pastel coloured daze

Acne dress, Midas sandals, Alexander Wang bag, Celine Audrey sunglasses

I talk about the weather a lot on my blog but I can't help myself (it's almost obsessive compulsive), because how I dress in the morning will definitely 100% be influenced by the weather and my plans. So when Saturday morning brings nothing but blue skies and clouds of a cartoon nature and fluffiness, on a weekend that was destined for thunderstorms, I was definitely going to embrace the Indian summer. I told you that it was on its way!

I spent the beautiful Saturday at Bondi Beach; a quick visit to the Farmer's Market, a quaint cafe, strolling down pastel coloured streets and unsuccessful browse at Tuchuzy. When autumn gives you a blessing in the form of a hot summer's day, the only way to react is to spend a lazy day wearing your favourite dress in the sun with a better-than-Bali-coconut. That's really what life should be everyday. 

x karen

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dressed in stripes

Bassike dress | Acne 'Rita' leather jacket | Rag & Bone 'Harrow' boots| Celine two tone clutch 

I'm sure by now everyone knows about my somewhat un-healthy relationship with stripes and leather. So basically, this is outfit heaven for me. The perfect Bassike striped dress which I've actually been contemplating cutting to just above my knee, or maybe I'll just get used to the longer length once I wear it more? 

Up until now, I've only been wearing my beloved Acne leather jacket within the confines of my home because I've been trying to wear in the leather so that it loses its stiffness. However, after much contemplating I finally wore it out during the past weekend. It was the perfect weather last Saturday, it was amazing to dine alfresco and just bask in the warm winter sun. 

 x karen

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meet rita

Some purchases are pure gluttony whilst others are born out of necessity. I like to think that this was a little bit of both, the best of both worlds if Miley Cyrus has anything to say. I'm sorry for inflicting that video clip on you, but I'm not going to lie and say that that song doesn't come to my mind everything someone mentions anything related to "the best" and "two worlds". 

Anyways, before I delve any further off-track, I wanted the implore the fundamental hole that this purchase has filled in my wardrobe. If you follow my blog, you know that I have a certain soft spot for leather jackets; some call it a weakness, I call it elemental. Leather is pretty much the basis on what most of my outfits are built upon, easy and chic. 

Now, I've finally found a leather jacket thick enough to really keep me warm through winter. Contrary to popular belief, it gets frigidity during Sydney winter. Not that I'm bemoaning my Mister Zimi leather jacket, but it's really more of an autumn leather jacket (or am I just desperately justifying this purchase?). I can't wait until the leather on this Acne jacket starts to really soften up; I've been wearing it around the house (and occasionally to sleep) in anticipation of this event.  

x karen

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winter leathers

There's a dangerous game that I like to play when I'm deeply immersed in my examination period. No, it's not how many episodes of Suits can I watch before releasing that that watching the greatest closer in the city practice law is really not quite the same as actually studying for law. Then there's that depression that follows; people will always assume you're life will then be surrounded by glass walls, hot paralegals and men with great taste in music and clothing when you're really just stuck inside a cubicle pushing paper.

No, I play a much more dangerous game than that. I play with my heart and my self-control. Although, lack of funds does sway the game in my favour. During the stressful exam period, I like to online shop. Y'know, really walk on the wild side by cutting down on my studying time and junk food budget. But what I realised this time was that, even when I'm virtual shopping (that is, adding to my shopping bag but never pressing that checkout button) I'm vying towards the classics. And somehow, somewhere along the line, I lost all colour except red. 

These are definitely things that I already have versions of in my wardrobe. Acne jacket included, YEP, did I not share the good news? Except for those Givenchy boots. I would really like those boots. If Santa is listening...it's winter in Australia...and isn't that what Christmas is all about anyways?

This will be the winter of white, black & red. Maybe the occassional grey for when I'm feeling really dangerous.

x karen

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micah

Acne Micah jumper in white | Acne Micah jumper in powder blue

Lately, all I've been wanting to do it stock up on basic. 

Especially with the anticipation of winter, anything soft

and fluffy has an automatic green light.

x karen

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tetris

Sass & bide dress | Subtitles jacket (seen here) | Acne 'Rise' boots (seen here)| H&M bag

This dress is something that I've had in my wardrobe for the past year and it's been on

high rotation. It's the perfect shift for summer days where all you're doing is lounging around

and eating. But it also transitions to cooler days, the perfect pop of colour to wear with your

khaki jackets. 

But, after a recent epiphany (mostly due to the addition of a built-in wardrobe in my room)

I've realised how much the sheer of volume of my clothing has been weighing me down.

Over the years, I seem to have collected an endless amount of clothing but I constantly find

myself wearing the same pieces or similar items of clothing only, whilst lamenting the sad state

of my wardrobe. But this year is going to be different, I'm getting rid of all my excess clothes 

and it will be approached with militant self-control. 

Anything that doesn't align with my lifestyle now or my style now, will be gone. 

Anything that I've had more than a year but have worn less than 5, will be gone.

Anything that I don't love or am excited to wear, will be gone.

Anything that I'm holding onto purely for sentimental value, will be kept in the garage.

I tried.

Anyways, most of my things will be listed on ebay and then maybe moved to a blog shop.

Everything is genuine and everything is priced extremely well. I really just want 

the chance to streamline my wardrobe. My secret dream is to have a wardrobe that I can 

walk into and close my eyes, pick out a bunch of random things and for them to all to

mesh into a brilliant outfit. My wardrobe needs to work as my brain, if only I had that 

Clueless computer.

So, shop my ebay here and I'll let you guys know when I set up a blog shop.

x karen

p.s. just to show how serious I am, I even sold my Isabel Marant skirt from here. 
That's how serious I am.

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birthday month

Helmut Lang stretch leather legging | Proenza Schouler snake-print skirt | Dannijo 'Oksana' earrings | Hermes CDC | Acne 'Rita' leather jacket | Valentino Rockstud heels | Proenza Schouler PS11 in sorber

I'm one of those people that get ridiculously, unexplainably, chocolate cake with fudge excited with the thought
of my birthday. The mere thought of my birthday gets me all giddy, let alone the sight of the Taurus horoscope
creeping its way up the magazine page- a tell-tale sign that it's almost birthday time.

For those of you that are astrology inclined, you'd realise that Taurus isn't for another month. But I'm all for
being prepared because the real reason I love birthdays (I am no longer amused by my digits increasing
every year) is that its the perfect excuse to buy myself a present (or two). For the sake of efficiency, I've compiled
a visual diagram of my cravings du jour. 

In reality, my budget does not extend to the dramatics of this collage however a girl can always dream right?
(and if family & friends (esp. bf) happen to be reading, a not-so-subtle hint has never led anyone astray before,
only to bankruptcy apparently). But with winter coming up, these are some essentials that will definitely 
get me through the upcoming season.

Winter means layering up and what better than Helmut Lang leather leggings and a Acne leather jacket
or two? The Proenza Schouler skirt is the perfect colouring for winter stocking layering shenanigans. 
And for the days where you want to lounge around in your boyfriend jeans, then these Valentino heels
will save your day, and your derriere. The Proenza bag is the perfect alternative to the traditional black,
and grey assortment of gloomy winter shades. A soft nude bag will see you through this season of dreaming
about spring.

And the jewels? Because every girl wants from Hermes & Dannijo for their birthday.
Even if she has to buy it for herself. 

The shoe on my feet, I've bought it
The clothes I'm wearing, I've bought it
The rock I'm rockin', I've bough it

Who am I to deny Destiny's Child?

x karen

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knits & dots

 Zara knit | vintage skirt | Miu Miu clutch | Acne boots | Luv AJ necklace | Michael Kors watch

If you've ever been to Hong Kong, you know that from the moment you land its a go-go-go pace

amidst a sea of people. It's a potent mix of a zealous need to hit all the shopping spots and a heady 

realisation of the overpopulation. This is the excuse that I'm sticking with to counter for my lack 

of posts here. 

This outfit was taken just a few days before I left for the far Orient, it was when Sydney was 

under an awkward spell of a dip in temptation and I pulled out my knit, in preparation for my Asia

travels. Admittedly, I could easily wear this outfit here in HK, so really, that's just as good as 

an HK outfit post. Although, there will be one (or two) coming. But this is just the first leg

of my journey, there will definitely be more photos from Thailand and Japan.

x karen

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p.s. totally splurged at Celine today, photos to come in the next post

awkward eye contact

Stylestalker shirt // Current/Elliot jeans // Witchery beanie & bag // Acne Rise boots

Sometimes when you're on your way to uni and you've somehow decided to wear

green polka jeans to a very no-frills corporations law class; you have to resist every 

man-repelling fibre of your body telling you to inevitably pair it with an equally 
interestingly patterned top. Who says the pants should have all the fun?

But then you have to ask yourself:

Do you really want to be dressed to attract attention when you've done zero readings?

Sometimes it's all about business on top (to avoid awkward eye-contact with the lecturer

that just asked something that you can't even decipher the question of) and party at the bottom.

And I didn't even have my party shoes on. Which ideally should be tasseled Louboutins 
in a flamingo pink.

What's your favourite outfit to avoid awkward lecturer eye contact? 

Besides skipping class all together.

x k

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layering for spring

Clockwise from top left: Acne mint dress; Kooples yellow mini skirt; Fallon necklace; Rag and Bone denim jacket; Alice McCall dress; Zara khaki vest; A/X Armani Exchange sandals; Zara boots

Every year, without fail, during the depths of the sweltering Australia summer I lament the fact that I failed to enjoy the spring the proper way. Essentially, the chance to wear light layers and embrace the Teen Vogue philosophy of jackets (remember that The Hills episode?). So this year, I'm forcing myself to buckle down and not jump right into the swing of summer; even though the endless blue skies make me want to wear nothing but thin cotton dresses. Which is quite ironic, because as I'm writing this I'm wearing my favourite black cashmere jumper and curled up next to the heater (I'm a crybaby the minute the temperature drops below 20). 

So, here's a few things that I want to enjoy this spring.

x k

first day of spring

Isabel Marant skirt (similar HERE & HERE) // Sportsgirl jumper // Acne boots (HERE & HERE)

First day of spring? What a joke.

I found these photos in my 'archives' from back when the weather was sunnier, ironically during the middle of winter. I found this amazing Isabel Marant skirt during the end of season sales a few months ago, I love the peek-a-boo red pattern on the under-layer of the skirt. I can't wait to wear it more during the warmer period, although I've been amassing quite a collection of skirts and loose shorts for summer. 

Can you tell how excited I am?

x K

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running through my mind

A few things that's been running through my mind. It's that awkward time of the year where it's still officially winter but there are some gorgeous sunny days were it almost feels like spring. These are just a few essentials that, if money was not an issue, would be holding my hand through the difficult days ahead.

Clockwise from the top left: Azzedine Alaia cut-out boots that is pretty much the perfect shoe for in-between weather. It's winter enough so that you don't look odd but the cut-outs are the perfect cool spring edit. These are on sale at the outnet, so if you have an extra thousand pounds- you can buy us both a pair. Balenciaga leather jacket for when the sun sets and you need something to throw over your  Acne silk dress that's in one of the most perfect shades of pink I've seen in awhile. Since it's not quite summer, the sun will probably be playing hide-and-seek so these lightly-tinted Ray-Ban aviators are the perfect choice. You may also wear these sitting next to Anna Wintour in the first row, show her how the New Gen does it. No compilation is complete with a little Dannijo love; the perfect compromise between bling and tribal. The red Phillip Lim bag is so that you have something to carry your leather jacket in, flats are optional. And almost-spring isn't almost spring without a floral skirt by Girl by Band of Outsiders. These may be substituted by the Isabel Marant skirt that you wore to death last year. It's Marant, it will not date. Or pair it with your Balenciaga leather jacket. 

x

karen

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