Book Review: Minxy Vintage by Kelly Doust

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Kelly Doust, and she is every bit as lovely as you'd hope she'd be in real life. She has been doing the rounds lately signing copies of her latest book Minxy Vintage and yesterday I bought and had my copy signed. <3
The book itself is awesome, brimming with ideas on how to restore and transform items you would see in a thrift or vintage shop. Items that a less discerning eye would pass up she takes and applies a few tricks and ideas to make them into something totally wearable and completely unique.
It was also quite a long read, not something you could pick up and chew through in an afternoon, this is a great thing to me, as not only is it a very pretty book, it's full of care tips for all of the items in your wardrobe.
Kelly takes your hand and walks you through various items she has transformed in her wardrobe, using different techniques such as dying, and embellishing to create new items. One of my personal favourites featured being the union jack denim jacket, I would steal it if I could.
Now if only the thrift stores were open on a Sunday, I want to go shopping!

Bought! ASOS sale

If you haven't been to check it out yet, may I just ask what on earth are you doing that is better then an ASOS sale? (Psst, short of mythical 90% off Chanel sales, not much.)
My first important purchase on my order is this Sleeveless Blazer, the white version is still full price, but yellow is very hot and on trend this season. Perfect addition to my office work wardrobe. (Did I tell you guys I got a promotion of sorts? Yay!)

I love a good sparkly shoe, and purple is one of my favourite colours. How could I say no? Also available in black.

How cute is this top? It has a neckline that will work for all busts sizes (not too high, not too low), a belt to give shape and the print is truely adorable. Mine, all mine.

I'll show you what I mean about the print...

<3 <3 <3

So what bargains have you all grabbed?

Bought: Hello Kitty body wash from Target

I can quite happily say I never fell into the Emo genre while I was in high school. I was too cool for that (lol! Joke). But while I was in high school I utterly loved and adored a heap of kitschy Japanese stuff. Manga, Anime, figurines, but none of that creepy dirty porn/paedo stuff.
Part of that was Hello Kitty. Especially the lesser known characters like Chococat. I had Chococat contact lens cases and carried them everywhere with me.So as you can imagine when I saw this sitting near the counter of Target I had to have it, I don't care much for the product inside, but the strawberry scent is quite cute and reminds me of childhood. I plan on refilling it with other product when it's empty.

Looking good in amongst my other shower gear

Hello Kitty Body wash available from Target stores (Australia)

September Sales!

Truly one of my favourite times of the year, There are normally heaps of sales this month with many worthwhile discounts. Perfect time to get a head start on christmas shopping too! Here are some that I have already looked at, or plan to:

Portmans: Are clearing off what remains of their winter stock to fill with summer stock arriving frequently. A lot of the items can easily be translated into summer wear with maxi skirts, blouses and clothing that walks the line between work wear and smart casual. Great time and place to stock up on classics.


Sportsgirl: 50% off already reduced stock? Oh my god yes please! I already told you all about the great wedges I bought there on Thursday, but I also picked up a large slouchy handbag that will see me through my casual days this summer. Loving bags with two straps.

Cotton On: 30% off everything online, you only have until Monday to make use of this discount though so get on it! great chance to pick up fashion items that don't need to see you past this season.

David Jones: Great to check out and start stalking items so you can jump on them the second they have another round of discounts. My friend picked up the perfect classic pair of nude patent slingback stilettos the other day, makes me jealous I can barely balance in wedges. Lots of bargains to be had across the store, home wares, clothing, beauty, worth a look at the very least.


Cue: If you've had your eye on something, now is the time to snap it up. I haven';t had the chance to go in and check out the savings, but I know from past experience that the sales are good.

This is just a handful of what's out there at the moment, but it's a great time to stock up on your summer wardrobe. Take the opportunity while it's there.

Lady like handbag by ASOS

I don't normally get this excited over one item, but handbags are my thing, I've hardly ever thrown one out after retiring it. Some people like shoes, I like bags.
It is almost perfect. The colour goes with everything, made from leather, it has a cross body strap so it's hands free. The clasp reminds me of doctor bags which are another kook I like, (but are taken for granted by the uber hipster crowd so I've never bought one.) Polished enough for work, Silver hardware, and a top handle for the quick "I'm out the door" grab that often occurs in my mornings.
In fact the only thing I don't like that it is that it's just too small to fit a magazine in it ... but does fit books so it's not all bad.

 

Lady-like Handbag by ASOS

Now off to polish and treat it before it's first outing.

Bought! Sportsgirl Cork Wedges

Ventured out this afternoon with a friend to go and see what we could find in the sales. After teetering around on a lovely pair of wedges at David Jones that I just couldn't balance in I thought all was lost for the day, then we went to Sportsgirl (among twenty or so other stores...)
Complete score for my go to shoes of this summer! $40! I love the seventies feel of them, and just hope I can preserve the cork effect for as long as possible.

Sara Cork Wedges by Sportsgirl

Bought: Priceline Haul

Went a bit beauty crazy in the last week or so too, after a fortnight of complete scrimping, and then all the great workshops I did have a few moments where as soon as I saw what I could do with a product, I wanted it ... ooooh dear.

Just the results of one such shop up.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula SPF 15 +: Because we should always wear sunscreen! Smelling like chocolate is an added bonus

Models Prefer Professional Mineral Eye Shadow in Bronzed Belle: Bronze is super flattering on almost everybody, and black and grey smokey eyes just don't work in summer, these colours are gorgeous, stay in place all day, and being minerals won't annoy your skin.


L'Oreal Paris Touche Magique: The thrifty girls answer to Touche Eclat, brilliant for hiding dark circles.

Prestige Ultimate Brow Definer in Toffee: Some make up artists suggest that blond eyebrow products are good on anyone, but I'm not a fan, they do not do a thing for me. This is the medium shade, and would be good on anyone darker then a light brown. my eyebrows are naturally quite dark, and this is perfect.

John Frieda Full Repair Touch-up Flyaway Tamer: Mentioned in a previous post, Got my hands on one and think it's great. Doesn't smell half bad either.

Bought! Cotton on Body

I'll admit I've been having a cheap fortnight, moving house has rendered me rather broke  (yet I still found the money to get my hair done ... Yes I do have f'cked priorities....)
But I'm also finding cheap can be chic again, and a lot of cheap has lifted its game. So long as you generally avoid jersey and lace.
Cotton on body has these amazingly flattering and comfy workout singlets at the moment,  Remembering that their sizes do run a little small compared to most out there. They're 2 for $30 in store, but $15 each online (go figure). I picked up this one, and another that states 'Treadmills get you nowhere' I do like a cute slogan top .. but it has to make me giggle.

Indeed it does Cotton on Body!

Also picked up some light cotton PJ pants, it's hard to see in the picture but they have a cute pair of owls print all over. Living with more people then my boyfriend has reminded me that clothing isn't optional in many houses. Mind you I just realised I had a conversation with my housemate in little more then knickers and the above tank top ... Oh I'm classy. But yes the pants. Comfy, light, will see me through Spring until it gets too hot.

 

PJ Pants by Cotton on Body

Bought! Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse

There are times when I completely forget about things. I try others, to see if they're as good, and in the months it takes me to use them up, I completely forget just how good something can be.
I first used Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse when it came out more then a few years ago, thought it was brilliant, but then bought some MAC foundation at the season change, then something else, something else again. Until yesterday.
Priceline have an awesome sale on at the moment, where you pick three face products by Maybelline (Foundation, powder, blush, concealer .. I think that's it) and it'll only cost $30. If you're savvy you can save over 50%.
I love Dream Matte Mousse because I have a major problem with my pores. There's no use denying it, and I know I can't be the only one out there. But this stuff seriously hides them. I went on  a date last night and I was taken aback by the idea that I just couldn't see one! It was also teamed with my Urban Decay De-Slick. Lasted hoooooours.
So I may just have a new makeup product routine?

Bought! Fur tail and Leather collar from ASOS

Bit of a sucker for strange trends, particularly if it's a little off the beaten track, Tails first popped up on my radar a few months ago but not at a price or location I was willing to go for, so When I spotted one on ASOS I pounced. Not the cheapest, but cute none the less hanging from my bag.

 

Racoon Fur Tail from ASOS

Another one I bought for the quirk factor recently is this cute leather collar. I'm not going to wear it with shirts that go to my neck, instead I'll wear it more like a necklace with scooped neck singlets and dresses.

 

Leather Collar by ASOS

Bought! Supre and Dotti

Gone a bit buy crazy lately, after having a poor fortnight for the last one and being stressed as hell about finding a house, (found one by the way, it's awesome).
Now listen, I know Supre has a horrific image 'even I'm a member of the Facebook group 'welcome to Supre, our sizes come in skinny, malnourished and anorexic', but so long as you avoid the jersey clothing they've got some cute on trend stuff. I was even surprised to find that the sizing was actually just about right again. I wear a medium at Sportsgirl, and I now wear a medium at Supre.
Finally getting into the Spring weather that lets me wear trends I've been seeing since February overseas.
I bought a cute tie waist shirt, if you are a little middle heavy don't be afraid of the trend, wear it with a high waisted skirt that meets the bottom of it, and if you're still nervous wear a singlet underneath. It looks especially cute with an a-line skirt, or you could wear it with a slimline long jersey skirt.

Tie up denim shirt by Supre

I also picked up a Denim shirt dress while I was there, but I use the term dress lightly, it barely skims my butt. I love how it looks with the sleeves rolled up, and plan on going to it with my sewing machine soon, I'm going to scoop the hem and take out the drawstring and officially call it a shirt.

Denim Shirt dress by Supre

I also stopped in at Dotti, having a bargain day. I found these cute shorts in the sale rack, 100% Cupro which is a new fabric that breaths like cotton but has a nicer drape to it. Paperbag waist to tuck tops into, looks great with the tie up top above!

Shorts by Dotti

Bought! Portmans

Two quick buys from Portmans today, after originally going to hunt for some wedge boots (Rubi shoes smelt funny and cut in at the ankle) My friend and I ended up wandering into Portmans. I quite like Portmans, you can pick up some great buys in the sale racks, and bring fashion to office clothes.
First purchase was this cute sleeveless sheer blouse, I'm craving this sort of cut at the moment, I'll wear it with skinny jeans or shorts and a tank underneath.

 

Sleeveless Blouse by Portmans

Second of my purchases today was this chain embellished tank top. I like collecting feature tops, I find my top half to be where I want to draw attention, and this (mildly heavy) top does the job nicely. I can wear it over jeans, belt it,or tuck it into a skirt to toughen up something girly.

Pity I can't find any images for it!

Product Reveiw: Invisible Zinc tinted daywear SPF 30+

Invisible Zinc touts this product as a great all in one product, Moisturiser, sunscreen and foundation, I Picked up a tube of this the other week to give it a go and see how I could work it into my daily routine. As it is a physical sunscreen (as opposed to chemical) it can sit at any level on your face and doesn't have to be applied directly onto clean skin to be effective. Useful.
My first impression is that it is incredibly thick, I'm used to sunscreens that are runny and messy but this just sits on my finger in the same shape I squeezed it out in. Just on its own even the light shade is far too dark for my skin so I mix it with my current foundation. The next is that it is quite sticky.
Two major and unexpected pluses about this product are that it does not budge, (and mixed with my founadtion, makes my foundation stay on too!) I go to wash my face for training after work, and water alone does not wash it off, you can feel it still on. You need a facewash/cleanser.
The other plus is that it doesn't let oil through, in fact I could go so far to say that it is the best anti-oil product I've used. My makeup doesn't budge and slide down my face as it normally would.
Certainly going to keep using this product, but I just wish it was lighter! Only two colours available? You can do better then that!

 Invisible Zinc tinted daywear SPF 30+ available here.

Bought! Retro Camera Mobile by Sweet and Salty

So after the year of weddings I had last year, this is clearly the year of babies for me. Expecting three out of my friends within the next six months.
One of the mother's to be is quite the photographer, and loves vintage cameras so when I snuck the information out of her that she hadn't bought a mobile for her little boy's cot, I snapped this up quick smart.

Retro Camera Mobile available from Shana Logic

Cats, birds and deers are also available.

Bought! Faraway day wallet by Mimco

Well now I'm glad I didn't bother with the $30 voucher. While it would have been great if I had bought anything below $150, now that Mimco have 20% off storewide, I got an even better deal.
Alas I cannot afford the cute faraway day hip bag, but I found myself in need of a wallet. Hopefully I'll remember not to leave it lying on the floor so it can become Mischa's favourite toy. With lots of claw marks in the shiny leather.
While it doesn't have oodles of pockets for cards it has enough for my memberships and discounts, the coin section for a wallet this size is generous, and  I have a facination for bags and wallets with clips. The inside is rather shiny metallic leather which I think it growing on me.

 

Faraway Day Wallet by Mimco.

Incoming: Dipped hems

I'm sure there's a technical, 'fashion' term for this style, graduated, scooped, mullet, but I don't know it, but I do know I like it.
I bought one of these the other day and I love the look, it's got a cape sort of feel to it, and it's both modest and showy at the same time. It can be found on both tops and skirts coming into season now, and because of the way it swooshes around your legs it's very comfortable to wear in summer.
I think the trick to pulling off this look is to balance it out, if you're wearing it on top, make sure to wear some bottoms that will show off your legs (even if it's just the shape), and vice versa, wearing a skirt teamed with a tank top, and a long necklace to draw the eye along the length of your body will work great too. If you're wearing it as a dress without much shape, belt it.
Here is a gorgeous example by Bardot, very suited to a straight up and down figure, notice the use of the belt too, to balance out proportions.

 

Layered Frill Dip Dress by Bardot

Also perfect for our summer is this ASOS Dipped hem maxi skirt, perfect for throwing on over a bikini for the beach, or slipping on a sleeveless blouse for catching up with friends over the weekend.

 

Dipped hem maxi skirt by ASOS.

Damn, I think ASOS is doing this trend too damn well and affordably, check out this embellished crop top, of course only for those who have the abs for it, and I certainly wish I did right now! Right, off to go for a run and then 100 crunches ...

ASOS t-shirt with applique detail

How would you wear this trend? Have you already found your perfect piece?

Bought! Coquette Bikini by ASOS

Yeah, if you haven't guessed by now ASOS would have to be my favourite place to shop. But check this out!
Gorgeous cupped bikini in a beautiful pastel print, halter neck, contrast frills to draw attention, the placement of the frills on the bikini bottoms slim you down. There are still heaps of sizes available too. Being underwired it's perfect for larger busts that need support at all times. This print is also available in a trinagle top and tie side bottoms.
Just a quick one I had to share, and at 23 pounds it comes down to less then $40 Australian. buy it early and be ready for the upcoming summer... Yum.

ASOS Coquette Digital Print Ruffle Underwired Bikini

Bought! Sportsgirl Curved Hem Skirt

I know I seem to be having a minor obsession with Sportsgirl at the moment, but the end of season sales just keep getting cheaper, what's a girl to do?
Today I picked up a jersey skirt with a graduated hem that gets longer at the back, this is a newer trend for summer that I've been meaning to add to my wardrobe, it kind of reminds me of the part of Sass and Bide that I like. The fact that I managed to fit into a size small for the first time since I was a teenager was a high selling point too! The hem starts just above my knee and ends around my ankle down the back, and the waist sits high, perfect. Also comes in grape (a pinky purple), and black.

Curved hem skirt available online at Sportsgirl.

Bought! Sportsgirl and Lovisa

Today I finally wore the Edna Dress I bought a few weeks ago as mentioned here, and my god, what a comment magnet! Heaps of girls at work ooh'd and ah'd, a few had to touch and two of them named the label. impressed by my office cohorts. I also have to mention it is perhaps a little too booby for the office ... but that won't stop me from wearing it again, it's too nice!
I also had a trundle about the mall in the cool evening and picked up a few things, starting with a quick bargain top from Sportsgirl for summer, I'll wear it either with tight jeans to balance it out or tucked into a waisted skirt for a cuter look.

 

Sportsgirl Bold Stripe Top $19.95 here.

I've never bought anything from Lovisa before so I am wary, due to my 'princess syndrome' (inability to wear cheap jewelry without obtaining a fetching welted rash). But today I decided to risk it and had a look at the 2 for $15 rack, I selected a cute bow brooch and a silver necklace with a button pendant. I plan on using the brooch to cover up a glue stain on a handbag.

Bought! Reebok, Puma, Asana and Target

Had a sporty shop up this evening, I was in dire need of some new sneakers after the soles of my dunlops started to flake off.
Amart All Sports had a special, 50 different sneaker types for $50, bargain! So I got some advice from the assistants and was sent in the direction of some Puma Cell Ikonis 2 Q111's. I asked for gym shoes that could also be used for jogging in a pinch.
Of course, in pink.

Ladies Puma Cell Ikonis 2 Q111

After I picked those out I went and had a peek at the rest of the sports gear, I love a snappy sports singlet, but it has to be something that either speaks to me or makes me laugh, some of the Slogan singlets you see are just too OTT. " I earn my choccies one step at a time" anyone? Blech.
I snorted out loud when I spotted this singlet by Asana .. no one said it didn't run faster then me too!

 Asana Slogan Singlet

I've already been through two gym bags since I started training at the start of the year, the first one turned out to be too small, even though I loved the design and colours. and the second was a freebie attached to a magazine, certainly big enough but the straps were waaaaay too short. I wasn't even browsing for one today but I spotted this and loved it. It's very sleek, has both carry handles and an across body straps, large zip up pocket on the front, two internal sewn in pockets, and a removable small pouch with wrist strap.
I'm really quite appalled I can't find this bag anywhere online to show you guys!

Lastly, I'm in need of sports bras, and don't want to spend too much, it's kind of hard to find them to fit my 12dd size. (This size is a curse, not a blessing.) Most of the time I opt for 12d. Target is having a sale on underwear at the moment, but it's worth having a good dig, there were different colours in this bra, at different prices just because of unpopular colour combinations. I got a bright pink with dark purple detailing version for less then $10! Sweeet.

Target Moulded Medium Impact Underwire Sports Bra