Vip Night(s) May 2012

As promised, here's a low-down on the damage I've done to my bank account during the Chadstone and Melbourne Central VIP discount Shopping Nights...

Portmans - Tear Drop Top in Shiraz

Originally $59.95 down to $29.95 less 30% = $20.97

This also covers one of the items on my A/W Wishlist, where I'd said I would like to buy something in a rich, wine colour - what a coincidence then that the colour of this top is referred to as "Shiraz"!

Portmans - Tuck Detail Shell Top in Citrus

Originally $49.95 less 30% = $34.97

This top has a very unique lime colour. Its not as yellow as it looks in the picture. It looks really good IRL. And the maroon nail polish I'm wearing is also from Portmans ($7.95 less 30% = $5.56)

Supre - Zigzag Printed Tights

Originally $20 less 20% = $16

Not a bad price for a whacky pair of tights! And it actually looks good with that Citrus top!

Sportsgirl - Blake Plain Drape Cardigan in Charcoal

Originally $49.95 less 15% = $42.46 

I suppose I could cross drapey (asymetric) cardigan off my A/W Wishlist, too with this buy.

IDS - Vintage Floral Dress

Originally $59.90 less 40% = $36

And last but not the least, the most coveted item (by me) on my A/W Wishlist....

Forever New - Sylvie Wool Blend Coat

Originally $149.95 less 15% and I had a Gift Voucher so ended up paying $111

Normally I wouldn't pay that much but this was something I really wanted so I made the exception this time. But no more shopping for a while....

PS: Outfit Photos courtesy my new iPhone 4S :D!!

Know your rights, Shopper.

Remember my post where I'd mentioned the new winter coat I'd bought from Portmans? Never mind, this is the one. So, you know how it was originally priced at $229 and was down to $99, and I thought that was a great saving (but was still apprehensive about paying that much because I never really buy things for that amount). And remember how I'd advised everyone to hold on any purchases they were planning to make till Chadstone or Melbourne Central VIP night at the end of that same post? The reason I didn't take my own advice was because when I mentioned this to the SA at Portmans that night, she said that the coats special would end that weekend and the VIP night discount would be 30% off the full price. 2 days later I got an email from Portmans about their "sale preview offer for VIPs" which was valid at all stores and the offer included 30% off all stock including sale items and when I checked their website, of course, the coat was still selling at $99. I went to the Melbourne Central store and explained the situation - the ladies there were lovely and really helpful and since I'd kept my receipt, happily refunded $29.70! So now my wonderful winter coat only cost me $70!!!

Moral of the story: ALWAYS KEEP TAGS AND RECEIPTS for at least one week after purchase. If you buy something because a store assistant misled you (albeit, unintentionally or due to lack of information provided to them) and you find yourself out of pocket because it was reduced soon after, explain the situation to senior store staff and see what they can do for you. Of course, every store has different policies and it'll also depend on the circumstance - but no harm in trying. AND if you are having second thoughts about something you bought, return it, exchange it or get a credit note if not a refund, get something later that you'll be happier with and the credit note will make you feel good about not having to actually take money out of your wallet again to pay for something (that's what happened with the tops I bought from Forever New).

OH and the VIP Shopping Nights were great! That's why I haven't had time to update the blog, too busy shopping till late at night ;). Will do a proper post on all the loot soon, but here's a sneak preview of the stuff I got from Chaddy...

I know it looks like the flag of an African country of some sort right now, but more details on this coming soon - also will tell you what I bought from Melbourne Central VIP night (Hint hint: another A/W Wishlist item). Stay tuned! 

Hair and more...

On the weekend, I really needed some pampering and so did my hair. My haircut was a month overdue, but my busy work schedule meant I had to keep it low on my list of priorities :(. But once I had gotten all that out of the way, it really felt nice to get my hair washed, head massaged and coffee served to me while Naz, from Biba on Glenferrie Rd. in Hawthorn, gave my hair new life. It was my first time at Biba and it definitely won't be my last. I didn't want anything drastic done, just neater ends, more layers, fringe reshaped and of course glam styling. Naz didn't disappoint! And she's one of the few hairdressers who really understands what "keep the length" means!

Before

After

I know black on black doesn't really help prove my point (I always wear black when getting a haircut so that bits of hair that fall on my top aren't visible) but you get the picture - I'm really happy with the result AND I get 25% off my next visit. 

The rest of the weekend was fun, too. Friday: dinner+movie - watched 'The Dictator', hilarious! Saturday: friend's birthday dinner. Sunday: lunch+shopping with a girlfriend (shopping for gifts, not for myself). All this eating out - I really need to amp up my cardio. Speaking of cardio, when I was shopping for gifts (yes, shopping = cardio ;)) I found the first thing that was on my A/W Wishlist! A faux fur collar!!

Jacqui E - Foxy Fur Collar

At 30% off $39.95, I paid $27.96.

BARGAIN ALERT: 30% of Belts and Scarves at Jacqui E.

Can't wait to wear this with my new winter coat! Hope everyone has a great week ahead! 

I leave you with the wise words of Kimora Lee Simmons (a sentence I never thought I would say) -

"Always dress like you're going to see your worst enemy."

Winter Shopping Warm Up

What better way to end a looong work week than by SHOPPING! No better way, I say. And especially since its almost officially winter, one needs to warm up, rug up, work-out or do whatever it takes to be able to bear the chills. And boy does my wallet get a work-out when Forever New has...

BARGAIN ALERT: 40% off sale prices! *shrieks* 

So here's what I bought...

Kaelayn Pussy Bow Blouse
$89.99 down to $69.95 less 40% = $41.97

Nikki Beaded Cropped Jacket
$99.99 down to $69.95 less 40% = $41.97

Brooke Pocket Shirt
$79.99 down to $49.95 less 40% = $29.40

I had a gift card so actually didn't really fork out anything, although I had returned something in the past thanks to which I had the card, but it felt nice to buy such pretty things without having to pay up. The beaded jacket is much prettier and sparklier in real life. I've always wanted a statement jacket, although this isn't exactly what I've wanted, but its a really pretty start. What I want is more like this one...

...again my Gossip Girl influence. :)

Also, I desperately needed a black winter jacket. I know you'll think that a black winter coat wasn't on my A/W WIshlist but if you live in Melbourne, you'll know, a warm black jacket isn't a 'wish' or a 'want' its a 'need', a 'necessity'. Here's what I bought...

Portmans Arizona Contrast Sleeve Coat - As seen on Abbey Lee

$229 down to $99

BARGAIN ALERT: All coats at Portmans are $99 this weekend.

This was just a warm-up, my 2 favourite days are coming up next week.

BARGAIN ALERT: Chadstone VIP Night - 23rd May & Melbourne Central Shopping Festival - 24th May (one day only offers at all stores).

So if you are itching to buy something, just hold on till then (unless its already on sale at a great price ;)) Hope you have a fun weekend! :) Stay warm! xx

Old vs New

So, I'm going to be starting a new job soon. Its exciting but also a bit daunting. And my old job is familiar and comfortable. But life moves on. Change is the only constant, right? That's what made me thing about "Old vs New". And nothing changes like Fashion!

Dior - Then and Now

Fur - Then and Now

       

Romantic Date Dress- Then and Now

Summer - Then and Now

        

Paparazzi - Then and Now

Peplum - Then and Now

Paris - Then and Now

Vogue - Then and Now

Its not that one is better than the other, its just that they're both different and that's necessary...

Street Style

I have had a busy week and had to work on the weekend as well, so haven't had time to do anything exciting or fun or update my blog :(. But I still made time to check out what trailblazing trend-setters were wearing around town. Streets are the biggest source of fashion inspiration. So, today I'm sharing some of my favourite Street Style pics that I've come across over the last week or so. Enjoy!!

Black&White+Colour:

Aquamarine:

Florals and Neutrals:

Hope your weekend was better than mine.

Until next time, I leave you with this quote from Coco Chanel -

 “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”