Bright and sunny.

Oh, winter. I catch the train to work and everyone is so dreary in their blacks and greys. I'm going to try bring a little sunshine to people's lives by dressing up in bright summer colours.  This will be my first real winter for five years, let's see how I can survive :-/

These photos were taken when the weather in Melbourne was slightly better than it is now... 

Dress designed and created by Franki.  Photography by Franki.

Eyelashes by Primark (with surprisingly NO infection considering how cheap they were).

Made in Satwa.

For a few years, my sister and I have been going to a tailor off Satwa Road. We picked him at random, just to get some alterations and zips fixed. Every time we went in, he'd be measuring up people for dresses. And he was constantly busy. I thought I'd take this as a good sign that he was a pretty decent dressmaker, also taking into consideration that his customers were of many nationalities.

I found some black cotton and grey cotton fabric from one of the fabric stores called Srour and brought it over to my man and asked him to make me two dresses for work. I came back one week later and have to admit he did a pretty amazing job.

 Photos (and post-production werk lol) thanks to FrankiV.
I'll get better photos of the dress soon!!
***
Future Tailors +97143498723, Opposite Regal Shop, near Emirates Bank, Satwa.

At The Top of the world!

This is me sitting on the observation deck of the tallest building in the world, looking over my lovely city of Dubai.
Philippines thrifted skirt - Tshirt from Bangkok Weekend Market - Sandals from random guy selling shoes on a street in Bangkok!

Never Stopped Looking [Video].

Remember the pictures I posted way back a few weeks ago here from a photoshoot at Jumeirah Beach? Well, here is the finished version of the fashion video, which was shot and edited by the amazing Jmerts. I hope you like it!

Equipment: Canon 5D MII /
Song: Trespassers William 'Vapour Trial' (original version by Ride)

Shot at Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Starburst.

If I see something in the shops that I like, it's highly likely I'll buy more than one of it if it comes in other colours.

Claude d'alban black skirt / Warehouse singlet / accessories from Bangkok Weekend Market

You might recognise this bow-back skirt because I have the exact same in mustard. 

Do you buy multiples of the same stuff if you really like something? I wouldn't buy the exact same thing (same colour) in double, but if something really catches my eye and I can't decide on which colour to get - I'll get both or all :-))

This cute little purse is from an area near the MBK markets in Bangkok (I told you I'd be blogging about Thai-bought stuff!!) Peeptoe heels from Reiss.

I forgot to get the name of the girl who made this bracelet, but it was bought in weekend market. 

Her stall was full of fun jewelry like this. Very chunky, that's how I like it!

This one is also from the weekend market. This is the biggest diamond I'll probably ever own ;)

Sawasdee ka!

That means HELLO in Thai :-). I'm back from a fantastic three days in Bangkok, we had such an amazing time. The weather was really hot, but it didn't seem so crowded with tourists yet (still from the red shirt protests from the last few months I guess). We felt completely safe though now, and the hospitality of the Thai people was as genuine as ever. Seriously, Thailand = The Land of Smiles is the most honest description of this country.

Here are a few pictures of the things I did (and some outfits I wore;)) and I hope you enjoy!

First day in Bangkok, riding the famous Tuk-Tuks and having a tall glass of Thai Black Ice Tea. So great!

On vacation but never on holiday from my blog! Haha - Outfit post in the hotel room.

Primark skirt / Evie bag / Jeanswest vest / Splash scarf / Diva bracelet and ring from Philippines

This was the view from our hotel window. I stayed at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Silom area. 

Fantastic hotel, and the rates are pretty affordable at the moment! I love the colourful traffic.

Forever 21 skirt / Dotti studded vest / Owl pendant from Bangkok markets

My sister Chrissy & I at the Floating Markets, with some hats we picked up for just $10!

With my new friend, this monkey python... I always saw photos of people with snakes around their necks and would never think I'd do it, but it wasn't scary at all! Nice to see I was entertaining to the ladies behind me too:-) hahaha

On the Bridge over River Kwai.

Wearing my sisters dress, since I'm such an emo-kid with a closet full of black clothes, I needed to borrow it as we had to wear 'light coloured' clothing for the Tiger Temple - see next photos!

FEEDING TIGER CUBS in Tiger Temple (Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua). This was the most amazing experience!! We spent about 45 minutes in the housing enclosure with four 6-week old cubs. I'm such a cat lover so playing with them was just like playing with some overgrown kittehs!

Photo time with the full grown tigers outside. They have a strict dress code when visiting the temple and my skirt was too short (mmm should be used to this by now!) so bought a new dress from the Floating Markets. In the Tiger Temple it's best to wear shorts or pants covering knees and a shirt covering your shoulders. Also, strictly NO red or dark pinks (maybe the tigers will mistake you for a juicy steak ;)).

 Speaking of food... YUM!

 

In a dress I picked up from Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market, I think it cost me about $3. That market was never ending. With everything from homewares, street foods, mens and ladies fashion as well as pet fashion, it's a must see! I love the style of the Bangkok youth, and a lot of local designers had stalls at the weekend market selling their products. Lots of funky printed tshirts and unique jewelry.

You'll see me in my new Thai bought clothes in a lot of my future posts now. 

Bargain hunting in Bangkok is the best!

Grazia and vintage Cathy (ok, just one year ago).

Oh, hello! I was featured in Grazia Middle East's June issue in the Style Hunter section from last weeks Bloomingdale's event at Dubai Mall. Also on the same page was fellow blogger, Mahryska and these cute, young twins (I'm so jealous of her huge Bottega Veneta bag). I love how Mariyah and I are on the same page. Small community, we are.

In the April 2009 issue of Grazia, I was also snapped while out at the Dubai Polo Desert Challenge at the Desert Palm Hotel. Can you guess who my main inspiration was last year? Lol, I think it's pretty obvious... (ie. a bloated Blair Waldorf).

I kind of cringe when I look back on the photo - although it was just a year ago (a year is not very long), I couldn't get away with wearing that huge headband anymore, and even though the heels are about 3-4 inches high, I still have them but don't wear them.. they're not HIGH enough for me now :-)). Also, everyone keeps telling me my hair looks better darker than this strange metallic brown look I had going on (I agree).
And somehow within the year, I changed nationality from British to Australian...

Ha! Well at least one thing's stayed the same - I'm still into my florals!

Sunday blues.

I bought this dress yesterday at the Karama markets - and finally got myself a pair of white heels from Steve Madden. They're hiiiiiigh.

Paranoid ballerina android.

Hey everyone, how was your weekend?  My weekend was fun. We had a friend from Australia in town so spent a lot of time outdoors at the beach, the markets and the Aquaventure water park at Atlantis hotel (SO FUN). I went for a very casual look - but not so casual (erm tutu anyone?) but there is definitely something about tshirts that take years off any age. I looked like a 17 year old school girl apparently!
What I wore yesterday-

Radiohead shirt - Ebay / H&M skirt / Rubi ballerina flats / Beaded headband as anklet / Soto Smith purse
(they even have an online store, check them out: http://www.sotosmith.com/)

 Me waiting in the air-conditioned car while my sister and Nicole were out taking tourist photos with the Burj Al Arab... :-)
It was probably 37-40C degrees yesterday!!

We had breakfast at Saladicious in Jumeirah, which is my favourite restaurant in Dubai (Foursquare mayor hell yeah!). I could eat here every day.
It's located just around the corner from The One furniture store, next to Jumeirah Mosque.

Our breakfast of massive pancakes and delicious nutella and strawberry crepes. SO YUM. 

I love the cool and eclectic interior of the restaurant, and the male/female bathroom 'signs' are also pretty cool!

When bloggers meet: Blooming wonderful!

Summer in Dubai not only means uncomfortable scorching heat and sweaty foreheads, but also SUMMER SALES.
And to kick start the Dubai Summer Surprises offers, Grazia magazine teamed up with Bloomingdale's department store to host a beauty party with massive makeup trials, goodie bags and free Magnolia Bakery cupcakes.

Myself and fellow bloggers Mabel, Meho, Mariyah and Tina took this opportunity to catch up and talk  clothes, shoes, and of course, take plenty of photos!

Reiss top / Philippines thrifted shirt / SM floral wedges / Reworked vintage clutch

Everyone was given the chance to test out the makeup in the whole department store and draw out our preferences. They later put them all up on display - it was like a kindergarten colouring contest for make up lovers!;) In the Little Brown Bag of goodies we received great products like Chanel mascara and Coco Rouge lipstick, salon and beauty bar vouchers and perfumes - I got Bvlgari and Mabel got Gucci! They definitely spoiled us so a big thanks goes to Bloomingdale's Dubai Mall and Grazia Middle East!

Me, Mabel and Meho with our little brown bags of treats!

Colourful rings and a red velvet cupcake. What more would you want in your hands?

My necklace was a custom made purchase from cbtscloset.com. I've mentioned her shop in a previous post and definitely recommend you check her out if you're after custom made jewelry! I love her to bits! She can make pretty much anything for you!

The bag was a birthday gift last year from my friend Karen from Sydney. Next time I'm in Sydney I will beg Karen to the shop that she bought it at!! It's a vintage purse which has been spraypainted with this beatbox design. It's my most awesomest and favourite purse. You should be very jealous.

***
UPDATE: The bag is from a Sydney Designer called Soto Smith - I probably should have realised this sooner, since there IS a tag inside the bag. But... here's their website: http://www.sotosmith.com/)

Sunset on Jumeirah Beach.

We managed to get to the beach in time for the 'golden' hour of sunset, which created different light effects as the day drew closer to its end. These are kind of a teaser of the final product which will be a short fashion music video.

Kitty cat Catherine.

Yesterday I did a video shoot and asked my best friend Dee to accompany me (and fix my hair and remind me to keep my shoulders back lol). She also snapped some 'behind the scenes' shots capturing the natural light perfect. I didn't edit these photos, couldn't even attempt to try, I need to work on my photo editing skills:-)

 

 Forever 21 eyelet dress / Diva flowerbomb ring / Dee's necklace / Gold painted Venetian cat mask

The dress is from the Heritage 1981 collection of F21, very pretty with tiny cute buttons down the front. Though it's 'too short' for UAE standards (even though I bought it here)! And of course, the mask is from Venice, when I visited last year. I bought four different masks, with sequins, tassles and feathers but this one is my favourite.

I wore three different outfits, so will post other photos later, we caught a gorgeous sunset yesterday so some cool shots coming up, and when the clip is out I will definitely post it up too. You'll have to let me know what you think! Thanks jmerts for the great experience!