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.