My Balayage Experience

Hello friends! So I finally got my hair done and I thought I’d share my experience with you!

For a while now, I’ve wanted to colour my hair, specifically to ombre/balayage it. I had a faint idea of what I wanted which was to colour the ends of my hair an ashy blonde or light brown. As it was my first time dying my hair I didn’t know what to expect or what I needed to ask for in detail. So it definitely helped that the hairstylist I had was patient with all my questions and took the time to explain everything for a first timer like me.

The appointment started at around 12:30pm and lasted 2.5hours (which is what you would expect from a colouring appointment such as this). I showed my hairdresser photos of what style and colour I was after and she immediately went to mix the right colours for me to get my dark brown hair ‘lifted’ for an easier colouring application.

The first thing they will do is bleach your hair. My hairdresser asked me whether I wanted to bleach the entirety of my hair ends or to mix it with my natural hair, to which I asked for them to mix it with my natural hair as I didn’t want to do anything too drastic my first time. I also kept the top part of my hair with its natural colour so I didn’t damage it too much with a full head bleaching. It should be noted that each stylist will balayage differently so don’t worry if the YouTube tutorials you’ve been watching don’t follow the same method as the stylist you get. What my stylist did was separate my hair into sections and bleached smaller parts and folded it with foil. This was kept in my hair for about 20 minutes.

Next, the bleach was washed out to reveal a bright yellow colour (note that this is what should happen according to my hairstylist). After washing the bleach out, a toner is added which is what will give your bleached hair the colour you want. I did ask how this was different from normal hair dyes you may buy at the supermarket and the difference is that hair dyes can change your natural hair colour while toners will only change your bleached hair colour. However, like hair dyes, toners will fade over time, at which you may want to re-tone your hair or go for a completely different style. At this point, I was asked if I wanted a really blonde colour (like in the photo I showed her) or a darker blonde colour. I wanted a blonder colour but my hairdresser assured me that having a darker colour would mean that after a few washes it would become lighter and that it was more worth it starting off with a darker colour.  So that is what I went with.

After the toning, my hair was shampooed with a nutrient-rich shampoo that was specific for coloured/damaged hair. I can say that with this shampoo, my hair has felt silky smooth for the past few days without any feeling of damage from the bleach.

My hair was then cut (which for me meant a little trim to get rid of split ends) and then blow-dried. My hairstylist then styled my hair into curls before revealing the final product after 2.5hrs of work. I have to say I am quite pleased with the result, but I wish the colour was a bit more noticeable in photos haha. But I guess that also depends on lighting.

Right now I’m just waiting for my coloured hair to lighten up a bit. But it’s still at a very natural and subtle stage which I don’t mind. Next time, I may re-tone my hair a brighter blonde or a lighter brown so it is more noticeable. Or if I’m feeling confident, I may even bleach my own hair and save a bit of money haha.

So that’s my update. Let me know if you’ve recently had your hair done (if it was self-done or at a salon), was it what you were expecting or if there is anything you would change?

you can see the different coloured strands at the top of my head

looks more brown than blonde in this light hmm

City Trip

I’ve realised that I rarely take the time to appreciate the city I live in. The fact is that Sydney has always just been ‘home’ to me, similar to that feeling when something becomes familiar so it loses a bit of its magical appearance. It’s a place where I’ve grown up, where I’ve gone to school and where my friends and family live. But just recently, it hit me, that despite having lived in Sydney my whole life, I haven’t even begun to explore all that this beautiful city has to offer. I have yet to travel to many of the beaches here, or eat at some of the smaller unknown cafes tucked into random corners of the city. But this year, I’m more determined to try new things and see a different side to Sydney. This definitely means that more food adventures and sight-seeing escapades will be on the agenda for 2016 haha. So in this post I will recap a little bit about one of my first in-depth explorations of Sydney.

Pyrmont Bay Park

Since I was young, I associated going to the city as a family adventure or a trip just for special occasions. But ever since uni started, going to the city has lost some of that special meaning, with shopping and lunch dates becoming the norm during uni days. That is until a city trip with the family to celebrate my mum’s and I’s belated birthday.

It was a Sunday, so my family and I started the day with mass at our usual cathedral before we proceeded towards Sydney’s CBD for a late lunch at Critinis. The pasta I had wasn’t particularly great, but my brother enjoyed his spaghetti and my parent’s definitely enjoyed their seafood platter. I’m not usually a fan of seafood, so any piece that I enjoy is actually a big compliment haha. And I have to say the scallops were quite delicious! They were served with vermicelli noodles that were dipped into a smoky-tasting sauce which was the perfect addition to the sweet taste of the scallops: 4/5 stars for that!

Seafood platter for 2

Scallop yummy!

#flatflay

Next my brother and I took a tour of the Australian National Maritime Museum and checked out some of the docked vessels that are open for display on the wharves of Darling Harbour. First we explored the Destroyer HMAS Vampire, which is one of Australia’s largest museum vessels and the “last of the nation’s big-gun warships”.

View from outside the Destroyer HMAS Vampire

View from a door on the Destroyer HMAS Vampire

Second we climbed into the Submarine HMAS Onslow. Seeing how small the living quarters were and how close everything was, it wasn’t hard to imagine how difficult it would have been to be one of the hundreds of men sharing a small space with everyone else in a hot tin can under the water. I would not have been able to survive, but seeing all the food tins and Captain’s quarters and engines and periscope on display certainly made me appreciate what they had to endure during World War 2. To make the experience more real, there are volunteers you can find in any part of the vessel equipped with the knowledge to answer any of your questions.

Lastly, we checked out the Tall Ship HMB Endeavour, which was a replica of Captain Cook’s famous vessel when he first discovered Australia. It felt a bit like going onto one of Jack Sparrow’s ships from Pirates of the Caribbean (but much cleaner haha). I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it, but seeing my brother so excited about learning the history of these vessels was enough for me to enjoy my time there too.

Tall Ship Endeavour

In addition to exploring the Vessels, our Big Ticket granted us access to the Action Stations and the Special and Permanent exhibitions. This allowed us to check out the Navigators Gallery (which displayed exhibitions defining Australia), the Eora First People Gallery (which displayed the diverse cultures of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities) and the Passengers Gallery (which displayed the long sea voyage millions of people have taken to make new homes in Australia). Not only was I able to learn a bit more about the history of Australia’s naval fleet, but I was able to experience and better understand the stories and historical events that have made us into the multicultural nation we are today.

One of the exhibits at the museum

I have to say, I’m sure you do trips like this when you’re in primary school, but it’s different when you choose to go on a tour like this by yourself without the constant nagging of teachers. I definitely felt like I appreciated everything a lot more and that my mind was more open to absorbing information. I really enjoyed this day and I’m glad that my brother was the one who suggested we do this. I would recommend doing this tour to anyone who has an interest in these types of vessels or if you’re just keen to learn!

It was a particularly hot day that we went, so we ended our visit with ice teas from Chatime. Remember to always stay hydrated!

For this city trip, I opted for high waisted denim shorts with a black and white top for a classic colour combo. This was completed with comfortable white sandals because being in the city means walking, and you want to be able to walk around without your feet aching haha! Check out some of the photos of my outfit below.

To Terrigal

I recently went on a trip with 16 other friends to Terrigal on the Central Coast for three days and two nights. Let’s just say that beyond the fun times, beach-side games and late night drinks, Terrigal is actually a very chill and relaxing place. It’s a family friendly get-away from the city (with many people bringing their pets with them!) where you can opt to soak up the sun on the main beach or go exploring at Terrigal’s quieter and more secluded beaches. In this post, I’ll recap what we did during the three days, what we ate and the places we stayed while on a budget (because when you’re on holidays, the last thing you want to worry about is what the maximum is that you can spend without feeling guilty).

To start off with, I want to say thankyou to the people who organised this trip for everyone! They put in so much effort and I think it really paid off because it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience 🙂

#memesoc at Terrigal

Ok so first thing I want to mention is accommodation.

I’m sure you’ve heard of Airbnb. If not, it is a hosting site where people can list their houses/rooms for rent to people looking for a cheap place to stay. These places have all the facilities that an average home has including TV’s, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and garages for your cars if you’re driving up yourself. Most houses will also offer fresh towels and clean bed sheets with each visit. Essentially you get to live like a local during your stay without the hefty prices some other accommodations charge you.

So what we did was rent two Airbnb homes within walking distance to accommodate our large group. But let me tell you, the main house where we put all the food was located on a very steep hill from where the second house was located. That trek up for lunch and dinner was a bit painful but we made it work HAHA! The cost for the two nights’ accommodation worked out to be around AUD$55 per person which was pretty worth it. On top of the cost, the second house, where I stayed, was only a 5min walk from Terrigal beach, a fact which we definitely took advantage of. I was actually very surprised at the quality of the Airbnb homes we stayed in and for the cheap cost, I will be sure to look at Airbnb homes first when I do any travelling!

The view from the top house

The second thing that should be considered in planning a trip is food and how everyone is going to be fed. On the day we first arrived, we ate lunch at a nearby cafe at our own expense while we waited to be checked-in. Our dinner that night was pizza which we had delivered and was part of the overall trip expense. Note; if you don’t feel like cooking and you’re with a big group of people, pizza is always a fast and easy option for a meal.

Playing at Terrigal beach

On our second day, breakfast consisted of croissants, muffins and banana bread which a friend brought from his café. For those who wanted milk with their breakfast, there was a local IGA which was a 5min walk from the second house. Lunch on the second day involved a bit of preparation with people from the main house pulling apart four bbq chickens bought from the supermarket and adding parsley and other garnishes to it. This could be eaten as it was or could be put on top of slices of bread to make a wholesome, cheap chicken sandwich. Note; if you don’t want to spend time washes up too many dishes and cutlery (which may not be provided at your Airbnb to begin with), come prepared with plastic plates and cutlery which can be easily thrown out afterwards. Dinner on the second day consisted of Thai takeaway which was included in the expenses.

Midnight chills by the beach on the second night

On the third day, we woke up early to clean up so we could check-out in time. This meant we would be buying our brunch before we headed back home. Our large group split off to eat what we wanted. The group I was with ate at a nearby restaurant that was serving $10 big breakfast’s with a complimentary cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. After spending the last two days eating take-out and home-made food, this breakfast was one of the best I had ever had! HAHAHA on top of that we had American pancakes which were basically pancakes with maple flavoured bacon! It was like a symphony in my mouth, simply delicious for my last meal in Terrigal.

And now onto the activities.

Terrigal beach

On the first day we arrived, the weather was quite gloomy and rainy. Thankfully the weather cleared up just as we finished checking in and settling into our house. The group from the second house decided to go to Terrigal beach where we played some beach footy, soccer and water games. The group from the second house opted for some more relaxing activities such as yoga, sleeping and chilling. After washing up, we all came together for dinner and of course… drinking games. It was my first time playing King’s Cup and I have to say it’s pretty fun HAHA!

The second day started off a bit slower thanks to the previous night’s activities. So after lunch, one member from our group suggested we go to a more secluded beach that was a 15min drive away. I would definitely suggest Googling different beaches/places to explore when you visit tourist areas because the more known beaches are often crowded and dirtier. Of course if you want the protection of lifeguards, the smaller beaches won’t be patrolled, but if you take care of each other, the peacefulness of the smaller beaches and the cleaner sand definitely outweighs any benefits of the main beach. So off we went to Spoon Bay which is located within Wamberal Lagoon Natural Reserve.

The view from the top of the bay

Follow the path down from the top and you’ll reach the sandy beach

It was seriously so beautiful there! We were probably the only group there for a while and that allowed us relax and do as we pleased. It was quite a hot day so jumping into the cool refreshing water felt so good! We played some water games, beach soccer and even had some wrestling matches HAHA while some took to getting their tan on. Note; don’t forget to bring towels, and a backpack full of water, sunscreen, hats, umbrellas, tissues and whatever you think you may need. Because when you’re quite far from everything, you won’t be able to go back to retrieve anything you forget. Better to come prepared with everything!

The water was so clear

The sand was so clean

Later in the day, we decided to walk towards the cliff side of the beach and walked on the rock structures. The view from above was incredible and made for some Instagram-worthy photos HEHE after a few hours we headed back for a quieter night of games and less drinking.

Rock structures towards the left of the beach

“Wave after wave, slowly drifting”

Spoon Bay, Wamberal Beach, Terrigal

On our last day, there wasn’t much to do as everything was already packed. So after brunch, we chilled by Terrigal beach before heading back home.

And there you have it! My recap of my trip to Terrigal (my first trip with friends not organised by a school or uni too)!

Let me know of any places you’ve been with friends and what activities are the best to do with a large group of people, also what accommodation you find to be the best! Ok that’s all from me, see you guys soooooon!

Terrigal beach

Towards the right side of the beach there is a kiddy pool and natural rock structures

HELLO, IT’S ME

Hello friends, wow has it been a while! And seeing as the new year is just around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate that I’d do a little review of the second half of the year, and take some time to reflect on the year that has been 2015.

hello, it’s me

For starters, I have now officially finished the first year of my university degree! Only 4 more years to go!! Honestly when I started uni this year, I was nervous – about making new friends, fitting in, worrying about whether my degree was what I actually wanted to do – and at the same time I was excited – to start living my life and experiencing everything that uni has to offer. And boy did this year not only exceed expectations, but it allowed me to realise that everything I’ve done so far has been part of what I like to call … THE UNI EXPERIENCE *cue bright lights and ethereal music*

High tea with the Hierarchy 🙂

#memesoc at Terrigal 🙂

Let’s go back to the beginning of the year when I went to the orientation camps for both the business part of my degree and the law part of my degree. This was where I had my first experience with alcohol and also where I made some good friends who I’m pretty sure I would never have met otherwise. Speaking of which, I recently went on a trip with my law group of friends to Terrigal for three days and two nights where there was (you guessed it) more alcohol and chill times. I didn’t go away for schoolies (a week after final yr 12 exams end and before results come out), so before going on this trip I was very excited. And honestly I had the best three days that I could have asked for! (Check out my more detailed report of the trip here).

Spoon Bay, Wamberal Beach, Terrigal

Spoon Bay, Wamberal Beach, Terrigal

Continuing on with uni, if you remember back to my TOO LONG (A ‘REVIEW’ OF MY FIRST SEMESTER AT UNIVERSITY) post I mentioned that by the end of this year I would have “joined and actively participated in a society I am passionate about” and would have achieved a “more positive, confident outlook on my university life”. I am glad to say that I have made this happen! I became more active in a society called the Catholic Asian Students’ Society (CASS), where I am currently the Treasurer at my uni. I am so happy that I joined this society because it’s not just a society, but it’s really a family with branches across the four main uni’s in Sydney. I have gotten a lot closer to my faith as well and am eager to learn more next year. The friend’s I have made through CASS are also people who are genuinely amazing with so much love and faith to share. Recently at the annual Christmas party (which happened to fall on my birthday) they surprised me with a birthday cake which I was not expecting! It was a small gesture but I really felt so loved and that I was finally in a great place with my university life.

Enlarge the photo for the Christmas puns!

Apparently I was only turning 1 HAHA

The second half of this year also saw me getting more involved with food, so much so that I went to an INSTAFOODIE Event specifically for enthusiastic foodies from the Instagram community. We went to One Tea Lounge and Grill located on York St near Wynyard Station for a night of fire, ice and delicious food! Check out my Instagram here for pics of the food from the night. Also this year, I went to the Night Noodle Markets for the first time. I have to say, being at uni in the city definitely makes it easier to stay back after classes to meet up with people and head off to events such as this one. There were so many different styles of food available (all with an Asian flavour) that I managed to go three times! In fact this is where I was introduced to One Tea Lounge’s featured Ramen Burger Sliders and their famous Ice Cream Baogers *omnomnom* A particular story pops to mind with this event. So on one of the nights when I went with a friend, we decided to go for some drinks afterwards. And to our surprise we were chatted up by a couple of guys HAHAHA it was legit one of the funniest experiences for both of us!

Ramen and Rice Beef Sliders at the Night Noodle Markets

Fried icecream in a deep fried bao from Gelato Messina

Ice Cream Baogers with a white Ferroro Rocher ice cream patty

9+ Wagyu Beef on a sizzling hot plate and the flaming wagyu volcano

Continuing with the ‘new experiences’ topic, I finally got around to getting my Provisional Driver’s Licence this year! I think I spent about two years as a Learner (meaning I had to drive with a fully licensed driver beside me at all times), so having that freedom to drive whenever and wherever I wanted was both exciting and scary. But now I love the independence I get from driving without bothering my parents to pick me up and having the ability to go to work without having to take public transport. Speaking of work, this year was also the first year I started working. Not only have I developed stronger conversational skills with customers but that feeling of earning my own money feels great!

Yay for passing my driving test!

A sunrise that can only be seen right before I head off to work

One last thing that I had the opportunity to do was attend a BIGBANG concert in Sydney!!! My word, I remember my friend introducing me to K-pop (Korean Pop) almost five years ago and I remember being so hesitant to like it. But now I have a deeper appreciation for it than I thought would be possible. BIGBANG was one of the first groups I listened to and all their songs are amazing. They are very creative with their sound and also self-produce most of their songs which is no small feat. I also remember telling my friend that if they ever came to Sydney I would be going no matter the price, day, time, year, anything! And I am soo happy that they did come Down Under. They really know how to put on a show and I enjoyed every last minute of it! (They’re more beautiful in real life I swear… and their voices ermahgosh it’s like they swallowed their CD!) Can’t wait for the day that I can travel to South Korea and watch them perform live again (and also to see my other favourite groups and try authentic Korean cuisine :)) Check out some of my fancams here, here and here.

During their ‘If You’ stage

During their ‘We Like to Party’ stage

Seungri!

Taeyang with the voice of an angel!

T.O.P rapper: my ultimate bias!

So as Christmas draws near, and New Year’s soon after, I have another message for myself… take care of yourself and enjoy everything. Do the things you’re passionate about because that way you’ll be able to enjoy it more, get the most out of it and not waste your time. Don’t get caught up in the ‘what-ifs’ and the ‘maybes’, just do it! Never think that you’re alone, and don’t be ashamed to ask for help if you need it. I have a good feeling about 2016, so let’s get out there and make it the best year yet!

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!