Zimmermann Spring/Summer 2015.

Vogue Runway

Zimmermann always speaks to the girly-girl going somewhere on an adventure, preferably to the seaside. Their Spring/Summer 2016 collection shown a few days ago at New York Fashion Week has to be one of their best collections yet. It was inspired by an 1894 novel called 'Seven Little Australians' which tells the coming-of-age story of seven mischievous children growing up out in Australia's bushland. Designer Nicky Zimmermann set out to draw "on the contrast between the conservatism of the time and the disobedience of the characters". The narrative was weaved throughout the collection in the form of bell sleeves, high-neck collars and floral frills but not past the point of being wearable and out of context. Ultra-feminine as this collection may be, subtly, the bohemian beach inspired vibes that made the Australian brand well known in the first place still remain.

Terrigal.

Wearing: Camilla and Marc top (from sample sale), Zara jeans, scarf from Brunswick Markets, near Byron Bay, Michael Kors watch.

This Easter Monday I traveled up to Terrigal to meet my sister who was staying in Newcastle. We thought instead of one coming to the other why not meet half way and explore somewhere we hadn't been before. Driving in to Terrigal felt a lot like being at home on the Gold Coast. Wide roads, open spaces, big pine trees lining the beach, a concentrated area of people and shops all buzzing thanks to the public holiday. It's a different, more carefree vibe than that of being around the city. We did what tourists do and drove around, parked, got out, explored a beach, had lunch, people watched, you know the routine. A storm had been brewing since we arrived. The sky had been turning a deeper shade of grey every time I looked up at it. Racing against time (and somewhat like that Tornado movie in my mind) we managed to make it to Long Jetty for some quick pictures before the storm fully set in. Those last moments before the heavy spots of rain fell to the ground felt electric, like we had won the storm chasers race.

Capsule Wardrobe, Autumn/Winter 2015.

Trying to think now I don't even remember how I stumbled upon finding out about capsule wardrobes. One link led to another, and in time took me to the blog Un-Fancy; a blog about personal style and minimalism. In an effort to simplify her life Un-Fancy's creator Caroline decided to start a 'capsule wardrobe' - a mini wardrobe of 37 versatile pieces that she loves. 

After selling quite a lot of my wardrobe on eBay recently I started to relish the freedom of having less and using more of what I truly loved already hanging in my wardrobe. Less has made me feel liberated and light. Which has in turn led me to trying out the capsule wardrobe concept.

What the heck is a capsule wardrobe anyway I hear you ask? Basically it is refining your clothing situation to 37 pieces (or a number that works for you) per season that is guided by the following breakdown: 9 shoes, 9 bottoms, 15 tops, 2 dresses and 2 jackets. Oh and gym clothes, accessories, jewellery, swimmers, pajamas/loungewear and underwear are excluded from this list. You wear only the 37 pieces during the course of a season, three months. During this time you don't buy anything new (the hardest part I imagine...!). In the last two weeks of the season you can start to plan and buy for the next season's capsule. The amount you buy for each new season is a personal choice but the aim of the game is less. The goals are to save yourself time, energy, money and refine your personal style (which is bang on with my resolutions for this year!). 

So here is my first capsule collection*. Most of the items I already own and I have added a few pieces to tie this all together. My number is higher than 37 and that is OK with me because I know between work and weekend I will wear everything. I'm giving myself a hall pass for one purchase during the three months for the ultimate grey turtle neck sweater as the autumn/winter collections aren't fully in stores yet.

*I used Polyvore to make the layout above so most of the items pictured are just very similar to what I own, not what I actually own... although a pair of yellow Monolo Blahniks would be very nice!