studded

So I've been thinking to write about this for a little while now, but then I've always found something more interesting. Not that this blog post is a cbf post. I think it's actually the perfect time for it. While the warmest of weather is on the decline and the cold is lingering on our tootsies, I want nothing more than to write about winter fashion. As I'm writing this my song has ended and in the 3 second gap I can hear the rain falling on the sky light. Which only means one thing.... my washing is going to get wet. Bugger.

I've always associated studs with rebels, goths and punks but recently I have been seeing quite a groovy side to them. I'm not talking about the tacky gold squared studs that you will find on a clutch at dotti, but the simple and delicate black (sometimes silver or god forbid - gold) studs that tastefully appear on leather boots, belts, bags or jackets. Leather and perhaps suede would be the only fabric I would allow studs to appear on. Other wise it defeats the purpose of the rebel/biker look. 

Imagine black studs on navy silk...they would weigh the fabric down and look like a drowned condom = tragic.

So I feel for this autumn/winter I will try channel by inner rockstar rebel and add something studded to my wardrobe. I'm thinking some black boots or maybe a belt. I feel Kendal has modelled this studded belt well and that my waist will definitely look as small as hers with one. 

linen

If Mr Iron is the only man in your life and you have a phobia of crinkles I would advise to stop reading this post as linen is not for you. 

Now that we have smoothed that over I would like to say that linen is supposed to crinkle - that is all part of the fabric. In fact it I think it gives it character!

Although Linen can be rather hard to manufacture, it is 100% worth it. It delivers a fresh and cool finish. That's why in the peak of our summer it is the perfect get up. Coming in endless colours, patterns and shapes linen should be in everyones wardrobe. 

If you are a new linen lover I have some suggestions for you:

- a white shirt of some design (doesn't have to be the classic cut, although that would be a good investment).

- a bedspread and/or sheets. Although linen never ages - colours do, so best to invest in a plain colour, the simple the better really. If the whole bedspread is a little out of your price range, I would suggest just the pillow cases. These would add texture to the most vanilla of beds.

- a shift dress in any colour, perhaps a brighter orange or green this time. It is summer after all and I'm all about wearing colour. Although you definitely couldn't go wrong with a lbd.

A look I would definitely try to avoid at my age is the long linen tunic with wide leg pants. This look is strictly for 50+ even if you are a size 4 and flowy things still make you look tiny, please try and steer away.

Here are some of my favourites:

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shades of blue

What else is there to do when you have heat dehydration, from getting too sunburnt and not drinking enough water, and are stuck in bed for the day, than to write a blog post!

I could do a big december post on what a great year it's been but you could probably read that on every second blog out there. So I've decided to do another colour crush. This month I'm going to go with a shades of blue, but very specific ones. 

limpet shell blue, serenity blue, snorkel blue, indigo blue

These shades of blue all sound ridiculous but they do put an image in your head of the exact colour. agreed? I mean we could just keep going and say 'IKEA bag blue' or 'Mitre 10 blue'...

Blue has that feeling of relaxation and calmness and during the silly season it's the best time of year to take some time out to relax and regenerate.

So next time you're out Christmas shopping keep an eye out for different shades of blue. Let me know if you come across of any other shades I should know about. 

Also a side note - have you noticed that you rarely see any blue cutlery or crockery? Apparently it is because blue is a de appetising colour so it sends your hungry feelings away (well so they say)!

ps: now go and drink a big glass of water because being dehydrated sucks.

victorian blouse

So the word 'blouse' is not a word that we regularly hear, or if we do, we imagine something very old fashioned. This is now not the case. The Victorian blouse is making a comeback - and so is the word 'blouse'!

This trend particularly refers to the white blouse. Key words with the victorian blouse include 

- frills

- collars

-buttons

-sleeves

-cotton

-linen

The Victorian era is typically from 1837 - 1901. Ending with the death of Queen Victoria herself. This type of look became popular in Britain during her reign, and I've noticed that it has been making a resurgence. I expect we will be seeing more of it in 2016.

Everyone can pull off this look you will just need to add some personal touches to it. Whether its ripped jeans, over the knee boots or just some statement jewellery. Up to you. 

Enough with the history now lets some see some photos:

tile print

So as the warmer weather has begun and we have all panicked and forgotten everything we wore last summer, it is time to start again and this is what I'm loving for the coming months.

The sort of print I'm crushing on is the 'tile print'. You know the one - Portuguese - Italian - Pomegranates - Mediterranean - Lemons... these key words ringing any bells? There is just something about this particular pattern that I'm really attracted to. I think it's because the inspiration for these clothes comes from little seaside towns, warm weather, Mediterranean fruit and it just makes me want to go travelling again.

Brands like Tigerlily and Dolce and Gabbana are all known for their patterns and tile print. If you still don't know what I'm talking about then look at the photos below.

This summer it's time to forget those denim shorts and cropped tanks (thank baby jesus), and make room for printed shift dresses and big flowy tops - well that is what will be in my wardrobe anyway. This really is the time of year to embrace colours and patterns. I know we all have those safe little black and white dresses, but I think it's time to make them plan c. Buy that patterned maxi, or those aqua floppy shorts - you know you want to.

Colour gives you confidence. It is a conversation starter and you will stand out. Trust me that the people around you will be annoyed at themselves for wearing their 'old faithful' when they see you looking banging in your green tessellated jumpsuit.

Instagram

pumpkin orange

So Spring has sprung and I'm in the mood for a little bit of colour.

It has been an exciting past few weeks as I finally left the nest and moved out! I've moved away from my family home into an apartment in the city with two girl friends. My list making obsession really paid off and the pros definitely out weighed the cons. I never thought I'd become so excited about rubbish bins and kettles!

But that aside - when I transferred my clothes from A to B I noticed that everything was basically black white or grey. I love colour and I even surprised myself that there was so little of it. So a new colour crush has slowly been brewing and I've called it pumpkin orange. It is basically just orange just less fluro and more well.. pumpkin! 

It looks amazing with white and even better with denim. Definitely going to be a dominant colour in the coming warmer months. It's actually really easy to wear because everyone can do it, even if it is just that fluffy pom pom on your handbag.

So I've decided that I need more pumpkin in my wardrobe and less in my risotto!

the leather jacket

This is something that has been on my 'to find' list for a few months now and as I’ve been told I can be pretty impatient (especially whilst driving!) so finally finding this was very exciting. As you can probably tell from the title I’m talking about a leather jacket.

When I went to Europe in June I thought perhaps I would find it in Spain or Italy, but their styles were too plain Jane and weren't what I was looking for. I was after a motor bike style but with less chunky detailing. 

Everyone definitely needs a leather jacket in their wardrobe and I can't believe I haven't owned one before now! The more I ask around I notice that majority of my friends own one and wear them all year around. They are the perfect transitional piece from day to night, from winter to summer, from jeans to a dress.

Now you're probably assuming that my jacket is black... and you're right! I do love the tan ones and even the dark green ones but well black is black - also black is boring said no woman ever!

So I went to Melbourne last week to surprise my Aunty for her birthday and of course as you do in Melbourne, you do a bit of shopping. I found my jacket in Nique. It's a gorgeous soft buttery black leather with black hardware. Nique is also an Australian brand based in Melbourne, so I think its always good to support local buisnesses. I do love the West 14th ones and the Nicholas ones, but they are right up there in price and when you’re just about to move out of home like I am, those jackets are literally 2 months rent! 

I think it was meant to be - me finding this jacket - because it was the last one there, in my size and it was on sale and then I found $50 in the pocket (the last part isn't true!). 

So lets cut this short - here are some of my favourite ways to wear 'the leather jacket':