Channelling Mad Men - The Secretarial Pool

I have firmly caught the Mad Men bug, especially now that it is available on free to air TV in Australia (8.30pm Thursday nights, SBS).
Here is my homage to the secretarial pool:

Black pencil skirt - so old I can't remember where it came from. White polyester (I know... I know...) sheer blouse thrifted from Hunter Gatherer eons ago.

As always the devil (and charm) is in the details. The micro-pleat texture never needs pressing (purfect for this Kitten, who lacks any skill with an iron) and ruffles on each sleeve is mirrored in the high neckline too.

The decorative button and bow detail on the front ties in nicely with the functional buttons down the back.

All I need now is a note pad and pen.... take a letter Miss Verve....

Dragon Fly

I've always loved Dragonflies. There is something inherently pretty about their long slender wings as they dance across water, almost skimming the surface.

Popular in Art Deco era motifs, these elegant insects were often used as jewelry inspirations. While these are obviously a more modern interpretation, I always receive so many delightful comments when I wear these earrings:

Today, I've teamed them with a cross over top in my favorite colour (red of course!), that features beading at the neckline and 1940's style cap sleeves:

I've also gone the bright red lipstick route with a fabulous indelible Cover Girl product called Outlast. It comes with two applicants: one for the colour (which you apply once) and then a moisturising gloss that you reapply during the day as needed. It is so stay fast that I literally have to take it off with baby oil at the end of the day!

Oriental Wednesday

I've always wanted a nice red Cheongsam top, partly inspired by Catherine Martin's costume for Nicole Kidman in 'Australia' and particularly as I am in the midst of planning an Asian holiday.

Here is Liv Tyler wearing a Cheongsam inspired Oscar de la Renta:

I recently found just what I was looking for:

Today, I wore it work. Sometimes you've just got to mix it up a bit - I sometimes struggle to emerge from what I like to call "Festive Melbourne Black", favoured by many of my fellow Melbournians, particularly in the work place.

I love the Mandarin collar, bright red brocade with gold thread and the lovely fastening details that cascade from the neckline across the shoulder.

Not exactly traditional office wear, but I've actually had lots of positive comments today, which always emboldens me to snap out of my work-wear funk a little more often.

Tell me Kittens: What flourishes have you made to your office wardrobe to lift the ordinary to the extraordinary?

Tea For Two

Happy New Year Kittens!

Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I have been rather caught up with Christmas, holidays and celebrations (but more of that later) !

And, wouldn't you know it.... as soon as I return to the office, brilliant sunshine streams down a lovely 29 degrees! I suspect that many are still on holidays, judging by the lack of traffic and the quietness of my phone, not that I'm complaining!

But I digress.... the gorgeous Melbourne summer has arrived and so it's time to break out the comfortable cotton Tea Dress:

I've been told that bold prints are de rigueur at the moment and I love the 50's style of this Vintage reproduction dress that I found at Velour in St Kilda (where the delightful Trish Hunter Finds works).

The cross over sweetheart neckline, the pleats in the full skirt and wide waist band make it comfortable and very easy to dress either up or down:

Those of you with an eagle eye may have noticed a brand new "addition" to my left hand in the first photo.... let me know if you require details!

Retro Friday

Like many corporate offices, mine embraces the "Casual Friday" tradition.

There's nothing quite like rocking up to work in jeans and an old t-shirt. But casual shouldn't mean sloppy!

My special touch was this merle grey bonds t-shirt that I decorated myself with a fab retro iron on transfer from the 70's:

While I'm not exactly a Bulldogs fan (I'm actually a Tigers girl), I love the glitter outline, the slick print and the fact I took something new and gave it it's own retro look.

It just goes to show, even if you think you're not creative, there are a myriad of ways to incorporate your own personal style into what you wear. Sew old buttons onto fingerless mittens and jacket lapels, take that costume jewelery piece and turn it into your own custom brooch for your jeans, berets, scarves headbands. Tie that neckerchief around your belt loop or hair bun. There is no limit to your imagination - give it a try!

T-shirt - Bonds, decorated by me
Jeans - Jag
Sequin ballet flats - eBay

Gone A Bit Dotty

I have found that over the years I have avoided polka dots.

Sure, they can be cute in small amounts, but I don't think I've ever had the confidence to choose the right piece that would last more than half a season. They tend to be one of those flash trends that only last a couple of months and then they are... well... dated.

I broke my own rules with this skirt, thanks to a couple (or three) glasses of Champagne and eBay.

What hooked me in were the massive white button detail on the back of it (remember, you can click on the pics to enlarge them).

Teamed with a black turtleneck and skinny belt, I hoped to move the outfit away from the cutesy to something a little more sophisimacated for work.

So tell me - What trends do you try to avoid (no matter how many times they raise their trendy little heads)?

Skirt - eBay
Turtleneck - Susan
Belt - Country Road
Brooch - Velour on Barkly St St Kilda

Day Time Sequins?

Now, I'm not too sure if I've made a fashion faux pas. Today I wore sequins to the office:



I do believe I got away with it as they weren't the bright shinny bling type of sequins and hopefully the simple tunic they are attached to looks a million miles away from being a victim of a "Bedazzler".

It has a pretty Mandarin collar that dips down into a modest open v neckline, which I find perfect for showing off a nice piece of jewelery.

My shoes have some floral details to give them a feminine flourish (not that I've seen many heels with a masculine one...) but best of all, their soft pink tone puts them into the 'neutral' category which means they can pretty much be worn with any outfit one chooses to sling on in the morning.

So what do you think? Should one avoid sequins during daylight hours? Perhaps you are a Magpie like me who just loves bright and shiny things and says "to hell with convention - I like it and I'm gonna wear it!"

A-Joy Sequin Tunic - Unique in Acland St St Kilda (ages ago)
Portmans trousers - My sister's hand me down
Shoes - eBay
Silver Coral pendant and matching earings - Christmas gift from my boy.