“Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”—Henry Miller

Jo Mercer booties, ASOS clutch bag, Lovisa necklace, Trenery dress

Sometimes I carry a clutch bag to work, even if it is pretty big.  It's kind of cool to only have my phones, some cash, pen and note pad with me.  It's also a great excuse to treat myself for a lunch out, something I don't do very often anymore since I'm a really responsible adult now who accounts for every dollar spent and all that.  And all those things. 

It's absolutely freezing at the moment and pitch black for most of the day.  It's been a weird year so far.  I have moments of absolutely content and bliss where I feel at peace and then moments where I feel like an imposter, like I don't deserve it.  This is the year where I tell myself that not everything in life has to be a battle.  I'm slowly learning to let go of the constant guilt that has been compounding.  Earlier this year I quit everything that was for me.  I stopped exercising and writing.  I hadn't done anything for myself in months.  I hadn't read a book in so long.  I hadn't slept.  I was sick all the time and I never bothered to stop and get better.  Since then I've let some people go.  Why must I make all the effort, you know?

 

Rain, rain

Image via Country Road

It has been raining non stop for the past 3 days.  That constant drizzle.  Rain drops on the roof and trickle down the gutters.  The front garden is littered with brown leaves from the Magnolia tree.  The days are getting shorter and nights are getting colder. Summer is over.  When a season ends I always look ahead and wonder just WHAT it is that I wore last winter.  How did I survive the endless bone breaking chill?  

I have the foundations for my winter wardrobe.  I have flat knee high boots which only get better with age.  I have leather leggings and my DL1961 jeans fit perfectly for now.  Now I want a thousand knits and a thousand scarves and a thousand Bassike long sleeve tees to layer under said knits.  And everything else I want to throw in the bin.  That's fair, right?

Tales from New Zealand: Life in Queenstown

I've well and truly been missing from the blogosphere and I'm sincerely sorry about that.  Winter sees a real lull in energy levels for me.  I run from the office, straight home to the ducted heating and don't dare leave the house much.  And this year my energy levels have been the lowest in years, so I figure it's best not to post much at all.

Queenstown was an amazing place.  It is like a fairy tale.  You could fool anyone that you are at any ski resort in the world and they would be non the wiser.  Photos do not do it justice.  It is picturesque, warm, friendly inviting and relaxing.  As soon as I arrived I didn't want to leave.  I take heart in the fact that it is a cheap 3 hour plane ride away.

The weather was warm, perhaps a little too warm which meant that all the mountains were closed for skiing, but the amazing house that I got to call home, as well as the delicious food I got to eat surely made up for it.  I think I will reserve a post just for "eating my way around Queenstown".

The descent into Queenstown through the mountains from Wanaka.

 

The view from my bathtub on a cold and foggy morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long, LONG walks along the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just me and the ducks. And my backpack.

Tiny bit of snow.  And I did quickly tire of wearing the same clothes every day.

Little guy!

Yarra Valley

I am (mostly) a city girl and love the metropolitan life.  But equally so I have an intense need for the countryside.  As much as I love my bucket of hair products and high heels I equally adore fresh air, muddy walks, trees and open space.  As a child I spent my summers with my grandparents in their village, chasing chickens and getting lost in the fields with our dog, Meri. 


Lucky then that within an hour drive out of Melbourne, there is plenty of open space and fresh air.

Hat-Sportsgirl Florentina, Fur Wrap-Scanlan & Theodore, Vest-MK2K, Leggings-Supre, Boots-Zomp

Power puff

This is the first winter I haven't actually dreaded. I have a lovely trip planned for the middle of it and I've slowly built up a great winter wardrobe, covering the key pieces and adding lots and lots of scarves for a change.

I'm usually in denial about how cold it gets and am reluctant to spend money on key winter pieces. Somehow it makes more sense to blow a fortune on an amazing dress than a stellar winter coat. Yeah, no logic I know.

I've finally splurged on a stunning wool and cashmere wrap coat and have succumbed to the Scanlan & Theodore fur wrap after considering it each winter of the past 4 years.

And today I found a winter skirt that I've wanted for years, and that never seemed to exist in store, only in my mind. I'm loving the slight puff, the gold colour and the stiff raffia. I'm thrilled that Cue is back to its old self. And it looks even better on.

Reasons to Wolford

If I was Oprah and I had the opportunity to share my favourite things, it would be easy for me to choose.  Everyone would get the exquisite Gordon Ramsay for Royal Doulton Platinum dinner set that I am completely obsessed with right now.  The J Brand 901 waxed jeans.  And some Wolford tights.

It took me forever to take the Wolford plunge, but little did I know that they are indestructible, I would have taken the plunge a lot sooner.  Where most tights tear within a couple of wears, Wolfords stand the test of time.  Third winter for my first pair.  Not bad.

For someone like me, who wears variations on a daily basis (opaque tights, black tights with a seam at the back, which are impossibly sexy, as well as my new obsession-polka dot tights) what is there not to love?  They cover skin imperfections, tuck bits in, hold warmth and best of all, make shoes comfortable by absorbing the friction between the skin and shoe.

"Each man should frame life so that at some future hour fact and his dreaming meet" - Victor Hugo

It hasn't really sunk in yet that the item at the top of my bucket list is about to be ticked off.  But not without work and sacrifice.

What's been new with me?

3 jobs.  A complete style overhaul. Constant racing around town.  Overcommitting.  Stress. A return to the gym (exercise makes me feel alive). Anxiety. A forcedly really well kept to-do list - what a revelation.  A diary to keep track of my life in 30 minute blocks.  And I'm not even a high flying, in demand celebrity.  Working hard for 3 months to get to do something I've always wanted to do?  TOTALLY WORTH IT!

For the past 3.5 weeks I've also had a house guest.  Someone who knows someone who knows someone I know.  Who packed a backpack to come to the other side of the world for love only to be told at the airport that he was feeling flat?  Cue 3 nights of sleeping on strangers couches which broke my heart, so I took her in.  The least I could do was provide a warm bed, some dinners and lend an ear.  I hope I was a good host.

Another Melbourne winter is coming to a close.  Another Melbourne winter of me defaulting to layers of knits.  I've had this picture handy for inspiration but haven't mastered being warm and stylish just yet... I'll try again next year... Summer is better.

via the sartorialist

via the sartorialist

via tumblr

Chunky Knit

I've been eyeing off this Marant chunky sweater for winter... something to wear with a leather skirt, jeans, black minis and boots.  Except it was sold out and about AUD320.

Suppose this River Island sweater will have to do.  AUD63

Wishful Wednesday

It's been a long and hard week and it's only Wednesday morning.  There is just so much going on and I don't really like to write when I'm feeling blue.  Joy is for sharing and I'm sure this anxiety and stress will pass with time.  The phone makes me jumpy, no amount of sleep is enough...  I cannot find a book shelf that's the right size for the corner so my books are languishing in boxes.  A pet hate.  Weeks after moving in there's still things in boxes.  And they're some of my favourite things.  The custom made dining table is taking far too long.  As is the couch.  The old furniture is doing the lovely open space no justice at all.

Some inspiration and wishes this Wednesday includes...

Fall and winter foot wear.  After 4 years of freezing feet, I think I'm sorted for the upcoming winter.  The below black booties tempted me in the nude suede, but I think the black leather is a smarter option.  Warm, dry feet here I come.  Not to mention how surprisingly comfortable they are.

Speaking of beige suede, I couldn't resist these for the weekends.  Teamed with floral skirts, tights and oversized knits/aviator jackets.

After much searching for a floral mini skirt for winter, I find one on ASOS for £9.00 and free shipping! Did someone say it's meant to be??

My mum hasn't been to visit in almost 18 months.  She's coming in 3 weeks and I'm petrified.  She's very particular about everything including the way I fold my tea towels, the order in which I hang up my clothes on the line, the colour of my nail polish... just to name a few.  I think I need to go into domestic lock down to prepare for her arrival.  And I still haven't touched my front garden, which needs a LOT of work.  Can someone send me their gardener and pool boy, please?  Or more realistically, provide me some useful advise for my first (winter) front garden. 

An autumn trip to the Barossa Valley is locked in.. I cannot wait until May.  Better start putting my play money away for some serious bottles of wine to bring home...

Kisses x