Recycling or Transforming? Top 5 Recycled Accessories

When I think of recycling, I think of making sure my cereal box ends up in the recycling bin rather than the normal bin. Up Cyclette on the other hand, has a slightly different definition of "taking out the trash" and as a result are transforming our understanding of recycling and what makes amazing accessories.

Their offering is simple, they search the globe for designers who produce stunning accessories from recycled material and sell them on their e-store upcyclette.com.au . There is nothing trashy about what they sell!

Their range of sunglasses, bags, smart device carriers and belts tick the box for anyone who wants the coolest accessory on the market and be eco friendly at the same time. Each item is beautifully designed and whats even better, every piece is 100% unique.

Shopper Concierge Top 5 "must have" recyclable accessories from Up Cyclette:

1.  Sunglasses made from used skateboards : VuerichB sunglasses Cruisin n°168

2. Mens belts made from your local fire stations fire hose: Feuerwear belt white

3. Helvetics Slippers made from Swiss Army Blankets:

4. Handbag from an A5 Ringed Binder : ad:acta Handbag Gleitzeit brn

 

5. "Bag to Life" Smart Phone case from Airline Life Vests 

Up Cyclette , beautiful things from other people trash ! A real talking point at the water cooler

Shopper Concierge

Sneaker Secrets: top 5 e-stores and sneaker designs

Putting your best foot forward when stepping out in sneakers is critical to avoiding a fashion faux  pas , we don't need to tell you that sneakers are more "fashion" than "performance" even if you are wearing them to the local boxing gym .

Collaborations between traditional footwear companies with leading designers, sports stars and personalities had resulted in a plethora of amazing designs. And online shopping is giving Australian sneakerheads access to the most sort after pairs.

WIndow shopping sneakers is as fun as actually buying (well almost!) with designs ranging from futuristic to urban to incorporating soft toys into the shoe. 

Shopper Concierge's top 5 recommended places to shop and things to see from the world of sneakers:

1. OSneaker.com 

OSneaker describes itself as "run by sneakerheads for sneakerheads", they range collectors items and rare pairs that will make you the talking point around town. This week they are taking orders for the new Nike Air Foamposite One "Sport Royal" which launches at the end of June, a must on the shopping list

2. Yes Air Jordan

Even though Air Jordans are made by Nike you will be hard pressed to find the cooler designs on Nike.com. So if you are a fan then we suggest that you check out Yes Air Jordan for the comprehensive range of the brand online. Our pick, the boot come sneaker Air Jordan 28 Black/Varsity 

3.  Adidas

The Adidas partnership with Jeremy Scott has lead to a whole range of sneakers that create conversations in the street. Somewhere between a cuddly toy and a performance shoe the Adidas Jeremy Scott range is always in high demand with limited quantities being produced of each design. Today we are loving the pink poodle mens shoe

4.Converse

John Varvatos and Converse have a range of sneakers that keep the cool Converse look and feel but with a new urban twist that makes the old feel new. Our pick from their range is more grunge than our friends above , the Hi Double Zip Camo done up in distressed canvas and rawhide laces for a distinctive edge.

5. Antonioli

Of course no top 5 shoe list would be complete without an entrant from Italy, the home of shoes. Antonioli is a leading Italian luxury fashion retailer with a great range of shoes. Within their forward thinking collection you will find a sneaker or two that you will most likely be able to match with either your latest suit or a pair of jeans. Our pick the Damir Doma Ankle lace up sneakers with leather panels :

Don't be afraid to share your sneaker secrets with us.

Shopper Concierge

Best e-stores for boots under $300

The cold weather is here and its time to ensure that your range of boots is up to date. But how much do you have to spend to buy a good pair of boots?

At Shopper Concierge we frequently come across amazing boots but the price tag puts them out of reach. So recently we set ourselves a challenge, to find the top 5 e-stores for boots under $300- thats their whole range under $300 not just one pair of boots.

The results are in and we are pretty excited by what we found. We went searching for  knee high black boots and we found a whole lot more than that, and all under the $300 price limit.

Our Top 5 Sites for Boots and a sample from their range:

1. Wanted Shoes 

Huge range, over 144 different types of boots to choose from, all under $300. They cover all the ranges, with at least 50 styles of knee high boots to choose from. They range both their own brands and other brands. Easy menu system to help find what you want. Our pick of their range was their evening ankle boot : Lady by Verali with diamonte detailing for $109 . They have free delivery within Australia ( they do not ship overseas) and deliver within 2-7 days.

2. Tony Bianco 

You can find Tony Bianco shoes on other sites, but it is worth shopping them direct at the Tony Bianco e-store. The store has about 140 boots available, with all styles however there are significantly more ankle boots ( both heel and flat) than knee high. There is free shipping on purchases over $80 but as most boots range from $160-$299 this means there is no shipping charge. Our pick from the Tony Bianco range was again another heeled ankle boot, Acustic Fudge Chicago at $189.95

3. Nine West

When Nine West launched in Australia about 15 years ago they were the hip store to shop for good priced fashionable shoes. You don't seem to hear as much about them today but we still think they offer what they always have, great value shoes and in this case boots. They have a smaller range than the other two sites above with 84 pairs of boots in the range, the majority being ankle boots. But they do offer a lot more colour choice than Wanted or Tony Bianco. Our pick from their range was Conspire for $99.95 plus $10 postage ( orders under $100)

4. Mollini

Mollini is another well known Australian shoe brand who has a similar number of boots to Tony Bianco  and Wanted. They have a great menu system for boots that breaks them down into categories including calf length, chelsea  and wedge which makes shopping the site simple. They offer free shipping and free returns. Our pick from the site was Riddle Calf boot with four adjustable buckles for $219

5. Heels.Com

Heels.com is an American online store that has an enormous range of shoes and ships to Australia. They have 450 types of knee high boots with 95% under $300 ( before shipping) and about the same in ankle boots. They have conservative styles and they have "out there" styles with everything in between. The unique thing about the site is that you can segment shoes ( and boots) based on your fashion style through the "fashionality" pull down menu . Styles include Bombshell and Park Avenue Chic which means you don't have to hunt through hundreds of options. Our pick was the Sheena Black Just Fab Boots at $54.99 USD with priority shipping ( 1-3 days) of $40.53 to Sydney making the total $95.52USD. Great Value

So what did we learn.......... that for under $300 you can pick from an amazing range of all styles of boots. Forget the standard black knee high look, why not go for something a little more standout.

What did we buy? Well I started the search because I needed black standard knee high boots and I ended up buying just that from Nine West for $129, 50% off normal price. What a bargain.......

These boots were made for
walking shopping!

Shopper Concierge

Be Inspired by Elke Kramer Jewellery

When jewellery is not on your shopping list, it is guaranteed that you stumble across an amazing piece that you simply can't live without. But when you are looking for something special you usually find nothing that suits. So take a tip from us, when you come across a piece of jewellery that you can't resist, best to snap it up rather than wait for a rainy day.

Recently we stumbled across a whole e-store of amazing pieces that are unique and completely irresistible by the designer Elke Kramer. Elke's designs are for those who like to express their individuality.  She uses a diverse range of materials such as concrete, onyx, cork and slate, producing a range of jewellery that is feminine and urban at the same time.

Elke also has a range of eye wear and one off pieces such as fans and parsoals that follow the same theme of individuality and self expression

Be inspired: our top 5 picks from window shopping today at Elke Kramer:

1. The eminent bracelet made from real concrete, onyx and slate 

2. The Picasso Jasper Tough Love ring made from  solid resin 

3. Summer hand fan "BENEATH THE FOLIAGE"

4. The Resounding Pendant  made from brass, slate, cork, onyx and concrete on a black rope

5. "Revolte" sunglasses : Rose gold inserts and eye wire detailing.

Lots of beautiful things to choose from and almost everything on the site is under $300, so great value as well

Two things to note, their e-store is a bit on the clunky side and feels like an add on to the Press Site rather than a dedicate sales outlet. The other important thing to note is they have no refund policy, and exchanges can only occur if a replacement is available and the item is returned within 10 days, which is tight!

Enjoy and we hope you are inspired by Elke Kramer

Shopper Concierge

Nothing to Do? Why not design your own shoe

Nothing to do on a cold Saturday afternoon in June?

One option would be to leave the house and hit the shops..... another would be to jump online and design your own pair of shoes. Yes you read right, design your own shoes.

Shoes of Prey are a unique e-store that offer their customers the opportunity to design their own shoe. The process is simple, the shoes are very reasonably priced and best of all it's fun!

You start by selecting the shoe style. You can pick from ballet flats, heeled sandals, sling backs, ankle boots, oxford flats, wedge or party heels. Then you are guided through a process of customising each element of the shoe through fabric, colour and decorative elements like flowers, bows or open toes.

 They have a great gallery of shoes created by other people (which you can also buy) that will give you some inspiration if you don't know what you want. One of the features that we  like a lot, is that you can customise the size of your heel from 1.5 inches right up to 6 inches.

Things we love about Shoes of Prey:

• You can order 5 samples of different leathers for $15 to check out the finish before you purchase.
• They can make an extra wide or extra narrow shoe if need be.
• They have a great "inspiration" box that pops up as you design to give you ideas
• Amazing return policy: 365 days post purchase
• Free shipping world wide
• No shoe over $350 
• They wont copy pictures of shoes... so its not about ripping off other designers
• Best of all, its a fun way to shop for shoes

 

To get you inspired here are our top 5 shoes from the gallery:

1.Heeled Sandal designed by Carla (a committed Shoes of Prey shopper):

2.  Fashion Sandal designed by Romance was Born:

3. Ballet Flats designed by Jade:

 

4. Ankle boots designed by Wendy

5. Sling Backs designed by Shopper Concierge

Of course, you can design something more on the plain side but why not have a little fun?

The only thing we don't like about this site is that it takes 4 weeks to deliver, but I guess that's fair given they are hand made.

So next time you need a shoe to match a specific outfit or if you have nothing else to do, why not try Shoes of Prey

Enjoy!

Shopper Concierge

Liberty London: Feature Store

One of the great things about online shopping is being able to shop the best boutiques of London from the comfort of your living room.

Liberty London fashion has been a leading "emporium" in the heart of London for hundreds of years. Today however, you no longer need to go to London to shop Liberty with the online store shipping to Australia in 3-5 days.

Liberty London fashion is eccentric, and they love a good pattern on just about everything from suitcases to scarves , skirts and cushions. They have a whole section on the site dedicated to "prints" across categories, so you don't have to go hunting for them. Their distinctive style is certaintly not for everyone, but they have some fun pieces that are definitely worth checking out.

They have a particularly good range of iPhone and iPad cases and a whole section dedicated to Scarves. 

The Shopper Concierge top 5 items from our window shopping today:

1. IBRIDE VICTORIE CAT TRAY for those special serving occasions where only a picture of a cat (with a human body) on a platter will do

2. MARGARET LIBERTY PRINT MINIATURE SUITCASE for small travel excursions

3.BERNSTOCK SPEIRS BURGUNDY BUNNY BASEBALL CAP, doubles as an Easter bonnet 

4. CHRISTOPHER RAEBURN BLUE LIGHTWEIGHT HOODED PANEL JACKET , pattern free and for the blokes

5. ALEXANDER MCQUEEN MULTICOLOUR MINERAL PRINT PENCIL SKIRT

For those who like something a little different , Liberty London gives you a whole emporium to explore

Shopper Concierge

SKIING ANYONE? The Top 5 Sites for Ski Gear

The ski season officially opened in Australia last weekend, and while we are still waiting for the white stuff to arrive, it's time to get online and update your snow gear for both on and off the slopes.

When it comes to purchasing ski gear it is all about FASHION and FORM. So here is the Shopper Concierge guide to the best e-stores to check out before you hit the slopes. 

Important points to consider when buying ski gear online:

1. Read the sizing instructions, the size may not be the same as your normal clothes.

2. Check the product information carefully to ensure that the product you're purchasing meets your requirements.

3. The e-stores have exclusive arrangements with each of the brands so you wont find all brands on all sites, so shop around.

4. Check the shipping costs as ski gear and equipment tend to be bulky, hence expensive.

5. Check the delivery times, you don't want to order and then leave for the snow before it arrives.

Shopper Concierge Top 5 Sites for Ski Gear:

Australian Site Recommendations:

1. Larry Adler

Specialists at the top end of the market, Larry Adler carry a range of luxury European brands exclusively, such as Bogner and strolz. They are not cheap however they pride themselves on having the absolute top brands and latest ranges available. On the other side, Larry Adler have a very cost effective shipping fee, a flat $9.95 which seems to even apply to skis.

2. Auski

Also at the top end of the market, but a little less conservative than Larry Adler, Auski hold a large array of brands most of which are not ranged on Larry Adler, including Phenix and spyder. They also have a good kids range  and an extensive snowboard range. They sell versatile cameras to shoot the action as you ski. At the time of writing they had a free shipping promotion within Australia on non bulky items and $15 on larger purchases.

3.Snow Central

Offering a more cost effective option and ranging many of the surf and urban brands is Snow Central. In addition to clothing and traditional ski and boarding gear, the site has an extensive range of accessories including protective apparel, cameras for helmets, tools for bindings, as well as stomps and leashes. Orders over $100 will be shipped free of charge!

If you are wondering about whether the ranges available and the prices are better overseas , here are our international recommendations:

4. Level Nine Sports

 Great range of ski and snow board products and accessories at VERY competitive prices. On top of this, the site is really informative, clearly developed by people who understand the level of information required to make online ski purchases. They also have a "ski selector" function on the site, which walks you through a series of questions to help you determine which ski is right for you. The downside: they are not allowed to ship all available brands to Australia based on retailing agreements. In addition, the shipping varies according to the product, which on the larger products often eliminates any savings on the base price.

5. Snow trax store

A UK site that has a very impressive range of everything you have ever thought of in hitting the slopes. To go with this, however, is the unbelievable price tag once you have converted from pounds to Australian dollars and added the extremely high shipping prices (and this is when they have a sale on). But they do have an awesome range of unique skis that will totally set you apart on the slopes.

We hope you enjoy the slopes this season.

Shopper Concierge

Fancy a Glass of WIne?

You come to the end of a long week, tired, looking to relax, you reach into the cupboard for a bottle of wine...... but there is none!


A tip from Shopper Concierge, instead of dropping into the local bottle-o each week, why not order online?

Whether you are an aficionado or only differentiate wine by the colour, ordering online is an excellent option and not just for the convenience of home delivery. There are a raft of helpful services available at the online stores that make sure you get exactly what you are looking for and make shopping online a great experience.

Some of the great benefits that come from shopping for wine online:

1. Many of the sites offer a 100% money back guarantee. You don't like what you bought? send it back (check the conditions)  www.wineselectors.com.au

2. Not sure what to buy? Choose the mixed dozen, pre selected cases that take the challenge out of buying.

3. Still not sure what to buy? Some of the sites have a call centre so you can discuss your selection of wine www.wineselectors.com.au

4. Expert panels for the enthusiasts making recommendations and reviews for each bottle sold to help make the optimum selection www.wineloverswarehouse.com.au

5. Look for shipping deals including free shipping on over 12 bottles www.wineonline.com.au

6. Delivery and Freight: some 2-day delivery & regular weekly delivery service

7. Search by food matching or taste characteristic www.boutiquewineries.com.au

8. hard to find boutique ranges that simply aren't ranged in your local store : www.boutiquewineries.com.au

Setting up a regular weekly delivery of your favourite wine will mean you never run out.

Enjoy the long weekend and a nice glass of your favourite drop .
Shopper Concierge

Window Shopping with SSense.com

Shopping online can sometimes be the same as shopping bricks and mortar ... everything feels SAME SAME. And then you come across SSense.com and you are captivated!

Everything they range is edgy, youthful and iconic. Statement pieces from both luxury designers to street labels and their editorial shows you how to combine two amazing standout pieces to create a completely unique look.

Unfortunately is it xsy.... we recommend looking for the sales, saving for a special piece or do what we did: window shop which was still a lot of fun.

Our Top 6 items from SSense.com:

1.Rick Owens: GREY CROPPED MANTLETTE CRATER JACKET

2. Alexander McQueen :BLUE AND GOLD EMBROIDERED KNUCKLEDUSTER BOX CLUTCH

3. Gareth Pugh: BLACK SILK FLARED TRAIN RUNWAY TROUSERS

4. Gareth Pugh: RED LAYERED SILK FLAMENCO BLOUSE

5. Dominic Jones : BLACK GOLD SNAKEHEAD BANSHEE EARRING

6. Versus :Gold studded Leather Combat Boots

SSense.com ships to Australia in 3-5 days which we consider on par with the other international luxury boutiques. Shipping to Australia is estimated at $50, unfortunately making it that extra bit more expensive.

Check out SSense.com

Enjoy SSense and share with us your favourite

Shopper Concierge

Discovering the weird & wonderful online

One of the things we love the most about shopping online is the fun gadgets and home-wares that you discover.

Today we have been shopping Aero Plus which has a range of gorgeous and fun home-wares that you can buy for yourself or as a gift.

Here are some of our favourites:

1. Hand crocheted egg warmer hats

2. An actual brown paper lunch bag - apparently tear proof and leak resistant

3. Lego cufflinks... and if you don't like these you could always try the iPod cufflinks

4. A camel sugar bowl.... one lump or two

5. Aligator Socks.... snap up a pair

You may not need any of these things....... but we are not sure at Shopper Concierge that we can live without them!

Well Done Aero Plus

Happy Shopping
Shopper Concierge