She Who Loves Shopping

Friday, 10 June 2011

The Friday Fifty Five - fabulous buys for under $55

Friday has a certain air about it. Not only is it the end of the working week, it is the beginning of the weekend (aka freeeedom!)
It's a time for celebration, a time for rejoice, and a time for looking as if you're updating your weekly report, when really you're perusing SWLS for some great fashion finds!
You're sitting at your desk, working out your weekend finances. Champagne budget, check. Dining budget, check. Taxi budget, check. Fashion budget.....oh dear....
Wouldn't it be nice going into the weekend knowing you've made a great purchase, without having to leave your desk or break the bank?
You may not think that $55 can get you much in this fickle fashion world of ours, but think again, because it's Friday Fifty-Five, and Sleuth has gathered an optimum collection of fabulous fashion finds for under fifty-five dollars!
So start shopping and enjoy your weekend knowing your Friday was well 'spent'!

Happy Shopping! x

Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Half Moon Mini Bag AUD $50.13 - BUY HERE

ASOS Pyramid Metal Tip Clutch AUD $30.83 - BUY HERE

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dash Dot Jersey Scarf on sale for AUD $39.53 - BUY HERE

TOPSHOP Blue Suede Fish Scale Pattern Clutch Bag USD $36 - BUY HERE

Vanessa Mooney Pyrite Cube Bracelet AUD $52.98 - BUY HERE

House of Harlow 1960 Pave Stargazer Earrings AUD $29.43 - BUY HERE

ASOS Retro Style Oversized Watch $51.38 - BUY HERE

R&Em Handbag on sale for AUD $53.40 - BUY HERE

Swarovski Crystal Black Shoe Charm - USD $50 - BUY HERE

ASOS Backlash Tube Mini Skirt on sale for AUD $23.98 - BUY HERE

What every Shopista needs! Rebecca Minkoff Allowance Purse AUD $54.06 - BUY HERE

River Island Lock Detail Waist Belt AUD $42.81 - BUY HERE

Sleuth is just imaging this with a sexy black cami and black silk cigarette pants - tres bien!

Tavik Swimwear French Cover Up Top AUD $46.69 - BUY HERE

ASOS Mix Frame Cats Eye Sunglasses AUD $20.55 - BUY HERE

Cheap Monday Strappy Asymmetrical Dress AUD $49.66 - BUY HERE

ASOS Portfolio Envelope Clutch AUD $34.25 - BUY HERE

Noir Jewelry Spike Ring Set AUD $43.16 - BUY HERE

French Connection Wavey Davey Jute Animal Tote Bag AUD $38.68 - BUY HERE

Patterson J. Kincaid Rustic Stripe Dawn Tank AUD $48.06 - BUY HERE

ASOS Turnlock Satchel AUD $34.25 - BUY HERE

Yarnz Fishbone Print Linen Scarf on sale for AUD $51.40 - BUY HERE

River Island Floral Raffia Bag AUD $51.38 - BUY HERE

Juicy Couture Pyramid & Cubic Zirconia Studs AUD $47.18 - BUY HERE

This Coral Cutaway Strap Top by TOPSHOP will look fab layered for winter, then even better once the sun comes back out to play! USD $50 - BUY HERE

Sportsgirl Graphic Cuff AUD $29.95 - BUY HERE

ASOS Frame Coin Purse AUD $13.70 - BUY HERE

ASOS Pocket Court Shoe AUD $42.81 - BUY HERE

ASOS Feather Clutch Bag AUD $42.81 - BUY HERE

Kenneth Jay Lane Bamboo Hoop Earrings AUD $39.24 - BUY HERE

TOPSHOP Woven Twist Lock Purse USD $28 - BUY HERE

TOPSHOP Vibrant Jade Ballet Flats USD $32 - BUY HERE

Club Monaco Semi Precious Ring AUD $48.17 - BUY HERE

TOPSHOP Nude Scallop Front Clasp Purse USD $15 - BUY HERE

Swarovski Bow Charm USD $40 - BUY HERE

Black Leather Contrast Stitch Satchel by TOPSHOP USD $55 - BUY HERE

Thursday, 9 June 2011

Getting down with Downton Abbey & the femininity of the 'English Rose'

Being glued to the television every Sunday night to tune into the new pre-war thriller/romance Downton Abbey has reignited Sleuth's love for the decadence of Art Deco pre-war fashion & jewels.
From the turn of the twentieth century, right up to the beginning of the Second World War, there was a romanticism that encapsulated ladies fashion, particularly British aristocratic femmes, who's look helped pen the term of being an 'English Rose'.
There was a real femininity about the way ladies dressed, even if they were more 'modern lasses' who wore shirts and slacks (when riding of course!)
But it was their evening wear and jewellery that really captured the essence of this era. Rather than hide the female form, which had been the trend for centuries before, beautiful form-hugging designs were embraced in beautiful, slinky silks, cut in such away that maintained full modesty, but showed that va va voom of a woman emerging out of the shadow of man, and ready to take on her biggest challenge yet during WW2.
Jewellery was elegant, sophisticated and just plain posh, with pearls, diamonds and intricate beading being the order of the day. Hopefully some Shopistas are even lucky enough to have a grandmother or relative who has kept their amazing vintage pieces, each one a memory from a time before iphones, laptops and 'Made In China'.
And while Sleuth can't be completely sure that generations to come won't be marvelling over hyper-colour underwear and fluoro coloured plastic bling, it can be thought with a fair amount of conviction that the 80's and 90's will certainly not be as cherished as classical fashion eras as seen through the early 1900's up until the world-changing (and fashion changing) Second World War.
So if you too relish in the sophisticated beauty of vintage jewellery, below are some modern pieces infused with the glamour from eras past.

Happy Shopping! x

Some of Sleuth's favourite 'English Rose' character heroines from 1912 through to the late 1930's, all gloriously sophisticated and fabulously fashionable!

From top - Michelle Dockery in Downton Abbey, Keira Knightley in THAT dress in Atonement, Kate Winslet in small budget Indie flick Titanic, and Kristin Scott Thomas in The English Patient.

Fit for dinner with the Duke, this divine Kenneth Jay Lane brooch is a keeper for generations to come USD $238 - BUY HERE

Adriana Orsini Crystal Pave Wide Bracelet AUD $346 - BUY HERE

Stone Set Delicate Stone Ring AUD $10.28 - BUY HERE

Carolee Two Row Pearl Choker USD $60 - BUY HERE

Ceek Square Art Deco clip-on earrings USD $75 - BUY HERE

Sleuth thinks Prince was singing about this number in his hit 'Diamonds and Pearls'! Marjorica 'Ruffle' Pearl & Cubic Zirconia Necklace AUD $687.06 - BUY HERE