poor start!

Well, it's not as bad as I thought... only a month between posts. Ok, maybe slightly more.
I knew this would be a problem for me! But, I will soldier on. I have been busy with a new job and family/ social commitments. Also have been to see a few shows lately. Last week was Phantom of the Opera - I'd never seen it and never been that keen. My friends bought me a ticket and I did enjoy it - ALW isn't my favourite (bit schmaltzy for me) but it was a fun production.

Saturday night - Coldplay! A wonderful friend offered me a free ticket the day before - and I can honestly say it was the best concert of my life. I very much like their music - probably wasn't their number one fan (ie don't wait in advance to buy their new album type thing or even bought a ticket to their concert) but after seeing it... wow. It was both a big budget entertaining spectacular and also an amazing display of brilliant songwriting and performing abilities. There was an incredible energy - the guys just looked like they were having an absolute ball.

Tonight I also have a "shock concert" - ie only got told about it today - had no idea it was on or who was playing. It's Soundwave - and playing is... Nine Inch Nails and Alice in Chains!!! (sans Layne S obviously)

Next weekend is Rockit - don't really know the full lineup but Kings of Leon are playing which makes it all worthwhile.

And.... I'm trying to do "March No-Spend" month.

Basically you decide not to spend anything other than pay loans/ mortgages/ bills (existing), buy basic groceries, medicines, and anything you need for work or education. So, no lattes. No clothes. No jewellery, makeup or unessential toiletries. No magazines. No drinks out. No iced coffees or nibbles from the shops. No bought lunches (BYO to the office). When grocery shopping, no "luxuries"- dips, chips, lollies, icecream, frozen ready meals, alcohol etc.

I'm on Day Two.... phew. I did fine yesterday, but considering tonight I'm going to this concert (buying the ticket plus drinks etc) not so well. I just couldn't pass the opportunity up to see Nine Inch Nails and Alice in Chains - when will I ever get the chance to do that again? This is assuming I'm able to buy a ticket at the door. Otherwise, I might just scale the fence!!!

But apart from that, am going to need to take some serious stock of my wardrobe. The weather has been a bit transitional - work is going to be busy - I can't spend money. I've also found a few of my clothes are getting a little on the large side. So, I need to be versatile - need to get a bit more creative with my choices so I look good but also manage the other limitations. At some stage I really need to take in some waistbands, shoulder straps, hems etc... it's not something I've done a hell of a lot in the past - but I need to learn! I have been managing with strategically placed brooches etc.

Oh, but I did pretty much complete my wish list last month. Bought a GREAT pair of jeans - in a size 14 WOW!!! from Target of all places. Also bought a lovely ribbed knit black top which has a lovely shape, and some black and white heels on sale for like $7!!! Bought a few tops that are suitable to pair with jeans or skirts "brunch" type tops, a couple from Jeans West on sale. Casual but with some interest, like patterns, textures, shapes etc. And re the better fitting skirts for work, I had already bought a black pencil skirt from Ezibuy but it was too small - it now fits well. Would sit slightly better with a few more kg off, but looks fine as it is.

Until the next six weeks (hopefully not)

A few photos to get me started

Recent Photos:

My new "Buttons" - bought at a huge Diva accessory sale. I had loads of fun there - everything under $5. They are brooches - one blue with red stitching, (click on photo to see the blue one better) the other in reverse colours. Must learn a bit about posing, taking the photos and photoshopping - the background is distracting and the photo was a bit dark. I really liked this outfit - it felt really "fun" - kind of silly. I've been wearing more colour so the all black base shook me.

Wearing:
1. red faux croc heels (K-mart - I know!!?!)
2. black suede effect pencil skirt - bought at Hillarys maybe four years ago from a boutique selling UK labels - label is now gone.
3. black v-neck top from "Hustle" Fremantle, WA - label is Lin Pin
4. buttons from Diva
5. bracelet from Diva
6. nail polish - Opi in Chocolate Shakespeare
7. watch - Longines (present from family for 30th)

Some recent purchases (last few months):

from Esty:

Sterling Silver and Pearl Ring by "Galit"

Glass Tile Pendant by "CynthiaVHEhrlich"

from Ebay:

Leopard print scarf from (TBA)

Purple peep toes from (TBA)

Alannah Hill bracelet from (TBA)

Must do a massive plug for Hustle - located in Fremantle, WA. Houses a number of labels, most of the designers own and work at the store I believe. Went there last year with tiny sister in law who bought a couple of gorgeous clothes off the rack. I fell in love with this Lin Pin dress:

and put down a deposit to have it made up in my size (at the time, 20-ish). However, time lapsed and I ended up using the deposit to purchase some stuff off the rack now that I could fit into them! The designer of Lin Pin (have forgotten her name) was amazing and styled a heap of different outfits for me. I ended up buying a gorgeous grey strapless (elasticised bodice) dress/ skirt - have worn it both ways. A simple loose black summer dress which feels like pyjamas and looks like linen. Two black tops (such as the one pictured with the buttons) and a beautiful yellow fabric brooch (very Carrie Bradshaw).

They don't have a website going at the moment EDIT - here they are but they are located opposite Love in Tokyo at 68 High Street, Fremantle. Phone (+61) 08 9430 8400

Hopefully I will be able to update you with a website photo soon - they rock and I reckon I'll be shopping there often.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Lust-Bootique

Amazing shoes!

These are amazingly comfortable - padded sole and hidden platform.
Have danced in them until the wee hours.

Check out that lining! The brand name Michael someone is written in gold in the lining. Oh how I love them. But these are the only ones I *really* struggle to walk in. So they are strictly for sit down occasions only.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/MELISSA-E

Bought a cherry red oriental obi from her - can't post the picture but check out her store. I wore it with black wide legged pants and a black sleeveless top and the red shoes again. LOVED IT!

and.... Action!

Well greeting to absolutely noone out there (as yet, maybe I'll find a few friends along the way).

Dilemma - girl has struggled with excess weight for a few years, and has worked on a minesite for most of those. Uniform is fetching King Gee orange shirt, jeans and black steel capped Blue Steel boots. Style is dismal - interest in fashion fairly minimal (where once it had been active).

Game Plan - girl realises she is killing herself slowly with black pants/ jeans and dark v-neck tops and boring dark shoes. Ok - it might be slimming - but this is NO WAY TO LIVE! Oh the humanity.

Progress so Far - over the past three or so years has tried to get weight under control - with mixed success. Current status is a good 20+kg down from heaviest weight from about size 20-22 to a size 16. Early 2008 visited a personal stylist who gave some very good tips. Mid 2008 knew a big change was required - went from dark blonde to hot red hair! Last quarter of 2008 worked in a city office which meant dressing for the event again. About this time started reading kasmira (wow she is fabulous) and various other "real" fashion blogs. A whole new world has opened up.

Recent Purchases - since Sep08 I have bought NINE PAIRS of high heels (and a few pairs of casual shoes as well) I started with requiring the typical black pair and tan pair - had been a few years since these were required. Then got moved by gorgeous red faux croc heels, then some similar in pink, then a lavender pair, and leopard print with orange trim, a purple pair, a green pair (the faves but so uncomfortable) and a blue pair. (photos to come)

Has been a continual revamping the wardrobe due to weight loss, selling some on Ebay, buying more on Ebay or stores, finding old clothes that fit again (some straight to charity bin, some good to go). I've tried to buy clothes that can get me through a few sizes with alterations, and lots of accessories to keep it fresh (you can't "grow out" of a brooch).

The Ongoing Challenge - to keep losing the weight, to stay stylishly dressed without wasting money on clothes that may become too big, to push the boundaries. A big one is: planning to go back to working on the mines in the next few months. How will I continue the clothing fun when only have limited opportunities to wear it all???

The Confession - I feel quite vulnerable at the idea of posting pictures of myself, especially while I still have a whack of weight to lose. I once wrote a blog about the challenges of losing the weight, anonomously, but took it down as it felt too personal. I think this is something I'll just have to get the hell over. 2009, for me, is all about not letting fear hold you back. If something is worth doing, there will be risks - a life lived in fear is a life half-lived (Strictly Ballroom 1992)

This year I'm going to be learning how to ride long distances on my new road bike, socialising more, joining a drama group, studying and finding ways to be creative in my life.