the what i wore project - week 43

so this week, i think my fashion has been overshadowed by the arrival of one very very hot pink couch and the love of not having to sit on my 39 dollar ikea chair any longer.  i loved that chair, but my arse didn't and to be honest, i was lacking colour in my life in the home decor front. that chair is now relegated to the balcony where i can sit out there an enjoy the fresh air and a vino.

my plan is to put on my pinkest of pink outfits, open a bottle of pink bubbles (great suggestion from my sister) and snap a pick of me blending in with the pinkness.

next countdown is the arrival of my second taxi box which arrives this week and i am busting to crack that bad boy open.

here's what i pulled out of the cupboard this week and there's a shock factor element in there - all black.

hello monday, i dressed like i was the sun in this orange frock that i made.  the obi belt was gifted to me and the shoes were a new much needed pair of flats to keep me on the low down till my other stuff arrives.  they are from famous footwear. as my paid job is in mining, it's been a while since i have been able to wear opened toed shoes without getting a safety share.

so a thing happens when i walk into the office - i get the top to toe sweep from people and people dropping by to see what colourful outfit i am wearing.  how funny is that.  fashion is becoming a talking point.  maybe it was before i arrived, but it seems to be a lovely discussion to be having each day.  how's that for bringing people together.

on tuesday, mumma wanted to dance and she went all satin shiny.  as i was getting ready, i just had ra ra rasputin pop into my head (boney m) for the younger readers and i was doing my boney m moves across the floor and decided to google them.  there was a recent boney m segment on rage the other day and i have to say, they were disco and i felt disco and if i had a hundred bucks to spare i would have wandered over to the crown to see them.

this head to toe sweep was made by me.  the shoes are from jo mercer on sale, the belt from a $2 shop  - buckle turned to the side for extra effect and my anklet was purchased on a beach in rio.  i love this outfit and the pants were loved by both the men and women who probably wanted to wear them....can you blame them!

go for gold wednesday had arrived and i rummaged through the wardrobe to find this beauty. the denim skirt and belt were made by me and the top is a huudaverti number.  the boots got an airing cause surprise surprise, the weather was turning.

thursday  threw everyone into a tizz and why, cause i wore all black (in no way a reference to a possible rugby world cup outcome - but it could be.....)  but it was all black from the outfit to the nickers and bra.  the only thing that wasn't black was a necklace and my socks which were flouro green.  a taste of things to come. i had people coming to me in the office asking if i had turned all melbourne. hell no, i just decided to wear all black.  don't know that i will be doing that again soon, cause it freaked people out.

my all black outfit was my pants from country road, top from seed, men's shoes from tarocash, some old necklaces i made.  (tip. when you use magnetic clasps you can join and join as many necklaces together as you like to make one super necklace.  or not)

hello friday and i should have been excited that it was the last day of the working week and the arrival of my couch.  i no sooner got to work when i became violently ill throwing up green ectoplasm that would make any ghostbuster proud and was rushed to the doctors.  you know when you reach a certain age that things leak from other places in excitement, well i am happy to say that none of this happened as i was chucking into a toilet, then bucket, then bag as i made my way to the doctor. keep up the pelvic floors ladies, it pays off.

i'm not sure if the universe was sending me a message that some shit i was dealing with was doing me no good, or the avocado i ate just didn't agree with me.  whatever it was, it was green and it wasn't pretty jan....and it resulted in a shot in the arm that made me drowsy for the next 24 hours. i also needed to pay redelivery on my couch cause timing was everything.

i however looked great in my jeans from target, boots from mollini, black t and my poncho from tree of life.

saturday arrived after mild sedation had worked its magic.  i went forth with caution and contempt. caution cause i wasn't sure if i was okay and contempt for that bloody fringed jacket. oh man, it just loves to be involved in everything - the seatbelt holder, the gearstick, the handbag, the glasses, the door, everything.  i love it though, but what to do....maybe i will cut the fringing down a bit on the arms, cause that seems to be the problem area. aren't arms always a problem area?

the shorts were made by me, shoes from famous footwear, singlet from uniqlo, jacket from dream diva and the earings - aren't they amazing. gifted to me from my sister back in 2006 when she was living in sri lanka.  she figured i'd be the only person she knew who could pull them off.

well look at mumma on sunday, feeling all like the ugly duckling who turned into the swan. i bought this top a long while ago when i had a few more curves than i do now and i put it away cause it just didn't feel right, but how cute is it and the image is on the back as well, giving me swan arse, if that's a thing.  uncovered it yesterday and made it my must wear item today.  teamed with my target jeans and cap, connies and my vintage bag that i picked up yonks ago, i felt great, all things considering.

so the weekend was filled with highs and lows.  the high of getting my couch after 8 long weeks and the low of still having to move through some excess baggage that i don't want to carry around but for whatever reason has haunted me.

so through this i shall once again find the silver lining and move forward in both the fashion and the life stakes.  hope that everyone has a great week to come.

the what i wore project - week 42

ouch this was a strange week, it was filled with both love and sadness. love came from having my son, his girlfriend and another friend come to visit and sadness because i decided to make a decision that would ultimately cut ties with the past and i shared that journey here when i wrote about closure. it's never easy, but with closure you either make a new direction or a new direction finds you.

well the week kicked off with rainy weather and tonight as i write this, i am sick - i think there's a combination of things - the constant change in weather - rainy sunny, hot and cold, it changes all the time, plus the change of food, location and job is all still finding its new normal.  at work i talk about likening how i am doing to a plane ride, there is the boarding, take off and ultimately the cruising altitude where you can sit back, relax and enjoy. i don't think i have hit cruising altitude yet but i know it will happen.

so here's what i wore while i am still ascending to my cruising altitude where the seat belt sign will soon be turned off.

monday it was a spotted corduroy dress i made myself teamed with pom pom necklaces also made by me. the boots are from jo mercer and i posed against a beautiful chest of drawers i purchased in brisbane following the devastating storm last year.

tuesday i decided to show a bit of leg and a comment i got was that i haven't shared my pins much. well it's been to fucken cold to go bare legged, or anything else for that matter, but on tuesday i busted out.  i liken them to snakes, they generally only come out in warm weather. the dress is from coles and the shoes are from jo mercer.

wednesday sucked for me personally, so i decided to pretty up in this dress that i also made.  gees i make a lot of stuff...... the shoes are from rubi, the necklaces are from an op shop, but i decided to pin my flowers (usually reserved for my hair) to them to add another pop of colour. those shoes still have to go - they are far too noisy.

thursday i had made an appointment to go and talk to someone about how i was feeling about a few things.  i think that addressing stuff head on is what can make all the difference between certainty and uncertainty. having constant noise in your head can hold you back and i decided to turn the sound down. i left feeling like i was okay to do what i needed to do - without guilt, or fear or failure, or regret. it wasn't easy, but i made a choice.

it was a hottie, so i wore this great silk cotton green dress that i made, with my silver shoes from jo mercer and necklace from lovisa.  i went forth with courage and an open mind.

hello friday - casual day and after my week, i just wanted to feel light.  this outfit did it - the flowing western shirt, the rolled up jeans and the sockless converse.  even my hair didn't care, cause it was happy to be plaited and to do its own thing.

jeans are from target, connies from dfo, top from second hand shop in melbourne.  i loved the button down top, but sadly, it decided that it would pop a bit of boobage every now and then and it's not the look i go for when someone is picking up papers from the photocopy machine and can see over to my desk.  awkward.

saturday i woke up feeling pretty ordinary and i chucked on this outfit, cause i know it works. i had some time with my son and we did a few things together.  i was feeling pretty crap, but managed to lug myself around town and enjoy the time we had together.  jeans i tie-dyed myself, belt from 2 dollar shop, havaianas from byron bay, old old top, my cap is from target and my necklace came from my first visit to india.

what i like about this outfit is that with a top that has an elastic base, it is great from covering a bit of nutella muffin top cause it gets a bit flouncy.  the belt sucks it in and it just works.

on saturday as part of my moving forward i said goodbye to the past. thank you to my lovely friend who gave me the suggestion to let go a balloon to symbolise the act of letting go.  i wrote all my feelings on it and set it free in order to free me.

on sunday i had gone downhill faster than a kid on a go-cart (gee, wonder why i might have got sick) and didn't have much time with my son, cause he was heading back to brissy, but we did enjoy brekky together before i headed home back to the comfort of bed. i would have spent the day on the lounge, but that mother fucker aint here YET...

i relaxed in my overalls that i got at a second hand store, connies from dfo and a tshirt from somewhere. there was a half marathon here in melbourne on sunday and the streets were closed off, so i jumped at the chance to stand in the middle of it all while it was quiet.

so, in fashion i always beat the sound of my own drum. i don't read magazines, or follow trends, i do my own thing.  many many years ago i was in india and on a visit to a market i purchased a pair of shoes for my sister and i (we have to often buy the same thing for each other) (pictured on my sisters feet a while back) well blow me down if i didn't wander into a store in melbourne on the weekend and spot a pair of similar shoes - they were nice, but they don't have bells on them like ours do or jewels like our do, but they look pretty much the same.

and with that, i guess i called this fashion trend a long time ago...and stand true to every outfit, accessory and look i choose to create each day.

the what i wore project - week 38

i am digging this melbourne life and i haven't even scratched the surface - it's just like an ongoing adventure and i can't wait for the weekend to come around quick enough.

this week was another lot of firsts.

the first first was that i had to go away for work and did actually go to the great ocean road - no 1, the great ocean road and that's where it stopped.

the second first, was that i wasn't prepared and needed to make my way to the personal hygiene lane of the nearest convenience store/chemist/servo and i did go the long way - via bells beach - never been there before.

and the third first, was that i finally found my normal.

and for finding my normal, here's what i wore - weather permitting.  everything i bought to melbourne is now in my wardrobe and as i am believer of wearing it more than once and styling different ways, there's very little new stuff - but after not seeing some things for so many weeks, it almost feels like it's all new.  how good is that - and without the price tag.

monday i stepped out in this great dress i made.  i just love a straight through dress and depending on the fabric or the styling, it doesn' t need to feel like a straight through dress. i also accessorised with sunscreen as i had to go to torquay and why not take the top off the convertible and enjoy the sun beating down on you.  and just like that, the weather turned.

 tuesday it was all sportscraft (apart from the shoes) and it was cold and rainy.

oh and tuesday night i got to put on some sparkle - a straight through dress that i made myself, including sewing every sequin on one by one.  my pashmina is an indian original circa 2000 from my first trip there.

wednesday i snuck across the golf course, past the no walking on the green sign to catch the beautiful light. it was actually frosty and this simple look saw me enjoy a mid week work day in casual comfort.

thursday - oh dear.  i really wanted to pull something else out of my bag of tricks today and i actually made this outfit about 4 years ago and love the whole pattern clashing combo.  i need a fucken iron. i can pretend that it looks pleated as much as i like, but this velvet crush is best left to the juice stand.

on friday i delved into the world of fringe and oh man isn't that just fraught with danger.  to quote my dear nana - it was hopstropolis it just had a mind of its own.  it got caught on everything and i can't even begin to describe how it was going to the toilet - it didn't go in the toilet, but trying to work around it was interesting to say the least and by the time i got home, i threw the darn thing on the floor before i did anything else, for fear of it being a safety hazard.

the death defying fringe jacket and denim skirt come from dream diva, the jumper from uniqlo, boots from jo mercer and various necklaces topped the look off.  the frngy thing is now back in the cupboard ready for an outing that doesn't require much motion.

this weekend, i didn't have to go to ikea, or look for a fridge or do anything that wasn't about what i wanted to do. it was today that when i woke up, i looked out the window and spent a fair bit of time feeling grateful - for everything.  and then i went and stocked up my fridge with some great supplies from the south melbourne market.

i also had to say goodbye to my much loved golas - after 10 years, they had walked their last steps and they were deemed unrepairable.  rip lovely golas.

my outfit today, was an inner glow, jeans, studded belt, golas, black T and sparkly overtop which was a hit with everyone.  i was even asked if i was going for an audition (WTF) no, this is just my normal i declared.

the weather continued to amaze so i decided to amaze back and put on one of my fave dresses - yep a straight through one that i made myself with fabric i got in fiji, some years back.

i new that i had reached my normal today, cause after doing a few things this morning, i declared that a nana nap was in order and i just took meself off for a much loved siesta.

i'm pretty happy with how this week panned out in the life and fashion stakes and with week 38 tucked under my belt, i look forward to week 39.

the what i wore project - week 36

oh my, i am churning through the high repetition, however saying that, i am pretty sure that my hello kitty pj's haven't featured before, but i guess there's a first time for any fashion statement.

my week started vertically and by friday, i was horizontal with some bug that is still plaguing me, but thankfully to a lesser extent. i think that after realising that i can start to find my normal after months of personal upheaval my body just crashed and gave me some enforced rest.

so here's what i grabbed out of my bag lady wardrobe this week.  only a few days to go, till i am officially moved and i can't wait to be in a permanent place and i have the coat hangers at the ready.

monday i went and signed the lease on my place. exciting. i wore brown.....and a hot pink hat.  the velvet skirt was made by me and did nothing to stop the breeze coming through. teamed with a black turtle neck from uniqlo, jacket from sri lanka, boots are from merrells purchased in NYC 2005 and cap is from old navy NYC circa 2012 - i was ready to sign on the dotted line.

tuesday i was getting excited about my move and decided a vintage leopard hat (from NYC) was in order, it was too cold to just wear the hat (not to mention too inappropriate) so i teamed it with my black boots from jo mercer, vinyl skirt from target, belt made by me, and a top from dream diva.

dream diva is the people who started city chic and i picked up a couple of things to add to the bag lady wardrobe.  their sizing runs a bit hit and miss for me, but i got some stuff in stretch and could go down to their small which is about a size 14 - 16.  they had a fun range and i will definitely go back and check them out.  they have their only store on bridge road richmond, so being able to try stuff is a plus. (pardon the pun)

wednesday came and maybe i was subconsciously telling myself to slow down cause for some reason i sat down to take my pic. the pieces aren't new, but the combo was.  tartan pants made by me, men's shoes from tarocash, black jumper from coles, and red over top from sussan and socks, yes i had socks, but i don't know where the fuck they are from.

i had been juggling butterflies this week to get my move underway and by the end of the day it had all come together.

taxi box booked
concierge booked
keys to pick up booked
blokes to move my stuff booked
day off to oversee all this booked.

thursday i was so excited to be on the move, that i couldn't even get my whole body in the pic. i'm not even going to share what i wore cause it pales into comparison, to what was about to happen. i felt the total change in weather today - warm one minute and freezing the next.  by the arvo i felt really lethargic and went home for a rest - clearly it was a sign of what was to come.

thursday i was accessorizing with a potential spew bucket. i woke up and could not lift my head off the pillow. i can't remember when i felt this crap, but the show must go on and as i have to fend for myself that meant going to get supplies, which i did after taking this pic.  ewww that was a rough trip. all that matters here is that i have hello kitty pj pants from old navy NYC.

saturday required me to do some stuff, even though i just wanted to lie in bed. to do this stuff, i wore my jeans from target, diadora sneakers from fiji, black turtle neck from uniqlo, cordury coat from canberra, leopard hat from NYC and sunnies from byron bay. it was a rough day, but i soldiered through.

sunday, i still wasn't much chop, but i had to make tracks and that meant prepping for the ongoing planting of roots that ensues. i needed stuff - a dinner set, a toilet cleaning brush, wine glasses, storage, etc etc. i had to get in the car and head to ikea. with all this excitement and 2 trolleys to wrangle - i forgot to pay, after scanning all my stuff (thanks brain fade).  clearly dressing like a cowgirl was in order.  i wore jeans from target, jo mercer boots, green t from kmart, name belt from NYC and vintage gingham western shirt from OTC melbourne city.

i can't even begin to describe how exciting it is to be feeling settled and what's even more exciting is that my new landlord must understand what it feels like to want to call a place home, cause i am allowed to put up all my art.......and in a world where the norm is to be able to add ONE picture hook

yes 1 picture hook on a wall, this is a big freaking deal. bunnings here i come!

wonder how they will feel when i ring to ask if i can knock a wall down for extra wardrobe space.....

the what i wore project - week 35

damn you melbourne - you are fine (apart from the errant weather, which i am slowly getting accustomed to) but it keeps me on my toes and i have had a couple of learnings so far.

1. know where both gloves are at all times and purchase a back up pair in case you lose a glove like i did. hence know where both gloves are at all times.
2, just cause the sky is blue, the sun is shining, birds may be chirping and it looks warm - it isn't.

this was a week that not only tested my tricky weather outfits, but also tested my clothing choices. i am literally making whatever i can find in my bag lady wardrobe work.  but all that is coming to an end, as i come nearer to having a real wardrobe space.  and i am happy to report that a pair of denim overalls and a red checked western shirt will be making an appearance very soon.

i know spring is around the corner and i have been assured that it's still a while till short sleeves are in order, unlike my friends in queensland who are bathing in the warmth.

this is what the week from jan's bag lady wardrobe looked like and i once again ensured that colour was going to feature heavily.

and rightly so, given the line of ants i spied from my window.  i say ants cause at 46 floors up they look like ants - a line of black all marching towards work.

monday i wore black pants from country road, pink jumper from coles, knitted overshirt from sussan, men's shoes from tarocash and my leopard jacket that my mum made in 1996.

tuesday i wore my gold demin skirt that i made (it's intentionally crushed, cause ironing isn't factoring into my bag lady life at present), black turtle neck jumper from uniqlo, boots from jo mercer, rhinestone belt from wrangler and jacket from sri lanka.

wednesday i wore the same jumper - i know - 2 days in a row. i teamed it with my huudaverti tube skirt, jo mercer boots, i threw this spotted raglan sleeve top that i made on, added a sequin belt and a necklace.  i am not a big fan of wearing necklaces over turtle necks but i did it and did it again the next day. shows what having bag lady wardrobe does.

thursday i wore a raspberry pink velvet ensemble.  this was to ward of the bleakness of the day.  the jumper is from uniqlo, necklace from fiji, boots from jo mercer and the skirt and top were made by me.  the top was an afterthought using a leftover piece of the velvet which i added some pom poms to. looks like spring is springing on the garden terrace.

friday i wore the reverse denim velvet combo.  this look was way to structured for me. but i see lots of blokes wearing this same looks sans knee length boots. i liked it but it just makes me feel constricted.  can't explain why but 20 years ago i would have worn something like this any chance i had. the jeans are from target, boots from jo mercer, embroidered top and velvet jacket from sportscraft.

saturday i wore not enough clothes to keep me warm.  my god it was cold.  i went to my first ever photography class and it was outdoors and it was freezing. i wore my jeans, suede boots from merrells nyc, jumper from uniqlo, fur zip up vest from suzanne grae, scarf made by my mum and hat from an oppy in brisbane.  i also went searching for another pair of gloves.  oh my that was a drab adventure.  tips please.

sunday i wore my tie dyed jeans that i made, red men's shoes from stone, red jumper, black puffer vest from india, scarf made by my mum and cap from target.  this was also the day that i took my fun car for a spin.  it's been a few weeks now and i avoided any routes that would require a hook turn but i did manage to take the top off which is always grand.

so the end of the bag lady wardrobe is imimient.  i have found a place and expect to move in the next week or so.  i can't wait to have full control over the wardrobe again.