easter

Though this post is a little delayed, I hope you all had an amazing Easter weekend! I definitely did. My family and I took a trek over the hill near our house to the neighbours house, a fond tradition of ours. This was followed by an excellent Easter egg hunt and the new tradition of smashing cascarones (Confetti-filled eggs) over each other's heads. My outfit was the result of a chilly morning and an experimental twisty-braidy hairdo. Which was later decorated with colourful bits of confetti.

Since then I have made cake pops, procrastinated about the work I have to do over the holidays (Excuse me, but yech) and worked up the courage to dye and cut my hair! So, it didn't turn out exactly as I had pictured but it's beginning to grow on me (Literally! I'm so punny!). I was going for an ombre/baylage look almost exactly like this ,but my hair had a nasty reaction to the dye and a) went completely dry in a matter of seconds and b) barely absorbed any of the colour. It's taking the phrase "natural-looking" to a whole new level.
Ps. Thanks for all the lovely questions you all asked me! I am currently writing up a Q & A post!
Wearing: Derek Hearts sweater, Gap skirt, Miss Shop boots

about a squirrel

Squirrels and toadstools and deer- oh my! 
I bought this charming dress a while back after falling absolutely head-over-heels for the woodland print and peter pan collar. It was only a plus that it was from Leona Edminston's line for kids, Little Leona, and was a whole lot cheaper than what you would pay for adult's Leona Edminston. I would completely wear everything in the line, with my love for ridiculous prints and all things childlike!

It is supposed to be Autumn here, but the weather is brighter and sunnier than it was for most of Summer. I paid a quick trip to the beach a few days ago, and it just consolidated the fact that I am not a beach person, no matter how hard I try. After five minutes in the water I got swept of my feet by a massive wave, dragged into shore and finally picked up off the sand by a kindly old gentlemen wearing Speedos. I think I'll stick to admiring the crashing waves from afar.

PS: My gorgeous friend Tiarna just started a blog. She's a ballerina with an amazing sense of style and I know you will all love her as much as I do! You can check out her Tumblr here as well.
Wearing: Little Leona dress, Asos hat, Miss Shop boots. 

brogues and bows

These last couple of days have been very enjoyable because-wait for it- my assessment is beginning to slow down! I can actually make a list of the things I have to do on one hand! It's all so exciting! I celebrated by going shopping with my Mother and not buying much at all, but spritzing perfumes and trying on things and all the enjoyable things you can do in a mall without spending money. While I was getting dress for the occasion I realised that OH MY GOSH I have nothing to wear. So I had to settle with this gorgeous red knit top that I bought about 4 years ago, then handed down to my little sister, then stole back. Hand-me-ups rock!
Wearing: Origami knit top, Cherokee skirt, Vans brogues.

braided

I was feeling quite fancy when I wore this outfit. It took me forever to braid my hair like I saw on Modcloth (because there's so much of it), I attempted a brown smoky eye and wore some beautiful earrings. To balance out going out of my comfort zone beauty-wise, I wore my go-to outfit: peter pan collared top, high-waisted shorts and combat boots. It honestly never fails.

Sometimes it feels like when I'm at home, there is barely any time to enjoy, but when I'm at school, the hours pass incredibly s-l-o-w-l-y. I can safely say that I am ready for another holiday. At home, taking photos, baking and spending time with friends. I have been taking a few photos lately, though, and you lovely people can expect "room tour" and "day in the life" posts coming up soon. Hope you are all well!
Wearing: Pink Rogue Peter Pan collar top, Chic-a-booti shorts, La Vida earrings, Miss Shop boots.

afternoon sun

The sun this afternoon was absolutely delectable. I could've eaten it with a spoon along with the big bowl of yoghurt and muesli I had. With the sun being delectable and all it was the perfect opportunity to wear my new Asos hat that I am head-over-wedges for along with my default Summer outfit: a flow-y cropped singlet and some high-waist shorts. I have had some serious glitchy issues with my posts lately so it was nice to finally go outside and take some photos! 

Sorry for going MIA on you all; I have been job-hunting and assignment-completing for the past week or so. The last few days have been spent basically roamed around with a resume in one hand and a pair of oversized sunglasses in the other, hunting down some fashion-based work. My number one tip: look classy and fabulous when you're searching for work. Scratch that. Always look classy and fabulous.

Wearing: Minkpink top, Finders Keepers denim shorts, gifted wedges, Asos hat. 

be my valentine

Happy, happy Valentine's Day! In my opinion, today is just an excuse to wear 9 different shades of pink, eat chocolates and not do homework. I am currently very much single and not so much ready-to-mingle. My theory is that this is because I wear boy-repellent clothes and get excited about lame things and kind of find most boys in my year level immature repulsive. Oh well. This means I will lay in my pink bubble bath and read Teen Vogue and sing at the top of my lungs.
I accidentally spent a lot more than I intended on this bustier at Urban Outfitters bit am determined to wear it so much that I won't even care. It is the most frivolous and sparkly thing in my wardrobe and works perfectly with this outfit mash-up of girly pinks. My shoes got slightly ruined while I was taking these photos. I must really love you guys.
School has been insane lately and I have not been posting as much as I would like to be. With all this mentally draining work I have to do my brain is lacking in post ideas. Please give me some ideas! Send any questions you would like to be answered, posts you would like to see etc, to my email: viewsofnow(at)gmail(dot)com. Spread the love.

Wearing: American Apparel shirt (worn underneath), Lucca couture bustier, Forever New shorts, Black Poppy shoes, Miss Shop socks. 
Ps. The ladies over at The Tale of Two Buttons interviewed me and it was so much fun! Check it out here.

print mix

In between school starting up again, just coming home from America and my busy catching-up-with-people schedule lately, I thought it was a good idea necessary that I take a break from my blogging life. Life is still quite busy (I have taken on extension English and Maths) so I'm not sure ow frequent my posts will be. There are just those times I sit down and realise that I am indeed only fourteen, I do have to go to school almost everyday and my family is not a group of photographers paid to capture my every outfit. Whew. Glad I got that off my chest.
With all this time not spent on my own blog I worked up all this inspiration from other places (such as A Pair & a Spare and Style Bubble) and decided to put together this wonderfully clashing outfit. I did indeed make these shorts myself and finally worked up the courage to wear them after being told they were "the most hideous pair of shorts ever" by a boy in my grade. I have kind of grown accustomed to wearing boy-repellent things anyways (harem pants, high-waisted everything, excessive amounts of floral). Forever alone!
Wearing: Breton-stripe shirt made by my mother, shorts made by me, Vans brogues. 

pastels

The weather here has been so beautiful and sunny! It's the perfect way for the trip to draw to a close. I am slowly incorporating more colour into my wardrobe starting, of course, with pastels- the huge colour for spring! My nails are currently painted a pale green with white polka inspired by this Louis Vuitton show and I am trying not to buy monochromatic clothing. Brights are my friends!
It is winding down time now, and I have a pile of stuff to pack so large that I no longer sleep in my own bed. My wonderful cousin threw me a going-away party complete with true American dining, recreational activities and candy! Now instead of packing I am going to watch America's Next Top Model re-runs and eat. I hope you are all enjoying the last moments of the holidays!
Wearing: Gap sweater, Gap skirt, Kohl's tights, Target boots.

happy 2012!

I finally recovered from that horrendous sickly experience I had and am ready to face the new year! Armed with a list of resolutions and a new pair of boots, I feel prepared for whatever 2012 throws at me... hopefully all good! I am about ready to come home to Australia now, to my puppies and my friends and my Dad and my big, beautiful bed. Having taken on school here in America too it hasn't been much of a "holiday" considering I am about to go back to my real school... does this mean I will be extra smart? My brain's hurting.
I am going to jot down my resolutions right now so I (and all of you) can keep track of my progress. I have two "for the benefit of the world" resolutions and two "for the benefit of Isabella" resolutions.
For the benefit of the world: I will try to be more organised and make my bed every morning. This will make my family's house a nicer place in general and keep me on top of blogging and schoolwork. I am also going to try and build on my relationships with friends and try to be a pleasant person, even when I wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
For the benefit of Isabella: I am going to achieve pointe shoes in ballet! And work up the courage to ombre/dip-dye/baylage my hair. You get the picture.
I wish you all the loveliest of new years. Keep reading for a resolution update... wish me luck!
Wearing: Geneva cashmere sweater, Cotton On skirt, Claire's wedges, So ring. 

a fresh start

I am still too sick from strep throat and scarlet fever to really do anything to commemorate New Year's Eve this year so I thought I would put together a lovely collage for you all of my favourite looks from this year. I have some massive changes and surprises (all good!) planned next year for my blog and I truly hope these adjustments will all go smoothly! Be ready for another great year with my little fashion diary Views Of Now full of giveaways, outfit posts, musings, photo diaries and more! Here comes another thank you- I love you guys! I am going to have a movie marathon with my Grandma and recover from the annoyingly eventful week I have had. Enjoy however you like to celebrate!

winter solstice

These photos were taken during the winter solstice- the shortest (and coldest!) day of the year. The early afternoon sunset was so gorgeous! It just so happened this day was the one day I decided to be bold and go bare-legged, I thought I was going to get hypothermia- the things I do for fashion!
This is just a little apology for my lack of posts and neglect for replying to comments as of late. I came down with what we all thought was a nasty flu but turned out to be an even nastier case of strep throat and scarlet fever! I was taken to the emergency room last night and am on the mend- eating lots of ice cream, curling up in front of Disney Channel and online shopping. Hopefully I will muster up enough energy today to go outside and take photos! Well, a girl can dream...
{Outfit: Mossimo white jacket, Xhilaration skirt, Miss Shop boots}

a very merry christmas

While I enjoyed the Christmas cookies, presents and chilly weather over the past few days I am afraid the excitement has left me bed-bound with the flu! Doesn't exactly fall under the descriptions of "merry" or "jolly" but I did enjoy the holiday festivities. I love giving gifts, it's one of the best feelings in the world!
These photos were taken during particularly dreary weather in which I ate a lot of pie and wrapped gifts. I hope you all had wonderful Christmases. Don't you just love the holidays? 
Wearing: Thrifted cashmere sweater, Moda silk shirt, Cherokee mini skirt and Miss shop boots.

indigo

This is officially the first time I have ever featured jeans on my blog! I have suddenly bought two pairs (for $13 dollars each, score!) as they are apparently a staple over here in Texas, and learnt how to wear them without looking like a cowboy. The trick is to pair them with refined neutrals and classic pieces, like this cashmere sweater and messenger bag I picked up at an op-shop for a total of fifteen dollars. I am so in love with messenger bags and this Rosetti one is the perfect size for everyday. 

I would just like to say a monumental thank you for all the support you lovely people have given me over the past few exciting days! I appreciate every single comment and email and I plan to spend a great deal of time replying to all of them this afternoon with a cup of herbal tea. ♥

Wearing: Hillard & Hanson petite cashmere sweater, Indigo Rein jeans, Mossimo booties, Rosseti bag.

shoes and socks

Derek Heart sweater, Cherokee skirt, Target tights, vintage hat, Mossimo shoes.

I am officially a woman! No, really! I picked out and bought my very first pair of heels (I know you have all seen my black wedges before but they were a gift and don't count)! It took a little bit of persuading but after I buttered Mother up with a few peppermint Oreos I was set to go. I now laze around the house in these shoes, go grocery shopping in them, sleep in them... that kind of thing.
This outfit was mostly a result of me wanting to wear my shoes and turned out to be a nice mash-up of bargain buys and vintage pieces borrowed off my lovely Grandmother. Big sweaters have been my go-to items since I caught a nasty cold and have spent a great deal of time in bed. My laziness never ceases to amaze me on these chilly winter mornings. I have learnt how to sleep in and avoid doing any kind of work by kind of sliding under the covers and snoring whenever someone walks past, surviving on smuggled cough drops, my laptop and harem pants. How have your lazy holidays been?