Black and White = Business Attire?

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Posted on February 16, 2016

If you have been reading this blog for a while you will know that the neutrals in my wardrobe are black and white. Many, but not all, of the outfits I wear to work are black and white.

Here are some examples:

However, I have noticed an interesting trend in the past year or so. It seems that there is a perception that if an item is black and white it is suitable attire for corporate offices in the CBD.

Soft, casually styled pants that look more as though they were designed for beach or sleepwear can be seen in offices all over town.

What do you think? Is it the style or colour that makes an outfit suitable to wear to the office?

Simple Style

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Posted on February 4, 2016

Welcome to those of you who have discovered my blog for the first time this week. I hope you are enjoying the recipes but please take some time to search through the almost 5 years worth of posts related to simple living which encompass sewing, gardening, decluttering and organisation.

A break tonight from dinner recipes and photos. We had sausages, salad and sweet potato chips. You need neither a recipe or photograph for that, although I will do a future post on oven-baked sweet potato chips -Yum!!

Sometimes you realise that you have embraced simplicity quite unconsciously.

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I bought a new pair of glasses recently to wear when working on the computer. They are the black framed ones at the front of the photograph. I did not notice until I arrived home how similar they were to my existing glasses that I wear all of the time. I had bought them a few months previously and when I looked closely at the two pairs together they are the same brand and a very similar shape.

When I considered this, it made sense. I have been wearing glasses for 44 years and have worn numerous styles, some of which did not suit me at all. These days I can walk into an optical store and dismiss almost all of the frames on offer in a single glance as I know what suits me and I choose accordingly. Buying frames is really no different to any other fashion choice – know your style and stick to it.

Something to Savour

Retirement Planning

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Posted on January 15, 2016

As with everything else in life, nothing is certain when it comes to retirement – redundancy, illness or even death can interrupt the best of plans but it is important to have a plan.

GMan and I plan to retire from full-time paid employment in about 3.5 years so it is still some time away yet. We have worked hard to get to this point and have a financial plan that is coming together. Our goal is to be able to live a comfortable existence on our terms.

This post is not about superannuation, investments or even travel plans – although we do give that quite a lot of thought. It is about forecasting future needs and changing circumstances.

I was thinking about this yesterday as I folded and put away clothes. GMan does not generally wear a suit to work but his attire is mostly business shirts and trousers. However, the dress code seems to have become increasingly casual over the last 10 years. He no longer wears ties every day and even the shirts that are worn in his workplace are less of a business shirt and more of a hybrid business or casual item.

So, how much of this will be worn once he walks out of the office for the last time? This is where the planning comes in. It seems ridiculous to think that we could be left with 3 or 4 pairs of trousers and 8 – 10 business shirts that may never be worn again in a few years time.

I have decided to try to keep track of approximately how long a shirt lasts. I think it is around 3 or 4 years. About half of the shirts GMan wears now also double as shirts for dressier non-work occasions. I hope that any future purchases will also fit this category and they will not be redundant when no longer required for wearing to work. Keeping the number of shirts to the minimum (6 or 7) is also a goal. This will give me very little leeway when it comes to washing and ironing each week.

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Even socks can be considered when reviewing clothing needs. The front row of socks in the photo are mostly the ones GMan wears to work – black, grey or navy but they are rarely worn with casual outfits as he tends to mostly wear lighter colored trousers and often different shoes and thicker socks. Some of these socks are very nearly at the end of their life. Some have been darned several times. I think he could get away with not replacing them and keep wearing the remaining ones.

Why the focus on GMan? What about my own clothes? I am in the fortunate position of wearing very similar clothes for both work and casual wear. However, I have taken note of those items that are worn more at work and will be less inclined to replaced those styles in the next 3 years. I will also consider how any future purchases will fit into a post-employment wardrobe.

I can visualise how easily changes of lifestyle or circumstances could result in a build-up of clutter if steps are not taken to identify and remove those things that are no longer used or useful. This is particularly evident as children grow up. Think of the things that are considered essential for a baby who is less than 12 months old. Are any of them still relevant 5 years later when are going to school? While it is reasonable to keep large items such as a cot or high-chair for subsequent children, there is no logic in stashing piles of baby equipment and toys in the garage or attic. Pass them on to someone who can use them now.

What is your life-stage? Are you planning for change? Do you have stuff that is no longer relevant to your life?

Use It Up

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Posted on January 11, 2016

I have always taken a fairly minimal approach when it comes to make-up. In this post from 2014 I showed my collection of make-up. This has been streamlined a bit further.

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I gave an almost brand new lipstick to my daughter the other day. It was a colour I used to wear but find a bit pale these days.

I currently do not have any mascara as I used to buy it from Aldi but they no longer stock mascara.

My blush (also from Aldi) and lipstick are almost finished. The eyebrow pencil is but a stub but will last for quite a while yet.

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I need to make the effort a buy new blush, lipstick and mascara but I will be making sure that the existing ones are completely finished before I start begin using any new make-up. I see no reason to waste these by throwing them out.

Happy New Year

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Posted on January 1, 2016

I was searching for a photo that really portrayed my feelings for the end of one year and beginning of the next. I did not want images of alcohol or fireworks.

I found this which summed it up for me.

New Year 2016

As 2015 is washed away by the incoming tide it is time to write a fresh new date in the sand and move on.

Wishing you a peaceful and fulfilling year.

Christmas – Traditions & Expectations

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Posted on December 6, 2015

It is less than 3 weeks until Christmas and there is no doubt that it is one of the most stressful times of the year. This is partly due to the pressure we put on ourselves as a response to the media and advertising hype that invades our lives.

The images and expectations are thrown at us every day but reach a crescendo at this time of the year. Perfect gifts, on-trend decorating, mountains of food and joyous relationships are portrayed in all types of media. We have been exposed to these expectations for our whole lives so we continue to burden ourselves with our quest for the ‘perfect’ Christmas.

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Then there are traditions. The definition of this innocuous little word is: “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way” Many families have traditions around Christmas and this can be a lovely touchpoint, especially for children. It could be putting out reindeer food on Christmas Eve, hanging stockings on the end of your bed, going to Midnight Mass, viewing Christmas lights in your suburb or putting up the Christmas tree on a certain date. All of these and many other little things are what can make Christmas special for your family.

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The problem with traditions is that they can actually be a cover for a guilt trip. You know the scenario – “but we always have hot turkey lunch” – when you would really rather be playing cricket at the beach and eating a burger from the deli across the road. That might be a bit extreme but it is an example of the sort of situations that arise every year in many families.

Expectations need to be modified as children grow and families take on different forms. What is a fun activity for a 5 and 8 year old might be utterly tiresome for those same children 10 years later. Trying to force them to conform to ‘traditions’ that you set up will only drive them away.

The addition of partners adds a whole new dimension as they have their own family and that needs to be respected, too. In time there will be grandchildren and the whole cycle begins again.

The end result of striving for the perfect Christmas is generally less than perfect and can be downright horrible so perhaps it is time to reassess. Set realistic goals, enjoy the moment and don’t set yourself responsible for the behaviour and happiness of others – that is their responsibility.

What is your experience? Do you have traditions? Are you prepared to let things go as circumstances change?

Use and Enjoy

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Posted on November 23, 2015

Even though I have decluttered quite a bit of stuff, I still have a lot of glassware and crockery in the sideboard that do not get used every day.

I recently cleaned out the drawer in the kitchen which hold the mugs and glasses. I off-loaded some of the odd glasses from the back of the drawer which were never used as well as some plastic tumblers which were all crazed and for which we no longer have the matching jug.

I could have left the excess space but instead, I decided to add 5 coloured glasses which have been in the sideboard.

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There were once 6 of these glasses which came from my parents’ place. I always loved them and they were for special occasions. It would be easy to fall into that trap but I decided that since I really like them I will use them every day. If they get broken I will not mourn, instead, I will be glad that had the opportunity to use and enjoy them.

I have not taken the time to respond to your comments on my previous post but I will do so, hopefully tomorrow.

Lives Lost

Food for Thought

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Posted on November 14, 2015

Every now and then I come across a discussion or comment (either in real life or on an internet forum) that stops me dead in my tracks.

The other day I read a comment where a teacher asked about a remark made by another teacher, that she would never eat any home-baked gift that was given to her and simply threw them out.

As if that was not enough to throw me for six, I was astounded by the robust online discussion that ensued.

Some of the issues that were raised included not buying home-made cakes from cake stalls, the hygiene standards of the kitchen, not eating anything from anyone unless you had intimate knowledge of their home and kitchen and so on.

Do these people ever attend a function where people bring a plate of food to share? Are their children allowed to attend birthday parties, where, heaven forbid, there may be home-made food? What about class parties at the end of term?

I can well understand people with food allergies being unable to accept food gifts but some of the other issues just seemed over-the-top to me.

I was not alone in my response as there were others (teachers and others) who said they welcomed and appreciated the home-made baking that was made and given with love.

Then the conversation headed in another direction as to the reason for giving gifts to teachers as they are ‘only doing their job’ and get paid like every other employee in any line of work.

Am I naive? What do you think? I am particularly interested to hear from teachers as well as parents who have given home-baked gifts. Will this revelation change your plans for Christmas gifts?