Tis the Season

Christmas has finally returned for another family-filled, food-filled and fun-filled couple of days. And seriously I feel as if it has arrived so much faster this year than previous years. As one of my customers said at work, “as you get older, the years go by faster,” and I have realised that this is more true than I thought possible! This year for instance has come and gone so quickly if feels like only yesterday when I was still ‘studying’ for finals (thank goodness though that I’m free from uni until next March HEHE). Anyways I have prepared a little taste of what my Christmas looks like as well as a special Christmas outfit for you guys, so please enjoy!

Christmas to me has always meant family gatherings, large meals, Christmas mass and of course Christmas carols. Surprisingly, I have a renewed love for Christmas carols and just the thought of everyone coming together and singing with so much energy and fun brings me such joy. Like recently at the CASS Christmas party (mentioned in my last post), a group of us sang carols with guitars playing and harmonies ringing. Everyone was smiling and joining in and it’s such a warm feeling being there in the moment.

Another Christmas tradition I grew up with is my Godparent’s Christmas-Eve party where families come together to celebrate. I unfortunately only get to see everyone once a year at this party because they’re not my blood relatives but catching up is always fun. At this party there is always a scrumptious selection of Christmas meals complete with ham and jam and turkey (no need to worry about getting midnight snack cravings!)

Christmas family dinner

After dinner, the young kids prepare a re-enactment of the birth of Jesus Christ. And yours truly played Mary. It’s interesting to see that as everyone gets older, the roles get handed down to the younger generations. For instance I played the Angel when I was younger and my brother played the Little Drummer Boy. These roles were passed down to the younger children last night and my brother was promoted to Joseph HEHE. After the play we sang Christmas carols and enjoyed some desserts before leaving for the night.

This year as well, I watched as the little kids opened their presents and I felt like a child with them! Seeing them rip open the wrapping paper and seeing their faces light up from the goodies underneath was so nostalgic. As I get older, wrapped presents become less of the norm and “Red Packets” become the easier option for relatives to give. So being there in the moment with them definitely brought back good memories.

For my actual Christmas day, this started off with a Christmas mass at my usual cathedral and a roast lunch made by my dad! Seriously the roast pork was en point hehe. Later in the day, I headed off to a friend’s party which was a great way to spend my Christmas with both FAMILY and FRIENDS.

Sausages straight from the bbq

Asian roast lunch complete with rice hehe

And now for the Christmas outfit special that I wore for the Christmas-Eve party. I went for a red and black patterned maxi skirt that I thought was quite festive. I matched this with a plain black tee and a simple chain necklace. For my hair, I plaited my damp hair in the morning and let it remain tied until the moment I was getting ready for the party (this meant that they were tied up for about 4-5hrs). This allowed me to create a wavy effect without the trouble of curling my hair or using heat (yay for lazy methods), and finally I set the waves with some hairspray (otherwise my hard earned curls would be straight within the hour).

And there you have it, my Christmas in a nutshell and a sweet-as blueberry cheesecake outfit to go with it! Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy it with family and friends! Let me know how you celebrate your Christmas/holidays!

Newtown Jammin’

A chilled and relaxed environment, colourful street art in the background, guitar in hand and a voice full of soul. Where am I?

Last week, a few friends and I took a trip to Newtown, a quaint suburb in Sydney known for its ‘hipster’ feel and an atmosphere that is completely inviting and comfortable to be in. Yes to positive vibes! Many of the buildings reign from the late Victorian and Federation period of Australia and still maintains its classic style. But of course, if you were to walk along the street today you won’t just encounter old buildings, instead you’ll come across skillfully drawn works of art on walls, some hidden in alleyways that are an explorer’s dream.

We had lunch in one of the cafe’s tucked away into the corner of one of these alleyways then headed off to find a ‘quiet’ place for us to bring out the guitar, rock out some solid harmonies and just jam. Of course, ‘quiet’ wasn’t quite what the place was, what with cars passing by every five minutes. But nevertheless we persevered, and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon singing amongst ourselves with little care in the world.

And it was great! The people passing by didn’t give us any disapproving looks as if to say ‘what are these delinquent children doing sitting on the side of the road?’ but it was as if they were enthralled and enjoyed what we were playing for them. It was as if they were used to this, and that it happened everyday. We ended our jam session with brownies, coffees and hot chocoloate. The perfect way to end a perfect day.

Suffice to say, I’m loving Newtown and for sure I will be returning for more!

Multi-purpose outfit for this adventure of a day included a blue chambray shirt under a grey cable knit turtle neck, black skinny jeans and of course my favourite white converse for a laid back, relaxed look to fit the hipster vibes ✌

“If you’re ever in one of those moods, where you feel like you need to get away, just think back to the good times, when there was laughter and smiles. Find your happy place and you’ll be good again.”

Uni Days

One of the things that has been the most difficult to adjust to for uni has been choosing what to wear each day. Of course you don’t want to turn up in the same jumper you wore yesterday or the same pants even. But with so many various pieces of clothing I’ve acquired overtime, I can’t help but drift back to the same jeans or same top or the same shoes just because they are so comfortable to wear.

So I thought to myself, what could I do to change up my usual black themed outfits and make it comfortable for a day at uni?

Introducing these light weight, drawstring, trousers I bought on sale from PaperScissors a while ago. On the tag, they were classified as ‘dressy pants’. If that’s not reason enough to love them, then maybe the fact that I can consider myself a little bit fancy by going one step above the classic jean look will do the trick! I love how classic and effortless this look was to put together and how comfortable it was to move around in it.

I paired it with a loose navy striped top from Dotti, as well as a teal coloured necklace for a pop of colour. Add a blazer and I think I’ll be work ready as well! Cheers to multi-purpose outfits 🙂

Stripes, Spots and Statement Necklaces

I am definitely an advocate for easy-to-wear, comfortable outfits that are both stylish  and modest. And if I can do a bit of mix and matching in the process, then all the better!
It’s been a while since I last posted here. Uni being the main cause of my absence. This post was actually meant to go up sometime last month (as you can probably tell by the bright shining sunlight which is so lacking in this Autumn season). But nevertheless, I have found some time to finally finish this post and share with you a new outfit!

It’s funny how before my Something Old, Something New post, I would never have thought to scour through the piles of clothes I have sitting in my wardrobe, other than to look for a particular top that I knew was there. So while attempting to do a bit of Spring cleaning and the seasonal transition into colder weather, I came upon this high-low skirt (with the tag still attached!) I bought this skirt a few years ago because it was on sale, and it came with a lovely teal belt (seen here) that I thought would be good to match with other outfits. The skirt on the other hand, seemed to be a bit more difficult to pair things with.

So I thought, if I’m going to wear this, I’m going to wear it with a striped top and a statement necklace to balance out the different patterns. And to my surprise, I think it worked! The key to my matching would have to be finding a common undertone throughout the three pieces, the obvious (and easiest) colour to match with was black. So now if someone told me I would be mixing more pieces together, I’ll be ready to pair it with anything, as long as there’s a common colour to get me started!

“Maybe if there are two of me, I’ll work twice as hard.”

The Floral Maxi

When I wear maxi dresses, I wear it with a side-split skirt so my legs don’t suffocate in the heat, and a bright display of floral colours, especially if I’m planning to dance the night away at a “Mexican Fiesta”!

I think there’s something quite romantic about wearing long, flowing maxi dresses, particularly if they are in floral prints and can be worn to compliment any summer/spring season. And this dress is no exception. Since my Formal at the end of last year, I’ve been intrigued by the many different cuts and styles of casual dresses, formal dresses, maxi’s, mini’s and basically anything that I can substitute with shorts for a more modest Sunday church look.

What I’ve been able to appreciate more recently, is just how easy it is to slip on a dress and be on my way, with there being less of a worry about matching a shirt with pants and shoes. Especially in the hotter seasons, wearing a flowing skirt rather than constricting pants is definitely an advantage for any person. And what I’ve come to like specifically, are dresses with slitted skirts that allow the fabric to easily move and create a refreshing air supply as you kick your legs forward.

Exhibit A: Take for instance this “Jarlo Millie High Neck Maxi Dress with Lace Insert” from ASOS which I wore for my Formal (the American equivalent of a Prom I would say). The light material, combined with the front slit, undoubtedly made it easier for me to dance in and move about, while at the same time allowing me to stay cool (by using one half of the skirt as a fan HEHE). I don’t know about you, but I’m sensing a recurring ‘floral flower’ theme happening here.

Exhibit B: If you are like me and love to dress a bit more fancy compared to your normal day-to-day wear (i.e. top and shorts), then a comfortable dress is definitely the way to go. What I liked about this particular maxi dress was that it had adjustable straps which could be fitted to my shape as well as a lovely fresh floral print complete with blue palm fronds and Hawaiian-esque flowers in a range of oranges and pinks.

There was also an included belt that I used to accentuate my waist and create a more fitted style. However this can also be removed and left as a loose fit dress as well. In addition, it also had a high split on the side of the dress which made walking that much more of a breeze.

All in all, I really thought that this maxi encapsulated a very easy-going summer-y vibe, perfect for this season. Not only are floral prints fun to wear, but they are a lot of fun to mix and match pieces with. I wore my dress with a denim jacket and my favourite open tan sandals. And of course a wide sunhat for sun protection!

Shine Bright Like a Sparkler

Courtesy of the aforementioned “Mexican Fiesta” at my friend’s 18th birthday party 🙂

Something Old, Something New

Some advice: if you ever find something buried deep in your mum’s or aunt’s closet, don’t pass it up. Dig it out, spray some perfume on it (sometimes closets smell) and TRY IT ON! I guarantee you will be thoroughly surprised with the results.

So I’ve recently started watching a TV show called, “The Vintage Clothes Show” where the host, Dawn O’Porter, meets individuals who only shop on the High Street (i.e. commercial shops/branded items). Dawn then attempts to change their view on vintage wear by showing them the unique factor and charming quality of pieces that can’t be found anywhere else. Almost all of these individuals start off with a distaste for vintage wear, seeing them as “old”, “smelly”, “daggy Grandma’s clothes”, or the most common belief, that “someone must have died in it”.

It’s amazing to see, as I watch on, the many different pieces Dawn has her clients try on. They are as much unique as they are timeless, representative of their respective fashion eras. In another segment, Dawn pays a visit to one of her clients and ‘raids’ the wardrobe of their mother/grandmother/aunt for some classic vintage pieces. At first glance, the pieces are too big and/or too daggy. But what does stand out, is the quality of a piece or the sentimental value it holds. Dawn then gets her Workshop Team to reinvent the vintage piece and bring it into the 21st Century.

The results are simply astounding and the clients are immediately overwhelmed with joy at the transformation of say, their grandmother’s super-shoulder-padded electric blue blazer, which has been brought in at the waist, shoulder pads removed and been turned into an amazing, and now wearable, 80s style jacket, perfect for a fancy night out.

Or take for instance, this Little Black Dress, which was initially too long and too plain for Alice’s taste. But after Dawn’s team reshapes it, lifts the hem and adds jewels from an old cardigan, Alice’s mother’s old vintage dress is turned into the perfect party dress.

BEFORE | Alice’s mum’s long and plain vintage LBD

AFTER | Metallic buttons are taken from an old cardigan and added to the neckline of the dress to create a more unique and eye-catching dress

AFTER | Alice’s “new” LBD brought in at the waist and hemmed higher for the ultimate reinvention of Alice’s mum’s vintage dress

Watching this show definitely inspired me to go through my own mother’s closet and through the numerous bags of clothes my aunt had given to me over the years. And as I did, I stumbled upon this little number.

On first impressions, it appeared to be a long, flowy top that once belonged to my aunt. It had an embroidered butterfly on the front with sequined detailing on the floral print. Immediately I thought it would make a lovely spring/summer time dress with its soft baby pink undertones and the bright pop of blues and oranges.

I was surprised to find that it was very light weight yet made to a very high quality. There was a bit of wear-and-tear with some sequins missing, but nothing too significantly damaged. Nothing a bit of sewing can’t fix!

I also like my dresses to have a bit of structure, so I added a teal blue belt at the waist to add shape to the dress (while also matching the flowers!) And voilà, I had reinvented an old a new summer dress that I could wear out and enjoy, rather then keeping it trapped in a bag.

For more of a modest look, I paired the dress with a mini blue cardigan and relaxed look tan-coloured sandals.

So next time you find something that belonged to your mother, or you find a top/dress that you didn’t know you had, don’t be afraid to bring it out and try it on! If it’s too loose, simply add a waisted belt to create a more flattering figure. If it’s too small to be a dress anymore, turn it into a top.

Because I am sure that there will be something just waiting to be reinvented and worn as a unique blast from the past!

Photos of Alice’s dress, courtesy of “The Lifestyle Channel“

Pockets A Plenty

The number one question I ask when looking for a potential pair of pants/shorts that may be coming home with me is, “do they have pockets?”

Seeing the fashion that is currently ‘in’, I am not very impressed. Namely, it is the length of denim shorts and the style of said shorts that I am starting to find common and way too short to leave anything to the imagination. Maybe it’s an inherent sense of my own bias speaking here, but unless you’ve got pin-like legs, and a bottom half that is in perfect ratio with the rest of your upper body, then it is impossibly hard to find shorts that are not only flattering but also practical.

Truthfully, I have indulged in buying several denim shorts over the years due to the fact that “they looked good on the model/hanger”, I needed some or they were on sale. However, the cut and fit is almost never exactly what they look like on the model as they are on me. And that’s a fact that I’ve accepted.

I have fairly stout legs, flat feet and a calf that is less than straight. So I do find it hard to wear shorts. And matching them with shoes as well! What a headache!

So recently, I’ve started looking for more wider cuts of shorts that flare out at the bottom or have a statement design to flatter my legs as well as ensuring maximum comfort when I’m out and about. I’ve also made sure to keep my eye out for potential items of clothing that I could wear to work in a corporate environment or just for a fancy day/night out.

So when I saw these shorts at Valleygirl, I was immediately drawn to them. Not only were they nicely designed and practical for everyday use (they had pockets! C’mon, like how could anyone resist pockets?), they were also on sale! Honestly my favourite word in any shopping situation!

Upon trying them on, I was immediately picturing what I could wear it with (while also admiring how they looked like a skirt but with the safety net of shorts). I loved the fact that they could be dressed up with some black heels or dressed down for a casual shopping day with flats or sandals. Along with that purchase, I bought a floral print top that is slightly sheer at the front and fully black in the back. The black undertones of the top matched perfectly with the shorts and I was quite surprised with how sophisticated the look was. Suffice to say, I was pleased with what I had put together.

In this, my first ever photoshoot, with the timer on my camera, I paired the top and bottom with a aqua-blue watch with gold outlining and a deep teal shoulder bag. I thought I would dress the outfit down a bit by wearing open tan-coloured sandals to convey the summer-vibes of the season. Loving the loungy style, I added an oversized black, white and maroon coloured knit which I thought was a nice addition to the pop of colour on the shirt. Plus, it’s a necessary, stylish addition to any outfit if the day is a bit chilly.

You probably don’t need me to tell you, but this has definitely been one of my favourite buys!