Wednesday, May 29, 2013














It’s nice to have a day off. I don’t think I’ve felt this relaxed since the semester began almost 12 weeks ago. Unfortunately, this state of ease is going to be a short-lived one; this is, as they say, the calm before the storm. The ominous clouds of examination period are rapidly approaching, and I am feeling excruciatingly unprepared.

Ah well, one must live in the moment, and today was not a moment for study. It was, however, one for going-to-Chapel-St-and-watching-Nandi-get-a-tattoo. And oh how lovely it was.


My beautiful cousin, Nandi, whom you have all met before, is turning 21 tomorrow, and, to mark this extra special birthday, she decided to get her first ever tattoo: a little bird, drawn by elle-meme. I think the bird is the perfect design for Nandi- she's a free spirit, a traveller, far from grounded in the most endearing of ways. Plus, she harbours an intense love for Johnny Depp, who also has a swallow tattoo... now they are unified through ink!

The tattooing process was very interesting to watch. I sat by Nandi's side, clutching her hand for what took just a couple of minutes. As somebody with zero tattoo experience, I was expecting the tattoo gun to be exactly that: a gun. Or perhaps a giant, intimidating needle? Instead, I discovered something akin to a felt-tip pen. A felt-tip pen that obviously caused a lot of pain; Nandi winced and grimaced as the tattoo artist sketched into her skin. Dave was his name, and he was an absolute sweetheart, assuring her that she could stop at any time and take a break if the pain became too much... despite the artwork being a five minute job! Bless him.

In fact, everyone at Chapel Tattoo was friendly to the extent that they managed to cut the frightening, butch stereotype from my increasingly eager mind...

Yes, I am eager for a tattoo to call me own. I have always been a fan of the idea, compiling lists of possible designs and scribbling all over my arms in Biro. Now that I have witnessed Nandi getting hers, and have seen how elated and proud she was having sat through such a procedure, I can't help but think about my own tattooing adventures more seriously...


Monday, May 20, 2013





Onion's have layers. Ogres have layers. 

Ah the almighty Shrek, forever quotable and forever hilarious.
 Today I embraced my inner Ogre and transitional dressing to adapt to the increasingly temperamental Melbourne weather. 

Layering is a new concept to Northern NSW, beach-going me, but I am slowly learning the facts of Victorian life. For example, one coat is never enough, and umbrellas should always be kept in handbags for sporadic storms.

 Today I went for a shirt, another shirt, an anorak, and a MASSIVE snood/cowl/scarf. And thank goodness, it was freaking freeziiiinnnnggggg. We even put on the central heating, which is usually a no-go for our student budgets. 

In other news, I paid the bond for my new place in...wait for it... BRUNSWICK. Woop woop, no more Hawthorn, just groovy Northern suburbia. I am actually really excited, even if it means leaving my current housemates, who are pretty damn wonderful. I'll be moving sometime next month, so expect a bit of a room tour.


Sunday, May 19, 2013

LISTENING//I am currently obsessed with The Kooks and refuse to listen to anything but Luke Pritchard's soulful voice. So so good. My favourite tracks include Ooh La, All Over Town, Carried Away (this version), and Tick of Time, which I listen to on repeat as I dance around like a hippie.

WATCHING//That said, I took a moment from my busy Kooks fangirling session (which includes a foray into writing fan fiction...click here) to show my No.1 girl, Rita Ora, and her wifey, Cara, some love. An alternate video for Rita's song, Facemelt has been released and it oozes sensual feelings... I'm considering switching up my sexual preferences and moving to London. Watch the video here

READING//I recently decided to get back into reading following a 2 year book drought. I used to be an avid reader and loved all the classics, but I'm easing my way back into it all in order to prepare for the English literature classes I'm taking next semester. And by easing back into it I mean reading light-hearted teen fiction, like Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. This book was actually so enjoyable and surprisingly well written. Plus the main heartthrob is perfection. Highly recommend to those who can handle letting go of their literary snobbery now and again!

EATING//I am on a health kick, which includes cutting sugar out of my life. I know how extreme that sounds, but it actually isn't that hard; there are plenty of healthier, natural alternatives to processed sugars. One of my favourite options is dates. I blend them with a little water to create a sort of syrup for my daily bowl of porridge. They also make great snacks when teamed up with the Food of the Gods ie. peanut butter

WEARING//My Topshop leather jacket is possibly the best purchase I have ever made. Like in the entire history of purchases. I am absolutely in love with it, I swear it goes with EVERYTHING!!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013


Warming up the increasingly chilly nights with homemade veggie soup. 


Monday, May 13, 2013

Source: Nemonic


London is officially calling.

I don't remember the particular moment that I decided London was Heaven on Earth, but I must have been about 7 years old and under the influence of one too many Harry Potter books. Throughout primary school and then high school I always answered the "What do you want to be when you grow up?" question with an enthusiastic "I'm going to be a writer!! In London!!" and now that I'm finally at university studying journalism the Big Smoke is all I think about. 

Despite a life-time of obsessing over the city that brought us tea and biscuits, Love Actually, and One Direction, I haven't actually had the pleasure of being there first hand. Yes, I've flipped through every guide book available at my local library, and yes, I've spent nights scrolling through webjet.com looking for cheap flights, but I never experienced that Australian right-of-passage trip across the sea to a country of pubs and expats. 

I'm only 5 months into a three year degree and I am already beginning to feel restless. I was always a dreamer, constantly looking for the next adventure to escape to, and I am really feeling that way at the moment. I just want to run away to London, work in a pub, wander the streets listening to glorious English accents. I want to spend a year having fun, making new contacts, and really getting stuck into my creative pursuits, especially fashion. The fact that The Kooks, Chris Martin, and Harry Styles call London home isn't really helping either....

Anyway, I'm not sure what the point of this post was. I guess I just wanted to put the idea out into the universe, even if it's just for my sake. I am seriously considering deferring and living over in the city of my dreams for a year. I mean, how wonderful does that sound? The City of Dreams. 


Friday, May 10, 2013




Jumper- thrifted
Jeans- American Apparel
Clogs- Similar here
Today I am off to my local caffeine spot for a couple of flat whites, an apple cinnamon muffin, and a long day of bullshitting my way through yet another university assignment... oh the joy! 
For my essay writing escapades I thought I'd test out a new 1960s inspired look to go with my new 1960s inspired haircut. I would have loved to go full haul and wear a leotard and black tights en bas, but unfortunately I do not have the body or charm of Edie Sedgwick. Ah well.


Thursday, May 9, 2013

Today I thought I'd be naughty/lazy and post a couple of webcam photos, featuring my latest DIY hair-cutting escapades... so please excuse the dodgy quality and focus on my (possibly destroyed) locks.

I haven't had a fringe since I the 1990s when I lived a 4-year-old's life of Power Rangers and scooters. I used to have one of those blunt, straight across fringes; it was one part Suri Cruise, one part Sims. Then I went to school, grew out my white-blonde bob, and convinced myself that bangs weren't for me.

15 years on, I have finally decided to give the fringe another shot, this time drawing inspiration from the bohemian rocker look of Brigitte Bardot and Abbey Lee Kershaw (circa 2010). I've been obsessing over the vintage vibe of curtain bangs ever since Sienna Miller's appearance in Alfie, and only now have I decided to embrace my creative side (YOLO) and make the chop. After all, hair grows back eventually... right? 

Unfortunately, I am not one for patience or, for that matter, saving my pennies. This lack of money and common-sense lead to my second DIY hair cut of the year. I got out the (paper) scissors, put The Kooks on full blast, and began hacking. 15 minutes and a pile of hair later, I was left with this...




I'm still not sure if it works, but let me know what you think. I feel like it could grow on me...?

Tuesday, May 7, 2013




This morning I awoke (at 11!!) to a text from Angie. It read as follows:

I just got off the phone to the real estate agent, and she says they're planning on knocking down the house in July :((((( We'll talk more about it when I get home AHHHHHH

Yep, after months of suspicious construction posters and visits from stoic builders, it has been confirmed: our home sweet home is being demolished. And I've only been here since January! 

While it is going to be a struggle looking for a new room (anyone live in Melbourne??) and moving my mountains of clothes, there is always a flipside to an unhappy situation. We managed to find ours just moments after getting the bad news... we can PARTY ON! Just yesterday we were talking about the possility of drawing all over the walls without getting in trouble... and now that these walls will be disappearing we can go for it! And invite friends to go for it! Fun, creative, alcohol-fuelled times are acoming.

In other news, today I had a rare break from work and university and, to celebrate, headed down to my local opshop to spend a few hard earned pennies. I was so happy when I found the leather pencil/biker skirt above, for an amazing $12. Yes, it smells faintly of cigarettes, but it is real leather and I've been wanting a leather skirt for ages, so yay! 

I also picked up this cute jumper with a fur trim turtle neck. I am returning to my obsession with all things 1960s, thanks to a love for The Kooks and their sixties inspired get-up. This jumper just screamed Edie to me, so I had to go ahead and buy it, especially at the lovely price of $6.

On a side note, here is my favourite song of the moment. So. Darn. Good.





Monday, May 6, 2013










Pre-payday poverty means scraping a few coins together and making your way over to Lentil As Anything, a student and vegetarian's haven, where cheap (or even free), delicious food is in abundance. 

It was my first time at the widely talked about pay-as-you-feel restaurant, and I will definitely be making my way over to Abbotsford more often now that I have discovered the warm atmosphere, and surprisingly good food- vegetarian lasagne, dhal, an amazing fennel potato salad, minestrone, and these mini donut-esque things that Pree and Angie couldn't get enough of... YUM!

If you'd like to check out more about the organisation and all the cool stuff they strive to do, just click this lovely link. Highly recommend!