Nothing beats a sale: Topshop Adventures

Moving to Melbourne from London five years ago, one of the things I found hardest to adjust to was the lack of British High Street. The idea of shopping without any of the shops I loved and was used to, such as Topshop, H&M and of course Primark was one that filled me with dread. Alright, not dread exactly - I could never feel that way about shopping! - but it certainly posed some challenges.

When you're familiar with a place, you know exactly where you need to go for certain items. If I needed new underwear, M&S was the place to go. Jewellery at a price that wouldn't break the bank? H&M was your (wo)man. Cheap anything? Primark. It took a while and a few (expensive) mistakes to figure out my equivalents here in Australia.

Luckily I've discovered the great fashion secrets and shops we have here in Australia, which I'll hopefully be doing a blog post on soon. But needless to say I am still extremely excited that the shops that I loved in England are finally beginning to reach our shores (Zara and Topshop last year and H&M to arrive later this year!)

Topshop is a shop I've always loved, due to its fun and stylish designs, incredible designer collaborations and obviously clever branding and marketing. One thing we haven't always agreed on however, are the prices. For me, Topshop was always the place for a treat - yes, the items were gorgeous but you were paying quite a lot for them.

A good day at Topshop Chapel Street!

Probably because I'm no longer 13, and maybe because I've become accustomed to Australian prices (where I feel like its harder ((but not impossible!)) to get good quality fashion items for lower prices a la H&M/Primark), Topshop now seems a lot more reasonable.

And when they have a sale on... Well, you don't argue with reason, people.

And so I found myself in the crazy crowd of Topshop sale goers last week. Racks upon racks of discounted clothes greeted me as I stepped through the doors, so the only thing to do was roll up my sleeves and dive in.

I was surprised at how heavily discounted many good items were and as a result it was hard to stop myself just grabbing everything in sight. Luckily Mum was there to restrain me.

Peek inside my Topshop bag

I tried on a few things, including the athletic 'GEEK' t-shirts that everyone has and I've been wanting for a while. Unfortunately they only had it in the crop version which I felt going into WINTER might be a tad limiting..

Anyway, I felt with two holographic cat bags (whaaat!?) filled with goodies, which in addition to the knowledge that i'd made myself some good savings, makes it a very good trip in my mind!

My Purchases

The Evening Dress

 This would have to be my favourite buy of the day. There was just one left on the rack which I made a quick beeline for, ready to elbow anyone who got in my way. It's a gorgeous turquoise sequinned figure- hugging 'disco' dress. It's quite long, probably just above the knee, which I think makes it a lot classier than if it only just covered my bum. As well as being sparkly and my favourite colour at the moment, it was also massively reduced - $65 down from $131. I couldn't wait to wear it, so ended up taking it for a spin that night for drinks with friends.

The Bodycon Dress

Now I think this was actually spotted by Mum (giving credit where it's due!) but as soon as she showed it to me I was sold. The design is striking and reminds me of liquid gold, and the material is gorgeously silky. Again this one is also longer, but I think it looks better shortened so thats probably how I'll wear it. Made some massive savings on this one too - $23 down from $73!

The Cozy Jumper

This was perhaps my most practical buy - a pinky/brown knitted jumper. Close up you can't really see the geometric pattern but I think it's quite playful. It's extremely cosy and I quite like that it's more pastel colours - it will look great with some very blue jeans and boots for winter. Another great save - $26 down from $86.

The Nail Varnish

Top: 'Green Room', Bottom: 'Plume'

So as I've confessed in previous blog posts, this year I've become a serial nail varnish buyer and now have quite the collection going. I've been hunting for a Tiffany coloured blue nail varnish for a while now, so I was extremely excited to finally spot it in Topshop. I also couldn't walk passed the galactic purple, so that ended up in the basket too. I think they were about $12 each, which is a bit above average for nail varnish, but i'd fallen in love with the colours.

Having never tried Topshop nail varnish, I was initially rather disappointed with the quality. I decided to paint my nails 5 minutes before I was due out (silly idea I know!) so only had time to do one quick coat. The consistency was watery and the colours very pale. The following day, I tried a few more coats and was much happier with the colour (as seen in the picture - excuse the chips!). The turquoise is slightly more green than i'd hoped but I love the purple. What do you reckon of the quality of Topshop nail varnish/make up collections?

Taking my disco dress out for a spin!

With loads of stores now having their end of financial year sales, it's definitely time to hit the shops! It's a great opportunity to pick up things you've been eyeing up for a while with big discounts, or just treat yourself to a few indulgences. What do you reckon of my bargains? Would love to hear what new items you're loving at the moment in the comments below!

Brit x

Losing my ASOS Virginity...

So the other week I did something that I have never done before, and to be perfectly honest I don't know why it's taken so long. I'm a complete shopaholic, but had never ventured into the world of online shopping. Shock, gasp, horror, travesty, treason - say what you will, but I was just always very concerned about sizing. The idea of having to return an item across the far seas back to the ASOS warehouse should my beloved item not fit just seemed to much to bear.

I am happy to report however, that I have lost my ASOS virginity and it was relatively painless. Yippee.

One of my good friends Jordyn often buys stuff online and finding myself continuously complimenting her on her purchases, I decided it was high time to order some for myself. When I headed over to the ASOS website, I saw they were also promoting a massive sale (up to 70% off). Is that fate or what?

I ended up choosing two items - A dress and a scarf, all for less than $40. How delicious!

Purchase 1: Turquoise/Black knitted scarf

Purchase 2: Cowl Neck Back black dress

Then unfortunately, came the wait. Despite ASOS recommending it would take just over a week, I was filled with naive hope that mine would be the exception - maybe next day delivery? - and eagerly ran to the post box every morning in the hope that there would be my parcel waiting for me. I ended up becoming on first name terms with the postman, so I guess it wasn't all bad.

When I came home from uni exactly one week after ordering, I lifted up the postbox to finally see the sight I had been looking for. A grey parcel addressed to me! I hope i'm not alone in saying that there are few things in life more exciting than getting post. Apart from maybe birthdays, Ryan Gosling and cheesecake. (and of course, providing they're not bills!)

A surprise awaits in my post box..

Arrival of my ASOS parcel calls for a celebratory selfie...obviously.

Feeling caveman like tendencies take over, I was close to ripping open the parcel with my bare teeth. But etiquette restrained me and I opened it up as quickly as I could in a ladylike fashion.

Trying to contain my excitement.

Both items looked exactly as they did on the web, and luckily were the right size. I'll do a styling post of these items (as well as the other new purchases i've mentioned) to show you how I plan to wear them, so stay tuned!

The items...

 Safe to say I think i'm embracing online shopping (maybe a bit too much) with my eyes on a few other things now too. GAH! Poor bank account. What's your favourite online store? Let me know in the comments below. Brit x

March On

Fashion fever has finally faded in Melbourne as the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival drew to a close last week.

If you've read my last few posts, you'll know that I was lucky enough to attend a few of the events. Obviously I haven't had the luxury of attending multiple fashion weeks around the world, but I love LMFF largely for its accessibility and proximity. So often fashion can be so involved with itself that it forgets that the public and the consumers are actually some of the most important people in the industry. LMFF celebrates that - with runways and seminars that anyone can buy tickets to, as well as a huge range of free pop-up and cultural events all over the city.

My mum and I have been going every year since we moved to Melbourne from London (coming up to five years now!) and it's something that I really look forward to doing. We've been to a range of runways, presented by Vogue, Instyle, Grazia and this year Madison. There's always a fantastic atmosphere and a luxurious feel to the evening and this year was no different. We went to the later show, which meant we missed the opportunity for beautiful sunset photos over the docklands but did enjoy some champagne in the Woolshed Pub. I'm yet to see a runway show in which all the clothes bowl me over, but i love the atmosphere and excitement associated with seeing a catwalk show live, as it's something you normally associate with VIP and exclusivity.

The Madison show had an impressive line-up of models including Alice Burdeu, Cassie van den Dungen and Rachel Rutt modelling the collections of designers Megan Park, Flannel, Alannah Hill, Hardwick, Jayson Brunsdon, Aurelio Costarella and Kirrily Johnston.

My favourite would probably have to be Hardwick, who I hadn't heard of before but I thought their collection to be extremely wearable - with lots of sheer, black and lace. Alannah Hill too had some gorgeous coats in bright colours, but looked similar to ones I've already soon before. I'm a massive fan of playsuits (current count is at least 6 in my wardrobe) so I enjoyed the silk brocade jumpsuits from Jayson Brunsdon as well.

Alice Burdeu in Hardwick

Jayson Brunsdon

Cassi van den Dungen in Jayson Brunsdon

All photography from LMFF official photographer Lucas Dawson

Not the best photo (mum photography!) but what I wore to the Madison show. I went for a blue silk floral patterned shorts and peplum top, white Zara jacket, black tights and heels, salmon clutch, bright accessories and a cheeky Topshop lipstick in 'Brighton Rock'.

My write up of the High Fashion High Tea is also now up online on Onya Magazine, which I hope you'll have a read of...the food was absolutely to die for and has affirmed that afternoon tea is most certainly back on the menu!

High Fashion High Tea - LMFF event

I also covered the 2013 LMFF National Designers Award for a university assignment and was lucky enough to interview two finalists (and hugely talented designers!) Livia Arena and Michael Lo Sordo. I was only able to use a few quotes in my assignment but found them both so interesting to talk to that I will hopefully write up a profile of them here for you to enjoy... stay tuned!

Brittany x

My Week Living The Dream

This week has been an amazing one - full of interviews, events and writing that have totally reassured and convinced me that a career in (fashion/arts&culture/music) journalism is exactly what I want to do.

To read more about it, scroll down or click the links below.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

These are my three very different looks I wore for my three fashion related assignments for Onya Magazine.

1. The opening of The Woodsfolk in Hawthorn on Wednesday evening.
I'm wearing a white long top from a boutique in Phillip Island, leather skater skirt from H&M, My favourite Wittner shoes and a studded leather clutch, also Wittner.
 - See Part 2 or the full review on Onya Magazine.

2. VIP Launch of the Wardrobe Weekender, Captains of Industry on Thursday evening.
I'm wearing my mum's black silk draped top, skinny herringbone trousers, the same Wittner shoes and an electric pink, black and white clutch from Dangerfield.
- See Part 3 or the full review on Onya Magazine.

3. High Fashion High Tea, L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival at the Park Hyatt on Sunday afternoon.
I'm wearing a monochrome silk shirt from H&M, leather skater skirt also from H&M, black/silver chanel-style jacket from Sportsgirl, red suede heels from Novo and a red leather/leopard print bag - a christmas gift from mum!
- See Part 4 or look out on Onya Magazine for a full review very soon...


Which one is your favourite? Would love to hear your feedback!

Brittany x