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. 
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changing of the seasons.



When you have an exam on Monday, a 5000 word essay due on Friday and it's your last semester of your degree, and you decide to spend your Saturday in Bondi/ Paddington, you might need to consider making better life choices. But alas I did, and paying the price of late nights and early mornings and a whole lot of stress, 'what if I fail' scenarios and overloading my tiny brain. Yes I've even had to forgo my precious gym routine in order to get this work done (though if I'd started earlier - which I promise I planned to do, I wouldn't be in this situation).

Yesterday I accompanied Jack to P.Johnson tailors to get fitted for his bespoke suits. In the last few months he's probably spent triple the amount on clothes that I have and he's on a mission to complete his perfect wardrobe of basics, suits and dapper accessories. I was absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of choices available, not only in colours, lining and buttons but also the way the shoulders, collar, sleeves and pants are cut. I felt like Andy in the Devil Wears Prada when she laughs at two belts that to the untrained eye look exactly the same, because I honestly could not notice any of the subtle differences and when asked for my opinion I was speechless. I guess I'll just leave menswear to the pros. 

Zara top, Latopic skirt, Lack of Color hat, Karen Walker sunglasses.
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little things.


It's been forever hasn't it? I know, I know. You know you've been missing in action a little too long when a fellow blogger starts to question your existence (thanks for noticing Karen). Never fear my fashionable friends, I'm still alive and kicking. Just barely. Between finishing off my last semester at uni, increased hours at work and helping out at Basically Boutique, not to mention apply for full time jobs (do I really have to?), my mind is being pulled in fifty different directions at once. I have a 5000 word essay due next Friday worth 80% along with a ridiculously difficult Chinese exam standing between me finishing my undergraduate degree. As long as I don't fail. Hannah's reflection on life after uni and what's next captures my sentiments. For a while I've been dying to finish and get to a 9 - 5 routine but I honestly don't know if I'm ready for that just yet. 

I've been treating mo'self to some Aesop lately - the compact moisturiser to combat dry legs in the summer and the protective balm, which I've been holding out for for a month. The sales assistants were surprised I was so keen on a lip balm though in my defence I needed a new one and I figure I may as well add to my personal Aesop store. And yet another pair of sunglasses, this time in the perfect tortoiseshell that fit my flat Asian nose to a tee. 

Stilla CC Cream, Muji pen, Aesop protective lip balm and hand balm, Diva earrings and midi rings, Karen Walker sunglasses, Comme des Garcons pouch, Mad Love shorts.
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it's a jungle out there.


My previous post was all about the eternal hold that black (and it's various lighter shaded friends) has over my style choices and here I find myself wearing not one, but two leopard/ tiger/ animal print pieces. Say it ain't so. I have a penchant for loose fit shorts - denim, leather, gym and now I guess leopard. They're about the one thing that make my legs look longer and less stumpy (excluding the painfully inconvenient high heel). With my 'basics' wardrobe looking, well, fairly basic, there's always room for the odd print or coloured piece to sneak it's way in unobtrusively when I'm feeling adventurous. But I've never been partial to leopard. It must be that horrible association to the tacky faux fur coats or poorly printed cropped tops/ leggings. Don't get me wrong, I've always wanted to own a pair of leopard loafers. 

Leopard dislike aside, the moment I saw Christine walking towards me sporting her Kenzo cap, which I had tried so hard to hunt down months earlier, I just had to knick it off her for our post-shoot shoot (stay tuned for our next collab). And that's the story of how I came into possession of a double animal print affair. A rare occurrence that might be the first and last time you see me looking like this. 

  Kahlo tank, MLM shorts, Rag & Bone denim jacket, Isabel Marant sneakers, Christine's Kenzo cap, Roc Eyewear sunglasses.

 Images by Christine Ai
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the new black.

Man Repeller book, Calvin Klein bra, Tibi tank, Asos shorts, Comme des Garcons wallet.

Black is the new black. Always has and always will be. Despite my efforts to diversify the colours of my wardrobe, half is black, and the other half is made up of black's little sister, brother and cousin, white, grey and navy. In saying that, at least my blacks (well the one's I've purchased recently anyway) are patterned - sheer, embossed and textured. 

I've been bedridden for the last few days with some weird undiagnosable combination of a migraine + stomach ache and just about the only thing I can do is read because computer screens hurt my head. Lucky Leandra has been keeping me company, with her hilarious antics, characteristic wit, brutal honesty and her love misfortunes. It's been a great read so far - I would have finished it in a day but I've been savouring it like I would a cupcake. Most effective (and more healthy) in smaller doses. It's officially available in Australia at the end of this month but I just wanted to be one of the first here to read it. As you do.

For my lovely Melbournian readers, if you feel like a night of all things style and Spring Racing (along with some bubbly) head over to SABA in Chadstone tomorrow night from 6 - 9pm. Presenter and blogger, Rebecca Judd will be in attendance offering her personal picks and style tips.  There's 20% off everything in store for one night only (more if you bring friends along), gifts with purchase and plenty more surprises. All the details are here on the SABA Facebook page!
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