Monday, February 27

An old classic becomes a new favourite

This Winter, we will see the return of an old classic print - welcome back, houndstooth. It's the trademark look for David Jones's AW12 Campaign, as worn by Miranda Kerr in the stunning pencil skirt / cropped blazer combo (below). It's also, coincidentally, the department store's signature dynamic branding. I love the chic look it creates when teamed with ladylike silhouettes, and the boldness of black on white. That said, the look becomes very modern when partnered with some colour!

The pattern was a popular trend not too long ago, with designs by Salvatore Ferragamo, Preen and Alexander McQueen making their mark in 2009. This year, we've seen Saba, PPQ and Lover featuring houndstooth in their collections. It's funny how a 4 year hiatus from the catwalks has made it seem so refreshing and new all over again. Houndstooth is one of those patterns that will probably make its reappearance in your Winter wardrobe every few years (or so I'm hoping), so investing in a higher end piece in the pattern could be worth the price tag!

I recently purchased a gorgeous houndstooth coat from a friend of a friend who was moving overseas. Needless to say, I am in love. As the current weather in Brisbane is switched to extreme heat with a side of torrential rain, you'll have to wait until the cooler months for a photo of it! In the meantime, enjoy these photos of the trend working its way through AW12 campaigns and catwalks.




If you're finding the look is too much of a bold statement to wear in a full ensemble (a la Miranda and Ms Duma), don't fret, as there will be plenty of Winter accessories beholding the beautiful pattern and in stores soon enough. (Scarves and clutches are easy to pare back with black, white and red!) For the more daring, try wearing it with emerald green, punchy orange or fuschia.

Me? I'm on the hunt for the perfect pair of houndstooth patterned, skinny high-waisted / mid-rise pants. Much like these Galliano leggings, actually. But pants - because, I'm sorry, but leggings are just not pants!



xx

Images: David Jones AW12 NYC Campaign (thenewspaperworks.com.au), Salvatore Ferragamo dress (fuckloveimpaid.blogspot.com), Samantha Harris walking for DJ's AW12 (au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea), Saba skirt (styleblog.saba.com.au), Houndstooth dress (americanapparel.com), Miroslava Duma LFW (style.com), Lover AW12 (harpersbazaar.com), Galliano leggings (fuckloveimpaid.blogspot.com)

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Tuesday, February 21

A slave to Miroslava

The fun sized fashion style icon whose exotic name is on everybody's lips right now (and has been for the past 4 years), is Miroslava Duma. Previously an editor of Harper's Bazaar (Russia), this young high-flyer has since dabbled in freelance writing for various magazines, running her own charity organisation, gracing the lens of Scott Schuman and creating fashion hub buro24/7 (see it here). With such an impressive knack for fashion and all its elements, who could really stop Mira's Miu Miu-heeled feet in their tracks?

I also have very high respect for her because she's said to customize and alter about 90% of her wardrobe to fit her petite frame and height. That takes some serious effort...not to mention patience, investment, and trust in your dry cleaners! A little on the petite-side myself, she is definitely one I will continue to watch - very closely.

These are some of my favourite outfits and looks Ms Duma has put together over the years. 


Isn't she inspiring? And I really love her effortless approach to styling her gorgeous brown locks! Simply amazing.

 xx
Images: Citizencouture.com, thenewyorkerstyle.com, natalieology.net, citizencouture.com, alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com, miroslavaduma.tumblr.com,  citizencouture.com.

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Thursday, February 16

Wild about Wildfox jewellery

I've held LA label Wildfox in high esteem for a little while now, as I couldn't help but lust after their signature romantic-hued, soft-to-touch and edgy tees, and oversized everything, all of which just epitomise my idea of LA nonchalant street style. 


Now, after viewing their recently launched jewellery line in person at a local boutique, the label has most definitely jumped a notch or two on my shopping list!

With a nod to Low Luv and House of Harlow aesthetics, the collection is something like Erin Wasson and Nicole Richie's lovechild - effortlessly cool, a little bit rock n roll, and always a stand out. 


Images: hellomisschic.blogspot.com.au, claraivy.com/2012/01/wildfox-jewellery.html, teacup-boutique-london.blogspot.com.au, wildfoxcouture.co.uk/shop
xx

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Saturday, February 11

Lazing on a sunny afternoon



Following a very sleepy Saturday morning, I've spent my afternoon attempting a bit of a spring clean of my bedroom and bathroom. It's amazing how much of a difference a little de-cluttering can make! Having a clean desk, (let's be honest, 'visible' is the key word here), definitely makes it easier to spread out a magazine (or a stack of them, actually).

Another plus is that I discovered so much 'stuff' I didn't even realise I had...a liquid eyeliner that actually works! A waterproof mascara! A million emery boards...and some much loved shades that had temporarily gone into hiding behind a few notebooks.




Looking forward to a day of recreational fun tomorrow, as a reward for my domestic duties today! This must be the reason that a weekend includes two days...definitely not complaining!



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Sunday, February 5

Paris: City of love and the Louvre


Gorgeous find in a little vintage boutique, Paris (I regret to say that no, for some unknown reason, I did not purchase these beautiful Christian Louboutin's, although from memory, they would have only been half a size too big for me...which, in the case of Louboutin's, is definitely fixable! So much lust...)
Visiting Paris felt incredibly surreal. From a very young age, I had revered Paris (as many others had) as the number one holiday destination...especially for shopping. The amazing city is famous for its beautiful language, indulgent pastries, incredible fashion designers and of course, it is known as the city of love.


The awe-inspiring Eiffel Tower
I definitely understand the well-deserved fame, as I saw and experienced each of these things in one small way or another during my stay. As lovely as it is, I think I will need to return to Paris at least once more in my youth, as I don't feel it was given a fair chance to become my favourite place. This was due to a number of small but significant drawbacks - firstly, the rain! It rained every day that my friend and I were there, except for the first day of our tour (when I chose to wear a t-shirt on a bike ride around the city, and consequently received an undesirable tan line which no Italian tan could later recover!). The main reason that the wet weather caused me some discomfort, is that I had developed the most horrid blisters on my feet from so much walking in London - and as a result, was forced to wear open sandals to hop skip and jump through the rainy puddles of Paris in. Wet and muddy yellow summer sandals don't make for the ideal entrance into high-end Parisienne boutiques!

In addition to this, I was generally feeling a little on the flu-ey side. I'd also had a few fairly average restaurant meals, but in hindsight, this can't be blamed on the city itself. We could have been much wiser about our choices. (Tip: DO NOT eat food at a restaurant on the Champs Elysses' where the waitstaff parade around in striped long sleeved tops, complete with red neckerchief and beret. This was an obvious mistake, but we were fooled by the allure of an English menu! Cue salty, unflavoursome pasta and slightly stale bread.)


That said, I still had a wonderful time there - and I definitely stumbled across some noteworthy purchases! In particular, a gorgeous vintage Balmain scarf in bold hues of red, fuschia and bright blue, snatched up for a bargain price of 20 euros! Also, a frilly-hemmed pair of Maje red shorts/culottes with an oriental floral design - that I have since spied on the famous derriere of Pippa Middleton! I certainly feel a little more special when I wear them now.


Other highlights included: discovering the cosmetic kingdom that is Sephora, indulging in sweets at Laduree', climbing the stairs to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and taking in the beautiful view of the city, admiring everything inside and outside of the Louvre, visiting the Palace of Versailles on a gorgeous sunny day, stumbling over the French language and pretending to understand their speedy responses (later to find that they spoke perfect English...), and wandering through the streets and boutiques!


These are a few of the photos I took in Paris.

(From top)

Tarte aux Fraises (From Laduree')
Pony hair heels, All Saints
Cinema billboard
Entrance to the Palace of Versailles
View of the Palace from the Garden at Versailles
Scenic bike ride along Seine river
xx

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Thursday, February 2

Shake it, like a ladder to the sun

I created this blog in May, last year. In the time that has passed since then, a lot in my life has changed.

Firstly, I travelled. I visited a close friend in London, met up with another good friend in Paris, spent two weeks on tour in Switzerland, France, Spain and Italy, and experienced some amazing things that are now very memorable moments. This travelling adventure only accounts for 6 weeks of the time that has elapsed, but the memories and valuable experiences will last me a lifetime. I know, that sounds corny, but I now know it's not just a cliche', as my friend and I met up with two girls we had befriended while on another continent; and yet, back in 'the real world', it was as if nothing had changed at all. It was a really wonderful feeling!
 
These are a few pictures from my overseas adventure. Rest assured, there will be many more!
Hyde Park, London (top)
East London Furniture store launch, London (second)
Zara changeroom, Paris (third)
Sacre' Couer, Montmartre, Paris (bottom)
Secondly, with a dash of determination and a lot of good fortune, I embarked upon a new career venture. Saying goodbye to my fun-filled 3 year retail stint and lovely group of friends at Mimco was tricky, but saying hello to the big bad world of working in a 'real job' in advertising was much more daunting. I studied fashion and advertising, so the shift was inevitable...but this didn't make it any less scary!

4 months in, however, I can safely say that I am thoroughly enjoying the ride. It's definitely never boring (or without drama), but so far, it has been a really nice transition into adult working life!

With these two major events and their changes in mind, I have a sneaky suspicion it's going to be a very good year. Hello 2012, and your many new challenges, adventures and amazing experiences that I hope await...fun times, come at me!
xx

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