Stuff That I Bought does Birdsnest

If you have been reading this site for any length of time you would know I’m marginally addicted to online shopping. That said, I have had some bad experiences recently with things coming in at the wrong size, wrong shape, fitting wrong or just looking…well…wrong.

I have talked about Australian site Birdsnest before and how awesome they are, so I decided to put the Birdsnest girls to the test. Goodness knows I’m not the most fashionable model on the catwalk, so I enlisted their help to dress me for autumn. They have a fab function on their website where you can shop for your body shape, and as someone with a slightly unusual body shape (5’2” and, um, curvaceous) not everything looks good on me, so any and all guidance is appreciated. Not only are clothes categorised by body type, but they actually style complete looks for you to shop from because they have full time stylists on staff. Genius. It's like fashion for dummies.

They have an incredible all-female team who pick the seasons items, style all the shoots and add a handwritten note into every parcel. Jane, the head bird, started Birdsnest because she is passionate about making women feel good about themselves, and it really shows. I spoke to their stylist Peige and, based on my body shape and a few ‘I like this, I don’t like this’, she sent me a pile of clothes that would be shape and style appropriate. You know what? She nailed it all. All of it. What do you think?



Are you an online shopper? Does the idea of shopping by body shape with fully styled outfits appeal? (this is rhetorical, I know the answer is yes.) I will totally be shopping from Birdsnest in future - they stock a lot of my favourite brands like Staple the Label, Ben Sherman, Blue Juice, Mink Pink, Sass and Wish, and they show me how to wear them.

As an aside, and in the interest of transparency, Birdsnest are letting me keep something from this little experiment. What do you think I should keep? (I guarantee I'll buy most of it anyway.) I'm massively obsessed with the Sass Grace Army Jacket ($109.95), Mink Pink Long Distance Maxi ($59.95) and Therapy Duke boots ($59.95).

Check out Birdsnest.com.au for more autumn fashion inspiration. 

Also, the track used in my clip is Won't Go Quietly by Example. Check out Example's facebook page or you can get his new album on iTunes. 

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Urban Outfitters - the good, the bad and the WTF was I thinking?!

It’s kind of disturbing how much I have bought from Urban Outfitters over the last 4 months. Not all of it was for me (there were, like, two Christmas presents in there) but there were a lot of parcels arriving on my desk. I hate to say this, but not all of it was good. Some of it was bad. In fact, some of it was downright ugly and I have to wonder if I was shopping drunk (it happens sometimes - I know you can relate).

Let me give you a quick peek into some of the stuff that I bought.

The Good
1 - Ecote starburst sandals – $38 – Worn them to death
2 - UO Rhinestone mesh necklace – $34 – Cute, right?
3 - Lomography diana+ mini camera – $39.99 (although now 34.99) – My first lomography camera and I love it! So much fun shooting on film.
4 - Truly Madly Deeply Leopard Cross Dolman Tee – $38 – This shirt is insanely comfortable and I wear it all the time.
5 - Urban Renewal Leather Turban headwrap – $4.99 – Mine is red, not blue, but it’s still just as pretty.

The Bad
1 - Lomography fisheye – $48 – This was a Christmas gift and the flash was broken. Awkward.
2 - Circa 78 wildflower necklace – $17.99 – I love this and I wear it all the time, but it was broken when it arrived and I had to dig out the old jewellery pliers and find a jump ring to repair it. 
3 - Silence and Noise raw silk tee – $54 – I have bought tonnes of Silence and Noise stuff before and it always fits the same, but this has an odd fit and sits really funny. Shame, because the print is gorgeous.
4 - Ecote twist sandal in silver – $14.99 – The sole on the left foot snapped the second time I wore them and it’s now held together with superglue PLUS the toe line sits funny and gives the most godawful blisters.

The Ugly
1 - BB Dakota slouch ankle pant – $26.99 – These look NOTHING like they do in the picture. They are baggy with a really low crotch and seem five sizes too big. Ugh. Such a shame.
2 - BDG Cricket sweatshirt dress – $48 – I wish I looked like the model.
3 - Silence & Noise Multi Chard Print Dress – $39.99 – Drunk shopping?

Hit up Urban Outfitters while the exchange rate is still good!
Pics graciously stolen from the UO website
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Getting my urban on for winter

I went a little nuts a couple of weeks ago when the dollar was so good. I did a huge Urban Outfitters order and wrote a massive list for Victoria’s Secret and Sephora since my Mum was going over. Sadly, by the time my Mum went shopping in LA the dollar had significantly weakened (don’t worry, that didn’t stop her though) but I was far more successful with my exchange rate on my Urban Outfitters order. I love that being seasonally opposite means I can pick up their end of season stuff for a steal.

I bought two dresses, a jacket, a pair of legwarmers and 2 gifts. The jacket was a bust – first time I have been disappointed with UO. They have a range called Urban Renewal that is recycled vintage stuff, and the jacket they sent me was nothing at all like the jacket on the website. If anyone is a size 10-12 and 5’5”+, then have I got the vintage grey tweed blazer for you! Email me. But I digress.

The two dresses kick ass. I have worn the green one half a dozen times already – it’s a sweater dress so it’s warm and it has cute shoulders. The other dress also has cute shoulders but it’s super short so I can’t wear it on days I intend to bend over a lot. It’s an important consideration.

As for the legwarmers...well, I look at them a lot but I’m not sure about wearing them with tights (faux pas?) and it’s too cold for bare legs. This is quite the conundrum. Maybe I can just wear them on my arms?

Price: legwarmers $4.99; green dress $14.99; dot dress $19.99 + shipping (all in USD)
From: Urban Outfitters
Why you need it: At those prices, you’re crazy not to grab some end of season bargains!

Picture credit: All from urbanoutfitters.com

Feathering my birds nest

Yay! I love a good online shopping website. I stumbled across Birdsnest purely by accident, but what a happy accident it was.

Let me take you to Myer, one lunch break last week. It was the moment I fell in love. I spotted the most gorgeous Bluejuice khaki green slouch jacket, with pushed up sleeves, a loose collar and a relaxed feel. Exactly what I never knew I always needed, and I had to have it. Sadly for me, Myer only had size 8 or 14. I fit the 8, except when I tried to move my arms forward. Moment of truth...take the 8 and commit to not moving my arms too much, or track down a 10. I jumped online whilst still standing in Myer (thank you, mobile internet) and found THE jacket in THE size on Birdsnest.

Ten minutes later I was back at my desk, credit card in hand and details in the address field. Ace! If you order by 1pm, they promise to have your order to you the next day; I didn’t get my order in until 2pm so I had to wait 48 hours. Oh the torture! Honestly, 24-48 hour shipping is really damn cool, so respect to the Birdsnest girls.

As well as getting my jacket really quickly, they also included a rewards program card and a really sweet handwritten note complimenting my choice of clothing. This little gesture absolutely made my day because it was so thoughtful, and it’s reassuring to know there are still good people in the world. High five.

Price: Bluejuice jacket: $89.95 + $10.95 postage
From: Birdsnest.com.au
Why you need it: The jacket is the perfect trans-seasonal piece (thumbs up for layering) and the website stocks dozens of big brands. I also love that you can shop by body shape (it even gives you fully styled outfit options!)

Picture credit: Both pictures brazenly stolen from birdsnest.com.au - that's not me wearing the jacket, but I look just as good in it.

Attention Shoppers: Miijo! Sale!

Just a quick heads up that the Miijo sale is on until midnight tomorrow. When you check out, put the code PRESENTS09 in to get 20% off. If you haven't checked out Miijo before, I highly recommend you get amongst it. I have bought my sister some really cool Disney Couture jewellery on there before, and I'm a big fan of Dogeared, One of a Kind, House of Harlow and Ettika. They also have cool clothes, scarves and shoes, but for me it's all about the jewellery. You pay $10 shipping and they are really quick (usually 1-2 working days, depending on whether what you want is in stock). I have just done some Christmas shopping and it will arrive at my desk in a couple of days, all nicely giftwrapped and ready for the big day!

Outfit yourself; look urban

I know I have said this before, but there is nothing greater than receiving a parcel in the post. When you order clothes online though, it is a whole different type of anticipation – excitement mixed in with fear of things not fitting. This feeling is amplified times 100 when you order from the States or the UK and you a) pay a fortune for shipping and b) can’t return it if it isn’t right. This was me last week. I had been lusting over a blazer from Urban Outfitters for weeks and for once in my life I was very restrained and didn’t just rush into the purchase. I must have been sick or something. Two weeks and many page impressions later, I put the credit card details in (and added a few extra things to the cart since I was already paying for shipping) and then...the wait.

Most importantly - thank goodness everything fit!!! I bought the most kick-ass camel Silence & Noise Open Front Blazer, which is going to be one of my summer go-to’s. It has a lovely almost-boyfriend shape to it, and is a versatile colour (even though I am still figuring out what it goes with). I also bought a Silence & Noise Little Brother Blazer in a bright cobalt blue. I have black and navy blazers already so thought I would go for a pop of colour in a fitted, cropped style.
I must have been having a blue moment because I also bought a BDG hammered silk tee in electric blue (or thames blue, as they call it) which creases really really easily. Darn silk. And I bought something else neon blue, but I won’t tell you about it in case it ends up in my sister’s Christmas stocking.

One of the best things about ordering from Urban Outfitters, apart from the super-fast international shipping, is the fact they are so conscious about security. They verify the card on each and every order, either with your bank or with you personally (it involves scanning your drivers license and most recent bill). I give this two very enthusiastic thumbs up because it demonstrates that they care about their customers security, and that can only be a good thing.

Price: They always have stuff on sale – tops starting from US$10 going up to US$100+ for jackets (my camel blazer was US$78) – shipping is US$70
From: Urban Outfitters
Why you need to check out their online store: For cool fashion that you can’t get here!

Picture credit: urbanoutfitters.com

Wrapped up in pink

Is there any greater joy in life than receiving a parcel in the mail? Well, yes, there probably is. But that doesn't mean it isn't super exciting when a package lands on your desk/in your mail box/at the post office. The initial surprise, the anticipation of opening the bag, the delight at pulling out the contents. No matter how big or small the package, I still get shivers of excitement (goodness me that sounded dirty, didn't it?).

So speaking of parcels, I got one today. Woohoo! Victoria's Secret! I bought two bras from Victoria's Secret when I was in San Fran last year and they are the best bras I have ever owned. Naturally after 10 months solid wear it's getting close to replacement time, so I took that gamble and ordered another two online. I figured that since hauling my buns into Myer or BnT here is such a drama because I can never find anything that fits, then I may as well order online from a brand that I know has an exact fit. Plus, the dollar is good at the moment and even with the cost of shipping it is equal to what I would spend on one expensive or two cheaper bras here anyway. Add that to the fact that VS are having huge sales and gift offers; we might not be able to get the free shipping because we are international, but the bargains are worth it and all their summer stock is going for a song right now.

Bonus gift: when you order online they send you a catalogue. Boyfriend loves me even more now!

Price: bras from $20, panties from $5, swimsuits and summer dresses from $15
From: www.victoriassecret.com
Why you need to shop here: Awesomeness! That's about it really. OH! And I bought some amazing body oil spray from here that smells like candy (called Candy, Baby) and it makes me smelled like boiled lollies.

Picture credit: That's me in the picture! I lie - www.victoriassecret.com
It's the Body by Victoria Ipex Full Coverage Bra and it's very comfortable, thank you

I can haz LOLs?

Ok, so you know LOLcats, right? What? you don't? Are you the only person on the internet who doesn't? So many questions!

I Can Has Cheezburger is an internet phenomenon where pictures of cats are given funny captions in broken english. It's a fairly simple formula but it never fails to make me chuckle on a daily basis. Call me simple, but I like cats and the funny things they do. So anyway, Boyfriend and I like to check cheezburger together and we are always talking about the cat we want to buy when we eventually move to a bigger place (grey, boy, smush-face called Gus) so I thought a cheezburger themed gift was appropriate for whatever the last occasion was that we celebrated.

Cut to the ICHC gift shop and a set of LOL-speak magnets. So now our fridge is covered in tiny little broken-english words that make absolutely no sense to anyone who isn't familiar with my cat-caption obsession (Mother:"why is there a magnet that says pew pew pew on your fridge?"). They are also marginally more appropriate than the ZOO Weekly themed words on the fridge at work - when I went to get the milk out this morning, the fridge told me it liked 'brothel dwarf condom sex'. Confronting.

Price: US$11.99 + about $8 shipping
From: LOLmart
Why you need it: to turn all the pictures on your fridge into hilarious memes

Picture credit: LOLmart.com

Click Click

So I have two pretty major addictions. Actually, three. Shopping. Internet. Magazines. Not necessarily in that order, but all three play a pretty major role in my everyday. Quite often I like to combine two of them at a time...shopping online, shopping for magazines, reading about magazines online. And now I can read a magazine about shopping online! Cleo have put out an extension title (one off? periodical?) called Cleo click! If I'm going to be honest, I'm not a huge Cleo girl. Once upon a time I was an avid reader, but these days it isn't relevant to me anymore. When I think of a Cleo reader I imagine hot young things in mini dresses with spray on tans, partying all night and carrying their high heels home at 4am, a time when I am usually asleep. But when this landed on my desk* I was most impressed. Of all the cover lines, only one made me cringe (Gisele-ify your life online), but I guess that was because the cover model is a very gorgeous Gisele, so they are excused.

I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable online shopper and I was blown away by the amount of sites this title has covered. It details everything you would ever want to buy online, plus everything you need to know and (in theory) all the sites are legit so you won't be getting ripped off and having your credit card details and identity stolen. How traumatising.

The most valuable thing in the magazine (in my opinion) is the instructions for ordering online from the States and having it sent to a special US post box which then forwards your parcel on to your home address in Aus. Hello Sephora! I have been looking into this for some time because Sephora don't post internationally, so this was perfect (and well timed, because I have just run out of some things).

You don't need to read the 'how to look like a celebrity' articles, but I truly recommend this mag as a reference guide to buying online, particularly for the holy trinity of fashion, accessories and beauty. I have a feeling that I am going to have a lot more to write about (and a lot more credit card debt) when I am through with all the things I post-it flagged in here.

Price: $7.95
From: Newsagents
Why you need it: So you can experience the joy of shopping online! Pick something out, fire up your card and sit by your mail-box.

*In the interest of full disclosure, I work for the magazine company that publishes Cleo, but I don't have anything to do with that title beyond knowing a couple of the staff members.