Unravelling My So-Called Life

My So-Called Life cast

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the amazing cult TV show, My So-Called Life, you are missing out.  It first aired on screens in 1994 (when I was in Kindergarten) but it was only in 2006 (and in Year Twelve) did I actually discover the show.  What made me watch a show which had been filmed 14 years earlier? Probably my adoration of Claire Danes, who plays 15 year-old Angela Chase in the series and who also narrates most the episodes. But it's the perfectly captured the raw emotion and the brilliantly truthful dialogue that keeps the series real and although the show only lasted one season, this is what makes you want to watch that one season over and over again.

The series doesn't just focus on the being a teen as other dramas do (the pains of being in high school, boy drama and the like), it goes deeper. It explores family dynamics - the different types of families and also inter-generational family dynamics.  It addresses and brings awareness to a number of social issues, homelessness; teenage alcohol and drug abuse and censorship, just to name a few.

What a well-rounded show, you say, that sounds like my kind of show, despite how old it is.  Yep, and that's even before I mention the eye candy. A young Jared Leto plays dreamy Jordan Catalano, the show's heart throb, dim-witted bad boy and object of Angela's affections. It's through the ups-and-downs of their relationship does the series best show off it's ability to evoke emotion and take you back to your teens.  And years later, when you should know better, you can't help but be in love with Jordan. Even when he breaks Angela's heart and stomps on it, or should I say romps on it (with her bestie)?

He's just so pretty...

The year that was

Abbey Lee in a crown, because she's conquered this year like nobody's business

In this issue of Frankie, in a story of the same name, the Editors, Jo and Lara asked a bunch of well-known and very much loved contributors, "What did they get up to in the past 12 months?" Myf Warhurst, Sally Seltmann, Karen Walker plus many more, give an insight to their lives by revealing 20 events which occurred during the year. In this story, we have a simple list of things  people hold dear to their hearts -  their achievements, their struggles, their loves and heartbreaks, their observations as well as what they call their everyday.

You've read theirs, now you can read mine.

1. Graduated from uni.
2. Found a new job.
3. Made some beautiful new friends who I wouldn't be able to get through a work day without!
4. Turned old acquaintances into friends.
5. Enjoyed picnics and sunbaking in the park with said new friends.  
6. Visited the hill tribes of Mae Hong Son and Pai in Thailand.
7. Started watching Gossip Girl again and subsequently continued to get annoyed at the characters' stupidity.
8. Developed a shoe fetish.
9. Decided to listen to the doctor's orders 14 years later and started drinking soy milk.
10. Realised the wonderful possibilities of online shopping.
11. Had too many dreams about another Harry Potter book coming out and waking up terribly disappointed.
12. Tried and failed to disapparate home after a long day at work (numerous times).
13. Danced around like an idiot without a care in the world until my feet could no longer take it. 
14. Became more open to trying new things.
15. Went on a road trip with my amazing uni peeps.
16. Toned down my unnatural obsession with Alexa Chung.
17. Ate a diet of Japanese food at least twice a week and longed to be Japanese.
18. Became obsessed with velvet.
19. Declared it was "The year of the pants" after refusing to wear them for two years. A month later, I saw that same statement in a magazine.
20. Finally rocked the orange lip that for two summers had been too afraid to do so.

So tell me, what did you get up to in the past 12 months?

Summer, Summer wherefore art thou Summer?

Summer, please return to Sydney or bless me with the ability to disapparate so I can go here.

Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa

Someday, somehow, somewhere...

this summer I want to see Sophia Coppola's new film, Somewhere.

Drawing from what she's seen herself as a child growing up in the seeming glitz and glamour of Hollywood and also from the eyes of an adult working in the industry, here we have the story of love and transitions, to put it very simply.

Relationships whether real life or fictional are always interesting. What I'm most interested to observe is the relationship between the father, played by Stephen Dorff, and his daughter, played by Elle Fanning. I want to see the sacrifices and adjustments party-hardy daddy Johnny Marco must make when his daughter, 11 year-old Cleo unexpectedly arrives and is there to stay. And then of course, in true Coppola style, there's the beautiful soundtrack to match which features tunes by Phoenix, Sebastian Tellier, Bryan Ferry plus more.

Did I mention Somewhere won the Golden Lion at the 67th Venice International Film Festival in September? If that's not going to get you to go to the cinemas, the final scene of the trailer defs is.

Things me likey: Silly headpieces

I have a real penchant for buying silly headpieces, but more often than not I find that I have no occasion to actually wear them. So where do I wear the crazy headgear I am addicted to buying? To work of course. When wearing my lacey floral hippie bands, I've been told by my work colleagues that my silly headpieces remind them of what they used to wear when they were young.  So why not branch out from headbands, get in touch with your inner child and play dress-ups with me with some silly headpieces?

Here are some pics to inspire you

fashiontoast's Rumi wearing a RP Encore headpiece

Littledoe headpiece

Headdress by Headmistress

And now some Photo Booth and headband silliness to bring some Christmas cheer. 

Yep, I like wearing silly things on my head so much that I've been wearing these reindeer antlers for the past two days at work. I've received many smiles and laughs from people who I actually work with and also from those who I pass on the street.  So come on, let the fun times begin. Join me and work those silly headpieces!

Style Inspiration: Super Flouncy Mini Skirts

Thanks to Mad Men and Louis Vuitton full skirts are in. While these modern ladies love the ladylike trend, they're hitching up the old school long hems to show off their super long pins.

Clémence Poésy

Diane Kruger

Leighton Meester

Kate Bosworth

Katy Perry

Guess who's back?

(Hint: It's not really Eminem, though he may very well be back and just forgot to inform me.)

But on a more serious note, let's see who the party is actually for...

Welcome back Sally!

The IT bag of 2009, the Chloé Sally flap bag is back this S/S 11.  A celeb favourite, worn by the likes of two of my favourite brunettes,  Leighton Meester and Rachel Bilson, plus many more.  I wonder which celebs will be jumping on the Sally bandwagon this time round...

Leighton Meester

Rachel Bilson

What an ingenious idea, Opening Ceremony!

Ever wanted to be a fashion designer but didn't know how to sew?  Opening Ceremony Online have just introduced their brightest idea yet, the OC Workshop. Their first project, Build A Tote, inspires even the artistically challenged to instantly get their creative juices pumping.

With three fab prints and five playful trinkets to choose from, there's no room for error.  All possible combinations of your custom Opening Ceremony tote bag are certain to be nothing less than tote-a-licious.

My custom designed Opening Ceremony tote

Ling Ling, I need new bling bling

I'm suffering from End-of-Year Syndrome. What is this very serious* syndrome you ask? According to the Oxford English Dictionary,** End-of-Year Syndrome is "the horrible feeling you get at the end of the year where your body starts to ache and your stomach churns at the sight of your worn to death wardrobe options."

What does it mean? It means the obvious, you're fed up wearing the same boring outfits, in desperate need of a fresh wardrobe start and most probably really need to make a trip to the local charity store and make a mass donation of garbage bags worth of clothing you haven't worn in years. But let's face it, who actually has the moolah this time of the year to revamp their entire wardrobe? Especially when you're supposed to be buying Christmas gifts?  There's a simple fix so I'm going to ask my good friend, Vince to let you in on his secret.

So, Vincey?

A super-stunned Vince asks, "Have you tried accessorizing?"

Why Vincey, are you so damn smart?  I shall hunt down some super cool bling bling right away to give my worn to death wardrobe a new look.

And thanks to Vince's smart idea, here are just some of my lust-haves, guaranteed to make any old outfit look new again:

Lizzie Fortuna Jewels Crystal Ship Necklace

Rumi Neely X DANNIJO Trinity Ear Cuff

A. Monroe Daisy Ring

 
Now, can you see how an outfit can instantly be revived with a bit of bling?   I want to inject some tribal loving, edgy rocker cuffing and bohemian flower flowing bling into my poor sod of a wardrobe. So, dear family and friends, if you feel so inclined to buy me any of the above, I would happily receive them as Christmas presents.  Thank you.

*Completely made up
** Also completely made up

I've fallen in love with you all over again, Alexa Chung

"Williamsburg is sort of like my lover, whereas London is more like my husband. I love my husband, and I'll always be with him, but Williamsburg is so exciting" - Alexa Chung

You can't watch this video and tell me you don't like the lovely Alexa.  She's so endearing with that English accent of hers and oh-so self-deprecating.  The fact that she thinks so could possibly bore viewers is just simply insane. Oh, and she references The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  I don't think anyone could be any cooler.

I must admit, Alexa, you went down a few notches in my book these past few months.  Your hair is currently kind of lacklustre, your outfits are more granny than glam. But after watching this video I'm in love again and it's just because we share a mutual love for The Picture of Dorian Gray.  When I heard you were hosting a new show, Thrift America, I thought there's no way I could like it at all.  Patience is a virtue that I don't have and when it comes to op-shopping, I certainly do not have patience. All that digging around to find something the perfect find that is even the right size? Not for me at all. 

But Alexa, you've done it again and broadened the appeal of "thrift shopping" as you call it. Now, thanks to you, I want to go to Brooklyn even more. One store that sells Proenza Schouler PS1 and just around the corner a store that sells warm and fuzzy shearling coats, Burberry style?  That's my kind of place.

Check out Bird's website (the first store mentioned by Alexa). I'm torn between these two pairs of shoes.

NO. 6 Lace up sandal clogs

Rachel Comey Juggler Slingback Heels

And like an optometrist now I'm going to ask you, one or two? One or two.

I've been in hibernation thanks to Daria Morgendorffer

Hi friends,

Sorry, long time no see or talk. That's not because I've pre-occupied with starting this blog. It's actually because some a very old friend appeared on my door step the other week. Her appearance was very belated 21st birthday present and you can't just ignore an old friend who used to humour you for hours on end from the age of seven, can you? I knew you would agree. So who is this old friend?  You remember Daria Morgendorffer don't you? I think you may have also been childhood friends with Daria, she would have introduced sarcasm and perhaps maybe even too prematurely introduced you to cynicism.

Daria unexpectedly disappeared out of my life one day and I never found out what happened to her. They all disappeared into thin air - Daria's neurotic father, Jake and her workaholic mother, Helen or even her super popular sister Quinn and The Fashion Club... though, that was more of a joyous event.  No longer did the kids at Lawndale High have to dodge that strange contraption of an eyelash curler or worse, have The Fashion Club ask them to give you a makeover.

I did, however, miss Daria. These past couple of weeks (1606 minutes, plus many more to factor working hours and sleep time), I've just been hanging out on the couch catching up with my old friend.  So many questions have now been answered and I now know the juicy details of the Tom, Daria and Jane scandal. Boy was that a messy triangle, even Quinn had the brains to acknowledge that one. 

Anyway, the good news is that I've now been brought up to speed (even if I am eight years late) and can now get off the couch. As for Daria?  Well, she's here to stay and won't be disappearing again anytime soon.  She's got a new gig as a GPS navigator voice and boy does she love that as much as she loved high school.

TLx

You too feel like hibernating with Daria? Order your own copy of Daria: The Complete Animated Series

It might take a few weeks for her to arrive, so here's a short clip so you can reminisce until she arrives.