fashion find it for you

Goodbye, farewell, arrivederci (okay so I know that is probably totally wrong), uh tchsus okay okay I give up... THE END.

2012-07-02T13:09:00.001+10:00

SO - yes I know it has been almost A MONTH since my last post. WTF are you doing FFIFY I am sure most of you are thinking.. and to tell you the truth I am not 100% suure myself. The lack of posting cannot be blamed on a particular event, occurance or even lack of internet usage - I havent been away on a fabulous holiday, nor am I stranded on a desert island with only coconut water and a bikini. To be honest - I have dried up. Inspiration has vanished. I thought I would take a week off from blogging, and that I would come back BIGGER AND BRIGHTER AND BETTER than ever; but instead I havent come back at all. I guess I am changing - new role, new mindset and a new take on life. My new role is amazing and takes every second of the working day to manage (UH there goes valuable blogging time haha), and I think I have finally succumbed to the inevitable: I am NOT moving back to Melbourne to begin a high flying career as a stylist/fashion blogger, I am NOT changing the world with my blog posts, and the person sitting next to me does NOT care "(or even know) that I am sitting here wearing $500 Sass and Bide color block pants (complete with a $450 Tato and Memi 'Gibb' jacket. it is a fabulous outfit though needless to say....). The only person that knows this is myself, probably my Mum and definitely my bank balance. I think I am finally getting real; this is my reality and instead of wishing it were something else I need to grab it by the horns and make the god damn most of it... or else I am just going to be miserable, thinking I am missing out on everything - when really everything I need is right here with me.

So to say farewell is really hard, and the last six months have been absolutely fabulous. Thanks so much for reading, sharing, commenting and even just if you passed through my site randomly and the logo made you laugh - I hope you all got something out of it... as I know I sure did.

For the last time,

FFIFY xxxxx

THE END.

the eBay edit... CELEBRIFIED.

2012-06-14T22:53:00.000+10:00

So how would we like to play a game? A game you say? OH yes I do say - a game. This game is called SPOTTED: Celebrity style the eBay way; or, to be more specific it could also be very aptly called 'here are some key outfit pieces as seen on celebrities that I have stumbled upon in one of my hourly eBay perusal missions that you can buy from eBay and save yourself heaps of dosh whilst looking just as super stylish as said celebrity in which the item was first spotted on'.

My kind of game.

Please note there is absolutely no theme, trend, reasoning or even thought behind the items that are featured below. If you can find a connection then that is fabulous for you, but really there is no need to as they are simply a collection of items that celebrities are wearing and I like said items and I can sit here on my couch in regional Victoria and snap up all these items and hen they would be mine and we would have the same items and that would make me just like them.

Exactly.

Ready? Here we go:

SO first up - Mischa Barton. Hmm. Not that I am totally loving this outfit - but we know she hasn't really done all that much of note since she finished up *almost ten years ago!!!* on the OC - except for yoyo dieting and hit and miss fashion. But still - I think this fabulous faux fur coat from Topshop Premium has tons of potential; what if we swapped the 'leggings as pants' (Mischa? Do we even need to go there?), unflattering black shoes complete with contrasting socks and a rather dull grey marle tank for ripped boyfriend jeans, a mint silk cami and beige suede ankle boots - and woot. Looking good.

Snap that bad boy up here:

Topshop Premium Faux Fur coat. Starting price $100 - or buy me now $150 - eBay.

Grab me here.

Okay so this is Megan Fox. Not another one of my go-to celebs when I need a style pick me up; but this skirt is super cute. You can't go past metallics for a night out; but instead of that blah printed tee I would have teamed with a loose fitting oversized black silk camp, and thrown a leather biker jacket over the top. Hot.

Interested?

Isabel Marant silver Gia skirt. Starting price $150 - or buy it now $225 - eBay.

Snap up this beauty here.

Next on the SPOTTED radar is:

Fashion blogger Francesca Gutteres from fashion blog Opinion Slave (visit her site here). So I guess I have cheated and have stalked down fashion blogger outfits as well and cheekily classed it under the 'celebrity' fashion banner. Are fashion bloggers celebrities? What defines a celebrity? To me - a celebrity is classed as 'anyone who has been anywhere where I could have seen them along with other people also seeing them at the same time that is not including seeing them walking down the street'. So this rather broad (and ridiculously non-sensical) definition of celebrity rally encompasses anyone who has ever been on tv, on a website, in a magazine or even in those nightclub pictures they feature in the middle of Beat magazine. If I have seen you somewhere - there you go, you are famous.

Regardless of whether she is a celeb or not - she looks fabulous and it is making me want that top. Like - desperately. She totally deserves not one, but two whole images. HOT.

SO....

Ellery Chantays Armout top. BNWT - current bid is $155. Don't let this one get away girls - find me here.

Just think if you bought the above top you could team it with these babies:

So these guys are from legendary denim label J Brand. I do partake in a little J Brand indulging, owning four pairs of their fabulous skinnies and wear them to death (well this is a lie as I only wear them on weekends and with weekends only making up 104 days a year and me owning around 45 pairs of jeans that is almost a different pari of jeans for each weekend so they are certainly not going to be worn out anytime soon); but I do not own a pair with such an extreme wide leg or high waist. I thought I had been there and done that around five years ago with the whole Lee supatube high rise thing but maybe it is back. And with the widest possible leg. The look super comfy, and are perfect for teaming with an oh so cas white tee and leopard flats BUT I just don't know if I can pull it off.

BUT I know you can - so snap these babies up here:

J Brand 'Kass' wide leg high waisted jeans. Buy them now for $50 (NO I am not kidding - they are only $50. You can have them RIGHT NOW. So - no wonder I am tempted.....) - eBay here.

And then.....

And then lastly we have Vanessa Hudgens in a black leather Acne biker jacket. Okay - I am officially changing the name of this game to 'SPOTTED: Celebrities whom I would never look to for fashion advise but suddenly own something I want even though I mostly don't like how they are wearing said item'. In this case - I think the hat is cute and I like the grey tee but I am hating the what looks to be some sort of a quartz rock crystal acting as an oversized belt buckle. I just don't get it. Minus the belt, and some wet look jeans, heels and then this look would become winner winner chicken dinner. A statement necklace wouldn't go astray in this instance either.

Want the jacket? It can be yours to own...

Acne cropped leather biker jacket. Starting bid - $300 eBay. Check it out here.

So there. That was a wonderful segment that I may (may not) choose to repeat in the near future.

Just further highlighting the amount of fashion bargains that are to be had in the eBaysphere. Like this beauty - that I snapped up for myself not ten minutes ago:

OH yes - say hello to my new Marc by Marc Jacobs Icon Stripe watch. Isn't she pretty? And only $145 brand new; throw in a little bit of FREE POSTAGE and I am a happy camper. FAB.

Hmm deliveries so far this week have been:

CONTAINED: 1x Sass and Bide cotton/denim spliced shirt ($50 eBay NEW) and 1x Witchery striped silk blouse ($46.50 eBay NEW). Neither have made onto outfit rotation as yet, thanks to one small problem known as IRONING. But when they do - OH findettes you will be the first to know.

Thats about it. Hope you all had a lovely time with today's game.

Coming soon to a checkout near you...

FFIFYxxxx

peachy keen lickitty jean - be mine.

2012-06-12T22:46:00.002+10:00

So a girlfriend told me the other day that she snapped up some peach jeans from the David Jones website on sale for $65. One of the downsides of being a compulsive shopping sale addict is that everyone loves to tell me about their bargain finds. Not that I mind of course, in fact OH yes I totally encourage it; but it means that I am then compelled to check out said bargain.. which usually ends in the good old 'add to cart'. WAH. Not in this case - as unfortunately these peach babies are sold out in my size (although ladies still available in 11, 12 and 13 if you are interested..... here).

But, this has now meant that I am absolutely obsessed with peach jeans. And not just any peach jeans - as there are J Brands, Current Elliotts and even some Sass and Bide varieties in which to tempt me - but these very extra special Lee Jetts Peach capri for their fabulous nude pale peach colour, their super cute cropped length and super skinny fit. Here is some peach jean inspiration I have complied just to make myself feel even worse about the fact that my size is unavailable:

WAH. Yes I have stalked eBay to no avail - I can only locate these babies for $169 from Gluestore website (full price I think not). Think a trip to the city to physically hunt them down in the racks of DJ Bourke St is most certainly called for.

Now - I would wear them with the following fabulous eBay finds:

Sambag 'Helena' beige silk shirt - starting bid $45 eBay here. Beige and nude is the perfect neutral combination for a gloomy winter's day - add a coral lip and pastel flats

Ellery lavender Pod coat - current bid $71 eBay here. Lavender and peach together - all I can see are macaroons..

Sretsis 'Ashwin' blazer in shell blue - starting bid $99 eBay here. Pop a mint silk camp underneath and a neon yellow statement necklace and OH love.

Sass and bide 'Bring it home' neon yellow heels - starting bid $99 eBay here. These babies are still retailing on the S+B site, and would clearly top off any of the about outfits. Bang.

As you could very well guess I am totally and whole heartedly jumping on the pastel on pastel bandwagon. Bye bye POP colour blocking and hello fruit tingle tones. There is something so sweet and nostalgic about head to toe pastel - and totally YUM.

Right. So that clearly helped my 'I don't need to buy some peach jeans' mantra that I have been chanting to myself for the entire duration of this post. Who am I kidding? Glue Store - where is your add to cart?

Let's not forget today's outfit:

outfit includes: Zara cream boyfriend blazer - eBay | Asos swan print nude oversized shirt - eBay | Levi black wet-look skinnies - Myer | Trenery tan two tone leather wedges - eBay

After looking at my reflection in the bathroom numerous times (I was aiming for three litres of water today if that explains anything) I have decided the jacket didn't go with the either the shirt or the shoes. I don't like this jacket at all. Bye bye blazer.

That's about it folks. OH - did anyone catch Being Lara Bingle? Distressed boyfriend jeans be aware - I am COMING TO GET YOU!

FFIFY xxxx

15000 views! MILESTONE.

2012-06-11T21:22:00.001+10:00

hey HEY - just noticed the blog has hit (and PASSED!!!) 15,000 page views. AMAZING. Still blows my mind (and the bf let me tell you) that anyone is even remotely interested in my fashion finding spending ramblings - but I know you must be out there as it cannot just be my darling MA clicking on the page a few hundred times a day (please tell me this isn't so Mother!??). I just wanted to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all my findettes - this is just fabulous.

AND if there is any feedback, thoughts, suggestions, comments etc that you feel would enhance, improve anything to make the blog better and more interesting and more relevant and more whatever - please let me know. I would love all feedback (positive and negative :) so comment below or email me directly at fashionfinditforyou@gmail.com.

Thanks guys - I am blown away xxxxxxxx

Think I need to be something amazing to commemorate such a special occasion...... hehe

a looong weekend, brunching, karaoke, faux fur and a little bit of gold panning for good measure.

2012-06-11T21:06:00.000+10:00

Well there goes another weekend; and a long one at that. It seems the longer the weekends are – the quicker they seem to go; as I swear it really should be Saturday arvo right now. Or at least I wish it was; as then I would still be at Sovereign Hill right now probably partaking in a gold mine tour instead of sitting here putting off determining the shopping list for the week ahead. I hate the supermarket. Strange, as I love all forms of shopping but the supermarket absolutely does not do it for me. I hate the list where I always forget to write down one important ingredient and then forget to look at said list whilst in the store, the car park with the psycho drivers and pot holes in which psycho drivers speed through said potholes and spray me with dirty water, the trolley which will always have a bung wheel that wants to steer me directly into other people’s ankles or the delicately balanced tinned tomato display at the end of the aisle., the fact that they NEVER have any broccolini or red delicious apples left in the fruit and veg department, the never ending queue for the deli where they make you take a ticket and then start serving people regardless of ticket number or not, and even to the fake conversation you have with the hungover 14 year old at the counter who is looking (judging/smirking)through every single item in your trolley. WAH. Obviously I put this off for as long as physically possible; only the prospect of missing The Block spurs me into action and into the car.

So back to the weekend – it was super fab. Friday night we checked out a new pub; and found a little piece of Northcote in our fair town. Fab. Saturday we met up with some Perth pals in Daylesford. As usual, the weather knew we were having visitors and turned on the charm just to showcase how wonderful life is up here – 7 degrees and misty rain it was. Lovely. We brunched at Cliffy’s (my new brekky fave – no skinny, no chai, no soy, no worries) – I did book; thinking that with a long weekend the town would be chockers. SO lucky I did, we were the only table. Oh.

we totally had pick of the tables

super eclectic and cute

view of daylesford from wombat hill botanic gardens

close up of the convent - amazing building

saturdays outfit: striped knit - Jeanswest | dark washed skinnies - Nudie | oversized faux fur vest - Alice + Olivia | black leather ankle boots - Seed Heritage. dressed for WARMTH (whilst still looking cool :)

It is such a cute cafe - I can totally recommend. Complete with grocer, so you can totally stock up on local jams and cheeses whilst you eat. Perfect.

Next we perused up and down the main street of Daylesford – popping into this store and that. Collective group purchases included a mustard pom pom scarf (friend) and a sachet of homemade spiced Chai tea (mine). Exciting times huh.

Next on the tour was Sovereign Hill. Yes. I know you have all been there for a school excursion long long ago; walking in it was like I had never left. From the super long bowling alley that sounds like a plane landing with the wooden balls, to the ye olde hard boiled lolly shop (peanut toffee flavor - hello), to the Clydesdale–drawn wagon tours and even the bonnet-donned ladies working in the candle making factory everything is exactly the same. There is a new mine ride – it involves mine carts and underground and fun and was one of the main reasons we wanted to go as we saw it on the block and were super excited but was completely booked out. Bummer. Instead we went goldpanning in the creek – not quite as exciting but I did manage to uncover a speck in my pan. Would have cashed in for around five cents I am assuming; not exactly worth the freezing hands and damp feet that went hand in hand with said panning.

Action shots:

made it - oh yeah

lets get gold panning!

uh yes there was a pig there. two of them actually. not really sure why - but they were super cute

main street. check that gorgeous weather out.

this was the sold out tour. next time

streetscape. its all very authentic

the camp. good to see the gold miners recycled.

A quick trip to the adjoining gold museum ensued; not so much for our interest in the museum content itself but more because entry was part of the overall ticket price and we wanted maximum bang for our $45 pop. It was actually rather interesting; people are still finding nuggets out there today. Was visualising investing in a metal detector and getting my gold prospecting on – bf was not quite as keen.

Next up was dinner at a local bar/lounge; the best mixed tapas share plate in town. The boys located a pub playing the footy (and irish pub nonetheless).. one coverband song lead to another and the next thing I know we were at a dive singing karaoke – Empire State of Mind anyone? Right – time to get to bed.

The next day was rather quiet mostly due to aforementioned karaoke slash irish pub. Involved copious amounts of heater laying, eBay shopping and Masterchef encore reruns. Just what I needed. Dinner was out at a new find; Kambei banquet with sashimi, tempura, miso soup, grilled kingfish and rice, washed down with Yuzu squash. NOM.

And then we come to today. BF is in the midst of buying a new car so a trip to Elwood was on the cards. The sun was shining – so out came the sandals. A little overexcited I must admit – I was freezing for most of the day. This was today’s outfit:

jacket - Zara | raffia trimmed embroidered neck tee - Sass and Bide | ripped and patched jeans - Lee | washed blue leather sandals - Sportsgirl

BF loved the car so the deal was done. Squeezed in a quick city trip – tucked into some yum cha, shopped for new Nudies for the bf (this really should win me an award in patience and virtue. He is possibly the absolute worst clothes tryer onerer – especially when it comes to jeans. Those are too tight, these have weird zips, these are a funny colour etc etc. WAHHHHHH. As payback for enduring this torture I headed over to Zara; another uneventful occasion. Thanks to having just over $60 in the bank my options were limited; I found this woven casual crewneck with yoke detail – at $59.95 it can in right on budget. And was the only one around. Fab. I was chuffed and lined up to pay – when I noticed red lipstick smudged all over the collar. Bah – back to the shelf for you. I left; empty handed.

So that was it. The weekend. I have endured the supermarket, cooked up a strifry, baked some muffins and am now keeping the couch, heater and the Voice company.

Not many purchases occurred over the weekend. Only snapped up:

Seed Heritage fur covered leopard print ballet flats - $30.99 eBay.

Witchery latte striped silk blouse - $46 eBay.

Whilst putting that pic of the shirt on – I stole it from the Witchery website. Just noticed that it is now on sale for $39.95 – a whole $6 LESS than the price I paid. Bummer. Hate it when that happens.

Sold most of my eBay items - YAHHH. There are still a couple to go.. if you are interested check them out HERE. There are Acne pants people - ACNE PANTS! Have almost raised enough to snap up this Catherine Leon jacket as seen in fashion blog 'What would Karl do' here:

She looks amazing. Hunted it down - and here it is below. $450 - can't go wrong.

LOVE it.

That’s about it findettes. Weekend done.

FFIFY xxx

Now I know my blog is about fashion finding.. and sometimes (like right now) I do deviate from this to reminisce about my weekend, my own purchases, basically any aspect of my freezing cold life but this blog IS (meant to be) ALL ABOUT fashion finds.. so if there is anything you want hunted down shoot me a pic and ill do all the hard work for you.. all wrapped up in a gorgeous personalized style finding package. Hit me up – I am ready and waiting!!! And hopefully it will prevent me conducting my own fashion finds and ending up with an entire room full of clothes. OH not that I am complaining...

I am too cold and deliveries and outfits and OH thats about it.

2012-06-07T14:15:00.001+10:00

Okay so I have decided I am going away. FAR FAR AWAY - anywhere to escape this god AWFUL Ballarat weather. Seriously. Each morning I head out to my car only to be confronted with a frost-covered Citroen; one day I am certain I will find the doors frozen shut. I eat breakfast at the kitchen table alternating between eating and blowing condensation. I wear my dressing gown until the minute I have to leave the house, and take exactly 2.5 seconds to get dressed in order to prevent frostbite. OH the joy.

Instead - I wish for here:

Or here:

Or even here:

Move over pooch - give me some of that sun. Basically my wish is for anywhere where the mercury ISN'T dipping below zero. WAH.

SOOO exciting news. Today, deliveries arrived. WOOT:

Three in one hit - must be my lucky day. Contained:

1x Asos swan print short (eeep it is super cute and cannot wait to wear this guy!); 1x Topshop black and white chunky knit cropped jumper (super warm, snuggly and just PERFECT for this freezing weather) and to top it all off 1x AMAZING Tato + Memi boucle sleeve silk blazer. LOVE.

And - this delivery came in a special beige packing, akin to an online order. Interesting I thought - I have not placed an online order of late (although I do have three 'bags' ready to go at this point in time - hello The Iconic, Surf Stitch and Asos). Hmmm. On closer inspection - there was a 'Grazia' logo on said bag. Postage paid Grazia Product Department? UH wtf? Has someone accidentally sent me a PR sample? There was a sender's name on the bag. Opening the bag... it was the Tato and Memi blazer. SO - someone at Grazia once owned this fabulous jacket - which has made me love it so much more. In a surprising bout of quick thinking - I remembered an old copy of Grazia I had left in the lunch room. Raced out and opened to the staff listing, and there was my seller. Rather close to the top of the listing might I add. WOOT. Maybe I could get her to read my blog...? EXPOSURE!

Cant WAIT to wear it now - it is almost like someone famous has touched it. Almost.

Close enough for me!

OH. Started my new job yesterday, so I redid my desk. New job, new stationary. Here:

Going for a bronze, cream and black theme.. OOH lala. I do love stationary.

So totally missed yesterdays outfit post. Not super interesting but really cannot buck tradition - as basically if you have been on board you have viewed my every outfit for the last seven months. So you would know that I often repeat myself, have a growing penchant for black wet look jeans, wear way too much beige and did I mention the black wet look jeans? Oh right - of course I did. I think I dream about them.

yesterday:

star print jacket - Zara (eBay) / leopard print tee - Sass and Bide (eBay) / felt fedora (Mimco) / black wet look skinnies - Neon Blonde (eBay) / tan wedge heels - Tony Bianco (eBay)

today:

black grosgrain blazer - Sussan (Sussan on sale) / bat print tee - Zoe Karssner (eBay) / felt fedora (Mimco) / taupe canvas skinnies - Bettina Liano (eBay) / tan spliced wedge heels - Country Road (eBay)

I should so be sponsored by eBay; I am a walking advertisement. Totes.

Sometimes OH findettes I do wish I had more interesting outfits to show you. I know my week day smart business casual attire often lacks inspiration is is totally not utilising my love of clothes, my passion for styling or even the full extent of my wardrobe - but my hands are tied. This is as good as I can get it - without looking like a complete freak in the office. I do have a whole lot more to give - just don't expect it anytime soon.

Better get back to work... lunch time has gone on for way too long.

FFIFY xxxxx

PS - my toe hurts.

EBAYtastic. Lets go spending lets go!

2012-06-06T13:19:00.001+10:00

OKAY so I managed to load up my ebay selling account. 11 items, all fabulous, all in need of a loving new home. Sadly they are not getting the attention they deserve in the wardrobe room - so the time has come to continue the circle of life and release them back into eBayland.

Here:

Claude Maus skinny leather knit insert pants. Current bid $40 HERE

Winter Kate by Nicole Richie 'Lily' vintage silk blouse. Current bid $46 HERE

Gorman 'Apple of my Eye' beige and leopard trench. Current bid - $75 HERE

Zara banana yellow chino pants. Current bid - $25 HERE

Country Road wool blend panelled Crombie coat. Current bid - $75 HERE

Topshop cute wool blend hooded duffle coat. Current bid - $50 HERE

Zara wet look coated gold zip pants. LOVE these. Current bid - $36 HERE

Winter Kate silk 'Iris' red vest. Current bid - $35 HERE

Uscari 'Cover my eyes' silk kimono/jacket. Nicole Richie's have Aussie label. Current bid - $35 HERE

Neon pink Lanphi silk blazer. Current bid - $45 HERE

Magali Pascal silk ikat print dress. Current bid - $30 HERE

Its sad to part with some (all if I am totally honest, especially the pink blazer. I just can't get it to work in the 'smart business casual' environment; OH and the Winter Kate items are fabulous but I am trying to kiss goodbye my ever-present bohemian streak and then that CR coat is so Kate Middleton but I am saving for another coat and that Gorman trench is super cute but I cannot seem to rock a trench correctly so yes HARD) of these guys - but I am really trying to raise necessary funds in order to buy that AMAZING Catherine Leon grey draped spliced coat. IT NEEDS TO BE MINE.

If anything tickles your fancy findettes.. click on the links above and the item of your dreams could soon be yours! You won't regret it - I promise!

Happy spending.. haha OH I really should stop trying to milk readers for cash to support my over the top purchasing habits... BUT you guys are also reaping the benefits of a fabulous new addition to your wardrobe and then I buy something new and then talk about it and you also get to read about it so really it is a win win situation for all. Totes.

FFIFY xxx

do you put your hat on your headACHE. Hello Native.

2012-06-05T10:04:00.000+10:00

EUGH. I am dying. Well no not really, but I have a POUNDING headache that could really spell the end for me. Not going to work, and not even sure why I am on the computer as I am sure it is not helping; but I feel strange not having typed on a keyboard so far today and its already 9:30am. So this is going to be a mini post - as you have not yet witnessed that majesty that was yesterdays outfit. HERE IT IS:

August Street 'Native' Jacket ($120 The Iconic.com) / Levi black coated skinnies ($90 Myer) / Zara black shell top ($60 Zara) / Tony Bianco black leather peep toe wedges ($45 eBay) / Turquoise mega ring ($65 Camberwell Market)

So not that the outfit is super fantastic - but I really wanted to show off my new August Street blazer. Its cut low at the back akin to a riding jacket, and has unusual diagonally cut sleeve holes. The print takes me back to circa 1995 when I was a wannabe hippy (in Year 7, listening to Cut and Move's 'Give It Up', burning incense and wearing prayer beads bought from my local Rasa Rani store) - I am fairly certain I had a coin purse in this very same fabric. Received quite a few (surprising) comments from work about their love of the jacket; alternatively bf asked when I was going to give Jason Donovan back his technicolour dream coat. Again - boys. What would they know? pfffff.

A couple of purchases arrived in the post:

Which were:

A snuggly fuzzy Country Road knit

And a Sass and Bide leopard print tee - complete with fabulous ruffle.

No actual purchases - OH WAIT THAT IS A LIE. I forgot all about this guy:

Asos super cute swan print shirt. No, I didn't buy it off Asos - snapped this cute-as-a-button shirt from eBay for the bargain price of $29. Asos still has it for $60 - so NER (that is rather cheap anyway. And its sooo CUTE).

That is probably it findettes. I think its time for me to shut down and close my eyes, or at least go and watch some gossip girl. The couch, Penn Badgley and a pot of peppermint tea is calling....

FFIFY xx

OH my I almost forgot! URGENT there appeared to be a problem with my notifications from my fashion finding document. SO if you had been submitting finds and thought 'she is completely ignoring me' this was absolutely not true; my email reminder notifications had been mysteriously turned off. WAH. I will attend to them asap.

AND - don't forget to keep em coming! I know there is fabulous items out there that you are dying to include in your wardrobe... let me hunt them down for you! I want want she is wearing... who doesn't??

xxxx

We're going to Bonnie Doon... for real!

2012-06-03T20:16:00.000+10:00

SO this weekend was the last weekend at Bonnie Doon. Yes, all together now: 'We're going to Bonnie Doon'. BF has a holiday house up on the lake that he built with his bare hands, and we have been going up there for the last three years. Ahhhhh the serenity. Apart from the sounds of the two stroke engines shooting across the water, the trills of the yobbos in the house three doors down, the ‘clunk clunk clunk’ of the cars crossing the bridge and the barking of the three standard poodles in their kennel run next door it is actually rather peaceful.

BF made the big decision to sell up (all on his own with little to no coaxing from myself) in order to hurry along the renovation plans on the Ballarat house. This was the last weekend before settlement, so cleaning and packing was in order. Oh JOY.

We arrived late Friday night (missioning through the fog at about 40ks an hour complete with attached monster trailer), just in time to catch the end of the football and blow up the air mattress. Woot. After a distinctly uncomfortable sleep, Saturday was spent in a convey over to my parents house in Bright – where we managed to offload most of the now unwanted furniture. Whilst in Bright my stepmum and I negged our unpacking duties, and instead hurried off for a quick power lunch at the gorgeous vintage-inspired café Coral Lee. Love it.

That night we had dinner at the Bonnie Doon pub for the last time – if you are ever in the area I definitely recommend the bolognese covered parma (and only the parma – DO NOT eat anything else off the menu, and especially stay away from the salad bar. You have been warned). They have a whole electric blue theme going on; from the large patterned carpet to the napkins and even the fake flowers in the entrance area – totally worth a look in for seventies fabulousness.

Today (Sunday) was spent cleaning. All morning. I managed to nab the kitchen duty (woot. HATE cleaning bathrooms) and spent the next three hours scrubbing, washing and mopping; all the while decked out in my J Brand Houlihans and new Sportsgirl leopard print jumper. Definitely appropriately dressed; at least I took of my Museum cream rabbit fur vest before the PineOClean came out. Said goodbye to the house; it is the end of an era. Farewell serenity.

Here are some action packed shots of the weekend that was:

Good morning Bonnie Doon. WAH. I think I went straight back to bed when confronted with this.

The fog is finally lifting.

My view.

The outfit for the day - new leopard pullover, Nudies and washed khaki.

BRIGHT. Home sweet home, or at least used to be.

Lunch at Coral Lee. Vintage and fabulous.

Interior of Coral Lee.

Oh Bright. So pretty.

Cafe streetscape in Bright - how cute are the pink chairs?

Lake Eildon. After the fog..

Yep - this is the ACTUAL CASTLE HOUSE. It really exists. And it is right next to the power lines. Hilarious.

Hows the serenity?

Sunset over the water - farewell Bonnie Doon.

No purchase details to be reported on, as there is no shopping to be had up in the Doon (unless you count the ‘We’re going to Bonnie Doon’ slogan tees available at the general store for the bargain price of $48.99). Did snap up those Acne pants (FAB) and stumbled across this fabulous Catherine Leon coat as seen on fashion blogger WhatWouldKarlDo (visit her blog HERE) – here:

Never heard of Catherine Leon, but this coat is simply amazing. Google produced the goods (as per usual) and she is an emerging Australian designer. Visited her site – http://www.catherineleon.com - and it produced the very same coat:

Catherine Leon ‘Napoleon’ coat - $450. Love the grey marle teamed with the camel splices, and the draped oversized collar. Have decided I need this, and am hurrying home in order to load up my eBay selling account to raise the necessary funds. I am listing yellow Zara pants, red silk Winter Kate vest, Zara coated zip jeans, Country Road paneled coat, black Topshop duffle coat, Manning Cartell silk floral print dress, Arnsdorf silk blazer, Lanphi silk blazer and a washed silk Uscari cape. Whew – big night ahead. Will update with links once listed – just in case any of the items tickle your fancy.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend xx

FFIFY xxx

taking back friday and printeriffic. did someone say ACNE pants?

2012-06-02T21:09:00.000+10:00

So I know we are all probably over Friday since we are drawing to the end of Saturday, but I missed a post and need to catch back up. SO – getting in the continuum transfunctioner right now and teleporting us back to FRIDAY.

Hmm – is doesn’t appear that my memory joined me in the teleporter – as I actually cannot remember anything of note occurring on Friday. OH. Hang on, I did receive some parcels:

NARS delivery – thank GOD KissandMakeupNY.com; foundation was running on empty. How could I leave the house without ‘Punjab’ my face on?

Sass and bide ‘The Introduction’ pants – LOVE this print. LOVE the outfits I have found on google containing said pants. BUT – will I love them on me? Can I pull them off? Yet to be determined…. Stay tuned. These may just be one of those (rather numerous) items that I buy to make my wardrobe look good, but never actually make it into an actual outfit.

And then… TADA the August Street ‘Native’ printed blazer delivery from The Iconic. Super impressed, as I only place the order the day before. 24-hour delivery from Sydney – two massive thumbs up. AND, absolutely love the jacket.

Something tells me I shan’t be wearing both together somehow….

Lunchbreak time, and a quick trip down to the smallest Sportsgirl in the world produced three v-neck tees (washed khaki, black and white stripe and grey marle) and a washed leopard print crew neck pullover.

Totally addicted to washed out leopard right now.. I think I could go head to toe.

Casual chic. All for $50.. how can you go wrong? The sale started a few days earlier; and took up the entire front half of the store. I could have gone to town in the shirt and knit jumper section, but after the week to date spending spree I thought I would hold back. Show some restraint.

I can always come back next week.

JUST SPOTTED ON EBAY:

Acne ‘Skin’ wet black high rise jeans with back zip. In My Size. Buy It Now - $130… oooooohhh tempted. This would clear out my back account but OH they are super hot. WAH. Think I am going to HAVE TO click. I don’t think I can control myself..

Oh so I forgot all about Friday’s outfit. Here:

SO I have mentioned in a previous post my love for all things beige. I think this outfit sums that up pretty much to a tee. Not saying, mind you, that the outfit is any good – I actually changed the pants before leaving the house as ‘Saddle Club’ were the only words that were racing through my mind - equestrian chic was not really the look I was going for. SO – outfit contains brand newbie Jeanswest shiny (?! – it is actually a bit shiny. May have something to do with the polyester content of the ‘wool’ but we can look past that. Cant we?) beige knit, teamed over a Seed Femme latte boyfriend shirt. I initially had the J Brand nude skinnies as the bottom half, but then chickened out at the last minute and turned back to the too-big Zara wet look skinnies (complete with must have belt), and added the new Zara tweed boyfriend coat. And then of course the EOS boots made the cut – really there has not been a pair of boots in the history of the universe that I love as much as these. HONEST to god, I think if my house was on fire (uh touch WOOD) these boots would be going straight under the arm and out the door.

Right at this very moment I am sitting on a deck chair under the heater watching the football with a wet dog in a beanbag in an empty loungeroom in Bonniedoon.

Uh - yep.

Long story, ill update you all tomoz.

FFIFY xxxx

coincidence, fate, fashion friends and some HOT new purchases...

2012-05-31T21:51:00.002+10:00

SO - wait for this. Did someone say COINCIDENCE? On my last post I was busy hunting down the items as seen on Jessica Stein's Tuula blog; and found quite a few of them. Woot. Yes, I was feeling pretty chuffed - GOOD WORK FFIFY. Finished the post and put it up - and got on with my day. A few minutes ago I was perusing eBay (for something completely different of course) and checked out those Karen Walker sunnies again, as I had been thinking about them all day. I thought I would check out the seller's other items - when I noticed their name. Tuula Vintage. NO WAY. And there they were - most of the other items I had hunted down; plus a few more tasty additions. Amazing. Guess who her saved as a favourite seller?? Check out her items here.

Speaking of fashion bloggers, I came across another totally find-worthy version today. Friend In Fashion (her blog is here) is a Melbourne based blogger who does most of her outfit posts on location in the Docklands. I follow her on twitter - and jumped across to her Lookbook page this morning. This was the post:

Super hot right? She listed the blazer as August Street; two minutes later I located said blazer here at The Iconic:

August Street 'Native' blazer - $144.95. Buy it now at The Iconic here.

So there I was, tossing up whether to buy. Flicking back and forth, blog to store, blog to store - argh I was being annoyingly indecisive and just could not make up my mind. And then, fate intervened. Jumped on facey and this appeared:

The Iconic was rewarding me for liking them, by giving me 20% off. No JOKE. Yes - this was definitely fate. There was no clearer sign that this jacket was meant to be mine. Snapped it up - $116. BANG. 3 day delivery, and free postage. Cant get any better than that. Spooky...

But.. of course I was also tempted by another of her ensembles:

The pants in particular... seems that washed out leopard print is everywhere right now. SPOTTED:

Found them here at SurfStitch. And, they are VOLCOM. Yes - you read that correctly. I haven't worn Volcom since my punk rock days (uhhh try guys ripped Volcom jeans, studded belts, etnies and trucker caps. Avril Lavigne eat your heart out) but I am definitely tempted by these. And at $69.99 - why wouldn't you be?

Am yet to add to cart. I will sleep on it and see how I feel in the morning.

Other purchases that occurred over the course of the day:

Sass and Bide muslin and denim spliced shirt - $60 eBay

Tato & Memi silk and tweed spliced blazer - $150 eBay. This guy is new season and retailing for $480. FAB.

Sass and Bide 'The Ringleader' leopard print ruffle tee - $41 eBay.

OHH and then just this second snatched up this cute as a button Topshop knit - $21 eBay.

Hmm. That was just today. When you see it laid out like that seems just a little excessive...

Maybe just a tad.

Guess who cannot wait for the POSTMAN!

FFIFY xxx

hope the bf doesn't read this post... think someone may be in a bit of trouble otherwise eeeeeep.

Tuula the eBay way.. ill show you how!

2012-05-31T08:45:00.000+10:00

So how have you all coped with the beginning of sale season? Have you resisted the temptation to blow your entire pay on three witchery coats and six tunic dresses or have you indulged yourself (uh like me) and snapped up as many winter knits as you can possibly find? It is not even officially the freezing season yet and already all the cold-weather appropriate fashion is in full sale – crap for retailers, but oh so good for us wearers; especially those whom (like myself) reside in places where winter hangs around for the majority of the year (why oh why am I here?).

I am actually coping okay surprisingly. Contrary to what you may think given my rather out of control spending habits – I don’t often go nuts in the sale period. For some bizarre reason, when everything is on sale and further reduced and 50% off and two for $50 etc etc the satisfaction of finding a bargain is somewhat dimmed. Not to say I am not going to reap the benefits of a crazily early sale period; but I find more satisfaction in nabbing an item at a bargain price when all the rest of the items still at full price. Oh the joy, the rush of knowing that you have found the buried treasure; the magical loot that no one else could find. Hence my lifelong addiction to eBay. I will always love you my dear friend.

Speaking of eBay (and really, lets be honest here. When am I not?) I stumbled across some more miracles last night. Completing a find for some items from fashion blogger Jessica Stein of Tuula (gorgeous girl, amazing blog, fabulous life – jelly? Moi? NEVER). I am now totally addicted to her site (check it out http://fellt.com/tuula - you wont be able to look away. Cancel out the next five hours of your day. Trust me), living vicariously through the fabulous images of her charmed life. The fashion, the travel; the girl has fun.

And, most importantly, she looks good. Coming along the fashion path from her background in vintage and market find ensembles, Jessica now dons labels like Carven, Isabel Marant, Alexander Wang, Acne – yes, the list goes on. BUT my findettes – do NOT despair. The link to this ramble and eBay (as I began above – I do have a point and am getting to it eventually) is that you too can look just as fabulous as Tuula (which coincidentally means ‘like the wind’ in Finnish, and, with me being half Finnish myself there is a DEFINITE CONNECTION. Wow) right NOW. Forget Net-A-Porter and Shopbop (not entirely – god NO. Just for the point of this exercise and then you are free to head back over. I sure will be), the majority of her fabulous outfits can be found, bidded on, or (my personal favourite) BOUGHT right now in eBayland.

PROOF (all images are taken from her website http://fellt.com/tuula, and then eBay, for illustrative purposes. They are not my own; as if I could be so photographically genius):

HER WAY:

EBAY WAY:

Karen Walker beige ‘Number One’ sunnies – $210 buy it now. Buy them HERE.

Ellery structured peplum top (in the MINT colourway, same as her pants) - $290 starting bid. Find me HERE.

Isabel Marant amazing tie dye jeans. LOVE - $499 buy it now or make an offer (I would be opting for the latter.. try $280). Snap these up HERE.

Sass and Bide 'Cast in Bronze' cable knit jumper (this baby is def one of her faves, she wears it in a ton of outfit combos) - $150 starting bid. Nab it HERE.

LOVE these. Sass and Bide 'Raising the bar' leopard print jeans. $200 buy it now. Hot. you need me HERE.

Zara peter pan collar floral blouse. Would have to be the bargain of the lot - $34 buy it now. What are you waiting for - HERE.

Rag and Bone surf jeans – totally amazing and I would already have bought these if only they were in my size. $149 starting bid or buy it now for $180. Make them yours HERE.

I could go on. And on. The inaccessible has just become totally available; all thanks to a little site called eBay. Love.

Moving on. Today is a Melbourne Day. Currently it is 6:58am and I have already been on the vline for 45 minutes. My view:

Ideally today I am looking to linger in the city after work to let the early sale season take a little bit more advantage of my wallet and myself. Todays outfit:

Today I am back on the leather top train. Two reasons, with the first mostly centered around the fact that it looks good (a perfectly justifiable reason) and ALSO because it keeps me really warm. And with the mercury dropping to -2 this morning warmth is a must. SO – Country Road taupe leather tee, which is worn over a Sass and Bide tie dye silk printed tank. On top of this is a Zara red blazer (smart and colourful – what a combination), and then the Neon Blonde no longer wetlook skinnies finish of the legs. Tony Bianco black peep toe wedges and my Gorman camel Babushka coat remain. Warm as toast, and feeling good.

OOH delivery alert from yesterday – the fabulous Zara Aztec print cape has arrived:

BF was delighted to see I had invested in yet another ‘horrible printed horse rug’.

Ohhh boys and fashion. Love it.

FFIFY xxx

SALES sales everywhere I look!

2012-05-30T14:18:00.000+10:00

OKAY. So - lets hope you all have TONS of money to spend as it is super sale central in shopping land right now. Here are a few options to get rid of your hard earned:

First up is Witchery - up to 50% off starting now instore and online, PLUS 25% off all remaining full price items. Not bad... interested - shop them HERE. I don't have a store nearby so I shall be jumping on the computer to reap the benefits of this one.

My tips from Witchery:

Spliced dress - reduced to $74.95. Team with ankle boots and a pop coloured leather jacket. HOT.

Peplum ponti zip detail cropped jacket - $149.95. Peplum is everywhere right now, and the zip detail is super cute. Team with printed shorts, opaques and ankle boots. Fab.

Next up:

So by their image above you cannot tell who this is (clever marketing campaign that one.. keep us guessing I say) but it is SUSSAN. Having just come off the back of their 'take a further 50% off sale items' this may just mean some products are going up in price; but rest assured there are a ton of new markdowns to still be enjoyed. Check out their knits and fab scarf sale collection HERE.

My picks:

Animal print knit - $39.95. Perfect layered over a white boyfriend shirt with skinnies and tan brogues. Hey - I won all of theose items; this is now on the top of my list.

Check jacket - $99.95. Tolly loving blanket-esque jackets right now, and this one would look equally fab cinched in with a tan belt. Add a woolen shift dress, ankle boots and opaques and HELLO perfect winter look.

Up next is a discount denim retailer:

Now I haven't purchased any of their denim - but OH Jeanswest is killing it in the knit department. Similar styles (and fabric, shape and overall quality) as seen in the higher end chains but for a quarter of the price - you cannot go past this as a sale. Check them out online HERE.

My best buys:

Black ad white stripe knit - $30. I own this bad boy - and it is a fabulous boxy shape and look amazing worn over a contrasting striped tee and cons. Perfect weekend wear.

Maroon skinny pants - $42. As they say, Jeanswest fits best - and these oh so now coloured skinnies are no exception. Layer up with the above knit, striped tee and flats and bring on the weekend.

Just popped over to my local and picked up three knits for just over $80 - amazing. These are all mine:

Will keep you updated if any more spendworthy sales come through... but this should keep your wallet satisfied for now.

Add to CART findettesyou know you want to!

FFIFY xxx

Midriffs, Magheritas, Missonis and a style challenge..

2012-05-29T23:05:00.002+10:00

So today whilst hard at work, and girlfriend and I were discussing the alarming (and ever increasing) trend of Ballarat teenage midriff fashion. Not even the threat of an 8 degree day can squash this growing phenomenon; the local plaza is overrun with teen bellybuttons. True story.

This then got me thinking about midriff fashion in general, which then lead me to Margherita Missoni. Ohhh. Girl crush alert. I think if there is any one single person I am more in awe of in the whole wide world apart from Miss Palermo herself would have to be Margherita. She even makes the name Margherita sound cool - if it were my name I feel the not-so-tropical 'Marg' might be closer to the mark. She nails super quirky-cool with each print-clashing, midriff bearing ensemble, and is one of the most natural 'just totally woke up like this' beauties out there. Sigh.

My affection to Missoni actually goes way back. Well not really, but I have been madly in love with their cult and oh so vintage-esque zig zag print all the way since Year Seven. I had a ‘Very Very’ (whatever happened to Very Very? Back then the fashion pages of Dolly were chock a block with Very Very, Vallen, Rare and Brian Rochford. Those were the days) Missoni-print body shirt. Wearing this baby with my Tencel wide leg jeans and eight-up electric blue Doc Martens I thought I was just about the coolest thing ever. Since then, I have had to admire Missoni from afar; alas the designer label of my dreams has never made it into my price bracket. Not without trying mind you, each year Missoni towels make it onto my christmas list, and I often add several Missoni cardis and knit skirts to my watch list in eBay but they never get as far as the checkout.

This is the reason I love her:

She is just gorgeous. And natural. And just so Italian. How does she pull it off?

So, feeling inspired by MM I have decided to come up with my own version of a fabulous midriff-bearing ensemble that Margie would be proud to don; all sourced from online stores (of course). Okay - here goes:

Top. So I just HAD to include something Missoni in the outfit.. as this is obviously her thing. This little ditty is $263 GBP from NetAPorter.com - buy me HERE.

Jacket. So she loves a sixties shape, and this Jayson Brunsdon 'Modernist' number has such a 'Twiggy' feel with the bell sleeves and stunning tomato red colour. Buy me HERE for $385 at MyCatwalk.com.

Pants. So I couldn't go past Gorman for their quirky prints and high waisted shape - I just KNOW Margherita would love love love these. Buy these super cute Papaya printed pants for $229 HERE from the Gorman online store.

Shoes. She loves a wedge, and these Christian Louboutin wedge heel zebra print sandals tie in the print of the pants and top. Plus, they are Louboutins and fabulous. She would LOVE. And if you do too - buy them HERE for a totes ridic $169, thank you LouboutinOutlet.com.

So that is my homage to Miss Missoni. There is no way in hell I could get away with clashing prints, just woke up hair, midriff tops and full patterned fitted maxi dresses but OH HOW I WISH I COULD.

Speaking of outfits - here is my one for the day. Oh Margherita, you can totally stop reading now.

So. Today's outfit would see me totally camouflaged on the plains of Africa surrounded by cheetahs and maybe some burnt tree stumps that have been blackened (this is to blend into the legs... oh not sure my whole analogy is really working so ill give it a rest huh). Today's outfit includes the super cute and definitely don't wear it enough Sass and Bide blazer, worn over a taupe coloured Seed Femme poly pocket detail shirt which doesn't really go colour wise but I am going to stick with it regardless. Next are the Neon Blonde 'used to be wet look that are now faded and look more like dark grey jeans so much so that I won't be able to wear them to work passed off as black pants' skinnies. Sad to see them go. And then all finished of with the magnificent EOS taupe leather boots which I am madly in love with (hence the number of post solely dedicated to their wonderfulness) and manage to tie the whole ensemble together. FAB.

I am wearing leopard print Margherita - that must count for something right??

FFIFY xxxxx

OH delivery alert - one super cool Zara tweed oversized boyfriend blazer coming right up!

Why Grandpa this is right up your alley!

BUY MY BOOTS NOW ON BRANDSEXCLUSIVE!

2012-05-28T23:12:00.003+10:00

OH total forgot to mention that the EOS boots I been absolutely LOVING to death are available right this very minute on BrandsExclusive - these babies:

You can pick the 'Paolo' in taupe up today for a teeny 83 bucks - reduced all the way down from two hundy. Fab. They go with absolutely anything and are super comfy, yet remaining super stylish at the same time. OH - how do they do it?

Like them? You need an invite to join the site - but not to worry click HERE for your exclusive invitation to start shopping xxxx

spend BIG findettes

FFIFY xx

Justin Bieber and I go way back; and to brogue or not to brogue?

2012-05-28T22:48:00.002+10:00

So. Look who I found lurking in the perfume department of my local Ballarat Myer.

Yes. Biebs himself. Turns out we have super similar tastes in womens eau de parfum.

I think he liked my hat.

No, it is actually not him *surprise surprise*. Because, if it was, I would be a screaming mess somewhere in the linen department, alternating between shrieking and crying uncontrollably. Now, this would not have occurred because of a love for Justin Bieber (sorry Biebs - I think I may be just a TAD old to be thinking of you in any sort of romantic fashion. Sad, but true. Even though you complimented me on my choice in headwear); but due to my total adulation of the celebrity. It is a strange affliction of which I have no control; the minute anyone even remotely famous is within metres of me I turn into a overexcited lunatic - shaking and whimpering and needing to lie down. Example one: A previous place of employment was Sportsgirl's flagship store, where having a celeb in store was almost a weekly occurrence. One such day, Rickie Lee was doing a bit of a shop. I was on fitting room duty, and literally spent the entire time hiding in a change room shrieking madly and peeking out from behind the curtain. Next, along came Paulini, where I then got the bright idea to play her album rather loudly over the speakers and dance out madly from the back room. That did not go down so well, nor did the time I served Paula Joy (who at the time was the editor of my BIBLE - Shop til you Drop) and was lost for words; I literally could not get a single syllable out and completed the entire transaction in red-faced silence. Needless to say I was soon banned from being in the store when any form of celebrity was there. Another time my sister and I saw Hamish Blake walking down Chapel St. Yes, OMG Hamish. We were lurking behind him clutching each other and giggling uncontrollably. Turns out his girlfriend was in the car just ahead and saw the whole thing, and then politely pointed it out to him as well. Fab. And then there was the time working in David Jones I got into the service lift with none other than Megan Gale. I literally spent the entire ride facing the corner of the lift with my mouth open and I thought for sure I was going to faint; and then tripped out of the lift and almost fell over right in front of her. Crap.

I could go on, but I will spare myself the embarrassment. I don't know what is wrong with me, and bf absolutely hates it.

Speaking of celebrities - I am still totally obsessed with the Voice. I should point out my idea of celebrity is basically anyone who has been on television, all reality TV shows included. Change that to especially reality TV shows included. Received a quick fashion find on Rachael Leahcar *quick fact DID you know Rachael Leahcar is Rachael Leahcar backwards? WIERD* 's white dress as worn during the 'My Hands' performance. This one:

Turns out it is the Ted Baker 'Telago' lace embroidered ball dress. Here:

Gorgeous huh? Interested - snap it up HERE from Nordstrom.com - only a cool $893.59. Fab.

I also loved Delta's white maxi v neck closing number tonight. Pity it was hidden behind the piano - I shall do some more digging and uncover that baby as well.

SO. Today's outfit.

Today I am Grease-ing it up. Chang chang changitty chang ti bop. As much as I adore it, the Alexander Wang leather sleeved blazer some times feels like a fashion forward Letterman jacket; totally like am trying out for track. Or whatever track is. Anyway - this was worn over the new Zara black zip detail short sleeve tee, and then over the bright red cropped Zara peg leg pants. I then finished it off with the Seed Femme black ankle boots - done. And then I looked in the mirror - and was not impressed. SO off came the red, and on came the trusty Levi jeggings. Then couldn't decide to brogue or not to brogue.. I went with the grey option overall.

Spent the entire day racing around work. Flats make me feel super speedy and efficient; I seem to have energy to burn when my feet are flat on the ground.

EBay purchase update - nothing. No deliveries, no new buys. Bidded on five items and won none. Oh.

Speaking of flats - waiting for these bad boys to end:

HELLO Jeffrey Campbell. Starting bid - $120. Keeping my eye on you.

Another day, another purchase. Who knows what tomorrow will buy.

FFIFY xxxxx

fashion find it for you fashion blog

shopped up a storm and eating a plenty - weekend all wrapped up!

2012-05-27T22:27:00.002+10:00

Okay - so here is the rest of the weekend.

Arrived in Melbourne town at 9:32am - and was greeted with SUNSHINE. I could already tell this was going to be a fab day, as sunshine hasn't existed in Ballarat for quite some time now. Striding out of Spencer St station (it will NEVER be Southern Cross to me NO SIR), charging across the road to a flashing red man and almost getting hit by a taxi - I was back. Running for the tram and not having enough change for a met card - I felt like I had never left. Fab.

The meeting with the lovely ladies was up first. Meeting in a cafe just outside the Block arcade; coffee was consumed and words were spoken and (hopefully) deals were struck. Could be a life-changing opportunity for this little fashion finding blogger - stay tuned. (SO fab to meet you SA, and to catch up with you again Lxxx).

Next - shopping. God. Where to start? I was already in Collins - so headed straight across the road. Up to Little Collins, where Zomp, Hoss, Bettina Liano and Scanlan were calling my name. No purchases as yet, perused through Witchery and headed into Sportsgirl when mother called announcing her arrival in the big smoke. Met up out the front of Myer and headed in, preparing to do some damage on the Myer card. Alas, the coveted Manning Cartell 'Tailspin' coat was sold out; this sent me into a deep despair that almost made me want to leave the city and never come back. Only lunch at Brunettis could pull me out of this spending funk. One slice of gourmet pizza and a latte later I was back and ready to get busy. Stores = 10, purchases = A BIG FAT ZERO. Bummer. What was wrong with me? Was I off my game?

Never.

Next stop was Zara - where I began the all important task of actually spending some coin. Took the max number of garments into the change rooms; only came out with 2x winners - a (pretty dull really) black shell top with sleeve zip detail for $50, and then a super cute neon pink boucle zip jacket ($100). All the items I really wanted had sold out in the smaller sizes - a rather annoying trend that seems to occur every time I set foot into the store. WAH.

Pressed for time - we had a quick stop over in Gorman at the GPO - almost purchased the Babushka coat in the rust colourway (I do already own the camel) and was oh so tempted by the papaya printed pants; but mother talked me out of both. Hmmmm - probably for the best.

Last stop on the shopping extravaganza was South Wharf DFO. Yep - I really am a sucker for a bargain. With 45 mins remaining on the clock until we had to begin the trek home there was time for three shops. A quick viewing of the Witchery outlet proved nothing new, and then we hit Mimco. Two handbags (one black one for mother and a gorgeous nude tote for me) and one tan felt fedora later, we headed across the path to the last store of the day - the Country Road outlet. Turns out this was my shopping mecca for the day. Had I had unlimited funds - I would have come out with two coats, two fur vests, four dresses, one pair of snakeskin jeggings and some cropped orange pants, a few pairs of totally season inappropriate sandals and a tan and black spliced leather skirt. That would have been a haul. Unfortunately, reality soon kicked in (that and the fact my stylist course money was coming out tomorrow) so I had to cull immediately. Now, culling is not something I am terribly good at; add in limited time and an impatient mother and you have a true recipe for disaster. Think I came out okay - snapped up a grey, grey and beige winter coat (VERY Kate Middleton so I am told), and a khaki and khaki spliced trench. Two out of fifteen items is not bad; still thinking about those fur vests though.

Topped off the night with the fourth (and LAST) birthday dinner. This one was at the fanciest restaurant in town; where mother and I shared the six course banquet. Five entrees, two mains and dessert later once again eyelids were drooping at the dinner table. Y U M.

Here are some action shots of the day. AMAZE.

Bourke St Mall. OH I missed you.

High tea perhaps? YES please.

Witchery winter colour palette

Brunettis lunch. NOM

Collins St. OH is that Tiffanys?

Fancy a printed scarf?

Shopping heaven - Melbourne's GPO

The Block arcade - gorgeous.

Final purchases? HERE THEY ARE - all laid out for your visual viewing pleasure. Cannot WAIT to include these babies into the wardrobe room rotation - now I have all that free space from the market madness..

How AMAZING is that neon jacket? And that Mim bag.... ahhh.

Then - it was sunday.

Sunday. Oh how I love thee. Late start to the day, then mother and I headed into town for some brunch action. Now, she had 'apparently' asked me if we needed to get dressed up for brunch, of which I replied 'Oh no. Its Ballarat - no one gets dressed up'. I then appeared dressed in jeans, a knit and boots with a small cuban heel. My definition of not dressed up. Here:

(LOVING my new Mimco fedora if you can't tell. I actually have quite a large head and love hats but they 1. never fit me, and 2. make my head look even bigger than usual, but for some reason this one totally works. Fab)

Alternatively, Mother appeared in a polar fleece jumper, track pants and ugg boots. Her definition of not dressed up. We met in the hallway - both looking each other up and down. Both said 'Oh'. Ummm. And then burst out laughing. What can you do? Comfort dressing obviously has a range of different meanings - not spanning the generation gap. Like mother like daughter - absolutely not:

(love you ma)

We headed to a cafe called Bibo. Interior was all decked out in retro - Sophie and Dale from The Block would have been in heaven. Full kitsch, from the vinyl chairs and laminate tables, to the fifties magazine paper covered walls to the mismatched china - it was super cute. Food was delish; pesto toasted roti with scrambled eggs, mushrooms and spinach anyone? And I got six cups and counting out of my freshly brewed chai tea. Bibo - we will be back.

Spent the rest of the afternoon fashion finding and generally wasting time on the computer whilst watching Masterchef reruns; with a few quick eBay purchases thrown in:

Sass and Bide the Introduction pants - $101.99 eBay

Country Road argyle print knit - $25 eBay

Zara tweed oversized boyfriend coat - $39 eBay

So I said I wanted printed pants and patterned knits from my shopping trip - and came out with anything but. Turns out, all I ever wanted was available on eBay instead. I should have known. Who needs shops?

oh - me.

Hope you had a fab one!

FFIFY xxxx

fashion find it for you fashion blog

Don't forget I am here for all your fashion finding requirements - this area has been a little slow of late. My skills are at your beck and call - think of it as styling online! Email me x

did someone say SHOP TIL YOU DROP melbourne.. OH yes they did.

2012-05-26T09:14:00.001+10:00

So. It is 8:30am – and I am on the Vline train. WOOT. Its taking me back to those wonderful pre-current place of Ballarat employment days where I spent four whole long fun-filled and action packed hours travelling to and from work. Bring back those days I don’t say.

But – the train is basically empty. I managed to nab a seat in one of the coveted ‘first class’ carriages; complete with folding tray table, which is perfect for a makeshift desk. Hence the computer and blog post. Here is my view:

Yesterday was casual Friday at work (did someone say WOOT??). It was also my first ‘unofficial’ day of my new role; and also Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea day. It was also the day after my pooch cut his foot somehow whilst chasing the ball the night before and was rushed to the vet as he was bleeding everywhere and was bandaged and sent home on painkillers. This meant A. that I got to wear denim to work; B. that the day was super crazy trying to do two jobs at once; C. that I basically ate my weight in cheesecake, mud cake, caramel pies, hedgehog plus a few other miscellaneous sugar filled items which then lead to the worst headache ever; and finally D. that there are no images of yesterday’s outfit* thanks to a lapse in wellness of pooches foot; the morning was spent tossing up whether to take him back to the vet as he was waving the blue bandaged foot around madly instead of walking on it. Fab. Not.

*FYI the outfit consisted of the Latopic gold sequin blazer, a Arabella Ramsey red and white striped tee with gold ball detailing that was my ONLY purchase at Round She Goes (I just had to buy one thing come on), my light wash Nudie jeans and the new latte EOS ankle boots. Mental image is required

Just saw some kangaroos out the window. Nice. I come from a land downunder.

OH bad news alert – woke up to an email saying that my entire Topshop order has been cancelled – due to out of stocks. The ENTIRE order. Great. Heading back onto the website revealed that every single item is still available for sale in the same sizes as per my order – not very customer friendly Topshop. I am shaking my head and waggling my finger at you right now. Thought about placing another order for exactly the same items just to check, but never got around to it.

Mostly because, today is SHOPPING DAY. I am meeting mother dearest in the city, and armed with a combined mini fortune of birthday and market money, I plan to spend big. Going to hit up Zara, Myer (mother has a Myer card…. Hmmm) DJs, Gorman, Zomp, CR, Sporters, uh, probably every store in the GPO and then do a quick wallet slash bank account check to see how funds are travelling. If we are not too bad the shopping may just continue over to Chapel and OH I did want to pop past South Wharf DFO – sucker for a bargain I am. WHAT a day. I am on the hunt for cute printed, colourblocked or striped knits, printed peg leg pants, a spliced leather and tweed trench from Manning Cartell that I found in Bendigo for $699 which may go on the Ma’s Myer card and maybe some jeans and more ankle boots. YEP – I am armed and ready.

This is the Manning Cartell 'Tailspin' jacket:

HOT.

Here is the outfit for todays cash flowing bonanza:

SO this includes the very first outing for the totally amazing Rachel Gilbert ‘Winta’ leather jacket that was part of my jacket haul from Mother for my birthday (I have added the official image above for your viewing pleasure). It is asymmetrical, with one huge flap on the right hand side. It is made from a rather unusual salmon coloured leather – which surprisingly goes with a lot more things than I originally thought. Wearing this bad boy over the newly delivered Sass and Bide raffia necked tank ($50 eBay), which is also asymmetrical on the same side. Is that FATE? Worn over my ever-faithful Lee denim patched and ripped skinnies (LOVE these. They may be one of the oldest pieces in my wardrobe (going on almost a year and a half!) but I shall never give them up. And then all finished off with the EOS latte elastic insert ankle boots. New fave. I am also armed with my ginormous orange leather and rope Mimco bag; thanks to the laptop hardly fitting in the MJ. LOVED this guy from the moment I saw him – and it has been a lasting relationship. Diehard Mim fans will remember this one. Although I did just try to flog him off at the market; I had the price so high that no one could really justify paying that much as I really didn’t want him to go. I hope he is not upset – I am trying to placate him by taking him out today. This is him:

Gorgeous. How could I have ever let him go?

So that is that. I shall report back on my purchases asap.

OH and forgot to mention another VERY exciting occurrence occurring today - I am being interviewed by a previous work colleague and a FFIFY reader as a business (Me? A business? EXCITING!) and the impact of social media on marketing. Not sure how helpful my little site is going to be information wise - but I am AMAZINGLY FLATTERED to be asked and will try my very best to be super helpful.

Just went through Sunshine station - and the sun is shining. How fabulous is that??

Have a fabulous Saturday findettes!

FFIFY xxx

fashion find it for you fashion blog

birthday bonanza, outfits and a Topshop or two, or SIX

2012-05-24T22:42:00.000+10:00

So - birthday is OVER. You may be pleased to note that I did indeed find some birthday cheer; in fact I pretty much sprung out of bed yesterday morning. Was greeted by the still pajama-clad bf (and pooch) wielding the following lovingly wrapped presents:

Yes - that is a handmade card. And yes again, it does say 'Happy Toats Birthday' on the front. BF humour.

And YEP - that is correct. TIFFANYS. Very exciting - now I am even more jingle jangling than before; people at work can always tell I am coming like some sort of oversized cat. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but I am pretty happy with my new locket charm nevertheless. Including the Gorman coat, Latopic gold sequin blazer and the Rachel Gilbert leather jacket from Ma, I also received an amazing voucher from a fabulous Moroccan themed bazaar, plus a 12 month subscription to the holy bible - Shop Til You Drop. Not a bad haul really - think I did rather well this year. Then, to top off my morning - DELIVERY ALERT:

Parcels contained 1x Sass and Bide raffia neck tee (SUPER cute - love love LOVE that neckline), 2x open knit jumpers (one is from Sporters and the other is Alice in the Eve) and then 1x pair super hot Zara coated jeans with zips. Love.

Birthday day outfit selection:

So - this outfit was something I created quite randomly that morning but was rather pleased with the outcome; you know its going to be a good day when this happens. Featured Zara star print blazer, worn over a Country Road taupe leather spliced tee with a Sass and Bide tie die silk singlet underneath. Worn over the Neon Blonde wet look zip jeans, and finished off with the Tony Bianco black peep toe wedges. Done and dusted. And yes - I am wearing a leather tshirt to work. In Ballarat. At a pet retailer. This just proves that anything is possible.

Day progressed quite well. Chose a white chocolate mud cake as my birthday cake of choice in the office (majority ruled that vote - the Accounts girls were eager to cake it up from about 9:20am), placed a refill Nars makeup order from Kiss and Makeup NY, and received a bunch of gorgeous lilies delivered to my desk. Awwww. Not from the bf - he is hardly the flower delivering type - but huge thanks to my Mum, stepdad, sis and future bro in law. Spoilt. Flowers:

Yes, that is the SMALLEST deer skull going around in the background. Say hello to Mini Skull. Note - that is a section of my lounge room; my office 'cubicle' is no where near as exciting.

Thai for dinner; over-indulged in roti, massaman, panang curry and coconut milk dumplings a little too much and the movie plans for afterwards were dismissed as once again I was falling asleep at the dinner table. Came home to watch my new 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' - in half an hour I was snoring Rock on huh?

Then - birthday over.

Today was rather underwhelming compared to the attention packed present filled birthday extravaganza of the previous day. Work was busy, day was freezing, nothing much exciting was going on. WAH. Here is the outfit of the day:

SO. Today included another new combination - variety is the spice of life as they say. Today - I had the new Topshop green and black polka dot tee, worn under the green and black striped Camilla and Marc blazer. The new Zara coated zip pants got a first outing (unfortunately I spent the day alternating between having the crutch down at my knees and then hitching them up - tons of fun. They are, very disappointingly, too big. WAH. They are just too nice that I am going to persist regardless; potentially I might whizz a seam in on the sewing machine. MUCH easier said than done - that may have sounded like I know what I was talking about but guaranteed I would stuff it up. Ill probably just sell them on eBay instead). And all finished off with the tan spliced Trenery wedges. Tada. I rather like the green and black overdose; bright and colourful sit without being over the top. Fab.

SO, to cheer myself up and add some much needed interest into my day I placed a quick $175 6x item order from Topshop.com. Why not I say. All sale items, and all fabulous. Here:

Yes I have bought the same top twice but in two separate colours - but it looks like a winning shape. And look how all those colours work in together; I spent quite a while fiddling around with my 'added to bag' items - reducing it from $320 to $175. All must have items. Delivery is anticipated for June 6th - WOOT. How cute is that bulldog jumper?

So that is about it findettes. No eBay buys today - bidded on a few items but alas, it was not my day.

Tomorrow is a CASUAL DRESS DAY - better go and lay out my outfit. DENIM, here I come!

FFIFY xxx

PS didn't buy anything from the Gorman sale after all. Was tempted by a TON of items, but have decided to save my money for my Melbourne bound shopping trip with Ma this Saturday. Zara... I am coming to get you.....

outfit catching up and did someone say BIRTHDAY?

2012-05-22T22:22:00.002+10:00

So - tomorrow is my birthday. Usually, my birthday celebrations begin at least two months in advance, where I start sending out reminders that a Very Important Event is now on the radar. This is further expounded closer to the date.. and the entire month of May I am a write off - birthday is the only thing on my mind. Usually. This time, things are different. Perhaps it is because I am one candle blow away from a big one (3 0 anyone? HELP) and this one is rather small and insignificant in comparison, or the fact that I have already received all of my presents so far and have nothing exciting to open on the day (and WHOSE fault was that? Hmm? Yes - this is your conscience. I am BACK) OR maybe is it that I am finally growing out of the whole birthday over-excited planning for months and the best and most important day of the year shebang. No. Never. It just cannot happen. Its not like there is a birthday fairy that you stop believing in when you become a 'big girl' - birthdays are eternal happiness providers.

So where has my birthday happiness gone?

Don't know.

WAH.

Not even the much anticipated arrival of the EOS boots bought a spark of birthdayitis to the day. Super hot though - instant new fave:

OH also snapped up this bad boy up... was 'coaxed' into it by some findettes. Took a lot of effort on their behalf as I am sure you can guess! Its Zara, its aztec, its kind of a cape/jacket/knit ensemble and its FABulous. Here:

See?? Amazing. Coming all the way from NZ so delivery may take a little while...definitely worth the wait.

Now - I neglected to post yesterday's outfit. So - here is a combo selection of both yesterdays and todays outfits combined... just for your viewing pleasure:

So. Mondays outfit included the Sussan navy and cream striped shirt, worn under the vintage red felt crested blazer (super CUTE), with the Sass and Bide 'Husley Straits' black wet look cropped jeans and then finished off with the spliced tan Trenery wedges. There is Monday down. Tuesday was the Zara beige kimono, worn over a Jeanswest white and black striped tee, both worn over the Levi's wet look black jeggings (not so wet look no longer, and seemed to have stretched a little out of shape so I spent most of the day pulling them up. Awesome), and then finished off with the brand spanking new EOS boots. They are definitely the key outfit builder for the next two weeks at least... stay tuned for more of these babies.

And that was me.

Now - if you find my birthday mojo, tap it on the shoulder, spin it around and send it on back. I NEED IT.

FFIFY xx

DONT forget the competition findettes.... there is an absolutely amazing wardrobe staple super colour pop totally awesome J. Crew turquoise bubble necklace up for grabs. All you need to do is like and share my page on facey - how easy is that? Head straight over to the FB page HERE. And then, for extra super duper bonus points, send through your most amazing bargain fashion find of the century (to me at fashionfinditforyou@gmail.com) and I will post them up and we can judge.

EASY. And this could be all yours:

Only 66 more likes to go... get sharing! GO.

birthday dinner and MARKET MAGIC bumper haul!

2012-05-22T09:58:00.000+10:00

Okay so… WHAT A WEEKEND! Really – had to be one of the best.

SO I shall pick up where I left off Saturday morning. Off to the hairdressers for a quick snip and blowy.. all ready for my super exciting birthday dinner extravaganza that night. Tried out a new hairdresser in the Rat – haven’t loved one particular one yet and was getting rather desperate. Had been heading back down to Melbs for colours and due to the 1.5 hour travel time it is not a super long term workable idea. BUT – this place was great. Unlike other salons, my ;stylist’ was from Melbourne and had previously worked at Heading Out in the GPO – so she was rather up with the fashion hair times. Walked out with a treatment, cut and bohemian GHD waves – fab.

Raced down to Melbourne in the bf’s big rig; packed to the brim with market goodies. Spent the next hour or so getting ready – sometimes I like this part of the night more than the event itself. End result:

LOVE this White Suede peach lace dress, not so love the Witchery nude mega heels. Cute – but so not walking, sitting or even wearing friendly. The oh so familiar burning sensation kicks in after about OH an hour.

Fast forward to 8:30 pm that night – and I was starving. Apparently there are two sittings for the Langham buffet bonanza.. and the 5:30 pm one was hardly appealing. Still – I was starving. Hunger + me = one hell of a grumpy birthday girl… I needed some food stat. We were finally shown to our table, and then the feasting began. Hit up the Indian station – HELLO garlic and cheese Naan; followed by a seafood extravaganza. Two platefuls. The bf was in his element – elbowing the old nans out of the way to get to the roast station for the new cut of pork belly which had just been served. Already not feeling well – it was then time for dessert. Bread and butter pudding, custard, cream, strawberry cheesecake and 2x strawberries dipped in the chocolate fondue fountain later I was well and truly done. Over and out. I was almost falling asleep at the table; my body was rather angry (and working overtime digesting) I dare say. Fell asleep in the car on the drive home – and slept like a log.

Here are some action shots:

SEAFOOD!!!!

The log-like sleeping continued until the bright and early buzzing of my alarm at a wonderful 5:30am. Market time!

As there are no reserved spots – Round She Goes is first in and best dressed stall possie wise. I had a fab position last time right near the doors; was primed for maximum customer capturing. So – I wanted to get this again. We arrived at 6:30 am; and unfortunately were 12 back in the queue. Bummer – last time I was fourth. Doors open at 7:30 – so I has a lovely and cold wait for the next hour. This was my view:

Doors open – and its go time. Sign in and race up the stairs – ‘let the spot be there’ ‘let the spot be there PLEASE’. No. The spot was reserved. God damn. But, the next possie was free – so I snapped this up instead. BF unloads the big rig and takes off as soon as he can – leaving me to do some valuable visual merchandising, last minute pricing and mannequin dressing. By 8:45 – I was all set. Pity the market doesn’t open for another 1.15hours – there was a bit of a wait. Ate my oats, had a quick look on eBay and fluffed the stall some more – and then the customers arrived. All systems GO!

By 12:40 I had raked in more money than I had made at a market to date; and the racks were looking bare. BF arrived for a toilet break; armed with sushi, a banana but minus coconut water (one request!); leaving him to mind the stall is a bit of a disaster so I have to be as quick as humanly possible. He takes off again and is back to selling.

Three pm rolls around rather slowly – the afternoon was much less busy than the morning (plus I had no good items left so felt rather embarrassed for people looking through my racks). BUMPER haul – managed to nab a huge $1400. Minus out the car rego and I have almost $1k spare. Guess who is going shopping this weekend? That is correct – MOI.

Action shots:

Yep - that is the LATOPIC gold sequin blazer as seen on Ricki Lee from the Voice. Got TONS of compliments... Love it! Left quite a few sequins behind also... like Hansel and Gretel you could follow my trail to my stall!

As per usual the bargain bin was a MASSIVE hit - people just love it!

Fabulous day. Was so exhausted wanted to hit the hay immediately after the block – so I did. Nan alert.

And that was it! Cashed up. FAB.

FFIFY xxxx

friday woes and market madness ROUND SHE GOES again!

2012-05-19T09:41:00.000+10:00

Yesterday, did not begin well. Apart from the fact it was raining when I woke up from a terrible sleep that was primarily disturbed by the kelpie stretched out over the middle of the bed and thus I did not want to get out of bed; my horrible morning was mostly due to Citroen cracking it. 'Le that is it!' I can imagine it said in its fabulous french accent, as it decided not to start. 'I cannot go on vous'. The next twenty minutes or so was spent attempting to coax it into life, plus a frustrated call to the bf who was working in Melbourne who 'JUST HAD TO FIX IT' over the phone - but alas, it was in vain. It simply would not go. I think it has heard us talking talking replacing it (Hello Hyundai i30) one too many times.. and we have ruined its self confidence. WAH.

Apart from riding my bike to work (complete with computer, lunch and MJ Stam bag in 6 degree misty rain - bf's brilliant suggestion), walking, catching a cab (do they even have cabs in Ballarat?), my only other option was calling work and getting them to come and rescue me. THANKS K - legend xx

Anyway - made it to work. Eventually. Headed straight into an important meeting for the new role (still PUMPED) and was hard at it. Breaked at mid morning, headed to the bathroom and then finally did I look in the mirror. Shit. Seems I forgot to put eye makeup on this morning. WTF? Then I remembered - pooch was barking at something and I had gone to investigate, obviously forgetting the remaining steps in the face process. Damn - I looked like crap. Immediately raced over to the Plaza - Max Factor my saviour.

The day did get a little better - I had a TON of purchase deliveries to brighten up the bleakness:

OOOH these contained:

So there was the polka dot Topshop tee, Current Elliot distressed jeans, Country Road spliced leather tee and the printed Topshop sleeveless shirt. FAB. Weekend outfit sorted.

My outfit for the day. Here:

So - today was a little more cas, which was definitely not enhanced by the lack of eye makeup. God. Outfit included the blue and cream striped CR jumper I bought to keep warm over in Perth ($80 CR). Having not worn a chunky knit to work before wasn't sure if it would cut the 'smart business casual' mustard - but combining it with a nice 'blouse' and peep toes dressed it up just the right amount. Next was the Manning Cartell cream ruffle tunic worn underneath, then followed by the Neon Blonde wet look skinny zip jeans, and then the Trenery tan spliced peep toe wedges. Ta DA.

The remainder of the working day was fine. Thank GOD.

After work - bf and I went out for dinner. The 'as seen on Ricki-Lee on the Voice' gold sequin blazer from hot designer label Latopic that I hunted down got its first outing. Here:

Needless to say I was impressed. Teamed it with the exact same outfit I was wearing that day - minus the chunky striped jumper. Think I may have overdosed on cream - but hey. I was hungry and it was good enough. Think I would like to team it with some punchy cobalt pants and a plain white tee, or even a grey marle tee and hot patterned pants. Yes - that is what I will build towards.

After dinner - the fun simply didn't stop there. I have a recurring stall at the Round She Goes preloved fashion market; and turns out it was this coming weekend. UH - this had kind of slipped my mind. SUPER excited though - as there is nothing I love more than a good market, especially one where I actually get to make money. Bonus. Here:

It is simply fabulous - I have been going for the last couple of years and always come out with BAGFULLS of amazing dresses, tops, pants, shoes, bags OH and homemade jewellery and a fab selection of vintage wares. LOVE it. Make sure you pop down - get your spend on and find tons of amazing stuff. For more info visit their website HERE.

Now - getting stuff ready for a market is not a matter of simply chucking all the stuff you don't wear anymore in a bag and heading on down in the morning - oh no. It requires tons of pre-planning, effort, props, pricing and basically hard work to ensure you maximise your sales potential on the day. Last market, I did this informative post regarding the steps required to get the most bang for your buck. I have copied it and inserted it below.. making this post look quite substantial for little effort on my behalf. Fab.

Here are my top ten MUST DO market preparation steps to ensure your day is a money making cash bonanza:

1. Have a fab assortment on offer. The customer’s love a wide breadth and depth of range – so be RUTHLESS with your clothing selection. Haven’t worn it in six months? Gone. Still go the tags attached two months later? Done. This ruthlessness creates much needed free space in your wardrobe for all the new fab items you are going to purchase with the money you made at the market. Loving the ‘circle of clothing life’.

2. Have a bargain bin. This was a new strategy I adopted at my last market – I filled a wicker washing basket with items that may have been destined for vinnies; slapped a EVERYTHING $1 sign on it and literally had people sitting on the ground and burrowing like a beaver on steroids. May only make up a few extra bucks – but it is certainly a great way to move through dead stock. ADDED BONUS – creates customer interest. If it appears like there is a lot happening at your stall – customers gravitate to you like a magnet.

3. Take a mirror. VERY IMPORTANT – as everyone wants to try something on; but not everyone is a fan of stripping half naked in communal change rooms. Even if they pop it on over their clothes – as soon as the item touches their body the deal is done. And with you complementing them how could they refuse? ADDED BONUS – customers from other stalls also want to come and use your mirror – which not only creates traffic flow around your store, but also gives you a chance to upsell one of your items to that customer. Fab.

4. Have a change float. SOOOO annoying when you are at a market with no easy access to cash and you have found the Zimmermann ladder printed top of your dreams for $8 and the stall holder busts your bubble with those five horrible little words ‘I don’t have enough change’. What do you mean you can’t change my greenback? It may seem ridiculous; but the reality is that some people do head on in with wads of hundreds that they expect you to change. Annoying as it is – if you are prepared you don’t need to A. turn a paying customer away; B. scam off the stallholder next to you for change. Set.

5. Offer a plastic bag with each purchase. May seem small – but it is sometimes the little things that count. Tip – they don’t have to be fancy; supermarket plastics work just as well. Save them up from your weekly supermarket trips, or raids your grandma’s ‘plastic bag bag’ – guaranteed they all have one.

6. Do some VM-ing. There are around 100 stalls at the market – and to maximise your cash flow potential you need a stall that stands out from the rest. It doesn’t mean lugging in a dais with mannequins, installing raw wood shelving racks or taping up a pre-prepared backdrop; it can be small little touches which get you over the line. I use a vintage cowhide rug underfoot, a tiger-print Urban Outfitters bedspread turned tablecloth, outfitted front facings on my rack and of course Suzanne (my sewing dummy) comes along as the perfect outfit displayerer. I change her up every hour or so – and guaranteed her outfits are usually the first to sell.

7. Dress appropriately. This is not the Camberwell market, you haven’t been up since 3am and crawled out from under the doona. So no – ugg boots and track pants are not going to cut the mustard. MANTRA: you are what you sell – so dress like it. Selling reworked vintage dresses? Rock one out with coiffed hair, patterned tights and red lips. Selling your pre-loved designer fashion? Channel off-duty relaxed glam model style. As horrible as it may sound – your outfit sets the precedent for your stall. Plan ahead.

8. Last of all – SMILE! I think this is by far the most important step. For the five hours the market is open – you should be the most chatty, helpful, friendly and bubbly sales assistant you have ever met. Even if you fall in a heap at the end of the day, it is totally worth it. Customers just LOVE someone to talk to – especially if they are shopping alone. Be honest with your opinions, suggestive sell, outfit them, bargain up politely, crack jokes and say hello, goodbye, thank you and have a great day.

So I know that is only 8 things – but they are a VERY IMPORTANT 8 things. Follow them and your stall it guaranteed to go off.

Here are some pics of my hard work preparation wise:

How cute are my bear price tags?? I stick them on with pegs - little bit different; big result.

Hope to see you all there. I am off to the hairdresser; birthday dinner (MINE!) with the bf in Melbourne tonight. Langham - here we come xx

See you tomorrow - come say hi!

FFIFY xxx

fashion find it for you fashion blog

early mornings, Sth Melb and a house in the sky.

2012-05-17T21:34:00.001+10:00

Today started at 4:40am. No, unfortunately that is not a joke. Alarm went off bright and early; well - certainly early, but was definitely more pitch black than bright. Today was a Melbourne day, and as the bf is currently working in Northcote I thought it would be 'nice' to having some quality time together in the car (plus catching the 6:15am train had little or no appeal whatsoever). Sadly, 'nice' is not a word I would use to describe two people sharing a car at 5:30am. Especially when one gets up with five minutes to spare and heads straight out the door, whilst the other takes a minimum of 45 minutes to get ready and was then rounded up, rushed and virtually pushed out the door. Nope, I was not a happy passenger. It was a long trip.

By the time the sun finally woke up, we had hit Melbourne. This was 6:45am. I still had an entire hour to kill before someone would remotely head anywhere near the office, so I requested an inner city drop off. Turns out it was a gorgeous morning; blue skies, birds singing, glorious sunshine. My bad mood melted away as I strolled through South Melbourne to the office - it was just what I needed to pep me up for the day ahead. South Melbourne is one of my all time favourite suburbs; the market, the architecture and quirky cafes lurking around every corner combined with the galleries, bookshops and amazing homewear stores. I was pretty much skipping down the street - as much as you can in half a size too small peep toe Tony Bianco wedges. Life is grand. Here are some shots of my morning jaunt:

I think the highlight of my morning (apart from the amazing coffee) was this:

Hmm so obviously it didn't come up super clear (I-phone camera is good, but magnification is not its strongest quality) but it is actually this:

A HOUSE hot air balloon. For REAL. Super cool. Definitely made my day.

Now - today's outfit pics are not great. They were taken at 5am, which I think excuses their poor quality. And yes, I forgot the flat lay shots.

Yep, they are blurry and altogether BLAH; but hey. There they are. In all their crappiness.

SO the outfit. Today, we have a black and latte spliced silk sleeveless shirt from Country Road ($60 in store CR. REALLY wanted to go to their cardholder sale today, but unfortunately meeting ran late and bf was staying in Melb which meant pooch was home alone. Guilty much); worn under the beaded black ponti Tibi jacket (yes okay so I know this outfit looks suspiciously like the one I had laid out for yesterday, which was then ditched for other options. Obviously I was totally hanging to wear this combo.. as it was the first thing I thought of this morning). Paired with the Sass and Bide wet look Husley Straits and black leather peep toe Tony Bianco wedges. All covered up in the super snuggly Gorman early birthday present camel cocoon coat. Done.

Speaking of Gorman - almost bought these today:

Gorman polka dot 'Swiss Miss' jeans. Buy it now $70 - eBay. Was umming and ahhing over them for a good 1.5 hours, was told no by three separate people and then someone else went and bought them from right under my nose. SO of course that made me want them even more. Bummer. Cheated out of two pairs of jeans in the space of 12 hours (yes I was outbid on those Reiss Birkin jeans - and there are NO MORE pairs on eBay. I want those desperately now too).

Don't think doing a post on denim helped my denim depression... seems like that is all I am thinking about. Whilst I think of it, there is a pair of Rag and Bone neon pink jeans ending soon.. think I heard somewhere these were Ricki-Lee's favourite jeans....

FFIFY xxxx

DONT forget the comp! Check it out HERE! xxxx speaking of which.. think I may have overestimated my powers of persuasion. I was aiming for 200 fb likes; since the start of the BEST COMP EVER I have only got one extra like - hahaha so ave had to tone things down a little. Lets get up to a way more realistic 80 likes, and then the comp will be drawn xx

olivia olivia and denim dreaming,

2012-05-16T21:56:00.001+10:00

You know what I realised today, as I snapped up what must literally be my 51st pair of jeans (distressed Current Elliott mid blue skinnies thank you very much). I MISS DENIM. Desperately.

Back when I was a part of the fashion world (that long ago, did it ever happen in another lifetime period of my life) - wearing denim was a daily ritual. A must do, go-to failsafe option. Every single day of the week. Important board meeting? Pull out the sleek dark denim J Brands. Need to look cool store visit? Patched, ripped and cuffed Lee skinnies. After work friday drinks? Something poppy - maybe a citrus or coral Sass and Bide cropped get up. Another day, another fabulous denim combo.

Here - denim is a no no. OH yes I push the limits by wearing a wet-look coated jegging (snapped up a super fabulous zippered pair of Zara babies today!) or a tan canvas J Brand 'pant' that really falls into the denim category but is too much of a stretch for anyone to actually pull me up on it. But, these just aint denim. Its just not the same. There is just not enough last day of the month casual fridays or saturdays and sundays in an entire year to utilise my full resources of denim, shirt, tee, blazer and knit combos. I have painstakingly built this wide and varied selection through hard work, careful planning and last minute snipe bidding, and it breaks my heart to see it going to waste.

I think finding the below really didn't help the situation much:

These are Reiss Birkin jeans. SUPER HOT. And - found some on UK eBay in my size - with 1.5 hrs to go. Bidding as we speak... will update with result later x

Okay - so I know these aren't jeans but honestly I have a billion pairs that can do the same job as these gorgeous washed out babies - but CHECK OUT THAT JACKET. Hot. And from French Connection - its their 'Pearl Queen' jacket. Interested? Buy it here (if you have a spare $538).

Oh Olivia - its just not fair. Cant we be friends so I can share your wardrobe? puhlease?

One day. We would so be be sties I can just tell. I also had the same feeling about Britney Spears about 15 years ago. That one hasn't worked out as yet.

So - todays outfit. Here:

Yes - today has two outfits. Sometimes lack of pre-planning causes some interesting outfit options that initially appear to work well on the Murray Grey hide rug - but then cause havoc on the body. Floor option number one included a beaded Tibi black cropped ponti jacket ($20 Camberwell market - YES a round of applause is deserved I do agree), worn over the new latte and black spliced silk sleeveless shirt from CR ($60 in store CR), both worn over a camel and black striped tube skirt from Sussan, with black opaques and Seed Femme black ankle boots. Upon donning said outfit - NO. Totally not working. Off with the shirt and jacket, and in came a Cue camel sleeveless shirt and oversized black boyfriend blazer from Witchery. Tada.

Today - I bought these:

EOS tan leather elastic insert stacked boots. $49. HOT. And - look even better teamed with... you guessed it DENIM. Boo.

AND:

Zara coated jeans with zip detail $62. Also fab. Not quite denim - but its as close as I can get.

Four pairs of coated jeans and counting....

FFIFY xxxx

tuesday you can totally go now.

2012-05-15T23:05:00.000+10:00

Happy Tuesday findettes. That wasn't me being serious; oh no there would most certainly be a sarcastic tone to my voice if I were reading this out loud to you. At least it is nearly over. Today was definitely 'one of those days' - don't even need to go into details when using a phrase like that as I know you all understand what I mean, like 'those silk orange harem pants are really flattering' and 'I really like leggings as pants'. Hidden meanings galore.

There is actually no real reason why I have deemed today as 'one of those days' (enjoying the use of the quotation marks - yes I am one of those annoying people who do the hand gesture version of quotation marks whilst trying to make a point. Quite often in fact. Even on the phone) as nothing really out of the ordinary happened. I think perhaps it is because it was so ordinary *read BORING DULL AND LOONNGGGGG* that I wanted it to be over as quickly as possible. And of course, like the night before Christmas and birthdays and just about any other special occasion even though there is not one happening tomorrow the day dragged. Fully.

There were two deliveries which allowed some sun spots into the day:

Camilla and Marc thick ponti leggings - $41 eBay. Just a tad disappointed in these.. they are slightly bally and need a wash. Eww.

Soles black cuban heeled boots - $61.20 eBay. These guys are fabulous - I was looking for a good weekend stomper and think I have hit the jackpot. Fit perfectly and a girl can go mountain climbing in that heel. Fab.

I don't think today's outfit helped me in the motivation stakes. There was so many wrongs happening I really should not have left the house:

Looks passable in the pics huh? WELL its not. The Sussan striped shirt and firetruck red Zara blazer were all good - no issues there. Doing their bit and working it right. Then we come to the problem section - the bottom half. So. Firstly, the pants were not my standard shiny stretch begging combo. Oh no, today I thought I would mash it up and go for a pair of black J Brand 911 ankle zip jeans. Sounds fine in theory, but unfortunately I had forgotten the reason I never wear these. They fit CRAP. the legs are tight and the waist is too big and the crutch hangs down and my undies hang out the back and they are even rather hard to walk in.. all of which gets progressively worse as the day goes on. Plus - I felt like a stumpy legged whatever in the super cute Witchery sparkly brogues; something was just way off there. I had cankles. Gross. Combined with the ultra boring day today was a write off.

WAH.

To make myself feel better, I spent the evening trying on my potential Carla Zampatti wedding dress number three. L O V E it. Here:

And then moved on to my birthday dinner outfit this weekend - which consists of this super hot White Suede nude lace dress:

Minus the shoulder pads. The dress is sheer through the lace - and you can see the whomping big padded pads busting right through. Ridiculous - so I removed them. Also instead of having a slip which has straps and allows you to wear a regular bra underneath, the designed a super handy STRAPLESS built in slip which gives the lovely under armpit muffin top effect over the top of the slip. Hot huh? Removed this also. Then needed to customise a new slip by cutting away a large V out of the back - thanks to the rather low back which doesn't let you wear a normal bra anyway (unless you want it to show. I am not that sort of girl. That girl would have a lovely lacy black option going on I am sure). Some a few modifications and one trip to Bras and Things to by a super low back bra (please tell me they exist or stick ons it is) the dress is ready to go. All this for $200. What a bargain.

WELL this has been a negative post. I am sure your lives have been enriched tenfold by reading this.

I HOPE TOMORROW IS BETTER.

Just missed out on this AMAZING Karla Spetic apple green silk Louis blazer on eBay:

WAH. What an amazing colour. And - it is NOT mine. It is truly the end of the world.

FFIFY xxx

DONT FORGET TO CHECK THE COMPETITION - OH YES A J.CREW TURQUOISE NECKLACE COULD BE ALL YOURS. Yes - I mean YOU! Win me HERE!