“Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.”—Henry Miller

Jo Mercer booties, ASOS clutch bag, Lovisa necklace, Trenery dress

Sometimes I carry a clutch bag to work, even if it is pretty big.  It's kind of cool to only have my phones, some cash, pen and note pad with me.  It's also a great excuse to treat myself for a lunch out, something I don't do very often anymore since I'm a really responsible adult now who accounts for every dollar spent and all that.  And all those things. 

It's absolutely freezing at the moment and pitch black for most of the day.  It's been a weird year so far.  I have moments of absolutely content and bliss where I feel at peace and then moments where I feel like an imposter, like I don't deserve it.  This is the year where I tell myself that not everything in life has to be a battle.  I'm slowly learning to let go of the constant guilt that has been compounding.  Earlier this year I quit everything that was for me.  I stopped exercising and writing.  I hadn't done anything for myself in months.  I hadn't read a book in so long.  I hadn't slept.  I was sick all the time and I never bothered to stop and get better.  Since then I've let some people go.  Why must I make all the effort, you know?

 

Slouch

In my mind this is the sweater I've always wanted in my wardrobe.  Hide a million sins and go with everything.  Lets hope it's as good in reality.

ASOS oversized sweater

Almost summer?

Today was such a wonderful mid winter day that almost felt like spring.  Which made me long for summer.

Now I want THIS top in EVERY single colour! The cobalt and nude are making their way to me now.. Ooops.

Rainy Saturday

Melbourne can't get the hang of a continued bunch of nice days.  Saturday morning rain is no fun, especially when you can't stay in bed all day.

Early breakfast today at my fave cafe and shopping. On a mission to decorate the tree and do some baking tomorrow.

Dress - ASOS pencil dress with wrap front (absolutely amazing and a few favourite!!)

Scarf -Witchery (old)

Bag - Alexander Wang Emile in suede

Buy this, not that: Isabel Marant Zappy Belt

I've wanted just about everything that Isabel Marant has done, including the Zappy belt.  Then I thought about how I would wear it and a uniform of jeans, an oversized white shirt and sky high heels came to mind.  ASOS came to the rescue with something just about the same for a fraction of the price.

Isabel Marant Zappy Belt - ~AUD500

ASOS Multi Link Belt - AUD38

Asos Bauble Interlink Earrings,   Witchery Tash Woven Bag - $80,  Louboutin Pumps

Colour blocking: 101

As the days get shorter and it's still pretty much dark when I'm leaving in the morning I'm trying my best not to resort to my uniform of layered knits every morning.  And it's amazing what a little bit of bronzer (NARS Laguna to be precise) does to pep me up on a cold morning.

I've been putting in some serious overtime this weekend (thanks June 30), but did take some time out to enjoy the winter sunshine and have breakfast at my favourite cafe.  Also really looking forward to attending the ballet tomorrow night.  Melbourne puts on really great indoor activities to pass the (long) winter.

Hope you all had a great weekend! X

Zara top

A-Store skirt

Cue belt

Wolford tights

ASOS boots

Le Specs sunnies

Plastic bangles from Bali

Chunky Knit

I've been eyeing off this Marant chunky sweater for winter... something to wear with a leather skirt, jeans, black minis and boots.  Except it was sold out and about AUD320.

Suppose this River Island sweater will have to do.  AUD63

Quick buys for spring

Have I mentioned how sick I am of all of my winter clothes?  Not only that, but I'm also sick of the weather requiring me to wear these clothes.  I'm sick of the same old knits and I'm tired of the tights.  I'm sick of the cold air and wind penetrating every layer that I manage to pull on.  The clothes have had enough and so have I. 

I did some (window) shopping overthe weekend, looking out for the new trends.  Unfortunately the Australian chain stores and designers haven't caught onto the minimalist trend, so there's lots of volume, lots of layers, plenty of bows, florals and a general boho feel to the summer fashions.  Yet again it looks like I'm going to be dependant on online fashions from overseas.  I do want to support the Australian retail sector.  I really really do....

With my trip confirmed for the end of the year (and my list of restaurants and bars and must-stay-at-resorts growing my the day) mindless shopping is out and a carefully edited list of items is in!

And not one to waste time, I've already ticked some items off that list!

• grey cotton boyfriend blazer.  Been on my wishlist for seasons and seasons now... FOUND
• black shorts/playsuit
• a pastel coloured, summer weight cardigan
• printed smocks and blouses
• a particular loose, draped leather and cottom singlet that I saw today
• bright, pretty clutch bags... saying goodbye to the black carry all sized handbag and keeping it real with a clutch for day!  FOUND!
• colourful bangles
• simple black heeled sandals.  You have no idea how hard they are to find!
• metallic flat leather sandals.  The old much loved pair needs to be replaced!

These ASOS goodies are on their way to me as we speak!

Trans-sseasonal dressing

I sit in the corner of our open plan office, next to a large floor to ceiling window overlooking the office tennis court.  This morning, the sun is shining very bright, reflecting the green faux grass of our tennis court and making me feel a little bit happy.  I can't wait for the sunlight to stick around after 5pm, so I can make use of my neglected tennis racquet after work. 

In a few weeks I plan to do a wardrobe swap - woolies into the spare room --> summer brights into the main bedroom.  Similar to what I did back in April when the winter stuff came out of hibernation.  Melbourne is one of those places however that pretty much just has two seasons - a cold, long winter and a short summer often interrupted by odd winter-weather-like days.  Trans-seasonal pieces are vital.  It's taken me 3 years here to figure that out.

The first item is something a bit cheap and cheerful... from dear old asos.com... Long sleeve mini dresses & blazers will love this edition I think! (before I buy anything else I better check what I have in the spare room, eh?)

Henry Holland tights from ASOS