VEIN Fashion App

There are some terribly clever people in this world. One of them is Brian Ritchie, and he has just developed an app that is a godsend for fashion loving girls everywhere. VEIN is Tinder on steroids, and waaay more fun.

We all know how Tinder works – swipe one way for no, the other for yes, and then go forth, meet the love of your life and life happily ever after. So let’s take that technology, replace boys with clothes, swipe to like and click through to buy. It couldn’t be more simple – or addictive.

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Plus, the app has technology that allows it to learn the style of clothing you like the more you use it. Just imagine the world of possibility and the endless supply of items from ASOS that can feed into VEIN and save you from scrolling through sixty pages of stuff you just don’t care about.Wishlist

Oh, but wait. There’s more. It will also send notifications when the items you have liked GO ON SALE. I KNOW. It couldn’t be any easier to shop from your phone, on public transport or waiting for a friend.Settings1

If fashion is in your blood – or veins –  download this app immediately. Industry heavyweight Patty Huntington is on board, and while I could tell you a whole lot more of the technical cool behind the user friendly design, I think you’ll get more from it if you just have a go. It’s free, and you shop online anyways, so what have you got to lose?

Available for iphone and android now. Tell your friends!

Very Special Kids Sale

It’s an event I look forward to each June and November, and I’m thrilled that it’s happening this Saturday!! The bi-annual Very Special Kids Fashion Sale is on this weekend, Saturday 28 July, and again the sale will be full of bargains and fab finds, all in aid of Very Special Kids.

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You might remember some of the awesome finds from the past – a Jayson Brunsdon dress, Dolce & Gabbana heels, Mimco purses…. so many awesome things to buy FOR LESS THAN $50!! The sale will take place at the Malvern Town Hall, on Glenferrie Road, Malvern from 9am, and a gold coin donation will get you in the door.

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Inside, you will find new clothing from Australian and European retailers – Mens, Womens and childrens – plus shoes and accessories. Jeans are always a top seller, and if you are prepared to go hard, you will find a precious jewel or two among the racks and racks of clothes. A few top tips for making the most of your visit (from my experience!!)

– Go EARLY. The queue starts forming around 8.30am. The early bird gets the worm!
– Wear light, loose fitting clothing, and underwear you are happy to show off. The change rooms are communal, so if you are a bit shy, wear boyleg briefs and a singlet, and try things on over clothes. No one wants you wresting to get your skinny jeans off either, so wear something easy to get in and out of.
– Take a bag that you can wear across the body. Two hands rummaging racks are better than one.
– Take cash. The queue to pay on credit card is always longer than the queue to pay with cash.
– Know your partners/kids clothing sizes before you go, so you are not holding three shirts whilst phoning a friend to check a size.
– If in doubt, grab it. Once you get to the change rooms you can make a decision, but if you leave it on the rack, chances are it was a one off and it’ll be gone.

Very Special Kids Fashion Sale
Above all, have fun and be polite! Everyone is here for a bargain so smile and don’t be afraid to ask that girl with the red dress where she found it. You might just be lucky enough to find another!

Mother’s Day at Uni Hill

Hands up if you know what date it is. Actually, even what DAY OF THE WEEK it is. Most of you probably still think it’s early March, given how quickly the year is flying by, and with the inordinate number of public holidays we have experienced in the past week, you might be shocked to learn its actually the last week of April. Yep, this time next week it will be May. We’ll be halfway through Autumn, people are breaking out coats and umbrellas and the next ‘holiday’ is looming. Mother’s Day.

While not an *actual* holiday, it probably deserves to be, given everything our Mums do for us. Sunday 11 May is a day to show your Mum just how much she means to you, and this is usually done in the form of gifts, or a hastily prepared breakfast in bed. Long lunches with wine and High Teas are also acceptable forms of celebration. Dishes, vacuuming and dusting are all added bonuses that will no doubt get you brownie points long after the wine has run out and the chocolate been consumed.

Sarah Kempson and MumWith my Mum, Anne, on my 30th birthday. Pic thanks to Meagan Harding.

When scouting gifts for Mum, its important to steer clear of any gifts that YOU might benefit from, or that indicate she should be spending more time in the kitchen/laundry/bathroom (unless it’s for a long soak in the tub). It’s best to avoid appliances (especially foot spas!!) and stick with things that are in the realm of ‘she wouldn’t usually buy this for herself’. Now, these things don’t have to be expensive, and Uni Hill Factory Outlets offer a plethora of options to help you on this quest to find THE GIFT that will really make Mum’s day.

Pure Zone and RiversPure Zone throw rug, $35 and Rivers slippers, $18.

A simple throw rug is not only aesthetically pleasing, but Mum can wrap herself up on a cool night, whilst sipping tea (that you made for her!) and watching her favourite TV show (uninterrupted!). Slippers serve a purpose but are made fashionable and fabulous when you find a pair with cute buttons and in multiple colours.

Cotton on, Bonds, TypoBonds briefs, $8 pair; Cotton On tee shirt dress $19; Typo cards 3 for $10.

Maybe your Mum is a bit cool, and some fun briefs from Bonds will suit her to a tee. And speaking of tee’s, Cotton On have some great day to day outfits that can be dressed down for the school run, or frocked up for a night out with the girls (or maybe you want to take her somewhere nice?).

Laura Ashley, Typo, RiversLaura Ashley chair; Typo clock; Rivers scarves; Laura Ashley candles.

Laura Ashley is perfect for homewares and girly bits and bobs – I have to confess I am in LOVE with this chair and may ask Mum to get it for my birthday – and the range of cards at Typo is extensive, so you are sure to find one to suit your Mum’s personality.

Uni Hill Factory Outlets isn’t the monolith that Chadstone is, so it presents a far better option than wandering aimlessly for hours and still ending up with an iron or kettle. You’ll find plenty of options, PLENTY of car parking (this was actually a massive win for me!) and you might even find something for you (like a chair) while you are there.

Most importantly, Mother’s Day is only two weeks away, so don’t leave it til the last minute. Remember how long your mother spent in labour with you and put in at least half that time finding the perfect present for her. Go forth and shop!!

Uni Hill Factory Outlets
2 Janefield Drive Bundoora

 

This post was sponsored by Uni Hill Factory Outlets.

Sugar and Spice and Things I like

So at lunch today I picked up this skirt at Zara. I confess to loving the top as well, but unless I win the lottery, I think my shopping quota for this month is done.

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It’s totally awesome, with pockets, and wonderfully full and fifties fabulous. So me.

And now I want these shoes to go with it. Somebody stop me.

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Zara Flared Studio Skirt, $139
ASOS Holborn Heeled Sandal, $81.67