Hons and Rebels

Cinematic inspiration

2011-01-23T11:49:00.000+11:00

I watched The Way We Were for the first time the other day.

Pic: www.sydneymediajam.com/

I found Katie Morosky's (Barbra Streisand) wardrobe quite inspiring, especially the colour palette of camel, taupe, navy, white, red, etc. etc. My favourite scene was where Katie and Hubbell (Robert Redford) run into each other outside a hotel where Katie is protesting against the nuclear bomb. I have never seen upturned collars look so chic! Plus who doesn't love Robert Redford in his heyday?

As I was googling images from the film I came across this highly amusing tumblr: What Would Babs Wear

Enjoy!

Work attire: long skirts

2011-01-22T10:09:00.000+11:00

I think there is something so elegant about calf-length skirts. As I was perusing asos last night I was mighty pleased to see that they concurred, featuring a number of long skirts in autumnal colours.

www.asos.com

My workplace is quite relaxed so I could easily wear these skirts with a fitted singlet or long-sleeved top in a neutral colour with a black fitted cardi. I love dressing for the cold weather - knee-high boots, long woollen skirts, fitted jumpers, oversized cardis ... I could go on and on.

Unfortunately the cooler weather is a little way off yet!

xo

P.S. Has everyone been watching Oprah's Aussie Adventure? My mum is now a convert! The episode my sister and I attended is airing on Sunday evening 7:30pm EST.

GOLDEN TICKET

2010-11-08T15:32:00.000+11:00

Getty Images

I feel like Charlie from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory when he found his golden ticket! Received tickets to the filming of Oprah's one of two Australian shows! SO EXCITED! She is an amazing woman with amazing hair (can't wait to see it in person!).

Am taking my sister who took is a bit skeptical of the whole idea but free flights (a very generous Christmas present) softened her up!

Destination: Paris

2010-10-19T14:10:00.000+11:00

Australia's first female Prime Minister!

2010-06-24T11:04:00.000+10:00

www.globalctint.com

Today is an important day for all Australians as Julia Gillard has been chosen by the Labor caucus as the first female Prime Minister. While it is a landmark, the manner in which her rise has occurred leaves me feeling sorry for Kevin Rudd who was elected on a wave of excitement and anticipation of the changes to come.

KRudd will be remembered for his apology to the Stolen Generation, as well as overturning WorkChoices. Despite these improvements, a number of important policy backflips (immigration, ETS, etc., etc.) and policy changes (the mining supertax) rendered Rudd's often frenzied leadership open to criticism. These criticisms came from many corners. The most complex analysis of Rudd's rise to power came in David Marr's Monthly Essay which contended that Rudd's political persona can be explained at least partially by his experiences as a child which brought about a so-called "inner rage". As questions began to be asked about KRudd's leadership, his composure seemed to dissapate.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy to see Gillard obtain such wide support from her Labor colleagues. The big test, however, is whether Australians will directly elect Julia at the election later this year. This makes for a very interesting election campaign. No doubt, Abbott will struggle to campaign against Gillard. I look forward to Abbott putting his foot in it.

WORLD CUP FEVER!

2010-06-24T10:50:00.000+10:00

I'm a huge FOOTBALL fan (real football aka The World Game). It is universal and enthralling, especially when the World Cup comes around every four years. Thanks to global migration post-WWII, my allegiance is split between: 1. Australia 2. Italy 3. Argentina.

Getty

While the Socceroos fought valiantly in their final two group matches, 2010 isn't their World Cup. The FFA now need to focus on developing young players to replace players like Kewell and Emerton. As the oldest team in tournament, Italy have failed to provide much excitement or entertainment. Of all my allegiances, Argentina is looking the most promising to take out the highest accolade in football. Add to that the fact that their coach is the most enthralling and compelling figure (some say caricature) in international football. Watching Maradona on the sidelines is like watching a train crash in slow motion, the guy just exudes a vibe reminiscent of a Greek Tragedy!

Are you enjoying the World Cup?

Blogger Confidential

2010-04-16T19:33:00.000+10:00

So this post should really be called Blogger Confidentiality but I thought blogger confidential sounded better. Call me vain and throw me in a pot of boiling water. So be it.

Anyway, I grapple with the blogger thing. I would like to do outfit posts but am worried about revealing too much of myself via the internet. To put this in perspective, I nearly died last week when I realised my privacy settings on facebook were not, in fact, very private at all. This problem was quickly rectified.

This is why I found the latest post by Stylelines really refreshing - the lovely Kat George posted a 'normal' yet very pretty picture of herself. I'm sick of the uber polished, dressed to perfection photos common on many fashion blogs and just want to see some normal people wearing normal outfits. I'm sure most style bloggers photoshop and 'fix up' their outfit photos before posting.

While these are two distinct issues, I feel they are connected. Are fashion blogs, and other social media mediums just a means for us to show others how perfect our lives are? How much should we reveal of ourselves on the internet?

To all the bloggers out there, tell me, how do you decide what is and what is not appropriate to reveal on the net?

Splendour in the grass 2010

2010-04-16T09:30:00.000+10:00

So the Splendour line up was announced yesterday and I can describe it in one word, ok maybe two: freakishly amazing! So many great Australian and international artists! Then i sussed out ticket prices: freakishly expensive! So my dream of attending Splendour 2010 was shortlived when tickets, flights, accomodation were all factored in. Oh well, the feeling was good while it lasted!

Anyone planning on trying to get a ticket?

I want ...

2010-04-11T09:55:00.001+10:00

I want ... this jacket. I know I can't have it. It is probably too 'out there' for me anyhow. There's just something about it, a Victorian vibe that I get.

Pic: violentgreen.blogspot.com

xoxo

Love: Popular Penguins

2010-04-10T10:59:00.003+10:00

Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically. The cataclysm has happened, we are among the ruins, we start to build up new little habitats, to have new little hopes. It is rather hard work: there is now no smooth road into the future: but we go round, or scramble over the obstacles. We've got to live, no matter how many skies have fallen. - Lady Chatterley's Lover

I love books. Especially books I am excited and motivated to read unlike the oversized casebooks and water management textbooks currently cluttering up my desk! Sigh, the joys of studenthood.

Since the middle of last year I have been developing quite the collection of Popular Penguins, both new and old. At $9.95 a pop, they are truly affordable. I try to pick out one new book a week, in addition to scouring opp shops and savers for bargain books. Was excited to hear that the new range of Popular Penguins is being released in July 2010 - not long to go now! Some fantastic titles and new discoveries are to be found.

Here is a list of my picks:

The Beautiful and the Damned (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

The Poems of John Keats (J. Keats maybe)

Scoop (Evelyn Waugh - this is my favourite book - incredibly funny!)

Washington Square (Henry James)

any many many more! Check them out here!

Currently reading: Lady Chatterley's Lover

How refreshing!

2010-02-18T21:05:00.004+11:00

Sometimes I wonder how all the fashionistas attend the s/s fashion shows in what looks like one layer of clothing when it is obviously winter in ny/paris/london. Well it seems that mother nature has had her sweet revenge this NY fashion week.* Shin deep snow in the lead up to fashion week and cold weather has seen editors, stylists, bloggers, and celebs stack on the layers. Warm winter dressing never looked so good. As the pictures above show, piling on the layers can be fun and can work!

Pics: style.com; style.com; modelsoffduty.com

*Please excuse the undertones (or overtones depending on how you read it) of schadenfreude. I am bitter and twisted.

Bright Star & Keats

2010-02-18T13:52:00.007+11:00

A 24 hour thoroughly stressful and unenjoyable trip from venezia to melbourne was sweetened not only by the 4 valium tablets i took for my severe fear of flying, but also by being able to watch Bright Star. When those slightly annoying airline intros that come after the all important safety instructions were finished, I hastily turned my in-flight entertainment device onto a film which I had been eager to see since it's release in Australia in December. Jane Campion's movie surrounds the love affair between romantic poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and the strong-willed Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). It is a beautifully shot film with amazing costumes and sets. I am a sucker for costume dramas hence my devotion to period films, not to mention BBC dramas!

My sister and I were lucky enough to visit the Keats museum when we were recently in Rome. Despite consisting of only four small rooms (the rooms in which Keats lived for the five or so weeks before he died), it is packed full of information on Keats' life, upbringing and family, as well as information on his contemporaries, Byron and Shelley. After taking in all this information, we relaxed in the main room where the poetry of Keats, Shelley, and Byron is on hand to read. Ideal for a cold and dreary afternoon in Roma!

If you haven't seen Bright Star already, go and see it! Ditto if you find yourself at the Spanish Steps with a spare couple of hours!

Picture: www.brightstar-movie.com

One of those day...

2010-02-17T17:35:00.002+11:00

You know those days where your hair doesn't sit right?

Or where you are still waking up at 3 am craving a 3 course Italian meal due to a severe case of jetlag?

Or where your alarm doesn't go off and you wake up 30 minutes after you're shift started?*

Or where your sister steals your salvatores even though you are trying to keep them looking nice and you specifically asked her NOT to wear them?

We all have those days right??? Well, these days are making me mental and it seems that one or three bombay and tonics on ice at 2 pm is the only thing that will make you feel better.

Today is just one of those days...

*Does not tend to happen to the unemployed like me.

I'M BACK

2010-02-17T16:14:00.002+11:00

So I have decided to give this blogging thing another shot. I even have my own camera now. It isn't anything flash and I'm still working out how to us it properly. My return may or may not last, who knows? I like to keep you all guessing!

I have just returned from a two month European jaunt, full of frolics in the snow (complete with frozen toes), new friends, and unexpected gunshot wounds. All the lot of the Aussie backpacker I assume.

As every traveller experiences, being home is difficult. I'm bored, tired (due to lack of sleep) and unemployed. This has meant that I am actually looking forward to going back to uni in two weeks time, probably the first time I have ever said this.

Anywoo, just wanted to write a quick note to say "I'm back" and "stay tuned".

Love from the other side of the blogosphere!

Trans-seasonal dressing

2009-09-23T08:01:00.003+10:00

pic: Hayley Hughes from Melbourne Street Fashion

We're experiencing weird weather at the moment. One minute its sunny and devine, the next it is cloudy and raining. Needless to say this is playing havoc with my wardrobe choices. Trans-sesasonal dressing would be easier if I had these shoes, shirt and shorts!

Rodarte

2009-09-19T09:37:00.007+10:00

pics: getty

You can always count on Rodarte to take NY fashion week to the next level. In this collection they have moved away from whimsical previous collections, into tribal, animalistic, arcaic territory. What a breath of fresh air! Don't forget to check out the Nicholas Kirkwood shoes!

I found it extremely difficult narrowing down the shots to post here - the whole collection is amazing!

Love: clashing prints at Alexandre Herchcovitch

2009-09-19T09:23:00.004+10:00

pics: tfs
Don't know what was going on with those gridiron-inspired shoulders but I love the clashing prints at Alexandre Herchcovitch!

Calvin Klein

2009-09-18T08:53:00.006+10:00

thefashionspot

I have always been a fan of the relaxed elegance of Calvin Klein. I really love the colour palette of this collection and the textures he has incorporated. Whilst some would prefer to see skyrocketing heels in every collection, I believe the Geisha-inspired platforms of this collection suit the CK aesthetic down to a t!

Fashion week ... and so it begins

2009-09-18T08:29:00.001+10:00

As we head into the Australian summer, the New York shows present us with some interesting options for our sweltering weather. I will be spending the next few weeks selecting my picks from the New York, London, Milan and Paris. Stay tuned for more regular and lust-worthy updates!

sara phillips ss 09/10

2009-09-11T20:11:00.004+10:00

pics: www.saraphillips.swappler.com

Sara Phillips' ss 09/10 follows on from her autumn/winter collection albeit in more muted pastel tones. Her simple cuts, delicate fabrics and interesting prints make the perfect addition to a carefree summer wardrobe.

shoe porn

2009-09-07T20:45:00.003+10:00

YUM

pic from jakandjil

B-O-T-W

2009-08-26T09:38:00.002+10:00

Issue #2 of blog of the week... goes to http://www.hanneli.com/. Love her glasses and lipstick colour!

currently watching

2009-08-25T19:59:00.004+10:00

december 11 12 13

2009-08-25T19:29:00.002+10:00

Animal collective

Jarvis Cocker

Paul Kelly

City of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band

Eddy Current Supression Ring

Combo La Revelacion

Crocodiles

Sia

Heavy Trash

Kid Sam

Kitty Daisy and Lewis

Pharoahe Monch

Royal Crown Revue

Akron/Family

Henrik Schwarz

Thee O Sees

The Middle East

Tumbleweed

Why?

Patrick Wolf

Yacht Club Djs

Bag Raiders

2009-08-17T19:40:00.001+10:00

moderation is a fatal thing

nothing succeeds like excess

oscar wilde

Gimme a B-O-T-W!

2009-08-15T19:44:00.003+10:00

Introducing a new category to honsandrebels: BOTW aka blog of the week!

The honours today go to the lovely Style ... a work in progress

Her no-fuss Brit style, witty and relevant quotes, in addition to her recent posts about leopard print have gotten me absolutely hooked!

Favourite Frock

2009-08-05T13:17:00.002+10:00

I wear this dress a little too often.

Oh Snap!

2009-08-05T13:00:00.004+10:00

So how many aussi wannabe fashionistas followed subconsciously followed this guide to get shot by the sart during his stint in oz?

The Pipeline has devised a tongue-in-cheek guide to getting shot by the sart and achieving instant global recognition amongst the international fashion blogging community.

Check it out at http://pipeline.refinery29.com/

All jokes aside, I think the sart is the first to admit that he is drawn to a certain asthetic. The best thing is there are other street style blogs that showcase a range of styles!

Guilty purchase

2009-06-28T10:52:00.005+10:00

Picked up these dries van noten shoes which have been on my wishlist since I saw the lovely ladies of seaofshoes wearing them! Will wait patiently until the oxfords from the same collection appear on ebay with my name on them. Until then, these will suffice.

pic: ebay

Jessie Hill 'Morocco' ss 09/10

2009-06-28T10:34:00.004+10:00

Came across an article on Jessie Hill's ss collection on thenewmuse.net. For this collection she sought inspiration from a photograph of her grandmother modelling in Morocco in the 1960s. A print of the photograph is a running theme of the collection, adding a sweet touch to 'very now' sheer dresses and jumpsuits.

It is often interesting to hear where designers get inspiration for their collections from. A collection that has a story adds another element, making them more than just clothes.

i like ...

2009-06-25T10:43:00.001+10:00

this jacket.

russh

2009-06-25T10:02:00.003+10:00

THE BIBLE.

Oh Alexa!

2009-06-18T12:32:00.004+10:00

Pic: tfs

Love this Lover dress on her. It suits her style down to a T!

ETSY MUST HAVE

2009-06-18T12:14:00.003+10:00

Pic: see link below

Etsy seller Charm Star sells cute hand made sterling silver charms which make ideal gifts that you won't see everyone else wearing. I am loving the parasol charm above.

Check out her store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5225767

FREEDOM

2009-06-11T11:17:00.002+10:00

australian jewellery

2009-06-09T18:33:00.003+10:00

pic: my own

My twin sister and I recently celebrated our 21st birthday. This is what I got her - from Self Preservation in Melbourne.

Recent purchases

2009-06-09T18:22:00.004+10:00

RECENT SHOES PURCHASES

Si Rossi black patent heels

MBMJ charcoal patent loafers

Pics: my own

TO DO LIST

2009-06-08T20:48:00.002+10:00

My to do list is depressingly long. Here is a short version.

1. study for exams (this WILL start tomorrow)

2. Learn to sew. I have finally convinced my nonno to teach me. It will take all her patience.

3. Buy a digital slr camera. My lovely friends have given me $ to put towards a camera. I want to start doing outfit and picture posts.

4. Go op shopping. Have the urge to shop but am on a spending ban so i can backpack around europe over summer. Need to fulfil this retail craving.

5. Start cooking more.

GEEK GLASSES

2009-06-02T12:14:00.007+10:00

Remember in primary school when everyone would tease the kids wearing glasses? Well apparently, geek is now chic.

garancedore

tfs

But is a trend still chic when every hipster from Degraves to Brunswick Street is wearing it?

For more, check out Michael Lallo's entertaining opinion piece at http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/ocular-hipsters-struggle-with-15-minutes-of-frame-20090601-bsxh.html.

HOLY GRAIL BOOTS...

2009-06-01T16:34:00.000+10:00

jak & jil

I don't think I would kill for these Ann D boots but I might be tempted to commit some sort of serious crime.

TV AW09

2009-06-01T16:26:00.000+10:00

Ask me two months ago my views on leopard print and I would shoot you a dismissive look of disgust.

That was until I saw the latest Melbourne label TV's AW09 collection. Hmmm it ain't so Jackie Collins...

I think I need some of the chunky wool jumper love in my life right about NOW. Freaking cold in Melbourne today.

Current obsession: Evelyn Waugh

2009-05-28T12:57:00.000+10:00

A young Waugh.

Am currently meandering through Martin Stannard's comprehensive biography of Waugh in his early years. A great insight to his motivations.

My favourite Waugh novel is Scoop. Actually I think it is my favourite book. Excuse me while I escape to Ishmaelia...

Do you have a favourite Waugh novel?

Pictures I like

2009-05-28T12:17:00.000+10:00

Pics: tfs; metrobloggen; garance dore

Please excuse the 6-month blogging hiatus. I am still undecided whether I should keep a blog. Some horror stalker stories have me worried. Plus, I'm hardly stylish (says she typing in an outfit courtesy of bonds). Anywho, let's see how it goes, shall we?

Confessions of a shoe-loving student

2008-11-09T11:41:00.000+11:00

I have a confession to make. When I feel down (which always seems to coincide with uni exams) I wear my heels with my bonds trackie get-up. Oh the shame!!!

My unhealthy obsession with shoes started when I was in Year 9 when my parents bought me a pair of 'jesus shoes' with white woven leather (they're more like a mix between thongs and gladiators). Since then I have bought one pair of designer-y shoes per season. After purchasing a pair of Alessandro del Acqua heels in the middle of this year (an absolute steal I might add). The lustre of cheap designer heels quickly wore off on their first outing when I could not walk for more than 5 steps at a time. This embarassing and painful event has dented my love of high heels and platforms: THEY ARE NOT COMFORTABLE.

Behold, this spring I got a pair of lovely miu miu wedges: wedge for comfort and easy to walk in. I know they are not to everyone's taste but I love them, they suit my style and I will be wearing them for many years to come! Mine are slightly different to the photo - about half the height and with red patent leather straps. Thoughts?

Initial Musings

2008-11-07T11:33:00.000+11:00

Bonjour!

I have been meaning to start a blog for a while now. I have perused many a style and fashion blog - there is so much diversity out there and was inspired in my study-induced boredom to start my own! I guess you could say I'm "into" fashion although my style is pretty relaxed and casual. I don't want this blog to be purely related to fashion. Rather, I want to write about anything that interests me - literature, art, sport, politics - anything!

Some of you may be familiar with the title of this blog 'Hons and Rebels', the title of Decca (Jessica) Mitford's autobiography which details the childhood of the infamous Mitford sisters. My mum, sisters and I have become somewhat obsessed with the Mitfords in recent times. I find their stories so enthralling, particularly Decca's (oh how I was to run away with a communist!). More Mitford posts will surely follow.

I do suffer from technology illiteracy however so this blog may be a painful process. I would love to get as much feedback as possible so please feel free to comment!