Friday work outfit.

I've stumbled across the perfect Friday work outfit. It's still pretty work-friendly so you'd be able to attend meetings etc, but also fun enough to wear out to Friday-night drinks.

LUXE TO LESS: workwear.

Today I bring you the LUXE TO LESS: workwear edition.

In preparation for some upcoming projects (and also as a general hobby) I've been looking at all the latest collections and I particularly love Lisa Ho's Winter 2012 collection. This collection focuses on botanical inspired prints and colours, which Lisa says, are perfectly paired back with crisp black and white.

One look in particular from this collection I absolutely adored and will be featured as today's Luxe to Less. It's a really simple look and the beauty of this outfit is that it's quite easy to replicate for those of us that can't afford head-to-toe Lisa Ho.

 Blazer - $489, pants - approx $389, blouse - $329, shoes - $499. All Lisa Ho.

Yup... you've got it right... this outfit head to toe is approx $1706. One day when I'm killing it I will be able to buy head-to-toe Ho (rhyming skillz) but in the interim I've come up with some wallet-friendly substitutes.

Blazer - Dorothy Perkins approx $47

Blouse - Country Road $99

Pants - H&M approx $15

Shoes - Steve by Steve Madden $159

In total - this substitute outfit comes in at approximately $320 - which my friends, is cheaper than just ONE item of the above outfit. Snaps to me. I absolutely love Lisa Ho and do actually own items of hers, but while I'm not working, the latter option  will be my go-to.

By the way - I actually bought the H&M skirt in the same floral material as the pants and it is so nice and comfortable... and gets a lot of compliments. 

Images - lisaho.com, dorothyperkins, countryroad.com.au, hm.com, amazon.com

New York Purchases.

I thought I would put together this post for those asking about my purchases in New York. Unfortunately I couldn't find nearly a quarter of the pictures I needed, but at least this is something for the time being!

For those that haven't been, the shopping in New York really is that good - and insanely cheap when compared to home. I don't know if I was just fortunate to come at the right time (the end of winter) but the sales were out of control and I bought some really good brands for a fraction of the price (i.e. Chloe, M by Missoni, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole etc). Literally. Way cheaper than a no-name brand in Australia.

My biggest tip is to brave the mess (and crazy shoppers) and head into some of the discount stores. The biggest that I knew of is Century 21 (there is one right near the 9/11 memorial), but I much preferred the one in Brooklyn as it wasn't as crazy and much neater. When you first walk in it looks like a hovel - but ladies (and gents) if you have time, go through it. They have amazing brands like Chloe, Theyskens Theory, Missoni, Alexander Wang, Alice and Olivia, Anna Sui etc for an absolute steal. This store has everything - clothing, shoes (some amazing shoes but my size was the first to go, boo), bags, jewellery, cosmetics, homewares etc. The only downside - waiting 35 minutes to use the bathroom. Sort that shiz out.

As mentioned in an earlier post I was lucky enough to be in New York for the Marni and H&M collaboration. I actually didn't bother lining up with the others as I was on holidays and had better things to do... BUT I did go in about five days later and amazingly, two only two items I wanted were staring straight at me. They were the ONLY items left in this particular store. Thanks universe. Also - kinda funny that these items (the brown/grey top and collar) are the exact same items that my best friend bought in the London H&M!

I will take some photos of my other purchases and put together a post with my favourite stores in the coming days.