Cart Curator #42 - Sophadopha and Mug-gate
How a mug has the internet divided, we're back with The Edit and a GF cookie recipe that even gluten lovers will enjoy.
Hi CC friends,
It’s Nic’s 30th birthday week! We will be celebrating on Saturday night and will do a recap of our outfits and the weekend's activities next issue.
A light acknowledgement of the Grammy’s here, we’ve recapped a few awards shows recently so we decided to skip these because we’re eagerly holding out for the Oscars.
If you're reading this and not signed up, please jump on a subscriber list as we have some really exciting issues coming up with more travel specials and collaborators.
Enjoy,
The Edit
This week on The Edit we have a brand that I (Jess) didn’t think we would be featuring a whole round up of products from and that brand is Country Road. Generally, when I think of Country Road I think of the classic Country Road branded sweatshirts and tees or pricier items that I would usually categorise as suitable for an older demographic. Well, we take it back because with this latest drop god were we wrong.
Starting strong (I say this like all of these options aren’t stunning) we have this Lace Knit Top which is a very easy way to lean into the sheer trend. This trend will have some lasting power as we head into the cooler months and this piece is particularly wearable with a bralette or singlet underneath paired with a trouser or longer skirt like the Self Stripe Column Skirt which this top has been paired with in the onsite imagery.
I’m a big fan of a chic dress that can be thrown on for a range of occasions and the Cupro Jersey Dress definitely fits the bill. The soft jersey fabric means this dress is extremely comfortable but still looks elevated for the office/a night out/etc.
Although the panelled halter top looks quite plain this is actually one of my favourite items in the new release after seeing someone (an influencer/celeb - I can’t for the life of me remember who it was) styling a similar but wayyyy more expensive item styled with black tailored trousers. Minimal, sexy, chic.
This drop included some incredible pants like the Pleat Wool Pant which are already generating attention on Tiktok. These pants are 100% wool which is incredible for the price and they are available in an olive, a blush/beige and black, all of which are wardrobe staples. Additionally the High Rise Relaxed Leg Jean is another staple wardrobe style and I love the deeper indigo shade which looks beautiful with crisp white and the pant cut just makes your legs look like they go on forever.
Finishing off with a couple of accessories, the Hinge Molten Cuff which is an organic shaped open cuff available in gold or silver. You know that we love how silver is currently having a and the bolder look of this cuff is perfect with a tighter long sleeve option for the colder months. The Oval Huggie Earring available in gold or silver are really timeless and look great stacked with another chunkier huggie in a second piercing (if you have).
Last but not least is this High Low Tote Bag in black which has a great silhouette and would be a perfect carry-all for the office. Love the inclusion of the gold feet on the bottom of the bag ensuring this baby won’t get ruined and it also makes the bag look more structured.
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
If you’ve opened up the TikTok app in the last week then you are probably already well across the Sophadopha vs Shelby drama. The intense drama all revolves around a ceramic mug. Yes, a mug. If you’re wondering how on earth a mug could cause so much up-roar, stick with us as we talk you through “mug-gate”.
In December Soph uploaded a Christmas shopping haul video to her TikTok where she spoke through some of her gift purchases, including a handmade mug she bought at the Finders Keepers markets. Skip to 3.20 in the below vid to see her chatting through the mug in question.
In the clip you’ll see that Soph never actually mentions which stall she bought the mug from, and doesn’t really talk ill about the purchase (in fact, she mentions how cute she thinks it is), she is more so chatting about how she felt silly for accidentally spending $125 on a small mug with two handles. TBH we would too.
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What followed was pure chaos. Although a delayed response, the artist @shelbysherritt eventually responded to Soph’s video and posted a TikTok last week calling out Soph for her comments on the purchase of one of her hand-made creations. Now, the original video by Shelby has since been deleted, but people were quick to stitch the video - including Soph herself.
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Shelby’s argument was that Soph knew how much the mug was before purchasing.
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The internet has been quick to take sides, some calling Shelby out for trying to ride off Soph’s fame (in fact, Shelby has 2M followers to Sopha 1.2M), while others are giving Soph benefit of the doubt and saying that her commentary of the mug purchase was lighthearted and justified.
When we were discussing this we felt that perhaps Shelby had been alerted to the fact that Soph had included her mug in the haul video and felt slighted that she hadn’t mentioned the brand and
Here’s our biggest takeaway. Look, not that we don’t think the time and expertise to create said mug isn’t worth the price, but in this economy we can’t even justify a takeaway coffee.
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What do you think? Is the negative backlash from mug-gate justified? Would you spend $125 for a ceramic sippy-cup?
We know there needs to be accountability with creators, but let’s not forget here that Soph is 19 years old, and quickly gained a following on the internet, so does hyper criticising her every move seem necessary?
Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
Jess
Princess Polly Swing Mini Dress White
The current temperature in Brisbane has made it impossible to start planning purchases for Autumn and has my brain thinking it is going to be this hot forever and so this dress from Princess Polly has made it’s way to the top of my wishlist.
Giving nightgown in the best way this would be perfectly styled with some loafers or a pair of sneakers for effortless weekend attire.
Avant Studio Velvet Jewellery Box
I previously haven’t been an owner of a jewellery box and instead have stored watches, earrings etc. in a clear acrylic set of drawers which I’m sure has a jeweller somewhere squirming. This velvet jewellery box in grey/cream/off white has perfect sections for all of my trinkets and looks really classic which I love vs the harsh look of my current acrylic set up. This would also make a really cute gift so keep in mind for any birthdays or even Valentine’s Day.
Nicole
We’ve spoken about our love for a good baby tee before, so when this Uniqo mini t-shirt was all over my Instagram feed
This shirt is less than $15, which is very well priced when you consider just how many different outfits you could get out of this.
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Seed is one of those brands that I just NEVER go into store for, or scroll online. I don’t know, they’ve just never been my thing. I came across this pistachio linen set when I was desperately scrolling the internet for a white linen set for my engagement drinks (watch this space, I’m yet to find anything…).
The set together comes in at just over $200, but interestingly the top is only $89.95, which is the more versatile of the two pieces for me. It comes in a few other colours (not white sadly), some of which are currently discounted including this chic Barley shade.
Beauty Counter
Prod of the week.
Jess
Before trying this product I didn’t know something that applies like this existed for nails and god am I glad I know now. So after getting my BIAB off I went through a stint of getting gel polish and after just having it removed my nails were looking beyond rough (literally). I have been wanting to try this product for a while but it needs to be applied on bare nails and is supposed to repair, strengthen and smooth damaged nails with twice a day application for 6 days.
When applied to the nail it feels like it just evaporates from the nail after being applied - it isn’t like a clear nail polish that needs to be painted on and then wait for it to dry before touching or doing anything which was actually a concern when I saw the twice a day application instructions.
Nicole
Amy Jean Brows Two-in-One Tweezers
Going back to Jess’s note in an earlier issue that 2024 is the year of the at-home beauty treatments, no routine is complete without a good pair of tweezers. These double ended tweezers by brow-guru Amy Jean are a lifesaver if, like me, you prefer to do your own brows instead of getting them done professionally.
The double sided mechanic takes a while to get used to in your hands but once you nail it you won’t want to go back. Use the traditional end to shape the brows, and then use the pointy end to pluck the smaller, harder to grab stubborn hairs.
At $40, yes, these do seem on the expensive side at first glance but consider that this will probably be cheaper than one brow shaping appointment.
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries.
The second that we heard the team behind Bondi Iceberg’s founder Maurice Terzini were opening up a more casual join in Potts Point we knew it was going to be one to try.
“It’ll be really simple, snacky. Savoury and salt. Small plates” Maurice says. Get us there with an Aperol in hand STAT.
Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
Loro Piana Extra Pocket Pouch L19
Potentially controversial lottery win select with a lot of people saying this bag looks like a toiletry bag and I mean firstly you’re not wrong but secondly it is such a chic makeup bag does it matter?
I would love to be adding this one to cart (I don’t even necessarily need the ostrich leather I would take any) ASAP and I could see this becoming a staple piece in my wardrobe.
Consumables
What we’re consuming on repeat.
Deux Moi Celebrity Smell Series
We can not get enough of this series on celeb gossip Instagram @deuxmoi, where people are sharing their sniff reviews of celebrities.
We’ve learnt that Leo smells like pancakes with syrup, Tom Hardy smelling like citronella and Ed Sheeran smelling like fresh laundry.
IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
The Gluten Free Austrian Gluten Free Choc Chip Cookie Recipe
Okay so as a couple of girls who try to eat gluten free (get off your high horse this isn’t a fad diet our stomachs literally can’t handle the gluten) it is hard to get the taste and texture of some beloved gluten filled treats in a gluten free version and that’s where blog The Gluten Free Austrian comes in.
This cookie recipe is an all time favourite of mine (Jess) and to make this even better I add chopped walnuts to the mix which is just divine. As a lazy girl I don’t have time to brown butter so just melt mine in the microwave and it works a treat.
If you have a sweet tooth you can also freeze scoops of this dough on non stick baking paper before transferring to a container - then whenever you want a freshly baked cookie all you need to do is pop one in the oven and you have the yummmmiest cookie with a soft centre (thank you frozen dough). Dreamy.
If you’re new to Cart Curator, take a read of some of our recent editions.
Cart Curator #41 - In collaboration with Paige Carmichael
Cart Curator #40 - The Hollywood Trade In
Cart Curator #39 - Thank you to all the Evil Gays
Cart Curator #38 - Our Favourite Season is Awards