Cart Curator #11 - How Do You Know If Your Shopping Habits Are Toxic?
We’re back with another ballet flat rec, a dream vacuum cleaner, and a Melb hot choccie spot.
Hi CC friends,
Jess here while Nicole is off sunning herself in Europe!
I leave Brisbane in a couple of days and head off to Italy. On one hand, I could not be more ready to log off for three weeks and on the other hand I have a mountain of work to get through before then.
This week Nicole discovered the drink “Tinto de Verano” whilst in Spain, which NYT have touted as the cocktail of the summer (so one to file in our brains until the heat is back in Aus). Half red wine, half citrus soda - yum.
She’s currently off to Sicily, to continue sun basking, before we’re reunited in Puglia in a few days (eek).
Enjoy,
You Asked for It
Scents have the power to transport you back to a specific time and place, so it’s no shock there is a trend around finding a ‘holiday scent’ or ‘wedding scent’. Fun fact, I (Nicole) actually had a schoolies scent and a Splendour in the Grass scent, of which smelling brings back some questionable memories…
Anyway, this week we’ve been asked for some scent suggestions specifically for a warmer weather holiday, which may also serve for some winter escapism.
First up is liquid summer in Diptique’s Ilio EDP, a limited edition scent created as a tribute to the Mediterranean, evident in both its notes and label. This will transport your senses to warm days spent in the sun and in my (Nicole’s) opinion this fresh, juicy and slightly sweet scent, and is a more unique option than the popular Mango Skin.
Moving onto a slightly spicier scent we have Goldfield & Banks Ingenious Ginger with notes of mandarin, ginger, white florals, and warm amber. I (Jess) have never smelt anything like it and as a lover of all things ginger, I just can’t resist this. This is an amazing scent for a warmer climate and definitely not one everyone else will be wearing.
Our last pick is Malin+Goetz Dark Rum with notes of leather, rum and vanilla and bursts of bergamot and plum. I (Jess) am a sucker for more masculine mixes so this unisex scent has me hooked with its warm and addictive notes.
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
We’re deviating from a pop culture moment this week to talk about something that both of us have been working through personally and I think a lot of us can relate to, given the current cost of living crisis (sorry to go there).
We touched on this in a previous newsletter but many of us are being forced to tighten our purse strings to keep up with the increasing costs of, well, everything and with this comes a (much) needed examination of our purchasing decisions and the shopping culture that feeds into this.
I think many people can relate to seeing something pop up on your FYP and whether it’s a haul or styling video an item piques your interest and you see it again, and again and by now you’re convinced it’s the next big trend. You might start to see TikToks of people struggling to get a hold of the item, mentioning it’s sold out or can’t be found anywhere. It’s easy to fall into a scarcity mindset where you’re convinced you need something - maybe not even because you love or truly need the item but you’re scared of missing out on being a part of something or wanting to have that item that is so widely desired even if it’s just for the status (?) of getting a hold of something when nobody else can.
Think Zara panic buying (e.g. the silver pants that took over TikTok), a Mr Winston drop (very limited quantities that never return) or even the Dyson Airwrap. We’ve both been victims of this thought pattern and tbh I don’t think any of us are immune to it.
Putting our PR hats on for a second this is what a brand often strives for when launching a new product which is often sent to influencers far and wide with the hopes of the product flooding socials.
This purchasing behaviour is something we are working on and you may have seen the below TikTok, in which the user gives a pretty good framework for buying clothes strategically.
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There are a few additional points we’ll add, that we’re introducing as we slowly override and recalibrate our buying processes.
Always look at the fabric, and match this up with the price. For example, we generally try and avoid synthetic fabrics with a higher price tag. An investment piece needs to be worth the price tag and not the status.
If you are questioning yourself as to if this product is a must-buy, wait a day or two to try and quieten the scarcity mindset.
Remove the brand name from the equation (unless the item will go up in value, like a designer bag), take a step back and see if you can actually see this item in your personal wardrobe.
Similarly, consider if this item work with existing pieces in your wardrobe or if will you need to purchase a whole new outfit to accommodate it. We’re talking shoes, accessories, bag, under garments. No point purchasing something only to have to buy all the other bits to make it wearable.
Take to Depop first. Someone may be reselling the item at the fraction of the cost. You can typically fine items BNWT (Brand New With Tags for the newbies) or worn only a handful of times for great prices.
If you have any extra tips and tricks, we are all ears. Let us know below.
Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
Jess
Ballerina flats are creeping their way back into fashion via our favourite influencers including Matilda Djerf and I’m loving seeing these styled with everything from a baggy jean to a slip dress, or even a mini skirt.
They key with this item is the shade and details which is why I’m obsessed with this silver Zara pair with bow detail. I was very disappointed to see they weren’t included in the Zara sale but these may have to be an upcoming purchase soon regardless.
In my pre Euro quest for another bikini to add to the collection, I have discovered With Jean’s newly released collection filled with a range of pieces that for once are different from the same plain tones and styles being sold from what seems like every brand.
I love the Juni bikini in this pale blue with red woven detail around the edges for a different take on the classic triangle bikini. Even if you aren’t heading off on a tropical vacay this is one to consider for a few months time.
Nicole
Whilst I love the baguette bag, I have found most styles feel a little too trendy and are usually quite logo heavy. I love this more timeless option from Australian brand Rylan Studios, that at $749, is considerably well priced for a high-quality leather good handbag.
It’s actually criminal that we don’t have a physical Mango store in Australia. I visited my first Mango of this trip in Mallorca airport of all places, and the clothing was excellent but it was really the accessories that spoke to me. I needed a pair of fun sunglasses, of which they have plenty of. Somehow my holiday wardrobe has so much pink that I settled for these. I envision that these will also be a good partner for an all black winter outfit too.
Beauty Counter
Prod of the week.
Jess
Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30
I’ve been on the hunt for a skin tint to add to my collection and have recently purchased the Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint. The product includes SPF 30 (reminder this alone shouldn’t serve as your SPF) and come in a roller ball applicator making it super quick and easy to apply. The shade range is lacking however I landed on Sand which will hopefully suit me when I’m fake tanned. Other contenders in this skin tint search included the Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops and Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint which are both still on my list to try.
Nicole
Gillette Venus Comfort Glide Razor
I’m not a big razor user (thank you laser) but this is the only one I’ll ever run over my body. In fact, on reflection I’ve been loyal to this for almost 10 years. The refillable blades make it so easy, and although I prefer to shave with foam, you can get away with not having too due to the gel bars. They’re on the spenny side of razors, but the refillable heads are regularly on sale at Chemist Warehouse.
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries of the food and beverage kind.
If you’re like us and your TikTok fyp is filled with the Carette hot chocolate you might look to try the Pidiapipo Gelateria hot chocolate that’s a little closer to home. This Melbourne based gelateria has been popping up on socials recently with their chocolate taps and stunning gelato flavours and we have added this one to our list immediately.
Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
I (Nicole) adore vacuuming. That is not even mildly a joke. So, when I saw that Dyson had launched a Robot Vacuum, this shot straight to number one of my homewares wishlist.
IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
I know I’ve mentioned this briefly in a past newsletter, but if you enjoy a good G&T like we do, you HAVE to try Strangelove’s Coastal Tonic.
We were both recently gifted a Three Cuts Gin which neither of us had actually ever heard of before. This tonic has made the perfect companion to the Founder’s Release that Nicole has been trying and the Bold Distiller’s Release that Jess has been sipping.
The Strangelove site describes the tonic as a “dry, low-bitterness tonic that through a unique blend of delicate coastal botanicals that heroes the nuances of any top-shelf gin”.
We love anything home grown and both Strangelove and Three Cuts are Australian brands that aren’t hard to track down at supermarkets or liquor stores.