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.