Back to Basics (and a wrap up!)

Woah who can believe it’s the end of September already? This month zipped past in the blink of an eye! Did you have fun with the Restyle prompts? I did, it was great to have a bit of a push to get back in to blogging. The big challenge for me wasn’t wearing op shopped clothes (because, hello, I do that every day anyway!) it was finding the time to take pictures. That’s really what has been holding me back with my blog over the recent months. I love putting together fun outfits and almost every day I feel great about my look and want to share it but I just don’t have the time to shoot outfit pics properly anymore. I’ve really felt the pressure to constantly find impressive locations and spend a long time on my makeup and hair, in order to stay relevant and keep up with other bloggers. Because I don’t have the time to do this I just stopped blogging, which isn’t what I want!

Bows and Spots

Metallic and Outerwear

After Dark and Black & White

Restyle was exactly the push I needed to let go of that worry. For Restyle I just snapped my outfits every day as I left the house or arrived home after work and it was surprisingly easy! I know you come to the blog because you’re interested in my outfits and are maybe (hopefully!) looking for a little style inspo. You don’t come here for the high quality images or amazing back drops or super production value, because let’s be honest, that’s never been my strength and there are other bloggers who do it a million times better than I ever could (oh hi Inspiring Wit!). So I’m going back to basics and doing what I started this blog to do… sharing my outfits and having a ramble about op shops and how great they are. If that’s the kind of blog you want to read then this is the place for you!

Geek Chic and Accessorise

Pleats and DIY

Florals and Print Clash

Stripes and Colour Block

Which was your favourite Restyle prompt? I think mine was Outerwear, I just can't get enough of that amazing coat! In the spirit of the challenge I’m taking a load of clothes down to my local op shop to donate. Freeing up a little space in my crammed wardrobe and making sure my old clothes get a fab new home! Thanks for following along! 

Long Time!

Hi there!! Long time no talk! This has been the longest I’ve gone without blogging since I first started. I even missed my 3 year blogger-versary which was at the end of July (check out my first post if you want a giggle!). Life has been full on for the past few months and I realised I couldn’t keep burning the candle at both ends, so having a little break from blogging was much needed. But I’m back and ready to get into the swing of things again.

These pictures were taken at my engagement party a few weeks ago. That was just one of the things keeping me exceptionally busy. My fiancée and I also bought a house and moved, we travelled down south to scout for wedding venues, had friends from over east come and stay with us and we’ve just got back from 10 days camping near Coral Bay. So yeah, things have been full on, but wonderful.

Our engagement party was so much fun. A blurr of friends and family and champagne and lovely moments that we’ll remember forever… such a cliché but it’s all true! Now on to my outfit (which is what you’re all here for right?!), I loved it so much. Although I have a number of dresses that I could have worn, I decided I wanted to look a bit ‘bridal’ (haha), so after seeing this Lover dress in David Jones I knew I HAD TO HAVE IT. Unfortunately the $700 price tag was way beyond my reach, so I set about trying to track it down on eBay. Which I did! For not even a tenth of the price too. I was stoked! It fit like a glove and was the perfect thing to wear. I teamed it with some patent black brogues (which are awesome but sadly didn’t make any of the pics) and some glitzy earrings.

Thanks for sticking around (and coming back) after my un-planned hiatus! Next week is National Op Shop Week so you know I’ll be getting on board with that!

Dress: Lover the Label, eBay

Shoes: Wittner

Earrings: Save the Children Mosman Park, $3

Photos: With U Photography (thanks Darek and Aggi!!)

Happiness

This photo was captured a few hours before Luke proposed. We were having the best day and at this moment I had no idea how much better things were going to get.

The last few weeks have been pretty insane. Having this bearded beauty next to me every day just makes these new adventures all the more fun.  

Dress: Vintage, Save the Children Subiaco $4

Jacket: Levis, Salvos Myaree $15

Boat Party Yeah

I love December for a ZILLION reasons, but sharing food and wine and gifts with friends and family is definitely the dominating factor. Last weekend I was lucky enough to get almost all of my favourite friends together in one place and do just that. We spent the day on a very luxurious boat on the river, swimming and laughing and generally revelling being in each other’s company. It was pure bliss.

One of the over whelming feelings I’ve been experiencing this year is guilt. I’ve packed my life full to the brim and find that I’m constantly busy which means I’m constantly having to say to ‘no’ and ‘sorry’ to people. I know my friends are the same, and with our varied careers, hobbies, families and partners, carving out time to spend with each other is a serious challenge. It just goes to show how much we must like each other that after 15 years or so we still make the effort week after week, month after month to see each other, support each other and just generally be around each other. I know how lucky I am to have these people in my life and December is an excellent time to remember that and reiterate it.

This is what I wore on the boat (if you didn’t already guess!). I was torn between a very nautical themed outfit, or a more Slim Aarons resort-chic look, I took the second option and felt suitably colourful and cheery for what was a very bright and bubbly day (literally, I may or may not have over indulged in the bubbles…).

Kaftan: St Lukes Op Shop Mosman Park $6

Shoes: Salvos Bibra Lake $6

Hat: Op shop

Sunglasses: Karen Walker, eBay

Bangles: Assorted home made and Dinosaur Designs 

Four Simple Goals

For the past few years I’ve been setting myself four goals every November to achieve by the end of the year. They are kind of like New Year’s resolutions, but with a definite deadline (which I need if I’m going to achieve anything!). You can read about my goals from 2014 and 2013, I was fairly successful with all of them so I’m excited to set myself some small challenges for this year as well. So here we go…

 

Work my way up to running 10km

Branch out and try to use different outfit photo locations

Complete a gallery wall in my new home

Sort, cull and sell my wardrobe

 

 

I think these are all pretty manageable. I’ve already started a running regime to build my way up to being able to run 10km again, although in light of my recent operation I might not reach my goal by January 1. I seriously need to push myself to use different photo-shoot locations, as much as I love those colourful walls I think people might be getting a bit bored of them! I’ve been slowly collecting art for our new home and seeing as we are moving in imminently (eek!!) I think a décor-related challenge is very appropriate. That last goal speaks for itself and is well over due!

 

 

You should set some easy goals too! If you do, make sure you share them in the comments or put a link to your blog post. Nothing makes you feel as productive as ticking off items on a list!

 

P.S Although I didn't officially set it as a goal last year, mastering the art of flat laying has definitely been something I've been pouring a lot of effort in to this year and I think it's starting to pay off! I'm no where near as good as flatlay genius Claire Mueller (find her on insta @capnmueller) but I'm pretty pleased with my attempts... what do you think?

 

It's Been A While

Hello! I just wanted to check in and say sorry for my recent blog hiatus. It wasn’t planned, but things just got a little out of control. The last few weeks have been super stressful because I’ve had a bit of a health scare. It was the kind of thing which completely takes you by surprise and throws you through the ringer. You're my friends, so I thought I'd share a little of what's been happening the last few weeks...

A few months ago I had a random blood test which happened to show I had elevated levels of thyroxin in my blood. The GP wasn’t too concerned and told me to wait another two months and have another blood test to check on it. So I waited, did the blood test, then went back to the doctor expecting to be told it was nothing to worry about. But it was something to worry about. I was sent urgently to have an ultrasound which showed a massive (like golf ball sized) nodule attached to my thyroid. I was then sent to have a biopsy and a bunch of other tests in hospital. The C word (cancer) was being thrown around and I was beside myself with worry. My lovely boyfriend was doing all this research on thyroids to try to calm me down, and even though the odds were completely in my favour I just couldn’t relax. 

Earlier this week I finally managed to get a bit of relief when the specialist told me the tests showed my nodule is almost certainly benign. Because of the size of it (you can actually see and feel it through my neck, GROSS!) I need to have it removed with surgery. But I can’t have surgery until my thyroxin levels are back to normal. The medication I’ve been put on to control my thyroxin is going to make me put on weight which is freaking me out because I’ve been the same size my whole adult life and I don’t want to change! All that being said I’m in exceptionally good hands with my wonderful GP, endo specialist and ENT surgeon and although my medication will make be fat (booo) it’s also keeping me healthy until my surgery so I’m certainly thankful for that! 

It’s such a cliché but you seriously don’t appreciate your good health until it’s not there. I’ve been very lucky in my 28 years, I’ve never had any serious health issues before and even though my thyroid problem absolutely terrified me, it’s treatable and it hasn’t affected my life very much at all. I suppose it’s just a good reminder to try and appreciate how miraculous and wonderful our healthy bodies are. We shouldn’t wait until we are sick to appreciate how lucky we are when we’re not. 

I should be back to my regular outfit posts soon, thanks for hanging in there!

It's my birthday and I'll buy more sunglasses if I want to!

It’s my birthday today! WEEEEE! I’m 28 years old, which sounds very old, but I certainly don’t feel that way. The other day I read over my birthday post from last year, where I listed out the stuff that had happened, and I was slightly surprised to see that my list for this year is almost exactly the same. Not that that’s a bad thing. I truly love my life, so I can’t complain at all. Below is my 27^th year in a nutshell…

I went to Bali, Brisbane and New Zealand, carved up the slopes, baked in the sun, spent time in a swag, went hiking, fishing, camping, crabbing and ate WAY too many toasted marshmallows

Spent the year waiting for our new house to be finished (completion date is set for the end of September!!)

Stayed in my corporate job but miss the beach like crazy!

Moved back in with my parents to save some coin

Said good bye to my beautiful baby Ivy, who at the ripe old age of 15 went up to doggy heaven. I miss her every day.

Welcomed the ridiculously sweet Olive in to our family. She’s a big fur ball and we love her.

Played lots of volleyball (nothing’s changed!)

Suffered my second sports injury, a broken finger, but survived like a hero (haha)

Bought too many pairs of designer sunglasses (again, nothing’s changed) and added a fair few shoes to my collection as well

 

 

So there you have it, a very similar list to last year, but awesome in its own way. Now I’m off to spend the day doing my very favourite things: eating, op shopping and drinking champagne. Have a great Friday!

 

P.S Just in case you didn't believe me when I said I have lots of fancy sunnies! Those bright pink ones in the image above were a 28th birthday present to myself (because I'm a serious adult!).

Sunglasses left to right, from the top!

Pared - Puss n Boots, eBay
Dolce & Gabbana
Prada
Karen Walker  -Number 1, eBay
Rayban Aviators
Karen Walker - Intergalactic, eBay
Pared - Puss n Boots
Miu Miu, eBay
House of Holland, eBay
Pared - Puss n Boots
Stella McCartney
Karen Walker - Flowerpatch, eBay
 

Two Years!

GUYS GUESS WHAT? It’s my two year blogging anniversary! I’m both surprised that it’s been that long and shocked it’s only been two years. I contemplated doing a round up of my favourite outfits, but I think I’ll save that for another time. Instead I decided to recreate my first ever outfit post… how fun! While trawling through my archives I was quite pleased to note that almost every outfit I’ve shared over the past two years is one I’m proud of and would still wear today. My very first post is no exception. Granted I don’t think I’ve worn this outfit for 2 years, I definitely had no problem slipping it on for dinner and drinks a few weekends ago.

Blogging has been a fun journey. I still get such a buzz out of sharing my outfits and ideas with like minded people. When I’m out op shopping and I find something really cool, I can’t wait to get home and shoot it for the blog. A few awesome opportunities have come my way from blogging, such as being part of the Restyle project last year, and acting as a style ambassador for the Bindaring Red Cross sale. Both of these were such fun to be a part of and are really close to my heart. My involvement in those projects also helped me to realise that I don’t want to be a professional blogger, which was an important lesson to learn. I think a lot of people assume that if you are spending your free time writing a blog, then you are working towards turning it in to a full time job. Well, I can tell you that I am not. I love being able to write what I want, share what I want and stick to my own agenda. If I haven’t worn anything exciting for awhile or don’t have anything to say or have other stuff going on in my life then I don’t have to post anything. Blogging is my hobby and I truly love it, but turning it into a career isn’t for me (unless someone wants to pay me to do exactly what I’m already doing!)

That’s not to say that I don’t want to improve my blog and write new and creative content. I do! Sometimes I get a bit worried that my readers are going to want different things and get bored of constant outfit posts (and colourful wall backdrops!). But sharing my op shopped outfits is what I do well and I don’t want to branch into something different that isn’t my passion just because I feel the need to diversify.

When I think about my blog and what kind of content I should be creating, I always try to think about the posts I love to read from other bloggers, and I gotta be honest and say that my very favourite blog posts are those which are about personal style (and aren't sponsored!). I love seeing all the amazing, creative, cool outfits girls from all over the world are putting together, they inspire me to be bolder and braver with my own style and to try new and different things. They also constantly remind me that fashion is meant to be fun and frivolous and not taken so seriously. So I kind of hope that's what my little blog is doing too, putting some wacky and wild (and some normal) outfits out there and inspiring others to by-pass the department stores and hit up the op shops instead.

I'd love to hear your feedback, what would you, my wonderful readers, like to see on the blog? What are your favourite blog posts to read? What do YOU want? Because with out YOU, I'd just be a weird girl writing about herself and posting pictures for no body. So thank you for reading, for emailing and commenting, for your encouragement and enthusiasm. Thank you for making the last two years in the bloggersphere so much fun!
 

Skirt: Melville Markets $5

Top: H&M (in Prague, so it’s very exotic!)

Belt: Anglicare Bentley $5
Clutch: Target
Sunglasses: Pared

Shoes: Guess

PS You should totally have a giggle at my first few blog posts… I didn’t really know how to use my camera or edit photos back then.

Six Years

Last week my number one person and I had our six year anniversary. It baffles me to think we’ve been together for so long, I can vividly remember the first time we met… want to hear the story? (if not then just scroll to the end for my outfit credits, it’s OK I’ll understand..)

A girlfriend and I went on a grand tour of Asia when we graduated from Uni, shopping our way through Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. I was nursing a broken heart and was ready to down as many cocktails as possible to forget about my uni boyfriend. Luke and a few mates were on a boys trip to Thailand and we met in the Bangkok airport, both on our way to Phuket. A brief holiday romance ensued (much to the horror of my travel buddy who wasn’t so keen on Luke’s scruffy appearance). Luke’s a Queenslander so at the end of the trip he went back east and I went west. We vaguely kept in touch via Myspace (as you did in 2007) and about 18 months after our first meeting we both found ourselves living in Alice Springs of all places and promptly fell in love. That was six years ago and we’ve been together ever since, traipsing from the Alice to Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast and finally back to Perth.

To celebrate another year together we went out for dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant in Fremantle. I dressed up… because why not huh? I was excited to give my leopard print coat its first outing. I had been searching for a leopard coat in op shops for years with no success. I’m very picky with my leopard print, it has to be the perfect combination of brown and black and the spots need to be irregular but with the right shape… so it was near impossible to find one I liked. I finally gave up my op shop quest and purchased this vintage beauty on eBay and I’m SO happy with it. Hooray for a new coat I definitely didn’t need and hooray for six years with my lovely Luke!

Dress: Melville Markets $5

Coat: Vintage, via eBay

Shoes: Chloe, via eBay

Brooches: Op Shop
Bracelet: Save the Children Subiaco $1