Wednesday 30 November 2011

The cost per wear theory

Ever needed to justify that immense amount of money you dropped on something spectacular? I get that sounds completely insane but listen to me for a minute.
Imagine you have found the perfect handbag, you can use it everyday for work, the perfect go with anything colour and it fits everything you need. The only problem is that it comes with a not so perfect price-tag, in fact it's reaching up into almost a grand. (Or more, could always be more!)
How often do you think you would use the bag, possibly you would use it 4 times a week, for three years? That would calculate into 624 wears. You divide the full price by the amount off times you predict you will wear it, so $1000 divided by 624 means it will cost $1.60 for each time you wear it!
Suddenly that classic supple leather is justified right? It can get a little hazy but if you stick to classic styles and items that will be worn often it can help your wardrobe acquire some truly special pieces.

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Christmas gift ideas: Fashion fiend

The ultimate for this and for all price ranges is to buy them a gift card for their favorite store, you let them choose, you know it will get used, and even better, they'll put it to good use during the sales! It's what I ask for every year.

Under $30:
A good accessory can make an outfit, and even better is when you get an item that looks expensive, without the redic price tag. Diva can be a little hit and miss, but if you have a sharp eye you can find some excellent buys, take this Diva cuff, it's perfect for summer, it will work for beachy, boho and ethnic looks and that's just off the top of my head.
Diva Cuff $16.99

Under $50:
What I love about this jewellery box is hat the clear perspex you can see exactly what is in there before you get into it, helping you plan your outfit in a quicker time.
Jewellery Box by ASOS roughly $50 AU

Under $100:
Magazines subscriptions are a great option when you're not sure if someone you are buying for will like what you buy them. Choose wisely, but luckily for fashionistas there is a wide variety, I would recommend Shop til you Drop in Aus, one of my favourites!

Monday 28 November 2011

Oh god no!

Office ladies out there, you know the ones, in their perfectly pressed crisp shirts, chic and professional tailored dresses and their chunky, garish sneakers ... Wait a minute!
I don't get it, I just don't. I get that you are doing it for comfort while you get to and from work, but that is when you will be seen by the most people. Do you really want to potentially meet new clients, bosses or boyfriends like this? No matter how groomed your hair is, perfectly applied your make up is, how immaculate your suit is, No one with an iota of fashion sense is going to think you're a well presented person. You might as well wear uggs!
I just can't understand why you don't just wear some cute ballet flats instead. At least that way you still maintain that professional edge while you trapse about town in comfort. A pair of leather flats can look just as chic as heels, and when you feel like that added boost of heels you can still switch them!

Sunday 27 November 2011

Christmas gift ideas: Make-up Addict

I'm a fond believer that when you buy someone a gift, it shouldn't be something they need so to speak, but something they want, or something they would never buy for themselves.

Under $30:
Case in point, I can't often justify buying MAC products when I know that a lot of cheaper products do the same job just as well (don't shoot me ladies, there are a lot of things MAC does better then anyone, colour variety in foundation for one?) But I do like to take care of my brushes, so I'd buy this as a special little something for my make up addicted friends to have on their counter so they can keep their brushes in top condition!

Brush cleaner by MAC $20

Under $50:
Had a moment at the baby shower last weekend where we had a game, and whichever group came up with 6 lip-glosses or lipsticks first won. I managed to win for my team in two seconds flat by emptying my handbag onto the floor. I thought everyone carried around multiple options??
Every Christmas a lot of brands bring out beautiful lip gloss kits (that I looooooove to snap up on Boxing day for cheap!) Here are my picks.
Benefit make amazing Lip gloss, its applies well, and doesn't stick your lips together. A set of six to last you forever? Yes please.
Benefit Glossytown $26 (on-line)

Not to be forgotten is Clinique's gorgeous set, SPF  15+, great colours, and a cue little pouch to keep essentials in your purse.
Clinique long last shine Gift set ($49)

Under $100:
If you feel like going all out for your make up fiend, my ultimate would be to buy them the Urban Decay Book of Shadows. Of course, it's a total pain in the ass because there are no stockists (that I know of) in Australia so you're stuck buying it on eBay. However, the response I got from a friend of mine last year when she unwrapped it, wow, her boyfriend was cut as because she squealed over my gift and not his! This year the palette is really wearable with a lot more neutral shades, if you're going to buy it, buy it now because you want to make sure it will ship here in time! It also features a powerful mini speaker keyring, and QR codes that link your phone up to demos on the shadows! High tech stuff ladies...
Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV $64 (USD) Additional speaker and phone not included.

Another option if you don't feel like dealing with online bullshit would be this brush kit by Napoleon Perdis. He makes fantastic brushes an the kits are a great way to buy them, also, note that  maake up fiend can never, ever have enough brushes!
Napoleon Luxe Ultimate brush set ($99)

Napoleon Luxe Basic Brush set ($69)

Friday 25 November 2011

Loving this week: Wrap kit by Kikki K

I am a massive fan of creating inviting and awesomely wrapped gifts, crisp paper, shiny ribbons, all topped off with a cute gift tag. Sitting under the tree for Christmas, (Can you tell I'm really in the mood?)
Not everyone has the time to go out and go through Spotlight to pick up separate bits and bobs to create beautiful and coordinated packaging, so here is a great package to pick up from Stationery store Kikki K. It comes with cards, tags, stickers, strings for wrapping, some paper, a tree stamp and more. Otherwise, it's a good starting point for putting together a kit of your own? It's often a mad dash to the shops to buy a card, or get some ribbon or some other final touch really isn't it? Set up a kit, I keep mine in a vintage suitcase!
Christmas Wrapping Kit in Frost by Kikki K

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