Sew Is Life

This is it! The day has finally come where I launch my own skincare range online. It is very surreal, because a lot has happened since the idea was first planted. SELF Organics has been 2 years in the making. With the arrival of Leo and Luna into our lives, things have been turn busy tenfold. Then with 2012 venture of running a newsagency with my family SELF Organics was pushed to the back of my mind. However, it was never forgotten…

All our products are packaged using eco-friendly materials

It has been a dream to create organic skincare for others who feel passionate about fresh, good-for-you ingredients. The initially plan was to make it for my babies and for my Mother, who have sensitive skin. And then my love of making skincare grew and grew! My love of DIY, beauty and well being all came together in one moment and with the encouragement of my Hubz and children, I decided to listen to my heart and GO FOR IT!

You can visit the online store here: http://selforganics.com

And SELF Organics is now on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SELForganics

Come over and take a look at the new site (share it with friends and family) and pick up some goodies for yourself or gifts for Mother’s Day. 

Freshly curing ‘Lavender Fields’ soap, available for pre-order. Ready 30th April. Smells a little like Provence..

All the products are made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients, as certified by the ACO http://www.aco.net.au/ .However the next step is to apply for the certification to obtain the special ‘bud’ logo for the products themselves.

The range is vegan friendly (unless otherwise stated) and not tested on animals. They do not contain parabens, chemical sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, dyes, phthalates or artifical fragrances.

To all my lovely readers, I will still be blogging at ‘Sew is life’ about my lively adventures..but you can also follow SELF Organic on Twitter (@selforganics) and on the Facebook page to see what I’m up to.

Please help me to share and tweet about the new online store! I’m counting on you social media hehe… 

Thank you from the bottom of my organic heart :)

E x

Hi guys, how was your weekend? Hope you got up to lots and relaxed too.

I want to share my latest purchase…and this was a much needed update to my sad and sorry looking wallet. I didn’t really think to change my wallet, until I thought this is probably a reflection of my spending habits and also it may be causing bad luck or bad ‘feng shui’ to carry such a poor looking wallet.

My old black Olga Berg served me well…it will be sad to say goodbye to such an old friend. We had many good times out shopping together. And I saw that Marcs was having a sale during my birthday so I thought..why not update my prime accessory with a gorgeous red and gold detailed wallet.

The Olga Berg travelled with me where ever I went, so it was only a matter of time it would fall to bits. This new one is made of leather…so hopefully it will last the wear and tear little longer. There are 16 card sleeves, a coin zipped compartment, another zip pocket on the side and a main zip to stop receipts falling out. 

I found all those hidden Maccas (McDonald’s) receipts! Oops..

Do you consider your a wallet an accessory or just a necessity? 

Enjoy your Monday!

E x 

It seems everywhere I turn, there are ladies with beautiful baby bellies or new borns and teeny toddlers. Even little Luna has started crawling and sprouted her first tooth! Whenever she smiles with that toothy grin, I want to give her an eye patch, a pirate’s hat and listen to her say “Arrrgg…”. It would be the cutest thing I reckon!

So these days, I find my wallet is being emptied and going towards shopping for bubs and other friend’s bubs. The Lime Crime restock will just have to wait until I can save up  some extra dough for a Velvetine. Don’t get me wrong…I secretly love this stuff…who doesn’t like buying mini outfits? At least it looks cuter on them than it would you. I mean…come on…adult onesies? 

Do you know of someone who has a mini-human, but you have no clue what to get her and her new bub. If you haven’t been shopping for a baby before, believe me you will be blown away at the selection! There are just so many different ways to transport and feed a little person. 

I have put together a short guide on top gifts for Mums and their babies, to help you on your way at the department stores:

1. Always include a gift (no matter how small) to pamper the woman who just went to ‘hell and back’ - maybe a massage voucher, a voucher for a mobile hair service, online shopping voucher (for clothes, makeup, skincare etc), a nice comfy set of PJs to lounge around in (make sure they have buttons down the front for breast feeding)

2. A gift to keep baby occupied - find a baby mobile with soothing music, or a baby bouncer, toys with lots of colour, textures and lots of sounds. But make sure the toy has a volume control! Also make sure it is age appropriate, little children tend to put everything in their mouths…so small items that can break off should be avoided.

3. Making chores a breeze - Ajax wipes, Easy off Bam shower spray, Vanish Napisan (this stuff is made of gold I swear!), a dust buster or even offering to help do a load of washing is a great way to help a new mum out. Cooking a meal and freezing them are also great ways of showing you care.

4. Something to keep baby happy - Baby blankets, soft toys, bath toys…most TOYS! Also learning how to play with baby, so mum can go and have a shower. Sometimes if you haven’t held a baby or played with children in a while, you can forget how to see from a child’s perspective. Singing, being silly and talking to them are great ways of keeping them amused. And if they cry, it is just their way of communicating…as they haven’t learn grown up language yet.

5. Something for travelling with bubs - a stylish nappy bag, baby bottles, maybe go halfsies with a friend to buy a pram, portacot or baby sling. 

The possibilities of baby gifting are endless! The trick is not to get too bogged down by the choices and listen to the mother’s needs…what is she hinting at? Hmm…

Also check online stores for bargains, with baby shopping - the best price is OUT THERE! With so much competition, you can bargain hunt till you find the price you like.

If you have any questions about baby gifting please feel free to ask. With three little ones, I have already done the research for you :)

E x

And here are some online stores for you to scope out and get you started:

Best baby

Maternity Sale

The Iconic (Yes! They have recently opened a baby store, so you can shop for yourself, mum and bubs hehe…free shipping too)

What is Black Friday you ask? For those who live in the US they are very familiar with the term Black Friday as it is the day after Thanks Giving. It has become an unofficial holiday where retailers hold sales specifically for shoppers to get their Christmas shopping done. Rather than retailers being in the ‘red’ zone, they are actually turning a profit on this day and will fall within the ‘black’ zone.

For many of us, around the world the term ‘Black Friday’ is known as Friday 13th or an unlucky Friday. But these are all silly superstitions whether you believe it or not! And if ‘Black Friday’ is a labelled a SALE day for Americans, shouldn’t the rest of us take advantage of completing our Christmas shopping on time too? We can brave the sales online without having to put up with the rowdy, wild-eyed bargain hunters that have sharpened elbows and stompy boots. 

Please raise your hand if you are super organized for Christmas :)

Let the shopping begin! From makeup, to fashion, to stationary. Here are some Black Friday sales to check out:

Moleskine store - Free Postal Notebook with any orders! Use also the code: ship2012 to get free delivery.

That reminds me I have to get a calendar and diary for next year! I am such a stationary addict…and I love to be organised before the new year rings in.

Get more bang for your buck this Black Friday! :) Sales start today Thursday 22/11 and will end on Monday 26/11.

What will you be shopping for this Christmas?

E x

Besides sharing my beauty and fashion addiction on this blog, I also admit to having a problem with fabric. Yes, beautiful, uncut, soft and flowing fabric that in sense has been ‘untamed’ or not tampered with. A piece of fabric to me is like a DREAM…waiting to be moulded into a beautiful shape to fit a form such as the human physique. It is waiting to be transformed from something so basic to something very extraordinary! So here I am sharing my newest ‘fabric haul’ :)

My latest fabric buy comes from Tessuti Fabrics in Melbourne. I have bought fabric online before, but it is such a shame I am unable to touch the fabric when buying textiles this way. Tessuti made the experience easy by showing images online on how the fabric drapes and how large the pattern appears.

The main reason for me buying fabric from Tessuti is because they are currently running the annual Tessuti Awards, which is an international competition for sewing/fashion enthusiasts to work towards a brief. This year is all about Spring Racing fashion and the return of ‘Stripes and Spots’. Stripes and spots are my favourite pattern, it is so versatile and striking! 100% of the garment’s outer fabric must be made from Tessuti Fabrics. I was particularly inspired by Marc Jacobs recent Spring 2013 fashion show for New York Fashion week, he described his collection as “Very brutal, very sexy, very straightforward, no romance, no emotion, just real power and force and simplicity,”, undoubtedly resurrecting the Mod-era.

Photo courtesy of Dawn.com

Photo courtesy of Stylebakery.com

Here was what I bought from Tessuti, Ivory Yuki Small and Ivory Yuki Big. Both have a polka dot pattern, just one is bigger than the other.

You won’t believe how much this little package made me light up! :)

Such a sweet message from team Tessuti

My lovelies, how I love to work with you

The unveiling 

Come back to check on my progress and see how I transform this fabric into something wearable! This will be my first attempt at sewing a dress using a pattern…so I’m fretting just a little (OK A LOT!!) and the thought of inserting an invisible zipper gives me nightmares!! Only 4 days left to go to get in my entry…and I’m pulling my hair at the thought of it. I can’t wait to reveal the end result to you guys. Stay tuned ;)

So tell me…are you more of a spots or stripes person?

E x

Who likes a SALE? Something about that four-letter word that just drives us to grab a bargain. Great time to spring-cleaned your wardrobe and added new refreshing pieces. The thing is, I am not a rich lady so I have to be smart about my purchases to make sure they are classic and can see me through the fashion trends that come and go. But I do have a few worn, and very-loved pieces that should be culled from my wardrobe…I’m just sentimental and find it hard to part with them.

Forever21 is giving their customers a ‘Buy one get one free’ offer on their SALE items. So not only are getting your favourite outfits cheaper but you will be getting a free item! Woot Woot! 

*Offer ends 2nd September 

Now I am going to make a pact, I’m going to make the effort to wear more dresses this season because I have become quite a pants-lady. Therefore in the spirit of ‘dress-wearing’, I have suggested some dresses that will see you through to next year. Patterns, peplum, leather and denim are some of the key classic items you can add to your wardrobe. This is what I call dressing ‘financially-free’, all you have to do is accessorise around these key pieces. They are a steal when priced $20 or below!

See anything you like? Head over to the Forever21 online store to select your buy one get one free items.

Only two days left!! 

E x

6 days and counting…till Spring time that IS! OMG…I can’t contain my excitement, I was just staring out of my kitchen window yesterday evening and noticed that the sun was setting a little bit later. My heart fluttered a tiny bit just because of it! I’m such a ‘warm weather’ person, my toes are getting tired of these cold tiles and showering has become annoying! The hot water is nice, but getting out is horrible, I dread that ‘teeth chattering’ feeling.

Any ho…what a better time to update your wardrobe with a Spring outfit because The Iconic is offering their customers 25% off your purchase for this weekend only. No need to use a code, just shop! You have until Sunday midnight to finalise your cart :)

The Iconic also offers free overnight shipping (on Australian orders), so you can’t go wrong! But if it EVER does go wrong (for example your toosh is a little snug in those skinny jeans after Winter feasting) they offer a free returns policy, yep they pay for your return shipping fee!

**OOPS I Forgot to include the code!!! SORRY!! (Baby brain is still around). Use coupon code SPRING25NOW at the checkout

Here you can watch their latest advertisement, you may have come across this whilst watching the telly.

What do you think is the hottest trend for Spring/Summer’12?

Enjoy your weekend lovelies!

E x

So you are stumped about what to give Dad, over the years you have given him the socks, the jocks, the novelty stubbie holder, the electric tool that he hardly used (and is now collecting dust in the shed) and the dorky slippers. But what is a great gift that you can really show your appreciation for that dear man in your life on Father’s Day?

Here are some of my favourite picks to help you along on your quest:

The Daily Mood from Oh My Geek

For the working Dad, the perfect gift to place in his home-office or on the desk at work. Men usually don’t like to vocalise their moods so this way you don’t have to keep guessing what he is feeling like

Darth Vadar Projection Clock at Oh My Geek

For the ‘Starwars fan’ Dad, who wouldn’t want to wake up to Darth Vadar telling the time on your ceiling? The ultimate dark daddy, Darth Vadar’s legendary phrase “Luke I am your Father”…”Noooooooooooo”.

Uppercut Head and Face Balm from The Facial Company

For the hairless Daddy. Poor Dad has lost most of his locks and has a healthy, shiny dome instead. This is a great balm to help protect his bald head keeping it matt and pimple free. 

Creative Recreation - Lacava shoes from The Iconic

For the trendy Dad, if men could have a choice…they would wear sneakers everywhere. They would be happy with one pair of GREAT shoes, rather than a whole shoe rack of pretty duds. Dads won’t sacrifice looks for comfort, so why not have both?

Ben Sherman Iconic Holdall from The Iconic

For the travel-bug Dad, wear does he keep his passport, iPad and favourite cologne? In a holdall bag! Surely he can’t fit his passport, keys, mobile, wallet etc in his jeans and he won’t carry a ‘murse’ (Man-purse). So get him an awesome man-bag! 

Pong iPhone Radiation Redirecting Case from The Iconic 

For the techie Dad.  You see him on the iPad, the laptop, the mobile phone, the blue tooth in ear…like all the time! Surely all these radiation waves aren’t good for Ol Dad. Show him you care by cutting down his exposure to radiation with this phone case.

I have a few things planned for Hubz on Father’s Day. I can’t wait to surprise him!!! And my Dad, I have something up my sleeve for him too. Hubz did request for noise cancelling headphones but then I wonder if that is because he wants to shut out my nagging voice! Hmm… I will have to rethink his request ;)

FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL OFFER!!

Shop at The Iconic and receive 20% off on all mens categories, by using the code FUEL4MEN at the checkout

So who is organised for Father’s Day? What present did you get your Dad or Partner?

E x