First Row

Sydney Fashion Festival is upon us and no, unfortunately I'm not going. But if I was going, and if I was sitting in the front row, and if I could afford this outfit, then this is what I would probably wear.

It's a nice mix of some of my favourite Australian designers with a bit of Lanvin thrown in for good measure. I'm not a flashy kind of girl and much prefer understated and classic pieces. Emmanuelle Alt and sometimes Sarah Ruston do it really well.

As for moi, well... there's always next year!

All items from farfetch:
Ginger & Smart camisol  /  Dion Lee skirt  /  Jérome Dreyfuss bag  /  Alice & Olivia jacket  /  Lanvin sandals

Designer style on sale

I absolutely love designer clothing but can only afford to buy on sale or second hand. My wardrobe is therefore a mix of high street brands (especially Zara) with some designer items thrown in for good measure. 

Last year I decided to buy less items but better quality and it seems to be working for me.

Since the price tag is higher I consider what I buy very carefully and tend to pick more timeless pieces which will last several seasons. I occasionally miss out on some items because I wait for the sales but so far there have very been few regret buys.

The items above are on sale at the moment so maybe you could snap yourself a nice little wardrobe piece too:

1. &Daughter slouch sweater at Matches

2. T by Alexander Wang linen & silk tank top at Matches 

3. MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela slim denim pant at Steven Alan 

4. Smythson Panama leather box clutch at Matches

5. Giles & Brother Spike railroad cuff at The Outnet 

6. Pour la Victoire Yaya sandals at Nieman Marcus.

Tie the knot

Lately I have come to realise that my small jewellery collection could do with an update. I seem to be moving on from Statement pieces towards a more subtle and gentle look. I have thus fallen totally in love with the Céline extra thin knot bracelets. The Balenciaga asymmetric knot ring is pretty gorgeous too.

Or you could save a bit and go for the Knot Bangler by Drift Riot.

Just click on the images for links.

Outfit inspiration : J Crew on sale

I have a bit of a soft spot for J Crew and an even bigger soft spot for Jenna Lyons. I find her sense of style and natural grace very appealing.
So when I received the email announcing an extra 40% off sale styles online I couldn't help but have a look, and once I saw the shearling satchel I just had to build an entire outfit to go with it.

All of the items are on sale with an extra 40% off with code STYLE2015.
Oh, I should probably mention that this post is not sponsored, just me getting a little bit excited.

1. Sweater from sweatshirt,  2. Shiny puffer down vest,  3.  Lookout high-rise jeans,  4. Chunky stone ring,  5. Beveled bangle,  6. And this amazing shearling satchel!

Last minute gift ideas: The monochrome edition

Gift ideas for him:
1. The Winston woven watch by Komono at Need Supply,  2. Saturdays Surf NYC tee at Mr Porter,  3. Cone music player by Aether,  4. ipad mini envelope sleeve by Mujjo,  5. The twill snap backpack by Everlane,  6. Norse projects beanie at Need Supply.

Gift ideas for her:
1. The modern loafer by Everlane,  2. Folded purse by Clare V at Need Supply.  3. Printed mesh scarf by Country Road,  4. Balenciaga bow ring at Matches,  5. Luggage tag at Madewell,  6. Mimi beanie by Eugenia Kim at Matches.

Long black

Lets just for a minute ignore the fact that I have been neglecting my blog and get on with it.
So...long, flowing, pretty, maxi skirt is what I get excited about these days. Better yet, make it a plisé and I go totally weak at the knees. I like it styled with oxfords or boots for a not-too-feminine look but last Tuesday I wore mine with pointy d'orsay pumps to work and by golly it looked awesome.
Get the look:
Zara maxi skirt, Alexander Wang scuba jumper, Chloé studded boots, Rebecca Minkof Sammy bag, Fay Andrada Rele bracelet. Also these boots are worth consideration.

Holiday gift guide: For her

1. Embroidered tassel scarf from Seed   2. Totem necklace from Need Supply   3. Dash pom pom hat from Leif   4. Merino fingerless gloves from Toast   5. Bag II from Julia Marco   6. Bar-Co bubble bath from Anthropologie

Holiday gift guide: For him

1. conductive gloves by Steven Alan,   2. Nike Air Max 90 sneakerboot from Need Supply,   3. Fantastic Man magazine from La garçonne,   4. iPad mini case from Country Road,   5. Striped wool throw from Leif,   6. Rubber dipped dot mug from Sight Unseen

Or if he likes photography like my nerd boyfriend does I would maybe get him something like this.

Shades of indigo on a rainy day

It's a cold rainy day in Melbourne. I like this kind of weather. So much so that watching water droplets fall in a flurry when a gust of wind touched the plum tree outside my window almost made me cry this morning. 

Clockwise from top left:

Wool striped pillow from Steven Alan, Photography by Nick Seaton, butter London nail polish from Need Supply,  Anniet ballet flats from Steven alan,  Velocity circular scarf from Need Supply.

Etsy finds : Paint it black

1. Mini banner from Bird and Co,   2. Pillow cover by Pencil me in Stationery,   3. Sleeveless blouse from Hanna Boutique HB,   4. Pompom hat from Bang Bang Fur,   5. Ceramic planter from RossLab

Just going to feed the ducks...

1. Rag & Bone easy sweatpants from La Garçonne   |   2. Hilary Grant pompom hat from Farfetch   |     Zebra intarsia knit from Scotch & Soda   |    4. Dot socks from J. Crew   |   5. White Chuck Taylor All stars from Converse

Ladies and gentlemen...

Casual Friday outfit:
1. Leather plait belt from Trenery,   2. Rag & Bone Boyfriend jeans from La Garçonne,   3. Kimono sleeve stripe top from Country Road,   4. Amelia bag from Marcs,   5. Kava brogue monk shoes from Topshop (love love, love!)

Try a different angle

Triangle necklace & Mountain range rings by The angry weather
Gold dipped triangle stud earrings by Amoorella

Weekend uniform

via here.

Style file: Tassel loafers

1. Boy by band of outsiders cashmere jumper from La garçonne here,   2. Acne black skinny jeans from matches fashion here,   3. A.P.C. Half moon bag from need supply here,   4. Dieppa Restrepo Gaston loafers from Totokaelo here.

All hats on

Hello. Hi. Yes, I'm back again. I'll try to not be so absent again...

So anyway I bought a hat. It's a black fedora and it looks pretty much perfect with everything. 

They thing is I hate umbrellas. They always seem to flip on me and they get lost so easily. So I bought a hat and now my face and hair are protected while looking ever-so-cool!

Squeak Design : Introduction and interview

Today I am super-excited to introduce Squeak Design, a small Melbourne label producing beautiful silk scarves designed by the sweet and affable Pippa Oostergetel.

With each original design digitally printed on 100% smooth silk and finished with a hand rolled hem, Squeak's scarves are really lovely to wear and add a gorgeous pop of colour to any outfit!

You can see the full scarf collection on Squeak Design's website: www.squeakdesign.com. Also, shipping is free in Australia, hurrah!

Pippa and I used to work together a few years ago so I thought I'd pester her for a little interview to find out more about how she got Squeak started, what inspires her and what can budding entrepreneurs learn from her experience.

With Squeak's first collection getting some much deserved attention and a new collection in the pipeline Pippa certainly has her hands full. Huge thanks to Pippa for taking the time to answer the questions and sharing her story with us.

Tell us a bit about your background, what did you study and how did you come to start Squeak?
Well, I guess it all started when I decided to study Textile Design at RMIT University and specialised in screenprinting. After Uni I was lucky enough to work in the Spacecraft printing studio for a short while before moving to London to do an internship with London Printworks Trust. I lived overseas for nearly two years, travelling a lot, learning a lot and ultimately spending most of my time in the beautiful country of Switzerland. 
When I eventually returned home to Melbourne I quickly got a job as a Textile Designer for a company called Ladelle. As my first commercial design job I really did learn a lot, but I always knew I wanted to do my own thing. I was at Ladelle for nearly three years before I took the plunge into Squeak. I had a lot of support from my friends and my family, all of whom believed I had the talent to go for my dreams, so one day, I just did it.

What drew you to designing silk scarves and where did your inspiration of the range originate?
I have always loved scarves. I am almost constantly wearing one. I don't know why, but I think it's usually the colour that draws me to them. I love to brighten up my outfit with a well chosen scarf. Therefore my range of scarves is naturally quite colourful! I don't have a specific theme or 'inspiration' for the range, however most of my scarf designs have, in some way, come from my photographs that I took whilst overseas. Some in a very obvious way, and others as very subtle layers of texture in the background.

What is the process that goes into designing the scarves and what part do you enjoy the most?
Like I said, most of my scarves incorporate my photography, so I usually start in Photoshop. I'll find a photo that I want to work with, bring it into Photoshop and then just have a play. It's amazing how many great ideas can come about by just playing. It usually leads me into some really interesting areas that may eventually become my next scarf design!
As for my favourite part, well that's when I get to see those designs on the final product for the first time. It's an intense mixture of excitement and pure fear! It's not until you see the final product that you know if you really love the design or not. But when they do turn out just as you had envisioned, it's an absolutely fantastic feeling.

This is Squeak's first range, what was the most exciting thing about getting this far and what are you looking forward to in the future?
The most exciting part is watching it actually become something. No longer an idea in your head or a vague dream, but an actual reality. I get to wear my scarves, sell my scarves and see people's reactions when they see them for the first time. It's just a real sense of achievement. 
But there's more to the dream, so that's what I'm looking forward to. I'm already looking at designing new products and branching out into different areas. Hopefully that sense of achievement will just continually grow.

Do you have any advice or tips for young designers like yourself who are starting out on their own?
Ask for help. From anyone and everyone. There's no way you can do everything on your own... and it's not as much fun if you do it all on your own anyway. Also, social media... get on it!

Tomboy style

Hello again, How are you? Really well I hope. I apologise for the long delay between posts. I've had jaw surgery 2.5 weeks ago which made blogging (and everything else) difficult, but I'm recovering well and should be back to normal in a few more weeks.
Since my jaw is busy healing I get tired pretty quickly so have been spending most of my time on the couch, knitting and watching movies in my pj's. 
If however I was to go out today (not likely, it's raining on and off) this is what I would have liked to wear:
1-4. Nusy 2012 Autumn collection
5. Pompom beanie from Calypso
6. Bennet belt from Steven Alan
7. XXV-RX glasses (XXV Limited edition) from Oliver Peoples

Doesn't matter if you're black or white

Keeping in line with my last post, I discovered these two great scarves by Tsumori Chisato. I just love them both. Get them at La Garçonne.

Black is always in fashion

I've always wanted to create a treasury in etsy and today I finally did. I tossed and turned but in the end picked some black and white items for a classic timeless look. You can view the full list here.