FASH PEEP TRENDS IN AUSTRALIAN SHOPPING MALLS

I did a 'quick' window shop through my local shopping mall today, to see what 'the look' is for our southern world winter.  

Slim and structured (oh so elegant) for work (skirts are big big big),  skinny jeans with big jumpers (pullovers for you northern hemispheric fash peeps) for play and everywhere metallics, sparkles, sequins, gold, silver and bronze (with a hint of furriness).

I am in heaven.  Nothing I like better than glitz and shine and giant comfy jumpers/pullovers. (Love the gold high tops from Sportsgirl in the pic above.) 

Along with the metallics and sparklys, the colours to wear this season are white and camel (gorgeous) or jewel metallics.

Kitten heels and wedges are in (thank goodness; I will be able to walk rather than hobble gracefully and hope I don't have to break into a jog).

The bag de rigueur is a cross body messenger or slim clutch. 

There is a smattering of the floral and also military/cargo/camo; any of the younger fash peeps in Australia need a quick trip to their local Aussie Disposals store (last year I got the most gorgeous Greek fisherman flannel peaked cap there - for $10!). 

Not so sure about the complete military look on anyone over the age of 20.  You could look like you are on shore leave or AWOL!

The blog site FABSUGAR noted a huge throw back to the 90's, with grunge sneaking back in.

Ultimately, I looked at all this and thought ... I have a lot of this already.  Time to go though the boxes in the shed or the back of the wardrobe and see what will still fit (and fit in).

I actually love what is 'in fashion' at the moment -  the trends outlined above have a huge disparity between the styles.  This means: 

ANYTHING GOES!

If you see a glitzy, shimmery person walking around in original 90's gear - it may be me!

CAREFUL! YOU MAY GET WHAT YOU ASK FOR

What do they say? be careful what you wish for.

Melbourne has been experiencing a record hot and dry spell (14 days above 30C- or 86F and no rain).  Everything in the garden was shriveling and people with no air conditioners were suffering. 

I love this weather and love the whole dry hot, but I feel for my mother, who at 86 is suffering from the heat quite severely.  Also, my garden (not my garden for much longer - move out in 3 weeks, and still no where else to live!) is crisp - even though I was watering the trees to keep them going.

So, yesterday I write a post on the Garance Dore blog about how I love the summer, but I am looking forward the getting back into coats and boots and woolly hats again, and BANG - WHOOSH!

Melbourne today is experiencing torrential downpours, thunderstorms and much cooler weather. (Not quite coats and boots, but definitely cardigans!).  My poor greyhound is cowering under the dining table, it took me 30 minutes to drive to work (instead of the usual 10 minutes) and my shoes got wet and have lost part of their soles! 

Still: I get to jog in the rain tonight and get soaking wet.  
I don't have to water the garden.
I get to sleep with the sound of rain on the roof.
My mother gets to sleep in comfort.

IDEA FROM HOUSE HUNTING

House hunting introduces you to a range of different styles of interior design – or lack of.  I am getting some great ideas, as well as noting what doesn’t work.  

(I am also wondering how some people can live like they do – some places are filthy and mouldy, and they know people are coming through ...  brrrr). 

One unit I visited (too small for me unfortunately) was so colourful with old fashioned pastel canisters in the kitchen and fabric stretched canvases in wild prints; cheap and cheery and the effect was lovely.   

I admired an idea in the back courtyard - brightly painted metal teapots hanging from a tree.  The effect was gorgeous and quirky.  There were similar ideas through the unit, but this one was worth taking a photo of.   

VALENTINES DAY - SIMPLE THINGS

The small and simple things make you feel the most loved; not the gift given just because it is Valentines Day (and the pressure is on) ... (although flowers any other day are much more special!). 

My Valentines Day - I went to see my mum for breakfast before work, spent the evening with my daughter walking the dog, and had a poem written for me.  Three things that mean more to me than any gift or flowers.

The effort and the symbolism are more important than the gift; the pleasure of the memory lasts forever;  flowers die, earrings lose their lustre, cards get lost in boxes.  

The Wor(l)d according to Bill Gates

I know these quotes have been around for a while, but sometimes you just need to be reminded of worthwhile things.

These are the rules of life according to Bill Gates (who is also a great humanitarian and philanthropist). 

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it’s not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters.. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Sometimes we want too much, and forget the simple joys. 

I love this quote ......

“This morning, with her, having coffee.” (Johnny Cash, when asked for his definition of paradise.)

 I have my own ideals for paradise ... shhh; they are secret .... :)

The great DOWNSIZE!

I recently sold my 'far too big' suburban home, and am looking for a smaller place to live (with a place for the dog too!).

Thinking about going smaller means that I need to move with less.  When I first moved into the house I went from small to large and had to buy/find things to fill up the spaces.  (Thank you Ebay!)

Now, I look at all the things I have and have to think ..."time to go ........"

Big modular couch .... gone (sigh, the stories that couch could tell!)

Antique sewing machine .... on offer

Balinese entertainment unit ....on offer

My Triathlon racing bike and gear .... on offer

I sorted through my videos (yes videos) and 'out' went half of them (I still watch them sometimes!)

Giant plant pots ... on offer

My American oak extendable dining table ... gone to my niece.

Photos - I sorted through boxes and threw away the ones I can't remember the places/people.

Of course some things will be going to the sea change, but the culling process has begun.