Frocktober 2014:: Day 31 - Last DAY! Carmen Miranda

What a wild ride this month has been! Thank you for coming along. Thank you for your generosity. Your kind words. Your lifting me up in whatever way. 

Mid-month, I really, really thought I was going to struggle hitting the $10k. I was really worried and more than a couple of times my mouse lingered over the goal button, wondering if I should adjust it. 

I am so frocking glad I didn't. I am so glad you came along for the ride.

There are SO many people I need to thank that helped me reach my goal. So many. 

For starters, my excellent, beautiful, generous friend Emilie, who has taken my photo most days - she has a wonderful eye, and I can't even begin to thank you! Thank you mostly for being exceptionally patient - particularly when I kept banging on about taking my photo. It's a task! 

I must also thank Matt and the Doctor and Tiny. Most people won't know but I put a lot into frocking up each day (and then social media-ing 'til all hours after work) - which means my mind is elsewhere. The house is a mess, I may have been a bit grumpy, and you've been exceptional. Thank you.

I won't go into all the thank yous today, because really. Let's talk about the outfit. Carmen Miranda. A true style icon. I kept waking up all night wondering if Carmen was enough. Well of course Carmen is and always will be enough, but was Lexi as Carmen enough (after Frida, what would satiate the frocking hungry?). Then I wondered if the vintage frock I had kept aside was enough.

I hope you think it's enough.

I've had fun as Carmen. She's a brilliant, strong, inspirational woman.

And to raise money to support brilliant, strong, inspirational women? I hope it goes some way in finding an early detection test for ovarian cancer. 

This is my third year of Frocktober, I wanted it to be bigger and better - and it frocking was. You  guys made it frocking frocktastic. 

Thank you. 

(this is a photo Emilie took of me working. So serious. Find Em on Instagram at @milietea - you should follow her. She's ace)

You can still sponsor me here. 

All funds raised goes to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

Frocktober 2014:: You Can't Stop The Frocks

Just because Frocktober is almost done and dusted - doesn't mean the frocks, fashion and frivolity have to stop.

I am pretty adept at navigating a good frock. This is my third year of Frocktober, and after 93 frocks -  I would consider myself a bit of a frocking expert. (Ok 93 might be an exaggeration, but have you seen my bedroom lately? FROCK!)

Today I'm sharing a bit of a frocking round up. I might not have been to any frocking shops, but I've let my fingers do the fashion-stalking and found 10 that will make your frocking heart BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

So we all know how much I LOVE Australian fashion. I'm an avid supporter of Australian labels and designers, which brings me to something else I really, really love. The Third Row. Diana (the brains and beauty behind TTR) contacted me and asked if I'd love to merge my love of frocks, with my love of independent Australian designers into a popup shop. 

No brainer. I said YES PLEASE! And here it is! I've personally chosen a lot of frocks that I LOVE and I hope you do too. 

1. Lilya Beatriz dress from Style Milk: Loving this simple navy dress. It's great with sandals or heels, and perfect to throw on and feeling frocking fabulous.

2. PAM Scops Dress/Top in Washed Denim from Dagmar Rousset: Two garments in one? Aye carumba, that nails my ever growing washing pile. Oh how I love this.

3. Maria dress in Blue Lagoon from Lazybones: These frocks are so perfectly feminine and easy to wear in cotton - brilliant for summer. The cuts are bang on, and the prints? Aye aye aye!!

4. Natashya Manfield 'Peggy' dress: I love this full-tilt colour, the cut, the fabric, the print. And it's magic to wear it too. 

5. Nancybird Olive dress in 'Anemone': Such an easy cut to wear, and in silk, it's so perfect for our hot summer - that print is super gorgeous and the palette means it works with almost any hue - winning!

6. Obus 'Cheveyo' dress: There's so much to say about this frock. The cut. The pleats. The exposed hard wear (read: the zip). The visual punch. I am pretty well prepared to marry it. 

7.  Gorman 'Take Flight' dress: I have been salivating over this frock for a couple of weeks. I really love the tone of that blue, and the cut is the best thing since sliced bread. 

8. Alpha 60 'Eleta' dress: This reminds me SO much of my Mum - she had a plethora of brilliant frocks when she was around my age, some of them are still kicking around in my wardrobe. And. Pockets. 

9. Secret South 'Sarah' Shirt dress from Style Milk: I am a big fan of prints, it usually means little accessorising required (unless, like me, you LOVE accessorising, and then go for it!). I dig the aztec vibe, and think this is a great work to play frock. 

10.  Gorman Lobster Cotton dress: Did somebody say lobster? Well I may be the only person that's not that enamoured with eating it, but as a print? I want second helpings. 


This is just 10 - but there are LOADS more I have personally chosen - that I am madly coveting now. 


Shop more of my favourite frocks over on The Third Row in the PottyMouthMama PopUp! 

Frocktober 2014:: Day 30 - It is easy being green (BirdsNest)

I can't even begin to tell you how frocking tired I am. Exhausted even. 

Frocking up doesn't sound like a lot, but there's the planning, the learning new hair and make-up, the social media-ing late at night. I am totally pooped. 

Thankfully I had this maxi from Birdnest to throw on. Seriously. A saving grace. 

A casual classic, it's great belted, or if you prefer things breezier, leave it loose. Either way, it's super comfortable and the oversized shape works well on lots of body types. 

Now let's carefully think of this. There's only ONE more day of Frocktober to go. 

That's one more day of me banging on about it. You might be relieved, well I am more relieved-er. I was looking forward to a sleep in on Saturday until I realised we had swimming first thing in the morning. And by first thing I mean we have to leave the house by 7:45am.

Cue the world's smallest violin.

By the way, if you haven't already donated to Frocktober to help kick ovarian cancer to the kerb, you still have time! Go here now - every amount is brilliant. 

The OCRF is not government funded, and with one Australian woman dying every 10 hours from ovarian cancer, it's the aim to find an early detection test to help change that figure. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me this month. I really couldn't have reached my goal without everyone of you. Thank you. 

As a side note, if you feel like getting frocked tomorrow - please do! I'd love to see your frock - so please use the hashtags: #frocktober #pmmfrocks so I can see you! We need to raise awareness for ovarian cancer and spread the word. 

Dress: Bonnie Maxi dress in Floral Garden by that bird label from Birdnest

Frocktober 2014:: Day 29 - Shine Bright Like a Diamond (Natashya Manfield)

Big news! Today I hit the $10k! OH EM GEEEEE!!! Thank you to all 164 of my motherfrocking brilliant sponsors. You guys are the frocking biz! 

So today, it feels fitting to go full tilt colour - with this Peggy dress from Natashya Manfield. How ridiculously beautiful is this?! Natashya is an incredibly amazing designer from Melbourne. Check her out. Now. 

If you haven't already donated, I'd be ever so stoked if you still threw a few dollars my way. 

The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation receive no government funding and rely on the support of our community to assist in driving research forward.

Don't be shy! Any donation is awesome - and anything over $2 is tax deductible. 

Dress: Peggy dress from Natashya Manfield

Frocktober 2014:: Day 28 - Modern Day (and brunette) Tilly Devine (Lee Mathews)

Calling Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh. I'm the new recruit to the Razor Gang. Sans razor. Sans ciggies. 

Full tilt on awesome. Let's do this thing! Only $778.50 to go until I reach my goal! 

Today's frock is by Lee Mathews - the Daphne dress in Tiffany. My oh my! It's the bee's knees! It's Mahatma Gandhi! It's Napoleon Brandy! It's the top!! Pale silk confection. SWOON!! Easy to throw on, easy to wear, and little accessories needed, it just is perfect as is. 

Hair was. Wow. A faux bob, a lot of hairspray. Make up was to the max, kohl eyeball to eyeball a la Tilly. 

By the way - you can sponsor me here - and help fund an early detection test for ovarian cancer. That could be your feel good moment of the day/week/month. Go on. Every dollar helps. 

With only three more dresses after today - I really need you to help me! Please! 

Oh and this is me post-pin curls. Phew! 

Dress: Daphne dress in Tiffany by Lee Mathews 

Frocktober 2014:: Day 27 - Spot On! (Madeleine Charles)

Guess what?! It's the last week of Frocktober! That's right motherfrockers - and only five days left. Which means only five frocks! FROCK! 

Today's is a spotty delight from Madeleine Charles. It's the Paloma coat paired with the Emily Shift dress, and it garnered lots of compliments today! 

Given there's only a few days until it's over for the year - perhaps now is a good time to sponsor me? Go on! Give up a coffee for a day - and donate the $3. It's tax deductible - and every single dollar helps. 

Dress: Madeleine Charles 

Frocktober 2014:: Day 25 + 26 - Camping, Frocking, Cockatooing, Fundraising

Quick. Gather around. I've got something to tell you. 

There's only five more frocks to go. That means there's only five more days to donate to Frocktober. To work with me to hit ovarian cancer where it hurts. To help fund an early detection test. To find out what makes ovarian cancer tick. 

We need this test. 

I know I've told you this a million times before. But let's think about it in terms of real life people. 

One Australian woman dies every 10 hours from ovarian cancer. 

That's HUGE. 

If we can find an early detection test, we can improve the survival of women with ovarian cancer. 

Over 50% of the community incorrectly think that a pap smear will diagnose ovarian cancer. Wrong. But don't stop having pap smears. 

The average age of women at diagnosis is 63 years. Think of all those beautiful, strong women we could help by donating a small amount.

******

Above is day 26 - a frock made from beautiful painterly Nani Iro fabric. 

Below is day 25 - since we were going camping/gramping (on Cockatoo Island), I decided not to pack the picnic rug but to wear it instead. 

Please sponsor me today. I've frocked my guts out this year (my third participating in Frocktober) and would dearly love to help the OCRF with much needed funding. 

Click here to sponsor me. All donations are tax deductible. Every little bit helps. 

Frocktober 2014:: Day 24 - Calling Iris Apfel

It was the day that had to come. It was the day I wore half my body weight in jewellery. It was the day I had to muster my inner stylista and become the one and only -- Iris Apfel.

Can you see the uncanny resemblance?

And yes, for most of the day - I was Iris. And then a board member saw me and I conveniently disappeared into the lift. Still in full Iris mode.

The likes, the comments, the shares - they're all great and important, because it is about awareness, but if you threw me $2 (which is tax deductible) you'd also be helping find an early detection test for ovarian cancer. 

I am grateful for each and every donation. Please, if you can, throw some coin to my fundraising and help us get closer 


Here's why your fundraising dollars are crucial to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation:

• Did you know ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cause of cancer death in Australian women?
• On average three Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day.
• The five year survival rate for Australian women with ovarian cancer is only about 40%.
• In comparison, the five year survival rate for breast cancer is about 88%

If you'd like to donate - please go here. 

Frocktober 2014:: Day 23 - Ethereal Elegance (Lee Mathews)

It's been a long month. And there's still a week to go. 

Today, after exercising in a frock, I was excited to switch into something light and ethereal. Meet the Charlotte dress from Lee Mathews. Silk and lace, it's a cinch to feel good and look smart. I've tried it with my favourite Chucks, but it looks good with sandals, or a neutral heel too. 

It's a great day dress (heck, there ain't no Lee Mathews dress I've ever met that I didn't love) - I can imagine it's going to be a firm staple in my summer wardrobe.

Speaking of wardrobe - Frocktober is not just about fashion. It's about raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Please help me reach my goal - I'm so close, but still need your help. 

Dress: Charlotte dress from Lee Mathews 

Frocktober 2014:: Day 23 - Fitness MotherFrockers (Little Tienda)

Recognise this frock? Cast your mind back to last year. Or click here.

It's a good one. Hand embroidered, beautiful for a hot day. And today it served me well to do The Bay Walk/Run. 

That's right motherfrockers, I exercise in a frock! 

It's from Little Tienda. And I have to tell you a story about Little Tienda. Emily (who is the awesome behind LT) has generously, incredibly, feverishly been working behind the scenes to help me reach my goal. 

How do you thank someone that has gone without, so that I hit my target and together we give ovarian cancer a swift kick up the brass razoo?

I don't think I ever can. But I can tell everyone how brilliant she is. How bright. How she's kept the pep in my step, the sparkle in my arkle. She has kept me on the straight and narrow, even when I thought I couldn't do it. Even when I started thinking I would have to revise my goal.

Emily works super hard - and Little Tienda is testament to her brilliance. Please shop with Little Tienda. This month she's generously donating 10% from EVERY SINGLE SALE to my PottyMouth Ovarian Cancer Ass-Kicking fund. She is incredible. I am humbled. 

Buy something for yourself (I've got this and it's GREAT with jeans and shorts; this clutch is totally on my wish list)! Buy a Christmas gift (Tiny has this and it's unbelievably cute). I don't care what you buy, but buy something because the woman is not only supporting me, but Little Tienda supports Mexican artisans too. 

Emily is amazing. Emily is the type of person you want on your team. 

And you know what? Emily and I have never even met IRL. 

I can feel a margarita coming on. 

Frocktober 2014:: Day 22 - Vintage, Zesty and Brief. Just the way you like it.

Today is day 22! Only nine days to go! Nine days until Frocktober is done and dusted for the year, and I will stop banging on about ovarian cancer. 

Or will I?

I know a full tilt month is pretty heavy handed. But heck, it's totally worth it. I get to raise money for a cause I am passionate about - and I get to spread awareness of this terrible, silent disease. It's pretty important. 

So what can you do right this minute? 

Share it on your own social media feeds. One Australian woman every 10 hours - that's a huge, staggering figure. 

You can donate. ANY size donation is amazing. And $2 from everyone that follows me on social would well and truly help me reach my target. 

I just really, really want you to help me reach my target. I work really bloody hard ALL MONTH to spread the word. And it's tax deductible. 

I'm passionate about this because it's important. Women are important. Gynaecological cancers are the pits. Any cancer is the pits. You know it. I know it. We all know it. So let's kick it. 

Donate now. Please!

Dress: Vintage Simona 

Day 21:: Fifties. My Favourite (Boden Clothing)

While I'm getting frocked up every morning, I wonder - is anyone going to sponsor me today?

Every day I hope I have reminded people why I am doing it. 

The frocks are fun. But the crux of it is ovarian cancer. The silent killer. The cancer that has no early detection test. 

If you'd like to be part of finding a cure, I'd really love you to sponsor me today. 

Every dollar counts - and any donation over $2 is tax deductible. Big, small, no matter what size, it all goes towards the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Forgo a coffee for a day and donate that money to Frocktober? Go on. Your ovaries need you. 

Today's frock is from Boden. Holy toledo. It's one of my favourites. Such a gorgeous fifties inspired cut, and that print just thrills me! Plus it's in cotton sateen, so the fall and drape is really, really pretty. 

I wore it today with flats, but I've tried it on with heels and that looks HOT. 

I curled my hair, added a snood, did my winged eyeliner and have decided that fifties is my era. I love fifties. However, the time required to maintain this look? Yowsers. Betty Draper must have had a lot of spare time on her hands. 

Admittedly, the more I do this beauty regime, the quicker I get. So I guess that's going for it!

Dress: Amy dress from Boden Clothing 

An Interview with Kylie Zerbst - Obus

I've said it many times before - I am really passionate about our local industry. I've always been an avid supporter of independent Australian labels. Back when I was 19, just starting out in PR, I introduced myself to the ksubi boys (way back when it was tsubi) and offered to do their PR for contra. It was a crazy time, but awesome to cut my teeth on an iconic brand. I love being part of that creativity, that buzz. Nothing's changed since then.

It's a passion that feeds into my wardrobe where most of my clothes are mostly vintage, or locally designed. I don't really pay much attention to what's happening on the world stage of fashion (except to marvel at the couture catwalks) because we have SO much awesome talent right here. 

So this Frocktober I aimed to work with local brands that really resonated with me. I almost didn't approach Obus because - let's be honest, they are ridiculously cool. Then I decided to throw caution to the wind and approached. 

I am so happy I did - I got to work with a super cool, quality label - that's locally made, and I got to learn more about Kylie, founder of the label. 

Describe Obus in 10 words

Quality threads for the modern adventuring woman... 

Life before Obus. What was it? 

I was a graphic Designer. I studied at RMIT, then did my masters as well as taught Design... They are broad skills to have and although I've ended up in a different place those design skills are part of my everyday way of working.

Where do you find inspiration? 

Well it just pops out at you whenever it feels like it and sometimes not when I need it - but the idea of Obus is to take our ladies on a journey each season... So travel, the places I visit on my holidays… But also in very ordinary everyday things... Broken umbrellas, flowers, people, small moments and films.

What's the design process for new collections?  

Going around in circles it feels like sometimes… But we get there (somewhere!) in the end.

If you had to choose just one - what is your favourite piece from the Obus collection? 

Ha ha I can never just choose one - The Nathalie Mesh top in citrine... The Spots skirt... The Kachina tee...

Best part of your job? 

I love working on the prints for each collection. On a different level though it feels so good to roll into the Obus studio (which is on top of the Obus store in Northcote) and work with such an amazingly creative and strong bunch of women each day!

Is there a worst bit? 

Of course. Retail can be very tough sometimes, and that's hard on the whole team. It's hard to know how to keep everyone feeling good about what they are working on - because no matter how hard you try sometimes things just don't work. 

What's your career highlight to date? 

Obus opened the show for the Ford Supermodel of the World awards in New York many moons ago. That was such an amazing moment waiting with all of the aspiring young ladies backstage for the announcements, I will never forget the atmosphere! 

What was your creative outlet as a child? 

Knitting, drawing, sewing, writing.

Did you have a dream job when you were growing up? What was it? 

Archaeologist, writer of GRUG books.

Got a song on repeat? What is it? 

Ha ha sorry I can't think of one right now... But something by The Knife maybe.

All time favourite movie? 

Any period drama will do me.

Early worm or night owl? 

A bit of both, probably not always in the best order. Orlo was in bed with me VERY early this morning, around 4.30... So I was regretting staying up until late reading, but I wouldn't give up the cuddles for anything!

Champagne or cocktails? 

Champagne THEN cocktails...

Social butterfly or homebody?

Homebody! My partner Simon and my little 2yo man Orlo are always there... All the fun in the world!!! 

If you could only have one beauty product for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Does lavender oil count?

Last person you spoke to? 

Annie who works next to me in at the Obus studio.

Stripes or spots? 

Spots.

Where to next? 

The next Obus journey is 'Memphis Dreaming'... Memphis inspired prints, colourful sandals and espadrilles, swimwear and loads of great dresses for a beautiful summer...

*********

With special thanks to Kylie, Annie and Obus for supporting me this Frocktober.

Shop the Obus collection now. 

Follow Obus on Facebook. 

So much inspiration on the Obus Instagram feed.

Or maybe follow Kylie on Instagram? Her curatorship is tres magnifique! 

Or get inspired with their Pinteresthttp://www.pinterest.com/obusclothing/ boards

And you can tweet the good Obus peeps too!

Frocktober 2014:: Day 20 - An Homage to Barbara Cartland

So I didn't reach my $6k milestone, and I'd promised Iris Apfel if I did. So I didn't do it. I didn't commit to Iris. 

Instead here's my modern-day homage to the Duchess of Pink - Barbara Cartland. And if you're like my colleagues and have no idea who I am referring to - google is now your best friend and quit making me feel ancient.

By the way, in case you thought I just dressed up for my photo and then ditched the garb - I don't. My beautiful colleague and friend Em photographed me in the wild, sitting at my desk typing. I go to work in my outfits. All day. And go to lunch. And anywhere I have to go. 

How's that for commitment to slaying ovarian cancer? 

It's day 20 which means there are just 11 days left to go.

Are there any special celebrity requests? 

Is there something you'd like me to do that will tip you over the edge? 

Go on. It's tax deductible. Donate today and you can put in a special request. All special requests will be considered dutifully. 

Hit here. Save our ovaries. 

Dress: Vintage
Coat: Vintage

Frocktober 2014:: Beauty Favourites

Given I've documented everything I've worn this month, it's meant I've had to dedicate myself to a pretty rigorous beauty regime. 

Say it ain't so! 

It is so, I need to get my face ready for the camera people!

Today I'm sharing three of my favourites that have helped me combat fatigue - or at least make it look that way!

1. Kosmea Facial Cleansing Wipes:: These are pretty well my favourite thing at the moment. At the end of the day, to get rid of the liquid eye-liner, foundation, everything I've layered on my face, these wipes are gentle, and cleanse your face in a wipe. I pretty well want to marry them. Plus they smell like rosewater, and rosewater is my all-time favourite smell. 

2. Bloom Cosmetics Full & Flirty Mascara:: I love thick looking, dark lashes, and this does just that. No flaking, no itching, instead just full, luscious lashes. Plus the brush ensures there's no clumping. 

3. Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream:: A colour-correcting cream that combines camouflaging capabilities with a super dewy finish. It's hydrating, contains SPF 30, and just between you and me, I've been using this UNDER my regular foundation for a flawless finish. But you could wear just a moisturiser and this and be incredibly happy. 


What's the beauty product you couldn't live without?