What I wore

I don't get to dress up much anymore, so I really try to make the most of the occasions when I can.  Can't go wrong with some leopard, right?

Cameo "Warm Thoughts" Top, Kookai Skirt, Witchery Shoes

'I like being a woman, even in a man’s world. After all, men don't wear dresses, but we can wear the pants.' - Whitney Houston

photo via the coveteur 

I just love that quote by Whitney Houston.  Do you find that people are judgemental about what others wear?  I do.  Wasn't Steve Jobs' black turtle neck a hot topic every time he launched a new product?  Although these days I'm often in loose jeans or shorts when I'm at home, the days in the office are always spent in a dress or skirt and heels.  Heels are non negotiable.  I even wore heels while I was pregnant.  I certainly didn't suffer.  Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes so when I do find the right pair they come home with me and they're worn to death.  I do get tired of the arguments that caring about your clothes and how you look invalidates your ability to be good at your job.  My overall looks add to my power.  It makes me feel more like myself without it impacting my professional skills.  

“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?

 

Boot scootin'

What better way to procrastinate getting out of bed to go to the gym than trying to decide which new boots to buy for next winter. Right as summer is about to start.  Typical me.

As I'll be taking most of next year off, the pony hair boots couldn't be justified.  I couldn't blame my clients for needing them.

Instead I hit the practical route and got these.  They will probably serve me better and wiser next year and could well come to France with me, depending on when I go.  It's all about the inner dialogue justifying it to the wallet.

The real issue at hand however is what on earth I'm going to wear this summer, if summer ever decides to arrive (last night I had the heating on).  Most of my wardrobe was sold or thrown out this year and I hate all the fluro tank tops they're trying to make me wear.  May just live in a sarong.

On a Zara (Basic Sandal) High

I really don't need any more shoes, right?  I came back home a few weekends ago and my husband was in the garage building me a shelf (I knew there was a good reason why I married him).   It houses about 50 very well edited pairs.  But right now it's the middle of winter and I'm battling my hatred of cold mornings, rotating between just 3 pairs. Yeah, I hate winter.

I love these Zara beauties even more than I thought I would.  They're just the right height, simple enough to wear a lot and they're very, very comfortable.

I wouldn't resist a photoshoot, even if indoors with my track pants rolled up... (at least they were Stella McCartney, okay)

Zara Basic Sandals

FOMO

I must be the only person in the universe (ok an exaggeration) who doesn't own these Zara sandals.

Must remedy immediately. Even though it's too cold to wear them until December, at the earliest...

3 pairs of shoes in a week? I need an intervention!

2010 was proudly the year that I did not purchase a single pair of shoes. The 6 inch "Kardashian Kraze" was not to my liking at all so I stuck to what I had.  As I teenager my mum did not let me wear heels. So of course I locked away pocket money and went with my best friend when we were both nearing our 18th birthday to purchase the highest pair of heels I could find and afford (I think they were about $60 from Williams).  My friends parents were a little more understanding than mine so my shoes stayed hidden at her houses and I totted around in them every time I stayed over.

My mum had never worn heels so thought it was the right choice for me as well.  I had all the freedom in the world - to go where I want and wear what I want.  But no high heels.

You see my mum was one of those chic European women who had an enviable capsule wardrobe. Her winter coat cost 5 months of her (very high at the time) salary.  I remember when she went to Italy to buy it.  But she wore it for 10 years. I remember her amazing leather sandals and belts and jewellery and stunning silk blouses.  I remember every piece and I swear had any of it survived our rushed move to Australia I would be wearing all of it now.

In the wide open spaces of Australia we drive everywhere.  I know people in their 30's who have never stepped foot onto a train.  Paris, being a relately small city area wise with such a huge population had no traffic.  Why?  Because everyone used the metro.  Walking everywhere and up and down the stairs of the metro meant that flats was the foot wear of choice.  And everyone looked chic all the same.

This has inspired me to rethink my shoedrobe.  Most of my shoes are torture devices.  They're fine when I try them on, they're fine for the first hour or so, but after that I'm in agony. Maybe my mum was onto something.

Since returning home from my trip I have acquire 3 new pairs of shoes... Including these wonderful brighton Zara sandals.

Lets talk shoes boots

The plan for the trip is to make do with 7 outfits which can all be mixed and matched to create the perfect capsule travel wardrobe.  Something fancy enough for the opera and ballet but comfortable enough for getting lost in my new neighbourhood.  I hate nothing more than lugging bags on trains and planes.  It's frustrating and definitely not chic.

I have however hit a road block.  Footwear.  It will probably definitely be too cold for ballet flats.  It will be too unpredictable (and possible wet) to wear my beloved suede Yves Saint Laurent booties.  Riding boots alone will not cut it.  My Witchery ankle boots are sadly too uncomfortable.  So what now?  Cue these Zara boots.... Low heel, go with most things I plan to wear.  Weather appropriate too.  A miracle right?  Then there's my my dilemma 1. no shopping allowed 2. not as yet available in store and ordering online is too risky due to my annoyingly sized feet.

Life's tough for some isn't it?

via zara.com

  

Witchoo's

While pondering my summer wardrobe it dawned on me that I was missing a pair of versatile sandals.  Something sturdy I could wear to work, that could take me from day to night during the party season.  My favourite pair of patent nude sandals was tragically destroyed last year as I was walking down Collins Street to a client's Christmas party in torrential rain.  They had the perfect heel height and were "worn in" the previous year, making for a pair of very comfortable pair of shoes, something that's rare for me.  They were delicate, supposedly hand made in Italy and the rain ruined the leather sole and made the glue come undone.

Fast forward to me falling in love with a pair of Jimmy Choo's on Saks which retailed for a prohibitive AUD1000+.

And then discovering a very similar pair at Witchery, and thanks to free shipping and a 20% off code.

They came in at around 10% of the price of the Choos!

Ahead or behind?

One could say I'm a season behind.. while another could say I'm a season ahead.  Let me tell you why.

Last week, on my way home from work, I found myself at Zomp shoes... looking at boots.  Even though the following day was forecast to be 29C/84.5F!  If I need anything in Melbourne it's coats and boots, yet I struggle to justify spending good amounts on either.  Go figure!  I had identified a need for flat, rubber soled, leather boots many winters ago but couldn't find a perfect pair, until I stumbled upon these at 70% off the original price.  My footwear for next winter is solved, yet I still haven't found new summer sandals that I so need.  And wouldn't you know it, within 24 hours the temperature halved and it rained.  Love my new boots.

I also made use of the cool weather to do some cooking.  A rare luxury for me.  Considering the number of commitments that I've taken on this year, having a few spare hours to cook more than a stir fry makes me happy!  I made Krofne aka Serbian donuts.  Although mine didn't turn out as fluffy and light as Dragana's or my mum's.  They can be eaten sweet (sprinkled with sugar or nutella or jam) or savory with cheese spreads.  

Anja Rubik for Giuseppe Zanotti AW2010/2011

I can't even tell you how much I love Anja & Zanotti shoes.  And the two of them together are perfection.

We're off to see the wizard...

I have obsessively been searching for these Isabel Marant 'Poppy' shoes to no avail.  Dead end, after a dead end.  And always a pair or two on eBay, double the RRP and not in my size...

Isabel is such a classy lady.  She way underexposed, just the way I like it.

Meet my new shoes!

Now I know that metallic ballet flats were not on my shopping list for summer and I know they're eating into my NYE-spent-at-The-Peninsula-Hotel-in-Hong-Kong rather than NYE spent at an el cheapo hotel in Hong Kong budget, BUT they created visions of me in short shorts and a white shirt walking down the street on a hot summers day.  Plus they were heavily discounted and had a bit of Olivia Palermo to them!  Damn you Olivia...

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!

Olivia Palermo Style Copy Pt 2

About a year ago, a series of photos of Olivia Palermo emerged, in which she was wearing a pair of pointy brogues.  I believe hers were Sergio Rossi or Topshop.  I resigned myself to thinking that I would never be able to find a pair... and suddenly I find them and I can't decide if I should buy them? 

I think they would be great for summer teamed with black and neutrals... Should I?

google images

Salvios street jazz brogues - AUD120

“when experience is not retained, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.

Is the world trying to tell us something?  There are thousands upon thousands of people standed around the world away from their loved ones, unable to start their new job, unable to commence or complete holidays that they've been looking forward to for so long.  And the volcano doesn't sound/look like it's going to stop any time soon (it last errupted in 1820 and that erruption lasted for 2 years.  But people are making do.

Were the million +++ dollar bonuses that Wall Street firms were paying over the last 20 years really sustainable?  Were people kidding themselves thinking it would never end?  The latest scandal involving Goldman Sachs has finally woken up a lot of people, especially considering how conservative they were as an organisation as they seemed to weather the GFC storm pretty well.

Occasionally I come across a book which has a profound impact. I am reading a book on an issue that I have been thinking about for years – how do we truly learn from our mistakes? The book is called ‘Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)’, written by psychologists C. Tavris and E. Aronson.

I have always been intrigued with the incredible capacity of (business) people to rationalise poor management/judgement, totally convincingly and with genuine conviction, on the basis that it was outside their control or actually not something they ever truly agreed with, even when they were in responsible jobs and were paid a lot (of course, when things go well, it was down to their judgement!).

The GFC produced examples such as "no one saw this coming", "we were in the same position as others" etc. In other words, when things go wrong, we all have a capacity to rewrite history to fit our current perception. We search for evidence to support propositions we have already persuaded ourselves are true - mistakes were made by others, but not by me! The problem with this natural human defence/failing is that we don’t learn. This is the real cost and the source of my concern. It’s a business issue as well as a human one.

A great book with an important message! An organisation (person) willing to face into its mistakes, is an organisation (person) willing to learn and thus less likely to repeat mistakes.
 

I have been going on a bit of an indulgent binge lately, showering myself with frivolous, luxury purchases which fill a void and cause excitement for a few hours.  I am on a zillion online store mailing lists, offering me VIP discounts, free shipping etc.  I am constantly bombarded with SALE! SALE! SALE! mail.  I like to keep abreast of new designers and trends, but my heart is constantly from new items that for some reason I think I have to have.

 

The latest culprit is The Outnet.  After the chaos of their 1 dollar sale, they are offering free shipping over the next 4 weeks with the code freeshipbday and silly old me has purchased a pair of Chloe heels (granted I've wanted these for a while).  They fit my main criteria - they are suitable for my lifestyle.  But suddenly, due to free shipping, new things start to catch my eye, that I would not have paid AUD30 to have shipped to me otherwise.  This evil cycle has to stop. 

Inspired by a fellow blogger Make Do Style I am going to MAKE DO for the next 40 days.  Finish that half used tub of body scrub instead of trying a new one that a big company has released that's virtually the same as all the other ones, except for the subtle "new" vanilla scent.  Forget the leopard print tights from my favourite high street store.

Instead I'm going to put in more of an effort into my study that I'm further and further behind with, I'm going to do some more cooking, maybe even clear out the pantry.  And not to mention the neglected gym membership.  Surely there are more fulfilling accomplishments in life than buying stuff!

The challenge starts now.  I will post items that I would have purchase, just to monitor my habits and at the end of the 40 days, I bet that I will look back at everything and think.. hmm I didn't really need that after all?

Now, I'm going to enjoy my Chloe scalloped edge heels...