DIY Friday: Project Inspiration

Hello there lovelies,

I'm feeling rather sorry for myself tonight because I went for my first twenty-five minute solid run last night (yay!), and seem to have somehow twisted/injured my knee (boo!). It started twinging a little this morning, and was full-blown searing pain by this afternoon. I'm spending my Friday night with my knee propped up on a cushion, pumped to the gills with ibuprofen - so what's better to do than put together a DIY to-do list? Here's a few projects on my list:

Button-covered belt! This looks fairly simple, but incredibly time-consuming.

This is such a cute idea, and I am running a little low on clothing with geek cred right now.

An adorable way to liven up a plain pair of tights for Winter.

I really need to start wearing a watch again, so I think this is just the ticket.

Another cute way to jazz up some tights for the upcoming Winter months.

I died a little when I missed out on the Missoni Target thing, so I might just make myself these.

Happy Friday everyone! What's on your DIY to-do list at the moment? In reality, mine mainly includes mending pairs of The Boyfriend's pants, but this list is much more exciting, in my opinion!

Until next time, xo.

Eye Candy: Yang Du AW12 Collection

Images from here & here.

It's been a while since I featured the work of any designers on my blog, and honestly I think that's because designer collections don't blow me away very often. Yang Du's AW12 collection completely freakin' blew me away. Bright colours & owl prints combined with bold crazy makeup & cute hair? Yes please. I'm even ok with the nude pumps, because they don't detract from the amazing dresses.

"Yang Du’s collection for AW12 featured quirky designs inspired by the animal kingdom, seen through the colourful eyes of a child. Apart from the drawings of animals the collection featured different styles of dresses; short and tight and loose with wide sleeves. Black and white owls, flamingos with blue beeks, green-eyed owls, giraffe or hippopotamus backpacks, purple red and yellow tigers, colourful zebras, crocodile-faced scarf, and blue hippopotamus beanie, were some outfits shown in Du’s playful show." - FASHION156

I know that some of you are probably sitting there thinking "But, what would you wear them with?", and my answer is simple - everything! You could wear these dresses exactly as they are, or you could wear them with colourful tights & a pair of bright Dr Martens. You could wear them as tunics over leggings, or jeans. You could wear the floatier designs as cover-ups at the beach, or layer the slim-fitted versions under skirts. I think these pieces would be amazing dressed up or down, understated, or totally out there, casual or formal.

I think it's safe to say that if I could get my hands on one of these Yang Du designs, it would never come off. I would probably sleep in it, and refuse to remove it until the entire town started to complain about the smell & threaten to have me committed. What do you think of these unique designs?

CURRENT INSPIRATION: KNITS

buro 247 | j. crew | vanessa jackman | zara | carolines mode | h&m

can't wait for cooler weather to cozy up in some warm knits ♥
i'm searching for a good bright one. this thakoon one looks perfect!
any other recommendations?

Style Inspiration: The Other Boleyn Girl

Hello there lovelies,

While The Boyfriend is away, I have been taking the time to watch (and re-watch) some of the "girly" movies & TV series' that he doesn't really like. Or, watch them on the big TV that is. Usually I just pop them on in my laptop, put on my headphones and make The Boyfriend think I'm a weirdo who randomly laughs at invisible people.

One of my girly watchings this week was The Other Boleyn Girl. According to my good friend Wikipedia, it is "a romanticized account of the lives of 16th-century aristocrats Mary Boleyn, one-time mistress of King Henry VIII, and her sister, Queen Anne, who became the monarch's ill-fated second wife, though much history is distorted." Despite the historical inaccuracy, I really loved the movie. Natalie Portman & Scarlett Johansson were both fantastic, but as usual, I mainly fell in love with the gowns. Take a look:






The costumes for the two leading actresses were absolutely superb. I loved the way that the colours of the gowns tied into the portrayal of the characters. Anne Boleyn, who is imagined as a cold, manipulative person is almost always wearing cool colours. Mary Boleyn, played as a kind-hearted, if somewhat naive, girl is always clothed in warm colours. Either it really tied everything in nicely, or I am over-exaggerating the significance of the costumes colours. Hey, either way, I still loved it. I am also left with a sudden pressing desire to wear fantastic head gear.

Until next time, xo.

P.S. For all you saucy minxes, here's a shot of Eric Bana as King Henry VIII. You're welcome.

Style Inspiration: Gossip Girl

Hello there world,

I have finally emerged from my cocoon (otherwise known as Season 4 of Gossip Girl), if only to make the following observation - the plot lines of this show may get worse & worse, but I'll continue to love it as long as the dresses keep getting more and more fabulous.






Apparently I am very easy to please. All it takes is a dress like that amazing black & white number, and I forget about the ridiculous amount of scandals, love children, cat fights and friends back-stabbing each other that come with each episode of Gossip Girl. Oh, and this guy helps of course.

Until next time, xo.

I Think I'm In Love

Hello lovelies,



I think I'm in love. Again. I'm not sure whether I'm in love with Frances Bean Cobain, who is in these images, or with the photographer who took them. Either way, I'm head over heels.

Images.

For someone who once said that they didn't understand the point of black & white photography, I sure have a soft spot for it now. I love the way that black & white can be used to completely change the tone, or context of photographs. I love the slightly eerie feeling it brings to this set of images. I guess it's time to admit that I'm a black & white photography convert.



Until next time, xo.

★10 Days of Bullshit Challenge - Day 6 ★

★Rockin' Mama★  and wee me are doing the 10 Days of Bullshit Challenge.  

This is Day 6 and today's topicis :  Who or what inspires you.

Check out the other topics here and go link up with Rockin' Mama.

I have many awesome people that have entered and exited my life, at different stages, who have inspired me. Different people have inspired me and continue to inspire me for different reasons.

I don’t believe just one person can give you all you need to be completely inspired in every area of life. We all have diverse talents.

Talented musicians and dancers inspire me to appreciate the beauty of their art and the powerful emotions they exude. Comedians inspire me to laugh and not take life so seriously. My family inspire me to appreciate the power of love. My friends inspire me to live life every day for adventure and experiences. My husband inspires me to be brave and to be a better person than I ever thought I’d be. My children inspire me to stay silly and love playing.

However, one person sticks in my mind and the ironic thing is, she doesn’t even know that she made such an impact in my life. She was an ordinary girl who taught me extraordinary lessons. She taught me the power of choice. She taught me to have a voice. She taught me sacrifice. She taught me endurance and survival. She taught me that being vulnerable was not a weakness. She taught me that surrendering things did not make you defencelss but made you strong.

Even though I haven’t seen her for almost 20 years and she now resides in a different country, she contiues to remind me that life is not about what people or circumstances throw at you, that its about how you choose to react to whatever comes your way.

Thank you, Circe.

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Style Inspiration: Jet Girl

Hello there lovelies,

Once again, I'm working overtime (and possibly a Saturday shift) for the rest of the week. Coherent thoughts are at a minimum, and caffeine intake is at an all-time high. Rather than disturb you with my caffeine-fuelled, visual-merchandising-related hallucinations I am going to leave you with some pictures of my latest girl-crush - Tank Girl-era Naomi Watts. Oh my lord, Jet Girl is possibly the most adorable thing I have ever seen in my whole life.






Ok, so you caught me, I'm totally in love with Lori Petty/Tank Girl as well. Also, does it make me creepy that I like to imagine that if Max California & I ended up in a future involving severe water shortages and mutant kangaroos that she would be Tank Girl and I would be Jet Girl? Yeah, I knew that would probably be pretty creepy. Oh well, call me Creepy McCreepster and blame it on the overtime.

Until next time, xo.

Eye Candy - Wicked

Hello there lovelies,

As most of you probably know, due to my unquenchable gushing, I went to see the musical Wicked a few weeks ago. Well, to this very day I can't get the experience out of my head. Mostly, this has resulted in me singing "Defying Gravity" loudly in the shower, in the car, and whilst doing the dishes. It has also resulted in a new-found affinity for black shawls, serious consideration of "Elphaba" as an alternative for my name, and many long hours trawling Google images for pictures of costumes. Did I mention the costumes were absolutely freakin' amazing?

Galinda (later Glinda the Good Witch) in her beautiful white outfit at school. Love the navy and white school uniforms in the background. Wish I'd had a school uniform like that.

Fiyero, the resident hunk of the production. This is his costume when he becomes Captain of the Guard for The Emerald City. Not lying when I say I want to marry this jacket.

Some of the best costumes were in this bit, and I can't find any good pictures! Anyway, the costumes were all black & white, and they flowed so beautifully with the dancing.

Aw. This is when Galinda decided she's going to make Elphaba popular (By the way, this is Elphaba who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West). I would have killed for the little pink dress as a child.

This costume is hilarious, and amazing. This is Madame Morrible, one of Galinda & Elphaba's schoolteachers. The best part of her costume, in my opinion, is the crazy buttflap. It bounced when she walked and everything. Such a detailed dress.

My six-year-old self is crying green tears of jealousy right now. I swear one of my Barbies had a dress almost exactly like this one, and I wanted it in my size so bad. It's a perfect princess dress.

This was my favourite costume of the whole production though - Elphaba, in full Wicked Witch get up. The Wicked Witch costume was actually really beautiful, with black overlaying a dark shade of red.

Another shot of my two favourite costumes - this scene takes place right after the infamous house has fallen on Elphaba's sister (the Wicked Witch of the East). I love the contrast between the two leading ladies, and reiterate my desire to change my name to Elphaba.

This post would not be complete without a few images of the Emerald City costumes. I was so impressed with the level of detail, and interest in costumes made of entirely one colour.

I want to go and live in the Emerald City right about now. Who's with me?

Until next time, xo.

P.S. Send me a witch hat and I'll love you forever. For serious.