" 'This... stuff'? Oh. Okay. I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select... I don't know... that lumpy blue sweater, for instance because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's actually cerulean. And you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent... wasn't it who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff. "
Meryl Streep was absolutely brilliant in this movie. this is one of my favorite of her little lectures. she is completely brutual when she rips into Andy Sachs in this scene, her delivery is flawless. this is an amazing piece of writing in my humble opinion. and the scene is a personal favorite of mine also, as many of you should know it's the run-through scene quite early in the film. in my eyes it's a perfect parody of the fashion world, though not over-done. A+.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
pearls of wisdom from 'The Devil Wears Prada' #1...
"Andy, be serious. You are not trying. You are whining. What is it that you want me to say to you, huh? Do you want me to say, "Poor you. Miranda's picking on you. Poor you. Poor Andy"? Hmm? Wake up, six. She's just doing her job. Don't you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it. Well, not you, obviously, but some people. You think this is just a magazine, hmm? This is not just a magazine. This is a shining beacon of hope for... oh, I don't know... let's say a young boy growing up in Rhode Island with six brothers pretending to go to soccer practice when he was really going to sewing class and reading Runway under the covers at night with a flashlight. You have no idea how many legends have walked these halls. And what's worse, you don't care. Because this place, where so many people would die to work you only deign to work. And you want to know why she doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold star on your homework at the end of the day. Wake up, sweetheart. "
The Devil Wears Prada...probably the first time i've encountered a movie that was better than the book upon which it was based. no offense, Laura Weisbeger, i still love you. but really, what an absolutely brilliant piece of prose...delievered beautifully, of course, by the delightful Stanley Tucci. i just love it.
The Devil Wears Prada...probably the first time i've encountered a movie that was better than the book upon which it was based. no offense, Laura Weisbeger, i still love you. but really, what an absolutely brilliant piece of prose...delievered beautifully, of course, by the delightful Stanley Tucci. i just love it.
Monday, May 30, 2011
bows make everything better
my very first set, created at polyvore.com ! to view individual items go to http://www.polyvore.com/bows_make_everything_better/set?id=32090312
all dresses and top by modcloth, wedges- modcloth, flats - forever21, boots- sense of fashion, black clutch - zappos, striped clutch - debenhams, purse - jane norman, ring- marc by marc jacobs, pendant - modcloth, gloves - french connection, headband - topshop
friends do it better...
fell IN LOVE with this on modcloth a while back, but of course i'm a uni student
thus i could not buy it. however, a lovely day spent gallivanting
in the city with a lovely friend led us to 'Friends of Couture', a
truly fabulous store that i highly recommend, for its
sheer cuteness and amazing clothes, accessories, UMBRELLAS!
anyway, one of the first things i spotted and tried on
at this delightful little store was this EXACT. SAME. DRESS.
which happened to be on sale and fit me perfectly.
and while i absolutely did not need it, i was
in need of some retail therapy, and so i bought it!
very pleased with myself right now.
;)
ps, check out the utter fabulousness...
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
a promise kept.
so i said i'd continue the post on tips for paving the uni student's way to fabulous sans the massive guilt trip (not to mention hunger pains) when you blow your hours of putting up with whiny customers on that amazing Alannah Hill coat you just HAD to have, and then there's nothing left for your morning coffee before that painful 8am lecture. and trust me, you NEED. that coffee. almost as much (perhaps more) than you need that wonderful coat. even though Alannah Hill is nothing to be sniffed at, and even if you have the added bonus of a hot lecturer who makes learning all that more appealing. the 8am lecture requires caffeine to take the edge off that 6am start to your day.
but i digress.
my tip for the day is a tried, tested and truly valuable exercise that any university student with limited funds and an unlimited need to scrub up decent no matter the occasion, should try at least twice. here it is...pay attention now...
the wardrobe evaluation.
this extremely practical investment of one's time will save dollars, brain power when one is too sleep-deprived to function, and of course, precious time when getting dressed in the morning. or evening. whatever. the idea is, to take an afternoon or whenever you have a few hours to spare, going through your existing wardrobe and taking inventory of what you actually already own. spend some time looking at each item of clothing, considering the ways in which they could be styled, altered or paired with other garments in order to create a new look. try to mix and match, and most definitely try things on. combinations, accessories, shortening a skirt or layering, the possibilities are endless and soon your outfit options will be too.
all it takes is time, patience, and a little imagination. you may even find things that you forgot you had and still look great on you, or you may decide to have a wardrobe clean out, following which i suggest you discover the magical world of ebay, if you haven't already. or, if turning your pre-loved stuff into cash for new clothes that need love, then up your feel-good-ness and drop stuff off at your local opportunity shop. and while you're there, have a look around for a treasure or two.
the point is, you probably think you have 'nothing to wear' and a closet full of clothes, just like every other fashion minded person out there. when in actual fact, you most likely have a plethora of fabulous just waiting to be discovered behind those doors. let your imagination fly and have a fantastic time. dress-ups isn't just for kids! kiss kiss.
Monday, May 23, 2011
the not so secret garden.
location: Steavenson Falls and the Secret Garden
in the Dandenongs
model: Emily Sacco
wears: t-shirt-glassons, my denim jacket & cardie,
skinny jeans and boots.
she has amazing coloured hair.
;)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
the places i never knew existed...
this is the first of what i hope will be more photo diaries created
on near-perfect days like this one was. what started out
as a road trip to steavenson falls turned out to be
the perfect opportunity for the first
of my live fash blogging.
hope you enjoy, feedback much appreaciated.
location: Sky High (Dandenongs) & Steavenson Falls
wearing: denim jacket-tempt, black lace detail t-shirt, khaki pants,
boots, cotton on scarf and of course my signature hippy scarf.
coz i'm just sahhhh indie. ;)
wearing: denim jacket-tempt, black lace detail t-shirt, khaki pants,
boots, cotton on scarf and of course my signature hippy scarf.
coz i'm just sahhhh indie. ;)
ps. photography by Emily Sacco
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
D-I-Y class # 1
i am a little excited for my first D-I-Y post ever. EEEEEEEEEP. okay, excitement over. here we go.you will need:
1 pair of plain black (or white) canvas sneakers with shoelaces.
about 3 meters or so of lace in black or white, whatever colour your shoes are not - i don't really know the exact amount, but a way to find out would be to remove the existing laces from the shoes and measure them, and then get the same amount of lace as the combined laces from your shoes.
also, make sure the lace isn't too flimsy, as you don't want these amazing shoes to break.
step one: remove exisitng laces from shoes
step two: cut lace to required length and thread through holes in sneakers
step three: tie in pretty bows and wear with fabulous outfits.
note: this should cost you at the very least, $12 (ish), if you get some inexpensive/secondhand shoes, and lace from a craft store. it might even cost you less. and just quietly, these shoes cost in the $40 range from modcloth, which isn't really all that expensive, but if you can make them for cheaper yourself, why not right?
if i was a rich girl...
but i'm really not. i have decided, that instead of lasting after things i can't have, for a change i'll do a focus on what i CAN have.
and so darlings, i give you...
1. Invest in basics. a cliche, but for good reason. if you spend good money on the 'boring' basics such as plain tees, some really decent shoes that will go with everything, a freat pair of jeans (i am personally anti-jeans but they work for a lot of people so there you have it), a classic LBD et cetera, they will last you a long time and can be mixed with all your impulse buys and seasonal purchases.
2. stay away from 'trend-of-the-minute buys, if you can. while the beloved fashion rags and runway shows will insist that 'you have to have' them, that they are a 'must-buy' for the season, more often than not they will be 'in' for about a week and after that you'll never wear them again. additionally, they never seem to go with anything else in your wardrobe, so you have to go on a shopping spree to create outfits that will work around your new splurge. which makes absolutely no sense at all, unless you're fabulously rich. in which case, go crazy.
3. remember the immortal words of Yves Saint Laurent. "Fashion fades, STYLE is eternal." which basically means, fashion is fickle, and will flit into our lives for a moment before changing and disappearing. STYLE is what matters most, and the best way to accomplish style is to establish your own. that's right, be an individual. "I am a cat, and I walk by MYSELF." so find that look that is uniquely you, and wear it loud and proud.
4. D-I-Y, bitches. that's right. Do It Yourself. stumbled upon a deliciously vintage purse whilst clicking through your favorite fashion websites, but deeply disappointed that in order to acquire said purse, you need to scunge up a few hundred dollars that you really don't have? never fear. with a trip to your nearest craft store, some time and patience and a splash of creativity, it CAN be yours. or better yet, your uniquely-you interpretation of the DVP (deliciously vintage purse), which will result in you killing two birds with one stone (refer above tip). and everyone will be asking you where you got your amazing purse, and you can either smile smugly and say you made it yourself, or you can be elusive and mysterious and imply that you did in fact fork over the folding stuff in order to obtain it.
5. Remember the three R's. Reduce, reuse, recycle! how you might ask, does this apply to
your wardrobe? two words. Oppurtunity Shop. in this context, the term includes the obvious - op-shopping, but also extends to markets, independant stores that nobody knows about, overseas and online shopping et cetera. devoting a day to hunt through op-shops, trawl around markets or get your click on at ebay (maybe the last one doesn't have to be a WHOLE day) will REDUCE your spending, REUSE your perspective (imagination, the way you see your existing wardrobe), and RECYLE things that others have wrongfully discarded, but will rightfully fall into your waiting hands, because their potential isn't over yet. and don't worry, op-shopping is SAHHH indie which in case you haven't noticed is in at the moment, and if you are a tiny bit of a snob when it comes to op-shops, remember this: no-one has to know! i personally once found an Allanah Hill top at Savers. i didn't buy it because i didn't like it all that much, but just imagine! Allanah. Hill. need i say more?
on a side note, if you've got an overseas/out-of-town trip coming up, grab oppurtunity by the balls and indulge in both treating yourself (you are on holiday after all) and finding unique and most-likely very inexpensive items to rock your wardrobe.
okay darlings, i could go on forever and a day with this stuff but responsiblity calls, so consider this post to be continued. hopefully in the near future. kiss kiss!
and so darlings, i give you...
THE POOR UNI-STUDENT GUIDE TO LOOKING 'AB FAB, SWEETIE DARLING', WITHOUT BURNING HOLES IN YOUR WALLET.
1. Invest in basics. a cliche, but for good reason. if you spend good money on the 'boring' basics such as plain tees, some really decent shoes that will go with everything, a freat pair of jeans (i am personally anti-jeans but they work for a lot of people so there you have it), a classic LBD et cetera, they will last you a long time and can be mixed with all your impulse buys and seasonal purchases.
2. stay away from 'trend-of-the-minute buys, if you can. while the beloved fashion rags and runway shows will insist that 'you have to have' them, that they are a 'must-buy' for the season, more often than not they will be 'in' for about a week and after that you'll never wear them again. additionally, they never seem to go with anything else in your wardrobe, so you have to go on a shopping spree to create outfits that will work around your new splurge. which makes absolutely no sense at all, unless you're fabulously rich. in which case, go crazy.
3. remember the immortal words of Yves Saint Laurent. "Fashion fades, STYLE is eternal." which basically means, fashion is fickle, and will flit into our lives for a moment before changing and disappearing. STYLE is what matters most, and the best way to accomplish style is to establish your own. that's right, be an individual. "I am a cat, and I walk by MYSELF." so find that look that is uniquely you, and wear it loud and proud.
4. D-I-Y, bitches. that's right. Do It Yourself. stumbled upon a deliciously vintage purse whilst clicking through your favorite fashion websites, but deeply disappointed that in order to acquire said purse, you need to scunge up a few hundred dollars that you really don't have? never fear. with a trip to your nearest craft store, some time and patience and a splash of creativity, it CAN be yours. or better yet, your uniquely-you interpretation of the DVP (deliciously vintage purse), which will result in you killing two birds with one stone (refer above tip). and everyone will be asking you where you got your amazing purse, and you can either smile smugly and say you made it yourself, or you can be elusive and mysterious and imply that you did in fact fork over the folding stuff in order to obtain it.
5. Remember the three R's. Reduce, reuse, recycle! how you might ask, does this apply to
your wardrobe? two words. Oppurtunity Shop. in this context, the term includes the obvious - op-shopping, but also extends to markets, independant stores that nobody knows about, overseas and online shopping et cetera. devoting a day to hunt through op-shops, trawl around markets or get your click on at ebay (maybe the last one doesn't have to be a WHOLE day) will REDUCE your spending, REUSE your perspective (imagination, the way you see your existing wardrobe), and RECYLE things that others have wrongfully discarded, but will rightfully fall into your waiting hands, because their potential isn't over yet. and don't worry, op-shopping is SAHHH indie which in case you haven't noticed is in at the moment, and if you are a tiny bit of a snob when it comes to op-shops, remember this: no-one has to know! i personally once found an Allanah Hill top at Savers. i didn't buy it because i didn't like it all that much, but just imagine! Allanah. Hill. need i say more?
on a side note, if you've got an overseas/out-of-town trip coming up, grab oppurtunity by the balls and indulge in both treating yourself (you are on holiday after all) and finding unique and most-likely very inexpensive items to rock your wardrobe.
okay darlings, i could go on forever and a day with this stuff but responsiblity calls, so consider this post to be continued. hopefully in the near future. kiss kiss!
something old, something new, something borrowed...
yes, it's true. some amazing legendary bride wore these UNDERNEATH her bridal gown. on her wedding day. do i want these? YES. would i wear them under a wedding dress?most definitely.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
the best advice you'll ever read...
...spoken by THE Audrey Hepburn, the goddess herself..
"for attractive lips, speak words of kindness. for lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. for a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. for poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone. people, even more than things, have to be restored. renewed. revived. reclaimed. and redeemed. never throw out anyone."
"for attractive lips, speak words of kindness. for lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. for a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. for poise, walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone. people, even more than things, have to be restored. renewed. revived. reclaimed. and redeemed. never throw out anyone."
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
first impressions.
i tend not to go on first impressions. everyone says that first impressions are vital, that they set the tone for how people are going to view you from then on, that if you make a bad first impression, you're screwed. i don't buy into that. i believe in second chances, always. (except for in the event of a cheating spouse/partner, but let's not go there)
one of my motto's is to try everything at least twice. first impressions can be fickle, and there are a great many things in life that are of an acquired taste, thus the second time around one will be more likely to find that new experience more to their liking.
this my darlings, is one of many to come in the way of what i like to think of as little gems of wisdom, or at least, thoughts, opinions, pieces of advice et cetera that work for me and might work for you too. which brings me to the purpose of this blog, which shall be for the most part the discussions of the finer details of fashion, individuality, lifestyle, and all those other wonderful things we all love.
i hope to impart wisdom, to make people laugh occasionally, to create that 'i know exactly what you mean' feeling, and to generally break the monotony of the everyday. and probably also become a source of procrastination for others. hehe.
enjoy.
one of my motto's is to try everything at least twice. first impressions can be fickle, and there are a great many things in life that are of an acquired taste, thus the second time around one will be more likely to find that new experience more to their liking.
this my darlings, is one of many to come in the way of what i like to think of as little gems of wisdom, or at least, thoughts, opinions, pieces of advice et cetera that work for me and might work for you too. which brings me to the purpose of this blog, which shall be for the most part the discussions of the finer details of fashion, individuality, lifestyle, and all those other wonderful things we all love.
i hope to impart wisdom, to make people laugh occasionally, to create that 'i know exactly what you mean' feeling, and to generally break the monotony of the everyday. and probably also become a source of procrastination for others. hehe.
enjoy.
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