Loving this week: LWB Life with Bird Classics, Cotton on Body and Antipodium x Sportsgirl

I've had a soft spot for Life with Bird for a long time but even at sample sales I still haven't been able to afford anything! Mind you, the last time I went to one that had anything by them I was a struggling student living on a mere $300, and had no credit card to speak of.
I'm admiring their classic range at the moment. They're perfect for layering with the flowy shapes and tights that I'm seeing everywhere in the upcoming season. In particular I want this Sleeveless Shirt Dress, I'd belt it and wear it, need to look like I have some shape after all.

Sleeveless Shirt Dress by LWB Life With Bird Classics

I'm sure I've mentioned before my dislike for Cotton On, but I still shop at some of their stores, if there's a flash in the pan shoes trend I see no point in spending $300 on a pair of shoes that will only be in and last for one season. But we're not talking shoes today.

What I am talking about are the awesome superhero knickers at Cotton On Body. They are so comfy! The size large, actually fits a size large and the VPL doesn't dig in as much as they can. Particularly cute to wear on sleepovers with the boy.

These ones in particular are from previous seasons, but they give you the idea, also at the moment, Cotton On Body are giving you 5 pairs of knickers for $30, more then 40% off if you get the pricier pairs. I think it may be only instore though.

 

Superhero boylegs (and bras) available at Cotton on Body, seemingly in store only.

One store that does Collaborations incredibly well are Sportsgirl, and in September they are going to release their newest with Antipodium. Called Field Days it is inspired by the music festival that occurs yearly near Antipdium headquarters in England. I'm expecting some pieces perfect for the weekend, and our upcoming festivals too.

Antipodium at Sportsgirl, rumoured to be dropping on the 7th of September.

Free things to do during MBFF

Well I sort of got too busy in the last few days to put this up as early as I plan, and for that I am sorry. Even with EKKA Wednesday off!
So MBFF has started for 2011! The opening ball was last night, and the only way for a lot of underlings to attend is to be a slave volunteer. You can actually see a lot of shows and such for free, here's my quick guide:

All days: 
I'm pretty sure The Fashion Bar is available during the late afternoons and evenings all days, You can find it this year at Cascade court, QPAC. It looks like it opens at 4:00 PM most days, and 4:45 on Sunday. If you are meeting up with friends for a show this is generally a good place to meet.

Saturday
The Young Designer Markets are going to be up and running today, near the regular Southbank Lifestyle Markets. 12 pm - 10 pm.
There is also something called Wintergarden Indulgence, you can find it at The Fashion Bar, Cascade Court QPAC at 4:PM.

Sunday:
Though not strictly free, to get up close you'll need a ticket. The Swimwear Parade is out in the open at the Streets beach, and unless they've erected a tent there today you can still get a good view if you camp out, possibly at the cafes up top there? Be warned though, this is one of the most popular events.
Young Designer Markets will also be running today at 10 am - 5 pm.

Monday:
On Monday the free shows in the Queens Street Mall will start up. The City Fashion Flash has taken a new formula this year, as 'flash' fashionistas will be 'struting' the mall, I'm guessing they will still have a base in the usual amphitheatre spot. I like this concept but it'll be hard to spot them all won't it? but this way more people will get the chance to have a good look won't they? Find them at 12:PM

Tuesday:
Fashion Flash on in the Queen Street Mall at 12:00PM
The Emerging Designer & Fashion Graduates Celebration will be on at The Fashion Bar from 9:00 PM onwards.
QUT will be holding a Fashion After Hours event today as well it will be a panel discussing "Industry & Autonomy: what is sustainable fashion?" featuring the following guests.
Tess Curran, Assistant Editor, Peppermint Magazine,
Paula Dunlop, PhD, Independent Practitioner and co-founder, The Stitchery Collective, Alice Payne, PhD Candidate, QUT,  
Samantha Hardman, Fashion Designer, Bento,  
Joshua Jones, Jean Brown.
I would personally just go for the exclusive Pop up vintage market afterwards run by The Best Little Vintage Van in Vegas.
It will be held at 8.30pm / Auditorium 1, Level 2 State Library of Queensland, South Bank.
Though they say tickets can be booked online, I'm willing to bet you can just show up and get in if the crowd isn't big, just to be sure though, there is a Ticketek office just across the way at QPAC to ensure to get in.

Wednesday: 
The City Fashion flash will be running again at its regular time.
QUT: Fashion after hours will be holding another Panel, this time discussing 'Brisbane Women in Fashion': Clothing, Community (that sounds v. poorly punctuated to me ...) I think I'll be heading along to this one. Panelists include:
Lydia Pearson & Pamela Easton, Easton Pearson,  
Kath Horton, Discipline Leader, Fashion QUT and Co-founder, The Stitchery Collective, Thea Basilou, Blonde Venus,
Faiza El-Higzi, The Romero Centre.
It will be held the same as the previous one: 8.30pm / Auditorium 1, Level 2 State Library of Queensland, South Bank.

Thursday:
Only two events are on today and both of them are free!
The City Fashion Flash is on, as per usual, but there is also the Dreaming of Chanel Launch Event. This is an exhibition of some of the amazing clothes in the Darnell Collection of vintage clothing, Charlotte Smith is a lovely lady and I went to her book signing last year for Dreaming of Dior. I'd recommend going to check out this exhibition while you can, nothing can teach us more about a subject then the past.
The event will be held at 6.00pm / QUT Art Museum, 2 George St, QUT Gardens Point Campus.

Friday:
The City Fashion Flash! Of course! lol.
The Dreaming of Chanel Exhibition will be running until the 16th of October for anyone who cannot make it to the opening event. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 12pm-4pm

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.

Makeup remover pens

Shit happens.
Stockings tear, nail polish flakes off, those gorgeous shoes you bought for a song last week have heels that snap off while your walking up stairs, mascara runs, and lipstick bleeds.
But at least there is a convenient pocket sized cure for those last two.
On the spot make up removing pens come from a variety of why-didn't-someone-think-of-this-earlier products that are making our lives easier. I apply my mascara last, after my eyeshadow, after my base, absolutely last. If I sneeze it's a disaster. Also a problem is summer, when your makeup starts sliding down your face no matter what primers and defences you try. Sometimes you just need a fix it before you go for after work drinks.
When I bought B Collection  by Bloom Magic Wand there was no longer a problem, Precision makeup removal so you don't need to wash your entire eye off, and with much more accuracy then a Q-tip.

Check out the line online here or at selected Target stores

Another product new to the market is De-coy Panda Pen. Tough on makeup, gentle on skin, does not leave an oily residue and does not use any animal derived products. I haven't had the chance to check it out yet, so if you have please let me know what you think!

 

Panda Pen by De-Coy

Embellished Knitwear by Jacqueline Claire

Jacqueline Claire specialises in hand sewn and painted knitwear such as tank tops and cardigans, every design is unique. Sick of seeing the same thing in every store she decided to start her own company that creates original one off designs.
Founded in 2004, she is also more then willing to make custom pieces for clients who request them.
What I love about her deisgns are the whimsy girly feel they have to them, I would have bought almost everything in the store money permitting. They have that touch of vintage feel that you get with one off creations that makes me smile.

Ugh, I hate my lack of photography skills sometimes.

Find out more information at her facebook page.