Smaggle

Not only am I a SEVERE Etsy addict I have officially become a repeat offender. Many, many moons ago Browny (my office buddy) and I ordered necklaces from the delightful Miss Vanda at Paraphernalia. I chose the blue bird from the Fauna Collection here is a pic of me wearing it…

And Browny really wanted the goldfish

But it was sold out by the time we ordered so she got the long tail bird instead

But we had some postage troubles and strikes and missing packages so we recieved our goods later than expected. But to make up for it Vanda very kindly included an extra necklace which turned out to be the goldfish! Browny was delighted and ever since I have been hooked on Paraphernalia. I could easily have ordered everything in store on my first visit but I obviously wanted to test the merchandise before stocking up. I received the necklaces months ago but alas my blog was non-existant. So here is a massively belated thank to Vanda – I adore her necklaces, they are original, well-made and the most compliment inducing piece of jewellery I have ever owned. And today I went back for more… Bad Lady Smaggle!

I was a little scared to order this one because I wasn’t sure how the general public would cope but I decided I don’t care. I love it and I’m gonna wear it to death!

And she has new stuff now! Name plate necklaces! And they are huge! 6 x 8 centimetres!

I ordered one that says ‘Lady’…

Do visit Vanda on Etsy, she is ever so friendly and helpful. Her work is amazing and her business is growing fast. I seem to recall her mentioning in an email that she is working on a PHD as well… Absolute genius! Something tells me this won’t be the last time she hears from me.

Today is overcast and a little dreary so the picture isn’t too crash hot today. I also managed to keep a white shirt relatively clean all day for the outfit post and a bloody fly landed on me right as we took that picture so I am a grub again. I guess it’s my fate. This evening my rehearsal has been cancelled so I am going to do normal people things like watch T.V and read…

* White oragami type shirt from second hand store at Kingston Markets

* Biege skirt from Chin Chin (My friend Kate told me it means something rude in another language!)

* Grey singlet top from Supre

* Black Sandals from Marco Gianni

* Gold ring from Dubai from Mr Smaggle

* Archie comic resin bangle from Mama Smaggle

I recently wrote a post about the lack of diversity on our catwalks and this morning I discoverd this article  on the fabulous blog I Hate Generic . Just something for everyone to have a little muse about…

Today was rather quiet at work so I got a lot of desk cleaning done. This afternoon I am going home to start on the massive job of spring cleaning my room. InnerFrenchGirl inspired me to make a French List (I strongly recommend that you do this) and one of my things was to make my bed every day. I have done so for a week and it’s been delightful! I am going to do Mr Smaggle’s radio show with him tonight and he is going to help me learn my lines for my play!

* Dress from Tom Quigley

* Short cardigan from SES

* Red sandals from Marco Gianni

* Yellow sunnies from Paddy’s market

* Necklace Smaggle Made

* Cricket ball bangles from Bowling Arm bought at the markets in Melbourne but you can buy them at Shop Moose. The bangles are made from sliced bits of leather left over from making cricket balls. You can get yellow indoor cricket ones too.

Don’t wear work boots. Ever. Chunky work boots covered in construction site crap worn with a summer sundress is a terrible, terrible look. That is all.

I adore Filep. Mostly I visit his site to check out the portraits he takes of people who visit him in his studio. There is something very raw and enticing about his site that keeps me clicking on a regular basis. Being the vague little chicken that I am, I only just realised that Filep is a designer. I read his profile on the site which is an entertaining yarn about his life and the people he as worked with. He recently had a show of his work and I have to say, Lady likey. I’m not a runway girl but if more fashion shows looked like this I think I could fast become one…

The pearls have me sold. They are such a timeless and beautiful accessory and Filep had taken them out, got them pissed on martinis and let them run wild on the dance floor. I adore the sheer fishnet dress with pearls sewn across decolletage and the stockings are just too damn cool. I love the way he has mixed textures with pearls encased in tulle and string and attached at the neck with what appears to be some kind of rope. I am sensing new trends coming from this – fabric based necklaces and large statement accessories made with leather and crochet. Oh I can feel myself getting all crafty! Do check out Filep’s website, he is trendy little bugger and if you keep your eye on him he will lead you straight into temptation…

Oh and I just received an email from the man himself (soooo excited that he took the time to read my post!!!) and he asked that I credit Maria Mastori his collaborator for the stunning jewellery and also John Leeaneris for the for the fabulous photography. What a beautiful team they make. How special that three people combined their talents so seamlessly that it never occured to me that more than one genius was involved…

This was actually yesterday’s outfit but I didn’t have time to post yesterday because I was away in Sydney. We went out for breakfast, shopped at Paddy’s Markets and Pitt Street, had Japanese for lunch, had a nap and swim, went to the aquarium, saw movie and then went out for dinner at a fabulous Korean BBQ place near our hotel. It was the best day ever!

* Long green checked skirt from Tree of Life

* Singlet top from Nubby Twiglet

* Gold mesh necklace from Mr Smaggle from Oxfam

* Gold and cream ceramic ring from Mr Smaggle from Floriade

* Black havaianas

* Aviators

This photo was taken outside a church near the cafe that we breakfast at…

I look a bit rumpled in today’s outfit photo because I had been in the car for three hours. This was taken outside Macdonald’s where we stopped for frozen coke and red liquorice. This morning we had breakfast with my lovely auntie and uncle which was fabulous. We then went shopping before heading back home. It was a lovely weekend away but I am glad to back and blogging. More on my Sydney trip tomorrow!

* White dress frm Big W

* Black sandals from Marco Gianni

* Resin and leather necklace Smaggle Made

* Yellow sunglasses from Paddy’s Markets

* Glass ring from Matt and Ged from the Glassworks

Today was crazy busy at work again so I barely had time to post this on my way out the door. Browny (my work photographer and office mate) made me do Ryan from the O.C faces in my photos. It’s rainy today and that was her inspiration…

* Vintage strapless dress (it’s purple underneath) from Ebay

* Beaded shrug from second hand store at Kingston Markets

* Earrings from Threefiveeightyfive - I love them, they are twice as big as I thought they would be and I am delighted

* Wallhanging bracelet – I bought the wall hanging from Oxfam and turned it into a bracelet. It has a massive blue glass pendant hanging from it and makes awesome jingly sounds when I move

This afternoon I am heading home to pack for my weekend away with Mr Smaggle… very exciting!

Oh and today’s office comments were

* You look nice

* You look like you’re going out to a club

* You look like a peacock

Riiiiight…

I came across the most gorgeous site the other day. It’s called Inner French Girl. The blogger describes this perfect French girl inside and how she aspires to be like her. A good friend of mine (I am talking about you Jimmy if you’re reading this!) once said to me that the most admirable trait in a human being is the desire for self improvement. So I am harnessing my Inner French Girl and giving her a a swift kick up the bum with a list of things to get her going -

My Inner French Girl
* Eats well everyday and drinks plenty of water. She also exercises regularly and is never too lazy to walk up the stairs or carry heavy boxes.

* Does her washing every week (not just when she’s desperate) and separates her whites and darks. She also puts all her delicates in lingerie bags.

* She wipes her hands on hand towels and not her clothes. She also doesn’t spill food on herself. (I am serious, I am so grubby it’s unbelievable)

* She always sends thank you notes promptly and never forgets to take something when she visits friends.

* Her hair is perfect all the time.

* She has found the most marvelous shade of red lipstick and wears it daily in trademark style.

* She never swears or says unkind things about others. (I only say mean things about stupid people but I am seriously trying to cut back)

* She is kind to the environment and refuses to take boutique bags with all the tempting tissue paper and uses only designer canvas totes.

* She wears scarves.

* She sits up straight and carries herself like a lady.

You will be pleased to know that I have started being French already. I made my bed this morning and when I went to the gym I took my work skirt on a proper skirt hanger and not crumpled up in my bag. I also ate a  nutritious salad for lunch and drank water all day. And I fully intend on going to bed really soon to get lots of French beauty sleep.

Please do visit the lovely French site – it’s so pretty and there are lots of interesting posts. And what a marvelous blog it is that promotes self improvement in such a positive way!