One of the big trends this new season is to wear black and white, especially in a big, bold prints like spots and stripes.

It’s an easy trend to wear – just wear one print item in your everyday outfit. But if you want to have a bit more fun and combine prints, here are a few things you might like to try.

Big spots and small spots.
Ok this blouse actually has STARS on it – but from far, it looks pretty spotty.

And the skirt is actually a dress with blobs on it.

But hey, the craziness that ensues from putting them together is such fun.

Star Print Shirt – YesStyle
Sass and Bide Spot Dress – The Iconic
Nude Heels – ASOS
Neon earrings – Etsy

White on White spots (Or black on black spots)
Most dotty prints are black on white (or white on black). So try finding tops or bottoms with white dots on a sheer white fabric. Or vice versa. Or maybe the dots are embossed on the fabric?

It will create a kind of cool texture (and not clash TOO much) when paired with another bold print.

Spotty top – AL&ALICIA
Stripe jeans – from YesStyle (nice and affordable jeans at $40!!)
Yellow Heels – ASOS

Classic Breton Stripe Top with anything spotty
This one is nice and simple. There’s a good chance that you have a classic stripe top in your wardrobe. Why not try it with some spotty bottoms. A spot pencil skirt. A circle skirt with stars on it.

Or in my case, some silk shorts with palm trees on it – random enough?

Enjoy!!

Stripe top – from Big W
Palm tree shorts – ASOS
Marc Jacobs yellow crossbody bag – Shopbop
Suede heels – Betts

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

I’ve teamed up with Swarovski to bring you all another fabulous giveaway!

The latest Swarovski SS13 Tropical Paradise collection features jewellery in bright, bold and beautiful tropical colours, and cute little creatures like beetles, dragonflies, flamingos (I love these). Do check out their Treasures From Paradise page, where you can cleverly scroll through 32 nice styling outfits and ideas.

We’re giving away this stunning Translucent Beetle Pendant worth $245 (shown above). Scroll down for the details.

Swarovski also sent me a few other pieces (that I picked out) to play with and show off, and here they are…

This is the Toya Necklace. Glittering with oceanic hues of turquoise, light blues and greens, it is clearly inspired by the corals and underwater wonders of the tropics. It definitely made me gasp with delight! I adore its sparkly bling, the weight of it, the colours, and the size of the jewels making the necklace a statement piece indeed.

It went beautifully with my turquoise gown. But I also easily wore it with a black, white, or coral coloured dress.

I’d definitely wear it with a casual white shirt too.

And this is the Triumphal Earrings. So versatile in style, you could wear these babies with anything… and enjoy their big wow factor.

I chose to wear it with a simple white lace dress, emphasising the earring’s romantic yet modern look.

Outfit details:
Turquoise Gown from Birdsnest
Shoes from PeepToe Shoes

White lace dress from Beauties Closet
Shoes from PeepToe Shoes

*WIN a SS13 Swarovski Pendant*
The winner will receive a Swarovski Translucent Beetle Pendant worth $245.
This competition is open to my readers world wide, 16 years or over.

1) Head over to the Swarovski Facebook Page and LIKE the page
2) Email me: swarovski@karencheng.com.au
3) Email Subject: I Have LIKED Swarovski on Facebook
4) Just include your preferred email address so I can contact you if you win!

Please note that by entering this giveaway, you are subscribing to my newsletter.

All entrants will go into a draw, and the winner will be randomly selected and notified via their given email address. You will have 24 hours to reply by email, if not, then a new winner will be randomly selected.

Competition dates: Starts 21 May 2013 – 5 June 2013, 5:00 pm AEDST.

All the best!

Considering that my last two purses have been Oroton purses – and that I own a fancy Oroton umbrella – I guess you can say that I really like their stuff.

Oroton began in 1938, and throughout the 60s and 70s they were well known for their iconic mesh bags and luxury leather goods.

It was only in 2007 when Ana Maria Escobar took on the role of Head Designer, and then a year later, when she became Creative Director… that I started to take notice and see some really exciting stuff happening with the brand and product designs.

Oroton handbags and clutches are now fresh, sleek, sophisticated… with just enough detail and hardware to make them standout without looking too pretentious. I like them a lot! They also moved into sunglasses, jewellery, lingerie, shoes, beauty, fragrances and now apparel.

Their apparel and shoes are a little (ok a lot) out of my price range, but they sure are nice to look at.

The other day, I attended a boutique opening of a brand new Perth Oroton store (on Hay Street, next door to Prada) where they showed off the latest Spring Summer 2013 collection.

Lots of bright pinks, tans and oranges. And lots of lovely details. But each piece still had an overall “classic Oroton feel”.

This bronze clutch caught my eye. A model was holding it and after sneaking a few photographs of it, I asked her if I could inspect it… but I suddenly realised that she might not be a model?? And that I may have just asked a total stranger to hand over her purse?? Thankfully she was a model for the event and I got away with an awkward moment.

Then I saw one of the sales staff wearing this cool zebra print belt.

Hmm, zebra print or leopard print?

Oroton also had some delicious leather jackets and skirts on show.

And I spotted this model wearing a pretty blazer with gold glomesh detail.

Head over to the Oroton website to check out more of the new season collection, or if you’re budget-limited like me, maybe if you want to check out The Outlet section?

If you need a few ideas on how to update your winter wardrobe, why don’t you give these a go.

1) Try Wearing Checks
I picked out this checkered shirt a few months ago and I have been wearing it non stop since – but this is the first time it’s made a debut on my blog!

As its colour is black and white, I find that I can throw it over *anything*, coloured jeans or an animal print skirt or over another print top, for some print on print action.

It’s my best winter buy so far!!

Outfit: Check shirt (from YesStyle), white tee (from CiaoBellaTravel), khaki JBrand jeans (from my-wardrobe.com), wool coat (Witchery old), black boots (from Betts).

2) Try Olive and Khaki Colours
If you’re used to wearing black, white, grey and a neutral palette… khaki is a very easy colour to wear and add to the mix. It’s not too loud or bright and it goes with lots of skin colours.

Whether it’s a khaki jacket, pants or top… you’ll find that it’ll match with lots of things you own and give your wardrobe a fresh rework for the new season.

3) Try a Shirtdress
A shirtdresses might sound scary (voluminous, shapeless and unflattering), but whatever shape or size you are, you have to go TRY one on. You’ll be surprised!

Some tips for finding a great shirtdress – Make sure you wear it with a belt. Go for a neutral colour like black, navy, charcoal or cream. And always try to go for better quality fabric.

Outfit: Shirtdress (AL&ALICIA), jacket (from YesStyle), belt (from Morrison), suede boots (by Tony Bianco at The Iconic).

4) Try a Citrus Coloured Jumper
If you’re like me, you probably own a lot of dark coloured jackets and coats (black, brown, grey, navy or beige). Try adding a splash of colour by layering up with a citrus coloured knit.

A predominant colour in the latest Sass and Bide collection is this electric orange (pictured left), which I have fallen in love with. But it’s a bit out of my budget for this winter, so I will be settling for this –more affordable – knit by Blue Juice, pictured in the middle!

Left to right: Sass and Bide Knit (new season $290), Blue Juice Knit ($89.95) and Ladakh($99.95)

I do have a little treat for my readers!

Special Discount Code for The Iconic

If you shop at The Iconic, I have TWO special discount codes that will save you heaps! Not to mention there is currently a 50% off Selected Sale at The Iconic .

20% off ALL items, minimum spend of $59
Code: ZAN20CM

$10 off ALL items, minimum spend of $49
Code: ZAN10SW

These codes are valid till 10 June 2013. It includes ALL items, including sale items!

Enjoy your weekend!

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

Rugged, slouchy, relaxed… this jacket completely describes my current staple look.

I’m a sucker for the flowing lines of the jacket, mixed up with a whole lot of fleecy warmth and rock and roll leather. It gives a small nod to Rick Owens drapery, which I’m a fan of.

I also love that the jacket is a bit rough on the edges.

This glam grunge look in monochrome is just too easy to put together – a crisp white tee, some faded black jeans, a vintage belt, some leather sneakers, the standout jacket… and a hint of colour from my oxblood Pradas.

Outfit:
Shearling jacket from YesStyle
Black jeans by Nobody
Leather sneakers by 45SEVEN
Vintage belt, thrifted
White tee from Country Road
Sunglasses by Prada (Sunglasses Shop)

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

(This post is sponsored by Berlei)

Berlei have launched a new range of products, called Dig Free Hosiery, which has a seam-free and smoothing waistband, aimed to increase comfort and reduce the lines visible under your clothes.

With the onset of winter, I have thoroughly tested a pair of Dig-Free opaque tights. After wearing them for a few consecutive days, I thought they were really comfortable. The waistband is similar to the top of yoga pants – which is nice. It was not super tight like shapewear, which I find squeezes firmly into my tummy, and after a few hours, I’ve had enough and I want to take them off (especially when I want to eat!).

The seamless waistband felt soft, snug and firm. They looked great and I felt like I could go all day in them.

The Shopping Spree
To celebrate the new range, Berlei is giving away an awesome $1000 Shopping Spree!

They want to know: What is your favourite go-to outfit when you are trying to turn a “bad day” into a “good day”?

For me, a bad day is when I wake up and… my skin is gross, my hair is a disaster, my back aches, I have a headache and well… I just feel like crap. And I haven’t even had breakfast yet.

But a part of me refuses to be defeated. I try to pep myself up. I go through the motions of having a shower and brushing my teeth. I reach for my good moisturizer. I wear my nice undies. I wear my nicest daytime bra. And?

I plan to wear a great outfit.

I reach for the dress that makes me smile. The top that brings the *perfect* amount of sparkle and colour to my complexion. The skirt makes me feel like a million bucks. The pair of jeans hug me in all the right places.

My Go-To Outfit

To explore this idea further, Berlei gave me a bit of spending money ($500!) to put together and style my ideal “go-to outfit”.

I spent about 2 weeks doing “shopping research” – looking endlessly through online shops, lookbooks, catalogues and going instore to little boutiques and big department stores. I like to be very thorough with my shopping and styling… it took me ages, but it was fun!

The biggest question for shopping on a budget… Do I splurge the whole $500 on ONE designer item? Or spend it on 3 or 4 $100 – $150 statement pieces?

I went for the middle ground… and bought 2 fantastic designer items that I could wear and use again and again.

1) Sass & Bide Post No Bills Dress

I adore practically everything that comes from Sass & Bide! I wish I could own everything in their latest and past collections. Not to mention I have serious style envy whenever the designers, Heidi and Sarah, step out dressed head-to-toe in their own clothes. Gah talk about girl style crush!

So when I spotted this dress at $290, down from $490, I knew I found the winner. I *knew* that I would get a huge, fun, fashion buzz whenever I wore that dress. Bad day be gone!

The fabric is gorgeous, flowing silk. The print is bold and quirky. It’s black and white, so it is versatile and I will get a lot of wears out of it. And it has these two petal layers that float and swish around the dress.

But the best thing about it – it can be worn as a dress and a top. Woo hoo!

Paired with leather pants, black heels and statement accessories – wayhey, there you go, I’ve found my perfect go-to outfit :)

2) Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Isabelle Bag

Yup, my second item is a Marc by Marc Jacobs cross body leather bag, in citrus. I’ve been looking for a new, brightly coloured, small bag… just to carry my keys, purse, phone and lippy. And this one was peerfect!!

It is sold at Net-a-Porter, but I bought it from Shopbop, for $184 (down from $230 – because I had a special 20% discount). It pays to shop around!

3) Colette Colour Stone Necklace

And with the spare $26, I also picked up this crazy rainbow bling necklace.

So that was my $500 spent, or as I prefer to think of it, INVESTED, in my wardrobe. But if you win the competition, you get $1000 to spend :)

Enter To Win a $1000 Shopping Spree

The winner will receive a cash prize of $1000 to spend on the wardrobe of their choice.

This competition is open to residents of Australia aged 18 years or over. Sorry everyone else!

1) Email me: berlei@karencheng.com.au
2) Email Subject: Berlei Dig Free Goodness
3) Include your preferred email address so we can contact you if you win!
4) Answer this question: What is your favourite go-to outfit to turn “bad day” into a “good day”?

Answers must be no longer than 150 words.

The winning entry will be selected based on the passion and creativity of the answer provided.

Please read all terms and conditions.

Competition dates: Starts 3rd May 2013 – 24 May 2013, 5:00 pm AEDST.

All the best to everyone!

xxx

I’ve been a long-time fan of fashion label, AL&ALICIA.

I adore their effortlessly gorgeous clothes, the strong boy-meets-girl style and their countless wardrobe staples with fresh details. You’ve probably noticed that I wear and style their items all the time!

I had the pleasure of picking out a few items to review, style and share with my readers… from their latest Spring/Summer 13 collection – La La Land.

The team at AL&ALICIA are also offering my readers a 15% storewide discount, please scroll below for details.

This is the Lolita Shirt. It is lovely, light and sheer, with a short vest layer which suitably covers view of your undergarments.

At first I wasn’t so sure if I would like this top. Maybe a bit too boyish tuxedo like? Too boxy? Maybe too floral? But after pairing it with cropped pants, jeans, and other skirts in my wardrobe, I realised that this was a winner. It brings a fresh, “smart yet feminine” look to my and outfits and I like it :)

I’m wearing this top in a size 0. Shorts and accessories are my own.

Asymmetrical skirts are all the rage for the new season. And this Tuula Skirt featuring a peplum skirt and asymmetrical ends, stands out with a kind of effortless cool.

Its colour is sublte and feminine, its draping is soft, while its tailoring is smart and boyish. The combination of these elements makes this skirt wonderfully unique to wear.

Again, I’m wearing size 0. The top and accessories are my own.

Aaah and lastly, these two dresses are simply lovely.

On the left is the Claire Dress, in the same subtle, gold shimmer fabric as the Tuula Skirt.

This dress has no zips or buttons, you just pop it over your head – I had to cover the makeup on my face with a scarf, so I didn’t get makeup on the collar, but other than that, it was easy and comfortable to wear and it fits very well. The skirt height is perfect for me too.

I’ll be wearing this dress out on a girls-night-out this weekend!

The dress on the right is Talulah Dress, so so so pretty and simple! It has delicate soft colours, feminine florals, yet mixed with boyish details like a high collar and button down pleats.

It is actually made of two layers of sheer material and it feels very nice and soft on my skin.

Do check out all the dresses here and rest of the collection on the website.

Enjoy 15% of regular priced merchandise online at AL&ALICIA.
Simply enter the code “KARENCHENG15″ at the checkout. Valid until 5th May, Sunday (midnight, UTC+8).

Happy shopping!

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

Peep Toe Shoes sent over a few pairs of shoes for me to play with!

They are having their Warehouse Sale with up to 75% off – and then with another extra 30% off.

There’s only a few more days left, so do pop over to take a peek.

These aqua colour heels were $62.30 – down from $249!

They are soo luxurious to wear, I felt like a leggy giraffe (in a good, tall way). And they add a fabulous splash of colour to any outfit.

I thought they went perfectly with my coral and mint dress (from ClubCouture).

This silver pair with a mid wedge heel was also $62.30 – down from $249!

They are lovely, so comfortable and in such a versatile and classic style. I will be keeping this pair as I’m sure I’ll wear it out a lot. I have lots of high heels, but not so many mid-heel shoes.

Here I wore it out on a lunch date with my girlfriend, with my super soft Splendid top (from Shopbop), white Fendi jeans and Diva earrings.

Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

Look what I got! Black wedge sneakers! And they look aaaawesome!

When this style of shoe came out last year, I decided they were not for me.

I tried on a beige pair in the shops – I was wearing denim shorts at the time – and I just felt like I was trying too hard to be a 13 year old :P

Instead I have been happy with wearing my Black Converse Chuck Taylors Hi Tops. I’ve had them for years. They are pretty classic in style, very comfortable to wear and I guess everybody wears them nowadays.

So when my Chucks finally died a few months ago (I wore a hole through the heel, so my socks g0t wet if I stepped in a puddle!), I thought I’d try something different for this coming winter.

I picked these Black Wedge Sneakers up from YesStyle, they are by a Korean designer called Lee Han Na (45SEVEN) and they are much more affordable than those offered by the designer labels – they are on sale at the moment!

They are made from genuine leather, with lovely details, good cushioning, and they feel very comfortable. I can go all day in them, and I hardly notice the height of the heel, because the shoe is all wrapped up, snug around my ankles. If I were to be a bit picky, the join where the soles meet the upper leather, is a bit lumpy at certain parts and it doesn’t create a perfectly smooth line haha.

Basically, this is a great SMART CASUAL shoe that I can wear with my jeans in winter.

They are a really nice change from my leather ankle boots and knee high boots – that I practically live in during winter.

They also go so well with the sporty luxe look that I’m currently loving too (well, they are sneakers after all).

I love that they give me a bit of height too.

And I don’t think I’d go for the beige version, as I still feel that I might be “trying too hard” :)

*I’m a size AUD6 for boots and sneakers, and I chose the Korean shoe size 230mm. And they fit me perfectly!

If you want to look around a bit more, Country Road sells a Suede Wedge Sneaker (pictured left) for $99. But good luck trying to find them your size!

And ASOS sells the Ash Bowie Wedge Trainers (pictured right), which are a bit pricier. I think they sell this style over at Shopbop too.

Anyway, do you think you’re going to embrace the wedge sneaker this winter?!

Ok if you don’t already get their updates, ASOS are having a massive mid season sale on their site, with up to 70% off items.

I recently bought a couple of items that I’m sooo happy with!

You see, I have a wedding to attend in July and I wanted a fun, party dress to wear.

So I bought this PETITE Lasercut Dress, and it’s gorgeous!

The big, flared, circle skirt makes the dress fun and feminine. The red is bold and eye-catching. The laser-cut layer is unique and almost lace-like.

And I love the back of the dress. I’ve fallen in love with backless dresses after wearing this backless Eileen Kirby lace dress to the WA Fashion Awards earlier this year.

I also bought these Pointed Heels, with ankle strap and a mid heel. They have a suede/velvet like fabric and they are nice and affordable for an on-trend shoe, and for those on a budget.

These Jewel Bauble Earrings look so pretty and they would match lots of black outfits. They would also add a bit of sparkle, bling and a touch of colour to any outfit… even a white tee and black jeans?

I didn’t actually buy this Love Moschino Owl Shoulder Bag but I felt that this little style board needed a clutch to complete the outfit, and this one looked like a perfect match :)

Do you have a fancy occasion coming up? What are you wearing?

Hope you find something fabulous!
xx

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

I want to introduce a new online boutique that I have come across, tested out and now recommend :)

Beginning Boutique is a cool online shop that stocks a great selection of dresses, tops and bottoms. They have familiar brands like One Teaspoon, Stylestalker, Finders Keepers – but they mix it up with affordable brands too, so you can also buy a great party dress for $55.

They update their stock often, have heaps of styles and sizes available, have free shipping throughout Australia… and most importantly, their customer service is superb.

I was very impressed with the range of colourful skirts and styles they offered.

So I picked out a Stylestalker Skirt to try out – and it’s gorgeous! I’m a fan of the brand Stylestalker as they have some pretty bold (yet wearable) styles and their basic items always have a cool bit of detail on it that lifts up the whole garment. View the rest of Stylestalker items.

The skirt is pretty versatile and feminine. You can wear the skirt with a white, grey or black top. Or a clashing colour, like yellow?! You can wear it with a flowing, loose top, or a tight fitting body top.

Outfit details: Top by In Good Company, Stylestalker Skirt, Colette Dinnigan x Lovisa necklace from The Iconic, Dorothy Perkins heels.

Unfortunately this particular style is out of stock, but here are a couple of other skirts that I had my eye on. Check out the whole collection of skirts here.

Also the range of dresses is pretty good too. As I said before, the price range is $39 – $179 for a dress. And there are heaps of items on sale that are also listed in the dress section here.

What I like most about the shopping experience at Beginning Boutique, is that when you “view all the dresses”, all the dresses are listed WITH some little boxes that show what sizes are available, so you know straight away whether they have your size.

Most of the time, you have to select your size, then it takes a few seconds to filter, then (sometimes) only 3 or 4 items are listed in that size and – well – that’s a bit boring because you don’t actually get to see the rest of the stuff the shop offers and you don’t feel like you’ve seen a good representation of what the shop has for sale.

Basically it offers you an excellent “window shopping inspiration” experience too haha!

Special Discount Code
Use the code “TENNER” at the checkout and you can enjoy 10% off your order when you spend $70 or over.

Anyway, I hope you like it and hope you enjoy a touch of online shopping.

Enjoy xxx

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

I picked out two new ‘premium’ dresses from online boutique ClubCouture… and oh my goodness, they are just stunning!!

This first dress is the Patterned Banded Bodycon Dress (very Herve Leger!) and it is absolutely gorgeous to wear.

I wore it recently to a launch at Tiffanys where I met Ewan McGregor, so I’ve now started to call it my Ewan dress haha.

It is quite an unusual dress, because if you look closely, the bandages have a print on them. And some nude panels are completely sheer. But the fabric is strong, firm and stretchy, a bit like a corset. So it just hugs you and tucks you in, in all the right places.

It’s unique, eye catching, I adore the neutral colour palette and it looks amazing… I realllly like it :)

As for sizing, I’m wearing a Size UK6 in this dress, and to be honest, it’s a *little tiny bit tight* for what I’m used to. I had to hold my breath in order to zip it up! I’m usually a good standard size and I can pretty much fit anything that is labelled UK6. So if you’re more of an UK8, then I’d choose the UK8 for this dress.

So even though it is a bit tight, the dress is stretchy enough that it feels quite comfortable to wear. I happily wore it for 5 hours one evening. It didn’t ride up my legs, or suffocate me, or pinch me in funny places. It was all good and I totally recommend it to those looking for a sexy dress that’s a bit different.

This dress is the Silk Watercolour Dress. And yes I adore this one too!

Its style is a lot more grown up and sophisticated, with its high neckline and knee length skirt. The fabric is silky and smooth. The print is colourful, vibrant, very pleasing to the eye and looks modern.

It’s not trying to be too fashiony or too look-at-me. It’s just lovely, classy and lady like. I wore it to an evening corporate event and I felt so intelligent, graceful and like I was the first lady or something!

It is perfect for work. Wearing to weddings. Wearing out to day time or night time functions. It’s a very versatile dress.

You can check out their full collection of dresses here (starting prices at $26) or view their Premium Range here (starting prices at $49).

There are a lot of great dresses and good stuff, enjoy!!

xxx

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

I’ve been really enjoying the process of mixing my sporty gear with my luxe gear. Sport has been a big theme in my life this year (so far) and it’s been nice to reflect it in the rest of my wardrobe.

The “sporty luxe” trend is a tricky style to wear. Usually the winning combination is to wear a luxe top, with a sporty style bottom (think jersey skirts and slouchy trousers or shorts) and pop on a blazer to up the look.

Or you can try a sporty/simple style top with some bottoms that are extra special – patterned jeans, sequin skirts, silky tailored trousers.

I picked up yet another jacket win from Korean brand Sarah. A baseball jacket with quilted fabric and leatherette panels. It has a nice and boofy structure, so it’s a bit different to the other jackets I own. It’s wonderfully casual and lightweight too.

When I wear it, I feel like I’m off to coach baseball, and any minute I could jump up and shout STRRRRRR-IIIIKKE!

I’m wearing:

Sarah Bomber jacket from Yesstyle

Sacha Drake White 2-Way Cap Sleeve Top from Ciao Bella Travel.

Snake print jeans from Sportsgirl (Find similar styles here)

Nude patent shoes from ASOS

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

Tee hee, how cute and playful are these cat studs by Marc Jacobs!?

I went a bit crazy at the Shopbop Sale and I picked up a few bits and pieces.

Aaah their sale prices make it close to impossible to resist!

I’ve been thinking that I need to refresh my accessories anyway, as I’ve been wearing the same stuff for months now. I’ve been very attracted to really quirky, but small-sized items.

So these are just perfect :)

Enjoy your weekend everyone xx

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

I’ve always loved the smart lines of a blazer. Added to any outfit, it brings a polished sophistication, which I’m very much drawn to.

What more, I found this gorgeous glitter tweed blazer by Sarah, a popular Korean label. It sparkles and glitters subtly, subdued by the textured tweed. Unlike a full sequin jacket, I think this jacket has *just* enough sparkle for a blazer, without being in-your-face.

I’ve already worn it a few times. And this particular day, I wore it to a meeting in the city. With harem pants, no less.

After that, I went back to my car, slipped off my heels, wiggled out of my pants and then slipped on a tutu skirt haha!

I had another evening event to attend, and with my tutu skirt, I felt much more in the mood to party :)

The days have definitely been getting cooler. I’m a bit sad that summer is leaving so soon. But now it means – hooray – I can start wearing jackets and jeans again.

Outfit 1
Glitter tweed jacket – Sarah via Yesstyle
Black top – Bamboo Body Top from Ciao Bella Travel
Harem pants – Zanthus
Black suede heels – Betts

Outfit 2
Glitter tweed jacket – Sarah via Yesstyle
Black top – Bamboo Body Top from Ciao Bella Travel
Tutu Skirt – Birdsnest Online Fashion
Black suede heels – Betts

I was invited to the glamourous WA Fashion Awards 2013 held at Brookfield Place in Perth City.

I wrote a blog post about my last-minute “wardrobe dilemma” and how online boutique Frockaholics, saved the day!

This year the event welcomed 400 VIP guests to walk the red carpet.

Fashion designers, models, stylists, photographers, makeup artists, fashion business owners, sponsors, and the media… all came together – in their most fashionable attire – to celebrate this year’s most outstanding members of the local industry.

Everyone had gorgeous hair, amazing make up, incredible tans and were sporting statement outfits and hot designer labels.

It was fun to be a part of it and watch the crowd swirl around like a flock of birds.

Photo by Perth Photography

This is Annie, owner of Tu Boutique, and I.

I was wearing a lace dress by Eileen Kirby (from Frockaholics), clutch by PeepToe and shoes by GlamRockShoes.

Annie was wearing a stunning leather and silk gown by The Butcher and The Crow.

This is hot stylist Mikey, and even hotter Lisa of Generics Accessories.

Photo by Miss Mon Bon

This was my sexy back :P

It was such a warm and humid evening, you’d think that having a bare back would count for something? Nope, I was still sweating and glistening like everyone else. Not so sexy.

And here are some of the well-deserved winners and fashion friends that I’m super proud of!

Photo by Stefan Gosatti

Shane Newton (centre) won the Designer For Tomorrow Award – he totally deserved this award for his label Zsadar.  Ange Langton (left) was last year’s winner of Designer For Tomorrow Award, and Greg Caust (right) from the Commonwealth Bank.

Photo by Stefan Gosatti

Alvin Fernandez (Ae’lkemi) won the Most Innovative Designer Award, Teagan Sewell (Sewellery) won the Fine Details Award and Illustrator Pippa McManus won the Creative Edge Award.

I had a great time catching up with fashion friends, doing a whole lot of fashion spotting and celebrating with the winners.

But alas, I couldn’t stay for the drinking, partying and possibly debaucherous fashion activity that went on afterwards. Only kidding. I’m sure everyone just went home by 10pm, it was a school night after all :)

My gorgeous sponsors, Ciao Bella Travel, have asked me to put together my BEST EVER LIST of travel clothes.

This has come at a very appropriate time, because I’m off travelling in a few months time :)

Great travel clothes are really just normal clothes that are:
1) comfortable
2) easy to wash
3) no ironing required
4) a simple style that is versatile for different occasions
5) look great
6) be of good quality
7) AND be reasonably priced for all those things

I don’t travel enough to justify a wardrobe dedicated to travel, but I just love these clothes below because they have proven time and time again to be all of the above.

By the way, Ciao Bella are offering 15% off the ENTIRE SITE to all my readers, please see below for details.

Here goes. These are my Top 4 Travel Clothes…

This dress is the Iris Sleeveless by Sacha Drake. Made from a textured jersey, the fabric of this dress is strong, stretchy, thick and lightweight. I don’t have to iron it. I can roll it up, pop it into my bag, then slip it on and it will still look amazing. The fabric makes the dress feel robust, like I could wear it all day and I won’t ruin it.

The stretchiness makes it fit snug in all the right places. It sits beautifully on the waist and skims over the hips perfectly, the fabric panels slim the body, and it is very comfortable to wear.

The straps are nice and thick so I can wear a normal bra underneath. And the fabric is also thick enough that I can wear my nana knickers and still can’t see any panty lines haha :)

I love the square neckline. I think it looks much more polished and sophisticated than a regular scoop neckline dress (which looks like a casual tank dress).

This style works well for the office, after dinner drinks, or you can wear it to formal occasions like a cocktail party or an evening function.

I’ve also included a close up photograph of the fabric. It’s textured and very lightweight.

It is definitely one of the Top 10 Dresses in my wardrobe!

(I am wearing the size 8 dress size.)

Next is this 2 Way Cap Sleeve Top by Sacha Drake.

It retails for $99, but with a 15% discount it will be $84.15, which is a bargain for such a luxe top. It’s by Sacha Drake, so you can be sure that the quality of the fabric is top notch – soft, stretchy,  strong, smooth and pill resistant.

Wear it as a regular scoop neck top or turn it around to wear it as a boat neck top.

It’s so simple and versatile. Wear it with jeans, pants and a blazer, a pencil skirt, a floral skirt, a mini skirt and a statement necklace, a maxi skirt and a scarf, shorts, bermudas… the list is endless.

(I’m wearing size 8 here.)

Ok you can’t get anymore basic than this. A black 3/4 sleeve top, called the Bamboo Body Above Elbow Scoop.

If you don’t own one… quick, go get one now! This one is $49.95 ($42.45 with the discount) and it is made from organic bamboo viscose and organic cotton. Environmentally friendly material that is soft, strong and smooth. It is lovely to wear, as it feels luxurious – I can’t believe it costs under $50.

Plus it actually stays in shape after a few washes.

The tummy area of this top is a little loose. It falls nicely and it doesn’t cling tightly to your tummy, which is fab :)

What I love about the classic black top, is that I can wear it on it’s own in summer. And during the winter, it also gets worn a lot, layered under my cardigans, jumpers and jackets.

Perfect for travelling.

(I’m wearing a size XS top.)

Lastly, these are luxe Bamboo Body 3/4 Leggings.

They are made from gorgeously soft organic bamboo, organic cotton and a touch of spandex. These sit nicely on my waist and hips, and fit in a “relaxed and comfortable” kind of way…  because they don’t squeeze tightly and cling, like regular active wear leggings.

So far they don’t seem to pill either.

They are so comfy, breathable and luxe, that I just wear them all day, to the gym and then slouching around the house.

(Ok sorry, my photos are a bit misleading. I don’t actually go to the gym and slouch around the house with fabulous hair :P)

The 3/4 length and the full length leggings are both $49.95, but on sale they are $42.45.

(These leggings are size XS.)

Enjoy 15% off everything on Ciao Bella Travel for all my readers!

Enter the code KARENCHENG (with no spaces) to receive 15% OFF the entire website from 19th March – 6th of April.

Happy shopping!

xxx

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

Fashion Valet is a huge online store (think ASOS) based in Malaysia, that offers customers everything from clothes, accessories, beauty, shoes, handbags, designer collaborations and soon to be launched – kids and maternity wear.

If you’re looking for something a bit different to all the mass marketed global brands out there, do check this site out… especially their dresses, skirts and necklaces section.

As for me, I picked out these 2 fab dresses…

A bustier, Sara studded dress with satiny drapes by LUVELUXE.

How great is this dress?! It looks good, fits well, and is really affordable. It has a really nice balance of sexy and classy, which I really like.

I like the shape of the bustier too, which is called a “sweetheart shape” as the top looks like a love heart. Usually this shape looks very feminine and pretty, but it is balanced off by the tough, square studs, corset-like trim and the black satin shine (that has a certain leather look).

Spikes and studs are BIG in this new season. Wear them on your shoulders, your shoes, your wrist, your hat. Or bust?

I wore this dress out the other night. No jacket, no coat, no vest.

Just me, the dress, some earrings and a pair of shoes. Oh how I love being on rooftop bars, sitting outside in the warm evenings. I’m going to miss dining outside when the weather changes.

I also wore this dress out the other week, to a fancy lunch date with some girlfriends.

It is the Satin Dress in Flower Creme by Spotlight (a Malaysian label) but I think this particular design is sold out now. There’s another darker version here.

It’s an easy-to-throw-on, stylish-looking print dress to wear during the day. It’s also a super affordable dress at $30. The material is thin and light, perfect for the warm weather.

I wore it with a belt around my waist, hitched it up a bit and it looked like a playsuit. Bonus :)

Happy browsing or shopping!

xxx

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

Sven Tan and Kane Tan, both former designers at internationally successful, Singaporean label Alldressedup, have recently launched their new label, In Good Company.

Rather than follow catwalk trends, the label focuses on delivering affordable, modern classics with a twist and quality basics to fashion lovers. Their direction is understated style, effortless chic, with fluid and feminine shapes.

I was given the pleasure of sampling a few items (that I chose) from their very first capsule. And yes, I was very excited because I have been a huge fan the duo’s past work.

They also have kindly offered my readers a special discount code, so please scroll down for the details.

This is the GAIA Peep Shoulder Dress, described as a “modern approach to the quintessential sundress for the city girl.”

Firstly, I don’t usually wear plain black dresses anymore. Secondly, I don’t usually wear shapeless dresses (with no waist).

But OH MY, I looooved this dress. I felt sexy, effortless, exotic, and like I wasn’t trying too hard and just being myself.

The off-shoulder ruffles and the shoe-string straps make this dress sexy. But it was brilliantly balanced out by the shapeless cut and the light (but robust) material.

This is definitely one of my Top 10 favourite dresses. And I can’t believe how affordable it is.

This is the CHIANTI Strappy Camisole.

Again this top feels effortlessly stylish, with a touch of sexiness and a little twist to the classic camisole (the shoe string straps do a criss-cross at the back). I really liked it.

The material feels deliciously fluid and thick enough to not be see-through. There is a bit of elastic at the back, so it is comfortable and easy to wear. And the neckline is high enough (and sits on your chest nicely) that it won’t “fall open” if you bend over.

I think this top is perfect as part of a working wardrobe, worn with a blazer, tailored pants, or a pencil skirt.

It’s a very nice and luxe basic to own… and will go with lots of things in my wardrobe (formal and casual).

This is the HANNAH Camisole Top, another luxe staple.

Aaah, the fabric of this top is really lovely. It feels like soft, light, silky suede. The shoe-string straps are gorgeously unique. And it really does ooze casual-cool chic.

I paired it with some leather jeans and hehe, I was in fashion outfit heaven – totally effortless, understated and yet so stylish.

I’m so so happy with these items from In Good Company. I’m pinching myself that I get to keep them and have them as part of my everyday wardrobe. Now I’m pouring through the rest of the website (again!) to see if there are any other pieces that might purchase for myself – because I’m a die hard fan now.

AND LASTLY.

The other reason I’ve fallen for this brand…

If you happen to have a stylish little girl in tow, check out In Good Company’s Mini Me Capsule!

(These dresses and tops are the miniature versions of the dresses/tops I tried on!)

One-third of their collections feature both ‘mini-me’ versions of its key looks – for girls aged from 3 to 8 years of age.

Oh how I wish I had a girl!!

*SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE*

In Good Company have kindly offered all my readers $10 OFF the cost of shipping. Please use the code “fashion&life” in the discount code box at the checkout.

Do check out the rest of their collection!

They also sell shoes, accessories and special edition accessories born from artist and designer collaborations. Prices start from $89 for tops, $89 for shorts, $109 for pants, $179 for dresses and $39 for accessories.

(By the way, for sizing… I’m wearing the size XS for all garments and I’m usually a size AUS6/UK6.)

Happy shopping!

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.

The lovely team from online boutique, LOEF, gave me the opportunity to pick out a few items from their new collection to feature on my blog.

I chose some good looking WHITE items, that would freshen up anyone’s existing wardrobe.

1) Simple lace dress.

This dress is a fantastic little, lace dress… especially for its price.

It’s made from a thick cotton jersey, with a layer of crochet-lace over the top. Because the material is slightly thick, it feels very secure, comfortable and stretchy. So it’s easy to move around in, sit down in and it doesn’t feel tight or restricting.

It is slightly padded at the bust and is slightly elasticised at the back – so it doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall off you if you breathe in!

For a very casual weekend look, you can throw over a denim shirt, wear a straw hat and some tan sandals. Or as I have in the photos, wear it plain, but glammed up with a faux fur coat and statement shoes.

Or team it with some colourful accessories for a fun party look.

2) The White Blazer

This is definitely a must-have item for a modern working girl’s wardrobe. It just smartens up a colourful dress, coloured or patterned pants, or lifts an all-black outfit.

You might have noticed that I wear my white blazer very often – like, here, here and here.

You can buy gorgeous white blazers for $150+, but I have been trying to find one priced $50 – $100 to share on my blog. I have tested 4-5 in that price range (from different online sources), but their quality were bad. They felt very cheap, they were see through, or the fabric was linen-like and really rough on the skin, or the stitching was very poor.

THIS Suede Cotton Blazer is brilliant for SG$36! It is a simple and classic design. It feels lovely and light. It is properly lined, lightly padded at the shoulder. And its fabric and make, has more quality than its price suggests.

The sleeves were a little bit long for me, but I rolled it up twice for the photos above and it still looked great.

Note: I now have 3 white blazers. One waterfall-front blazer from Korea, one classic tuxedo blazer from Bardot and now this LOEF one!

3) Chiffon Waterfall Jacket

This is listed as a Chiffon Blazer, but I think it’s more of a “jacket” or a “chiffon cardigan”.

I think it’s a great little jacket that works well as office wear. Thrown over a shift dress, or a pencil skirt and blouse… it keeps the air conditioning chill off your shoulders and it looks smart and professional (much more than a woolly cardigan).

But I also think it works for casual outfits too, worn over a sun dress, or jeans and a tank top, or your swimwear.

LOEF stocks clothes with a “low and affordable” price point. I won’t say “cheap” because the quality of some of their clothes is actually really good (especially their LOEF Label items) and match the standards of regular high-street stores like Zara, H&M, Forever21.

I can’t vouch for the quality of ALL their stock items, but these items that I have tested and chosen to feature, are excellent for their price. And I will definitely be happy to wear them, mixed up with my high end, high street and vintage/thrifted stuff.

Enjoy your shopping!

xxx

( See all my Daily Outfits here )

…

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Women’s Online Fashion Shopping Guide.