Project Ra Ra

Hey everyone!!

I have entered a design competition and I need your help to win.
This would mean so much to me so please 'like' my design on Facebook
http://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152030586240363&set=a.10152028436955363.896618.317816495362&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf&_rdr#!/photo.php?fbid=10152028470340363&id=317816495362&set=a.10152028436955363.896618.317816495362&ref=nf&__user=507264665

Not sure if that link will work so to find it yourself search for the Ra Ra Superstar page on Facebook find the competition post and my entry is number 22, there are some great designs so check it out.

Thanks so much!!!

Online Window Shopping - Boohoo.com

With the invention of online shopping you no longer need to worry what the time is and if tonight is late night trading shopping is a never ending option.

I have been meaning to check this site out for some time Boohoo, I seen many adds for it in my favourite mags but until now I hadn't gotten around to it and I must say it was worth remembering.

With free postage to Australia and sales pages that go on forever I could be up all night just browsing, but would I actually buy from this site?

I have a couple of things I look at before I decide if I site is for browsing or for buying.
First is the cost of the clothing, a lot of overseas sites now have the ability to change the currency so you know exactly what you would be in for,
Second is postage, there isn't much worse than having a cart full of items at bargain prices that you have fallen in love with only to find that the postage would be more than all the clothes combined or even worse they don't ship to your country,
Finally style, are these clothes actually what I would wear? would they suit me? or am I just being won over by the pictures and the price? Often this last point is the hardest to determine, when you physically go shopping you can try things on and then go have a coffee if you still can't decided, although you can't try things on online you can still take some time out to decide if they are really what you want.

This online store ticks all the boxes for me so far (although I haven't gone away to think about anything yet) and here are a few of my favourites to show you what the site is like.

Renee 2 in 1 Belted Dress $24

Sale Item - unfortunately out of my size

Libby Lace Insert Colour Block Dress $40

Bijou Sequin Leggings $16

(Sale Item)

So after leaving it over night I still feel that this site needs more exploring and that those leggings will soon have a new home in my wardrobe, and I haven't even looked at the shoes and accessories!!

Happy Shopping

xx Stacy 

Graduation

So I finally got to attend my graduation ceremony :)!!!

As I have mentioned in previous posts this was a big deal to me as there were a couple of times when I wasn't sure I would ever make it to this day.

When it came to the ceremony I though of it as a great excuse to dress up and look amazing, I had been told a lot of things about what I should wear 'black looks best', 'you'll break your neck if you try to wear those shoes' of course it didn't really bother me what others said. I had already bought my dress (or rather had it bought for me as a graduation present) and I was set on some statement shoes that of course had heels bigger than my feet.

For anyone who is graduating and has no idea what to wear or wants to know if what they have in mind is appropriate I have a couple of tips to help steer you in the right diretion.

Dress or Suit?

In the end what you are wearing underneath the gown can't really be seen during the ceremony so you are best to dress for what you are doing afterwards but this is not to say you can wear your converse, jeans and a tee because people will notice that. If you are planning on buying something new for the occasion (you worked hard so why shouldn't you?) then you might lean towards a suit, graduation generally means you are heading out into the professional world and you may be going to a lot of interviews or already have the job and want to impress people around the office. If you do opt for the suit I recommend that you leave the jacket backstage or with a friend as the lighting can make the stage rather hot, this tip goes for the guys to. 

If on the other hand you want a beautiful cocktail dress to party hard in later make sure it's not going to be a one off wear, too many times I have bought a dress for that one occasion and after it has hung in my wardrobe with all those other dresses to good for every day wear.

Heels or Flats?

For my graduation I actually took two pairs of shoes with me, heels for the ceremony and flats for all the running around before and after. Again there really is no bad choice, except maybe thongs. 

One thing I did find with the shoes I wore was that they were very noticeable (bright pink) so when I was searching through the pages of professional photos I found it very easy to find myself.

So my advice is as long as you are comfortable walking in your shoes it is really up to you, don't let anyone tell you that heels are inappropriate or to much hassle, it's not a long walk from one side of the stage to the other so practice up and down your room at home and you'll be right, plus sky high heels do wonders for shaping your legs so a little bit of discomfort can go a long way.

Accessories and the Rest

I wore some big bling to stand out from the big black robe but again like the rest it is up to what you think suits you and makes you feel the best.

The only area I have any real do's and don'ts for is the hair and make up department.

DO put in some effort, go get it done professionally if you want, it is a big day go spoil yourself.

DON'T go over the top with the make up, yes you will be on a stage but that doesn't mean you need stage make up, most of the photos will be before or after and they will be close ups so you want to be looking your best then, it isn't necessaries for the audience to see your eyelashes.

DO curl or straighten your hair, again take some time style's it because this is a part that isn't covered by the gown.

DON'T spend hours and lots of money on an intricate updo as the motar board (hat) will most likely ruin it wear your hair out or loosely tied up, at the very least remember that you will be wearing a hat so a bun on the top of your head might not work so well.

So when it all comes down to it dress to impress yourself and no one else, make sure you like how you look it's your day you deserve to feel great!

XX Stacy

Also you most likely will get hat hair ^ so be aware of that :)

Strathpine Flea Markets

Candy, Viccy and I had heard many different stories about these markets so we really weren't sure what to expect from them. We were also slightly unsure of the location and with footpaths closed and construction works it took a bit of guessing and a gamble upon whether the tents we could see in the distance were markets stalls or break areas for the workers, but with a bit of luck we found our way.

My style for the day was a definite clash of patterns but matching the colours made it work.
Estimated value $95

• Skirt - Mix Coles
• Shirt - Mix Coles
• Belt - Trade Secret
• Tights - Valley Girl
• Shoes - Famous Footwear
• Sunnies - Mix Coles
• Bracelet - Valley Markets
• Necklace - Birthday Present

Candy was as beautiful as ever with red being her colour of choice for the day.

Estimated value $85

• Skirt - Target
• Shirt - Kmart
• Cardigan - Target
• Tights - Myer
• Boots - Target

Viccy showed off my latest creation (check out how to make it) with a bit of colour blocking as well. Estimated value $120.

• Shirt - SES Fashion
• Skirt - Cotton On
• Tights - SES Fashion
• Shoes - Converse store
• Bag - Cosmetics Plus
• Cloak - Handmade Lace Collections
• Necklace - Valley Markets
• Gloves - Caboolture Markets

The markets were a great size with stalls along the car park and ovals and inside buildings and sheds. The range was just as had been describe on the website that I found these markets, a whole lot of trash and treasure with collectibles to such as crockery and coins but as large as the range was we past over most stalls very quickly. There weren't really any stalls that caught my eye and as nice as all the owners were I didn't come away with any insightful stories or lesson to pass on.

We finished at these markets very early in the day with very limited purchases and on a brighter side very full wallets.

Viccy bought a gold plated bracelet for $8

Candy bought a lovely teapot for $2

And I bought a paper making kit for 50c.

In all we had a good time and there was nothing to complain about but I wouldn't rate these markets very highly especially since they were rather difficult for us to get to.

Thanks for reading :)
XX Stacy

August Adventures

So with the approach of spring (although the weather really doesn't seem to be getting warmer) there is a lot to do this month so many so that I am already having trouble deciding what to do.

This weekend there are some great things happening around Brisbane first up is the Vintage Fair with prizes for the best dressed. For a bit of an outdoor adventure and weekend drive I would suggest Monte Lupo presents Alice located in the tambourine mountains and with inspiration drawn from things such as Alice in wonderland and the wizard of oz this would be a perfect picnic day with a bit of whimsy.

Monte Lupo - Feathers, Fur & Foliage

There are a lot of other things I am looking forward to this month, the Mummy exhibition continues and I have heard that it really is worth seeing, the Queen Street Mall is turning 30 and two of my favorites the Ekka and the Ekka Day Races.

Some of the markets on the cards for this month are the Suitcase Rummage, Eumundi Markets, Eagle Street Markets and back to Rocklea for some more inperation before Viccy and I hold our own stalls in September.

And to wrap it up this month is the Mercedes-Benze Fashion Festival. So I hope that gives you some ideas of what you might fill your weekends with this month I know that I don't have enough days to fit everything in so let me know where you get to and if there is anything that really shouldn't be missed!!

West End Markets

For the third week in a row we rose before the sun to make our way this time to West End. Every week it seems that we are getting up earlier and earlier to make sure we are there to grab the first bargains of the day and this week was no exception as we arrived at 6am when the markets officially open and well before the sun was anywhere to be seen.
The day was not a particularly rainy day but as the markets we were visiting were in Davies Park we decided it was a wise idea to wear gum boots as there would still be muddy patches between the stalls.

With the weather in mind we both chose very colorful outfits to brighten the day and I must say I have never received so many complements for how I looked. My look was very much a fashion blogger meet fluro hippie with an estimated cost of $135.

• Shirt - Trade Secret
• Skirt - Trade Secret
• Tights - Supre
• Boots - Big W
• Belt - Trade Secret
• Earrings - Gift
• Necklace - Handmade
• Cuff - Valley Markets
• Bag -Valley Girl

Victoria was a more subdued colourful with some modern red and black colours but again the gumboots showed her true spirit of love and peace. Her outfit cost around $120.

• Dress - Alley
• Tights - Supre
• Boots - Big W
• Earrings - Valley Markets
• Necklace - Rocklea Markets
• Bag - Rocklea Markets

So the market trip began today with finding a car park as we had chosen to drive, even though it was so early it wasn't an easy task as these markets are very popular, so we ended up parking a couple of streets away in an alley we felt rather unsafe in especially in the dark.

These markets are mainly about the fresh food which was all so amazing and cheap, I wish I had more room in my fridge or some idea of a recipe and I would have bought enough groceries for the week. Victoria however bought a little of the food and did some price comparisons for her upcoming marketing adventure and what she found were some good quality food at very cheap prices.

One of the stalls that caught my eye to begin with was selling candles and candle holders, there were beautiful moulded figures and so many colours, the stall just smelt of honey and the combinations drew us in.

I loved the bowl like holders made of beeswax in every colour and size you could imagine and after being reassured that all the products the man sold were unicorn safe this was my first purchase of the day.

The next stall that I feel in love with was a mix of handmade and new clothes and accessories the lovely girl there made most of the jewelry herself and the cape that i bought from her was one of a kind (I am assuming her name was Renee as the stall and brand was Renee loves Frances)

The rest of the morning was spent wandering around looking at everything the was to be offered and finding as much inspiration for ourselves and our own market stalls as possible. Since we had arrived so early and some stalls had not because of the weather we were finished by 9am and ready for some breakfast (not including the delicious bagels we had at 6am when we arrived). So we made our way to the amazing Paddington not far across the river (north side of course) and decided we would eat while waiting for all the antique and vintage shops to open.

There are so many wonderful shops in Paddington we could have spent all day wandering in and out however I am a bit sad to say our wallets would really have felt it as most of the price tags should weigh a ton with how much is on them. One of my favorite shops was Thousand Island Dressing which has a range of  unique homewares and jewelry.

We then went on to look through almost every store we could find, we skipped the ones that didn't have a lot in them as we have come to realise they are the ones that are generally the most expensive, a give away is when there sale rack out the front is more than you can afford. We looked in Yesterdays Books and Things, St Vinncent De Paul, Retro Metro and their clearance store, Ra Ra Superstar and Hobohemia with a few in between that I can't remember.

These stores were all very inspiring to us with new ways to use old things and combinations of clothing that we would have never dreamed of ourselves. 

I was extremely taken by Ra Ra Superstar and their quirky yet whimsical range of clothing you should really check them out sometime if not in person on their website we really had a fantastic time looking, unfortunately no buying with our budgets but I was completely flattered by the shop lady who said i looked simply fantastic and wanted a photo of my outfit for their site!!

We ended our Paddignton visit sifting through the enormous Antiques shop, there were really too many bargains to mention and it just made me want a house of my own to furnish with anything and probably everything I could find (or afford) in the shop. Most items were very reasonably priced and we could have spent hours looking and not seen everything but as we had already been awake for 8hrs we decided it was time to head home and review our days purchases.

Today not all of our buys came from the markets with some being from shops in Paddington as well.

My collection today was -

• Candle holder $16
• Clock/Poncho $49
• Vest $6
• Owl Statue $20

Total Spend $91

Viccy bought a range of things-

• Sunglasses $40
• Cherries $2.50
• Bread $5
• Chile Plant $3.50
• Flowers $5
• Lantern $9.50

Total Spend $61.50

All in all we had a great morning and I would recommend both the West End markets and a shopping trip to Paddington to anyone who is looking for something fun to do.

Hope you enjoyed!
XX Stacy

Weekend Rituals 3

Well we are doing it again. Early Saturday morning we shall be heading off to the West End/ Davies Park markets to sample a trendy blend of fresh food and fashion.
I am looking forward to getting some fresh produce for a beautiful dinner and some cocktails to sip in the evening while we admire our bargains and blog.