Wardrobe planning

I'm more than a little guilty of buying clothes that I don't need. I buy them on special (and seriously, they are always irresistible bargains) with the intention of working them into my everyday outfits and more often than not, they sit in the closet with the tags on until I ebay them. So I've decided its time to be tough. With the wedding and honeymoon bills literally accumulating on my cork board, a bit of outfit planning is needed.

pencil skirt, floral dress, stripe shirt. 

2014 is my year for improved buying and re-wearing. I've started off my sorting with outfit essentials. Every woman's wardrobe needs (and honestly, I'm sure most of your probably already have these important basics) a black pencil skirt, a floral dress and a stripe shirt. These three indispensable must-haves are from Autograph and I've built some funky day and night outfits around them:

The Pencil Skirt

NIGHT: spike heels, gold necklace, clutch, bow belt, blue peplum, 

DAY: Floral kimono, gold sandals, purple boob tube, coral across body bag, stacked bangles 

The pencil skirt is the ultimate classic must have. They have flattering lines and that bombshell shape so its easy to dress up for a night out with an eye catching top and bold accessories. The cut is an instant outfit wower- looking like a million bucks pretty much goes hand in hand with a dressy PS. But, its easy to get into a pencil skirt rut. I've worn mine with soooo many peplum tops and although I do love the way it looks (refer to evidence A, where I've chosen my night outfit with a City Chic peplum, I have obscene amounts of those amazing tops in different shades!), dressing it down can be just as much fun; albeit harder work.

I'm trying to include a more bohemian feel into my casual day outfits and the pencil skirt stops the look from seeming sloppy. The long kimono means I can easily wear my PS at the markets or even a picnic without being overdressed. The purple boob tube is actually a tankini (cute much!?) and the bright colour looks awesome with a clashing across-the-body bag. Add some stacked bangles and you've got classic and casual chic!

The Floral Dress 

NIGHT: heels, necklace, flower crown, clutch, 

DAY: wedges, shopper tote, heart sunnies, polka-dot jacket

I've been going through my dresses and re-classifying them all. I'm often too quick to pigeon-hole a dress, thinking that it might only suit a day or night events. A floral dress can be one of the most underrated fashion essentials. It took me years until I started to transition floral summer dresses from my 'day-time only' to 'party-time' wardrobe.And I can definitely still fall back into that routine. Now don't get me wrong, they make the perfect debonair day look- I mean, denim jacket, heart shaped sunnies and cork wedges for the win! But by adding some heels and a clutch you can get so much extra wear out of them! I wore a floral dress to a wedding last weekend and it went off! If you're new to the floral dress night time look, you could try starting with one like this with splatters of black. The black makes the translation easier and gives an effortless night time look while still keeping the playfulness of the floral.

The Stripe Top

NIGHT: jeans, coral blazer, necklace, clutch, wedges, earrings

DAY: flats, moustache necklace, skirt, heart bag

I don't doubt for a second that you all have a stripe shirt in your wardrobe. Maybe its short sleeve, perhaps its a tank- but there is definitely at least one in there. You could almost even say that the stripe top is where my love-affair with fashion came from. A stripe shirt was the first adventurous item of clothing I bought myself. And it felt so rebellious wearing something I was always told I shouldn't. I actually have far too many stripe shirts now and am always thinking about new ways I can wear them. I love this gorgeous, dapper skirt and my stripe tops would like awesome tucked into it high waisted. Then for night time a stripe top is easy to dress up- a jacket and long accessories, coupled with killer wedges makes for a perfect chic look! Plus I somehow acquired far too many blazers last winter and I'm trying to include them in more outfits so they don't end up on the eBay pile!

Do you re-asses your wardrobe regularly? 

Do you outfit plan?

OOTD: Monochrome and red

Sometimes you just need to rock a little bit of monochrome. You've probably noticed already, but I love colour. I very rarely wear dominating black and white- but there is a definite timelessness to it that I must admit, is gorgeous.

Blouse: Simply Be

Skirt: ASOS Curve

Necklace: Diva

Jellys: Jelly Beans

Sunnies: eQuip

Bag: a thrift shop find

We got home from Melbourne in the wee hours of Sunday morning, so getting dolled up was not on my proirity list today. I threw on this skirt because its light and breezy for our Aussie summer and this gorgeous blouse was the last clean thing in my (still not) unpacked suitcase. The red accessories I added when I saw how 'black-and-white' I looked. I couldn't resist adding at least a little colour. I loved the way this outfit came together even if was a total fluke- sometimes the chicest outfits are the ones you don't need to think about- it all just falls together naturally.

The print on this peplum top seriously makes me happy. I always feel flirty and cute when I wear this top. It must be the cute little birdies-  I'd love to find some pink flamingos for my backyard! The funky little bag was a $2 op-shop find- bargain! You just can't beat the real 'thunnkk' the clip makes when you snap the clasp together. Its hard to find such great quality these days.

How are you dressing to survive this heat?

Do you wear monochrome often? 

Aussie Curves: Celebrate

I hadn't planned to play along in this week's Aussie Curves, but as it turned out we did do some extra special celebrating on Sunday night! It was my little brothers birthday and the family all met out in town for dinner at our favourite restaurant The Morrison (f you happen to be in Brisbane you have to check it out, ammazzzziinng steaks!!). Once you add up Mum and Dad, the four kids and our partners- its almost always someone's birthday!

Blake was lucky enough to have three birthday cakes- two Cheesecake shop beauties and the most amazing white chocolate and passion fruit cheesecake! Omnomnomnom! I could have eaten the whole thing! He was also extremely spoilt by his girlfriend Ally, she covered the couch in his presents!

Peplum: City Chic

Jeans: Torrid

Flats: Payless

Jacket: Lilly and Lou

Clutch: Target

Robot necklace: Diva

I dressed more for comfort than fashion, but I think it's nice to sometimes show the 'everyday' outfits rather than the flashy, dressed up ones. On that note you've probably noticed on IG that I've been living in this jacket. Its so cute and comfy and matched everything, I love how bold and fresh it makes the otherwise pretty simple outfit look. 

The robot necklace is a funky old favourite. I can't actually remember where I got it from, but Ben is pretty sure its from Diva. Fashion jewellery has come so far in the last few years, there are lots of those cheap and fantastic accessory shops now, so many in fact that I often forget where I get some of my pieces from! It makes it so easy to add oomph to an outfit when you know you can buy a piece like this for $8! Sure its not a last forever, mindblowing piece, but its cute and makes me smile when I wear it. So I think that is a well spent eight bucks!

What do you wear for casual celebrations??

Fatshion Faceoff: Underwear as Outerwear

I am insanely excited about this weeks Fatshion Faceoff post. Not only has it pushed me out of my comfort zone with knickers on the outside, it's also the first time I've worn a hint of a midriff. I'm feeling pretty fashionably empowered right now, so I hope you are loving this outfit as much as me!

Longline bra: Lane Bryant

Skirt: ASOS Curve

Necklace: Diva

I borrowed this longline bra from Nicola over at 2 Many Cupcakes. Go check her out- she is one of my favourite Aussie bloggers. Nic is constantly exploring new fashion and has mad style, plus she is an absolute ball of fun! I saw this bra top on her blog and knew it would be perfect for this post and she very kindly lent it to me. Its not something I would normally buy, but I am really loving it. Lane Bryant have a killer range of plus size bras (in all sorts of styles and patters too) and are always a fab fit. This particular one is a bit big for me in the cups, but the band fits really well. Plus the top is sexy enough that I knew it would look awesome in an outfit. Did I feel a little dominatrix in this outfit? Maybe. Am I totally okay with that- yes! ;)

I wish ASOS made more if these type of skirts. They are so easy to throw on in a rush and still looked dressed up. I have this same style in about 3 different colours. I always kicked myself for not buying this one when it was on sale, then luckily enough I managed to pick it up on eBay. It's pretty much a wardrobe staple now.

Can't wait to check out all my hot-hatted Fatshion Faceoff ladies this week! 

Hanna from The Wardrobe Challenge

Dani from DIY Fatshion

Mouna from Brussels Fatshion

Mhairi from Lilybobombs

Have you ever worn underwear as outerwear???

Aussie Curves: Yellow

Sometimes, I don't feel like getting dressed up. Sometimes I don't even feel like wearing make-up. This Sunday, was one of those mornings.  When I definitely have to go out and my head feels fluzzy and my hair needs a wash, I pull on an outfit like this. Trusty jeans, a relaxed top and colourful accessories. That surely knocks a wine or two off of my day-after swagger right?

Tank: Avella via BigW

Jeans: Torrid
Necklace: Diva
Beaded bracelet and necklace: eQuip
Thongs: Kmart
Bag: Target

Glasses: SXUC c/o Sunglasses Shop

Yellow Bangle: TS14+

Moustache Watch: eBay

So for this Aussie Curves post I'm showing how I use yellow without overdoing yellow. With a splash at the wrist and some beads on my necklace, I'm injecting some of that smiley yellow punch without being in your face. Also, yellow gold is not something I wear much, so I thought I'd double it up with the necklace and my rad moustache watch!

The bright orange bag was a bargain buy from Target for $7. Its wicked  colour always makes me happy when I wear it. And of course to comeplete this chilled Sunday morning outfit, I chuck on some thongs. These $4 beauties from Kmart come in about twenty different colours, so they are super easy (and comfy!) to slip into an outfit!

What do you wear on lazy Sunday mornings????

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Aussie Curves: Nature

Nature..... hmmmmmm. Would I say I'm a naturey person? Probably not.  Well I like the beach. And I like the forest. And I love the wild view from my balcony. So maybe I am??? Anyway, I interpreted this theme as flowers and brights, because they make me happy! Like the beach! ;)

Top: Lily and Lou via Best and Less

Skirt: Dream Diva

Body necklace: Diva

Shoes: swapped

Melissa and Kel popped around for lunch last weekend and Suger was kind enough to take these piccys for me! We also spent quite a bit if time playing in my room-robe with Suger helping me plan my outfit! I love dressing up and playing with clothes. Even better with equally as stylish and fabulous plus-size bloggy friends! 

I adore the colours on this Dream Diva skirt. Its a purple, pink and turquoise explosion!! I don't give it as much love as it deserves, I really must find more tops to go with it. This Lily and Lou tank was actually not what I had initially intended to pair with it, but it went perfectly! Plus I think I need to be injecting some more colour into my outfits!

I'm totally obsessed with body chains at the moment, This beauty I picked up for $6 in the Diva sales! Bargain!! I've been wearing it with everything! They take statement necklace to a whole new level, its subtle- but everywhere!!! 

How would you wear this skirt???