Spring-spiration

Denim on White

Denim on Denim (Yes! It's officially allowed this season.)

Have you heard? This is the MUST HAVE shoe of the season!

Flowers cause its SPRING!

Monochrome never goes out of style

Because no trend post is complete without a Kardashian or Jenner! No, but really, great outfit!

These shoes!

Shopping Again: Great Bargains Under $30 and New Lace-ups at $70

Now that winter is finally coming to an end, I feel like the real me is coming out of hibernation. Gone are dark Saturdays sitting in a quiet corner on the couch watching endless hours of shows on the idiot-box. This weekend the sun shone and I spent the entire day out and about in the quest to find new and exciting bargains to refresh my wardrobe for the renewed and rejuvenated me. Here's what I found....

Bardot Marley Longline Cardigan in Black was $99.95 now $30

Bardot Stunner Skivvy in Black was $59.95 now $20

Sportsgirl Boyfriend Distressed Jeans in Light Blue was $99.95 now $29.95 (similar here)

Sportsgirl Lace up Flats in Black Micro $69.95

Sportsgirl Orange Crush Lipstick $9.95

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...

Preparing for Spring

This weekend, after a very very long time, I felt like my old self again. Shopping alone, just for fun, not for a particular outfit or occasion, examining all the shops in the area and then going back to the first, racing to get from one mall to another on public transport to get in before the shops close to get that one piece that I'm suddenly obsessed with but is only available in my size at another location (in this case from CBD to Chadstone at 4pm), fuelling myself with only sushi and coffee, something you can have on the go without wasting precious shopping time. Here's what I bought...

Embellished cuff Top - Zara; Scarf - Portmans; Blue Mini Skort - Zara; 5 Row Chain Link necklace - Lovisa; Earrings - Lovisa.

Though none of these were on sale, I was still happy to pay full price as they are all pretty unique and versatile pieces and most of them were selling out fast. The Skorts were all sold out in that colour in the city and so I had to rush to Chadstone. The top was the last one in my size. The scarf was the last one, too. The earrings there were plenty of but the necklace there was only one more remaining. 

The necklace is pretty cool, it sits almost like a turtle-neck, like the top of a suit of armour. The SA at the store was wearing it and I loved it as soon as I saw it on her and I loved it on myself, too. I don't know when or where I'd wear it, but it'd have to be for a special occasion....

S/S 2012/13 Wishlist

Daylight savings begins. It's official - Winter is over. I'm so excited! I LOVE warm weather! In the winter, I complain on an average around 100 times per day about how cold it is. But you'll never hear me say - it's too hot! Bring on the sunshine! Bring on spring/summer outfits! Time to add some colour to my wardrobe! Time to make a Wish-list! It's a short list this time, so where possible I've tried to include pictures of options.

Zara Glitter Heels

Photo Courtesy: Lucy Laucht

Printed Pants/Trousers

Kit Pinata Purple Nail Polish (or similar)

(A little late on the bandwagon, I know but) An Envelope Clutch

Shirtdress

Chanel Holiday Nail Colour (or similar)

Told you it was a short-list. Stay tuned to find out which of these actually end up in my wardrobe (my bet is - All of them!)...

Until then, here's something to think about....