Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

12pm on a weekday, Midtown NYC I decided to shoot this girl boss suit on my tripod.

For those that might not know, the majority of my posts I shoot on my own. Each time I practice, the more I get a little more comfortable and forget who’s around me. Towards the end of last year, my confidence took a plummet due to a traumatic time in my personal life and have spent the last 6 months working towards getting my old self back; learning to self love in the process. None of us are perfect, and social media can easily sugar coat life. We are all guilty I promise you.

Today’s post is about pushing your boundaries, and doing something that’s out of your comfort zone to take you one step closer to your goals. When you have been through some kind of trauma you have to take each day as it comes. I have found setting small goals each week really help towards happiness and it’s another accomplishment to tick off your list. It’s actually great going into a new work week and feeling positive. Week by week, you start to feel more confident and feel that self worth that you may have lost along the way. I think it's important to share this with you all, so that if something is going on in your life that really gets you down know you aren't alone.

So back to todays shoot! 57th Street between 6th and 7th avenue is a really busy street. I actually used to live one block up on 58th Street, so the location brings back a lot of fond memories of when I moved to Manhattan on my own back in 2010. This was the first place I lived in NYC and the beginning of gaining independence, so what better place to push my boundaries shooting on a tripod at the lunch rush to really test me. Midtown is very corporate so the suit blends in! I’m not into wearing head to toe tailoring so thought adding a tee and neck tie changed things up a little yet still feeling chic. Both the jacket and pants are Chinese Silk and felt so lightweight. The best thing about this more casual 2 piece is that the jacket is super versatile, I’ll definitely wear it with jeans. As for the pants, they are a little sporty so will look awesome with a pair of sneakers and oversized light knit for weekend brunch. 

I would love to hear how you guys push yourself, and do you find you achieve more in the process? From a mental or accomplishment perspective? Let me know!

Shop the edit:

Silk Kimono Blazer: Grana

Silk Joggers: Grana

Tee: Vintage, shop similar here and here

Neck Scarf: Vintage Hermes, shop similar here and here

Faye Medium Leather and Suede Shoulder Bag: Chloe

Xyrus I Shoes: Senso via The Iconic

Baby Audrey: Celine

Photo Credit to yours truly. Shot in Midtown Manhattan in collaboration with Grana. Receive 10% off your order with code ‘SSxGRANA’.

Sweat Pants And Heels

Silky sweats….An item I have recently discovered and wish I found them sooner. When it comes to pants, my first option would usually be a good pair of jeans. Day to day I’m a fan of comfort, adding  luxe accessories to polish off the look. But after seeing sweatpants rocked with heels at the Feb Fashion Weeks I decided it was time to give the jeans a rest and try something new. Incase you didn’t know - I have a 30” inside leg, which means flat shoes are not always the best option when wearing full length pants. That’s where the heels come in - they do wonders for a look like this, and the vertical stripe along the outside of the leg elongates my leg length. Genius! 

Today’s cashmere boyfriend tee is perfect for the unpredictable Sydney weather. It’s not quite cold enough to be wearing full sleeve knits right now (secretly wishing for that day!) so the cap sleeve option is a must have for transeasonal styling. It also looks cute tucked into high waisted mom jeans. As mentioned at the start of year, staple, long lasting pieces have to be at the forefront of my mind when adding new items to my wardrobe. Having this sustainable mindset means these pieces will be worn over and over which is the only way I want to shop. Add a pop of lip colour to brighten up the monochrome tones and you’re good to go! 

The best thing about this look - It can be layered, so will be perfect for peak winter. I would probably switch the cap sleeves for a chunky cable knit or sweatshirt adding a double breasted coat for the colder months. Even swapping out the stilettos for kitten heeled boots.

Shop the look:

Silk Ankle Pants: Grana

Silk Cashmere Boyfriend Tee: Grana

Anicka Shoes: The Mode Collective

Reformation Trench Coat: Shop similar here, here and here

New Era NYC Baseball Cap: Tuchuzy

Gucci Dyonysus GG Supreme Mini Bag: Gucci

Grana are offering 10% off and free worldwide shipping until the end of April with code ‘SSxGRANA’

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Photo credit to Jo from Jo Hombsch blog.
 

Day To Night Denim

The Christmas break is drawing closer, and my style is already feeling more relaxed. I honestly can’t wait to kick back and relax for the last week of the year. For some reason, I am feeling more chilled compared to this time last year, despite a busy and somewhat stressful last month. Unless I’m going to a party of some sort, I’ll quite happily dress casually for the rest of 2016. Sydney weather is making it hard to have consistency when it comes to fashion choices, hence denim shorts and jeans currently on high rotation, dependent on whether it chooses to be thirty degrees or eighteen!

Today I am styling the classic down button shirt 2 ways: for brunch and dinner. I’ve opted for a stripe for daytime and gingham for city drinks at dusk. In all honestly, I probably dine out in the daytime way more than the evening so for me my casual look will definitely get more wear. For brunch, I like to throw an outfit on and be comfortable. As todays brunch was beachside, it made sense to take the straw bag for a spin!

My second look was for city drinks with Chris, and we captured this sundown 70’s vibe perfectly. Flares are a great option for nights out, and the bell bottom give added height when a pair of killer heels are added. The look was dressed up with luxe accessories and an exaggerated eye. 

So overall, the button down shirt is a great option most days. I would just recommend to keep your shirt fitted for nights out and add gold jewellery and heels to make your look pop. For the daytime, opt for a shirt one size bigger to get that boyfriend feel. Roll your sleeves up and add less dressy accessories. Then eat as much avocado and salmon until your heart’s content!

Shop my looks from Grana:

Poplin Boyfriend Shirt (blue stripe): Grana

Poplin Boyfriend Shirt (gingham): Grana

Denim: Grana

Grana are offering 10% off and free worldwide shipping until the end of December with code ‘SSxGRANA’

Shop accessories:

Dionysus GG Supreme Shoulder Bag: Gucci

Leather Belt With Interlocking G Buckle: Gucci

Karissa Shoes: Senso

Kayu Beach Bag: Net-A-Porter

Round Metal Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Photo credit for my brunch look to Jo Hombsch

Why Good Quality Basics Are Key

Having spent two summers in Australia, I have learned that breathable and well made basics are the key (and staple) to a southern hemisphere wardrobe. It’s only been since moving here that I have started to appreciate natural fibres and here’s the reason why. 

Sydney is humid and stifling hot in the summer months, so less is more. When I say less, I actually mean minimal clothing options (for someone who loves layering this is actually tough) so it’s important to choose wisely. T-shirts and denim shorts replace knits and jeans but sometimes these very basic looks can feel somewhat boring and less styled. Don’t get me wrong I love an easy outfit selection day, but then there are the days I want to look a little more ‘dressed’ in basic pieces. Switching cotton for something a touch more silky and flowing. 

Two key items I have been purchasing when the fabric is right are camisoles and shirts. You’ve probably noticed me wearing these pieces on rotation now spring has sprung, and I can assure you these items will take me through to summer. Why? Because they are 100% silk and breathable. Style and fit are obviously important to me, but quality also rate highly. For me, it’s about building a long lasting wardrobe. Today I have styled pieces from the new Grana collection. Mom jeans are definitely my favourite style this season and wanted to show you how I’m transferring my basics from home to street. I have been selecting one size larger in most of my tops lately as I really like an oversized fit to look more relaxed. Paired back with high waisted denim, it also gives the illusion of looking slimmer.

As always, luxe accessories are my go to when wearing simple combinations. And my number one styling tip is to keep accessories the same tone. 

Shop my look:

Silk V-Neck Camisole: Grana

Silk Short Sleeve Shirt: Grana

Denim Slim Boyfriend Jeans: Grana

Denim Mom Jeans: Grana

Neck Tie: Third Form

Leather Belt With Interlocking G Buckle: Gucci

Faye Medium Leather and Suede Shoulder bag: Chloe

Grana are offering 10% off and free worldwide shipping until the end of November with code ‘SSxGRANA’

Photography and edit by myself.