Baby, it's cold outside

And according to the weather bureau, it's going to rain this afternoon in Brisbane too (typical, after I cleaned my car for the first time in 8 months).

Cold, rainy weather requires warm, scrumptious food and after today discovering the Shesaid website, I think it's going to be soup for dinner - chicken minestrone in fact!

Normally my man requires some kind of dead animal in his meal (must be a guy thing) so making soups for dinner can be tricky - pumpkin soup is one of my favourite's but it's way too healthy for him so I only ever eat it out of a can for lunch at the office. But minestrone is more than just a soup, it's a meal in itself!

The best minestrone I've ever had was of course made by my Mum - I'd pass on the recipe but she swears it was off the packet of San Remo rissoni from the supermarket (and yes, I've looked and looked for it but it seems San Remo packets are now 'sans' minestrone recipe, they do have some great ideas online though).

In the absence of a nice warm bowl of soup, get out to Barkins this weekend (or online) and grab yourself a cute knit or beanie. My pick of their latest items is the red knit beret $19.95, pea coat for just $49.95 and the blotch blouse, a steal at $39.95. A number of other items are on sale on their website so get a bargain quick sticks.

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Trenery - Country Road's new 40+ line

My, how tastes can change as you get older. And boy, do I have to eat my words after telling my Mum I'd never be seen dead in pointy shoes ("they look like witch shoes") and think all that Country Road clothing is so old lady.

While I may only have 3 or 4 pairs of pointy shoes in my cupboard, half of my clothing wardrobe is now made up of Country Road items. A long staple of many an Australian man and woman, the minds behind the CR label launched Trenery, their new venture into the 40 plus market in Sydney last week (photos courtesy of Brisbanetimes.com).

I realise I'm not the target demographic for this line and I eagerly await my Mum's thoughts on these photos, I have to admit I'm a little dissapointed with the first season. I doubt anyone could differentiate between these and Country Road items and surely if they're pushing the line towards the mature aged man and woman, wouldn't you use mature aged models? (even the Brisbanetimes.com writer agrees).

I only hope they get Trenery out in stores by June 27th so I can check it out at Pacific Fair when I meet my Mum for our quarterly "meet in the middle" shopping trip.

Yours truly

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Inspire me/inspire you

I'm having blog withdrawals so had to post some more. Thanks to Chictopia, I've worked out what to wear to coffee tomorrow with a girlfriend. Hope these inspire your weekend outfits too.

Yours truly

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Friday photos

Due to a bout of the flu (thankfully not of the swine variety) I haven't had a chance to check much out this week, unless you count the couch and the first 3 seasons of Entourage on DVD (thanks JH).

I have however managed to grab a few photos for today (click the image for a larger view). I've long been a fan Fergie but hadn't warmed to her new hair colour much until now. When not wearing long green, pointy nails and Princess Leia-esk head pieces, she really works a killer mini with those legs (I'm still miffed about her marrying Josh Duhamel though).

Now out on her own and heading down what seems to be a Nicole Richie path (leave a show, write a novel etc), Lauren Conrad released her book LA Candy this week and looked fab whilst doing so. I think leaving The Hills has done wonders already (sans plaits and that dress is stunning!).

In case you didn't already have any, 3 great reasons to go see Transformers when it's out on June 24th:

1. Josh Duhamel - for the gals

2. Megan Fox - for the guys and seen here at another premier function

3. Some of the most amazing digital effects I've ever seen - the robots are so real I actually walked out of the first installment thinking I needed my own Bumblebee

Kate "close to the most photographed woman in the world" Moss was also out and about this week for the first time since the Costume Gala and looking cute in a graphic printed dress and flats. How unfortunate that everything she wears isn't Topshop as no doubt this little ensemble is worth more than my annual salary.

And last but by no means least, a back-to-blonde Sarah Michelle Gellar was looking cute as a button covering her baby bump when shopping for new sunglasses. The boots/tights/skirt combo is great for the weather we're experiencing here in Brisbane at the moment. The only problem is now I want to go spending tomorrow's pay day on a pair of boots like hers (be good, be good, be good).

With any luck, I'll finish Madison and Grazia this evening and report back over the weekend. Hot chocolates and doona's all round Brisbanites.

Yours truly

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NB. Thanks to Popsugar.com for the photos this week.... sickness = lazyness.

Friday photos: Step back in time

Did anyone else wake up this morning and see white outside their window?

No, it wasn't snowing (should that ever happen in Brisbane I think we can safely say it would be the end of the world) but the fog was so thick at my house, we couldn't see the neighbours place across the road. Like any good Brisbanite, I knew that heavy fog in the morning generally means a fine day ahead so I dressed appropriately (red Counrty Road tunic, black leggings and patent heels - just warm enough if it cools down later in the day) but I am in a dilema about what to wear over the weekend.

With the temperature dropping to almost 10 degress in the evenings now, I find it hard to just throw on a dress to go out as within minutes my legs and arms are covered in goose-bumps and I'm shivering like a duck on an ice covered pond. And so I spend some of my evenings searching the web for outfit inspiration but when everyone on the other side of the world is in Summer, it proves difficult to find celeb's wearing anything more than a singlet and shorts.

And so in steps the wonderful world of Fabsugar's Celebstyle. Instead of starting from the first page, I simply clicked all the back to page 127 and worked down to find an array of stars in gear from every season. Thanks to Celebstyle for these great outfits that will hopefully help you find something to wear this weekend.

From left to right: Jennifer Connelly, Heidi Klum, Jess Alba, Rachel Bilson, Nicole Richie.

And.... if you're in the mood for some shopping over the long weekend, get yourself down to Forever New. With a great range of dresses, jackets, tops and accessories all well under $300, they're a great staple for casual, dressed up and everyday pieces. A few of my favourites off their website are the gold brocade skirt, cropped black pants and purple tunic.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Yours truly
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Your feet will thank you.....

After posting about the interesting U*tique beauty product vending machines yesterday, it was a total coincidence that I today got an email about Rollasoles.

While the idea of having a communal straightening iron in nightclub bathrooms makes me sick to my stomach (think of all the grease in your hair from a million other women's tresses) Rollasoles are one of the best ideas I've seen in a long time.

For anyone who's spent a day at the races, a night out dancing or just can't bare to walk from one more club to another, you'll know the pain of high heels (and the frustration that wearing flats out is a big no-no).

Rollasoles are basic ballet flats that roll up small enough to fit into your handbag. What's more, the brilliant minds behind Rollasoles are now providing London nightclubs with Rollasole vending machines. The shoes come in 3 sizes and are available in black, gold, silver and pink and have subsequently sold out in every venue they've been introduced to.

For only £5 (approx AUS$10) it's no surprise these things have been flying out the security guarded door. Now if only I lived close enough to the nightclubs to be able to walk home, I've save myself a good $30 and could drink more.

Yours truly

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Shopping with a machine?

You'd be forgiven for thinking it was something out of a futuristic movie but it's actually the brainy creation of Fred Segal - dispensing maching shopping.

For those with lives so busy they can't even shop online, there is the U*tique, a dispensing machine holding an array of luxury beauty items handpicked and tested by the creators available to you with a quick swipe of your credit card (you can even read about the product before purchasing on the digital screen).

While I thought having a bag carrier was a bit over the top (Paris Hilton may have one but it's only because her arms are so scrawny she can't hold more than her own purse) but this is taking shopping to the next level. To hell with sales assistants, online shopping and stylists. When you can get your face cream from a machine on the street corner, who needs shopping centres?

I may be stuck in the early 90's but the thrill of opening up a bundle of beautiful items wrapped in tissue and placed delicately into a colourful bag (that doubles as a lunchbox for work) is just too much fun.

And lets face it - if the lunch bag your carrying around says "Louis" or "Chanel" on the side, you may not have actually shopped there but everyone's going to think you did (even though it's got your cheese sandwich in it).

Yours truly

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Something for the boys....

It's not often my man and I shop together (unless you count his recent fascination with yd and the 3 trips we've made to their DFO store in the past 2 months) so when I see things online that look like him, I make a note to check them out instore next time I'm doing the rounds. Unfortunately dragging him along to actually try on anything is like pulling teeth so I've worked out the best thing to do is just buy things for him and keep the receipt. Why? Because our conversations usually go something like this....

Me: So I saw this great shirt/jumper/jacket when I was at Chermside the other day

Him: So?

Me: Well I just thought it would look nice with your new shoes/jeans you bought the other day

Him: But I dont need another shirt/jumper/jacket

Me: There's no such as thing as too many shirts/jumpers/jackets

Him: Yes there is - there's no space left in the wardrobe - although that's partially because you're taking up so much space

Me: Well maybe we could just move some clothes into one of the spare rooms?

Him: Go for it

Me: Maybe I'll do it this weekend [insert large sigh to show the effort it would take for me to actually do this even though it would take 5 minutes]

Him: Uh huh - could we talk about this later? The sports report is on

Me: So do you want to go check out the shirt/jumper/jacket I saw?

Him: What? Oh, right, not really. You know me, if you buy it, I'll wear it

Me: Ok, well I'll maybe go have a look and if they have your size, you can just pay me back

Him: Uh huh - could we talk about this later? The sports report is on

Enter Just Jeans. After seeing their hot black crushed leather jacket (for us ladies) for a cheap and chic $199, I thought it might be worth a look in the mens section to see what they've got for winter (that I can buy for him and he can pay me back)....

From top to bottom:

Mens Manhattan check shirt $59.95 (perfect for the "flannelette" party we have in a few weeks)

Mens block stripe hooded knit $69.95

Mens reversible scarf $24.95

Ladies crushed leather biker jacket $199

Yours truly

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The size debate

Thanks to a link from Girl With A Satchel and an article on Frockwriter, I came across a great size debate article on choice.com.au today that's really worth a read (check out the full article here).

You'd be hard pressed to find a girl who hasn't at some stage in her life come across a size problem between stores or labels and Kate Browne proves it once again testing out a staple black skirt at Portmans, Country Road, Sussan, Target and Alannah Hill.

While the first size 6 dress I ever purchased at Country Road made me feel fantastic, it only lasted a few weeks. When the sales assistant asked me what size bra I was when looking for underwear to go with the dress, all I could do was point to my chest and say "this size!".

According to Choice, the government last year allocated $5 million to set a national sizing standard in the budget but it seems that funding hasn't been used as it was intended. We have a sizing standard for children, why not for adults? I wouldn't mind measuring myself and passing on my details when the next sensis forms come around (it's not like your work colleagues are going to know you've got a 42 inch bust are they?).

I agree with Jo Kellock in Choice's video - hopefully we can learn from the sizing standards set in the UK and come up with relevant, appropriate standards for Australia in the near future. When there's a major problem with obesity and eating disorders in our country, surely we should be finding ways to make a dress, skirt or pants be the RIGHT size, not the size 6 that makes us think we've lost a few kilos.

Yours truly
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Weekend wind-up

In fear of sounding like a broken record and mentioning the continuing global financial crisis, I’m finding it increasingly difficult not to shop at old favourites like Target when they bring out affordable fashion thanks to their Limited Edition line. Built for the modern girls budget but suitable for even some of the most fashionable of events, the latest items in the range are sure to be a hit for winter (now that it’s officially here).

Known more now for their affordable high end fashion collaborations with designers such as Tina Kalivas and Stella McCartney, Target are breathing life into the middle of the range market with streamlined cigarette pants, sheer blouses and cute jacquard dresses, all right on the mark when it comes to colour, style and price.

My personal favourite is the pleat jacquard skirt – just flirty enough to hide those slightly wider hips after a little less dog walking since the colder weather has hit (I’m speaking about me, not you readers) but still sexy enough to wear to after work drinks on a Friday - and not too short for the office.

Along with a love for the aforementioned line, I’ve this weekend discovered a girl crush on The City star Olivia Palermo. As a spin-off of MTV’s The Hills, Whitney Port’s adventures in New York have fashioned yet another pin-up girl worthy of her own style.com photo gallery and “girl of the month” from January on WhoWhatWear.com. She rarely puts a heeled foot wrong and while most of her wardrobe likely consists of brands we’ll never be able to afford, she’s got a keen eye for a great outfit that even the smallest budget could re-create (I can’t help but drool over her boyfriend either).

With a girls dinner on the cards this June long weekend, I think I’m going to steal some of Olivia’s style when putting together my get up for the night (now if only my local Target had that pleat jacquard skirt.......).

Have a great week!

Yours truly
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