Monday Muse
4/30/2012

Monday Muse

This Brit leader of the pack has been taking the fashion world by storm as of late. Look how quickly her covetable Madewell pieces sold out. Did you also know she has modeled, been a television presenter and contributing editor for British Vogue? It's easy to see why the world has fallen under Alexa Chung's spell.

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What I Love Weekly #1
4/27/2012

What I Love Weekly #1

Happy Friday everyone! I hope your week's haven't been too crazy, and if they have that you get the opportunity to put your feet up a bit over the weekend. What you're about to see is a brand new feature to the blog. It will eventually be replacing Monday Muse in June.  For now though it'll be posted on Friday's.

Too often in life we as human beings tend to focus on everything wrong with our days and lives. In doing so, we tend to forget all the great things that happen to us. So each week it is my aim to bring you a record of the things that made me love the week that was.

Enjoy!



1.  Those amazing, talented, beautiful people I call friends, especially when they're there for me just because they can be. I was feeling really flustered this week (see 2), and one of my dear friends was there for me a lot. I really appreciated it and it made me relax, to a degree. So thank you xx.


2.  Overcoming challenges. Yesterday I handed in the hardest assignment I've done, EVER. Usually I like essay writing (yes, I am weird), but this made me cry, literally. So when it was completed, printed and handed in I had to pat myself on the back. There is nothing more satisfying than conquering something you've found extremely difficult, trust me.



3.  This happened on Tuesday (see below). NZ Girl has profiled one of my posts before, but this really made me so excited and it was such an honour being their featured contributor for the day. Thanks ladies!



4.  Cups of tea in teacups. So simple, yet such an indulgence. I always feel slightly more sophisticated drinking tea this way.



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New to the beauty bazaar: MAC and Natio.
4/26/2012

New to the beauty bazaar: MAC and Natio.

Last year I purchased far more nail polish than I'd care to admit to. This year it seems I'm obsessed with lip colours. Being pale is a blessing in this instance as I can wear pretty much any shade of red I buy and can wear bright colours too. Hooray for me!

Anyway, over the mid semester break I made a few beauty purchases. Here's what was in my haul:

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Mid Week Music
4/25/2012

Mid Week Music



We've been talking 'bout Walk the Line, ever since the film came out (See what I did there?). In all seriousness though, myself and one of my cousins love this movie, not to mention the love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter, bought to life in Walk the Line, the 2005 biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Not only do they star in the film, they both sing on the soundtrack, which is where this week's track comes from.

Jackson, originally recorded in 1963 by Jerry Leiber and Billy Edd Wheeler. It tells the story of a married couple, who's relationship has lost its spark and want to travel to Jackson where they will become more desirable versions of themselves.

In the film it acts as the song which Johnny proposes to June during. It's quite a cheesy moment in film I suppose, but it comes across as sweet and not laden with Nicholas Sparks style effects.


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Quotacious Quotations.
4/24/2012

Quotacious Quotations.


-I have this Dear Colleen print on my wall and it is one of my favourite quotes. Right now it's reminding me of someone I used to know, and their reluctancy to move forward. 



"There are a lot of bullies, narcissists and jealous people in this world. The best thing you can do is be yourself, stand up for yourself and demand a high standard. Nothing can ever go wrong if you do this."

-Someone wise said this last year. I wrote it down and will never forget it.



"Not all those who wander are lost."

-J.R.R. Tolkien.



"Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

-From this article.


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Monday Muse
4/23/2012

Monday Muse

I can't recall my first introduction to this week's muse, but I do remember the enormous impression she and her sister left on me. In fact, I very nearly met Ashley Olsen at a movie premiere once but she was unable to attend. True story.

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April Photo Challenge: Part 1.
4/20/2012

April Photo Challenge: Part 1.

So, as I'm sure nobody has realised I am still completely in love with Instagram. So much that I decided to revisit the 'Photo A Day Challenge' this month. Here's the first 14 of my photos. Day 15 was actually a sunset photo which I didn't do because I was at Jersey Boys.

Anyway, without further ado:


1) Your reflection

2)  Colour.

3) Mail.

4) Someone who makes you happy.

5) Tiny.

6)  Lunch.

7) Shadow.

8) Inside your wallet.

9) Younger you.

10) Cold.

11) Where you ate breakfast.

12) Stairs.

13) Something you found.

14)  How you feel today.

15)  -
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A Very Vintage Day: In Photos.
4/19/2012

A Very Vintage Day: In Photos.

I can't believe the holidays are nearly over, and that the Very Vintage Day out was nearly a week ago! Time moves too quickly these days.


With two theatre spells last week and the fair I naturally did quite a bit of dressing up. This is what I wore to the fair. I am pleased to report that there were lots of elegantly dressed ladies, many sporting red lips and of course dapper gents who dressed up for the occasion. I got frock envy a number of times.

Here's the rest of the photos captured of the Very Vintage Day Out:

 How we knew we were in the right place.

Stunning frock! B & I walked past this frock a number of times. It was mesmerising in person.

B made these delicious biscuits for our picnic! So good. Love all the colours on them.
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This afternoon I went (pretend) virtual shopping at Foxes and I bought...
4/18/2012

This afternoon I went (pretend) virtual shopping at Foxes and I bought...

I love Foxes, the online store of design and wonderment. If I ever need to buy someone a gift and I want to get something that is 1) Unique and 2) That they'll love, this is the place I go. It's also great for those people who are difficult to buy for, as it means you don't have to succumb to a boring Gift Voucher and can still find them something special.

Here's my picks of what I'd buy if I found about 200 dollars on the street, or a kindly relative decided to treat me:



1. Anyone for Tea card by Fortyfive design, $6.50.

2. Royal Standard high tea cake stand by Rekindle, $60.00.

3. Doily Tumbler by Porcelain Rove, $28.00. *I've since noticed that this colour is sold out, but there are Green and Dusky Blue versions available.

4.  Ribbed Glass Canister by Old Mill Road, $10.00.

5. Feather Earrings by That Vintage, $34.00.

6. Amethyst Necklace by Hunter Gatherer, $57.00.

-All product images have been sourced from the Foxes site & all pricing is in New Zealand Dollars. 



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Mid Week Music
4/18/2012

Mid Week Music


'Out of the Game' is the first single released off Rufus Wainwright's new album. The new album will have quite a different sound to his other records and is perhaps more pop than others.

This track is sure to race up the charts and that in part will be thanks to the video clip above. It features Helena Bonham Carter, starring as a straight laced librarian driven into a lustful frenzy by Wainwright's multiple personalities in the clip. She also lip syncs the lyrics throughout the video.

I only found this song by accident, as it came up in my YouTube sidebar one day. I'm glad it did though!! I look forward to listening to some of Wainwright's older music and eagerly anticipate his new album.


Image from here.
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Oh What A Night! Jersey Boys in Review.
4/17/2012

Oh What A Night! Jersey Boys in Review.

The New York Times dubs this show "too good to be true", and it almost is. How often does a Broadway musical make its way to New Zealand? With the arrival of Jersey Boys in Auckland, legions of theatre goers will be rejoicing.

Jersey Boys is the award-winning Broadway musical which charts the rise and fall of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. In New Jersey you had three choices; join the army, get mobbed up or become a star. It certainly happened for these four, who became one of America's biggest pop sensations of all time. By the time they were 30, the band had sold 175 million records. How's that for an impressive statistic?


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Monday Muse
4/16/2012

Monday Muse

Happy Monday for another week! Before I start this post I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who's visited my blog, stopped to read a post or two, and liked my Facebook page. Thanks to this post, some of my blogging goals have been reached a lot sooner than I'd expected, which is exciting. So thank you all. xo.



Mary Mary, quite contrary, how do your gorgeous prints grow? Seriously, look at how detailed and exquisite her garments are.



Mary Katrantzou is originally from Athens, Greece and she traveled all the way to Rhode Island's School of Design to complete her degree. She followed this up with the completion of her Masters at Central Saint Martins.

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Why I should never wear heels.
4/14/2012

Why I should never wear heels.

I love high shoes just as much as the next person. Especially crazy statement ones. The bolder, the better.


Like these two pairs:




As you will learn though, flats and wedges are my best friends. I'm sure one day I'll be able to, and will have to master the art of high heels. For now though, here's why I steer clear of stilletto's, block heels and more.
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Brilliant Blogs, Edition 3.
4/13/2012

Brilliant Blogs, Edition 3.

It's no coincidence that every time this post is done, a New Zealand blogger is featured. The standard of Fashion Blogging in our little country is particularly high. It is perhaps thanks to Isaac Hindin Miller, Isaac Likes to bloggers and tweeters alike, that this is the case.

Isaac started his menswear focused blog in 2008 and since then his success has taken off. Isaac is a regular columnist for the New Zealand Herald during Fashion Week both locally and internationally, he contributes to T Magazine (a supplement in the New York Times) and most recently gained the title of Creative Director for Barkers brand Little Brother.



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Mid Week Music
4/11/2012

Mid Week Music

  Oh Auckland and overseas readers, have I got a story for you this week! Take yourself back to 1960. Think of the Fab Four. No not THAT Fab Four, the Four Seasons!


   


Now you'll notice both of those songs come from Jersey Boys, the musical chronicling the rise and fall of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Four boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. Their songs are constantly covered and featured in films. Perhaps one of those above may be familiar to you.

Outside the Civic Theatre in Auckland.

Outside the Princess Theatre in Melbourne.

I'm heading along to the show once, perhaps twice this week and will be doing a review of it. So keep your eyes open or even adoring sometime next week.



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Today I went window shopping at Gorman and my mind purchased...
4/10/2012

Today I went window shopping at Gorman and my mind purchased...


1. Moving Mountains pocket print dress. $269.

2. Flamenco jacket. $349.

3. Beaded bracelet. $169.

4. Wallis skirt. $169.

5. Wanderlust print skirt. $189.

6. Licorice allsort heels. $160.


-All product images are from here.

*All pricing is in Australian dollars.
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Random Things-My Card Collection
4/10/2012

Random Things-My Card Collection



I've been collecting cards and letters sent/given to me for years now so it's hardly surprising that I enjoy buying and saving cards from places I visit.



Here's a selection of my cards. I probably have about 30-40 and unless I have duplicates, sending them on isn't an option! They are gorgeous, inexpensive mementoes and make fantastic reference points for archiving+pinboards. 





These are six of my favourites, although really I love them all:


1) Cat postcard by Evie Kemp. This came with my lovely bornite necklace featured here. It has a cute little message on the back and reminds me of my Melbourne+Sydney holiday last year. Holiday+Necklace=Good times.

2) Bunny Cat by Bird in a Bunny Suit. This comes from one of my favourite New Zealand illustrators and was purchased as part of a bundle at a craft fair.

3) Lily Cole photographed by Miles Aldridge from the National Portrait Gallery. This is from one of my favourite galleries in London. I'll have to go back some day.

4) The Beatles photographed by Linda McCartney. Again this came from the National Portrait Gallery. Check out their online store. There's a great selection available and if you're ever in London you cannot leave this off your itinerary!

5) Dorothy True by Alfred Stieglitz. This comes from MoMA in New York. It is one of my favourite photographs and has made multiple appearances on my pinboard.

6) Queen Elizabeth II silkscreen by Andy Warhol. This was from a series of three from memory at the National Portrait Gallery. This print really does the actual work no justice, but like the previous card it gets a lot of screen time on my pinboard.
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Something extra for your pleasure.
4/09/2012

Something extra for your pleasure.





Over the (long) weekend I've been exploring on the Internet. It makes a nice change after all those dreaded University readings! Above are two videos for you to enjoy. The first is a remake of the Call Me Maybe video, originally featuring Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez & the like. This version however, is much much cooler than that. It features Isaac LikesKatherine Is AwesomeRag Pony & more. Plus you'll spy some perfect product placement in there, Thugged Out Since Cub Scouts anyone? Awesome video.

The second is a mini documentary of Florence Welch on her travels throughout New York city. Like: That she can roam New York City unnoticed. Dislike: That people don't seem to know who she is! Anyway, if you like Florence + The Machine, New York, or Florence in New York then you should watch this.

I've also been revisiting Fashion Gone Rogue and admiring recent editorials. These are two of my favourite images that I came across:



Keira Knightley photographed for Interview Magazine. Love black & white images as well as the edginess of this shoot. Miranda Kerr photographed by Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar. This shoot actually took place in New York yet this image screams Britain to me. Props to the stylist for featuring Louis Vuitton SS12! Those clothes are amazing, so expect to see them lots. 


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Monday Muse
4/09/2012

Monday Muse

Good afternoon Monday! It's the holidays and I've been in a little bit of a rut as of late. I can't give specifics I'm afraid. What I can reveal however is that this week's muse is going to be someone I try to channel as refocusing becomes a priority.

Hermione Granger was first introduced to me as a 7 year old. It wasn't until I saw Emma Watson's onscreen portrayal though that this character really began to fix itself on my young mind. Hermione is of course one of J.K. Rowling's characters from the acclaimed Harry Potter series. Her bookish, academic nature is said to be in line with that of her creator's.

Hermione in The Chamber of Secrets.
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Dreams and Schemes.
4/06/2012

Dreams and Schemes.

This will sound incredibly cliched but Fashion has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My family are all extremely interested in sport, which has never appealed to me. Short sightedness, shocking hand/eye coordination, go figure. Fashion was always for me, which most likely stemmed from one of my aunt's influence. She has always had a wardrobe of designer things, and Vogue Australia was often lying around her house. Again, go figure.

Anyway, I've always wanted to study something Fashion related. Fashion's always been where my strongest interest lies so it makes sense to pursue it. Fashion design could've been an option. Unfortunately I cannot draw or sew so that was never going to work well. My degree I'm studying for currently doesn't really present the opportunity for me to reference Fashion, which is fine for now. When I heard last year though that Condé Nast would opening a College of Fashion in London something got me incredibly excited. There's already a College of Fashion in London, not to mention Central Saint Martins but this is different. This is Condé Nast, the publishing giants responsible for all the Vogue titles, Vanity Fair and so much more. 

Did I mention London is my 2nd favourite city?
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The Reading Pile
4/05/2012

The Reading Pile

This month I decided to venture out of my nonfiction bubble. It's funny how things can go full circle. After a childhood spent devouring fiction, I've not explored it as often in the last few years. It seems that learning about real people, art and culture are much more appealing, for now at least.

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Mid Week Music
4/04/2012

Mid Week Music


The Beatles are my favourite band. Their music is timeless and spans generations, which accounts for their continued popularity among many parts of the world.

Get Back was released as a single in April, 1969 and reached Number One in New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, United States, France, Canada, West Germany and Mexico. Get Back is unusual in the Beatles' canon in that almost every moment of the song's evolution has been extensively documented, from its beginning as an offhand riff to its final mixing in several versions. 

The first verse tells the story of a man named Jojo, who leaves his home in Tucson, Arizona, for some 'California grass'.  The second verse is about a sexually ambiguous character named "Loretta Martin", who "thought she was a woman, but she was another man." The single version includes a coda urging Loretta to "get back" to where she once belonged.
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Vintage Finery in store for Auckland
4/04/2012

Vintage Finery in store for Auckland

Everyone loves Vintage fashion-it's nostalgic, refreshing and designers are constantly looking back at it for reference many years later.

So what if you love vintage, and live in Auckland? If you answered yes to either of the above then you're in luck. The first Very Vintage Day Out will take place next Saturday.

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Monday Muse
4/02/2012

Monday Muse

It was about time that one of the boys was profiled on Monday Muse, and who better to start with than  one of fashion's most iconic figures; the luminary Marc Jacobs.


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