Day 97: Birthday Blah Blah Blah...

Ok so yes, 'twas the celebration of the day of my birth on Tuesday... Blah blah blah. I've really bored everyone enough with this already. I just wanted to share this little story with you in regards to my special day. I did turn 30 (again, enough already Monique! I'm sorry, I know you know) so I half felt incredibly special and half felt incredibly dull. The night before I panicked slightly, thinking: Ah I'm so dull! I have grey roots! I need my hair done with a dramatic cut - I'll go short!- and a dramatic colour - I'll go bleach blonde!- and I need a blowdry and style and will look like Rachel Taylor! I need to look beautiful tomorrow!!

Rachel Taylor in this month's Vogue.
And noooo as you can see I didn't buy the mag! Just lusted over the pics of Rach
here and then googled and downloaded them at home.

I just want her hair! Is that too much to ask?!

I obsessed and frantically looked online for salons to call in the morning. I had a breakfast date at 9.30am so got distracted and couldn't make my appointment call  (which I'd been waiting to do since 5am that morning) because I was running late to brekky. Flummoxed I went to my friends place and begged him to do my hair and make me feel like a special birthday girl. The funny thing is that as soon as he said he would, my anxiety subsided. It's that crazy need and want making me all nuts again about the silliest thing!


God being a girl is tough!


Anyway, my lesson to myself (and maybe others!) for the day is: Don't freak out. We don't all have friends that are make-up or hair artists but seriously we are all beautiful and to be honest, if our teens and twenties weren't for learning how to spruce ourselves to the best of our ability in any situation, who knows WHAT they were for. 


Sure, we all need maintenance from time to time (as per hairy gorilla post) but I guarantee as soon as you go out and meet the friends or whomever you are going out to see, you'll forget all about what you were worrying about solo at home. 

See... not too shabby... and the vintage poster I got
for a pressie made me cry and ruined my make-up anyway!

Day 96: Psycho Flop, But Cull Success!

Summer Wardrobe... See combined
they still aren't all THAT big...?!

My Winter Wardrobe

Well the hunt for the Psycho Culler continued today, to no avail. I invited over an apparent zealous culler, but she uncharacteristically agreed with my reasoning (and begging and pleading… no swear words were used I promise). We agreed that I could contribute cd’s to make up my final numbers. 

So, it is done. 

100 items pulled from my belongings on the eve of my birthday. Said "Culler" though, won’t make my high tea so pre-purchased goods today! At least it gave me an opportunity to lay out all my goods. It doesn’t look like 100 things does it? 

I love each and every one of these little pieces of me, but it’s time to let go and send them to other loving homes that will get more wear out of them.

My book of CD's up for sale

All of my 100 items!

Day 95: Psycho Culler Qu'est-ce Que C'est

I have never indulged or more appropriately committed to self-harm, in the form of getting a personal trainer. I don’t take kindly to being told what to do under physical duress. I haven’t ever tried having one, but the need to scream “F*&k Off!!!!” to over-energised bunnies that are aerobics and spin class instructors tells me I might not fair well working with someone one-on-one in physical activity.

The same goes with being pushed to cull my wardrobe possessions.

I have been so good (I think) cutting 66 items out already and that is after moving house 10 times in my adult life (and 3 of those moves were interstate where I really had to cull!). But with the possibility of not being able to live up to my challenge of selling 100 items I need help. I need A Culler. A Psycho Culler. I asked my husband to help (thinking he would revel in the task) but he was a dud culler! He didn’t think I should get rid of any more items! Hopeless. Let the hunt for the Psycho Culler begin.

Day 91: It's Expensive Being A Gorilla!!

I'm a waxer. I wax arms (I have hairy arms, an inherited trait from a hungarian/spanish great grandmother) 3/4 leg, brows, lip (another wonderful inheritance and a secret only my beautician and I used to keep) and of course like many I travel to brazil from time to time. But during this challenge, let's just say I've been...ahem...less groomed. So when I was told late Tuesday my hubby and I had been asked to pose for the cover of a local free monthly mag that embodies style (also called 'Style') my exhilaration was soon flooded with panic as I realized I had some serious grooming requirements. My frenzied purchase mentality that I thought I'd shaken having worked on it for the past 3 months suddenly was back with vengeance... I needed LEGS WAXED! BIKINI WAXED! My BODY waxed! A hair TREATMENT! MANICURE! PEDICURE! A new FACE!!!!!!!

Whoh, whoh, whooooooh.... I had to ease up. 

I did get my brows and lip organically waxed (I granted this as essential. I don't think they'll be going for a Frida Kahlo look somehow) but grabbed my old trusty razor for the legs (it's not like I'm doing a swim shoot) and did my own nails. My hair remains a frizzy dry mess, but I'm not a model and I'm sure the pro's on site can make it work... Or bump us from the cover.

All in all I'm proud that once again I had a little triumph and didn't go to town, purchasing unnecessarily to gain glamour status. We'll see if anyone notices.

Day 90: The Invite

Invite picture. Cute huh?

My high tea is coming. The date is near being set. So, I sent out a pre-invite today because as I wrote to my invitee's there isn't much point having a charity auction of my goods if it is only going to be me to attend. With the left picture sent (not home made but a borrowed image from online, but that's not to say my scones won't look as good!) I got some numbers back and it's a go. 

 
Now the difficult thing will be to not overspend in this experiment because let's be honest, buying for a party (especially one with cupcakes and yummy things) can easily turn into a monster event with (not so terrible) left overs. Thift and environment will be front of mind for this, but how to make a good party result? www.reuseit.com was a good site to visit, but this picnic set was just under $20. Good for me in my handbag to eat my lunch with at work, but not good on the thrift scales when I'm hoping for 20 people to attend. Scrap that.


www.greenmuze.com has cute ideas but no where to purchase party items. I think I'll have to go with the good ol' ceramics and after party clean up. I do have some cute tea cups and china... The rest I'll have to borrow and all food items will be home made so less plastic use at least!

Day 89: See Some Of My 100 Items For Sale!

I have been up since 4.30am. Not loving that to start with, but it does help me to get on top of the day. One of my list of things to do this morning was to write my blog. I have my topic, so may as well smash it out. So when I thought I would write about my 100 items that I need to sell this morning (before my challenge is up) it occurred to me that I should probably check how many items I have accumulated for my up and coming high tea for selling 100 items day. I only had 50 items. 50! It looked like there were close to 100 and I was only half way! So for the next hour and a half I scavenged my home to find any possible fashion pieces that I no longer should hold onto.

 Now I don't want any old crap in there, mostly because I'll be inviting my friends to purchase these items to then donate the money to Red Cross and I don't want to push my oldest-about-to-die grubby teeshirts and hagged clothing! No, they have to be desirable otherwise what is the point. So I'm now up to 66 items, with 44 to go. I've been through everything! My scarf, jewellery and shoe stashes are wiped myself out! I need a third party to get me to push out the final numbers. With my husband being joyous about my cleanout I know he can play hardball to get rid of beloved items so I'll go through everything again with him tonight.

I think it's different for girls though. We hold sentimental value to the items we hold onto. A prime example was a pair of wool Jigsaw trousers that I came across in my scavenger hunt this morning. These trousers are a size 12. I am a size 8. I bought them in London when I had the Heathrow-injection and have loved them ever since because of the memories that they hold. I've opted to keep them but... well, we'll see.

Day 88: Party Favours...

So: turning 30. I'm not going to spend the day in tears as I vividly remember my mum doing on her 30th birthday because I think now (as I thought then) that birthdays are to be celebrated. I don't love being the centre of attention, but a bit of b'day glory never goes astray! The one thing I cannot do this year (this year of all years! But really, I am proud of my cause) is buy a birthday frock.


A few fabulous friends have said "Just do it! It's one day and really, your challenge will be over-ish". But no, I'm going to stick to my guns and not pur-chase the chastised b'day get-up but purfriendchase (in a lending system). 


So if anyone has any offers....?

Day 87: A Little Less Poxy!

Maybe there is interior hope for me yet!
Maybe.

So these two pics are on the same
wall, running left to right.

Yes! I improved my look. It does look a little better when you stand back and appreciate the room as a whole, but hopefully you get the idea. Less is better than completely dag-o-rama, but again you can be the judge.

Day 87: Lusciously Using The Unused?... Or Just Plain Poxy?

Whilst always continuing to explore my shopping possibilities online a very stylish friend got me onto http://www.mylusciouslife.com. It is glorious. And let me tell you, you will be addicted. But luckily (for you and me) it mostly supplies ideas not temptations. Well, not directly at least.

Look, I’m not going to say the site sparked this idea (because I’ll be honest I adore interior design ideas but I’m hopeless with a capital H at executing them as you can see, comparing my photo with Luscious's) but I think subconsciously it made me think about using my otherwise unused fashion items as display pieces.

What you do you think of this new look for my spare bedroom? Cute or poxy?

The shoe is the very first Louboutin I laid my hands on. It was a sample that I worked with when I was an Assistant Accessories Buyer. The hat is my Oma’s (yes it is a man’s hat but she loves a good op-shop purchase and this was one of the millions that she had. I asked to borrow it and never returned it to her – Shhhhh!).

Day 86: Does Fashion Senility Come In Your 30's?

Admittedly I am just over 10 days away from turning 30, but I think today might be a sign of the days ahead. This morning I have discovered one of a possible two things about myself. Either; I enjoy the finer things in life (when I can afford to, or now plan and budget to...) alongside alternative more thrifty styles of shopping OR I am losing my touch and becoming in denial of being unfashionably fashion-senile. 


I am hoping my possible diagnosis is the first of these options. 


The reason for my self analysed quandary may you ask?... I think I am falling slightly in love with Australian label (usually reserved for an older demographic) Sussan. Yes: this goes with that has gotten under my skin this season!

$189.85

$199.85

Am I alone? Check these out! They are cool and very reasonable (all prices below include everything except for the shoes, which is a pity because I quite like those tan heels...):

$289.75

So this is the same jacket & tights combo
as the pic to the right soooo to achieve this look
(basically adding the top & necklace together)
would be an additional $99.85.
I thought that was pretty good?!

Obviously I don't work for Sussan's, so please don't think this is an ad. I am genuinely impressed (or insane, as we've covered). But SERIOUSLY these prices for the WHOLE outfit?!!! Jewellery, hosiery & handbags included? I feel slightly bad for snubbing them all these years... Am I wrong to no longer feel I don't belong in a Sussan world?

Day 85: A Picture Is Worth...1000 Bucks?!

I am officially 15 days away from my 100 day finishing line. O.M.G People. With that and my 30th birthday fast approaching I feel like I need my life to be more organised. And with all my age over-thinking I've struck an internal deal or as I like to call it: THE PLAN.


So, THE PLAN consists of the following requirements: each time I save $1000, I can then spend $150 frivolously because let's be honest $100 doesn't go far these days. Anyhoo, Sounds fair? And if there is something that I have to have!!! I can save my frivolous money till the next $1000 is saved up. Genius!... In theory for now at least. I do have this on my radar for my first saved grand...

Teeny-tiny photo I know! But go to the site. It's completely adorable.
$68 from Lazy Oaf (lazyoaf.co.uk)

Day 84: And I'm Another Handbag Down...

As you might remember from my very first few posts for my blog, I lost the handles of my handbag to a simply gorgeous friend of mine's equally beautiful (albeit chew-happy) puppy. I made do. I made it work with the stunning tan leather bag's over-the-shoulder strap. Happy pappy: I still had a 1/2 functioning handbag. Today's sad tale does not have the same happy ending.

After finding said bag in the back of my wardrobe and thinking "Haven't used this golden oldie in a while" I strapped in. Today the day dragged on to reveal that the straps to my bag were disintegrating and might not last the duration to the days end. And it didn't. Different to the loss of my first bag months ago, I don't feel panicked and do not have a desperate urge to replace it. I'll simply live on with what I have. Easy.

My, how things change.

Day 83: Forced To Be Non-Green In Green

3D movies are not my bag. I realise this is where my behaviours and pet hates slip from those of a sensible late 20-something to a dittery nanna who refuses to move with the times (even though 3D itself is a concept that outlives me).

Sorry for the PJ's pic. Obviously this was not my get up for last night's premier!

Wearing Harry Potter specially designed green glasses for the 3D premier last night was not my choice. This is not only because I looked like an uber-Harry Potter-dorky-fan (some people can pull this off, I cannot) but because if I'd been able to choose, I wouldn't have gone to the 3D version (even though I was very grateful to attend! Fab movie- definitely a must see!). 


Hence my enviro whinge: all that plastic made only for viewing a film! Yes, thankfully cinemas do recycle these glasses but still the plastic is produced and surely the product is shipped and all this cannot be good. I'll leave it for you to decide.

Day 82: Faux Perfection

A big part of my challenge is refreshing what is “old” with garments that I already own. My point today is that even if something seems worthy of a bin drop, if it has redeemable features use these to the best of their ability.

Exhibit A: My outfit for Day 82 (sadly everyone will now know when I wear this combo that…) is a blouse with a pulled, holey seam at the back. 

         ↵

Cover it with a jumper and utilise the cute bow feature and hey presto! Cute, right?!

Day 81: Desperate Times = Thrifty Measures

With thriftiness being next to Godliness at the moment little luxuries are not allowed if I have to go into a retailer to purchase them. T2 is Temptation. The tea options are vast and delicious and so are the accessories! So when I had to get a replacement for our night time tea the lovely ladies at T2 sorted me out with some samples. Yes, samples! Free and quenched my T2 temptations! Of course next time I will make a purchase but I've done my research to get the exact lil luxury I will need.

Day 80: Purfriendchasing

I love this dress! Right time, right place!

Reworking your own wardrobe is one thing, being at your friends place for the opportune "clean out" is another. Without being able to shop, shopping your friends' wardrobes is more fun than imagined possible. Amazing to borrow clothes from said drobe while INCREDIBLE if you score preloved items. Such was this lucky purfriendchase! 

Day 79: Feeling Raver-Clownish Tonight!

Today’s treat? Rocking the very first big purchase I made on my own 11 years ago… You know those items that you see in your wardrobe and you never ever ever wear? Well this jacket is that item for me. I bought and wore this jacket in my “I’m a cool raver” days on the cusp of Y2K and when ultra-violet glow-in the dark Christian Dior nailpolish was also a big deal. I’m sure you can tell by looking at it.

Because I’ve never had the heart to wear it (outside of my house) and my challenge is about either reinventing or rejecting what I already own and because I am not quite ready to part ways with it: I will wear my jacket out tonight.  I’m going to Cirque Du Soleil so I figure I can look a little bit like a clown.


PS sorry for the delay in the post, I had internet problems last night and couldn't be late to the cirque :(

Day 78: Certified Old Style

Today I came home to not only the joy of receiving a free monthly mag in the mail (god I miss magazines) but I was in it! And for my sense of style! Notably I come across as a bit of a wanker with my "shoes from Paris" and Prada handbag...

But the shoes were a hand-me-down from a friend who bought them in Paris and my handbag was my one and ONLY purchase on my honeymoon to Italy last year. The point and major win for me being that my outfit (including my hosiery) is between 1-5 years old! Whoop for me!

Day 77: Bless'd Are The Weak!

Day 77. 9 days since my last blog. 17 days since my one and only purchase-slip during my 100 Day Challenge on non-pur-chasing. I know I know weak-ass lazy bones as a name does not cut it. 

In better news I realise I have benefited from the kindness of strangers before and today’s tale is similar, but different. Bless those that take pity on me and my non-shopping plight I say!... Of course without buying me anything and remaining totally eco buddy-buddy. 

The story is that my friend Andrew who also very kindly cuts my hair for an exchange of a smile from moi came to my door the other day bearing an incredible gift:

It might not look like much but this pot of gold (albeit actually beautiful mud) is incredible. Andrew proudly told me even as a gift it fits into my challenge as he made it himself with gorgeous oils, sea-salt mud, rose leaves and other yummy things. Be still my beating heart, this small gesture brings joy to my otherwise very boring morning shower routine! I cannot tell you how much I have missed having a daily facial scrub. Ridiculous but true.

In other news, what can I possibly wear to the origin tonight? I want to quietly go for the Blues, but not so much that my feign of interest in the game outweighs my interest of how I look. Difficult. I might go with a navy cape: got colour covered, warmth and face covered if I need to walk out in shame.