MinkPink floral jacket | Urban Outfitters draped skirt | Vintage blouse | Mimco Glider Muse bag | Topshop Adorn boots | Karen Walker Number One sunglasses
Upon hearing this weekend would be bright and sunny, Marc and I decided to head back to our old suburb of Maylands for our traditional Saturday breakfast and some wandering. Every time we go back here I realise just how much I have missed the place, it’s not the best suburb in Perth by any means but I love all its quirks and the expanding cafe scene.
We headed to Milk’d for what are, in my opinion, the best baked beans in town, and then over to Sherbet Cafe and Bake Shop for a cheeky cupcake. After that we strolled over to our old apartment, past two churches and lots of weird new shops that have popped up.
It was the perfect chance to wear my new floral jacket, though the glaring sunshine means the colours look a little washed out here. It’s just so fun to wear and definitely makes me want to stockpile more blazers and jackets for winter!
It’s officially boot weather here in Australia! In my usual crazy way I stocked up on ankle boots during the summer and they have been sitting collection dust on my top shelf just begging to be worn. Well wait no more, because it’s gotten rather cold and rainy all of a sudden - perfect weather for donning a pair of boots to combat the elements.
These two Topshop pairs are among my favourites for their Acne-esque shape and ankle-grazing cut. The glitter pair was more of an impulse buy and I have not yet succeeded in wearing them out in the day but I am sure a time will come where I just can’t resist. In the meantime the solid black pair are perfect for any occasion and add a hint of cowboy-biker to outfits.
What’s the number one item on your winter wish list?
While I am swaddled in a knit jumper at home I can’t help but dream about what I might wear if the sun came out and I had somewhere fancy to go to. The three items above instantly sprung to mind for some reason, all on my current ‘to buy’ list.
After lusting over just about everything Secret Squirrel has made for the last few seasons, I still can’t believe I don’t own any of their pieces! Their most recent collection with all its botanicals and digi prints really caught my eye, and I think I am going to cave and buy this tuberose blouse. Something about it makes me feel like I am looking at amoebas under a microscope! I’m also rather obsessed with their current collection full of triangles in shades of brown so that may win out instead.
I don’t usually go mad for trends but the current metallic look is one that I want to fall head first into. These Topshop brogues are the perfect way to make the trend work for the day without looking like a walking disco ball. Over a third of my shoe rack hails from Topshop, they just make good, well-priced footwear that actually lasts pretty well. I have the sizing sussed too is a must when buying shoes online!
And finally a flamingo-pink shade of Nars lippy to top it all off. This wonderful site (as alerted to me by Alexis) ships to Australia but retails at US prices so it makes buying brands like Nars affordable. Pretty sure a big order is in store to take advantage of the killer exchange rate…
In case you were wondering, I would plan on wearing something of the skirt/pants persuasion if I ever was lucky enough to get all these items together for a party. Just sayin’.
It’s been a busy two weeks since I posted my last instagram update, what with leaving my job, Marc going to Sydney again, Perth Fashion Week and tons of writing. I rewarded myself with a couple of special buys to see me into Winter (and my new job!) but that’s for another post altogether. For now here’s a few fun moments captured on camera.
Cuddling sleepy cats has become increasingly important now that it’s getting colder.
Krispy Kreme donuts Marc bought me back from Sydney. We proceeded to share them for breakfast two days straight!
Continuing with my NY resolution of buying fresh flowers every week.
The Furne One show at PFW was the best I have ever seen, full of crystals, spikes and chiffon.
Re-organising my study, including this pile of vintage fabric that I haven’t a clue what to do with.
Strolling in Como on the Anzac Day public holiday.
New zigzag sheets from Urban Outfitters.
Weekend breakfast ritual, this a clay pot of beans at The Imp.
The old Windsor cinema for Marc’s 24th birthday.
More birthday fun, this time in the form of a dainty vanilla cupcake for two.
Also, I am trying to broaden my home cooking repertoire. Anyone know of a good vegetarian recipe they would like to share with me? I’m in desperate need of some new ideas!
The countdown to Mother’s Day has officially reached a crucial stage - it’s this Sunday! If you don’t already know what you are getting your mum, now is time to track down a last minute gift.
After my last Mother’s Day post with a variety of gift ideas, I thought I would hone in more on online magazine subscriptions as they make the perfect present that you can customise to suit her interests. I subscribe to five titles myself including two of those listed below and love that bit of me time I get when the glossy arrives on my door step.
Grazia - My weekly guilty pleasure, Grazia combines what’s new in fashion with celebrity gossip, reviews, opinion pieces and even the odd recipe. It’s clever, up to date and ever so stylish.
Australian House and Garden - Home envy anyone? This title gives you a peek into drool-worthy houses and is packed with design tips for all budgets. It’s also full of creative ideas and other lifestyle articles that are sure to inspire.
Harper’s Bazaar - One for the more discerning fashionista, Harper’s is brimming with stunning photo shoots and must-have items. Even if you’re just purely window shopping, you can’t help but be won over by the styling and luxe garments.
And why not make a sweet home made card to let your mum know her favourite title will be delivered to her home every month (or week as it may be)!
Of course the deal is made even sweeter by what you could win for her by buying the subscription:
Return Business Class Airfares for two people from Sydney-Tahiti-Los Angeles flying Air Tahiti Nui.
7 nights luxury accommodation in Tahiti:
6 nights stay in an overwater bungalow at the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort.
1 night stay in a twin-share room at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort.
7 nights stay in a twin-share room at the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City.
This blog used to be filled with odes to Jeffrey Campbell practically every week, however as of late I haven’t been that enamoured with the quirky shoe god’s designs. Until now, that is.
Meet Daul, my idea of heaven in a shoe. There’s floral, a perspex heel and a super cute ankle strap all wrapped up in an on-trend but unique style. Why is it that the moment I found them on Pixie Market (the only place to stock them), they were all sold out?
Apparently though, in case you want to nab a pair for yourself, they are re-stocking sometime this month. Until then I’ll keep refreshing the page daily for news and make sure I reserve just enough in my bank account so NOTHING will hold me back from these wonders. Psycho, much?
I always enjoy having a peek into other bloggers’ beauty kits so I thought I would try my hand at a similar post. Little by little I’m becoming more of a cosmetics junkie and I find myself leaning towards buying more luxe products now that I am past my teens. Here’s a round up of some of my all time fave buys, some on the higher end of the price scale and some costing next to nothing (from L-R).
Maxfactor False Lash Effect Mascara: out of all the mascaras I have tried, and there have been so many, I have found this one gives the fattest lashes. I have been asked a handful of times if I was wearing false lashes while wearing this product so I know it practises what it preaches!
Chanel Illusion D’ombre Eyeshadow in Emerveille: this pale golden mousse-like shadow is an absolute dream to wear. Subtle enough for every day use but sure makes a difference to faking wide awake eyes. Incredible texture too, like nothing I have ever felt before.
Chanel Ecriture de Chanel Eyeliner: I bought this because I read an article where Alexa Chung spruiked it. I am so impressionable! This felt tip pen-like eyeliner does help that much more when doing 60’s cat eyes though, however it can be a little sheer on its own.
Benefit High Beam Highlighter: after trying this tiny sample bottle I’ll definitely be buying this one again. Applying it to the upper cheekbones just throws light and hints at healthy skin. Love the Benefit mini tints too.
Lanolips Lip Ointment in Mulberry (limited edition): sadly this colour was a Christmas special so I am savouring it! The red wine colour is sheer enough to wear in the day and is a quirky change from nudes or reds. Very moisturising too.
Topshop Creme Blush in High Five: I couldn’t go past Topshop’s adorable packaging when I was in London but this impulse buy blush proved a real find. Great texture, fabulous pop of colour and very natural looking.
Maybelline Baby Lips in Very Cherry: quickly becoming a cult product, these $4 lip balms are just about the best value you can get. Fruity flavour and good for keeping chapped lips at bay.
YSL Touche Eclat: another product that needs no introduction, YSL’s famous concealer/illuminator is rather wonderful. While it doesn’t have the best staying power, I can’t go past the iconic gold packaging and will keep re-buying for sure.
Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation: the best smelling foundation you will ever find! This one offers medium coverage so I would only recommend it if you have good skin (I switch foundations pretty often as my skin always changes). It’s really natural and one worth trying if you’re still on the hunt for that perfect finish.
To say that I am obsessed with shoe god Salvatore Ferragamo’s ‘Vara’ pumps would be an understatement. Since I first laid eyes on these sweet little shoes on another blog, it’s been my quest to find the perfect pair. The style of shoe with a small block heel and signature bow have been around for a few decades but they are still in production to this day. I had my heart set on a vintage pair though as the new ones retail for over $500 in David Jones!
I have since bought and re-sold a few pairs as I navigated my way through the sizing system (AAAA anyone?) and somewhere along the way I ended up with three pairs - one patent, one faux-croc and one matte black. Probably a bit of overkill but I think I should get plenty of wear out of these babies.
The best part though? Each pair cost me around $60 - a total bargain considering the original price. So here they are in all their glory on my astro-turfed balcony, just waiting to be taken out dancing, shopping, eating and wandering!
The Velvet Bow is a pastiche of fashion, lifestyle, photography, whimsy and vintage charm infused with musings, manifestos and a hint of glitter.
Jessie is a Perth-residing journalism student with an obsession for stringing words together to form perfect sentences, rummaging through thrift stores and travelling to far away places (some real, some imagined).
