WHAT I WORE FOR MY HUSBAND'S BIRTHDAY LUNCH

Hello, my dear readers, trust you are all well.

It seems that I am taking longer and longer breaks between the posts for reasons that I cannot explain, I just do.  It is not that I have left free time left for blogging, I still work the same number of days (just 2) as I used  do in my old job, look after my grandkids twice a week as before and three times a week I go to the gym as I have been doing for years.  Yet somehow I find it challenging to keep up.   It upset me at first but then I said to my self that since blogging is not my livelihood, I have no reason whatsoever to stress out over it.  Just do it when you can and when you feel like it and feel much better now.  Have you been through the situation like this and how have you dealt with it?

So it should come as no surprise that this post is over month overdue.  It is about the outfit that I wore for my husband's birthday that was in April but as they say: "Better later then never", right?  The birthday was not a significant milestone so just the two of us went to have lunch at one of our long time favourite places,  Ms. G's in Sydney's Potts Pont.

Since it was a celebration, I wanted to honour it by dressing for the occasion but since it was a casual lunch, I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard.  This bustling place that serves inventive Asian-fusion plates is loved by young and funky crowd and I wanted to play along.  

Well, I've decided to compromise. Have you ever heard the expression "Business in the front, party at the back"?  Historically, referred to a hair style called the Mullet, I gave it a slight twist and applied it to my outfit:  dressy top and casual bottom - a grey silk blouse decorated by a string of pearls bought at Almacenes San Jose Handicraft Market in Havana when we were on holidays in Cuba paired with black Levi's jeans and LV sneakers.  

I don't even care to remember when I bought this blouse, seems like years ago but it was made in France of pure silk and you don't easily throw away a silk blouse from France.  The jeans, on the other hand, is quite a recent purchase.  I deliberately avoid buying something that was on trend but instead went for a classic cut that I can wear anywhere, whether it is a casual Sunday outing or a day at the office.  

I do, however, remember how long I have these sneakers:  they were a birthday gift from my husband, among some other things, for my 60th birthday, nearly 4 years ago.

The food is always great at Ms. G's and this time it was no exception.  They also make delicious cocktails and after having a couple of those (my husband volunteered to be the designated driver for the day despite the fact that it was his birthday), I was on cloud 9.

Afterwards, we went for a leisurely stroll around the neighbourhood admiring the tall art-deco buildings with their ground floors occupied by a book store, fashion boutiques, homewares and antique stores stopping near the famous El  Alamein Memorial fountain for a photo shoot.

We had a lovely time and I could see that my husband was quite happy to have his birthday this way.

Be well, my dear friends 

Until then

Anna

xoxoxo

PUFFY SLEEVE SHIRT

Puffy sleeves are the huge trend of the 2019 spring season as seen on fashion runways shows as well as on the Instagram accounts of biggest fashion influencers and although I have had this puffy sleeve shirt for quite some time, there is now even more reason to write a post about it.  

The main features of my shirt include shoulder dropped puffy sleeves, with wide double sided cuffs and a high collar that can be folded over if needed.  I spotted it in the window of Natalie Alamain boutique on Bondi Beach and liked it for its original design, obviously, and a quirky botanical print.  

When I tried it on, it put a smile on my face 😍 and those of you who, like me, are big Jerry Seinfeld fans, would know why - the infamous "Puffy Shirt" that Jerry was forced to wear on a talk show where the host made a comment that Jerry looked all "puffed up" and which was later sold at auction for a whopping amount of $45,000.  Another puffy shirt that was used on the show was donated to the Smithsonian museum by Jerry Seinfeld himself.

But I digress.  It's obvious that over-sized sleeves make quite a strong style statement that could make some women feel rather hesitant about this trend and thus my advice to you is that you can start small by wearing a puffy sleeve blouse that would be the star of your outfit and then paired down by simple jeans or a skirt.  If wearing a dress is more your style, then a pair of classic white sneakers or a pair of minimal sandals would help you to tone down the volume.  

Right proportions, depending on your height and body shape, should also be taken into consideration especially when buying a dress with a big billowing sleeve so if you have any concerns about your final look, opt for a dress with a straight or pencil silhouette skirt with a length that is most flattering to your legs and other personal characteristics such as height, body shape and size.

As for me, the blouse is the best way to embrace this trend and I can assure you that I would get much more use of it than of a dress.  It is so much easier to make a blouse suitable for the occasion or the time of the day than a dress.  I personally prefer to wear my puffy sleeve shirt with black or white straight jeans and a pair of sneakers which is a perfect blend of looking fashionable yet relaxed and comfortable at the same time.

I have been on a hunt for a new pair of white sneakers for some time now and was very happy when I cam across these ones from French label called Spring Court.  Instantly recognisable for their ventilated outsole and soft leather,  they are extremely comfortable and look equally great with jeans or a skirt.

Whatever path you are going to take, I urge you to give it a go.

I am wearing:

Blouse - Natalie Alamain

Jeans - NYDJ

Sneakers - Spring Court

Belt - Hermes

Handbag - Georgio Armani

Glasses - Valley

Cheers,

Anna

xoxo