This was going to be an outfit post. But it sort of turned into something else. Because this weekend we are at home, there is nowhere to go, and no one to see. Nothing to do but recharge the old batteries and prepare ourselves for another busy month ahead. I need weekends like this one. I highly recommend weekends like this one. Pull on your snuggly gear and settle in to read, and sleep in and bask in the sun.
That’s my plan.
It’s actually going rather well.
This afternoon we saw a movie, cooked ourselves dinner and now we’re settled on the couch watching tv. I tap-tap away on websites, finishing the launch show notes for the SUGER+INK podcast and this post. Perfection.
When I’m quiet, after a packed week like I’ve just had, I can’t help but smile at how life turns out. I’m doing more of the things that I love with workshops and social media clients, time to blog and time with my Mr. I think when I decided to start to carve out more time for the things I love by scaling back my work hours, I absolutely made the right choice. And yes, money has been tighter, but who cares right? Money schmoney.
Get comfy team, slip on some jeans and a knit and hang out.
Wearing long-sleeve top from Kmart, bemeBuckle Trim Tunic, Harlow Black Jeans (24) and New Look Wide Fit boots.
Tonight the local show kicks off for the general public. Event and stallholders and the like have been here a while, but tonight with a bang of fireworks, it all begins. It’s showtime. A hot topic of discussion leading up to this week is where is the normal show weather. Where are the cold nights, the temperate days, the sunshine or the rain (we alternate between both)?
There has been none of it.
Until yesterday. Yesterday there was a killer sunset and bam, the cold descended and we find ourselves with a heaping helping of show weather. Mr Suger and I even shut up the house for the first time this year last night. There are already whispers about starting the fire. I’m calling those whispers premature.
With winter comes my winter wardrobe. In my hometown we get a couple of months of chilly nights, minus morning temperatures and foggy mid-mornings. And when talk turned to winter, it got me thinking about my hair. As you do. And that despite loving my growing mane of blonde hair, I was getting a little bored with such things…
Famous.
Last.
Words.
What came next was an experiment of epic proportions with my cousin Bec and the salon she works at, a semi-permanent colour named after some version of concrete and my lightened, beach weary, in need of a trim but who has time for such things, hair.
The results? Well see for yourselves. It’s the ashiest blonde/brown I’ve ever had. Yet in some lights it’s very much the blue grey it claimed to be. Plus, as usual, my hair took matters into its own hands and managed to still throw some gold. It’s a hybrid colour and I’m loving it for a change. Especially since we are expecting it to fade out pretty quickly, changing with every wash.
But winter hair managed, don’t you think?
And there’s no way I could finish this post without a few words about this slouchy, slinky dress sent to me by Harlow Australia from their Autumn/Winter collection. It’s been in high rotation already in my work wardrobe and I can see it continuing all season long.
But then I’m not surprised, I still wear my Harlow Wrap Dress from two years ago at least a few times a month. The team knows their work style, well worth a look for those that want dresses (especially, but lots of other options) to pull double duty for work and for play.
Wearing Harlow Australia Diva Slouch Dress (gifted)
On the weekend, I like to deal with my hair and wear all the clothes I never seem to get to wear during the week. And by weekends I include Thursday night and all day Friday because I work on my blogs Friday, so office clothes be gone. The other evening Mr Suger and I were off in search of pizza and beer (for him, I’ll drink just about anything else) and I was dressed from a blog boss style meeting. So we stopped for photos.
Because shorts, a sleeveless vest and a t-shirt that in some light you can make out the pattern on my bra in (darn you New Look and your thin material), is something that MUST be documented. I’ve seen a lot of posts around about how to wear shorts, why to wear them, how to style them. Heck, I even wrote one myself. So with all this talk about shorts, all the fear and angst and drama, I decided to just put my money where my mouth it and just wear them more often.
Right?
Because the only way that you get over something is if it’s stuffed down your throats time and time again until you can’t handle it anymore and just give in and turn into a raving fangirl. Right? Like with the Kardashians. I’m doing my bit, because shorts are comfortable when you buy them well, so enjoy them. Side note, totally related, if you’re having to pull and tug and de-wedgie yourself, you’re in the wrong size. But you cna read all about that in my post about shorts. The one with the link up there. That one. Now, let’s look at some pics.
Wearing basic black tee from New Look (but try this instead), Boohoo white sleeveless vest (similar), check shorts from ASOS Curve (similar) & shoes from Target Australia (similar).
This outfit is a tale of epic proportions… Are you ready for that? It started with this Missguided crop and my latent desire to be a Kardashian. Who knew that was hidden in the depths of my soul. In particular I wanted to replicate the crop over the pencil skirt look the entire family do so well.
Hmmm, except I’m built REALLY differently to the girls. All the girls. Even the taller than the rest Khloe. But I am nothing if not determined. So I bought the matching skirt and prepared to put them together. That totally didn’t work. So I grabbed the mustard jersey skirt from ASOS. Better, for sure, but it would need a bit of smoothing assistance.
Phew. This was becoming a monumental outfit and I was suddenly reminded why I adore my t-shirt dress and sneakers combinations. Simple. No mess, no fuss. But I powered on. I’d wear a black bodycon slip dress from ASOS I’ve had forever. That would deal with the smooth lines I wanted and give a bit of extra coverage if I needed to reach for something at the very top shelf.
Except, of course, that dress was missing in action. In high rotation as a base piece for a lot of my work outfits it was nowhere to be found. Instead this slouchy tunic kept appearing and refused to be ignored. Like, would NOT be ignored. So I gave it a try pulling it on, adding the crop over the top and sliding into the skirt.
It was around this time that Mr Suger came to find out what the heck was taking me soooo long. Usually ready in 5 minutes, this little adventure had already taken me at least 20. That’s nice, he said, you ready to go? NICE! I practically yelled, nice!? It’s ridiculous. It’s a pain in my ass. NICE! I went to the mirror and took a look.
Hmmm. Ok. It wasn’t horrible. I wasn’t event terrible. Stuff it. I was going for it. Sushi was calling me and if I wanted to snap some photos are my new designated photos spot, I was running out of time. Mr Suger looked a little taken aback at the shift change in circumstances but took it all in his stride as he grabbed my camera on out way out the door.
And that my friends is how this outfit came to be! Odd layers, an almost peplum feel (is peplum over?) and a pop of colour in my usual monochrome palette. Not something I reached for first up, I was going for a more narrow line. But it works. Or I think it works, what say you?
Wearing Missguided Crop, Black Tunic, ASOS Curve Mustard Jersey Skirt, New Look for ASOS Shoes, and Kardashian Abody bag.
It took me a little while to realise that I’m an apple shape. I’d always been more of a triangle growing up. Big shoulders, boobs, and no butt or hips to speak off. I take after my Father’s side of the family in that way. But realistically, these days, I’m an apple. And what that means is that I spend a lot of time in jeans that are either too tight at the waist or too big in the legs.
City Chic Denim had an answer to this with their Apple shape in their T.D.F. range of jeans. Amen. Great work team. And I’m sure you’ve seen the constant parade of joggers from the team at 17 Sundays. The slouch perfectly concealing the waist to leg ratio. Love, love, love. Then this season came the new denim. And of these magical, mystical beasts a new favourite emerged… The anti-fit jean. Claire was right, once I put them on, I was never taking them off.
The anti-fit jean is the “Mom Jean” of your dreams. Haha. They are so comfortable I wore them 24 hours straight Kokoda Challenge weekend and only changed out of them because a shower was way past essential. Haha. Then I wear them with a t-shirt and slides and I’m even more casual. Or with heels and I’m set for a night out. Anti-fits are the new skinnies. You can trust me on that. Not that we don’t still love a good skinny. Get on board team.
Wearing jacket via Curvy Cartel (on Instagram), necklace & long tee from Target (bring these babies back, I need LOTS more), anti-fit jean from 17 Sundays and wide fit booties by New Look via ASOS. And a big thank you to Madame Rouge Makeup for the face when I ran entirely out of foundation. As you do.
I’m currently obsessed with Australian Margaret Zhang. You follow her blog or Instagram right? Well heck, if not, get your butt over there. Her images and the way she layers clothing in such unique, fresh ways is something I can’t get enough of. I’m a stalker of her feed, short version, and it’s starting to seep into the way I get dressed.
So much so I wore underwear as a top.
Seriously. It happened, I wore this new City Chic Lingerie corset because I’d committed to some Instagram photos for the brand and wanted to give it a whirl before sharing. You know, in case it sucked to wear and I hated it or something. The short version is it didn’t suck and after wearing it a little while I felt confident enough to undo a few buttons of my Yours Clothing sheer maxi… And hey presto an underwear as outerwear outfit was born.
You can blame it on Margaret. Seriously. Haha. But in the end it’s slouch on a whole other level. The sheer layers reminded me of Liv and her killer ability to rock sheer with coloured bras. The pants from 17 Sundays have always called to me for the way they layer so beautifully, easy to wear and yet so cool (and apparently sold out, sorry team).
This is my winter style this year. Easy layers, lots of monochrome. Sleeveless if I want… Luckily I’m a Queenslander. And underwear as a top apparently. What can I say, sometimes you have to try something new. And I’m glad I did. Got to get out of your comfort zone sometimes right? Life’s too short.
WEARING: City Chic Lingerie Corset (complete the set here *affiliate links*), Yours Clothing Sheer Maxi, 17 SundaysPantsand Ankle Boots from New Look via ASOS.
Mr Suger leaned in, moving forward to run the scratchy palm of his hand along the sleeve of my top (dress). There’s so many different things to touch, he said grinning like a goof-ball. And that my friends is when I knew this post was to be about texture, mixing textures and how monochrome needn’t be boring.
First can we talk about this Yours Clothing skirt? Sure we can, this is my blog and I do what I want. Haha. It has this great waffle texture that is gorgeous and a fullness to it that I love. It’s a shape I hadn’t planned incorporating so heavily into my wardrobe, but after a couple of weddings the style has really grabbed me.
With the skirt in play, I added the jacket, also sent to my by Yours Clothing. A easy to wear, pleather jacket that is light enough to throw on but that will keep me warm when my home town does it’s thing and tries to freeze me. The textured quilting on the jacket is everything. Textured layer two, added.
To top it off and finish the oh-so-touchable combo, I added the never fails me, shine bright dress from Harlow Australia. One of the first items I ever received from the brands and easily my favourites. Everyone that knows me has seen me in this dress for occasions from date night all the way through to my cousin’s hens party.
Touchable, super sexy and comfortable enough to trick your brain into thinking you’re wearing a t-shirt. Win. Triple win. Sorry you can’t buy it any more, maybe keep an eye out online for one second hand. You won’t regret it.
WEARING: Jacket and skirt from Yours Clothing UK {gifted} Dress from Harlow (worn as top – sold out) and ankle boots from New Look via ASOS.
When it comes to texture the layers are interesting, something soft against something shiny, against something course to the touch. It’s fun. It adds interest where the simple, untextured versions of the items would’ve been good, but all together now, they’re great. Give it a try. I’m sure you’ll find you’ll love it too. Already a texture pro? Give me your best tip.
Lisa Kerr Designs was brought to my attention a few years ago. In fact, an introduction was made, by my book-keeper the lovely Sarah. I talk about it more in this post featuring their new line. A new line that features this easy to wear tunic style dress. Sure it is probably more of tunic than dress on me, but meh, who cares. Whatever you call it, I love it, when Lisa packed it up and sent it out to me, I was pretty darn excited for it to be mine.
It’s like business at the front, party at the back.
Not sure what I mean? Keep scrolling down and check out the patterned sequins back.
And as far as my winter wardrobe goes, this is just what I needed to amp things up a bit. It won’t be long now until it’ll need tights under it, but the weather the other night was gorgeous thanks to some cloud cover, so I took it for a spin without. Bare legs, booties and a throw over the shoulders jacket. Simple and yet, so very cool. Well heck, I think so.
Wearing Two Tone Sequin Backed Dress by Lisa Kerr Designs, Ankle Boots New Look Wide Fit via ASOS & Jacket Second Hand via Curvy Cartel.
