Code Blue

I seem to be wearing tonal outfits really often. It doesn't happen intentionally but somehow I am grouping similar colours together more frequently. I partially blame my husband because the last 2 tonal outfits were his pick. I think I have a habit of clashing bright colours together and he doesn't like it.

Tonal looks seem to be on the trend radar so I thought I might as well embrace it if it's coming naturally. And I'm not just talking my clothes. I do it all....shoes, accessories, everything. Of course I do break it up with other colours so I don't look like a Pantone colour sample, but the pattern is there. The other thing I have been experimenting with is clashing prints. This has been around for a while but I've never really tried my hand at it because I never felt confident enough.

However, I think I've discovered that no matter what you're wearing, if you wear it with confidence, people are going to assume you have style. Just take a look at all the famous bloggers (Tavi is a great example); some of them pair the craziest things together, but because they do it oozing confidence they look inspiring.

So try something different now and again; you might be surprised. Nowadays my style mantra is not so much about what's current but rather that it's not BORING. So here is my outfit from the weekend combining tonal AND clashing prints.

Last burst of fruity colour

It's cold. It's going to be winter soon. Get used to it. Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself? Don't you find it strange that people who have lived here for so long still complain about the weather? It's not like it suddenly changed.

Anyway, last weekend's weather was glorious compared to what we are experiencing now. I took the opportunity to bare my legs for possibly the last time until September, and also to look like a burst of berry colours.

Part of the reason I chose this outfit was also because I had bought quite a few summery/spring items in Malaysia and didn't want to wait till our actual spring. If you like being ahead of the seasons here, buy online from European or American brands. There are so many awesome spring inspired items that it makes me feel good just looking at them.

In any case, no one says that you have to wear dark colours in winter. Sure it's easier to hide dirt, but who gets THAT dirty on their way to work/school/uni anyway? With weather this dreary, all the more reason to break out the bright colours to give us a pop of energy.

Here's what I wore last weekend and I plan to continue my streak of colour all through winter.

Dancing in the rain

I did not expect to not blog for this long. I got a little caught up with work, then Christmas and New Year's rolled around....and the next thing I know I haven't blogged in 5 months! Having said that, this is probably going to be one of my shorter posts, just to remind you that I'm still here!

In my last post I was getting excited about spring and colours and warm weather! I am thankful that at least we got some summer this time so there were quite a few beach trips involved. Feels like a distant memory though now that autumn has arrived.

Autumn can mean wonderful things. Colourful leaves on the ground, cooler weather if you don't like it too hot and the start of snuggly clothes. Also autumn brings more rain as we get into the chillier end of the mercury.

I for one have been excited about rain but not because I like being caught it in. Wait, that's not true. I like being caught in rain if I'm prepared for it. So I have been hunting for the perfect raincoat and gumboots to go with it. My search started in summer (that's the problem with reading blogs and magazines from the northern hemisphere) and I finally purchased my items last month.

It is testament to the fickle nature of fashion and those that follow it that I am actually wearing gumboots. Not even a year ago I regarded this footwear as only appropriate at Glastonbury (music festival in the UK where it's always wet) or if you live in the English country and ride horses and need to tramp through the woods. That and you like gardening.

None of these scenarios seemed to suit me, but suddenly gumboots are now acceptable as everyday wear. Melbourne has also become more rainy of late so now my decision to get on the gumboot wagon has some practicality behind it. Plus we all know using an umbrella in Melbourne means nothing.

So here's a shot of the first day I got to wear my raincoat AND gumboots together:

Here are some suggestions of rain wear:
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/shoes-boots/smiling-and-splashing-rain-boot
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/shoes-boots/rain-and-shine-boot
http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Popper-Plastic-Rainmac/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2022932&cid=2641&Rf900=1636&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Navy
http://www.asos.com/Lacoste-Live/Lacoste-Live-Rain-Mac/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2015527&cid=2641&Rf900=1636&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Red

Besides, if you look everywhere you'll see these items popping up. Have fun in the rain!!

All Things Bright and Beautiful....

I've been getting lazy with my blog....I definitely admit that. The last few weeks have flown by in the blur of work, starting preparation for Christmas (CAN YOU BELIEVE IT) and assorted social events. The only good thing out of that is that Melbourne's weather has stayed so constant its not even that hot still!! It's working it's way up to a slow burn....but hopefully better late than never? My point for that weather ramble is that clothing choices have not really changed since I last blogged.

Anyway, unless you've been walking around with your eyes closed, or are colour blind (in which case I sincerely apologise), you can't miss the biggest trend in fashion at the moment. COLOUR. Colour blocking is everywhere....or what my husband likes to call block colouring. I'm fully committed to this cause. So much so that everything I've bought in the last 2 months has been of a vivid shade. Cobalt maxi dress, bright purple shorts, tomato red shorts, lime green sundress...you get the idea.

I haven't had the time to take any photos of these new outfits, but here are a few images to get you inspired, and I also have a list of my favourite BRIGHT things to buy. Enjoy!

Images from http://www.thesartorialist.com/

Images from www.asos.com and www.modcloth.com

Grabbing spring by the shorts

Well....I must say it has been a while. I only intended to take a hiatus for as long as I didn't go shopping, but it's turned out to be much longer than that. My apologies to those who have been asking for the next post. The combination of no shopping and being super busy with work has unfortunately taken the toll on blogging.

Now that I'm back though, certain habits have remained with me. I no longer check my favourite blogs in the morning for inspiration. I no longer scan my favourite shopping websites daily. I no longer obsess about wearing the same item of clothing within the same month. I no longer await my next fashion magazine as eagerly. I think most of these habits are good.

However, having said all that....I still love fashion. I just don't think I have an unhealthy obsession anymore. But now that I've cleared that up, it's time for me to get inspired again!! And what better time than spring; the season of new beginnings; winter layers unfurling to display vibrant colour and patterns; a general feeling of goodness when the sun comes out....I love spring!

Of course the weather has been touch and go, being temperamental Melbourne. We've been teased with clear blue skies and balmy temperatures only to be ripped apart (sometimes literally) by cruel icy winds and ominous clouds. Nevertheless I think we are starting to really ease into it. And as we know, when the mercury rises, the layers come off. Hemlines rise and necklines start to lower. It is time.

Finally we can wear shorts!!! I think these are my favourite type of clothing (shoes are not counted of course) since they are so comfortable, can be dressed up and down and come in a million styles. If I had my way I would live in shorts. I can barely contain my glee at being able to finally wear them without getting puzzled stares.

Shorts are the perfect trans seasonal item; you can wear them with layers when the weather is on the chilly side, or just with the bare minimum if you really feel like it. I am a firm believer in overall warmth; if you make one half of your body really warm, the other can afford to be a little colder and you're still generally warm! That's why people wear jumpers and cardigans with short shorts, or wear a really thick puffer vest over a t shirt.

I find shorts really versatile, so here are a few examples of how I wear them. I usually wear my shorts with at least a slight heel, to give the illusion of longer pins. If you're one of those lucky ones with never ending legs, feel free to wear flats so you don't show the rest of us up. Short up!!

The Biggest Challenge Of All

It has been exactly 11 days and 10 hours. I'm really proud of myself for lasting this long. I only have 9 days to go, and I must say it's been easier than I thought. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, I have decided to abstain from shopping for the first 21 days of August. Yes I decided myself. No coercion or blackmailing happened. No bankruptcy happened either. My own free will.

Now you may be wondering why I would undertake such a task. Well, my church has encouraged all of us to fast something for 21 days; something that has a very strong hold on us, so we can focus more on God. Traditionally people would go for fasting a meal or two, but really its about removing something that shouldn't be controlling your life.

No brainer for me. Shopping (fashion) probably occupies my thoughts most of the day, and generally begins first thing in the morning when I have to decide what to wear. I also surround myself with things that feed my shopping habit. Magazines, blogs, subscription emails....who needs to go actual window shopping anymore??

Ok so I've only abstained for a little over a week. But it's actually taken more conscious effort that I thought would be necessary. See, it's not just not shopping. I can't read magazines of any kind now because there's always a shopping column. I definitely can't read my usual blogs since that's my inspiration for shopping. I've had to frantically delete all my shopping subscription emails, especially the ones that have the word sale in it!

It's actually a minefield. I've had to be so careful to remove and avoid all triggers that I haven't had the time to shop. Oh the irony. I've also noticed that no shopping and no inspiration means I've let myself go in the wardrobe department. I really should be taking the time to be more creative with what I already own; instead I've been recycling my favourite outfits because I'm too lazy.

So I've decided. I will make more effort with the things I already have (which is A LOT) and use my creative juices instead of just relying on something new everyday. This abstinence has actually taught me to be really thankful for what I have already, and has also showcased how much I spend on things I don't need at all. It's so shameful that I'm even thinking about extending my fast!!

BUT DON'T WORRY. This doesn't mean I hate fashion now. I still think about it all the time. Just maybe it's time for me to enjoy fashion more responsibly.

My name is Joanna and I am shopaholic.

My enduring obsession

Everyone who knows me well knows that if you want to spot me in a crowd, look for the crazy shoes. You see, I can't wear boring shoes anymore. And by boring I mean shoes that are plain, a single colour, or less than 5 inches in the heel.

I've kept this up for so long that when I wear flats, people who see me from behind don't even recognize me. They must be thinking "Surely that CAN'T be her....she's too short!". In fact I am actually quite short, but since I seem to be surgically attached to heels all the time people assume I am at least 5 inches taller than I actually am!!

This is not to say that I never wear flats. I do. At the gym. And at home I don't wear any shoes at all, so that's considered flat! And I also try to wear flats to work once a week, kind of a casual Friday for my feet. I don't really want to think about how this habit is affecting my feet. It's probably a good thing that I am usually desk bound most of the day.

You know how you classify someone by their obsession? Like, oh yes she's a bag person. Or in my case, I'm a shoe person. I don't know if I'm addicted to the height, or the personality a shoe can sometimes imbue me with. Either way, I think I will wear my heels till the day I die. I am so attached to my shoes that one of my greatest fears associated with pregnancy is that my shoes will no longer fit. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

So here are a couple of shoes that I can only lust after so far:

 

Seeing as shoes are my enduring love, what better way to win my heart than buy me a pair of amazing shoes??? And that's exactly what my husband did for my birthday. Since it's not here yet, I'm not allowed to wear them, but I can't wait to introduce them to me and the world!!! Stay tuned for details :)