Last Friday I was invited by Emily of Tipsy Toes Shoes to speak to her second year fashion students at RMIT about fashion blogging – the good bits, the bad, and the ugly. Emily actually asked me about a month ago if I would be interested, but as life does, time flew and all of a sudden, I needed to pull together a presentation and work out something intelligent to say.

It was suggested I might like to talk for 30 – 45 minutes. All I could think of was how hard having to speak for 5 – 10 mins at uni was and wondering how the hell I was going to entertain a room full of 19 and 20 year olds for nearly an hour. And a ‘room full’ in uni terms? 120 people.

I wrote my presentation – lots of imagery and bullet points, all the words in the notes section, and had a few friends read over it. Whether they were being nice or honest, it passed the test and by Thursday night I was feeling okay about the presentation.

As much as I might have wished that some natural disaster (that didn’t kill anymore) might have hit overnight and prevented me from crossing the city, Em was there to pick me up right on time at 8am and then we were on our way.

I kicked off just after 9am and, surprisingly, managed to present for 45 minutes. As far as I could tell, all the students (who all had Macbooks which automatically made me assume they were on facebook and twitter) paid attention for the whole time and even looked up links when I posted them on the presentation.

Following the presentation, I was thrilled to receive tweets from students thanking me for coming and that it was a great talk. If I can inspire just one person to get creative or follow their passion, then my work here is done.

Thanks to Emily and RMIT (and the students!) for having me in. I’m also available for christenings and ruby wedding anniversaries.

One of the biggest disappointments about being a ‘part-time’ blogger is that sometimes my real job (aka: the one that pays the bills) gets in the way and I just can’t make it to every event I am asked to attend.

Such was the case last week for the Megan Park Spring Summer 2010/2011 launch. To make things worse, I missed Megan’s Autumn Winter launch as it was held during business hours. The poor girl is going to think I don’t like her stuff, which is so ridiculously far from the truth – I mean, have you seen it?

The Megan Park Spring Summer 2010-2011 collection is just lovely. Capturing the relaxed and easy elegance of a sophisticated city hippie (think Nina Proudman), the Megan Park girl moves between bohemian and casual cool – it’s all about prints, colour and jewels.

Every piece is exquisite and reflects Megan’s inspiration – the Australian opal. Even the line of jewellery to accompany the clothes are statement pieces like those not seen before.

Wear them alone or layered for a dramatic effect. I’ve featured a few of my favourites. Brilliant colours and prints to dream about.

http://www.meganpark.co.uk/
1039 High Street, Armadale

One of the best things about living alone is that I always get to do the grocery shopping. Some weeks this does make me mad – there are things I would rather be doing – but it means I get to pick and try the things that shout NEW! at me from the shelves.

This week its Tumbles. Tumbles are new from SunRice and are basically rice puffs in chocolate. Pleasingly simple.

I was sceptical, but they are surpringly good and light enough to be a mid-afternoon snack or after dinner treat.

I can’t eat the crunchy one – they have cornflakes and are not gluten free – but at 50c a bar (currently at Woolworths) they are worth a try.

On a traditionally quiet night in the city, Little Red Pocket was officially opened – Melbourne’s newest spot to sit and sip.

Little Red Pocket has taken up residence in the old Balcony space on Little Collins Street, easily identified from the street by the funky red lighting and the steady stream of people heading up the stairs.

Litte Red Pocket owners Will and Andrew at the launch

The new bar serves cocktails and bar food just like every other nightspot in the city, but the point of difference is that this one is all about Japan, and the Japanese way of doing things is gooooood.

Number One? iPad drink software. Each table has an iPad attached so you don’t have to give up you seat to have your cocktails bought to you.

Yumi Stynes emcee’d the launch, here with geishas Emma and Tina

Number Two? The cocktails are AMAZING. Personal favourite is the Ginger Ninja: house made lemongrass and chilli infused sake, ginger beer, lemon and vanilla. Divine.

Number Three? A tranquil atmosphere, Japanese influenced décor and a place you can enjoy at lunch or afterwork?

Wadaiko Japanese Drummers with Yumi Stynes at the launch event

I’d say that’s three reasons why you should try Little Red Pocket.

Little Red Pocket
422 Little Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
9078 2051
www.littleredpocket.com.au

Open Tues to Thurs 11.30am til midnight and Friday til 3am
Saturday 8pm til 3am
Closed Sunday and Monday

In August 1997, my aunt, who was really more of a big sister, went to Europe. it was the first time anyone in my family had done the Euro thing; she was in her late 20s and it was all very exciting.

I remember the date vividly because she left Australia the day Princess Diana was killed. She was going for 6 weeks, and to me, aged 13, it felt like it would be a lifetime.

But my sadness at missing her was quickly replaced by the prospect of exotic presents from a foreign land. I imagined fabulous and pretty things from Paris and little luxuries from London. 6 weeks couldn’t go fast enough.

We received Cadbury buttons that were not available in Australia. I got earrings that were mismatched – one gold sun and one gold moon. (Not sure I understood at the time why they didn’t match but they were pretty.) Parfum solids from Paris were so grown up, but it was my younger brothers Swiss made Flik Flak watch that I lusted after.

14 years later, I still have that watch. A blue and yellow animated timepiece that I treasure, even though it stopped ticking years ago. I really should replace the battery,

Or perhaps I should upgrade my tastes to something a bit more grown up. The Swiss do wonderful things with watches (and chocolate) and the never-ending love story between SWATCH and Art has inspired famed British fashion photographer Rankin to create eight new watches.

L – R The Limited Edition box set; The three individual (unlimited) styles

Five of these timepieces are presented in the form of a set in their own special packaging, available in a limited and numbered edition of 777 pieces. There are three additional styles sold separately in unlimited editions.

London-based photographer and director Rankin is a very talented man. His work includes portraits of celebrities and he has earned a reputation for creative portraiture, regularly showing in galleries around the world, as well as on billboards and magazine covers. As a director, he has shot music videos for top-selling artists and commercials for global brands.

He isn’t bad to look at either.

www.swatch.com for other SWATCH and Art collaborations.

Perhaps a love of shoes runs in the name.

Sarah Figgins is the founder of ShoeSales.com.au and a fellow fashionista and shoe tragic.

Also nicknamed ‘Imelda’, Sarah launched the site less than a year ago and, since then, ShoeSales.com.au has taken off.

For Spring/Summer 11, ShoeSales.com.au presents a bright, multihued collection with inspiration drawn from colourful Andy Warhol prints. Pink makes a strong presence this fashion season and is the perfect hue for the races.

ShoeSales.com.au SS’11 collection mixes the modern with 1950’s nostalgia and seventies funk. Feminine with a splash of edginess to work the warmer months. It’s retro but with a twist!

Boop $89.95

Miley $89.95

Lili $89.95

These are a few of my favourites. Nautical and 50s inspired treats. I can’t wait for the races!

Reasonable prices, free shipping within a week in Australia (and NZ!) and styling tips to boot? No pun intended.

ShoeSales.com.au – your online love affair.

Spring is just around the corner.
I can’t wait to wear neon brights, pastel shades and ANYTHING OTHER THAN BLACK.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week Launch Event, Tuesday 26 July, 2011

The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, today announced the face and ambassador of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, due to kick off in just five weeks.

Sophie Van Den Akker, of Australia’s Next Top Model fame, is the face the festival and will open and close the evening runway shows.

Dannii Minogue has been named ambassador in a major coup for the festival. With her own clothing line and media interests, Dannii is a brilliant choice to fly the flag for Melbourne on the international fashion scene. Her husband, Kris Smith, is also very fashionable and a Myer ambassador.

Sophie Van Der Akker (Courtesy Herald Sun)

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week showcases the very best in local talent and this year will feature more than 150 individual events.

Highlights of the week include 26 runway shows, 26 workshops, 18 exhibitions, 22 films, 12 parties, 4 markets, 22 special events, 3 seminars and 48 in-store activities.

Featured designers include Rachel Gilbert, Dhini, Gorman, LIFEwithBIRD, Megan Park, Obus, Jack London, Gwendolynne, Thurley, Nevenka, ALPHA60, Kuwaii, Limedrop, Carly Hunter, Alexi Freeman, Aurelio Costarella, Christine, Yeojin Bae and more accessible brands Decjuba, Target and ts 14+.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week runs September 5 til 11. Tickets are on sale now via ticketek. For more information and to subscribe to the newsletter, visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/msfw

Come along for clothing samples; archive pieces; limited edition styles; warehouse sale garments from Paris and Australian collections. Prices start from around $30.

Akira prints are designed by and are exclusive to Akira. Many are inspired by vintage kimono motifs. Textiles have been developed by Akira with craftspeople from around the globe – rich colours and delicate shades with hand embroidery and appliqué; natural fibres – silk organza, silk georgette, linen, wool, cotton, velvet and leather.

BELOW TOP: Long Sleeve Top in multi floral silk tulle was $319, now $100 and Reversible Loose Leggings were $319, now $100

BELOW BOTTOM: Long Cardigan with Kimono Sleeve in silk georgette was $396, now $150 and Tunic with Grosgrain Strap in silk crepe was $341, now $100

Ice Cream, Chocolate, Champagne, Cheese
Fried goods, pastries, cakes – yes please!
Winter sleep ins, comfort foods,
A trip to Paris, many bad moods.

I joined the gym, I lasted a month
6am starts are designed for the tough.
And now it’s July; a stones’ throw from Spring
I tried on my jeans – the button went ping!

I arched and I stretched, I jumped and I wriggled
But alas, not to be, at least round my middle.
The diet starts now – no bread, buns or booze,
For a fashion girl I am, and that’s weight I should lose.

Weight so quick to put on, so hard to remove,
It seems my lifestyle has a whole lot to prove.
Bad diet and lazy has taken its toll
The trip back to skinny jeans – Size 10 is the goal.