On hiatus

Unfortunately holiday commitments, sales shopping and other bouts of business have prevented me from having any considerable period of time in which to write postings for this blog! As a consequence, particularly coming up to the hectic Xmas/New Year double-header, I have decided to take a hiatus from blogging for the time being.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Love Jaqui xx

NSO beauty: Test Drive: Gammazon beauty range

Supporting Aussie brands is something we can all do in order to contribute to the struggling Australian economy—and with the state of our dollar at the moment, it’s a lot better on the hip pocket than buying from overseas. In the lead up to summer I have been testing out a few products courtesy of the lovely Australian beauty brand Gammazon, which has a range of pure, all natural skincare products for women and men.

Over the last few weeks I have tried out two products from the Gammazon range: SCRUBmerge, a granulated body scrub, and the Velvet Butter, which is a rich body butter.

SCRUBmerge ($24.95 for 200g) is a heavily granulated scrub, so it’s great for those who like a physical exfoliant that you can actually feel working. The other key ingredients in SCRUBmerge are a base of Aloe Vera gel, Shea butter and natural plant oils, all of which nourish and moisturise the skin, preventing that dry, tight feeling post-scrub. The CocoNilla fragrance, which obviously is a blend of coconut and vanilla, transported me to a tropical paradise as only sense-memory can.

The Velvet Butter in MangoDusk ($15.00 for 100g, $22.50 for 250g) was my favourite product of the two, for two reasons: firstly, the mango passionfruit fragrance is truly good enough to eat. Secondly, the butter is very true to its name as it is delightfully velvety in texture unlike any other body balm I have tried. I found this product very hydrating, and thankfully it left no sticky residue, which is a pet hate of mine when it comes to moisturisers. Definitely highly recommend this one, the only drawback being how quickly I used it all up!

All Gammazon products are all natural and clearly made in Australia with a lot of love and care. The two products I tried, along with a smorgasbord of others are available exclusively on the Gammazon website, along with some indulgent Christmas gift packs. So treat yourself with something delightful from Gammazon and help the economy at the same time—it’s the perfect excuse!

The lovely folks at Gammazon would also like to offer Never Shopped Out Readers an exclusive discount code, valid until December 20th - Spend $10 or more and receive 25% off your order with discount code NSO

NSO beauty: Coming clean

When springtime comes around each year I eagerly anticipate its arrival for two reasons:
1) My birthday is in spring
2) It’s time to do some spring cleaning
Actually, cleaning is one of my most despised past times, however in spring I am willing to make an exception since this is the time I choose to go through my beauty booty and replace all of the products which are nearing expiry.

Yes, although many cosmetic products lack a “use-by” date on the packaging, they are still prone to going off so it is important to be aware of the age of your products in order to avoid creating infections or spreading germs.

Lamentably this can occasionally mean throwing out a treasured limited edition MAC palette or a holy-grail discontinued lipstick, but take heart in the fact that although it’s out with the old, there will be plenty of room and excuses to buy new products to try and love. Obviously any makeup that has changed colour, texture or odour should go straight into the bin no matter what time of year it is, but as a rough guide you can follow these dates to ensure your cosmetics are safe and hygienic (you are putting them on your face after all):

Liquid Foundation: 3-6 months

Concealer: 6-8 months

Powders (including eyeshadow): 1-2 years

Mascara: 3-6 months

Lip gloss and Lipstick: 2 years

Eye/Lip Pencils: 1-2 years

As a general rule, skincare products should be tossed after about 6 months (if you haven’t used them up by then). Also, don’t forget to wash your makeup brushes with brush cleaner or gentle shampoo on a monthly or fortnightly basis to remove oil build-up and any bacteria which may have formed.

When you’re done clearing out the old, the fun part can begin—you can replace your products old for new, or why not try something different and update your look in time for the spring summer season. A lot of the cosmetic houses have already begun the roll out of their Christmas/Summer beauty collections, which means you can begin to test out pretty party looks for the silly season just around the corner.

Some great new products that can help put a little Spring in your step are the gorgeous new YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in any shade, MAC Pearlglide eyeliner in Black Russian, and the always divine Guerlain Meteorites Poudre de Perles (the new pressed powder version of the legendary Meteorites).

Ginger and spice and all things nice

Image: Rous Iland Boutique
When you're a 20-something with reasonable levels of disposable income regularly at your fingertips, what does a global recession really mean to you?

Well, if you're like me, one direct impact it will have is the horror you experience when you visit your favourite US online store and discover that the prices of everything have skyrocketed by about 30%. So. Not. Appreciated.

So although I will sadly have to wait for the economy to improve before I purchase said items, I am content with a few bargains I have managed to acquire during the month at various PR and studio sales (God how I love them). Most treasured item: a Ginger and Smart leather skirt from winter 08 that I managed to score for $200 (RRP $898). Totally awesome--pics to follow shortly when I have time!

NSO beauty: Madam Lash

Lately I have noticed that lashes have become to beauty what shoes are to fashion—the way we choose to enhance this feature can dramatically impact our overall look. Just as 5 inch stilettos can vamp up an LBD, a set of fluttering falsies can similarly set heads turning.

The sneaker or thong of the eyelash world would have to be the eyelash tint. Especially handy in the summer months when lounging around on the beach or by the pool, eyelash tints are a great fuss free way to ensure your lashes always look groomed and healthy without having to worry about panda eyes. Many beauty salons offer eyelash tinting, or if you’re game you can try an at-home kit which you can purchase from chemists. My daily life requires that I dress more formally however, so for me a lash tint and thongs isn’t quite enough.

Mascara is a daily essential I believe most beauty enthusiasts reach for. Personally I can’t bear to leave the house without at least one coat on (I use Max Factor Masterpiece Max ). Mascara I believe is the ballet flat or kitten heel shoe equivalent—it provides enough volume, length and colour to keep you looking polished in most environments. Also with mascara you can achieve different effects depending on your application, whether you opt for a dramatic eye using multiple coats, or a coat of clear or brown mascara if you’re already lucky in the lash department.

I have over the years mastered my mascara application technique: in order to get as close as possible to the lash line (which helps make lashes look longer and fuller) look down into a mirror. Wiggle the wand as you move up the lashes, and use the tip to separate any clumps. I also like to give my lower lashes a light coat to frame my eyes.

False eyelashes are the stilettos of the beauty realm—for a special occasion they are perfect for completing a high glam look. Shu Uemura which is now available in Australia make some gorgeous lashes, from the dramatic feathered kind to the more demure individual lashes. Personally I find applying a full set of falsies extremely difficult, so I tend to stick with individual lashes that I can place strategically along the lash line (I recommend MAC’s 30 lash ).

To apply, complete your eye makeup (including mascara), then coat the base of the falsies with eyelash glue. Wait a few moments for the glue to become tacky, look down into a mirror and place them as close to the lash line as possible using a pair of pointed tweezers. The glue should dry clear, but you can always cover any boo boos with some liquid eyeliner. Most cosmetic counters which sell false eyelashes will apply them for you for free at the time of purchasing, so if you need a personalised lesson it is definitely worth an ask.

So the next time you are going out and can’t afford that pair of Jimmy Choos you’ve been eyeing off, try reaching for some falsies instead to add some instant (and cheaper) glamour.

Fuzz design

jacket: bonadrag; dress: fleur wood; heels: oxygen@zomp; necklace: fuzz design workshop


I adore a good statement necklace, and this one would have to be one of my favourites--it always receives comments, and I was once surprised to find that one of the clipboard guys at the le black book party I went to a while ago even knew who it was by! And you can't get much more kitschy than a giant metal panther head stuck to a cream piece of jagged perspex strung onto an industrial piece of chain. Mmmm.

Hopefully after the next few weeks I will be able to devote more time to writing about things less vacuous than what I have been wearing (but only a little less =p).

Hot damn

Image: Chloe Cyndi bag, Net-a-porter

Oh. My. God.

This bag is the sex.

That is all.

Haiku

Image: google images

The trouble with Love

is you can't know it is real

until it's over

I have always had a thing for writing (and reading) haiku poems--weird, I know, but there's something so satisfying about communicating successfully within the conventions of a style that is necessarily limiting. Maybe its because I generally find it so difficult to be succinct that I am fascinated by the way this poetic style can capture a thought or emotion much more effectively that I could in a whole paragraph (or sometimes more).

Here is one I think is pure genius, written by Karen from makeup and beauty blog (scroll down to number 3).

NSO beauty: Exfoliation

I have a confession to make.

Although I spend endless hours primping and preening the top 20% of my body (also known as my head), I tend to neglect the rest of my skin, especially during the colder months—and I have a feeling I’m not the only one.

So now that my arms and legs (and, ok, pretty much my whole body) are deathly pale and about as smooth as sandpaper, I’m trying to motivate myself in order to make some major improvements in time for shorter hemlines. And, in order to make the task more enjoyable, I have decided to provide myself with a small incentive in the form of a gift—may I suggest you do the same.

My first mission is to incorporate regular exfoliation into my shower routine. There are several methods of exfoliation to choose from—an in-shower scrub, such as a salt or sugar scrub (try Bloom’s scented sea salt scrub in Brown sugar & Fig , which smells divine). Alternatively, my personal preference is to use a hard loofah or massage mit and exfoliate in a circular motion moving towards the heart. Or, something I am also keen to try, there is the technique of dry body brushing (which I plan to review in the weeks to come). If you are an eager beaver or just extremely dedicated, you can do this daily, however I find every second day is quite enough.

Something you (and I) should really do daily however is moisturise. I often find myself neglecting this step since I absolutely detest feeling sticky and/or greasy, and so many moisturisers produce exactly this effect. However since this is a necessary evil, I usually will try to find moisturisers that at least smell delicious in order to derive some enjoyment from the process. I like Benefit’s Maybe Baby body lotion , as well as any of MOR’s body butters (they all smell wonderful).

Last we have the (optional) fake tan step, which I usually like to put off for as long as possible due to that awful fake tan smell. I am naturally light reflecting-ly pale, and to go bare-legged in public without a tan incites an embarrassing amount of “Oh my God, your legs are SO white” comments. To save myself the embarrassment, I have tried about a million self-tan products and sadly am yet to find a holy grail tan that doesn’t give me stripes or that slight orange tinge. Yes, I will continue my search, but so far I have found the best to be ModelCo’s Tan Airbrush in a Can and Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula gradual tanning moisturiser.

Elephants never forget

shirt: jag, jeans: cheap monday, belt: vintage, shoes: nine west


Despite the sweltering 31degree heatwave which swept over Sydney yesterday, I was able to spend some time indulging in a favourite activity of mine--that's right, I went marketing. To my delight I managed to unearth two special items at Fringe Bar markets on Oxford St (one of my best loved haunts). I happily purchased two items, one a pale green and beige handmade kimono jacket, as well as this awesome elephant belt which I am certain will make its way into my regular rotation. A little kitsch, a lot of fun and a welcome addition to my growing belt family--another treasured piece is a black leather belt with a gold lion head clasp.

Cross dressing

cardi: vicious threads, dress: random, tank: rio, boots: nine west, belt: cue

My first outfit post!

This cardigan is actually menswear. When I saw it in the store I didn't realise since the brand makes both mens and womens clothes--it certainly explained why the size small was so... not small. Hopefully I will be able to consistently post outfits, mostly as a record for myself, however consistency with blogging is not something I am particularly good at.

Meet the spartans

After several weeks, several phone calls and several store visits I finally have in my possession a digital camera of some description--it is neither a canon nor is my photography very professional, so please bare with me. To christen the camera I thought some shots of my awesome Nicola Finetti gladiators would be fitting since I promised pics so many blogs ago (black rats on the way). Alas I could not be bothered taking any full outfit shots since I have been busy caring for other people's children all week in the middle of nowhere (but that's another story).

Enjoy! More to follow shortly.

NSO beauty: Spring chic

The second installment of my fortnightly beauty blog for Never Shopped Out!
Living in the southern hemisphere can pose problems on the fashion and beauty front, since being a season behind yet having access to upcoming trends presents a dilemma—should we stick to being season appropriate, or should we follow international trends and show those antipodeans how fashion forward we can be? Luckily on the beauty side of things, a little AW08/09 can be easily worked into your spring-summer look, thus giving us the option of having the best of both worlds, and not having to worry about sweltering in a cocoon coat in 30 degree heat.

A prominent look on both SS and AW catwalks this year was a perennial favourite: the smoky eye. For spring the look was more diffused and often paired with a metallic highlight—think softly smoked with lightly gilded edges. For the colder months, le smoky takes on a more rounded, panda-eye look that is both dramatic and intense (especially when paired with a dark burgundy lip... can you say phwoar?). To combine the best of both, use a black kohl pencil to line around the whole eye (I use MAC Eye Kohl in Smoulder). Smudge this up to the crease using a pencil brush, then add a soft layer of black or brown shadow to diffuse the liner. Follow with a bronze, gold or silver shadow at the edge of the dark shadow (just above the crease) and blend well to give your smoky eye a metallic finish. I use ModelCo Colour Box eyeshadow in Seychelles, or Stila’s Kitten if I’m going for a more day appropriate look.

Strong lips appeared in their various incarnations on both catwalks again, so you can’t go wrong with a bright (or dark) pop of colour on your pout. On the stage loud lips were paired with striking eyes, but on the street I always think it’s best to focus on one feature—either lips OR eyes. I suggest pairing your dramatic lip look with a simple eye such as a sweep of a nude or champagne shade plus liner and a lick of mascara. Colours to covet range from dark cherries (more AW obviously) to bright orange, fuschia and coral pouts. Try NARS lipstick in Mindgame , and don’t forget your liner (especially for the darker shades) to keep it all nice and neat.

Skin for AW and SS has again stayed away from the dewy look of days gone by and favours a nude and natural, slightly matte yet still luminous look. If you’re brave and possess glorious skin you can try the Isabel Marant no make-up catwalk look, but for the rest of us who need to fake it til we make it, I suggest using your preferred foundation, then adding a light dusting of oil-absorbing powder (to keep the oilies at bay). For my fellow contour enthusiasts, a sweep of beige blush under the cheekbones should suffice, followed by a cream or powder highlight on top of the cheekbone—I adore MAC Mineralise Skinfinishes for their subtle shimmery sheen—my latest love is the skinfinish duo from the New View collection in medium.

Images: Never Shopped Out

Cartoon couture

Images: mijo.com, 80spurple.com

First, there was Murakami for Louis Vuitton.

Then, there were teddy bears for Fendi.

Now, we have Disney couture.

Ok, so that might not be in the correct order, and the items listed might not necessarily be of the same calibre (or even close). However, if like me you like your bling big, gold, flashy, kitsch--and a little bit twee--you might also like the ever-expanding range of Disney trinkets based on childhood classics such as Peter Pan, Snow White, and my personal favourite Alice in Wonderland.

Recently I have acquired two pieces from the range--oddly enough they are both part of the Peter Pan collection which heavily features the lovely Tinkerbell. The locket pictured above has attracted many admiring glances, and the ring offers sage advice to those who wish to never grow up (oh the powers of positive thinking). There's even a red delicious necklace for the fairest of them all.

Mirror, mirror...

Deco delights

Image: merivale.com

Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival took place this week in the glorious town I call home--and for those not in the know on this one, the festival is basically a public, edited and condensed version of the (usually) industry only Fashion Week. I didn't go to any of the shows, but I was lucky enough to be given an invitation to a party Wednesday night at the Ivy hosted by leblackbook (many thanks to the lovely Kellie for thinking of me).

So along with other fashion fillies, i trotted on down to the Ivy for a short and sweet fashion show plus drinks. Sadly I still don't have my digi cam (I blame Paxton's camera store for this) so I couldn't take any pics to share, but the dresses were all previews of new season stock soon to be available on leblackbook. The party took place in the Den, which was decked out in gorgeous art deco style--kudos to the interior designer, because in my opinion, the Ivy is one of the most luxuriously well decorated spaces in Sydney (ok, so maybe I'm not really any kind of authority on the subject, but I know what I like when I see it!).

Needless to say, I had a lovely time and even managed to make it home and into bed before midnight. Bliss.

NSO beauty: Desert island

If you are familiar with Never Shopped Out, a great Australian online shopping resource, you may have noticed they have a new beauty blogger on board--if you are doubly observant, you may also have noticed that it is none other than yours truly. Each fortnight a new beauty posting will be up on NSO as well as up here on this blog. So please click on the link or read on and enjoy!

They say you can often tell a lot about a woman by having a quick peek inside her make-up bag/drawer/cupboard. If one were to cast their eyes upon my stash it would probably reveal a number of things about me including the fact that I am a massive hoarder and probably own enough beauty products to keep myself occupied til about the year 2037.Despite the fact that I honestly NEED everything that I own (and intend to purchase in the near future) if I had to play beauty desert island and pick 4 items which I think should take pride of place in anyone’s beauty regimen (whether you spend 5 minutes or 50 minutes in front of the mirror each day) these would be it:

Sunscreen

This is definitely the number one must, since sun damage from exposure to UV rays is one of the biggest aging factors (second only to stress). I wear at least an SPF 30+ year round, even when indoors—sun damage is cumulative and doesn’t show up until years after the damage has already been done. Get a moisturiser or foundation into your routine which contains a high SPF: I use Shiseido sun protection liquid foundation 30+. (AUD$49.00)

Eye cream

Moisturising the skin around the eye is crucial from the early twenties onwards. Even though your skin may not be dry, dehydration (lack of water, not lack of oil) is one of the first signs of aging, with dehydration lines around the eyes often being confused for wrinkles. I believe prevention is better than cure, so keep the fine skin around your eyes plumped up with an eye cream suitable for your skin type (I use Elizabeth Arden Intervene eye, AUD$52.00), and remember to tap the cream lightly around the eye socket, never on the actual eye lid.

Lipstick/gloss/balm

Some kind of lip product must be on my lips at all times to guard against dryness and to protect from the wind and sun. Two lippies that are always in my handbag are MAC Jubilee lipstick (AUD$35.00) and Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula lip butter.

Mascara

Oh so obvious and clichéd, but my teeny lashes are so spindly they are virtually invisible without this most wondrous item. With the infinite range of mascaras now on the market you can find one to suit almost any look you desire, but if you like them long and thick like I do, I highly recommend Max Factor Masterpiece MAX —I’ve tried Diorshow, I’ve tried Lancome Hypnose, I’ve tried Chanel Inimitable, and this one trumps the lot at around half the price.

Images: Never Shopped Out

No apologies

Image: abcnews.go.com

In a world increasingly and sometimes excessively obsessed with a need to be politically correct at all times, it can be refreshing to hear the un-censored (albeit rehearsed) opinions of some people who have the balls to tell it like it really is. Last night I was lucky enough to spend a few hours laughing my a** off at Chris Rock's No Apologies show at the Entertainment Centre, part of a year-long world tour which kicked off in New York on NYE last year. In classic Rock style, topics of conversation included politics, race, as well as the relationships and differences between men and women.

Highly recommended, there are two more Australian shows in Melbourne, tonight and tomorrow. Otherwise, I'm sure the footage will be available on DVD next year, or up on YouTube despite a blanket ban on cameras at the show (courtesy of those with little understanding or respect for the intellectual property of others =p).

High tea is for ladies

Image: Cupcakes by Zalita from flickr.com

When it comes to all things social, I would have to say I am neither a wallflower nor a social butterfly... I suppose if I were to romanticise my behaviour I could be described as a sort of Cinderella who is nearly always struck around midnight with a strong desire to go home--although in my case it has less to do with my car turning into a pumpkin and more to do with the fact that I can be a bit of a Nana and require 8 hours of beauty sleep nightly (minimum). Needless to say, I am not a creature of the night and prefer to keep my social hours during the day, preferably around meal times when lots of food and conversation may be had by all (and heard, which is more than I can say for the Sydney bar scene of late).

One of my favourite things to do with my friends during the day is to have high tea, especially if it involves a buffet and a five star hotel. I have partaken of high tea at a few different places and in my humble opinion, the afternoon tea buffet at the Intercontinental is both delicious and great value. I returned to the Cortile for the second time recently, and I found that the quality and service had not changed since my first visit about a year prior. However, one thing that has changed is their introduction of two seatings (from 1-3pm or 3-5pm) as opposed to the original 2-5pm session, which (sadly) means less time to gorge oneself on cakes, tarts, savouries, petit fours, crepes and waffles.

Also included of course is a glass of bubbly and a nice pot of Prince Charming. I mean, Earl Grey.

Glove love

Image: flickr.com

Apparently if it's freezing cold out and you wish to stay toasty warm, a hat is the best weapon to guard against single digit temperatures--ie if your head is warm, your whole body will be warm. I have also been told this is true for feet. What I find in winter is that even slightly mild temperatures cause my fingers to turn into little ice blocks. This week temperatures have plummeted considerably and I have noticed that my fingers are often numb and I find myself wondering if I have contracted some sort of early onset frostbite.

Which is why I was terribly upset when I realised that I had somehow lost one of my two pairs of elbow length gloves (I have a lot of 3/4 sleeve jackets). After calling every restaurant/cafe I visited last week to no avail, I have sadly resigned myself to the fact that I am not going to find them and I'll need to buy a new pair. But where to find such gloves when end of season sales are drawing to a close and in a mere matter of weeks first spring/summer stock will begin to be rolled out across the country? Not to mention the fact that charcoal grey knitted elbow length gloves aren't terribly easy to find--and I can't exactly carry a cup of hot chocolate around with me everywhere I go either (sadly).

Too bad I look awful in hats =[

Fairy floss

Images: Stiletto Magazine on fashion-ation.net

When I saw these images I found myself struck by the simple, graceful and magical photography that lent these feathered frou-frou confections an air of fantasy, as if they belonged in a dream world. When I read the caption which declared them all to be pieces of haute couture by none other than Chanel and Givenchy, I realised that they were indeed other-worldly and far beyond the reach of my own sticky fingers.

Amazing.

I quite agree with the commentary on fashion-ation which describes them as no less that works of art complete even without being worn, as garments usually should be. If only they were exhibiting in a gallery near me.

Bewitched

Cone-heel sandal by Chloe
Chloe copy

Images: net-a-porter.com; witchery.com.au

If like me you are greeted daily by about 50 million emails, almost none of which are from your friends, it is likely that like me you received an email from a certain Aussie chain store advertising their new Spring/Summer collection. Or should I say, their assembly of last season's designer creations loosely re-interpreted--ie, hardly changed at all (I'm looking at you, blatant Chloe cone-heel sandal knock-offs).

Clearly, blatant designer copies are a pet-peeve of mine, and it's not that I can't appreciate that chain-store items result from a trickle-down effect based on haute fashion trends-- a la Meryl Streep's spiel regarding THAT cerulean blue sweater in "The Devil wears Prada". I understand that these stores which cater to the masses need to provide designer "inspired" clothing in line with fashion trends dictated by the houses. What I don't think I will ever be able to make peace with, or buy myself, is an outright knock-off item. What also bothers me is that the chain-stores are able to make a mint trading off of the intellectual and creative property of others (and of course, the above offender isn't the only one). Besides, aren't there laws against that type of thing?

As the chain and high-street stores become increasingly infiltrated with these inferior imposter items I become increasingly turned-off shopping there. I know it may seem that I am turning up my nose at affordable fashion, but really that isn't so. In fact I own many items of non-copied high-street clothing. I simply believe that the majority of the population (myself included) which cannot afford designer items deserves better than to end up increasingly clad in cheap imitations.

Baked goods

Images: bjooti.net

Baked goods are delicious for a number of reasons:

they are oh so tempting, look gorgeous, offer great colour pay-off and with (usually) more than one colour in the pan they are great for lazy days or when you're applying your maquillage on the go. No, I haven't gotten cakes and cookies confused with make-up, because MAC's Mineralize blushes, skinfinishes and eyeshadow duos are baked in an oven to provide maximum shimmer and smooth wearability.

Three new collections of Mineralize products have just been released in the US by MAC, meaning they should arrive on Aussie shores in a few short weeks. And I cannot wait! A long time fan of the Mineralize range I tend to favour these products since they provide a sheeny, slightly shimmery, glowy finish that makes your skin look good enough to eat.

To market, to market

Image: hopestreetmarkets.com

When you are a student with illustrious ideas but a meagre budget there are only so many places you can afford to shop in order to avoid looking like a sheep that just stepped out of the pages of Cosmo magazine. The over-saturation of chain-stores and countless fashion-victims adrift in a sea of same-ness can often have a panic-inducing effect when shopping along the main drag of Pitt St mall or your local Westfield. Which is why sample sales have always been a mainstay on my to-shop list, and why I have recently turned to markets in order to find unique cheap and cheerful pieces to supplement my wardrobe.

Trawling markets (or marketing, as I like to call it) has become a favourite weekend past-time even when walking away empty handed, since there are so many interesting and hilarious things to be spotted such as giant 80s perforated leather dresses, adorable hand-sewn baby clothes, or humongous rings made from old metal liquor tags. Even though giant leather dresses aren't exactly my thing, I have found shopping at the markets to be a rewarding experience since it offers such a diverse and affordable mix of second hand, vintage and new items that are refreshingly differentiated from mass-produced chain-store fare.

Blue jean baby

Image: cheapmonday.com

For many women, myself included, the search for the perfect pair of jeans can somewhat resemble the quest for the holy grail--it can take many years, it can be painful, there can be tears, and after many false leads you may end up resigning yourself to the fact that sadly it is a mythical object that simply no longer exists. Luckily for me a true Purple Cow of the denim variety was brought to the Australian consumer all the way from its native Stockholm--yes, I am talking about Cheap Mondays.

Personally I have never been willing to spend exorbitant amounts of money on jeans--$500 for a pair of casual pants does not a happy Jaqui make. At $90 a pop, Cheap Mondays are therefore ideal to me in everyway: they have a great fit, are super tight and LONG enough, are semi-high waisted, come in about 20+ different washes and you don't feel guilty about buying 3 pairs of the exact same pant in different shades because the cost is equivalent to one pair of designer jeans.

So if you're searching for your holy grail jeans you don't need to make a journey to Arthurian England... just head over to Bondi.

Impulse buys are the work of the devil

Image: bibaexperience.com

After taking on a few extra shifts and finding myself with a few extra dollars, I consequently found myself doing quite a bit of shopping centred around the end-of-year/season sales which abound this time of year. However this kind of shopping climate often goes hand-in-hand with one of my biggest financial hurdles--the impulse buy, aka the regrettable purchase. It never fails to astound me how whenever this happens, I later find something I absolutely must have only to discover I am short the exact amount I spent on the regrettable item.

Nevertheless I did manage to find a few items I adore and which will fit in rather nicely with my existing wardrobe, in particular a pair of gorgeous Biba sunglasses and a cobalt blue Camilla and Marc dress. In my old age I hope I will out-grow this impulse phase, or at least cultivate enough wisdom to always think twice before handing over my hard-earned cash.

Kitsch itch

Image: melissaaustralia.com.au

As mentioned in the title of this blog, I tend to have a bizarre and unwavering attraction to things which are kitsch, tacky, verging on ugly--I am guilty of overuse of the phrase "so wrong it's right". Often I find myself drawn to the most ridiculous of objects, from lamps that resemble giant illuminated conch shells to huge furry clutch bags embellished with mega rhinestones (I actually purchased a version of this Nicola Finetti bag sans rhinestones--I thought at least this way a giant furry clutch could be more easily incorporated into my wardrobe).

Therefore the recent release of the Melissa/Vivienne Westwood collaboration has me intrigued--although I am at a loss to say whether or not I actually like these shoes. One part fairytale, one part street-walker, the shoes are plastic recreations of a popular Anglomania heel. Check them out/purchase them here if you so wish. Personally I can't help wondering how hot and sweaty one's feet would become in shoes made entirely from rubberized plastic--however if channeling Alice in Wonderland is your thing, I don't think I have ever seen a more suitable mary-jane.

Red she said

Image: specktra.net

Despite the glamour and eternally classic appeal of crimson lips I have never warmed to the idea of red lipstick in real life--it may look great on the catwalk or the silver screen, but I am yet to see it done well on the street. Once upon a time I worked the beauty counters at David Jones so I have sampled my fair share of the shade, and despite finding lippies that did suit my skintone, I somehow lacked the chutzpah to pull it off. Wearing red always made me feel as though a light was shining from my face that I desperately wanted to switch off.

Nevertheless I am wildly anticipating the upcoming MAC Holiday collection (yes I realise that it is only late June). You can check out some product images here. Luckily for me, the collection should include the usual tan and pink lip sets in addition to the red, as well as the customary eye-shadow quads, brush sets, lip palettes, pigment and Viva glam--and from that I'm sure I'll find a shade better suited to my pout and my pride than red.

Love rat

Image: vogue.com.au

When I got home from work today I squealed with joy when I found a package waiting for me--the long wait for my Sass & Bide Black Rats had finally come to an end! And I can surely say they are everything I hoped they would be: I am one hundred percent all over these, absolutely love them. They look amazing with everything a pair of black skinny jeans would look great with, especially my new vintage navy oversized blazer =]

Which reminds me, the next thing on my to-buy list is a digital camera... and a back-up pair of the Black Rats?

Well, maybe in a few weeks...

Extreme knock-off

Image: televisionista.blogspot.com

If we can learn anything from Sex and the City the Movie, surely it is this: a girl really only needs one killer pair of shoes per season--Dior Extreme, I'm looking at you. Yes, we all drooled over the gladiator sandals Carrie sported with every second outfit--including a bedazzled gold version with her Vivienne Westwood wedding gown--but I ask you, does that warrant the stampede to the register of stores which have blatantly ripped off the Dior design? Granted, gladiator sandals are HOT and i have a few pairs in my own repertoire (pics to come I promise). But rather than buying an out and out copy, wouldn't it be nicer to have a shoe that pays homage to the Dior in ways other than being a blatant imposter shoe? Instead, I think, we should take a cue from Carrie (wearing the same shoes repeatedly is ok) and save up and buy one fabulous designer pair rather than 8 pairs that just can't hold a candle to the real thing.

Hello, lover!

Yes, despite much studying and general busy-ness I managed to get myself along to a midday screening of Sex and the City yesterday and I am proud to say that it was the best movie I have ever seen... EVER. Highly anticipated by myself and millions upon millions of others, I am happy to declare that the movie exceeded my every expectation, and then some! I'll spare you further gushing, suffice to say that I can't wait til I have time to watch it again, if only to escape to a fashion heaven, the lofty heights of which elude us mere mortals who have not the cash, nor the occasion to fathom such fabulous ensembles.

Leggings are not pants

Image: MyCatwalk.com
I'm sure that there are many out there who would agree with this statement. Obviously, this is something I feel quite strongly about--personally, I find the wearing of leggings as pants an assault on my eyes regardless of the size, shape or age of the offending bottom. Up until recently, I had never even entertained the idea of wearing said garments--tights, I love, but the idea of leggings cutting me off at the ankle was a look I did not hold in high regard.

However, I must admit that I have been caught up in the hype of Sass & Bide's Rats pants, which are, technically, ruched leather-look leggings. In fact, I have a pair on pre-order from MyCatwalk as we speak. Unfortunately I am yet to receive them and the reviews have been mixed on these. When I receive them I will post a review, however should I decide to keep them, they most certainly will be worn with long, bottom-covering tops and jackets only in order to prevent making my own contribution to the visual pollution already in abundance throughout the streets of Sydney.