Neon New Year + Pop Basic giveaway winner

Some of the photos were taken in front of these beautiful water fountains- I only wish I had worn a more fairytale-like, ethereal sort of outfit to suit the background! 

Top c/o Koogal (link here)

Shorts: Total recall vintage
Shoes: wholesale7.net
Necklaces: Sportsgirl, etsy.com
Cuff: asos.com
Rings: asos.com

The colour of this top isn't as electric and loud as neon pieces often are, due to the subdued shade and sheer material- which is a big win for those who don't want to look too much of an eyesore and still keep cool during this summer! At under $20 this top from Koogal isn't going to place pressure on our already strained savings due to Christmas gift-giving, either! The link is here but note that the colour is more of a lighter, neon lime green shade than the vibrant yellow as picture.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and Boxing Day! Were you guys happy with your presents? I received some pretty good stuff including including a free camel ride! I freaking love horseback riding so I know on the morning of my camel ride I'm just going to be quivering with excitement lol.

Also the Pop Basic giveaway here has ended! Using the random winner generator on Rafflecopter, here is the winning entry:

Congrats Shelly! Pop Basic will be in touch with you shortly! :)

Instagram Outfits Roundup 01

Those that follow my Instagram know that I often update it with outfits that don't get to make it onto this blog! They're the ones I don't wear on Saturdays (which is usually the day my bf does photoshoots with me).  This is just me with my amateurish little self-timer and tripod and grainy indoor photo quality- I hope you guys don't mind!

Here are the original photos of some:

Supre singlet, Forever21 skirt, Nine West boots

Zipia.net jacket, Gmarket jeggings

Romwe spiked cap, Gmarket leather jacket

Fashionvalet.net necklace, fashionvalet.net shoes, $20 dress from the markets(?)

Cotton On cardigan, Paradisco floral bustier, Supre shorts

Motel Rocks dress worn as a top, Koogal.com.au peplum skirt

If you want to see more of my outfits feel free to check out my Instagram here :)

Happy Christmas Eve! It's only a few hours away from Christmas Day for those of us down under!

shake it out

Galaxy jacket: taobao.com

top: c/o shopmarkethq.com

shorts: Lee

spiked shoes: wholesale7.net

Accessories: ASOS, taobao.com, Sportsgirl

I think Florence and the Machine (one of my favourite bands!) said it best in songs like Seven Devils and Shake it Out. Dark memories, thoughts and negative energy can really feel like a devil stuck on your back, and you need to shake him off to avoid the darkness closing in entirely! Some of the best distractions are watching tv shows, talking to people, cooking, reading or taking up any sort of hobby! Personally I love to put on my Nikes and run- something that is physically beneficial by causing your brain to release endorphins ('feel-good' chemicals!), as well as mentally rewarding by knowing you are treating your body well by giving it exercise.

Hope everyone stays positive! :) what do you guys like to do to lift up your mood? I'd love to know!

(PS. don't forget to enter my Pop Basic giveaway here! ends in 5 days :))

Pop Basic International Giveaway

I am so excited to introduce to you guys Pop Basic!

When I was contacted by the team at Pop Basic and heard about their concept, my first reaction was why hasn't anyone thought of this before? Essentially what they do is send out a monthly package of 3 fashion items consisting of one basic item, and two trend items. These are designed and manufactured by Pop Basic themselves. There is even an extra beauty or lifestyle surprise thrown in!

Pop Basic's aim is to help you gradually build up a wardrobe of all the essential fashion basics, whilst also keeping you up to date with the latest trends! This is such a neat idea in my opinion, as sometimes we unwisely buy something extravagant but not necessarily practical, and before we know it, our budget has been exceeded and we're still left without any of the basic, versatile items.

Pop Basic's first micro collection starts off with a black and white polka dot blouse, and two beautiful statement necklaces. 

Basic dot blouse

This is such a great basic item to start off with, as I can see endless possibilities of it being paired with jeans, shorts, and pencil skirts for the office. The black and white also makes it easy to coordinate with your existing wardrobe!

Gold twist choker

Yellow is such a hot colour for the current summer season! This would look amazing against any of your basic white singlets and dresses.

blue and gold necklace

Mint is also such an on trend colour right now!

Pop Basic are opening worldwide this month of December, with free shipping to the US, Canada and Australia. The cost of each package will range between $50-$100 a month. Even better they're not a subscription service so you're never obliged to pay each month, and Pop Basic always pre-releases the lookbook of each collection each month so you'll know what you could be looking forward to! And if you only like 1 or 2 pieces you could always just purchase the items individually.

International Giveaway

PopBasic are holding a giveaway via my blog, for one lucky reader to receive the amazing first package consisting of the basic dot blouse, gold twist choker, and blue and gold necklace as pictured above. 

(By the way there's no need to worry about sizing! The blouse comes in Small, Medium and Large so if you win please indicate your size :) The rest of the clothing items provided by Pop Basic also range from Small to Large.)

How to Enter

1. Sign up to Pop Basic +1 

2.  Follow Pop Basic on Twitter +1 

3. "Like" Pop Basic on Facebook +1

all of these methods of entry are optional!

Please use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

the giveaway ends on 28th December 2012. It is open worldwide.

Even more from Pop Basic

With all these great benefits I highly recommend keeping an eye out for more exciting packages from PopBasic :) To do so, you can subscribe to their newsletter here, and you also get a $10 credit! 

PopBasic are also holding another giveaway for an iPod Nano and a year's subscription, here :)

ray of sunshine

Relaxed cuff blouse c/o Chaceylove (link here)

Watercolour Chiffon skirt c/o Chaceylove (link here)

Hat: Cotton On

Oxford shoes: english.gmarket.co.kr

Bag: Forever New

I can't believe how often I have been wearing out this sunny yellow little number from Chaceylove! I wore it in another photoshoot I did recently and it also makes a frequent appearance in my weekday outfits. It's just like a perfect little pop of sunshine in the form of a fun, relaxed fit blouse. I truly believe that colours have a mood-changing effect- and for me this beautiful yellow ignites a little yet brilliant spark of happiness!

And of course being the huge fan of florals that I am, I adore this watercolour floral printed skirt as well! The asymmetric cut also adds a little playfulness :)

sugar laced

 "Minty midnight dress" c/o Sugarlips (sold out)
Necklace: c/o FashionValet (sold out)
Shoes: wholesale7.net
Belt: ASOS

I found this dress from Sugarlips very interesting as despite the demure cut and mid-length sleeves, the black lace contrasts with a vibrant minty inner layer! I wasn't sure if I should consider this a daytime or a night-time dress, and then I realised it would be an amazing piece for both. Check out outfit version #2 down below! :)

For the first outfit I went with the summer vibe, and the hot sun dictated bright neons and a colourful palette. One of my favourite parts of the dress is the cut-out at the back! Gives the dress a little more 'oomph' whilst providing a little breathing space in this weather.

As I mentioned I adore this dress so much, I worn it a couple of times! I put this one on my Instagram as well. With this outfit I decided to stay true to the colour palette of the dress by matching it with a apple green necklace from Pree Brulee and black accessories. Which outfit do you guys  like better?

Dress (same as above): c/o Sugarlips (sold out)

Necklace: c/o Pree Brulee (link here)

Box clutch: c/o Choies

Shoes: taobao.com

Clearasil giveaway #4: Summer glowy skin edition

(this post is sponsored by Clearasil and Nuffnang)

I’m back with my fourth and final installment of my collaboration with Clearasil! In this edition I’m showing how to achieve a natural look for summer, with a focus on glowy and dewy skin. This is a really simple look where the eye makeup is kept minimal so that your radiant skin is the point of attention.

You will need to start with a really clean base, as summer time means more sweating and makeup sliding off, so you don’t want to use too many layers of foundation to cover up acne rather than fighting it directly. I recommend Clearasil Perfectawash for achieving clear, pimple-free skin to begin with.

Latest purchases + wholesale7.net shoes haul

ASOS haul

I bought ankle cuffs, cross bracelet, 3-pack of rings, and a rose gold cuff. Total was about 30AUD. I had used a discount of about 8AUD. I know I bought a pair of ankle cuffs this year from eBay and those were actually painful and not wearable at all! I haven't worn these out properly yet but from a brief stroll down my hallway, these don't actually dig into your ankles because they open up when you walk.

wholesale7.net haul

anything could happen

Floral top: MinkPink c/o ShopMarketHQ

mint crochet shorts: c/o Chicwish (link here)

mint backpack: c/o Chicwish (link here)

Icecream necklace: Chinatown

"Bruno" white sunglasses: SXUC c/o Sunglasses Shop (link here)
edit: shoes are from wholesale7.net- haul and review post for them will go up soon!

green bracelet: c/o FashionValet (link here)

brown wrap bracelet: Dangerfield

Ring: Diva

I'm loving these white-rimmed sunglasses by SXUC from Sunglasses Shop! The white makes them the staple sun-shielder for summer. They also kind of match the chain and cone of my icecream necklace, which of course is another totally crucial element of summer, unless you are lactose-intolerant in which case I offer my deepest condolences. These sunnies by SXUC are a cheapie (30AUD) but they're such great quality for what they're worth. Sunglasses Shop also stocks other iconic, more high-end brands such as Ray-Ban, House of Harlow, Chloe and Chanel. My top picks for summer are here, here and here! 

Chicwish always has the cutest stuff- I'm loving this mint backpack and crochet shorts! Shipping is free worldwide, which is great to hear as their prices are so reasonable. (PS: just checked the backpack link- only 1 item left! quick!) Backpacks no longer have that childish, nerdy stigma reminiscent of our dorky high school days. I'm so glad because they really help ease off the burden on your shoulder when you have a lot of stuff in them, especially if you are two-strapping it (which by the way is now cooler than one-strapping it, if you've seen 21 Jump Street).

Since I haven't planned to travel anywhere these holidays (lack of funds, but that will change as soon as I start working! :)) I need some new TV shows to watch. I have been waiting forever for the new season of  Sherlock (BBC). If any of you guys have seen it, I'd love to discuss with you theories about the cliffhanger ending of Season 2! My favourite genres are sci-fi, mystery and paranormal. Do you guys have any of your favourite tv shows to recommend? :)

Wine and Leopard

blouse: eng.gmarket.co.kr

belt: ASOS

Skirt: Forever 21

Heels: c/o Sammydress

I am seriously such a blouse person. They are the quintessential, no-fuss top that you can always rely on when you're about to dash out the door. The sheer material is always comfy on your skin, you can wear a singlet inside if it's a little chilly, you can roll the sleeves up if it gets hot and they are just so versatile with any kind of outfit! I'm about to start a full-time job next year and it's pretty relieving knowing I can just transfer most of my blouse collection into my work wardrobe!

Uni has just finished and thanks to everyone who has granted me luck on exams and congratulated me on reaching the end of my law degree! Like I just mentioned, I'm going to be incorporating a lot of blouses into my work wear so I'll probably do a big Gmarket spree sometime and blog about it. The wine red blouse I'm wearing here is from Gmarket as well, and I find that it's my absolute one-stop-shop for reasonably priced, chic and good quality blouses. Can't wait to make my order!

I'm also doing 2 giveaways soon in the spirit of Christmas! I'm so excited to spread the love to all my lovely readers! :)