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Showing posts from 2011

Knit: Angora and Lambswool Hat

Hello there, So I've been knitting lately, trying to occupy the free time I had after my exams have finished and I've finished knitting a piece using the same angora/lambswool blend yarn I had used to make some mittens in my previous posts. I'm not very pleased with the quality of my finished product, merely because I didn't have enough yarn to properly follow the pattern I was using: All-Day Beret Rather than a beret, I've made a pseudo-beret/beanie. It was originally supposed to be a gift but I'm not sure whether to give it anymore. It's small enough to fit a dog, if dogs wore berets. Here's a picture showing how small it is as I've placed it on my cow plushie (who I call うし、which is 'cow' in Japanese [pronounced ushi] but it also has an English name Daisy because a girl I know insisted that it should be called that) Well, it's small enough to fit a big dog like a labrador, or a German shepherd.

Scraps: My Style

Hello there! Though it has nothing to do with fashion, what I'm going to say is: I've finally finished my exams! That was actually a week ago but I've just been grieving for the fact that I ended my exam period with a fizzle rather than a spark. Anyway, back to fashion, I've realised that I've never really showed my style on my blog but that is because I did not wish to put anything too personal in this blog. I just had the idea to break down my style in this blog post, so that is exactly what I'm going to do. If I had to describe my style, I would not really be able to put into words. I wouldn't describe it as chic, or classic, sophisticated. I'm not trendy nor am I casual or relaxed. Though I'm quite fond of vintage clothes, I would not describe it like that either. It's simply a reflection of who I am, what I like and what I feel like on that day but I used to have some goth and punk influences in my style. 1. Plaid I'm very fon

Update: H&M's Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Line?

When I first read about this, I admit I was a little curious, then excited, then started questioning about it: "Why make a line based on Lisbeth Salander when most people wouldn't be wearing grunge/goth?" I'm among those millions of people who have bought a copy of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and read it. (I have the trilogy sitting on my bookshelf now... sitting in front of the Twilight books I haven't touched for years and probably won't touch again.) She's my favourite character and probably everyone who has read the book would at least feel sympathy for her, if not admire her strength despite all those unfortunate events that happened to her. Now you can actually dress like her with H&M's collection based on her style. I wouldn't go all out with it but I do have my eye on their leather jackets. I've always wanted to get a leather jacket but I feared that it wouldn't suit me at all. I wouldn't dare go near the leather pan

Trend: Flower Accessories

In Australia, spring has already crept in and it's nearing summer. There is a reason why I love looking at accessory trends: they don't change as regularly as clothing. Headbands are still in. Feathers are are still there (with Melbourne Cup drifting in, there's no reason why you wouldn't see them) And now, there's flowers. I don't mean floral patterns on headbands or gold earrings in the shape of a flower but rather fake flowers chained up into one: the realistic look. Floral garlands have popped up in Sportsgirl, from simple designs to more elaborate ones. More hair accessories from Diva. I can imagine those garlands being worn at a concert or a nice casual day out but even I hesitate to try this trend. Those garlands could even be used for a wedding, if the flowers were white.  The two accessories on the far right from Diva. The rest are from Sportsgirl. Although it hasn't hit stores, it can also be in the form of jewellery. In etsy, there are h

Trends: Polka Dots

久しぶりね。 It's been a while, hasn't it? (I don't know why I wanted to type Japanese... but I've pretty much translated that) So I felt in the mood to do a short post, or somewhat short post to me. Although Australia's just entering spring and heading towards summer, I don't exactly know what struck me to do a fall trend that's picking up in the northern hemisphere. But I think this trend will definitely hit our stores when the time comes.  Polka dots is what I'm talking about. Looking at some of the pictures in the collections for fall ready to wear, there seems to be polka dots popping up. Mainly in the Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenburg shows but even celebrities are wearing it. To be honest, I'm not too fond of dots because they can end up looking very psychedelic? They just make my head spin, especially because they opted for OTT dotty. I can recognise that face anywhere. It's Ming Xi in DVF Fall 2001 RTW.   Both from Marc Jac

Picture Overload: Outfit with Bow Headband

Hello there, It's certainly been a while since I've posted anything. I've just finished all my exams so now I could actually spend some free time updating this blog. To be honest, I lost a bit of my passion for writing about fashion and I couldn't think about what to write. So I thought I'd just do a post on something I'd wear with the bow headband (which I made a tutorial on). I can't get away with wearing it in my normal outfits because while my style is a little girly, it can't really get away with this cutesy OTT headband. The headband really isn't as wearable as I had thought it would be... which frustrates me to no end because it just sits there in my drawer.  So basically, I pulled out the girliest thing I had, which was a Sass and Bide Vie Dress. The material is sheer so it's actually more of a beach dress but it sort of channels Snow White and Minnie Mouse with the headband in the summer. It's very difficult trying to take a

Scraps/Trend: Spring/Summer

Hello there! So it's been a while since I've typed anything up on my blog. I'm actually supposed to be studying at this moment but I couldn't help but I had to force myself just to write this post. I thought I'd do a little thing on the spring / summer trends I think might come to Oz (Australia... if people aren't familiar with that term).  Most of the trends we get in Australia were trends from Spring/Summer in the northern hemisphere. I just have a gut feeling that I'd be seeing lots of c o l o u r in stores this spring and summer (hopefully, I'd get to flee from the sticky Aussie heat and spend my days in icy weather in the north, this year.) From the runways, lots of orange popped up and something called " colour-blocking ". So I thought I'd draw both into one little outfit. There's a reason why I don't like drawing faces and I'm sure you can see why from this scan:  Ignoring this hasty and pretty ugly drawing, th

Model: Ming Xi

Hello there! I thought I would make a post, seeing as it's a long weekend here in Australia and I probably won't be blogging for a while as things are going to get busier for me. Oh, and I've also started a beauty blog at: http://maquillagebythesea.blogspot.com/  Whether you want to read the beauty blog, it's really up to you. I thought it would be fun to write one, even though I'm still struggling to keep up with a fashion blog.  I've been focusing on street fashion and alternative fashions so far, as well as mainstream trends, so I'll be writing about something different. I've been hiding under a rock and finally realised that there's a lot more Asian models now. I still think it consists predominantly of white females though. I was just searching on the net and I came across a model called Ming (Mengyao) Xi (also was known as Barbie Xi for a period of time) and I was stunned by her work.  Givenchy Couture - Paris - S/S 10 Emilio

Formal: Update

Hello there! I haven't been updating this blog lately as I've been quite busy with reality.  My personal situation (if you're not interest, please ignore): My final examinations are drawing near, I'm in my assessment period before the finals. I also plan to take the UMAT (which would be an external examination) and not to mention that I thought it would be fun to add a chemistry competition into this mix. School is practically dominating every minute of my life at the moment.  Back to what I plan to talk about: my formal dress. I've decided to be lazy and instead of sewing the dress myself, I'll just decorate a pre-made dress. I've got most of my materials to make the dress except the dress itself. It will probably be difficult to stick to the design I had originally wanted.  However, I still have that Gibbous Fashions inspiration in mind. I can just imagine how fun it would be to rip those strips of cloth and the hours it would take to sew the st

Picture Overload: Autumn Knitting

I'd like to mention a few things first. Firstly, there aren't a lot of pictures. Secondly, it's the end of the holidays, so I won't be posting much anymore. I'm lucky if I can post once every week. I believe I have mentioned before in a previous post but I have a strange habit of knitting in the summer and for the rest of the year, I hardly do any knitting. So this post won't have a lot of finished projects. In fact, I've only have one. So the yarn that I had used was handspun by Shadyside Farm Studio: here. It was the yarn called Bunny Hug, which is 40% angora rabbit and 60% lambswool. Enchanted by the of angora rabbit but knowing that angora fibres weren't very elastic, I chose a blend (I didn't make the purchase myself, because I can't). It isn't as fuzzy as pure angora but it still has that bit of fuzziness. I had turned the skeins of yarn into balls. It's not exactly very neatly done but it made it easier to knit with. I

Trend: Feather Hair Extensions

Hello there! You can debate whether feather hair extensions should or should not be in this blog. It's a hair trend but I regard it as an accessory and fashion isn't restricted to clothing and jewellery. I've actually mentioned these in one of my past posts but it seems now it's popping up everyone's hair, from youtube to celebrities like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Hilary Duff.  I'm a little late when reporting on trends and I've stated before that I report trends in Australia but I suppose this applies to people in the Northern hemisphere, having spring melt their winter. It's probably just me but I have a feeling that these will probably pop up in some heads when spring comes for us.  I wouldn't say there is a large demand for feather hair extensions but it is increasing. If it's really popular in the US, I'd say it definitely would pop up here as soon as winter ends. If you're daring enough, it can look really hip and trendy... a

Trend: Earmuffs

It's been a little while since I've posted something. I haven't really planned out anything so this post will be a little messy. I don't like to do posts on trends, to be honest. These trend posts focus on what's in Australian fashion at the moment, so I'm pretty much reporting on the trends that people living in the Northern hemisphere just had. Anyway, I've noticed earmuffs popping up in shops from Equip to Armani Exchange. I actually think it's pretty cute but this trend will probably be short-lived (what I mean about this is that I can't see it popping up again next year). It's more like an accessory rather than something useful, as it only keeps your ears warm. Australian winters aren't that cold and I don't think we need to keep our ears warm.  However, if you're looking for a pair of earmuffs,  AUD$16.99 from Equip If you want to splurge on a pair of earmuffs, they have a pair on display at the Armani Exchange in the P

Tutorial: Red Bow Headband

Hello there!  As it's the school holidays in Australia, I've had quite a lot of spare time. There was one particular project I had always wanted to make and that was a headband. Specifically, it was the red bow headband on Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf from "Victor, Victrola" in the first season. It's one of my favourite headbands worn on the show. (The other one being the 'Queen Bee' headband given to Jenny: the Swarovski crystal headband by Jennifer Behr, which she hardly wore.)  This is actually the first tutorial I have ever written and I really do hope I don't spare any important details. In that case, I had taken heaps of pictures of the process and yet I haven't used all of them. The measurements I give out are only approximate and you may alter it for a bigger bow or a smaller bow. You may also alter it to make your own design, if you wish. Level of Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate Skills: Hand-sewing and machine sewing Wha

'Round the World #4: Steampunk

Today’s all about Steampunk. I suppose it’s a little tribute to my friends. It’s also the first entry of ‘Round the World that has nothing to do with Japanese fashion!  Steampunk – it’s based on Victorian fashion, a little fantastical and has a little dust of nostalgia but at the same time, futuristic. I don’t know when Steampunk had started but lately, it’s become a little more mainstream so I’m sure everyone has seen something of the sort, if not heard of it. When it comes to fashion - it’s all about the elegance of the Victorian era, mashed with brass machinery and clockwork and aviator goggle, at least that is how I see it, but it's a little more than that. It's a little daring, just like all alternative fashion.  I first heard of Steampunk probably around two or three years ago so I’m not exactly new to the style but I don’t know much about the culture itself. The clothes are very much like your Victorian goth but a bit more brown and brassy. If you really don’t know wh

Formal: Betsey Johnson + Gibbous Fashions + My Plan

As I had promised (I think), I'll be writing about formals. It's been a while since I've written something. I'm not exactly pleased with my examination results so I would have to limit the amount of time I have for writing these posts in order to fill them in for some study.  I suppose Betsey Johnson would be one of the designers I think of whenever I hear anything about Prom . I adore the 50s inspired, feminine dresses they offer - it's just so girly and lacy. While I was thinking about what to wear for my year 10 formal (I didn't end up going), I came across her Evening Tea Party Dress. I had fallen in love.    The dress I'm talking about is what Selena Gomez is wearing.  Now, I'm not a fan of Disney anymore (hey... who didn't watch anything Disney when they were little kids?) but I really liked the dress.  Of course, the dress doesn't exactly suit my shape, seeing as I don't have much of a waist. Not to mention, it was about US$400.