May Style Icon on Chictopia

So I almost missed it (I need to pay more attention, dammit!) - but I was recently announced a May Style Icon on chictopia! (And may is my birthday month, too! Happy happy times!) Thanks so much chictopia, it's certainly a real ego boost :) and of course, thank you to all of you for your amazing, encouraging support! I've been blogging for about 9 months now, and can't believe how quickly people have taken to my blog, it's awesome! Here's a picture of me looking all bashful and stuff, which I felt was appropriate for being awarded this title. I love you guys! Annika xxx

Scallops & Satchel Backpack

Alrighty. So today I am wearing four amazing things from four amazing sponsors. This creamy scalloped/paisley patterned dress is from Sheinside. How. Nice. Is. It. So nice. That's how. I feel like I'm wearing my grandma's old curtains, and I'm totally loving it. The lightly patterned knee-highs are a gorgeous gift from Sock Dreams in the US. I will be doing a review on a bunch of lovely socks very soon, plus a discount shipping code for all you lovely Australians and New Zealanders. This is just a brief teaser. My bag is from OASAP. It's in a gorgeous cream/brown contrasting colour, and can be both a shoulder bag and an adorable backpack. I've been using it for uni all week, and have gotten a bucketload of compliments! And this belt (does it look familiar?? It's the one from my giveaway! I had to get one for myself!) is from Mochi Beaucoup. Pretty sure it's the cutest piece of clothing with animals on it ever. The puppies look like they are kissing!!!! I mean, come on, way too cute. Wearing Dress - c/o Sheinside Blouse - Forever 21 Bag - c/o OASAP Socks - c/o Sock Dreams Belt - c/o Mochi Beaucoup Shoes - Raben Footwear Hat - c/o Wholesale-dress & thank you for all your kind comments on my handmade dresses! You're definitely encouraging me to continue slaving away over the sewing machine (quite at the detriment of my studying...) Have a lovely day everyone! xxx Annika

DIY Dress - Orange Stripes & Paisley Print

Hello there! I am going dress-making crazy. Once I found these two amazing incredible fabrics whilst thrifting the other day, I knew they were meant for each other. So I made a dress out of them! Here they are in closer detail. Such pretty fabrics!! Wearing: Dress - I made it! Belt - Vintage Bag - Vintage Hat - c/o Wholesaledress Bowtie - I made it Socks - c/o Shop With Romi Shoes - Rubi Shoes I'm also going to give a sneaky shout-out to my mum, because it's mothers day today! My mum is an amazing woman, she is my thrifting partner-in-crime with a spectacular sense of style (I'm seriously going to have to take a picture of her for my blog one day, and then you can all see where I get my sense of style from), and is probably the most kind and compassionate person I've ever come across. And I know she reads my blog ;) Happy mother's day, mum! I hope you're all having a super nice day (especially if you're a mum)! xxx Annika

Charity stores and abandoned school yards

Let me introduce you to my very stylish friend, Clare. A couple of months ago, we spent a whole day exploring our favourite local charity stores, both ending up with massive plastic bags bursting with thrifted cardigans, sweaters, dresses, shirts and skirts, most of which we got for $1 each because every op shop seemed to have a sale going on! (We didn't plan that, but it was a very nice surprise!) At the end of the day, we decided we wanted to take some pretty photos wearing some of our new items of clothing. We maaaay have then "trespassed" into this pretty abandoned old school building, because we couldn't resist the gorgeous old school architecture and and pretty leafy walkways. We had to be pretty sneaky about sneaking in, but it was definitely worth it - it is the prettiest place in our town yet it's all boarded and fenced up! Such a waste! Then we tried to take some outfit photos, with somewhat mixed/disastrous results. After taking about 70 shots of our knees and accidentally cutting off our heads, we gave up trying to get an outfit photo together. But I actually really like how the picture of our knees turned out - sometimes accidental shots are the best! Here's Clare showing off some of her thrifted goods: What we are wearing Clare Cardigan - Vintage, Hat - Vintage, Dress - $10  dress shop in Sydney, Necklace #1 (sand timer) - Equip, Necklace #2 (beads) - Vintage, Shoes - Bangkok markets  Me  Blouse - Vintage, Hat - Wholesale, Cardigan - Vintage, Skirt - Forever 21, Socks - Vintage, Shoes - Yesstyle, Bag - Vintage Before I go, let me tell you about Clare's challenge to "Live Below the Line" for 5 days - essentially living off $2 or less a day for 5 days. Clare's doing this in order to raise funds to help alleviate poverty, raise awareness of the prevalence of poverty, and to find out for herself how so many people in the world have to live, with no choice. She's actually on her last day now, but you can keep donating for the next few weeks! It's amazing how much going without food and proper nutrients can affect you - for instance, yesterday I was very amused by Clare trying to use her laptop as a touch screen (it's not a touch screen) - and after feeling completely exhausted and brain-dead for the last few days she is looking forward to a bit of a midnight feast when the challenge ends tonight. Anyway, this is an awesome cause to donate to, and if you could spare even a few dollars, that would be really sweet!

(My good friend Bonnie is also doing this challenge)

We hope you're having a lovely day!

xxx Annika & Clare

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Garden Parties

Double florals! I feel like this floral-y outfit would be appropriate for a picnic or garden party, hence the title. I matched this cropped vintage blouse (which I got in Japan) with these gorgeous sheer floral socks which the lovely Shop with Romi sent to me! Sydney-based Shop With Romi are the sweetest little online store, stocking the cutest collection of socks, tights and collars with an indie/Harajuku/vintage feel. Basically, my perfect store. And they definitely impressed! Go and check them out, particularly if you are in Aus, because they have a $7 flat rate shipping for us guys. Also, I decided to make a little gif of this outfit. Enjoy! Wearing: Blouse - Vintage Socks - c/o Shop With Romi Skirt - Wholesale Shoes - Wholesale Hat - Wholesale Have a beautiful day! Annika xxx

Body Movin'

I thought it was about time to leave the house to take some photos for once. I used to always take outdoor photos, but the convenience of my little strange set up with a bit of patterned fabric as my background has meant that I've gotten lazy and started taking all my photos there. But it also means I've been able to take a whole lot more outfit photos, because I don't have to drag someone along with me to be the photographer.  So it's a win/lose situation! Anyway, I hope someone appreciates the diversity in photos today :) This new boater hat, tights and bag are c/o wholesale-dress (yes you read that right! Wholesale-dress - only my favourite online store, as you will know if you read my blog - sent me a lovely gift!) anyway, they are seriously amazing! I really was in need of some new hats, I wear the same old one from that I got from wholesale-dress about a year ago ALL THE TIME, and it has held up extremely well seeing as it was only $2, but it's nice to have something new to wear as well. This one was $4, but even though it was so cheap I was extremely impressed by the quality of it! Same goes for this satchel bag ($8). Find the links to the individual items below. Wearing: Sweater - Wholesaledress Boater - c/o Wholesaledress Bag - c/o Wholesaledress Skirt - Wholesaledress Tights - c/o Wholesaledress Shoes - Wholesaledress Ribbon Collar Thing - DIY Cameo Brooch - Ebay Ah.. Okay. The outfit is actually about 90% Wholesaledress stuff (everything except my collar thingy & brooch), which I completely didn't realise until writing that list just then! Goodness gracious. Well, I guess I think they're pretty rad. Music for this look is my favourite Beastie Boys songs in memory of MCA, who sadly passed away just yesterday. RIP MCA. Beastie Boys - Intergalactic Beastie Boys - Body Movin' Beastie Boys - So What Cha Want Hope you're having a sweet day! xxx Annika