the heat is on

Hello hello.  Today is Tuesday, and Tuesday is HOT. Even in the windowless partitioned area I call an office – the sun is shining its merry way in and warming up the air. Sounds nice, but it is actually making things a bit on the stuffy side.. seems the air conditioner isn’t working today. Bah.

SO this heat calls for a summery outfit.  Today’s selection is another first timer – a pretty floral print silk sundress making its wardrobe debut:

Outfit includes: White Suede floral print silk sundress ($65 – eBay; not my usual style, but I find that it is perfectly ladylike and therefore very work appropriate. Had a few ‘Oooh love you dress’ comments today. Winner).  Teamed with Sportsgirl navy clog sandals ($15 Camberwell market purchase. Who doesn’t love the Camberwell market? Tip – get there EARLY (yes I know its a Sunday but if you want the goodies it must be pre 9am. Trust me – its worth it. Take along your best haggling voice and a huge carry bag to stash all your goodies in.  Another tip – wear crap clothes.  Having been a stallholder there many times.. the better your outfit (read: the more money you appear to have) the more you will be charged per item... this is a test I have executed myself.  Seriously, trackies, thongs and a plain tee will get you the very best prices) and lastly cinched in with a vintage Country Road tan waist belt (I don’t even remember – I think it was like $2 from an op shop. I have had this for years and it just never gets out of date).

So that is it. Tuesday.

Oh update on the status of my Mimco bag.. the glue worked and the bag was all good.  Until this morning.. when THE OTHER STRAP SNAPPED.

MJ Stam here I come.

FFIFY xxx

Money Money Money

So I don't think I have yet mentioned my new years resolution.  No, its not going to the gym or not eating chocolate or any of the other super fun things people decide not to do for a whole couple of days... This one is BIG.  Huge.  Massive.  This year - I have sworn to drastically reduce the amount of money spent on clothes.  See - I warned you it was massive. This has come about primarily for the health of my relationship - but also in the vain hope of going OS sometime soon (I often find myself thinking about an international holiday.. get super excited and plan my outfits, then buy said outfits then oh there's no money left for actual holiday.  Sigh.  But I do have lots of amazing outfits perfect for Tuscany, New York, Paris....).  BUT at the same time - I do not want to drastically sacrifice the amount (or quality) of items I purchase.  So just how do you intend to pull this off you may inquire? Well - my resolution is that I can only buy items with money in paypal.  Genius.  Paypal money is not really money... you never see it.. it doesn't pass through your hands.. it is just a figure ready and waiting to be spent. Kind of like credit cards.. which is maybe the reason why I don't have one (three cards and two personal loans later). Any more .

So in order to upkeep my spending habit I also need to amp up my selling habit - as this is the only way I can get money into paypal (apart from directly depositing it in.. but that really defeats the purpose. I haven't got that desperate - yet).  This also has the effect of freeing up necessary space in the wardrobe room (much to the delight of boyfriend); so there is a 'circle of life' effect occurring with items flowing in and items flowing out.  Currently I am down to a dismal $70 in paypal.. which is not great.  Therefore time to get busy - eBay selling tool here I come.  

So using my patented Rules of Ebay Selling 101 (see previous post a + b = eBay), I have listed 11 things.  Not a huge amount, and nothing so exciting that is guaranteed to bring in the big bucks, but hopefully will increase my paypal amount back to a comfortable level.  I also have rules for what items I list on eBay:
1. I havent worn the item in six months.  Seems fine - but need to take into account the seasonality of said item. I often find that I sell all my summer dresses in spring, then come summer OH there is nothing.
2. I havent worn the item at all.  This happens a lot. And yet sometimes these items I have never worn manage to find themselves packed away on a holiday, just in case I may need them. You can imagine the size of my luggage.
3. The item has been in my ironing basket for over three months.  So one other cupboard space I neglected to mention in my wardrobe room is the dreaded IRONING BASKET. This is full of items that i do really like but are so fiddly and difficult to iron that I just can't be bothered; or that they require dry-cleaning and I am not in the mood to shell out for them. Thus - they never get worn.  Once in a while I sift through said basket - reminiscing abut this dress or that top and 'how much I love that skirt' but mostly nothing happens. Time to be ruthless - OUT.


What I don't sell are things just to make money. Like right now, I want to raise the $$$$ to buy the Marc Jacobs Stam bag. I could sell my Husk leather jacket - as I do have a few black leather jackets and it would definitely raise the cash... but I can't. WONT. I am not ready to part with this piece. Only items with no on dwindling sentimental value can be put up for sale.


SO this is what I am selling right now:

Already have a few bids.... off to a fab start.

FFIFY xxxx

find it for me - Miranda Kerr red lace dress

So I just couldn’t let this one go unshared. NO I don’t have a spare $500.. but OH if I did then I would be snapping this up quicker than you could say better hit the gym.  Gorgeous colour, gorgeous dress, gorgeous price – what more could you ask for??  From Lover’s amazing Fall 2011 collection.. the Serpent Lace dress in red is an absolute standout.

FFIFY  xx

PS it ends tonight.... QUICK. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

DELIVERY ALERT

UH OH - look what the mailman brought me today.

First thought - WOOP!

Second thought - how am I ever going to sneak all this inside the house????

FFIFY xxx

Methinks someone has been oh so slightly over-indulging of late....

DISASTER has struck... Mimco down

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Tragedy has struck my BELOVED Mimco bag.  This bag and I go back to my birthday last year... so it hasn’t been a long time but its been an amazing time.  I fell in love with her the minute I laid eyes on her.  I had been trying to justify a new bag (and where I could get $500 from) – when I received a sale email from Mimco.. and there was my bag as the featured sale item.  40% off.  I raced down the road to the Chapel St store and there she was... lucky last one. JACKPOT.  I love her beautiful khaki green colour – she looks gorgeous with everything and you never have to worry about matching leathers, as she compliments all colourings.  The girl in the shop said ‘It will make a great overnight bag’ – what a waste, this baby is perfect as an every-dayer. She is super sized – which I love, but I fear this has lead to her downfall.  Just as I was heading out for my daily trip to Wendouree Village, my beloved bag tilted alarmingly on my shoulder. I looked down in horror – a strap has snapped out of its holder!  The old saying is true – the larger the bag the more you can fit in it... and this little baby has everything but the kitchen sink.  It just got too much – and she gave way.

Usually I carry super glue around in my bag for such occasions (as I said – she has everything), but alas there was none.  I raced over to the village and snapped some up – and quickly set to work glueing the handle back on.  Yes, I have a strange belief that superglue fixes everything.  I superglue shoes, hems on shorts, loose buttons, basically anything that needs fixing superglue will do the trick.  The only problem is – I am not very careful with said glue.  As is demonstrated in picture 2 – I have since fixed my bag but have now got a nice big superglue patch on the metal.  Lovely.

Looks like our time together Mimco bag may be coming to an end. Sob.

Although... I have been looking for an excuse to buy a taupe Marc Jacobs Stam bag that is lurking around in my watched items......

FFIFY xxxx

better late than never!

No - I didn’t forget to post about today’s outfit. Okay, so I did forget. Oops.

But its all good; there is no time like the present! I shall post it up now for all the world to see. The weather has turned lovely once again (and this is not sarcasm.. it is actually a rather pleasant 24 degrees today in B’town – you have to enjoy it while you can), so today’s outfit is fitting for a glorious summer’s day/picnic in the park/brunch date with gfs (yes I am aware that I do spend the entire day inside my air-conditioned partitioned (read: windowless) office without even experiencing any of said glorious weather or any of the aforementioned fun activities – but still. I'm daydreaming okay?).  Today sees a blend of apricot and nude tones complemented with crisp white, and the introduction of a new little one that has not been taken out for a run as yet.

Check me out:

So featured above is a Richard Chai Love silk blouse –  a US label, with a fab shape and drapes so well when tucked in ($40 – eBay); INTRODUCING Anthropologie apricot basket weave pencil skirt ($48 – eBay). This is her first run.. and proving so far to be a wardrobe winner. Gorgeous in peach and the cotton is light an super comfortable. Fab.  Finishing touches include Witchery latte leather waist belt (in store $50 – Witchery – I have had this baby for maybe five years... you can NEVER go past latte leather), and the CR flatform sandals that have been getting quite a run lately (and don’t they match well with the belt? I am quite partial to a little bit of matchy matchy when it comes to leather goods).

So that is it.  Monday madness in peach.

I'm working on a few fashion finds at the moment.. will be posting full deets shortly.  Keep those finds coming ladies... there are plenty of goodies out there for the lot of us.

FFIFY xxxxx

monday on my mind

Ho hum... the weekend is over. Had a FAB time away at Bonnie Doon (seriously) - even though it did include a half naked Vanessa Amorossi pole-dancing on stage. Yes - this happened. She was on the back of a truck.  It was even more bizarre than it sounds. Trust me.

Bonnie Doon may be in the back of the beyond but thankfully my Telstra 3G network held up just enough for my beloved eBay app to download (albeit veeerrryyy slowly). This therefore meant a few things were purchased over the weekend. YAY.  I do always laugh with undisguised glee at those poor sellers who, through lack of foresight/poor planning/newbie, allow their eBay items to end on a Saturday.  Night or day - this is by far the worst day of the week for sellers to maximise their $$$. Alternatively, this is then the BEST day of the week for snapping things up at their lowest possible price.  There I am in the concrete carpark of the Bonnie Doon Hotel singing along to INXS and my eBay app is still working away.. reminding me that the Winter Kate top I had my eye on is ending.  Oooh quick bid - won that one.

So this is what I bought over the weekend.  Nothing too exciting... just some nice silk, printed and pleated items which will fill some gaps in the wardrobe room. Oh and another J.Crew stone necklace, this time in a lovely complimentary peachy apricot shade. Just divine:

1. Is a Winter Kate floral printed blouse/kimono. Look at that print... and in a stunning vintage silk fabric as well. Did I mention $44 - eBay? Bang.

2. This is from the same seller as previous shirt - this lovely is a Hoss silk shirt in a lovely nude colour.  One can never have enough nude silk shirts. OH and $15 - eBay.

3. This little beauty is a rayon pleated skirt from Oui Set.  If something catches my eye and I am unsure of the label - google is my best friend.  I spend a lot of time flicking back and forth eBay - google - eBay - google, until I am able to locate said item elsewhere on the net - or at least find out about the quality of the label.  Oui Set seems to be a mid range label in the UK that has a mix of classic and on-trend pieces - and for $25 it is definitely worth a shot. Plus I am a total sucker for rayon - I just LOVE the way it falls and feels on. Divine. And its pleated. 

4. Lastly I just had to snap up this little gem from US giant J.Crew.  I already have this necklace in the turquoise colourway, but once I saw the colour theme happening with the three previous items I felt this would really pull them together - perfect tones for the end of summer.  Plus whilst cruising around in Net-a-Porter over the weekend - I stumbled across said necklace in black for $150 GBP. This little lovely was only $19 - eBay. Need I say more?

So that was the weekend. Now where did that postman get to??

FFIFY xxx

the end of the working week.. and I'm going to Bonnie Doon

So today has been absolutely crazy... had to spend the day doing actual work at work as my boss is back on Monday.. and her ‘to-do whilst I'm away’ list was admittedly looking a little untouched. Oops.

So therefore worked my butt off today and basically caught back up.. yeowwww.  Now it is time for the weekend.  I don't want to disappointment my (small number of but MUCH loved) readership this early in the game, but please don't expect any glamorous outfit posts over the weekend. This weekend ill be heading off even further into the depths of regional Victoria - Bonnie Doon to be exact. Yup, you did read correctly - there is such a place.  Now the most stylish person around these parts is the one who has the most stained/holey old bluey (translation – Bonds ‘wifebeater’ singlet), or lucky bugger with the most cow tags stuck onto the hatband of their Akubra. Nope, I'm not joking. It is guaranteed to be RM Williams heaven, so the bag I'm packing has to attempt to fit in with this ute muster gang.  Hmmmm, tough crowd.

Meanwhile I realised that I have neglected to post about my ongoing Olivia Palermo style-changing mission.  Yesterday – I bought three items which I am sure will lead me down the path towards my goal of ‘simple and chic’,  The items purchased were:

1.      Camilla and Marc black and green writer blazer.  Olivia loves her tailored blazer with skinnies look, and this blazer will be perfect teamed with my Levi jeggings (once again I know they sound horrible but really they are a true hero wardrobe piece! I think its just the word ‘jeggings – lets just call them skinny pants and instantly up goes their appeal), sorry - teamed with my Levi skinny pants. Plus the blazer was a measly $40 – eBay. OH yes you read correctly - $40. Bang.

2.   Karen Walker navy blue wide leg silk pants. Doesn't that just roll of the tongue?  Really no other explanation is required here... imagine these with a Breton striped tee and chloe ballets.. wow. I'm salivating. AND - $63 – eBay. WOOP.

3.    Raoul huge black patent leather shopper tote.  Now I don’t know much about Raoul – they are an italian label who have a very bizarre website where it does not allow you to access the site as they don’t ship to Australia. Weird.. I just wanted to look.  This is a new avenue for me.. i have never branched out into the black bag region (I am very much a tan girl) so this is definitely proof I'm heading ion a new fashion direction.  Tote is brand new with tags.. retailed for $495 and was $100 - eBay.

Check them out:

Watch out Liv - I'm coming to get you.

Have a fantastic weekend!

FFIFY xxx

delivery!

OOOOh the Gorman tan suede wedges have arrived.. and surprisingly enough... they are green. Hmmmmm.  Well more of an olive shade to be exact.

Actually I like them better. I dont have olive suede wedges...

FFIFY xxx

freaky friday

So today is Friday the 13^th.. which explains EVERYTHING.

Firstly started off the day by not being able to get out of bed.  Friday is my RDO from walking the dog.. so I got to have an extra sleep in for a whole ten minutes. Bonus.  But upon swinging my legs out the side of the bed a very long and glorious ten minutes later – my first attempt to walk was unsuccessful.  It seemed the weekly combination of 2x spin classes, a pump class, a 8km run and daily dog walks had taken its toll, and my legs refused to go any further.  By sheer willpower alone I managed to hobble into a nice hot shower.  Bliss.

Feeling much better I got the morning’s outfit ready.  Sorted.  Going well.  Just about to sit down to have breakfast, tripped over the dog and managed to empty the entire contents of my bowl all down the front of my skirt. GREAT.

Back in the shower. Back doing the makeup. Looked at the clock.. crap. I'm already meant to be at work.  Raced into the wardrobe room and grabbed anything I could find.. which ended up undoubtedly being from falling over reject shop rack.  Even better.  So instead of today’s nicely pieced together Zara print blazer, Sportsgirl tomato red shirt over Sportsgirl striped tube skirt Olivia Palermo inspired outfit; I am actually wearing a stunning combination of navys (Navy/red striped top and navy pants) from my corporate excuse for a wardrobe. Fab.  To cheer myself up slightly I have added the new D.Co wedges for a little bit of coolness.. but really today’s actual outfit sucks.  There will be no pic. Here instead is a picture of the designated outfit – pre breakfast of course. Much nicer.

Be careful today.... you never know what might happen!

FFIFY xxx