Again...

Some of the things I've been up to whilst neglecting this blog...

Moving! I've finally moved into a little terrace house in Paddington in Sydney, just off Oxford St. So I've been spending what little spare time I have.....

Exploring. Love finding little gems around my local area in the way of boutiques, vintage shops, bustling cafes and hidden bars. Took my friends from Adelaide to a cute pizza place when they were visiting which had grass sprouting from the ceiling and crayons supplied at all the tables to entertain the (grown-up) kids. Can't wait to trawl around the eastern streets some more with my friend from the CakeFace.

Lusting over some very very very amazing items both online and from some of Sydney's best stores - namely the Corner Shop in Paddington, and namely thanks to the ever spot-on Hannah-Rose, from my favourite Capture the Castle. Some of these include (and are most definitely NOT limited to....)

A Benah Canvas Box Bag 

Isabel Marant Gwen Lady Slipper

Acne Pearl Skirt

Dries Van Noten Velda Jacket

And finally... working! Very excited to say that I've landed my very first job in fashion. See below for hints ;)

X

pictures via: Capture the Castle, jakandjil, style.com, shoptilyoudrop, acnepaper.

Socks and sweaters

Socks and sweaters. There's something about this combination that is just so... cosy. A homespun twist on Julia Roberts' Pretty Woman days when she donned Richard Gere's white shirt... and only his white shirt.  Despite being in the midst of a Sydney summer, there's something about this shot that makes me want ditch the light cotton tees for an oversized woollen sweater and snuggle up. With knitted socks to match. It's an easy kind of comfort that doesn't even have much to do with fashion (unless the sweater and socks in question are Michael Kors of course). The combination conjures up primary school memories of sitting round a creekbed campfire, with molten marshmallows oozing out of their slightly blackened shell, hanging off a whittled down gumtree twig before being gobbled up with greed. Those were the days where my camping attire consisted of grandma's hand-knitted jumpers, in an array of creams, blues and pinks, dad's Explorer socks and not much more.

Those are the best images, the ones that gently nudge you into recalling a time or memory of which you will be forever fond, allowing you to revel in its glory once more. And this one by Mario Sorrenti for the February issue of Vogue Paris does just that. Styled by new editrix Emmanuelle Alt, we get a quick glimpse of Natasha Poly and her wispy fringe in the stunning editorial simply called "Natasha Poly" - further proof that simplicity is most definitely where it's at. Au naturale, as my mum likes to say. Here's a collection of sweaters I'll be kicking around in (or wishing I was) come winter. 

Rag & Bone The Chunky Pullover sweater 

Rag & Bone Hayle mohair-blend cropped sweater

Celine ribbed sweaterdress 

Acne Lauren cashmere pullover

Vince cable-knit wool-blend sweater

via: tFS

Simple Pleasures

Tea. Diptyque candles. Soft cotton tees. Vogues aplenty. My idea of the perfect day.

Simple pleasures indeed.

Trio of leathers, and Schoulers, and Wangs..

Two (or should I say three... cubed) of my current favourites. Shoes from Alexander Wang's resort 2011 collection: Noemi, Freja (an update of the original) and Kasia. And not forgetting the one and only pocket tee, which will always be a perennial favourite. Then we have the clutch version of the famed PS1 messenger bag by Proenza Schouler, fondly (and appropriately) coined 'the pouchette'. What I love most about these accessories however, apart from the bleeding obvious, is they seem to go with... everything. That's right, even more leather, in the way of an Acne a-line, 3.1 Phillip Lims or a Catherine Malandrino mini. And my soon-to-be delivered Michael Kors chronograph watch and (hopefully!!!) Jordan Askill heart ring don't look out of place either.

Let's be honest, these outfits aren't anything special, and they don't try too hard to be fashion-y... which is exactly why I love them. Clean, simple and minimal. Just the way I like my dressing. And proof that an overdose of leather can be done in an Australian summer. Need further convincing? Enter Christine Centenera, to the rescue once again- this time in Paris, Celine, and her new favourite Alaias. Oh yeah, and lots of leather.

via Stockholm Street Style

More-bidly obsessed with: Heeled Booties

Ever since I laid my eyes on THOSE Chloé boots from Fall 2009, I haven't been able to get enough of these babies. You know the ones I'm talking about; gorgeous tan seude with supple leather trimmings and cream laces. Just in case you don't (gasp) here's Sigrid Agren opening for Chloé for the Fall 2009 show where Hannah MacGibbon received (and rightly so) all that praise for.

 This is one of my favourite favourite favourite collections in a long time (yes, those booties helped), with all those belted high-waisted pants that were so effortlessly tailored, soft collared silk and cotton shirts and that leather-trimmed cape that has been the basis of many a chain store design since.

Anyway, back to the dust-kickers. I was browsing through Style.com's Fall 2010 Accessory Report (compiled by the ever-so-lucky Candy Pratt), and I came across this gorgeous pair of Thakoon suede metallic wedge booties (yes, that is their real name). These things are amazing. Double points for the wedge. And the metallic. Actually, there wasn't a single pair of boots in the entire Thakoon collection I didn't like. Too bad I can't have any...

Another mentionable pair from the Accessory Report were Burberry's leather bootie with shearling trim. They were like a footwear version of the lined Sherpa bomber jacket. Nice.

All of the shoes I bought while overseas recently were wedge booties. My favourites are a black seude pair that sit tight just below the ankle, and a tan leather pair that lace up just past the ankle (both from Zara of course).

The more I look at pictures of the latest offerings of these boots, the more I want them...all! While I was in the fashion cupboard of Harper's Bazaar last week (more on this later) I have found two pairs I pretty much haven't stopped thinking about since. One is a really cool pair of lace up open-toed Acne wedges, which are actually a great idea if you cannot wait til winter (like me) to wear your booties. The others aren't reeeally a boot (as the name "mule" suggests), but who's going to pick me up on it? I've loved these Alexander Wang Allah leopard print wedge mules from Spring 2010 for aaages, but it wasn't until I saw them on one of the fashion assistants I really got jealous. Actually, another really great collection for boots. And clothes. And hair. Loose, side-swept plaits anyone? Let's just say it was a really great collection and be done with it shall we? Oh, and if anyone with lots and lots of money is reading this wondering what sort of present they can get me for being such a cool and nice person? Anything by Guiseppe Zanotti for Balmain wouldn't go astray, thanks.

Acne Pose lace-up wedges

Alexander Wang Alla leopard print wedge mules

Photos: Style.com and Acne