Link Love: Craft Suppliers

I've recently rediscovered my love of creating, and it's finding its way into almost everything I do at home! I feel much better watching TV if I'm keeping my hands busy crocheting or cutting up fabric to patchwork at the same time! Here are some places that I like to buy my fabric and gear from, I hope you like them too.

Super Buzzy: Yeah yeah, patchwork and quilting is something that your grandmother tried to teach you and you thought was daggy as right_ Well I can tell you right now this isn't your granny's sewing shop. Super Buzzy stocks an amazing array of incredibly cute Japanese inspired fabric and notions, Kawaii sushi with little faces, too cute woodland animals, and nursery stories just to name a few, but you will also find other crafty goods for crochet, knitting, felting and more. The postage can be pricey but the product is just too cute and hard to find!

Hawthorne Threads: A huge range of quality quilting fabric brands at great prices, stock is regularly updated with new brands at reasonable prices for both product and postage, this site is a great place to start for up market brands with a nod to trends. A great staple site, make sure you sign up for the newsletters as they are full of inspiration, competitions and what's new in store.

Hancocks of Paducah: Quite simply the best site if you're after a bargain, with prices on fabric starting from under $5 per yard you're bound to find something to your tastes. While the variety isn't as hip and cool as the two previously mentioned sites, it is a great place to visit for basics and the occasional gem, I often rack up sales of a few hundred dollars!

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.

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!

Customize your creations with Spoonflower

When I used to study Fashion at TAFE, one of my favourite parts of designing garments was choosing the fabric.  Different patterns, colours, textures, weave, and materials can drastically alter anything you have put on paper, and availability was another matter! If you wanted to be sure that a print existed, most of the time you had to design it for yourself, and find somewhere to quickly print it, and for a decent price!
Sadly for me back then, a wonderful website called Spoonflower hadn't been crated yet.

The basic concept is that site give you the ability to put any designs you might create and print them onto fabric, and not just quilting fabric either. Yes there is a large array of cottons and linens to print onto but there's also some gorgeous dress making fabrics too. You can order a swatch book to see what each fabric is like for $1.
They don't just sell designs on material either, you can also have them printed up on wallpaper. Imagine your own cute creation on the walls of your babies room? A feature wall created by you anywhere in your home.
The most awesome thing? You can sell your designs! Come up with something truly gorgeous, it doesn't have to be intricate, set up shop, enable your design to be sold and it's just that easy, your awesome creativity can earn you money. Of course if you want your designs to be available to just you, you can do that too. Best way I've ever know to have a one of a kind anything!

After discovering the site only this year it's already on high rotation. Because of its expansive array of indie designers you never know what you will find on any given day. Within seconds you can find something perfect, that speaks to you, that you simply have to have. With over half a million members, there's almost endless options!
Highly recommended for days when you have the chance to be sucked into another world. This is a hobby I won't be finishing anytime soon.

Go and check them out!

Bought! Asos Haul January 2013

Well more of a mini haul really. Asos is another must do destination in the sales as the prices that normally can't be beaten get even better. Here's what I picked up.

This aqua peplum top fits like a dream and hides any bumps with it's gorgeous Ponte fabric. The trousers are also awesome, they're linen blend so they're comfy as in Australia's blazing hot summers, and they also have a cute feature waistband.

Asos Linen Peg Pants

A Wear Bow Peplum Top

I couldn't say no to some cute accessories too. I love the little musician cat and mouse, I finally have a pair of cats eye sunnies that suit me, and the pillbox hat is something out of the ordinary in this day and age but I don't think they should be! They're gorgeous worn with an up-do and add an air of elegance.

Asos Cameo Earring Set

Catarzi Pillbox hat (Other colours available!)

Pieces Esther Sunglasses

Gift Guide - Homebody

This is part of a series of gift guides I am putting together and posting up until Christmas. Please be sure to check out the others Here! 

Homebody may be a slightly misleading description of this person, Houseproud might do it better! We all know someone who takes great pride in maintaining their home and filling it with gorgeous little knick knacks and treasures. Perhaps these might suit their style?

I don't feel like a house is truly a home without at least a few books kicking around. I don't care much for the new electronic reader technology, give me the smell of old books over strained eyes and something that feels utterly fake any day! Cute bookends add the finishing touch to any collection, here are a few goodies.

Vinyl Record Bookends from Typo

The End Bookend from Lark

People who love their homes often want to show them off, so why not give them some gorgeous servingware for the next time they're entertaining? (Gives them more reason to invite you over too!) Platters for me are something that are to be used to frame your food. What may perfectly complement a table full of colourful salads and BBQ cooked fare may not work as well for a more classy afternoon tea affair or even a make-your-own taco fiesta.

22 cm Hand drawn Lacey Serving Bowl by Yvonne Ellen

37.5 cm Fiesta Round Platter and 35 cm French Bull Melamine Platter both available at Peter's of Kensington

Another cute idea you won't find everywhere are these unique wire wall art Sculptures. I admit, my eyes may have done their little "dawwwww!" thing and widened when I first spotted the bunny sculpture. Each of them are handmade and differ slightly to others, so like hand blown glass no two are the same.

Owl, Bunny and other designs available from Life on Wire

Gift Guide 2012 - Foodie

This is part of a series of gift guides I am putting together and posting up until Christmas. Please be sure to check out the others Here! 

Shopping for foodies is probably one of my favourite things to do, there's always a new gadget, or book to look at and in my opinion food styles and hot items can change just as quickly as fashion! Cupcakes, Whoopie pies, Macarons, etc they've all had their moments recently and opened up the idea of cooking and baking being a worthwhile skill to have to a younger generation who otherwise may never have learnt!

Cookies are a great way to open up the kitchen to novices and the results are great for spreading the love, I found these cute cookie stamps, hopefully there's something for all kinds of bakers! Cookie stamps in a variety of cute, hipster, indie and creepy.

A - Baked with Love Stamp available from Portmans

B & C - Munchstaches and Gingerdead Men Stamps available from Mighty Ape

D - Home Made stamp available from Lark

An idea for someone who likes to play with cocktails and liquid concoctions would have to be this nifty Zoku quick pop maker. It has the ability to create icy poles in minutes! Imagine the possibilities, you could use it to make a nice cooling after workout healthy treat that freezes while you exercise, or you could turn all those favourite summer cocktails into frozen treats. Not only do you have treats in minutes but you know exactly what went into them. It comes in various types that can make anywhere from one to three Zoku pops at once (I think the three would be great for someone who has people over a lot!) and come in a range of colours to match various kitchen decors.

Zoku Pop makers in single, two or three

Unfortunately the official website only ships to the USA, but you can also buy them in Australia here or here.

Lets go shopping!

Well I'm taking the night of from blogging to go shopping. You'd have to be living under an internet-free rock not to know about the epic sales going on in many Australian retailers today. Some are even starting before the 7 PM EST official start so go get clicking!
Also worth noting is that it's not just the retailer listed at Click Frenzy, lots of others are getting in on the action so be sure to check out your regular favourites!
Personally I'll be hanging around Priceline, Myer, Target, Review, Glassons, Dotti, Diva, Lipstick Shoes, and Bardot (Phew!) I'll be tweeting anything phenomenal I find through my feed here.

Go score yourselves some bargains and let me know what you found!

Australia's Answer to Cyber Monday

I just read something I'm really excited about. After looking on with jealousy at all the awesome sales that America gets during this time of year, Australia is finally getting it's own version. I've always felt like we miss out here in Aus. Cyber Monday has become the online tradition for those who prefer shopping from their armchairs to the flurry of activity that is Black Friday, (Yeah, some of the crowds are crazy but I reckon I could handle them!)
Click frenzy is a new concept in Australia, where a mass of online retailers will be pulling their prices down by as much as 90% for one day. Set to occur on Tuesday November 20 at 7PM (AEST) retailers that I've read will be participating include Target, The Iconic, StyleTread and Myer, so I'll definitely be there!
To sign up for more information, please check it out here.

Happy shopping!

Matches Fashion

There's just something really dreamy about looking at Designer fashion. As I'm sure it is with a lot of readers, the lust I have for that perfect pair of Opening Ceremony shoes just isn't the same as the feelings I get about a good pair I could find at a department store. The desire just isn't as strong, intense, it just doesn't leave me yearning.
Matchesfashion.com is my latest Mecca for finding new objects to love and dream about. Opening their first store in 1990, they pride themselves on excellent customer service and turning your shopping experience into something fashionably extraordinary. Matches vast range of both new and established designers leave me feeling giddy and willing to whip out my credit card at an alarming speed, which can only be a good thing for my wardrobe!

I'm always on the hunt for kooky little outfit finishers and this cute Cotton Square Collar by Carven is a winner for me. Just pop it under the neck of any dresses, tops or sweaters it will fit under and you're good to go. The geometric cut is modern and that size of the bib enables it to work with numerous fashion choices.

Scarves always say to me that the wearer cares about their appearance. If they have been styled effectively they lift the entire outfit to another level. This Apeiron Scarf by Athena Procopiou hits the Sci fi Prints trend nail on the head while being light enough to be worn throughout the year. I love how the colours range from pastels through to black for a very workable piece.

I love spotting Australian labels on international websites! Kimono style cover ups are perfect for the beach and as a light cover up during summer, Anna & Boy's Circle Silk Kaftan has a gorgeous cream print that will make your tan pop, and add some sun protection and style to your beach ensemble. I'd also use this to dress up a simple jeans and singlet combination, just add a few gold bangles, sunnies and a simple but chic look is achieved.

This has been a sponsored post

Loving this week - Travel Totes, Owls and Deco Style

I think it's time to take back some of my old favourite post styles and revive them into regular columns, starting with a weekly round up of things that I'm completely in love with!

I like to think I travel a lot, but not as much as I'd like to. Being mama to a couple of kitties does impede on my ability to pack up and go somewhere for the weekend! But house-sitters are a saviour.
I am a great fan of good overnight bags, not just for luggage but for everyday use when I need something huge to haul around all of my gear for work and study. I spotted this amazingly beautiful and functional Raja Travel Tote by Mimco and knew I wanted it. It's expandable, has a detachable cross body strap and comes in a shade of go-with-everything tan with a pop of yellow detailing. Want. Now.

I'm still a sucker for a cute little owl and  I was in desperate need of a smaller vase as well, (I can only go for so long using items like jars and jugs to house flowers!) How cute is this little guy! He also comes in gold and is petite enough for smaller arrangements, he's also pretty damn adorable sitting round on his own. You can pick him up at Dotti stores in the selection of gift ideas they've sourced for Christmas.

I need to find a dress for my (Office) day job's Christmas Party. Something that's fun, on trend but that doesn't flash too much, I do need to look these people in the eye on Monday morning! In these cases it's prudent to follow the classy old style rules, show off either your bust or your legs, never both (and even then, don't be trashy, no one wants to see your knickers when you bend over!) and select something that flatters yourself. I love Lipsy for a good party dress, and I adore this option, the Deco styling of the frock  echoes with Great Gatsby trend, and if I wanted to style it a different way I could wear a different skirt over the top for another occasion.

Bought! Zara Plaited Shopper

Something tells me I'm going to have "It-bag elbow" immanently ...

Alright, So I completely admit that I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I have had it floating around in the back of my wardrobe planning mind for months and months, (what, you don't plan your wardrobe??) But it recently it dawned on me, "Oh wow, do you know what bag will go amazingly with all the pastels, prints and neon brights this season? And still be be big enough to carry ALL of the things?" Oh yes, Yes Yes YES! This will be my go-to handbag for this Spring/Summer for everywhere during the day except the beach.

Olivia Palermo wearing the bag

So you might also know this bag as the Olivia Palermo Tote, with her being snapped around with it on her arm, but I don't buy bags because celebrities have them. The shape is perfect, and admittedly because it is so huge it makes me look as tiny as an Olsen twin in comparison. Think about it this way, this couch that I have photographed it on, that's a massive couch, and the bag takes up almost a whole seat of it!

Fat bag likes to take up an entire couch seat!

They officially call it the 'Plaited Shopper" which is curious because none of it is plaited, the carry handles do have hand stitched features but I guess it might have been lost in translation. It is made from a thick type of Leather they have called buffalo leather, with has a nice heavy 'thunk' to it when you tap on it, Very sturdy. The inside has that lovely suede side that I love too.

The bag is constructed in a manner that I haven't owned before. The exterior can be used on its own without the inner canvas type fabric pocket, as this lining can be removed from the two hook like studs on either side of the bag. I'm assuming this is for easier care and washing. The included shoulder strap is also removable in the same manner, but when not in use it's easier to just swing it around and hide in between the lining and bag. When using the shoulder strap the base of bag can just be reached to fish around in.

A closer look at the interior

Hook Stud detail

Possibly the only things I don't like about the bag is the lack of little pockets in the lining, for you phone, little things you like to keep hidden etc. The bag will be hard to keep immaculate as the type of leather used will scuff easily due to the finish, so I've decided once it starts to look a little shabby on the bottom -where the majority of the marks will end up- I can take it to a leather specialist and get either a contrasting or matching leather panel sewn to the base to increase the bags longevity. It's such a classic shape, I'll be using it forever, Hell, it's such an awesome bag it'll probably be snagged by one of my nieces when they grow up!

I managed to pick it up from a seller on eBay as Zara do not post to Australia, Sadface. (Please fix this soon Zara!) Even so I'm not sure if it is still stocked online. Ed: Oops, I lie, here it is on the American site!

Already I've taken this bag on a jaunt about the Brisbane CBD and it is a compliment magnet! Shop assistants and even strangers love it enough to come up to me and ask when I bought it. I'm just so damn pleased with it!

What bag are you going to invest in for this season? Do you prefer classic or high fashion bags?

Loving this week! T2 Tea, Ikea and Topshop

As someone who likes to make and create when I get the time, I love the new kooky aesthetic creeping into everything from homewares to fashion. You can of course DIY, but there's not always the time to research a craft, how to do it, and then create your piece without it looking like it was found in a bargain bin, (regretsy anyone?)
Sometimes it is just easier to buy something. I found these cute and kitschy owl tea cozies, just like Nan had at T2 tea. They come in Green, Red, Purple and Brown and add just the right amount of sweet and handmade to your teapot. Also a very cute gift idea for any quirky tea obsessed friends, or your Nan.

Owl Tea Cozy from T2

There is one item that come in the mail every year that I without a doubt, stalk. The yearly Ikea Catalogue is a kind of house decorating porn that I pour over. Why not when everything inside is affordable? I'm at a stage of life where I'm living out of home, no kids in sight, on a comfortable wage and slowly starting to look at buying instead of renting. Disposable income ahoy! This year they have released a limited edition designer range with a wealth of new objects that have the potential to be collectors items, But I'm still loving the classic Hemnes collection and the awesomely priced linens.

I found it! The perfect bag to wear folded up and carried as a clutch! The sort of thing I was talking about in this post. To wear it like that, remove the long strap and do not overfill the bag. Fold it just under the handles, and hold with your wrist on the outer and your hand scooping it from underneath. It also comes in a gorgeous go with anything biege (they call it camel), as well as this popping transeasonal teal.

Bags available from Topshop

What are you guys loving this week? Found something awesome? I'd love to know about it!

Splurge vs. Steal: Watch this

Watches are having a renaissance at the moment and I couldn't be happier. For too many years we've been moving away from this classic accessory as the need for them has diminished. After all, who needs a watch when you have a mobile phone?
Two major looks that have come through for this season in jewellery are colours and rose gold. I love rose gold, it goes with both gold and silver and adds an air of vintage elegance. but brights are also calling, one for work and one for play? I think so!

These are two of my picks for the Rose gold look, Diva for a touch of bling and Marc by Marc Jacobs for it's sleek lines, (and duh! it's Marc Jacobs!)

Available at Diva and ASOS

Next on my roll call are colours. If you want to be bang on for this season, a pastel is perfect but I think the zing of a bright colour will pop on my wrist. For cheap thrills, I do quite like the White Cassie watch by Lovisa it looks awesome with a nice faux tan, but I love the bright pink It Girl Watch by Thomas Sabo (it's on sale too!)

Available from The Iconic and Thomas Sabo

Bought! Printed Trousers and Bodysuit by ASOS

I can't get over how much prints have taken over this season. Everywhere I look there are masses of bright, colourful and intense mixes of shades in exciting hues. Mixing and matching is highly recommended to make the most of this trend, but it's also a useful tool to attract attention to your favourites features. One of the biggest things I love about it is the transeasonal nature of it, you can do it in Spring, Summer Autumn and Winter. It's not very often that both the Southern and Northern hemispheres can delve into a trend at the same time, and take inspiration form each other all at once!

I fell in love with this gorgeous bodysuit from ASOS and had to have it, how beautifully do the colours work together? Some of the greatest colour combinations around are inspired by nature, with a big bonus with this garment being that it has so many different pastel hues, that you're bound to have something gelato coloured to go with it! The fit is great on my frame, and it looks cute-as with an A-line skirt.

Sunset Bodysuit available from ASOS

I also picked up these printed trousers, admittedly on first glance they do look a little pajama like, but that is why I plan on taking them in and tapering the legs into a slimmer cut. Slim cut print trousers take away from the pajama look you can get with wide leg printed trousers, making your look infinitely more refined, and the trouser just plain more wearable. The print is oriental themed (tipped to be massive in upcoming seasons), with images of peacocks and plants.

Trousers available from ASOS

How do you like to wear your prints? Are you a fan of this trend?

Loving this week! House of Fraser

Continuing my love of online shopping I have a place for you all to check out, House of Fraser is a UK based online department store with a huge range. Not just clothing but home wares and beauty too!
With a classy and massive selection of garments and accessories for you to check out -including Birdette Favourites such as Lipsy and Therapy!- it is an awesome place to go when you're hunting for a wedding outfit, something for work or especially the upcoming horse racing season.

Madden Girl Looop MG Dressy Sandals

This season I have to admit, I'm torn between shoes. Do I keep wearing the comfy platforms and wedges I have been? Or do I welcome the elegant and gorgeous stilettos creeping in this season? As you all have no doubt guessed I am a massive fan of the sparkly shoe and I simply can't pass up these glittery Steve Madden heels! How good are they going to look peeking out from under some printed trousers? Don't forget to polish your nails!

Untold Printed Shift Dress

Printed shift dresses are perfect when you are going for the perfect balance of classy and playful, and I think this one ticks all the boxes for a perfect wedding or Spring racing dress. The gorgeous colours will illuminate a light tan and look amazing with a wide range of accessories. You could go all out of the current trend and clash your prints or make the dress the complete statement with some simple silver jewels and an envelope clutch. Perfect to show off gorgeous long legs and amazing shoes too!

Motel Sleeveless tie Dye Bodycon Dress

Staying on the Printed Dress trend I also found this gorgeous all in one dress. This dress is a life saving staple as the pattern is so eye catching that it does all of the talking, just coordinate your bag and shoes and you're out the door in record time.

Vivienne Westwood Dome Cross Body Bag

And lastly, I think my heart just stopped. It has been a dream of mine for a verrrrry long time to own a piece of Vivienne Westwood. So much so that when I spotted this bag in classic black leather and a long cross body strap, I actually went to see how much room I had on my credit card. Bad Birdette! But how can I resist? Such a classic I know I'd have it for years!

This has been a sponsored post.

Loving this week: Couture Nail Colour!

For the artistically inclined and nail obsessed person in your life (even if that's you,) I have found an awesome discovery: Customizable nail polish. You choose the shade, the cap, colour (!!), label (name it whatever you want) and box and have it shipped out as you wish, How cool is that for an idea? Personally I love the studded cap with Porchester Square polish, a gorgeous taupey grey. I love a good base colour that I can apply crazy nail art to. I also think this would make an awesome momento for bridesmaids thank you gifts.
Here's what I came up with.

Check it out at Nails Inc's Website here.

Quick style updates for items you already have

You guys are no doubt aware of my love for a a cheap fashion update, but what's better then a free one? Chances are you have the items to do any of these already in your wardrobe, the trick now is to style them in a few different ways to how you're used to and you'll come up with looks that are huge right now.


Hold your bag like a clutch.
A lot of high fashion labels sent their models down the runway with their handbags folded over into a clutch shape, and held on the side of the body with the hand scooped underneith. You can do this very easily with a bag you already own, it just has to have a sturdy base to hold some of it's shape (it helps if the bag can be totally zipped up as well, or you might get the contents of your daily life spilling out everywhere!
Do-ability rating: 3/5, This look works so well, so long as you use the right bag, but it can also be a little annoying not having that arm free, and annoying again having to fully seal your bag up every time you want something.

Original Source

Cuff your trousers
This will work the best with trousers that taper at the hem, or straight legs so things like your skinny jeans.The trick is to keep rolling them up just the once, look in the mirror, and if it's not flattering on your legs, either try another roll up or down until they do.
Do-ability rating: 5/5, I barely know a person without skinny jeans.

Nishe Blouse & Shorts Available from ASOS

Wear all your pastels at once.
A few seasons ago we started with the 'gelato' trend, lots of gorgeous pale colours, mostly in block items. It took a little while but now pastel colours are everywhere, and will be massive this Australian summer. lots of key looks this season are all over looks and this is another great one to try. Try pairing a pair of pastel skinny jeans with a floaty pastel print top, perhaps a white singlet with a light kimono style cover up? Nude heels too and top the look off with some nude or pastel coloured nails. Perfection.
Do-ability rating: 5/5, Because pastel colours can suit a myriad of skin tones and colours and styles of fashion, it's really quite failproof. You can also style them suitably with tan and beige coloured accessories.

Source

Learn to fishtail braid.
Braids are becoming the new top knot, (Hurray! The trend of looking like a pre-schooler at a dance recital is coming to an end!) You can find a stack of videos out there explaining how to do this hairstyle, but like anything else, practise (and the right tools!) make perfect. And this look is so much better messy then perfect anyway. Regular braids are just as good for the time poor (or just uncoordinated like myself).
Do-ability rating: 5/5, only thing standing in your way is the length of your hair.


Head to toe prints.
We've been wearing a lot of these in the past few season so I assume you have at least a small collection? As I bought mine I tried to buy ones that would suit the wardrobe I already had, so unsurprisingly they mostly followed my usual cool colour palette. My advice is to not wear the same print, as it is sort of reminiscent of pyjamas and growing up in the country, only daggy people wore their pyjamas out of the house. Wear maybe a top and a bottom, with a block coloured third item to break it up a bit, if you work with the colours in both the print, and they share perhaps a colour or two, you can't go too wrong.
Do-ability rating: 4/5, It's really not as hard as it looks, if in doubt, ask a friend or try again.

Sister Jane available from ASOS

Button your shirt to the top.
As a girl with a large bust this trend is something that still kind of feels odd to me, but with the right shirt it works! (just make sure it's big enough not to gape!) Button your shirt right to the neck and then pop either a statement necklace, collar chain or a tie over the top, there are some very cute bow ties out there, or one of the gorgeous 'look at me!' necklaces from recent seasons work perfectly too.
Doability raiting: 5/5, cuff your sleeves into whatever length suits you as well.

I hope I've given you some ideas for updating your style into the upcoming season. Don't be afraid to try something new if you haven't seen anyone else on the street wear it yet, it just means you're way ahead of them.

What are you doing differently to style your clothes this season?

Guest Post! Laura Clarke on behalf of ASOS talks Feminine Prints

Printing is everywhere this season so there is bound to be a style for you out there. Whether it is Aztec, animal, baroque or floral prints there is surely a style that will suit you perfectly.

A patterned dress, like this one from ASOS is a great way to liven up your winter wardrobe, and this Aztec print lovely will be perfect either on its own or for colder days a pair of tights will keep the chill off your pins. For a casual look leather ankle boots work well. To add personality into your outfit, be sure to accessorise with plenty of jewellery and a leather jacket will add a real rock chick edge.

For all out girly glam there is no better print than floral. It can literally be found in any form of clothing you want from dresses to pants to shoes. For winter a great pair of jeans is always an essential, but that doesn’t mean they have to be the tried and tested black variety. For a quirky look that exudes femininity a pair of floral print jeans will be a perfect choice.

Baroque prints have been seen on all the biggest stars and will be a classy choice for a casually chic look for a day of shopping or a lunch date with your girlfriends.

If printed clothing isn’t really your thing then perhaps accessories will be more to your taste. Animal printing rarely ever goes out of fashion so accessories in this print will last a lot longer than one season, which is always a plus. Ankle boots are always a great investment as they will last all year round from wrapping up warm with jumpers and jeans in the winter to looking hot with your favourite summer dress when the weather heats up.

So for a winter wardrobe that is far from dull, why not try out some print perfection this season? 

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Bought! Bento Lunch kit

So it may come as a surprise to some readers that I am fascinated by Japan. I may not be obsessed like I used to be in my teenage years but I still harbour a real soft spot, Ironic since I've never been, but that's what we have the internet to be thankful for. I can find out so much, see so much, and BUY so much more then I ever could 10 years ago!
Bento is a traditional lunch style in Japan, consisting of compact home made meals. think of it as a Rice based (but not always rice based) lunch box and you're on your way there. You may have seen them in your local sushi store, those gorgeously presented flat meals in trays. Mega healthy normally too.
So playing in with my occasionally kitschy nature I spotted this cute as a button set on eBay and quickly snapped it up. Bright pink of course with a kitty theme, my inner twelve year old is exploding. The cute kitty ears that pop up when the bag is tied? Too good!

I plan on using it to tote around lunches that are good to eat either cold or at room temperature, I bought this from the seller littlejapanmama but as I only just bought it today I can't recommend her just yet. (I'll update!)