good things to do on a lunch break

• lunch time manicures (I favour Sassi Nail on Lorne St).
• eat a burger, or perhaps some dumplings or even some noodles.
• go to chain stores like Glassons and Wild Pair and find hidden gems
• tour of lunch
• sunbathe in Myers Park, go to the beach
• put an extravagant thing on layby
• buy a lipstick or some fancy socks
• go to the library if it is rainy or read books in a nice bookshop that isn't Borders or Whitcoulls
• lunchtime yoga - I haven't done this but plan to
• or else go to an art gallery, which is usually accompanied by a sweet cafe
• get your eyebrows threaded (but never any kind of wax, it feels weird to go back to the office after having your privates dealt to - trust me)

Bad things to do on a lunch break:

• watch a pigeon eat a mince and cheese pie at a traffic light (witnessed today)
• watch a person walk down the street drinking straight out of a giant bottle of milk (witnessed about two months ago)
• see a girl wearing a t shirt that said "I WISH THESE WERE BRAINS" on the boob part (witnessed concurrent with milk drinking two months ago)
• see apprentice hairdressers drinking heaps of energy drinks and smoking cigarettes outside Farmers = depressing
• walk down Queen Street
• stay in the office and eat a toasted sandwich at your desk (the worst)

i'm in the money

Oh my, it is pay day!

TOP 5 MUNDANE THINGS I NEED TO BUY:

1. Hair brush

2. Black tights

3. Razor

4. Toilet paper for my flat

5. Some food

I'm quite exited about numbers 1,3 and 5.

I'm also getting my eyebrows threaded tonight for the first time ever. I have lived to almost 25 without ever having a professional look at my eyebrows. I have this image in my head of a Princess Diaries style makeover which transforms me from dull, boring Han into spectacular, perfectly browed Han, with eyebrows to rival Rachael Weiz or Jennifer Connelly. This probably won't happen.

Today I am going to listen to Roller-coaster by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Band of Gold by Freda Payne and There She Goes by The La's. Band of Gold is my dream kareoke song and is about the worst honeymoon ever. Lou, I'd like you to listen to this song carefully and then give me feedback (if you don't like it I'm not sure if we can be friends any more and this blog and all that goes with it willend).

lazy

Woke up at midday, lay in bed til one, showered, went to lunch, bought flowers and some fancy groceries, looked at expensive kitchenwares, ate a burger, drank a coke, went home. Watching TV.

NOTE: I really like this Creme flavoured soda, Boylan brand. I saved the bottle.

frivolity

A random pile of things I would like to acquire: some boys jeans which are a bit too big for me to be worn rolled up with t shirts tucked in; this bag from a deli in NY; a suede scarf with big tassels; a sweatshirt to wear with the baggy men's jeans that isn't woolly; some more Keep shoes, because I love Keeps. I won't acquire any of these because I cancelled my credit card today.

hypocritical as heck

Gawd, I just bought these shorts on a total whim. Finances, weather appropriateness and moral highground be damned:


D'oh!

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.

sale!

Arnsdorf and Tina Kalivas

Yesterday was my first day off since I got back to work and so I spent it wisely - shopping.

It's sale time ladies and here is what you need to know:

ARNSDORF rules - they make lovely, simple things in lots of pretty colours. They're closing the pop-up shop on Gertrude Street today but if you hurry you can probably convince them to cut you some sweet deals.... If you read this after today (Friday) then you'll have to shop online or look for them elsewhere, like Alice Euphemia.

...which brings me to ALICE EUPHEMIA. Alice also rules - they stock an awesome range of Australian designers, and now some Kiwis too, the delivery of Lonely lingerie by Lonely Hearts has been delayed but I have faith it will arrive, and soon! Also, I spotted a lucky girl purchasing a sweet Deadly Ponies waistcoat (vest? jerkin?) there last night so yay for you NZ. As well as my two fave nz labels, Alice stocks Romance Was Born, Friederich Gray, TV (which I have to say, is growing on me), Marnie Skillings, and heaps more. I scored the Tina Kalivas mini I've had my eye on all Summer and they're on sale NOW so go there!! ps I'm so excited about Tina Kalivas' new collection, but more on that later

Everywhere is actually on sale at the moment, but these guys are my top picks.

Oh and while I'm at it, ACNE have about 3 good things on their sale rack, which are actually almost affordable, I would recommend going in there if you are extremely tiny or quite large (so you can get the lilac dress that I fell in love with, and I can be jealous of you but happy that someone lovely has it), FYI there's nothing worth trying on there if you're just in between.

PS I bought colour!

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?

things that make me go HMMMM

So today these shoes I ordered from Urban Outfitters arrived. I was feeling really trepidatious about them, and for good reason. The day after I ordered them, they dropped in price by $10 and two people posted TERRIBLE reviews about them. Anyway. They are here.

How am I feeling about them? I'm not sure.

They're slightly too big for me. The colour is a bit stronger and more beige than nude, I guess?

Maybe they'll grow on me? Maybe I need to bash them with a cricket bat to soften them up a bit? I was very excited at time of ordering because they are by Slow and Steady Wins the Race which I like. Its the first time since January that I have bought flat shoes and its making me go HMMM (I don't know what happened there).

Other things which make me go HMMM:

- 500 Days of Summer. I'm going tonight and am really unsure about whether or not I'll like it. Indie rom-coms = HMMM. Also, watching Joseph Gordon Levitt kiss other girls literally hurts my heart because he should be in my bed, wearing adorable pyjamas, reading the newspaper with me. ME.

- People saying that Pacey looks like a poppy seed bagel. Thats wrong. He looks like a crumple faced pug dog and I mean that in the best possible way.

- Paying $20 to get film developed and put on a DVD. And having to wait a week for it. WTF world?

Also its friggin cold. H8 lyf. Hmm.

ouch

I'm still sore after yoga on Monday and am foolishly going back for more tonight...

Do you know what else hurts?

I've spent the better part of three days trying to track down a certain Lover one piece and even though Australia is ridiculously near to New Zealand it has been a heartbreaking process which has signified NOTHING. What is this life about? Why are things which should be so easy be so hard? A friend of mine lent me her Lover swimsuit last year and I remember a wave of happiness washing over me that no other swimsuit has ever evoked. Usually, I'd balk at spending hundreds of dollars on a swimwear but this little dude is something special.



To make myself feel better I bought this from Topshop:


That's right, its a navy and cream breton striped crop top with hook and eyes going up the middle. I need to stop buying things online when I cannot quite discern if they are ugly or not. The day I found out that Topshop shipped to NZ was a day terrible in its greatness. The floodgates to relatively guilt-free online purchasing have been opened. Aiee!


I feel as though Lou and I have become a little too pre-occupied with online shopping. Next post will not be about things I want to buy from the internet. Promise.

want want want

I want want want these kaylee tankus clogs. Real bad. Pity I don't have $420 US to drop on clogs at the mo...

You can get them from here if you do. And then pop them in the post to me in New Zealand. Kia ora. Photos from oaknyc.com.

the fun factory / trimapee

Penthouse Mouse is a temporary fashion, arts and event space that affords emerging designers and artists the opportunity to show their wares during the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. More than just a shopping location Penthouse Mouse encompasses site specific artworks, runway shows, live photo shoots and other random happenings in a collaborative, freeform and innovative format.

It all sounds terribly wanky right? Freeform and innovative? Woah. Well, I went along the other night and despite being distinctly underwhelmed with the collaborative freeform-ness of the space, I was impressed with a bit of what was for sale.

There are so many great labels coming out of The Antipodes that I thought this might be a nice opportunity to start some sort of a regular post on local designers.

Here's what Trimapee say about Trimapee:

With thematic and historical influences, Trimapee (the a has umlauts but I'm yet to locate them on this keyboard) aims to transform the humble wardrobe into a means of expression. Versatility is created through a juxtaposition of styles creating a variety of looks for any occasion.

They remind me of a few NZ designers, which I like, particularly at this time of year when as much as I hate to admit it, Summer is waning and scarves are reappearing. NZ does Winter fashion ever so well and so it seems do Trimapee. I am quite enamored with a jacket of theirs sporting zip off sleeves and hood, in a heavily lined black denim. Also large loose knit sweaters and dresses I can imagine layering over sweatshirts and thick tights.

As well as taking part in this year's Penthouse Mouse, Trimapee have a fashion installation – Hang Your Heart in Shame – in place at their store The Milk Shoppe Gang from March 16–22. The Milk Shoppe Gang, which has quickly become one of my top 5 shops in Melbourne, can be found at 78 Johnston Street, Fitzroy.

Penthouse Mouse is set up in an ex- roller rink and arcade formerly known as the Fun Factory, until March 22, find them at 243 Toorak Road, South Yarra. Upcoming events include a short film night on Friday 20/03/09.



These pictures were all nicked from the Penthouse Mouse website. If I get around to it next week I will try to scan some of the gaunt cave dwellers of Trimapee's latest campaign, The Gods Mistakes collection.