Time to Get Creative
It’s taken me a little bit longer than normal to get this blog post happening but I’m finally on to it! This year has flown by already with so much going on that I’m left a little exhausted and unmotivated at times. Time for creative work was limited, and what time and energy we could muster up was dedicated to work and the kids. Looking around, I see so many others who are in the same boat. Some days, like the day we went out to shoot this, just work out. The kids were in school, our morning was kept free, the sun was shining and we were feeling pretty good. We had also just acquired a new camera lens (will write about it in another blog post) which we were keen to use.
The $20 Style Challenge
This little outfit was part of a challenge which St Vinnie De Paul sent my way. The brief was to find an outfit from head to toe for a whopping total of $20! Yep, I had my doubts that I could pull this one off but I was up to the style challenge. No total outfit of mine has even been close to that small budget! St Vincent De Paul does such fantastic work for the community so I do love helping them spread the word about them.
My first thoughts were that I could find a pretty outfit and go barefoot-in-the-park style. Shoes are something which I normally don’t find in an op shop and I wasn’t expecting to find one this time. I had been to this specific Vinnies store previously and found fabulous pieces from there, so I was confident I’d find a nice quality outfit this time round as well. But I had little hope for shoes.
Boy, was I surprised! Not only did I walk out with a gorgeous dress from State Of Georgia which is a gorgeous, flirty dress for $6! My $20 budget allowed me to pick up all accessories as well – including a funky pair of brand new Tony Bianco wedges ($5), a cute boater hat ($2) with a navy ribbon around it, a beaded necklace ($3) which I used as a bracelet and a little woven bag with bamboo handles ($4). Who would have thought!
Timeless Style
I’ve worn this dress a few times – minus the heels! It’s great summer dress which flips about when I walk. I’ve teamed the dress with a pair of white sneakers when I’m out and about shopping or lunching. The wedge heels are so funky. I did wear them to an event not so long ago with a denim dress. They’re surprisingly okay to walk in just as long as the surface is even and I don’t move too fast! The platform makes them high without the uncomfortable incline. Boater hats are always in fashion so I can see myself making use of it again. I can see myself wearing these pieces again and again!
Photography at Albert Park
We chose Albert Park Lake for our photo shoot as we love the leading lines of the palm trees and the city backdrop. Some black swans got curious and came around for a look, or rather they thought that I had food for them! The day was spectacularly warm for Autumn and the vitamin D was great to get my endorphins pumping. After the shoot, we was off to join a friend for his birthday brunch. It was a good day.
This challenge has proven that you don’t have to blow the budget to look fabulous. Op shops are not as daggy as people seem to think! I’ve written a few articles on op-shopping which you might want to read if you want to try it out! (see here or here) Not only does it help you save some dollars, you can feel great about contributing to a great cause. If op-shopping is not for you, you can always donate those unwanted items which have been sitting in your closet.