Archive for May, 2012
Bowerhaus
After being featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Marie Claire and Tatler magazines the world over as well as gracing the neck of the one-and-only Serena Van Der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, I probably don’t need to introduce you to Bowerhaus. But for those of you who aren’t familiar with this stunning jewellery label founded by two sisters from Sydney, Elizabeth and Shen-Tel Lee, please read on.
Named after the Australian Bowerbird and inspired by their mother and father’s pearls and vintage coins respectively, Elizabeth and Shen-Tel craft pearls and semi-precious stones into necklaces, earrings and bracelets in classic and unique styles to last a lifetime. With pieces to suit every budget (their necklaces start at $50 and go up to $1600) and every taste, Bowerhaus delivers products that reflect their own stunning sense of style and their obvious knowledge of what the market wants. In a time when shoppers are becoming smarter with their purchases, it’s transeasonal, versatile pieces with a reassuring policy on repairs (in the unlikely event you should have an issue) that draws customers in.
With one of the most interactive and thriving customer bases of Aussie small businesses (they have over 5,000 Facebook ‘likes’), Bowerhaus are set to rise within the fashion ranks and they continue to strengthen commercially with a brand new Malaysian e-commerce site which just launched this week. Their cult status in Asia is undeniable, with never-ending magazine appearances across the continent and as you’ve probably seen on my blog before, I am usually on the same wavelength as the majority of Asian girls my age. Pretty things, accessories, cuteness – yes, I know I’m generalising here – but it’s no wonder I love Bowerhaus given the way it’s taken off there.
I have my own Bowerhaus bracelet set and at first I was too scared to wear it to work with all the typing that I do. Wears and wears later and they’re still in perfect condition. No scratches, no dents and not even any stretching to the elastic thread.
As you can see by my tagged look book in the picture below there are A LOT more pieces I want. I am majorly coveting the Maximus necklace which is a mixture of semi-precious and pearls in 18-carat gold. Beautiful!
As someone who doesn’t wear a lot of jewellery – particularly ‘fast fashion’ type pieces, Bowerhaus is definitely a brand for me.
What type of jewellery do you wear? Thoughtful, quality pieces or are you more into lots of trend items? Have a look at Bowerhaus’s latest collection, Mad About The Boy and let me know your thoughts!
What I’m Loving This Week
Top three things that have caught my eye and sent my heart a flutter this week:
1) Lara Bingle
I don’t care what anyone says, I LOVE LARA BINGLE. I think she’s gorgeous and sweet and I can’t wait for Being Lara Bingle to premiere in June.
Picture: Lara Bingle’s instagram via LaraBingleOnline
This picture is everything I love about models. Bear in mind I grew up looking at images of Naomi Campbell, Elle McPherson, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer when modelling was all about power stances, healthy bodies with boobs and muscle tone, sex appeal and energy that jumped off the pages of Vogue, slapped you in the face and screamed IT’S FASHION, BITCH!
I love the slicked back hair, the eyes and the one piece. Classic and very deserving of being in WHO magazine’s Body Issue.
2) Sidelines and Stilettos Luncheon – 18 June, 12 pm
My favourite charity, McGrath Foundation and my favourite rugby league team, the mighty Roosters are coming together to raise money for much needed breast care nurses by holding an amazing lunch ON THE FIELD at Allianz Stadium (the stadium formerly known as “SFS”). At $150/head it’s on the cheaper end of fundraising functions price scale (trust me, I attend a few) and for that you get:
Drinks reception on arrival
Two course lunch on the field
Roosters Players
Celebrities (I’m guessing Leila McKinnon and Terry Biviano – both of whom I love!)
Special Guests
Live music & Gift bag
Plus something money can’t buy – the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped out a wonderful cause.
Unfortunately I can’t attend because I’ll be overseas but even if you’re not a footy fan, this sounds like a fantastic afternoon of girly fun so you all have to go! For more details or and to book: http://www.roosters.com.au/news-display/Sydney-Roosters-Sidelines-and-Stilettos-Luncheon/54806
3) Sass & Bide
These ladies need to stop it. I actually can’t deal with how good Sass & Bide is these days. When I was 14 – 18 I lived for their clothes but between then and now I’ve only purchased the occasional piece. Now I am back to being a fan again and I can’t get enough. It feels like ever since they were part-bought by Myer the aesthetic has changed and I am completely obsessed with this look. The suiting, the weekend warrior wear, the formal and party dresses – yowzah! At the moment I’m dying for these pants, Defy Classification:
I saw them in the look book weeks ago and was looking at the Ksubi look book at the same time. I got confused and went into Ksubi looking for them but they had these other checkered pants that weren’t nice so I thought I must have imagined them wrong. I wiped them from my mind and then this week the real ones popped up in my inbox. *doink* Sass & Bide not Ksubi, silly! (That’s a mouthful!)
Since I am in serious, serious saving mode, NOBODY is allowed to buy these in a size 10 until I come out of financial hibernation. If they sell out I will simply not know what to do with myself.
Is there anything you’re particularly in love with this week?
One For The Wishlist
I spotted this on GHD’s Facebook page this afternoon and my eyes sprung open – why yes, I do need a holder with detachable heatproof mat for my GHD!
Mine is currently tangled up in a basket in my bathroom and I live in constant fear of burning the house down each morning after using it. At only $30, I think I’ll have to snap one up quick smart – it looks perfect for travelling and while it has the heatproof lining, the outside is a cute quilted satin.
I’ve heard they’re available from www.ghdhair.com/au…
Speaking of travelling, does anyone have any experience with taking their Aussie GHD to the UK and France? I am just wondering about voltage as I’ve had some friends in other countries plug their GHDs in and find them short circuiting because they’re not compatible and I will die without it overseas. Halp!
What’s In My Bag?
New day, new bag. People thought I was very neat with my last post – I guess I am. I don’t carry much around with me because I usually have a tote with uni work/lunch/shoes/spare cardigan/whatever as well so it all gets too heavy if I overload myself.
Today’s loot:
Bag – Vivienne Westwood. I adore this bag. I love love love tartan and it’s so sturdy and easy to carry. It goes with a lot of things because of all the colours and I’m very pleased I bought it. The perfect Winter bag.
Book – Fifty Shades Darker. The second in the Grey trilogy. I read the first one in two days and it would have been merely hours if I didn’t, you know, have a job. I don’t even think that it was a particularly well written book but because it moves so quickly it was very hard to put down. Carrying the second one around with me although I haven’t started it yet. Trying to hold off until uni is over for the semester (this time next week!!)
Headphones – Obviously, for listening to music. My current Most Played are Robin Thicke and Justin Bieber.
Hair Elastics – No idea why, my hair was up today. This is how they get lost, right? Carrying them away from their home even when we don’t need to.
Security Pass – Can’t get to work without this…
Lipstick – Hello Kitty in a gorgeous plum/deep purple colour. I love the sweet packaging. Metallic pink and crystals? Yes please!
Probiotics – Blackmores Digestive Bio Balance. I swear by these to ensure I’m getting enough good bacteria, to stop bloating and to keep my digestive system in check. They’re not cheap at roughly $1 a tablet, but they’re tasty (like strawberry!) and you can’t put a price on your health.
Tissues – Again, my crazy stupid sinuses. They never quit. At least these Kleenex slim packs are bright on a rainy day like today.
Wallet, keys and phone – Essentials.
Louis Vuitton Damier Noé
Since it’s almost three weeks until Paris I am now in the clear to start duty-free shopping. I have been dying for a new handbag for a few months but have been holding off for those few dollars that will go back into my account once I pass through customs. Well, two weeks later but still, better in my pocket, right?
On Sunday mum and I went into Louis Vuitton, George Street to have a look at the bags and make some selections. While she deliberated a bit, I was pretty certain of what I wanted already. I’ve had my eye on a bag in Damier Azur for a while and the shape of the Noé really appeals to me because it’s young and summery and quite large. Because he thinks he is hilarious, my dad asked me why I “chose a beach bag” and I suppose he is quite right – the opening is fairly clumsy and doesn’t look ideal for travelling. Luckily it sits right under my arm so I can keep it closed for when I’m in a crowd or on public transport.
Finally, I was really impressed with the price, this one was $1290 which I think is really reasonable for the size.
Sadly, because the Damier Azur print is quite Summery I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. I have lots of plans for outfits – all summer ones – so I can’t wait to get into the Northern Hemisphere and test it out!
What’s your latest purchase?
What’s In My Bag?
I have seen these done on other blogs and instagram and the like and I think they’re really cute. Seeing what’s in someone’s bag is a really good indication of what they are like or go through on a day-to-day basis.
Today’s contents are pretty basic as it was just shopping and lunch with mum.
Bag – Chanel jumbo classic in caviar with gold hardware. A classic that everyone should own
Hair elastic – because it’s so damn windy today. I like these generic ones that have no metal so they don’t snag.
Lipgloss – Jane Iredale PureGloss in Raspberry. It is super moisturising and the colour is neutral and pretty. My lips have been so dry lately and this fixes them.
Tissues – I have the worst sinuses of all time so I can never be without tissues. I love these cute slim wallet packs in different patterns and colours to fashionably match your outfit. Denim goes with everything, right?
Wallet – I have had this Louis Vuitton zippy damier one for 5 years and it’s still in perfect condition. It pays to buy quality.
Bus ticket – force of habit from my weekdays. Gotta love public transport!
Catch-Up!
It has been a couple of weeks since I updated my blog so I thought I’d just check in and say hello and catch you up on what I’ve been up to.
Uni is absolutely killing me this semester. I’m not sure how I managed 4 subjects and full-time work last year but it’s nowhere near as easy this time ’round. This time in two weeks, though, I’ll be free and counting down the days until my Paris/London trip….not that I’m not counting already.
27 days until I leave and I could not be more excited! About a dozen Michelin Stars worth of restaurants have been booked, sporting events, high teas, day trips, shopping (of course) and so much more! Hopefully I will have access to the internet over there so I can keep everyone up-to-date on Twitter, but otherwise you can look forward to A LOT of blog posts.
I’m off duty free shopping this weekend and I have a new Louis Vuitton bag in my sights so I will post pics of the new baby when she’s in my hot little hands! I think I’ll leave the shopping there and wait until I’m in Europe where everything’s a little more unique and designer goods are (generally) cheaper. I’m so excited to be swanning around in Summer clothes. Normally I love Winter but I’m just not into it this year.
In the recent weeks I have upgraded to an iPhone (remember my angst over the NokiaE72 I was using? Yep. She’s gone. So now I have instagram (username: MarloPerry) which I’m getting used to and loving.
Lately I have been getting heaps of hits from a Facebook page and a lot of new comments and subscribers. I’m not complaining – but I can’t work out which Facebook page they’re all coming from? If you’ve put a link to my blog on your page – thank you! It was obviously a positive one because all the new comments have been nice ones. If it was a negative one, well ner ner, it backfired.
BOWIE – ‘Aura’ MBFWA 2012
After closing Australian Fashion Week in 2011 to rave reviews, Bowie was back with a soft and ultra feminine collection, Aura.
Predominantly white, the highest layer of an aura, the range of dresses were a future bride’s delight. Boleros of butterflies, tulle mermaid tails and metallic tinkling breast plates were all features on the strong yet subtle designs. Where we have seen unusual cuts and voluminous ruffles in the past with Bowie, we saw soft lines and an obvious direction.
Among the softness stood a few more classic looks. Hooped, glittering gowns with lots of movement and floor length shows toppers in timeless silhouettes. I particularly loved the black and white lace with the perfectly cinched waist for the female form.
The makeup was fresh and dewy and the hair, designed by Kevin Murphy himself in his only show at Fashion Week, was a modern take on the finger wave of the 20′s which was fitting given the strong yet feminine spirit of the show.
The girls sparkled with Asyana tans to match the metallic accents of the collection.
With last year’s success and another collection of stunning dresses, I see another huge year for Bowie.
…and the gift bag.
Outfit of the Day
Today I am feeling really out of sorts. I never get headaches but I have had one that runs all the way down my neck and shoulders all day and then I had a horrible nose bleed right before I left the house tonight. Ordinarily I wouldn’t go anywhere if I wasn’t feeling good, but it was Bowie’s show at Fashion Week so I couldn’t pass it up.
I will have pictures and my thoughts on his collection, Aura, later but for now here is my own outfit. The weather was surprisingly mild tonight so I was glad not to have to rug up.
Top – Sass and Bide
Pants – Sass and Bide
Jacket- Witchery
Shoes – Filipo Raphael
Clutch – Miu Miu
Necklaces – Tiffany & Co. and Edwardian chalcedony
