chictopia

I've kinda been neglecting my blogspot. But that's because I found chictopia!
I've only just starting uploading pictures on there but I thought I should also share them on here.
So here's one from last night. My friends wanted to go bowling so I needed something that was comfortable and not restraining. I thought this outfit was just that. And plus my friends nice comments were a nice touch.


If you want my chictopia it's here

Everybody is Ugly

Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every 6 months. - Oscar Wilde

Whistles Clothing

Today I was out thrift shopping with my mum when I found this rather stylish yet different jacket.
I loved it instantly. I love the lace, I love the detail and I love the style.


I have bought items from thrift shops before that retail for a lot more money that what I paid so I was curious to see the value (but more importantly history) of this garment. The label inside the jacket said 'Whistles' so I trawled the internet and haven't really had much success. Most websites say that 'Whistles' is a store rather than a brand.

"Originally founded in 1976 by Lucille and Richard Lewin, Whistles began as one small store in Marylebone selling new young designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Dries Van Noten and John Galliano.

Whistles aim to create something unique for the woman who loves great design, isn’t scared of a little edginess and who wants to reference but not slavishly follow trends."

This is about the extent of what I can find online. I was more hoping to find what year my garment was made. Not that I care about its value or anything superficial like that, I just simply love the jacket for what it is.

Oh and if anyone out there knows some history or even the tiniest detail about the label or the garment it would be nice to hear from you.

And if you're wondering, I paid $5(Aust) for it.

*sorry about the poor quality photo. I was just in such a hurry to get it up on the net and show it off. Will hopefully have some proper photos taken to fully show off the garment.

Alpha60

Okay, when I said I was going to be blogging about creative sites/blogs I had a small list in mind and was set on them. But today while I was out at Westfield Chermside I happened to walk past Sportsgirl.


Now sportsgirl is an amazing store but not one that I usually enter into (high prices, you know). But in the window display was something that caught my eye and that something was Alpha60. Standing there in a subtle awe I read the brief description about the brand which told me 1. it was being sold exclusively in Sportsgirl and 2. the likes of Bloc Party and Kings of Leon have been raving about this line.

Hailing from a rose farm in Canberra this brother-sister duo and Alpha60 designers Alex and Georgie Cleary have come a long way since they emerged on Australia's fashion scene.

"Launching their Melbourne-based label in 2005 alongside a Vivienne Westwood Retrospective at the National Gallery of Australia, the Alpha60 collection has flourished into a unique, inimitable label known for its fresh take on classic styles and cuts, reflecting a 'sophisticated quirk' unique to the brand."

Alpha60 to me is exactly what I want in an outfit; pretty with a laid back vibe. Pretty embellishments, interesting prints and oozing 'downtown luxe', this label is wearable and practical while still maintaining that designer edge. What I personally like about the label is the ability for the t-shirts to be uni-sex.



Well done Sportsgirl.
If you want to see/read more about this label hit up www.sportsgirl.com.au and www.alpha60.com.au

Mod Cloth

I am in online heaven. My last post said I would be reporting on websites and blogs of the creative and stylish kind. I was going to pace myself and maybe blog about a different one every couple of days but I just can't wait! While browsing some of my regular sites I kept seeing an ad at the bottom of the page about an online shop called 'Mod Cloth'.


So I typed it into Google and fell in love. Page after page of retro indie and vintage apparel; what more could you want? Seeing as I can't put every single item on this blog go check the website out right now, that is if you haven't already. www.modcloth.com

But here are a few pieces that I thought were super cute and should appear on my blog.


As soon as I receive a paycheck I am buying, buying, buying. They also do a range of shoes and accessories + books to die for!

I would like to say that my next installment will take a while to be put up but seeing as I truly have nothing else to do, my blog might just receive another installment as early as tomorrow.

Lady Petrova

Lately I have been blessed to find so many different stylish blogs and websites. True some I have found on my own and true some I have found through other people.
Here's one I found through a fellow blogger; feast your eyes on 'Lady Petrova'.

Here is a little bio taken straight from her website; www.ladypetrova.com

"Combining a fashion forward attitude with bespoke attention to detail, the LADY PETROVA aesthetic offers an elegant approach and long missed femininity to the local retail industry.

Designer Petrova Hammond masterminds the unique house label. Having graduated with distinction in Fashion Design at RMIT University, Petrova moved on to an impressive catalogue of styling, costume design, pattern making, merchandising and fashion buying.

LADY PETROVA encourages her customers to experiment with their wardrobes, develop an individual sense of style and build their fashion confidence.

Petrova was a finalist on Arena TV’s Project Runway Australia in 2008."


I shall continue to do blogs about some of the fabulous sites I find so stay posted.

fabric necklace

So here is another attempt at making fabric necklaces.


I made a thick and a thin version so I can wear them in a couple different ways; wrap-around necklaces/bracelets/anklets, plain necklace, tied necklace, headband and a waist belt.

Here's a simple tutorial
Step 1.
cut 3 strips of material (keep in mind this piece can be modified in many ways. You can have any length, width or type of fabric as it really does depend on what you want)
Make sure these strips are the same length. Tie a knot at one end of the strips and start to plait.

Step 2.
Once you have come to the end of the plait there are a few ways you can finish it off. If you simple want a necklace undo the knot and place the ends together. Sew a seam over the ends and then use the tassels to tie a knot after the seam. What I have done is kept the ends apart so I can use it for more than just a necklace. For my thick piece i tied knots on the ends and left tassels. For my skinny one I did the same thing but I cut the tassels off.

Step 3.
Show off your creation. It's a really good feeling when someone compliments you on something you've made yourself, so sync it straight into your wardrobe and hit the streets.

I also feature my creations on my deviantART website so if you follow that site, check me out @ amyyy-xd.deviantart.com

my first tutorial

Fabric jewelery is becoming more popular and with that in mind I want to get in on this trend and make myself some wonderful pieces.



And yesterday I finished my first attempt at creating fabric jewelery. I'd say it was a success. I am happy with the end product and have already synced it with my wardrobe.
Just to fit in with other crafters on the net I have decided to do a tutorial on my version of 'the fabric necklace'.



You'll need:
-7 pieces of material (I've used 5 blue and 2 white)
optional:
-beads (I've used 3 beads, all wooden)
and this is so simple it could be either hand or machine sewn.

Step 1.
Cut out the 5 pieces you want to use for the necklace part.
Mine were about 40cm, but you could make them varying lengths to add variety. I also ripped them so they had raw edges. If you wanted your necklace to look neater you could over lock the edges.

Step 2.
Cut out the 2 pieces of white fabric, making sure one edge will match the width of the blue material.

Step 3.
Take the white fabric and fold it in half, making sure the right side of the fabric is facing inwards. Sew a seam along the raw edge. Turn the fabric inside out. Iron.

Step 4. (optional)
Add some beads to the blue fabric. You'll have to make sure the holes in the beads are big enough to fit the fabric in. It took me a few tries and I did have to change the size of the beads before I found some that fitted properly. (I chose the wooden beads to represent drift wood ad this version is inspired by the ocean and waves).

Step 5.
I twisted the blue fabric so that the pieces didn't I guess sit 'neatly'. You could keep them in order or twist them. If you're a neat freak you can over lock the edges or you can just sew a seam to hold them in place. Do this on both sides.

Step 6.
Pin the white straps to the blue fabric and sew and/or over lock. Make sure that you have the seam on the same side of both sides.

Step 7.
I tied the ends of the straps in knots but you could leave them raw. You could even add some matching beads before tying the knots.

I am pleased with my first attempt and feel like making more. Other themes could include forest, shells, futuristic or something eclectic.

Something I discovered about the necklace....

It doubles as a scarf. Sorry about the dodgy pictures, I just wanted to get pictures up on the net quickly. When I've made some more I'll definitely be uploading them to my deviantART page
www.amyyy-xd.deviantart.com/

need a good laugh?

Ahaha. Check out Robbie Williams. And after just winning the Outstanding Contribution to Music BRIT award why wouldn't you cuddle up in your jim jams? The 36 year-old posted these pics of himself to say thank you for supporting him throughout his 20 year career.
"What better way to celebrate a lifetime achievement award than in an £8 Primark all in one... come on!" he wrote on his official website alongside the pic.

He has had a pretty interesting and successful career. I remember staying up late to watch the uncut version of the video clip to Rock DJ. Controversial or what, aye.
I am still of Robbie after all these years, even if he does dress and act like a div sometimes.

Vanities

I know I'm not the most up-to-date blogger on the net but I have just discovered something; the Vanity Fair 'Vanities'.
The girls are gorgeous, the photography is brilliant, what more could you want?



Amanda Seyfried. Gorgeous.



Mila Kunis



Freida Pinto
etc.

lady gaga

She's certainly made a name for herself with her music and her outrageous fashion statements. That's probably why my very clever friend has decided to have a 'gaga' party for her 18th. Basically you dress up as one of Lady's more memorable outfits.

i used to think that Lady GaGa had an incredible eye for detail and trends, that was until I read an article that she hasn't gone shopping for herself in over a year and therefore obviously doesn't pick out her own clothes. She has 'GaGa fairies' as she calls them.
Nevertheless, she still has a back catalogue of stylish and sometimes terrible outfits. In reference to my friends party, I of course can't be the best GaGa, that's the job for the birthday girl, and I don't exactly have the same tight and toned body that GaGa does.



So I did some research into her wardrobe and came up with this little collage to try help me decided. I think some of her earlier stuff (ie Just Dance and Poker Face) seem to be more up my alley. So it's either the animal print shawl or disco mask and black jumpsuit. Tough decision.

Just to keep up to date with Ms. GaGa I'm following Lady GaGa Style blog http://lady-gaga-style.blogspot.com/
She may not have the best singing voice, and people accuse her of being part male but she's damn intriguing.
Viva La GaGa, I say.

whats going on in the bedroom?

absolutely zip. I mean like my room and everything but it just isn't doing it for me anymore.
So I have been reading magazines, searching the internet and racking my brain for beautiful and inexpensive ways to make my room my haven.

What I want to achieve for my bedroom:
1. enhance creativity and relaxation
2. be my retreat after a busy or boring day
3. reflect me
4. showcase my creativity
5. make use of the small space

My room isn't the smallest in the house (I made sure I shotgunned the largest bedroom I could when we moved), but because of the position of the door, wardrobe and window it does make re-arranging my existing furniture a little hard.
so my biggest plan is basically starting over again. I don't need my desk anymore (and it does take up a lot of space) so i'll put that into storage. Hopefully convince my rents to let me move my sewing desk (which i pleaded my parents for) to be moved into the office. That just leaves my book case and bed.
My book case is fine, that'll be staying but my bed... well it's a single. and considering that my younger brother even has a double bed, I think it's time i upgraded. I know this will take up a lot of space so I have invested my time and knowledge into finding ways to use space efficiently.





Other problems with bedroom:
1. no ceiling fan
2. no bed side lamp

Everything will just be a matter of pestering the rents and them letting me turn my dingy bedroom into a wondrous retreat.
Well if I have any breakthroughs blogspot will be the first to know.

polyvore.com

Ahh, Polyvore. Can I just say that I really like this site?
Just what the creative types out there need, a quick and easy way to collage ideas and styles.
I had a crack at the theme of Spring. Check it out below.

spring time by amyyy.xd featuring Sass & Bide shorts

You can check them out at
www.polyvore.com
OR
www.blog.polyvore.com

The ones they have on the site and blog are much better than my poor attempt. So for all you creative types that haven't yet been involved in Polyvore; get to it.

Anti-Valentine's day

So another Valentine's day has rolled around and as usual I'm alone, naturally. I can admit that I am anti-valentines but I guess this is only because I have no significant other to share it with. But while I was cuddled up watching 'Love Actually' with my sister I realized that "love actually is all around". But thanks to the commercialism of the day the only love that seems to matter is love between boyfriends and girlfriends. Thinking about it, I have never seen an "I love you, mum" card made for Valentines day. Maybe you have, or maybe I'm not looking hard enough. When today begun I thought to myself "well I seem to be the only person who loves me, I'll treat myself" Breakfast was a great place to start so I made myself a stack of home-made pancakes. Yum!

When I was almost finished cooking my mum came up and asked me about the pancakes and being the selfish person I am i said they were all for me. I guess my main motive behind this was my wanting something nice for myself, and whats wrong with that? In the end I did end up giving my mum some pancakes but she wasn't happy with me. I guess my attitude wasn't canceled out with my nice gesture. I've even managed to piss off my dad with my selfish behaviour. Looking back, it would probably have been the more valentine-esque notion to make a beautiful batch of pancakes for my whole family just to say on this day-of-days that I love them. So once again I have had a pretty terrible Valentine's day but this time it wasn't solely because I was alone, it was because I didn't appreciate the different kinds of love, like the love my parents have for me. All I can say now is that this anti-valentines day mentality isn't the answer nor an excuse, because we all have someone who loves us or who we love. So give some hugs, share the love and never forget; love really is all around, you just have to open your eyes.

flowers4you

From 7am til 4pm on Friday my friend, her boyfriend and I went about town delivering flowers for my friends mums company. I got to see all the recipients faces and on the whole Brisbane seemed to be either disappointed or grumpy. Most of the women i delivered flowers to all had faces like thunder or didn't seem to be phased by what I think is a loving gesture. If I was to receive flowers (or any other kind of loving gesture) from someone I would be happy and most definitely show it. I am glad to report though that there still were some grateful and happy people who adored their flowers/gifts. Well happy Valentines day to all the couples out there and while you're all being loved up I'm going to be at home watching 'Love Actually'. How romantic.

toni&guy

Having a best friend as an apprentice hairdresser for a leading international company does have its perks. Like getting free blow dries, hair colouring and cutting. So right at this very moment I have straight, sleek and soft hair which was absolutely free. Not to mention she wants me to come in almost every week. And what could possibly top it off? Why, going to the local McDonald's and laughing at friends ex-boyfriends. I'm sold.

hula-hooping

How retro, I know. But lately i've really been enjoying picking up that hoop and hula-ing for as long as I can. And good news, a good hour of hula-hooping can burn around 600 calories. I'm sold.