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.