Rose Mirror Dress

I'm struggling to embrace the soft pastels trending this summer. I love bold colours and earthy boho/hippy tones. So accordingly, the latest City Chic collections haven't really inspired me. Of course, I still pop into my local each week to say hello to Lauren, Maddie and Kerri (Marion, SA). Having said that, I saw this dress on Instagram and my curiosity flared up. I love the cut, the dark red floral and the oriental feel of the design. After trying it on, I decided to splurge, knowing I'd probably wear it to a few events over the summer - particularly my staff Christmas party. 

 

I also love that the belt fits so well. In the past, I've found that the City Chic belts that come with the garment don't always match the size of the dress. The floral pattern helps to blur the visible belly outline, which is a sensitive area for me and still the body part I find most difficult to embrace. You may also have noticed that I'm not in my usual Doc Martens. I followed a friend into Zu Shoes recently and these were a spontaneous purchase. By the way, I stand at 6"1 in these heels. They are really quite comfortable as far as heels go! My boyfriend really doesn't mind that I tower over him in them (boobs in face, what's not to like about that?).

Thanks for reading! xo

Dress Surprise!

I was looking through the plus size dresses at Savers yesterday and found a dress from Witchery. It was labeled as Large, and it looked quite roomy. I tried it on and loved it! The fabric is soft and cool; the colour a lovely pink champagne. 

Even secondhand, it was rather pricey for a thrift store at $17.99, but I was so thrilled with it, I didn't mind paying a little extra. Part of the joy was finding something that fit me by a brand I assumed wouldn't have anything to fit me. I've been into Witchery many times - to look at scarves! Next time I go in there, I won't be so shy to check out some of the clothes. 

These shoes are Ted Baker jelly sandals which I purchased from David Jones in the after-Christmas sales for only $40 (originally $100). They're a little small, but I WILL BREAK THOSE SUCKERS IN! Love, love, love them.

Thanks for stopping by x

Happiness Equals the Yellow Stitch

 

Pete Townshend of The Who said that he used to go to bed on tour with two things: ‘A cognac bottle and a Dr. Martens boot.' The invention and design of the boot came about in the 50s, the result of the German shoemaker Dr. Maertens’ ski accident (he just wanted a cushioned sole) and his history-changing partnership with the Griggs family of Northampton, England. Initially worn by factory workers, policemen and the like, it was picked up by the skinhead in the 60s as a symbol of working class pride. So what began as reliable working men’s footwear then became an emblem of freedom, rebellion, individuality and empowerment.

What a shoe.

I bought my first pair of Dr. Martens about six years ago from a boutique for $30. They’re a black T-bar cut-out sandal (the first pair featured in the photo). Since I am an Australian size 11, finding shoes to fit me had always been a nightmare and wearing men’s shoes from Target didn’t help my teenage awkwardness. Those docs thrilled me. Not because of what they represented, but because they were a women’s shoe and they fit me. They were my only pair for five years. When I first started dating my boyfriend a year ago, he let me borrow his cherry red Dr. Marten boots. Fearing he’d never get them back, he went on ebay and got me a pair of my own. And so it began.

My obsession with dresses took a backseat as I scoured the internet for Dr. Martens. I now have eight pairs and I can’t say the drive for more has abated. If anything, it’s increased.

Picture yourself in town on a Saturday night. If you’re like me and you live in Adelaide, Australia, you’ll be picturing Hindley Street. It’s 4am, Jive is shut for the night and your next thought is for the taxi rank. The night air is cool but your skin is tingling with the buzz of the cider, Yager bombs and Sambucca shots you downed earlier. As you join the end of the line at the taxi rank, you realise that the women before you are holding their heels in their hands. A sad row of blackened, blistered bitumen feet stretch out before you. But you smile. Because you’re wearing Air Wair Dr. Martens, a symbol of freedom and empowerment. You don’t look worn out, defeated by hours of dancing. You look ready to start a revolution. And no-one dare pick a fight with you, because you’ll take them down with boots that have been at the frontline of every major youth rebellion since the 60s.

Take that, bitches.