Incoming: Mix and Match Swimwear

Totally loving this trend coming in for summer and somewhat annoyed I have already bought a new bikini for the season (oh well, buy another!) This goes along perfectly with the colour blocking trend that is amazingly hot right now, and it also a great way to emphasise your good bits and help distract from parts you feel less then confident about. The celebrities are also fans.

Rihanna gives it a go in animal print.

Fearne Cotton does it with a print and block.

My thriftiest tip is to go through your current swimwear wardrobe and see what you already own that could be a mismatched bikini, following a few rules it's not too hard to come up some good combinations.

A print and a neutral block colour. Especially good if the block colour is featured in the print.

Two bold colours that go well together. Brights work great for this, try zingy colours like fuchsia and canary yellow, or aqua and jewel purple.

Stripes and a block colour. Perfect if you have the other piece in one of the stripe colours. I love this one.

The trick to making this flattering is to use the most attention grabbing piece to highlight. Got great boobs but nervous about your butt? Wear the print up top with with block coloured bottoms. The great thing is you can do with with any style of bikini that flatters you and go nuts! Cotton on body has cheap options and the collection is perfect for this trend, but check out your local surf store too. Many brands sell their swimwear as separates and it's worth having a look and experimenting with what will work together.

Want this Oscar and Elvis Bikini so badly ..... <3 <3 <3

Tip of the day: Flattering hairstyles

I've been noticing something about hair lately, I do a lot of people watching and have realised a few things.

Slick ponytails can make you look bigger.
Sad but true, the fail safe hairstyle for bad hair days can make you appear weightier then you are. Depending on the type of bad hair day, I'd suggest products and a blowdryer to try and save it, Dry shampoo if your hair is too oily to wear out, and a blow dryer to coax wayward hair in the direction you want it. However conversely girls who feels their heads are too big for their bodies could benefit from this hairstyle?


Big hair looks good almost universally.
I've only recently discovered the teasing comb, and my god, once you get the technique down-pat, it is epically useful. The trick to me is tease the underside, and section by section, going from the front to back, it is much harder to grab a section when it has been partially teased by the previous section. Little rockstar quiffs are fantastic for growing out your fringe, while getting into Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's look is so much easier then you think after a little practise.

Braids save your ass at the Gym.
The greatest hairstyle for gym is far and away a plait or a braid, much easier to get out of the way and not get it stuck under weights. Because all your hair is one big mass, it's easier to grab it and flip it when it needs to go so you can do your workout properly. Wear it with a soft wide headband if you have a fringe and you're golden.

Bought! Hat stand from Earthborn

EEEE! I have been after one of these for a while now, and had the idea stuck in my head that I ought to wait and hunt down a vintage one. Well that idea never panned out. Every time I went to the vintage shops and markets, they were always sold near immediately. Sitting still at their stalls, taunting me with their 'SOLD' stickers ...
So I decided stuff it, and picked up one from a home wares store at Carindale.
I'm glad I did finally bite the bullet, as unless you find one trawling through garage sales you aren't going to find it much cheaper then new in store. Comes in Red and black also I think.

Hat Stand available from Earthborn.

Quick reminder! Brisbane Vintage Fashion Fair is on today.

I've totally spaced the last few days I wanted to put up a reminder about this on Thursday,bit late but if any readers want something to do today I highly recommend checking this out, even just to look!
I have blogged about the fair previously here. and you can also find out more information here.
Go! I implore you!

Leg Make Up, Flawless Legs by Le Tan

I picked this up the other day admittedly because it was the cheaper option. But who has never used that justification before? The good news is it doesn't disappoint.
Flawless Legs by Le Tan has been a great buy for me, it as lasted all day and hasn't transferred onto my black skirt, and given my pale as snow legs a great colour with subtle shimmer. In fact I had to get up close to see any sparkle at all, making it perfect for everyone who isn't a teenager!
It comes in two colours, and I was a little apprehensive about giving even the paler shade a try as it just seemed too dark, but it has been quite a lovely colour all day without being orange at all.
The best technique to use to apply the product is to give the can a good shake, the spray onto your palms before rubbing your hands together and then rubbing onto your legs (or other exposed body parts, don't let the word legs in the name fool you!)
Would I buy it again? You betcha!

Le Tan Flawless Legs in Deep Bronze and Bronze

Bought! Typo Haul

Christmas is less then two months away, confronting much? This year has utterly flown by like so many of them do and we're already gearing up for a great holiday period.
Hey... I know I may be early in some peoples eyes but at least my decorations didn't go up at the start of September *coughDavidJonescough*.
So I've been off to stalk my favourite gift shop, Typo, and picked up a few early presents, but also check out these cute as ornaments I got for my tree!

Also bought these little gift tags, I never seem to have any when I want some.

So now if everyone could just tell me what they want for Christmas without actually telling me, I'd love you.

Eyebrow Threading at Winkbar

Have been reading about this technique for a while now and thought I'd give it a try, a bar opened up at Carindale recently, Perfect opportunity!
I've been a little lazy with my eyebrows lately so I had a really good base for my beautician to work from. I just haven't had the time lately.
My eyebrows are nicely shaped after a ten minute session but I have to warn you, the pain factor is quite high, eye watering in fact. That would would probably be the only real negative though, I found my girl's work to be very accurate. They also have a frequent customer reward program with every sixth session free.
All in all, it's a good option over waxing because it doesn't strip the skin the way that wax does (as the only thing the threads grab hold of is the hair, not the skin as well.) After years of waxing your skin can get weak and crêpey, not the look we should be going for at all.
Just make sure you bring your sunnies to cover up the redness!

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!

Why I'll never shop there ...

Wow, ever have one of those shopping moments where an assistant puts you off ever shopping there again? In this current retail climate where stores are fighting to compete with online retailers, you would hope that they assistants would at least be polite. Not always the case.
Don't get me wrong, more often then not I find places have amazing customer service. But it can be that one bad egg that outs me off ever shopping there again, and I mean ever.
This afternoon on an adventure to see what goodies I can score in Myer Brisbane, I happened to walk past a skincare brand's Promo girl, You know promo people, they always lead with 'Hello, how are you?' To drag you into checking out their wares. So she tried it on me and I respond with the two words I know stop a promo person in their tracks 'No thanks.' She turned around and snapped 'I didn't offer you anything!' I know the words look harmless written down, but the tone she used snarled with 'well fuck you bitch' undertones.
I just kept walking, but I wanted to turn around and challenge her to deny that she wasn't about to ask me to sample whatever she was handing out.
I had another bad experience with a girl at a clothing store, who refused to listen to a problem I had or take my details down to give to her manager when she came back from lunch. I ended up coming in another day and telling the manager what happened and had the problem solved smoothly. But the damage was done, and I have never shopped in that particular store again. Of course I still shopped for the label elsewhere, the clothes are just too cute not to buy. I later found out that the problem assistant was fired for having too many similar incidents with customers.

Don't forget! Kelly Doust book signing this weekend

Just a reminder about a previous post, The crafty minx herself Kelly Doust will be signing copies of her latest book; Minxy Vintage at the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Fair This Saturday at 10:00 AM. Entry can be bought at the door for $16. Brisbane Exhibition centre.
Check out her book here.
The rest of the fair is worth a look too, great for broadening your horizons (learn to sew will ya?!)

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)

Loving this week: Palm Springs Collection by Forever New

The weather up here in Brisbane lately has been on the cusp of Bi-Polar, so you know what this means? we are in for one hell of a sticky summer, and I can't wait to get to the beach!
I've had a look at the new gorgeous range at Forever New and it's making me lust after coconut lotion, sunny boys and the ocean spray. A brilliant on trend collection that will take you from market, to beach, to dinner with plenty of class and style along the way.
For starters this bikini is a great all rounder, the frills will both add some definition to a boyish figure, while the skirted bottoms will flatter those who are nervous about their butts. If in doubt, frills will do often do more good for any figure then bad.

The other item that stands out to me is this perfect stripe dress, there are a lot of stripe dresses out in the chain stores at the moment, but I'm finding a lot of them are looking generic and cheap, this strapless style hits the nail on the head, looks amazing.

The piece I reeeeeally want though is this Kaftan style dress. Kaftans flatter almost everyone out there so long as it come in at the waist. I love the colours, neck detailing, and can picture myself wearing it almost everywhere this summer. In fact this is me running out the door to grab it ...

All Products available online at www.forevernew.com.au 

Tip of the day: Self tanning? Add dark bedsheets to your shopping list

I have a beautiful set of white bedsheets with black piping and a gorgeous Edwardian lace print, also in black. At least they were gorgeous. I made the fatal mistake of using them over summer while I slathered myself with St Tropez on a weekly basis. Big mistake. They now have a brown cast to them that I didn't notice until it was too late. Can't bleach it out or I'll kill the piping.
So before you start pulling your limbs out into the open and showing off your carefully applied tans, for the live of god, put some dark sheets on your bed! Black is ideal, but dark prints are also good at hiding stains for something a little less Goth. Don't ruin your crisp pale sheets.

Incoming: Ear Gear

Well, it looks like the Top-knot trend I so dearly loathe is here for the summer, but it's not all bad news. Earrings are popping up on my radar a heap lately, but on top of that are cute little guards and cuffs too. and what type of hairstyle shows off earrings best? Yup, Buns and ponytails.
ASOS is one of your best bets for jumping onto this trend which I am thinking will be great for summer when we all will want to wear our hair up, but While looking around Lovisa today I found some cute pairs of cuffs with dangling crosses in Gold and black silver.
There are a few different types that are coming into fashion now, the first are the type that loop around the back of your ear, as shown just below. These are great for girls who do not have their ears pierced as you not need it to wear them!

The second kind are more of a shield style, you need your ears pierced to wear them and they cover your ears as well, as shown below.

The third kind are the style that I can remember my sister wearing about a decade ago, little cuffs that you put up the op of your ear, again, like the first style you do not need your ears pierced to wear them, unless they're attached to a stud like this example is.

Products featured in post available at ASOS

Pantene Split End Fuser Leave On Treatments

Admittedly after over two years of growing my hair out from a cute pixie crop, I am glad it has reached a point where it can be called long. But unfortunately over the last six months I lost patience with frequent trims every two or so months and neglected my hair for a while. When I finally had a good look at my hair a few months ago, the damage was done. My hair had split, and the damage had travelled up at least an inch.

I’ve had two trims since then, but the damage is still evident, only when I apply a hair mask does my hair resemble healthy again. And I haven’t got the time for that every time I wash my hair. I’m also just not ready to give my hair quite as big a chop as I need to.

So can you believe how completely stoked I am that I have found this product?

Highly recommended for other girls in my boat, and while cutting all the dead ends off is the best thing you can do, I’d definitely say that this comes in second.

Loving this week: Cadbury Dark Bubbly and Benefit Watt’s Up

I can’t say that this has been the greatest week of my life, new house that has yet to be fully unpacked, immense work stress with no clear end in sight, on top of this whole internet fiasco are leaving me in need of some quality me time at the end of my days. Enter chocolate. I recently discovered Cadbury’s latest flavour and have to say I’m a fan. I love dark chocolate, and it’s been proven to be good for you (in moderation) time and time again. Now to just learn to stop at a few pieces.

Watt’s up is one of Benefit’s latest offerings, a gorgeous suit anyone highlighter in Champaign. It comes in a stick form with a clever built in diffusing brush to help blend the cream to powder product on your face. I think it’s perfect for helping to sculpt your cheekbones with its subtle shimmer. I’m dying to get my hands on it.

Watt's Up! Highlighter by Benefit

Do you rate Lipstick?

Lipstick is a product I find that even though it sells by the bucketload, I don’t actually see many people in the 15-30 age brackets that wear it. All the time I see young ladies pull out tubes of gloss and balm and applying but never (not even in the bathroom) are they ever carefully applying something with as rich a pigment as Lipstick.

And why not? Lipstick has been going through resurgence lately, along with the building trend for more groomed and complete Makeup. For years now it’s been mostly about the smoky eye and glossy lips and now we’re seeing (much to my joy) sleek cat’s eyes and perfect lips. Very glamorous, but also very scary if you don’t know what you’re doing right?

My best advice is to go to a makeup counter on a mission to find your perfect colour match. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive place, though counters like MAC and Chanel do have exquisite products and normally service to match. If you go into Priceline at the right time they will have Makeup artists willing you help you with more budget friendly ranges, and remember, budget friendly does not mean you are missing out on quality, Brands like Maybelline and L’Oreal have fantastic lipsticks.

Going and getting a professional’s opinion will boost your confidence of wearing Lipstick through the roof, Especially when it comes to buying and wearing colours that will grab attention. If you are truly nervous, buying a nude colour perfectly matched to you and learning to apply it properly before trying a daring shade is not a bad plan either.

A pro will also teach you how to apply it properly, and will take you through how to work the rest of your makeup so you don’t overdo your look. Contrary to popular belief you can get more than one look out of one colour depending on weather you wear it with liner, blot it down to a stain or even layer gloss or balm over the top.

Am I giving you any ideas? Hot trends to try this summer are punchy colours like Cherry Red and Fuchsia, try them without liner and blot them down, this will reduce the likelihood of lipstick on your teeth.

Mix Clothing at Coles

Admit it, you’re all curious. After all, who doesn’t like the idea of picking up a new singlet along with your milk? Coles have very recently launched their latest venture and while it certainly isn’t ground and trend breaking stuff, it just may well be a good place to stock up on fresh basics to wear with your wardrobe.

I personally haven’t had the chance to have a good look at the collection yet but I have to say I harbour some pretty big fears about wonky seams, unflattering cuts and styles that only an unkempt soccer mum would love. Looking at the collection online at http://mixapparel.com.au is promising though but you can’t be sure until you are able to feel and see the products in person.

Currently there are about a dozen stockists in QLD, has anyone been to check it out yet? Let me know what you think, I’m not sure if I’m quite up to the pilgrimage to get to any just yet.

Tip of the day: Where to apply blush

So where have we all always been told to apply our blush to? The apples of our cheeks. We've been told to smile, and then apply blush to the fleshy part that juts out under our eyes right? Wrong actually.
You see, when you apply blush to that part of your face when you're smiling, it drops down your face as soon as you stop. The only time doing this will work for you is if you're always smiling (and that kinda hurts after a while).
So instead, smile first, to remind yourself of the area to apply blush to, then stop smiling and apply it to the skin that is there now, and blend up and out.

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.

Loving this week: Alannah Hill Cardigan and Scarf

I have been neglecting my Alannah Hill obsession for a little while now in an effort to save money, but I thought it was high time to go down there to check out the summer range and gasp at all the pretty little details.
I have to have this cardigan. it doesn't matter that now in Brisbane it's too hot to wear it until next year, I will love it for years! I'm a complete sucker for a cute motif, and this one takes the cake. It also carries over to the back of the cardigan too. Bliss.

Care to play cardigan by Alannah Hill

Another item that caught my eye was this cute as scarf, yet again, it's Spring, in Brisbane so no wearing until next year sometime but I can't help it! Winter clothes are just so much nicer! Circle design so it's not just your normal see everywhere scarf, I can see it sitting on tank tops and coats alike.