*Watering the money tree..

So I'm still having problems with this money tree business. Should I be fertilizing it with blood and bones? Because my precious plant still doesn't seem to be sprouting any flowers yet.

Could someone please give me some tips?!?!?!? Having a green thumb doesn't exist in our family; I'm blaming it on genetics (true fact: dad purchased our lemon tree six years ago and we still haven't grown a lemon to this day).

Just as Tina and I were brunching at Dukes (169 Chapel St, Windosr) today, we agreed upon how difficult it is to find any independent shoe-designers in Australia. I mean hey, compare the difficulty levels of sewing your own garments to creating your own footwear at home.

It was therefore justified that as I came across Arlecena on Twitter today, that I squealed out of excitement. Sadly though, their Big-Cartel page quickly taught me that a pair of their beauties would send my bank account into the negatives. I'll need almost an entire orchid of my so-called money trees to purchase an amazing pair of their lust-worthy shoes.

For now I'll just sit here, and gaze....

Lust over Arlecona Footwear here, and now help me grow my money tree!

Fashiongonerogue

Anja Konstantinova by Steven Chee for Fashion Gone Rogue

This website - I promise - is absolute genius. I remember the very first day I stumbled across www.fashiongonerogue.com, I almost squealed with excitement. Fashiongonerogue brings together the very best of fashion photography and editorials from around the world; from Korea to Germany, you name it. Since it's first establishment (it was first known as www.fashiongonerogue.blogspot.com or something along similar lines) I've been constantly trawling through page by page in admiration of it's fashion photography.
Better yet, is when the website shoots their own editorials - and may I say, they are just as amazing! Squeal-worthy!

Photographer: Steven Chee

Stylist: Marina Didovich

The styling work is absolutely amazing too. Marina Didovich did a fabulous job at combining the current trends of colour blocking, fringing, statement stockings, and fur/textures into outfits which are coherent with one another. Two thumbs up!

How to grow a money tree...

The title of this post is more of a question rather than a statement of knowledge. Would some kind person please share with me their secrets on growing such money tree? My bank account screams zero yet I need dollars so I can invest in these babies! Every time I visit the Jeffrey Campbell website, I yearn for their masterpieces more and more.

Perfection!

The galaxy Lita boots are on my must have list, although any Lita boots in the pastel suede are absolutely divine! Must...save...and...purchase!!!

All things rainbow and sweet

Whilst procrastinating in our tutorial today, a friend Steph introduced me to the wonderful world of rainbow roses (where have I been my whole life?) Now I'm no florist, and nor does anyone in our family have a green thumb, but these are actually that pretty that I must must must attempt to make one!

The whole idea is that you split the stem of a white rose, and dip each part of the stem into a different cup of water. Each cup of water is filled with a different colour dye, and as the flowers grow they absorb the colouring which in turn creates rainbow coloured petals. It doesn't sound that hard does it?

But then again, if they were that easy to create, why are they only available to purchase in London? I think I have found a gap in the florist industry of Australia... Rainbow Roses business anyone? I think so!

I've decided I'm going to attempt making these roses, hopefully i'll have something to show you all by the end of the year! I also found it hilarious that my lovely friend Tom remarked these roses would be the ultimate floral emblem for gay guys (don't fret, he is also).

Then, in the procrastinating state of mind that I was in, my thoughts started escaping to rainbows , cupcakes and all things sweet, and I came across this youtube video...RAINBOW CUPCAKES!

I'm not often a fan of rainbows, but wow these are beyond cute - and Fonda in the video doesn't make it look too hard? 

Well that's two missions to attempt to achieve, along with my pact with Lisa (Norwegian exchange student) to bake the perfect macarons...

Wish me luck!  x

Name Game

For those who know me personally, it is all too apparent that I'm unable to make prompt decisions.
It's common nature for me to sit gazing aimlessly at a menu or slowly dawdling around the video-store for a several hour or so, and when the time has lapsed, I'm still faced with the dilemma of not having made a decision.
With this said, I am proud to announce; I have finally decided on the name for this blog; Style Rants!! (Yes, even this mere decision took hours of sitting in front of the computer screen gazing aimlessly at space)

Like many other bloggers, I have made a self-discovery that I seem to prattle around with my words and trains of thought alot - in simple - I like to rant. Combining this with my love for fashion, runways and all things in-style, 'Style Rants' seems fit for the occasion.

Style Rants will be a place for me to vent on all things of interest; and let me warn you - my mind is often very scattered! I am constantly intrigued with the masterpieces and disasters of the fashion industry, yet am also compelled to pop-culture, the ever-changing news of the world, and its impact on society.

I don't want to state out loud and bold that this will be a fashion-blog, because most likely than not, it won't be. Despite my genuine love and interest for the fashion industry, I'm not able to narrow my intelligence or alter myself to become one of those superficial girls who eat, breathe, and talk fashion 24 hours a day. Because to be frank, there are many more significant matters of the world.

Style Rants therefore, is a space for me to rant about any topic of interest at any moment of time. I hope my thoughts are somewhat of interest to you.

For the mean time, my web address will remain www.priscilla-mailin.blogspot.com as to not confuse or misguide my readers. I will update you all when the domain is changed to www.stylerants.blogspot.com

xxx Priscilla Mailin

More Baptiste...

If this isn't perfection, I don't know what is.

Marry me Baptiste!

Today, like all other Sundays, was Benny day. Yet Benny days, bennywithlove is the online store I'm currently interning at, can hardly be classified as a regular working day. The cold and foggy Melbourne winter weather called for a cosy day in, lazily sipping tea to runway videos of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in the sunny-side of Miami.

I'm not all too familiar with the huge variety of tea at T2, but my boss Tina; being the lover of all things 'T', introduced me to this warn and scented brew. The flavour is titled 'Melbourne Breakfast' and as the box describes, is a rich infusion produced with delicious vanilla and honey notes - definitely worth a try! 

On another note, in following with the relaxing (and somewhat lazy) swing of the day, we lazed over the endless viewings of Chanel films and sat in admiration at the talent of Uncle Karl. I'm not quite sure how  this genius gets the time to design his intricate collections, let alone being a photographer and a film maker. Does talent come in any better shape or form?

Most importantly though (and perhaps the highlight) - we gazed in amazement of Baptiste Giacobini, and I fell in love all over again. Baptiste, the face of almost every Chanel campaign and short film (Remember Now, The Tale of a Fairy, Shoping Fever, to name a few) is by far the definition of perfection, and better yet his French accent is to die for!!! I stumbled across an old blog I started, and somewhat gave up on, several years ago - and rediscovered the numerous amount of posts I had dedicated to Karl Lagerfeld's beautiful muse. 

I am once again obsessed! I don't even understand what they are saying, but please, sit back and enjoy.

Keep calm & carry on

Typography, inspirational phrases, Britain and all things London, vintage photography and a perfect sized holder of all things caffe, latte &chai; Several of a hundred reasons why this coaster is undoubtedly my favourite. 

Rocking the bowl cut

Emma Pei by Gan for Harper’s Bazaar Singapore August 2011

Sporting Burberry Fall plaid trenches in vibrant bold hues, combined with relaxed shoulder tailoring for a story of Autumn colour blocking.

Credits to www.fashiongonerogue.com for images

Paint me pretty

Work says I'm not allowed painted nails, but all these are far too delicious to obey. My plan is to paint them every Saturday night after work and remove it every Thurs morning before my next shift of work?
Thats 1 design a week, mission possible? I think yes!

'Don't you know who I am?'

Robert Trachtenberg for TatlerAugust 2010

Although the styling and clothing in each shot may be questionably un-coordinated to one another, I am absolutely adoring this editorial's whole concept of reigniting the spirit of fashion and pop culture icons such as Twiggy and Madonna.

Smile!

Our tutor showed us this video in class today at uni, and whilst others 'nawww'ed and 'awwww'ed at the video, I spent the duration of the clip trying to lick the roof of my mouth so not to cry (apparently it stops you from tearing up, I'm still testing out the theory). This is the most adorable video I've watched all month!

La Belle Miette

You'd think that by living in the delightful city of Melbourne for my entire nine-teen years on earth, I would know the place like the back of my hand.
Yet this city of nightlife, culture, dining, and lane-ways continuously surprises me with hidden finds, sometimes more special than the gold you'd find in a hidden treasure chest.
I stumbled across La Belle Miette on Hardware Lane with Lisa, my Norwegian exchange student (snaps for Lisa - welcome!), and it has already become a new-found obsession.
The tiny Parisian patisserie specialises in perfected macarons of numerous flavours, including blueberry, pink grapefruit and burnt caramel to name a few.
Lisa and I have vowed to learn the skill of baking a perfect macaron before this year is over; wish us luck!!!

macaron 1] is a sweet confectionery made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring.


Drop by at La Belle Miette for some high tea and macaron delights, I promise you - they don't dissapoint!

30 Hardware Lane

Melbourne VIC 3000

(03) 9024 4528

A lot to catch up on

Despite the luxurious idea of being on holidays for the last 6 weeks, the lengthy semester break has seen me more busy than the likes of the media rushing around the Rebekah Brooks scandal in this past week. With the short-trip to Trinity Beach aside (think Cairns, but further up north and with a beach instead of a man-made beach themed swimming pool), errands have been flowing in abundantly since the cold-breezed landing back in Melbourne.

Bennywithlove, the online boutique which I'm currently interning at, has been almost as delicious as eating a macaroon from La Belle Miette (only the finest, I promise you). Its my little place of fashion haven to escape to when reading logs and research essays all seem a little bit too much for the regular Asian brain to comprehend. I could hardly call it work, with previous bennywithlove Sundays spent perusing through markets, brainstorming over coffee and brunch, and shopping for tea cups to use as photo shoot props.

Some pretty finds we stumbled across while browsing for inspiration in Chapel Street's Bazaar, a quirky store dedicated to all things vintage (from Chanel scarves to postage stamps, you name it). The bold orange envelope side-bag seems perfect for the emerging trend of colour blocking.

Scouring for designers to stock at Benny has been the fairyfloss to a perfect day at the carnival, and yet simultaneously has awoken me to the competitive fashion industry. It completely terrifies met to comprehend the scopious amounts of amazing undiscovered talent out there, and that despite such talent, their names have been unheard of to my ear. It's proof as to the remark that it's sometimes rather who you know, rather than what you know, which determines your success. Scary thoughts hey?!