Coles Mix clothing range. On-sale tomorrow

Would you like a t-shirt with your tomatoes?



How about a pair of pants with your potato chips?



Tomorrow, Coles supermarket will be the first in Australia to mix fashion with groceries.



Launching an exclusive collection of clothing and accessories to be sold in selected Coles supermarkets, the range will first launch within the freshly refurbed Coles store in Burwood, Victoria.



This will be the first of many Coles stores across the country to sell the collection called 'Mix', touted as fresh, affordable, and stylish.



Surprisingly, supermarket clothing collections have proven a huge success overseas.



Loblaws, a Canadian supermarket chain, has found huge success with their 'Joe Fresh' fashion line, and French supermarket Monoprix has an el cheapo (yet stylish, of course!) clothing line which has been so successful it now has stand-alone stores.



The majority of Mix items are priced under $25, with t-shirts starting from

as little as eight bucks.



The spring Mix collection is a range of block colours, neutral shades, prints

and stripes, and accessories, including beachwear, with the range regularly refreshed every two weeks throughout the season.



Now that's fresh!



The collections will be housed as a ‘store within a store’ concept, complete with displays of apparel and accessories. Choose away, then simply add your Mix pieces to your shopping trolley, and pay for it all along with your groceries.



Fifty two Coles stores across Australia will receive the Mix line from October 6, 2011, with additional stores in 2012.

La Senza lingerie: Sydney store to open (and 40% off until midnight July 16)

After the arrival of its fabulously colourful online store (see: http://www.lasenza.com.au/) La Senza is now ‘cutting the ribbon’ on the decadently designed signature pink store next week at Westfield Pitt St Mall, on Friday July 22.

Heading across to the media preview on Thursday 21 July - and can hardly wait. Beautiful lingerie is my weakness.

La Senza lingerie is fun, flirty and affordable - and right now (and until midnight 16 July) everything is 40% off!

There's the La Senza “Perfectly Me” bra or the “Body Kiss” bra that is said to be beyond comfy - and much, much more on offer.

Since opening doors for the first time in Canada in 1990, La Senza has been on a mission to provide ‘Lingeristas’ all over the world with the sexiest bras, panties, loungewear and sleepwear.

La Senza first came to Australia in 2005, adding to its global operation in 48 countries, with 780 stores worldwide. La Senza’s iconic brand image – the classic, 50s s pin up girl – celebrates a fun, sassy attitude, with the La Senza shopping experience expected to be as playful as the collections. Sounds pretty dangerous to me.

The La Senza Store is situated at:
The Urban Level,
SHOP 1005
Westfield Sydney
Pitt Street Mall

For more - and to start shopping - see http://www.lasenza.com.au/

EMU Ugg boots - Kate Hudson has 'em; I want 'em

I will admit a love a celeb endorsement as much as the next person... and lately a whole slew of US celebs have been favouring our own homegrown brand EMU over the American company ‘Ugg Australia’. Take that!

EMU Ugg boots - crafted from Australian sheepskin in Victoria - have been spotted on Cameron Diaz, Courtney Cox, Eva Longoria and a heap more, as well as Australian stars including Rebecca Gibney, Sophie Monk and Esther Anderson.

Me want... now!

If you also want now, go here. Now:

http://www.emuaustralia.com/

Photo credits: Bauer Griffin; Brooks/INF; OK Magazine

Fashion Weekend Sydney, 2011 - Shopping Heaven

Did you go along to Fashion Weekend Sydney?

I did - and it was shopping/fashion nirvana.

Montarna McDonald (if you are fashion-obsessed, you should really be following her on Twitter at @IntersectionPad) gave Josie's Juice a run-down, complete with fab pics, on what went down at the best open-to-the-public fashion mecca event.

"The four day fashion extravaganza that is Fashion Weekend Sydney saw incredible bargains from your favourite designers, as well as runway shows, luscious pampering and mini makeovers – it truly was the ultimate girly day out!

"Stylish shoppers who came snapped themselves up numerous purchase’s at amazing discounts of up to 70% off from fantastic designers including; Nicola Finetti, Fleur Wood, Little Joe Woman, camilla and marc, Natasha, Something Else and Life with Bird just to name a few. The catwalk shows ran throughout the event showcased both new and favourite styles from the designers’ collections in one group show, highlighting the best of what the sale had to offer.

"And to top the experience off NP set were providing mini makeovers and Tony&Guy were there to fix any of your hair problems for a tiny fee of $10.00 PLUS as if that wasn’t enough Essie was there to give your hands a pampering and fix any chipped nails shoppers may have had. And in a perfect finish to the shopping experience shoppers were treated to a complimentary glass of Tempus Two at the wine bar.

"This year’s Fashion Weekend Sydney was truly bigger and better than ever, we look forward to seeing you all again next year!"

As a guest on the Friday night at the media VIP lounge (think delicious Italian antipasto and Tempus Two Moscato - my new fave drop), I thoroughly enjoyed my first foray to the event. After downing some delicacies, it was time to shop. I was rather overwhelmed with the choice - so much so, next time I am allocating more to shop up a storm. I did pretty fab, though - scored a too-divine leather cuff from PeepToe (and a gorgeous yellow jewel-encrusted PeepToe bangle) and not forgetting the famed Sweaty Betty gift bag, so choc-ful with goodies (a Rae Morris beauty book, LaSenza undies, HotMilk undies [don't care if they are maternity duds - they're hawt], Voodoo hosiery, Lindt choccie, Modelco and Face of Australia cosmetics, and much more.

Will I be back at next year's Fashion Weekend Sydney? You betcha!

Zara Sydney! And why it's big fashion news

So, the Zara phenomenon... what's the big deal?

Well... it's the world's largest retail clothing chain - in fact, a staggering $11 billion empire.

And finally, it's in Australia (Sydney now open; Melbourne soon!)

Have you been yet?

Perhaps you were one of the 13,000 people through the doors at Zara Sydney today... yes, according to Zara's Sydney PR company Torstar, this many people traipsed through the Zara doors on Tuesday April 27.

Most retailers offer around 2000 products a year - not Zara. The clothing chain will be producing 14,000 a year!

And therein lies the attraction for many: the sheer volume of choice, plus how quickly the brand translates catwalk trends to their stores (it is said to be two weeks, from runway to rack).

The Sydney store opening last week saw the doors swung open to media on Tuesday and to the public the next day.

It was a buying-up frenzy. One of my friends, who shopped there on the Wednesday, wondered whether we had cleaned out the store's stock during opening night (during which the most delicious canapes and champers was served... why oh why aren't all retail experiences like this!?).

So, what are the prices like? Pretty good, some really fab. I picked up the cutest tulle skirt for my daughter for just under $30, a cute cardie for my son for the same price, and some dressy tees for around the same price for the husband and I. I must admit that although I loved what was on offer on the street level floor, I was very much drawn to the somewhat younger, more urban 'TRF' collection. Think faux fur vests (my lust-have right now), retro leather jackets, denim cut offs (I can't pull those off!), and cool scarves and accessories. Shopping heaven.

This is the most comprehensive report I have seen on the brand so far (well done, resident TV fashionista, Today Tonight reporter Sally Obermeder):

http://au.todaytonight.yahoo.com/article/9189950/general/zara-coming-australia

To become a Facebook fan of the brand, go here: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/Zara

And for more on the brand (including global store listings and lookbooks) go here: http://www.zara.com/

StyleTread: your new - too easy - online shopping destination

There's a new online shoe shopping presence called StyleTread and it's about to make it super easy to shoe shop 24/7.

With over 5,000 shoes and numerous major shoe brands online, StyleTread delivers the most sought after styles from a large range of Australian and select international designers with fast and free delivery and a 100-day free return policy.

And how's this: StyleTread has a 100% record delivering shoes within three working days to every state and territory in Australia whether it’s a metro or regional delivery. Your lusted-after shoes will be on your feet before you know it! Scarily easy...

Here's what you do: find your fave pair, use the secure credit card or PayPal payment option and have them delivered fast and free of charge to try on with different outfits in the comfort of your own home. If they aren’t quite what you had in mind, StyleTread will pick them up from your home or office for free, quickly and with a full refund. Um, what...? That's just too good...!

StyleTread also has shoes for the boys and a range of children's shoes. But who are we kidding? They'd simply be filler, alleviating-the-guilt purchases... it's all about shoes for us...

Now, excuse me while I go shopping - from my couch...

See www.styletread.com.au

Alina Van - New Shoe Obsession

Shoes, shoes, shoes... accessories, bags, bangles, shoes.

Okay then... now that I have your attention...

Introducing Alina Van, the new shoe store on the block with a difference.

Launched in October 2010 - and named after the gorgeous designer herself (she even models in some of these shots - stunning!), Alina Van offers a range of stylish heels, flats, bags and jewellery which reflect Alina's Chinese-Russian cultural background, while incorporating the latest trends, always adding an extra, quirky finish.

All the shoes are designed by Alina together with a team of footwear pros.

I have the tan slingback pair, as modelled here by Alina, and the second I put them on I was in love. Something about the structure of this sturdy, utterly stylish, cut-away platform makes them unexpectedly comfy and completely sexy. The shoe also comes in an electric blue, though I was easily sold on the tan colour - it's my fave wardrobe hue right now.

Prices range from $149.95 - $249.95 and just this week the Alina Van site has launched online shopping!

To buy online, or for more info and inspiration, see: http://www.alinavan.com/ or visit the stylish Sydney store at 400 Oxford Street, Paddington.

Emu Australia - WIN a pair of Winter Ugg Boots!

Yes, winter ugg boots are the domain of cold-weather wear, and these babies make me wish this dreaded heat will go away already...

And you can win a pair of these Emu Australia boots right now!

Simply comment below (or send an email to josiegags@optusnet.com.au) and tell me in 25 words or less why you (or perhaps your Valentine!) deserve this little pair of heaven. You can choose either a pair in pink or the chestnut colour (as pictured).

They're valued at $159 and worth every cent! If you can't wait to try your hand to win this one pair I have up for grabs, go to www.emuaustralia.com for info on how to get yours now.

40% off fashion - see Marie Claire Australia March 2011 issue

The March 2011 issue of Marie Claire features a damn fine shopping offer.

Head into stores including PeepToe, Sambag, Mimco, Fleur Wood, and more and get a whopping 40% off selected key pieces.

Just bring your issue of Marie Claire and go shopping, baby.

Best of all, if that offer (see page 181 and 182 of the March issue) is available online, you can do it from home and still get the hefty discount.

A Peter Lang belt at 40% off? Yes, please.

Trixan Body: online shopping with free delivery pre-Christmas

What is going ON with these amazing looking cossies teasing me out of my comfy cooler weather clothes!?

This little number is courtesy of online shopping mecca Trixan Body.

And to ensure what you really, really want is delivered by that all-important December 25 deadline, the site - http://www.trixanbody.com.au/ -
is offering FREE Express Post delivery on all orders! Well, hello!

Trixan Body offers a wide range of Aussie and overseas swimwear, lingerie, shapewear and activewear brands, all available without blowing the budget. As a family friendly website, all relatives are covered (yep, even that hard-to-buy-for one) so really it’s a one stop shop for your entire Christmas list.

And Trixan Body offers free shipping and free returns on ALL purchases. So, you can return anything completely free of charge. Nice.

Trixan Body also has a 125% price match guarantee. Find it cheaper and they’ll beat it. What generous peeps.

Choose from a huge selection of products from brands including Seafolly, Bonds, Gottex, Puma, Lovable and many more, then place your order. Within one working day, you’ll have an individually wrapped gift for under your Christmas tree.

Go to http://www.trixanbody.com.au/ and let the (dangerously good) shopping begin.