tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49119437413557907562024-03-06T15:00:03.020+10:30MY CATS SAY MEOWmycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-26539522893366614442014-06-16T01:36:00.003+09:302014-06-24T11:58:44.899+09:30Stuff.<center>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk5oLfs41cJZcSvOiSOacPbB5YFcY5NKFaB3dZZ_NswmWWDQjlAzi-W2DsewuYEc2yFM6DdeXgCDG6ZHKLIR8XEYH3eYLh65Wm-NBpUjplXcgfXbNeklGMRUfTyt8J9ZdWALvaDa5NnoJ/s640/blogger-image--1428368282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk5oLfs41cJZcSvOiSOacPbB5YFcY5NKFaB3dZZ_NswmWWDQjlAzi-W2DsewuYEc2yFM6DdeXgCDG6ZHKLIR8XEYH3eYLh65Wm-NBpUjplXcgfXbNeklGMRUfTyt8J9ZdWALvaDa5NnoJ/s640/blogger-image--1428368282.jpg" /></a></center>
<br />
I recently looked up the entry for "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoarding" target="_blank"><span style="color: #888888;">hoarding</span></a>" on Wikipedia. It led me to the entry on "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding" target="_blank"><span style="color: #888888;">compulsive hoarding</span></a>". I must admit I was a little worried at first:<br />
<br />
<dd><em><span style="color: #666666;">"A few symptoms hoarders might experience are:</span></em></dd><dd><em><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></em></dd><dd><em><span style="color: #666666;">1. They tend to hold onto a large number of items that most people would consider not useful or valuable. For example: </span></em> </dd>
<br />
<dl><dd><ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Junk mail </em><strong>[CHECK]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Cooking equipment </em><strong>[CHECK]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Old catalogues and newspapers </em><strong>[CHECK]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Things that might be useful for making crafts </em><strong>[CHECK]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Clothes that "might" be worn one day </em><strong>[CHECK]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Broken things/trash </em><strong>[CHECK]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>"Freebies" or other promotional products picked up </em><strong>[CHECK]</strong><em>"</em></span></li>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></ul>
</dd></dl>
Luckily, I breathed a sigh of relief when I got to the next section:<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<dd><span style="color: #666666;"><em>"2. The home is so cluttered that many parts are inaccessible and can no longer be used for intended purpose. For example: </em> </span><br />
<dl><dd><ul><span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><em><span style="color: #666666;">Beds that cannot be slept in</span></em></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><em><span style="color: #666666;">Kitchens that cannot be used for food preparation, refrigerators filled with rotting food, stovetops with combustibles such as junk mail as well as old food piled on top of burners.</span></em></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Tables that cannot be used for dining </em><strong>[I'M GUILTY OF THIS SOMETIMES...]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><em><span style="color: #666666;">Chairs or sofas that cannot be used</span></em></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><em><span style="color: #666666;">Filthy unsanitary bathrooms; piles of human feces collected in areas of the home, sometimes there are animal feces over the floors of the home, giant bags of dirty diapers hoarded for many years.</span></em></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><em><span style="color: #666666;">Tubs, showers, and sinks filled with items such that they can not be used for washing or bathing. Hoarders would thus possibly forgo bathing.</span></em></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Some hoard animals</em><em> they cannot even marginally care for; often dead pets cannibalized by other pets are found under the heaps.</em></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #666666;"><em>3. </em><em>The clutter and mess is so bad it causes illness, distress, and impairment. For example, they:</em></span></dd></dl>
</dd>
<br />
<dl><dd>
<dl><dd><ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Do not allow visitors such as family and friends, or repair and maintenance professionals because the clutter embarrasses them </em><strong>[SOMETIMES I RUN AROUND LIKE A MAD WOMAN TIDYING UP WHEN UNPLANNED VISITORS ARRIVE]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Keep the shades drawn so no one can see inside </em><strong>[ONLY SO THAT OUR NEIGHBOURS CAN'T SEE US WALKING AROUND HALF NAKED]</strong></span></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><em><span style="color: #666666;">Get into a lot of arguments with family members about the clutter</span></em></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><em><span style="color: #666666;">Are at risk of fire, falling, infestation or eviction</span></em></li>
<span style="color: #666666;">
</span>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><em>Feel depressed or anxious much of the time because of the clutter </em><strong>[THIS IS WHY I'M WRITING THIS POST]</strong><em>"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding#cite_note-15"></a></sup></em></span></li>
</ul>
</dd></dl>
</dd></dl>
During our recent Europe vacation we stayed at a number of Airbnbs. Apart from the fact that it never ceases to amaze me how well I do at living out of a suitcase (with so little of my stuff), I was amazed at how homely but still "airy" (badum-tish) all of our Airbnbs felt. The reason: the apartments were filled with everything one needs to feel at home... and nothing more. <br />
<br />
Living in this manner for 5 weeks, I experienced somewhat of a revelation. These uncluttered surrounds and my well edited wardrobe allowed me to focus my wandering mind. Not once in the past 10 years have I had so many great ideas and felt so positive - I was creative again!<br />
<br />
I think that (once again) my surrounds have put me in a state of flux. I could even go as far as to say that I feel very sad and unproductive on a personal level. I wrote about the very same thing <a href="http://mycatssaymeow.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/surroundings.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #888888;">here</span></a> - actually, almost two years ago to the day. Maybe the emergence of obvious clutter is a cyclical occurrence?<br />
<br />
A fortnight ago I started to properly de-clutter the house and we've been getting some home projects completed too. So far, I have only de-cluttered the bathroom and my magazine collection, but I feel better already.<br />
<br />
I could never become a minimalist, but my pleasant stays at a number of wonderful Airbnbs have definitely encouraged me to at least try to get half way there.<br />
<br />mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-11404936447293525252014-05-26T16:00:00.001+09:302014-05-26T16:00:10.833+09:30Discovering Byredo: it makes perfect sense to select a signature scent slowly and wisely...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
One does not need to see you or hear you in order to smell you, so without stating the obvious, you will all agree with me that it is important to smell 'nice'. This alone, however, should not be the only factor when selecting a fragrance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Why is it that I instantly screw up my face if I get a whiff of a man wearing Joop!? I remember one of my ex-boyfriends... who I would rather forget. Shortly thereafter a woman wearing Clinique's Happy will hopefully walk past me, reminding me of fun times in high school spent giggling uncontrollably with my friend until our stomachs hurt. Ergo, I cannot confidently wear Victor & Rolf's Flowerbomb because I now know that I "smell like the woman at work"... These were the words unceremoniously uttered by my boyfriend the first time I wore it. (We have since agreed that I will not wear this fragrance in his presence.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Smell, emotion, behaviour and long-term memory are all supported by the limbic system in the brain. It is no wonder then that scents can trigger memories and strong emotions almost instantly. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It can also be inferred from the stories above that a person's scent is a part of their identity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I can count on one hand the fragrances that I have worn regularly throughout my adult life.</div>
<ul>
<li>Ralph Lauren Blue during my university studies and when I first started working in my profession. I still own a bottle but I'm pretty sure that it has gone rancid.</li>
<li>Giorgio Armani Onde Mystere during the middle of my career. A sophisticated fragrance I wore well before I was sophisticated.</li>
<li>Chloe Eau de Parfum Chloe for the last five years as an evening fragrance and for day if I feel like it. (It seems as though that every woman and her cat owns and wears this perfume.)</li>
<li>Chloe Eau de Fleurs Capucine, a gorgeous green floral that I splash on for work because I know it's not overpowering. I'm at the end of my bottle, but I'm opting not to repurchase as it is not particularly long wearing on me (and a limited edition).</li>
</ul>
All of these fragrances have two things in common - they have made me feel good at the time and they have not irritated or overwhelmed my senses throughout the day. <br />
<br />
Just recently, I bought Diptyque Philosykos. I sprayed it
on myself many times when in Mecca Cosmetica and I loved it. So when I walked into the Diptyque boutique on <span class="pp-headline-item pp-headline-address">Rue des Francs Bourgeois </span>in Paris, I knew that it was exactly what I wanted. I know that I will enjoy wearing it until the last drop. This is the hallmark of a fragrance that is essentially "you".<br />
<br />
Notwithstanding everything I have written about fragrance being a part of one's identity, owning just one 'signature' fragrance is a bold statement indeed and Philosykos is a little too recognizable to be it. I've been thinking that I need another that is a little more unusual and complex. I came across Byredo whilst trying to settle for another Diptyque fragrance to wear. I thought it might be interesting to explore what this other niche fragrance house has to offer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBeXezTnPMhZiLS62KX6qrgoQPJl3jqDRyE1t7-1pUy3UGI6EEon5Z8OfqkFbDbyeXoYHdi7CbM5VddV26e47x9Lw2FeDfY9r5Jfw43Ve7Q7ZY0iqUOFeAE4sf5lI54uysqbg3izYUHwn/s640/blogger-image--1325123691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBeXezTnPMhZiLS62KX6qrgoQPJl3jqDRyE1t7-1pUy3UGI6EEon5Z8OfqkFbDbyeXoYHdi7CbM5VddV26e47x9Lw2FeDfY9r5Jfw43Ve7Q7ZY0iqUOFeAE4sf5lI54uysqbg3izYUHwn/s400/blogger-image--1325123691.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via byredo.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center>
</center>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Stockholm based Byredo
is the brainchild of Ben Gorham, a Fine Arts graduate of Indian and
Canadian heritage. With no formal training in the olfactory
arts, he </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">decided to throw away his paint brush and
to create fragrances instead. H</span>e engaged Olivia Giacobetti (diptyque, Guerlain,
</span><span class="ecxmw-headline"><span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal;">L'Artisan Parfumeur) and Jerome Epinette (Decennial, Nest,
</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Atelier
Cologne) to create the scents that he articulated to them. What results is a collection of
perfumes, lotions, gels, soaps and home fragrances, fusing art and design with its artisan’s ethnic roots. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Like I sprayed Diptyque's Philosykos on multiple occasions, I have been going back to Mecca Cosmetica daily to experience Byredo on my skin. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gypsy Water</b> – This is one of Byredo's most popular fragrances. Based on the description on the Byredo website:
“the scent of fresh soil, deep forests and campfires” I imagined that it would be my clear favourite. In the end the fragrance did not connote the outdoors like described and instead on my skin it
settled down to its vanilla base note very quickly (which I don't usually like). Eventually what lingered was quite pleasant but very soft and almost undiscernible. Maybe this is why it is so popular?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bal D’Afrique</b>
– Another of Byredo's most popular, I really like this one on my skin after some time, albeit it is a little sweet to start with. The citrus of the lemon shines
through the floral sweetness of the flower petals, resulting in a sweet lemon curd kind of smell. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Inflorescence</b>
– This is a clean green fragrance. It is what I imagine running
though a field of lilies in the rain would smell like. Sadly, the fragrance
soured on my skin within two hours.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>La
Tulipe</b> – This fragrance is a fresh floral. It smells like a bouquet of flowers which settles down to faint but pleasant "freshly laundered" smell. I cannot imagine that this very soft and feminine fragrance would offend anyone as it is quite conservative.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pulp</b>
– I knew that I would not like this one based on the
description on the website: "a dramatic composition focused on the idea of ripe, sweet, shapeless mass of fruit." I tried it anyway. It’s literally a fruit explosion in the nose. It’s a powerful fragrance not the type to calm the senses, but rather to energise. In the beginning it reminds me of a Summer pool party, where an abundance of
fruit on platters is served. After a number of hours it smelled like the clean up the day after... After the remaining fruit had been sitting in the early afternoon sun. It is not offensive but extremely ripe - not for the faint hearted. </span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Flowerhead</b> - This is Byredo's newest fragrance. One does not need to be a genius to work out that it is a floral. As soon as I sprayed it I had the feeling that I have smelled something similar before. I didn't not like it, but its familiarity put me off a little. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There are of course other Byredo fragrances that 'sound' like I might like them, but unfortunately they are not available in Adelaide so I can't test them. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After my little experiment, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I could easily buy Gypsy Water, Bal D'Afrique and La Tulipe, but a whole wardrobe of fragrances to select from daily does not appeal to me. It makes perfect sense then to select a signature scent slowly and wisely. Maybe a few more trips to Mecca Cosmetica are in order!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Use these tips when shopping for a signature fragrance: </strong></span></span><br />
<ul><strong></strong>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Spray it on your skin and walk away. </strong></span></span></li>
<strong></strong>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Smell your forearm often throughout the day to see how the fragrance develops and settles on your skin and whether it lasts.</strong></span></span></li>
<strong></strong>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Do not buy before you try. Every one has a different skin chemistry - don't assume that a best seller will work for you. </strong></span></span></li>
<strong></strong>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Ask your partner if they like the fragrance on you - there is a small risk that the scent will remind them of someone they would rather not be reminded of daily. You don't want that.</strong></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Now to extrapolate these meticulous thoughts when buying shoes and clothing...</span>mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-17008181841640240362014-05-20T21:05:00.000+09:302014-05-22T00:44:29.016+09:30The story of my life...Every day bar Saturday and Sunday goes something like this:<br />
<br />
Wake-up.<br />
<br />
Press snooze.<br />
<br />
Snooze.<br />
<br />
Press snooze again.<br />
<br />
Snooze.<br />
<br />
Get-up... eventually.<br />
<br />
Feed the cats... otherwise I physically cannot walk anywhere in the house without tripping over them.<br />
<br />
Scoop kitty litter.<br />
<br />
Get ready for work. (I am running late because I pressed snooze too many times.)<br />
<br />
Before I leave the house, I make sure that all the cats are accounted for (and not trapped in the wardrobe).<br />
<br />
<br />
Travel to work. I am a tight arse when it comes to paying for parking, so I catch public transport (which never fails to disappoint me). On some days I could literally walk the 3 km journey to work faster than the time the bus takes. On such days you will find me at my bus stop constantly looking at my watch trying to decide whether to walk or wait. Sooner or later (depending on how late the bus is) you will find me on the bus with my bitch face on, internally cursing the Adelaide public transportation system and thinking I could have walked faster!<br />
<br />
Arrive at work.<br />
<br />
Drink coffee and eat breakfast while reading news.com.au. I'm one of those people who reads the comments section of news stories. I miss reading the comments by the news troll called Kevin of Double Bay.<br />
<br />
Work.<br />
<br />
Breathe a sign of relief when it's lunch time. I love to eat, as well as shop in my lunch break... <br />
<br />
Work some more and drink some tea.<br />
<br />
Breathe a sigh of relief when it is home time. I love going home - home is where my heart is.<br />
<br />
Some nights when I'm extra disorganised, I visit the supermarket to buy dinner ingredients. I spend way more money then I should on groceries going about things this way, but my trips to the supermarket hold some of the most exciting moments of my week (yes, really). So I enjoy doing this often.<br />
<br />
Walk to the bus stop only to discover that I have missed my bus. The next one is not for another half an hour at this point of the evening... I now have my bitch face on again, internally cursing the Adelaide public transportation system and remember longingly that the trains in New York, London and Paris come every 5 minutes.<br />
<br />
Get home finally and check our letterbox. (As I'm opening the letterbox, I pray for my magazine subscription delivery and not more bills.)<br />
<br />
Walk through the door. It's quarter past six on a day that I managed to escape work a little early. It's pushing seven thirty if I've been held back a little or I've been to the supermarket. (Thanks go to Adelaide's public transport system for failing me yet again... I only live 3 km from work for God's sake! It shouldn't be this late already!)<br />
<br />
Cuddle the cats (and my boyfriend if he happens to be home before me, which is hardly ever).<br />
<br />
Scoop kitty litter.<br />
<br />
Feed the cats a little bit of raw meat - I believe it is important for their teeth that they chew, but one of my cats 'Mishka' swallows pieces whole...<br />
<br />
Cook dinner.<br />
<br />
Load the dish washer. (I love this machine.)<br />
<br />
At this point I look around the house and depending on the day of the week that it is, I either lament how I didn't do a good enough job cleaning the house over the weekend or how much cleaning there is to do next weekend. Things do not seem to matter much on a Wednesday... I make a bigger mess.<br />
<br />
Play with the cats.<br />
<br />
It is late in the evening now. This is when the realisation that it's almost bedtime sets in. It's funny, I'm still like a kid - I dread going to bed... (but the adult in me loves to sleep in late.)<br />
<br />
Waste time - either mucking around on the internet or watching some TV. Our favourite TV shows at the moment are <i>Game of Thrones</i> (my boyfriend regrets reading the books because at least twice in each episode I'll turn to him and ask "did that happen in the book!?") and <i>Hannibal</i> (so gripping, I'm pleased to read that it has been renewed for a third season). We are still watching <i>Californication</i>, although I really think this show is beyond dirty now. Surely people in real life do not converse like the characters on this show?!<br />
<br />
Prepare breakfasts (yogurt, rolled oats and berries EVERYDAY) and lunches (leftovers EVERYDAY).<br />
<br />
Get ready for bed.<br />
<br />
Feed the cats (just a sprinkle) because at this point they are behaving like I've been starving them for a week. I know for certain now that this is the reason why they are fat, but I can't help myself. I also change the water in their water bowls - one less thing to do in the morning... one extra minute of snooze time!<br />
<br />
Go to bed.<br />
<br />
My boyfriend and I discuss hopefully winning the lotto the next day so that the next morning is the last time we have to get up for work. EVER. (*Insert sarcastic laughter here* because we hardly ever buy lotto tickets.)<br />
<br />
Turn off the lights (and annoy my boyfriend with the glow of my i device).<br />
<br />
Fall asleep... eventually.<br />
<br />
Do it all again the next day.<br />
<br />
I sometimes feel a little jaded about my life, but then I remember that my boyfriend and I have our health, food on the table and a roof over our heads, not to mention very nice stuff and two very beautiful fat cats. We are very lucky and I need to remember this every day.<br />
<br />
Children should make things a little interesting... How do people do it?mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-92143673370206903942014-04-28T01:57:00.000+09:302014-05-20T18:26:12.578+09:30Overseas grocery shoppingWe're back from our holidays in Europe. Needless to say we had a fantastic time.<br />
<br />
Am I the only one who enjoys grocery shopping in foreign countries?<br />
<br />
We honestly could have bought more, but in the end we managed to haul the following goodies back to Australia (noting that we bought more chocolate during our travels, but we ate it along the way).<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ViRjCfLM3HtwfDX4tcVfgViuU6F2xwc6T6SEVtW_I9nD2o-P2LgZKBRf1qorT1ogWw15Bz6vhnJwZDKo8G9TKqwUyagya6qw_q_Wnqj3GSdhq4T4Fi58NHQGyvAc3-Xg6SSwSZj5LRD3/s640/blogger-image-1319821880.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ViRjCfLM3HtwfDX4tcVfgViuU6F2xwc6T6SEVtW_I9nD2o-P2LgZKBRf1qorT1ogWw15Bz6vhnJwZDKo8G9TKqwUyagya6qw_q_Wnqj3GSdhq4T4Fi58NHQGyvAc3-Xg6SSwSZj5LRD3/s640/blogger-image-1319821880.jpg" /></a> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I could tell that by the end of our trip my boyfriend had lost his
patience with me as I stood gawking at the dairy fridge and at the
shelves in the beauty isle in just about every supermarket that we
walked into.
</div>
</center>
<br />
<center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM301dTwwh2KLIHGrnTW0AbZc-TiqVrEYlgZULeVR-CdFzSg-vvFB0onPfIjpe6TzEMeyHwickYTUDad8RzjOi8SF432Dznv27hpsfFyJR8n1SwN0waCgpJgjUzzBygYrASdvEZZYeLjP/s640/blogger-image-510049492.jpg" width="478" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dairy isle in a French supermarket... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnu3gsRLrNqlYG8jJjeIJsMKfMwYtIwZsAmJZxIb5W9EyeTbVvA8tp9dfERyDvNYifRgX1eJKff7MxSvj2vqhHp-D-FvISybuaCFCHgroJsLCXU5ZecubXFCXm1hfnreCs6JxsuYNrerf/s640/blogger-image-1556023505.jpg" width="478" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... it went on for what seemed like forever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
I regret not buying more vodka in Poland and other floral honeys in France.<br />
<br />
We lost track of how much alcohol we had purchased (one can *only* bring 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages duty-free into Australia) and I had read conflicting information online about bringing honey into the country... I therefore only bought one jar of lavender honey in case it was confiscated by DAFF. Luckily, the DAFF officer let us keep our jar of honey after inspecting it. We bought some Soplica vodka in hazelnut, quince and raspberry flavours and Sobieski vodka in bitter sweet flavour (green nuts, orange and spices) - we are not big drinkers, so it should last a while.</div>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
I'm now looking forward to making crepes for brunch sometime soon - available toppings will be: miel lavande (lavender honey), confiture de figues violettes (purple fig conserve), crème de marrons (chestnut conserve), crème de noisettes (hazelnut conserve) and confiture de lait fleur de sel (salted caramel).</div>
<br />
<center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbiSj2pSwZ9Q-0SaD766E8NZtT8ArS7rP0JSdskXByHQZiAmVOZFXeJXdFBs7pwivaTDQDATt0c-ExvAp_NYmAdcdNssIc3Z3uLgvebXZ9Toz5BF4Uo8Rty-7E0Tib5C4h6ikSLOv4wk7/s640/blogger-image--909897322.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious crepe toppings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For the record, I found La Fermière yogurt at Harrods in London and at a supermarket in Poznań (in Poland)
called Alma. In fact, I found flavours at both places that I could not
find in France! Of course, the terracotta pots in which this delicious
yogurt is packaged in came home with me. Now to find an Australian stockist...</div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhx71h7PJnEPzY-dYw4eXk7pE6vowVtygWegD62LnuVu2hdPII6DdYZwYxNcf_D2w43JYpNPGGKlT9EX9fiRsvVa9y2B6Fea6xnjxDIGoBYAG9KvJu4LJpWvWxAabLrsa6OTm8mQXe2LA/s640/blogger-image-879617516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhx71h7PJnEPzY-dYw4eXk7pE6vowVtygWegD62LnuVu2hdPII6DdYZwYxNcf_D2w43JYpNPGGKlT9EX9fiRsvVa9y2B6Fea6xnjxDIGoBYAG9KvJu4LJpWvWxAabLrsa6OTm8mQXe2LA/s640/blogger-image-879617516.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Fermière yogurt pots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-12140277229220709262014-03-25T19:28:00.000+10:302014-05-20T17:23:34.939+09:30My diminishing suitcase packing list for a Europe holiday in earlySpringWell I'm here in France! I never got to publish my packing list before we left Australia, because as per usual I was too busy with work and sick (yes again! This time with the flu) before we left. I guess now I can add some preliminary notes.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Packing light for just over a month away is no mean feat for some one who enjoys dressing up... but it's very important for someone who also enjoys to shop whilst away.<br />
<br />
What worked really well for me back in 2012 when we traveled to the USA, was packing a diminishing suitcase. This means, that apart from the staples, I also packed a few items that were on their last legs.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I did the same on this occasion and specifically 'saved' a few bits and pieces from my recent wardrobe cull to take with me, so that as I travel across Europe acquiring new stuff, I will get rid of this old stuff hence making room in my suitcase. It's also a really good way to just get rid of worn out pieces that you find yourself clinging onto, even though honestly the items belong in the bin. <br />
<br />
My packing list (items in red text are the pieces destined for the bin):<br />
<br />
Coats and Jackets<br />
<ul>
<li>Etoile Isabel Marant Kady leather jacket in tan</li>
<li>Etoile Isabel Marant tweed blazer in dark grey</li>
<li>Fleur Wood felt wool blazer in light grey (worn on Day 2 in Nice)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K_BrBDDSAPnPKkq2gAKCzmnXWNgsbtUNZvEkZi_IM4fuBAGT_g14H9uA1CT9-21IIoWCmOruxfDMEAVb9ewfXwaq2U3CD5hCmtZVpgEK-4NX4LOUIdEME9jHYVZ3S0SA6YztUyrPjnTX/s640/blogger-image-759793430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K_BrBDDSAPnPKkq2gAKCzmnXWNgsbtUNZvEkZi_IM4fuBAGT_g14H9uA1CT9-21IIoWCmOruxfDMEAVb9ewfXwaq2U3CD5hCmtZVpgEK-4NX4LOUIdEME9jHYVZ3S0SA6YztUyrPjnTX/s640/blogger-image-759793430.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 outfit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
Dresses<br />
<ul>
<li>Etoile Isabel Marant Prewitt dress in black & ecru (can be dressed up or down)</li>
<li>Trenery check dress in navy </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
Knits<br />
<ul>
<li>Etoile Isabel Marant Falk sweater in black & natural</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Country Road knit in light grey </span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Indie designer light knit in black </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
Tops<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Country Road long sleeved striped jersey top with zip</span></li>
<li>Country Road crew neck long sleeved striped t-shirt</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">2 x SABA striped breton top in black and white</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Jane Lamerton striped Breton top in cream and ink navy</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Country Road long sleeve tee in grey marle</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">SABA white tee </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Layering tops</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Seamless tank tops in black, grey and nude</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jeans/Pants<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: red;">Country Road skinny jeans in blue </span></li>
<li>Nudie skinny jeans in black</li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Zara cropped cuffed trousers in black</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Shoes</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Isabel Marant Dickers in tan*</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Isabel Marant Jenny in dark grey*</span></li>
<li><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Country Road Winona ballet flats in black*</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">* After walking 20 km around Nice and Monte Carlo I have decided I need to buy sneakers. Walking on cobble stones and up a million stairs is a bit different than walking the streets of New York...</span></div>
</div>
<br />
Miscellaneous/Accessories<br />
<ul>
<li>Statement necklace in black </li>
<li>Scarf in black</li>
<li>Socks </li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Opaque tights in black</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Undies</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">2 x bras (one nude and one black) </span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Pyjama pants</span> (with daytime layering tops as pyjama tops)</li>
</ul>
That's it. In case you are wondering the above list includes what I wore on the plane.</div>
mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-68545565503238450822014-03-17T13:23:00.000+10:302014-05-20T16:06:35.806+09:30Toiletries & Makeup Packing List<br />
We depart for our holiday in less than a week! First off, I'm publishing my toiletries and makeup packing list. Of course these packing lists will be different for everyone, depending on what products one uses, but they are a good start.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4911943741355790756" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
Back in 2012 when I holidayed in the United States, I only packed sample sizes or almost finished
cosmetics. This turned out to be a great idea given that within 24 hours of our plane landing I found myself in Sephora hemorrhaging money.<br />
<br />
Our first stop on our Europe itinerary is Nice, France, and well, I can almost hear the French pharmacies calling my name in the distance... I will be packing very lightly in the skincare department, knowing that I will certainly buy a few new products in France. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Toiletries Packing List </span></b></div>
<ul>
<li>Deodorant </li>
<li>Toothpaste</li>
<li>Toothbrush </li>
<li>Floss</li>
<li>Dry shampoo (travel sized)</li>
<li>Cleansing Oil/Makeup Remover (deluxe sized sample from Biotherm)</li>
<li>Exfoliating Cleanser (deluxe sized sample from Biotherm)</li>
<li>Facial Oil (remainder of my Kosmea Organic Rose Hip Oil) </li>
<li>Moisturiser (a small deluxe sized sample from Clinique)</li>
<li>Eye Cream (a tiny sample tube from Caudalie) </li>
<li>Body wash (deluxe sized sample) </li>
<li>Fragrance (a couple of sample vials)</li>
<li>Shampoo and conditioner (sample sachets)</li>
<li>Comb</li>
<li>Hair ties</li>
<li>A few bobby pins</li>
<li>Tweezers</li>
<li>Nail clippers </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
When it comes to makeup, I plan to play it safe and pack the items I use on daily basis here at home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxnfimFc6uhgAmFQPfTHHd1Jfwjw4I4BnAYPKJuy7ORmywvaas9Fixke760uaZFyaL1jQjuJz311p-aprz-1F1EOhba4TbbG0N-erxB-hDcERJmEYEbrVSSlGlJPBlnpiZmtiw5VMkt55/s1600/mycatssaymeow+packing+list+cosmetics+&+makeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxnfimFc6uhgAmFQPfTHHd1Jfwjw4I4BnAYPKJuy7ORmywvaas9Fixke760uaZFyaL1jQjuJz311p-aprz-1F1EOhba4TbbG0N-erxB-hDcERJmEYEbrVSSlGlJPBlnpiZmtiw5VMkt55/s1600/mycatssaymeow+packing+list+cosmetics+&+makeup.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm packing my every day favourite cosmetics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Makeup Packing List </b></span></div>
<br />
<b>Foundation and tinted moisturiser</b>. A small sample tube of tinted moisturiser and my current foundation (Bourjois Healthy Mix).<br />
<br />
<b>Concealer</b>. I can't live without my Ellis Fass concealer... <br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder palette</b>. This is one of my favourite recent purchases. I have fair skin, so the powders in this palette work for me as a setting powder, highlighter and bronzer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Blush</b>. A small travel compact of a pinky neutral Tarte powder.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Eyeshadow</b>. I'm taking my Clinque Chubby Stick in 'Ample Ambre' (a favourite), my NARS shadow pencil in 'Skorpios' and Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Sticks in 'Amethyst' and 'Sugar Frost'. These four colours will create a lot of looks and the products require no brushes for application. </span><br />
<br />
<b>Mascara</b>. A deluxe sized sample tube. <br />
<br />
<b>NARS lipstick</b>. My favourite YLBB shade for day ('Dolce Vita').<br />
<br />
<b>MAC lipstick</b>. My favourite bright shade for night or day ('Vegas Volt'). <br />
<br />
I am packing the bare minimum make-up brushes with me - just the MAC 187 duo fibre brush which I
use for powder and a Tarte blush brush. mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-59626222225466422562014-03-10T17:06:00.001+10:302014-03-11T22:28:39.467+10:30I'm planning our European holiday... really quicklyIn less than two weeks my boyfriend and I will be relaxing somewhere in Europe...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoojTxGxMx_ADueaGCxLXEtQebFvI7oOYx8hTz9X3pP_VYmBGT2XqGgzfaQVtFZHjW-ZZTsT4HWPa0N5r0Gh8Xb4RQX0P2y65xG-7K1av_uc0Qe9Z_Kv3Vj4sjKqbI64Sk4dCYJTehXZP/s1600/Europe+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoojTxGxMx_ADueaGCxLXEtQebFvI7oOYx8hTz9X3pP_VYmBGT2XqGgzfaQVtFZHjW-ZZTsT4HWPa0N5r0Gh8Xb4RQX0P2y65xG-7K1av_uc0Qe9Z_Kv3Vj4sjKqbI64Sk4dCYJTehXZP/s400/Europe+map.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We have been planning (read: talking about) this holiday for many months. We got to a point in mid January that nothing was booked so I called our travel agent to make it happen. Now all of a sudden, it's happening. We leave in a matter of days and and I'm starting to get nightmares about:<br />
<br />
1. My boss telling me at some stage prior that I can't take the time off work anymore<br />
2. Forgetting to pack something really important<br />
3. Forgetting to pack altogether<br />
4. Misplacing my passport somewhere in the house<br />
5. Being stuck in traffic on the way to the airport<br />
6. Missing the plane altogether<br />
<br />
What can I say, I'm a worrier...<br />
<br />
I hope that none of the above mentioned travel disasters occur and that instead I finally get to try Pierre Hermé
macarons. Back in 2012 I tried Ladurée's offerings in New York and was
left a little bit disappointed. Pierre Hermé macs better blow my mind!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tadmrPAKAHIDikg1UZ4tnJSehPIXIPiLLlbqBUqucpz0FOHCLMyzEfkyGiH-f1SJG0y0DahO5Le37ml84LnkpdcWUARNTjkdFDDvs0Z55UJppUE6qiPGHJwcBzv4K_Vfcrr1ujqOJa4L/s1600/Laduree.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tadmrPAKAHIDikg1UZ4tnJSehPIXIPiLLlbqBUqucpz0FOHCLMyzEfkyGiH-f1SJG0y0DahO5Le37ml84LnkpdcWUARNTjkdFDDvs0Z55UJppUE6qiPGHJwcBzv4K_Vfcrr1ujqOJa4L/s1600/Laduree.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladurée NYC - March 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course I'm hoping to do the obligatory 'what's in my cabin bag' and 'packing list' posts (because it's excellent blog fodder if anything). Some may say that lists like this are anal retentive, but let me tell you that back in 2012 when I came down with gastro/food poisoning (whatever that was) days before we were set to depart for the US, the lists saved me a lot of worry. They allowed me to literally pack in 10 minutes flat - which was all the time away from the bathroom that I could muster.<br />
<br />
So now to get through the next fortnight of work without tearing out our hair and/or working until 10pm in the days leading up to our departure. I also need to get around to booking the rest of our accommodation and internal train travel - yes we are this unorganised!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Map sourced from: www.worldatlas.com</span>mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-76770895357359335922014-02-10T21:28:00.000+10:302014-05-20T16:52:32.480+09:30Country Road Autumn 2014 Purchases<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In
the same vein that I secretly wish for my wardrobe to
spontaneously combust (so that I could buy all new stuff guilt free), I secretly wish
for my kitchen cupboards to collapse from
the weight of my mismatched crockery. If this unfortunate event had occurred last week, I
probably would have used my Country Road Spend and Save vouchers on
some new tableware - so many pretty plates, dishes, bowls and platters! Needless to say my kitchen cupboards are safely
intact, and although my wardrobe did not burn down either, new
clothes have been purchased.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As per usual, I spent an entire lunch break trying on all the new stock in the store.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I ended up with these pieces after much deliberation:</span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnxkndiiMISX4RcwQN5k2nQ4DGjObY74c-3wPzJNQ4bSu60NmkiuDOhK_qeP8-LJ08LEeQHqvAMvZldj6W4gDEz7RVuBJmKwTStBBR-KzM_3x-I-Hwaq-TtegKkzuOhtRDpD6Tx0jWFhM/s1600/IMG_5281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnxkndiiMISX4RcwQN5k2nQ4DGjObY74c-3wPzJNQ4bSu60NmkiuDOhK_qeP8-LJ08LEeQHqvAMvZldj6W4gDEz7RVuBJmKwTStBBR-KzM_3x-I-Hwaq-TtegKkzuOhtRDpD6Tx0jWFhM/s1600/IMG_5281.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Print Fluid Dress</b> - Although
I have decided to stick to a palette of neutrals this year, this red
dress is super flattering on me and suits my colouring perfectly. I should point out that this dress is comprised out of polyester, meaning that I'll need to wait until the weather cools before I can wear it. I've been told by Country Road sales assistants that Country Road is using more polyester to keep their price points down, but I would honestly rather pay $50 more for viscose - at least viscose breathes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Quilted Bodice Dress</b> - I
have a couple of events coming up and I think this dress will be easy
to dress up </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">with some jewels </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">when worn strapless. I especially like the soft silk/cotton voile fabric - so light and airy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Texture Print Pant</b> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Apparently these printed cotton pants are selling like hotcakes. After trying them on, I can see why... they are cut beautifully and I especially like the narrow leg and slightly cropped length. Of course I wish they came in plain black also.</span></span>
</div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Crew Neck Stripe T-Shirt</b> - Ignoring the fact that it is
a striped top and that I already own close to a million striped tops, I bought this one because </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">the neckline is nicely scooped and it is loose through the body but not sloppy. It looks very 'cool' on. I can't wait to wear it with skinny jeans and ankle boots.</span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">What do you think of Country Road's new Autumn collection? Have you bought anything? </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="ecxMsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-1855241862609795032014-01-13T21:07:00.002+10:302014-01-14T18:47:13.799+10:30Hello again...I have decided to resurect this blog and although it is now
apparent to me that I may be culling my wardrobe for the rest of my life
(ho-hum), I'm not sure that it's the only topic that I want to be
writing about.<br />
<br />
So, what other things will I write about?<br />
<br />
<b>Quick and healthy mid-week meals</b><br />
<br />
I work in a corporate environment and attend young professional
networking functions here and there (even though I'm not so young
anymore). One of the constant topics that comes up when I "network" is
food and how no one has time to cook. Rubbish I say! I hope to publish
some of the quicker recipes I enjoy making mid-week... No excuses!<br />
<br />
<b>Our renovations </b><br />
<br />
We have been in our home for just over a year now. Slowly we have
figured out what we don't like about our place and the changes that we
would like to implement.<br />
<br />
During my blogging hiatus we had ducted
heating and cooling installed (bliss) and also put up a motorised
retractable awning in the backyard (we did not want any permanent
structures blocking out any glorious Winter sunlight). Although both of
these projects have been exciting for us, they do not make for riveting
blogging content. The next projects on the agenda, however, are
more visually stimulating! We are just beginning to plan an en suite to
our master bedroom (STCC) and also a new kitchen.<br />
<br />
I hope to share my renovation
ideas on this blog, as well as to get input from fellow renovators who
may stumble across these words.<br />
<br />
<b>Decorating</b><br />
<br />
The amount of small home projects I have piling up is getting to be embarrassing. I won't list them all here (because then I will feel
accountable to you all) but I'll try to blog about these projects as I complete
them. At the moment I am building up the motivation to repaint the
mantle and fireplace in our formal lounge room.<br />
<br />
<b>Minimalism</b><br />
<br />
This
topic continues to fascinate me, but because I have now admitted to myself
that I have a genetic predisposition to hoarding, I may never be able
to call myself a 'minimalist'. Anyhow, I'm really keen to at least
get rid of the unnecessary stuff in my life and also to organise
everything in our home. <br />
<br />
<b>And I will continue where I left off...</b><br />
<br />
Regardless of the progress I have made with my
attitude towards
shopping (with mammoth hiccups occurring spasmodically), for me the
culling process has been fraught with frustration. I don't think it
makes for
good or helpful reading when every other post is about a new culling
methodology that I have implemented because the old one hasn't worked
for me. Nevertheless, because I like fashion and I enjoy this endless
quest for the ideal wardrobe (in a very sick and twisted way), this blog will continue to serve as a
portrayal of the battles
(some) women (me) have with the contents of their (my) wardrobe. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading and looking forward to your comments.mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-60458379465892896832013-09-03T00:30:00.000+09:302014-06-16T03:11:59.424+09:30My wardrobe culling... The entire contents of my wardrobe 2 years on.Last month we decided to climb into the roof space of our house to snoop around for
the first time since buying our place. We found no forgotten treasures... or dead bodies... thank goodness.<br />
<br />
I imagine that you are wondering how any of
this is relevant to wardrobe culling? Well, the manhole to the roof
space is directly over our wardrobe. The entire wardrobe had to be emptied so that we
could move it across the floor to access the manhole. It was much too heavy to move otherwise, and that's saying something.<br />
<br />
While we were at it, we re-modeled the whole room, so I emptied all my other cupboards thinking I would organise everything once and for all. I assembled everything in the lounge room in no particular order on my clothing racks and I took a picture. <br />
<br />
This is NOT what I saw though the lens:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBCI4oGjkpTYyg81cb-JCNnnkCZOosSuaA304E-K3fzO70uH1ohDitAGtS-fN5BdmeMkQqNmv792riGxl1XL0w0v1lDwohUN50A2y-o-gPemtnfveEK_gdZ6gHxko2c1g1M-9eZ9abiAa/s1600/clothes+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBCI4oGjkpTYyg81cb-JCNnnkCZOosSuaA304E-K3fzO70uH1ohDitAGtS-fN5BdmeMkQqNmv792riGxl1XL0w0v1lDwohUN50A2y-o-gPemtnfveEK_gdZ6gHxko2c1g1M-9eZ9abiAa/s640/clothes+rack.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nofatnowhip.com/post/51573696177" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rather this is what stood before me:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-kTLDpku1AOOY62PkkcVov8bd5fXg2MmR3jyNNwzgyVjbtxQWjtw9Tg7RNw9Upl1AxUkDh_eSZrqwnUOGzn0W3BTXhBQi3jtosH-y76VK0Dj5O_DuHU-BOOeRyKFxW-7NB4UHGZrN4sO/s1600/IMG_4420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-kTLDpku1AOOY62PkkcVov8bd5fXg2MmR3jyNNwzgyVjbtxQWjtw9Tg7RNw9Upl1AxUkDh_eSZrqwnUOGzn0W3BTXhBQi3jtosH-y76VK0Dj5O_DuHU-BOOeRyKFxW-7NB4UHGZrN4sO/s640/IMG_4420.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Disappointing huh? And this doesn't even include the stuff I bought recently, thanks to Country Road's oxymoronic spend and save event!<br />
<br />
It's been just over two years since I first began culling my wardrobe and creating what I like to refer to as my 'ideal wardrobe'. My mission was to create the perfect capsule wardrobe, for work and for play, with most items interchangeable between the two occasions. I had initially hoped that this would occur within 6 months... but I can safely say that 2 years on, I'm not <strike>quite</strike> there yet. Who am I kidding? I have failed.<br />
<br />
I have read many other bloggers' blog entries who have culled their wardrobes, all about their culling successes. I longingly look at their racks scarcely filled with a few select 'pieces' and their couple pairs of ankle booties lined up underneath... what seems to be the perfect capsule wardrobe. I feel envious reading about excess spare coat hangers and empty space in their wardrobes. I suppose at least this envy for minimalism is not as revolting as being jealous of other people's physical possessions, right?<br />
<br />
I guess it's back to the drawing board for me... <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKKy6Cj6a9UooX1KQnrIiJkyko7gCIclFMiv5J4AOz8R1LtIV_SMIdmWz8-7u4i0HsCPdWr4DFZogMCKbb_KZbhGDePEg0_YtJWNIwtt8vohCHvARch0QgbHljC1Hc1YeLMjzQggz4gRq/s1600/dead-horse.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKKy6Cj6a9UooX1KQnrIiJkyko7gCIclFMiv5J4AOz8R1LtIV_SMIdmWz8-7u4i0HsCPdWr4DFZogMCKbb_KZbhGDePEg0_YtJWNIwtt8vohCHvARch0QgbHljC1Hc1YeLMjzQggz4gRq/s1600/dead-horse.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://awesomegifs.com/2012/07/beating-a-dead-horse/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-33176118610491992412013-07-28T01:40:00.000+09:302013-08-08T00:10:54.764+09:30Selling on eBay 101 - A quick guide for selling used clothing, shoes and accessories on eBayA reader recently emailed me and another commented seeking tips for selling clothing on eBay. I hope I don't come across as teaching grandmother how to suck eggs (since so many of my readers already successfully sell on eBay)... but regardless, here is my version of Selling on eBay 101.<br />
<br />
<b>The beginning of my eBay selling adventures</b><br />
<br />
I have been selling on eBay since 2006. I started to sell bits and pieces when I realised one day that I had no more storage space to add to my rather large collection of shoes (approximately 120 pairs at one point), so I had to get rid of some to justify buying any more. <br />
<br />
One of the first things I sold on eBay was a pair of boots that I had been storing under my bed for two years after purchasing them. I recall buying the boots for $8 at one of Myer's generous take-a-further-90%-off-the-reduced-price sales. The boots were quite trendy for their time - a slouchy camel suede stiletto boot, but a little too big for me. Believe it or not, but the boots sold for $210 after I starting bidding at 99 cents! As you can imagine this really fueled my eBay selling passion and all of a sudden I started eyeing off what else I could sell to make (back) some money. The rest, as they say, is history.<br />
<br />
<b>Is selling on eBay worth the effort? </b><br />
<br />
Although eBay is not as lucrative as it once was due to the poor economy and most bidders looking to get a good bargain, you may still find that it's worth your while. Below is a snap shot of my selling totals from earlier this week:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWTIW0RRThTtjgZuysHaD-4s1vOBn1GcjCKKGHpT19TJUIMo9ikeFXINKQ8MpCjz3uL5DCnjRdlz-nMkr7EmG557AIUC6k1PCbcwWeWkXdqz_DfFOjHw6GQFinlY1vZqT9u-hSGpN336B/s1600/ebay+sales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWTIW0RRThTtjgZuysHaD-4s1vOBn1GcjCKKGHpT19TJUIMo9ikeFXINKQ8MpCjz3uL5DCnjRdlz-nMkr7EmG557AIUC6k1PCbcwWeWkXdqz_DfFOjHw6GQFinlY1vZqT9u-hSGpN336B/s400/ebay+sales.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
Based on the numbers above, this equates to roughly $36 dollars per item. Some may say, that this is not worth the hassle... well I wish I were in their shoes! For me, if it wasn't for eBay, there is no way I could justify continuously replenishing my wardrobe. With three mortgages, car loans and bills to pay, not to mention planning home improvements, an overseas holiday and a family in the not too distant future, eBay is my saviour and I am thankful that people buy my stuff!<br />
<br />
<b>Getting started</b><br />
<br />
Before you get too excited culling and photographing your items, I will point out that you need to register as a seller on eBay and also have a PayPal account. If you do not, it's easy to register
for both. Each site provides clear and easy instructions. <br />
<br />
<b>Building a reputation before you start selling</b><br />
<br />
If you have never sold or purchased anything from eBay, before you start selling, I recommend that you build a little reputation for yourself. Buy an item or two (not expensive) just to get some feedback. Having some positive feedback helps potential buyers feel confident that you are a not a troll or a robot and that you are capable of following through with a transaction. If you already do have some feedback as a buyer, then you are good to start selling!<br />
<br />
<b>Terms and conditions</b><br />
<br />
You may also like to consider drafting some terms and conditions. You may include information on payment, postage cost and your policy as to combined shipping and international bidders, keeping in mind that eBay policies and terms and conditions will overwrite these, if they are inconsistent. It's all well and good to make sweeping statements about when you expect payment and threatening to open an 'unpaid item case' immediately if payment is not received; but keep in mind that eBay allows buyers 4 days from auction end to submit payment before a seller can successfully start an unpaid item dispute. <br />
<br />
<b>Photographing your item </b><br />
<br />
Always have clear and multiple photographs of your item from all angles. I usually photograph the garment from the front and the back. I photograph the label and any details including flaws. Details may include the lapels on a jacket, the texture of the fabric, any pockets or zips and buttons. Flaws may include any stains, pulls and holes etc. I try to take my photographs in natural light.<br />
<br />
You want your photos to be the best possible representation of your item. The photos will help protect you against disputes and from receiving negative feedback on the basis that the item is not as described. It's unfortunate, but there are a minority out there who are fraudsters. A person such as this will receive your item in perfect condition, but complain regarding a non existent flaw to try to get a refund. Cover your bases.<br />
<br />
I've noticed that some people only ever post stock photographs of the item that they are selling. Although it's nice to see the item how it was originally marketed, I like to see the actual item being sold when shopping on eBay- especially if the item has been used (eBay has recently implemented new policies about this). On this basis I do the same for my bidders when listing my items - clear photos of the ACTUAL item that I am selling. Also be aware that some companies actively protect their intellectual property rights and if caught using their photographs eBay will be notified by the rights owner and your listing will be taken down.<br />
<br />
<b>Preparing an item description</b><br />
<br />
There are two schools of thought when it comes to item descriptions... "less is more" and "more is more". I'm of the "more is more" school of thought.<br />
<br />
First. Clean your item! Receiving a smelly and dirty used garment in the post is not pleasant. <u>Do not sell dirty garments.</u><br />
<br />
Be honest about the condition of your item in your description. Don't try to pretend that a flaw isn't there. If you can see it, so will your buyer. I would rather deal with a buyer who is pleasantly surprised by the condition of my item than one who is disappointed. Look out for deodorant stains, seam slippage, pulls and general stains. <br />
<br />
I almost always provide measurements for the item that I am selling. Although providing measurements does not always prevent potential bidders from asking stupid questions about fit, it does prevent 5 questions asking for item measurements. I take measurements of my items lying flat (e.g. across shoulders, armpit to armpit, across waist, rise, across hips and length). I always try to provide an inner sole measurement when selling shoes and if the inner sole is inaccessible, then I provide my foot measurement and a description of the fit on me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Your item has sold. Now what? </b><br />
<ol>
<li>Send your buyer an invoice - generated from your eBay sold items dashboard. </li>
<li>Wait for payment.</li>
<li>Once payment has been received, pack (always use tissue paper) and send your item<b>! </b></li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNMe4JXyZUerKjPAsQOpNg6rKO84eEc1uOLsakWUgs-wr49iwwvbjhVocNP-CI2gJ0LWaeEI8g5X2WavJKphb6YdQaCn3aidmRlcdIzzCo1i_wD8zFlX-611d9d3AzBr0zProMhjokgrJ/s640/blogger-image--874227397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNMe4JXyZUerKjPAsQOpNg6rKO84eEc1uOLsakWUgs-wr49iwwvbjhVocNP-CI2gJ0LWaeEI8g5X2WavJKphb6YdQaCn3aidmRlcdIzzCo1i_wD8zFlX-611d9d3AzBr0zProMhjokgrJ/s400/blogger-image--874227397.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am guilty of recycling tissue paper from Net-a-Porter... that's some expensive tissue paper right there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope that this post was helpful for someone out there.<br />
<br />
Please let me know if you would like me to write about any other aspects of selling on eBay. For example, have you set your buyer requirements strictly to reduce your number of non-paying bidders? Or how about tips for chasing payment and opening unpaid item cases. If you never have opened an unpaid item case, you should start, not only will you get back your final value fees (if the buyer does not pay), but it ensures that the buyer requirements tool functions for all.<br />
<br />
Happy selling!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-18355945851807475272013-07-21T23:21:00.002+09:302014-05-20T16:52:57.226+09:30June: a month of extreme culling and shoppingI toyed with the idea of commencing this post with my name followed by the declaration that I am a shopaholic... but I will not. I will save this opening sentence for another month.<br />
<br />
In June I culled over 30 items from my wardrobe. My eBay tally from these sales exceeded well over $1,500.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure how much I spent on new additions to my wardrobe, but I can guarantee that it was less than the above mentioned amount because I have some eBay proceeds left over.<br />
<br />
Pictured below are just some of my purchases. One is being worn to death, one was culled tonight, one has proven to be less comfortable than I imagined and one has not yet been worn. Can you guess which is which? What I am trying to illustrate here is that 2 years on from commencing my ideal wardrobe journey, I still make mistakes when shopping. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaxxdq5YTRNAwZ3XAhI51FiPWqnFm0264ulp-Uj2QyCXSjv07ZQqAJmw1YpNXDM2MgXO6hAuVNNQC-NXVospyBohpjC-X1YDznKpcEgjdkkNj0Hc3fMC1a7IPUVR9qN7FyutTSQQSzunZ/s1600/mycatssaymeow+June+Puchases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaxxdq5YTRNAwZ3XAhI51FiPWqnFm0264ulp-Uj2QyCXSjv07ZQqAJmw1YpNXDM2MgXO6hAuVNNQC-NXVospyBohpjC-X1YDznKpcEgjdkkNj0Hc3fMC1a7IPUVR9qN7FyutTSQQSzunZ/s640/mycatssaymeow+June+Puchases.jpg" height="640" width="555" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witchery knit (culled) , Mimco scarf (worn to death), Witchery leather front leggings (still with tags) and A.P.C. booties (disappointingly uncomfortable).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Apart from these purchases, I also bought a chunky Country Road cardigan. This cardigan was culled tonight, as well as the Witchery knit, after I decided that chunky knits should only be worn by those who are not so chunky.<br />
<br />
Also hanging in my wardrobe next to the unworn Witchery leggings, are my unworn Everlane purchases - two silk shirts, four t-shirts and a cashmere cardigan. I'm looking forward to wearing these, but lately, due to the long mentally exhausting hours I've been putting in at work, I grab to wear what's easy and familiar. All the things I wore last Winter... why do I even bother shopping for new stuff?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Images sourced from: www.witchery.com.au, www.mimco.com.au and www.shopbop.com.</span><br />
<br />
<br />mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-30288881624323701012013-06-25T22:04:00.001+09:302014-05-20T16:23:31.515+09:30DIY: Sprucing up a crusty bathroom on a budget!For the past three months (gosh it took ages) we have been sprucing up one of our bathrooms. We probably could have done it quicker had it not been for laziness, out of stock items and problematic plumbing - but we got there in the end. I will not go into chapter and verse about what we did and how we did it, but instead let the pictures do the talking.<br />
<br />
Here are the BEFORE pictures:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-hQ4g0QpYYHObE3bDfIWx1KZ9JwxuHX38qdLibqeWkPIwVvEZ_TrKCmv6kkCwmlutb4HkYXS-3R_zsvG7b7d3r66HMvqrYMujO_zRl66Ec24c8us9LZzA8ZHa1ndpU5sk-pK9ugvHjl3/s1600/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+BEFORE+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-hQ4g0QpYYHObE3bDfIWx1KZ9JwxuHX38qdLibqeWkPIwVvEZ_TrKCmv6kkCwmlutb4HkYXS-3R_zsvG7b7d3r66HMvqrYMujO_zRl66Ec24c8us9LZzA8ZHa1ndpU5sk-pK9ugvHjl3/s400/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+BEFORE+view.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxKdIPbrwkknDiCCTL3jnZ4FMAAI-SRDRyNiliisjMdWCiUD2rnQdwUrGE_OgUjZcfw0xfWy4vNps_6Um8lYQb0d7MuQiLFA_FvAHIVMC-QB12G9Fl7O3Qh6ONSoPu7SW4F6E0wXIrAjI/s1600/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+BEFORE+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxKdIPbrwkknDiCCTL3jnZ4FMAAI-SRDRyNiliisjMdWCiUD2rnQdwUrGE_OgUjZcfw0xfWy4vNps_6Um8lYQb0d7MuQiLFA_FvAHIVMC-QB12G9Fl7O3Qh6ONSoPu7SW4F6E0wXIrAjI/s400/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+BEFORE+closeup.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ3GLbwFnkb13Fzys-S9Rtrk6dxdx_M0PV9IbDitmJsFMeEst-0asBd54K9y2gOy-WF57GkWi-K2rznkhhW4jbDMXR2Ds0Y2xRnItuH2pEWszG9IKamsAU-4sY-_u1WqWL4CynRBDfsbm/s1600/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+BEFORE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ3GLbwFnkb13Fzys-S9Rtrk6dxdx_M0PV9IbDitmJsFMeEst-0asBd54K9y2gOy-WF57GkWi-K2rznkhhW4jbDMXR2Ds0Y2xRnItuH2pEWszG9IKamsAU-4sY-_u1WqWL4CynRBDfsbm/s400/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+BEFORE.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I am not the biggest fan of classic heritage bathrooms (unless done well), but because we plan to do a complete renovation down the track, we did not want to invest too much effort and money into this project. You can't tell from the pictures, but we were dealing with
leaking and corroded taps, chipped enamel fixtures and a water damaged
wood vanity. We set our budget at not more than a few hundred dollars.<br />
<br />
In the end we sanded back, re-stained and varnished the vanity as well as replaced all the tap ware and fittings. We came in well under budget thanks to some great bargain finds at Bunnings and Recollections and reviving what we had (basin, vanity and mirror). I also replaced the wooden door knobs on the wood vanity with some nice shiny stainless steel ones from IKEA to match with all the other chrome fixtures.<br />
<br />
Here is what our bathroom looks like now:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVHeQrkdpd6fNLBsx9nzytUTuKeIdtz4SfmlkTh-bUJXk5Q5-gc256lvEvQ2vyNLuBuiaJ3LghlkT5KdmHnXROM-DmAn-zxJGB28hBNqg9Ji7iP6Zpu4_mF2VTUXbCqVaFEF_gSlSHa_G/s1600/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+AFTER.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVHeQrkdpd6fNLBsx9nzytUTuKeIdtz4SfmlkTh-bUJXk5Q5-gc256lvEvQ2vyNLuBuiaJ3LghlkT5KdmHnXROM-DmAn-zxJGB28hBNqg9Ji7iP6Zpu4_mF2VTUXbCqVaFEF_gSlSHa_G/s640/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+AFTER.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi02Y5EkHH37Sn2M2yPOtgWvJPWcvIrUNHXktXIi_QmadGk7ym-Wxcjy9m27daJA-NO7PCVA0VbgNFQjrSRiOa9rkiZLj4TE-BuBul7dYo79P2KISbQ_9f75wV2qzftReodNlupayEOn9/s1600/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+vanity+AFTER.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi02Y5EkHH37Sn2M2yPOtgWvJPWcvIrUNHXktXIi_QmadGk7ym-Wxcjy9m27daJA-NO7PCVA0VbgNFQjrSRiOa9rkiZLj4TE-BuBul7dYo79P2KISbQ_9f75wV2qzftReodNlupayEOn9/s640/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+vanity+AFTER.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV8XHMrQoYczgrMRmtGgtQW5vAWWJqHjSZvSAljAmM4q9W6utdTltokmxq93T90czM95P-L9e-2qWEzZ4RhzKRDi-9zYD1ot762ERBsrd7CyuY2f7M_LhMOfYruSjQ4467iTL6maOdzbZ/s1600/mycatssaymeow+bathrrom+AFTER+topview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV8XHMrQoYczgrMRmtGgtQW5vAWWJqHjSZvSAljAmM4q9W6utdTltokmxq93T90czM95P-L9e-2qWEzZ4RhzKRDi-9zYD1ot762ERBsrd7CyuY2f7M_LhMOfYruSjQ4467iTL6maOdzbZ/s640/mycatssaymeow+bathrrom+AFTER+topview.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXhFJD8uxwp9_pmRs-qxjA0l9B0VikCryOvqBIhZldqs-5KspactTTJfVv3E8lSYZOHxu4a9A2wrnkRFxVI-AuSvJGpx-CAudPcVwhawe2OmhWjsXOYpCxPbOdw5M7BKW5ZbZduTVSETj/s1600/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+AFTER+fixtures2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXhFJD8uxwp9_pmRs-qxjA0l9B0VikCryOvqBIhZldqs-5KspactTTJfVv3E8lSYZOHxu4a9A2wrnkRFxVI-AuSvJGpx-CAudPcVwhawe2OmhWjsXOYpCxPbOdw5M7BKW5ZbZduTVSETj/s640/mycatssaymeow+bathroom+AFTER+fixtures2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm pretty happy with the results, but in hindsight, I wish I had gone a shade darker with the stain... there's always something!<br />
<br />mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-80129256654053953202013-06-16T21:08:00.000+09:302014-05-20T16:53:14.900+09:30May Purchases... Thank you eBay saved searches!Do any of my readers utilise eBay saved searches? I do and this is the second month in a row where something I have been looking for for months has finally turned up. Maybe due to the wardrobe culling trend taking the world by storm? And maybe this is was my sinister plan all along... to write about how good it feels to cull and eBay and then snipe all your culled bargains on eBay.<br />
<br />
Anyways, back on topic, May was another lean month in the spending department (possibly I was subconsciously preparing myself for the blowout that June would prove to be - more on that another day). I have spent just under $200 and added the following items to my wardrobe: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAMnzlJ7-cTK9l52yxfT3I3RwXLJdSCbIDd_oDzEtJf8IWbUOmVZP7el7HFSfAQaTT_k3u9JLfAnQMF_cOTQQaqgHDsAFekaEYIzHzKucDWpZahL5_z6JQi8fN7kMDC7vYcQZ276RG-94/s1600/mycatssaymeow+may+purchases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAMnzlJ7-cTK9l52yxfT3I3RwXLJdSCbIDd_oDzEtJf8IWbUOmVZP7el7HFSfAQaTT_k3u9JLfAnQMF_cOTQQaqgHDsAFekaEYIzHzKucDWpZahL5_z6JQi8fN7kMDC7vYcQZ276RG-94/s640/mycatssaymeow+may+purchases.jpg" height="443" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weekend by Jane Lamerton striped short sleeve top, Witchery long sleeve leopard sleeve sweat and Country Road 'Sian' biker boots </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Country Road boots are the same style that I took to the US with me last year and then unceremoniously culled (maybe a little before their time) to make room in my luggage for all the shopping that I did. I have missed them a lot, but now I have them back! The morning of the auction ending I set two alarm clocks to remind myself that I had something to bid on and and then I patiently sat in front of my laptop and sniped them in the last seconds. I was red faced and my heart was pounding and my boyfriend thought I was a lunatic... but I got them in the end... I got them! So happy.<br />
<br />
The Witchery Philip Lim knock-off leopard sleeve sweat, found on the sale rack, was acquired using mostly Witchery reward vouchers and it is for wearing around the home. I'm now on the hunt for some funky tracky-dacks (tracksuit/sweat pants) to go with it.<br />
<br />
I found the Weekend by Jane Lamerton navy and white striped short sleeve top during one of my de-stressing lunchtime "walks". There was only an 8 and a 14 left on the rack (reduced to $25 from $59.95) and I opted for the 14 for a loose look. Given how happy I've been with my three quarter sleeve Jane Lamerton tops I bought last year, I think this was a good buy and it is unlike all my other striped tops.<br />
<br />
<b>Edited to add:</b><br />
<br />
Don't know how eBay saved searches work?<br />
<br />
You can save your searches on eBay. You will be emailed daily (if you so elect) when items matching your search terms are listed.<br />
<br />
After entering your search terms in the search box, simply click "Save Search" (circled in red below):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMxaOMo2w9HUOsnTua7bzQuIDuSeq7vJZzBq-nuYMIW0AJ-eM5j7GDWcKKs69-R-1tFHjkhy7nK7MxaVMNIIB5l7Echxyrel14YFVBtwfqLF_bXlynxqvgiCpUhLuVQX22GoPkyNWAPxt/s1600/mycatssaymeow+eBay+saved+searches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMxaOMo2w9HUOsnTua7bzQuIDuSeq7vJZzBq-nuYMIW0AJ-eM5j7GDWcKKs69-R-1tFHjkhy7nK7MxaVMNIIB5l7Echxyrel14YFVBtwfqLF_bXlynxqvgiCpUhLuVQX22GoPkyNWAPxt/s640/mycatssaymeow+eBay+saved+searches.jpg" height="172" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A pop-up window will come up where you can elect to be emailed daily when items meeting your search terms are listed:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2F7HTc_cJiqYKrmHxk4QIwqEYSJa2wEDu9lPM7osQyccAwybX9rY1Q6yHYG_m9ev2tIxxAfTle3CCtV84hB7z2l3NAO_Yl-UYw_BTaTNKGW-gXbWJ4r7T-hd7BGA-h-ZdXII24h0kgMM/s1600/mycatssaymeow+eBay+saved+searches+popup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2F7HTc_cJiqYKrmHxk4QIwqEYSJa2wEDu9lPM7osQyccAwybX9rY1Q6yHYG_m9ev2tIxxAfTle3CCtV84hB7z2l3NAO_Yl-UYw_BTaTNKGW-gXbWJ4r7T-hd7BGA-h-ZdXII24h0kgMM/s640/mycatssaymeow+eBay+saved+searches+popup.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Never miss an item you have been searching for!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Images sourced from: www.eBay.com.au, www.witchery.com.au, www.countryroad.com.au (archives) and www.myer.com.au </span>mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-7726568520226853962013-06-14T16:11:00.001+09:302014-05-20T18:27:25.168+09:30All Day Heels follow up...I think it is only fair that I do a follow up post about my experiences with All Day Heels after recently receiving this comment on my <a href="http://mycatssaymeow.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/all-day-heels-update.html" target="_blank">last post</a> from Sara Yared from All Day Heels:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Hi,<br />Just for transparency, I’m Sara from All Day Heels. I hope you
don’t mind my posting here but I was wondering if you’d had another
chance to try out Insolia? You did mention you had bought more a while
back so I was curious to see if they’d worked out for you? I'll try and
elaborate a bit on them to give you some answers.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Firstly it sounds
like you did try them in a pair of already very uncomfortable heels?
Here's the thing. We say that you can typically wear your heels around 3
- 4 times longer in comfort when wearing them with Insolia. This is
great for a pair of heels you can usually wear for 2 hours as you should
then, by extrapolation, be able to wear them for 6 - even 8 - hours.
Not so good, however, for a pair of shoes you can only wear for 5
minutes before they start to hurt. You'll only then get maybe 15 or 20
minutes wear. In other words there is only so much 'correction' they can
do :)</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Also, you are correct in saying that not all shoes are created
equal. I have found varying degrees of success depending on the shoe I
put them in. I’m not even sure myself if this is just tine degrees of
placement or the shoes but I have definitely noticed they work better in
some shoes compared to others.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>As far as placement goes the trick is
to have the tiny raised ‘bump’ at the front of your heel so it can
rotate the bone and ‘lift’ you. You should feel some pressure, just not
pain.<br />In regards to the backing strip, I couldn’t agree more! We’ve
now improved this feature and our next batch – arriving any day now –
has a vastly improved backing strip that you can peel off in a cinch.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Finally
you are right about high arches. The shape of the Insolia contour is
quite similar to the shape of the bottom of a foot with a higher arch.
The "sameness" of the foot bottom to Insolia contour tend to negate
some of the weight shift effect. Interestingly, some of the women who
have higher arched feet do not need Insolia...they are already
comfortable in HH shoes.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>It is possible they just don't work with
your feet and it's why we offer a money back guarantee. And we really do
encourage people to take us up on this if they can’t get them to work.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>You can see more about how they work here:<br />https://alldayheels.com.au/how-do-all-day-heels-work.html</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Best regards and thanks again for your fair and honest review."</i></blockquote>
<br />
I should be honest in writing that when I first tried All Day Heels I was looking for a product to put in my most uncomfortable shoes to make them comfortable. I know, I don't ask for much at all - only a modern day miracle of science!<br />
<br />
After years of running around the city to and from work and at work in the most glamorous high heels, one day (around the time I hit 30) my feet just let it be known that enough was enough. This made me quite sad, especially after I piled on a few kilograms... as there is nothing like a pair of heels to add some lift and elongate the body to appear slimmer.<br />
<br />
Since failing to see any results when using these All Day Heels inserts in my D&G pumps (which by the way I ended up selling on eBay), I decided to try these inserts in a pair of mid-heel Country Road points. These points seemed like the perfect candidate, since after only wearing them once they caused some pain in my metatarsal bone below my big toe (don't be too impressed, I had to look up the name of this bone). It may have been the combination of points plus heels that did it, but I was devastated to be in pain after paying $100+ for a pair of shoes which appeared seemingly comfy in shop, but weren't.<br />
<br />
I write this post to inform you that after trying the All Day Heels inserts in these Country Road points, the heels are still a part of my shoe collection. Although, not my most comfortable heels (my <a href="http://mycatssaymeow.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/2012-shopping-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">round toe Country Road pumps</a> win that prize), I can actually wear them now without feeling like I have just broken my big toe after only taking a few steps.<br />
<br />
Thus far I have not tried the inserts in any other shoes as I have not felt the need after culling almost all shoes which were uncomfortable and otherwise shopping for shoes more wisely.<br />
<br />
It's good to know though that if I do buy a dud pair of heels I can try All Day Heels in them to improve their comfort somewhat. I do believe that sometimes miracles do happen, but just not the turning heels into flats type of miracles...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**In case anyone is wondering... I have not received any payment in money or in kind for writing this post. I only felt that I should finally write a follow up post since I said that I would many moons ago.</span>mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-62706158944037869902013-05-28T11:55:00.000+09:302014-05-20T16:54:42.705+09:30Short, sharp and shiny April wrap up... almost in June<div dir="ltr">
This month and last month we have been busy sprucing up what we affectionately refer to as the "crusty bathroom" or the "cats' bathroom" (since that is where the kitty litter trays live). I will share before and after pictures as soon as our little project is complete. As per usual, this job has taken much longer to complete than anticipated and there isn't even any tiling involved!</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
I have been feeling a little jaded about almost everything lately - my job, my wardrobe, fashion in general, hence why I have been rather quiet in blogosphere, but to keep the momentum going I thought I would just quickly summarise what I've been buying lately (not much).</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>Wardrobe additions</b> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<ol>
<li>Sussan leopard print tube skirt (<a href="http://mycatssaymeow.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/not-sponsored-post.html" target="_blank">see previous post</a>). I have not worn this yet... hmmm.</li>
<li>Sussan green jewelled necklace (<a href="http://mycatssaymeow.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/not-sponsored-post.html" target="_blank">see previous post</a>). Amazingly this did not cause the back of my neck to get inflamed, albeit I only wore it for a short period of time.</li>
<li>Sussan blue jewelled earrings (<a href="http://mycatssaymeow.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/not-sponsored-post.html" target="_blank">see previous post</a>). Ditto re ear lobe inflammation. </li>
<li>Country Road metallic linen jacket. This is by far my most exciting purchase in years. It's a direct replacement for a jacket I wrote about in <a href="http://mycatssaymeow.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/when-bad-things-happen-to-good-clothes.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. It popped up on eBay and I did not hesitate to snap it up immediately (well I waited until the last second to bid like I always do).</li>
<li>Witchery navy blue silk shirt with lace sleeves. Very pretty. I wore it to a degustation dinner (OMG so expensive! Never again, or at least not until we win lotto!) two weekends ago.</li>
<li>Witchery navy blue ribbed cuffed pants. I wore them last weekend to breakfast with my Dickers. Not too sure about this combo (and neither was my boyfriend) but I wore it anyway (refer back to my comment about being jaded).</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQAaG5c2YqvYh8rWkSr23-56DNnFi3Ioo-38S8Ta5V16YHaflg3OhVNRrOjDNGNZkqu9UovXLWAazKqqZnXRgeikH40_PQ3uE4I_CarJtlwo-ME5g1CKDRuctHnhPpb6tZDCFXvrnkscQ/s640/blogger-image--1918812788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQAaG5c2YqvYh8rWkSr23-56DNnFi3Ioo-38S8Ta5V16YHaflg3OhVNRrOjDNGNZkqu9UovXLWAazKqqZnXRgeikH40_PQ3uE4I_CarJtlwo-ME5g1CKDRuctHnhPpb6tZDCFXvrnkscQ/s400/blogger-image--1918812788.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
I spent less than $200 on fashion items in April thanks to some vouchers I had. This is not to say that I wasn't tempted to spend more, however I exercised an insurmountable amount of will power on many occasions and refrained from buying a number of lovely things. Regardless of the fact that I am still recovering from the mega credit card bill from a couple of months ago (hence a little poor), I have been directing pretty much all disposable income towards things for the home... little things, but it all adds up.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-84949901957692357012013-04-09T23:32:00.000+09:302014-05-20T17:27:20.707+09:30Not a sponsored post... shopping at Sussan with someone else's money!<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="ecx218361107-05042013">Last Thursday night I trundled along to an exclusive Sussan Adelaide Store Event hosted by InStyle magazine. And no, this is not a sponsored post... I was in fact invited along by my boyfriend's mother, "S" (hello if you're reading!), as her <span style="font-size: small;">plus one</span> after her friend piked out.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="ecx218361107-05042013">The event was well organised. There was food <span style="font-size: small;">and </span>drink along with 20% off store wide as well as a chance to win a $200 voucher... <b>which I won!</b></span><span class="ecx218361107-05042013"> Each guest was also given a 'goodie bag' upon leaving the store.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="ecx218361107-05042013">The highlight of the event was a Winter fashion wrap up by Instyle's Fashion Director, Katherine Green, who spoke very well about this Winter's style trends and how there are no rules. She went on to provide some simple styling tips, such as aiming to wear three colours when putting together an outfit (so as not to look "flat") and when wearing patterns and prints - to pick one colour from the print as the accent colour. Further statement jewels were touted as THE accessory to inject life into one's existing wardrobe. Most of the shop girls and Instyle crew were wearing <span style="font-size: small;">said statement <span style="font-size: small;">necklaces</span></span> over their silk shirts buttoned all the way up to the collar with the necklace sitting tightly underneath the collar. It looked quite cool.</span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The navy and black clad Katherine Green issued a plea to her audience not to be afraid of colour, pointing out that one could wear the latest coloured jeggings, if not keen on wearing colour around the face. I'm not sure where you all stand on this issue, but I definitely will not be seen wearing<span class="ecx218361107-05042013"> the true 'jeggings' as pants, opting instead for coloured jeans and trousers.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="ecx218361107-05042013">I spied that Sussan took some inspiration from last season's J.Crew collection in designing their 2013 Winter ensemble... The most telling piece was <span style="font-size: small;">th<span style="font-size: small;">is</span></span> sequin chevron dress:</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"><span class="ecx218361107-05042013"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"><span class="ecx218361107-05042013"></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"><span class="ecx218361107-05042013"></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zq1jNwORLZtUlWdCejba8h-aIs4g0ibefioAifqlsW0Vq41Z_3SUrg00OSMmP7tCdtAFp9IsHGjNR_ZGGjTBknbyywnpTO7bePUndbJBfOzy_D2YCShAubnyoFASKPLYuogLexgWSr8O/s1600/Jcrew+vs+Sussan+mycatssaymeow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zq1jNwORLZtUlWdCejba8h-aIs4g0ibefioAifqlsW0Vq41Z_3SUrg00OSMmP7tCdtAFp9IsHGjNR_ZGGjTBknbyywnpTO7bePUndbJBfOzy_D2YCShAubnyoFASKPLYuogLexgWSr8O/s1600/Jcrew+vs+Sussan+mycatssaymeow.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images from www.jcrew.com and www.sussan.com.au</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="ecx218361107-05042013">This sequin fabric has also been cut into a very flattering tube skirt, which</span><span class="ecx218361107-05042013"> according to Katherine Green<span style="font-size: small;">, sequin<span style="font-size: small;"> skirts</span> are</span> suitable for day<span style="font-size: small;">! </span>Maybe if you work in a creative field, but not me... I opted for a skirt a little more neutral (yet st<span style="font-size: small;">ill edgy for a corporate offi<span style="font-size: small;">c</span>e) </span>and some statement jewels: </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB6J1Dup8H-q6Cvgm1y8YpxzFA6SEdmVU6DYBXlTa4fXFsF02jwsRMCppUkY5ek3yuQJ2xsK4uaB-VeKrbA0jPe32fE44ObdiAzx3VUyRlcuPnZSQn35beDH_WUVBxR7mKox8x3NQ_k3b/s640/blogger-image-743057852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB6J1Dup8H-q6Cvgm1y8YpxzFA6SEdmVU6DYBXlTa4fXFsF02jwsRMCppUkY5ek3yuQJ2xsK4uaB-VeKrbA0jPe32fE44ObdiAzx3VUyRlcuPnZSQn35beDH_WUVBxR7mKox8x3NQ_k3b/s640/blogger-image-743057852.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The grand total of my loot was $3.85 after using $100 of my winnings - the other $100 I shared with <span style="font-size: small;">"S"</span>. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks Sussan and Instyle magazine! </span></span>mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-19772624974584828112013-04-04T23:55:00.003+10:302014-05-20T16:54:58.864+09:30March... Bumper eBay sales but only one wardrobe addition!In the month of March I sold in excess of $2000 worth of old stuff... 67 items to be exact. When I say old, I mean clothing sporting the old Country Road label and pieces by brands long forgotten. I also sold some coveted pieces from years gone by, such as the Chrissie coat by Lover the Label and the "Twiggy" dress by Sretsis. Gone are also a number of items I had been hoarding in my so called 'twilight zone' - I decided it was time to let go. It feels so good to be free of this stuff!<br />
<br />
After paying off our enormous credit card bill for March which included things for the home and a number of indulgent nights on the town in February, I only had enough spending money left to buy one item... the following dress from Country Road:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTjGk227W84-BsCNEdAC8nLxPFkZsFRXMfUKQZdG9dqhFQkqRkaiDLOQYXt6LqCAYtNxE6loR4JRCE1vwA9qpzistltK60QVwecQw5_DQP6qBIDS7ZShn2CjUiBCv6KadYPt3CgB7unAP/s640/blogger-image--1985466646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTjGk227W84-BsCNEdAC8nLxPFkZsFRXMfUKQZdG9dqhFQkqRkaiDLOQYXt6LqCAYtNxE6loR4JRCE1vwA9qpzistltK60QVwecQw5_DQP6qBIDS7ZShn2CjUiBCv6KadYPt3CgB7unAP/s640/blogger-image--1985466646.jpg" /></a></div>
If you are like me (a little fat from eating too much cheese) and enjoy filling your wardrobe with lots of boring pieces, I implore you to go and try this dress on. It is so amazingly flattering on! In it, I look two sizes smaller than I really am... the size label on the dress is two sizes larger than all the stuff I sold. It really is a great dress.mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-29227824354904434602013-03-15T00:09:00.000+10:302014-05-20T16:56:44.033+09:30February... Wardrobe additions and finally putting a dent in my cull pileI'm still here... still culling... still eBaying... still shopping!<br />
<br />
For the last couple of weeks I have really focused my energy into finally photographing and listing all my culled items. It's a massive task, but seeing racks and tubs of stuff which could crystalise into cash was really starting to grate on me. So just the other day I spent 5 hours washing, ironing, and photographing, before finally sitting down to list the items on eBay. I presently have 41 items on there - the most ever! This after already having sold a fair few items over the past couple of weeks. I'm actually getting rid of more stuff than I'm bringing into the house lately, which feels awesome!<br />
<br />
Some items are surprisingly popular, while others are just sitting there looking like they might not sell. 6 years ago, had I listed a bulk lot of Country Road and Witchery tops, bidders would be falling over themselves to try to secure a bargain. Today, my listing has 1 watcher. That's right, 1 watcher! I smell a recession...<br />
<br />
Anyway, part of the reason for my furious eBaying is that in February I completely exhausted my eBay kitty which I had diligently saved since last October. I also spent all the Myer One vouchers which were burning a hole in my wallet (so much for saving them for a new laptop). Although I've done my bit to keep the economy spinning, it makes me officially poor. Well, poor in the sense that I can't buy what I want anymore (a first world problem, I know. It's not like I actually need anything).<br />
<br />
So what did I buy, I hear you ask: <br />
<ol>
<li><b>T.L. Wood</b> dresses x 3 - the sleeveless ones are so comfy like you would not believe and machine washable too. I also think the black spotty one will look good layered in Winter.</li>
<li><b>SABA</b> white t-shirt - I actually don't really need this, but I bought it to make up the amount to be able to use a $50 voucher SABA sent me. It's loose and comfy.</li>
<li><b>Country Road</b> embellished shoulder 3/4 sleeve top - I was tossing up between the navy and the khaki stripe and ended up going for the khaki to wear with my taupe IM Dickers as the matchy-matchy element of my outfit. </li>
<li><b>SABA</b> breton tops x 3 - I love these.</li>
<li><b>Country Road</b> black ballet flats - the jury is still out on these.</li>
<li><b>Rag & Bone</b> "Newbury" knee high boots - I stalked these online all season. </li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW7HtbTfdcn8G1B9_WlzvdS-mbKM02jCNUNkc4X-OIK5d42k0Z4feVE7fqJopKYLrXXedLpNVk8uIu0n9msQSkM9rK2WWmSufgsbNEvq2cX-_GdFJnM-ZFv0vl3C2QMtmzFr7Wr6OgLhu/s1600/IMG_3625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbW7HtbTfdcn8G1B9_WlzvdS-mbKM02jCNUNkc4X-OIK5d42k0Z4feVE7fqJopKYLrXXedLpNVk8uIu0n9msQSkM9rK2WWmSufgsbNEvq2cX-_GdFJnM-ZFv0vl3C2QMtmzFr7Wr6OgLhu/s640/IMG_3625.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARzPU5SSst_5tUrV2ZFPYMFYHDzNVRsJvr7-wASgSHGBSyIutebLB93S_qjP1Nz531nfSpHvJl-7N-l3iTBUFowJzIrXCAh1XWFSK0qH_IbR5QfiMlv9uwrLsJY5Ns5cTDfxnXcgl1JUv/s1600/IMG_3627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARzPU5SSst_5tUrV2ZFPYMFYHDzNVRsJvr7-wASgSHGBSyIutebLB93S_qjP1Nz531nfSpHvJl-7N-l3iTBUFowJzIrXCAh1XWFSK0qH_IbR5QfiMlv9uwrLsJY5Ns5cTDfxnXcgl1JUv/s640/IMG_3627.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub1K-zHtOeXQBFpKtnu3zWcv0fY0S2Ddl2EbgOdcz2stoH2H2N1d8T3toO6dYPCnSr1vr_Fj-Zz84cPDawcaKmDk50gEaeCJTP3njU_0QfPrNEGt_6TTn2PBKJ7N1zprCMEU7JTJLtDi6/s1600/IMG_3628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub1K-zHtOeXQBFpKtnu3zWcv0fY0S2Ddl2EbgOdcz2stoH2H2N1d8T3toO6dYPCnSr1vr_Fj-Zz84cPDawcaKmDk50gEaeCJTP3njU_0QfPrNEGt_6TTn2PBKJ7N1zprCMEU7JTJLtDi6/s640/IMG_3628.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
I will sign off on this blog post as I always do and say that my pant and skirt wardrobe is severely lacking. Although I am moving forward in that I did have a bit of an Oprah light bulb moment today whilst trying on all the skirts in Country Road. I realised that I shouldn't even go there until I lose some weight. It's pants for me for now...mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-72386199705825020482013-02-03T19:45:00.001+10:302014-05-20T16:57:29.228+09:30January purchases and contemplating some future wardrobe additions<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrufseJ7agw5WQnBQpU7J7enWR-vsSE0Ixm0zxQD2u9pxyj91RFpJexRspFnPqqqK8EfJh7qXyJTmH4Ed535OobsTVNqPk61dtdvCJ4MFT4lETfKcUypkNqDHUsuhPaugzLfXY9HDnh7q/s1600/mycatssaymeow+Jan+purchases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrufseJ7agw5WQnBQpU7J7enWR-vsSE0Ixm0zxQD2u9pxyj91RFpJexRspFnPqqqK8EfJh7qXyJTmH4Ed535OobsTVNqPk61dtdvCJ4MFT4lETfKcUypkNqDHUsuhPaugzLfXY9HDnh7q/s640/mycatssaymeow+Jan+purchases.jpg" height="258" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January shopping highlights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A <span style="font-size: small;">few</span> <span style="font-size: small;">marginally</span> successful eBay sessions resulted in <span style="font-size: small;">some</span> spending money for me<span style="font-size: small;">, so <span style="font-size: small;">i</span></span>n January I purchased the following items:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Veronika Maine vibrant blue silk blend tank<span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Etoile Isabel Marant faded khaki linen blazer </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Etoile Isabel Marant Ariana knit jacket (picture<span style="font-size: small;">d above)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A.P.C. striped boat neck knit (pictured above)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">SABA silk front white tee (this has proven to be an awesome staple!)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Missoni grey toned zig-zag infinity scarf</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Witchery sleeveless gather dress</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">J.Crew black and white silk boy shirt in heart throb (pictured above)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">J.Crew red mini skirt</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hopefully the J.Crew pieces fit<span style="font-size: small;">. T</span>hey a<span style="font-size: small;">re sitting <span style="font-size: small;">at<span style="font-size: small;"> my US parcel forwarding address while I wait for one more parcel to arrive. I have loved the black and white heart pri<span style="font-size: small;">nt blouse from day dot and the red skirt appeared long enough for work<span style="font-size: small;">, but we'll see.<span style="font-size: small;"> F</span></span>ingers c<span style="font-size: small;">rossed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm sort of at the point now where I <span style="font-size: small;">justifiably</span> cannot buy any more discretionary clothing it<span style="font-size: small;">ems </span>without afterwards checking myself into a rehab clinic. Slap me if I tell you I have no tops to wear to work, as I have worked hard to fill this particular gap this Summer. I just need to get into the habit of regu<span style="font-size: small;">larly steaming an<span style="font-size: small;">d ironing.</span></span><br /><br />The gaps in my wardrobe are now <span style="font-size: small;">blatantly</span> obvious and I will focus my energy now into filling th<span style="font-size: small;">e</span>se. <span style="font-size: small;">My major wardrobe</span> gap<span style="font-size: small;"> is</span> work suitable bottoms (skirts and trousers)<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I seem to have a lot o<span style="font-size: small;">f average fitting pants and <span style="font-size: small;">skirts. Co<span style="font-size: small;">me Winter, <span style="font-size: small;">I</span> will need some new work dresses. <span style="font-size: small;">Some of my favourites that I have been wearing for the past two years are looking tired.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would also like new pair of knee high boots this Winter (<span style="font-size: small;">incidentally</span> a pair I have been stalking just w<span style="font-size: small;">ent on sale)</span>, and I would not say no to a new pair of leather ankle boots (maybe tan?).</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">My black <span style="font-size: small;">J.Crew ballet flats are looking a little battered too <span style="font-size: small;">as</span> I have <span style="font-size: small;">started <span style="font-size: small;">walking to a<span style="font-size: small;">nd from work a little more, but I do not change into snea<span style="font-size: small;">kers</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>. No longer do I look down at my feet and <span style="font-size: small;">feel</span> polished. This must be fixed ASAP. <span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I also have a wedding to attend in mid-March, if I can I would like to avoid buying something new, but we'll see.</span></span>mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-55227017687472830282013-01-28T14:28:00.002+10:302014-05-20T16:50:29.283+09:30On ALWAYS loving what you buy yet hating two-thirds of what you already own<div class="quoteText" style="text-align: left;">
<h1 class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Women usually love what they buy, yet hate two-thirds of what is in their closets." - Mignon McLaughlin</i></span></h1>
<div class="quoteText">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Does the <span style="font-size: small;">a<span style="font-size: small;">bove</span></span> statement apply to <span style="font-size: small;">you</span>?<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photographed </span>below <span style="font-size: small;">is how much I have managed to cull since moving into ou<span style="font-size: small;">r new place.<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">G</span></span>ranted the <span style="font-size: small;">contents of one of the tubs <span style="font-size: small;">are the items that I was not quite ready to cull<span style="font-size: small;"> the last time, but <span style="font-size: small;">I am<span style="font-size: small;"> now</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVbjgYjCbnlwgpvz8bxU2t8eXLkb7T2GkQWpBqd5HLwge4SGdnepWzr7V5WWmmx61-sQxbP7bDFhL5k6SAWHV8Pxyjx6dXlGLOhmOfqorgjqeu4p6hTJmGa7Xe0Hd21YrcxIQMNwWtpQz/s1600/IMG_3281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVbjgYjCbnlwgpvz8bxU2t8eXLkb7T2GkQWpBqd5HLwge4SGdnepWzr7V5WWmmx61-sQxbP7bDFhL5k6SAWHV8Pxyjx6dXlGLOhmOfqorgjqeu4p6hTJmGa7Xe0Hd21YrcxIQMNwWtpQz/s640/IMG_3281.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
I'm doing my best to eBay the Summer appropriate items now and as soon as it's March I will try listing the coats, wool jackets and boots (not pictured).<br />
<br />
Back to the quote. Did I love everything at the time I bought it? Yes and no, but each piece certainly spoke to me at the time of buying it. Do I hate it all now? Well "hate" is a strong word, so let's just say that each piece does not fit in with my lifestyle and now given limited wardrobe space I am ready to let it go. <br />
<br />
For example, although I adore the look of the Lover Chrissy coat, the three-quarter turn up sleeves drive me crazy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0zX82n2wETpPBBaptQzBSACTgYY9y8vmzDHd3Zd_3M1dqwA4mHiemBdOttZ_OVb7jl8FNYGjD_LA-q2_t3f78a5IH3mUB-qi2qWhAfkqloJxiPjlOCP_i_3zyijWgU_PibQLdxNfqqFn/s1600/Lover+Chrissie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0zX82n2wETpPBBaptQzBSACTgYY9y8vmzDHd3Zd_3M1dqwA4mHiemBdOttZ_OVb7jl8FNYGjD_LA-q2_t3f78a5IH3mUB-qi2qWhAfkqloJxiPjlOCP_i_3zyijWgU_PibQLdxNfqqFn/s400/Lover+Chrissie.jpg" height="400" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lover coat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For me the coat is only appropriate on a certain type of Winter's day - one which is mild and not windy, otherwise my wrists and forearms get cold. I also find that sleeves poking from underneath look a little odd unless very fitted. And full length sleeves of corporate jackets just look plain wrong! Therefore in my life this coat is only appropriate to wear on weekends - those which are mild and not windy. In other words the Lover Chrissy Coat planets are aligned maybe once each year. It must go.<br />
<br />
The same can be said of an amazing Thurley belted cape that I own. It looks fabulous, but it's not a piece that I gravitate towards, so gets it worn maybe once or twice a year. Does it deserve a spot in my ideal wardrobe? I think not.<br />
<br />
Also given that I have vowed to myself to only spend eBay proceeds this year, and my determination to achieve this mystical ideal wardrobe of mine... suddenly two-thirds of the contents of my wardrobe looks eBay-able! I don't hate two-thirds of my clothes, but I just don't love all the pieces enough or wear everything enough to justify keeping it.mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-85885251395842089202013-01-09T02:25:00.001+10:302014-05-20T16:08:07.802+09:30A cosmetics spending ban... a year of shopping my stash!<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4911943741355790756#editor/target=post;postID=1979559781090222892" target="_blank">The makeshift vanity table I blogged about some months ago now</a>, is no more. It was put out with the hard rubbish when we moved. <br />
<br />
Whilst still on holidays, I spent the day today collecting up all of my makeup from various handbags and boxes stashed in multiple rooms of the house and put it all in one spot... 2 and a half months after moving into our new home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9TpLy27H9EFMARjvYafQeDsbsUWJsSnHGczggm-VcUX95yipaBph2a1CQTnLBKXFLVKwKDlYmgM1wF5oR_fppARlbEiZ6bv9Y5dZBMn-7Y_Qev1lZRZv_oVUHLQf0ugkWLDBZ4zbDHZc/s640/blogger-image-10596600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9TpLy27H9EFMARjvYafQeDsbsUWJsSnHGczggm-VcUX95yipaBph2a1CQTnLBKXFLVKwKDlYmgM1wF5oR_fppARlbEiZ6bv9Y5dZBMn-7Y_Qev1lZRZv_oVUHLQf0ugkWLDBZ4zbDHZc/s640/blogger-image-10596600.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My makeup is all organised once more!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My makeup now all lives in the bathroom - within easy reach to use everyday.<br />
<br />
Last year, with a trip to the US and my discovery of mail forwarding services (hello Sephora), I have a further stash of unopened products and plenty of deluxe sized samples (generously given away in the US every single time one buys anything remotely cosmetic) which I have not photographed. I think I own a lot of cosmetics for a woman who likes the 'no makeup' makeup look, so I have decided that this year I will go on a cosmetics spending ban.<br />
<br />
I do not foresee this to be a problem as I wouldn't call myself a makeup junkie, but having previously had a relatively large amount of disposable income (prior to buying our new home), I pulled the trigger on all the lemmings which developed throughout 2012. Enter 5 new eyeshadow palettes, about 20 new lip products and all new foundations after my favourite L'Oreal one was discontinued, not to mention everything else.<br />
<br />
My rules are very simple - this year I will 'shop my stash' throughout the year and only buy what I NEED:<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}table.MsoTableGrid {mso-style-name:"Table Grid"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-priority:59; mso-style-unhide:no; border:solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-border-insideh:.5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev:.5pt solid windowtext; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}</style><![endif]--><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"> <tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>ALLOWABLE PURCHASES*</b></div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>SHOP MY STASH</b></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Moisturiser</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Shower Gel</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cleanser</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ellis Faas Concealer</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Eye Cream</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span class="st">Butter London Hardwear </span><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">PD</span></i><span class="st"> Quick Topcoat</span></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Moisturiser</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sephora Instant Nail Polish Remover</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Primer</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
BB Cream & Tinted Moisturiser</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Foundation</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Powder & Bronzer</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Eye Shadow & Liner</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Mascara</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Blush & Highlighers</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lip Colour & Care</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Nail polish</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hair products (excluding shampoo & conditioner and colour)</div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* These are my Can’t-Live-Without-Holy-Grail-Products, but I will only purchase if nothing in my stash proves suitable.</span> </div>
<br />
<br />
If I'm ultra organised, I might even do an end of month empties post each month, including a small review of each product that I have finished.<br />
<br />
Do you own more eyeshadow than you can use up in 5 lifetimes?<br />
Do you find yourself hoarding cosmetics?<br />
Do you find yourself buying a new product before finishing the one that you are currently using?<br />
Do you own more than 3 nail polishes in a similar shade?<br />
<br />
My answer to all these questions is YES. If you have answered yes also - then maybe you too should re-assess whether you NEED to buy anymore (at least for this year) and instead shop your stash.<br />
<br />
The way I see it, each dollar I save on cosmetics, I can re-direct into buying small things for our new home.mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-23749754217309798862013-01-07T01:52:00.001+10:302014-05-20T19:11:53.528+09:302012 shopping wrap upAfter buying the one Topshop top in Melbourne back in October, I managed to not buy anything until just recently, probably because I was too busy living life in the fast lane to shop. I nevertheless managed to list a few things on eBay which sold and I saved the proceeds for a rainy day so to speak. <br />
<br />
Needless to say there were a few 'rainy days' in December and it bucketed down on Boxing Day...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbFiU05muhMclg6_2mXUzIdfvgV3KYFhdoXvmfk42l2US7VKNNN29XYYJjcWBA5KwbDA5TrtYi59xLdYBKhZSqR2Xu7MuZGTYvUHmaVJhXXhRjXBiVkNuQZ0wOjbRjM1NEc5EB7Mppxet/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbFiU05muhMclg6_2mXUzIdfvgV3KYFhdoXvmfk42l2US7VKNNN29XYYJjcWBA5KwbDA5TrtYi59xLdYBKhZSqR2Xu7MuZGTYvUHmaVJhXXhRjXBiVkNuQZ0wOjbRjM1NEc5EB7Mppxet/s640/IMG_3254.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
Apart from the peachy pink top (which I have since returned because I decided that it was not perfect on me), I bought:<br />
<ol>
<li>Kate Sylvester cotton sundress (eBay);</li>
<li>Country Road viscose tees in white and pale grey (using Spend 'n' Save voucher);</li>
<li>Camilla & Marc bird singlet (David Jones);</li>
<li>Veronika Maine striped silk tank;</li>
<li>Veronika Maine jade green silk tank;</li>
<li>Kachel polka dot shift dress (David Jones);</li>
<li>Nudie High Kais in dark blue organic denim (David Jones);</li>
<li>Seed soft blazer in marine blue (David Jones);</li>
<li>Country Road mid-heels in black and tan; and</li>
<li>Country Road ballet flats in jade green and blue (using Spend 'n' Save voucher).</li>
</ol>
When I put it this way (and I cheated even by placing the items which I bought in two colour ways in one row), it <i>seems</i> that I have bought a lot... Who am I kidding, I have bought a lot! I must say though that I am pretty pleased with almost everything. In a sick and twisted way I am *almost* looking forward to going back to work in a week's time, so that I can wear my shiny new things. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyol_t5XTFZRBqTND73Ra7A7LxxSezm0atZdB5W8Ezozx7udl-ZZx-MilE_1W-NFeycULx2fv2VbU6QzkOu9uMJ22l87FbXDJe1RyVwwZShJRXxmdSzqLonACq-W9uwOWVdG02KrspLvA/s1600/IMG_3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyol_t5XTFZRBqTND73Ra7A7LxxSezm0atZdB5W8Ezozx7udl-ZZx-MilE_1W-NFeycULx2fv2VbU6QzkOu9uMJ22l87FbXDJe1RyVwwZShJRXxmdSzqLonACq-W9uwOWVdG02KrspLvA/s640/IMG_3252.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The striped tank is amazing on and the polka dot dress makes me look 5 kgs lighter - both winners!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJWaABmEreQeCRJjwaRZd7YJ4TPn1VmUECC3BAjxmIw8f74EjsoTSfvQmFLWtwxjto0aiePeABClT8gdIFpPjgRuPLcKxULgFvSUb-1heiOvoLKhJVIBxYsh7CeEoIKPlBRmvRNpUKZ9R/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJWaABmEreQeCRJjwaRZd7YJ4TPn1VmUECC3BAjxmIw8f74EjsoTSfvQmFLWtwxjto0aiePeABClT8gdIFpPjgRuPLcKxULgFvSUb-1heiOvoLKhJVIBxYsh7CeEoIKPlBRmvRNpUKZ9R/s640/IMG_3255.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praying that the mid-heel shoes prove to be comfortable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By the way, I am shopping off a list now (with eBay proceeds only), and this pretty much ticks off all the items on my Summer wish list (with the exception of a few items which I'm still looking for) and one item off my replacement wish list (the jeans). <br />
<br />mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-83307191066571028242012-12-31T16:30:00.000+10:302013-10-27T00:50:44.336+10:30Happy New Year!Thanks for reading my blog this year and to those who have made the effort to comment. I really enjoy reading everyone's thoughts and tips.<br />
<br />
Here's to a great 2013!<br />
<br />
x <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew8YHgQTBuEboi782CMOGN3ez3vwhEHvVsyeS7r5URxjt68gyTERHL8OiYRaxKkrQp47VG2BDBTK1uCNj3LsaT8fp1WwH46LuAumWx6gxcnquyTbwrscY81EHpsdTvG03CTUxKQA7t7WB/s1600/new+years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew8YHgQTBuEboi782CMOGN3ez3vwhEHvVsyeS7r5URxjt68gyTERHL8OiYRaxKkrQp47VG2BDBTK1uCNj3LsaT8fp1WwH46LuAumWx6gxcnquyTbwrscY81EHpsdTvG03CTUxKQA7t7WB/s640/new+years.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two fur babies :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By the way - it is very difficult to take a photo of both my cats without one of them being nothing but just a blur.mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4911943741355790756.post-5633561389932432192012-12-31T02:26:00.002+10:302014-05-20T17:01:00.824+09:30My 10 favourite purchases in 2012In undertaking my current cull, my most ruthless cull yet (I'll blog the results when I'm done), I thought to consider the 10 best things I have bought in this past year. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOj8I3y1kweSipiJU5GgLf7cwE0-7X_bt8_dauxLTzmcaWVPD9omMkN8huxZsPkBNVRp0UssUQt5ha5WWAFlNn4aNO0dcXv8hgPdGktFw4ilDnGU4nVfqFDJiBDhrCVP6cqD4Vmx0NysLv/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOj8I3y1kweSipiJU5GgLf7cwE0-7X_bt8_dauxLTzmcaWVPD9omMkN8huxZsPkBNVRp0UssUQt5ha5WWAFlNn4aNO0dcXv8hgPdGktFw4ilDnGU4nVfqFDJiBDhrCVP6cqD4Vmx0NysLv/s640/IMG_3268.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In no particular order: <br />
<ol>
<li><b>Isabel Marant "Dickers" in anthracite.</b> What can I say except that these ankle boots are extremely comfy. I took them with me to the US earlier this year and crossed Manhattan in them - that's how comfortable they are. I also think that this style of ankle boot looks better with skinny jeans than say the ACNE Pistol which means that they are more versatile for casual wear in my circumstances since I wear jeans every weekend.</li>
<li><b>Marni at H&M Necklace.</b> I love this thing. I wear it all of the time. It was waiting for me on the shelf at Madison Avenue H&M the day after the launch. I think someone must have returned it. As I stood in the line for the cashier, no less than 5 women asked me where I got the Marni. Haha.</li>
<li><b>Mulberry "Alexa" (regular) in black.</b> Since I bought this bag, I have not stopped using it. I love that it is light and that I can go hands free. At the time I also bought the "Alexa" in oak. It has not made the list as it is no longer mine! Over Christmas my Aunt did not have to work hard to convince me to swap with her... So I'm now the proud owner of the "Bayswater" in oak that she bought just last month but found too big for her after only using it twice. Thank goodness for an Aunt who buys designer handbags and is willing to swap since I now can't afford to drop a small bundle for just one bag. I think the Bayswater will suit my corporate job a little better than the "Alexa" since it just fits A4. You might see the "Bayswater" make next year's list :)</li>
<li><b>Marni at H&M zigzag top.</b> This is so flattering on me. I wear it casually with jeans or under a blazer to work. It's really easy to take care of too. Although comprised from silk, I just throw in my front loader washing machine on the delicates cycle. All tops should be made like this.</li>
<li><b>Comptoir des Cotonniers bird print blouse.</b> I bought this at Bloomingdales in NYC. I really like the vibe of this brand and wish that it would open up shop in Australia. Please?</li>
<li><b>Jane Lamerton breton stripe top.</b> I actually bought two of these tops and I'm glad I did. I absolutely love the style and that fact that there is some Lycra in the fabric, which means it keeps its shape. If it was re-released again in other colours, I would buy them all. I think that is saying something.</li>
<li><b>Étoile Isabel Marant "Lexy" jacket.</b> I bought this jacket from the comfort of my hotel room in NYC. I got an email from Net-a-Porter to say that it was back in stock and reserved for me in my cart for the next 24 hours. It only took me a couple of minutes to whip out my credit card to purchase it and I'm glad I did. It's wonderful. It's the second jacket I own from this label, and although disappointing that they are unlined for the money, the cuts really work on me.</li>
<li><b>Fleur Wood "East 63rd Blazer".</b> I have really enjoyed wearing this... once I finally got around to snipping off the tags. I feel really neat in it. It's a great equestrian style and the elbow patches are cute. Warm too!</li>
<li><b>MM6 Maison Martin Margiela 2-piece knit.</b> Another NYC purchase. It's ingenious really. It is a knit with a detachable vest so that when worn together, it looks like a thick woolly cardi with a light grey knit underneath. I wore it all through out Winter as well as the vest buy itself. It has a real 'grandpa' feel to it, which I love. </li>
<li><b>Cue in the City black dress.</b> This was really cheap. $60 I recall. Although not perfect, some how it found itself on my permanent work dress rotation in Winter. A winner. </li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjVKltGvxumVdtuPQFfLo6wZtKYsZ1BI4mxveltgSu-XZFn4o9-rgJjheS3Cl1JSfkXU9y0qzYOest3KxbLrloFGePrd_P9ojudt5aObM15DerO6YGUgJhjaieQNm7sBwqi0dgykM8MtD/s1600/IMG_3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjVKltGvxumVdtuPQFfLo6wZtKYsZ1BI4mxveltgSu-XZFn4o9-rgJjheS3Cl1JSfkXU9y0qzYOest3KxbLrloFGePrd_P9ojudt5aObM15DerO6YGUgJhjaieQNm7sBwqi0dgykM8MtD/s640/IMG_3270.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
This year I have struggled in the pants and skirts department. I have bought a few, but none have really stood out. Although worn everyday, each and every bottom has its flaw *sigh*.<br />
<br />
Also, I should point out that in the past week I have bought a couple of coloured items (!). Quarterly shopping wrap up coming up in the coming days as promised in my last post.<br />
<br />
I will stop short at declaring that I want to turn minimalist (the fact that I still own 37 pairs of shoes makes me ineligible to join that club)... but seeing this rack filled with my favourite pieces, has again helped me remember
that I really do not want to own anything that I do not love anymore.<br />
<br />
This whole culling process has been a long one for me. I have read many other people's culling journeys and they seem so much easier. I hope my journey ends soon. I'm getting tired. mycatssaymeowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00550100023650269503noreply@blogger.com10