Outfit #151 - Colour, Step By Step

Today's outfit started out as tomorrow's outfit, and black and white. 

Top: Base Layers. Skirt: Country Road (op shop). Boots: Mina Martini (from Jeannie). Earrings: from Mombasa. Stockings: Ambra and Voodoo.

Step 1: I realised today was a good day to wear these boots (a very short day) and they would go with this outfit.  Days swapped.
Step 2: Add a pink scarf so I can get as much wear out of it before I have to return it.
Step 3: Add the maroon-ish jacket because it's the warmest option.
Step 4: Realise the stockings, being fishnets, would result in freezing legs.  Realise this would be a perfect opportunity to do some stocking layering with new colour block stockings.

Ta DA!  One black and white outfit has turned colourful.  I am really happy with the stockings result.  My legs were nice and warm and I like the look - much more effective than black and black.  This is only my second time layering stockings - and today someone found my site through search keywords 'layered stockings'.  Neat.

Outfit #143 - Sore Almost Everywhere

Title says it all, really.  I could go through the list, but I'll just leave it at letting you know that yesterday's PT session was thorough.  I have ow-ies in places I haven't felt since the days I did circus.  Meanwhile, next time I wear this skirt I think I'll need to do some close-up shots.  Likewise with the top.  The skirt is a dark denim-type material with large buttons, and the top is black and white but looks slightly psychedelic in photos.  Unless I make the photo really large...  And then you can get a slightly better idea.

Skirt: Country Road (op shop). Top: Limited Edition. Stockings: Target. Boots: Mina Martini (from Jeannie). Earrings: gift. Scarf: David Jones (on loan from mum). Jacket (not pictured): Dotti.

These boots were much-complimented.  I have walked around Melbourne and my own neighbourhood in them, so I thought a Tuesday would be fine.  Er - maybe not.  If I'd worn flat shoes for the walk to and from stations, or if they didn't have a narrow wedge, or if I wasn't in pain from, you know, the neck down, it might have been different... But by the time I got home my feet were complaining.  Lesson learned. 

I do like them so much though that you get 2 photos of them.

I know my face looks odd here. The purple bits around my eyes seemed to be especially weird today.  I wasn't going to go nuts with concealer, mostly because I couldn't really be bothered most of the time, and then I have days like today...

Oggl

On Tuesday, I joined Oggl.  You may have noticed slightly different photos since then...  When I first received the invitation, I had no idea what Oggl was and thought it sounded like a perv-y, dyslexic version of Google.  But no - it's like the Hipstamatic version of Instagram, with a bit of Red Bubble thrown in too.

Like Instagram, once you've taken a photo, you can then edit it (in this case using the Hipstamatic films and lenses).  Unlike Instagram, you can't import photos - which I rather like, as I feel like people are cheating when they do that on Instagram.  As I am relatively new to Hipstamatic, this is a huge bonus.  I know some people who hardly change their Hipsta lenses; others who instinctively (or, really, through oodles of practice) know which combination is needed for a subject.  I'm not really in either camp, yet.  But having the option to go through every combination after taking a photo means I don't stand in the street for 10 minutes checking photo outcomes and changing options.  Snap first, edit later.  Big win.

Also like Instagram, you get to follow and be followed.  Which also has its pros and cons.

The Red Bubble feature is the 'curating' function, or 'favouriting' as it is in RB.  Which is the main con of following.  I follow someone for their photos, and then they curate some ...erm... questionable... photos...  Which then wind up in my newsfeed.  Not cool.

One aspect of Instagram that I would like (I think) is the notification system - although it's likely that I've just missed something in my settings.  It is much more private though which is a huge plus.

Other pluses: There are so many feeds in which you can just see new photos.  You can take a photo and edit it but not share it, so I don't have to include my outfit photos in my gallery.  And, hello Hipsta films and lenses.  There are more options with Oggl than with the basic Hipsta setup.  Now I've taken my first ever black and white photo that I like. 

The (Grown Up) Lunch Bag

If you've been paying close attention to my outfits, you would have noticed that this week I wore heels twice - and these have been the first for quite some time.  I have hardly worn heels this year at all.  And it's not just that I've been feeling lazy, or wanting to take care of my feet/legs/ankles/knees or anything like that.  It's mostly because I haven't had enough bag space.  My lunch bag (one of those 'green bag' type things, but a small version) started to get some holes.  And then it disintegrated entirely.  So all my lunch, plus insulated cup, plus scarf/cardigan/hat - all these things have been in my main bag.  No room for heels.

Surprisingly, it wasn't my outfits that drove the upgrade.  It was me taking home my insulated cup that wasn't empty.  And I didn't realise until a day later.  On Monday, I bought a grown up, dedicated lunch bag.  One that can be wiped down to be cleaned. 

The bonus is that I can now fit heels in my bag, and potentially spilly stuff in the new black and white bag which isn't going to get punctured by a fork or a pencil or whatever else I put in my old bag.  I hope.

The Room Redo, Stage 2

Over the Easter holidays, I started trying to make my room a bit nicer, more Me.  In Stage 1, I made the 'other' bedside table prettier and not so 'other'.  This has resulted in me reading in bed a whole lot more.  This is good.

Stage 2 I just had to Do.  An imminent visit from the parents finally spurred me on.  My cane chair was a gift from them for my 10th birthday, and very much loved.  However, when I left home (really the other way around, but I won't go into that here) the chair went with the parents.  In their current residence it was languishing, so on one visit when mum asked if there was anything of mine I would like them to bring down, I asked for this.  Ah, the nostalgia!  And then it sat in the spare room for a while.  Which was nice for the spare room and anyone who stayed there.  But I felt this corner of my room could do with a chair.  A cane chair.  From my childhood. 

The cushion needs a new cover - hence the black and white bedspread.  Perhaps Stage 2a will be a new cushion cover, and washing the other cushion covers while I'm at it.  I do rather like having the cheerful Fergus smiling at me, too.  Now I am really looking forward to Sunday afternoon when I'll have a chance to curl up and read. 

Outfit #109 - Spots and Florals

Gasp.  Today combined spots and florals.  Not in a subtle way, either.  All black and white, though.

Dress: Hot Options.  Shoes: no label, from Jeannie.

The earrings I was going to wear turned out to be missing a hook, and I was too scatterbrained this morning to sort out any other accessories.

Today was a grade 3 day - and not one child said that I shouldn't be wearing these shoes with this dress.  My pattern mixing confidence increases.  Be warned.

Outfit #92 - Solar Eclipse

Outfit details:
Skirt: Hot Options.  Shirt: Miss Shop (from Jeannie).  Belt and shoes: Target.  Singlet: Dotti.  Earrings: ???

This morning was a solar eclipse.  I'd heard about it yesterday as something for people in north Queensland, so when the light went all weird this morning, I kept looking out to see if it was cloudy.  It wasn't cloudy - I actually saw a bit of the eclipse!  Being so much further south than Cairns, we didn't get much eclipse, but there was some.  Normally when things like this happen, I either forget about it entirely, or there are too many clouds to see anything good. 

Of course, I blame the weirdness of today's photo on the weird light outside.

Today's photo:

No, I didn't get a photo of the eclipse.  I did get all excited when I saw the poincianas are coming out in my street, though.  Another weird photo thing - this is the HDR version, which is not as bright in the colours as the actual subject.  However, the standard version looks photoshopped.  Must take a real photo soon!

Outfit #84 - Apologies to Crispin

Outfit details:

Skirt and singlet: Hot Options.  Shoes and belt: Target.  Shirt: Miss Shop (from Jeannie).  Earrings: made by me.

Today is the feast of Crispin and Crispinian, patron saint of shoemakers.  With all the fabulous shoes in my shoe cupboard, I should have had a fabulous pair of shoes on my feet today, right?  Well, no...  I only found out about this feast day over breakfast.  I did have a bit of a look in the clothes and shoes cupboards, but couldn't piece together an outfit in time.  So, boring shoes today on this feast of shoes.  Oh how sad!  My apologies.

(Dorky smile means I was just really hungry by photo time.)

Today's photo:

Yes, I've missed a few days.  This week is intense.  Next week I'm having my studio concert, and my little grade 2 was really worried about what to play.  We decided to do a piece with the 'sun' harmonic in it.  She really wanted me to play a duet, and so I was going to take a photo of the piece and then write one over the weekend.  But then she suggested we play a canon, and she pointed to where she wanted me to begin (this kid is so great to teach!).  After one go, we decided to move the place where I began, so all our ti-tis align.   

Outfit #72 - Super Dooper

Outfit details:

Dress and shoes: Hot Options.  Cardigan: Portmans (op shop).  Earrings: made by me.

Today, I had a super dooper day.  A little sleep-in, a wealth of student quotes (have you checked out my other blog yet?), great teaching, gardening, mariachi rehearsal (our next gig is this Sunday, at the Spanish Centre in Acacia Ridge)... Plus happy music on my iPod.  Of course, wearing my favourite colours (black and white and green) helped too.

I even had a bear hug from a 10-yr-old. 

Outfit #65 - Changeover

Outfit details:

Skirt and shoes: Hot Options.  Top and leggings: Ambra.  Earrings: from Mombasa.

One of my 10-yr-olds came into her lesson today and started with, "why are you wearing all black?" and followed with, "oh, and that top totally doesn't go with that skirt... Just kidding".  I had to explain to her the wardrobe changeover.  Summer clothes still in the attic, wardrobe full of winter clothes and clothes that are cool enough for summer but suitable for layering in cooler weather.  Today we were forecast for 28 and showers.

We also discussed leggings and jeggings.  If I wear a skirt with even just a bit of fullness (so, anything other than a straight skirt), the Marilyn Effect takes hold when I'm collecting kids from the junior school.  Leggings keep me modest.

These are the earrings I bought in May.  I wore them for the Mt Isa gig, then one of them got lost in my suitcase so they weren't worn since.  I dug them out on Friday.  Stay tuned for many more wearings.

Outfit #32 - Numbers

Outfit details:

Skirt: Sunny Girl (op shop).  Top: Ambra (bamboo).  Black and white top (below): Limited Editions (Target).  Shoes: Pulp.  Earrings: made by me.  Necklaces: from Jeannie, and op shop.

I was originally going to wear the black and white top during the day, and a long-sleeved black top later... But the weather was a little warmer than I expected.  Thankfully, the black and white top is low-maintenance.  It was squashed in my bag all day but came out looking fine at 5:15.  I love clothes like that.

I was especially happy with these shoes today.  It was their longest day in a while, with a lot of standing and walking.  Why a long Thursday?  Tonight was the first school concert of the year, and the group I just took on had its first performance.  After 3 weeks of fairly great behaviour from most of them, even the good ones were a little nuts with excitement.  Unfortunately, their pre-concert behaviour was ... enough to warrant a talking-to from another teacher.  Fortunately, they then kept it together (mostly) for the rest of the night. 

Even better, they played superbly well.  Not perfect, but close enough - much more together than I've ever heard them, more in tune, they even included contrast when we got to the smooth rich bit.  For kids who have been mostly playing their instrument since last year (and in a whole class at that), I'm impressed.

I received many comments today - the button detail on the skirt, just general "You look really pretty today", and one kid even sat next to me in the concert so she could stare at my beads and then fiddle with them.  I got a teensy shock at first when she reached across me to touch the necklaces. 

I bet you're wondering about the Numbers title of this post.  32 is my favourite number (it's outfit #32).  I think it is the best number that exists, for so many reasons.  And Outfit #32 occurs on May 10 - 10/5 - ooh, both of them are good numbers also.  If I'd realised this sooner I might have done more with it... But, I like black, and white, and there are green beads on one of the necklaces.  I love numbers.

Outfit #26 - Black and White Again

 Today was our first cold day.  Well, the coldest April morning for 4 years - it was 10C when I woke up.  And I had a late wake up, for a school day - 6am.

Outfit details:
Top: Ambra.  Skirt:  Capture (op shop).  Shoes: Hot Options.  Necklace: from Jeannie.  Earrings: ??? from David Jones I think.

I was going to wear slightly more exciting shoes, but I was doing a short workout at home this morning and felt my left foot go all weird.  Not wanting to exacerbate it, I opted for flats... And on the train home I was really feeling that was a mistake.  Is it odd to feel better in heels than flats?  At least they're cute.

Maybe I'm imagining things, but I have a sneaky feeling one of my grade 4 girls is a shoe girl.  Her very first lesson, and both lessons this term, I haven't had any comments - but every single other lesson she's said to me "You look really pretty today".  Last week and this week I've had boring shoes.... Coincidence?  Might have to test this.












This is possibly the first time I've worn this necklace.  It's great for playing, almost.  After a while I did have to rotate it so it wasn't symmetrical as I was getting a buzz, but I can work with that.  The earrings look like silver snowflakes.  And yes, today I was teaching in a different room. 

Outfit #16 - A Bit French

Today was blergh.  But blue and white and red - hello France.

Outfit details:
Skirt and white singlet: Hot Options.  Top: David Lawrence.  Shoes: Milu.  Earrings: ? from David Jones.  Necklace: made by me.

Although I didn't go to bed exhausted, I woke up in the middle of a dream.  From then on, it was mostly downhill.  I won't blab on and on about my day, but there were train problems, it was raining, I hadn't taken a warm top or painkillers (both, unusually, would have been great), and my eyes have felt like closing all day.





It wasn't all bad.  I'll now be playing as well as listening at a gig on Friday - the Global Music Fiesta starts at 6 at the Bleeding Heart Gallery, 166 Ann St, in the city.  Tickets are $15 (minimum) at the door, all proceeds to CARE Australia.  I'm excited!

This skirt was one of last year's most-worn items.  I didn't tally its wearings, but it seems to have been worn a lot in my memory.  And no surprise really, as it's black and white and doesn't need ironing, or even to be on a hanger.  It does, however, have some not-amazing memories to go with it.  Today I even considered putting it in my giveaway pile.  We'll see.

The shoes had a bit of a comeback today - the first (and last) time I wore them I had the most horrendous blisters.  No running for a bit, and I had to get those large Elastoplasts in order to not cry when I wore shoes.  Some preemptive Bandaids sorted that problem today.

 You can always tell when I haven't had many breaks at school - the detail shots are taken at home...  By the time I got home, all I wanted to do was change into pajamas and sleep.  See my dedication in taking detail shots first?  Well, maybe.  The earrings are hard to see.  But they're like snowflakes, if you're wondering.  The idea for the necklace I stole from someone else - theirs had black beads instead of red, and red instead of white.  I quite like the idea of using small beads to fill the in between bits, instead of bare wire and crimps.

This top has a very tactile front.  Kids love touching it (weird much?!) - not only does it have bits attached, but they're of different textures also.  Unfortunately it needs a different something underneath, as I was adjusting my front all day.

Outfit #11 - A Bit of Snow White

Wearing this skirt, I felt a little bit like Snow White.  A modern, sub-tropical Snow White.  I definitely had a lot of little people around (although no grade 3 kids today, there was a whole-school assembly during the strings time - really, who does that?!).

Outfit: 
Skirt:  Capture (op shop). Top: Ambra.  Shoes: Pinet.  Earrings: Vietnamese (from Oxfam Shop).  Necklace: made by me.

This was a skirt I bought at the end of Summer School and have been waiting for an opportunity to wear it ever since.  It is quite firm around the waist, so I'd rather not wear it on super hot and humid days.  Today was quite, quite warm - got up to 31 - but not ridiculously humid.  And with all the running I've been doing lately it's not as firm anyway.

When it's on though, I feel a bit special.  It's lined (I love lined skirts) and a bit puffy.  Hence the Snow White feeling.  I must say though, I skimped on the puffy top and boring shoes. 

These shoes received so many compliments.  Not quite everyone I saw complimented me, but many did.  I wore them a couple of weeks ago with long pants so I guess having them exposed made a difference.  They do need to be chosen carefully...  Because there was no assembly, there was a rehearsal for tomorrow's staff concert and then coffee, of course.  Bit of a walk to get the coffee.  And I had 2 young ones I needed to collect and deliver, which is many many steps.  The nail polish is no longer pink, back to a reddish hue - OPI Quarter of a Cent-cherry.  Love it.

These earrings were such an impulse buy.  Last June I had amazing shopping mojo.  I walked into Oxfam looking for something practical (I forget now what that was), and saw these in the discount basket at the front.  Sold!  Every photo shows a different colour, they're like a dark mother-of-pearl.

The necklace I made in June last year, as I was getting tired of not being able to wear necklaces while playing.  I made this and another that have the beads starting low enough that nothing rattles under a shoulder rest or on my collarbones.

Yes.  I'm getting bored of boring poses.  So I imagine anyone reading this will be getting bored of my boring poses.  Besides, this is one of those skirts in which you just need to twirl.  I need to perfect the photo jump/twirl though.

Outfit #1

 So, very bravely, I reveal my first school outfit... As this was only a meeting, I dressed more casually than I would for school.  Plus, it continues to rain.  I don't want to ruin any shoes!  When I was about to take photos, I realised I very almost matched a painting - I was missing something green, but had blue, red, and black and white stripes. 

I found it exceedingly hard to take outfit photos.  Aside from getting feet and head in the frame, facial expression and enough of the front that you can see details proved problematic.  Hence the small photos. 

Dress: Ally (used to be Jeannie's).  Singlet: Ice.  Sandals: Hot Options (emergency purchase).  Earrings: Mombasa.  Pendant: made by Jeannie.  Zebra-print umbrella: no idea.