expertise Youth Code Day / Night Cream

Now this is just what you need to do if you're staying at home during this time, Make-up will need to be adjusted in a similar fashion.
This change in skincare can make you break out, stay on top of it with a target treatment. I love that Clearasil four hour difference cream, you know the one with the guy in the chicken suit on the ad?  Yeah ... that one.
There is hardly ever a time when less is more is more suited to a make-up situation, You do not want to overdo your make up when you are sick. The urge might be there to layer it on to try and hide that you are sick but this is not the way to go at all. it will flake off with your dry skin around your nose, and be hard to blend.
If you can get away with it, use just a tinted moisturiser all over. You can then use concealer/foundation on area that aren't your nose. Healthy glowy foundations are the order of the day, I tried Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and found it perked up my appearance nicely, but needed reworking in the mid afternoon.

Use an illuminating concealer around your eyes. They're puffy because you're sick right? Pay special attention to them and pat on a Touche Eclat-esque product to throw some light onto your face.

Use a blush as well, it'll help liven up your complexion and add some warmth, otherwise a pale pink will lessen any dullness you may have too. I recommend Benefit blushes in Dandelion and Sugarbomb.

Lastly, use a waterproof mascara if any, you do not want to smear it all over if you need to wipe away any mess during the day.
All you need is a slick of lip balm to sooth away any dry lips your flu may have given you, and you're as good as you can be. I still recommend staying home, but sometimes you just have to get out!

Tag dag

Had a mortifying moment at work the other morning, after wearing a cute new top for the first time and feeling hot as, I was told by a fiendishly arrogant co worker that the price tag was hanging off my neck ...
BURN! Ouch.
I know why this happened. When I buy something, I put it into my wardrobe with the tags still attached. This is in case I never wear it and want to sell it on eBay.
Does anyone else do this? And had a similar moment? Or are you vigilant in removing tags before it goes in your wardrobe?

Moving house hiatus

Sorry guys, nothing of real interest today. Removal truck day and it has been go go go. Though it has given me some moving house tips that I can share with you later. For now I have to calm the kitties down, and rest my aching back.

Let me introduce the kitties ...

Meet the major source of my giggles and my biggest fans, Serge and Mischa.
I'm having a hard time with them, as Mischa is a new addition to the family. Serge has his nose all bent out of shape over sharing his home with a satanic and fearsome little black lady.
Oh yeah, she's something to be afraid of alright, not.

This morning we almost had a nice moment where I was patting them both while Serge was in his bed. Mischa slowly crept up to snuggle with him, but wound up falling into Serge. Well that was the end of it. Totally ruined the bonding.



Moving house, Ugh.

What a time to start a blog, I'm going to try and get some pre-written posts happening so I can just click and they're up.
My boyf and I are moving back into his mother's house to housesit while she takes a three month trip around Aus, This is our cheaper option, but we will have a tiny amount of space compared to what we have here, so, a lot of things will need to go into storage.
For now, here are this morning's efforts.

On the left we have the 'I need to lose some weight to fit back into these clothes' pile. in the middle the summer clothing pile, and on the right we have all the coat hangers they were occupying. All going into storage. This doesn't include the massive salvos, and sell on eBay piles.

Does anyone out there have any great advice for moving house and storage? (Or a nice house is Brisbane that will be available in three months? lol)