LITTLE THINGS | 30.04.2013

LITTLE THINGS | 30.04.2013

Posted by April 30, 2013
Hello again! It's been a couple of months since my last Little Things post so apologies in advance for the bumper edition! Maybe go get yourself a cup of tea and some biscuits for sustenance. As always you can also see these photos on my Instagram account at @gininateacup. 
I went to see Neil Young in March (I think) with Aidan's family. I think I've already mentioned it quite a few times but it was amazing! I wasn't a huge fan before I went to see him (although Harvest Moon is one of my favourite songs of all time) but I came away completely awestruck and with a whole new appreciation of his music. So, so good. 

And we went bowling. I am not that good. Way too many gutter balls occurred that evening!

Maybe one of the most important events from the past month is that Aidan's big brother got married! It was such a beautiful wedding, the bride looked amazing and it was so much fun. I'm a little bit devastated that I didn't get more photos but I was too busy eating, dancing or tearing up at the lovely speeches. Ahhh weddings! 

I wore this stunning 1940s dress I found on Etsy (the day before was the only time I noticed it was a little stained... and yellow under the arms... oops) with Vivienne Westwood x Melissa heart heels (a huge hit with everyone except my feet - blisters for days - and appropriately themed for a wedding) and some K is for Kani hairpins. My boyfriend's gorgeous sister had a Wayne Cooper dress and looked SMOKIN', as I'm sure you'll agree!

Okay, so this photo of the bandaged knees was when I fell off a stool at work, kicked it out underneath me while falling, and landed on two of the metal legs on the chair with the back of my knees. Such a dumb thing to happen (filling out the incident report was rather confusing for everyone) and I looked like I had gunshot wounds in the back of my knees for about a month! // My new favourite ring // My other new favourite ring // My Pretty Snake CAT JUMPER! I am also stoked because the designer of Pretty Snake was on 
Project Runway and WE ALL KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT PROJ. 

And a little random assortment to finish it off... I made this ricotta, pea and salami tart and it was DELICIOUS! I will have to put the recipe up because if I didn't screw it up, it must be pretty easy! // It was my lovely sister's birthday on Friday and we went to 2 Fat Indians for some fantastic food and pretty great cocktails // My friends' housemate had a Mexican themed party so I got my chola on // My wall of Polaroids! I love it, it makes me so happy. It's about a year's worth of Polaroids/Instax photos and I'm glad I finally did something with them!

OKAY THAT'S IT! If you made it through, thank you and you're one of my favourite people. More posts coming your way very soon!
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Tara
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BOOK CLUB | March/April

BOOK CLUB | March/April

Posted by April 18, 2013
So... it's been a while since my last book review post, but I actually have only read about four books in the past two and a half months. Stupid work and friends and everyday life taking up all of my time! But, I did really enjoy the ones I managed to read. Like last time, I've linked all the books to their Amazon page (since that's where I bought them for my Kindle), so you can click through for a synopsis.

GONE GIRL | Gillian Flynn
I'd heard a lot of good things about this book, and while mystery-crime isn't really my kind of thing, I really wanted to read a good, addictive story. WELL. Man this book is good! I can't really write too much about it because there's so many twists and surprises (is it a spoiler to say that?) that were completely unexpected. It's was very fast-paced but didn't rush through the story, and I just found the whole way it was written (each chapter was voiced by either the lead character or his wife) so interesting. Honestly, I think it deserves all the amazing reviews it's gotten and it definitely lives up to the hype. So read it now (unless you have important things to do in the next few days because this book will take up ALL of your time).

I have to admit, I bought this book while I was waiting for Jodi Picoult's new book on pre-order (I assumed the order would come to my Kindle right on midnight, Australia time, even though Amazon is a US website and probably pretty flexible with delivery times anyway) because I wanted something I could rush through quickly. But I was really surprised by how much I loved this book! It made my heart ache. It was so beautifully written. I kind of wish I hadn't read it before I saw the movie, because while the movie was really good, it left out so much from the book and a lot of the details had completely changed. But I'd still recommend both of them (although I'm a little biased because of my massive crush on Jennifer Lawrence).

THE STORYTELLER | Jodi Picoult
Okay so this was the book I pre-ordered. I have heard a lot of people throwing shade at Jodi Picoult but I LOVE her books. This one was pretty different to her other books - there was no courtroom drama at the end, about two-thirds of it was set during the Holocaust - but it was still so gripping. The Holocaust chapters were so intense; I've read quite a few books set in WWII but these stories were so awful that I wanted to stop reading but at the same time I had to keep going to see what happened. The parts of the book set in the present time felt a little rushed, but to be honest they were the parts I was least invested in. It's a heavy read but definitely worth picking up.

I just had a Jancee Dunn book in last month's book reviews, but after reading all these full-on books I wanted something really light and cheerful. It's her first fiction book and while I didn't love it as much as her other books, it was still utterly delightful and light enough to read over an afternoon. It was a pretty predictable chick-lit formula, but with all these achingly bittersweet moments that made my heart hurt. Damn, book! Why you gotta play me like that?! Anyway, the masses of '80s references aside (as if the title wasn't a giant clue it would be based around that era), I thought it was a really sweet book. A perfect holiday read.
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Tara
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WHAT I WORE | Strawberries & Cream

WHAT I WORE | Strawberries & Cream

Posted by April 17, 2013
Hello again! This is one of the new dresses I bought on Tuesday. I tried it on ages ago but stupidly went for another weird dress instead (that doesn't even fit right so will probably be passed off to someone at the first opportunity I get... or possibly altered... ugh I hate it when impulse buys don't pay off. THE DARK FLIP SIDE OF THE COIN because all my other dresses bought on a whim lately have been amazing) but I had to go back and get it this payday. It's just so cute! There should be more ice-cream print dresses out there. 

Pulp Kitchen dress via Dangerfield | ASOS velvet flats | K is for Kani headpiece | Pigeonhole flower studs | Opal ring

I also wanted to show you this beautiful headpiece I got from K is for Kani. I bought it to wear at the wedding I went to recently but ended up wearing some of the smaller floral pins instead. I haven't had a chance to wear this out yet - I wasn't game enough to wear it to a regular day at work! - but I think it needs to be worn soon! I feel a bit bad admitting it (especially because the last couple of blog posts have made me sound like such a rabid consumer, which is... not entirely true) but I have quite a few beautiful floral and vintage headpieces that I haven't worn a lot because hats seem like quite a big statement, don't they? I give props to any lady who rocks hats on a regular basis. 

I wore this to work (it's so much busier than my old store! Ahh!) and now I'm cooking a pea, ricotta and salami tart so hopefully that all goes well (I'm not that fantastic at cooking anything that's not pasta or tacos)! Gosh I love food. I think this dress is making me feel hungrier than usual. 

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Tara
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WHAT I WORE | Labels

WHAT I WORE | Labels

Posted by April 16, 2013
Hello! I've finally had a spare couple of hours to do an outfit post, and I've been meaning to show you this dress for ages. I bought it a few months ago as a complete impulse buy - it was on sale, at least, and I wore it to Neil Young the next night which was amazing - and I've worn it at least once a week since then. It fits really well, the print is great, and it would be absolutely perfect if it didn't have the asymmetrical seam on the bodice! ARGH! It really annoys me for some reason. 

I also bought the cardigan a couple of weeks ago (it's really dangerous for my wallet working only a few shops away from Dangerfield, it's one of the only chain stores I like going to). I was pretty amused at such a sweet looking cardigan having a slight swear embroidered on the chest. It's a really lovely cardigan, though! I can never say no to a good cardi.

Anyway, I really love this outfit. I especially love when such classic '50s shapes, like the cardigan and the dress, have a slightly quirky print so it makes it a little more tongue-in-cheek, rather than dressing full-on vintage (which of course I love doing too). We play old movies in the store so I've seen Rebel Without A Cause about twenty times in the past week, so I've been feeling a little sartorially inspired by Natalie Wood. 

Revival dress and cardigan via Dangerfield | Rubi flats 

I feel like things are getting a bit more relaxed now that a lot of 'big stuff' is out of the way - Aidan's brother's wedding, starting work at a new, much busier store - but there's still a lot of good stuff coming up soon! A huge amount of birthdays are happening in the next couple of weeks, including my sister's next week! Hopefully I'll get into the groove of working longer hours and actually manage to blog a few outfits. I did manage to pick up some new dresses today that need to be blogged! 

Well, now I'm off to peruse the ASOS sale and watch some trashy reality TV (my favourite!). I've been pretty into RuPaul's Drag Race lately and have just been in awe of RuPaul. I mean, how many shows are there where the host walks down the runway to their own song EVERY EPISODE? And where else would you hear of the name Penny Tration, which is probably my favourite drag queen name ever?! I really think RuPaul's outfits deserve their own blog post soon. Is anyone else as obsessed as I am? 

And with that, I leave you with this insane collaboration between RuPaul and Elton John. I don't know the context of this video, or why it exists at all... but I'm happy that it does.

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Tara
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THIRTY THINGS

THIRTY THINGS

Posted by March 26, 2013
Hello again! I can't believe it's been a month since I've updated, I do apologise! I've been having an incredibly stressful and a little bit tough couple of months, and unfortunately I had to step away from the blog in order to sort out some other things in my life and ensure my stress levels didn't go through the roof. It's tough to do outfit posts when just getting out of bed is struggle enough! But things are a lot better now and I thought I'd do a little introductory post of sorts, in case there's any new readers that have checked in during the past couple of weeks. 

 I've seen the '30 Things About Me' post on a few blogs, most recently on one of my new favourite blogs Bow Ties Are Cool, and I thought I'd do my own for you! So, here we go...

1| I was born in Bunbury, Western Australia, and I lived there until I was 17.
2| Since I moved up to Perth I've lived in four different houses in six years. 
3| The house I live in currently was bought by my dad just after he finished uni, then his parents lived in it, and now I live in it. I love living in a house with so much family history and I never want to move!
4| My parents are both dentists. And no, I can't tell you what's wrong with your teeth. 
5| I have one younger sister. I was a pretty rotten sister when we were growing up but I think I'm okay now!
6| I never wagged school. It never even occurred to me to do so!
7| I have one tattoo - a heart just under my elbow on my forearm. I'm planning my second one and I don't want to say much but it is Johnny Cash themed!
8| I collect records, weird salt and pepper shakers, and novelty jumpers (sweaters to my American friends).
9| I did an internship at Xpress Magazine and it was basically the best time of my life. 
10| About two years ago I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and while it's a lot better now, I still have some pretty gross-feeling weeks. 
11| I've been with my boyfriend Aidan for a little over a year and a half. I had a huge crush on him all through uni but we didn't talk until I asked him to come to a movie review with me two years after uni finished!
12| I am really good at music trivia. Whenever Spicks & Specks or RockWiz is on TV the room mysteriously empties because I take it too seriously and try to make everyone play. 
13| Babies terrify me. My friend had a beautiful baby boy a while ago but I still haven't held him! They gross me out and scare me at the same time. 
14| I'm a godmother to my youngest cousin Adam, who is basically the best kid ever (although he's VERY cheeky!). 
15| I've dislocated both my knees - one when I smashed it into a high jump bar when I was about 10 or 11, and one when I did dancing at school in year 10 and the stupid year 11 girl "helping" out our class twisted my knee out on the barre. As soon as I put it down my kneecap rolled out to the side. They still pop out occasionally and it is THE most painful thing ever. 
16| Just Like Heaven by The Cure is my favourite song.
17| As far as I know I wasn't named after anyone, but Tara is a hill in Ireland where all the kings and queens are buried (my mum's side of the family is Irish). It also means "rocky pinnacle". 
18| I hate summer. Of course it has its good points but it also goes on for about three quarters of the year here in Perth.
19| I can play the ukulele. 
20| I've never been overseas.
21| I can't drink champagne without getting an immediate headache. And I really dislike the taste. Blech.  
22| I hate talking on the phone and I avoid it as much as possible (except to my mum, because, well, who can ignore their mum when she calls?). 
23| I wear glasses for reading.
24| My favourite music to listen to is '50s rock'n'roll. Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis... I would listen to it all the time if I could!
25| I've worked in retail for six years. I'm currently a manager for one of our Pigeonhole stores, which is my first full-time job. 
26| Breakfast is my favourite meal to go out for, but I almost always skip it at home! Naughty.
27| My worst habit is cracking my neck. It's so satisfying but I know the sound is so gross to other people!
28| Another bad habit I have is pulling on my eyelashes. They're very gappy and it's a bit embarrassing.
29| I don't have my driver's licence. 
30| My favourite drink is Sailor Jerry's and ginger ale. 

 WOAH! Thanks for reading that, if you made it through the whole post. I'd love to know if you do a thirty things post - I think they're so interesting! And please keep an eye out for new blog posts, I'm really excited to get back into things again! I have my March Book Club post ready to go and a few outfit posts on the backburner, so watch out for those! 
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Tara
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LITTLE THINGS | 25.02.13

LITTLE THINGS | 25.02.13

Posted by February 25, 2013
Hey again! Here's some more Instagram snapshots of what I've been up to in the past month. You can always follow along at @gininateacup too! 


Breakfast burrito at Planet Cafe // High tea at Rochelle Adonis for Aidan's brother's fiance // Australia Day lunch // Pigeonhole dinner at The Print Hall (SUCH amazing food!)


My friend Alana on our way to see Weezer! // Bored and lonely at work // Chronicles of Burlesque ladies (it was an excellent show!) // My media pass for the Fringe Festival (which is all over now... sob!)


Some Rottnest photos: Massive pelican I spotted as we were leaving // View from our house // Spending Valentines Day on the beach // And not a Rottnest one, but some awesome wood-frame Polaroid film I used on Australia Day! The photos all came out yellow for some reason... but I still liked them. 

Well, that's it from me for now! Hope your Februarys have all been excellent. I have so many good things happening in March - seeing Neil Young in concert, the Blues & Roots Festival, the aforementioned fiance's hen's night, and starting go-go dancing classes! Eep! 
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Tara
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WHAT I WORE | Mellow Yellow

WHAT I WORE | Mellow Yellow

Posted by February 22, 2013
Hey again! This is another dress I picked up on my shopping trip this week. My lovely friend Phuong won a voucher for Miss Brown Vintage ages ago (at Remedy in fact!) and couldn't really find much to spend it on, so she gave the rest of the voucher to me! WHAT?! FREE VINTAGE?!?! I almost cried. Thanks Phuong!

So I picked up this dress and a skirt. I would have gone crazy but Aidan was sitting outside already and probably cursing my name. Who goes shopping with boys? Rookie mistake. Anyway, you should get yourself down to the Miss Brown pop-up store because the sales assistants are great and friendly and they seem to get new stuff in pretty regularly.


Vintage dress from Miss Brown Vintage | ASOS flats | Opal ring | Pigeonhole robin earrings


I haven't really been wearing much vintage lately and I forgot how much I love it. I think quite a bit of Miss Brown Vintage is reconstructed in some way but you can't deny this dress has a particularly vintage vibe. And that collar! I feel a bit like a 1950s schoolteacher (particularly fitting as I'm planning to go back to uni and get my teaching degree this year!). I think this is one of the only yellow items of clothing I own as well. The yellow and brown kind of reminds me of... waffles? Or something?

I have my second-last Fringe review tonight for Soires Fantastiques. I went to see the Circus Freak Show last night so I think this will be a nice, PG change! No more hammering nails up noses... hopefully. Tonight's show is my last Fringe review, I'm really bummed that it's almost all over! 

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Tara
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I'm a freelance writer who blogs about Perth (my old home), Paris (my new home), fashion, food, and everything else that takes my fancy. Have a look around and enjoy!