What I'm Watching...

I'm a bit of a doco nerd, I love anything that fills me with information and outrage at the same time which is why I love documentaries on extreme religious beliefs. I can understand people loving something so much they want everybody to know about it, but these methods are taking it a teeeeensy bit too far!

Keith Allen Will Burn In Hell→ Before he was Lily Allen's Dad (yes, he is Lily Allen's Dad) he was a comedian/musician who would later go on to be Lily Allen's Dad. Oh, and he's Lily Allen's Dad. In between mentions of his daughter he is interacting with/baiting the Westboro Baptist Church, the "God Hates Fags" religious sect. Honestly, he's rather juvenile and doesn't approach any of his arguments in a particularly smart way (he relies heavily on the fact that one of the children is illegitimate which instead of exposing the family's hypocrisies comes off as incredibly cruel and unnecessary). It's a fairly flawed documentary, but still very interesting. Shame about the presenter.

Louis Theroux: The Most Hated Family in America Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7→ I adore Louis Theroux. He's a bit gawky, a bit awkward, incredibly smart and thoroughly endearing. This documentary is also about the Westboro Baptist Church (I do love a good compare and contrast when it comes to things shows like this!) only less aggressive and smarter than the Keith Allen doco. There are certainly opinions regarding the ethical nature of their beliefs but it's what a documentary should be; interested and inquisitive, able to collect information without too much insane ranting from the host. Maybe I'm just biased because I think Louis Theroux is brilliant. You can read a post documentary interview with him here.

Baby Bible Bashers→ To begin with, you'll probably giggle. Then you'll start to feel a bit melancholic. Then you'll begin to wonder how deeply ingrained an idea can get that a parent would force their 7 year old child to preach about abortion and the wrongs of homosexuality in the middle of New York. There's also the world's youngest ordained minister (he was 6) who preaches in a suit and alligator shoes and a Brazilian girl who wants to save drug dealers and gang members through religion. Oh, and then there's the parents. They say that behind every great man is a greater woman, well, behind every baby bible basher is a stir crazy, foaming at the mouth, money grubbing parent.

Little Cupcake Masterpieces

I've never had much luck with cupcake making, I burn them, under cook them, the icing is too runny or too sweet (I used the Magnolia Bakery recipe and almost died from a diabetic coma, WAY too much sugar in that recipe!) and they never, never, ever look any good. So, until I can wrap my poor little head around proper cooking time and making good icing, I stick to jealously and hungrily perusing these sites.

Made by Le Cupcake
Le Cupcake→ Magnificant little cupcakes and cakes (as seen above!), I spent most of this afternoon flicking through her different designs, wondering how one person can fit so much creativity onto one little cupcake. Her blog is brilliant too, have a look, you'll understand why I'm feeling rather peckish right now.
My Little Cupcake→ A while ago an Aussie magazine did a "Where To Find Cupcakes In Your City" guide (which just shows how popular cupcakes are!) and this shop was featured. It sells treats of the edible and non-edible variety. Oh, and they made a lamington cake in the shape of the Sydney Opera House which is quite possibly the most Australian thing I have ever seen.
Minicupcakes on Flickr→ Amazing little cupcakes, bright and perky and delicious looking. There are even photos of a crowd of people taking photos of the cupcakes, they have an adoring public!

Made by Clever Cupcakes
Clever Cupcakes on Flickr→ Okay, at this point I am dying for a cupcake, DYING! The teensy tuxedo and bustier cupcakes are just the beginning, there are cakes topped with tiny teapots, teacher appreciation cakes with little books and apples perched on top and the most amazing gumball machine cupcake.
There are also some great flickr pools devoted to the cult of the cupcake.
Haute Couture Cakes and Cupcakes
Cupcakes'R'Us
Gorgeous Cupcakes
Cupcake Porn
Cakes For Girls
Excuse me, I appear to have lapsed into a dreamlike state where everything is resembeling a cupcake.

Signature Jewellery

Signet rings are a tradition in my family; I always loved my Mum's signet ring, a gold heart with her initials, the band slowly bent out of shape over the years. I always wanted a silver version of her ring, but unfortunately we couldn't find a heart, so I settled with a circle. That doesn't stop me lusting over initial jewellery, or contemplating the merits of moving into the world of initial necklaces (gasp). I think a nice, unique piece of jewellery is a perfect coming of age present, I appreciate it more and more every time I see it.

From BittersweetsNY→ Skinny bands that fit up to 4 letters, which is great for people with double barreled names (like me!).
Paraphernalia Personalised Name Necklace→ Super light, cut acrylic in the style of an antique frame with beautiful script writing. I like to imagine these necklaces are what Carrie Bradshaw would wear if she lived in Victorian times (perhaps she would be Carrie Bronte and write with a quill and parchment paper?).
32lives Initial Impression Ring→ Singular initial rings that look like old fashioned typewriter keys, and a bargain to boot ($5.32!). 32lives is all about recycling and reusing materials, which really tickles my fancy.
24-7 Jewellery→ One of my favourite ebay shops because there is just SO many variations on each item, a lot of it's vintage and it's fantastically affordable. Their big plastic initial pins are fantastic, I have a big white J that has been affixed to my makeup bag for the past year.

Sail away....

The season finale of Gossip Girl (yes, I'm obsessed, I know!) has rekindled my love of sailor dresses previously aroused by the adorable sailor top worn by Cassie from Skins. I hunted down a little tunic dress on ebay, with a big white bow and a square collar but it has NOTHING on these dresses.


Screencap from homeofthenutty

1→ Stop Staring French Navy Dress
2→ Captain Navy Blue Bengaline Dress
3→ B. Holiday Dress
4→ Stop Staring Sydney Dress

Listen to:
The Beach Boys - Sloop John B

Pirate Wedding Arrrrhhhh!!!

So the Oscar De La Renta ball gowns as wedding dresses post got me flicking through the photos I squirrel away on my external hard drive when I see something I like, because I remember when I saw Jean Paul Gaultier's SS08 collection I immediately thought of a pirate wedding.
I don't know why I'm such a wedding dress kick at the moment, it's more of a 'things that would make an unconventional wedding dress' kick. I love costumey things. I can't help it, it's my inner drag queen talking!

More De La Renta

Photos from coutorture.com

A few more favourites from Oscar De La Renta, the gorgeous gowns! I suppose even a cruise collection has to include a few fantasy dresses. Whenever I see dresses this gorgeous I start to wonder 'a coloured wedding dress would be really gorgeous', then 'What do I mean? I'm not getting married!' then 'Do I even want to get married?'.
Seeing something beautiful and beyond my reach fills me with questions; in the same way that seeing adorable toys makes me wonder if I want kids and seeing white chairs and ibooks make me wonder if I like minimalism.

Oh Mr De La Renta!

Photos from Coutorture

Just when I was starting to lose my obsession with 60's style jockey hats (yes, I know, not the most practical item!) Mr De La Renta goes and gets me more excited than a kiddie hepped up on red cordial. I've been virtually lusting over this brilliant Ninewest version but it's $99 and well, it's $99! Hopefully it's not a popular item and in a few months it will be on sale. Fingers crossed.
Thankfully the adorable little collections of flowers and leaves attached to the bags and dresses that I am also lusting after are something that I can definitely DIY. A little felt, a little pleather, some beads, it can be done!

The Ballet Effect

Photos from Paperjackhearts

Alright, obviously I am obsessed with Gossip Girl. It's so bad it's good and it's so good it's got to be bad. I do love costumey clothes, bright colours and bitchiness so GG pretty much fills the void where my heart should be (oh, I jest!).
Now Winter is settling in here in sunless Sydney I'm beginning to truly understand the combination of ballet slippers and socks/stockings and just how comfortable they are. That damn show has me hooked on buying multiple pairs of patterned socks and colourful stockings, I feel like I'm slowly stocking my own hosiery shop.
Time to make a Welovecolors order. Stockings ahoy!

Darth Vader Attack!!!!

Sometimes there are news items that are just too good to ignore. With all the death and destruction in the world, it's nice to know that there are still drunken lunatics making things a little bit brighter...

Darth Vader Attack!!! → English man dressed up as Darth Vader, wearing black garbage bag cape, hit the founder of Britain's first Jedi church on the head with a metal crutch. The founders had a camera set up to record their lightsaber moves (a la George Michael in Arrested Development) and caught the attack on film. Darth Vader had just polished off a 10 litre box of wine (classy). Oh, and I laugh.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions...

Photos from gettyimages

So there are a lot of things in the world that I don't understand; foot fetishes, simple mathematical problems, why people eat capers, the list goes on and now has a new and terrifying addition. What...now, really John, WHAT were you thinking? The Dior Cruise collection (for '09...the future looks baaad) is all candy coloured Scarlett O'Hara goes to Mexico and attends a swingers party. Which brings up further questions....
1. Scarlett O'Hara goes to Mexico? That just screams midday movie.
2. A swingers party, huh? Mexican swingers or American swingers that attend a special swinging party down South of the border? (and that's Mexico...not...you know)
3. Why is Scarlett O'Hara attending a swingers party? Obviously she had a vague idea because she came prepared with that little orange dress and the big hat...fiddle dee dee.

John, I love you, I just don't love the decisions you make.

Sweet Dreams...

I could put some words with these photographs (lovely, lovely photographs!) but it's a lazy Sunday afternoon and I've come over slightly lethargic. I may require a nap.




Photos by Caroline Knopf

Gorgeous & the Goblin

Photos from www.celebutopia.net
What a complete contrast. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen wore custom designed Diane Von Furstenberg dresses and while Ashley obviously asked for simplicity with a quirk (and looks gorge), MK appears to have been striving for Studio 54 has-been turned meth addict. I suppose DVF was a regular at Studio 54 back in the day so she's clearly pulling from personal experience.
You know how people say an addict has to hit rock bottom? Here's hoping this is MK's.

Costume Institute Gala Favourite!

Photos from www.celebutopia.net

I'm a big costume fan and I love seeing all the beautiful dresses at the Met Gala each year although so often the guests completely ignore the theme (like last year's Poiret:King of Fashion theme, hardly anybody dressed the part!). This year it seems the Superhero theme was taken very seriously, although there were no super scary, latex bodysuits (thank god!) and Anna Wintour dressed like a snail in a wig. I'm not entirely certain what super power she would have although snails are hermaphrodites. Clones perhaps?
On the other hand I absolutely adore Christina Ricci's dress, so Wonder Woman with the visible corset/bodysuit (and the original Wonder Woman was there too, looking super Superheroesque), the belt with the star at the back, the sweeping tulle over the shoulders and back and the gorgeous heart shape of the bodice. I dream of dresses like that!

Nicholas X Morley from RAFW

Sadly, it's the end of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week but I love watching the nightly round up of the shows whilst eating a cheese and tomato toastie in my Tony the Tiger pyjamas. It's a classy affair, complete with multiple pairs of socks to fend off the winter chill. It's thoroughly bizarre watching Spring/Summer collections when you can't feel your fingertips or nose from the cold.
One of my favourites for the week was Nicholas X Morley. I like anything with an excessive use of colour, that give you a vibe (I'm thinking slightly drunk, throwing on a new layer of your friends wardrobe with every drink, carrying your shoes under your arm and falling asleep in the cab home), and that make you wonder whether the styling would work in real life (I'm contemplating the ribbons...shorter, less dreadlocky maybe?). Enough of words, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...



Photos from www.vogue.com.au

Romance Was Born (& I drool)

This week is Rosemount Australian Fashion Week which means every day there is new and amazing content on the Australian Vogue website which I visit religiously throughout the day, gasping and fainting dramatically over all the fantastic outfits. Today I fell deeply in love with Romance Was Born, I'm sure it has a lot to do with the use of a teepee as part of the runway. The hair and the makeup and the INSANE nails are fab, I require all three now.

All photos from www.vogue.com.au

Talitha Getty

Talitha Getty was a Polish bit part actress (pipe smoking girl in Barbarella...) before she married a Getty (super rich oil family) and lived an amazing, tragic, bohemian rich girl life in a mansion in Marrakesh before she died in at 31 of a heroin overdose in Rome.