Travelling and shopping rolled into one is an activity that is quite hard to accomplish. It is hard to savor your stay in one place if your eyes get hypnotized by the beautiful dresses in a shop or boutique. But there’s one way you can do both. That is, if you find the best places that not only boasts the most scenic landmarks but are also home to the most fashionable stores. Recently, CNBC and retail industry analyst Tobe Report provided a list of the world’s best cities for shopping. The list is based on the latest fashions and bargains, number of boutiques, and each city’s diverse culture.

First of all, the list did not take anything away from online shopping. It is nice to be in front of your computer browsing through gorgeous diamond encrusted engagement rings and stunning stilettos for fun while waiting for your dresses to be delivered right to your doorsteps. Still, nothing beats the feeling of being in the middle of a fashion district. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 best shopping cities in the world as described by Tobe Report:

· Melbourne – known as the Milan of Australia. Its Swanton Street has a multitude of trendy vintage stores, bargain shopping and one-of-a-kind pieces
· Paris – the home of Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, and Balenciaga
· Hong kong – this Asian city is all about luxury, convenience, and exclusive merchandise
· Austin, Texas – this city is known for the store {By George} that carries rare brands Kick Pleat, Eliza Page (which sells local and independent jewelry), and specialty denim shop Hem Jeans
· Los Angeles – simply because this is where Hollywood is
· London – shopping centre and the fashion style of the Royal family
· New York – homes numerous designer labels. It is also the centre for many glamorous events and first class restaurants
· Copenhagen – Strøget is the world’s longest pedestrian street where stores like Prada, Chanel and Louis Vuitton are proudly built
· Philadelphia – where exclusive brands are, and most of all, no sales tax on clothing and shoes
· Milan – boasts a “well-curated range of brands”

Would you agree with this report? What’s your favourite city to shop in?

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The Swedish multi-national retail company is hitting the shores of Australia. Starting with Sydney!

The planned first store is in the cards for 2014 and I am super excited!

Through my travelling around Dubai, Paris and Singapore, I’ve probably frequented the H&M stores more often than the iconic Zara.

So I am looking forward to the launch in Aus!

Latest love -

Jeffrey Campbell Soiree Clear Heel

RRP $125

I found some on Urban Outfitters but don’t think they have the size I need in the style I want (story of my life).

The clear strap version comes in my size but I am not a fan of these – there are some images of people wearing them but it doesn’t inspire me

There is also an option in beige

But my favourite ones are the black version with a gradient heel:

Taking the trend of the perspex heel on but not too over the top.

If anyone knows where I can get these, pls comment below!

xx

Her style is impeccable and inside and out she is the most beautiful person.

A global fashion model and a person with the biggest heart.

Natalya founded a charity called the Naked Heart Foundation when she was only 22 and this organisation helps bring children a bit of happiness by building playgrounds around Russia.

“Our mission – to ensure that every child has a loving family, and a safe and stimulating place to play, the two things essential for a happy, fulfilling childhood. If each of us contributes, our children’s lives can be transformed!”

On top of running this charity, Natalya is a mother of three and a talented business woman who manages to balance the best of both worlds and looks at her best all the time.

This dress is impeccably gorgeous and the red shoes add a very sophisticated and playful edge

Sleek city style

Gorgeous business woman

Feminine lace

Each simple and elegant dressed is dressed up with colourful stilettos – perfect combination!

A loving mother

I think her style is the most simple, sophisticated and unique. By far one of my favourite fashion icons and people!

I wish more people were like her.

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Found this old Cue dress which used to get a lot of compliments. It’s very simple, silk, just at the knee skirt and no embellishments

I guess its a perfect casual dress.

The hair came about spontaneously. I couldn’t get it to style properly, even with Moroccanoil. Must have been all the hours I had it tied up in a messy bun. So I came up with a chignon but because I don’t own a hair donut, it had to be done to the best of my ability with hair clips and hair ties. I did use a looooot of hairspray!

The result:

I wore this awesome necklace – has an Arabic, middle eastern flair to it! Coming soon to KUSHLA.com.au

Love it!
xx

Hairspray: VO5

Dress: Cue

Shoes: ZU shoes

Necklace: KUSHLA.com.au

When we arrived in Paris, the temperature dropped to zero degrees and I was happy that this winter purchase became useful, even though I didn’t think I’d need to pull it out earlier than another 6 months.

Having brunch in a brasserie near our hotel – Place Vendome, I started noticing people walking past and sneakily taking photos of me. This was an unexpected shock because why would Parisians pay attention to my fashion – its very different to theirs. The style you see on the streets of Paris is classic and chic in a way elegance goes hand in hand with Coco Chanel and the winter chill provides more excuses to wear elegant black waist coats and model scarves.

My coat is white, fluffy and shaped like a bell. I have big fluffy cuffs and the rim of the coat is – you guessed it, also fluffy! My love for fluffy things has led me into buying this coat in the busy mall of Shibuya with screaming Japanese girls “Kawai!” in my ear.

It was love at first sight!

So I took my coat around Paris – photos taken on all kinds of Rue(s) ……

It accompanied me in line to Laduree…(more on this amazing store later!)

We did some shopping on Champs Elysees and on the walk back from the Arc De Triumph, a girl came up to me on Champs Elysees and asked if she could take my photo, explaining that she is a fashion student. I posed with my Laduree macaroons How silly did I feel! But at the same time, what a Paris experience!

I still don’t know if the girls of Paris were taking photos of my coat so they could laugh at it, or thought it was cute! Or maybe the style is so different that it appeals to the odd fashion student browsing the streets of Paris for inspiration.

The cutest thing was that a little girl, about the age of four, as we were walking back from Notre Dame that evening, squealed with delight when she saw me, ran up to me and started patting the sleeve of my coat. I think she thought it was a fluffy animal I thought it was quite funny!

So lots of adventures for my coat in Paris! I hope it will have as much fun in Sydney when it gets a bit chilly!

Do you have a piece of clothing that has a few stories?

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Boots in the photos – bought in Venice

White stretch jeans – Bebe (acquired in Dubai)

Bag – Guess (Outlet store in Sydney)

Well, you get the idea!

I got my hair dyed the same colour as before, eliminating the regrowth and also got a side fringe.

Here is the result:

FM did a great job as usual and I also got their opening and closing times which some of you were asking for.

I seldom make appointments and when I walk in during the week, I never have to wait for someone to attend to my hair needs!

Opening hours:

Weekdays and Saturdays 10am to 10pm

Sundays 10am to 8pm

It’s probably best to ring them if you’re travelling into the city just for a hair cut.

Please let me know your favourite hair salons in Sydney and what style hair you’re planning on getting next

xx

I haven’t updated the old blog in a while because we were moving house! Oh how fun this activity was, and I am so glad its over! (yay!) but now back to it!

Today I tried Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment. I’ve heard a lot about it a few years ago when they launched in Australian and since then there have been a lot of other hair oils which have flooded the market.

It comes in a bottle of about 100ml and has a pump applicator so that its easy to use the oil on your hair in the bathroom, right after you’ve washed it.

The directions say to use on damp or dry hair but I prefer to use it on damp hair because then the oil can get better absorbed and once you dry your locks, the moisture in the hair is not oily.

This product is not sticky or greasy. Pump the product into your palm, about a size of a 20 cent coin. Rub your palms together and apply evenly through the hair. If your scalp usually gets oily then just apply to the ends of the hair and through the length, not the top of your head. The oil will help moisturise your hair and control fly aways. I don’t usually apply it on my scalp to just enhance the shine and moisture of the dry parts of my hair, mostly the ends.

I also use this product as a styler for unruly hairs (use a smaller amount of the treatment at your fingertips and style as desired).

And here is the result! Shiny, bouncy and soft hair! Testing this product on a bad hair day as well ( since I ran out of my moisturising conditioner too!!!)

This Oil Treatment did the trick by providing moisture and softening up my dry and tired  hair.

For anyone who’s got a dry/dull hair problem, this is your friend! – Moroccan Oil Treatment receives a thumbs up from me!

RRP $55.00/100ml

Moroccan oil products are available exclusively at fine salons. For more information please visit www.moroccanoil.com

Hope you give this product a go, especially if you have thick dark hair like mine!

xx

Since realising how great it is, I of course, haven’t been able to find it anywhere. Now I guess I’ll have to order it from Japan only!

It’s called Elixir foundation by Shiseido. Shiseido in Japan has a lot of different sub-brands and holds the majority of the market share for make up. The Shiseido counter which we see in Myer of David Jones is the main export brand, but we don’t often know that Shiseido owns a lot of smaller brands of make up including Maquillage and Elixir.

When I google Shiseido, those other brands hardly show up and if I search directly for Shiseido elixir- a lot of skincare products appear, but no mention of foundations or other make up.

The product itself is called Shiseido Elixir Superior Whitening Liquid Foundation UV SPF 28/PA++

I know the ‘whitening’ part is not what we’re used to in the Western world, but trust me, most of the times whitening products, especially foundations or powders don’t whiten your skin- there is a touch of ‘brightness’ or a glow, but I haven’t noticed any whitening at all. If anything, my skin just looks rejuvenated every time I wear this foundation.

If you find it in Australia, please share )))

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It’s long and soft and goes awesome with boots. My husband doesn’t have the same opinion and calls it my monk outfit. I still love it!

Couldn’t find any in Australia, there is a hoodie dress which is shorter on the American Apparel website, but nothing that’s similar to this. If I find it I’ll do a post update!

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