Lover.

I've always loved the effortless look of high waisted denim skirts with buttons down the front but I could never manage to find one that would actually suit me...until I stumbled upon this gorgeous skirt from Lover from their Electric Ladyland collection (A/W08):

It is so versatile and pretty - received mine in the mail today and I can't wait to wear it when the weather decides to actually act like it's Spring =)



Oh my pictures don't do it justice =( I need a better camera...

Diamonds in the Rough

Firstly, apologies again for the lack of updates, but I haven't been doing many blogworthy things lately because I've had exams and assignments to do =(

Luckily today I did something more interesting - I wandered into the renovated PaperScissors store (it used to be Temt) to kill some time during my lunch break and I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw - some decent items amongst all the cheap, generally tacky/nasty clothes.

Here are my beautifully constructed bargain finds:




White/Black Spots Chiffon Tulip Skirt with Black Grosgrain Waist Bow
$29.95

Surprisingly, it fits like a dream and is very well made. I can see myself wearing this to everything from days out with the girls to fancy dinners =)

Next up:



Grey, champagne and black satin detail tee
$29.95

I love the look of this tee, I usually wear very plain tops but the detailing on this is very subtle and classy.

Moral of my little story is that you shouldn't look down on stores with a certain reputation because you never know what you'll find there - at a very reasonable price too! So keep an open mind when shopping and you may just end up with some pieces that you and your wallet will love =)

Bandage Me Up

Isn't it strange how when you are actively looking for a certain something, you will never find it? Yet when you've given up looking, it falls right into your lap when you least expect it...

My latest obsession is with bandage dresses (or just more fitted dresses) after wearing flowy, floaty dresses for the past few seasons due to the comfort factor. But now, I feel like it's time to embrace my curves and make the most of them...but the shops are not cooperating with me and I can't find many fitted dresses.

The bandage dress trend started awhile ago with Herve Leger:


Now this look has been translated for the Australian masses by Bardot:
Spliced bandage dress on sale for $29.95
Wave bandage dress, on sale for $29.95

Unfortunately, both these dresses had sold out in my size so I had to look at Bardot's other offerings and in the end, I walked out of the store with this:

Origami dress, $89.95

While it isn't a bandage dress, it is fitted enough while still having gorgeous pleat detailing that gives it a more sophisticated vibe.

A Taste of Harlow

I've always loved Nicole Richie's style but I didn't really pay much attention when she launched her jewellery line House of Harlow because I thought it would be ridiculously priced but recently I discovered that she actually designed very pretty, quality jewellery for a very reasonable price.

I browsed around www.miijo.com and found this gorgeous ring and just had to have it:Antique Rose Gold Stack Ring (thin)

I love it because it is simple but not boring, it is made of rose gold (much prettier than ordinary yellow gold!) and last but not least, it was only $29!

I received this in the mail today (2 days after I ordered it) and it was beautifully packaged, making me feel like a lucky girl at Christmas time =)

I highly recommend miijo.com for their fabulous selection of celebrity related jewellery and clothes, and their great customer service.

Also props to Nicole Richie for designing affordable but gorgeous jewellery!


Miijo currently has a code for 20% off at checkout: STYLEHUNTER, which is valid until 31st August 2009.

Happy online shopping everyone! xo

Patience is a Virtue

Now that I've finally gotten over my fear of buying things online, I've decided to take the plunge and buy a cute spring dress now that the weather is heating up...

CKM Cream Crotchet Detail Dress

Can't wait until it arrives...that's the worst part of buying things online - you don't get the satisfaction of having it in your hands straight away. But then again there is the thrill of getting a package in the post containing your brand new dress to look forward to =)

And the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway, I enjoyed reading through your comments and will do my best to make them happen =)

Now, without further ado here is the winner of the Giveaway...

Dee

Dee, please email me at the.vanilla.aurora@gmail.com so that I can send your prize to you =)

I promise more posts will be coming up soon, I've just been completely overwhelmed with life lately and haven't had the time nor energy to blog.

Giveaway! (Because Sharing is Caring)

The blogger world has been full of giveaways lately and I love the idea because it rewards the blog's loyal readers so I decided to do a little giveaway of my own as a thank you to those who have been supporting my fledgling blog. =)

Here are the treasures up for grabs:

1. Turquoise Shell and Bead Bracelet - very boho!

2. Silver Fan Drop Earrings


3. Dark Silver Butterfly Drop Earrings


HOW TO ENTER: Simply comment with your name and email, stating what is your favourite part of s t y l e o v e r d o s e and what you would like to see more of =)
*Note: This giveaway is only open to Australian readers.

The winner will win all 3 items and be chosen based on their comment.

The winner will be announced on 12th August 2009!

Comment away =)

P.S. I am selling some cosmetics that I have no use for at bargain prices on the Vogue Forums , check it out if you are interested!

Busy Bee

Apologies for the lack of updates recently, I have been overrun with work of various kinds and have not had the time to blog.

I haven't been all that inspired lately either, but a new purchase always gives me some sort of boost in that department even if it is only a small accessory purchase - like these two tone tights:

Front


Side


Back


I like that they are a quirky twist on the usual grey or black opaques and are good for people like me who aren't quite brave enough to venture into bright coloured or patterned tights but are bored of plain opaques.

These would elongate the leg when paired with the Nine West dove grey Kimbell Oxfords I wanted awhile back, but alas I never got them =(

Artsy

I've only been back home for a few days, but the bargains are still everywhere and I stumbled across a dress that I had wanted a month ago, last one left in my size and drastically reduced - score!

Presenting my new all-purpose silk dress - to be worn for dressy dinners, birthday parties and random special occasions:
Source: sportsgirl.com.au

It features a beautifully draped tulip skirt and batwing sleeves which are so comfy and sophisticated but unfortunately they overwhelm my petite frame so I think I will be altering them as shown in the last photo below.

It has an elasticated waist, but it still feels and looks too baggy for my liking so I will be cinching it with my trusty belts.

The dress by itself in all its baggy glory

Cinched

With folded up sleeves

Chasing Waterfalls

I'm back from my relaxing and refreshing holiday and ready to get back into my life as I left it, which includes this blog, of course =)

One thing about traveling that really got to me was the feeling of living out of a suitcase - no matter how cleverly you think you packed for your trip, you will always feel as though you don't have enough clothes or you didn't pack the right clothes for the various situations that will inevitably pop up during your vacation.

Having access to my full wardrobe was one of the nicest things about coming back home and I definitely intend to make up for all the lost time, by wearing some fabulous outfits to ease myself back into my usual lifestyle.

One of my favourite pieces of clothing at the moment is the Drape Cardigan (a.k.a. Waterfall or Wrap cardigan), which is a subtle yet gorgeously girly update on the humble cardigan that has become a staple of many wardrobes (including mine) over the past few seasons.

Here are the ones that have caught my eye in a few different price ranges:


Witchery Solid Wrap Cardigan $149.95

Bardot Waterfall Cardigan in Melon $59.95

Valleygirl Shrug Cardigan $29.95

I personally prefer my drape cardigans to be made of more lightweight fabrics such as viscose and jersey to give it that floaty look and feeling but a thin knit would also work for a warmer alternative.

I recently bought mine in a black jersey material and love how it adds a touch of frilly goodness to my outfits without being too over the top. I think that it looks best with skinny jeans (since the drapes conveniently hide my winter saddlebags!) and heels, like this:





I adore how it also comes with a thin belt so I can play around with tying it at the waist or at the back to create different silhouettes and also to keep it in place. Can't wait to try it out with other outfits =)

Travel Bug

I'm going to be on a lovely holiday for the next week or so and in the spirit of things I've decided to blog about the most practical yet stylish things to take with you on your travels because it's so very hard to stay chic when you don't have access to your full wardrobe...

Here are some of my picks to make things a bit easier:

1. The Bag - Longchamp Le Pliage

• waterproof so that you won't have to worry about getting it wet or dirty
• foldable so that you can pack it up into your luggage when you don't need it without taking up too much room or put it into another bag as a portable extra bag for when you've done a lot of shopping and need something to hold your new purchases!
• spacious so it can carry all your travel essentials
• colourful, to brighten up your trip and outfit
• designer, because everyone wants to exude a bit of glamour when holidaying...
  

Longchamp Le Pliage
2. Comfortable Walking Shoes

• Cold climate - Black flat leather boots like Steve Madden's 'Swoop' because black goes with everything and the boots will keep you warm and protected against snow or rain.
  

• Warm climate - tan leather ballet flats to elongate the legs (since you won't be able to wear heels!) while still being comfortable enough to walk around all day if you've already worn them in (don't wear stiff new shoes, they WILL give you blisters!)

If you want to splash out on these, try Marni's gorgeous and simple leather ballet flats with an elasticated trim to make sure that the flats stay on and fit properly.

3. Multi-purpose scarf/pashmina - for the chilly plane airconditioning and also to make into various pieces of clothing for any occasion that might pop up unexpectedly. My favourite would be the American Apparel Circle Scarf (which I had previously expressed my love for) for its amazing versatility:




Happy travels everyone! =)

True Lust

Here's a heads up to any Aussie girls (and overseas online shoppers) out there who have seen the lovely Betty of leblogdebetty.com rocking these awesome gold studded ankle booties and like me, wished that they could get their hands on them:

I think Betty said that hers are from Oasis, which is a brand that ASOS stocks, but I have found the exact same ones on the Zimmermann website retailing for $250 (down from $500)!
I saw them in store today and debated whether to get them or not because they are absolutely gorgeous and would glam up any outfit...but I'll have to sleep on it since I already have some ankle boots now and if I get these, then I won't get as much wear out of the boots I already have!

If I can't get them out of my head by tomorrow...I think I'll cave in and buy them ><

Bewitching

Just when I thought that I was all shopped out, another gorgeous piece of clothing finds its way into my line of sight. Luckily, this time around it wasn't just an impulse purchase but something that I've been wanting for awhile:

Witchery Sheer Silk Floral Top


I love how soft and floaty it is...despite its sheerness, when layered over a 3/4 sleeve top it is surprisingly warm enough to wear indoors in winter, which means I'll be getting some wear out of this even before the weather heats up again.

I adore how it pretties up any outfit with its dreamy (and slightly hippie) lavender floral print. I definitely do not have something like this in my wardrobe yet so I'm very excited about the possibilities of teaming it with the more boring clothes I have...

Here's an idea of how I'm going to wear it when spring comes around:

With my new Siren lace-ups and DIY Levi's cutoff shorts

But for now since we're in the middle of winter, I think I'll just add a pair of stockings until the weather decides to warm up again!



Loving all the bargains during the end of financial year sales!

Siren Call

I think I may have jinxed myself in my last post because Nine West had actually sold out of my size in the Grey Kimbell Oxfords =( (If you're a size 7+ then you're in luck, head down there and grab a pair for yourself, they're gorgeous!)

I tried on the Black Kimbells in my size but thought they were a bit too boring so I left and in my disappointment I wandered into Wanted Shoes and found these quirky Siren Oxfords as a consolation prize:


They're an interesting shade of brown ('Brandy') that can tide me over from winter to spring and autumn and have an awesome cone-shaped stacked heel that will be impervious to the damage I will be inflicting on them (I hate leather covered heels because I always scuff them and the rips in the leather look horrible!)

Although I still prefer grey leather, these were calling out to me to buy them and how can I resist a good bargain?!

Here's how they look on me:


Looking forward to trying these out with some outfits soon!

Do any of you lovelies have any tips on how to prevent the heel scuffing problem?