Soho Mood

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Shoes: Shoebuy

Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your weekends as much as I did.

It was only a short week for me (Cup Day public holiday, hurrah!) but I was wholeheartedly exhausted by Friday night. We’re still in the midst of wishy-washy weather: in the 30’s on Friday, then a blowy change on Saturday and a sunny but chill 20-something today. I don’t mind it too much and in a few months I’ll be longing for those cool changes (though my beautiful little apartment has air-conditioning, so I predict this summer will be considerably less unpleasant than the last couple).

Can you believe it’s already November? The hot weather’s not far off now. I have a slew of sunny summer dresses that I’m itching to wear; this new Sohomode tea-dress is one of them and I’ve been sitting on it for months now waiting for it to get warm enough. I fell completely in love with the poppy fabric when I first saw it on Louise’s Instagram. Knowing my obsession with all thing yellow Louise made it up with mustard piping on the belt:

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And then (just because she’s amazing) she also created a thin rustic braided belt to swap it out with:

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I’m thinking this might be my Christmas frock for 2014!

If you fancied treating yourself for the upcoming holiday season (and why wouldn’t you?) Louise is running a special discount for Frocks and Frou Frou readers until Thursday – 15% off her store with the code “Lovefromsohomode”.

She’s updated her extensive fabric archive with some absolute stunners… which I perused very carefully. Purely for research purposes, you understand. Not because I’m thinking of adding a sixth tea-dress to my collection.

… If I WERE going to add to my collection I’d probably have to go the clouds

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Or maybe the trippy strawberries:

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Or my little squirrel buddy from my Sohomode shift dress might like to do another cameo…

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yes….. purely research purposes…

Do you see a fabric in Louise’s collection that speaks to you?

A Bright, Bright, Sunshiny Day

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 Dress: Sohomode

Cardigan: Boden

Belt: Asos

Shoes: Gorman (similar here)

Well, today was freezing.

Every year I seem to find myself saying “It’s way colder this year than last” but I think I’ve come to the conclusion that actually winter’s just winter, and I just forget how cold it is because I always forget to wear a coat.

It’s grey and winter and wet, and the trees outside my sunroom that in summer gave the most lovely dappled light are stripped bare and barren.

On my walk into work I’m starting to see some little hints of spring – early blossoms in the trees and new green growth – but yep: definitely still cold.

Fortunately this Sohomode tea dress – my very first! – is made out of a heavier bark-cloth, and is perfect for injecting a little bit of floral sunshine into a chilly day.

How’s your week been so far? Mine’s been hectic – I took a flying visit to Sydney for work, caught up with a couple of girlfriends for dinner, and met someone new for coffee. On Sunday I spent a day with Erika “the Queen of Curves” and the super lovely Kerry from Harlow at the Love Your Curves VIP Shopping Event at Doncaster Shopping Centre.

I’d never been to a stylist, and I’ve always been a bit wary about someone telling you what you should and shouldn’t wear (remember my number one fashion rule? Don’t follow fashion rules) so when Erika presented everyone with the old adage about “body shapes” and what styles “flatter” each shape, but then added “So that’s the “box”. Feel free to fuck the box” I wanted to give a little cheer.

I was enormously impressed and heartened by the day that Erika and her team put together – it was way less about “figure flattering” and “slimming” and “thou shalt not wear horizontal stripes”, and way more about body positivity, learning how to silence the negative voices in your head (and some good comebacks for the ones on the outside, too), and how to learn confidence and pride. It was like an empowering and supportive pow-wow with a group of girlfriends, cupcakes, and a bit of fun shopping on the side. Oh, and awesome goodie bags to take away!

It was also nice to be able to hear directly from Kerry about what her philosophy behind Harlow was, her design process, and her vision for the future of plus-size fashion. Plus, as you know I like my internet shopping, but really nothing compares to being able to try the items on and see how they look in person!

I’d definitely recommend bookmarking Erika’s Facebook page and if you’re in Melbourne and feeling a bit down, or if you have a friend who could do with a bit of a self-esteem boost then maybe thinking about coming along to one of the next Love Your Curves events.