THIRD STONE FROM THE SUN

We are pretty much a stones throw away from being engulfed by champagne as the Christmas Party season approaches, (I felt a strange despondent sigh uttering the CP word, ugh.) Nevertheless, it is time to start dreaming of potential outfits fit enough to woo the whole table round, so here goes the summer edit and a few tips.  Clink.

 The mood is comparatively colourful and bright, standing next to all those other insignificant months of the year. This is because December is the month you come home to embrace contagious cheer and merriment; everyone must be happy, if not by default, by sheer brute force (more champagne!). In saying that, neon and fluoro should be completely avoided.

On the matter of avoidance, just because Christmas is synonymous with sparkle, doesn't mean you have to leave the house looking like the tree. Always ask yourself questions like: "Could I do with less glitter eyeshadow?" and  "Do I really need this diamonte bag" etc. That being said, Christmas themes are a definite nein,  red and green will never do and Jeremy Scott is not going to do Santa Claus print jumper, not ever.

This ethos should be employed and reflected in one's Christmas dress code at all times, including seemingly insignificant significant trips to the grocery store to buy cherries where you could be seen by old friends and enemies waiting to pounce on you unsuspectingly when your guard is down. Its a jungle out there.

While it's tempting to gorge on the Ham and Turkey, here's a little something to make you think twice and opt for the hot buttered green beans. Mmm beans.

 

Finally, from experience, no Diva-flips that may incur from present expectation.

The mantra to focus on is, expect less, give more. In fact, presents suck, get the whole family to agree on a round of hugs and a day at the beach.

#1 Nars bronzer in Laguna // Nars lipstick Niagra.

#2 KENZO printed grape-vine dress.

#3 KENZO x New Era Cap.

#4 Marni textured sunglasses available from The Cornershop.

#5 Araks Bra, selection available at Blood Orange.

#6 Dinosaur Designs bracelet.

#7 Le Soleil by Maison Balzac.

#8 Marni Sequence emroidered silk skirt on sale now at The Cornershop.

#9 Miu Miu Noir sunglasses in silver glitter and acetate.

#9 Repetto Mary Janes in black patent with small stacked heel.

#10 We Are Handsome swim suit.

#11 Classic Missoni Home towel.

#12 Kenzo x Vans sneakers.

#13 Kenzo knitted bubble skirt available at The Cornershop.

GRAY GARDENS

 Meg Gray has a website! // graygardens.info

SNEAKING X KENZO

Kenzo // New Balance

I can never let a good sneaker slide, they ways seem to find their way creeping back to my wishlist, partial to no season in particular.  This latest fixation has come in Kenzo x Vans form, and I am so regretful to inform myself that I am a century too late on this bandwagon, my favourite pair, see grape-vine variety feautured, have unsuprizingly sold out from their mother-ship Opening Ceremony, and I will have to wait for a miracle to own these babies. Nevertheless, this will not deter me from lusting, dreaming, wishing, wanting etc. and I am sure if I invest enough mind power into this saga, I will own them come, lets say, Christmas day. If not, New Balance will suffice.

Back to Kenzo. The label is ticking proverbial boxes in every dimension at the helm of the New York based duo Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, who founded Opening Ceremony before moving to Kenzo, in July last year. I am morbidly excited about their SS/13 collection which features jungle pop inspired lashings of animal print, a kaleidoscope of patent, mens sneakers I need to own and a range of the most beautiful bed-linen my eyes ever did see.

OF LATE...

My posting skills have been so dire of late, and I do apologize. Here is a snapshot of life from my iPhone, follow me on Instagram! @cocobaracuda. I'm sure it is pretty clear that food and flowers really make my world go round. 

#1 Wild pink roses, a birthday gift to myself. Dinosaur Designs bracelet from my gorgeous buddies at acting school and a treasured Jordan Askill heart ring for my birthday from my love, lucky girl huh?

#3 Le Bois by Maison Balzac. I just got Le Soleil and I cannot wait to envelop my house in its olfactory goodness, perfect scent for summer!

#4 My friend Belles Melbourne manor. She's really good at interiors. 

#5 Dinosaur Designs and more wild roses

#6 Wilbur's Place, 36 Llankelly Place in the Cross is my favourite breakfast in town. Here I had poached eggs with asparagus and panchetta, delish!

THIS ONES FOR ALL THE WOMENS

This is one of the best things I have seen on the Internet lately; a slew of all my favourite women taking a stand against the rights American women stand to loose if the Republicans win the presidential election. Despite the fact the the outcomes of this this election don't really have a hefty impact the rights of women here in Australia,  and that the climate of our feminine psyche is considerably healthy as a nation, it is a worldwide battle that we, women!, have both silently and not so silently been waging since the dawn of time. This is the first time I think I have ever taken an interest in overseas politics, or politics at all for that matter, but I feel very passionate about Obama winning and will be a very sad little lady if he doesn't. So, I'd like to acknowledge it as a reminder of equality for all the womens of the world.  Take it away ladies: ... <--- (click)

YOU DON"T OWN ME

Well said Lesley Gore, well said.

(Beyonce did a pretty good job at saying it too, albeit from a different angle, but she definitely deserves an honourable mention.)

A.P.C easy as 1...2...3

Oh A.P.C. the things you do to a girl like me. This is definitely the song to score my A.P.C dreams. 
That denim boiler suit an the sandals with the ankle strap are my surefire favourites. Soon...

NOUVEAU

Of late...

 Reading: Lula Magazine and a whole bunch of scripts.

Burning: Le Bois by Maison Balzac, a gift from the ever so lovely Elise Pioch Balzac. 

Liking: Stripes

#1 Sleeveless maxi-dress by Edith A. Miller available from MNZ. 

 #2 My new espadrilles from The Standard Store, they are so ridiculously comfortable and easy to wear.

Looking for: cropped pants, they make ankles look so elegant. I really love this pair by Vena Cava also available at MNZ. Teamed with a rose gold anklet, perfection.

Listening to: Sunday Morning by Amanaz

Dreaming of: locations to film and other places to be, New York, Japan, Parramatta. 

RING IN SPRING

I'm sitting in on my bed, it around four o'clock. The tendrils of a light breeze caressing my nose with the promise of summer has had me dreaming of lazy, hazy beach days; sand in between my toes, salt framing my lips to lick. Drinking cider with friends whilst reminiscing over last nights antics when we stepped out without velvet coats. Careless wondering on hot tarmac and reading in the park. Please bring her to me! This is an ode to summer dreaming,  I definitely forgot the one-piece black bathing suit in there, but she'll be around.
 

#1 A.P.C Belted Crepe Dress in Burgundy

#2 Rag and Bone Wide Brim Hat in Chocolate

#3 Miu Miu Noir Sunglasses - Still love these frames so much, I can't decide if I want the tortoise shell or the silver glitter, suggestions?

#4 Tome Poplin Shirt Dress

#5 Cuval Bag

#6 Le Soleil by Maison Balzac - perfect scent for spring!

#7 Isabel Marant Laury Floral Embroided Shirt

#8, #9 & #11 Jewellery by Isabel Marant, I think they are the perfect condiments to finish any outfit, I especially love the feather choker, it reminds me of something my mother would wear when I was little.

#10 Lula, I am still lost in the pages of this issue.

#12 K Jacques, most definitely the perfect summer shoe.

#13 Curio Noir Tobacco Night

#14 Lover Dress with Collar - I really want this as my 'special occasions' dress, I think it is beautiful.

DUSTY SKIN OF PEACHES & DRIES

 

 

#1 Dries Van Noten SS13, I want to own everything.

#2 She's Wild at Heart, 

#3 Portugese face cream

#4 Esteben Cortazar

#6 Dries Van Noten, backstage SS13

LET THEM EAT CHANEL // REPRISE FEATURING ALEXA CHUNG

Images Courtesy Here

I think Alexa looked as close to perfection at Chanel's 80th Jewelery Anniversary exhibition opening at MOMA, NYC, wouldn't you agree?

LULA, GIRL OF MY DREAMS

"On A Throne In The Sky" from Lula F/W 12/13

Lula is the one and only magazine I will buy, come rain hail or shine, the others, how do I say it, the others are just coffee-table blow-ins. I do like The Gentlewoman for the articles and a few of the shoots are fantastic. Russh is a good faithful, but sometimes, sometimes it's a hit and a miss (exemplified by the latest cover). Vogue, Bizarre, the only times you find your way into my life is when I steal you from the doctors or the dentist... But Lula, ah yes Lula, your place shall always be reserved not only on my bookshelf, but in my heart. I love how every page exudes an element of magic and performance, the way I just love to see the world! The latest issue features The Citizens Band,  a vaudeville big band spiced with a political conscience, Alice and Wonderland - the musical opera! Girls, my all time new favourite show in world and an interview with Wes Anderson's new child prodigy, Kara Hayward, not to mention a smorgasbord of fantastical shoots curated and styled by the wondrous Leith Clark. Delicious!

COVETING // LUNATIC CLUTCH

Net-a-Porter

It's no secret I adore all things lunar, and this little darling has just been added to le liste de lune. Charlotte Olympia, I adore  pretty much every single little thing you conceive,  so much so that twice, yes twice, I have considered dishing out $800 or so big ones to be the owner of those delightful kitty flats but I think this clutch will do nicely instead, I could even wear it to the moon.

LOOKING GLASS // TOME SS13

Tome

Tome's SS13 collection is rather flawless; elegant clean lines reminiscent of 90s minimalism, lashings of metallic silver and gold, pared back with hints of silken lace - well and truly on the path to simplistic perfection. My eye is on the camisole in the third image.