Thrifted find: Accessorising your winter outfit

While the world above us is in the throes of summer, down under we're still feeling the cold. Today happens to be one of the coolest days we've had this winter (around 14-15C) and provided the perfect excuse to stay inside and catch up on some blog work. Admittedly we're a bit spoiled in Perth, there's not much swing between the summer and winter months, aside from the occasional few days of extreme heat or cold. Growing up, winter has always been one of my favourite seasons. There's something delightful about rugging up and listening to the rain fall in the evenings.

So while it's cold outside, there are still plenty of ways to brighten up your winter wardrobe. Vibrant colours are bound to ward off any bouts of seasonal affected disorder. Winter is fabulous because it's the best time to accessorise. Hats, gloves, scarves and jewels! Anyway I hope you enjoy these selections - let me know what you think!

On a side note, today marks the first month my blog has been up! Thanks to you all for your support!

Accessory run-down:
Bird brooch - Red Cross - $3
Gold hat brooch - Salvos - $2.25
Tree of Life necklace - Salvos - $2.25

Flatlay: 50 shades of crimson

Growing up with ginger locks, there are certain things you'll hear a lot: "Are you on fire?" for instance. "Carrot top," "Annie..." The list is endless. And yet, something seemingly innocuous: "Redheads cannot wear red" stuck hard and fast for a few years. The premise that redheads shouldn't be wearing red was drilled into me by strangers. What was I thinking? It may not be my first go-to colour, but it's one we of the titian variety should be embracing!

There's no reason whatsoever not to go completely wild with reds. The deeper and richer the colour the better, but playing with different tones is a must! There's a reason my auburn locks fit with my naturally pale skin tone. Red fabric does too. It has been scientifically proven that seeing the colour red increases a viewer's metabolism, heart rate and respiration. So, to all you lovely redheads out there, be proud of your colour and play it up all you can. Wear redhead friendly colours that complement your scarlet tresses. 

I love this handmade dress I scored at the Salvos. It's the perfect blend of a-little-bit-retro and romanticism in one. It cinches at the waist and is so comfortable to wear. This week I paired it with that deep red cashmere knit and some skin coloured tights for an evening. The sunnies will be great for summer, but they've been carrying me through some of Perth's sunnier winter days too. Some great op shopping bargains here! How do you feel about wearing red?

The look:

Apple and Bee purse - Good Sammys - $3

Truworths tooled leather handbag - Salvos - $3.25

Heine red cashmere knit - Salvos - $1.25

Handmade polka dot dress - Salvos - $4.25

Love Tree red blouse - Save the Children - $1.50

Striped singlet - Salvos - $2.25

Heart sunnies - Salvos - 50 cents

Owl ring - Good Sammys - $2.25

Cellini Sport purse - Salvos - $2.50

It's August!

My doodling skills: Just astounding. Haha. Something to work on, I think :p

Hey guys. It's August already - and hasn't the year just flown by! Just keeping it short and sweet today. I'm writing my 20th post since I kicked off Cents of Discovery and time has gone quicker than I can count. Getting started with this blogging gig has been a whirlwind adventure. I'm learning something about the craft every day. Some things are working well, others I'll look to fine tune in coming weeks to bring you a better experience :)

So to you - my readers - I can't thank you enough for the blog support you've given me. Some of you in person, others in comments you've left behind or on my Instagram page. It's baby steps as I move towards the end of my first month. I hope you like what you've been seeing! :) If you do - or even if you don't! - I'd love some feedback. Feel free to leave me a comment or shoot me an email at centsofdiscovery@gmail.com

If you have any ideas for future posts, let me know! 

Lauren xox

OOTD: A little splash of colour

On a cold winter day in Perth, it's easy to throw on a dark sweater and a pair of jeans. We've all been there. But I'd like to convince you that making the conscious decision to wear brighter colours on occasion has its own benefits. With this OOTD I teamed up this beautiful bird print dress (That Bird Label - a Birdsnest brand - Salvos) with a mustard yellow crop. Atop that, I threw on a fitted cream jacket (Good Sammys). Here's another example of using mustard in an outfit. This dress is just gorgeous. It's a fit and flare style, with a lovely full skirt that allows you to sway the day away. I've worn it to the races (minus the crop) in summer and in autumn with a little red cardigan. The looks you can pull off with this dress are endless because of the sheer amount of colour on the print! I love that the full skirt on this dress also falls gracefully over your hips.

I'm a firm believer that colours affect your mood. Naturally, we tend to have more positive reactions to brighter colours as opposed to dull colours. This outfit added a bit of colour to the cold surrounds on the day I shot these photos!

I also love the avian print on this dress. The lively colours and playful pattern turns the spotlight back onto delicacy and femininity. On the whole, this was a stellar purchase. It was brand new with tags when I picked it up at the Salvos and has given me plenty of lovely, bright trans-seasonal wear. Not a bad find!

What do you think about wearing bright colours through winter?

Today's look:
That Bird Label dress - Salvos - $6.25
Valleygirl mustard crop - Salvos - $3.25
Cream jacket (no label) - Good Sammys - $4
Green ring - Salvos - $2.25
Jane Debster pink heels - Vinnies - $4 (See my flatlay with these beauties)

Photos by Reg Vardy.

Flatlay: Pairing together neutral shades for winter

I love the neutral colour palette in today's flatlay. There's something about this combination which feels beautiful and romantic. We've had a few very cool, wet days in Perth this week - it seems like we're finally getting a hint of winter on the west coast. That's cool, winter. It's only the end of July, no pressure. That in mind, I haven't been in the mood for bright colours this week, so I've been working with some of these cooler neutral colours. They're basics that go with just about anything. Think browns, greys, black, white, beige, etc.

In general, I think neutrals can convey an air of sophistication and elegance. That being said, they can become boring if used exclusively, or if they're untempered by other types of visual interest  (things like texture, detail or even silhouette). These pieces were an easy pick because they're happily layered with other colours and I've been able to pair them with leggings / tights, depending on the weather of the day. I find that the more neutrals you incorporate in your day-to-day wear, the easier it is to build outfits from only a few pieces. A colour combination that I've been loving this winter has been soft pink and grey - it's a beautiful pairing.

For me, the colours in this flatlay conjure images of cozying up in a log cabin on a soft rug, warmed by a roaring fire. But that's just my overactive imagination (and totally wishful thinking!) How about you?

The look:

Jane Debster pink heels - Vinnies - $4
Novo flats (new with tags) - Salvos - $4

Flower tunic - Salvos - $2.25
Evolve bird top - Salvos - $3.25
Cellini Sport handbag - Salvos - $4 (Total score, it was new! These things retail over $100 at Myer / David Jones today)
Rose necklace - Vinnies - 50 cents
Sportsgirl floral skirt - Vinnies - $1.25
Picnic brown top - Save the Children - $1.50

What's on: Men's Night at Vinnies Retro Shop (Thursday, July 30, 2015)

Ladies, here's a chance to send your man out on the town for the night. I'm appealing to you as I realise my demographic here is largely women :) And men, if you've managed to find this blog of your own accord, good on you (and thank you for stopping by!) Vinnies Retro Shop (Shop 2 / 142 High Street, Fremantle) is running a Men's Night, this Thursday, July 30.

The event runs from 5 - 6.30pm and celebrates the arrival of new menswear. Help Vinnies improve its men's section. Drinks and snacks will be provided on the night. Sounds like rollicking good fun. Why not go along with your man?

Vinnies Retro Shop in Fremantle is one of two in the Perth area and, as the name indicates, is affiliated with St Vincent de Paul. Specialising in vintage secondhand wares, this shop really is a must for anyone wanting to find some classic vintage pieces. I've shopped there myself in the past and have found a number of really nice pieces. They might be a little more pricey than your average Australian op shop, but the clothes, books and accessories have been handpicked, making the job of trawling for goodies that little bit easier.

Stock at the Vinnies Retro Shop is constantly being replenished, so if you're a regular visitor to Fremantle, this is a spot to return to again and again.

Other op shops to check out in the area (if you want to make a day of it) include the Red Cross shop at 37 Market Street, Down Town Rags at 45 High Street, Dufus Clothing Shop at 130 High Street, Good Sammy at 142 High Street, Anglicare at 181 High Street, Salvos at 3/5 Josephson Street and Boutique Unique at 197 High Street. As you can see, you could easily get through a few within seconds of each other! 

How to get to Vinnies Retro Shop (Shop 2 / 142 High Street, Fremantle): According to the Fremantle website, there is 30 minute free parking available on High Street (west of Market Street), but longer term (paid) parking is also available around the area.

If you're taking the train in and don't mind a short walk, exit the Fremantle Train Station and walk north-east towards Peter Hughes Drive, turn right onto Elder Place and then turn left onto Queen Street. Go through two roundabouts. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto High Street and Vinnies Retro Shop will be on your left. It should only take 5-8 minutes to walk from the station.

What has been your favourite retro find? What sort of pieces do you look for when you shop retro specific? Leave a comment and let me know! 

OOTD: Nothing but blue skies

The lovely backdrop in today's OOTD is Central Park in Joondalup, Perth. Gorgeous spot in winter!

Photos by Reg Vardy.

Perth's mild winter weather this year hasn't exactly been suited to heavy winter woolies. But that hasn't stopped me from hunting for unique and mildly-wintery pieces in op shops around the city. So... dress + a cute print = a true any-season essential. The equation's a no-brainer, really, but the pattern in question is definitely creative. I've seen a ton of dresses blanketed in some of our finer feathered friends. So whether you're an avian enthusiast, or simply in the market for a kitschy-cool look, this outfit has winter written all over it. 

While most of the choices you find on the shelf today will suit the summer season, I've found you can always team the look with cosy layers for a perfect transitional update. Keep an eye on the blog for a new outfit with that in mind! Some of the vibrant bird motifs I've seen include owls, black bird silhouettes and canaries. Going on my best guess, these might be pink galahs. Orrrrrrr, they're just pretty birds. I'm happy either way. Birds can add an enchanting and sophisticated appeal to an outfit. Hopefully today's OOTD will give you some pretty and feminine ideas for your next look.

How do you incorporate prints into your winter look? Have you found a new love this season?

Today's look:

Bird dress - Save the Children - $4

Tights - My own 

Boots - Girl Express (Mentioned these in a recent flatlay post) - $2.25

Blue cardigan - Salvos - $2.25

Floral ring - Salvos - $3.25

OOTD: Homestead ruins

The weather and light can be unkind at times in the Australian winter, but we're pretty fortunate in Perth to be graced with cool, bright days most of the season. Style-wise, I find myself drawn towards something emanating warmth. Mustard yellow has endless possibilities and is a beautiful colour for the autumn / winter months. But the colour often gets a bad rap because not many people know how to wear it. I love yellow, but find my fair complexion is much better suited to warmer or burnt colours like mustard. With that in mind, I love this top, it's bright and warm and the texture is delightful! Good job, mustard blouse. I will appreciate you, even if no one else does. Plus you were a steal at only $1.50 from Vinnies! It was nice to team it with the thick Sportsgirl skirt (Salvos - $2), tights and faux-leather Rubi Shoes boots (Salvos $3.25). 

What about you, lovely readers? Are you pro or anti-mustard?

A little history for you: Perry's Shed ("linhay") was built before the death of George Shenton Snr in 1867. The linhay at Perry's Paddock is now referred as Perry's Cottage and Stables and was listed on the State Register of Heritage Places in 2000. Though the linhay is now in ruins, it's a beautiful example of the vernacular Georgian architecture of England, adapted to local conditions and built with local limestone. Perry's Paddock was named for John (Jack) Perry, who bred racehorses and held race meets on his property at the site. The paddock is part of the Yellagonga Regional Park, with a number of pretty walking and cycling paths open year round to visitors. Nice spot to take a few photos!

Photos © Reg Vardy

The look: 
Suzanne Grae mustard blouse - $1.50 (Vinnies)
Sportsgirl grey/brown skirt - $2 (Salvos)
Tights - my own
Tree of life necklace - my own
Rubi Shoes brown boots - $3.25 (Salvos)
Vintage-look ring - $1.50 (Salvos)
Brown shoulder bag - $3.25 (Vinnies)
Bird earrings - $2.25 (Salvos)
Total damage: $13.75

DIY - Jazz up your pin board as a necklace display

Here's a quick DIY for your next rainy winter day. If, like me, you've accumulated a few necklaces in your thrifting adventures, you'll understand the problem that comes with storage and display. Even on some of the modern racks you can buy today, you'll run into a problem with tangled chains. Added to that, the necklace you want ALWAYS seems to be at the back of the pile. 

So that led me to my plan to upcycle this old pin up board with material I scored at the Salvos last month.

What do you think? The final piece looks great against a shelf in my bedroom and adds a splash of colour to the decor.

Step 1: Grab your average pin board, I dug this one up from my shed... it had been harbouring a small dust army for a few years. If you don't already have one at your disposal, don't fret - you can buy these everywhere.

I spotted this leftover material at the Salvation Army last month, and it's huge! I wanted something mostly plain with a small pattern for effect - so this was perfect.

Cut your material to fit the size of the board with some overlap. I used a staple gun to fix it to the back of the board. 

Don't forget to pick up some pins! (Check out those messy necklaces with no home... yet!)

Incidentally... I'm looking for a new project to use up the remainder of my fabric. Any ideas?

if you have any DIY projects you'd like to see in a future post, leave me a comment!