Tiptoe through the Tulips!

 September has been a rather jam packed month. It began a new season, the colours changed, the weather became more warmer if not more windy, fashion week rolled out, my blog turned 2 (let's hope it's not the terrible two's) and many many more occasions and happenings to list here. So, when it all just gets too much, sometimes you just have to bake yourself some gluten free muffins and hit the road for a scenic road trip moving far away from the bustle of the city. That's what we set out to do last Sunday when our intention was to visit the National Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda, up in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. It was a special day to celebrate Hanami day, when the cherry blossoms were to be in full bloom, only Melbourne weather sprung early and the blossoms had already had their peak, leaving only 20% of them left. Once we got off the train though to catch the connecting bus and saw the cue of Japanese who were not deterred by the lack of blooms, we knew there was no chance of getting on a bus that only runs 1 per hour! So-back on the train where another wonder of nature awaited at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival in Silvan.

Welcome to GT GADABOUT!!

Well I have certainly dreamt about this day for a very, very long time and I'm glad it has finally come! As I hinted at in my last post, something new began for me on the night of the winter solstice. I officially opened up an Etsy store under the name of gt gadabout of course!

It's all in the stripe!

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I just love stripes. Always have and always will. And what's not to love. They have a cheery positive vibe about them and are classic staples that will never ever date! My closet is full of striped clothes sorted by colours & striped accessories so it only makes sense that houses too get decorated in striped awnings which I call them fashion for houses! I recently made some myself and spend many an hour enjoying the cosy feel it gives while offering me protection from the sun. A striped awning can make the most drab house all of a sudden come alive, a shop front appear more welcoming and a market stall all the more cosmopolitan.

Retro Summer Dreaming

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The last few days we have had a taste of Summer weather finally here in Melbourne, although as I type this, the heater is back on, so it didn't last for long. But Spring has certainly been a busy time whipping through every aspect of my life and giving it a good clean out- if it no longer serves you well, is useful, makes you happy- then it's time to go. A philosophy that can be adopted to more than just things and clothes but people too. It is a very cathartic, cleansing and empowering thing to do for yourself, and you actually find that life goes on, you don't miss these things but you have created space to think, see clearly and allow room for the new into your life. As Carrie said in Sex and the City movie, she had been cheating on fashion with interiors, well, I feel the same lately. The weather getting warmer just makes you want to jazz up the home and create little nooks and cosy spots in the garden you can imagine enjoying a good book and an iced tea in. My inspiration always comes from the past. Retro homes and style always evoke a playful creative energy of possibility and livability to me that can be lacking in some of today's modern cookie cutter homes. The colours are a form of therapy in itself and you can't feel sad surrounded by cheery yellows and pale blues. Life's too short to spend it in drab interiors, you spend money on clothes, but you are not in them as long as you spend in your home. You don't like one outfit, you can go to the closet and change it, but you don't like your home-well, you are stuck with it until you roll up your creative sleeves and get to work. I'm all for thrifty, nifty ways of creating subtle shifts without shifting your bank balance too dramatically. So, the easiest way to start that actually does not cost you any money is to start by removing ALL clutter! Hard one for me, but I'm learning that you don't actually need everything you use out on display, it can be put in a drawer where it is still easily accessible. Only have out the things you love to see each day you wake up, and not a bad idea to have a monthly rotation where if you feel sad you don't have enough space to display everything at once, treat your home like a gallery and curate your own space, changing over objects which keeps your possessions fresh and your other items don't feel left out that they have been packed away. Then you can play with some textiles and if you are handy with a sewing machine, whip up some new cushion covers or curtains to instantly add some pop to a room. Outdoors, the amazing invention of solar lights have revolutionised my backyard with coloured lights hanging and fairy lights wrapped around the trunks of trees, I always look forward to nighttime to see the magic that a night garden can deliver, for after all, a garden is magical at any time of the day, but most people don't show them off at night where nature is at its most magical. So think about what little things you can do to shift your space and you will be amazed where the other shifts in your life can also start to manifest, and best of all, you can sit back and think about it enjoying that nice iced tea, in the garden at night lit up by fairy lights! Here's to summer!

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Pastels,Linen Pants,Blazers,No Socks-It All Started With The Vice-Miami Vice

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What goes around comes around. The same can be said about fashion. Nothing was more evident when perusing the shopping malls and going from one shop to another only to see the same thing repeated over and over again. Pastels, Stripes, Spots, Blazer Jackets, Biker Jackets, Printed T-Shirts and Leopard Print to name a few. And colour, colour, colour- from pastels to brights to fluro! One thing surely came to my mind. The 1980's and Miami Vice! Yes- you heard me! The show that set the fashion world on fire and started their own trends that are reinvigorated today launched signature looks and brought Italian fashion labels and trends into the US market. Commonly known as the Crockett Look- or the T-Shirt under Armani jacket look, Don Johnson played the character Sonny Crockett, accompanied by Phillip Michael Thomas as Ricardo Tubbs, two undercover cops working the Vice squad in Miami. I remember even as a teenager thinking how these guys were amazing to be able to look so tough and cool in pastel colours and pinks while working as cops. The show ran for 5 seasons from 1984-1989 and became one of the most influential TV series of all time with their use of fashion, music and visual effects in telling a story, launching many a musician, actor and designers career. As I mentioned in my last post, how architecture can influence fashion and vice versa, the use of pastel colours in the shows wardrobe reflected the Art Deco architecture that was prominent in Miami. They designed a whole look and feel for the show that was reflected in the Miami heat. The Ray Ban wayfarer soared in popularity due to the show, or should I say how hot Don Johnson looked in them! The fashion was not just limited to the men of the show, with the co-stars of Saundra Santiago as Gina and Olivia Brown as Trudy wearing some of the most outrageous clothes that I would figure it wouldn't be possible to do your job properly wearing them- let alone the male cops to focus on their jobs! It was all about big hair, lots of accessories, mainly gold chunky pieces and lots of prints and colour. If you haven't seen or heard of the show (please email me and explain to me how this is possible? Fair enough if you weren't born yet!) and if you are already a fan, why not revisit if for some style inspiration. As one of my Top 5 shows of the 80's, I never tire of it and those that know me, know that I never tire talking about it either. But I will leave you with these images from the show and why not be adventurous and try a few looks yourself. What are some of your favourites and are you inspired like me by TV character fashions? If so, which ones? Would love to hear!

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Tank tops and button down T-Shirts were all the rage-proving you can be masculine in pink and lilac!And don't forget the gold medallion. 

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Coloured Blazers in double and single breasted teamed with a cool pair of sunglasses.

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Ladies- sheer delicate blouses with spots, cinched waist and leopard prints tickle your fancy?

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This colour has made its way back into stores along with gold statement necklaces and fashion sunglasses.

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Green is everywhere this season in many shades. Love the print on Trudy's dress.

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Tubbs was always more refined with polished suits in double breasted and striped and teamed with pastel shirts and predominantly a coloured and printed tie.

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This is the classic Crockett look, linen pants, jacket, t-shirt with loafers and no socks. How many of you men out there have been influenced by this? 

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Boxy batwing jackets became more prevalent in the late 80's.

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The Biker jacket is a hot trend this season. Crockett gives this one effortless cool.

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Ok Ok. This picture is purely to show off Don Johnson's hot toned arms. How to make a gun holster look hot while wearing canary yellow!

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Cool stripes in pale colours to cope with the Miami heat.

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I'll leave you with a quote from Crockett that can apply to anything but most certainly fashion:

"You've got to know the rules before you can break 'em. Otherwise, it's no fun".(Season 3-Episode 14-Cuba Libre)

Street Spotting-80's Rock and Colour Pop

I really do meet the nicest people Street Spotting. It is a strange thing stalking your subjects before having the courage to ask them to be photographed, and it's another to have them pose in a crowded shopping centre. But I had two very obliging and happy participants with these two who I could not take my eyes off until I finally interrupted their conversation for some snaps. Shopping centres at the best of times can be bland and the clothes themselves in the shops as well as the wearers frequenting them, can begin to all look the same. So, it was rather refreshing to my 80's aesthetic when sitting down for a coffee to see colour explode before my very eyes! I felt like I had entered the film 'Desperately Seeking Susan' (an absolute favorite fashion film for me) with the printed jacket and lace top with the cross necklace, bright hues and striking hairstyles, it was more like costume dressing, creating characters and evoking that mood, which I absolutely love to do myself, and I commend them on being so brave to wear their outfits out in the suburbs with such confidence. It made my day, and I'm glad I made theirs. 

Street Spotting: Layering Colours & Print

When you live in Melbourne you know that you can't necessarily get dressed in the morning by looking out the window and seeing what the weather is doing- as it will change at least 4 times throughout the day, you have to be prepared. Case in point over the weekend when I hastily put out a load of washing in the sunshine, blue sky, wind. Yes, what was I thinking when a mere 10 minutes later it was grey sky, wind and rain. But I digress. To survive Melbourne, it is all about the layers. And putting them on and off throughout the day. Making them a colourful assortment is half the fun. Strolling down the street, I immediately noticed the colour combination of this outfit and stopped to capture it. It certainly pops mixed together and I love the contrast with the black & white patent shoes. A print is always a good way to jazz up an outfit by giving a focal point, as does a great accessory like her belt which breaks up the outfit and gives her a good shape. How many layers and colours can you cram into one outfit? (Yes- that's a challenge- go for it!)

Linda Jackson Bush Couture

If you are lucky enough to be in Melbourne, then I would say you should definitely head on down to the National Gallery of Victoria (Ian Potter Centre) to see the free exhibition Linda Jackson Bush Couture which opened on Australia Day. 

Featuring the most dynamic and striking use of colour and textiles,the works by the Australian Artist are sure to engage your sense of the diverse, playful and eclectic. They cover a period from the mid 1970's to the 1990's and is only a handful of the artist's collection spanning a career of over 40 years.

The exhibit is beautifully curated and unlike most previous displays at the gallery, the garments are out on open display, allowing the viewer to be up close with the textiles and observe intricate details. As a lover of colour, the bold, the visually unusual, I was in my element and will revisit this exhibit many times. I do hope if you are able to see it in person, you do so, and if not, then please enjoy these images.

Linda Jackson Bush Couture is now showing at the National Gallery of Victoria (Ian Potter Centre) till the 9th of September 2012 Entry is Free and there are also live talks as part of the program. Check for details.