Look for Less: Balmain

We all know and love the intricate patterns and details that Balmain present to us each runway, and that can be seen on our favourite celebs; but let's face it, unless we win the lotto we can kiss goodbye our dreams of having a piece of Balmain in our closet. Right?

 

Wrong? With thanks to online shopping outlets Asos and The Iconic, I have found you some pretty spot on Balmain look-a-likes for only a portion of the price-tag.

Get a similar look to Kristen Stewart from The Iconic for only $149.95:
 

Or is it the patterned pant-suit that you are after? Shop a similar version for only $101.66 from Asos:

Who wore it better

SFB has just posted a picture in a gorgeous white Marchesa gown.

This sparked a memory of Kim Kardashian wearing this dress back in 2010 at a red carpet.

So I have to ask....who wore it better?

I am a big Kim Kardashian (soon to be West), however I do prefer how SFB is wearing her hair down. However, SFB was 3 years behind on this number...

Leave me a comment below, or on Instagram (@jspstyling) to let me know who wore it better.

Copy cat

Every designer you look at are now doing a cross over dress, with a cheeky peep hole.

Last blog I featured a beautiful white version of this dress from Manning Cartell.

This blog, I am going to show you how you can save $400.

On the left we have the Manning Cartell dress which retails for $549, and on the right we have a Country Road dress that retails for only $149.

 

Now with that extra $400 in your wallet, you can spoil yourself with some accessories.

Remember, you don't have to spend big to get a seasonal look. With a bit of research you can find some great copy cat alternatives for less than half the price.

Happy shopping!

Giddy up

Forget the gloves, the tailored pant suit, the oversized sunnies and the wide brim hats - the 2013 Spring Racing Festival is about to begin.

                                  Featured: Manning Cartell, Mimco & Siren Shoes

Predictions:

• White, white, and more white
• Monochrome
• Downsized accessories (smaller clutches, finer jewelery)
• Chunkier shoes (stilettos and a long day on your feet; not to mention standing on grass - is not an ideal mix)
• Bold lips (move over nudes)
• Headpieces (rather than hats)

Beauty tips:

• For underneath your eyeshadow, use a MAC paintpot (my pick is 'Painterly' as it suits most skin types). By coating your eyelids (using either your finger or an eyeshadow brush) with this product pre-eye shadow application, you will not only avoid the crease lines that appear within a few hours of wearing makeup, but the colour itself will stay vibrant and will not move throughtout the whole day.

• Use a setting powder under the eyes to avoid your mascara/eyeliner smudging (my pick is MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Light). For your face spray MAC Fix + to set your foundation/blush/bronzer.

• To avoid a sunburnt face use a foundation with SPF (my pick is MAC Sculpt. I personally prefer the NW shades [pink undertone] rather than the NC shades [yellow undertone]).

• Use a lipstain for a long lasting colour (try Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain). The lipstain will wear better than a lipstick, and requires less touch ups.

• Start tanning 2 days before the races so that you can build this up gradually, and avoid the orange look (my pick is JBronze). Ensure that you shower on the day of the races to avoid staining your outfit with tan (especially important if you are wearing white).

Don't be surprised if this years fashionistas don a jumpsuit to the races - taking the 'risk' of wearing a jumpsuit (whether it be long or short) will definitely get you standing out in the crowd (for all the right reasons).

I think racegoers will be happy to see that the hem lines this year will be on or just above the knee, and rather than bearing skin with low-cut necklines, small cutouts (like the Manning Cartell dress pictured above) will be making an appearance, and up-do's (big hair buns will also be heavily spotted), as well as lighter locks.

Ladies, if the weather is cool on the day, don't suffer - sling a blazer over your shoulders.
This will give you warmth, as well as adding a classic edge to your outfit.

Are you going to the races? Need fashion advice? Want to be featured on the blog/Instagram? Email me at jspstyling@gmail.com or tag me on Instagram @jspstyling

Copy cat: Aje Catara Mini

If you were unlucky enough to have missed out on today's shipment of AJE Catara Minis (queue the tears), I have found a copy-cat version to pull you through until their next delivery.

This number is from Tigermist, and is only $49.95

Get the look

We all loved the dress that Jennifer Hawkins wore to her JBronze launch earlier this year.

Now you can officially shop it Aje.

Get the look

I have seen loads of comments on Lilly Ghalichi's most recent Instagram post, asking where her dress is from.

This dress is from an Australian label called 'Finders Keepers'. It is available in both black and white, and costs $189.95. You can purchase it from here

Not-so fake lashes

It is every girls wish to have a mascara that lengthens and volumises their lashes.

Every celeb that we see and envy their "natural" lashes, are often packed on with falsies, or the fairly recent craze of eyelash extensions.

Well ladies, throw away your old mascara wands, forget about fake lashes and extensions, as I introduce to you the newest member of my make-up bag (and soon to be yours)...Origins GinZing

Available at Kit Cosmetics for only $24 (bargain!), this wonderbrush lengthens and volumises lashes, without giving that clumpy effect due to the shape of the wand.

Exhibit A:

I used 2 coats of this mascara, and did not use an eyelash curler. My natural lashes, are not long at all, so for me this is an amazing result.

Will you be giving this mascara a try?

Mirror image

Today's mirror image is of Bondi babe, Lara Bingle.

In the pic below, Lara is wearing a casual look teamed up with a blazer, and some heels...perfection!

You can shop the blazer, striped tee and jeans all from Sportsgirl to recreate Lara's look.

White is the new black

The growing trend of "all white everything" has caused an influx of emails in regards to a particular dress worn by Natalie Bassingthwaighte on X-Factor.


Exhibit A

 

For all of you wanting to recreate this look, it is from an Aussie brand called 'Keepsake the Label', and is available in both white and navy. To shop this exact dress for $159.95, click here.

The Brownlow's

The Brownlow Awards are less about the Brownlow Medal, and more about the WAG's.

This year's Brownlow red carpet consisted of:

a) White dresses

b) Black dresses

c) Sequinned dresses

d) Coloured dresses
Red
The Queen WAG - Bec Judd

Blue

Yellow

Pink

And the best dressed goes to...
Tara O'Keefe in my favourite Aussie designer Leah Da Gloria

Runners-up:

 

Let the award season begin

Maria Menounos kicked off the Emmy Awards with a bang!

Menounos donned a midnight Zac Posen dress, paired with Jimmy Choo shoes, Swarovski clutch, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.


Common themes at this years Emmy's included:


Shades of blue
Not just for the glum

Maroon
A move away from its cousin 'show stopper red'

White
The 'new black'

Black
Standard red-carpet staple

Lace gowns
Epitomising femininity

Motherhood mavens
Forget the daggy maternity dresses, this year the 'yummy mummies' dressed in red to really show off their bumps

That is one red carpet down for the day, check back tonight with my live updates from the Brownlow red carpet.

The New Birkin

Louis Vuitton are wanting us to ditch the Hermes Birkin, for their new Capucines bag.

LV are moving away from their signature monogram design, due to the high volume of knock-offs (think Bali, Caribbean markets etc.) and are going back to basics with this simplistic design.

Similarities to the Birkin:
-Made with the same leather
-The bag is being "drip fed" into boutiques, to increase demand and exclusivity
-There is a waiting list
-Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie are loving this bag

What do you think of this new bag? Will you be on their waiting list?

Mirror Image

Ever wanted to recreate your favourite celeb look from head-to-toe?

Well today we are playing mirror-image with fashionista Victoria Beckham, in her signature all black look.

 

Thank you to my reader who sent in this request.

If you or your friends have a 'Mirror Image' that you would like me to recreate, send me an email at jspstyling@gmail.com or tag me in the picture on Instagram @jspstyling

Bride-to-be: Client Story

Kirsty had 2 requirements when it came to options for her engagement dress - it needed to be white or neutral.

As Kirsty did not give a preference on the length of the dress, the fit of the dress, the price of the dress, the neckline of the dress - I have put together a range or options to help Kirsty dress for her 'second biggest' day in her life.

I hope you got some inspiration from these dresses Kirsty - good luck for your big day!

Straight vs. Curls

So the naturally straight haired girls wish they had curly hair, and the naturally curly haired girls (sadly, I fall into this category) want to have straight hair.

But what is your go-to style? If you are going out do you reach for your hair straightener or your curling wand?

Let me know via Instagram @jspstyling