Fractures

The last thing I have on my mind is any brand associated with sportswear since I've been working myself to the bone these last three days and haven't had a day free of school work or working part time. Yesterday I spotted a small speck of blood on the bottom of my heel and attached to the skin and my poor spirit feels pretty sore and busted too. The consolation of my poor sore body is the lovely amount of pay slips sitting on my desk and the fact I bought a pair of Stolen Girlfriends Club X Jeffrey Campbell Cowboy Boots in black and gold. They'll be my first pair of Jeffrey Campbell Shoes and I've been a fan of Stolen Girlfriends Club jewellery range for a while so I think it's a welcome collaboration for my feet. Can't wait for the express postage to bring them to my door with haste. It's nice that I won't have to wear my Nike basketball shoes and feel them buffering my calloused feet for the rest of the week- but I'm already dreading having to go to work next week on top of returning to the usual university schedule.

With only a week long break from official study, lots of content to revise over and a newly formed callus on my writing finger, it was easy to overlook getting myself to a hairdresser and finally get my ends sorted. I need a good inch and a half taken off from my length, and as much as I adore having the long hair length in Winter it is getting to be a pain. Cotton Candy tones will be out of the equation if I am seeing my usual family hairdresser (who usually doesn't do such a great job) but I daresay I'm not daring and interesting enough to wear such wildly coloured and bold hair. It would certainly add to the experience of wearing colourful and printed clothing and adding a whole new spectrum of clashes. Maybe adding some more printed vintage blouses to my own wardrobe and finally straightening out the business of my hair will also add a little extra confidence to my primping routines.

With the return of the usual routine I can enjoy reading and learning about the Earth's natural minerals and gemstones. Above looks to be a gorgeous chunk of pyrite, or what is more commonly known as Fools' Gold. The chemistry of the stone and molecular formula can determine the shape in which the minerals form naturally but it is nice just to admire the pretty stones. With any luck there'll be more digitally printed clothes inspired by the natural world such as mountain panoramas and more sparkly minerals. If not I'll be sure to score some vintage treasure and handmade goodies from Etsy- what is easily becoming one of my favourite hunting grounds. I've been burned on too many transactions on eBay as of late and it's left a bitter taste in my mouth.

In my struggle to get on top of the demanding workload of my studies I've failed to really give myself a proper break and relax a little. In the short ten day break I've gone out once and it looks like I'll be contently hanging about the house for the last few days by playing video games, blogging and scoping the online market for birthday presents for my boyfriend. I've got the distinct feeling that I may burn out too quickly before reaching the exams at the end of this semester if I don't slow down and enjoy bumming around the house a bit, and with a host of images to comment on I can't really imagine a better way to be unproductive and not study.

Dutch model Daphne Groeneveld doesn't really have green hair but I think the look is quite charming and quirky on the sixteen year old- even if it is just digitally enhanced smoke and mirrors. I myself have been keen to inject a little more green into my wardrobe but I think the mint coloured hair won't be a welcome sight for my parents. Maybe leaf shaped bag and shoes would be a little more subtle and gentle, also cute to wear with slouchy black jumpers and tiny skinny jeans. Asos have a number of skirts and skinny jeans I'm keen to try on for size but I'll need to be smart otherwise all my hard-earned cash will dissipate like sand in my hands.

While I am keen to get a sturdy backpack in either leather of denim, I constantly swap between many different bags for university already, a habit my friends have picked up on. A leather handbag may be higher on my list of priorities, were it not for the fact I have a few hundred dollars to spend on the purchases within the last two weeks. Nothing has even arrived in the mail yet, but that doesn't mean that I am discouraged. As long as everything gets to me safe and sound and I can curb my little spending spree for the time being, when the mid-year break comes around I'll be happy to kick back and relax with many wonderful shoes and clothing on my doorstep.

In preparation for Winter, getting up at 6am and getting on train platforms at 6.30am- a couple of good warm sweaters in versatile colours and some leather shorts worn over leggings would be welcome. It's just a shame that all the available leather pants from Asos and Etsy are either far too small to cram myself into or their style and structure doesn't quite tickle my fancy. Lover by Susien Chong have some fantastic leather shorts from a few seasons ago but they usually don't come on the online market that often and they cost a fe

It's never promising when you can relate to a photograph that could be extensively captioned with 'blargh' at the bottom. It seems that without having coffee beans in my diet to function properly my eyes have entered a state of being permanently blurry and my body seems uncomfortable no mater which activity I choose to undertake. Fortunately I don't have to be in any particular mindset to blather on about the pictures I compile together in a terrible, mock-online journal.

Drinking some sort of caffeinated fizzy drink has done little to perk me up in the past, but it's only rarely that I need any sort of pick-me-up to help me plow through the rest of the day when it's in the middle of the afternoon. I have a can of Cherry Coca-Cola saved for a special occasion from my trip to Phillip Island after high school exams last year but I think I'd prefer to taste the sweet nectar of the drink when I'm feeling my best- and not my worst. A shower usually can do wonders to make me feel fresh and renewed but even that is a guilty pleasure when living in drought-stricken Australia. A combination of drink and bathing should really only be enjoyed when I finish cleaning my room to orchestrate grander outfit posts and the like...

I may not have the golden, sun-kissed hair to bring to life a bow embellished in sequins but that doesn't mean I'm not open to trying to pull it off. It is a difficult task when you're not feeling 100% though and under the weather for no particular reason. Anything else sequined for that matter may also be on the agenda when I balance blogging between full time study, part time work and being a good girlfriend. If I only had the motivation I would like to try making fascinators or finding some suitable headpieces from Etsy but with little room to pose in front of a camera around my house, those pursuits may have to wait.

There's just two full days left of my mid-semester break and my mind is already on my next holidays, hopefully by then I'll be free to save some time to myself for hanging about in the city and dedicating myself to not working extreme hours. I may not be adventurous enough to stop over in foreign countries or even inter-state for days at a time but being able to relax and recuperate once this first semester is finished would be brilliant.

Blue

Something that takes me by surprise countless times is the use of blue in punk clothing and outfits and how well it works as a constituent shade of darkness. Once I at least sort out my funds of what will be spent on fun things and what must be saved, I will either buy a wonderful handbag that will serve me for years to come or I will be in the mood to finally buy a pair of creepers. I would probably be a little more enthused to buy some creepers once my leggings from Wowch come in the mail but for now I have my mind set on a good studded, black leather handbag. I'm also thinking of injecting some more blue into my wardrobe by wearing clear shoes with blue socks and denim shirts, but it looks like I'll need to make me mind up and prioritise- I can't possibly buy all the lovely items my heart desires at this moment in time.

Sometime last year (possibly even in 2010) Oyster Magazine featured a striking image of a girl with heavy black front fringe and a  gold-metal studded leather jacket- I thought it looked like heaven on Earth. An icier and cooler reincarnation of the same jacket has once again blesses us this time with silver studs and chic blue hair. I'd love to be able to stud things myself but I have seen far too many sub-par studded jackets and would prefer it be done right and with medical precision. I don't own a leather jacket myself and while they're not on trend prolifically at the moment I wouldn't mind having something with biker gang toughness to wear over my sweaters for university. It just feels so good being punk.

At this very instant I am watching David Attenborough's documentary on bears which features our friend the polar bear. I feel horrible and worn it today and a little blue myself- I think lethargic would be the best word since I've started my holiday for Mid-Semester break and need to revise over all the biology lectures, something which I'm struggling with. Were it not for the fact that I am such an over-achiever and I pride myself on my grades, I would love to curl up in bed with the laptop and watch Japanese movies and blog all day. This is but a simple reprieve from my busy study schedule in order to make time later in the week to relax- when I'll really need the rest and relaxation.

Another wonderful result of my rest from attending lectures is that I allowed my self ample time to scope out Tumblr and collect a few more photographs and images together and explore the Olympia Le-Tan blog. In the online world is a refuge of Japanese and mysticism, something I've been in dire need of for some number of weeks. The next week will be spent refueling my spiritual tanks and getting inspired once again to write and also commentate on collections. There's a great variety of new collections on Solestruck and other 2012 runway shows I can't wait to share with all of you.

My last holidays were spent in the company of aromatic, scented candles of Cherry Blossom and a near-obsession with fire and flames. While I don't attempt to spend my time again in such insidious conditions and with dark auroras abound, I wouldn't mind using them to spark a mood of romanticism- were it not for the fact my family will be home for the entirety of my break. It looks like I'll be faithfully enjoying the company of my new laptop and interactions with the keyboard instead...

While my father would be both abhorred and scarred by the image of such a beauty with blue hair, I love the modern and fresh take on models. I watch Britain's Top Model on and off when I can (the only region where I can tolerate their accents and challenges) and was delighted when a contestant for the show, Anastasia, received a makeover of pink hair. Whether you opt for luscious pink looks or something a little more close to the heart of the ice queen, I am certain that for a moment you will capture strangers' attention. With a great variety of streaking shades and colours that branch out from the scalp and culminate over tantalising bare breasts, I love the new and artistic nature fashion has been heading towards as of late.

I'm already looking forward to studying abroad and I think my mind has been swayed to either visit Japan for three weeks with my mother or study there as part of student exchange. I caught up with all the recent activity of my favourite Parisian designer who had been to visit the Miyazaki museum, feeding my own childish love of manga and the zoo as well as other adorable photos. I can't wait to press my ugly nose up to airplane windows as I touch down into foreign lands again and to go mental with disposable cameras to cement my aspirations, hopes and dreams within a strange city. There's inky black skies and flickers and streamers of light to look forward to on my own when I get out there into the big bad world.

While I had been keen to go on night time adventures in parks and finally engage in wild youth-filled exuberance I'm struggling to stay up at night due to me early morning routine and will probably hang around the house for the next few days over Easter. You often picture what your life is going to be, and plan what you want to become and no matter how much you want something within a single instance, by the time you get to what you plan for, you don't want it anymore. It's enough to make you blue when your mother wants your brother to buy his own house and he's playing video games starring batman instead.

 

I rather badly wanted to make today productive and do work and get on top of my study and feel an aching sense of tiredness, intermingling with accomplishment. I made a small dent into the lectures I need to review, watched an absolutely inspiring video of Tavi Gevinson's room and interview about her journey in fashion blogging and fragmented outfits and am now listening to covers of Lana Del Rey. Strong women and being strong myself usually cheers me up but I could kill for a coffee right about now... were it not for the fact it's nine o'clock at night. I hope everyone is having a cheery Easter.

 

Neon Dreams

With the decline of dip dye hair in popular culture I had all been ready to accept a bleak and boring outlook on hair and make up in fashion runway presentation. However, it seems that greater forces are at work and neon colours of the 1980s and 1990s have again inspired designers and been readily incorporated into collections- much to my amusement. Within the next week I hope to buy my first pair of creepers or some more 'jelly shoe' in clear and pink. Purple lipstick may not be on my agenda but black has certainly been playing on my mind and I also spotted a wonderful German camouflage jacket online the other night. It's not going to be an overnight transformation but I can predict punk elements squeezing themselves into the everyday fashion realms as well.

Model Charlotte Free still manages to shoot a smouldering stare down the catwalk dresses as a 1950s pin-up girl for the Jeremy Scott 2012  collection. Some people may argue that with pink hair costs a model their versatility across different looks but I quite like the contrast of black and white shoes and dress and the curling plumes of pink piggy tails. The daring display of skin across the stomach would only be shown on a stick-thin model but it's daring and imaginative- a trademark of Jeremy Scott's design. It's not a look I'm eager to adopt myself (...as much as I do love pink hair) but it feeds the soul with creativity.

Once again, images have been sourced from Oyster Magazine, repackaged by me, and sent out to you my lovely community of readers. While the sullen expression of the models in contrast to the sticky and graffiti like purple hair would mainly be viewed as disconcerting I think there's a cute, painterly appeal about it. It's surreal but it doesn't aim to imitate real life and also breathes new life into the old classic: a denim shirt. While I know my own mother would be appalled by such a notion I must express kudos to the styling team for this collection and avoiding any signs of hair dye on the foreheads of a model. Believe me, it's no mean feat to spread out hair dye from a spray can is such an even and measured way.

The following backstage photographs were taken at the Meadham Kirchoff runway show in London and I have to say, I do admire the fast and modern new direction of the brand. I had been trying to score some second hand jeans and blouses from the collection when they went through a long fad of lace inserts and patterns but the neon hair in chameleon tones and fluorescent tones really is visually powerful. There was a great variety of coloured hair combinations including splits down the middle of the hairline and shaft to bring out the best and boldest styles of the clothes. This Egyptian motif jacket with split-holographic attempted triangles is something that could be easily DIYed, providing you have a neon yellow jacket hanging about. I love the intensity and the hype about the presentation of this collection and I don't think it's the last we'll see of 1990s grunge aesthetic as far as high brand fashion labels are concerned.

No detail was spared in the presentations backstage and I love the jeweled crowns as well as floral crowns adorned by the stick-thin models. Even the unseen forces working behind the scenes have glorious tattoos of filled in stars and wild and wonderful piercings- it all seems to fitting and atmospherically correct in a punk sense. The models themselves though are quite sweet and dainty so the combination of these two binary elements is somewhat satisfying- it makes you wonder why no one had ever thought to put on such a bombastic runway show before.

One of the more wild trends of the late 1980s and 1990s involved chunky heeled shoes and platform boots in all manner of sparkly jeweled combinations. While Etsy does deliver on some great styles and designs within this specific genre of footwear, for truly outrageous neon colours and shamelessly clashing patterns I think Meadham Kirchoff easily takes the cake. Now if only I could find their wares cheap and online, then I would be well and truly set.

Just as a wacky side project, I can't help but think that recreating the neon looks and colours of this collection would look good on a generic and plain Barbie doll. It must be the cocked head of the girl on the left in the picture above as well as their dainty frames- were it not for the fact I am eagerly saving for fluorescent accessories sized for actual people I might be keen to try it all for myself.

I love the different tones and colour displayed in this photograph, but I'm not sure how highly I commend the use of collar. I myself like to have my long hair out and over my shoulders a little and was a little affronted by the bob like silhouettes of the model's hair from the back. The shot shown below works well with the estranged doll motif and it doesn't interrupt the flow and design of the clothes- perhaps I want to see the hair have it's own editorial shoot in a hairdresser's magazine. It was certainly a highlight from this collection for me and made me recognise the wonderful brand once again. I have a good feeling about the standard of 2012 fashion seasons.

Nasty Gal X MinkPink

Just as I thought the fashion world had completely adopted grunge inspired themes from the 1990s and hair trends were finally returning to normalcy- I'm presented with such creative evidence and my jaw hits the floor. Introducing the collaboration between Nasty Gal and Minkpink. I had been familiar with the latter just as a familiar name to create clothing and, being a bit of a snob, had even dared to turn my nose up at the name Nasty Gal. Cruising across my magazine sources on Facebook I was lucky enough to come across this collection full of all the colours of the rainbow and mixing the best of the collection with retro pieces. It makes me want to buy my unicorn inspired hair extensions more than over to finally have coloured hair. I've been wanting to colour for a while but there hasn't been any recent trends to avoid colouring my entire head of hair and I was intending to rule out streaks. The collection has opened my eyes to an entire new venture and all avenues seem possible. It's a wonderful feeling having stared tediously at Biology textbooks and Science diagrams for the past five weeks.

As much as I do love grunge, leather studded jackets and the notion of black lipstick, the colourful clashes between orange pink and blue does strike me a bit more. The shorts are vintage, the blouse a part of the current collaboration collection and the dyed pink hair enough to make any Plain Jane green with envy and ravenous lust. As well as being a stunning Asian girl with long black hair I felt inspired and proud of my own heritage from seeing the long eyeliner wisps used to accentuate stereotypical points on the model's face. It's always nice when a campaign makes you feel good to be in your own skin- rather than punishing ones self for not being as skinny and elegant as the models. There's such a fun atmosphere and energy to this one image from the cherry eyes and casual body posture- one can't help but feel relaxed too.

There are many wonderful photographs from this campaign and my favourites include those with dark sea green hair. There's so many punk and hippy elements to this photograph but they all meld together to create something greater than its constitutional parts. The denim overalls and crochet bag in the style of Missoni has such strong radiation of good vibes but the mean side profile of the black platform boots, leopard print shirt and extensions scream rave/ punk party. It's certainly a look I would be keen to try on for size myself- if only I knew of a magical place that made wonderful clashing hemp bags....

Jouetie put on a mammoth runway show in the style of British punk rebellion but there was also sweet knitted cardigans with spiteful slang and models adorned in colourful bob wigs. The drug-fuelled state of the dreamy model shown here as well as the mean mood of another fashion show seems blended into this photograph so well. The graphic contrast of black and white, as well as colourful vintage prints alike and neon fluorescent shades and cotton candy pink hair... a unicorn wouldn't even look as good as this. The appeal about this collection is that it's something old but reworked and made new again and it breaths life into punk and grunge for a younger generation to enjoy. Also it makes my obsession with My Little Pony and brightly coloured hair satisfied and dormant yet again.

The leopard has finally been restored to its primal place of birth although no actual animals were harmed in the production of this campaign. I love the barren wasteland/ neutral backdrop of this shoot- a very clever way to make the bright colours seem even more loud and bold. As well as a great variety of styles and colours from the collection itself I feel that the model has a great range of facial expressions for this campaign. The brooding dark eyes and slightly turned corners of her luscious pink lips goes well with the acid green hues of her hair. It makes me want to break out my hair straightener for the first time and add many wildly coloured extensions just for the fun of experimentation.

The true mark of a good fashion blogger is the ability to throw on a mess of clothes in drapery style and create inventive and innocently sweet outfits. Neon shades have been on the cards for the last few months but they seem to be hitting harder in more and more fashion shows and collections. Jeffrey Campbell is a brand I've been meaning to get my filthy mitts on for a while- could this pair of fluorescent yellow wooden heeled boots be my first true love? I certainly love the incorporation of colours yellow, green and blue from the same spectrum into one outfit and there is again that zeal for life and happiness about it. I wish I had a abominably large green taffeta skirt to flounce around in and wear to tango lessons. The shoes are something just a little more attainable at the moment.

To quote my Senior Year Literature teacher, at the end of the party one person is fed up looking after the kids, with no slice of cake and having to pay for the stripper. The long teal strands of hair and slightly fed up expression really balances the bright, lime green skirt. If Cinderella was alive in the 1990s and attended the best party of the year, this would be her pictured above without her pumpkin coach and only half of a wonderful outfit.