Outfit #150 - Apparently Crazy

A few weeks ago, I restrained myself and did not buy stockings.  Over the weekend, I took advantage of the sales and bought a ... few... pairs.  I contemplated some really crazy options.  I believe today's pair was rather conservative. 

Skirt: Gina Tricot (op shop). Top: Country Road (op shop). Jacket: Sportsgirl (from Jeannie). Scarf: David Jones (on loan). Stockings: Leona Edmiston. Boots: Sandler.  Earrings: Pandora (gift).

One member of the Fashion Police saw me and said, "I see we're wearing Crazy Lady Stockings today" - !!!  I tried to tell her they're not crazy, I'm a creative type anyway, but I was told she and I need to go shopping together.  I'm so glad that will never happen.

I also started the day (it was cold!) with a sudden agh! moment, realising I should be finding my gloves and a warm hat.  All I could find was one glove and my baker boy hat.  As it turns out, you need more hair to wear one of those.  I took a classic photo wearing it, but won't share it today. And although my envisioned outfit was the second photo, the reality for nearly the entire day (minus about 2 hours) was the top photo. 

My camera doesn't capture the colours so well so you get a close-up of the scarf/jacket/top - although the top is actually much more purple.  Right, now I'm off to find a warm hat and another glove.

Outfit #64 - Early Mark

Outfit details:

Skirt: Sinerji (swap).  Blue top: Hot Options.  Black top: Ambra organic cotton.  Stockings: Ambra.  Shoes: Hot Options.  Earrings: gift.

Today had to be one of those multi-tasking outfits.  Warm enough for getting to school.  Cool enough for getting home around lunchtime.  Modest enough for dealing with grade 3.  Layers are wonderful.  I actually wore another black, long-sleeved top of the same brand, my blue scarf, and a cardigan as well to get to school.

Despite feeling a bit drugged when I woke up (late night), I was still ready early enough to take photos before school.  And then, 3 of my kids were away so I got to have a super early mark.  Not the greatest photo of the earrings - they're little silver roses, quite sweet.

Yes, these are the same shoes as yesterday.  One foot is feeling a little precious so I'm playing it safe in flats.

And due to tonight's commitments, this is such an early post!

Today's photo:

Rather uninspired, but I still have little yellow flowers on my tomato plant.

Outfit #63 - I Wonder

Outfit details:

Skirt: Gina Tricot (op shop).  Stockings: Target.  White top: Ambra bamboo.  Purple top: Avocado (from Jeannie).  Shoes: Hot Options.  Earrings: ???

Yesterday, I had a great idea for an outfit.  I had my hands full with shopping and thought it was such a fabulous idea I wouldn't need to make a note.  By the time I got home of course, a crucial part had been forgotten.  I know it involved these stockings and skirt.  As for a top, though - I wonder what it was?

After last week's warm weather I was pleasantly surprised to have a chance to wear some warm clothes this week.  So chilly, in fact, that I wore my pink scarf and Dotti jacket to school.  I'm quite stumped for ideas for the next few days though.

And these stockings - finally I've got a shot to show the in between bits.  On probably their last wearing for the year.

Outfit #61 - Black and White and Grey Grey Grey

Outfit details:

Skirt: Sunny Girl (op shop).  Top: Reserve (from Jeannie).  Stockings: Target.  Shoes: Target.  Earrings: ?? from David Jones.  Singlet (maybe visible?): Ice.

I thought about naming this outfit after a certain novel, but decided against it.  I have an admission - I didn't cotton on to the '50' part of that title for ages.  I'd read Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey and, while I loved the book, I was surprised to find some of my friends making such a fuss over what I thought was the same book.  I have since worked out that they are different books.  And this outfit has black, a tiny bit of white (the button on the skirt), and a whole lot of different shades of grey. 

I even had a grade 3 ask me if my stockings were grey and blue, or grey and ... um... grey?  I think they're grey and grey and grey, as (if I had longer legs it would be easier to tell) the bits between the stripes are also grey.  And another grade 3 noted my shoes were 'pretty high' but her cousin can wear shoes this high (looked like this high with a platform as well), because she does ice skating.  Not sure of the logic...

Silver is like grey, right?  Just shiny. 

Today's photo:

I had one of those full-on rushing days, so missed out on taking any outdoor photos.  My dog and cat were placed on top of the tv a few weeks ago now, and one of my students commented today ('cute!').

Outfit #59 - Finally

Outfit details:

Skirt: Sunny Girl (op shop).  Top: Ambra.  Stockings: Target.  Shoes: Sandler (from Jeannie).  Earrings: Mombasa.

Finally, I own a pair of purple shoes.  This had been eluding me forever, really, and I had started to notice the absence earlier this year.  Thank you Jeannie!  The first student I could teach today, all set up and ready to start playing, turned her head to say, "I like your shoes - and so would my sister!" (we've already established her sister has a thing for shoes).  One of the girls in my ensemble after school, though, asked me why my shoes and stockings didn't match.  "Do they need to match?" I asked her.  Apparently yes, and apparently this combination doesn't.  Personally I disagree but a) it's only for a day and b) I'm not going to take too much advice from 9-yr-olds.  Besides, with their suede sort of finish they're more suited to winter, which has all but disappeared. 

Finally, I'm feeling more like a real person again.  Killer workout this morning (I looked, and felt, 'completely devo' at the end - if I'd been asked to do anything more than collapse there would have been problems) was a great start to the day.  I still can't sing fantastically well higher than a G (the one above middle C) but there is promise.  This didn't mean that I could take a not-scary photo of the earrings while they were on though.  

Finally, spring is here.  Ok, this isn't really a 'finally' moment as I live in Brisbane, and the last time I could wear jeans and t-shirt when it was dark was maybe 4 months ago.  But I do enjoy seeing the green buds emerging on the deciduous trees.

I'm sure that these green bits were not yet present on Tuesday, so this gets to be today's photo.

Outfit #58 - Sad Face

Outfit details:

Dress: Country Road (op shop).  Stockings: Target.  Boots: Sandler.  Scarf: Alta Linea.  Earrings: made by me.  Top: Reserve; and Jacket (not pictured): Sportsgirl (both from Jeannie).

Yesterday, I had lunch with Jeannie and then raided 2 suitcases of her old clothes.  I came home with a small suitcase of clothes (a whole new wardrobe, shoes and accessories included).  I was raiding her old clothes because she is about to move interstate.  Sad Face.  I will be visiting her soon, but we won't be just catching up on a weekend or playing gigs together.  :(

Today, given its sad face status, required some blues.  Blue earrings I actually made for Advent one year. 

And blue and black and grey colour block stockings.  When I took the first boots photo I noticed a wrinkle around my knees.  I pulled up the stockings and discovered a whole lot more blue could show.

Other sad facts from today:  my first student (this is my first day back after being off sick) sneezed on me.  (With splatter.  Ew).  I sat around a lot today because it seems to be crazy activity week at school as well as "Let's be unwell" week.  I worked out I will be doing catch up lessons for the rest of the term.  (Goodbye lunch breaks).  I didn't get my post-breakfast, or post-coffee, or post-lunch naps.

A few happy faces:  My first cardio session for a few weeks and I didn't die.  (I didn't go nuts like normal but it wasn't too easy-going).  The kids I did manage to teach were quite lovely.  I saw one of the violin teachers who teaches on different days from me.  Tomorrow is a public holiday in Brisbane - I'm anticipating a lovely sleep or three and, fingers crossed, my first run for some weeks.  I can't wait!

Today's photo:

I have 2 aromatic pink pillar candles, and I found blue-pattern plates at an op shop for them.  Last time I was burning this one all the wax dribbled down the side and pooled around the base.

Outfit #57 - Special Occasions

Outfit details:

Skirt and Jacket: Portmans.  Top: Dotti.  Stockings: Target.  Earrings: from Eumundi Markets.  Shoes: Hot Options.  (Top photo by Jeannie, who called out 'happy birthday!' before every photo - hence the big grin.  She also said I looked like Coco Chanel, but I'm not sure Coco would have worn the Nordic knit print stockings).

Today my brother played a solo lunchtime concert in St John's, so a few of us went in to listen.  Unfortunately he began the concert by having everyone sing me happy birthday.  Fortunately that was the only rendition I had to hear today.  While he was warming up, Jeannie and I had coffee (at Reception), and I took a photo of the beautiful counter mentioned in Monday's post.

Because I went to the concert, I only had 3 students to teach at school plus the string group, so I didn't take my violin.  This meant I could wear longer-than-normal earrings - these are just a tiny bit too long to wear when playing, they knock against the violin as my head moves.

Photos today are obviously from outside the cathedral.  Just before I took the earring photo I could see someone across the street taking a photo of the cathedral.  Then another, and another - cue small tour group.  Yippee.

Well, not the shoes.  Still not a huge fan of these shoes.  I like the height, and the shape of the front, but the block heel... meh.

So many photos today!  I think the top pic would be this:

When I was a kid (and, admittedly, on many occasions since leaving home), birthdays meant croissants for breakfast.  This morning I made my special breakfast of porridge with dark chocolate and marmalade.  Grating the chocolate inevitably produces some excess, which then goes on top of the coffee.  And, because I could, I had breakfast in bed.

Outfit #53 - All Knitted Out

Outfit details:

Dress: Country Road (op shop).  Top: Dotti.  Stockings: maybe from Myer...?  Boots: Sandler.  Earrings: made by me.  Jacket: Sportsgirl (from Jeannie).  Scarf: Alta Linea (gift).

I got so excited on the weekend when I realised I had a pair of stockings I hadn't worn yet this year.  Grey, striped, knit - so I was hoping my legs would be slightly warmer than they were yesterday.  It worked - I was warmer.  But the vertical stripes are not my favourite.  Whenever I caught sight of my legs I felt they looked blah.  They might have to be warmth-only stockings.  Still, knit stockings, knit dress, cosy.

Unlike last week when I had an unexpected sleep-in, I was pleased to wake up on time this morning and have time for photos before school.  It was slightly chilly in the courtyard though so I was glad of the jacket and scarf.  Bonus: the sun was at the exact right place to come in from the east but also reflect off the windows of the buildings on the ridge to the west. 

Blue 'world' earrings.  Wasn't so enthusiastic about hair today.

Stripes on the stockings - but only at the front.

Today's photo:

I got to the station just after the sun had cleared the city so we had a flood of light.

Outfit #52 - Mnah Mnah

Outfit details:

Dress: Spicysugar (from Jeannie).  Top: Dotti.  Stockings: Target.  Boots: Sandler.  Earrings: Mombasa (I think).  Scarf: Alta Linea.  Jacket: Dotti.

I kept looking at these earrings and decided today was the day.  They couldn't have a blog debut without these stockings.  This meant that I had 2 animal prints.  I was going to call this 'Animal' but whenever I thought that I thought 'mnah mnah' (Muppets, that is).  So there we are.

I haven't been super cold this winter, but the jacket and scarf were definitely welcome.

Technically, the print on these earrings is Fawn, but they look so similar to the leopard stockings.  It was nice to have other teachers at school notice!

No-one noticed the different hairstyle though (side bun - a bit hard to tell, admittedly).  Personally I was very pleased that I managed to do something different with my hair, so I didn't look like I'd just rolled out of bed.  Go me.

Today's photo:

Yesterday, I thought I might need a little help to get me through the week.  I bought irises.  I love irises, they take me back to when I was about 8.

Outfit #50 - Trust Me

Outfit details:

Pants: Hot Options.  Top: Dotti.  Boots: Sandler.  Earrings: from Jeannie.

I got a bit of a sleep-in this morning (first student was sick).  I extended that a little more than expected, so I was quite glad for the random notification from Facebook.  That meant, though, I didn't have time for an outfit photo before work, so in this photo I'm hungry!

I had planned to wear a skirt today, to show off the stockings - plus, I haven't worn that skirt for ages.  (Ages, as in more than a year at least).  But when I was getting ready I could hear the rain outside, and my feline part decided that boots would be a better option (I really dislike wet feet).  So I changed into pants instead.  Trust me - they were fun stockings!

Good thing I added red and silver earrings to give the world something not-drab to see.

Today's photo:

As mentioned yesterday, the walk to school gives an overview of the seasons.  I'm glad I don't have problems with wattle - I love the cheeriness of the yellow, and this makes such a nice contrast with the grey skies.  When I stood a bit closer to take the photo, I noticed busy bees.  I hope you can see them in the photo!

In Retrospect - Second Quarter

It's that time of year.  3 months since my last retrospective, so here's how I feel I've changed since then.

Food:  Something you wouldn't know - unless you've been spying on me in a serious way - is that my school lunches have changed.  For quite some time (more than a year, that is), my school lunches were really predictable.  This term, I've started taking non-salads occasionally.  Especially welcome in colder weather to have a hot lunch!  A great food behaviour change has been the introduction of No Cook Weeks.  These are the greatest.  I have fresh organic fruit and veges delivered every fortnight, and the week following will be a Cook Week, the week after a No Cook Week.  I still have quite a stash of frozen meals in the freezer, plus it's holidays right now and I'm cooking quite a lot, so this wonderful destress habit can continue for a while.  Knowing that I don't have to do anything except thaw and heat is such a calming feeling.  Obviously, I love cooking, but I love not needing to cook as well.  An added benefit is I am more likely to cook the fresh produce before it's past its best instead of needing to ditch it.  The other food behaviour change is another not many would have noticed - I no longer buy peanut butter.  I gave it up for Lent, then went a bit crazy with it after Easter.  Peanut butter is no longer my friend.  I had decided I couldn't trust myself with it, when a quote came up on Facebook - if you can't eat it responsibly, don't keep it in your house.  Good advice.

Clothes:  The 'search keywords' that lead people to this blog are usually fairly ordinary (recipes, movies, that sort of thing).  By far the most searched item though is stockings.  This has been a bit of a surprise... and a little unnerving...  Nevertheless, I am far more adventurous with my stockings now, and they definitely initiate comments and conversations.

Organisation:  I have a slightly more organised house.  Not by much, but every little bit helps, right?

Photography:  I'm loving the Daily Photo.  Partly, it's feeling like I have an excuse to take those photos I'd normally walk past because I'm a local.  But I'm also enjoying getting up close and personal with my environment again, and seeing my world through the lens again.  And seeing the colours in the northwest of the state - so different from Brisbane! - made for an even more interesting trip to Mt Isa and Townsville.

Running:  This feels like the big one.  Running is a brain thing for me, and to train for the half marathon involved not just running but brain training as well.  Taking different routes and doing different gym workouts, as well as different running shoes and tweaking little things about my running practice - these all helped the Gold Coast Half Marathon to be a successful and positive experience for me.  Having run many, many kilometres in these shoes now, one big bonus about them is the grip.  To get anywhere, I need to run down a fairly steep hill, which is often (usually) covered in leaves.  When it's been raining, this makes for a slippery descent.  Similarly, the downhill slopes on the bike path can be a bit on the slippery side after (or during) rain.  I can feel these shoes really gripping though, and I no longer worry I'm going to slip.

Coffee and Movies:  Looking at the list of blog posts for the last 3 months, I see a lot of coffee places listed...  Now when I have a catch up with someone, we purposely find somewhere I haven't been before, so it can get to the blog.  I also see on the list many movies I wouldn't normally have watched.  I like that people will ask if I've seen something, then if I haven't they loan it to me.  This is not just broadening my movie experience, but I am flattered that people want to know what I think!

The Term 2 Goals:  Well.  The facial expressions were a bit of a disaster after the first week or so - it was so hard!  I am very pleased to report, though, that I was successful in putting away teaching materials after each day.  I think I can say now that the practice has now become a habit.  Woohoo!

Tuesday's Daily Photo:

Gin cocktails - experimental, of course!  Needs something like lemonade or tonic water.  But, the shelves looked far more interesting through the glass.

June Spending

Budget, smudget.  My excuse: stocktake sales.  Plus there's less of me than before...  But still, please don't hate me!


June 1 - I was so relieved we'd started a new month, I spent more than half my budget in the city the first day:
Target: Leopard stockings; Marle stripe stockings - $7 each = $14
Lifeline Adelaide St: Table Eight skirt (below left); Jeanswest dress (not pictured) - $26 each = $52

Subtotal $66

June 8, and I was really on the hunt for new boots.  On the way to finding my new brown boots, I found - finally! - the colour block stripe stockings in my size at Target, $7; and cowl neck tops from Tokito...on sale... I love this brand, and these tops are so beautiful to wear.  I couldn't decide on a colour so bought one in navy and one in purple (according to the label - I think it's more mulberry, myself- pictured left).  $45 each = $90

Total = $163

I did also find the new brown boots, on sale - a very good sale indeed.  I'm cheating a bit here, not including them in the total as they are not only a high-price item and guaranteed to put me over just on them alone, but footwear is important.  Given the state of my other boots - they still look fine but I don't feel fine after a few hours in them - I count these more as a replacement item rather than a more frivolous extra.

And now, to appease my guilt at such over-indulgence, I think I'd better make yet another resolution: if I go over budget, I need to donate the same amount of excess to a charity.  I have to give my dad credit for this idea - years ago he started a similar scheme, so if he bought a shirt, for example, he'd donate the same amount of money to a charity.  It really makes you think twice about the word 'need'.

Outfit #48 - Post-Run Stockings

Outfit details:
Dress: Country Road (op shop).  Top: Dotti.  Stockings: ? Boots: Sandler.  Earrings: Mombasa

Last night, I did a really long run (18km).  I knew today would need some comfiness in the lower region, but I didn't want to do the same outfit I did after my last super long run (which looked like this).  It looks like these are my post-run stockings though!

The same grade 2 girl who like them last time commented on them again today.  Not the greatest photo of the earrings here, but you can get an idea of the detail on the dress.

Today was also the first grade 3 string concert - a very exciting occasion.  They did really well, and I must admit this is the quietest I've ever seen them.  We need to have their parents there every week I think.  There were some younger siblings around as well, some who sat as close as they could to watch, and one who came and cuddled her brother...then her brother's friend...  Every parent had a phone out taking photos, and their class teachers came down to take photos too.  Not to mention a surprise appearance (in that, the strings teacher and I weren't expecting it) of the head of the junior school.  Maybe that's why the children were so well-behaved.