Weekend Dinner Outfit

What do you wear to a weekend dinner out with the beau when it's cold outside? Do you suffer a little for fashion? Or dress for comfort? I do a little bit of both sometimes. Honestly, it depends on where we're going really and also how we're getting there. Since we were going to a nice place and were going to mainly remain indoors shielded from the chilly winds, I decided to brave the cold and wear a skirt (I could've worn tights but it wasn't too bad without them). But also, made sure I could brisk walk so I wasn't in the cold for too long, and only ballet flats could help achieve that. So here's my Weekend Dinner outfit:

Black Silk Tank: *$5 (Dotti)

Black Cardigan: *$24 (Cotton On)

Bow Necklace in Soft-Gold: $19.95 - Portmans

Siri Pleated Skirt: *$23.99 (Forever New)

Red Wallet/Clutch: $30 (Charles & Keith - Singapore Airport T3)

Heather Embellished Ballet Flats: *$58 (Forever New)

Outfit Total: $160.94

* = sale prices

I had well and truly worn out my Santini Blitz Ballet Flats bought almost a year ago and it was my go-to pair for work and play. But I loved the style, comfort and versatility of it. Luckily I found a very similar pair at Forever New - so I grabbed them instantly! Not as comfortable as the Santini ones which were really soft, but it does the job.

Short post today. Will come back with more soon. I will leave you with words that have been motivating me lately...

"Slow progress is better than no progress."

Sunny Winter Weekend

A couple of weeks ago, before the almost sub-zero temperatures, we actually had a gorgeous sunny weekend in Melbourne. It felt more like Autumn than Winter. We spent the day in the City. Had lunch at South Bank. 

Navy Cape Coat: *$123.25 (Forever New)

Black Top for layering: *$15 (Portmans)

Jeans: *$45 (Zara)

Glitz Black Bling Flats: *$60 (Santini)

Bag: *$53 (Forever New)

Outfit Total: $296.25
* = sale prices

I can't remember where we ate (sorry, that's really unhelpful), but I remember what we ate: A Reuben Sandwich (hidden under potato crisps), Beef Skewers, LOTS of Fries with Aioli and Apples Ciders. 

Could use another warm day like that, right about now!

The Project

The last 10 days have been pretty eventful. That's why I haven't had the time to blog - I've been out there, actually living life for a change. ;) The next few posts are NOT going to be in chronological order, but you don't mind that, do you? No? Great!

So, we did something very unusual and exciting after work last Tuesday (which is very unlike us). We were part of Channel Ten's The Project's live studio audience! It was the day of the Brad Pitt interview - sadly, that part was pre-recorded, but it was still great fun to be part of all the buzz. Backstage, we got to hear stories about the crew gushing over Brad (who wouldn't?!) and how Dave and Carrie embarrassed themselves in front of the Star.

During every ad break, Hughesy would come up to the audience, interact with us and make jokes. It was quite entertaining. I'm surprised how he manages to do that without losing focus, because they'd interrupt him mid-joke and give him about 30 seconds notice before he had to stop chit-chatting and be camera-ready for LIVE tv!

We were not allowed to take photos in the studio. The 2 images above are courtesy The Project's official website.

In the ad breaks, one of the Producers, Dan also kept us entertained by quizzing us on Hollywood Trivia and gave movie tickets and Network Ten goodie-bags to those enlightened few who got the answers right.

If you want to be a part of the show, tickets are free! All you've got to do is email them with your preferred dates and the number of seats you'd like. It's a really fun, unique way to spend your otherwise boring weekday evenings. Even if you don't live in Melbourne, let them know when you plan to come down next. Most people in the audience were out-of-towners when we went. Details here.

I did take one photo outside the studio, though. Just to prove I was really there. ;) (Anybody can go there and get clicked, you say? Well, proof is in the yellow stage-pass band on my right hand. :))

Studio Audience/Tuesday Work Outfit

Red Shift Dress: *$35 (Forever New)

Cropped Navy Blazer: *$25 (Jeanswest)

Black Tights: *$8 (Target)

Glitz Black Bling Flats: *$60 (Santini)

And FINALLY a NEW BAG!: *$53 (Forever New)

Outfit Total: $181

* = sale prices

Oh and on their website you can also find out who Carrie's (and sometimes Charlie's or Rochy's) outfits are by over here. The day we went, 11th June, Carrie was wearing a Manning Cartell dress and Peeptoe shoes.

More outfit posts coming soon. Stay tuned...

First Day of Winter

Happy Winter everyone! Ok - let's face it, there's no such thing. It's like saying "Happy Monday!" But we soldier on and make the most of what we've got. How do you make the first day of winter a happy one, here's how:

Step one: Rug up.

Step two: Put your favourite, most comfortable boots on.

 Step three: Share a yummy, hearty breakfast (and some coffee) with a friend.

We went to The Pantry in Brighton. I had the Manchego Cheese Omelette with Spanish Tomato Toast.

Saturday Winter Brunch outfit:

Chunky Knit Cardigan: *$59.99 (Portmans)

Black Top: *$10 (Esprit - more than 5 years old!!)

Knit Scarf: Gift

Khaki Slimfit Cargo Pants: *$25 (Cotton On - more than 2 years old)

Brown Boots: $40 (Iniu Shoes - South Wharf DFO - more than 2 years old)

Outfit Total: $134.99

* = sale prices

That's all from me today.

Happy first Monday of Winter! (Oh boy, I have no tips to help you with that one ;) Good luck!)

Random Shopping

If you've Liked my Facebook page, you'll know that last week was Chadstone's VIP shopping event - a day of exclusive offers - a day that comes around once every few months - an event that I never miss. But I'd also made plans to meet a friend on Sunday for a day of shopping at Highpoint because she'd been wanting me to see the new and improved shopping centre - which I must say, was a welcome change to my usual haunts of Chadstone and Melbourne Central. So on my very tight budget, I had to spread out my shopping over the one-day-only offers and things that I wanted but could buy at Highpoint. So here are the few random purchases I made across the 2 days of shopping...

From Chadstone:

Forever New Rani Lace Top - $79.99 less 20%

 I love this colour for winter!

Forever New Penny Pretty Cardigan - $49.99 less 20%

 This "pretty" cardigan, you can't clearly see in this picture, but it has sequins sprinkled all over it.

From Highpoint:

Glassons Scoop Neck Merino Top - $29.99 down from $39.99

Even $39.99 is a great price for Merino wool tops. At $29.99 this was an unmissable bargain! Warm and soft. Can't wait to wear it.

Bardot Flocked Sweater - $50 down from $89.95

I thought this was a great buy at $50 - it actually looks quite high-end. I liked it when I first saw it but didn't buy it and then all along our shopping trip I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I had to have it!

Typo Eiffel Scissors - $14.95

I saw these scissors on Pinterest and thought these would be so cool to have as a desk accessory. The link on Pinterest took me to a New York blogger's page. I thought she must have found them at a little vintage store or some place exquisite and unattainable - but the link on her blog led me to Typo! Of all the places! I was ecstatic. Very random, I know but I still love it (I love anything Paris or Eiffel Tower-related) and I'm glad I found these (and so easily!).

Thus ended my Random Shopping spree. Quite productive, I think, and not much damage done.

BARGAIN ALERT: Highpoint Shopping Day - Wednesday, 22nd May. And if you miss that, Melbourne Central Shopping Event - Thursday, 23rd May. Happy Shopping!

Forever New's Travel Collection was My Idea!

I'm not saying I invented Travel bags, definitely not. But you can't blame a girl for wanting to write an attention-grabbing headline ;). However, I would like to think I played a (small) part in it all coming about. 

The Jet Set Collection

No, I don't work for Forever New. I just spend a lot of time and money there. I distinctly remember, a little over a year ago, on one such shopping expedition of mine, being drawn into the Melbourne Central store because the window display caught my eye. It wasn't even really the window display, it was a part of the store (on the right hand side) that's visible from the street and also once you walk in to Melbourne Central and is like a walk-in closet space almost - people who've been there will know what I'm talking about. Anyway, back to the point, so on one of the shelves was this gorgeous looking, vintage style suitcase and perched on top of that was a cute purse. I looked around for a price tag for the suitcase, but couldn't find one. I grabbed the floor assistant, who happened to be the Store Manager and asked if the suitcase was for sale. She said it wasn't, it was just part of the visual merchandising but the purse was. I said to her "That's too bad! You should really sell luggage as well." And she nodded in agreement and said she would pass on my suggestion to headoffice - and in a really genuine way, not in an I-really-couldn't-care-less-about-what-you-think-we-should-and-should-not-sell-but-I'm-just-going-to-say-"I will let Headoffice know"-so-you-get-out-of-my-face-and-stop-wasting-my-time-way. I knew at that moment that my suggestion was going to be passed on. And a few months after that incident, they started selling the occasional wheelie bag. And now voila - an entire Travel Collection (so, it definitely must be doing well).

I'm not saying, I want to take all the credit for this. Surely other people might have given the same suggestion and once they'd heard from a few people, they must have decided to take the idea on board. But I'd like to believe I played a part in it. :) It looks good, doesn't it! I'd definitely buy it.

That's all folks! ;) xoxo

1st Birthday Giveaway - WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!

WINNERS:

1st Prize - Statement Necklace: Katherine Ryan

2nd Prize - Assorted Stretch Bracelets : Stacey Carter

3rd Prize - Extra Large Stud Earrings: Szappanbubi

Please email me your postal details at: fashion.sans.fortune@gmail.com 

Again, a very big THANK YOU to all those who participated. Hopefully, there will be many more giveaways and you never know, you just might win!

xoxo 

Miss Pre.