OOTD Uniform Via Thrift

Blouse - Thrifted, Tunic - Thrifted and altered, Dr. Marten 1490 Boots - Thrifted, Rings - (from left) Lovisa, Thrifted, Bingo Betty, and Etsy, Bangle - Market stall at Woodford Folk Festival, Lips - Illamasqua 'Spell' medium pencil and Clinique 'Super Moisturising Gloss'

This OOTD accidentally reminds me of Jess and mine's winter uniform. Navy blue tunic and a white button-up blouse (yes, I know this one is cream). And as much as I despised wearing that uniform, it creates something nice and nostalgic about this outfit. Virtually everything is thrifted, which you will learn is not unusual for me. The blouse I dug out for $2 at my favourite thrift store near my old home, and the tunic also thrifted (see Sunday's DIY post). My boots I think I've mentioned before; my Dr. Martens are one of my most treasured and well used possessions. 

Here in Melbourne, the Summer can be unpredictable in its temperature variations. It can range from 12 to 40 degrees within two or three days. I wore this outfit on Saturday on a casual stroll down to the Camberwell shops and was pretty pleased with the fact I could wear boots and a long sleeve shirt in Summer. 

It was also my first day experimenting with styling my new haircut. The first wash after the hairdresser styles it is always interesting. I purchased this snazzy new product called the Miracle Hair Treatment from ELEVEN and so far I've been pretty impressed. With a tousle through my hair and a thorough blow-dry with my hands the result was exactly as expected and desired. Super soft, lacking frizz, and that perfect 'rolled out of bed' look. 

I've been accruing more and more rings of late. However, I have to wear sterling silver as my skin instantly turns green if it's cheap metal. My favourite is the tiny little crown ring on my ring finger (far right). Jess bought me this for my 20th birthday last year. The one next to it is a recent purchase from Bingo Betty just around the corner from my house. I love that it's a square shape. Second from the left, you'll see a ring I found hidden in my mum's collection - aching to see the light of day. The fourth ring was just a cheapie pick-up from Lovisa during its seemingly continuous 3-for-2 sale.  

Have you been grabbed by the recent trendy addiction to rings? I struggle finding sterling silver ones with multiple sizes - any tips?

Erin xx

Walking in someone else's shoes

There are a few boxes that shoes need to check before I will buy them. A few is probably an understatement too. I'm of the opinion that shoes need to be comfortable, practical, and stylish but plain enough to work with most (if not all) of my outfits. They also need to be appropriate to wear all year round. As you can probably guess, I don't have the largest collection of everyday shoes. This small collection (of about five or six) has a limited colour range of browns, tans and blacks. They all get loved to within an inch of their lives and half of them have had previous owners.

There seems to be a certain stigma surrounding second hand shoes. Be it for orthopaedic or hygienic reasons I just can't jump onto that bandwagon. There is a reason why the person handing them onto you (via family or resale) and not throwing them in the bin as a lot of people tend to do with their old shoes. There is something incredibly moving (pun intended) about putting on shoes with a history. My favourite pair of shoes found in Paddington Antique Centre, is a well battered (even more since my purchase) pair of classic black Doc Martens. Hidden in the middle of an overfilled clothing rack, these pre-loved shoes were in my uncommon shoe size and softened to perfection. Since this find four years ago I have been a lover of second hand shoes; always on the hunt for a pair in my size. 

My most recent find was the week before Christmas (Christmas miracle anyone?) They were found on the same trip that I found my true (amethyst) love. Sitting unassumingly among many outgoing pairs of shoes on the floor of Shag Vintage in Centreway Arcade, my eyes locked on, and in love with these shoes I fell. Not only were they in my size (the ultimate decider) but they were loafers. I have been searching for a suitable pair of loafers since last Summer. I found them. The next pair for my small yet versatile collection. Being on a budget, my heart skipped a beat when I handed over $79 for second hand shoes but it was only momentary when I thought about how long twelve months is in 'shoe hunting land'. 

These shoes will serve me well all year round, blister free (fingers crossed). They check all of my boxes and a few more I wasn't even aware of. Its finds like these that remind me of how satisfying vintage shopping is. The one in a million chance of finding the perfect shoe that comes to me like a novel half finished. 

What are your thoughts on pre-loved shoes? 

Erin xx