Crossing Over

(Vintage velvet crossover top, ASOS ponti mini skirt with belt, Burberry Prorsum A/W'10 Brogues, Sportsgirl henna stockings, Vintage patent faux Alligator clutch, Sportsgirl leather cuff, YSL Arty oval ring)

I decided to take the plunge and cut my hair even though I've painfully tried to grow it ideally at waist length. But after waiting so long for my hair to reach that point, I've been desperate for a change and long-due for a new do! Sporting straight mid-lengths cuts have been extremely popular recently, particularly with the 90s making its big return with general minimalist aesthetics. Even prior to my chop, I've been wildly obsessing over minimalistic looks with basic yet eccentric cuts, from shift tops and dresses, to sandal heels and plenty of crisp whites blocked with minimal brights, particularly neon's. 

Velvet had always been one of those iffy fabrics I would usually avoid wearing purely because it'll make you look bigger than you usually are, but there was always potential in this vintage velvet crossover top I picked up over a year ago. The exception here is that crossover necklines are flattering for all shapes, particularly for curvier girls as they accentuate the best assets by creating structure for the well-endowed and cinching the waist. As for slimmer girls with a more athletic body structure the crossover creates the illusion of a waist. This vintage velvet top was a perfect match for my new ponti skirt - A very 90s inspired combination of black and white, with my new straight hair chop. 

Although I haven't worked up enough courage to go any shorter just yet, but after growing so fond of my new hair cut in the last couple of days I feel like I might take another risk and go just a tad bit shorter. What do you guys think, should I go any shorter?

Photography by tymothyjames

Chain to Thrift

(Vintage chain print shirt, H&M collarless trench coat, Glassons scalloped edge shorts, Lia Maria chunky chain choker, Zara laser cut leather tote, Court Couture suede wedge sandals.)

I always enjoy a good vintage find. Hunting racks to find those certain unique pieces you normally can't find in chain stores, but pay almost next to nothing for. I thrive on the overall experience of op shopping, from being able to take a good pick home then putting it into your own style by collaborating with new pieces. 

Although this shirt has been sitting deep inside my wardrobe for some time now, its age doesn't seem show. There's something about chain prints that reminds me of something rather Versace-esque and in my opinion, essentially very timeless. Teamed with a bit of chain-on-chain bling, I love how this shirt can easily transform to suit both day and night occasions.

I'm thinking about taking another visit to my local op shop to see what other treasures I could dig up, particularly now since I'm on a tight budget to save with a holiday to Canada and America on the agenda coming up. Op shopping will have to be my best option in savouring my shopping urges till then!

Photography by tymothyjames

The Little Black Jacket Exhibition

(Vintage abstract print shift top, H&M ribbed tube skirt, Sportsgirl gold choker, YSL arty oval ring, Cheap Monday layer ankle boots, Tory Burch saffiano tote)

A Good day frolicking in the sun with good company is always good for the soul. It's been long due since I've had quality time with some of my best friends Steven Heng and Melissa Lai. And so earlier today we settled for a light brunch at Gnomes Expresso Wine bar in Surry Hills before making our eagerly awaited visit to 'The Little Black Jacket' by Karl Lagerfeld Exhibition in Walsh Bay. This Sydney exclusive showcases over 100 portraits photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, centralising the classic 'Little Black Jacket' designed by Gabrielle Coco Chanel over 50years ago, in which today has been identified as the all essential element. The mostly black and white portraits of high profile designers, models and celebrities wearing the jacket are just few of the many stunning photographs taken from the Chanel creative's The Little Black Jacket book.

It was suitably a very inspiring visit with two of the most fashion forward friends I know. Today's cloudy overcast made our day by the pier rather muggy, so lightening the layers down to just a basic print shift which I picked out over a year ago during one of my op shopping journeys teamed with nothing more than a basic tube skirt was all I could bare in the humidity. Casual... yet sometimes less is more!

The Little Black Jacket exhibition is located at 13 Hickson rd, Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay and will be ongoing only until November 11th, 2012. Entry is free.

Photography by Steven Heng & Anna Vu.

ASOS 'In your world' Beach Party

 (Sheike Paisley Print Brocade shorts and jacket, H&M woven clutch, Court Couture Suede wedge sandals)

I would like to take the opportunity to thank ASOS.com for the VIP invitation to their 'In Your World' Beach Party held at The Beach Haus to witness the launch of their exclusive Aussie summer collection first hand. I suppose being an ASOS-a-holic payed off hehe and of course it was really a bit of an excuse for pre-weekend partying. Bringing along my favourite plus one Tim, we enjoyed our fair share canoodling amongst the crowd with catchy tunes and a few fresh beverages throughout the night. It was a good opportunity to pull out something fresh and bright to suit the theme of the collection launch with my currently favourite paisley print Brocade shorts and jacket. There's never 'too much' print-on-print when you have touches of yellow neon details and incorporate bright teal to spice up the dull black and white. I've been wildly obsessing over anything with paisley and/or baroque prints this season, and a lot of my print-spiration credits go to Australian SS12 collections such as Josh Goot and Manning Cartell's who have really fed my addiction for intricate yet soft prints! It's looking like water-colour prints are also next on my wardrobe 'hot' list.

Photography by tymothyjames

Art of the Trench

(Burberry Heritage Gabardine Britton Trench coat, Leather collar trimmed chiffon blouse - by Loving Things, Abstract Boat neck dress - by Request, Cheap Monday Layer Ankle Boots)

If it's one investment anyone should make in their lifetime, than it is essential to own a Burberry trench coat! I can't really think of any better brand out there that produces exquisite rain-wear other than Burberry. Our friend the Trench Coat over the years has not only been a wardrobe style staple, but recognised as desirably weather resistant. The Burberry household in particular have produced one of the most classic pieces of all time that's also known to be fashionably protective!

So when the weather dramatically decides to turn for the worst one afternoon while Tim and I were out to enjoy good old brunch, there was no hesitation to take out good old Heritage Burberry! Teamed with a casual abstract dress, the contour lines needed a little elevating by keeping it to a minimum with a chiffon blouse lining. Basic layering that essentially becomes second nature when dealing with prints and textures.

Photography by tymothyjames