CHRISTMAS WRAPPING IDEAS

CRAFT BERRY BUSH

There are 3 more sleeps until Christmas and if you're like me, you might still be behind on shopping and wrapping your presents. Peter and I usually make our presents every year to give to our friends and family and it really helps to also plan the way I would like to wrap everything to perfectly display our heart-work gifts with just an extra touch of personalisation. If you're struggling to figure out ways to wrap your presents this year and want to add that creative flow to your wrapping to make up for the years of ordinary wrapping you've done, I've compiled some things that have inspired me this Christmas. You'll notice that I tend to lean towards kraft paper packaging, but it's just the most versatile. 

FELLOW FELLOW 

THE PRETTY BLOG

LOCAL MILK BLOG

I FALL IN CHOCOLATE

MOMS PARK

MADE BY MARY

HEGE IN FRANCE

DESIREE CASONI

GLASSONS Mod Squad

Maybe it's the reruns of That 70s Show that's influencing my recent love for 70s inspired picks. I'm just really digging the mustards, rusty reds, khaki, denim, browns and orange hues. Besides eyeing Jackie Burkhart and Donna Pinciotti (bringing back memories yet?), Glassons has perfectly recaptured my favourite casual pieces and some that I never thought I really want to try. This winter has only made my love for stripes even deeper and my curiosity in trying more things much stronger. I think I need a new belt and possibly add to my very minuscule denim collection. This is possibly the best excuse to buy more stripes though. I honestly don't think I have enough.

FIFI LAPIN

Bunnies are just unbelievably cute. It's a fact and Fifi Lapin is no exception to the rule. Her aptly chic wardrobe has given me a whirlwind of inspirational spark. She adorns the likes of Betsey Johnson, Sevigny, Juicy Couture, Michael Kors, Orla Keily and Valentino just to name a modest few. Her shop is currently under construction but I really look forward to coveting a few of her stylish pieces. 

ERIN'S HOLIDAY OUTFIT

In 2013 Erin from Calivintage was heavily pregnant during the Christmas holidays. I've followed her blog since 2010 and I still love her content. Her smock dresses are one of my favourite things that she likes to wear and I only wish for retail here in Australia to have more of those. I've been scrolling through her outfit archives because as you already know, it's summer here and since Erin resides in Southern California, I thought a bit of Calivintage inspiration was needed for summer 2015. She has a certain knack for loose fitting items, stripes, thrifted pieces and linen cotton clothes that I just want more of. But can I just admire her festive attire? She looks adorable in her crushed velvet smock dress and her vintage blazer. She has since given birth to a beautiful baby boy and what blessed little boy he is to have such a gorgeous mama like her.

View Erin's post here.

Images via Calivintage.

The House of the Setting Sun

According to Nick and Lilah who built their utopian getaway atop a mountain in West Virginia, a conventional home wasn't the dream they planned so instead, they built their own cabin with one wall covered in windows they had collected. I'm left rather envious at the concept of their home and also quite in awe of the stories and histories found in building this place. Each window having their own story of when and where Nick and Lilah found them from. I really do admire how they conjured up this beautiful dream from a small joke they made on one of their first dates in this exact location. There's also a video of their beautiful home here if you would like to see it.

*Pictures and more/original post from Free People

Warm Things and Small Things

By thelittlequirks featuring black skinny jeans

The days of chilly morning wake ups have arrived and I for one can either love or hate this but for the most part (being warmed up) I really do love winter. Though I guess you would hardly call it a winter here in Australia, apparently. While we complain, our friends from across the world remind us how our winters will never compare to theirs. Plus, we lack snow and the joys of the Christmas season. But when winter comes, oh boy do I feel it in my fingers and my toes. You can mildly call these winter staples but I suppose they're a part of my wish list this year too.

1. Sweaters. The average everyday knit to layer on top of anything. I would like to get my hands on some cropped ones so that they won't cover the waistlines on my dresses whilst I also have a shorter torso.

2. Tartan. For the sole purpose that tartan blues, greens and reds will go with just about anything you wear.

3. Gingham. Keeping with the check pattern, I have wanted to make myself a gingham dress for a while which I intend on perhaps doing before my placement in schools starts. Black and white would be my go-to as I lack in monochromatic colours and layering would be effortless.

4. Beanies. Peter knitted me a beanie last winter that I love but is currently missing a pompom and so I bought myself one for the meantime. But I'm really enjoying the warmth my head has been thanking the beanie for and of course, I'd probably want a few more.

5. Jeans. In the past year, I've noticed how comfortable I've been with wearing pants instead of wearing dresses. As much as I love them, I've felt warmer in pants and I admit that when it comes to what I think looks nice compared to being warm, I would choose warmth for the most part of winter. It won't hinder me from buying dressed but I see an increase of jeans inhabiting my wardrobe soon.

6. Jackets. I go to university for three days have work for two and probably go out once or twice a week. I have my winter coat that I purchased off Sheinside which I use slightly formally rather than as casual wear. I don't think I would like the look of it with jeans but because I go nowhere to impress, jackets for causal everyday wear which won't change as a trend for next winter is what I'm really looking for.

7. Flats. My feet will probably hate me for this but I already have a few boots I have been using for years like my Doc Martens and a new pair of glittered Gummie's which will arrive in the mail for me. But To be honest, I have no flats to wear. I threw them out and used other shoes to fill that void but I'd like a few new pairs. I may be short but heels are too much effort for my feet. 

8. We Are Friends - Taylor or Layla. Need I say more? I try not to drain my phone batteries but when I saw this on a French Bulldog, he made me like them all the more. Then I saw them in store and I feel like I'm being sucked in.

Stia Couture

Okay okay okay so... is there a possibility that a girl can have a crush on everything in a store online? I hope so because I feel like I'm having that moment. 'Loveable jewelry for everyday!' is Stia Couture's logo on their Etsy homepage and wandering through it, I believe it all to be true. It's all in each piece. They come with simplicity and I would surely love to have a few pieces to wear on the daily. Their stackable options are gorgeous and their matching rings are too pretty to miss. I never thought I'd like the gold so much but I do along with some of the druzy stones that add texture. I never wear anything but a watch on my arm or anything in my lobes besides my crystal tear-drop earrings. But I'm too infatuated by the skinny bands and the dangly earrings are just tempting. Rings, bangles, earrings... yes please.

One Down

I did it! I survived my first week (3 days) of uni and admittedly, although this week was quite a breeze, something surely tells me that won't be the case at all. Living in such a technological age, I'm not used to not having hard copies of anything in my hands and existing physically in front of me. Now, I am surely but slowly familiarising myself with everything I need which is all online. I feel too young to be feeling old the way that I do but I am still yet to grasp the concept of how each unit can be found online with each not being represented like the other. I say it's difficult but nothing a few hours of aimless wandering on the uni site won't fix. Sure, many uni's are probably up to date with this but I haven't been in uni for 2 years I'd say, and I went to a private one and the differences are comparable to certain extremes. Other than being technologically disabled as of this week, I'm certain I'll get the hang of this. But just for now, I'm just a little bit slower than usual. But my Lectures are great, so are my tutorial teachers. I have used quite a bit of my breaks to locate toilets around the campus since I have just way too many liquids throughout my day and I efficiently used my time finding power points so I can charge my laptop and phone when I can whilst going through outlines and coursework. But now I'm looking forward to what I will have achieved by the end of this trimester.

Glassons Shirt

Glassons Trousers

Converse Sneakers

UniHood Bag (present from Peter)

River Luna

I'm currently enjoying these water colour illustrations by Marissa Redondo at River Luna. With a collection of pretty patterned feathers and dandelions, I adore the illustrated animal cameos with distinct patterns on them. I'd list some of these as tattoo inspirations with their unique soft-colour designs.

Difference Makers (A Timelapse)

This all-inspiring video popped up a couple of weeks ago an I am in absolute awe with the people who were a part of this project (if I may call it that). 

It occurred to me that it really doesn't matter how much of yourself you give, whether it be a little or a lot, your little can be their new world. Donating, helping change people and saving lives comes at no cost but the investment of care, love and support. I don't believe in the online memes about people giving up on humanity because why should we? To tell you the truth, there are hundreds, if not, millions of people who are a part of difference making and we don't give them enough credit for whoever they may be. There's a spiritual movement that we don't notice even exists because it's something that humanity was always created for. To lend a hand, to be an influence and to save lives. I think it's important to pause in the midst of the never-ending tragedies around us and to remember that as humans we can only do so much as we support and help different causes. But as we seek the grace of God, impossibilities become possibilities, hardships become easier and miracles overflow and this is when we should begin to realise as a global community that though we give a little, the lot that blossoms is a God thing and it's an awesome thing. As small human beings in a massive universe, we were always born to be the difference no matter what cause we are investing our hearts into. 

I say do what you can or what your heart wants to do. 

Quirky Circus S'13

Spring Collection 2013

Just A Home

When it comes to colour schemes and DIY or pretty pictures and house decor, one of the first things that come to mind is A Beautiful Mess. One of my all time favourite inspirational blogs for things around the home. Emma and Elsie have plenty of step by step tutorials that make moving out seem like one of the most exciting life events to experience. I've been reading their blog for a couple of years and the thought of being able to decorate a house of my own would be a rather interesting, exciting and not to mention an expensive chapter of my life which in some ways is still rather appealing.