Corporate Wear

Due to the recent shenanigans with job applications and all that jazz, I decided to do a quick outfit post inspired by corporate-wear. 

Despite how feminine and sleek skirts look, I don't own any (it's quite hard to fine ones that fit well), and I find them quite uncomfortable most of the time. Hence I went with my plain-old target work pants and a skinny belt.

Top - Jacqui.E, Blazer - Jacqui.E (Back in the days when I thought Jacqui.E was for old people... haha!)

Same top combination, Pants - Target, Shoes - City Beach (they're just very low creepers, but because of the suede and almond toe shape, I think it suffices as office-wear.

Same top, with an ASOS blazer (with silk lapels).

Same combination with the ASOS blazer.

Same combination with a Uniqlo blazer - this one is more casual, and the material of the blazer is quite thin and flexible. (mega comfy!)

Top - Online purchase, Blazer - Online purchase (both from a Korean store) with the same bottom combination.

Same top and bottom combination with the Jacqui.E blazer.

I think different coloured blazers are a great way to change up a work outfit everyday, that way you can get away with wearing the same kind of bottom and shoes, but get different looks depending on the top that goes with the blazer. Wearing a neutral blouse/top such as white, beige, grey and blue also makes it easier to coordinate with different coloured blazers and styles. 

All About That Comfort

As much as I like to dress nice, I also like to be comfortable and not have to reach around my body to fix areas that make me feel like I'm being eaten alive by my clothes. 

Basic

Jeggings are a woman's best friend! as long as you keep the goods covered, because you don't want funny bits sticking out, or the outline of your underwear to be visible (how embarrassing...). I wore mine with a long tunic that was long enough to cover my bum.

Tunic - Country Road, Jeggings - H&M, Shoes - Windsorsmith

Preppy

I unleashed my inner tomboy with some boyfriend shorts and an iconic sweater which gave this outfit a comfortable, collegiate-preppy look, especially with the canvas shoes.

Sweater - Tommy Hilfiger, Shorts - Dangerfield, Shoes - Vans

Boyfriend Jeans

Whoever said jeans aren't comfortable obviously never tried on boyfriend jeans, loose-fit or relaxed fit jeans. Even skinny jeans can be comfortable, depending on the style/material that you get. Think of boyfriend jeans as really thick, stiff tracksuit pants!

Clean

Top - Asos, Jeans - Vintage Levi's, Shoes - Target

Burnt-out Grunge

Top - Urban Outfitters, Jeans - Vintage Levi's, Shoes - Target

Sport Luxe

Top - MNG, Jeans - Vintage Levi's, Shoes - Nike Roshe Run

Relaxed Fit Jeans

Jeans that are still loose, but look the part, easy to match and can be dressed up or down! These are my first pair of non-coloured jeans, and the lightest colour of all my jeans too. I find the colour really versatile it goes with a lot of things being monochrome, and it's honestly one of the most comfortable pair I own. It also matches my favourite tops, this one being one of my all-time favourite!

Balance

Top - H&M, Jeans - MNG, Shoes - Windsorsmith

Biker

Jacket - Esprit, Top - H&M, Jeans - MNG, Shoes - Target

Athletic

Hoodie - Adidas (Serena gave them to me!), Jeans - MNG, Shoes - Vans

Basic Skirts - with a twist!

Skirts can also be comfortable, given they are either stretchy, or skater/flare/A-line. I like my plain black skirts, but I also like skirts with a bit of colour or playful design to keep my outfit interesting. I do normally prefer skater style skirts because they are breezy and sit well, but some exceptions include this plaid skirt that is super thin and stretchy, so I can bend and move around as I please!

Schoolgirl

Top - Urban Outfitters, Skirt - Universal Store, Shoes - Vans

Childishly Chic

Top - Topshop, Skirt - (From Korea, online), Shoes - Windsorsmith, Necklace - Lovisa

Top - Topshop, Skirt - (From Korea, online), Shoes - Windsorsmith

The last look is pretty easy to mix and match considering the skirt goes with just about anything. Pairing it with a plain top also means I can add statement jewellery to make it more going-outish, or just keep it plain and simple.

The Basics of Home Décor

Since moving into a bigger house away from the central area of Brisbane, I finally got a big room with plenty of space to put things and decorate with.

But since I don't really plan to live here for that much longer, I decided to decorate my room with some basic things I don't mind leaving behind, or things I can easily take with me where I live next.

I think books really make a room or living space homey. It adds character, age and of course, reading materials!

An enclosed cabinet keeps the dust away, so cleaning those unread books isn't a problem.

Another item that makes brings a room/living space to life is living things!

Matching cups and canisters for all my lady things. I also made the cardboard chest from cardboard gift boxes!

Courtesy of my lovely Julia who brought me this treasure from New York!

Bookshelves and art for dat extra oomph. (Bookshelves, mostly to put all my crap on.)

Pillows and cushions - mostly because I have a need for a layer of pillows between the headboard and my actual pillow...

An extra sheet incase of guests/using it as the actual blanket in Brisbane summer!

I'm quite fussy with bedsheets, I like higher thread count of course, but definitely, definitely 100% cotton.
Also a bonus if the pattern is pretty and matches the rest of the space.
The one I have is from Target - it's a summery, industrial design.

A rug, for activities on the ground. i.e. throwing all my stuff on the floor!

Getting Spoiled

I just celebrated my 21st birthday, and got to see all my best friends during the month which I don't always get to do. I think getting to hang out with all my closest friends was honestly the best present ever! (Super cheesy...bring out the vomit bucket!)

My best friends always surprise me with the awesomest things, leaving me standing there in shock holding my gift and not knowing how to react... Hence why I wanted to make this post so I can remember the things I got for my 21st and how I felt about them!

From my best friend Lauren whom I have been friends with for more than half my life:

A Marc Jacobs wallet! She's too kind, I was so speechless when I got it because I would never get anything like this for myself! I was also in desperate need of a new wallet, so this is super fantastic :)

From Alex who just came back from a trip to Singapore and Hong Kong:

A very cute panda zip-up case and some of the most delicious smelling hand sanitisers! People really know I like them antibacterial things!

From my bae Angela:

My second ever Pandora charm for my leather bracelet - a 21. Perfect little charm for a 21st gift! I was never that into Pandora until I realised the sentimentality of getting charms for different occasions, it's a pretty interesting concept despite being a piece of jewellery.

More from Angela, she spoiled me with so many things that I like and use everyday!

So excited to use these brushes, they feel so soft and dreamy...

 This, smells amazing. It smells fresh, fruity and vibrant, and I absolutely LOVE pear!!! Which I actually find hard to come by, anything pear flavoured and scented.

A reed diffuser with a musky and floral scent - she knows what I like!

From Thomas who also brought me treasures from his trip to Singapore and Hong Kong:

Mega dark chocolate, mmmmm!

Tea from TWG Tea! I don't really know much about this brand, but after having a taste, I can see why it's famous.

I tested out the iced chai tea - I actually had it hot, without milk and with one teaspoon of raw sugar.

It tasted so good, more of a fruitier and spicier flavour than regular chai teas which I sometimes find to be a bit sickening - after a few sips I don't want anymore. But I couldn't get enough of this...

And the teabags are sooo pretty! One of them makes an entire pot, so at least 4 cups of tea.

Despite not being that big on celebrating birthdays and making it less of a big deal, I had a pretty good time this year. I went to two of my friends' birthday party to wish them a happy birthday and saw lots of old friends, as well as going out with some of my closest friends for the night for lots of fun and being silly in karaoke!

Hopefully this year will be good, and better than last year! I feel as though my birthday plays a huge factor in how the rest of the year will be like, being so early in the year that if I have a bad start, I usually dread the coming few months. Positivity is key!

January Purchases

Since the Christmas season, I went to Melbourne and shopped around Brisbane with my bestie Lauren who came to visit!

Not having much to spend I didn't go all out or anything but did grab a few awesome pieces :)

Melbourne obviously has stores that Brisbane don't, such as H&M, Zara, Cos, Glue, and random markets and stalls that I wouldn't come across usually.

H&M was just too crazy, I refused to try anything on and have a thorough look around. I bought a tshirt for $3, because I was in desperate need of a new shirt to wear during my Melbourne trip.

H&M - $3

Glue Store isn't really that common in Brisbane, and there are none near the city or shopping centres that I go to. Usually they have sporty, basic and regular dressy things but when I saw these shorts... Oh my gosh! It looks super vintage, it's comfortable, and I don't think I'd be able to come across something like this again.

Glue - $37.50

Not having much to spend and then walking into Zara isn't the best idea, but I had a look around anyway and grabbed this basic (pleated?) skater skirt. I'm always after the perfect black flare skirt because the ones I have are either velvet, denim, or too big/too small. These are a bit on the longer side, but they're super comfortable and fit around the waist!

Zara - $30

I came across this vintage/handmade open store/market style place in Melbourne central, where they had a heap of jewellery, vintage/second-hand shoes, vintage shorts and jeans, and everything vintage a girl could wish for! I got this cropped button-up because I really liked the collar and the thin stripes, as well as it being monochrome.

Melbourne vintage store - $20

At the same vintage place, I got these wicked destroyed jeans for a bargain, and to my surprise it actually fits around the waist/hips/bum. I have a tough time finding "boyfriend" jeans that give off a loose-fit vibe but actually stay on. These ones are quite tight around the bum/waist area so it fit's like regular jeans, but it's moderately loose around the legs so it looks mega casual and boyish.

Melbourne vintage store - $30

The back is pretty standard, one downside was the missing leather patch at the back. I still think it's authentic Levi's since every other tag looks legit and intact, and I don't think anyone will even notice since my top will probably cover the top bit anyway.

While shopping in Brisbane David Jones, I had a look around in MNG (Mango, a Barcelona brand) and I found it strange how the stuff was so different to the actual MNG store I saw in Melbourne. There was more casual/young clothing, business clothing and even a better deal, 40% off all full priced items! Although I have a serious denim addiction, I had to get these because I have no jeans that come similar to these, and also the design, which is a loose-fit and cropped in a slight boyfriend jeans style. They are a lot more fitted than any of my boyfriend/mom jeans and they are super comfortable!

MNG - $48

I have been after a cute little spaghetti strap crop top for ages, I always find that the sides come far too much into the shirt (so you can see the sides of your bra), the length is too short, or the back is too open/not designed to be worn with a bra. Despite never really going into stores like this one, I found the perfect crop singlet that looks more unique than the ones I've seen so far, for only $8. Yay!

Chicabooti - $8