Tinned Peaches and Cream

l.i.f.e.g.o.e.s.o.n.

2011-07-02T14:47:00.000+01:00

Noah and the Whale

L. I. F. E G. O. E. S. O. N.

You've got more than money and sense my friend

You've got heart, and you're going your own way

L. I. F. E. G. O. E. S. O. N.

What you don't have now will come back again

You've got heart, and you're going your own way

Sorry to do such a cornball post but this is for someone very special, you know who you are (probably the only person who still occasionally reads this blog). But just in case, everyone else I'm giving you fair warning to look away now, lest you lose all respect for me and my blog but I do promise I will not be turning this into one of 'those' blogs anytime soon, this a definite one-off, I just couldn't resist..........................................................................................

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i'm sure i could make you hand fit mine...

2011-07-02T13:17:00.000+01:00

Mr Milk - You Am I

On the day when another, much more important Kate got married and Our Kate and Wills are off making friends in Canadia-land, I finally hit paydirt and treated myself to my ultimate Royal Wedding keepsake. Yes, I have mugs, of course, and my friends have the Limited Edition Oyster card (!) but Tatty Devine's modern take on the cameo was the object of my desire.

I am totally going to pass it on to my grandchildren. When they're about 30 and know how to respect their belongings, no sooner, what did you think I would let children touch my things with their greasy dirty hands and their rough disregard for history??!!

and my heart's still beating like a hammer

2011-06-28T19:13:00.000+01:00

Help I'm Alive - Metric

Watchout! I've been doing Pump classes lately - I'm already seeing it change my body. Well, I'm doing regular ballet classes for the first time in a while too, so I think they can both be credited with my abs of steel. Has anyone ever tried Pump though? It is such hard work that sometimes it makes me a little bit 'grrrr'. And I pull some very funny faces.

The two finger cross ring is from Urban Outfitters but it doesn't come out very often because I'm such a practical gal and it really limits what you can do when you've got two of your fingers stuck together!!

all the other kids with the pumped up kicks

2011-05-31T22:10:00.000+01:00

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People

Yesterday I liked what I was wearing (to see Pirates Four) so I wanted to share. Lots of new things in these pics, the perfect leather biker jacket being Most Important Procurement of the year or perhaps decade! Also in this pic is my new book necklace, it has real blank pages that I've decided I'm going to use to record the details of what I do every time I wear it, where I went and who I was with and believe me I have already had some doozies with this baby! I got it in the Melbourne boutique that is now in Cathedral Arcade where Genki used to be but I can't remember what it is called! It sounds kind of similar to Genki actually.

The necklace is my new timepiece from Sportsgirl. Yes, I was home for visit recently. It was crazy busy and I was absolutely exhausted after but it was great to see everyone - lots and lots of love and kisses to all xx

And finally this is my new/old room. Note the copious amounts of natural light which definitely aid in picture taking. And we finally put up our mirrors! That is the same old boyfriend's elbow you can spot if you look real close. Peace kids!!

in december drinking horchata

2011-01-22T16:31:00.000Z

Horchata - Vampire Weekend

A few more piccies from our trip that I liked and wanted to share with you. Did everybody see the Britney episode of Glee which was on UK teevee this week? Loved it! I think it is the best yet. Mostly because it featured my favourite character Brittany, she is hilarious!

I freakin' love these bendy things.

Mmm coffee. Not. This man thought we wanted two coffees when Wes tried to order one for himself. I think coffee is yucky. But I drank this one because the man who made it was really sweet and I didn't want to offend him. It wasn't actually that yucky.

Paella and sangria: my perfect meal.

baubles

2011-01-14T21:40:00.000Z

One way of describing the shopping in southern Spain is disappointing. Or do you think I should have snapped up one of these babies?

andalucia

2011-01-09T22:16:00.000Z

I'm baaack! Just a few photos from our trip around the south of Spain over Christmas and New Year. Loved it. Real sunshine, good food, great company and a random NYE with strangers I will never see again.

i thread the needle through

2010-12-14T22:47:00.000Z

Beat the Devil's Tattoo - BRMC

Just documented our Sunday stroll through Camden passage for brekky followed by my first dabble in Christmas shopping. And last. Wes and I agreed we will only give little presents this year as we are going to be travelling and every kilo counts! Plus it means we are allowed to buy ourselves a present if something catches our eye in Spain! I think low-key Christmases are catching on. I still got to buy frothy pink things for our two nieces though.

This is also what I basically wore to see BRMC the same weekend. They were really good but played lots of songs I didn't know and a weird pre-recorded voice-over from Iggy Pop. Next on the list are Band of Horses and The Bravery.

Hmm, have I told you about my love of mixing prints? No? Well I really love mixing prints. There.

Lucky we got up early and have finished already. I can't believe people kept joining the end of the queue! Do they realise how many tables are in there? You are actually going to be waiting for the duration of the entire cafe's meals! Then you still might not get in until the next round.

My fab leather (look) leggings and my new boots.

Coat and Breton: Topshop; Scarf and beret: Urban Outfitters; Leggings and gloves: H & M; Boots: Kurt Geiger

go home, i'd like to

2010-12-04T16:50:00.000Z

Dirty Cartoons - Menomena

Of course by now you know or have at least heard that the snow arrived in London this week. Love it. I am crossing my fingers for more. It was way heavier than in this photo but I didn't take any more shots during the week for some reason. I got my hair trimmed again to be the way I originally wanted it but I think I actually liked it better when it was wrong! Go figure, maybe I'll just need a little while to get used to it. Also, Wes and I went to see Menomena on Tuesday night at brand spanking new venue XOYO in Shoreditch. It still had concrete dust on the stairs and the bars have funny sumo-wrestler suit soundproofing but it was quite intimate - the stage is under the stairs. The band were very interactive with the audience, telling jokes when the sax pick-up wouldn't work (yes, there was a sax) and the drummer doing a little 'boom-tish' after the punch lines. They are really great musically as well, you should check them out if you get a chance.

someone still loves you boris yeltsin

2010-11-27T10:55:00.000Z

If I weren't totally broke, I would be going retail crazy right now. With all the winter and 'holiday' collections arriving in stores everyday there are just so many irresistible items I have spied and it is hard imagining getting through winter without them! There are the obvious, of course, like I need a new pair of black ankle boots to replace my old holey ones, but there are a few more fun and frivolous items that have caught my eye...

I think this Whistles muff would actually be really practical given the juggling act I perform everyday when I need to take my gloves off to do anything on my phone, which risks dropping phone or gloves or both. But if my gloves were attached to my neck...drama solved!

Hear me out here!! Well, I actually have no reasonable explanation for this one other than that I have always seen snow boots as completely lacking in any style, and one of those signs that someone has just given up and succumbed to pure practicality with no interest in maintaining their physical appearance. But now I look at them and think, I reckon I could pull it off. These ones are by Rubber Duck and you can get them here.

Matalan is definitely not somewhere I have ever looked for wardrobe-updating staples but that is exactly what I think this dress would be. I have so far completely resisted the obsession everyone has with maxi stuff but I now think it would be an absolutely perfect all-weather layering piece and I think this one ticks many trend boxes. And it's sooo cheap!

You may have noticed that I am finding a bit more time for blogging lately. You would be correct with the main reason being that basically all my friends decided to leave London for sunnier climes downunder and I now find myself with far fewer social engagements to fit into my schedule. Party season? What parties?! I really miss them all, but hope they are all enjoying their new lives xx

A little more for little you

2010-11-24T20:55:00.000Z

The Hives

I never really got the harness trend that went viral on all the fashion blogs last year. S and M creeps me out to be completely honest and the harnesses strayed too far into gimp territory for me. Perhaps I am mentally scarred because I was too young when I saw Pulp Fiction for the first time?? Anyway though, I found a truly beautiful adornment that would allow me to participate in the trend in a more couture, less coutorture kind of way. Clap your eyes on these babies...

Nocturne shoulder jewellery. Can you even begin to imagine the possibilities?? Little bit exxy but maybe a possibility if you have a really generous relative who wants to buy you a Christmas pressie? And they would translate across seasons, so maybe think about the cost per wear ratio too. I can see it with a simple white vest top in summer as well as with a long sleeve black mini dress for winter. I can't get enough of long sleeve mini dresses!!

all the clouds have silver linings

2010-11-21T19:34:00.000Z

Cut Copy-Feel The Love

Some fun autumn pics. It's getting chilly but I love it. I know, I feel a bit crazy when I admit that, I think I am the only person in London who doesn't whinge about the weather. Fingers crossed for more snow this year!

The Peanut Vendor

Highbury Fields

Album of the Week

2010-11-18T21:50:00.000Z

Maximum Balloon

I almost didn't listen to this album at all. I know this sounds silly but words are important to me, usually that means the lyrics, but in this case it was the name of the band. Don't you think it sounds like the least amount of time ever spent thinking up a band name? Ever? Maximum Balloon. Hmph.

But if you can get past that, this is actually a truly exceptional album. Maybe Dave Sitek was just too busy producing great music to stop and think too much about the name? I did have another reason to be cautious though. Dave Sitek is one of the TV On The Radio boys and I do find their music a bit heavy going sometimes, just lots of noisy noises and not that much to hold my attention. Think of Maximum Balloon as like an accessible TVOTR. Or TV-lite. And very timely indeed. They seem to be the most achingly hip 'band's band' at the moment, it is becoming almost comical how many young emerging bands reference them so obviously. And I don't mind at all if it means I don't have to listen to the real thing.

Dave has some pretty cool friends too, and I can make no secret of my love for Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. A few of the other collaborating names I was not really aware of before, but they all add their own distinct flavour to each track. I guess he's kind of like a more credible Mark Ronson? Yeah, I like his album too, but don't tell anyone.

and this is my kinda love, it's the kind that moves on

2010-11-11T15:27:00.000Z

Mother Love Bone-Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns

So after lunch at Byron the other day we headed across Millennium bridge to Tate Modern to see Ai Weiwei's sunflower seeds. The Turbine Hall installations are my absolute favourite, I am just so bummed out that I didn't get to go when it first opened and you could walk on them and touch them. Now they have little fences around them with staff to scold you if you get too close. Boo. Major disappointment.

Finally we made it to the actual target destination, the Design Museum, which has two great exhibitions on at the moment: Drawing Fashion and John Pawson Plain Space. Both our favourite things in the one building with just a flight of stairs separating them. The drawings were so beautiful and captivating, it was actually sad to see them all and think that this skilled artform has been largely replaced by boring old photography. The Vogue covers were so much more interesting than a photo of some stoopid airbrushed celebrity. Sigh. Would love so much to have all those prints hanging on my walls.

new change is the name of the street

2010-11-07T19:03:00.000Z

Got to check out One New Change yesterday, a week after it opened as London's newest shopping centre, and the first proper one in the City. It doesn't have heaps of shops, but it would be just enough for a lunchtime whip around, which is of course the whole point. It looks pretty boring from the outside but is pretty cool inside which is where all these photos are taken. A major drawcard will be the food, with Jamie Oliver opening Barbecoa, an homage to meat, right across from a new Gordon Ramsey that is yet to come. Barbecoa is open now, and I did quite like the look of the menu if I ever had some poundage burning a hole in my pocket and I felt like a steak. In the meantime, we went to Byron for burgers and I got a proper hamburger with beetroot on it! They are only for a limited time though, as part of Movember which is an Australian fundraising event that has been adopted in the UK. Hence, the Aussie hamburger. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

They have a Topshop, Mango, Reiss, Banana Republic, Karen Millen, Office and Dune all with quite workwear-oriented stock, plus a couple of outdoorsy-stores like North Face which I didn't quite get. Is that what city workers do on the weekends? Mountain climbing?

love is the new feel awful

2010-11-06T20:23:00.000Z

Dandy Warhols-Odditorium

Wes and I just had the most perfect day ever. We did so much I think I'm going to have to break it down into a few more manageable bite-sized posts. First, the clothes! I am excited to show you these because it's been ages since I've had any time to take any outfit shots, and it's also the first photos I have of my new haircut. It was cut about three weeks ago, I don't love it because I actually got into a fight with my hairdresser about how I wanted it done! I know, it was a totally surreal experience, I had photos of celebs and everything and she just said 'no'. I said 'actually, yes' but after a bit of back and forth, even when she was halfway through, she still didn't cut it as short as I wanted!

And I've just realised that my hair looks even worse in these pics than usual! D'oh! Must be too clean. Dry shampoo & mousse have been my best friends since the chop. Mumsy is not the look I'm going for.

I have had to wait awhile before I could wear my new parka, as it's been way too hot! I know, it is November and London has been 16 degrees for the past week. Awesome. And weird.

Parka and cardi: Topshop; skirt: H&M; shoes: Office; bag: SU London; headband: Accessorize.

and if you tolerate this then your children will be next

2010-10-14T22:29:00.000+01:00

Camper, tell me, exactly how do you do it? Your men's shoes are actual perfection of the classic, everyday, every occasion, good quality, leather men's footwear variety. See Exhibit A, above. Then when it comes to your women's range you take all of this and do a royally good job of fucking it up completely with ridiculous details that just make them look horribly off. It honestly baffles me. It must take a really long time to come up with the grossest colours and most impractical additions. Hmm, this pair of heels is currently the most versatile pair of classic black pumps. I know, why don't we add some random turquoise details with red stitching so that we seriously limit the outfit coordination possibilities? Oh, and brogues are big at the moment, so why don't we make some in puke-green and chocolate brown, that way no-one will ever buy them!? Or why don't we just make the ugliest cream suede shoes ever????? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Exhibit B and C.

sunny sunday on the thames

2010-10-10T18:51:00.000+01:00

Goodbye summer!! You were great this year, I just hope you decide to come back next year, maybe even a little bit early? Don't get me wrong, I kind of like winter, but you're definitely my favourite.

Now, some details...whenever I wear these earrings they feel ridiculously big and I imagine everyone is staring at my ears, but I think they ended up looking good in these shots. I think I am addicted to wearing my hair in a super-high topknot. And if I ever get my sewing machine back from the repair shop (they've had it since March and won't return my calls!) I will definitely have to let down the hems of these jeans so I can wear them with platforms, they are just the perfect style for leg lengthening.

Jeans: 18th Amendment; Top: H&M; Shoes: Office; Earrings: ASOS.

blood sugar baby, she has it...

2010-10-05T19:54:00.000+01:00

How do we feel about leather leggings? I am seriously considering a pair for this A/W, even though I know I'm way late jumping on the bandwagon. Yes, all the fash gals have been wearing them for a few years now, but I do think they would fit right in with my aesthetic for winter with oversized blouses, slouchy knits and ankle boots. Yes, again with the ankle boots!! I will never get over them.

and when i can feel with my sun hands

2010-10-05T17:25:00.000+01:00

A ballooning anvil and some really big underpants. Exactly what you expect to find leftover after a street festival in central London.

2010-09-05T18:23:00.000+01:00

Canal-boating in Wales over the long weekend. Had so much fun with my friends. The Brecon Beacons are really beautiful and the canal is so serene you feel like the rest of the world just doesn't even exist. The boats are really hard to drive (as I found out) but you get the hang of the locks and there are soo many pubs aaaallll the way along the canal! I would recommend this holiday to anyone and everyone.

Gee it's been awhile since I've done any fashion-related posts! Well summer's way too busy for thinking about posing for photos. I am actually proud of myself for not even worrying about the blog, I'm just out there living the dream - seriously, can't even begin to describe how much stuff I've packed into the last couple of months - and if I take a few photos while I'm doing it, I'll share them with you :-)

i'll be seeing you

2010-09-02T21:12:00.000+01:00

Yes, I actually stayed here.

Words cannot describe how much I loved my weekend in Tuscany, and how I can't wait to go back, hopefully with more time for sightseeing. I actually went to Pisa and didn't see the leaning tower! Much more pressing matters such as vino and antipasto were at hand. A gorgeous friend was celebrating her Hen's and we did it in style. It was quite last minute but we all whisked ourselves away for a long weekend. I drove on the wrong side of the road, was wooed by a rotund man called Julio, and had the most amazing meal of my life. I will never forget it.

Do I need to explain the title of this post? Stealing Beauty is one of my favourite movies of all time and I always dreamed of living the romance of Tuscany. I also love the soundtrack, which features this mournful Billie Holliday song.

it is happening again

2010-08-25T21:30:00.000+01:00

It is time to eat my words when it comes to this band. And not just this band, but basically most bands that Wes gets obsessed with then introduces me to and then I tell him it's boring. It happens alot. He really likes slow, considered composition that initially seems like it doesn't even have any melody. But then it creeps into your head and installs itself and you just can't get it out! Beach House has been described as 'dream pop'. Never even heard of it. I think they are kind of like The XX.

2010-08-09T22:01:00.000+01:00

I was lucky enough to score an invite to one of the Jacques Townhouse 'soirees' last week (thanks to Viv and Fleur. And yes, it has taken me a whole week to get round to posting it). When I arrived I was spirited away just like Alice down the rabbit hole into a world that had been created by someone who got carried away with plaster of Paris via fruity alcoholic beverages. I say 'I', the singular, because I have one key piece of advice if you are going along to one of these things - get there on time and with your friends. I was five minutes late and spent most of the night by my big old self. You kind of move through the rooms together and there are activities that you have to line up for. Still it was pretty and the drinks were free!

black and white town

2010-07-26T21:18:00.001+01:00

What could be better than unlimited free Ben and Jerrys??? Well, not much, but imagine if you got to combine the ice cream with music, Pimms, market stalls and Die Hard!!! All great loves of mine. Wes and I went to Sundae on the Common in Clapham, mainly to see Doves play as I've never seen them before. We ate to our hearts' content (my favourite flavour was Raspberry Mango Swirl Sorbet), Doves were great, and then Die Hard was on TV when I got home. Perfect. Or should I say Yippee ki yay!

Dress: Primarni; shirt: Topshop; kicks: Nike; socks: horseys' own.

no, i'm not a monster

2010-07-22T19:36:00.000+01:00

What's-his-face was onto something. Haven't you heard? Gingerbread men are the new cupcake! Well to be accurate, they are the new whoopie pie, which was the new macaroon, which was the new cupcake. To be more accurate, it is just me that decided this, but I think some others are starting to catch on. You're not still eating cupcakes are you?? Yeah, me too, but I really love gingerbread men!! And I think maybe they're not as bad for you? Pret's little man called Godfrey is pretty good, and of course if your local bakery makes them, even better, as long as they're thick enough to have a bit of give in the middle, you don't want them too hard...okay maybe I have thought about this a little too much?

summer sessions

2010-07-16T21:20:00.000+01:00

I saw Temper Trap at Somerset House on Monday night! This place is such a great venue and a very well-used city space. This was the first time I had been to one of these Summer Session concerts, I have always wanted to go and couldn't believe my luck in getting tickets when I totally missed them going on sale, again. I always condemn the practice of ticket scalping, but I was seriously considering going back last night to try and get in to see Florence and her fabulous Machine. If they weren't guaranteed to be ridiculously expensive and I hadn't already spent most of this month's pay. But how is it possible that I still have not seen her live?!

Support from another Aussie band, The Middle East...

All band members were real groovers and the lead singers' voice was so perfect. I don't know why but I just didn't expect it to sound as good as on the record.

My mate Jade and the truly beautiful backdrop of Somerset House as the sun finally set on a (slightly cooler) London summer's day.

jack on the green

2010-07-13T22:32:00.000+01:00

Summer has been pretty awesome so far, as you all know or can at least imagine. Today's clouds actually provided a nice break, as long as the sun comes back of course! I managed to squeeze in a spot of lawn bowls on Saturday for my mate Jade's birthday (she's a Kiwi so I can use the word 'mate' here, usually I never ever ever use that word, especially not for girls). It was an absolute scorcher and I was dripping by the time I even got there, but I had a great time and met a bunch of cool new people, and drank cider out of a tin, quite a novelty for me.

I must have a door in the back of my head

2010-07-06T21:08:00.000+01:00

On Sunday I spent a lovely day out in the sunshine with Wes...at Goodwood Festival of Speed! Oh yes, I thought that my willingness to accompany my love to such a blokey bore-fest meant that I must be the best girlfriend in the entire world, only to be horrified to find that there were wives and girlfriends absolutely everywhere. And I think some of the women there weren't even wives or girlfriends at all, but had just mosied along of their own accord! Not a bad move if they're single.

To more pressing matters, I have been waiting to wear this outfit for awhile - my favourite vintage shirt with little love-hearts on it, and a thrifted lemon yellow skirt I haven't worn at all because I wasn't sure what shoes to pair it with. I finally felt it was the perfect opportunity, and I felt very happy with it, even though I had to undo the waistband of the skirt for comfort's sake during the 2 hour drive :-)

I must draw your attention to my little friend. I bought him from one of the great jewellery stalls at Portobello Road and this was our first outing together. Ain't he cute? I thought I was being so witty, you know, wearing a sheep for a trip to the country, wearing vintage to an estate that hosts a vintage festival...yeah, you geddit. Wearing open sandals to a dustbowl? Not so clever.

Malta Malta Malta!

2010-06-27T21:14:00.000+01:00

What a huuuge couple of weeks! And I can't help but feel that it's only just the beginning. Having been away for two weeks on two separate holidays I was proud of myself for making it through relatively unscathed after lots and lots of partying and was looking forward to a bit of a rest and getting back to normal life. Then, it hit me. It's summer, there's no such thing as normal life! The sun came out this week and my head is already spinning. Plans are being made to cram as many concerts, parties and events into every waking minute for the next 3 months. I am not going to be getting much rest for awhile, I just can't afford to risk missing any little bit of the summer!

Here are few snaps from the trip to Malta. It's such an interesting place, a real mix of British, Mediterranean and Moorish influences. The capital, Valetta is filled with history, and the people are really proud to tell you about it. The weather is obviously pretty perfect, it was my first dose of summer in a year, and my first ever swim in the Med!

2010-06-13T23:50:00.000+01:00

I just got back from four days of fun in the sun in Malta, and would love to tell you guys more about it but our flight was delayed by four hours (!!) on the way home which left me time to do little more than eat, sleep and pack for my next trip to Scotland tomorrow. Yikes, I really need to get to bed. See you soon, xoxo

Album of the Week

2010-06-06T19:22:00.000+01:00

Okay, the Album of the Week post has been on a long hiatus, which is really just indicative of the state of my blog in general, but I now have so much new music on my iPod I don't know where to start! After some long and hard consideration I have decided to tell you about the latest Black Keys album. I chose this album this week because they kind of get my 'Most Improved' award. Well, that sounds really condescending, more like, they've really evolved and I'm liking their sound with a few more layers. I have watched the Black Keys with interest ever since I first heard their early singles on jjj but I never got as fully into them as I expected to. I guess their albums didn't grab me like their singles promised to. I will definitely be going back and reviewing their back-catalogue now, though. I always like to have the history and context of a band in my mind when I'm getting to know the new music. They used to sound very stripped-back like two guys in an old house with an eight-track and a guitar and that was it. Now, in a nutshell their sound is very dirty rock (rawk!), that's very bluesey, and more than a little bit Hendrix.

I'm not turning this blog into a Danger Mouse fanpage, I promise, but he is responsible for producing yet another brilliant effort here. Where does he get his genius inspiration from and when does he sleep??

swimming with some beautiful sharks

2010-06-03T22:19:00.001+01:00

Honestly, how do people wear high heels?? You should see the size of the blisters on my feet right now. Those shoes looked frickin awesome, but the first time I have worn them will also turn out to be the last. Focus has now shifted to blister avoidance and so I'm breaking in my thong feet for my holiday to Malta next week!! So excited. Yes, har-har, you know what I mean, flip-flops, jandals, whatever, I'm not talking about my bum.

I haven't taken any photos in awhile, so you may have noticed that all the recent photos on here are those taken by Wes and his favourite iPhone app called Hipstamatic. It kind of imitates a lomograph-style camera with separate lenses and 'film' that you buy from the App store. You can get some great effects. I know a real lomo camera would have more street cred but it's much easier to carry this version around. These ones are not that great, but for better ones just scroll down to my older posts. The more abstract ones above are from when we went to see Paul Dempsey live in Kings Cross...and then we saw White Rabbits (again) the next night at the Garage at Highbury...

ride with me...

2010-05-30T20:11:00.000+01:00

Sometimes I go through phases of wanting to buy so many new things and nothing in my wardrobe seems right and getting dressed is so hard. Then other days I come up with outfits made out of so many old things I think maybe I don't need anything at all, it's all already there it just needs to be rediscovered. I call this outfit 'Couldn't decide what to wear so just put on everything at the same time'. The bow headpiece is always a crowd-pleaser. This was for my friend's belated birthday party which ended up being a veeery late one.

something good can work

2010-05-23T21:56:00.000+01:00

What a glorious weekend!! The sunshine was welcomed with open arms in a way only Londoners can - the parks filled with pasty-skinned soon-to-be-lobsters, kids on scooters, and squealing teenagers. While Wes still has a lot of work to be done, it was absolutely too good to pass up a bit of time in the sun. Lunch on the Green on Saturday, and Sunday lunch in Hyde Park and a quick visit to the new Topshop in Knightsbridge.

Shirt: vintage from Holloway Rd; Capris: Topshop; Loafers: Topshop; Earrings: Portobello market; Sunnies: Karen Walker.

i'm pretty sure coco's not even her actual name

2010-05-16T21:33:00.000+01:00

Is it totally wrong that I'm loving this song at the moment? It is, isn't it?

Seriously.

2010-05-14T19:03:00.000+01:00

Words cannot describe the anticipation of such awesomeness.

covet

2010-05-10T22:54:00.000+01:00

A fair chunk of my working week is spent in the historic area of Finsbury, in south Islington. It has alot going for it, with cool buildings, trendy cafes and famous restaurants, and some really lovely boutiques. One morning a pop-up boutique called covet appeared on Arlington Road, with a list of dates that gradually ticked by as I kept forgetting or was too busy to actually go in. But when I finally got around to 'popping' in it was one day after the last day on the sign, and it became clear that it was going to be sticking around. Not so pop-up after all. A very good thing considering my current stance on pop-up shops, which I posted about here. The owner tells me they will be featuring different designers each month or so, so it will change over time, but everything had a very handmade feel to it, with the jewellery really captivating me, particularly the bracelets made of all sorts of found items like plastic rings and baubles. I ended up buying a couple of pairs of earrings - one of recycled buttons by uncommonly beautiful and a pair of silver dangly hearts by gimcrackery (couldn't find any info about these), both £8 each. I will be back.

The pics above are a bit shite as they're taken on my iPhone, but here's a proper pic I took of my earrings when I got them home:

hipstamatic

2010-05-04T18:04:00.000+01:00

What the hell kind of weather was that for a long weekend?? Shocking. But that didn't stop us from daytripping across the south-east of England, from Canterbury to the White Cliffs of Dover and back again.

On the way we detoured through a few well-known English seaside towns and the overall consensus is, we must stop going to English seaside towns. My God, they are so depressing! I know that comparisons to our coast are probably not really fair, but I just can't understand how these places ever attract tourists. Or repeat tourists I suppose is more accurate. I know the beach huts look charming but the truth is, they become essential when the beach is that unpleasant! These guys do inland alot better.
Canterbury is lovely, the cathedral impressive, and we had a truly great dinner at a British restaurant called Deeson's. I recommend highly. And Whitstable was quite nice too just the weather was so bad I seriously regretted even getting out of the car!
Those are my new glasses, by the way, which I mulled over for months before I finally just snapped one day and couldn't stand my old ones anymore. I think they tread a line between funky and twat. And they only hurt my right ear just a little bit.

I bought the broguey-sandals last week!! Yay. Bad news is that the boots sold out on General Pants the same day I posted them!! Damn you Pants-man!!

bright lights of broadway

2010-04-25T16:32:00.001+01:00

If you have ever spent any time in London you will find it hard to believe it has ever been this sunny! Those who haven't been here, you have to imagine that this is possibly the sunniest day we may see all year, so everyone rushes outside to the markets and green spaces to soak up every last ray of sunshine, just in case. Last Saturday we headed to Broadway market for lunch in London Fields before my friend Jodie's birthday party at a pub just down the market, then in Hoxton, then in Dalston, Hoxton again, then Camden...

Yummy yummy chicken wrap

I was wearing a new vintage dress from Camden Passage markets, denim jacket from Topshop, platform shoes from Australia, Karen Walker sunnies, vintage bag from Portobello Road market.

The hula hoop, as may see from the bow, is the birthday present Wes and I took along for Jodie. It was a big hit, especially on the dancefloor later in the night. Funny how some people have maintained their good hula-hoopyness from childhood, while most of us look like someone having a hoopy fit :-(

This guy was the best busker ever!! That is a full sound system and he makes amazing spacey music that he raps along to.

and when i caught it you were out of reach

2010-04-19T23:36:00.001+01:00

I have been committing some major blog neglect lately. And you know what else is looking sad and malnourished? My shoe wardrobe! I just realised when the sun came out on Saturday that I don't own any sandals. I think I had just one pair in London but I must've given them to charity the last time I was forced to move halfway around the world against my will. Plus, my most favouritest comfy walk-all-day shoes are starting to show their age so I need some substitutes that can stand-in when they are feeling tired so they will live longer, like forever. This is a much more difficult and fine-tuned task than sandals. Sandals are everywhere. Sensible, comfortable, yet not ugly, yet mostly flat shoes are what you might call thin on the ground.

Don't worry, I have not been on a spending spree, I'm just deliberating in that terribly sad, no-fun, way-too-sensible way that I tend to shop now. I cannot decide between these pairs of sandals.

Oh, Swedish Hasbeens, if only I had been quick enough to snap you up of yoox then I might have been able to actually afford you! But you would go sooo nicely with my current vintage obsession.

I'm thinking these will be the summer version of my trusty brogues.

I wanted these so bad my first summer in London 2 years ago (I'm onto you, Office, I bet you thought no-one else would notice) but I hesitated, as usual, they sold out and then all the shop girls pretended they never existed, but I knew they had, I just knew!! See!

But I think I am definitely going to have these shipped from fave Aus store General Pants, considering I missed them first time around at Topshop (yes, exact same boots, am I right or am I right?). If only for the reason they are the only shoes I have found that fill the non-sandal criteria.

you're my high school lover

2010-04-11T13:47:00.000+01:00

I forgot to post this last week when we saw Phoenix again! Not as good a set as last time but they are still a great great band. I wore my new vintage denim dress that I bought the other week, and I took all these photos with my iPhone. I actually think they turned out really well, considering you can't zoom or anything (that I know of!).

It's Wes' birthday today! We are having a quiet Sunday though, he will need so much sleep to get over his party last night. All he wanted was to have a burger and beers with his friends, so mission accomplished, and then some :-)

nineteen-oh!-one

2010-04-04T17:53:00.000+01:00

Oh, I love love love my new skirt! It was actually handmade and somehow smells just like an old sewing room. And it fits me like a glove! I also got a dress that I couldn't wait to wear so I'm sure you'll see it soon. All our friends went away this Easter, but I took these photos last weekend when we met up for Sunday roast lunch and I decided to dress up a bit. I even did my hair and make-up like a proper London girl. Yup, eyeliner and everything. I'm currently wearing training wheels with this stuff, and think I did a pretty good job, but it smudged so quick I hate to think what would happen if I wore it anywhere hot or for any length of time. It would be running down my cheeks! It may work for Alice Cooper, but not when you're going for vintage-hipster-stylee ;-(

Wes and I went to check out the Marc by Marc Jacobs store in Mayfair, which is where I got this bone bracelet and cuff. Quite a cool store, really, and clever on their part as they stock everything from a £1 ring (or condom) to the £500 handbags via a £30 evening clutch or a £50 pair of jeans. Apparently everyone can have their own piece of the MJ brand, no matter what their budget!

Jacket: H&M; Cardigan: ASOS; Skirt: Absolute Vintage; Boots: Myer; Cuff and bracelet: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Earrings: Uncommonly Beautiful.

i fell in love with a sweet sensation, i gave my heart to a simple chord

2010-03-29T21:04:00.000+01:00

Baa Ram Ewe! Don't you think they look just like sheepies? Maybe I should name them - well, there's Ma, Shaun of course...

Another 'short over long' outfit - this is becoming a bit of an obsession of mine. And could I wear my denim shirt any more than I currently am? I think not. It is the most versatile item ever. Much like I hoped this skirt would be, except that as soon as I walked two steps it rode up so high it was indecent and back to Topshop it went. I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect simple black miniskirt and so now I am back to it. And no, I am not brave/stupid enough to be wearing bare legs at this time of year, they are flesh-toned stockings and I am wearing them all the time now. I used to think them a bit of an old lady/office wear anomaly but when you seriously can't tell the difference between these and real legs I think it is okay. Well I accept that's a big 'maybe', but I'm loving the expansion of outfit possibilities in that 'anticipation of summer but it's really still a long way off but I can't bear wearing the same old opaque tights or jeans again' season.

Jacket and tights: H&M; Jumper, shirt, shoes and skirt: all Topshop; Bag: SU London.

wham cam

2010-03-28T22:07:00.000+01:00

I saw this billboard on my way to Spitalfields the other day and heaps of people were taking photos, people were even stopping in their cars in the middle of the street to look at this. I wasn't even sure if I got it. I really feel like I should learn more about British politics, but then I figure most British people probably know less than me anyway, so should I really bother? I am not sure if I am allowed to vote in the up-coming election, but as someone who would usually get fined for not voting I am automatically tuned in to all the election stuff going on and starting to wonder/stress about who I should vote for and who might get in.

So I did a little research (on the poster) and apparently dr.d is a London-based artist who 'doctors' mostly existing advertising to make them into something just a little bit wittier and bit fun. You can check out his work here.

she was a sour girl the day that she met me

2010-03-26T20:29:00.001Z

What is it with pop-up shops now?! Remember when they were sooo cool? Remember when they were this brilliantly elusive and exclusive enigma that the trendiest brands used and only the chosen few knew about or stumbled upon, only for it to disappear before they could even tell their friends? Well, several years down the track the pop-up shop has gone viral. It's in the mainstream, and it seems to be a bit pointless to bother with a pop-up when you advertise it everywhere, and you've got plenty of stores anyway, where people know they can go whenever they want to, not just when you say. This week is particularly crammed with pop-ups. Last Sunday I went to Spitalfields and took in not less than three pop-up shops within a city block of one another. And this weekend Whiteley's, a random shopping centre around the corner from my friends' place in Bayswater that I've never bothered to visit because it seems to have only a H&M, is having a whole floor dedicated to pop-ups (isn't that a department store?). Okay, I may go along to check out the Wild Fox boutique, but I will participate in frequent eye-rolling and make sure to think I am better than everyone there because I knew about pop-ups when they were still cool.

Does it make a difference if you call it a pop-in instead of -up? (Cath Kidston)

And the Most Disappointing award goes to...

Other than fake tattoos and a photo booth there was just nothing in there!

Hmm, I wonder if the location of this shop directly across the road from All Saints had anything to do with Bolongaro Trevor's decision to open up here? (They started the All Saints label and Spitalfields is the flagship location).

I have a week of annual leave starting from...now! So I don't have to work until Tuesday 6th April. I have so much planned for the days off, from haircuts to fixing sewing machines to shopping (surprise surprise). I have tickets to Phoenix and the Cuban National Ballet and I plan to do some special gym training sessions as well. Maybe I will even have some time to blog in there somewhere. I just hope I can cope with all the fun-ness.

Album of the Week

2010-03-19T18:33:00.000Z

This week I have discovered so much amazing new music! It was so hard to decide which one to tell you about first, but I think I will have to start with Broken Bells. I am such a massive Shins fan, and this one is a collab of James Mercer with Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. The Shins are one of my favourite bands, and Danger Mouse is aptly tagged the 'hardest working man in showbiz' having worked with so many big big names as well as being one half of Gnarls Barkley. His style is not so obvious at first listen, as Mercer has written some lovely pop songs and my ear is always automatically drawn to vocals and lyrics, but these are underscored with some really interesting 'arrangements', instrumentals, and subtle electronic mixing.

And they're looking very snappy indeed...is Danger/Mr Mouse seriously wearing a peg-leg trouser suit?! And James may be wearing some 'meggings' here (male leggings, duh). So cutting edge.

Getting my iPhone (and control of my own laptop back) has finally given me the inspiration to get my music library in order, which includes obtaining a few old faves like Toad The Wet Sprocket - Fall Down and Screaming Trees - Nearly Lost You. Plus, Wes would never download me any pop songs, so now I have a little Bey and Britters to go with my Dirty Projectors! Should I be admitting that?

pleased to meet you

2010-03-16T19:03:00.000Z

Garance Dore's blog introduced me to the concept of 'short over long' as the fashionable way of keeping warm during New York fashion week. I have considered doing this myself before but always thought it looked a bit odd, but then her photos made me realise it can look sooo right. This was my first attempt, but I have since tried several combinations and I think it has become my new favourite way of dressing, especially for all this in-between weather we're having at the moment.

verandah out the front, and an old rocking chair

2010-03-14T21:51:00.000Z

Feeling like our culture levels were dropping dangerously low, a group of us choofed off to the Design Museum near Tower Bridge last weekend, via Borough Market. We then did a little pub crawl heading in the direction of Brick Lane for a curry, then on to the Commercial Tavern which is a tarted-up pub near Spitalfields full of hip young things. In a good way, I didn't even get a whiff of pretention.

The Design Awards nominees were on display with projects ranging from cars to fashion to, well, artwork I guess. Is that what you would call a huge glass case full of panda moneyboxes with motion-sensors?

This car is made entirely out of fabric and it can stretch to change shape for aerodynamics and open doors and stuff.

A few more projects.

Onto the pub...

I thought the boys looked like they were having a romantic interlude. Guess it's the lighting in this place. Whenever we go out now, we always end up divided into boys and girls, it's so funny. Weirdest of all is that I actually enjoy the girl-time. I used to hate hanging out with girls and only had guy friends for years! Somehow I am becoming more girly the older I get. Huh, didn't see that coming.

Pretty!

jake the peg-e-eggy-e-eggy-e-eg!

2010-03-11T21:06:00.000Z

I wore this outfit to work the other day. It's deceptively simple, you see it's all about the details. New(ish) tailored peg leg trouser shape cuffed just so. Visible contrasting socks. Shiny black brogues. I normally hate trousers with a passion! But of course I had to try some peg legs when they first came out last year, and it took me a while to get over the feeling like I had pooper-scoopers on, but sometimes I quite like the way they can look. I just find it takes extra effort to make pants look interesting.

This outfit actually scored me a compliment from a guy at the bus stop. He told me he liked my socks. I thought he was joking, so I told him I was channelling Michael Jackson. He just said 'well, you're pulling it off, you look good'. Well thanks, I said.

ps. Isn't grey marle just the worst colour for sweat patches? It is actually my favourite colour, but seriously, I had to put my cardigan back on for the afternoon to hide them. How embarrassing.

this kind of lovin', leaves me mystified

2010-03-08T21:22:00.001Z

It's official. Everyone in the developed world must have an iPhone by now. Because I got one!! I am certainly never on the forefront of any kind of new technological developments, and I'm not really one for bandwagons, so it must be true that absolutely everyone already has one and I am the last person in the world to adopt this now-mandatory item. How long it will take me to learn what to do with it is anyone's guess, though I have made steady progress and think I have learnt at least one new thing everyday. It is great having a camera with me wherever I go (no, I've never had a camera phone before) and together with the iPod aspect of it I now carry one piece of hardware in place of the previous three, and I am on a monthly plan for the first time in my life which means I can actually call and text whenever I like without counting pennies! And I don't need an A-Z anymore either. And I don't have to wait for Wes to gift me with five minutes on the computer to check my emails. And I think I could go on like this for quite awhile, what do you reckon? I just wish it weren't so slippery!

Awesome creation, huh? Courtesy of the amazing girls at Prick Your Finger, a yarn mecca in the East End - I think I may have to do a post about these guys, but for now check out their website and blog for an idea of what unbelievable things they can do with balls of yarn and a couple of needles.

And the lyrics are by Sydney band The Cops, they are awesome and from my former home of Summer Hill! They are awesome, you should check them out.

i'm running out of time...

2010-03-06T10:17:00.000Z

This week's gig was Hot Hot Heat at Scala, which was packed full of pint-sized chicks who were all massive fans, the kind that know all the words to all the songs and try to touch the band members when they come close to the edge of the stage. Well, I'll admit the bassist was kind of spunky, and he certainly had all the dance moves, and the others all have interesting hair...I just wanted to find out if my new camera could take decent night photos, and the answer is, well not really. But I was really far away, and the lighting was really crap. I'm not too sure about the sound quality at Scala either. I'll blame that, cause a few times I thought HHH sounded like they were playing songs too fast and actually out of time, but surely the guys know how to play music properly, when it is their job after all?

I can't believe these photos finally loaded! Can everybody else stop using Photobucket please? I think it is all of you clogging it up meaning it doesn't work for me unless I get up at the ridiculously early hour of 9:30am on a Saturday!!

Ctrl-Alt-Del

2010-03-05T22:48:00.000Z

Just about ready to throw my computer through a window. Well, I would throw Photobucket through a window were it not an inanimate object. Maybe I need an inanimate object torture box like on BBC's Genius last week. It is for when you stub your toe on something or jam your finger in a door - yelling at it won't hurt the door, but maybe an inanimate object torture box will. Someone just has to figure out what goes on in that box...

a little too much madonna for one night perhaps?

2010-03-04T22:56:00.001Z

As you can see I went 'glam goth' for a house party the other night. House parties are always so much fun, aren't they? Stayed until about 3am and had to catch a taxi, then a bus home (I know, what?). We left when the Singstar came out. What a party killer that was. No more conversation occurred at all. And you know, no matter how good the machine tells you you are, it sounds terrible, trust me.

This is a skirt I made from remnants last year, hence it is waay too short and I feel really exposed wearing it. But on a Saturday night, why not?

Wow, I can't believe I got use the computer for long enough to actually *post something*!! Yay! I hope it won't be another two weeks til my next one...

get out of bed...blue skies ahead...

2010-02-22T21:46:00.000Z

Belated Birthday Goodness Part Une

'Hmm, this new camera makes my hair look very red'. Did I mention I'm cutting my own fringe all the time now? Not too shabby.

To the Breakfast Club!

My favourite place with my favourite breakfast, my favourite meal of the day. Out of all the meals. That is a big deal.

French toast with banana and bacon.

Girl on the Green

Hmm, does this new camera show up my 28-year-old wrinkles?

don't you eva

2010-02-19T19:41:00.001Z

2010 has officially been christened the Year of the Gig. It actually started a few months ago and there are no signs of letting up, the tickets flying in from left, right and centre. It is so hard to say no. Well, I don't ever say no. After all, they are usually pretty cheap, and you're not going to miss any amount of cash when you've got the memory of a great gig to put your mind at ease. Plus, they are usually on a weeknight, which makes the working week go so much faster! Yay!

I think Britt is cute, because he's a rocker, but he also kind of reminds of a kid who would've had coke-bottle glasses and got teased in primary school.

Can't get over how awesome the Rabbits' percussion obsession sounds! Sometimes three or four guys making loud banging noises onstage at once.

This week I toddled off to see classic Spoon and new best friends White Rabbits in Camden (where else?) and tonight will head back to Koko to see Bertie Blackman and Funeral Party at Club NME. Soon will be Phoenix again, or Hot Hot Heat might be first up...Had tickets to see Lisa Mitchell next month but she cancelled, anyone know what happened there?

Been way too busy to blog or take photos, sorry! Hopefully get back to it this weekend, though I am going to buy an iPhone tomorrow and then going down south to see the baybee! Sunday. I'll do something constructive on Sunday. For sure.

Labour of Love

2010-02-12T10:47:00.000Z

Wandering along Upper Street in Islington is one of my favourite pastimes, although it can be quite painful to fall in love with so many pieces I inevitably have to leave behind. An affordable high street it is not. But sometimes that takes some of the pressure off, you know? If you know you're not going to buy anything you can just enjoy browsing and appreciating the beauty in all the pieces, not just the ones I might buy. But I recently discovered this great boutique, Labour of Love - the clothes are still out of my price range, but there are so many interesting accessories, shoes, and general knick-knacky things that I could snatch up in a heartbeat. The shop itself is one of those spaces that can absorb me for hours of browsing and discovery, like a carefully curated treasure trove. This is not a shop for basics. These are the centrepieces, the artworks, the decoration. Some of these pieces make me rethink my entire style. For example, I have no idea why I love this Manoush dress (and you should've seen the look on Wes' face!)...

This Reem top looks like it at least started life as a basic tank...

But this Back coat is just perfection that I would wear forever and ever...

And imagine all the things I could do with a Gemma Lister collar...

And I don't have to remind you of my love for 'sensible flats'...

Check out their site and online shop, but going there in person is of course a lot more fun. The staff are really cool young hipsters and if only they put a comfy chair in the corner I would love to hang out with them all day!

Album of the Week

2010-02-11T18:14:00.001Z

There is no way I was not going to love this album. I have loved everything The Strokes have ever done. I have loved all the side projects to have come out of them so far. I loved every one of their so-called 'difficult' albums. The second one my friends didn't like, the third one the critics didn't like. I say don't believe any of them, I still play all three very loud and on very high rotation. So, when I finally updated my pod, this was a high priority. Julian Casablancas. Is a God. Oh no, sorry, of course that's not the name of the album, ahem, it's Phrazes For The Young. He has produced a great album, and most reviews have been very much favourable, but it does raise a lot of questions. Is it too much like The Strokes? Is he improving with age or just rehashing old ideas? I guess my concern is where will the next Strokes album go? More of the same? And if all the guys are doing so well in their side projects, will the main project end up getting sidelined? Lord, I hope not. No, by the way I am not religious, I am just praying to my God, Julian.

flap flap flap

2010-02-10T21:41:00.000Z

I had a great birthday on Saturday! I will post photos soon, when I figure out all the ins and outs of my new camera!! It is fab. Another lovely surprise was my friend Viv buying us girls tickets to see the ballet together. We decided on Ballet Nacional de Cuba's Swan Lake which is on at Sadler's Wells soon. I have been going to the ballet since I was little, which means I've seen Swan Lake several times, but it is a truly great ballet, and every company does their own special take on it. I have heard Cuba's is really good. Swan Lake is rare for a traditional ballet because it manages to stitch together a dramatic storyline with technically demanding dancing. Sometimes the old ballets are a little heavy on the mime, light on the steps, but not Swan Lake. The female lead, Odette/Odile, usually goes through several pairs of shoes by the end of each performance.

Got another surprise gift for my birthday - I am sick and it all started on the big day and I've just got worse and worse since ;-( So no outfit posts for awhile, methinks, I am hideous!

someone hearts me!

2010-02-09T17:45:00.001Z

My first ever blog tag! This is such a momentous occasion for me, a little overwhelming actually...okay I'll cut the Oscars speech. It's taken me ages to get around to posting it because a) It's asking me all about summer and there was still snow on the ground when I received it b) I couldn't decide for the life of me who my three favourite bloggers would be to pass on the tagging c) How busy is January?

But, while summer is a fair whack away yet, I am all for getting in the mood with a little anticipation...

What are you wearing right now? Winter clothes, silly! My trusty navy wool Whistles coat, new checked shirt dress, grey wool tights, biker boots, bowler hat.

Post a pic that means summer to you: You all know what an Aussie summer looks like, so here's what I'm looking forward to for mine this year...

Sums it up pretty well, I think.

What tracks are essential on your summer playlist? I'm really loving Jonathan Boulet and his songs sound just like summer to me. He reminds me of Ian Pooley, whom I might also have to dig out as his music reminds me of the most awesome Sydney summer ever when I had just fallen in love!

What is your fave piece of clothing from the Sportsgirl summer collections? Definitely the Leather Biker. It is exactly what I have been pining after for ages, but there's just no way I can afford it, or I'd buy one in a heartbeat!

Describe your perfect summer...I've had several:

Spending it at my folk's house, going to a beach on Jervis Bay every morning, having an awesome lunch sitting outside at a deli cafe in Husky, lolling about for the afternoon, having a nap, maybe boutique shopping in Berry or installing myself in a pub beergarden...

Travelling with friends to Croatia and sailing the Adriatic coast for a week, eating amazing food, swimming off the boat, docking in picturesque villages, drinking in the best bars in the world...

I never thought I would hear myself say it, but London summers can be pretty awesome. Stay with me here, this one takes a little more explaining, although you could just look at the picture above. You get about 9 months worth of anticipation, being cooped up by the cold, then at the first glimmer of sunlight everyone rushes outside, strips off their clothes and sits around in the sun until 10pm, be it in a park, a pub beergarden, or a patch of grass by the side of the road. You soak up every minute of it, weekends are spent hanging out with friends, playing frisbee, watching cricket on outdoor screens, eating off silly makeshift barbecues. There are so many music festivals that there is often more than one on each weekend and you have to choose between them. Cider, Pimms, Borough market, Victoria Park are just a few of the things to be enjoyed and savoured because without warning, the clouds will come over, and you all head back indoors to wrap up for the winter and play the waiting game again until next year!

The three bloggers I tag are *My sister, who just started her blog, what i would have worn, but it is already really fab

*Le Blog De Sushi, one of the best Aussie blogs out there

*Stompface for being funny and dreamy and lovely

it's my party and i'll buy if i want to

2010-02-04T18:28:00.000Z

So, it's my birthday on Saturday, what are you getting me? I am getting myself a party in Hoxton with all my nearest and dearest friends. And my mum is getting me some charms for my charm bracelet. Customs Declarations really do mess up surprises, but I will wait until the real day to open it, I'm just like that. I love birthdays and like everything to be just so. Wes is getting me a new camera so I can finally take photos worthy of blogging! Oh, I'm also getting myself this stuff from asos:

Something Else

Whistles

Warehouse

Diesel

Knit: Topshop; Tees: H&M; Skirt: ASOS; Boots:Docs

Edit: It all arrived today, and it is all perfect! Well, except the Warehouse drapey top, but I'm keeping it anyway, I'm sure I can do something with it.

ladies, this is a miracle. i am in my skinny jeans.

2010-02-03T21:58:00.000Z

I haven't fit into these since 1985 and that is only because I had mono. Miranda, The Post-It Always Sticks Twice

Okay, maybe I wore them a year ago, but I think they were made in 1985!

These are one of my favourite pairs of jeans. Problem is they are also very very tight. So I don't wear them that often, due to concerns regarding camel-toe and not squashing my kidneys and the like. But I really do love them. I found them in a vintage shop on a back street in Newtown, they were owned by somebody called Chris James, and they are just a little bit too short so they show off my brogues and socks perfectly. I have a thing for grey socks.

The 90s-style crop-top is a new thing that I am wearing all the time. I could do a DIY post on it but I think you guys know how to use scissors.

Hat: Urban Outfitters; Top: H&M; Cardigan: Urban Outfitters; Jeans and bag: vintage; Brogues: Topshop; Coat: Whistles.

ground control to major tom

2010-02-02T17:27:00.001Z

I have never before posted a work outfit. With good reason. I hate work clothes, but most of all I hate my work clothes. They are so boring and I struggle to get ready pretty much every morning. I have little idea how to tweak said boring work clothes, but have decided I am going to try my darndest because I just cannot go on like this. A week or so ago I got dressed and thought, 'didn't I wear this yesterday?' and honestly couldn't remember. I am starting by drawing inspiration from people I see out and about (during peak-hour - watch out, those studentscan really throw you), plus a few that I actually work with. I have so far gathered that the easiest way for me to perk up a work outfit, and my mood, is with a dress. This particular dress is a couple of years old and I have swung between 'okay-like' and hate. At the moment I am thinking I might upgrade to 'like'. I know it probably sounds foolish to try and pick up my mood with a dress I barely like, but I can't wear anything I actually like to work in case it gets yucky.

These boots are another semi-liked item

Have I introduced you to my wafer brooch?

Sad as it is I have taken to carrying my gym bag everyday cause I usually go after work. I even gave up carrying my handbag and just use this to carry everything.

And underneath...?

Coat: Whistles; Dress: Topshop; Cardigan: H&M; Tights: H&M; Boots: Zoe Wittner; Beret: Jendi; Brooch: Paris.

Album of the Week

2010-01-29T20:35:00.000Z

Hurrah! The reason I haven't been doing my regular music posts is because it has been weeks since I've been game to update my 'Pod. Game, because iTunes keeps losing music and then when I go to update it, it deletes the stuff it lost! Stoo-pid I know. But I finally got up the courage to give it a go, as I realised it doesn't happen if you just update and don't let it Sync. I'm getting bogged down in the details, sorry.

So this morning is the first time I actually got to listen to Gossip's new album in its entirety, and I was blown away. I think the only song I knew was the single Heavy Cross, but they are all really catchy I felt like I could almost sing along straight away. Wes says this is a bad thing and that if you like music straight away, it means it is too pop-y and you will tire of it quickly. I don't work that way. I am not fickle with my music and once I like something alot, I like it forever. I love this cover artwork, too. At first I thought it was a bit strange, but it actually fits really well with the Gossip's ideals of challenging gender preconceptions. And it is so striking visually - that bone structure, wow!

Evening, not-so-Standard

2010-01-26T19:12:00.000Z

As a 'coastie', being from an Australian town with a yearly average temperature of just over 25 degrees celcius, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'm not terribly experienced at winter sports. While lugging skis up a hill or falling on my arse off a snowboard do not interest me whatsoever, ice-skating has always held a certain romance for me. I always fancied it might be my hidden talent and that as soon as I stepped on the ice I would realise my previously unknown potential and go on to Olympic glory. Or something like that. I hope I am not the only person who has these kind of fantasies?

So, my third London winter in, I finally got up the courage to head along to Somerset House and have a go. As luck would have it, I have been twice in the past couple of weeks with different groups of friends. I am not brilliant. But it is so much fun! Here's hoping that somebody remembers to buy me a course of Skate School next year.

This post must, however, be underpinned by a tinge of guilt and a dose of sympathy as Wes did not have quite as good a time and broke his watch as well as possibly some other bits in a nasty fall. He is still a bit swollen and bruised, and I am still catching up on all the sleep I lost playing nurse.

Plus, I got my first ever gift from Tiffany&Co! A cupcake, and it was free! (And had way too much icing, I couldn't even finish it, and I am the icing queen).

i am too distracted by this elvis movie to think of a title

2010-01-24T12:28:00.000Z

After a nap yesterday arvo I still sooo didn't want to go out, but Wes chucked a tanty and said I had to. All credit to him, too, because I had a great time, got pretty tipsy and made some new friends. I think I even invited them to my birthday dinner and got invited to another party next Saturday. I may need to check the details with Wes as my memory is a bit fuzzy. I was not too drunk, though, to document my outfit when I got home. I have had this outfit in my head for ages and for some reason never wore it. I think it was usually because every time I wanted to wear it, it was raining and I didn't want to flick mud up the back of the light-coloured skirt :-)

I took heaps of photos but these are the only ones that turned out! My hair is a bit limp and I think I'm poking my tongue out in the first shot, but it was sometime after 2am, so...!

Top: H&M; Skirt: Diesel; Belt: vintage from Rokit; Tights: somewhere in Sydney circa 2001; Popcorn necklace: Tatty Devine gifted from Wes .

louder than silence louder than bells

2010-01-23T18:31:00.001Z

Never one to be bothered by the weather, I was rather shocked when S.A.D. turned up today. Just in time for the official most depressing day of the year on Monday, today I just feel blaargh.

Red lips and a food-themed outfit would cheer anyone up, right? Well not exactly, see I have a cold so my lips are really dry and I had to take my lippy off halfway through the day :-(

I am feeling pretty unhappy with this-here blog at the moment. I really wish I had a decent camera, or at least a tripod so I could take better photos of myself. (Note how you can't even see my popcorn necklace in any of these pics?). I would really like to be able to make this blog something I can be proud of. I tried to cheer myself up with a smiley photo shoot...

But perhaps it is just because I went to Topshop today and didn't buy one thing. They are renovating or something so there is only about half the usual changerooms open, and the idea of getting my gear off didn't appeal anyway, so I left empty handed even though I had seen lots of things I liked :-(

I have decided I need: an SLR; a tripod; this Whistles dress; a checked shirt dress; MAC gel liquid eyeliner; Maltesers, stat!

Coat: Whistles; Top: H&M; Jeans, Brogues: Topshop; Wafer brooch: Paris; Popcorn necklace: Tatty Devine.

it takes a kind of genius

2010-01-21T19:29:00.001Z

The problem with dressing for my life in London is dressing for the 'every occasion'. There is so much to do everyday that coming home to change is usually not possible and everything just kind of blends into one massive day out. Work, gym, shopping, dinner, drinks, all happen in such quick succession that to take time out to change would surely be social suicide whereby some essential experience is missed and is forever rued with all the 'you just had to be there' references you will hear for the rest of your life. So every morning comes this impossible wardrobe dilemma - how to dress so you're comfortable during the day, dressy enough for evening, warm enough for who-knows-what weather's gonna be thrown at you, and still feel like you are wearing an outfit you are happy with and feels like it encapsulates the mood you were going for that day.

Usually the worst part is footwear. I know I've spoken before on this blog about how bloody much I walk in this city. Well, triple it. Walking is my new thing. I walk everywhere. I walk to work everyday, then I walk to the gym, then I walk home or to dinner or the pub or wherever. I would love to be wearing heels more, but for now, the biker boots have it.

Example: On Saturday I had a sore throat so I ate an orange before I left the house in pouring rain about midday, got covered in mud walking to Stoke Newington Church Street, tried on more glasses, shopped for a coat for Wes, attended a birthday/engagement party and drank copious amounts then had Nando's and hilarious conversation for dinner on Upper Street before dragging myself home and eating a Magnum before going to bed.

Tunic: Topshop; Belt: ASOS; Biker boots: KG; Ankle boots: Steve Madden; Leggings: Target.

goggle goggle

2010-01-19T14:59:00.000Z

I was all prepared to trek into 20/20 on Tottenham Court Road to try on glasses again this weekend, when I popped up to Stoke Newington Church Street and found all these wonderful frames on my doorstep! There are at least two opticians, both of which stock Ray Bans (my main optician-al criteria) as well of heaps of brands that Selfridges didn't even have! I tried on a bunch, and got amazing service, at Stephen Davis Optometrist, right near the men's Hub store. Remember customer service?

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Booth & Bruce

Anna de Valentin, I think

Calvin Klein

Hmm, can't remember

Face au Face. A frontrunner, but mega expensive

i'm on fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire!

2010-01-17T20:15:00.000Z

Hmm, blurry feet. Man, I need a new camera.

Heehee, I was trying to time a jump with my camera's flash but I just got a whole heap of comical out-takes.

I wanted to document this particular outfit just because I was so excited to be wearing my leather jacket again, instead of the winter coat I've been wearing every day for months now. Yes, it was something ridiculous like seven degrees today! Yipee! Balmy! So I did wear my massive scarf but underneath it was just singlet, tee, cardigan and jacket! And jeans with no leggings underneath them! Look ma, no hat!

The scarf is from Spanish uber label Hakei. Isn't it perfect? It was a little expensive when I bought it over a year ago, and that was when the pound had only just started going down the toilet. I shudder to think how much it would be now. Such a shame, because I wanted to buy literally everything in that shop from the shoes to the handbags to the clothing, and I dragged Wes all over Madrid so I could visit every single one of their stores!

you're beautiful, you're beautiful, to me

2010-01-14T21:15:00.000Z

I don't usually have much of an idea when it comes to beauty products. Okay, maybe I am being a bit harsh on myself there - I am interested in new things, and always read the beauty section of my mags studiously, but I don't really have the budget to be able to try too many of them due to the risk of a large proportion ending up in the bin. But I felt I had to share a couple of recent additions to my 'beauty case'.

This is I think the first true anti-perspirant. As in, it actually stops you from sweating, waaay more than any others I have used in my life. You put it on the night before (!) and it even works after showering. Quite amazing.

Then I finally caved and bought some Batiste Dry Shampoo thinking it would change my life, but I think I need a little practice to get the hang of it!! I'm really good at applying too much so I end up looking like I'm ready to take the stage as Granny in the school play. It is good for scoring a few giggles, but I can't help but think that's not exactly what it is intended for. Anyone else use it? Appropriately? Any tips?

Music of the Week

2010-01-13T13:00:00.000Z

I am a baaad blogger. I'm sure nobody else even noticed how long it is since I've done an Album of the Week post. But I know. And I'm apologising for it right now. Busy...Christmas...New Year...yada yada. And yet I still don't really have an album review so to speak, more of a reminder: To vote in Triple J's Hottest 100 2009! My favourite, and reportedly the world's biggest, music poll, closes at midnight Sunday AEST. So get voting! This is one tradition from home (and summer) that I just cannot let go of. I love love love Triple J and its' Hottest 100 so much, not to mention the great memories of spending Australia Day listening to the broadcast while barbecuing or lolling about in a pool somewhere. I really take voting seriously, compiling lists, refreshing my memory by re-listening to tracks, and somehow slowly whittling it down to my 10 favourite tracks of the year that was. This year was actually not that hard, because I didn't know heaps of the songs (where have I been?) but I figure it's a great jumping off point for discovering new stuff I should already know about and would have heard if only I could listen to my beloved station regularly!

In case you were wondering, my choices were thus:

Florence & The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (I think she might get number one, but not sure if she was as big in Aus as she was here)

Florence & The Machine - You've Got The Love (yes, two, but the year really did belong to her, didn't it?)

Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls

Kasabian - Fire (should hear me sing along to this one! If you've heard the song, you'll know what I'm talking about)

La Roux - Bulletproof

Metric - Gimme Sympathy

Passion Pit - Little Secrets (not their biggest song, so may be a wasted vote there, but I really like it alot better than the single, The Reeling)

Phoenix - Lisztomania (obv)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll (tough choice between several tracks on this album)

Bertie Blackman - Byrds Of Prey (ditto)

we poured our hearts out as the train pulled out

2010-01-12T17:50:00.001Z

Is it too late to still be talking about the weekend? It was a pretty crazy night on Saturday, and it all started with this little contraption. Ross and Viv spent Christmas and New Year in Germany with some family friends and were exposed to this amazing method of making mulled wine. Since trying mulled wine for the first time this winter, I am absolutely loving it, and so far have found I can enjoy several (ahem!) glasses yet somehow avoid my usual red wine headache. Yay!

So, this is called the feuerzangenbowle. You put a big lump of sugar called a zuckerhut on a metal holder thingy over the mulled wine and pour 80% proof rum over it and light it until the sugar melts and caramelises and drips into the wine. It is sooo potent, but yummy and fun and a little bit dangerous. It set the scene for the perfect night in with good friends when it was freezing cold and snowy outside.

And yes, later on there was singing and dancing and Belinda Carlisle was involved. Man I sounded awesome - the mulled wine must do something for the vocal chords.

save me with your specs advice

2010-01-10T12:03:00.000Z

So, popped into Selfridges yesterday to have a look at their specs selection, and for a coat for Wes. We had Square Pie and browsed around my favourite department (the food, of course!) and I dropped some hints about what might I might like for my birthday, which of course went straight over his head because I didn't hold both his shoulders and look right into his eyes whilst shaking and shouting 'buy me THIS!!!'.

Anyway, there were a few that I liked. Wes was not so sure, but very helpful nonetheless. The reason I went to Selfridges on a Saturday is not because I have a death wish but as they seem to be the only place that stocks Ray Ban frames in this whole hemisphere! Well, the bit that I inhabit. There is another good place on Tottenham Court Road that I want to check out too.

But I really want your opinions! I am looking for something with just the right amount of geek chic, without too much Shoreditch twat, but they must also be practical because I do need them to see, these are not a mere accessory people! Let me know what you think!!!?

Oliver Peoples?

Dolce and Gabbana?

Ray Ban Wayfarer?

Ray Ban Clubmaster?

Or Chanel, darling??

Stuff January

2010-01-08T17:51:00.000Z

January is usually such a busy month, and it looks like this one will be no exception. We will be:

catching up with friends, farewelling some and hopefully making new ones also

eating out alot, as lots of restaurants do cheap meal deals to entice hibernating Londoners out to spend more money they don't have since they spent it on Christmas

making some travel plans (finally!)

But this is what else is on:

Cirque Du Soleil is in town doing the show called Varekai. I have never been to see these guys, and would love to, but don't think I will get around to it this time. Until 14th Feb.

La Clique is a burlesque-type show that's had great reviews and is running in Camden until 17th Jan. Would be really good to go with a group of friends and make a night of it. I think it might be Australian?

Movies! So many movies! A bit of an overload for a usual non-movie-goer like myself. I have been to see Where The Wild Things Are, and still want to see Nowhere Boy, Sherlock Holmes, and Alice in Wonderland when it comes out. I'm currently resisting everyone's insistence that I see Avatar. The more you insist, the more I think I might like to stage a mini protest by deliberately not seeing it. Also this week I saw Inglourious Basterds for the first time and loved it. It is brilliant, so if you haven't seen it, you must. I insist.

Selfridges is putting together a retro 90s themed pop-up type arrangement with Rellik, Beyond Retro, IDEA and Work It, which runs from 11th to 29th January - should be worth a perusal.

Apparently the V&A is currently running an exhibition on Indian Maharaja. It is nearly finished (17th January), but I had no idea it was even on! Shocking considering I am almost related to a maharaja myself. Unfortunately none of us royals have organised a mailing list.

But also at the V&A, the Decode: Digital Design Sensations exhibition is running until 11th April. Wes' birthday. Coincidence? I think not. This is all the weird and wacky sort of stuff he focussed on for his final year architectural thesis - interactive, manipulating, computer-generated automatic design type stuff. So I'm guessing I will be making a visit as soon as he hears wind of it. Of course he doesn't actually read my blog, so...

caerdydd

2010-01-07T20:46:00.001Z

So apparently we took a disappointing number of photos in Cardiff! Here are a few of the least crappy ones. We stayed near the Cardiff Bay area which has been undergoing a bit of zjujjing up recently, but we were told there was a really dodgy area nearby, so we felt right at home - a city just doesn't feel right to me anymore if there's no risk of a mugging or stabbing.

There is the Opera House-thingy that looks like a beetlebum; and the Welsh Assembly which is quite cool looking, but reminds me of wasps nests and I'm a bit unsure of it's purpose; and another ye olde arcade which housed a lovely boutique called Seren.

deck the halls

2010-01-03T18:36:00.004Z

I've never been to Cardiff before, but had a fine time exploring it over the Christmas holiday. The shopping is great, with everything you'd expect of a larger city, but I especially liked the old arcades where you can get away from the crowds and find something a little different to the usual high street fare in a handful of boutiques. I miss boutiques when I'm shopping in London. I'm sure there are heaps, but you just have to know where they are. Plus they usually stock labels I much admire but cannot actually afford to buy, which is sometimes a very fun kind of shopping, but sometimes just depressing, you know?

This shirt and the studded beret are a couple of things I treated myself to when I got paid for the first time in 9 months!!! Wes rang me to tell me the money had gone into our account when I was in Topshop doing some Christmas shopping. It was truly fate.

Beret: Urban Outfitters; Shirt: Topshop; Singlet: Gap; Jeans: Lee; Boots: who knows?

i'll give it to someone special

2009-12-31T18:26:00.000Z

A very special pressie was waiting for me at the P.O. when I got back from Cardiff. Isn't it great when they are spread out a bit and not just in one big assault on the one morning? I am lucky in this respect anyway as my birthday is in about 5 weeks so I can get anything off my wishlist that Santa forgot this time around.

I really loved the card and packaging - how cool is the zip-up cardboard bag? - and Sportsgirl's primary colours came across pretty well in the photos, considering they were taken in my gloomy London living room. And the gifts inside are just my style, like I picked them out myself. Thankyou Sportsgirl!! Have I ever blogged about their website and forum? Both are pretty great, you should check them out, it's a proper little community where everyone is very lovely, lots of members have blogs, you can vote on Street Style pics and they often introduce me to new music. I hope that doesn't sound like a contrived advert because I have been using the forum since it launched, which is before I had a blog. Actually, it was from the encouragement of the girls on the forum that I got the courage to start my own blog!

pah-rah-pah-pum-pum

2009-12-31T18:12:00.000Z

I'd better post about Christmas before the New Year takes hold and That Special Day In December becomes relegated to a distant memory. Well, I had a wonderful Orphan's Christmas in Cardiff with great company, even better food and a Wii! Presents were plentiful, sometimes too much so as you can see by my lovely pjs from Wes. 'It said size twelve on the hanger!!' he insisted again and again. My most favouritest present was my fluffy white Muji bathrobe: so cosy, I wish it was acceptable to wear them for more than the five minutes between showering and getting dressed. Much more. Like all day.

We established that The Little Drummer Boy is all our boys' favourite carol. I don't think I have a fave as I actually really hate them. Does Wham count as a carol?

listen to your body tonight, it's gonna treat you right

2009-12-26T22:10:00.001Z

I don't often post on 'inspiration' like photoshoots and catwalk shows, but this spread in the Guardian magazine (duh, what paper did you think I'd read?) really caught my eye. The photos were not visually that interesting, in fact, the whole point is the simplicity of it all. This is a real-life editorial. Take that bodycon dress you have in your closet, and your favourite chunky knit, and of course you already wear black ankle boots with everything (or is that just me?) and voila! You're ready to leave the house. That's it! Go! I think I may just be able to incorporate this way of dressing into my daily routine.

good news for people who love bad news

2009-12-24T08:40:00.000Z

We went to see Modest Mouse last week and they were awesome! I wasn't really sure if I would know many songs but they played alot of good ones, and the crowd was just filled with dedicated fans so everyone really got into it with lots of dancing and singing along. I'm really loving going to gigs regularly, but don't have anything planned from now on so will be on the look out for tickets...thought I might go see Lisa Mitchell, New Young Pony Club, and Efterklang who I've only just heard of, but that can be a good thing when it comes to gigs, it's always nice to be surprised.

So I felt a bit like Minnie Mouse in this outfit. So many hearts and bows! There is a red heart on this tee and one on the clasp of my belt but you can't quite see them in the pics. It is getting increasingly hard to take outfit pics as it gets cold - everything is covered up by a coat and scarf :-( but I have been making extra effort to include more outfit posts so I hope you guys like them!

Headband: Accessorize; Tee: Urban Outfitters; Skirt: H&M; Belt: FCUK; Tights: Topshop; Brogues: Topshop; Scarf: cashmere from Edinburgh.

we're fated to pretend

2009-12-22T18:28:00.003Z

Still haven't made it to the car boot sale, but one of the best, and most unexpected markets I have browsed lately is the one on Camden Passage in Islington. It is quite small, and it's wares are different depending on the day of the week: Wednesday is good for antique jewellery, but Saturday is best for vintage clothing. Unfortunately the pieces are all of that class of vintage that happens to be a bit out of my price range, but I still like to play make believe...

Sorry about the crap quality of these photos. They were taken on Wes' phone, which he is always telling me is 'a better camera than your digital one, really'. Hmmm.

float on...

2009-12-21T19:04:00.004Z

I actually stayed home sick from work today :-( But I had a front row seat for lots of snow showers throughout the afternoon :-) As soon as it stopped I just had to run outside and take some snaps before it melted...

Sweater: Wes' by Samsoe & Samsoe we bought in Vienna last year; Leggings: old; Boots: ASOS; Socks: H&M; Scarf: cashmere from Edinburgh.

Album of the Week

2009-12-18T12:15:00.004Z

Was it to cure shellshock??

Off with your head! Dance til your dead!

You suddenly complete me...

I can't stop listening to Yeah Yeah Yeahs latest album, It's Blitz! I have long been in love with this awesome three-piece and not only because lead singer Karen O is so inspirational. They just write such amazing pop songs, they get me every time. Ever passion-filled, their sound continues to evolve, and is now laced with a dose of synth, which I am right into at the moment. It almost goes without saying that they are amazing live. I am sure, if you are a music lover like me you have heard stories about their tremendous performance exploits. Or, if you are a fashion lover, perhaps you have heard about Karen's crazy stage costumes which could range from a glittery leotard to a lion's head within the same show. We just missed out on tickets for their recent London gigs, but they are touring Australia at the moment, so anyone down there should get along to see them any way they can. In the meantime I will content myself with listening to my favourite tracks over and over and over.

one is never enough

2009-12-18T09:59:00.003Z

I have been on the lookout lately for some new long chain-necklace-pendant-type-things. I wear them all the time so I think it makes sense to get a couple more so I'm not wearing the same old locket and heart all the time. But the high street ones seem so, generic.

As if by magic, into my inbox today popped a link to the website for One Luv, an Aussie site offering unique jewellery. The Seafarer's collection really caught my eye. Very me. I'm all about things being useful and practical. I certainly don't think I'll be doing any seafaring anytime soon, but I can really see these coming in handy if I get stuck in a blizzard this winter (been snowing this week, I keep my fingers crossed for more!).

Backwards and in heels...and wearing a corset!

2009-12-13T14:59:00.008Z

I wanted to document this outfit as I felt quite un-me when I wore it yesterday. Not in a bad way, in fact I sometimes dress like that on purpose, just to push myself out of my comfort zone. In this case literally, as I am so used to wearing loose layers on top, definitely nothing tight or revealing. I can clearly remember scrap-booking an article from 'Shop Til You Drop' which used a corset exactly like mine to make some interesting outfits, so I think I was inspired by them.

This is an H&M top that I bought last year and never wore, not even once, as it seemed too dressy for super-casual-me. Of course I just needed to find a casual way of wearing it. Had to try on almost every pair of jeans I own to find the ones that had just the right rise, as well as 2 different tees to get the length right! I also think it would look good with my ripped boyfriend jeans, but it is a bit cold for holes right now!

I wore this to go meet some friends for a pre-Christmas lunch thing that turned into a marathon all-day stint at the pub, ending with crashing a friends' date. I ate so much food I nearly exploded. The corset was probably not the most comfortable thing to be wearing under such circumstances - I wager lassies back in the 18th century never had to contend with gastro-pub sessions with Kiwis!

Heaps of fun, and back in bed at a reasonable hour, I love Saturdays!

Corset: H&M; Tee: H&M; Jeans: Topshop; Ballet flats: Joto; Charm bracelet: my childhood; Bangle: gift from my mother-in-law; Grey feather earring: Marine de Diesbach, Paris; Diamante earring: Oasis via my sister.

Stuff December

2009-12-13T09:51:00.007Z

Presumably you all know exactly what you're doing at this time of year, and don't really need to know about umpteen other things to clog your schedule as you run mindlessly from one party to the next:

Eat to the point of a food baby on a (sometimes more than) daily basis. And have dessert with every meal.
Go shopping for presents but spend way more on yourself than on anyone else, and decide to keep those that were intended for everyone else as well.
Drink way too much and with meals that usually don't include alcohol at all. But at least when this happens you usually end up in bed by a reasonable hour.

But actually, being in a cold city for the festive season has its charms that should be experienced and enjoyed at least once:

Strolling through a European-style Christmas market, either at the South Bank, or Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland. Or you could really go to Europe, apparently the German ones are the best.
Go ice-skating somewhere glamorous like Somerset House. Of course, this requires booking far in advance (something I am a bit averse to doing) and those skates really hurt my feet last time!
Visit Kristie and Coralie's Christmas Cooler Drink, Shop & Do pop-up shop and bar in Kings Cross, with events on each weekend leading up to Christmas for those into DIYing. Or just drinking and eating cake.
More drinking, but this time you must sample the seasonal specialities like mulled wine, winter Pimms, or hot toddies. No, I haven't tried any of these yet! But don't they sound intriguing??
Go to see Where The Wild Things Are!!!! How long have we all been waiting for this movie? I am so excited, but finding the time to go to a movie in December may be a challenge...
Cross your fingers for a White Christmas. I had a white birthday last year, which was pretty awesome, but imagine a white Christmas day! Just like in the movies.
Find Santa. I've said for a few years now that I'd really like to get our photo taken with Santa to send back to our parents at home, but with only one Westfield in this whole city I think that Santa might be a bit busy. Where else do you find Santa in London? There is also no Harvey Norman or K-Mart. I'm guessing maybe Selfridges or Harrods.

Um, yeah, don't tell anyone

2009-12-10T20:39:00.005Z

Had a client this week who thought he was hilarious when he referred to Hackney as 'Agony' (you have to imagine it with an old-school London accent). Oh, Dad's jokes. I know it wasn't exactly the place to be back in the day and there are still plenty of signs of that, but now the 'cool' spreads further from Shoreditch by the minute. I have developed a real affection for the place as I've been living and working here for the last 2 years. I did get a bit of a shock, though, when I saw this Secret Market feature in a recent issue of Timeout that someone left at work. The first one is around the corner from my house! I unwittingly walked past it last Saturday and briefly thought about going in, but had other errands to run. If only I had known! I will definitely be heading by this Saturday to see if I can pick myself up a bargain or two. I will let you know how I get on...

Dyeing to wear

2009-12-06T19:15:00.000Z

Yes, I couldn't wait to wear my new tie-dye leggings. For some reason, I thought I might get a few negative or at least somewhat puzzled reactions, but I actually had several compliments throughout the day. Always a nice surprise. Meanwhile I got several errands done as well as lunch at the Breakfast Club, an afternoon nap and yummy Indian dinner and drinks with friends.

Trench: Nique from Melbourne; Tee: Something; Skirt: Lipsy; Leggings: Topshop; Cardy: Urban Outfitters, Boots: mega old from home; Headband: Accessorize.

Back on the work horse

2009-12-06T17:21:00.003Z

One of the hardest things about going back to work has been getting dressed in the mornings. I have always hated workwear. Well actually, I can appreciate the aesthetic of a lovely tailored pencil skirt or a simple shift dress, it is just such a huge departure from my everyday style that I always find it difficult to find work-appropriate pieces that do not make me want to cry out in boredom. Plus, my job has many little idiosyncrasies that make for a very specific clothing brief. Not too short, not too low-cut, no longer than elbow length, sensible footwear.

So off I went with pretty low expectations last week to look for a few new things to spice up my weekday wardrobe. I searched far and wide, high and low, and came away with only a couple of things, though I must admit I am quite satisfied that I might actually wear these in real life, too.

This skirt is quite a bit longer than I am used to, and when I walk to work I have to go a bit slower than usual and do a funny hip squiggle!

To wear under skirts of course - remember leggings are not pants, people!

Pretty much perfect Breton top, I think I will buy another one to cut off at the midriff for wearing on the weekends.

I know, more brogues, I am obsessed!

I have had my eye on these tights for ages so thought I'd treat myself.

Album of the Week

2009-11-27T20:15:00.001Z

So the other day, I stumbled upon (not Stumbled Upon) The Brunettes somewhere or other, and was so impressed by what I heard, I had already decided I had to post about them this week. Then I listened even more and realised 'Hey! I know this B-A-B-Y song!'. I think it must have been played on triple j. It is great, but so are all their songs - quite catchy, yet mellow, not too poppie...basically they are indie. And they are a really quirky and cool couple, so, they are my new favourites!

ps. Definitely rethinking my original comments on Kasabian's other albums...

pps. Just finished my first week of work in my new job!!

ppps. Congratulations to my friends on the safe arrival of their new baby girl Natasha xxxx

ASOSickofhavingnomoney!

2009-11-24T21:51:00.000Z

Did I mention my new flatmate works for ASOS?!?! Of course she gets a very nice discount. I'll take these please...

Horace coat; Sass and Bide tee; Pringle leather and cashmere gloves; Karen Walker dress; Markus Lupfer Love tee; Gestuz bow back dress; ASOS robe.

Busted!!

2009-11-23T20:05:00.000Z

Strawberry is so the best flavour of shake. I am trying to convert everyone I know. The others are so bad in comparison. Trust me.

First day in my new job today! I am pooped after a whole day of sponge-like absorption. Downside is I won't get paid until after Christmas :-( Looks like a very lean year for pressies everyone, sorry!!!

Double digits worth of Followers on my blog!! Woohoo! Feels like I should be proud. Now lets see if I can work and blog at the same time...

Album of the Week

2009-11-20T12:51:00.001Z

Forgot all about doing an Album of the Week last week as I was running around like crazy preparing for the weekend. Most of this week was spent recovering from said weekend, which incidentally involved dancing to alot of Florence and the Machine. So, after asking Wes for a recommendation, we have been kindly introduced to Pony Pony Run Run. Info about them is a bit thin on the ground, unfortunately. Apparently they have been around for a few years; I would describe their sound as electro-pop/rock; and they seem to be heavily into the current trend for bands and friends-of-bands remixing each other's stuff back and forth, and they even have a feature on their myspace where you can remix the tracks yourself.

Owing to their Frenchness, comparisons to Phoenix are probably unavoidable, and to be honest they do sound a little bit like them. But Phoenix are great, so is that such a bad thing? I do really like all the tracks I've heard so far. I think they remind me a bit of Passion Pit too, whom I also love, so all round, I can't see what's not to like about Pony Pony Run Run except the amount of concentration it takes to type their name! Their album 'You Need Pony Pony Run Run' is out now.

nibbley nibbley

2009-11-19T15:24:00.004Z

So, how exciting was the whole 'online mobile pop-up limited edition scarf' thing!? For those who don't know, Cadbury launched this brilliant stroke of marketing genius to promote the new Caramel Nibbles. So, what would us modern bloggy kids like better than something that combines fashion, chocolate, blogging, social networking and pop-up shops? The shop popped up on selected blogs where you could join a virtual queue and watch a live feed of the shop girls who address you by name and popped your scarf in the post right in front of your very eyes. I even got Wes addicted and he was glued to the Facebook news feed all day Friday when he was supposed to be working! So off I went to the gym and did a spot of shopping while he frantically followed it around the blogosphere until he actually got me one, on the last blog (think it was wishwishwish) when there were just three scarves left!! Just in case you were interested, I wore mine for the first time today. Thank you Caramel Bunny! Did you get your paws on one?

Blazer: Topshop; Tee: Sportsgirl; Jeans: Topshop; Kicks: Nike

We'll always have St Paul's

2009-11-17T14:35:00.002Z

Farewell to my lovely friends Anna and Mike. Off home to NZ, I wish them all the best. They threw a party to farewell their friends, this wonderful city, and their amazing flat in front of St Paul's! I know the photos are a bit 'arty' but I will never be there again so I had to share them anyway.

Coat: Topshop; Necklace: Sportsgirl; Skirt: Lipsy

Delicate Mayhem

2009-11-16T14:11:00.003Z

Saw these drawings by Delicate Mayhem for the first time at Spitalfields last Sunday. Wandering the market as a group, it was a rare moment of co-ordinated oohing and ahhing by all involved. So detailed and intricate, you could be absorbed in front of one for hours spotting new bits and pieces. They are all in limited, numbered runs and the prices are totally reasonable too, I think they would look great presented as a series of small drawings. The London ones are my faves - the perfect subject for this ‘organised chaos’ style. This one is City Road, in my neck of the woods.

An Education

2009-11-11T15:39:00.001Z

It is quite ironic that going to the movies is so expensive in London, as a cinema is just the perfect place to spend a cold and rainy afternoon, and what city has more of an abundance of those than we do? Yes, the weather has been terrible lately, but taking advantage of freebies is a major part of my life now and I get two for one tickets on Wednesdays! Woohoo!

So off I went to see An Education with my sis. What a beautiful film! Set in the 60s, it is a non-stop visual feast with authentic fashion, hair, makeup, cars, houses...Honestly, it could have been about nothing at all and I still would have enjoyed it, but as it were, it is actually a really captivating story. Carey Mulligan is so beautiful and really perfect in the role, she deserves all the recognition she is getting for it. And Rosamund Pike is so beautiful as Aunt Helen I actually gasped the first time you see her in that white fur on the theatre steps!

ps. My sister has since gone back to the desert. Boohoo! I'm so lonely.

An end to life on the down-low?

2009-11-09T17:30:00.004Z

Heels have never played a major part in my life. They're more like an occasional guest star, but not even one you are happy to see, you know, because of the pain, hobbling, and slow-walking. Not to mention they are kind of against the code of ethics of my day job.

But recently I have been wondering if maybe I should give them a bit more of a go. There are just so many more cool outfit opportunities, and a certain air and grace you get when you walk in them.

These past two weeks I have seen plenty and fallen in love with a few pairs, but none so much as these amazing wedges from Topshop...

But having said that, I am also pleasantly surprised to report there are many more options available with a low or flat heel this season. Maybe the stores have finally realised that we live in a city where we don't have cars, we walk miles everyday, and there are cobblestones everywhere!!

Hmm, got any blacker? Sorry, but it is coming into winter!

Album of the Week

2009-11-06T10:20:00.000Z

Hurrah! I always have the highest expectations of Kasabian, and finally, this new album does not disappoint. Do I need to say the title? Really? Okay, but don't sue me if I get it wrong, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. I have always found that they are a band with great singles (more than great. Really, really great), but then not enough songs to back those up on an album, so I end up skipping to the tracks I know and find everything else a bit, well, boring. But this one is definitely a listen-all-the-way-through album, and I'm thinking I might have to discipline myself to have another go at their previous releases, just in case I missed any gems. They do write that kind of rock-pop with an awesome riff that is right up my alley. They are very catchy tunes, but here they add in a few twists and switching of genres so it doesn't get lumped in the Brit-pop bin, like I think they have been before. Don't they just look cool too? Obv I'm a sucker for a beardy-man and don't get me started on colonial military jackets! lol

Just listen to this album. You will like it.