BOO!

Okay so first off, let's pretend I'm not more than a month off the mark with this Halloween-esque outfit (maybe I'm just really prepared for next year?); and second, can we all just stop for a moment and reflect on how cool this mesh ghost dress is???

I've always been a sucker for mesh and transparency. I love that it allows for some fun layering, and it's ideal for summer in Brisbane when I really just want to be walking around in a bralette so that I don't suddenly burst into flames.

I've been looking for a good mesh throw-over dress for a while but nothing even came close to being as cool this spooky gem by the brilliant young London label Somewhere Nowhere.

I'm in love with how unique this piece is. The adorable little ghost appliqué is made from those kids craft beads you can melt together to make your own designs (remember them?!), and it even glows in the dark!

I loved shooting this outfit among the stunning blooming jacarandas and being the monkey I am, I just couldn't resist going for a climb. I even managed just fine in my giant Degen flatforms, which are currently on sale at Solestruck!

Outfit Details:

'Boo' mesh dress by Somewhere Nowhere

Grid print shorts from Front Row Shop

Bralette top from Glassons (Similar available from ASOS)

Flatfrom shoes by Degen from Solestruck

Earrings from Alice Euphemia

Photos by the wonderful and talented Bri Lee of poiseonarrows.com

Pedestrian

I know I've been a little awol lately when it comes to the blog, but I'm back, with a new hair colour, new outfits, and some big news!

As you may have picked up from the banner in my sidebar, I've been selected as a finalist in The Pedestrian.TV Blogster Awards sponsored by Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Intel! 

The Blogster Awards is an Australia-wide competition, showcasing blogging talent from photographers to lifestyle bloggers, serial tweeters to vloggers. I was originally nominated under the Fashion Blog category but the selectors decided to throw me in with the big time grammers under the Instagram category since I've been far more active over on my instagram in the last few months.

 One quarter of my final score will be based on votes from the public (that's you!), so I would be SUPER grateful if you could swing me a vote to help me along.

It's super easy and only requires a quick facebook like on my profile!

Click here to help a girl out (VOTE)!

I'm hugely honoured to have even been nominated just for doing what I love, and it would be absolutely incredible if I could make it to the judges' shortlist with a little help from you guys!

Now, back to the fashion.

I bought this adorable and whimsical skirt a little while ago from Sheike while on an afternoon shopping trip with some pals. I literally ran towards it and snatched it off the rack as fast as I could when we walked into the store because I knew this was literally going to be a "first in, best dressed" situation given the other two fashion loving girls I was shopping with. I absolutely love it and it's a dream to wear.

I was super excited to do a shoot with it but found myself short of pieces to complement to gorgeous lilac print, so I thought... hey, why not just dye my hair to match? Problem solved.



This shoot also gave me a chance to properly show off my new chic as hell ASOS leather boots. I'm normally not one for simplicity but these boots are just so sleek they make me melt! (And they're currently on sale!)

The other dearly loved item I decided to include in this outfit was my Ciara Clark perspex bracelet. I adopted this unique little treasure when I saw it staring back at me in a shop window in Manchester a few years ago. The iridescent spikes reflect and refract light in such a magical way, there was just no way I could walk away from it.

Outfit Details:

White silk tee from Glassons (similar available from Missguided)

Paint strokes skirt from Sheike

Leather boots from ASOS

Perspex bracelet by Ciara Clark

For more fashion and outfit posts, follow me on my instagram @outsideiscolours where I'm posting almost daily!

And don't forget to VOTE!

Photos by Jacob Clarke

Pink Lady

While pale pink is usually labelled a "girly" colour, these perfect pastel pink pieces definitely had me feeling more woman than girl.

I usually like to go for playful looks, where fun is always number one, but I have to say this figure hugging midi might have set me on a path more babetown than funhouse.

Showing off some bootylicious curves and feeling like a bombshell: A++ feeling, would recommend.

Aside from my obvious obsession with all things pink, this outfit also includes a lovechild of two of my other big obsessions - neoprene and marabou feathers. 

Being an addict for all things a little "out-there", my wardrobe always seems to be lacking basic pieces. I've desperately needed a black bag in my life for a while but had never found one that excited me until now. This fluffy black clutch by Somewhere Nowhere gave me the warm and fuzzies at first sight and it's been love ever since. 

Just like I could never settle for a basic black bag, I'm not a boring black heel kind of gal either. My United Nude babies (yes, I refer to my shoes as babies) are the perfect amount of edgy and cray to win my heart, and are about as close as I am willing to get to being a #basicbitch

Outfit details:

1989 the label pink cropped tee from The Fleet Store (old season)
Pink wool pencil skirt from Style Nanda
United Nude "Bolt" black cutaway heels from Solestruck
Neoprene and marabou feather "Lunar clutch" by Somewhere Nowhere

Photos by Jacob Clarke

Seeing Stars

Although I may have taken a short blogging hiatus, my shopping addiction never sleeps. 

Over the past month I've had new purchases arriving at my doorstep almost constantly. There's just so many newbies to love!

If I had to play favourites, the two new purchases in this outfit would be pretty close to the top of my list. A 'basic' top with a little Kenzo inspired edge from Choies, and a pair of seriously bold and equally comfortable shorts by Romance Was Born. 

I've been a mildly infatuated with these shorts for a while, constantly eyeing them off online, so I went a little loco when I scored them at almost half price at the recent Romance Was Born Brisbane sample sale (along with several other rare goodies)!

I can never go past the signature vibrancy and fun of Romance Was Born prints, and these shorts are twice the fun with their playful culotte-style cut, perfect for spinning!

(obviously an important attribute of all good clothing)

Outfit Details:

Thaw hem top from Choies

Rainbow stars tuck shorts by Romance Was Born

Chelsea boots by ASOS (old season, but similar style available)

Photos by Jacob Clarke

Dress to Distress

Every since laying my eyes on the frayed masterpieces of brands like POC and Marques' Almeida, I've been on the look out for some distressed denim pieces to make my own. Since pieces by both the aforementioned brands can be very hard to get your hands on (at least within my price range), I've had to scour the internet to find a cheaper alternative to get my distressed denim fix.  

Given that finding jeans that fit is a near impossible task for me, and cut-off shorts are hardly groundbreaking, I went in search of frayed denim tops and dresses and found the perfect thing at Evan-Evina. The dress is a lightweight denim, almost chambray, which means it drapes nicely, is super comfy, and is the perfect playful dress! The edges were only slightly frayed but I tortured them a little more on the hem, and I'm thinking might have a second go to get a really shaggy trim!

Another new purchase along with the dress was my ridiculous but super fab camo platform sandals. These funky babies by YES had been on my wishlist for quite a while and I finally took the plunge and purchased them in a sneaky 24 hour Solestruck sale at 30% off!

I'm loving them so far, which is no surprise given my obsession with flatforms, although they are definitely a strictly flat surfaces only kind of shoe. I learnt that the hard way when I took a very embarrassing tumble down a pebbly hill at uni! eeek! 

(don't worry shoesies, I couldn't stay mad at you)

Outfit Details:

Frayed denim dress (worn backwards) from Evan-Evina
YES pound platform sandals in blue camo from Solestruck
DIY marabou feather earrings made with candy pink marabou puffs from MarabouBoa

Some of you may have had a sneak peek this time around because I loved this outfit so much I couldn't resist snapping a pic for Instagram on the day!

Follow @outsideiscolours on Instagram for future sneaky snaps!

Animated

Monday night I received a parcel pick-up slip. Tuesday morning I went straight to the post office. 

With such exciting contents, I just couldn't resist taking a few snaps of my new treasure before I headed of to uni for the day.  

I bought this adorable cartoon print shirt from Front Row Shop a few weeks ago, on the very first day it went up online. The colourful little scribbles were just too much to resist! So of course I had to wear it the same day it arrived. 

I paired it with some other equally fun items - my fave Romance Was Born shorts and another recent buy, my fab new foam sandals!

These cute flatforms have hardly left my feet since I bought them. They're a perfect match for my hair and they're just so damn comfy!

Outfit Details:

Cartoon print shirt from Front Row Shop

Romance Was Born fantasy denim shorts available from Toyah Boutique

Hi!way foam flatforms from Sunday Social

Casio analog watch from ASOS

Check out Front Row Shop for even more goodies in this cute print!

By The Beach

Happy Australia Day!

On a day usually characterised by sun, pool parties, BBQs, punch, and Triple J's Hottest 100, I thought it would be fitting to share some pics from another beautiful day in the Australian sun down at Melbourne's St Kilda Beach.

Jacob and I went for a stroll along the boardwalk just as the sun was starting to make its way down through the clouds for the day and the light was too beautiful not to take some pictures!

I happened to be wearing one of my absolute favourite outfits which I hadn't yet shared. I bought this adorable printed octopus dress from ASOS forever ago and it's the perfect summer dress. It's super light and breezy, and who doesn't love a cute print! Even better when I can pair it with my other favourite printed treasure - my Kenzo platforms!

Outfit Details:

Silk Octopus shift dress by The Rodnik Band from ASOS (old season)

Kenzo platform sandals (similar available from Solestruck)

Navy felt hat thrifted from Vinnies

Graz x Ellery Quixote catseye sunglasses (similar available from Eye Goodies)

Photos by Jacob Clarke 

Denim Decisions

I never thought I'd fall for a set of full-length denim overalls - as a certified shorty, It just wasn't on the cards (or so it seemed). 

On my recent trip to Melbourne I paid a visit to one of my favourite vintage shops - Retrostar Vintage. They have such a huge range of hand picked secondhand treasures, it's a bit ridiculous. 

As I was browsing I came across the dungarees section and thought I'd try out some of the high-waisted short variety, but many before me had undoubtably had the same idea so there was really only large or ill-fitting ones left. I thought I'd try my luck in the full-length section and search for a pair I could cut short - and I struck gold.  I happily purchased the perfect candidate for the chop but when I got back to the apartment and tried them on again I wasn't so sure. I couldn't do it. I felt about 99% dork while wearing them in all their full-length glory, but I kind of liked it. So full-length they've stayed (for now). 

Should I make the chop?

My Dorky Denim Getup:

Vintage denim overalls from Retrostar Vintage

DIY marabou feather earrings (made with marabou puffs from MarabouBoa)

Contrast collar shirt from Dangerfield (old season)

Witu pink neoprene clutch from Alice Euphemia (available in-store)

Vagabond chunky black sandals available from Solestruck

Photos by Jacob Clarke

Wet'n'Wildcats

I don't know whether you've heard, but it's pretty much raining fireballs in Queensland this summer.

With such searing heat (and the looming possibility that Armageddon is soon to be upon us), my boyfriend and I set off for the Gold Coast for a little afternoon beach trip. However, as we drove past all the theme parks on the way, the thought of reliving the excitement of our childhoods overwhelmed us and we decided to spend the day at Wet'n'Wild Water World instead!

Before we hit the water slides (read: before I looked more like a wet dog), Jacob snapped a few shots of me in my new Surania bikini which I was very glad to have picked for the day - no wedgies, no wardrobe malfunctions (which is no easy feat at a water park!), and I think it's pretty damn cute too.

My (not quite yet) Wet but (pretty damn) Wild Outfit:

Gingham and tiger print bikini designed by me at Surania.com
(see previous post for details)
Chunky 'Deed' sandals from Windsor Smith
Graz x Ellery Quixote catseye sunglasses available from Eye Goodies

If you too would like a fierce looking booty, check out Surania!

Who doesn't want a tiger on their butt?