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Indecision. Since sharing with you my travel wishlist, I've thought a little bit more about what pair of shoes I would like to buy. While I am picking up a pair of Charlotte Olympia kitty flats, I'd like something that is a little more classic, that I could potentially wear every day in the workplace if need be. As designer options are pretty limited in New Zealand, especially if I want to avoid paying high duties and taxes on shoes bought online, I figure this is my chance to pick up something special.

I've narrowed it down to four choices: Celine sandals with a metallic heel in tan, Valentino rockstud shoes (flat or kitten heel) in either the blush or black, Salvatore Ferragamo black patent varina's with a low heel or a pair of Chanel two tone ballet flats.

In the interest of not going overboard on my purchases, I'm resigned to only buying one. Which I suppose is where I am having trouble. They each have their merits, although the responsible and prudent voice in my head is telling me to get flat shoes, rather than the heels that I have been so keen on for some time now. Which would you choose?


left to right: Miu Miu python pumps, Mulberry braided boots, Marni sandals, Acne glossed-leather sandals, Stella McCartney stud-heel boots, Missoni sandals

If I weren't heading to Europe, I imagine that my indecisiveness would fall to which shoes to purchase from the Net-a-Porter sale. The Global sale started earlier this week, and above are some of my picks. Are you going to buy anything?

 

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T by Alexander Wang jumper, Glassons pants (similar), Proenza Schouler bag
Pants party. I'm probably a little bit late to the floral pants party, but after seeing this cute pair at Glassons, I couldn't really resist. Pants are one of those things that I have always had trouble finding, as most cuts don't seem to sit right on my body shape - they are either too tight in the leg, or too wide in the waist. These, on the other hand, are very near to the perfect fit, which means I don't need to continue trawling ASOS or Topshop for a pair any more. Wearing them felt like I had a garden on my legs all day. Added bonus!

As well as recently becoming a Pinterest convert, I've also started using Currently Obsessed - where you can stalk all the items that I'm currently coveting, and see what's on my wishlist. There's a link in the bar to the right, otherwise you can find me here! I get the feeling that it's going to be a little bit dangerous having my entire wishlist all in one place...

 

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Saint James breton stripe top, Tibi pink silk pants, Zadig&Voltaire parka (similar), Ksubi denim cut-offs, Iosselliani stacked rings, Alexander Wang shoes, Isabel Marant necklace
Travel wishlist. Holidays abroad generally involve shopping. Whether you mean it to or not - well, perhaps that's just how it works for me. Having experienced post-holiday shopping regret a number of times in the past, I've since discovered that putting together a wish list pre-travel not only helps with staying on track to fill gaps or wants missing in your wardrobe, but also carries with it a satisfaction of knowing you bought something that you had been looking for. In saying that, there is always room for spontaneous purchases, I just find this method reduces that number and makes me think a little bit more before I buy.

On my travels, I'm hoping to pick up the following:
1. A new wallet - My current one I've had for about 4 years now, and while I like it, I find it unneccesarily bulky, and inconvenient to open the coin pocket as the zipper is broken. I'm hoping to pick one up in a colour other than black, to make it easy to spot in my handbag, and one that has only two sections rather than three.

2. Breton stripe tops - As far as I'm concerned, a girl can never have too many striped tops. I've bought a number over the years, some I've kept and some I haven't, and am hoping to pick some up in a couple different colour combos. If possible, one from Saint James would be nice.

3. Military style parka - This closet essential eludes me every single time. Permanently attached to my wish list I'm yet to find one that I like, so maybe this time I will be lucky. Makes me regret not picking one up at Sportsgirl all those years ago.

4. Classic shoes for day to day wear - While I can't claim a shoe shortage, I'd love to pick up a nice pair of leather shoes for every day wear, in a classic style that can be taken from work to play

5. Denim shorts - I never seem to be able to find the right type of denim shorts, they always end up being too short, too tight, or not the right colour. I've spied a pair at Zara that are worth trying on but I won't hold my breath.

6. A pair of trousers - While I've recently picked up a couple pairs of 'capri' pants, trousers are always something that I have struggled to find. I'll be keeping a lookout for a nice pair of trousers in a tapered style that I can wear with ballet flats or heels. An interesting print would be an added bonus, but ideally, I just want to find something comfortable, that looks good, and fits me well.

7. Jewellery - Both statement pieces and fine jewellery are on my list. I seem to have discovered the wonders that a large statement necklace can do for an outfit, and as such would like to accumulate a couple more if I can. I'm also looking forward to dropping by Corpus Christi in Paris to pick up a new necklace or two - the jewellery there is gorgeous.

Do you make up a wishlist before you head on holiday, or do you prefer to feel inspired to buy things in the moment?

 

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img 1 source unknown, img 2
Snug. Feeling like I could use a warm shearling lined jacket and an oversized woolly cardigan about now, fur collar included. Possibly even worn at the same time. Spending my morning with shivers and my evenings with goosebumps isn't the most fun. I imagine I've missed the boat on both the above pieces, although that doesn't stop a girl from dreaming. Can only imagine how poorly I would cope in a country where temperatures regularly drop below zero. Aside from layering on the merino and jumpers, I'm finding that plenty of tea has been helping slightly... Happy weekend!

 

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Topshop slouchy top, T by Alexander Wang cardigan, Vincent aztec jeans, Zara heels, Proenza Schouler bag, Karen Walker belt
Aztec. A couple weeks back I was lamenting about how I had failed to nab the Isabel Marant 'renell' jeans when I had the chance, and had been furiously scouring ebay for a pair each day. While these aren't Isabel Marant, at this point in time, they are the closest thing to the actual jeans that I think I'm going to find, within a reasonable price range. They made the perfect pair of jeans for a Saturday yum char feast and running around town to do a few errands, all while channelling my inner Geraldine Saglio.

I guess these jeans in themselves bring up the question of designer inspired vs designer copies. I've always been quite happy to buy something designer-inspired, or something very closely resembling a designer piece, if the intent is to test it, and see if it would be worth spending a considerable amount of money on the real thing. Most designer pieces are a real investment, and you should be certain about your purchase when you go to make it. It's inevitable that the high street will take inspiration from luxury brands, translating trends in a way that it is available en masse. The grey area is when the resemblance is so close, that you would find it difficult to distinguish the real thing from the fake. I imagine that thesse jeans fall into that grey area, and believe me, if I could have the real thing in the place of these, I most certainly would. In the meantime, I suppose these will have to make do.

 

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Topshop slouchy t-shirt & blazer (similar), Diane von Furstenburg 'zhin' skirt, Chloe boots (not pictured)
Geometric. A couple weeks back I got an email from Shopbop informing me of their spend and save weekend. Never one to resist a sale of any kind if I can, I quickly clicked through and found that this Diane von Furstenburg skirt which was in my wishlist, but sold out, was back in stock. In my size. Oh, and on sale. Five minutes of pondering over which other item to buy from my wishlist, add to cart. Make payment. So much for being good!

But what is good, is this skirt. I love how the colour gradiates from black to white, with floral geometric shapes around the center. There's nothing like a printed skirt to make an otherwise ordinary outfit, not so ordinary. And above all, it's a great transition piece, one I can't wait to wear in the summer with loud printed silk blouses.

 

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Kain silk tank, T by Alexander Wang top, T by Alexander Wang jumper, Aubin & Wills blazer, Miu Miu sandals, A.P.C tote bag, Alice & Olivia skirt, Karl shorts, Isabel Marant Sandals
Net-a-Porter wishlist. I always look forward to receiving that email from Net-a-Porter, letting me know that their twice-yearly sale has begun. It generally involves me quickly opening the site in another tab to see if anything in my wishlist is on sale, and at a slightly more wallet-friendly price.

I managed to pick up a couple of things, one of which is this slouchy black jumper from T by Alexander Wang, which I've had my eye on for a wee while. If I had the cash to splurge, I'd probably pick up some of the above items on my wishlist, as I imagine the Alice + Olivia metallic skirt would be perfect for a night on the town paired with a simple silk tank by Kain and a pair of strappy Miu Miu heels. For a more casual look, I love the idea of this Aubin and Wills blazer, worn with a slouchy T by Alexander Wang linen top, Karl sequined shorts, Isabel Marant Merry sandals and an A.P.C cotton tote bag slung over the shoulder. And the best thing about these pieces? The large number of potential combinations since the colour scheme is that good. Guess it's a good thing that dreams are free!

 

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Green Amos bracelet, Pink Amos bracelet
Monaco earrings, Cruz earrings

As I continue my efforts to have a more minimal and streamlined wardrobe, my eye has been gravitating toward statement or more interesting pieces of jewellery. The aesthetics of the label Dannijo with its punchy coloured gemstones, thick chains and bold tribal beading seem like the ideal pieces to stand out from an otherwise simple look.

I've developed a regained fondness for friendship bracelets, piled up the arms alongside thin delicate chains. A thick braided bracelet with chains either side has been at the top of my to-do list for a while now, and with a long weekend coming up, a DIY may be on the cards.