Getting over that hump day

Nothing is better than getting over hump day then starting work before 8am finishing before 4pm, hitting the squash courts before 5:30pm (and finding out it's discounted because of that!) then still having time to soak in the hot showers before layering up to go for celebratory dinner and a glass of red with a close friend, while you are at it, throw in a midweek beef dish special at The George (beef dish with a glass of red or white for $25).

We started the night soothed by the velvety red of Tempranillo, followed by the crunchy goodness of soft shell crabs with capers and aioli - the crabs were delicious the aioli was creamy goodness, capers added a bit much salt to the dish though.

The beef special was suppose to be the wagyu beef with potato and pea puree and mashy peas but the wagyu beef was sold out so they had substituted the beef for a slow cooked lamb shank. I love it how it just fell off the bone as soon as you played with it.

A hearty winter's meal to get over that hump day. And nothing says "congratulations on getting that intern medical spot at an amazing hospital" than a good meal.

To top off the night, I got to wear my two obsessions out - monochromatic and prints that clash. I've been really into animal prints, in particular of the spotty nature, mainly leopard prints. I can't get enough of them, having them in flats, in jeans and wanting a fux fur leopard jacket from David Jones (which was on sale, but alas a little too big on the shoulders unfortunately and one where my mother wasn't too pleased about it). So my dear sweet mother happened to find a black and white leopard printed blazer by the brand Seed, which has a gorgeous cut and provides decent amount of warmth for a blazer. Continuing my spotty theme and clashing prints (and my other obsession - monochromatic dressing) I wore it with my over-sized knit by Natasha Gan paired with my latest buy and an introduction I have been resisting, Black Milk Clothing wet look black tights (which are unbelievable comfortable). I have been told these are tights and not pants and should not be worn as pants and that the top half should cover the butt completely (agreed by JJ and my bf). 

I can safely say, this is the start of the end of my bank account thanks to these tights. Warm, comfortable and hella sexy what more do you want? I think I might get the licks next. Of course a pair of legs should also be shown off with heels and these velvet black "mary-jane" styled pumps by Vangoh shoes seemed the perfect match to my black and white theme, understated and yet totally hot.

And with that..

ends a hump day.. 

not long until Friday and my ONE DAY weekend. 

Shoe Party @ Vangoh Shoes

One of my favourite and locally (in Perth, Western Australia) designed shoe store in Perth in Vangoh (owned by husband and wife team). There are two stores located in Perth - Perth city in the Raine Square area (opposite Country Road) and in Subiaco.

In fact, I've been steadily building up a shoe collection from their... well.. shoe collection... So when Vanessa Goh (part owner - she co-owns with her husband Raj and creative head - get it VanGoh??) asked me whether I wanted to do an initiation evening/night of Vangoh shoes to all my beautiful, fashionable, creative ladies in my life I jumped at the chance. After all who doesn't love a shoe party?? It's like a tupperware party except with shoes!!

So after much emailing back and forth between Vanessa and myself, we finally had a date, and decided on which store - Subiaco. She also made me lovely invites of mint green and white (colours chosen by moi - and yes they are very Tiffany's colour...) and I distributed them to all the lovely ladies in my life (well.. as much as I can.. facebook can be a wonderful pre-warning for everyone..).

The invite - the yellow lighting and the over-filtering made it look all blah

I was a little nervous at first mainly because I was afraid that people may not have the same taste as me in terms of shoes and what happens if no one enjoys themselves and left home disappointed? I really shouldn't have worried and trusted that one of my favourite shoe stores would have amazing things. The shoes are on trend and yet are classic enough to last you more than one season of fashion. Are of high quality. Are affordable and the most important thing of all... COMFORTABLE. They are ridiculously comfortable - even the uber high heeled one.

Vanessa, Raj and their staff were so welcoming providing us with mini cupcakes, chocolates, mashmallows and glasses of champagne and for those driving juice/non-alcoholic beverages. However, we were all too excited and to busy pulling shoes off the shelves and trying things on that they were forgotten and Vanessa and Raj had to keep reminding us to have it!

From the initiation evening, not only do we get the whole store to ourselves (after hours of course) and a personalised service, they also provided everyone with 50% off ALL shoes, 30% off bags and accessories and $99 leather boots. 

I can assure you some of us went a little nuts. 

There was a little of ooo-ing.. aah-ing and "does this look good..?" .. "what do you think?" and staring at the mirrors then finding another pair while walking around the store to ensure the pair that were tried were comfortable. 

Apart from the shoes, they also stock some pretty cool leather bags. There was one that was so similar to a celine bag and I really wanted it, but I just couldn't justify having another bag (I have enough of a bag collection as it is!).

They also has a cabinet of pretty sparkling accessories - necklaces, earrings, rings (sourced from Australian and Perth designers) and some were swarovski crystal as well! I think SM scored a bargain on a beautiful swarovski crystal, almost costing her nothing!

By the end of the night we were pretty shopped out. But went home with bags of goodies. 

We all had so much fun and Vanessa, Raj and their staff were amazingly patient and helpful as we pretty much caused the whole store to be turned upside down with all the picking of shoes off shelves, trying them on and boxes flying open everywhere!

Thanks for letting me host a shoe night. It was an absolute success and the girls had so much fun, lots of laughter, smiles and excitement. They are hoping I would host another one soon (not sure if you would agree to it! hahah)

As to my purchases?

I got myself this amazing statement ring (which I forgot to take a photo of..)

I also got myself some very comfortable leopard printed ballet flats (something I have been hunting for - cute, fashionable, statement, comfortable and affordable - these flats ticked all the boxes!). In fact they are so comfortable my mum (who can't wear any old shoes - she needs those supersoft brands or equivalent) tried these on and said they were so comfortable, she couldn't believe she could wear these and it didn't hurt her feet!

I also got some very nice pair of heels (which I just realised that the girl in the photo on the invite is wearing the shoes! sheesh so unobservant!). I usually can't wear rounded shoes because I have really long abnormal toes and they tend to hit the front or get squashed.

But these were rounded but roomy at the roomy at the front for my odd toes. They are suede, are high, but platformed at the front so they don't feel like you are standing on massive high heels. They are t-bar so they elongate my legs instead of cutting it off with just a normal strap in the middle. Not only that, look at the buckle bit! You don't need to undo those little clips, it has a little hook of its own that you can just hook across and your shoes is on! Genius really!

Happy with the buys! and can't wait to wear them out around P-town!

I would also like to thank Vanessa and Raj for allowing me to host an awesome shoe party and letting my friends roam around. They had such a blast and so did I. I hope to host another one if you would let me!

For more information on Vangoh, the brand, the creative team behind the brand and a preview of some of their shoe collection check it out here.

Red leather red lips red wine

Thank you Net-a-Porter for your biannual sale!

Thank you Karl Lagerfeld for being a brilliant edgy designer.

Thank you DHL for redelivering my present.

Isn't she a beaut? I cannot wait for the weather to cool down (my dislike of heat is unbelievable and summer fashion is never as fun as autumn/winter).

The Onyx red leather jacket - Karl by Karl Lagerfeld is the perfect mix of rock and roll, biker chick. Paired with anything from shorts and tee with biker boots to skinny metallic jeans from Mother or soft leopard spots of Current/Elliot jeans or simply yet just a pair of black skinny Levi and a printed tee/silky shirt paired with heels to a little black dress (or red or hey why not floral!) - it is the essential jacket!

It is hot.

It will see me wear it way too many times.

I cannot wait!

YSL Arty Ring

It started a few years ago, I didn't think much of it. In fact I thought it was alright bit over the top and something I probably wouldn't wear too often.

Then every year.. It teases me with it presence on a friend, on the web, on The blogs.

Finally.. I decided to try it on and went to Cultstatus on King street (No. 66 to be exact) to see the gold ring with black and gold through it. There was an array of colours, a decent collection for Perth.

I was only going to try it and then leave. If I loved it I was going to get it from SSense or Net-a-Poter. But alas, it called my name, it wrapped itself around me, three different colours ; moss green with rose gold, black with gold, and this creamy/pinky one.. all so beautiful! All fitting so snuggly around my fingers. It kept calling me as I looked around.

It worked its way into my mind, telling me that its the perfect statement jewellery. It showed me all the different outfits I can wear it with. It told me to get the moss green/emerald because it alluded class and elegance whilst still being a big statement piece, plus it told me I would probably wear it the most.

Damn! So I came out of Cultstatus with a YSL Arty Oval ring in green with gold through it an of course in rose gold ring. Good thing I worked overtime!

But now I promised myself no more self indulgence and to save; I plan to be in USA and Canada at the end of the year.

Aurelio Costarella

Perth designer Aurelio Costarella (who dresses Rihanna, Melissa George, Kradashian sisters) has a pop-up store in the new print-houses and it's in its last week of opening before returning to their store on View street in North Perth (called Post Emporium).

I finally had the chance to pop in the store the other day (usually I work everyday and having an RDO is nice like that; gives you a chance to explore). Everything in the store was on sale - massively on sale.

Although I shouldn't be spending money seeing as I have bills up to my ears to pay I couldn't help it but get this dress - especially seeing as it was over 50% off and was such a simple, elegant design, but oh so hot!

The dress doesn't include the belt, but hey it'd look good with any wide belt. It comes in black, ivory, white and bronze.

Now I have to clean out my wardrobe and have to start ebaying and going to the markets and selling clothing I don't wear anymore.

You will come visit when I start selling won't you? My clothes are in the best of conditions!

coffee break

It's rather exhausting shopping for homewares, manchester, furniture etc.

So after a yet another day of shopping (seeing as shopping days are limited to Thursday, Friday night shopping and weekends it's taking a while) my parents and I decided to take a break over coffee, latte for me and cappacino for my parents and of course a lovely lemon tart to go with it. The lemon tart was zesty with a touch for sweetness and crumbly pastry - surprisingly balanced lemon tart and the coffee, wasn't burnt and wasn't too milky and was decently made.

Lucky for me, the only thing left to buy for the house is a vacuum and perhaps more decorating stuff, which I can get anytime.

See by Chloe

Oh what a steal!....

A lovely See by Chloe 3 buckle leather Carmel bootie At $290.00!

It's so versatile, gorgeous and most importantly comfortable!

I can pair them with my super skinny Lee jeans, some beautiful knits and dresses and stockings.

Here just a few examples of what I can wear them with..

The best kind of present!

Look what came in the mail on Tuesday!! All the way from the UK...

A black box nicely tied with a ribbon, covered in black tissue paper.. A
Hervé Léger dress!!

It looked so gorgeous on.. Curves in all the right places while hiding everything, except maybe that lower ab that I have that sticks out! :( nonetheless I will give it until end of march until that bump is all toned.

The fit was perfect! Although I think I could have gone down to size xs. But size s still fits wonderfully.

I can't wait to show it off! Paired with my Louboutin heels it'd be perfect!

I post photos of it on later this weekend or once i wear it out or once I reach my 5kg weight loss goal. Until then these photos of mystery will have to make do.

God I love opening presents in the mail!

When the AUS dollar is so good..

When the Australian dollar is so good, and the USA has opposite seasons to you, the best buys tends to be online.

I bought the cutest bathers (the kind of 60s style I've been eyeing on since August) from Modcloth.

It was absolute perfection. It fitted like a dime, made me feel fabulous, was damn outright sexy and just enough coverage for me not to wear anything else.

I love it.

It's got cute, it's got sexy, what more do you need?

I also got myself a gorgeous fascinator from Modcloth as well.

I really can't wait to wear both of them!

Best parts of working on Sundays...

Last week, I sent one of my girls to go to Choux Cafe in Swanbourne for the one dessert item I've been craving for ages...


MACAROONS!!!!
 

 

Oh the colours! The exploding of tastebuds! The Sugar HIT!

PERFECTION in between all the working...

LOVE LOVE LOVE.. must admit Choux Cafe does them really nicely and at $20 for a dozen.. kind of dear but HEY who cares they taste heavenly!!

OH not only did we get macaroons.. said girl.. grabbed coffee and cupcake from BabyCakes (which is within our complex)!

GOD .. Love it when work turns into a full gorge on delicious desserts.

HEY!

a girl's gotta get her sweets!

A chest of treasures from yours truly xoxo

I love finding vintage treasures, especially when you go shopping. Not only do you find one off treasures, buying it benefits the community, in this case, all profits went to the Cancer Council (which ended up being around $4300). I'm so glad this concedes with the Nuffnang September Blogger Challenge. I get to give all you guys an insight into what I got, and how I scored some great vintage pieces, whilst all doing it for charity!

I didn't prowl a lot of op-shops or anything like that to find these little treasures, Two Bucks Til Wednesday did it all for me!

waiting outside to go into Mount Hawthorn Lesser Hall, where the event was being held 

Getting involved in your community and keeping an eye out on sales by various groups of people who raise funds for good courses are a great way to score new items for your wardrobe without blowing a budget. This may involve simply looking at your local newspaper, Xpress Magazine, your weekend papers etc. All of which, to begin with is free, if not only costs you a few dollars. I guess it's not just for raising funds, you may also notice things like designer sale retail outlets (which may only ran for a weekend or a few weeks) - which usually involves massive discounts, or sample sales.

people crazily browsing for good finds... it was nuts.. everything good was grabbed in a second.. 

I kind of stood there a bit stunned for a few mintues..

In my case, what did I pick up at the Two Bucks 'Til Wednesday vintage charity sale?

I picked up cakiepop - which are strawberry mashmallow topped with white chocolate dyed pink goodness

baked by this lovely guy - Bobby the Baker seen below in the photo (find him on facebook!)

The following are sneak peeks of what Gabs and me got.. the carmel case was also from the sale..

I followed that by trying on a few of the pieces with what I have in my wardrobe, it's a working progress at this stage.

The puss-bow blouse with my Sportsgirl shorts teamed with suspenders I got from Friends of Couture and a floppy big sun hat from a department store (I can't remember if it was David Jones or Myers)

with my Christian Louboutin (i probably would in theory wear it with nice pair of wedges/sandals/clogs)

The white blouse actually has double looking collar detail with actual french cuff sleeves.

This mean that if I really want to dress very androgenous-ly I can actually invest in a pair of cuff-links. 

The thought some what excites me. 

However, I can probably pair the shirt with a skirt or tuck it into a dress as well and be very preppy.

I teamed it with my fedora I bought years ago from Portmans

A floaty poka-dotted dress. Perfect length on me. It's gorgeous. Except it needs lining/slip.

The hat was from The Vintage Store in Melbourne

The Belt was from Myers.

The necklace is from William Topp in Northbridge.

This was my "drunken" look - hahah

I wouldn't wear this look out, it would be ok if I wasn't mucking around and placed the scarf on. So tragic.

The dress above wasn't from the vintage sale but it was a great find I found at the Salvation Army. 

It hang on you so well, so much more than I thought possible. 

Another floaty but this time floral dress.

So I'm excited for these finds, now all I have to hope is that I win the $250 Nuffnang September Challenge!