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: Festival

I love festivals. I love the energy, the sun, the heat, the crowds, the crap food, the slurpee cocktails and of course- seeing some of my favourite bands rocking it out in my home town ( or even just in my country- its worth checking out the interstate lineup- sometimes bands only play certain states and its worth the drive over the border!).

Dress: City Chic

Tights and side bag: Kmart

Jellies: Jelly Beans

Necklace: Lovisa (?)

I always dress comfy for festivals, its going to be a long day and I don't want to get half way through and want to leave because I'm uncomfortable/too hot/got chafe/overly sunburnt. I love this little City Chic dress just for those reasons- its comfy, cute and I can layer it up with some tights and a flowy jacket when the sun hits heavily.

I think one of the most important things I've learned about festivals is that its pretty likely something you have will get lost or damaged. I make sure that whatever I'm wearing is either replaceable or already well loved. Three years ago I lost the locket and the pendant off of my favourite necklace in a mosh pit, I was devastated. I literally made everyone around me move to help me look for them. They were never found and the locket I wear now ( my everyday necklace) is a replacement. Broke my heart to lose it- so I learnt the hard way! This necklace is a dress jewelry chepo and has been to The Big Pineapple Festival and the Big Day Out festival with me already! Its gone the distance so I like to think of it as my lucky festival necklace!

I've found that jellies are awesome festival shoes! I'm not much of a gumboot wearer and my feet get hot and annoying in sneakers so jellies are my perfect in between. They are easy to wash off if they get muddy, easy to slip on and off if I get dirt in them and airy enough that they don't get hot. They also provide surprisingly good foot and toe protection. I swear the layered rubber/plastic pieces turn to stone when you get trampled on! Plus,the colours are super cute! If Ben loses me in a mosh he can find me by looking for my bright shoes!

I've read through a few of the AC babes posts and it sounds like some of them have never been to a festival before. So for newbies or people keen to get into it all, I've written out some of the sneaky hard-learnt tips I've discovered over the years!

My festival survival guide:

- DON'T wear a backpack. If the mosh pit is a separate area you have to get into, the bouncers won't let you in with it and you'll miss out on front row awesomeness. Or, if its an open festival and the mosh is a free for all, you are that dick who hits everyone with their bag. And it takes up a place another person could be standing in. Don't do it man.

- DO carry just the basics with you. I'm talking eftpos card, ID, cash, sunscreen, water. As little as you can get away with.

- DO wear lots of sunscreen and re-apply during the day- its easy to sweat it off while getting your grove on!

- DON'T wear makeup- ain't no-body got time for that!!

- DO keep yourself hydrated. Use the free water stations and match your cocktail slurpee with a water as well (or at least 2 cocktails to one water)

- DO wear clothes and sunnies you feel genuinely comfortable in. You'll be wearing them for 8-16 hours, so I'm talking light and easy to wear clothes. And something to stop chub-rub!

- DO wear comfy shoes that protect your toes. You are going to get stepped on. A lot. Leave your thongs at home, unless you have a spare toe you are keen to lose.

- DON'T push to the front if your not fussed about a certain band. There are other people there who are really into them and this may be their only chance to see them.

- DO have a totally awesome time! Be free, crazy, wild and rock it out!

Do you like festivals?

Who's the best band you've seen live? 

Fatshion Faceoff: Cosy Jumper

Being all warm and cozy is one of the best feelings. However, seeing that its relatively warm pretty much all year round in Brisbane, although I like the feeling, usually I'm more hot and sticky than cozy. So I way prefer light weighted pull-overs and jumpers- I get so much more occasion to wear them than big cozy ones and they are easy to layer if I do get cold.

Jumper: ASOS Curve

Skirt: New Look Inspire

Stockings: We Love Colors

Shoes: Jelly Beans

Camera stash: Belkin

I wore this last night when we went to the local night markets to buy some fresh produce. I always dress comfy when at the markets, for more often than not I find myself carrying big bags of goodies back to the car! I love the feel and the print of this ASOS Curve GEEK jumper, but I feel a little lost in its relaxed cut. Fashion wise, I feel loads cuter when I'm in more fitted clothes, but again, for comfort-ness this jumper is a winner!

My fringe has grown so fast, its currently sitting right in my eyes and making me crazy! I'm trying out some new side styles, but I think they look a bit ordinary on me. What do you think about the split fringe? Any fringe tips would be greatly appreciated! 

I am utterly obsessed with my new jellies!! I remember having these when I was little and have been lusting after them for years on international websites, damning the killer postage. I only just found out there is a completely Aussie owned and operated company that has been selling them since 2011. I seriously have to prevent myself from buying them in every colour- insanely awesome to wear!

I wonder how the FF ladies in the colder countries are rocking their jumpers??

Hanna from The Wardrobe Challenge

Dani from DIY Fatshion

Mouna from Brussels Fatshion

Mhairi from Lilybobombs