Animal Instinct

I'm absolutely loving the 'Love Cats' fashion shoot in this week's Grazia. Here is my favourite look from the story. 

If only I could look like Ruby Jean Wilson. 
If only PSP could style me before I walk out of the house everyday. 
If only I could dress head-to-toe in animal prints like in fashion editorials and still look normal walking down the street.
If only I could afford both the camilla and marc jacket and pants.
If only life weren't full of "if only's"

The 'Yo!' Files: Yo, wrap this!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Love Edge Leather Wrap Bracelet

And so my obsessions with rose gold and wrap bracelets continues... 

The leather wrap and the buckle element is so Hermès, minus the price tag. Luxe at a fraction of the price.  What's not to love?

The nose wants what it can't have

It's been 20 crazy days without shopping and I still have 10 more to go.  I've successfully managed to window shop and browse online, yes, without making a single purchase.  Who knew I had it in me? 

I've made a mental list of what I would like to purchase once I'm released from this self-imposed contract. One of my first stops will good ol' Mecca Cosmetica to the purchase the gorgeous smelling Tocca 'Florence' fragrance (pictured above) and oh, a bottle of nail polish, of course.

I did a Writing & Cultural Studies degree at uni and in every single Cultural Studies subject I studied, we would discuss the 'sensory memories'.  When I smelt this perfume which boasts Ivory Gardenia, Bergamot and crush violet petals, the scent took me to somewhere familiar but where, I cannot recall.  It reminded me of my old boss, Emily, but no, it must be a smell from somewhere else as I know she wears Diptyque Don Son.  Perhaps when it is actually mine smelling it again and again will unlock the memory.  

There is one thing I know for certain, however. Byredo Parfums Rose Noir EDP smells like sexy man.  You read it here first...

Rosy and gold

After running the building this morning between levels Four, Eight and Nine for a good hour or so, I returned to my desk to find a huge sass & bide envelope sitting on my desk.   The last of my online purchases (for the month) had arrived.  I'm a happy chappy. For realz, especially since I scored this multi-tiered rose gold gem on sale.

Dilemma: Keep or sell?

Lovely readers, you know me well. When I become obsessed with something, I simply need to have it.  Well, that's what happened with these Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Nana Biscuit Tongue Boots.  I enthusiastically ordered them and now these lovely shoesies are now in my possession.  Yes, I was lucky enough to receive not one, but two of out of three of my online shopping orders today. 

The problem with online shopping, however, is when you're teeny tiny like me, you don't really know if your purchases are going to fit you. I had a dream last night about these boots being too big for me and I was devastated when it turned out to actually be a premonition.  But my feet don't slide all too much in these size 6 babies when I wear them with really, really thick folded down bed socks like these. 

So, tell me dear readers, what do you think I should do? Keep or sell them, as Opening Ceremony don't refund international orders - boo.

Emerald City

 

Approximately 12 hours ago, one of the mail boys delivered a very large stack of newspapers, magazines and letters.  Sandwiched in between an envelope full of magazines and today's Sydney Morning Herald, I saw an unmistakable spotted satchel peeping through. My Topshop jeans had arrived!

My work big sister managed to convince me to try them on straight away but since I was wearing tights, the attempt was unsuccessful.  If only we had captured that moment! As soon as I got home, I ripped off those black tights and said hello to emerald pins.  These 7/8th length jeans are absolutely perfect for me, no trip to the alterations lady needed.  Would it be excessive to order in every other colour it comes in because boy am I tempted - I told you I was obsessed! But only once my shopping fast is over, of course!

You snooze, you lose

 Image: pixie market

Sometimes I think I was born backwards.  I'm always too slow.  I'm just missing out.  Someone has always gotten there quicker and beat me to it. And it's not just because my short stumpy legs have let me down.  

My arms which are strangely long for my petite stature also continually fail me.  It's the fault of those skinny fingers - the ones I like to refer to as "piano fingers" and the ones my mum likes to refer to as "lazy fingers".  

I would blame the three sprained fingers on my left hand, which have been sprained for almost two months now, but I am right-handed. 

Lace and pleats are two of my weaknesses.  Once again, I've found that I am always too slow. 

The Marti b-pack

Alexander Wang Marti backpack

I've had my eye on the Alexander Wang Marti backpack for sometime.  It's not really practical is it but I think this particular style looks ultra-chic when slung on the shoulder.  Now, just to decide which colour I like best because I change my mind daily. No, scratch that, I'm saving right now. I'm calling it my 'shopping fast'.  'Fast' because if I'm to  grasp the concept of a ban I have think of it as if I'm being denied food.  Good thing I'm expecting three parcels to arrive in the three weeks and two days of my shopping fast that I have left (not that I'm counting down at all).

Oh, Lola: Dakota for MJ (again!)

 

Just when you were certain little sister, Elle was now your favourite Fanning, big sister, Dakota has stolen back the spotlight.  The 17-year-old and recent high school graduate has scored the sweetest graduation gift a girl could ask for, a Marc Jacobs campaign shot by Juergen Teller, who also photographed her for the Marc Jacobs collection back in 2007.

Dakota's the face of the label's latest fragrance, Oh, Lola, a variation from the original Lola perfume.  In an interview with Women's Wear Daily, Jacobs revealed the difference between the original and the new spin-off, "This Lola is more of a Lolita than a Lola, but we weren't going to call the fragrance Lolita. Lola is more seductive; Oh, Lola is sensual, but she's sweeter."

The 'Yo!' Files: Yo, it's a garden party!

I'm loving this cropped tee from the Stolen Girlfriends Club S/S 11-12 collection.  How cute is the floral print?  The beautiful lush greens and the lovely flowers - don't you just wish it were spring right now?  Sigh.  

 

It's always nice to bring nature into the office, but it only downfall is that it reminds you of what you're missing out on. Oh, how I long for the return of summer picnics in Hyde Park.  Otherwise, this itsy bitsy number would be perfect casual Friday attire or what I like to call "Midriff Friday" attire. 

Orange Fizz

Image: Garance Dore

How striking is Jazzmine's lipstick?  Anyone have any idea what it is?  A reader has commented it could be YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Corail Poétique.  What do you think?

Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Resort 2012

Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony first ever runway show. Everything about this line screams '90s grunge meets the modern girly girl. Chloë's signature style is showcased in the collection - black cut-out leather, lace, baseball jackets and poofy shoulders and skirts, right down to the messy hair. And now, I'm suddenly in the mood for a My So-Called Life marathon.  

It's fun being a domestic goddess

My work colleagues and those of my friends who have moved out of home mistakenly believe that if you live at home, you must have a fully stocked fridge.  I can assure you, that's not the case at my house and there are only the bare essentials in our silver cooling box - margarine, milk, wine, potatoes, maybe some fruit if you're lucky. 

I made it my mission to buy groceries and cook up a nomtastic lunch.  After a couple packs of ravioli, three varieties of cheeses, a loaf of sourdough, eggs and a few other bits and pieces, my shopping basket was overflowing and my bill amounted to a good $64 odd dollars. Geez, the cost of living in Sydney is ridiculously expensive these days.

Here's what I cooked for lunch:

Egg omelette with prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, rocket
and haloumi served with toasted sourdough

And dinner:

Gnocchi with sauteed prawns in sage butter sauce

And after two nomtastic cooking adventures, could it be that I was on a roll?  I tried my luck again tonight and cooked up this dish.

Salmon ravioli with sundried tomatoes,
mushrooms, rocket and fetta

And now you can see why I'd make a terrible food photographer.  Attempting to take photos when you have a growling stomach and are armed with a fork is not a good idea. Terrible lighting and measly photographed portions aside, all three meals tasted incredible and impressed my big foodie brother. Move over, Nigella, there's a new dark-haired cook in town.

The 'Yo!' Files: Yo, work that cat eye!

Ellery et Graz Cat Eye Sunglasses

Image: désordre

The 'Yo!' Files: Yo, you tribal treasure!

sass & bide The Greater Difference necklace

Meet Tyson Ballou, the centaur

On Friday night, a friend told me how she had met Tyson Ballou the previous night at a work function. He's the face of Biotherm Homme and also a Dolce & Gabbana model. He's definitely an attractive man but for some reason I said that he looked like "he should have a horse's body".  My friends didn't agree, and challenged me to prove it with the help of Photoshop. I accepted but as great as my photo-editing skills are, I don't think I've managed to convince them...

A dual-tipped mani

I've experimented with dual-coloured manis and manis where I've only painted the tips of the nails. What else is there to do now but the combine the two ideas?  This time, I've gone for more subtle look. I'm wearing a calming  cornflower blue (Orly Snowcone) and a oh-so-luxe light jade hue (Chanel Nouvelle Vague) inspired by the colours of the ocean.  And everytime I look at my nails I'm wishing away my winter blues and transporting myself to the Hayman Islands where the warm sun shines.  

These lips were made for (s)macking

M.A.C Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Gotta Dash!

When you work in the heart of the city and you get given an early mark, more often than not you're going to walk that 200m down the street to Pitt Street Mall... which is exactly what I did yesterday afternoon.

While accompanying my friend Fishy to the M.A.C counter at David Jones, I somehow ended up with this creamy peachy coral shade on my lips. No prizes for guessing what happened next.  Without thinking, I handed over my card and into my bag the lippie went. Oops! Oh well, the flood of compliments I received today were well worth breaking the self-imposed shopping diet.  I knew it was a silly idea anyway.

Dangerously delicious denim

Bella and I began our hunt for the perfect pair of beetroot coloured jeans back in March. By mid-April, we had found success and since then I've had some umm... issues.  

I've had a nervous breakdown and have thrown massive hissy fits. I really  haven't been been the same since that first taste.  Coloured denim, you're a painfully addictive drug and I'm a whore who just can't get enough. But hey, before you judge me, I'm not the only one.  J Brand have reported they have sold over 100,000 of their brightly-hued jeans since March... and they thought last season's Houlihan cargos were a hit!  Sorry, blue and black basics, you just don't do it for me anymore and judging by the above figures, or anyone else for that matter.

IT'S SALE TIME: Oh you, generous Aussie designers

Jeebus! My inbox is being flooded with flyers, which I'd usually really hate but these flyers, I don't mind so much.  This weekend, it's an Aussie designer sale extravaganza!  All your favourite Aussie labels including Dion Lee, camilla and marc, Akira and myPetsQuare are holding their own warehouse sales. 

Eeek! The pressure's on.  You've got less than 24 hours to work out how to clone yourself multiple times.  Too difficult? Perhaps just grab a street directory and set yourself a strict timetable to stick to so you don't miss out on anything.  Just pretend you're back at school but you don't actually have to hit the books, now that's too easy.  

Ooh Sydneysiders, how lucky are we?  Which sales are you most looking forward to attending?

Wise arse quote of the day

Let's go puddle jumping

I've been searching high and low, scouring the web and shop shelves but apparently peeps don't make leather flattie boots anymore. There are plenty of above-the-knee boots (thigh high boots on me), suede boots (I don't think designers realise it rains in winter) and an abundance of heeled boots - stiletto, block and wedged heels. You name the tall and impractical friend and she is there. 

To all the boots and booties out there, you've let me down but I'm willing to compromise. I'm not asking for much here, I'm just in need a friend to keep my footsies warm.  I'm massive klutz, I admit it, and I accidently walk into puddles an awful lot. Perhaps you could have a word to your waterproof sisters to come out of hiding? I can only cope with having wet feet for so long.