The Cosmic Microwave Background

I love this outfit so much I've worn a variation of it one other time aside from this already! Everything about it is easy breezy and no fuss, from the denim cut offs to the oversized button-up. I got this top for my birthday when I was browsing around at Free People. As soon as I saw it I knew it needed to be mine and it was on sale too! I thought this top could be styled so many different ways and would be great for the summer months, with a pair of shorts, like how I've styled here, but also once the colder temperatures began to set in, with high-waisted denim and a faux fur vest. The sleeves were a little long for me, but that's nothing a good cuffing job can't fix.

Hats have totally become my go-to this summer... I can't seem to get enough! I almost want to wear a hat with every outfit I put on at this point! I feel like they just complete any look giving it some added interest and style. I went for my usual pile of accessories and adornment, adding my flea market necklace to the mix. And of course, no outfit of mine would be complete without a pair of ankle boots. When I wear these particular ones I feel as if they make my legs look longer, and heck yeah at 5'2 I'm all about that! Even if it is just some misconstrued illusion.

I've been heavily feeling my Australian's again and listening to the lovely Shiny Joe Ryan & The Cosmic Microwave Background. This is Shiny Joe's little solo project when he isn't jamming with POND or touring with Tame as their roadie, sporting a lab coat and having the best hair in the game. The entire album is a complete gem filled with so many great jams and cosmic waves of sound. One of my favourite songs from the album is "Hold On For The Ride", and it's no surprise with the inclusion of the sitar throughout. The song makes you feel like you're on an actual ride, whilst Ryan's vocals wave in and out throughout the entirety of the track.   

Hold On For The Ride by Shiny Joe Ryan 

Elegant Design

I'm currently sporting shorter locks thanks to a haircut. Even though I was reluctant (to the point of tears) it was much needed so I could have some body and dimension back into my hair and it could hold the wave better. I had completely forgotten I had ordered this top and then one day it just showed up in the mail and I could not have been happier. It's always a nice surprise to receive something in the mail (that's not bills to pay) especially when it's something you had completely forgotten about.  

As soon as I pulled this top out of its packing I was instantly in love! It's a lightweight chiffon material cut in a babydoll style with this really cool and intricate paisley design all over. It's oversized and effortless and I feel like I can pair this with any sort of bottoms. It's super flowy and makes me want to just get up and dance and twirl around. I'm a lover of flares anywhere I can get them and the sleeves on this are just perfect because they're super billowy and have a bell-like quality to them. I want to wear this top everyday! I paired it with some white denim shorts, a little change from the usual blue. I think theres something so fresh and cool about white denim, something unexpected, and not to mention they practically scream s-u-m-m-e-r. 

I feel like I'm all about the hats lately. I got this concho boater recently and I've already worn it twice (now a third)! The crystals in the middle of the conchos are so cool because they change colour in accordance to the light! I feel like this hat adds a little southwestern vibe to any outfit too, something I'm all about! To keep with the crystal theme I piled on two of my favourite crystal necklaces as well as my Egyptian Ankh one.  

I'm currently wishing I was attending Splendour in the Grass this year. It seems as if every year the lineup is great, with this years including some of my all time fav's: Tame Impala, POND and The Babe Rainbow. And the little market booths that they set up with Australian labels and designers seem so cool, even including Spell and the Gypsy Collective. I know one day I'll be able to make the trek onto the other side of the world and experience Splendour in all it's blissful splendour. But for now I'll live vicariously through the exceeding amount of Australian clothing brands, bloggers, and bands I follow on Instagram and pretend I'm there! 

Have a great weekend everyone and soak up that summer sun!

Reality In Motion

Calling all pilgrims! I feel like a total pilgrim in this get-up. I think it's the long-sleeved, semi-high neckline + hat combo that's totally giving off that vibe... Regardless I love it! I scooped up this cute lil dress before work one day when I was having a browse around the shops. Something about it struck me, I think it might've been the babydoll silhouette and the beautiful repeated patterning throughout and the fact that it's long sleeved and would actually be practical in the fall and winter months. Or that's what I tell myself at least until the temperatures go down to the negative forties and fleece lined tights under jeans are a necessity.    

I'm totally into the sunglasses + hat combo too. There's nothing like a giant pair of round sunnies that encompass your entire face, I feel like a total bug. I'm channeling some hardcore Janis vibes again. That woman could dress like no other. 

I'm realizing more and more that life's about the fun moments and that the fun moments are the important ones. Those are the moments that you remember when you're old and wrinkly and sitting on a porch, recounting stories of your youth to your grandkids. The fun moments aren't always the perfectly planned ones either, they're the ones where things stray from the plan and shit happens. It's important to laugh and be in good company, because if you aren't you're doing yourself a huge injustice. Lately I've also been feeling that it's really important to seize the moment (carpe diem, if you will) and take a leap of faith, try something new even if you're scared or worried or anxious, because you never know what might come of it. Regardless of the outcome however, it'll be a definite learning experience. Life and reality are in a constant state of motion and because of this you must move with them too or else they'll just pass you by.    

Blurry pictures because life is too short not to publicly share the moments when you were laughing your head off.

Wishing I Was At Coachella...

FOMO (fear of missing out) is hitting HARD. As weekend one of Coachella comes to a close the feelings are real. Another year passed, another year I didn't attend. Seeing everyone I follows Instagram pics made it look amazing, as I'm sure it was. I watched my fav's from the comfort of my bed via the live stream throughout the weekend. Tame Impala kicked off my Friday night. They were amazing as always and started off the set with my favourite song of theirs off Innerspeaker and even included the two new singles off their much anticipated third LP, Currents. Almost as good as their music was their light show. It elevated the entire performance and put you into a psychedelic bubble of bright lights and cool synths and guitars. Oh and not to mention Kevin was rocking his bearded Jesus look with signature tie-dye tee *swoons*. On Saturday, Jack White was one of the last acts of the night and his set brought on nostalgic vibes to last summer when I had the pleasure of seeing him. I grew up on The White Stripes, learning their songs on guitar and praying I could be 0.5% as cool. Jack can shred like no other and his riffs are to die for, perfect festival music. I love the way he eases into every song and puts his own spin on them when performed live, he even snuck a Raconteurs song on there. No performance is ever the same. You have to see him live at least once in your life. To end off the weekend Mac Demarco performed. I love how positive, silly and happy he always is on stage and it really radiates out onto the crowd. He's such a presence, I love his entire being. He played a lot of stuff from 2 and ended the set in typical Mac fashion, a crowd surf! After that ramble... Onto the outfit!    

To somewhat put my Coachella blues at ease I put together a Coachella inspired outfit, for a pre-spring day. The weather was gorgeous on Saturday and gave me smiles all around. I watered my plants, opened the shutters wide, letting the sunlight flood in, put on a record or two and spent a majority of the afternoon just relaxing and getting ready to head on over to PF Changs for dinner. I recently purchased this crochet fringe kimono from Garage and I'm in absolute love!! Everything about it is so "me". This is probably one item I'd always wanted to have in my dream wardrobe and now I do! 

I love myself some good accessories and with this outfit it was no exception. I got my favourite pair of sunnies from Urban Outfitters that I purchased on a whim one night when seeing The National. One of the best "on the whim" purchases of my life, by the way, they've served me so well. I chucked on my actual favourite necklace of all time. It's gold and has coins that jingle-jangle when I walk and I feel like epitome of a janglin' soul (guess that Edward Sharpe lyric?) when I wear it and walk around. It makes everything so much more fun and festive sounding.  

I paired it with the leather leggings you've seen a million times but are now acceptable to wear without feeling your entire leg go numb from the cold and my booties from Urban Outfitters. 

Kimono   /   Top   /   Leather Leggings   /   Necklace    /   Booties

Black, White And Hats

I feel like everyone needs a good hat in their life. It's such a simple accessory yet it can take an outfit to the next level. I especially love hats of the wide brimmed variety. They're the perfect accessory for bad hair days or super sunny days whilst still maintaining that level of chic.  I got this hat from Forever 21 in a sneaky little order last summer and I was in love ever since. This thing came with me to a music festival last year and managed to stay in tact. I love that it's not like my usual floppy hat that I like to sport in the summer but rather a wide brimmed fedora, something a little more structured and tailored. I feel super British for some reason when I wear this hat? I'm not sure why. (Maybe it's the excess watching of British fashion YouTubers and bloggers). 

This look is pretty monochrome, again. I guess that's my thing? I paired the hat with an embroidered kimono I got recently from Forever 21 and this easy breezy white chiffon button up shirt that I got from H&M ages ago. I love chiffon button ups because they look pulled together without feeling like you're in a stuffy 9 to 5. You can still move and breathe! 

I piled on the accessories to jazz up this look. If you're ever in the market for dainty necklaces with small pendants on them I suggest hitting up Brandy Melville. You can find a ton of cute pendant necklaces. I decided to go for a few different kinds; a shorter one with a turquoise horn on it and two longer necklaces; one with a crescent moon and another with an amethyst crystal on it. It definitely amped up the interestingness on this rather boring chiffon button up and I think it added some flair. 

Jeans   /   Kimono    /   Top   /   Necklaces    /   Hat

Film Noir in the Desert

Went for a little bit of a different theme today, black and white and another post featuring one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe, my faux fur vest. Instead of jeans and a top I paired it with a dress this time since the weather's getting warmer. I love the embroidery on this dress and let's the dress showcase itself. I got it ages ago from Forever 21 and love it's peasant style vibe. It synchs in at the waist with a lovely tassel as well. 

I love that this dress is also the perfect length for me. Sometimes I feel that with being short most dresses can either be too long or can cut you off at an unflattering point in your leg. But with this dress being super mini I feel like it elongates the legs (I'll take what I can get at this point to appear tall). This outfit reminds me of something that'd be perfect if Coachella happened in the Autumn. With a floppy hat and patterned bag this outfit would be complete. Festival season is on its way and I can't wait. It's my favourite time of year and combines some of my favourite things: live music, fashion, the outdoors, summer sun and good times with friends. I gather a lot of my fashion inspiration from festival fashion. Something about the total carefree attitude and emphasis on unique pieces. Coachella style, Osheaga style, Bonnaroo style, Lollapalooza style, I can't wait for it all! 

Vest   /   Dress  

 Creds to my sister for taking these pictures for me ♡  

Styling A Band Tee Up Or Down

A band tee is one of my favourite things to wear. It lets you show off what bands you like and serve as some sort of identification. Band tees are usually thought of as sloppy and certified casual wear but I actually think they can look dressed up if done properly. I decided to take on the challenge to  try and style this shirt, dressed up or down. 

DRESSED UP: 

As mentioned in a previous post a blazer, in my opinion, can dress up any outfit. I broke up the all black in this look with a caramel coloured blazer I got from H&M. It's not too sloppy looking and not oversized, it's pretty fitted and that makes the tee look a little bit more pulled together. To play with textures and add a more dressed up feel to the outfit I decided to pair this look with some sleek leather trousers. These leather trousers not only give that added edge to the outfit but they also make the look appear a little more formal and pulled together. 

Now for the accessories... To play up the graphic on the shirt I decided to add a bib style statement necklace the black stone goes with the overall black theme of this outfit and makes the necklace look a little tougher. As for rings, as you may have noticed by now, I can never get enough! I went for smaller rings this time though as opposed to statement ones because I want the outfit to do most of the talking. 

DRESSED DOWN: 

For a more casual vibe I paired the tee with some more laid back pieces. I went for a classic black skinny jean but with a twist. These black skinnies have rips in the knees, adding a bit more edge to the outfit. I barely ever wear sneakers of any sort but I envisioned this outfit to be for the weekend, when I'm out and about running errands. So I kept the shoes comfortable. Instead of a full-on sneaker I went for a slip-on style and I absolutely love the print on these! Who doesn't love a little leopard in their life? 

For some added warmth I chucked on a khaki green slouchy button-up and rolled up the sleeves. It's a little thicker than a flannel but still gives off the same vibe, that's why I love it! It also brings together the whole casual look of this outfit. This is definitely one of my go-to outfits on a weekend or for a regular school day once the weather gets warmer and there's no more need for a coat. 

So what do you think? Can a band tee be dressed up and down? 

OUTFIT ONE:    Blazer   /   Tee   /   Trousers  /   Necklace    /    Rings 

OUTFIT TWO:    Shirt   /   Tee   /   Jeans   /   Slip-Ons 

Crochet Dreamin'

The weather's been making a turn for the best over the last week! The snow's starting to melt and I'm beginning to see little patches of grass peeking through. All signs lead to... SPRING. I decided to welcome spring with one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe, this long and flowy crochet kimono. It reminds me heavily of festival season, which is right around the corner. This kimono just makes me want to dance to records all day or dance at a festival with the band performing. 

For some added spring vibes I paired it with this floral top from Zara. The overall pattern and colours peeking through the crochet make it look so pretty. And I brought out the coloured denim. Royal blue to tie it all together.

Kimono    /    Top     /   Jeans   /   Boots

Cozy & Warm

With the recent weather we've been experiencing every time I walk out the door it's the equivalent to the Arctic Plunge. It's been hard to wear anything besides the thickest sweaters I own and layers upon layers.  

I love this turtle neck I got from Garage. It's cozy and definitely does the job of keeping me nice and warm and its in this beautiful shade of eggplant. I paired it with these boots that remind me of summer with their quilted aztec patterning. 

My walks home have looked a lot like this recently, snow-covered and deserted. It seems as if everyone's given up on trying to enjoy the great outdoors, Mother Nature: 1 , Everyone else: 0. 

Outfit Details:  Sweater  /  Leggings  /  Boots  /  Rings