an interview inspiration

I am so happy to share with you all my interview with the lovely Natalie from Lucy and the Runaways. She has some great advice, amazing taste and some to-die for outfits!

Why did you initially start your blog?

I was working in fashion buying for at least a year and a half before I realized it was not fulfilling my needs, and I needed a more creative outlet. I was working under another buyer and was never able to express myself and my views. I decided to release all that through my blog Lucy and the Runaways, just for fun. After my first few posts, I felt so much more a part of the fashion community and that I really felt like I was doing something important for myself, so I kept posting more and more.

What are your wardrobe staples?

-A leather jacket of good quality.
-A signature piece of jewellery or accessory. Mine are my two necklaces I wear around my neck everyday.
-A ballerina tulle skirt (for those days you feel you have nothing to wear).

What is your favourite trend at the moment?

I guess this is more of a hair trend (they all tie in together anyways)-  but I love dyed tips that sit about 3/4 down your hairline (think Rumi Neely).

What does fashion mean to you?
 It's the best and most personal creative outlet anyone could ever have. There are so many items out there to choose from, but you ultimately have the choice of what to wear as a base (like a dress, a tee, or pants), and its ultimately your own personal tastes and vision when it comes to picking the accessories and layers and shoes to compliment it. Making your own outfit whole.

Do you have any other hobbies or interests? 
-Photography.
-Drawing and Illustration.
-Listening to Music and attending music festivals/concerts.
-Zumba (yes I enjoy dancing!)

 Do you have any advice for aspiring fashion bloggers?-Never give up, if you want your blog to be successful, it definitely doesn't happen overnight - it can take a year or two to get really noticed.
-Always have good content that leave your readers wanting to come back again and again.
-And always be kind-hearted on your blog. Mean people always get what they deserve (karma).

a big day out

This is a tiny photo diary for my massive day out today, a complete shopping extravaganza! I am in love with a few new stores, have a few new pieces... in other words quite a few interesting posts coming up. Whilst out spending money, I came across these real Mulberry bags (the exact ones I have been lusting over for such a long time), and I screamed and jumped around a little, not going to lie. They had the Alexa bag! In tan leather! Okay I'm finished. But you get the point.
I also saw the photography exhibit of Henri Cartier-Bresson, and oh my goodness I am taking so many more photos. It was just rooms and rooms full of inspiration. I channeled him in the photo of the muffin with the man moving in the background, though it should probably be in black and white (look him up and you will understand). Enjoy and look forward to a bit of street-style photography coming your way!

rainy days

So sorry for the absence lovelies! The weather has been simply atrocious lately hence the fact that I can't take my camera outside. I was forced to take these inside photos, in my favourite rainy-day oufit against my photo wall. I have been experimenting with retro photo editing on Pixlr. The top is from Princess Polly (of course) and the black cashmere sweater from my mother's closet. I have been reading Emma by Jane Austen, and my goodness I am intellectually drained right now. But, in happier news, you can all look forward to an interview with the lovely Natalie from Lucy and the Runaways! Happy rainy days!

spring/summer wants

 I have been in love with these May dresses for so long, they are the perfect shape for me with the flair at the waist. I made this collage from the photos on the Frankie Sunshine website (If you look at it be prepared to want everything on the site). I stumbled across this picture of these One Teaspoon togs on the Shine by Three blog, full of style and beauty tips. Hope you enjoy my Spring/Summer wish list!

purple and flowers

Pink Rogue top, The Gap shorts, gifted wedges, DIY floral wreath.

I am debuting my gifted wedges actually on my feet! They are possibly the most exciting footwear I have ever worn. Aside from this, school has started back up again and things are relatively dull and nice. I have been so in love with my floral wreath, any excuse to put it on I run to my room and transform into a woodland creature. The pop of colour in this outfit is supposed to be coming from the shorts, though my colour-blocking skills have not been tested for a while. I'm just getting into the spring mood, and I hope you all are too. Now go transform into a woodland creature!

miss unkon

You should all know by now how Princess Polly-obsessed I have become (currently my favourite store, shh don't tell Youth Culture!). While lusting over the pieces on their website recently I discovered the brand Miss Unkon, and scrounged around for a little until I found their collections page. They only had the campaign for Autumn/Winter 2011 and it should be Spring/Summer, but their clothes were so whimsical and full of those hippie-ish vibes I have been channeling that I don't even mind! These are the kind of photos I will eventually take. This is my goal!
Plus, I changed my name on Blogger. Such a big thing to do but I hope you are all enjoying my full, given name, Isabella. Has an ambitious photo-taking fashion-blogger ring to it, no?

my wreath of flowers

Rachael Rachael ruffled Peter Pan collar top, Finder's Keeper's high-waisted denim shorts, DIY floral wreath. 

Just some photos of the floral wreath I made and new Peter Pan collared top I bought in the city. I hope you all enjoyed my first DIY/craft post, give me feedback about how it went if you made one! If you can't be bothered to make one, or don't have the time (I am blissfully doing nothing at the moment) Sportsgirl is selling a range of different ones (the link I included is only one of the choices). But sometimes I think it's fun knowing that you made something yourself, and pranced around wearing it for the rest of the day.

how to: summery floral wreath

 I got around to making the floral wreath I mentioned here as I stubbed my toe severely (possibly broken) and my new favourite activities are craft and feeling sorry for myself. I made the wreath with medium-sized white roses, but feel free to substitute whatever fake flowers you want. Summer brights are in!

You will need:
- Three pieces of thin wire
- Green florist's tape
- Two pieces of ribbon
- Six or seven fake flowers
- Something to poke small holes in the flowers with (I used a pin and a quick unpick)

1. Intertwine two pieces of wire and make a small loophole at each end. This is the base wire(s).
2. Poke a small hole in each flower sideways so that they will stand up on the wire.
3. Thread each flower onto the third piece of wire.
4. Intertwine the flower wire with the base wire and space the flowers how you wish.
5. Cover all wires with florist's tape. It should be stretched a little to cover the wires and the sections with flowers need to be wrapped twice (just go forward and reverse).
6. Attach the two pieces of ribbon to each loophole. They should be long enough that the wreath will now tie up around your head (really long pieces of ribbon are good)
7. This bit is tricky. If you procrastinate and just leave it on the table and go make yourself a chai latte and watch Youtube, maybe your Mum will do it for you. If not, take the florist's tape and cover both loopholes. It should be done carefully so you can change the ribbon later if you wish.

FINAL STEP: Put it on your head and kind of prance around and sing about it and then do a photo shoot (that's what I did). Or put it on your dog and cover them in a blanket and take photos so they look like a cross between Mary (the mother of Jesus) and a bridesmaid. Or just sit it on your bedside table and eat some peanut butter crackers and watch children's television shows.

giveaway announcements

I am beyond excited to announce the winner of the lovely giveaway I hosted (for the first time): Natalie Leung from Lucy and The Runaways! A big thank you to all those readers who entered, I love giveaways and I am sure I will be hosting another one soon.

Of course I got distracted while attempting study for my exams coming up, and while not studying found a website called We are Handsome. I saw their bodysuits in what you all know is my favourite store, Princess Polly, but I sadly have to announce that these babies do not come cheap. I was slightly perplexed as to whether it was a swimsuit or bodysuit, but if I paid that much money for one I should hope I can wear it out o the pool. If you do have the money though, who wouldn't look cool with a bold hot-air balloon bodysuit/swimsuit? A pair of high-waisted shorts and some bright sandals and you are set for the warmer months. Newest wish list item!

X

online gems

Online shopping! Who doesn't love it? I have been browsing almost too much lately, in between exams, assignments and assessment. Maria introduced me to this amazing website called Chicwish, full of whimsical designs and -brace yourself- Alice in Wonderland inspired buys! The first dress "Down the Rabbit-Hole" is so adorable. The Ballerina earrings are so beautiful as well (dance-inspired too) and all the prices are reasonable. 

Also, I'm drawing my giveaway soon, enter while you can. Have you discovered any online gems lately?

X

cheap, short and sweet

My Teen Vogue arrived two days ago, the September issue! One of my favourite months solely for that reason. I have to be truthful, I was a little disappointed seeing as how much I look forward to this issue, but I did find a fashion gem or two. One of them being an article on Missoni for Target, the new collection! I am so excited because their signature print is now affordable and available to young dreamers like me. You can see the whole collection here. I also found this mish-mash of new fall nail colours on the Polyvore blog, I adore the deep, shimmery tones. Thanks to all those lovelies who have been entering my giveaway. I ran into some fans of my blog the other day, it is such an amazing feeling to meet those people who read my blog and appreciate my sense of style!

X

happy monday

I hope you are all as excited about my giveaway as I am! I can't wait to see who wins. I am hoping to do more giveaways, they are just so nifty (one of the most embarrassing words in the English language, but a prefect description). I just have one little reminder: That you MUST be a follower of Views of Now to be entered. Sorry, but I can't enter you if you aren't.

I am also skyrocketing the fashion aspect of my blog because I am getting a new camera! A proper, amazing photo-taking one! Thanks to my lovely Grandmother, I can now show you all my looks in high quality. Speaking of my looks, in this photo I am wearing a new blouse I got from Minkpink. I am a pretty regular customer for that brand, and for $42 I thought this was a good deal. It is sheer, long-sleeved (sale because it was a winter item) and had gorgeous ruffles. You like?

X.

first giveaway!

Well I am incredibly excited (and I hope you guys are too) for my first giveaway! I've been wanting one for ages, and then I went into Forever New the other day and found, (as well as a lovely sheer blouse) the perfect item! This little purse has an adorable floral pattern and comes with a Cherry Blossom-scented hand sanitizer (a product everyone should have, especially when it smells this good) in a bejeweled lilac case that snaps onto your handbag.

Conditions of entry!
1. You must be a follower of my blog, Views of Now.
2. Leave a comment with your name and email for me to contact you if you win.
3. The giveaway is open globally, so enter away!

It will be drawn on September 10th. I will also include a vintage lace handkerchief in the purse (It is displayed on one here). Good luck!

X.

winter hearts

Excuse the delay, lovelies, but I have been quite distracted as of late. I went to see Jane Eyre with a dear friend yesterday, and it was an amazing rendition. Though, considering my wimpiness and all aspects of my personality, quite brutal. If I do a post on Baja Greenwalt's Cozy Book Nook about it, I will notify you all in a post. Aside from that, my ankle healed and I was able to do Ballet and Jazz. My turns are coming along nicely! And then of course, there's school....

A constant cheer-up in my life is internet shopping, I rarely buy anything but wishing for pretty outfits and accessories gives me a reason to save. Frankie Sunshine has an adorable online boutique that I frequent and the new "Winter Hearts" collection is so gorgeous. I included a slide show of the photos (to view properly, press "View in fullscreen") courtesy of the Frankie Sunshine website/online shop, and an outfit update (not a photo shoot) of what I wore to my flute competition. By the way, for those who asked, I performed Dance of the Little Swans and Sonata in E minor, not winning anything but I getting a plausible mark (I am quite ambitious). Happy Monday!

X.