Latest Obsession: Duck Egg Blue

Ever since Alannah Hill released the Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, my new favourite colour has become duck egg blue. There are no words to possibly explain how much I love this shade of blue' it is so unique and stunning and I adore how it looks combined with pearls and metallic shimmer. It's a bit of a change for me; for a very long time blue was probably the most uncommon colour in my wardrobe and I was always drawn to pink and purple fashion items. Fortunately my love for duck egg blue started not long before my birthday last month so I do have some lovely blue accessories and cardigans now. I also bought gloves for $4.95 which I thought was hardly going to break the budget and, as Rebecca Bloomwood explains in Confessions of a Shopaholic, "I need gloves as it is winter, and I have... hands." I also have a few items which I bought last year which almost fit into the broader spectrum of duck egg blue. I was looking around the house the other day and suddenly realised that our fry pan and bath towels are basically duck egg blue; yay for on trend homewares. This post reminds me, when a miracle happens and I win endless amounts of money...I'm definitely buying some Rupert Sanderson shoes (oh and maybe Miu Miu & Charlotte Olympia). 

Photos from Alannah Hill, Love Miss Daisy, Rupert Sanderson, Harvey Nichols, Bauble Bar

Now onto other news. I've seen this topic discussed on a number of blogs over the years; do your family and friends know about your blog? In the four years I've been blogging, I only told my husband and I know that one of my sisters and a few old school friends came across it by total chance; I appear in Google images searches for 'Dotti lace dress' and 'Portmans lace dress' . This week my other sisters created a fashion blog called the Polished Edge (check it out here, comment and follow, I know it's going to be amazing!) and this gave me the confidence to finally share my fashion blog with the 'real world.' In recent years, I've lost interest and motivation for many things but fashion blogging has always remained constant; it's the one aspect of my life I've put maximum effort into and I'm pleased with the way it's progressed. But I never knew how to tell anyone about it; the thought always  made me extremely nervous. I'm not entirely sure why; maybe because it's always been my online world of escapism and I'm not very confident so I always worry excessively about what others think. It's hard to reveal a huge part of my life that I've previously been too nervous to talk about before despite very much wanting to have the confidence. Anyway, my fashion blog is now out in the open and it feels good; in many ways I feel a sense of freedom. Let me know your thoughts on this issue...  

Remix 002

Finally, seven months after posting Remix 001, I've accumulated enough outfit posts with the same item to continue on this series. I really need to become more creative with my wardrobe; I know I only use it to a fraction of its potential. I'm going to work on that. I thought it would be appropriate to post my black skirt from Revival. It has been a staple, especially in recent times since I got it hemmed, and the sort of item I can always rely on when I don't know what to wear. It is incredibly versatile that I could probably wear it with every single top in my wardrobe. In fact I'm wearing it right now as I type this with my rainbow stripe cardigan, red polka dot hair bow and daisy flats. This black skirt has had a lot of well deserved use; for years I'd had trouble finding a black skirt with the right shape so I've always been very happy to have this one.





Revival Skirt

Outfit

This is one of my go to outfits at the moment when I can't decide what to wear. The skirt is very versatile and I have so many cardigans I can wear it with; including my Alannah Hill duck egg blue cardigan which I got at my birthday. This skirt is one of the best bargains I've bought; it was only $15 and it's great quality and fulled lined; details like that really make a difference to me and create a more complete outfit. I also have the black version of this pink cardigan which I posted here. I liked it because it is cropped so I can wear it with all my high waisted skirts and fit-and-flare dresses (which is basically my entire wardrobe). I finally had the chance to style these shoes which I posted last week here. I've been wearing them all week; I can't get enough of these pretty shoes right now. It's getting a lot colder here recently; I can definitely tell that winter is on it's way. I hate the cold weather and I find dressing for summer much simpler but the other day I was thinking. I have like a million cardigans, most of which I've actually bought since last winter so I should like dressing for winter a lot more than I do. Being a lot more open minded about my wardrobe, I actually liked having a few cooler days this week so I could wear my cardigans. 

I've had a much better week than usual; I had many more social events and a lot less time was spent by myself. My friend was here from Hong Kong so it was wonderful to catch up again. I'm going to miss her. I've also been reading the Confessions of a Shopaholic series to pass time (it's probably about the 5th time I've read the series). Unlike the other times I read the books, which was awhile ago now, I can relate to Becky Bloomwood because over the years my spending has become even more out of control. I've used shopping to deal with my feelings, get through difficult times, justified frivolous purchases as investments and I've used her excuse that I need shoes because one day all my other shoes will wear out so I'm just stocking up for the future. I can understand her shock when 'buying clothes and makeup was not deemed a suitable purpose for a substantial unsecured loan and I love it how she states that foreign money doesn't count so you can spend as much as you like. My favourite quote from the book is this one...

"for years now I've kind of operated under an informal shopping cycle. 
A bit like a farmer's crop rotation system .Except instead of wheat-maize-barley-fallow, mine pretty much goes clothes-makeup-shoes-clothes.(I don't usually bother with fallow). Shopping is actually very similar to farming. You can't keep buying the same thing- you have to have a bit of variety. Otherwise you get bored and stop enjoying yourself." 

The more I think about it, the more I agree; it's very insightful. It makes sense. I guess I operate on an informal shopping cycle too. I'd say my usual shopping cycle is dresses, cardigans, shoes, dresses, cardigans, shoes, accessories, dresses, cardigans, shoes, other clothes...and then back to the start.



















Alannah Hill I'm a Little Fusspot Cardigan
Dangerfield Skirt
Alannah Hill Handbag 
Alannah Hill Walk Me Home Flats 
Kmart Hair Flower   

Outfit

Finally I've had the chance to blog the outfit I wore for my birthday which was about a month ago now (although minus a couple of hours in the  afternoon when I played a game of tennis). This was originally my sister in law's dress and, knowing it was always my absolute favourite dress of hers, she allowed me to have it. I couldn't believe it, it made me so happy and it was so incredibly generous of her. I've worn it so many times since. It is my new favourite dress (I'm even more excited by the fact that it's Alannah Hill). I love the classy black and white and the pretty crochet detailing. This is the perfect dress in my opinion. There are so many shoes I can wear with it but I realised that my Queen shoes are probably the best match. Of course I had to factor in my new bag which I adore and goes with everything. Pearls also seemed to be rather fitting.

I've got my university graduation next week. I'm very excited because it will be nice to finally have something to show for all those years of study. Although it feels strange having a double degree from university and still being unemployed. I'm hoping that will change soon. I'm very thankful to have you all as my friends. I get very lonely while everyone else is at work; I spend the majority of that time on my blog. Also, fashion has really helped me too. These days dressing up is usually the only point to my day and the only thing I look forward to. I always used to think that endless free time would be incredibly fun. But since being unemployed I've realised that the opposite is the case; I no longer value what I have too much of, I question the point of my life every day and it's attacked my self worth like nothing else. I guess what I'm saying is I don't know what I'd do without fashion and blogging right now. Thank you for your part in that.









I love this furry plant every time we go to the park now. I only discovered it recently!










Alannah Hill Dress
Wittner Queen Shoes
Forever New 'From Paris With Love' Bag 
Equip Pearl Hair Bow
Prouds Pearls 

Item of the Week 030

I'm absolutely in love with my new Alannah Hill flats at the moment. Despite Alannah Hill being my favourite brand for a very long time this is the first time I've ever owned a pair of Alannah Hill shoes. I have just about everything else and my weakness is cardigans so whenever I have money it generally goes in that direction. It's always exciting to own a different item for the first time. I believe these are totally my style; I love the double bows, the statement bright pink and the versatility of the black. It combines many of my favourite aspects in fashion. I have way too many shoes but I simply cannot resist the perfect pair. I bought these at an incredible discount of 65% off the original retail price. I cannot speak highly enough of these shoes and I am so happy to own them now. They are beautiful, gorgeous, pretty and girly. I can't wait to wear them; I have so many outfits in mind for these shoes. They also come in red and white which was absolutely beautiful too but I already have a similar pair of double bow flats in red and white from Wittner so that's why I went for the black and pink version.









Alannah Hill Walk Me Home Flats

Charlotte Olympia Cosmic Collection

I was browsing the Charlotte Olympia website tonight, as I often do, and I came across the Cosmic Collection which is described as "a collection of birthday shoes and Pandora clutch boxes, exclusively designed to celebrate the twelve star signs." The cutest part is the way the characteristics of each zodiac sign are represented; the Swarovski crystal accessories makes it unique and glamorous. I've never seen astrology represented in fashion before so I love how creative and different this idea is. I love the gold heel and detailing which usually features on Charlotte Olympia flats. As much as I adore these shoes in general, I believe their success largely depends on each individual pair. For example, the orange Leo shoes and the pale Aquarius shoes are amongst the most beautiful shoes I've ever seen. But the brown Taurus shoes seem much less appealing to me. A lot comes down to personal preference. I am a Pisces so I love the purple colour assigned to my zodiac sign and I'd rank the fish sign somewhere in the middle. Overall I love the cosmic collection and how Charlotte Olympia has really stepped out of the box.

 

Photos from Charlotte Olympia

Outfit

This is one of the outfits I wore over the Easter long weekend. This is my favourite top that I've ever owned; I bought it last year and posted it here. I love it because of the vibrant bright blue, the little design on the sleeves, and the statement bow which all make it very girly and unique. However, I don't actually wear it particularly often because I haven't got many plain skirts and I usually wear dresses. I think I should change this. My favourite top definitely deserves much more use!  I recently got my black skirt (and my green skirt from my last post) hemmed so I'm getting a lot more use out of them. I can't believe how many outfits I can make with those two skirts; it's opened up a whole new realm of possibilities. Another versatile item is my new bag which I bought for my birthday. I've used it every single day this week and it goes with absolutely everything. I love it so much! Also, the shoes; I love how often I'm told that they closely resemble the Marc Jacobs Daisy. As for the hair bow, I thought a touch of red would  stand out and work well; I also randomly felt like mixing spots and stripes which I'm seeing more of lately. This outfit came together by combining a number of my favourite items. For an unemployed person, I've had an extremely busy week. I believe, that after a difficult few months, my life might finally be getting better; even on the employment front things are potentially looking up. So much of it is associated with self belief; giving myself a chance, putting myself out there, taking chances, challenging myself despite extreme self doubt and realising just how much I've underestimated myself especially over the past few years. I don't want to say too much about it because I'm still in the initial stages but I should have a lot to say once everything is finalised. 

...oh and how amazing is 'Let Her Go' by Passenger. I can't stop listening to it. 

Forever New Zinnia Bow Top
Revival Skirt
Wittner Daisy Flats 
Alannah Hill Hair Bow
Forever New 'From Paris With Love' Bag

Outfit

Today's outfit is my entry into Bloggers Do Black & White Stripes Better at Pretty Shiny Sparky. I love the idea of Bloggers Do It Better and it's been awhile since we've had a new challenge so it was fun and inspiring to participate in this one. I have always liked stripes so this was definitely one of my favourite challenges. Black and white stripes have been so incredibly popular recently, making a bold statement. I feel as though it's one of the few times I'm actually wearing a current trend; most of the time I believe I follow my own style rather than what's in. It's also great timing for the black and white stripe challenge because I received this top for my birthday and it's always exciting to wear new clothes for the first time! I decided to pair it with my new houndstooth shoes which were also a birthday gift. They are very special shoes because I'd had my eye on them for so long. I really like the combination and the way the outfit came together; after all they are both forms of black and white stripes! I decided to add pops of colour with the green skirt and my new coral coloured bag; the bag I also received for my birthday. I hope you all had a lovely Easter break. I had a fun time catching up with both sides of the family. The weather was great so I had the opportunity to take many sets of outfit pictures; I have lots of posts lined up right now.  












Girl  Xpress Top
Revival Skirt
Kmart Hair Flower
Laura Jones Bag
Wittner Lover Flats