Pastel Styling

Top, Sussan; Pants, H&M; Heels, Windsor Smith; Necklace, Market find

Pastels are my 'jam'. Being pale, I love how they make me look sun kissed. There's just something so fresh about light colours head to toe, especially when as soon as winter hits the crowds become a sea of black. Mint green is my favourite pastel but it is closely followed by baby pink (even the names for pastels sounds sweet!) Patricia Chang, who is my very favourite designer (you will have seen some of her gems on Gary Pepper and Tuula) has a penchant for pastels. Check out her Instagram and be transported to a world of gentle hues and adorable miniatures.
Back to the outfit though... These heels are another Windsor Smith pair, in white again.... I guess I officially have a thing ha ha ha The cute pants need to be worn with skin coloured underwear (unless you feel like making a statement....) but are still really nice material; tight without being 'tights'. The shirt, oh yes, I shop at Sussan...with my mum, because mum's love Sussan! Ha ha ha they have some great staples though and the quality is fantastic for the price. I originally bought the shirt as a lazy gym shirt but it held it's shape so well and was too sweet to hide indoors. If you follow me on Instagram you will know this UH-MAZE-ING necklace cost me a grand total of 4 dollars. You heard it right. Every month at my work there are markets and usually they're a hit and a miss but not this time! Hopefully that stall will be there again...

On another note, I went to Fashion Weekend in Sydney courtesy of Breakfast with Audrey, where I picked up a great Talulah dress for a ridiculously low price. There was loads of fantastic bargains to be had but it was more of an 'expo' vibe and the crowds did not make for a great experience, bargains aside!

Anyway, that's all from me this week! I'm heading to Cairns next weekend (work's getting me down ha ha) and I will take many a happy snap!

xxx

Clinique It Girl: Post 2

My latest Clinique post is live on Clinique Australia's Facebook page. It includes a wee bit of fashion in the form of Karen Walker (yippee!)
Click here to check it out.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
xx

Kenzo jumper and French feelings

Kenzo inspired jumper, With Love Kirsten Boutique;  Striped dress, Boo Hoo Clothing; Cloche Hat, Forever New;
Heels, Kmart; Frilly socks, Target

Unlike most people I don't mind the colder weather... I don't like rain or wind, but I like a crisp, sunny day where I can throw on a cute jumper like this Kenzo inspired one and play at being French. Of course I know it's a stereotype that French people love stripes and cute hats, but it's a stereotype I want to indulge because I love both of those things!
I'm seeing bright green making a come back, maybe it's off the back of the mint green trend, but I am loving it! The adorable cloche I picked up some time ago is a favourite of my hat collection which I shall thrill you all with this coming winter. I often think I would've been suited to the 1920's where women always wore hats (but I also enjoy being respected in the workplace too so maybe not ha ha) Socks and heels are also a girly, vintage style I am such a fan of but for some reason find hard to wear. Maybe because of my short, somewhat muscly legs? I've bitten the bullet though and just started living my dreams doing it, so any styling tips for shorter girls would be greatly appreciated!
And lastly, I cut my hair! I saw it on so many bloggers and I thought "Yep, it's time" I'd had long hair since highschool and it was overdue for a change. I love it of course, and it honestly feels like I have a whole new wardrobe as I'm learning what outfits and styles suit it best!
I have another Clinique post coming up in the next couple weeks, which I am very excited about so watch this space!

First Clinique It Girl Post

I'm very excited to announce my first blog post for Clinique has gone live! Excuse the grubby fingerprints on the mirror in this shot and click here to read all about my Clinique consultation. If the rest of this journey is anything like this first experience, I am in for a real treat :)
I would love to know what you all think!
Also, for those of you wondering the brand of the fantastic pink shorts I'm wearing in the post, they're made by the lovely designer Sophie from Aliphia. She makes great staples in fantastic prints and is very fairly priced considering the hard work she puts into each piece! As soon as I saw these shorts I fell in love and never took them off (maybe once or twice to wash them). Head over to Aliphia's page and like them right now!

Shoe Review: Windsor Smith, Chunk

I was recently blessed (I bought) with this amazing pair of shoes from Windsor Smith. I'm always looking for a pair of shoes that adds height and are comfortable enough to walk in all day. Bingo, these are the shoes for me! I'm head over heels (ha ha ha) for their great sole and cute tassels, minus a couple initial blisters (your mother was right to make you wear in your new school shoes!) they are now my go-to shoe. Buying better quality shoes really is a must, it's been a hard, long lesson for me, but it seems to be sinking in. The gorgeous leather still isn't marked or scuffed after 3 weeks of near constant wear, and they're white too! A favourite amongst bloggers, I saw them gracing the feet of many stylish girls at MBFW Australia 2013. I'm considering buying them in black too because they go with everything... But I do not regret my white purchase, I think it's a refreshing change from black. All shoes look good in black anyway.... but white equals instant chic! They are my third pair of Windsor Smith shoes and I daresay I will be going back for more...Soon... *evil laugh*
Fall in love and buy them yourself here.

Your Only Black Swan looking gorgeous in her pair

Clinique It Girl 2013: Winners are Grinners!

This week I received some fantastic news... I was chosen to be one of the 2013 Clinique It Girls! So, I shall start my excitement by thanking you all! I cannot begin to express how much your voting and well wishes have meant to me. Not to get too mushy, but I will always be grateful for this opportunity!

The next best part of this news, is I get to share it with another winner named Ling, who is the author of a fantastic blog, aptly named: The Best Beauty Blog. As soon as I saw her video I thought "Well I hope she gets picked too!" She looks like a riot, plus like me, she's lived in Scotland! I'm really looking forward to meeting her.
So, most of you are wondering "Yes, great, but what does it all mean Basil?!"

Well I had a phone call from the lovely Clinique team and the long and short of it, is that I get to do product reviews for their brand (hellooooo awesome products!) and blog on their page until next February! Along with a guest post on Breakfast with Audrey, I also get to meet another Australian beauty blogger, Ponikuta, who I can't wait to grill for tips! There are many more exciting perks which I will share with you all along the way!

To round it up, I am thrilled to be given this opportunity and I'm dreaming of where this all will lead! I hope you all share this journey with me, naturally I will link my posts to here for you all! Clinique is a brand that I have long loved (I 100% believe the 3-step pack my step-mum gave me saved my skin!) Once again, my sincerest thanks and eternal gratitude for your votes!
Here's to the future!
xxx

What I need: Knit Jumpers

I'm sure I'm not the only girl this happens to, but I can't help feel that it is so much worse for me. I become obsessed, anxious, my eyes are everywhere just looking for that one thing, that will make my wardrobe complete, just one thing! The one thing (this week) is the perfect knit jumper.
The weather has turned here in Australia, and Autumn is creeping up, and with this I've realised I don't own a gorgeous, luxurious knit jumper! I'm feeling either a navy or a beige, maybe a cable knit or a cosy angora... The search is on! I think the slouchy (but not oversized) style is best. I don't want to look swamped, but I want to 'let it all hang out' too. I've collected some inspiration to keep me focused during my quest. I always find it easier to know what I really want, and not get sidetracked by price or sizing!
If anyone has any suggestions from where they bought their knit (I know you've already found the perfect one!) I'd love to know!