Outfit #56 - Winter Neutrals

Outfit details:

Skirt: Portmans.  White top: Hot Options.  Blue top: Dotti.  Black top: Wool Base Layers.  Boots: Sandler.  Stockings: ??? Earrings: ? David Jones maybe.  Jacket: Sportsgirl (from Jeannie).  Hat: Portmans.  Scarf: Alta Linea.

I used to think you couldn't black and brown.  Or brown and grey.  Or navy and black.  I threw that all out the window for this outfit.

It seemed like I had oodles of time for photos this morning, but I still managed to miss the early train.  My first student was held up in traffic though so it didn't really matter.  At 7C I wasn't totally keen to go outside, but I could face it all rugged up and ready to go.

One of my grade 4 girls asked if my earrings were meant to be missing sparkly bits...  Um, no.  I guess I'll be finding some sparkly bits in a craft store or in my supplies to get some gluing happening.

These are different stockings from yesterday, truly.  These ones have a hole in the left toe, just a teensy bit annoying.

Speaking of yesterday... I didn't put up a photo of the magpie because it was a bit camera-shy.  I couldn't really see it on the camera screen, but it came through in the photo ok, hiding in the middle of the bush.

Today's photo:

There was a big assembly this morning, so I had coffee with a piano-teaching friend.  On the way back these bright yellow flowers caught my eye.

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 #44 - New Brown Boots

Outfit details:

Dress: Spicysugar (from Jeannie).  Top: Dotti.  Stockings: Target.  Boots: Sandler.  Earrings: ?

I must be part-feline.  The idea of getting my feet wet is enough to change my sartorial plans, so long pants and flat shoes gave way to a short skirt and boots.  I probably would have switched to boots anyway.  These were purchased on Friday and I love them.  Every time I've left the house since buying them, I've been wearing them.  Not only are they new boots, but they're brown - I haven't owned brown footwear since I had to wear brown shoes to school.  It's been a while.  The stockings are also recent additions to my collection.  The day I bought the Nordic Knit print stockings, I resisted buying these.  Ever since, they haven't been available in my size, or were just not there.  Last week though, they were there, in my size - only pair available.  Score!

The lighting right now is fairly terrible.  Not only is it winter, and I'm not at home on a Tuesday while the sun is still up, but I need to replace 3 lightbulbs.  3!  So today, I brought down the desk lamp from the spare room and did a Pixar-style setup, but it still looks rather gloomy.  Fingers crossed for the right size globes available tomorrow.

I didn't realise until I was checking photos, but the trim on this dress matches the grey top.  I suspect it's one of those tones that looks grey with grey and black with black.  I also discovered today that the dress has a zip.  It's only about the 5th time I've worn the dress.  I do like the slightly space aspect to the dress - I get an 'Austin Powers' vibe whenever I wear it. 

A bit more boot love, and stocking love - you can't really get the full effect of the stockings but they have bands of colour in blocks up the legs.  If you look closely (really closely) at the lead photo you can just see the next blue block at the hem of the dress.

Today's photo:

Days like today are the reason I stopped taking photos for a while.  The sun wasn't up when I got to the station this morning, and the scratches on the windows prevented a good shot for the evening ride (which had nice light).  The weather was cold and rainy so I hardly left my teaching room, which has a view of buildings and palms - not terribly exciting.  So, for the first time ever, I took my phone with me on tonight's run.  I figured it was time, as I will be running the half-marathon with it, and I run to areas in which I'm not a local.  There have been several occasions when I've wished for a camera when running, not just for the lights but as a reminder of how far I've come.  The Kurilpa Bridge used to be my Long Run end point.  Now, my short run is another couple of kilometres each way.

Outfit #43 - Groovy Stripes

Outfit details:

Skirt: Gina Tricot (op shop).  Blue top: Dotti.  Red vest: Grab denim (from Jeannie).  Stockings: Target.  Boots: Sandler.  Scarf: gift.  Jacket: Sportsgirl (from Jeannie).  Earrings: made by me.

I've had a couple of days break from blogging - there'll be an update or two tomorrow!  Meanwhile, yesterday involved a whole lot of walking and mountain-climbing, in not the greatest footwear.  I longed for a comfortable outfit for today, plus a chance to wear these stockings.  This seems to be my comfy skirt - I'm now officially on the lookout for another like this one.  And more boots.  Not the greatest earring photo...but you can vaguely get the idea.

So many compliments today!  A 7-yr-old looked up while doing her shoelaces - "ooh, I like your stockings.  And your dress.  Pretty much everything you're wearing today.  Oh, and my mum has those exact same boots!"  Staff compliments included "those are such groovy stockings!" and there were so many bows in the air at the ensemble rehearsal this afternoon as girls wanted to tell me how much they liked my stockings.  They stole the show.

And I did feel these were very groovy stockings.  I just wish my legs were longer so the effect of the stripes could be greater.  Oh well.

Outfit #41 - Flattery

Outfit details:
Skirt: Gina Tricot (op shop).  Singlet, both black tops, and jacket (below): Dotti.  Stockings: Target.  Boots: Sandler.  Earrings: Mombasa.  Scarf (below): gift.

So, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?  And I know you're probably thinking, today's outfit is remarkably similar to last Tuesday's... But it's not, I promise!  Different earrings, and different black tops, and different scarf.  Truly.

Yes, same subject matter for stockings/footwear/skirt photo as last week.  

Yesterday afternoon, I had no idea what I might wear today.  Then I went running.  17.6km.  For most of the return, I was hungry.  For even more of the return, my knees were complaining.  Not enough for me to need to walk, but enough for me to be aware of them.  So the thought of wearing heels, or even cute ballet flats, was not a comfort.  In fact, I wanted to wear the outfit closest resembling slippers and pajamas.  No, this is not what I wear to bed.  But it is wonderfully comfy.  And the boots are the only shoes I could consider, especially as the forecast was for rain.  Thankfully, today I was not sore (not any more than after Monday's training session anyway) and I didn't have to be outside when it was raining.

But today I received a delightful text.  Two of the brass teachers at school have a gorgeous child, about 18 months old.  They sent me a photo today of their girl, standing in the middle of books and puzzles, a cute expression on her face, and the caption "How I changed today: Outfit no. 1".  It was mentioned that this was only Outfit no. 1 for today, depending on how many costume changes are necessary for spills and things.  I was thrilled.