As you can see my pink obsession continues with this outfit. I tried this dress on over the weekend after seeing a girl wearing it at the Finders Keepers Market who looked drop dead gorgeous in it, I basically bee lined immediately to the closest Gorman to try it on. When I had previously seen it on the rack in stores I had assumed that it wouldn't suit my shape as I usually favour a-line styles. Well how wrong was I? As I stepped out of the change room to show Henry I was racking my brain on how to somehow make a quick $200 to buy it as I was currently -$11 in my bank account and well I NEEDED THE DRESS! As luck would have it I ended up being offered some much needed freelance work that night that allowed me to buy it before my size sold out as it is on sale. I love lucky moments like those, as I apparently grabbed one of the last size 14's in the state and that size is now sold out online. So lucky!
How awesome is the beautiful flower wall behind me? It was bitterly cold and raining on Sunday when Henry and I were in the city trying to work out what to do and where to shoot my outfit. Originally we had planned on going to the Botanical Gardens but were forced back on the tram just as we got there by the rain so we decided to check out some art at the nearby NGV. I picked up a flyer in the foyer and saw this epic wall of flowers, which turned out to be their new kids exhibition Open House: Tromarama for Kids so we headed straight there to see if we could shoot against the wall, and well the rest was history. So happy we stumbled upon it, it's so Kimye's wedding!
I love Maude Studio's unique collection of shiny metallic bags, and am so happy with this cute little bucket bag. It's perfect for events and always gets compliments.
I really wanted a pink Fuji Instax for my birthday this year but Henry refused to buy me a "toy" - even though he asked for and I bought him a remote control helicopter for his. Luckily my brother came to the rescue and bought me the camera as he understood how, no it's not just a toy it's a creative outlet, thanks bro!
A little Fuji Instax pink polkadot photoshoot in the Open House: Tromarama for Kids exhibition at the NGV! Such fun little mementos of a really fun day!
Remember late last year when I was flown to Brisbane for the opening of that amazing Japanese Fashion exhibition at QAGOMA? Well the above dress is what I had dreamed of wearing to the opening, by local Melbourne label Alpha 60 it has that modern Japanese sensibility to it and I wanted to represent some local Melbourne design at the event. However at the time this dress did not fit me at all, so I had to make other outfit plans - but I never forgot the dress. Since then I've been on a bit of a journey, both of the emotional and physical kind, and part of that journey was signing up for a weight loss trial with a local university and I've lost 20kgs so far. Previously I had never in my life actively tried to lose weight, I was happy as I was, and even now I am completely comfortable with being whatever size I may be, big or small I am still 100% body positive. I did this for me and I am proud that I have lost the weight but I do know that me doing this won't make everyone happy in the fatosphere and there could be a backlash which is why I've not really addressed it before today, even though people have noticed in the comments. At this point I'm still fat, I still happily identify as fat, and I'm not currently trying to lose any more weight. Right now, even more so than before, I sit in that awkward "inbetweenie" size range where I can fit into certain pieces in straight sized stores and still fit into plus size clothing too. As you all know I've always shopped and worn both plus size and straight sized clothes but now I just have more options in the straight sized clothing world, and this dress is one of them. It was such a freaking surprise that this fit me, I saw it sitting in the Alpha 60 outlet store in Fitzroy and remembered how much I had wanted it to fit just a few months ago for that opening night in Brisbane, so I decided to try it on. I honestly could not believe it got on, surely I hadn't lost that much weight? I don't really see it when I look in the mirror, I only notice it when I go to wear an old favourite skirt and it won't stay up, or in this instance something I really wanted but couldn't get over my head in the past in size L would now fit me in the size M. FYI sizing is weird and arbitrary, every store is different and if there's one thing I've learnt over the years it is it pays to always try things on. I'm still plus size, but I fit more into the size 14-16 bracket now, I still can't go into most stores and have something fit, but when I can it honestly is mind blowing. I can't imagine what it's like to have that be every single shop in every single street, that is a heck of a lot of choice, I'm not sure I or my wallet could handle it, especially considering my old rule of if it fits I buy it because finding something that fit was so rare. Experiencing some elements of thin privilege for the first time is certainly an eye opener and for now I'm happy to stay in this happy middle ground, but who knows what the future may bring? I may not be able to maintain the weight loss, which I know from extensive reading and the doctors I've been seeing is extremely common as your body is naturally fighting to go back to its set point weight. The weight loss industry feeds off this, and blames the dieters for going back to their old habits creating a never ending cycle of profit off the backs of people who then get depressed and blame themselves. I'm glad I've still never paid a single cent to the diet industry, not that there's anything wrong with you if you have. Eeeep this is meant to be about a dress and not an essay on my feelings about the evilness of the diet industry. This dress is what dreams are made of, white spotty silk goodness, I'm so happy that eventually we were able to be together.
White spotty dressAlpha60 Clearance Store Gold satchel bag Comme des Garçons x Cambridge Satchel Co collaboration piece Gold bunny mask H&M Gold clogsFunkis Gold flakes resin bangleSly Pony Gold pom pom braceletPoms Jewellery Gold flower ringMarc by Marc Jacobs, Gold nailsKmart press on nails, only $2!
I found this amazing gold bunny ears mask whilst cutting through H&M one night as it was raining outside. It was just sitting there with a giant red $2 sticker, and as much as it pains me to buy anything at H&M because I deplore their unethical factory conditions, I also really loved this mask. I've spoken before on my relationship with cheap fast fashion and preferring to steer clear as much as possible, but I also indulge very occasionally when something really stands out and catches my eye. Personally I believe I do the best I can and really it is up to the corporations to do better and not the individual entirely, yes I can and do mostly take my money elsewhere but sometimes I don't and that's okay too. Basically guys, this mask was cute, and hey, at least I'm talking about the issues of shopping at H&M and not glossing over it with pretty pictures like 99% of the blogosphere out there?
I am so in love with this bag! It's a Comme des Garçons x Cambridge Satchel Co collaboration piece that I found on a buy and sell facebook page. Such a fun bag to wear, and I love how I now have accidentally collected a bunch of gold accessories to pair with it, even down to my gold press on nails which were another cheapo $2 score this time from Kmart (who have signed the Oxfam accord, so potentially not as unethical as H&M but you can never be 100% sure).
Accessories! Gold satchel bag Comme des Garçons x Cambridge Satchel Co collaboration piece Gold flakes resin bangleSly Pony Gold pom pom braceletPoms Jewellery Gold flower ringMarc by Marc Jacobs, Gold nailsKmart press on nails, only $2!
I have always wanted a pair of Funkis clogs, and as I was walking through the city one night I noticed they were having a big sale at their Strand Arcade store in Melbourne. I got these for only $60, quite the score, and this time the bargain is an ethical one! I think I'm having a bit of a gold moment hey?
I don't believe in basics, well not in the way that nearly every magazine or fashion blog preaches their importance to your wardrobe - "The 10 must have winter basics you need have in your wardrobe now" with a list of mostly black, white and denim pieces that are all incredibly boring to my eye. For me my winter wardrobe basics are of the loud and bold variety, sure I need a raincoat but make mine yellow with bright flowers all over it. Pink tights replace black tights, a cute pink beanie instead of a grey one, pink patterned gloves and so on, you get the picture - give me all the colour please! As Buzzfeed said recently of my style it's "retro meets rainbow, and shows that bright colours shouldn't be confined to the warmer months"!!! These photos were taken on a cold and rainy day whilst we were away in Daylesford, at beautiful Lake Daylesford. Did I mention it was absolutely freezing cold and lightly raining when we decided to walk around the lake? Thankfully I had my trusty and oh so bright Tsumori Chisato raincoat to layer over my outfit to keep the rain at bay, which had all the Daylesford locals and tourists starring at me as I was the brightest person in the whole town that day.
Outfit details Yellow flower raincoat Tsumori Chisato Pink leather jacketGorman Neoprene tie dye co-ord jumper and skirt Shakuhachi no longer available but the dress is on sale at David Jones Pink tights Kardashian Kollection from Woolies Pink glasses Bespecd Nara's in Rose Pink Pink ear muffsDaiso Pink beanieDaiso Lilac backpack Little shop in the main street in Noosa Brogues Gorman
Underneath the raincoat I was wearing my trusty pink Gorman leather jacket which kept me toasty warm. A biker jacket is a must have piece for winter in my opinion, and I love owning one in statement making pink!
My outfit was this Shakuhachi two piece co-ord tie dye neoprene jumper and mini skirt that I picked up at their store in the Emporium on sale. Neoprene get's a bad rep from a lot of people who don't like the texture, personally I find it really warm and comfy and I love how bright this set is.
Protected from the rain in my hooded raincoat from Tsumori Chisato. My Daiso gloves help keep me warm too.
Pink glovesDaiso Yellow flower raincoat Tsumori Chisato Lilac backpack Little shop in the main street in Noosa
As does my Daiso beanie and earmuffs! Perfect winter basics in my favourite shade of pink!
I'm super excited to announce that I'm teaching a class with Lady Petrova at her School of Fabulousness all about finding YOU & YOUR PERSONAL STYLE on September 19! In this insightful class, Fashion Hayley & Lady Petrova will teach you how to create your own signature look and fine tune your style identity. We will also help you with your self confidence and teach you the tools so you know what styles, colours and silhouettes suit you & your figure best. 100% Body Positive, Fun, Quirky and Insightful! For more information and to secure your spot please click here. I can't wait to meet you all (｡♥‿♥｡)
