For the Love of Type

Despite appearances, I've always loved block sans serif typefaces. And I really love vintage typography. Don't be surprised if my next branding makeover will look remarkably similar to these.

L-R: fabian barral; PTMK - chopshop; alistairh; drawn.ca;

Sportsgirl Summer 2010

Floaty ballerina skirts are appearing everywhere right now. Worn back with a tough leather jacket to roughen up the femininity, a casual slub tee and formal brogues and you've got edgy cool.

I'm not usually one to hit the local high-street shops these days (preferring to shop indie labels online, or at least high-street shops we can't get here, hello! Topshop!), but I stumbled upon Sportsgirl today in my search for summer shoes. I have to say I am rather impressed with their dedication to the whole blogging and social fashion thing going on right now. They've got a rather nifty little blog with snaps of real girls styling it up on the street (always popular), and I've always liked their Style Me shoots (the clothes look so much better on a person than hanging in white space).

I'm particularly impressed with the good basics they're peddling. T-shirt dresses, slub tees...although I do notice a strong Balmain influence. Statement jackets seem to be the way forward, so I'm glad I've got my leather jacket already. No boyfriend jackets or jeans, not even a pair of black skinny jeans to be seen though. Actually none of those are to be seen anywhere in Australian retail at the moment. But I still like them, and I still see them on social fashion sites. I might just go ahead and buy them anyway (if I can find them). Don't know if that means I'm behind the times though.

Inspiration Carousel

Dailypoetics on Flickr has a beautiful nostalgic set called Boxes which she describes as "found * fragments * feelings * questions * silence * myths * spirit * story *** soliloquies".

Pretty sweet.

Inspiration Carousel

collection a day, PTMK via all the mountains,
bricolagelife, tabitha emma,
morran, claire prenton

How to Wear...Corset Bra

agogofashion; camerafilmroll; OlivaFH

If you read my last Style Sleuth post then you'll notice that corset bras are taking centre stage again. These are three outfits I discovered over on Chictopia, each with slightly different styling. These are some ideas I've put together on how you can wear this sexy little number yourself.


- Skinny, distressed black jeans
- Boyfriend blazer with sleeves pushed up
- Platform pump heels
- Loose, textured hair & tough accessories
[Helps if you've got a flat tummy!]

- High-waisted shorts will give you more coverage, but why not try some high-waisted harem pants/shorts for something different?
- A boyfriend blazer is the easy choice, but a cute retro inspired jacket with the harem pants is edgy and cool.
- Some hot platform heels in a bold colour
- Chic accessories

- Not many can get away with a corset bra in the office, but if you're lucky enough that you can...
- Keep to two colours to tie it all together
- Go for good quality wide-leg pants and fitted blazer
- Elegant accessories like this bangle
- Some comfy flat shoes
- Stylish briefcase on wheels - nice!

If you haven't already guessed it by now I've ordered myself a corset bra. I chose the stripy navy and white bralet by Topshop - but any of these would be awesome too!

Vintage Loveliness

top - clockwise: nick bowers, hindsvik vintage,
renee anne, emilie smith.

axel gross

middle - clockwise: unknown (via ffffound), candi mandi
apartment therapy, fresh home.

sweet sweet life

The Single Girl's Guide to Valentine's Day

jayxxbe
After writing my little guest post over on the Twin Set blog (themed around how to wear their dress the Annabelle for Valentine's Day), it occurred to me that this is the first time in 8 years that I'll be spending VD alone. Which, surprisingly I'm not depressed about at all. But it got me thinking, what does a single lady do on VD? And this is what my marvelous brain came up with:


Sirichai Tichakorn via sxc.hu
Girl's Day In
Yes, you can wait till evening and get totally blotto hitting the tiles with your girlfriends - but what the heck do you do for the rest of the day? Cue an indulgent day of pampering. If you have the financial resources there are loads of girl's pampering packages (catering towards hen's nights etc). Beauticians will come to your home and give you and your girlfriends massages, facials, pedicures & manicures. And you can have a good chin wag while you're at it.

No moolah? No worries, time to DIY! You can make your own natural facial mixtures, dip your feet in a bucket/tub of warm water with aromatherapy oils, give each other manicures... Blast some girl power music, gossip the day away and indulge in being a girl. Some gorgeous flowers around the house and some decadent food wouldn't go amiss either. You could even have a cupcake baking fest in the kitchen (crikey, might do that one myself). Check out SpaGoddess on Etsy for some oh-so-lovely handmade spa goodies.


Obliterated
Girl's Night Out
So you're all pampered up and feeling gorgeous? Time to don those heels and go dancing! I hear the best dancing can be had at gay bars - where the music is fabulously cheesy (Kylie Minogue, hello?) and obviously the guys don't hit on you. Sounds like the perfect recipe for silly, girly fun.

Alternatively you could try a Latino club. Nibble on tapas, sip sangria and burn the floor with your salsa-esque moves. I'm pretty sure there will be one or two gentlemen willing to help out as dance partners. For those of you in Syd, check out Sydney Salsa Scene for venues and events.


Cracks in My Front Door
Try Something New
Old-school theme park? Lawn-bowls? Paintball? Dance class? Rollerskating? Get together and try something you've never done before (or are still totally hopeless at). I'm determined to one day take my friend C to Luna Park in Sydney at night - dodgem cars, roller coasters, ghost train, ridiculously overpriced hotdogs and fairy-floss. All amongst glittering night lights and Sydney harbour, what's not to love?

Barefoot bowls has really taken off in Australia recently. Clubs are opening their doors to people of the younger generation to have a go a lawn bowls. And since none of us have the requisite footwear appropriate to the delicate grass surface - you're allowed to go barefoot. And the drinks are super cheap. Whatever you decide, as long as you're doubled over in fits of laughter you'll feel the benefits.


Renata Chebel
Pajama Party
Bring back the fun of childhood sleepover parties and invite the girls overs. Rent out a bunch of movies and lay out the doonas and pillows. And pajamas are a must, check out Peter Alexander for some cool togs if you're one of those people who don't own pjs.

Aside from the compulsory popcorn you can be totally silly and make kids party food - fairy bread, ice-cream sundaes (or even spiders!), cupcakes. Guaranteed that everyone will think you're loopy for the first 5 seconds and then they'll be totally into it.

What are you planning this Valentine's Day?

iWish Wednesdays: 20.02.10 New Years Resolutions

monday's list - sfgirlbybay
I suppose it's obligatory to have a post sometime in January stating your hopelessly optimistic resolutions for the year ahead. Wouldn't want to disappoint you. And since iWish Wed's should be about more than useless consumerism, here we are:

Once Upon opening - Once Upon/Leeloo

Go to more art openings and events
Sounds simple enough, but I'm eternally lazy and socially shy. Some days it takes a gargantuan effort just to get dressed and walk as far as the mailbox. I talk to so many wonderful artists, illustrators and designers online these days - and quite often they live in my own city. Seems stupid not to a) get out of the house, b) actually meet these lovely people & c) see some amazing art. I just can't decide whether to brave it alone or enlist a wingman.


pony_tail on Flickr

Learn to play the guitar
I have a beautiful acoustic guitar that's been sitting in the corner of my room for over a year now. I never get around the teaching myself - despite downloading various vodcasts and owning a teach-yourself book. Yes, I would get lessons, but I hear it's difficult to pay with the air and dust-bunnies in my wallet. Oh, and we have a piano downstairs too that's seen far too much neglect and could use some amateur abuse on my part.

Kurt Cobain at 5 mnths steering car - garycarlson

Learn to drive
I finally managed to get my Learner's license right after xmas. I've only had one or two lessons with Dad yet. But cos I'm an old fart I can go for the driving test once I've completed the 150 hours learning (instead of waiting 12 months). That's like only 5 hours a week for 6 months...christ

Zhuzhing it up DIY Style

It's no secret that I'm eternally poor. So I'm always on the hunt for thrifty ideas. Recently I bought some low-arm tank tops with my xmas money to see me through the summer months. Layered over pretty tops and worn with denim cut-off or leggings and I'm pretty much set wardrobe wise. Or so I thought.

I've only worn them once (I bought them in white and grey), and outside of the changing room in-store they look decidedly boring and lacklustre. I began to fear I'd made a big mistake and wasted my coveted moolah. But there's nothing like a challenge.

So how to spruce up these generic and admittedly quite masculine tees? (Which doesn't matter when you have long, feminine hair as opposed to my boyish hacked at pixie cut). Something pretty but subtle...something that doesn't require intimate knowledge of a sewing machine...something like...buttons!



via Oustapop

Scouring the social fashion sites, magazines and DIY blogs like Oustapop I came across these photos of a button apparel creation. So I'm off to Reverse Garbage tomorrow to pick up some throw away goodies to reuse. Hopefully there will be a myriad of buttons.

And then it's just a case of designing a pattern/silhouette, placing the buttons accordingly on the tee and getting busy with needle and thread. The subtle part will be using buttons in a similar colour to the tee. I'm thinking white, ecru, cream, off-white etc for the white tee.

Pretty pattern to zhuzh up a plain ol' tee, but subtle that you don't immediately see it - perfecto! I feel a How To coming on...

Style Sleuth: 17.01.10

Items in this set:
Cheap Monday 0155053 Bianca Body Knit Tank, $220
Floral Zip Front Bralet, $50
Cinderella Bella Tutu - White, Black, Gold, Pink | Friends of Couture
Opulent Oddment Oxfords, $65

Only Better With Age

Design*Sponge


Junkgarden


Apartment Therapy


Design*Sponge


Engelbreit Magazine via Junkgarden


26 Olive Street


Apartment Therapy


26 Olive Street

So I got some credit gift cards for xmas (and Mum talked me into blowing one entirely on a new dress for NYE. But it is gorgeous). Part of the reason I love them is that it makes me feel like I have money (because I really don't) and I have strict instructions not to use them towards bills - so I don't feel nearly as guilty splurging on something lovely.

Which brings me to all these awesome vintage signs. I've been trying to redecorate my studio for the past while and it's slow going. I've got an awesome new desk light, and finally some nice white box frames for my artwork...but it's still lacking. Considering my artwork is heavily influenced by retro and vintage styles and ephemera, it only makes sense that I reflect that in my decorative scheme.

At the moment it's a little "Ikea-korner" in my space, with the white tracing table desk, white plan drawers, white locker cabinet and white dining chair (even the chair legs are desk legs are black to match...*groan*). I'm super chuffed with my shiny chrome bubble desk lamp - but it's all looking far too modern.

But that's ok! Because I love to mix old with new. It really accentuates the qualities of both styles. So I put my money down on a blue and white gas station number sign (that last photo...I know! awesome!), and a vintage marquee letter "P" in red. I was hell bent on getting my hands on a vintage Smiths bakelite railway clock, but I'd have to sell my arm in order to pay for one. I finally settled on a shiny chrome edged clock with a vintage Smith-style face.

Looking at these photos I'm getting excited to start hanging it all! Just need some more artwork to keep it all company. Once it's all finished I'll post some photos and be a show off.

Shoes of Prey

Holy moly - did I just die and go to heaven? I must have, because I've discovered Shoes of Prey. Fully customisable shoes. Whatever you want. Colour, cut, height, material, decoration...

Seriously...Design. Your. Own. Shoe.

'Nuff said.