trend setter

I've touched on this in the past, but as I've started figuring out my style and how I want my style to evolve, the concept of a 'trend' as opposed to 'style' has been taking up my thoughts more so than it probably should. I'm not the most stylish person I know, I'm not the most trendy person either but how I dress on each day is a direct portrait of how I feel. I use clothes as more of a means to represent what's going on with my life, this started off as a subconscious thing but I've recently tuned on to this phenomenon that has ruled my life and here we are, I've been wearing black nonstop for the past week because I'm stressed with uni work, have a chest infection and am 300% done.

However, the other night I was out and I bumped into a group of my friends who were all wearing the exact same thing; a denim mini skirt, cropped top, converse and with their long straight hair in a ponytail. For me, this was completely ridiculous and I felt both uncomfortable and out of place as I wore a sheer black top, black shorts and flatforms. Yet, they seemed so content with all being dressed in the same way. All of my friends, some of whom the most stylish people I know have mentioned it to me and how weird it is that they were perfectly comfortable being dressed in the same uniform of sorts, and how if we had been in the same situation we'd have changed. It was remnant of when we were twelve and would go to the local shopping centre (to attract boys) wearing a quirky shirt from Jay-Jays, denim shorts, converse and maybe on a chilly day, leggings under the shorts. 

I don't know whether it was the culmination of this, or the consistent boyfriend jeans/stripy t-shirt/converse seen at university that made me go through all of my clothes and throw out any garments that I've seen a maximum of five other people wear.  It's part of the superiority complex that's reached it's pinnacle since turning 19. The thing is, people who have a unique style pervade an image of confidence and effortlessness, this image is something that I'm yearning to emulate. I know that when I am dressed well I'll have a good day, it's a combination of people stopping to comment on how nice I look and feeling content with life. 

There's a certain uniform that envelopes so many teenage girls, apparently, according to my mother this phenomenon is called a trend. However this same phenomenon removes individuality from clothes, it removes the dressing for a mood as being a way of expression and makes doing such appear as an anomaly. I think building up a style is something that evolves over time and with age, but when you see so many girls all dressed the same, it's very easy to put them all in the same category of the masses. It's only enhanced by the mass reproduction that clothes are made now and how much cheaper it is to buy basics that coincidently everybody has. I think that socially we should promote an image of individuality in the way you dress as being good for the soul, because it is. When you are dressed head to toe in an outfit that you've worked hard to create as a representation of you it's a really positive thing. We live in a society ruled by fashion dos and don'ts but dressing in a style that represents you is probably the best thing one can do, this retired artist walks her dog with me every week. She's dressed as you'd expect a retired pop-artist to, and she looks immaculate which is what I can only dream of.

Kylie Jenner sporting the Sydney University (unofficial) uniform

Fran Fine/Drescher. I truly love her and what she wears more than life.

Grimes being cool (as usual)

Solange Knowles, ultimate goddess.

Liv xo

lara bingle

Since I cut my hair short I've been obsessed with Lara Bingle and her street style and hair style and just everything.

This year has been iconic and I think I'm in love.

Slowly but surely making the metamorphosis into her. 

Liv xo 

but shiiiit it was 99 cents

There are a few things in life that make me feel infinitely happy and when I do said things my whole life changes and rainbows appear and I realise the beauty of life again and again. One of these things is going shopping at vinnies/salvos etc, far more so than just going shopping at a centre. Purely because of the sense of accomplishment that comes along with finding treasure within someone else's trash, which is why I find myself going to various 'thrift shops' weekly. I use no exaggeration when I say weekly because I genuinely go out of my way to make the commute to my local vinnies every week because well, there's always something new to discover and a new project to start.

Now, I'm not making this post to be like "yeah I just LOVE vinnies all my clothes are either designer or from op shops haha!" Because people who make a point of where they purchased their clothes are the worst kind of people but rather, make a point of just how good op shops can be and how the negative stigma surrounding vinnies is both unwarranted and unfair. For me, shopping at second hand shops was something my father instilled in me as he was quite into making the most of ones means and living sustainably. I used to hate the idea of wearing someone who I didn't know's old clothes (that's not to say I didn't live in hand me downs up until I was about 12) because if they were in vinnies someone obviously died in them???? gross???? I'll just wear my brothers' old sneakers and live in peace??? But not really, because once you discover that all of these preconceived values are dumb you live a lot more simply and gain sincere fulfilment from scavenging through the racks and racks of clothes until you find the kind of treasure that all of your friends resent you for.

Which is exactly what happened to me and what changed my entire life, because Vinnies stock the same things you would find at the markets but for a quarter of the cost and the money you spend goes to a really good cause which I think is the most important. Most of the staff at vinnies stores are volunteers, the donations are given by people who don't want anything in return and the money made goes to people in need. Moreover, you find some serious gems that General Pants try to stock in store to mimic, it's a win-win and I can't sing my praises enough.

I'm going to conclude this with a few dorky images of the some best things I've bought whilst 'thrifting' and encourage you to do the same. I've found some serious gems at a Vinnies in the snowy mountains, and equally as good items in Paddington, the world is your oyster.

Dress - $5.00 

Leotard - $5

Skirt - $3

Skirt - $8

Faux Fur Coat - $15

This doesn't even cover an eighth of the things I've found thrift shopping, and I wish you all the luck in the world. 

Liv xo

where have you been?

The concept of finding yourself, in my humble opinion is a drastically overrated and unrealistic one. I say this because this whole year when people have asked me what I'm doing with my life I've replied with "I'm just sticking with this degree until I find myself and what I want to do with my life." The issue with this statement and the supportive "I hope it works out for you" that comes in response, is that it implies that the current state by which I find myself isn't really the one that I'd like to, or should have for the rest of my life.

The pressure we place on ourselves to figure out what we want to be or who we want to be is the most toxic of all the things we can do to ourselves. The seven month European holidays where we hope to find enlightenment, thrusting ourselves into degrees because it might work out or going on drastic lifestyle changes in the quest to find the meaning of life - to varying degrees each place a pressure on ourselves that we need not have or deserve. I mean, we underestimate our current self and attributes to such a large extent that we're constantly pursuing the life of perfection. When I finished school I was very lost and unsure of what I was going to do with myself, I put a lot of pressure on the first half of the year and ended up disappointing myself in that I still haven't figured out what I'm doing with my life and feel as though I'm doing a degree simply for the sake of doing a degree. However, I've realised that all life choices we make help to obtain the final goal. For me, I just genuinely want to be happy and I can't give myself a time frame in accomplishing that goal because then I'll inevitably end up disappointing myself, which I don't deserve.

That's not to say that all quests of self enlightenment are futile and end in disaster but I feel as though finding yourself is a state that comes organically from all experiences had in life and not something that can be made. So really what I'm saying is that we should relieve pressure from ourselves because we have enough pressure from other aspects of life, just be happy in what you do and you'll find yourself when the timing is right.

Liv xo

broke with expensive taste

Never in my life have I found comfort in an album title like I have with Azealia Banks' 2014 album name and coincidental title of this post. But recently, if someone were to ask me to describe myself in a sentence "Broke with expensive taste" would be the only appropriate answer. This never used to be who I was, in fact I was a self proclaimed 'bargain hunter.' But then something switched inside me and here we are - I'm soon to be $200 in debt to my brother and I'm the only one to blame.

The problem began when my feet stopped growing. It was a really really good discovery initially, as was Jeffrey Campbell. My $12 an hour only extended so far, so instead of doing the wise thing and saving I just started buying shoes. With shoes it's not so much an issue, because they're more of an investment. People don't gossip about someone wearing a nice pair of shoes too many times because nobody really notices your feet unless you point them out, also your feet are going to be this size for the rest of your life, that's probably going to be one of the only stagnate things in your life.

I study this subject at university called Analytical Thinking, basically it identifies different kind of arguments and fallacies and other pretty dull things but there's a certain argument that applies to this situation and it's called the 'Slippery Slope Argument.' Basically, it implies that once an individual takes a step in one direction, they ultimately will go to the extreme of that direction. Now, normally us 'analytical thinkers' think this argument is a fallacy. In the case of my life as of late, that couldn't be further from true. I've literally gone from buying a few pairs of shoes to justifying spending $200 on a t-shirt. (It was Emma Mulholland and a total bargain but even so, I definitely am meant to be saving for a trip to Japan.)

It doesn't stop there though, recently I've acquired a Josh Goot dress, am in the process of buying a vintage nike jacket (for probably more than its worth) and other amazing beautiful things and I'm so excited. It's exciting because now I've figured out my style I can buy these things, and now I have a relatively well-paid job can afford them without too much sacrifice.

Now, obviously I should cut back spending and I should save up. I shouldn't spend heaps of money on things that are so disposable, but they make me happy so whatever. As my mum always says "you're a long time dead"

So while I'm not ballin' in cash I am ballin' in expensive clothes, and they're kind of the same thing but hold more sentimental value. So at least I look expensive when buying lunch from the loose change menu of McDonalds in a desperate attempt to save.

Liv xo

once you go black you never go back

Also, despite my blase approach back into writing my last post, I'd like to apologise for my 5 MONTH hiatus?!?!?? I've been so extremely busy but I'm going to get back into weekly posting now!

In saying that within this five month break - a lot has happened in terms of my own personal style and developing my aesthetic which I'm so extremely excited for. There's been a recent influx in designer garments and expensive shoes that I can nil afford as well as a volunteering role at MBFWA which was so inspiring. But what I've gained mostly from this period of 'self discovery' is a new favourite and mostly uninspiring colour; black.

I just can't really put into words why black is such a good colour, an all black outfit is so effortlessly sophisticated and pervades an image of angsty jazz musician who doesn't really try to get fashion, it was just something that evolved. This very image is one that I've religiously been wearing to university of late. The versatility of a pair of high waisted black jean (Solitaire's by Dr Denim are a fave) coupled with a black turtleneck or other iconic black top can express whatever aesthetic you ultimately want through the choice in shoes and accessories. Which is why I love black so so much.

While, don't get me wrong I absolutely adore wearing colour, it is something that I shy away from in favour of wearing exclusively black. In fact the girl I nanny once asked me if I owned anything other than black because I always wear something black, it's not even intentional it's genuinely circumstantial but I've been trying to make an effort to splash out a little bit more. Yet it always manages to creep into my outfits, hence the title of this post.

Generally and genuinely, I think that the benefits of wearing black go deeper than the versatility, it goes into the flattering nature of the colour, the slimming benefits and the way that you can go unnoticed or be the Belle of the ball in just the one colour. You can go black on black on black and you'd look perfectly normal, and that is why I'm such a big advocate for the uninspiring nature of the colour, and why I wish for everyone to splash out and by 7 LBD's and backless black tops and dresses and low Dr. Martens - just everything.

goals

if the queen herself is wearing a turtleneck, something must be right here.

Liv xo 

'out there'

When someone says something or someone is a 'little bit out there' it's implied that the subject in question is a little bit kooky or odd, not necessarily in a good way. When we worry about the future, what's around the corner or what's behind the endless streets and houses out of sight; we worry about what's 'out there.' Or, when we put ourselves 'out there' it's supposedly a big courageous act, yet something we shy away from.

The term 'out there' is so ambiguous, and in such, has been taking over my thoughts for a considerable amount of time. More specifically, the repercussions of putting myself out there and how those on the receiving end of me putting my cards on the table will view me. I mean this in terms of actually telling people how I feel, dressing how I genuinely want and investing a lot into relationships with people, both romantic and otherwise. You see, the thing is, being 'out there' isn't and shouldn't be seen as a bad thing. Being mysterious and keeping the actualities of your emotions in can be extremely important at times but when these emotions relate to another person, I think it's invaluable to just be honest.

The only thing really preventing us from nurturing our upmost desires is fear. From within, from what other people will say and as an extension, how it will tarnish our reputation. However, those who put themselves out there and are 'out there' are the ones who are iconic. Look at Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales for Romance was Born, they're Australian fashion icons purely for pushing the boundaries. The same can be said for Emma Mulholland, or even Alexander McQueen before his untimely death. Those who put themselves out there are the ones who are often the happiest, as even if things don't work out, they do all they can and so there's no situations of 'what could've been.'

This newfound realisation has altered my life quite drastically. After a relationship ended my friend gave me the advice to "do what you actually want, text him if you want, do what feels right." At the time it was the most absurd thing I'd ever heard, why would I text him can you imagine how clingy I would look?!!??!? But then I did what felt right, in every other aspect of my life and even in the aftermath of this relationship. In texting an old flame, I rekindled a lost friendship. In asking a guy if he wanted to grab a coffee I've kinda sorta started something. And in doing what I wanted in terms of contact with an ex, I've realised everything that was wrong with 'us' and realised that I don't actually have any interest regarding their life whatsoever.

I think one of the most important parts of life is staying true to yourself and dressing and behaving in a way that is what you ultimately want. I don't mean this in the sense of being awful to people because you're in a bad mood, because while what we want is the most important thing to us, we are still only a small part of the big world and we need to coexist with one another to ensure that everyone has a good time.

Anna and Luke 

Emma Mulholland (my love)

Liv xo

 

sporty chic

As the fitness obsession continues to flood all means of social media, so too is the obsession with fitness clothes which are creeping their way into fashion scenes all over the world. The 'sporty chic' trend is becoming more of a lifestyle for many than just a fashion choice. It began (for me at least) with Nike's Free Run range whereby one can wear their sneakers in a social environment without looking ridiculous as the lightweight style of the free run combined with the classic appeal of the nike tick connects comfort and style in a relatively effortless way.

But sporty chic isn't limited purely to shoes, with t-shirts donning the oversized logos of Nike and Adidas becoming a must have item in the wardrobes of many and for me, wearing a netball skirt complete with bike shorts when not playing netball but actually going clubbing, no less. This trend of combining exercise clothes and fashion is one that is equally condoning, albeit unintentionally, sun safety as caps make a comeback in a really trendy way, leather caps are the ultimate, but American Apparel have some caps that are absolutely fabulous and not as domineering as their distant cousin, the snapback.

The best part about sporty chic is that I've been able to wear my New Balance sneakers with jeans and be so unbelievably comfortable yet still looking marginally 'fashun' or even with skirts which is one of my new favourites. But at the same time, a friend of mine wears her adidas shirt with her windsor smith junky sandals and looks the epitome of fashun. And I especially love how guys can also get into the sporty chic craze, the jeans and joggers look has really evolved and changed over time and I'm quite happy to see the end of wide legged jeans with old reebok sneakers be replaced with slim lined jeans and nike roches. The sporty chic craze is certainly taking off and I'm really excited for what'll come next.

Liv xo

new favourite item: $15 from the childrens section of Target

Leather caps, literally stocked almost everywhere

NB's in fashion

Nike Roches