INSPIRATION: Shoes.

Shoes are possibly the most important part of my wardrobe and are definitely the thing I am most complimented on. I love shoes, I really, really do. I've also noticed that my favourite shoes share a similar style - black, a bit edgey with silver detail (studs, buckles etc) and some kind of raised heel or platform!

From tumblr, here.

From tumblr, here.

From tumblr, here.

From tumblr, here.

From Fashionista, here.

From tumblr, here.

From tumblr, here.

From tumblr, here (original deactivated).

From tumblr, here.

INSPIRATION: Kuro Lolita.

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Now, I know I mentioned this in my review of Bodyline's Rocking Horse shoes, but I am a huge fan of the style of fashion known as 'Lolita'. This style of fashion has numerous substyles and one of my favourite is known as 'Kuro Lolita'. While this substyle follows the 'rules' of the fashion, it features coordinates that are solely one colour - black (the opposite being Shiro Lolita which is all white).

While I'm sure some of you may feel that black on black is boring, I believe when well done it can look very nice (as I guess, can anything). This post features some of my favourite Kuro coordinates. While I do not have the wardrobe to dress in such a manner (oh how I wish I did!), black is a staple colour in my wardrobe and I can always use new inspiration in how to wear it

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INSPIRATION: Oversized Shirt Transformations.

From Little Miss Paint Brush.

I really love oversized shirts and I wear a lot of them when I'm just going to university. I discovered my love of big shirts because I found I often really liked the designs on male shirts (ie. I found some shirts with 'Watchmen' characters on them that were only available in large mens, however, I just had to have them). While I usually I just pair them with either a pair of tights (particularly 'jeggings') / skinny jeans and cute shoes, I've been thinking of other ways to wear them and in particular, alter a really big shirt I want to wear which you can see here. Due to this, this inspirational post is a bit different as it has a few DIY ideas thrown in!

• The first idea that that I saw is a video by MissJenFABULOUS on youtube. It's a very simply video that involves cutting the neck off an oversized shirt / sweatshirt in a 'boat-like' fashion so that it can be worn off the shoulder. You can view it here.
• The second idea is a photographic walkthrough into making a 'tunic' like shirt with very large armholes, found here.
• Another youtube video here, this time turning an old shirt into a crop top. Put together by SweetBambini.
• Another DIY youtube video, this time turning shirts into crop tops. You can find it here. The author, Macbarbie07, also has a few ideas on how to wear the crop top after.

While I dislike the above shirt has a whole, this is sort of the style I'm thinking about using for my Oblivion shirt here.

DIY: Why Bobby Pins Are Your Best Friends.

So look above. What do you see ? A bobby pin with a piece of chain attached ? Well, yes, it is that. But what else is there ?

1. An easy way to braid something extra into your hair. Yup, all you have to do is attach the chain through a link or tie on a piece of coloured string etc. All that's left is to slide the bobby pin into your hair and use the string/chain/why you're braiding (ie. you could use it as the third piece of hair in simple braids.
2. An easy way to attach a decoration to your hair. This could be as simple as tying a few feathers to a piece of string and attaching it to your bobby pin or making a cute string of beads to attach. If you attach a bobby pin to either end you could manipulate it into a a forehand band or headband of sorts (although probably would have to be purely decoration).
3. A quick fix for broken jewellery. So you're out somewhere and somehow, your necklace snaps. Don't just throw it in your purse in disgust. If you have a bobby pin, push it through the links on either end of the chain and ta-da, you can wear your necklace again.
4. Making something more fitted. Not the ideal way to do it, but if you need a quick fix to shorten some straps or to ensure a rolled up shirt stays rolled up, a bobby pin may come in handy.
5. Cleaning under your fingernails. Okay, this sounds kind of gross, and it isn't something I would do in front of someone. But admit it, you've been out and looked down at your nails and at least one of them will have some hunk of dirt in there. Instead of obsessing about how on earth it got there, because lets face it, we'll never figure it out, take a few seconds next time you go to the bathroom / have some privacy to flick it out with a spare bobby pin.

And, if one side of my face seems funny it's because I had three wisdom teeth removed today.

INSPIRATION: Sheer Fabric.

I have a new love - sheer fabric. I have never pictured myself as being a person who wears sheer fabric despite having thrifted a sheer floral blouse a few months ago. My boyfriend at the time told me it wast he ugliest thing that he had ever seen which put me off wearing it (while that may sound harsh of him, he's just very honest about things like that and didn't mean it in a hurtful way etc). Recently I wore the blouse out with my current boyfriend to have a few drinks and he complimented my outfit which made me realise I really did like sheer materials.

It's also getting quite warm here (I live in Australia) so sheer materials are going to be lovely for the summer heat. Since I enjoy collecting images of trends I like for inspiration, I thought I'd share some with you!

INSPIRATION: Written Word.

As I mentioned here, I am a huge fan of books (and related items). I've been lucky enough to discover some of them represented in the fashion world, so here are a few of my discoveries!

Possibly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, I absolutely adore these book charms. They also come as earrings etc and can be purchased at The Black Spot Books on Etsy. The cheapest one, which is a little book on its on was being sold for 40 US Dollars. Still, adorable.

The necklace above is from a (seemingly) easy tutorial located here. It also seems quite versatile (for example, you could make earrings or different shapes). My only complaint is that you actually have to cut out pages from books. While you could do it a different way (ie. photocopying pages etc), I don't feel it would have the same effect. Of course, I'd suggest to buy some second hand books if you intend to do this.

Book purse by Retro Grandmother @ Etsy. I found this idea really sweet, and I guess you could probably use the left over pages to make the necklace that I previously mentioned. A DIY version + tutorial can be located here.

INSPIRATION: Shorts

So I posted this tutorial on how to turn pants into shorts and it got me thinking about the other way you can 'finish' them (ie. studs, rolled edges etc). Here's a collection of the few ideas I came across:

Rolled Edges.

Ripped & Worn.

Decorative Pockets.

Lace.

Studs.

INSPIRATION: Latex.

Latex is something that I feel is more associated with fetishes then fashion, but personally I find it quite attractive when combined with other materials. With that said, if you decide to look into it after this post, I must warn you that you are most likely (as in almost guaranteed) going to find at least a few pictures of 'adult' nature. Above is the 'alternative' model "Fae Raven" who has a website here, it's from one of her most recent sets and personally I feel the best. I wasn't too inspired by the others. The below image is from ulorinvex at Deviantart. She has many beautiful latex photographs, some featuring outfits by 'Oh La Latex'.

This adorable piece is from 'Ooh La Latex', an etsy shop specialising in Latex clothing. The designs are beautiful (and also really out of my price range sadly). The next few pieces are also by them.

Kate Moss in a shoot, featuring items from Asuko Kudo ('Couture Latex Design'). The website has a list of 'news' surrounding the brand, including celebrities who have used pieces. Not surprisingly, Lady Gaga has rocked a few of their outfits.