Here in Sydney, we’ve had some unseasonably heavy rainfall over the past few months.

With the days swinging from sunny humidity to torrential downpours in the blink of an eye, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were actually living in the depths of Kakadu during the rainy season.

Last week alone I managed to ruin two pairs of ballet flats on successive days, thanks to the rain. I am very attached to my ballet flats so this kicked me into decisive action: to buy gumboots.

Last time I rocked a pair of gumboots I was under the age of five and they were made of a rather unflattering plain black rubber. The good news is that these days you can find gumboots that are both fashionable and protective. Some people even go so far as to wear them for a night out as a fashion statement. While this reeks a little too hard of hipster doofus syndrome to me, I am definitely not averse to wearing gumboots on the street when it’s pouring with rain.

Save

If you need some functional gumboots but don’t want to spend a packet on them, your first stop should be departments stores such as BIG W and Target. They always have a range of affordable gumboots in stock.

You can also try Clark Rubber, which specialises in, well, rubber.

Spend

Spend a little more on your gumboots and you can pick some up with a fashionable look to them. Puddle Beach is an online store that specialises in wet weather gear. I bought the paisley boots pictured here for $67 the other day. You can check out more of their range here.

Splurge

If you’ve got cash to burn or really want to make a fashion statement with your gumboots, then you can’t go past Pucci. Yes, the same Pucci design house that is known for its bold, colourful prints. It’s really quite remarkable to see these colourful designs transferred to the humble gumboot. However because they carry the Pucci name, they can be a few hundred dollars.

Locally, Pucci gumboots are stocked by Myer. You can get a feeling for what they look like here.

By Caroline Warnes

I have this annoying compulsion that makes me buy a new dress for each of my birthdays. Even when I don’t need one. Particularly when I don’t need one.

That may not seem all that annoying to you, but trust me, it can be very frustrating when you spend $200 or more on something you only wear once. Even more frustrating is when your only birthday outing with the new dress is to your local pub or to a friend’s house.

That being said, my birthday is coming up in three weeks so once again I am on the hunt for a new dress. Well, why not? It can be my birthday present to myself.

Myer has become my favourite department store for women’s fashion in recent times and I’m salivating over the latest fashion range, especially the dresses (though maybe it’s more to do with the fact that Jennifer Hawkins is wearing most of them in the catalogue. She looks good in anything. In fact, she could wear a burlap sack and I’d probably consider buying it).

I’ve always wanted a Nicola Finetti dress, and the strapless number pictured here is pretty hot - not to mention it’s in my favourite colour, too. Although there are likely numerous better uses for my $309, at this point, well, I don’t really care. Though perhaps it may not be the best idea to hit the town in the same dress that Hawko wore in a national print advertisement as I could be setting myself up for a fall. Hmmm…

Moving on, I’m also a fan of the Cooper St satin dress in steel blue. On the plus side, it’s more affordable at $119, however on the minus side, satin can be the most unforgiving of fabrics.

You can see more of Myer’s latest fashions here.

In other news, Myer is currently clearing the quit stock from its recent stocktake sales. There isn’t heaps of stuff left to choose from, but you may chance a bargain find on women’s shoes and other items.

And the electrical sale is still on until February 18 - click here to see the full catalogue.

By Caroline Warnes

It’s always nice to hear an Aussie success story, and local organic skincare range Stem Organics is hitting the big time in the US.

The brand is celebrating the news that its Intensive Eye Serum will be included in the gift bags given to award winners, nominees and presenters at the prestigious Golden Globe Awards, to be held in Hollywood next Sunday evening (Monday, Australian time).

Making it into the Golden Globes or Oscars gift bag is big news for any brand during the Hollywood awards season. The stars who present and receive awards are often photographed using the products in the bag, giving the brand visibility better than any other advertising. This year, stars who will be receiving the bag include Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley and Johnny Depp.

The Stem Organics range features products made from certified organic and natural ingredients - and, wherever possible, Australian ingredients. The Intensive Eye Serum’s formula includes ingredients such as Fringed Violet for fine lines, organic Ginseng to firm and lift the eye are and Hibiscus Peptide, which beauty experts call a natural form of Botox.

You can buy Stem Organics products online, or at retailers such as Myer.

By Caroline Warnes

Up until recent times, David Jones used to be my favourite department store for clothing and accessories.

It used to boast the best range of local Australian designers as well as an unbeatable range of international footwear labels.

However recently Myer has really stepped up to the plate and has since taken over from DJs as my favourite place for clothes shopping, particularly when it comes to local designers.

Myer also recently made several exciting announcements, which should cement the department store giant as my favourite shopping mecca. The biggest of these is the news that Myer will now stock Australian label Mad Cortes, having scooped the rights to stock it off David Jones. Mad Cortes is billed as offering pieces that are “edgy and sophisticated”, including a range of knitwear and tailored pieces. Mad Cortes will be available in eight of Myer’s city stores around the country. Pictured here is a look from the label’s Spring/Summer ‘07 collection.

Other big launches due early in 2008 include the diffusion labels by local Australasian designers Karen Walker and Nicola Finetti, known as Hi There and Nylon Flocks respectively. Each offers more affordable interpretations of the designers’ main lines.

On the international front, Myer has also announced it will stock Moschino Cheap and Chic, Theory and Paule Ka.

Myer is also promising further announcements in the near future… so stay tuned. I can’t wait for next year’s big Myer sales!