Why I've Been M.I.A

So I told myself when I started blogging that I would be ever so dedicated, opting for a time once a week to write and share with you all a little piece of my world. 

Obviously, that hasn't quite happened. 

I wish I could tell you I've been traveling to exotic locales, eating fancy food I can't quite pronounce and surrounded myself in such remoteness I've had no internet access. The truth is, my reality for the past few months is anything BUT exotic. Try camping by the toilet bowl, holding a spit cup for six weeks straight, barely being able to shower due to extreme exhaustion...

I also wish I could tell you my wardrobe has doubled in size, that I've been right on trend and paraded around like life was one big fat catwalk. If you saw the state of my walk-in, you'd know my reality. I've taken to closing the door (a clear sign of my denial).

What I can tell you is that I am back. Hopefully, this time for a little bit longer than the last. Here's a little snapshot of my life since I've been M.I.A...

LIFEASMEWHOYEN Catch Up...

The Big Announcement

On Christmas Day, at our halfway mark, hubby and I decided to announce our pregnancy. It was truly the first time in my entire pregnancy I felt well enough to shout to the world our amazing news. The "When you reach 12 weeks you will be feeling great" did not happen to me. From week 7 (the exact date), I was down and out. One day I was bouncing, hoping for a sign of morning sickness to make my pregnancy feel real (terrible, I know), and the next... I was literally bed-ridden. Fortunately it was the beginning of my school holidays so I had the luxury of lying around."Luxury" is no way to describe it. It was a truly debilitating experience. I literally found it hard to walk, so I was in bed for almost the entire day, only getting up to go to the bathroom (and my, plenty of that in early pregnancy!).

At the beginning, I thought I was like any other pregnant woman going through the morning sickness blues. As time progressed, I realised my situation was indeed unique. It soon occurred to me I was experiencing a rare form of MS- hypermesis gravaridum. The same condition that sent Kate Middleton to hospital and only affects 3-5% of expectant mums. At least I can tell people I have something in common with the future Queen! ha ha! 

Some 'Bumpy' Photos...

Outfit Edit: Dress from ASOS Maternity. My bump at 22 weeks & 2 days.

I finally did it. I could no longer deny the fact that my bump was indeed growing and that I needed to find clothes to accommodate it. While I have no problem spending money on clothes (much to the dismay of the hubby), going shopping for maternity clothes did not tempt me one tiny bit. "I'll just wear all my maxi dresses..." only got me so far. After hubby struggled zipping things up for me, he suggested that I go maternity shopping (now, that's a first!). That night I befriended the maternity section of ASOS and did a tiny bit of damage. I may, or may not have ventured into other parts... (you know, for 'after' the pregnancy).

Hubby and I decided to escape to Kiama for a few nights to celebrate our pregnancy. We had a lovely escape doing absolutely nothing. It was nice and refreshing to finally enjoy the sunshine, to go on a walk-a-bout (only so far) and to have meals cooked for us.

Bed & Breakfast at Bed & Views Kiama

Communal breakfast area at Bed & Views Kiama

Bed & Breakfast at Bed & Views Kiama

Outfit Edit: Maxi Dress by Sass & Bide & Clutch by Seafolly.

Maxi dresses are so overrated. That is, when you're pregnant. You see, I had this image in my mind that I would be parading around in maxi world with my growing bump. I soon realised this would just be an image, and not quite a reality. Not only do maxi dresses make me feel frumpy, the extra material at the bottom makes tripping all the more possible. I wore this one to dinner on our first night in Kiama because I knew it would be hassle-free. In the car, out the car, sit down, eat, go home.

There is something magical and nostalgic about a set of swings. Perhaps it's the way we let ourselves go, or that care-free feeling when our feet leaves the ground. It has the ability to take us back to a time when we were young, careless and vulnerable. When we beckoned our parents to push us, and ignored their exasperation when they no longer could. It also allows us to reflect. In my reflection, I was overwhelmed by a growing love for a growing baby within me. Even though the journey has been wrought with some difficulties, I am so grateful and overcome by the miracle and gift of life. One day soon, it will be my son on the swings, with hubby and I pushing and cheering from behind.

whoYen

xox

The Weekend Edit: What I Wore

Melbournians have a lot to brag about:

The fashion. 

The shopping. 

The food. 

The cafes (The cafes!) 

But when it comes to their weather, Sydney wins. Hands down. They won't even bother fighting over that one. And why would they? All you need to do is break out in a song and dance over the winter we've had. Take the weekend that just passed, for example. It was great to finally have something to boast about when my sister flew up from Melbourne to visit. Mid-way through our conversations, I would casually pop in  "You don't get this in Melbourne do you?" 

It was definitely a jam-packed weekend. Fashion-wise, I had a lot of fun. When four sisters come together it's always a fashion circus, filled with "Love what you're wearing!" "Where did you get that from??" "Can I hold your bag?"
Unfortunately, you'll have to put up my outfits as my sisters don't want to feature on my blog as yet. 

Enjoy, 

whoyen

Weekend Outfits in Pictures 

Friday Night

Outfit Edit: Top by Sass & Bide, Shorts by Premonition Designs & Shoes by Tony Bianco.

I've had this top by Sass & Bide for close to three years now and this is the third time I've worn it. It's so unbelievably special. As Rachel Zoe would say- "I die".

Trying out my new red lippy (lip stain) from Lime Crime. I've been told to ditch the red as it doesn't suit Asians. I beg to differ. Ditching a red lipstick from my make-up collection would be criminal, almost like never wearing heels again (OH&S what??). 

Saturday Day #OOTD   

Outfit Edit: Dress by Camilla & Marc, Cardi by Mossman, Shoes by Tony Bianco & Bag by Alexander Wang

Outfit Edit: Bag by Alexander Wang

Some of you who follow my blog would know that I recently had a white-attack. So much so, I convinced myself to go out and buy a white bag. This one is called the Jamie Tote by the one and only Alexander Wang. Owning a white bag causes one to become extremely paranoid (hands off, no touching, are your hands clean???- you get the drift). 

Saturday Night #OOTN 

Outfit Edit: Dress by Seduce & Clutch by Portmans

One of the Christmas gifts my sister gave me last year. Love the edgy look. What did hubby say when he saw me in it? 

"Where's the rest of your dress gone?" 

Typical Male.

Sunday

Outfit Edit: Dress by Blu Moon (purchased on Shop Bop).

Nicole Richie's dress(see previous blog post- How Nicole Richie Likes to Travel) reminded me of this one collecting dust in my closet. It was perfect for the picnic I hosted for family on Sunday. More of that to come.

How Nicole Richie Likes To Travel

Nicole Richie's gone and done it again. 

She's brought out the green-eyed monster in me with a few more spectacular outfits.  And when I say spectacular, I don't mean dripping in jewels, red-carpet spectacular, but the kind that makes you go "HOW DOES SHE DO IT?" 

Again and again, she delivers. In every way. This time, on a recent family trip in Europe. She looks relaxed (as you'd expect when one is in Europe sipping cocktails while getting sun kissed) and remarkably effortless. So damn effortless, it makes me want to cry. 

Take a look for yourself. 

You don't need fashion gurus and stylists to tell you black & white is in. In my mind, it was ALWAYS in. While I could never pull off something like this (especially those shoes!), I love it. The relaxed white jeans, the crochet singlet, the Belanciaga tote, the aviators... it just all works. Like she didn't even try. While most of us spend forever planning our outfits (or is it just me?), Nicole Richie blinks and it just happens. 

Or at least she makes it look that way.

 

Where is that Tree of Life skirt I purchased years ago???? Richie gives us a refreshing take on boho style, making you almost want to ask...

Sienna Miller who? 

...and now, to the picture (the dress!) that brought me to tears. The print, the plunging neckline (my absolute fav), the shoes...it's like magic, right in front of your eyes.

You know someone is a style queen when you don't even like what they're wearing and yet still love it!

Get it?

Loose denim, pure genius. While most of us are too busy squeezing our way through the tiniest denim shorts we own, and regretting last nights take out dinner, Richie (even in her tiny frame) is one step ahead. 

Thanks to you Nicole, I'm going to ditch the attempt and google some loose-fitting shorts to wear this summer.

What I Wore

Travel bug has well and truly died. 

Why would you want to be anywhere else other than Sydney, when the weather is this good? 

Spring is around the corner, though it feels like it's been here all month. Winter? What winter?

It's the type of weather that makes you want to jump out of bed so you don't waste one minute of it. And jump out of bed I did. Even with a slight headache from last nights festivities, I decided to go for lunch with my cousin at Cofa Sopra's new location in Alexandria. 

In my previous blog post "Playing with White" I mentioned my experimentation with white. Since then, I've had eyes for all things white. These shoes are a recent purchase from Mollini (available online only). 

Outfit Edit: Top by Lucette; Tights by Sass & Bide & Shoes by Mollini.

Just casually crossing the road. 

Not staged at all.

Cafe Sopra's new location in Alexandria (corner of Mitchell and Buckland). From the outside, the new (but in my opinion, not improved) Sopra looks quiet and small. Inside, it is spacious and lively. Some might like the new look, but I found it too commercial and impersonal. The old Sopra on Danks Street in Waterloo was rustic and had a lot of charm compared to this place.

Chicken Liver Pate $20

When you've had pâté at Chiswick, Claude's and 4fourteen (and paid less than twenty bucks), it's hard to enjoy anything else. I liked the additional salad, but the pâté itself was average, borderline boring and a waste of money. Lucky I was hungry.

Prosciutto with Parmesan Cheese & Rocket Pizza $22

How do you charge twenty dollars for pâté, and twenty two for a pizza? A very good pizza, I might add.

Lamb Ragu $22

Love the hint of  chilli in the sauce.If it was truly winter and cold, I might have enjoyed this a little more.

What I Wore: Bright Pink Shorts

What a week. 

Late (and sleepless nights), endless cups of tea, the occasional (and naughty)  snack, mid-night text messages, skipped meals,  editing, reading, editing, reading, editing... 

The life of a teacher, teaching Year 12. 

And all I wanted to do, was blog, write about nothing and everything. To immerse myself in the world of fashion, where there are no rules (kind of), no corrections, no editing, no nothing. 

It's official, I'm going crazy. 

Here are some photos of me from last Sunday; when I was feeling a little less crazy, and a little bit brighter (literally).

whoyen

xo

Outfit Edit: Top by Kirrilly Johnston; Shorts by Nicholas; Bag by Alexander Wang & Shoes by Tony Bianco

I love me a splash of colour. Bright. Bold. Eye-catching. The brighter the better. Actually, I lie. Who am I kidding? One Sunday, wearing pink shorts, doesn't automatically take out the neutral in me.

What I Wore

Ten minutes to get ready this morning, and this is what I came up with. Finally wore this pale pink jacket by H&M that was sitting in my wardrobe for over six months. Dust and all. I fell in love with the structured shoulders, but every time I went to put it on I felt so restricted. Today I had no choice as there was no time to think twice. It was on, and I was off.

Outfit Edit: Jacket by H&M; Vegan Leather Shorts by Premonition Design; White T-shirt by H&M & Shoes by Tony Bianco.

Boring mood, boring outfit. All my energy dissipated from trying to wake the hubby up. After an hour of: 

- switching the lights on and off 

- chewing loudly next to him 

- screaming 'wake up!!' 

- lifting the blanket up and down ...

This is what I found. When in doubt, I ALWAYS go to my Sass & Bide leggings. I have an unhealthy obsession (four black ones, one gold & a cream pair). It's funny how I sometimes wear the opposite of what I plan in my head. From thoughts of a bright pink pair of shorts, to this...

Outfit Edit: Skivvy by Witchery; Sass & Bide leggings & Heels by Mollini.

Playing With White

White is not my colour of choice. I love it as much as I love waking up during winter (not much- believe me. Snooze x100). I know it's been "in"- but I don't do "in" and following trends is not my thing. Until I meddled with the idea of buying a white pair of jeans (went there, and felt somewhat awkward. Does it go with anything?!). One foot in already, I started to think about white more and more. Then all these fashion instagrammers started posting "all-white looks". 

All white?! 

The last time I wore white from head to toe was on my wedding day, three years ago. Felt magical then, not so sure how I would feel now. But you know what? I'm going to do it. Nothing really scares me when it comes to fashion (oh wait, I still can't be too close to a pair of jeggings). 

 

Some photos of me playing with white... 

(More to come at the end of the weekend).

whoYen

xox

Outfit Edit: Top by Manning Cartell; White shorts by Zara; Shoes by Tony Bianca & Prada Bag

Outfit Edit: Top by Forecast; Skirt by Premonition Design & Shoes by Tony Bianco.

 

Outfit Edit: Blazer by Atticus; Dress by Fleur Wood & Shoes by Zoe Wittner.

A beautiful Sunday morning walking under the Sydney Harbour Bridge... 

Outfit Edit: Crop top by Supre, White A-line skirt by Nicola Finetti; Clutch by Witchery & Silver choker by Nicholas The Label.

Outfit Edit: White Dress by Erin Wasson RVCA.

So there it is. My week in white. And what a lovely week it was.