OOTD featuring Missguided Sequin Maxi Skirt - Mermaid Casual

This skirt is sooo lush! I first saw it in a YouTube video by Amy Valentine and decided (as I do with most items that I can use free shipping to justify) that I would own it. Here I mismatched it with an oversized casual melty heart T-shirt from Aliexpress (I think it is a knockoff of one that H&M did a while back). As you may know by now, I love juxtaposing items in my wardrobe and I think that such an attention-grabbing skirt needs to be toned down by the rest of the look. I also felt that showing the shoes would ruin the 'mermaid effect' so I wore medium heels in black that can remain hidden and unnoticeable when they peep out :) I have rather narrow hips, but the sequins give the illusion of bigger curves. This skirt does not have a cut in it, and only the slightest bit of stretch; I have to get around with little baby steps when I wear it! (Makes me feel all high maintenance ◡‿◡✿)

 Sinaeo Sequin Maxi Skirt AU$41.98 - Missguided  Sold out online :(

Melted Heart T-shirt Sz M US$10.35 - Aliexpress here

More Pics & Accessories:

Accessories:

 I have been addicted to wearing this vermeil (gold over sterling silver) crystal point by Lilly's Offering - It just goes with everything! It is so cheap, the international shipping is very reasonable and the quality is just amazing. The pendant comes all by itself so you have to use your own chain to wear it. I bought a gold vermeil one from Ebay. I wouldn't recommend doing this as there is very little quality control for buying precious metals on Ebay and although this serves its purpose: a)it is very thin and tangles on everything b)I am not even sure if it really is vermeil. I would suggest buying a chain from an Etsy seller instead, as their quality control is stricter. I have decided to hold onto a few Spirit Charms from my line of cuties for 'reaserch purposes.' 

Small Flourite Crystal Point NZ$11.52 - Lilly's Offering on Etsy

Little Mew Charm Necklace - My Store ;)

Go ahead and link me to your outfit posts in the comments below so I can come check them out!
❤

OOTD ft. Topshop Ombre Fringe Coord - Fringe Benefits

Topshop ombre fringe jacket £75 - Pic from Lyst

 

Topshop ombre fringe shorts £35 - Pic from Lyst

Peach Leaf Charm - The Little Mew Etsy

Flourite mini crystal point NZ$11.52 - Lilly's Offering here

When I first saw this co-ord outfit on Topshop.com I promised myself that when I had the money I would buy it. Topshop is pretty expensive, especially for a little bargain hunter like me, and It was quite a big deal for me to buy this set at full price - But I did! Unfortunately the fringe tassles are the 'loop' kind which snag on absolutely everything! The jacket has a hook at the top to close it cape-style and the sleaves are 3/4 length. The shorts have a zip at the back and they are a regular fit. This set is no longer available on the Topshop website, but you can buy it on Ebay if you look around a bit.

Ribcage sweater Sz Free US$12.99 - Aliexpress here

Dora Ribbed Wool Over The Knee Socks Trasparenze £9.50 - The Sock Shop here

Texas Boot Rubi Shoes NZ$59.00-  Cotton On here

It's good to have a few 'special' pieces in your wardrobe, even if they are high maintenance! Link me to your own in the comments below.

Jewelry Haul - South India

When I was in India this year I decided to get my grubby paws on some of the beautiful handcrafted silver and gemstone jewelry that my hometown (Auroville) makes so well. Although I LOVE the styles and modern quirky ideas that chain stores in NZ & AU come up with (Diva, Lovisa etc.), I get a tiny bit heartbroken when their plated surfaces tarnish so fast >.< ...So I jumped at the opportunity to replenish my long-term jewerly box during my travels!

 I ended up finding some of lovely stuff, including several pearl pieces. I must express some well deserved gratitude to my good friend Lissi who acted as a facilitator (read: enabler) in the pearl-shop-hunting process and quite literally showed me the nacreous light. Although these items are often one of a kind and their online outlets are limited, links & alternatives are included where I could find them. Prices are in Indian Rupees - In a google conversion just now Rs 1000 = US $16.60:

These six rings are from the Tibetan Shop in Pondicherry, India. If you're ever travelling through you can check them out here:

 

Four Tibetan silver toe rings (worn as knuckle rings in the above photo) Rs 250 ea (L-R bottom photo first three and last ring) a big sterling silver turquoise ring Rs 450 and a petite pearl ring Rs 400 (bought for me by my darling Mother)

I particularly Love the pearl ring because it is so thin and fits my scrawny fingers perfectly. I often wear toe rings as knuckle rings because of the fact that my feet are usually covered

 These pretty ones are from Auroville Boutique, Auro Sunshine Gems and Jewelry and Women's Co-op Handicrafts:

Pearl bracelet (Women's Co-op Rs 250) with clear quartz heart Rs 50 Auro Sunshine, pink pearl & sterling silver anklets Rs 1717 Auro Sunshine here

long pearl necklace Rs 850 Women's Co-op, mint crystal point pendant Rs 505 Auro Sunshine here (it could be chyroprase or chalcedony - I'm not sure!)

 All from Auro Sunshine

Yellow fluorite Pendant Rs 150, petite mint earrings Rs 200 (couldn't find the same ones, but they had some similar fluorite ones here), 2 heart pendants amethyst & fluorite? - Rs 50 ea

These little pearl earrings were also from Auro Sunshine:

Pink pearl earrings Rs 250 - couldn't find the exact same ones, but these little white drops are also so pretty!

Of course you can see that the jewelry I bought is incredibly cheap when you convert the prices to dollars or pounds, and I just want to add that the people making these things really are wonderful artists so it is great to support them - I only wish the Women's Co-op also had an online store because those ladies work really hard too and deserve an opportunity to sell to the whole world! I have just had a look and Auro Sunshine does offer international shipping. I have never ordered from them online, but I'm pretty sure it would be reasonably priced as well.

I couldn't be happier with everything I recieved and hope to spend many years gazing covetously at them. Wait, can you gaze covetously at something you already own?? Please let me know your favorites, and if you do make your own hauls, either online or on your own adventures through South India, I would love to hear about them too!