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?

Tip of the day: Applying Liquid Foundation

Over time I've come to learn that different strokes work for different folks, and this is especially true when it comes to liquid foundations. There are a stack of reasons to use either your fingers, sponges or brushes, and ultimately it all depends on you as the individual. Here are some notes for each method.

Fingers:

• The warmth from your fingers help make your foundation blend on your face easier.
• Easier to work around your nose for a better finish.
• Uses less product then other methods.
• The acidity in your fingertips can sometimes alter the colour of your foundation.
• Effective for lighter coverage but less so for fuller coverage.
• Quick application.
• I find it easier to hide pores with my hands
• Free! They come already attached.

Sponges:

• Easier to blend with then a brush.
• Comes in different shapes depending on the job to do.
• Soaks up foundation.
• Can carry bacteria if washed infrequently.
• Need replacing more frequently then other tools.
• Inexpensive, you can buy bags of these without forking over much money.

Brushes:

• Creates a gorgeous airbrushed look with ease.
• Last forever if properly taken care of.
• Stippling brushes are better to work with then flatter foundation brushes in my opinion.
• Can be hard to use around nose edges.
• Can be expensive.
• Fun! I personally love painting my foundation on.

A good trick to remember with all three of these methods is to apply your foundation to the back of your hand to warm it up before application, the product will go further and look more like skin. The method I use the most would be my stippling brush, followed briefly by my fingers to smooth over any problem areas like around my nose.

Which method do you use? How do you find it works for you?

All products shown are available from Manicare

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?