Is it just me, or do Australians have the best style?! I’m always looking for great clothing brands from down under and was beyond excited when Mister Zimi reached out. A gorgeous collection of versatile, quality pieces in fun colours and patterns, their clothing is full of classic statement pieces that everyone needs in a wardrobe.
I opted for this Berber Agnus frock that is just as comfortable as it looks. I wore it to my friend Saschie’s wedding and it was such a perfect wedding guest dress. Saschie didn’t have any bridesmaids, so she had a colour palette for wedding guests to reference for their attire. It turned out so beautiful, look at this shot of me and my friends from Fake Book Club:
I’m sad to report that this exact dress JUST sold out (ugh, why did I take so long to post this? Total blogger fail), but they do have a couple of sizes left in the Boujad Agnes Dress. They also have other styles in this beautiful pattern, including this adorable jumpsuit! Their styles fit true to size, but there’s more detail below.
On the day of a blood moon and lunar eclipse, Mercury went into retrograde, and I went to the salon and chopped all my hair off. Okay, technically it’s still long, but 4+ inches of my hair is in the trash somewhere, which is a dramatic change for me. I had a moment a few weeks ago where I suddenly hated my hairstyle more than anything in this world and if given the option at that moment, I fear that I would have shaved my head completely. It was as though my hair no longer belonged to me, and so it must be gone.
My super long mermaid mane was fun while it lasted and really, my hair grows like a weed so it could be the same length again in a few months. Truthfully, it served its part as a visual distraction and way to hide in a very weird season of my life. Behind that long and luscious mane, I was grappling with anxiety and depression and an entire spiritual revolution/identity crisis. I’ve hit a new point in the journey where I am feeling more and more like myself again and needed my ‘do to reflect that. So yeah, it’s great to no longer be Cousin Itt and to actually be able to see and be seen. Slowly but surely gaining confidence back.
I cannot believe that this month is almost over. My concept of time has been skewed by these beautiful long days and relentless heat. I also haven’t had a drop of coffee since last Tuesday, so I’m probably just sleepwalking at this point.
I feel rather lost in terms of summertime styling, but items like this adorable round straw bag and vintage looking sunglasses certainly help make a statement. That’s kind of my strategy so far this season. To rock basics and jazz them up with an accessory or two. Although in the current heat, my approach is more like how can I be semi-comfortable without looking like a slob, while wearing as little as possible so that I don’t melt like the Wicked Witch of the West?!
I saw this spring staple while “grocery shopping” at Superstore. I mean, why would they do something as evil as selling clothing at a place where I’m supposed to be buying lettuce? They even put their Joe Fresh offerings in the front right corner, so I “have to” walk past it as soon as I enter the store. Gets me every single time, I can never stay on task. In fact, we’re lucky if I even remember the lettuce.
A trench coat is actually on my ‘not currently allowed to purchase’ list. Do you have one of those? It’s a little note I keep that reminds me not to buy things that I already own (and often own too many of). I do already have a timeless structured trench and a long trench vest, BUT I certainly didn’t have a lighter draped tie sleeve trench! Soooo it’s justified, right?!
The loose fit is quite fun and I do enjoy the lighter fabric. Especially since our weather went from frigid to sweatbox and seemed to have skipped that in between cool. Or maybe it just seems that way because I was out of town for so long? Regardless, I haven’t even had a chance to wear my structured trench yet this season and so this updated flowy trench has certainly come in handy. I also enjoy being able to tuck in the sleeves so that they’re 3/4. Otherwise, they are a bit long and overpowering, I might get them hemmed slightly before fall. Who are we kidding, I’ll never get around to that. I’ll forever just push up these sleeves and that’s okay with me.
I am mostly here to tell you that this tie sleeve jacket is on sale and I really think that you should own it too. Only if you want to, of course. Looks like just medium and large are left online, but if you read this blog because we’re a similar size, then you just might be in luck! I’m wearing a large, but the M was an okay fit as well.
Hello, beautiful people! It sure has been a while ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Every time I go on a trip I am so motivated to get stuff done while I’m away. I map everything out and look forward to this extra productive superwoman I plan to be on vacation. I mean, travel writing has been a lifelong dream of mine, shouldn’t be hard to do, right? Instead, I usually end up distracted, with very limited wifi, and use any free moments answering emails or journalling about the day. One day I will figure out how to manage my time abroad. For now, I’ll just be an erratic writer and feel bad about it.
I finally think I’m over the post-vacay “can’t believe I’m home and not on a beach” blues. And I do realize how privileged that sentence was, but it’s legit a thing. We got slammed with tons of family and friend commitments upon returning, I had serious jet lag, and in general, my levels of concentration has been minimal at best. Alas, I am currently listening to some 90’s jams on a Throwback Thursday playlist and finally getting around to this blog post, so NOTHING CAN STOP ME!
Anyway, about culottes. They are my jam this year. You guys know how I feel about comfort and jumpsuits and combining the two is a recipe for a signature look. This particularly darling piece is from COSSAC . A brand I’ve declared my love for here and here. I seem to gravitate towards something from their collection, in black, every season. It’s a connection with Agatka and the brand’s commitment to slow fashion and sustainable design that keeps me coming back! I also can’t stop wearing these white Wittner sandals. They’re perfectly 90’s and go with everything in my spring/summer wardrobe. It’s just safe to say that this neutral combination will likely be repeated many more times this season.
How have you guys been? I’ve missed you and am looking forward to catching up over the next few weeks!
As I move into more of a monthly capsule wardrobe, I am relying on accessory choices more than ever. And really, updating jewelry can be such a budget friendly way to elevate and/or change up even the most basic ensemble. Here are the bold earrings that I keep gravitating towards, complete with links to similar styles in a variety of price points.
This month, I’m living in resort wear because I’m off to…
It’s surreal that I’m here to tell you that I am leaving town for the remainder of April. That’s right, the entire rest of the month. I’ve never had to set an out of office notification for such an extended period of time. Not that I’m really great at promptly answering messages anyway, but that’s neither here nor there.
I am feeling grateful, completely spoiled and at this point, a little stressed.
How did this all come about, you’re wondering?
Well, first of all, my Blogger BFF and I are off to…Thailand! We’ll be spending 8 days in paradise with Contiki. I’ve never been to Asia and I’ve never done a tour before, so I’m really looking forward to experiencing new and exciting things that are a bit outside of my comfort zone. We’ll be on their Thai Island Hopper West, which includes Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Krabi. Have you ever been? Have you done a Contiki Tour before? What should I know?
I fly back and then have a day and a half to frantically do laundry and re-pack before Adam and I go meet my family in Kauai! We’re doing a big family vacay to Hawaii which will be hectic like family trips are, but hopefully also recharging. It has been so much fun shopping resort wear for these sunny adventures, I can’t wait to show you all the cute things I’ve packed!
There will still be plenty of blog posts coming your way over the month of April. I have, for maybe the first time in years, a bunch of posts scheduled. Plus, my trips are always working vacations. I don’t know if I have ever been able to go away without my laptop in tow.
I am totally at that point where I’m unreasonably sad to leave Reggie, even though he’s going to be just fine without me. It’s more that I struggle to leave him (I seem to be the one with separation anxiety lol). Have to finish packing, some last minute errands to run and loose ends to tie up before I jet, but once I’m sitting on that plane tonight, I’m sure it’s all going to sink in. Then I can relax and let myself be excited!
I’ll be vlogging all of it and posting regularly on Instagram while we’re away, so be sure to keep up with the adventures on IG @aliciafashionista. Love and light, my friends xo
Nettle’s Tale named a bikini after yours truly and someone pinch me!
I first heard of Nettle’s Tale when they started on a crowdfunding site. The founder, Julia, was pitching a locally made swim line that was thoughtfully designed for women of all sorts of shapes and sizes. I remember watching the video and feeling an instant connection to this woman and her designs.
When the collection was launched, it was sold in a local store, and I was able to finally meet Julia in person and try on some of her suits. I ended up purchasing ‘The Julia’ because it had supportive underwire, and wore it on our honeymoon in Italy, which you can see it briefly at the beginning of this video. The bottoms I got to match are called The Magic Bottoms and they are literal bathing suit witchcraft. So comfy and perfect for mix and matching. I now own them in cranberry and black. They also go really well with my Heather Top. As you can tell, I have been a big fan of Nettle’s Tale since day one.
That’s why, when Julia reached out two years ago (yes, it has taken this long from concept to execution) and said she wanted to design a suit with me in mind, I was over the moon and slightly nervous. I mean, what a dream come true. I loved Nettle’s Tale and knew that she’d create something spectacular.
My Spring Capsule Wardrobe HAS to start with this polka dot jumpsuit. A piece that I must confess, I feel like I sort of stole? Not like I swiped it from the clothing rack of a boutique, but I didn’t really pay for it. I’d ordered this beauty online at the beginning of January, after weeks of trying to justify the purchase, thinking that it would be the starting point and staple of my spring/summer wardrobe. Time went on and on and by mid February I was concerned for its whereabouts. I’d hoped to wear it to my friend’s stagette in Mexico at the beginning of March, but that was clearly not going to happen. I contacted the site, they were really helpful and I asked if I could be sent a replacement. It was sold out, so they refunded me instead. Then, 3 weeks later, guess what shows up at my front door?! This silly jumpsuit must have been hanging out at some customs depot for a few months and magically was released to me after I got my money back for it. I don’t feel that bad about not paying for it though, as I did have to wait almost 3 months for it to arrive. I’m sure the store understands, right? RIGHT?!
Anyway, as we’re gradually easing into warmer weather, I thought I’d style this sucker two different ways. One for these sunny but still chillier days and then an option for when those hot rays of sunshine that will hopefully beam down on us within the next few months.
I have been seeing polka dots everywhere, especially in jumpsuit/romper form for this season. I’m sad that this particular style is sold out, but I’ve linked to some similar polka dot jumpsuits below!
