Shop Girl: Violet Baudelaire, 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'

Having received the first Harry Potter book on my eighth birthday, it was probably inevitable that I became a devourer of grim, fantastical series as a kid. In the end, HP, His Dark Materials and A Series of Unfortunate Events became a bit of trifecta of perfection for me, not in the least part because of the wonderful heroines that populated all three.

Violet Baudelaire's always had a bit of a soft spot in my heart. A big sister, brave, creative and a natural inventor, she really was a new type of heroine for the age. Her strengths came not from impersonating the boys, but from her character and her girlhood. Hell, the first book ends with her being married off to an evil count and finding a loophole to get herself out of it. She's a teenage hero in a wedding dress. It's pretty awesome.

1. Alice Checks Dress, Dangerfield. $88.
2. Wine Grosgrain Ribbon, Ribbons and Bow Studio. $3.
3. My Inventions Brown Kraft Journal, MYJournal Company. $10.
4. Black Camo Boot, Rubi Shoes. $40.

Friday Finds

I've been working on a couple of exciting projects lately which I'm looking forward to unleashing on the world in the coming weeks. So stay tuned! Get excited! Hopefully! I know I am.

Your week in trailers: The Tribe looks terrifically compelling. New Crimson Peak is looking amaaazing. The Supergirl trailer is making me super happy too. NEW MUPPETS!! Eeee.

- These photos of Frida Kahlo's locked away wardrobe are beautiful.

- 50 awesome art and culture documentaries free to watch on YouTube.

- Also I really need this backpack. 

- Which fairytale do you belong in? Apparently I'm set for Little Red Riding Hood.

- 32 bookish things every bibliophile needs in their home.

Nyala Ali does a terrific job of breaking down the exploration of motherhood in Mariko and Jillian Tamaki's stirring comic, This One Summer.

This interview with Amy Poehler is the best because Amy Poehler is the best.

And start your weekend with this beautiful piece exploring the anti-war themes in Hayao Miyazaki's films. And hell, then go see When Marnie Was There. I know I will.

Shop Girl: Usagi 'Sailor Moon'

Sailor Moon was one of those formative stories for me. I still remember my sister and I wrangling VHS tapes and learning how to record on it at the tender ages of seven and nine respectfully to ensure we didn't miss out on an episode while we were in after school care. Even now, Maddy and I marathon the whole series pretty much every year. It's the best.

I love all the sailor scouts too, but Usagi has a special place in my heart. It's rare to find a female character with an arc as defined, as honest and courageous as hers. Her journey from self-declared cry baby, spoiled and sweet and with little work ethic turns into a bona fide hero. Her loyalty to all of her friends, her kindness and her desire to find the best in people are things that elevate her as a hero, not undermine her, and the show isn't afraid to keep her flawed even when she's saving the world - over and over and over.

Usagi Tsukino, Sailor Moon.
1. Short Sleeve Cotton Shirt, Target. $20.
2. Sailorette the Sea Shorts. Modcloth. $50.
3. Red Hair Bow, Lorettajos. $8.
4. Sailor Moon Necklace, Charming Sushi. $13.
5. Luna Bag, Sailor Moon x Samantha Vega Line. 
6. Bow My Way Cardigan. Modcloth. $40.
7. Cherry Red Docs, Dr. Martens. $125.

Shop Girl: Jordan Baker 'The Great Gatsby'

When you talk about the women of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan normally dominates the discussion. It's easy to see why, she's a fragile, broken muse - selfish, cruel and left to her pedestal. She's a compelling character to talk about.

That said, in a novel of unlikable characters, I've always been pretty partial to Jordan Baker, perhaps the only one who doesn't show traits that are generally despicable. The glamorous amateur golf star, friend to Daisy and partner in flirting with narrator, Nick Carraway. She's basically a pathological liar, but she's so engaging (and the other characters are so cruel) it's more or less forgivable. She's a bachelorette and unafraid and damn compelling. She's pretty great.

Jordan Baker, The Great Gatsby
1. Gold Deco Studs, Polli, $70.
2. All Neutral Dress, ModCloth, $100.
3. Deep Red Unicorn Lipstick, Lime Crime. $18.
4. Krushonu pumps, Nine West. $140.
5. Miriam Gold, Glomesh. $345.

Shop Girl: Kamala Khan 'Ms. Marvel'

I've always been a Marvel girl in the Versus DC debate, and it's been great recently to have such an excellent suite of new issues - particularly in Matt Fraction's Hawkeye, Kelly Sue DeConnick's Captain Marvel and the new Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson.

The latter is a terrific series, with a ferociously awesome heroine in Kamala Khan, a young Muslim women who, after a freak accident, becomes a superhero. At the series' worst, it's a moving and generally very funny portrayal of a teenage girl's coming of age and full realisation of her strength of will and character, and at it's best it's one of the best new comic book series in years.

Kamala's basically the best.

Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel comics
1. Ms. Marvel t-shirt, We Love Fine. $25.
2. Navy Patent Belt Skater Skirt. Desire Clothing. $12.
3. Simone Faux Fur Hooded Parker. Forever New. $150.
4. Layer It On Tights in Cherry. Modcloth. $13.
5. Planet Shoes. Myer. $180.

Shop Girl: Lizzie Bennet 'Pride and Prejudice'

Surprisingly, I'm not actually a big re-reader. Once I've read a book, no matter how much I might love it, it usually ends up collecting dust on my bookshelves. That said, there are a few books that I re-read semi-regularly, the Harry Potter series being one (or, well, seven) and Pride and Prejudice is one of the others. It's horribly cliche, but I really do love the story, not just for Mr. Darcy and Lizzie, but for the Bennet sisters so wonderfully orbiting around each other.

Lizzie's always been one of my favourite characters too. She's such a sasspot, wicked intelligent and a great lover of books, so a lot of the things I aspire to be. For the look, I really wanted to go for an empire dress look which aligns with the regency period look of high waist lines and loose skirts, and the boots too are, while not of the style of the era, a great set for walking through muddy fields to sick sisters in.

Lizzie Bennet, Pride and Prejudice 
1. When Dusk Settles Modcloth Dress. $80.
2. Pride & Prejudice Earrings. $25.
3. Pride & Prejudice clutch. $195.
4. Rita Cut Out Boot Rubi Shoes. $50.
5. Chunky Knit Cardigan Topshop. $45.
6. Year 890 Book of Dreams Necklace. $150.

Previous Shop Girl posts:
Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

Shop Girl: Karou 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone'

I've been compulsively reading Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy of late. A terrific, expansive fantasy series with some of the most detailed and compelling world building I've seen in a long time. The hero of the story, a young, blue haired woman named Karou is, equally, pretty terrific. She's strong, intelligent, and vulnerable, an artist, an errand girl, a resurrectionist. She's a lot of pretty darn magical things.

Being a total nerd for both books and fashion, and, well, seeing the cardigan in #3 that just fits her SO PERFECTLY, this Shop Girl column's been born for look's inspired by favourite characters.

Karou, Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
1. Levi Hi Rise Skinny Jeans in Scandinavian Blue. $120.
2. Topshop Ribbed Crop Cami Top. $12.
3. See the Signs Modcloth Cardigan. $55.
4. Manic Panic Blue Moon Hairdye. $14.
5. Giles & Brother Wishbone Necklace. $138.
6. Black Rose Dr. Martens. $239.

Honourable mention to these Gold Faux Tooth Earrings. $20. too.

Is there anything you've seen that fits the character too?

Friday Finds

- NEW HARRY POTTER!!

- This video essay on David Fincher is very interesting.

- The program for last weekend's GeekGirlCon makes me wish I was anywhere close to Seattle.

- The Mary Sue's post on Ada Lovelace is basically the best.

- Hayao Miyazaki's work getting art nouveau'd is pretty perfect.

- Emily Dickinson poem tights!

- Neil Gaiman is not impressed with the lack of female writers on Doctor Who and neither am I.

- On a more positive note, the new Ghostbusters will have ALL the ladies!

- Camouflage owls! 

Friday Finds

- Gossling's cover of Vance Joy's Riptide is lovely.

- These stone cut crowns by Emerald City are the perfect mix of whimsy and fierce. Also makes me want to write all of the awesome lady fantasy.

- Rolling Stone has created a list of the 50 best non-superhero graphic novels.

- These heartwarming photos of bully breeds that dispel the bad dog myth are totally making me tear up today.

- These infographics on how long it'll take you to binge watch a tv-series are interesting.

- Dazzling new prints from Julian Callos are dazzling.

- I'm also ridiculously excited for Frank. It looks pretty great (and totally up my alley).

- And to take you out for the weekend, check out the in conversation Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad, did at Sydney Writers Festival. 

Friday Finds

- Flavorwire's been bringing it this week. Seriously check out these amazing photos of New York's iconic music venues, and these ones of samurai in storm ravaged Japan.

- These layouts of nine famous houses from classic literature are pretty amazing too.

- And these sweaters! Oh, man, I want all of them.

- In less awesome news, Ida Pollock passed away a few days ago. That said, her life was pretty tremendous!

- Bloody boudoir ladies! These are giving me life today.

- All the things wrong with your screenplay in one handy infographic.

- And for your Christmas shopping / holiday reading: 50 great books by Australian women in 2013.

Friday Finds

- These safety tips for ladies are basically the best thing I've seen all week and combats serious issues in the best way - with humour.


- The Wheeler Centre has an excellent interview with the new Island editor, Matthew Lamb. A really great read for anyone interested in the journal editor profession, Island and getting published in her.

- This looks totally amazing.

- And these photos of famous authors as teens are kind of the best. Hemingway sort of looks like a young Josh Hartnett! Neil Gaiman kind of looks exactly the same! And Toni Morrison and Mary Carr are totally babin'.

- NY Times is also running a serendipitous haiku generator based on their articles and it's kind of the bomb.

- Lemony Snicket has a level of snark that mostly just makes me cackle. His commentary on these 13 terrifying movies he saw before he was old enough is the greatest. Also, I am getting progressively more excited for The Dark's release (I've always been partial to picture books).

- This Game of Thrones death generator! I particular like the blood splatter.

- These nail art stickers! Hearts in my eyes.

- This spoon! Which I need in my life because I am the biggest sucker when it comes to wordplay and puns.

- And these photos of the Palm Desert by Julia Robb. *chinhands*

Friday Finds

- I am entirely in-love with these boxsets from The Period Store. There's nothing I'd love more than to wake up morning-of to one of these at my doorstep (well, minus the chocolate. Stupid cocoa allergy). Introduce international shipping please!

- Vampire Weekend have some new songs out! *chinhands*

- These gorgeous photographs.

- Top 10 girl gang movies!

- These flawless bookends (I want them alllll).

- 20 embarrassingly bad book covers for classic novels! (hahahahahaha, oh dear).

- In writerly resource news, Chuck Wendig has another great post on 25 Turns, Pivots and Twists to Complicate Your Story. Krissy Kneen also wrote a really tremendous blog post on the novella over on the QWC website which ticks all the reasons the novella is one of my favourite mediums to write in. Lovely, lovely stuff.

Welcome to the Weekend

This weekend I'm modelling at the Love Vintage Fair at the Brisbane Convention Centre for Bonnie Rose Vintage Clothing. I'm super excited, but also pretty nervous because it's not something I've done before. I'm also excited to experience vintage clothing. I love it generally, but I also love it as a narrative device and as a part of character. It's ability to explain, justify and flesh out a character excites me and I'm looking forward to getting excited at the fair! What are you guys up to?

Also:

Reading: Y: the Last Man (Collection One) by Brian K. Vaughn

Listening to: Washington
Watching: Law & Order SVU (Season One)

Drinking: Oyster Bay Sauv Blanc

Friday Finds

There's some really, really great literary art prints over here. This Hemingway one is my favourite (and also something I require in my house).

Letters of Note recently posted correspondence between F. Scott Fitzgerald and his editor, Maxwell Perkins, regarding early drafts of The Great Gatsby. I'm a pretty huge fan of Fitzgerald generally, and it's such an interesting glimpse inside his writing process and his relationship with Perkins. Check it out over here.

I'm basically in-love with the character design of ParaNorman and the team behind that recently released a pretty awesome featurette on bringing this guy to life. It's super great. 

- i09 has done an awesome post on great opening sentences from classic fantasy novels. Also I'm pretty sure my to-read list just doubled.

- Also, people should go and check out the Polli sale. They have some pretty fantastic jewellery, and it's definitely worth a look.

Friday Finds

I am totally obsessed with this mash-up of Blondie's Heart of Glass with Philip Glass (via thefoxisblack). It's beautiful musically, but it really shows off Debbie Harry's voice too, all of which makes it pretty close to sublime.

Blondie vs Philip Glass - 'Heart of Glass' - @daftbeatles MASHUP by DAFT BEATLES

These anti-procrastination stickers are awesome (like, I'm pretty close to printing a few off and sticking them above my desk or on my TV)

Maryline & a Wizard School in Scotland is a book I need in my life.

I'm also ridiculously close to purchasing one of these birdhouse trailers.

Prada goes Steampunk for Fall (Jamie Bell's face, you guys).

I'm also loving these stockings on Combo Monster

 Not exactly a Friday find either, but my cat, Artemis, is flaunting his pretty perfect face right now.

 

Friday Finds

• So, my new favourite tumblr. My Daguerrotype Boyfriend. By their own definition: 'where early photography meets extreme hotness'. It's pretty great, with some pretty saucy gents ranging from convicts to Hemingway. Found via the ever-wonderful frankie.

• I stumbled across the local Nico Underwear this morning, and it's all kinds of wonderful. It's made environmentally and ethically and built to last. Plus, they're kind of gorgeous. I read them described as 'sexy, but in that girl-down-the-street way as opposed to girl-on-the-street' and I kind of agree. The whole thing's made up of some pretty lush colours, and a gorgeous lookbook to boot.

• This beautiful cover of The Flaming Lips, Do You Realize? by Ball Park Music.

 

• This cushion from jennarosehandmade on etsy.   

 

Other stuff worth the look: 

• I'm also a little obsessed at the moment with local designer Ra Ra Superstar, and the less local Leandro Dominguez. Both have beautiful (albeit, very different) collections out currently. 
• There's also a pretty great video over here of a kitten playing with a baby monkey which everyone should watch. 
• Also, this gorgeous Etsy shop.

Fabled & True

There's something unbelievably sweet about little local designer Fabled & True. I'm heading to her first show, A Whole Lot of Lovely, next month at Kerbside, but her current collection is really, really gorgeous.

 

Brisbane Vintage Fashion Fair 2012

On Saturday I headed out to the Brisbane Vintage Fashion Fair at Eagle Farm Raceway. It was pretty great really, and I came away with some pretty sweet kicks (and knits and hats). Most of what I bought was actually from the sixties/seventies (or at least sixties/seventies-styled), even though I prefer a fifties silhouette. There were also a lot of dropped waists lurking around the roller racks which, whilst they look gorgeous on some, don't suit my 5'2 hourglass. 

The colours especially all looked great hobbled together in a bit of a fashion timewarp, and there was a nice vibe amongst the patrons too. I snapped a couple of photos via instagram which I've dropped in below, but I'd head over to Sarah Maree for the good stuff.