It's nearly summer, you guys!

via GIPHY

I'm turning into one of those hideous people who are obsessed with the weather.

But seriously guys, this has gone well beyond a joke. I have stuff I bought back in August that I still haven't had a chance to wear because of this stupid long winter and it's getting me down. Then when by chance it isn't raining and the sun is out, the wind is blowing howling northerlies and making me sneeze.

Anyway, enough whinging (well, I'll stop for your sake).

Here's what I've bought in the month of October. It's my birthday month so obviously treating myself was on the menu.

First off, I hit up ASOS for the first time in ages and nabbed this ONLY boho printed top (now out of stock, soz, but I've had luck stalking returns in the past) for $17 - originally priced at $47.


A sleeveless vest is not an item I'd ever considered wearing in the past, however it's a perfect solution to hide pesky lumps and bumps without adding too much weight or warmth. So I snagged this River Island one also from ASOS.


I've also done it with pants.


In the photo above and the first photo, you can see two more purchases - shoezels!!

A 25% off flash sale saw me scoop up three pairs from Cotton On.

First the Rosie brogues.


Then the Bains cut out boot you can see above.


These polka dot brogues which I love but unfortunately I wore them outside before I decided they really did pinch my toes. Hopefully they will wear in.


Popped into Rivers one lunch time to see what they had going on during a 50% off everything sale. I ended up with two pairs of patterned pants, one work appropes, the other casual. I like lightweight printed pants for summer, being that I'm not so into shorts these days.


On my actual birthday I was chilling on the couch when I saw an email from Crossroads who were also having 50% off all full priced items. I'd been eyeing this Gypsy Embroidered tee for a while . . .


And took a gamble on this blue midi dress. Light dresses for summer are totally on my agenda. (Should it ever get here).


I also got a pair of black capri pants but I hadn't even unfolded them properly before I was like, "ooh girl, no" and folded them straight back up and into their bag for returning.

Browsing KMizzle, I picked up a longline grey marle tee that I am instantly into. My new found love of jeggings means you need shirts long enough to cover your business and this totally does so. I foresee more of the same in my future. Interestingly, this is the only item of clothing I paid full price for all month.

I needed a little something to look smart for a business meeting (GO ME!) so I nicked into Myer the day before and snapped up a Tokito dress that was reduced from $79.95 to $55 with a further 40% off reduced item for $33.

Annoyingly, my routine has been disrupted this last week so I haven't had a chance to get pics of everything as I normally would. You'll see it all eventually, I guess.

Clothes and Shoes
Items acquired: 12
Total original ticket "value": $483.89
Paid: $135.38
YTD Spend: $1,202.31
YTD "Value": $2,357.91

It's been a lean year for accessories but this month I actually have something to report although not many
pics to show for it.

A 2 pack of headbands from Kmart for $4

A pair of $8 sunglasses to replace my good ones that I've lost. Well, when I say "good", I mean "another $8 pair of Kmart sunglasses that I particularly liked the shape of."

I was also gifted a further two pairs of sunglasses from Aloha Eyes. Here's me rocking the Havanas. Stay tuned for a review later down the track!


Accessories
Items acquired: 4
Total original ticket "value": $110.89
Paid: $12
YTD Spend: $77.45
YTD "Value": $893.57

Should the new season ever get here, it might be time to assess your warm weather work wardrobe.

While current spring trends like cold / off the shoulder, boho and chambray might not lend themselves to a corporate office, there's still no reason why you can't look cute without maintaining a professional vibe, depending on how your workplace rolls.

Now me, I love a dress. It's a one-shot, instant outfit that requires little planning besides coordinating footwear and the options available are endless.


1. Atmos&Here Sicily Shirt Dress | The Iconic | $79.95 
2. Atmos&Here Annalisa Two Tone Shift Dress | The Iconic | Was $49.95 now $29.95
3. Wallis Oriental Wrap Dress | The Iconic | $99.95
4. Atmos&Here Talli Twisted Work Dress | The Iconic | $69.95
5. Dorothy Perkins Eyelet Skater Dress | The Iconic | $79.95
6. Wallis Painted Oriental Fit and Flare Dress | The Iconic | $89.95
7. Dorothy Perkins Sleeveless Pencil Dress | The Iconic | $89.95
8. Atmos&Here Beau Ruched Dress | The Iconic | Was $69.95 now $34.98

Now here's the good news. Our friends at The Iconic have hit us up with a mega sale event! Use code EVENT30 at checkout to save on a whole bunch of selected items including those listed above. YAY!! Click to shop! Ends midnight 26 October. No pressure.

Now then, in other news, you may or may not have noticed that I rested Posh Picks for a couple of weeks, mainly because I was a bit busy and it takes a bit of time to get together. Depending on my workload going forward, it may become a fortnightly feature. See how we go.

Have you got anything new for work lately? Is it permanently warm where you are yet?

*****************************************
This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through and purchasing, you don't pay any extra but I do earn a small amount of dosh to put towards my summer work wardrobe, should I ever need it. For more information, please see my PR and Media policy.

So recently I was lucky enough to win this pretty Dessata Detangling Bright Brush Duo in Bronze, thanks to a giveaway at Candy Fairy.


I had been pondering the acquisition of a new brush type product for a little while given the feral state of my current brush and had heard of Dessata's amazing detangling properties on many a beauty blog prior, so I was pretty pleased to win this prize! My weave isn't too bad when it comes to knots, unless I've had it backcombed or curled professionally but I am still mindful of breakage, especially in my current blonde state.

This pack comes with a regular size and a mini / travel size with cap which is perfect for the gym (HAHAHAH LOLS) or a daughter with knot-prone hair who hates having her hair done.

The jazzy appearance of the Dessata Mini was enough to catch her interest and now she even likes brushing her hair herself. Hey, if I can get stakeholder engagement in the process, I'm down for the extra time it takes. A few spritzes of Davroe Tame Detangler (gifted at the Adelaide Bloggers United event) and her wild weave is tamed into one of the four hair styles I offer; piggy tails, ponytail, half pony or bun.


The adult sized brush also glides smoothly through hair and doesn't tug or pull, with the curved shape fitting easily into one's hand. I imagine this would be a great gift for someone who had arthritic hands or joint immobility as it doesn't require the tight grip of a conventional brush handle. The bristles are soft and flexible, suitable for all types of hair including fine and brittle and treated with a special coating that doesn't cause static. It's also very easy to keep clean. Mega wins all round.

Have you used a Dessata brush before? Is it something you'd like to try?

******************************************
As mentioned, I won this gift set in a giveaway and chose to blog about it. For more information on this kind of thing, please see my PR and Media policy.

In lieu of any actual prepared post that I had organised for today, I dug this out of the Rainy Day File, originally prepared for when I was doing Throwback Thursday on a regular basis.

I have always loved me some statement boots, dating back to 1996 when I was the first person to show up in South Australia's Mid North in lace-up knee high boots.

I bought these bad boys online from eBay circa 2006 and wore them repeatedly.

In public.

#soznotsoz


The Burberry-inspired check! The cherries! The sweet bow! The kitten heel! They were amazing!

Okay, by "amazing", I mean cheap-as construction (basically printed cardboard and dubious synthetics) and they were chronically pointy which is not as evident in the pic but very eye-catching. Got lots of comments as you'd expect.

Annoyingly, despite legitimately wearing them out and about, I can't actually seem to find a picture of me in them, which is an unfortunate casualty of life before smart phones.

Or not.

I know the last time I wore them was to my "Pink and Bling" hens day road trip (over jeans, naturally) and I sold them for a remarkable price at a market stall in 2012. Yes, 2012, I kept them that long. Kind of wish they went into the Vault but they would have probably disintegrated by now.

Have you ever worn super lairy shoes? Tell me about them!

Rosehip oil is all the rage these days and, because I am a sucker always up for trying new products, I had already tried another brand previously. I think I lasted all of three days before the strong smell became too much and I gave it away (to a friend who was likewise turned off it). This particular brand smelt so deeply organic, as if I had just crushed up actual rotting rosehips from my garden and smashed them onto my face. Not pleasant.

So when I got the opportunity to trial Natural Instinct’s Rejuvenating Rosehip Oil through Beauty Crew, I was keen to see if another brand might be more workable.


Naturally, the first thing I did when I opened the bottle was have a sniff and I was both relieved and pleased to find the scent was so minimal, I had to take a really big whiff to even get any kind of scent. Already, we’re ahead. The packaging is nice and the scienctific squeezy dropper thing made it easy to distribute the product onto my head.

My skin is pretty normal as far as skin goes and I tend to treat it fairly simply, with a foaming facial cleanser and light gel moisturiser. Anything too rich leads to milia seeds around the eye area so I avoid laying on a lot of skin care and don’t use a night cream.

As directed, I applied to damp skin morning and night. It took a couple of tries to get the right dampness to product ratio in order to get the best massage consistency but once I had it worked out, it was easy and absorbed quickly.

I was looking to reduce the look of pigmentation and lines, primarily on my forehead. Unlike Hot Chocolate, I don’t believe in miracles but I do believe in results. I noticed a definite reduction in pigmentation on the forehead after use and my forehead lines appeared less defined.

On the flip side, I also noticed an increase in milia seeds around the eye area. After a week, I stopped using the product on my cheeks and chin and concentrated on the forehead where I continued to see improvement.

You can use this product as a standalone or under your regular moisturiser, which I was doing. It’s certified organic and full of the kind of antioxidising, omega boosting natural ingredients that should satisfy most organic skincare fans and you can pick up a bottle for just under $20 if the mood takes you.

How do you feel about rosehip oil?

******************************************
This review has also appeared at Beauty Crew. Product kindly gifted as part of the Beauty Crew review program. Please see my PR and Media policy for more information.

So what, I hear you say? It's a wardrobe staple. Who DOESN'T have a denim jacket?


Most of y'all don't know my life's struggles with coats and jackets. Close friends and anyone reading the blog for any length of time might know that whenever spring or autumn rolls around, I become consumed with my need (not want, NEED) of lightweight transeasonal jackets to get me through before bare arm / big coat season kicks in.

There I was, year after year, fruitlessly pulling 12s and 14s off the rack to accommodate my own, as sleeves dangled loosely around my wrists, shoulders sagged and backs puffed out. I came to the decision I simply wasn't a cropped / leather / pleather / blazer / denim jacket person.

That's before I learned a crucial styling tip that changed my life.

THE JACKET DOESN'T NEED TO DO UP.

I know. Revolutionary thinking that opened my world. Earlier this year I bought this pleather / ponte jacket under guidance from Sonia Styling who assessed me as a size 8 at the Katies VIP Styling Night, bless her. If you follow me on Instagram, you're probably sick of seeing it.


Fast forward five months or so and I have worn it repeatedly with a range of things . . . but I started to get greedy. I wanted more options. A lighter, more casual look as Spring loomed on the horizon.

A denim jacket seemed obvious, touted as it is in every blogger style guide, but I just wasn't sure. They always seemed so stiff and bulky, with unforgiving sleeves and stupid pocket placement.

However, I'm nothing if not a tryer and Katies had done me well so I headed back there during their denim sale (all pieces $35, don't mind if I do).

I tried it on in-store, just off the rack, looking into the mirror.

I put it back.

I kept thinking about it.

I went back a day later and tried it on in the change room and sent a picture to my squad for advice.

Opinions were divided based on what I was wearing at the time.

I put it back.

I kept thinking about it.

I went back later that day and picked it up, thinking I could try it on over the weekend with a variety of options and if I still wasn't sure, I'd return it on Monday and no love lost.

After sending more pics to the squad, it was finally declared a keeper, so I present to you the first denim jacket I've owned since the mid 80s.






I'm still yet to try it with pants. I don't think I'm ready for double denim just yet.

Katies denim jacket - $69.95*

Ending midnight tonight, Katies has 50% off all full priced items. GET THERE.

******************************

This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through and purchasing, you don't pay any extra but I earn a small amount of coin to think about my next lightweight jacket purchase. For more information, please see my PR and Media policy.

I'm the first to admit, I had let my brows go far too wack for far too long. I'm not blessed with much in the way of them and I was basically just wacking on some brown eyeshadow with an angled brush and hoping for the best. Here's an old photo so you can see what I'm not working with. Excuse the weird blue eyeliner (choices).

Almost Posh is pleased to have guest contributor Lauren from Teacher Types back on the blog today, talking about jewellery that's perfect for #mumlife; practical AND still cute?! What the what?!



Hi everyone!

You might remember me from such blogger meets ups as this one and this one, the Katies VIP shopping night and this guest post. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again “I’m no fashion blogger” but Beth lets me stop by from time to time so I can dress up and pretend I am ;)

If you're anything like me, in the midst of #mumlife, you'll probably find yourself wearing the same jeans and black tops every day. Bonus points to you if they don’t have any baby grime on them. Forget about wearing your hair down or dangly earrings because that baby on your hip will just grab and hang on for dear life.

So if you want to throw on a necklace to compliment your mum bun so you feel at least a little more presentable you need to consider the fact that babies put EVERYTHING in their mouths. If you want to look a little pretty with some jewellery on, these silicone + wooden bead necklaces are what you need in your life! A non-toxic alternative to costume jewellery (because let’s face it, babies put everything in their mouths!)

Yes, that is baby dribble on my top #mumlife #keepingitreal

I love them so much and wear them all the time I have three of them - green with grey, blue and white, and a dusky pink with grey + wood. Gotta have some different colours to match those different outfits (I mean those different black tops).


You can grab them online from Indera Beads or if you’re an Adelaide local, Mama & Bump and Daisy & Hen also stock them. You’ll also find lots of stalls selling them at events such as the Lollipop markets.

Now if you’ll excuse me I have a to-do list as long as my arm while the little man is sleeping!

How's the weather where you are?

Getting warmer?

That's nice. Really nice.


As I write this, we are still in the clutches of an eternal winter here in Arendelle Adelaide but here I am, doing you a solid with some spring time sales action from Adrift.


I've had it officially with rain. The sun is shining today though and I am more than ready to move into some of these warmer weather pieces!

***************************************
Post contains affiliate links. By clicking through and purchasing, you don't pay any extra but I earn a small amount of coinage to go towards my heating bill. Please see my PR & Media policy for more information.