Tomorrow when the sales began.

I'm currently writing this and staring at my half-filled cabin-sized suitcase and swearing that it's more difficult packing for a 3 and a half day domestic holiday than it is packing for a 3 week international one. Procrastination queen right here. Waking up in another 5 hours is not going to be fun at all.

Today was unbelievably hot, and I didn't even venture outside! So props to everyone who stormed the shops for some Boxing Day bargains, risking heatstroke in the process. I opted for some online retail therapy from the comfort of my bedroom and purchased a lime green hard case luggage set in preparation for my Contiki trip next May (squee!) and also some in-ear headphones to finally replace the ones I left behind somewhere in Morocco a few months ago (again, procrastination queen). I've been living vicariously through everyone's posts on my Instagram and Facebook feeds showing off all the goodies they picked up. Oh well, there's always the New Years' sales when I get back :)

Perth Illuminites

Just a few snaps from last night's 'Illuminites' event held in the Perth Cultural Centre. Purchases consisted of a jumper from LPC, brooches from Tall Rabbit and White Square and some stickers from Catsi & Co. 

Pack on le back

I booked a big girl holiday today (aka: going alone). All my previous travel has been with mum or a boy, and they always seem to have a sensible bag to put all the important stuff in while I prance around with a tiny handbag or open topped tote that offers zero security.

So I'm on the hunt for a good bag for hand luggage and thought: backpack. Nothing that looks completely dorky and transports me back to 4th grade, but not something that is too hardcore backpack/outdoors-y. Also needs to be able to comfortably fit all the crap I carry around with me daily plus the extra holiday schtuff: passport, headphones, camera, nunchucks etc. Zip closure mandatory. Guys, choosing a backpack is more difficult than I thought!

On my hunt I got distracted by these cuties:

But in reality I'm considering something similar to these:

Decisions, decisions.

All images via polyvore

Burnt

I'm slowly but surely modifying my wardrobe. Resisting the urge to stick with black/dark/neutral 'safe' options and adding brighter pieces here and there. I first started with metallic teal flats from Zara (featured in the photo) but then, shoes are easy. 


My latest faves are these burnt orange chino/peg leg style satiny pants I picked up from Stradivarius in Hong Kong (later devastated to learn they neither have stores nor even ship to Aus- will definitely be doing a haul when I hit Spain/Morocco/Portugal later this year). I was quite apprehensive when I bought them with the "should I/shouldn't I?" thought process going through my head, but I decided to commit and it paid off. I love these, they are a good fit/cut for me since they are slightly high waisted, not too heavy/hot and SUPER comfy :)


Kind of makes me a little excited for winter actually.

Kong.

Hong Kong that is.

Happy New Year! 

I'm home and finally recovered from my holiday hangover. Ben and I spent the last week-and-a-bit exploring Hong Kong and its amazing shopping malls, markets, MTR stations, Disneyland, Ocean Park and did a quick side trip to Macau for some NYE gambling, money rain and Cirque du Soleil's Zaia.

Iconic.

Sorry retail industry I hate to say it, but online shopping is the way of the future and with trend advances comes more opportunities and new players on the field.


For instance, new Australian fashion site The Iconic was recently brought to my attention, and I like what I see. This site was started up by European e-commerce company Rocket Internet and provides an "Australian lens on global trends...will offer the best in men's and women's global fashion and footwear." Said 'Australian lens' will be provided by Sarah Gale (Project Runway Australia judge) and the website will also include trend reports and style tips.


A quick flick through The Iconic will see you gazing at stock from All About Eve, Bluejuice, Cooper St, Ellery, I Love Billy, Ksubi, Ladakh, Minty Meets Munt and well, a lot more. See them all here.
And while a large range of brands and styles mean a wide range of price points, I myself am still coming out of the uni student "I-have-no-money" ways, but for those with a tight budget there are some rather attractive pieces on the 'wallet friendly' end of the scale. I'm personally chomping at the bit to get my hands on the 8 Other Reasons 'Send Them Love' necklace and Purple Ginger 'Chichua Spliced Maxi'.


A quick rundown of the basics included:
-30 days return.
-FREE shipping within Australia.
-And for those impulse buyers in the Sydney metro area that need an instant fix, a 3 hour delivery service for a little extra charge.


Head on over to The Iconic to find out more (and possibly finish your Christmas Shopping).

Manikinn

The other week I finally used my Scoopon and made my Manikinn order and on Wednesday a nice little parcel made its way into my pigeonhole :) 

Manikinn takes oversized to the next level, and while I tried to make them look more fitted for the photos, these shirts are actually ridiculously huge; the "No 11" perfume tee is a small, while the "AHOY!" one is an extra small.

These make me that little bit more excited for summer :) I just wish all the Perth rain would go away already!

Please Don't Stop the Music

Yesterday I was finally able to cross another item off my "next pay day" list that I had been coveting since my very first visit to the Apple store a few months ago.

Skullcandy's collaboration with Jay-Z's empire RockNation produced these babies: the Aviator. Taking inspiration from the iconic eyewear they feature leather, metal and transparent ear pieces so you can see the hardware inside. I  love that the skull detailing on the volume controls and jack give it that little something extra. And for someone like me that is constantly getting earphone tangled in a giant knot, the fact that the cord is more like a rope material is a godsend!  

Why I haven't invested in a pair of over-ear headphones earlier I do not know. But I'm glad I have.  These will definitely make future plane rides more enjoyable. And stylish ;)

I Said BRRRRR! It's Cold In Here!

I have no idea what changed, but the weather has suddenly decided to go from reasonable to torrential! I've been working at the domestic airport this week and the rain has certainly made the drive there and back a mild nightmare.

On the upside, my first pay came through last night so I went on a bit of a splurge after work. Picked up a gorgeous navy coat/jacket from Dotti (the fur hood is removable, so it's completely work appropriate) it's so snug and cozy, perfect for the sudden drop in temperature we've experienced lately. And when cute slippers go on sale ($6.87!) I can never resist :) The scarab beetle ring came as part of my latest ASOS order, I love it and my statement ring collection is beginning to grow nicely- currently coveting Paloma's Marrakesh Ring in gold *drools*

In other news, I'm being sent to Collie for work next week and I've never been. Anyone else been? Hopefully I don't have to work horrendous hours and can take a few snaps for show and tell.

I hope everyone is keeping nice and toasty warm. I know I will be snuggled under the doona for a good sleep in tomorrow! Hello weekend :)