best of both

Mejor De Los Dos

2012-02-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

I'll let you remember Frida and be inspired by the works of Andrea Mary Marshall and Kristina Wilson. A beautiful collection merging photography, paint and high fashion. We all can get lost in surrealism, sometimes caught up in reality and yet neglect that we kinda do have the best of both. I am by no means a hippie nor would I say I'm a very happy person at all. But this Kahlo bitch went through shit. Respect.

pictures sourced from trendland.com

My chica, Corin, wears our "Tongue-Tied twist top" in burgundy, vintage skirt

pictures sourced from trendland.com

picture sourced from trendland

Grimes

2011-12-22T03:26:00.000-08:00

What? How? Wear?

2011-12-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Referring back to our last post on "the boyfriend shirt" or, to stay true to the video, "how a girl should put a man's shirt", we were inspired to play around with our shirts as well. Not exactly conventional or manly, our b o b shirts suggested more feminine silhouettes. Drapery and bows played their supporting roles in our little shoot and I have to say it was a success. Fans of creative expression and value, we were excited to come up with different looks for our pieces. Actually, Corin came up with the looks, I just got excited. I wouldn't go so far as to call it avant-garde; but definitely an alternative take on the shirts. And no, you won't look like a crazy person.

Corin wears "Billow" Blouse, "Shortcomings" Blue Crop Top, "Alter" White Shirt

Photography: Anthea Clarke

Reindeer Games

2011-12-16T09:08:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year. I've never been big on Christmas; checking who's available when and where, making sure everyone shows up to a big dinner and then blowing our money on festive food and drink. But I do like the Christmas shopping. I love looking around for little items which remind me of a particular friend (few and far, so that's not a tough job for me). It really IS the spirit of giving that gets to me. Christmas cooking? Love it. Festive FEASTS at my place regardless of the attendees.

The one thing I don't really like about Christmas is that everyone travels! If everyone said "oh yeah hey sorry you've got to be by yourself this Christmas; going up to see the fams" instead of "Yeah. going to Bali." I'd be completely fine~ I'm starting to suspect there're some reindeer games going on here... ...

Bare with me

2011-12-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

There's something very sexy about simplicity and subtleties. We're talking Angelina circa not-yet-a-mother-of-a-third-world-village here. Having no attention drawn away from you, with all your idiosyncrasies, can be ..correction: is, understatedly alluring. Don't get me wrong, my closet is still whack and garish as hell. And yet, these two pieces manage make me feel effortlessly chic while retaining quirk and individuality. Asymmetry and over-sizing- my favourite imperfections balancing out any eclectic wardrobe.

Bare with me - Let's keep it simple: The "Jolie" Dress and our best-of-both oversized shirt.

Photography: Anthea Clarke

Reverse Psychology

2011-12-15T05:13:00.000-08:00

"Reversable? COP IT." That's usually what a girlfriend of mine says to me when I contemplate purchases and run it by her. It's hard to pass up two dresses for one (in one?); always the bargain hunter, I'm usually milking the wear out of all my clothes. Not going to drop the times-are-hard line but.. if you're not feeling the pinch and looking for ways to wring the versatility out of your dresses, click here and help yourself to as much as you like. Or don't. Just saying.

Corin wears "Waist Not Want Not" Minidress, "Brace Yourself" Belt

Photography: Anthea Clarke

Australiana

2011-12-14T06:45:00.000-08:00

Corin wears "Alter" Shirt, "Waist Not Want Not" Dress, Akubra

I've been travelling quite a bit and it's just hit me. I miss Australia.

I miss the food, the sun and the people; my friends and family.. Or It could also be the fact that we're driving into winter and yet it's ironically all sunshine down under.

It's an odd feeling having nostalgia for things I took for granted when they were right in front of me. I hardly ventured out of the city, I don't like Vegemite, I never drove a Holden..I can't even drive. I'm a city girl through and through and I lived a good duration of my life in Singapore, but Australiana will always find its way into my home (wherever that is) and question my departure. But I was at that point where I wondered if I didn't give migration a chance, would it give me a chance later? Is this a quarter life crisis? ... Is that a white hair?!

Corin wears Green Military Shirt, Grey Jersey Tulip Skirt

Robert Frost

2011-12-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

Corin wears Black "Gattaca" Dress, "Tasselations" Belt

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Custom Ponyhair boots, Vintage Chanel, Vintage fringed leather jacket, "Tasselations" Belt

Salut le jolie Femme

2011-12-05T09:26:00.001-08:00

Make The Girl Dance - Baby Baby Baby ( official video ) from xphoenix on Vimeo.

In the Nude

2011-12-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

Corin wears "Jolie" Asymmetrical Nude Dress, "In the Rough" Embellished top (coming soon)

When you can appropriate one dress for several different occasions, you know you've done a good job acquiring it for your I-will-wear-this-every-other-day collection. Break some hearts, melt some others. Bare those legs and pull that hem up (we've got belts to help, too) or layer it with something sweet and demure... and we're all fans of layering and sweets.

Sugar, spice, and everything nice. The "Jolie" Dress.

...Is Christmas coming up already?

The Boyfriend Shirt

2011-12-04T08:31:00.000-08:00

More excuses to raid your boyfriend's closet.

I love men's clothing; I especially love the shirt. Such a versatile and strong piece which can easily translate into chic and elegant... We're tapping into the best of both and rediscovering the feminine/masculine dichotomy. Getting strong Swedish vibes à la V Avenue Shoe Repair from this video. Excellent.

images via fashionindie

Float on

2011-12-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

And we'll all float on alright

Already we'll all float on

Alright, don't worry even if things end up a bit to heavy

We'll all float on alright

Already we'll all float on

Alright already we'll all float on

Ok don't worry we'll all float on

Even if things get heavy we'll all float on

Alright already we'll all float on

Don't you worry we'll all float on

All float on

Ring me.

2011-11-30T05:08:00.000-08:00

clockwise from top left: Jewelled Mesh Earrings, Jewelled Double Ring, Siver and Gold Double Cross Rings, Jewelled Lioness Ring, Deco Earrings

I'm a Soldier.

2011-11-29T10:04:00.000-08:00

The start of the week is never easy. Errands, work, catching up, pulling slack. But there's always going to be something that keeps you going. After all, we're all soldiers. However mundane or however hectic things seem, there should be always time to reflect and decide on your next step. Deciding what to wear is already takes up some time in my schedule but gearing up for the battles of everyday life is imperative.

Corin wears Sheer Military Shirt (Coming Soon), "See Right Through You" Dress

Whatever you do, don't spread yourself too thinly. We can see right through you - you're not that tough. And neither are we~ xx

Artist Residency Program (ARP)

2011-11-28T07:41:00.000-08:00

The Artist Residency Program offers local contemporary artists in Sydney to showcase their pieces in affordable, central studios in the city. Seeing it was a horrible dreary day of monsoon weather it was the perfect opportunity to hit the newest exhibitions on Oxford st. Luckily my black umbrella paired well with my new obsession of wearing black and white (perhaps I really am morphing into Yoko).

Corin wears white billow blouse, "tongue tied" top in black, vintage platforms from Sao Paulo .....and yes,that's toilet paper hanging from some rope...very avant garde.

Fifth Requisite

2011-11-27T08:42:00.000-08:00

No matter how many pairs of jeans I buy, I always end up finding a pair I need. Moving between countries doesn't help the fact that I can't visually keep track of how many pairs I actually have. I've overdone it with Ksubis and Cheap Mondays.. Dr Denims lying everywhere as well.. can you blame me that they're so affordable? I don't remember where I've left them so I'm going to go with my 'out of sight, out of mind' mantra and order a pair of Fifth Requisite's Giselle Jeans

Fifth Requisite has been featured on several denim blogs but I think hardly gets enough credit.

The material is fantastic - 10.5oz raw stretch denim made in Japan 98% cotton, 2% Elasthane. Vintage Japanese Linen for their signature left pocket.

The overall packaging and design is great - I love the circle leather patch; yes, a selling point unique enough to confirm my need. For all you hippies, the packaging, which manifests in the form of a pizza box (again, cute.), is made from 100% recycled material.

Oh, did I mention a "sanding glove" is included in each package to rough up your jeans if you really could be ucked?

Done. Order placed.

AZN Pride

2011-11-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

Lane Crawford Campaign Teaser from models.com on Vimeo.

So I've been walking around Hong Kong where the hordes of people were physically close enough to turn me off chinese food, mass production and general skin-to-clothing contact. I just had to keep looking upwards towards the shopping malls and ad campaigns to distract me from the urge to punch someone in the back.. or front.. of the head (HK Shopping on a Sunday is not a happy place).

Big up to the AZN Pride all over Lane Crawford's Fall campaign and abandonment of colonial obsession. It could also just be the proliferating trend of Asian models on the catwalk which makes this a savvy marketing choice. Which, I suppose, is only understandable given the reports that China will be the largest consumer of luxury goods in the next five years or so.

Anyway, wow what a boring paragraph I just wrote, and I love the campaign because most of my favourite Asian models - Fei Fei Sun, Shu Pei and Liu Wen are all in there. If Corin was in there, that would have made a 100%.

Corin wears Sheer Military Shirt, Silver Cross Double Ring, Jewelled Double Ring

Still love Chinese food.

Tea for Two at the Woodies

2011-11-25T23:14:00.000-08:00

(Clockwise from top left - "Big Top" Skirt in Tan, Antique Telephone, Deco Earrings, Vintage Minolta Camera Bag)

I feel like everytime I hang at the woodies it's like stepping into frankie magazine. Perhaps it's the fact that it's inhabited by a music theatre artist and a contemporary dancer/yoga instructor. Or perhaps it's the plethora of vintage furniture and nicknacks picked up from street markets and abandoned terraces. Nevertheless, it's the ideal space to have a cup of ginger tea in a 50's frock. We think the bobshop's incoming stock of deco earrings, pastel coloured frill frocks and diamante silk blouses will get you right into the mood to host your own tea party.....

Above - Cream Diamante Silk Blouse (coming soon), Big Top Skirt in Tan

Top right - Corin wears Diamante Silk Blouse in Cream (coming soon), below right - Miss Wood wears "All The Frills" dress

"All The Frills" dress

Crumble

2011-11-16T22:00:00.000-08:00

“If the sun refused to shine, I'd still be loving you. If mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.”

"Crumble" Dress, if the sun refused to shine, I'd still be loving you. If mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.
...Not kidding when I say I love this dress.

The Drape Escape

2011-11-16T00:05:00.000-08:00

Draping has most definitely got to be my favourite trend.

I don't care if it's relevant to any current season but well-draped pieces are always in vogue to me. Our "Crumble" dress is cut generously and biased; I'm sorry to all you pattern-makers and designers if I'm using that term incorrectly but when I say "biased", I mean that this dress loves you with partial disposition and unconditional forgiveness. I share the same sentiments with girls who favour comfortable pieces that forgivingly hides that extra serve of unnecessary/necessary dessert on a date.

FAVOURITE.

Helmut Lang Mesh Top, "Crumble" Dress, "Fine Line" belt

Park n Shop

2011-11-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

Photography by Anthea Clarke

Weathered

2011-11-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

The changing of seasons is always a bit frustrating to deal with especially when it comes to wardrobe decisions. "Would I get to cold if I wore this"; "would this be too warm"; "I really c.b.f taking a jacket with me..."

It's a good thing some of our dresses are materially thicker - we don't want you ladies catching a cold when you're looking cute... although looking amazing over personal health really isn't a bad compromise in my books. It's starting to get cooler in the Northern Hemisphere so I'm just going to wear tights with with these pieces. Corin's baring her unfortunately amazing legs going into summer.

As unpredictable as the weather is, at least we've got you covered.

Corin wears "Gattaca"Dress in Beige, "Isabel" Dress, "Waist Not Want Not" Mini Dress, "Fine Line" Belt, "Tasselations" Belt

All available in the bobshop.

Photography: Anthea Clarke

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

2011-11-13T05:08:00.000-08:00

Grey Jersey Tulip Skirt

Available here

Photography by Anthea Clarke

Colour Block

2011-11-02T02:26:00.000-07:00

Though many may fear the thought of contrasting blocks of colour in a single outfit, and many do shun the idea altogether, the colour-blocking trend has been persistently appearing on the runways and red carpet. Whether it is Spring-Summer or Autumn/Winter, you probably haven't missed the spreads and splashes of colour in the fashion media. No, it isn't just a celeb/model/un-RTW trend; just take a bold step and have fun with colour (am I really saying that? My monochromatic wardrobe is shooting me dirty looks..)

"Hitched" Skirt, "Tongue-Twisted" Twist Top, Sportsgirl Beret, Vintage Sweater

For those of you who aren't too keen on wearing primary colours or fist-pumping through neon threads: let's be friends. We've got pieces in our bobshop that are warmer (and cooler) on the colour wheel and eye.

Oh no yoko ono!

2011-11-01T23:24:00.000-07:00

Style Icon - Yoko Ono

I'm sure everyone still recovering from the onslaught of halloween (It's already midweek and heaven knows I still am) , but I must pay tribute to one of my favourite style icons as I did this weekend past. Often simply known as John Lennon's wife (and consequently blamed for the Beatle's break up), she is a talented visual artist, entreprenuer, recording artist who deserves recognition in her own regard.

With my love of all things 70's, Yoko brings individual sophisticated style to staple wardrobe blacks and whites, never going wrong with that beatnik and artistic attitude.

From Yoko and crew, Happy Belated Halloween.