December 15, 2011

MOLTEN STORE NO YEARS COMPETITION


Need something to do on New Years Eve in Brisbane??  Well your in luck because Molten Store is giving away a double pass to No Years, New Years Eve Party worth $180!!! 

No Years is held at the Powerhouse in Brisbane, showcasing some of Brisbane's best artistic talent, along with a photographic instalment from Molten Stores own collection, Molten Relic.  You will also be bringing in the new year with bands such as Millions, The Holidays, Ball Park Music, Last Dinosaurs & Dum Dum Girls.

How do i get these tickets you ask?? Three simples steps so easy you can even do it on your phone!

3. Comment on this post to confirm your entry!

Winner will be selected on the 28th of December 

xx sammi

December 8, 2011

BEGINNING BOUTIQUE BLOGGER MEET

DRESS BY M MISSONI, SHOES BY CHRISTOPHER KANE, BAG FROM PRINCESS POLLY



Wednesday night i went to Barsoma in the Valley. Determined not to let the rain dictate my outfit, i stuck with my bright summer dress i intended to wear and headed out for my first blogger get together/meet... (whatever your want to call it).  

Hosted by the lovely Sarah and Kate from Beginning Boutique, myself and other Brisbane Bloggers  (Opinion Slave, Deery Me, Social Emissions, Sargasso Sea, Owl v Dove, The Swirl and Swing, We Killed Couture, Day Dream Lily, Modern Legacy, Black Balloon, Poppy Rose Style & That Unreliable Girl) all enjoyed a few drinks, some laughs and of course a few photos.  We also got an awesome surprise gift from Beginning Boutique... some Karen Walker earrings (i scored the kitty ones), and a candy cane!!!  It was an enjoyable way to start off the festive season, and meet some fellow bloggers.


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December 1, 2011

TROY

When i first saw these ear cuffs i immediately thought of  the helmets worn by soldiers in ancient Greece & Rome.  I love the combination of rose gold and white horse hair... unicorn hair as quoted by Bjorg.  Unicorn hair or not, these pieces are magical all on their own!



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November 23, 2011

EXCLUSIVE


An exclusive one off Amethyst Crystal Love necklace available only at Joy Hysteric.


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November 15, 2011

CONVERSATIONS WITH BIANCA


chase.dakota’s Sammi Burley: Craft, Crystals & Stereophonics

Brisbane designer and blogger Sammi Burley’s creations for her wonderful jewellery line chase.dakota are simply gorgeous (not to mention super affordable!). Some of my favourite pieces from her latest collection ‘Riders On the Storm’ are made from crystals including beautiful amethysts and quartz. She sells her creations from etsy (as well as at select stockists) – trying to buy a lot of her supplies used for chase.dakota there to help support her fellow etsy sellers—isn’t she the loveliest! Sammi’s chase.dakota blog is also a treat! A feast of fashion, creativity, colour and all-around awesomeness! Here’s our interview about all things chase.dakota!

How would you describe your personal style?
My style is quite minimalistic… occasionally I like to dress a little eclectic.  But all in all I love a good plain white t-shirt.

Is fashion always something that you’ve always had an interest in?
I guess to some degree it has… i remember when i was younger I always had a favourite outfit, and whenever my mum would go to wash it, I would make her pull it out of the wash so i could wear it to preschool.  But it wasn’t until towards the end of high school when i started realising my real love for fashion and design.

What motivates you to do what you do?
The thought of going back to my old job in an office!! Haha

How did chase.dakota begin?
Chase.dakota jewellery started early 2010.  I had been making clothes and jewellery well before this… but had a growing request for me to make pieces for my friends… which evolved into selling monthly at The Village Markets in Burleigh.  Becoming a regular at the markets each month I minimized my stock down to just jewellery as it was easier to transport and set up.  From then my brand was becoming more known to shoppers at the market and online, and then I started getting requests from stores to stock my jewellery.

What’s the origins of the name: chase.dakota?
There is a song by the Stereophonics called “Dakota” and every time I would listen to it, it had a really inspiring vibe which made me think of my dreams and goals.  Having my own fashion label was chasing my dreams… so i thought chasing dakota… then just shortened it to chase.dakota… and from that my label grew.  So the name is like a constant reminder to me that i am lucky to do what I love and chase my dreams.

What kind of person would wear chase.dakota?
A strong brazen woman, who embraces her own personal style!

Tell me about your latest collection.
My latest collection “Riders on the Storm” is a rough, dusty and moody collection.  I used mainly brass with a touch of silver, and of course the collection was created around crystals.

Who or what inspired it?
Riders on the Storm was inspired by old western films and the battles between cowboys and Indians.  It was a mixture of inspirations from the dusty sets, to the weaponry and the attire/oversized neck pieces worn by the Indians.

You use crystals in your jewellery line – what drew you to use them?
I love how with crystals, every piece is different and unique, so even if two people buy the same style necklace, they are still different.  I also believe they bring positive energy when wearing them.

What is the most enjoyable moments of designing the collections?
Picking out the crystals that I am going to use… and also putting together the lookbook… I’m so interested in finding sets, photography and styling… it gets me pretty excited to see the designs come together as a collection.

What was the first piece you ever designed?
Ummm from what I can remember it was a little origami crane made from a world map on a necklace.

What matters to you most as a designer?
Designing pieces I would actually wear myself…. I am passionate about each and every piece.  Also, knowing your craft.  Anyone can get clothing or jewellery made and sell them,  I mean I’m not up there with any top jewellery makers… if anything i am a beginner, but i am continuing to teach myself and grow with my skills.

Do you have any ‘official’ qualifications? Do you think having formal training is important to what you do?
It’s not in jewellery making… but I do have a certificate IV in fashion design (currently completing my diploma, and maybe advanced diploma).  And I also have a Certificate IV in Business…. and I have done some other short courses related to fashion.  I think it really helps, maybe not so much on the creative side (as some people are just born creative), but to develop your skills and understanding of your craft, and definitely the business side.

Who do you look up to in the creative world and what is it about them that appeals to you?
I really look up to some of our own… such a Kym Ellery, and Camilla Freeman-Topper.  Besides the fact that they have amazing labels, they are young, successful, gorgeous women, who seem so down to earth amongst the crazy world of fashion. Also my peers studying fashion… the things they come up with sometimes are just amazing!

chase.dakota is a very affordable line, is that something that is important to you?
I think it is important… especially in today’s financial state. My new collection will have pieces for everyone’s price range.  I do feature more pieces at a higher price range, made from precious metals, but then i also have the same designs in some cheaper metals, so that the designs are accessible for people’s different budgets. Everyone should be allowed to embrace fashion.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in regards to chase.dakota?
Finding the time to fill orders while still studying, and also fund my new collections on a student’s income.

What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently working on my new collection.  I’m at the sampling stage at the moment, and I am hoping to release it at the end of the year… stay tuned!

Have a magical day!








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November 5, 2011

IN BLOOM


SHIRT BY ASOS, SKIRT BY SASS AND BIDE, SHOES BY MAURIE & EVE
 

On the way to the movies the other day, i noticed a bush out the front had bloomed with heaps of flowers... couldn't resist so had to take some photos in front of it.... I was sweating so much just standing here to take a couple of shots!  Apparently Brisbane has turned into Melbourne... dark and cold one minute (hence my boots and long skirt) sunny and fricken hot the next.  I was caught off guard... and not too happy.  Lucky we were headed to the air-conditioned movies. 

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October 29, 2011

HALLOWEEN

SHIRT BY ASOS, COLLAR TIPS BY ASOS, FLOWERS FROM COSMETICS PLUS, 
EYELASHES BY NAPOLEON PERDIS, MAKE-UP BY ME

Went to a Halloween party last night... my theme.. Dia De Los Muertos
I forgot to take my camera to the party... so here is a snap from when we got home.... minus my mexican jacket.


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October 25, 2011

INTERVIEW WITH DY




MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

GUEST BLOGGER - SAMMI BURLEY aka. CHASE.DAKOTA


EARLIER THIS WEEK WE HAD A FEW WORDS WITH JEWELLERY DESIGNER 
EXTRAORDINARE - SAMMI BURLEY of 
CHASE.DAKOTA

WHAT GOT YOU INTO JEWELLERY DESIGN? 
I NEVER WORE MUCH JEWELLERY GROWING UP... MAINLY BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND ANY PIECES THAT REFLECTED MY STYLE (AND PRICE RANGE). I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CREATIVE, SO I STARTED WITH SOME DIY'S FOR MYSELF, AND THEN PEOPLE STARTED ASKING ME TO MAKE THEM SOME PIECES... SO I GUESS IT JUST GREW FROM THERE

WHAT'S PLAYING ON YOUR IPOD?
ALORS ON DANSE BY STROMAE

MOST CHERISHED PIECE OF JEWELLERY?
A SMALL DIAMOND RING MY BOYFRIEND GAVE ME ON OUR FIRST VALENTINES DAY.

BLOGS YOU FOLLOW RELIGIOUSLY? 
INTERNATIONALLY: FASHIONTOAST, AUSTRALIAN: GARY PEPPER VINTAGE & 4TH AND BLEEKER 

BEST PLACE FOR A BITE TO EAT IN BRISBANE?
THE SMOKE AT NEWFARM

LATTES OR LONGNECKS? 
LATTES.

GIVE US A LOOK AT YOUR MOST FABULOUS CHILDHOOD OUTFIT

WHEN YOU THINK OF MELBOURNE YOU THINK OF...
GOOD FOOD AND GOOD FASHION.

IF YOU COULD DATE A ROCKSTAR, WHO WOULD IT BE? 
KURT COBAIN IF HE WAS STILL ALIVE... HE WAS JUST SO EFFORTLESSLY COOL AND DREAMY IN THE NINETIES.

PLANS FOR TONIGHT? 
FAMILY DINNER.


WE'RE A WEE BIT OBSESSED WITH THE WORK OF SAMMI, HER JEWELLERY LINE CHASE DAKOTA IS LIKE JANIS JOPLIN WITH A SHOT GUN. EDGY AND ACE, EACH PIECE OF HER JEWELLERY IS INTRICATELY UNIQUE, DESIGNED WITH LOVE AND AVAILABLE AT A DISTINCTLY REASONABLE PRICE POINT. ROCK YOUR WAY IN STORE TO DY OR ONLINE AT WWW.DOWNYONDER.COM.AU TO CHECK IT OUT TODAY. XXX

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October 24, 2011

FRECKLES AT JEREMY SCOTT

images via tuula 

Lusting for freckles after seeing these pictures from Jeremy Scott's show at NYFW

October 21, 2011

BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK



Bill Cunningham - The Original Street Style Photographer

Keen to get a copy of this on DVD


October 20, 2011

DOWN YONDER



Some jewellery hitting Down Yonder early next week.  These are some of the last pieces from the Riders on the Storm collection.... stay tuned for my new collection.

xx sammi


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October 18, 2011

GROOMS-WOMAN INSPIRATION


1. Balmain Jacket - www.net-a-porter.com
2. Edun Trousers - www.shopbop.com
3. How Typical of Metal Bow Tie - www.estateofmind.com.au
4. The Row Blouse - www.net-a-porter.com
5. Chanel Nail Polish
6. Alexander Wang Heels - www.shopbop.com

I am going to be a best woman for my cousins wedding in April next year... so i am searching for some inspiration to fit in with the rest of the boys but still have a feminine touch!  This is what i picked with no budget... next i will show you what i pick with a budget ... which will probably be more realistic... however i still may splurge on those alexander wang heels!!


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October 16, 2011

SYMMETRICAL V. ASYMMETRICAL


EARRINGS BY CHASE.DAKOTA

One word... weird!

Symmetrical faces are said to be the benchmark of true beauty. So messing around with some cropping and mirroring... i made my face symmetrical.  It's so weird to look at... it hardly looks like me....fake even.  I believe people's asymmetries are what make them unique and beautiful in there own way.  I will admit.. i wish my eyebrows matched exactly... as my right eyebrow(left in the picture) is letting me down... i cannot seem to get it the same shape as the other one!!! 

On an eyebrow note... i'm thinking of trying threading...has anyone done threading?? what are your thoughts?? 

October 11, 2011

GOLDFINGER DIY



I just saw this cool DIY on Honestly WTF, so i thought i would share it... just in case some of you do not follow Honestly WTF... if you don't...i would suggest you start now!


You need:
* imitation gold leaf sheet
* tape
* non toxic liquid adhesive
* a foam brush

Step 1.
Start by cutting the sheet of gold leaf into half inch strips. Use scotch tape to tape off an area of the skin.


Step 2.
The gold leaf will not adhere to anything without an adhesive agent so an application of spirit gum is necessary. Apply a coat of spirit gum. (Spirit gum, which is normally used for affixing wigs and fake mustaches, is a great non-toxic solution and can be found at most speciality stage makeup stores orRicky’s in New York.) With a foam brush, dap the spirit gum until it becomes tacky. (not exactly sure what the Australian equivalent would be?)


Step 3.
Pick up a strip of gold leaf and press the gold side onto the tacky area with pressure. Remove the strip and repeat the steps until the whole area is covered.


Step 4.
Remove the tape and use your fingers to smooth out any loose flakes. The gold leaf should stay on for at least 8-10 hours. Spirit gum remover or rubbing alcohol can be used to remove it if necessary.