AskBronny Blog

With a belief that accessories make an outfit, it’s no wonder mimi&me create such amazing jewellery pieces. Because, really, once you’re wearing one of their gorgeous necklaces, or statement rings, or divine bracelets, there is no need for fancy clothes. Let your fingers walk on over to www.mimiandme.com.au so you can get serious about looking good.

* You can have it all. Whether you want it all is a separate issue. Have what you like.

Maximillia - an online fashion boutique - is the namesake and creation of self-confessed fashion addict, Maximillia Cozijn. The site itself is based in Perth, Western Australia, but ships globally - stocking an ever expanding group of designs from America, Great Britain, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Maximillia carries sweet, youthful and feminine pieces, with an emphasis on exceptional quality and tailoring, from a diverse roster of both established and emerging independent designers. Maximillia is also heavily committed to discovering and espousing young talent.

The site is tailored towards modern, web-savy consumers who pride themselves on keeping their wardrobes up to date with the latest in fashion, whilst cultivating a collection of classic pieces. Maximillia aims to differentiate her boutique by placing a heavy focus on exceptional customer service, interactivity, and unique stock, most of which is not readily available to the Australian market.

Maximillia stocks Kate Hurst, Bensoni, Emma Cook, Castle Starr, Betsey Johnson, Karen Walker, Mike & Chris, Lu Jewelry, Kloset, Senada Theory, Rebecca Taylor, Sretsis, Quadfolium, Rami Kashou, Thayer, Twenty Seven Names and Stine Goya.

Check out the site now and enter the code SANDI at the checkout ANYTIME you shop and you’ll automatically get 10% off any purchase. Happy shopping!

I’m currently reading La Vie Parisienne by Janelle McCulloch, a book about the search for love and lingerie, as well as a whole lot more like culture, food and a perfect life in Paris. Janelle, born and raised in Castlemaine in Western Victoria, has fast become another writer to add to the list of those that I adore and admire.

Sometimes, when reading, you come across a paragraph so powerful that it actually has the ability to hold you in that moment. It makes you read the paragraph over and over again, almost as if you want it to be a wish that is granted. It doesn’t happen with every book, and it doesn’t mean the same thing to every person. But, every now and again, you read something that not only connects with the very core of you, but also, in some small way, actually alters the way you think and feel. Emily Dickinson once said “I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes, I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine”. Sometimes reading can make you feel that way too. Here’s a paragraph from La Vie Parisienne, a paragraph that made me shine:

“We live for certain moments in life. They’re usually the moments when happiness falls unexpectedly around us and we realise that, for that brief second in time, we are extraordinarily content. These moments can be potent. They can make us believe that all moments can be like this, even though the reality is that they are as rare as that other ideal: The Perfect Life. They are so potent we will do anything to prolong them, hoping against all hope that they will lead us into a kind of permanent beatitude”.

hair, that is. I’m quite a fan of the mane, but every few years I get a short attack. I love it (for a little) then DESPISE it (for a lot) until finally, my hair sprouts and lengthens again. Short hair vs long hair is trivial stuff. Ok, so it’s not world peace or politics, but it sure does count. There are varied opinions, views, theories, styles, shapes, and suggestions…it’s tough, getting it just right. At the moment I’m in the waiting phase. It’s that time when the short, structured style has grown out, but the long and flowy locks have not yet arrived. It’s that time when you wear your hair back a lot, because it just doesn’t sit right. It is also the time you are tempted to cut it again, but you refrain, because that will set you back months in the growing process. When I think about it long enough, my answer appears. And that answer is long. Long hair. All the way. I just love it. My question to you is; Short vs Long - which is better?

When Bronny asked me to write this article, outlining and listing my ten favourite items in my wardrobe, I thought it would be an incredibly difficult task. I have an inbuilt, ridiculously large, three-door wardrobe, so you can imagine why I was dreading the process. To my surprise however, coming up with my favourite ten pieces was actually really easy. I didn’t even need to stand in front of my wardrobe to figure them out. The list seemed to easily scroll down in my mind, as if it was already there, waiting for an unveiling. I did exclude jewellery however, because otherwise, how could I only list ten? So, without further ado, here are my most favourite pieces in my wardrobe:

1. Alannah Hill ‘Joseph and the Technicolour Dream Coat’
Ok, so the ‘Joseph and the Technicolour Dream Coat’ title is not the correct one, but I forget what whimsical name Alannah Hill created for what I have named ‘the best coat ever made’. Without a doubt, this is my favourite piece of clothing and I’m not sure if anything will ever match it. My boyfriend bought me the coat as a gift for our first anniversary and, six years on, the long coat and long relationship are both going strong. I call it the ‘Technicolour Dream Coat’ because it is a combination of swirls, squiggles and boxes, in purples, pinks, greens, oranges and yellows. Sounds odd? Trust me, it’s not. It’s fabulous.

2. Giorgio Armani ‘Classic Leather Flats’
Yes, I am a shoe girl. And these would be my favourite. They are like a thong, but they do not flip flop. When wearing them it feels as though your feet are bare, yet they offer magnificent protection. They are comfortable, stylish and yes, I do wish I bought seven pairs just so I would never ever have to think about being without them.

3. Alannah Hill ‘Self-Portrait’ Face Bag
Oh, yes, I am a handbag girl too. This limited edition Alannah Hill pink bag was designed in the image of Alannah Hill and it attracts compliments every time I carry it.

4. Arabella Ramsay Dress
White, with mini purple dots and a gorgeous bird motif, this dress is sheer, summery and very ‘picnic in the garden’.

5. Alannah Hill ‘Razzle Dazzle’ Outfit
Again, I forgot Alannah’s magical title for the outfit, but I call it the ‘Razzle Dazzle’. Consisting of a ‘Swizzle’ mini skirt in hot pink, and combined with a brown and pink lace top, the outfit is my fail-safe formal saviour. Throw in the matching shoes and it really is fail-safe. And oh so girly.

6. Princess Highway Jacket
It’s a beautiful green coloured jacket with an orange trim and it screams I’m corporate…but hot on style.

7. Mimco Clutch
As a person who carries plenty in their bag, it was wonderful finding a patent red clutch to carry around (that still manages to hold the basics).

8. Metallicus Tops
When your office mainly consists of your home, it’s nice to be comfortable but still maintain a level of style and sophistication. Metallicus is both of those things for me. Comfy and breathable, whilst being funky and pretty, it’s functional and fabulous.

9. Review Suit
A winner. Never lets me down. It’s a pinky/green striped number, with sparkly buttons and a flared skirt, that makes me feel as though I am boarding a boat to cross the Atlantic in the mid 1940s. Pure divinity.

10. Camper Shoes
All five pairs of them. And I’m not choosing. * Honourable mentions go to Spencer & Rutherford and Douglas & Hope for a multitude of handbags, Rodeo Show for my favourite winter dresses, Veronika Maine for my cardigans, Alba Fan Club for my jeans, Mollini for lots of heels, Giorgio Armani for the rest of the heels and all my treasured one offs from markets and independent stores across Melbourne.

Well, hello there.

I'm mighty excited to be a part of Ask Bronny's blog page. I've been blogging on my own site, misssandi.wordpress.com since July and I'm surprised at how much I've loved it and how much it has grown! I hope you enjoy my posts on Ask Bronny and please do comment on them. If there is ever a topic you'd like me to address then please let me know! If you'd like to know more about me then visit my blog for all the info, but here is a quick run down: I'm a twenty-three year old freelance writer, as well as the editor of Mink Magazine. I'm also heavily involved in youth programs that I co-ordinate and love helping kids evolve and learn more about themselves. I love reading, writing, music, films and spending time with my boyfriend, friends and family.  Plus, I'm addicted to shoes and handbags, and yes, clothes too. My style is not based around trends but rather what suits me and what I like. And that is generally skirts, dresses, shorts and all sorts of girly apparel. Plus, I love lounge wear (working from home needs to be comfy!)

My first post is going to be on 'My Ten Favourite Things' from my wardrobe and until then, stay happy.

x Miss Sandi