Once again I was emailed recently by someone who had come up with the most brilliant idea, and I was left kicking myself thinking how didn't someone (namely me) think of this before!! Now, every girl should have a perfect accessory for everything, and this simple little creation is a must have item to keep permanently on hand (or in your bag). Gone are the days of crushed tampons that lie at the bottom of your handbag, or awkwardly dropping the box and tampons spilling out in the most inappropriate of places. Introducing Tampurse, established in 2009 and a partnership between Anna Paterakis and Rebekah Zougoulos. I love an inspirational entrepreneurial story so couldn't wait to catch up with the girls and ask all about their fabulous creation!
Tampurse is such a fabulous idea and one I’m sure ladies everywhere will kick themselves and think why couldn’t I have thought of that! Can you describe how it all came about? That’s the exact response we are getting from a lot of women “Why didn’t I think of that?”. Everyone has the same issues, loose tampons spilling out inside your bag which is not a good look! We decided something needed to be done and finally after many years of ‘just talking about it’ we decided to ‘do something about it’! So the Tampurse journey began...
How long has it taken to go from an idea to a reality? The Tampurse journey has been one and a half years in the making. It has been such a challenging and rewarding experience dealing with all the facets of manufacturing and launching a totally new product. We have so many more ideas and goals for Tampurse and are itching to make them happen for you all to enjoy!
It’s a partnership between the two of you, do you have specific roles that you each take on or do you work together on everything? We work together on everything which we have found to be fantastic. We love bouncing ideas off each other, sometimes when we get on a roll, we just can’t stop!! It helps that we are best friends also!
What was the hardest thing about taking your initial concept and making it become an actual product? Never having done anything like this before the whole journey has been a huge learning curve. Probably the most difficult aspect would be the financial side of things!! Crunching numbers is definitely not our area of expertise!
Any advice for other people with an idea or an invention they want to turn into a reality? There will always be a lot of setbacks but you have to have faith and keep going and believe in your product. There are so many times that you feel like giving up as you feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel, however, if you keep on persevering, the light finally shines and very brightly we must say!! Just keep on going and believe in your ability!! It really does pay off!
Clever ladies Anna Paterakis and Rebekah Zougoulos...
Tampurse are available online at www.tampurse.comor we have a bunch to give away to some lucky readers! Simply become a fan of Mylookbook on Facebook & we'll let you know if you've won!
If you haven't already picked one up, The latest Sportsgirl magazine 'Live It Give It' is now in stores. Full of style ideas, gorgeous accessories, divine shoes & not to mention a good read, it's definitely worth popping into your nearest store just to pick one up. If you need more motivation, here are some pages to wet your appetite...
(Click on images to enlarge) Love love loving the jackets!! Lisa Twomey - Winner of the Sportsgirl Super Stylist Competition
It’s not that I had forgotten, I just hadn’t given it much thought of late. With so many new trends appearing here there and everywhere, the simple wrap dress just hadn’t entered my mind for months, maybe even years? I’ve actually always loved the wrap dress. It’s simple design that is flattering on almost every figure type and body shape. It streamlines & compliments your curves in all the right ways and will instantly make you feel floaty, feminine & sexy. It’s funny because the one I purchased on the weekend didn’t really have great hanger appeal, it was more the pattern of the fabric that first caught my eye. However once standing in the change room, in front of the mirror it all came flooding back to me how much I loved this style of dress.. Hello again old faithful friend...
Although I will always LOVE my fashion glossy's, I am also loving the fact that more people are looking to bloggers for style inspiration as an alternative perspective on fashion. Another thing I am loving right now is that major companies that have an eye for such trends are also looking to bloggers to collaborate with on their campaigns. One such forward thinking company with an insight into what's hot right now is Midori. This month Midori launched Adore Midori, a fantastic new destination for fashionable ladies to find out what's hot, discover tasty cocktails and the best parties to drink them at. Eight Aussie Fashion Bloggers(including yours truly) have been asked to share their thoughts each month in the Midori Adores section - showing you all that is fun, fresh and fabulous.
With competitions & give-aways running throughout the day on their Twitter and Facebook, Adore Midori is one to follow immediately!
I'm actually feeling a little under the weather today and finding hard to concentrate so I'm just going to quickly share some pretty pics from a Blog called "Lisa's Place". Lisa is from Sweden and I can't read a word of what she's saying on her blog but the photos are gorgeous so most definitely worth sharing!
Often one of the most enjoyable things about a day spent shopping with girlfriends (besides the shopping of course) is when you arrive home and sort through your loot together.
Today I shopped alone, it was accidental shopping to be honest. I thought I'll just pop into Sportsgirl quickly to see what's new. Shop assistant then mentions that there's an extra 20% off sale items. Ok, I have a little extra time up my sleeve to have a more thorough search.
1 pair of 'jeggings', a bib necklace, belt and headpiece later the seal on my wallet has well and truly been burst open. In my defence, they were all absolute bargains - how could I not take advantage???
So why not just have a little more of a look around (just a few shops) and see if I can find something similar the Jessica Szohr shoes I've been obsessing about for the last 48 hours. I found the exact ones on Amazon.com last night however when I was about to go through the check out process the website informed me that it wouldn't ship that specific item to Australia! Aghhhh!!!! So anyway, I walk past the window at Novo shoes and surprise surprise, hello black pair of very cool looking thong style shoes staring straight at me - and only $49.95. It can't hurt to try them on can it??
So shoes, jeggings, necklace, belt, headpiece (and a few other small miscellaneous things) later is the story of my accidental, but total bargain shopping trip this morning, and as always, happy to share all the details...
They aren't exactly Jessica's but they are cute, comfy and only $49.95
Bib Necklace - I love it when you find a current trend item on sale!!!
This boho style belt can be worn high waisted or on the hips. I'm thinking it will be perfect with my black American Apparel singlet dress, belt slouched around the hips Sienna Miller style, and of course completed with my new shoes...
I did take a photo of the Sportsgirl 'Jeggings' but they didn't look very good layed out flat, I suggest that you just go in store and try a pair on - they are surprisingly flattering & super comfortable...
Sportsgirl "Jeggings" were $99.95 then down to $69.95 - today $ $55.96 Sportsgirl Bib Necklace Was $39.95, then down to $19.95 - today $15.96 SportsgirlBoho Shield Belt Was $39.95, then down to $19.95 - today $15.96 Sportsgirl Deco Ring Headband Was $19.95, then down to $9.95 - today $7.95 Novo Shoes $49.95
Best known for playing Vanessa Abrams on Gossip Girl, Jessica Szohr is as stylish off screen as she is on. With an off screen look that I guess could be described as edgy boho-glam, she also has that clever ability to be able to mix basics with one or two trend or statement pieces creating a perfect ensemble. A talent that other celebs such as Rachel Bilson & Nicole Richie possess. One item in particular that I have my eye on right now is her black Dolce Vita Aries Sandals (seen in a few of her photos)... I'm actually feeling a bit of an obsession coming along.....
Hello Shoes - I think I NEED you - I have searched & searched and can not find these in my size (6 1/2) black. If anyone knows of anything similar email me or leave a comment!!
Avoiding work this Friday afternoon, I came across the most beautiful blog, and well almost every photo on it made me smile.... You can find the blog here: lavieboston.com (to which ALL images are from) and these are just some of my favourites (there are so many more..) Have a happy & safe weekend xo
Today I'm thinking about jumpsuits. I know they've been on the 'trend' list for a couple of years now but it's one of those clothing items that looks so effortlessly chic when worn well.
I've tried to re-create celebrity looks I've seen a few times although whenever I try it I can't seem to get it right. Maybe it's the jumpsuits I've tried on, or it could be my height? I think it's a case of if your not 5'9" with a perfect body, you will just need to find a style that will suit your own body shape. If your on the curvy side, a jumpsuit that is more structured rather than made from slouchy lycra is going to be much more flattering and like it or not, heels will most likely be a must.
What actually started me thinking about jumpsuits today was a gorgeous photo of Christianna Heideman of Damselfly on the Ladymelbourne blog. I absolutely love her complete ensemble and the hat just perfects it in a quirky yet naturally cool way. It really got thinking about how versatile a great jumpsuit can be....
The Photo from LadyMelbourne that got me thinking about Jumpsuits again..
Jennifer Hudson is a gorgeous example of accessorizing perfectly and finding a style to suit your own body shape.
Streetstyle Jumpsuit
I took this photo of a girl at Brisbane Fashion Week. I loved her combo of the jumpsuit, vintage vest, sandals and necklace. (Yes she isn't wearing heels so maybe there are a few exceptions to the rule..)
Jessica Stroup - Simple & elegant with a few basic accessories
I love any single item that will instantly transform even the most simple outfit into something special. News on the street is that apparently this season, this special item is known as the 'collar' or 'bib' necklace. A cross between the choker & a classic necklace, I've already found some to put on my wish list..
DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Beaded collar necklace Was US$220 Now US$123.20 www.net-a-porter.com (This is approximate $134 AUD right now) Sportsgirl Beaded Stud Bib Necklace $59.95 www.sportsgirl.com.au
This is a little different to my normal posts however I think the word should be spread far and wide about the work that the Australian Body Image Advisory Board is doing right now. For myself, far from the idealistic body that the fashion world portrays (I am 5ft tall and 55kg) and having 2 teenage daughters who are highly influenced by the media, the focus on creating positive media content in the way of diversity,realistic and natural images of people (among many other positive things), is a ground breaking and exciting move toward encouraging us all to be content with who we are and not feeling inadequate because we don't replicate exactly what most magazines & advertising campaigns portray as the ideal.
There is change happening right now & it's exciting. With Germany's most popular women's magazine Brigitte banning professional models from its pages in favour of "real women", the huge following of personal style blogs portraying real people, and groups such as the National Body Image Advisory Board working hard to tackle the issue of negative body image that effects so very many of us. It's about time, but better late than never... Below is Mia Freedman presenting the report..
Tampurse is such a fabulous idea and one I’m sure ladies everywhere will kick themselves and think why couldn’t I have thought of that! Can you describe how it all came about?
Clever ladies Anna Paterakis and Rebekah Zougoulos...
