White + Rose

As I've succumbed to the plague, I thought it was worthwhile to post on this blog.  Inspirations I've lately been drawn to the likes of Courreges and Coperni. Futurism. Courreges is bringing back the sporty 60 minis and the vinyl, and Coperni's tech-inspired accessories are unique yet minimalist.  Coperni Fall 2022 Courreges Fall 2022 Favourite Wardrobe Items 1. All Saints Leather Jacket Purchased from All Saints This Dalby jacket was purchased in November 2020. It's not great for rainy weather but I've been desiring more of an edgier look as of late. It's a classic biker jacket, no belt detail (I don't like the belt), and still remaining relatively minimalist. 2. Coperni Swipe Bag Exact style no longer available After spying on Coperni for a good year, I purchased this bag in November 2021. It is interesting to look at, almost like an egg shape. I've gained the most compliments on this bag over any of my other ones. You can hold it by the handle or wear...

The Backstory It all started with the photo of the model wearing the sock. It's not a great photo to showcase a knitted sock (love the boots) but I wanted a cable sock to knit. I bought the Rowan Lima yarn in 2015, which had been since discontinued. There were a lot of false starts because I haven't had prior experience knitting socks and the pattern from Prima (no longer available) was poorly written. It produces a giant sock. I used Ravelry notes in order to make alterations to the pattern, primarily from Zucookie, and that was a big help in getting me started. The yarn itself is extremely soft and more lightweight than pure wool, as you'd expect from alpaca. It's an alpaca blend with merino and nylon, so a great blend for a sock. Unfortunately, it pills when you frog your work or have to unravel a few rounds. Knitting short rows was something unfamiliar and I made many mistakes that I had to unravel. The Final Product I'm satisfied with the end product. ...

As the weather's cooling down, I wanted to get winter-ready for my wardrobe. Most items were things I had on my eye on but I was waiting for a better time to purchase, whether I was waiting out for a promotion to actually having the money to purchase new clothes.  1. Black work pants I got rid of my only pair of black work pants in January with a wardrobe clear out. They were half-elasticised and didn't fit properly. I found this pair of Glassons to replace. It's the cropped capri pant. Reasonable price, and 20% off with the introductory promotion when you sign up for their newsletter. Recommended to size down as the fabric contains elastane and will stretch. I've had to go in-store to exchange. 2. Black skinny jeans Flare is back, but black skinnies are still a wardrobe staple in my eyes. I held off purchasing them up until now because I didn't foresee any use during the summer. General Pants came back with their 30% promotion (they have one at least twice a year),...

Lately, I've been enjoying Julien Solomita's Aries Kitchen, where he attempts trending recipes or makes vegan versions of dishes. The celery root fish and chips caught my attention, so here's my take on the "Fish" part of the fish and chips. This recipe is combined between recipes from Julien Solomita  and  Sauce Stache . I found it annoying that they didn't have a recipe written out to refer back to, so I made a document combining both recipes to my taste and substituting one ingredient: kelp granules. As a meat-eater, I thought this recipe was fun to try but real fish still wins. Just duck into your local fish and chip shop to takeaway and you don't even have to clean up the grease on your stove top. Beer-battered Celeriac "Fish" Cooking the celeriac I chose to omit putting any other seasoning at this step because I thought it was a bit redundant putting nori, and I didn't have kelp granules. You may add it to the seas...

It's been roughly 15 years since the first release of Miss Dior Cherie. It was one of the first fragrances I wanted, and favoured by people like Sarah from Clothesencounters and Elle Fowler of AllThatGlitters21. Despite its reformulations and changes over the years, Miss Dior (Cherie) will always have a special place in my heart. The first rendition of Miss Dior Cherie promised caramel popcorn, beautifully sweet for someone in their youth. I never really caught whiff of popcorn, but certainly the sweetness of caramel. I was thrown off on initial sniff because I was so used to the scents my mother enjoyed from Dior's range: Poison and Dune. It was also not quite as grown-up and sophisticated as J'adore, which may have been best suited for someone in their 30s. Soap and Glory's Clean On Me and The Righteous Butter range is similar to this formulation of Miss Dior Cherie and I used to enjoy layering them together. I had to say farewell to my bottle (having finished ...

In light of these difficult times and self-isolation, I thought I'd share my baking endeavours. Baking has been one of my earliest hobbies. I particularly enjoyed baking for others in high school, whether it be in celebration of my birthday or my friends' birthdays. It slowed down when I was in university, but it's something I like to do, especially when I'm stressed or need a distraction. I also baked for my coworkers on occasion. Momofuku Milk Bar is one of those places in NYC I'd like to visit. The appeal of it is their could-be-homemade feel but there's certain elements to their recipes you won't find in a typical home cook's pantry. Things like glucose (readily available in supermarkets but I never use) to freeze-dried corn powder (only obtained online)... and thanks to apartment living, I don't have space for a stand mixer. Over the span of 3 weeks, I've made these recipes with pyrex bowl and wooden spoon. I like to chill the dough ...

It's been a while since I've written on this blog. It first began as a personal style blog, a place where I could show my craft and knitting, and whatever tidbits was related to fashion and style. I never really had a clear vision for this blog, and I still do not. Throughout high school, I was fascinated with alternative fashions, especially in Japanese street fashion. I wanted to talk about it with my friends but none of them particularly had an interest for it, so I began to write. It soon drifted into observing trends and the style of others as I was trying to pinpoint my own style, but I've always been reluctant to share OOTD (outfit of the day) because I was not comfortable with my body. Posts became fewer as my interest for fashion dwindled at times, or I began to feel like it was a chore to have to post anything. At the end of the day, I do not profit from anything in my blog and I intend to keep it that way. There were a lot of things that happened in the 2010s, ...

Vintage seems to be the trend for bags lately, and brands have been shilling out revivals such as the Dior Saddle. Here's my take on some of the the bag trends. Mock Croc Image from Saint Laurent Faux crocodile or mock croc is essentially crocodile embossed leather. With the animal trends showing up in clothing and shoes, it's no surprise it'd turn up in bags. One of my friends recommended that I look to YSL for my first luxury bag, especially for their croc-embossed leather because it's fairly low maintenance, and scuffs and scratches end up looking like part of the pattern. Initially, I was the sceptic because I didn't think crocodile was "classic". Nevertheless, I like the vintage flair. To trial this trend, I've looked at proper vintage bags. Very keen on the look of the real vintage stuff with exotic leathers. There's the thrill of the find if you're willing to invest time rummaging through charity/op-shops but I opted for the ...

Clockwise from top left: Kiama Blowhole, Hyams Beach, Brighton Bathing Boxes, Stack of Pebbles, wine and cheese at Two Figs Winery, eating at a cafe at Berry, Cambewarra Lookout, interior of St Paul's Cathedral. Centre: fairy penguin under St Kilda pier. I'm not a jetsetter. I like the romantic idea of exploration and self-discovery but I hate the idea of waiting around in airports and packing. In Dec 2017, I went to the South Coast with my friends, renting out a holiday home. We explored the beaches around the area, saw the Kiama Blowhole and went to Berry and the Kangaroo Valley. It was the perfect time and place to unwind. Wine and cheese was perhaps the highlight but I don't drink much. My favourite memory from this trip was gathering in one of the rooms and having one of my friends read our Korean Saju automated fortunes and translating that for us. We all sat on the bed, listening to our potential futures. 2018 was predicted to be a mixed year for me and indi...

 I came across W.Dressroom while I was looking for an alternative to candles. With endorsements from Kpop idols/celebrities such as BTS Jungkook and Wanna One/ NU'EST Minhyun, they're popular amongst kpop fans. Retailers claim it to be affordable luxury, taking a similar concept to that of Jo Malone (making a scent available in various forms). The most easily accessible version is the mist, however, you can find candles, hand cream, reed diffusers and more of the range from YesStyle. I purchased mine from The Sesame Shop and arranged a pick-up, but this option is only available to Sydneysiders. Green Grape Sorbet and Peach Blossom are both very fruity. The floral edge is more noticeable in the grape than the peach. Peach Blossom smells straight up like peach. April Cotton is powdery and clean, much like laundry detergent and soap. Out of the three, I recommend April Cotton. It's the only scent I'd consider purchasing again. However, the quality leaves something...

Spring has me in a reflective mood, and I've thought about why I started this blog in the first place. When I started this blog, I was particularly interested in alternative fashions because I loved the idea of fashion being a form of expression and a big statement. I especially loved the DIY aspect of Japanese street trends, either reconstructing old to new or from new materials. I also enjoyed watching the trends but I liked the idea of creating your own image more. It was almost like a rebellion on what was conventional: I choose exactly how I look, rather than being told how I should look. Nevertheless, I was plagued with thoughts of how I should look, and a lot of it was what I saw on TV, magazines and on the internet. You may have noticed that I rarely posted outfits, and I had to muster up the courage to post up anything I had. I never liked my body, but I think over the years, I've grown comfortable with it being my own. Ever since I could remember, I was repuls...

It's been a while since I've been on model watch, but I saw this month's Vogue Australia article on Adut Akech and thought she's absolutely stunning, and one to watch on the runways. These days, I think it's pretty common for models to have a following on instagram and you can access it here .

Some of my favourite pieces of jewellery are captured in this photo above. From as long as I can remember, I was a bit of a magpie and instantly drawn to whatever glimmered and sparkled. I also had a fascination with the natural world around me and the heavens above. A lot of these pieces have stories attached to them, and some I have posted here on this blog before. They are still loved dearly and worn when I can. The piece I've had the longest is the white gold studs, a gift from my aunt when I was 18. Newest piece is the bee necklace, to mark the end of my Masters. Most of these pieces are relatively inexpensive, as they are sterling silver, or gold-plated silver, or just gold-toned as in the case of those bangles. I know that my taste in certain looks will shift over time, but this photo captures the style I currently enjoy: simple and dainty or bohemian.

This is yet another Wool and the Gang pattern I've completed. You can find the pattern for the crown hat here free of charge on their website.  This particular hat was a collaboration with Vivienne Westwood. She's one of the designers I admire. I thought I'd tackle it because I had an extra skein of Crazy Sexy Wool, which I intended to use for a different hat, and some extra yarn left over from my  Wonderwool sweater . Wool and the Gang is a great source of knitting projects, yarns and tools for the beginner or novice, or even the occasional knitter who wants to do a knit-along. However, if you are a thrifty knitter, you might find these patterns and yarns aren't worth your money because they are a little overpriced. They have a very "designer" look that would fit right into instagram, and you really do pay for the convenience of knitting kits. Wool and the Gang also released a video tutorial on their channel, so if you were at the very beginning of you...

Ten years ago, the first instalment of the Twilight Saga series of movies was released. It sparked my interest in Ruth Cross because Bella's Long Cable Mittens came from this designer. Ruth Cross had since closed her store for ready-to-wear and made-to-order knits but released this pattern afterwards. Unfortunately, the website ruthcross.com is no longer up (it was still up a few months ago) and I'm unsure how you will be able to obtain the pattern. There was an influx of copycat patterns after the release of the film. Nancy Fry's pattern is arguably the closest to the original pattern, as it is knitted flat and stitched together. I used Subliminal Rabbit's pattern the first time, which was already a huge learning experience because I had to learn how to knit cables, knit in the round, increase/decrease stitches. Prior to that, I only just for the hang of knitting stockinette scarves without accidentally decreasing or increasing stitches. On the rare occasion, ...

I've been using Bourjois' Healthy Mix line since three years ago. As I'm about to finish my old bottle of Healthy Mix (in 52 Vanilla, my summer shade), I thought I'd make this post. The Healthy Mix line comes highly recommended in the beauty community as an affordable high-street foundation. I'd argue that I prefer this foundation over the mid-range brands I've tried: NARS Sheer Glow, Too Faced Born This Way, MAC Studio Fix Fluid and Laura Mercier Silk Creme. I just think you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a decent foundation these days, and there are frequent promotions in pharmacies, so you could save your money for something else, like an eyeshadow palette. I first used the serum foundation, and I wasn't a fan of it. It offered a slightly dewy finish and light-medium coverage: the coverage was perfect for summer but the dewiness wasn't made to last in hot weather, especially for someone with a slightly oily T-zone. I later tried th...

This is not a new release, but I began to take beauty seriously back in 2014. That is when I discovered Sali Hughes and her In the Bathroom  series. With the release of Pretty Honest, I was very excited and eager to have my hands on a copy. I've had this book over a few years now, so here's my review on it. Prior to this, I had never come across 'coffee table books'. Frankly, whatever is on the coffee table is what I'm reading in bed, and it happens to be Tolstoy's War and Peace. Sitting right next to it would be my phone, playing A Year of War and Peace , the podcast. The chapters are short enough and within a year, I'll have read the book, a chapter a day. In any case, I'm not much of a reader of beauty and fashion, or anything with impressive pictures to look at. Pretty Honest is what you'd dub a coffee table book and it'll look equally as fitting on a dressing table. Just don't put it near your makeup because if you smear anythi...

It's been a while since I've written something for someone else's eyes. When I started this blog, I was fascinated with alternative fashions but over time, my tastes have changed. There are periods where I'm simply uninspired by clothes and trends. Sometimes, I want to wear the same things over and over again because I love what I have. Here's the story of the state of my wardrobe: Marie Kondo's popular method prompted me to spend half a day going through all of my clothing and sorting out what I wanted to keep from the items I could farewell (clothes that only fit my 13-year-old self; cheap Shein garments I never wore but purchased on a whim). I also re-evaluated my consumer habits. Quality garments such as coats and jeans are worth splurging on. I'd appreciate it if it were sustainable and ethically made but I'm not that committed to buying from brands that market themselves as such. Instead, I'm more inclined to consider preowned items (such as ...

I haven't derived much inspiration from clothing for a few years but I finally feel like I have my buzz back with these trends in store. Muted Florals I mentioned florals last year but florals are never truly out of fashion. This year, the florals are printed on sheer silk, chiffon or georgette. There's an airy quality that keeps it light for spring, but the muted colours are autumn appropriate. I fell in love with the Zimmermann florals but that's way out of my price range. Constellations/Cosmic Prints Moons and stars have always been popular but it's this year that I've noticed it more in clothing than in jewellery. Marks & Spencer released a constellation dress with funnel sleeves (in line with the 70s trend) and that sold out quickly. I opted for their other dress with the sheer outer and I will be saving that for the holiday season. I saw one in Zara too, but I wasn't keen on the fabric.

I've had my eye on Wool and the Gang's range for a while, and plunged in when they offered 30% off in their Spring Sale. For the experienced knitter, Wool and the Gang is probably not going to appeal to you. I'm an amateur and I don't necessarily have all the tools I need for a particular project. It's a great starting point for beginners or occasional knitters such as I, who wish to have a one-stop-shop. It's also for the fashion savvy as they have collaborations with designers such as Vivienne Westwood , and brands like & Other Stories and I love Mr Mittens . Overall, my shopping experience was pleasant. The personalised label was adorable and I was surprised to see that it was packaged in a box because I typically get yarn mailed either in envelopes or mailing bags. Shipping to Australia took the usual time to arrive: about 2-3 weeks. As for the price, Wool and the Gang does not offer it cheap. Nevertheless, the quality is good and you get wha...