no-hope

Why am I so preoccupied with winter boots? All I want is a plain black leather pair that come up to the top of my ankle with a bit of a heel. In Auckland, it is impossible. I whinged to Lou about this, and she said they're everywhere in Melbourne, but that's always the way. New Zealand is a boot desert. There are no good boots here, unless you're after the massive-wedge-lace-up-cut-out style. There are heaps of those. Below, the Alexander Wang Addison boots (unattainably expensive), Jeffrey Campbell Areas (sold out) and the mystery ones in Miss Crabb's look book. 

the osborns

Oh! I do like these be-patterned shoes and boots by Osborn Design. I really do!

Tribal!Velvet, floral!

Peacock!

I really want these pink stripes:

And these navy babies:

i made a cake

Foolish online purchases of the month (so far, aiee!)

The boots came out of pure need for plainish flat things I can wear to work that are waterproof.

The jacket...well, I've had my eye on it for a while. I'm not 100% sure if it is going to work. And I don't really like zips. I like the back of it, though, and I like the fact that it looks small, and not huge and shapeless. Also I've been going through a wanting, NEEDING shearling phase. So now that's taken care of, hopefully.

Oh, the cake. I have achieved a "personal best" in carrot cakes. Honestly, it tastes so good. And it is even in two layers with cream cheese icing in the middle as well as on top! Yum!

boots

The rains have come to Auckland, which means it is time to think about buying some boots.
I hate buying boots because:
1) In Auckland all the nice boots are really, really expensive.
2) In Auckland everyone owns the same nice boots because there aren't many to choose from.
3) Vintage stores have figured this out, and now their boots are also really, really expensive.
4) I have ridiculously skinny legs and ankles. I know that this sounds all "woe is me" but I actually look ridiculous in boots that are ill-fitting, and don't get me started on flat ankle boots. It's quite a concern and has plagued me since I was a little girl and my Mum (thanks, Susie) pointed out their chicken-like nature.
5) Topshop have some nice and affordable ones but I worry that everyone will have the same idea that I had and get them. Also I'm not sure they'll work with my wardrobe. Angst.

Do you guys know what sort of boots I should buy? I already have docs and some nice high heeled ankle sneaker ones (sounds like a contradiction in terms, I know). I would prefer not to spend a million bucks on them, but am not opposed to layby. At the moment the boot that springs to mind is some beau coops from GAG or the Public Libaray. Otherwise some Kathryn Wilson flat ones? The mind boggles. Piccies from Jak and Jil.

so pretty it hurts

When I lived in Auckland Juliette Hogan's store was on the corner of my street. I tended to walk past early in the morning or late evening so actually only ever went in there once or twice, but I did obsess over various things through the window, namely the sweet floral print in Autumnal browns which she used on a lampshade and a little skirt. I really wanted both of those.

I saw some pictures from her current lookbook over at SeeSaw Designs today and have become totally enamoured with this cape/cloak/coat number. It comes in black or mauve wool, or a gorgeous coral crepe.

I've also decided that what I really want for winter, besides cable knit thigh-highs, is a very short, long sleeved dress. The fawn one below is beautiful... Also, this is yet another case of lookbook shoe envy. I want them.
Pictures are all from Juliette Hogan and Guy Coombes, who took them.

so in love

with the prints, textures and lengths and cut-outs in Miu Miu's S/S 2010 collection.

I really never thought I'd want satin shoes...

Perfect party team in Chanel and Miu Miu

Update: look at this post full of great backstage pics and close ups of the prints, cats, naked ladies!

1970s / 1900s

Darling Han is coming to visit Melbourne Very Soon and I had the best idea this morning for a fun, slightly random, away from the city but still inexpensive activity today: a Picnic at Hanging Rock!

(That's us obviously)

Tea party at hanging rock! With a man who slightly resembles a grumpy Donald

Our picnic will probably involve less tea and more quencher (pictured here as 'non-descript alcohol'), and boys in jaunty pants if we're lucky

we will take ipods

Picnic at Hanging Rock1 by Lou1 featuring Miss Selfridge

Items in this set:
VINTAGE COLLECTION Peach Crystal Pleated Dress, $185
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN KL06F04 CREAM SILK -, 540 GBP
High Neck Ruffle Top, $38
Petites Cream Crop Blouse, 28 GBP
Leather Combat Boots, 415 GBP

If you didn't already know (gasp!), Picnic at Hanging rock is the name of a book written in the 60s about a group of school girls in 1900 who vanish during a Valentine's Day picnic at the site of an enormous rock formation. The rock formation featured in the story, Hanging Rock, is an actual geological formation located in Victoria, Australia (thanks Wikipedia). The book was made into a great movie in 1970 which is full of floaty lace dresses and straw boater hats...

hanging rock2 by Lou1 featuring Opening Ceremony shoes

Items in this set:
Chloe Draped silk halterneck gown, $2,338
Stella Mccartney Sheer Organza Silk Blouse, 375 GBP
Free People - Downtown Ruffle Mini Skirt (Nude) - Apparel, $58
Opening Ceremony Suede Bow Front Wedges, 295 GBP
MYPETSQUARE boater hat, 39 AUD

I'm sorry, I just had to put this one in here for it's 'This Guy' potential

hanging rock3 by Lou1 featuring Miss Selfridge

Items in this set:
Nude Lace Crop Top, 25 GBP
Jason Wu Silk-chiffon pleat-knot skirt, $1,105
Halter neck ruched swimsuit, 250 GBP
Two tone wedged ankle boot, 490 GBP
picnic blanket

Side note: The clothesey stuff was totally inspired by this post - thanks Almie, and kind of progressed from Edwardian inspired to slightly more realistic attire for the Melbourne Summer/our tastes to Holy Hell I want those Chloe boots baddd, and that sweet crop top...

PS Thank you thank you han for the Fantastic phone call minutes ago (with operatic office caroling in the background - amazing!)

PPS This idea needs to become a reality, anyone in Melbourne with a car who wants to come/take us, let me know!

kindness of strangers

me: good shoes http://www.milkfromathistle.com/products/
2:48 PM Han: THOSE ARE PERFECT SHOES
me: I thought you'd agree
shame they're just part of the lookbook styling
and not credited
moh
2:49 PM Han: yeah just noticed
me: but i'm hanging on to the possibility of them being australian/available in aus
Hannah: yes that would be awesome we could be shoe twins
2:53 PM me: I just emailed to ask



Thank you thank you to the talented and lovely Danielle of Milk from a Thistle for replying to my completely random enquiry with not only a name but a link to the online store. They will be mine!

P.S. Danielle's prints and dresses are rather sweet for Summer don't you think?

The sun came out today after a weekend of huge rain. To celebrate I'm taking the next couple of days off work and doing a mini road trip to a friend's beach house.

This is great because I've not been out of Melbourne (except on a plane) since I moved here. I have no idea where it is we're even going. I'm listening to Beach House in honor of the spontanious trip and considering buying paperbacks and sandals on my lunch break.

you know we like shoes

I foolishly went on Etsy today in search of some brown platform-y heels in a Phoebe Philo for Celine vein:


I found these ones, which are vintage Ralph Lauren, and selling for $290 US. I don't have $290 US. If you do, buy them here. I'll glower at you over the Internet.

Then I found these ones. I dig the wooden heel and the general woody vibe of these shoes. Plus they are really, really old. But still, they look a bit chunky and I have these tiny chicken legs and would probably look like a child in them. They're pretty cheap - $35 US - and are here if you want 'em. They have a smaller heel than is normal these days also, which I quite like. Regardless, I moved on.


The shoes I wound up buying (foolishly: both my sisters' birthdays are in December, and there's Christmas and a trip to Melbourne to save for) are pictured below. They have cork heels and are very different to the Celine ones that inspired the search in the first place. Including shipping they still came in under NZ $100 which is really quite good - or so I will keep chanting to myself until they arrive.

Oh god I hope they fit.

As an aside: I've been totally into the whole clog thing that is happening at the moment but for the life of me cannot find any look like they would actually be flattering. Any ideas? Or is it just not a look for the chicken legged among us?

It doesn't help that Auckland is a shoe-desert full of crocs and shops telling me to buy strappy citrus coloured heels. DON'T THEY KNOW THAT I ONLY BUY BLACK, TAN or BROWN SHOES? Hence I go running to the Internet to "browse", and wind up spending money on forty year old shoes with chips in the heels that will probably fall apart within twenty minutes of putting them on. But the idea of stomping around Melbourne in them in the heat of summer is somehow totally irresistible...

on (not) another note

I just added a lovely pair of Tristan Blair wedges to my very-small-since-moving-countries shoe collection. Despite me having NO MONEY to spend on lovely things, because ALL MY MONEY must be spent on teeth, I am rather chuffed with this rash purchase. I can't show you pictures because they are nowhere on the internet.

I am not one of those girls that wears heels every day. I would like to be, and in Auckland - for a short stint working on Queen St - I was, however since moving to Melbourne I have probably worn heels about seven times. I just feel as though I am Very Dressed Up whenever I put on anything high and have decided that this needs to change.

Anyway, here are some pictures of more shoes that Han and I can't afford. Because that's what you want to see right?

Shoes from top: Pierre Hardy (on Garance Dore), Guiseppe Zanotti and Givenchy, all taken from Jak & Jill , my favorite blog for shoe porn.....
The two above are the sandals Han and I may end up matching in from Opening Ceremony, and my big crush - lattice wedges also from Opening Ceremony...