the what i wore project - week 27

oh my wasn't it cold in brissy this week and that means that we get to rug up and dress like it's a real winter for about a week (hoping it will still be the same this week) but usually by the middle of the day it gets warm enough to venture out without a coat or a jumper, so you are then left wondering why the hell you put so many warm clothes on in the first place.  it catches me out every year!

i woke today after spending my first night alone as a single woman since ending my marriage last november.  we have had to share a house during that time and that has worked, but it was time for the actual living arrangements to change. it's began as a beautiful romance with many adventures along the way, but sadly life sometimes throws challenges that can require hard decisions in order for everyone to be happy.  i instigated the change, but it never feels nice to think you have hurt someone who loves you and it feels the same for me, to be hurt by someone who loves me wasn't nice either, so i stepped out of my comfort zone and now with that a whole new chapter has actually begun.  i even expressed to him my desire to start dating again and that wasn't met with any bad reaction, but the reality is that i don't even know how to date.....what do i do, how do i start, the only thing i do know is what i would probably wear. i am good at deciding that.

here's the looks of last week taken firstly with my old iphone on monday and then with my new samsung galaxy (i even broke up with iphone) and my relationship with the new galaxy is still in the early stages.

monday i wore an outfit i made a couple of years ago. i do love to keep my pieces and i think it's because when you make your own clothes, you know that no body else is likely to have that exact same thing.  they may have the same fabric, but chances are it will be a different look. 

this was a mustard velvet skirt (am seeing mustard everywhere at present) and a floral chiffon overtop that is split at the side.  i teamed it with my jo mercer boots, a jumper and a sequined belt.

tuesday i wore tweed buckle pants from huudaverti, woollen jumper from uniqlo, my snake skin boots from maryons, hat from an op shop and hoops.

wednesday i wore a bit of a pattern clash.  these checked pants are from target, the jumper is from harris scarfe, scarf made by my mum, red men's shoes from stone, earrings from fiji and my jacket was gifted to me by my sister when she lived in sri lanka. it is so toasty. 

thursday i wore an outfit that would make anyone feel warm and cosy. it was my huudaverti animal print tube skirt, black jumper from coles,  jo mercer boots, scarf made by my mum and a corduroy jacket i purchased when i moved to canberra in 2003. my sister said i would need a jacket cause it gets cold. this will be perfect i thought.  it's corduroy and lined and it will do the trick. WRONG! 

this mo fo did the trick.  my sister picked it up in new york and thought it would be more suitable for the canberra weather. rated to -27 (not that canberra ever gets to that) but it came in very handy as i lived in very cold canberra for a year and when i went on a trip to very cold europe.  this pic was taken in bratislava in 2006.  what was funny about bratislava, was that i had never heard of it before, but slap bang in the middle of the shopping precinct was a store that sold crumpler. go figure! and fuck, was it cold.

NB: hat and scarf are still kicking on 10 years later, as is the jacket.

friday i wore that same hat from the photo above, my target skinny jeans, black turtle neck jumper from uniqlo, red shoes from stone, and that toasty warm jacket.

saturday i wore jeans from target, old boots from jo mercer, probably the same ones i wore in the pink puffer photo, black hat from an oppy and turtle neck jumper from unknown.  i also scoffed down a vegan dagwood dog from the davies park markets that i just had to drown in tomato sauce. soooooo good!

sunday i wore my new found life and dressed it in target skinny jeans, black jo mercer boots, red jumper from uniqlo, pink puffer vest from millers (that was a find last week), earrings from odel in sri lanka and rings from india.

wow what a week and there's plenty more to come in both the life and the fashion stakes.

it's been a tough year for me, but i have come through it knowing that i have incredible resilience to be able to duck and weave through every challenge that has been thrown at me and i feel really proud to have done it in a way that has left me feeling good about myself and some of the choices i have made, or have been made for me.

i know it's really hard to be faced with life when it isn't going as you hoped, but that's when you need to look at it as a positive opportunity, not a reason to give up.

and, what's with all the face pics - well i can't for the life of me work out where to look in the samsung, so i just figured i'd share the randomness of them.  enjoy your week.

the what i wore project - week 25

after my heinous shopping adventures last week, i managed to rustle up a few good outfits for the week - thank goodness - using some new and old items from the closet and here are the looks.

of course this week was fashion focussed, but it was also family focussed with the upcoming birthday of my son who turned 30 yesterday and for me this meant a time of celebration, and also reflecting on the past 30 years of his life and my life - who i was then compared to now, what kind of parent was i then compared to now, have those wishes of what i hoped my child's life would be like come to fruition, where did i succeed or fail as a parent and most importantly, is my child a happy human being, who can deal with life's challenges. i think it is really important to reflect on many aspects of life and i actually don't think that my mother would reflect in the same way about her life or mine.

i certainly don't feel or look like i am old enough to have a 30 year old, but i am and i remember the day he was born just like it happened yesterday. i was 18, my partner and i were both overjoyed and overwhelmed at this new life that we had created at such a young age - but we have both been committed and loving parents and will continue to be. i gave my son a financial gift today but also told him that my ongoing love for him is no doubt the best gift i could possibly give.

we were a single parent family for a long time and his welfare and wellbeing were on the top of my list before anything else and i hope that my contribution to his life has made a difference. i hope it has given him the strength when he needs it and to show care and love to himself and others and go forward into this next stage of his life with confidence and the ability to make the most of his life regardless of what challenges he may face. i know for me, life didn't start to fall into place till my early 30's and i hope that this next chapter is a fulfilling one for him.

happy birthday to my beautiful boy and for any parents out there who may have doubts about whether you are doing the right thing - well children don't come with a "how to be a great parent" manual - there's generally the tradition and the experiences we had from being parented that guides us.

i do recall as a teenager thinking that when i had children, i would be a much different parent than mine were. i didn't want my child growing up in a world where "no" "you can't do that" and "why would you want to do that" were pretty common, and even now, i am still met with those same things from my mother and i am 48 for fucks sake.

i have upheld that decision i made as a teenager to be a different parent and it feels great. i don't do or say any of the things my mum did and said. i support 100% and the biggest piece of advice i got when he was nearly grown up, was that this is his journey and who i am to try and make it mine.

change only comes about by wanting and making it happen, so if you want to give yourself the freedom to be the parent you want to be rather than what's expected to be, then go for it. have fun!

so, after all of that, here's what i wore this week - cause that's why i am doing this, right? and i know that my fashion sense has definitely changed after 30 years.

monday i wore a pattern clash. this is a fave of mine and has been worn before. jumper is from coles, skirt and belt i made myself, boots from jo mercer and earrings from fiji.

never be afraid to pattern clash - it's just like parenting - sometimes the most unexpected things work out.

tuesday i wore some ruffles.  boots from jo mercer, top from unknown, i made the belt and i made the skirt a long long long time ago.  i feel youthful in this pic and i have always struggled with being a youthful mum, but it is what it is and i owned it.

wednesday i wore jumper from harris scarfe, boots from jo mercer, belt from nyc, vinyl skirt from huudaverti and love heart earrings. both of these earrings are different which is probably what happens if you have more than one kid.  they are both great, but not always the same, but you still love them.

thursday, i rugged up and wore snakeskin boots i have had for ten years, velvet skirt made by me, scarf made by my mum, belt from wrangler dfo and jumper from uniqlo and silver hoops.

i loved this look and felt totally like i was walking my own walk and as a parent, we should still do what we love to do, knowing that if you want to wear snakeskin, velvet and rhinestone, then so be it. it's okay to be who you want to be as well.

friday i wore boyfriend jeans from target, men's shoes from stone, jumper from uniqlo, vest from sussan and earrings made by me.  this is also the day that my mother questions why i would choose such a horrible backdrop for my picture. because i am me, that's why and this is what got me thinking about how it is important to not try and create cookie cutter people and lives.

saturday i wore a look that isn't really my look. i wore jeans from target, sneakers from gola, men's shirt from coles, hoops and jacket from sri lanka (gifted by my sister). last time i wore a shirt like this, my son didn't recognise me and on reflection, that's a good thing, it means that i continue to surprise - and who doesn't love a surprise. your kids will, if you let them have ice cream for dinner.

sunday i wore old old boots from jo mercer, jeans from target, scarf knitted by my mum, old jacket from katies, hat from an op shop and a cheeky smile. and why the cheeky smile, becuase i totally trespassed on private property to take this pic and that's okay.  in the realm of life what would it matter and if my kid did it, i would be okay with it, cause we all need to push the boundaries at times to determine what our limits are.

also on sunday is me and the birthday boy, my son who has just turned 30 and who i love so much. i am grateful to be part of his journey.

the what i wore project - week 24

First up - here's all my looks from this week, in what was quite a higgeldy piggeldy weather week here in brissy.

But now.......FFFAAAARRRRRKKKKK

As a result of the devastating storm in Brissy last year, there were a number of things that sucked about it and two of them were these.
1. my clothing got damaged due to water, dye running, debris etc etc
2. my sewing room got demolished - literally, it was trashed along with my machines, every piece of thread, pins, some patterns, fabrics etc etc

the impact of this has now come to light in a way that has seen the majority of my weekend walking around both garden city and indooroopilly shopping centres, looking for some new winter wear.

FFFFAAAARRRRKKKKKK!
the best part of this was, that i probably exceeded the required 10,000 steps per day as i went in search of fashion.
the worst part of this was that there was not much on offer that was different and appealed to my sense of style.

when i mentioned to someone that i was going to garden city, they proclaimed that it was like going to a chinese factory outlet - and that is just what it felt like.  mass produced, cookie cutter outfits that offered me no joy at all.

i tell a lie - i did find three totally impractical things that made it into my wardrobe, from a shop called Sha Sha at Garden City.

 

2 x jumpsuits and 1 x leopard side split overdress,with this fabulous high neckline. this was also the first time i did a dressing room selfie and given the current state of fashion play, may be the last.

 

in this outfit, i am thinking that there must be a disco somewhere in the world, because with this leopard overdress on that black jumpsuit, there are only good moves to be had.

so, apart from these items, i came away empty handed in the clothing stakes.

i know it's an ongoing issue for women who don't wan't to feel like they are just looking like the next person who walks by and for me, it is especially frustrating, as i just need to wear things that express who i am creatively and individually.  Sure i can walk into a shop and put together some looks, but there has to be a element of difference to what i want to put on.

So what to do - well i did the only thing possible and that was to buy some chocolate eclairs from bread top so i can add to my muffin top and then i headed to spolight to start the very very expensive task of replacing all the things that were damaged in the storm. and i look forward at sometime soon, getting my pedal to the metal and creating some looks again.  i have really missed not doing any sewing, as it has been nearly seven months.

so here's a wrap up of this week's looks, without any other blabbering apart from the outfit and where it came from.

monday i flashed some skin and wore target boyfriend jeans, rhinestone belt from wrangler DFO, top from nyc gifted from my sister, birkenstocks and of course a big janijans smile.

tuesday it was cold so i rugged up and wore black velvet jeans from sportscraft, red suede men's shoes from stone, puffer vest picked up in sarojini market new delhi and a black turtle neck jumper from coles fairfield.

wednesday it wasn't too hot or too cold so i wore tree tube skirt from best and less carindale, black jumper from coles, boots from jo mercer and various necklaces.

thursday well it was warm again so i wore black pants from country road, top from suzanne grae and my lee vest that i sequined at the back with a big red love heart.

friday i wore a comfy casual look for the office which was skinny jeans from target, a black sequin belt i made, a batwing chiffon top from target that is open at the back, over a black long sleeve tee.

these boots got the first outing of the year and i love them soooo much.  the heel is just right, the pointed toe is just right, the studs are so right and the length is just right.  it's a goldilocks moment and they are from mollini, but i had to search the countryside to find them and eventually picked them up in a dress shop at cabarita.

saturday it was market day and that meant a stop to my most favourite vego stall at west end market. for me it wasn't too cold so i wore those same skinny jeans from target, my western boots from wrangler DFO , and a very sheer cheesecloth top from tree of life carindale and i couldn't wait to get my hands on a spinach and fetta pie.

sunday it was cold again - make up your mind brisbane weather.  i took this photo down in west end where there was a big sign saying under surveillance.  great, i thought, i can bust some moves before the cops come.  i wore skinny jeans, diadora sneakers from suva, fiji, a silver puffer jacket from uniqlo new york and also hottest of hot pink cap from old navy in nyc as well.

well that was my week in fashion and my very disheartening weekend in shopping for fashion. actually, now i come to think of it, i went to target at buranda last week and was equally disappointed with what is often a place of a few good finds.

i really don't know what to make of it all.  the desire to continually produce this mediocre stuff can't go on forever....surely. i know that people are very vocal about wanting fashionable items, especially in the plus size market, but for me, it just isn't hitting the mark and i am not sure what the answer to this is or how i can stand out from the masses when all i see is mass production. i guess that continuing to create the looks that i want to wear is more important now, then it ever was, if this is the future of local fashion that i am being offered.

the what i wore project - week 23 my sister's wardrobe

well my three week adventure in fiji is over - boo to that.  it has been fun and challenging and of course fashionable thankfully to being able to share my sister's clothes.

i did do something that i have never done before and that was to share a pic of me in my swimmers, not once, but twice.  not a big deal i hear you say....well i agree, but for many people it is probably not possible due to the commentary that may come with it, that may impact negatively on their well being.  i have been thin and i have been fat and i have been thin and i have been fat, but the one thing that remained the same, is the essence of me - the fun spirit, the kind heart and acceptance of who i am regardless of what this day, week, month or year may bring or whether i am wearing a size 12, 14, 16 or 18 and at nearly 50 years of age, i really don't give a fuck.  being happy right now is what matters.

so here is what i wore this week and i was happy to have a couple of things from my own wardrobe to wear. what a busy week this was.

oh my god - this dress.  i wore a couple of cowl neck outfits while in fiji and i had forgotten how totally fun they are and this dress even though it was a bit snug, felt totally totally sexy.  I loved how the top part of the dress had enough fabric to sit nicely over my tummy and teamed with the tube style skirt it was just a brilliant look and feel.

monday i wore dress and necklace from my sister's wardrobe and my birkenstocks.

monday was also our first opportunity to just sit and relax following the hectic previous weeks. we headed out for dinner and my first pina colada of the trip and it was actually chilly.  i also decided to sit in the back of the pajero on the way there and back and why not - we can't have this kind of fun in australia any more.

monday night i wore my target jeans and birkenstocks and t-shirt, cardigan and shells from my sister's wardrobe. i have no idea where any of those things came from.

this dress was to be part of my collection that i showed on friday night, but as sometimes happens at a fashion show, models just don't show up and it never made it to the runway.  i decided to bring it from runway to real way and this was the day we also headed to the beach for some much needed fun and relax.

tuesday i wore gold dress from huudaverti.

so it made total sense to post me in my swimmers since this is what i would be wearing most of the day. i have to be honest, it was weird, but at the same time there was something quite liberating about it - one of those sports illustrated moments, but not quite.

wednesday i wore swimmers from target and the warm tropical water of leleuvia island fiji.

i wasn't able to just wear my swimmers all day though as i had to put on a cover for when i went to eat or hang around the island.

wednesday i also wore kaftan from i-do thai massage and sand between my toes.

another day - another swimsuit and i was kind of getting into the swing of things with the swimsuit shots.  i love and hate this swimsuit.  love it because it is leopard, has a really nice cut to it at the front, but hate that the back of it just felt a little bit to small across my butt and it don't think that has anything to do with my butt - just the shape of this particular suit.

thursday i wore swimsuit from target.  i have found for me, that target seems to have a number of suits that really give me all that i need in a swimsuit - the shape, the support, some fun styles and they are actually wearable. this one nearly hit the mark on all thing, but i wont be put off by the lesser coverage on the rear - after all, i was still wearing more than any brazilian man or woman would wear on ipenema beach.

of course, i couldn't just run around in my swimmers ALL day, so i picked up this great little frock in suva.  I have one store that i always go to on every visit, that seems to have one or two things that i just need to add to my wardrobe and this is another of those pieces.

thursday i wore dress from the pacific store, suva.

we also traveled back to suva that afternoon and surprise surprise look at my sister and i....

thursday afternoon i wore the same as my sister, but in reverse.  the shorts were mine but the top was hers.

i had a couple of days left on my adventure and was in wardrobe raiding mode.  my sister and i went to the local fabric store and grabbed some new fabrics to work with and on the way back, they had to stop and get some vege. I jumped at the chance to set up my tripod and take a snap at this local vege stand.  and yes, people thought i was odd.

friday i wore jeans from target, havaianas from byron bay, belt was my own and this sparkly top was from my sisters wardrobe and she actually wore it on the runway when we showed at FFFweek 2013. This is another example of why we make the clothes we do - they are timeless.

well for my last day in suva, i decided to go for the metallic look and found this skirt and top in the huudaverti sample room.  i felt a bit weird being in suva wearing an all gold outfit - which was quite short - so i added the green skirt underneath, a woven belt and an earthy necklace.  i found that this combo just took the outfit from being too glitzy to being more wearable in the daytime.

saturday i wore gold skirt and top from the huudaverti sample room, green skirt, belt and necklace from my sister's wardrobe and my own birkenstocks. 

i had a super early start for my commute back to brisbane.  needed to be out the door by 4.30am and that meant being packed up an also having an outft on hand to wear. i was happy to be back in west end at my favourtie coffee place, seeing everyone and was expecting it to be a cold day - but thankfully it was just perfect.

i barely had time to sit down and i was being papped (not smeared thankfully - that would be awkward).  i think that this pic was all about my beautiful necklace though and rightly so.  the noise it makes is incredible.

i had arranged a taxi driver who gave me lifts a few times in suva and he was right on time to collect me every time and for the airport drop off as well.  from my sister's house, it takes 3 roads to get to the airport. one to the town where the airport is (its a long drive), one to cross the river and one to the airport proper. well in the dark at 4.30am, this guy took me off the main road, down darkened streets and when i asked why, he said it was because the main road was too dangerous at that time of the morning - too many trucks driving badly.  okay i can accept that.  we then made it to the main main road, and he turned off again, down another darkened road and i was thinking what the fuck now.  i was feeling a little weirded out about it. he had been good so far, but where to now and why all the dark back streets - petrol of course - from a dark, out of the road gas station where a guy was there locked in an office for safety and once we had filled up it was full steam to the airport. safe and sound.  i shouldn't have doubted - but it pays to have a plan and at 4.30am - i had nothing but trust.

sunday i wore jeans from target, birkenstocks, old top from suzanne grae and shell necklace made by fijian designer robert kennedy and from the tappoo department store which can be found across fiji, and my bag is from witchery.

so now i am back after a hectic first week, a fashion filled second week and a totally relaxing third week and i am looking forward to catching up on some of the things i have been missing.  the gym is one and since i haven't done any sewing since we had the storm last november, i am planning on getting my creative on very soon and whipping up some new things once i get around to unpacking the new machines.  

i also have to do a big big clean out as i am going to be moving house soon, so i am planning on setting up an ebay store to start selling some of the items i have loved and collected over the years. this is a first for me as well.

this is the beautiful island we stayed at just off suva.  it is tiny - takes 20 minutes to walk around in low tide - if you aren't distracted by the shells, what you see on the beach or just taking in the surrounds.  

and i am leaving you with the panorama of leleuvia island.  it is truly paradise, in every sense of the word - the sand is soft, the water is warm and clear, the hammocks are comfy and it is just so relaxing.

well, it's back to my own wardrobe now and the cooler weather.  can't wait to start putting together some more looks.