The Best Day Of My Life

Yesterday started like any other day. I woke up, battled through traffic to get to work and spent way too long pondering what to have for lunch ( sushi). Little did I know that something was about to happen, something that would change my life forever......

J.CREW NOW SHIPS TO AUSTRALIA! 

Excuse my while I rejoice and plan my assault on my savings as I contemplate whether green or fuchsia capri pants are needed in my life.

Happy shopping!

Leopard Spots

So apart from my Pistols, I haven't bought any other clothing or shoes so far this year. I haven't even been making a conscientiousness effort, more so that with the unpredictable weather I have simply given up on trying to put together any new outfits. 

As summer officially comes to a end very soon, for the first time I can actually recall I am looking forward to   building up a winter wardrobe. I usually hate winter dressing with conundrums as to exactly which jacket I can find to keep me warm yet not clash tremendously with my outfit when going out on the weekend. 

I am seeing a lot of neutral colours in the shops which I am loving, but I have seen a lot of outfit inspiration by way of leopard print flats so when I saw these simple round toed babies in Witchery, I couldn't purchase them quick enough.

Witchery Angel Flats $149.95

They are leather lined with a leather sole - remember it is all about quality!

I also bought this oversized knit which I can't find on the Witchery website so please make do with this Instagram picture! Super comfy and cosy! I tried it on paired with my (fake) leather pants and pistols and I was very happy with the results! 

So many things I wanted in Witchery actually......must continue to practice restraint. 

Do you prefer a summer or winter wardrobe? I have to say I prefer summer as there is usually let ironing involved not to mention no stockings which personally drive me mad!

Welcome to 2012

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year. Mine was quite possibly the best I have ever had, and there I was worrying I was in for another let down!

I've decided 2012 is the year in which I will save save SAVE to start the beginnings of a house deposit/ general lump of money. I'm not too bad with saving at the moment but I have gone ahead and drawn up a fabulous budget to work with this year. Helps so much to write it all down and set some serious goals!

Now there is another concept I am going to roll with this year . Instead of purchasing the things I want when I want, I am going to put money aside and get them when I have earned them. I hope this will help me stick to my budget and cull unnecessary purchases. And after all, I do enjoy buying nice things and this is a good way to continue doing that. 

I've got two things on my mind so far, the first being a Kindle. 

I am an avid reader and I love it dearly but the last few years between work, uni, seeing T and life in general I barley read a book anymore. This is so disappointing to me! In 2012 i'd really like to stop playing on my iPhone every night ( or waking moment.....) and read instead. As books are quite costly and I can't get to the library as often as I would like, I think this will be a perfect solution!

Won't take long to save for this one!

Secondly, I am in dire need of a new wallet. I have a Mimco wallet that is cream, or should I say WAS cream and has seen better days. Also, it is the type that fold into itself which I find quite annoying, I'd prefer a long style wallet. 

I have two contenders in mind, both fiercely biding for my attention. 

Large YSL CHYC Wallet

YSL Y-Mail Zip Wallet

These are certainly bigger ticket items which will take longer to save for, but as I stick with the same wallet for years I think it will be well worth it. I love them both which is the only problem!

I have certainly noticed a change with myself over the last year, I am less inclined to impulse purchase. I am hoping that by saving for the things I really want I will continue to make wise purchases and limit the amount of junk I bring into my life.

Are you saving for anything special? Do you have a Kindle? Which wallet do you prefer?

The Dress Saga- Update!

Thank you for all your encouraging comments on my last post, it only confirmed what I already knew - the dress must be mine!

Never underestimate the power of Twitter people. After blogging about my dress woes for all to see, the lovely M of She Wore It Well alerted me to the fact that the dress was selling on the Westfields website for only $99.00!

Come to mama! 

 Considering it was originally going for $399.00 this is AMAZING! First thing I did this morning was roll out of bed and purchase it and it will be with me in 3-5 working days, yipee!

It's been a while since I've gotten a bargain, I am very pleased indeed. 

Has anyone else got any bargains to report? Do share! 

xx

Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne

Wild Bluebell is my first Jo Malone fragrance. I have wanted to try one of these colognes for the longest time so jumped at the opportunity when I had the chance to pay US retail which of course is significantly lower. 

All wrapped up nice and pretty!

As I find it near impossible to put into words what I am smelling, the description from the Jo Malone website is as follows:

"Deliciously dewy, this cologne drenches the skin with the delicate scent of bluebells. Luminous with lush persimmon, lily of the valley and eglantine. Mesmerising."

I brought this from an absolutely charming sales person at Bergdorf Goodman. Damn that guy was nice! They really know how to do service well in the good ol' US of A. Anyway, I digress...

I really love the smell of gardenias/ freesias so I asked him to show me something along those lines. Not sure how I ended up smelling this, probably because it is a new fragrance so they were pushing it! Somehow I decided at the time I loved this the most although it has no gardenia or freesia. It does have lily of the valley which I also love, maybe that was it.

I didn't open this up again until I got home. Now I am not so sure about this? As I mentioned above, I am terrible at describing fragrances but I'll do my best to explain. It has a lovely fresh and clean scent, but there is something to it that puts me of a little, perhaps a little to sickly sweet for my own tastes. I have since learnt ( after purchase of course!) that no natural extract of wild blue bell exists. I distinctly remember having a Tommy Hilfiger fragrance YEARS ( like 10!) ago which had a similar note and I could never wear it. I fear this may head the same way unfortunately. 

All up, I like it, but I don't love it. In restropect I probably would have been happiest with plain old Vintage Gardenia. Ah well, we live and we learn. 

Not sure what to do with it now, as I doubt I will get through it because it just doesn't smell right on me, although I am sure others would love it!

This is a picture I took after I brought it. The guy was so generous with samples! I have been keeping them in my handbag, and can attest that English Pear and Freesia and Nectarine and Honey Blossom are TO DIE FOR!! Makes me sad because I wish I had them instead!

Perfume is a funny thing, can smell so wonderful one minute and completely different the next

Have you ever been disappointed with a perfume purchase? 

Packed ( HAH!) and Ready

I'm going to NEW YORK CITY tomorrow!!! EEEK! 

I am so excited. No work for two weeks, the city of my dreams and copious amounts of shopping and eating. How could it get any better?

I am so not into the whole packing thing though......see Exhibit A 

Some undies and suitcase in a suitcase. Yeah, I've got some work to do. 

I had a few people ask me about the travel wallet I showed in the video I did a couple of weeks ago so I thought I would throw up some pictures.

The brand is Modepelle (never heard of it before) and it cost me about $60.00 from a bag and luggage store in Chatswood. 

Plain red leather and ticket/passport separators. That's all I wanted!

I've got my walking shoes sorted. 

They are from Zierra ( previously known as Kumfs haha!) . They are the closest thing to a plain ballet flat with some sort of support I could find. Luckily they don't have a orthopedic look to them but do have lots of support which is what I need as I have high arches in my feet. Unfortunately I spend $190 on  Kumfs. Name changes don't fool me!!!!

I've got my on board beauty products ready to go. Changed my mind a little bit from what I previously said I would take. In the end Vitamin E cream and oil, Kosmea Rosehip Oil, a travel size Bastiste dry shampoo, roll on perfume and deodorant made the cut!

Oh and these face wipes to keep fresssssssh!

I've got my maps ready to go!

Now I am just rambling. I am really really excited!

Can't lie though, I am a little worried about these news reports of a credible threat of a terror attack on NY/ Washington to coincide with the 10th anniversary of September 11. For those playing at home, I fly in on the evening of September 2011. I really didn't think when I booked that it would play on my mind too much but after spending a week re-living the aftermath of 9/11 through the media and these news reports, I just can't help feeling that it wasn't the best idea!

Nether the less, it's all booked now and there is nothing I can do about it. I am going to have an amazing time, I just know it!

I SERIOUSLY CAN'T WAIT!!

Antipodes

Antipodes is a brand that is currently on my skin care radar. I've heard of it before but have never really paid attention until I had a chance to browse through Myer recently and it caught my eye. 

Antipodes is a New Zealand brand based on natural botanical ingredients with the added benefit of being certified organic. 

Let me just say, every single thing I tested smelt DIVINE!

Here are a few things I was especially fond of and quite possibly need in my life!

Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream  AU $56.00

A lovely rich and buttery cream featuring 100% pure avocado oil. I can just imagine slathering this on of a night time and waking up with beautifully soft skin.

Aura Manuka Honey Mask AU $51.00

This mask features natural manuka honey and is to be used as an intense moisture mask.  I imagine that  you could achieve similar results using plain old manuka honey on it's own but you wouldn't have the added bonus of more avocado oil, vanilla pod and mandarin would you?

Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream AU $52.00

This smelt amazing, though I am a sucker for anything vanilla! Not too heavy, but not too light in texture either, just how I like my daily moisturisers. 

I am lusting badly. 

Have you tried any Antipodes products? If you have, hit me with your recommendations!

Sephora Wish List

I've been spending a disproportionate amount of time scouring the Sephora website lately, both cursing the Australian mark up on beauty items ( and everything in general really!) as well as drooling over the things I will soon get my hands on.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar US$39.00

I have wanted to try one of Bobbi Brown's shimmer bricks forever, they all look so damn pretty. I especially love this colour.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance US$18.00

While I love Urban Decays Priming Potion and will be repurchasing, I really want to try out Too Faced's version as it is able to be purchased in Australia. Oh, and I really just like trying new things. 

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray US$23.00

Never will I give up my dream of achieving the perfect summer beach hair. The fact that all surf sprays I have previously tried have left my hair in a matted mess does not deter me from reaching my goal ha ha!

NARS Moni Body Glow II US$59.00

If you were reading my old blog posts last summer you would know that  bronzed and glowy skin is the aim of my game. I have wanted to try this for ages, but that $100.00 Mecca price tag has done a stellar job of putting it off. 

What products are you waiting to get your hands on ? Anything you've had your eye on for a while?

Write it Up

I first discovered Typo while on a blogger meet last year. I was oblivious to the fact it even existed.

My how times have changed. I can't even type Typo without experiencing the desire to purchase stationary that I will likely never use.

Whilst looking for a travel wallet the other day I saw this super cute notebook. Is this not the perfect travel journal for my upcoming trip?

I want to do quite a bit of writing when I am away so I have a great read to look back on in the years to come.

Now to keep searching for the ever elusive non-ugly and at least slightly practical travel wallet. 

Suggestions welcome!

Have you ever kept a travel journal?

On My Mind

 My urge to surround myself in glorious materialistic things has reared it's head lately! So many things I want NEED!

Here are a few:

Cloud Nine Straightening Irons (AU $270.00)

About 3 or 4 years ago, I finally brought myself a GHD. It was certainly a step up from my first hair straighter which was basically a glorified hair warmer. After wet-to-straightening the life out of my hair, I could finally straighten and GHD curl my hair! But now the edge has worn off , as has the heat of my GHD. I'm bored, I need to move on, I need a Cloud Nine!

I like the idea of the temperature control, but most of all I like it because I don't have it ha ha.  

Original Hunter Wellington Boots

Anybody who has has been in Sydney this week would know it has been wet wet wet. Let me tell you, trudging around avoiding puddles in ballerina flats is not fun. Add some wet stockings to the mix and it is REALLY not fun. If I had me a pair of these babies I'd be jumping in puddles like it was nobodies business!

Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation

I am well and truly ready to break up with MAC Studio Fix Sculpt. The colour just isn't right and it doesn't seem to sit well on my skin anymore. Time to move on! I am dying to try Pro Lumiere but hear it's being discontinued- typical! No way I will be paying Australian RRP though, will wait until I am in the US!

I'm sure there is a lot more I could think of, but I think I better stop before I torture myself!

What's on your wish list at the moment? Anything you just can't get out of your head?

Lusting

My spending ban is going strong people! Since the beginning of March I have only brought a fairly cheap winter jumper from Dotti, some Lululemon running tights and these House of Harlow earrings:-

House of Harlow Pave Stargazer Earrings

It's been tough but I have been constantly reminding myself that (apparently) material things do not buy one happiness! I'm not going to lie though, I have spend A LOT of time stalking ShopBop, Net-A-Porter and Asos mwahaha.

There may be one paid of shoes that I am willing to cave in for....I mean they are only $83 dollars, black goes with everything, wedges are easier to walk in.....

Jeffrey Campbell Ninety Nine Wedge Booties

Justification of potential purchase skills, I have them. 

Frye Engineer 8R Boots

Am loving these boots to, I think they would keep my eternally cold feet a little warmer in winter. Ballet flat are not cutting it already! 

What have you been lusting over lately?