Journal

Time for some new tunes.  Some of them aren't really new, in fact they're years old but well they're new to me.  My tastes are definitely changing which I love.  You can teach an old dog new tricks.

It’s been a while.  No excuse other than time.  Seeing as us Sydneysiders are going to be spending a little extra time at home this month I thought I’d dedicate some time to this month’s obsessions.  Enjoy.

It's been a while since we've sat down and done one of these but with Christmas nearly here it felt like the time is right.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

This COVID isolation has got me all nostalgic for some reason.  I don't know why.  Maybe it's a longing for a simpler time.  So I've indulged and taken a deep dive into some of my favourite tracks from the decade.  The 90's I was in my teens and early twenties.  My music tastes from this time were heavily influenced by boys and heartache.  Movie soundtracks were also big, "Singles", "Reality Bites" and "Romeo & Juliet to name a few.   I also have 2 older brothers who drilled their music tastes into me, with a lot of Tripe J thrown in.   So enjoy a trip down a 90's Memory Lane.

This month we were invited to do a fun Q&A for The Grace Tales about our top shirt styling tips.  You can read the full piece here, or some of our favourite snippets are below. After a long, long summer, many of us are struggling to think beyond the flowing summer dress when it comes to outfits. What’s the quickest way to smarten up our look? A white shirt of course!  Such a versatile item for every woman’s wardrobe. It’s an especially good fix for that balancing act with your work wardrobe, when you want to wear that floaty dress, but it’s 18 degrees in your chilly office. Throw a classic white shirt (like our new Lennox style) over the top, tie it in a chic little knot and poof - instant floaty shirt dress      You’re known for your gorgeous shirts. What are your top three favourite ways to style them? See above for number one! I also love wearing them layered open over a great basic tank like a relaxed jacket.  Then, as the weather gets a little cooler I love to layer my shirts. Particularly under a classic stripe t-shirt like Armor Lux. What are some more unexpected ways to style a shirt?Taking a leaf out of stylist Tash Sefton’s book, I’m really into the tuck-n-wrap look at the moment. There’s something about it that looks so effortless and easy. It can also give the illusion that the shirt is a little big for you too, which is really flattering on the waist. What role do accessories play in a look? And what are some of your favourites? My friends will tell you I’m obsessed with adding accessories to my look. They instantly inject personality to your style. Right now I find myself constantly switching between 2 styles. Tortoise shell & gold for when I’m wearing muted linens, like our Sullivan Chambray Shirt. And the amazing rainbow necklaces from Elsie Frieda when I want a pop of colour. I particularly love them with our Franklin Bold Stripe Shirt in Indigo. The colours all just sing together and make me happy.        If you have 5 minutes to get out the door, what’s your go-to outfit? I work from home and am lucky to live in a neighbourhood where everywhere is in walking distance so my 5 min go-to tends to be more casual.  Jeans and a toss up between my Franklin Poplin in Periwinkle or Armor Lux Heritage Tee in White/Red with a pair of Veja V-10.  How do you dress up a look to take it to night?Again, it comes down to accessories for me. Heels and killer earrings. Personally I think there’s nothing sexier than a crisp white shirt. We just introduced a new silhouette, the Franklin Band Collar Shirt which has a grandpa collar detail which just helps to elevate the shirt. It’s so simple and chic. Paired with slim denim jeans, heels and gold hoop earrings is my go-to evening outfit. It’s certainly what I feel most confident in and that oozes sexiness in my book. What are some of the colour palettes and trends you’re most excited about in 2020?Well of course I’m so excited that Pantone’s colour of the year is blue!!  Blues and indigos are at the heart of Irving & Powell. Our Franklin Poplin Shirt in Indigo is the colour that started it all. A few years ago, working for Tory Burch (who is a navy advocate) I made a conscious effort to stop wearing so much black and try wearing navy instead. And I haven’t looked back. It’s warmer on your skin tone and pairs fabulously with so many other contrasting shades. I am also excited to see this awareness/movement that’s happening on social media about shopping from your wardrobe and wearing things that last. That’s truly at the core of Irving & Powell. I want to make a shirt that you just reach for time and time again and that lasts you a lifetime.    What trends are you happy to leave behind in 2019? To be honest I’m really not a trend follower so I’m not leaving anything behind in 2019!  However I am bored of the short shorts phenomenon here in Sydney. I'm happy to see some longer, Bermuda styles taking off. In my book, it’s a hell of a lot chicer to show a little less!  

This month, on the east coast of Australia, has certainly been one for the books.  A crazy summer of fires & drought sweeping across the state.  It has left us feeling a bit scared and anxious.  But, as so often happens, there is also a sense of hope with amazing instances of communities banding together, selfless people rescuing our precious wildlife and city supporting country.  These stories have helped me to see a brighter side to all this tragedy and has left me feeling inspired and proud to be, well, Aussie! Inspired by the farm shirts worn by all good cowboys out west, we love the ‘work-shirt’ vibe of the Sullivan Chambray Popover. The half placket styling (a fancy way of saying the buttons only go halfway!) means that when you’re out and about on the farm things don’t get caught in the buttons, thereby tearing your shirt.  For all you urban cowgirls (a-la Jane Fonda grocery shopping) out there the half placket helps to give this shirt a relaxed, less fuss vibe.  And don’t fear we’ve got you urban cowboys covered too with the Thompson Popover.In 2019 we moved our production from overseas to downtown Melbourne.  Being an Australian Made brand has been a goal for us since day one. The Sullivan Chambray Popover is a great example of the wonderful production our new factory is doing.  @emptyeskyMore a resolution than obsession, but this month we’ve travelled to some our favourite NSW destinations.  Out to our family property in the Central West, Orange and then up the north coast to Hawks Nest & Crescent Head.  My goal for 2020 is to expand on this even more and plan some local travel with my friends and family.  I’m thinking South Coast for Easter and perhaps a road trip to Melbourne in the tail end of the year.  Simple journeys and adventures to show my children more of this wonderful country. This summer has also reminded me how special our native wildlife is, but in particular our many wild and wacky native birds.  In general I have a bit of a bird-phobia but Australian birds have me intrigued.  I find them incredibly beautiful and mesmerising. I have been reminded how amazing @leilajeffreys bird portraits are.I also thoroughly enjoyed Sarah Kanowski’s interview, “Talking magpies, grieving tawny frogmouths and canny galahs” with Gisela Kaplan. Summer reads are a must.  The one time of the year I have some time to myself to do some day time reading.  Cilka’s Journey by the wonderful Australian story teller Heather Morris was the perfect beachside read.  I devoured it from cover to cover in 2 days, unheard of with 3 children!!! I&P Aussie Tracks Mix TapeStarting with Boom Crash Opera and ending with ACDC this is an Aussie playlist that spans the decades and genres.  Songs from our childhood, teenage angst years listening to Triple J and some of our current favs.  This one should get you belting out a tune or two.Click the Spotify link to have a listen. “You want the mince, like…tan”Now this one’s not Aussie in theme, but January holidays have also been a time of indulgence and allowing myself the time to go down a few internet rabbit holes.  That’s how I found “Cooking with Paris” Not really a recommendation per-se, her cooking method left me somewhat perplexed, but definitely giggle worthy.  I have to admit watching her hair fall into everything and the thought of what her fingerless gloves might be covered in left me so stressed out I had to watch Jennifer Garner’s pumpkin bread video just to set myself straight again. #parislasagna

Our new Lennox Safari Shirt in Camel.  It can be a tricky colour to wear but I just love the safari vibe.  Tucked into a high-waisted pair of denim or white flares, it has this great 70’s vibe…a-la Lauren Hutton Christmas is fast approaching and I’m in planning mode as we are hosting this year.  I am determined to keep things really simple this year.  A week or so ago I was so fortunate to attend a Christmas workshop with my girl crush Lucy Tweed, aka Every Night of the Week.  (If you haven’t signed up for her newsletter already jump on board quick smart.  You won’t regret it)  She armed us with an entire Christmas menu, a-lot of which can be prepared in advance and I am planning on copying it dish for dish.  I’m most excited about the Chilli Pickled Pineapple for the ham.   For home this month it’s all about the festive season as well.  Ever since moving home from living abroad I am really into injecting some "Australiana" into our decorations.  I can’t wait to hang up our Elk & Tom Christmas Beetles. And aren’t these Down to the Woods koalas just the bees knees??Ok, ok I’m completely behind the 8 ball here (I mean there are after all 5 seasons you can now binge on) but I am currently devouring episodes of My Dad Wrote A Porno  like nobody’s business.  It is absolutely hilarious.  30 min or so of complete stupidity, witty humour and some of the most vomit worthy sex scenes you could imagine.  I highly recommend (however if you can’t handle rude, crude and base humour then this is not the one for you at all).I’m always looking for short, sharp and straight to the point ways to keep updated, so this month I signed up to my local Mosman Collective Newsletter.  I’m loving getting a quick hit in my inbox about what’s going on in my local area in a light-hearted fashion.  It’s always good to feel a bit more involved in your community and up-to-date with what’s going on in your hood.  If your around the Mosman hood you should sign up too.