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