russian red // changing styles

Bonds T-shirt, Forever New skirt + beret, MAC lipstick in "Russian Red" 

I was reading Lauren's blog the other day - one I have been an avid follower of since I was 14 years old - and she was talking about how interesting it has been watching and reflecting on how her style has changed over the years. Some elements are still similar to what she used to wear, but overall, her look has changed. This really brought to my attention my own sartorial choices and how much it's all evolved for me over the last five years. I think at the moment I'm going through a period of my life where I like to keep things pretty simple in everyday life. T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sandals are generally the items I gravitate towards when I'm at uni, or out and about. This outfit here is a very 'Maria' assortment - lately I've been more focussed on being comfortable than anything else, and it's amazing what a bright lip can do to a basic top + skirt combination. This top is a classic Bonds t-shirt;  I love the cut of it, and the fabric is ridiculously soft and comfortable. Finding a top that fits you well if you have a generous chest is often quite the challenge, but I love this one. 

So guys! Two posts in the same 48 hour period (almost!), that's when you know I'm on holidays. Spring has definitely been brought to life for us Queenslander's; there are flowers everywhere and a delicious, non-humid warmth to the air that leaves you craving an afternoon by the pool. This week I have a long-awaited and much-deserved (thank you very much) break from the textbooks and although I am working 3/5 days, it's still going to be a lovely change from classes and assignments and general work overload. In between making coffees, I'll be drinking coffee with friends, I might go to the movies (The Girl on the Train looks rather intriguing), and amusing myself with music, reading and walking the neighbour's dog. Hope you're having a lovely end to September. 

Thanks to my beautiful little sister for capturing these pics for me - who knew a 13 year old could work a DSLR camera to such high quality!

Poppy + Playlist

Ahh, September. It's been a while since I blogged, so here's a little update on what's been happening in my life... 

- The last few weeks have been ABSOLUTELY brutal in regards to uni and assessment - hence the silence on Avenue Maria. I have to take an economics course in order to contribute to my degree and let me tell you, as much as I am very gifted with the art of spending money, I have no grasp on how it actually works in society. Srsly. Why wasn't I taught about the stock market in school? Or the GFC? I am an adult now and I feel like knowing about that sort of stuff is a prerequisite. Anyway, so I submitted the assignment in the end, cried a few tears in the process (I also have no issue expressing emotions) and consumed lots of chocolate, crossing my fingers that my tutor passed the wretched thing.

- This dress is beautiful, and I love it. I think it makes me look like a life-sized Christmas ornament. It's H&M (surprise) and was on sale for $30 (surprise surprise!) so naturally it went straight in my basket. While Tess and I were taking these photos this afternoon a little girl and her Mum approached us because the little girl thought I was a "Princess". It was really sweet and made my week. 

- Driving test for my P's license is coming up. If I pass first go you'll definitely hear about it on all social medias because I'll be that bloomin' excited.

- Overall, I'm doing pretty okay you guys. I'm happy. There are good and bad days, but the bad ones are few and far between. I am still going to Headspace and finding a lot of use out of it - it's such an excellent program and as much as Australians complain about the government system, there's a lot that is done right (especially in regards to youth mental health) and I'm really thankful and lucky to be living here. 

- There's a dance coming up next weekend which is SO EXCITING! You all know how much I love the dances my local parish put together. A lot of my friends from Brisbane are back from their overseas adventures too, which is wonderful because the Mambo No. 5 is never the same without them!

- Here's the music I've been listening to lately. If you're a Stranger Things fan you'll recognise a lot of the songs are from the first soundtrack! So good. It's quite a bittersweet playlist. 

September Playlist 2016 // life through the lens

I like flowers to be the first thing I see in the morning - and roses and baby's breath together are one of my favourite combinations. So beautiful and feminine. These ones are from the markets; I popped into the city on Wednesday afternoon and picked them up as they are generally quite cheap towards the end of the day! 

This photo was taken right before my little sister lowered my camera and pegged a handful of the yellow seeds hanging above my head at me. So charming! 

AND this photo was taken an hour before I had beer spilt all down my back on a raging dance floor, someone whacked me on the butt (yeah... I did NOT sign up for that thank you very much!), and I lost my house key somewhere between the Grease medley and 500 Miles. We (my roomies and I) don't go out on the town much, but when we do, we definitely take it to the next level...

An abandoned hotel in Woolloongabba in Brisbane's south. Very spooky looking... 

Me-time. Listening to records, gazing at the fairy lights on my windows and reading are some of my favourite elements of my bedroom and having my own space.

Well, hello there September! You have crept up on me so quickly! This time last year I was in a very different place in life, and not very happy. In a year I've grown very much as a woman, achieved lots of little (and big) things for myself and at the moment, feel pretty okay with how my life has been going. Here's some photos I thought I would share with you all from my Instagram as some of you don't have it :) 

Music has always been a major aspect of my life; however this year I've really broadened my genre palette and have discovered so much talent that Spotify has quickly become my most-used app and often the reason my battery is so low at the end of the day (I feel like if I had to keep one app over FB and Spotify, I would have no issues deleting the former for good).

This month, albeit we are just over a week into it, has brought about a range of discoveries... including a new found love for Glass Animals, and stumbling upon Father John Misty who has increased my quality of life during bus commutes from a 5 to an 8! WOW! 

Here we have a new playlist that I have compiled - all songs that I have had on repeat for the last week or so. As always, it's quite eclectic and diverse. A lot of support for my fellow Australians, and also some international artists too. Bon Iver's latest single is in there too. Enjoy, and follow me on Spotify for more playlists if you're interested :)