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 - Part 4

This is a fashion-related part of a larger series of four blog posts about 'My Week Living the Dream' - don't forget to check out Part 1 , Part 2 and Part 3

Just as I thought the fashion assignments for Onya magazine couldn't get any better, I found myself waiting in the lobby of the Park Hyatt for the High Fashion High Tea event presented by Fashionista's Australia (Emily Power) as part of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. It was absolutely surreal. I was sat on Table 1 - the official media table - surrounded by extremely stylish women (and a few men!) about to have afternoon tea at one of Melbourne's most luxurious hotels. Pinch me!

Although I was doing it stag this time, it was a glorious afternoon. I was sat alongside many fashion bloggers who I admire, including Phoebe Montague of Lady Melbourne, Sarah Willcocks of Style Melbourne and met some new ones that I quickly became fans of, including Cecylia. There were finger sandwiches, tarts, cakes and scones galore - as well as a catwalk show, shopping avenue and amazing goodie bags. Watch out for my full review, to appear on Onya Magazine very soon....

That concludes my week living the dream! It's been absolutely amazing and has made me even more determined than ever to work hard and be successful in I believe is the most interesting and exciting career paths I could possibly have chosen.

Brittany x

My Week Living The Dream - Part 3

This is a fashion-related part of a larger series of four blog posts about 'My Week Living the Dream' - don't forget to check out Part 1 and Part 2

The fashion fun for Onya Magazine continued on Thursday night, this time at the VIP launch of The Wardrobe Weekender, a highlight of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival's cultural program.

This time I had my mum by my side as my +1 and we had a lovely evening. The basic philosophy of the event, organised by Lala productions and The Clothing Exchange, is a simple 'swap-shop' format. Everyone brings clothes they no longer wear to swap with others. I was a bit confused and ever so slight weirded out by the idea at first, not being a particular lover of second hand clothes, but after attending I can honestly say I'm a changed woman (limitations and exclusions apply!). I got myself two new (to me) items of clothing that i can't wait to wear and cleared out things in my wardrobe that were taking up unnecessary space. Not only that, there were also stalls of local boutiques and designers offering fantastic one-night only discounts, a complimentary glass of bubbly and vintage frocks for hire! Check out my review and please keep an eye out for any similar events coming to a town near you - can't recommend them highly enough!

1. My outfit for the evening. Recognise those trousers!? 2. Vintage clothes for hire 3. Mum and I went for dinner afterwards and had what I reckon is the best pizza outside Italy. Maybe even in Italy as well. The place is called +39 on Little Bourke Street. Thin bases, delicious tomato base and the speediest service i've had in a long time!

Firstly, I'm so grateful that i'm able to be getting experience in the industry by writing things for Onya as a contributor. I'm also hearing about and attending events that i would never have heard of otherwise - and hopefully by writing about it, am doing the same for you! I would really love a career in fashion journalism, so to be attending the events i'm attending and getting the opportunities i currently am is absolutely a dream come true.

My Week Living the Dream - Part 2

This is a fashion-related part of a larger series of blog posts about 'My Week Living the Dream' - check out Part 1 on my other (media focused) blog 'The Brit Estate'

For those of you who read my other blog, you'll know that the past week has been like a dream for me - full of assignments and interviews that have given me a taster of what a career in journalism could be like. This week I was given a number of fashion events to cover for online magazine, Onya. The adventure continues on...

Wednesday

Today was the first of three events I was assigned by my lovely editor Sandi Seiger at Onya Magazine. The event in question was the opening of a new 'family store' called The Woodsfolk in Hawthorn. It was a lovely evening - the shop looked fantastic, decorated with fairy lights and full of quirky items such as toadstool shaped lamps, pom-pom rugs and wine-bottled shaped candles. My auntie visiting from Canada was my +1 for the evening and together we enjoyed the delicious food on offer (my personal favourite being the homemade chocolate brownies and mini chic tops!). You can check out my full review on Onya Magazine.

I believe they were also visited by the contestants from the latest series of Nine's 'The Block' - which isn't much of a surprise given how lovely their stuff is! Watch out for the show later this year to see them featured.

Keep reading for Parts 3 & 4!