BEGINNING BOUTIQUE : SNAKES AND LATTES

Time for another Beginning Boutique lookbook to warm your winter wardrobe! cute and quirky, this time around model Miann looks gorge' even with that killer snake. Love those crystals...

Shop the looks at BeginningBoutique.com.au

I WANT IT NOW : DOROTHY PERKINS

How vintage-pretty is this coral dress from Dorothy Perkins?! Perfect for a ladylike mood...or a 50's fancy dress party!

BEGINNING BOUTIQUE : BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE

This week suddenly brought on a case of the shivers here in Brisbane; Winter is certainly making an early appearance this year! So I thought I would post up these cosy pics from Beginning Boutique's May look book to warm up the start of the new week for everyone. Happy Sunday!

HANDMADE BUY OF THE DAY : KNITTED CACTUS

Spotted in this months issue of Real Living (a mag I love) how cute are these knitted cacti! Handmade in Melbourne by the Etsy store Odds & Ends, Im loving the modern take on a 70s favourite, especially in that crisp white ceramic pot. All yours starting from $59AUD

from the May issue of Real Living

5 MINUTES WITH : BEGINNING BOUTIQUE

(words and artwork by lil ol' me - click pic to enlarge )

GB- Where did the idea for Beginning Boutique come from?

BB- I have a fond spot for amazing spaces and boutiques and after shopping at Colette in Paris I was sure that there was a definite need for a cool shop like that! This eventually morphed into an online store that took graphic design very seriously and provided clothes as a form of expression that not a whole pay cheque demands!

GB- Things kicked off for you in January 2008, what was the hardest part of getting BB off the ground?

BB- Getting our name out there, no one knows you exist online if you don't tell them!

GB- Biggest lesson learnt from having an online business

BB- Start small and work with what you have + LEARN THE LESSONS! By that I mean don't just do it because you want to - get some head knowledge.

GB- If you were to start all over again what would you do differently?

BB- Im not sure I would want to change anything as I have learnt so much.

GB- Describe an average day for you

BB- Hmm there isn't one, between meeting with designers, PR agents, interns, employees and trying to get some work done there really isn't anything that is continuos except a sweet-as-coffee and (!) chatting to everyone on Facebook

GB- What motivates and inspires you?

BB- I am inspired and motivated by life in general, the way a girl looks in her favourite outfit, Nylon magazine, nasty gal's store, blogs and so much more.

GB- What's the best part about working for yourself?

BB- The best part about working for myself is that I plan my day and get to do it my way.

GB- Worst part

BB- Accounting

GB- Describe Beginning Boutique in a few words

BB- BB is one of Australia's fastest growing online stores with a cool attitude, and I want to get to know you!

GB- Whats next? What does the future hold for BB ( and Sarah)

BB- Whats next… maybe getting a piece of paper showing that I have a bachelor in Business, maybe some euro travels not sure exactly, but whatever it is, it's exciting!

GB- What would you say to someone wanting to start their own business? do have advice for Australia's next generation of women entrepreneurs?

BB- If you want to start your own business GO TO UNI AND STUDY BUSINESS! Then if you still want to do it - go and intern for someone that is doing what you want to do. While you are doing this make sure that you have got it all planned - INCLUDING your plan for if things go wrong. It has to be water tight! Then start small and do it! good luck!

GB- Thanks Sarah! and good luck in 2011

Check out Beginning Boutique's online store and their Facebook page

LUST HAVE TREND : COLOUR ME CAMEL

Get ready for an invasion of Camel! (the warm beigey hue, not an invading herd of desert-dwelling mammals - har-de-har) From capes to boots and all the clutches, pants and dresses in between, this season's new black is a trend that has been simmering for a while, and is now expected to boil-over onto our streets in 2011. A great cool-weather Neutral; Camel means instant sophistication for any outfit. And teamed with warm reds, oranges, animal prints and crisp black & whites; its your go-to for chic.

TREND SHOPPING:

A.Witchery Oversized Boyfriend Cardi $129 B. YSL - leopard print Scarf $560 C. Topshop jersey bow front bodycon skirt £28 D. Topshop buckle cuff wedges £60 E. Kate Spade Chrystie street Rosaleen $395 F. Gucci Logo Keyring EUR 109,00

LUST HAVE TREND : EMERALD CITY

My second colour trend -Emerald- falls conveiniantly on the day of green! St Pattys.

Whether this one sprung up as a spinoff from the "green" eco-chic trend, the popularity of Wicked or as a nod to the latest line of celebrities spotted endorsing the hue, its definitely a stand out colour this season. And by stand out I mean; you wear it - you stand out. Its bold and

eye-catching; a colour made to be seen.

Best teamed with, blues, tans and gold jewellery, keep to rich jewel tones and deep shades for a more flattering look. Avoid matching one emerald with another, if you want the head to toe look invest in a dress and accessorise with metallics.

What better day to give this trend a trial run!

CELEBRITY TREND WATCH

Emerald on the 2011 red carpet via FabSugar

TRENDS ON THE RUNWAY

TREND SHOPPING

[1]Dorothy Perkins flower dress £20 [2]Anthropologie raw emerald earrings $198 [3]Rick Owens Leather jacket EUR 1250 [4]BCBG Max Azaria Leather watch $198 [5]Balenciaga college bag EUR 830 [6]Dorothy Perkins Hanging leaves collar £15 [7]Paul & Joe fringed suede sandals £183

FASHION TRENDS TO HOME HUES

Apparently like blue, time moves faster in green rooms! A calming and restful colour its why guests waiting for their 5 minutes of fame wait in a "green room". Its a colour that can signify renewal and nature and in your home you can be a little more flexible with the shades than fashion. Pick the tones that work best with what you already have and dont be afraid to experiment with something a little darker.

[1]OzDust Wicked magnet $8 [2]Anthropologie Moroccan Jewel Hurricane $98 [3]Letitia Morris vintage poster $450 [4]Ikea Karlstad armchair $369 [5]Country Road Natasha & Emme cushions $59.95 & $39.95 each [6]Spoilt Bath towels $55 [7]Ikea Blommig Vase $9.99

HAND MADE BUY OF THE DAY : DIY ANGRY BIRDS

First released by Rovio mobile in December 2009 for Apple, the game Angry Birds has since sold over 75 million copies worldwide and shows no signs of slowing down. The addictive puzzler is reported by wired.co.uk to be "the first waste of...time that can be accurately quantified. Every day, users spend 200 million minutes - 16 years every hour- playing the mobile game. Three trillion pigs have been popped." That's a lot of screen time! Enough for some to fall in love with the characters and want to crochet them into 3D friends? I'd say so..Check out this Etsy buy from The Itsy Bitsy Spider store; The patterns for all 6 birds are emailed to you for US$18 and you're able to start crafting within 24 hours. More smile-enducing patterns available online here.

I WANT IT NOW : YEOJIN BAE SEQUIN LOLA DRESS

I am in fashion love with this dress by (Korean born) Australian designer Yeojin Bae.

Pity I just missed putting it on my Birthday and Valentines day list ( har har) Available online for $1,590....sigh, so sparkly

LUST HAVE TREND : GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS

GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS : THE MAXI LIVES ON!

There was a lot of floor sweeping on the Spring runways recently and I couldn't be happier as this means a continuation of last summer's maxi revolution. Added in this season will also be some calf skimming lengths and toe-touching skirts; with plenty of colour and prints. This time around the trend is also a little more relaxed and body friendly - you will see more covered neckline choices and room to hide bra straps.

For an up to the minute look team your maxi frock with bejewelled sandals or some lace up wedges and add a piece of statement jewellery as frosting.

Perfect for times when you forget your fake tan or 'misplace' your razor, this one step outfit is the ideal failsafe summer style staple. So whether bright and structured, flirty and floral or hobo chic, the Maxi dress (and skirts) are every woman's friend this season and should be on your 'must have' shopping list!

LUST HAVE TREND : CELEBRITY STYLE

Katie Holmes, Ashlee Simpson, Nicole Richie and Chloe Kardashian

LUST HAVE TREND : SHOP THE LOOK

(1) Witchery Resin plate necklace $59.95, (2) Bloom Cosmetics nail polish 'Cate', (3)Witchery Spliced maxi tank dress $129.95, (4)Rubi Shoes skye sandal $29.95, (5)Witchery Carrie tassel clutch $129.95

(1) Oroton boho Hobo bag $795 (2) Sportsgirl summer tropic maxi skirt $89.95 (3) Mimco Dauphine rosary strand necklace $179 (4) Sass & Bide follow the line frill bodysuit $240 (5) Rubi shoes skye sandals $29.95 (6) Bloom cosmetics nail polish 'Greta' $29.95

I WANT IT NOW : FINGERSTACHE

Well it is officially November now...or should I say Movember? and the time has arrived for all the fellas in our lives to have an excuse to sport a little extra facial hair... for a good cause of course! Founded in 2006 this not-for-profit annual charity event raises awareness and funds for men's health issues; namely Prostate Cancer and Depression.

But what about all the moustache deficient ladies (and some men)?? Enter this hilarious novelty from Raw Space, The Fingerstache can be yours for only $14.95(+shipping) - problem solvered.

Theres a couple other clever Movember buys in the Raw Space online store worth a look (seen via The Design Files)

I WANT IT NOW : LENS CUP

How clever is this novelty cup from Third Drawer Down? I'm unashamedly fond of quirky finds like this and Thrid Draw Down certainly has no shortage on quirk! Selling from Fitzroy, they are Australia's only trading museum and well worth an online-shop browsing session; especially with Christmas now only weeks away! ( if you happen to take my advice, be sure to take a look at their limited edition textiles, lots to lust after!)

I WANT IT NOW : MITTEN ENVY

How clever are these Mittens from Kate Spade? I wish it got cold enough to wear them here in Brisbane! in fact while I'm making wishes; I wish we had a Wintery Christmas because these would be wonderful to wear and as gifts! sigh... I think I'll have to settle for a rainy Christmas this year. ( seen via Katie Armour)

HANDMADE BUY OF THE DAY : YELLOW THERE!

As a continuation of Today's Lust Have Trend, the Skinny Belt, I discovered this double wrap leather beauty in Lemon Yellow: right on trend! Handmade in Israel by Studio Amiel, this particular belt is hand cut from Vaketa leather and can be yours for $43USD. If yellow isn't your colour then check out the rest of the store for a rainbow of options. (Found on Etsy.com)

DREAMING OF A KIKKI K LIFE

I got a little caught up in the new Kikki K range on a recent shopping trip and have spent the last week dreaming of the perfect 'kikki' life; where everything is labelled and colour-coded, each pair of shoes has its own box and Polaroid tag and all the spices in the kitchen are in alphabetical order on trendy magnetic strips. Oh sigh, to be so organised! it would either be heaven or OCD. one day...one day. In the mean time a little eye candy :)

Please meet my future 2011 diary

I love this wardobe's clean-ivity (totally a word!) however the amount of boxes would probably end up costing more than my shoes

MIND SHOP : JCREW

Wish I had a J Crew wardrobe...looks so easy and comfy to wear