Spring has sprung!

Double trouble! I know can you believe it!? Two blogs in two days is just unheard of! I've been a little slack lately so I decided to put together something special for you guys eager to break into the Spring/Summer fashions with a little bit of direction. TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR: Okay so we are well and truly coming into the warmest months of the year (if you live in Queensland like me, the flaming pits of hell resembles our Summer) so it's best to gear up with items that will keep you cool and comfortable throughout this lovely season! Trending right now and I've talked about it on the Instagram page is all things suede & lace up. It's a crossover with Native American style meets coachella hipster and Kylie Jenner. As much as this pains me to say, a lot of new trends and styles do stem from the infamous Kardashian family and I have to acknowledge that, they are definitely not my focus or inspiration for fashion by any means, but sometimes I have to admit they do hit the nail on the head with how to dress and accentuate your body shape. Moving on, I want to talk about this seasons colours.. I am loving that the pastel phase has left us and we are heading back into the warm browns, camel, beiges, taupes and navy. These are good base colours that are really easy to style with and make a statement on their own. Also, if you're looking to change it up for night time, I have seen lots of beautiful dark teal hues coming out, which is stunning on both light and dark skin tones. As for patterns and ideas for races / weddings / events, floral is always flogged during spring, so I am hesitant to recommend it if you want to stand out from the crowd, try a new season patterned lace overlay dress, just be careful when choosing a lace outfit, try going for a lace material with a tidy clean cut trim that isn't too flimsy, as lace can go so wrong if it gets tacky and pulled around the hem lines and you literally will only get one wear out of it. Also I'm loving any dresses with ruched details (gathered sides etc) it is such a great way to accentuate those curves and also keep lumps and bumps cleverly hidden and snatched in! Maxi dresses are always a winner in my books, I am dying over the new season patterns by Camilla in the Kilim Odyssey print (I will own a Camilla outfit by the end of the year I can just feel it) and while I'm on the website I am now casually browsing through the swimwear range oh my god leave page leave page (that is a whole other blog post). Another stem off maxi dresses is Kaftan style garments that are so effortless for the warmer days where you don't feel like getting dressed properly but still want to look amazing! Something else I am loving lately is the general pants range of Stussy t-shirt dresses that are a great pop of colour with all the tie dye style patterns, an easy style to go over the top of bikinis at the beach etc.. I hope this has helped a little with some spring starter styles for you all, I will put together a bunch of my favourite spring looks on the Instagram when I link this blog post for you all! Definitely let me know what you guys think as always, and if there's something you've seen in particular that you think is trending let me know! Stay tuned for my upcoming blog post all about my favourite things this month so far, and also as we near summer I will be talking more about beach styles and swimwear, so until then, over and out! x

Loving Tan review!

Hey guys! I am super excited to get this review out to you because I posted a picture of two new products I had never tried before on the Instagram last week, they were the Loving Tan self tanning mousse in extra dark and the Clinique makeup removing balm and cleanser. Firstly I want to talk about Loving Tan, I was a bit skeptical at first as there is so much hype around this product both positive and negative so it was one brand I steered clear of for quite a while. What an idiot I was! This is the best self tanning product I have used! No joke - this review is in no way endorsed either, I bought the tan myself from David Jones and I have found a new holy grail. The formula itself I found is not overly green based like Bondi Sands, and the guide colour doesn't sink into my pores like most self tanners do (I am forever walking around with spotted legs), so I was really happy with that. It also produces more of a deep golden natural tan, and I found it didn't wash off as quickly as Bondi Sands either (BS & St Tropez lasts around 2 days on me, LT has lasted 4 so far) and I didn't need to re apply it or add in a gradual tanning moisturiser I just used my normal cocoa butter.. The only negative I had with this tan was the strong biscuit/bitter smell on the first day, it was super strong and I had to shower once in the morning, then midday, then afternoon, didn't stain the sheets though! I will definitely be using this product again without a doubt.. So happy with it and I recommend it if you are in between a few brands, by all means if you love a different product let me know your thoughts, and if you end up trying Loving Tan let me know what you think :) Now onto my review of the Clinique makeup removing balm and cleanser. This product really surprised me as I wear a lot of makeup and most of it is long wear / double wear range plus setting sprays and this balm takes it all clean off in one wipe. So firstly it retails at $55 and comes in a purple round dish container, you can buy it from Mecca, David Jones and Myer.. The trick is to get about a 20c piece sized blob in your hands and slowly warm it up before applying it to your face (you can scoop it out with a spoon if your having trouble getting the right amount) the consistency is similar to solidified coconut oil, and when you apply it to your face it melts down to a smooth lightweight film. Leaving it on for about 1 minute, I dampened a face washer and gently wiped my face down and it literally takes all the makeup off in one smooth motion (even eye makeup including lash glues and glitter etc). It has made me actually look forward to removing my makeup at the end of the day because my skin feels like silk afterwards, I also haven't had any irritation or increase of blemishes since using this everyday, I highly recommend to anyone that doesn't have a lot of time for a vigorous skin care regime, as this doubles as a cleanser so I don't have to worry too much about putting anything on before bed besides a light oil free moisturiser if my face is feeling dry. So I picked two winners last week, and I'm that confident in my selections I am good to be choosing two more products this week that I've never tried before to review for you all.. If you have any suggestions please let me know! I will see if I can make this a recurring thing for the blog (if James doesn't cut me off first) haha! Until next time, thank you for reading! Xx

Tooth whitening review + life update!

Hello lovelies! I thought I would do a quick review for you all and also give you an update on what's happening in my life right now because I'm sure you're all dying to hear! Firstly I want to talk about my latest adventure that is whitening my teeth! I hope to someday soon start the process of getting a few veneers so to do that my teeth need to be in really good condition hygiene wise and colour wise.. So I want to give a shoutout to a product that is really affordable and so far so good in my books. Purchased off eBay two weeks ago, (disclaimer, it's still early days so if you buy this and you're teeth fall out or something ridic I won't be held responsible) ;) it was $25.99 and came with 3 syringes of 18% carbamide peroxide and 2 syringes of this blue potion that helps with tooth sensitivity. The deal is you get two tooth trays that you have to soften in hot water then mould to your top and bottom teeth, then you whack some gel in the trays when moulded and stick them uncomfortably in your mouth and chew on a blue uv light for 20-30mins. My first impression of this product was cool it's cheap, and if it whitens my teeth a little bit I'll be happy, for $25 I didn't really care either way. After using the product for just over a week I can say that it definitely works, and there's definitely ways you can use it correctly AND incorrectly which I'll talk about next.. So listen here you beautiful bitches cos I'm about to eff you up with some truth: Burnt gums are some real shiz. Do not, I repeat do not take it upon yourself to lather up that tray with more than the recommended slither of gel around the edge, because your gums will never be the same, when it comes to instructions I've never been one to follow them as I like to push the boundaries but holy hell for the sake of your gums and being able to eat solids I warn you to stick to the guide and don't overdo it with this carbamide lava-oxide business. If it's burning your gums, take out the trays, rinse your mouth out with water and start again.. It might take you a few tries to figure out what works best for you but you're aiming for 20 mins of pain free whitening because it is possible. Once I got over the consequence of burnt gums I was able to enjoy my tooth whitening experience and I can say I really am happy with the results. The blue potion also works wonders for sensitivity because after the initial few days you will get some ache if you're using it every day, all you need to do with this stuff is load up the trays and put them in for 5 mins (no uv light needed) and rise as normal afterwards.. It's like a nice soothing bath for your new sparklers. I wouldn't say you'd need to use the whitener more than once a day but I've used it twice on weekends etc and haven't had an issue. I usually apply it when I'm about to do my hair in the morning or just before bed at night, or while writing this blog. So if you're looking for something affordable and are interested in this kit I will put the link below, it took about 4 days to arrive in the post within Australia but they also ship internationally! Let me know what other affordable teeth whitening kits you've tried!? I want to try hi-smile next. Ps, incase you didn't already catch on, I am in no way shape or form being paid for that review (I'm still not that famous guys relax) and all my reviews or posts about brands and products are 100% my own personal and honest opinions, if I do get sent something to review I will definitely tell you first. *holds breath* Next up I wanted to tell you all what's happening in my life right now and my plans for the rest of the year! At the moment my wedding plans are very much back on track so you will be seeing a lot more wedding fashion and beauty inspiration on the blog and Instagram page, don't worry though as I will still be doing normal fashion and seasonal trend blogs (keep an eye out for some spring stuff soon) and probably a few v-logs of day to day stuff with my wedding planning so stay tuned for all of that as it's going to get really exciting! I also have been MIA lately because I'm working on a few things with James and his wardrobe as I have wanted to incorporate men's fashion into the blog since it started so that isn't too far away either I promise! Let me know of any products you want me to try or hit me up on the Instagram or my Facebook page for any fashion tips or advice, I love outfit planning with you all! Until next time, xx Instagram: RivalRunway Facebook: https://facebook.com/withhighexpectations (or search Jordan Lee Keats) Whitening kit: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=321495700697&globalID=EBAY-AU

Monochrome Monday

My mac lipstick swatches and review!

Greetings beauty bandits! Tonight I'm going to be chatting with you all about my Mac lipstick collection and I will post a photo of the swatches on my Instagram for you all to see what I'm talking about! I happen to have accumulated these over a few months due to them being almost $40 a pop, but they are my favourite brand of lipstick and I don't mind dishing out the dollars for a good colour, in saying that I do have a few "why did I buy this" colours but I'll get to that soon! So without further ado.. In order of favourites to least: 1. Viva Glam II - A light latte brown, similar shade to Velvet Teddy but lighter. The blend is a satin so it is nice and creamy with long lasting shine. This is my favourite due to the nude brown colour that goes with everything, but I do also like the creamy finish that seems to last pretty well on my gigantic and extremely temperamental lips. 8.5/10. 2. Kinda Sexy - Again with the nudes I know, you will see a pattern I'm sure. This is a light peachy nude with brown undertone. Goes with absolutely everything and even though it is a matte blend, it is quite creamy and easy to apply. This is my most used Mac lipstick so far, I will definitely repurchase. 7.5/10. 3. Faux - I adore this shade! It is a close 3rd as I have only just purchased but this is definitely one of my 'go to' shades to dress up a look. It's a light chocolate brown but with a purpley pink undertone if that makes sense? Maybe a purple beige? Purpeige? Haha! Whatever it is I love it, it's a satin blend so really easy to apply and leaves a beautiful creamy finish. 7/10. 4. Velvet Teddy - If you had of asked me what my favourite lipstick was two months ago, I would have said this guy. A darker brown shade but with a nude undertone, goes with almost everything. Things I don't like about this shade are: it's matte, and it's a very dry matte, well my particular stick is (perhaps I'm just unlucky) and it bugs me so much because I love the colour. Since finding other shades and especially Viva Glam II I don't use VT as much anymore. I also don't like how sometimes depending on what I wear and how heavy my makeup is, it can come up really dark and overpowering, it's not something I look for usually unless I'm in the mood for a dark brown lipstick, so in other words this baby can go from 0-100 real quick. I can get away with it during the day but it changes colour too much at night, so for all those reasons I'm giving the VT (made famous by Kylie Jenner and her totes el naturale lips) a 6/10. 5. Mehr - A rich burgundy brown colour that can be worn as a heavy cover or light depending on the colour you want to achieve. I find wearing it as a lighter coverage highlights the burgundy undertones a lot more and I don't mind it. This was my first ever Mac lipstick and from the moment I bought it I found it difficult to get a consistent shade everytime. Like the Velvet Teddy it can change depending on what I'm wearing and just simply look like a dark brown. It's a matte blend but it's not overly dry which is a plus. 5/10. 6. Fleshpot - We have now entered the 'girl what were you thinking' category. This seemed like a good idea on my hand, I can't even use the 'this was one of my first purchases' because I literally bought it last week! I feel like it's a concealer stick in disguise, I might not have the application down pat, I've tried full coverage, I've tried light coverage and I've ever tried a lip pencil under it. I just don't understand this colour, it's a nude cream colour with what appears to be a blue base which is all its really got going for it because it looked really nice on my hand. Satin blend, really creamy and easy to apply if you want to go as a corpse to any upcoming Halloween parties? 2/10. 7. Drumroll... Please Me - This colour is horrendous on my face. I don't know what went wrong as its really pretty on my hand, (again if you ladies learn anything from me tonight please don't just go off the colour on your hand) this is a non iridescent, non offensive looking medium pink shade. Unfortunately for my lovely shade of fair skin, this lipstick instantly picks up every red pigment in my face and makes me look like a ripe tomato, okay maybe I'm being dramatic but I seriously cannot wear this shade it's just too pink to its core! I need a blue base pink or something, even iridescent would suit me better. Matte blend and quite dry so it's just losing the battle in all aspects of winning over my love. Keeping it until I can find a friend to palm it off to. 1/10. So there you have it, my Mac collection so far.. Stay tuned for updates on this because I'm sure it will grow and I'm sure there will be more 'was I drunk when I bought this' shades to share! Ps, for those of you who don't know me personally, I don't get lip injections, and I wouldn't wish these oversized lopsided things on anyone. That being said, I don't have anything against people who do get their lips plumped, if it makes you feel more confident than why not! They're probably way more even than mine so I'm jealous of you. Until next time lovelies x

Essentials

How to look good, half naked!

So I have been working on this for all you lovely ladies that want to look and feel absolutely stunning while in the bedroom! You don't need to have a partner as an excuse to want to dress up in some sexy lingerie and feel good about yourself.. Every woman needs the essentials in her delicates drawer even if it is right down the bottom! Step one, shave, your legs! Prep yourself so you're feeling soft and shiny wherever you would like to be! I find a body scrub will give you that extra buffed feel so you have silky smooth skin that you could slide across the kitchen floor with ease. My favourite body scrubs for silky soft skin are Frank Body Scrub (the obvious choice) but when I'm all out of Frank I am a huge fan of Soap and Glory scrubs you can buy from Mecca Maxima, I have been using one called 'breakfast smoothie' that smells like maple. Step two, pick your set! My recommendation is to visit places like Honey Birdette and Isabella's Passion (not for the faint hearted) to figure out what YOU like.. Even though some of you ladies may be a little shy during this exercise I do recommend to try before you buy! If you prefer somewhere to go that is a little less intense, try Bra's and Things or Myer, they also have some beautiful pieces and are a little more affordable. Don't be scared to ask the shop assistant for her advice, that's what she's there for! Step three, dress up. It's time to get your gear off and slip into your new under garments! It's important that you feel comfortable (not literally comfortable because this will probably be the most uncomfortable outfit you will wear in all your life besides possibly a straight jacket or your wedding dress) but comfortable in a sense that you are feeling great about how you look in this outfit. Also, I do sincerely wish you the best of luck in strapping yourself in to said outfit, you may need to dislocate your shoulder to tie that hard to reach bow or do up that last little clasp that you didn't know was there. Best to keep an open mind about your gymnastic abilities! Step four, final touches. So if you are dressing up for your significant other, or just want to finish off the look, get in front of a mirror and create a really dewy natural makeup look (don't go to too much effort though as you'll probably get all sweaty and gross in the not too distant future) I would suggest a soft pink blush and some big eyelashes with some white eyeliner to make the eyes pop, and some highlighter on top of the cheek bones, cupid's bow and the bridge of the nose to give you some glow. Depending on what mood you're in you might want to complete the look with a red lipstick or dark brown lipstick to give you more of a sultry feel, completely up to you! Last but not least, spray some of your favourite perfume on the face of your shoulders, collar bones, wrists and neck. You want to smell great for all those kisses you'll be getting.. So there you have it, I hope you ladies can all feel great about owning some lingerie, I find it important to dress up every so often and it gives you a huge confidence boost! So remember whatever the occasion, it's always a good time for coordinating lingerie! Until next time x

July Favourites + RivalRunway plans

Bonjour fashion lovers! I hope you have been enjoying winter thus far.. Tonight I have compiled a list of extraordinary items that I have not been able to live without during this very cold month of July – thank goodness its nearly August and the warmer weather is on its way back.

Firstly I wanted to give a big mention to my favourite store for the month, which I’m sure I have made quite obvious to those who follow the RivalRunway Instagram what it is, Mecca Maxima! I was lucky enough to qualify for a Level 1 beauty loop box this week and I am super excited to explain to you all what that even means.

I signed up to the ‘Mecca Beauty Loop’ when we were in Melbourne as I was frequently visiting Mecca Maxima / Cosmetica and I found out that by signing up as a member you receive 1 free makeup application per year, and 1 beauty loop box per quarter. A beauty loop box consists of around 3 sample products and 1 decent freebie, they come in different levels depending on what you’ve spent throughout the year. To qualify for a Level 1 box you will need to spend a minimum of $300 per year, Level 2 is $600, and Level 3 is $1200.. obviously the quality or value of the contents varies between each level, but I was super happy with what was in my box, and I am striving for a level up next quarter (lmao James is probably rolling his eyes reading this)

So the products that were in the package were a 1 minute facial cleansing mask, daily nourishing moisturiser, Argan oil moisturiser spf47 and a ByTerry travel sized growth boosting mascara. The mascara is pretty awesome so far and I am saving the rest of the samples for a rainy day, all in all I’m happy with anything that’s free, and I spend a lot of money there anyway so what a bonus to receive freebies every quarter. Highly recommend joining up for anyone that isn’t already a member of the Beauty Loop!

Moving on with my favourites for this month. I was lucky enough to get my hands on something I had been chasing for a few months, I have recently become a member of about 3-4 Mimco buy sell swap pages on facebook. This has caused a large amount of fighting in this household but overall happiness. I tracked down a gorgeous Nude Offbeat Hipbag and I have just never seen something so beautiful, these bags are the perfect size for a small pouch, phone, lippy, etc etc.. actually about the same size as a clutch. SUPER handy for someone like me that would lose their head if it wasn’t screwed on so it’s great that I can wear this cross body style and not have to worry about leaving it anywhere. Colour goes with everything as well so I haven’t taken it off since I got it :’) I recommend getting one, I’ll be buying the same in black as soon as James has forgotten how much this one cost me.

Second thing I haven’t been able to live without in this weather. COCOA BUTTER + COCONUT OIL all in one bottle. Pure happiness to be able to lather this stuff on before I go to bed at night and wake up still moisturised and silky smooth, also if you put this stuff on in the morning and your wearing something that doesn’t cover your legs and you don’t want your skin to turn to stone, this is your guy. Winter is so drying on my skin and even James is well and truly on this bandwagon.. I usually have to hunt down where it has made its way to throughout the house because someone needs to buy their own bottle. Mhm.

Lastly, I have been totally diggin’ my knockoff ‘Timberlands’ I purchased in Melbourne from ZU shoes. I have been a real boot gal all Winter and these babies are the perfect mix between casual and dressy, depending what you pair them with they can easily transition between night and day outfits, and they are super comfortable. I have seen many in stores and online, and I also bullied my friend into buying the heeled style as well, which totally look amazing with a pair of jeans and jumper. I wear these to work a fair bit and have found they keep their shape really well as you wear them in, I highly recommend the style from ZU as they are genuine leather upper so they are going to last a few Winters – I sure hope they stay in fashion.

There have also been a few beauty products I have been dying over at the moment but I want to do a separate post about them as it will be quite lengthy. I will also be talking about my personal interest in make-up right now and what I am planning to do tutorial and vlogging wise, as for Rival Runway I have some exciting things planned, I am working with James to build a ‘dress your man’ blog, and I want to keep updating it as he has quite the collection of corporate wear. I enjoy Mens fashion as much as I do my own so I thought I could let you in on some of my favourite styles and places I like to shop for him.

 Anyways, until next time, enjoy the week ahead!

 Jordan x

June Favourites!

It has been quite a busy month for me! I spent the first half preparing for Melbourne and my birthday and I have spent the last half winding down from the trip and gearing up for EOFY sales (yay). I thought I would get this in before the start of July as I have come across a lot of awesome new products and brands that I want to share with you all.

Firstly, if you’ve been following me for a while or you follow my personal IG you will have noticed that I have been posting a lot more makeup and beauty products or looks because it’s something I have always been interested in but haven’t ever really had the time to pursue it, now I do and I will probably be looking into getting some sort of certification so I can get a little more knowledge about it and see if I want to pursue it as a career. But for now, I am just getting to know what brands I like and don’t like, and where are the best places to shop and source the products I want.

Currently I am obsessing over Too Faced cosmetics, I received a few samples with a Mecca Maxima purchase a few months ago and decided to stock up & try a few products while I was in Melbourne. So far I am impressed. Too Faced aren’t the most expensive cosmetics line, compared to Mac, EL, Napolean etc I have found the quality to be comparable and the quantity is better for the money you’re paying. At the moment I have been using their Melted Longwear Lipsticks nearly everyday, these colours are gorgeous and not tedious to apply like a liquid to matte because they stay soft but the colour is still very prominent and they smell amaze balls, I’m also loving the powder foundation, super fine and flawless, it’s based on cocoa powder so it smells like chocolate and I’m a sucker for anything that smells yum. By far the standout product for me though has been the ‘Better Than Sex’ mascara, (they aren’t lying) it really is that good, I have no dramas with application and find it separates my lashes really well.

Next on the list of favourites: TAUPE TAUPE TAUPE. This colour was made for me I swear. If I could live in it I would, it is my first search word on most online shopping websites, I even bought a $20 tote bag that I will literally never use, but it is the most gorgeous Taupe colour. I have a problem. I’ve been wearing Taupe on my nails almost all Winter, and I am currently on the hunt for a Taupe knit, I cant believe I haven’t found one yet – why doesn’t everyone like Taupe as much as me? I’m going to stop saying Taupe now. Taupe.

Accessory favourites have been my trusty Mimco’s all month, I have begun quite the collection, I have joined about 4 Mimco buy swap sell pages on facebook (there’s a lot worse obsessions out there guys) and have filled up my watch list on ebay. I love the sizes of the pouches first of all, I feel like Mimco really gets me, (apparently people with iphone 6’s struggle though). Basically, I have a few small pouches that I use at the moment instead of a traditional wallet, I don’t ever have cash on me so I don’t inherit a lot of coins throughout the week and I find that it can fit about 5 of my most used cards and my iphone quite comfortably. Then, I use the medium pouches as clutches for when I go out, they fit makeup, phone, cards, whatever else you need for a night out, and they are so pretty! I feel like everyone is already aware of this and I’m getting on the bandwagon late but anyways I am here now! I also found their offbeat hip bags to be very useful in Melbourne when I was out and about everyday but didn’t want to carry my whole life with me but most of it. I am chasing a nude and rose gold one to add to my collection so keep an eye out for me!

Clothing and shoes I have been living in this month – I have a new found appreciation for Topshop, not their crazy sale section but their full price range. They have a decent TALL range, I am forever on struggle street when trying to find the perfect pair of jeans, but I got a pair of highrise skinny jeans that are super comfortable and come all the way down to my ankles (yay). Also have had a lot of luck with sales lately, Mimco and Kookai began their mid season sales on my birthday, the actual day, and Sass & Bide have had up to 70% off. I’ve been living in my Liana tops from Kookai, (merino wool long sleeve cowl neck) super warm and comfortable, my high rise jeans I got from the Sass & Bide sale (I will seriously never wear low rise jeans again), and anything cowl neck turtle neck knitted have been my staples all winter, just a really effortless look for either day or night! Lastly, I have been wearing my ‘The Horse’ watch to death ever since I purchased for my birthday, this watch is so comfortable and I love the soft vegetable tan leather, it looks really good with or without a tan.. I’ll probably buy the same in black next time.

That’s about everything I think! I’ve noticed that nude/beiges are still trending throughout the winter shades, which I love, also have seen a lot of lace coming back into stores – I’m not entirely won over by it, I think lace has its place (lol) and that’s on lingerie but I may eat my words as winter ends and spring returns.

Hopefully you are all staying warm and enjoying the cold weather while it lasts, I have enough knits now to get me through to December.. sigh #useful.

 Until next time x

 Jordan.

Melbourne Trip !

Hi lovelies! Sorry it has taken me so long to piece together my blog post about the Melbourne visit – there was so much day to day information to compile for you all!

In short, it was such an amazing trip, if you haven’t been and you’re fashion obsessed like myself YOU NEED TO VISIT!

Day 1 was seriously something out of a fairytale, a modern day shopaholic fairytale.

We flew in Thursday morning (my birthday) and arrived at Tullamarine at around 12:15pm, I survived the flight that I had been terrified of for weeks leading up to this, so that was a great way to start the day anyway! Much to my surprise my fiancé James had pre organised a Mercedes limo chauffeur for us to our hotel from the airport, I was completely blown away! I actually felt like a celebrity.. little old me was excited to jump in a yellow Melbourne cab (yes they are actually yellow guys) so I really did not expect anything like this, it was a really sweet birthday surprise on top of everything that was already going on! Anyways the Mercedes had pink mentos in the back and it was just really great.

We arrived at our hotel The Citadines on Bourke Street, this was such a great place to stay, but I will talk more about that later.

The rest of Thursday consisted of a strange cab ride to the South Wharf DFO (Melbourne cab rides are apparently not so exciting after all, which made me appreciate our airport transfer even more.) We spent about 2 hours in this DFO – I had spoken to my friend Channy about it before we hopped on the plane but in all honesty Chanel, if you’re reading this I didn’t really listen to you I was just trying to concentrate on not vomiting on the airport floor before we boarded the plane.. but from what I did hear, you were right, this place was either a hit or miss.. With any DFO you can either have a good day and go there, spend all your money and leave with a lot OR not spend a cent. That day, I took the first option and spent nearly all of my $$ in one go, there were just so many stores! These included but weren’t limited to, Michael Kors, Sass and Bide, Mimco, Fossil etc plus everything you would normally find at our DFO in Brisbane. But being in Melbourne they had way more variety and lots more high end outlets. It was just fantastic. James had to drag me out of there, and himself because by that stage he had spent more than me, as it turns out Mens outlets weren’t so much as outlets as they were just full priced stores, so unlucky for him!

After a huge afternoon at the DFO, in true Jordan style I remembered it was Thursday night late night shopping and decided to have a bite to eat when we got back to the hotel, and then hit the streets to hunt down the much anticipated EMPORIUM shopping mall!

This place blew my mind! I didn’t fully grasp the contents of it until I had been there 3 days in a row to find shops that I had missed on the first two days. The layout I found comparable to probably Carindale or Robina shopping malls in Queensland but in saying that, its 3 levels (that I knew of) and the architecture was beautiful. Very spacious, even though there were a lot of people there it didn’t feel over crowded or busy, lots of comfy furniture for me to leave James for a few minutes/hours and the best part? The Emporium Shopping centre in Melbourne, connects to the other equally amazing Melbourne Central shopping centre, YES IT ACTUALLY IS ALL CONNECTED. Two shopping centres! Side by side! I didn’t figure that out until the next day but it still had an equally mind blowing effect on me.

Friday was day 2, and I promised James we could do some exploring! So we waited for a tram for 20 minutes, that apparently came every 12 minutes, then caught a cab to the Victoria Markets. This place was huge! I wasn’t blown away by the shops because it was mostly just the same stall every five metres (leather, wool, wood, jumpers, warm clothing) in the general section, but the fresh stalls, wow! I really wish I could have tried some of the fresh fruit and veg, the antipastos, cheeses, they just had so much! It was absolutely freezing there as well, I think it had something to do with the tin roof and it being only 6 degrees that day, but I found myself in 3 layers of clothing complete with gloves and beanie.

We walked back from the markets and did a little bit more shopping in Bourke Street, the Bourke Street mall had a bit of everything you would find in Queen Street mall, but it’s much longer than Queen Street. Around 12:30pm this jolly shopper was interrupted by the Commonwealth Banks eftpos facilities going down, and we had to wait about 20 minutes to even buy lunch, but it gave us some time to get right to the end of Bourke Street where H&M is and see the huge GPO building, which meant more photos and sightseeing, and James could breathe without me swiping the card for a while. HAHA!

The night came quickly (about 5pm it gets dark) and we decided to head out for dinner and drinks at the Crown! I was so excited to actually get all dressed up and then I remembered I was in Melbourne and I had better think sensibly about what I should wear. I got away with it though as the Casino was very warm and the drinks were strong and before we knew it we were having a French dinner on the riverside and I got to see the fire show on the river at around 8pm. This was such a highlight, I recommend anyone who is visiting Melbourne go have dinner on the river and you will see the Crown wharfs fire pillars light up on the hour. We didn’t win anything at the casino, although we came out almost even and we lasted a few hours so was totally worth it! The Crown Casino by the way, was probably the coolest place we visited, it was absolutley huge, had its own high end shopping mall, 5 restaurants, night club and the layout was just insane, it just kept going, and going. I even found out it has a cinema at the top that I didn’t even see!

Saturday we slept in a little and had some breakfast in Melbourne central Pancake Parlour, again if this was a food blog I could totally go to town on all the meals I had in Melbourne, everything was on point! But moving along, Melbourne Central shops are awesome, the ground floor had this kind of outdoorsy layout and had little lanes off the main shops that had all sorts of hidden wonders in them. Did I mention that nearly every shop had started their 50% off mid year sales as well? Just in time for me clearly. More hours were spent trailing around making new discoveries, I actually found myself in the Little Collins district lost in the royal arcade looking for the only shop within 15kms that sold those god damned The Horse watches which I sporadically decided I needed on the way back to the hotel. I eventually found the store, which was after I was told to leave a store I thought was it because I had too many shopping bags (apparently a high end store thought I looked a bit shady – rookie error right?) so I got the bloody watch and we headed back to the hotel.

We also took a walk down to the Aquarium as it was our last day and we wanted to get a few more snaps of everything. The Aquarium was underwhelming, I think it is more of a children’s attraction, but James enjoyed it ;)

The last night in Melbourne we decided to visit Hardware Lane, I am so glad we did! This was such a big highlight of the trip for us. We truly unwound and I got a bit too smashed for someone who is afraid of flying and had to catch and early flight the next day, but nevertheless. We went to Amigos Mexican bar and had delicious food and extremely strong but delicious drinks, talked about how much fun we’d had and everything we had bought, and how the hell we were going to fit it all in one suitcase.. but more importantly where we wanted to visit next!

Melbourne was truly an amazing trip, it was the first place that James and I had visited solo and we had the best time. The Citadines where we stayed was a fab place, close to everything and in walking distance, they upgraded us when we arrived and laughed at all my shopping bags I came back with daily, I think the main attendant sympathised with James a lot. I would visit again in a heartbeat, and I would know all the places to shop and dine like the back of my hand.

If you guys need me to recommend anywhere to visit if you’re planning a trip down to Melbourne, or if you want to share where your favourite places were down there, let me know! I hope you enjoyed the read as much as I enjoyed writing it all.

Until next time, Jordan x

Couldn't resist 👋🏽💸 #Valentino #valentinorockstuds

#senso #westley #today

Bringin’ in the boots..

Firstly, I am going to start by saying 'holy cold’. Winter has definitely hit Brisbane people! Better late than never I guess, and just in time to prepare me for Melbourne which is NEXT WEEK by the way.. Not that anyone is counting the days besides me.

This week I have decided to create a go-to-guide for anyone looking for that perfect pair of boots for these cooler months. I have gone out and hand picked some of the best options for you, including some really affordable stuff.

First stop for all the bargain lovers, Kmart. For about $15-$20 you can score yourself a pair of leather look or suede boots. I chose a pair of brown leather look (I say leather look because they are 100% synthetic - don’t go to a bonfire with these babies on) boots that come halfway up my calf so they disguise my ankle biter jeans as full length. I find Kmart quality to be ok, they will only last one winter but for this price I really have nothing to complain about. These particular boots in my opinion don’t look tacky and look really great with blue or white denim.

Theiconic.com.au will be next on my affordability scale. This website is literally a goldmine for bargains, they have sales on EVERYTHING all year round and they deliver next day express postage, and if your order is over $50 its free postage. I really don’t have a bad word to say about this site, so I’ll continue with my favourite brands to keep an eye out for on here! Spurr Basics are my top pick, with a huge range of ankle and calf high boots, there is a lot on sale right now too, and I am loving the ‘Colombia’ & ‘Anastasia Slouch' boots. Other brands to keep a look out for are Atmos&Here (Exclusive to The Iconic), Siren and Therapy, although the best thing about The Iconic is their huge range that includes all my other favourite brands like Tony Bianco, Senso, Wittner and even Timberlands! Dangerous.

IF you still have money in your bank after a visit to the above website please keep reading...

ZU Shoes. They have really picked it up in the style and affordability department in recent years.. With Zu I find the quality to always be really good, and things go on sale pretty quickly. I am loving the ‘Festival’ ankle boots at the moment that come in Black or Brown suede, with fringing detail on the side, perfect to dress up blue denim or ankle grazers.

Famous Footwear - I had to mention famous, because they are always really affordable if you rather quantity over quality. They have a huge variety of styles, they seem to be really focused on the Timberland look boots this season with a lot of different versions of them available in stores and online. My personal experiences with shoes from FF are mixed, I have had boots that have lasted a few winters and some that have lasted a few weeks - it’s hard to tell which way it will go but I find the quality very comparable to Kmart or Big W but most of their prices are marked up. 

Last but not least I’ll be recommending Windsor Smith. Here you are paying for quality and a well known brand with a (reasonably) good reputation, in my opinion Windsors are really good value for money, I haven’t had any bad experiences with shoes that I have owned from Windsor, and don’t know anyone that has. (I’m sure that isn’t the case for everyone but I am so far a pretty big fan of this brand.) They’ve currently got a really good range of styles that are edgy and a little alternative if you like something a bit different.. I love the ‘Sharni’, ‘Sketch’ & ‘Sighty’ styles in tan or black for everyday wear, and for something a little more bold I have my eye on the ‘Grinder’ and ‘Pommy’ boots! 

I hope this has helped anyone that is a little bit lost on what to buy for this winter, and let me know of any good brands or places you’ve found to be really good for boot shoppin’.. I am still working on my collection.. Always room for more shoes in my household. Which reminds me, anyone know of any good places to find an elaborate shoe shelf or rack - please point me in the right direction. 2 bedroom apartments are clearly lacking in the storage department.. 

Until next time - WHEN I’M BLOGGING EVERYDAY IN MELBOURNE,

Jordan x

MAY favourites !

First and foremost, welcome ladies and gents to the cooler months. Today I am writing to you all about my favourite things this May, and what's been keeping me busy this month. It's that time of year where I have officially said goodbye to my Summer tan, and have gone full speed into albino mode. Thus making number one on my list of things you can't live without this season; Bondi Sands. I have yet to find a product by Bondi Sands that disappoints me. I am currently using a combination of the 'dark' mousse, and then extending the initial tan with the Gradual Tanning Milk. This can stretch out my tan to last the full 7-10 days, depending on my upkeep. I usually apply the milk every second or third night and I find that's enough to keep a gorgeous glow all week. It's affordable, probably the most affordable and comparable to other brands I've tried (Jen Hawkins, ModelCo, St Tropez, etc) and it's green based as well so it won't leave you looking like you've just stepped out of a certain Chocolate Factory. The aim is to keep it looking as natural as possible - so you may find you don't need a combination of the products, experiment and stick to what feels right on you. Moving on, and I just want to start off by saying, I have never loved turtlenecks and cowl necks more than I do this season. I know you'll be surprised when I say this (I'm sure) but Kookai have absolutely nailed it this season. I have been currently living in an assortment of luxurious Merino Wool and Cotton pieces including the Blackout Tanks & Liana Tops (Merino wool), Weekend Funnel Neck Tops (Pima cotton) and Eiffel Tanks (Linen) just to name a few. These are my staples at the moment, and they're now available in way more colours on the website so I will have to invest in some more. (Sorry James..) Another May favourite of mine has been a new shade of lippy, Mac's Velvet Teddy. Previously rocked by Kylie Jenner it caught my eye a few months ago so I went and bought it. For about a month I didn't know what to do with it though, it's one of those shades that can change a bit depending on what you wear with it, so it took me a few wears to know what to pair it with. At the moment it's giving me a nice neutral tone to my winter vibe outfits and I wear it almost everyday. Absolutely Love it. Side note, I have also found a dupe for it in Maybelline MAT7 nude, I wear this shade a lot, but beware it is slightly more pink than the Mac. Wrapping up the May favourites now, last but not least, my Senso Riley V's in white croc have served me well this month. I cannot get over how comfy these babies are. No blisters, I can wear them all day! They are perfect for dressing up an outfit - Jeans and Ankle Grazers, Midi Skirts, Midi Dresses etc. Another side note, I need to get my hands on a pair of Senso Gabrielle II's in Latte Pony Leopard. (Sorry, again, James..) I am also visiting Melbourne for my birthday in June, we are staying at the Citadines on Bourke Street for 3 nights - hopefully I have aced the location, as planning and organising this trip has been keeping me very busy this month. Let me know if you have been and what places to visit.. I need all the help I can get. I will also be blogging everyday during my trip so I am looking forward to sharing that with you all. Hope you guys enjoyed my May favourites, I will endeavour to keep up with a 'favourites' entry each month for you all! Any suggestions or products you want me to try or review let me know, and thanks for all the suggestions so far. I am currently putting together an entry on Sunglasses, trying to find you guys the best shades this season! Until next time x