Oh hello, Snappy!

At work today, a colleague asked how I carry my Alexa.  "Do you ever just carry it by the handle?" She asked.  My answer was a firm, "No".  I'm not one to strategically place bag on the knook of my arm,  I like to keep my hands free and sling my bag comfortably over my shoulder.

Last weekend, I borrowed a Louis Vuitton tote from my mother. These days, I alternate between my Alexa and my 2.55 bag, both bags with long straps that I found wearing a bag with short shoulder straps incredibly restrictive. You probably think I'm strange but yes, even after many years of carrying bags in this manner, my body was not used to it and it felt completely unnatural.

This is why I love Snappy (long strap but not a satchel or chain bag!). Features a long strap so you can sling it as you please. Win! And hopefully, it's not as heavy as Wanger's Rocco Duffel.

Rebecca Minkoff, you know me so well

Me in a nutshell

Missoni for Target

Which designer label do you think of when you see of a multitude of patterns, stripes, zig-zags, geometric prints and abstract florals in a kaleidoscope of colours including rich amber, ink navy and khaki greens? There is only brand who owns these characteristics. Like DVF owns the wrap dress' and Chanel owns the chain bag, it is the Italian label, Missoni who owns patterns. 

During my teens I was infatuated by Margherita Missoni. Brand ambassador and unofficial "muse" of Missoni, granddaughter of the founders of the label, her long dark hair and bohemian style wardrobe of maxi skirts and geometric prints caught me eye. Back when everyone was wearing sass and bide mini skirts and ra-ra skirts, the girl dared to stand out.  

While I love the brand, I cannot say I own a single thing by the label. I live in hope that one day I'll be doing exactly this in New York - typing away, sitting on my bed on my laptop.  How very Carrie Bradshaw of me, you say but honestly, I've never cared much for SATC in my life. Until I'm living the dream in Brooklyn, I'm just going to have to browse through all of the designer collaborations with Target online. I need, want, must have every single item of this collection, NOW! Please ship overseas, please ship overseas, the more you say it, the more likely it will come true!

You dig the Woodstock look too? Everything you need to know about the line's release new month can be found here.

Orange burst

Alice McCall
'All I Have To Dream' Dress

Last month I bought a $100 voucher to use at Alice McCall from daily deals site, My Style Steals.  From the preview of the collection seen at RAFW, I was sure I wanted at least one item from Alice McCall's S/S 11-12 collection. 

After a visit to their Darlinghurst store on Saturday, this is what I walked out with.  I'm easily sold, probably too easily.  And just in case you're wondering, no, the dress is not see-through.  Those cut-outs are indeed cut-outs but nude coloured fabric shields the wearer from flashing her nips.  So yeah, there's 'booby coverage' as I put it to Jess the other day.

Pop colour jeans

If you weren't a fan of coloured denim before, prepare to be converted. 

Pump up the Acne (in a good way)

Who doesn't love a good sturdy heel?  I don't know about you but I completely lack balance which instantly rules out teeny tiny stiletto heels from my shoe collection.  These Acne Vega Pumps with their 2.5cm platform and 11.5cm heel are exactly what I need to give me that boost. No need to stand on my tippies if I had these chunky basics. But alas, size 36 is the smallest size Acne shoes are available in, curse having small feet!

RUSSH out of this world

I've been an avid reader of RUSSH since the age of 17. Back then, I was a very poor uni student every second month as both RUSSH and Frankie as  bi-monthly magazines were on-sale.  Every other month, it was Yen which got me through the weeks. 

Editors and contributors have come and gone, the paper stock has changed texture and readers no longer have to play spot the typo.  However, there is one thing which has remained the same - the beautiful photography.  

I've played stylist on a couple of still-life shoots and read every issue of House & Garden; Real Living; Belle and pretty much every Aussie fashion mag out there but with RUSSH there's a game I like to play when I receive the latest issue. No, it's not 'Spot the nipple', although I do enjoy playing that one too - for those wondering, I'm yet to spot one in this August/ September 2011 issue but I'm determined to find it! I don't think it's that hard to believe the game I like to play is actually 'Find the inspiration wall addition'.  

It's the combo of fashion and still-life photography which gets me each and every time.

Put those old handbags to good use

Céline, honey, our love has been rekindled

Heads down, buttons up

Ask my friends and colleagues and they'll tell you how I've been prepping it lately, even on casual Fridays.  It's all about the button down shirt, buttoned up all the way up to the collar and a chunky cable knit jumper, a cute tube skirt or jeans and oxfords or brogues.  My top picks are the cheeky cut-out numbers by Dion Lee Line II and this stylish sheer one by Yeojin Bae.

It's all part of the Alexa effect.  Next month, the It girl herself, will be in Sydney for the launch of 30 Days of Fashion and Beauty and I, like most other fashion obsessed Sydneysiders, can't wait to style stalk her.

Impressing the rest

I've never been one of those girls who dresses to impress boys. I've always been one of those girls who dresses for myself and to impress my friends. 

From my mum, I've inherited a strong shopping stamina and my 'I want, therefore I need' attitude.  I've also inherited a sometimes-kooky taste in fashion.  She likes to quality items that you won't find anyone else wearing.  This often means that we'll spend the big bucks and I'll sometimes receive glares from old ladies and straighty-180s on public transport.

Now I'm not talking about anything outrageous but I have penchant for cut-out blazers and shirts (I'm told they're impractical) and pop colours which can turn heads (apparently, there's something called 'matching' but I'm not very familiar with the term). My philosophy is to live it up while you're young.  I believe you should wear whatever you want now, because in twenty years time when you have kids, they're going to laugh at you anyway. 

I had never given much thought to what wear until very recently. Last week, I bought the lovely Tocca fragrance which I had been lusting after for weeks. When I arrived home that evening, my brother declared that I "stunk" and refused to sit next to me, which I didn't really deem as a negative thing. I relayed the story to my colleagues the next day and I was told, "Oh, it's a girl perfume." Although I haven't been deterred from wearing the beautiful scent to work, I am very self-conscious wearing it out and about. I mean, how am I ever going to meet a cool hipster boy if he  thinks I stink? And yes, I absolutely refrain from wearing it when I know I have to spend time with the family.

This evening, he, the straight-laced finance worker brother struck again.  It wasn't my perfume the he had a problem with but my ASOS coral/ orange shift dress. It was a winner within the office and within two weeks of me purchasing it, word had spread and three of my colleagues were rocking orange and coral ASOS shift dresses. Apparently, it looks like uniform of the female staff of St George Bank.

It's not just my brother who doesn't get girl style.  On Saturday, I bought a Gorman chunky cable-knit jumper.  Just then a male friend 'liked' the above Facebook group, and he's one of the ones who likes my grass green clogs and cut-out blazers.  Eeeek!

So tell me, what's your style and do other people's opinions affect the way you dress?