Happy New Year everyone , wishing you a year of continued good health , love and laughter .
I am starting the New Year as I plan to continue wearing a mix of recycle finds , new purchased from a small business and an Australian designer , vintage , thrift finds and old from my closet.
The yellow dot skirt is by Brisbane designer Masayo from Dogstar that I purchased in Hobart last August , the unusual top from Comme de Garcon was a recycle find , the black and saffron yellow bangles are all thrift shop buys collected over many years , the little hat is vintage that I found on Etsy a few years ago, yellow earrings found last year secondhand in Lisbon and the shoes have seen many Summers.
This time last year I made a decision to only purchase five new items of clothing . How did I do ? Well the answer is almost , in fact I ended up buying six new pieces , three skirts, a black cardigan , a faux fur jacket on sale and a velvet jacket (purchased with a voucher from my advertising gig) .
A closer look at the interesting little black hat and my rather scruffy hair. On the hair front I have made a decision to grow it longer again , probably back to a bob of some sort. Still not sure about the colour yet- stay tuned. I have enjoyed the shorter hair but found it didn’t suit my hats and I have missed wearing them and I do have quite a collection .
Contemplating on my word of the year for 2025 , I still haven’t decided on one . I am also thinking about which direction to take with the blog , any feedback is most welcome.
For the time being I will probably continue with a mix of travel, gardens, life and of course clothing and style . I love playing in my closet and composing different outfits and regard this as my creative outlet .
My word for 2024 was explore and yes I did , visiting new parts of Australia back in April and then returning to Japan in November. My plan to explore some further learning didn’t quite eventuate , maybe this year.
This was taken in Brisbane back in April on our road trip. These gardens were just so beautiful. At this stage there are no plans in place for travel this year but no doubt some will eventuate. I am still working through the Japan trip photos – Christmas intervened- but hope to have two more Japan posts.
I will finish off with a couple of my favourite outfits from 2024. The first was worn to a rather fancy restaurant in Hobart and is a combination of tulle, feathers , sparkles and fancy boots.
My second one – a gold Rundholz skirt bought in a sale worn with a black knit , black tights and Trippen shoes. I love this gold skirt and wore it on Christmas day with a white shirt – no photos as I was too busy cooking and playing hostess.
Thank you for reading ,have a wonderful start to 2025.
Hello Jill, Happy and Healthy New Year from accross the Pond. I just wanted to thank you for your lovely blog. I am always so pleased when I see your name come up in my inbox. You are far and away the most stylish woman I know and I simply love all your so interesting outfits. I have always been mad on clothes and have collected a large selection over the years,and a huge collection of costume jewellery, some dating back to the 30s and 40s ,inherited from my mum who also loved costume jewellery. Please don’t alter your blog,it is perfect just as it is ,a great mix of style and travel and a bit of gardening. Best wishes from Judy in Brighton UK .
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Happy New Year Judy and thank you so very much for your kind words on the blog. I am so pleased you enjoy it as is as that really is true to me and my interests. I am so delighted you like my style . Your clothing and jewelry sounds wonderful , it must be so special to have some of your mothers jewelry to wear. Once again , thankyou Judy.
Jill, you are one of my style icons…there I said it! I think you always look spectacular…pulled together, chic, edgy yet so distinctly you! I always look forward to your posts because I know I’m in for a treat…selfish, right? Sometimes, I think I should lean into being more a lifestyle or here’s my day kind of blogger. I’m not sure if just being fashion is the thing anymore. Oh, the conundrum!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Thank you so very much Marsha that is so kind and generous of you. I know what you mean about the changes happening in blogland but I feel we will all land where we feel comfortable.
I’m in full awe of the fact that you’ve only bought six new items for your wardrobe, even if it’s one more than you intended.
Your outfits are fabulous, quirky and very you as usual, although your New Year’s outfit does trump them all. What a stunning combo that is!
I’m looking forward to your final decision on the colour of your hair. Having had short-ish hair for many years, I’ve never regretted going back to the bob I had before. In fact, hairdressers being closed during Covid gave me the final nudge in that direction! xxx
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Thanks so much Ann I was pleased how nicely the skirt and top played together. I must admit to being rather pleased with myself for only exceeding my target by one but I at the stage of really needing very little.
The jury is still out on the hair colour but I am looking forward to having my familiar bob again.
Happy New Year Jill, wishing you brilliant good health, joy and everything you enjoy. I do love the photo of you sitting pondering in your gorgeous Dogstar skirt. Thank you for sharing your adventures, thoughts, photos and gorgeous dress style.
Love,
Elizabeth.
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Thank you so very much Elizabeth for your lovely comment and I too hope that 2025 is a wonderful year for you.
You are one AMAZING WOMAN to only have purchased SIX ITEMS all YEAR!I bought very little this year as well as I am not out and about as I once was.You have reminded me that I too use to have a new fun word for the coming year and I forgot to do that this year!
The Blog is perfect!Keep doing what you DO!
XXX
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Thank you so much Elizabeth . I think it comes to most of us the realization that we only wear half of what we own. I have now landed on restore as my word of the year. Your feedback on the blog is most appreciated. xxx