Holy Sale!

Oh my hat guys! I've not long got home from a very very long day out! But it was a great day out. I made the last minute decision to trek it all alone to the city today to check out a massive warehouse sale of all things MINK PINK and STAPLE!!! Those of you that have been reading for a while now would already know that I adore Mink Pink. Mainly because every season they throw together a mix of awesome fabrics, unique cuts and super cute prints and then sell it for a price that my poor uni student budget really likes. So you can imagine how much I squeeled on the inside when I read about the sale this weekend!

When I arrived at the address I had to walk down a flight of stairs into this super dark room. Once my eyes adjusted I panned across the floor and all I could see were just racks upon racks of clothes! A little piece of heaven for some, but a giant nightmare for me! I mapped it out logically and decided to start at the furthest left hand side and work my way around clockwise. Awesome strategy! But I missed peering into the boxes of goodies in the middle. By the time I had decided that enough was enough my pile was about 20 items high and I headed for the change rooms. I did a couple of laps before I realised that there wasn't anywhere to try your items on!!! But there were mirrors. And a hell of a lot of half naked girls!

Sorry to do this type of photo again!!! I didn't have time to try anything on and take a decent photo.

It took me over an hour to decide which ones were coming home with me. After I made a few necessary cuts, I ended up walking out with 14 new items for under $250! Talk about bargain shopping. It's safe to say there will be a few outfit posts around these parts soon.

Have you ever been to one of those crazy warehouse sales before!?

Oh So Thrifty

Here's a sneak peak at a couple of my lovely thrift finds last week. There's just something about deep reds, pinks, peaches and florals that are pulling at my heartstrings as we move from the cooler months into Spring! Oh and those buttons. Who could pass up those darling buttons!? 

The Horse

"Intrinsic Upholstery for the Foot"

I first came across The Horse when I was wandering up and down streets in Fitzroy & Melbourne a couple of years ago (they also frequent the pages of Frankie Mag). I have since been a fan and cannot wait to purchase some of their new shoes for Winter.

This lovely pair, eloquently named Evelyn will be available from stockists on May 1st!

You can see the entire Autumn/Winter 2011 collection here.

Oh and did I mention that they are ethically made? Hooray!

Photos are also property of The Horse.

Nothing To Hide

I am in absolute love with this new Maxi from Mink Pink's Fall range. There are not many clothing items I find online and swoon over until I am holding them IRL... but I am making an exception for this one.

Buy Mink Pink from Market HQ!

Mink Pink Swim

This collection from Mink Pink Swim 2010 makes me yearn for the afternoon sunset of a beach not to far away. 

Photos from my own summer beach getaway will be posted shortly!

Bachhara

This discovery began with some simple day-off-internet-trolling. I don't know how many people pay attention to the adverts alongside the craziness of a Facebook news feed... but for some reason this one stood out and was worth a further *click*.

Introducing Bachhara, a revolutionised fashion label and one of my latest loves. 

Bachhara is a collaboration between two leading ladies, Amanda Ryan and Natalie Armstrong, who joined forces earlier this year to bring us a label where the external beauty of garments can be worn with the knowledge that they are ethically produced and eco friendly.

Beginning with a small volunteering trip to Dhaka, founder Amanda Ryan developed a passion for the work of the JAAGO Foundation, as a school offering free education to the children of Bangladesh slums.  Working alongside JAAGO, she created the JAAGO Foundation Sewing Center - a sustainable solution to give support to the Foundation in their dream of providing education to even more underprivileged children. Using the knowledge and experience of fair trade expert Natalia Armstrong, Bachhara is committed towards meeting the 10 Standards of Fair Trade and achieving the World Fair Trade Organisation stamp of approval.

 

 How many of us stop and think about the manufacture of our wardrobes... 

Where was this made?

Who was employed, or not employed, to make it?

Is child labor involved?

Where was the material sourced?

Was it sourced ethically?

What impact does the manufacture have on the environment?

Bachhara do. 

They are a brand striving to become a leader in consumer awareness, working towards an ultimate goal of freeing the grassroot workers of the fashion industry, currently imprisoned by consumers in a third world reality.

As part of their mission,

Bachhara aims to inspire women to invest in unique and stunning fashion which reflects a beauty which is not immediately visible from the outside - a beauty which manifests itself through courage and compassion. Bachhara is for women who are brave enough to stand for their beliefs. Bachhara is for women who are bold enough to be part of a revolution.

Now for the products... 

Bachhara are the epitome of 'boho luxe'. Their summer 2010 collection oozes elegance, with floating dresses and kaftans in bold colours and pretty prints.

The kaftan's are made from 100% ethically sourced silk, and would make for an elegant accomplice to any basic bikini this summer. 

 

The dresses are perfect for both day and evening wear. For me, they scream late afternoon dinner and drinks after a sweltering summers day. I know I will be taking one of these lovelies with me on my summer holiday!

Its a definite reality that with the consciousness provided by the behind the scenes work of Bachhara, you are able to be beautiful, inside and out. I would like to thank the founders in particular. Their vision for creating such passionate consumer awareness has left a mark. Whilst I already make ethical decisions relating to food by purchasing fair trade and environmentally sustainable products, Bachhara have shown that the same consciousness is needed when shopping for clothing if we are ever to give the same freedom we enjoy when wearing the garments, to those people involved in the manufacture of them. Join the revolution!

Get more information on Bachhara or the JAAGO Foundation here.
Add them to facebook here. 
For a list of Australian stockists, go here.
And for the online store, click here!

*All photo's used in this post are accredited to Bachhara.

Picnic At Hanging Rock

'Picnic at Hanging Rock' is best known as one of the greatest Australian mysteries circa 1975. While many of us have forgotten about the film, Shakuhachi have borrowed it's dreamlike aura and eerie vibe, and used it as the inspiration for their Spring Summer 2010/11 collection Love etc.

I would love for nothing more than to own every single one of the pieces above. But sadly, I have subscribed to the SALVO's buy nothing new challenge for the month of October. If still available at the end of the month, I might just treat myself to the lovely maxi in time for summer.

You can adore the entire collection on the Shakuhachi website HERE.
Or pre-order these items from My Catwalk.