Bows and macaroons

The other day I went to explore the suburb of Balmain with my boyfriend. I hadn't been before- but after spending the day there I can say that I will definately be back.

Dress: Cheapo clothes store in Chatswood- $16 from $40ish

Wrap: Roy ($25 from $120)
Bag: Wittner ($40 from $190)

Shoes: Shoe shop in Japan (in my fave colour- BLURPLE!)

It's one of those suburbs with one main street of shops, restaurants and cafes. The main street was Darling Street, which we strolled up and down. The selection of shops were alright- I didn't really find any clothes I fell in love with. But I felt like a very lucky girl when my boyfriend insisted on buying me the cutest bow headband.. (thank you!!) Now anyone who knows me knows I absolutely adore bows. Bows on clothes, shoes, jewellery- in my hair. It might seem to cutesy to some- but I think as long as you don't overdo it with other accessories, and wear something not to fussy, then it can make a really sweet look.

Talking of sweet... we stopped in at Adriano Zumbo. I've wanted to go for a while now, after seeing his genius on Masterchef- and seeing food blogs rave about his holy creations. Oh. my. god. I was drooooling just looking at all the pastries. And they tasted even better. To start off our Zumbo journey, we were given a free Vegemite macaroon to try. The sales girl said she was frustrated that no one wanted to try it, and she wanted to prove how good they were. I can understand that- because I detest Vegemite. But I was surprised when I actually liked a lot, probably because the taste of Vegemite was very subtle. We then devoured a jam donut, mango stickyrice macaroon, and an apricot danish.

Mango sticky rice macaroon. Frikken amazing.

All were devilishly delicious. The fact that this man can make something so simple as a jam donut so mouthwatering is a true display of his creativity and artistry.

My lovely boy :)

I am already dreaming about my next visit!

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...

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

Hypothetical purchases...

Let me pose a hypothetical: Say you just bought two skirts- would it be wrong to buy another two? But change the you to I. Given this is all hypothetical- it is truly amazing that I managed to capture these purchases in photographic form.

Skirt: Uniqlo ($20)

Singlet Top: Uniqlo ($10)

Necklace: UTECH Time Team ($3.50)

The skirts are from my Mum and my favourite Japanese brand Uniqlo. It's like a Japanese Topshop/H&M. But cheaper, more innovative, unique and ah, Japanese. They were $20 each. I can definately utilise these skirts as the weather gets warmer, and they are oh so sweet I think! (n.b. utilise is a very handy verb for justifying shopping).

I also got two lace singlet tops in a beautiful bright fuchia and electric purple. They were only $10 each. They look great tucked into skirts.

Belted with: Romance Was Born Scarf

(ah, um. $80. Ok, I realise that it cost more than the total amount of these clothes. But it is a work of art - literally- using the print of Australian Artist Del Kathryn Barton)

My mum bought them online- and had them shipped over. We're crazy like that. They were bought 2 or so months ago. So it's not really like I just bought 4 skirts in a row. There was a break people!

But we really should remember this is all hypothetical...

Girl of my dreams

Wait... there's more. A couple of weeks ago I had a girly day shopping with my bestie, Anne. We waltzed through the beautiful Strand Arcade, which is definately one of my favourite shopping spots in Sydney. At least window shopping.

But this time I did actually make purchases within the holy stained-glass windowed building! I picked up a copy of the magazine Lula: Girl of My Dreams, Issue 8 with the gorgeous Chanel Iman on the cover, from the Fleur Wood store. I had wanted to grab myself a copy as I kept reading again and again on fashion blogs about how divine the editorial shoots were in the British magazine. No truer words have been spoken. But I'll let the images speak for themselves...








It's a bi-annual magazine which has become a mag cult staple among the fashion flock. "Created for people of the world who love fashion, music, art, & make believe. Lula is gentle, whimsical and ethereal in tone, mixing high fashion to fall in love with and interviews that feel like late night chats with people you wish you knew. Editor: Leith Clark" Its more like a fashion book as its really quite thick. Although it was quite $$ at $25, the quality and beauty of the photo shoots, and the inspiration the pages evoke more than justifies its price. I picked up Issue 8, with the gorgeous Chanel Iman on the cover. The magazine is so beautifully and thoughtfully composed, with each page a mesmarising representation of fantasy and fashion.

A lot of the stores had sales on, but we all know that 40% off $1000 dresses isn't as exciting as you'd hope. Fortunately, Hussy had an awesome sale on. Well, more accurately, an awesome $10 sale bin. Yes, the clothes were literally in a bin. I always feel a teeny bit silly trawling desperately through the sale bin, trying to find a super bargain. But, what the hell!

Anne and I both hit the sale bin jackpot. She picked up a long and pretty orange scarf, which I will have to get a piccy of! I picked up a pair of sandals, exactly in my size! Ok, ok, my shoe collection is pretty massive... but $10 shoes from Hussy? No questions should be asked. They tie up around the ankle, so are a nice divergence from the gladiator sandle, which I think has had more than its day now. Also, they're comfortable as well- but I (and every girl) always say that about a pair of shoes until we spend a day (or hour) in them!

Wearing:

Dress: Blue Merino Wool Dress: Hello There! By Karen Walker

(Bought in Myer on sale from $140 to $60)

Necklace: Silver ball drop necklace: The Accessories Company

(Bought in Myer on sale from $12 to $6)

Leggings: Black glossy leggings

(700Y/$7 from Tokyo)

Shoes: by Hussy ($10!)