sea breeze

Country Road shirt, Unif.m leather shorts, Toga Pulla boots, Miu Miu clutch, Celine sunglasses

Beautiful weather should always be celebrated by the seaside, even if it's not quite hot enough for a tanning session. And there's no better outfit than a simple (and thin!) white shirt that is just the right amount of creased, paired with leather shorts- everything is better in leather. 

However the boots are optional, pony hair probably isn't ideal for strolls on the beach but these have been sitting in my closet for way too long and they need to see the light of day. It's nice to give my Chloe boots a rest, because I foresee these boots being glued to my feet this winter - absolutely cannot wait to wear them with either leather pants or ripped jeans (surprise, surprise!). 

x karen

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weekend blues

Ellery Escapade top, Rag & Bone jeans, Chanel Paris/Moscow scarf, Comme Des Garcon clutch, Chloe Susanne boots

There's nothing more disappointing than planning and anticipating for the weekend, only to find it miserable and rainy. It's even more bitter when Monday wakes to a bright and sunny morning. I mean, I live in Sydney, how dare the sun not shine on the weekend? 

Somehow my despair at the weather inadvertently translated itself in my wardrobe; blacks, grey and navy. There wasn't a dark shade that I didn't not want to wear that Saturday morning. But my inner-fashion-girl knew that I needed a pop of red and a timeless silk Chanel scarf (stolen from my mum's wardrobe) to brighten up the look. Plus, it's hard to be upset when you're decked out in Chanel.  

x karen

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shimmer shimmer.

Bec & Bridge jumper

Practicability never really played a strong role in my outfit choices, but then again, I rarely had to contend for snowy Stockholm weather either. Practical would be bundling myself in layers of cashmere and leather; but my version of practical is wearing a half-sheer jumper that has just the right amount of shimmer in the low-lit bar next to Berns. 

x karen

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Orange Mod.

Hellooooo?

Is there still anyone out there? 

First of all, just an explanation as to why my blog has been so decidedly inactive for the past 2 weeks; or to be honest, lacking in posts since before Christmas. Well, if you follow me on instagram (as you all should!) for the past 2 weeks, I've been traipsing all over Europe. By all over; I mean London, Paris & Stockholm. It was a wonderful trip with an equal mixture of touristy cliches & business meetings (more on that later). 

In the meantime, here's a long overdue post that I meant to post before I left. Something to keep you entertained whilst I go through the plethora of photos that I took in Europe!

Tuchuzy silk tee, Rag & Bone Bomber skirt, Senso Qimat boots, Alexander Wang bag & Ray-Ban aviators

White is always an easy to go to option for pairing with anything bright or printed i.e. anything that you wouldn't ordinarily find in my wardrobe. This white silk tee from Tuchuzy is absolutely perfect, it adds a hint of luxury with the cool silk and criss-cross back. The perfect choice to wear with my new favourite Rag & Bone skirt (definitely regretted not bringing this to Europe!)- can't wear to wear it with different sweaters and jackets once the temperature drops. 

x karen

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white winter

Joie sweater | J Brand jeans | Zara heels| Celine two tone clutch | Ray-Ban sunglasses

White jeans are an interesting addition into my winter wardrobe this year, it's been the perfect choice for warm sunny winter days. It allows me to wear my usual black/grey/navy without feeling to burdened by dark colours. It goes amazingly well with all my sweaters, which mostly lie on the oversized side. I love how cosy this Joie sweater is. It has the perfect cowl neck which saves me the trouble of having to wear any necklaces. Lazy days perfection. 

I can't wait to wear these white jeans during spring with light silk Equipment shirts!

 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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cosy creams

Sportsgirl knit | Mister Zimi leather jacket | J Brand jeans| Celine bag | Chloe 'susanna' boots 

The one thing that I love all year round are light-weight knits, but I love them more in winter because I can layer them with my leather jackets. I'm a pretty clumsy person, so when I'm hunting for a white/cream knit, it's pretty much a pre-requisite that I have to hunt below a certain price range. Which is probably how I find myself in either Zara or Sportsgirl, its the perfect price range for a knit so that I won't cry when I spill coffee on it. I'll tell you the story of how I spilt hot chocolate on my white silk Ellery another day. 

 x karen

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round up

Zara jeans // Sportsgirl slip & clutch // Subtitled jacket // Sunday Somewhere sunglasses // Nine West heels

I've been mentally debating for awhile about what my last post for 2012 should be,

to be truthful, I'm super corny and so I want it to be representative of both what the past

year has been about and what I'm looking forward to in the coming year. But, seriously,

how can one outfit be that expressive?

So, I decided to go which this above outfit (this was out of a choice of two- now, imagine

how indecisive I am when I shop, probably why I always end up with just both).

This was the year I truly discovered the boyfriend jeans, so it was only apt that it'll

feature in my last post of the year. The lingerie-esque top/dress/slip is a reminder to myself

that I should always enjoy fashion and continue to have fun with my blog. Like the

boyfriend jeans, I've been living in my khaki jacket- the perfect thing to throw on in

any occasion especially with the freakish not-really-cold-not-really-hot weather we've

been having.

Sparkly shoes were a necessity.

How can it be NYE if you're not wearing something sparkly?

(although, truth be told these photos were taken during Christmas-

another season whom equally deserves, if not more, sequins and all things sparkly).

I hope you have a  great NYE & an amazing New Year to follow

x karen

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snapback

Insight striped dress // Mango denim shirt // Nike x Liberty sneakers // Cambridge Satchel Co bag // RVCA snapback

I sincerely hope that you were having too much of a good time during Christmas

to notice how quiet my little ole blog was. I've been busy spending time with family 

and friends whilst simultaneously stuffing my face with food and attempting to avoid

the temptation of the Boxing Day Sales (the only pitfall of my upcoming holiday).

Christmas in Australia means lots of sunshine so it's always a good idea to have a 

hat ready (no hat, no play!), snapbacks are preferable especially if they match

your kicks. Extreme sunshine also requires a thin jacket or shirt to throw over

the sundress you're wearing so that you don't go and develop skin cancer

(we hear/see enough warning advertisements to be appropriately weary)

so the denim shirt that you've been wearing all winter long should be kept in

rotation. Don't forget to belt your dress so that, should you forget the above

warning, you can get some colour on your legs. 

After living in Australia for almost my whole life, I think I've finally

realised the biggest paradox of the Australian way of life is our obsession

in going to the beach & getting our tan on whilst sweating bullets at the 

mere thought of skin cancer. So the lesson is, girls & boys, be good in 2013

so that Santa will bring you the presents you want.

(Were you expecting a real lesson? What am I, Mother Goose?)

x

karen

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highwater

Joe's Jeans High Water // Lee men's shirt // Miu Miu bag // Madewell belt // Tony Bianco heels

If I'm going to wear a certain brightly coloured or patterned (or both) item of clothing

in my outfit, my knee jerk response is to reach for my trusty Bassike white or grey tees. 

The other day, I was wearing this men's Lee shirt and I happened to be trying on this

pair of Joe's jeans I had lying around in my closet- because this is actually what

 I do for fun. I was surprised how nicely the two looked together, there's a subtlety 

in the way the almost non-existent pinstripes on the shirt is blended with the very bold

print of the denim. 

It was a good blend that just goes to show that I should have more fun with my wardrobe
& not always following my knee jerk response. 

x karen

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