Sunglasses After Dark

This Summer, don’t just cool down in the shade, stand OUT in a pair of unique shades guaranteed to turn heads!

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Considering that I am white as a toilet, a pair of sunglasses are a must have for Summer! But this season, I don’t want to just stand in the shade, I want to stand OUT in a pair of cool shades. And if these don’t meet the criteria, I don’t know what will. In fact, you’ll love them so much, that you may start wearing them inside. Actually no, please don’t do that. The only people who wear sunglasses indoors are blind people and assholes. Let's stick with their intended purpose shall we? Watching people without them knowing: it's like facebook! Please don't do that either...

Sunglasses After Dark by gabriellecapes 

1. Meredith Wendell pink leather handbag/ 2. Cateye sunglasses/ 3. Seafolly round lens sunglasses/ 4. Topshop oval glasses/ 5. The Saloma Tropic- Gloss Red Lips w/ White Stems – NYLON SHOP / 6. Fruit Punch Sunnies / 7. HOAGIE COCO GLASSES – NYLON SHOP / 8. Red heart glasses

Xx

Here Comes Summer

Here comes summer by claireshallvey 

I may be a little too excited for summer, but honestly who isn't? When you've been waking up and coming home in the dark, can't remember what it's like to be warm without throwing on a million layers, your drenched from the rain and can no longer feel your fingers, it makes you wonder what soul sucking drab people even like winter.

That may be a little extreme. As much as I enjoy hot chocolates and cosy winter nights, there is only so many movies a girl can watch before hibernating in your lounge room under blankets becomes a little boring, and you begin to reminisce of the life you once had outside of your winter den. For me, the changing of the seasons is a lot like Christmas. I begin counting down the days, writing lists of all the seasoned themed things I plan to do, and ogling at shop windows as their mannequins trade their scarves and beanies for floppy hats and shades. I guess I just get sick of the same thing pretty quickly and jump at the opportunity to change up my make-up look, outfits, trading the indoors for outdoors to match the weather. 

As September is the first month of spring, we can all officially start looking forward to lazy days on the beach, pastels, tropical fruit, dresses and summer holidays. I know as I'm welcoming the warmer months, others are starting a new school year, and dragging gloves and winter coats out of closets. And even though the seasons may be different, we've all got Christmas to look forward to! I'm sorry if for some of you, September is too early to start getting hyped up about reindeers and wrapping paper, but the stores are selling mince pies and Christmas trees, so I'll be playing the Christmas carols loud and clear. 

Whether you're looking at my plans for summer and reminiscing of times gone by, or your dreaming of days to come, we can all enjoy the milder weather before the extreme hot or cold. Unless you've been isolated from the rest of the world in the U.S. Polar base, then it has been hard not to notice that the fashion world has gone nuts over seventies fashion. It's time to raid your mums wardrobe and hit the thrift stores, because those flared trousers and mustard ribbed t-shirt your mum wore to her first job interview are back with a vengeance. In fact, you don't need to bother hunting high and low for those vintage platforms that are to die-for, because most mainstream stores have incorporated the seventies trend into there spring look. 

  

I feel like majority will agree when I say we all tend to stick to darker berry and mauve lips in the winter, with bolder eye makeup featuring browns and bronzes. Am I right? Well with summer just around the corner it's time to dig through that makeup bag of yours change your palette to one featuring nudes, pastels, beiges and peals. Because no doubt these all went into hibernation as the weather went grey. Or maybe I'm apart of a minority who change there makeup look to suit the season, and while I've been restricting myself to the colours of the leaves, everyone else has been enjoying a fresh dewy look all year round.

As the cherry trees blossom and the weather starts to warm up, this little glimpse of spring does nothing but get me excited for the picnics, swimming, ice-creams and hot summer nights to come. Sure I'll miss the hot chocolates and cosy nights by the couch, but the seasons will change once again. So for now till next time winter.

Topshop dress
87 AUD - topshop.com

Topshop polish t shirt
27 AUD - nordstrom.com

Steve Madden tan sandals
160 AUD - lulus.com

The Cambridge Satchel Company leather satchel handbag
360 AUD - cambridgesatchel.com

Pamela Love necklace
shopbop.com

Monsoon boho style jewelry
20 AUD - monsoon.co.uk

Dorothy Perkins brown floppy hat
27 AUD - dorothyperkins.com

Charlotte Tilbury bronze lipstick
50 AUD - harveynichols.com

Essie nail color
12 AUD - kohls.com

Lomography Lomo'Instant San Remo Camera
220 AUD - prezzybox.com

Ah… ah… a-Jimmy-choo!

Turtle-necks, scarves and shovelling snow are SO last season. Gladiator sandals and itchy eyes are in! As Spring approaches and our hayfever inevitably starts to get worse, I’m getting excited as the shoes I've been coveting begin to hit stores!

Spring Into Action by gabriellecapes 

Spring is my all-time favourite season. Baby animals are born, flowers are in full bloom and it’s host to one of the important dates on everyone’s social calendar— my birthday! Just kidding **nervous laughter** I’m talking of course about Melbourne Spring Fashion Week! While it may not be part of the holy trinity (London, Paris or New York), it boasts an array of talented designers from Alexander McQueen to Alexander Wang. And for all of the budding Alexander’s out there who adore fashion as much as us, the show is sure to be inspiring! But if cute baby lambs and fashion shows aren't enough to persuade you, here are some of my fave shoes for this season, guaranteed to put the spring back into your step.

Xx

Bed Head

As schedules get more hectic, there is one thing that is defiantly taking a battering when it comes to attempting to maintain any sort of beauty regime. I mean when it's 5:50 in the morning I honestly have no time to tackle the nest that is perched atop of my head. Even if for some extrodinary reason I do have a FEW minutes to spare, I still wouldn't have time to do my hair. It's become one of those things I just don't make time for anymore; like shampooing twice, ironing my clothes or removing my nail polish - I mean, I'm just going to to leave that shit on there until it all chips off. I'm so far gone, that even the '5 easy hairstyles for lazy girls' tutorials are too much effort for me. And to top it all off, I feel like my priorities are so out of whack: I brush my eyebrows but not my hair! What has that world come to?! According to Google, this is what bed hair looks like:

I'd like Google to come to my house in the early hours of the morning and take a photo of my hair, because this ain't bed hair. Heck, if I woke up looking like that every morning, I'd not even bother owning a hair brush. So in order to improve the quality of googles content, I'll proudly sacrifice any dignity I have left in regards to my hair and "volunteer as tribute" in order to provide girls around the world with a realistic example of bed hair.

I've always been one of those girls who loved giving my barbie's hair cuts and using my hair mascara's to make them the hottest barbies any 90's kid could want (unlike Gabby's dolls who could have done with a treatment at one my Malibu day spa after a hard days work of 'super extreme barbie'). It's not as if I'm not in love with the mop on top of my head it's just I wish it would fall perfectly into place like Ariel's (talk about unrealistic beach hair expectations) and not end up in a tangled mess every morning. This is the first time in my life I've hated having to style my hair! Even putting it up in a half decent ponytail is a chore. At least since being a teen. In my pre-teens I would repeatedly wear a faded green Scooby-Doo head band to keep my front fringe (which I was growing out) away from my face, and without fail braid my hair in two plaits everyday. (Honestly Gabby, you should have made me throw away that headband as soon as it started turning brown from being bleached by the sun). 

I'm hoping that by the time summer rocks around I'll have found my 'hair muse' and will have mastered the top knot and bohemian waves. But until then, it's messy ponytails and yesterday's plaits for me! Let's just hope the Scooby-Doo headband doesn't resurface. 

How To Create Your Dream Closet

You know it’s time to clean your room, when you arrive home to your sister on the phone to the police, thinking it’s been ransacked. Oops!

In my defence, it’s an ‘organised mess’. I know that my Lancome Babydoll Mascara is on top of my Gossip Girl box set, and that my left combat boot is under my band tee. At least, that’s what I tell myself. I decided this morning however, when I had to step over a pair of heels, a purse, and a pile of books for this semesters lit class, that this ‘organised mess’ couldn't go on any longer- It was time I cleaned my room! That, and my mum said I have to. Here is a play-by-play of how this cleaning process went down.

Hour 1: Playing with all the cool stuff I found

Hour 2: Break for lunch

Hour 3: Don’t resume, and have my room looking even more ransacked than when I started 

Photograph by: Monique Rollins

I’ve come to the conclusion that all females are born with a stationary fetish. There is something about stationary that makes me go crazy! I hyperventilate every time I go to Officeworks, and practically go into cardiac arrest walking past the coloured paper-clips in their drawers. In order to achieve this level of 'desk perfection', I recommend one thing: KEEP IT ORGANISED! You want as much desk space as possible, so keep your pens and pencils on hand in a cute pencil holder. You could even use a mug or a large candle holder! Above my desk I have a pinboard which displays photos and inspiring quotes to keep me focused. Good lighting is also important while you study, so invest in a lamp or some lanterns above your desk for those late night cram sessions. 

A real-life picture of me, attempting to organise my shoes

Clear Shoe Drawers $14.50 each

Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life! So keep yours in perfect condition using these clear drawers: ideal for organising all your gorgeous pairs, should you ever need to attend a ball. (For heels and wedges, make sure you get the men’s shoe drawers as these are larger). The clear drawers also make it easy to see what's inside.
Another option is to look around for a shoe shelf, or if you're handy, build one yourself. A good tip is to stuff boots with newspaper, to keep their shape. Mostly, it's about keeping your shoes all in one place, so that when you're running late for the ball, you're not held up trying to find your glass slippers. What? Shoes make me happy. I'm superficial. Whatever.

Carrie Bradshaw once said ‘I like my money right where I can see it— hanging in my closet’. But if you have more clothes on your floor than in your drawers, it might be time to follow my tips. It would also help if I followed my own tips as well.

Take out all of your clothes and sort them into 3 piles:

Pile 1: Clothes you love and would risk your life to save from a burning building

Pile 2: Clothes you don’t like very much BUT you still need them occasionally

Pile 3: Clothes you no longer want and will never wear (these can be donated to a charity shop, which is great since you’re recycling and supporting a charity! Win win)

Only the clothes from the first pile go back into your wardrobe. That way you will be able to properly see what you have to choose from in the morning. The clothes from Pile 2, I like to keep in a duffel bag under my bed. That way I can keep them out of sight, but they’re also there when I need them. In a few months, you might even consider donating some of the stuff!

If you made it to the end... CONGRATS! You are an even bigger procrastinator than me. Now go put these tips to good use before someone calls the police thinking your room's been ransacked. No, actually, that would only happen to me. 

Xx

Just Do It

CWs 'Gossip Girl'

From the moment we are born, we’re taught to compete. Which is probably not such a bad thing considering that without competition, we never would have evolved as a species, and we’d probably be living in mud huts in Africa right now, picking bugs out of each other’s back hair.

I was skipping at the gym this morning, when the guy next to me also starting to skip. About 10 seconds later he really started to push himself (and I couldn’t resist  since let’s be honest, I was my primary school’s 3^rd runner up in the ‘Jump Rope for Heart’ competition, and I felt like it was time to showcase these dope rope skills). As he skipped faster and faster, I pull out all the stops; the skier, the criss cross, and the scissors, until we’re both dying on the floor.

It’s a tough gig however, competing as a kid. ‘My dad could beat up your dad. I bet I can run faster than you’. Every year at Christmas I entered the holiday colouring competition. It got beyond gel pens to the point where I was putting cotton wool on Santa’s beard, a sparkly red pom pom on Rudolf’s nose and real window tint on the windows of Santa’s toy factory. And then when we get older, we’re supposed to shy away from competition? ‘There aren’t many jobs in that field’ and ‘Ooh its super competitive’. I’d say 'Just Do It!' only Nike trademarked that slogan, and I don’t want to be sued for copyright. Instead, I’ll go for a much more generic ‘Never Give Up!’ 
It’s Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Anniston after the one guy, and I’m guessing Brad Pitt trumps a gold medal any day. Although maybe that’s not such a great example, since Jen is supposed to be the loser in this scenario and she’s one of the most successful TV actresses, a multi-millionaire and the inventor of the ‘Rachel’ hairstyle. I’ve changed my mind. COMPETE AND THIS COULD BE YOU!

 Xx

Game On!

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Happy 50^th Post! I mean *cough cough* 21^st post! I figured I’d save myself the money buying a 'trying-to-be-funny-but-not-actually-funny' Hallmark greeting card, and instead take a look back on something that really makes me feel old; the sound of loose change pouring out of machines, and the retro ambient lights. I’m not talking about needing to check myself into gamblers anonymous (how is it anonymous anyway, when you begin by saying ‘I’m Gabby and I’ve got a gambling problem’)… I'm talking about ARCADES! Who could forget the nostalgic joy of squandering your parents hard earned money through repeated attempts at the claw machine, which NEVER actually retrieved the crappy plush toy. (I’m sceptical ever since I spotted a Finding Nemo toy still trapped inside, which has been there since the film’s release in 2003!!)

The sad truth is that people would much rather play video games, like my kid step brother Jasper, than go to an arcade. I swear if he falls over, the boy literally bleeds pixels. As a kid, the only video game I played was ‘3D Pinball Space Cadet’. If you don’t know what that is, please close your computer and go order off the kids menu, as you are probably too young to be reading this blog. Then also order me something as well. Everything is gradually becoming more and more engrossed in a virtual reality. I mean, couples used to meet IRL, and now they’re getting married having met on Club Penguin. Which would make for a really awkward wedding story, let me tell you. Inspired by the bold and bright colours of the arcade, I have selected a few fun pieces sure to add colour and excitement to however you may be spending your night; at the arcade, playing basketball or hitting up guys on Club Penguin… wait, what? 

Game On! by gabriellecapes 

Xx

'Pimp'trest Your Room

Young, wild and Free by claireshallvey 

If you've got your septum pieced, went to Cochella, drink out of mason jars and ombréd your hair, then you're either a free soul tormented by cliche inner demons roaming the world in search for love and adventure, or you live a boring suburban life and were inspired by Tumblr. I mean you totally rocked those pastel pink ends! (Even if it did look more like bad regrowth, than the subtle ombré look the YouTube tutorial promised). So if you want to weave a little of the 'alternative lifestyle' (which isn't all that alternative considering it's a mainstream trend) into your life, then may I calmly ask you to back away from the hair dye and express your creativity elsewhere. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? After all, everyone remembers an embarrassing hair cut, but no one remembers your bed spread! So if in 4 years time 'ugly sandals' are as tacky as crocs, then you can proudly say you did not take part in that god awful trend. Instead, you'll have fairy lights to tear down and candles to blow out!

You will need: 

- Fairy lights 

- Thin wool or paper doily's

- PVA glue

- Balloons 

- Thin wire

Steps:

1. Blow balloons up onto small circular bulb shapes

2. A) Coat one side of the doily in PVA glue and layer onto balloon until the area is coverd (apart from the top where we tied the balloon end) making sure there are not too many gaps, but patterned holes are still visible. Coat outside of balloon and paper in more PVA glue. 

OR

2. B) paste end of wool onto balloon and spin around the balloon shaping into a more circular shape, ensuring to heavily layer glue every now and then. Stop when the balloon is cover however gaps are still visible. 

3. Leave to dry 

4. Pop balloon and pull balloon out of the top of doily hole or gaps between wool. 

5. Attach bulbs to fairy lights using wire.  

These are pretty awesome for storage of pencils, paint brushes, or just overall decoration. You can either buy the clear jars from mainstream super stores like Target and Kmart and leave the jars as they are, or you can go can add a little bit of colour buy painting the inside! Here's how!

You will need:

- Paint (heavy duty stuff)

- Masking tape (optional)

Steps:

1. If you wish to create a pattern on the inside of your mason jar (like the stripes above), you will need to stick masking tape onto the inside of the jar, ensuring the ends match up and that the tape is secure.

2. Pour a small amount of paint into the jar and screw the lid on tightly. Shake the jar until the inside is completely covered, and pour remaining paint out.

3. Wait for the paint to COMPLETELY dry. If you have put masking tape on the inside, remove the tape now.

4. Add tape over the existing colour pouring in the second colour and repeating the same process as in step 2.

5. Once the second colour has dried remove tape with care

WARNING: do not use the jars for drinking after you have poured paint into them.

While pillows are not exclusive to Pinterest or Tumblr they do add a sense of comfort and softness to a room making it the perfect place to go on rainy days when all you feel like doing is scrolling through photos of the summer.  Throw pillows are usually not too expensive and it can sometimes work out being more expensive to make your own after you purchase materials. But if you're determined to make your own 'T-shirt pillow cases' are a cost effective and great way to get creative.

You need;

- old printed or patterned T-shirt

- needle and thread or sewing machine

-white ready made pillow or stuffing 

Steps;

1. Measure out a square or rectangle on the front of the t-shirt ensuring the print is in the centre and the lines are straight, mark with a grey lead pencil or fabric marker. Keep in mind the size of your ready made pillow or the amount of stuffing you have.

2. Measure out the same sized square or rectangle as in the first step from the back of the t-shir. If you are using a ready made pillow to fill the case add 15cm to two parallel lengths.  

3. If you are using stuffing skip this step. Using the fabric from the back of the shirt fold the extra 15cm inwards so that the fabric is now the same size as the front piece. Sew the sides  of the folded area,  this will help keep the pillow in place.

4. Line the front and back pieces of t-shirt up with each other (it doesn't have to be exact but try to keep it as close a possible). Make sure the print is facing inwards as the case will be flipped inside out later. If you completed step 3 have the flap facing outward. 

5. Sew three sides of the pillow slip 1cm away from the edge (do not sew the end with the flap if you are using a ready made pillow). 

A) stuffing users, flip your case inside out and stuff your pillow and sew the last side shut 

B) pillow users, your case inside out an fit pillow inside fold 

Serena Van Der Woodsen Room: Gossip Girl Decor

Hey Upper East Siders, Gabrielle here. Your one and only source into the glamorous bedrooms of Manhattan's elite.  You didn't think I'd forget the final bedroom in the Gossip Girl series, did you?  ‘It’ girl; Serena Van der Woodsen's posh pad screams glamour, while still managing to remain refreshingly low key. This article will give you some great bedroom inspiration, as well as some tips to achieving the look of her effortlessly chic hideaway!

Serena Van Der Woodsen Bedroom by gabriellecapes 

Cushions are a central feature of Serena's room, helping to tie together the overall colour palette comprised of; cream, gold, silver and ice blue. Glimmering tones scattered throughout the space epitomise the youth and glamour that have come to define Serena, while still remaining effortless and chic. The bed's headboard in gold polka-dots is quite difficult to track down, so I recommend incorporating spots into the cushions or bedding instead. The photograph of the eye (‘Frostbite’ by Marilyn Minter) is a one off. However, you could always purchase a print, or even find another artwork that ties together the room's central colours. At the foot of Serena's bed, a table holds every girl's favourite things; shoes, bags, magazines and make-up!

1. H&M gold sequin cushion/ 2. Gold heart cushion/ 3. Gold spotted cushion/ 4. Ice blue cushion/ 5. Silver sketch cushion/ 6. Three draw bedside table

I also incorporated into the Serena inspired space a butterfly mural, which hangs in her bedroom at the Waldorf residence. I think it adds a unique and personal touch! And while the original butterfly wall was created by Paul Villinski, many DIY replicas exist online, made out of card instead of metal. You can find these for sale on Etsy here.

Rather than tracking down the exact furniture, Serena's chic space can be replicated through sticking to her distinctive colour palette, as well as adding a signature mural above your bed. My personal favourite item however would have to be the bed-side tables, with their elegant hint of gold. I don't know about you, but I am SO ready to move in already.

Spotted: Lonely Boy and S having a heart-to-heart. Back off Dan, this room is mine!

You know you love me, 

XOXO