The other weekend my husband and I attended the annual Boobalicious Ball – a huge charity fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation of WA.

Now with a name like Boob-a-licious, I must admit, it sounded a bit sleazy and indecent. But it was actually a really fun night out! There were dance performances, catwalk shows, singing, a live band, lots of charity auctions. Everything was enjoyably tasteful and entertaining.

The dress code for the night was “Black Tie and Dazzling Gowns”.

My main problem, was that the all “dazzling gowns” in my wardrobe didn’t fit me because I’m still carrying a bit of extra weight from being pregnant 3 months ago, and my proportions have changed slightly.

I was flapping around for few weeks saying, “Ak! What am I going to wear????”

My husband sighed and said, “Why don’t you just go out and buy something new…..” and I was out the door with my credit card faster than you could say END OF FINANCIAL YEAR SALE.

I made two shopping trips, but grrr, I couldn’t find anything.

And I wasn’t about to spend $250 on a dress that fit me NOW, when I’m planning to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight LATER.

So I put together a two-piece outfit and made something that looked like a simple, black cocktail dress.

I love prancing around in ruffles. It was a great night!

I wore a high-waisted satin ruffle skirt, from Forever New. A black cami from Myer. Metallic bead necklace from Myer. Beige fishnets from Myer. Shoes from Betts.

I found a new online boutique called Gosh Celebrity Fashion, and I contacted them to see if I could review some of their goods.

The shop is packed with a nice variety of dresses, tops and jackets, inspired by celebrity fashion and current looks.

I’m wearing a Strapless Back Zip Dress in a stretchy satin material, which features a sliver zip down the back of the whole dress. It’s very nice indeed. Too bad I had to return it!

I also liked these recent additions: From left, Crystal Jacquard Dress, Flatter me Bandage Dress, and an Angelina Jolie BAFTA Dress.

And these tops were also very yummy! Masquerade Blouse (left) and Rose Silk Top (right).

Overall, GOSH specialises in fast moving celebrity fashion. I was pretty happy with the clothes, and the low to medium price range. And it’s great value for money, if you’re looking for something affordable and a little different.

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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

Little Monsters, an online shop for designer kids and baby clothes, asked me to review some of their stuff.

I figured it would also be a cool opportunity to take photos of all three of my boys!

For my oldest boy, Callum, I selected a black Personalised Name T-shirt. He loved it.

For my second boy, Sean, I selected a blue Trendy Tee, with a picture of Sean Connery on it.

He didn’t quite get the joke, and wondered why HE didn’t get a t-shirt with HIS name on it too. So I had to explain who Sean Connery was, what secret agents were, and how subtle humour can be much funnier than normal humour. He seemed pretty happy with it after that.

For my newest little boy, Liam, I chose a Jolly Roger Baby Playsuit. Tee hee, he looks so serious in black.

Over all, the fabric quality of the t-shirts and playsuits are superb - thick, durable and soft. And their selection of designers are all extremely cute!

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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

Sheena Matheiken has created a wonderful blog, The Uniform Project, where she has undertaken to wear one dress for one year, as an exercise in sustainable fashion.

Each day she reinvents the dress with layers, accessories, and other bits, most of which are vintage or hand-made – and comes up with some very cute and stylish outfits.

It also is a year long fundraising project for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots charity that is devoted to funding the education of children in the slums of India.

I found it to be utterly inspiring and fascinating to browse through her outfits! It certainly humbles the part in me that craves for new dresses every season. I love fashion with heart!

All mums know that you need a huge bag to carry all your stuff. So while I try to stay away from those bright pink-polka-dot nappy bags, I tried out some large fashion bags from FashionJunkee. They worked a treat and were very affordable!

Above I’m showing off a bag from their collection of wide woven handbags. I was tempted to go with the mustard or the green, but maybe next time.

This is a Prada inspired tote – extra large, to fit all your stuff. Very cool.

You can see the whole handbag collection here.

They also sell some stylish baby slings and pouches. This one is reversible, you can wear it five different ways, and there are a few size adjustments.

For my first two babies, I used a baby carrier, and I could not live without it. So with a bit of hesitation, this was the first time I tried a baby pouch – and I was sold.  I find it to be so much easier than a carrier. I use it every day as I drop my kids off at school. I can be hands free and do heaps of stuff as I carry my bub around!

Liam is 3 months old and he’s looking a bit dazed because he just woke up.

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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

The weather has been getting colder, and I’m feeling the laziness creep into my bones.

Most days I slap on some jeans, tank and a jacket. But the other day I was heading out to meet some girlfriends, so I thought I should at least dress up a little bit.

Grey jersey dress from Fashion Junkee. Smock jacket from Myer. Lace scarf from Sly. Leggings from Target. Shoes from Betts.

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Check out my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

I simply love op-shopping, searching for vintage treasures and scoring a bargain. But lately, it’s been more of a romantic aspiration, because I really don’t have the time for scouring op-shops.

A few weeks ago, I found out about Xuber.com.au – a new online marketplace, where you can buy and sell pre-loved or handmade fashion.

A simple idea, but the biggest difference I noticed was – it looked like a boutique with a strong standard of style. The site design and photography are great and it is very easy to search for items.

In addition, all of the buyer’s items are approved for quality by the people at Xuber, so you’re not clicking through any second rate stuff. It definitely sets a high standard for all the sellers Xuber is planning to attract. Which is great for buyers like me.

So of course I had to test it out! I got my hands on this cute, multi-wear bubble dress (a bargain at $35!) and I was thrilled it arrived so quickly.

I guess it’s a bit like ebay, but all relevant and quality, and I’m looking forward to the day when I can check back on the site every half hour to see more stuff for sale. But then, I have some stuff I might like to sell as well!

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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

The other night I headed over to Northbridge to see the launch of new designer Betty Tran’s Betty Sugar Collection. The show was at the Skatt Salon, which features a big pink catwalk down the middle of the room.

Now, when I say “big” and “pink”, I mean the catwalk was BIG and LONG and HOT PINK. Quite a glam fashion statement.

I went to the event by myself, but turned out I knew all the fashion photographers there. I had met them last year at the Perth Fashion Festival, and it was nice to see and chat to them again.

I also managed to walk up to a few random people, start chatting and convinced them to “Do the Karen Cheng” with me! This is the lovely Arina, who was wearing a to-die-for deep magenta dress from Cue, and the charming Alex.

Overall the clothes were feminine, sexy and very wearable. I was amazed by how many came down the runway – maybe 60 in total? I really enjoyed both the clothes, and the overall presentation of the show. I think we’ll be seeing more of Betty Sugar!

When I go out with my kids during the day, I don’t usually like to wear long necklaces, big bangles or jingly bracelets.

Handling small children, I usually get a string twisted on a pram handle, or a pendant tugged off its chain, or I might clock a kid over the head with something chunky.

So habitually, I’m quite minimal when it comes accessorising.

However, during the last few weeks, I’ve been keen to dress up my outfits with something like a cuff-style bracelet maybe?

These are some that I spotted over at Urban Outfitters.

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Check out my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

I am a big fan of Fashion Nation – a fashion blog based out of Singapore, which is written by two fabulous girls, Dottie and Stephie.

These ladies combine a very girly giddiness about shoes, bags and clothes with an impressively brainy understanding about WHY they, and all of us, are addicted to fashion. Fashion Nation has become not only my hot-wire to fashion goings-on in Singapore, but also a welcome, on-going education about the whole culture, art and craft of fashion worldwide.

So I was smiling from ear to ear when they announced their new secret project. Dottie and Stephie have assembled a bunch of cool individuals, oozing with passion and real voices to produce the new fashion magazine Manifesto.

I’m so excited for them! And jealous, but in a really glad and proud way! I’ve always wanted to produce a simply divine magazine.

Manifesto is completely a magazine, as opposed to a blog. It has multiple contributors, rich, lush photo layouts, and comes as a packaged issue, but you can still read it online as a page-flip magazine. Like Fashion Nation, it is witty, articulate, of the moment and to the point.

Manifesto Issue number one is here. Go read!

I love checking out fashion shows from around the world. I love being surprised, inspired and entertained! These are some of my favourites from the latest China International Fashion Week Autumn/Winter Collection 2009.

I’m not usually fond of lace on dresses. I’ll make an exception for wedding dresses, but most of the time lace looks pretty dowdy. But this lace dress by fashion designer Chen Juanhong (as part of her Judy-Galaxy Fashion Collection) is pretty hot. Especially with the rad neckpiece. I like!

I also like this polka dot and striped look (part of the same collection), but perhaps minus the dead fox.

These are some cool samples from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University graduates show. Notice the dangling rubber gloves on the left garment – a bit strange, but it’s always fun to be strange… and subtle!

Images by Getty
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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

This weekend I joined a girlfriend for lunch and afternoon shopping at Claremont.

It was a gorgeous, sunny, Autumn day. The warm air and big, blue sky was absolutely yummy. It was just wonderful to be out and about.

We sat outside in the shade of cafe umbrellas. I had a chicken and avocado focaccia and a cup of tea.

We chatted about life, marriage, travelling, exercise and shopping. We talked so much that we ran out of time to hit the shops, so we didn’t end up buying anything.

*I heart girlfriends*

I’m wearing my belt (from Sportsgirl) again! White tulip skirt from Soon Lee (Singapore). Black top from Country Road. Shoes from Betts. Purse is borrowed from my sister.

I tried to travel light - putting only my essentials into a purse (instead of a large bag). But it didn’t work… all day I didn’t feel complete… I was missing STUFF.

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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

I’ve been looking for a couple of new “statement skirts” to wear this winter.

Even though I couldn’t justify spending so much for these skirts from Net-a-Porter, they are definitely great for inspiration.

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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

I’m always so excited when I find stunning, unique, contemporary jewellery – and then discover that the designer comes from the same city in which I live: Perth, Australia.

This made it easy for me to catch up with Leonie Wilson, designer and creator of Pelava Jewellery. It was a real delight for me to hear her talk about her love for creating. It re-kindled my own passion for creating things.

After travelling around the world, gathering inspiration from her surroundings, Leonie began her jewellery design career in the US. She returned to Australia, with her head bursting with ideas and launched her label, Pelava.

I just love the bold and simple shapes of her pieces. They have a very organic and elegant feel about them.

Left is an earring from her Resinate range – sterling silver earring with resin inlay.

Right are her Double Round Linx Earrings.

Left is a Round Linx Chain. Right is a Linx Matt Stone Pendant.

Leonie tells me she loves to “get out there” – in particular, setting up stalls at designer markets, and meeting and talking to the people who actually wear her jewellery.

Looking at her whole range, it’s easy to see how well she knows her market. She’s created a set of eight collections, each with strong designs, great colours and polished workmanship. And they all seem pretty affordable – especially for handmade jewellery with high quality materials.

On her Pelava website, you can download her catalogue, view prices, and ogle at all her yummy designs. Plus, she does take national and international orders online.

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Check out my favourite online shops in the Fashion and Shopping Directory

Last week I went to a ‘Cupcakes and Champagne’ event held at Tu, a boutique in Shafto Lane, Perth.

They were celebrating their 5th Anniversary!

I’m loving my new belt from Sportgirl. I’ve been wearing it everywhere. The art deco looking design seems to be a superb feature for any outfit.

Top is actually a short smock dress from Forever New (I’m wearing it like a dress here). Layered skirt from Tokito, shoes from NineWest, bag from David Jones. Stockings from Target.

I decided to go solo for this event. There was a DJ, some live musicians, a balloon making guy, a host of gorgeous girls serving yummy food and drinks.

I managed to talk to quite a few people. I even met a blog reader and an old friend, whom I haven’t seen in 10 years. I had a great time.

It was lovely to be out and about by myself. I really have to credit my husband for being so supportive and so happy to look after the 3 kids. And for practically shoving me out the door! He’s a good man. I like him a lot (obviously).

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Check out my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory

I’m loving the range of silver and black necklaces that are all the rage lately. They are two of my favourite wearable colours, so I’m definitely going to stock up.

These are from Forever 21.

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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

Thought I’d bring you all some fashion snippets that caught my eye from the recent Ukrainian Fashion Week.

Gorgeous, flowing and very pretty-to-look at dresses by a very talented new designer, Nataliya Dolenko (UK).

Love the structured satin and long socks by Avtandil Tskvitinidze (Georgia).

And aside from the yummy pants by Darya Taranenko (Ukraine) … there are LIVE REPTILES slithering around on the catwalk!

Check out the little crocodile in the background. The models look so calm, even without their shoes!

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Check out my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory

Weekend lunch with some friends!

Vintage velvet blazer.
Singlet from Kookai.
Skirt from Country Road.
Belt from Sportsgirl.
Shoes from Charles and Keith.

Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

I’ve been looking for a pair of statement winter peep toes that didn’t cost the earth.

Found these cool ones from Betts. Just can’t decide which.

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Check out more of my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.

This morning I received an email that seemed to stand out from the rest.

It was announcing the launch of American designer Andrew Christian’s newest underwear range - with “Show-It Technology”. This range comes in brief, boxer-brief, jock underwear styles and swim trunks and bikini cuts. Show it!

I love how the blue and white is reversed between these two model’s underwear. So well coordinated. And what a nice ladder!

I like the football-like stitching detail on the front of their underpants. I wonder if it’s just a decorative print, or if it’s actually functional, I can’t quite tell from this image.

The press release explained that the underwear “…features a comfy cup that gently lifts and presents a man’s best assets…”

I think I should look at more men’s fashion in future. There is obviously more going on than I have realised.

The whole Andrew Christian range is devoted to fun and colour and super-toned models, and you can check it all out at the official Andrew Christian website.

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Check out my favourite online shops in my Fashion and Shopping Directory.