[SUITED UP] JENNI KAYNE SPRING 2013 + MANLY BOYS FOR WORLD CLASS BARTENDER 2013

When I first saw this collection I just went omigodomigodomigod. Even everytime I look at it again I still can't help going omigodomigodomigod. Can you imagine having these pieces in your work wardrobe, especially that pink perfection of a suit? The square cut of the jacket, the red detailing and the ankle-length pants are so mad I'll definitely get something like this tailored next time I'm back in Vietnam. Yes, in hot pink. Or burnt orange. Maybe both. Anyway, fell head over heels in love with Jenni Kayne's new spring collection (which has been floating around everywhere on Tumblr and fashion blogs) - sleek, timeless cuts meet rockstar/retro punch in the face. It's so down my alley I think I'll have all of them tailored next time I go home.


I know that everytime I post something new I say I haven't written for two million years. I finished college about a month ago (for good!!) and kinda went through this crazy meltdown for a while, where I was just exhausted and literally felt like doing nothing all the time - at some stage I didn't even feel like talking that much (which is weird for me). But am recovering now and made cake again yesterday, hahaha.


To conclude on a(nother) happy note, please go vote for our amazing Manly bartender friends Hayden (Hemingway's), Davide and James (Harlem) to become Australia's next World Class Bartender! (Well, only one of them can win, but let's just vote and let them worry about that later...) Apparently voters get the chance to win something too, but who cares. Manly represent!


X

[SUITED UP] SECRET SQUIRREL WINTER 2012 - "ART CLASS"

My first encounter with the brand Secret Squirrel took place when I was looking for a dress for graduation (and no, I'm not finished with college yet, that was for our associate degree). I couldn't resist the sleek cut and the most beautiful print on delicate silk, knew that I wouldn't be able to get it out of my mind so I promised my wallet that I would make up for it by not eating anything fancy for a couple of weeks and bought it. Hanging in front of the wardrobe, it was like my room's own sunshine. (Click here to see the dress. It got some lipgloss on one sleeve after a crazy dress-up Christmas party so I'm a little bit scared to touch it now though.)

Its new winter collection "Art Class" just got released recently and I'd be more than happy to wear any of their pieces to school, work, out, wherever. I'm a big fan of their simple but elegant design and their lovely fabrics and colours, which has been going across all of their collections. Their loose cuts almost give the pieces a playful masculine touch, and combined with either very soft or bold hues they do make me think of 1950's and 60's fashion. Just what we enjoy so much these days don't we - going a little back in time. Some of my favourites from "Art Class":

How pretty is the triangle print! For online shopping, stockists and all collections, visit secretsquirrellabel.com.

***Update: Secret Squirrel has now become Secret South; see website here.

[SUITED UP] THE PUBLIC CHICAGO

Images from publichotels.com

"PUBLIC, conceived by Ian Schrager, is an entirely new class of hotel. Its fundamental attributes are innovative, sophisticated, authentic style; spot-on, personalized, empathic "essential" service; lasting comfort with complete functionality, all at an affordable price and offering tremendous value. For the first time, this type of hotel experience will be available for everyone and anyone who wants it."

Uhm, I say, swooned. Yes, at the design because it's super chic with its sleek interior (how cool are the bright green details in the lobby and restaurant? However not a very big fan of the minimal bedrooms), but then even more at the hotel concept. It's the best of the luxury, boutique and select services worlds - stylish, personal but just where it matters and not in-your-face, and affordable. It seems to be very quality-focused, fresh and fun and nothing too crazy which would make you want to come back again and again. Ian Schrager just happens to get it right. Again. Probably all the time.

That man has pretty amazing taste - check out his website and have a look at all his work. I really enjoy his idea of business; whatever the theme might be, it's always playful, sexy and super social. You want your people to have a bangin' time every time they visit, and visit often, don't you?

Oh I say yes. And I'll be following your lead, Mr Schrager.

[SUITED UP] GENTLEWOMAN x BLT

Sportsgirl Marley mocassins, as seen in this post; David Jones leather bag

Toby picked up this beautiful bag for me from the council dump (ha!) and I've been using it pretty much every day since then. It still needs a few stitches as the thread is coming off at the corners and on the handle, but other than that it's in amazing condition - and it's brown! I wonder what the story behind the bag is though, and what bags that lady is using instead now; probably some super hip off-the-runway hotties while we reach back to their oldies. Did I mention I'm pretty obsessed with op shopping these days?

[SUITED UP] F FOR CROWD CONTROL

ICMS End of term party, September 2 2011 at Sable @ Manly Novotel

I kind of believe the new venue for our end of term party contributed much to its success, but shit was it mad. These are just some of the funnier photos - click over to my [b][l][o][o][m][i][n][g] [s][u][n][d][a][y] blog to check out the whole collection. If you remember me catching you with my cam you can be quite sure that your pic is on there; it just took me two days to edit the 110 photos.

Happy term break x

[SUITED UP] B&B

Hand-me-down men's shirt, tailored suit pants, Nixon Cannon men's watch

Probably one of my favourite combinations for college - it's quite amazing how well blue and brown go together. Big fan of actual men's shirts on girls too, way cooler than girls' boyfriend shirts (as in loose-cut girls' shirts; I figured my description might be a bit confusing).

A few days after discovering this colour combo I saw a post with this and this on The Sartorialist - just reinforcing its coolness I guess.

[SUITED UP] THOUGHTS ON: LATE NIGHT STUDENT FOOD

So I think it was Wednesday when I stayed at college all day long to finish my last assignments that were due on Thursday. I didn't finish until around 10 at night (I actually hadn't finished, I just thought it was time to go home and I'd manage finishing the papers at home), and was mind-wreckingly hungry. All takeaway shops were pretty much closed (even McDonald's in Manly closes at like what, 10pm on weekday nights?), and it was way too late and way too stressful to sit down alone at some restaurant - I mean, I do that sometimes, but not at 10; people would think I'm a friendless alcoholic. And of course who would bother making food at that hour of the night? (I refuse to buy instant noodles because I know I'd get addicted, and I'd very soon have pimples all over my face.)

I was craving for a hot bowl of rice and chicken à la Jipang, or a $10 Ivanhoe steak, or even a juicy Benbry burger. I just wished there had been a place open late into the night, especially half way through the term when all those assignments are due and exams are coming up, serving some quick, hot, filling dishes (not like fat-free sushi or dry and flaky meat pies, which are actually pretty awesome after a night out). You'd most likely bump into so fellas from college there, and you'd have a chat about the Economics exam or the Contemporary Issues journal article over a beer and a steaming dish of awesome something.

Think home made student food (man Polly's and my student food is pretty dope. Pastas and stirfries of the finest quality), open kitchen, bar stools, a nice selection of beers and wines for the poor student to calm down after/before their nervous breakdown, funky but quiet crowd, meeting up for a healthy late night dinner. It would even work for hospitality people who don't finish work until even Coles is closed.

Anyone seeing the potential? I'm giving away a free business idea here, please can someone hear our desperate cry for a midnight meal? If not maybe I should be jumping in after I finish my degree.


Something very ironic happened when I was just about to start writing - our neighbour from downstairs came up and offered some free Thai takeaway because they delivered the wrong meals and he doesn't eat meat. Wish there were more Friday nights like this.


And what I did on Wednesday night? I went to Coles for some butter chicken. Meh.

Our hangover chicken avocado sandwich (with Brie cheese!). Would work on exam nights as well.

[SUITED UP] FUTURE LEADERS: HOW WE DRESS, WHAT WE DRINK, HOW WE PLAY

I know everyone's been waiting for these very eagerly. Sorry for the delay.

This was the final dinner for our Contemporary Leadership course, which turned out to be preeeetty fun. If this spirit keeps up our End of Term dinner is gonna be the fricken shiiiet.
We all had to do a community service project for our assessment, and film it. I remember how I was sitting there, 2 hours before due time, using iMovie for the first time, hoping that I wouldn't mess up the whole affair. And we won second prize, how sick is that? I got a new pair of shoes with my gift card.

Again congratulations guys, I hope you'll lead the way!

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