Amazing vacation on a budget =)

It’s finally summer! School is out and you have booked your plane tickets or planned a road trip  here are some  tips .Not to worry – you can still have an amazing vacation on a buget.

Getting There & Finding Places to Stay

If you haven’t planned your accommodations yet, here are a few cheaper alternatives to an expensive hotel:

Sublet/rent an apartment or house. There are many websites from which you can rent apartments or houses for short periods of time for great prices. This is usually cheaper than a hotel, and not only do you save a ton of money on the price per night, but you can also cook your own meals. Just make sure the site you use is reputable!

 Take advantage of hotel points. See if you or your parents have any hotel, credit card, or airline points/miles sitting around, all of which might be able to be used to pay for hotels.

Restaurants

Even though you will be exhausted and starving when you arrive, do not eat at the first restaurant you see! This has been my curse. Every time I arrive in a new city, I end up eating at the first decent-looking restaurant I see and always get an expensive and disappointing meal. Make sure that you check the prices on the menu and maybe a review or two, no matter how tired and crappy you feel!

 If you are staying in a hotel, do not immediately take the suggestions of the concierge. They can give great tips, but remember that sometimes, the hotel gets paid for recommending certain places to guests, so they don’t always have your best interests in mind. Listening to the concierge is how my family ended up eating dinner on the outside deck of a boat on the Danube in Budapest in 90 degree heat. I was so nauseous and hot that I couldn’t even eat my ridiculously overpriced meal.

 Ask locals for suggestions. Whether it is a friend who has visited the area many times, someone you know who lives there, or even a person you meet on the street, find out what favorite restaurants and sights are. This way, you will end up at fabulous places that are off the beaten path and almost always cheaper than the touristy places in the center of town.

 Don’t eat at restaurants geared to tourists. These restaurants mark up their prices a lot. If you are in a foreign country and the restaurant you are looking to go to touts an English menu and is filled with English-speaking people, try something different!

 Cook your own food! You will not be missing out on any experiences, just saving money! In fact, you will be living even more like a local if you shop at the local markets. This way, you  get to experience the atmosphere for much less money.

Attractions

Research all of the museums and attractions and pick the ones that have the most to see. 

 Go to museums on free days or use discounts. Usually, museums will have designated days and hours where there is no admission cost. Try to find out these times and go, so you will save money on admission costs. Also, you can buy packages of discounts or buy one ticket to get into a few places, so make sure you look up those deals.

 Don’t do the unnecessary attractions. Sometimes, super touristy things cost the most money, and your time could be better spent elsewhere. I know that instead of spending $30 to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris or ride the London Eye Ferris Wheel and look at the city from above, I would rather spend my time exploring the neighborhoods below and getting to experience how the locals live. After all, the best thing to do in a city can be to just pick a point on the map really far away and walk there – it doesn’t cost any money and you never know what you may find.

Shopping

Avoid the temptation to shop the chains. I always have fun checking out the international locations of stores like Zara and H&M, but I try not to buy too much there because all of them truly do have the same merchandise as the H&M in your local mall.

 For cheap finds, look for vintage stores, thrift stores, flea markets and other outdoor markets. You will find amazing items that are completely one of a kind, and usually very reasonably priced.

 Focus on buying accessories, not clothes. They can take up less room in your suitcase and can represent a lot more about a culture than clothes. Think about it – you can buy a nice white blouse anywhere in the world, but a necklace or ring crafted by local artisans? You won’t find that anywhere else. Plus, jewelry will last you forever with decent care.

How to make your hair grow longer+2 great hairstyles

Tip #1: Stay away from hot tools as much as possible. Maybe straighten or curl twice a week:)
Tip #2: Try to end your shower with two minutes of cold water
Tip #3: Comb your hair every night before you go to bed



                                        2 of the Best Hairstyles Ever
1.Halle Berry turned up to the Oscars in 2002 with amazing, cropped short hair that people are still talking about. Her hair was simply spiked up with gel and was cut in a pixie cut. Who says short hair looks bad?;)

2. Anne Hathway turned heads with a glamorous ponytail at the 2008 Oscars. Anne Hathway always looks amazing but this time she outdid herself with a gorgeous red dress and a im-not-even-trying ponytail. To add volume to your ponytail, you should add some loose curls to your hair like Anne did. :)

Start the party!

This is a makeup tutorial that will light up the room and make everyone look at you twice:) Have fun!


Metallic eyeshadow:
Here's how you get this sparkling effect:
1. Apply a foundation
2.Apply a primer
3. For the metallic gold that is the main focus, it is more advisable to use you're finger tips rather than a brush because it would take forever. Smear the golden eyeshadow thickly on your eyelid and just above it, making sure it can be seen from afar. Use at least three coats.
4. Outline your eyes with black or gold eyeliner in thick, generous lines.
5. For the dark brown eyeshadow, use an eyeliner brush to outline the gold, all the way around the thick golden shadow to below your eye. Make sure the dark brown shadow is thick and noticable.
6. As for the loose light brown shadow, use a blush brush and dip it inside the shadow, then trace around the other two other shadows. This shadow should not be so thick, but should add a shimmer to your browbone, and act as a highlighter. Remember to lightly dust the area below your eyes as well.
                                

Trend Alert!

The trend right now seems to be: sexy,sexy,sexier! Tight junpsuits and almost non-existent bra tops seem to be in. Tight jeans and abnormally huge jewels are also making a debut. Lace also seems to be appearing an awful lot.

Makeup trends: Bright coloured lips are also being promoted and so are jewel-bright eyes. But remember, don't play up your eyes when you play up your lips.


                                  And those are the trends for this sweltering month! See ya later, chicas!

Around the world#2

Dramatic eyes have always been a favourite in Russia. It is very necessary, considering the cold winters that surround it. Their amazingly beautifully made up eyes spice up the cold winters. Instead of sticking to the old favourite, black mascara, the Russians have gone blue. They have in fact, gone electric blue. The look is awesome and is one of my favourite trends this year.

                                        

Around the World#1

Here are some really cool trends that have spread around the wotld thought mainly in certain countries..

In Britain/England:
Smoky eyes have always been a must but in Britain, they have made a new trend. Instead of the classic, dark colours like grey and black, they use rock punk colours like an acidic green. It totally reinvents the smoky eyes that everyone has been using for the past decade! Try it.
 Here's what you do.
: Get you're hands on some green eyeliner(or whatever other colour) and apply it above the upper lash line.Before this, make sure you have applied a thick layer of primer. Use a eyeliner pencil for the bottom lashes then run your finger over it to smudge it. Use a light, shimmery green for over your browbone. Now, it's time for the final touch. Use a darker shade of green and use an eyeshadow brush and blend in the colour starting at your lash line and blend up. Blend the colour so that the eyeliner disappears.Finish the smoky eyes with a lot of mascara. I personally like to use a glittery green mascara for this particular look. It makes the eyes more dramatic and interesting.

How To Wear All Black And Look Chic, Not Goth

Like a trusted friend, the most reliable color in our wardrobe never lets us down. Our little black anythings are always there for us, ready to make us look amazing, seeing us through any party, date, or professional schmooze-fest. The danger, though, is that when it comes to ultra-dark outfits, you can have too much of a good thing and end up giving off a scary impression. 

If you're craving new, never-tried ways to wear this standby shade, you'll want to take notes.

The outfit inspirations we are going to show you are perfect for show off your mad style skills, instead of hiding them in goth shadowsyou can pull of a monochromatic look (even in the dead of summer!) that's all about confidence, creativity, and sartorial smarts. 

Girl's Night

A little edge and balanced volume keep this all-black look chic. A skinny pant should be paired with a flowy top, and add a fun wedge for a little height that won't hurt.

Weekend Fun

Don't be afraid to try all-black during your downtime. You'll be set for anything from brunch to a street fair (both?), in a casual maxi that's been properly accessorized. 

Date Night 

A sexy, textured silhouette and an ankle-strap heel keep things chic and interesting, rather than blah. A mini bag and long tassel necklace are glam, trendy additions to a classic look. 

SPOTLIGHT ON SKIRTS

From first date ventures to dance floor escapades, first impressions count when you’re goal is dressing for maximum impact. For a girly look that guarantees praise, a flattering full skirt skims curves and accentuates the waist. For your next social event when it’s time to bring in reinforcement, the circular flair   hemmed skirt    won’t fail you in the stylish stakes.

Are you ready to work the full skirt in favour of the fitted variety?

   YOU REBEL 

Keeping a sexy, feminine  take on the traditional leather skirt – this fitted with panel detail fitted  and  lace top combo will have members of both sex stopping to catch their breath. Suggesting independence, confidence and slight rebellion, gone are the days where we had to fight for our fashion liberty- we now welcome fashion expression and diversity. Think gorgeous lace tops teamed with leather mini skirts, dewy makeup and slick high pony tails and high high heels (of course!). This outfit is not for the faint at heart – dare to wear when you want to make a lasting impression!

Note well: We can’t be held accountable for people going absolutely crazy over you!

                           floral shorts






A must have for this summer is a cute pair of floral mini shorts, do you agree? xoxo

 OUR WEEKLY LUSTS

Forget Summer Flings! Right now our long term loves are nothing less than feathers (a-la-Tribal) and beads- in oh so abundance. We’ve been inspired by images taken from our recent fashion shoot and are in love with what we see.

Often, to stay on trend, all you need to do is make some small changes to the outfits you already own. Take for example, beaded bracelets- relatively inexpensive, easy to come by and remember the beauty rule, “less is more”? -This is one of the only times this goes out the window! Pack on as many different colours and textures as you can for a thrown together look. With your new arm candy you’ve instantly given last month’s outfit a lift and are looking totally amaze sporting the latest trend! Easy? So. Easy.

What has inspired you?

                               SUMMER BEAUTY

Ellis Faas Cream Eye Shadow in E303 – still natural, but with a hint of shimmer- the perfect shade for Summer!

Often a nail colour completes the look –  Pop one colour on your fingers and the other on your toes to mix it up! 

high rise

Surprisingly youthful, the latest denim incarnation adorning fashionphiles has reached navel grazing heights. Totally fitting for a match made in designer heaven when paired with this season’s cropped-up-top trend.

age of innocence

Nothing says Lolita chic like exposed chiffon, paired with a flash of flesh and you’ve nailed the part of bathing beauty with a hint of bombshell

Whether you like it barely there or everywhere, there’s no denying the longevity of fashion’s affinity for leopard accents. Dive into our key pieces for easy ways to take this luxe-looking print from runway to reality.

Adored and adorned by the likes of supermodels from Lily Cole and Jessica White, to recent sightings on Twilight teen queen Nikki Reed and hit-maker Katy Perry, we’re inspired to introduce our ready to wear leopard pieces to get you fluent in style shorthand no matter what the occasion calls for.

To evoke a delectable daytime demeanor, collaboration is key. Pair our bold animal printed minis with classic neutrals and understated monochromes for a subtley sweet look that hints this kitty has claws. Our picks are sexy gladiator flats in tan or black and an oversized carry-all, perfect for beach or BBQ. Save the loud embellishments for more formal occasions and let the striking print speak for itself.

To add glamour after dark, punctuate our printed strapless or cut out dress with risk taking statement accessories like this season’s bib necklaces or heavy metal inspired cuffs . Adding heels is essential for strutting under strobe lights, and prepare for mass seduction!

Are you loving the latest leopard looks this summer?

 JOSH FLINN  STYLE FILE 

Australia’s Next Top Model Mentor,  josh flinn takes us through this summer’s fashion trends.

This summer is full of eclecticisms and contrasts – nude is a huge trend this summer in all array of styles and shapes. Lightweight denim in swing dresses and shirts, floral body-con and voluminous numbers also feature heavily.

As with the past few summers, maxi dresses in bold prints are back and the Kaftan has made a massive comeback! Pair these styles with lots of wooden and tribal bangles to balance the floaty fabrications, or pair body-con styles with geometric resin and metallic chunky jewellery to add contrast to simpler shapes.

For a sleek and sassy nighttime look we’re taking it back to basics with some added interest. Black on denim makes for a sultry ensemble thanks to elements of lace with our casual top with lace insert , featuring sheer lace overlay sleeves and neckline. Flash a hint of skin with the  loose fit top with drop shoulder that skims the midriff and creates a flattering silhouette. Pair with denim skinnies and it’s the ultimate two-step to style.

Which top will you rock for this weekend’s hijinks?

Just when you thought the cropped hem had had it’s day, this sizzling style has made a comeback worthy of prime closet space any day of the week. Far from passé, the open weave pattern with laser cut applique has us going back for seconds. To get a heady hit of this style revival, simply layer over your basics and fitted staples. Easy, fuss free and low maintenance? We wish street chic fashion was always this easy to come by. 

Street Style: It's Sunny With A Chance Of Graphic Prints

This week's raising temps have the sandals coming out, the sunglasses going on, and the jackets nowhere in sight. But evenings and mornings are still a bit chilly, so it's time to really nail the perfectly transition  outfit that keeps you comfy on your commute (and when you take that extra long lunch break outside). We saw this one on the street and just had to snap it up. We love the use of the lace up booties (time to get your last wears in!) with the leather jacket as a topper, but the ensemble is kept breezy and cool with the bright T-shirt and flowy skirt. We're totally digging the pop of yellow with the graphic print and think this look can be remixed many different ways come summer, when you wouldn't even need the jacket at all (it'll come!). What's more, the casual but still chic clutch, bright pink lip, ombre hair, and beaming smile really finishes off this get-up to perfection.