James Street - Brisbane's Shopping Mecca

Grab the girls for a day on James Street

“Shall we do EP first or S&B?” I asked my girlfriend as we pulled up in the car.

“Oooh...tough one. Let’s start at Sass & Bide, grab a coffee and then make our way up to Easton Pearson,” she replied. Deal! 

My faithful shopping companion and I had arrived for a day of retail therapy on James Street, Brisbane’s stylish oasis for Fashionistas, Fashion Die-Hards and us, the Fashion Wannabes. 

Located in Fortitude Valley on the north side of the CBD, James Street is the Queensland capital’s equivalent to Sydney’s Oxford Street and Chapel Street in Melbourne, and today it was our playground. Yippee!

As we entered the double-glass doors of Sass & Bide (Cnr James & Doggett St) we realised we might need more than a coffee to keep us going, because our arms were full of goodies and we’d only just started.

After deciding on a bright orange statement necklace (her) and a stunning ruby red Tee (me) we picked up two espressos to go from Jamie’s (Cnr James & Robertson St) and headed straight to James Lane (65 James Street), an enclave of boutiques alongside the main street. 

Made up of FrockShop (the online store’s first Australian retail space), Jules & Roc, Vanguard Design Boutique, Nat-Sui Shoes and many others, James Lane is a style hub in its own right.  It’s also home to Paul Hunt, a Brisbane couture label gaining international attention for its bridal gowns.

Taking full advantage of the buzz of caffeine, we crossed the road to try-on jeans in French Connection (50 James Street), embellished skirts at Easton Pearson (60 James Street) and amazing dresses in Kisses (50 James Street) - a much-loved boutique dedicated to offering a range of gorgeous women’s fashion including Collette Dinnigan, Paige and Josh Goot.

Remembering I had to pick up a birthday present for my Mum, I turned back towards Libertine Parfumerie (181 Robertson Street), a Parisian inspired boutique for world-class fragrances, while my fashion-savvy friend continued her way up James Street to drool over the shoes in Gary Castles Sydney (73 James Street) and admire one-off samples in Leona Edmiston Vintage (60 James Street entry via Arthur Street). 

Apart from the international designers and leading Australian labels (think Witchery, Mimco, Scanlon and Theodore, ksubi, Alexis Dawn etc...) that make up the fashion landscape of James Street, the area originally found success in the 90s as a place for well-to-do locals to purchase luxury home wares and see independent films at the cinema.

Today, the shopping hub offers visitors a skilful mix of food providores, independent art galleries, spa retreats, award-winning restaurants, and of course, fabulous fashion. But it was a satisfying glass of Sauvignon-Blanc at Cru Bar & Cellar (22 James Street) that provided well deserved respite for two shopping-tragics at the end of a very fashionable day.

“So, same time next week for the other half of the street?” I asked. “Absolutely, I’ll drink to that!”  

Image provided by Tourism Queensland

Daydreaming

They say 'what goes around comes around' and never have truer words been said as I look at these pictures and imagine my Mum. I can see her in these dresses attending parties, having fun with her sisters and spending a week's pay cheque on a fabulous new dress. I can see me wearing it all too.

These pieces from American fashion label Emerson Fry are at the top of my Autumn lust-have list. Despite being available for the northern summer, I think they'd work well for our climate too. 

The simplicity, style, elegance and understated 'O' factor - as in Jackie - make these pieces spectacular. And...ahem, do I need to point out the divine Champagne glasses? I want it all!

I am so taken by these pieces (the white mod dress is my favourite) I'm even considering a dramatic change of hair colour. Stay tuned...

Have a good weekend. 

x

I Spy Winter...

I spy with my little eye the new Winter Kate S/S '11 Lookbook. Yippee!

Hollywood starlet and reformed wild child Nicole Richie is behind the boho designer label and is often captured wearing its trademark pieces - longsleeved tops/coats, high-waisted shorts, oversized sunglasses and peeptoe pumps. I've always admired how Nicole seemed to transform herself (with the help of an expensive stylist) overnight and make people take notice. Now she's selling that style across the world and I'm LOVING it. Unfortunately as it's designed by a hollywood star, the price tags are just as ritzy. Nevertheless, here are the items I'm admiring from far far away...

 

The First Lady: My New 'Savnista'

Michelle Obama's style is very well documented, photographed and analysed. Ever since she stepped on to the stage in that stunning one-shoulder white dress at her husband's inauguration in 2008, the First Lady has been America's new darling of fashion. Let's face it, there hasn't been another President's wife that has warranted so much attention since the ever-glamorous Jackie Kennedy - quiet rightly!

Now I don't normally take much notice of Michelle's outfits. Yes I buy my fair share of trashy mags and sit on People for hours skimming through all the celeb pics like any other normal (?) woman does, but Michelle's fashion hasn't been that high on my must-see-odomator. I'm not sure why. Maybe I see her as a bit to Mumsy for me - I'm holding onto my Independant Woman ideologies with gritted teeth and a monkey grip - or perhaps because she's associated to Politics? While I admire her style and taste I usually relate more to Reese Witherspoon (another Celeb/Girl crush I'll have to discuss another day).

That is until I saw this pic and discovered that her top is actually a $30 Gap dress. Nice work Mrs Obama! You've shown ladies across the world, Mothers or not, that style does not have to come with a large designer price tag.

I shouldn't be surprised really. Michelle once wore a white Gap tshirt to lunch with former First Lady Nancy Reagan and caused quite the stir. I knew I loved Gap tshirts for a reason!! I have several in a range of colours at home, but now I can honestly say I have the same 'outfit' as the First Lady - a stretch I know but I'm so going there!

Anywho... I'm proud to say Mrs Obama has found a new place in my heart as a savnista (savvy fashionista...get it?) and has inspired me to wear my Gap clothes over the weekend with pride and pretend I'm as super-stylish.

Happy Friday.
x

Here comes the McQueen

While HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton were whisked away in a helicopter for their first weekend as a married couple, I was at the newsagency buying every newspaper and magazine to satisfy my insatiable appetite for the glorious couple – in particular Ms Middleton.

I have to admit, I didn’t see this new obsession coming. When their engagement was announced, I was really pleased for them. I love a good wedding bash as much as the next chick, but excited? Nope, surely it’s just another celebrity wedding.  Oh, how wrong I was.