At the Avalon

For years now, I've driven past this abandoned art deco theater on the way to class. It's a beautiful old building and it's a shame to see it boarded up when it has so much potential! I rarely go to the movies, but if cinemas were still like they used to be, I would probably go every weekend. The Avalon was built in 1921 and movies were screened there until the late 1940s. Today the building belongs to the university I attend, and is sadly unused. Unfortunately I don't have a wide angle lens so I couldn't get any full shots of the theater, but there are a few photos of the whole building on my instagram!

While red is always my go-to lip colour, I felt like being a bit adventurous and decided to give dark wine coloured lips a go. I'm a bit unused to the colour on me, but I do like it and I felt that it went nicely with this new Hellbunny dress. I am always excited when Hell Bunny releases a new collection and I really loved their last one a few months ago that had a few great 30s and 40s inspired looks!

Snapshots

Dress - Retrospec'd - via Pinup Empire Clothing
Shoes - Novo
Sunglasses - Juicy Couture

Just a few photos from this past fortnight! There have been bowls of coffee consumed and many essays written, but when I have had a chance for a quick break I've enjoyed getting away from textbooks and the computer by going for walks. When I'm stressed I find walking away from it all and spending time outdoors among nature always helps to soothe me. I've also just started a job that's relevant to my Masters degree and I'm actually very happy with how everything is going at the moment, I only wish there were more hours in a day!

My outlet - and my vice, online shopping, has led me to using a sort of rewards system when it comes to writing essays and I've been...treating myself. Many of these purchases have been by Australian reproduction designers because with the weak Australian dollar it is not possible to justify buying anything from the US - not that I am at all languishing, in fact I am proud to add home grown brands to my wardrobe such as Retrospec'd. So while I will always love the wonderful US and UK brands I have in my wardrobe, it is good to be supporting Australian designers which I hope to blog about soon!

Trashy Diva Sandy Dress in Pearl Harbour

Dress - Trashy Diva
Shoes - Novo

I love dresses that cause me to constantly want to twirl around, and this would have to be one of my favorite ones to twirl around in! Classes went back last week and things are a pretty full on at the moment so I will be keeping blog posts short and sweet, mostly blogging outfits that I have worn to class during the week and this is one of them. This early on in the semester it's still manageable to dress up for classes, but we'll see if this is still the case in a few weeks from now!

Mini Dorothy Dress!

Dress - Trashy Diva
Shoes - Forever New
Sunglasses - Wildfox

I admit - I was tempted to wear this dress with red shoes, but I resisted, tempting as it was! As of the beginning of this month it's apparently autumn - but it certainly doesn't feel like it at all. Which is fine really, because I still have many summer outfits to blog!

Plaid & Platforms

Top & Skirt - Trashy Diva
Shoes - Novo
Sunglasses - Wildfox

Yesterday I felt like getting out of the suburbs and so we drove to the mountains. I brought my hiking boots with me thinking I would be really outdoorsy and go on a hike and get my exercise done for the day. but in the end it was just as hot and horrible as it is in town and I lost all interest in hiking. Instead we had coffee at a cute cafe with a gorgeous view, where I got to meet a St Bernard! This is something I had always wanted to do (I was a big fan of the Beethoven films growing up) and I was glad to finally find out that yes, yes they are as huge as I had imagined, and so lovable and sweet too.

With hiking no longer on the agenda I was happy to slip on these amazing 40s style platforms I got last week. I've never owned platforms before so I was surprised with how comfortable they are and easy to walk in - the added height is a bonus! Lately every time I go to post blog photos I've been thinking "no I can't blog this, I just blogged _____a few posts ago" and then I find myself not actually posting for a while. And then, eventually I realize how silly that is, because this is a style blog and everyone has their stuff that they like and that's just it - we all have certain things that we like and therefore gravitate to. I actually haven't counted how many two piece sets I have in my wardrobe but I do know that there's quite a few, which is just fine.

Believe it or not, I do actually experiment with different styles and different decades. However in doing so I've learned what works and what doesn't, which can be bitter sweet. I try not to think about it too negatively though, while I may not have the right shape to pull off a flapper dress or a 60s mod look, I know that I look good in a 50s halterneck or a 40s shirtwaist dress and that suits me just fine! To me, style is a matter of finding what you like that works for you, and there's nothing stopping you from appreciating something that doesn't work for you, on someone else. Which is exactly why I read blogs!

Pelicans, polka-dots and yachts!

Dress - courtesy of Blue Velvet Vintage
Shoes - Novo

February has been a bit of a wild month, lots of rain and gale winds - and we have been told there's more to come with a cyclone brewing along the coast. Today however was a perfect beach day, the sun was almost out and the water was so warm - but also full of jellyfish, lots of jellyfish. In fact, if you look carefully at the fifth photo, that blue lump near my feet is one of the many that had been washed ashore. I have no idea what's been going on this summer but swimming has been a bit risky with all of the jellyfish floating around!

A few weeks ago the lovely folks at Blue Velvet Vintage offered me the chance to review one of their dresses, and let me just say that I had to think long and hard because they have so many beautiful things! Blue Velvet Vintage has a great selection of vintage reproduction brands as well as authentic vintage pieces. This adorable polka dot halterneck is actually one of their own designs from their house brand Classic Dame and known as the 'Starlet' halter swing dress. The Classic Dame dresses are all made in the USA and each one is made in a limited amount to ensure quality control.

I was most impressed with this dress! The fabric is a lovely mid weight cotton and was extremely comfortable to wear all day, and the sturdy metal zip at the back made getting in out of the dress nice and easy. My favorite thing about this dress however is how incredibly flatting it is, I felt absolutely fabulous wearing it and got compliments on the dress all day long!

Monet's Palette

Dress - Bernie Dexter
Shoes - Novo

Taking these photos yesterday morning got me thinking about the whole process of taking blog photos, and wondering about how other bloggers take theirs. Is this something that as a blogger that you have wondered about too? For me, I am always impressed by bloggers who go out right into busy cityscapes and shoot away, coming up with incredible dramatic shots and a stunning location. I follow a lot of different blogs and everyone has their own thing, from shooting in their own garden, to the inside of their homes.

For me, I would describe taking outfit photos as a secretive process. I find a quiet spot with as few people as possible and try to look as casual as I can - well, look like I'm not having my photo taken. I would be lying if I said that the whole process doesn't at least make me somewhat anxious! There is always that impending fear of someone asking why I am having my photo taken or why I am dressed the way I am. So we try to be as discreet as possible, and we joke about it being 'ninja photography' by which I mean there is a five minute frame to take photos and get out without being seen.

So now I am curious about the other bloggers out there - what is your experience taking blog photos like? Is it a similar process of secrecy or is it just me that finds the concept of taking blog photos in public a bit daunting? Have you got any funny stories about taking blog photos, or are there some moments that make your face burn to recall?