Cart Curator #52 - One Year of CC!!
A full Coachella breakdown, a nipple-pinching shirt that will break the bank and the east west bags we are currently lusting after.
Hi CC friends,
Thank you for all the love on last week's issue, it was such a milestone moment for us. Speaking of HUGE MOMENTS, it is officially one year of Cart Curator!
For those who are new here, over a year ago we had gone back and forth for months with half-baked ideas, but finally decided to climb cringe mountain and create what is now the CC newsletter. We have so much fun putting these issues together weekly (something we do wholly in our personal time as a passion project), so to grow a community off the back of that feels so special.
Nic spent a lush long long weekend in Byron for a very belated 30th birthday trip, whereas Jess had a very low-key and welcomed weekend of relaxation.
Enjoy,
You Asked For It
This week we have a round-up of one of the most wearable/functional bag trends of late - the east-west bag. Now you may be thinking, sorry, what on earth is an east-west? Essentially this is just a bag with a wider vs taller silhouette (literally running East to West) and several brands both locally and overseas have recently released their own take.
First up is my (Jess) favourite and it’s also 100% leather which for the price point is a steal. The Naked Vice The Tilda Black Silver has a silhouette that is quite similar to that of The Row Idaho Tote that we mentioned in a previous issue (as a Lottery Win, OFC) and the woven leather fabrication also really elevates the style.
Next up is another leather option in the COS Fold Shoulder Bag, which leans heavily into the look of the LOEWE Paseo bag without being an exact dupe. This comes with both a top handle and a longer detachable cross-body strap making it super functional.
Next up is the Oroton Izzie Small Bowler, a recent release that again leans heavily into a silhouette from a designer brand without being an exact dupe. The top handle and shape could be mistaken for the Miu Miu Arcadie Matelassé bag but in a smooth leather. There are also a few colours available in this style including black, cream and khaki.
Last but not least is the Zara Leather Shoulder Bag which is a style better suited for an event with its top handle strap and limited capacity. The butter lemon shade is one that we will be seeing a lot more of across both accessories and clothing.
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
We’ve just wrapped the first weekend of Coachella, and can we just say whoever is spreading the rumour that Coachella is over is sorely mistaken.
When I (Jess) say I have never had so much FOMO in my entire life, I well and truly mean it.
Literally me:
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
And while we weren’t there, one person who was is our girl on the ground, previous CC collaborator and (un)-official Coachella correspondent Maddie Edwards.
Before we get into some of our favourite moments (viewed from our phones of course) we asked Maddie for some insight into the weekend and a handful of key takeaways for us normies who have never experienced the festival first hand (embarrasing for us!!).
Everyone wears what they want. Some people wear costumes and others wear casual clothes. As long as you’re comfortable, anything goes!
The crowd is lovely. Girls and guys walking past each other complimenting each others’ outfits and offering to take pics.
There are bins, toilets, phone charging and water refill stations EVERYWHERE. There are also little food and lemonade stands scattered all over the festival which means you don’t have to trek all the way to one or two food halls to go and eat.
There are food options for everybody, even proper sit down restaurants. There are so many non-alcoholic options too.
The celebrity spotting is CRAZY. To name a few we had Tommy Lee walk past us, Finneas and Clausia Sulewski standing infront of us for Deftones, sightings of Cole Sprouse, Jaden Smith, Ice Spice, Alix Earle, Patrick Ta and the one that sent me - Sydney and Devon Lee Carson
There are people of all ages at the festival. People bring their babies too. It’s a lot less alcohol-centric than our Aussie festivals seem to be.
Thanks Maddie! Now, onto some of our favourite moments from Weekend 1:
Is Charli D’Amelio fashionable? We’re not sure yet. Opinion loading.
Claudia Sulewski can never ever do any wrong.
Tezza somehow making the baby bump festival chic.
We couldn’t not include our lord and saviour Tinx.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Emma Roberts shows she’s just like us showing no chill when meeting James Kennedy of Vanderpump Rules
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
I (Jess) will forever be devastated that I was not there for this moment. I (Nic) can confirm LDR is a religious experience, having cried profusely both times I’ve seen her in the past.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Barry is a true Boyfriend of Instagram. Juries still out on that Burberry get up though.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
And TBH we totally get why he is obsessed with Sabrina.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
The Americans are here for Aussie Dom Dolla! Not having been there for this set actually makes me (Jess) want to cry.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Including Taylor and Travis, who were snapped all over the festival, which IMO (Nic) is giving PR to the max.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
JUSTICE FOR KE$HA and v here for the Diddy shade.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
We were fuming when Biebs couldn’t make it up on stage for the Superbowl, but this has almost made up for it.
We are shook that the Queen of Coachella Vanessa wasn’t in attendance (pregnancy is a good excuse however - not good enough for Tezza though).
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
See? The FOMO is so real. Anyone want to give up their tix to Weekend 2?
Now, it’s no surprise to anyone that Coachella is HUGE for brands and PR activations So, as PR girls we had to share some of our favourites.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
One ticket to Camp Poosh please.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Revolve literally invented influencer marketing at Coachella. At this point Revolve Festival is pretty much a stand-alone event.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Definitely not an event we thought we would see Poppi jumping on and with Alix Earle and Patrick Ta no less.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Seeing any beauty brand activate at Coachella is a given at this point.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
A bit of sneaky Sprinter exposure at 818’s pop-up. Although, in true KarJenner style there was drama around the tequila brand’s marketing…
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Rhode can seemingly do no wrong at the moment. A lip-gloss dispensing photobooth? You just KNOW the girlies went crazy for this.
Did we miss your favourite moment? Any predictions for weekend #2? Drop a comment!
Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
Jess
These are going to be another divisive one but that makes me love them even more! I have just started following @stylebymillyd on TikTok and in many of her videos she regularly features a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses which I have become fixated on and just elevate so many of her already incredible looks. At this stage, the Tom Ford pair are sitting outside of my budget so this pair of sunglasses from Cami Citrine are sitting high on my wish list which give a very similar vibe. TikTok creator @mygirlsmademedoit_ recently featured these in a video and they look so fun and I think they make for a great Tom Ford substitute.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Lace slips are a style I’ve had my eye on for a while but with the sheer fabric I haven’t loved any of the necklines but this square, higher cut style has got me obsessed. I envision this styled with a bandeau similar to the below and some high waisted underwear for a bit more coverage (or as much as you can have with a style like this). The tie straps also look really beautiful and add a feminine touch to something that is quite revealing.
Nicole
My mind is now well and truly ready to build out my winter wardrobes. The v-neck is not a cut that I typically play with, but I love the idea of wearing a t-shirt or strappy singlet underneath this, to layer it in an unconventional way. I like that this is paired with a wider sleeve, which balances out the v-neck cut so it doesn’t look overly preppy.
At under $30 this jumper is a STEAL, which we’re not alone in thinking because this keeps selling out (they’ve just restocked the white).
Adidas Three Stripe Sprinter Shorts
This seems very off-brand for me, but I’m obsessed with the tomboy sporty style for Autumn/Winter this year.
Last season was the pinstripe pants for a pyjama inspired style, but this season is all about the silky shorts from Adidas with their iconic three-stripe down the side . Either the shorts or pants, best styled with an oversized tee or jumper, or the pants, we’re about to see this style everywhere.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Beauty Counter
Prod of the week.
Jess
Slip Pure Silk Skinny Scrunchies Set
These Slip scrunchies have been a long time favourite of mine but even moreso as my bob haircut begins to grow out. Using other hair ties have seen me have quite a lot of breakage in the past and given the shorter cut I am extra cautious of how I am treating my hair. Added bonus - these look v cute on your wrist vs a normal beige hair tie so forgetting to take it off before you go out isn’t that big of a deal.
Nicole
Mecca Max Pout Pop Lipstick in Mean Girl
I purchased this off a recommendation made on the Shameless Podcast, mostly because I was bored and browsing the Mecca at the airport (we’ve all been there right?).
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk is my go-to nude shade, but it’s been quickly replaced by this shiny, creamy and v v pigmented lipstick from Mecca’s own Mecca Max range. Honestly, this lipstick performs so much better than its $23 price point, and is the perfect, pink/nude/terracotta colour for me, much more so than Pillow Talk IMO.
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries.
This might be a first for One to Try - this spot hasn’t even launched yet.
But, when we tell you it’s the latest opening for Merivale, then you already know it’s going to be good. Good Luck, set to open on the 24th of this month is the latest venture from Hemmes.
We don’t know much at this point, but we know that the restaurant, led by exec chef Mike Eggert (from Totti’s), takes inspiration from all over resulting in a “a menu that can’t be pinned down to one cuisine”. Sounds very 2024 to not give it a label.
As Mike says, “It’s just great food with a side of party”.
Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
Coperni Emoji Embellished Cotton Tank Top
Obsessed obsessed obsessed with this exxy tank top from Coperni complete with cheeky silver hand. If I (Jess) could afford to add this piece to my collection (and manage to snag it with its sell out status) I definitely already would have.
Consumables
What we can’t stop binging.
Scoop recently launched on Netflix starring none other than Gillian Anderson and Billie Piper. The movie goes into the lead up of the notorious Prince Andrew BBC Newsnight interview and the work put in by the female staff that lead to one of the biggest news stories of the decade. I will say I (Jess) love these types of movies and this centres around the lead up to securing the interview vs the interview itself as we can and have obviously watch the real version of the interview.
Gillian Anderson is stunning as per usual and the movie shows what goes into an interview like this and as PR girls, this is something we love to see.
IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
Aldi Urban Eats Vegetable Pho Bowls
These vegetarian noodle bowls from Aldi are my current fixation and they are honestly better than anything I have had from Woolies/Coles/Harris Farm. My (Jess) housemate and I have bought these in bulk because they are such a quick snack and can easily be made into a bulkier meal with some chicken or tofu. They also use rice noodles which are surprisingly hard to find in instant style noodles making them ideal for anyone needing a GF option.
If you’re new to Cart Curator, take a read of some of our recent editions.
Cart Curator #51 - In collaboration with Gaby Howard
Cart Curator #50 - Up on the High Fashion High Horse
Cart Curator #49 - In collaboration with Isobel Larkin
Cart Curator #48 - #justiceforkate