Create

I may preach all this motivational bull but I’d like to just point out that I am such a hot mess haha. Case in point, after I wore this skirt for 3 hours, I promptly split the back hem after I made too big of a stride in the unforgiving hills of Sydney’s CBD. This is a momentous blog post because it is the first of hopefully many future posts where I foray into a new style of dressing. Join me as I embark on a journey to find things to wear that aren’t always black … starting with this great khaki midi skirt that does not require an ounce of ironing.

Top (old) / New Look blazer / Forever New skirt / Tony Bianco heels / MK Parker Watch / Essie ‘Urban Jungle’

Advertisement

Tassel Me Softly (+ Giveaway)

I’m really digging this plaid on plaid ensemble. I think I was a little inspired by Cher having rewatched Clueless for the upteempth time but instead of going matchy matchy I decided to mix it up with two kinds of plaid for that modern prep look that I am constantly gravitating towards. I was surprised at how seamlessly the two wool pieces pulled together and I believe it must have been the navy checks and purse that gave this outfit its lifeline.

Recently, I have developed a deep desire to tassel everything. Lamps. Cushions. Skirts. If its not moving I want to add that little bit of za za zing to it! This little navy bag from JollyChic is my first tassel item but it definitely won’t be my last. I’ve been seeing these little summer dresses with open backs and a row of tassels and a little bit of me dies because its not anywhere close to floaty clothing climate. In the mean time, I guess these tassel adorned knits and accessories will hold me over. If you would like to hop on this bandwagon, sign up with JollyChic and comment down below using the same email address and I’ll pick someone to win a $20 gift voucher!

Long sleeved knit / Short sleeved knit / Skirt

Crossbody (c/o) JollyChic / Scarf / Flats

Lippy Lippy Bang Bang

I never really go and buy a whole new outfit for an event anymore. I think these are all great basic formal pieces that everyone should have in their closet: a fitted black blazer for shouldering, a bustier because you’re fun like that, a black circle skirt for twirling, pointy toe flats because they’re better than heels and a tiny box clutch with that extra bit of magic. Happy Wednesday guys!

Blazer: Bardot (similar here) Bustier: Bardot (75% off!) Skirt: Sportsgirl (similar here) Flats: Sammydress Clutch: DIY

Birds of a Feather Mirror Together

I’ve actually been on a three week shooting hiatus so I decided today was the day to get off my behind and and put it in this wild midi number from Lil Muse. I have to admit, I’m not a big animal print person … I think this is the first animal print that has ever made its way into my wardrobe. Animal print frankly scares me but I threw myself in the deep end by trying out a double animal print mirrored midi body con skirt. What a mouthful! All full of words that usually do not exist in my closet vocabulary!

Making a statement can be terrifying. Committing to pink hair, a sleeve tattoo or a house made of glass would be impractical for most of us. For those brave souls who have that level of commitment, I applaud you. That doesn’t mean the rest of us can shy away from standing out every once in a while and I honestly can’t think of a better non-permanent form of expression than the way you dress. So go on, try that tucked away piece in your wardrobe and let that feeling of liberation wash over you.

Initially, when I started SS I was determined not to put outfit details at the bottom. I wanted SS to be simply a source of inspiration not an add to cart type of a site. More recently, I have been receiving messages and emails asking me where certain details are from so from this day forth, I will try my best to put details at the bottom. Keeping in mind, I’m just a broke student so sometimes my stuff is from two seasons ago and will not be available anymore. Today’s outfit however is still available online so I definitely recommend you check out the top and shoes since they are heavily discounted!

Top: Cotton On KN Alanis Cut Away Crop Skirt: (c/o) Lil Muse Snake of Paradise Skirt Shoes: Betts Slave Heel in Stone

Palm Springs / Suburbia

Now that I look at these photos, I realise they are quite leafy. The hedges, the South African lilies, the palm leaves on my skort – so much foliage, so little space. I think cutting is very important. Hedges need to be trimmed  for them to look attractive. Just like clothes have to be cut well in order for them to sit right on the body.

When I used to do textiles in high school, one of my favourite materials to work with was anything that did not fray with an exposed hem. Felt is kind of hard to find in tops so scuba is my next favourite thing because it allows for the most interesting cuts and cut outs like this grey high neck top. Paired with an envelope skort, this is actually a very functional outfit. Perfect for someone who likes to lift in fancy clothes. Jokes. But really, I look so ripped in the first picture that it would almost pass as the truth. :00

Oh and instead of a GIF today, you get two of me in one picture. What a time to be alive!

A Little Tulle Late

I have a really strange fascination with tulle and big poofy skirts like this. The strange part of this fascination is that it didn’t start when I was a young un and watching Angelina Ballerina … it started when I was about 14! What I like best about this tulle skirt is that its layered instead of just flouncing out at one length. This means that it is a lot of fun to twirl in to make for some great action shots.

I know I’ve been referring to it as a skirt but I’ll let you in a sneaky secret: the tulle skirt is actually my prom dress from year 10! I’m happy to say its not something i would cringe at all these years later but it makes me sad that I never wear it which is why I popped it on, Christmas day. Then I decided to dress it down with a plaid shirt cinched at the waist, popped at the collar and rolled at the arms so I could give my outfit some silhouette. To finish off the ballet vibes, I went with a big poof on my head and some bow heels that shouldn’t be leaped around in!

STYLE.

You got that long hair, slicked back, white t-shirt And I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt And when we go crashing down, we come back every time ‘Cause we never go out of style {1989 Taylor Swift ‘style’}

I think its plenty ironic how I finished my last High School Certificate exam yesterday (which meant that I would never have to wear a school girl skirt again) but then the next day I go for a plaid skirt with a white top? If this outfit has any deeper psychological meaning to it, I really do not care to know.

Instead I would like to think that I am paying homage to Taylor Swift’s 1989, particularly my favourite song ‘Style.’ As a post HSC celebratory gift to myself and an inevitable purchase anyway because she is one of the few artists I still buy physical albums for, I got 1989 yesterday after agonisingly having to wait a few extra days. My favourite songs after Style are: Blank Space, Wildest Dreams and Wonderland. If you are think Taylor is a Slayor, then we are automatically friends and you are obligated to tell my what your favourites are too 🙂

Anyway, the plaid skirt is a nod to the whole No its Becky inside joke that she has with the Tumblr community, the cropped tee is for all the cropped tees she’s been wearing lately and the brogues are for Fearless era Taylor because that will forever be one of my favourites. And to top that all off, the heart sunglasses are inspired by her last era: Red.

Apologies for my rudeness, but HEY, welcome to THE BLOG. My name is Karen and I’m in that blissful, wonderful period where I have just graduated high school and have four beautiful months of mindless wandering and a summer vacation that is really, genuinely going to be longer than 104 days*. I figured that in between my trips to the beach and marathoning situational comedies,  I would do something that’s been on my summer bucket list for a long time: start a blog and have a domain! Thusly, Style Smorgasbord DOT COM was born on the 1st of November 2014. So make yourself an iced tea (or maybe a hot one if you’re in the northern hemisphere) and take a look around. I hope I can bring a little bit of sunshine into your day and if all goes well, some leaves, rain and flowers too?

* If you can get that reference. FOUR FOR YOU.