GUILTY PLEASURES: THE STYLISTIC EVOLUTION OF MILEY CYRUS

Yes. It’s happening, I am discussing Miley (Destiny Hope) Cyrus fashion status. Miley’s incredibly nuanced stylistic evolution is one that intrigues me deeply. Unlike a Vanessa Hudgens or Demi Lavato, this Disney alumni’s sartorial changes happened what seemed like overnight. BAM! Haircut Maam, we have a new Miley! And I love her for it! I feel like this a moment in life we all wish we could have, to be able to reinvent ourselves almost overnight. I feel that Miley dresses for herself (something to admire in today's society), and has painstakingly carved (with help) her own signature look instead of blending into the comfort of mainstream fashion.

DIY DECEMBER // PAINTED DAISY T-SHIRT

A totally arty and grungified DIY for your DIY December post today. Super simple, and you could be as creative as you want :) Read on to find out this handy DIY trick. 

OP SHOPPING // INSPIRATION

Off on an adventure for some op shopping / thrifting. Hopefully the money I saved from not spending anything on Boxing Day will come to good use today ;) My inspiration for today's finds:

Definitely big on colours (particularly tropical colours), Azaelia Banks, English Street Style, Tailored, Soft Grunge, 90s, Simple, T-Shirts and such. Hopefully these will take me into 2013.

What are some of your inspirations???

x

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DIY DECEMBER // INSPIRATION: SPLIT SKIRT

I love getting inspiration from street style and this one is one that keeps re-appearing on my Tumblr. Considering, the weather is hot and humid, and sometimes our sense of style can be hindered in the interest of keeping cool and breezy. So the split skirt is the perfect combination of being sartorially forward and not dying of heat exhaustion.

I'm sure you already know where I am going with this one. All you need for this DIY is to purchase some fabulous fabric scissors (Lincraft, Spotlight, Etsy) and a skirt that you are willing to slit up. The fabric scissors are key so that you get a clean cut and it will ensure that you don't fray the fabric as much. 

And there is a variety of ways in which you can slit. I am really digging the double slits - especially when paired with a delicate camisole. Or go original and just slit it Angelina style down the side. Make sure its your best side ;) Or you could go a step further and slit the skirt and add a zip like this Maurie & Eve piece (on the left worn by Sara, Harper & Harley).

TOP TIPS:

• THRIFT IT: If you don't have any of your maxis lying around, then head to your local thrift store or op shop and purchase a maxi (which will be in high rotation thanks to something called the fashion life cycle) and get cutting. 

• BE FAKE: You are going to get a much better result if the material of the skirt is synthetic - so polyster or viscose. As these guys don't fray as badly. This is so that you don't have to go back in and sew the seams. 'Cause seriously... who has time for that. 

• RUN A LITTLE GLUE: If you do happen to find a fabulous skirt but it looks like it is about to fray in its first wash, then what you can do is grab yourself some super heavy duty (water and temperature resistant) glue and paint a thick line on the seams, and this should stop the fabric from fraying. 

• TABLE TOP: Lay the skirt on your dining table (or floor) and make sure you fold a faux seam where you want to cut - this will ensure that you get a straight line through. 

• A LITTLE AT A TIME: Make sure you slit just a little at a time, and keep trying it on - until you get to the right height - which personally, I think should be mid thigh. 

So get slitting guys! This one is so easy, you wished you had kept all your maxis for this one.

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Images: Fashionising •  Song of Style • Chloe Resort '13 • Harper & Harley • Maurie & Eve • Chictopia • Modern Legacy •

DIY DECEMBER // DIY TRANSPARENT CLUTCH

'Nuff said. Click the pretty button to get to more pictures.

ARM SWAG OF THE LOW MAINTENENCE VARIETY

I am unfortunately not a light traveler by any stretch of the imagination. One of my guiltiest fashion pleasure is to sling my vintage khaki Country Road tote over my shoulders bag wherever I go. It fits all my essentials and more! But apart from this well worn piece of canvas heaven, you can find me carrying my sizeable Fossil bucket bag, which can just about carry everything I need on a daily basis.

So I find it a huge inspiration when I see people only carrying around a small lithe purse/wallet concoction and their phone. Apparently they don’t need to carry around their diary or 1.25L water bottle. This way seems more convenient, light and terribly fashion forward. Its an ideal that I wish I could uphold. But where would I put all my “stuff”?

The first step: I had to downsizemy wallet (no more carrying around those loyalty cards), and only then could I plunge into the world of low maintenance and simple chic. And plus, this seems like a great change what with the hotter months looming. ***Anything to convince myself, of my new ways. 

Purse: Fossil Vintage "Fifty-Four" Coin Wallet • Phone: iPhone 4S

And that's it for today gang, 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend ahead of you - I have an exciting piece of news coming your way tomorrow! Tune in then. xx

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Images: NY Mag "The Cut" • High Snobiety  • Vogue

 

WHEN DID RUNNERS/TRAINERS BECOME SO COOL?

 

Runners; Sport Shoes; Trainers; Sneakers. Whatever you want to call it - they are back and not in a sporty way either.

Walking around the streets of New York, I have never seen the humble sneaker being represented in such high volumes. And they are a fashion item across a variety of fashion genres and lifestyles. From the everyday supermarket worker to high fashion editors, sport shoes are being worn like they are running out of fashion (literally). Which it probably is, I guess. I point the finger at the amazing Susie Bubble for bringing the runners in to the fore front of fashion, via the amazing sports luxe trend from Spring/Summer 12/13.

TRENDY: DENIM OVERALLS

Lets all be honest, it doesn't matter if you were a kid in the 70s, 80s, 90s or the early 00s. You most probably had a version of denim overalls. And believe me when I say this, I had the long pairs, the short pair as well as the skirt version. Ohhh yeah, I liked my overalls. Or rather my mother did.

Denim Overalls - its totally the next big trend. I've seen dribs and drabs of this trend emerging through the masses. But its hard to distinguish how many of those early adopters were (1) spotted on their lunch break from having painted their walls/fences all morning in their Dad's old overalls and how many of them were (2) seriously wearing overalls as a statement.

IPHONEGRAPHY: WINDOW DRESSING, NEON, NAILS, BACKPACK, GOLDCOAST

Happy Saturday lovers. 
Its been a crazy week for me - stressful, exciting, flattering, amped and most certainly dangerous. 
__________________________________________________________________________

THIS WEEK IN #IPHONEGRAPHY

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1. The amazing window dressing at Louis Vuitton on Cavil Avenue. Oh heyyy Mother (in the background). 

2. Finally launched my Big Cartel site in lead up to Suitcase Rummage next week - ooh I'm excited. These are neon-tastic. 

3. A preppy nail look. Midnight by Revlon on the base with Sportsgirl's Red on the tips. 

4. I finally got myself a backpack after countless lust sessions here and here. This one is from eBay and for $27 it aint too bad. 

5. Anzac Day is also my mother's birthday. So we headed down the coast to Surfers Paradise and had a relaxing day. Ramen, Gelati, Sun & Sand. I love Queensland. 

6. Black Coffee Lyrics at Surfers Paradise - was very excited to try it out after a recommendation from my coffee fanatic friend, alas it was closed. But I did enjoy this piece of graffiti on the wall of the cafe. 

And remember kids, you can always follow me on instagram by searching for kasturi_ : )

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LATEST VENTURE: BIG CARTEL

First of all, Happy Anzac Day fellow Australians.

So. I bit the bullet and took advice from some very encouraging friends and opened up an online shop for a lot of my DIYs. So shop on through to A+D SHOP for some Neon Hardware.

I have been obsessed with hardware and industrial materials, and the way this looks against quite bright and contrasting neon colours. So I have been experimenting with different DIYs from the internet and some from my own imagination. I have had so much fun with this whole process that I actually went the full hog and started working on a digital look book - which is what we have below here.

Feel free to share this link to other neon accessory lovers. And as the look book's manifesto says:
ENJOY, SHARE AND BE INSPIRED. 

Update**** Interestingly enough, I was featured on The Thousand website today in regards to these neon jewels. Very very very flattered. For that article, have a read here.

Wish me luck on this new adventure. Its going to be a short and sweet - as I am not planning to do it for the long run - ie. ALL THESE PIECES ARE ONE OFF'S AND UNIQUE :) For any information / queries - get in contact! All my social media links are on the left hand pane beside this post.

Have a good rest of your week,
Talk to you soon.

Even more recent update*** I will be selling my wares now on Etsy as well. So click here for that link.

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THE LIST: AUTUM/WINTER WARDROBE

Take this as a wish list or as a shopping list, its up to you - to me this a list of ten things that I am wanting to incorporate into my wardrobe for Autumn and Winter. There are some items which I have left out of the list because you have read me harp on about them or because they aren't anything "new" or "unique"about them in terms of dressing for autumn and winter. This includes beloved Khaki Parka/Army Jacket (a staple for me for the cooler months) as well as the Midi Skirt.

M.I.A's Bad Girl video clip was a big influence for me this season. The video clip is just super cool, I'm always down for car stunts and ridiculously gaudy attire (heavy hood chains and shimmer jump suits anyone??). I am still in the process of hunting down the stylist for the video clip. Where some inspirations from the video are quite literal (#2, #8 and #10) some are more loosely inspired (#7 and #9). 

For details on each item and links to where you can find it, just click "read more". 

KAREN! WHERE DID YOU GET SO GOOD!

Seriously, one of the best colour blocking efforts I have seen since the trend surfaced.
I broached the idea of colour blocking early October of 2010 here.. I'm glad I was enough crazy to think it would catch on ;) I guess I can thank Jill Sander for that !

Karen from Where Did U Get That does an amazing combination of pink and greens.
I think whats cool to take away from this is that colour blocking can exist without having to always clash neon colours together.
THANK KAREN TO SHOW US HOW TO DO IT RIIIIIIGHT!!! :)

MAC PRO DECALS > SO COOL!

Something not a lot of people know about me is the fact that I am a MEGA (read: MEGA x10) technology nerd. I like my gadgets and all the accessories it comes with.

This is mostly thanks to my father, who is the same as me: TECHNOPHILES!!!! We need the newest and latest gadget on the market, or the very least its substitute. I was 8 when I got my first tape playing walkman, and 12 when I got my first CD Player walkman. Then soon after the iPod Mini, iPod Classic, iPod Touch, Prada Touch Phone and now Blackberry!

ALL MY TECHY GADGETS.

Everyone knows about my obsession with my Canon EOS. So much obsession that I names it ;) You can read about that here... Now, my latest obsession is my Mac Book Pro :) which I have had for a couple of months. 

Although I am currently without an iPod (shock horror to my father, but I have been using my trusty BB) I have been lusting after another type of techy love. Decals for my Mac Book Pro.

I found these thanks to a suggestion from my friend - we were actually looking for some protective sleeves for my laptop, but instead I got stuck staring at all the different decals/stickers on offer!

Check out:

MAGICAL DECALS

DECAL GALLERY

APPLE DECAL SHOP

&&

GIRL GEEK CHIC for more techy nerd stuff :) One of the best technology/gadget blogger!

These are some of my favourites.

This is one my far my favourite! I think I would definitely get this one.

I AM IN TECHY HEAVEN!ALL AVAILABLE THROUGH ETSY - SO ITS ALL MADE WITH LOVE!

TALK TO YOU SOON KIDS! :D

colour blocking.

WEHEARTIT.COM 

I love it.  
I think it works extremely well especially when it is done to style a music video.
Now, I know what you're thinking... music videos are a thing of the past - but mark my words. They will be back. If not for its musical and dance direction then most definitely from a fashion perspective.
Some of my all time favourite music videos use colour blocking. Now this might actually be because I was like 7, and colours just work.

Colours were/are a big part of growing up and the 90s.
Its a brilliant marketing tool. Give children a collective group with a differentiating identity in order for them to identify their own selves within the mass. (yep).

EXHIBIT A

 CULTUREBLUES.COM

EXHIBIT B

 TVGUIDE.COM

EXHIBIT C

  WALLPAPERBASE.COM

I never really knew about the concept - especially its technical side till The September Issue. 
That whole scene of Coddington putting together the colours, and the genius idea of using the Film Crew as part of the shoot, and the whole pudgy stomach debacle.. hahah. Ahhhh she is just so creative, intuitive and smart.  - You can youtube that.

FASHIONGUARD.COM

One of my resolutions this year was to wear more colour.. And I semi achieved that resolution.
I love my blacks.. but a little colour didint hurt.

EXHIBIT E

This is one of my childhood songs. Being half Tamil, it just would not be right if I didint watch thousands of Tamil. This is not only one of my favourite colour blocking videos, but also one of my earliest memories of me realising the power of fashion and colour. Its a beautiful explosion of colour and I just love it.

 WEHEARTIT.COM

MY POLYVORE SETS - LINK HERE

kazz, ☮ + xo.
amped+dangerous.