The Loh-Down

Thursday, January 13, 2011

I can paint a rainbow

It's all about colour-blocking this Spring/ Summer but that doesn't mean that eye-popping colour has to stop at your wardrobe. Take out the watercolours and paint your whole world bright.

Smeg Retro refridgerator, Bright Goatskin Journals, Maybelline Baby lips Lip Balm,
ASOS gloves, Dinosaur Designs bangle, Topshop vest, Prada bag, Gary Bigeni skirt

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I wish I had thought of that


Have you ever read, seen or heard about a concept so absolutely amazing you wish you had thought of it yourself?

Here are three inventions which I had come across recently. I, myself, had long ago thought of these concepts but unfortunately didn't have the finances or means to action them *cough*.  Alas, if only I had the creative capacity to actually come up with these super cool concepts.

1. Cake Pops: Cake/ lollipop hybrid. Heaven on a stick. Not just sugar, but substance to fill the stomach. Even if it's only for 15 minutes.
    Russian dolly pops by Pop Bakery.

    2. "Build/ design your own ______": Build your own bear, design your own bag  and construct your own burger.  I wish I had thought of them all.  Today, I discovered The Counter, which allows you to do the latter.  The concept?  Upon entering you are given a clipboard as if you are a new patient to a medical centre.   Instead of writing down what allergies you have, you tick off your burger ingredients options. If variety is what you're looking for, this is where you'll find it.  The Counter boasts of over 312,120 burger combinations and the same two burgers are rarely made twice in one day!

    The Counter market selection

    3. OPI "Black Shatter" top coat: Pretty self-explanatory.  It's a top coat for your nails which shatters so specks of your coloured nail polish beneath peeps through. Probably not everyone's cup of tea but isn't the technology amazing? You can even hear it crackle as the polish shatters. 
    OPI Black Shatter

      Monday, January 10, 2011

      Jumping on the bandwagon...

      ... the iPhone bandwagon that is.

      After having the same old school flip phone for five years, it was time for an upgrade.  My poor Motorola V3, bless its soul, is a fighter as you can tell by his life span.  He took me from my first year of uni to my second year working full-time.  But alas, V3, it's time for me to move on despite your durability. Through crashes, rain, spills, Vegemite attacks and sandstorms, you've managed to survive. I applaud you for doing so and now after all that hard work I'm allowing you to retire.  Enjoy the sleep-ins and plenty of "me-time".  You truly deserve it.

      I've now welcomed the iPhone into my life so I can join the millions of people on public transport who pass their time by facebook stalking. Yes, I got an iPhone JUST so I can do that. And play #twitterwars with my friends, yes, I hash-tagged that shit. And before you think I'm crazy, I'm kidding OBVIOUSLY. I'm actually yet to use the facebook app I downloaded and I'm clearly technologically challenged as I think twitter wars is a game. Umm... is it actually a game? Well, it is now.

      Now that I've made this move towards conformity, I've decided the only way I can restore some sense of individuality is by purchasing a pretty patterned iPhone case.  I'm looking for something artsy but girly with quirky character.   Browsing my favourite sites, Urban Outfitters and Incu, here's what I found.

      The options:
      Urban Outfitters x society6 Coney Beach Island iPhone case, Covers for a Cause - Lover iPhone case, Urban Outfitters x society6 The Elephant iPhone case

      So lovely readers, which one should I get? Let me know if you have seen any other cool and quirky options. I'd love to hear your suggestions and play twitter wars with you. And stat, before I shatter my iPhone's glass screen.

      Sunday, January 9, 2011

      An addiction I just can't kick

      I love a good toy camera or Lomo, as some might call them. It's not as if I even use my Holga or my Diana Mini all that often, not as often as I would like to anyway. I've probably only gone through around 10 rolls of film since I got my Holga five years ago. But these colourful plastic cameras are just so pretty, every time a new design gets released, I have to resist the temptation to buy. What can I say? I'm addicted.

      There's a certain excitement you experience when you shoot with a Lomo.  There's something about not knowing how your photos will actually turn out. There's the thrill you get racing off to get your film developed and then racing back to the store to see the results.  There's the result unobtainable via digital means - the soft vignetting, eye-popping colours and the slight blur of images that makes it look like you just stepped out of a Sophia Coppola film.  

      Want proof of it's addictive nature? I can gladly say that since I've owned my first Lomo, I've managed to convert at least seven of my friends to Lomo Owner status. Maybe the forces of the universe are trying to telling me something.  Some addictions are just too good to kick?

      My current faves:
      Hello Kitty fisheye, Diana Mini Wonderland and Lomography Fisheye Competition Camera.

      Saturday, January 8, 2011

      Plastic is fantastic

      R.I.P
      My beloved Melissa Shoes Isabel Capeto flower sandals met it's unfortunate end last month.  As I was walking back to work from a lovely lunch at Mad Mex, the back strap of my left shoe snapped leaving me hobbling 15 metres back to the office in despair.

      Don't get me wrong, these melon coloured jellies lived a great life.  For a good year, they explored many a place with me, they were my favourite work sandals and weekend shoes.  They were even my favourite holiday sandals and I wore them all around Bangkok and Northern Thailand last Feb.

      So now that Isabel has well and truly died *sob* and I have finally come to accept it, I feel that it's time to find an adequate replacement for poor Isabel. Even if the dear's remains are still underneath my desk at work (unless the cleaners have brought it upon themselves to assist me in the grieving process.)

      Here's what I have come up with:

      The original and the best?
      Melissa Isabel Capeto flower sandal (Isabel's long lost twin sister)


      Melissa Isabel Capeto Ipe sandal in:
      Red Matt (sister of the original Isabel), Orange Matt, Blue Matt and Green Matt
      Melissa Edson Matsuo Summer sandals in Gold Gloss
      Melissa Edson Matsuo Liberty sandals:
      in Yellow/ neon translucent, Watermelon/ neon translucent and the whole range

      Friday, January 7, 2011

      Baby, I've got the blues

      Blue skies and sunny days, I eagerly await your return. If I surround myself with pretty blues will you do so?

      Pamela Love necklace, Pantone mug, Giles & Brother by Philip Crangi bracelet, Diana Mini camera, Happy Cloud pen, Giles & Brother Braided Tiny Hex bracelet, Lego keylight, Bloom nail polish in Kate, Diary from Pigeon Hole

      Thursday, January 6, 2011

      Tree of Life

      Inspired by the lush greenery of the countryside, having spent the past four days there, here are my Jan lust-haves. This month's colour pallet consists of neutrals and browns, golds and greens.

      YSL ring, Karen Walker sunglasses, Topshop backpack, Mara Hoffman tote, See by Chloé sandals, Topshop shorts, miu miu wallet

      Images courtesy of Shopbop, Saks and Topshop