Sarah's Style Emporium

Of all the clever people I have met through social media, Caroline is one of my favourites. Perhaps its because of her bubbly personality; perhaps its because she sells shoes, but either way, I'm thrilled to have made her acquaintance.

She recently launched Tragen, an online fashion retailer providing Australian women with access to designer quality international labels - starting with Arezzo, from Brazil.

The shoes are fab - gorgeous colours and styles in suede and leather and remarkable heels. Super comfy, the designs are all about all day wear and the ultimate style choice - buy once, wear forever, kinda deal.

A limited selection of their current AW13 collection is now available exclusive to tragen with 30% off until the end of June. Simply enter EOFY30 at the checkout.

Just a few weeks ago, I deleted an article on my desktop, entitled ‘anxiety’. The wonders of modern computers means that file still exists, and reading it today, I note that it was penned in September. 

I can’t remember what was happening in September that made me feel that way, to write about how I was feeling then, but I know I deleted it those few weeks ago while cleaning up my desktop because everything in my life was so wonderful, I couldn’t imagine even finishing it.

My history with anxiety goes way back to my early teen years – I’m pretty much a textbook case. And as with any textbook anxiety case, it never really goes away.

So now here I am, almost nine months later, wondering where I went wrong and why I am currently experiencing a new bout of anxiety – one that feels worse than all the others put together.

My brain won’t stop thinking, and I constantly have the shakes. My body temperature won’t regulate itself and my appetite is all but non-existent. My thought patterns go from worrying about little things that don’t matter, to what will be happening in my life five, ten and fifty years from now.

If you too are a sufferer of anxiety, know you are not alone. 1 in 4 of us will suffer, and no matter how good your life might be, it’s okay that you are feeling this way, and there is help to be had.

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
1300 22 4636

I know its cold and wet and miserable, but what better reason to get out of the house than to come to Trivia at Honey on Wednesday night, and try to knock the raiding champions off their perch?

7 o'clock. See you there.

So completely in love with this film.

The clothing, the hair styles, the way the characters speak, the author, the houses and the parties.

Go see it. 

And visit the website too. So many galleries, clips, extra info and amazingness.

PS This is THE dress I am totally in love with from the film, but of course I can't find a full length shot of it. 

PS The soundtrack is just as epic as the movie. Test it out on SoundCloud.

You guys know I like to support worthy causes, and if those worthy causes just happen to use fashion as a fundraising outlet, who am I to question their methods? I am only too happy to help.

From my first foray to the Very Special Kids Clothing Sale with a Uni Chum many, many years ago and I remember arms laden with clothing, an endless wait for the changeroom and asking the girl at the register if she was sure when she told me my total was only like $70. (Seriously, ARMFULS of clothes).

The winter sale for Very Special Kids is just two weeks away and this edition will be bigger and better than ever. To start with, the venue has changed and the Malvern Town Hall will now host the 2000 odd women who turn up to buy clothes from The Just Group, Portmans, Witchery and SO MANY MORE.

Plus, I'm helping them out with a few bits and pieces, so you know its going to be good.

Hope to see you there for a coffee and a shop!!

PS. A tip from a pro - ARRIVE early. Sizes can be limited and bargain shoppers are crazy.

In my many years as a fashionista/shoe officiando/architect of awesome (Note, I'm not actually an architect of awesome but I have always wanted to use that phrase), I have accumulated a great many pairs of shoes. Too many, some would say - 'some' being my mother and boyfriend.

Birthday candles One - Two - Three
Birthday candles just for me!
Last year three — this year FOUR!
Birthday candles, I want more!

Happy 4th Birthday, Sarah's Style Emporium!

If I had an actual human baby, it would be walking and talking and generally getting on my nerves, but my blog turns four today and I'm not sick of it yet. Sarah's Style Emporium has grown up and from day one, when I posted recipes and the outfit you should cook it in (what was I THINKING!!), it has become a little patch of the web where I can share all manner of lifes up and downs, frocks I like and food you should try.

After 773 posts (I know, right!), I think I'll aim to coincide post number 1000 with year 5 and have a big shindig to celebrate the whole lot. Any excuse for a party right? And I'll be 30 (gasp!) next year too. Party all year?

Meanwhile, I do like to take this opportunity to thank the ridiculous number of people who invite me to events, take photos, regularly attend things with me and those who move in the same blogger/twitter/social networking fashion circles and make doing all of this worthwhile. The friends I have made through the wonderful world of the web are some of my very best friends and they enrich my life everyday. I am inspired by the success of you all.

There are of course more exciting things to come - last year I was on the verge of leaving the security of any kind of ongoing paid employment, and this year I'm planning for the next 12 months, including a shiny new website and a greater focus on my Melbourne lifestyle - with a possible treechange. 

Watch this space.

Sarah xxx

Over the past few weeks and months, I've spent a fair bit of time in places that are cold and/or wet. Being very much an 'indoor' girl, the outdoors is an almost foreign landscape - a place where I can't feel my fingers and toes; a place where my hair frizzes; a place where mud seems to creep under my fingernails and attach itself to my car, before it appears to 'jump' onto the back of my jeans.

So I've decided to be proactive. Apparently the outdoors isn't going anywhere, so it's time I bought some shoes that are more appropriate for the outdoors. Shoes that will keep my feet warm, and dry, and comfortable. As much as I love my ASOS ankle boots, the synthetic leather just isn't making the grade.

It's time to buy gumboots.

Check out these babies by Hunter. 

We came. We saw. We ate.

The food was again the focus at the annual Eat Street event at the Sofitel and even though my food intake in the past weeks has been at an all time high, I wasn't going to let that stop me from enjoying all that the best restaurants in Melbourne had to offer. I'll start my diet next week.

Many thanks to Sarah aka Little Miss Melbourne, for being my date (hope she enjoys her silent auction purchase!) and Cecylia for posing with us in this happy snap! 

With so many amazing foods, drinks and DESSERTS to try, I couldn't possibly attempt them all so here are a few favourites.

Hot Tip: If food comes in trends as clothing does, then Pork is the dish of the day. Bon Appetit! 

It doesn't have the same ring to it as One Night in Bangkok, but one night in Queenscliff is just as enjoyable and probably a little closer to home for most of you (except Marissa).

After a spectacular afternoon at the Jack Rabbit Vineyard (yes, I will keep going on about it. Had the Pinot last night. Divine.), we continued on to Barwon Heads for a quick look in the shops (Annie's Provodore was a favourite, as was the Kiitos - Living by Design homewares store) before checking into our accomodation for the night, the Big4 Bellarine. 

Kiitos - Living By Design @ Barwon Heads

Our blogging group was split into two households - Marianne and Iolanthe making up house one, while Leeyong, Sarah and I bunked in house two; gorgeous little cabins right next door to each other. Complete with deck (and table and chairs), kitchenette/living, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom, our home away from home was super cosy and comfortable.

Sarah and I outside our cabin at the BIG4Bellarine. Image thanks to Leeyong and Style Wilderness

Sophie and her husband Tim, owners of the Big4 Bellarine, made us feel right at home, with magazines specifically choosen for our tastes on the kitchen counter, together with a welcoming note and a breakfast basket. With the heater on and a cup of tea, we were all quite happy to curl up on the couch and have some 'me' time, until our stomachs got the better of us and the thought of a gourmet dinner at the Vue Grand enticed us out into the cool night. 

The Vue Grand is a beautiful building right in the heart of Queenscliff, a historic hotel and restaurant quite famous locally and beyond for their boutique beers and exceptional food. We certainly had a dining experience and a half, with Sarah and Marianne opting for their five course tasting menu, while Iolanthe, Leeyong and I ordered from the a la carte menu.

Greenvale Pork Shoulder, Loin and Belly with Pickled Rhubarb, Cider Gel and Crackle

The dining room was opulent and luxurious, the kind of place couples celebrate wedding anniversaries or friends toast a promotion. The experience was indeed, grand.

For entree, I ordered the Zucchini Flowers with Drysdale Haloumi, Barberries, Pistachio and Spicy Onion and this was served with quinoa to accomodate my dietary requirements, and for main, the Greenvale Pork Shoulder, Loin and Belly with Pickled Rhubarb, Cider Gel and Crackle. Yummy, although I probably could have used something green to accompany all that meat!

We left after the rest of the girls enjoyed dessert (I was stuffed!) and when we got back to the Big4, I fell asleep just as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The Big4 Bellarine has some great Winter specials for couples and families. Check them out!