Individual Chic

So, it's been a while

2010-10-15T07:25:00.002+11:00

This is why you haven't heard from me.

How to tell if a guy is single

2010-04-16T08:00:00.003+10:00

Here's a sure-fire way to tell if a guy doesn't have a girlfreind, isn't gay, and doesn't live with his mother (if you're looking ^_^).

If the strings holding the flaps closed at the bottom of his suit jacket haven't been removed you can be pretty sure he

doesn't have a girlfriend (who would mock him),
isn't gay (and would know better),
and doesn't live with his mother (who would never let him go out of the house looking like that).

See what I mean? Sure-fire method. You can thank me later.

Why I'm wearing a black crew-necked t-shirt

2010-04-14T11:22:00.003+10:00

OR: Why vomit can be a good thing

Today I am wearing a rather nice black crew-necked t-shirt. I haven't worn this shirt for some time, and that's not because it got lost in my draw among the copious amounts of other black t-shirts. It was secreted in my two year old daughter's nappy bag, for emergencies.

On Saturday Mr Icy, Miss Icy and I went out to the lovely Café Cinque in Newtown for breakfast. They make lovely Eggs Benedict, and I love Eggs Benedict. It was our eleventh anniversary (Happy Anniversary Mr Icy) and we decided to celebrate. I'm aware most people would go out to dinner but with no convenient related babysitters living near by, breakfast is out "going out". And besides, did I mention I love Eggs Benedict?

So we feed Miss Icy breakfast before we leave so she can make it to the eggs bit (she likes the scrambled eggs with sausages on the new kids menu). She has milk (good), a mouthful of toast (OK), and half an orange (not good, a tactical error even).

So, let me lay out the formula (gedit) for you, in case you missed that.

Alkaline (milk) + Acid (orange) + Vigorous shake (30 minute car ride)

= Reaction (throwing up all over mummy)

Luckily (luckily?) it was just curdled milk, so it didn't smell so bad. Not that vomit inducing smell of adult vomit anyway. And we weren't in the car; just the café, where they quickly mopped up what made it to the floor (most landed on me, and I left a large tip). And they had a bathroom right there. And it didn't land on anyone else.

So, I'm standing in the bathroom, in the shared part where any gender can come in, with my top off, in my rather nice red bra (always wear nice undies, you never know where you might be vomited on) sponging off Miss Icy and myself. Mr Icy returns with the nappy bag and we get Miss Icy dressed in her spare clothes and I pull out my emergency black t-shirt.

And do you know what? It was rather nice.

I have two other black crew-necked tops. In fact the one that was thrown up on was one of them. But this one was nicer. The cut of the neck was just a little bit wider and showed off my collar bones nicely. The fit was close, but not stretched over my lumps and bumps.

I looked at this nice shirt and thought to myself "Why is this shirt in the nappy bag? Why am I not wearing this shirt?" So after it was washed, thouroughly, it rejoined the pack of other black shirts.

So, that's the story of why I am wearing a rather nice black crew-necked shirt today.

So, you tell me. What are you wearing today and why?

Cross posted to www.IsaByrne.com.

Links a la Mode

2010-04-10T08:00:00.000+10:00

Pretty, Pretty

Edited by Jennine Jacob It’s official, Spring is in full swing… we’ve all shed our winter fluff and there’s a certain buzz in the air… well, other than the pollen count. Like every week, we have a wonderful selection of links, but the recurring theme here was making ourselves pretty, whether it be donning floral prints, DIY embellishments, watercoloring, even bunny ears or refreshing the ol’ makeup pallette with the new season’s colors. Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do this summer… IFB is looking for interns!

Links à la Mode : April 8

Bachman's Sparrow – Wing-Stop! DIY wing-sleeved shirt!
Denimaniac – Denim Culture for the Modern Man
dramatis personae – Fashion Consultation Giveaway at Style Therapy
évoluer – spring flowers
Fashion Pulse Daily – Avon Does Fabulous Jewelry?!? Who Knew!
Fete a Fete – Guerlain 2010 Terracotta Collection
hello beauty! – Bobbi Brown Spring 2010: Color Strips and Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation (with makeup lesson video)
Idiosyncratic Style – I (HEART) Toronto Fashion Week!
Intrinsically Florrie – DIY bunny ears
Nicky's Rag Tales – Do you need to be a bitch in the Fashion Industry to succeed?
Oranges and Apples – Dig for Victory – amazing vintage inspired dresses
poetic & chic – Bang Envy Influences : Anna Karina
Pretty Shiny Sparkly – A Touch of Vintage & Glamour
Retro Chick – Video Tutorial: Mineral Foundation
sfindiefashion.com – Punk Jock: Chatting with RosenMunns
style, substance & sutton – DIY Embellished Tank
Sugar and spice and all things nice – How to… give thoughtful presents for your girlfriends
The Coveted – Poll: What do you do when your clothes don’t fit?
The Demoiselles – A Glossy View: Ad Campaign Curiousity
The Mod One – Fashion’s Future in 3D

I love my cowboy boots

2010-03-16T08:00:00.000+11:00

Once upon a time, when I was quite a few years younger, I had a sudden craving for a pair of cowboy boots. They were in fashion at the time but I wanted a pair anyway.

I didn't have much money at the time to spend on something so frivolous as a pair of black cowboy boots, so I was also looking for a pair of cheap ones, and they had to be available in Australia (because, really, you have to try them on).

After weeks of searching I found them, and they were nearly perfect. With instep inserts, they were and I could wear them walking for a long time.

For me, they never left my regular shoe rotation. I wore through two pairs of heels as well (they were of unfortunatly cheap construction). The only reason I stopped wearing them was because my feet grew when I was pregant with MissIcy and they never went down again (this is quite common). I didn't have the heart to throw them out either. They've been sitting in my cupboard for the last two and a half years gathering dust.

But now, now I have a replacement pair. And oh, they are sooooo comfortable. That's because they are actually Kumfs!

Aren't they nice? The leather is not shiny, and the heel height it great. I've already worn them quite a lot and for quite long periods of time and they're just as comfortable as my other Kumfs boots.

I only wish they hit the leg a little higher. They're just a bit too short to wear with a skirt. But if they had been, they would have been even more expensive.

Anyway, I love my cowboy boots, again!

Icy's week

2010-03-15T08:00:00.002+11:00

House Stuff

In the new house, the bath is in and the floors have been smoothed. Bathroom walls have been tiled and look great. Some of the walls have been plastered. Things are moving on.

The old house looks like a magazine (almost) and we had our first open house on Saturday. It went pretty well and we had 15 groups through in 30 minutes. There was one request for a contract already, and someone else wants to come and inspect on Tuesday at 10:00. Hopefully it will sell reasonably quickly and for a reasonable amount of money. We'd love to get back to where we were financially before we bought the new house (that is just a few years left to pay off the loan).

MissIcy stuff

Sunday morning we went to breakfast at Newtown and it was lovely. MissIcy had her own breakfast this time (as our fave cafe has added a kids menu) and she had a lovely time. We went bookshopping afterwards, a favourite pastime of MrIcy and myself.

Unfortunately this meant that MissIcy fell asleep in the car on the way home at 10:45 and then didn't stay asleep when we got here. A 20 minute nap is not enough for her by a long shot and this afternoon was a bit frazzled. It was off to be early for her.

Writing stuff

Go check out http://www.isabyrne.com/ for an update.

Health stuff

Off to the opthamologist again today. Hopefully he'll scan my eyes, tell me everything is great and send me home, to not return for three months. Every six weeks is a bit much, as MrIcy has to take a sick day each time to look after MissIcy. He only has so many sick days.

This does mean I get to go shopping by myself in the city though. This is good. I'm checking out bookstores tomorrow.

Links a la Mode

2010-03-13T08:18:00.001+11:00

Spring Fever

Edited by Jennine Jacob

Do you get spring fever? Oh man… the itch to run around outside in flowery prints and frilly laces gets greater and greater each passing day. To heck with chunky sweaters! This week we have a load of great spring style posts, Holier Than Now checks out cape coats, if you’re strapped for cash Out of Order gives the perfect 45min spring skirt tutorial, so cute! And girly clothes not your thing? The Demoiselles has a great homage to genderbending unisex looks. I’ve been thinking of doing a couple of days in menswear myself. Well, as soon as I learn how to tie the half Windsor knot.

There were so, so many great links this week, it really was hard to narrow it down to 2o. Check out the full listing of Links à la Mode here.

Links à la Mode : March 11th

39th and Broadway – Death By Over-Scheduling
Agent Lover – Mad Crushin’ on Pebelle
Bobbins and Bombshells – Shop News…Hand Recovery Sale AND Give-Away!!
Denim Debutante – Denim Advice: Why Should I Buy Premium Denim?
Diary Of A Girl Left Behind – Sorry We Don’t Have Your (Shoe) Size
Fashion Pulse Daily – London Fashion Week: Vivienne Westwood, Mark Fast & Burberry Prorsum
Fete a Fete – The Frye Company SS 2010
Glossary – Sipping tea with Sandra Beijer
Grechen Blogs – Isabel Marant, the Internet & Social Media
grit and glamour – Return to pretty, please!
Hello Beauty! – Shu Uemura Spring 2010 Égérie Collection: Sparkling, rock star chic (with makeup lesson video)
Holier Than Now – Spring (Transition) Shopping : Caped Crusaders
Independent Fashion Bloggers – What does your ideal workspace look like?
M.I.S.S. – Women Making History: Elisa Palomino
Oranges and Apples – Sustainable fashion part 1: conceptualising the issues
Out Of Order – DIY Tutorial – Spring Skirt
Previously Owned – a PREVIEW of Private ARTS la shooting for MINT mag!
Retro Chick – Vintage Hair Video Tutorial
SF Indie Fashion – Good Looks: Moody Winter-Almost-Spring
Shrimp Salad Circus – how to rock orange lips
Smiles Go With Everything – How to Search Effectively on Etsy
The Demoiselles – Gender-Bending: Menswear

Mad Men Barbie Dolls=Awsome!

2010-03-11T08:00:00.001+11:00

So, I've blogged about the Computer Engineer Barbie, and if you would have wanted one when you were a little girl (or now that you're a big girl).

But now Mattel has release a Barbie I'm sure we'd all LOVE.

That's right, the Mad Men (and Ladies) have been Barbie-isdised. At US$75, they might just be for big girls (and boys) but still.

Can I have a Joan Holloway Barbie, p-leeaasee???

Original story from The Gothamist.

Perhaps I have too many shoes

2010-03-09T08:00:00.000+11:00

I've been packing up and putting away in preparation to selling our house. In order that I be able to close the cupboard door, I sorted through my shoes, packing half away to take to the new house.

I lined them all up and thought I really should take a picture. Don't tell MrIcy I have this many.

There are 39 shown here, with three pairs missing, (two at work and one elsewhere). I seem to have a thing for ballet flats, don't ya think?

Icy's week

2010-03-08T08:35:00.002+11:00

No video today, sorry. I ran out of time.

House stuff

If you've been reading my tweets, you'll know our current house goes on the market this weekend. This means we've been frantically cleaning for the last week and I have to say it was so worth it. This place has never looked so good.

Apart from the carpets, that is. The carpets are awful.

It's not all our fault. The person who owned before us used to do motorcycle repair and the oil stains just never went away. Of course, there are now eight years of living on top of that, two of them with a small person, and the carpets were cheap to start with.

So, they need to be cleaned, desperately. This was meant to happen at 930 this morning. Unfortunately, I've just had a call from the cleaner to say their van is broken, and they can't be here until tomorrow. That's fine as far it goes, but the photos are meant to be taken this afternoon. I'm calling the realestate agent at 9:00 and see what he recommends.

The new house is going along nicely. The tiles are up in the bathroom and they look GREAT!

MissIcy stuff

We saw my parents yesterday and MissIcy had a wonderful time with her PopPop and her GaGa. We'll see them again next weekend for a while before they leave on their overseas holiday. They're leaving just in time to not help us move, damn them. ^_^

Writing stuff

Go check out my writing week over at IsaByrne.com.

Links a la Mode

2010-03-06T08:00:00.000+11:00

Fashion Flashback

Edited by Debutante
As fashion weeks starting winding down, some are looking forward to the next trend in fashion. This week, I was thrilled to see so many bloggers focusing on the past -the history of fashion. An obvious passion of mine, vintage fashion has never been so influential. fête à fête reviews a gorgeous collection of vintage inspired jewelry. Fabulous Finds narrates a 1950s styled romp through Palm Springs. Oranges and Apples shares inspiring vintage Life magazine images. In politics, if you don’t learn from history, you’re destined to repeat it. In fashion, if you don’t learn from history, you won’t know you are repeating it!

Links à la Mode : March 4th

Bobbins and Bombshells – Fashionable History: Mary Quant
Confessions of a Fashion Editor – Couture Cakes
Dedicated Follower of Fashion – Spring/Summer Trends 2010 – The Tourist
Dozen Dresses – DIY Skirt – The tutorial!
dramatis personae – B&Lu 0 Gift Certificate Giveaway!
Fabulous Finds Gal – Come With Me On A Sunny And Dreamy Retro Holiday In Palm Springs With The Photographer Bersa
Fashion Pulse Daily – Marchesa Fall/Winter 2010
Fasshonaburu – Who’s Who of Fashion Week
fête à fête – Larkspur & Hawk’s vintage inspired jewelry
Glossary – Please meet Paula and her pretty Pink Bow!
hello beauty! – Bobbi Brown Spring 2010: Cabana Corals and Makeup Face Lift Collections (with video)
JewelryWhore – Interview With Corvus Noir!
Oranges and Apples – Vintage fashion photo inspiration from the Life magazine archives
Out Of Order – Bonnie & Clyde
Prom Mafia – Betsey Johnson does DC
Retro Chick – Estethica – Ethical Design Spotlight – Tara Starlet
Stop Getting Low-balled As A Blogger Independent Fashion Bloggers
Superstylin – Total Fashion Dork Status
The Fashion Planner – YouTube Beauty Gurus
True Queen – One Dress That Will Take You From Work To Play in 3 Different Ways
Tweed & tea – My name is Jacqui, and I am a perfume addict
ventures of jenn. – ode to the maxi
White Rabbit – The Man Behind the Lens

Happy Birthday MrIcy

2010-03-05T08:00:00.002+11:00

I wuvs wu!

Break in transmission

2010-03-04T07:55:00.003+11:00

Please excuse this lame non-post today. I'm cleaning my house from top to bottom in preparation to sell it and it's going to take some time; I've even taken a day off work to do it. I don't like cleaning.

Your regular bloggy service should resume on Saturday with Links a la Mode.

'Till then.

Icy.

Say no to the 'mo and nah cuz to the peach fuzz

2010-03-02T08:00:00.001+11:00

Some time ago I had some wise words to say on the subject of ... erm ... facial hair. As a refresh, I think you should go and read that now. Off you go, I'll wait.

OK, you're back now? Good.

Right, so I'd like to bring up another issue. Peach fuzz. This is that gentle fuzz that you might have around the rest of your face, usually the chin. Maybe it's not so noticeable, maybe you haven't checked, but it's worthwhile taking a look, especially after you put on makeup, which tends to cling to the hair and only make it more noticeable.

You need to get rid of those suckers. Just sayin'.

Any recomendations ladies?

Image care of Wikipedia

Icy's Week

2010-03-01T07:36:00.003+11:00

Welcome to Icy's week. In this video I talk about house stuff, blog stuff, MissIcy stuff, and a little writing stuff.

Thanks for dropping by.

Icy.

Links a la mode

2010-02-27T08:00:00.000+11:00

Project Beyond the Runway

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily

Reading through the links this week, I realized that fashion week or no fashion week, fashion will most certainly go on! A winter snowstorm couldn't even slow down New York Fashion Week, and the links below are testament to the wonderful style that exists beyond the runway, such as Ode to Awe's jewelry discovery, how to look chic while lounging by Cafe Fashionista, and tips for vintage shoe shopping by Wicked Whimsy. Don't get me wrong, I love being 'in the know' on runway looks and trends, but how you interpret them and work them into your personal style is so much more important than remembering which designers showed one-shoulder looks this season!

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

Links à la Mode : February 25th

39th and Broadway - A Side of the Industry Unknown by Most: Life as a Corporate Fashion Designer
British Style Bloggers - Cherish forever what makes you unique, 'cos you're a yawn once it's gone
Cafe Fashionista - A step-by-step guide to looking luxurious even when lounging
Clutch22 -Up close and personal with Vivienne Tam as she expands her fashion+tech innovations to a new category
CMYKaboom - Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) 'Tweet Up in the Tents' event
Debutante Clothing - Vintage Jewelry: Q&A with Lucite line Circa Sixty Three
Fabulous Finds Gal - Moonstuck at the opera with photographer Bersa
Fashion Pulse Daily - Sonia Rykiel Pour H&M; the debut and the review
Holier Than Now - New Take on Florals (5 Under $50)
Idiosyncratic Style - A Girl's Guide to Maternity Style
Independent Fashion Bloggers - Evolving Influence Recap : Part One
Individual Chic - Would you have wanted a Computer Engineer Barbie when you were smaller? Or would you love one now?
Night Watch - 10 Questions with Model Clara Zapffe
Ode to Awe - Denmark based Alidra Alic's Alice-inspired jewelry
Oranges and Apples - Rules for advertising and sponsorship on blogs
Retro Chick - The Ethics of Blogging
Smiles Go with Everything -10 Tips for Shopping on Ebay: How to find great deals on awesome duds
The Coveted - Visits Nine West HQ for a sneak peak of AW10 shoe collections!
The Style PA - Gives Henry Holland a grilling ahead of his House of Holland show
The Sunday Best - Do men get better service when they shop?
Wicked Whimsy -What to look for when buying vintage shoes
Workchic - Fall 2010 NY Fashion week collections: recreated runway to the office outfits

Competition: Name that character

2010-02-25T08:00:00.003+11:00

OK, so you may be aware that I'm writing a book, and damn, I'm having fun (so please ignore any whinging you hear from this general direction). I'm nearly finished the first round of edits and I've realised I need to rename a number of characters.

And I need help.

So I'd like you to suggest some new names for me in the comments below and I'll pick the best entries and call my characters after that.

What's the prize I hear you ask?

You'll have the knowledge that one day, maybe, with a serious amount of luck, the names you pick might appear in a published novel. Yep, it's an awesome prize.

So, I need you to pick a new last name (or even a first name if you don't like the ones I've picked) for each of the three characters below. All names need to start with a different letter of the alphabet (except for A, B, H, L, M, P, Q, S, W, or X) and not end in the letter S (possessives get messy).

To enter, write your new names in the comments below this post, along with the reason you've chosen the name (optional). I'll pick the names I like best after there are a reasonable number of entries (and I may pick and choose from the entries) and let you know in a later post.

So, go to it - enter away!

Characters

Dr Matheson XXX - Mayan archaeologist at Oxford. Discovered a jade mask in Mexico in the 1970s and smuggled it back into England. A bit of a prat really and now safely dead (but he gets a lot of book time). Needs a caucasian name.

Dr Honouria YYY - A lecturer in pre-history at Oxford and the neice of Matheson. Also one of his heirs. Straight forward, intelligent, amused. Also gets a reasonable amount of book time. Any sort of name (though obviously her mother was caucasian).

Ms Harriette ZZZ - Main character's best friend. Loves to have fun, but runs a successful executive realestate business. Into designer shoes and air kisses but a straight up trustworthy friend (any sort of name, upper middle class and went to school with Xavia).

Icy says

2010-02-23T08:00:00.004+11:00

Welcome to my first video log, thanks to Super Kawaii Mama's competition that won me this lovely Kodak zi8. Thanks to you both ^_^.

Happy 3rd Birthday to Individual Chic

2010-02-22T08:00:00.001+11:00

Yep, on the 22nd of February 2007, three years ago, I started Individual Chic and it's been mostly going ever since. I had a bit of a break when MissIcy was young but I've been back and posting regularly since then.

And, as a special birthday treat, I've only just discovered that Individual Chic made it in at 98 in the Top 100 Australian Women Bloggers list. OMG! I'm so chuffed!

Thank you to all my new and old readers for making this SO MUCH FUN!!!

And I'll see you right here for the next year too.

Icy

Links a la Mode

2010-02-20T08:00:00.000+11:00

Style vs Fashion

Edited by Retro Chick

With the Fashion Week season in full swing and Fashion Pulse Daily live blogging from the IFB conference it can be easy to forget that there are other things going on in the world, where real women are shopping and dressing for real occasions.

There were actually surprisingly few Fashion Week oriented posts submitted this week. Possibly the Fashion Week attendees are still too busy to partake in Links á la Mode, but what I did find was a lot of posts focused on fashion, style and image in the real world. A Typical Atypical calls for a low fashion revolution and Idiosyncratic Style urges you to bring out your cocktail frocks for every day. Meanwhile, in the body image arena Intrinsically Florrie learns to love her specs, Sugar & Spice discusses tanning and Mariels Castle weighs in (see what I did there?) on the body size debate.

It would be impossible to leave this weeks links without mentioning the untimely and incredibly sad death of Alexander McQueen. There were posts submitted on this issue but I made the decision not to include them, not because they were bad, but because I felt that if I included one persons post I would need to include them all. There has been so much personal reflection on the life and designs of this amazing man in the fashion blogging world that to choose a small selection seemed impossible. If you would like to read these posts then, as ever, the full list of submissions is available in the forums.

Links à la Mode: February 18th

A Typical Atypical – What girls really want to read about, and why fashion bloggers are changing the face of fashion 5ZAZREUZ9S9A
Bonne Vie – Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Inspiration: What you borrow from another culture when it comes to wardrobe should be thoughtful
Confessions of a Fashion Editor – Dear New Look; it’s over!
Eternal Masquerade – Covering the Parallels Between Our Current Winter Wonderland and Under the Sea Fashions
Fashion Pulse Daily – Fashion Pulse Daily blogs live from the Future of Fashion Blogging panel during IFB’s Evolving influence conference this week!
Hot Beauty Health – Ready for Spring? Here are 9 Big Beauty Trends for Spring 2010!
Idiosyncratic Style – Fashion Dare – Let your party frocks come out and play!
Intrinsically Florrie – Making a spectacle of oneself: learning to love glasses and finding the right pair
Mariels Castle – It’s not about been skinny or fat its about being healthy!
Retro Chick – Love, Lust & Burlesque with the Bridewell Collective
SFindiefashion.com – Spring comes early to Golden Gate Park. Showcase of spring 2010 looks from San Francisco designers
Stacie Blair – Show your Olympic spirit with fashionable gear from Aritzia!
Style Eyes – The dilemma of a fashion blogger and why I’m taking Dame Vivienne Westwoods advice to stop shopping
Style Symmetry – Fashion Blogger Interview Kingdom of Style’s Queen Michelle
Sugar and spice and all things nice – Discussing the dangers of tanning and why the only safe tan is one from a bottle!!
The Clothing Menu – interview with independent jewelry and clothing designer, Norwegian Wood
The Fashion Planner – The Fashion Planner is hosting an eUndies.com Giveaway!
The Very Subjective – very subjective (and therefore – very true) observations about style do’s and do not’s
Thread Style – Heel-wearing fashionistas also can be feminists
twentyteneightyfour – My thoughts on style vs fashion and how our appetite for fashion blogs is part of our quest for style
ventures of jenn – The Great Vintage Debate: the ‘price’ of vintage both within and outside of the western world and what it really means

Computer Engineer Barbie

2010-02-18T08:00:00.002+11:00

I was a Barbie girl growing up, I admit it. I just had the one, but she did everything. She was a doctor, a scientist, a vet (occasionally), and a spy. I was brought up with feminist priciples, even though I didn't know that's what they were.

So, I love the idea of the new Barbie doll, a computer engineer. That's what I am after all, in my other off-line life. According to Mattel, Computer Engineer Barbie will come with a pink laptop and case, pink bluetooth earpiece, a pink flat watch and a smartphone (presumably pink). She's wearing skinny shiny pants, a top decorated with binary code and glasses, great shape but also pink.

Would I wear any of her clothes? The pants, maybe. But nothing else; I hate pink with a pasion. Would I use her tech? No, it's also in pink. Is that the point? No, it's not.

It doesn't matter what I think, or what I would wear as a female computer engineer. What matters is what a little girl, age 5 and up, thinks a computer engineer should wear. Little girls like pink (are forced to like pink I should say as there are no other colour choices).

Would a little girl like this Computer Engineer Barbie? Absolutely. Would I buy my daughter one? Absolutely (when she's old enough). I'd rather she have a computer engineer Barbie than a Bratz.

And I love that Barbie is wearing glasses. What better positive re-inforcement for a little girl who might have to wear glasses than a glamorous pair on a glamorous doll.

Did you have a Barbie doll? And would you have liked this one?

Original story via The Register.

My lovely new Hideo Wakamatsu bags

2010-02-16T08:00:00.004+11:00

My marvelous new Hideo Wakamatsu bags that I won arrived yesterday (glee) and here they are in all their splendor, the Vagues medium trolley in wine, and the Blade sholderbag in black.

The construction on the Vagues suitcase is lovely and the colour is so me ^_^. It's lined in a lovely gold coloured fabric, and has two clever storage flaps, a bag for shoes, plus removable hangers! As Super Kawaii Mama says, how can you not love a suitcase with "actual hangers that I can hang things on in the case and then remove to hang in the wardrobe wherever I go". Now we just need to go somewhere so I can use my beautiful new suitcase.

The Blade shoulder bag is a perfect size for me with 2 zippered pockets on the outside (including one on the back which is always important) and two more pockets on the inside. The only thing that could improve it would be if it was lined in a light colour (I can never find anything in a dark bag). It's also pleasingly gender neutral, so it could be a fight as to who gets it, MrIcy or I. I'll let you know who wins.

Thank you once again to Candice, the Super Kawaii Mama and Angela from Hideo Wakamatsu for this lovely prize. Oh, and MissIcy very much appreciates the box they came in ^_^.

Icy's week

2010-02-15T08:07:00.003+11:00

House stuff

Well, the builder cut his hand last Thursday pulling out the bathroom, was at work on Friday (where I saw him), in hospital Saturday and Sunday night (at least) pumped full of antibiotics, back on site on Thursday. He seems OK, which is great, and he's still acheived a lot.

Demo is finished, new walls are up with gyprock, though not yet plastered. Plumber has moved the hot water heater, electrician has done the re-wiring. I can see how the layout is going, and I'm feeling good about it.

Writing stuff

Go check out my writing week over at IsaByrne.com.

Health stuff

Had another opthamologist appointment on Tuesday and it went well. My eye is a little better again and my vision has improved again slightly. I have another appointment in 5 weeks, and hopefully that will be the last for a while.

I tweeted I was feeling spaced on Saturday afternoon. That indicated the start of hours of weirdness. I had cold chills and hot flushes (I think my blood pressure dropped for some reason), my head was spinning constantly, and other things I refused to mention here.

After spending several hours in the shower I then spent the rest of the day in bed. I found if I lay on my left side I was OK but if I so much as rolled over my head would start to spin again. MissIcy was very disapointed I wouldn't get up to play with her. In the end I took some big pain meds and went to sleep at 7:30. I woke up at 7:00 the next morning feeling very lethargic but not actually sick. I was OK again late in the afternoon. No idea what happened.

Why I love Nuff Nang

2010-02-11T08:00:00.001+11:00

A haiku in five parts, an entry to the Nuff Nang Valentine's Day competition.

Love's day. Celebrate
things that bring joy to dull days.
Love's way is to share.

I share a cat of
colours impossible with
you; style and words join.

I share a glamour
superhero. A cutie,
a sweetie, a mum.

I share a big love
of fabulosity and
embracing the self.

Love's day. Enjoy it,
celebrate it, embrace it.
Love's way is to share.

Hideo Wakamatsu make seriously cool bags

2010-02-09T07:40:00.000+11:00

Last week I won Super Kawaii Mama's competion and scored myself a $700(!!!) voucher to spend at Hideo Wakamatsu and I was delighted. I am a huge luggage fanatic, there's nothing I like better than a lovely peice of luggage.

After much browsing I settled on two peices (a little more than the voucher but it was worth it). I'm getting the Vagues Medium Trolley in Wine and the Blade Shoulder Bag in Black.

The medium trolley is the same size as our existing bags, and they're perfect for visiting MissIcy's grandparents in Brisbane. Our fabric red one is getting a little worse for wear (it did survive a six-week holiday through Turkey, Jordan and Egypt though). This is the perfect replacement. And it's SOOO PRETTY!

The shoulder bag was to use up the rest of the money, but it was one of the bags I looked at seriously anyway. Maybe MrIcy will use it, maybe I'll use it. We'll decide (fight over it) when it arrives.

Once again, thank you to Super Kawaii Mama and Hideo Wakamastu.