H E L L O . K I T T Y .

For me there are only a handful of designers that are absolutely flawless and those are Chloe, Miu Miu and Charlotte Olympia. I've been a lover of Charlotte Olympia for quite some time and each season she amazes me with her beautiful, unique and incredibly chic designs. Each perfectly executed with no faults to note. I feel like she just gets me and everything I would want in a shoe. Simple, classic designs turned into beautiful statement pieces with her gold foil platform or touch of quirkiness. Unfortunately I couldn't justify the hefty price tag on her "Banana's is my Business" platforms but I'm finding more and more reasons to buy these amazing red cat face platforms. I think I'd call them Yumi so she can come with me everywhere I go. The most dangerous thing? They're available at Bergdorf Goodman which I'm planning on visiting in a few weeks when I arrive in New York.

(Images via Charlotte Olympia)

K N I T W E A R .

Just a little bit of winter outfit inspiration from a 80's knitwear book I found at an opshop recently. I absolutely loved flicking through the pages to see flat lays of bright clashing colours, chunky knit jumpers layered over cute collared shirts and of course the over accessorizing of plastic jewelry that just makes this book so 80's! My vintage knitwear are some of the quickest items to sell in my store so I thought these photos might give you an idea to see how people styled them a few decades ago. So crazy looking through this book and reading all of the confusing techniques and precious time invested into knitting one jumper, and also seeing trends repeat themselves again. You can shop my knitwear here with another 50+ doily jumpers arriving tomorrow afternoon! Personally I wouldn't mind wearing outfits 1, 4 and 11. I might even scan in a few more catalogs if I have time. Always so fun to look at or is that just me?

C L A I R E I N C .

(images via claireinc)

If you've followed my blog from the beginning you'll remember some of my very first posts back in 2009 were about Claire Inc, the Adelaide-based online boutique that specializes in high-end designer vintage pieces and those unbelievable gems you just can't believe she finds. We've both come a long way since then and I owe Belinda so much, as she was somewhat of a mentor to me when I began my store and would always take the time to reply to my emails with advice and guidance. This is something I will never forget, and her store and achievements continue to inspire me beyond words which is why I am sharing her with you once again.

Claire Inc has just announced their exciting pop up store with The Corner Shop in Sydney for 2 weeks from July 21st. As you can see, Belinda's carefully and impeccably curated SS 11/12 collection is absolutely beautiful and full of vintage Chanel, Karl Largerfeild and Moschino. I love the "Read Between The Lines" Moschino skirts and Karl Lagerfeild gold cuffs pictured above. Amazing. You can view the full SS collection with prices here. This truly is one of my all time favorite stores and the perfect destination to get your designer fix. July 21st can not come quick enough!

E L L E R Y L A N D .

The other day I popped into visit the girls at the Desordre store on Oxford Street and spotted this jaw dropping beauty. Trust my eyes to wander to the prettiest but most expensive piece in the store. Made entirely from thousands of sequins and swarovski crystals, It's one of only two ever made by Ellery. The first belongs to Kym Ellery herself, whilst the other was sitting here looking like it had floated out of my dreams and into the store. The word "skirt" doesn't even do this piece justice. If anything it's a work of incredible art, which is now preserved on the pages of my blog before it vanishes, never to been seen again. Just had to share my few minutes of dancing between reality and Elleryland, which already feels like a distant dream. Sigh.

H I G H T E A .

On Friday i had the pleasure of meeting up with my long term online pen pal Micaela. She's the lovely lady you'll often hear me thanking in my press posts and the (very young, might i add) editor of Ebay Magazine. After months of countless emails we finally took some time out of our busy schedules to meet up for some afternoon tea. She took me to this amazing high tea place in The Rocks called 'The Observatory' where we stuffed ourselves silly with tiny little sandwiches, sickly sweet sugar and gossiped away for hours whilst sipping on delicious melon tea. Believe it or not but this was the first time we had properly met in person and by the end of the day i couldn't believe how much we had in common. I have no idea how both of our bodies manage to run off purely just sugar but i'm so glad i'm not the only one anymore!

It's only natural being in the fashion industry that i admire beautiful models but there's something i find so much more fascinating about the 'behind the scenes' kinds of people. The business minded and brains behind something that makes it what it is, each with their own story about how they made it in the industry and the empires they're building, and it's those people i usually get along with the most. I suppose it's because i can relate to what they're talking about 99% of the time and like anyone would, i find it extremely inspiring. I've heard that sometimes it comes down to the right place at the right time, other times it doesn't, but 100% of the time it's purely just hard work.

"People often ask why i think my store has been so 'successful' and, to be honest, if someone knew the answer i wish they would tell me too! There's no secret or luck when it comes to owning a successful business, you have to make it happen yourself. Hard work, determination and a clear objective is the key - so i mean it when i say that if i can do it, anybody can."

A few (somewhat strange for me to read again) sentences from my column and a tribute to the extremely inspiring Micaela, who after all, is the reason why i am lucky enough to be able to share my thoughts with all of you in the Ebay magazine. So Micaela, this is for you. I look forward to many more tea filled afternoons and maybe a little less parking tickets :)

PS. My next collection is finished and scheduled to be in store in the just a few days! Stay tuned for a sneak peek here. I think you guys will like it :)

N E W S P A C E .

These are just a few photos i took around my newly converted office this morning. It's big and white and utterly perfect for what i need right now in terms of where my business is at, and i couldn't be happier with it. In the mornings it's filled with a beautiful light which comes straight through the window, where i can not only see the ocean but watch the sunrise too. It makes those early morning starts just a little more bearable. I thought it would be interesting to show you all what it looks like now to what it will look like once I've properly settled in and covered every inch in cute little things i pick up along the way. It's slowly coming together and I'm beginning to find a home for everything. I seem to be spending late nights, early mornings, and any minute i can locked away in this room - I just love it so much that i never want to leave! But the most important thing is that it has only enhanced my productivity and provides a beautiful open space for Chloe and i to work away like crazed, vintage loving pixies, without disturbing anyone else :)

The first (and only) thing that i've put on my inspiration board at the moment is an illustration Chrissy kindly gave to me last week when we went for breakfast. It's insane (or insanely inspiring) that she drew this cute little jellyfish from just a few colored biro's! This was just one of so many illustrations she has floating around her place and i still can't believe how talented she is.

As for the second last photo, it's one of my favourites. Just three pieces of paper that i hold so close to my heart and each represent different parts of my store. I'm not sure if most of you know this but Luke was the one who drew my Gary Pepper banner, the one of the owl with a girl in an owl suit, and he had the original artwork framed and gave it to me for Christmas. The other two include the original art work of the Gary Pepper Girl with her panda head beanie by Chrissy Lau and my certificate of registration as a company. I don't think Chrissy and Luke realise how important, and how much they contribute, to my store and how much i couldn't see GPV without them. So these frames are a little reminder of the people who make Gary Pepper, well, Gary Pepper :)

So that's my new space at the moment. I'll post more photos soon - there's still another half of the room with racks of vintage lining the walls, a bathroom, and walk in wardrobe dedicated to Gary Pepper Pieces and the Tuchuzy collaboaration! Oh and just another little thing in my office at the moment? A rose pink box that arrived on my door step a few days ago. Yes, my heart skipped a beat when i opened it and i just can't wait to show you my new Miu Miu's! Photos to come, i promise!