May 30, 2012

Cool Britannia


I was in all honesty going to buy a biscuit tin to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee (for those of you outside the UK, Jubilee fever is getting fierce up in here), but then I saw this House of Holland tea towel and knew it was the souvenir I’ve been looking for...

Consider it sold, Henry.

x

Stacks Of Shorts





So, the sun finally came out and I panicked a little and bought four new pairs of shorts in very quick succession. Oops!

Anyway, here they are - from Mango, Helmut Lang, Current/Elliott and Helmut Lang again.

As with all things, I am very particular about every element of shorts, from fabric and fit to cut and colour.

As you may know, I am not a huge fan of high-waisted, super tight or super short (they may look amazing on others, but not moi), which has proven somewhat problematic with the shorts of today, so when I find a pair that sit low on the hips, have a slouchy fit with a bit of leg, a fabric I'm going to call 'confident' (i.e. you can't see knicker lines or worse and they don't form unfortunate wrinkles front or back), and front and back pockets (again with the knicker lines etc), then they are shorts worth talking to.

I am also partial to wearing my shorts over black tights when it's not roasting hot, so this also has to be considered. Wow, life can be tough.

x

May 29, 2012

Be Mine Tonight




Hurry up and arrive, Alexander Wang Brenda camera bag (in leopard-print leather, naturally)…

I need your slinky chain straps, cheeky multiple pockets and perfectly petite size in my life, ASAP.

x


(As an afterthought, I just realised non-New Zealand readers may not be familiar with the reference in the title of this post -  it's the name of a classic Kiwi song from 1979, enjoy it here.)

Images via Coolspotters.com

May 27, 2012

Dots And Dashes


Continuing with my current tiny earring obsession (here, here and here) these beautifully presented pieces come from the 'Dots and Dashes' collection by Kathleen Whitaker

Think I need to get myself some nice little leather scraps to set my earrings on. Inspiring!


All images via the Kathleen Whitaker Tumblr

May 26, 2012

Summer Dreamin'



This is the shape of the kind of summer I'm hoping to have. Pretty flowers you can smell on warm breezes, dappled sunlight, cool water, ice-cold treats, sand between my toes, the sounds of pollen-happy bees and the splishing of gentle waves, bike rides and enticing paths...
x

May 25, 2012

The Beauty Cabinet: Miriam Clancy



Miriam Clancy, Singer/Songwriter


"I find it's good to keep things fresh and to follow a creative/brave idea even if it sucks (usually a friend will tell you weeks afterward), but sometimes you eke out a look that really suits you, doesn't follow the rules and echoes your personality.

At the moment I’m really into an early-60's makeup look, with Francoise Hardy as my go-to inspiration - part of an ever-changing rotation of role models... 

I do find the results after a bit of time spent putting on makeup are really thrilling, and I make well-meaning yet empty promises to myself to do it more.  

Any beauty/skincare upkeep to me is 60 percent a drag and 40 percent a self-nurturing moment of joy. Hence, I oscillate between au naturale and fiercely fastidious with my skin care. Mostly I tend to take the path of least resistance and wear no make-up (lazy), but when I do its MAC and Bobbi Brown - both of which I buy in the US as it’s ridiculously cheap there. 

Pressed powder (Bobbi Brown makes one with a slight yellow undertone - so awesome) is a must for me, especially when doing gigs, as the lights tend to have a melting effect on any foundation. I also use, without fail, MAC eye concealer under any eye shadow, as it helps to set the colour should things get too hot. 

I don't tend to have an overabundance of colours etc as I take a fairly minimalist approach and know what I like, plus most of my beauty stuff lives permanently in a quick-getaway makeup/toiletries bag as I’m often on the move.

I also have to use some clever stealth and hide tactics on any and all makeup, as my two-year-old likes to scoop the lipstick out with his finger and paint stuff, usually clothes (mine). I have lost approximately 12 MAC lipsticks in this fashion. He does have good taste though.

For some unexplained reason a few years ago I developed an allergic reaction to having anything with even a slight whiff of fragrance on my face - and discovered this doing a live performance on TV. The makeup girl on the job took one look at my streaming eyes with an avalanche of black eyeshadow 20 inches from where it should've been and cried out in shock/dismay at her handiwork. All caught on film. I've since learned I can 'cope', with a superhuman dose of antihistamines, but it has ruined a few video and photo shoots in the meantime and takes me days to recover.  

I was taught at a young age to always take my makeup off, as in 'never sleep in it' - and to this day I live in fear of mascara permanently sealing my eyes closed as I sleep. I wish this motivation extended to sunscreen (every guilt-trip I hear/read falls right off me) but generally I cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night. 

I've tried quite a few ranges of products (within the budget of a girl who loves new music gear more than beauty supplies) and at present am using Nuskin Ageloc thanks to my mum who sells it. That pretty much means I get sympathy eye creams etc when I need them, but it's actually pretty good - I've noticed a dramatic change in how hydrated I appear. 

I really dig masks and facial scrubs - Clarins is a fave one, and I often opt for the Cetaphil to take off makeup and cleanse, as it's kind to sensitive skin. Also I try to drink lots of water and dose up on the omegas via flax and fish oils as it all helps in the long run. Apparently. 

At the other end of the spectrum, I am thoroughly enthused with doing my hair right now - I've got a platinum and pastel pink bob and it’s an intensive labour of love keeping it in decent shape and tone. I use Manic Panic and Fudge Paintbox once a week with a slightly different result every time, and I put through a deep-conditioning treatment twice a week in the name of damage control. I find Moroccanoil helps as well. Plus I’ve recently ditched the ghd and prefer to use a large roller brush when drying - gives it more swing and body. 

I totally love Jean Paul Gaultier perfume. I keep coming back to it after trying something new. I think it sits really well on my skin and I've never grown tired of the scent. Although I have trailed behind a few old ladies (often at the supermarket) who have worn some familiar, ancient perfume with the intention of asking what it is (never have), all I know is it smells really old-fashioned yet lovely. Maybe a kindly teacher used to wear it and it's purely triggering fond memories... or I'm prematurely aging... Either way, elegance is what I'm drawn to in a perfume."

Onstage photos by Sean Aickin

May 24, 2012

The Last Of The Tweeds And Brogues


May today's warmer weather be a sign that this might be the last time for a while I'll need to wear this coat. Not that I don't love it, but it's long past time to be shedding heavy tweeds and wools and going bare-legged instead of black-layered.

Turned out this random laneway we decided to stroll down on our way home kind of matched my outfit, so thought it was as good a place as any to maximise all the shades of taupe and black (note matching graffiti) as well as the clashing textures.

x

Wearing: Zara coat, D_Luxe necklace, Cybele dress, Karen Walker and Stolen Girlfriend's Club silver rings, ASOS patent-leather brogues, Alexander Wang suede shopper.

May 23, 2012

Fresh Like Miranda



Proof that classic and pared-back can be cool and chic - Miranda Kerr. The side part swept into a shiny low knot, the dark mid-size sunglasses, the glossy red lips, the white cotton tee rolled at the sleeves, the perfectly slouchy leather shorts, the smart black tote (Miu Miu), and simple raspberry pumps...

These pics are actually from Paris Fashion Week in October last year but it's a look that's still resonating with me, as a lover of white cotton tees, and especially now I have my new leather shorts

Disclaimer: I am aware that I am not a supermodel, this is purely for aspirational purposes only.

x

Images via StyleBistro and StyleClone

May 22, 2012

Crystal Armour


If you're a lover of striking silver and gold jewellery in cool designs, set with faceted jewels and glossy lozenges of polished crystal, D_Luxe is the label for you. It's long been a favourite of mine.

If I could, I would wear it just like the above images, stacked and layered against soft silks and cottons and chunky knits in shades of lavender, rose and the freshest white.

x

Photos by Louise Hatton