In the navy.

(Top - ASOS, skirt - Backstage, clutch - Forever New, belt - ASOS, bra - Victoria's Secret, cuff - eBay) 

This is the kind of default weekend outfit I gravitate to when I feel like I have absolutely nothing to wear, despite the deluge of clothes on my bedroom floor (I'm sure I'm not the only one). When I'm in such a sartorially lackadaisical disposition, I always keep the outfits minimalistic and let the accessories do all the work for me.

Hope you all have a beautifully splendid weekend! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Joveeba warehouse sale.

Joveeba has always been one of my favourite labels so naturally I am devastated that I live in Queensland and am missing out on this amazing sale. 

However, for all the lucky Sydneysiders out there - here is your chance to acquire a piece you will covet forever at a ridiculously good price!

Love, Mandy. xx

Gold Coast Fashion Week.

(Dress - Alice McCall, belt - vintage, shoes - Jeffrey Campbell)

Photos of me taken by the lovely Jai Partridge. 

Thanks to my beautiful friend Maleika (take a peek at her gorgeous blog 'House of Avalon'), I managed to secure tickets to a few shows showcasing some local designers. Gold Coast is quite notorious for being the antithesis of style so events like these really instil me with hope that we can change our sartorial image! 

And how gorgeous is my high school best friend's outfit and neon satchel? I've been threatening to steal it from her ever since I laid my eyes upon them .... 

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Ad nauseum.

Jeffrey Campbell  'Sassy'                        The only way I can describe the frequency at which I wear these shoes.

Love, Mandy. xx

Red velvet.

I made these on Valentine's day with the intention of posting them on the same day but, as usual, technology superseded me so please accept my sincerest apology for the untimely nature of this post! 
I am absolutely convinced that this recipe is truly idiot-proof. When I reached the end of the recipe, I realised that I had initially administered baking soda (instead of baking powder) and since my pantry was devoid of any baking powder, I had to improvise (just so you know, you can easily concoct baking powder with 2:1 cream of tartare and baking soda). By this time, I conceded to the fact that my erroneous ways would have led to an utter baking catastrophe but to my surprise, they turned out exactly as I wanted them! 
Other than that, this recipe is so beautifully moist and the cream cheese frosting is such a delight on the palate. Best of all, you don't need to wait for the next Valentine's day to roll around ... this is most definitely a cake for all occasions. :) 
                                                                Love, Mandy. xx

Arm party.

Available from Anarchy Street

I cordially invite both of you to join the Michael Kors watch on my wrist as he is feeling somewhat lonesome and in need of company. 

Love, Mandy. xx

Langham Place.

(Shorts - Cassette Society, bodysuit and jacket - Mongkok street markets)

Photos of me taken by Karen Li. 

There could not have been a more apt choice of accommodation as a first time visitor to Hong Kong with The Langham Place providing not only close proximity to the Langham Place Mall but also to the humdrum of the Mongkok street markets with vendors clamouring to their stalls at dawn. I am a devoted morning person so every morning was spent finding congee and fried bread, and getting acquainted with all the extremely affable locals. In addition to its convenient location, the hotel provided the most meticulous amenities as well as incredibly personalised service - I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is planning a Hong Kong sojourn! 

Love, Mandy. xx

New York Fashion Week street style.

(Image sources: Harper's Bazaar Australia, Vogue, GQ)

And once again, fleets of exquisitely stylish people come out to incite me with an emerald shade of envy with layers of fur, vibrant pops of colour (oh, that Acne knit...) and just general ubiquitous gorgeousness.

I hope your weekend is beautifully stylish!

Love, Mandy. xx

1881 Heritage.

(Top - Passion Fusion, shorts - Zara, necklace - Juicy Couture, boots - Topshop)

Photos taken by John Li. 

Unequivocally the prettiest place I visited in Hong Kong, 1881 Heritage in Tsim Tsa Tsui is an ex-naval base that was transformed into this palatial colonial-style building. An absolute obligatory for all the lucky souls who might be going there soon! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Lust list : be my valentine.

Pink retro vintage phone

Miette confection cookbook

Heart spatula

Miu Miu bow halterneck bikini

Chloe pussy-bow silk-satin top

Marc Jacobs heart chain bracelet

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

Chloe leather wedge sandals

Rigby & Peller black lace bra and La Perla Belle du Jour lace briefs

Karen Walker mini bow ring

Jenny Packham silk chiffon bed jacket

I am quite the romantic, but I've always thought that Valentine's day is the antithesis of romance with its hyper-commercialism and the disproportionate amount of stress it induces on the male population. In my mind, no amount of long-stemmed roses and chocolates will ever supersede the inherent loveliness of a simple heartfelt kiss, a warm embrace, and eternal love. 

... However, if any of my secret admirers out there would like to slip these in my letter box, I certainly wouldn't say no. ;) 

Love, Mandy. xx

Shoe lust : barely-there sandals.

JEFFREY CAMPBELL Sabine heel in nude suede

TONY BIANCO Karissa heel in gold metallic snake

MIU MIU patent leather sandals

Love the minimalist aesthetic, versatility, and the elongating effect they have on the legs. 

Love, Mandy. xx

Shenzhen, China.

There is no denying that I entered Shenzhen with an inherently skeptical mind - this is, after all, the place that is famed for their 'super A' emulations of all the fashion giant handbags (Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, Chanel ...) and since I am an ardent proponent of investing in the originals, I thought there would be little there for me. Indeed, Shenzhen is not my idea of a commercial mecca but after playing dress-ups in traditional costumes, posing in front of various miniature iconic monuments, and walking through the great expanses of lush landscapes at the Windows of the World theme park ... I left China with an inkling that I might return one day. 

Love, Mandy. xx