Saturday 14 July 2012

Fashion blogging is not for the faint of heart.

Yes, yes there is a wee bit of pundage in the title of this post. But I tell you, after attempting to try on and photograph four different outfits, it's damn hard work and I am in desperate need of a nanna nap, or medically induced coma.

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to win a $150 Westfield gift card from one of my favourite fashion bloggers, the beautiful and talented Marianne from, Esme and The Laneway. A former London native and now fellow Melbournian, Marianne runs a fantastic fashion blog that matches her incredible eye for vintage with amazing and flawless styling. She also has an enviable shoe collection which I not so secretly, covet. I've followed her blog for a couple of years now and it is a true pleasure, especially on a not so fantastic day, of which I have a few. I am also determined to attempt one of her vintage hair tutorials as soon as I overcome the whole pesky arms above head equals pass out, scenario. Following my post-online shopping high I was silly enough to promise her some photographs of my purchases, hence this sad attempt at fashion blogging.


Being ill fashion often fades into the background, but of late I've been trying to bring it back. It's no longer as simple as buying something just because I like it. Comfort is key. I can't stand tight clothing and I tend to wear light summer clothes even in the midst of Winter thanks to a body temperature set at Sahara. And it needs to be easy to put on. With so little energy each day I simply can't afford to waste that precious resource on simply getting dressed, especially when my compulsory compression stockings already require the energy equivalent of running a marathon to put on. Given that I also continue to lose weight despite my best efforts, this win was very fortuitous as most of my wardrobe is now too big. Even bigger bonus, it was mid-year sales and I managed to get everything for over 50% off.  Three dresses and a skirt. Score!

Okay here goes. Feel free to giggle at the crazy woman in the wood shed and her questionable fashion sense. My homage to Blue Steel and generally being a fool.

Dress: Dangerfield Angelina Dress in Gold.
Stockings: Juzo Soft 20-30mmHg in Chocolate (Summer collection).
Shoes: Tiny store in Singapore many a year ago.
Necklace: Peacock necklace ASOS.
Bracelet: c1930 Green Bakelite clasp bracelet, gift from Mr Grumpy.
Walking stick: From granny aides store, desperately in need of bedazzling. Actually I'd love an antique black stick with a silver Art Nouveau handle, but I'm still on the hunt for one in my price range.

Dress: Dangerfield Walking in the Rain in navy.
Stockings: Juzo Soft 20-30mmHg in Jade (Winter collection).
Boots: Found in back of wardrobe about 10 years old no idea where I bought them.
Necklace: My mum's from the 60's.

Dress: Dangerfield Samantha Dress in Red.
Stockings: Juzo Soft 20-30mmHg in Shadow (Summer collection)
Shoes: Black T-bars, again I've had them for years. Well worn and label has rubbed off.
Cuffs: I've had both since high school, no idea where I bought them.

Skirt: Dangerfield Bunny's in the Band Mini in Black (okay this looked way longer in the picture)
Stockings: Juzo Soft 20-30mmHg in Violet (Summer collection)
Shoes: Plum coloured heels again from Singapore many a year ago.
T-shirt: Threadless Toil.
Cardigan: Just Jeans, about 10yrs ago.
Necklace: Dorothy Shoes, a gift from the lovely Shae of Shae Ecelectique
Photographer: The L-Plater and myself (Blue steel abilities are obviously genetic).

The day's endeavours have taught me many things. First and foremost, it is really really easy to embarrass your teenage son. Simply ask him to take photos of you whilst you do your best Blue Steel impersonations. Secondly, I have all the grace of besser block. My posing abilities are apparently as bad as my breathing whilst standing abilities, otherwise known as "what the hell is wrong with your leg, Mum? It looks like you broke it." In my defence I did put on some small heels, was using a cane, and trying not to pass out, whilst my Annie Leibovitz wannabe told me to "work it, work it" (I see years of therapy ahead). Thirdly, trying to put on and take off four pairs of compression stockings is exhausting. I'm pretty sure I have done a year's worth of cardio today on that simply act alone. Nanna naps are definitely order of the day. Fourthly, my ability to apply makeup has disappeared. This became readily apparent when I applied mascara to my eyeball and right nostril rather than my eyelashes thanks to an errant muscle spasm. Fifthly, do not allow your teenage son try and help you out of the wood shed. Yes his 6'2' frame can lift you but it can also pop or aggravate a disc, OW. Sixth and possibly most important, all of these things add up to lots of laughter and fun.

Cheers
Michelle :)

*I decided to go all Dangerfield as each Westfield store charges it's own postage. So rather than spend $50 just on postage I went for one store and paid $10.

**I should add it's probably not a great idea to try and do a fashion shoot in your backyard when you are already bradycardic. Today is not pretty. But it was fun at the time. Hence my music accompaniment. Little Birdy's, Relapse.

31 comments:

  1. Love the outfits! Four pair of compression stockings, I don't know how you did it! One pair can take me down in one sitting. What fun you must have had with your son, I'm sure it will be one of his fondest memories (the strange ones usually are).

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    1. I don't recommend doing 4 changes in one day. By the end I was pretty ill. Only just made it to the couch with help and then the boys plied me with water and TLC. I do hope my son had a bit of fun with it all. If nothing else he seems pretty used to my crazy now :)

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  2. You look FABULOUS!!!

    Jane

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  3. I like all of those outfits!!

    You look GREAT!!!

    ~shoes~

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    1. Thanks Red. I'm pretty happy with them all. :)

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  4. You are lovely. I love the hair color. I love those compression stockings. Maybe I should wear them?

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    1. I like my hair colour too, not too shabby for a home dye job. Try the stockings, they do help and now they come in better colours they don't look as grannified.

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  5. Beautiful. x
    (Please see someone that really knows about Ehlers Danlos.... nag nag naggy nag! .....)If you will post photos of you to bloggers who have EDS there will always be a little bit of nagging, now and then) Sorryx

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    1. I know. I know. The problem is trying to find someone knowledgeable about EDS here, and who you can get into. It's definitely on my list.xx

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  6. It was about 6 years ago that my instincts started telling me that my clothes were exhausting me.I thought it was mad to think like that but sure enough jeans became a 'no-no' as did mid calf straight skirts and high heels were definitely only for special occasions because of the repercussions ( why could some ladies wear them all day everyday but not me?). I could no longer wear just any shoe. It had to be D -shaped, soft and supportive inside and generally came with quite a hefty price tag. Turtle neck skivvies are also out, certain things feel like lead on your shoulders and the last nail in the coffin (that I find very disappointing) is that I can no longer wear my lovely necklaces because my neck can't cope.
    Thinking what to wear can also be impossible - the brain just doesn't want to make decisions but when it allows I find I am suddenly wearing more color than I use to, I replace necklaces with brooches and soft light scarves, Jeggings instead of jeans, simple dresses similar to the style you have on in the photos(because a dress is only one item to think about, wash, put away)teamed with leggings or tights and a long sleeved top underneath. Sometimes I think it would be great to have a little catalogue of outfits from my wardrobe that work so I don't have to make decisions - just look at the pic and put it on.
    Clothing has always been a love of mine and it is one thing I hope won't be snatched away entirely. When energy allows, dressing nicely for the day (even if I have to go back to bed within 30 mins) gives my mood a lift - I guess it is one part of the old me that I still have acess to. Another great post Michelle - another little thing that is more relevant than we probably admit.

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    1. I think we've had the same experience Amity. When I was still working and getting sicker and sicker I had to change my wardrobe. I did it without thinking and it's only now that I can see it matched my ever decreasing health. I went from heels, make up very fitted professional wear, to flats, comfortable loose dresses, minimal make up etc. I think cataloguing and even having a couple of outfits already worked out is a brilliant idea as it takes out the whole needing to think aspect. I know I look in my wardrobe and just stand there not knowing where to start.

      I do get into ruts where I'm pj girl but I do hate it. Just getting up and brushing my hair and getting dressed makes me feel better even when it's exhausting. Last year I was lucky enough to go shopping with another Aussie fashion blogger, Lady Melbourne,and she helped me find pj alternatives that actually looked nice and fashionable. Since then I try to do it as much as possible. I'm all for inner beauty and think that is vital, but sometimes getting up and putting on a nice dress or a bit of lippy can actually make you feel a bit better and more human.

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  7. I have dress envy. All of them.

    You look fantastic.

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    1. Thanks Naomi. I'm pretty happy with them myself. :)

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  8. Those compression stockings are funky! I've had to wear them quite a few times in hospital but they only went up to my knees and a nurse put them on for me. I can only imagine what a nuisance they must be.

    You look fab! I think you have a great fashion sense. I especially love the second outfit. Love, love, love, LOVE! You have ah-mazing legs, lady! I am envious. I can't wear anything above my knees because I will gross people out haha. Thank the lord for maxi skirts and dresses.

    My fashion sense has gone down the gurgler lately. Humira has me stacking on the kilos and I've lost my confidence. But your post has made me determined to get it back.

    Your poses are hilarious (in a good way). I'm terrible at the whole posing thing. I'm so uncoordinated and just end up giving up and sticking to an awkward smile. At least you make yours entertaining!

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    1. Thanks babe. I'm a bit beyond caring what people think these days so it does help, but yeah if I try to pose properly it just looked silly. It's so hard to maintain confidence when the drugs or the disorder changes your body. When I first started on Florinef I gained a lot of weight, heaviest I've ever been not pregnant. Then when my gastric symptoms amped up I lost 18kg over a few weeks, equally not good and I looked skeletal. I'm a bit better now, but still not healthy weight, can't win sometimes. That's why I kind of figure might as well just be happy and crazy and let it all hang out as I can't change it. I say join me in Blue Steel for your next photo! It's quite freeing. :)

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  9. You look fantastic! I LOVE your post and am so happy you won the voucher. Love the blue steeling! And your hair colour is home done, you say? It's gorgeous! xxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. Thanks again for the gift card. I did have fun with it all and I do love that it seems to have inspired many of my readers to leap into a bit of fashion(and hopefully Blue Steeling)given the response here on the blog on on some of the chronic illness forums. Yes, my hair is courtesy of a Schwarzkopf box from my local supermarket. It's nice to have a bit of colour.xx

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  10. Can we please a Dysautonomia Dress Up party where i can come raid your wardrobe and shoe collection?! Haha! Totally love your colourful vintage stylings! Oh, and we also have the same hair colour!! Great minds think alike, hey?!

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  11. DAYUM WOMAN YOU ARE HAWT!

    And I love every single outfit.

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  12. Hi there :-) My memory is so bad I cannot remember how I have ended up here lol. I think it is via a mutual friend commenting on your link in facebook (I have EDS amongst other things and think that maybe the connection) anyway I just wanted to say YAY for the photo shot!!! I to have days where I cannot bear the touch of clothes on my skin. Bra wearing is now a rare occurance but i have found I can manage it by extending them so they literally just sit there loosly, if I were to raise both arms both boobs would fall out of the bottom lol. Anyway, although I have days where I tuck my black pj bottoms into my Ugg boots stick on a sweatshirt and hope nobody realises I am technically out in my pj's I also think that dressing up a little makes you feel better. I often do the school run in a lovely dress & lots of lippy then go back home to put on my PJ's Is it vanity? partly I guess but mainly it is because when my whole body feels like crap my favourite 50's style floral number makes me feel soooooooooo much better. People used to say 'you look nice where are you going' and I would smile and reply 'to the supermarket' or 'back home to lay on the sofa' they thought I was odd I guess stood there on crutches in a posh frock going nowhere but now they know that is just me. I would'nt change that about me. You look gorgeous in the pics I have dress envy over the red one!!! Much Qudos to you xxx

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Rachael. Glad to know I'm not the only one who dresses up for the shopping and the like. It does make you feel better to get out of the pjs and the like. Mind you I'm writing this wearing red lippy an arm full of bracelets and a good necklace despite having been stuck on the couch all day, so I am kinda biased.:)

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  13. I LOVE your poses and outfits!

    I find it so fascinating how people decide what to wear, how they combine function and expression.

    I don't think your son looks terribly embarrassed....

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    1. Thanks Ashley. I get a lot of eye rolling from my 2 teenagers these. Pretty much a case of 'here goes crazy mum again".

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  14. He looked like he was enjoying it! And if you're anything as tall as me (5'9 1/2") the skirts are ALWAYS shorter then in the picture. And the smaller my body the shorter that skirt seems to be. But I LOVE the compression stockings rock! We get only 1 color around here and it's matches no one's flesh tone beige and my hubby hates them. (regardless of who has to wear them, lol, long story) And yes getting dressy and flashy helps to put a smile on our faces and it does wonders for our souls! Keep Rockin Out hot mama!

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All who are lovely enough to comment should be showered with cup cakes, glitter and macarons. I promise to use my spoon bending mind powers to try and get that happening for all who are lovely enough to share their words. Those who go the extra step to share posts should really get a free unicorn. Or at least the gift of finding the shortest and quickest line at the supermarket on a regular basis. xx

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