Reptilian

I found this post floating around my drafts and though better late than never. Just a few snaps from one of my closest friends, Linda's 19th birthday. I don't think I've ever had as much fun as I did that night playing around with the settings on her little compact camera and standing in the middle of heavy city pedestrian traffic, posing. Just shows that you don't need a professional camera (by professional I mean cameras that cost an elbow and a half) to take halfway decent photos.



Blazer: Zara
Trousers: Disco Pants from American Apparel
Heels: HAVOC by ASOS
Blouse: Zara
Clutch: Thrifted
Bracelet: ASOS
Necklace + Rings: Wanderlust + Co
All images shot by: Vinh Pham / Ve Noir Studios.

This blazer is my baby. Zara may as well adopt me because I've been spending way too much cash and time. I find myself lingering in the children's section, the men's section, in the change rooms, underneath the pant legs of the sales assistants. Every minute of every day. I just wish some of their pieces weren't so pricey and the stock turnover was a bit quicker. I'm starting to get a bit worried that my entire wardrobe is eventually going to be comprised of only ASOS and Zara.





I just finally got around to ordering business cards and am already woozy from anticipation at how business and important I'll feel handing them out. I'm probably not even someone who needs business cards, but how good will it be to say, "Oh, here's my card" All flippant, like that's what you do. Handing out business cards, because you're a business WOMAN. Considering standing on the busiest intersection of Sydney city and just throwing them at every tourist that walks by.

Shake it Out

Sheer robe: Thrifted.
Dress: Random cheap store.
Necklace: Wanderlust + Co
Tan bracelet: Wanderlust + Co
Alligator bracelet: Lovisa
Shoes: ASOS Havoc
Earring: Lovisa
All images shot by: Vinh Pham / Ve Noir Studios.

When I found this robe I had to stand for a while and unscramble my head. When I was younger and went to weddings (my dad's side of the family is Vietnamese), some of my relatives would be wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress thing called an ao dai (Wiki article). I always thought it was the ugliest thing and I remember thinking, NUP, NEVER GOING TO WEAR THAT. And then I found this. I'm not sure whose idea it was to combine sheer and watercolour florals with a traditional Vietnamese costume shape, but I offer the remains of my abandoned Large popcorn chicken to them.





I am so excited for Florence + the Machine's upcoming album "Ceremonials" and Childish Gambino's upcoming debut album "Camp". I've been playing both on repeat and I think it surprises some people when they see me open my mouth and a torrent of rap lyrics come out. I fit the stereotype of somebody who listens to indie/"hip" music like Florence but as soon as I start getting down and ghetto, everyone is all, like, "What just happened".

Florence + The Machine - Shake it Out

Bonfire by Childish Gambino





One of my closest friends, Shirley (director of Thomas & Lola, I've mentioned her countless times before) graduated yesterday from high school. One year ago, I was in her position. It astonishes me daily how quickly time is running away from me - I've barely finished waking up and then all of a sudden I'm about to go to sleep. I just wanted to congratulate everyone graduating from high school, and also wish everyone luck for the upcoming major exams - have a fantastic time moving into the library and entering into relationships with your textbooks.

Movement

Here is a shoddy outfit/vlog sortof thing post. There was a little Flip video camera from the Sunglass Hut lunch hosted by Pedestrian TV that is the funnest thing to use. I think I screwed up with the video format conversion because the real quality of the MP4 files that the camera records in is incredible - blame my technological retardation for the shocking quality of the video. I just thought it'd be good to capture the incredible movement of this dress. There's a little button that makes the USB flip out at front and I can seriously pass it off as a pocket knife and pretend to stab people if I yell loud enough - I scared at least five people today with it.



Assymetrical Dress: In Love With Fashion
Clutch: Sportsgirl
Shoes ASOS Havoc
Belt: Thrifted
Sunglasses Persol from Sunglass Hut
Sheer shawl: Supre
Claw bracelet: ASOS
Necklace: Thrifted
Jewellery in both video and photos: Wanderlust + Co
All images shot by: Vinh Pham / Ve Noir Studios.





The weather has been so kind to Sydney, lately. All I want to do is put on the sheerest and flowiest of my wardrobe and lounge about in the sun. I'm trying to enjoy the wind as much as I can before Summer hits and the only wind that will be hitting my face will be the wind from the air conditioner. I've been thinking about what to wear to beat the heat and this dress from Love Clothing has sealed it - I'm going to invest in some pretty underwear because this Spring/Summer, if there's no movement, I'm not wearing it.

Guest Post by My Wardrobe

With the rapid expansion of online stores, women all over the world are rejoicing and bank accounts are weeping at the myriad of options and the downright ease of online shopping. Respected, high-end designers are now accessible at the touch of a button and the click of a mouse for the shoppers amongst us who are more fashion hungry. It's good to keep in mind, though, the accessories that make an outfit an outfit. It's the details that make the picture whole. There's nobody who enjoys a good accessory shot more than I do. Necklaces, shoes, bags - these are the little things that make an outfit work.



But thanks to genius websites like my-wardrobe.com, lustworthy accessories are served on a platter right to our internet hungry eyeballs, one of my favourites being Vivienne Westwood accessories. Contrary to what you might think, Vivienne Westwood goes beyond mere clothes - think accessories, think shoes, think jewellery and handbags and other sartorial goodness. Her accessory collection doesn't receive the attention it deserves.



In keeping with the skull-and-cross bone themes in the range of jewellery for men and women, it carries on to her "Pirate boots". High black boots with light brown leather straps and buckles all the way up the boot - I may not be Keira Knightley but I'm one step closer if I strap them on and pretend I'm dating William Turner, right? I can imagine wearing these babies and hopping down the road singing "Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me." We'll enjoy the novelty while it lasts before someone arrests me for being a public disturbance.



Apart from jewellery and shoes - Vivienne Westwood offers a selection of bags and wallets that are there to serve you and your portable storage needs. From small totes, to shoulder bags, to wallets and clasps small enough to fit in a purse - all are designed with a whole lot of T.L.C. As well as being functional, they look pretty while doing so.

Kastor & Pollux

Sequinned robe: Thrifted
Zaminium Skirt II: by Kastor & Pollux
Bustier: Thrifted
Thumper Ring in Pink: by Wanderlust + Co
Court heels: Zara
Gold bag: Thrifted
Belt: Thrifted
Necklace: Thrifted
Earring: Etsy
All images shot by: Vinh Pham / Ve Noir Studios.



Meet 19 year old Toronto natives - Dani and Bianca. In between having flawless personal style, clocking in hours at their full-time job of being drop dead gorgeous and emanating radness, they run Kastor & Pollux - an online boutique. The strength of Kastor & Pollux's website design in itself is enough to get my eyes watering in appreciation. Floaty fabrics in muted tones cut and sewn into the dreamiest shapes - this is my kind of porn...I've got my eye on the Lilith tank. They're the new kid on the Internet block so make sure you like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Bianca and Dani's blogs ain't nothin' to be scoffed at, either...just scrolling through their outfit posts makes me want to shrink them and keep them in my pocket forever.

P.S. How cute are these "How to wear it" flatlays from their website?







When I move any part of my body it feels as though there are tiny people in between my muscles trying to tear me apart. I am in so much pain - wearing six inch heels for more than 12 hours does things to you. Add in bits of sprinting to stay on track for Margaret's tight schedule, stairs and blisters - my feet are a war zone. Regardless, Vogue's Fashion Night Out was such a ball - good food, half naked male models, free alcoholic beverages (although it only took me one to turn me into a giggling, boozy mess) and fun blogger company.



Yet another reason why Sydney's West is clearly the best place to reside:
I was walking out of a station and passing a posse of young men. Walking towards them, I was met with, "WOOOAHHHH, WHAT A HEAD. WHAT A HAIRCUT." Walking past them with my back to them, I was followed with, "Yo, check dat ass out. I would tap that." So, so charming. While you comment on my tap-ability, watch me tap your skulls with a power drill.

The line between heaven and here

I'm on a one week break from uni right now. Yesterday was the first day, and I found myself lying in bed at 9am with the whole day lying in front of me, laden with opportunities. For the first time in a while, I had absolutely no plans. I lay there and stared at the bright Spring morning outside my window and thought, "What should I do today? How should I smother this day with things that I will enjoy?"

Bearing in mind that I spent all my money at Zara last week and am currently surviving on $1.60 until my paycheck on Wednesday, there was still a whole bunch of things I could've done. I could've gone down to the park and read, I could've taken a walk, I could've gone to the nearest McDonalds and picked me up three soft serves, I could've donned my bikini, sat in my shower and pretended like I was at the beach. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.



Vintage Burnt Velvet Fringed Shawl from: Twin Cat Vintage
PVC Leggings by: Black Milk Clothing
Wooden animal necklace: Second-hand markets
Heels: Zu Shoes
XL Black Buckle Up Leather Bracelet and Multi-Bar tan and gold bracelet by: Wanderlust + Co
Double-Gem Khaki and Gold Ring and Hunter Green Grasp Stone Ring by: Wanderlust + Co
Yellow sheer sleeveless button-up: Random generic brand
Bag: Thrifted
Skeleton earring: Lovisa
All images shot by: Vinh Pham / Ve Noir Studios.





Instead, I hauled ass to the kitchen, stocked up a few grilled cheese sandwiches and settled into bed for a long day of watching The Wire. I went through 11 episodes. Each episode is an hour long. I spent 11 hours on Monday watching The Wire. I'm just going to try and justify this by pointing out that it's Obama's favourite TV show and since we both have the same character (Omar, a homosexual Robin Hood of the Baltimore drug scene), the U.S. president and I have more in common than you think. I probably have a bright future in politics ahead of me, guys. The title of this blog post is a quote from the show. If you enjoy flawless scriptwriting and even more flawless delivery by seriously quality actors - look no further.

Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience...

...this is the ideal life.
- Mark Twain

In the last year of primary school, I had a voracious appetite for reading. Every waking moment would be spent with my head buried in one book or another. I consumed books like I breathed air. This obsession resulted in countless nights crying myself to sleep because I was bullied for it, a 200 book library borrowing record, a collection of Agatha Christie books given as a parting gift from the librarian and a sad little piece of cardboard at my Year 6 Farewell that congratulated me for being the "Biggest Bookworm!"

I don't remember what I read. I read everything from Paul Jennings to Horrible Histories books to non-fiction about the diets of lemurs to feeble attempts at Leo Tolstoy. And then I went into high school and my love for reading sort of faded away imperceptibly.





I don't know if it's the fact that I now have a disposable income that is begging to be spent, or that I spend half my life riding half-asleep on trains - but that love has been rekindled. My relationship with Book Depository can only be described as one-sided and dependent. Book Depository is my dealer. Instead of idly reading Thought Catalog and doing sudoku on the train rides to and from uni, I find myself completely engrossed in reading - to the point where I will miss my stop, 9/10 times.

It's so beautiful the way that someone can throw a mix of words at a blank page and suddenly you have characters and relationships and places and tragedies and joy and sadness. It's so beautiful that a story can spring into existence in someone's mind and that they can transcribe that into a little book that you can hold in your hands. It really feels like a gift given to you made up of someone's thoughts, wrapped in two covers. Books are there to hold your hand and keep you company on a warm day when the heat turns everything into an incomprehensible, lazy haze.



Blazer: Thrifted, gift from Linda
Red Jeans: Zara
Top: ASOS
Circle scarf: Gift from Linda
Wedges: Wayne by wayne Cooper
Claw earring: ASOS
White XL Buckle-Up Bracelet, Black XL Buckle-Up Bracelet and Tan Tri-Stud Bracelet: Wanderlust + Co
Catcher in the Rye: Borrowed from Friend
All images shot by: Vinh Pham / Ve Noir Studios.

How great are the colour of these jeans?! Just ignore my slight camel toe in the first picture and the bulging fly. I stalked these jeans for weeks at Zara, and they kept restocking, and my size kept getting sold out. What sold me is the vibrancy of the red, I can't wait to jump around in colour this Spring. Not that the colourblocking trend hasn't been done half to death, already.

Wear Sunscreen

Little Boy's denim shirt: Thrifted
Cardigan-shawl: $10 from a random shop
Clutch: Thrifted
Leggings: Black Milk Clothing
Multi Moonstone Hunter Green Necklace and Grasp Stone ring both by Wanderlust + Co
Heels: Havoc from ASOS
Gold ring necklace: Vintage off eBay
Horn earring: ASOS
All images shot by: Vinh Pham / Ve Noir Studios.





Winter has been tucked away in storage boxes filled with warm clothing. It has been packed up with the portable heater and hot water bottles. It has been sweated away and shed off with exercise regimes and gym memberships to get ready for the warmer, skin-bearing seasons that lie ahead. Spring has sprung. Mangoes are in season. The days will start to get longer and legs will greet the Spring sunshine with a renewed vigour after months of being covered by forgotten hair. I don't think I have much to show for this winter besides the healing remains of eczema patches, a battered umbrella, an almost-empty bank account (as opposed to the completely empty bank accounts of Winters past), and an expensive electricity bill (thank you, heater).

Over the next week and a half, I'll be featuring Wanderlust + Co in my outfit posts. A big thank you to lovely Jenn who sent me some pieces from their new collection. I have been wearing the crap out of Wanderlust + Co's jewellery. Their latest collection is filled with stones in the most gorgeous colours and shapes and it is well worth giving them a look and supporting a bright Aussie label.





My boss/manager played this over the store soundsystem today and it blew me away. I sort of just stood there in awe as my mouth hung open while my dribble pooled on the floor. The video above is a song version that Baz Luhrmann made in 1998 and the original was a column. It is so inspiring and you can bet your cotton socks that I'll be protecting my skin with SPF 30+ from now on.

An excerpt from the original column Advice, like youth, probably wasted on the young by Mary Schmich:

"Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch."






In between working and going to uni and interning, I volunteered at MBFF and had a pretty rockin' time. I met some really fabulous girls, ate too many chicken chipees and spent most of the time krumping in between greeting guests. I started a sudoku addiction ($50+ and five sudoku books ordered later...), I listened to Watch The Throne on repeat far too many times, I watched Magnolia, I wore the same outfit three times this week and started a 1500 word essay and studying for a mid-semester exam at 9pm the night before. In short, same old same old.