The bigger the better!!!

I'm surprised at the fact that there are some people who have not heard of Costco arriving in Melbourne. Where have you been?!

The large American store has taken Melbourne by storm with masses of people spending their weekend inside and others lingering outside suffering from the resulting traffic jams.

I visited the warehouse club (which you have to join as a member to enter just in case you were thinking of waltzing in for a browse) with Mum - she just wanted to see what it was like but we ended up with a lot of stuff! You'll be surprise what you can find in there...

Pre made pizzas too large to fit your fridge, bottles of Nandos sauces, Guitar Heroes, the biggest tubs of shampoo / detergent / body wash - the biggest of everything really.

We bought 40 rolls of toilet paper and 10 boxes of tissues. 60 dinner rolls and tubs of strawberries. Of course much of this had to be shared amongst friends and family. It's quite a good idea to buy in bulk and share. Prices are definitely more competitive than at the supermarkets and just the idea of going in to see all things big and in bulk, is quite exciting.

Costco ...where big is good :)

I've decided it is economically wise to join as a member, shop in bulk and share the cost with your friends and family - especially for items you can't get at markets. This giant is definitely adding a whole lot of competition to Safeway and Coles...About time!

Melbourne Op-Shop Tours

A friend introduced this site to me...and its perfect ladies who want to stay chic and within their budget!

Too good to be true? Check out Melbourne Op Shop Tours.

Most definitely cheap and chic :) I like!

Please share the word xo

Ring-a-ring-a-roses...We all fall down!

Like falling dominoes, the meltdown has made financial markets everywhere about as rosy as a polar bear. With the collapse and absorption of the biggest banks, my Dad asked, “If its no longer safe to put your money in a bank, where is it best to keep it?” I thought under your garden patch, under your mattress or maybe stuffed into the pockets of your coats, boots and heels.

Back when the new season’s designs were on the drawing boards, the world was a better place. But with the new year, a completely different mood and climate was ushered in.

So sweet...(As my brother would say, "Wah wah wee wah")

History suggests that during a recession, hemlines come down and necklines go up. But I don’t feel fashion should be overshadowed by the doom and gloom of the economy. It should offer a sanctuary from the harsh realities of the greed fueled doings of the corporate world. Designers have most definitely served up an escape in their collections. Recent runway shows have been exhibiting all things nice and pleasant to take our minds off all the negative news. While the economic crisis is forecasted to continue into the next year, I hope fashion will keep producing fantastical creations so we feel that at least tomorrow will be better than today.

So as we cross our fingers and wait for things to recover… why not feast your eyes on these pretty things...(all can be found on U-Fhern.com)

Final reminder: Half of profits from February and March sales are going towards the Bush Fire Appeal here in Victoria. Please lend a hand! xo

Firenze

Tiny Dancer

Metallic Jungle

La Perla

When a girl hears the name "La Perla", one thinks of sexy lingerie...

A La Perla advertisement ~ Very sexy indeed.

So you can imagine, I was quite surprised when I spent my allocated shopping time roaming the hosiery department of Isetan in Tokyo looking at La Perla's range of tights (didn't know they had branched out from lingerie).

Japan has massive sales around the start of January, so with "SALE" cutouts hanging from the ceiling, thats all I could think about! I found a beautiful pair of simple black tights with adorable bows at the bottom for AUD$24! What a bargain! And I thought wow, when the Japanese say sale, they really mean sale!

Japanese sale advertisement

Odakyo was another popular shopping destination while I was in Japan and you'll see these adds absolutely everywhere especially in the train stations because they are not just train stations, there are massive shopping malls inside.

You might think that $24 for a pair of tights might be excessive. But for La Perla, its a very good price (in my opinion anyway). So there I was, sneaking my way through the crowds to find the cashier and also to avoid the boys finding me and telling me that my time was over. I paid my "$24" and when the boys came to meet me I happily showed Big Bear my only purchase telling him what a deal I got for the tights. He saw the price tag and said "Uey, I think you missed a zero. Its $240, not $24!"

Big Bear still thinks I'm a fraudulent Accounting graduate but I blame it on the holidays. At the time $1 AUD was equivalent to about 100 Yen and the excitement that I was overcome with being at one of the biggest departments stores, it was quite understandable I couldn't do math properly.

However, I stood there with a bit of a guilty feeling because we'd been good; hunting for cheap meals, staying at business hotels and walking instead of taking taxis. But I've worn the same tights in Tokyo, Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing through the coldest weather I've experienced and they have most definitely been worth the price! Sometimes it is better to spend that much more for something that will last for more seasons than one. I have my La Perla tights tucked away in the closet, but they'll be the first thing that I'll be bringing out when the temperature falls.

So if you do shop during these difficult times, make sure your purchases are smart investments instead of fast fashion buys!

Your wish is my command...

I'm not quite sure why I hadn't heard of the concept Wardrobe Wishes...

To keep it short and sweet, the idea behind it is that by hiring Diana (a wardrobe consultant), she can share her expertise and de-clutter your wardrobe so that all your staple and favourite pieces are within reach. We only wear 20% of what we own and WW will assist in organising and maintaining your wardrobe so that you can be more efficient when searching for outfits. Unused items of clients will go towards St Vincent de Paul to be resold or rationed to families in need. 

Once your wardrobe has been sorted, a personal shopping service is also offered to fill in the gaps of your new wardrobe and Diana will teach you smart shopping tips that fit your budget and also ensure that your purchases will last for more than a season. 

I can imagine the price tag on this service to be quite high given you'll be recruiting a professional shopper with a decade of experience in the industry and abroad. But I shall keep this wonderful concept in mind for when I climb the corporate ladder and earn super big bucks (if the day will ever come), but no harm dreaming :)

Note 1: Initial consultation is free, so I just might be inquisitive and ask. Will keep you posted if I do.

Note 2: I once helped a friend who just moved homes to unpack his clothes. I was so impressed after two hours of handling, sorting and re-arranging but when I revealed to him his brand new closet he just looked at me and said, "Omgosh how am I going to find anything? Why are my jerseys all over the place!?" I said, "But it's all colour co-ordinated!" He appreciated the effort but I definitely would not consider a career in wardrobe consulting. At least you could tell there was a touch of girliness in there :)

The Shopaholic's Diet

Does this scene look oddly familiar?

As I was running towards the escalators to my platform, I managed to grab a copy of Mx before boarding my train. I came across an article (quite hard to miss really since there is a full page photo of Isla Fisher carrying shopping bags) and I thought I had to include it in a post. 

A 10 step recovery program for the shopaholic:

$1: Keep a shopping diary. Whenever you make a purchase, note down how you feel and you'll start noticing a trend - maybe you can occupy that feeling with another activity. Recording also lets you keep track of how much you spend and what on. I started doing it this year and just to avoid writing it down (and of course, avoiding the feeling of guilt), I end up not buying it.

$2: Clean out your closet. You'll have more than you think and you'll probably find two very similar things!

$3: Get yourself started on a shopping detox. Avoid the shopping strip and the malls. As with any addiction, you might feel lost at first but you'll find time to do other things.

$4: Write a list of simple things you like doing like calling a friend, giving yourself a facial or having a warm bubble bath. Whenever you feel like shopping, pick something on the list to do instead. It'll do less damage to your wallet and you'll feel better after it too.

$5: Take up a new hobby that does not involve shopping. I keep busy with jewellery making and I can spend any day indoors even when its beach weather outside.

$6: Don't impose a complete ban because if you allow yourself indulge once in a while, you won't feel the pain as much every time you walk past a store. Just make sure its reasonable. E.g.: Let yourself go shopping once a month but set yourself a budget.

$7: Before you enter, think whether your potential purchases are a need or a want. And think will you use it more than once? Quite often we'll find things that look pretty at first sight but aren't all that practical.

$8: Use cash only when shopping. You'll be more aware of how much you spend if you have to dig out your wallet and count cash compared to just swiping and signing.

$9: Make a list of what you need to buy and stick to it.

$10: Bring a non-shopaholic friend shopping (someone who isn't into fashion would be better) because they'll be indifferent to everything you pick out and you'll be doing more walking than purchasing.

Good luck!

Chic & Cheerful

I have always loved shopping (which I can officially declare is a gene I inherited from my Mum) and probably always will. I have learnt that the key to a sizeable savings account is not so much how much you earn, but rather how much you save. As I begin a new chapter in my life and slowly embark on a journey towards financial independence, I’d like to think that with the money I earn, I will have the capacity to do what I want, when I want. And that includes shopping! But to restrain from breaking the bank, I have devised a fewhandy tips to stay reasonably chic during a recession:

Buy a beautiful pair of nude pumps that will carry you through all the seasons. They’re classy and are easy to match with all the au courant trends. I bought these pair of patent beige pumps from Beijing whilst on exchange. They are now a must even on my travels. The snake skin print on the heels give them a funky edge, except Mum once thought I got stuck in the mud wearing them but eventually realized that they were oh-so-pretty.

Please meet Suria. She was purchased on 10 December 2008 and was lost that evening somewhere in Melbourne. If found please return :)

Instead of splurging on the latest runway looks, use accessories to stay on top of trends. Dress up your basic block coloured t-shirt or LBD with a chunky necklace, a massive cocktail ring or over the top earrings ~ One of the reasons I started U-Fhern.com was because I wanted to create exclusive yet affordable jewellery. All pieces have been handmade by moi and there is only one of each design! So there is no chance you’ll see anyone else sporting the same look. Jump onto the site and you might find something special to reward yourself with. For cheaper alternatives, you can hit stores like Diva or Sportsgirl and you’ll find racks of affordable jewellery.

Zac Posen for Target

Want to continue having your doses of designer wear? With many labels having multiple denim lines and big name designers teaming up with retailers, its still possible to in a thriftier manner. It’s fashion’s new edge. Previously recruiting Kate Moss, the new season has Matthew Williamson in store for H&M fans. Locally, we have Allanah Hill spreading some of her romantic designs into Jeans West and Target exhibiting works by the likes of Stella McCartney and Zac Posen. 

There is a Chinese saying Mum often repeats when she finds that after purchasing a cheap good, they turn out to be of poor quality. But I have found that with Australia’s regulations surrounding consumer products, I have not yet (touchwood) encountered any poor quality local products even though the price tags attached are not excessive. Work clothes with a twist from Cue and pretty dresses from Review have allowed me to purchase classic basics and current stylish pieces at a decent price. 

On the topic of decent prices, the most valuable items for work are my Shanghai tailored shirts which I acquired in bulk for a mere AUD$13 each! The tailors are fabulous. They are able to rush last minute alterations and there are so many options offered from beautiful materials, collars, cuffs and embroidery of whatever you like, wherever you like. And if you buy in numbers like my friends and I did, the tailors just might throw in a few cuff links for free!

Recommendation: Mian Liao Shi Chang
Apart from the Xiao Long Bao, Shanghai is also well known for its awesome tailors. Mian Liao Shi Chang is a market filled with tailors who can make dresses, coats, qi paos, suits and shirts. So take your time in choosing a tailor (though I suspect there must be a factory somewhere else, because there is no way these front men can alter a dozen pieces overnight), bring a photo of the design you want or better still, a sample of a shirt you like and want the style copied for instance.