Aussie Curves {Texture}

In thinking ahead for my Aussie Curves challenges I inadvertently ended up with a catchup outfit!

Looking ahead to androgynous and military week has got me feeling lost – I’m a girly girl and I usually overdress for the occasion to boot – so the next couple of style challenges have me shopping my wardrobe trying to come up with something that is both ‘me’ and fits the challenge.

So today, my body felt like rebelling and wearing the most girls outfit I could… And boy, did I go for it.

This 50’s style cable knit jumper always feels glam and girly – and the bonded lace pephem skirt is a little va-va-boom sexy, but toned down by the conservative sweater top. Finished with pearls and pink lippy, I looked in the mirror at all the fabulous texture in my outfit and knew I had to do an Aussie Curves catchup post!!

So here it is!

Whole Outfit: Dorothy Perkins 🙂

Aussie Curves is a weekly photo challenge for Australian and New Zealander Plus Size Bloggers and Fashionistas size 14+. To join in the fun, find the Facebook group!

Getting crafty and plus size festival fashion

Getting to do a couple of my very favorite things today
1. Getting crafty and customizing something
2. Eating Lunch at my favorite Sydney hangout – Kitchen By Mike
3. Live out my 16 year old music fantasies and see some if my favorite bands (circa 1998) at Soundwave Festival…

I’ve been keen-as to try the double denim look and the weather was so-so so I decided on my Torrid dark rinse skinny jeans and my husbands pale denim Travisty shirt. Last minute shopping spree this morning to find the perfect top – something figure hugging and girly to make up for the unflattering man-cut of the denim shirt. This ombré pink Aztec shirt (yes I bought it several sizes too small and wore a dark bra underneath – but it’s a music festival!!) was a bargain buy from Trade Secret in a brand called True Harmony. Gold belt is from City Chic…

The visor was my bit of DIY for the day and kept me entertained for the car ride from Wollongong to Homebush! I have a large collection of Sharpies for customizing items and jumped at this plain white visor ($5) from Trade Secret!

Happy Days!

Oh, and I cannot recommend the food at Kitchen By Mike enough! Delicious, über cool, a great hidden-Sydney gem!!

Work Wear: Mini Montage

Work has been craaaazy this week so very little time to post. But here are a few quick snaps of my outfits xx

Top: ASOS Curve
Jeans: Torrid
Boots: Flat Motorcycle Boots by Ezibuy (wide width)
Earrings: eQuip

Top: Jay Jays
Skirt: Forever 21+
Beads: Billabong
Shoes: New Look

Dress and belt combo: Torrid
Necklace: Crossroads

Aussie Curves {Black and White}

This week’s Aussie Curves theme is black and white which is hard in a whole new way – I own a tonne of black and white fabulousness and it was SO hard to pick an outfit. So I have cheated, and done two looks. Yeah, I’m greedy like that 🙂 Plus, I’m notoriously bad at making decisions – especially when it becomes to choosing between my clothes…

So the two looks I am going for are weekday and weekend. I have quite a serious job in HR, but I love trying to find ways to add a little pizzazz to my weekday outfits. On weekends, I love dressing up, and am always overdressed for things – but I am a firm believer that my fab clothes deserve to be worn – its not their fault that my clothes are more glamorous than my life 🙂

Weekday

I love wearing a blazer. Anything that helps to pad out my shoulders and even out my hips does wonders. For me, getting the proportions right is key when I buy a blazer. I only ever buy a blazer that closes under my bust, and finishes half way between my belly button and hips. Anything with shoulder details or a frill at the bottom (like this blazer) are automatic winners in my book 🙂 plus, the polka dot cuff details are adorable!

These pants were a splurge in the Christmas sales. I was so excited when Target announced that a lot of their lines were going to be available in a size 20, thinking that I would may be able to pick up some stretchy or oversized pieces every now and then, but to my surprise, these pants were a great fit. These pants have gorgeous paisley details etched into the satin finish.

The top is from JayJays, and has ruched shoulders. It’s a little tighter than I would usually wear on its own, but I love the definition it gives under the blazer. The nude heels are an absolute staple, and my go-to shoes whenever I’m unsure which shoes to wear.

Top: Jay Jays
Blazer: City Chic
Pants: Target
Heels: New Look
Necklace: New Look

Weekend

So every couple of months I make the pilgrimage to Brands On Sale in Campbeltown to see what is on offer at the City Chic factory outlet. Sometimes I get one or two bargains… Sometimes I spend a small fortune and am glad I drive a 4wd to cart home all my goodies. This playful dress is one of my favorite bargains from one such trip. Given its retro feel, I was tempted to save it for Retro week, but (surprise surprise) I have something else for that week already 🙂

As for shoes and accessories – I can’t resist a splash of colour!!

Dress: City Chic
Shoes: Target
Earrings: eQuip

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Easy like Sunday Mornin’

Just a quick post today coz I’m actually out enjoying this beautiful weekend!

We just got home from the fabulously delicious Diggies at North Beach for Brunch, and the sun is on its way out!

Jumper: Old Navy
Shorts: Crossroads
Shoes: No shoes! It’s the weekend!!

Xx

Double-take Friday

Ahh Friday. How I love you despite the dilemmas you bring. As the only acceptable day to wear jeans at my work – I like to take full advantage – but I can’t look too casual – so how to you do casual, without being too casual? And then, without bringing a whole change of clothes, how do I transition that outfit to dinner or drinks later that night.

Its hard to find that balance – an outfit which looks professional/casual during the day, and chic for night.

This was today’s solution.

The building blocks

So I started with a Oxblood Peplum Singlet from New Look and my Torrid jeans.

Day Look

Because I wear a lanyard that must be displayed at all times at work, I avoid wearing statement necklaces – and I also feel like sometimes when I wear statement necklace and jeans – I look a little too ‘club’ for the office. So I went for simple gold studs from Diva.

Even the fabulousness of Friday couldn’t stop it from raining, so I opted for my oversize Crossroads Fairisle Knit and a thin elastic belt from a city chic dress. I sit at a desk or in meetings most of the day, so if I wear a belt – it has to have a bit of give.

Kmart black lace flats finish off my day look 🙂

Night Look

Boots, a statement Necklace and a crop Leather jacket and I’m ready to hit the town.

I love these knee-high Torrid boots. Grey suede, small heel, cute button details – and nice wide calves so they do actually come all the way up to my knees!

This leather crop jacket is a City Chic favorite and the necklace is a bargin from Etsy.

 

 

So here is it, my Friday Day-to-Night Double Take

Casually Work-ing it

Had a surprisingly quiet day planned at work today… No external meetings, no clients – just a couple team meetings and a strategy session.

I took the opportunity to wear a lovely City Chic summery dress. This great simple dress, for me, is what makes City Chic great – well cut, well made, nipped waist with a thin mini belt and great on-trend colours. The weather wasn’t playing-nice with my plan so I threw on a cardigan at the last minute. I love this City Chic cardi – small stripe, ruched shoulders, waterfall closure and nips in at the waist.

Shoes are New Look, and my teeny tiny Bow clip was a purchase on my recent trip to Tokyo…

Aussie Curves {Nature}

Yeah, I wrote a purple post. I also wrote a swimwear post. Neither got published. Mainly because I haven’t been happy with the photos – but for the first time in my life (that I can remember) my hesitation was not about the way I look in the photos – but more generally composition/quality type issues. That’s major for me – to not look at a photos and hate them. I honestly believe that the Aussie Curves community has helped inspire that change in my mindset. So thank you ladies – for you confidence, your positivity, your support for each other, and your fabulous fabulous fashion 🙂

Yes, I would prefer to crack out my SLR, and tripod, and head to the park, or a garden, or beach, or somewhere even remotely related to this weeks theme – but, better posted than forever sitting in draft mode waiting for great photos… So, I apologise for the iPhone-mirror-selfies, taken late night, in my walk-in-wardrobe. But I have decided to seize the day, and post the photos.

Aussie Curves is a weekly photo challenge for Australian and New Zealander Plus Size Bloggers and Fashionistas size 14+. This week’s theme is Nature. So, immediately I saw visions of a beautiful maxi-dress, in a field, maybe with one of those great flower headbands… But then I saw this floral blazer and needed an excuse to buy it – I have a self imposed shopping ban active at the moment – which was put into place because of my lack of shopping self control. Which considering I purchased the blazer, me-thinks the ban may not be such an effective control mechanism…

This fabulous Floral Blazer did not break the bank, at only $20 from Kmart (they had a tonne of them). It’s from their straight size line – I’m wearing an 18 – usually my arms are too big for straight sizes, but I was pleasantly surprised by this Kmart gem. It’s fully lined, and nips in at the waist. I’m super happy with this blazer and excited for winter. I wanted a top that wouldn’t compete with the blazer, so picked up this bargain grey singlet for $4 in Kmart.

The jeans are my favorites from Torrid. I need to order more, but the postage costs (and shopping ban) are holding me back for the moment.

Blazer: Kmart
Singlet: Kmart
Jeans: Torrid
Flats: you can’t see them, but I am wearing black lace flats from Kmart.
Necklace: Etsy

Good bye is the hardest word…

Well two words. whatever. Saying goodbye to favorite clothes 😦 does anyone else feel sad?

I have a husband-imposed mid season clear-out of clothes today as a lot of it is a bit too big and doesn’t fit. I am fine if I sell them, or give them to someone else to have a new fabulous life… But what about those items that have done their dash 😦

I have a size 22 Calvin Klein dress. I never thought I would ever own a designer dress like that, it’s jersey with pleat trim and little pockets. I wore it proudly and many many times. And unfortunately with all that loving wear, has come many many pils…

So am I just supposed to throw it out? Seems criminal to do that to such a rare item. It’s a plus size Calvin Klein dress for Pete’s sake!

Emotional roller coaster in my closet today. Saying goodbye to old friends is hard 😦

High Tea with the Girls

Just a quick outfit post as I’m out to High Tea with the girls from work to celebrate a Birthday and Baby Shower.

It was held at Hazelhurst Art Gallery and it was sensational in the sunshine, overlooking the gardens, with great food and excellent company.

Top: Lilly and Lou (Best and Less)
Skirt: One of my new Forever 21 purchases
Wedges: Kmart