Luscious Leopard and a Wooden Watch (feat. JORD)

Hiya from Boston! I hope everyone is loving their respective shifts in temperature! I've been dying for it to hurry up and get proper cold, and it's slowly getting there. I'm headed to New Orleans for Halloween tomorrow and I think it's warm and humid there... i've been watching films like Waterboy to get myself even more excited for the bayou! * insert banjo music *

So here's a secret... I've been feeling a little bit decadent lately! As you know, I struggled to find clothes here in the USA for ages, and now that i've recovered from that situation – every outfit I wear seems to have a bunch of new pieces in it. I haven't been posting a lot lately because i'm designing my new blog (eeeek so exciting) but I have been taking lots of photos, and man I feel like a spoilt brat.

To top it all off, i've been gifted this really lovely watch from Jord Wood Watches and i'm just like ERMAGERD ALL THE PRETTY THINGS.

Now as you may have noticed, I don't really wear watches very often (y'know, my phone being an extension of my hand and all...). But when they make for a gorgeous accessory to adorn my outfit like a mechnical wooden star on my metaphorical christmas tree – well, i'm in!

This little darling is an absolute gem – it's made from contrasting darker and lighter wood, and you can see all the little interlocking cogs moving around under the watch face. As Jacqui noted when she was gifted one a while back, it's also super quiet – a big bonus! My other favourite thing is that it has a really large face. Ladies watches are usually far too feminine for my liking, so I love the fact that Jord have some unisex options that would look great on just about anyone.

My skirt is from Domino Dollhouse, and it was one the last pieces available in their massive closing down sale (sad face). It was only available in a size 22 which is a tiny bit big for me, so i've tacked the sides as much as possible AND I worked out a super cool trick for too big skirts with wide waist bands: put a thin width belt on but towards the bottom half of the band, and wrap the top down over. Ta-da! Fits perfectly, adds a little extra gather, and looks pretty darn cute! You decide for yourself!

It seems this the photoshoot where I look literally everywhere but at the camera. 
WHAT FOURTH WALL?!  

As always, thanks and love to Sam for snapping these photos!

OUTFIT DETAILS

SKIRT Domino Dollhouse (now practically deceased)

TOP Primark

SHOES Forever 21

NECKLACE Roswell UFO Museum

LIPPIE Colourpop in 'Dr. M'
WATCH JORD Wood Watches

Wooden Watches by JORD

As i'm sure you noticed, an item in this post was gifted for review. But as always: opinions are entirely my own and as much as I love fashion, my thoughts and feelings cannot be purchased. I love this because I love this, not for any other reason! :)

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We're All Born Naked... And The Rest Is Drag! (ALTERNATIVE CURVES)

Greetings, fellow fatshion lovers! I come to you today from the comfort of my bed, surrounded by candy wrappers and books about fashion and feminism. It’s a cruel world, ain’t it?

This is the final month on the Alternative Curves blog hop calendar, and at present it is fairly undecided as to whether we will be continuing on with the hop. Life gets life-y, and then hops don’t get hoppy, and sometimes it’s just better to take a little break and reassess. In the meantime, the hashtag and account over on Instagram will always continue to be a gorgeous community of fierce and supportive babes, so please do join in! <3

The theme this month is Drag Queen, and well, I just ADORE the art of drag. My favourite Queen of all time is Divine, and I often think I should devote my life to being a Bio-Queen. But I also have a fuckton of other things i’d like to accomplish, so instead I just try to inject some Drag Queen Realness into my everyday life! (y)


This look was inspired by Manila Luzon when she first entered the workroom in season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. I really like Manila, but I wouldn’t say she is one of my ultimate favourites in the entire history of the show. HOWEVER - up until that point, I had appreciated the styles worn by the Queens, but that was the first look that made me legit MOIST. And the looks represented on the show have continued to escalate in unique insanity from that point onwards (in my humble opinion).

I actually wanted to do a really detailed cosplay of this outfit, but I kind of ran out of time before I left Australia. So this is just an “inspired by” or “homage to” kinda thing. If you want to see some OFF THE CHAIN Drag cosplay, check out my girl; Lacey Noel. She totally OWNS.





Anyways, I need to watch a few more makeup tutorials cos I still feel like a total n00b when i'm trying to beat my mug real good. Send me your favs, please!

OUTFIT DETAILS

Dress: City Chic -Currently available similar ones here and here

Faux fur: vintage - Similar here

Tights: Can't even remember!! Similar at We Love Colours

Heels: Demonia

Earrings: vintage (were my Nan's) - Similar here

Gloves: a plain white pair under black lace - Similar here

Headband: DIY mannequin hand glued onto a headband with a cig holder!

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I'm A Blogger Too... #NoShade (feat. Rue 107)

So first of all let me say a huge, heartfelt THANK YOU and FUCK YEAH to everyone who shared my “H&M Sucks” post, and who has been using the hashtag #whatfatgirlsACTUALLYwear. What I REALLY want to do, ultimately, is to collect a sort of “visual petition board” of plus size women who a) have radical style, and b) believe that the pathetic offerings from these huge companies is just NOT good enough, and alongside some of the comments i've been getting: actually approach a few of the companies and say “HERE YOU GO – here are our voices, loud and clear. WOULD YOU LIKE THESE WOMEN'S CASH OR NOT?” I'm sure they've been told before, i'd just like to do a big roundup and see if we can't get a bit of a collective momentum happening...

Now look, I really want the chance to explain to y'all that I strongly and firmly believe in first and foremost supporting small and indie designers. I have lots of pieces made by the likes of Candy Strike, Chubby Cartwheels, Pho Sizzle Threads, Domino Dollhouse, Rue 107, Bombshell Vintage etc etc. I also thrift A LOT because, well, I love finding unique pieces that nobody else is going to have, on top of the more important issue of trying to reduce landfill and shitting (even more) on our glorious planet. But also – unique pieces :D

But I am also a realist, and I know that sometimes fast fashion just cannot be avoided. For some people, it is purely a matter of finances/economic struggles. My recent issue (for those who haven't been following along at home) is that I temporarily moved to America with practically no clothes because I thought it was a shopping mecca (it isn't), and I'm not in a position to spend a huge chunk of cash on summer clothes to see me through a span of about 6 -8 weeks in which it's still really hot. I will be getting (and have already begun to organise) certain pieces from certain designers that I will be able to wear when it gets cooler, but a bitch can't be naked or feeling completely deprived of creative style until then?! Explanatory note: personally, fashion is a strong form of creativity and I feel wretched when I can't express myself in this medium.

On top of all of that, this is also an issue of having the right to shop in brick and mortar stores along with the straight sizes. In the comments section on the Facebook post I had a few people telling me to “just shop somewhere else” and then listing online stores. Like, guys, I KNOW how to use Google, okay? THAT'S NOT THE POINT! I even had one woman go so far as to tell me “fighting this to want them to make skinny girl clothes in our sizes is like trying to push back on a meteor. Not gonna happen”. Well, not with that bloody attitude, that's for sure!

So yeah, i'm pushing against a friggin' meteor, but i'm pushing alongside a bunch of other incredible women (and men – although I don't have direct contact with them) who are fighting the good fight, in an attempt to create some semblance of a more diverse and inclusive retail landscape. We may never win. That prospect makes me sad, but it only makes me want to fight harder and longer.

Who's with us?!

Sometimes you just have to gif out

A few questions and comments about the photo on the right lead me to realise that I actually photographed this outfit, but totally forgot to blog it!! The photos were taken by my good friend Jacqui's good friend Kristie – on an afternoon a good number of months ago.

The crop top (it very cheekily says “I'm a Blogger Too #noshade) is from Rue 107 (no longer available, sadly) and used to be a crop sweater. Well, the weather was too hot so I chopped them sleeves off! HAR HAR.

The skirt, I made myself, and there's a cute story to it: I bought this exact tablecloth/ant print fabric from a dingey old shop in Brisbane when I was about 14, and I made a pretty crap skirt out of it (I mentioned I was 14, right?). A couple of years later, the skirt has seen better days and gets thrown out. Last year, my Nana very sadly passed away and she left me her fabric, and in the pile was metres of the exact same fabric!! I just knew I had to make another, better, skirt (now that I know how to box pleat!) and to always remember my Nan when I wear it.

Speaking of which, this red coat came out of my nan's cupboard and I don't remember the brand but it's a rather generic old lady brand like Miller's or something, and I just added green fur to the colour.

The sunglasses can be found everywhere on the internet, just search “Mr Quiffy Sunglasses”, and the adorable strawberry headband was made by my friend Jacqui, mentioned above. You can also get yourself some similar cherry earrings right here!

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Ii Desuka? Ii Desune! (ALTERNATIVE CURVES)

AHHHH I can’t believe this month is over, AND that i’m just scraping it in with my Alternative Curves August post! Ironically, I did these photos in JULY before I left Australia. But, well, i’ve been having such an amazing trip and a much needed rest from all kinds of reality, I hadn’t gotten around to writing up my post.

Mine and Sam’s Route 66 road trip has come to an end, and tomorrow we are leaving Chicago to set up in Boston for uni orientation the next day. So many feelings of excitement and nervousness! I’ve been a bit slack about it - I need to back track and upload all my favourite photos - but if you’d like to keep an eye on our travels, i’ve made a tumblr blog (mostly for my own benefit of compiling my adventure in one spot). It’s here.

Anywho, the theme this month is Japanese Streets and although it’s slightly cliche to automatically jump to a Harajuku-style interpretation, I actually visited there when I was 11 years old and it was such an eye-opening and inspiring experience to have at such a tender, whee age. In particular, I remember a super shy baby Kobi nervously approaching the outrageous babe in the photo below, holding out my camera, and shakily asking “ii desuka?” (“is this ok?”). She nodded once, slowly, and struck what was probably her signature pose. ARGH. YES!!!!
All these years later, I look back at that photo and I ponder:

1. Was this a beginning of my love of out-of-the-box style and attitude?

2. WHY oh WHY was I obsessed with photo caption stickers?

Regardless, I still wonder who she is and what she does now, where her life has taken her, and if she continues to dress in garbage bags from time to time. I also think this photo has really resonated with me over the years because it so directly aligns with my belief that it's not WHAT you wear, it’s HOW you wear it. Style is also an attitude. Don’t you think?

(Yes, those are bloody zombie scabs on my knees. Just cos I can.)

Sadly, I don’t know who else will be participating this month, but if and when they get in on the action, you can see them below alongside Fashion and Pho and myself! :)

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I Don't Want More Choice - I Just Want Nicer Things! (ALTERNATIVE CURVES)

I considered titling this post "Style is in the Eye of the Beholder", because:
A) that's something I really believe, and
B) there's no greater example of this than those hilarious babes, Edina and Patsy of Ab Fab.

Except maybe, Kobi and Jacqui do Eddie and Pats...

Ok so this look for the Alternative Curves monthly theme "Alter Ego" was actually too much fun. When Jacqui said she was considering a Patsy look, I totally muscled my way in as her Eddie.

I ran to Savers to look for an extravagant headband or hat, and as much leopard print as possible, and was DELIGHTED to find a leopard print jacket AND beanie! The Lacroix fashion gods were smiling on me! I also found this incredible beaded kaftan for a whopping $5, and although I can't envisage the day I will get to wear it again, I trust that an opportunity will soon arise. How can it not?!

This ensemble was finished with my (also thrifted) red suede heels (from the Alternative Curves Fairytale post), a bottle of Tia Maria (bahaha), and my deliciously stoic and pouty pal Pats.

Couple of weeks and I'll be bending like Madonna, won't I darling? I'll be able to kiss my own arse from both directions!

Thanks and love to Sam for taking these photos on such a rainy and hungover day, and be sure to check out the rest of the ladies (below) as well as my previous Alt Curves themed posts, all found here.

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Sexy Circus Moth Madam (feat. Candy Strike)

HELLO AND WELCOME TO LOOK NUMBER THREE FROM MY SERIES OF POSTS FEATURING THE CANDY STRIKE 2 PIECE DEATH MOTH OUTFIT (and pieces thereof)! 

In case you missed it; look #1 (both pieces together) can be found here, and look #2 (featuring the skater skirt) can be found here. 

I honestly don't know what my inspiration for this look was (I cannot confirm whether it was, indeed, a "Circus Moth Madam" - O_o) but one thing is for sure: I felt sexy as fuck in this outfit. What exactly is it about a laser cut pencil skirt and a bare midriff that makes me want to gyrate on the nearest ringleader and/or person in top hat. Oh, it might be this marvellous tails jacket... hehe!

On the topic: what a fortuitous week to be rocking a crop top! Oprah Magazine can suck a fat one, cos this outfit would be collecting a lotta dust in the back of my cupboard if I was waiting for the day I had me a flat belly! Dumplings are way too delicious.

This crop top is available from Candy Strike, and if moths aren't quite your thing - check out the rest of the tops (and skirts, and dresses, oh my!!) in the Beautiful Creatures collection. I have a feeling something from the Switchblade Sister print might be next on my hit-list...  The presale is on RIGHT NOW! Run, don't walk, to your nearest internet machine.

Do you possess any of your own Candy Strike pieces? Link me, please!



Thanks and love to Sam for snapping these snaps!

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DISCLAIMER: In case you didn't guess, this is a sponsored post, but as always: opinions are entirely my own and as much as I love fashion, my thoughts and feelings cannot be purchased. I love this because I love this, not for any other reason! :)

Take Me to Your Disco Moth Queen (feat. Candy Strike)

Candy Strike's Death Moth outfit, featuring the skater skirt in 

LOOK NUMBER TWO!

Ok so no word of a lie, this skirt makes me want to TWIRL! As you can SEE! It's a super light and super soft fabric, and I just LOVE to feel the swoosh of air. I've also doubled down the elastic waist-band because the width looked kind of funny on my shape - but that's the beauty of an elastic waist! Manipulate to your will!

I know a lot of bloggers who show different ways to wear different ways tend to have a "day to night" focus. I don't really know how to do that because I often wear the same things at night as I would during the day (read: I like getting dressed up alllll the time, not just when the sun goes down! >.<), but if I had to: I would say this look is closest to my "evening" look. I guess cos sequins?

Anyways, this top is actually a super short body con dress (you can catch a glimpse of the dress bottom in the top photo - just) that I got off eBay a number of years ago as part of a cosplay I was doing, and i've literally never worn it since. Mostly because i've been (and am still slightly) terrified of body cons. But you know what? I think it might almost be time to work that puppy into my regular wardrobe. What say you? I mentioned sequins, right?

The bow is from Sweet As Candy Vintage, and I simply adore her stuff. I also wore this bow last year when my band performed at Tess Munster's Melbourne Meet & Greet (coincidentally - also in the Candy Strike "Thick Chick" Crop!), and she created my beautiful flower crown that you've probably seen here and here. If you like statement headwear, you should definitely check out her stuff!

If you missed look number one (both pieces together), remember to check it out! And stay tuned for the finale instalment on Wednesday, with a feature on the crop top! x

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DISCLAIMER: In case you didn't guess, this is a sponsored post, but as always: opinions are entirely my own and as much as I love fashion, my thoughts and feelings cannot be purchased. I love this because I love this, not for any other reason! :)

Death Moth Double Trouble (feat. Candy Strike)

It’s not a secret… I have a HUGE crush on Elizabeth Denneau; the creative genius behind indie fashion label Candy Strike. I crush on her in just about every way a person can be crushed on; personality, talent, style, and looks. She has got it going on in alllll the ways! Like take for example this quote that i’m stealing from her “About Me” page:

“I believe in fearless fashion, in smirks, in unapologetic displays of style, in happy-sassy girls strutting their stuff causing mischief and fun where they go. I believe in being nice, but fierce. I believe in owning your presence through fashion. If you wear my designs you have to own your presence - and baby, it’s beautiful!” 

- Elizabeth

Can I just say?...

Mama Ru fist pumping says it better than I ever could.

Hailing from Arizona (or as she so ADORABLY puts it; “the land of cactus and dust devils”), she’s a total fashion rebel who channels her wicked style and mischievous attitude into all of her clothes (which, by the way, are available in straight to plus sizes). I first came across her stuff a couple of years ago via Jes Baker of The Militant Baker, and I was instantly in lust with her work. I purchased a couple of tops from her: the “Thick Chick” crop, and the “Beat it Creep” full length - because anybody who loves Cry Baby and John Waters as much as I do is an instant fashion friend. The quality of her clothes is unreal - both tops have withheld many a wear and wash without fading or stretching, and you can legit feel the love in every item.

So as you can imagine, I was so flipping honoured and delighted when Elizabeth asked me (ME?!) if i’d like to preview a couple of pieces from her new collection!! “Ummm YES PLEASE!” She so very kindly gifted me this 2 piece “Death Moth” outfit, and I had SO MUCH FUN playing dress ups with it that i’ve decided to do a… *dun dun dun*… THREE PART POST!

That’s right, hold on to the handrail, grandma! I have decided to do a 3 part post to show how i’ve styled this outfit wearing both pieces together (this post), and then separately! I’ve never done this before and those asshole voices in my head are being quite negative about it all, but fuck it i’ma do it anyway. If you get bored and flick back to netflix, I totally don’t even blame you. I just got it and it’s changed my life. For reals. As in, I now don’t have a life.



I've seen a few other blogger babes also preview pieces from the collection, and it's made me nervous and excited to be showing a Southern Hemisphere interpretation! The day I took these photos it wasn't too cold, so I didn't wear any tights. Plus, you know - flaunt them neon winter gams! I'm totally loving the retro-ish vibe the turtleneck shirt underneath is giving me (thus secretarial note-taking pose above), and i'm tremendously in love with the grey of this fabric... Sometimes it shows up a bit pink, sometimes a bit purple. It's like a mood ring of the textile world!

If you don’t know of Candy Strike, you should really get on that quick smart. In fact, it’s perfect timing since her latest limited edition collection “Beautiful Creatures” is on pre-sale RIGHT NOW! But be quick! It's only til the 5th of July!

This crop top is found here, and the skirt is here - I can't wait to show you my other 2 looks (EDIT: other 2 looks can be found HERE and HERE), using the pieces separately! I will post one of Monday, and one of Wednesday. See ya'll then! xx

PS. Thanks and love to Sam for taking these photos <3

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DISCLAIMER: In case you didn't guess, this is a sponsored post, but as always: opinions are entirely my own and as much as I love fashion, my thoughts and feelings cannot be purchased. I love this because I love this, not for any other reason! :)

Relax, It's Only Magic (ALTERNATIVE CURVES)

I'm not going to fib - I was a little nervous about this month's Alternative Curves theme! I mean, is "90's Mall Witch" an actual thing?Like, a thing that really cool girls know about, and I just don't?

TO THE GOOGLE MACHINE!

It spat out minimal results, so I just took this Buzzfeed quiz (I am Nancy Downs, duh) and mused on the whole 90's fashion thing that's super on trend right now...

I guess there are certain elements of my style that are kind of 90's, but I definitely wouldn't say it's a trend that i'm heavily into. Granted, I was only born in 1988, but it probably more has to do with the fact that the look so heavily revolves around styles that conventionally "work" on thinner bodies... But i've seen a few fat babes using #alternativecurves on Instagram and totally rocking the 90's grunge look (not to mention the other blogger babes below), so the inspiration started to flow.

Anyways, I was pretty sure i'd have the witch aspect in the bag, so I prayed to Mano and popped to Savers to find myself something quintessentially 90's. That's where I found this dress - something I would have totally looked past any other time, but on this occasion I fell in love. The wrap around vest front actually kills me (in the good way), and I swear I remember my mum having one of these dresses. I might reproduce the style in a few funky textiles, what do you think?




Would you wear this dress? Did your mum own one? Haha! Make sure to check out the other blog hop babes below, and of COURSE join in! If you have a blog, get on board. Or if you use Instagram, be sure to hashtag and let everyone know it's your OOTD theme of the month!

Also, big love to Sam for taking these photos, and to Nick for this new(ish) lens that i'm so in love with!

As above, so below.
Kobi x

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