changing the failing

So, I have noticed that I am falling a little short in fulfilling one of my new year's resolutions- to ponder design a little more.

This may be because I am reluctant to add to the bucketloads of 'design-y/fashion-y' crapola that has already been unleashed on the interwebs. I often find when scouring other blogs for inspiration, that those that fail to attract my readership are the blogs that take the wanky and impersonal route of posting opinions that are taken verbatim from established rags and industry bigwigs instead of providing their own fresh and unique look into this highly exposed yet otherwise closeted world .

In fact (and here is where I venture into the highly unattractive territory of ranting like a crazy old bat and for this I apologise), I find these blogs insult their reader's intelligence rather than educate and provide a forum for discussion. Yes, truly original opinions are rarer than hen's teeth but reading something that provides a different take, no matter how slight, is only ever beneficial to your education as a designer. Too many cooks might spoil the broth, but too little may leave a taste that is both unseasoned and undercooked.

So anyway, the reason for this disgustingly self-indulgent post? To continue to make informed opinions on design. To ensure I push that envelope a little bit more but most of all to understand that a designer is always learning, from everyone and everything in their environment and as a result always fine-tuning their own sense of style no matter the medium in which it is expressed.

RANT over and out!

oh dear

next time, it won't be so easy

There are 31 days in January
Today is the last of those 31 days.

And how is my January frock going? Well, I'll be honest. It ain't. Me and my lofty ambitions. [Slaps head in disgust]

There's really no excuse. Busy-ness is everpresent in my life. I just haven't worked out how to fit everything into it yet. BUT in the meantime, I shall be generous (pff!) and grant myself an extension. This time round, at least. Next month, if I miss the deadline, I'll have to resort to penalising myself. Suggestions?

daydreaming

Akaroa - favourite photo from last year's trip

It is a somewhat sad state of affairs when you have returned to work for just over a fortnight and are desperately dreaming of a vacation. So where do I dream of going? Nowhere particularly fancy. New Zealand's south island would more than suffice.

Perhaps when winter returns to the southern hemisphere, a snowboarding trip will warrant a return there. Till then, I will simply reminisce of last year's holiday. Good times...

new discovery

www.manrepeller.com

What can i say about this laugh a minute blog I came across the other day than it is an absolute scream! New York native, Leandra Medine, calls us out on some of the more bizarre sartorial choices that we women make but cause men to scratch their heads in complete befuddlement. The moniker assigned for such items is aptly termed man-repeller. Reading through, I realised that I too belong to the sisterhood of man repellers. My wardrobe provides a glaringly blunt testament to that.

Case in point
I own a single pair of regular black trousers and a single pair of almost-but-not-quite-regular jeans. Everything else (pants-wise) in my closet, falls victim to one or multiple man repelling attributes including but not limited to; drop crotch, harem ; paper-bag waist; high waist; wrap-around. I even own a pair of pants that can best be described as genie jeans! (They are in actual fact chambray, but you get the picture). The only thing that my collection of man-repeller pants have in common is that they are all comfortable, they don't cling to your lady bits AND they add interest to your ensemble (they also add more than a few kilos to your hips/thighs/derriere but who gives a hoot?) .

Having already circulated this blog around work to rave reviews (even though the site appears to be banned on our servers...must be the title...or perhaps the ahem, colourful language...), I decided to honour my fellow harem pant sister with a quick sketch of herself dressed in a selection of SS/11's more man-repelling pieces. Mind you, with her long, long, long limbs, crazy eyebrows, lustrous locks and incredibly lust-worthy shoe collection (hello miu miu) she falls into the category of women who are almost capable of making a paper bag resemble couture but I thought I'd give it a go with the result above. Not only would your sanity be questioned in this ensemble but the subsequent man-repelling power you would yield could possibly power a small village for a year (could it be transformed into electricity, that is).

Man Repeller Medine wears; shirt and belt by Balenciaga; jacket by Proenza Schouler; shorts by D&G; headgear, necklace and shoes all by Marni. No one said man repelling had to be an inexpensive endeavour!

If you haven't already, check out THE MAN REPELLER in all her glory here.

PS- I have just read yesterday's post and it seems someone else had the same idea. Oh well, it was still massive amounts of fun!

to market, to market

the gypsy coffee cart

The West End Markets are by far the best place to be in Brisbane on a Saturday morning. I owe the fella, who first told me of these markets, big time as they have become my favourite Brisbane destination.

Today, as Na-Na is back in town, she decided to be my market-buddy and we ventured there together. Having been affected by the floods and reopened today (hooray!) the markets were quieter than usual. Sadly, some stalls were also missing but still, there was plenty to buy, eat and admire.

now you see me...

and now you don't

First to do once we arrived was EAT! Apart from the (cheap, cheap) fresh produce, the markets are a haven for food lovers. Not only are they home to the best curry puffs on the planet™, there is also a stall that serves lángos- deep fried hungarian garlic bread (amazing topped with sour cream and cheese) and the stuffed flat bread known as lépeny. Usually we pig out to the point where walking becomes difficult so for once, to be kind to our stomachs, we practiced a bit of portion control. This meant haloumi wraps from Wrapture with a coffee from the gypsy coffee cart to wash it all down. Skinny flat white for Na-Na and a spiced mocha for me, thank you very much!

refresh with a kwissh!

Eating done, we traipsed around the market to buy  fruit and veg and check out the craft stalls. I did pick up a few things (which you will see soon) but being a terribly hot summer day we ended our market excursion early with  a refreshing  kwissh (frozen old school lemonade slushy wannabe) topped with frozen rasberries. Yum!

If ever you visit Brisbane, make time for these markets. They are a fantastic way to start the weekend!

a new challenge

The other day I realised that in order to get my derrière into gear, I need to set concrete challenges to ensure I actually DO things. What is this new challenge you ask? Well, it involves a little designing, a whole lot of learning (let's hope!), a fair amount of sewing and no doubt many, many, many days of cursing myself for thinking my ambition matched my skills.

Introducing project...

12 frocks in 12 months for 12 women

It is now the 16th of January so I have 15 more days to complete the first frock. Who's frock? Well, my own of course!

a helping hand

Sitting in our patch of unaffected Brisbane, it's difficult to comprehend the devastation only a hop, skip and a jump away. As a relative newcomer to this city, I do not yet know of anyone who has been affected in any other capacity than losing power to their homes. I do hope this doesn't change but in the meantime we need to spare more than just a thought for those who were not so fortunate.

Some facts;

• 75 percent of the state of Queensland declared a disaster zone. To put it into perspective, that is roughly the size of Germany, France and the UK combined.
• Approx 11,000 homes have been completely inundated with an estimated 14,500 homes partially affected by flooding in the Brisbane area alone.
• 100,000 homes remain without power in Brisbane .
• Flood damage bill expected to be in the billions.

So, how can you help?

• You can make a donation to the Premier's Disaster Relief.
• If you live locally, volunteer to help.
• Provide a temporary foster home for any wildlife that have been displaced by the floods.
• Brisstyle has set up a 'Handmade Ark' flood appeal with the proceeds of sales from participating Brisstyle etsy stores going directly to the Premier's Disaster Relief Fund. Find out how you can get involved.

The outpouring of community spirit has so far been amazing showing us that when disaster does hit, a little support and a helping hand go a long way.  Hope you can all offer a little of both.