Polka Dots Plus Pastels

Let's play a game - spot the springtime trend!

Lace (x 3)

Bows (x 3)

Pastels

Patterned Blouse

Frilly Socks + Heels

Yeah. I went ahead and mashed every spring thing into an outfit. This is the result of
that!

 

(Funny thing is it's not even spring here, it's autumn.)

Wearing:

Blouse - Vintage

Belt - Vintage

Skirt c/o Oasap

Bag c/o Oasap

Bowtie - DIY

Headband - DIY

Shoes - Wholesale-dress

Socks - Vintage

Love you guys!

Annika xxx

See? I wasn't kidding. Birds on everything!

This is what my bedroom wall now looks like. Those bird stencils have been seriously handy. Anytime I'm like "Hmm... what can I do with my day.... study? HAHA ohhh ho ho, NO, I'm going to procrastinate and paint birds on everything instead!" At least this procrastination looks pretty. (I stole the inspiration for this design (okay, I basically stole the design) from this pretty lady's tattoo.) Also, I wanted to tell you all my exciting news! I've been asked to contribute not one, but two features to Alorika (formerly Atomica) magazine!!!!! I will be writing them a kind of how-to style guide with some photos of myself, AND a how-to on vintage shopping! I'm so excited about it! I've had to do lots of "research" for the vintage shopping guide (such a good excuse to go out thrifting). It's been awesome. It'll be out April 15, if you want to get yourself a copy! It's such a sweet magazine too, go and check it past issues here. So, so flipping excited. Hope you're all having the sweetest day, Annika xxx

Cutest little cowl I ever did see!

Maria from the North Way Studio, an awesome little Etsy store, sent me a gorgeous, super soft 100% merino wool cowl to try out and review. Now, a cowl is not an accessory that I usually would have chosen for myself, but I've found that it's expanded my wardrobe possibilities greatly! When Maria contacted me and asked if I'd like one, I fell in love with this particular lilac patterned one:  and although I don't usually wear scarves or cowls, I decided that  I would give it a go. And I'm so glad I did! For one, it's been incredible on my early morning commute to university - its such an easy thing to throw on to keep me warm (and to sneakily fall asleep into - it's a really early morning commute). Also, it looks awesome with my new lilac hair! I've had so many compliments on how well they go together! I'm so super happy with it. So, I have concluded that Etsy store owners are awesome. Maria is the nicest, friendliest girl (and a super talented knitter!), and the package was wrapped so nicely and came with the cutest card! I mean, how sweet is that? Well Maria, you've sparked what I'm sure is going to become a dangerous addiction to Etsy stores. After my super positive experience with the North Way Studio, I'm going to be going back to Etsy again and again and again! As soon as I received this in the mail the other night, I threw an outfit together around it and rushed outside to take some photos before the light completely disappeared: But, I wasn't able to get very good photos, so I went out again this morning and took some more photos for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy! Wearing: Cowl - The North Way Studio Cropped Crochet Sweater - Forever 21 Bag - OASAP Lace Shirt - Forever 21 Jeans - Wholesale-dress Glasses - Ebay Shoes - Yesstyle Ring - Gift Check out The North Way Studio here! Much love! Annika

Lilac & Lace

Update on the hair front: I've gone lilac! Dear blue, you were nice, pretty cool, but now it's time for lilac to have a turn. I think I like it better than blue, but maybe that's just because it's brand new and exciting. (However, I diluted the hair dye too much, so it's actually grey on the ends, as you can see. As I write this, I've got my hair up in a shower cap with a slightly less diluted lilac, so hopefully it'll turn out a bit less.. grey.) Anyway, this is not very interesting! Here is something that's hopefully a little more interesting, an outfit post inspired by my love of pastel and lace: Wearing: Skirt - OASAP Tights - DIY Shirt - Vintage Shoes - Yesstyle Cameo Necklace - Ebay Hat - Wholesale-dress Belt - Vintage This skirt c/o Oasap is just the prettiest thing ever, it's lovely and soft, creamy and lacey, and the multiple layers of tulle are amazing. It's my perfect skirt. I'm making a dress today! It's almost done, I'm even hand painting it too! It looks awesome and I can't wait to show it to you all! Also don't forget - you can win yourself some super cute accessories in my giveaway! There's just over 2 weeks to enter yourself, so get on it! Hope you're all having a productive day as well, Love, Annika

I've Earned (These) Stripes

A real quick outfit post today. This morning I went thrifting at my favourite secret Op Shop and picked up a ridiculous amount of good things. I will show them all off to you in just a while, but as I am trying to study maths (hooray!) today, that will have to wait for a few days. This is a lovely striped & circle skirted dress and belt that I bought today, for $4 and 50c respectively! I'm also wearing: Bag - OASAP Hat - wholesale-dress Bowtie - (really badly done) DIY Thigh-highs - purchased in Osaka Shoes - wholesale-dress This bag from oasap.com has made so many appearances on this blog... it just seems to go with everything! And I could think of no better bag to go with my new black & white stripey dress. Hope you're all having a stunning day! xxx Annika

Giveaway from Mochi Beaucoup: The Cutest Belt Ever!! // CLOSED

Get excited everyone. Because I have a giveaway for you all!!! I'm so excited to give these two amazing items away to ONE of my fabulous blog followers from my brand new sponsor, Mochi Beaucoup! Firstly is this - what I'm sure is actually the cutest belt ever: And secondly, this sweet detachable crochet collar: "ANNIKA, YOU MEAN I CAN WIN THIS?!" Why yes, you can! And it's pretty easy. (And come on, so worth it! All you have to do is click a few buttons, and you can make these PHYSICALLY APPEAR IN YOUR MAILBOX FOR FREE. You've got to love the internet!) Here's what you must do: 1) "Like" MochiBeaucoup.com on Facebook 2) Follow the Pineneedle Collective via Google Friend Connect 3) Register yourself on MochiBeaucoup.com (click here) so they know where to send your prize! 4) Leave a comment below with a link to your favourite item on Mochibeacoup.com 5) Leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win! Extra entries! 1) Follow Mochi Beaucoup on twitter (post your twitter name in the comments so I can verify this entry) 2) Follow Mochi Beaucoup on blogspot via Google Friend Connect 3) Follow the Pineneedle Collective on tumblr (and post your tumblr name in your comment so I can verify this) 4) Pin a Mochi Beaucoup item on Pinterest (and post a link to your pin in the comments below)  Just let me know in the comments section below which ones you have done! You could have up to 5 entries, which makes your chances of winning this look pretty sweet! (Just don't forget to let me know what you did in the comments below! And make sure you've "Liked" Mochi Beaucoup's facebook page, left your email address, and followed my blog... your entry will become invalid if you do not!) This competition is an international one, so anyone can enter! This competition closes in 21 days (the 27th of March). If for some reason you don't feel like entering (I would also ask, WHY!), then you should still check out mochibeaucoup.com. They're really well priced, plus if you Like them on FB you get free shipping! OH, and if you enter the code AVPNMB20 then you get 20% off your first purchase! They have some of the cutest stuff. These are my favourites: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 I am so excited about this!! I hope you are as well! Love, Annika xxx