UNIF Grim Creepers

 As promised in Monday's OOTD (link here) here are my thoughts on my latest pair of shoes from UNIF. I am a huge UNIF fangirl their designs always impress me and always manage to deplete my bank balance. This isn't the first time I've blogged about creepers (link here), but I feel these shoes are more like oxfords than creepers with the much subtler platform. This means that they'll outlast the creeper fad and remain very wearable for a long, long time. 

I bought these babies from an online store called Dolls Kill. I cannot recommend this website highly enough, particularly for my Australian readers. Four day express shipping for $20? Yes please!

These shoes like all my UNIF pieces are exceptionally well made. The leather is fantastic quality and the spikes are very securely fitted. There is also a packet of spare spikes should you ever need. Like all leather shoes they were a bit stiff for the first couple wears, but now they're broken in there's no rubbing to speak of and they're super comfy. One thing I definitely prefer about this set of creepers is how much lighter they are than my T.U.K. pair.

I got these in a US 8. I prefer to get my flats in 8s and already owning the Hellraisers (link here) I figured that would be the best option. Annoyingly UNIF don't do half-sizes in their shoes, but I would say that if you're between sizes to opt up rather than down as the shoes are fairly narrow at the front. Also good news these shoes are also made in men's sizes, so you and your bf can wander round in matching footwear, infinitely cooler than matching t-shirts. 

Although I was not a fan of them initially the quality of both my UNIF shoes has me contemplating a pair of Hellbounds.

Any suggestions as to colour?

Jess xx

OOTD - Pretty in Pink and Shoulder Pads

Blouse - Thrifted, Skirt - Barkins, Shoes - Christian di Riccio, Nail Polish - Sportsgirl Nailit "Tomato"

There is something strangely enticing about a super femme looking shirt that decides to throw in a surprise pair of shoulder pads. I'm not keen on it everyday but on the days that I feel like my knocked-about boots are too much but I need something to tone down the girly-ness - I love shoulder pads. I found this top in Lifeline during a sneaky shop before last years Laneway Festival with Jess and our delightful friend Honor (who then purchased this top for me as a gift, bless her soul). I've never been quite sure what it was about the top that I had to have. I adore lace, intricate prints that aren't floral, and buttons make me gaga. Most other thrifted garments that come with shoulder pads I remove before I wear but this piece just wouldn't be the same. Not only does it tuck nicely into high-waisted skirts but it also falls really pleasantly over pants and fitted garments. The buttons are also a huge draw for me. The top one was missing when I got it so I dug into my huge thrifted button collection and thought the one you see at the top fitted the aesthetic nicely. 

Also in this OOTD I'm wear two of my all time favourite items. A) the hot pink skirt and B) my flatform sandals. For the last five years I worked at Barkins (an Australian retailer of fashionable women's corporate wear) and have to say it is definitely not my style. But every  now and again some garments would come in out of the blue that I just had to have - and it was conveniently cheap compared to other stores (plus a generous staff discount). This skirt was one of those items. It came in black and hot pink and I had to have both in my hands. I have plans to take them to a tailor and have it remade in every colour on the spectrum, I love it that much. 

The shoes are Christian di Riccio which I purchased from ZOMP in Brisbane partway through last year. I had been searching for a plain yet attractive pair of flatforms (and obviously well made) for quite sometime and hence I was willing to fork out the $140 that I did. They've been worn full-time almost all of Spring and Summer and I hope so much that they last me another few seasons because replacing them will be next to impossible. 

Erin xx

OOTD - Tropical Creep

 Shirt - UNIF 'Acid' Tank, Jeans - NastyGal 'Tropicana' Jeans, Watch - Seiko, Leather Cuff - eBay, Shoes - UNIF 'Grim Creepers'

Hi lovelies, hope you all had a fab weekend. I'm back today with an outfit that I wore round to a friend's place on Saturday night. 

It's no secret that I love UNIF. Some may consider their clothes overpriced, but if you're patient enough you can usually score a deal on them. The shirt was bought from DollsKill, an online store that I cannot recommend highly enough, for a bargainous $30. Although UNIF is expensive the quality is top notch and the shirt is crazy soft and comfy. The Aussie in me also likes how it's a bit like an AC/DC t-shirt. 

The jeans were a NastyGal buy from a while back. I featured the matching jacket in an outfit post here. Unfortunately it has been far too hot to wear the two together and I am eagerly anticipating some cooler weather. The jeans are perfectly high waisted and hit right above my belly button. In terms of "high-waisted-ness" Nasty Gal are up there with American Apparel and I really recommend their denim pieces. 

I kept accessories minimal with my standard watch and a leather cuff from eBay. Since I've started wearing a watch regularly I find I now can't be without one. 

The shoes are another sneaky UNIF buy, but you'll have to check back in on Friday to hear my thoughts on those. 

Jess xx

A Trip to Gewürzhaus

My family loves gourmet food. Like, really loves. It's something nurtured by my mother, unknowingly enjoyed by my father, and something my brother and I have never lived without. Whilst Christmas shopping, my mother and I came across this amazing spice shop in The Block Arcade (which is an amazing place to visit if you're ever in Melbourne) called Gewürzhaus. We bought a few gifts for different people, and for my brother, Liam. When he came down for the holidays and received his gift he insisted we return to the shop so he could absorb some more spice goodness. Aaaand, just recently, he requested some more. 

So, today my parents and I trekked into the city to get my far away brother some delicious spices from this magnificent store. Well described on their website: “think of the lolly shop of your childhood dreams, substitute herbs and spices and you’re at Gewürzhaus”. Like I said before, my family gets around the gourmet food circle and this store really is unique - at least in Australia. We bought my brother a delicious array of herbs and spices including a Guacamole blend which smells like Mexican powder form. 

They also stock a rather large range of cute, kitch and incredibly useful kitchenware. If I had any money or a place to put things, I could exit this store with an awfully large armful of goodies. For lovers of cooking fine foods, Gewürzhaus is an unexpected heaven in the middle of the city. Unfortunately, they're only in Melbourne (in three different locations) but they do ship all over Australia and the world. 

According to their website they also run cooking classes to educate people on the beautiful complexity of herbs and spices. Now that would be one nice smelling cooking class.

Erin xx

DIY Distressed Denim Vest

I have had this denim jacket for years. I think from memory since I was about twelve. However, as of late it has been languishing in the back of my cupboards forgotten about. One of my favourite things to do with oversized t-shirts is hack the sleeves off and I figured I could use the same principles here. So to make your very own denim vest you'll need - a jacket (duh), sharp scissors, a cheese grater and a quick unpick.

When it comes to cutting through denim it is a thick fabric and you'll need some sharp scissors in order to get through the seams. I opted to cut my sleeves just before the seam of the fabric, because although I want some fraying on the sleeves I do want that fraying to stop at some point. The cutting doesn't need to be neat or precise, personally I think it looks nicer a bit uneven.

Now to the fun part: the distressing. There is something very satisfying about hacking up a denim jacket so proceed with caution in case you let yourself get carried away. There are many ways to distress your denim. You can score the denim with scissors and then use a quick unpick to pull the threads out. The easiest way I find is to use the finest side of a cheese grater against the grain of the fabric. I like the effect this gives the most. The final step is to throw your jacket in the wash and then the dryer. This will get the fraying process on the sleeves started and emphasise any other distressing.


The rest is up to you. Personally I think this vest may end up covered in badges and patches, rather than studs and spikes. I think the badges will be a touch more personal than some shoulder studs. Anyways I am off to watch the post for the patches I picked up on eBay.

I'll be sure to show the vest in an upcoming OOTD.

Jess xx

My Vote - Triple J's Hottest 100 2012

Triple J's Hottest 100 2012 - What I Voted for from aroseandapeony on 8tracks Radio.

For those of you who aren't Australia, don't care for the radio, or are somewhere in Australia that manages to miss one of Australia Day's biggest events (sans the Australia of The Year Awards), Triple J (our biggest publicly funded, youth centred radio station) hosts and plays the hottest 100 tracks from the previous year voted for by us.

When voting each year, I normally try to have a good range in what I vote for but I don't think I stuck to that this year. I spent a lot of this year isolated from the radio and my musical discoveries were heavily dictated by what sought out my ears rather than the other way around. I think that also says something about successful musicians. If I can be so distant and distracted from finding the music and it still makes its way to my ears - its worth my time and I'm going to love it. Especially with musicians like Chance Waters who would have to be my breakthrough Australian artist of 2012. 

Classic choices like Regina Spektor, Ben Folds Five and The Black Keys (all of which I saw live last year and loved every minute of) are in there for obvious reasons. I would put all of Regina and Ben's albums in there if I could but unfortunately you can only vote for songs they have given air time to. I was also glad that The Black Keys didn't release ALL of their songs as singles last year when they released El Camino so I had another chance to vote them into a Hottest 100. 

Unsurprisingly, Of Monsters and Men made it into my top ten, twice. I have this playlist that I listen to when going to sleep at night that is comprised of Icelandic musicians; Sigor Ros, Emiliana Torrini, Bjork, Seabear, Jonsi and many more. There is something so soothing and chilled out about music that comes from that part of the world. I'm sure someone knows what it is but I love the mystery and assuming its simply icy magic. 

The Temper Trap and Purity Ring are unusual choices for me but I just couldn't get those three songs out of my head. They are unexplainable but that doesn't make them any less amazing. Particularly Miracle - one of my all time favourite tracks. 

All the Row Boats - Regina Spektor

Little Black Submarines - The Black Keys

Maybe Tomorrow (feat. Lilian Blue) - Chance Waters

Young and Dumb (feat. Bertie Blackman) - Chance Waters

Draw a Crowd - Ben Folds Five

Mountain Sound - Of Monster and Men

Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men

Need Your Love - The Temper Trap

Miracle - The Temper Trap

Fineshrine - Purity Ring

And there you have it, my top ten songs from 2012 and voted for in Triple J's Hottest 100. Eight of them made it in (the two left out being by The Temper Trap, sadly), so I think I did a reasonably good job. 

Like last time I posted a playlist, you can stream it on this blog post or you can listen to it on 8tracks. You don't need an account to listen but if you make one, be sure to follow us so we can listen to your tracks too.

Erin xx

Ps. I've been pretty sick for the last few days, unable to do much but lay in bed and mope to my friends and family about how much it sucks. I'm still in bed today but feeling a lot better - thankfully otherwise I probably wouldn't have the energy to write this or upload the songs to 8tracks. So excuse my lazy post please, its the best I could do today.

Jeffrey Campbell Back Offs

So today's post was in serious jeopardy of not existing. I'm not sure if it's featured much on non-Australian news but there is some serious flooding happening in my area of South East Queensland. I was without power for about 24 hours and I am beyond thankful that that is the worst my family will experience. For everyone facing floodwaters I wish you all the best and that your lives can get up and running again soon.

Right, back to shoes. These are the Jeffrey Campbell Back Offs. As a JC hoarder personally I wouldn't consider my collection complete without these shoes. Made famous by Black Milk these shoes are an awesome piece.

To me they are combination of combat and figure-skating boots. Sounds weird but somehow it works. These are also the JCs I am most comfortable with wearing in the day time. They're only an inch shorter than Litas, but somehow that makes a big difference in my mind. In terms of comfort these are some of the best JCs I own. I have worn these all day and all night and my feet were right as rain. 

Mine were purchased from Solestruck, after they had been out of stock for forever. These are one of the few JCs I didn't wait to go on sale, as like the original Black Litas I don't think Mr Campbell will stop selling these. The boots are in a US7 and I find that they fit perfectly. In this instance I think a US7.5 would have been slightly too large. 

The only disappointment I have with these shoes is that the silver leather has crumpled on both shoes. This has been a complaint made by many on the Solestruck page, and even though I "waterproof" all my shoes I, unfortunately, faced the same issue. For a shoe that retails at around $170 I think the metal used on the Cap Litas (review here) could have been used for the Back Offs. 

Overall though the creasing doesn't affect the appearance of the shoes when you see them from a distance. As you can see in the above photos my favourite way to wear the shoes is laced most of the way up with the extra lace tied around my ankle. I find the laces on the boots to be really long and this is just the simplest way for my lazy self to tie them. 

Stay safe in the floods everyone and I'll see you all on Friday

Jess xx