Around the world in a day...

Two flights and 24 hours later, I am sitting pretty in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I've perched myself at Society Cafe where the people are nice and the coffee comes with biscotti. Sadly, Melbourne is totally my kind of town, a sort of hybrid of San Francisco and Chicago, so I will be sad to leave here and I had might as well dedicate a good chunk of my Visa card to coming back here to visit. I can already tell that this is going to be a semi-regular pilgrimage.

I haven't been out to take pictures and such just yet as I'm working on work...which I would LOVE to complain about at the very moment, but will not, considering that my job is what landed me here in the first place. Yvonne's flat is divine, a two story, spacious loft that I am threatening to boot her out of so I can move in :-) Sultanas the Cat has done a wonderful job of standing in as Portia, as she is as needy and as much of an attention-whore as my own. Simply put, I'm happy to be here, even just in this little cafe, and I can't wait to see more of Australia.

A quick update

Well, I'm down to 3 days before I begin my fantastic voyage. I'm not even psyched about it yet, and feel I probably won't be until the moment I step on the plane at ORD. These last weeks have been crazy, busy, and eventful, not all in the best of ways, but I will say a burden has been lifted and now I'm ready for fun. I'll have to catch the blog up again very soon, just know I've been running, writing, shopping, and having a good time!

Birthday Cake!

Cake my coworkers bought me

Cake!

birthday cake for my 30th

Pretty Birthday Flowers

My coworkers got me flowers (and Hello Kitty confetti) for my bday

My Audrey

Style is a word that gets thrown around a lot, and I think that most people fail to understand it. Style is less about the clothes you wear or the bags you carry. Style is hardly about Gucci, Prada, and Vuitton.

What style is, is a way of life. An attitude and a persona. Thus began the American love affair with Audrey Hepburn.

I'll give it to Audrey - she, Jackie Onassis, and now Michelle Obama had it going on. But I had my own Audrey - Cynthia.

Every woman needs an "Audrey" in her life - a beacon of style, grace, and savoir faire. Cynthia was pure class. Having no children of her own, she took to me immediately and gave me a home, where I resided for 5 years. I lost her in 2007 to cancer and there's not a moment that goes by that I don't think about her. There are little touches of her all over my home - the original iMac filled with her writings and poems, the fancy french soaps, the smiley face bottle opener on my work desk, the stirring spoon, and her wedding portrait right next to my bed - right where she kept that very portrait in her own bedroom. Cynthia made an indelible mark on my life and if I ever had a reason to think that life was unfair, I'd say that the universe taking her away from me too soon defines just that.

Cynthia taught me some of life's most valuable lessons - first and foremost to never take yourself too seriously. Life was made for enjoyment, and she did just that. A free spirit who was a slave to little more than art, music, and the joie de vivre, she schooled me on the aesthetics of Bauhaus, geography, simple but fine dining, and everything from asian art to obscure jazz. Cynthia redefined how I lived my life and always encouraged me to be the best me and to most importantly, follow my dreams. Cynthia embodied style from alpha to omega. She was my Audrey and even writing this now, two years later brings tears to my eyes. I miss her and no one will ever replace her.

Stuff on my cat - Queen Portia

my lazy little brat

wonderful kiwi wine

Woollaston Pinot Gris from New Zealand

Why do we do what we do?

Today my girlfriend told me her man took her shopping at Victoria's Secret to diffuse a situation (and well, to ensure that he was getting some boom boom pow later on...) Now this was all his idea, as it stemmed from a conversation they had in church earlier.

Girl: That's a nice scent I smell (on a fellow churchgoer)
Boy: That's Love Spell from Victoria's Secret, I like that.
Girl: Oh, ok. Smells nice.

So they get to the store and he goes to buy her the stuff and he says to her:

I love the scent of Love Spell. My ex-girlfriend Tia (and my girl's name is Tiya) used to wear this all the time.

The real Tiya got mad. Rightfully so, right? He says, but 1000 other people wear it! That's besides the point. You never tell me that you're buying me something to wear to remind you of your ex-girl. Common sense would tell you that - that's like me saying, "Here, I want you to wear these boxers, babe. They remind me of my ex-boyfriend because he wore them and I loved them on him." I'll be damned if I did.

The thing is, he doesn't get why it's offensive. If he had just bought her the perfume and shut his trap, the whole situation could have been avoided. Less is certainly more in this case.

This is one instance in a continuum of ridiculousless that makes me ask - why do we do what we do? Why do we subject ourselves to the hypocrisy and hysteria of "being in love" only to end up angry about something half of the time?

Mind you, you may think of that as a definition of a "bad relationship" and therefore one you should not be in, but my observation has been that most relationships I hear about or come across are "bad relationships." Two people who are inherently different trying to force a relationship because society gives us this edict that says "this is what you do."

After a bout of introspection, I came to the conclusion that society can get my middle finger. Not because of bitterness from my own personal issues, but because we embrace and endorse this "one size fits all" attitude to love and relationships. We nurture false hope in the forms of fairy tales and romcoms and for those of us who don't fit the mold (or furthermore decide to break it) we get labelled spinster and other aesthetically unappealling names. In turn, we routinely "pick our battles" and settle for ridiculously subpar relationships in order to avoid being the odd man out.

I broke up with my boyfriend yesterday and did so amicably. Why? Because I refuse to participate in half-assery. I'm not looking for the the chivalrous prince who whisks me off to Nevereverland, but I am interested in the man who thinks I'm the greatest thing sliced bread and is interested in my growth and well-being. If you have that in your relationship, great - I fully commend and support that, but anything else is absolutely unacceptable. While the feeling of having your partner is one that is nearly unparalleled, I find that I am happiest when I'm alone. I am able to devote myself to my passions and even obssess over them and I'm provided an excellent return on my investment. In a relationship, I'm Joe Cool when compared to most and I still spend half my time trying to "work things out" - as many of us do. I find the behaviour to be both counterproductive and asinine, so I'm choosing not to participate.

The problem occurs when we're condemned for not participating. We cannot use the argument that we act the way we do for the sake of procreation, even if there is biological evidence for that theory. We need to stop the dreaming and realize our own self-worth before we embark on the "journey" to fruitlessly cleave onto someone else. Until you're happy on your own, then what the hell is the point?

-emme

Living off the wall

I've just had far too much going on lately. From makeup parties to shoe parties to beauty parties to wedding parties, I'm exhausted and would love nothing more than to be holed up in my house watching Agatha Christie movies and baking. But alas, such is my life.

I've been trying to post more pictures of the things that I'm doing and seeing and making my blog a wee bit more interesting. I've taken to my old post at Thread.co.nz as well, so I'm doing a weekly article there and i'm trying to pick up a writing postion with Chicago-based Latino magazine Splendor.

So, I'm busy. Which isn't really anything that much out of the ordinary, but I've been really busy and that's the way I like it. And there's 11 days until my big birthday and 23 days until my trip!!

Yum

goodies at the panaderia

The Wall

The Writing's on the wall at the Adidas Party

My Adidas!

At the Adidas Artists' Party

Summer Prosecco!

Having a little bubbly with the girls

Holly popping champagne

Holly popping champagne

Heather poppin champagne

Heather poppin' champagned

Party Time @ Sugar and Spice

Everyone is getting their dance on to Lady D

Henna tattoo

Erin did my loverly mehandi tattoo

Nu Shooz!

Just got the BADDEST shoes in the mail!

Lamentation

I am salty. And I'm dumping my boyfriend. That is all.

The Big "O"

As a woman who has longed lived by the commandment of "Organized Chaos," it was time to change my entropy-leaning ways. I'm on the road often enough and once I come back from a trip, it takes about oh...60 seconds to turn my house into a complete pigpen. To add insult to injury, my closet rod had come down and all my clothes with it, leaving my staircase closet looking like the close of Black Friday at Forever 21.

So for my 30th prebirthday gift, I gave myself the Big O - organization. And a personal challenge to stick with it. Too often I begin projects with direction, but not enough determination to entirely get the job done. I grow bored with them easily, and that's where the chaos ensues. However, organization has immediate results - you have more time, less frustration, and the satisfaction of getting things done.

In my "old age" I've become relentlessly forgetful, so along with the closet cleaning came a dedication to my calendar. And to a real To-do list. I've been a subscriber to Google Calendar for a while and I've also signed up for Rememberthemilk.com and I promise you - both are life-changing essential utilities.

Organization has allowed me to be more productive, a more creative dresser, and just generally happier - and I've been sticking to my new routine for only a few weeks. My ultimate goal is for it to be a way of life, keeping me happy, healthy, and sane.

Now just make sure I don't lose my PDA so my life doesn't fall apart.

-emme

Frugal and Fine - budget saving tips to overhaul your wardrobe

Most of us ladies are probably feeling like our closet could use an overhaul after this bad 80s trend that has swept through the fashion world for the past year. Plus our morale is low and money's tight due to Wall Street throwing us under the bus with the latest Prada advert emblazoned on its side.

Don't fret, to-be fashionistas. With a few timeless key pieces, you can make Moschino cry uncle as you reinvent "Cheap and Chic". Sarah Jessica Parker capitalized on the idea with her now-defunct "Bitten" line, but the truth is, you can build a fabulous wardrobe with just a few key pieces.

The number one rule of dressing yourself is to buy the best fabric you can afford for your staple pieces. Having a closet made entirely of trends ensures that you will look foolish next season.. Plus it's costly So stock up on the basics - button down shirts, good trousers, at least one pair of black pumps with a heel, leather knee boots, solid tops, and simple skirts. Although I am a woman who appreciates polyester, make sure your staples come in wools, silks, and easy to care for cottons - fabrics that will ultimately last. Have a low budget for these things? Don't be afraid to hit the thrift or consignment shops. You can often times find these timeless basics for next to nought and have them tailored to fit your needs.

I could go on about the importance of basic black pants and cardigans, but instead I'll concentrate on a few timeless pieces that will not only be affordable, but will boost your style to the next level.

• Go Venetian! A black/navy on white striped top is a must. Boatnecks are a plus, but this basic top goes with everything from chinos to skirts to basic black pants. Pair it up with gold nautical accessories or a red belt worn at the natural waist for classic fashion that will garner you complements always.
• Save your sole(s)! Wear ballet flats. I'll forever preach the praises of ballet flats. I'm a city dweller who no longer drives, so public transport and my feet are how I get around. I remain faithful to fashion while saving my feet from the perils of heels by wearing ballet flats. A quilted pair with a little bow are cute, yet nondescript and will always work for you.
• Double-duty denim. A denim jacket can go with weekend cargos, praire skirts, shift dresses, or countless other outfits. Perfect for making an overdone outfit casual and providing warmth with a simple touch. I prefer one that's fitted and nipped in at the waist with a mandarin collar. You can play around with colours and styles to find what works best for you.
  
• Look sharp in a pencil skirt. Contrary to popular belief, everyone can wear the pencil skirt, no matter what shape. It's body-con fit makes almost any figure more womanly. A straight skirt with a slender fit through the thigh, it's basically your regular suit skirt - which means you can find them in many colors, fabrics, and sizes at the thrift shop. American Apparel makes a stretchy one that's easy to pack and I swear by it and I love pencil skirts in linen.
• Layer, lady, layer: Tissue tees and tanks in multiple colours can take your outfit from drab to fab. Make sure to get both long and short sleeve tops. Think: a punchy yellow tee under your black shift dress. Or a tank over a long-sleeve tee in a contrasting colour. The possibilities are endless.
  

These are just a few basic items to punch up your wardrobe. Paired with belts, scarves, and jewelry, you can always have stellar style without draining your bank account.

How about that, Moschino?

-emme