Outfit

I wore this outfit a couple of weekends ago and I've only just had the chance to post the pictures. This skirt has been one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe for over two years now. I recieved it for my birthday in 2009 from my mother in law. I remember posting it here in the very early days of my blog but I can't believe I haven't worn it for an outfit post before. This happens to me many times even if have intended to wear a particular outfit for a post, it certainly doesn't always turn out as planned. The pattern on this skirt is beautiful. It is not just a pattern against a black background, the flowers are actually embroided onto the skirt.











Forever New Frill Bodysuit
Forever New Floral Embroidered Skirt
Wittner Bow Flats
Equip Hair Bow
Cinderella Carriage Necklace (ebay)

Item of the Week 013

On Sunday afternoon I went shopping and I received this new dress from my mother in law. If you have followed my blog for a while you may have noticed how generous she has been on these shopping trips over the years and how she knows my style so perfectly. I've had my eye on this dress which was displayed in the window of Portmans for awhile now. I hardly ever shop at Portmans and this is only the second ever item I own from there but this particular dress stood out to me. I am planning to wear it to an engagement party that I am attending next month. I love the vintage style of this dress, the colours and the way the dress flows. The store described it as a 1950s dress but personally I think it is more 1970s inspired. It reminds me of an item I would have seen on the Brady Bunch. I cannot wait to wear it.






Portmans Multi Stripe Dress

Outfit

I've said it many times before, but I absolutely adore the warm weather that we have experienced here lately. I'm so happy to wear my summer dresses and short sleeved tops again and I enjoy the overall positivity that surrounds the commencement of spring. I hear it is supposed to be warm and sunny every day for the next week which is a very happy thought! This outfit, which I wore yesterday, is inspired by the incredible fashion from the movie 'The Help' which I wrote about here. After seeing Celia Foote's outfit in the scene where she hired Minny, I've felt the desire to wear more pencil skirts and pair them with pretty blouses and thick belts. I really want a chunky cobalt blue belt but I don't know where to find one.











Temt Shirt
Tokito Skirt
Valleygirl Belt
Lovisa Hair Flower
Lovisa Necklace
Wittner Gloria Heels

The Races

On Saturday I was invited to a work function at Rosehill Racecourse. I'd been looking forward to this event for many months because I absolutely love the races and I long for any opportunity to wear one of my formal dress from my large collection. This time I wore my original vintage dress from the 1940s for the first time. I received if for my birthday from my mother in law and I love it so much. It was purchased on ebay and shipped all the way here from the US. I'd been saving it for the perfect opportunity since I received in last March. I like the idea of having a dress that is actually from the 1940s. It makes me wonder who must have had this dress before me and what their life must have been like. It also made me feel very glamorous wearing such a gown because I've never had a dress like this before and it is very elaborate with all the layers and different materials. I've said it many times before but I desperately wish we could all dress in this way everyday. It was difficult to take pictures because of the wind so many of them are inside shots.

























1940s Vintage Dress
Wittner Quebec Heels
Pandora Bracelet
Equip Hair Flower

The Help

For Father's Day on Sunday I went to the movies with my parents and my sister and saw'The Help.' I didn't expect that I would like the movie since I didn't know much about the storyline and it wasn't the girly romantic comedy style of movie that I usually watch. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The Help was an absolutely fantastic movie and definitely one of the best films that I have ever seen.

In case you are unaware of The Help, here is the synopsis from the official website:

Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed —even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.

The fashion was absolutely stunning with some of the most perfect dresses I have ever seen. The pretty floral patterns, the bold colours, red lips, pearls, perfectly curled hair, embellished cardigans and even a sweet playsuit- it was my style and I just wish society would dress like that now. I love the effort that people made to dress up back in the 1950s/60s. The fashion alone was so gorgeous to admire for the duration of the film.

Also, I was deeply impacted by the storyline of the movie. The virtues of bravery, courage, ambition, desire for change, kindness and many more that were displayed throughout the film were inspirational and made me feel strong emotions. The injustices of society were so incredibly sad and I cried so much during and after the movie. I think that any movie which makes me feel such strong emotions and connections is well made and is an excellent film. I definitely recommend The Help.

















What did you think about The Help?

Outfit

Last Sunday I spent a couple of hours in the city, taking advantage of another beautiful sunny afternoon. Instead of shopping, which I would normally have done if I wasn't seriously saving money, I went for a walk in Hyde Park and the surrounding areas. I borrowed this dress from my sister and I absolutely love it. She bought it in Topshop on a recent trip to the UK and it is totally my style! My ruffle bag is from Forever New which I displayed here. I have used it extensively in recent weeks and it is probably my favourite every day bag at the moment.

















Topshop Dress
Forever New Bag
Equip Hair Bow
Wittner Shoes

In my last couple of posts I have briefly mentioned my plans to save money for the future and to stop buying clothes and shoes. For me, this is an extremely difficult task because fashion and shopping are my interests and form such a large part of my life. The prospect of dressing up usually provides me with motivation to get up for the day and buying a new dress or pair of shoes never fails to lift my mood. In the past I have relied on shopping and material items especially when I have felt depressed or anxious to temporarily distract myself from the realities of life and to create my own little world where I felt happy. I know this wasn't the best way to live but for me, it provided short term benefit and it worked. Now, four years out of school and with only a little more savings in my bank account than when I was 18, I regret it. I wish I had been more sensible with money and that I could be living my dreams now instead of in the next couple of years. I wish I had known back then what I know now. However, I am aware that life doesn't work that way and it is only now, at 22 that I feel like I have grown up and have a greater understanding of what I want from my life.

Next year will be extremely busy for me because, along with getting married and attempting to finish my law degree, I have decided that I want to purchase a unit with Rydog in a particular suburb in Sydney. This is a rather ambitious goal but realistic at the same time if I stick to my savings plan. We have even started to look at the real estate market because it is never too early to start. I am so incredibly excited about my potential new lifestyle and having goals, aspirations and life direction has made me feel much more positive about myself and life in general. I just have to keep focused because I am the most impatient person ever and always in such a rush to get on with my life. I feel that having a very specific goal provides me with the motivation to save money and I don't feel as much of an urge to spend. It will take time to completely transform my spending habits and the way I view shopping but I am very pleased with the progress I have made so far. I also believe there will still be room in my life for fashion and new items. Instead of buying clothes I will continue to customise some of my existing pieces, become more creative with what I have a possibly make the occassional skirt. I know I can reach my goal next year and I won't let anyone stand in my way!!