Fashion talk: Affordable everyday tops to wear

I have been doing some shopping lately, seeing as we are changing seasons here in Australia from summer to winter, there have been some great sales and bargains I have found.

I particularly like shopping for tops - it could be plain t-shirts, tops, dressy tops, jackets or cardigans. Love them all because they are a fashion item that I like to change a lot with different outfits.

I wanted to show you a few that I love, that are affordable and easy to get.

The first top I got is from Big W and it is the rib tee from the Emerson range and is under $10. I love the way this top feels, it is a beautiful cotton top and is has great length to it. This can be worn casual with a pair of jeans or dressed up under a jacket. Definitely a great top to buy in a few colours.

The next two tops I got at Coles from the mix range, both under $12 each. The first thing I noticed is that the material of these tops is thinner than I would normally wear, so they would be ideal for warmer weather. They wear comfortably, which is great and I really like that about them.

 

The last two tops are from Target. I absolutely love the skivvy top with short sleeves and have bought this one in the black too. It is great to wear under a jacket and it is long in length which I love. The black cardigan is a thinner material cardigan which I like for spring and autumn. It also has a great length to it and feels lightweight to wear.

So they are my affordable tops that I have purchased in the last few weeks. There really is some great fashion pieces you can find for great prices.

Have you found any fashion pieces lately that are affordable?

Five tips on how to save money when buying beauty/fashion products

When it comes to spending money, no one wants to spend more than they have to. So something that I try and do is save as much as I can on beauty and fashion products. Now you may be thinking, but how can you do that? I have some tips that I want to share with you on how to save money when buying products, beauty or fashion.

1. Sales - I am a huge sales shopper! I mostly buy when things are on sale. I have a huge list of products I want to buy or am interested in trying and I wait till there are sales and will buy them then, saving me so much rather than paying full price. Department stores like Target, Big W, Priceline and supermarkets are always having promotions and sales so if you wait you can pick up some great bargains.

2. Gift with purchase - When it comes to high end products, as they are so expensive I usually wait for a gift with purchase offer to buy a product I want. Usually gift with purchases means you have to spend a certain amount and then you get a free gift valued at anywhere between $40 - $100. This is pretty good value as you are buying a high end product and you get to try other high end products through your gift with purchase.

3. Buy online - I am a huge online shopper. I love it because you can find so many great promotions, deals and sales online. I usually subscribe to newsletters for clothing, beauty, accessories, household and many more and when they email sales and discounts, I will then buy what I need. You can save up to 70-80% by shopping online. Of course it means you have to wait for the product to be delivered but well worth it if you are going to save heaps. (here are some sites I have used)

4. Buy gift packs - Usually around specific occassions like mother's day or christmas many stores will stock gift packs which consist of a few products for a cheaper price. If you bought those items separately it would cost you more, so definitely look out for packs. Also for clothing there are more sales around these times so look out for them.

5. Read reviews - These days you can find so many reviews on pretty much anything. If you are unsure of a product and don't want to spend the money and then find that you don't like it, look it up and read reviews. Blogs and YouTube are the two places I check the most to read reviews on products.

You can save so much by watching where you spend your money and with so much variety of places, instore and online, you will find that you can pick up great bargains. I hardly buy anything full price!

Do you have a tip for saving money on beauty products?

THE ICONIC fashion online shopping site

Online shopping is becoming ever so increasingly great for convenience, easy to shop and great prices.

THE ICONIC is an Australian online site with womens and mens fashion and shoes, that just launched a few months ago.

THE ICONIC brings you an Australian lens on global trends, sources the best that Australian fashion has to offer, as well as all your favourite international designers.


THE ICONIC website is so easy to use, with a really good layout, which makes the shopping experience enjoyable. THE ICONIC is constantly adding gorgeous new styles and a host of trend tips and fashion advice.

Some of the brands that THE ICONIC have are Shona Joy, Minty Meets Munt, Ginger and Smart, Mollini, RMK, Lipstik, Tony Bianco, Viktoria and Woods, Top End, Suboo, Talulah and so many more.

At THE ICONIC they have free express shipping Australia wide and if you live in Sydney they will deliver within 3 hours ( for a $4.99 fee). That is excellent service! The website is full of great styles, fashion, footwear and accessories. If your looking for a gift, or something for yourself, you are bound to find something great at THE ICONIC.

Do you like to do your shopping online? Do you have a favourite online site?

Affordable Makeup organiser storage from Target

A few weeks ago, I was in my local Target with my kids looking at the toys, as we always do!

Across from the toy section is the laundry section and there were some makeup organisers on 25% sale.

I had seen them before but didn't really think to look at them as I didn't think they would be any good.

But as there was a sale, I thought I would just have a quick look and I am glad I did. I bought two of the organisers, they are a great size, affordable and very sturdy.

I love them so much, I did a video on my YouTube channel to show them to you all. Check out my video to see how I use them and what I paid for them.

As far as I know these are regular products of Target and sold all year round. Check your local Target if interested. I love shopping at Target and other department stores, you never know what bargain you will find.

Have you got any great makeup organisers?

Annual InStyle Fragrance Awards ‏ 2011

Who loves perfume? I do! I love having a few perfumes on the go, so I can change them every day.

Today InStyle announced the winners of the third annual InStyle Fragrance Awards.

From more than 200 new-release fragrances, InStyle narrowed it down to just 50 finalists across 10 categories.

InStyle’s expert judging panel were Victoria Meppem - InStyle Beauty Director, Kerrie McCallum - Editor InStyle, Jan Logan - Founder and Creative Director, John Lambeth - Fragrance Designer, Natarsha Belling - News Presenter Network Ten, Sharyn Storrier Lyneham - Owner EDIT boutique.

InStyle editor Kerrie McCallum said “Choosing a new scent is a wholly personal experience—but a little guidance can save a lot of time when faced with the near-to-buckling fragrance shelves in department stores.” 

The 10 winners of the Fragrance Awards 2011 winners are:

BEST CELEBRITY: Reb’l Fleur by Rihanna

BEST NEW CLASSIC: Chanel No. 19 Poudre

BEST DESIGN: Halston Woman Amber

BEST DAYTIME: Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Bouquet

BEST DESIGNER: Prada Infusion De Rose

BEST HOLIDAY: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino

BEST EVENING: Very Irresistible Givenchy L’Intense

BEST INNOVATIVE: Jo Malone Limited Edition Tea Fragrance blends

LIMITED EDITION: Marc Jacobs Splash Cocktail Collection

BEST MEN’S: Guerlain Arsene Lupin Dandy

The full list of finalists and winners are revealed in the October issue of InStyle magazine, on sale today. There are so many great perfumes on the finalists lists that I love and have tried.

There are a few on this winner's list that I have on my wishlist to try. Have you tried any of these perfumes? What is your favourite perfume at the moment?

Fashion Talk: It's all about colour

I love colour! Colour can really liven up a outfit or add some style and class to your wardrobe. Spring fashion is here in Australia and it is all about colour, which I am super excited about.

Experimenting with colour can be so much fun! You can add a pop of colour to black pants and a black top with a pink jacket or a beige cardigan. Maxi dresses are gorgeous in colours paired with neutral colour shoes.


From Sussan



From Dotti

 Are you a colour person? Do you wear bright colours or do you stick to darker colours?

Wedges - my shoe shopping wishlist!

I love comfortable shoes, yes I like heels but I can't seem to wear them for long before my feet start to get sore. I am not a very tall person in fact I am quite short so a bit of height is definitely to my advantage when it comes to shoes.

My latest shoe obsession is wedges! I have tried on a few pairs in stores and love them. They feel comfortable and give me some height - perfect.

So here is a wishlist of the wedges I like - I have so many that I can't make up my mind on which ones to get. I have been looking at Westfields online shopping site and this is what I have found.

These wedges I like for their elegant look, they are from Tony Bianco from Wanted shoes  $149.95aud

These wedges I like for everyday wear (preferrable in a black) as they aren't too high, they are from Midas $148aud

These wedges I like for a dressier outfit, they are from Novo priced at $79.95aud

These are just a few that I have my eye on, I might do some more wishlist shopping before I find the right pair and buy them!

Have you tried or bought any wedge shoes? Do you prefer them over heels?

Shopping: Toy Spectacular sale at Big W

I love sales! I buy most items when they are on sale. You save so much and there are great bargains to be found too. So when I saw the Big W Toy Spectacular sale, you know I will be there. I love going through on line or looking through catalogues to make a list of all the items needed and of course seeing as this is a toy sale, my two children had their little wishlists ready!

My eight year old saw the Cars 2 movie recently and loves the characters. So on his wishlist was some of the Cars toys which Big W have a great variety to choose from.

He loves his remote control cars, so they are a must and he has been enjoying a lot of Lego toys so a Lego Cars 2 is a great addition to his collection. He will be reviewing his toys on World for Kids - so be sure to follow him to find out what he thinks of them.

My twenty two month old girl loves dancing and cuddly toys. So her wishlist has some great musical and plush toys.

She will love the Leapfrog plush toy 'My Pal Violet' who is half price, excellent value - it has so many different sounds and music she will love it. The Dora the Explorer Rock and Roll musical set is something I have wanted to buy her for a while as she really loves music. The Disney Princess Rapunzel from the Tangled movie is perfect for her because she loves the movie Tangled.

There are some great buys and bargains and a huge range to choose from - you definitely won't want to miss out on the Big W Toy Spectacular sale, you can check them out online or instores.

Have you started your toy sale shopping yet? Do you buy presents for children, nieces/nephews, grandchildren at the toy sales now?

Fashion: Jewellery - Owl earrings

I am obsessed with jewellery. I love anything that is unique, different, colourful etc....! Jewellery can dress up any outfit, give it personality and accentuate your features.

So when I saw these earrings I just had to post about them. I have seen them in a few different department stores and everyone time I passed them I would check them out, but didn't know if I should get them or not. I don't own any other animal, look- a- like jewellery so I wasn't sure about them. But I gave in and finally decided to buy them, they are so cute and different.

I bought these from BigW for $9.75aud. I have also seen some in Target.

Have you found something unique or different that you like?

Fashion talk: Infinity Scarf - how to wear it

Have you ever heard of a infinity scarf ( or some people call them eternity scarf) ? They are scarves that never end. They are in the shape of a circle, as their ends have been sewn together. They are great because you don't have to worry about the scarf falling off or being uneven. The infinity scarf is a multi functional fashion accessory that can be worn in a few different ways.

Traditional  - If you want a tradition scarf look, place the scarf over your head, loop the scarf and place it over your head again. This will give you a nice loosely fitted scarf.

Turtleneck - This is when you follow on from the traditional look and make another one or two loops (depending how long the scarf is) it will give you a tighter fitted scarf look, like a turtleneck.

Shawl - If your infinity scarf is a longer one, you can wear it on your shoulders like a shawl.

Hooded - You can also wear the infinity scarf like a hood, by wrapping the scarf around your neck once, then take the back of it and bring it over the head and wear it like a hood.

The picture above is my infinity scarf that I picked up from Target for $12 aud. The picture below is me wearing it in the traditional way.

Infinity scarves come in many shapes, sizes, colours, patterns and textures. You can get lightweight scarves which allow you to wear them in many different ways and there are thicker chunkier ones which are better to be worn the traditional way as they are harder to manipulate into different shapes.

Have you tried a infinity scarf?

Fashion Talk: Scarves

I love accessories. Its my fashion obsession to wear some kind of accessory with my outfits. I have talked about jewellery that I like, and today it is all about scarves. As it is approaching winter here in Australia, I am really loving wearing scarves even more. They really add a pop of colour or style to any outfit. Here are a few different style scarves that I like.

They are from Sussan and Witchery stores.

Above: The first one is a great winter soft black scarf that can be worn with anything. The second one has a gorgeous leopard looking print great with browns, creams and white clothing. The third one is a beautiful two tone- blue and white - scarf that would look good with a jacket. The last one is a lovely textured orange scarf that gives a nice pop of colour to an outfit.

Above: The first one is a open weave endless scarf which I love because it feels really nice around the neck and this can be worn as a more casual scarf. The second one is a hand knit chuncky scarf, great for winter with a jacket. The third one is a open weave scarf great for spring or autumn as it is comfortable and great plain tops or cardigans.

Scarves are so versatile, comfortable and can give you a sense of confidence. A scarf  is a fashion accessory that adds that soft touch to any outfit. They come in various fabrics, designs and shapes such as triangle, rectangle and square, and how you wear it depends on its size and shape.

Do you wear scarves?

Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition nail color

I got the Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition nail polish a few weeks ago. I have never tried Sally Hansen nailpolishes. This colour 'Digital' ( 06 ) is such a pretty vibrant pink colour with blue undertones.


The HD Hi- definition means that the nailpolish is a patented formula with real liquid crystals for multi-dimensional colour and iridescent shine.


I found that the brush is easy to use, the nailpolish comes out fine but buildable with two coats.

On its own, this nailpolish lasted two days before I could see slight chipping and then by day four I had to take it off. You definitely need to use a base or top coat if you want it to last longer.

The colour is definitely shimmery, vibrant and glowy.
There are sixteen shades to choose from.

Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition nail polish retails for $16.95aud and available at priceline and department stores.

What is your favourite nailpolish colour?

How to choose the right foundation?

Finding the right foundation can be tricky. There are so many out there, to find the right one there are a few things you need to consider:

1.What is your skin type? If you have oily skin then look for a oil free or mattifying foundation. If you have dry skin choose a hydrating or moisture rich foundation  If you have combination skin decide if you're more oily or dry and then choose the appropriate foundation or you can try a cream to powder foundation if you can't decide. Mineral foundations work well on all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

2. Do you want a light, medium or full coverage? If you have good skin then a light coverage would be fine. If you have uneven skin tone or blemishes, consider a medium coverage foundation. If you want full coverage then a full coverage foundation will be the obvious choice.

3. Test it out. When buying foundation it is best to try the tester on a clean face. You can moisturise but don't show up wearing foundation already as this won't help when trying to test a new foundation.

4. Choosing the right colour. Try a few shades that you think are close to your natural skin tone. Usually yellow based foundations look most natural on all skin tones. If you're very fair, try a pink based shade. The best was to test a foundation is to apply a stoke of it on your cheek or jawline and see which one blends in with your skin the best. Don't test on the back of your hand as your skin on your hand is different to your face.

5. Lighting. Depending on the lighting you foundation may look darker or lighter. Its always best to try and look at your foundation in natural light. Obviously when you are buying your foundation in the shop there is no natural lighting, but try and not stand right under the bright lights as this can make your foundation look different. Try and walk around a little in the shop to see what it looks like from all angles and lighting.

If you can avoid wearing foundation on some days, thats great as it is good for your skin to be left clean and moisturised only. If you feel like liquid foundations are not right for you, you may want to try mineral foundation which is good for all skin types or tinted moisturisers which are a moisturiser with some foundation in it.

I will be doing some reviews on a few foundation I have tried lately - so stay tuned for that!

What is your favourite foundation at the moment?

Fashion accessories shopping at Diva

I love shopping for fashion accessories. They compliment each and every outfit, whether you are wearing a casual or formal outfit, accessories can definitely give your outfit that gorgeous finish to making it look fabulous. I went shopping at Diva, the store is in my local shopping centre. I love seeing all the fun and new accessories Diva have. So here is what I got - All items were under $15 which was great.

A red rose bracelet - love the roses wish this bracelet came in other colours too.

A trio of purple and silver bangles - purple is my favourite colour.

Two headbands with a side bow in red and black - I am so in love with headbands at the moment.

Do you like accessories shopping? Whats in your fashion accessories collection?

Six Shopping Tips: How to shop for beauty products?

When you are shopping for beauty products, you will find  that there is so much to choose from that it can be overwhelming. I sometimes get asked where I shop?, how do I know what to buy? and how much I spend?.
Its a bit hard to answer those questions because there are so many factors that need to be considered. So here are my tips on how to shop for makeup and beauty products:

1. Do your homework - With technology being so advanced these days, you can find out a lot of information about most products. There are so many reviews on so many great sites. Google is my best friend when it comes to finding information about a product. You Tube is great as well. I have a You Tube channel  - DanniiBeauty - where I do product reviews and there are so many great beauty blogs. So if you want to know about a product before buying do your homework and find out what others think about the product through their reviews.

2. Be sure to look around - Looking around at all the different brands ensures that you choose the right product for you and not just buy the first thing you saw. For example at Priceline there are at least 10-12 different makeup brands. If your looking for a blush and you find one you like take it with you and compare it to the other brands alongside it. Test it out and see what it feels like and looks like. If buying skin products always look for products that will suit your skin type.

3. Sales - Most of the time (99%) I buy my beauty and makeup products when they are on sale. There is always a sale on somewhere whether that be at the supermarket, department store, beauty stores or online websites. I have a list of things I want to try or have read a great review and think it will suit me and then when I see it on sale I buy it. Of course there are times when I buy products at full price but it would be because I desperately need it like a cleanser.

4. Try something new - If your new to using makeup, or always stick to the same products, I'd encourage you to try something new. It definitely is great when you find a product that works really well and you stick to it, but sometimes there may be something better out there. Of course this would be for low end products as they are reasonably priced. For example if you like a certain lipstick colour in a certain brand, try looking for a similar colour but in a different brand. Or even go for a darker or lighter colour than you would normally buy - its a great way to try new things.

5. Samples - when buying high end products I always get samples first. If I am going to spend $80 on a moisturiser I want to know if it will work on my skin first before spending so much money. So I will get a sample first which usually will last about 5-7 days which is enough time to establish if it suits my skin and if it works well. Usually Myer or David Jones are great places to go and ask for samples at the counters.

6. Learn makeup techniques - If you want to know how to apply foundation or eyeshadow there are so many great resources to find this information. Myer or David Jones have makeup artists at there countere who will be able to show you how to apply your makeup. They are a great resource to ask questions. There are also some great makeup artists on You Tube that show you how to apply makeup.

Do you have any tips to share about shopping for beauty products?

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Fashion talk: Are you a ruffle wearer?

Recently I received a email about the latest styles at Suzanne Grae. I personally love Suzanne Grae their clothes are so wearable and great for every woman, thats just my opinion though!

So the latest styles is ruffles. Now I'm not a ruffle wearer but these styles and outfits made me think twice when I saw them.

Left: I really like this gorgeous jacket, and the ruffle top compliments it so well.

Left: This ruffle top is nice and looks stylish with the thin jacket.












What do you think? Are you a ruffle wearer?