packing dilemmas and did someone say PERTH??

So... Perth tomorrow.  YUP, first holiday for longer than a week in OH it would have to be close to four years.  Um - really?  FOUR YEARS.  Seriously, long overdue.  Waaayyyyyy overdue.  Work was frantically, insanely, totally crazy busy today.. trying to tie up all the loose ends and hopefully reduce the amount of urgent emails I return back to.  Ha - who am I kidding.  Anyway, hence the lack of blog post.

BUT - never fear... here it is.  I am taking a much needed break from last minute packing.  Now, I have blogged about my newly-developed outfit over-packing proof packing style in the past; which basically involves outfitting all items which are to go in the bag.  If an item does not make it into two or more outfits - then it does not make the cut.  Tough love is the only way I can get a case on the plane that does not equate to hundreds of dollars of excess baggage fees.  Foolproof.

Not this time.  This time, I am struggling.  Apart from the fact I have started four days too late in my usual pre-determined packing schedule (and have left it to the last minute - NOT the best start), I am simply overwhelmed with outfitting for a summer climate.  Today it was 3 degrees in Ballarat, and there was a frost on the ground.  Blazers, ankle boots and skinny jeans have been my wardrobe staples; I am finding it amazingly difficult styling for 30 degree weather.  What the hell did I wear a month ago?  Why do I have no dresses/skirts/bikinis/silk printed Country Road shorts that I knew I should have bought last week..... grrrr.  I have no one to blame but myself.  Poor planning leads to poor outfit choices which leads to appearance-related depression.. which therefore leads to excessive shopping on my behalf.  Hmmm. Maybe I am doing this on purpose?? No. Never.......

Here is a step-by-step guide to packing like a *last minute* pro:

one can never pack enough tan shoes....

final cull.  can all of this fit in one bag?

DONE.  bag is sorted.

and here is a sneak peek of tomorrows fly-worthy outfit.  loose and breathable and remove the jacket and voila - perfect for 30 degree WA heat.

Thank GOD for Virgin's 23kg checked in baggage allowance.. this *not so* little baby weighs in at just over 17kg (and yes I know this for certain - I weighed it on the bathroom scales myself.  They won't catch me out again).   Now I am all packed... I am SOOOOO excited. I C A N T WAIT.

OH almost forgot - today's outfit.  Better late than never! Here:

Today's outfit was actually grabbed with ten minutes remaining until I was deemed officially late for work.  The dog and I encountered some dramas this morning in our early pre-work ball throw backyard session.  His absolute favourite 'fetch' small purple plastic ball was thrown a little over-excitedly by myself, and accidentally rolled under the fence into the neighbours yard.  UH OH.  It was the end of the world.  Pooch then spent the next ten minutes furiously trying to dig his way under said fence, which left me panicking that he was going to escape.  Distracting him with his second favourite ball had no effect, so the next step was to build a makeshift wall barrier out of loose bricks lying on the other side of the yard.  Clad in my pre-morning fabulous outfit of dressing gown and ugg boots (and no there will never be any posts revolving around this morning outfit. EVER.) -  OH WHAT A MORNING. And the joys of owning a dog.

Back to today's outfit.  Not bad at all for literally 'just thrown together at the last minute'.  I have actually never been very good at that look.. so thumbs up to me.  Today's outfit included the fabulous Zimmermann Limonata citrus silk blazer ($100 eBay), teamed over the lovely Manning Cartell beige ruffle front tunic ($85 eBay), and then the hardworking Neon Blonde shiny black panelled biker jeans ($10 eBay), and then all finished off with the fab colour POP Country Road colour block espadrilles ($45 eBay). Done.  And god those shoes are comfy.

SO - update from yesterday's post - I went with the LISA HO SHEEPSKIN JACKET.  I managed to finagle a *very reasonable* buy it now price of $450 from the seller; her email came through at precisely 7:02 am this morning - politely letting me know that there was 27 watchers and that I should get in quick.  I panicked and wasn't sure what to do; I jumped in the shower and then started to think what life would be like if the jacket called the wardrobe room home.  It was a beautiful life; full of joy and stunning winter outfits - a life I wanted for reality.  SO mid-shower I clicked that buy-it-now button - and that AHmazing jacket is now mine.  It will arrive however mid holiday.  Bummer.  But then.. at least I have something to look forward to upon my return.

Have a fantastic week - I will continue to post *albeit irregularly* for the 1.5 week duration of my Western Australian jaunt.  Stay tuned for sun, surf, beaches and of course bargains galore. GET EXCITED.

FFIFY xxxx

alexander wangariffic and who is the bigger loser?

So last night I was a blubbering mess.  Curled up under the blanket with the bf and the dog, me bawling my eyes out, him laughing and the dog throwing his ball at the both of us.  Last night was the Biggest Loser makeovers. 

 

I am such a massive Biggest Loser fan.  I love the entire process – from when they first arrive on the show, what they used to eat and the amount of exercise they can (cant?) do.  I cry along with them as they weigh in for the first time, and tell their sad and sorry stories.  I laugh in delight when they experience training for the first time, and jump for joy when that one moment comes when they push past their old self and become the new and bestest ever version of themselves.  Not only do I find it unbelievably entertaining, but it also motivates me to be more active and aware of what I am eating, which is always a good thing!  But what I love most is the makeovers.  I LOVED it when that mirror slid back last night and they all looked at the NEW them with admiration and disbelief.  It was so touching, and it really shows that when you look good you really feel great.  It helps to confirm my belief that all these clothes I buy on a (regular) basis are not excessive, in fact it is all part of a therapeutic process.  IT IS GOOD FOR ME. These clothes help to define how I look, which therefore has a HUGE impact on how I feel.   You know the minute you put that AHmazing blouse/jeans/Winter Kate floral maxi dress on you are practically walking on air, gliding out the door and ready to take on the world.   Looking good is one of the best and most rewarding things you can do for yourself – so out you go and buy those amazing new platform heels, or book in a quick mani or blow wave.  That is it findettes – it is time to take a stand. When you look good – you feel amazing.  And when you feel amazing.. there is nothing you cant do.  You  TOTALLY deserve it.

How is that for a pep talk. BANG.

Okay - preach time is over. 

So – with that in mind – today I decided to bust out the Alexander Wang blazer.  Currently this is my version of the *amazing winter kate maxi that makes you walk on air* and when I put it on this morning instantly there was a bounce in my hair and a spring in my step.  Check it:

So todays outfit includes THE Alexander Wang grey marle cotton and leather spliced blazer ($150 eBay.  Will NEVER get sick of this item.. I hang it near my bed so I can look at it when I first wake up in the morning – starts the day of the bang. L O V E); worn over a Cue sleeveless caramel shirt ($30 in store DFO Cue.  Love the colour and how it stands out against the basic tones of the blazer.. adds some warmth into what could be a cool coloured outfit); and then there is the old fave Levi shiny black skinny jegging pant – albeit not looking so shiny and black anymore *wash fade from overuse alert*.  Will be heading into Myer on my lunch break tomorrow to see if I can replenish these babies – they are just too fab for words; and then all finished off with my Tony Bianco tan leather wedges.. which are in pretty much the exact same colour as my shirt. BANG matchy match.

Do we need some more inspiration shots of Olivia in the blazer? Um YES!

 FAB. Love her.. and LOVE the blazer more!

SO having sold a few things on eBay of late, my paypal balance is looking rather healthy.  Unfortunately NOT healthy enough to purchase all of these fab items.. so I am currently tossing up on which ones I want the most.  What do you think?

  Lisa Ho sheepskin jacket - $400 eBay

 Alice and Olivia faux fur vest - $160 eBay

Luella ‘Fury’ quilted box bag - $175 eBay

 Shakuhachi long faux fur coat - $100 eBay

Rick Owens leather jacket - $500 eBay

Hmmm… decisions decisions.  All VERY important items.. will you help me decide?  Comment below and let me know what you think is worth my hard earned…. I just CANNOT decide!

FFIFY xxxx

OH - just thought I would add the pic of the little boy in my life... someone didnt want to get out of bed this morning..

CUTE.

to market to market to BUY IT ALL UP

This post is going to highlight the amazingness of my bargain finding ability.  Not blowing my own trumpet here.. but seriously.  Sometimes… I just cannot BELIEVE the items that simply ‘fall into my lap’ (or fall into the mailbox more realistically), or in this case that I manage to dig up on a spot of market trawling.  Persistence, sheer determination and a super strong will to succeed are the three factors which are key to the amazing finds which occurred over the weekend.  Prepare to have your mind blown…

Okay SO the remainder of the weekend was spent doing nothing of note (Bettina Liano sample sale in Prahran after working Friday, nothing much great and then lead me to adding an extra 1.5 hrs travelling time onto my day – thanks PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC, and a daytrip to a small turn which had the potential to be cute and chic but turned out to not be, watching the first football game of the season (or trying not to), walking the dog, eating hot cross buns and getting the sick bf Codral, tissues and cups of tea (yes I passed the illness onto him.  He is SO impressed. Did someone say MANFLU?) – see? Totally a non-noteworthy Saturday). BUT then…. came MARKET SUNDAY MADNESS.  Drumroll please…

The most amazing Sunday ever started at a non-so-amazing 5:30am.  Usually when faced with a pre-six am start groaning, resentment and repeated hitting of snooze occurs.. but NO.  Not on a market day.  I sprang out of bed (scaring the dog on the way – sorry Biff), whooshed through shower/hair/getting ready, jumped into my pre-selected outfit from the night before (which consisted of Katemoss for Topshop quilted jacket (the new ebay purchase), Bettina Liano lace boyfriend singlet (the only decent thing from the sample sale on Friday night), Nudie denim jeans and washed grey leather vintage brogues (forgot I had these – super cute and perfect for marketing – check them out in today’s outfit below).  Woofed down breakfast and then grabbed my oversized straw and leather tote, which is perfect for fitting maximum purchases and looks snazzier than a million plastic bags hanging off my arms (but gets quite a bit heavier mind you.  Last time I got a massage the therapist polietily informed me that my right side was ‘severely overdeveloped’ (EXACT words!!) and to STOP carrying oversized bags immeadiately.  Oops.).  Okay – I was all set.

1.5 hours later down the highway in the dark I arrived in the early morning after-rain glow of Melbourne town.  There was absolutely no traffic so made it to Camberwell in record time.. 7:45 exactly.  Apart from when I have been a stallholder, this was the earliest I had been there (even when I lived 10 mins away in Armadale), so I was pretty chuffed with this.  Coffeed and ATM’d up – I was ready.  I was on the hunt for the ex PR manager from Lee/Wrangler’s stall, being the hit twitter tip I received on Friday and one of the sole motivators for wanting to get these so early.  Heading along my usual route, I spotted two girls pulling stuff out of boxes and a small mob gathering around them.  This was it!  Turns out they had run out of racks, so these poor lovelies had no choice but to pile their goodies in small mountains on one lonely table.  I watched in fascination for the next fifteen minutes as they laid their wares in front of me… it was like my own personal shopping heaven! Lee jeans, Wrangler cut offs and sample knits – they had it all.  Bought – actually nothing.  I wasn’t sold on anything in particular so decided to keep moving… and vowed to return if there was no worthy finds.  Here are some pics of the rather gloomy action:

 

So… halfway through the market and my carry all was already filled to capacity.  I had snapped up a Sass and Bide beaded long sleeve tee for $25 (never worn the girl claimed.. tried to bargain her down but she was steadfast.  Good casual cool top – a look I don’t do very well so I am proud of this buy); a Tibi black crepe beaded crop jacket (UM have googled this baby and found it was for sale on Net-A-Porter for $300GBP – guess who paid $20??) and from the same stall a French Sandro tweed cropped jacket with chain detail on the sleeves (love love LOVE this – makes me so so French and chic and Olivia – and again – only $20).  This girl was a buyer from somewhere (I couldn’t figure it out) and was selling all the original samples for totes ridic prices.  I COULD have also bought a black silk Paul and Joe kimono sleeve dress ( but it was a size 3), a stunning Maje shiny linen blazer (but it had a hole cut out of the side) and any number of Tibi ponti dresses/pants/skirts.  This stall was by far the best for amazing designer labels at a fraction of the price… but being samples you really have to inspect each one from top to bottom.. nothing worse than finding a big hole in the sleeve of that AMAZING Rag and Bone blazer (note – has happened to me on numerous occasions. Sob).  So – I was pretty contented with my finds so far. Here they are:

PIC of the jacket from Net-a-Porter - FAB

Stopped off for a hot jam donut (how can you POSSIBLY resist?? They smell SOO good!) and then stumbled across THE BEST FIND YET.  In was in the undercover stalls in the middle of the market… a location which does not rate highly on my ‘usual top spots for finding fab buys’ list (it’s a mental list – if you want to know email me and I will tell you the most likely spots in which to find the best items if you are short of time). So there it was – in amongst some fairly BLAH items.  It was beige, and oversized.  My interest levels were rising.  What is that? A ‘returns will not be accepted without this tag’ tag?  NEW? And then I saw the label – Thurley.  WTF is this brand new Thurley egg shaped line n blend cocoon coat doing hiding amongst the Lovely Girl dresses and Ice pants?? I was almost too scared to ask the price.  I had a twenty left in the wallet and was mentally calculating the grocery items I could cross off my list in order to raise funds (I can totally live on tuna and apples for the week) when the lady said the most magical words – ‘that one is $42’.  WHAT????????????????????? ‘Well the $2 is for you to bargain with me’ – so ultimately I could have this for $40.  I asked her to hold whilst I raced to the ATM – no more than five minutes and $40 later it was MINE.  WOW. Here:

Not a great pic I know.

So I left the market after that – on a complete high at all  my items.  Today – I have google searched my coat and found it on sale on the Thurley website – down for $799 to $299. KACHING.

See????? TOTALLY UNBELIEVEABLE.

Total monies spent = $105.

Total to buy new = I would say PRICELESS – but if I had to say a figure I would estimate at around $2000.  BANG.

Life cannot get any better.

SO todays’ outfit incorporates the new Sandro coat.  Here:

I would love to team this one with jeans and a tee – but since I cant wear jeans to work and the fact that I don’t have a fabulous white basic tee I cannot do this right now – so this is the next best option.  SO Sandro tweed cropped jacket ($20 Camberwell market – WOW), worn over a Seed Femme ivory poly collarless shirt ($75 in store staff discount Seed Femme), over the Neon Blonde shiny black biker panelled pants ($10 eBay – new wardrobe HERO) and then the cutest grey vintage brogues that I wore to the market ($25 vintage shop in Ballarat).  These guys are super comfy and don’t make your feet look huge which is the issue I have found with other brogue-esque footwear options.  Feeling super Frenchy and chic and Olivia and FAB.

Look what got delivered today???

OH just a little pair of Sass and Bide ‘the Long Shot’ cropped distressed jeans… now these would look HOT in the tweed jacket and white tee combo…. Where can I get a fab non-sheer good quality white tee?? I am struggling BIG TIME with something that really should be OH SO simple.  Let me in on the secret!!

FINDS of the century. WOOP. Now do you believe in my powers of bargain finding??

 

FFIFY xxxx

rebecca black loves a good friday. as do I.

Good morning world.  Today is Friday… and then it is the weekend.  Although at this stage I absolutely no weekend plans (OH not true except to take a quick trip down to the Camberwell market on Sunday… I was tossing up whether or not to get up at 5:30am on a Sunday morning when on my twitter feed yesterday Andy from the Herald Sun tipped me off that the ex PR manager of Lee/Wrangler is having a moving to Sydney sample stall down at the market… the stall is going to be chock a block full of samples and seconds at bargain basement prices.  Never one to pass up a denim sale – this clinched the deal for me.  Ill be there – cant WAIT!) so may be a case of lurking around the Ballarat Mall and checking out what the smallest Sportsgirl in the world is up to.  FUN!

SO exciting news… today I am down in Melbourne.  And today – there just happens to be a SUPER AMAZING sample sale starting today:

Coincidence much? Not on your life.  Ill be heading there immediately after work…. Having just purchased two pairs of Bettinas in the last two weeks for the first time in six years.. they have re-affirmed my love of their super skinny fit.  I still think the waistband sits funny on some of the styles (they do have a tendency to muffin top even the slimmest of ladies) so trying on each pair is totally key.  Hours of fun to be had… cant WAIT.

Just saw on facey that Nicole Richie posted this photo of herself – in a range she collaborated with QVC:

Being a massive Nicole Richie bohemian style fan and follower (she was the inspiration which lead me down the fashion finding path) I just HAD to check this out.  Long, flowing, printed, boho-extreme maxi dresses are the things of my dreams (but aren’t you trying to steer away from this fashion? SHHH voice of reason I don’t need you right now) so needless to say excitement levels were high when I clicked on the ‘buy me’ link (http://qvc.co/_MaxiDress).  Excitement levels continued to rise when I saw that it was on sale for $116 USD – but then I became wary.  Why so cheap?  On sale already?  Then I saw…. The fabric content.  100% POLYESTER. NOOOOO Nicole – what are you doing to me??  Polyester?  SO essentially it is no different to any long flowing maxi dress that I could find in Cotton On or Valley Girl (for probably considerably less than $110USD).  Here is where the voice of reason raises it annoying little head.  Usually I would snap it up anyway… as it looks amazing on her and I want to be her and will get one step closer by buying the exact dress that she is wearing.  But in this case – I just cant.  I cannot commit to something that is 100% poly – that really can be found in just about any cheap fashion retailer; it is basically an inferior copy of her Winter Kate range.  Plus – this is the website photo that is meant to be selling it to me:

Uh - WTF? Sorry Nic – not this time. 

I hope we can still be friends.

Moving on to todays’ outfit.  Today the temperature is not going to get above 17 degrees – hello Winter I see you poking your frozen head out from around the corner.   You are on your way.. I can tell.  SO today was dressed for warmth… but then also for sample sale slash Melbourne slash meeting a friend for lunch so need to look fab as well.  Here:

Today is drapey layering goodness.  Lets start from underneath (just for something totally different) – Manning Cartell cream ruffle tunic ($85 eBay – well actually there is a Seed Femme seamfree tank in beige happening under there so technically that would be starting at the bottom but not really all that interesting so we can forget about that), with the Winter Kate (see Nicole I still love you) tomato red drape front vest worn over that ($50 eBay – first time out and about for this number.. finally got off my butt and ironed it up. LOVE it); and then over that is the White Suede most amazing black drape front leather jacket ($385 eBay.  This was a birthday present from several years ago… but this style will never go out of fashion.  The fit is amazing, the drape is stunning and the leather has a bit if a shine to it so it is completely rock and roll… it is the BEST).  Pants-wise I have on a new pair of Neon Blonde shiny black skinny zip legs pants ($15 eBay – told you I needed to expand my shiny black skinny pant collection so I didn’t end up wearing the exact same pair of Levi jeggings day in day out – these babies fit amazingly and have an ankle zip detail and front panelling and are HOT), and then all finished off with my Tony Bianco tan cutout wedges (these add the right amount of ‘corporate charm’ to the outfit… although my boss is actually wearing blue jeans today so I could have gotten away with anything!).  And there you have it.

SO hopefully I will see you at the sample sale today…. or at the Camby market on Sunday.  Or at least make sure you head on down to both venues, pick up some fantastic bargains and then email me all about them - I would love to know.. and also for proof that I am not the only person in the whole world whose entire life and weekends are built around sample sales, markets and how to get to said sample sale and markets.. please let there be more of me!

Have a fabulous weekend.. spend big.

FFIFY xxxx

BACK FROM THE DEAD

HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO findettes!!!! Did you miss me?? It has been AGES – a whole THREE DAYS since I have posted on the beloved blog!  I know I cannot believe it either.  S L  A C K or what?.

Firstly, you will all be pleased to know that I am not dead.  Although it was definitely struggle town, I made it through.  Just.   And – I have been plodding away at work and at home, not quite yet getting back to my usual super busy not enough hours in the day how am I possibly going to get all this done self, and admittedly the blog fell by the wayside.  And then – I began thinking ‘Oh its just the blog… its not really getting anywhere and no one except my Mother has noticed my lack of posts.. sob sob boo’ and began to get all depressed about it – WHEN my phone buzzed.  It was a twitter message – from my very first fashion find client who tweeted the four most magical words I have heard in a long while ‘I miss your posts’.  OH  yes let’s hear that again – this time in bold for good measure – I MISS YOUR POSTS.  Bang.  That is exactly the boost I needed. SO – its bye bye couch, weeping eyes and hanky addiction; and HELLO world. I AM BACK. Get excited.

SO.  What has been happening whilst I have been off in lalaland?  WELL.   CHECK THIS OUT:

 Oh yes – it is the arrival of the Alexander Wang cotton and leather spliced jacket as seen on Olivia Palermo in numerous outfits and god I am excited about this one!  I haven’t tried it on yet (resisted the urge to create a makeshift runway in between the cubicles in the office) but already I am in love.  I shall never take it off.  And with the weather hitting a whopping 12 degree maximum here in sunny Ballarat tomorrow – looks like I never will.  Fine by me!

What else?  Well being sick is the perfect time to peruse the net and buy stuff to make me feel better.  Which is just what I did.  Here are some of my latest purchases:

gorman camel woollen super warm winter snuggly coat - $201

kate moss for topshop boho quilted jacket - $47

shakuhachi champagne draped blazer - $32

black orchid super skinny jeans - $46

sass and bide 'a long shot' patched skinny jeans - $50

Looks like denim is getting a good run at the moment in the 'I most want to buy it' stakes – not quite sure why as I think I actually own about 50 pairs and cannot actually wear them to work so that really only leaves 104 weekend days in which I can wear them per year and then if you remove the summer months by halving this you have about 52 jeans-worthy wearable days and I would already have this many pairs of jeans so looks like I have enough pairs of jeans to alternate for each weekend day of the year. Great.  But now I can add two more to the bunch for good measure.  Plus – three jackets; who doesn’t need more jackets now that the weather is cooling down and HOW AMAZING is that Kate Moss quilted little number? Will look super hot teamed with the new jeans as above… and well probably didn’t really need that Shakuhachi blazer but since it was only $32 dollars I couldn’t really pass it up but hopefully its not going to be as shiny as I fear it may be. And then the SUPER warm snuggly Gorman egg shaped camel woollen coat is a present from my mother for my 29th birthday - so I have two WHOLE months til I can call that one mine.  Bummer - that is AGES.  I will be aiming for early birthday presents this year that is for sure. So YEAH.

 

Then there is this bag which I haven’t bought but I think I really want to and it doesn’t mean I love the MJ any less but this one is also quilted and navy and boxy with chains and just fabulous… what do you think????

I LOVE. And Luella isn’t around anymore which makes it even more rare and special and OH I REALLY WANT IT.  Buy it now $175… pretty hard to refuse!

Okay so here is todays outfit.

The girl in the Jeans West at the plaza on my lunch break said she ‘loved the warm tones and drapiness of your outfit’ – I was pretty chuffed with this after feeling like death and wearing the grey marle handmade harem slash trackpants for the last three days straight.  She has a good eye.  SO outfit contains: Witchery caramel knit drape cardi ($ um you know I cant even remember? I bought it from DFO South Wharf.  I do love the colour and the front drape looks fab worn under leather jackets when it gets really cool), worn over a Sussan tomato red viscose shell top (40 in store Sussan.  FAB colour.  Popped back into the local store at the plaza but they had finished the 50% off sale items… bummer), next comes the hardest working Levi black skinny pants (jeggings.. eeek) and then the chunky Seed femme dark tan leather cogs complete the look (the flatlays actually have my Hoss boots as the footwear component – upon dressing they felt way too casual for work so I switched them up – just in case you sharp eyes noticed).  I then added an Aztec print scarf also from Seed Femme, and wore my Husk draped leather jacket over the top. BANG.  Matching in perfectly with the colour palette of the new season autumn product that is hitting the shops as we speak.  I even want maroon jeans.  I havent worn maroon since 1994 - I think I had some amazing maroon ribbed legging that I wore with an oversized jumper, tucked into scrunch socks with hiking boots.  Come to thinkof it - I could totally get away with that now.....

So there we have it my dears.  It has been a long three days.. but I am better than ever.  Daily updates are back on the menu, and please please please email me with any fab shopping purchases or amazing finds of your own… I would love love LOVE to hear from you! fashionfinditforyou@gmail.com – talk to me!

FFIFY xxx

OH just as an FYI to all you eBay sellers out there.. I do agree that it is a lovely idea to wrap up the garment before putting it in the post bag... BUT I would recommend NOT using paper towel.  Oh yes.

Its just plain WEIRD.

haha