Christmas-time is here...

With only a few days to go until Christmas Day, I'm feeling very excited but at the same time quite worn out.

I met up with friends last night to celebrate Christmas at our local pub, which is coincidentally called "The Local" and the consensus was we are all very tired.

Work has been slowing down this week, but socially I've been mega busy and also running around trying to get all my presents bought and wrapped, and the food for Xmas lunch.

I'm having Christmas in Melbourne this year - the BF and I are staying with his family. We're off to Midnight Mass on Friday night (my first one!) and then will have a relaxed lunch on Christmas Day. Then on Boxing Day is a big party with his mother's side of the family at their property.

I have some time off work too - two whole weeks! No big plans as of yet, other than a few movies, lunches and maybe a road trip to Daylesford.

Merry Christmas lovelies & I hope 2011 is everything you want & need it to be.

Ooh La Love

Argh, it's been too long between posts again. I don't want to be one of those bloggers people give up on, you know, you check their blog week after week to find sweet nuthin.

Well it's been an amazing month, I was in Perth to visit my family and see my lovely friends Kate and Gareth get married. The wedding was fabulous, on a winery in the Perth hills, and although temperatures were forecast to hit 39 degrees, we were very lucky with 28 degrees.

Then we got the fantastic news that our friends B & G are engaged! B was the one who introduced me & my boyfriend, and has been such a close friend to both of us for a long time.

A day or so later, we got a call with the news a couple friend of ours are pregnant with twins!

So after a lot of people having a difficult year, it's been fantastic to have three great moments in one month. Kind of funny as when I got back to work my colleagues were looking for an engagement rign on *my* finger...I had to say "not yet"!

We'd been back from Perth about a week or so when my sister Bri arrived for a holiday in Melbourne! She has been here to celebrate the wedding of one of her good friends, and also have a bit of a vaycay. It was so nice having her here (she flies back to Perth tonight, to graduate from her Nursing degree on Friday) and we had lots of great sisterly bonding time.

Anyway, better fly. How lovely are those pics btw - makes me want to be in Paris too - only thing missing would be S by my side.

Girl Crush!

This is Aimee Farrell - not only does she work for British Vogue as a Junior Features Associate, but she is also wearing a droolworthy (and very me) outfit of an Acne cardigan, Rag & Bone top, leather skirt from a thrift store in Brick Lane and Kurt Geiger ankle boots.

Oh yeah - and she looks adorable! I wanna be her :)

Top Shop love

Has anyone been keeping an eye on the latest collection from Top Shop (Demi Couture)? I'm not able to post any pics here, but it's a beautiful collection of 60's inspired shift dresses in lush jewel colours and also, of course, black. Only the smaller sizes are left online now, so I'm really hoping that come autumn/winter 2011, some of the Australian high street shops and designers will follow in Top Shop's footsteps.

Having a great time writing for Hills2City so far; it's really fun to have a writing assignment again.

A new job

Ok, so you know how much I love reality tv - The Hills & The City in particular? Well guess who just scored a plum new job, as Fashion Contributor for the site hills2city?

I've only just started, but if you go to http://hills2city.wordpress.com/ and check out the trend alert...well that's me :)

I'm really enjoying having a writing assignment again, and hopefully people will enjoy my writing!

(In other news, how beautiful is Lauren Conrad's coat in that photo? It almost makes me happy that it's still freaking freezing here in Melbourne...in November.)

I'm off to sunny Perth in one week! It really came up soon, and I'm so excited. Probably won't be any sailing though, as my Dad has hurt his knee again and is on strict instructions to rest for 6-8 weeks. It's probably driving him crazy, as he loves sailing so much.

This Sunday I have a spa day, a massage during the week and will be out to dinner with my beloved. I'll be in Perth for a week before he flies over, and we haven't been apart that long since we moved in together, so it's going to seem a little weird. I will miss waking up next to him for sure. On the upside though, it's going to be great spending time one on one with my family and friends - we're already organising catch-ups!

Miss Jerry Hall

LOVE her! Just found out she's bringing out an autobiography - v exciting.

Speaking of books, I flicked through Lauren Conrad: Style the other day in Dymocks and come pay-day, it shall be mine.

Having hair done tomorrow...

Happiness is a warm Zuel

Wow, I was in such a down mood yesterday! Working much harder today to believe in myself, and so far it's a success. Had a really chilled night in last night, some red wine, some Glee = perfect! Snuggles with the bf helped a lot too, I'm sure.

Tonight will be more of the same, and then Friday night we're heading to the country for a 30th birthday, with a rock star theme. I am going as Cyndi Lauper...funny cos when I was 12 years old, I also dressed up as Cyndi for our primary school fancy dress ball :)

Dropped into General Pants the other day and saw this gorgeous, relaxed, leopard print tank designed by Jess Hart (neon hart), and I also really like the way she's rocking the double leopard:



Am also really loving this skirt by Faith 21, but not sure if it's too bulky?



It's 25 degrees here in Melbourne today - very exciting!! I have heaps to look forward to at the moment as well - this weekend in the country, next weekend we're staying at his family property for a romantical time away (it's in Hurstbridge, so near some wineries), then a week's grace before it's time for Perth! Can't wait to see my hometown friends, go sailing on Dad's new boat, go shopping with Mum, and see my gorgeous friend Kate get married.

This is me

This is from the recent Yohji Yamamoto show - I want this t-shirt!

Have been rather hard on myself lately, my stomach has been playing up a lot and so I've been really bloated and feeling so fat....I sometimes feel like I have a pretty face, but my body is this mis-shapen lump. Grr - have to also remember that is most likely hormones talking, and my oft-poor-body-image, and I need to try and be positive.

Self-acceptance is so important, and it's something I have to work on most days. But my goal is to accept me for me, and to focus on the positives that I do have rather than unobtainable perfection.

Have started making better food choices as of yesterday, after not really thinking about it for a few months. I also went to the gym, which for me is to keep active rather than killing myself to be skinny. (Meh, it's still boring, but I do like the endorfins afterwards).

Anyway - onward & upward! My holiday in Perth is coming up soon, and I'm very excited.

Birthday surprises

So yesterday was my birthday - and it ended up being a really nice day, even if I did have to work! I was serenaded by the office (and blushed a lot), and treated to a yummy flourless orange cake, plus had so many messages and calls from friends, it was so nice. In the evening, the BF and I went out for a low key dinner and to see the movie "The Legend of the Guardians", which was super cute.

The big surprise on Friday night was dinner at Little Press, and a trip to the Arts Centre to see this awesome ballet called "Come, Been and Gone", which was to the music of David Bowie, Iggy Pop, The Velvet Underground and Kraftwerk.



He's such a good listener - I had been flicking through the program for the Melbourne Festival a little while ago and lamenting that I couldn't afford tickets to the ballet. Good work :) I also was given a beautiful pair of earrings from Samantha Wills, so am feeling very lucky and spoiled.

The only downside has been the past few days I have been feeling sick on and off. Nausea, dizziness, sore upper back, upset stomach, grr. It's not consistant though, so I don't know if it's this stomach bug that's going around or what. Of course my biggest paranoia is always "what if I'm pregnant?", but considering I get sick pretty easily, plus have stomach issues anyway, I'm sure that really is me being paranoid.

Off to acupuncture tonight - which I love, as it's so relaxing! Ohhh, just looked out the window and it's grey/black as far as the eye can see - what happened to yesterday's sunshine?

Oh and I found a dress for the wedding! It's a gorgeous, drapey, black & white abstract print, silk satin dress by Charlie Brown. It's the perfect weight and style, so I was so excited to find it my first shopping expedition for the event. Hurrah!

Zuela Zuela Zuela, does Prada Prada Prada!

I have always been more of a Miu Miu girl, but oh emmm geeee, I freaking loved the Prada SS 2011 Collection. How gorgeous is this dress, in particular? Swoon!

Off for an early birthday celebration with my fantastic boyfriend tonight - I am to meet him in Fed Square after work, and that's all I know! He's pretty great at doing a surprise - I on the other hand, get so excited I almost always spill the beans right away :)

Hope everyone has a brilliant weekend and we get a little bit more of that Melbourne sunshine. xoxo

p.s. - speaking of "xoxo" I haven't even seen most of Gossip Girl S3 yet, but am simply hanging out for S4 in Paris. Yay!

Sleepy in the sunshine

Trawling through the interwebs this morning, and found some outfit inspiration for Spring (ok the lady in the second photo has gone a little heavy on the fake tan, but I love her stripy top/blush jacket combo)





(Oh, these pics are both from "They all hate us" btw)

It's been a fabulous spring weekend in Melbourne, and we've switched to daylight savings as of Sunday...it's so lovely to have the light, but I must admit to having a very restless night's sleep last night, so have been dragging myself around all day so far, even with a huge coffee to start the day. Oh well, I shall adjust soon.

Still looking for a dress for the november wedding, but have finally made a decision on my hair (I know you were just hanging by tenterhooks!). Have decided not to get a fringe this time, as I so often do and with the warmer weather it could get annoying. I am going to grow my hair just a little longer and go with an Olivia Palermo/Lauren Conrad style.

Ohhhh, have become totally addicted to the Kardashians btw - think I must have needed some more reality to fill my Hills/City void.

Tag Team

My lovely friend over at Oriental Hotel has tagged me (p.s. - am excited to catch up on Weds!)

1. What is the last book you read, did you like it?

The last book I read was "Hungry" by Crystal Renn, and I really liked it, plus could relate to the story & author on many levels.

2. Do you have any travels planned in the near future, where to?

Ooh, I'm off to Perth in November this year, which should be fun! Then next year Simon and I would love to go to Europe - with definite stops in London and Glasgow.

3. Do you prefer tea or coffee

I love both, but probably drink more coffee in Melbourne, and more tea when I'm with my parents in Perth (they are tea addicts for sure!)

4. Where were you born?

Fremantle, WA

5. What is your favourite work of art?

I honestly could not pick just one. I actually really love Andy Warhol a lot, but am also very taken in with Monet. I also love different photographers, from Man Ray to Richard Avedon.

6. What is your favourite breakfast food?

I love bagels and home-made muffins - yum!

7. What is the last picture you saved/uploaded to your computer?



It was this one, as I really love her hair, and am still trying to decide what to do with my own :)

New lease on life!

I'm not sure if it's the fact it's actually springtime (well, a couple of sunny days make it for me!), or that there are so many gorgeous Spring/Summer collections hitting the stores, but I really feel today like I have a new lease on life!

I have a feeling of renewed energy and happiness today - hurrah. Just had a lovely cup of green tea and am planning on sushi for lunch, having my eyebrows done tonight and thinking of getting a pedicure this weekend...now all that would be complete if I could be on a picnic blanket in a beautiful park somewhere with my beloved, and a bottle of champagne - bliss!

Have decided I need to do a bit of a wardrobe evaluation for spring; we've been having a home cleanse, which has felt fantastic, so it's definitely time for my seasonal wardrobe cleanse too. (The most important reason is to see what I can get rid of, to make room for all my new lusts and loves, of course).

I have booked my tickets to Perth for my friend Kate's wedding - so exciting!! It's in November, on a winery, in the Perth hills....so now all I'm pondering (ok, freaking out about) is what to wear.

My perth friends are all very much summer girls, and I'm the quirky, fashion-y one who honestly never feels like I have the "summer" look down pat, so I want to fit in (yet remain my sense of style) and dress appropriately for the occasion. I'm thinking of getting my Perth hairdresser to come over to my parent's place to do my hair - might go Mad Men inspiration, or maybe a Lauren Conrad-esque look with long, loose waves/curls.

Elena, you might say, relax for godsakes! The wedding isn't until November, and it's only September now! Gah, it's one of my issues in life that I tend to stress about the silliest things. Le sigh.

Bought the cutest pair of faux snakeskin kitten heel pumps at the weekend btw, and am already plotting a Betty Draper skirt and pedal pushers to go with them. Will be grabbing denim pedal pushers too as soon as I see them. Ooh, and my supplied arrived yesterday for the wedding jewellery (I'm making Kate's bridesmaid's jewellery - all Audrey Hepburn/Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired. Exciting!) so I shall be a creative bunny for the next little while.

And did I mention that it's my birthday in approximately a month? I am at the stage where I'm freaking out about being old, which will soon transition into excitement for celebrating my birthday. I've been through this cycle since I was 19, so have almost come to expect it (and I don't let myself down, haha). I know my boyfriend has something nice planned on the Friday before my birthday, but I'm not sure how I want to celebrate with friends yet. Decisions, decisions. xoxox

A moment of me - August 2010

Haha, so like last time I'm a few days late with this, but whatver, right?

LISTENING: heaps of old stuff at the moment, esp Stooges and Ramones, with a bit of the War Child compilation and Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers thrown in for good measure.

READING: Just finished reading two awesome books actually - an oral history of Punk (which has obviously been inspiring my music choices), and "Hungry" by Crystal Renn. As someone who's also had body/food issues and worked as a model, it was such an inspiring read for me.

WATCHING: Mad Men S3 and about to start Mad Men S4, and my friend Bri is sending me the "Heidi's Face" doco she taped off MTV for me (unsurprisingly, it's so bad it's good). Want to see S3 of True Blood too. Saw Inception at the movies recently, and LOVED it.

BUYING: Had a good trip to DFO the other day where I bought a cardigan & some pants from CR, and some cute ballet flats from wittner that have gold studded bows on the t-bar.

WANTING: Not to feel so tired. Work has been nutso again and I need more sleep!

TRYING: To get early nights :)

LOVING: New seasons fashions, the small bits of sunshine we're getting, and as always, Simon!

PLANNING: The trip to Perth in November for Kate & Gareth's wedding! I'm heading back to my hometown for 10 days, to see my family, and one of my best friends get married. Bliss! (Also trying not to panic about what to wear to the wedding. Its at a winery in the Perth summertime, so the trick is to look glamorous, but not too dolled up, and to feel cool).

WRITING: Emails and my blog, but also twitter again, as I have my iphone up and running.

INSPIRED BY: My sister, who is going through a tough time in her personal life at the moment. My mum, who is being there for my sister, and also has gone back to Uni to study nursing.

Have a fantastic weekend lovelies! I'm off to have a massage xoxox

Dovima with Elephants

Is this not one of the most elegant photos of all time? One of my favourites, anyway, by the late Richard Avedon. Le sigh.

True Blood Love & Election Drama

Ok, for starters, there is something incredibly hot about that Rolling Stone cover - drool! And how lovely is this - Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer got married this weekend.

I'm in much better spirits (and health) than my last post, which is good. We even had a warm couple of hours in Melbourne yesterday, which makes me feel like winter is lifting perhaps. It's funny, cos I really do love winter, but it does feel like it's been a longer, colder winter this year...you know when you get to a certain point and are just craving the next season? That's me right now.

Our computer is currently with a friend being mended (hopefully), and I also now have an iphone, so can respond to comments finally (my work computer allows me to post, but not to comment - for some reason writing is allowed, but commenting is "social networking", haha).

Had a fun weekend - but it's pretty annoying having to wait (with baited breath, I might add) for the election results. I really do actually fear for the country if Tony Abbott is our new PM. Argh.

Ooh, in other news, have you heard that there's a documentary about Heidi Montag? Apparently she's had 30 plastic surgery procedures....and she's only 23 or 24 years old...so that both scares me, saddens me, and draws me in to watch the documentary. Here's a before and after of Miss Montag:

I am sick, and other reasons why I hate the world

I have been sick for almost a week now, and I'm fed up!! Stupid sinus & chest infection and a relentless cough that is truly driving me crazy, grr.

And on top of that our home computer has gone insane, and even with new virus software is refusing to work. I just got a new iphone, but am unable to set it up because I can't sync it with the computer, argh. I could do it with our Mac, but the better itunes collection is on the laptop, so double argh.

Then the stupid lady at the train station this morning, announces over the loudspeaker that we should make sure we hurry getting onto the trains, as they're only supposed to be at the station for 20 seconds and so if we (the passengers) take our time getting on, then *we* cause all the delays. Like omg, how insulting!!

p.s. - hurry up tax return money - I need you!

Here is a photo of Mr Shuffles to make me feel a bit better:

Boys don't make passes, at girls who wear glasses...

So today when getting ready for work, I lost a contact lens somewhere in my bathroom! I had taken a leisurely lie-in, so didn't really have the time, but I spent a good 5 minutes looking for the lens on my bathroom floor, to no avail.

As my vision is pretty bad long distance, I pretty much need glasses or contacts to help me through the day! So our came my trusty glasses, which are black, square-ish and have an orange inner to the frame. My boyfriend is often commenting how much he likes me in glasses, so of course that's an incentive, and I do like the retro style that they encourage but honestly contact lens are usually an easier option (don't have to worry about prescription sunglasses etc)

Today I built my outfit around my glasses - leopard print woollen cropped cardigan, black blousy top, black skinny pants, black ballet flats, and my hair is up & back in a messy bun, with the top teased and held with a black 60's style headband.

Am thinking about keeping up the glasses wearing for the next few weeks - what do you think?

A cut above

Just browsing through some of the resort collections on Style.com and saw these beauties by Proenza Schouler - think I'm in love!

Hopefully by the time Spring roles around in the Souther Hemisphere, some local designer will do a more affordable-for-me knock off....

Beautiful Christina & a Tribute to Curves

I was reading the Age newspaper online this morning (often do whilst eating my breakfast and sipping my coffee at work), and came across this lovely article about one of my favourite ladies, Christina Hendricks (who plays Joan Holloway on Mad Men).

http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/people/hendricks-a-fabulous-role-model-mp-20100726-10s9o.html

As my body has changed over the years from a tiny, flat-chested size 8 to the voluptuous size 14-16 I am today, I have verrrrrrry gradually become comfortable in my skin, and it is having role models like Christina that has enabled me to do so.

Recently I have also started reading fashion/style blogs like frocks and frou frou (http://frocksandfroufrou.com), Fatshionable (http://fatshionable.com), Curves to Kill (http://teerwayde.blogspot.com), Fashion Hayley (http://www.fashionhayley.com) and Curvy Girl Chic (http://www.curvygirlchic.com). I find all of these women inspiring and fun - well worth a daily read!

Further inspiration

This is Diane Birch - a singer from America. I have never heard her music, but was just browsing Vogue.com and came across her picture...further inspiration for a fringe *and* remotivating me to buy a trench coat.

Ooh, and Vogue's article says she loves hats...and I love hats! BFF's, non? (Actually, reading the article kind of made me dislike her...she comes across imo as someone who thinks she's sooo different, when really she's like any other mid-20's hipster wannabe). But, I shall ignore this, and dream of new hair and new coats.

My sister arrives in Melbourne for a holiday next weekend, which will be a good excuse for shopping heaven :)

It's a curly one

Am back to being a little bored with my hair at the moment, and thinking of having a fringe cut. I'm happy with my current length (just resting on my shoulders when curly), but just feeling a little blag and boring.

Was thinking maybe of a fringe like this, as Rachel Bilson has a round-ish face like mine:



But then this fringe that Keira Knightly has looks like easier to maintain:




Or Karen Elson's fringe (and I love her colour):



My idea I think is to be able to wear the rest of my hair either curly or straight, so the fringe has to suit that. Sometimes a Bettie Page style can work really well curly, but I don't know if that would suit my face. Usually I can get one to two days out of my fringe before I need to wash my hair, so it needs to be versatile....

I haven't even made a hair appointment yet, so it's all still musing at the moment :)

A Moment in July...

This post is inspired by my friends Laurie & Briony! (Although they did their "moments" in June, and I am a few days late).

Listening I mostly have RRR radio station on at home, but between us, my boyfriend and I have a big music collection too. Lately have been listening to New Pornographers (their new album is awesome!), Eddie Current Supression Ring, Queens of the Stone Age and old Rolling Stones stuff.

Reading a book called "Brightness Falls" by Jay McInerney. It's about a couple who live in New York, and set in the late 80's. Also this weeks Grazia magazine, and waiting for my Shop Till You Drop mag to arrive.

Watching series 2 of Entourage - I've seen up to the end of S4 I think, but Simon had never seen it so we're re-watching together. Just finished S3 of Sopranos and we tried to buy S3 of Mad Men over the weekend but JB's on Chapel St had sold out!

Buying new pillows for the bedroom, two pairs of new jeans, brown wedge heels (too cute) and a slow cooker.

Wanting a new tv for the lounge room. Our current set-top box is dying, and it's driving me a little crazy. Also, a clothes dryer.

Trying to get over a sinus infection and the flu I had last week. So tired. Have been pretty healthy though and am conscious lately of being mindful about what and how much I eat.

Loving our new heater - oil heater, 11 fins, from target with a timer switch. It's made getting up in the morning so much easier! The new puppy Coco, I met yesterday. She is 11 weeks old, and a border collie.



Planning fun times for when my sister Brianna comes to visit me in Melbourne (next weekend), and a trip to Simon's family farm at the end of July.

Writing trying to keep up with emails to friends & family, and also my blog

Inspired By Simon's aunt Barb who overcame cancer to recently give birth to gorgeous baby Alexander, and Miranda's sister Brooke who is unfortunately having to continue her cancer battle. Nothing I am going through compares to the strength these ladies have got and have needed to draw upon.

Miu Miu, designer lament & faux fur goodness

Check out these photos from the Fall 2010 Miu Miu collection - beautiful texture and colour - swoon!





And this coat, from the same collection, is just what I need for the company retreat in Cradle Mountain next week. If only I had a designer budget, le sigh.



Actually, I was talking to a friend recently who I grew up with (the lovely Kitty LaRue) and lamenting the lack of our designer purchases of late. Also wondering how the hell we managed to shop so well back in the day, where did we get the money? Oh yeah, that's right...we didn't eat, haha! I think I used to spend 20 pounds a week on my grocery bill, which left plenty of dough left over for the more important things in life, like D&G shoes or a Miu Miu dress.

Today am wearing a faux fur coat that I realised I have owned for 15 years!! Of course its not in perfect condition anymore, the clasp is broken and so I can no longer actually do it up (also perhaps has something to do with the fact that when I bought the coat I was a size 10)....but amazingly it still looks fabulous and is very warm. With the freezing cold weather we've had recently in Melbourne, a snuggly warm coat is an essential! (Might look for a faux fur coat I can actually do up over the "girls" though....leopard print is a-calling, but perhaps something black?)

Tiah

This is the gorgeous Tiah Eckhardt - a fellow Perth girl, and redhead. I remember her from the Search for a Supermodel show that also launched Gemma Ward and Nicole Trunfio in the early/mid 00's, but in the following years she has just become more and more stunning and I think really come into her own. (And she's a mum!)

I'm not sure if it's the red hair, but she also really reminds me of Karen Elson right now.



(Btw, these pics are from New Zealand magazine "No")

Going over the knee...

So I've been talking with my boss this morning about over the knee boots. They're one of those fashion items that can go one of two ways imo - oh so chic with a pair of cute baggy shorts and opaques, or straying into hookers-ville when you go micro mini skirt/julia roberts in pretty women stylee.

Ooh, and I love love loved it when Anne Hathaway rocked a pair of over-the-knees with some leather pants and that HOT hair in Devil Wears Prada.

For me, I'd be likely to go for a flat pair of boots, black leather and go the way of Hillary Duff in the photo above, or one of my all-time faves, Miss Kate Moss. The way Hayden has styled her boots has left her a little stumpy (but then again I think she is quite petite).

Currently also loving this girl, challening a Prince-does-Chanel look imo:



and wondering if I could pull this off. Not sure the long, loose layers work on curves....might only be a skinny-girl look.

In other (rather adorable) news...last night I had the train journey from hell, getting home at 9pm. My boyfriend made us dinner, and waited for me to be home to eat...he'd made a pasta bake and written "I heart E.D." in tomato paste on top of the dinner. Soooo so sweet, and totally distracted me from wanting to stab half of Metro Trains for the rest of the night.

Acceptance

It's funny how people change - this afternoon I was picking up my boyfriend's jeans from the tailor, and it got me thinking how I used to be so fixated on my measurements. For instance, I totally remember writing in my diary how upset I was because my waist measured "a disgusting 27 inches". (That's exactly what I wrote).

What the hell was wrong with me that I thought having a 27 inch waist made me fat??? Crazy times.

These days my waist is far from that tiny measurement, and I'm way more focused on embracing my curves and dressing to highlight them. Of course it would be great to have a naturally slim waist like I had in the past...but I probably enjoy my food a lot more nowadays, and so if that means being a bigger size, then so be it.

I'm actually a much happier person being non-model-sized, and I know my boyfriend appreciates my curves too. I'm not saying I don't have my down days or fat days, but it's a lot more relaxing just being who I am, rather than freaking out about gaining an inch around my waist!

Ladies I Love

Bebe Buell (Liv Tyler's mum), and a really cool lady)



Pamela Des Barres (have you read her books about music/groupiedom in the 60's & 70's? Must must must read...plus I heard that they're making a tv show or movie with Zoe Deschanel based on the first book!)



Jean Shrimpton (so photogenic and awesomely cool)



Marilyn Monroe (even though she had a pretty tragic life, there is something in Marilyn's eyes that always draws me in. One of my favourite books of all time is the Marilyn book by Bert Stern (the last sitting), and recently I received a really lovely compliment comparing my skin to Marilyn's glowing complexion)

Leopard print, how I love thee

There are a couple of prints that I simply cannot go past - navy & white polkadots, anything stripey (but especially a breton stripe) and leopard.

I love leopard as it reminds me of 50's kitch mixed with pin-up girl style, which is right up my alley. I make it a point to obviously not wear more than one leopard print item at a time, as otherwise it can stray into the land of tackiness.

I actually only have three leopard items in the house (two leopard print faux fur cushions, and a lampshade that my friend Miranda helped me make) but wardrobe-wise own a leopard print beret, pencil skirt, ponyskin clutch and the vintage coat I'm wearing in the photo above.

Now, keeping in mind that I'm currently rocking my new pair of trenery cigarette pants week after week, and also do have a lot of black....do you think a pair of leopard ballet flats would be pushing the leopard-limits?

Success, and all that jazz

So guess what - I found "the" ballet flats! I found them at Wittner, and they ticked all my boxes, hurrah. Lately I have scored on the fashion-front actually, with not only the ballet flats, but a black knit from Country Road, black slim leg pants from Trenery, a black woollen top from Trenery and a tweedy dress from Target that is so Joan Holloway!

I'm also reading the current issue of Shop Till You Drop magazine (which is all about dressing for bodies of all shapes & sizes), and the Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell, so am in a bit of fashion heaven at the moment.

Have been a social butterfly again, which of course is heaps of fun, but I do get tired, gah - the lows of being old. So tonight is a night in, and I can't wait! All set for Glee, a snuggly blanket and my cosy apartment (oh, it's FREEZING in Melbourne right now - winter has well and truly arrived).

Ooh, just remembered I also found a really good ebay purchase - houndstooth swing coat for $35, yay! I have also been doing a wardrobe cull by the way (you know, in case you are wondering where I actually keep all these things, haha).

Another little arrival this week has been a new cousin for my boyfriend! Still unnamed, baby Kelly came into the world on Tuesday afternoon, and I can't wait to meet him :)

The perfect ballet flat, and other desires

So I am on the hunt right now! On the hunt for the perfect black, leather, ballet flat. I want a round toe and simple design; a shoe that will actually last for more than 6 months without getting a hole in the heel. I'd honestly rather not have to pay upwards of $100, but in this day & age I'd be lucky.

My other lust item is a new winter jacket. I'm torn between a neutral trench coat from Witchery, a navy duffel coat also from Witchery and a camel coat from Cue.

Also on the shopping list:

*leopard print ballet flats
*some new knits that will flatter my curvy shape
*slim leg black pants

At least my hair is working its way through the "awkward stage"! Well, with the help of my trusty curling wand and different hair accessories, that is. Now only for winter (or at least autumn) to descend upon Melbourne, and then I can start with my hats and berets again.

Pretty Ladies to inspire me

Just realised I haven't posted anything here in a few weeks - it truly has been a whirlwind lately, but also one of those moments where if I sat down and tried to work out exactly what I'd been up to, it would be hard to say!

Just lots of work, play and interstate visitors, which has all been lovely, but left me pretty tired.

Ok, my computer is being silly right now, and not letting me access my photobucket, so pics will come later...but I wanted to say something about two different ladies - Karen Elson and Olivia Palermo. I (not so secretly) am a big fan of The Hills and The City, and one of the main things that drew me into both shows was the fashion and styling. Olivia Palermo is the "bitch" of The City, and honestly can often come across as a total airhead idiot. However, the girl is simply beautiful and omg, that hair! I am in the process of growing my hair at the moment (going from a 1920's bob to long wavy hair I think), and Olivia's hair is very covetable. Miss Palermo is always turned out very well too - classic, with a twist.

Onto Miss Elson (or should I say, Mrs Jack White). This YSL ad starring Karen from a few years ago has long been a favourite of mine. That's another reason why I want to have longer hair again - so that I can have wild curls, pretty waves (hello Lauren Conrad) and the Rita Hayworth barrel curls often favoured by Karen Elson. Oh, and I'm sure my straightener will get a look-in from time to time.

In the meantime though, I'm going through the dreaded "growing out" phase. And as someone who is known for her great hair (no modesty here today), I feel like I'm only getting about one good hair day a week. Grr. Might have to visit the hairdresser for some in-between styling assistance. Winter could also hurry up so that I may start wearing my berets and hats again.

Ok, zuel over and out. Have a lovely weekend lovelies xoxo

Marc Jacobs, I f-ing love you!

I was reading an article recently on Showstudio (showstudio.com) about the collections, and the writer Alex Fury says something pretty cool and seeminly, totally spot-on:

"at New York Fashion Week the focus is arguably more on the clothes than anywhere else. In London, it's about newness - new talent, new ideas, brave new fashion frontiers forged. In Milan, it's about big bucks and even bigger business - you don't go there expecting to be surprised. In Paris it's about haute couture and high art, and qu'ils mangent de la brioche to commercial considerations. Old or new, designers in New York seem resolutely focussed on what people actually want to wear."

He goes on to say that Marc Jacobs recent collection was a perfect example of this, and omg, I am totally in love with this dress! I want it to be on me, to misquote Ron Burgundy. Swoon!

Girl Crush of the Day

Ok, I'm more of a Joan Hollaway in looks myself, but I'm crushing on this girl today (love the hair, the stripey top, the tiny wrist tattoo!):



p.s. - pic found at http://www.leblogdebetty.com/2010/03/02/cap-sur-saint-james/

London Fashion Week - A/W 2010

I wasn't as blown away by London Fashion Week this season, but did love the details and colour shown in Jasper Conran's collection:



And I really loved this beautiful fabric that Bora Aksu used:



Plus, there was the lovely Geri Halliwell, who took part in Naomi Campbell's Relief Haiti show (I always have a soft spot for a fellow ginger):



And in my own personal fashion news - I'm coveting slinky pencil skirts, structured jackets, a new black pea coat, some new nude heels, black pumps and black ballet flats and a beautiful drapey dress from Veronika Maine. Bring on payday!

NY Fashion Week - A/W 2010

Browsing through the photos from New York Fashion Week (A/W 2010) and came across this perfect leather jacket from L.A.M.B:



Also loving this photo of Gwen, with her models (I want her hair!)



The ornate collections from Diane von Furstenberg:



and Monique L'hullier:





My eternal favourite, Betsey Johnson:





And the shoe fetish-ist in me just swooned for this pair of Louboutins on an audience member:



Ciao for now darlings!