Autumn Sweater

I hate Summer with a passion so when the cooler Autumn weather arrives, I feel far more comfortable and less confused about what to wear. I really struggle to think of interesting outfits during summer, particularly nice casual outfits that don't look lazy. I don't feel "polished" wearing denim shorts and a t-shirt so I relish the opportunity to mix shirts with jumpers and cardis; skirts and jeans.

Today, Melbourne had some gorgeous Autumn weather and after my uni classes finished, I joined friends for drinks at the bar on campus.

I wore:







ASOS Oversized Grunge Sweater, Cheap Monday Black Second Skin Jeans, Wittner Maisie Boots, Mimco Mini Hoop Earrings and Tiffany & Co. Key.


On a side note, I also received a shipment of OPIs to add to my collection :)



From left to right: Alpine Snow, You Don't Know Jacques, Animal-istic, Ski Teal We Drop

Do smart-casual clothes exist?

I am aware that I have not posted for a while and my busy life is partly to blame but it is mainly because I am having a minor fashion crisis. I am under the impression that smart casual clothes do not exist. I proudly walked around university in head to toe Alannah Hill and heels during my first year and was always known for being over-dressed. Whenever I went shopping, I would always buy a new "formal" dress that I may wear once, to a very casual party. I seem to have an endless supply of cutesy/girly clothes and nothing that isn't over the top. Now, I find myself struggling to figure out what to wear to university and other daytime outings. I either have formal dresses or tracksuit pants and hoodies and when I go shopping these days, that's all I find! It leaves me wondering, do nice smart-casual clothes exist?

Although I am saving for a trip to the U.S in January, I am also searching for smart casual clothes as well as trying to explore stores other than Alannah Hill. I look to other university students for inspiration but this has not helped me. Today I went on an expedition to Melbourne's CBD to find these elusive smart-casual pieces.

I wore:




Country Road Silk Boxy Shirt, Country Road Cable Knit Jumper, Cheap Monday Jeans, Topshop Leather Brogues.

I picked up a Country Road Jumper, Marcs Pants and Seed Dress


Images courtesy of countryroad.com.au, marcs.com.au and seedheritage.com.au


I still don't know whether or not these can be classified as smart casual but I guess it's a start!

In Hiding

I apologise for the lack of posts over the past month. Life became busier, and I was virtually working full time despite being on "holidays" from university. I was juggling 35 hours at work with my summer school subject and I was struggling to find time to sleep, let alone bake, shop and go out. I also didn't think that my work uniform would make an interesting outfit post!

Just this week, an old and less faithful household appliance decided to die on me and I did not have an oven! Here are the last batches of biscuits that I made before it passed away:





However, that makes room for a shiny new pretty oven that doesn't require 20 minutes extra cooking and constant rotation of pans and trays. YAY!



Sadly, I have not been able to purchase a variety of new outfits as I am trying to save for a trip to the United States early next year with my tiny tiny income. I haven't bought anything, until today and I justify my purchases as uni clothes and for Melbourne's winter and potentially New York, Boston and Seattle's winters.

Today I wore:



Alannah Hill My Heart and Soul Top, Any News Dear Shorts, Cat and Mouse Game Belt and Wittner Fai Ballet Flats

My purchases:



From top to bottom: Alannah Hill "I'm on Strike" Cardi, Country Road Stripe Knit, Country Road Cable Knit
(Images courtesy of alannahhill.com.au and countryroad.com.au)

Lego Duplo!

Apologies for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks. Work, Christmas shopping, Pre-Christmas outings, crazy customers around Christmas time, travelling to see family and the big day itself have left me exhausted and without any sfree time. I thought I was supposed to be on holidays!

After splurging money on others for Christmas, I figured that I was somewhat entitled to splurge on things for myself. Don't judge me, that's what Christmas gift cards are for!

Here's a few of my recent acquisitions:

Top Row: Alannah Hill Goodbye Forever Cardi, Alannah Hill My Heart and Soul Top , Alannah Hill Any News Dear? Shorts, ASOS Lace Scallop Hem Shorts.
Bottom Row: ASOS Pussybow Short Sleeve Blouse, Topshop Silk Shirt, Country Road Wrap Front Crepe Pants.


Images courtesy of alannahhill.com.au, asos.com, topshop.com and countryroad.com.au

Today I went out shopping, but mainly for a gift for my cousin's second birthday this weekend. I'm ridiculously excited about him turning two because it means that it's safe to buy him Lego Duplo and it gives me a reason to purchase and play with it again! I bought him this basic set and am secretly looking forward to when he is at the age where I can share my Harry Potter and Star Wars themed Lego with him. Don't laugh, it's awesome!



I haven't baked anything lately because I haven't had to with all these Christmas feasts, so instead, here is what I wore today:


Alannah Hill Convince Me! Cardi, Why So Sad Top and Let's Eat Cake Skirt, Wittner Quincey Heels.

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

Black and Cream and Cakes and Slices

Melbourne's weather has been lovely and cool this week which is disappointing for some but fantastic for me as I hate Summer with a passion. My wardrobe is not summery and high temperatures make it difficult to bake but I'll refrain from ranting in this post.

Last night I went out for Chinese with my boyfriend and his family and wore this (apologies to those who would've liked to see the food):


Country Road Silk Boxy Shirt, Topshop Skirt, Wittner Leighton Heels

I've also had people over for pre-Christmas afternoon teas (there's so many this time of year) and that has given me the opportunity to make new things. I have made:

Apple Custard Tea Cakes



Raspberry and Walnut Slice



and Honey Oat and Walnut Slice


I'll be 10kg heavier before Christmas lunch even begins! Oh well... :)

Cherries

I feel as though many ladies before me have posted pictures of this dress but until this week, Melbourne's weather has permitted me from wearing it. I hate this warm weather and only enjoy the opportunity that it gives me to wear lovely printed and flowy dresses and skirts. I went out for lunch and to see The Ides of March wearing this:

Alannah Hill Alannah Loves You Frock, Wittner Quincey Heels, T&Co. Necklace, MAC Lady Danger Lipstick





I also made Caramel Mudcake Cupcakes just for fun. I couldn't find a good stencil to use for the icing sugar so I cut out a picture of a hibiscus and used that.

These are so delicious; I want to eat them all at once!

Darlin' Don't You Go And Cut Your Hair

After having long hair for as long as I can remember, I made an irrational decision to get it cut. I had this horrified expression on my face while at the hairdresser and felt very distressed when I saw my hair lying on the floor afterwards.

You grow attached to your hair (literally), it's a form of expression, it's with you for the good times and the bad and it can be damaged and lost so easily. I'll miss my hair and always remember the times we shared.

Seriously though, I don't feel like that at all. I just hear too many stories from women about how emotional they are after a haircut. I don't understand this. Afterall, IT GROWS BACK!

Today, I'm going out for coffee with friends and I am wearing:

ZARA Blouse, Alannah Hill My Little Miracle Shorts, Wittner Fai Flats

I apologise for the lack of baking in this post and I promise that there will be more later this week!

Something Bigger, Something Brighter

I feel exhausted after this weekend! There was so much running around with early and long days at work and followed by pre-Christmas gatherings and family birthdays. All I want to do is sleep in, stay in my pajamas until 3pm and peruse online clothing stores.

Saturday was the pre-Christmas gathering and I threw an outfit together after a 9 hour shift. In retrospect it appears that I threw together the photo too! Melbourne's weather was too awful to take a nice garden shot.



ASOS Lace Dress with Full Skirt, Alannah Hill Cat and Mouse Game Belt, Wittner Halt Heels, ASOS Earrings

I also baked my first lemon tart, including home-made shortcrust pastry, and a baked caramel cheesecake which was sadly eaten before I could take a photo.


I need another baking project for this week. Does anyone have any ideas?

Design Desire

I thought that with university classes and exams finishing for the year that I would have more free time but with the lead up to Christmas and attempts to catch up with people, I inevitably have less time! I feel like I should write a giant to-do list of mundane things like watching that TV series you bought months ago, reading a classic novel or watching a film your friend constantly asks you to watch. At the top of my (incomplete) list should be Mad Men Season 4, To Kill a Mockingbird and Seven.

For now, I'll stick with what I've been up to, what I've been wearing and what I've been baking.

Yesterday I went shopping, attempting to look for certain things in the pre-christmas sales. However, all I discovered was how much I hate people during peak sales periods. I ended up buying a blouse from ZARA and a skirt from Alannah Hill. I am trying to expand my wardrobe/store horizons but it's hard when everything at Alannah Hill works so well and seems to work for my short stature.

I wore:



Alannah Hill Poker Face Girl Cardi, Black Friday High Waisted Pants, Wittner Queen Heels

My dog, Romy, decided to make a surprise appearance in each photo.

I also had the chance to bake these delicious peanut butter caramel heart cookies. Don't let the peanut butter part put you off; they're essentially a shortbread with a little more flavour.

The Longest Time

I just had a look at the last time that I wrote something here and thought, I'm a terrible blogger. Work, university and general life commitments have prevented me from doing many of my favourite things. I'm on holidays for now, so I'm hoping that I'll have more time to write about what I have been up to as well as what I have bought and worn out.

Something that I seldom have time to do is bake, which is sad because I thoroughly enjoy it. Over the last couple of days I made:

Banana Bread


and White Chocolate and Macadamia Cookies


I was dragged along to a 21st this weekend and with Melbourne's ridiculously unpredictable weather, I threw an outfit together at the last minute. When I had the opportunity to take a photo, I was lacking in a full length mirror and tripod, so the best I could do was a phone photo, in a bathroom...sorry!


I wore: Alannah Hill Foolish Games Blouse, Portmans Black Pencil Skirt, Black Opaques, Wittner Black Patent Halt Heels.

Will definitely try to write and post more this season!

Black and White Unite

As a born and raised Melburian, my wardrobe is predominantely filled with black clothing articles. I try and focus my attention towards items of colour and I seem to go through phases where I am drawn to one particular colour, or particular combination of two colours. Right now, the obsession is black and cream. Here are a few items on my wishlist:

- Country Road Pants

- Topshop Satchel

Wittner Heels

- Topshop Dress (which I have now purchased...)

Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons, primarily because of the beautiful knits, coats, stockings, jeans, boots etc that they bring. Hopefully A/W 2011 won't be an exception to the rule.

New Blog, New Post, New Things

I have neglected my previous blog and decided to start again, with more dedication and more posts. There are many people out there that blog about fashion online these days who provide a fresh take on today's trends and different styles as well as providing a small insight into their interesting lives (particularly those from Australia). I admire these people and their individuality, and thank them for inspiring me to do the same, even if it will never be as stylish, interesting or fashion-forward, I just hope people will read and enjoy sharing a love of fashion and in the case of my blog, the city of Melbourne and all the amazing things you can do here.

Today I took the opportunity to shop in the city today without having to duck into shops or constantly carry an umbrella everywhere because the weather was amazing.

I wore:




- Alannah Hill "The Pussy Whipser" Cardi
- Alannah Hill "Gay! She's Gay!" Skirt
- Wittner "Oval" Heels
- T&Co. Bow Earrings and Necklace


I didn't really intend on buying anything however I couldn't resist the sales and I also needed a festival/warm weather appropriate outfit for Melbourne's Big Day Out on Sunday.

I bought:


- Princess Highway Shirt
- Sass & Bide "The Wild" Shorts



- Oroton "Roche" Design Wallet - I couldn't resist with 50% off!

I can now say goodbye to my current worn wallet as well as being ready for the awful weather prediction of 40 degrees for the BDO on Sunday :(

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