a winter daze: July 2014

Jeffrey Campbell's shoes have always fascinated me. You can't not look at his website in surprise - how can someone walk in some of those designs?

In July 2010, Jeffrey Campbell and his shoes jumped into the limelight with the release of the Lita style heels. They're easily recognized, due to their 5 inch heels (usually wooden) and 2 inch platforms. Sounds dangerous - but they're renowned for being light and easy to walk in.

My favourite part of the image of Jeffrey Campbell as a brand is the fact nobody knows who Jeffrey is! Sharon Blackburn (quoted here) said, “We prefer to keep a low profile and let the shoes and the girls who wear them be our voice.” Which, for a now major fashion brand, is refreshing. The focus is definitely more on the shoes than the details of the brand.

But to be honest, the shoes are attention seeking enough themselves! Quite often I find myself of the website or searching 'Jeffrey Campbell' on Polyvore, and stare on in amazement at the shoes. A vast majority of them have major platforms. I envy the people who can walk in shoes like this with success. I struggle in flats. Searching through the 'vault' are of the website I came across a pair of shoes where a part of the sole is missing. How these are comfortable I will never know, but you can't deny, they're gorgeous to look at. Jeffrey must be a big fan of wooden/natural looking shoes, and to be truthful, he's converted me into a fan too.

I'm now lusting over a pair of JC's. The Mulders to be precise. I can imagine they'll be a challenge to get used to walking in, but once worn in, they actually look super comfortable. They're the time of simple black ankle boot that can be be both dressed up and dressed down.

And they're not the only JC style that can be dressy and casual. Back to the Lita's! I chose a simple black studded pair, and styled them;

The shoes are the Jeffrey Campbell Black Leather Pewter Bee's Litas.

Do you own any Lita's/ Jeffrey Campbell shoes? Are you too obsessed with the brand?

Last Wednesday (or last, last Wednesday by time this is posted), I finally had a day off work and headed up to Sylvia Park for a much needed shopping trip!

Initially I went because I needed some new jeans thanks to a lovely hole that popped up in my favourite pair </3 But, inevitably, I came home with a few extra bits. Oh well.

Black/blue jeans, Jay Jays, $50 each (2 for $80) | I did what I'd planned and headed straight into Jay Jays. I got a pair of black jeans (pictured) and a pair of dark blue jeans (I'm wearing them now!). They're both skinny fit, and super comfortable. I've had quite a few pairs of Jay Jays jeans in the past, as has my sister, and we've both found they fit well and last long - ideal!

Cream jumper, Valley Girl, $8 | It took all my willpower not to spend all my money in Valley Girl. They were having quite a big sale, and so many different things caught my eye. I stumbled on this jumper, tried it on and fell in love. It's the perfect fit to wear under a more waterproof jacket. It's not too thick, but is super warm. The price on the ticket was $9.99, so I was nicely surprised when it scanned through at $7.99.

Black oversized knit cardigan, Dotti, $25 (down from $79.90) | I was walking past Dotti, heading towards the train station until the words 'Pop up sale' caught my eye. And headed straight in. Most of their knitted items were on offer, but I headed straight to the rack of oversized cardis. This cardi has caught my eye every time I headed in store, and for only $25 I couldn't say no! Best of all, it has POCKETS! It's super warm, and the arms are the perfect length for sweater paws.

Creamy-yellow nail polish - Revlon 100 Buttercup, The Warehouse, $3 | I wasn't planning on buying any nail polish - I have enough as it is. But then I walked past the stand with the Revlon nail polish, and there were signs for both $3 and $6 nail polish. I had a little explore through the boxes, and eventually chose this colour. It's a gorgeous pale yellow colour, perfect for spring/summer.

The Devil Wears Prada, Whitcoulls, $14.69 (full price $20.99 - I got a discount through my Staff Discount Card) I remember watching this movie years ago but never read the book. So when I popped into Whitcoulls to waste time waiting for a train I stumbled across this, and decided to take it home! I've still not yet had time to read it (thanks work) but I can't wait til I head to the city next week (or tomorrow when this is posted) as I'll take it then!

xx

I'm a sucker for oversized clothes; tees, jumpers and cardigans. They're perfect for covering up with and snuggling into on colder or windy days.

(I picked up a new oversized cardi on Wednesday- a lovely black knitted one WITH POCKETS for a bargain $25 (full price $80!). I don't want to take it off!)

They're perfect for both winter and summer - winter 24/7, and in summer on those late nights outside when it starts to get a bit more chilly. I find they lean more towards the casual side of things. That doesn't mean that you can't switch up a few things to make them that bit more dressier.

I find this the perfect autumn combination. Keeping the whole outfit nude/simple colours allows for bright nails to stand out (and bright lips to match!). A daintier long necklace adds a bit more detail, and not detract the attention from the design on the top. The looser boyfriend jeans add another level of comfort.

This is a definitely a more dressier outfit (whether you want to switch up the shoes or not). The bright orange YSL purse add colour to the black and white cardi and white top. High waisted jeans and a detailed hem crop top are the perfect combination.

This would be the perfect outfit for a cooler summer night. High waisted shorts + loose crop top + Chelsea boots (with frilly topped socks) are the perfect summer combo. Light fresh, neutral make up will compliment the look.

This, like the last combo is more summery. However, dark lips, nails and jewelry do help dress it up - as does the collared shirt. Studded jewelry is a new found love of mine, and the black studded bracelet adds some edge.

I have to admit - I own these shoes :) (not the exact, $250 designer pair, but the $10 Rubi shoes equivalent shhh). And have wore a very similar outfit to this (minus the mini backpack and Naked 2 palette). It's super casual, and best of all, super comfy. Perfect all year round - put a pair of tights/long leggings on underneath in the cooler months.

Do you own any oversize cardi's? Are they one of your wardrobe staples?

I can't lie. I cried a little inside looking at pictures from the Chanel Haute Couture 2014/15. In the year and a half or so I've been heavily into fashion week(s), there's not one designer/brand I look forward to more than Karl Largerfeld and Chanel.

After the trainers at the Spring Couture fashion show, I couldn't wait to see what Largerfeld chose footwear wise this time. And I wasn't disappointed!

Jandals are an intersting choice - both for autumn, and for a haute couture runway. But somehow, the gem detailing and the big black bows 'fancy' and dress them up. I'm so very tempted now to buy Chanel flip flops for summer- or a $10 from Number 1 Shoes and 'bling' them up myself! I love how the boots almost mirror the shoes - with all of them having a bow, they are all tied in together. Brown over-the-knee boots are also such a contrast to the black flip flops - I love it.

The colour palette was also kept rather simple - whites, reds, 'gunmetal' greys with a few brozey-beiges and navy pieces thrown in - this is a great contrast to the 'rainbow dress' from the Spring 2014 line. However, just because the colours were more simple - doesn't mean the outfits were!

Many an outfit consisted of a top/jacket and a skirt with shorts underneath. But the majority of the outfits contained some amazing beaded embroidery. Just thinking about the time taken to create some of these pieces makes me want to cry from exhaustion!

And if the range of different outfits isn't enough, each model had a gorgeous little hat to co-ordinate with their outfit. And I'm in love with every single one of them.

And unlike the last Chanel show - in THE CHANEL SUPERMARKET - this show reverted back to the usual white room. I have to say - I'm a big fan of the super, simple, white background/location for a fashion show - I feel like most of the attention is kept on the models and the outfits, and there's a lot less 'things' to get distracted with!

If you want to hear Karl Largerfeld talk about the show, click here!

All my photo's I've used are from the British Vogue website.

p.s. I don't know whether any of you know this but the pregnant model featured in the finale of the show is actually a 22-year old New Zealander!

I've always loved the look and simplicity of a shift dress. They're so easy to both dress up or dress down.

A shift dress can be describe as short, sleeveless dress in a simple style with little detailing. It hangs from the shoulders and has no waist definition.

They're so easy to both dress up and down. One shift dress can be worn so many different ways, and for such a range of occasions. It can be kept loose and flowing, or with a belt adding more shape.

I love this dress. Super bright. Wearing it with black accessories is a perfect contrast. Keeping the makeup very natural and neutral keeps all the attention just on the dress and not keeping the look to overpowering. Those boots are my new obsession. The chunky heels is so gorgeous. I would love to own a pair of heels like this, but there's a high chance I'd fall over in them. All the time.

This is a super casual way to wear a shift dress. The denim definitely stops it from being too dressed up. I've always loved the combination of darker denim and bright turquoise/aqua/blue. Keeping the lips bright suits this look too. Converse are a super simple way to dress down a look.

Peter Pan collars have to be one of my favourite necklines. As always, you can never go wrong with the classic black/white and red combination. It almost seems a running theme in t mhis blogpost is chunky platform heeled shoes. I seem to be going through a phase where I just can't get enough of them!

This is the perfect summer outfit. A loose flowing dress will keep you cool and still looking stylish. I love the Aztec print on the shoes. They're super simple, but the design adds more interest. Gold and brown are the perfect summer combination- they'll look great with a tan. Simple and nude make up will look great combined with a bright pink lip.

I loooove these floral heels. Keeping the dress simple keeps the attention on the shoes. The pink complements the shoes and will work well with the rest of the outfit. A very light nude/pink eye will finish the look!

Again there's no links under the pictures. (If you want to know details of anything just leave a comment!) Last week and the next few weeks are going to be very busy work wise. I'll try get back to blogging a bit better once the school holidays are over and I don't have to work so much!

Phobias and fears have always interested me. What drives one specific person to be so scared of one specific thing? I'm claustrophobic. Though I've never been trapped in a small place my entire life to entice that fear. I'm afraid of heights. Yet I've never been dangling off a tall building fearing for myself.

Yet I have one fear, that I have 1000 reasons to justify it.

This blogpost is inspired by last nights weather. Just as we were about to head off to bed, there was a flash of lightening. An about 10 seconds later there was the loudest clap of thunder I've heard in a long time. Following it was another two ridiculously loud claps, and some torrentially heavy rain. I sat on the couchcuddling with my mum, shaking.

I've said previously in blogposts that growing up we had a caravan. And we were always taking holidays. And I don't know if you know much about caravans, but the walls are SUPER thin. So when you're inside, outside noises are no quiter inside. And you can only imagine how loud a thunderstorm would be.

I have memories of many a thunderstorm, but one in particular sticks. I was about 6 or 7. We were on holiday at a campground in the middle of a forest when the storm started. And it just got louder and louder and the thunder was following the lightening quicker and quicker. It was the first time I remember my parents worrying for our safety- what if the lightening struck a nearby tree? How quick could we hook up the car and caravan and leave?

Lightening struck and almost at the same time the thunder clapped. And the caravan shook. Mum and dad were stood up at the back of the caravan comforting us in our bunks- they almost fell over. Thankfully the storm soon died down after that, and we could all go back to sleep (this was at about three in the morning).

Unfortunately this wasn't my last close encounter with lightening - in year 10 (I think) my friend and I were walking accross the school field towards the carpark after school, and lightening struck maye 5 metres infront of us. Cue two scared girls running to their parents cars!

I think experiences like that must define some phobias- but so many others just appear with unexplained reasoning.

Do any of you guys have weird unexplained phobias? Or your own near misses with lightening? Definitely leave a comment!

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