Spring looks at Melbourne Central

Melbourne Central recently invited me and a few other bloggers down for an indulgent day of shopping (on them!) to check out their spring racing offerings. Saying yes was a no brainer really and it turned out to be a really fantastic day. Everyone at Melbourne Central I worked with was amazing and there really is such a large range of fabulous things in store! I must address the elephant (or horse!) in the room though and say that as a vegetarian and animal lover, I am morally opposed to the races. This is due to the issues of wastage and animal cruelty. I am not opposed to dressing up and having fun and I won't begrudge anyone that. I also understand how important the season is to local retailers and designers, some of whom may also have the same feelings as me about racing being cruel but the economics of it make it an integral part of their business this time of year. Well the same can be said about me. As a 'professional' (lol) fashion blogger I too need to make money and create interesting content and spring racing season is about as big a fashion event we get here in Melbourne. I would prefer to be honest and open with you than to fake it and I certainly don't judge anyone for going at all. I don't think it's up to me to change anyone's minds about attending, other than informing you of my position and the way I look at it. I love looking at the creative outfits people wear in the fashions on the field, some are even designed by friends of mine. I just won't ever attend, even though I get invited every year and sent countless press releases about all the celebrities attending. However, I can have my springtime glamour and fun at plenty of other wonderful events this season, as there’s plenty of excuses to dress up already. This outfit is ideal for garden parties, bbq's or even just a day of shopping if like me you take any chance you get to dress up. Thank you to the team at Melbourne Central for a super fun day.

Outfit details (all from Melbourne Central)
Pink blouse Gorman 
Paint splash skirt Gorman
Flower headband Forever New
Dyed turquoise cuff Mocha
Purple necklace Tilkah
Silver bag Decjuba
Pastel pink slides Tony Bianco
Hair Evoke Hair
Make-up Gorgeous Cosmetics

 These pastel pink  Tony Bianco slides are a dream come true. I've wanted a pair of slides for a while and this pink shade is as you know my absolute favourite.

Pastel pink slides Tony Bianco

 This silver Decjuba bag has been a lifesaver recently at events. I never seem to have a bag that is right for an evening event that can also fit my bulky slr camera. So happy with this bag, it's been to three events so far, somehow the shiny silver just goes with everything!

Dyed turquoise cuff Mocha
Silver bag Decjuba

 This cuff is simply stunning. They were explaining to me in store how the turquoise is dyed to get that great deep pink colour yet still have those trademark turquoise speckles. Really cool.

Dyed turquoise cuff Mocha

 The rooftop at Melbourne Central was the perfect location for the photoshoot. I got to see angles of the city I have never even seen before, was really cool to be allowed up there.

 The purple necklace from Tilkah was perfect for wearing under my collar.

 Purple necklace Tilkah

The team at Evoke Hair had very little hair to work with - there really isn't much you can do with such a short bob. But they did an amazing job and I was very happy with the results. The make-up by Gorgeous Cosmetics in house make-up artists was flawless - they airbrushed on my foundation which was a first for me and now I want it every day it was just so incredible. I was really happy with my eyes as the eyeliner was perfect too. If only I could have a make-up artist everyday.

Hair Evoke Hair
Make-up Gorgeous Cosmetics

Pink Picnic

Spring is finally here in Melbourne and Henry and I have been soaking up every single bit of sunshine that we can. After three years in always sunny Sydney this past winter in Melbourne has been a bit of a shock to our systems with the bone chilling cold arctic winds which are mostly unheard of in Syders. Taking Hachiko to our local park for a picnic is one of our favourite Sunday rituals that mostly stopped over winter mostly due to Hachi's fear of getting his feet wet (yes our dog is a bit of a princess and refuses to walk if the ground is wet). So this past Sunday when we saw how sunny it was we headed down to the beautiful Carlton Gardens for a cute little picnic. I love visiting Carlton Gardens so much as not only is it beautiful but it's also full of memories as I spent a lot of time in them growing up as I actually went to Carlton Gardens Primary School (well back then it had the less fancy name of Carlton Primary Rathdowne Street). I broke my arm riding my bike just behind where this photo was taken doing bike education with my class and my primary school would go on 'excursions' fishing for yabbies in the pond behind me (which seems really weird and crazy in hindsight - yabbies in a man made pond in a park in the city? I don't remember if we caught any to be honest). Feeding the possums at night and seeing drunk couples skinny dip in the fountain. So many fond memories in this place but what is really nice is making new ones with Henry and Hachiko.

My picnicking essentials. I've had this strawberry picnic mat from Japan for years, I actually bought it for my wedding. My pretty pink parasol is so old I have no idea where I got it but I'm guessing Ishka maybe? Or a $2 shop knowing me.

Pink Flower Headband Lady Petrova | Miu Miu Noir Sunglasses Vision Direct | Carousel Lip Gloss in Candy Apple Glitter by Lime Crime Makeupnet

I am in LOVE with this ASOS Curve dress. It was sitting in my saved basket for ages as I was trying to work out if I should get the ASOS Mainline version or the Curve. I am glad I chose the Curve as even though it's a little big around the bust I prefer the smaller keyhole front as it means I can wear a bra without it possibly being on show and smaller cut out back as I get sunburnt so easily I try to minimise exposed areas - especially hard to reach areas for sunscreen. I mean I picnic with a parasol!

Outfit details
Floral Maxi Dress ASOS Curve also available in ASOS Mainline or ASOS Maternity 
Pink Flower Headband Lady Petrova
Pink Jelly Sandals Rubi Shoes $14.95
Miu Miu Noir Sunglasses Vision Direct
Carousel Lip Gloss in Candy Apple Glitter by Lime Crime Makeupnet
Straw Basket Bag My favourite Footscray $2 Shop aka the 'worlds messiest shop'
Pink Chain Bracelet House of Baulch

I love love love this new Carousel Lip Gloss in Candy Apple Glitter by Lime Crime that Makeupnet sent me. It's one of those rare products that looks exactly like the product image - shiny glittery apple red goodness - like you can actually see the glitter which surprised me, although I must say it can get a little messy when applying as it's rather gloopy but with some practice it looks amazing. Makeupnet are the distributors of Lime Crime cosmetics in Australia ans New Zealand and their webshop has all your Lime Crime favourites and latest releases with great shipping rates in Aus/NZ! They sent me lots of Lime Crime goodies, can't wait to share them all with you.

Pink Flower Headband Lady Petrova
Miu Miu Noir Sunglasses Vision Direct
Carousel Lip Gloss in Candy Apple Glitter by Lime Crime Makeupnet
Pink Chain Bracelet House of Baulch

Rubi Shoes are really terrible quality, you'd think I would've learnt by now as nearly every pair I've ever bought I've had to return or exchange as they've broke. Well I wore these jelly sandals out for the first time and what a surprise they broke, luckily they did so outside the Rubi Shoes store so I could easily exchange them (sans receipt) but I don't hold much hope for these lasting much longer either. I should've got a pair of Juju or Jelly Beans instead for a little bit more. Oh well what do you expect for $14.95?

Pink Jelly Sandals Rubi Shoes $14.95

Shop the look!!!

Win a $1000 shopping spree thanks to Berlei

Sponsored Post


Berlei sent me a few pairs of their new Dig-Free legwear to test out on a $500 shopping spree that was on them. The thing with the tights is they're not like other tights, they have a special smoothing waistband and are designed without a front seam, the idea being that they smooth out your lumps and bumps and don't need to be adjusted all day. Now I didn't actually believe their spiel before I tried out the tights because my experience of tights is that the packet always lies. Extra Tall means doesn't go up past my knees and no rip means they tear within seconds of me putting them on. Also how many of you ladies are always pulling at your tights the whole day? The only fix being putting on an extra pair of knickers over your tights to help them stay up? This is actually why I'd stopped wearing tights in recent years as my husband complains to no end when I'm constantly stopping to pull them up (it could also be living in Sydney meant it never really got cold enough). Anyway I was surprised, no shocked, that these tights did actually stay up, there was no digging around at all for the whole day!!! I wanted to test out the other smoothing spanx like benefits to full effect so I wore a dress I've avoided since buying even though I love it because I felt frumpy in it. Well again they worked as advertised, I didn't feel exposed, like my belly was on full view jiggling all over the place, because the tights held me in. While I am quite confident and body positive I do still want to look my best and when I feel exposed in an outfit I tend to avoid it. But now I can wear this cute strawberry print dress throughout winter with these new tights, my only wish was that they came in colours other than black or even some fun prints or designs.


I decided to visit some of my favourite independent Melbourne boutiques on my $500 shopping spree. Top on my list was Dagmar Rousset on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. You may remember I blogged about them at their previous location in Brunswick but in my time away they opened up in Fitzroy and have become a much loved fixture in the area, hosting French lessons and local artists exhibitions.


Clothing by cult labels such as PAM, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Andrea Crews, Kinoak and ALL knitwear line the racks.


Drooling over some PAM.


Yay colour!


It really is such a beautiful space that Julia Pound has created. Her love of colour and quirky design is evident in every nook and cranny of the shop. A must visit when you are in Melbourne!

Dagmar Rousett 157 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065


Visiting Lady Petrova is like stepping into a little girls bedroom with its cute pastel toned clothing and sparkly -well everything. I've been a Lady Petrova fan since way back and its always nice to stop by and have a chat with the lady herself. Located down Scott Alley, just off Flinders Lane, the store is a welcome spot of kawaii and colour in the city.


Petrova has some amazing new designers in at the moment, like these awesome sequin pieces by House of Cards.


These shoes omg.


This is where I buy all my Lime Crime cosmetics too, and boy do I love Lime Crime.


So much cute in one room.


I bought the cutest clutch from Lady Petrova, here she is ringing up the sale.

Lady Petrova 3/237 Flinders Ln Melbourne VIC 3000


I've blogged about Corky Saint Clair a fair amount but I truly love it down there. Yes down, as the store is located in the Degraves Subway, its like a dungeon down there. Chris the owner is a great friend of mine, I never tire of his hilarious stories of crazy customers or his buying trips abroad.


The jewellery is all hand made either by Chris's own in-house label Corky or by local and international jewellers.


Loving the eyeball pieces.


Look at the cute colourful bunting necklace.


Some great pieces for your home too!


Statement making unique necklaces.


Chris working away on a new piece for me.

Corky Saint Clair 3 Degraves St Subway Melbourne VIC 3000


Lenko is where I go for bright streetwear and fun accessories. I love how the shop supports local up and coming designers but has a mix of the more established too.


Bright clothes by Somewhere, Lazy Oaf, Limedrop, Evil Twin and more there is always something on the racks that calls out to me.


Eat Me Do jewellery looks so life like, like you could just suck on those gummy bears.


Madly in love with this Lazy Oaf dress.


Symantha Rose jewellery is my latest obsession.


The ever lovely Dana ringing up my purchases.

Lenko 5/37 Swanston St Melbourne VIC 3001


I bought so much on my shopping spree, I can't wait to share with you over the coming weeks. Here is what I wore on my shopping spree.

Outfit details
Strawberry sundae dress Pulp Kitchen
Leather biker jacket Vintage
Tights Berlei Dig Free
Pink jelly heels Juju Babes
Pastel pink satchel $2 shop find


Sunglasses Miu Miu Noir's from Vision Direct
Nekclace Fashiondacci
Flower headband DIY
Lipstick Lime Crime Velveteen gloss in Suedeberry from Lady Petrova


So much shopping!


I love the look of tights and my jelly heels, perfect way to keep wearing my beloved jellies throughout winter.



I had so much fun on my shopping spree and now YOU can WIN a $1000 shopping spree to spend on whatever you like PLUS some Berlei Dig Free Legwear for yourself!

Simply share your favourite 'off' day go-to outfit in the comments below. 

Read the competition terms and conditions. Competition closes Friday 10th May 5pm AEST

Good luck xoxo.


This is a sponsored post for Berlei but all opinions are my own.

Foiled Again

Tonight I was lucky enough to be invited to the opening of the new Melissa flagship store in Sydney Central Mall in Pitt Street. I've been a fan of Melissa shoes for a long, long time, buying my first pair in Tokyo many years ago. My love of all things jelly on my feet has been well documented on this here blog so I was excited to see the new store and the new collection in person. Can't say that I was disappointed  I walked away with an awesome pair of red flatforms which will be blogged soon enough. As it was the opening of a Melissa store I of course wore my fave pair of pink Melissa jelly flats which conveniently matched my new H&M x Martin Maison Margiela pink foil candy clutch that I was lucky to find on ebay for only double the retail price. I had friends stationed around the world in H&M cities trying to locate one for me when the collection dropped but it sold out so fast it looked like I was going to miss out. Of course ebay was full of them, which was disappointing as the sellers were obviously trying to cash in but then it worked out great for those of us living in countries that don't have H&M stores (yet). I love it so much!

Outfit details
Biker jacket Vintage
Pop art tee CO. by Cotton On
Purple foil pleat skirt River Island from ASOS
Flower headband DIY tutorial here
Neon pink necklace Gift from Kurt of Melbourne boutique Fashiondacci



Foil candy clutch H&M x Martin Maison Margiela via ebay
I heart Spank badge Gift from Spank! in Tokyo
Mickey Mouse bangle by +ADEEN NYC from ESTATEofMIND in Surry Hills



Harajuku nail art Clara H Nails in Melbourne


What is it with tights and collecting dog hair?

Pink jelly flats Melissa Aranha's

Get the look!!!