Two

Cara Delevingne, pencil on paper.

Crimson & Clover

Earrings from Bling.
Dress from Valleygirl.

Snow Envy

A few of my overseas Instagram followers have been surprised to discover we're trucking on into winter here in New Zealand. The news reports are weather, weather, weather this week after a large amount of snow fell in parts of the South Island yesterday. I'm hoping we'll get lots of snow again in the lower North Island this year, but I guess it's unlikely to happen right in the city again.

Early yesterday morning (pre-dawn) when I got up for work it was raining heavily, and a bright flash of lightning through the bathroom window gave me a huge fright in the shower! A few more flashes and loud rumbles, and then it was all gone again... leaving us with drizzle and icy wind. Yay.

Anyway, one of my favourite NZ bloggers, Jo at Lost in the Haze, has posted some beautiful outfit photos taken in the snow yesterday - go and check them out.

Judy Greer at the Oscars

Monique Lhuillier

Image source

Totes Adorbs Tuesday

Now, I don't know if this will become a regular thing, and I certainly don't know whether it would continue to have this title- I cannot always be as chipper as I am right now! But I have a bunch of cute things I've seen recently that I'd like to share with you.

If I could have my way, my home decor would take Marie Schrader's colour scheme taste to a purple extreme... in one room, at least. I adore the combination with mustardy-gold in these two photos from Alspics and Homedit.

I've been following New Zealander Jo's Lost in the Haze blog for a little while, and her most recent Madeline post was one of the cutest outfits I've seen in ages! For the fashionably-inclined among you, go and check out her blog to see what your New Zealand equivalent is wearing.

And if street fashion's your bag, you can't go past Wallace Chapman's Street and City Photos blog. (I may be just a little biased after winning the Eyes of Common ring from him, but it really does have some beautiful images). Photos are mostly from my city, Wellington, and New Zealand's largest city Auckland. Plus, it's updated daily.

If you have NZ$165,000 (or-there-abouts) perhaps you will consider purchasing (me) this ridiculously amazing house boat for sale on Trade Me?

I love this beautiful watercolour by Fiona Connor which is part of the Documentation through Drawing: Demolition at the Auckland Art Gallery series. Thanks to Jo for the photograph!

And finally, these are the four songs I've been listening on repeat for the past week or so (literally, on repeat- I must be so annoying to be around).

Ellis Faas

Image source.

Alternately

Chevron knit top from Trade Me (originally Millers).

Forms of Flattery

My faux Yves Saint Laurent oval Arty ring from Romwe (or Retro Exaggerated Color Ring) arrived today! Obviously no one is going to mistake it for the real thing (I should be so lucky), but it's nicer than I expected considering the cheap price, and it sure keeps my back balance happier. This is the third item I've purchased from Romwe, and I definitely recommend them for New Zealand shoppers at least. Cheap prices and shipping, and reasonably fast delivery. I've become a little obsessed with rings this year- I need to become a manicure addict so my fingers are worthy.

While we're talking jewellery, not only do I need to visit my dear sister in Palmerston North to spend some quality time with her, I also need to check out the Lovisa branch there. Every main city but Wellington? Are you serious?

Get your own.
Get the real deal.

Spring

Pink and grey poppies dress from Jay Jays.
Long grey cardigan from Glassons.
Purple paisley scarf from boutique in Left Bank.
Gold Kiss Ring from ASOS.

It's officially spring here in New Zealand, and I'm hoping we can soon say goodbye to multiple layers and excessive heating bills. At the moment the weather is still typically temperamental- last week we had warm sunshine in the morning, and howling southerly winds and extremely heavy hail in the afternoon. Madness, and a frustration when it comes to dressing for work before dawn!

As much as I often miss living in an inner-city apartment, it sure is nice to have a little backyard (and I know, we're still hardly in the suburbs). I absolutely can't wait until summer finally arrives- beers after work on the lawn is going to be bliss!

This week I'm booking flights so I can definitely 100% confirm I'll be going to my friend Vikkie's wedding in November. She's getting married in Whangarei, and I'm sooo excited to spend four days up there. I've never been that far north and I hope the weather will be amazing. I'm also going to my best friend Sarah's birthday in Tauranga in December, so this year is certainly giving me my flying fix!

Hervé Léger @ NYFW

I love this Hervé Léger by Max Azria collection. Especially the colours. And even the crazy sandals.

I have to say, this fashion thing is very puzzling. How can "fashionistas" (vom) criticise this footwear, and fawn over those McQueen lobster claw monstrosities?

Oh yeah, and I changed the look of my blog, yet again! Thanks for all your feedback. I was definitely sick of the brown wood, but didn't like the super-minimalist look much either. I'm finally happy with how it looks now, but let me know what you think! Have also put the list of posts back in the sidebar, because apparently people do click them! Good to know. And lastly, have added a Bloglovin' follow button, just to give you another option.

Almost the weekend! Hope it's sunny where you are.

Image source.

NYFW Spring 2012

Richard Chai

Jason Wu

Jill Stuart

Prabal Gurung

Derek Lam

Images source.

Caroline Wang of Coco Draws

Caroline Wang is the 28-year-old illustrator behind Coco Draws. She's based in Southern California, and sells her ridiculously cute illustrations online through her Etsy store. I'm sure those of you who are fashionably-inclined will especially appreciate them, as many of her works depict classic designer pieces, as well as popular beauty products.

Caroline set up a new blog earlier this year to accompany her shop, and on it she showcases her illustrations- each accompanied by a little write up about her admiration of a fashion item she's drawn, or memories she associates with a particular garment.

Caroline told me that she doesn't have any formal artistic training, and has been teaching herself Photoshop over the summer. She uses pen to draw out her illustrations and then colours them digitally, which means some prints are available in several different colours.

Below are my three favourite designs from the Coco Draws store, be sure to go and check out all the other prints Caroline has on offer! I'm definitely thinking the Longchamp bag needs to be on my wall in the near future.

Coco Draws Etsy.

Coco Draws blog.

Coco Draws Facebook page.

Temptations

I have the mankiest hands- my nails grow into raggedy claws, and I can't even make nail polish last more than a day due to all my typing and painting. Yet still I lust after pretty (and in this case, pretty affordable) rings.

Rings from Asos.com 1, 2, 3, 4.

Can you say botas?

Since the lovely Krystal asked, here are my $100 shoes from Hunters & Collectors. I bought them in 2007 when I was a very irresponsible young lady. They've been well and truly worn over the years, but I haven't taken them out for a walk (nor got them re-soled, obviously) since the heel wore down to expose metal which goes click-click-click on any hard surface. The toes are pretty stuffed anyway. Also, I really avoid wearing heels these days, especially since I quit my reception job. Low wedges at a stretch.

And these two pairs below were purchased more recently, and each cost $20-30. I'm really terrible at this whole 'dressing nice' thing. I know I always say that, but it's really true. I even have a bunch of nice clothes now, but there's still only one or two days in a week where I really put in the effort and look nice. Again, I blame 6am weekday starts.

Yay for the approaching summer, I find it's so much easier to look nice in the summer!

Ultra Shoes

I splurge on books and tattoos and overpriced lunches, definitely not fashion. However, if I ever do feel compelled to spend over $40 on a pair of boots (seriously, I am an embarrassment... the most I ever spent on footwear was $100 on a second-hand pair of boots from Hunters & Collectors... which I should definitely show you sometime), Ultra Shoes on Manners Street will definitely be my first stop. Their shoes look beautiful, but more importantly, their window displays are always extremely cool. I usually only walk Manners Street on my way to work, and always admire their new display. I decided I absolutely needed to share some photos on here when I saw their latest René Magritte inspired window. Ma-gic!

Apologies for the reflections, there are actually dozens of Golconde men suspended in the window, it's just very difficult to photograph when attempting to be discreet.

Ultra Shoes website.
Ultra Shoes Facebook page.

Black Milk

I saw the most terrible, terrible tights-as-pants faux pas on a Wellington street a couple of weeks ago. I'm fairly sure she would have dressed in the chilly and overcast morning, but unfortunately when I saw her in the mid-afternoon, the sun was out in force, and so was the visibility of her underpants through not-so-opaque black tights. I was so embarrassed for her, but according to Twitter I was right not to say anything as it was probably intentional. Really? Really?

If you're going to do tights-as-pants, do it right and buy tights at pants prices. Oh, I would if I could.

Image source.

PAPERSELF Eyelashes

These amaaazing PAPERSELF Eyelashes are cut from paper, were designed by Ting yu Wang, and come in several gorgeous designs. Apparently they can be re-worn like regular false lashes, but feel free to correct me on this. My personal favourites are the Small Deer & Butterfly, which sell for £10.50 + shipping (approximately NZ$34.95 with shipping included). So they're rather pricey for false lashes by my standards but definitely look to be worth the money, considering they'd be reserved for very special occasions (you shouldn't ask me which special occasions, because the only answer I have is 'posing for ridiculous self-portraits in my own home'). Tempting. Very tempting.

Image source.

Pastel

Yellow bicycle necklace from The Morose Bee.
Long grey cardigan from Cotton On.
White & pink dress from Paper Bag Princess (originally Glassons).