All Entries in the "Hot Picks" Category
Where to: Shop on the Gold Coast
Living on the Gold Coast for the last 8 years and being a fashion loving female has been a bit of strain. We don’t have the luxury of thousands of boutiques like Melbourne, or Myer stores that have a whole floor dedicated to women’s shoes like Sydney. No, no on the Gold Coast with our tiny residential population we make do we’ve what we’re given; chain stores and Kmart. Luckily though for the whingers like myself a few Gold Coast fashionista’s stepped out and built boutiques to rival Paris to compete with Milan and triumph Sydney and Melbourne. Over the next two post’s I’m going to take you through a few women’s stores you have to visit when holidaying on the Gold Coast.
I Hate My Skirt: With such a quaint cutesy name it’s hard to resist walking in to this little Nobby’s Beach boutique, and trust me, you’ll be glad you did. The busy racks, the vintage décor and the hand picked garments on display in this beach side boutique will have you drooling. Taking a look around the store you’ll see your favourite labels such as Gold Coast label Away, national favourites like Bec & Bridge or Nookie and a whole lot of other great brands to sink your teeth into.
Le Deux: A new-ish store to the Gold Coast and we’re glad they decided to debut in our little beach town. Le Deux cuts through any pre conceptions of what you thought retail shopping on the Gold Coast looked like. Situated in James Street Burleigh, one of the oldest beach side streets, Le Deux brings a new calibre of fiends to the beach town. It stocks a few beachside staples like One Teaspoon and Kini Bikini and also branches out and stocks a lot of up and coming labels for men and women such as MaryMary, Ash, ManiQuin, Lost Pigeon and Modern Collective. Go for a swim, grab some fish and chips then shop the high street boutique all in one day.
Joy Hysteric: This store is somewhat a veteran in Gold Coast fashion, surviving the recession when most upmarket Gold Coast retailers did not, it tells you Joy must understand the business she is in. One of the GC’s most upmarket boutiques Joy Electric stocks labels such as Gail Sorronda, Romance was Born, Kirrily Johnston and many other iconic Australian labels. Joy Electric has earned a reputation not only on the Gold Coast but nationwide after featuring in many women’s magazines as a ‘place to shop’.
Pop over later this week to check out the last of the six best places to shop on the Gold Coast!
Hot Picks: Marie Claire Turns 15!
When I was 15 years old I was having so much fun. I was running amock with my girlfriend, trying out the latest beauty products, shopping in my favorite stores and just enjoying being a girl. Marie Claire is celebrating their fifteenth birthday the same way I spent my year as a fifteen year old but one a bigger scale. The september issue will be one of their biggest issues to date to celebrate their fifteenth birthday. It will be on sale as of 4th August, so you can celebrate along with the team. The issue will feature a look into the mechanics of the magazine, a look at the staff, the editor and the production of the much loved Australian glossy. Here is a peak at a few of the great images from the magazine on sale on 4th August! Enjoy!
Hot Picks: Self Indulgent Wednesdays
I’ve been off uni for 3 weeks now. I’m just working in a bar to get by right now, before I move to Sydney for work. Well when I find work. Anyway I am feeling pretty self indulgent with so much spare time so I thought I’d continue on the trend and post about things I am lusting after.
A Camera: I was browsing at the Sony store last week and fell in love with this baby. If anyone has any other camera recommendations I’d highly appreciate them! It’s something I know very little about! I’d really love to start doing more photo blogs and video blogs on here but I need a camera first! I don’t have the finance right now so just praying that I’ll be blessed with one!
New Wedges: Lust! Jeffrey Campbell shoes are at the top of my lust list this year. I hope to acquire a few pairs before 2010 is over. I love this tan strappy wedges they’ll serve me well during summer!
New York: It’s like an automatic reaction to finishing university, getting the travel bug. I want to go one better though and actually live and develop my career in New York. I’ve looked into it though, I’m best to wait until I’ve got something to really offer to my industry before making the move so I have a better chance of securing a permanent working visa.
New Handbag: Mulberry is opening in Sydney soon, (I heard the news thanks to Sassybella on Twitter this morning!) so it got me once again lusting after a soft tan leather bag. Love this practical staple from Mulberry.
Career Direction: Ps Steve Kelly from Virgina Beach, USA spoke at my church Generation on Sunday and shared this wisdom thought: Intolerance of your present creates your future – become intolerant of where your at. How great is that. I reflected on where I am, where God wants me to go and how I need to get there. I’m pretty intolerant of where I’m at so praying that I’ll be able to launch into something new soon!
images from: net-a-porter.com, shopbop.com, google images
What’s going on in your world at the moment?
Hot Picks: A bit of Thursday Happiness
I just has an exam at uni and it was rubbish. Now I’m trying to study for my next exam and can’t get to a quiet and reflective place in my mind to concentrate. Instead I opt for YouTube. Hopefully this funny little Coke ad will brighten up your day for 2 minutes. 
Hot Picks: Home Decorating
As I said earlier in the week I’ve been moving house. I used to live in a little beach shack but I’ve decided to become an adult and move to suburbia. Grown up life does have its perks (gated estate with resort pool, spa, sauna & gym). So naturally I’ve had everything home decorating on my mind. I find your never really settled anywhere until you can call your new house a home. I live with two other girls and being female our house is covered in candles (candles make everything romantic). We’re yet to do a big decorating shop to make the house “our home” so until then I’ve been gathering inspiration. I’ve put together the above ‘home decorating inspiration board’ to help me but also to help you if your planning to move anytime soon! Also it’s just fun looking at home things. Ikea has got to be one of my favorite stores in the whole world! Be inspired!
Hot Picks: Grazia Balloon Pugs
No but seriously, isn’t this the cutest darn balloon you have ever seen? The gorgeous French Grazia girls handed these playful pets out during Paris Fashion Week.
Designer Profile: QSW
Last Tuesday ( I know late reporting right) I had the honour to be invited to check out the new range coming out for Quiksilver women. The range is under the Quicksilver brand but has a totally different direction to their other ‘surf store’ style lines. QSW collection is reasonably priced creative genius. It’s a well crafted selection of designs in quality fabrics and with atheistically pleasing prints. Not too much mention comfortable, fashionable and perfect for our Australian climate.
The shoot for QSW high summer campaign was held at Komune Hotel, which only opened its doors 3 days before the shoot. The model Courtney (from Viviens) was a fresh beautiful new face and fit the collection perfectly. We watched her slip into each look and work the camera and the garments with ease.
Unfortunately it was raining on the day of the shoot (we’ve had terrible weather for the past 2 weeks) but the photos still turned out amazing. FTV (Fashion TV) was there to capture all the behind the scenes action. It was a glamorous and easy shoot, something I’m defiantly not used to, all the shoots I’ve worked seemed so much more stressful (maybe the sparkling helped 
).
The best part about the collection was how wearable it was. It’s an unfortunate fact when alot of well established brands try to go against their own grain and get creative they can go overboard and mass produce unwearable art. QSW has created the perfect collection for the in fashion woman, who will probably be surprised she is wearing Quiksilver! Make sure you check it out in the following Queensland stockists (if you a local in my area)
City Beach, Le Deux (Burleigh), Country Style (Yamba), Gold Coast Surfer
Hot Picks: Daily Reading
courtesy of hotbeautyhealth.com
courtesy of hotbeautyhealth.com
Everyone who is on the web generally has their favorite links, their RSS feeds and bloggers have their blog rolls. How many of these links do we actually read on a daily basis? Yes we might really admire a few websites, or turn to them when your after some kind of advice, but its hard to know who actually reads what daily. Anyway so I thought I’d show my cards and let you know the blogs and websites I read daily for my fashion fix. I’m not doing this to promote anyone but simply because I respect their work and want to share with you what inspires me to love this industry everyday.
Christian Gal in the City: Something I’ve never really talked about on An Australian Wintour is my relationship with our Creator. About 1.5 years ago I met my dad Jesus who gave me everything that I had. When I started seeing life in a new light I was so excited to find this funny witty and fashionable blog. Selena writes about her journey as a friend of God’s destiny for us and her everyday trials and triumphs as a budding journalist. Love it!
Sassybella: Sassybella offers a daily deliverance of hard-hitting fashion news (if there is such a thing) This Australian based blog has been running for several years, which is evident in the construction and journalism qualities of the site.
The Zoe Report: (picture top of article) A daily newsletter sent out by Rachel Zoe, stylist to the celebrities and reality television star. As much as Rachel annoys me in her show, this newsletter is fabulous. Everyday it features a fun new fashion or beauty accessory to check out. Today’s newsletter featured a super L.A.M.B jumpsuit, reason enough to subscribe!
Girl with a Satchel: My favorite blogger and ex Girlfriend magazine beauty editor! The lovely Erica Bartle is a magazine industry insider put her knowledge to use by reviewing the latest magazines everyday! I am so blessed with the fact Erica lives in my neighborhood and has been a great personal encouragement to me with blogging!
Taste.com.au: Probably the best cooking website in existence. I recently moved out of home (about 5 months
ago), I wasn’t a bad cook, I do have skill but the problem was I never knew what to cook! Stir-fry is probably the only dish I know off the top of my head. So Taste.com.au came in handy basically every night when I was looking for something delicious to cook. It links similar articles together, allows feedback and comments on recipes and has a fun colorful layout.
There is so many websites I frequent daily but this is just a small taste of my hot picks! Will update with more soon!
Hot Picks: 2010 Predications
Morning Lovelies, and I say morning because I literally just woke up and it’s 11am, how terrible, I am defiantly still in holiday mood. My holiday mood is also the reason I didn’t post on Wednesday, I didn’t realize how hard it would be to get myself reorganized.
Anyway to kick off the first post of the year I want to take a look into what’s install for Aussie’s in 2010. Who will be the hits of the beginning of a new decade? Australians will be working harder then ever at home and internationally and I can guarantee Aussie waves will be made. With our strong dollar more Australian models, photographer, make-up artists and fashion designers are plucking up the courage to take their work overseas and they are reaping the benefits. Lets take a quick look at a few Australians who will be dressing up 2010.
Model: Charlotte Lohmann
With her striking dark features Charlotte is a breath of fresh air on our honey blonde dominated modeling scene in Australia. Standing at 5’10 Charlotte is often used in runway such as Australian Fashion Week and Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival but she is also a popular editorial model having shot for Bazaar, Vogue, Grazia and many more Australian glossies. Charlotte was a past winner of the Girlfriend Model Search that we’ve promoted before for finding Australia’s best talent. I can’t wait to see Charlotte’s face on billboards internationally.
Stylist Ms Fitz:
She styled up a storm in Sydney, New York and London in 2009, and I think in 2010 she will be ready to conquer the entire world. Her eccentric style, her versatility and her handy networks worldwide will make 2010 and easy year working for Ms Fitz. She also runs a very interesting and informative blog about her movements and career at www.msfitz.blogspot.com be sure to check her out. 
image from msfitz.com.au
Designer: Black Milk
An innovation by James Lillis Black Milk will be on everyone’s lips this coming Autumn/Winter 2010. Black Milk is a fashion label with a focus on leggings and bodysuits with a creative edge. The label has been featured in media everywhere from the local newspaper to Australian Vogue. Their signature tights are the gorgeous pair featured in the photo at the top of the article titled the Silver Cage, how they got those chains around I’ll never know. You can buy Black Milk online at www.blackmilkclothing.com
There is so much to come in 2010 and I am so excited to see what our country has to offer. Stay tuned for all the latest developments on An Australian Wintour.
Christmas Picks: Matt Weston for Salvation Army
Sydney based jewellery designer Matt Weston has created the perfect stocking filler that’s stands behind a worthy cause for Christmas. Weston has teamed up with Oasis a Salvation Army initiative to create a wristband/lanyard (it’s convertible) to raise awareness about homeless teens in Australia. The slogan 32,000 to go features on the wristband and reminds us of the overwhelming figures that there is 32,000 homeless young people in Australia. This is truly fashion with a conscious.
Matt Weston said about his design: “The reason I wanted to get involved with this project was to help raise awareness about the level of homelessness among young people in Australia. A staggering 32,000 people under 24 are currently homeless in Australia, ’32,000 To Go’ aims to provide a platform to tell real stories and show individuals that they can have a direct effort on reducing this number.”
“I want to help Oasis communicate this message in particular to young Australians who have homes and families that they might give a thought to their less fortunate counterparts on the street. We used tough, durable denim, alongside a key to remind us that not every one has a front door and a snap clasp so the lanyard can be attached to your keys, worn on your wrist, on your belt loops or anywhere to show your support and help spread the word”
The wristband is available for purchase from General Pants Co retailers’ nation wide and even with the tiny price of $5 you can help make a huge difference.
Hot Picks: Christmas 2009
If you have picked up any magazines December issue you would of noticed how they are all bursting with Christmas joy. To accompany this magazine Christmas joy is pages and pages of gift ideas for your loved ones. Unfortunately with so many different magazine spreads, so many different choices, I was unable to find anything remotely unique to surprise my family with at Christmas. I like the idea of buying presents for people that they would have never thought to buy themselves (aka no underwear or socks). I love the concept of totally unique presents because their is evidence you put thought it the present, you went out of your way to find something unusual that they would love. Here a few cute quirky gifts and stocking fillers I’ve picked out for those looking for a present that will stand out under the Christmas tree this year.
Mum: What a fun present for Mum’s tired feet, you could even include an “IOU” foot massage voucher. Handmade in Bangladesh, this foot scrubber is great for removing dry skin and will leave your feet feeling smooth and pampered. And being made of terracotta, it will never wear out. www.oxfam.com
Friend: Single or not this pillow is a hoot! The caption on the advertisement said it brings ‘peace of mind’. Just make sure if you give it to a single friend that they can take a joke! Better yet give it to your boyfriend for those nights your not there. Awww.
Dad: Dad’s love nothis more then gadgets and buy the looks of this weather station it is the ultimate button pressing gadget out. With external wireless temperature/humidity sensor, rain gauge, anemometer/wind speed and direction sensor this unit can give you all the information you need regarding the weather that’s been or forecast of the weather that’s coming. www.dadshop.com.au
Little Sister: Now this may just look like a normal t-shirt, but really it is bragging rights for any girl aged 13-16. Playground conversation as follows: friend: Ohhh I love your shirt where did you get it? you sister: oh my sister ordered it from LA for me, (*hair flick*) yeah, you know, all the stars love Kitson. www.shopkitson.com 
What are you getting your loved ones for Christmas? Found any great pressies? Let us know below!
Hot Picks: Online Designer Sales
Karen Walker Eyewear on sale Monday @ Estile!
I love a good sale. I go giddy at the sight of a good sale. I kid you not. The idea of being able to acquire something I had my eye on for a lesser price then what the original price tag says. It gives shopping a special kind of joy, a joy that you can’t find in many other places in life. Do I sound loopy? Maybe, but I am sure there is a lot of women out there who can relate to these heart skipping emotions, and at the end of the day, you have an amazing excuse to deliver to your partner “But honey, it was $40 OFF it would have been a waste of money NOT to buy them”
Anyway so you can understand my joy when I discovered this new breed of online shopping known as “secret online sales”. Why is it a secret? I’m yet to figure that out, but its quiet easy to find them and become a free member of the site to partake in the discount glory. These websites are not set up by stores but by website matrons who outsource designers to sell items they have left at the end of season for ridiculous discounts. Because you are cutting out the “clothes store” the profit margins are less important as generally the designer just needs to get rid of their excess stock at any price 40%, 50% 60% up to 80% off recommended retail prices.
The process to purchase at these sales is easy. Simply sign up to become a free member, and you will get lovely email messages (not spam) when a new sale has started. That means no rushing to the stores and fighting multitudes of women for the last pair of shoes in your size, no watching your junk mail every day to know when the sales are starting, everything is done for you, and you can sit back and rummage the sales in your PJ’s.
Here are a couple of online designer sale sites to check out:
Estile: This site was my first encounter with online designer sale sites and I have to say it is still my favourite. The layout is minimalistic which makes it a breeze to navigate and make your sale purchases. Once they send you an email, just click on the link and it will log you straight in, so no passwords to remember. This Monday Karen Walker Eyewear goes on sale, I’m defiantly going to be logged on!
Coco Lee: This fun little site popped up not too long ago, and has modelled a similar design to Estile but with the added blog format. You’ll find on this nifty site not only designer online sales, but fashion news, trend gossip and lots of other interesting reads. Shop the Natasha sale on right now! It also has a marketplace, an ebay kind of set up for members to sell or swap their own pieces.
So get in your comfy pyjamas, grab a cuppa and go bargain hunting!!
