Her Name is Anya

Anya wearing a purple deconstructed dress by Australian designer Wayne Cooper.



Red Moschino Leopard Eyeglasses to contrast with the dark purple cardigan. Cute!

Well, no one is too young for fashion! Anya is my 6 year old niece from Melbourne, Australia and like me - she knows what style is :)

Bath Robe Inspired Outfit

Ever wish you can go out in your bath robe? Just a fun thought to hold on :) I've always loved bath robes and wrap around dresses, they look like kimonos and feel very comfy. This long wrap-around cardigan came with a tie, layering it on top of another dress made the sleeves appear longer.


To avoid that just came out of the bathroom look, I pinned the spider brooch I got from Degraves St. here in Melbourne.

Today is officially winter.

Try not to Fall - Balloon Skirt

Balloon Skirt from Sports Girl - can make any girl very happy!


Perfect for Iceskating in Wonderland Park, Docklands

I like this Window

At Don Caster Shopping Centre, Peter Alexander's Store Front

Never Single

Don Caster Shopping Centre

You're never alone girl - real friends hang inside the closet. Magical shoes take you to places and bags always ready to be filled with love and more stuff.

Bowling and Dancing

Afternoon: Bowling at Strike Bar Melbourne

Tricks: The white dress (yes it is a dress) belongs to my older sister. Make a dress into a shirt by gathering the fabric at the back, tie with a rubberband and insert under the back of the dress. The headband is not a headband but a white rope that came with the dress. Secure with hairpins


Evening: Dancing in Baraki

Just changed shoes from bowling to metallic flats perfect for the night out.

Shiny Metallic Steve Madden Flats

Browsing some of the local magazine's here in Australia, I read how a pair of metallic flats can save time and money as it can go with anything. I think it wouldn't hurt to add a silver flat into the shoe rack would it?


Metallic flats make your feet and legs look hot!

Then I found these Steve Madden Silver Flats for only around 20 AUD. Steve Madden is just opening stores in Manila (SM Megamall Atrium) and this is a good time to own a pair :)


They seem to change color - from gold
They also have wicked shoes in stock here in Melbourne but I'm not ready for pointed devil wears prada type of heels. And when in doubt, one should go for a classic style.


to silver, magic!

Do you own metallic flats and what do you wear them with?

Here comes the Marching Band

I've been hitting on military style jackets more known as the "marching band" style. Probably, the most famous is the one by Balmain.



There have been jackets of simpler design donning the side by side buttons but not really the intricate details. While searching the net, I found that long sleeved tees sporting the same style has hit the runway as well.

While shopping here in Melbourne, I heard the angels sing when I saw this:



Marching band long sleeved tee by Ralph Lauren. Yey!



Reminds me of Emilio Aguinaldo too :)

Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Prada at Collins Street

Collins street is the best place to go for luxury brands here in Melbourne, Australia. All lined up in one row are Louis Vuitton and Gucci right beside each other.



Walk further down the street and you'll see Chanel with their latest display of the Chanel Leather Shopping bag.



Prada is also found along Collins Street near to Hermes, Bvlgari, and Ralph Lauren.



All the brands you've ever dreamed of are conveniently present at Collins Street. Personally, I liked how the Louis Vuitton shop stocked up their store displays with bags that appeal to both young adults and adults. Trendy Stephen Sprouse bags alongside classic looking Almas.



The Gucci shop was a bit smaller but they have equally interesting stocks of accessories like key chains, wallets, belts, and shoes. I am more interested though with their bags :)

Max Alexander Hat

I always wanted to own a hat but never bought one, until yesterday I saw this hat by Max Alexander in David Jones. It was love at first sight. I put it down once, twice, and thrice - I just had to own it forever.


Max Alexander Hat

This, one can wear even in Manila as a fashion hat. In Melbourne, it's easy to get hats, berets, and other head/hair accessories. They are readily available in malls like David Jones or Myer.

There's always a first time for everything, even for a lovely hat! :)

Belt as Headband

Here's what I made of the flowing cardigan that I purchased at Queen Victoria Market.



Worn with black turtleneck long sleeves and black skinny pants. The cardigan came with a belt of the same fabric and color which I tied around my head for a clean look :) What do you think?

Queen Victoria Market - Shopping, Food,and Souvenirs

A trip to Melbourne is not complete without visiting Queen Victoria (QV) Market. The extensive 17 hectare- market houses dry goods aside from the usual groceries like fish, bread, vegetables, fruits, and meat. The dry goods area is like a tiangge or flea market with lots of clothes, UGG boots, souvenirs, hats and caps, and so much more.




Clothes such as blouses, coats, and dresses go for as low as AUD 10.00 to AUD 100.00. Most of the items I saw were made from China but there are boutiques that sell Australian made garments for higher prices.

What's nice to buy in QV Market are coats, cardigans and jackets since the inventory moves fast especially this winter season. More styles are available to choose from.


I bought this wrap around cardigan/jacket for only AUD 35.00


UGG boots in many colors, shapes, and sizes

Tourists here search for the popular UGG boots. These boots are ultra comfortable with replaceable soles and soft sheep wool inside. UGG boots costs from AUD 25.00 to AUD 125.99



Aside from clothing and shoes, the market is the best place to buy your souvenirs from. Choose from key chains, pouches, bags, caps, boomerangs, mugs, and t-shirts. Most souvenir items go for 3 for AUD 100. Compared to department stores or mall prices, these are a lot cheaper.


And here is the historical doughnut van, it's been around for half a century now. They sell American Doughnuts but see how it looks different:



These doughnuts have jam filling inside. They are called Jam Donuts. 6 pieces for AUD 5.

Hair Piece/Brooch + Necklace

Because it's still sunny but freezing rainy cold in Melbourne, I can't get to the shopping malls and move around the city.

Look at how the hairpiece turned into a rose brooch which I attached to my string of pearls.


Try it too! Recession calls for a dash of creativity :)

Victorian Dress

Hello Gorgeous Wool Dress, gloves from Greenhills Shopping Center, HK boots, black skinny slacks, and Louis Vuitton speedy

Wore a Victorian inspired dress as an overcoat today. What a suitable outfit for a day trip to the museum. Now I feel like a part of history!

Royal Exhibition Building just in front of Melbourne Museum

Ukay Ukay in Australia? Oh Yes!

My sister Joni who's been living here forever in Melbourne, shared to me a little secret that will make a big difference on my trip. Ukay Ukays or thrift shops! Yes there are ukay ukays in Australia, particularly in Melbourne. They call it "recycled clothing". Here, you can find clothes for all occasions in Australian fashion. What a great little secret.



The shops have secondhand and even new designer clothes, shoes, toys, bags and even those lovely lady hats that are worn during the Melbourne Cup. Clothes including coats and shoes sell for less than AUD 10 or around Php 250.

Here is my haul for today:


A super sized loose butterfly cut blouse and a black coat


Boots for only AUD 9.00 or around Php 300

The recycled clothing store we went to helps charity, so all the shopping here is for a good cause. Allelujah. One has to be patient though as there are so many racks and piles of clothes to choose from, just like the usual ukays in Manila.

Day and Night in Melbourne

Traveling means a limited amount of clothes. Hence, a creative transition from day to night of a single outfit.



Day: Dress with a 3/4 undershirt, knee high socks with gladiator sandals and a Le Pliage Longchamp that's best for shopping.



Night: Same dress with a faux fur from Velvet (available at SM department stores), gloves, and boots. I'm using the usual Nine West Element bag here.

Did you know that there's an Ukay Ukay in Melbourne? will post about this later :D

Mid Season Sale in Melbourne - Myer

Our timing is just right! It's the middle of Summer and Autumn here in Melbourne and the great shopping mall called Myer is having a mid-season sale.

Last time I went here, Myer was so quiet with only a few people but not today. I guess people here love sales too, everybody does.



In Myer, there are plenty of stylish clothes and looking at the display windows with styled mannequins will give one an idea what's hot in fashion right now. What caught my attention are these wicked shoes.


Strappy booties and beside it, a sneak of studded wicked heals!


Boots, boots, boots

And lovely hats! This is made of rattan, I believe and costs very expensive. I wonder if one can find something like this in the Philippines. What's great about these hats are the style and modern architecture.



At Melbourne Central, I bought this hair piece for AUD 14.00 - my first purchase for this trip.