LIA LOVES... THEATRE. DANCE. CULTURE. EVENTS.
Follow her adventures as Adelaide's premier theatre buff, arts contributor, educator and ambassador!
January 25, 2016
Yes, I’m referencing the B-grade sequel to Grease… but you gotta admit, the songs were pretty catchy… Grease 2 aside, yes, it is back to school already! Gah! Where did my summer holidays go?? Oh, that’s right, entertaining my kiddies so they wouldn’t complain to me about being bored (which they did anyway!!). Seriously, schools hols are so expensive…. Which is why I’ve put together my budget friendly, outlet loving back to school shopping guide. Let’s go… BACKPACKS Where do I start? Strandbags, Victoria Station Clearance, Bags and Luggage Direct all have a great range of kids kindy or school backpacks, but when I spotted Ben and Holly at Bags to Go for under $15, I knew my daughter would lose the plot. Done deal… They also had a super cute Play School backpack with educational features on it for under $25…awesome! For the tweens, JT Surf has them covered. A wall of Billabong, Roxy and Santa Cruz starting from $35 (down from $70) just waiting to be slung over the shoulder of the […]
December 1, 2015
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… no, it IS Christmas, like just around the corner!! But don’t fret, I have your back. You can do everything at Harbour Town (or HTown as like to call it), and I mean EVERYTHING. From mum, grandma, dad, kids, pets…and everyone in between. Let’s get shopping… FOR HER Bags and Luggage Direct have a super sale at the mo, with Tony Bianco bags from $21.50 (these were $99!) and Kardashian Kollection down to $29.50! Pick up a voucher from Centre Management for an additional 15% off until Dec 15. Are you kidding me?! I also love the Shiels Direct leather and stainless steel bracelets for only $30. Slip that in my stocking thanks huz… For the fragrance lover, Cosmetics Fragrance Direct have the gorgeous Elizabeth Arden Green Tea gift pack for just $25… that includes 100ml fragrance, bath gel, body cream and makeup bag. Shopping for the sporty friend? Then check out this hot Lorna Jane combo of tank ($15) and shorts ($30). I think I’ve […]
October 27, 2015
If you are anything like me, where you love the Spring Racing season, but don’t love how much every different outfit costs then you’ll love this. One outfit, 4 ways. I’ve started with the most gorgeous pair of off white culottes from Cue for a bargain price of $67.50 (original price $225 in full price stores) paired with the coolest top from Seed, which set me back only $63.96 (almost 50% off the original price, thanks very much). The best thing about separates? You can wear them again and again, with a different top or bottom for a completely new look. And guess what? Cost per wear becomes totally negligible. So there, husband… Derby Day: Traditionally, black and white, I’ve added some stripes and spots for a little personality. Stunning headpiece from Mimco for only $69, plus another 20% off until November 8. Shoes from Nine West $69.96 (ridic, I know!) Necklace $79.20 Mimco (20% off until Nov 8) Clutch $63.20 Mimco Melbourne Cup Day: This is your day to shine, so dress […]
October 20, 2015
This weeks shopping trip was a bit wet…but armed with my hot coffee, I was raring to go. And with plenty of shelter shops, ahem, I mean stops, along the way, I was never caught in the rain. First, I found onesies at Sparkles for just $6. Yep, you read right. $6. Surely the fabric would cost more than that… one in every colour please. I then thought I better pick something up for the huz, so I popped into Connor, who were having a super sale of 3 items for $50. Any knit, shirt and jean for $50! Say what?! Needless to say, I didn’t walk out empty handed.. Next stop was City Chic… I must admit, this was my first time in this store, and my glob, was I surprised! Gorgeous cocktail dresses in the most flattering shapes, knits, tops..you name it! In sizes from 14, there was something that would suit everyone. A cream knit with leatherette belt caught my eye, and at $50 it caught the attention of my purse too.. I’ve […]
October 13, 2015
After having my kids, not only have my feet grown (please tell me I’m not the only one?!) but my fingers are permanently swollen. Not a great look! So my engagement ring and wedding bands have been safely tucked away until I get them resized…except, I spotted the most gorgeous engagement, wedding and eternity ring set at Shiels today at 70% off! A three ring set for less than $1800! Surely I could convince the huz… It feels like everyone is going on a winter escape at the moment, and when I say everyone, I mean everyone except me… first world problems I know. So I don’t feel left out, I wander to Strandbags to see what special deals they have. And they have plenty. Nearly everything is on sale, with their Flylite brand at $100 off. Mmmm, pristine beaches, blue water…I can dream. Also happening today is the massive Lorna Jane warehouse sale. This is on once a year across all outlets only, Australia wide. Nothing is over $60. You could be forgiven for […]
October 6, 2015
I’m always on the lookout for kids clothes…new season, or end of season that I can purchase a size or two bigger for next year. And my go to place is Cotton On Kids; always on trend, always great prices, and huge stock turnover, so there is always something new. I’ve had a few requests for puffer vests and I knew Cotton On Kids could deliver. Great range of colours and styles from $15 – $20! Happy customer indeed! Next stop was Cheeki Kids, another awesome kids clothing and accessories store I’ve been shopping at for years. I love the big brands like Chloe and Burberry, but they also carry the coolest Aussie labels like Munster and Rock Your Baby too..which was 25% off the already marked price. Hulloo… Just a couple of doors down is Step Footwear, and I needed to buy my little Miss some uggs. Found the cutest panda pair by Emu Uggs for only $39.95! That’s a great buy for this iconic brand. I stopped into Typo because their totally cool […]
September 29, 2015
So today, like most days, I go shopping with an open mind… I start with my usual skim latte [skim? full cream? Does it really matter?] at Coffee Club and their sensational smashed avocado on turkish bread with a side of scrambled eggs. To. Die. For. I decide to wander to Mimco to check out any new stock… and lo and behold. A blue beauty of a cross body bag hits me for six. You see, with 3 young kids, a cross body bag is my equivalent to a bejewelled evening clutch. It’s either a baby bag or cross body…that’s as glamorous as I get these days. This baby will be hitting the outlet store in the next week, so I set my alarm on my phone to EXTRA LOUD so I don’t miss out. I’ve had a few requests for tan ankle boots with a mid heel, so I make my way to Wittner. You want tan boots. Wittner have them a plenty. At 65% off, why not pick up a tan, black and […]
September 2, 2015
Last minute bargain Father’s Day Ideas… With Fathers Day just around the corner, I thought I’d help you all out with some top tips on where to shop for the special blokes in your life. You’re welcome. Harbour Town caters for just about every type of dad there is. For the cool casual dad, I’d be heading to Connor, Gazman, Roger David and Oxford. Ed Harry have a great range of new season shirts at outlet prices and at Tarocash there are chinos and shirts as far as the eye can see. If your dad is more into sweating it out then check out Adidas, Fila Brand Direct, Intersport, Sports Power and Converse. Brooks Factory Direct have a huge sale with their runners at more than 50% off! Where at JT Surf, your skater dad can hold onto his youth a little bit more with big surf brands like Hurley, Rip Curl and Santa Cruz. Perhaps you need to shop a more mature look? We’ve got that covered too. Stafford Ellinson, Rivers and Black Pepper […]
August 19, 2015
I just love wandering Harbour Town, looking for the next bargain, seeing what treasures I can find. As I walked past Millers Fashion, something told me to stop and go in. Call it my bargain instinct. Glad I did, because I found THE softest cargo pant EVER and a navy and white knit all for $31. I repeat, $31 the entire outfit. They have 40% off store wide – even the most reduced stuff. Prices start at a crazy $4…. The huz has specifically asked for work shirts, so I head into Gazman, where racks upon racks of stripe, patterned, plain business shirts are only $29. Done. Now back to me. Nine West have a super sale with 40% off even the sale price…so leather shoes starting at $30? That is so my thing. Designer, cheap, awesome! It’s been a while since I picked something up for the kids, and you can’t go wrong in Smiggle. It’s their go-to whenever we are at H-Town. I love their 3 for $10 tables…something for each of them. […]
August 11, 2015
Big shopping week, so to fuel up, I start at Silvana Cafe where a coffee and cake deal gives me the caffeine and sugar hit required to go the distance. Yummo. Time for nails. Paris Nails and Beauty have this fandagalled product called SNS, which lasts longer than shellac and is better for your nails than acrylic. I love! And only $45. Once a month, add that to my beauty regime.. Speaking of regime, I really need to exercise more, and I can’t do that without the correct undergarments holding everything in place (read: boobs). So I head into Bonds, as I’ve just discovered they stock a massive range of Berlei. And these are my absolute fave sports bras. Oh, and they have 30% off. Bonus!! Another awesome find if you are new to Harbour Town…Union Clothing are a huge stockist for cmeo collective and Finders Keepers The Label…but at a fraction of the cost. And today, they have racks and racks of stuff at $79.99 and $99.99!! Good gawd… For those that know me, […]
August 3, 2015
I still can’t believe Harbour Town has an Oroton outlet. I mean, a minimum of 60% off? That’s just nuts. And we all know how much I love navy. And cross body bags. And sunnies. So when I can pick up both, at under $200, from Oroton, you can imagine my excitement. Squeeee!! I’m also getting organised for Father’s Day, and at Cosmetics Fragrance Direct, they have the most awesome Kenneth Cole gift packs for just $49. Scentsational… If you’re anything like me and have a scatter cushion obsession, then head into Adairs. Bright, fun, stylish and only $9.95 each. Perfect for my daughters room. Next to the other 67 cushions on her bed… I’ve had a few requests for stylish, slim, well made and cut suits. Well, Stafford Ellinson is the place to go. Handstitched, wool, classically made and considering these suits are usually over $1000….you can pick one up from $349. Would you like me to repeat that? $349. Yep, most are 70% off the original retail price. Just don’t tell the big […]
July 30, 2015
There is usually no rhyme or reason when I shop. I generally have an idea of what I’m looking for, but if something grabs my eye, I’m easily swayed. Especially if the price is right. Granted, I am supposed to be looking for some shoes for the huz, so I wander into Industrie first, as I love their styling. Lo and behold, they don’t disappoint! Gorge lace up boat shoes for just $59.95. Done. As I walk past Converse, my eyes are drawn to the wall of sneakers at 50% off!! Wall to wall Converse at a fraction of the cost. My boys love these shoes – cool, comfy, last forever. Popped into Oxford, and boy am I glad I did…everything in store is at least 75% off! Hot cocktail dresses at around $57? You betcha. Never thought I’d be writing that sentence…. Next up at Diesel they have a whole rack of hawt mens shirts at 70% off. Only $50. Tick another item off for the huz. Such a good wifey. I’ve been looking […]
July 1, 2015
Hi, my name is Lia. And I’m a shopaholic. I love shopping. There, I said it. I. Love. Shopping. I love it, love it, love it! I love the thrill of setting off in search of an item, let’s say a harem pant in a leather look (specific I know, but work with me here) and coming away with an entire outfit, said leather pants included, for the price I was willing to pay just for the pants. Really, if you have a pulse and get excited by words like ‘SALE!’ and ‘40% off!’, and your significant other has looked at you suspiciously when you’ve stepped out in a new outfit (‘what this old thing?! I’ve had this for AGES!’) then no doubt, you love shopping too. Welcome to my club. And I’m not just talking clothes. Oh no, my addiction does not discriminate. My heart beats a little bit faster walking into a homewares store (don’t get me started on mid century modern). Handbags, oh my glob, handbags. I have more shoes than days in the year. I’ve got every […]
January 27, 2019
Walking into the Bakehouse Theatre this evening was a burst of fresh air. No, literally. It was 45 degrees outside. And fittingly, I was going in to see Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers. This offering is the fourth for Starc Productions, Adelaide’s newest full-time professional theatre company, a collaboration between Marc Clement, Stefanie Rossi and theatre gem Tony Knight. Starc’s sentiment is to produce plays with minimal set design, thus allowing the actors to take, for lack of a better phrase, centre stage. This was evident upon entering the theatre – a clean, classic set in white and red. Stylised as such that the key timekeepers – the clock and telephone – were in bold red, while the couch and table were white. I liked the addition of the apples on the table; a suggestion of sexual seduction perhaps? Set in 1969, to the tunes of Bacharach, Barney Cashman, a middle aged, married, fish restaurateur, wishes to join the sexual revolution. Unbeknownst to him, it’s not that easy. In three acts we […]
January 18, 2019
Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, written in 1879, is a significant play in the way it deals with the awakening of a middle class wife and mother in a male-dominated world, one not too dissimilar to what we are experiencing in current day society. As you can imagine, the play caused great controversy at the time, and continues to speak powerfully more than 100 years after it first hit the stage. Ipskip Productions brings a new adaptation to life under the cultivating eye of director Nathan Quadrio and dramaturge Miriam Fietz, set in London in 1959. Nora Helmer, the innocent (or not so innocent) self serving wife, was played beautifully by Allison Scharber. She portrayed the complexities of Nora’s character with charm, at times submissive and manic. She struggles with juggling kids, her house, husband, a secret debt, a terminally ill best friend and the arrival of an old school friend who brings much chaos through the door with her. Georgia Stockham’s Christine Linde, the chaotic old friend, has the perfect blend of forcefulness and amiability […]
July 6, 2017
It’s that time of year again… cold, wet and school holidays! If your kids are anything like mine, the first day is fine, then they get antsy, cabin fever, and are forever saying things like ‘I’m bored!’ or ‘I’m hungry!’ Never fear, I’ve got my fave holiday activities all sorted for you in one spot! And best of all, they are either super cheap or free! CITY It is so easy to have a cheap day out in the city. Catch a tram in, stroll down the mall to marvel at the copper pigs and the Mall’s Balls (seriously, who doesn’t remember saying ‘meet you at the balls!’ when you were 15..), and the array of new mall art and laneways. Then hit up my top 3 – Migration Museum, Art Gallery and the SA Museum. All are free, and will keep the kiddies entertained for the entire day! Also check out the fab play, Emil and the Detectives, presented by Slingsby Theatre Company, at the Myer Centre. A great way to get the little […]