Love In Melbourne

The Books I Read, 2011

2012-01-05T18:21:00.000+11:00

Keith Richards "Life"
Henry Miller "The Books in My Life"
Joanna Trollope "Second Honeymoon"
Jane Austen "Persuasion"
Paul Carter "Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs"
Frances Hodgson Burnett "The Little Princess"
Henry Miller "The Wisdom of the Hear"
Virginia Woolf "A Room of Ones Own"
Catherine Deveny "It's Not My Fault They Print Them"
Erich Maria Remarque "All Quiet On The Western Front"
Jacqueline Sussann "The Valley of the Dolls"
Judy Corbett "Castles in the Air"
Jane Juska "Unaccompanied Women"
Ann-Marie Priest "Great Writers, Great Loves"
Dodie Smith "I Capture the Castle"
L. M Montgomery "The Alpine Path"
Sara Nelson "So Many Books So Little Time" (ha!)
Christopher Isherwood "A Single Man"
Livia E Bitton Jackson "Elli"
Frank L. Baum "The Marvellous Land of Oz"
Edna O'Brien "Girls in their Married Bliss"
Diana Mosley "The Duchess of Windsor"
Joan Didion "The White Album"
Anne Tyler "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant"
Roald Dahl "The Magic Finger"
Roald Dahl "The Twits"
Karyn Bosniak "Save Karyn"
Ian Serailleur "The Silver Sword"
Rosalie Ham "Summer at Mount Hope"
Leslie Ann Bosher "To The Manor Drawn"
Rosalind Miles "Modest Proposals"
Ian Fleming "On Her Majesties Secret Service"
Helene Hanff "84 Charing Cross Rd"
Helene Hanff "The Duchess of Bloomsbury St"
Sylvia Plath "The Bell Jar"
Elizabeth Newark "The Darcy's Give a Ball"
Helene Hanff "Apple of my Eye"
Donna Tartt "The Secret History"
Haruki Murakami "After the Quake"
Letters of Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford
Edna O'Brien "The Country Girls"
Debbie Ford "The Dark Side of the Light Chasers"
Rhoda Janzen "Mennonite in a Little Black Dress"
Banana Yoshimoto "Kitchen"
Stephen Brook "New York Days, New York Nights"
Patricia Highsmith "The Talented Mr Ripley"
Jen Lancaster "Bitter is the New Black"
Edna O'Brien "Girl with Green Eyes"
Edna O'Brien "August is a Wicked Month"
Edna O'Brien "Saints and Sinners"
Mireille Guiliano "Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire"
Elizabeth Smart "At Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept"
Marsha Altman "The Plight of the Darcy Brothers"
Ian McEwan "Solar"
Lionel Shriver "We Need to Talk About Kevin"
Jane Austen "Northanger Abbey"
Nick Hornby "Juliet, Naked"
Marilyn French "The Bleeding Heart"
Rusty Young "Marching Powder"
Henry James "The Europeans"
The Portable Dorothy Parker
Joseph Heller "Catch 22"
Gustav Flaubert "Madame Bovary"
David Nicholls "The Understudy"
Anita Brookner "A Family Romance"
Sue Townsend "Adrian Mole"
Graham Greene "The End of the Affair:
Alain de Botton "The Architecture of Happiness"
Sue Townsend "The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole"
James M Cain "Butterfly"
Sue Townsend "True Confessions of Adrian Mole"
Graham Greene "Loser Takes All"
Jean Rhys "Good Morning Midnight"
Gertrude Stein "Blood on the Dining Room Floor"
Zane Grey "Riders of the Purple Sage"
Sandra Cisneros "The House on Mango St"
Cecil Beaton "Portrait of New York"
Meg Rosoff "What I Was"
Nicola Cernick "Together by Christmas"
Mary S Lovell "The Mitford Girls"

A New Thing

2011-08-26T18:43:00.003+10:00

this will be more about shopping, and retail, and stores and products, and stuff. check it out: The Exterior Review

style idol

2011-03-30T18:11:00.003+11:00

Garance Dore. all pictures by the sartorialist

melbourne from the other side of the river

2011-01-23T16:53:00.000+11:00

Summer!

2010-10-14T23:00:00.002+11:00

Wow I love both these sunglasses -and the general outfits. This is a Tommy Ton pic from an album of his Paris fashion week photos on style.com

This pic kinda makes me wanna go back to being a blonde. I was platinum but currently I'm trying to discover what my natural colour is. Something I haven't seen in about 10 years. I must say it's nicer than I thought it would be which is a bonus!

The weather is warming up here in Melbourne. It has made me realise that I don't live in a freezing depressing grey world. It is so so so gorgeous in summer here in Australia. I always forget this fact in winter though.

In other news, Zoe and I are heading to Brisbane for the VALENTINO exhibition! It will be excellent!

arriving at my doorstep in 2-3 days!

2010-08-17T19:56:00.003+10:00

from net-a-porter.

too many vogues

2010-07-21T20:44:00.002+10:00

33 US Vogue
18 UK Vogue
73 Aus Vogue
59 Aus Harpers Bazaar... See more
37 Miscellaneous

Total: 220.

I will take an "after", after I get ebayin'. Keeping the Aus Vogues that I liked, the US, UK and miscellaneous, and selling the rest.

If you're interested, I'll probably put them on ebay this weekend, in yearly blocks. Almost every Aus Vogue and Harpers Bazaar from 2003-2008 will be represented.

As Maudrey kindly pointed out: Approx $1600 worth right there in that photo. Thats enough for a Celine handbag, or a flight to New York, or 4 months rent, or..... anyway.

books

2010-06-05T16:24:00.003+10:00

I dont know if you ever went there but City Basement Books closed recently.

I was there the day before closing-day and everything was $1.
I bought 3 books, a biography of Princess Margaret, a big picture book of European Castles and a Lily Brett short stories. I could have looked in there for ages but to be honest it was a little depressing, and most of the really good stuff was gone. The amount of books left though was amazing - as well as all shelves being full there were piles everywhere and tons on the floor, lining the walls like these ones above.

too many magazines

2010-06-03T12:07:00.003+10:00

this is one pile of magazines in my house. Its by far the largest, currently standing at approx 3 foot high.

They're mostly Australian Vogues, which pains me. I am THIS CLOSE to chucking them out. But this would involve:

1. Going through each issue to find scrapbook pictures
2. Keeping any possible winner issues (eg edited by Karl Lagerfeld, the Princess Mary one)
3. Ending my dream of having every issue (from about 1999 - late 2007, before I finally hated it so much I couldnt spend money on it anymore), so really, my dream of having every issue is over, and I dont even WANT ANY issues now, so maybe its time.

Next problem: What do I do with them? Library? Op Shop? Recycling? Angry backyard bonfire? Simply put them out the front of my house and wait? We put 2 bikes out there once and they were both gone within 1/2 an hour.

The other mags in that pile are the always enjoyable American Vogue (DEF keeping), which I do love, several English, French, and 1 Italian Vogue (keeping), lots of Australian Harpers Bazaar (better than Vogue- but why keep?) and my new and current favourite magazine- Inside Out. A house magazine. I dont know if this means I'm getting old or nesting or what, but I LOVE it.

Anyway, I am trying to look at magazines like books- if you love it, keep it, otherwise, it goes to Booktalk to be replaced. I can have a lovely (small) collection of AWESOMENESS and this will save me space and not give me a little shudder of annoyance everytime I look at it. This way they might even fit onto a bookcase (if I had any room on the bookcase, but my books are finely edited now, so there is no culling to be done there).

Finally, I have another similarly sized pile at my parents place in the country that they have just sold (the place, not the pile). This is going to have to go, clearly, as I'm pretty sure I will be pushing it to get them to move all the furniture I have stored down there, let alone a giant pile of crap old magazines, when they go to the new place.

Do you hoard stuff you no longer even like the look of? I think its emotionally relieving to get rid of stuff, not to mention house-cleansing and space-saving. On my way to work today I will stop by the library and ask if they would accept a large donation of magazines. Cross your fingers they say YES and lend me a large trolley.

movin' on

2010-05-16T10:11:00.002+10:00

Do I have the right to be offended and a little upset when I see someone has deleted me as a friend on facebook, when in fact I have just finished deleting someone myself?

Should I care? Obviously we are not friends anymore, havent been for a long time, dont want to be either, so does it matter?

Seems like a lot of things are changing at the moment and I am not sure what to do with it all. I think its all part of moving on and changing and "growing up" though I am coming to resent those words, and I should just accept and get on with it.

Its ok to not be friends with someone on facebook- it is not symbolic of anything much in real life, unless you make it be. And if you're NOT real life friends, why fake it on facebook? You dont need facebook to validate real friendships, so why allow it to validate limited profile friendships?

I think I just feel sad cos I am well and truly out of that loop of friends now. But new loops and good quality old loops are more valuable, I think.

In other news, inspired by Maudrey I am now rewarding myself for each assignment completed and hence have done TWO IN ONE DAY. As my previous record was approx 1 every 12 months, this is a massive improvement and just goes to show that rewards indeed motivate.

First reward: "1001 Buildings You Must See before you die..." totally awesome.
Reward 2 (yet to be purchased): some form of chic brown lipstick. not brown-brown, just stylin' browny-shade yum.

thanks for letting me talk through that out loud. I think I am on the verge of making a list, or indeed, a PLAN. Whoa. 27 years old anyone?

yes yes i'm very late

2010-04-27T16:40:00.004+10:00

but I've been getting my thoughts together.

And the title of My Favourite Collection goes to.....

Dries Van Noten (photos from style.com)

totally brilliant, I want to dress like this all the time. Runners up include Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton (of course) and Celine.

monday was my birthday

2010-04-24T17:50:00.003+10:00

it was glorious. The lovely Maudrey gave me Sophie Dahls cook book, and the boy made me the chicken curry for birthday dinner. My parents gave me high tea at the Langham, red roses, and elbow length leather gloves. The boy gave me an art deco french brooch.

Its now time for full speed ahead saving for Japanese Holiday. I am torn between paying off my credit card and saving money.... knowing full well that if I pay off the credit card it will just fill up again as soon as I arrive.... but have little chance of paying it all off and saving money before hand.

In the meantime,
I want these. In black, not suede, with the studs down the sides of the zip. They are Beau Coops, you can get some at Zomp (but only if you have bigger feet than me, as they dont have many sizes left). I love them. They are unisex, like mens shoes, but with a very feminine cut. Excellent heel, beautifully made. I like the grey ones in this picture - at zomp they only had black or tan, but tan is good, no?

why is it that when one decides to buy nothing but food that temptation comes along in such a delicious way?

advice from karl lagerfeld greatly appreciated

2010-04-03T19:36:00.002+11:00

now that I've come to terms with being a grown-up and all, I start to realise maybe the reason I feel a little less than sprightly is because I dont dress like a grown-up. I know that sounds ridiculous, like who'd-wanna-dress-like-a-grown-up, but I mean it in a different way.

At the moment, most of the time I wear sneakers and running tights (as leggings) with a little skirt and tshirt/jumper as I walk to work and back each day (at work I wear a uniform). This is brilliant at 7.15am as I dont have to think about it or worry as the only people that see me is the guy in 7/11 as I buy my Up-n-Go and the dudes at work, who are all dressed the same anyway.

Where this falls apart is after work, when at least 2 out of 5 nights I end up in the city, either shopping, drinking, having coffee or equivalent with friends. Here I feel underdressed, messy, too casual, and inappropriate for most cafes, let alone most bars.

What I'm looking for is an outfit I can walk in easily, that with only a change of shoes can be suitable for post-work activities, including drinks. Obviously anything too dressy will require another outfit (and prior notice).

What also worries me is that this seems to have spilled over into other days as well. Those damn running leggings are just so bloody comfortable. In fact I'm wearing them right now. With a tshirt. And a cardigan. And my slippers. But I am at home, alone, with a cup of tea, so its ok.

Am I afraid to dress up? To overdress? I dont think so- my business hours style is almost the complete opposite. The uniform consists of a suit- high waisted pencil skirt, shirt, jacket. I always wear heels, unless I know I will be walking/standing for a long time. When I go to work for shows, I always wear the same sort of dressy stuff, and heels. So why the disparity? Am I compensating for one with the other? Do I have no middle ground?

In an effort to help this today I went to American Apparel. I bought a pair of dark metallic silver leggings (high waisted). Then on the walk home I bought a pair of clear heart shaped sunglasses. I love them both but as soon as I got home I realised the problem is that I have nothing to go over the leggings, and I dont want to wear them uncovered. So I SHOULD have bought a cute little high waisted ice-skating skirt. But this doesnt solve the problem.

I need to think of outfits I would not hesitate to wear to the Hairy Canary at 6pm that I could also pair with sneakers in the morning. Doesnt really matter how ridiculous that looks, as long as I can walk in it (this excludes pencil skirts and usually jeans. Its 3 kilometers.)

I think my wardrobe consists of 2.5 elements: Extreme Casual, Extreme Dressy, and Corporate (.5) (dont have much of this, but enough to make it useless in either other category).

ugh I am tired of this now. to be continued..... hopefully the answer is shopping!

winter things...

2010-03-20T01:09:00.003+11:00

Kinda in love with both of these. Above are rag and bone combat boots, below Prada- divine. I would wear them both everyday in winter (changing at lunchtime of course lol). I will miss summer so much and I HATE daylight saving but will just have to snuggle up and make the most of winter. These shoes would definitely help...

UPDATE Summer Challenge

2010-03-02T20:38:00.005+11:00

You may remember I set myself a small set of Summer Challenges. They were:

1. To do 20 mins of walking each day (this challenge was issued by someone else, not me)
2. To run 5kms
3. To finish my correspondence course
4. To read all books I own but havent read yet.

Basically, epic fail. Epic. The rundown is thus-

1. Sort of. I walk to work and home again most days which is 30 mins each way. This doesnt happen on the weekends. So, on average it is 20 mins a day, just not done every day.

2. *cough*. argh...... I can run 2kms straight. Its a work in progress. I've also lost almost all motivation but this weeks goal is to get that back.

3. hmm. I did 1 assignment, and when I was halfway through I realised that instead of their being 10 assignments and me almost being halfway through (at ass. 4 and totally achievable) there is in fact 12. I am a third of the way through. And since then i havent done any more. So still just a third finished.

4. I tried so hard not to buy any books. But I got given a couple, and then lent some more, and then there were just these BARGAINS, really, and blah blah..... this is what I ended up reading:
6 books. In my defence the bottom 3 were absolutely amazing historical type non-fiction killers. It took me almost a month just to read the Marie Antoinette. And again for the Nin/Miller. Instead of having 17 books to read I now have a pile almost twice that size and 2 new books on my list of ones to buy-when-i-find-them-cheap.

This is what my bedside drawers look like now. But I am halfway through the Katharine Mansfield and Norwegian Wood on the top there and also the Rufus Wainwright bio.

New plan is to go through this pile and get rid of the ones I will honestly never read eg, Crime and Punishment. I had given up long ago on keeping an "impressive" library and will not keep any books like this just to look like I am thoroughly literary and important. And then I'll just keep working through the others. I thought this challenge would make me lose all interest in every single book there and long for exciting new ones but instead I can hardly choose which one to start next, they all hold such promise. Except C+P, but we already know that will end up at Booktalk.

In conclusion, Summer Challenges, while providing fodder for avoiding boredom, did not work. Most of the time I forgot I was meant to be improving my running stamina or doing assignments, and still moped around wishing I had things to do. The walking was only partially successful because I resent paying so much for a train trip into the city that is literally 1 stop, when I could walk in the same amount of time. And the book pile will keep growing, although I will have to have a moratorium on purchasing so I can at least try to focus on getting through these.

In the end, my Glorious Achievement of Summer was finding, buying, waiting for, and then building the Fallingwater House, in Lego:

Took about 9 hours, worth every second. 811 pieces! For ages 16+!!

a day trip to Basel

2010-02-24T20:52:00.001+11:00

hang on

2010-02-10T21:25:00.002+11:00

the other day I was reminiscing about my last birthday and how fun it was to turn 25 etc when all of a sudden i realised that 25 wasnt my last birthday, that was 2 birthdays ago and holy jesus I am about to turn 27. (in a couple of months). I feel old, for the first time. Not old old, just old enough to be grown up. Adult. Definitely not just a year or 2 out of high school, definitely not at uni anymore.

This has an upside that I like though - I now feel ok doing adult things. For a long time I felt too young for stuff, like job promotions and buying expensive appliances and having nice things in the house, instead I felt inexperienced, like I couldnt justify proper fridges and vacuums when I could just have the old one from my parents friends beach house for free, if I drove down and picked it up.

When I was in Paris last year my boy and I were discussing our financial situations after 3 weeks on holiday and I mentioned that I hadnt put anything on my credit card yet (first credit card, unused, had only applied for it in case of emergency whilst overseas/if I ran out of money). He was appalled, and insisted that I go out and buy something amazing. After much discussion he decided I should buy My Bag, also known as a Louis Vuitton Alma in Epi leather. I blushed and ducked my head and went all shy and thought "I cant buy it! I'm not old enough! I cant afford it! People will think i'm some young upstart with rich parents trotting out a designer bag! no! how completely ridiculous!". I tried to explain this to the boy but he totally didnt understand and looked at me like I was an idiot. He was convincing enough though to get me out into the major shops to have a look and weigh up the options.

We went to Chanel and Dior and LV and many others, me madly regretting wearing thongs and wondering if my parents would telepathically know I was considering spending so much money on a handbag when I could have been using it to pay rent or some crap and I'd have instant regret as soon as the receipt was signed, only to resign myself to the fact that I could never USE the bag, or even show it to anyone, I would be so ashamed of myself.

Eventually though boy got through to me and I realised- I can do this. I'm ALLOWED. I have a real job, I have savings, I'm on HOLIDAY in PARIS and WHAT THE HELL ELSE AM I GOING TO BUY. So we walked all the way back to LV and I bought it. The greatest moment ever. Then I went a little nuts and tried to convince him to buy some kanye red sneakers, and then to see if I could get some leather Dior gloves in my size (sadly not).

And slowly but surely ever since then, I have become used to the fact that I am grown up now. My mother was horrified when I told her how much the bag was (I lied, of course, I couldnt tell her the actual amount), and now she thinks I am out of control cos I am quite prepared to buy other expensive items (with the credit card, initial plans to cut it up on the plane home never quite eventuated), but I feel now I can have proper things. In a grown up house. And wear red lipstick. And its ok to surround myself with the things I like rather than keep them hidden. And I am not the young, casual uni student at work anymore, I'm supposed to have a say and be involved and want a career. Its very liberating!

shopping the country-town

2010-02-01T18:12:00.002+11:00

Sometimes I am amazed by the shopping in the country. For example:
A slanket!!

Sex and the City Eau de Parfum. Who knew this existed. And only $25!

first purchase for 2010

2010-01-10T19:14:00.003+11:00

But first I'd like to say- Maudrey, it never rains but it pours. On the same day. We both posted! Or maybe its just Sunday boredom?

Behold: ok actually, hold on... I need toast and my camera to take this photo.

Havent got any toast. But I took a crap photos to show you all what I bought today... very first purchase of 2010, and a bargain at that, I think its been a good shopping year so far.

some pics I am enjoying...

2010-01-10T17:47:00.004+11:00

1. Ashley Olsen from here. Love the hair and eye make up.

2. Cosy comfy scarf that wraps around many times- this was on elle streetstyle I think.

3. Kinda like the one I want but this is slightly uglier and still too expensive lol. Photo is the link.

great hair...

2009-12-14T19:07:00.002+11:00

I love this hair. I often wonder what colour mine would be if I let my natural colour grow through- would I last for it to get this long and stay au natural?

books I have yet to read....

2009-11-29T11:02:00.002+11:00

but have owned for years....

Edith Wharton The House of Mirth
Fyodor Dostoevsky Crime and Punishment
Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights
Salvador Dali Hidden Faces
Judith Thurman A Life of Colette
Arthur Miller A View from the Bridge
Jules Verne Five Weeks in a Balloon
F. Scott Fitzgerald This Side of Paradise

and have recently bought....

Roald Dahl Collected Short Stories
Amanda Foreman Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire
Anain Nin/Henry Miller A Literate Passion
D.H Lawrence Twilight in Italy
Kirk Lake A Biography of Rufus Wainwright
Cecil Beaton Portrait of New York

Quite a few of these books have been attempted and failed at (Crime & Punishment) or never started cos of preconceptions (Wuthering Heights).... Its a challenge alright! Some of these books are huge! Plus the fact that I am only halfway through the Marie-Antoinette biography.

On the plus side I am having a definite phase of reading historical books, biographys, etc. And most of the new books I am busting to read, so they will be easy.

but the rest..... jesus. Thank god theres nothing on tv worth watching* and I have almost finished the Mad Men dvds.

*except Two and a Half Men.

whats your summer challenge?

2009-11-27T22:02:00.001+11:00

I have 4.

1. To do 20 mins of walking each day (this challenge was issued by someone else, not me)
2. To run 5kms
3. To finish my correspondence course
4. To read all books I own but havent read yet.

The deadline for all these is end of February.

I will update.

Technically, all 4 are easy. But, we all know if it was that simple i'd have done it already. I'm talking about you, course, and also you, unread books.

i cant tell you how much I love this mans collar

2009-11-26T18:14:00.003+11:00

from the sartorialist

I'm reading Marie-Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser and while normally historical or period books take me months and months with many other books read simultaneously this one is stunning. I want to read it all the time. It makes going to work so annoying.

Next up though is Nin/Miller A Literate Passion, the love letters between Anais Nin and Henry Miller. I love them both so much, I am bursting to read this.

three cheers for amazon and the current awesome exchange rate!

early morning walking

2009-11-24T21:10:00.002+11:00

i love the mounted police

2009-11-22T13:17:00.001+11:00

mmm love streetstyle

2009-11-05T22:13:00.004+11:00

Tommy Ton's blog jaknjill is well loved here. Check out this gallery on style.com that he's made of his favourite streetstyle dressers. I love that all the women are unique and wear their clothes not the other way around. I looked through it all and then came back so many times! Fifty bazillion points if you also spot a certain stylist...

my personal style assessment

2009-10-10T21:18:00.002+11:00

I had my personal style assessment/wardrobe consultation/personal presentation workshop/whatever you want to call it. You may remember that I was sceptical, heavily. And this continued right up until about 2 hours into the session.

It went like this: he turned up, armed with a large mirror. We (me, him and my mum) had a long question and answer section about ourselves, our lives, jobs, families, friends, how we see ourselves and how others see us, and why we are having the session. We talked, for a long time. It was a bit awkward doing this with my mother. I kept silent when he asked her questions and vice versa, although I could see her itching to have her 2 cents when I answered questions. Answering the questions was probably the most confronting part.... A few times I felt extremely wanky, vain, self-absorbed, overindulged, but I think thats pretty standard when you answer questions about how you see yourself and what your friends say about your outfits.

After this part he gave us a bit of a preliminary assessment, which was when it all got a little emotional. There was nothing said that I didnt already know, really, but it was all things that you sort of refuse to admit until someone says it to your face and you know they are right. As in, I repress my personal expression, hide my style under a bushel, and am afraid to express myself through my wardrobe. (the killer came when I repeated this to my dad, who said "yeah, I'd agree with that".)

This almost made me cry, but then I wasnt the only one when he told my mum she was so afraid of being inappropriately dressed that she played it far too safe, and that she pressed this onto both me and my dad as well (possibly contributing to my repression?)

Next we did "figure analysis" and "colours" (!). Figure analysis was nowhere near as horrifying as I thought it might be. Our analyser pointed out every single amazing feature of both of us and what we could do to enhance these lovely areas, and what we could do with clothing to minimise the less than ideal areas. Understand this was not done in a Trinny and Susannah way, but instead was more like "Now, if your jeans have low pockets, they will sit across your widest point, which is precisely where you dont want them to sit, try a pair that have no pockets across this line and therefore will not enhance this area." It was GENIUS.

I took some clothes along and it was really interesting to see that what I was actually wearing that day really didnt suit my figure (pockets in bad places, sleeves finishing at unflattering lengths, jumper length also quite unflattering (note all three of these things all finished at my "widest point" therefore making me even WIDER)) but the three pieces I brought along were all perfect. These were a black dress that I love but dont wear very often, my new leather jacket, and a cashmere jumper. These were all impulse buys that I could not leave behind cos they made me look and feel so good- why dont I always shop like that? (I do now).

Finally, our colours were done, which is quite a prolonged process but was quite fun. I am a Winter. I cant exactly explain what a Winter is, but I know I like those colours so I think thats all that matters.

The best things I got out of this session are,

1. Finding the perfect hem length. For me, straight across the middle of the knee (slimmest part of my leg). For my mum, just below the knee. Very slight adjustment, but makes ALL the difference. Get someone to analyse this for you, then have all your hems adjusted. You will never look stumpy and dowdy in a dress again.

2. Realising that some colours honestly and seriously can make you look amazing. And that others wont. So dont settle for that "nice" colour that really has no impact whatsoever when you try it on. Instead, try a few other colours and wait til you get one that makes your skin look increadible.

3. Having someone point out the most awesome parts of me has given me a lot of confidence to actually USE these parts to advantage. I know I have a little waist and quite big bottom, but this is actually pretty freaking cool (he said I have an "hourglass" figure. I almost kissed him.) and I should be proud, not hiding.

4. When I go shopping now, I look for different things- namely, is this top/jacket sitting at my "widest" point? Are the sleeves making my bust look wider? Is this neckline flattering? Could I get this adjusted to be a better length?

5. When trying things on, some things will just look perfect. They will suit you, enhance you, flatter you, make you feel stunning. You should always buy these. Then wear them everywhere. Why would you waste your money and your self-esteem with anything less?

6. You should buy things because you love them. As our analyser pointed out to me (as my eyes welled) why cant I buy a pink shirt if I love it? If it lifts my spirit and makes me happy to wear it, what more could I want? It's completely irrelevant if I "have nowhere to wear a pink shirt" or if "it's WAY too dressy". If I cant wait to wear it and it makes me happy, who cares?

I said this last point to a good friend of mine and she looked at me in amazement and said "No one has ever pointed that out to me before. That makes getting dressed so easy. Just put on what you WANT TO WEAR." We contemplated this previously taboo point for a few minutes.

Everything sartorial I have ever complained about in the past has become irrelevant now. I just wear whatever makes me feel happy at the time. So far I've worn 3 things I've never worn before. And the sky has not fallen in. And I've felt great, all day, every day.

Finally! I have not really bought anything since the assessment (much more discerning these days), but today I went out with no intention of buying (always the best time to actually find things) and came home with a vintage YSL 80's-by-way-of-40's black tuxedo style jacket. Big shoulders, little waist. A bit Balmain, a bit Dynasty. TOTALLY AWESOME. I wore it out of the shop (Shag, on Chapel St, if you are interested) over my tshirt and pants, and loved it.

Any questions on the style assessment I'm happy to answer.

2.55

2009-10-07T17:56:00.004+11:00

SO AWESOME!

2009-10-07T10:47:00.001+11:00

RUB ON//

nice pics to cheer up a crap day

2009-10-07T10:23:00.004+11:00

This pic comes from a lovely article re: Sophie here

packing...

2009-10-04T12:47:00.003+11:00

Oh no! I'm turning into Maggie Alderson! I'm about to lament about packing!

I've just been away on a week long camp and I took three bags and still had to carry odd ends and bits! lol I took one enormous bag, a green bag and also a bag with all my bedding (so it doesn't count). The enormous bag was VERY heavy- so heavy in fact that every guy I got to carry it for me (how could I possibly carry it?!) asked me if I had a body in it.

I think the reason I packed so much was that I had ALOT of different clothing scenarios to account for. First of all, the camp was up in the Dandenongs (Melbourne's kinda mountains) and I was told it was going to be freezing. I took alot of jumpers and my big finnish winter coat and big pink gumboots for playing muddy games. It was, however, too muddy for games so they were mostly played inside, and the weather was gorgeous and warm so I barely wore a jumper. I basically wore the same thing everyday so all my natty ideas of remaining clean and dry and warm were totally redundant AND I FORGOT MY TOWEL. sigh the worst!

Next time I am going to pack a towel and just the clothes on my back (yeah right).

a Vintage Mod SAMSONITE Fashionaire Marimekko Suitcase from etsy

one week later...

2009-09-13T14:44:00.004+10:00

This is my wardrobe containing the things I a) actually wear or b) really love, and wear on special occasions. (note: there is half a clothes rail also holding these items not pictured).

I have a pile almost as tall as me of things that are going, and I have 13 items listed on ebay.

After consultation with Maudrey I have decided that everything in the Maybe pile is going. Then I am not going to feel guilt or remorse when buying new things. I will buy quality not quantity, I will buy things I love, I will not be struck down with thoughts of "But dont I already have something like this? I should really just wear that" cos I DONT HAVE THOSE THINGS ANYMORE! I have:

2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of pants
approx 10 dresses
approx 20 tshirts/tops
approx 5 other tops (shirts etc)
a few jumpers/trackpants
3 jackets
4 cardigans
1 long coat
4 skirts
4 wool jumpers

Thats it (except obviously for underwear and accessories). And now I can build on this! Very much looking forward to shopping. Very discerning shopping. Within a defined colour palette, and with definite ideas of how I want to look.

I need some new shops to visit. Hit me up with ideas, please.

im forgetful in the face of something new...

2009-09-10T15:31:00.003+10:00

I've been NOT buying any magazines but waiting for my next Vogue delivery..... this morning that fact completely slipped my mind and i was seduced by the new Harpers Bazaar.... complete with tiffany-blue notebook and pencil..... Only just remembered now that I wasnt meant to buy any mags..... I suppose when I get home tonight my Vogue will be waiting.

Have you seen the new Harpers? New editor, new look? On first flick-through it seems slightly less beautiful, with slightly less luxurious fonts that the old one.... I always thought Jamie Whatshisname was a good editor, I wonder how the new leading lady will go. What do you think?

Final Wardrobe Picture from after the Big Chuck of last weekend will be posted soon....

spring clean help!

2009-09-10T12:35:00.002+10:00

if you're anything like me you will have a slight/giant obsession with making lists. Shopping lists, cleaning lists, to-do lists, any and all kinds of lists.

This morning i came across this:

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/cleaning-checklists#slide_9

Its the Martha Stewart Spring-Cleaning printable checklist. You're Welcome. There is also one for Preparing For Summer, which would be perfect for once you've spring cleaned!

Oh, and Amiriche- the style assessment is booked for the 26th September. I'll report back!

Value City!!!

2009-09-05T18:30:00.003+10:00

Wow! I'm in love (in melbourne harrharr)

I've finally been to Value City Super Savers in Preston! It was like a treasure chest full of amazing vintage finds and extreeeeeemely reasonable prices! (and no this is not an ad for them!)

I bought ...

2 cardigans - one covered in roses and the other black sequined
a cape - fuchsia with black lace
a shirt- pale apricot
and a gold bow necklace

all for only 20 sequins! amazing! I was very pleased with myself for not getting more but maybe I will go back in a few weeks to see if the marimekko-esque sundress and gold opera jacket are still there? wink wink

I love love love to go to op shops. The hunter gatherer instincts kick in and my eyes are like magnets being drawn to the colours and prints I love. I can't wait to take Miss Zoe soon and my sister in law when she gets here for chrissy yeah!

spring clean!

2009-09-05T16:01:00.004+10:00

I mentioned to a woman I work with that I would be cleaning out my wardrobe this weekend, and she nodded wisely and said "Mmm. Clears the mind".

This is the entire contents of my wardrobe. Minus shoes and accessories.

4pm.
I started 3 hours ago and I'm about half way through. I got off to a good start, all energy and lets-get-through-this attitude. I pulled the stripy bags out of the shed (where most of my clothes have been living for 3 months, uninterrupted). Once I had everything piled on the bed... energy started to wane... it was easy enough to get a "keep" pile going, full of things I wear all the time. The maybe pile was huge. Like, twice the size of the everything else. Scarily big. This was when I flagged, and started checking facebook and texting people for help. Just when I'd started sooking to my housemate about it, my lovely boy turned up with a mini-quiche and a raspberry macaroon for my lunch! Perfect timing. While I was munching I realised that looking at all the clothes I no longer wear but cant get rid of was depressing me. I feel guilty getting rid of them, but cant bear to look at them any more. It makes me feel clogged and down and too heavy in the stomach to do keep them, but I also have this "But I always wanted a fake fur chubby...... this jacket is soooo nice, even if its a little short.... maybe I should hold onto this dress, its black, everyone needs a black dress..... I bought this at a concert.....aaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh".

And now, I have a pile of Things-To-Try-On before going further. I have an Out pile, which is continually growing. And my Keep pile has stayed relatively stable, which is important as its made up of the things I actually wear all the time. Here are the questions that are keeping me from moving forward now: How many black skirts do I need? Is it worth keeping dresses cos they would be good on a hot summer day? What if it belonged to my dad, who never wears it, and I thought it would be awesome but its really just an oversized, heavy, beige mans cardigan? What if its a divine, supremely lovely Cavalli silk skirt, but you've only worn it twice in..... ummm..... at least 2 years, maybe 4?

5pm.
Bored and looking at online catalogues for a new fridge. Need to try on about 20 items to decide on which pile they belong. Cbf.

7pm.
Have tried on all "maybes". Only put one in the "no" pile. (the mans beige cardigan). This is not enough. So now I'll go through the pile and assess it using the three questions I found on Apartment Therapy in a nice closet organising post:

Do I love it?
Is it flattering?
Is it the image I want to project?

I've covered the flattering issue by trying them all on.... the tough ones are still to be covered. Will I ever wake up in the morning wanting to wear a pink floral patterned, high waisted, full a-line skirt? I doubt it. But I might!

herein lies the next problem.

Further steps to be taken include: sorting "No" pile into "Opshop" and "ebay" categories. Leaving this post here for the time being though. But rest assured the bed is a lot clearer now than in that photo up there.

how do we feel about...

2009-08-25T19:18:00.002+10:00

hiring a personal stylist?

After my sulk 2 posts ago, my mother (who knew nothing about this) emailed me today and asked if I would like to go to this personal stylist man with her. First appointment is a "personal assessment" then next appointments include assessing the wardrobe you already have and culling, before going shopping together and being told what to buy. Or maybe I am being too sceptical.

My reservations are thus:

I dont know this person- what if I completely hate their personal style? How can I trust them?

What of their fashion credentials? What if I know more about fashion than them? (this may be unlikely, but possible!)

I feel like I know what they will say to me, and I dont want to pay $300 to be told I have a small waist, therefore should wear full a-line skirts with pretty cardigans in a lovely 50s style. If I wanted to wear those type of things, I would wear them already. And sometimes I do, but I dont need someone else to tell me that.

What sort of stores will they take me to? They better be good. And by good I mean somewhere I've never been before, with incredible clothes, at good prices (doesnt have to be cheap, just worthy).

I want them to understand me when I say pretentious things to them about the style I want. And to be intimately knowledgeable about people like Emmanuelle Alt and Scott Schuman.

Am I asking too much? Does anyone have experience with these people? Do they know what they're doing? In a Grace Coddington way, not a Sportsgirl way?

Please report back,

things to think about...

2009-08-24T17:50:00.002+10:00

stripy tops
wide-leg pants
extraordinary jackets
impressive belt
super shoes
low necklines
tough jewellery
unusual colours - like dark butter yellow and bright kelly green
baggy tops
tailoring

wearing my leather

2009-08-23T17:17:00.002+10:00

I feel like everything I wear these days isnt "me". I cant work out what "me" is, but yesterday I tried this jacket on and it was so perfect, I couldnt NOT buy it, even though I was most definitely not in the market for another leather jacket.... I think I am going to have to put away all clothes that are not right, and go with a really small wardrobe of things that feel good to wear. Do you ever get that, when everything looks wrong and makes you feel uncomfortable, in both a physical and mental way?

If I had to label what look I think I want these days, I would say........ quite masculine, very sleek, with old-fashioned bits like gloves and pretty headbands. Big pants, waistcoats, very tight-waisted dresses, high heels, very loose tshirts, man jumpers. And a little brown leather jacket that feels more like a cardigan is a pretty good start, i think.

whats up, b.o.m?

2009-08-16T17:42:00.004+10:00

whats with this weather? foggy at 4pm last week, gale force winds today.... this does not a pleasant walk to work make! Or indeed, a smooth hairdo.

The cure for this winter weather though, is simple: half price cocktails and The September Issue at Como cinema. Who's in?

Regimes and Daydreams

2009-08-04T19:38:00.005+10:00

I'm on a "too many pastries in paris + sick of spending $30 a week on metcards" regime of walking to and from work (3ks, 30 mins, hardly a hill in sight, not THAT serious) and its going well. Bought a new umbrella from NGV- just like this one from Stella Brella:

So now I wont even get wet in the rain. Still, I spend most of the walk wishing I was here, where in my daydream it NEVER rains in Paris and indeed, I would just spend my day wandering the streets in the sunshine, perhaps with a parasol instead. Its totally twee, I know, but wouldnt YOU like this view from your apartment?

Little inspiration from Jak&Jil

2009-07-25T15:45:00.001+10:00

Heaven in a Shop, Amsterdam.

2009-07-21T10:28:00.006+10:00

Party Dresses:

Wedding outfit:

Could you choose a wedding dress from the rack?

was that a rhetorical question?

Those shoes lined up there are vintage mens wedding shoes. Above them is a row of vintage top-hats.

After I took that last photo I saw a sign saying "No photography". I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself! The shop was too fabulous.

Far Far FARRR to long!

2009-07-20T20:13:00.003+10:00

hello blog! I haven't written here in so so long! Hmm I was having a little fashion rant to Miss Zoe the other day and it's still bothering me! This year I am trying to be the best and most professional I can be and that definitely translates to the day to day clothing choices. I am free from having to wear a uniform this year which is so fantastic and I am doing kinda artsy stuff so I can afford to be a bit "out there" as some ppl like to say...

So why is no one else at my course doing the same? track pants? when we have professional people come in to work with us it just makes me cringe to see the others in hoodies and track pants and runners! It's such a bad look to make a first impression on someone you may want a job from later!

I am taking the opportunity to dress adventurously and try new things to better figure out my style and what I like and feel comfortable in but also like I am not just lazing around the house on a sunday morning!

I think the Marni Fall 2008 collection would feature heavily- sigh check these out..

see the whole collection here

shoes!!!

2009-04-16T16:54:00.006+10:00

hmm am I allowed to spend my bonus on shoes??? It will boost the economy!!
here's my 3 top choices...

sometimes I start work REAL EARLY

2009-04-14T19:10:00.002+10:00

and when I leave the house, this is what I see....

hope gone wrong

2009-04-13T12:29:00.003+10:00

found this sticking out of a bin near VCA...... i almost feel sorry for whoever gave up and stuffed it in there. But mainly I just find it funny.

i'm going to new york in 5 weeks, this makes me....

2009-04-13T11:59:00.002+10:00

thoughts of today

2009-03-21T19:38:00.002+11:00

isnt it funny how with old friends you might barely ever see them but when you do nothing has changed, you're still friends, and anything exciting happening in their lives is just as exciting for you to hear about. you know these people will come and get you when something crap happens.

i never seem to turn to the right people when something bad happens. instead i send out pleas to entirely the wrong group of friend, the ones who claim to be friends with you and "care", but who in actual fact are busy washing their hair when you are desperate, and dont seem to care that they havent seen you in months, despite your reasonably frequent texts for help. i really need to re-think my disaster strategy.

I also need to re-think my spending strategy. I am not impulse buying anymore, and I am certainly not buying anywhere NEAR as much as I was 12 months ago, but I should be saving as much money as possible in readiness for NY and Paris. And I'm not. And I will regret that!

list

2009-03-18T22:25:00.001+11:00

b&w stripe top
pink baseball cap (or any awesome colour)
cetaphil
eye makeup remover
hot glue gun
return new purse that cards dont fit in
risotto rice
fruit
2 baskets for storage
1 smaller basket for pencil storage
remove everything unsightly to shed
ebay junk

been a while....

2009-03-16T20:40:00.003+11:00

things have changed here at love in melbourne. and so the blog will follow.

recent news: I finally cancelled my gym membership after having only attended a handful of times since moving house almost 2 years ago..... saving myself $35 a month which I can now spend on.... shopping in New York and Paris this coming May/June when i go overseas.

In lieu of the gym I bought a nike plus runner thinga, which i LOVE LOVE LOVE and today I ran my furthest EVER and was congratulated by Paula Radcliffe (whoever that is). But I usually get Lance Armstrong. So maybe i'm moving up in the world? (further investigation reveals she is the world champion marathon runner, or something, and she is pretty hot with great arms... so, yeah).

Anyhoo I joined emi's run challenges and they rock. you can see them here.

In other news I am once again selling everything I hate and dont use on ebay, or giving it to the local op. I'm not sure if its the lack of space in my house, the lack of organisation in my life, or just an urge to clean things out and make them more simple, uncomplicated, and easy to be around. Or is that just how I feel at the moment? At any rate my house is becoming much less slapdash and much more minimal. And its great. At the same time I've started a new job with a full uniform and so all shopping for clothes has virtually been made redundant as I now do not need anything to wear to work. So the spendage has gotten a lot less. I've even started wearing things I already own! shock, horror. And I love it. I am wearing things I havent worn in years but always loved and therefore could never throw out. Like my World mens shirt, navy blue with tiny coloured hearts all over it.

Mind you, some things dont change. Thanks to many pictures but mainly this one (of Emmanuelle Alt via the sartorialist):
I desperately want to wear harem pants all the time and with many different shoes. Luckily though I recognise this is something I am only going to like for about 8 weeks so I'm splashing out on a Supre pair. And let me share this with you- they are SO comfortable. I want to do everything in them, all the time. Run, yoga, shop, hang, go to the bar, etc.

So yeah. I also want a leopard print coat. But that can wait. (sales in paris?). In the meantime, I will continue to wear my own clothes - revolutionary - and keep learning my sewing machine so I can alter stuff as I see fit. It keeps me busy enough, and right now laptop is about to run outta battery...... til next time.

one for me

2009-02-01T19:57:00.003+11:00

If I wanted to buy myself a present I think I might choose one of these:

from Dana Blair Designs

hot much?

2009-01-29T11:13:00.001+11:00

More than one 35+ degree day in a row is too much for me.... 3 days into the heatwave and I am wishing it was monday already..... The best part about it is- I cant WAIT to get to work where I control the aircon and its a divine 22 degrees at all times!

How do you keep cool? Do you have the luxury of home aircon? Or do you sit in front of a fan with some water spray and sulk, like me?

ugh i have tried to find a picture that accurately depicts the heat.... no can do. The worst thing for me is looking outside and seeing no clouds, no shade, and the sky so blue its hazy.

Great weekend!

2009-01-26T19:21:00.003+11:00

does anyone else ever just really feel the need to DO something? not something big like save the world, but just something physical, to get something done, or to give someone a hand?

This weekend I hung out at my parents place, and my dad was cleaning out the pool - it hasnt been used in over a year, and was a solid green pond of slime. He had the bright idea that if I got in and created a whirlpool it would move all the slime to the centre then we could scoop it out... I wasnt keen. I could SEE the gunge in there. But I was bored, and really keen for some action... so I went down to help, and when dad said "press that switch and we;ll see if the pump works" I pressed the switch. The pump hose burst. Sprayed green water all over me. My shock was such that it took me several seconds to turn off the switch. I was soaked. Dad couldnt stop laughing. So I figured, I'm already soaked. In gungey water. He needs help. I might as well. So I put on my bathers and got in. YICK!!!!!

But it was great!! It was totally disgusting and there were all kinds of creepy things in there but it was sooooo fun. And mum made me lunch and I dried off in the shade and then- cleaned out the car. Ulterior motive for cleaning the car was that i wanted to drive myself back to the big city today. Which I did, in clean car, all by myself, for the first time. Yep, I'm 25, and pretty much never driven anywhere, and havent done a reverse parrallel park since I passed my Ps. But I did it!

And now, to cap off my Australia Day long weekend, I'm watching Simpsons, the Royal Windors, Friends, Top Gear, South Park. What could be better than that?

Oh, and, I made Apricot Jam. From freshly picked apricots, delicious:

love in sydney??

2009-01-21T18:39:00.002+11:00

I'm not a traitor... but I went to Sydney to go to All Tomorrows Parties and I loved it. I've been before, a few times, who hasn't? But this time i went on my own, stayed with a friend but travelled around on my own, and I remembered this: I dont hate Sydney.

Aside from the fact that Nick Cave is seriously unbelievable, and that ATP was honestly the best freaking music festival I have ever been too, I had a really good time. I even caught a ferry (!) and then a BUS (2 things I would never do in Melbourne) to Oxford St and went shopping. And bought stuff.

I agree that generically the shopping MAY be better in Melbs but theres a lot to be said for a completely new shopping strip, that you've never been to before. I bought a fab mens shirt from World (extremely awesome store dude informs me that a Melbourne store is trying to come about), they also sell great womens stuff and generally totally fun stuff and you can see their New Zealand website here..... PS if you have a larger than average (average being a c-d) TRY A MENS SHIRT. They button across the bust, and theres no gaping!!!!

I also almost spent about a third of my savings on some Nom*D pants but came to my senses... but Zambesi is of course also in Melbourne so I can always shop at home. Greatest find of my travels was by far Pink Zebra - and happily they have a Melbourne store. I bought some cashmere drastically reduced from almost 300 sequins to a much friendlier 70, and also a lovely soft singlet also on sale. Their Melb store is in High St Armadale which means its getting more and more worth it to travel out there. You can also buy online.

I love shopping in new places with different stores and genuinely different stock- it gets so tedious going to half a dozen stores only to find the same cheap trash in each one. (Also, I am OVER seeing the same jewellery but in very slight colour varieties in both Diva and Sportsgirl.... And I'm not afraid to say DIVA DOES IT BETTER GET OFF ITS BACK SPORTSGIRL- get your own junk its not that hard.)

ack

2009-01-11T19:26:00.002+11:00

I only lasted one month without Vogue... I totally cracked out in the country and bought this months edition... I was swayed by the Daria at home thing, which was good.... still, I've flicked through it about 3 times and I am bored. BORED. BORED. Appreciating a lack of fashion stories that come direct from American Vogue (although I havent received my last one of that yet so I shouldnt speak too soon) but still bored. Step up, goddammit. I wanna see something that makes me desperate to buy it ASAP and read cover to cover. Not pick up a week later and flick through twice.

On another note Vogue Living is quite exciting these days!! I wish I had the funding to buy a place and decorate it as I wished.... or just the funding to rent somewhere awesome and decorate.... or just the funding to buy my new favourite thing:

Did I mention I'm a mother again?

2009-01-04T20:29:00.003+11:00

I was feeling some serious motherly guilt over the state of my lone bunny so I started looking for a ladyfriend for him. And found one, disconcertingly quickly. Her name is Sadie. After some initial uncertain bottom-sniffing and floor-thumping, they love each other.

PS I get bored with writing about the usual stuff so this year you'll hear more about me. Unless you dont like it, in which case I guess you wont read it. Simple!

like a goldfish

2009-01-01T21:36:00.002+11:00

my memory, that is..... I'm between jobs and boy has gone overseas for a few months and I sit at home..... since Sunday I;ve been spring cleaning, then today I have watched over 9 hours of Greys Anatomy. I dont even like it that much. Its just addictive. I've started talking like Cristina. Its not a good look. Anyway when I need a break or the medical scenes get too graphic for my delicate constitution I go online. And look at street style. And house style. And cool people wearing awesome outfits. With good hair. And pretty makeup. And then I think about getting a bit more dressed up, and feel like going and changing into a totally amazing new outfit. Then I get up and go into the room, and theres all my old stuff. Still the same. Nothing new, nothing exciting, just a whole lot of clothes that I cant get any imaginative inspiration out of. Then I dejectedly go back to the couch, re-start the dvd player, and sulk.

2 hours later, I do it all again.

2008.....

2008-12-29T18:18:00.002+11:00

2008 is almost over and I am glad of it. It seems this year that things have just happened- happened without me doing anything or attempting anything, just happened to me. The only thing I instigated this year was getting a new job. Which was awesome, until my contract expired and wasnt renewed.... but now I have another new job, which will hopefully prove to be much better.

I didnt blog as much as I wanted to, partially because I was too busy trying to make life normal, but mainly cos everytime I sat down to write I had nothing to say. I stopped buying stuff, to save money and also because the accumulation of stuff had become pretty depressing. Instead of buying things to feel better, I just tried something else. Something else turned out to be reading Apartment Therapy and GoFugYourself, which apart from making me desperately want to go to Ikea was free.

Four significant people in my life have moved away, the shortest distance being Hamilton. One other went to Sydney, the other 2 are overseas. Its funny cos those four people were my main people to go in a crisis. As in, "I dont know what to do now, I dont want to go on, I need help". All gone! I wonder if perhaps the universe is giving me a sign to grow up, or if its just been the year for it.

This month is the first month since 2001 that i havent bought Australian Vogue. Not last month but the one before was the first year since 2003 that I havent bought Harpers Bazaar. I havent missed either. I'm not even worried that the next one will come out and I will have a forever imperfect collection. Instead all I want to read is Elle Decoration - a direct influence from Apartment Therapy.

I've culled my wardrobe down to one ikea kids cupboard and one clothing rail. I have culled my house down to essentials and things I absolutely love. And books. I have grown my hair longer than its ever been before. I got a scary looking mole removed cos I couldnt stand another summer of seeing those awful skin cancer ads at tram stops making me feel scared, and after all the drama (and valium) for a 15 minute proceedure it was all ok.

I havent kept any of my resolutions. I cant even remember what they are. I'm not going to make ones for 2009, cos I cant be bothered to inflict the guilt on myself. Whats the point?

One good thing- I finally picked up the sewing machine i've had on layby for months. Tomorrow I'll set it up and start to teach myself how to use it. Then I'll alter/repair all the stuff I cant wear at the moment cos its ripped/too long/needs taking in/or out and voila! Almost new selection of clothes.

Next year I am going to do things cos I want to, not because I have to, or because its for someone else, or because I think it will be the right thing. I'm going to get some balls and just go for it. I'm going to look after my body better and give it the right stuff- enough vitamins, fruit, vegies and proper things. A year of clenching my jaw and losing hair from stress is making me want to treat it right. I'm gonna wear unapologetic clothes, cos who cares?

I leave you with my inspiration. Happy New Year.

pics are from the sartorialist

Its that time of year again...

2008-12-18T11:38:00.003+11:00

Yep you all know what I mean- bather season. I assessed my bather situtation a week or so ago and realised that I probably needed to get a new pair for this summer. You can imagine the churn I felt in my tummy. My all time favourite pair are gross now they have to be chucked but this is totally the end of an era. I had so many good times with old-navy-blue-halter-neck-boy-cut-bathers. They were lovely in their prime! Last year the new kids on the scene were kind of ghetto fabulous- black and gold bling haha and they are still going strong. But I really need 2 pairs in rotation. So its out with ol' bluey and I have shopped for another pair.

There is shopping and there is bather shopping. It is so hard to dress for bather shopping. You will have to wip in and out of that outfit all day. Pants - no good, body suit- mmm not bad but who's gonna wear a body suit? Anyway, the find actually happened when I was in my feral work uniform wandering past and something pink caught my eye. I can't believe how painless it was to get them. I love them and now I am set for summer! So don't be afraid just be on the lookout! If only I could afford/pull off these Chloe ones- click to check out the cut outs!

This week...

2008-12-10T22:15:00.002+11:00

I have not only learnt what a proscenium arch is, I heard someone unrelated use it in a sentence!

I used a simpson quote today seamlessly in a sentence, and the dude I said it too laughed hard enough to make it totally worthy

I might be moving to sydney....

I will drink my weight in vodka to supplement my annual leave payout

I will wear something amazing- on friday

I have not paid enough attention to my hair

It has been a crazy week for almost everyone I know, in some very good ways and some very bad ways

I just spent 45 minutes (possibly longer) watching Nick Cave on Youtube in readiness for All Tomorrows Parties

I have realised I secretly love Steve Tyler.

The end.

Love/Hate

2008-11-25T18:39:00.001+11:00

One thing I love about Melbourne is how during peak hour trains run between Flinders St station and Alamein/Blackburn stopping all stations INCLUDING East Richmond. This means I can get to the city in 5 minutes, and work in 20.

One thing I hate about Melbourne is trying to hurry past all the slowpokes on swanston st, rushing to the station to catch your precious 5.19 to Alamein from platform 6 and then waiting..... waiting....waiting..... announcement "The 5.19 to Alamein has been delayed, and is now is expected in..... "etc etc wait wait another announcement wait wait wait and then a voice "Passengers for the Alamein train please note this train is now departing platform 2". Cue mad rush of all the passengers waiting for the 5.19, and the 5.27, and the 5.34 to platform 2, where we wait.......

Back to Basics

2008-11-23T17:27:00.003+11:00

Life has been stressful lately and my skin has suffered. I've been trying all sorts of things to help it out but to no avail. My skin is generally very dry and prone to eczema, and the dryer it gets the more sensitive it gets. Everything seems to make it worse, or not make it worse so much as do absolutely nothing, therefore increasing dryness and sensitivity.

So, because nothing makes any difference and I could go on forever buying $40 jars of gloop until I am homeless with several big bags of skincare products to carry around, none of which I can use, I have decided to cut back. And go back to the most basic stuff I can find. Enter:

I'm going to use up my Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser, which is lovely but expensive, and I cant really find any difference between it and Cetaphil, which you can buy a litre of for less than half the price of 250ml of Avene. I'm also using Avene Skin Recovery Cream because its honestly the nicest moisturiser I've ever used. Its soooooooo good for sensitive upset skin, but I only use nit when my skin is sore cos its expensive.

So today I went down to Priceline and picked up some Vitamin E Sorbolene, and guess how cheap it was. $2.80. No kidding. And you really cant beat sorbolene for a moisturiser. Once the cleanser runs out I'll buy a giant Cetaphil, and combined with sunscreen will be my whole routine.

Oh, and I've also got some rosehip oil I'll use as a serum thing underneath the sorbolene. The hard part about all this is that I feel like I am not doing the right thing by my skin regarding anti-ageing/sun damage etc. I'm pretty sure thats just because I read so many magazines that all go on, and on, and ON about new developments in anti ageing, and skin technology, and what the new thing you can do for your face it....... its magazine peer pressure.

I think though, that the main thing is the sunscreen. Also, Vitamin E is so good for skin, so supplementing with the rosehip oil or bursting vitamin e capsules on your face has got to be good for you. And having skin that is happy and moisturised and calm is going to be better than having red, itchy, angry, sore skin.

So I will push past the peer pressure and try keeping things simple. And see what happens, and hopefully i'll get good results. And if not, I think the next thing for me to try is hard core mega expensive stuff to use in combination, to improve the skin at the same time as keeping it nice.

Skincare is so tricky and complicated, and its made more so by all those freaking articles out there.... its wierd deciding not to have anything to do with them, kinda like deciding to throw out all nice handbags in favour of using a hiking backpack to carry stuff in or wearing polar fleece jackets instead of nice smart jackets, cos they keep you warm..... Its like stepping off the train, not travelling on with all the new skin developments but instead stopping in a nice field where you can hang out and just relax. And its way cheaper, and much easier. And if the economy is falling apart, we need cheaper, and if your life is as stressful as mine has been lately, you need the simplicity.

Dandy Dandys

2008-11-07T18:20:00.003+11:00

If there are any Dandy Warhol fans in our readers- you should have been at the Palace last night!! It was the gig you always wanted them to play, or at least, the gig I have always wanted them to play. Seriously awesome.

Peaches and Cream

2008-10-27T14:33:00.002+11:00

I secretly enjoy knowing what Peaches is up to- did you know she has moved to New York and is writing for Nylon?

Here is her first piece and here is the review of it in the guardian... lets just day its not exactly the most complimentary review that there has ever been in this world. While I agree with the review to some extent, I still am interested in whats happening to Peaches and I am totally dreaming of living in New York (after a few years in Berlin of course) so this paragraph made me think I better get going:

My best friend here is a boy named Bunny. We spend our days traipsing around Manhattan—him in skin-tight plaid trousers, huge geek glasses, and a mass of red hair sticking out haphazardly from beneath an Amish-style hat. We buy pizza from street vendors, run through Times Square marvelling at its energy, and source new vintage boutiques. Nights involve dancing at Beatrice Inn or Lit, watching the Misshapes spin some tunes, or catching one of the amazing bands Brooklyn has to offer.

Two New Shoes!

2008-10-26T16:26:00.003+11:00

I find it hard to buy shoes cos I am plagued by hang ups about them including:

Wanting good quality

NOT wanting to pay a fortune

Wanting decent soles- not dead flat and hard stupid soles, but comfortable good-for-my-feet soles

NOT orthopedic, uggggggggggllllllllyyyyyyyyyy moulded rubber soles in elderly colours

I am currently investigating rubber arch support things to stick in shoes that have no support, but they seem kinda expensive and not guaranteed to stay in place. I have also found these

Promising, yes? Finding these in real life is not so simple as googling "Dr Scholl" was.

My point is, I've been looking for a pair of pretty gold sandals that look nice enough for work purposes but are not skank high heels. I have found at least 10 pairs that are basically very thin pieces of hard leather that may as well be wooden (and in some cases actually was) with some straps of gold leather stuck on in blister-making formation.

Today I went into the Diana Ferrari shop on Swan St to buy some sensible shoes for my mum, and when I paid for them the lady told me everything is 30% off. So I went back for a second look, and I found not one but TWO pairs of gold sandals not only with a heel, but with a leather sole that has a layer of rubber underneath- thin enough to not be visible, but thick enough for some extra comfort. Theres still no arch support, but they are reasonably comfortable. I chose the paler gold version over the more bronze-y ones, and then found a patent pink pair in slightly different style with a small (2cms) wedge heel!! Also comfortable, with the same rubber sole (good grip!) and Cheap. Like both pairs for less than $80. Amazing. Totally set, shoe-wise, for summer now and I didnt even have to back into Mollini.

something different

2008-10-13T20:59:00.002+11:00

i've started a new thing.... in order to give myself a little personal time, and get myself in order for the grand start of 2009, and you can follow my progress here , if you would like to.

Have you ever wondered?

2008-10-13T10:36:00.002+11:00

Sartorial

dictionary results for: sar·to·ri·al
/sɑrˈtɔriəl, -ˈtoʊr-/ [sahr-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-]
–adjective
1.of or pertaining to tailors or their trade: sartorial workmanship.
2.of or pertaining to clothing or style or manner of dress: sartorial splendor.
3.Anatomy. pertaining to the sartorius.
[Origin: 1815–25; <>-ial] —Related forms
sar·to·ri·al·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Front Row

2008-10-06T13:37:00.006+11:00

I've enjoyed Paris fashion week thus far- but I think my favourite thing about looking at the shows on style is clicking on the "front row" link and seeing a) who is in the front row and b) what they wore- I mean who knew Thailand had a princess?? I love looking and seeing whether they are head to toe in the designer, grinning like the cheshire cat or just expressionless (read:smug)

also here are some of the looks I liked best this time around....

Marni- hehe I feel like a magpie when I am looking at this all the shiny things!

Oscar de la Renta: the colours are so gorgeous and I love floral prints at the moment

I just love the OTT-ness of this necklace and the colour combination and everything- I dunno it really appeals to me( also lovely makeup)

and Burberry- I love the colours here- its all blended together so simply but such a stunning effect

What game?

2008-09-27T19:18:00.003+10:00

I loathe football and everything its associated with, so today I thought would be a quiet time to visit the Art Deco exhibition. Upon arriving it was quickly apparent that EVERYONE who loathes football in melbourne had had the same thought. It was busy. But still lovely, and awesome, and inspiring, as Art Deco has been doing for me since year 11 art. My favourite pieces were the dresses near the end, and the posters.... I love a good ocean liner poster. All time top five desert island favourite piece is this photo by Cecil Beaton of Miss Nancy Beaton as a shooting star (photo from designboom). I love Cecil Beaton and all his photos, particularly the ones of the Queen and her sister, but this is just divine. I am 100% with maudrey when she says if she's ever photographed for Vogue etc she will ask to be portrayed as a shooting star.....

just another dress

2008-09-05T15:51:00.002+10:00

this was in MX yesterday and on fug. I really love it...

What dyou reckon?

2008-09-05T12:21:00.010+10:00

Chanel:

Oliver Peoples:

Marc Jacobs:

Free poll by Listomatica.com

What glasses should I get?

A Luxe Day

2008-09-04T19:48:00.002+10:00

Went to the Fash week Luxe Collective on Tuesday night..... It was a nice show, beautiful set up, awesome catwalk, very cool. The collections were also pretty dang cool, I covet several dresses, one in RASPBERRY pink/red, beautiful, one-shouldered ANYTHING, hems cut higher at the front then flowing into a mini train at the back...delicious.

What I didnt like so much was the SKELETAL models.... they all had nice hair etc... but girls that skinny scare me. Walking in those ridiculously high, and teetering shoes, you shouldnt look like you'll collapse into a pile of pick up sticks..... anyway. I also didnt like the dresses that were shown that have been available to BUY in david jones for MONTHS..... that is NOT what fashion week is about, but other than that and the fact I still dont like Aldo shoes, it was a good night!

I think I will go to RMIT show on saturday night also, that should be interesting at the very least. I also want to do the rounds of the following Melbourne fashion-related things....

the Kimono exhibition at Immigration Museum
Art Deco exhibition
Fashion Noir
Belle du Jour at ACMI

lots of fun to be had!

Bourke St puts it on

2008-08-29T16:14:00.004+10:00

The new sportsgirl next to Dotti opens tomorrow- its meant to have like stylists and all this fancy stuff..... and mecca is open at myer AND the new david jones bit should be opening soon too!!

My pick at Mecca is the this 3-pan eyeshadow palette, complete with Kajal Eye Liner, is hot off the red carpets of Hollywood. With both matte and shimmer shades, plus an onyx kajal liner, the gray and pewter hued palette was inspired by fall's couture fashions. Enclosed in a fab faux-patent leather casing, the palette is wrapped with a gorgeous rosette accessory. Don't you DARE get there before me cos they are limited edition!!

right now

2008-08-27T21:53:00.002+10:00

I covet: all black- from head to toe-, zips, very polished and pretty hair, tough shoes, ruffles, florals, fur muffs, new books, covergirl Queen Latifah mascara, comfy shoes for walking around, extreme-denier tights (i'm talking 120 denier PLUS- if you can find them), wine after work, and skirts that give you a waist and a bubble bottom (tulip shaped, in other words). And now I am going to put every single piece of clothing I own but never want to wear again (for now) into a big bag and hide it somewhere for 2 weeks. And see what happens.

A Diva through and through but...

2008-08-18T10:48:00.003+10:00

I love Diva. No really - I love it. I love that I can pretty much guarantee to find a knock off to add to my rose jewellery obsession, be able to find "musthaves" for my new "transformation" or most recently raid "Carrie's Closet" (didn't we all cringe but secretly love that one). The thing is in Victoria alone there are approx 33 stores. That is ample access for the 2 million women of Melbourne to kit themselves out in the same stuff. So here is my dilemma. Where is there fun and different stuff that doesn't cost the earth. You guys are gonna love me! check out Etsy- A place to buy (and sell!) all things handmade. Full of cute stuff I mean look at all the catergories! hehe geekery!
Accessories Art Bags And Purses Bath And Beauty Books And Zines Candles Ceramics AndPottery Children Clothing Crochet Everything Else Furniture Geekery Glass Holidays Housewares Jewelry Knitting Music Needlecraft Paper Goods Patterns Pets Plants And Edibles Quilts Supplies Toys Vintage Weddings Woodworking

I really enjoy browsing this site and its great to get some one of a kind things- hehe there's even things to encourage my raging appetite for all things twilight!

Dear Mecca

2008-08-14T18:41:00.001+10:00

Why, oh why are you moving to Myer?

You are such a good fit with David Jones! Myer has none of the cred of DJ's, and you will be subjected to the crammed, ugly walkways of Myer..... please dont do it! Your David Jones space was always so lovely and clean, minimalist, we could cruise in, wander around, enjoy ourselves..... At Myer we will be pushed and shoved, forced to step aside for prams and idiots, forced to listen to teenagers screaming about the Basement.... while Britney Spears new fragrance ad plays on repeat on a tv nearby....

Looks like your Little Collins st store will be getting a lot more visits. I'm sorry Mecca, but I feel disappointed in you. I love you and all your products, and you are basically the only place I go to for makeup and a lot of other lovely things, and Mauds perfume alone is enough to make you a great destination- but Myer? I wont do it.

And while I'm angry with you, I'd also like to point this out- why do you keep a record of our purchases, send us nice letters about new products, as well as very pretty brochures, but you never reward us for frequent shopping? It would go a long way to repairing the friendship.

Love Zoe

Spring?

2008-08-11T21:14:00.003+10:00

This is my new baby..... Isnt she sleek and shiny? She totally fits with my latest aesthetic which is simplicity. Everywhere I look there seems to be people talking about simplicity, paring things back, keeping it simple. Almost minimalist.

Its interesting cos I feel like its one kind of style that suits me. I look uncomfortable in layered, boho hippie type outfits, overdone and silly in overly girly outfits and sort of bogan and squishy in Sporting type outifts. In high school and for a few years after I had extremely thick, curly hair, which has now calmed down to a still thick but more of a straight wave. But my hair for years stopped me from wearing frills (too much), florals (way too feminine), red (way too vampy) and any form of flowers in my hair (wayyyyy too Penelope Cruz). Now I could wear almost all of them (I would still avoid the red, though) but I am favouring sleeker things. Prints still feature heavily in my dream wardrobe, but they are paired with very little else, mainly just black tights and solid shoes. I want to wear one dress, not a dress over a top with a cardigan, 30 bangles a necklace and statement shoes. I want to wear a black tshirt with an amazing skirt and thongs. Or jeans and a striped top, with messy hair. Easy. Am I recovering from a hair episode that didnt sit right, or am I finding my own personal style? Either way, I like where this is going. It will make the "Should I Try This On?" debate much less frequent. And realistically, I know what suits me, I just get distracted by what looks good on other people.

The other thing holding me back right now though is the weather. I could easily wear jeans and a striped top (and ofter do) but not many people see this as they are almost entirely covered by a jumper, a coat, a scarf, and usually gloves and/or beanie. Bring on spring!

Self Preservation

2008-08-08T11:16:00.003+10:00

A new cafe everyone is raving about located in Melbourne CBD...
Self Preservation is a Jewellery Store, Cafe and Art Gallery. Stocking local and international designers, as well as one-off pieces from their in-house studio. They also have a range of vintage and retro jewellery and collectibles. They serve coffee, breakfast, lunch, cakes and snacks, as well as a selection of beers and wines. In the Art Gallery at the rear of the store and upstairs they show emerging and established artists, as well as an eclectic collection of affordable art.

business-like fashion

2008-08-08T08:46:00.002+10:00

I've recently become addicted to a website I found called The Business of Fashion, which recently published an article about the Top 10 Online Magazines which you can find here. If you are into online fashion magazines have a read and see what you think. I think its a great list and they all make a change from style.com when its not show season.

Other than that BOF links to articles on the net about fashion, which is great as I find The Age's fashion section is not really updated often enough for my liking! However though, if you are after a something a little different on The Age (or Sydney Morning Herald) website try the Executive Style section- they seem to get a lot of style and fashion articles there that never make it to the Life&Style section.

Love her!

2008-08-04T11:47:00.000+10:00

chip of ye olde block

2008-08-04T11:12:00.004+10:00

I was at an engagement party yesterday (a rather dressy one) and one of my friends commented on the unkemptness of my chipped nail polish. Before I could say anything another friend defended my nails saying Oh that's just one of her things- she loves the way it looks. I was surprised- a) that someone else would notice! and b) that non-grooming could be a "thing". Did anyone read this article about it in the New York Times.
I mean its just chipped nail polish! hehe gotta love MK for her perfectly groomed un-groomedness.

good trends die hard.....

2008-08-01T21:00:00.000+10:00

loyalty

2008-07-31T20:55:00.002+10:00

Are you loyal to one or two brands? Do you keep going back to them again and again, for years?

I am loyal to shops. I have about half a dozen or so shops that I visit everytime I go to the city/chapel st/brunswick st. I always visit them to see if they have anything new and interesting that I might like. These include Genki, Zomp, Shag, Target, and usually Retrostar in the city, Pets Wonderland, the Salvos, Kit, Fat and JB Hifi on Chapel St, and a few others around the traps.

I have other shops too that I dont go to every time but instead leave it a bit longer between visits (usually in the hope that they've suddenly got their act together). This category includes the ground floor womens fashion of David Jones, Sportsgirl, Sussan, Wittners, David Lawrence. Shops in this category are usually not there for long, often being upgraded for a while (Ojay) or banished forever (Portmans).

But as for labels, I dont really do it. My mum has been loyal to Laura Ashley for most of her life- this includes her wedding dress (it was the late 70s, after all). She has Laura Ashley clothes from most eras of her life, including now. She often hunts out other labels too, cos she "likes them" or "they fit" or some such.

Perhaps brand loyalty will come later.... I am yet to find a brand that will consistently suit me, fit me and like me, as well as me liking it, all the time. Maybe my taste is a bit too random to stay with one brand. I have bought three things from Witchery lately, but that doesnt really make me want to go back.

If weather and money were no object I think I would be consistently loyal to Chanel and probably Gucci. But that is a whole nother league,

In other news, I finally worked up the courage to go out and buy a brand new laptop. Its shiny and black and does everything I want it to (except reformat my ipod without losing all my songs), and I can barely remember how I coped with my old one (I didnt, in the end). This means for you hopefully more posting, and for me means I can watch youtube, upload photos on facebook within the space of less than half an hour, bluetooth pics straight to ya, and FINALLY watch my videos of the Rufus Wainwright concert. Its like a dream come true.

Not it anymore....

2008-07-20T19:35:00.003+10:00

Have "it" bags died? Not THAT long ago I pined for a Dior Gaucho bag (above) and then a Mulberry Elgin, but now its all disappeared..... There used to be so many! They all had names and they were all fabulous, but where have they gone?

I think the fact that there were so many and always new ones or new colours or new fabrics, it was impossible for normal (meaning non-massively-rich) people to either keep up or buy the Right One. And unless you were lucky enough to really LOVE one, how could you choose?

But these days it seems to have all just faded away.... you can still buy a lot of the bags in new colours etc, but no one talks about them anymore. Is it fashion death to be seen with an old It Bag? Or have we just moved on?

I personally dont want my bag to have any form of signage on it. I dont want anyone to know where I got it, what brand it is, how old it is, etc. I just want to carry it and love it and have it go with what I want. I couldnt carry a Gaucho, what would people think? SHE'S carrying a DIOR bag. It Bags seem to define you and your outfit, without you really getting a say. They are carrying you, really. I dont want people to judge me on my bag. My outfit, yes, but my bag cant speak for all of us! It has to fit in, go with the other choices of dress, shoe, hairstyle.

Maybe its too difficult to carry an It bag these days. Plus theres the fakes.... so many fakes. I dont have anything against fakes, but its gotten to the point where every "designer" bag you see is subject to great scrutiny- is it fake? she doesnt look like it would be REAL etc, and all of a sudden the gorgeous bag doesnt look so good- it might be FAKE. I do own a few fakes, but they pretty much never see daylight for fear someone will know better and point and giggle at me from across the street, before striding off with their original vintage Chanel 2.55....... I am not made to be carried by an It Bag, or vice versa.

Exceptions to this rule obviously include serious heavyweight bags like the above mentioned Chanel or a Birkin...... you can clearly tell the fakes, which I think means a lot to the real ones, and they are timeless and quite versatile, although I suppose if you took your Birkin to Coles on sunday morning you would still scream "I'm dressed casually but I am STYLISH, JUST LOOK AT THIS BAG"...... fashion is so fickle! A year ago I would have loved to have had that look at the supermarket.... but time has moved on.

2008-07-15T21:03:00.003+10:00

sometimes i wish i could wear a giant onesie overall thing during the day like i was a painter or a scientist, and then i could wear whatever i wanted underneath and no one would know! wonder what that means..... but it kinda is an awesome idea, you'd be comfortable, warm, wouldnt get dirty, have an air of mystery while still being able to DO stuff, like bend over without pants showing any butt crack or your top riding up etc.

anyway. i digress. Here are my favourite pics this week:

Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, stunning colours.

Keeps with NGVs art deco theme..... makes me wanna bow on my coat.... from Face Hunter

this dress and shoes.... so simple and stylish.... from Face Hunter

i'm sorry, but i just love it!!

elle.com is conducting a personal style poll- the link is in our link list- the choices are

Agyness Deyn
Amy Winehouse
Angelina Jolie
Beyonce
Chelsea Clinton
Jenna Bush
Jennifer Aniston
Mary-Kate Olsen
Oprah
Sarah Jessica Parker
Victoria Beckham

who would you vote for? In terms of personal style.... I wonder how many of them dont use stylists. I think Agyness and MK Olsen dont, and I would put money on Amy Winehouse and Angelina not using one either, but I'm not too sure about the others. I do love Posh Spice though! I dont think she would use a stylist, but maybe I am biased.

I think they are all stylish, but I think Amy and MK are my favourites on this list. Closely followed by Angelina and Agyness. SJP plays it pretty safe or "classic", which always reminds me she is NOT Carrie Bradshaw, Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Chelsea and Jenna, all pretty boring, really. Beyonce I think.... i dont know what i think. I've never really liked anything she wears, but I;ve always appreciated the glitter.

Did you wear a school uniform?

2008-07-02T21:01:00.002+10:00

Or do you, now? If your school was particularly strict, did it have an affect on what your style is like now?

I know that for years after high school I couldnt wear nail polish for more than about 5 minutes before feeling compelled to remove it before i had to go anywhere, a definite hangover from high school where it was banned. When I was at school I knew I was into fashion, but I had neither the money or the opportunity to do much about it. Living in the country where surf shops and having the latest Billabong skirt/hoodie/jumper was the golden ticket to being popular there was not a lot of room for high fashion. Instead I went the opposite direction- I never bothered. I even wore my uniform on out-of-uniform days, claiming to have forgotten (yet clearly leaving the house with my very un-uniformed brother) but really just not game to wear my other clothes out. My parents are very big on looking "smart" which has stood me well, but its not much chop on the playground.

When I finished school I almost literally had nothing to wear. I really only owned tracksuits, white school socks, and a couple of rather dressy things that were useless for day wear. It has taken years to build up a wardrobe of basics and yummy things starting from scratch. Add to that trying to find some style and there were plenty of mistake purchases (still are). My wardrobe at my parents house is full of this sort of stuff. Dresses with sheer overlays (heehehee), hilarious pun tshirts, bad jeans, old bathers, all sorts of awful items I would never wear in real life but somehow think I might regress to if I needed to go out for dinner in my hometown. I have actually done this a couple of times, and then wondered why I felt so dowdy, dated and ugly.....

Nowadays I would love to have a week back in high school, with all the others, to see whats what now. Will the popular kids still be popular? Will the slim beautiful girls still be slim and enviable? Will the cute boys still stir your heart? Better (or is that worse?) yet, how will I fit in?

Do you have any post-school uniform tales? Have you had a reunion where everything has changed? Are you still at school- whats your story?!

Love Art Deco

2008-07-01T19:10:00.003+10:00

I cannot wait to get to the Art Deco exhibition at the National Gallery! Art Deco is my favourite style era and this exhibit is going to send me into a frenzy, I just know it.

Its on until October so theres plenty of time and you can also buy Unlimited tickets which are $55 for adults (less for concession etc), total bargain.

Winter Coat Drive

2008-06-25T20:13:00.003+10:00

If you clean out your cupboard and find some old coats you dont wear anymore, or have replaced, maybe you could drop them off at one of these points around town for Off Your Back, a charity that is distributing winter coats to homeless and disadvantaged people:

1. MARS (Melbourne Art Rooms) 418 Bay St, Port Melbourne

2.Â LYGON COURT 333 Drummond St, Carlton Drop off - Car Park AttendantÂ Â

3. YARRAVILLE SQUARE SHOPPING CENTRE Cnr High St & Williamstown Rd Yarraville Drop off at BiLo

4. BAKERY HILL SHOPPING CENTRE Victoria St, Ballarat Drop off at BiLo

5.Â RUSDEN HOUSE 662 Blackburn Rd, Clayton Drop off at Reception

6. TONIC 13 Martin Street St Kilda

7. SANDY 103 Tooronga Rd, Malvern

8. JANE RODWELL 43 Mercer St Queenscliff

9. EQ CAFÃ‰ BAR Dure Dara100 St Kilda Rd Melbourne

10. FOLLY FARM 13 Cards Lane Olinda

1 1. ARTS CENTRE cloak room

I'm sorry I dont have any more information, but it is starting to get really cold so if you feel like a clean out, theres lots of others who could do with some more warm.

love....

2008-06-25T19:20:00.003+10:00

Do you find clothes or do they find you?

As mentioned, I've been searching for a coat for winter (which is already upon me). I thought I knew what I wanted, I thought I found it, and when it came to the crunch I could not do it. I couldnt pay for it, I couldnt take it, I couldnt go through with it. Searching for all that time, finding what I thought I wanted, and realising that I just didnt love it enough. The problem was that I could leave it behind.

I want more out of my purchases than that. I want to be scared to leave the shop in case someone else with more readily available funds swoops in straight after me. I have to run back to places after worriedly trying to make up my mind and then deciding I cant live without it. I want to LOVE things so much I HAVE to have them.

And so it goes that when you stop looking, you find beautiful perfect things! Like a lovely ivory coat half price and an awesome biker clutch bag also on sale. A black sequin cardigan and a hoodie covered in gold stars!

I believe that aside from the basics (including skivvies in good colours, any idea where they live?) you come across clothes by accident and thats the best way to buy. You can still avoid the impulse purchase, and sometimes you may not really NEED the awesome items, but they are the most fun, and the most likely to be worn.

And this brings me to my next point, which is slightly contradicting, BUT. Do you have a wardrobe half full of things you never wear? A maxi dress in an insane print that you cant wear cos its just a gaudy tent? A fifties frock that is gorgeous but you cant move your arms in it?

If you're anything like me you'll spend time staring at all this stuff, not quite game enough to try it on cos its slightly depressing, but wishing you had occasion (read balls) to wear them.

This is the tough question: If you cut the length off, the sleeves off or adjust the waistband, will it ruin the item or make it wearable?

If its a vintage couture special one-off item then maybe dont muck with it too much, but if you bought it at Retrostar and have never worn it GET YOUR SCISSORS. Why not? You'll never feel comfortable in it otherwise, and if you go carefully and slowly it might become your new favourite outfit. Best part is, its FREE!

If it makes you feel dowdy, try adjusting the hem to a length that suits you.

If its a little tight across the bust/arms, take the sleeves off.

See if you can take out darts to make things looser, or put them in to give more shape.

Put press studs in rows of buttons that gape open.

Use cut offs to make belts, or bags, or headbands.

Try stuff- see if you can pin it in place first to suss the viability of your plan, but dont be afraid to do it! I have officially 3 new dresses in the last few days when I was always too afraid to adjust them. I've worn two of them already.

Dear Future Husband

2008-06-18T23:43:00.001+10:00

Please get me a Diorette when you propose- I'll even pay for it

Love me xxx

SPOILER WARNING

2008-06-09T19:32:00.002+10:00

Yes, this post will contain spoilers, but I assume (or hope, at least) that if you read this blog, you have already seen the Sex and the City Movie. Come on, its been out for like, 5 whole days by now...

I wanted this movie to be a massive wardrobal inspiration for me, and it totally was, except I liked it so much i've forgotten most of the outfits. What I do remember is HATS (didnt I tell you??!) hooray, and also that when I got home that night I couldnt sleep because all I could think was "why on earth would I be afraid to NOT wear anything? As long as it has a sense of humour any outfit is cool".

I also liked the belts, and shoes, but i feel too much attention was paid to the Dior shoes where perhaps there could have been others. I also am not 100% convinced about Carries apartment makeover. I realise its mean to symbolise it being a grown-up apartment, but she hasnt changed at all! Look at how she ran back to Big after he thrashed her yet again by "not being able to get out of the car". I liked her old apartment. I also liked that after the failed wedding, and after she kind of recovered a little bit, it looked for a while there that she might actually stay single, and that Miranda might too and Samantha as well, and that would be, like, OK. But no, in the end Carrie went back to Big AGAIN, and forgave (or forgot) AGAIN, and had a predicable happy ending. The show was so good because it showed that women could actually be happy single and that was not something to be ashamed of, and I think the movie sold out here a little.

Other than that, I want want want print dresses, and good hair, and STUFF. I know its anti-eco and all that to want useless stuff but let me clarify by saying i dont want just ANY useless stuff i want clothes. Vintage, new, classic, outrageous, el cheapo, le expensive, all of the above. For the sheer point of having choice. And a myriad of options.

At the same time, I cant quite bring myself to spend any money at the moment. Part of me desperately wants to let go and consume, the other half is frantically trying to think of ways to save and grow and accumulate more money for potential lengthy overseas trips. I am so torn. Do I spend $250 on a trench coat that suits me and fits me and is kind of the shape i want, or do i continue with what I've got and keep my 250? Do I use my tax return (providing i get one) to buy a new laptop, or do i keep my tax return and use my bf's computer (slightly inconvenient, but free)? I just dont knowwwwwwww.

Luckily, the first eligible piece i found to buy was a metallic gold wonder woman belt which miraculously fits me (fat me?), closely followed by a tan leather wide belt for the grand total of FIVE sequins. If you walk out of your house tomorrow and theres a trash and treasure at the end of your street, dont discount it- you WILL find something awesome there, I promise.

I'm off now to put everything i dont wear on ebay again, and also to read interviews with Keith Richards, who combined with Carrie Bradshaw (predictable yes, but you know you want every single one of her outfits too) continues to be my style inspiration.

Stuff that I like...

2008-05-30T11:10:00.006+10:00

Mmm I was at the op shop yesterday and I spent a total of $15! I bought a vintage blouse, a lollypop pink cardigan with pearl buttons, a bow ring and this ornament thing for my room. All very exciting things! Did Zoe and I tell you about our new op shop rule? We decided it was only worth spending under $10 on something crappy or actually invest in something decent. Let me say there have been no really decent things yet but it has definitely curbed the crap impulse buying.

Here are some things that I've seen and liked recently...

I love the colour and contrast of this jacket

ok and I have probably posted this one before?? but again with the recent Trinny and Susanna goodness- I realise that Scarlett's dress would be perfect for my apple shape to wear to a wedding coming up! maybe a bit booby tho... (please just ignore her hair and Natalie Portman altogether)

and these girls- I love their casual colour and how comfortable they look. And the hat! Why do I never remember to wear my hat?? Its all in the details don't you think?

and the contrast here between the tights and sandals is so good- and again the general colours and comfortableness of it all. Just goes to show you can dress with comfort and style on days off!

p.s check out the SATC movie premiere party pics here courtesy of our favourite style.com

Style Transformation

2008-05-27T19:20:00.006+10:00

Massive lack of posting lately is due to a) new job overload, b) death of laptop and c) because of a and b, complete lack of things to write about.

I have experienced a period of Not Wanting to Buy Anything. This was great cos I wore more of the clothes i already own, had money left over each week before my next pay, and didnt waste my time slogging round the shops moaning about how theres nothing to buy. (well, i did moan about that a little bit, i'll be honest)

But now I've come out the other side into a new phase- Reinventing My Look. New job, new look, and I have already worn more interesting, exciting and "me" things in 4 weeks at the new job than I had in 4.5 years at the old job. And i may be getting a bit up-myself here, but i feel these days more like I dont care what anyone else thinks, and that me feeling disappointed at the end of the day that I didnt wear the dressier option and instead wore jeans is more important than worrying if anyone is talking about me. Big. Deal.

Problem now is, where do I go from here? I have enlisted a stack of magazines, 2 quality fashiony friends, and sex and the city to help me out. (PS cant WAIT for the movie and it had better inspire me hardcore, I tell you what!)

heres what I have so far:

I love this ad so, so much.... the headband, the pearls, the eyeliner, its so cool.

This is a detail of a full outfit from the sartorialist, but for me this tiny section is enough. the black tights, the gold band on the dress, its so relaxed and yet fabulous...

This I like for the chic simplicity (also from sartorialist- see our links list). And I think i want a blanket-scarf- so warm!
This combination of her gorgeous hair (this is from Facehunter- see links) and her Chanel-esque dress, the black and white, the pretty flowers, its simple but fierce and lovely.

And finally, Emmanuelle Alt (both these are from sartorialist). Cool, this woman is just cool. Very rock, very french vogue, very right, all the time. If I could transplant those exact 2 outfits I would be happy.....

Where to from here? I think these pictures suggest i am moving into a harder style, as opposed to comfy jeans and tshirts, etc, but also a more refined style. I am not one for boho, or 70s (except 70s jeans) or hippie styles, they just make me look frumpy, silly, and a bit podgy. I am also not one for flowy, frilly, overly girly styles. After watching Trinny and Susannah and studying their books at borders lol, I come to the conclusion I am either a Skittle or an Hourglass. Leaning more towards Hourglass cos I have pretty broad shoulders. Maudrey and I agreed that while T & S's rules on dressing for your shape are definitely something to keep in mind (ie, skivvies really DO look ridiculously bad on me precisely because of said broad shoulders, large bosom and relatively short neck) it is possible to dress for your shape, while still following your own trends and always trying things that may NOT work just in case you have struck upon a miraculous cut of something and in fact you look amazing. Therefore, I am going to have a scrapbook-brainstorm now and write some lists of Things I Like, Dont Like, Look Good In, Look Silly In, Hate, and Love.

And tomorrow I will pop up to Mecca for some red lip gloss. This is going to help the transformation, I can just tell.

If any dear readers can see some trends emerging from the pictures i put up, or any glaringly obvious items I should own, please speak up! I often cant see the wood for the trees.
xx

Logies II

2008-05-05T15:13:00.003+10:00

I could go on for hours about the Logies fashion, but I wont, I will just say I quite liked Kate Richies dress, although it pains me to admit it; I quite liked Natalie Bassingthwaites dress; I hated most of the others, and I absolutely LOVE this:

About time a man tried something a little interesting/fabulous! I wish they bothered more often. I think a lot of the girls last night could have learnt from Rhys too- you're allowed to be as fashion-y as you want, you dont always have to play it safe!

Logies- hit or miss?

2008-05-05T13:26:00.004+10:00

I love Australia and I think we have great fashion- where was it last night at the logies though?

(For our non aussie readers- the logies are an annual tv awards show)

I really couldn't see anyone who's dress I envied or who's machismo was heightened by a hot suit. I don't want to sound incredibly harsh but I was really disappointed! I thought that most of the dresses looked like they were some thing I would have loved to wear to my formal back in 2001! There we some that weren't too bad but nothing amazingly inspiring.

Here's a recap...

unexpected income!

2008-05-03T21:41:00.005+10:00

Yesterday I kicked ASS at work and bulldozed my way into a cash bonus, and then spent the tram ride into the city planning how to dispose of this new money. I had a list, as usual, and it was just a matter of priorities/the best usage of birthday gift vouchers and cash.

As I have come into a little money I thought it would be a good idea to stock up on some things that I love to bits but have to accumulate as presents usually as they are just a teensy bit out of my budget for everyday spending. I am talking about Beauty Products. I wrote a list (another one) and it appears I use a combination of cheap, tried-and-true products, spiced up with a few luxurious and really good products. For example, I use Cetaphil as a general cleanser, and Cetaphil moisturising cream as a face moisturiser when I need something reasonably heavy, but in winter or very dry skin phases you cant beat Jurlique Day Care Face Cream (now called Moisture Replenishing Day Cream).I dont always use this cos it can be a little heavy but I use Jurlique Exfoliating Cream (not sure of real name, used to be Face Wash Cream but they've had this image overhaul, but it looks like porridge or muesli if you're trying to find it) every second day. Its the only exfoliator I've found that actually exfoliates, but without drying at all, or scratching half my face off, or leaving me with a rash. Its gentle enough to leave you glowing, but not so soft as to have no effect. 125ml is about $60 but I find its so worth it. I also love the Rosewater hydrating spray, and the handcream.... I have some of that at home now, so for my new job I am treating myself to a tube of Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm. It smells amazing, and will be great to keep at work.
Obsessed with sun protection as I am ( I use Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive sunscreen everyday, I find it a little less oily than the Clinique City Block), I have become a little preoccupied with freckles and sunspots on my face, and wondering if its possible to fade them.... and so from strawberrynet.com I have ordered the Chanel anti-dark-spot serum. I am not looking for anti-aging, necessarily, just to try and stop these spots before its too late, and hope I can get a nice clear complexion.

Finally, I am grabbing a tube of 8 Hour Cream, I use it for chapped bits (lips, flu-ey nose, etc) heels, and pretty much anywhere that is irritated, dry, upset, hurt, scabbing/scarring or less than content.

*It appears that this post has changed from being about my new lack of impulse buys to being about the crap I put on my face.... anyway

Basically the rest of my bonus I spent on a yummy cashmere jumper. I wanted one for ages, and David Jones had a mothers day special thing, and for $199 I have a super soft, super delicious, super warm little jumper that I will get years of wear out of and be lovely.

Sydney Style?

2008-04-27T20:46:00.002+10:00

Elle.com (website for Elle US) always has a great street style section- this time around they have focused on Sydney. Click here to have a look...

What do you think? Do these Sydney girls have style, or could we Melburnians do it better?

Got great bosoms?

2008-04-24T18:42:00.004+10:00

I went to Target tonight to check out the much-hyped Collette Dinnigan Wild Hearts lingerie.... I've been pestered about this no end and I have maintained I would not go and look because I KNEW the sizes would be ridiculous to the point of depression. But eventually I gave in to curiousity... and I was right. Stupid sizes, and more to the point, by the time I arrived (the stock went on sale on the 17th April)- almost NO briefs left. Tons of bras in small sizes, no knickers. Seems to me that everyone ELSE has gone in there, found no bra to suit, bought a pair of pretty knickers, and left.

In order to avoid both these problems, heres a couple of places to try if you are a) bigger than a C cup, and b) interested in something attractive, matching, and fitted properly:

Storm in a D Cup www.storminadcup.com.au

They stock loads of brands like Fantasie, Freya and Fayreform, Goddess and Vestiny, in cup sizes D to J. Shop online! Its a great site.

My favourite online store is Bellaforma www.bellaforma.com.au

They stock similar brands to Storm in a D Cup, in sized from 6-30, and B-L. This is a gorgeous site, I spend tons of time on here daydreaming- they also have an excellent sizing chart.

Closer to home, try Brava Lingerie www.bravalingerie.com.au

This is also a stunning website with online catalogue, and they have a real-life store too- at 487 High St, Prahran.

Brava also mention on their website that they collect pre-loved bras for disadvantaged Fijian women who cannot afford new bras. You can drop off your old bras at their store, even slightly worn out ones (as the parts can be made into new bras). Any sizes are welcome, but particularly needed are larger sizes- so if you have a few slightly worn bras lurking in your drawer buy some lovely new very well fitted sets and donate your old ones to some women who could really use them! I have always felt a bit odd giving underwear to op-shops, or throwing them out, and this is the perfect solution.