Paisley

Bendigo Fashion Week is coming up in September (stay tuned) and I knew I was entering dangerous territory on Thursday when I was doing the annual drop in to our fashion retailers to invite their involvement.

The LABoratory had a sale rack right inside the entrace that called my name as I walked in!
I walked out with a gorgeous grey asymmetric knit tank, and two draped knit cardigans, one in pale grey and the other in a blue grey tone.  All three will be workhorses in my wardrobe and should be quite transeasonal also.  The grey tank had it's first outing today.

draped cardigan/jacket : 'gorgeous'
knit asymetric tank : E&D Everyday
leggings : katies
suede boots : rivers

grey patterned scarf : brown sugar
bag : stella mccartney for target

I'm tempted to say that it was "freezing" here today but that is probably being a tad dramatic.  It was very cold so I added one of my favourite scarves from Brown Sugar.  It turned out to be colder than I thought so in the true spirit of winter layering, I removed the scarf and piled on a very warm knitted wrap.

And just for fun, and because I wanted to show of my new Chanel sunglasses (a gift) I ventured out to the garden 'cos it would have been silly wearing sunglasses inside... right?

Thanks for dropping by and have a great week.
xxx Deborah

Vogue

Recently my sister gave me a copy of "The Vogue Factor" by Kirstie Clements who was Editor of Australian Vogue for 13 years until she was, and I quote, "uncermemoniously sacked" from the role.

It is a light and enjoyable read which I finished in a few days...  I could not put it down.  Kirstie shares some wonderful stories from how she began working at Australian Vogue as a receptionist, to the fabulous dinners and events she later attended as Editor. 

The most appealing part of her story, for me, were the relationships she built over the years, the acknowledgements and respect she expresses for her colleagues, and the fact that she never forgot that the exciting lifestyle working for Vogue afforded her, was in fact a privilege, not a right.

In a world where positive role models are few and far between, Kirstie is most worthy of our admiration and respect.  And I think it goes without saying she is one stylish woman.

Definitely worth a read.
xxx Deborah


Please  note all photos were sourced on line. I do not own the rights of these photos.  Should one of this photos belong to you, please let me know and I will happily remove it.

Checkered

Celebrating a significant moment in her career, my sister and I went on a shopping expedition last Saturday where she very generously treated me to some new goodies.

The colour of the JAG blouse is described as 'gunsmoke' and it's a beautiful colour which I really bought to wear over navy skinny pants, but somehow it ended up in a black ensemble!!

draped jacket with faux leather tie belt : target
sleeveless blouse : JAG (new)
jeans : katies
suede boots : rivers
bag : nine west (new)
necklace : gift from Hubby

I particularly like the movement of the jacket and blouse, which I have attempted to highlight in the photos below.  The bag took me back to the 80's and was calling my name ... rather loudly lol!  When I got it home, I was worried I may have made an impulse buy but I have used it a number of times already this week.

I know both the blouse and bag are going to workhorses in my wardrobe.  I have actually worn the blouse twice this week and it's now washed and ready for the weekend.    A big thank you to my sister, not only for the lovely gifts, but for being the only person I know who can keep up with me when shopping.  

Hope this week is being good to you.

xxx Deborah

Authentic

Reading a lot of blogs, as I do, is exciting and inspiring and I can find myself thinking I should  try that, or what great colours, I should wear colour AND then blogging and posting outfit photos has me thinking should I provide more variety, are my friends sick of seeing grey, black and white?   This then leads to the question of authenticity.  Do I dress for me, or for everyone else.  Essentially, do I dress to be someone/something I am not.

moto jacket : brown sugar
oversized sweater : supre
ponte leggings : target
suede boots : rivers

I was reminded of two blog posts I have read recently.  One from une femme d'un certain age
and this one from Odyssey (scroll down, it's the post from 11/4/13)

Rouched Double Zip Jacket
- currently on sale at Brown Sugar

I appreciate this quote from une femme d'un certain age "I may not be able to define precisely my own authentic style, but I know it when I slip it on. It feels like a powerful second skin. I enjoy experimenting and trying new looks, and in that process have learned that I’ve hit my authentic zone when it never feels like trying too hard"

I would have to agree, I know I have strayed from my true 'style persona' when I feel uncomfortable and/or conspicuous.  I actually feel like I am playing dress ups, just like when as a child I would dress up and in my mum's clothes.

So I trust you will forgive the repetition of my limited colour palette, my frequent wearing of  draped and oversized tops, my love for skinny jeans and pants, and my desire to create unstructured structure in every outfit.  Of course there is the occasional colour (I do love cobalt, navy and red) and there are times when the occasion calls for something different, and I like to flirt with the classics, and from time to time there will be some experimentation, but I promise you, what you see is me....as I strive (in this instance stylewise) to be a first rate version of myself :)

xxx Deborah

Culottes

I like cullotes!  I can't recall a time in my adult life when they have been particularly trendy or fashionable but they do seem to sit on the fringe of mainstream fashion and make an appearance every now and again.

moto jacket : portmans
blouse : target
culottes : yarra trail
skinny belt : ?
boots : rivers
necklace : gift from Master 10

I prefer them as a winter garment and love the look of tall boots with them.  Culottes can walk the line between looking stylish, edgy and modern or just downright frumpy.  Here's hoping I have managed the former.

Trust you are having a stylish week.
xxx Deborah