Split Stain

As you all may know, I have a shopping addiction. Spending is my forte and one day, I hope to make it my profession. However, as of late I've been saving - and quite successfully I might add. In order to deter any spending whatsoever, I have made the effort to transfer my earnings into my brothers account as soon as I get paid - an account to which I have absolutely no access. Genius. Desperate, but genius nonetheless.

So in terms of shopping and adding pieces to my overflowing wardrobe, my resources are lacking to the point of extremity (think having a grand total of $18 to spend when pay day is a week and half away). That having been said, it didn't stop me from shopping all together. I still took the time to browse through stores and reminisce about the days where I could simply purchase what I wanted. It was on one of these shopping trips that I found the skirt featured in this outfit post. Ever since my stylist assistant position with Kelvin Harries, I've had an unhealthy obsession with leg splits.

Blush Double-split maxi skirt - Forever New

Sheer lace cropped singlet - Sportsgirl

Tan belt - Dotti

Tan oversized envelope clutch - ASOS

Nude wedges - eBay

Torquoise stone necklace - Lovisa

Rings (from left to right) - Lovisa, Colette, Ebay and Lovisa

Split up the thigh, on one side, on both sides, down the middle. If there's a split, you can bet your bottom dollar that if I'm within a 5km radius, I'll find it. I've always had a weakness for pieces with a understated hint of sexy. From sheer fabrics to simple cut outs and backless dresses, I've always believed that less is more. And therefore I was immediately drawn to this skirt.

Unfortunately there wasn't much wind on the day so I wasn't able to capture the beautiful way in which it moves but let's just say it'd be on par with the NYC skyline at sunset.

It's the perfect length - long enough to wear with heels and short enough to wear with flats. I was overjoyed with this skirt and had great plans for it this summer. 

However, if you guys follow my twitter you will have seen the other day that "my favourite skirt of the season got caught in the escalator, it now sports a larger than life black oil stain". I was referring to this very skirt. I was so overwhelmed with grief and shock when it occurred - all I could do was stand and yell profanities at the escalator as though it would be sorry.

I wanted to break something, and hibernate in my room with an endless supply of Preen Oxy-Action, a tub of warm water and scrub until it all came out. That said, I've yet to address the issue and stuffed the skirt in a bag and filed it away, out of sight. I'm convinced that if I wish hard enough, the stain will disappear.

I have no words for how much I will miss this skirt. I'm most likely going to spend the next month or so visiting and calling every Forever New store, hoping that they still have it in stock.

So next time you're on an escalator in a maxi-skirt, BEWARE! Those things obviously aren't being fed very well.

In other news, my internship at Agent 25 is progressing very well. There's never a day that goes by when I don't learn something from them. We've been holding our A/W showings this week and I'm so excited for next year. Winter fashion has always been my favourite.

Until next time, don't forget to follow me on Twitter and check out my Lookbook.

Cobalt Fetish

Leather has always been a little infamous. Something many would associate with unspeakable fetishes - Leather pants have been on my wish list for as long as I remember. Dressed up or down, leather pants are a must have in every girls wardrobe, just to add that little bit of sex appeal we all want and need in our lives.

That said, a good pair of leather pants aren't a easy thing to come by. There are so many factors to which you have to take into account, and if one is missing, there's likely to be something 'off' about it. You all know that feeling when you love a garment so much but can't bring yourself to buy it because there's something about it that's just not right. That feeling - Every pair of leather leggings/pants I tried on seemed to trigger it. That is, until I found this pair and believe me, obtaining this exact pair was no walk in the park. 

I wore this outfit to a friends birthday dinner party

Motorcycle Pleather Pants - Bardot $90!! 

Cut-out Cobalt Blue Blouse - Supre 

LOVE Multi-Colour Block Heels - TOPSHOP

Black Leather Bag - Tilkah

Black and Gold Studded Bracelet - Coco Liberace @ 100Squared

Resin Necklace - House of Harlow 1960

Rings (from left to right) - Ebay, Lovisa and Lovisa

Last christmas, I finally got my grubby little hands on a pair from Forever 21. Unfortunately they were a size too small and I quickly tore through those. Literally. 

A couple of months later, I found these babies. At bardot for price too good to be true - After looking at prices that were as high as $400, I was more than happy to pay the $90. That said, these babies cost me a lot more than $90.. 

I first bought them in March only to realise a week later that I had handed the sales assistant the wrong size and had bought them in a size too large. Mind you I had already ripped off the tags (I had led myself to believe that I had lost a whole lot of weight until I realised they were a size 10 and not an 8). But I exchanged them with no issues and got the right size.

I then wore them to a house party where I got so inexplicably drunk and woke to find myself in a pair of shorts and my beautiful leather pants beside me - ripped at the crotch, knee and crack. That night, at 4am I hopped onto the Bardot website and bought myself another pair and went to bed happy - knowing that I still had a pair of leather pants. 

Leather pants #2 lasted me a little longer than its predecessor. I wore them many times to work, going out and to uni, I got my moneys worth in terms of cost per wear. Sadly, on one fateful day, I was cooking at home after work and hadn't changed out of my pants when I bent down to grab some rice they ripped at the knee. RIP leather pants #2 

By this stage you'd expect for me to just give up on the idea of leather pants all together but no, I was adamant that I had to have them. A couple of months down the track I found these babies on sale for $50! and after waiting on ebay for them, only to forget to bid - twice. I made the 45min trip down there to purchase the last pair in Sydney. So costing me a grand total of $230 I'm now proud to say, three months on, they're still going strong! 

Now that I've gotten that story out of my system I just wanted to give you all a little update about my internship at Agent 25. The girls there are amazing, so friendly and helpful and I've learnt so much from them already. It's been such a different experience to my internship at 100squared and I've only been there two weeks! My responsibilities thus far have included things like visual merchandising the show room, inventory of stock and processing send outs and returns for press. I love it there and it's only done more to reinforce my decision to defer and pursue a career in Fashion PR. 

Like a Boss

I offer you all many cookies and cakes in apologies, It really pained me when I opened up my blog everyday and saw the same opening post for almost a month. But that's about to change - For once, Jess and I were both free on the same day so we took the opportunity to take some outfit photos! Over the next few posts I'll be sharing with you all, a couple of my favourite outfits from the past couple of weeks.

This particular outfit was one I wore to my internship. I threw it together in the midst of panic after having woken up late, again. Damn that snooze button. Tailored pants and platforms - you really can't go wrong. 

I had originally planned to shoot this with a cream coat, like I had worn on the day. But being the forgetful person I am, my coat was hanging in my closet, all pressed and ready - 15kilometres away from where I needed it. 

Black longsleeve sweat shirt - 'borrowed' from my cousin

Purple high waisted pants - thrifted - $1!! 

Tan 'Bitten' wooden platforms - ASOS 

Tan skinny belt - Dotti

Gold chain necklace - TOPSHOP

Black leather bag - Tilkah

Rings (from left to right) - Ebay, Colette, Lovisa

Watch & Sunglasses- Sportsgirl

Something about this outfit made me feel so mature and professional. As I was walking from the station to grab my morning coffee, I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection and at the risk of sounding conceited here - I thought 'Daaayum Girl, You working the office look' 

Needless to say, that was my inspiration for the post title. Because this outfit in all ways that day, made me feel 'Like a Boss'. 

I'm head over heels for these purple pants. I found them last year during my HSC in a clearance op shop and when they fit perfectly I knew they had to be mine. Unfortunately I don't wear them too often as the previous owner had left an iron mark on the left leg which I have cleverly concealed here with an oversized bag. But I thought for a $1, I'd walk around and let people think I was incompetent with an iron. In a heart beat.  

On a more personal note, my internship with 100squared came to a close last week with my last duty being to assist on site at the Shop Til You Drop x 100squared exclusive shopping night event. After a full two months at 100squared, I have learned a great deal and had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people. It was actually through 100squared that I acquired my next internship. Yup, I somehow managed to land myself another! 

I begin my internship at Agent 25 this Thursday and I am overjoyed. I cannot begin to even fathom the amount I'll learn from interning at an actual PR firm. Public Relations is actually something I would love to do for a career and seeing as how I have planned to commit the next three years of my life to studying it, I thought it would a great idea to actually experience it first hand. 

Also in terms of employment, I'm now also working at GAP. I can't wait to start building my chino collection. I'm sad to say I've only managed one pair so far, but knowing me, that'll soon change. 

Behind The Scenes

I've been MIA for the last couple of weeks as my life has become engulfed by work. Since my last post, I've managed to obtain another job - so I now work two jobs and have my internship position twice a week. With that said, I could not be happier. I'm doing what I love and couldn't care less that I'm losing sleep over it. And I LOVE my sleep.

I've yet to find the time to shoot outfit photos but in the mean time, I had the pleasure of assisting in a 100squared photo shoot today and I took a few happy snaps to share with you guys. Hope you enjoy!

Mongolian Lamb Fur Coat - Bree Bennett

Cut-out Teal Dress - Princess Polly

White belt - Show Pony

Statement Necklace - Love & Luck

Shoes - Senso 

Vintage Moschino Jumper Dress - Bree Bennett

Sheer Tulle Skirt - Cameo

Statement Necklace - Coco Liberace

Belt - Show Pony

Studded Leather Cuff - Coco Liberace

Rings - Recreational

Shoes - Senso

Hair and Make-up

Monika giving the camera her Tyra Banks 'Smise'

Shot by Hobo Photography - Our gorgeous model, Monika, was styled in over 10 powerful looks by the amazing Phoenix Keating. At the tender age of 20, Phoenix works as a freelance stylist and a designer. His first show which took place earlier this year featured incredibly fashion forward pieces - his avant garde collection caught the attention of none other than THE Lady Gaga who chose to wear garments from his collection during her stay in Sydney. Despite his continuing success, Phoenix is a stylish ball of fashion fun whom remains down to earth and working with him was an absolute delight. 

Patterned Silk Blouse - Victorious

Orange Maxi Skirt - Coco and Rogers

Belt - Show Pony

Statement Necklace - Coco Liberace

Print Bodysuit - We Are Handsome

Aztec Print Skirt - Princess Polly

Red Feather Earrings - Coco Liberace

Studded Leather Cuff - Coco Liberace

Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell

How cool do those fingerless gloves look! and guess what? They're just your everyday latex gloves! Without the luxury of having gloves on hand to style, I was sent out on an errand to find some gloves we could paint and I returned with a box of tricoloured latex gloves which worked out perfectly! At less than 20cents a pair, we may be onto something here.. 

WANTED - expert therapist to cure addiction

At least that's what I should be posting..

As you'll soon realise, I am a serial shopaholic. I have no self control when it comes to spending. If uncontrollable and unrestrained shopping were a legitimate disease the doctor would diagnose me as terminal with a predicted lifespan of 2years, with no hope of a cure but a one in a bajillion chance miracle. I have had more 'interventions' than I care to admit. I decide on an hourly basis that I will start saving as of "now" and as my brother would put it, when I "make one dollar, (I) spend three". Hence the huge unworn and untouched proportion of my wardrobe. Despite being completely and utterly aware of my problem and no matter how many times I declare that it is a serious issue. I. do. not. stop.

Clothes, jewellery, books, cosmetics (nail polish in particular), food, coffee, juice, bags, stationery, games or shoes (kryptonite), you name it. With a single swipe of my heavily abused savings card, I will make it mine before you even get the chance to try and talk me out of it. Just ask Jessica - I've made it her responsibility to prevent me from spending, though I must say appointing her as my financial advisor, with our mutual love for all things fashion and similar approaches to tackling money, wasn't as effective as I'd hoped - she fails most of the time (not due to a lack in skill and finesse but rather my incessant ability to mentally overrule her). 

As a result - I have a mountain of recent purchases that I will now share with you all. 

Sportsgirl nailpolish

Assorted accesories

A sneak preview of what's to come in spring

Asos socks/tights and some shoes

Hmmmm... Shoes.. 

Can't wait for the warmer weather! 

A little birthday present I bought myself - I was dying for a good quality black bag

One can never have too many bags

Hope you enjoyed all the photos featuring a fraction of the things I've procured recently and please, if you have a cure... If you are that one in a bajillion chance miracle. HELP ME.

On a brighter, less life threatening note - as part of my new internship at 100squared, I am helping out with the William Street Laneway Festival down in Paddington which will take place on Saturday the 24th of September. Come on down and check out all the gorgeous boutiques and what they have to offer. Last year, they had over 3000 attendees! There'll also be street venders in marquees with some yummy food and a bar to top it all off!

I've actually been delegated the task of selecting a few buskers to perform on the day, I have a few in mind but I'd love some suggestions! So if you know of any great performers who'd love to busk at the festival, leave me a message, it'd be much appreciated! 

We're also launching our new Bondi Junction location on Monday and our Miranda store the week after so be sure to get down there. I'm already eyeballing a few pieces at our City stores, I'm too afraid to even think of all the different and unique stock they'll have. There's sure to be a few launch parties too so I'll be sure to keep you guys updated. 

New Beginnings

Firstly, I'd like to apologise for my absence in the past week or so, I've just been so swamped with ... life. So much has been happening!

Beginning where I last left off -

MBFFS was amazing. I met beautiful and talented people from all walks of life and was lucky enough to watch a handful of shows including the David Jones (Seeing Samantha Harris in the flesh does things to you) and Camilla show. I also dressed for the Myer and Designer Review show which was a huge adrenaline rush.

Here are a few sneaky photos taken backstage!

Group photo with a pair of models (Adhiel and Yifan) and fellow dressers

Photo of me preparing to dress for the Myer show

and my personal favourite - Male models in their speedos for the Designer Review show

Again, I apologise for the quality of the photos, the first two were taken by my friend using her iphone and the third was by a mystery phone photographer to whom I will be forever grateful.

In other news, whilst juggling university as a business student and all these fashion events it occurred to me that I no longer thought a business degree was the correct course for me. So, I applied for a leave of absence and now plan on transferring out to study towards a degree in Media/PR the following semester. My mother was a little shellshocked to say the least when I informed her that I will no longer be attending Uni for the remainder of the year. All she could say was "So... you're not going to uni anymore?" with a stunned fish look on her face.

I've also been interviewing for a couple of jobs and wouldn't you believe it, I actually got one! 

I'm now a casual sales assistant at the Glue Store in World Square! 

In addition to landing myself a new job, you're looking at the new intern for 100squared. 

100squared is a unique initiative located on the ground floor of Sydney's Pitt Street Westfields that features new, up and coming designers such as Bree Bennett, White Euphoria and Mok Theorem. This wonderful project has been so successful, they're now expanding and setting up shop in brand new locations in Westfields at Bondi and Miranda. I as an intern will have the opportunity to assist in the preparation and opening of said stores.

This coming week, 100squared and their featured designers will be launching their Spring/Summer collection on Thursday 8th September as part of Vogues Fashion Night Out so come on down to check it out! Promise you won't be disappointed!

But wait! there's more. Three day's ago, on that one fateful day... the last day of winter - I TURNED NINETEEN!

No no, you'll be hearing no tales about getting 'sloshed' in a dingy bar and waking up in some god forsaken alley. My birthday was quite tame.

Having slept half the day away, I awoke to find that I was late for a coffee date with a couple of friends and looked as though I hadn't bathed in a week (probably smelt like it too).

Two hours later, I was in the city, in front of me sat a latte and a dish of drool inducing chicken schnitzel and chips - when none other than the gorgeous Jessica arrives and surprises me with her wonderful gift.

My beautiful bouquet of love consists of an assortment of florals in all colours of the rainbow 

After a few good hours of chatter, Jessica began to fiddle around with my new compact camera and she managed to find some setting that took some pretty good pictures! So in amongst the hustle and bustle of peak hour traffic, on and off the road. We took some outfit photos! 

Sleeveless button up blouse - Forever New

Navy military blazer - Tailor made in Vietnam 

Black chiffon skort - Ebay

Khaki bag - Seduce

Suede taupe pumps - Sarrina by Steve Madden - Amazon.com

Rings (from left to right) - Nasty Gal, Diva, Lovisa, Diva

Nail polish - Pure porcelain by ORLY

For dinner, a couple of close friends and I stuffed our faces with the miracle that is Alice Springs Chicken and spoiled ourselves silly with the complementary Birthday chocolate fudge brownies topped with creme fresh and icecream at the Outback Steakhouse. 

We then embarked on an adventure to the closest body of water and found ourselves at a jetty where we sat and listened as our farmyard animal impressions echoed and bounced off the surrounding buildings. Jessica let her inner-photographer loose and here are the results! 

How amazing do the lights look with their reflections in the water? 

Aside from disrupting the peaceful night of the wonderful residents of Meadowbank, we took a few group shots and experimented with some camera settings - this kept us entertained for a good 2hrs. 

How cute are the boys? holding hands and all (don't know if they'll forgive me for posting this)

And I'm loving this ghostly edition to our album, can you spot me?!

All in all, I've had a busy couple of weeks and I cannot be happier. I've got a new job, an internship opportunity and a new perspective on life. New beginnings in a new year as a nineteen year old.

I hope you all didn't fall asleep, I know this post was a little long, but I wanted to tell you guys everything. 

I've made quite a few purchases recently so when all my goodies arrive in the mail, I'll be sure to show you guys just how much of a shopaholic I am. Seriously, I have a problem.