What started out as a fleeting thought has transpired in my return to full time study. For the next two years I’ll be completing an Advanced Diploma in Engineering Technology specialising in Jewellery – that’s right I’m going to be a qualified metal engineer.

I’m bristling with excitement at the the thought of being surrounded by people actively involved in the local fine jewellery scene on a daily basis, and am galvanised by the myriad of ways this move may transform (or solidify) my aesthetic direction.

Although I battled internally for a couple of weeks about whether returning to study was the right move for me, the process of enquiring, interviewing, and enrolling in the course all took place over just 7 days; and I have orientation on Monday. Naturally this seemingly sudden, compressed agenda has my head reeling a little.

Now that the whirlwind of administration has settled I’ve begun thinking (panicking) about my back-to-school style. In the studio I wear whatever sloppy get-up is appropriate for the weather, most of which isn’t suitable for leaving the house in. I have to be as practically dressed as possible but I’d still like to represent my aesthetic identity convincingly.

An old acquaintance who has done the same course recommended I may like to get myself a little wheely luggage bag as I will find myself dragging heavy tools to and from campus. The rest of the items pictured above are some work-bench practical ensemble ideas straight from my wardrobe. Thanks to my culling efforts I’ve now got a pared-back wardrobe that may not allow for a full-time study schedule so it will be interesting to see how my rather small collection of clothes will cope being worn, remixed and repeated.

In a recent interview I was asked who I would give a limb to find had been wearing my jewellery designs. It was an interesting question, and one I really had to think hard about. I never design my jewellery with a muse in mind, but I came to decide that if I had an opportunity to expose my jewellery to someone I admired with the chance they might wear it, it would probably be Michele Lamy. I find her interpretation of a shared aesthetic enthralling – her eccentricity in jewellery selection is in stark contrast with the pared back minimalism I seek to embody in my designs and yet I feel that she’d be my ideal customer. It’s a sudden realisation of inspiration I wish to take with me on my new journey.

If you have five minutes this afternoon and haven’t yet seen A Little Bit Enternal, I would urge you to do so. The short film is an intimate portrait of Michele Lamy and husband Rick Owens by Danielle Levitt.

Ankle boots agree with me, so it would be very very easy to welcome these boots into my already crowded ankle boot family.

Luckily for my bank account, VAVE Shoe Repair still don’t ship to Australia.
No no, don’t go recommending any parcel forwarding services. It’s the only thing holding me back.

Once I got started culling items from my wardrobe I found it quite easy to be ruthless. But what about when it comes to letting go of items I love but need to replace?

I picked up my black a-line maxi skirt (pictured above) from Supre a few years ago on impulse after seeing it displayed on a mannequin in the window. It cost $35 and when you consider the golden cost-per-wear ratio many fashion consumers use to justify their purchases I’m pretty sure the skirt might as well have been free. I’ve worn it to death, quite literally – the material is pilling uncontrollably and because I like my maxi skirts floor-grazing, the hem is completely shredded. I know it’s time I replace it; it doesn’t owe me a damn thing.

It’s taken me months but I’ve finally found a suitable replacement. It’s under $100, has virtually the exact same cut, and can be delivered to me in under a week. It sold out and I was gutted, but now it’s been restocked. So why am I still hesitating to add to cart?

Somewhere in my subconscious I keep telling myself the Supre skirt has a little life left. The subtle decay of the garment is a testament to the sabi aesthetic I identify with. But they are excuses. “It’s sabi, not sloppy,” one article on the wabi sabi lifestyle urges.

Is it this kind of nonsensical nostalgic attachment for something with no real value that’s stopping me from completely embracing the minimalist lifestyle I seek? Upon reflection, it has been easy to cull so many things simply because I didn’t love them. But sometimes we need to let the things we love go, too. So why can’t I accept the transience of this object and commit to replacing it?

Have you found yourself inexplicably attached to something it was time to let go of?

The air is humid and thick with impending rain in Melbourne at the moment. The steaminess is suffocating. I could never survive in a tropical climate – I can’t handle humidity under the best of circumstances; when it’s this muggy I become insufferable. Enterprises that require me to outfit myself and leave the house are held with the highest disdain. This was the best I could come up with yesterday.

I’ve had this maxi skirt now for months but had been very lazy about making a trip to my tailor to have it taken up. Due to the uneven hem it’s still dragging across the ground in places but I have an unnatural phobia of feet sticking out completely from a maxi skirt so I’d rather ruin the hem. Every time I come in to see her with a maxi garment we have the same argument about where it should be taken up to but I always win. I think she must hate me.

Also cut my hair and fringe a little bit shorter… the fringe is so much easier to style at this length.

Black Tank: VAVE Shoe Repair
Grey Silk Skirt: Nathan Smith
Black Sandals: Mimco
Rings: All Alicia Hannah Naomi

Although I’m not particularly a big fan of provoking my readers to “stalk me”, the concept of Currently Obsessed is definitely something I can get behind. The project allows readers to follow their favourite bloggers as they browser-window shop, curating a list of all the things they’re currently obsessed with online.

I know there are a great deal more items I covet online than I find time to blog about, so if you and I share a similar aesthetic, you can join Currently Obsessed and “stalk me” around the internet as I sigh over all the lovely items I find.

The Eon Ring was designed around this beautiful chip of neon blue apatite I received a little while ago from one of my stone suppliers. I spent days fiddling with thin bands to set the stone on when finally I realised that for a fairly small chip, it needed to be balanced by something wider.

Finishing is my favourite part of manufacturing because it’s when you get to see your creation finally come to life. I started by giving it a very highly polished finish, which looked great against the neon blue; but did nothing to accentuate the organic detailing around the band. From there I decided to lightly oxidise it, but because I only used luke warm water the oxidisation process went through an oil-slick rainbow effect as it took on. The stone looked incredible against the multi-coloured cobalt/purple/green/grey finish. Unfortunately that kind of patina is very quick to wear off, even if sealed… so I sadly buffed it all back to the moody grey I’d originally intended. Lastly, I stripped the remaining oxidisation from around the stone setting to return it back to it’s bright white finish, adding a depth of contrast between the stone, the setting and the band itself.

I’m so satisfied with the outcome! I feel like I say it each time I produce something new but I do feel that the Eon Ring is my favourite design to date.  Although I don’t wear them often, working with stones adds a fantastic challenge when designing jewellery.

With the intermittent storms here in Melbourne I’ve been thinking ahead to Autumn Winter 2012. Despite my obvious aesthetic leanings I actually have complete disdain for winter fashion, predominantly because I’ve always struggled finding jackets and coats I love. Trying to keep in line with my less is more ethos, I’ve narrowed down my winter jacket requirements to three key items I believe will see me through the season.

The first is and always will be the quintessential Rick Owens biker jacket (pictured above). I’ve tried my hand at inspired designs and know in my heart of hearts I won’t be happy until I have the real thing.

Helmut Lang Cropped Leather Jacket

I found a cropped leather jacket in the sales last year at Forever New of all stores; but the sleeves are only 3/4 length and won’t be appropriate for when the true winter hits. So a full-length sleeved cropped jacket (not necessarily in leather) is a must for me this winter. It is the best fitting and most versatile shape to have for the rest of my wardrobe since I have a tendency to cinch the waists on most of my ensembles. Unfortunately most “cropped” styles aren’t cropped enough for my short torso, so this is a difficult item to find.

Gestuz Leather Belted Coat

Lastly I’m after the perfect black classic wool coat with leather sleeves. It is a style that’s been produced by several brands, high-end and low; but none seem to be tailored enough at the back which is a uncompromisable requirement for my body shape. The one pictured is on sale for a steal but is sadly the wrong cut.

While all the winter sales are on overseas it seems like the perfect time to buy, if only I could find my perfect jackets. The hunt continues…

Want to win up to $2,000 cash, festival tickets and get your design on this year’s Ecstasy. Face Facts t-shirt for the National Drugs Campaign?

If you’re aged between 15-21, simply create an image inspired by the anti-drugs theme, including this year’s tagline Ecstasy. Face Facts somewhere on your design and upload it to the online gallery. The top designs as voted by the public will be in the running for great prizes. Plus, each winning t-shirt will be printed and given away at festivals around the country.

Jump onto the Face Facts site for more information on how to upload your t-shirt design. Voting closes February 29th.

Becoming X was one of those key albums of my youth. I don’t listen to much trip-hop these days, but whenever it pops up on my iTunes, serious nostalgia ensues. It’s funny how sometimes the memories from the past are what inspires your future.