Mimco ‘Sparks Fly’ Pouch Review

  
My latest Mimco purchase has been this pouch. It’s called the ‘Sparks Fly’ pouch, in Gold. I’d had my eye on this for a while, and was lucky enough to nab this one from David Jones for $39. On the Mimco website, it currently says that it’s only available instores, but the boutique I went to didnt have it. Lucky there was a DJ’s nearby that stocked Mimco…

So onto the pouch itself… as you can see from the pics, only one side of it is glittery. The other side is just a gold synthetic material.

The glittery front also features a gunmetal toned Mimco badge.

The remaining hardware on the pouch matches this badge too, and that includes the zipper and the other little hardware on the inside.

The pouch itself measures 15cm in height and 20.5cms in length.

Once open, the pouch has its one main compartment which is big enough to fit any phone, cards, keys, lipgoss, whatever essentials you may carry.

For me, it easily fits my iPhone 6 Plus, about 10 cards, lipgloss, lighter and keys, and there’s still room for more, so if you’re not already carrying a phone wallet case, and you want to keep your phone in a slim case instead, this set-up is a great alternative.

Also located inside Mimco’s medium sized pouches, is a small inner zip section located on the back wall of the pouch. Its not really big enough to put anything significant in, great for loose change.

This inner zip also has gunmetal hardware and has a little Mimco badge on it too.

This pouch is currently also available in black on the Mimco website, however that colouway is not on sale. It’s full price at $79.95 and features yellow-gold hardware.

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Oroton ‘Alpine Chain Tote’ Review

This week I am reviewing Oroton’s Alpine Chain Tote because I believe this bag is Oroton’s winner of the season.
Pictured in this review in black, this bag is also available in a few other colours including chocolate brown, ivory, grey and depending on the season, a couple of others too.

The Alpine Chain Tote was first introduced to us last season when Oroton unleashed their Alpine collection.

When I first saw this bag, I thought it looks like a fabulous every day bag, perfect for work, fitting your iPad in.. etc.

So let’s get straight into it !

This gorgeous bag is made from super soft pebble grain leather and has custom designed gold chain handles and hardware.

The bag actually looks bigger than what it is in the photos. I initially thought it’s one of those really large totes, but it actually isn’t. That middle zipper section, it’s as big as an iPad mini for instance. You cannot fit a regular sized iPad into it.
The actual measurements are:
40w x 29h x 12d cms.

The easiest way to get an idea of the size is to basically imagine an A4 sheet of paper… That’s how big the front of the bag is. You can’t fit an A4 folder inside the bag though.

So let’s get to the inside of this lovely bag.
As you can see in the pics, there is a zipped section straight down the middle which is great for putting all your extra valuable stuff. It’s also great to fit your iPad mini in there.
On either side of this zipped section are 2 main sections. Both are the same size. On the back wall of the bag is a small zipped compartment which had the Oroton logo on it.
On the front wall of the second section are 2 small pockets great for your phone or lipstick.

Overall, the bag is a great size to use as a daily bag. You can easily fit you wallet, phone, keys, device, sunnies, makeup etc. It fits all your essentials easily.

The bag is quite plain on the outside. Besides the chain handles being a feature of the bag, the only other noticeable anything is a rectangular gold plaque on one side of the bag at the bottom.
Now, I’ll repeat that just to be clear.
The gold plaque is NOT on both sides of the bag. It is only on 1 side. So if you want people to notice your bag is Oroton, always make sure you carry the bag the right way around.

Now for the price. The normal retail price is $595 but we all know that Oroton has some great sales sometimes. Right now, I’ve seen it for $446 on the Oroton site.
Keep an eye on eBay too though as you could fine one for around the $300 mark.

Overall, if you’re looking for a bag that screams designer, this isn’t it. This bag is understated and elegant, and for the price, you are paying for the excellent quality and the usage you’re going to get out of it.
It’s an investment piece. It’s an awesome work bag for instance. Perfect for when you’re on the train, and you want to have all your stuff with you.

So to end this review, I’m giving this bag 4 stars as I think it’s totally perfect but one thing I’d change is the size. I would like to have it just a little bit bigger.
But for what it is, I love it.

MONTIQUE ‘ADRIANA’ TAPEWORK GOWN REVIEW

This stunning number is the Adriana Tapework Gown, by Montique.
Pictured above in Ivory, the Adriana is also available in Black, which is pictured below.

This gown would have to be one of those dresses that make every body look amazing & flattering.
In my opinion, the combination of the fabric and cut produces a result that hides your flaws, accentuates your good points and makes you appear taller.

The fabric is thick but breathable, not too heavy, with some stretch. Underneath the top layer of fabric is a nude coloured slip, which gives the effect of skin showing when really it’s not. It’s also not clingy so you don’t run the risk of unattractive underwear lines.

It’s extremely easy to get in and out of, with one simple zipper down the back.
Another good point about Adriana is that you don’t particularly need to buy a special bra to go underneath it. Any lower line bra will work just fine with it, and the straps won’t show either.

Now the cut. Wow. That cut really is something.
Mildly plunged at the front and back, then fitted all the way down to about, just above the knee, then it flares out into a mermaid fish-tail.
Va-va-voom !

The black version of this gown is the perfect black dress that works for almost any formal occasion or party.
The Ivory version is also gorgeous, fabulous for a day time outdoor wedding or christening, maybe even a garden party.

The Adriana dress is one of the many reasons why Montique is fast becoming one of Australia’s fastest growing event wear designer. It’s unique, sophisticated, always classy and there’s something for everyone.

So, this beautiful gown retails for $439 and can be purchased through the Montique online store which is at:
http://www.montiqueclothing.com.au
Montique can also be found at quite a few Myer stores so have a look on the website to find one close to you.

I’ve personally tried this beauty on, so I can honestly say that the sizing is pretty spot on. If you’re normally a size 12, a 12 will be perfect on you.

So far this season I’ve seen a lot of long dresses and gowns. So far, Adriana is my favourite. It’s beautifully made, looks amazing on and won’t ever go out of style. Truly an investment piece for your wardrobe. Loving it !

EYE-SPY MONTHLY DESIGNER REVIEWS: MONTIQUE

This month I am putting all my focus on an amazing new label that I’ve discovered, because I truly feel like women all over the world will love this label just as much as I do.

Ready ?! Drumroll please !

MONTIQUE.

Yep, that’s it. One word that will change your life. Well, maybe not change your life, but hey, you’ll look amazing no matter what size you are, and it won’t put a hole in your bank account either.

Montique is a hot new Australian label that is taking our beautiful country by storm. Being only almost a year old in the world of retail, Montique is quickly becoming the name on women’s lips when they’re looking for something to wear to a wedding, or other event, or even just gorgeous glamorous weekend dressing.

Montique makes mostly dresses. Whether it’s above or below knee length, or floor length gowns, but there is also a great assortment of skirts, pants, jackets and tops.
And the brilliant part is their size range. Montique creates stunning looks for women of all shapes and sizes, so their size range goes from a standard Australian 8, all the way to a size 20.

So to all those women out there who have a few more curves, ladies, you do NOT need to shop in a different department because of that little number on your clothes tag.
Don’t be embarrassed if you have a wedding to go to and can’t find anything to wear.. Montique caters to women up to a size 20.

Moving on to the fabrics…silks, georgette, hand-beaded beauties, sparkling sequins, lace and embroidery on one side, and on the other, more conventional jersey blends, fresh cotton blends and high quality polyester.
No matter what you’re looking for, I’m sure you’ll find it at Montique.

So by now, I know you’re saying, ‘Ok, that all sounds perfect ! Where can I find it, and more importantly, am I paying through the nose for all this loveliness ?’

I’ll answer the price point question first. When there aren’t any sales on, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $400 for a special occasion dress. Floor length gowns can be between $300-$600.
Right now though, during sales periods, you can grab some hot bargains anywhere from $50 and up. And that’s not for the crappy stuff either.
Compared to some other labels (that’s you Anthea Crawford !), who charge close to $1000 for a black tie dress, Montique is a lot more affordable and the quality is second to none.

Regarding where you can find Montique, they have an extensive online store featuring entire collections as well as sale items.
http://www.montiqueclothing.com.au

There are also many Myer Concession boutiques conveniently located in most major cities and suburbs. For a full list of stores, just have a look on the Montique website.
And I must say, the staff are very lovely & knowledgeable about what looks good on what body shape, and all the fabrics. It really is like shopping with a personal stylist. They are so helpful and go out of their way for you, which is more than I can say for a lot of other brands.

I actually had one experience that was like none other.. Instead of telling me what I was trying on looked good..blah blah blah..the Montique lady actually told me that it wasn’t doing much to hide my flaws and gave me something else to try. This new dress was something I’d never have chosen on my own, and after trying it, bam ! It was amazing..I was amazing. My body looked great, I looked taller, slimmer and loved it !
So when I say their service is like none other, what I mean is, they’re honest and truly will help you. And you’ll leave the store feeling like a million bucks !

Here are some pics below of some of Montique’s creations.
The sexy red dress has even been featured on Sunrise, with Samantha Armitage wearing it.

MONTIQUE PIPER PRINT JUMPSUIT REVIEW

This stunning jumpsuit is called Piper, and it’s by the hot new designer label, Montique.

The attention to detail on this jumpsuit is just beautiful. My favourite feature would have to be the neckline.
The gorgeous thick gold snake chain that halters around the neck and does up at the nape like a necklace is really different and a lovely touch.

The fabric itself is a lightweight and flowing Jersey. The great thing about Jersey is that it barely ever wrinkles and it packs really well if you’re ever going away.

The print is a geometric black and white, which is really versatile because you can match it with almost any shoe and bag, and it won’t really ever go out of style. It is a classic piece that will last many seasons.

The cut of this jumpsuit is really flattering too. You have the halterneck chain at the neckline, and at the bust is a smallish slit, to show just enough skin.
The elasticised waist features a tie-belt, which is to be tied at the side.
The jumpsuit then flows into a gorgeous flared loose leg.

The amazing part about Montique is that, it’s not a designer label made solely for skinny girls. What’s amazing is that their size range is from an Aus 8 all the way to an Aus 20.
They cater for women of all shapes and sizes, not just tall, skinny girls. Their clothes are cut to flatter your body.

So back to this gorgeous Piper Print Jumpsuit.. It retails for $299, but if you ask very nicely, you may get a little bitty off that !

So I bet now you’re asking, ok I love it, I want it ! But where can I get it ?
You can always visit Montique’s website, which is:
www.montiqueclothing.com.au

Or Montique also has several locations in Myer stores, just have a look on their website to find one close to you.

So overall, I’m loving this hot new label, their clothes and dresses are amazing, and next time you have a special event coming up, or just feel like getting something super pretty, Montique is the label to go for.

Leona Edmiston ‘Trinny’ Dress Review

This is the Trinny dress by Leona Edmiston. As part of Leona’s diffusion line, Ruby, the Trinny dress is quirky, fun and sweet.

It’s one of those dresses that you can wear year round, the colours & cut are just so pretty !

Trinny is made of a poly/spandex blend, so it’s lightweight, stretchy & soft, and so easy to take care of.
The fact that there are no zips or buttons to fiddle with will make this your go-to dress this season.

On colder days, team Trinny up with some opaque tights in navy or black, or go bare-legged on warmer days. You can work this dress in so many different ways.

The vibrant print is called ‘Connect The Dots’, a perfect blend of red, white, royal blue and navy.
The 3/4 sleeves and ruffled hem add extra sweetness.

What I love most about this dress is that it’s just so flattering on. It’s not clingy at all, which means it’s loose enough to cover any bumps, but still flattering enough to give you a nice shape. Plus it’s so comfortable, thanks to that gorgeous fabric, you’ll never want to take it off.

The Trinny dress retails for $179 and is a new release as part of Leona’s Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.
You can find this dress in all Leona Edmiston boutiques and Myer Concession stores, or you can buy it online.

For a full list of stores or to purchase, please check out:
Leona Edmiston

If you love this print, but would prefer a different dress, check out the other Ruby dresses. This print is available in a total of 3 different dresses so there’s something to fit everyone !

Leona Edmiston ‘Star’ Dress Review

This stunning little number is ‘Star’ from Leona Edmiston’s Frocks Collection. This amazing vintage inspired print is called ‘Hanging Keys’, from Leona’s print house in New York.

Star is a 1920’s inspired shift dress which is perfect to take you from desk to date, office to opera or anything in between.

The fabric is a lovely, soft, light jersey and the 3/4 sleeves make it perfect for this season.
One thing I love about this fabric is that it’s so easy to take care of it.
The poly/spandex blend is just so simple. I personally think the best of washing these dresses is to turn them inside out & pop them into one of those lingerie wash bags.
Then just hang to dry in the shade. That’s it ! Usually, you don’t even have to iron it. It’s ready to go !

What makes this gorgeous dress unique though, is the actual print.
That black background at the top, with the gold rope following down to a blushing pink with golden keys. It’s just beautiful.

And really, seeing as it’s made from a light jersey, you can wear this dress year round. Plus it’s so versatile, you’ll get plenty of wear out of it.

Just add your favourite black heels, and some subtle gold jewellery. That’s all you need, as you don’t want to take away from the dress itself. You want the dress to be the feature of your outfit, so it’s best to keep everything toned down a little.

So how much you ask ?
Well, normally, Star retails for $375, but at the moment Leona Edmiston is having 30% off all Frocks, so this sweet dress comes down to be $262, which is a great price.

You can find this dress at all Leona Edmiston boutiques & at Myer Concession Stores. Just have a look on the LE website for a full list of stores.

Leona Edmiston ‘Lola’ Dress Review

This stunning number is Lola by the amazing Leona Edmiston.
As part of her Frocks Collection, this is one of her latest designs for Autumn/Winter 2014.

The Lola dress is anything but ordinary.
It features a beautiful soft frill neckline and the dress itself has a faux wrap look. The eye catching alligator print will ensure you turn every head this season.

This amazing alligator print is from the New York Print House and was originally designed in the 1950’s.
It has now been printed for the first time on a lovely slinky jersey fabric.

The fabric itself is a polyester/spandex blend and feels amazing to the touch. It almost like a liquid running through your hands and as it has a little bit of weight in it, once worn, it falls beautifully.

The best way to take care of such a fabric is to reverse cold hand wash it with like garments. Then hang to dry in the shade and a cool iron on the reverse side. It’s also dry cleanable, but remember to remove the belt before washing.

This dress looks simply stunning on. I’m warning you, on the hanger, it really doesn’t look it’s best. You really need to try on a dress like this to see its full potential.

It provides curves where you need them and hides those little flaws around the tummy. And believe it or not, if you do have a little bit of a baby tummy, no need to suck in when your wearing this. It is the perfect camouflage and makes your body look great.

The 3/4 sleeves are perfect for this season. You can team the Lola dress with opaque stockings like in the picture if it’s really cold, or just wear it with thin natural pantyhose and your favourite heels.

When worn, the Lola dress looks so elegant & sophisticated. It’s like a blend of old school glamour and modern sophistication. That alligator print is so unique that the chances of someone else being in the same dress as you are slim.

The Lola dress by Leona Edmiston retails for $495 and can be purchased at any Leona Edmiston boutique. They also have concession stores in Myer so best to check out their locations on the website as there’s probably a store near you.
You can also purchase the dress directly from the Leona website.

Just a little tip, if you’re a member of Leona’s Loyalty program, you’ll most likely score yourself a discount, so when you’re instore just ask the stylist about it. You might just save yourself a few dollars !

Here’s a link to the website:
Leona Edmiston

Leona Edmiston ‘Kali’ Dress Review

From Leona Edmiston’s Autumn/Winter 2014 collection comes Kali.
This adorable little number is super cute and the print, which is called Miss Matterhorn is just so eye-catching.

I really love this dress because it is so versatile and suits most physiques.
When it’s freezing cold, wear it with black tights and some ankle boots, and if it’s a warmer day, try it bare-legged with a pair of flats or even knee-high boots.

The fabric is just gorgeous. It’s thick, like that new ponte that’s everywhere, but nicer. It’s stretchy and warm and just so lovely.

The neckline seems low, but it’s not. Once you have the dress on, it’s not low at all, it’s normal. All you need to do is add a nice little necklace.

My favourite way to wear this little number ?
The Kali dress with charcoal coloured opaque tights, black ankle boots and red lipstick. Some dainty gold jewellery and I’m done !

I’ve seen Kali reduced to $132 at the moment, so if you want one, be quick.
All Leona Edmiston stores should have it, but I’ve seen lots at Myer Castle Hill.

Leona Edmiston ‘Dana’ Dress Review

This gorgeous little number is called ‘Dana’, from the amazing & talented Leona Edmiston.

Boasting a slim cut, 3/4 length sleeves and a soft cowl neck. The black jersey bodice is enhanced by the navy roses piping on the waist and skirt which hails from our favourite German mill.
This is an easy to wear dress that will instantly become your favourite as it is so easy to take it from office to opera.

This dress is available in sizes XXS to 6, which is the standard equivalent to a 6 to 20.

Dana is made from 96% viscose & 4% elastane.
Care instructions are as such:
Reverse cold hand wash with like garments only. Do not bleach, soak or tumble dry. Hang to dry in the shade. Cool iron on the reverse side. And also, the dress is dry cleanable.

This dress retails for $345 at Leona Edmiston boutiques and selected Myer stores. Currently though, the Leona site has 30% off, so you can pick one up for $241.

A bargain if you ask me, as this is a stunning staple that you can get so much wear out of. Firstly, you can dress it up with some great accessories and heels for night or with ballet flats for a more toned down look.
Secondly, it came take you through almost all seasons, just team with stockings when it’s cold or go bare-legged when it’s hot.

The fabric just feels stunning in your hands, like a liquid running through your fingers. The craftsmanship is of the highest quality, as you’d expect from the Queen of Frocks.

Leona Edmiston is fast becoming one of my favourite designers. Her sophisticated style and versatility is second to none.
There are stores in most major Australian cities, plus the online boutique at:
Leona Edmiston