Indigo vegetable dyed beauty

Block print love part deux

Block print tunic: India, Plaid shirt: Abercrombie and Fitch, Boots: Wittner, Skirt: Jay Jays, Hat: Don't remember, Belt: South American market stall, Stone necklaces: India

Here I go wearing yet another vintagy block print dress from India. Ethnic textiles and I have a love affair that probably started as soon as I was born with all the soft cotton Kanthas my Mom surrounded me with. As a child I witnessed my Mother always trying to source ethically produced fabrics in natural fibres and have clothes tailored to our measurements. And she always tries to find struggling lady tailors/ small/ independent businesses to support, which sometimes used to result in comically proportioned outfits that she would then try to fix with sashes and belts.

I watched her trying to find a balance between buying high-end kids wear for more formal occasions and getting her own designs tailored for the casual stuff. Those early memories have made me appreciate quality fabrics and understand the importance of supporting local businesses. She never cared two hoots about what the other kids were wearing or what styles were in, for the most part of my life I dressed in seventies inspired clothes.

From her I learnt to have my own ideas about how I want to present myself aesthetically instead of depending on style mags to tell me what hem length I should be sporting. Coming from a country steeped in a rich textile and craft tradition, inculcated in me a deep abiding love for ethnic textiles, vegetable dyes, hand embroidered yumminess, crochet, knits, tie-dye, riots of colours, natural fibres and all things pretty. As a child I was mocked for being different but once I grew up people started to think I was bohemian asking me where I shopped, life is funny sometimes. All I know is every-time I see any item of clothing tie-dyed or block-printed especially in bright colours my hand reaches for it.

Sometimes its five sizes too large and I still wear it happy in my glow of love for scraps of fabric, probably causing fashion purists to shudder. But hey I have one life and I would like to live it dressed to please myself.

From once feeling bad about not fitting in to now enjoying refusing to blend in I've grown to love pairing clashing prints and colours. Here's to having confidence in order to become more and more outrageous in my choices and never water down the crazy. Have a great week everyone!

Block print love

Scallop edge suede shorts: Kookai, Indian Block Print top: Glebe markets, Jewellery: India and Markets, Tooled leather bag: Bondi Markets, Boots: Italian pop-up shop

Another beautiful sunny winter Sunday spent stomping around coastal walks in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. A relaxed day spent watching ice skaters and hitting the markets on the Bondi beach, eating, walking, taking pictures, talking and generally having a great time before the rush of another week filled with work.

Wore this beautiful Indian Block print top with scalloped suede shorts, LOOK no leggings (it was that warm and sunny) plus another pair of comfy leather booties and my usual array of neck bling. My shoulder hurt, probably messed it up sleeping up-side down or something therefore I decided to put all that I wanted to carry into the boy's back-pack but then went to the Bondi Markets and found this Vintage tooled leather beauty.

It was down to $5 and two girls had already snatched it up but then put it back because the metal clasp was broken. The girl selling it wondered if I would still want it, AS IF I'd let a trivial thing like a broken clasp stop me from loving a vintage find. And as soon as I paid I plonked all my things inside, hurt shoulder forgotten felt like the richest girl in the world. And then off we went exploring the brilliant views and bush along the coast. Hope everyone had a great Sunday!