Paint it black.

I’ve always strayed away from black clothes as I have always dressed according to color. However, I also dress according to my mood, and lately I’ve been feeling kind of edgy, don’t know why, my guess is from far too much coffee. Anyway, I bought a black leather jacket off Trademe, tis the stuff of awesomeness, and its cool, may take a photo and post later. Charlotte started posting about chain jewelry awhile back but I really want some and have a lack of talent in jewelry making as she suggested I go to the nearest fabric store and get some chain and pliers and what not. Me and any kind of tool do not mix, sporks, knives, boys, scissors and otherwise. Jess suggested I buy a chain and wrap it around myself. Hmmmm. But that bracelet is coooool and who doesn’t love black sequined cuffs?

Hermes Scarves

I love this Hermes scarf, I’ve always held Hermes in a special place of my heart as it reminds me of my Great-Grandmother, an extraordinary and effortlessly chic woman, who had the perfect silk scarf for every occasion. One of which I had the luck to inherit from her, but hardly ever leaves my bedroom, because I just couldn’t stand for anything to happen to it.

Ossie Clark Inspired Endeavour

Ossie Clark has been one of my favourite designers for quite a while. When Emma Watson wore one of his 1970s designs recently I felt inspired to make a little homage for myself to wear.

There are some key elements in Clark’s designs, such as the plunging neckline, accented waist, pattern and the beautiful flowing fabric.

Out of the first image above I particularly like the half-length sleeves that end where the waist is cinched in, I think this further enhances the waist area and makes the dress look less revealing despite the plunging neckline.

In the second image I like the shorter, flirtier length as I find it more wearable on a day-to-day basis.

In the third image I am particularly enamoured with the shade (lilac is a personal favourite at the moment) and the rippling hem line that swoops behind the model as she walks.

So I’ve decided to take these elements and merge them into one dress. I was sorely disappointed when fabric shopping as I could not find the perfect patterned lilac fabric. Then I saw the wool aisle. I found a delicious (and eco-friendly) bamboo wool in a soft and beautiful shade of purple:

And I decided I would achieve a patterned effect by crocheting the dress.

So I will begin tomorrow on my grand endeavour to make a dress that has:

• Half-length sleeves
• A cinched and accented empire waistline
• A plunging neckline
• A knee-skimming length
• A beautiful shade of lilac
• And a scalloped hem to give a softly rippling effect
• Patterned effect achieved by crocheting

I will post when I have finished making it!

Hybrid moments

This is is my summer: Hotpants. Mesh evening dresses. Highwaist culottes. Leopard print. Wedges. Over-the-knee socks. Ponchos. Jerkins. Colourful heels. Chain jewellery. Black lipstick. Waistcoats. Studs. Gingham. Brown worker boots. Distressed denim. Feathers. Black and white stripes. Bustiers. Florals. Bows. Key pendants. Vintage bikinis. Retro sundresses. Oversized mens shirts over everything.

I’m also really loving ridiculously short cut-offs, pocketed t-shirts, white make-up, lace-up boots, multi-strap heels, blazers, dorky sunnies, grey, white, light green, coral, electric blue, obnoxious tunics, cropped tops and midriffs, ballet flats, bowling shoes and brogues, noisy jewellery, plaited or quiffed hair, grunge, brown leather, jumpsuits, handpainted or tie-dyed cotton, jumpsuits, fake tattoos, trilbies, hand-sized bags, big buttons, velvet, silk, chiffon, mismatched everything. But none’f that’d fit here.

eagle eyes

Theres something so magical about the whimsical demeanor of birds in flight… yet something also tragically beautiful in those found dead. My point in all this? Dress like you own the sky.

 

Elena Kalis

One of my all time favourite photographers, Elena Kalis takes photos that are surreal, fanciful and heart-wrenchingly beautiful. In them I see the influence of two of my favourite artists, Degas, in the beautiful lighting and the costumes which hark back to his ballerina works, and Georgia O’Keefe, in the delicacy of the subjects, strong shapes and sense of modernity. When I see these photos I wish I were talented enough to have taken them, alas, I am not, so I must enjoy them vicariously. I have found some articles of clothing that I feel represent some of the whimsy and strong shapes Kalis’ photos contain.

1. Lippy dress – www.lippy.co.nz – $199.90 NZ

2. Satin corsage evening bag – www.strandbags.com.au – $34.99 AUD

3. Lipsy pleated corset chiffon dress – www.lipsy.co.uk – $149.00 NZ

4.  Dotti dress – www.dotti.co.nz – $80.00 NZ

5. Sparkle bud earrings – www.neelearnomad.co.nz – $80.00 NZ

6. Max lace detail top – www.maxshop.com – $89.00 NZ

7. Excelsior ring – www.neelearnomad.co.nz – $169.00 NZ

8. Kagi pearl high society necklace – www.kagistyle.com – $225.00 NZ

9. Pulp knock-on-wood platforms – www.pulpshoes.com – $99.95 NZ

10. TV slashed blue jeans – shop.amelieboutique.com – $310.00 NZ

Beauty is Pain

It’s almost Summer, so what does that mean? Bikinis and other skin-revealing attire. Which equals bikini waxes, shaving your legs every morning and other ways of bodily hair removal.

I can’t be bothered to pay all that money to get someone to do it for me. Or fork out two grand for that weird laser treatment so that it actually stops growing back.

So, I bought an epilator. I did a little research and Braun was most recommended. NZ gives you three options of Braun epilators, each one a little more expensive and upgraded than the other. I went for the middle option because it was only ten dollars more than the first one because it was on sale, exciting.

Now I have not used it yet, but I have waxed before so I think my pain threshold is not that bad. Wishful thinking? I’ll get back to ya.

Crafty

I find one of the most rewarding things in life is to make something with your own two hands that you can actually use. I have a number of such hobbies, sewing, baking, knitting and crocheting.

1. I found this picture online quite by accident and fell in love with the cut. So I sketched how I wanted it to look, took measurements, drew up a pattern and made it. It’s just as good as I imagined.

2. This is the sewing machine I use. My Mother was given it for her 16th birthday back in 1980 and passed it on to me. Still going strong at almost 30 and is now considered an antique.

3. This is a hat I crocheted last winter and forgot about. I found it last week on a particularly cold day and it provided warmth and compliments.

4. This is a delicious looking mini-muffin. Not one of mine, the ones I make don’t usually last long enough to be photographed with a hungry boyfriend living with me. Hopefully someone will give me a piping bag + nozzles for Christmas so my icing can be this adorable.

 

Here is my recipe for the perfect mini-muffins (cupcakes) as discovered by trial and error over many years.

 

Best Cupcake Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons  (60 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• Just under 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup whole milk

(To make chocolate flavoured reduce flour to 2/3 of a cup, and add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder.)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 190 degrees. Prepare a muffin tray with paper liners.
2. Warm the milk with the butter so that the butter melts and set aside to cool down if too hot.
3. Whisk the eggs, sugar and vanilla until thick and creamy.
4. Add the milk and butter mixture.
5. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just smooth
6. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake for about 13 minutes or until they spring back when prodded.

Purple Rain

Bad cliche, I know. I think lilac is the perfect colour on most people, particularly in makeup as it is a mixture of warm and cool colours (red and blue for all you art class drop outs) and therefore is generally complementary. A splash of lilac can brighten up any monochromatic outfit and it always makes me feel a bit naughty, like a bad girl pretending to be nice to seduce some unexpecting man/boy (though his is probably just me, tend to be a bit odd).

 

Lipstick – MAC’s Hello Kitty range in ‘Fashion Mews’

Dress- Ladakh http://www.lippy.co.nz/

Scarf – Julien David matchesfashion.com

Nail lacquer – OPI in ‘Do You Lilac It?’

Shoe – Pulp http://hannahs.co.nz/

Bag – The Westbourne by Notting Hill Design anedoti.com

Burton for Bazaar

Moviemaker Tim Burton’s take on this season’s fashion…