Find me here

Hello dear friends,

Last post, I hinted I was working on a new project.  I'm excited to reveal it's now up and running.
I've packed up my belongings and moved it to petite street and this is where you'll find me sharing the little things in life that I love.

On The Loh-Down I've often shared what it's like to be a petite little one.  How it can be problematic finding shoes and clothing which is why I've decided to start petitestreet, a place where it's a celebration of all things small and stylish.

A mixture of fashion, celebrities, street style and homewares, come join the celebration and check it out.

xx

Back from hibernation

Where have I been?  During my brief hiatus I've been working on some fun self-projects, reading, watching and listening.

Here's a short and sweet update of what I've been up to:

• I've been watching: Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and Girls, the new HBO series which I find refreshing yet I can't actually decide if I actually enjoy watching it.

• I've been reading: Plenty.  Hunger Games, A Game of Thrones, my Fujifilm x100 camera manual and other camera related books to list a few. Lots and lots of magazines.  I've been popping into Magnation every second week and it's been dangerous to say the least. But it's all in the name of research - more on that perhaps in another post.

• I've been listening to: Grimes, Janelle Monae, Passion Pit and The Rubens (check them out here).  I'm not sure how sharing wearehunted playlists actually works but let's experiment and see if that works.

• Exciting new purchases:  Too many to list.  I can firmly say it's high time I stop unnecessary spending... until next weekend. I've named my sexy Fujifilm x100, Gertrude.  She's absolutely beautiful.  I can also add a Lover dress to that list and a pair of Cheap Monday high waisted jeans which I'm still trying to figure out what I should pair it with.

Well, until next time stay tuned via Pinterest & instagram (@tiffalo)

Red delicious

Check out Bossie at the Sundance Film Festival 2012. How much do you want to don a bright red lip after seeing this pic? I'm loving how perfectly matte it is against her luminous and bronzed skin.  My friend Heather, bought an amazing NARS lip crayon which achieves this red delicious look beautifully.  Get the look here.

This pay day's wishlist

A.P.C boots, sass & bide top, Topshop jeans and jacket,
Pamela Love necklace, A.P.C tote

#iwish

Jalouse

It had been years since I had picked up a copy of Jalouse magazine.  Back in my interning days, I used to flick through a copy before filing it away on the reference bookshelf every few weeks.  Standing in the newsagents at Charles de Gaulle airport, my eyes scanned the Women's Lifestyle section for reading material for the two very long flights ahead.  It was the long (fake) mane of Chloe Moretz  which caught my eye. It was her stance, the skirt and that stare in her eyes which somehow reminded me of Where The Wild Things Are and made me want to pick up and purchase the mag despite the fact I can't read French.  

From that moment in Paris, let's fast forward two weeks to the moment when  a friend tweeted about this video which caught her eye. There's something about it which I find so compelling that a week and a half later, I'm still watching it.  I can't quite figure out if it's the quirky coolness of the magazine or the actual unorthodox publicity video which I like more. Either way, watch it and I can guarantee you'll want to be Ashley Smith (even if it's just a little bit).

Une Fille Comme Les Autres from Jalouse blog on Vimeo.

Saturday morning treats

After being woken up at 6:30am by my next-door neighbour's atrocious singing, I eventually fell back asleep and woke up at 10:30am - a more reasonable hour for a Saturday. I rushed to the post office to picked up a parcel (my new Comme des Garçons wallet) and cooked myself a very yummy brunch.  

Review: Pretty in pink

For some time, I've been toying with the idea of dip-dyeing my hair - I'm sure you're sick of reading about it.  You'll be pleased to know back in December, I did end up getting subtle balayage in my hair for summer. I also purchased Kevin Murphy's Color Bug which is a wipe-on colour hair product of a chalky powder texture which looks pretty damn good when applied to my now lighter ends. Available in pink, purple and orange, it buildable colour with the commitment, the cost and any damage to your locks. One wash and the colour is gone.

While the dome-shaped packaging is difficult to grip onto, I dropped mine the first time I used it, thankfully, not all the powder shattered on the floor but enough to turn a section of my floor hot pink. Since that almost heart breaking experience, I hadn't touched my Color Bug in some time (I forgot to pack it when I went overseas), so on Sunday, I decided I would take it out to play. 

After about 10 minutes of wiping on the colour and  hair spraying it so it would set, viola, I was greeted with pink hair.  I even snapped a pic for you - much later in the afternoon so it's slightly faded but you get the idea.  Perhaps next time, I'll build on the colour even more.  Wondering if you could pull it off?  Judging by the positive comments I received from my friends, I say you can, and they were so glowing that I'm even considering doing it permanently (once again).

Being a Francophile

What a perfect day to laze around in the garden sipping chocolate tea from Angelina Paris. This afternoon, I actually got around to reading some of the mags I'd bought, they're divided into two piles - French and English.  Not that I can read French but one of my new year's resolutions is to learn.  I stumbled across the website Babbel, which allows you to take language courses online, your first free of charge. I spent a good amount of time this afternoon repeating, "je", "tu" and "nous" to my laptop and then being digitally graded on my pronunciation.

In London, I was introduced to The Kooples, a French label are the epitome of French cool. They partner with Savile Row tailors to create sharply cut vintage inspired streetwear. I fell in love with their prep shirts, their cute skulled scarves and their blazers, which were such an amazing fit, I had to buy two. 

The brand also publish their own magazine featuring their threads modeled by gorgeous real-life couples and release, The Kooples Records, a compilation of indie, rock, electro and pop tunes celebrating the talent of (well, of course) couples. Now, if only this super chic brand would ship to Australia and I could look like the stunning beautiful women who feature in their mag. Sigh.

Honey, I'm home

I arrived home from my month long European adventure last Friday and while it's nice to be back, boy, oh boy, is it depressing.  How I miss wandering the streets for hours and then stumbling across unexpected hidden beauties and treasures. 

While it was winter, I was glad to be there  during what one of the mildest winters seen in years, so mild in fact, we only saw snow once and it was gone after half an hour. Despite this, we still rugged up, wearing chunky chunky scarves and knits and plenty of layers, even double thermal-ing on particularly windy days.

So, what did I love the most?  London for absolutely everything except maybe the weather, regardless, I would still like to move over there in the next couple of years.  Berlin for its free spirit, rich history and culture. Paris for its delicious, delicious food, beautiful parks and chic style.

20 years of Dazed & Confused Magazine exhibition

Berlin street art - Little Lucy strikes again

Berlin street art in Prenzaleur Berg

Recognise this from The September Issue doco?
The Grand Trianon, Versailles

Even the nuns are out to enjoy a sunny winter's day in Paris.  

See you in a month!

Only one more sleep until I board a 14 hour and 45 minute flight to Abu Dhabi and then a much shorter and more bearable 7 hour and 50 minute flight to London. I could not be anymore excited. When I left work at 7pm this evening, a giant weight was lifted off my shoulders just because I could actually properly look forward to this trip.  Loose end ties, emails answered - now my only job is to stop thinking about work and get packing.

I absolutely hate packing.  It's no secret I love my clothes, I've never been one to plan outfits but am more of a spontaneous dresser which makes packing so much more difficult.  Like when one applies makeup - less is best (most of the time anyway), I'll attempt to apply the same strategy with my luggage especially since I know I want to purchase.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Keep safe and it won't be long before I'm home!

Karlie Kloss x Vogue Italia

Karlie Kloss' December photo shoot for Vogue Italia is causing uproar on the internet and once again we have seen the "Skinny model" debate open up.  Scroll through the comments on YouTube and you can read mixed views. Yes, all models defend and declare themselves as being "naturally skinny" but I have a feeling in this case it is true.  

In interviews, the nineteen year-old Karlie talks of her active lifestyle juggling full-time school and activities such as ballet, hockey whilst pursuing a modelling career.  By looking at that six-pack, somehow I don't think this girl is one of the poor souls who starve themselves for the sake of their careers.

Despite this, do you want to be able to view this video, let alone allow someone young and impressionable?

Shutterbug

Perk up your outfit with this snaptastic pendant because sometimes Lomos are just too heavy and bothersome to have hanging on your neck all night long.  Get yours here.

Surviving the silly season

This little pack would be very very handy to have on one's beside table, within arm's reach. That way you can party hardy as much as you want and don't have to worry about looking like shit the next day because let's be honest, it's what everyone fears after a bender.

Drawing with Faber Castell

This marketing campaign launched by Faber Castell is absolutely fab.  In the video, we see an artist draw the Mona Lisa using just a single stroke. Yep, he doesn't even lift the felt-tip pen off the page.  Doesn't it just make you want to whip your own pens out and draw, create and paint? 

Faber Castell from eric yeo on Vimeo.

23 more days...

Prada wallpaper

Marcela Gutiérrez is the Barcelona-based illustrator whom is responsible for the beautifully paint splodged wallpaper for Prada's flagship stores this season.