frankie, retro prints and dotted cookies

1. Lilac and gold dotted nails against pretty retro car print skirt (find it here for only $14!) 2. Relaxing reading for a gloriously sunny Saturday (incomplete without tea!) 3. Outfit for a trip to a fancy cafe

4. Makin' a yummy smoothie to help cool down during the unpredictable current Australian weather 5. Cupcake heaven at a baby shower! 6. Dotted cookies and chai lattes at a beautiful cafe 

7. Izzy and I prior to video filming a few weeks ago 8. Cleaning and organising my wardrobe (you should have seen it before-hand (bomb sight)) 9. Mirror pics are #chictothenextlev and #totesamaze (watch this, now!!) with Izzy!

10. Magical lamp post fromNarnia (just kidding, I wish Narnia existed!) 11 & 12. Slightly obsessed with pretty nails in case you couldn't already tell ;) 

 13. Gorgeous artificial flower arrangement 14. Marie Antionette mints from Paree! 15. Practising the winged eyeliner... I'm getting better, yay!

If you'd like, you can follow me on instagram: @avenuemaria
♥♥♥

midsummer it would seem (sunday snaps)

Being a little creative with liquid eyeliner, curves on Photoshop and flowing silhouettes | Painting my nails in pretty shades with cheap (but wonderful quality) polishes | Still a little in awe about the cover of Frankie 50th issue, still can't figure out how they managed such a realistic embroidery emboss 

Today was another sweltering day and I had no choice but to spend most of it lying under the fan and listening to Plan B. Transitional seasons are meant to ease you into the next season, but instead BAM! we're hit with a summer heatwave. It's not that bad though as it's the perfect excuse for making fruit ice smoothies and swimming. How's the weather where you are? Not too unbearable I hope!

This weekend has been mighty relaxing so far. Yesterday I went op-shopping with my friend, Ruby, and we bought a few things at the local thrift stores. I purchased a cute blue satchel and some makeup and she got the cutest vintage denim vest, skirt and grey top. We then had a lovely morning tea and discussed the latest happenings.
Well, I better skootch, math homework is beckoning (wish me luck with the first question)!

retro revival: asos australia

From top: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 

Since Australia is somewhat isolated from most of the 'good stuff' overseas, it's a super treat when we get a special mention or spotlight. ASOS recently launched an amazing collection of exclusive and retro-inspired dresses, shoes, tops, and swimsuits for the summer weather. I've pictured a few of my favourite dresses from the collection, oh, and added a few cute effects ;)

If you're living overseas and don't have access to these pretties, have a squizz at their regular dress section, and of course all the others. I've picked up a few gorgeous things lately all for wonderful prices. Have a lovely weekend xo

spiritus

Forever New chambray blouse, Thrifted denim skirt, Rubi t-strap shoes, bag c/o Oasap, Forever New belt

It's October already! That's taken a while to sink in. So have a lot of things to be honest. In about four months I'll be getting my driver's license; in about a month (and a half) I'll have finished my tenth year of schooling (with only two to go); and we are almost finished 2012! It feels as though it was only yesterday I was compiling my resolutions for this year. I looked back on them this afternoon and I have nearly accomplished all of them without even realising it! I've gotten a job, improved my organisational skills, built up my thrifted/vintage collection quite a lot (mainly in the last few months) and am (currently) saving for a DSLR. I've also matured a lot more ... both physically and emotionally. I think I worry considerably less, have developed a much stronger shell and my independence has thrived. 

Anyway, before I waffle on further (I'm meant to be saving a post like this for the end of the year!), these photos were taken yesterday; it was quite a hazy afternoon. After taking a few pictures, my sister's and  collected a few pine cones for decorating and painting. There's a really amazing forest up past my house and it has the most Christmas-y atmosphere. I love it! Speaking of festivities; Halloween is coming up! We Australian's are pretty pathetic celebrators but I intend to make this year the best with the help of Izzy. We are going to have our annual Halloween sleepover complete with er, scary (when I say scary, I mean Harry Potter because that's all she can handle) movies, hanging ghosts and candy. 

How have you'll been? What are your plans for Halloween? Have you achieved what you've wanted this year? Tell me about some exciting things that have happened to you so far this year ♥ 

Currently listening to: Spiritus by Lisa Mitchell

preppy lady

 Top, skirt & bag - thrifted, Rubi shoes, Forever New belt, Target pearl headband, Oasap earrings

A (nearly!) entirely thrifted outfit! Woohoo! I picked up this skirt and bag before work on Tuesday... I had half an hour to kill so I thought - What better time to thrift? This top was something I purchased a while ago but lately it's been sitting in my closet quite sad and lonely. Besides the obvious (uh, pink), I bought it because I thought it had potential, but when I got home I realised how incredibly hard it was to style. It has a gathered hem and the shape of it is basically a square and makes me look like I'm wearing a potato sack THEN this skirt came into my life and was the perfect match! It cinches the whole look in together and goes wonderfully with the top. Don't you just love that? Oh, and did I mention that the it was a measly $2?

Things have been pretty busy lately, this week was the first back after two weeks of holidays and, to be honest, I'm already over it! I am pretty excited though because my History teacher was telling me about the trips we'll be taking in Senior. One of them is a weekend adventure to Sydney and the other will happen later on -- in EUROPE. I'm so excited...
I hope you guys are all having an awesome week!
P.S: Sorry about the dodgy quality of these pictures... I am so ready for a new camera!

postcard from paris

My cousin Katie jetted off to Paris a few weeks ago for a magical school trip. She came back just recently and brought back some really beautiful gifts! They are all so gorgeous and I'm so excited about owning something all the way from France! It included some mints with Marie Antoinette on the cover, as well as some floral badges, two bejewelled pencils from Versailles, a macaron brochure spritzed with a delightful scent and a postcard with a gorgeous drawing on the front and a sweet message on the back. If you're reading this Kate, thank you so much, they are so gorgeous!

Paris is so perfect! I wish I could go right now :) Have any of you been? What did you see? Did you have a favourite place? Tell me about it ♥

spring wishlist

It feels like ages since I last compiled a wishlist! They're quite dangerous though... it usually involves scrolling through (amazing!) new collections that will put my bank account balance in jeopardy! Oh well, a lot of these items could easily be found a lot cheaper because, lets face it, I can't afford a pair of Chloe shoes haha! Anyway, here are a few trends/ styles that I would really love to add to my wardrobe over the next few months. Have a scroll and comment below if anything takes your fancy and we can both gush about it together!

From top left: Armani Exchange heels, Chloe scalloped flats, Miu Miu heels, Modcloth heels, Emin buckle heels, Madewell chunky sandals

Neutral and basic coloured shoes have always been a favourite for me because they go with everything and never go out of style. I think my favourite pair would have to be the Miu Miu shoes at the top right. Black suede mary-janes are such a staple in any wardrobe.

From top left: Asos scalloped satchel, Oasis bird print scarf, Moontree Vintage cloche, Ted Baker necklace,  vintage Chanel earrings, simple diamonte pearl earrings

I've always wanted a cloche hat to wear with victory curls and red lipstick and this polka dot banded hat from Moontree Vintage is exactly what I had in mind. It's lovely isn't it? Lately I've also become obsessed with dainty, quirky necklaces with small pendants. This rocking horse necklace from Ted Baker is so cute and would look lovely peaking out from underneath a collar. 

From left: Topshop purple dress, Topshop neutral colour block dress, Oasis floral sundress

Ahhh! My favourite part of wishlisting! Looking at all the beautiful dresses. These ones look perfect for the warmer weather... especially the end one (I can't find it's original source, if anyone could help me I'd be most grateful... I love it!).

pretty in print!

Hey loves! A few weeks ago, Orbit magazine (an independent publication in Queensland) contacted me and asked if I'd like to do another article for their upcoming Spring issue... of course I obliged! I decided to write about five fun things to do in the Spring time (because we're all experiencing lovely weather and holidays right now) and included a little collage of all of my favourite 'spring' like photographs. I just thought I'd share it because I was quite excited to see it in print.
I hope you're all having a wonderful week so far ♥

diary IV

Another entirely thirfted outfit! Minus the shoes, bag and necklace (from Oasap by the way). 

This has been one of my favourite hairstyles lately: wrapping a string of flowers around your bun for a simple and beautiful look!

Flicking through gorgeous Frankie recipe books lent to me from my good friend, Ruby.

I found this photo of some French treats I ordered back in July! It was such a splendid day out and these macarons were delicious. 

Things have been really, really crazy since my outfit post last Wednesday. I've worked every day since then and the whole of the last few days just seem like one big blur. On Saturday, Izzy and I spent the day together  (and even made a video! see below) and later headed to an engagement party to waitress for over 50 people. It was a lot of fun and we made a great team of two; serving out cocktails, gourmet pizza and five tiered cakes out to hungry but happy people. I then worked again on Sunday and Monday... so basically, I'm completely exhausted (but content and please with myself for loading up the bank account!).

How have you all been lately? I'm sorry comments haven't been returned and this blog has been overall neglected. Hopefully, I'll have more posts up in the next few days :) 

First video!

Hey everyone! Wow, it's been so busy lately and I'm really sorry for the lack of updates. On Saturday, Izzy and I filmed a video together: the BFF tag. If you'd like to hear my voice (or are curious about the Australian accent) have a squizz! I'll be back tomorrow with an outfit post and a bit more of a chit chat :) xx
P.S: Don't forget to subscribe to Izzy's channel!