Post Christmas (no) sales

Today I went to Paddington again with my Mum! But this time... I didn't buy a thing! Sure, there were so many clothes that I would give my left and right arm/leg for. Like a dress we saw from a Norwegian brand called Fin that was made from bamboo (!), or the sensational Opening Ceremony collection at Land's End in 5 Ways. Or the hundreds of shoes in Zomp, the Isabel Marant collection in Parlour X and the dresses in Willow. Not to mention the Romance Was Born Pop-up store, which was down a little alleyway and was like an underwater fashion-theme park!

Top: Uniqlo Thermo-top (!)

Embroidered vest: From a flea market in Tokyo, around $6!

Jeans: Roy Jeans, Melbourne $50, from $220

Necklace: Glebe Markets

Shoes: Vintage Italian shoes circa 1980s from The Wardrobe Store $60

Bag: Lauren by Ralph Lauren, bought in Boxing Day Sale 2005, David Jones $60 from $250

Top: Banana Republic $25

Bag: Pleats Please by Issey Miyake $50!

Jacket: from Isetan Shinjuku

Jeans: from Japan

Sunglasses: Oroton

Yes, I would happily give away my body parts to own these things, but for some reason, I wasn't in the buying mood. You know how sometimes, as much as you see so many things you want and have the capacity to buy, you just dont' feel like buying them at the end of the day?

I was happy just to admire, drool, and ah, drool some more. Plus Mum and I had lots of fun messing around with my camera. Ala The Sartorialist. To be honest, it actually felt good not buying anything. I just haven't found the post Christmas sales to be that good this year. I even checked out David Jones in the city on Boxing Day, and it was underwhelming to say the least. Too crowded, overpriced and just. not. worth. it. So until something really catches my eye, I'm going cold turkey! Although, whenever I have a bit of a dry spell, I tend to go on a bit of a psycho spending spree soon afterwards...

A couple of days, a couple of outfits

Grey Metalicus dress, and a beaded flower headband from Glebe Markets I bought for $4!

Top:

From a clothing store in Tokyo. The store had rails of different patterned tops exactly the same cut as this one (see below for another top I bought from the range) They were all only $15!

Jeans: Uniqlo

Bracelet: Bijoux, a bday present for my 20th.

Shoes: Nina Armado

Yesterday I spent a wonderful day in Newtown with my Mum. We looked in practically every shop on King Street. Newtown is such a dynamic precinct, full of character and vivaciousness. The clothing shops are interesting, and the op shops are even better. It would be amazing to live there.

It was such a relaxing day, as we wandered aimlessly from shop to shop, ahhhing and umming, picking up things and trying other on. Unfortunately, by the end of the day we were completely exhausted. Hence why I advocate shopping should be recognised as a sport- it takes endurance dammit!

My mum wearing a dress she found in a flee market in Tokyo!

The top I'm wearing is the same 'brand' as the top above- same cut, different fabric.

Today... I GOT A FRINGE!! I haven't had a fringe since I was little. I just wanted a bit of a change because I have had my "long hair with a side fringe" haircut for two years now! I wanted to go into the new year with a bit of a change. But it's more like a faux fringe- I can still sweep it to the side!

Speaking of the year two thousand and ten... it's time to start thinking of New Years Resolutions. Ok, ok, I know they are a bit silly because they're usually so easy to break. And I always do. Maybe it's because I set my expectations too high. I guess I shouldn't expect a total transformation, but some progress. To give more time to those in my life I love. To trust others, and myself more. To go after things I want, and to not give up so readily. To try to see things for what they are, not what I think they are. To learn about who I really am. Wow, 2010, here I come.

Naked romance

N-U-D-I-T-Y.

Well, to be more precise- nude, soft pink hue coloured clothing and accessories. It's a (lack of) colour trend that has been rumbling for a while now on the runways, and some of you more fashion-forward girls might be already on it. But it's only now that the trend is starting to hit the shops. The nude vision is unique, for depending on the fabric chosen and how the piece is structured, wearing a nude garment can evoke two opposingly distinct images.

1) Sweepingly feminine, romantic and delicate

2) Provocative, down-right sexy and body-tight.

Either way, it's been hailed "The Return of Romance". And I'm definately in love with it.

XXX

Op Shops

The other day, I spent the day Op Shopping around Glebe, Newtown and Enmore. I had to help my bf find the pieces for his Frank En Furter costume from The Rocky Horror Picture Show for a 21st. The theme was "A" or "F'. I dressed as a Feline. a.k.a. cat. I'll post a pic once I find one.

It was super duper hot, so I thought I'd throw together a summer look. I've got to say I'm not usually one to wear shorties as I feel quite self-conscious in them, but I'm trying to be more adventurous these days...

Top: Chic Collections (bought it around 4 years ago on sale from $120 to $35)
Shorties: $15 from cheap clothing shop in Maroubra

Bag: $30 from bag shop in Japan

I promise I was trying being a good helper... but I couldn't help but get sidetracked to look at stuff for me, as I ADORE op shopping.

I scored this beautiful dress, at the Red Cross Op Shop at the beginning of Enmore Road for only $14! It's by the Australian label Alibi which I think is now defunct.

I really have a penchant for cute, feminine floral dresses. I just love the shape, and that it ties as a bow in the back.

I'll keep you posted (I still have a lot of entries to catch up on)!

Have a lovely day x

It's a love triangle with Fashion, Tea, and me.

Today was my Mum's Birthday!! What better way to celebrate than High Tea at the Observatory Hotel?

After starting our day by going to yoga, we took some photos in front of the beautifully gorgeous Swarovski Crystal Christmas tree in the QVB. (Apparently it's the largest Swarovski tree in the world) We probably looked like Japanese tourists hahah! Say Fuji!

Then we cabbed it to the Observatory Hotel. I was such a dork. When I put my foot out of the car, my heel got caught on the inside of my dress. So there I was, hopping on one foot, trying to untangle myself. Once I did, you'd think that would be the end of it. Not with dorky me. I was re-enacting to my Mum what happened, and then my foot got caught again! All in front of the door men. I am one classy lady.

We were ushered into the absolutely devine Globe Bar, which is stylised to look like a library in an Old English Manor. For our choice of tea, I chose a "first flush finest quality Assam" and Mum chose the Darjeeling. We were then presented with the oh-so-difficult task of devouring *mini* creme caramels, quiche lorraines, chocolate cakes, cheese cakes, panna cotta, plain and fruit scones with home-made strawberry jam and cream and 4 kinds of sandwiches. Oh. My. God. D.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. The scones were my tied favourite with the creme caramel. We've already planned a return visit!

In continuing with the total classiness, we just had to take some pictures in the bathroom... I mean, lavatory.

And of course, we had to get dressed up for the occassion! (Pictures below in Martin Place)


I decided to wear a grey Metalicus cross-over dress, with a white Portmans floral singlet underneath, and my black and white bow Nine West heels. My bag is from a department store in Japan I bought as part of some special promotion they were having in wchih all these Italian leather bags were down from around $300 to $120. For accessories I wore the diamond earrings from Arpege my Mum gave me for my birthday this year, and a heart-lock silver bracelet from a jewellery stall next to the Opera House my mum gave me last year for Christmas.

Mum wore my black floral dress I bought in Maroubra for $20, my purple diamond ball necklace, heels from Isetan in Malaysia, and a bag from Ginza Kanematsu (Japanese designer shoe brand).

So Happy Birthday Mum! You are the most wonderful mum in the world. I love you!