Ready to face the sun

Chinos from J.Crew, perfect half tuck shirt with the collar and cuffs popped, a flash of fire engine red lips, hair in a twist bun = Ready for brunch on the weekend after a long week 

It's been a long time!
I've spent the last few weeks struggling with a lot of things. Work. Career (not the same as work). Passion. Yoga (hands up who else felt like 3-legged dog was sprung on them out of the blue?). Gluten. Myself (Am I happy? Lost? Just hungry? Not sure? You get the drift). And have thusly regressed inwards.

Everyone goes through moments like that. Sometimes these pass quickly, sometimes they sink into your world like a gloomy funk and stay a while, a burst of sheer joy peeking through the cloud like a ray of clarity occasionally only to pass.

I don't worry about it too much, just take time to listen to, ponder on and feel the experience. It's not my favourite, but for me, a bit of time spent in my personal cave now and then allows me to reemerge with a rested spirit, clearer mind and a stronger sense of what's my next move.
Did I figure myself out this time? Sure did! Do I think there will be a next time? No question about it. So what?

That's the beauty of us. We're constantly evolving, even in our own lifetime. If only we allow ourselves to.

That's also what I love about clothes. I hesitate to say 'fashion', the word suggests a trend or a transient type of quality. But then again, maybe that's exactly what it is, ever changing, just like people. It is constantly morphing into and away from what it was just before.

So what are we doing examining Exhibit A from J.Crew? Well! Don't you think if you'd just spent a few gruelling weeks running a mental marathon that you'd be just about ready for some time in the sun, reading the newspaper, having a coffee (not on the go, because you have nothing if not hours) and strolling through the farmers' markets? Exactly. And what better way than with some citrus and some easy wash and wear denim shirt like the above? After all those weeks spent in the mental version of child's pose and dressed in as much black and thick heavy jumpers as physically possible (even in dusty Jakarta, a girl craves cable knits when she's feeling vulnerable), this is exactly what I feel like I'm ready for.

I hope you had a good month and that a better one lies ahead. xox

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Desert Island

I love beautiful summer days that make you smile the moment you open your eyes in the morning...
Just add a floppy hat, swipe on some lipstick and a breezy floral dress.. then spend the rest of the day enjoying yourself.
Hope your weekend was a gorgeous one! x

The Golden Globes need a Best Hair / Girl Crush Award

Morning! 

Did you watch the Golden Globes?  I only saw the opening monologue by Tina F and Amy P (in my mind, they already came to my fantasy dinner and I'm allowed to shorten their names like that because they told me so) which was HYSTELERICAL. 

That would be the lovechild of Hysterical and Hilarious. (I know what a noun is and isn't, don't worry.)

At some point though during the opening, I think the camera paused on Marion Cotillard and after that.. well, I don't know what happened after that because all I could think was she looked incredible.  And that was only a from the shoulders up shot. 

The Go Fug Yourself ladies think so too, I checked (link below and pic above).  

Mostly, I love her hair in this.  It's so refreshing and whilst she is wearing not makeup-makeup it really is perfectly done.  The dress alone, from the front was not super memorable, but with the gold heels and the tiny flash of black at the waist was just lovely.  She looks great. 

There were some really amazing dresses from the Globes but this is the person I wanted to be best girlfriends with.  Don't you?

For more see: Golden Globes Well Played, Plus Some Other Stuff, Marion Cotillard Golden Globes – Go Fug Yourself

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Summer Stripes

Happy New Year! 

What better way to start things off than with a healthy dose of new clothes?  No, I did not make any "shop less" resolutions (because I don't want to!).

Everything showed up this morning, including my new Just Female striped sweater dress that I immediately whipped on.  Just in time as I wasn't really keen on rifling through my wardrobe for something to throw on for drinks at Uncle M's house in Mosman.  I think I'll just slip on some black loafers.. although my dipped ankle boots in taupe would work just as well.

I have to say, I'm one of those people who never gets sick of nautical or Breton themes.  Especially in the summertime.

(I'm wearing a striped dress from Just Female, with an ASOS belt and vintage necklace from Loewe. The pearl friendship bracelets are from Lombok.)

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Everything's fine!

Why, did something happen?
haha, I know! I disappeared again! what's my excuse this time, you ask?
Ok here goes, see what you think of this one:
I moved countries and I got married.
How'd I do?  Am I off the hook?
(cue cheeky laugh)

I missed you too!  How've you been?
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at last

Thanks Postman Pat!

I hadnt picked up my post for a while... before you panic, the only mail I get is Vogue magazine.... ok, maybe do panic.
Sooooooo I came home tonight to find TWO vogue issues to cuddle with!
There's always a positive way to look at things.
(the bag is an old birthday present I got but only just started overusing it lately)

Oxford and Yellow

(denim from A/wear; brogues from Asos)

For the last two weeks I've been taking the train in to work.  I can't claim to be one of those people who hates the trains or public transport.  Sometimes it's nice to mingle with this mass of people, and enjoy some collective quiet time looking out the train.  

Or looking at our shoes.

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Back in five!

Ahh... vacay. Be right back!
How is your week going? x

Everything happens for a reason

Love this necklace! Just one of those happy accidents when I walked into a random store on my way back to the hotel in Jakarta.
Utterly meant to be!

xx

Slideshow: The Week in Style Blogs -- The Cut -- my faves

Slideshow: The Week in Style Blogs -- The Cut

Happy Friday indeed!  Although it is Saturday here, even better!!  

I love tailored jackets!  What better way to showcase the fab tailoring of the one in this slideshow then in gorgeous navy and white piping.   Paired with slick pants so that it stays the focus.  I heart it!

The other image I picked as a fave from the slideshow is these two girls.  No I don't know who they are either, but they remind me of my bestie and how we love to colour clash FREQUENTLY.  I can't decide if she'd wear the pants or if I would.  I do have a pair of red trousers like that though, incidentally.

What does everyone else read on Saturday mornings over their coffee? 

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What's new?

(courtesy Celine)

Well, not these Celine shoppers.
These babies have been circling everyone's must-have lists for YONKS.
There's nothing like feeling, well, cross with someone, to trigger that little synapse in the brain to go from 'Oh, wouldn't it be lovely' to 'buy buy buy' like some frantic stock broker signalling away on the exchange floor.
(It's dividend time so I've got stocks on the brain again, hence weird reference. Let's all pretend my metaphors make complete sense at all other times.)
The main hurdle I've had is, ok well, the main hurdleS I have had are the following:
1. HARD TO FIND in Sydney
2. If found, they are stupidly expensive. No the exchange rate/inflation/tax does not explain the price hike
3. If found, it is with a 'sold' tag attached to it firmly
and, the biggest obstacle of all
4. I can't make up my mind what colour I want.  NO 'all of them' is not an option, at this time.

So tell me, if you could have ANY colour, which would you choose?

You have all weekend, thank gosh it's Friday! x

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Nearly nearly

Do you know what this means?!  I finally have Marni (for H&M) print in my wardrobe.  

To be exact, I will, soon.  

This baby is currently hanging in my pal's office waiting for me to fly over next month to pick it up.  She is such an angel and said it's a bribe present from her to get me to go over there.  

*heart melts* 

I can't even describe how excited I am!  About seeing my pal AND my welcome pressie!

I'll probably pick something up whilst I'm there to wear with it... in the meantime, I think it would go great with a contrasting print, or maybe played down with some denim shorts, or some tailored white peg trousers... 

The possibilities are endless! 

Hope you had as great an evening as I did x

piggy bank

do you ever collect magazines obsessively, saving them up for reading them altogether for a marathon magazine session?
if i were a squirrel and these babies were nuts, i would be all set for winter.
i only just tore the plastic off my vogue today.. will probably spend the bext week cross referencing it to my bazaar and elle.. who knows how long i will then mull over all my online sources!
yippee!
dont diss it till you try it!
have a great week everyone, x

Sur Le Rouge

Sur Le Rouge by dommynikki featuring giuseppe zanotti sandals

Lanvin vintage black dress
€1.100 - veryeickhoff.com

Giuseppe zanotti sandals
$548 - giuseppezanottidesign.com

Hobo handbag
€1.098 - unger-fashion.com

Marni clutch handbag
$263 - thecorner.com

14k white gold ring
$1,665 - kohls.com

Lancôme makeup
lancome-usa.com

Wish upon a falling star - the ultimate printopia

(images:  Marni for H&M lookbook) 

I remember growing up with an unhealthy obsession with vogue magazine.  Now I realised it's normal (hence the subscription).  I always lingered longest over images of models draped in Marni.  Those gorgeous colours and luscious materials looked exactly what a woman-child would wear.  So girl next door but also style ingenue.
A dream of mine would be to have Marni in my wardrobe.  Right now, that's still a dream, as it is with most people.  But this week the collaboration between Marni and H&M came into existence.
One step closer?  Maybe.
This is what I had on my wishlist, what do you think?  Classic Marni?

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Printopia II

  

 

(I've been having way too much fun on pixlr-o-matic!  Shirt: asos; jeans: A/wear; boots: asos; bracelet: Anouska London)


I've only just fallen in love with and started gathering printed shirts for my off duty wardrobe this year.
Remember my new shirt from ASOS that I got a few posts ago??
I finally got to wear it out!  I like making sure that the first time I wear a new item that I'm super excited about that it's on a good outing day.
I also had on for the first time a brand new charm bracelet from Anouska London.  The charm is a little gold elephant.  LOVE IT!
For most of the day I had the shirt tucked in to a pair of dark skinny jeans which were tucked into my new but scuffed like crazy boots.
I think I did most of the scuffing, I love them so much, I've been wearing them every weekend.  With everything.  At one point I had on my romper, but hadn't yet taken the boots off.  Because I wasn't ready to say auf weidersehen for the day.

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Black is the new pink

(Source: s05.imageupper.com)

I wanted to post something rainbow, or at least hot pink and glittery, in the spirit of Mardi Gras (Happy Mardi Gras everyone!) but..... you know what?  I do so love my head to toe black from time to time.  

And M Kerr is demonstrating reason number 1 why that is, over here in Exhibit A. 

How fantastic is the cut of those pants?  Wait, is that a jumpsuit actually?  Strictly speaking, I don't like jumpsuits, but loosely speaking, I love them if they look like this. 

IF this is a jumpsuit here.  Either way I'm liking what I'm seeing.

What's better than head to toe black?  The black on black look.  Paired with that generous but tailored blazer, there's nothing left to do but stand back and applaud.  Just like with cars, black on black is a sleek look.  And it looks easier than it really is.  

Reason number 2 for why I love the head to toe black?  Look how brilliantly all that Louis Vuitton Damier Monogram goes with it.  It's awful when a person clashes with their luggage. 

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Unrequited Love #29 (who's keeping count?)

(Image source: shopbop)

Just when I think I've fallen in love with enough accessories for the year (and it's only February).. along comes.. well THIS.

Everything I ever wanted, for a void I didn't know existed.  Really.

Ticks all the right boxes, such as:

3.1 Phillip Lim. Always good.

Beautiful on the inside. Just like people should be. 

Big enough so I can pretend I need it for work (for all those documents I'll be lugging around). Right.

Yellow. YES!!!  

Should I? Could I?? May I???

Get it if you want it at 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Hour Bag | SHOPBOP

I won't come between you... I just want it to be happy. 

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"could you, you know, put like, a positive spin on it?"

(top & bottom two, all Anya Hindmarch clutches)

Why is it, that it always falls on the heels of someone having given a really really really truly awful 'spin' of things?  Why?!

And so, when I hear that line... I feel as if I have aged 20 years into this grouchy old man (not even one of those happy old fishermen wearing a beret in some provincial town, but one of those REALLY cranky Jack-Nicholson-in-a-bad-but-Oscar-winning-performance-mood-type of characters, except I wouldn't get an Oscar for my performance).

Ok, so maybe it isn't always much of a stretch for me, when it comes to turning into that person, but we're getting into an ugly and off topic area.

Anywhozzle-bees, what's the best way to smile again after landing in the pits?

Easy fix.  Glitter.  Job done!  Especially if it's glitter in the form of a clutch.  That comes off EVERYWHERE.
In your eyebrows (I don't know why I don't know how)
In your nails (less surprising)
In your teeth (true story, but at least it wasn't broccoli)
and all over my dress.

I've never seen a frowning crank holding a glitter covered clutch.  Apart from myself anyway.  And the sun was probably in my eyes because it bounced off all that glitter that time.

p.s. can you tell which is mine?  It's hard to miss.. what do you reckon?  too much hot pink?  I only used it the one time, and am still shaking the glitter out of my hair.  But I adore it, and no... that one is not an Anya Hindmarch.

Meanwhile how much do you love that blush coloured clutch?!

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