Geek Glasses

I know I’m years late to the trend but I’m so into hipster, geek-chic glasses of late – the full on thick-framed nerd specs. I had my eyes tested last year and whilst I was glad I had 20/20 vision, I had already picked out the thick frames I would get should I need a pair to correct my vision. Twelve months on, I'm still thinking about the frames and wondering if wearing glasses needs to just be about function? Can I bring myself to get a pair purely for fashion? Alexa Chung rocks geek-chic extremely well, as do Jenna Lyons and Ashley Olsen. I’ve even seen Scarlett Johansson and David Beckahm sporting the nerdy fames. What do you think? Should I let perfect vision get in the way of style, are thick frames here to stay or have I missed the boat?


*Images via Pinterest

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What I Wore

Apologies for the lack of posts, I'm moving house and between work and packing up boxes, I haven't had too much time for anything else. I've got lots of new recipes, hair tutorials and DIY projects up my sleeve and will be making time for these during the week.

W O R K
Zara Shirt | Zara Pants | Nude Shoes Heels | Michael Kors Watch | Witchery Clutch

W O R K

Gorman Tee (on sale) | Gorman Skirt (on sale) | Seychelles Heels | Gold Clutch (old)

L U N C H
Vintage Dress | Witchery Kids Belt | Madewell Heels | Balenciaga Bag

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Twisted Ponytail

Sometimes I need to tie my hair up out of the way in a ponytail but want something a little more special so I go to this quick and easy twisted ponytail updo - all you need is 3 or 4 bobby pins!
STEP 1 Start with day old hair that has a bit of texture or curl (mine was curled the day prior but if you're starting with it straight, I'd run the curling iron or straightener through it for some added texture)
STEP 2 Divide the top section and clip away from the rest of your hair
STEP 3 Divide the back section into two parts
STEP 4 Backcomb the top section at the crown for height and spray with little hairspray
STEP 5 Divide the top section of your hair into two and pin them down one at a time, right over left, so they overlap (later you'll tuck a piece of hair through this section where they overlap - Step 7)
STEP 6 Grab the back sections in two parts, collecting the hair from the top section and twist the hair, overlapping the pieces so they're going in the opposite direction
STEP 7 Leave the right piece of hair and thread the left side through the top section that overlaps
STEP 8 Pin into place and spray with hairspray
STEP 9 The finished look

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Aqua + Orange = Perfection

Lately I can't get enough of aqua and orange - interiors, floral arrangements, weddings, and it's also the perfect colour palette for a baby shower. I'm currently designing some invitations for a friend's baby shower - she doesn't know if she's having a boy or a girl - so we're thinking this is perfect! What other colour combinations work this well together?

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December In Instagram

Stripy selfie | Peanut butter toast | Mr Whippy | Topknot

Christmas Cupcakes | Stripe Top | Christmas Party | Werribee Zoo

Blogshop | BBQ with BFF | Christmas Cookies | Slurpee

Christmas presents | DIY Christmas Wreath | Gorman sale shopping | San Choy Bau

You can follow me on instagram carlamariedaly

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Pear, Rocket, Walnut & Goats Cheese Salad

With weather in the high 30's this week, it's simply too hot for me to turn the stove on so it's been lots of salads. This salad combines rocket, pear, walnuts and goats cheese and is great as a light meal during hot weather or an accompaniment to meat or fish. You can replace the goats cheese with Parmesan cheese if you don't like goats cheese.

½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
100g rocket leaves
2 pears, halved lengthways, cored and thinly sliced
100g goats cheese, broken into pieces
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1½ tablespoons olive oil
sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Heat walnuts in a non-stick frypan over medium heat, stirring often for 2-3 minutes until toasted. Transfer to a plate to cool.  Combine rocket, pears, goats cheese and walnuts in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.

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New Year Commitments

I’m all for eating better, exercising more, drinking less etc, but I know I should be doing those things, so let’s assume I’ll try those ones anyway and make some new commitments for 2013. Here we go…

Spend more quality time with friends and family. It’s all too easy to neglect your nearest and dearest, putting other commitments like work before everything else. In 2013 I will make an effort to see my parents, catch up with my close girlfriends and re-connect with the old friends that I miss having in my life.

Save money to buy a house. I’ve realized that in order to get the house I want, I need to reign in the frivolous spending a little this year. This probably means spending less on clothes. Surprisingly I don’t actually spend that much (by who’s standards I hear you say?) as I love a bargain and telling people the new dress they're admiring was 40 bucks! However those $40 purchases all add up so I resolve to spend less…or if I must spend, sell some things on eBay first…surely that’s ok?

Take a photography course. Just something short that shows me what all the buttons and functions mean on my DSLR and how to use my tripod so that I can get a couple of outfit posts with my head in them! My partner currently takes me outfit post photos on my iPhone before he rushes off to work…usually before I’ve done my hair or make-up, hence why my head isn’t in any of the photos.

Have one technology free night a week. This one sounds easy but I’ve become a social media whore and since I’ve started my blog I can spend hours at night trying to perfect layouts in Photoshop. Pinterest and Twitter in bed can be banned once a week…I blame my iPad (oh how I love you!). I’m thinking this one will be the hardest!

Volunteer. Give back to the community and do something selfless and meaningful whenever I can.

Are you making any resolutions? I'm always curious to hear what everyone else is trying to commit to.

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