shopped like I never shopped before

Well I have to admit, the title statement is a lie. I have shopped like that before, just not in a very long time. It has probably been a year since I have bought anything that I didn't really need (around the time I returned from Egypt to find that I had speant way more than I meant to!). But with a pay rise, some pays overlapping and weird tax stuff, I found extra money in my bank account and so I went shopping!

This is what I bought over the weeked:

Pleasure Stay bra

Elle McPherson underpants

Target gumboots

Cue winter coat (actually on lay-by, but their lay-by is only for 3 weeks, so I'll include it in this tally)

Joanne Mercer red boots

Carmen Steffans fabulous 40s heels

Target wall clock

Bras'N'Things undies (I feel I was ripped off here, I asked if the '3 for $20' pants were comfy and wouldn't ride up my bum, and was told that they were really popular because they don't ride up your bum. But the first pair I wore went right up my bum! Cranky!)

Lush buffy bar & bath bomb thing

Big W pump pack for moisturiser (rather than buying the $99 Aesop moisturiser in a pump pack)

Review blue top (totally cute!)

So the only thing I 'need' to buy to complete my 2010 winter wardrobe is some black leather gloves (mine are brown), and I might get some more hats for the season. I'm also waiting on my Dad to acquire me an umbrella from his work, since I'm now walking to work (hence the gum boots).

I think I'm pretty much set for this winter - although I do have to make a few new work dresses, and a fur stole or muff.

So I have relapsed into my Shopaholic ways (I even bought a couple of magazines), but I'm determined not to let it get the better of me, and once I get my Cue coat out of lay-by that will be the end of my naughty shopping ways!

cross-stitch

I have almost finished my Blue Rose cross stitch that I started a couple of weeks ago. I'm very excited and I'm going to make it into a cute little hand bag. I'll post a photo of it once I'm done.

Cross stitch is so cheap and easy to do (well I find it easy, it's just like a puzzle!), so I have decided to do more. On Etsy.com I found this great store, Bella Stitchery, and I have purchased some great "Pin Up" cross stitch patterns to make. One is a BBQ themed one, so I'm planning on working that into an apron, and the others I am planning on working into handbags. I also got a pattern of "Chat Noir" which I'll probably do and frame, or maybe work into a tote bag.

Hopefully I can churn these out fairly quickly and end up selling them on Etsy. There are some other great patterns that I would like to get including a great Rita Hayworth shot, some Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn shots, and some renaissance art and Van Gough patterns as well. It's all very exciting!!

envirosax

This morning I received the first of my 28th Birthday presents, and it was fabulous! One of my friends gave me two "Envirosax" which are great enviro-friendly bags that are very fashionable! I noticed hers the other day, I thought it was a fancy shopping bag from the fancy store we were in, but no! She keeps them with her in her handbag so she can pull them out when required. And they're required more often than not lately with so many stores deciding to charge for bags. Little do they know that their bags often act as a type of mobile advertisement!

Check out www.envirosax.com to get your very own!

They come in great designs and look so much better than these horrible Green Bags.

bad influence

I believe that my boss has become a bad influence on me.

In an effort to find a nice dress to wear to an upcoming Christening she has taken to online shopping, and introduced me to some horrible (read: fabulous) online stores.

Unique Vintage has a range of Vintage inspired clothes from the 20s to the 60s. I have already decided that I will be purchasing a pair of 40s or 50s swimmers (think Marilyn Monroe or Esther Williams).

Mod Cloth has a range of fabulous dresses that are not necessarily vintage inspired, but still very pretty!

Both of these websites have inspired me to shop, and also to make these dresses myself. Some of the dresses are being sold for over $100, but the material would cost less than $50 (depending on the fabric you choose), and so I'm going to attempt to replicate some of the dresses I see online. I have quite a few patterns which I could use, it is just a matter of getting the right fabric and embellishments, and since I'm not actually very creative I will copy the styles on these fabulous websites.

I also think that my sister should purchase a fabulous 1930s inspired gown for her wedding - very Ginger Rogers!

photobooks

I have recently discovered a great new web-service: www.snapfish.com.au. It is a great place where you can make millions of things using your photos. In particular I have used the service to make some Photo books.
I made a soft-cover mini photo book for my Aunty Phyl with photos from my trip to Egypt and Jordan. These books are great because you can use a variety of backgrounds, and write captions for the photos. There are also different layouts you can use to best display your photos. I have also discovered since ordering my first photo book that as a member you receive emails with offers pretty regularly. This means that I just ordered a couple of bigger (8"x8") photo books for $12.95 each, well less really since you get a discount on extra books that you order.
You can also order canvas prints, key rings, coffee mugs, everything. It is tempting to go a little crazy, but I think that could just be because I am a bit of a shopaholic!