Chadstone VIP night - Novemeber 2014

Last Tuesday was Chadstone's last VIP night of the year. The Pre-Christmas Summer VIP night is their biggest shopping event apart from Boxing Day. Also, William Sonoma, West Elm, Pottery Barn & Pottery Barn Kids opened at Chadstone on the Lower Ground Level in the Home Section of the mall. Here's a little peak at the stores. You must check it out for yourself, they had great homewares, very sophisticated at very affordable prices especially West Elm. William Sonoma is a bit more pricey though. 

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Kids

West Elm

William Sonoma

I didn't buy anything from the new stores, it was too busy for me to think straight. But I definitely saw stuff I liked and would go back for.

Here's what I did buy...

"I'd Rather be Shopping" tee: $19.95 (Zara)

Black Bejeweled Ballet Flats: $45.95 (Zara)

Chambray Baggy Pants: 20% off $99.95 (Seed)

I was happy with that. Some good buys. Less is more.

BARGAIN ALERT: 26th November is Melbourne Central's Shopping Night.

Spring Racing Looks without spending a Fortune!

Spring is synonymous with Racing. Especially in Victoria. Even before the calendars are changed over to September, our favourite fashion stores and sites bring out their best fascinators and floral chiffon dresses to remind us clothes-horses that 'the celebration that stops the nation' is around the corner.

But your last name does not have to be "Waterhouse" for you to look Fashionable on the Fields in your race-appropriate finery. Nor do you have to bank on backing Black Caviar or her descendants to pay for your post-racing season credit card bills. 

In this post I'm proudly sharing with you 3 gorgeous outfits I managed to piece together from browsing through Australia's well loved fast-fashion sites that are trendy, race-worthy and the best part - they are all UNDER $200! Talk about being on the money!

#1 Flower Power

What's a Spring Racing outfit without some floral print! But this outfit takes it to the next level by combining all of this seasons trends so seamlessly: Structured+White+Graphic Prints+Girly with an edge.

Dress: $118.97 (Keepsake the Label on Iconic.com)

Floral Print Strappy Heels: $29.95 (Spurr Basics on Iconic.com)

Satchel: $11.98 (Zalora on Iconic.com)

Floppy Hat: $39.99 (Forever New)

Outfit Total: $200.89

#2 Upper East Side Chic

If you were a New York Fashionista going to the races (on a tight budget) this is what you would wear. This year, the rules of race-appropriate dressing have changed a little. It is OK to show a little bit of skin as long as you keep it classy, modern silhouettes and separates are overtaking traditional tea-party-like attire and you don't have to wear a dead-bird on your head to check the "head-wear required" box.

Lace Bralet: $34.95 (Atmos&Here on Iconic.com)

Highwaist Structured Skirt: $66.47 (Warehouse on Iconic.com)

Crystal Headband: $12.95 (Colette)

Lace Hardcase Clucth: $34.95 (Colette)

Pointy Toe Heels: $29.95 (Spurr Basics on Iconic.com)

Outifit Total: $179.27  

#3 Monochrome

Derby Day is done and dusted. But that doesn't mean you can't do a bit of colour co-ordinating. When you are playing the one colour or one family of shades card, though, you want to stick with a simple dress and jazz up your accessories. A trend I'm loving this year is the bohemian headpieces mixed with contemporary dresses. After all, Spring Racing is all about taking risks while having some fun!

One Shoulder Maxi Dress: $50 (ASOS)

Strappy Sandals: $20.97 (Spurr Basics on Iconic.com)

Bejeweled Headpice: $29.95 (Lovisa)

Printed Hardcase Clutch: $19.95 (Colette)

Outfit Total: $120.87

I hope these winning outfit ideas will have you galloping into Flemington Racecourse this year to use that extra cash you now have left over on more expensive Champagne or to place those few extra bets in the last couple of sprints of the day. 

Thus, ends my Racing-Metaphors-filled post.

Have fun at the Races!

PS: Now I wish I was going, too.

Spring Saturday

 I'm going to keep it short and sweet today. Just a quick outfit post on what I wore as we strolled around the City (Melbourne) on this wonderful spring Saturday afternoon.

 Spring Saturday Stroll Outfit:

Black Waterfall Cropped Jacket: $139.95 (Dotti)

Hot Pink Tank: *$20 (I.D.S Chadstone)

Embossed Jeans: $49.95 (Zara)

Turquoise Marble Chip Necklace: *$12 (Lovisa)

Glitter Sandals: $19.95 (H&M)

Sunnies: *$210 (Prada)

Bag: Gift (Burberry)

Outfil Total: $451.85

* = sale prices

Location: Caulfield Racecourse

PS: Notice the sandals are the same as the ones in my Spring Inspirations post  from a couple of weeks ago! I found them last week at H&M, the last pair left and it was my size! #meanttobe

Spring Inspirations

Woah! September flew by! Can't believe it's October already! It's time to update the wardrobe with lighter fabrics and colours, florals, Parisienne influences...

Hawaii - The Outfits

Needless to say, Hawaii had great tropical weather so it was all about dressing comfortably for the hot weather and long walks we did as tourists (one day we actually walked 12ks! That's a half-marathon!). But also going from winter in Melbourne to Summer in Oahu I was loving that I could finally add some colour to my look which I was very happy about. The most challenging outfit to plan was my travel outfit going from a cold and wet 13 degree wintery day and a 10.5 hour long air-conditioned plane ride (I get really cold on planes) to a warm 28 degrees. I'm not really the trackies+runners wearer when I travel. I usually wear jeans and a top and like to add some fun pieces to my outfit. So, for this journey, layering was key and I found the perfect jacket on Missguided.com to put me in the tropical mood whilst keeping me warm....

Left: Grabbing a coffee before take-off at Cafe Vue, Melbourne Airport; Right: Arriving to a gorgeous balmy morning at Honolulu International Airport

 Neoprene Palm Tree Print Jacket: *$43.98 (Missguided)

Black Silk Tank: *$5 (Dotti)

Black Long Sleeve Cotton Top (not shown in photo): *$10 (Dotti)

Embossed Jeans: $49.95 (Zara)

Black Ballet Flats: $12 (H&M)

Sunnies: *$27.50 (Zara)

Handbag: *$70 (Seed)

Polka Dot Neck Pillow: $14.95 (Typo)

Red Trolley Bag: Gift from Dad

Outfit Total: $233.38 (including Neck Pillow)

After a day of Outlet Shopping, dinner at Morimoto

 Dress: *$129 (Country Road)

Brown Peep-toe Flats: *$5 (Rubi Shoes)

Bangle: *$17 (Kate Spade Outlet)'

Outfit Total: $151

Driving around the island of Oahu, we stopped at this fruit stall for some fresh Coconut Water

Grey and White Sequinned Tank: *$7 (Banana Republic Outlet)

Denim Shorts: $14.95 (Valleygirl)

Red Peep-toe Flats: *$5 (Rubi Shoes)

Sunnies: *$27.50 (Zara)

Shell Bracelets: $5 (bought at a market stall in Thailand)

Outfit Total: $59.45

She gets a kiss, I get a chip!

 Navy & White Striped Cold Shoulder Top: *$12.95 (Valleygirl)

White Cotton Shorts: *$10 (Cotton On)

Brown Peep-toe Flats: *$5 (Rubi Shoes)

Shell Bracelets: $5 (bought at a market stall in Thailand)

 Sunnies: *$220 (Prada from Waikele Outlet Mall)

Outfit Total: $252.95

Asymmetric Hem Beach Dress: *$15 (Dotti Sample Sale)

Shell Bracelets: $5 (bought at a market stall in Thailand)

Sunnies: *$29 (Forever New)

Thongs: Gift (Havaianas)

Outfit Total: $49

Lounging around, Waikiki Beach

 50s-style Red Swimsuit: *$24 (ASOS)

White Cotton Shorts: *$10 (Cotton On)

Hat: *$20 (Kiosk at Chadstone)

Sunnies: *$27.50 (Zara)

Outfit Total: $81.50

Posing for the cam right before boarding the Atlantis Submarine, using our tour brochures as a Clutch ;)

Black & white Graphic Print Overlay: $19.95 (Cotton On)

Citrus Tank: *$19.95 (IDS Fashion)

Denim Shorts: $14.95 (Valleygirl)

Bangle: *$17 (Kate Spade Outlet)

Shell Bracelet: $2.50 (bought at a market stall in Thailand)

Sunnies: *$220 (Prada from Waikele Outlet Mall)

Outfit Total: $294.35

It wouldn't be a trip to Hawaii without a photo wearing a Lei!

Maxi Dress: *$89 (Sportsgirl)

Gold Chain Necklace: $30 (bought at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort)

Wallet: $36 (Charles & Keith)

Shell Bracelet: $5 (bought at a market stall in Thailand)

Thongs: Gift (Havaianas)

Outfit Total: $160

* = sale prices

Hope this post has given you some fun summer and travel outfit inspirations! xoxo

Hawaii - The Food (and Drinks)

 I'm struggling to write about my favourite meals in Hawaii. I don't really need to say much. The pictures say it all. I'll just tell you where they were taken.

Blood Orange Mimosa & Superfood Wrap for breakfast (with ocean views) at the Verandah Cafe, Moana Surfrider by Westin - our first meal in Hawaii

An All-American meal complete with Mac & Cheese on the side at the Hard Rock Cafe

We loved it so much, we went back a second time - Hot & Spicy Korean Style Chicken & Rice at the Steak Shack on Waikiki Beach (and it was only about $8)

A "Healthy" Food Truck we stopped at when driving around the island of Oahu - we had a shrimp salad thingy with a side of rice that you could swap for quinoa if you were so inclined

Full Aussie Breakfast at Bills Sydney in Waikiki! 

Bircher Muesli with Pinapple, Melon & Shaved Coconut at Bills Sydney

Yummy Tuna Salad at the Tropics Bar & Grill, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort

Strawberry Smoothie also at the Tropics

Eel Avocado Roll at Morimoto, The Modern Honolulu (must do!)

Shrimp Tempura Two-ways: with Spicy Kochujan Sauce & Wasabi Aioli and Ranch Sauce (still can't decide which was better). Morimoto at The Modern.

Angry Chiken with Finger Peppers and Spiced Jus that made us very Happy. Morimoto at The Modern.

NY Style Pepperoni Pizza Slice on our last day there, because I couldn't leave America without having one of these! Food Court at the Ala Moana Mall 

My pool-side companions: a Lava Flow, my sunnies and an easy-read

Another variation of the Lava Flow at Duke's Barefoot Bar at the Outrigger

 Highly recommend Morimoto which is a great place for dinner before a night-out on the town with its trendy vibe and contemporary food with manageable portions (seriously, the portions in Hawaii were way too big for me). The Steak Shack was the best place to grab a bite on the beach. And of course we went to the Cheesecake Factory and while the Cheesecakes were great the food and drinks there were nothing to write home about (even more disappointing after the one hour wait). Oh and yes, we did go to Leonard's Bakery for Malasadas, a portuguese doughnut-type thing (absolutely divine) aaand we got a Red Velvet Cupcake to go (don't judge us, we were on a holiday!) Sorry, we scoffed those down before even taking a photo.

Hopefully this post has satiated your appetite for foodie must-dos (or should I say, must-haves) in Oahu.