Aussie Crushin'

I've always had a major crush on the sunny, beautiful and inspiring place called Australia. I mean have you looked at the Aussie lifestyle? From the days spent in the sun enjoying a nice day at the beach, to nights in the crisp desert air its hard not to become fond of the gypsy lifestyle. And they have done just that. This place is home to some of the greatest up and coming clothing companies in my opinion. Already making some waves (yes pun intended hehe) here in the USA I'm callin' it right now, these guys will all be huge!

Take a look yourself as I list my top three Australian based clothing companies.

www.spelldesigns.com

- For as long as sisters Elizabeth and Isabella can remember they’ve been enamoured by the feeling created when you combine feathers, leather and turquoise. In the 1960s and 70s their father was a leather craftsman and their mother was a potter, painter and wove brightly coloured threads on a loom. It seems only natural that the sisters would end up here, in Byron Bay, living a creative passion that flows from their family. The sisters have converted their Byron Bay design studio into their flagship boutique. And there they work, channelling their inner gypsy spirits, creating all manner of adornments, sharing their inspiration with their friends around the globe through their blog,’Spell & the Gypsy Collective’. - 

This company really takes the cake as the largest of the three brands. Recently working with Free People this is the first time I've seen their stuff available in the USA. I think this is really great considering Free People has yet to open an store in Australia and Spell has yet to open a storefront here. For now I'll buy some of their accessories through Free People and shop online for the most perfect of all wardrobes. I own a few items already and honestly wish I could have my entire closet full of their stuff. Such a great concept of a company from their clothing to home decor. Everything about them screams carefree hippie lifestyle that many can only dream of.  Click here or on the logo above to visit their site and take a look around. They even have their own blog AND Tumblr. For real is there anything these ladies cant do perfectly?

www.arnhem.co

- Born into a gypsy lifestyle of colour and beauty, flower child Arnhem Bickley spent her early years travelling around Australia and the world with her hippy parents. Drifting through different communities and festivals and living in teepees with no electricity or running water, a heightened sense of creativity emerged in young Arnhem, who began sewing clothing for her dolls at the age of four. This bohemian spirit flows into every piece of Arnhem Clothing. Her range is characterized by distinctive, custom signature prints of vintage-inspired floral, tribal and earthy designs, heavily influenced by the wilderness and beauty of her home in Byron Bay. -

Never in my life have I seen such a collectively great company. When you mix their blog posts featuring the items they sell, to the color pallets and the model stylings there is really nothing these ladies can't accomplish. I want to jump into my computer and be exactly where they are, running through fields of green in these cute frocks. The kimonos are to die for, I'm so happy that this is becoming a trend and more readily available. This company does a great job with PR with several Instagram giveaways as well as Facebook giveaways.  Make sure to check out their Facebook Page along with their website!

www.gypsyriver.com.au

- Gypsy River is a brand that takes you on an earthy and global wander to a place where you can be inspired by truly unique treasures for you and your home. The free-spirited and clever collection of jewellery, accessories and home furnishings are brought to you from around the world by Melbourne based designer, traveller and curator Kerrie Nelson. -

I don't even know where to begin with this brand. If I could ever imagine a perfect accessories company this would be it, except this is better because it ACTUALLY EXISTS. I have such a love for anything that is of Mayan, Aztec or Incan style when it comes to accessories and this place carries just that. From bedding to necklaces you name it. Maybe its my Incan decent or just my love of the beautiful pattern and print work but this place really take the cake on creating a one of a kind shop for a gypsy girls humble abode. They carry the greatest statement jewelry that I can promise you, you will not feel boring in, in fact I feel wearing their stuff will make you feel just like a queen...I mean tribe leader? Master? You'll love it. Trust me. Check out their site, or their blog for hours of inspiration.

And if you're like me and insta-obessed you can follow these guys by following the links below:

Spell & the Gypsy: @spell_byronbay
Arnhem: @arnhem_clothing
Gypsy River: @gypsyriver


xx

Pick Up & Go - Philly

So this is a little past due, about a week ago or so my friend Ryan and I went on an impromptu trip Philly and a little bit of Jersey thrifting. We started out at Golden Nugget Flea Market, in Lambertville, NJ and then ended our day in Philadelphia. It was seriously so much fun to just get up and go one morning even if it was just for the day. Golden Nugget is my favorite spot to visit in the summer time when they have all of the outdoor vendors, but due to it being a bit chilly they decided to stay home. They're open Saturday, Sunday & Wednesday from 6am to 4pm. I recommend going early to really get the best of the picks. I ended up with a bunch of little jewelry knick-nacks and a ton of lace and doilies. I ended up using them to make a few little pillows for my room as well as little throws for my bed. If any of you are interested in seeing those I'll be happy to share.

The second stop was once we got into Philly. Thanks to a friends recommendation we stopped at El Camino Real to get some real bitchin' buffalo wings (vegetarian may I ad) and enjoyed happy hour in Northern Liberties (an area I recommend perusing around when you get the chance.) Afterwards to try and not get too drunk to drive back we grabbed a god-like cup of coffee at One Shot, spot number two I recommend for a dirty chai and doughnut that will knock your socks off. Yes, I used that phrase.

That's all! See you guys next trip!

Red Hot American Fall - Wish List

First post in a long time, sorry I've been away for so long everybody! I promise some adventures and such will be up soon. I've been really busy with helping my family and others around the area rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. Life has been one interesting turn of events after another, but has really helped show me who my true friends are and that everyone around me are all working collectively to make our   beautiful Long Island a great place.

So here's another fall wish list! Themed with shades of red from ox blood to bold patterns, enjoy!

1/2/3/4/5

1. This cardigan has a great bohemian feel to it, its nice to see a great mix of patterns, good for the fall/winter months where layering is a must.
2. I love this Free People thermal, again perfect for fall layers. It really is so versatile you can peek the sleeves out of a jacket or layer it with a dress as seen here with a similar thermal on the Free People BLDG25 Blog!
3. I swear by these candles, they last 100 hours and smell like heaven on earth. For real if theres anything you're looking to buy me as a christmas or holiday gift, these candles (in almost every scent!) are a must.
4. I have been drooling over these shoes for god knows how long. Zara is such an amazing place to find little things like this that can really make your outfit, even with a completely minimal outfit these shoes are great.
5. Found this ring on the internet and it really caught my eye, its made with resin and little metal beads inside it, cool right? You can now feel like a bad-ass as you go fly to Beijing to fight off villains 007 style -- I mean go to class or whatever.


Enjoy loves, until next time xx

DIY Floral Crown

I had a little bit of a panic attack when trying to find a halloween costume for myself and a few friends

 without having to spend much money. So I put on my best DIY attitude and decided to combine the

 bleach technique from the last DIY post and create some skull shirts. Then added some floral crowns

 for a full Sugar Skull look! I'm mostly just exited that in total this all cost $40 for 3 costumes, and I

 now have a floral crown that I will most likely be wearing at some point again, knowing myself. 

Down to the good stuff, I will be adding some stuff to an Etsy store soon enough, let me know

if there is anything you'd like to see.

DIY Floral Crown

Chalkboard Inspiration

I have a huge huge HUGE love of chalkboard anything really, so as I decide what I would like to chalk up in my home I figured why not seize the opportunity to collect my thoughts and show it to all of you! Here are a few chalkboard inspiration photos that I hope will inspire you on your next DIY endeavor. Or they will inspire your computer to somehow steal your credit card and somehow buy one of these great items, (I know it wasn't you, the computer stole it. It's happened to me too.)

Paint your fridge (I love that its green not black!)

Remnants of Chicago

So today marks a day which I really cannot speak of. Never the less it reminded me of a trip I once took to Chicago where I met some awesome people, ate delicious food and gained memories I will never forget. I drove from New York, stopped in Michigan, and then ended in Chicago for a quick road trip of a week. It was amazing, minus the fact that I ended up getting hives from one of my many allergies, oops? So reminisce with me of better times filled with adventure.

Stops included: BLED Fest and an amazing Antique shop in Michigan, The Museum of Science & Industry, the Chicago Aquarium, and (the best breakfast I have ever had at) Orange with a Peel in Chicago.

 I hope everyone has a great Thursday, the weekends almost here!

DIY: Mason Jar Lights

Around this time last year I was helping a friend with some holiday goodies. They had to create a DIY gift for a bunch of friends and make several of them. Naturally I jumped at the chance to help out with a craft, especially one of multiple magnitude that would include mason jars. Not too sure what make these little guys so cute, maybe its the fact that they are glass and pint sized (lets not get into my glass bottle obsession just yet) but they are amazing for crafting.

Nevertheless, this was the end result. So I hope you'll enjoy this quick DIY for the holiday. Make them for Halloween! Use orange sparkles to be a little more fall-ish.  Whatever your little heart desires!

DIY: Waterfall Braids

So I'm not too sure about all of you but I pretty much love any hairstyle that includes braids of any sort. Call me crazy but it makes any hair day a nice day, and any hairdo look instantly super bohemian. So my sister helped me out with this one allowing me to do her hair due to mine lacking length. 

Here it is, something that I found via the internet that I at first thought would be really difficult to try, but once starting it all up found it to be easy as pie!

DIY: WATERFALL BRAIDS

DIY: Painted Buffalo Skull

Happy Thursday everybody! So let me start off by saying that I am incredibly stoked to show you all this little DIY! I was out for a day of thrifting with a friend when we stumbled upon this little gem. He was a little banged up but nothing a little TLC couldn't fix! So we picked him up, brought him home and thus this is where his new life begins, and I mean how could I NOT buy this gem for only $18! So here we go, if you find yourself lucky enough as I to stumble upon a cute little skull gem (yes skulls are cute I swear) than please feel free to follow in my steps and send me your very own photos of painted skeletons! Right in time for Halloween! (hah!)

DIY PAINTED BUFFALO SKULL 

DIY: Braided Crown

So about two years ago I cut my amazing long luscious locks of hair into a short little pixie cut. Super dramatic and awesome (not to mention time saving in the morning!) and it made me feel great! However after about a year went by I started missing having hair to play with and do great things with! Thus decided to buy every bobby pin on the shelves of my local Walmart and play around with a few short hair ideas. This is my most common hairstyle for my now - bob length hair. I get a lot of positive responses about it so I figure why not post a DIY! Enjoy! 

lusty little beds

Hello blog world lovers and readers, I have a feeling that this will probably become a weekly thing because like many of you probably do, I find myself in love with sitting on the internet and drooling over beautiful homes and interior design. Lust with me and weep as you (like myself) wish that for even five minutes this could be your home. Well in reality this very much could be! Hopefully soon I'll have some DIY stuff up of home good and creations.

thats all for now, speak to you soon and hope you all are having a great start of a week

xx

lusty little beds

Recently friends of mine have been redoing their bedrooms into beautiful little bohemian dreams. So here is some inspiration in which I found in hopes of creating the same look. I think I can somehow achieve this awesome beauty...or I'll probably get too lazy and just imagine myself in these fantasy dream beds. I did however find the time to make a great little chandelier to place over my bed (the first photo posted), let me know if you'd like a DIY! Who knows maybe I'll get more crafty.Until the next beginning,Alyssa