Friday, March 30, 2012

Book Sculptures ~ Alicia Martin

Images: Juxtapoz

I recently came across these images of Spain-based artist, Alicia Martin's book sculptures on Juxtapoz. Aren't they breathtaking? They just blew me away. Can you imagine how long it would have taken to do each of these scultpures? I'm flabbergasted.

Alicia has apparently "created three site-specific installations using 5,000 books in each sculpture. The series is titled “Biografies” and is located in Madrid, Spain." Juxtapoz.

What's new with everyone? I was struck with an awful tummy bug last weekend which left me in bed for days & now I'm slowly trying to catch up on all of your blog posts from the past week. I hate missing out on anything!! This weekend I'll finally post some of my outfit pictures from The Capsule Wardrobe Project. As I was in bed a few days I've had to take a bunch of photos all on one day of all the outifts I would have worn on those 4 days if I weren't in my pj's haha! A lovely weekend to all...

~ Clare x

Friday, March 23, 2012

Rodeo Show: The First Crusader

All images from Rodeo Show

The A/W collection from label Rodeo Show entitled "The First Crusader" has just dropped and I'm in love. This campaign, reminiscent of a modern day Secret Garden, was shot by Stephen Chee. Combining "artistic prints in the form of abstract geometrics and painterly florals, the palette sees warm shades of burnt neutrals, coral, and terracotta alongside cooler complements like olive, teal and lilac. A signature mix of feminine details  - think pleats, lace overlays and ruffled necklines, together with tailored blazers, tapered trousers and effortless shirting. Sequin party dresses, chunky cable knits, faux fur jackets and woolen cocoon coats round out the collection."

I can't wait to get my hands on the Marionette Maxi Dress, the Pandora Fur Jacket, and the Constantine Lace Maxi Dress! I can see them becoming my new Autumn staples already.
"The First Crusader" is currently dropping into stores and is available online at www.rodeoshow.com.au

I have long had a love affair with Rodeo Show. I actually bought my bridesmaid dresses from them a few years back. Beautiful silk lavender cocktail dresses. Here's a little peek at them... (although I added the purple sashes, the dresses actually came with a cute little black ribbon around the waist but I just changed it up a little to fit with my theme)


~ Clare x



Image: Reef Gaha

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A Wonderful Week's Links

Couture at the Ritz by Tim Walker starring Kate Moss - this shoot is so amazingly decadent. I found it over at Dustjacket Attic. I want pink bubbles now!! (ok, and of course all those boxes of Chanel)

~

Other lovely links for the week:

Is Sugar as Toxic as Booze? - Sarah Wilson makes a very good case. Eeek!

My bestie's handmade Save the Date cards - she's such a creative cookie!

Betsey Johnson's Pink Manhattan Apartment - I've always loved her apartment & actually posted a pic from it in one of my very early posts!

15 Creative Ways to Display & Organise Your Jewellery - I'm likin' the dreamcatcher idea.

Dorothee Schumacher's home in Germany - what girl wouldn't die for that wardrobe?!! Wow!  Plus, ponies in the house? YES!

Lovely Autumn Inspiration

Bettie Page Reveals All

~

Hope you're all having a delightful week. I'm madly reading scripts for my theatre school showcase, catching up on wonderfully inspiring movies that I've missed out on (how astounding was The Artist? I treasured it!), and spent Sunday celebrating my beautiful Mum's birthday. We spoilt her with tickets to see Love Never Dies and a gorgeous Oroton wallet. Dad got her an ipad2. She's becoming so techno-savvy haha! What have all you lovelies been up to?

~ Clare x

Thursday, March 15, 2012

15/30 The Capsule Wardrobe Project


Recently, the lovely Tania from T Like Bubble Tea asked me to participate with her & Sam from Sam Is Home in a fashion challenge. "15/30 The Capsule Wardrobe Project" to be exact. The challenge starts today & entails only wearing 15 pieces of clothing for one month (ending April 15th). 

The Rules?
ANY 15 pieces from your wardrobe X 30 days
Accessories (incl. hats, scarves) / gym clothes / pyjamas / socks are not included in the 15 pieces
No shopping for 1 month
DYI on the existing 15 pieces is permitted
Be creative! Have fun! Document!


Why?
Redress is a Hong Kong based NGO with a mission to promote environmental sustainability in Asia’s fashion industry by reducing textile waste, pollution, water and energy consumption. Here is what I read on their website

"Over recent years, the fashion industry has itself been refashioned. With the emergence of fast fashion in the mid 90’s, unsustainable design, low prices and low quality clothing flooded the market. Whilst this may at first glance be seen as a benefit, by allowing price-conscious consumers the chance to wear the current season’s changing fashion trends and by increasing the sheer volume of orders coming from garment manufacturers who are often located in developing countries, this type of fast paced consumption soon gave way to problems.

This rapid consumption of low cost and often low quality clothing lead to a ‘throw-away’ attitude to clothing. As a result, the amount of textiles discarded into landfills has drastically risen. Apart from this excess textile waste, the fashion industry makes extensive use of water, energy and raw materials throughout the garment supply chain. This threatens the earth’s natural supply of resources and causes high rates of pollution. For example, chemicals and toxins are often present in conventional textiles, such as cotton and polyester, and these cause environmental harm in the agricultural and processing stages."

So with this challenge we can force ourselves to be more creative by reinventing & styling the clothing that we already have in our existing wardrobes. How many times have you got up in the morning, stared at your closet & said "I have nothing to wear" knowing full well that you have more clothes than you could poke a stick at? Guilty! 

So over the next month I will post pics of my outfits using just 15 pieces of clothing and see how creative I can get with what I already own. Feel free to join in the fun & take part in the challenge!!

~ Clare x

Here is a list of bloggers who will be joining The 15/30 Project:

Sam of Sam Is Home
Tania of T Like Bubble Tea
Karen of Tomimito
Alicia of Kitten Masks
Joy of Of Stranger Sensibilities
Monique of Petite Avenue
Caitlin of Wanderlustings
& me :-)
 
Image: T Like Bubble Tea

Monday, March 12, 2012

Fall Fancies


A few pieces I'm coveting this Autumn...
Clockwise from top left:

A few other lustworthy combos for Fall....



Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I've had a delightful cold - arrgh! I did however drag my sorry butt out of bed on Saturday evening to celebrate with my beautiful friend at her bachelorette party. I soldiered on and enjoyed a few lovely cocktails at the Gazebo Wine Garden. What did you get up to this weekend? 

~ Clare x

PS: Click photos to see larger images.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Season of Mists & Mellow Fruitfulness


That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hangUpon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. In me thou seest the twilight of such day As after sunset fadeth in the west, Which by and by black night doth take away,Death's second self, that seals up all in rest. In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, As the death-bed whereon it must expire Consumed with that which it was nourish'd by.    This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong,
   To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
~ Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare, 1609

For many of you Winter is at it's end and you are looking forward to a blossoming Spring. For us down under 'tis the season of mists & mellow fruitfulness. Oh how I love that poem by John Keats. As much as I adore summer, I am definitely welcoming Autumn's beauty and the delights that come along with it... curling up on the lounge with a good book or a movie, watching the leaves fade to a rusty orange... I also have a dear friend's wedding this Autumn to look forward to! What are you looking forward to this season?

~ Clare x