My name is Sarah and it’s been one week since my last post. As much as I have tried to get in front of a keyboard and screen, the universe has conspired against me and events have stolen me away. So now I am going to binge on posts with a run down of a weeks worth of activity – I promise that just because things are light-on now, January will definitely be worth the wait!

Thursday: The Sartorialist at GPO (www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com)
There are many things a girl will do in heels. Queuing to see a world renowned photographer is one of them. Scott Schumann, style snapper, is currently promoting his book, The Sartorialist, around Melbourne town and made an appearance at the GPO last Thursday evening. Miss F and I frocked up and headed on over to the 6pm event just after five and were greeted with a queue already over 30 ladies long. We joined the fashionable throng and endured the next hour and a half on our tippy toes while waiting for Scott to grace us with his presence. By the time the Sass and Bide ladies had him set up and the queue started to shuffle along, the fashion set were blocking the halls of the GPO and spilling out onto the street on the other side. Miss F had her book signed, over two pages in fact when Mr Schumann underestimated the length of his scrawl. The visit was worth the wait, if not to meet such an icon of the industry but to peek at the outfits of those who had come to meet the man with the eye for style. Everyone was hoping to impress – not one had left one iota of their outfit unplanned. I wore layers, tight belt and high shoes, I didn’t eat most of the day (tight belt wouldn’t let me) and the heels saw me wearing flats for a week but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

After our long wait, wine and sustenance was called for, so Miss F and I ventured out into the city, only to be hit with the freak storm than sent Melbournians running for cover. We dashed through laneways in our heels, avoiding puddles and those annoying 6 inch gaps between canopy’s and made our way to Degraves Street to an Italian restaurant that was at least indoors. The weather was tropical to say the least, balmy even, and made the night one to remember.
www.melbournesgpo.com

Friday: Alexi Freeman at GPO (www.alexifreeman.com)
Friday night saw the end of the working week and what better way to celebrate than with the launch of the Alexi Freeman pop up store at Melbournes GPO? Located on Level 1 opposite Belinda, the store is modern and edgy, and features brilliant art installations by the designer himself. In addition to the gorgeous clothes you will surely want to visit, call in and admire such clever design. Some people really are just that talented! It was truly a pleasure to meet Alexi and celebrate the opening of the store over champagne – the pop up is planned to be in residence at the GPO until at least mid January. Perhaps if we are nice enough to visit often, Alexi will want to stay?

Alexi’s is a Melbourne designer whose current collection consists of 44 dazzling pieces in shades of grey, black, silver and a splash of melon. The fabrics are varied and include mesh, silk, jersey and plaid giving the designs a modern and luxurious edge. Alexi’s designs are fresh and well suited to an Australian summer, as well as being timeless pieces you will be able to wear for seasons to come.

Friday: Onya Magazine Christmas Function at Tjanabi (www.tjanabi.com.au)
As I am sure most of my readers are aware, I began writing for Onya Magazine this year after I got back into writing through this very blog. Friday night was a celebration of everyone’s efforts this year and their inputs to the magazine. Being an online publication, the writers do not sit around in an office all day meeting at the water cooler for a catch up and chatting about last night’s Australian Idol winner – we are fortunate enough to be able to write in bed in the middle of the night or on the beach in the middle of the working week. Great benefits, yes, but it does mean some of didn’t actually get to meet until Friday night! The result was many laughs, great stories and fun had by all.

Of course an Australian publication could only celebrate at a truly Australian restaurant and Tjanabi at Federation Square ticks all the boxes. There was kangaroo, crocodile, duck and calamari supported by outstanding Australian produce and wine. No one went home hungry.

We all look forward to more Onya in 2010, as well as the exciting news that Onya will be a print publication later in the year! Watch this space for more information.
www.onyamagazine.com

Saturday: Retrostar Vintage Sale (www.retrostar.com.au)
I love a bit of vintage. Unique, one-offs finds that are special, have a history or just something you found that looks great. Retrostar, located in the Nicholson Building on Flinders Lane, hosted their once a year, nothing over $10 sale this Saturday just past, and hoards of bargain hunters flocked to Brunswick to find that special something. I headed over around noon and scored several pairs of sunnies and a mens blazer with the most amazing lining I have ever seen. The jacket is ridiculously huge but as my imagination runs away with me I envisage a belted dress of sorts – perhaps a trip to the tailor will assist in putting the ideas in my head into practise.

A bit further down the road is the Savers superstore and my first visit was not disappointing. An orange Howard Showers blazer, Top Shop strappy sandals,  ‘A million little pieces’, book by James Frey and ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (the original!) DVD all for under $25 – a great Saturday shop! Make sure you leave sufficient time if you are visiting – finding the good stuff takes patience!

Saturday: 70s Party
With all the vintage finds on Saturday, I still managed to wear a brand new dress to a 70s party I attended on Saturday night. My bardot maxi dress (as recommended by fellow twitterer @stylemelbourne), was a hit teamed with white oversized
sunnies (thank you RetroStar), white Top Shop sandals (thank you Savers) and gold jewellery. Hippy hair and a laid back attitude all added up to party time! There was fondue (6 types!), salmon mousse and cocktail onions, a best dressed competition and the Nutbush. You have to be happy with a night like that. I wasn’t here first time round for the 70s but I think any of you that were would have had a LOT of fun.

Coming Up:
Tonight I am visiting the Butterfly Club in South Melbourne before the work party circuit begins. The weekend signals the start of the family get togethers before throwing in a few birthdays before Christmas just for good measure. I hope this post has satisfied those missing their Style Emporium fix, I hope you are all enjoying the food the season has to offer and that you all have your Christmas party outfits ready to roll!

Tonight I had a most enjoyable walk home from work. It was especially enjoyable as I didn’t have to be somewhere; I could walk at a snails pace and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. The weather was breezy but strangely balmy; the sky overcast and stormy but the sun shone through. Lot’s of people were walking or biking and enjoying the beautiful summer evening, smiling; laughing; enjoying.

I used to get dropped off at school when I was a kid, and picked up afterwards. In high school, I caught the bus and had barely 400m to walk to my door – which I regularly complained to my mother about. I remember walking home from school one night with a friend – almost 10km – just because we felt like it, yet at University I wouldn’t stay for my lecture if I couldn’t get a car space in the ‘top’ car park – the ‘bottom’ car park (located at the bottom of a huge hill) was a 15 minute walk on an incline and no way was I studying after that. 

It amuses me now that I actually choose to walk rather than drive, or catch a tram, because walking really is one of those things you can do and truly enjoy on a number of levels. You feel good because you are exercising which releases endorphins and makes you happy. You can people watch – ask yourself what that girl is laughing at; who that boy is waving to; why that couple are so much in love. You can appreciate the architecture in Melbourne, the immense number of people with backpacks and ladies wearing runners with business suits.

One of my favourite things to do is to switch off the volume of my ipod and leave in the headphones, listening to the sounds around me – the ding of the trams; the train running overhead at Flinders Street; the girls gossiping waiting for the lights to change. Can you appreciate all these things with your head in a book on the tram, or impatiently tooting in your car in city traffic?

This year has taught me to look for life’s simple pleasures, and a walk is one of them. Whether it is a lap of the lake among the joggers, a stroll to work on a crisp morning or dawdling all the way home, a walk can educate and invigorate. Put your walking shoes on and get out there. Summer is here!

As a beach-going nation, we Aussies are usually appropriately tanned (bottled of course) and ‘sun, sand and surf’ ready on December 1, the official start of the Summer Down Under. On the other side on the world, where the temperature is below 0 and bathers are a distant memory from a season or holiday past, one designer is preparing to show Australia what she is made of with her extraordinary swimwear and resort collections.

Anna Kosturova, Vancouver Canada, was hit with the fashion lightning bolt when she was just 3 years old. Years of dress ups followed, an education in textile technology and taking home the prize at top at several fashion awards before Anna hit on her speciality – handmade swimwear. The hand-crocheted swimwear is designed by Anna herself and created by crochet artisans with many generations of experience. Anna feels that to her, creating swimwear is ‘full circle’: she has a love of the water and a fascination with sea life and the swimwear she creates is an extension of this. ‘Beauty is what I am addicted to’ Anna says, ‘Beauty is what I want to create.’

The current collection evokes the sun-soaked glamour of the beach lifestyle, interpreting a variety of themes including nautical, girly and drop-dead goddess. Anna caters for a wide variety of customers with her range, including the crochet swimwear signature collection, silk tie dye resort collection of cover ups and dresses, essentials – a collection of popular styles from previous seasons, and Anna Kosturova girl for the little lady aged 2 to 14.

With so many styles and designs to choose from, it is hard to go past your favourites so here is a selection of mine to inspire you. Anna is offering free shipping to Australia for December, a very special Christmas present just for the bronzed babes down under, so visit www.annakosturova.com to place your order and be ready for the Boxing Day beach cricket game (or just look fabulous while you sit under the umbrella with your fave fashion bible, watching the cricket match!)

Boatneck Dress with selfbelt and sequin parrot outline, $209

Starlet Maillot one piece sequined and crochet swimsuit, $216

In the true manner of ladies who lunch, last night I was introduced to the sophisticated and truly fabulous Pimms. After an interesting mix up where I thought Pimms was a beer (I am not that uncultured), a catch up with the girls became a delightfully grown up evening that included cucumber, salmon, strawberries and hummus – just not in that order. In honour of this, thought I might include a little history lesson with the recipe – given that I thought Pimms was a beer (seriously, don’t ask), chances are there are a few of you who don’t know about this wonderful beverage either.

So, Pimm’s is a drink, most commonly consumed in Britain, particularly Southern England. It is one of the two staple beverages served at Wimbledon and other events of prestige, it’s alternative being Champagne. I’m told lot’s of older ladies used to enjoy it on a hot summer afternoon at country clubs the world over – very cosmopolitan!

Pimm’s was first produced in 1823, by James Pimm, a farmer’s son from Kent who became the owner of an oyster bar in the City of London. Pimm created the beverage which is a gin-based drink containing quinine and a secret mixture of herbs, as an aid to digestion (sound familiar, Coca-Cola?) and by 1851 the drink was popular enough to go into full scale production.

Enjoy it on a sunny Sunday afternoon on a balcony or in a garden with your girlfriends – be sure to wear something fitting for a garden party or your tennis whites!

Ingredients (serves 4)
• 4 cups ice cubes
• 1 lemon, cut into thin slices
• 160ml Pimm’s No. 1
• 125ml lemonade, chilled
• 125ml ginger ale, chilled
• 1/2 Lebanese cucumber, cut into thin strips

Method
1. Place 1/2 the ice into a 1-litre capacity jug. Add lemon slices. Pour in Pimm’s, followed by lemonade and ginger ale. Stir with a swizzle stick to combine.
2. Divide remaining ice among four tall glasses. Place a piece of cucumber in each glass then fill with cocktail. Serve.

Of course, a drink of this nature needs a fitting array of delicate finger food – we enjoyed salmon on pumpernickel, avocado wrapped prosciutto and an enviable hummus dip, followed by grapes, strawberries and the most divine little chocolates.

Gather your girlfriends and frock up – ladies who lunch is the new black.

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous. “

Coco Chanel

I have been living in the city now for three months. Three months of endless fun, new friends, cocktails and great coffee. And I have loved every single minute of it. Walking to work, trams to the shops, running around the lake and breakfast out on a Sunday. Every single minute. But this weekend I got to enjoy something else and it’s been a while since I got to enjoy this particular thing.

Nothing. I did nothing.

Of staying in on both Friday and Saturday nights, of watching mind numbing TV until you fall asleep, of eating entire blocks of chocolate to the point of feeling ill. Yes, I finally had a weekend, in the city, where I just got to veg out.

The art of doing nothing is actually quite hard to achieve. Getting it right takes patience, perseverance and stamina. You will get sick of your pyjamas and your couch. Keep going and the boredom will pass. The trick is finding something that can hold your attention but not make you think. My choice for this weekend was season 1 of Gossip Girl, a teen angst drama where the hardest thing to comprehend was why my DVD player refused to show it in full colour. Switch to plan B – the laptop, and away we go. 18 episodes of 42 minutes apiece, I put away four on Friday night, accompanied by pizza and chocolate. Yes, I ate the whole block (except the last two pieces, I was ‘full’) but it’s okay because it was fruit and nut. Its ok that this is how I justify it, the nutritional value of a few sultanas totally makes up for the sugar and fat content.

Penguin Vest And Short PJ Set
$36.00 by Penguin at Topshop
Jersey vest with penguin print and matching printed penguin shorts. 100% Cotton. Machine washable.

With pyjamas on I settled in for my night on the couch and before I knew it, it was nearly midnight. I think one’s ability to pass the time without realising it when engaging in such mind numbing activity is directly related to the level of how badly the downtime was needed and mine was surely at an all time high. Ten hours of sleep later I awoke with the knowledge that this particular Saturday, I didn’t have to do anything.

I read lazily for a few hours, I went for a run to counteract the pizza and chocolate from the night before. Then without a second thought it was back to the box. Twelve episodes later (with an intermission for healthy dinner) it was midnight again and time to put the (now addicted to) Gossip Girl away.

Sunday was a different story – I breakfasted by the market (French Toast, divine) at the Red Star Café, I visited a girlfriend for coffee, I went Christmas shopping (very unsuccessful, I only bought a dress for me), I had dinner with my family. I even managed to fit in the last two episodes of Gossip Girl and round out season 1.

It might be some time before I get to practise the art of nothing again, so I made this one count. I feel refreshed, awake and alive – I’m ready to face the festive season with vigour and enthusiasm! Perhaps you should think about engaging in some nothing before the full brunt of Christmas steals your diaries and clogs your mailbox. I can highly recommend Gossip Girl, if that’s your thing, though I have heard good things about True Blood and Mad Men. These two are next on my list. Christmas list that is… I’m sure I will need some more nothing after the season of something.

After my recent internship with a jewellery label, I have newfound respect for everything that goes into the trinkets, bits and bobs we take for granted everyday. Popping on some bangles or a cocktail ring for a big night out or having a loved one do up a necklace for you is what jewellery is all about – pieces that are sentimental through to the fun everyday stuff that is eye catching and as individual as you.

Someone who feels as passionately about jewellery as me is Kate Fryer, owner and founder of Katiebo Jewellery. Recently started out of Perth, Katiebo Jewellery is an online boutique featuring glamorous fashion jewellery and accessories. The best bit? Nothing is over $50. Yep, that’s right, $50. Delivered to your door and lovingly packaged, the aim of Katiebo is to bring affordable bling to all Australian women. With a range including earrings, necklaces, bangles, cuffs, bracelets, fascinators and clutches, everything you could possibly need for your jewellery box and more is here at your fingertips. 

A quick chat with Katiebo founder, Kate, sheds some light on the woman behind the name. Kate is originally from the country and moved to Perth about two and half years ago. After working in the recruitment industry for the past five years, she was made redundant and took this as a sign to look into self employment opportunities. Kate soon established that she was unable to find any businesses that suited her personality, so she took it upon herself to create her own … and Katiebo Jewellery was born. The story behind the name? Katiebo is Kate’s nickname and when she couldn’t think of a name for the new business, called it Katiebo and it stuck. Kate’s vision for the company is to make gorgeous jewellery an affordable part of everyone’s life because everyone deserves to feel glamorous!  Kate tells me she is a very creative soul and that this is reflected in her brand – all her jewellery comes beautifully packaged in black organza bags which makes it look and feel indulgent for the buyer, or receiver of one of these beautiful pieces.

Visit www.katiebo.com.au to explore a myriad of goodies and click on the Specials tab for $10 steals, just in time for Christmas!

Do you remember the film ‘A Mom for Christmas’, with Olivia Newton John? I used to love that film – but it also used to scare the bejesus out of me. The scene where the young girl looks out to the apartment over the garage and see’s Livvy’s deformed body through the window would give me nightmares for days. Yet I still watched it time and time again. Perhaps this was the beginning of my being drawn to enter shops after seeing a mannequin in the window perfectly dressed, even when the previous store has scared the bejesus out of my credit card.
Mannequins come in all shapes and sizes, like actual people (surprising isn’t it!) although I have never seen a headless person (yes, Country Road, people have heads!) or an individual that actually looks like a real lollipop (Lolita, this one is for you).
But an online boutique has taken one of our fave store elements, the mannequin, and made a play on it to create manikinn.com.
Manikinn.com is an Australian online fashion emporium created to give Aussie girls access to contemporary and high quality clothing from Europe and the USA. all with the convenience of online shopping and free shipping with Australia (limited offer). Run out of Sydney, Manikinn welcomes you if you would like to try on the wares (in Sydney of course) and are readily available to assist you.
My favourite piece (current as at 8.30pm, 23/11/09 and subject to change) is the navy balloon skirt. With a plain tee or an embellished singlet and heels, you will paint the town red (or navy) when you wear this little number out. Wear it with a blazer and flats at work to show them who’s boss, leggings underneath at the movies to embrace relaxed effortless chic.

Showing you how important it is to buy quick on this site, I love this fringed tee with silver lettering. Fun and flashy. Divine. Also Sold Out!!

So have a squiz at the site and pick your favourites. Sarahs Style Emporium girls get a discount with the code ‘sarahs’ at the checkout, and with free postage, what more could you want?

Pick up a copy of this weeks Grazia with Nicole Ritchie on the cover – then flip to the back, I’m on the Fashion Jury again!
Page 104 girls and boys. Do you agree with me, or am I being a touch mean to the ladies?

I am posting this article courtesy of Savvy b2b Marketing – I think it is ridiculously brilliant. As a fashionista, and marketeer in my ‘real’ life, I found this article to be particularly clever and accurate. So enjoy – then visit their site to see more of thier insights!

10 Things Fashion Can Teach Us About Marketing
Jamie Wallace – Mon Nov 16, 2009 @ 01:19PM

My inner girlie-girl wanted to come out and play. Here are ten fashion rules reinterpreted for the world of marketing. Let’s test your catwalk savvy.

1. It’s about the whole package: Nothing ruins a great outfit like a pair of bad shoes. Your marketing is only as good as its weakest link. Your kick ass social media campaign will fall flat if it links to a dowdy Web site that hasn’t been updated in over a decade. To create the best impression, you have to integrate and coordinate your marketing across all media.

2. It’s about the details: When you’re putting yourself together, details matter. Combining just the right accessory with a smashing outfit can make a big difference. In marketing, the little things can make a huge impression on your customers. Small niceties, extra special customer care, a highly intuitive ordering process – spit and polishing all these little pieces of your business is well worth the effort.

3. Accentuate your best assets & minimize those trouble spots: No one is perfect. Sometimes the solution is a plunging neckline, sometimes it’s vertical stripes, and sometimes it’s an amazing accessory that diverts attention from a less-than-perfect figure. Know your strengths and weaknesses, and then use them to your best advantage.

4. A knockoff is a knockoff is a knockoff: Nothing shatters the illusion of good taste like an inauthentic piece. Don’t get caught with your knickers down. Never say you’re something you’re not – especially in the land of social media.

5. Just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you should buy it: I know they were a really, really great deal; but that still doesn’t mean that three-inch chartreuse pumps with embossed flames on them are a good idea. Ever. Think hard before shopping for your marketing needs in the bargain basement. You might just get what you paid for.

6. Dress your age: Fashion may be all about fantasy, but there are certain realities that you need to consider. Most people do not want to see women of a certain age (who are not Tina Turner) sporting fringed micro miniskirts. People also shy away from mature companies trying to do the young-and-hip thing. If you are young and hip, go for it, otherwise it’s just sad.

7. Trends are for lemmings: If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you? We hate to admit it, but mom was right. Marketers are notorious for drinking their own Kool-aid and then talking incessantly about the bouquet, palate, and woody undertones. Unless you have a very compelling reason to jump on board, steer clear of bandwagons … and cliffs.

8. Classics are classics for a reason: On the other hand, you should pay close attention to the classics. This isn’t to say you should pull out your ripped sweatshirt and Members Only jackets (please, don’t!). Classics became classics because they work. They keep coming back because savvy fashionistas know how to reinterpret them for the times. Study the “bones” of a perennially successful marketing tactic and then reinvent it using today’s tools and technology.

9. Does this make me look fat? Sometimes, even the most stylish of us can lose sight of what’s working and what’s not. It’s ok to ask for a second opinion. Engage people with fresh perspective (freelancers, your customers, the janitor) to help assess your marketing. Just make sure that you’re prepared to act on the insights they provide – otherwise, you’ll just get a lot of, “Of course not, dear.”

10. Attitude counts: Every true diva knows that it’s not what you’re wearing but how you wear it that really matters. You don’t need to spend a ton of money to look like a million bucks, but you do need to back up your fashion statement by walking the walk. Remember, no matter how fabulous the package looks, it’s got to be able to deliver the goods or the whole thing falls apart. Make that grand entrance, but be sure you’ve got what it takes to wow them in the long term.

http://savvyb2bmarketing.com/blog/entry/345511/10-things-fashion-can-teach-us-about-marketing