Heartbreaker

NEW WEBSITE!

2010-03-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I've just made a new craft blog/portfolio site. I'll be updating it reguarly with craft projects, op shop adventures, and other fun tid bits. Please have a look, re-direct your bookmarks, and tell me what you think!

http://my-candy-castle.blogspot.com/

x

BYE FOR NOW

2009-10-19T22:54:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a variety of really exciting things lately, and haven't had the time to devote to this blog like I used to. I won't be posting on here for the time being, but you can still keep up with my creative projects in the following ways:

1. My bicycle/craft gang the Three Point Turnz

2. My visual diary, Candy Castle

3. My flickr page

xoxo

Hair treats in action

2009-08-25T23:29:00.001-07:00

Glamourous.

Makin' Stuff

2009-08-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Sweetie and I had a craft club tonight to make hair pieces to wear to our friend Nina's 21st birthday. We're road tripping it to Canberra for the party which is heart and bow themed. Best. Theme. Ever. Sweetie is obsessed with Ken Done so we found her some amazing Done print jersey to use. I am really into 3D accessories at the moment so I made a present.

I made these bows as design tests. I love them all and am going to keep them all to myself. But don't worry I'll make more for Etsy (which I will re-open soon I promise.)

More 3D amazingness. This was a hair piece I made for a Christmas in July party I DJed at recently.

More hand sewn mini cakes. Lots of accessory ideas for these...

Crop tops are my favourite. Especially floral ruffly ones. This one's going to be reproduced for sure! Keep your eyes peeled!

I didn't exactly 'make' this, but I got a new tattoo. Perfect mach to the present hair piece for Nina's hearts and bow theme. P.S. faux prom nights are the best nights out.

xoxo

I Heart Leslie Hall

2009-07-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

Leslie Hall is a sassy rhinestone rapper, craft guru and gem sweater queen. She wears gold spandex like a second skin and her eyeshadow reaches way up into her hairline. Her song "Craft Talk" is a must have on my crafternoon sountrack and I am so super jealous of her bedazzlicious Mobile Museum of Gem Sweaters. In the immortal words of my own rap group, S.Y.L.K, "she's got pizzazz"!!

Cotton Candy

2009-07-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

When I was at art school I used to spend hours with my nose in books, scribbling the names of artists in my notebook and printing out images of their work for my studio walls. I used to get so excited when I found someone whose work I absolutely loved - it was so inspiring. After I graduated I gradually stopped going to exhibitions and looking through art books and it's something I really miss. In an attempt to re-familiarise myself with it all I have been trying to do more research. That is how I found the American artist Will Cotton. His work makes me drool. Literally.

There are delectable candy castles and gingerbread houses, sponge cake mountains and ice cream fountains, rivers of chocolate and forests of lollipops, galaxies of gobstoppers and licourice allsorts, and everything you could ever have a dessert dream about. Will Cotton also paints candy queens, lounging with strawberry-kissed skin on clouds of fairy floss or decked out in lolly jewels, with sugary sweets in their bouffant hair. His paintings have the most amazing names too, like "Custard Cascade", "Peppermint Hideaway" and "Sweet Nothings". What is even more amazing is that he actually makes real life versions of these sugary treats in his studio kitchen then uses them as models for his paintings. My life would be perfect if I got my sticky fingers on one of these amazing works. The thought of one hanging in my room is giving me a sugar high.

Good Burger

2009-07-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to do more baking because it's super fun, and cake is my favourite food, even though it's super dangerous because once I start eating cake, I usually don't stop until I'm sick! I spend a large amount of my time reading cupcake blogs and researching cupcakes on the internet (obsessed much?). I came across THE most incredible cupcake idea by the amazing Bakerella - Burger cupcakes! I tried them for myself, though without the amazing packaging and chips (an idea to try for my next party!) and they turned out so cute!

Late night craft times

2009-07-09T06:47:00.001-07:00

I am so obsessed with miniature fake food. I think I've talked about it on this blog before, about how I get so super excited every time I come across any kind of tiny faux tasty treat that I become all stupid and my mouth hangs open and drool comes out and how I tend to start squealing and having hot flushes and so on and so forth...

Tonight I decided to watch a DVD on my computer in bed whilst working on some new craft ideas (one of my favourite things to do on a weekend - am I lame?). I decided to adapt a creation I made a while ago for a mini felt cake slice except way more mini. Two and a half hours of careful hand sewing later (it mainly took this long because I kept getting distracted by my movie, which was about cake actually so obviously I was easily distracted) I ended up with this:

Eeeeek! So cute! I have a few exciting ideas for this teensy morsel so watch this space!

Wrist cuffs

2009-07-08T18:03:00.001-07:00

Today's new items in my clubcute shop are a pair of pastel wrist cuffs made from photo images of Barbie and an 80s plushie unicorn. You can also wear them in your hair. Snazzy!

Brooches and Bears

2009-07-06T19:37:00.001-07:00

I just posted these new items in my Club Cute Etsy shop. One is a pair of furry teddybear earrings and the other is a collection of brooches made from vintage toys.

It's been really fun getting back into posting things on Etsy to sell, and good to get these little trinkets out into the open as I made heaps of them for markets and never put a lot of them online. I can't wait to get the Heartbreaker shop up and running again too.

Rose tinted

2009-07-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with fake flowers. I love their vibrant colours and eternally perfect petals. A while ago I made an oversized barrette out of these beautiful violet roses I found in a dollar store. Now I'm hooked and want to make a billion hair pieces, brooches, and trinkets in all different colours to adorn my wardrobe.

Club Cute

2009-07-05T23:16:00.000-07:00

I created a new Etsy shop for some cute trinkets I made a while ago, but never put online. It's called Club Cute.
Check out http://clubcute.etsy.com !!

Wish List

2009-06-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Barbie dolls, I really want one or all (preferably all) of these Barbies from the My Favourite Barbie series. My housemate Rosie and I were on a shopping spree a few weeks ago when we came across these and got so excited! They are so amazing, especially since it is really hard to find originals of these dolls, new, in the box. I have been hunting for a Barbie and the Rockers doll in op shops for years with no luck, and I never win them on Ebay since I am notoriously bad at bidding/winning. Needless to say, these would make a perfect addition to my room decorations and if anyone feels the need to shower me with presents, namely Barbies, now would be a great time. Thank you!

Happy Birthday Barbie

2009-06-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

This is so amazing! Barbie celebrated her 50th anniversary with a fashion show featuring 51 designers' specially created outfits at New York Fashion Week Fall 2009. Models with high ponytails, BIG hair, and cat-like eye makeup wore bouffant prom dresses, sequined bodysuits, and futuristic minis. I love the detail in the show, on tights, lapels, ankle socks, accessories, and hair pieces.

Rachel Roy

Rebecca Taylor

Nicole Miller

Alexander Wang

Badgley Mischka

Calvin Klein

Patricia Field

Rag and Bone

Tommy Hilfiger

Three as Four

Tibi

New Collage

2009-06-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

My BFF Em and I are pretty into Disney Castles, My Little Ponies and heart-shaped gems. Perfect collaging fodder.

Horror Show

2009-06-10T17:44:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled across Ann-Sofie Back's AW 09 collection which instantly conjured up images of horror movie sleepovers - staying up all night freaking out and spilling popcorn down the fronts of our pajamas, being traumatized for months afterwards by possessed dolls and prom queen zombies. Or high school Halloween parties where we were toilet paper mummies, macabre zombie brides, and white-faced, lace-draped ghouls. Sneaking into the cemetary at night and making grave rubbings with Crayolas and covering black tin lunchboxes with glitter, moons, and stars. Making voodoo dolls at lunchbreak and listening to the Misfits whilst sewing bone shapes onto black cutoff gloves. And the smudgy kohl eyeliner and black chewed up nailpolish. Always, always.

"Ann-Sofie Back Burns in Hell" screams of teen horror films and their characters - the slash and rip decor of that sullen, sinister classmate; the torn denim and patchwork pieced uniform of the serial killer next door; the tainted ballgown of a doomed prom queen. I especially love the zombie killer makeup and how the runway soundtrack was made up of horror movie theme songs.

Every day should be Halloween!

sorry

2009-05-20T21:07:00.001-07:00

Haven't posted anything in ages. Have heaps of stuff just waiting to be posted, which I will get onto this weekend! I'm sorry chums, I've been so lazy.
In the meantime add me on Twitter and check out my new Tumblr?

Twitter: http://twitter.com/kitiya
Tumblr: http://candycastle.tumblr.com/

Andrew's Birthday

2009-04-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

It was my housemate Andrew's birthday this weekend so Rosie and I decided to make him a cake. Naturally we turned to the most amazing cake book of all time for inspiration, the Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake book. This book was THE book of my childhood - my mum made so many of the cakes for my brother and I from it and we used to spend the whole weekend just poring over the pictures and planning future birthdays, two, three, and four years in advance!

We decided on a swimming pool cake, and adapted the recipe to include a jam roll pool deck and Kit Kats instead of chocolate fingers (could NOT find them anywhere). My favourite bit is the menacing man-eating jelly fish!

Wishlist - Q-pot Disney

2009-04-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

Last night my housemate Rosie and I decided that we are going to buy tickets to Japan!! I can't think of anyone I'd rather go to Japan with then the queen of kawaii herself, Erica-Rose. Just imagining all the things we could see and do there is making me SO excited. We really really really want to go to Disneyland!! It seemed fitting then that I post about the Disney collaboration with Japanese sweet treat geniouses Q-pot. As some of you may know, I LOVE Q-pot SO MUCH. In my opinion, a collaboration with Disney is just THE perfect thing for them to do!

Remember that Alice in Wonderland live action movie from the 70s? My favourite bit in it was when Alice ate the tiny 'Eat Me' cake. I used to sit in my playroom and re-enact that scene for HOURS with grape flavoured Hubba Bubba.

You can buy pieces from this collection in Sydney at Incu.

Easter Feast

2009-04-13T01:52:00.000-07:00

Last night my housemates and I hosted a delightful pastel feast for Easter. There were mountains of food, tiny glittery cupcakes, an Easter hat craft table, egg hunt, and a marshmallow bunny centerpiece. Pastel outfits were a MUST of course.

Crepe paper decorations.

Mallow bunny centerpiece and an assortment of origami bunnies handmade by Greg (who worked on them ALL day).

The Easter hat craft table! We channeled our inner 5 year olds and embellished hats with tulle, pom poms, googly eyes, fluffy chickens, ribbon, cellophane, sequins and more!

Rosie's magnificent ice cream sundae hat.

Pastel pretties.

Margaux wearing Greg's Japanese inspired Easter hat.

Tamara's giant squid-inspired hat, as modeled by our porcelain kitty.

Shunji wearing the hat I made for him and looking particularly 5-year-old.

Pastel Club in action.

Diamond Girl

2009-04-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to wear some of my fav outfits with it. Pictures soon!

High Summer

2009-03-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

It's still super hot in Sydney, even though summer's over. The perfect weather for teensy bandeaus, high waisted cut offs and big beach hair. My outift of choice for balmy nights watching Gossip Girl and painting my nails.

Cutsey Crystal Collage

2009-03-18T04:23:00.000-07:00

I recently got Photoshop on my computer again and immediately threw myself into my favourite thing to do whilst sitting in front of the TV (whilst watching Gossip Girl) - collaging! I have a few ideas in the works for an exhibition featuring decadent kitschy collages, perhaps with glitter glue involved... so stay tuned!

Senior Prom!

2009-03-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had a party for my housemate Rosie's birthday. The theme was Senior Prom. I was so proud of everyone for dressing up to the max. In the immortal words of Jem and the Holograms, the costumes were truly outrageous! Highlights of the night included my prom date buying me a real corsage, slow dancing to Kiss From A Rose and Hungry Eyes, prom photos on the Valentine seat made by the Senior Prom Decorating Committee (me and my friend Greg), and the crowning of Prom King and Queen (my date won King! I did not win). I couldn't help but post some photos of the amazing costumes for you to swoon over.

The Prom Queen/Birthday Girl looking lovely on our giant Valentine seat! She customised this vintage dress herself with pastel spray paint, bedazzles, and glitter glue!

Me and my Prom date Tony! I handmade my dress using fabric from a vintage mumu. I was totally inspired by Betsey Johnson's SS08 Prom collection. It has a fitted bodice, sweetheart neckline with ruffle, and huge pouffy skirt with and underlayer of black tulle.

Prom Nerds! I found a pair of amazing clear lense 80s glasses with the name Ronnie imprinted on them. Perfect! Tony is wearing a hat I made for him to match my outfit.

Greg and Lisa! I loved Lisa's costume, she was like the girl version of Duckie from Pretty in Pink, except minus the neurotics. We found Greg's costume after a visit to a huge warehouse full of shipping containers, one of which containing the entire contents of a costume shop that had gone out of business. I think he kind of looks like a Ken doll from Barbie and the Rockers, especially with the silver vest and peach cumberbun!

Yvette and Nicholas looked like something out of Grease 2. SO HOT! I am so in love with Nicholas' baby blue ruffle.

Yassin is SO Leader of the Pack. He looks like a badass Valentine.

Lu and Anna straight out of a Stacey Q film clip. Polkadots and eyeshadow up to your eyebrows are some of my favourite things ever!

Goodbye Summer

2009-03-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

On the last day of Summer I made this cute tunic dress to wear to a secret nighttime beach party. The dress is made from vintage fabric and features a cute little pocket with contrasting bow detailing. It has oversized sleeves for layering sassy bras and cute swimwear under. It was the perfect thing to wear to say 'au revoir' to an amazing summer!

I will be making more of these sweet summery dresses to sell online, but in the meantime if they really take your fancy feel free to email me with custom order enquiries: we_heart_heartbreaker@yahoo.com.au

xoxo

Sweet Tooth

2009-02-18T20:17:00.000-08:00

I found these delightful images in a friend's Facebook album and freaked out! Baby animals, easter eggs, tiny bird cages, super neon creatures, iced treats, pastel sugar... (these are a few of my favourite things)! After some Nancy Drew-style sleuthing on the internet I discovered that this was part of an installation in Federation Square in Melbourne, and that the artsists go by the name of Pip and Pop. I am in love! If anyone has any other information about this please spill!! xoxo

Work Uniform

2008-12-12T18:57:00.000-08:00

This is what I wore at work today.

Amazing suede tassle sandles - I like to pretend I'm Pochahontas when I wear them.

It's my party

2008-12-12T18:47:00.001-08:00

It was my birthday last weekend. This is what I wore:

I bought this amazing Betsey Johnson dress from her SS 08 collection (the one with all the prom dresses - my absolute favourite!) online and teamed it with...

These absolutely amazing black patent wedges with velvet bows!! I searched everywhere for the perfect birthday shoe and found these in a teensy boutique in Chinatown (Chinatown shops are total goldmines!). They were the last pair and exactly my size! I would say that = FATE. And love at first sight.

My BFF Emily and I getting our photo taken prom-stylez on the staircase. Note Emily's UNREAL red jacket, complete with leg-o-mutton sleeves.

There is a mysterious yet amazing giant red bow painted on a building near my house. Perfect for posing in front of.

Bridezillas

2008-12-08T21:56:00.001-08:00

My housemates and I like to try and out-gross eachother with nasty internet finds. Today Fergus sent me this AMAZING (and terrifying) website: Tacky Weddings. As I was reading it I realised that rather than being completely disturbed by what I was seeing (granted most of it is very disturbing), I was actually totally into some of the giant frou frou dresses, fairytale reenactments (chav style), absurdly embellished bridewear and off-the-richter cakes. Now I want to get married. But only if it involves a crocheted cocoon.

So wrong it's right:

I Heart Miss Van

2008-12-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

Miss Van is a French graffiti artist who began painting in Toulouse and gained worldwide acclaim for her whimsical doe-eyed girls and their playroom outfits and shiny candy pouts. I'd love to own one of her prints one day. xo

All pictures from Google Image Search.

I just thought you should know...

2008-12-03T05:37:00.000-08:00

...that my hair reached all new levels of huge this evening. It must be summer.

Blatant name drop

2008-12-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

I totally forgot to write about this when I found out AAAAGES ago.

***Katy Perry wears Heartbreaker!!***

Lol! That's right, I found out she bought a Tutti Frutti charm bracelet from my Etsy shop a last year, and after some Nancy Drew-style internet detective work I found evidence!!

My bracelet:

As seen in my Etsy shop here.

The bracelet in action on numerous occasions:

I wouldn't usually crap on about famous people, but since this is my only known celebrity purchase, and an unexpected surprise..I just had to mention it.

Welcome to my new blog!!

2008-11-28T06:12:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!!

Welcome to my brand new blog! I switched to Blogger so it would be easier for me - a total internet dummy - to maintain. There are lots of exciting new things in my new blog that my old blog didn't have, such as little pictures of things I like, more organised links, and the best thing of all (which I couldn't get to work on my old blog) - COMMENTS! I never know if anyone is reading this so if you are, now is your chance to say hi and tell me what you think!! I look forward to hearing from you! As you can see I have redirected my old blog address to my new blog, so you can still find me by typing in http://weheartheartbreaker.com. HURRAH!
I can't wait to start blogging again.

xoxo

Kit

Birthday/Christmas Wish List

2008-11-26T18:46:00.001-08:00

Since it’s my birthday in 2 weeks and almost Christmas I thought I would post my latest wish list of ultimate gifts, just in case you want to buy me a present… hehe

Matina Amanita Globetrotter Chrysler Building ring.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette

Disney Couture Princess Wrap Bracelet

Influence by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

MOR
Marshmallow Body Butter

Miss Macaron Blythe mini doll.

Dior Pure Poison Eau de Toilette.

Rings by Diana Scarisbrick

Ralph Lauren Hot Eau de Toilette

Romance Was Born Yin Yang playsuit

Mimco leather Satellite bag

Squeek Heels by Top Shop

Melissa Ultra Wedges

I hope someone takes a liking to me and buys me ALL these things. That would be lovely. XOXO

Ch-ch-ch-changes

2008-11-26T18:45:00.001-08:00

A post from November 2008.

Hello everyone,

I’m sorry for not blogging for a long time…I have been trying to revamp the look of my blog and enable comments on all my posts but have been having trouble because I’m really not good in any way at any sort of html codingz or the inner workings of wordpress templates. Therefore, I have decided to transfer my blog to a Blogger address, to make life much more easy for me, and allow anyone who wants to comment on my ramblings. I cant really figure out how to easily transfer all my blog posts from this blog to my new blog - I think it’s impossible - so am doing it manually (this is going to take FOREVZ) - so will try and do it all as soon as possible and then get back to posting amazing stuff about everything!!

I am hoping to keep the same web address as this page…but am still trying to work out how to do that too, so please stay tuned!! I really can’t wait to get back into writing about all my fashion adventures.

xoxo
Kit

What dreams are made of

2008-11-26T18:42:00.000-08:00

A post from September 2008.

London Fashion Week is blowing my mind. I’m so excited I just spent 4 hours on Polyvore creating this collage when I was meant to be working. It is now almost lunchtime and just as well because the saccharine shades and marshmallow shapes of PPQ’s SS09 collection are making me oh-so-hungry. I am frothing at the oversized and playful silhouettes, macaroon chocolate box colours, chunky heels and gigantor accessories. I am in a sweet-tooth swoon. I think I might faint.

P.S. Polyvore does NOT satisfy my collaging needs in any way, so if you want to see just how good these fashions really are:

Click here to indulge your candy craving and view the entire PPQ SS09 Collection

Dollbaby

2008-11-26T18:34:00.001-08:00

I’m pretty into Poupee Girl at the moment. It keeps distracting me from real life things, such as my job, and cleaning my room. I’ve only just started so I haven’t got that many amazing outfits yet but here’s my lil’ doll. You can click on the birdy to see other outfits I’ve made.

Flowerbomb

2008-11-26T18:33:00.000-08:00

A post from September 2008.

After almost a year of searching everywhere for my size, these floral Doc Martens - ie: my ULTIMATE shoe - are now MINE! Thank you eBay!

Young Hearts

2008-11-26T18:30:00.000-08:00

A post from September 2008.

Sophomore is Chrissie Miller and Madeleine von Froomer. Super soft simple basics - tees, leggings, sweaters, dresses, and jackets. 1970s New York style. Classic summer favourites for lazy sun-drenched afternoons out with your BFFs.

http://www.sophomorenyc.com

All pictures from Google image search. xo

Betsey Johnson SS09

2008-11-26T18:24:00.000-08:00

A post from September 2008.

I always find that when Betsey Johnson designs a collection she designs SO MUCH. Her latest collections have just been pretty extensive. There are so many pieces, and so many different looks happening all at once. SS 08 was amazing, I liked EVERYTHING, but I’m not so sure about this year. There were too many colours and styles competing with eachother, I didn’t find it as cohesive as ‘08 and I don’t know how I feel about the awkward hats and wigs. But she’s always amazing and there were a few stand out pieces that were totally poppin’!

Amazing!! Totes channeling Little House on the Prairie.

Kelly and Donna would totally buy this.

I immediately thought of L’trimm, but like, on holiday..in the tropics.

A little bit Picnic at Hanging Rock, a little bit Andrea Zuckerman..I never thought I’d say those two things in the same sentence but there you go.

Pics from style.com and Google Image Search. xo

A soiree with All Of Our Lives

2008-11-26T18:20:00.000-08:00

A post from September 2008.

My gorgeous friend Mitch has always been something special. With impeccable and outlandish fashions and an obsession with everything wonderful and bizarre, he is always one step ahead of the rest. When I discovered that he had started hand making bowties and ruffly wearables I knew it was going to be delightful, and Mitch certaintly didn’t disappoint! I am so excited and proud to introduce you to your new favourite accessories label, All Of Our Lives.

Hi Mitch! Please introduce us to your magnificent label!
ALL OF OUR LIVES is a Sydney based bow tie label that sprouted from a lifelong obsession with decorative accessories. We are super fancy and are made to make you look really nice.

Your first collection is amazing! I love the clean, stylish look of it, and how every piece is unique. Tell us a bit about how the collection came about, what were you looking at/listening to/doing that inspired you to create such snazzy pieces?
My inspiration for the first collection came mostly from my personal obsession with bow ties and ruffles. I’ve been collecting bow ties for as long as I can remember, mostly simple styles in varying colours, and I have never seen anything too flamboyant. I look to a lot of magazines for inspiration, some of the Japanese magazines are great for inspiration. There’s definitely an open door in the fashion industry when it comes to flamboyant neck wear.

You seem to have a penchant for unique fabrics and embellishments, what are your favourite materials to work with? Without giving away too many of your trade secrets, where has your materials collection come from?
I guess I’ve always liked nice feeling fabrics, rather than crusty fabrics. I love the metallic knit foil that I’ve used in this collection, it’s so soft and slinky despite being a metallic fabric. I’ve always loved crushed velvet, it reminds me of cinemas back in the sixties, so I’ve used velveteen fabric for a few of the bow ties. I source my fabrics from well renowned fabric specialists who supply fabrics to some of Australia’s top designers.

Describe your studio space - what does it look like and where is it located? What interesting objects and tid bits would we find lying about if we visited the home of All Of Our Lives?
My studio space is messy and unorganized, it’s always the way I’ve been when it comes to my personal space. It’s basically just a corner in my house with a sewing machine and fabrics everywhere, I like it though. Hmm, if you were to have a poke around my house, you would find a lot of pendants and charms, loose threads, a lot of quirky books, and oodles of painted porcelain animals.

Who is the perfect All Of Our Lives boy/girl? What kind of person is perfect for your wares? Who would be your ultimate dream customer?
That’s a tricky question, but I would have to say someone who likes to look nice all the time, but at the same time not too overdone. I like to think of a bow tie as “the finishing touch” to an amazing outfit.
A dream customer… I would really love to see someone beautiful all dressed up with one of my bow ties on, just casually perusing the isles in a supermarket. I think that’s lovely.

Your lookbook is totally rad! The photos definitely give your pieces the pizazz they deserve! They have a sort of haphazard, kooky quality about them that totally complements the accessories! Who did you work with to create the lookbook? Do you have any other collaborations planned for the future?
Thank you… Bowen Arico did the photography for the lookbook. He’s a great friend of mine, so we worked well together to create exactly what I had envisioned for the photos. Sydney based graphic designer Elvira Wilkinson has also done a lot of the design work for ALL OF OUR LIVES. I’m extremely happy with the way it’s all worked out.

You always look super smart - describe your personal style for those of us who dont know you and/or are blind. What are your favourite outfits/items of clothing, where are the best places in Sydney to pick up something truly special?
In a way my style is very avant-garde, however I’m very open minded when it comes to fashion. I have these amazing genie-like cotton pants, they have swirly red and green patterns all over, I feel a bit like a gypsy when I wear them. I also have a very femme houndstooth jacket that’s been getting a lot of wear lately.
I think Surry Hills is great for fashion. Stores like Dobry Den, Capital L and Somedays are all fabulous, yet still affordable. If you’re more into second hand goods though, Tempe Tip is the way to go, I always leave feeling satisfied, and their vinyl section is too good to be true.

Each piece you have made is precious, a must have in anyone’s collection of favourite things. Share with us a few of your favourite things?
I have so many favourite things! I have been collecting Polaroid Cameras for years, so I would have to say they’re all in amongst my favourite things. I bought a pair of patent black wingtip brogues from a second hand store in Fremantle for $2, they’re actually different sizes, one’s a little bigger than the other, but it’s hardly noticeable, and they’re amazing.

When will the collection be unleashed on the world and what are you hoping to work on next?
The collection will be released very soon, not sure on exact dates just yet, but i’ll keep everyone posted. Once this collection is unleashed, I’ll start working on the next collection right away. Hopefully everything will work out just dandy.

From top to bottom: The Fringeful Delight, The Disco Sister, Bold and Beautiful, and The Madeleine.

You can find more of Mitch’s creations at: http://www.myspace.com/AllOfOurLives

I heart Audrey Horne

2008-11-26T18:18:00.000-08:00

A post from September 2008.

She’s like Nancy Drew’s saucy little sister. Her seemingly innocent 50s style is just a disguise for gutsy antics, saucy detective work and kooky behaviour, which makes Twin Peaks’ Audrey Horne everyone’s favourite bad girl.

Hands in the Dark

2008-11-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

A post from August 2008.

I heart Stacey Mark

2008-11-26T17:36:00.001-08:00

A post from August 2008.

Stacey Mark is the Photo Director at Nylon and takes beautiful photos of her own.

Late night craft times

2008-11-26T17:33:00.000-08:00

A post from August 2008.

Last night I made this top to wear to my friend Freya’s 21st birthday dinner which I’m going to tonight. I based it on the bodice of the zombie bride dresses my friends and I made for a costume party once. I love how it turned out!! It’s made from a textured striped cotton (cut from an 80s dress).It has a small triangle cut out at the back as well, with two criss-crossed straps. It felt so good to be making something again after a long transition period where I didn’t have time or energy for anything creative. I’m working on a lot of new designs for Heartbreaker so maybe you’ll see more of these tops in the very near future!!

P.S. I just have to say, I am totally loving my new laptop especially the Photobooth aspect. Technology blows my mind. Lol!

My new room

2008-11-26T17:28:00.000-08:00

A post from August 2008.

Birthday Party Barbie I bought in the box for $25 at Camberwell Markets in Melbourne, and cupcake plushies by Im Your Present

Princess Bed and amazing 80s Pierrot print (my housemate Rosie has the exact same one!)

Ida and I FINALLY got our act together and chose which Sara Moon print we wanted. I got Jennifer, she totally matches my baby blue wardrobes.

Porcelain kitty bought for $1 at a school fete in Canberra (the woman wanted to give him to me for free but I INSISTED!)

Cookie scented candle and trinkets on my dresser.

These photos are pretty mystical looking, which could be cool, but could also be because I am operating sans Photoshop and sans proper camera, so everything’s a bit off…hopefully all this will be remedied soon. xoxo

The Ultimate Girl

2008-11-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

A post from July 2008.

A little interview

Cute Video of The Day

2008-11-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

A post from July 2008.

More Melbourne

2008-11-26T17:17:00.000-08:00

A post from July 2008.

WEDNESDAY*THURSDAY*FRIDAY

Were spent in the city where we all spent our days roaming the streets, eating giant ice creams and tiny dumplings (everything in my life MUST involve some sort of food), and getting our photos taken for the Harpers Bazaar street fashion blog. Our nights were spent watching made for TV movies in our crazy youth hostel or in dimly lit clubs dancing like idiots and taking Polaroids.

Mysterious...

2008-11-26T17:05:00.000-08:00

A post from July 2008.

When I was in Melbourne I spotted some amazing jewellery in one of my fave boutqiues, Fat, and fell in love with these two necklaces:

I totally totally want one! I am going to save my pennies until the black one is mine. But all I could find out about the designers was what I read on the Fat blog, that they are called Small Town. How very mysterious…

Melbourne

2008-11-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

A post from July 2008.

I went to Melbourne last week for a little holiday with my friends Ida, Phil, and Tim. It was super fun!
SUNDAY*MONDAY*TUESDAY
Were spent in the ‘burbs visiting my parents, raiding thrift stores and markets, and eating homemade cookies non-stop.

1.5 hours into our trip when we were braving the freezing Camberwell Markets, Ida and I saw these unbelievable Sara Moon prints and were just like OMG WE MUST OWN THEM. We both LOVE Sara Moon!!! The lady was like: $10 each. We were like: LET’S GET ‘EM. We took them to the car and when we were shoving them in the boot the evil curly haired one sliced Idas hand open and she started gushing blood! We raced about dripping blood everywhere trying to find first aid and after being rejected by one clinic we barged into another where we were graciously recieved, and she eventually got some stitches.

The scene of the crime

We went to the Dandenong Savers - best Savers ever in my opinion.

I bought so many amazing clothes and trinkets from various small thrift shops here and there, highlights included:

Gorgeous white leather vintage sandals with wood wedges.

The following 7’s: Listen To Your Heart by Roxette, Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean, Heaven Is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle, I Can’t Go For That by Hall and Oates, and Africa by Toto

These beautiful swan vases which tragically broke in the bag on the way home, but were painstakingly glued back together by my awesome dad - THANKS DAD! (as seen in the photos - must get black paint touch up paint asap.)

The Ultimate Present

2008-11-26T16:56:00.000-08:00

A post from July 2008.

!!! CONGRATULATIONS KELLY !!!

I totes knew you would win!

xoxo

New Bed

2008-11-26T16:46:00.001-08:00

A post from July 2008.

As part of my new life I bought this new bed from Ikea.

I have always, ALWAYS wanted a princess bed and now I have one! It is truly beautiful. I haven’t assembled it yet because I have yet to move into my proper room in my new house. I am camping out in a way too small bedroom waiting for someone to move out. But Friday’s the day, I can’t wait to set it up and have a tea party on it.

New bed collage:

I'm Your Present is the Next Big Thing!

2008-11-25T19:44:00.001-08:00

A post from July 2008.

My gorgeous BFF Kelly, creator and designer of THE best fashion label ever, I’M YOUR PRESENT was selected as a finalist for this year’s Fred Flare Next Big Thing competition!!

I am SO proud of Kelly, she has always been so amazingly creative, and everything she makes just blows me away! She is always creating THE most precious treats that are so visually appealing, unique, and superbly well made. She has been so successful in what she does, and is constantly such an inspiration for me, a total role model for what I eventually hope to achieve with Heartbreaker.

This is the I’m Your Present playsuit for sale now on Fred Flare. It is totally illustrative of the playful, cute, sexy, and fun qualities I see when I look at Kelly’s shop and all her amazing wares. It reminds me of outfits I wore as a little girl, and also of bubblegum, soft serve ice creams and Disneyland.

I moved house

2008-11-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

A post from July 2008.

Hey everyone!

Sorry for being completely AWOL from the intrawebz lately. I have been going through a variety of stressful, life-changing events which have all culminated in me moving out of my little flat into a new place! I am now living in the city in a super cute terrace house. The stress of everything that’s been going on, plus moving on top of it all have meant that I haven’t been able to do ANYTHING related to making and designing, this blog, my online shop, or anything creative really. I am feeling totally desperate about getting back into it and dishing out more delectable Heartbreaker treats for everyone to enjoy!

Here are some things I plan to work on as soon as my new room is unpacked:

* Totally pimpin’ out my new online shop, and looking into trying to make Etsy work for me more (do you guys think this is a good idea, or should I not bother?)
* Working on a bunch of designs for super cute clothes I’ve had up my sleeve for awhile
* Changing the look of Heartbreaker slightly to make it more amazing than ever before
* Gettin’ all up in the intrawebz in terms of my Facebook fan page, Myspace page, and other things
* Finding more markets to sell at
* Working on getting some boutique stockists
* Making a look book
* Working on collaborative projects with some other creative friends of mine
* More blogging! Esp hot outfit photos and some new interviews
* Craft Club!!

I hope you are all still interested in my blog and Heartbreaker in general, and that you’ll keep checking back for new projects because I will be working on them very soon!

xoxo
Kit

!! New Online Shop !!

2008-11-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

A post from June 2008.

Yay! I finally did it!! I now have a brand new online shop, http://shop.weheartheartbreaker.com .
It containins all new products, (accessories right now, with clothing to come) and prices are all in Australian dollars!! Hurrah! I love it. There are still a few technical teething problems but it’s up and running and ready for your purchases.

Sneak Peak:

Rad.

2008-11-25T19:33:00.001-08:00

A post from June 2008.

Give it to me!!

2008-11-25T19:30:00.001-08:00

A post from May 2008.

Nagi Noda Animal Hair Hats!

Bunnies

2008-11-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

A post from May 2008.

I always go through phases where I OBESS over things to the point of being deranged. Kittens are always up there at the top of my list, but my current obsession is: BUNNIES! I honestly am totally obsessed right now, every time I see a picture of one I get really, REALLY excited.

Lookout Weekend

2008-11-25T19:21:00.000-08:00

A post from May 2008.

On Saturday night I wore the Kate Bush Suit out for the first time. It was totes amazing.

P.S. I Love You Mitch.

Breakin' Hearts

2008-11-25T19:09:00.001-08:00

A post from May 2008.

I have spent the last two weeks in a deranged pastel frenzy of last-minute preparations for the Autumn Hope Street Markets. Die hard fans of this blog will remember that I did the Hope Street Markets last year and it was super fun. Here’s what happened this year.

My stall is looking more and more like an 8 year old’s bedroom every time. Especially proud of the plushie bunnies - thinking of starting a collection..

Yay 80s shapes.

Bauble charm bracelets and my new flyers!

This is my Barbie Head, Kelly. She’s so pretty. P.S. omg woodgrain.

Earrings: I especially like the mismatched ones, probs my favourite thing I made for these markets.

BUNNIES!!

Check out the hot 80s boom box I bought for $5 at the St. Ninians Church fete in Canberra. Also note my favourite prop, the Barbie Cruise Ship (complete with fog horn noise!)

Crop tops, 80s ruffle skirts, oversized tunics, and more!

I made some new friends, Michelle and Alana from Raspberry Beret. They look exactly like me. Here we are right after our Lindsay Lohan Parent Trap moment where we discovered we were related. I am wearing a heart stuck to my forehead to distinguish me from the others.

Totes identical.

Michelle Irani: Covergirl. Here she is reppin’ my wares like only an exotique twin can.

Sorry!!These photos are so yellow. My camera is totes not makin’ the grade and my computer is so old there is no room for Photoshop! Bummer.

Um, OMG

2008-11-25T19:04:00.000-08:00

A post from May 2008.

INTENSE.

I do.

2008-11-25T18:56:00.000-08:00

A couple of weekends ago I went to this party - Gay Bash. I had never been before and this one was the last one EVER, and I can’t believe I’d never gone before since its always a costume party with a different theme and costume parties are my favourite. Anyway, this theme was “Mourning” AKA putting the fun back in funeral AKA sort of halloween themed.

My friends Ida, Emily and I went as zombie brides (something I’ve always wanted to go as to a costume party but never have). At first Ida and I had this grand plan to buy some trashy 80s wedding gowns from a thrift store and deconstruct them to our hearts’ delight, but got a nasty surprise at the thrift store when we found out that they were all priced at $80 and above (including ripped ones - wtf?!?!?) Instead we bought a heap of old lace curtains and went all out with our costumes! We worked on them for 2 days straight, staying up until 5am, and made them entirely from scratch!!!! Not only that, but I also made Nic the ULTIMATE costume, probably the best costume I have ever made in my whole entire life! I think we were the most amazingly dressed people at this party, if I do say so myself.

We constructed these huge, bouffy wedding dresses from scratch out of old curtains, featuring garters, headstone hair pieces, and cockroach embellishments!!!!! Zomg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ic was wearing A COFFIN! I am SO proud of this. It was a coffin that you wear as a back pack, complete with velour pillow, white funeral lillies and a matching condolence card with the chorus to ‘Candle In The Wind’ written inside!!!! ULTIMATE!!!!!!!!! there will never be another costume as amazing as this, but guess what, at the end of the night I left it behind the dj booth in the club and now it's gone forever. Devastated.

It is unbelievable how truly un-dead I look in this picture. I love how we’re posing by the trash, in true zombie fashion.

They look like little creepy dolls! Especially posing with Jonothan.

Headstone Headpieces - must have this season.

Jessie Hill!

2008-11-25T18:48:00.000-08:00

A post from May 2008.

Amazing Jessie Hill clothes I got for free thanks to Radge and his work on her runway show! I got to choose what I wanted from the lookbook and she ended up giving me everything I wanted! I am so lucky!

Winter Warm Dress (worn underneath the beaded moon dress here) - a lightweight, supersoft striped jersey dress (great for layering!)

White Ice Booties - These are simply wonderful! They are the nicest shoes I have ever owned! I never imagined there would ever be a possibility to get them as they were too precious! The booties are super super super super soft, and delicate and comfy. I love them!!!

I tried to get the photo of this from the lookbook to illustrate the magnamity of how amazing it is, but could only access these photos. This is: The Kate Bush Suit. It is: OFF THE CHAIN. It is this HUGE black jersey mumu/sack type dress/suit with leg holes at the very bottom of the suit. It is HEAVY because it is bejewelled with sequined moons on the front and back. It is the most beautiful and ridiculous garment I have ever owned. I CAN’T WAIT to wear it and live out my very own Kate Bush music video moment!!

I can’t get over these presents, and that fact that I am SO LUCKY Radge is pretty much the best ever.

Please Note: I found the Jessie Hill images on Google image search. They are the property of the websites they are from. xoxo

On The Street

2008-11-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

A post from April 2008.

I have been reading a lot of fashion blogs lately. I really like seeing what people choose to wear in their every day lives. I often contemplated documenting particularly favourite outfits of my own in this blog but always forget to and remember too late, when the day is over and I’m not wearing it anymore. If anything it will be a good way for me to remember specific outifit combinations so that I can wear them again and again!

Though, that being said, I don’t really tend to wear the same exact thing twice, I always try and mix it up with other pieces. I have this annoying thing where I MUST have new party clothes for every single occasion when I go out, so either buy something new especially for the occasion, or make something really fast 20 minutes before I am due to go out. I like this because it makes the night extra special if you have something new and unique to wear. But it means that I have way too many clothes. But oh well!

Here are a few snapshots of some favourite outfits that I've come up with:

This is one of my favourite jackets! It is a slightly batwinged 80s blazer with shoulder pads and an amazing faux leopard fur caplet. I am wearing it with a cream vintage slip top with shimmery stripes, my favourite high waisted mini skirt (it gets so much use) and a bauble ‘n bling chain. My fringe looks really hot in this photo.

"Oops, how did this get in here?" So, I may be slightly drunk but this is an awesome mumu-esque dress which started off as a drop-waisted 80s smock. I raised the hem to give it a babydoll style and used the excess fabric to make a huge detachable bow. I like how I am camoflauging.

This is me in costume right before S.Y.L.K show. I totally loved this outfit, it was SO baby-sitters club meets Girlfriend (90s Australian all-girl pop band). The overshirt had a long fabric band that you could wrap around and tie, and I was wearing a black and 90s print contrasting leotard underneath with super high waisted light denim shorts and gold sequined sneakers.

This is an image taken for Oyster Magazine, who asked me to be in their style section a while ago. I am wearing high waisted denim shorts with one of my favourite striped crop tops, an oversized faded boyfriend shirt and one of my Dreamboat Necklaces. I am holding a bag made by my BFF Imyourpresent. Check out my ‘fashion’ facial expression! I researched on Facehunter for days!!

Here I am at the Laneway Festival, wearing my high waisted mini again, and this awesome Jimmy Barnes top that Nic found in a thrift store (on the back it says in huge red letters: “Make It Last All Night Tour”..rad!) and a pair of gigantic 80s earrings I found on a recent Melbourne trip. I am also wearing my favourite pair of sunglasses with crackle paint detail.

And finally, this is probably my favourite outfit that I have come up with ever!!! This was taken at a recent and utterly amazing wedding I went to, my second wedding ever! I am crushed that out of the whole wedding there are only 2 photos of me, and none where you can see my entire ensemble! I was wearing a yellow 80s sundress with black patent belt, black tights and 80s black patent pumps, an oversized candy pink blazer with pearly pink/gold button, frou frou lace gloves ($14.99 at David Jones - OMG score!!!) a giant heart shaped diamond ring and smaller but equally as amazing pearl bauble ring, mis-matched 80s-inspired lighting/heart/pearl earrings (new Heartbreaker product!) and the most amazing 90s felt hat with velvet band!!!!!! May I also note that Ezzy is wearing an amazing Ksubi denim bubble dress and hot lipstick.

New Shop!

2008-11-19T21:11:00.001-08:00

A post from April 2008.

I have been working on a lot of things behind the scenes lately. I haven’t talked about this much on here but I am trying to move away from Etsy as an online place to sell Heartbreaker products. The main reason is, as an Australian seller I often feel stuck in the middle in that sometimes I think international customers could be turned off by the high postage rates I have to charge due to living at this end of the world! I also find that local customers either don’t know about Etsy yet, or are turned off by the log-on process and US dollar thing. (This is just from my experience, not a general view).

I really want to focus more on attracting local customers so thought I would create a new shopping cart that was totally mine, not run off a bigger database like Etsy (where I often get swamped by all the other shops out there if I can’t post items every day), and have it linked directly to this blog. I found Big Cartel and I have to say it is really rad so far! I really like the way even the most simple cart template is set out and all the options you have for posting items. I have been working on customising it (you can use your own CSS feed, but I’m not very experienced with that so am using a plain template at the moment which I actually really love - something to build up to in the future!) and this is what I’ve got so far:
http://heartbreakershop.bigcartel.com

I’m going to launch it properly soon, when I’ve documented more of my new products. I know it’s going to take WAY more publicity on my part, but I am excited about it being totally mine! Big Cartel is awesome because on the plan I’m on you can have your own domain name by doing some basic formatting stuff (which I have still got to do), so you can drop the Big Cartel part..which is cool! I’ll still be updating my Etsy shop, but things like clothing and bags, and one-off items will be listed in my new shop.

Anyway, I have disabled comments on this blog because I used to get heaps of spam comments, but I love hearing from you all so you can comment by sending me an email or writing to me on Etsy! Let me know what you think of my new shop! xoxo

Jonothan

2008-11-19T21:08:00.000-08:00

A post from April 2008.

LOL!!!!

Today I was talking to my friend Irina on Facebook and she mentioned that she bought a huge teddy bear from one of my favourite thrift shops, Tempe Salvation Army, and was going to give him up for adoption because there was no room in her house.
“No!” I cried, “I’ll take him!”
So at 6pm she dropped him off and all of a sudden I was the owner of a GIGANTIC TEDDY BEAR NAMED JONOTHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is seriously huge…get ready to be amazed:

Me and Jonothan just hangin’ out..sorry my pictures are grainy, my camera isn’t good in the dark from a distance.

Bear Love

Super excited!! I think I am going to make him a gigantic pastel bowtie!!!! He is the best!!!

Oh, Betsey!

2008-11-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

A post from March 2008.

I still can’t get over how amazing the Betsey Johnson SS 08 Collection was! It brought back all these memories of Prom, choosing the dress (I totally regret never going totally frou frou!!) being on the decorating committee in 11th grade (pastel balloons and a botched dry ice attempt) and watching Pretty in Pink and 16 Candles and wishing I was Molly Ringwald!

I couldn’t write about the Prom without posting a prom photo of my very own - here’s me and my friend Layla, goths ‘n braces! So cute.

*Please Note: I found all the Betsey Johnson images from Google Image Search, so thank you to their owners!

Caketown

2008-11-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

A post from March 2008.

I have spent the last two weeks travelling back and forth from Canberra, where I had an exhibition called Caketown. The show was part of a prize I won after graduating from Art School in 2006. Part of the prize was a 3 month studio residency at a local gallery in Canberra, as well as participation in a group show featuring myself and other people who won the same prize. Caketown is the final product of the residency, a solo show in a small exhibition space. It is basically the culmination of my obsession for all things fabric and all things dessert!! For me there is something really irresistable about fake foods, I just find them sooooo cute! I picked my favourite sweet treats and re-created them in fabric!!

Valentines Day cake, petit fours, lollipops, jam slice, cupcake and coffee cake

Cupcakes, strawberry bomb, and sponge cake

Pattycakes, lemon meringue slice, Vienetta, 100s and 100s parfait, and gold cupcake

Violet bomb, choc-chip cookies, and cupcakes

Strawberry layer cake

Coffee slice, strawberry shortcake, vanilla parfait, petit fours, and lollies.

My camera didn’t like the gallery lighting, so apologies for the slightly grainy pictures! You can see detailed images of the cakes in my Facebook album.

Playdate with Lou

2008-11-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

A post from March 2008.

I am so excited to introduce you to Lou, owner extraordinaire of my favourite Sydney fashion wonderland, Capital-L. She’s sassy, she’s saucy, and she’s got pizzazz! I did this interview ages ago, and there are so many better and more exotic questions I now want to ask her, but for now, here’s a sneak peak into Lou’s boutique…

HB: Hello! Please introduce yourself and your totes rad shop for those of us, and our friends across the seas who may not know you:
L: My name’s Louise Michelle Iselin and I am lucky enough to live on the corner of creation, well the corner of South Dowling St and Taylor St Darlinghurst too, Sydney that is, Australia!
We have a bunch of lovely friends who sell their clothes in our shop:
Lover, Karen Walker, Shakuhachi, Mala Brajkovic, Jessie Hill, Marnie Skillings, Michelle Robinson, MyPetSquare, Something Else, ChipChop, Azzollini, Life with Bird, Jemma Jube lingerie, Schwipe, Friedrich Gray, Flux, Saint Augustine Academy, Mjolk, Peter Schmidt shoes. Jewels by Elke Kramer, Matt Weston, Toby Jones and tatty devine. Sunnies by Karen Walker, AM eyewear and vintage medieval disco.
Plus our very own.. exclusive to capital-l.. in-house label PleaseLouise!
Exciting and new this season: Ellery, Mala Brajkovic, Family, Okay and Dr Denim.
And other lovely peeps who help us by painting our shop, working their and playing music at our parties (see mention of all our besties on our myspace).

HB: Capital L has hot window displays and decorations! I can totes imagine you creating them in a Mannequin-esque movie montage. What do you think makes a good window display?
L: Colour and quirkiness. And monkeys.
HB: Owning a boutique is like, the ultimate dream, what made you decide to embark on such an adventure??
L: Well before that I worked in IT!?!?
HB: If you could dress anyone head to toe in threadz from Capital L, who would it be and what would you make them wear?
L: Well we already dressed Beyonce! She bought a willow top and all our bling! And we dressed Andre 3000 too - AndySoma jumper and cap, Platform jacket and vest, Michael pleat front pants and Arabella alphabet belt. Hey Ya!
But if I could dress tinkerbell I’d make her wear some teensy teeny pleaselouise denim shorts and an azzollini English rose bikini top with a vintage mesh singlet and white sneakers. And lots of bling.

HB: What is your favourite outfit from when you were little?
L: I had a jumper with red lover hearts all over it which I wore with denim flares.
HB: What is one forgotten fashion fad you wish could make a comeback?
L: Red furry platform Chewbacca boots so I can get mine out of the garage!
HB: Hot/Not this season?
L: 90s / 80s (apparently!)

*SASSY SCENARIOS*
* You are going on your first ever date, what do you wear?
L: Hmm, the pleaselouise “backup!” dress (you can see on our myspace). backs are the new fronts…
* Your best friend turns up to a party in the exact same outfit as you even though she knew you’d been planning it for ages! What do you do?
L: How fun! Twins for the night!
* You get to school and realise you’re still in your pajamas! Do you run for cover, or stay and try and pull it off?
L: Gosh I used to dream about that! Yep I reckon pull the “bedazzler” out of the backpack (never leave home without one!) and a quick customisation job. Everyone will soon be doing it!
*Your crush has really bad fashion sense, what do you do to let him know his stylez are just not all that?
L:Don’t we all want out boys to be super dags????? I do!

You can find Capital L online at:
WWW: www.capital-l.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/thecapitall

Surry Hills Markets

2008-11-19T20:51:00.001-08:00

A post from March 2008.

On the weekend I had a stall at the Surry Hills Markets. I shared a table with my friend Jess.

It was exciting because I was debuting my new range of Heartbreaker accessories, which I’ve been working on for the last month. I was especially pleased with all the earrings I made, especially some cute non-matching lightning bolt/heart/pearl pairs inspired by the bratty teenage sister in an 80s film I recently saw. I also loved my hair bobbles, created from 80s plushie parts a friend gave me, and an assortment of pom poms and streamers, as well as the embellished photo image cuffs featuring Barbie, unicorns, and kittens.

I stayed up all night on Friday, making backing cards for everything. I haven’t really put that much effort into backing cards in the past, using only metallic cardboard in various shapes, but this time I really wanted to make them awesome! I watched Pretty in Pink and Mean Girls while I was making them, so they’re all teen movie coloured/styled!! Lots of pastel and 80s shapes.

Anyway, after driving round and round the city trying to pick up Jess at an ungodly hour of the morning we finally made it to the markets and set up our table. Jess was selling lots of super cute plushie toys, appliqued leather pencil cases, and zines. I wasn’t that happy with my display this time around, but I put it down to not being able to use as many props due to table space. I really need an awesome and cute display solution. I like using 80s toys as props, but my friend Dan said he would build me some display things with his sassy carpentry skillz, so I think I might try that.

Here are some more pictures of the table!

Thrift!!

2008-11-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

A post from March 2008.

I haven’t updated in ages! I’ve got SO much to report, but first, Nic and I went on a mini holiday to Melbourne last weekend, and raided a lot of thrift shops and markets. I bought so much stuff, but the definite highlights were:

An 80s rollerblading doll, kitted out in full a ruffly leotard and bomber jacket, complete with gems for earrings, and the first Girl Talk novel, an excellent addition to my Girl Talk novel collection!!

Some chunky 80s jewelery!! How Ken Done are the bangles?!?!

Awesome 80s earrings and pretty pastel bracelets!

Housekeeping

2008-11-19T20:43:00.001-08:00

A post from January 2008.

I’ve neglected the blog a bit lately but have been making heaps of new things and posting as regularly as I can. I think once I’ve organised my time between making stuff and all the other “real world” tasks, I can get into quite a good rhythm with keeping Etsy updated, and working on new projects, like market goods.

I’ve also just set up a Facebook company page for Heartbreaker, which is great because people can subscribe to it to keep updated, and I can link these blog entries directly onto it so they show up whenever I write something new. If you want to subscribe to this page, or just be my friend, you can look me up as “Kitiya Palaskas” or “Heartbreaker”.

New Stuff I’ve been making:

Polkadot Party Dress - reconstructed from a daggy 80s skirt

Molly Ringwald Barrettes - sweet little barrettes with 80s embellishments

Hama Bead treats - found a gigantor box of Hama beads at a thrift store over Xmas so got to work making some cute accessories with them

Candy Heart Tote Bag - based my Candy Heart Dress, a hand made tote bag with inner pocket and felt applique

Slumber Party Nightie Set - a totally cute nightie and matching eye pillow

Classy Mini Skirt - a high waisted 90s style mini skirt with yoke

Sweet Shift Dress with Brooches - a babydoll dress made from fabric I dyed myself! Comes with 3 cute brooches.

Powder Puff Socks - the 2nd pair of embellished socks I’ve made lately

Lemon Meringue Kitten Pillow - branching into heart shaped kitten pillows, super cute!

Collecting ideas for projects coming up

2008-11-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

A post from January 2008.

This photo, taken from one of my favourite magazines Russh (the other is Oyster), completely illustrates the mood and look of what I’m currently making or wearing! Super summer casual, 80s and 90s with ultra girly details here and there, and white sneakers! Nic and I are totes repre$enting white this summer, with white sand shoes, white hot mini skirts, white nailpolish, and white singlets. I came across this photo when I was flipping through my old Russh issues for ideas and was blown away since a lot of the pieces in it are similar to things I’m currently working on for Heartbreaker or sporting as my summer wardrobe!

I’m back in Sydney now after a 6 day “holiday” at my parents’ house in Melbourne. Bringing the horde of bargainz back with me was extreme to say the least! I had a whole extra suitcase and about 10 million pieces of hand luggage, BUT, I’m back now, it’s all okay. I’m also back at work, which is strange. It’s not like the days of yore when Christmas Break used to strech forever and there was nothing to do but have sleepoverz and glue gun parties. The real world is hard.

Anyway this is my first proper weekend back with nothing to do but CRAFT! I’m so excited, because I have sooo many projects that I want to get started on. I’m finally getting my overlocker/serger fixed on Friday so I can soon begin pumping out the most amazing collection of bodysuits and leotards that the world has ever seen! They’re going to be glittery and sparkly, with bouffy sleeves, embellishments, yokes, big floppy bows…you name it!
I can also begin making some embellished socks, something I’ve been wanting to work on for months, after daydreaming about outfits I had as a child. They always seemed to include frilly socks. I’ve been sporting a sample pair I made to all my band’s shows lately, with white sneakers (just like in the photo!) Both the leotards and socks will be so grand for both summer AND winter.
There’s heaps more stuff I want to work on, so I’m really looking forward to this weekend. I was in a bit of a slump inspiration wise last month, but am back “on the wagon” now, as they say.

I thought I’d collect some images and looks I’ve been really inspired by lately and put them all in this post:

I have been obsessed with Molly Ringwald this last week. I don’t know why, I mean I always was, but this week I’ve been trawling through photos of her in 80s films and getting heaps of ideas for outfits. I think Richard Nicholl, one of my fav designers was really inspired by 80s teen girl looks as well in his ss07 range. I absoutely love him. He is the best.

Like I said, THE BEST.

I know this isn’t the most attractive picture, but this is Angela Lansbury in Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile. She is exactly who I think of every time I mention “eccentric aunts’ jewelry boxes” in my Etsy descriptions. This is the most amazing outfit ever.

My rap group S.Y.L.K have been dressing more and more 90s glam lately. We started off wearing heaps of bright prints and metallics, but I am really loving our new look! It reminds me of bands like L’Trimm, whose outfits I find completely unreal!

Desperately Seeking Susan is one of my favourite films. When I watched it for the first time I constantly rewound the dvd to get a closer look at the heaped accessories worn in it, like meters of gold chain, pearl baubles, huge wooden tiger print earrings, many watches worn at once, skulls, and heaps of lace. I love textured outfits, like leather jackets with lace inserts and pointless but amazing things like fake hankerchiefs poking out of pockets.

I’m going to be tie dying this weekend..if you can believe it. I usually would have shuddered at the thought, but I like the idea of wearing old oversized tie dyed shirts as dresses, with huge messy hair, raybans, and tiny denim waistcoats. I’m going to try making my shift dress pattern with tie dyed fabric. I also love Bat for Lashes, and all the headpieces she wears, looking like she came straight out of a 70s music festival.

Finally, Stevie Nicks, probably my most ultimate idol ever. She is AMAZING! Her look during the 70s and 80s just blew my mind. She is like the human version of a Sara Moon painting and is probably who every Mills & Boon book cover illustrator during the 70s and 80s modeled their leading ladies on.

Bargain Bonanza!!

2008-11-19T20:03:00.000-08:00

A post from December 2007.

I’m in Melbourne for the Christmas holidays, visiting my Mum and Dad. Melbourne has lots of unreal thrift shops and markets. I have yet to find equals in Sydney. Yesterday was the most ultimate day of bargains that I have ever had. I can’t even describe to you how it was, you just have to see the pictures, it was UNBELIEVABLE.

Check out the horde of ribbon I got, all for only $3.99!! Also, some cutsey bow barrettes. I’m going to embellish the gingham ones for Etsy.

I have started to be obsessed with 90s fashion, and have been watching a lot of midday movies and 90210. I found some totally amazing 90s patterns! Also, this TOTALLY UNREAL 80s vase!! I can’t wait to fill it with slutty red roses and pretend I’m in a Danielle Steele novel!

These bright ice-cream bowls will be perfect for my market display, and/or summer ice cream partiez!! I’ve already used the yellow one in an Etsy photo for my plush cake necklace.

I found these snazzy 80s earrings in the $1 basket at the Salvation Army near my parents’ house. They’re amazing! I especially love the neon Africana ones, can’t wait to wear them with my……

90210 Twin Set Ensemble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just can’t get over this find! It’s hard to see the amazing detailing in the photo, but basically it’s all white denim, with lace inserts everywhere, and matching lace strap things that go across the shoulders of the batwing jacket, like on a military jacket. The skirt is really high waisted, with a kind of V-shaped waistline. I LOVE IT!

These bargainz were great and all…BUT…the absolute hit of the day in my opinion occured when Mum took me to a fabric clearance warehouse where I found probably enough lace trims to last me for…THE REST OF MY LIFE! That, plus various remnants of amazing “dance” fabric, and a few zips…all for…$42.00!!!!!!!!!!!! I can seriously say that was the biggest bargain I have ever got on anything, ever.

Dance Fabrics!! Usually really expensive, yesterday, dirt cheap! Theres a pastelly purple and cream shimmer fabric (like something out of Xanadu), some purple seafoam hologram fabric, and some silver and blue hologram fabric with hearts printed on it that you can only see when you turn the fabric a certain way!

I am CONSTANTLY struggling with having enough trims to embellish my warez to the absolute extent of my dreams. I will never have that problem again! The spools of trimminz are HUGE and were only $5 each! There are full cards of lace, in all sorts of pastel colours, ($2 each) and grab bags of miscellaneous bits and pieces ($1 each!). I CANNOT get over how amazing it all is. And there’s heaps more left at the warehouse! It was like a dream!!!

Christmas totes came early this year! xoxo

New Items - 19 December 2007

2008-11-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

A post from December 2007.

I’m on a new items frenzy this week! It’s been pretty fun.

Malibu Kitten pillow, Ice Cream Singlet, Plaid Carnival shorts.

New Items - Monday 17 December

2008-11-19T19:55:00.000-08:00

A post from December 2007.

Lots of new goodies coming this week. I’m trying to update more regularly so my shop has always got new treats in it!

Cake Slice necklace, Miss Diva kitten pillow, Wild West Vest, Purple Heart Badge, Frilly Party Shorts, Glamazon Headband.

Singlets!!

2008-11-19T19:54:00.000-08:00

A post from December 2007.

I made a batch of cute singlet tops for the Fringe Bar markets. It’s really fun coming up with different felt images to applique. I’ve been lucky enough to get most of my jersey fabric from the offcut bins at a clothing warehouse near my house, most notably being some amazing neon pink!! Look out for a few of these in my shop over the next week! xoxo

Fake Cakes!!

2008-11-19T19:52:00.001-08:00

A post from December 2007.

Here are some plushie cakes I made for a group exhibition I’m in at the moment in Canberra. The exhibition is for all the graduates from Canberra School of Art who won residencies at the Grad Show. I totally love plushie cakes!!

Fringe Bar Markets

2008-11-19T19:49:00.000-08:00

A post from December 2007.

Last weekend I had a stall at the Fringe Bar Markets, a weekly market set in a bar in Paddington. I had a mixed experience. It was my first time selling there and was also the first time I wasn’t successful sales-wise at a market. The market is filled with amazing vintage clothing and accessories stalls, which I think are much more popular than newer crafted items stalls like mine, where things are a little more expensive because they’re hand made. I had a lot of people looking, but in comparison to the unique and relatively cheap treasures to be found at the vintage stalls, there weren’t that many buying. It definitely was a learning experience, and you can’t really take stuff like that personally. I find that it is really hard to gauge shoppers, and what makes them want to buy, or not buy. You really have to just be happy with the products you’re selling and hope for the best. Not everyone will like what you do, but its more important for you to like and be proud of what you’ve made. I’d like to try Fringe Bar markets again in the New Year, to see if anything changes. I was really pleased with the layout of my stall though, despite it’s small size. Apologies for the bad quality images, it was very dark in the bar and rather than use the ugly flash, I Photoshopped the images…a lot!

Cute

2008-11-19T19:47:00.001-08:00

A post from December 2007.

I met Kelly in 10th grade and we became immediate BFFS, and still are to this day even though we live on opposite sides of the world! Julie came to Australia from the States on exchange and ended up at my art school. We had book making class together and spent hours crafting and going on adventures on our bicycles.

This is a photo of Kelly and Julie meeting eachother for the first time at the Bust Craftacular in NYC last weekend! It is totes amazing that two of my friends from totally different times in my life have somehow met up! I wish I was there!!!

They both have Etsy shops!

Kelly - imyourpresent.etsy.com
Julie - yoursecretadmiral.etsy.com

Wishlist #3: Q-Pot!!

2008-11-19T19:44:00.000-08:00

A post from December 2007.

This is my ULTIMATE wishlist item at the moment - a pink Q-Pot macaroon ring with HOT gemz!!!!!

I spent a day “on the town” with my friend Belle this weekend. We were browsing one of our favourite stores, Incu, when I came across the most wonderous, amazing accessories that I have EVER seen!! These gorgeous dessert trinkets are made by a Japanese label called Q-Pot. I don’t know much about them apart from that they are soooo cute they make me almost have an over-excited fit every time I look at them!

Not only do they have amazing macaroon jewelry, they have EVERYTHING else too!!!

A Date with Radge

2008-11-19T19:40:00.000-08:00

A post from December 2007.

I’m excited to post the second in my series of scintillating Heartbreaker interviews. This time we delve into the mysterious world of official Heartbreaker photographer Radge, (also known by many as Nic, Phong, Kon Ding, and on his passport - Vissukamma Ratsaphong). This multi-faceted dreamboat is also a dj, graphic designer, club night organiser, producer, and loving boyfriend (to me). Join us… on a Date with Radge.

HB: Radge, please explain who you are and what you do (feel free to use as many adjectives as you like!)
R: I am a dude that loves music and movies. Actually I am pretty much a nerd in both categories.
HB: Tell us a bit more about you, what do you like photographing? Current DJ projects? You are very famous. Where would someone go to see some of your photos?
I like photographing people spontaneously, I don’t like it when it’s posed. I also like quirky landscapes and nostalgia. As for my djing me and my brother are starting a new club night called Kon Ding where we play amazing music that was made in another time when it was more about the glitz and glamour rather than drugs and drama. Also, my new mix will be featured as a Halloween podcast on Modular Records.(Note: Radge’s brother is actually his brother from another mother, renowned Sydney dj Spruce Lee. They look exactly the same which often confused people. You can download Radge’s Halloween mix at the Modular Blog)
HB: What about your personal style? You have a very sassy collection of T-shirts and a daring penchance for short shorts. What is your favourite item of clothing? Do you have any - how do you say - “style icons”?
R: You know, I really don’t actually have a favourite item of clothing. I do like my short shorts though, mainly for their practicality. I also like singlets for the same reason. I don’t really have a style icon either, I guess I like the way kids dressed in the 90s but that’s as far as I can go.

HB: You have extremely good music taste, any favourites? If you had to make a soundtrack to go with a Heartbreaker photoshoot, what would you include in your playlist?
R: Lately I have been really feeling SSQ/Stacey Q and I absolutely think that they’d be one of the best bands to play live at a Heartbreaker photoshoot. In fact I don’t think anyone could compare in the compatibility stakes with Heartbreaker. (Note: He is so loyal, swoon)
HB: You have many aliases which leads me to view you with an air of mystery. What is something that not many people know about you?
R: I get emotional when watching Australian Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
HB: Do you have any advice for budding photographers and/or djs?
R: Never take part in fads, just be passionate about what you love.

QUICK QUESTIONS SECTION

HB: Favourite Food?
R: Home Cooking
HB: Best place for a first date?
R: Anywhere that I am djing
HB: Favourite Heartbreaker item?
R: Hologram Balloon Bag
HB: Current must-have?
R: Bicycle
HB: Dos and Don’ts in the world of photography?
R: Excessive over posing (Note: Do AND Don’t?!?!>
HB: What are you wearing right now?
R: UNDERWEAR!!!!!

You can find Radge at: radgeradge.com

Illustrating this interview are posters designed by Radge for the club nights he puts on, Kon Ding and Manshandies.

New Items - 3 December 2007

2008-11-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

A post from December 2007.

Sweet Tooth Lolly Barrettes, and Marie Antoinette rings.

Available now in the Heartbreaker shop!!

A Productive Tuesday

2008-11-19T19:26:00.001-08:00

A post from November 2007.

I usually work from Tuesday-Thursday and have a 4 day weekend to do craftz. Yesterday I had the day off work because I worked on Monday instead, and so worked on a few projects for upcoming market stalls, Etsy, and new designs. It was a really productive day!

I was browsing the dollar store by my house, Bargain Home (the best dollar sto’ in the ‘hood) and found some packets of super cute metallic children’s rings, probably for party bags or gifties. They had cute little shapes on them, like shells, doves, hearts, stars, and the like. I thought they’d be soooo cute to sell in little pairs (for some reason I have been obsessed with making things in sets lately). THEN I found these totally off the chain metallic heart-shaped plastic ring boxes, with matching metallic splatter paint detailing on them. I have always been soooo enamored with embellishing things, whether it be notebooks, outfits, my boyfriend, you name it! I rushed home and spent the afternoon decorating the boxes and choosing matching ring combos to go inside! I’m so pleased with how they turned out, they totally capture my desire to make my surroundings and all my possessions exactly like Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, minus the beheading aspect. Unforch the photo I took of the rings in the boxes was so blurry, so you’ll have to wait and see what they look like! I’ll be posting a couple in my Etsy shop in the next few days, and am saving the rest for market.

I love seashells! I have made some necklaces for myself lately that are huge, oversized, and horded with lashings of pom poms, large glow in the dark charms, huge gems, and massive pendants. I love oversized accessories. After my ring box mania I decided to try out a design I’ve been mulling over for awhile, and this shell necklace was born! The plastic shell is one half of a totes lewd ‘bikini’ I found in the costume section of Bargain Home. It’s about 6″ wide and 7″ long, so, it’s huge as a pendant. I absolutely love this necklace, and am thinking of trialling it at the markets I may be doing in December, to see if other people like it too. I really want to start making more things like this, but there’s always the worry of them being too unconventional for the average customer.

Yes, more seashells. I’m posting these in the shop today. I have until now only been making single ‘dangler’ earrings (my friend Roland thinks dangler is an unfortunate/lewd way to describe them) because I personally usually wear only one earring, as one of my earring holes always gets infected. I really love the concept of a single earring, but I don’t think many people share my view, maybe it’s the lewd ‘dangler’ aspect? Anyway, I’m branching out into pairs of earrings now, and since I’m obsessed with little sets of things right now, this has the potential to get really out of control (in a good way)!

Here’s a little somethin somethin I’ll be posting on Etsy today. A sneak peak if you will. It’s a new take on my Glamorous Seashell Purse, and I must say, it is way more successful in my eye, capturing my current urge to make everything seashell-themed, and reminding me of the gorgeous pastel illustrations found in the Snugglepot and Cuddlepie stories, when they’re adventuring under the sea (for those of you who don’t know the stories, they’re about these two cute Australian gum nut babies who go on adventures in the Australian bush, and also underwater…somehow). I am in the process of making more of these Fantasy Seashell Purses, to sell at the markets. The only downside of constructing them is that they’re really delicate, due to the organza overlay - organza being a fabric that really annoys me due to it’s tendency to shred horribly at every turn (if anyone has advice on how to sew more practically with it, please tell me!)

Treats!

2008-11-19T19:22:00.000-08:00

A post from November 2007.

I’ve lately received these two utterly amazing parcels from my faves Im Your Present, and I Like It Too Too!

Off the chain parcel including my order of 2 adorable kitten necklaces, PLUS, the usual amazing wrapping/packaging, a horde of Lisa Frank watches, some gorgeous embellished haircombs, and a Barbie pencilcase filled with a million tiny gemz and charmz! I love you Kelly!

A custom order bag from my girl Michelle (so hot I can’t bring myself to take it off!), an 80s Ken Done-esque heart badge, plus some amazing freebie 80s plastic stud sets, all packaged up into hot little houndstooth gift boxes! I am particularly impressed by Michelle’s promotional materialz.

The Goodz

2008-11-19T19:19:00.000-08:00

A post from November 2007.

I’ve been working on a lot of different projects lately, including custom orders like the Valentine Heart Bag pictured above, my first wholesale order, and some new goods for the markets and my Etsy shop. It was great to design some totally new things, since I haven’t been designing much lately and have been just making different versions of old designs. I’m so pleased with how the new goodz turned out and am really inspired now to make more, AND MORE!

Just for the night!!

2008-11-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

A post from November 2007.

My friend Dan runs a weekly club night called The Wall, which features different artwork displayed on the walls of the club each week. It’s been on hiatus for a while but re-launched on Wednesday night at a new, hotter club, and it was a smashing success! There was an art auction, live graffiti, a performance by my band S.Y.L.K, and some market stalls, including a small one by Heartbreaker. I ran out of Heartbreaker postcards at the last market, so whipped up some cute pastel heart flyers at work at the last minute, and think they look pretty cute, so cute that I might have them at all my market stalls, as well as my normal postcards! I also launched some limited edition S.Y.L.K merchandise, including bling rings with S.Y.L.K lyrics hodge podged onto them, and Hama Bead necklaces, modeled in these photos by my darling friends Emily and Levins.

Saucy Secrets - HB HQ

2008-11-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

A post from November 2007.

I live in a rad little flat on top of a graffitti supply store in a row of old Sydney shopfronts. It has high ceilings embossed with flowers, and wooden floorboards. It’s very long and narrow, and has a totes inadequate amount of space available for crafting (after all of our other millions of possessions have found a place). A book my mum bought me last Christmas by Jo Packham called “Organzing Your Craft Space” (a subtle hint perhaps?) inspired me to revamp the area in the back of the living room that I use to create Heartbreaker warez. The result is totes pleasing, probs the most organised/tidy I’ve been in ages, in my craft space at least (you should be thankful there are no photos of the rest of the house…)

A tantalizing interview with Kelly of I'm Your Present

2008-11-19T18:50:00.000-08:00

A post from November 2007.

I’m totes thrilled to begin sharing with you some truly scintillating interviews I have been doing with fellow designers, crafters, and creative hottiez! I’m proud to introduce the gorgeous and extremely talented Kelly, of the fashion label I’m Your Present. My BFF for over 7 years, and the creator of the most unique and covetable collection of garments and accesories in the land, it was utterly fascinating to get a glimpse of her wonderous world!

PART 1: THE GIRL BEHIND THE PRESENT

HB: Who are you?
K: Kelly Sloan ‘K-holez’ Eident
HB: What is your official title?
K: I’m your Present PRE$IDENT
HB:Where do you currently reside?
K: Rockin the suburbs of Connecticut (Note: for those of you who don’t know, this is in America, where the Baby Sitters Club is from)
HB: What is your favourite food?
K: Meats, leafy greens, Diet ¢oke 4evz, savory treats, vegetables… especially BEAT$
HB: Likes? Dislikes?
K: Likes- small kittens, crafts, bows, hearts, erotic photohunt. Dislikes- watching too much tv, when my dog is annoying.
HB: Do you have a Celebrity Crush?
K: I have a crush on every member from the band S.Y.L.K…. totes dreamy! (Note: I did not pay Kelly to say this, she truly loves us.) And the foxy bearded gentleman who plays drums in the band CATS… what a tall drink of water! RAWR!

PART 2: THE FAME, THE GLAMOUR, THE BRAND

HB: If you had to describe I’m Your Present to a blind and/or deaf person, what would you say?
K: I would gently take their hand in mind, and guide it over all the luxuriant and opulent textures, fibers and furrs that are my body. I mean clothes… my clothes.
HB:Who is the “I’m Your Present Girl”? Describe her to me. What is she like? Are there I’m Your Present Boys? I’m Your Present Grandpas?
K: She’s totes fab… she is the ‘It’ girl, always makin’ you sweat. Girls want to be her, and guys want to be with her. She’s a sassy lass, and she knows how to accessorize. Sadly, there aren’t very many I’m Your Present Boys… yet. I’m Your Present Grandpas are a little easier to come by. They’re basically the same as the I’m Your Present girl, except their wheelchairs have spinners and are upholstered in plaid fabric and fox fur.
HB: What is it like having an online shop? Do you sell anywhere else? Do you do infomercials?
K: It’s totes rad! I love being able to see who my customers are, and being able to talk to them. But it also can be very consuming and stressful. It’s a wild ride!!! There is a lot of work besides making things… listing all the items, taking & editing all the pictures, packaging everything, creating false personas to buy everything so it looks like I’m selling more. I sell in a couple other boutiques and the occasion craft fair. I haven’t done any informercials yet, though I get several offers daily.
HB: What does the crystal ball say is in store for I’m Your Present? Where will you take it next?
K: There aren’t any sex changes planned, if that’s what your asking. My plan is to just keep doing what I’m doing… it would be nice to someday maybe own a boutique, or at least have some migrant workers helping me with my line.

PART 3: BEHIND THE SCENES

HB: Describe a day in the life of Kelly, CEO of I’m Your Present.
K: Great! I love these. Here it is, blow by blow: Everday I wake up anytime from 7:30am to the crack of noon. I put on my mandatory crafting outfit, which is a full body pink leotard and a refrigerator box that I upholstered into a present. After I spend several hours grooming myself (my movements are slow due to the confinement of my box) I am ready to get to work. Then it’s crafting and sewing until nightfall, when I roam the streets in search of food.
HB: What get’s you excited to make new stuff?
K: Pastel treats, frilly valentines, porcelain figurines, glitters, kittens, opulent jewels, dolls, sweet 16s, cakes, pastries. I love going to thrift stores, antique stores and the dolla sto’ and finding enticing items to embellish or revamp. And of course, seeing other peoples amazing work always gets me anxious to make my own! Whenever I am in a slump, I just look at all the exciting things people are creating and it gets me totally pumped. I scream, kick my dog in the face and then go on a serious sewing rampage.
HB: Do you have certain music or things you like to watch whilst working? If so, please list and sing a line from your favourite song
You know you wanna work it, put you heels on and work it! (Note: This is a line from the hit single “Work It” by S.Y.L.K, please be aware, we didn’t pay Kelly to say this either.)
HB: Favourite I’m Your Present products?
K: I love everything that is really frilly, pastel and girly and “over the top”. My favorite things for everyday wears are plaid babydoll dresses, high-waisted skirts, fannypacks, kilt pins and fabric badges.
HB: You are very glamorous. What are your style tips for this season?
Plaids, Pastels, Ruffles, Heartbreaker, Kittens. Gigantor Bows, Gingham, Dressing like a Present, Pantless Tuesdays, Homeless People.
HB: Any final words?
K: I leave it to you kit, to say something simple, yet profound, effortlessly witty and thought provoking that will cement im your present not only into fashion history, but will mark it as one of the turning points of this century. Okay??
HB: Okay.

You can buy Kelly’s warez at the I’m Your Present Etsy shop: http://imyourpresent.etsy.com

And find her on Myspace at:
http://www.myspace.com/___sippin40z___

Weekend Fun!

2008-11-19T18:49:00.001-08:00

A post from October 2007.

I haven’t done much updating to this blog or my Etsy shop for that matter, since I have been rather preoccupied lately with a horde of other crafty endeavours. After having invested so much time in these other things, I realised I had not left any space in my week for Heartbreaker, so am keen to get “back on the wagon”..is that what they say?
Suffice to say, despite no activity at HB HQ this weekend, the adventures I DID have were rather exciting!
Friday night consisted of my band S.Y.L.K performing at a club night called Bandits. (I consider band activity “craft” since it almost always involves the making of props, costumes, or dance moves). Most noteable was the inclusion in our performance of a giant paper mache ice cream that we spent weeks creating. (On a tragic note, this ice cream was later utterly destroyed by ravaging fans and stolen, but what can you do?!?)
On Saturday I went to Canberra to “move in” to a studio I have ownership of for 3 months. I won it as part of a studio residency in my last year of art school and only just now get to use it. Moving in consisted of me braving the security system and unlocking a door, discovering a cute kitten picture stuck to the window, and leaving! I’m excited to do work there, but commuting is a bother and there wasn’t much time to “get down and dirty” in there this weekend. However, being there made me excited about my project I’ve planned for it, which is to make an entire cake shop out of fabric!
Sunday was spent making a few tank tops (so you see I did do some HB stuff after all) and perusing fashion magazines for inspiration.
Monday was a delightful adventure of a day, including all-day perusing of dollar stores and a massive recycled goods warehouse where I bought many props and supplies for the launch of Kon Ding Night, a club night starting this Thursday and put on by my boyfriend Nic and good friend Elston (both also of S.Y.L.K fame). The launch party theme is “tiki”, which was extremely fun to shop for! I bought lots of green crepe paper, some beach balls, metallic leis, and meters of woodgrain book wrap!! I later turned these supplies into woodgrained tiki lanters, tiki hut fringe, and a massive tiki head for the entrance of the club. After spending the afternoon at the local pool lavishing in the summer heat, Elston and I embarked upon an amazing scavenger hunt of the back alleys and hidden parks around our suburb and arrived back at his house with armfuls of branches (to make a real cabana hut!), some vintage crockery (my fave was a cute nautical themed ash tray), and - the best of all - a bag of over 20 vintage clothing patterns! (Found in a delightful old trunk next to some grotty bedsheets).
All in all it was a fun-filled weekend. It reminded me that there are heaps of other fun crafty things I really enjoy, that shouldn’t be neglected due to Heartbreaker madness!

New Items - Thursday 18 October

2008-11-19T18:46:00.001-08:00

A post from October 2007.

Another version of the Dream Date Necklace, this time with mega-gemz!!! And a Haunted House Dangler to be worn with a side pony-tail, or mixed and matched with colourful studs. (It’s the first of a few things I’ve been making with a Halloween-ish theme. Halloween is my favourite holiday!)

Saucy Secrets - Packaging Treats

2008-11-19T18:42:00.000-08:00

A post from October 2007.

Not many people get to glimpse the world behind the scenes of Heartbreaker, that is apart from my long suffering dreamboat Nic, who has to deal on a daily basis with avalanches of fabric, sequins and glitter mysteriously surfacing in places like the bed, or on the toothbrush, glue guns and irons left on unawares, and forgotten pins stuck in armchairs and cushions.

I thought I’d share little snippets and saucy secrets about the hidden world of Heartbreaker to keep you forever enticed!!

New Items - Monday 15 October

2008-11-19T18:38:00.000-08:00

A post from October 2007.

I’m totes excited about posting another Candy Heart dress today. I’m currently working on more dresses, some tops, and skirts. I’m really looking forward to getting them finished and added to my shop!

True Love Candy Heart dress, Concerned Kitten pillow, Beachside charm bracelet.

New Items - Thursday 11 October

2008-11-19T18:37:00.001-08:00

A post from October 2007.

Today’s new items for sale are reproductions of old favourites.

Turbosaurus necklace and Hologram Balloon Bag (one of my most favourite Heartbreaker items!)
I’ve been working on some larger versions of the cute balloon bags, in more sturdy fabrics -perfect for the beach! Stay tuned!

Wishlist # 2: Fake Cakes!

2008-11-19T18:34:00.001-08:00

A post from October 2007.

Today I have been totally smitten with the LovelyCandy Etsy shop. I can’t stop swooning over these gorgeous fake cake playsets!!!

Sweet Felt Strawberry roll cake and Cupcake Play food, Sweet Felt Strawberry cupcake Play Food, Boutique Shabby Sweet 7pc felt ice cream mini cookie sandwiches.

New Items - Wednesday 10 October

2008-11-19T18:31:00.001-08:00

A post from October 2007.

I’m continuing to post new items to my Etsy shop. Today everything’s taken on a slight beastly theme.

Turquoise Party Guest badge, Mini Kitten Pillow, Pink Party Guest Badge.

Heartbreaker in Pages

2008-11-14T20:49:00.000-08:00

A blog post from October 2007.

Heartbreaker is fortunate enough to be featured in the current issue (044) of the amazing Pages online magazine!

One of my gold and black headbands with pearl and chain detailing is featured in the fashion story “Your Time Will Come”.

Head over to Pages and subscribe for free to view the current issue, and Heartbreaker!

http://www.pagesonline.it

New Items - Tuesday 9 October

2008-11-14T20:32:00.000-08:00

A post from October 2007.

The Heartbreaker Etsy shop is back up and running after a brief hiatus. Today I posted these sassy items:

Valentine Heart Bag - a gigantic tote bag embellished with ruffles; Dream Date Necklace - an oversized balsa pendant with an image from a vintage romance novel encased in gloss and hanging from a strand of faceted beads; Only You Candy Heart Dress - a fun, playful dress that can be worn on its own or layered over a t-shirt and leggings.

All are for sale in my Etsy shop:
♥ http://weheartheartbreaker.etsy.com ♥

Hopestreet Markets

2008-11-12T20:22:00.000-08:00

A post from October 2007.

I spent all of last weekend at the Hopestreet Markets where I had a stall. It was my market debut, and was an amazing experience! I had so much fun setting up my stall, and hanging out with the girls from Made By White, Ellen from Ellenade, Michael from Stitch, and the boys from People Like Us.

The markets were a big success for Heartbreaker and have inspired me to create more, and find other similar markets to sell my wares at!Thank you so much to all my friends who visited me and hung around pimpin’ my warez, and also to all the rad people I met passing by.