Saturday 31 December 2011

On The Eve of 2012...

There are two things that consistently make me happy. Happy in the cheesy way for example - 'I think my heart just smiled' or 'oh my, that just took my breath away'.... You know, pure CHEESE! As you can see, I'm clearly having a pre-new year emotional some or other. Back to the point I have just the minute indulged in the viewing of a short film which, like all short films I genuinely favour, is beautifully shot with a clear and considered attention to detail (numero 2 of my 'things that make me happy') and devoid of unnecessary and swaying commentary. For the millionth time, I wish I knew how to add Vimeo films directly into this post, but because I don't enjoy a couple of minutes of subtle creative genius here before getting your party on on this 2012 eve!

Kinfolk - A guide to small gatherings (via Tiger In A Jar)










The glass jars with the cork stopper really make this home made honey all that more appealing. Attention to detail will do that every single time...

Friday 30 December 2011

What Are YOU Doing New Years Eve?

A little over a week ago I was able to finally become one of the masses by buying myself an iPhone. In the grand scheme of things, it's not the most note worthy of my recent 'accomplishments' however it has made me genuinely cheery. That is, of course, until I found myself downloading the Facebook App. I'm not entirely against Facebook - just quietly I'm a regular offending of using Facebook as my procrastination scapegoat - but am able to a least admit that it's addictive usage and lack luster stimulation makes for a huge waste of time. 

As dismal as my review of Facebook might sound I am going to jump right in a put my foot in my mouth by saying that today, Facebook offered up quite the gem! Sometimes, not often, but sometimes one of the numerous acquaintances Facebook calls 'friends' will supply 2mins worth of smile-inducing goodness. In today's case, a song sung by Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon Levitt and featuring my instrument of the moment, a Ukelele questioning - 'What are you doing for New Years Eve?' 


As for me, my New Years Eve is going to be spent in the company of some wonderful new friends and a very handsome magic man...

Sunday 11 December 2011

I Want To Ride My Bicycle...

After enduring (successfully) my first Personal Training in 3 years yesterday I have come to the undeniable conclusion that I am not a personally trainable kind of gal. Thank goodness for my wise and knowing bf, he has both suggested and agreed to join me in an alternate kind of exercise - more specifically, bike riding. 

I genuinely can't remember the last time I rode a bike but I'm hoping the saying that notes ones ability to bike ride is never forgotten is true. And so, with bike riding in mind I have yet again stumbled across some inspiration... 

Public Bikes  offers just the right amount of vintage charm, comfort and functionality that a girl such as myself might require in an alternate mode of transport. Put more simply, they are just so damn pretty!!!





I love this special edition C7 - 9th Avenue bike but there is something to be said for the 'blueberry' coloured two wheeler below. Am I right or am I right?!


I'm not going to lie, I am a little concerned about the impending and unavoidable issues of helmet hair. Don't judge though. If I still had my seriously long locks of which were lost to a good cause earlier this year I would not be so anxious. Instead I currently 'rock' a 'do' that harps a little back to the Beatles mop top and one which does not function very well under the weight of anything... Sigh, it's a tough life isn't it.

Monday 5 December 2011

'Making' My Christmas...

I am - like most of my fellow Fashion Graduates - currently feeling a genuine pinch in the area wear my wallet would sit so buying presents for what is becoming an extended family is more difficult than ever. It's not that I don't want to be present planning/shopping/wrapping I just simply don't have the funds. Instead I have been on the SERIOUS prowl for homemade gift ideas - more so than usual. 

Seeing as this year will be Canadian Christmas numero 2 I thought I'd bring a little Aussie to the dinner table. More specifically, I'm making a Christmas cake! Not traditionally Australian, obviously, but there was a serious lack of it last year and I'm very keen to fill that gap. My only issue with this attempt at edible/mass gifting is that it isn't going to end up being the most aesthetically pleasing addition to the party so..... as always, the blogs have come to my rescue!! The Purl Bee suggests the Glittering Cookie Recipe and in return I would suggest that everyone get their stretchy pants on - it's chow time! 

If Only I Could Wear Pastels...

I have a propensity to dress with menswear in mind more often than not. Mostly it's subconscious as I'm not the most avid follower of menswear trends nor am I all that interested in designing for men. I do however LOVE styling men. It is not surprising then that my favourite elements of the G.V.G.V Spring/Summer '12 collection are the pleated pants, two-toned pastel biker jackets and a sheer boxy-cut shirt over delicious palm print shorts circa Elvis in his movie making hay-day! And more than all of the aforementioned, the clear front runner has to be the black gingham pant and shirt combo with just the right amount of 50's housewife peplum thrown in for good measure(Note the peplum reference - don't discount my girly-ness all together)... 









Images via Style Bubble

Aside from what I prefer from this collection, an interesting little tid-bit arose to greet my attention as I was scrolling through the above images. Forgive me if you already knew or picked this (and once again, by 'you' I mean the allusive reader of this blog who may or may not exist beyond my imagination) but G.V.G.V. is a Japanese label. Far from the Rei Kawakubo's and Yohji Yamamoto's this collection has a cleanliness that can be appreciated as much for its simplicity as a Comme Des Garcons collection can be appreciated for its conceptual depth. The seemingly juxtaposed reference to both the traditional notion of housewife AND the British Teddy Boy also makes for an either odd or obvious collaboration - depending on your view - which I find subtle, inspiring and more to the point, something that I would want to wear. 

Make of this collection what you will - it has been noted elsewhere that either via concept or outcome, a sense of deja vu might arise when viewing the above collection. I, however, am clearly a fan. A BIG fan. If only I had the coin and the lack of a sense of responsibility so that I could actually own some for myself.

Friday 2 December 2011

The Flood Gates Have Opened...

Now that I have found one source inspiring shinanigans it seems to be coming at me from every direction - and by every direction I just mean my computer screen... I hate being too poor to buy magazines. Susie Lau of Style Bubble is herself a wealth of drool worthy information and today is obviously no different. 

Today's lesson - as soon as you think you know your style, it changes. More specifically, mine has taken an unforeseen swing toward the S/S 12 collection by J.W. Anderson wonderfully named 'Craft Goes Machine'



I'm a big fan of the print. Feels a little retro, like wearable Tetris... Aside from that though, the thing that I found most surprising is that I genuinely enjoy the 'pieced together' aesthetic. It's like there was a trip to the local Salvos prior to construction ending in one garment becoming a feast of God knows how many other garments. Add a few strategically placed eyelets and a length of leather and there you have it...



















There's also something to be said for a good blue and white pajama stripe!!! Which reminds me of another fun find (which I may or may not have already posted)...


Again... not something I'm usually into. Simplicity is key with me - I can barely handle wearing more than two layers. But this little DIY killed it for me!

I Thought I'd Lost You...

On Thursday night I found myself in the depths of a 5-way conversation and an awful lot of empathy. Now that I'm nearing quarter life crisis age I think I forgot the significance of the life's little achievements - such as finishing uni - and just how affecting those achievements can be. Thursday's discourse definitely brought that realization to the forefront. It's not that I am bored at the moment. I have a trillion and one things to do before I leave the country in two weeks not least of which includes actually packing my bags. I am however lacking motivation, inspiration and even a little confidence. I'm clearly in desperate need of a new creative endeavor to sink my teeth into. 
The point of this post is not to cast a cloud over an already cloudy day (if someone can tell me where Summer is I'd love to know!) but more to bring some attention to the necessity of pursuing and maintaining inspiration, which I think I may have just found - even if it only lasts a day.

Meet Marco Velardi - Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Barcelona based interiors magazine 'Apartamento' - and his partner in creative crime Christopher Nying - Co-founder and designer of fashion brand Our Legacy. 





Marco is only 28years old!
On his partner Christopher - "It's almost like he is visualizing ahead of me. Like what I would like to wear in 6 months."






"It's important to be spontaneous... listen to yourself, what you like. And don't think too much of other people - how they can affect you."





Aside from their obvious success the cacophony of creative talents and interest that the two share between them is exciting. I have been having particular trouble lately trying to decide what specifically to do with my impending degree - every time I mention having just finished uni I am bound to be asked "so what are you going to do/be now?" Well, thank god for kids like these (above) because shit, I want to do/be it all!

Check out the video which inspired this post at THE AVANT/GARDE DIARIES. And if that only just begins to whet your appetite explore Apartamento Magazine  and Our Legacy ...

Saturday 26 November 2011

A Little Style.com-ing...

I'm feeling lazy and seeing as up until about 2 weeks ago I hadn't had enough to inhale let alone enjoy my fav Style.com updates I am now taking the opportunity to lay like a lizard and scroll through the best of Fall 2011.

I have never been much of a Valentino fan. That's not to say that I don't have an extraordinary amount of respect for both the man and the brand. There just seems to be something in the Valentino water now that Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have come on board. 

A few of my particular favourites...







And the ones that I will be dreaming about one day being heavy enough in the pockets to own are...

With a little fur underneath this baby would make me a happy Canadian-winter 'camper'!