The pre-Christmas sales ate them, that's what! So many places have already started their sales it's ridiculous. There will be no difference between now and boxing day in the majority of stores, and I predict that the department stores are the only ones that there will be any difference (weather the difference is notable is another matter)
What this does mean for you is that if you haven't been out into the stores with your boxing day budget already, you best get into it! Here's just a small selection that I have found notable.
Review: 20% off new stock, and up to 50% off everything else.
Sportsgirl: Half of the stock looks to be marked down, I've picked up things up to 70% off before in their sales.
Portmans: Same goes for Portmans, truly worth going through.
Mimco: up to 50%, I bought a handbag from there today and the clerk told me she was surprised it was marked down as this type of bag never gets marked down ... bonus!
Alannah Hill: Up to 50% off
Cue: Up to 50% off
Can't handle the crowds? (They are pretty massive already!) Most of these shops have online counterparts but don't forget to check out ASOS marked down up to $50 off thousands of items. I've put an order through already.
Stores to check on Boxing day?
Diva: $5 racks galore, good god yes please!
Myer: Not one for the faint hearted, go alone, or take someone to hold your spot in the lines!
Kikki K: Up to 50% off
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Splurge v Steal: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat & L'Oreal True Match Touche Magique
Illuminating concealers are a brilliant make-up items found in beauty around the world and these two are my favourites, I use them under my eyes and around my nose to help reflect light and brighten up tired and dull skin as required, they do not conceal per se, but rather are useful in the fight against eye bags and for highlighting.
Try dabbing them on at the just above the middle of your lips (just above the cupid's bow) to make your pout look fuller. Otherwise along the top of your cheekbone or on your brow-bone will help your face appear more angular and slim.
The pen packaging is also very convenient, you draw it on and then tap to blend with your ring finger, they are also very compact and will fit into most make-up cases, and you can even slide them into a brush roll without any fuss.
One thing that I think Touche Eclat has over Touche Magique though is the variety of shades, Magique comes in four shades (in Aus) while Eclat comes in seven with varieties for darker skin-tones.
Try dabbing them on at the just above the middle of your lips (just above the cupid's bow) to make your pout look fuller. Otherwise along the top of your cheekbone or on your brow-bone will help your face appear more angular and slim.
The pen packaging is also very convenient, you draw it on and then tap to blend with your ring finger, they are also very compact and will fit into most make-up cases, and you can even slide them into a brush roll without any fuss.
One thing that I think Touche Eclat has over Touche Magique though is the variety of shades, Magique comes in four shades (in Aus) while Eclat comes in seven with varieties for darker skin-tones.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
L'Oreal True Match Touche Magique
Splurge v Steal: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat & L'Oreal True Match Touche Magique
2011-12-20T18:08:00+10:00
Birdette
beauty|splurge v steal|
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Monday, 19 December 2011
Book review: Meals in Heels by Jennifer Joyce
Meals in Heels by Jennifer Joyce
I have had this book since before I even started this Blog, and to me it deserves being put up on here. It is one of the books I pull down time and time again whenever I'm in the mood for something lovely to eat, or even just to get inspired to cook something new and interesting. My personal favourite is the 'Make ahead risotto with sausage, spinach and cherry tomatoes.
Jennifer is a food stylist and recipe writer based in London, so she is exposed to stacks of different dishes, ingredients and cooking styles that have worked their way into this book. The basis of the book are dishes that you would make for a dinner party, but it helps you prepare as much of the food as possible in advance so you actually get to enjoy your dinner party. It gives you prompts in the recipe instructions telling you how long in advance you should ideally be doing each step, but of course you can still make it all in one go to put on the table for a household dinner.
What sets this recipe book out from the rest of them to me is the styling. Along with each recipe there are tips on how to present it and a few other dishes in the book it would go well with. This helps immeasurably when you haven't had the chance to cook any of it before. What sort of platter should I go for? Will it fit in this bowl? Will these two dishes complement each other? They're all taken care of.
Also at the front of the book is the 'getting started' section, of course it's a great place to start with general tips and tricks to ensure your dinner party will run smoothly, with help on how much to serve per person, what will help fill them up, menu plans, and other good advice.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone looking to break out of a cooking rut and looking to start entertaining guests. Even seasoned dinner party fans are bound to pick up some help on how to make more of their meals ahead of time by adapting some of the tricks to suit their own recipes.
Book review: Meals in Heels by Jennifer Joyce
2011-12-19T16:34:00+10:00
Birdette
books|cooking|product review|
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books,
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product review
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Bought! Bambi playsuit from Peter Alexander
Ha, I'm so glad I managed to track down and buy this gorgeous piece of sleepwear before they all sold out. I've been trying mega hard not to buy anything just for me so I can afford to buy my Christmas presents.
The fabric feels absolutely gorgeous, a blend between 30% silk and 70% cotton. so it feels quite slinky with none of the retained heat you get from synthetic satin. The print is so cute, watery coloured images of Bambi, thumper and the forest (Did I mention Bambi is one of my favourite Disney motifs?) and the lacy detail around the top just finished it off nicely.
I didn't even wrap it and put it on the tree. Had to wear it now!
The fabric feels absolutely gorgeous, a blend between 30% silk and 70% cotton. so it feels quite slinky with none of the retained heat you get from synthetic satin. The print is so cute, watery coloured images of Bambi, thumper and the forest (Did I mention Bambi is one of my favourite Disney motifs?) and the lacy detail around the top just finished it off nicely.
I didn't even wrap it and put it on the tree. Had to wear it now!
Bambi play-suit by Peter Alexander
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Product review: Garnier Intensive 7 days Body Lotion
I picked this up in a two pack the other day to give it a go and see what I thought about it, I just can't go past a bargain without looking twice. Even though I already own several moisturisers!
I'm quite pleased with it too. I bought the Extra Dry Skin formulation with Shea Butter (a godsend for dry skin) and kept up the applications every day for a fortnight. The claim is that you can still feel the effects of the moisturiser up to 7 days after you stop using it, while I think honestly this is a bit far fetched, it is still a good moisturiser to use every day. It absorbs quickly, doesn't feel greasy, and has a light scent that won't clash with your perfume. It's a good choice for applying in the morning before you put your clothes on.
Other varieties it comes in include:
Aloe Vera for Normal Skin
Mango Oil for Dry Skin (smells just like summer!)
Honey for Dry Skin
Cocoa Butter for Dry Skin
At Priceline you can pick it up in a two pack for less then $10, Try it for yourself.
I'm quite pleased with it too. I bought the Extra Dry Skin formulation with Shea Butter (a godsend for dry skin) and kept up the applications every day for a fortnight. The claim is that you can still feel the effects of the moisturiser up to 7 days after you stop using it, while I think honestly this is a bit far fetched, it is still a good moisturiser to use every day. It absorbs quickly, doesn't feel greasy, and has a light scent that won't clash with your perfume. It's a good choice for applying in the morning before you put your clothes on.
Other varieties it comes in include:
Aloe Vera for Normal Skin
Mango Oil for Dry Skin (smells just like summer!)
Honey for Dry Skin
Cocoa Butter for Dry Skin
At Priceline you can pick it up in a two pack for less then $10, Try it for yourself.
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