Take you to the candy shop, I'll let you wear some colour-block

Colour-blocking sweetness! This backpack from Asos and skirt from Sugarlips Apparel just happen to go together ridiculously well. May I direct your good selves to this song by the Baseballs (much better than the 50 Cent original, they (amazingly) make the song so sweet). This is the song that I had stuck in my head whilst taking these photos, and hence the title. Wearing: Blouse - Vintage Bowtie - DIY Skirt - c/o Sugarlips Apparel Cardigan - Sydney Markets (pop-up shop) Backpack - Asos Belt - Vintage Shoes - Asos Hat - c/o Wholesaledress Much love! xxx Annika

Oh hey there, cute socks!

Aren't these just the best socks?? I am so in love. Sheer at the top, with cute little bows. The lovely Shop with Romi sent them to me and I'm sure I'll be styling them again and again, especially with anything navy! So, I tried to match my feet to my entire outfit. Navy contrasting with red/brown and light brown. My feet are like a mini version of the theme of my outfit... haha. I'm so cool. Wearing: Vest - Vintage Socks - c/o Shop with Romi Skirt - Wholesale Bag - Vintage Shoes - Vintage Hat - Wholesale xxx Annika

Handmade Blouse - More Photos, Styled Differently

Here's some more photos of my handmade blouse, styled a bit differently with high waisted black shorts and a ribbon bow attached to the blouse. I didn't talk much about making the blouse in my last post, and heaps of you asked how I made it, so I will real briefly now. I used a really simple pattern, and hence the blouse is quite an "oversized" style (ie I couldn't be bothered to add any buttons, zippers etc and I actually wanted to have to ability to get it on and off without dislocating my shoulders). This is the basic pattern I used (cut this shape out of fabric twice, sew it together right sides facing each other - except for the arm and neck holes of course - and then add interfacing on the neck, hem the arm holes and add a collar), and when I have more time (my Uni holidays will be coming up in about 3 weeks!) I will endeavour to do a full DIY on it for you all. The collar bit looks really dodgy in the above photo, I just needed to fix it by ironing it properly though. Wearing: Blouse - DIY Ribbon - DIY Shorts - ??? (Cotton On?) Tights - Forever 21 Shoes - Rubi Shoes Hat - c/o Wholesaledress Bag - c/o Wholesaledress Much love, all! xxx Annika

Handmade outfit, hooray!

I totally made this blouse and skirt! This is what I spent all of last Saturday 3 weeks ago doing instead of studying. Procrasta-sewing! And now I am procrasta-blogging. But I'm really pleased with this blouse! Here's some close ups of it to show you how not even terrible it is:   I’m really enjoying DIYing vintage style clothes at the moment. I make new clothes so I look like I’m wearing old clothes. There’s something just not quite right about that… Also if you guys could vote for my look here that would be so fantastic - I am trying to win a feature in Asos magazine, plus an Asos shopping spree! Wearing: Blouse - I made it Skirt - I made it Hat - c/o Wholesaledress Socks - Tutuanna Shoes - Vintage Hope you're having a lovely day, Annika xxx

DIY Dress - Beige & Lace with a Peter Pan Collar

Hey guys! I'm excited to show off this new dress today, because I made it myself! I'm definitely getting better at making my own clothes. This is far better than any of the dresses I have made thus far, because I can actually get it on and off without any trouble and the insides aren't all scratchy, which was a problem with this dress (although that was because of the fabric I chose to use, which was very... carpet-like...) So, hooray! Here's the dress the other day... I decided that perhaps it was a little dull though. I then decided to add the collar to it. What do you guys think. Good addition? Wearing: Dress - I made it! Belt - Vintage Socks - c/o Sock Dreams Bag - c/o OASAP Shoes - c/o OASAP Hat - c/o Wholesaledress xxx Annika

$50 Giveaway with OASAP - CLOSED

Hello lover-ly people! I have a giveaway for you today, brought to you by OASAP. Enter to win both a $50 voucher on the site, plus this pastel silky slip in any colour. All you have to do is register on OASAP, then comment below letting me know you've done so. Leave an email address so I can contact you (the same one you use to register). You also must be a follower on either Bloglovin' or GFC. For extra entries:  Like Oasap on Facebook  Follow Oasap on Pinterest (& let me know which you've done in the comments!) Each extra entry requires a separate comment. Winner will be chose by random selection on 21 June 2012. And I've also got a discount code for you all which is valid until the 10th of June... oasap-blog will give you 21% off your order. Have a beautiful day! xxx Annika

Summer in the City

"Summer in the city means cleavage, cleavage, cleavage." The title of this looks is the Regina Spektor song Summer in the City and that is the first line of the song. I thought it was appropriate for this dress, for somewhat... um... obvious reasons. It's not often a dress makes me look like I have any sort of cleavage (aaaand you can't really tell in these photos either...) but I do just the slightest bit in this dress, haha. It is so not summer in Australia. But gosh I wish it were – this dress would be perfect for lounging around in the sun, or on the beach…sigh… Anyway, this dress is pretty incredible, not only is it handmade, but it is unique with its cut-out/tie-up front, and is made from the most gorgeous floral vintage-style fabric. I got it from the Chictopia shop! They've got heaps of pretty handmade things like this lovely dress. I stubbornly decided to wear the dress out last night anyway, on the first night of winter. I’m pretty sure some people looked at me like I was crazy. Ah well. Wearing: Dress - Mod Dolly c/o Chictopia Shop Necklace - Wholesale Hat - c/o Wholesaledress Bag - c/o Mochi Beaucoup (see my sidebar for a coupon code) Socks - c/o Sock Dreams Shoes - Dr Martens Hope you're all having a sunny summery day, wherever you are. Even if you're in Sydney like me and it's raining outside. OH! Before I go. It'd be awesome if you guys could vote for me in this competition here! I am trying to win the chance to be in ASOS magazine, which would be incredible! xxx Annika

Cut out floral print

It's the first day of winter today. And this outfit is so not appropriate. But it actually was not cold, which was lovely! I kind of hope that winter is broken, (as bad as that would be for all the animals/plants/everything), because I am really enjoying it not being totally freezing. But anyhoo, how super nice is this new dress? I got it from Glamorous, a super sweet online dress store (it actually arrived on my birthday, which was awesome timing!) I really like it because it has a classic vintage style fit, but is modernised with the sneaky cut outs on both sides. Plus I'm a sucker for anything with a floral print. Glamorous is also having a super big flash sale today as well from 12pm - 3pm UK time. Which I think is 9pm - 12pm if you live in Sydney, or around 4am - 7am if you live in the US. (Use this to help you figure out what time this is for your country.) EVERYTHING is 40% off. And they've got free worldwide shipping. All their dresses have a vintage fit and feel, most with cutouts and ties - if you are into playful prints, flared skirts and pleats, you really shouldn't miss this. These are some of my picks... And I have new shoooes! Did you guys notice how my brogues aren't just black and white anymore? I have wanted colourful brogues for such a long time, and now I finally have them! They're on sale on asos at the moment (click here) if you want to get yourself a pair! As for what I am wearing, Dress - c/o Glamorous UK Bag - c/o Wholesaledress Hat - c/o Wholesaledress Tights - c/o Wholesaledress Necklace - Paddy's Markets Shoes - Asos I hope you're all having a beautiful day (and I am so jealous if you're living in the Northern Hemisphere right now - enjoy your first day of summer while we FREEZE down here!) xxx Annika

Sock Dreams + Discount Code

Just a little while ago, a cute Portland based company called Sock Dreams got in contact with me and asked me to review some of their tights and socks. You all know how much I love patterned tights and socks, so this was actually like a dream come true.  In the above photo, I am wearing their floral tights in plum. I am thoroughly impressed with Sock Dreams. Right off the top, with any pair of patterned tights I would normally be sooooo soooo super careful with, because most patterned tights are very delicate and feel like they're about to rip when putting them on (and do). However, the floral tights do not have any kind of fragility issues - in fact they're very sturdy, elastic, warm and comfortable, without being super thick. Plus they have the most amazing pattern on them, so I'm really happy that I won't be too scared to wear them out! Wearing (above): Dress worn as blouse - vintage Skirt - Momo (Wonder Rocket) Tights - c/o Sock Dreams Hat - c/o Wholesaledress Pocketwatch Necklace - Vintage Shoes - Rubi Shoes Then there are these over-the-knee "O Chevrons". They're so delicate-looking and creamy, and go well with my black and white brogues, and with basically any dress I pair them with. Wearing (above): this post for details These gorgeous navy & mustard coloured socks (below) go just perfectly with my vintage brogues and new dress from Glamorous UK (another thing I am reviewing real soon!). Wearing (below): Dress - c/o Glamorous UK Bag - Asos Hat - c/o Wholesale Socks - c/o Sock Dreams Shoes - Vintage These subtly patterned creamy over-the-knees are also from Sock Dreams, and are, like the others, ridiculously comfy, as well as going with just about every single dress and skirt. AND THEY ARE MADE FROM BAMBOO. No joke!! They're so incredible! Thanks heaps to Sock Dreams for sending me these awesome socks. I can definitely recommend them to my blog readers, because they're well made, comfy, warm and also pretty cheap (most pairs of socks and tights go for around $10, and some are even cheaper). And because it's coming into winter for us southern hemisphere ladies (it's finally cold outside! Boooo! But yay because now we can wear pretty tights!)... Sock Dreams gave me a discount code for anyone living in Aus and NZ, for 50% off shipping. Discount code: PINECONE Click here to go to their website. Awesome, right? I hope you're all having a spectacular day! xxx Annika

Cold night, hot light

It was cold and windy (and night time), and Annika was procrastinating on studying thermochemistry. So she decided to don fake eyelashes and put her hair in a bouffant, and then, of course, to take some photos. This, she concluded, was far more important at this moment then learning about thermochemistry. She had also gotten some sweet Dr Martens for her birthday, and decided it would be a shame for them to go un-photographed any longer (plus, she wanted to show them off. Because they are freaking sweet). Wearing: Dress - c/o Oasap Socks - c/o Sock Dreams Shoes - Dr Martens Headband - Christmas present (handmade) The title of this look is from this Yeah Yeah Yeah's song (click here). I hope you're all splendid! xxx Annika

Knee-highs, satchel backpack and my birthday :)

It was my birthday yesterday - I'm 20! I'm feeling pretty old. I can't believe that my teenage years are now officially over! What better way to celebrate this very self-centred day than to wear a necklace with my own name on it?? I had a very nice birthday though, my boyfriend took me shopping at some markets in Sydney to choose a loooverly dress as a present, and to eat out at a really good Japanese restaurant (I had Japanese food TWICE in one day actually, because my family took me out that night again! Hooray!) Wearing: Dress - Paddy's Markets, Sydney Belt - Came with the dress Necklace - c/o MyNameNecklace Socks - c/o Sock Dreams Bag - c/o OASAP Hat - c/o Wholesale-dress Shoes - Raben Footwear  Much love xxx Annika