I like a lot of things - clothes, bags, baking, nailpolish and getting crafty are a few of many. So this week I whisked a teaspoon of each into my Christmas break and now I have myself this big meringue pie of a post that you're about to scroll through. I apologise in advance.




Thrifted black cardigan, Sheike belt, YSL Arty Oval Ring in Turquoise, Lovisa Black/Gold rings, Juicy Couture bracelet, Prada Saffiano Lux Tote

Its been nearly a year since my Prada Saffiano Tote made its first debut, unfortunately she hasn't aged all that gracefully. She's developed so many creases that I've tried to smoothen away and without a hard base the bag just keeps slumping. With the amount of things I carry around I think my next bag needs to be a lot more structured than this tote.

So I started researching a while ago but I didn't want to post this up until after Christmas, otherwise Jeremy might think I'm hinting for ridiculously lavish gifts this year (I told him I just want a nice long hug..and I wasn't even kidding!). I've found two bags that make me drool uncontrollably: The Celine Assymetrical Bag and the YSL Vavin Classic Leather Tote Bag.

I may not have my hands on either now, but I will find you!

So with Jeremy stumped this year on a tangible gift, I did end up getting the hug I asked for.. and he also gave me the best gift in the worldddd - a trip away to Hunter Valley to see the Christmas Lights Spectacular! After my Hunter Valley trip away with my girl friends was cancelled, I admittedly moped about not seeing the lights this year so on Christmas Day he loaded his iPad screen with the booked accommodation for Hunter Valley at Crowne Plaza and we packed our bags the next morning. I had a lovely trip away, thank you so much.

...and now the Burberry watch I got him for Christmas just doesn't seem to compare, but I really hope he liked his gift and the extra effort I put in the cards this year (another Christmas domo and a pop-out reindeer card!). I also had time to make reindeer and santa hat cupcakes this year - oh the joy of freedom from exams!

If you're wondering how to make the pop-out card, Robert Sabuda has a great website for pop out card templates. I printed a reindeer template from there and the instructions are incredibly easy to follow, to put it short: dotted line = fold, solid line = cut.

1. Print out your templates

2. If you would like to use different coloured/textured paper, place the template on top of the paper and cut/fold accordingly
3. Glue where necessary

4. Glue the bits into place

5. Add your finishing touches

And there you have it!

Now moving on to nailpolish, a handful of people have been asking about nail polish I'm wearing in my ANNIEPOPSHOP banner. The polish is the Gold Milani Jewel FX and here are some better quality images of the Jewel FX in Gold with one, two and three coats.

I adore big beautiful chunks of glitter! And from the Milani Jewel FX collection I ended up purchasing the Silver, Gold and Gems. Shortly after getting them in the mail I realized that 'Gems' was an exact dupe of OPI's Rainbow Connection, so if you're looking for a cheaper alternative the Milani Jewel FX polishes are waiting for you here!

Now that was one. big. pie.
I hope everybody enjoyed their Christmas and I wish you all a wonderful new year!

2011 and flaky polish

ANNIEPOPSHOP Cuff, ASOS cowl back dress, OPI Jade is the New Black, Nubar G188

For a while now this blog has been fuelled by my reverence for clothes, nail lacquer, make-up and impractical hoarding, yet, as I’m skim reading through 2011 thinking of how to conclude my year I realized that my style didn't really change, my makeup collection hasn't grown exponentially (in size or variety) and my entries are more infrequent than ever. On the surface, I’m a blogger mess... but unintentionally, this year I’ve found growth and change in myself and 2011 turned out to be more invaluable than I ever anticipated. If I had to describe my year in one word, it would most likely be: bombdiggity.

So, here is my year in a nutshell:

I got to visit America for the first time and traveled around the Caribbean in the biggest cruise ship in the world.


I celebrated my 21st birthday.


I celebrated my first anniversary with Jeremy.


I got a full-time job at the 2nd Best Place to Work in Australia.


I got a new car.


I watched one of my longest friends get married. Congratulations Tracy and Tony :)


I somehow got through University and full-time work and successfully completed my degree. Graduation photos are yet to come!

I was a guest lecture for Master of Commerce students at UNSW and I've just received a thank you letter from the UNSW Head of School of Marketing.


I finally launched my online shop!

I was given the opportunity to give back. E-Web Marketing served morning tea and donated gifts to the Charles Chambers Court Aged Care Facility and just this Thursday I volunteered at the Triple Care Farm for Mission Australia.

And at the end of this year I’ll get to spend my first new years with Jeremy.

2011 - you’ve been so good to me, I can’t wait to see what 2012 has to offer.

I invite you all to do a 2011 year in review post, it might surprise you how much this year has impacted on the many years to come and I would love to read your journey :)

P.S I heart the jelly flaky goodness of Nubar's G188!