NYC Summer: Mermaid Festival

Dear New York,

Even though it's been a while and you've had a million other bitches since me....I still miss you.

velour lips & quick visits

Hi!


Yes I know, it's been forever. I've been busy. School, niece, family & saving. All the necessary boring stuff that makes up a huge chunk of life. Amongst all the ordinary stuff, I was delighted to have my sis Emma come and visit my sister and I.

She brought gifts. The beautiful Australis Velour Lip Colour range. Two colours each. I was pretty keen to see how this gloss turn matte lipstick would work and I'm surprised by the punchy colour and staying power. It lasted through dinner and I literally had to wash it off. Cool for you makeup buffs out there.

My whole outfit was based around the lip colour. I decided to wear my rose blouse as a contrast to the lip colour. I love this thrifted find. Think it was like $2. Black skater skirt and boots. Casual and comfy. Went straight out to dinner after this. Thanks for making it all the way out here Emz. You are the bomb sis.

Big Love,

Falala Mele.

Aussie Curves: Red

Hello lovely ones!

How are you all? Well another weekend has passed and it's week 7 (you will know how good that sounds if you are a full time teacher). So for the Aussie Curves: Red challenge I chose to wear this gorgeous little red jumper I picked up a few weeks ago at a local Salvation army store. The cute white buttons caught my eye and I loved that it was a cropped jumper with the cute neckline. It was $3 reduced from $6 and it's a nice jumper to wear when I want to keep it casual but still a little interesting.

I wore this to the local farmers market on Sunday. It was cold enough to wear a beanie and a few extra layers but I was super comfortable and that always matters in my book.

When I wear red I usually like a lick of it on my lips. Nothing like a little red lipstick to make you feel fly. I 

usually wear it with back because that is one of my never-fail combos: Black dress, light or golden eyes with some eyeliner and red lips. 

I actually have an outfit post coming up from a night out in Manhattan when I visited New York in July but I guess the whole point of a challenge is to mix things up a little. I teamed up the red jumper with another opshop/thrifted find. I picked it up for $1 because it was half price. I love the colour and the fact that it's long. I know it's super lazy of me but I love over sized or long blouses so that I can throw it on with a pair of tights to run errands and even wear to work. And of course a little black basic dress from H&M which I picked up in Chicago last year. Black beanie to keep the cold off. 

It was a lovely fresh morning and we left with loads of fresh veggies and HUGE pumpkin for only $4.00. I definitely love the fresh produce every week. For once I can say that I'm the lucky duck :)

Dress: H&M $15 Thrifted/Opshop: Blouse $1 Red Jumper $3 Beachcomber Shoes $3 bag .50cents

Check out my red lips and vintage dress that I wore in Brooklyn for a day of thrifting and wandering around HERE. This is from July but it is apart of my NYC summer adventure series. 

Big Love,

Falala Mele xo

Day 6 wanderings NYC Brooklyn: thrifted & Gloria's rotis

 Greetings my lovely ones!

I hope that this post finds you all happy and healthy. These photos are of Day 6 of my New York summer adventure. The amazing Gabby arranged to meet us at the Brooklyn Tabernacle after her dance rehearsal to take us to a big thrift store in Brooklyn. Guys she knows where EVERYTHING is we just didn't have time to get to them all *UGLY CRIES* but the one we went to was AWESOME! It was 25% off everything on Monday and this place even had 3 levels with an elevator! HELLO HEAVEN.

I basically walked around quickly picking up everything that caught my eye. It's a bit of a race when my sister and I shop together because we both have similar tastes and sizes and even though we always share our stuff eventually we basically have a little rule that you can't borrow it until the owner has had a chance to wear it.

I left with a huge NY Yankees jacket and that was my most expensive purchase ever in a thrift store (it was  $25 and brand new but it went down to about $17 after the discount). I wanted it because I was contemplating getting a jersey made cause I'm cheesy and I think they are super cool but they were like $70 upwards. NO DEAL BRO. I am not that rich.

Also found this amazing purple oversized blouse with gorgeous buttons (I plan to wear it in Melbourne this weekend). A gorgeous yellow short sleeved blazer, a long sleeved tartan pink blazer and some cute button pins. You will see my bag as you scroll down. It's big and it's full!

Brooklyn Museum

We continued on with our amazing guide Gabby. Past the Brooklyn Museum heading towards the well known and much loved Gloria's Caribbean Food in Crown Heights.

Look at all my thrifted finds! All 25% off price thanks to Gabby's insider knowledge ;)

Crown Heights baby and her Momma.

We made it to Gloria's and we are ready to eat. Gabby's Mum was telling her off for making us walk around all day without eating. LOL our Trini-Sissys and their 'Mommy' were always looking out for us and making sure we were fed. Guys it was SOOOOO WORTH THE WAIT! The food is definitely our type of thing. She was worried we wouldn't like it because it looked messy, some other people turned their nose up at it and I was like "No Gabby you don't get it. If it tastes good then we are there! No food snobbery here my darling!" Brooklyn people be jamming that place up! I CRAVE IT ALL THE TIME!

Watching the good folk of Brooklyn pass us by while we wait

Gabby presents our rotis and she is so glad that we like it. Ruthie enjoyed her beef roti curry.

How could we not? Roti with lentils, chicken curry and peppers. SOOOOO YUMMY!

Walking to another store to represent Niue and Australia ;) I got a pineapple and ginger punch. YUMMY!

Readers meet Valerie. The super cool teacher who was happy enough to let us excitedly move around her whilst she was eating. She smiled and asked if we were from England (everything thought that) while she was eating her pineapple cake. I told her we were from Australia and she asked my if I had seen Muriel's Wedding. I almost died because that it one of my MOST FAVOURITE MOVIES EVER! My friends and I quote it constantly! She explained that when she teaches her students about Australian culture she loves to show the Rabbit Proof Fence along with Muriel's Wedding. 

Both are must-see Australian films movies in my mind.

Anyways I am getting off on a tangent but she was super cool and we exchanged email addresses and she even said "We should catch a show together while you are here!" I LOVE NEW YORKERS because the majority of them are so open to meeting and making new friends.  She is now a FB friend and I get to see all the cool shows, concerts, movies and community arts events she attends. She is so fly!

The nice lady let Gabby play with her hoola-hoop and explained it's all in the forward-back movement not the side to side.

Kids cooling off. I was tempted to join them

Salvos: Dress $2 Shoes $3 Bag 50c Street Vendor: Glasses $5 

What I wore: As the heat continued to blister in New York I had to keep any attempt of an outfit cool and comfortable because we were still doing a whole lot of walking and subway exploration.

By NOW (who would have thought it could ever happen) we started to find our way around a little better but still my big dreams of having beautifully straight hair never came to pass. It was always up and out of the way.

I pulled on my light collared dress. I picked it up at the Salvation army store in Nowra for $2. My trick is to walk straight to the dress up section because they are usually half price compared to the other 'normal' clothes and they are exactly what I'm looking for (either vintage dresses, bold patterned pieces or just something unique that can use to add interest to some of the simpler outfits that I wear).

I loved the colour of this dress but it was too long and sadly too tight :(
The underlay was just cutting off any attempts to breathe but I really really REALLY wanted it and the dress itself was fine. What to do then?
Take a pair of scissors and cut the hemline and the underlay. Shoes were $3 from the same place and the bag was $0.50 from the Salvo's too so it basically is a Salvos outfit ;)
I really encourage all of you to take a good look in secondhand/thrift stores. After the Buy Nothing New Month Challenge I seem to source the majority of my clothes from Opshops/thrift stores.

I still get some lovely basics from Best and Less and City Chic and I love ASOS for special occasions but with the constant urge to travel and enjoy weekends away from work; well I love that I can get clothes that no one else will be wearing at an insanely good price.

Being in Australia with limited plus size options, if it's new then chances are you will most likely see someone else wear it. There's nothing wrong with that because I love seeing how other women choose to style certain pieces and I always like guessing or wondering where they have picked up certain items from. Girls be rocking that City Chic in Australia and I have notices a lot more ASOS purchases. Who can blame them right?  ASOS Curve is just so amazing!

Gabby if you are reading this please send me a Goat Roti asap ;)





Big Love,



Falala Mele xo

BNNM Round Up!

Dearest Readers!

I just wanted to let you know that I have officially wrapped up BNNM as we head into November (oh my goodness that is crazy right?"). Today I am getting ready to fly out to Samoa for one of my college friend's wedding. We used to live together in college although with jobs and moving interstate, we haven't had much of a chance to catch up since we left. So I am very VERY VERY excited to get a whole week with them.

Even though BNNM is over, I am still in that same frame of my mind. I haven't even been shopping for this trip. My suitcase is filled with my vibrant op shop finds, some of my old faithful relaxed summer gear and a few dresses that I purchased from Forever 21 when I was in New York earlier this year.

My cousins and I headed out to the big Savlos store yesterday and we filled a  big bag with clothes and it was only $20. Our next challenge we are doing as a family is an Op Shop Christmas gift exchange. We don't really want to be caught up in the chaos that is 'Christmas Shopping' so we decided we would start now and look for those special 'one of a kind' pieces that the receiver would totally love and appreciate.

Even though the official month is over I think I am going to start it again in December because I think that is the time of the year when unnecessary spending begins. I have found a lot of amazing things in second hand/ thrifted store during the month and I haven't had a chance to photograph them all. But I guess I can let you know and perhaps you might keep an eye out and start noticing such things on your next trip to the Op Shop.

Favourite Finds

1. I found these really amazing (brand new) white linen baskets. I found two, so one sits in my room with all my clothes that I don't hang up (yeah its pretty much a handy place to chuck clothes) and the other is in my bathroom holding all our towels. They are so useful and at $20 a basket, I think these were the winning purchases of the month
2. An amazing amount of funky clip on earrings. They are so bold and pretty and I just love them!
3. Really great quality leather bags. I have never been one to spend loads on having a different type of bag for each outfit, but after the challenge I found that if you dig past the cheap plastic handbags you can find some really lovely bags
4. Vintage frames. I am obsessed with photos and I also think that spending $6 upwards on cheap mass produced frames is a rip off. When I moved during the mid year I went to the op shop and brought a bag full of different frames. Some were beautiful and intricate and they vary in size and colour but after doing this, I don't think I would ever go back to buying frames straight out of a store. There's so many old frames, why not use them?

What I've learned

1. Sometimes it's hard to resist the natural urge to buy something because it is marked at such a low and amazing price. But you have to ask yourself "Will I wear this? Will I use this?" because if you a buy a whole lot of things that you don't need, you are really defeating the purpose and are buying for the sake of it. You are just not doing it in a retail store.
2. Enjoy the search! Sometimes I walk away with nothing but I know that I will find something special next time. It is part of the fun and when I go shopping with my sister and cousins we always yell out from the other side of the store "Do you like this?"
3. Giving back is half of the fun. My niece and I went through our belongings and found stuff that we didn't really need anymore and we donated it to our local Vinnies store. I think it is so important to teach our kids that there is not an endless supply of toys, clothes and food (contrary to what they see and receive) and that there are many people in Australia and world wide who are not as fortunate as we are. Many people don't get enough food each day, many people are cold and homeless so it is important to remind them of how lucky they are but more importantly of their responsibility to help their fellow man.
4. I have received items for a reader who wanted to contribute with some of her favourite items and I am in the process of getting together a package for another reader. So it has started a lovely incident outreach to people world wide (my gift came from a reader in Sydney and I am sending a gift over to UK).

Donated back :)

 This has been a pretty rewarding experience and a total WIN/WIN.

Thank you to all those wonderful readers who supported me with this challenge. All your comments, feedback and contributions really made this experience memorable.

I have a few more outfit posts scattered around on my sisters camera but I will leave you with a BNNM outfit that I wore to my beautiful friend Mata's 21st birthday. I was wearing a borrowed black City Chic lace top (it belongs to my sister) and a lovely bright floral skirt that I found in Meekatharra. It was too small in the waist and it was long so I cut the waist and re-hemmed it up and added elastic and voila! It is one of my most favourite skirts.

Jizzane, Theresa, Mata, Jenny & Mele

For the next week I will out soaking up the sun in the South Pacific so I don't think I will be posting much. But as soon as I get back I will share my photos with you!

Big Love,


Falala Mele xo

BNNM ootd

Just a quickie.....I hate this photo....but I am really in love with this blue jacket I found at my most favourite little opshop here in Nowra. It is much smaller than many of our local stores but sometimes you find the best things there. So this jacket has small white polka dots on it and even though it is made with a stretch fabric it still looks a little tailored and I have worn it a few times to school and around town. Its comfy and it can dress up even the most casual outfit.

It was $2.50 and I have already worn it like 5 times! This is one of my favourite things to wear at the moment. Leggings, shoes and shirt are all old items in my cupboard.

I can't believe BNNM is nearly done. I went shopping with my friend today (well she went shopping and I just helped her out) and I think she felt bad for me and offered to buy me something. She is going to see Janet Jackson on Wednesday.

Janet has been one of our childhood idols so I am so glad that she gets to see her. As for me...I am trying to win 2 tickets to see Kings of Leon. I hope I win! I am also trying to compile all my BNNM stuff together and get my package ready to send off to the UK. I promise I haven't forgotten. I will post it before I leave the country!

I have so much to do right now. I am helping my sister with an assignment and I am getting ready to fly out to Samoa next Saturday. My friend Lyna (I lived with her during college) is getting married. I can't wait to soak up the sun with some more of my college girls.

Hope you are well.

Big Love,

Falala Mele xo

7 reasons to buy nothing new!

Bonjour ladies....just wanted to share with you my first challenge I have chosen to join.
 I often see some of my favourite bloggers participate in challenges and I always thought that I would like to do something like that one day..... Well while browsing Fashion Hayley I came across something that I really want to do.... Its Australia's Buy Nothing New Month this October and I'm really excited about it!

Growing up I never had ANY MONEY!!! So now that I am older, I just refuse to pay absurd amounts of money on anything really. I shop second hand for 7 reasons:

So here are my 7 reasons why you should also join in

        and BNN this October

1. the cuts of vintage clothes are so flattering
2. the colours/patterns are the bomb
3. its like a never ending treasure hunt
4. no one else will be wearing your shit!
5. it's good for the environment 
6. it's so damn cheap (WIN WIN!)
7. You could win some money whilst saving money! I think its for Australian residents only :(

On my last visit to the Salvos store in Young, they a $2 garbage bag special....YEYAHHHH my favourite.... I haven't had a chance to wear any of my finds...but as soon as I do, I post them. I am also encouraging all my friends and family members to join the challenge.

I know some of my favourite bloggers a thrift store QUEENS so if you wanted to join the challenge and make it a little more fun maybe you could email me your outfits so I can share them on here with my followers for Buy Nothing New Month in October 2011. I am also wanting to make a video or something so if you are keen....HOLLA!!!




Big Love,


Falala Mele xo

What she's wearing in Winston-Salem USA

Ladies meet SheRea of My thrifted Closet.....the beautiful 19 year old thrift (or as us Aussies call it Opshop) crazy student who loves to find all things funky and beautiful! She spends pennies and proves that it is confidence that makes looks rather than labels. I don't know how I've missed her in my blog searches.....but the blogging Gods intervened and I am now following this gorgeous self-loving lady! I'm so happy that she has this confidence at such a young age...you can just see her BEAUTY when she smiles. She kinda reminds me of my lovely friend Daisy, young but so intelligent and someone I would REALLY REALLY want to hang out with in my real world.....

People say that personal style should reflect your personality. So if its possible can you describe yourself in 10 words?
A thriftshionista who finds the true beauty in thrifted fashion.

What is your greatest staple in your wardrobe?
Definitely my Stacy Adams Oxfords. I wear them with EVERYTHING and I never apologize for it. They really helped to jumpstart my love of thrifting and I’ve never turned back. Matter of fact, I don’t intend to.

When you want to "work it" what do you wear?
I honestly wear full-fledged confidence. No amount of clothes or accessories in the world can replace genuine self-esteem. I think I’m “working it” in sweat pants and a t-shirt and no one can tell me otherwise.  However, some banging eyes and blush usually give me that kick in the right direction.

What is something you have always wanted to buy or wear, but have never found?
I usually find what I want to wear, however I still want to rock a jean jacket. I haven’t worn one since elementary school.  Oh yea, some harem pants. Though I see them online all the time, I have never found them in an actual store.

How do you embrace your curves?

I embrace my curves by staying true to who I am. I have a large personality and I showcase that through my puffy sleeves, bold prints, florals, and large shoulder pads. I know what works for my body and I know what doesn’t. Being curvy isn’t limiting, it makes you more creative and daring. When the world tells me “no,” I respond “HELL YES, and let me show you how.” I’ve always heard, “you are pretty for a big girl” or “you dress nice for a big girl.” Sure I’m thick and curvy, but it’s not who I am. My curves are merely what I was blessed with.  I’ll rock my curves every day, all day. It’s the only way I know how.

Picture this: At the time you wear something and you think it’s the baddest shit going, but then later you’re like OMG? WTF? Would you care to describe if this has ever happened to you.
HAHHAHAH YES HONEY!!! Back in high school, I was an urban brand whore. Excuse my language. I loved Apple Bottoms and Baby Phat. I wore them ALL the time. I spent almost $100 on one pair of jeans. I thought I was the most fashionable person in the world. I look back at older photos of me and I laugh because I wouldn’t be caught dead in those things now. However, I don’ t condemn persons who continue to wear the brands.  I can only laugh at myself because that was the old SheRea and I’ve grown and evolved.  That was a part of my past and I embrace that. I grow every day. That’s life. That’s my reality.

What is something daring that you want to introduce to your wardrobe?
Not so much daring, as fabulous LOL. I would LOVE some harem pants as I said before. The only thing is that I’m skeptical to buy them online.  My thighs and butt hold no punches and I want to make sure the pants are flattering. I ALWAYS try on bottoms, because I never know with my lower half. I hope to find some soon so I can rip the runway and turn heads. I’ll let you know when I get some. 
 
What is the one thing (clothes, makeup or whatever) that transforms you (into sexy you, smart you, confident you or glamour you) when you wear it?
I always feel sexy in leggings, whether I dress them down with a t-shirt and sneakers to exercise or I wear them with combats or a cute top. Leggings hug me in the right places and  they are sooo comfortable. I love my men’s dress pants, but I swear to you, I fly in leggings. They make me feel free AND fabulous.

Any tips or secrets you want to share about shopping or plus fashion style?

I think people should try to thrift more. Thrifting offers soooo many great things for women of both straight sizes and plus sizes. There are sooo many possibilities. No one likes to look like the person sitting beside them and thrifting eliminates that. Thrifting is virtually the only thing I do and it works.  As LOCA said, keep safety pins. You never know when something might rip or tear or when a button comes loose or something is too big. Keep them with you constantly. Also, racks can’t be trusted. Try on a piece on your lovely body. It’s our bodies that make an outfit and not the other way around. Racks don’t do remarkable clothes any justice. Give odd and out there pieces a second look. You never know. Oh yea, don’t be afraid to try on smaller sizes. I’ve picked up many Large straight size dresses in a thrift store and they fit me perfectly. Our bodies are funny things. Believe that. 

No more questions, the floor is yours....any last minute messages and or shout outs to our lovely bloggers and readers?
Hi Loves, Mele is AWESOME!!! I recently discovered her blog and I’m hooked. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity. I’d like to apologize for rambling on, but I love to talk and once I start, I can’t  stop.

I reiterate: TRY THRIFTING and Live. Laugh. Love Thrift. Check out my blog: http://mythriftedcloset.blogspot.com/ to see how I transform thrifted pieces. Also remember that being plus size, curvy, thick, or whatever you consider yourself is not a death sentence. Don’t hide in your clothes, give life to your clothes. Be beautiful, wonderful, and extraordinary!!!!!!!
 

Happy Easter Yo' + Pearl giveaway reminder

Happy Easter Everyone! I hope you all have had a lovely long weekend so far. Its really quiet here today and I have no nieces and nephews around to buy eggs for so I baked some chocolate cupcakes to give out to the people who are here....I had one and its been a while since I've had sugar and butter and chocolate....so it was all a taste overload...dare I say it...a little too sweet >.<  At one stage the sugar rushed into the tiny hole in my tooth...that wasn't a good time.

So anyways I took some pics the other day when the builders left. I wore my new boots and tights from Target and was playing with the self timer button....oh the things you do when youre by yourself, in the bush with no kids to teach. 

These tights would actually keep you pretty warm during winter. Some people are snobs and think that tights are not real clothes but whatever...they're comfortable and cheap and I think they look cooool! I have seen some really nice pairs that girls have found online and these were my first purchase that was not your standard black. I picked up the jacket from our local Opshop for $5...so not bad aye.

 

 

Boots: Target $35 Tights: $12 Top: Kmart $5 Blazer: Opshop $5

Um what else? I miss everything! I miss my friends, my family, my old house mate....Im not emo or anything...just missing mah peeps is all....But Im listening to Kirk Franklin's Smile...and it makes me do just that. I havent seen or spoken to anyone in real life today...I spoke to my sister via facebook chat and have spent the day cooking, baking and looking for music and looking at blogs. I must say it has been a nice and quiet day...however I can't wait for my students to return...I'm no hermit!

The quiet days are always good for day dreaming and thinking about what was and what it yet to be! Oh the possibilities! Yes...thats me thinking about my upcoming trip again.

Right now I'd rather be here \/

or with these people

So I guess its a picture overload...but I love looking at all my beautiful family and friends and all the good times. Oh and dont forget...theres only one week left if you would like to enter the Giveaway of the pearl earrings...so click on the previous post to leave your details.

Big Love,

Falala Mele xo