What: White tee shirt from Chicabooti. Floral skirt from Chicabooti. Wedge boots from Novo. Owl necklace from husband. Belt – vintage ( it’s the one I bought on Sunday for $3). Bangles from my friends Hayley and Agnes.

Where: To work.

Why: Welcome to my first non 30 for 30 outfit! I’m loving this look today; its comfy, pulled together and feels very “me.” Anyone else have days when they just love what they are wearing? This may have something to do with the fact that these shoes are perfect. Perfect height, colour and on such an angle that you feel like you are wearing flats. Keep reading for my awkward and awesomes this week….

Awkward:

Doing a Zumba class with an uncoordinated person behind you. Who is very enthusiastically dancing out of time. And hitting you in the back of the head.

Having your neighbours watch you take outfit photos each day. They probably think I’m super vain.

Disagreements (i.e. fights) with family members. Not fun. They make me sad.

Working in an open plan office two days each week and needing to Google weird stuff for clients. (The Fantastic Furniture catalogue is not for me – a client needs a cheap couch!)

Awesome:

These boots.

Monday Zumba teacher FINALLY figuring out that her routine to the Ghostbusters theme was just embarrassing for everyone, and canning it.

Discovering The Big Bang Theory. I heart Sheldon.

Being able to wear the full contents of my wardrobe now that the 30 for 30 is finished. This morning I felt like I was cheating on the rest of my clothes though.

I finished the 30 for 30! I made it!

What: Shirt from Temt. Skirt from Portmans, worn backwards. Belt from Portmans. Loafers from Rubi Shoes. Tights from Myer. Necklace from Temt. Vest from Temt. (Not part of the 30 for 30 but a vest is an accessory, so it doesn’t count.)

Where: To work, then to social justice group at church.

Why: I can’t believe that the 30 for 30 is over! Today’s outfit is a great example of somthing that I probably would never have worn, had I not participated. I picked items that would show off my fun purple tights.

I’ve really enjoyed this challenge. I’ve learnt that I have so many great pieces in my wardrobe and that I don’t need to constantly buy new items to create new looks. (Husband and our bank account will be pleased). I’ve realized that I don’t have to stick to using an item in the same way every single time. Some of the looks have been fun and fresh, some of the looks I might have skipped, had I not needed to create 30 outfits.

But that’s life. My favourite looks were 5,12,16,19,22,27 and 30. I’d love to hear which outfits you liked best! Make sure to comment.

The best part has been following along with other amazing and stylish ladies, seeing how their 30 for 30 went. As I mostly read American blogs, I’m full of inspiration for autumn and winter. I can’t wait to wear short dresses with colourful tights and boots, winter shorts, felt hats, maxi skirts and anything mustard.

Now that the shopping ban is lifted, I’m only going to focus on buying key items or updating old items. I’m also going to op shop (i.e. Thrift) more and try to alter clothes to make them my own. And my lovely friend Bronnie is gifting one new dress that she has doubles of and some clothes she no longer wants. (Bronnie is attempting to not shop for 6 months. So brave!)

My shopping wish list includes:

A white tee shirt (to replace my old one)

A white cardigan (to replace my old one)

Winter shorts

A blazer either in cream or black, I can’t decide

Pair of black pumps (to replace my old ones)

What: Dress from SES. Tee shirt from Chicabooti. Sandals from Big W. Belt – unknown. (I have so many belts, it’s hard to keep track). Bangle was a gift from my friend Hayley. Bag was a gift from Husband.

Where: To work.

Why: The cat is back! And stealing the limelight in my photos. And nibbling on my toes again. This cat has a thing for feet.  I feel like I should clarify that contrary to last time I blogged about the neighbour’s cat, I didn’t steal him. I REALLY want to though because this kitty is so friendly and cute and clearly, we are meant for each other.

If you were mine kitty, we’d have cuddles each day and I’d feed you fish at each meal. Makes you want to move to my house, doesn’t it? Hubby and I would love to have a kitten but as we are renting, we are stuck with our rather depressed fighting fish, Chuck Norris. He does not live up to his name.

Today’s outfit was purposefully un-matching. The fact that I’d run out of inspiration and just threw it on for the sake of having a 29th outfit, didn’t come into my planning this morning one. little. bit. Can you feel my sarcasm?

I made my shoes and my bags kinda match to feel slightly pulled together.

Just don’t look at me. Look at the cat. His outfit has it going on.

What: Black tee from Chicabooti. Pencil Skirt from Portmans. Wedges from Rubi Shoes. Belt – unknown, I think it came free with a skirt. Earrings from Equip. Scarf – thrifted.

Where: To work, then bible study.

Why: After last week’s venture into rule breaking (seen here) I couldn’t wait to try another new look and step out of my comfort zone. I know belted scarfs are not the newest look around in blog land but I’ve been very hesitant as to how it would translate into everyday life. I told myself that this was not a look I would be trying…. and here I am breaking my rules.

The fact that it’s a lepoard print against a neutral background means that this scarf is just screaming for attention. And I’m mixing black and brown (which has never been that much of a no – no for me) so all rules seem to be out the window today!

I kinda like it. I’m not really convinced. I keep tugging at it every few minutes and I feel like the scarf is just not sitting right.

Please give me some feedback!

Where: Brunch with husband, road trip with husband down to Berry, dinner at the same  resturant we ate at on the night we got engaged.

Why: One year ago today I met my husband at the front of our church and together we vowed to love each other for better or for worse, for the rest of our days. It’s hard to believe that one year has already passed by – time flies when you are married to your best friend!

As we are delaying our holiday due to work commitments and husband doing a photography course, we decided to spend a very low key day enjoying each others company. Berry is a cute little town in the Southern Highlands that we love visiting. We had fun exploring the vintage shops ( I broke my 30 for 30 and picked up a belt for $3) and treating ourselves to chocolate milkshakes.

On November 18 2008, my then boyfriend took me out to dinner at a lovely little Italian resturant. We were celebrating 6 months of dating. He then drove me to a deserted beach and unpacked champagne and a picnic. And an umbrella, as it was starting to rain. On the sand and beneath the stars, he pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him. I said yes.

Photo credit to Athena. Best view ever.

What: Skirt from Portmans. Shirt from Sportsgirl. Loafers from Rubi Shoes. Tank from Target. Belt – unknown. Necklace from Diva. Bag from Jaspal in Thailand (bought on honeymoon).

What: Shirt from Temt. Pants and wedges from Sportsgirl. Earrings from Lovisa. Bag from Kmart.

Where: Hanging out and then babysitting

Why: This is an outfit I’ve been planning for the whole 30 for 30 but wasn’t sure it would work. Sometimes I put combinations together in my head that don’t translate so well into real life. Luckily, I like how it turned out although there was some slight deliberation over whether to belt or not to belt.

I put the belt on. I took the belt off. I put the belt on – tied it one way. Loosened it. Tied it another way. Loosened it again. Tucked my shirt in. Looped my belt through the belt holes. Shirt not sitting flat. Took my belt off. Untucked my shirt. Couldn’t be bothered after that. Hence – no belt today.

And the one thing I learned today?

I don’t like the smell of pappadams.

What: Shirt from Temt. Skirt from Portmans. Wedges from Rubi Shoes. Belt from Portmans. Earrings from Thailand. Necklace was a gift from Husband.

Where: To work

Why: Today was the first day that I felt stuck in a rut with my 30 for 30. This is probably more to do with that fact that I have worn this outfit to work several times before starting this blog. And the pencil skirt + belt + wedges + any type of shirt combo is one that I have repeated. That makes me a repeater repeater pumpkin eater. And I do love my baked pumpkin. OM NOM NOM NOM.

My friend Agnes told me this morning that she couldn’t tell that I’ve been restricted to only 30 items. And she would know because she sees me EVERY day at work (she’s lucky like that)  and clearly has nothing better to do than check out what I’m wearing. I kid, Agnes. You are awesome. There’s a reason we have an award of excellence named after you.

Anyway to a remixer – that’s the biggest compliment ever. Thanks friend!

Welcome to my first Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

Awkward:

• Running into someone you slightly know on the train station and needing to make conversation with them all the way into the city. Because they follow you into the train and sit next to you. Running out of topics and then experiencing that awkward silence. Is it rude to say “umm, I’m going to read my magazine now”?

• Baking for a work afternoon tea and getting all excited to work friends about how you tried a new recipe. Then two people take a piece. Your baked treats are rejected. And it’s really obvious.

• Hanging out in your house in your, ahem, birthday suit. (Hey, I’m a married lady and it is HOT in my house. But hot as in Temperature Hot. Not as in, getting busy hot. Oh, forget it!) Wandering into the spare room and noticing that your neighbour has a direct line of sight and is looking out their window.

Awesome:

• These tights. Absolutely awesome. And getting comments all day – Love it!

• Husband sending me an email at work, during a tough day. It was titled ‘Ten things I love about you.”

• My new boss noticing that I had done a lot of extra work on a hard case and making up a hypothetical award of excellence for me (Even if its fake, I’ll take it!)

Outfit notes: Blazer from Thailand. Portmans skirt worn backward. White tank from Target. Sportsgirl tights. Loafers from Rubi Shoes. Necklace from Temt. Belt from Portmans.

What: Dress from SES. Shirt from Sportsgirl. Loafers from Rubi Shoes. Tights from Target. Belt – unknown. Headband from Diva.

Where: To our city office, for a day of team meetings

Why: When I put this outfit together, it was a cool 20 degrees and Autumn was well on its way. I walked out of my house thinking about the new looks for the changing season; how I could start wearing my short cute dresses with tights to make them work appropriate (not being appropriate in summer with bare legs) and how I’ve just GOT to get me some cute ankle wedge boots. I don’t know if that’s what they are called but they literally are, a cross between an ankle boot and a wedge. An ankbodge? A weboank? Hmmmmmm. Strange name. Cute shoes.

Then something annoying happened. It got hot. Sort of. Temps rose to around 26 degrees and it was too hot to have long sleeves and tights. Oh well, that’s Sydney for you. A pain in the butt to dress for.  But my obsession with bow headbands continues. And did you notice that my bow matches my dress and my shoes match my belt? Extra points for me. My grandma would be pleased. She ALWAYS matches. And she has a collection of over 40 handbags. The lady is a fash – on – ista. At 76. Impressive.

I’m enjoying that you can see my tattoo in the last picture. Extra points for you, if you can guess what it says!

What: Top bought in the Philippines. Skirt from Portmans. Wedges from Rubi Shoes. Headband from Diva. Necklace from Diva. Belt from the Philippines.

Where: To work

Why: I’ve had the Areosmith song “Dude (Looks like a Lady)” in my head all day after deciding on this blog title. Not really the message I was trying to send. But it did make me think of Mrs Doubtfire. I was obsessed with that movie for the longest time. Then I discovered Clueless. Cher Horwitz could rock a plaid mini skirt and knee high socks. Which funny enough, is a look I’m thinking of using this Autumn.

Today’s look had more accessories than usual. I mentioned yesterday that I normally only play up one aspect of my outfit at a time. It was fun to try something new (isn’t that the point of the 30 for 30?) and combining all those elements was interesting. This outfit is very “ladylike glam.” Just call me Blair Waldorf.