sugar.

Two little things i would like to share with you today. Firstly, there was a teeny little article written in the Sunday Herald yesterday about 'One Noffs' that i simply loved. The idea is to provide opportunities for undiscovered young fashion students/designers through reconstructing donated vintage garments into fashionable wearable pieces, with all proceeds going to the Ted Noffs Foundation. Whitehouse students have been the first to partake in this fundraiser, with some of their top students remaking wedding dresses donated by Henry Roth last week. If you are interested in getting involved you can check out the details here. You get three weeks to alter your garments and also a share in the profits. Such a simple yet effective concept. Genius. Their new store, One Noffs, is located at 199 Alison Road, Randwick, NSW and i intend on visiting it sometime this summer.

Secondly, it's hard to believe i was at the beach yesterday happily digging my toes into the sand. Today was such a cold, drizzly day and for some reason i had a really bad hit of threeo'clockitis. I struggled to stay awake and knew if i didn't, i would miss my three house inspections and macdonalds home delivery from the boyfriend. Procrastinating on an empty stomach can be dangerous... It makes you do strange deranged things like google pictures of brownies or frantically flick through channels to see if a cooking show happens to be on. Today, there was none. Instead i visited one of my favorite Etsy stores "Lisa J Honey" and admired her cute little hand made creations that looked absolutely mouth watering. They're perfect for birthday presents with prices starting at only $8.00 USD. Mine is in January and i am thinking of purchasing a couple for myself :)

{Lisa J Honey.}

conclusion.

Sundays are by far the best day of the week.
Ocean, i have missed you.
There are too many birthdays in December.
And Paul Arden, your book was inspiring.

"The most popular conception of creativity is that it's something to do with the arts. Nonsense. Creativity is imagination, and imagination is for everyone."

{Bikini: Camilla and Marc.}

queue.

Yesterday was one of the best days I've had this spring. We awoke early to make a trip to Sydney for the Camilla & Marc and Rachel Gilbert Sales. We've been to a few before and naively thought it would be like it's last, relaxed and amazingly chic, but we were wrong... this one was pretty intense. The queue of impatient girls was growing, the temperature was rising and after one slow and extremely painful hour, we made it through the front doors. To my amazement, two of my absolute favorites were sitting there perfectly on their messy unkempt racks as if they had been waiting for me this whole time. Why was Camillas most recent and stunning range included in this sale? Why was this $1100 swing coat marked down to only $290? Why is there only one size 8 in each still sitting here as if it was too good to be true? To be honest, i didn't really care. I all too happily handed over my cash and felt like calling my parents and telling them "I'm young and in love. I know you won't approve but i plan on eloping with this coat next year in New York when i whisk it away with me. It's perfect and beautiful and i know we only just met but i feel like I've waited 20 years for this coat to come along. We belong together".

I'm sure it's the over worked, sleep deprived and slightly delusional Nicole speaking here, but surely you all have a piece of clothing that you feel so passionate about that you would blog about it at 10:56 on a Saturday night? Yes?

{Pink Blazer: Thrifted. Shirt: American Apparel. Shorts: Camilla & Marc. Boots: Thrifted. Bag: Vintage Annapelle. Bracelets: Assortment/Fringe Markets.}

homesick.

All this talk of Japan has made me have post- Japan blues. It's been nearly six months since i had my first taste and to be honest, I don't even know when i will have time to go back as the boy and i are planning our next trip to New York/America in 2010. We covered Tokyo to Hiroshima with Osaka, Kyoto and Nara along the way. It was amazing and perfect and my itinerary was unrealistically packed full of temples, castles, shopping, rice paper rooms, Tokyo Tokyo Tokyo and so many more magical things. The highlight of my trip was the Studio Ghilbi Museum which wasn't really a museum but more like a castle with the most insane visual creations i have ever seen, as well as showcasing Hiya Miyazaki original studio with genuine artworks from all of his popular cult films including 'Spirited Away' and 'Howls Moving Castle'. If you happen to know what I'm babbling about and can appreciate how big of a deal this is, then your cool points just went up considerably in my books :)

To anyone who is curious, Japan is absolutely stunning and breath taking. As soon as you get off the plane, you will never want to leave. You'll come home and wonder where on earth you can wear your clear lenses and two-toed rabbit socks (I happen to still wear both, youknowlikewhatever) and why the people at home are so blatantly rude and obnoxious in comparison. I might be a little biased but with flights for only $400 return, you'd be two- toed rabbit not to go...

harajuku.

This super cute package arrived in my letterbox yesterday. One of my best friends, Eleanor, is the Beauty Editor at Famous and has the tendency to send us ridiculously generous gifts. But this one was different to the boxes full of YSL, Chanel and every cosmetic brand under the sun that you can think of. Under it's lid were 5 fragrances by Harajuku Lovers with the most adorable little harajuku girls on top. Anyone that knows me well, knows the quickest way to my heart is Japan, and she hit the nail on the head... I'm in love.

white.

There are several things that i like today. I like sleeping in and boycotting the gym, waking up next to a hundred freckles and a set of blue eyes, Cadbury rocky road chocolate, the humidity in the air, the little yellow roses creeping up the telegraph pole on the way to work, and a quick mention of Gary Pepper on Sweet Figments blog. They noted two of my items currently listed on Etsy.com which led me to question: Ebay or Etsy? I would love to divide my stock between two stores but it's like separating sour cream and sweet chilli, you need both in order to compliment one another and how would you decide? I'm currently team Ebay but my thoughts are constantly changing. What do you guys think?

I'm not too sure why my inspiration today looks heavily influenced by Christmas? One of my closest friends is having a white Christmas in New York this year so perhaps it's my subconscious envy kicking in? Either way, I think I'll go looking for one of those chocolate calenders tomorrow. Just another thing i happen to like today :)

new.

NEW NOVEMBER LISTINGS are up tonight from 7pm! I would highly recommend having a look in our garypeppervintage store as i am absolutely smitten with this weeks finds. I am confident in saying that i have mastered that art of selflessness as i haven't kept one thing for myself. If you're reading this blog, you're obviously a vintage lover and would completely understand how hard this is for us.

I also decided to experiment with my photos this week. The sunglasses came off, the hair was let down, the same three poses and 'closed mouth half smile' were still there but I'm working on that too. I already know one of my New Years resolutions will be to keep changing and improving not only the store, but my photos too. When i have both feet firmly on the ground, i will be dedicating so much more time and effort into styling these shoots for ya'll. Promise.

This is such a quick post tonight. It's Friday and we're experiencing our very first pre- summer thunderstorm right now. It's also my best friends birthday tonight and we're wining and dining at a new Mexican restaurant opened by Ken West last week. There's nothing like the sound of rain, a warm evening breeze, 20 of your closest friends and a table full of greasy Mexican to start off your weekend :)

Top three favorites in store now:

1. Vintage Red lace Sienna dress.


2. Vintage cream Lace Victorian Pleat dress.


3. Vintage White Tuxedo Boyfriend blazer.

whisper.

It's Wednesday and i feel like telling you all a little secret about those impossible vintage finds and where to find them. Introducing, Claire Inc, one of my all time favorite Ebay stores. Based in Adelaide, Founder and Owner Belinda travels the world scoping out the most unbelievable designer vintage pieces and brings them back, offering them to us for a fraction of the retail price. From Givenchy, Escada, Fendi, Dian Von Furtsenberg to YSL, Valentino, Chanel and Chloe, Clarie Inc is guaranteed to hold that perfect little gem you're willing to spend a whole weeks pay for. But be warned: She has impeccable taste, effortlessly chic photo shoots and the most translucent skin it'll make your grandmother cry for mercy. Sigh... Some girls really do lead such blessed and amazing lives. One day at a time, Nicole. One day at a time...

Top three favorites in store now:

1. Christian Dior Boyfriend Blazer- Currently going for $180 via Ebay.


2. Christian Dior Cream Polkadot Ruffle Dress- $395.


3. Oscar De La Renta Vintage Striped Playsuit- $295.

peaches.

My newly acquired double breasted peach jacket. It's nearly as delicious as the fruit and will be accompanying my tan when the temperature cools down in the evenings this season. Bring on summer!

{Jacket, Singlet, Shorts, Gold layered chains: Thrifted.}

chill.

Since opening GPV I've rarely kept anything for myself. But whilst in Tasmania i added to my vintage fur (faux, of course) and ankle boot collection. I thought keeping only two items out of thirty seemed fair, right? It's reaching 30 degrees here but i still can't part with these suede wedged booties. Yes, my feet are hot and slightly uncomfortable but they look so divine and were only $7! As for the fur coat, to avoid looking like a crazed Eskimo during the summer heat, that will just have to wait until next year. My new winter staples for 2010 :)

And to add to how much i just adore my new coat, when i slipped my hand into the pocket i happened to find, to my delight, two butter menthol wrappers, an empty tissue packet and a ticket for 'Grease' dated 1998. I've gathered that it must of been chilly in Hobart those 11 years ago. I felt as if my boyfriend had unintentionally done something cute like picked me a flower or made me a kite. I smiled and felt like saying "Oh, vintage. This. This is why i love you."

{Cardigan: Thrifted. Singlet: Minkpink. Skirt: Thrifted. Ankle boots: Vintage.}

mail.

Due to one of my friends, i feel like i have turned into a 6 year old who stomps their feet and complains "i wanttt oneee" every time i hear about her and her beloved penpals. Secretly locked away in a little wooden box are several letters i still keep from my best friend in year 5 who moved half a block away and therefor, became my very first and only penpal. Even though we wrote about our pets, swimming pools and our pommy- speaking alter egos, they still warm my heart and make me smile every time i read them. But obviously penpals are hard to come by these days. There's even websites called "Penpal World" and "Easy Penpals" that help you 'connect' with other fellow, shall we call them, penpalers. I haven't resorted to this.. yet.. but it's been heavily taken into consideration. Some of my absolute favorite things in this world are arts & craft, posting/receiving mail and cute cute stationary paper. All i need is a penpal to satisfy all of the above. Is that too much to ask?