Running around a dry waterfall in Ko Samuii

This water-fall was fun to get to, riding a rickety scooter up a hill, stopping for some tender coconuts and then walking down to the ravines.
There was no water as we went before the monsoons but it was really fun to run up and down the rocks with a puppy that was wandering about.

An old hand block-print top with denim cut-offs, slip-ons and a locally made bag completed the look for the day. Nothing special, just travel comfort appropriate.

Balcony twirls

The cold and the rain though not really welcome are settling in, I am slightly excited about autumn layers but I am not really looking forward to winter AT ALL. I know I am a wuss, because Sydney winters are pretty mild compared to a lot of places but I just don't like heavy layers and wearing pants! Wearing pants is the WORST!

But hopefully there is still some sunlight left for the next few weeks and we can enjoy a bit more warmth. While there is even a semblance of warmth, I will twirl in barely there dusters and tiny little dresses like this one. Bought after an intense haggle in Colaba this dress is years old and the duster made from a thin, cotton Kalamkari saree never fails to make me feel good. All the jewellery is silver from India bought over the years.

Happy Navroze to all those celebrating today, hope everyone's having a great weekend!

Summer shorts DIYs

Like any other girl I love denim cut offs for summer, baah who am I kidding, I love them all year round, but unlike most other girls who might have a few trusted pairs of jean shorts I have amassed a huge collection over the years. Since they look better with age there is no giving them away and as I re-organized my clothes during the move I realized I have an astounding number of Levis 501s alone and an even greater number of various other brands and leather and suede and various other materials, okay I think you get the picture, I have a lot of shorts. So this year I've decided to refrain from buying more and to avoid getting attracted by shiny new ones I decided to get crafty with my existing pairs.

I've already jumped on the tie-dye bandwagon eons ago, ripped a few babies to reveal their cooler shredded avatars, bleached, dip-dyed etc etc but I knew now was the time to up the ante because I want a pair of personalized denim that no one else would have. So I decided to go the ethnic embroidery route, Gujarati needle work style. Gujarat is a state in Western India that has a long history with textiles especially needle work and tie dye, popularly known locally as Bandhani. The stark monotony of the desert landscape in the region is brightened up by intricate colourful embroidery, bead and mirror work. Now I am not any where close to as talented as the local ladies there are but I still decided to have a go on a pair of shorts in what can be described best as my take on that style.

Here are a few pictures of the various DIYs that I am currently working on, I started small with stitching a ying yang patch on the back pocket of a pair, then embroidered a peace sign on the back of another, then sharpied a Mexican sugar skull-esque design on the front of a 501 and then started some more complicated work on a pair of Wranglers that's almost ready. Outfit posts coming as soon as the November rain lets up. Any DIY+design suggestions are more than welcome :D Happy Wednesday all!

Bell bottom blues

Recently my all encompassing obsession has been the Cord killers from One teaspoon and since its pre-Christmas strict budget phase I am comforting myself by giving all my other wide-legged babies an outing. For me the boot-cut phase never really went away and although I love my skinny jeans there is a special place in my heart for bell-bottoms and that love will never falter. Trends come and go but flares are forever. Worn here with my all saints tie dye sweater, a 70s tooled leather beauty and the usual array of silver yumminess. Another simple outfit for a day of errand running, Thai food hogging and tree stomping. Life's good when there are trees to climb (in my case its more the boy just lift me and put me on the branch) possums and bats to look at and a new episode of my favourite sit-com to watch. Have a wonderful week all!

Flared jeans: FCUK, Jumper: All saints, Jewellery: Gifted+India, Tooled leather bag: Vintage, Bondi markets

Crochet and puppies do it for me at 35 degree celcius

Tee: Salvos, Crochet skirt: Bondi markets, Jewellery/ Bag/ Slippers: India

I had forgotten the joy that are stray puppies on the streets of India, they claim a certain house as their own and are the bestest friends to have. My sister's house is surrounded by stray cats and dogs who have claimed her as their pet and I get to reap all the benefits of that.

Although all this puppy love has resulted in yet another crochet skirt falling in the middle of the street incident, I am beginning to sense a pattern here. And let me tell you getting de-skirted in India can cause far worse problems than anywhere else. Skirt falling dramas and puppy love aside, I am happy to report that the weather here is almost melting my skin off but I have wonderful new treasures to be happy about. My intent to buy only used/ ethical clothing is getting really hard to stick to because I want to buy everything in sight, pretty pretty things call out to me. But so far have got gifts from everyone, claimed a few of my sister's jewels as my own and am wearing fragrant/ fresh flower crowns. Life is good!

Please admire my new embroidered slippers, since I can't wear my short shorts I am going over board with colour, embroidery and fresh flowers. Yes I know my tee says Baghdad but I imagine the city before the war and meanness and I think it must have been beautiful to sit by the Tigris and soak it in. Have a happy happy week!

Vintage Versace goodness

Vintage Versace shorts: DIY-ed gifted jeans, Boots: Gifted, Hat: Myers, Jewellery: All over, Everything else: Thrifted

I have been on the look out for the perfect pair of Mom jeans to hack into a pair of boy-friend shorts that are back-packing across India-suitable and a friend just gave me her old vintage Versace, made in Italy jeans that were then DIY-ed into this man-repeller goodness. They hang off me in a shape that apparently is pleasant only to my eyes and I am in LOVE with them. I love items that travel all over the world like these boots, they were ordered online by the boy, delivered to his address in Europe and flew to Sydney with his friend and are my new footwear obsession.

I don't think I need to elaborate on my love for crochet, tie-dye, silver jewellery or carpet bags because looking at my pictures one can definitely tell I hoard all items of the above mentioned description. I put these things together haphazardly just because it was warmish, I wanted to wear my shorts, twirl my crochet shawl around, pretend to be a witch and obviously take photos. I think I succeeded and am going to bed a happy little girl. Have a great weekend all!

Yessss! I can finally play with HTML

Tie-Dye skirt: Jay Jays, Black crochet top: Thrifted, Crochet cardigan: Thrifted/ Vintage, Boots: Country Road, Jewellery: All over, Carpet bag: Vintage

Hi guys! I have figured out how to make the pictures in my posts larger by editing HTML and am super stoked. I am sure this isn't really an impressive development for most of you guys but for a technically challenged person like me it is like reaching a super advanced level previously un-thought of. I am glad I figured it out in time for this outfit post because it combines all my favourite elements namely tie-dye, crochet, leather, silver, Chelsea boots AND it is mostly thrifted/ vintage.

On other things inspirational I have found this awesome diy dip-dye jean tutorial with a link to finding great dyes locally in Australia in Define Inspired, a rad blog that I cannot believe I have just found. And this is inspite of all the hanging out that I seem to do online oh well! Better late than never. But honestly stupendous style and great DIY.

I've got the plumber here fixing our bathroom taps and grouting therefore can't think of more to write. Happy Wednesday everyone! Nine sleeps to holiday-land Yaaaaaaaaay!

Because layers make me happy and warm

Soooooooo a long hiatus has actually resulted in me getting my act together, finally bought a better camera, started documenting things that inspire me and am posting them here. It was soooooo cold today, I don't know if anyone can tell but I am wearing about a million layers of wool sweaters one on top of the other and still felt almost frozen when I wasn't directly under the warm sunshine. Winter thou art a heartless wretch! Okay I will now stop complaining about the weather and start gushing about the Balinese silk dressing gown I am wearing all knotted up to resemble something kimono/ superhero cape-esque. I may have found my soul-mate in silk. Have a happy weekend whatever you'll are doing.