Shoes, Sushi and Spare Change

Little Christmas Haul

2013-12-27T19:48:00.000+11:00

Just wanted to share a few of my gifts that I thought would be relevant to you guys - there's a mix of fashion, beauty and lifestyle goodies. I hope you are all enjoying the silly season as much as I am so far and have a great year ahead of you.

Kate X

Clockwise From Left: OXFAM Fair-trade Scarf // TOMMY HILFIGER Tommy Girl Fragrance Set // GUESS Chleo Uptown Satchel // VINTAGE Necklace

LORNA JANE 2014 Journal // MOR Sugar Rose Tiger Lily Gift Set // PETER ALEXANDER Gift Card

HANDMADE Batik Top from Malaysia // OXFAM Fair-trade jewellery roll

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Mini Drugstore Beauty Haul! Priceline, Kmart and Price Attack

2013-12-22T13:09:00.001+11:00

During Friday's Christmas shopping expedition I managed to pick up a few new beauty products for yours truly.

First stop was Price Attack and it should be noted that entering this store on a bad hair day could have costly consequences. On this particular occasion I was struggling with the limp and lifeless mess that results from a 4 AM start followed by a four hour car trip. Oh, and did I mention it was my best friend's 18th birthday the night before? Yeah. I wanted volume and I wanted it for less than $6; that's when I reached for the Velcro rollers. At 60c each I chose 9 rollers in 3 different sizes which came to an impressive $5.40. I'm wary of these potentially damaging my hair but I figure they will be much gentler than heat tools. I also purchased some hair products from the cruelty-free, Australian-made brand Juice. I have wanted a sea salt spray forEVER and grabbed their Sea Air Mist for $22.95. I had also run out of my Klorane dry shampoo and decided to replace it with Juice's Dirty Deeds which was $16.95.

At Priceline I made my least glamorous purchase - Nad's Facial Hair Removal Creme. I scored this one for $6.36 at 15% off. I think this product is quite good value even at full price and it includes a full-size tube of aftercare cream as well. Winning.

I was also on the hunt for a Christmas-Eve-appropriate red lipstick at Kmart and found an Australis lip pencil in 'Lady in Red' for $8.75 and the Face of Australia Lip Quench lipstick in 'Forbidden Fruit' for $9.25. I wore these last night and they actually match really well together.

So that's everything I bought. I can't wait to try out the new hair products and I may even do a review or tutorial on them if they're rave-worthy enough.What beauty goods have you scored recently?

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I Cut Off My Hair! + 10 Reasons to Get a Long Bob

2013-12-14T18:02:00.002+11:00

So I recently woke up to the fact that maybe I hadn't been taking care of my hair as well as I could have been. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a trim and my haircare routine was less than extensive. Forget, split ends - my hair was breaking off in chunks and it was time to take serious action. Luckily I wasn't too heartbroken as I've been thinking about getting a lob for a very long time and now that my hair was officially a mess anyway, I had the perfect opportunity to chop it off with no regrets.

I asked my hair dresser for a long angled bob (a.k.a a concave bob) and took this picture of VB as inspiration. She went slowly and cut it gradually shorter at the back so I could choose exactly how angled I wanted to go.


Image via Total Beauty

My New Hair!

So this is how it looks au naturale. I love this cut and don't see myself growing it out again anytime soon. That's what extensions are for, right? But it is surprisingly versatile and so much quicker to style than long hair. My previously under-used Vs Sassoon mini straightener has become my new BFF for creating a sleeker look. I only use it towards the ends of my hair and curve inwards to stop my hair from flicking out (so 2002, ugh).

10 REASONS TO GET THE CHOP

You can split your styling time in half
You'll use less product and therefore save money
You can switch up your appearance. Without getting a septum piercing.
Less knots!
Easier up-dos
It can look perfectly polished
Even though it's seriously low maintenance
You'll stay cooler in hot weather
And look cooler. Short hair is the epitome of nonchalance.
It's empowering

INSPIRATION

I promise there is a style for everyone!

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Ethical Christmas Gift Ideas

2013-12-02T21:51:00.000+11:00

So December is finally here and it's time to SHOP! If you want to make your gift-giving even more meaningful this year, why not choose a few gifts that will really make a difference - and not just for the lucky people receiving them.

FOR THE FRIEND WHO WAS BORN WEARING A TIARA

You can't go wrong with luxe cruelty-free beauty goodies that they would never normally purchase for themselves. Think a sweet perfume, the perfect makeup palette or a sumptuous LUSH gift box.

FOR THE WELL-DRESSED MAN (OR THE ONE WHO NEEDS A LITTLE HELP)

There are plenty of cool men's accessories available that help make a difference. American Apparel has beanies made from recycled materials, Keep shoes makes footwear that is animal and planet-friendly and Sevenly sells awesome T-shirts and donates some of the profits to a diverse range of charities.

FOR THE ASPIRING IRON CHEF

A cookbook filled with vegan or vegetarian recipes is a great gift for someone who is passionate about cooking. Even as an omnivore I love to cook and eat vegetarian meals and there's nothing better than a beautiful cookbook to inspire someone to try something new.

FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS FRIKKIN' EVERYTHING

Oxfam has a massive range of Unwrapped cards which you can purchase to support their work across a range of worthy causes. There's one for every budget, from $10 to $3000, and you will receive a cute card to let the recipient know what you have donated on their behalf. The tax-deductible amount that you spend will be used to fund Oxfam projects of your chosen cause, whether it be women's issues, food, clean water or education. World Vision also has a similar program which you can find here.


OXFAM // 98AUD

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Nourish Naturals NatureColour Hair Dye Review

2013-11-26T21:16:00.001+11:00

It's almost frightening to think that one whole year has passed since I was enjoying the sun, sand and general lack of responsibility that is Schoolies week. Why is that so scary, you ask? Because up until Saturday afternoon, it had also been one whole year since my hair had undergone the magical colour transformation that every teenage girl dreams of: from mousey-brown to more of a shiny-golden-hamster blonde.

Five inches of regrowth later (It was verging on unintentionally-ombre) the time had come for an intervention. True to my forever paranoid form, I wanted to use something as gentle as possible and avoid the super-strong chemicals like resorcinol and ammonia commonly present in hair dyes. With this criteria in mind, I was thrilled to discover that my local pharmacy stocks Nourish Natural's NatureColour and I soon purchased it in the shade 9N 'Macadamia.'

It sounds good enough to eat but the box says 'do not swallow' so you should probably try to avoid that. It does smell nice, though and didn't irritate my throat like most everyday hair products do. Another big concern about hair dyes is that they might be irritating on the skin and scalp but I didn't have any issues with this, personally. Just remember to do an allergy test 48 hours before going ahead.

So how easy is it to use? Okay, confession time: I got my mum to help me. Since my last hair colouring experience was aided by two close friends who I trusted to use a streaking cap on me (and I mean very close friends, it's not going to work with anyone who will get offended if you swear at them) I wasn't confident going it alone. Luckily though, I was fully conscious this time and can remember the entire process quite clearly.* There is a pretty detailed instruction sheet in the box which you will need to use as you do your hair, but if you'd like an overview before you go ahead a purchase the dye, it basically goes like this...

Rule one: no glove, no... um, just wear gloves to protect your hands, okay?
Squirt the full tube of Cream Colourant into the Cream Developer Applicator then add the Vitamin Colour Booster sachet. The viscosity of this shit is crazy so make sure you only snip off a tiny corner and don't be fooled by the little slit on the side. It will go everywhere if you use that to open it.
Shake it all up. With the lid on too, that's important.
Now you are ready to remove the tip of the applicator nozzle and start applying the solution to clean, dry hair (preferably washed one day ago). Squirt the dye out in little sections and use your fingers to distribute it evenly through your hair. It's hard to see the back of your own head, at times, but your best bet is to keep going until you can't feel any more dry patches. My hair is long but quite thin so one box was plenty for me. Those with thicker hair may need to buy two boxes!
Now put on the highly attractive plastic cap and leave to develop for 40 minutes. This is the perfect time to send snapchats to all your friends imploring them to guess the fabulous new shade your hair is about to take on while simultaneously catching up on New Girl. Once the episode has finished and you have fully recovered from the excitement of Jess and Nick finally getting together you will need to rinse out your hair completely. Then put on the Post-Colouring Conditioning Masque for 2 minutes and rinse again.

Word of warning: during this final step I may have had a slight freakout. And it was nothing to do with the Nick and Jess excitement, either. I glimpsed at my roots peeking out from under the sexy hair net and for a second (longest second of my life) I thought my hair was turning orange.

Urgghghghghghghghhhhhhh

I fought back the only way I knew how; with my Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo. It honestly fixes everything. Between the first rinse and using the conditioning masque, I slathered my hair with this shampoo and left it one for 5 minutes. After this whole process I blow-dried my hair to assess the situation - and my hair was fine! Now I'm not sure if this dye would have made my hair uber orange or it just looked that way while it was still developing but if you are worried about this - make sure you have an effective toning shampoo close by. You will need to use one every few nights anyway to stop the colour from turning brassy.

RESULTS!

BEFORE

AFTER

In the before, you can see my blonde is seriously grown-out and my hair is brown on top. Now the ends are still lighter, of course, but the colour is far more even. Not dramatically different but I was really happy with the results.

So that's my brief low-down on this product. So brief. What hair colours have you tried? I want to hear about the ones you loved and the ones you hated! Especially the ones you hated.

Kate x

*Just joking

ONLINE STOCKISTS
Aussie Health Products
Byron Shop
Terry White Chemists
Discount Drug Stores

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American Apparel Does Vegan Leather!

2013-11-23T14:30:00.001+11:00

My excited squeal could be heard all through the neighbourhood last night as I entered American Apparel's online store... there on the homepage was a banner announcing their new vegan leather range. My two loves: vegan leather and sweatshop free clothing have come together and I want EVERYTHING. Here is the full range of 'supple and soft' vegan leather garments available now.

Happy shopping

Kate x

VEGAN LEATHER PANT $148

VEGAN LEATHER FIGURE SKATER DRESS $56

VEGAN LEATHER CIRCLE SKIRT $48

VEGAN LEATHER ZIP LEGGING $48

Which is your favourite piece?

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How to Dress Classy at the Club

2013-11-22T22:25:00.001+11:00

Getting dressed up to go out is so much fun but if you're unsure about where to draw the line between appealing and revealing, I'm here to help. My number one tip can be summed up in a single word; balance. If you're showing skin up top, keep it covered below and pair back skin-tight skirts with loose fitting tops. Below I have found a few examples of four great pieces that will all work together to create beautiful outfits for many weekends to come!

THE CROP TOP

Not one for the faint of heart but when pared back with a fitted pant they can look perfectly polished. Stick to anything with a high waist and you can't go wrong - just ensure there is no unnecessary belly button exposure.

THE SHEER SHIRT

A slightly sheer, man-style shirt will always manage to look both relaxed and chic, simultaneously. Best teamed with a fitted skirt or partially tucked into the front of your skinny jeans for a nonchalant vibe.

SKINNY JEANS

What I love about these little beauties is that they work magnificently with any top you could possibly want to wear. Dress them up or down and look great without showing to much skin.

THE PENCIL SKIRT

Please don't disregard this piece as office-only apparel - a pencil skirt may not normally conjure up thoughts of hitting the d-floor but a sneaky zipper or split can really transform this piece into something a whole lot more interesting. Wear over a swing tank or loose-fitting top for the perfect mix.

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Nude by Nature Review: Natural Mineral Cover & Liquid Mineral Concealer

2013-11-11T21:45:00.001+11:00

I wanted to review Nude by Nature's Natural Mineral Cover as it has become a cult beauty product in Australia and I'm sure that any of us who haven't tried it yet are probably thinking thinking of giving it a go. I've made a little video so you can see me using this loose foundation as well as the Liquid Mineral Concealer. Clearly I'm just relying on the natural light here so the quality isn't that great (sorry) but it definitely does provide some light coverage.

Since filming I've been using a green Physician's Formula concealer under this foundation and it makes a massive difference. I definitely recommend this combo if you have areas of your skin which need full coverage but you don't want heavy makeup on your whole face. I will let the video do the rest of the talking but thanks for reading/watching and I hope this helps!

Kate x

Nude by Nature Liquid Mineral Concealer | Priceline
19.95 AUD priceline.com.au

Nude By Nature Complexion Perfection Starter Kit | Priceline
59.95 AUD priceline.com.au

Nude By Nature Natural Mineral Cover | Priceline
39.95 AUD priceline.com.au

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How I Style Palladium Boots

2013-11-08T21:43:00.000+11:00

So I may have briefly posted about these awesome boots just recently but I wanted to expand on that little outfit post with a few more styling ideas. They're surprisingly versatile and aren't just for Winter and Autumn - they work very well with summer threads too. I actually love them with skirts to put a bit of a feminine spin on things but they can also look great with denim shorts and I have included some great examples of this via Lookbook.nu and Chictopia.

Do you own a pair or want a pair? How would/ do you style them?

Kate x

MORE LOOKS I LOVE

Jenny Ong | Lookbook.nu / Hanier | Chictopia / Jean Greige | Chictopia

Find Palladium Boots Online

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My Complete Hair Removal Guide

2013-11-06T23:33:00.001+11:00

Full disclosure: I am not a trained expert in this area but wanted to share my personal experience with different hair removal products to help you decide what you want to try (or avoid) yourself. I'll be covering 7 different methods that I have personally used along with how painful they are, where to use them, how long they last, my recommended products and more. Which method of hair removal is your favourite? What do you hate? Let us know in the comments!

Kate x

SHAVING

Cuts the hair off at skin level making it blunt as it grows out. It is impossible for shaving to make your hair grow thicker or darker so don't even worry about that happening.

Time it takes: minutes
Lasts for: 1 or 2 days
Grow-out time: none
Feels like: Painless! You won't cut yourself unless you go to fast or use a men's face razor - bad idea.
Best for: Legs - other methods can remove the hair but only shaving will make them feel silky smooth.
Products needed: a razor (duh). Shaving cream is good but not necessary in my opinion, some brands can just dry your skin out more.
Cost: basic ladies disposable razors are normally around $1 each and you should replace them at least once a month so that's $12 for the whole year.

WAXING

Removes the entire hair from the root. Always smooth on the wax in the direction of hair growth, followed by the wax strip in the same direction, warm the wax by rubbing with your hand and then quickly peel back in the opposite direction parallel to your skin. Never pull at a right angle!

Time: 10-20 minutes depending on the size of the area. You will need to prep your skin by cleaning, exfoliating and drying it before you apply the wax.
Lasts for: 4-8 weeks
Grow-out time: at least a week - hair will need to be 8mm or longer.
Feels like: ripping of a band-aid. It's really not that painful at all.
Best for: Small areas - waxing larger areas like legs could become quite tedious as it is time consuming. Waxing is especially good for stubborn, thick hairs that normally look stubbly with shaving.
Products needed: Pot of wax, cotton wax strips, spatula and ingrown hair treatment - your wax will usually come with strips, a spatula and some cleansing wipes. I have tried Nad's Natural Hair Removal Gel as well as their Natural Warm wax and much prefer the latter. The gel isn't designed to be heated but is just way too solid to use as is. The warm wax, however, is very effective and much easier to use. I love the ingredients in these waxes as they truly are natural - honey, dates and sugar.
Cost: Nad's wax kits are about $15. This is actually quite economical as the pot lasts for a really long time and the cloth wax strips can be cleaned and reused.

EPILATION

The head of an epilator has numerous rows of tiny rotating tweezers that roll along the skin and pluck out hairs. Always hold the epilator perpendicular to your skin. This option is a more convenient way to get the same results as waxing.

Time: about 5 minutes for legs
Grow out time: a couple of days - hairs only need to be about 5mm long.
Feels like: very faint stinging but not painful
Best for: non-sensitive areas like legs
Products needed: an epilator. When shopping, think about the areas you want to use this product on - underarms or bikini areas will usually require an attachment and not all models will have one.
Cost: Basic epilators start at around $70 but you do get what you pay for. I have the Braun Silk-Epil 1170 which is one of the cheapest models and has only 20 tweezers. This means that it just doesn't pick up all the hairs and I end up going back to shaving. I would definitely consider buying a more expensive one to get better results.

DEPILATORY CREAMS

Hair-removal creams use chemicals to break down hairs above the skin surface.

Time: 4-10 minutes depending on the strength of the cream and the thickness of the hair. Never leave it on for more than 10 minutes max.
Grow out time: about 3 days. The shorter the hair, the easier it will be for the cream to work.
Lasts for: 1 or 2 days
Feels like: painless
Best for: small areas with very fine hair.
Products needed: Just the cream. At the moment I am using Nad's Sensitive Hair Removal Creme.

PLUCKING

This one is clearly best for very small areas with short hairs!
Time: seconds
Lasts for: a week
Grow out time: one week
Feels like: Slight itching sensation but no pain.
Best for: perfect for eyebrows
Products needed: Tweezers only
Cost: This one is a one off buy so invest in a quality pair of tweezers that will get a grip on even the smallest hairs.

EXFOLIATING GLOVES

You know the ones, they're advertised in teen girl's magazines and on TV infomercials and promise to gently buff away hair from the skin.

Time: a few minutes for large areas
Grow out time: at least 3 days
Feels like: rubbing your skin with fine sandpaper
Best for: non-sensitive areas
Products needed: Exfoliating glove only
Cost: about $7 for a pack of 3. Not very economical as they wear out quickly and have to be thrown away.

Here are the exact products that are in my vanity right now...

Braun Silk Epil 1170 Epilator | Priceline
priceline.com.au

Nad's Sensitive Hair Removal Creme | Priceline
priceline.com.au

Nad's Natural Warm Wax | Priceline
priceline.com.au

Nad's Natural Hair Removal Gel | Priceline
priceline.com.au

Nad's Ingrow Solution | Priceline
priceline.com.au

Schick Exacta 2 Disposable Razors | Priceline
priceline.com.au

Silky Mit Glove | Priceline
priceline.com.au

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Cool Sneakers Online - Sweatshop Free, Vegan and Eco-Friendly

2013-11-05T21:50:00.002+11:00

Sneakers are one of the few magical items in our wardrobes that can give us some serious street cred and be incredibly comfortable at the same time. They're pretty amazing really, but my usual converse and vans favourites just don't seem worth the $100 price tag anymore when I think about how they are made. This is why I have been looking for some new sneaker brands with an ethical edge and here is what I have discovered so far.

Happy shopping! What are your favourite sneakers?

Kate x

All stockist info below...

Printed Tennis Shoe | American Apparel
46 AUD - americanapparel.com.au

Denim Tennis Shoe | American Apparel
44 AUD - americanapparel.com.au

Tennis Shoe | American Apparel
46 AUD - americanapparel.com.au

Keep Elias | Amazon
90 AUD - amazon.com

Keep Ramos | Amazon
43 AUD - amazon.com

Keep Guerra | Amazon
43 AUD - amazon.com

Veja sneaker
83 AUD - fashion-conscience.com

Veja sneaker
115 AUD - fashion-conscience.com

Veja sneaker
83 AUD - fashion-conscience.com

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The 3 Natural Skincare Alternatives I Use Everyday

2013-11-03T15:28:00.001+11:00

So far I have managed to replace half of my skincare routine with 100% natural products. Not only are these three things great for the skin but using them in place of your usual products can save you a lot of money! I have chosen to do a video for this post so let me know if you like it and I hope it helps you out.

Kate x

Stockist info after the jump...

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil | Priceline
19.99 AUD

T.N.Dickinson's Witch Hazel Toner | Priceline
6.59 AUD

Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Coles
4 AUD

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Unique Earrings for Under $35

2013-10-31T21:25:00.000+11:00

Throwing on a pair of statement earrings is an easy way to make even the most basic look a whole lot more interesting. Here are a few pairs that will make a big impact on your personal style, not your bank account.

Which pair do you want?

Kate x

All stockist info below!

Earrings
16 AUD - asos.com

Bracelet
treeoflife.com.au

Earrings
34 AUD - made.uk.com

ASOS stud earrings
34 AUD - asos.com

Earrings
11 AUD - karmaloop.com

ASOS hoop earrings
9.38 AUD - asos.com

ASOS stud earrings
11 AUD - asos.com

NYFW LOOK II
kayture.com

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Cruelty Free Dupe for Mac 187 Stippling Brush

2013-10-30T21:56:00.001+11:00

Mac brushes are incredibly popular but if you're looking for a synthetic alternative to the #187 I can definitely recommend the Studio Stipple Brush by e.l.f. I have been using this brush for months without it shedding and most importantly it gives my liquid foundation a great natural finish.

Do you use e.l.f brushes? Let us know if you love them too!

Kate x

MAC Cosmetics facial brush
44 AUD - nordstrom.com

e.l.f. Studio Stipple Brush | Amazon
17 AUD - amazon.com

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How to Wear Distressed Denim Shorts 3 Ways

2013-10-29T20:08:00.001+11:00

Denim shorts are probably the best thing about Summer IMHO. I have hunted down my 3 favourite pairs available online and hopefully you love them too. The first pair from Asos are made from vintage Levis and the others are all made in the USA. I've also put together a few styling ideas to demonstrate just how versatile they really can be! My only advice for making distressed denim classy is to keep the rest of your ensemble extra polished and you'll look amazing.

Happy shopping and have fun rocking your denim cut-offs this Summer.

Kate x

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Rocky Horror Picture Show Outfit Inspiration

2013-10-28T23:31:00.000+11:00

I am so excited that the Rocky Horror Picture Show is coming to Australia and plan to see it in January. Most importantly: I will be dressing up and need something to wear! Here are a few tasteful pieces to help you get the look whether you are going to the show, a dress-up party or just need a last-minute Halloween costume idea.

Kate x

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The 3 Hot Spots I Can't Wait to Visit in Sydney

2013-10-27T21:34:00.002+11:00

So I'm really excited to be taking a little holiday in the coming months- and I'm going to Sydney! Eek. This will be my first time there so I can't wait to discover some great new shops, eating places and maybe even a decent hair salon. I've found a few places so far that I will definitely be scouting out.

Do you know any cool places to check out in Sydney? Do Share! x

SHOPPING

Grandma Takes a Trip

I have been hearing about this vintage fashion store for so long and although they have a few locations across Australia, I am yet to visit. Hopefully when I am in Sydney I can make this happen. Along with racks of vintage clothing they also have their own label Altered State made from recycled fabric. This store is undoubtedly a great source for sustainable fashion - and each piece is unique! Still need convincing? You can read more about Grandma Takes a Trip on Broadsheet here.

FOOD

Iku Wholefood

In case you don't know, I'm not a vegetarian. I still eat fish, chicken and (on very rare ocassions) beef, but I prefer to eat vegetarian where I can. When I'm on holiday, eating out all the time and have so much choice of what to eat at every meal, I like challenging myself to stick to vegetarian options. When I had a week in Melbourne last year I lasted the whole time without any meat and it was a good way to stop myself from going totally crazy and eating whatever I wanted. In Sydney I would love to try a meal (or three) at Iku Wholefood where the food is not only meat-free but vegan and most importantly it's healthy and clean too!

BEAUTY

Ing Hair

So about a year ago I let my friends dye my hair blonde and we all loved it. I really want fully blonde hair again but have been looking for a cruelty-free, naturally-derived dye to use. I'm also not confident to do it myself yet and am thinking of treating myself to a little professional treatment. Ing Hair looks like it will be perfect for me with their herbal-based dyes and reasonable pricing.

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Cruelty-Free Mascaras for Any Budget

2013-10-26T18:30:00.000+11:00

Many women list mascara as the one makeup product they can't live without and I can definitely see why. A few lashings (sorry not sorry) of mascara can make a huge difference to your look. So if you're searching for a cruelty-free option, I have found a few of good buys online that suit a range of budgets.

Hope this helps,

Kate x

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OOTD Oxblood + Khaki

2013-10-25T21:47:00.000+11:00

Today I teamed this swing tank with a pair of fitted pants and Palladium boots for work. The gold pendant was purchased from a Portobello road market stall for about 10 pounds. I love the sheer spliced back on this top which makes it work well for nights, too - just add a fitted skirt or faux-leather pants.

What did you wear today?

Kate x

GET MY BOOTS - TWINSIES!

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3 Ethical Australian Fashion Labels

2013-10-23T22:04:00.000+11:00

Today I wanted to feature a few ethical Australian labels that I have discovered. Their pieces are created with concern for the environment and the individuals who manufacture them. This clearly places them at a higher price point than the chain store items I usually include in my posts, but their superior quality makes them smart investments.

I personally believe that sustainable style means spending your money wisely on items that are crafted with a conscience and will remain in your wardrobe for years. And you don't necessarily have to earn a lot to invest in some quality clothing, if you normally buy inexpensive items regularly, try saving that money to purchase one thing that you will really love. So go on - spoil yourself and help make the world a better place at the same time.

Kate x

KAHLO

Kahlo's pieces are incredibly well-designed and manage to be simultaneously striking and wearable. The clothing is made in Australia from luxury materials including Italian wool.

NOBODY

This high-quality Australian-made denim label is accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia. Here you will find more than just lovingly crafted jeans, with shorts, skirts and tees available for men and women.

ELSOM

Here is one for the boys: menswear label Elsom is all about creating designer-quality clothing from organic textiles. Here are a few items that I would actually wear myself!

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Products I've Used Up + First Ever Video!

2013-10-21T22:22:00.000+11:00

I wanted to review a few affordable skin care and hair care products that I have enjoyed using lately and thought it would be best to do it in a video so I could just sit and talk about each one - I didn't really plan what I was going to say! It's pretty basic so I'd love to hear any suggestions of what you want to see in the future. I hope this helps you if you're thinking of trying any of these products.

Thanks for watching! Kate x

Stockist info below

Buy Invisible Zinc Environmental Skin Protector SPF30+ 50.0 ml -...
priceline.com.au

Buy DermaVeen Soap Free Wash 1.0 L - Priceline Australia
priceline.com.au

Organic Care Dry Nourish Conditioner
coles.com.au

Buy Nourish Naturals Skin Oil 60.0 ml - Priceline Australia
priceline.com.au

Buy Sukin Revitalising Facial Scrub 125.0 ml - Priceline Australia
priceline.com.au

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How to Style a Long Shirt 3 Different Ways

2013-10-19T21:04:00.003+11:00

Long, button-down shirts are among the most-worn items in my wardrobe thanks to their immense versatility. Here I have put together three different outfits using the one shirt and I promise there's a look to suit whatever fashion mood you are in right now.

Good Luck!
Kate x

FEMININE

Tie it at the front and pair with a full skirt for a sweet, playful twist.

POLISHED

Side split optional.

EDGY

A long shirt is perfect for toning down (vegan)leather pants.

GET THE LOOK(S)

Rag Bone denim shirt
170 AUD - stylebop.com

Mini skirt
50 AUD - americanapparel.net

Jaye.e faux-leather pants
52 AUD - loehmanns.com

STELLA McCARTNEY platform sandals
355 AUD - bergdorfgoodman.com

Inset Panel Pencil Skirt by Cue
155 AUD - cue.cc

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Interview with Little Book of Fashion's Sarmistha Goswami

2013-10-18T21:13:00.001+11:00

Today I am excited to share my recent interview with Sarmistha of Little Book of Fashion. We cover her styling tips, celebrity inspiration, shopping advice and lots more. I even got some of her insider tips on working as a fashion designer!

I hope you all enjoy this interview and thanks for reading,

Kate x

What inspired you start Little Book of Fashion?

I love to share my ideas about fashion trends, my personal style and love to interact with fashion professionals across the world. Blogging is a great platform to do all of this and that’s the main reason I created LITTLE BOOK OF FASHION. Also, I am currently taking a break from my full time profession as a Fashion Designer as we are moving cities. My blog is therefore my only way to stay in touch with Fashion.

Who would enjoy reading your blog?

I write about fashion, beauty, upcoming trends, DIY tips and tricks and post my personal style photographs. My readers are beautiful people with lot of interest and passion for fashion and style.

Why is fashion important to you?

Fashion gives me an opportunity to look good, feel good and get creative. Being a professional Fashion Designer, fashion also helps me earn my bread and butter. Needless to say fashion plays a very important role in my life!

Name the five most-worn items in your wardrobe.

Skinny jeans, denim jacket, black tee, flats and a roomy bag are a part of most of my everyday outfits whether worn together or individually with other items.

How do you like to style them?

I create a lot of fun combinations out of these 5 items. Anything with skinny jeans looks stylish and feels comfortable. I throw in the denim jacket to beat the chill. Black tees goes with all kind of bottoms, but when I decide to wear one, I prefer teaming it with colored denims or printed pants. I wear flat as I have to walk a lot but I carry a spare pair of heels occasionally in my bag for a quick change.

Tell us the number one styling tip that you live by.

Shop according to your personality and body type and do not just follow trends blindly. Give lots of importance to a good fit and do not ignore the comfort factor completely in the need to looking good.

Are you a trend-follower or trend-setter?

I am mostly a trend follower, but I personalize my looks with a lot of statement accessories there by creating unique looks. Those are areas where I would like to think that I set a trend in my own little way!

Do you have a style icon?

I love Victoria Beckham for her classy outfits and Jessica Alba for her casual, sweet girl next door style.

I have noticed that some of your outfits feature a few flea market items, what do you love most about second-hand fashion?

I do hunt down the flea markets often for lots of my wardrobe pieces. I mostly pick my jewelleries and accessories from the flea markets of various places. I love the Indian flea markets and over here they do not sell second hand products but they are fantastic places to hunt for unique stuff that looks great at a fraction of branded price. I mostly look for handmade items which are beautiful, exotic and uncommon.

Can you share any tips for scoring the best finds at flea markets or thrift stores?

Wear flats as you have to walk a lot, keep looking at all the shops as you never know where your favourites are hiding, and of course, be prepared to bargain hard!!

How did you get into fashion design?

It was a dream of mine since childhood to get into fashion design and I finally fulfilled it by getting into the best institute of my choice to do a 3 year diploma in Fashion Design. I completed my course in 2005 and have been working with various organizations as a full time or freelance designer.

Can you offer any advice for those who want enter this field?

Fashion Design is all glamour and pomp only from outside. The inside story is full of hard work, sleepless nights and bad hair days and nights! I would advise anyone to study fashion design only if they are really passionate about it and ready to put in the effort. There are many other courses where one can still be part of fashion without being a designer.

Can you let us in on any exciting plans that you may have for Little Book of Fashion in the future?

Little Book of Fashion is a very young fashion blog and I hope to build on it in the coming months. I do have some plans but nothing in a final stage to be shared. I would request all the beautiful fashion lovers to keep visiting my blog or follow me in Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LittleBookOfFashion), Twitter (https://twitter.com/shar_25) and Instagram (http://instagram.com/sarmistha_goswami) to be the first to get all the updates of my blog!

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Addams Family Halloween Costume Ideas

2013-10-15T20:20:00.002+11:00

Forget spending your hard-earned cash on a Halloween costume that you'll never wear again - shop right and snag yourself a unique outfit made from pieces that can be reworked and re-worn even after the 31st of October.

I loved watching the Addams family movie as a child and have taken inspiration from Morticia, Wednesday and (my personal favourite) Debbie for the following costume ideas.

I hope this helps you decide what to wear this year!
Kate

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OOTD Sparkling on Sunday

2013-10-13T20:00:00.000+11:00

What I wore for a fabulous morning tea with my closest girlfriend. You may recognise the dress from my most recent thrift haul. I really enjoyed telling people it was second-hand when they complimented me on it.

Dress: Mink Pink from Save the Children

Bag: Stolen from my Mother

Sunglasses: Calvin Klein

Wallet: Lancaster Paris from Galleries Lafayette

Shoes: Steve Madden