Being a nerd really pays off sometimes. (Ken Jennings)

One of my favourite movies growing up was Revenge of the Nerds II. I don’t have to try hard to be a nerd I think it comes naturally funnily enough. I wear glasses, I visit the local library on a weekly basis, I love Maths tests (with delight I got a copy of the recent Year 9 national benchmarking test for numeracy and did it for fun!) and as blasé as I may appear sometimes I really don’t like getting in trouble by anyone.

It should therefore come as no surprise that I am currently loving the geek chic that I am seeing on blogs and in the celeb world involving the infamous massive black rimmed glasses. For once I am well and truly ahead of the game as I have had my nerdville black glasses for years now!

On a slight tangent I recently stumbled on an ultra fashionable lady known as B.Jones and am so loving her timeless take on geek chic and ladylike femininity! She is a stylist based in Orange County (USA) who incorporates a lot of vintage style. Loving her blog at the moment and the way her outfits look so finished and perfected.

Every girl should wear high heels and lipstick.

If I could where one designer for the rest of my life it would no doubt be Alannah Hill. Simple as that. I adore her floral and flirty dresses, the ruffles and silk detail that encompass nearly all her items of clothing, her rebellious nature not to compete with trends and her outlandish accessories. She even insists that every girl should wear high heels and lipstick… ahh that is like my mantra! Alannah has always envisioned and created clothes specifically for the glamorous single/wishing to be single sometimes/kinda single working girl with a strong desire to express her feminity. The names of her clothes make me want to buy them even without seeing the item.

Here is a wonderful list of some of the names AH uses to “name” her clothing:

Saw You Loved You, Liar Liar Pants on Fire, I Need You Tonight, Cut to the Chase, Gosh I Miss You, End of the Affair, Shall We Dance, Want to Know a Secret, Nothing But Trouble, The Secret’s Out, He Haunts Me, Am I Dreaming?, Your Lying Eyes, I’m Fed Up, I Turned My Back, Gimme a Chance, Sext texter, Little Petty Dramas, She’s a Stalker, Don’t Say My Name, Pack of Lies, Everyone is Lonely, I’ll Strangle Him, The Happy Ending, Sweet Little Disaster, Untold Damage and You Little Disgrace. *So scary how those names are basically a recap of a very toxic relationship I once had and yes yes she  did indeed have some inspiration for the title of my blog.

The catch with my obsession with this label is I never ever ever pay full price (okay well once I bought a head piece for $50 but that was super reasonable – I just can’t lie!). No I don’t have a special relationship with a beautiful Alannah Hill’s sales consultant either. Every couple of months I hit ClearIt clutching my scared little credit card and bracing myself for damage control. What??? Well Alannah Hill sells all her “old” stock at this warehouse with super discounts. Now the beauty of this label is that it never dates. It has such a distinctness about it that it can be worn for well and truly over a decade and noone would be able to say oh my gawd why is she still wearing that? *There are probably a few hardcore fans like moi who might notice and ponder hey that is AH 2007 collection but that up/down look would still be filled with admiration for the sisterhood.

This is the AH inspired look I will be channeling to the races. 

Race Day Outfit: Black + White = Grey

Race Day Outfit by sawyoulovedyou on Polyvore.com

I am on a shopping ban so planning out my outfit based on what I already have in my humble wardrobe. I am going with a "recycled" outfit similar to what I wore two years ago. My mum's grey vintage dress from the 70s and black accessories. I am going with a bunch of girlfriends... one of whom takes the race dress code very seriously! So seriously in fact that she was horrified when one friend decided to go head piece less a few years ago! 

My Race Day Rules:

1. Heels MUST be comfy.

2. Heels MUST be worn. This is not a day for the flats EVER!

3. Do not wear an old bridemaid dress and think that it is appropriate. So many girls want to get use of that dress one more time. NO!

4. Everything in moderation people! EVERYTHING!
5. MUST wear something on your head!
6. Have fun! x

Confession - I have way too much clothes but never anything to wear!

Just to amuse myself during my weekly ritual of picking up the pile of clothing from my floor, I counted my wardrobe. Yes I realise only a super anal fashionista (that is a big call) would do this. 

70 dressses.

37 shoes (5 boots, 4 runners, 1 pair of thongs and shockingly 27 heels/wedges)
15 pairs of jeans.

20 jackets/coats.

Let us not start on tops/shirts/knits etc. Clearly I have a lot and anyone that knows me knows I have aloootttt! The constant gasps when they open my wardrobe are enough. Some friends even insist that they want to browse through my clothes just for fun and I regularly do a little bit of show and tell. The most shocking aspect of this excessive consumption is that most of the time I feel like I have nothing to wear. I purchase something ecstatically, wear it a few times and then I lose the high/love/devotion to it! 

When it comes down to it I have a bit of an excessive consumption disorder with clothing. I am not a shopoholic in the respect that I hit the shops with vengeance (I am too scared of my credit cards) but more so I have too much clothing simple as that. I started doing a bit of online research on this little disorder and found ample examples of women feeling the same and tackling their excessive consumption problem in different ways. 

The Uniform Project is where one fashionista wore one dress for one year everyday!  It was a versatile little black dress and done in the name of charity. God bless as I would never have been able to do that experiment.

The Six Items or Less experiment is based on a global investigation into what we don't wear. Can we live on wearing six items or less? That 'or less' part freaks me out! I don't think I could manage that for even a day!

Then there is self-imposed wardrobe challenges. Blogger Legally Fit is on this mission where you select ten (whoa big increase from 6) items of clothing from your wardrobe to only be worn for a month. The challenge is a little flexible as this does not apply to workout clothes, undergarments (seriously thank God!) and pajamas. The ten items does not include accessories.

If I was a super savvy  and highly motivated clothes hoarder then perhaps I'd give one of these a go... but sadly (gratefully) I am not. I have come up with my own softer challenge. I am on a three month clothes shopping ban. Baby steps people. So I pledge to not purchase any item of clothing for the next three months regardless of anything, anyone and any event. This will be hard considering I need new jeans, I am going to Spring Racing Carnival and  I will be sad about not visiting my little secret cheap shops. I considered hardening up the challenge to include must wear a different dress everyday for the next three months but maybe I might do that next year. My reasons for doing this self-imposed wardrobe challenge are to appreciate what clothing I have, be more creative, let the minimalist inside me come out to play and well let's be honest save for my coming overseas adventure where I plan to buy more clothes (I just can't lie!). Baby steps... wish me luck.

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.

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

Fashion saves a lot more lives then doctors – Ms Bruno Baby

Fashion is and always will be a passionate lover of mine. It picks me up when I am down, it is a creative outlet for my ego and is the ultimate daily art form.

The 15 Fashion Questions Tag has been floating around the web for a little while so I thought I’d spend the time to have a little think about my own style (who am I kidding? – I love overanaylsing myself).

1. What is your favourite style to wear?

So sweet and girly!

I am and always will be a girl’s girl when it comes to clothing. I adore dresses – floral and fifties style, vintage romantic silk slips and short, sharp black numbers.  I love pretty and romantic clothing with ruffles, interesting details and lace. I am a distressed jeans addict and believe that every wardrobe needs a skinny pair of black jeans. I feel my most comfortable in heels and don’t own any flats… It kills me to invest in runners (but hey that happens every five years).

I wear jeans to work, dresses to play, leggings to chill and vintage style slips to sleep.

2. Who is your fashion role model?

Rachel Bilson

This depends on my mood. I used to really like Jessica Simpson’s cheesy style when she was married to Nick Lachey but then something went disastrously wrong… so forget that!

In no particular order Rachel Bilson, Carine Roitfeld (Editor of French Vogue), Chloe Sevigny, Kate Moss and Drew Barrymore (on a good day!).

Carrie Bradshaw inspires me to take risks but I am well aware that she is a cleverly constructed fashion character created by Patricia Fields.

I think Nicole Kidman is extremely daggy (I have not used the word since primary school) because her red carpet look is so designer constructed Prada, Dior or Chanel. (How horribly unAustralian of me to think this!)

My earings

My real role models are the super creative real people on blogs all over the world styling up vintage dresses, maximizing their wardobes and looking pretty immaculate with chipped nail polish.

3. What do you always have on?

My Swarovski "Angelic" studs, tinted moisturiser and whatever lipgloss I can find in my bag.

4. What are your favourite jeans?

I have always wished to be a Bettina Liano Ace purchaser but they just don’t flatter me. My favourite pair of jeans is actually from the Tommy Hilfiger Denim Range of 07. I first spotted them in Munich whilst on holidays but I walked away and left them (idiot!). My heart ached for the one that got away so I scoured all of Singapore a few months later and luckily found them. I am loving Jeans West skinny jeans at the moment and won’t knock back high-waisted Sportsgirl jeans on sale either.

Jeans West

5. What are your favourite sunglasses?

The super cheapo funky ones that channel any fashionista. I got carried away in Venice and succumbed to a pair of Diors… lets just say that they are probably sitting underneath my car seat scratched and out of shape because I just don’t care enough about the 200 euro that they cost me.

6. What are your favourite shoes?

I have two and surprisingly they are very similar. Pink high heels with bows. They are both from Mollini (may the label RIP) and just divine. The first (and probably most loved) pale pink heels have never been worn – yes you read write I love them so much that they have been sitting in pristine condition wrapped in tissue paper for sevennnnnn years! Everytime I have considered wearing them and bought them out for show and tell to a girlfriend the response has always been the same, “Are you sure you want to do this?” I might just have to save them for my funeral!

The second hot Barbie pink pair never fail to receive compliments. I had a 60 plus year old man on the street say, “Darling they are beautiful” (and yes I am sure he was looking at my size 36 and a half feet!) They deserve a feature blog of their own!

7. Who influenced you to write about fashion?

My absolute obsession with magazines, my friend Dee, my need for a creative outlet and the hope that my Media Studies degree was not done in vain considering I work in a completely unrelated industry where fashion is the least of my concerns!

8. What is your favourite store?

Alannah Hill

As the years go by oh how the answer to this has evolved… once upon a time I would ohhh and ahhh at everything in Witchery and Country Road (stalk their websites on a daily basis even)… and an even longer time ago when dinosaurs were around I loved Dangerfield. Now not so much….

My favourite stores are Alannah Hill, Cue, Camilla and Marc, Forever New and this cheap Asian shop with racks of $8 clothing at my local shopping centre.

9. What is your favourite fashion blog?

Way too many to mention. Of course little o by wolfbrother and Lady Melbourne. I avidly stalk all the streetstyle and vintage loving girls/women around the world. I am not a fan of those who splash their designer label belts, shoes and bags and think that’s style.

10 What is your favourite fabric?

Silk and lace – the perfect camisole combination.

11. Who is your favourite model?

I don’t really have one… genetic perfection is luck of the draw so models just don’t inspire me. Having said that I reserve a special place for the original supermodels of the 80s/90s (Claudia, Elle, Kate, Christy etc) because of their staying power.

12. If you had $5000 to spend on one item what would it be?

I just couldn’t justify one purchase for this amount! But if I must – a quilted Chanel bag. I  already have a vintage one that God blessed upon me and she is one classy lady.

13. Heels or flats?

Heels!!!!!!!! I don’t own any flats. Okay I will rephrase that I don’t want to own any flats. Something Victoria Beckham and I have in common.

Betsey Johnson

14. What type of purse do you currently use? 

A sexy Betsey Johnson black, leather, studded and frilled purse. A purchase made in Hawaii this year. Betsey Johnson is on the same wave length as Alannah Hill but based in the USA. I just found out last night whilst watching Fashion Police that Kelly Osbourne is in love with her too.

15. Is fashion in your blood or your jeans?

Your jeans… you have to work it! Having said that I have a few of my mum’s vintage dresses from the 70s in my closet and they are simply gorgeous!