How To - Survive A Sample Sale

How do you know if you're whipped? 

Probably if your girlfriend makes you and your (also male) friend come to a sample sale and search through the clothes for size 8s which you then have to hold up for her one at a time so she can critique your choices and decide what she likes and what she doesn't with comments like 'ew that's hideous' and 'what were you thinking'.

And I'm the one who's single...

On Sunday my friend Caity (caityj-says.blogspot.com.au) and I headed off to the Finders Keepers, Keepsake and Cameo sample sale and we were completely unprepared for what we were about to encounter.

First of all there was a line. In the rain. Full of teenage girls.

As soon as we were let in to the hall SHIT GOT CRAY. The girls were absolutely out of control grabbing clothing left right and centre and stuffing them into bags that they had brought along.

The phrase that comes to mind is 'bitches be crazy'.

Once they had a bag stuffed full to the seams, they headed to a room off the hall to strip off and try everything on.

Caity and I were clearly amateurs to the whole sample sale situation but managed to escape with what we wanted and no visible injuries besides some emotional scarring. 

Don't get me wrong, it was awesome and kind of exhilarating. I will definitely be going back considering some of the bargains I picked up. 

I will however be following these simple rules.

How To Survive A Sample Sale

Arrive Early

Yep there was a line. I'm sure the bigger the sale is, the bigger the line will probably be. 

Know What You Want

Avoid walking out with three pairs of almost identical black shorts and six dresses you will never wear because you got excited and grabbed everything in your size.

Know Your Size

Knowing what size you are in the brand will save you a lot of time and energy.

Be Prepared/Accessorise

FYI - Not with a boyfriend.

Take a 'green bag' to put your finds in and an umbrella for standing in the rain/bashing other girls over the head with. 

Dress For Success

Wear clothes that are easy to take off/try things over. I suggest a dress or tights and a loose top and shoes that are easy to slip off.

Pastels & Pleats - Prada 2012

A photographer friend of mine sent me a link to this collection because he thought I would like these dresses.

He was not wrong.

The ad above and the below looks are from the 2012 Prada Spring Collection and I am in love with the pastel colour pallette but I also love the pleated chiffon and the way the shapes are classically elegant with their knee length silhouettes but so modern at the same time.

Unfortunately Prada is a little out of my price range so below are some more affordable Prada-esque looks.

1. Eva Franco Pastel Dress

2. ASOS Colour Block Bag

3. ASOS Lilac Skirt

4. Topshop Baby Pink Maxi Dress

5. ASOS Lavendar skirt

6. ZARA Green Pattern Dress

7. ASOS Cream Dress

8. ASOS Mint Green Heel

9. Eva Franco Pastel Dress

10. Topshop Lilac Dress

11. ASOS Pastel Shirt 

Glass Half Full

I love a good Saturday morning Op-Shop.

However, it has become increasingly difficult since everyone caught onto the trend and started heading out to the local St. Vinnes, snapping up a bargain and selling it for triple the price at the local markets.

Hence why I've given up on clothes and am getting into more homewares and antiques like a really cool nanna.

On Saturday I actually overheard a lady trying to bargain with the elderly woman working in the Red Cross over a $6 piece of crap! 

I think people forget that the money from op-shops goes to charity so trying to bargain at an op-shop is like taking money from the collection trays at church. Or stealing someone's wheelchair. 

At the moment I'm a bit obsessed with throwing an awesome High Tea so that's probably why I'm into kitchenware and glasses etc.

I've started to collect teacups and I've got a High Tea Pinterest board which is where I'm keeping all my inspiration!

I'm trying to only collect Royal Albert or Doulton teacups but they're hard to find.

At the moment I live with a housemate in his flat and it's furnished with all his stuff, so I'm trying to collect stuff for when I move out on my own. Eventually.

Tips for Op-Shop Success

1. Do Your Research
If I'm looking at some china and I don't know if it's a good brand or what I should be paying I usually just Google it on my phone to see if it's worth the money. Ebay is also great for this which leads into...

2. Is It Worth It?
Try and buy good quality vinatge stuff not just cheap and nasty crap. Leave that stuff to the people who actually shop in op shops for real.

3. Think Before You Buy 
Don't buy something just beacuse it's cheap. Even $2 is $2 too much if you're never going to use/wear it. I am the worst impulse buyer ever. If you're no sure about it, leave it and come back.

3. Make Sure It Can Be Salvaged
While there's a lot of thing a little soap and water can fix, you don't want to catch hepatitis from eating out of dirty silverware or lice from some homeless person's coat. Not cool. 

Willow Opens at Burnside Village

Willow opened at Burnside Village recently and we were invited to come and take a look at the new store and meet the designer Kit Willow.

There are only four Willow Boutiques in Australia so for Adelaide to get one, it's pretty exciting.

I've never been the biggest fan of Willow. I remember it all being very drapey and a bit hippy and just not really my style.

However after going into the store I am absolutely in love.

I loved the colours, the shapes and pretty much everything about Willow (besides the price point).

I found the clothes look much more young, exciting and wearable in real life rather than in photos.

Kit Willow said she designs for herself and only wears her own clothes. He favourite piece was a leather jacket that hung beautifully.

Two of my favourite items are below.

I hope that people of Adelaide support Willow so that we can start to get even more amazing designer stores here and the shopping can continue to improve.

While I probably won't be able to own anything from Willow anytime soon, a girl can always dream.