SCAFFOLD

Keepsake Turn Your Love Top via The Fashion Bunker, Asos pants and heels

I pose the question to you: Does time seem to pass quicker with each year that you get older? Because it sure seems that way for me. 2013 has been lightning quick - I mean, we're less than 10 days away from October..! That I don't comprehend. Perhaps, all that time spent food styling for Instagram, pounding the piano keys in rehearsal with ANON. and collaborative brainstorming in between catching up with assignments does leave you little time to realise that the days are indeed flying by. I have finally taken to the peplum (I know, it's only been around for 2 years now, but like I said, time flies), with a criss-cross scaffold of a back and a slit along the front. Details make an alarmingly positive difference. I also love the fact that these lime slouchy pants (read: trackies) make everyone in the vicinity wonder if I had perhaps just rolled out of bed and forgot to change my bottoms.. Heels help, though ;)

Photography by Thomas Lo

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GAME CHANGER

Keepsake dress, Marais USA sandals via Shopbop

If you are the owner of this lovely garden shed, pardon me for getting perhaps just a little too close to your property for your liking, but I hope that you do see why it played the perfect backdrop, right down to the whimsical slant of the clothesline and the way the scattered multi-coloured clothes pegs seem to complement this magical mirrored print dress. Melbourne's weather has again turned to chill and I have caught a cold, probably from stubbornly inappropriate summer dressing, but these (very strategically placed) cutouts were too good to pass up on, even for just another week. Cobalt blue - we have had our ups and downs. But in small accented doses it's a beautiful partnership and we're fairly smooth-sailing right now.. 

Photography by Thomas Lo

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Classics

Bec & Bridge blazer and tee, Ellery skirt, Zara boots

You know your life's been a little out of whack when dinner happens after 10pm more than half the week and you find yourself thinking a gazillion thoughts at any given time while bolting out of the house, hair dishevelled, quick snack in hand. I can't believe how quickly time has flown - looking back at these shots from a couple months ago, my hair seems incredibly long, and it's hard to imagine now how I ever managed to deal with almost-waist-length hair for over 3 straight years prior. That aside, let's talk classic colour combinations. Red and black are my absolute favourites, hands down - whether in a on a pop lip, or statement shoes, or in this case, a smart siren-red blazer. 

Currently obsessed with THESE Baroque swirl sunnies - Vision Direct, you tease.

Photography by Liz McLeish

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Snood Up!

Carrie & Moss Dress, Zara heels

I have really come to love and appreciate the understated elegance of a knee-length dress. Tailored so that it nips in at the waist and with a pencil skirt that is all about business and refinement. Nothing oversized, nor drapey, nor ridiculously printy - all of which, you might have noticed, are areas I seem to instinctively veer towards. It really makes it hard then when I have to put together something 'proper', or semi-professional. As I have repeatedly mentioned to my close friends: my corporate wardrobe is non-existent.

In fact, I reckon this Carrie & Moss bridesmaid piece strikes middle-ground - team with black points and you get a lovely classic outfit I highly doubt anyone could find fault with, or play up the colour factor with printed heels that made my jaw-drop, quite literally. And a snood. It felt right.

Recent brunch hangout: The Grain Store

Photography by Thomas Lo

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Feline Floral

Print dress & vest c/o August St, Asos sunnies, Topshop belt around wrist, Windsor Smith sneaker wedge

In hindsight, the triple feline reference in this outfit is a little ironic, seeing as I am not much of an animal person. It's more of an awkward unfamiliarity, as opposed to a strong dislike - white, fluffy little puppies I can handle, but anything beyond that admittedly leaves me just a little bit clueless. Not that it has anything to do with me loving the occasional leopard print (I'm sure you leopard loving ladies out there don't have pet leopards in your backyards either) or two. Chuck that on over a bunch of grungy florals, strap on a pair of the world's most comfortable sneaker wedge, and you'll have me testing out even more of my (slightly rusty) dance moves. Nothing like a good ol' shake to keep you sane sometimes ;)

 Photography by Thomas Lo

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State of Fashion

Jolie & Deen jumper, skirt and necklace, Sportsgirl scarf, H&M beanie, Jo Mercer boots

You guys would know very well now that one of my huge online shopping loves is ASOS. And that I've racked up a ridiculous Saved List that will probably never be fully realised but exists just because trawling those pages and endlessly clicking on things that look good is somewhat therapeutic. That almost sounds like a problem. The ASOS addicts amongst you all would have noticed their new State of Fashion competition - share your winter style and be in the running to win a $1000 wardrobe! Pretty sweet. 

So this is what I put together when asked to be part of the campaign. I've had a tendency in previous years to start living in tights once cooler comes around, but at some point that gets dead boring and so this time round I'm trying to avoid it as much as I can, opting for jeans or in this case, a hint of bare leg instead. I quite the idea of smart ninja layering beneath (my choices are Uniqlo heat-tech and a thin knit) big jumpers - this Jolie & Deen one is a prime example - that I swear does in fact keep you warm. Rug up with a blindingly pink cozy scarf and a beanie, and you are sufficiently warm up top to warrant showing some skin with these over-the-knee socks. 

 Photography by Thomas Lo

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Print-stinct

Jolie & Deen blouse, Wish pants, Asos heels

I would say that I could actually possibly live in these pants for the rest of my life, but that sounds like a hell of a long time so perhaps, for as long as these pants could decently be worn. With a gorgeous print and slight slouch, they're comfortable and good-looking - exactly the kind of pants my wardrobe welcomes with open arms.

Pair it simply with a black tank for lazy Sundays, or a white silk cami and slim heels for a dressier look, but me being me, was waiting for something special to pop by. I had visited Jolie & Deen in prep for MBFWA in Sydney and was very pleasantly surprised with this beautiful mirrored print, and even more so when (in my head) it partnered so perfectly with these printed pants. My inner print-stinct had been satisfied and I went home a happy girl.

And now I had better get going to pack for an early flight to Sydney tomorrow for MBFWA. Can't wait to share it all with you - come along on Instagram for the ride! x

Photos by Thomas Lo

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Blankbird x Sportsgirl: Victoriana Rocks

Lace tee, bodycon skirt, jacquard bomber jacket, sunnies, necklace - all from Sportsgirl; Jeffrey Campbell Litas

Sportsgirl and I go way back:

I would trawl through rack upon rack of colourful sales items, play dress-ups in the change rooms with my closest friends, and secretly get really excited each time there was a new issue of their magazine in store. It has, all these years, been a source of fashion inspiration so naturally I was pretty stoked when I was asked to put together an outfit for their Blogger Edit.

Their new Victoriana Rocks collection is all about bold, luxurious textures - think fluffy white faux fur, lots of black leather, lace and studs - which makes my selection seems considerably tame in comparison. But take a closer look and you might fall in love with the romantic subtlety just like I did in this amazing jacquard bomber and lace tee; the added visual interest of the simple printed bodycon skirt. Not an inch of faux leather leggings in sight, no - perhaps I'm just not ready for that yet, but only time will tell ;)

Thank you Sportsgirl for having me - check out the full feature on Sportsgirl here!

Photos by Thomas Lo

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