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

Diva and Lovisa Hauls Boxing Day 2012

I'm glad to say that there are sales that I can always rely on to help me ensure that I don't overdo it on Christmas, Who really wants to be lying around with a throbbing head at home when there's shopping to be had? I may have been a day late to the party this year due to being out of town (and range!) for the holidays, but Diva and Lovisa are yet to disappoint. With everything on sale under $8 I picked up this haul from Diva for the teensy price of $68.

Staple heart studs to suit any other jewels I have on and cute articulated owls

Superhero matching cuffs, I could get them engraved but I think I'm satisfied wearing them with a hi-lo skirt and boots

Cute bangles in pastels and black

Rose Gold Torque, ethnic inspired necklace and statement choker

On top of the above I also picked up this bundle from Lovisa for around $40

Sweet bow and owl brooches, and perfect Deco style hairpins

Darling heart earrings and more Deco inspired earrings

I can't really escape my favourite staples of owls and hearts when there are such cute earrings in store, but what I'm really glad to pick up are the Deco inspired jewel bargains. The Deco trend is set to explode this year thanks to Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of The Great Gatsby. Not to mention period dramas lighting up our lounge rooms such as Boardwalk Empire and Downton Abbey giving us beautiful examples of Deco fashion inspiration to introduce to our wardrobes.

Did you take a look at Diva or Lovisa in your post Christmas shopping trip? What did you pick up?

The Best of Bought by Birdette 2012

Hello everyone! How did you enjoy the holiday period? We're glad to be back in business here at Birdette Headquarters to bring you all a wrap up of the most popular posts of 2012. Did your favourite make it in?

Most read Beauty Post:

How to Hair  - Serena van der Wooden's Ponytail

Always a goodie, sad to see it for the final time on TV last week but unfortunately for Gossip Girl lovers the show just wasn't what it used to be.

Most Pinned DIY:

Make Your Own Easy Fabric Bunting

A surprising success, and I do have to admit I still haven't entirely finished mine! It's about 7 metres long, I just keep running out of tape or missing flags to finish it off! I know there's a few more flags somewhere... lol.

Purchase of the Year:

Zara Plaited Leather Shopper Bag

Still a Favourite for readers all over the world, this classic bag is high up on many shopping lists.

Best Discovery:

Trilogy Rosehip Oil

If you don't already own this, I still highly recommend you give it a try, nothing else has helped me with my uneven skin tone more.

Best Tips and Tricks:

How to make your Eyes Brighter

How very well timed! I can imagine more then a few of us will be sporting bleary red eyes after partying tonight! Here's how to minimize the the appearance

It's been a good year here at Bought by Birdette and we're very happy to have you all as readers! You've been steadily growing and spreading the word and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you. If you don't already, please take this chance to follow us to keep up to date. You can choose from Twitter, Facebook, Google Friend Connect, or Bloglovin, and please keep in touch! We love to know what you're loving, and want to see more of. (Comments and Shares! Yay!)

Thanks again for an awesome year and your continued support, I hope you all have a fantastic New Year, Be the best you can be, and take care of yourselves.

Happy Holidays from Bought by Birdette!

Hello Lovelies, Just a quick one to let you all know I'll be out of reach for the next few days. Celebrating the Holidays in a remote area of Queensland in a house that's entirely solar powered.

I hope everyone has a wonderful break, take care of yourselves, and stay safe.

I can't wait to get intovthe sales on my return!

Source: Pusheen

The Quick Drying Faux Glow Advantage - Le Tan Tanning Gel

Tanning is something I used to do a lot of while I was in Fashion School, I had a strange perception of what was a healthy size back then as the vast (VAST!) majority of classmates were a size 10 or under. I felt huge in my then smaller size 12-14 frame. I used to give myself a little self esteem by at least having a great fake tan. It's something I haven't done in a few years, but at least I have a great array of new products to try!

Le Tan Tanning Gel in Bronze (Product does not come with mitt)

One of the first I purchased is Le Tan's Tanning Gel in Bronze, being pale skinned and a novice again I didn't want to try the deeper tone. What particularly drew me to this product is that because it's a gel, it dries fast and works better with oily skin. All the better to defeat that icky product coated feel you can get with creams.

It's a clear formula with only a hint of the colour that's to come, This is fantastic when you're trying to keep the colour off your clothes and sheets but very problematic when it comes to knowing where you have applied the Tanning Gel. This can be alleviated with the use of those great application mitts you can usually find right next to the Tan range at most stockists.

My first impression is great as this is certainly one of the better smelling Tanning products on the market, there's a subtle coconut smell that doesn't start to resemble fake tan until a few hours later. If you pop the gel on just before going to bed, you won't even notice it. The products glides on nicely and there's no need to really works with it, just make sure you have applied it evenly before it quickly dries. As you can deepen the colour by applying a second layer once they first one dries. A big positive is that it won't rub off once it has dried the way that some others can, once its set it's pretty much unstoppable.
With one layer the colour is nice and subtle and hard to pick as fake, but I have to recommend you stop there, if you want to go a little deeper you ought to apply a tanning moisturiser over the top. Two layers of the gel was just too much when I gave it a go. Of course to keep the colour looking as good as possible you need to moisturise at least once a day, twice is ideal.
So in summary:

What I liked about it - 
The quick drying formula and scent.

What I disliked about it - 
Transparent formula.

Have you tried this product? What did you think of it?