Passion for Fashion Competition

I think it comes with the territory of being a fashion blogger that you're addicted to shopping. Sadly for me basic necessities like food and phone bills often get in the way of my addiction. When I heard about Money Supermarket's competition on the lovely Olivia's blog I knew it was the perfect way to satisfy my shopping itch and not spend a dime. Here are the three outfits I've designed below, if anyone fancies entering it is open internationally (link here) and I would love to see your fantasy outfits in the comments.

Crop River Island £35 / Denim Crop River Island £30 / Maxi Skirt Topshop £20 / Socks Topshop £4 / Boots Topshop £70 / Casio Urban Outfitters £28

Total Spent = £187

Down under it is just cooling off after a long, steamy summer so this outfit is perfect for autumn (or an English spring ;)). I am currently lusting over the entirety of the Rihanna for River Island collection. I've never been a big fan of Rihanna's music but after this collaboration I definitely have a bit of a style crush going on. The turtleneck has a split down the back which I think is a really nice detail and the denim crop is the perfect way to wear denim in the warmer weather. Maxis make an awesome staple year round and the side splits allow everyone to see the most important part of your outfit, the shoes (duh). I have been loving patterned and colourful socks of late and have been snapping them up off eBay left, right and centre. They add a delightful pop of colour to my rather neutral wardrobe. Finally the Casio, once you start wearing a watch regularly you can never go back. I feel slightly naked if I ever forget mine and a Casio is a affordable alternative as Michael Kors wasn't quite within the £200 budget. 

Op Shop Haul Numero Uno

So, if you recall from my last post, our friend Honor visited me in Melbourne last week. Just like Jess and I, Honor also has an acute (acute? Who am I kidding?) addiction to the pleasures of Op and Thrift shopping (yes, I know they're the same thing but us Australian's do prefer Op to Thrift). And with these two facts combined, a haul of this description was inevitable. 

The first five items were found at a Vinnies and Salvos store at Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula during our road trip last week. Honor purchased the over-sized green stripy blouse and high-waisted Levi denim cut-offs while I purchased the pink floral button-up maxi dress, green velvet high necked top and black leather messenger bag. I think the most we paid for any of the items was $7 (for the Levis) and the least was $3 (for the bag). I find some Op shops or Thrift shops price their items too steeply and but these two stores at Mornington were incredibly affordable and quite fruitful. So if you're around that area and love a good successful rummage, head to Mornington's St Vincent de Pauls and Salvation Army stores. 

These last two items were sourced by Honor at Camberwell's Sunday Markets. I knew if I took her she wouldn't be able to help herself. Why, the only reason I've been able to hold back myself is a basic lack of money. The markets are full of vintage and retro clothes, shoes and knick-knacks (and when I say full, I mean full). Honor managed to pick up a bargainous $5 chambray shirt which she had been searching for for quite some time. The cute blouse on the right was picked up for $10 after we walked past it styled on a manikin. She just couldn't resist its pussy-bow-polka-dot charms. 

And thats it for my Wednesday post folks, if you've heard Melbourne/Victoria is a great place to op shop and source vintage/retro treasures, you're hearing it here again. If you're already a fan, give me a heads up on places I'm missing out on.

Erin xx

PS. Sorry about not posting on Sunday. I was baby sitting all weekend and by the time I got home on Sunday evening my brain was unable to conjure up anything even vaguely exciting to tell you.