we're back! seriously.

so... it's been exactly one year since my last post. i hadn't plan this hiatus, but well, life. i can sit here and make a ton of excuses, but i really had a lot of things going on and in the melee, some things got dropped. i;m not a juggler. in fact, i'm quite clumsy, so forgive me. during my sabbatical (let's call it that, okay? okay!), i managed to change jobs, visit 3 countries, travel with mamma diva, start sewing,  and buy a crock pot! doesn't sound like much, i know but it's a lot for me.

i attempted a few posts in the mix of it all, but it seriously wasn't working. i had to really think about what i wanted this blog to be. i didn't want to be yet an other fashion blog. we have enough of those. and felt like i was focusing too much on aesthetics. i wanted to get back to what made me start this blog in the first place - my champagne taste with mauby pockets - in other words living fabulously without having to file for bankruptcy. and in order to do that i had to really practice what i preach. if you're a rich person, you're probably on the wrong blog, unless you're looking into austerity measures.

so now i'm back, with lots to share. i'll still be posting make up, fashion and skin tips etc, but i really want to talk about how to travel more budget friendly without limiting yourself to hostels; about dining at fabulous places while still making rent; about dressing like you own the building without having to return the dress later... you get my point!

and i'd also like you guys to share your own secrets or skills you've learnt along the way.

so in short..(not really though), i'm back! let's be fabulous together!

the make up bag: the lazy diva make up kit

the bare essentials : MAC Studio Fix Liquid,  And Concealer, in Nc45; Mac Mineralise Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle; Mac Blush in Peachtwist; BYS Baked High Shine Bronzer in Golden Shimmer, Mac Zoom Fast Black Lash in Black. Eyeliners: - bourjois (turquoise), shisedo, revlon (eyebrow pencil), mac (purple liner). no idea where i got the green or what brand it is. 

so in chatting to one of my gfs, she grumbles: "it's not that i hate make up... im just lazy as feq. make it simple for me!" challenge accepted. look, i get it. with the thousands of youtube gurus out there with arsenals of tools, potions and lotions, make up can seem daunting to a new comer, or even to someone who just wants to keep it simple. so, after conducting a quick survey (read:asking friends on facebook) i've come up with a very minimal list of products and tools for the lazy, or shall we say minimalist diva.

work it out: spring 2013 colours! (NEONS!)

Sandals
Clutches

the perfect look for a spring day-date

so its been awhile. i can sit here and write a million excuses for my absence but i won't. i cant function in winter. that is all. but the winter is over, i'm out of hibernation, birds are singing, so it's time to get to WERK! unless you've been blindfolded under a rock, you would have noticed (no, scratch that, i actually, have been under a rock and i still noticed) that the spring 2013 palette is colourful as usual, but with a major twist. instead of the regular pastels, neons are taking centre stage, and i am HERE for it! WOOT! neon in every colour! hell, if they made neon black i'd probably wear it! i can barely contain myself. it's like an excited rainbow explosion! (accessories after the jump!)

tarmark diva: TOKYO (the haul and pics!)

so i live on the other side of japan. Osaka is west, tokyo is east. and while i love my city (shout out to O!), lemme tell you, tokyo knows how to do shopping! now, this wasn't my first shopping trip to tokyo but, it was the BEST. namely because instead of heading to played-out harajuku, we headed to GINZA. let me explain...

obsession: oxblood EVERYTHING! (i'm back!)

oxblood = LIFE!

so its been an extra long minute and a half since my last post.. i went on vacation and them my computer committed suicide and after a long battle with Apple, which i lost :( , i had to get a new computer. 5 mths later.. im back! i really did NOT intend for the blog to be down, but trying to blog from the ipad was ridiculous... but anyways... were back... and obsessing over oxblood! YAY!

work it out: summer vacay style!

Shorts
Sandals

CLICK ANY ITEM ABOVE TO SHOP.


hot sun. white sand. cool clear water. sipping mojitos under an umbrella... you get where i'm going with this. yep.. summer vacation! if you are anything like me then you def have a summer getaway planned! sooo excited...but what oh what do i pack? aside from the obvious basics like a swimsuit, sunblock and bronzer, what do you throw into that carry-on for your trip? after several trips where i over-packed or under-packed (somehow i ended up in Seoul with no bottom pieces! eek!) i've finally got it down to a science.. here's my list:

obsession: flat sandals

Sandals
Nail Polish

CLICK ANY ITEM ABOVE TO SHOP

sandals are my favourite type of shoe.. wait...who am i kidding, thats a lie. everyone knows i'm obsessed with pumps.. but flats come in at a close second! i love the feeling of a "barely there" flat! it's the perfect summer shoe. a great sandal does what any great accessory does - wake up an otherwise boring outfit, or add the perfect finishing touch. 

work it out : easy summer

More NARS...

maxi dresses are an easy way to be stylish yet comfortable in the summer heat.

hello lovelies!.. no i haven't fallen off the planet, just been extremely busy working on some new projects for this blog, and preparing to move (more on that later). the beginning of summer is also one of the busiest times for me, and the heat doesn't help, so its been a whirlwind few weeks! but, i am loving the summer colours and the easy breezy summer chic this year, especially simple maxi-dresses in bold graphic prints. summer is not the time for complicated clothing. rock it with bold acessories and you're set. but speaking of clothes.... 

we're on tumblr and facebook!

check out our tumblr!

hey divas! jus a lil note to let you know that we are now on Facebook and Tumblr.

you can find a tab to the tumblr on the divaonabudget homepage and check us out at https://www.facebook.com/thedivaonabudget. please feel free to check out our pages and submit your own looks! PLEASE! and tell/invite your friends!

the facebook page and tumblr will feature mini posts and one-off looks and give you an opportunity to chatting about fashion with fellow divas. i will continue to post more detailed fashion looks and make up tips here on the official blog :) - is just easier to talk to you on FB and tumblr!

see you over there!

work it out: find the perfect summer dress!

Accesories in bursts of bright summer colours take a dark blue ombre dress from "ok" to fab . use accessories to complete your summer wardrobe

CLICK  ON ANY ITEM ABOVE TO SHOP!

in my closet, summer means one word. DRESSES!!!!!! god i love a dress. it's mainly becuase im lazy and i take foreverrrr to get dressed. having to put on just ONE thing simplifies a lot! it's also too hot to wear pants in summer ( in Asia anyway- the humididity is deadly) so dresses and skirts become a daily staple. but seriously, dresses are easy to wear, femenine and on most women, extremely flattering- what's not to like?. finding the perfect summer dress is simply a matter of dressing for your body type, and there is the perfect dress for EVERY body, including yours:

work it out: white hot summer

Day Dresses
Sandals

CLICK ANY ITEM ABOVE TO SHOP

To the start of a perfect summer!

summer is almost here! finally! i'm sure you're busy pulling out your warm weather clothes and planning great outfits for this season. one summer look that never goes out of style is the staple summer white. while you can stick to the classics like white linen trousers, how about turning things up a notch this year - switch out your linen pants for crisp white denim. or how about wearing a LWD (little white dress) and instead of the LBD? keep it casually chic with a great pair of flats and statement jewellery. its the perfect outfit for a light summer lunch and wear it with this years trending colours: saturated shades of coral, teal, and water mellon. think bright and juicy hues. be sure to use sunscreen and apply bronzer for that healthy sunkissed glow