Haute Look - Labels for Less

There's a new way to find those chic buys on the internet without the audacious price tag. Welcome to the world of online outlets!

Haute Look have been operating out of America for a few years now and I was really excited to find that they are now shipping to us way out in Australia! Nordstrom acquired the site back in 2011 So you can be sure that the labels are top notch. For no membership fee there are new sales to be found every day at 8:00 am Pacific time (which suits Australia fine, we get the start of the sales in the evening here!) A factor I really like about Haute Look though is that they stock a tonne of labels that we would have a hard time finding in store here. With Beauty, Fashion Homewares and more at your fingertips -but only for a limited time- it's a site you'll want to bookmark and visit often.

So armed with my bargain hunter instinct, I dove right into the site on the hunt for something awesome. Here's what I picked up!

So much cuter then an elastic on your wrist right?

These gorgeous hair ties rock my socks, not just for me of course as they make brilliant gifts for friends as well. Of course I couldn't go past something with glitter in them either. They came in a variety of colours so I chose what went best with my wardrobe.

The other thing I picked up were these boots. How amazing are they! Also in this seasons must have hue of Ox Blood. I'm loving how last seasons wedge sneakers are transforming into more styles, they are mega comfy to wear. But I have to admit I laughed so hard when they arrived in a massive box. Seriously, it was about 1m (3' odd) tall! 

The only problem I've found is that not all items ship to Australia, which is a little disheartening, but this can be fixed through an American forwarding address company such as Prezoom.

All in all, it's a place I would go shopping again, especially for the hard-to-find in Australia items at great prices. Go check them out now at Hautelook.com

This has been a sponsored post.

Have we found the best Lip Balm?

'm not one to utter the acronym HG (Holy Grail) often, in fact I don't think I ever have on this blog before. But I'm so fond of this product, it deserves a massive pedestal to be placed beneath it.
I'm  talking about Nivea's Essential Care Lip Balm.

Lip balms are a beauty product that everyone who cares about their appearance tends to use, and use often! Caring for your lips is paramount to creating a youthful look, soft full lips are universally appealing. The reason why I love Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm so much is that it feels unlike any other balm I've used. It's just so damn nourishing! You know that awful addiction your lips can get with -lets face it- most lip balms on the market? Where if you don't reapply every two hours your lips start chapping more then they were to begin with? I've never had a trace of that with Essential care, instead lips are given great moisturisation, a soft and supple feel and absolutely with no signs of balm addiction. It lasts and lasts as well,

My favourite use for it is just before bedtime, apply it liberally to wake up with gorgeous soft lips ready to go for the next day.

Do you have a HG Lip balm? What do you use?

Pure Pink Red Perfection - Maybelline Coral Crush

We're certainly onto a lip theme this week! not a bad thing in my view at all.
So I may have cheated a little on my Thrift Challenge (actually, I did quite badly for a little while there, but that's another story). But I really think it was worth it.

Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Coral Crush is a lip colour that I've been dying to get my hands on. Week after week it was out of stock wherever I looked, I even went so far as to buy it from eBay, but when it arrived it was the complete wrong colour, (right tube, right name, wrong colour, WTF??) So when I spotted one lonely tube of it in a Priceline I don't normally venture into, of course I pounced on it.

Coral Crush is about as pink as you can get and still be able to call it coral, due to the low saturation of red it is quite a young shade with plenty of pop. It looked stunning on my light skin with dark features complexion. I don't think it'd work quite as well on a blonde, a little too barbie.
Also worth noting is that it takes a few coats to get a strong colour. One layer is rather sheer, so if you don't want such a punchy shade it's still quite workable. I really like that it's a versatile shade of pink, it sits on the fence for a lot of things, not a lolly shade, not a Nanna shade, not a nude shade etc etc.
If pinks are your shade of lip colour, or one that you're thinking of adding to your lipstick wardrobe, I'd certainly recommend giving this one a try.

Incoming - Spliced and Contrasting Fashion

A lot of what fashion can say isn't purely what you see, textures can play a major role too. Mixing a black leather jacket with something light and feminine can completely alter the tough edge that your jacket can be screaming, while going for a material other then leather for said jacket can soften the effect too - so it's only whispering of how tough you are (lol!).
Spliced fashions are articles that have been created from two vastly different contrasting materials combined into one for maximum impact.Think a soft jersey t-shirt with capped leather sleeves or black leggings with a stripe of colour down the sides. Last season I spotted a few things like denim jackets with black leather sleeves but it looks like fashion may really walk this trend out for Autumn and Winter. Close to the colour blocking trend, the main difference is that splicing adds an entirely new fabric and not just a new colour to a piece of clothing.

Sportsgirl Future Top

Dotti PU Sleeve Jacket

Ally Contrast Sandals

The trend works perfectly with a sporty look, and blends in well with novelty but don't let that restrict you, almost any trend  you wear can feature this look without getting it wrong. Try some tailored trousers with this top from Sportsgirl with some chunky bangles or delicate necklaces. Or how about trading in your normal biker jacket for this hybrid anorak from Dotti? Think of them as items you can trade in for what you already wear and you'll be onto a winner!

Personal Planner Discount Voucher for Bought by Birdette readers

So the competition may be done and dusted but we have one last treat for Bought by Birdette readers! Please use the code below to get your own Personal Planner for 15% off! Offer is only available until February 14th so get cracking over to Personal Planner and enjoy!

Be sure to show me any designs you buy! I'd love to see what you do with them.