Pop Couture » Shopping

My Market Find; Lapis Lazuli

Kimberley — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 02:07:26 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, a friend and I went to the Victoria Market Night Market; held weekly in summer months here in Melbourne. Mostly known for its amazing array of international foods of all kinds, it also has a portion of craftiness of all sorts, and its just cool to explore on a week night and feel like you’re having a brief moment of weekend creativity.

We stumbled across ‘Stone Love’ and an array of gems, crystals and stones. For me, I am always visually distracted and I absolutely love colour. I don’t know the meanings behind things, and I only know that my birth stone is diamond apparently. But that doesn’t mean I wear them (at all). In any case, I just like pretty things and I was drawn to the collection of lapis lazuli that she had. I’ve been attracted to deep blues, electric almost and when I asked what they ‘stood’ for, or meant; she gave me a passage in a book to read, to see if it meant anything to me personally.

What stood out for me were the words ‘focus, clarity, truth’ stood out for me, and I am definitely one that needs a bit more clarity and awareness in my everyday life. Another website says it is the stone of total awareness, and most notably what gave me the lightbulb moment that Oprah sometimes describes was its description of helping to overcome depression and opening the door to self acceptance. So much of this resonated with me, the stall owner could sense this and it just really clicked. So I now have a chunk of lapis lazuli that I carry with me in hopes for all of the above. It’s the little things I think that can do wonders in terms of bringing about a more positive outlook and remembering that there are far more positives that happen, as opposed to maybe one little trivial thing to sour your mood.

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Poll time; baby related posts?

Kimberley — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 02:14:26 +0000

I’m an Aunty now. I like babies. But haven’t ever been clucky before meeting my little niece.

So now that I’m clucky, and now that I want to buy all the cutest things for mother and baby; I thought I’d ask you; would you be interested in seeing ‘baby shopping’ type posts, or cool ideas on beauty/health for baby mamas and bubbas? It would be minimal especially as its not like *I* am the mama…

That being said, this would be a post welcoming any guest post by mama bloggers of all sorts to contribute their wisdom. So, vote!

Click yes or no! :)

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Style + Charity go hand in hand

Kimberley — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:41:41 +0000

When I was approached by Vision Direct, it was optimal timing. I was in a sunglasses rut, and although I don’t really change up my glasses like some women do as often as seasons change, I needed something signature. My previous sunglasses were from Sportsgirl which I LOVE but as they are burgundy and a bit enlarged (think Mischa Barton or Nicole Richie) I was in the market for something classic, and timeless.

I was given several choices of what to pick from and I was mulling them over, I was Googling, I was asking co-workers – and I chose a film and style classic; the Ray-Ban Wayfarer. (Tortoise-shell style named Emma). I thought that the Wayfarer classic style would suit me more than the black style (and I’d be less likely to be compared to Tom Cruise circa Risky Business) and I feel classic and Audrey Hepburn-esque, or much like Emma Stone in Easy A. Thoughts?

The reason I agreed to introduce you to Vision Direct is simple, and two-fold. Style + charity.

Before, I would have no concept or probably would have been too intimidated to even think of buying Gucci, Prada, Tom Ford or glasses in the vicinity of those designer brands! But with the layout of the website, as well as the ability to now be able to Google celebrities and their sunglasses (I kid you not) you can get a pretty good idea about fit and style.

There is the big charity aspect, one I didn’t expect until I took a browse and realised that for every purchase on the website, a child in need of spectacles will receive a pair. We’re not talking a percentage of funds, or an annual type of drive to purchase glasses. Vision Direct gives one for one purchased to one of their charity partners across the world, to such countries like Ghana, China, and Indonesia.

I honestly think that’s such a great tangible way to contribute and feel like you are providing someone with something they might not have been able to receive before, it is the best kind of service you can get, with a gift in return.

Customer service wise is also very communicative. If your item isn’t in stock (as the pair I chose were not) you get notified when it arrives in the warehouse, when it ships; and they check in with you after arrival so you can advise if any problems at all. Communication is key with me; the more you know the better.

At the moment; there is free shipping. I almost tried to make that blinking, 90s style just to highlight that. Haha! Just thought you should know :)

Please note I was asked by Vision Direct if I wanted to do a post, and given free reign as to how to feature them and when. They were generous enough to offer the pair of glasses, and I chose a classic. As per my blog policy, and my general ethical standpoint; this does not change the consumer experience I had with them when selecting the glasses. See previous post here for clarification.

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Here we go; Project 100 Pan (for reals)

Kimberley — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:57:54 +0000

You know that show Hoarders? I hoard makeup like some hoard cats. Its almost that true. Its weird. I can’t explain it. I could go into business as a makeup artist tomorrow and be ready for all skin tones with the colours I have. Okay, barring foundation because why would I hoard different colours of foundation? In any case; fellow bloggers have given me a beauty-vention and I’ve joined in with their project 100 pan. Though, um.. mine may have turned into project 104 pan. (Ie, for every product I bought when I said I wouldn’t, I would just add onto the total). So its 104!

My rules;

For every 7 products I finish, I will put $5 aside (for post p100p procurement)

If I slip up, and buy something that I already have ‘in stock’ – I will add on another item to the tally (as of 27/9 – this means I’m at 104)

10 samples = a single product

Only if I run out of a particular product, ie eye makeup remover will I be able to repurchase.

If you see any haul videos, or posts on new products, they will have been pre 27/9 and/or given to me – but of course, I’ll let you know from the get-go.

This will also be a DVD/Blu-Ray no-buy (to coincide with the true themes of the need to spend less, and the fact that its not just makeup!)

The image I’ve used is just my cream shadow collection; even in saying it there may be 1 or 2 not in this little tub. *nods* I know, I know.

Here are the other lovelies that are embarking upon this mission:

Thanks lovelies for the help :) If you want to follow our adventures, track the hashtag #p100p or each of us via Twitter. Head to their blogs to check out their style and sass :)

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Just Quickly: the Hello Darling July 3 for 2 special

Kimberley — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:02:29 +0000

This lil collage I put together is presenting a dilemma for a novice nail polish wearer; these are a mere eight that spoke to me most – but I want to pick THREE – because at the moment during the month of July, Darling are having a 3 for 2 sale! GET ON IT! (I will be, sssh)

From top left to right (clockwise) Just a Little Frosting, Morning Romp, Hot Diggity, Max, Wanderlust, Gilver Lining, Siren, and Sugarplum Fairy (being that second dusty purple in the middle)

In case you wanted to see me haul my first order from them, that video is here

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On the Bandwagon for Maybelline Colour Tattoos

Kimberley — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:44:33 +0000

I’ll never have ink; but I will be collecting these puppies! Its probably our hottest property since Revlon launched their Colourburst Lip Butters and (I have five of those..) so with the release of these at Priceline this week, at a gorgeous oddly affordable price of $11.95 (or on sale at Target at time of posting) .. I now have four.

From top left > clockwise – Edgy Emerald, Audacious Asphalt, Tough as Taupe, Painted Purple.

Ah, we didn’t even have the smoothest of starts. I unwrapped Painted Purple; and as soon as I turned the cap; like I was HULK I tell ya – the cap cracked. Wouldn’t stay closed. Thankfully I was able to return it. And found a fully stocked shelf and so got two more. I think I’ll only really get one more. Maybe two. Lawd, help me.

New to pop Couture; disclosure ~ I bought these babies myself. I only got a slight discount on two of them as I had Priceline reward points! Just so you know..

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Girl about Town: Chapel St (1D & Bloom)

Kimberley — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:04:59 +0000

Hello, lovely readers. Something a bit different for Pop Couture. A picture post! During my lunch time today, I wanted to go to Bloom Cosmetics to check out the 40% off at their flagship store, soon to close. Then. I almost had forgotten, the pop-up store for One Direction had opened. Right next door!

Just a little assortment, believe me, only a little assortment of what was on offer there! More of 1D and the Bloom haul after the jump!

ZARRY! Apparently Niall dolls are super amazingly popular – I thought it’d be Harry?! And no – I did not pick up one!

I bought the tour program – it seemed the least.. embarassing thing I could have taken out of there! Its adorable! Glossy!

My lil lunchtime haul from Bloom – including some lipstains, the famous organic rosehip oil, some gorgeous polishes, and an exfoliating towel. Lush! :D