I will not wear it but I’ll try to be it - GREEN

A few years ago I worked at a wonderful not-for-profit environmental organisation. The irony was I got this job based on the life decision that I was not going to work for money anymore… I was going to work for the greater good (and hopefully be paid quite nicely for it). I truly believe that this is the way to go (if you can) and that nearly every job is super important in one way or another if you think about how it benefits man-kind. Getting back to the irony, I was the least environmentally friendly person I knew! But slowly those wonderful greenies got me… they made me think about saving the planet, about how small changes can be collectively huge and that one person can indeed make a difference.

Here are my very modest suggestions on easy ways to become greener (most of which you may do already so be proud):

• Buy from op shops and wear vintage clothes more often. There are ample inspirational blogs of everyday people looking stunning in vintage clothing.
• Have shorter showers. Daydream in bed if you must!
• Use natural beauty products that come in less packaging. I am loving the Sukin range from Priceline at the moment.
• Cut down on meat consumption. Inspiration – creamy pumpkin soup, vegetable stir fries and mushroom with melted feta cheese.
• Cut down on using the car. The French and Japanese are slimmer then the rest of us because they walk all the time!
• Cut down on buying/consuming. Try the $21 Challenge.
• Use certified green gas and electricity.
• Buy organic and free range products when you can. The word has spread how much appreciation I have for organic stuff that my parents’ friends have been donating from their gardens to me. I am talking tomatoes, lemons, lettuce, zucchini and spinach to name a few. How lucky am I?! I still love farmers' markets though.
• Try and use public transport when it is an option. It’s not really that bad during the daytime.
• Switch appliances off at the powerpoint. I’m so anal with this it ain’t funny!
• Refuse plastic bags.
• Bulk buy and freeze up.
• Throw things in the bin where they belong. How horrible is it when you see people tiff their Maccas out of their car window?
• Create and love your own garden. My parents do this and Jamie Durie could even learn a thing or two from them! Even one plant is lovely!
• Use recycled paper. Not suggesting you use newspapers instead of toilet rolls but recycled toilet paper ain’t really that bad!
• Use energy saving light bulbs.
•  Watch less TV and enjoy nature more often! A sweet walk with someone you love is divine!

Night @ the Pub!

Night @ the Pub! by sawyoulovedyou on Polyvore.com

Ever since I was introduced to Polyvore by Dee I have been addicted to creating outfit combinations. Last night I finally settled on tonight's outfit. How those people just throw things on is beyond me! It toke over an hour of intense consideration. I wanted a look that was chic yet a little raunchy (only a little), slimming, girly yet a little tough and pretty yet not too Doris Day! Saying I have a massive wardrobe is an understatement. At last count I have over seventy dresses (not counting the eight I just sold on ebay!)! One of these procrastinating from doing real work days I will photograph them all.

The vinyl leggings are coming out to play tonight. When I first thought bought them I thought I was being very very risque in an Olivia Netwon John/Sandy "tell me about it stud" way! I always pair them with a longish top or a shortish dress to minimise the damage of looking like Sandra Dee. Hope you like my "cas" outfit for the day!

My Daily Uniform

My Daily Uniform by sawyoulovedyou on Polyvore.com

I mix and match quite a bit depending on my mood, plans for the day and whether a new purchase has joined by humble wardrobe. I don't keep things for special occasions... I wear them pretty much out of the shop! I am always known for wearing some kind of heels even at work and even during what others may deem inappropriate occasions. But I just think hey I love them and if it ain't hurting anyone then all's good.

Whenever I am having a mini crisis I just revert to my uniform: distressed skinny leg jeans, a black comfy top, black over the knee boots, my red bag (which fits in half my life!), green scarf knitted by one of my besties and my navy trench. I have worn this kind of outfit to work, to the football, on dates, out for coffees and even shopping.

It is wise to disclose what cannot be concealed. (Von Schiller- German poet)

We all have them. Some we only know about. Some we share with others. Some we share with only one other person because we have to. We put so much trust that they will never disclose it. Everyone has them. Some are insane. Some are beautiful. Some are horrific. Some have the potential to hurt beyond repair. Some are calculated lies. Some are promises. Some are so complicated that we think no one would ever understand them. Some are explosive. Some are innocent. Some are unforgiving. Some are everything. Some are nothing.

Secrets.

PostSecret is an ongoing project, created by Frank Warren, in which people mail their secrets anonymously on a homemade postcard. It has been around for ages (well since 2005). It is fascinating, shocking, riveting and confronting. Warren has a particular system about how he selects the secrets, only displays twenty postcards at a time and has no online archives. It is his baby so he can call the shots. Others online have taken it upon themselves to archive some secrets. He gets over 300 secrets a day to his home address from all over the world. Here are some of the more "less confronting" secrets...

Sometimes you just need to tell someone… anyone! In fact one of them may just indeed be mine...:)

King met Queen. Queen kissed King. Then they had love!

I was decluttering my email (yes I am a decluttering maniac – I can do it anytime and anywhere and in any state of emotion!) and stumbled upon this saved email. I thought it was pretty cute and thought I’d share it. It was written by kids… kids are a lot smarter and more truthful then we give them credit for!

How do you decide who to marry?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
(Alan, age 10)

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
(Kristen, age 10)

What should people do on a date?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
(Lynnette, age 8)

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
(Martin, age 10)

What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
(Craig, age  8)

When is it okay to kiss someone?
When they're rich.
(Pam, age 7)

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
(Curt, age 7)

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
(Howard, age 8)

Is it better to be single or married?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
(Anita, age 9)

How would you make a marriage work?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
(Ricky, age 10)

A lady is one who never shows her underwear unintentionally. (Lillian Day)

There are two types of women: women who dress to impress men and women who dress to impress other women. My bunch of girlfriends are a combination and on any given outing may be wearing leopard mini skirts, tight black hipster jeans, halter neck cleavage revealing dresses or on the other end of the spectrum wooden clogs, purple ballerina puff skirts and sequined suit jackets. For as long as I can remember I have been dressing for the ladies of the world! I’d much rather look uber chic then racy, hence I’d much rather be stopped in the toilets by a girl asking me where I got my dress then be gawked at by my beer drinking comrades for showing too much skin! (Actually it makes my night when I get compliments from random women!)

So where is this going? In fashion there are no rules and in life well rules were made to be broken! My whole fashion theology changed when I was introduced to one lovely lady – Ms Victoria 's Secret. Yes I am aware she has been around the block for awhile now, yes I am aware she has an international website, yes the models are phenomenally stunning, yes I have watched the fashion spectacular runway show… but up until six months ago I had never been a VS lover/addict! Well that is until I entered the flagship store in Hawaii. I feel utterly and desperately Notebook style in love with everything and like any life-changing relationship I knew would never be quite the same again! 

Victoria's Secret

For well and truly over three hours I carried around that simple yet functional black shopper’s bag and threw in bundles of delightful items. The sales consultants (“assistants” does not seem warranting enough) were sassy, super helpful yet not pushy in the slightest, the shop layout was an intricate maze similar to what I imagine heaven to look like and the change rooms were a boudoir experience!

I spent a lot of moula at Victoria… and I don’t regret a single cent! I walked out with a shopper’s high carrying a couple of hoodies from the Pink range, hot pink none of your business stuff, vintage track pants, acid wash skinny leg jeans, four bras literally known as miracles, silk black nightie, six funky patterned undies and six perfumes (yes they even do perfumes!). Since that enlightened experience and now that I am back in the land that does not have VS I have transferred my binges to online purchases… which is yet to disappoint (although postage is a bit steep!).

So where is this going? Well in my humble fashionista opinion Victoria Secret does to women what no label is able to do… it makes ladies dress to impress their lady friends but it also impresses the boys if only fleetingly! Indeed it was a spunky male who commented on my lime green ‘Love Pink’ hoodie as being “really cool”!

Victoria's Secret

I heart you Victoria's Secret. Thanks for coming into my life and shaking it upside down in so many ways!

Victoria's Secret

I always wanted to spend quality time in a trailer park!

Some people dream big. They want an open plan house on the beach made of marble! Me – well one day I’d love to have a caravan with an annexe (little extension). A lovely woman I work with has one and I constantly enquire about this delight and how it is going on that lonely side street a couple of blocks from that popular surf beach!

Caravan Park Photo

I fantasise about owning a trailer with a bar fridge, wooden TV that only plays DVDs because it didn’t transfer to digital, a bookcase full of trashy paperbacks, mismatched furniture, a couch that has wear, tear and a fold out bed and sharing a bathroom with the other trailer strangers (soon to become just like family)! 

One can only aspire!!!