Sussan Sleepwear on Sale

This sale is mainly sleepwear, with a bit of sportswear too. Be the first to check out the sale when they open at 8:00am!

More than jeans ...

I'm finding it's worthwhile checking out your favourite stores right now as sales and discounts can pop up at any time.

Yesterday in Just Jeans, I found a cotton Lightweight Trench Coat in a vanilla colour for $30 off its original price and a great style. There were some Black Velvet Ballet Flats - can't have enough flat shoes - for just $20 and I also found a new season cardi in grey for $69 (sorry no picture on their site for this one). Keeps me warm on early school drop mornings...useful and fashionable which is a treat!!

Admittedly, I had gone online first - to save some time - and found the discounts beforehand. I would definitely recommend a bit of forward planning and perhaps checking online or even calling your store if you are pressed for time, so that you know what you're looking for.

Next shopping trip might involve knee high boots ... stay tuned!

Fabulous! Festival

Two weeks ago, Sara (The Bargain Queen) launched the first-ever Fabulous! Festival of fashion, beauty and style. It truly is a wonderful collection of posts on this very important area ... making us look good. Thank you Sara, what a great idea!

This week, Icy (Individual Chic) hosted the Fabulous! Festival with a focus on shoes (an area very dear to her heart, and ours too). Her collection of posts offers some great informative reading and advice.

Next week, look out for the Fabulous! Festival of fashion, beauty and style at Rebecca’s blog, The Space Between My Peers.

Catch you there for more fashion, beauty and style fun!

The Long Cardigan - One of Winter's Little Luxuries

For me, an oversized woollen cardigan conjures up images of a fireplace, loved ones and hot chocolate!

Imagine thick, woolly and warm, with cable detailing, tie waist and hood.

That's definitely the look to go for with this great Winter essential which can even be worn to work, with wide leg pants, a cap sleeve shirt and polished accessories.

To define shape, emphasise the waist with a tie belt and combine with skinny jeans or leggings or add a cardi to slim the silhouette of a pinafore or smock dress.

An oversized style can also look great with a short skirt and opaque tights.. Either ballet flats or boots add the final touch in footwear.

If you haven't added a new cardi to your winter wardrobe, take a look at these great possibilities:

• Ally Fashion drop needle cardi
• David Lawrence ultra fine marino wool cardigan
• Jeans West budget priced (more in-store)
• Just Jeans the Manhatten cardi
• Sportsgirl (red trumpet sleeve coat under Fashion > Style Me)
• Witchery belted long line cardigan
• Witchery cable knit short sleeve cardigan (on sale).

The choice is endless and once you have found your favourite, you may not want to take it off!

Shopping at Salvos & Vinnies Stores

It really is amazing what you can pick-up at these humble little stores in terms of pre-loved clothes and accessories.

Last week I visited my local Salvo Store and found a black REISS pvc (leather look) biker jacket at just $7.50! Yes, you read it correctly - $7.50!

I love the cut and style of the jacket with it's silver zippers and press studs and short, boxy shape.

I've been wearing it almost every day with jeans, but on Sunday (Mother's Day) I dressed it up with black pants, strappy silver platforms, a pale grey top, oversized silver-look bangles, and a black mock-croc tote bag. It looked fabulous.

This is the second time I've had success at this little store. A few months back, I picked up a grey metal necklace with black, maroon and clear beads, for just $8.50, and it compliments my winter wardrobe really well.

It's certainly worth popping into Vinnies or the Salvos as you pass by, they help a good cause and you never know what you can find.

Just Jeans 25% off Sale

If you're in the market for some new items for winter, take a look at Just Jeans online. Their 25% off sale applies to some Just Jeans brand jeans, as well as some tops, bottoms, dresses, knitwear and jackets & coats.

If you're a JUST-SHOP member you'll receive an additional 5% off all purchases you make online. (To become a member simply fill in an enrolment form in store and pay the $5 membership fee, you'll be given your membership card instantly.)

For delivery, a flat rate of $8.50 applies to all orders made on-line with free delivery for orders over $100.

Why we blog

Kimberly and I have been tagged with a meme by Icy of Individual Chic on the question of Why I blog. Thank you for thinking of us Icy, it's always fun to share our stories.

Chrissy: Having been in the workforce for sixteen years, now I'm a stay-at-home-mum with two children under 5. Last year, my husband thought I desperately needed a hobby (that is, instead of ferrying the children around and shopping for fashion on a tight budget) so he suggested blogging.

Being in IT himself he knew he could help set me up and start me off. At first, I didn't think I could do it, having had no formal qualification in fashion, but that's the beauty of blogging - anyone can have a go and be their own expert.

Wanting to share the experience I asked my friend Kimberly (also passionate about fashion) to join me and that's how Fashion on a Shoestring came about.

Now, I love it! I just wish I had more time to spend on this new found hobby! I've found that blogging about fashion is just as much fun as shopping for fashion, and more importantly ... now, are a great complement.

Kimberly: Why do I blog? I love chit chatting away into cyberspace, sharing and gaining information on a much loved topic - fashion - and hopefully contributing helpful ideas.

It is generally carving out some sanity into my currently very domestic, full-time-mum lifestyle.

I also love the creative buzz and the challenge of pursuing this very elusive concept - being fashionable without spending millions. I think we are succeeding!

As we have the opportunity to tag others, we would like to tag some fashion bloggers we met recently, namely; Coolchiq, Helen of Sassybella, Hat of SJ + Hat and Melanie of Slave to Shopping.

Trench Coat vs Parka?

Here is the dilemma ... do I want a trench coat (classic, timeless, etc) or a parka (funky, casual etc) for winter and beyond? I've been looking and checking out the budget on this one, and I'm still not sold (which is just fashion speak for why not have BOTH).

Trench Coat ... lightweight, rainproof (or enough to protect your Country Road suit), smart, regularly seen on celebrity fashionistas and photographed in Vogue under the heading "10 classics you should own". Best in beige or similar and while the Burberry tartan lining is the ultimate, any decent lining is good too. Black is fine but can look a bit ordinary in comparison. Therefore, if buying a trench, do your best to imitate the high-end labels like Burberry or Stella.

Ben Sherman, Country Road, Esprit, Sussan and Target, are just a sample of the many chain stores that carry great trench styles.

Even Avon is offering a classic black style (see picture) at a budget price of $39.99!

Our very mild weather is a good reason to own a trench coat and they look fab over jeans, suits and most dress styles, teamed with either heels or flats. Voila, instant style!

Parka ... here is a great look for the fashionista. Style.com have been snapping gorgeous girls in sky high platforms, leggings and seriously stylish parkas, quilted and trimmed with fur, in black, white, grey and tan, along with studded, glittery bags, and very dark sunnies. You may not want to emulate this entire look, but the parka does have a certain street cred, and will complement skinny jeans, leggings, and shift dresses. I like the metallic or gunmetal grey parka, with hood and drawstring at the waist.

Try these styles;

• Country Road long line parka $199 (pictured).
  
• Witchery long line parka with belt.
  
• Witchery long line parka with hood (for real winter warmth).
• Witchery lightweight anorak.
• Myer have a quilted lightweight parka by Regatta for $120.

We would suggest a little bit of investment goes a long way, especially in a more neutral colour, and if you don't like to feel "bulky", a good coat will go over skivvies or shirts. You cant have enough coats!

Australian Fashion Week

To get the latest on Australian Fashion Week look no further than coolchiq who is reporting daily from the shows.

Her summaries on each show are brilliant!

Kimberly and I are trying not to be jealous ...and we'll be glued to it all week!