Bring on the chill - hot new stuff!

I do like winter. My birthday is in winter, winter fashions are so much more forgiving, and you don't see people walking around fake tanned up to - and possibly including - their eyeballs. We continually get surprises every morning from our lovely labels, who just keep on sending us gorgeous new knits and bits despite the fact we are all convinced we have received all the winter stock. I bought it all, you'd think I'd know, but buying is done 6 months in advance so it's easy to forget! (and also time consuming to open files and look it up. sheesh.) Speaking of which, we'll give you a summer sneaky peaky next week...

But for now, you are probably sitting toasty in your ugg boots (please remain indoors), feeling bittersweet about the crappy weather/gorgeous clothes conundrum that winter presents us with. So, here's a little rundown on our newest pieces that get the Frock tick of approval (well, they all do, otherwise we wouldn't sell them, but let's call these extra special ticks of approval).

Most recently uploaded (as in, today), are these pieces from Mermaid Sister. They know how to do casual cool better than most, and the price points are fantastic. The Crazy Love Sweater ($59.95) started selling literally two minutes after they were uploaded, so get a-clickin' quick smart if you want one! Mermaid's sweaters have that daggy-cool retro feel, perfect for throwing on with jeans. I'm also a fan of the Glitter Girl Slouchy Jumper ($69.95), which puzzlingly enough has no glitter in it; however this is a good thing if 'casual chic' is what you're after - it's a looser fitting jumper that would look amazing with denim, boots and some layered necklaces. No suprises that the Glitter Girl Slouchy Cardi ($89.95) is also sparkle-free, but it is the most beautiful blue colour, which is such a nice change from the usual winter palette. Plus, this shade is definitely coming in again for summer! And if checks are your thing (we know they are, checked things sell ridiculously fast) you can unleash your inner grungy-snow-bunny with the Check Baby Hooded Jacket ($119.95).

Birds of a Feather is another fave labels with Frockers around the world (yep, we even sent some to Estonia) and this season the delivery was so late I'd forgotten what was going to be in it. But it was like Christmas in, um, winter, when we unpacked it all last week - very ladylike and so very very pretty, it's hard to pick favourites but the No Place Like Home Dress ($89.95) looks as gorgeous in person as it does on Jess our gorgeous model; and the Clicking Heels sweater ($89.95) quickly found it's way to my wardrobe. Actually it dodn't even make it that far cos I am wearing it today - it's simple but has cute hot pink stitching around the neckline, a little detail that made it a standout piece! The City Lights Top ($89.95) also has hot pink detailing, in the form of a waist sash, and is covered in little white polka dots - SO CUTE!!

GRAB has a legion of fans, not only in love with their denim but their fashion-conscious pieces that are, thankfully, not ripped off the catwalk (unlike most high-street labels). They have a team of in-house designers which keep their ranges fresh and unique. AND their knitwear is AWESOME! In a recent wardrobe survey, I discovered I really have quite alot of it, so you know it must be good. I jest, I jest! It is though. So good, in fact, that you'd be hard pressed and possibly senile to go past the Peter Pan Jacquard Cardi ($99.95) which we featured in our catalogue and which can be worn as a dress or oversize cardi. The sample here swims on poor little Jess, but in person it is absolutely gorgeous. The Zipper Knit Dress ($69.95) is another winter no-brainer - just throw it on with tights! My other weekend fave is the Collared Long Cardi ($89.95) which is perfect for that casual-chic look and it's also toasty warm without being heavy. Score! (Rosie wears it here with the One Teaspoon Eagle Eye Silk top [$99.95]).

That's probably enough waffling from me, for now *muhahaha*. Yeah, definitely time for a cuppa...

PS - if you're a Frocker, til Friday you can get 20% off everything! If you're not, sign up now to get the code!

Taste - no need to be a Masterchef

I am far too cynical to enjoy most reality TV, but Masterchef holds a scintillating charm - you have to admire people that can take a zucchini and an anchovy and turn it into a 3-course gastronomical delight. The judges aren't ridiculously critical and watching people cook delicious concotions makes entertaining telly without the need to resort to stories about perverts with erections (yes I'm talkin' about you, All Saints**). My brother in law would've been a serious contender for MC but he lives in Canada - a few Christmases ago, he put together the tastiest lunch in our little Edinburgh flat (yeah, he gets around) which was no mean feat considering all we had in the cupboard was rice, tinned peaches and Strepsils. Anyway, whether you are into cooking or not, you've probably seen or visited Taste.com.au , an online recipe resource combining recipes from several good food publications (including my current economic-hardship/domestic goddess mag of choice, Super Food Ideas . It's less than $3 and just makes you want to buy a pretty apron and bake all weekend!).

So, thanks to my new arsenal of cookery instruction, the past few weeks have seen truckloads of gourmet dishes gracing our dinner table. Some, like the roasted lemon chicken (above)have been a massive hit; others, like tonight's Cous Cous Tabouli Salad, almost got me voted out. Actually the salad was tasty, I just mucked up the cous cous (yes it is possible!) and it ended up, erm, mushy. Ew.

When you're cooking for a fussy 28 year old and a 3 year old who's favourite foods are broccoli and peanut butter (not together, as far as I know), many of the recipes here are fantastic for finding healthy, fast, affordable meals that get vegies/protein/other healthy things into them and have little waste. The recipe below is another winner courtesy of Taste and you can make enough for leftovers the night after, which quite frankly is of high importance to most of us - as much as cooking and nutrition are important, who wants to do it at the end of every day?! Enjoy...!

Chicken & Cheese Pasta Bake

Ingredients (serves 4)
1 x Basic roast chicken ingredients (see related recipe)
400g dried tortiglioni or rigatoni pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 small red onion, finely chopped
500g jar tomato pasta sauce
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
100g baby spinach leaves

Method

Follow steps 1 to 3 of Basic roast chicken recipe. Remove skin and meat from chicken. Discard skin and bones. Roughly chop flesh.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water, following packet directions, until just tender. Drain. Return to saucepan.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes or until tender. Add onion mixture, pasta sauce, chicken, 3/4 cup cheese and spinach to hot pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Toss gently until well combined.

Spoon pasta mixture into a 7cm deep, 24cm x 19cm (base) baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and heated through. Serve.

**Not to put you off your dinner or anything, but apparently the guy in All Saints with his willy stuck in a chair after a vigourous sans-human partner humping sesh, got out safely. Phew.

Average Sized People Are Boring

British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, who has better hair and is significantly less scary looking than her US counterpart, is also ballsy enough to write a letter to major fashion houses (read: advertisers) accusing them of forcing stick-thin models into the pages of magazines, by only providing teeny tiny samples to shoot with.

Alternately hailed as a positive step/PR gimmick, you gotta hand it to her for finally speaking up. Hopefully, people listen. She may have helped launch Kate Moss' 'heroin chic' look, but times change and it's about time breasts and curves took priority. When you think of 'supermodel', what do you think of? Is it the interchangeable eastern European lasses, who all are stunning but are basically the same version of pouts on legs, or the sporty 80's supers? The new breed might win more points with their names in Scrabble but I'd be willing to bet 'Supermodel' still means Claudia, Cindy, Elle, Naomi, Christy to most people. Not that Elle's figure is attainable, but at least she looked and looks healthy. I'd rather look like I was dragged off the beach than out of the gutter.

At the oppsite end of the scale, LOVE magazine (which I finally managed to order a copy of, thanks magnation!) put a nude Beth Ditto on the cover of their inaugral issue. Now, she is a big lady, and appears totally at ease with her looks, so good on her. But while everyone went "oooh, yay" and clapped when the mag was released, it didn't take long for sensible people to point out that Ditto isn't really a healthy role model either. She is, frankly, too fat to be healthy; and even though her confidence should inspire women and girls everywhere, is it right to say that being that big is ok? Is it not as bad as being grossly underweight?

Apparently, nobody has thought about average sized people. They are far too boring and mediocre to care about. Shulman says that magazines can't use it-girls such as Daisy Lowe and Alexa Chung because they wouldn't fit into the samples either, and they're not exactly porkers. They're not the "right kind of thin" to feature in shoots - so it's not so much that thin is (or should be) 'out', it's just too-thin which is simply inappropriate. Average sizes, with the usual bumps and curves and all, are not aspirational enough. People don't want to see others who look like them, 'cos otherwise they could save $8 and just look in the mirror. Shulman wrote that readers and the public don't want to see "such thin girls" anymore. But it will be a long time - perhaps it will take a Depression or World War for us to realise that the 'starved' look isn't so pretty when it's not optional - before anything changes dramatically. Shulman has, I think, taken a bold first step, and whether it's for PR or for a genuine purpose, giving fashion houses a swift kick with a stiletto is refreshingly positive.

Seedling - a NZ-made Bag of Awesomeness

Those folk across the ditch do alot of things better than us. Phar Lap, for one. Strange fruit and even weirder birdlife for another. But on recent trip to the land of the long white cloud, I discovered Seedling (which is available in Aus I believe, I just hadn't seen it anywhere before). I was enamoured with their brown paper bags stuffed with educational, hands-on and downright fun goodies designed to inspire kids to engage in and experience "simple, home-grown skills" to encourage thinking, imagination and allowing parents to join in. From tots to teens and even a few activities for Mum, they are a brilliant gift (we bought the Doctor kit for my daughter's birthday, which includes a real stethescope, surgery masks, tongue sticks and a stretchy pen and notebook, and it was an instant hit!) and, thankfully, don't require batteries/aren't made of plastic/have a novelty value of 5 mins.

(by the way, this is not a paid endorsement. I went, I bought, I liked!)

Anything to encourage environmental awareness and nutirtional understanding gets my vote, so I almost also picked up a Junior Gardener set (with tools, kids gloves, and presented in a terracotta pot); but you could also go for a Worm Farm, Outdoor Adventure Kit, or Grow Your Own Vege Patch.

Budding artistes? make a Collage, create your own Russian Dolls, make a mosaic butterfly or rocket, paint a Character Mask; or go crafty with Card Making sets, a Seashell Mirror or Stick Puppets. Fashionistas can sew their own Tote, create Bejewelled Keyrings, design a Streetwear Tee, or simply go all out with the Fashion Designer Kit. Encourage mini masterchefs (without a hankering for reality tv) with Cupcake Kits, or a Sushi Shefu set, while little scientists can make a Kaleidoscope or Erupting Volcano!

Nesting? (Or, feeling huge and over it while waiting for Bub to be born?) Create your own Mobile or Baby Blanket, or even a Designer Tee (without the need to start your own label). The Baby kits, or products of, also make wonderful, thoughtful and personal gifts.

I'm not sure if it's a sad sign of the times that something so simple seems so innovative - Charlotte's Doctor Kit gets so much more use then any battery operated toy in her arsenal (and we're talkin' 'bout a big arsenal). The last issue of Wondertime has a great article of a mum, who conveniently is a child psychologist, who gives her kids 'art kits' - blank journals, pencils, glue, stickers, paddle pop sticks and such, each in their own portable box (sewing boxes or fishing boxes with compartments) which encourages them to draw, write, create and express themselves in their own time and in their own way. I loved this idea and once I can find an appropriate box I'll be giving my daughter one too (man, I hate Spotlight. I can't muster up the energy to wade through it in search of a plastic box, lest I am engulfed in a sea of scrapbooking accessories and terrible fabrics).

If getting back to basics is a result of trying economic times, then I'm all for it...!

Clothing Sizing Issues Part II: Comparing the High Street

It seems Choice's recent article on the inconsistencies in sizing within the Australian fashion industry struck a chord with many of you. The more people that speak up, the more chance there is of something being done about it! Kelly at Nevershoppedout has just posted her thoughts on the issue, noting that Kate Browne's experimental shopping trip is simply a normal experience for many of us. From chain stores to designers, those in control have been avoiding the issue, it seems, for far too long.....

Today I received a package from Sportsgirl. As you probably know, I shop far too much online but as I fit into the 'average' body shape designers tailor to, I have not really had any issues with sizing. This article made me stop for a second as I ripped the tags off my new peach top (yes, peach. Just like my mum's bridesmaid dresses 25 years ago. But for some reason, it's cool again. Promise.) - nowhere in any of my ventures around the Sportsgirl site do I recall seeing a sizing chart. But, thankfully they do have one - you have to go into "shop" and then it's a little link along the bottom - and it is quite thorough. Success!

So I navigated over to Witchery, another regular on my click-list. Again, a decent sizing chart is available along the bottom. Just Jeans offers a 'Denim Fit Guide' which doesn't offer measurements, just a few words in a teen-friendly font on what each cut entails. Once you're in the shop part of their site, you can access a sizing chart for fashion items and all their denim except, not suprisingly, their own Just Jeans brand. Denim brands are notorious for guarding their measurements, which are usually the result of months of research, fitting and testing.

I just got scared witless when the Supre website opened in another window. It seems pounding your eardrums instore doesn't satiate their desire to penetrate every one of your pores with repetitive candy pop. The front page is an ocular atrocity of leggings-as-pants, but thankfully each product has a size chart...even if 3XS looks like some absurd mathematical formula. I couldn't find a size chart for ValleyGirl, but shipping is the same price as the average worth of their items ($10) so I'm not totally sure it's worth bothering with their online shop. (ooh, snarky!) French Connection have an easily accessible size chart, as do Bardot, Barkins and Sass & Bide (standard fashion items only).

The crucial question is not if they are readily available, but how do they compare? Check out this nifty chart I made up comparing size 12's (I'll fix that and make it bigger):



Basically, you can see a 9cm variation in hips, 6cm around the bust and a whopping 14cm at the waist! You'd expect Supre, for example, to be smaller than Barkins, given their target markets. But according to these size charts, and assuming it's reasonable for the same customer to shop at French Connection and Witchery, you wouldn't expect to encounter a 6cm minimum difference in waist measurements. No wonder women everywhere are throwing their arms up in despair and going home empty-handed. Sure, we're meant to be cutting back on our spending, but that should be a feel-good choice rather than a forced neccessity! Will anything be done about it? Watch this space...

Travel Blogs of the mildly amusing variety

Just a quickie to bring to your attention 2 amusing blogs from people you probably don't know, but might like to read about:

These Charming Men: Mat & Marky, who you have already met on here (and Sam, who in a previous life served great coffee) are doing their first overseas, let's-spend-all-our-money-on-duty-free-grog, romp around the US and Europe; which so far has involved some homeless people, a French Revolution vending machine and near-nudity at famous landmarks (with the promise of more to come). If you've been there done that it makes for a nice little dose of nostalgia, if not it might inspire you to avoid them should you be planning to head to the Northern Hemisphere anytime soon.

Travelscene: Cat W, my favourite travelling wench (who should have her own show), decided that a tropical getaway simply would not do these holidays and so headed off to Ghana for a 4 week internship at an English newspaper. Her 3-letter beau, Stu, all round nice guy and occassional pirate, has just headed over to join her for a romantic few weeks avoiding swine flu and other exotic illnesses, and basking in the Greek sunshine. Both of them update the blog which will make you want to hop on a plane quick smart, just not in economy class...

CHOICE: Clothing Size Irregularities

A little while back, Kate Browne from CHOICE asked me to answer a few questions regarding clothing sizes in Australia. You can check out my little paragraph and the entire article here, but for a quick summation watch the 3 minute clip as she goes in search of an LBD, with sizing in high-street stores placing here anywhere from an 10 or M to a 14.

I have been the same size since I was about 14 and decided to stop growing (oh womanly curves, ye do desert me!), so I am going to admit first up that personally it doesn't affect me hugely. I can pretty safely be an 8 or 10 or XS or S in every label. However, once you get past a 10, or indeed if you are smaller than an 8, the road to the perfect fit is fraught with difficulties. The whole sizing issue does affect me once I'm dressed for the day and start work - we get loads of emails daily regarding sizing, and spend a decent amount of time trying stuff on, measuring and generally getting the fit across a range of body shapes. If trying on clothes in store is hard, how in the hell are you meant to be able to buy them online?!

Well, it's not easy. Frustratingly, most labels either don't have or won't give out measurement charts (as another online retailer also notes in the CHOICE article). This is in part to deny their competition easy access to their sizing, which is fair enough, but for every customer email querying sizing, there are a number of Frockers tearing their hair out at the lack of information we have. (Not to say don't email us, please do!).

Standardised sizing won't work. Labels won't go for it as it would compromise design, and it would be an immensely difficult task. My vote goes for making it if not mandatory then at least expected that labels would make their size charts easily accessible instores and online. Come on guys, if one label does it, everyone else will have to, to keep up...even rough measurements work, to a degree.

So, when you're buying online, use any size charts that are available. We put them up when we have them, and we will of course measure things for you - but even these will be approximate, ye olde measuring tape is not foolproof! Another good method, if available to you, is to tory on things from different brands when you are out shopping, and then when you are seeking them out online (for a better price of course!) you'll know whether to go for an 8 or 12 or M or whatever. We keep a record of customer feedback to pass on to other customers - so if you have any, please tell us, and do your little bit of good for women worldwide*. I was as surprised as anyone to find that French Kitty has a pretty generous fit, pleased to see One Teaspoon scale their sizing down a bit to be more standardised, and glad that Blue Juice tops and jackets are consistent even if their pants are a bit big. So, speak up, ask away, we're here to help as best we can!

*Yes, there are more worthy causes on the planet at the moment. Issues of clothing size are not as pressing as say, climate change, but heck it's one facet of everyday life that could be made easier. Fingers crossed

2009 MET Costume Institue Gala: The Model As Muse

Even if I was as famous as Madge, I'm not sure even then I would be brave enough to step out in this:

But then, if you can't go all out at the Met Ball, when can you? Kate Moss did:

Costume? Check, double points for being more subtle than Madge. Model? Check. Muse (not the band)? Check. yet again, she ticks all the boxes!*

Twitter has been going nuts today, with mentions of Turqoise all over the show - Cindy Crawford and Blake Lively both looked amazing (and I'm guessing Ms Lively's hand is placed so for modesty):

But not sure I can be as enthusiastic as Tommy Hilfiger about this (incidentally, I can't work out why guys like to show off his name on their undies. It's a bit like Borat meets the Fonz):

Here's Posh having a Lincraft moment (sorry, MJ):

Gotta love a vampish lip, and Rachel Weisz in her "punk princess" meets 20's screen siren look is so striking:

At least Tyra looks suitably shocked at the scroll on her head. Please tell me she didn't shave her head and glue the offucts onto her noggin? I usually love Tyra :(

And finally, in descending height order, four luminous lovelies and one black lace jumpsuit. Hmm.

*Kate Moss fan over here

Pics: CatwalkQueen; Newsday; JustJared

Beware the Lancome Ladies

I'm still shaking from the attack. Such determination, resourcefulness and blatant force I have never encountered. Those Lancome ladies are really out to get you. Or your money.

The local Myer store is pretty shoddy when it comes to beauty counters. Short of helping yourself to products and attempting to walk out the door, none of the tight-skinned ladies will even look at you. Many a time I have been intent on making a purchase but have left empty handed and bought online or waited til the next Melbourne trip because apparently sorting tissues is a more worthwhile exercise then helping customers. But there is one exception, and that is the Lancome counter, perched in all it's overzealous glory right near the escalators which makes it hard to sneak past unnoticed. Especially if you're atttempting a free spritz of perfume without the sales pitch.

I know they work on comission and in all frankness it must be pretty shite, but the other day made me determined to use the fire stairs and completely avoid that portion of the shop. Most beauty counters in bigger city department stores are more than happy to let you play with colours and generally waste their time, which is a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning. But don't even think about heading to this particular counter if you have a specific product in mind (in this case, my mother was after a restock on her foundation). We knew the exact shade, type and price and simply wanted a "shade no 3 please" and let's make like sheep and get the flock outta there. But nooo, oh lordy nooo...

"would you like a brush for that?"
"no thankyou I already have one"
"oh but not one like this, see how..."
"it's ok, I just bought a new one the other day" (lie)
"what about your mascara? I think this one would be..."
"thankyou, but I have one already which works really well" ( truth, I got it free from Sportsgirl and fobbed it off to her but apparently their makeup is stellar. One of my friends loves it)
"well you probbly don't need blush as your cheeks are a little flushed" (also truth, but not the best way to make a sale). Have you tried our bronzer?" (gets out sample and scary looking brush bigger than our mop)
"no thankyou, I don't really know how to apply it. Look, I have to get to work-"
"here let me-"
"please can I just buy this foundation, I really have to go"
*Charlotte transfixed by woman's uber pink lipstick*
Reluctantly, the single sale is processed. We turn to leave.
"let me just give you a quick sample of the bronzer-"
"no, really"
"here" (leans over and starts dusting face)
we back away; "no thankyou!! BYE"

woman comes out from behind counter and continues her attempt at bronzing. We start to walk, she follows, practically shrieking the benefits of this mircale brown powder and waving the brush. She actually succeeded in a few swipes before we managed to escape out the front, and hide behind a pack of bogan children. She stands in front of her counter, sniffing the air to see which way we went, before her heavily made up eyes spot another victim...**

**mild exagerration. mild.

Must've been a slow day.

Chaser: Balloons & The Vatican

I just heard this on the news and thought I'd share it: http://livenews.com.au/national/the-chaser-team-in-trouble-over-vatican-blimp-stunt/2009/5/1/204869
I love Chaser. The stunt where they had a rave party in Supre would be pretty hard to top (piffle to that APEC thing) but this is up there. Julian Morrow said 'they knew where they were flying the blimp, but conceded it was hard to handle and may have needed L plates.' Plus, they were not aiming to fly it over the Vatican itself, just over St Peter's Square...so surely they can blame God for making the wind take it that way?