45 degrees and style = very hard to do

Ugh. I hate summer! I know, I know, I hear the gasps of disbelief but I'm sorry, it does not encourage outfit creativity in me, and that alone is enough to make me shake my fists at the blazing sun!
Although I will qualify that by saying I do love those balmy summer nights at the beach or strolling around with friends at a cafe districts in the warm breeze, but in general, Melbourne's extreme heat at this time of year equals unoriginal and boring outfits. Give me winter any day, where the layers can be as simple or complex as you wish, but not summer, where anything more than a loose, short dress or singlet and shorts is too much. Not to mention the hair!
Is it just me, or does summer also equal boring ponytails or quick buns on top of the head?
I have so many pieces in my wardrobe that do not lend themselves to above 35 degree heat, and perhaps I should seek to rectify that in future. Hrm. Food for thought.




On another note, I recently (at Christmas?) bought the cutest little floral bustier.....loves it! However, talk about a cleavage alert! I can't wait for winter to be able to layer on top of some singlets ala Fashion Toast. Sorry about the crap photo where you can't actually see the bustier, all other photos were much too 'busty'...ha. ha. ha

Beauty

Mystery girl from The Sart's blog
Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren

Isabella Rossellini

Ingrid Bergman

First post 2010

Life in this new decade, in the realm of fashion anyway, is off to an auspicious and blessed start because I have acquired today some lovely earrings, shoes, and leather jacket, all for under $30! I need to stock up somethin' serious because once I'm back at work, I just know that early Sunday mornings such as today will be unthinkable. Despite having had a late night, I awoke at the crack of dawn to head off to Camberwell market with sister dearest and walked away much poorer in money, yet richer in possessions. Sister and I also saw the most amazing shoes today....stacked platform, navy blue, PVC, and cut out at the back. My description just doesn't do them justice.
Meanwhile, ever since seeing them on another blog, I am dying for a pair of nude Gorman clogs....sounds 'ugh' but just divine! I am pretty sure they would match every single item in my wardrobe.
Enough of this banter, photo time!

Last night

Unashamed poser
Love them!
Perhaps ugly to some, but insanely comfortable and they're not black! I like the edge they give most outfits, I love me some contrast.

Cute earrings

Last Post 2009

Oooohh, that sounds awfully final doesn't it? I suppose it is though, saying goodbye to a year that was insanely similar to a rollercoaster ride and saying hello to another decade which I know will be worlds different from my last 10 years.

The past decade has been incredible. All my years of highschool were survived from 1999-2004, university from 2005-2008 and married in that last year of uni on the 5th of July. 2009 was that first year of teaching and marriage that will never be surpassed in its levels of anxiety and elation and now, hello to the rest of my life! Those milestones have been passed, but hopefully there are many more to come.

I love getting all retrospective, don't you? Although never without a twinge of sadness, as I get nostalgic at the best times, let alone on such an occasion as the end of a decade.

It's surprised me how many friends I have made and lost in this past year, as I've always been adamant that the friends I had, I would keep forever. How naive! It's also surprised me how grown-up I can be if I have to, and how much people can change.

It's also the first year I've become fearless ( to me ) in my style and clothing choices and as husband always remarks when seeing old photos "Oh wow, back when you dressed normal." :)

2009 was the year that I cemented who I am and who I want to be, the year of reckoning in so many ways. So adieu, aufwiedersen and bonjour 2010!

throw your hands in the air

I say throw your hands in the air as it's officially party season! Friday night was our work Christmas party which was an all-round great night. It was made even better when my gorgeous husband rocked up (he was DJ-ing at a Carols night) with my birthday present! I finally have a proper camera to document my life and make this blogging gig so much easier....no more having to upload to facebook first and then saving photos. ha!

Already getting a bit excited and taking photos of me mid-getting ready

The laughing man on the right is my husband. It is quite a feat to get him in any photos, let alone laughing!
Colleague and I


Oh my gosh! My new shoes! I desperately needed some new heels to complement all my vintage dresses, and I was determined to find some on my birthday. I really wanted them to be brand new, as all of the shoes I've bought at op-shops fall apart after one week. These babies were waiting for me at Wittner on Acland St, and on the sale rack too. I hesitantly asked the assistant "You wouldn't have any bigger sizes would you?", knowing that usually, if shoes are on sale, sizes are limited. But she brought out my perfect size and they were mine for like, $55 !! The platform keeps them modern, but the straps and peep-toe are perfect for my vintage look. I was over the moon! I love when you set out for a particular item and you find it...

The shoes in action. The dress is a TAV design from the Cook Islands, from husband's mother as a gift.
Getting ready for our church Christmas carols....
Love the Peter Pan-esque collar on this blouse.

Sepia, Black & White, Colour

I desperately needed some shoes to match all my vintage-inspired dresses, something that evoked a 40's-50's feel....these babies from the Salvos hit the spot, not to mention another brand new pair I found at Wittner for $50! I was so surprised that what I set out to find, I found!

A lovely friend said this looked very '40's film noir'. Made my day.

Life of Pi

Winner of the Man Book Prize you say? Seven million copies sold, you say? I say, I must read! If only purely out of curiosity, to experience for myself what others have deemed so worthy of such acclaim. I am 13 pages in, and so far, the style and perhaps genre reminds me of Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Speaking of books, Nikki Gemmell is one amazing writer. I picked up her book, flicking through it absent-mindedly at Borders, and I had to walk to a seat with my eyes never leaving the page.

The way she says things just resonates with me in a really unexpected but strangely satisfying way. Her sentences almost make me gasp and I feel like that's the way I would have said it, if I ever had a chance. Or, that's the way I wish I would have said it, if only I could write.