The mystic power of lipsticks

Nothing says "functional adult female" like a swipe of lipstick - be it red, mulberry, fuchsia or tangerine. I used to think watch my mama apply her lipstick at the vanity mirror and hoped to quickly grow up to be a woman. 
Lipstick helps you get away with a lazy face of make up if you've slept in and all you have time for is the base and lips. It's also the best way to look sassy and cute for a night out - and you can leave it on someone's cheek. And I swear, lipstick just makes you look marginally more expensive.

sources: google image search, glamour.com, fashionone2012.com, 

Winter break '12

It's just over a week until it's officially winter. Here is my approach to winter 2012.

How I will be starting off my winter break:

Hibernating with Bearemy for 2 days, to catch up on my Z's.
Physiotherapy - mouse hand RSI, neck and shoulders.

Reading 'James and the Giant Peach' by Roald Dahl.

Dropping off my CV at Marcs.

What I will be wearing this winter (default winter outfit):
Italian wool duffle coat (Cue, $549) with leather patches and gunmetal toggles and buttons. This classic outerwear taps into childhood nostalgia, and really reminds me of Carey Mulligan in 'An Education' - in other words, quintessentially British.
Black opaque tights. Black leather aviator jacket. Faux fur.

What I am looking forward to this winter:
Staying in and enjoying the comfort of music, knitting and baking. Blowing mist out of my mouth. Visits to the local library. Catching up on Mad Men. Not falling asleep 'til early morning (no, not insomnia. It's called internet connection).

What I am not looking forward to:
Cold feet. Preparing for the next semester of study. Stuffy rooms and commute (cars, buses, trains) from heater. Dry skin. Probably, longer work shifts.

2012 Fall designer looks I want to recreate.

I've been very uninspired the last few weeks. The fact of the matter is, I've reach that seasonal (or trans-seasonal) point when it's too soon to whole-heartedly indulge in layering, leather, and fur. As it happens, I've just been going back to a safe combination of black jeans, t-shirt, collared shirt, and oxford shoes.

During my 4 hour tutorial this morning, instead of dumbing down designer apparel for a lower-priced market, which was what we were supposed to do, I was discreetly going through the Fall collections from Paris Fashion Week on style.com on my laptop (nodding every now and then to show I was listening to the lecturer). Fortunately, temperatures are FINALLY dropping Down Under, as indicated by my wearing of opaque tights today, and Fashion Weeks came to pass. And so I really can't wait to be recreating designer looks by Charlotte Ronson, Paul Smith, Dsquared2, Isabel Marent and Frankie Morello this season! Super duper excited!

Sources: fashionising.com, style.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs Winter '12

These are favourite picks from Marc by Marc Jacobs show. If you've seen the 1999 classic She's All That, you'll know the geeky yet artsy girl in thrifted clothes just waiting to let her tightly-wound ponytail down and release the hidden beauty beneath. Having seen this show, I want to be wearing nothing but big pleated skirts, tailored blazers, blouses and specs.

source: greglewis.tumblr.com

Street Style: Tommy Ton

I finally got round to looking at all of my favourite street-shooter, Tommy Ton's streetstyle shots in Milan and London of the menswear season just gone, and these are my favourites.

sources: gqfashion.tumblr.com, jakandjil.com

New Year Resolutions

1. Before you status update, blog or Instagram, pause and say to yourself, “is it entirely necessary that I share this morsel of thought with my entire social network?”and if the answer is not, “yes, I absolutely must,” then step away from the Internet.
2. At the end of the day, set aside and collect your coins in your 'coffee savings' bunny bank, given especially to you out of compassion.
3. Spend less than or equal to the money you earn each week.
4. Wear and buy clothes that fit you. 
5. Call someone on the phone at least once a week, and speak to him or her for at least ten minutes, and don't be awkward about it.
6. Tell someone who you love that you love them on a more regular basis. To their face, not in a text or Facebook.
7. Always, always, always back up your files. In 3 locations (or else, it does not exist!). Don't not back up your files, lose it, and really lose it.
8. Actually use your diary
9. Help mama out with chores around the house before she has to ask you. Remember you are a grown woman living at home, and that several people your age are already married.
10. Become a 50's housewife, minus the husband (in preparation for marriage, sort of). Organised, multi-tasking, perfectionist, determined, high-maintenance, well-groomed, and merry.
11. Be bold. Hold your head high. You are loved and secure.

To a Bright New Year