Inaugural Australian ZARA expedition

Panic, mayhem, bitchiness and no purchases marked my first visit to Zara’s flagship Australian store in Sydney. The words epic fail pretty much some up this shopping experience for me.

Honestly, you know my love of Zara – over the years it has provided me with leopard print skirts, floral maxis, smart blazers, tailored shirts, jeans, red suede heels…you get the picture. So imagine my devastation when my first trip to Zara Australia didn’t meet my (admittedly very high) expectations. I’m talking a Sex and the City 2 level of disappointment here ladies…maybe even a bigger let down than when I discovered Ryan Reynolds was married to Scarlett Johansen*.

Such was the devastation, The Boy had to buy me a Caramello Koala to distract me until I recovered enough to keep shopping.

Anyway back to Zara. Not since the great Myer Stocktake sale of 2006 (during which I worked in the heavily discounted lingerie department) have I seen so many women rifling through piles of wearable items, snatching things off hangers and queuing for miles outside the fitting rooms.

The atmosphere can really only be described as cutthroat.

My lack of enthusiasm for this environment meant that I most likely missed out on any good stuff still in the store…I mean where the hell was these?

Or any of these for that matter?

No doubt they were already sold out or secured in the arms of the blonde who spiked me with her umbrella in the haste to secure the one (and only) navy dress that caught my eye.

Life can be so unfair sometimes. 

*Of course I am aware that Ryan is back on the market…this analogy not only renews my hope that one day I will have a celebrity wedding payed for by People Magazine but also that Zara will turn itself around and start selling things I want to buy!  

Biting the Big Apple

What do Carrie Bradshaw, Roy Lichtenstein and Vampire Weekend all have in common?

New York City baby. 

I've been to New York twice and loved every bit of it. Indeed I played the role of a typical /NYC tourist with enthusiasm! I climbed the Empire State Building, stalked the corridors of the Met and was thoroughly underwhelmed by the Statue of Liberty. Of course, I enjoyed all of these and (aside from ol’ Liberty) would recommend doing them but the things I really loved in New York were more about experiencing the city like a local. As two of my girlfriends are about to jump on a plane to Manhattan and another one is going later in the year, I thought I'd do a post to help them (and you) navigate the big apple. Enjoy girls!

View from Top of the Rock

New York, New York.
Population: Over 8 million people live in New York City!!
Currency: US Dollar

Language: English but with more than 35% of New York's current population born outside the United States you'll hear many diverse accents and languages.

Trivia: More than 250 films are shot on location in New York each year.

How I got there: I flew British Airways from London to New York. I flew into JFK but have flown in and out of Newark too. I got a shuttle from the airport to my accommodation. Shuttles = convenient, well priced and easily organise when you've just come off a long haul flight.

Where I stayed: Most recently I stayed at Columbus Circle Hostel. It was in a great location - just a few blocks from the subway and it was clean and safe. It also had luggage storage facilities, free wi-fi and a full kitchen so I was able to save money cooking some of my own food.

Highlights:

No trip to New York is complete without crossing off at least one or two of the touristy things. Whether you have a week, a month or a few days you should try to fit in at least one or two of the following.

1. Get up early to beat the crowds going up the Empire State Building.
2. Watch the sun set over the city from the Top of The Rock (Rockafellar Centre).
2. Wander through Central Park: go ice-skating during winter or you’re your way to Strawberry Fields and have a Beatles moment.

 

4. Enjoy the many galleries and Museums: especially The Met (a must see), the Guggenheim and MOMA.
5. Have a Breakfast at Tiffany’s moment.

 

6.Stalk out the Naked Cowboy in Times Square. Beware, he can grope a little!

7. Grab yourself a cheap ticket to a Broadway show.

8. If you’re a Sex and The City or Gossip Girl fan. Do the tour and make sure you book in advance. Yes it’s cheesy but it’s so much fun! You can even do your very own Flight of the Conchords walking tour...

9. SHOP! Whether you like high street or high end, you wil find it in New York. Channel Blair Warldorf with a visit to Bendels on 5th Avenue (the best shopping strip in New York - especially between 39th and 60th Streets). 

10. Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten, from the Battery to the top of Manhattan...just like the Beastie Boys said there is more to New York than Manhattan so get off the island and go exploring! 

Food and Drink
1. Head to Little Italy for a delicious Italian lunch. I ate some of the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten (and I’ve been to Italy twice!) in New York at Benito One on Mulberry St. I’m not even kidding you. This place should be number one on your list of restaurants! Plus afterwards you can wander the designer boutiques in Nolita.

2. Anyone who’s ever watched Sex and The City will want to visit the Magnolia Bakery. The cupcakes are delicious but if you are seeking something tasty and a little healthier head to Babycakes on Broome St. Before you screw up your noise at the thought of a going to a Vegan bakery take a look at the Brownies, cupcakes, muffins and cookies on their website. Trust me they taste as good as they look and if you’re gluten intolerant or have any other dietary problems they will look after you.

Delicious Magnolia cuppies

3. Pizza and hot dogs are probably New York’s most famous dishes. If you want pizza I’d recommend Joe’s Pizza near NYU. There is zero ambience at this place but the pizza was delicious and it was just a short walk to some great bars where I spent the rest of the evening.
4. Whilst in New York I had dinner at Buddakan – where Carrie Bradshaw celebrates her engagement to Mr Big in the first Sex and The City film. It was great! Food was delicious, cocktails were potent and the service was…wanky. But you can’t really expect anything else now can you?
5. Tasty D-lite. The name says it all. Make it happen ok?
6. Tai-Pan Bakery in Chinatown is another great place to pick up some lunch or a snack. Beware though- it gets busy!
7. Get your arse to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Bedford Avenue to be specific. Crammed with restaurants, bars, vintage stores, boutiques and hipsters I spent a few days simply wandering up and down trying to figure out who had the best burrito and the greatest drinks. This place was heaven in a street.

Williamsburg mural

Getting Around: Catching the subway or walking are the best ways to get around. Taxis are ok but I’m pretty sure my credit card got skimmed paying for a cab after a late night so just be careful.

Don’t forget to take: A big leather bag that can fit water, sunglasses, gum, camera, and a subway map in it! Oh and if you're going out to Brooklyn make sure you take a map rather than assuming your regular 'Map of NYC' will cover this area. Most of them don't.
Where I shopped: I'd loved to say Chanel and Barney's but basically I hit the high street stores and Century 21 which has some AMAZING designers finds at discount prices - I bought an amazing bandage dress there for next to nothing! Just make sure you prepare yourself in advance for sorting through about 2.7 million clothing racks. 
What I wore: I mostly got around in Zara jeans, a black blazer and ballet flats or a cute dress, cardigan and knee high flat boots. Not the most interesting outfits I know but I'd been travelling for a few months and was extremely limited in wardrobe supplies!
What I listened to: Bands from New York.So Vampire Weekend, MGMT, The Ramones, Talking Heads...you get the picture.

And that my friends, is New York, in a nutshell.

Fiscally responsible?

Yesterday I went to the Mimco outlet store at DFO and splurged a little. My bad. I bought these two headbands for $10 each - which retailed at $50 and $70 respectively-  and this Half Moon Black Day bag for $215 (reduced from  $450!!). It's 100% leather with patent leather trim - the pictures don't do it justice and I plan to use it as an 'everyday, work and play' bag that will (hopefully) last me forever/a long time.

Although I spent more than I normally would on a bag I really do view it as an investment piece. Plus the fact that I saved $335 off the RRP ($335!!) kind of  makes me feel like I'm a smart, financially responsible woman.

But am I?

I still spent money which I probably didn't need to spend so am I really just an irresponsible spender trying to kid myself otherwise?

Personally, I would never ever purchase any of these items at their original prices. I simply couldn't afford it and seriously $70 for a headband?? Get real. As much as I love Mimco I really do feel that they severely inflate their prices to increase the perceived value of their goods. But if they do this and I feel like I'm getting a bargain when they have a sale, am I actually getting one or am I just being persuaded by marketing tactics into thinking I'm saving money when I'm still spending it?! It's an interesting question don't you think?


I will be pondering this as I take my new bag to work tomorrow accompanied by a sparkly red heart and a  big smile. Or perhaps I"ll be too caught up in admiring it's soft leather to even think about it...

Hello savings...good bye shopping

I am on a self-imposed shopping ban.

For the next three months I am going to forgo shoes, bags, accessories, make-up and clothing to save money.

I don’t honestly think my shopping habit is out of control, but I made this decision with the hope of taking more control of my finances and to also try to wear and use items I already own, rather than buying new ones.

My wardrobe is stuffed full of things I don’t wear enough and whilst I know this isn’t an uncommon problem I feel like I need to stop contributing to it! Honestly, I could outfit the cast of gossip girl with cocktail dresses for a year and have dresses to spare.

Anyway, I have devised a couple of rules to help guide me through what is bound to be a challenging few months:

1. I can look and touch, but I am not allowed to buy. In other words window shopping and trying on are perfectly acceptable flirtations. Committing to a purchasing relationship is not. I mean it. ASOS I will probably look at you lustfully each week but you’ll not be seeing my credit card until June!
2. I can borrow or swap clothing, bags etc with my sister/mum/friends.
3. I am strictly under no circumstances allowed to purchase ANY nail polish as my collection is already pushing 50.
4. I am allowed to replace make-up items if they run out but this is the only circumstance under which I can purchase them.
5. I can break my ban if Zimmermann have one of their fabulous warehouse sales. However, if this does occur, I must continue my shopping ban for the month of June.
6. Items purchased as gifts for others are exempt from the ban (they are obviously not for me).
7. I am allowed to purchase material, patterns etc if I wish to sew something new but the costs associated with the sewing project must not exceed $100. I put this one in but the likelihood of actually doing it is slim.
8. Magazines are on the no-go list too.
9. Other expenses such as books, travel and socialising must be carefully watched so I don’t simply replace hot shoes with hard covers.
10. $50 a week will go into my Piggy bank for a treat when the three months is up.

The challenge starts tomorrow so wish me luck xx

Melbourne you stole me heart again...and more of my money

I have mad love for this city

It’s Friday evening and I’m sitting in Brisbane’s Domestic Airport eagerly awaiting my flight to Melbourne. Some M&Ms accompanied by Grazia Magazine and a few Chapters of Northern Lights and the flight’s over. I stride into my best friends flailing arms as we both squeal with excitement.

As we make our way to the car the download of what’s been going on since we last saw each other begins. Bitchy friends, birthdays and dye jobs - I have missed not being able to do this like we used to when we lived together.

I change my gladiator flats to my black New Look wedges and we head into the city to Berlin Bar in Chinatown.

Now I’m not sure if I’ve spoken in detail about my love of Berlin and its history but let me tell you -Berlin Bar was right up my alley. To get inside we had to go upstairs and ring a doorbell where we were let in by a rather attractive foreign bartender…and what did we find once we entered?

An ode to a city that was once split in half. One side of Berlin Bar is fitted out to be ‘West’ Berlin -think Luxe cabaret setting and a decadent cocktail list - and the other side is decorated with bunk beds and army nets – essentially like an East German air-raid shelter or bunker.

We drank amazing cocktails and gossiped the night away, but the exhaustion of a long day finally began to have an affect so we drank up and headed home.

On Saturday morning we went to Vanilla Cafe at Oakleigh for a brunch of Eggs Benedict and coffee to fuel us before hitting the shops at Chadstone. One dress, a pair of shoes and a belt later and we moved on to Fitzroy for more shopping combined with some wandering and food.

The Vege Bar was our destination for ‘Dunch’ (my name for a [generally large] Lunch/Dinner combo meal). We both had the burritos. They were so a-h-maz-ing, we had to roll out of there! Thankfully, we had left our wandering to after Dunch so we attempted to walk off our tasty meal by taking in some of Fitzroy’s spectacular street art.

You already know I delight in street art.

Fitzroy’s street art is clearly some of the best in Melbourne. I don’t understand why more cities (read: Brisbane) can’t have street art initiatives like Melbourne. The streets would be much more beautiful. 

Just look at these examples:

Gorgeous

Pure admiration

It's Tricky

Told you so.

Saturday night.  

My beautiful bestie

We drank cider and bantered with our old housemate over the old school hip hop at Sista Bella, then found the cheapest drinks in Melbourne at the science lab themed The Croft Institute.

I would highly recommend both bars for a fun night out. Sista Bella is relaxed and a great place to start the evening off…the Croft Institute is a good place to keep it going!

Our evening ended with the demolition of a tube of Pringles and a long cab ride home. Surprisingly, despite our 4am bedtime, we all felt pretty good on Sunday morning. We had brunch at a café in Gleniris then skipped over to St Kilda to meet a friend of mine who has just returned to Australia after about 4 years overseas.

Cake on Ackland street, then a cheeky cider at The Vineyard ended my whirlwind weekend in Melbourne.

Luna Park at St Kilda

Mission completed

My eyes wandered over her gently curves and glowing tan. At that moment I knew the search was over. I had found my sole-mate…

I have forever been on the hunt for the perfect tan wedge and indeed I’ve flirted with investing in a few potentials, but they were never quite right for me. They didn’t fit properly or I didn’t like the colour, one was too wide, another not wide enough...I had all but given up when on a fateful day in January I walked past Payless Shoes.

There she was, sitting pretty in the window.

‘Try them on’ said my sister A. 

‘It can’t hurt.’ 

Little did she know the pain my feet had endured on their 2 year “Tan Wedge Heel Mission”.

‘I suppose there’s only one way to find out…’ my voice drifted off. I was already imagining us together. Prancing around the office paired with my Navy Cue frock, sipping cocktails with my girlfriends and dominating dancefloors everywhere.

‘Come on then’ A said, dragging me into the store.

It wasn’t quite the place I’d imagined finding my shoe crush. It smelled vaguely of rubber and lacked the enticing atmosphere of the shoe shops I more regularly frequent…but I soldiered on.

Slipping my feet into the size 8 I felt like Cinderella.

‘They fit like a glove!’ I cried with joy.

I stood up and walked a few paces. They didn’t exactly feel like slippers but they were comfy and they made my legs look nothing short of amazing. I walked a little more and wiggled my toes. Puuurfect.

‘Buy them’ A said, ‘They are $69 and they look twice the price!’.

I tucked the shoe box under my arm, whipped out my savings card and ran to the cash register where I was greeted with the words every woman loves to hear…'alright there? You know if you buy another pair they’re half price?’

I did the maths in my head and practically started to hyperventilate. I could get the same shoes in black for $35?! ARE YOU SERIOUS? That’s $104 for two pairs of dream wedges!?? WHERE ARE THEY?!??! I WANT THEM NOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Of course, I didn’t say this out loud but simply responded with a much more, albeit less fiscally responsible ‘Why not?’.

And why not indeed...threesomes can be fun.

Simple, classic & versatile = my perfect match

So it's been a while...

Noosaaaaaah

Yes. It’s been a couple of months since I’ve written a post but in my defence life has really gotten in the way! Namely, Christmas, New Years, and a visit from the boy.

Seen as he came all the way from the UK and we only had 2 weeks together I felt that I needed to take the time to show off my Country and give him a few great reasons to come back – other than me of course.  

So, here’s a quick run down of how I made him fall in love with Australia:

1. I debuted Betty on Main Beach at Noosa – the boy was an instant fan and I felt like a 1950s siren. Double win.

2. I took him to Australia Zoo and forced him to get his photo taken with an array of Australian fauna including Kangaroos and a Koala. He liked the furry cuteness but not the smell. I like feeding Kangaroos and patting Koalas too = another double win.

This is a pic of a little Koala we saw in the Wildlife Hospital. What a cutie!

3. Remember this Motel dress? I posted about it in November? Well I bought it at Youth Culture at Noosa with The Boy’s nod of approval. He appears to be one of many males who find this dress alluring as I have since learnt. Get yourself some Motel in that wardrobe ladies!

This is me a wearing it. Pretty don't you think? You can only really see the top but still..

4. I introduced him to my friends with casual beers at Archive, in West End, Brisbane. Australia beer boutique with a library theme? Puuuurfect for an English literature major.

5. We spent a few romantic days and nights holed up in a luxurious hotel in the city centre. Nice girls never kiss and tell.

6. We went to MELBOURNE to visit one of our best friends! Good coffee, icecream, shops, bars, loads of amazing street art as you can see below…everyone loves Melbourne. The Boy wanted to move there.

 

Flinder's Street Station

Notice anything weird in this picture?

Union Lane

 7. We drove along the Great Ocean Road and had a picnic on the beach at Lorne with two of our friends/housemates from Canada. Our roadtrip = good tunes, beers in the backseat (but none consumed by the driver) and a fun time had by all. The boy bought Percy Pigs for car trip consumption and we got to snuggle and snooze in the back seat on the way home.

It's Love...

Just one of the many stunning views along the Great Ocean Road

8. We went shopping on Chapel St and I bought these AH-MAZ-ING shoes. I like, The Boy likes.

Thank you Wittner!

9. We went dancing and drinking at Cookie on Swanston St in Melbourne and I wore my new Motel Dress. The boy said I looked ‘well fit’ and we snogged, amongst the crowds on the rooftop bar, overlooking the city.

10. I got him addicted to this…and he is moving here in June!

I have to say that my Grandmother was right. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, and love can conquer anything - especially a minor thing like living on opposite sides of the planet in different time zones...

Until next time xo

Alright Gov'ner

This is the first of a number of blog posts I have written about my overseas travels in 2009-2010. Backpacking around Europe for 4.5 months and living in Canada for 8 months in Canada has left me with some stories so I thought I'd send them into cyberspace. Any feedback on these articles is welcome, otherwise - enjoy!

Destination: London, United Kingdom.

Picadilly Circus + Shopping bags.

Population: Roughly 7,556,900

Currency: The almighty British pound.

Language: English, but don’t be surprised to hear Indian, Armenian, and pretty much every other language on earth (about 25% of Londoners were born in another country)

Trivia: Host city of the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, London is also home to the Topshop’s Flagship store and hot mess Russell Brand.

How I got there: I flew from Brisbane to London on Qantas with a quick stopover in Bangkok. I left in the afternoon (Brisbane time) and arrived in the morning (London time) so jetlag wasn’t too bad. The flight was long…but movies, lollies and a good book made it bearable.

Where I stayed: I stayed in ‘Wapping Palace’, my friend’s flat in East London. Now it goes without saying that staying with friends in London is possibly the best and easiest way to save some money (this rule applies wherever you go). On other visits to this fabulous city I have stayed at hostels including: the relatively nice Palmer’s Lodge in Swiss Cottage and the decidedly average Phoenix Hostel near Edgeware Tube Station. Palmer’s Lodge had a decent breakfast and was close to the tube and the movies but the Phoenix was pretty rubbish (despite the included breakfast and the fact it is above a pub).

What I did: While my friends slaved away at their jobs I relished my unplanned days. I spent my time taking in the sights; walking to Tower Bridge, riding the London Eye, sunning myself (yes the weather turned it on for me!) on the grass outside Westminster Abbey and of course shopping the high street. In the evenings, we would have dinner together and watch Britain’s version of ‘The Apprentice’, occasionally accompanied by a cheeky cider or two.

Burrough Markets

It was easy to become accustomed to this new life of street wandering. Who wouldn’t enjoy gorging on brownies at Burrough Markets and browsing the stores and stalls at Portobello Rd or Camden? Indeed, in the rarity that I did feel slightly overwhelmed by the fast pace of the city, I would simply retreat to the grassy comfort of London’s many parks and gardens. Kensington gardens and Primrose Hill being two of my favourite spots.  

Camden

Wapping Palace proved to be a cosy home away from home and staying there gave me the chance to get a real feel for London life. This first taste would leave me wanting more. I soon found myself a tad obsessed with Girl’s Aloud and coveting the Topshop dress Fern Cotton wore to the Glamour awards. I would eagerly grab a free paper from the tired looking souls at the tube entrance, whipping my Oyster card out of my bag and swiping it with purpose. Yes I could see myself fitting right in here. It seemed like a much more vibrant existence - and so much more exciting! Fancy a week in Montenegro? Why not! A getaway to Egypt? They’re on special in TNT magazine! Not enough money to leave the country? No problem, there’s gigs, shows and bars galore! Yes, London had wooed me with her many charms. This was my kind of city.

Highlights: Now some of London’s most popular tourist attractions include Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Of course, you can’t leave without getting a picture in front of them all but let’s be honest here – they aren’t that exciting. So once you’ve taken your snaps why not check out he following:

Big Ben

• Marvel at the iconic Tower Bridge and visit the beefeaters at Tower Hill for one of London’s authentic tourist experiences.
• Portobello Road and Notting Hill – pretty, upmarket houses, delicious antique shops and overcrowded market stalls make for a fun, if not slightly exhausting day out.
• Camden is where music and art collide. Tattoo parlours, piercings and punks are all pretty common here. It’s renowned for its market stalls and amazing live music scene.
• Oxford Street is the main shopping street in London. Here you’ll find everything from Primark to Urban Outfitters, the Disney Store and Adidas.
• Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are two of the best public spaces in London. With roses gardens, lakes, and plenty of space for everyone they are beautiful and a great place to relax.
• Primrose Hill offers a great view of Central London and is a favourite haunt for many celebrities including Kate Moss, Jamie Oliver and Rachel Weisz
• Soho in the West End is the perfect place for a night out. Grab dinner before seeing a show (I saw Billy Elliott) and follow it up with drinks at one of the millions of bars nearby.
• The British Museum is a great place to spend a rainy day, and in and it’s free!



Westminster Abbey: note my worn boots...

• Of course Madame Tussauds is cheesy but it’s also one of my fondest memories from London. Where else can you get that close to Johnny Depp without being labelled a stalker?

Another quick note; if you’re trying to choose between waiting in a queue for an hour with a bunch of high school students and paying too much for an activity? Look no further, you can get both of these on a visit to the London Eye! On a fine day you can get a nice view of the city but it’s nothing special. Save your pennies for an extra cider at the pub.

Getting Around: There are double-decker buses to take you home after a night on the turps and black cabs if you’ve got the cash, but the best way to get around? The London Underground of course (more commonly known as ‘The Tube’). Grab yourself an Oyster Card for £3, load it up with coins and swipe it to travel at a cheaper rate.

In my opinion there is no better way to see a city than to wander through its streets. London is no exception. Take advantage of a walking tour or simply grab a snack and head out on your own and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this lively city.

Street Art

Food: London is home to thousands of amazing restaurants and cafes but some of the best food I ate was from markets. Spitalfield Markets provided me with a heavenly Carribean Rainforest Rostis and free samples of fudge and brownies. Whilst, Burrough Markets has pretty much any food you would want to eat, 100% tasty and fresh. As most backpackers would agree: why buy lunch when you can sample for free?

Hummingbird cupcake

For the cake lovers, a red velvet cupcake from the infamous Hummingbird Bakery is a must on the London to do list. Of course the chocolate, vanilla, and carrot cakes are equally as delicious…why not try them all? After all, a slice of heaven has never been so affordable (or as adorable).

If savoury and spice are more your thing make tracks to Brick Lane. As much a cultural experience as culinary, this is the place for curry. Use your bargaining skills with restaurant staff and you can easily score yourself free entrees, wine and even dessert!

Mistakes and un-pleasantries: I didn’t pay enough attention to the overall geography of London when I was exploring it. This meant I ended up spending more on transport than necessary.

I was followed by a creepy man while walking along the Thames one day. My friends informed me that this was quite common in London and not to worry too much about it. I just jumped on the closest tube and made my way across the city…far far away.

Drink: It’s extremely easy to fall in love with English cider. Bulmers and Magners both do amazing apple and pear ciders which you may miss for months after returning home.

Nightlife: If you’re in the mood for a quite drink or a big night on the town, London is your town. I frequented Dirty Martini in Covent Garden with my girlfriends as well as a few cocktail bars in Clapham Common (2-4-1 cocktails on Friday arvos). There is also a huge number of homely pubs serving pints of beer and my beloved cider.

Biggest surprise: Portobello Markets was full of stores selling knockoff goods. I was expecting more individual and unique upcoming designers. Whilst there were some great designers selling their wares, they were vastly outnumbered by stores full of plastic sunglasses and cheap t-shirts.

Cute dress + stockings + cupcakes = HAPPY!

Don’t forget to take: Umbrella, A to Z of London (or a map), an ipod or book for travelling on the Tube, camera and a jacket (it can get pretty cool by the Thames even in Summer).

Where I shopped: I spent many hours trawling market stalls and shops at Portobello Road and Spitalfield markets (Spitalfield proving to be more fruitful for quality vintage scarfs). My main shopping took place on Oxford St at Urban Outfitters, Zara, H & M,

What to read:

• Weekly TNT Magazine: this is a magazine primarily targeting South Africans, Kiwis and Aussies living in London but you can find amazingly cheap travel deals, and news about what’s going on in London.
• Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl by Belle de Jour (fun and sexy it will leave you wondering about the secretive side of the city)
• One of London’s many free newspapers (in the loosest sense of the word). Because reading about Cheryl Cole’s new haircut and the infidelities of the English Football team are secretly very satisfying.
• Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, for a little bit of mystery.
• Have a peak into London’s past with anything by Charles Dickens (think Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Tale of two Cities).

Portobello Rd

What to wear: London is no doubt one of the most fashionable cities in the world. However, thanks to the diversity of locals and the endless hoards of tourists; anything goes. My get up consisted of skinny jeans paired with ballet flat or flat boots, cute t-shirts, a blazer/jacket and a scarf. On the warmer days (of which there were luckily quite a few) I got away with footless tights and a summer dresses with a cardigan in tow. Oh and don’t forget sunglasses; mine were black Ray-Ban Wayfarers. On my digits I wore OPI’s Peru-B-Ruby and Rimmel Pro’s Blue Vogue nail polish.

What I listened to:

·         Bloc Party, Pnau, Jamie T, Sia, Empire of the Sun, Andrew Bird, Born Ruffians, Katy Perry, MIA, Santogold, Britney (she was on her comeback tour or 2009).

A quick recap of some of my weekend activities.

Saturday: spend hours at the Finder's Keepers Markets at the old Brisbane Museum. Pour over thousands of amazing items. Buy nothing.

Sunday: Spend roughly 30 minutes at Suitcase Rummage. Walk away with a brooch, a pair of earrings and an amazing 80s style jacket which I am going to transform into something even more amazing. WIN!

Purchases :-)

On Sunday I also went to the Brisbane International Film Festival and saw a Finnish film called Rare Exports. t was excellent (not least because of the Silver Fox who played the main kids Dad - see below). Amazingly, this film combines a creepy storyline with heartwarming humour and it practically guarantees that if you watch it you will never look at Santa Claus in the same way again.  I would highly recommend it!

Silver fox and son

It's set in Finland

Creepy Santa Elf

That's all for now. Go and see it.

K