Call me a little behind the literary bandwagon if you will (so what if I'm over a century late) but Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel Jane Eyre is one of the best I've read in recent weeks. The protagonist (who just happens to be named as that rather creative title suggests) is a reserved, plain-featured and orphaned child who is born into a life with no future prospects. She yearns to break free of Britain's smothering class consciousness and become something more than those around her - hollow materialists and unquestioning religious adherents. In short, she's unconventional. The gripping semi-autobiographical journey of the plucky young Jane is fraught with troubles, but eventually leads to the worthwhile discovery (summed up rather nicely by good old Bronte) that "conventionality is not morality". Props to a brilliant delve into what would have been some extremely taboo issues; women's marginalization, poverty, mental health, physical abuse inside the domestic sphere and hypocrisy within the Church. Plus there's a KILLER love story.

I've gotta be honest - I didn't commence it with the highest expectations - but this thing makes for some seriously addictive reading. Garnering kudos from literary greats such as Thackeray (et al), Jane Eyre is a classic that deserves to be more than a coffee coaster or the solution to a wobbly table leg - so go grab a copy for next to nothing and read it over and over and over.

It’s time once again to throw off the metaphorical shackles of winter; the dapper fitted trench, thick patterned stockings and token neck scarf (but since every myspace-savvy teen and his dog are wearing those now, I’ll bet your glad to lay that one to rest) and embrace the uninhibited freedoms of spring attire. Following a throng of flourishing designer partnerships, Sportsgirl, Australia’s own little Topshop, are now set to bring the charm of Cohen et Sabine to their stores for us lucky ladies to lap up. The luxury collection, inspired by the 1972 Goldie Hawn flick, Butterflies are Free, is all whimsical crotchet, cotton lace and sequins, a delightful mish-mash of sharp 60’s modernity and yeah, you guessed it, ‘vintage’ glamour. But no matter how generic the delineative, these designer pieces are so hot they could melt faster than a Bubble-o-Bill in a solarium. Expect cascading maxi dresses in bold prints, short shift skirts and flowing silhouettes (oh mannnn, count me in).

The limited edition garments range from $170 - $350 and are hitting Sportsgirl stores this October.

Children's author, illustrator and designer Maira Kalman's ingenious annotated works are absolutely dripping in vibrant colour, quirky humour and unbridled wit. 'Nuff said.

Those devilishly clever kids at American Apparel just keep churning out their perfectly tailored wares for eager thread junkies like me to lap up. But seriously, with chic minimalist design, durable fabrics and high quality dyes it's fair enough to say that the frequent spends can't be helped. My latest fix? Fitted cotton spandex jersey body suits with zipper fronts (yes, its a bit of a mouthful). The versatile tank leotards have full back coverage, making them the perfect partner to your leather fringed waist skirt or acid-washed denim shorts this Summer. And since they're available in selected colours, prints and metallic sheens, you'd be crazy (cue telemarketer-style- enthusiasm) if you didn't pick up one of your very own at their Oxford Street store or online right this minute.

ABOVE: 'The Indie workplace'

The tick of the office clock is just audible enough to severely irritate, your once steaming coffee is cold and a little congealed, the pulsating fan is a constant reminder that everyones deoderant is starting to wear thin - yes, the signs are all there and the time is ripe for some workplace procrastination. And I've discovered just the thing - forget Cyanide and Happiness - Toothpaste for Dinner is the ideal tongue in cheek comic to waste away the hours. For the ultra-keen (and perhaps aesthetically challenged), clothing merchandise is also available via the website.

With the days getting warmer and the nights getting lighter there's only one important question to be asked - who's gonna deck you out in Summer-time gems? And the answer my friends is simple, Samantha will. TV host, model and all round entrepreneur Samantha Wills is launching her Spring/Summer jewelery collection, Tiny Dancer, this Thursday night at Sydney's exquisite harbour cocktail lounge, The Loft. The twenty-six year old's decadent vintage pieces have progressed a long way from their humble beginnings at good ol' Bondi Markets to the Fashion Week catwalk and the perfectly preened parts of Hollywood starlets (Nicole Richie claims them as a fave...not sure whether that makes the brand more many females well adorned throughout the winter chills and so its pretty safe betting that her newest offering will do anything but disappoint. Head to The Loft from 6.30 - 8.30 on Thursday or check out the lust-worthy wares on Wills' website.

After exploring the darker gothic romance of the 80's, French electronica and shoegaze masters M83 decided it was better to dip their toes into the era's delightfully wasted astro-pop than dismiss the fetish altogether. Kim and Jessie was the emergent single, a sugar-coated, acidic trip into the realm of teenage lust.