Frocks & Frou Frou

Jeans: Sussan

Striped Top: Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan: Barkins

Shoes: Wittner

Brooches: Catrabbit & Button Tree

Bangle: Phillipa

So I finally managed to find a pair of narrow leg black trousers that I liked, and astonishingly, they're actually jeans.

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with black jeans. Especially narrow leg black jeans. Alongside a sulky demeanour and too much hair product it's generally recognised as being an Emo wardrobe staple and since I battle against Emo tendencies on darker days anyway I've always tried to steer away from resembling one as I, at 31, am well past their usually mid-to-late-teens prime.

Still, a couple of the groovy gals in my bookclub also embrace the dark denim look and look fantastic doing it, so I'm being a copycat and trying my hand at it too.

I figure coupled with a cardigan, a couple of brooches and a grin I'm bucking the Emo trend and joining them in reclaiming the narrow-leg black denim jeans for those who deserve it the most.

Top: Dorothy Perkins

Trousers: Jacqui E

Shoes: Wittner

Bow Brooch: Sportsgirl

Just a really short one tonight, because it's The Sophisticate's birthday and I don't want to be antisocial.

It was really cold in Melbourne today - after a record 123 days of over 20 degree days - and I was freezing in this new stripy top from Dorothy Perkins. I actually bought it for layering, but foolishly thought I'd be warm enough without a second layer today (I was wrong!)

I'm actually on the hunt for a good looking pair of narrow-leg black pants, because these bootleg trousers are feeling a bit voluminous. Stay tuned...

Dress: Monroe

Shoes: Wittner

Tomorrow is The Sophisticate's birthday, so last night I took him out to dinner at a swank Melbourne restaurant called Momo.

It was a total win-win kind of situation because not only did I get to have a most extraordinary dinner myself, but it also gave me the opportunity to splurge on an equally swank new dress.

I picked this one up at Myer (I noticed it's not on the website, so it might be a Myer exclusive) and it's sublimely elegant, and very flattering on. It was only $109 (less another 30% off for the one-day sale) so if anyone else is looking for a nice going-out dress that doesn't have jersey, unnecessary spangly bits or a requirement for a strapless bra I'd thoroughly recommend it.

I'd also thoroughly recommend Momo - the food's exquisite, the decor suitably opulent, and the staff beyond compare.

Top: New Look

Jeans: Sussan

Shoes: Wittner

So I've been shopping online for a while now, but this is actually the first time that I've ever received an order from New Look.

I see their products on UK and European blogs all the time though, so I've been keen to try them on for size, and when I saw this cute short-sleeved cardigan, I thought maybe it was time to take the plunge.

I can't fault New Look for their customer service - I actually tweeted them my query and had a reply within a few hours. Shipping is also very affordable, £7.50 to Australia and it arrived less than a week after I placed the order.

I found the size chart OK - maybe a little stingy, and if you were between sizes I'd definitely suggest going up a size.

The quality's probably on par with Dorothy Perkins, the cardigan's quite a thin cotton knit and the detail of the heart (yep - look closely, there's a heart on the side there) is not nearly as discernible as the website shot would suggest:

Also like Dorothy Perkins, the skirts are frighteningly short - I also ordered this, but it'll have to go back because it's waaaaay too short for my own comfort.

I think overall I'm pretty happy with New Look and I'll probably be ordering from them again. They've got a good range of styles and trends, and I especially love their patterned knits. The cardigan that I'm wearing today is cute though irritatingly, it's also now half the price I bought it for, but that's a win for you, gentle readers - if you like the look of it, go check it out now.

Top: Inspyre @ Harris Scarfe

Skirt: City Chic

Shoes: Wittner

Hoo-RAH! I got home today and found a great big parcel of Splurge from Dorothy Perkins waiting for me. Not a moment too soon because I am Fed Up with my wardrobe and ready for something fresh and new and shiny.

Surprisingly the bulk of the order's pretty excellent - with the exception of one candy-floss pink cardigan that doesn't quite hit the mark right - so you'll be seeing lots of new stuff in the next week or so.

The weather in Melbourne's finally (touch wood) starting to cool a little, and today we even got some rain, so I've taken my boots out of the closet and dusted them off in anticipation.

Dress: Dream Diva

T-shirt: Giordano

Shoes: Wittner

Different background y'all! I'm visiting The Sophisticate in his awesome inner-city pad, and he agreed to take today's wardrobe shot since the light was fading and I was keen to show off my outfit.

I've never really done the strapless-dress-over-tshirt look before, but for a while now I've been mooning over an adorable dress pattern from Colette Patterns so I thought I'd spend a day rocking a similar look and see how I felt.

I saw the dress made up on Kathy Vale's Etsy Shop, then again on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing and thought that I'd have a stab at making it myself. Could be disaster of course, but I'm holding my breath that I can muster the sewing skills necessary, because I really love the look, and it seems to be the bloggers dress of choice! Anyone on here made it? Can someone give me any advice?

Top: Inspyre @ Harris Scarfe

Trousers: Queen Clothing

Shoes: Wittner

Big, big week on the road with a visiting international author so I'm delighted to be at the start of a three day weekend.

It's Moomba Waterfest this weekend. Despite having lived in Melbourne for nigh on six and a bit years I've never been! This fact scandalises The Sophisticate who's promised me fairy-floss and corn-dogs and waterskiing displays, so we're going over the weekend.

Meanwhile, do you like my top? I broke my Frugal February drought with it, and it was a meagre $34 on sale, so my budget nazi will approve. Huzzah!

Top: Portmans

Trousers: Jacqui E

Shoes: Wittner

This one's for my Mum who gave me this enormous piece of machinery for Christmas so that I could do something about the encroaching carpet of leaves that continuously covers my courtyard.

It's enormously good fun!

Dress: Dream Diva

Shrug: City Chic

Leggings: My Size

Shoes: Wittner

I bought this dress to wear on New Years Eve and loved it, but all night long the boning in the sides were cutting in under my underarms and being generally very annoying.

They didn't seem to be doing any actual good - the dress pretty much held itself up anyway - so I got my trusty sewing scissors and did a bit of impromptu dress surgery.

The "bones" were just little strips of plastic, and the edges were cut straight, which explains why the corners were so damn prickly - without them the dress is very comfortable and, teamed with a shrug, I can even wear it with a bra... mmnnnn.... practical....

Dress: Vintage, via Miss Modular Vintage

Belt: free with Bettie Page Dress

Shoes: Wittner

This is the dress that restored my faith in plus-size vintage shopping!

I almost didn't buy it when I saw it originally, and I'm so glad I did, because it's enormously good fun. I usually team it with pops of red, but I actually quite like it with the white belt... I just have to find some more suitable shoes now.

Last year I did a post on vintage and thrift shopping online but I'd love some new suggestions online and in person - go ahead and leave a comment below if you have any great recommendations.

Top: No Idea! It's been in my wardrobe for more years than I can count!

Jeans: Sussan

Shoes: Wittner

Here's an old friend from waaaay back. I used to love this top, but it got shelved away a few years ago into the it-doesn't-fit-anymore-but-I-can't-bear-to-part-with-it bag, and now - excitedly, it fits again.

When I wriggled it down over my boobs this morning I remembered the extremely shoddy hemming job that I did to it years ago (pre-sewing machine) where I used an iron-on hemming tape that's given the hem of the shirt a nasty hard and crunchy edge. I'd love to know how to dissolve it now that I've got some understanding of how to do a blind hem, but I suspect I'll just have to live with it, and curse my eager young folly.

Top: Barkins

Pants: Crossroads

Shoes: Wittner

Dear, oh dear. I'm in serious need of a haircut- I'm feeling quite wild and wooly, and my fringe is at the eyelash-skimming stage that always seems to result in a seventies style centre part.

I've consulted my Budget Nazi, and she's okayed a Frugal February Haircut (it's maintenance, man!) so I might duck in to see my Hairy Godmother towards the end of the week.

It's still really warm in Melbourne, and I'm about at my tolerance level. I'm not a big hot-weather fan; it means sweaty legs, heat rash, migraines, and scalding hot steering wheels.

That said, the Sophisticate and I went and had Fish 'n' Chips at the beach last night, and as I dug my toes into the sand, tossed a handful of chips at the waiting seagulls and watched the sun set I had to admit that life was pretty good.

Dress: Harris Scarfe

Shoes: Wittner

This dress is the closest thing that I've come to the Perfect Wrap Dress. And it was cheap!

I think it's the print that makes it particularly flattering since it sort of dazzles the eye and detracts attention from my tummy.

Usually I belt it, or wear it with a contrasting cardigan to give it a bit of colour, but today was very hot, and it was definitely a case of less-is-more.

I've seen a few nice wrap dresses recently online at a Melbourne shop called "Sprinkle Emporium" and if I weren't on Frugal February (emphasis on the "frugal"!) I'd be very tempted by the Bella Fiora.

Top: Jacqui E

Skirt & Belt: Portmans

Shoes: Wittner

I think it's pretty well established that I love shopping! Some might even say I have a bit of an, um, addiction. Probably my credit card would say that. Certainly after Christmas it's looking a little well-worn, so for February I'm instigating a new plan-of-attack.

It's called Frugal February.

I'm going to go the whole of February (notice how I've picked the shortest month?) without buying anything new. This - I'm sure you understand if you've been reading for a while - is A Big Deal.

Like I did with Frockapalooza I'll be posting every day, and I'll be trying to focus on budget-friendly labels from discount departments stores and chainstores. I'll also be doing at least one DIY or Remix a week. That way, if I feel like I want something new, I can have it on as little dosh as possible! My Budget Nazi (Love you, Haz-Mo's Ma) would be so proud.

No need to remix anything today as it's a whole new virgin outfit. Even though they're both a year or so old I've never teamed this great lace cardigan with my ruffly pencil skirt before. Now I'm wondering why... somehow they seem to be made for one another!

Top: Bonds

Skirt: DIY (with fabric from Tessuti)

Shoes: Wittner

A few months ago, you may remember that I ran into the delicious mastermind behind CatRabbit at a craft market.

She was wearing the most scrumptious skirt that she confessed to having made herself, and since then I've thought about DIYing a similar piece for my own wardrobe.

It's the easiest piece you can imagine - one long piece of fabric, gatherered and sewn to an elastic waistband. No zips, no fuss.

I used 1.5m of fabric, which may have been a bit too substantial...

...but it twirls delightfully!

I love it. I want six of them. I've already picked my next fabric (polkadots! or maybe stripes.)

Meanwhile, all of my flats seem to be - simultaneously - having the soles walked out of them, so I bought a new pair in the Wittner sales - aren't they adorable?

Top: Barkins

Striped Top: Giordano

Jeans: Sussan

Shoes: Diana Ferrari

Yes, Hi, Hello! It's Lilli here! Last time I posted I was complaining about how it was INSANELY hot in Melbourne, and how we were all melting, and today I'm in jeans and woolies. Welcome to Melbourne, folks!

Sorry about the nearly a week's absence - it's been a busy one with familial visitations, new (adorable!) housemates, and an epic scavenger hunt that has left me, even three days later, rubbery-legged with exhaustion.

It was enormously good fun, but I feel like I should explain myself to anyone who may have recognised me on Saturday.

It. Wasn't. My. Fault.

Among the more obscure tasks that were set for the team, one of the instructions was that the most "stylish" member was to be sent back to home base. Our captain - The Sophisticate - sent me.

At home base, us poor "Stylish" sods were presented with a hodge podge collection of the worst op-shop finds and told to choose a top, a bottom, and an accessory making up an outfit that we would have to wear for THE REST OF THE DAY.

I ended up with this:

Top: Kermit The Frog via The Muppet Show

Skirt: Clingy Polyesters R Us

Headscarf: My Worst Nightmare

Shoes: Wittner

Still, I got off reasonably lightly. Later in the evening The Sophisticate subjected himself to being photographed wearing nothing but a king-size chocolate bar wrapper.

We're all class.