white out

I've never been a white girl. I mean, yes I'm incredibly 'white' in both my skin tone (thanks winter) and culturally, but I'm not a big wearer of the shade. Maybe it's Melbourne's influence or there's simply not that much good white stuff about, but I thought I would give this whole sporty/crisp/luxe business a go.  So from the VERY few white clothes I have in my closet I put together this outfit. The sheerness (nonexistence?!) of the tee really helps to break up that blocky, sterile feeling that makes full head-to-toe white hard to wear. Skin is good, and white just so happens to give the illusion of slightly tanned flesh which is very handy in the middle of winter. I went minimal with black boots and bag, no jewellery and slicked hair (wet not greasy!).

[wearing: thrifted shirt and reworked jeans, Asos tee, Witchery bra, Office London boots, Life with Bird bag]

black velvet

Here's a little project I did today in between painting my mini collection (nearly finished!). I dug up this little black velvet cat dress I remember being thoroughly attached to as a child. Eeither I was a very fat kid or this dress swam on me because that's the only way I can explain how what used to be the under-bust of my childhood dress now fits my waist perfectly! I chopped off the skirt and added a zip so I could get in and out, shortened the hem and voila, the perfect black velvet mini skirt. I absolutely hate throwing out my baby clothes, so I think this is the best way of simultaneously keeping my childhood spirit alive whilst also recycling perfectly good fabric and reducing waste. I think I'll have to find a good use for the cute furry kitty face as well!

[wearing: Zara tee, H&M cuff, DIY velvet mini skirt, vintage clutch/rings/bracelet/watch]

insta lately

A snapshot of my past few weeks, including cupcakes galore, wasabi pea exam snack addiction, heaps of ombre, pugs, DIYs and winter beaches.

Follow me on Instagram @zoe_alexandra

recap

Mini / Maxi dress

Future basic tank

Collars

Floral shorts

Ombre skirts

Paint pants

Metallic peplum blazer

Splatter skirt

Candy stripe dress

Velvet peplum top

I've been looking through my 'DIY history' and decided to do a recap post on my favourites. This is partly spurred on by the fact that I'm in the process of a whole new load of DIYs which I'll be putting up for sale. Sometimes I'm tempted to sell some of my designs when people tell me they'd pay for me to make them something or buy an existing piece off me, but the problem is that most of the time I've made something out of a small piece of fabric, without a pattern and fitted to my body measurements so it's extremely hard to replicate. Another issue is my emotional attachment to pieces, I may not get a whole lot of wear out of some stuff but just the thought of never seeing designs again is enough to haunt me! Sounds silly, but when I slave over a piece and end up producing something I'm seriously proud of it sits close to my heart. SO that's why I'm making pieces specifically for sale! It will be a mini collection of painted skirts and jeans, all exclusive styles. So far I've finished one skirt and started a second, hoping for them to be done and up for sale before July starts. Watch this space!

the metallic shoe

[ 1. Jean-Michel Cazabat Elisa pumps 2. Topshop Wowza wedges 3. Dolce Vita Nalla Specchio loafers 4. Elizabeth & James Sand pumps 5. Topshop Sandi wedges 6. Marc by Marc Jacobs new vintage glam loafers ]

[ 1. Soles disco glitter boot 2. Kathryn Wilson Diane boot 3. Topshop Game pointed court heels 4. Gorman Dime croc print boot 5. Skin Punk Deluxe boot ]

[ 1. KORS Michael Kors Eliza wedge sandals 2. Topshop Whizzkid clean wedges 3. Topshop Wowza wedges 4. Topshop Wonder clean sporty wedges 5. Viktor & Rolf bow heel sandals ]

I can't get enough of metallics at the moment, especially in shoe form. I think the hardest thing is making a shiny shoe not look tacky, there are so many seriously offensive ones out there that I've gone and hunted down some of my favourite examples of designs that just work! Paired with simple black or minimalist white and a touch of colour, they are the perfect tool to spruce up a boring outfit.

resorted

Two resort collections that are making me weak at the knees. Those ethereal fish bone slits from Dion Lee are utter genius, and I can safely say that Peter Pilotto has shoved Mary Katrantzou off of the digital printing throne.

[images from Oyster and Russh]

knit knacks

Well I finally feel like I'm on holidays (although I do still have 2 assignments to hand in, but they're finished) and I'm already stuck for things to amuse me on these bleak winter days! I went searching through my closet and found this long forgotten dress I made in high school for some art piece. It was basically just an experiment with this amazing multicoloured wool and giant knitting needles. Not sure what I was aiming for, but it turned into this thing that I thought would make the perfect neck piece to a dress. Unfortunately it is unwearable (outside my backyard) due to the sheerness of the fabric I used, not to mention the dangerously low neckline. Maybe I'll change it to some opaque black matte satin so I could possibly wear it one day as I seriously love the crazy knitted neck.

[wearing: DIY dress, Therapy boots via The Iconic]

minted

I went impromptu shopping the other day, the best kind of shopping I think because I always seem to find something good when I'm not really looking for anything in particular. I'm talking about this minty knit from Sportsgirl. It's such a perfect colour, I've fallen in love. This will definitely be a staple to brighten up my winter wardrobe.

And no you don't need glasses, I went a bit photoshop crazy and decided to quadruple myself (the same effect as my 'new' header, read: old header reincarnated. I got over that colourful block type one I had before quicker than a bee on speed (?!?!))

[wearing: Sportsgirl knit, DIY painted jeans, Therapy boots via The Iconic, COS necklace]

shift to bright

Cobalt // Dion Lee silk form shift

Tangerine // 3.1 Phillip Lim silk dress

Cherry // Bec & Bridge lace backless dress

Rose // Acne satin shift

Four delightfully simple bright shift dresses to get me out of my early winter blues. Cobalt is always going to be my first choice though, and the incredible Dion Lee dress is on sale at Green With Envy.. So tempting!!

grey ombre

 I threw together this super casual look to take advantage of a surprisingly sunny winter's day in Melbourne, which I doubt we'll be getting a lot more of unfortunately. This knit's another Iconic purchase, but I can't be blamed can I? It's all so ridiculously convenient and fast, I mean I got this jumper delivered the day after I bought it! It's seriously killing my bank account. I love a great layering jumper, and the fact that this is the perfect grey marle ombre is such a bonus, it also comes in a sweet forest green (which I only saw after I'd bought the grey, considering going back for it!).

P.S. I've found a new shooting location.. My neighbour's synthetic nature strip. So strange, but I guess it saves having to cut the grass!

[wearing: Huntingbird knit via The Iconic, thrifted shirt, Dejour jeans, Asos boots, Life with Bird bag, Tatty Devine perspex ring]