Bought by Birdette

100 Days of Thrift - Complete

2013-05-12T09:43:00.005+10:00

Check out the rules of the Thrift Challenge here!

I uh, sort of left this alone for a while didn't I?
We had ups and downs, but I think I learnt some really good tricks out of it, and can count off all of the beauty and fashion items I have bought in the duration.
So in no particular order:

These amazing boyfriend jeans from ASOS
I had not found a better pair in previous hunts, being just on the cusp of sizing and sometimes needing a size 16 it can be shit to go shopping in person - a lot of brands end on a size 14. (Talking Australian sizes here of course!) Since buying them they've been worn at once a week, in fact I'd consider buying a second pair.

Maybelline Lipstick in Coral Crush
How cruel would it have been to let me go the rest of summer without a gorgeous bright shade of lipstick? Very! I didn't entirely cheat with this one though, I received a gift voucher in the mail from the Priceline Rewards Program and off I went. See, technically not cheating!

This gorgeous clutch from Colette
I've had a longing for a go with anything clutch with a cute handle you slip your fingers through, brilliant go with anything colour and I bought it on sale though so there's some credit due there.

That Leather bag from Colette I had my eye on ...
50% off, boom!

Also some grey area items, I bought Bourjois 1,2,3 Perfect Foundation in Light Vanilla and L'Oreal Lumi Magqiue Highlighting Pen in Shade 2 I call these a grey area because I stipulated basic, non-colour cosmetics were allowed if I ran out of them.

I'll be writing some posts on other aspects of the Challenge over the coming weeks, I have some good advice to give to readers after this.

Also if anyone has any question about the challenge I'd love to answer them, just leave me a message in the comments and I'll get back to you!

Daiso now open in Myer Centre Brisbane

2013-05-08T20:49:00.000+10:00

I am very pleased to inform you all of an amazing chain of stores that has arrived to Australia and have just made their way to Brisbane. (Topshop, I'm still waiting.) Daiso Japan are a unique concept, while you may think you have seen every form of reject and two bob shop around, They aren't anywhere near as epic as this.
The main shtick of the stores is that everything they sell is the meager price of $2.80 AUD. I described it to friends this week as a store you will find almost every knick-knack you would see in a house. After visiting it over the weekend, I wasn't disappointed.
The place was completely humming with people but I spent a good hour trawling the shelves. what I love about it is the authentic Japanese variety of goods dispersed in a range of everyday Westerner items. Double eyelid tape next to eyelash curlers, Traditional Tabi socks, Pocket sandwich makers next to Pasta spoons.
Topped off with the cute manner that Japanese gets translated into English all over the product labels and you have an entire store brimming with stuff to make you smile. I recommend picking up everything you don't quite understand and having a read of what they do, some of them are pretty nifty.

Check out what I hauled after the Jump!

An important necessity for anyone with a gadget that gets hauled around a lot, screen protectors custom made for your toy can set you back upwards of $10 in electronics stores. Often you impulsively buy them at the same time too, grab one of these instead, cut it down to size and pocket the difference!

Cute kitchen goodies! How totally adorable are these kitchen sponges? The tray is printed with little hearts and the reusable chopsticks are going to be great for the Asian take away lunches favoured at my day job.

Some booty for the bathroom. A gorgeously girly tub of Cottontips, 12 Pursepacks of Tissues and two face cleansing tools, one of them being a soft, face-washer type material and the other being 100% silk exfoliating buds that you moisten, then cap onto your fingertip to then wipe over your face. I was curious!

I have to admit that I bought the False Eyelash storage case thinking it would be a little more sturdier then it is, but I can't wait to try the lashes, they have a wide variety of styles from basics to full on.

Also, I bought these hair band ties out of curiosity and now I'm not quite sure how to use them! If anyone could let me in on the secret I'd love to know! They came in stacks of colours and there was quite a collection, this may well be the only item that didn't come with an explanation on how to use them.

Have you got a Daiso store near you? What's your favourite thing they stock?

Loving this week - Tough Chic Jackets, Snobbery and Glitter Brogues

2013-05-05T17:09:00.003+10:00

It's time to bring back an old favourite of mine, loving this week is where I tell you exactly what's made me want to run to the shops or just happy in general lately.

Firstly is this insane Jacket from the guys at Boohoo.com drawing on a stack of key trends this winter I would love to have it in my closet, I'm not sure if the peplum can actually be zipped off like the photos suggest but the way the jacket hints it can be styled in different ways really has my heart racing. Perfect for creating curves on boyish body types and at the same time the cut will flatter hourglass shapes too!

Leah Jacket by Boohoo available here

I've always loved this style of notebooks and have been filling out a book one for the better part of my life (I like to think I read a lot, in truth I do read a lot ... of magazines). It's a perfect gift idea for anyone you know who likes to go and try new gastronomical experiences, food not their thing? What about Coffee Shops or Wine or even Boutique Beers? These books are an awesome tool to help with keeping track of what was epic, and what didn't really do it for you with heaps of room to enter details such as favourite waiter, dress code and wait time.

Available from Typo.com

I picked up these gorgeous newbies from a LipstikWindsor Smith Shoes Outlet in Melbourne last week and I am in love, I'm sure regular readers will already know about my penchant for sparkly shoes, and I've been hunting for a pair of brogues I like for a few seasons now. Silver glitter wingtips for $15? OMG yes please!

What's been making you smile this last week? Be sure to let me know in the comments!

Melbourne here I come!

2013-04-23T08:45:00.000+10:00

Hello Readers!
I'm sorry I've been neglecting you for the last fortnight or so, but now I'm on Holiday I'm going to get some epic posts up while I have the time. I also bought myself a tablet with the reward money I saved during my Thrift Challenge, Thank goodness I did something right!
I'm going down to Melbourne to see Family and shop, Please give me a shout if you want to catch up for coffee or have a really juicy recommendation for me to check out.
Personally I can't wait to go and visit Clear It in Fitzroy, Topshop in Chapel Street, and I find Discount Factory Outlets are so much better down there because a lot of Australian fashion labels are based down there.
Well I'm getting on a plane in four hours so I best finish off my coffee and get packing.See you on the other side!

Source

Got any recommendations for me to check out while I'm in Melboune Let me know in the comments, I'd love to find new things!

Follow Bought by Birdette on Bloglovin

2013-04-14T17:59:00.000+10:00

Just a quick one to keep us in touch into the future.

If you haven't heard the news already, Google Reader is going to be ceasing on July the 1st. meaning that anyone who subscribes to Bought by Birdette and any other blogs through Google Friend Connect or Google Reader will have to find another feed reader to stay up to date.

A great blog feed site that I would have to recommend for anyone looking to keep in the loop with favorite blogs is Bloglovin, Please take a second to follow Bought by Birdette on Bloglovin before the time is up, I would hate to lose contact with any awesome readers in the transition.
Thanks guys!

Where to buy Jeans to Flatter your Figure

2013-04-07T16:36:00.001+10:00

This post rounds out Birdette's three piece special on Denim for Winter 2013, Check out some great Skinny Jean styles or Top Trend Denim as well!

Anyone who has ever gone on the search for the perfect pair of jeans will know well and truly that one size does NOT fit all. Because of this shopping for your next pair can be a menacing heartache full of disappointment. Even worse is when you find a style that works amazingly for you, and just as you tear a nasty irreparable hole in them, you find that they're no longer in production.
So I've come up with this quick guide of brands that you'll find in Australia that may help you find your next pair of 'The ones',
Of course if you find something that you love that just doesn't quite fit right, the best option to add them to your wardrobe is to take them to a tailor for any minor adjustments.

Tch, where do you even begin?!

What to look for:
Feeling swamped by most clothing brands? Time to try some labels that cater especially to petite girls and those with youthful bodies out there, keep an eye for for brands that offer different leg sizes and extra small sizes.
Tailor them? Ask your tailor to take up the hem in a manner that retains the original hem, so you don't lose any of the detail. This normally requires cuffing them once, then sewing as close to the original hem seam as possible before cutting off the excess.
Brands that work for you:
Bettina Liano
Supre

What to look for:
Hello? Curves? Can I please have some of what Beyonce has happening?? If your figure leans towards an adolescent boy you're after a pair of jeans that will give you some booty and show off your beautiful legs (ever noticed how drag queens have amazing legs?)
Brands that work for you:
Just Jeans
Sportsgirl

Similar to the boyish shape,If you're tall and slim you're already pretty close to what a lot of girls aspire to anyway, you can really get away with and wear it all!
Tailor them? Some styles come untreated and you may be able to let them seam down as required, but it's much easier to look for brands that come with a longer leg option.
Brands that work for you:
Sportsgirl
Sass and Bide

What to look for:
With your ample hips and tiny waist it's a challenge to find anything that will fit both of these points of your curvy body at the same time right? We need brands that have a little extra room in the butt and thigh while nipping in at the waist with no gape.
Tailor them? Get the pair that fit your legs and take them to a tailor to adjust any waist gape.
Brands that work for you:
Jeanswest
7 For All Mankind

For girls who have a bit of a tummy or love handles, we define you as an Apple. Finding a pair that don't pinch in the waist is a dream come true. Keep an eye out for styles and brands that don't bring the waist in too much.
Tailor them? Make sure they fit your waist perfectly and then have your tailor streamline the legs to perfection.
Brands that work for you:
Levi's Curve ID in Slight style
Target

It can be really hard to try and find good modern cuts that will flatter a bigger frame while still being in Fashion, luckily with the boom in internet shopping it's easier then ever to fill the gap between retailer and customer and find jeans that suit Plus Sized girls out there.
Tailor them? Depending on where your weight lies you may need the hems taken up, the thighs slimmed or any waist gap taken in, choose a style that doesn't pinch anywhere, and adjust as required with your tailor.
Brands that work for you:
ASOS Curve
Jeanswest

Happy hunting girls! Have I missed anyone? Or if you have a particular body shape and a failproof store let me know about it so I can add it in!

Image Source: Clean Wal-Mart

More Hot Denim for Winter

2013-04-04T20:49:00.000+10:00

This is the second post in a three part special following Birdette's picks for Denim, Please find part one here and watch out for part three, helping you find what stores to shop for your figure later this week.

In this second part of my series this week I want to focus on Skinnies. They have become a featured style in the wardrobes of many girls out there because they can flatter a multitude of figures. It's all about finding the right cut as it is with all kinds of jeans. Skinny jeans should not be made without at least 2% Elastane to ensure a snug fit that will bounce back wash after wash.
This thing to remember this season for Skinny Jeans is avoid your basics and go all out with prints and colours. Put your everyday blacks and blues away for this season and say hello to great colours and look at me prints.

A great option for those who just can't go past their Skinnies are to find a gorgeous pair of coloured jeans. The perfect antidote for the plain denim for those who who find Printed Jeans a bit confronting, Skinny cuts are the ideal canvas to show off such a bold colour statement. To find your perfect pair it's best to go back to the makers of your favourites and see what incarnations they have for the upcoming season. Find a colour you love that will sink easily into your normal fashion scheme for the pair that will work best.

A - Boohoo Gemma Metallic Skinny Jeans

B - Sportsgirl Stevie Jeans

C - Jeanswest Super Skinny Jeans in Boyzenberry

Possibly the easiest way to add notable trends such as Baroque and to your wardrobe, Printed Jeans will take your anywhere this Winter. It's best to keep such graphic denim in a Slim cut before you run the risk of looking like you've stepped out in your Nan's Pajamas. (And no, I did not understand the Pajama dressing trend recently....)

A - Target Baroque Print Skinny Jeans

B - Forever 21 Floral Print Skinny Jeans

C- Cotton On Maison Skinny Jeans in Portia Garden

I'm also a huge fan of union jack printed skinnies, I'm still on the prowl for a reasonably priced pair, let me know if you spot some before I do!

Hot Denim for this Winter

2013-04-02T19:21:00.002+10:00

This is part one of a series of Three, Please check out my post on gorgeous skinny styles for this season too!

Jeans for most girls are the essential wardrobe staple. The ultimate go anywhere, do anything piece of clothing that can make you look fab in seconds. It can be a hard slog finding the right pair but by god when you've found them, you'll wonder what life was ever like without them.
This upcoming season as always there are a plethora of varieties out there and I'm always grateful for this, as it means that there should be something gorgeous for every body type. Here are my picks for the season.

For a few years I've been cuffing the legs of my old faithfuls and they've been cute in their own right, but they just lack the cool slouchy feel that come with the right cut and style. These are really quite flattering to all kinds of body types, even though they sit low on the hip which can be a little confronting after these years of high waisted styles. If in doubt (and they're sliding down your butt) remember that they are supposed to be loose, buy a size bigger because this style will shrink a little in the wash and wear them with a leather low slung belt. I love the look of heels with this style as the cuffs draw attention to anything on your feet, pull out your best statement shoes!

A - Jay Jays Ripped Boyfriend Jeans

B - ASOS Brand Boyfriend Jeans

C - Uniqlo Women's Slim Boyfriend Jeans

Dungarees (or Overalls as we call them here in Australia) are a little dubious to me but there's no use denying that they're everywhere right now. They're at that critical tipping point where you can't open a magazine without seeing a pair because Alexa Chung and the cool girls are embracing them but I am still yet to see them on the streets here in Brisbane. Heck, I can still remember the last time they were cool. I was 10! To style them it's best to stick to the modern slimline styles otherwise you'll look like you belong on a Dexy's Midnight Runner's Videoclip. Cuff them like boyfriends and follow the same shoe rule as above, (so hot and elongating with heels!) otherwise wear a shorts style with tights. Cute loosely slung tops and singlets are best, anything too tight and babydoll tees are way too much of a throwback.

A- Topshop Moto Bleach Denim Dungarees

B- ASOS Vintage Wash Dungarees

C- Boohoo Lexie Twill Denim Dungarees

What styles are you looking to add to your wardrobe this year? I personally can't wait to get my hands on my ASOS Boyfriends as featured above!

100,000 Pageviews? Whaaaaaaat!!

2013-03-25T14:07:00.000+10:00

After reaching this monster of a milestone yesterday I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to all of my awesome readers and sponsors. Without your kind words and support this blog simply couldn't happen and I am very grateful that you take the time to give me some love!

If you haven't already, please take this opportunity to like, follow and share Bought by Birdette so that we can spread the word and make it greater then ever. Like I've mentioned previously, without support this blog can only go so far!

Like on Facebook

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Follow Birdette on Twitter

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Of course if there's anything you'd like to see more of on the blog, any opinions you'd like to share, or even just to say hi, please leave me a comment on any of my posts, I'd love to hear from you and to find out all about you guys!

Until next time, Love always!

Aveeno Skin Relief

2013-03-23T16:04:00.001+10:00

As I've previously mentioned, my mother wasn't someone who I learnt a lick of my beauty routine or knowledge from, while my grandmother's on the other hand have occasionally given me great pearls of wisdom over the years. For instance, one of my grandmothers believed in oatmeal baths for itchy sensitive skin to calm it right down. We didn't know the science behind it but by goodness they worked a treat.

The goodies from Aveeno

Aveeno have taken the science behind this phenomenon and rolled it into their amazing Skin Relief moisturising range of skincare products.They were kind enough to send me both their Skin Relief Body Wash and Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion to try out and I couldn't wait to get my mits on them. They have been on the scene since 1945 and the world famous Mayo Clinic was their first customer! Aveeno have got to be doing something right!

I'm not great at keeping up the routine of applying moisturizer after every shower I take but I promised myself to make a good effort to try out the wash and moisturizer every time I got my body wet, and my skin is singing with joy that I did! Left to its own devices my skin can get really awful, to the point of scaly even. But normally it itches up such a storm that I have to take action before then. While using Aveeno, the wash was a very gentle clean with a light lingering softness, while the moisturiser replenishes the moisture that showers and baths can unfortunately sap. My skin after over a fortnight of use is softer, more even toned and it even has a nice glisten from being so damn happy!

One of the really good things to note about Aveeno and their ranges is that their products are also backed up with science and testing, a lot of companies out there make outrageous claims about what their products can do with barely a step into the laboratory. Like so:

"Alright folks can it moisturise?"
"Well it moisturizes until the high alcohol content content dries it up ..."
"Good enough! Lets label it quick drying and be done with it."

You always have to look for the asterix in the claims people. Aveeno spend a lot of time making sure their products do a really top job of what they say they're going to do and because of this standard of quality they have been recommended by dermatologists for more then 60 years.

What I didn't like about the moisturiser was the smell, there is a subtle lanolin kind of smell to it, and while it is very subtle it still reminds me of the sheep on my mother's farm. Lucky there's fragrance free varieties too then!

I would definitely recommend both products to those with sensitive skin, they are incredibly gentle products that soothe and smooth skin that normally like to riot. but even if your skin isn't sensitive I would say they are a good choice for fuss free and thrifty body care products.

The right way to use a Hairpin; Discuss

2013-03-19T19:00:00.001+10:00

I came across this Meme the other day and admittedly I had a giggle, but it also made me stop and think, it's a good point, have we been doing this wrong the whole time?

I have asked a few of my friends who work in hair and beauty and heard a myriad of opinions. Some of them had the same reaction as me (What is this witchcraft!) while some others had heard of it and tipped me off as to why this method is useful.

Apparently by using the hairpin (hair grips, kirby grips, whatever) with the grooves towards your head makes the pin fit your head better, as well as ensuring a better grip on the hair it's holding.

But why do pins normally curve to fit your head on the straight side? Why do they have pretty things glued to the side that kicks out too?

I tell you what, I am puzzled. It seems that manufacturers believe they should be used one way, but hairdressers and their frequent use of the product have developed new ideas.

So perhaps we look for hairpins that don't curve along the straight side and use them in this new way?

What do you think of this new information? Will you be changing the way you use hair pins from now on?

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Highlighter

2013-03-16T19:54:00.000+10:00

Beautiful, glowy complexions are always in fashion. I have done a comparison post on two very effective Illuminating Concealers in the past but I thought I would try something new when my last one ran out, enter L'Oreal Lumi Magqiue Highlighting Pen.

L'Oreal Paris have created the Lumi Magique range (also including a Primer and foundation collection) to help give tired and fatigued complexions a nice bit of pep to look alive and awake, and really, who wouldn't want this? Even the best of us are often tired! By using something called 'liquid light technology' and the lovely and soft brush applicator you have a very potent weapon to bring some alert to your look.

Lumi Magique Pen Swatches in Medium

The product itself does a fantastic job of concealing in a highlighting manner. Great to use for concealing under eye bags and for application around the nose and above the cupids bow to add a three dimensional effect to your complexion, and battle any shadows on your face. The formula is creamy and dries with enough time to blend properly, with the ability to layer for those really pesky blemishes..
The pen like packaging is sleek and perfect for taking on the god, taking up very little room in your makeup case, ideal for touch ups through the day and tiny enough for any overnight bag.
While using Lumi Magique I found only one real negative, the amount of clicks to get enough product to use varies greatly from use to use, and I'd find myself getting frustrated too easily and ending up with too much product. Despite this, I felt the brush really was beautifully soft and ideal for applying the product (with some patting with my ring finger afterwards to blend).
One thing I did find interesting as well was that I ended up buying the medium shade, finding it suited my light complexion more then the light shade did, so make sure you do some testing in sunlight before you buy.

Have you tried any of the Lumi Magique range? Tell me what you thought in the comments!

Personal Style - Meow

2013-03-06T18:46:00.001+10:00

Please don't be harsh, I haven't done many of these personal style posts before!

Trousers and Scarf - Asos

Blouse - Temt

Shoes - Sportsgirl

Bracelet - Gift from my mother

The most comfy flats

Cute kitty print scarf tied in a pussybow style

I've always been petrified of posting pictures of myself on here for a multitude of reasons, the biggest being that I'm not a 'model' size. It's taking me a lot of courage to rise up against that, and show that it doesn't mean I have no style. There was something I posted a while ago, and someone's search along the lines of "fat girl in see through blouse" brought up a photo of me, I was mortified. Also curious and creeped out.

Haute Look - Labels for Less

2013-03-03T12:00:00.000+10:00

There's a new way to find those chic buys on the internet without the audacious price tag. Welcome to the world of online outlets!

Haute Look have been operating out of America for a few years now and I was really excited to find that they are now shipping to us way out in Australia! Nordstrom acquired the site back in 2011 So you can be sure that the labels are top notch. For no membership fee there are new sales to be found every day at 8:00 am Pacific time (which suits Australia fine, we get the start of the sales in the evening here!) A factor I really like about Haute Look though is that they stock a tonne of labels that we would have a hard time finding in store here. With Beauty, Fashion Homewares and more at your fingertips -but only for a limited time- it's a site you'll want to bookmark and visit often.

So armed with my bargain hunter instinct, I dove right into the site on the hunt for something awesome. Here's what I picked up!

So much cuter then an elastic on your wrist right?

These gorgeous hair ties rock my socks, not just for me of course as they make brilliant gifts for friends as well. Of course I couldn't go past something with glitter in them either. They came in a variety of colours so I chose what went best with my wardrobe.

The other thing I picked up were these boots. How amazing are they! Also in this seasons must have hue of Ox Blood. I'm loving how last seasons wedge sneakers are transforming into more styles, they are mega comfy to wear. But I have to admit I laughed so hard when they arrived in a massive box. Seriously, it was about 1m (3' odd) tall!

The only problem I've found is that not all items ship to Australia, which is a little disheartening, but this can be fixed through an American forwarding address company such as Prezoom.

All in all, it's a place I would go shopping again, especially for the hard-to-find in Australia items at great prices. Go check them out now at Hautelook.com

This has been a sponsored post.

Have we found the best Lip Balm?

2013-02-28T23:22:00.000+10:00

'm not one to utter the acronym HG (Holy Grail) often, in fact I don't think I ever have on this blog before. But I'm so fond of this product, it deserves a massive pedestal to be placed beneath it.
I'm talking about Nivea's Essential Care Lip Balm.

Lip balms are a beauty product that everyone who cares about their appearance tends to use, and use often! Caring for your lips is paramount to creating a youthful look, soft full lips are universally appealing. The reason why I love Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm so much is that it feels unlike any other balm I've used. It's just so damn nourishing! You know that awful addiction your lips can get with -lets face it- most lip balms on the market? Where if you don't reapply every two hours your lips start chapping more then they were to begin with? I've never had a trace of that with Essential care, instead lips are given great moisturisation, a soft and supple feel and absolutely with no signs of balm addiction. It lasts and lasts as well,

My favourite use for it is just before bedtime, apply it liberally to wake up with gorgeous soft lips ready to go for the next day.

Do you have a HG Lip balm? What do you use?

Pure Pink Red Perfection - Maybelline Coral Crush

2013-02-20T19:13:00.000+10:00

We're certainly onto a lip theme this week! not a bad thing in my view at all.
So I may have cheated a little on my Thrift Challenge (actually, I did quite badly for a little while there, but that's another story). But I really think it was worth it.

Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Coral Crush is a lip colour that I've been dying to get my hands on. Week after week it was out of stock wherever I looked, I even went so far as to buy it from eBay, but when it arrived it was the complete wrong colour, (right tube, right name, wrong colour, WTF??) So when I spotted one lonely tube of it in a Priceline I don't normally venture into, of course I pounced on it.

Coral Crush is about as pink as you can get and still be able to call it coral, due to the low saturation of red it is quite a young shade with plenty of pop. It looked stunning on my light skin with dark features complexion. I don't think it'd work quite as well on a blonde, a little too barbie.
Also worth noting is that it takes a few coats to get a strong colour. One layer is rather sheer, so if you don't want such a punchy shade it's still quite workable. I really like that it's a versatile shade of pink, it sits on the fence for a lot of things, not a lolly shade, not a Nanna shade, not a nude shade etc etc.
If pinks are your shade of lip colour, or one that you're thinking of adding to your lipstick wardrobe, I'd certainly recommend giving this one a try.

Incoming - Spliced and Contrasting Fashion

2013-02-10T11:51:00.000+10:00

A lot of what fashion can say isn't purely what you see, textures can play a major role too. Mixing a black leather jacket with something light and feminine can completely alter the tough edge that your jacket can be screaming, while going for a material other then leather for said jacket can soften the effect too - so it's only whispering of how tough you are (lol!).
Spliced fashions are articles that have been created from two vastly different contrasting materials combined into one for maximum impact.Think a soft jersey t-shirt with capped leather sleeves or black leggings with a stripe of colour down the sides. Last season I spotted a few things like denim jackets with black leather sleeves but it looks like fashion may really walk this trend out for Autumn and Winter. Close to the colour blocking trend, the main difference is that splicing adds an entirely new fabric and not just a new colour to a piece of clothing.

Sportsgirl Future Top

Dotti PU Sleeve Jacket

Ally Contrast Sandals

The trend works perfectly with a sporty look, and blends in well with novelty but don't let that restrict you, almost any trend you wear can feature this look without getting it wrong. Try some tailored trousers with this top from Sportsgirl with some chunky bangles or delicate necklaces. Or how about trading in your normal biker jacket for this hybrid anorak from Dotti? Think of them as items you can trade in for what you already wear and you'll be onto a winner!

Personal Planner Discount Voucher for Bought by Birdette readers

2013-02-07T13:47:00.001+10:00

So the competition may be done and dusted but we have one last treat for Bought by Birdette readers! Please use the code below to get your own Personal Planner for 15% off! Offer is only available until February 14th so get cracking over to Personal Planner and enjoy!

Be sure to show me any designs you buy! I'd love to see what you do with them.

Pantone's Colour of the Year 2013

2013-02-05T18:37:00.000+10:00

So if you haven't heard by now that Pantone's colour of 2013 is Emerald you'd have to be hiding under a fashionable deprived rock. Green has come back for this year with a vengeance in a beautifully crisp jewel shade. Just look at that beauty! Lurking deep in the cooler spectrum of the colour wheel this colour works with a surprising amount of people due to its muted tone.

Source: Pantone

Pantone's colour predictions are an important tool in predicting what's going to be hot in the upcoming season, as they say themselves "The PANTONE VIEW Colour Planner is a biannual trend forecasting tool that offers seasonal colour direction and inspiration 24 months in advance for multiple usages, including menswear, women's wear, activewear, cosmetics and industrial design."

Lots of designers are incorporating the hue into the collections, the colour will also work in Autumn and I can't wait to wear the moody shade! Here's what I want to add to my wardrobe.

Free People Raglan Sleeve Striped Top from ASOS

Mimco Small Cocoon in Emerald

Nike Blazer Mid Mint High Top Trainers

Personal Planner Winner!

2013-02-04T12:21:00.002+10:00

Woohoo! We have a winner, Congratulations Donna Raye!

Lol, Screencap

I will be in touch with you shortly Donna! Thank you very much to the guys at Personal Planner for providing Bought by Birdette with such a great prize! Everyone else, I'll be holding more competitions soon and hope you'll be back for them!

Update

2013-02-02T09:37:00.002+10:00

Hey Everyone, just a quick update.
I've run myself ragged and am sick with a rotten flu again, But I just wanted to let everyone who entered the competition know that yes it has wrapped up, but I'm waiting to hear back from the guys at Personal Planner before I announce the winner, so stay tuned! Thank you to everyone who entered and shared the competition! I can't wait to see what you design.
Also the Thrift Challenge has sort of fallen flat on its face, that's a long story that deserves a post all of its own, but I'm still going to power through and not give up! It's just been a very expensive fortnight.
I hope you're all keeping well! I'm hoping posts as usual will be back soon, but I just need to get back to 100%.

Brisbane gets wet again

2013-01-28T17:33:00.000+10:00

You may be seeing on the news right now that Brisbane and her surrounds are undergoing another flood crisis, making this the second in just over two years. It's quite eerie, the rivers will peak in the sunlight with very little rain coming down. Quietly the banks break and the water creeps up, not during the torrential rains that we have already had.
Like the last time I'm quite fortunate, I live in an area of Brisbane that is quite safe from floods, and our biggest worries have been trees falling in the strong winds. I haven't heard yet whether or not I'll be going in to my office job tomorrow in the city centre, I'm not fussed either way but I know people will be stuck in their homes, and if we're allowed the time off to go and help and do our 'Mud Army' thing like last time, it would be good.
Ultimately if I have any readers in places that are in trouble, stay safe, look out for others, and for god's sake, do not drive through flooded roads!

Customize your creations with Spoonflower

2013-01-26T10:08:00.003+10:00

When I used to study Fashion at TAFE, one of my favourite parts of designing garments was choosing the fabric. Different patterns, colours, textures, weave, and materials can drastically alter anything you have put on paper, and availability was another matter! If you wanted to be sure that a print existed, most of the time you had to design it for yourself, and find somewhere to quickly print it, and for a decent price!
Sadly for me back then, a wonderful website called Spoonflower hadn't been crated yet.

The basic concept is that site give you the ability to put any designs you might create and print them onto fabric, and not just quilting fabric either. Yes there is a large array of cottons and linens to print onto but there's also some gorgeous dress making fabrics too. You can order a swatch book to see what each fabric is like for $1.
They don't just sell designs on material either, you can also have them printed up on wallpaper. Imagine your own cute creation on the walls of your babies room? A feature wall created by you anywhere in your home.
The most awesome thing? You can sell your designs! Come up with something truly gorgeous, it doesn't have to be intricate, set up shop, enable your design to be sold and it's just that easy, your awesome creativity can earn you money. Of course if you want your designs to be available to just you, you can do that too. Best way I've ever know to have a one of a kind anything!

After discovering the site only this year it's already on high rotation. Because of its expansive array of indie designers you never know what you will find on any given day. Within seconds you can find something perfect, that speaks to you, that you simply have to have. With over half a million members, there's almost endless options!
Highly recommended for days when you have the chance to be sucked into another world. This is a hobby I won't be finishing anytime soon.

Go and check them out!

Thrift Challenge update - Day 13

2013-01-21T20:59:00.000+10:00

(I'm currently embarking on a Thrift Challenge so this post might not make much sense, please check out the details here! Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway!

We've made it over 12% of the way through! Hurray indeed, though I do have to admit that while I've refrained from my biggest spending weakness of clothes and makeup, I've been putting the money elsewhere, still following the rules, but the loopholes are glaring at me ... Even though this fortnight has been rather brutal for bills, I have a set amount I've always put aside for bills each fortnight but this fortnight the amount I need almost doubled. Ouch.
Because we haven't gone grocery shopping for a fortnight, I haven't taken my lunch to work. Some days where dinner the night before has rendered leftovers (Satay chicken and rice? Perfect!) but on others my kitchen has been pretty useless. We're going grocery shopping today though, so now I know to look out for things I can bring for lunch, we might improve a lot.
I also went ahead and bought some craft supplies, Fabrics to make presents and I may have gone a little over the stipulation of "only what I need to finish a project" When the shipping is expensive and I'm ordering from overseas I kind of allowed myself some le-way to stock up at Hancocks of Paducah. I have to admit I'm not impressed by the service so far, I ordered more then a week ago, and according to my account it still hasn't shipped. Wait, let me correct, ONE product, out of the 29 I bought has shipped according to my account, however they've sent me emails saying it's out of stock and I'll be refunded. WTF!

All in all though, I haven't dug into my fortnightly credit card payment which is something I would normally do, so I will still call this fortnight a success. it's the boy's turn to pay for groceries this week, It's been too hot to stay home without air conditioning so we've still been out to the shops and bought nothing. I admit I was sorely tempted by the perfect canvas backpack at Typo. I've seen a flurry of cute backpacks recently but they've either been designed with vinyl details, or too expensive for words. This simple backpack would be great, but I think in keeping up with my challenge, (and harking back to my original sewing adventures where I actually did make a heap of cute bags in my teens) I might just be able to justify buying some fabric and making my own backpack to create a tute.

What I spent:
Hancocks order - $150
Dumplings x 2 - $20 (Hey! We're moving offices this week, I won't get to eat these dumplings again after next week!)
After work drinks - $15
Other various food - $20 (packing up office building, need quick energy boosts a lot.)

What's in the kitty:
Still $60, like I said, bills cleaned out me.

Lessons learnt?
Bills suck.
Slack postage is frustrating.
Hot weather is hard to deal with, without a trip to the air-conditioned mall.

Personal Planner Giveaway!

2013-01-16T19:22:00.000+10:00

This competition has now closed, please check out my Giveaway tag to see if I have anything else running at the moment!

Hey guys! I mentioned in my previous post that I would be hosting a giveaway very soon and here it is! I'm very excited to be bringing you this competition sponsored by the wonderful folk over at Personal Planner.

You may have heard of these guys before, and I have to admit that trying out one of the planners has been on my agenda. (See what I did there?) So what makes them so awesome? You get to personalize them in stacks of ways to create something that truly fits with your life. Want a space to jot notes on your fitness regime? Bam! You got it. A wide choice of colours and personalization options? You bet! With some very user-friendly design software you could have your planner ready to go in no time at all, and exactly how you'd like it. They print and deliver the Planners right to your doorstep too.
On top of this they also have a top notch customer service team that will take care of all of your enquiries when you make an order.

So the competition, Personal Planner have very kindly offered a free Personal Planner to one of Bought by Birdette's lucky readers. All you have to do is tweet about the giveaway using the below rafflecopter form, so quick and easy!
Also it would be greatly appreciated if you would take the chance to like Personal Planner on Facebook, (We love our likes, check Bought by Birdette out too!)

Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway