Freshly Minted

I actually had a different outfit in mind, because it has been warming up, and just yesterday Melbourne presented us with the most glorious sunny day. I was going wear the cutest paisley romper for this post in celebration of that. And what happened when I woke up this morning?

It was cold. And windy. Did I mention cold? The weather was just like: Nope. Nope. Nope. Here's a big bucket of nope.

On the other hand, it might be a while before I get to layer up on snuggly knits, so I pulled out all the pieces that have been staples in my wardrobe during the chilly bits this spring. I put on my favourite mint sweater over a fun polka dotted skater skirt and a collared blouse and paired it with my ever trusty creeper wedges.

Aaaaaand also, exams are out, and I'm scheduled to be on a plane home in four days! You have no idea how ready I am to revel in the freedom of the coming holidays, because I am so over studying and writing essays. It does promise to be a pretty happening few months ahead, with some friends from Melbourne coming down to visit and possibly an overseas trip in the early stages of planning.

So hyped, see you all real soon! :'D

P.S: I also realise I hardly smile for any of my pictures, so there's an awkward smile for you. ehehehehe.

Mint green cropped sweater similar here | polka dotted skater skirt from River Island | cateye sunnies similar here

Underground UK Wulfrun creeper wedges | Pocket Horse Medium Bag from LaPalette 

Many thanks to Jen who helped out with the photos, he instagrams @yjjenjen! 

UNICORN LOVE AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS, 

- R 

You're from the 70s, but I'm a 90's bitch

I am born in the year of 94', but since I didn't get the chance to live the fashion of that era - or the lack of, for that matter (think fanny packs, slap bracelets, puka shell necklaces and hair scrunchies) - here's an outfit put together by the three things that can't get anymore 90s: denim, tartan and creepers. Kept a modern touch to the ensemble with the touch of pleather in the shirt and leopard prints on my creepers.

I spent the better part of the rest of the 90s gnawing on teething toys, watching the original series of Thomas The Tank Engine and reading Winnie the Pooh. Oh yeah, I was a HUGE fan. I had a complete set of diecast metal trains, as well as the full series of Winnie the Pooh books and cassette tapes. Apparently I can now sell the trains on eBay as vintage items.

Is it just me, or do I suddenly feel extremely old? My toys are now considered vintage.

Denim Jacket similar here | Tartan Blouse with pleather detailing | Cateye sunnies similar here

Pocket Horse Medium Bag from LaPalette | Triple Sole Leopard Print Creepers from Underground UK

ZARA shorts with rhinestone detailing | studded wrap bracelet | Auriga Watch  by Robergé, Genève.

Many thanks to Jen who helped out with photos! He blogs here, and instagrams at @yjjenjen !

UNICORN LOVE, 

-  R 

A Penchant for Pink

Say hello to the newest addition to my bag family - a square tote that is in a lovely dusty pink. And of course it's from LaPalette, where else would I find such a treasure? Pink has never been really my colour of choice, but this bag really appealed to the girly side of me. The colour has been very well matched with the black and baby blue detailing. 

It was still winter when I bought this printed bomber jacket. I think it's in the most divine shade of blue with a sort of an Asian/Japanese kimono like print. Spring is already heralding it's entrance with blooming flowers so I thought it was quite appropriate, and am really excited to be able to wear it now! (I do love my loud jackets) It's pretty lightweight, so perfect for keeping the sun off my skin so I don't get too tanned - ya'll know how I feel about tanning.

Looks like a busy couple weeks ahead for me, with mid semester essays/laundry/messy rooms/pre-readings/quizzes/lab reports all screaming my name. Am literally up to my eyeballs with work, finishing all of it will be such a battle. *arms self with giant unicorn plush toy and chocolate*

To war!

Big thankyou to Jen who helped with the photos! 

LaPalette Medium Coupe Bag | Trafaluc Floral Printed Bomber Jacket from ZARA  | Basic White Tee from H&M

Black Shorts from ZARA | Triple Sole Leopard Print Creepers from Underground UK

UNICORN LOVE, 
- R 

Cross My Heart

Helloooooo everybody!

I must sincerely apologise for the almost two month hiatus I've just taken on whim! It's just that I was pretty busy while I was in Singapore, and uni picked up at a really fast pace this semester, so I've barely had the time to do any outfit shoots at all. I must say, I am really glad to be back in the cold and drier weather in Melbourne, despite the ridiculous amount of rain and wind it's been offering up these few weeks.

I paired this cross print sweater with pleather-look leggings for a tougher, sort of grunge-esque look that I've been quite into recently. However, I couldn't resist keeping my usual collar and put on a white blouse with cutouts. I think the cutouts show the perfect amount of skin in the right area and keeps that slightly feminine element in the outfit. Took out my black lapalette bag to go with the sort of monochromatic theme I've got going on here.

Also, check out the new bad boys I have on my feet! (no more wedge creepers *celebrating in background*) I get many mixed opinions on them, but I'm going to wear them anyway. They're so high and loud and badass. I find the leopard print pony hair a really gorgeous touch. Not a fan of animal prints, but I couldn't resist. Well, I can't resist alot of things.

Happy week ahead, everyone. 

Many thanks to Jen who helped me with the photos!

Check out his instagram @yjjenjen 

White chiffon blouse from The Editor's Market | Oversized sweater with cross print similar here

 Pocket horse medium bag from LaPalette | Triple sole leopard print creepers from Underground UK 

Pleather-look leggings similar here | Mint green geometric necklace similar here

UNICORN LOVE, 

- R 

Horsing Around

 If you've been following my posts and instagram (follow me @rachelmaomao), it's no secret that I am one of Lapalette's biggest fans. I've been hunting around for a black bag that's substantially larger in size than my Steve Madden one because it was too small for university. It is the perfect size and I feel that the simple unique design really brings out the playful little girl in me. How cute is it's heart shaped eye?

it's first outing was on a lunch trip with my friend, Denise, to Forty Hands, tucked away in one of the sneaky laneways in Tiong Bahru. Of course upon seeing a playground we succumbed to our inner child. We were immensely disappointed at the fact that the playground didn't have swings.

 Jeez, what kind of playground doesn't have swings?! 

Playing aside, I've known this girl since I was six. That's more than half our lives spent handling each other's nonsense - time that I think, has been very well spent.

UNICORN LOVE, 

- R 

Summer, Oh Summer

Two weeks back at college and a week into the start of uni; things are just starting to fall into rhythm. When I say rhythm, I actually mean camping in the wonderfully air conditioned library everyday - regardless of whether I'm doing any work. 

"Well, Rachel, it's summer! Soak up the sun and enjoy the outdoors!" You say. 

You know there's always one of those people you know who just HATE the sun. They stand/sit in any shade possible, no matter how minimal, with a huge broad rimmed hat and humongous sunglasses on. They've slathered sunscreen on every exposed inch of skin. They're also holding a huge umbrella in one hand, a mini battery operated fan in the other that's working at full speed, and sporting a VERY unamused look. 

Welcome to my life.

The trick is to go to the cheapest shops/ online stores you can find. You'll want material that's lightweight, meaning the material is also cheap - you'll get better things for much less. Save your money for something you want to invest in long term, like the perfect winter coat, a classic pair of shoes, or a versatile clutch. 

The shorts I bagged from a little pushcart store I happened to chance upon while holidaying in Malaysia, and they cost me only about 8AUD.  They're such a flattering cut in the perfect summery floral print. And the best thing? They have pockets. Pockets will change your life forever. 

I paired it with this chiffon blouse I nicked off my mom (haha), tied it together with a vintage leather belt I got at a flea market and finished it off with my brown wedges. Keeping with the floral theme, I put together my baby blue flower bracelet and a headband I made myself. Yay for crafts! 

Also, say hi to another member of my bag family - my horse backpack from Lapalette. Possibly the only backpack I'll ever carry because I think backpacks are too much trouble. It's a beautiful dusky blue with such an interesting shape and design. And I love horses, so what can I say? 

Have a great week and I sincerely hope that wherever you are, it's cooler than here. 

printed floral shorts, similar here | white chiffon blouse | vintage leather belt | Gold spike necklace
Watch by Roberge, Geneve. Auriga Quartz | Faceted Daisy Bracelet from Forever21 | Lapalette horse backpack 

 Photos by the awesome Sharon Lee. Check out her Flickr!

UNICORN LOVE, 

- R 

Reusables

EXAMS ARE OVERRRRRRRR WHEEEEE WHOOOOOOO OMGGGGGGG PLAYTIME SLEEP SLEEEP EAT EAT PLAY PLAY SHOPPINGGGGGGGGGGGG BEACH BEACH WHEEEEEEEEE HOLYBAJIGGAS EXAMS ARE OVERRR~

I'M BAAAAACK! :P

I apologise for my lack of blogging decorum. Just had to get it out.

Remember how I told everyone I was broke because I spent so much on ASOS? Well, I didn't lie. And to celebrate my lack of money and re-emergence from the study cave, this post is all about the old favourites you thought were out of fashion and wanted to throw out.

Which brings me to rule #1: NEVER CHUCK OUT ANY PAST HG ITEMS. Because after a year or so, the trend is forgotten and you can bring your ex-HG item back into fashion. For example,I snagged this skirt at a sale LAST YEAR at the peak of the electric blue trend. I recently pulled it back out and wore this through the whole tribal/aztec obsession and the baroque print craze. People would ask me where I got that tribal/baroque print skirt from and I'd smile sheepishly at them and tell them I forgot because I didn't want to get caught for being such a cheapo.

Okay you can stop giving me weird looks now.

So point is, things will always somehow come back into fashion in one way or another. You can then use this to your advantage: people can't buy the same thing as you and copy you because buying a similar piece would involve time travel. And who can actually time travel? (except unicorns because they are awesome)

I paired this with a simple black top to counter the complicated patterns on the skirt, and a pair of brown wedges to match the browns and golds on the pattern. Also brought out my horse LaPalette bag that has been in my HG collection since I got it. I love the design because it's so clever and different and I LOVE horses. Plus the sizing is perfect for all my stuff and the colour matches almost everything. I saw it in Korea while on holiday and despite my overweight luggage, I bought it and lugged it home. To complete the look, I added a simple necklace so everything doesn't look too bottom heavy.

Links in the outfit description!

Black top with mesh sleeves from ZARA similar here | LaPalette Horse Craft Square Bag | Bimba&Lola square bracelets similar here

DIVA Gold Bunting Collar | Brown lace up sandal wedges from NOVO | Watch from Emporio Armani Gentlemen's Line 

photos credits to Sharon :)

Holidays are here and its about a week before I fly back home and there is so much packing to do. like, HOW THE HELL DID I ACCUMULATE ALL THIS SHIT?

On another note, here's a letter I penned to my bed: 

Dear Bed,  

I'm sorry I cheated you out of our quality time to spend it with exams. I was going through a masochistic phase where I'd almost kill myself trying to remember things and then sit in a hall for a straight three hours trying to remember everything. I'm sorry it reduced our quality time from 8 to only 4 hours per day. I'm over it now. I promise not to have any more affairs because I understand you're the only one for me. I love you. Please take me back.  

with all my love,
Rachel

HAPPY SUMMER HOLIDAYS AND MUCH UNICORN LOVE, 

- R