Witchery Cardigan - Bonds Tee - Forever New Skirt - Kmart Gladiators

I slept at Boyfriend’s last night so only brought a minor change of clothing to wear today. We had a marvelous afternoon having brunch at our favourite cafe, then on to Chapel St for a lazy saunter. I spent a good portion of my weekends as a teenager down grungy Greville St, so whenever my wanderings take me down there I feel the most intense sense of nostalgia.

It appears the Sunday market is gone… I spent many weekends there with my late step-mother working at her stall. We would eat Thai Pancakes or Jerry’s Vegie Burgers, and when I took my break I’d go into Greville Records and check out all the new CD Singles. When I wasn’t there working I’d inevitably find myself down that part of Chapel St with friends, spending hours pouring through the Chapel St bazaar much as I do to this day.

American Apparel Skirt I almost bought

I picked up the skirt on Friday night with my SHOP Til You Drop 20% off voucher. I love the large slouchy pockets, the style reminds me of the American Apparel skirt I almost bought last week… only being silk and well finished this is much much nicer!! I am falling into the uniform trap again, high waisted skirt + slouchy top + cardigan. I can’t decide if this is a bad thing though. On one hand it’s definitely a real “aesthetic direction”  and comfortable to boot - but it’s also BORING. How am I so consistently uncreative considering how much inspiration I have at my fingertips?

In the spirit of October (one of my most expensive months) I am selling some things on eBay including a  lovely black blazer, an awesome black lace pencil skirt and a Mimco Mini Jetson Hip Bag. Please support financially challenged bloggers and view my auctions!

It appears that the antibiotics I was on weren’t strong enough, the last three days I’ve been showing symptoms of the sinus infection again. Tomorrow it looks like I’m off to the doctor.

Witchery Cardigan & Top - ASOS Skirt - Nine West Heels - Mimco Bag & Cuff

In the spirit of the “toughness” of the shoes, I decided to dress like a bruise in shades of steely blue and black (although you can’t really tell the top is blue). I also - wisely - brought a spare pair of flats. I managed to teeter around in the heels for about an hour when my feet had had enough, but I was really proud of my effort.

I probably could have managed longer except I’ve really only gotten into wearing heels in the last 12 months. Before I started this blog I only had one pair of heels over 5cm! Well… I had owned others but for whatever reason got rid of them. So I’m slowly teaching myself to be more “at home” in heels. When I worked in the physical world of retail, one of my co-workers wore ridiculous stilettos all the time. She would stand in them for 8 hours a day! That kind of commitment to heels really blows my mind.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be THAT comfortable in heels, but for now I will get these ones out for a little bit longer every other day until they’re broken in.

I’ve had a hideous cold for a week and a half which got so bad by last Friday that I needed antibiotics. It’s finally clearing up now although I am still prone to heinous involuntary coughing fits - this is still much better than infected sinuses so I’m quite pleased!

Being confined to my bed for over a week really took a toll on my sanity. As well as having permanent FBS (Friday Brain Syndrome - A very serious condition where sufferers are so frazzled by the end of the working week that they very suddenly become completely brain-dead) I was feeling completely disconnected and irritated with activities I normally enjoy including reading blogs, online window shopping and even watching television! I have a lot to catch up on!

Top Shop Tee - Etsy Skirt - Various Bangles - Scooter Shoes (Not Pictured)

I actually left the house today which was a dizzingly exciting prospect; and I am finally do another WIWT post! My bizarre bed/lounge ensembles, birds nest hair and glazed over expression just didn’t make the cut to the blog. I went out this afternoon with my sister to a showroom appointment to see one of my supplier’s new collection. Afterwards we went for coffee and cake, and I bought some new CDs. Being back outside in the sun felt fantastic.

Yesterday I became an Aunt to a lovely baby girl! Naturally as I am still sick so I can’t go to the hospital to visit, but I made it to Target and bought some adorable clothes in their 20% off kids clothes sale. I am already the proud Aunt to an adorably rambunctious 6 year old boy, but being able to buy a teeny little pink dress with white hearts all over it was a joy of a different kind. So sweet!

While I was sick I still did manage to acquire some new things. Firstly, my two pairs of heels from Nine West US arrived - thank you so much Jen!! As suspected, the red pair are a touch too big so I will pick up some party feet innersoles for them. Earlier that same day when I was waiting for my antibiotics prescription I wandered into KMart and picked up two more Bonds Tee’s at 30% off (bargain!) and a pair of gladiator flats for $26. Initially I wasn’t convinced due to the fact they aren’t leather - but the fit was so much better than some of the more expensive styles I’ve tried that I couldn’t resist the purchase (and I was high on  a concoction of paracetamol and sinus medicine so I was completely delirious)!

Reflecting back onto my previous post again, today my sister held up a lovely chocolate brown dress in a boutique we were in and asked my opinion. Remembering my desire to stop buying clothes that didn’t align with my style aesthetic, I sensibly replied “I don’t wear chocolate brown”. I could have easily been persuaded by the lovely garment but I thought about all the chocolate brown things I’ve bought, loved then never worn  because they weren’t “me” — and felt proud of myself.

Nubby Twiglet stays true to her aesthetic in shades of black, white, red and grey.
Pictures from NubbyTwiglet.com

It got me thinking about Michael Kors. In the “reunion” episode of Project Runway Season 4 one of the designers asked Michael Kors why he always dressed the same way (plain black t-shirt and a black blazer). He replied that he’d done all his crazy dressing in his twenties and now he knew that no matter where he went, he knew in this outfit he always looked appropriate and he always looked GOOD.

I generally enjoy wearing whatever I like, provided that it’s basically flattering. However I am constantly aware that some outfits I wear suit my aesthetic more than others

An outfit I wore a few weeks ago (and didn’t photograph for the blog because I was being lazy) really made me self concious. Light-denim jeans, a white-and-blue stripe shirt, navy blazer and tan heels. The outfit itself was very classic and neat. But I felt very aware that the outfit didn’t suit me. It’s no secret that I have a slightly alternative vibe going with my dark hair, red streaks and facial piercing. I felt like an imposter wearing such an ensemble. I felt chic, but like I was wearing clothes from someone elses wardrobe.

Michael Kors wears essentially the same outfit every day.
Picture from Buddy TV.

Now I’m not about to pull a Michael Kors and wear the same outfit every day simply because it’s safe. But it does make me wonder - just because something looks “good”, should I wear it? I’m no style chameleon.

Being a style chameleon is a style aesthetic in and of itself, and some women (and men, how sexist and rude of me) can pull off several different aesthetics with ease. Channeling a 70s godess one day, then rocking something straight out of the 80s the next day, in almost any colour scheme, the lovely Skye from Skylark and Son is a fantastic example of a true style chameleon.

Skye wears many different aesthetics and always pulls them off every time.
Pictures from SkylarkAndSon.Blogspot.com

So how do we define what we can and can’t wear?  SHOULD we define what is “us” and what feels like it’s been raided from someone elses wardrobe? Why can’t I stop myself from getting seduced by the latest trends and then buying things that aren’t “me”? Is it boring to stay true to one aesthetic — or is looking like yourself more important than mixing it up all the time? How do you feel about your own aesthetic?

L Leather Jacket - Lucky 13 Tee - Stussy Jeans - Joanne Mercer Shoots - Op Shop Bag

I bought this Lucky 13 Tee about two-three months ago from General Pants and got mixed reveiws from friends and family. I absolutely fell in love with it though and felt really redeemed when it was featured in Shop Til You Drop magazine this month! Next time I wear it I think will be with my black ASOS skirt and new Sportsgirl shoes.

Joanne Mercer Shoots - Op Shop Bag

I haven’t been wearing these shoots enough for my moneys worth so I decided to pop them on today for the small amount of errands I had to run. How cute is this little bag?! It’s only vinyl but it was $4 at my local op shop so how could I go wrong? Perfect condition too! I felt a bit funny buying a bag from the op shop when I really should be concentrating on wearing the brands I stock… but then I’d never get to use my lovely Mimco bag so I had to forget that idea! I think this little bag will become a staple for going out as it holds just the right amount comfortably.

When I checked my post office box today I was very thrilled to find a signed copy of the new Butterfly Effect LP — The Final Conversation of Kings. I haven’t had a good listen to it yet but I am really hoping it has a heavier sound than their last LP Imago. The album artwork is gorgeous, old-world nautical theme in a tradtional antiqued, neo-classical aesthetic. Perfect since today is International talk-like-a-pirate day!

Arrrgggg!

Cotton On Cardigan - Op Shop Slip Top - Forever New Pants - Sportsgirl Heels - Mimco Bag - Dganit Earrings

Tonight I’m going to see my little nephew’s first school concert! He is going to be six years old next month, he’s such an adorable little rascal. I’m so excited!

Witchery Cardigan - Etsy Dress - Mimco Cuff, Bag and Flats

I had half a dozen things on my list to purchase including some kind of gladiator-esque sandal, but instead all I bought was a pair of heels from Sportsgirl. When I first saw them, the heel jumped out at me as being the ugliest, engorged banana type shape I’d ever seen. But something made me try them on, and as soon as they were on my feet they were mine! I love the fact that they’re three-toned and not in a miu miu way. Basically all my shoes are black so I thought these were a fantastic way of lifting my colour pallette while still keeping it neutral enough to go with everything. Gosh those heels are hideous! Hideous in a kind of awesome way, though - you know? And so comfortable!

Sportsgirl Connie Heels

I tried on about a dozen or more pairs of gladiator-esque sandals. The problem with them is that even though I have a flat foot, it’s rather narrow. Gladiators tradtionally have horizontal straps across the foot and I found today that with almost every pair I tried on, most of them were too wide. Even though I needed an 8 or 9 for length, they were falling off my feet! So dissapointing! I found a pair I quite liked at Witchery which seemed a little more narrow but they were out of my size. Fingers crossed they come back in stock soon!

I can’t believe I went out and bought heels today when I’ll be getting my Nine West heels from the US in about a week!! Ahhh, I’m so naughty.

It REALLY felt like spring today. So much so that I decided I could brave a skirt and no stockings. I prepped myself last night with anticipation by carefully exfoliating my body and then using Neutrogena’s new SunFresh Sunless Tanning Foam on my legs, arms, face and decolletage. Pretty disappointed, as you can tell I’m not the bronzed goddess I expected to be when I woke up!

I applied a second coat on my shins and calves when I got up hoping to increase the strength of the “tan” but it didn’t really do much. Maybe I shouldn’t have expected a deep colour from a product that describes itself as “sheer summer colour”. The effect is more like what you’d get from a gradual tanning cream.

I love the Bonds Tee so much I bought another today in black. I also bought the new issue of Lula and Flaunt.  This is my third issue of Lula (I missed the last one) and my first issue of Flaunt. I am so excited to make a cup of tea later and curl up in bed with them!! I subscribe to Vogue, SHOP and Frankie. I also occasionally buy Yen and Nylon. I wish I could get subscriptions to some of these magazines, except the only way I’ve found that you can is through companies that charge you about $100 just in shipping. It’s not economical. What magazines do you read / subscribe to?

Kenji T-Shirt Dress - Mink Pink Tank - Cotton On Leggings - Dorothy Perkins Flats - Second Hand Belt

Yes I did get my fringe cut yesterday! Today I had nowhere to go but the post office so I layered up some of my favourite “lounging” clothes. Leggings as pants is such a faux-pas but their comfort factor is undeniable. I picked this belt up in Lucerne, Switzerland last year for $10 at a fabulous store that sold a vast array of quirky new and second hand items. They had the most beautiful family of deer figurines that I wanted to buy desperately only they were quite fragile and expensive and I was terrified I’d damage them during travel.

Today it really felt like spring - and not because I spent the better part of the day cleaning the house. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the air smelt sweet.

It has been flickering at the back of my mind that my days to come will be spent a lot like today - not housecleaning - but with very little to do outside the house. Maybe an errand here or there, but no real reason to put effort into my outfits. In my “lounge” clothes today I felt comfortable but not particularly stylish.

Images from The Virgin Suicides

It’s time for a channel change. I think this spring I am going to channel a very dreamy, floaty, virgin suicides-esque aesthetic. Something kind of effortless and sweet that I can wear around the house comfortably or out to coffee confidently (or more realistic - the post office). Which I may or may not mix in with some rock’n'roll influences here and there.

What are you channeling for spring?

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