Valentino Retrospective - Brisbane

On my most recent trip to Brisbane I was very, very fortunate to get a couple of hours to visit the Valentino exhibit at GOMA.  I am so so proud of my home town for the major coup away from Sydney and Melbourne, both cities who claim to be the fashion capitals of Australia.

I would have liked a little more time at the exhibit perhaps, but the time I did have I thoroughly enjoyed.  Chances are I will never again be this close to haute couture.  Valentino was always my mum's favourite and quickly became mine and this exhibit featured some of his most memorable and iconic items.

Unfortunately they had run out books (I always buy way too many books at museum gift shops), but I did manage to sneak in some iPhone photos to share with you all.  Exhibit runs until 14 November.

the water looks so dirty after 3 weeks of non stop rain!

My absolutely favourite dress.  

the beading and the workmanship is exquisite. 

THE dress jacqui kennedy wore when she married aristotle onassis

Meeting Maggie

On Wednesday night after work, I made my way over to Hawthorn for the Melbourne leg of Maggie Alderson's book tour.  As I've fough my way through various commitments and challenges to find time to write and read more, Maggie has become one of my favourite writers.  She's an accomolished editor, columnist and novelist and a lovely and genuine person to boot.  Talk about being an inspiration and an aspiration! 

She was just as lovely and charming in person as she comes across through her witty tweets.  As her new novel, Shall We Dance, is set in a vintage store, she bought along some of her vintage finds for show and tell and spoke about vintage friendships - and making an effort to preserve relationships and communication with old friends - something I've written about and thought about a lot myself.  It saddens me to no end when I lose touch with people and I hate that maintaining friendships is sometimes such a chore and as hard as you might, people slip away...

Maggie is one of a handful of people who manages to get me out of bed early on a Saturday morning (sometimes it's B who's the one getting up as I beg him to go to the shops and buy me the paper so I can read Maggie's column - poor guy).  Her column is something I always manage to relate to.  It's been published for over 10 years and I hope it never ends!  Maggie's husband is Serbian, and she tells me he and their daughter are currently in Belgrade, the most vibrant underrated city in Europe.  Wish I could be there too....

And to top off a great evening, I ran into Semi Expat and got to meet Carly and Sophie.  Hooray for blogging friends.

Something strange is happening...

The more complicated my life becomes, the more I have tended to shop of late.  I am able to justify buying just about anything as a NEED (even though I know I don't need it) and it's starting to make me feel uneasy.  Sick. Guilty.  I am experiencing major buyers' remorse, hiding the purchases from myself and pretending they were never made.  For the first time in my life I have items in bags tucked into the back of the wardrobe, unworn.  I am the sort of person who only used to buy things she loves and could not wait to wear them.  I then continue on with my love of the item and wear it to death for many months to come on high rotation.

I haven't been able to figure out whether I am buying things emotionally or buying things that I don't truly love.  Or maybe I'm hiding the items because I feel so guilty about buying them, as there's more important things I need. 

I tend to get swept up in the emotion of the purchase without thinking it through. And it's only happened to me for the first time in the last few months.  I was never THAT kind of shopper.  Never the girl with a wardrobe full of unworn clothes.   I've bought hundreds of dollars of make up even though I basically only wear tinted moisturiser and mascara.  Eyeshadow doesn't suit me (or I don't know how to apply it), yet I have 3 Nars duos somewhere over the Pacific Ocean making their way to my already overflowing make up drawer.  And this continual guilt has made me feel guilt about going on holidays in December, even though I've not had a break or a holiday in over 20 months...

What I wish I'd done was purchase a Yves Saint Laurent Ovale Arty ring instead of the mountains of junk I've purchased of late... at least I've lusted over the ring consistently since April.  It would have been cheaper too...

images from blogdesushi.com and saks.com

“Realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted.” Anna Quindlen

Just some things that are inspiring me at the moment and that I'm looking forward to over the coming months.

draped Grecian looks in neutral colours

walks and jogs early in the morning in the fresh, sunny crisp spring air

short denim shorts

shoes being the statement in an outfit

3.5 week summer holiday

Madame Flavour teas

Benefit Dandelion blush

Hope you all have a fab week x

Ahead or behind?

One could say I'm a season behind.. while another could say I'm a season ahead.  Let me tell you why.

Last week, on my way home from work, I found myself at Zomp shoes... looking at boots.  Even though the following day was forecast to be 29C/84.5F!  If I need anything in Melbourne it's coats and boots, yet I struggle to justify spending good amounts on either.  Go figure!  I had identified a need for flat, rubber soled, leather boots many winters ago but couldn't find a perfect pair, until I stumbled upon these at 70% off the original price.  My footwear for next winter is solved, yet I still haven't found new summer sandals that I so need.  And wouldn't you know it, within 24 hours the temperature halved and it rained.  Love my new boots.

I also made use of the cool weather to do some cooking.  A rare luxury for me.  Considering the number of commitments that I've taken on this year, having a few spare hours to cook more than a stir fry makes me happy!  I made Krofne aka Serbian donuts.  Although mine didn't turn out as fluffy and light as Dragana's or my mum's.  They can be eaten sweet (sprinkled with sugar or nutella or jam) or savory with cheese spreads.  

Wishful Wednesday

Inner happiness...

"If you think happiness is found outside you, you will turn happiness into a search, a catch or a reward that you must earn. If, however, you know to find happiness in your inner self, then happiness becomes a compass, a teacher and an enabler that helps you to live your best life. A good starting point is to reflect on the question "When am I at my happiest?" People who follow their joy discover a depth of talent and creativity that inspires us all."

images via tumblr

Looks we love: sweaters

Cosy sweat, a bow and stripes.. What's not to love.

via madewell

Decisions, decisions....

I'm thinking the blush... Shakuhachi tube skirt

Salad Monday

While making my way home this evening, inappropriately dressed for how cold it was upon my return to Melbourne, I made a quick stop over at the grocery store.  As evidenced by my previous post, the weekend was very gluttonous with many desserts consumed! (and I didn't even post a photo of mum's birthday cake)


I am a big believer in the blood type diet (I'm not into diets in the weight loss sense of the word, but a way of life).  My blood type calls for a near vegetarian diet (and I swear when I follow it, even loosely, I feel a million dollars).  With unpacking, washing and catching up on emails ahead of me tonight, salad was on the menu for dinner - a rocket, pear and feta salad.  Two minutes to make and one of my favourites.  Sometimes I use vinegar or some lemon with the olive oil for a bit of bite..