She might have dabbled in some unfortunate reality television (and even more unfortunate music), but no one ever spoke truer words than country songstress Jessica Simpson when she candidly told us that ‘with nothing but a t-shirt on, I never felt so beautiful, baby as I do now’. Insightful, Jess, real insightful.

But seriously, a kick-ass tee is the perfect trans-seasonal staple, particularly for the boys (but don’t be fooled, I’m no girl-tee hater). And if you or your male counterpart would rather not be clad in something as mass produced as…well, something really mass produced, then Spanish label Cioomoyoko is for you. The label's creator, David Silvosa, is certainly one stencil-savvy guy. He's been churning out slick, fresh prints on quality American Apparel cotton shirts from his Gallacian studio for a couple of years now and is steadily gaining a cult following. Head to his website to customise and order one of the limited edition numbers for your very own.

If the above images are anything to go by, then I really have no excuse to continue whining about how unaffordable clothes are these days. True, they do feature the creations of up and coming designers from RMIT - but each peice is constructed only from second hand garments, car seat covers and table cloths purchased at a Salvation Army store. Melbourne's Ormond Hall was the setting for Salvo's recent Recreate08 fashion show. Pretty rad huh?

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.