Showing posts with label J Crew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label J Crew. Show all posts

blue jeans.


Blue has always been one of my favourite colours even since I was a little girl. I was a tomboy at heart and my mother had painted my room a pale pink. It took some persistence but I managed to get it painted a nice sky blue (similar shade to Andy's room sans the clouds which now that I think about it would have been a great idea) and I forced my mum to only buy me bed sheets that are blue. To this day she's still kept her word. 

I still gravitate towards blues, navy and everything in between. Blue is basically the colour of my wardrobe (excluding black of course). Even the colour way of my pretty little Pashli is actually called denim. Speaking of denim, I've said it before but these Skin 5's are the perfect fit jeans. Resisting the urge to buy them in every other colour despite the fact it's (for the majority) far too warm to wear skin tight clothes. There's also nothing quite like a classic, clean, blue button up. Always appropriate, always fresh. Jack's intense growing interest in menswear has had a subconscious effect on my choices also. Crisp shirts, polished loafers. He's definitely giving me a run for my money in the fashion department. When he gets his tailored suits back, I'll prove it. 


Image by Christine Ai

1 comment , , , ,

steal my sunshine.


Taking a quick study break from my 5000 word final essay from the last unit of my undergraduate degree (of which I am more than half way through, so don't worry I'm not doing it all the night before it's due) to bring you a procrasta-flatlay. A few weeks ago I found out I was going on a cruise over the New Year with Jack's family, visiting Brisbane, Cairns and Noumea. I am super excited because a) I haven't been on a holiday with Jack for over a year b) My parents are obsessed with cruises and keep telling me I have to go c) the opportunity to get healthy tan (though is a tan ever healthy?). While the prospect of lazing around doing absolutely nothing is somewhat appealing, we all know how restless I get when my mind is not worrying about at least ten things at once. I am however feeling like a kid at a candy store over the amount of choices I have for outdoor activities at our ports of call. There's something about recreational activities like snorkelling, horse riding, paddle boarding, kayaking and abseiling down a waterfall that just makes me giddy. Although holidays should be relaxing there's nothing like a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get your blood pumping; a-la white water rafting in Bali and hiking along the Great Wall in China. Preparations to jam pack my on land schedule are well underway. 

I've already envisaged my cruise carry-on/ summer wardrobe essentials which includes the following perfect seasonal finds thus far:
  • Acne grey marle v neck shirt, two sizes up from my usual.
  • The Rag & Bone denim shorts that aren't offensively short (no butt cheeks were harmed in the making of this garment) but still short enough to make my legs look long.
  • The shirt that looks like I borrowed it from my boyfriend but was instead purchased from J Crew.
  • NARS tinted moisturiser because your face is more than likely to melt off in the heat. The less time spent on your morning makeup routine the better. 
  • Superga aka the people's shoes of Italy. It's basically Converse but for the cool kids.
  • Strawberries and blueberries because that's all I'll be eating.
  • Nivea spray on sunscreen. The best. 
For my readers that hail from Melbourne here's a public service announcement regarding the Dion Lee sample sale. Score! Past season mainline and Line II up to 85% off starting from today up until Sunday at 368 Chapel Street, South Yarra. You know I'd be there if I could so you'll have to spend on my behalf. All the deets are here. 
Leave a Comment , , , , , ,

sweater weather.

J Crew sweater, J Brand jeans, Isabel Marant sneakers.

When my car windows start fogging up every five seconds without the AC on and I find myself reaching for the black coat, black jeans and black boots combo I know it’s well and truly winter. Undoubtedly my favourite fashion supply to stock up on each season has been the thin knit (and yes I happen to be wearing one right now), little sister to the chunky oversized one. Possibly it’s biggest selling point is its ability to be layered under my fitted jackets without looking like the Michelin man in the arms and be able to wear it during the transition seasons with shorts and skirts. My secret weapon to amp up its coziness? Uniqlo thermals (I now have five from two trips Jack has made to Japan) which have a low enough scoop-neck to be invisible under my knits, jumpers and sweaters – sorry Kathmandu, you just never ‘cut’ it.
It is weird however, wearing a sweater without a layer underneath (you can’t see the v neck but even my faithful Uniqlo don’t make thermals with that kind of a neckline, but then again that would be almost counterproductive) but I’ll overlook that semi-wool itchy feeling because I really like the way J Crew styled it on their website. But the navy is just a tad too dark and the exact shade of my woollen school jumper I would wear on top of my white shirt and navy tunic. If I were you, I’d suggested the staple heather grey or navy dockside. I hear white jeans are making a comeback this winter too and I personally love the idea of wearing something as unpractical as white jeans (only to the clumsy like myself) to give a fresh, clean spin on an otherwise neutral and muted colour scheme of black, grey and navy.
In other news, Google Reader will be retiring on July 1, so make sure you follow me (and all your other saved blogs on Google for that matter) on Bloglovin' to keep up to date with my latest happenings.
Photos by Andrea Lee
2 comments , , ,

swing swing.

Popbasic shirt, Manning Cartell shorts, SXUC aviators, J Crew panama hat, Oroton sandals. 

My faithful panama hat. I built up its title as the perfect accessory for a beach holiday and I couldn't have been more right. Though these mirrored aviators from Sunglasses Shop could give them a run for their money (check them out for some sweet shades from your favourite brands including RayBan, Celine, Miu Miu and Oliver Peoples). Day 1 in Bali was a visit to Waterbom water park followed by picturesque views of a hidden behind the clouds sunset at Potato Head Beach Club from our dinner table. We snapped these up before heading out at our Villa Coco bungalow. But seriously, when was the last time you sat in a hammock? Despite the fact they make your thighs look like leg hams (don't mind me) and are extremely unflattering to get into and out of, our hammock was a great addition to our own little garden. Had it not been for the swarms of mosquitos, sticky humidity or my sweet tasting blood I would have spent more of my time outside swinging my cares away.

I'm back from Bali though not well and truly - currently suffering from post holiday depression while trying to enjoy any last amount of freedom I have before I start my final year of uni. I have a couple more Bali outfits and photo diary posts up my sleeve so you can expect me to be pining over how much I miss that place for a little longer. 

PS. Hair isn't purple, it's just the editing. Though now I wish it was.

Photos by Debra Navaratnam. Girl has an eye for a good shot. Hello new blog photographer!
9 comments , , , , ,

plaid shirt days.

J Crew boy plaid shirt, Joe's Jeans denim, Acne heels, Comme de Garcons pochette. (Photos by Jack Loo)

31st December. Time really does fly though it's quite satisfying to look back and see how much you've grown in 365 days, your achievements and your personal wins. One of the ways I document this is through my blog and I can't thank you all enough for the love and continual support you've shown me through the comments, likes and follows. I wouldn't be half as motivated to keep posting if it weren't for my readers.

It seems fitting I'd ring in the new year with the expertise from the team at Original A salon. As you might have noticed, I chopped off my ombre ends (they were getting a little unhealthy), put some layers back into it and revived ye olde side fringe. Back in my high school days I was known for my side fringe so this look seems a little nostalgic (and I'm still getting used to having hair in my face once again). 

I said it yesterday, but my fondness of this plaid shirt is just beyond. I thought I was crazy to buy it in the middle of summer but any thermometer reading below 23 degrees is deemed plaid shirt appropriate weather (yes, there is a more socially acceptable version of the Lowes plaid shirt). I think my new blog goal is to make as many Taylor Swift song references in my posts as possible and this last post for 2012 is no exception. I believe her plaid shirt days were referring to her short lived relationship with the hunk-a-spunk that is Jake Gyllenhaal.

I hope you all have a happy new year, enjoy the celebrations and I'll see you on the flip side!
6 comments , , , ,

cranberry.

There are certain things that every woman should own. None of that obvious little black dress or trusty red lipstick - in my books a boy plaid shirt and Comme de Garcons pochette sit high on the list. Despite the rising temperatures, I seem to be gravitating towards button up shirts more than ever (considering most of my time is spent inside air conditioned shopping centres, I've been wearing jeans about 80% of the time too) and emulating masculine dressing is becoming a regular occurrence. The cold spell this week was enough of  reason to bring out the plaid flannel shirt (three days in a row might I add) especially since it reminds me of a white Christmas... one day.

Full outfit on the blog tomorrow!
Leave a Comment ,

pure shores.

Singlet c/o Somedays Lovin, Ksubi shorts, J Crew panama hat, Sunday Somewhere sunglasses.

Photos by Aprilia

I've never been much of a beach person. Not to say I don't like beaches, but I only go once or twice a year usually on a public holiday when it's absolutely crowded and unbearably hot. While I took a Saturday off work to 'study' (and I use the term loosely), I thought I'd sneak in a quick morning road trip to the Northern Beaches to meet with Aprilia and play blogger dress ups by the sand. And although our time together was short lived, the two of us wondered what it would be like to be a full time blogger. Just prancing around in fancy get ups, taking plenty of photos and posting daily. What a life.

My panama hat made its official debut today and I have no doubt it will be glued to my head come consistent hot weather. I really do love my head wear. And so should you. It's fancy and it keeps you protected from the sun. Double whammy.

Tomorrow marks Week 13 of semester. The last week. Also known as the week from hell. One group assignment, one exam, one speaking exam and one feature article due. If you don't hear from me assume I have become a zombie. No sleep and no blogging make Melissa something something. Go crazy? Don't mind if I do!

Don't forget to enter my Popbasic giveaway x
3 comments , , ,

vacation.

Panama hat from J Crew
Strappy sandals from ATP
Playsuit from Zimmermann

What a coincidence that the last three things I bought (well the hat was a birthday present from the BFF) make the perfect summer vacation outfit. Maybe my wardrobe is trying to tell me something? Deb and I have our sights set on Bali in February next year - our aim is to have the perfect Instagram holiday (think plenty of poolside hangs and scenic sights). I can picture myself wearing this with the sand between my toes, soaking up the sunshine. Too bad I have Mount Everest sized pile of assignments to plough through first before I can get planning.

Acquiring shiny new things and blogging is all that's keeping me sane right now. I've noticed that I always seem to divulge in the back stories of my purchases but I find it quite therapeutic to document them (and there's the slightest chance you might even find yourself amused or educated by my rants). It's interesting how an object, a sound, a smell, a touch can trigger even the most of fondest of memories and I hope that somewhere down the track I'll be reminded of how I stumbled upon the perfect strappy sandals after months of searching while looking to buy a white button up shirt or the day I learnt how the panama hat got its name.

 Funny story that, I didn't realise there were genuine panama hats just like there are akubra. Workers wore them during the construction of the Panama Canal and it was made popular by President Theodore Roosevelt who donned one when he visited the site. 
8 comments , , ,

Copyright flourished & sunkissed. . Designed by BloggerTemplate