I have no idea when my last post was, but Im guessing it was a fair few long months ago.  Lately Ive been getting emails with alot of blog comments to approve, I still drop by to approve them, but havent had the time to start posting again – but today I thought, its time!

2011 is going to be a massive year in fashion, so I thought I better capitalise on that fact for my readers.

2010 was huge for me, I split up a long term (6 year) relationship (I was reading back on some old posts recently and would like to say I take back all of the nice things I ever said about him!!) took my house deposit money and went overseas for 2 months.  Hence why I havent been here.

My trip overseas opened my eyes to another world of Fashion – London Winter has the most spectacular fashions at such great prices.  Shops like Topshop, H&M, Dorothy Perkins, Next, New Look and Primark (which is like a Kmart but with just SO MANY better clothes!)   I spent SO much money over there I had to buy another suitcase and pay hundreds of dollars in excess baggage to get it all back over to Australia.  But looking in my cupboard now, it was worth every single penny!

London Winter is all about tailored coats with big gold buttons, furs, scarves, boots, layering – and my favourite… HATS! I am a massive hat fan, but in Melbourne no one really wears hats that much so I tend to take a back seat and not really wear them, aside from the odd beanie in winter or a Trilby Fedora in Summer.  I brought 12 hats in London, sadly – I dont think I will be wearing any of them here… some have made it to eBay, some I still stare at adoringly every day wishing it was cold enough to wear them.

Anyway…. Im back.  And it’s getting chilly in Melbourne – the other week I dragged all my leather jackets out of storage (and brought 2 more yesterday!) Today Im wearing my very favourite Houndstooth scarf (Primark for 1 Pound! hearts!) and my boot boxes have been dusted off and are ready for wearing!

I have got so much to update you on, I have been shopping up a storm – Ive also started a eBay seller account, well for my previous readers you will know I’ve always had one, but have really picked up on it.  I’ve lost 15kg in the last 6 months, so alot of clothes have had to be shunned from my cupboards and sold.  I will be doing a post in the coming weeks about eBay selling accounts as I get readers emailing me alot about wanting to start one but being too scared or unsure of how to do it! Its easy, and Im here to help.

I love hearing from you all, so please comment – or email me any time…. if you would like posts done about particular things, please dont hesitate!

I promise to stick around this time too!

Take Care.

Charlie xox

I have recently realised that I spend a large amount of money on beauty products, and spend alot of time applying these beauty techniques. 

Make up, Face Masks, Nail Polishes, Cleaners, Toners, Moisturises, Creams, Oils… you name it, I love it!  I find that I’m always telling people these little tricks and tips etc, but they find them ever so weird… (most of them are normal I promise).

So, thought Id document some of my beauty tips that I absolutley swear by (grab a coffee – theres sure to be a few).

1. Run, Walk, Exercise & Drink HEAPS of water! Thats the most important one!  Not only is it good for your health, it also fights cellulite, stretch marks and promotes good skin and inner health

2. Egg White facial.  Whisk 1 x egg white in a bowl and apply to face until dried (about 20 minutes) you will thank me, if you havent tried this before! Its MAGIC!

3. Asprin Facial.  Mash up a few asprin in a small mixture of water – rub over face, wait until dry – this really zings up your face and cleanses it out

4. Mud Mask – enough said, love these things!

5. ALWAYS have painted nails and toes (fresh paint too – no chipping! )

6. Drink at least 3 cups of Green Tea each day (more if you want…)

7. Rub foot cream on every night – then wear special gel socks to bed (they keep your feet unbelievably smooth, like babies feet!!)

8. Hand Cream – at least 3-4 times a day.  My Mum has age spots on her hands, so she has educated me to do this from such a young age.

9. Exfoliant Shower Gel – not just normal gel, ones with exfoliating beads, use with a loofah to take of dead skin cells … if you want to use a Body Polish after I recommend St Ives. ($9.95 from Supermarket)

10. Never be stubbly – anywhere!

11. Body Moisturiser ever night on legs, arms, decollatage and stomach

12. Rose Hip Oil for good skin once every few days, you can also use a couple of drops of this in your hair if you want

13. Moroccan Oil for hair - ultra expensive at around $50 a jar but is the BEST hair care ever! I recommend buying on eBay as it is cheaper from overseas

14. L’Oreal Collagen Filler Night & Day Creams are my face, along side the Collagen Filler eye cream – fantastic thick and creamy moisturisers that do what they claim.  $35 each in the supermarket (I found a seller on eBay that Sells the Day & Night cream for $25 for both and the eye cream for $13!) BARGAIN!

I know it sounds like alot, but these are the things I do quite often… doing stuff to my skin and hair makes me feel like Im doing good to it – and when I cant actually apply the techniques I always drink plenty of green tea and water and do alot of walking.  And of course, always use good make up brushes and be sure to replace make up regularly to avoid germs!

Tell me… what are some of your beauty hints and tips?

As you know, Ive been on a very tight budget (for our house deposit) however, recently I’ve made $1200 on eBay just from a closet cleanout so I thought I would take some of that money and spend a little bit on myself… thefore, in turn meaning I can update!

Check out a couple of my excellent eBay (Der, where else!) finds in the last few weeks… needless to say Ive spent alot of time sitting at my desk waiting for the Postman to arrive with my goodies!

 I know I am a bit late jumping onto the bandwagon, but I totally ADORE these ‘Ray Ban’ Wayfarers! Ive had a fake pair from Cotton On for a while, but recently lost them, so figure Id just replace them with the real deal. 

 a NARS brush, I havent got it yet – but how good does it look! Ive been updating all my make up the past few months… and have now developed a very good range of MAC eyeliners and brushes, I am excited to try this one out.

 This MARC JABOBS key chain has been my most favourite purchase in a really long time! It’s always easy to find my keys in my bag nowdays.  Its a gold metallic snakeskin pattern with gold hardware, AND a bargain!

 Perhaps the priciest purchase in recent weeks is this 14k solid gold chain with engravable disc pendant.  All of the celebs are wearing them these days and they look so chic and classy.  Recently I brought a Tiffany silver disc pendant and I love it, but I alternate gold and silver almost daily, so I wanted a gold one too.  I am thinking of getting mine and my partners initials monogrammed onto the front with our anniversary on the back.  But we will see! Any suggestions?

Ive brought plenty more on eBay in the past few weeks – I like to think of it as my one stop shop, you can get ANYTHING on there for a fraction of the price.  But, these things arent worth showing you… eyelines, OPI Nail Polishes, etc etc etc!

Ive been selling away too! I will update you with my current auctions next!

xox

Octave Nails, 202 Church St, Richmond  03 9428 1666 (appointment necessary)

Wow, a salon that uses OPI Nail Lacquer – Im just not used to that.  I was in nail heaven, it literally took me 20 minutes to choose the colour I wanted (I could only choose one, as I am one of those people who has to have the same colour nails and toes).

I chose my usual red – but swapped it last minute for a deep glossy plum colour. Here it is:

Of course, it doesnt look as good in the photos, its actually alot darker, I am so upset I didnt check the bottle for its name, as I would have brought it already.

Anyway, Saturdays jaunt at the Nail Salon has got me in an OPI frenzy – the colours are just so strong and thick and last so long.

Here are a few colours I am loving right now:

 ”Get me to the Taj” – A perfect colour for during the work week, that will go with anything, but your nails will still looks smashing!

 ”Kennebunk Port” – A perfect red! Saw this at the Salon, regretted not going for this colour.

For me, its one extreme or the other – light breezy nails or dark dramatic reds or dark purples.  I love painting my nails, and find it quite relaxing and very calming, however nothing beats sitting in a massage chair while people do your feet and hands at the same time, I feel like a celeb!

I believe that great nails make a part of any great outfit, and they should be looked after.

I have made it a little thing of mine that I be sure to get a Mani/Pedi each month!

She was wearing a chain necklace – a thin silver chain with a round thin circle disc, I have wanted something that looks like this FOREVER but have never been able to find anything! Ive tried eBay, jewellers and the only thing I can find is religious pendants, which I dont want. (I’d be preferable to gold, but I just cant find anything!)

I said  to her quick smart, “Where did you get that Necklace?” – she  said “Tiffanys”. I thought my chances were shot as I relate Tiffanys as high end expensive jewellery (but I guess its only their engagement rings and diamonds that are super pricey). When I got home I checked eBay (of course) and I found them, they are stunning – and its not exactly the same, its better!

The two I am looking at are:

So, I am going to be in a few bidding wars over the next few days I imagine! yay.

And, the chain isnt too long, so I can wear them with my other gold chain thats a bit longer.  Lately I have been wearing gold and silver together (I know, its breaking a fashion rule right?) but it actually doesnt look too bad! Once upon a time I was well against this, but I have so much nice jewellery I just want to wear it all together!

Anyway, Im off to see if I can find any more of these beauties on eBay, so I have some variety in my bidding!

Now, just to find out where on earth she got her GORGEOUS Chanel purse! (haha! kidding – but it was gorgeous!)

Things I am LOVING for this winter:

Me, I LOVE winter (and despise Summer), I love the rain, being cosy on a cold night in sweat pants (a huge shoutout by the way to the person who invented sweat pants - I love you!) and ugg boots.  I could honestly think of nothing better than the following:

1. Rain Outside  2. Nice food 3. Maybe a glass of wine  4. Sweat Pants  5. an oversized warm hoodie 6. Ugg Boots  7. My gorgeous boyfriend and my dog 8. A great movie!

Having said that, I think you guys will get a fair idea of how much of a winter fan I am.  I am also fanatic about winter because I LOVE the fashion! I love coats, stockings, patterned tights, boots, hats, gloves and scarves!  I also LOVE hoodies.

Long have I been a fan of the hoodie, I think if you go back through all my old posts you would find at least 5 that relate to the purchasing of hoodies.  Each winter I dont mind forking out what is a pretty fair whack of money for a good hoodie (or ten).  In winter I pretty much live in either Hoodies, Jeans & Thongs (yeah, I meant it – thongs) or Hoodies, Sweat Pants & Converse.

I always find the Surf Stores the best places to go for hoodies. Yesterday I found “THE ULTIMATE HOODIE” (for me, some others may find it completely hideous – but I love it!) ….. and even better is the fact that I have gone down a size in that brand since last winter when I purchased the same style (or maybe their sizes just run bigger this year – Im taking the first reason though!).

The brand is Rusty, the retail price was $79.95 (it doesnt count coz it went on my Credit Card ok?

The colour is a vibrant peach with the Rusty logo on the front spelt out in studs.  I am killing for the next cold outing we have so I can wear it, here it is:

Again – apologies for the terrible photos, I rely heavily on my iPhone, and need to really start using my camera!

Recently it was my birthday – I love getting presents, and I was surprised at just how awesome all of them were!

However, I have long loved the “Gift Voucher” – it is like having FREE money! I was lucky enough to receive a $100 Myer Card for my birthday from the generous Directors at work.

I received it on Tuesday of last week, and I can tell you now, it almost burnt a hole in my purse and I was itching to use it! I dont often shop in Myer so it was a little bit of a treat having $100 free cash to spend in there! I knew I wanted a handbag, I was sure of it!

Over the weekend I ventured to 2 Myer stores, the second was necessary as the first place didnt have any bags I was crazy for.  When I arrived in the second Myer store it was like heaven, I was on my own, I wasnt in a hurry and I had all the time in the world to wade through all the gorgeous leather goods! ahhh, deep breath and enter heaven!

I passed all of the Guess bags (not a huge fan), DKNY (didnt feel like putting THAT much extra toward it), Fiorelli (No, Thanks!), Innovare (eek NO!), Review (Hmm, cute – but not leather and the hardware was a little tacky gold for my liking – YES, im picky!) and then I saw the stand of GORGEOUS Wayne Cooper handbags, I think I may have passed out a little and gone to handbag heaven!

Now, right from the very beginning of this Blog, I have always rabbited on about how much I love a good quality handbag – something a little different, not just your normal run of the mill black handbag that you can find in Kmart, but something fun and smart but also mature!

For me, a good handbag MUST contain the following things:

1. Gold Hardware – Good looking, good quality – no tacky gold tarnish

2. Good quality leather

3. A fun colour – not a fan of black (Aside from my one true love – my Chanel Grand Shopper Tote)

4. Straps that can be carried on the forearm – but also fit over the shoulder comfortably

5. A mobile pouch big enough to fit an iPhone

6. Roomy – but not too massive

As you can see, it takes alot to qualify with me for a handbag – but Mr Wayne Cooper hit all 6 nails on the head yesterday with the above piece.

At $200 I think its also a very reasonable price to pay for a good quality leather handbag, and when you have a gift voucher its even better! Cooper’s bags come with a 12 month warranty aswell so if anything happens (aside from Wear & Tear) it’s covered, which is pretty rare in a handbag these days!

I already have 3 more of Cooper’s bags, and the matching wallet that I want now, I think I have found my new fave handbag designer!

I realised that part of my lack to want to exercise was the fact I didnt have the right shoes.  I kept my old Nike’s going for about 4 years and they are now almost black and so dirty and falling to bits. 

Yesterday while I was out shopping I was astonished at the price of running shoes, about $250 for a decent pair of Asics or Nikes. I was going to buy some, but then thought of my old trusty friend eBay.

My boyfriend and I spent about 3 hours looking at all the shoes, I shortlisted them down to about 5 pairs and we went through them all – I was surprised he was doing this, but – he is a jock, so it was sort of interesting to him I guess.

We ended up purchasing these on eBay for $110. ($40 of that is shipping from USA) – but STILL a bargain.

Now that I have these – I am inspired to run and run (or walk and run).  I have also begun researching eBay for a few work out tees and tops – as lame and vain as it may sound I do believe if you look the part you have more passion to do the task at hand well.