Sunday, June 19, 2011

Breaking the rules

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As a Melbournian it's against the rules to say that the food is better in Sydney, but I'm sorry but it is. That's the first self imposed rule I broke this weekend, the second is further down in this post. Henry and I had brunch at one of our favourite cafes in Sydney, Kawa on Crown Street in Surry Hills with Vanessa, my Junior Fashion Editor at On The Streets of Sydney to talk through some upcoming shoots. Vanessa also has a fabulous blog, The Monday Issue which you should check out. Our food was fresh and fabulous, and whilst not being Melbourne cheap, Kawa is cheap for Sydney so it gets a huge tick from me. Plus the place is decorated so darn cutely, I love all the indoor plants and hanging ferns.

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The second self imposed rule I broke this weekend was my rule about not wearing pants (see rule 4 of this post from 2008). Look at me as happy as larry above in beautiful Hyde Park wearing my new ASOS palazzo pants. Rules be damned, I'm going to wear what I god damned please from now on without fear or fight. Also why didn't anyone tell me just how comfortable pants are? I've been missing out for years.

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I'm also wearing my new ASOS trench with leather accents, bought on sale for $102 (its still available at that price in some sizes and in the other colourway: clickity click) A girl ran after me today asking me where it was from, that's how awesome it is!

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My white pussy bow blouse is another re-found oldy from my time teaching English in Japan. I bought it at Savers for about $3 and it fast became a favorite in my working wardrobe. Unfortunately the pussy bow element of the blouse often got me in trouble at Nova as I looked too "maid style". This was at the time of Marc Jacobs retro secretary phase and pussy bows featured in many of his collections, so when I wore my blouse that's what I was thinking of, definitely not visioning looking like a sexualised otaku maid...only in Japan. The red lippy is Mac Russian Red, which I also haven't worn since I lived in Japan (but this tube is new, I'm not wearing five year old lipstick guys!) There was a stage where I had black hair and wore red lipstick every day and only ever wore red, black and white. That stage lasted about four years until my style transformed into what has been documented on my blog over the years, you know the leggings + dress + waist belt + blonde bob with fringe +  my infamous giant glasses with virtually no exceptions in between. I seem to be going through another style transformation at the moment and I'm not sure where I will end up. Its weird that I change like this about every four years, but all the changes have occurred whilst living in different cities so maybe that has something to do with it? Who knows?

Trench ASOS White leather trim mac $102
Pussy Bow Blouse Savers $3 (God I miss Savers, hurry up and open in Sydney already)
Palazzo Pants ASOS Curve on clearence for $30 (No longer for sale)
Belt ASOS Curve black skinny belt $20
Bag Sporsgirl Fringe Bag $99.95
Loafers Sportsgirl on sale for $39.95
Floppy hat Ebay $30
Red Lipstick Mac Russian Red $36

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, checking out the amazing contemporary art collection donated to the gallery from art collector John Kaldor. The collection includes pieces from Jeff Koons, Ricky Swallow, Christo amongst many other world renowned artists. An amazing collection to have been donated to the gallery, and is definitely worth checking out. Another exhibition held in the galleries temporary space is Unguided Tours, a video and installation exhibition of my favourite kind of art, humorous, playful and in a way almost slacker art. Unfortunately unable to take any photos in the gallery, but take my word for it and check out both exhibitions if you can. xoxo

20 comments:

  1. wide leg pants! my favourite things in the world, at the moment anyway. you look great Hayley! xxx

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  2. i really don't go in for this melbourne vs sydney thing. it's tiiiiiring. but how can the food there at kawa be the example of sydney having finer food? sadly the food at kawa is has been disappointing for me several times over. however, i am glad to hear you've fared better in your experiences there!
    p.s. nice lippy.

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  3. hayley, i LOVE you in pants! the whole outfit is great, its a kinda different style for you no? but i like it a lot xxx

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  4. Annabel - Thanks, my current favourite too x

    Hollypop - I get what your saying, but Melbourne is my home town so of course I'm going to compare it to a new city I'm living in, its only natural & I did it in Tokyo too x

    Chloe - Yes it is, I'm in the mood for change x

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  5. Yay! As soon as I saw your first photograph I thought ''THAT'S HYDE PARK!'' You look absolutely beautiful, Hayley. (And pants definitely suit you!)

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  6. You look gorgeous!!!
    Russian Red is my faaaavourite, you should try it with a dark lip liner underneath. The girls at MAC did it with a dark purple brown liner coloured all over my lips then Russian Red over the top. It makes the most AMAZING colour.

    xox

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  7. You look great. I especially love that mac. I need a new mac and the leather makes it more accessible and moves it away from being too smart.

    www.girl-cant-talk.com

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  8. OMG I can't believe you got in trouble for wearing pussy bows. Every second OL in Tokyo is wearing them atm. I'd take photos for your to send your boss to show him you aren't a maid, you're a trendsetter -- if Nova still existed!

    Love the pants. I'm not a pants person but the right style makes a difference.

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  9. Absolutely adore this outfit!!!! I'm so in love with Trenchcoats and Pussy Bow shirts at the moment.

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  10. It seems to me you're thinking a bit about Tokyo subconciously as well with reappearnces of items in your style that remind you of your days there. :) I loved the post you did on the platform shoes. Keep doing what you do, we love it.

    I do remember the black hair, red lipstick slightly striped/nautical days when I first found you on myspace years ago! And I can relate! My style changes a bit every once in awhile too. I think I'm just inspired by different things during different phases of life, that's not so bad! And yes, only in Japan would that peice of your blouse cause some kind of reaction like that. WOW! Ha.

    And I absolutely LOVE the picture of you from far away with the pants. Keep having fun!

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  11. those pants look bloody awesome on you! And I totally agree with you about the food thing. i went to sydney for the first time just to eat food.

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  12. I think this is my favourite outfit of any that you have posted on your blog - you look fantastic!

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  13. um ah! melbournian traitor! i am a sydney-sider through and through but i think we both have our better points.

    i can't believe you never wear pants, they look great on you!
    x

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  14. This is such a great outfit and yes I'm loving this transformation, you go girl!

    Sleekit x

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  15. I love, love, LOVE Kawa! And you look fabulous in those pants. Gorgeous!

    Katie x

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  16. The pants look great on you Hayley! Definitely a style I think you should explore more.

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  17. oh, you're right. i'm originally from melbourne (well, the mornington peninsula) too! i find that both places have their specialties and i enjoy them both muchly.

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  18. That's why NOVA doesn't exists anymore and how petty is that? I hope your other experience in Japan was a good one, that aside LOVE wide leg pants, they give me that feeling of being tall.

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  19. Hayley I love, love,love this look on you!! Perhaps it feeds into my penchant for all things black and white but I love it- so sophisticated!
    LLM
    xx

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