Backstage *

Eyes set on my career goal,
cameras poised read to capture the moment,
everyone is watching, waiting for her to turn around.
When she returns
she will be a new person, backed with experience and renewed vigour.

I am relocating to another city in two days!
A new job, a new apartment & a new city to explore culinary adventures awaits...

D&G Mens SS14*

"Inspired by Sicilian mythology: 

Creativity and tailoring are the cornerstones of the collection,

where the fantastical, triumphs in the prints 

of antique gods such as those of Zeus and Apollo, 

and sandals recall those worn by the gods of the tradition."

                                    - D&G Mens Spring Summer 2014

Perhaps divine intervention is necessary to save D&G from recent legal controversies. Embroiled in a fashionable disaster was one thing that is rarely associated with D&G. On 20 June 2013, Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were found guilty by a Milan court for failing to declare €1bn in income. The pair face a suspended sentence of 1 year 8 months in jail and a hefty fine, but of course, their lawyers have already indicated they will be lodging an appeal. In any event, let the army of immaculately dressed Italian men, in perfectly tailored suits, march against D&G's taxing concerns.

Beautiful intelligence *

"Beauty without intelligence is an illusion that is close to disenchantment. 

It is like a fairy that fascinates us, 

as long as we look at her through the enchanting prism of her beauty. 

However, it disappears as soon as the light of reason 

penetrates beyond the place where the eyes can see." 

- Mercedes Cabello de Carbonera, 1876

kate upton

Armani 5.06 *

In a celebration of the beauty adorning the eternal city, Giorgio Armani staged yet another magnificent event: One Night Only Roma at Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. Per chance, it happens to coincide with the launch of Armani's Eccentrico exhibition in Rome as well as a new store along Via Condotti.

Karenai hana *

Leaving a trail of flowers- to find, or can she be found?

GA royal dance *

Royal blue cascades with black tones, 
dancing upon radiant red.
Simply spectacular ~

Milla Jovovich in Giorgio Armani

CC upcakes *

Black and gold exudes the rich darkness,
white camellia reflects a delicate innocence,
and to top it off, hints of pearlescent femininity 
for a timeless classic
to CC apture beauty.

Met Gala 2013 *

Since 1948, an annual ball is held in NYC to celebrate the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. Considered to be one of the most exclusive red carpet events in the fashion world, it was undoubtedly a "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" affair on 6 May 2013. The exhibition incorporates 100 designs from fashion archives to document the presence of punk on the runway since the times of the Sex Pistols, Blondie and Vivienne Westwood, as well as recognising its ongoing influence today.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Giles Deacon

headpiece: Philip Treacy

(single & fabulous SATC)

Blake Lively

Gucci

(xoxo gossip girl)

Anne Hathaway

Valentino

(devil wears prada, but not on this occasion)

Anna Wintour

Chanel

(when you organise the event, who cares about the theme? apparently Wintour claims pink is the colour of punk)

Jennifer Lopez

Michael Kors

(no longer jenny from the block)

Kate Beckinsale

Alberta Ferretti

(from underworld to serendipity)

Nina Dobrev

Monique Lhuillier

(lady of the night, so says the vampire diary anyway)

A Present - dull to bright *

Life tends to be somewhat dull when all one does is work, study and read. To add some meaning, my new year resolution for 2013 was to live a little, take more risks and not let time simply pass me by. After all, the present is a gift which can only be given once before it becomes the past. Unfortunately I did not practice what I preach, in this regard, yet... and it's May. But I guess, better late than never - so, as of today, I will try to pursue this resolution with renewed vigour. Keeping in mind my priorities yet remembering not to take the present for granted. 

Capturing the shades of grey, defining moments in more black and white, then maybe life shall unfold to be a wonderful reflection of bright bold hues ~ 

Two Queens *

Still sorely missed,
one of the great fashion minds of our times.
Accompanied by one of the great fashionistas of our times.
Caught in the moment, draped in scottish tartans,
strong black accents and a magical omnipresent beauty.

Met Gala 2006

Alexander McQueen & Sarah Jessica Parker

Fantastical floral *

Zimmermann's collection of fantastical floral dresses brings new meaning to the term flower power.

woac *

fashionable art is a
work of artistic craftsmanship
worthy of intellectual property rights.

Breakfast at Tiffany's, no more *

Welcome to the age of un-innocence.

No one has breakfast at Tiffany's and
no one has Affairs to Remember.
Instead we have breakfast at 0600 and
see guys we try to forget as quickly as possible.
Self protection and closing the case are paramount.
Cupid has flown the Co-op (bookshop).

How the hell did we get into this mess.

There are thousands,
maybe tens of thousands 
of women like this in the city.
We all known them and we agree they are great.
They travel, they pay taxes.
They spend $1,100 on a pair of Manolos -
yet they're alone.
It's like the Riddle of the Sphinx.

Some day your prince will come.
Mine took a wrong turn, got lost
and is too stubborn to ask for directions...

A Journey *

what is a journey. besides being a rhetorical question.

"A journey is not a trip. 

Not a vacation.
It's a process. 

A discovery.
It's a process of self-discovery.
A journey brings us face to face with ourselves.
A journey shows us not only the world, 

but how we fit in it. 
Does the person create the journey 
or does the journey create the person? 
The journey is life itself."

Where will life take you?

- Louis Vuitton

Halloween 2012 *

There is no rest for the wicked, 

especially when darkness is upon us. 

Thank you Kev for being a crazy host 

and organising a haunted gathering at his residence.

An eventful night of weird & wacky happenings indeed...

murdered victim, nurse, school girl

preparing for the worst, hoping for the best

maid, maverick (top gun), nurse, ryan gosling (drive)

team up to ward away evil

female victims

panda vanishes while a psycho watches them from behind

panda

bearing pizza rather than eating bamboo. now that is weird!

murdered victim, nurse

sad to choose between 'trick or treat'

murdered victim, panda & death uncovered

school girl, maid

school girl, nurse

shot with espresso Patrón

painting out to be a strangely colourful night thusfar

murdered victim meats Death

we salute you good bye for now, to be continued...

when I arrived home, I discovered a butcher knife in my car.

how freaky!

H for Halloween *

"Straddling the line between fall & winter, plenty & paucity, life & death,

this day signified the end of harvest season & onset of winter.

Being the last day of the year in the Gaelic calendar,

Halloween is a festival of the dead

with origins dating back to ancient Celtic traditions."

A time of superstition & celebration where the uncommon becomes commonplace. Two colours are synonymous with the festive season, namely orange & black. The former alludes to harvest whilst the latter reflects this time of darkness. Common festivities include 'trick-or-treating', costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, playing pranks, telling scary stores and watching horror films.

crying murdered victim

orange dress, black belt & black leggings

(my poor attempt to dress in colour theme as I was lost for costume ideas)

Bangbang II Fabulous *

Following on from my previous post, the food paparazzi strikes again. While we were waiting for our meals to be served it was time to put ourselves in the spotlight. Onlookers were probably amused as they watched us scramble for props in our photoshoot.

Part I captures the moments when the world of fashion & law collide. Turning the focus to those behind the camera, rather than on the food. Part II is R's perspective of food, up close and personal. I hope he starts a blog soon because his food photography on facebook makes me hungry. In the meantime, I shall post these photos on his behalf. Interesting to observe that a different angle evokes a different view of the same food!

PART I

B* + CJ = 'fashionistas'

(let us present to you: The Tomato of knowledge)

Tomato tempts CJ to take a bite, red & "delicious!"

R + B* = the 'law' of food

white Tea set matches finely with R's white Tee

PART II

- photography by R -

hand-painted headphones were hugely impressive

reading tea leaves reveals...

that a strainer can indeed catch tea leaves!

whipped cream peaks with dusted cocoa

wagyu burger opens up

vegetables galore- 'beans' there done that!

We love our bread, we love our butter,

but most of all, we love a perfectly poached egg!

Bangbang Espresso Bar and Cafe

113 Reservoir Street

Surry Hills NSW 2010

+61 2 9281 0018