Candy Pants

Long shorts? Short longs? The name doesn't make a whole lot of sense but I love them anyway.

Shorts have always been a bit of a dilemma for me. I've never really been a fan of short shorts - showing off my thighs just isn't my thing, and I never really thought I could go for the longer kind given I'm ...vertically challenged.

Despite my height concerns, I couldn't resist these cotton candy coloured knee length shorts! So I took a chance on a little pastel perfection, and it was a sweet success!

I knew if I was going to make the long short look work I was going to need some serious leg lengtheners on my feet. I spied these gorgeous Miista mint sandals on sale on Solestruck and just knew they were the perfect match. Height boosting platform and heel, with with a skinny flash of skin all the way down the front for a slim and long look! They're uber comfy and a lil funky too, which gets me every time.





I teamed my candy coloured newbies with an old favourite - my batman crop, for a little edge, and buckled up with a cute little kitty cat belt. Meow!

Outfit Details:

Batman crop by Lazy Oaf (old season)

Pink high waisted shorts from Front Row Shop
Cat print belt from ASOS
Miista Amber sandals from Solestruck

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

Killer

Happy 2014!

I know I'm a little late on the new year's greetings but I've been off on a little holiday to Melbourne!

These shots were taken on a perfect, sunny afternoon outing to the Melbourne Museum and the gorgeous adjoining Carlton Gardens.

For my first post of the year I thought it would be fitting to show off a little post-christmas/new year present I treated myself to, one that I'd been longing after for much of 2013 - this AMAZING orca snow globe tee by Emma Mulholland. 

How could I ever resist a sequinned killer whale?

As for my metallic headwear, I'd been meaning to buy an Oliver visor for ages and then Sharee had a crazy 50% off sale online around christmas so this rad silver one became another christmas treat to-me-from-me!

The final freshly purchased item is my super cool fuchsia neoprene clutch by Witu, which I fell for instantly when I popped into Alice Euphemia - one of my favourite Melbourne boutiques.

I couldn't resist wearing all of my super fun newbies at once - no regrets!

My Killer OOTD:

Emma Mulholland orca snow globe tee from Pet Shop Girls

White net pencil skirt from Pixie Market (similar available from Evan Evina)

Metallic silver visor from Oliver

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

Vagabond chunky black sandals (similar available from Market HQ)

Check out my instagram (@outsideiscolours) for more pics of my Melbourne adventure and a peek at some of my other holiday purchases!

Photos by Jacob Clarke

TOPSHOP TOPMAN Brisbane Launch Party!

TOPSHOP & TOPMAN HAVE FINALLY OPENED IN BRISBANE!

The 2200sqm store on the corner of Brisbane city's Albert and Elizabeth streets, which spans over three levels, is Australia's biggest yet! So it's no surprise that the fashionable guys and gals of Brisbane were a tad excited (to say the least) about the opening.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I was the lucky recipient of a double pass to the launch party which took place in-store the night before the store officially opened to the public!

I took my gorgeous Topshop loving friend Rebecca along with me and we had two hours to shop our hearts out with endless champagne, cider, and canapés on the house, as well as a complimentary voucher to get us started! Is there any other way to shop?

I tried on just about every sparkly and shiny thing in the store but managed to exercise some self control (I'm meant to be saving) and walked away with only a single purchase (for now) - this gorgeous pink sequinned crop top.

After thoroughly investigating every rack of clothing, we posed for some piccies and called it night,  but I have no doubts I'll be back for more very soon (maybe once they stop needing security guards to manage the constant line of people outside the store!)

Our Launch Party Attire:

Me (the shorty):

Keepsake clear spirits top from FSHN BNKR

Sara Phillips Iris skirt (old season) from Green With Envy

Chunky 'Deed' sandals from Windsor Smith

Perspex bracelet by Ciara Clark

Rebecca (the leggy one):

White beaded crop top by Keepsake 

Black pencil skirt from Zara

Vagabond chunky black sandals (similar available from Market HQ)

Thanks for a great night Topshop!

Whimsical in White

I don't have many dresses in my wardrobe, but with Brisbane's summer heat, I was in desperate need of something light, loose, and airy, and this cute white dress from Nasty Gal was perfect.

Like it was meant to be, the dress arrived in the mail on the same day as these chunky white leather sandals from Windsor Smith which I'd been eyeing-off for a while. I've been wearing my black Vagabond sandals almost daily so I thought I should find myself a white equivalent for summer, and Windsor Smith's 'Deed' sandals were a near perfect match.

My marabou earrings have of course hardly left my ears since I made them. They're just so cute and fluffy!

I felt super playful and summery in all white!

My All White Outfit:

White 'match point' dress from Nasty Gal
'Deed' chunky sandals in white leather from Windsor Smith
DIY marabou feather earrings (made with marabou puffs from MarabouBoa)

Photos by Jacob Clarke

Sneaky Purchases for the Beach

I know, I know, I've broken the golden rule of blogging. I seem to have taken a leave of absence. 

The past month has been the craziest month of uni I've had in a a long time, and it's been tough to find time to blog. All work and no play has left me longing for a break and dreaming of a day at the beach, and since it's finally mid semester break, I might just make it to the beach this weekend!

My Beach Edit:
Starburst choker by Isobel Badin

'Penny Wanderlust' neoprene bikini set and beach bag by Triangl Swimwear

Vagabond Dioon chunky sandals from Urban Outfitters
Graz x Ellery Quixote catseye sunglasses available from Eye Goodies

'Impressionist' bag  by Oliver

Despite how hectic this month has been, I may have managed to squeeze in a few sneaky procrasti-shopping sessions - oops! So my beach edit includes a few new treasures.

My first purchase was the amazing sports-luxe-esque neoprene bikini from Triangl Swimwear, pictured above. My obsession with neoprene is a long standing one, so when I discovered these gorgeous bikinis while scrolling through my instagram feed, I took the plunge and had finalised my purchases within a few minutes. They're super comfy and so reasonably priced too - $86 including bikini top, bikini bottoms, and a matching neoprene beach bag! I'm yet to take them for their first swim but i'll be sure to let you know how they hold up.



My second sneaky purchase was this bold perspex choker by Isobel Badin. I had a really hard time choosing between the four different 'Starburst Choker' styles, all designed for the Emma Mulholland MBFWA 13 show earlier this year, but I'm super happy with my choice (although I may invest in a second if I can save my pennies!). 

Summer is well and truly on its way, and I have no doubt the sneaky summery purchases will continue. Stay tuned!

MBFF Outfit

Last night I headed in to the city to see the emerging designers group show at Brisbane's 

Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival. 

It was a great night showcasing the talents of up and coming Brisbane designers and the perfect opportunity to debut my new Josh Goot purchase!

My MBFF Emerging Designers Show Outfit:

Batman mesh crop from Lazy Oaf (old season)

Josh Goot marble rose A-line skirt in white from Joy Hysteric

Vagabond Dioon chunky sandals in black from Urban Outfitters

N3PTUN3 leather tassel earrings in white from The Fleet Store

'Impressionist' bag in clear with white tassels from Oliver