What a trip to *finally* find this ol’ WordPress log-in, folks!
Now, a LOT has changed in my life (and of course, we are all currently dealing as best we can with this COVID-19 pandemic), so things might not be entirely the same as they used to be here. But let’s give this blogging caper a crack again, eh Katy?
Category Archives: style
4 statement earring styles you need this Summer!
Brighter, longer, bolder and bigger.
Sunflower dangles from The Hutt Designs*
There’s no question that statement earrings are having a major moment this Summer. Whether it’s colourful tassels or fun acrylic dangles, I’m obsessed with this accessory trend. I’ve rounded up my favorite statement earrings of the season, and already have a few of these pairs in my earring wardrobe. (Note: the best kind of earring wardrobes come from Bon Maxie and MijMoj Design.)
Size matters but so does comfort, so the latest lightweight earrings are right up my alley – no lobestretch here! Another reason I love a statement earring… they distract from tired eyes or even a bad hair day.
Neutral tassels
Trainee Mama wears Lovisa white tassel earrings, I’m wearing $4 Kmart tassel dangles.
I love a neutral tassel with EVERYTHING – all colours, all prints, it’s all good. I especially love a neutral tassel made of natural raffia. Perfection.
Leather Wrap and Bead Earrings, $39.95 Iskia; Cactus Engraved Dangle Earrings, $15.00 Desert Jewellery; Kashmiri Statement Earring in Cream White, $39.99 Adrift; Statement Tassel Nude Earrings, $4.00 Kmart
Bright tassels
I’m wearing Bright Sunny Days earrings, $39.95 Iskia Designs
Bright tassels are the mac to my cheese. Well, the multi-coloured mac to be precise.
Tegan peach hand-painted leather triangle earrings, $35.00 Kathleen Benham; Gatsby Tassels in Yellow, $24.98 Paula Hall Designs; Carolina Dangle, $40.00 Kenzie Collective; Flower Tassel Earrings in Aqua, $14.95 Sassi the Collection
Tropical and quirky
Now this is my go-to earring style, I love playful styles with a little sense of humour! I’m wearing Lindy Lou Frida dangles* and Sqwark earrings* from Spotting Unicorns. Think palm trees, birds and animals, even undersea creatures!
Sloth earrings, £24.95 Little Moose; Teardrop Tassel Monstera earrings, $40.00 Kenzie Collective; Sqwark earrings, $34.95 Spotting Unicorns; Leaf and Florence earrings, $20.00 Desert Jewellery; Flamingo-Tastic earrings, $50.00 Pop Rock Park
Metallic glam
Bling earrings are a staple in every earring wardrobe, but they’re not the heavy metal ones of decades past. I’m wearing Sportsgirl Black fan earrings, and Shein acrylic palm earrings (old).
Golden Glow drops in white, $29.98 Paula Hall Designs; Iris Mega Glam Statement Dangle in Paparazzi/Stardust, $50.00 Kenzie Collective; Fiesta Earrings, $19.95 Sportsgirl; Copper Luxe Clay Dangle, $20.00 Itty B Studio
See, Summer’s earring line-up is incredibly diverse with something here for everyone, I promise.
Let me know of other amazing earring brands in the comments below!
*Kindly gifted, and only shared because I love them.
8 under $80 – Christmas Party dresses
It’s that time of year again – Christmas Party season!
Every year, November brings with it the search for the perfect affordable and stylish dress to wear to work and social occasions.
These are some of my favorite dresses under $80 (some even under $60!), with key trends covered like off-the-shoulder (OTS isn’t going anywhere this Summer), ruffle sleeve and quirky prints. And I’m amazed, there’s not a stripe amongst them!
Hummingbird dress in red floral, $59.90 St Frock; Poppie dress in green ricrac, $79.99 Adrift; Amy pink pineapple shift dress, $79.99 Style Me Over
B Collection Broderie Bell Sleeve dress, $35 Big W; Mandy Christmas Flamingo Wrap dress, $59.95 Little Party Dress; Arabian Goddess Boho Maxi, $79.99 Erin Louise
Spencer dress, $60 (on sale) Dressy Bessy; Ruffle Sleeve Pattern dress, $59 Chasing Case
The navy B Collection Broderie dress from Big W is the perfect budget option for a work Christmas party, while I love the floaty boho style of the Erin Louise maxi and Chasing Case pattern dress for casual family barbeques by the water. And the quirky Santa-hat-wearing flamingos of the Mandy Little Party Dress are fabulous for ANY festive celebration!
Which is your favorite? I don’t think I can go past the flamingo LPD, or the Amy Pineapple shift! (Predictable, I know!)
Blink! the Eyelash Expert – Sunshine Coast lash extension review
Ok, so I know I’ve said before that I’m a pretty casual no-makeup kind of girl… but I still love being pampered. I think it’s super important to spend time on yourself and do what makes you feel beautiful.
I have previously had lash extensions, but whilst I loved the dramatic look of them on the day they were applied, they very quickly began to fall out, taking my natural lashes with them. I had been thinking about getting lash extensions again recently, but was nervous, and not sure I could deal with the patchiness and spidery look between appointments. Then I spotted my friend and fellow Sunshine Coast blogger Natalie Tink (AKA Miss Monogram) looking fresh as a daisy with gorgeous long natural-looking lashes, and she gushed about Janice of Blink! the Eyelash Expert*!
Fate was kind, and Janice actually reached out to me to ask if I’d like to try a set of her lashes, and I agreed… with a little trepidation. Janice works out of Soul Ocean Spa at Ramada Marcoola (the ol’ Surfair for longtime Coasties) and a skin clinic in Mooloolaba, as well as being mobile. That’s right, she can COME TO YOUR HOUSE!
Because I am a sucker for a day spa visit, I trotted along to Soul Ocean Spa which is only 5 minutes from my place, and immediately felt right at home – this place is a hidden treasure on the Sunshine Coast! With plenty of lush plants and gorgeous tropical decor, it’s a stunning spot to get pampered.
Janice asked me to be open and honest about what I wanted from my lashes, and since I am pretty minimal with makeup, I wanted them to look very natural and nothing too dramatic. I also wanted to make sure they wouldn’t look clumpy or spidery at all! After a quick chat, it was time for a nap. Seriously… I have fallen asleep within 5 minutes of every appointment, as it’s just so relaxing!
The results:
I feel so much more confident even when I’m not wearing makeup. I can just run out the door and run my errands without really having to worry about putting on makeup since the lashes make my eyes look brighter and fresher – and there’s no mascara residue casting a shadow under my eyes.
With all that said, I am SO happy with my experience with Janice from Blink! the Eyelash Expert, she really is an expert. Janice has really customised my lashes to my face and lifestyle, and certainly won’t apply lashes that are too long and heavy that would damage my natural ones. I will share a ‘how to look after your lashes’ post shortly, and can tell you that it’s super-simple really. Just keep ’em dry after application and a few brushes a day!
Don’t just take it from me, all of Blink! the Eyelash Extension’s reviews are outstanding and I can see why! If you’re looking for a freshen up for Summer – I love that I can swim makeup-free and not look like a panda – then contact Janice and let her know I sent you, for an exclusive discount on your first appointment!
Phone: 0477 460 603
https://www.facebook.com/blink.the.eyelash.expert
*Sponsored post – I am delighted to now be a brand ambassador for Blink!, and of course only support businesses I love.
The Bachelor Recap, episode 2 and it’s all about Jennifer
After an elongated recap of the previous episode, we open to the ladies having already moved into the mansion and artfully lounging around the courtyard waiting… for what, we wonder? And here it comes, the first date card.
Ellora seems like a smart girl, but it is hard to trust the judgement of a girl wearing big ol’ chunky heels to walk along SAND. We’ll forgive her for that however, because she said she doesn’t mind if it rains on their first date – she seems pretty damn low-maintenance. Turns out Ellora is a teeny bit more exotic than we first thought, as she’s of French descent, was born and grew up in Tahiti, and has been living in Hawaii. (Not exactly a gold medal for diversity for the producers, but they tried.) The folks at Instax should be pretty happy with their product placement deal, as Matty snaps a sweet selfie of the two of them with the Instax Mini70 as a reminder of this moment (and I’m guessing to also sell to the Daily Mail about a week before the season finale, to really keep us guessing).
Meanwhile back at the mansion, Jennifer is calling Ellora a threat and warning both Leah and Sian that while she loves them (really?), she would walk all over them for Matty’s heart.
A group date card arrives at the mansion, and Jennifer delights in announcing that Cobie, Liz, one of her personal faves Sian, Laura, Florence, Tara, Simone, Natalie, Leah, and her good self are headed off to ‘remember the first time they fell in love’.
Ellora and Matty are gazing at each other, before playing an annoying high school game of ‘what are you thinking?’ and Ellora starts talking about the temperature in the room rising. I like you, girl; but what on earth. This is dullsville. She then passes along a prompted question from the producers about how Matty is feeling about Georgia, and he gave a well-scripted answer designed to keep the peace in the Channel Ten stable. Wait, is Georgia still in the stable?
Matty is obviously concerned about ever having to move from Sydney, so he checks with Ellora that she doesn’t plan on travelling or moving on anytime soon, ignoring the fact that she throws the word ‘adventure’ into her answer. They trade a rose and a chaste kiss, and Ellora heads back to the mansion hoping to hide the fact that she’s head over heels by calling it ‘really real’.
Jennifer slugs a red wine, and proves herself to be incredibly jealous. (Remember Jennifer? She was the one who says that she’s not a jealous person.)
The group date takes the girls far away to a special location (the pool patio) to dress-up and enjoy a competitive fashion shoot for Women’s Day, which sounds to me like a special kind of hell. Also, who reads Women’s Day anymore? Seriously, are they not just reprinting early 90’s issues to bulk up the rubbish on medical centre coffee tables?
Florence prepares for her 80’s photo shoot with a lot of eyeshadow and some chewing gum in case of a sneaky pash; and Jennifer prepares by giving the other girls a LOT of grief about their hideous dresses before donning Straya’s ultimate non-sexy outfit – the red and yellow cap and rashie of our sunshine superheroes, volunteer lifesavers. Flo and Matty enjoyed great chemistry, before Jen jumped in the pool and tried to take over the shoot while the girls all side-eyed her.
Laura, Elizabeth, Natalie and Sian – the 80’s school formal shoot was fun and dorky and contained NO sexual tension, but Matty seemed to enjoy rocking the daggy dance moves with Laura. When Sian pulls out the Worm in her fuchsia sequin bubble dress, Matty seemed confused and impressed. Sian is officially friendzoned.
When Tara, Simone and Cobie come out wearing remnants of Glee’s cheer wardrobe, Matty’s little eyeballs almost explode; and when Simone gets some one-on-one time chatting to the man of the moment, Cobie is delighted as she’s not had many opportunities to talk to Matty while Leah (our resident show-off) rants about how Simone just wants to be the centre of attention.
When the photo shoot groups were announced, Leah terrified Matty by announcing that yes, THIS is happening; and then terrified the girls by wearing a Bad-Sandy outfit – leather leggings and jacket and all. the. blonde. curls. Matty delights everyone by pulling away from Leah as she moves in for a kiss, although she doesn’t seem self-aware enough to know he was REALLY off it.
The next day, Matty arrives at the mansion unexpectedly in a spunky little vintage sports car (which is much too small for two tall people) to take Lisa for a game of tennis; and she certainly dresses to impress in a country-club worthy white outfit. After about eleventy million lost serves, Matty listens to 12 seconds of Lisa’s coaching suggestions and aces it. A friendly game with a kiss and some Pimms at stake ends with Lisa giving a pity cheek kiss, and Matty looking around for some medical assistance and a solution to his clicking elbow (not a sound you ever need to hear on a dating show, BTW).
Lisa should feel robbed by the strawberries and Pimms promise, as there were obviously bikini strings attached – feeding each other whipped cream in the pool looked WAY less romantic than I think Matty had hope for. To remind us that we’re all here to find love, the traditional ‘What are you looking for in a partner’ conversation ensued, with the date rose given to Lisa, so she’s still a frontrunner.
And to the cocktail party… Jennifer starts by eating her feelings again and stating that Matty isn’t just there for the taking (has she seen this show before?), Florence reveals ALL THE LEG, and Leah turns as green as her dress as Ellora swoops in to take Matty for a chat and a kiss, even though she’s safe and holding a rose. Ellora keeps it clean, and says to Jennifer ‘I don’t think you’re very nice’, and somehow Jen manages to sound like she believes herself when she claims to be a bright and vibrant person. What?
Who receives roses:
Cobie, Alix (who is even taller than Lisa), Simone, Laura, Akoulina, Elise, Michelle, Sian, Elizabeth, Florence, Stephanie, Tara, Jennifer, Sharlene, Belinda, Natalie, Leah.
Who goes home:
Sweet Laura-Ann. I’m disappointed because she seemed like a closet party animal and that Italian fire just never got lit.
My style picks of the evening:
Lisa again, in this bombshell Wheels and Dollbaby rose gold sequin dress
Simone in this J’adore two piece was stunning, and hello abs! She could give Matty a run for his money with the whole washboard stomach situation.
I feel like I’m already choosing favourites, even though I know I should wait a little longer to commit my heart to one contestant. (Hang on, I feel like Matty should do the same!) And is it just me, or is Jennifer’s jealousy too painful already?
Winter Trend – Seeing Spots!
Last weekend, I unexpectedly twinned with myself, wearing navy with polka dots both days. There’s something about wearing fun polka dots in Winter, I just love it.
On Saturday, I wore this this gorgeous bell-sleeve Boho Australia dress from Style Me Luxe – hot tip, Melita at Style Me Luxe is launching an online store soon, but in the meantime you can phone her to purchase like I did, and she’ll pop anything in the post – her service is fantastic! This frock was great with sneakers for a trip to the shops with the husband , but it’ll also be gorgeous with heels and some bling for a night out.
The next day, I popped on this super-snuggly and sparkly spot sweater* (also by Boho Australia), kindly sent to me by Ange of Bang Boutique, and threw on jeans and some fun pink tassel earrings for a quiet Sunday. This sweater also comes in the prettiest peach – perfect for a sunny Winter morning at the markets!
Now, I don’t know if my love for spots will ever take over my wardrobe the way that #TeamStripes have, but after discovering all of these beauties, never say never!
L-R: Adrift Bindi dress in White Spot, StyleFast Reuben Spot Frill Hem tee, Birdnest Sass Polka Dot dress, StyleFast Spot Swing shirt dress, Bang Boutique Boho Adele Spot Knit
L-R: TSID Tilly Spotted jumper, Shabby Sisters Sequin Spot Knit in white, Hati Collective Cartel & Willow Mable spot sequin tank, Blue Bungalow Reversible Black Spot Anorak
If spots all over are a little too much for you, maybe try dipping your toe into the polka dot waters with accessories…
Clockwise from L: Birdsnest JJ Sisters Polka Dot scarf, Birdsnest yellow spot toiletries bag, FRANKiE4 Sophie II in black spot, French Connection foil spot scarf, Adrift Kantha clutch in blue top, Seed embroidered spot scarf, Blue Bungalow Mooleii Black and Gold Spot tote
What’s your fave way to wear polka dots and spots?
*Kindly gifted, and only shared here because I love it!
Urban surprises – Toowoomba’s unexpected street art
Toowoomba Street Art
For the last few years, murals have been popping up all over the regional QLD city of Toowoomba, mostly in the CBD and surrounding industrial areas. They range from contemplative portraits and magical creatures to whimsical signwriting and retro slogan, but one thing they have in common is that they are all pretty surprising!
I’m not a regular visitor to Toowoomba, by any means. My biological father grew up there, and my best friend Peta (of Trainee Mama) is a Toowoombian (is that even a word? I think not). But I think I’ve only ever visited the city a handful of times, glanced at some bulk tulips in a tidy park, then left.
This week, I headed south west for a short visit to the Garden City, and found it to be MUCH more urban than I was expecting, with cafes, laneways, beautiful ivy-covered buildings, murals and street art everywhere.
Toowoomba Street Art
Packing for Toowoomba was pretty easy – a couple of different stripe t-shirt dresses, boots and a denim jacket. I just added pops of colour with accessories and coffee cups (because ROADTRIP), and my packing was sorted in 5 minutes!
I was surprised and delighted to find some artwork by my cousin, Emily Devers – it’s been a long time since I’ve seen her, perhaps 22 years? She is now one half of Frank and Mimi, and she’s incredibly talented. Maybe I should catch up with that long-lost side of the family and see if they can draw any creativity out of me?
Have you visited Toowoomba recently and discovered the city’s colourful urban heart?
*Apologies to uncredited artists
Behind the Door earrings really make a statement!
I’ve harped on recently about the statement earring trend that I love so much, but you can’t exactly have giant chandeliers flanking your face every single day. I like to give my lobes a rest with studs I can wear daily, but are anything but minimal! These Behind the Door Signature Glass Studs are cute enough to elicit compliments from fashion-forward teens at work, are sparkly enough to flatlay like a boss, and light enough that I can wear them all day long!
Because I like to know the ‘why’ behind small creative businesses (I think anyone taking that step into running their own business is crazy-brave!), I asked the lovely Ali Beer Smith, creative director of Behind the Door a few questions about BTD and her busy life – she has a ‘day-job’ as well as managing her growing business!
What do you do? What do you make/sell? Behind the Door is a one-woman run small business, based in Woodcroft, South Australia. At BTD, you will find handcrafted and affordable jewellery and accessories for the colourful at heart. One of the main reasons Behind the Door was born, was because I couldn’t source or locate good quality stud earrings at an affordable price that didn’t irritate my ears. Behind the Door is now known for exactly that – our Signature Glass Stud Earrings that are affordable, easy to wear for those busy mums and hustling babes. Each piece is meticulously handmade with love using a variety of materials and settings, sourced both locally and within Australia. Since the virtual doors opened in 2015, Behind the Door now frequents the market scene within Adelaide throughout the warmer months of the year.
Why and how did you sell your first product? The first product that I ever sold under the Behind the Door label was a paid of Lady Marmalade Glass Stud Earrings in a stainless steel setting. She was so excited to buy a piece of my jewellery, and was boasting about it to all of her friends.
Who was your key support during the fledgling stage of Behind the Door? My huz, Wade! What a gem he is. Also my Mama, she even invested in Behind the Door in the very early stages which allowed me to buy packaging to send my pieces out.
How do you manage your time well? Some times I feel like I’m drowning, sometimes I feel like I am slaying at the #hustle! I’ve recently just listed to a Mums with Hustle podcast about this very thing. What I took away from the podcast was to identify 4 main non-negotiable priorities for each week. These are family and friends time, dedicate time to Behind the Door, look after myself by eating well and going to the gym, and be able to give myself 100% to my 9am-5pm job. I know that sounds like so much but a way that I manage my time is to decide what non-negotiables I will do each day. My typical day starts out of getting up and head to the gym or take the dog for a walk. I’m always on my way to my 9-5 job at 7.45am. I like to think I slay that, and then head off home for the day. When I get home, I like to play with the animals for a few minutes and then kick into hustle mode! On a side note, I am a FIFO wife. My husband works away for 4 weeks at a time, and then is home for 1 week. When he is home, family time takes priority of my non-negotiables. When he is away at work, it’s a mix of all four! It’s not uncommon to still find me hustling in the work shop at 1am, however that started to affect my 9-5 job so I had to reassess my routine. I hadan ah-ha moment back in December last year – it is really important to look after myself and take time out for me, so I can give more! If I’m not in the workshop or at my day-job, I’m either out in the garden, playing with my dog and two cats, cooking or soaking in the tub with a fab bath bomb!
If you could have given yourself a piece of knowledge or advice when you started what would that be? Try and shake the guilt of doing what you love and take time out for you!
Which opportunities should you have followed? I applied for a very well known market in 2016 that I was accepted for.. I then decided against it because it was such a big investment. I doubted my performance and products, and I wish I didn’t. Behind the Door ROCKS!
How do you conquer any moments of doubt that threaten to stop your great ideas? What pushes you through? It’s the self doubt and self criticism that catches you out.. a lot of the time! In these moments, I think back to why Behind the Door exists first and foremost. I then think of all the fabulous feedback I have received from so many happy customers all over the world.
Righto, time for some fun stuff…
What is your ‘uniform’? What do you wear more often than anything else? In my day-job, it’s smart casual – think black, black, black… you get me? It’s hard when I have such a colourful heart! In the workshop and beyond, I love a fabulous Gorman piece! I will always have a handmade piece on, whether that’s something I have made, or that of another biz babe!
What is your favourite thing to wear to make you happy? COLOUR!
Thanks so much Ali, just hearing about your passion and your juggle makes me want to support small creative businesses even more!
*I was kindly gifted a few BTD pieces. As always, if I don’t love it, I won’t share it.
Lunabella sleepwear styles make for the perfect pyjama day!
I (and many other people on the Sunshine Coast) were sent home early today due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, and I found out earlier that we also have a rain day tomorrow. Let me tell you that I for one am delighted that we’ll have a long weekend (and for school students and teachers, a longer than usual Easter holiday). This particular ten-week term has REALLY been a struggle.
Of course the reality of a severe storm advisory in Queensland means that we could be flooded in, or we could get gale force winds, or we might just get a light smattering of rain. Who would know? Definitely not the weather bureau. Regardless, I’m grateful that I’ve been given full permission to enjoy a pyjama day to relax and put my feet up and pretend that there won’t be a mountain of postponed work to come back to in two weeks time.
In case you’re concerned about my nutritional well-being during this weather event, please know that in the Potaty household we don’t feel the need to run out and buy ALL THE THINGS when a storm threatens, because my husband already has a canned goods inventory for possible survival situations. No way we’ll run the risk of being stuck in our car with the river rising around us like some of those poor fools I’ve seen on the news this evening.
So as I was saying, tomorrow is going to be a pyjama day, which means that you will find me wearing some of my latest Lunabella pieces. Honestly, there’s no cuter sleepwear available at the moment, I’m sure of it!
I was fortunate enough to be sent two gorgeous Lunabella sleepwear styles at the start of Summer, and there’s rarely been a night since where I haven’t slipped into the beautiful soft cotton of either of them. The first – my favourite nightie ever – is the Ohana pineapple print nightie, and hello, it has POCKETS. The Palm Springs Sleep Shorts are cute enough to wear out, and confession… they’ve enjoyed a trip to the local supermarket more than once.
At the start of the new AW season, the Lunabella team launched a few more of their coastal prints, and I am now the very happy owner of the South Beach Sleep Camisole, in the sweetest flamingo print you ever did see; and a fabulously tropical banana-leaf set of the St Lucia Sleep Camisole and Sleep Pants – I look like I could just disappear into a Martinique-print wallpaper heaven!
It’s going to be a slower start to my school holidays than I expected, not least because we’ll be cooped up in the house until the wet weather disappears. Here’s hoping the next two weeks will be filled with hopefully warm weather before the hideousness of Winter sets in, cycling around the Coast searching for more new cafes to try, eating out when BB is home from work, staying up way too late binging on Riverdale and Friday Night Lights, and a glorious amount of sleeping in.
You can bet that I’ll try to do each of the above things at least once while wearing some sort of cute Lunabella sleepwear, right?!
Anyone got BIG school holiday plans? Or just chilling in your pyjamas at the local IGA like me?
*Kindly gifted, and only shared here because I love it!
Showcasing Small Biz in 2017
I know that Christmas is behind us, and all that most of us are thinking about is spending less, eating less and exercising more. (No… just me? Righto then.) But we’d be lying if we said we were going to stop spending altogether, right? Why not make that spending as pleasurable for the store as it is for you?!
This year, I’d love to introduce you all to some of my favorite shops, both online and locally on the Sunshine Coast. Supporting local and small business is supporting continued growth, prosperity and healthy competition, as well as providing local entrepreneurs and business owners (real people, not giant companies) with continued cashflow. Not only are you more likely to find something unique but it really does feel awesome to to shop small and support these people who are trying to make a living doing what they love!
This month, my blog will be getting a long-overdue facelift (yes, from a local small graphic design business), and I’ll enjoy hanging out here and writing so much more when it’s all pretty and tidy. Along with sorting the the aesthetic side of the blog, and my irregular random thoughts (blogger/oversharer = same/same), I’m hoping to showcase fabulous stores and businesses each week, so if you know of a small Australian-owned business which you think I’d love, let me know!
Now, to my first little round-up of small biz awesomeness.
1. Dew & Rose teal crystal stud earrings – These oversized teal crystals in a simple rose gold setting aren’t just the perfect accessory, they come beautifully packaged and ready for gifting. Dew & Rose supports girls’ education through partnering with One Girl onegirl.org.au, so you’re really giving the gift that gives twice. Winning!
2. H&G Designs black grid mood board – Getting organised for the start of the school, uni or work year never looked so good, with this black wire mood board to display current projects, goals, ideas, photo’s, design objects and memos. The suede straps to hang are super-cute too!
3. The Hello Workshop 2017 desk calendar – Still on the organisational theme, this quirky desk calendar has more than a little nod to the fun-lovin’ 80’s, with bright pastels in geometric designs.
4. MinPinShop Grumpy mood ring – This sterling silver mood ring is definitely the grown-up version of a piece of jewelry you might have worn as an angsty teen. With other mood options available too, you could fill your fingers and really confuse your friends!
5. Clutch Zuha beaded clutch – Need a clutch fancy enough for the big events, but also neutral enough to go with every outfit in your wardrobe? The new arrivals to Clutch are all gorgeous, but this tan, ochre and black beaded zip clutch is my pick, the detachable cross-body strap was the clincher for me.
6. Inactive Wear Can’t Even tank – Created by local genius and all-round sassypants Lauren Jane, Inactive Wear is for the fit and not so fit, who don’t want to take themselves (or their gymtime) too seriously. I’m dying over the Can’t Even, but wait until you check out the Good Fat or the Gluty Call designs, they’re too cheeky!
7. Miss Monogram Miss Victoria large pouch – Sunshine Coast local Natalie Tink recently launched her new personalised accessories line Miss Monogram, and the simple and elegant styles have caught my eye – especially the A4-sized Miss Victoria. In pink, taupe, black or navy (my fave), it’s a classic.
8. Indah Koin Australian 2 cent coin necklace – I have one of these gorgeous silver necklaces from my husband’s birth year, and I get so many compliments about it – one of these necklaces would make a fabulous gift for a special birthday or anniversary! Indah Koin also have bracelets, bangles and rings.
9. Soak Society rose wellness bath soak – Another clever local, Natalie decided that she was sick of seeing lurid and bright bath bombs full of all kinds of nasties, and got back to basics with a range of gorgeously-scented products; and has recent;y branched out into beautiful gift packs too. (Don’t worry everyone, I’ll remind you with plenty of time for my birthday, hehe!)
Now head on over to these amazing stores run by incredible people. Let’s all shop small a bit more everyday!
Do you run a small business?