Here’s hoping fashion can boost my self-esteem and confidence
If you've read anything I've posted on the blog in the last two years, the very few and far-between snippets from my life, you would know it was struggle-town over here. Population me! Anxiety was at an all-time high, sending confidence and self-esteem flying out the window and running for the hills. And if you didn't, now you're caught up. A genuine crisis of confidence makes it very difficult to show up a blog with a literal (e)book on the matter. But when I started to plan to clean out my closet, deciding what could stay and what could go,...
Hank & Hera Premium Sleep & Loungewear
In my inbox this week are Hank & Hera and their thoughtfully designed sleep and loungewear available in sizes 4 - 34. Yes, you heard that right. It's a generous size range, and I've found them to have plenty of room to move within that range. But I'm getting ahead of myself. In my inbox might be the series, but Hank & Hera isn't new news to me; I've been working with Philippa on their website and emails for a while now. From the start, I had a draft here waiting for me to share the story of this brand with you. What is 'In My Inbox'...
It’s been a while since I had my heart broken
It's hard to believe that my first post about our new puppy, Fetch, is probably my last. No sugarcoating it here, this past few weeks have sucked. Big time. Skip this one if you're not in the mood, folks. I just wanted to make sure he was documented here, where all the things I love are documented. I'd always joked about getting a dog and naming them Fetch. Something that I never thought Kel would let me get away with. But when we picked him up on June 18th, he was never going to be anything else. Welcome to the family, Fetchy boy. A male...
Where to begin…
I've sat down to write this update post multiple times now. It's been a while, and there is a lot to catch up on. Stuff with me, the business, the house, finding my feet after the year that was 2020 and everything in between. But then the sheer volume overwhelms me, and I delete the draft and run for the hills. But not today. No sir. Today, it's happening even if I don't cover everything (like, the house probably needs its own post. Actually, maybe so do the changes with my business). It happened; if you're reading this, I did it....
I stopped writing about confidence when anxiety took over
Writing a blog about confidence is pretty tough when you feel like a fraud. I should know; that's exactly how I felt. Looking back, I knew things were really out of control when I attended an event in Brisbane, pre-Covid. In a room full of people, most I'd known for years, I couldn't breathe. Nothing could distract or settle me. The walls were closing in, and the only thing I could do was get outside, sit and try to gather myself. Maybe some of you were there or heard an account of it. Some people got back to me, said I was rude, stand-offish...
New to me plus-size brands giving big summer energy
A beach baby since before birth, I'm team summer, even if it leaves me a frizzy, sweaty mess more often than not. Thankfully, after a little exploring online, some new to me plus-size brands with big summer energy popped into my feed. Everything you need for a Queensland summer, from swimwear to activewear (or as I like to call them, clothes), as well as lightweight sets and dresses. What constitutes 'big summer vibes'? No compromise on style or trendiness, no mention of flattering (gag). Fun, exciting shapes and designs in a range of sizes....
What I learned when I gave up drinking
I'm serious when I tell you when I gave up drinking, I hadn't intended to. One day I was changing how I ate, looking to achieve a whole host of things, and I decided alcohol wouldn't fit in with those changes. So, I stopped drinking. Now, It's been three months since I gave up drinking, and I don't miss it. Thinking about it now, I can count on one hand the number of times I've even given it a second thought. Very strange for someone who enjoyed a good drink or two but here we are. Most people who have heard about this recent development are...
Make something, even if it sucks: Ask Suger
Considering I was in my office this morning before 6 am, you'd think I'd be ready to roll with this email early, right? Apparently not. I got caught up making a few changes to the blog branding I had a dream about last night. Saying it came to me in a dream seems a little out there, but that's kind of how it went. I've been bringing the look of the blog and socials into 2022 and generally tinkering around behind the scenes for a while now. But I feel like I have found the final piece to the puzzle (along with some stuff I have happening...
How much I made on Fiverr in my first year
It all started with a simple question, can I earn money on Fiverr as a photographer? Keen to get into doing more product photography, I was looking for a way to find clients and generate more work for myself. A YouTube video about a freelance copywriter on CNBC's Millennial Money convinced me to turn to Fiverr. And after the first month, I received my first order. After the first six months on the platform, I was on a roll that didn't stop. Soon I was a Level One (I wrote about that), then Level Two Seller. I don't plan to break things down...
Feeling left behind in life: Ask Suger
A couple of weeks ago, I received an Ask Suger talking about the changes they had been going through in their life and how they felt behind everyone else they knew. And it wasn't that they were not getting what they wanted, feeling as if they were taking giant steps backwards. So, they wanted to see if I'd ever felt like that and if I had any advice. Phew, team, what a heartbreaker THAT was to read. And primarily because, of course, I've been there. I promise you that we all have. Maybe it was as simple as changing a career when everyone else...
How did I disappear from my life?
Where did I go? That's the question I've been asking myself lately. How did I manage to disappear from my life? Somewhere around late 2020, I stopped documenting my life, being in pictures and outside of the weekly Suger News emails sharing. Where did I go? I don't know. All I know is I was done with a grinding screech of an old metal brake. Gone. And it wasn't just the sharing of my life online that seemed more likely to be finished. Though, I did consider if I'd spent my time online and was ready to let it go. I'm not sure lip-syncing or...
Taking Shape x Elverina Johnson collection
Taking Shape is thrilled to reveal the first-ever First Nations designs by the highly regarded artist Elverina Johnson. A highly respected Gungganji Gurugulu woman from Yarrabah in Far North Queensland, Elverina is one of the Nation’s most recognisable and accomplished artists. Her belief is that arts can empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and restore a genuine sense of pride in their culture and communities. It's been a little while since we saw the collaboration with Active Truth and (a personal favourite) Bobbi Lockyer...
Puma x Modibodi
Modibodi has partnered up with PUMA to launch a range of leak-free period activewear and underwear*, created to help women stay comfortable and active during their period whilst making a positive environmental impact. Awesome news for my inbox this week, right? I love this range and was immediately on the site to buy. One small problem! Their choice to only do limited extended sizing to AU 8/XS - AU 18/2XL means despite being a regular Modibodi customer I am unable to shop this range. How disappointing, right? Hopefully, in the future,...
Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls reminded me why I started blogging
When I shared the Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls announcement post over the weekend, I was hoping for a little more opportunity to talk about this show, maybe even rave a little about it. I've seen it twice, some napping occurred the second time around, and I had so much fun watching it—short version. But there was more to it than that. It got me thinking about this blog and why I started sharing myself here. When this blog became a style blog over a decade ago, it took something for me to embrace this new online space I had created. I...
A few of my favourite things…
A little while back, I thought it would be fun to do favourite things kind of post. Feature books and products, homewares to skincare—stuff I've seen on the interwebs in a roundup style post. But then, from memory, it was Afterpay Day. And the very idea of sending out a post flogging stuff, even if it was for entertainment, was a no thanks. But, some time has passed, and I've found more interesting things. I added an extra book and some sunscreen, an old favourite brand has a new offering, and some new-to-me products popped up. And since I...
Where to Buy Wide Fit Boots for Plus-Size Women
Welcome to the next instalment of the Where to Buy posts. This week it is wide fit boots. Boots for the plus size, large legged amongst us. Some have extended shoe sizing. Others offer wide fitting calf and ankle boots. Earlier this week, it occurred to me that it was feeling like the cooler weather might be just around the corner. What better time to talk boots? Wide calf and ankle boots are available now for the Autumn 2013 season in Australia, right? Thankfully the brands were on the same page because the new season boots are hitting...
Do you still subscribe to magazines?
I've always loved the glossy pages of a magazine. Not literally, the glossy pages drive me nuts with fingerprints, but you know what I mean. Whether it was about fashion or home decor, far off adventures or food. A lot of why I wanted to be a writer when I was a child was because of magazines. Later, the ads captured my attention just as much as the stories, and it led me to university for Marketing and Advertising. Not that I ever finished that degree, but that's another story. Haha. As my Marie Claire was jammed into the mailbox, partially...
Rising water doesn’t differentiate {Gympie Floods 2022}
As some of you know, my home town is under flood as I write this. A major flood with a level that is predicted to continue rising. Expected to exceed the previous highest flood on record; February 1999 (21.94m). I've been awake since around 5 am reading the overnight updates of the water entering the CBD. It made me think of the quiet, unstoppable force that floodwater is. Maybe you're surprised by my choice of words there. We see pictures of raging rivers and swirling currents on the news. Debris washed downstream, collecting size as it...
I know all about being fine
Starting the year out rushing to get back to work with emails flooding my inbox wasn't ideal. I was overwhelmed, and on the brink of panic most days, I got on with things. And when asked? Of course, I was fine. Tired, but fine. Busy, but fine. I know all about being fine. Being fine is such a default response for so many of us—especially the busy, doing it all types who are juggling many balls in the air. I'm fine, you're fine, we're all FINE! Who doesn't remember Ross Geller and his squeaky fine in that margarita fueled episode of Friends....
Lizzo’s watch out for the big grrrls
Ummm, excuse me, internet, but have you heard about Lizzo's new show? "Watch Out For The Big Grrrls" is coming, and I'm not sure we're ready, to be honest. It's a dance competition for a chance to win a spot on Lizzo's World Tour. Now, I don't know much about dance. My experience ended when I sized out of the 'girls' tutus around 9 or 10. But I know that dance hasn't been kind to women who live in large bodies—deeming us incapable, unable or unworthy in varying degrees. So to see this opportunity for big girls to dance played out in a TV...
My Go-To White Summer Dress
It started in the lead up to Christmas. We were heading north, and I knew that meant long days in the heat or pool, coming out for meals or to sleep. So, I wanted something that looked festive but was easy to wear. Enter this accidentally oversized swing dress in white brocade. No, that's not the word for it. *pops a new tab and googles eyelet fabric, usually white, starts with b?* Broderie Anglaise, that's it. It had been a slow evening at home, and I was scrolling through the ASOS range of dress offerings on a hunt for a 'Christmas...
Build Your Confidence
One of our main focuses here is to help boost your confidence so you feel ready to handle whatever life throws your way and to ask for what you want and deserve. If that resonates with you, be sure to explore the confident you archives—they're packed with valuable insights from over a decade of blogging! Read more.
Time to get a life?
Reclaim your freedom by starting a business, side hustle, or blog that reflects your passions! I've shared so many posts about my journey and how I successfully transitioned to working for myself from home—it’s been an amazing adventure.
Read more.
Here to Steal My Style?
Amazing! You've come to the right place. I've been blogging my outfits since 2015, so the archives are full of great (and not-so-great) choices for you to replicate in your wardrobe. Read more.