Wardrobe favourites - Typographic tops

Who doesn't love a good slogan tee to pair with denim shorts or jeans? They're the perfect conversation-starter!

Having worked in activewear, I wear a lot of tanks and tees with slogans of an inspirational ilk printed on them. Even plenty of my non-Lorna-Jane tops have some sort of memorable motto emblazoned all over the front. What can I say? I like to make a statement.

Here are some of my current favourites that I've found floating around online... maybe one of them says exactly what you're thinking.

Cotton On Ace tee

Love the grey and peach in this.

Cotton On Wanderlust tank

Perfect for gymwear, yoga, and also denim and cocktails, because that blue is too pretty to ignore!

French Connection Pardon Moi gilded tee

I've felt this fabric instore and it's a luxe as it looks. And aren't we all Francophiles really?

French Connection destination long-sleeve tee

Perfect with leggings and flat boots for travel, I am SO buying this baby. (Because this is exactly what I want to wear flying to Asia next month. Nobody at Singapore Airport will be able to guess where I'm going!)

Lorna Jane Cardio Club

This exercise tank is a no-brainer - it's in my favourite colour, the fabric is super-lightweight and breathable, and that back cut-out means that I can wear a regular bra (instead of t-back)!

Lorna Jane Yay Monday

Well, sometimes we need a little Monday Motivation, don't we? And it's way prettier in real life - that dark charcoal marl cotton is soft and the pale pink font print gives it a preppy spin.

Target Active Friyay tee

Because we can't celebrate Monday a little without celebrating Friday a lot! Those cap sleeves are lovely, too.

Ruby and Lilli Lucky tee

Not exactly a typographic tee, but the silver gilded detail on this washed cotton blend tee is really cool.

Shopbop Take Me Away tee

This lightweight sweatshirt with raglan sleeves is ideal for the Australian Autumn - khaki is really ontrend right now, and it'll be sweet under coats through Winter too.

Torrid Cowboy Up tank

I can't showcase slogan tops without including a few from Torrid. This plus-size brand REALLY knows how to do slogans well, and this Cowboy Up tank is a fun spin on those uber-cheesy Texan shirts that country folk wear non-ironically! Also, the longer-length is a win for everyone.

Torrid Hey Jude tee

You're welcome for putting this song in your head. (You know it is, don't deny.)

Torrid All You Need tee

Pink with vodka scrawled on it? Did they just steal a tee from my 21-yr-old self's wardrobe?

So forget Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, let your tees and tanks do the talking this season. Is there a slogan you wish you could find on a tee?

Bonus slogan tee find! This Ruby and Lilli XO tee has been in my shopping cart for a while, and it's on sale, reduced from $45 to $20. Time to make this cutie mine, I think!

Ruby and Lilli XO tee

On sale, hurrah!

Life lately: why I'm not taking many outfit photos

I used to take a LOT of selfies. Pretty much every second photo I shared on Instagram or Facebook was a 'what I'm wearing' pic. And you might have noticed that I don't do that very often lately. And you might even (if you care a smidge for me) have wondered why.

There are a few reasons. The first big one is that I'm just not feeling inspired by my wardrobe and the outfit combinations I have in front of me when I'm standing staring at the rails of clothes in the mornings. This comes and goes, and doesn't worry me very much.

The second reason is that I wear a uniform a lot now. Le sigh. A red Dri-fit polo shirt, three days a week. I wear this with any of a number of black Lorna Jane shorts/cargo pants/tracksuit pants (yes... I wear trackies to work) and sneakers, either black or white. Now do you understand why I don't snap many pics of myself in this gorgeous get-up?

Red = not my favourite.

The pants that were issued to me with my shirt were so hideous, that I think even classing them as golf shorts was flattering. Knee-length, multi-pocketed, high-waisted shorts are not going to work on even the most slender of bodies, and on my curves... NO. So I pull the ol' LJ Flashdance shorts and pants out of the wardrobe for work, and try to make an effort by putting my hair in a bun or a braid. Yep, that's the extent of my creativity. I would LOVE to tart up a polo shirt-shorts combo a bit more, but I'm stumped. If you've got suggestions, please let me know!

The third reason is that I worry about people judging me. Yup, I'm like everyone else out there, and way too concerned with other people's opinions.

'Hang on,' you say, 'isn't that why people post selfies and outfit photos on Instagram though? For others to look at and judge?'

Why no, my dear friends. No it's damn well not. I post outfit photos because I like seeing other outfit photos, and I feel inspired by style bloggers (completely separate from fashion bloggers, because who has the funds to keep up with fashion?) who wear a really cute striped tee with a denim vest over the top and I think 'Hey! I've got striped tees and denim vests, I'll try that. And maybe, just maybe, someone might look at my (probably coral and/or stripe tee) outfit and think 'That's cute, I might wear my stuff like that'. Or they might not, and that's ok too.

But I don't think it's ok for regular people to be judged on their everyday style choices. Celebrities who are famous for being celebrities, sure. I mean, I'll rag on Kim Kardashian's poor choice of ankle-strap stilettos until the sun comes up, but if a mum from Melbourne wants to wear those, good on her. Kim K (and pretty much anyone else in her clique) wear clothes TO GET REACTIONS from us, and from the media. Normal people wear clothes so their private parts don't show. Yes, double standards; but I never said things were fair.

All this to say that I had a brutal customer experience at work a month or so ago, and have only just noticed that it's affected how I get dressed in the morning, and how I share images of myself on social media. And I want to get myself out of that slump.

I bought these tights from work. I harboured no delusions that I would look like the above bum-model when I wore them, I just loved the print. It reminded me of a Finch swimsuit I had and loved as a 10 year old, and that made me happy. Lesson one: buy things that make you happy.

I was so excited about them that I wore said tights to work the day after I bought them (who doesn't do that? Nobody, that's who). I took a couple of pics in the fit room before work to send to my bestie (who is as much of a Lorna Jane print tight lover as me) and thought I might also share on Instagram later in the day. Lesson two: share outfit pics on Instagram shortly after you take them, don't overthink it.

Who matches their green smoothie jar to their workout tights? Lorna Jane girls do, that's who.

Before I got the chance to go sit in the sun on my lunchbreak, read excellent text compliments from my best friend on my new tights, and post a photo on Instagram, a customer walked instore and insulted me. Ok, so she didn't just come in and smack me in the face with cruel words, but she really hurt me. She wanted tights for exercise (you're in the right place, lady), the conversation was running along nicely, and after I explained the lengths of tights available, she told me what she wanted, so I pointed at mine, and confirmed 'You'd like a 7/8 style, like the ones I'm wearing?' (Retail 101. Always confirm what they want, because sometimes they explain very, very poorly.)

Her response almost floored me. 'No way, I don't want those. I don't think bigger girls like you should ever wear printed tights.' With a sneer. I smiled of course, and handed the customer over to a collegue. Then went and ate my body weight in avocado and fetta on Turkish bread because carbs.

Who even? I thought we clarified I was talking about the LENGTH OF THE TIGHTS, you muppet. Apparently not. And apparently you have rules on who should wear what. To which I say, leggings are pants. And print schmint. But that little exchange did upset me. I didn't post my photos on Instagram for a day or so, because I felt that I looked a lot bigger in them, and that I would get similar comments if I posted the photos. Lucky for me, my Instagram community are lovely. Lesson three: believe compliments, ignore criticism.

Lots of likes and love from my peeps on Instagram. Gems, all of you.

The first thing I did to drag my mind out of that 'Katy, you're horrible' place this weekend was read Melissa of Suger Coat It's new eBook '10 ways to be happy in your skin' and then I wrote her an email telling her that she was a genius. If you ever doubt your ability to shine in the body you have, this is exactly the book you should be reading. She's a delight. (Not sponsored, gifted or anything, it just resonated like crazy with me.) Lesson four: read wise words.

Get this awesomeness here

The second thing was to spend some time with people (pets are people too, for the kidless) who think I'm awesome just as I am. I mean, sure... my puppy would probably prefer that her mum was a super-runner who could take her for 5km jogs along the beach every day. And BB would just adore it if I had Christie Brinkley's bum. But I don't, and they love me so much. Lesson five: good husbands and dogs never lie, and always love.

The third thing is that I've consciously decided that I'll share more outfit photos. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Do you have any hot tips on feeling better about posting outfit photos? Have you ever had days, weeks, months, where you feel like you can't share?

And how would you have (politely) responded to a comment like the one I got at work?

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Life lately

It's been another month of change here at the Potaty household (and in a sidenote, can I just say how much I adore it when my friends call my husband Mr Potaty? Love. It.) and life is moving quickly.

I didn't think I'd be writing another job-change blog post so soon, but here we are. Another change in circumstance had me stepping away from my contract role within the health and wellness field, and thinking about spending time at home with BB and Stevie with relaxation and sleep-ins on the agenda. Seriously, finally taking that big step to get a rescue puppy = best decision ever!

I could've looked back through the past zillion pics I've taken of Stevie, but I just snapped this as she's laying here in the study between BB and I on our computers. The family that interwebs together, stays together. Or something like that.

Well, of course there's no such thing as downtime, and literally the minute my calendar opened up, so did another door!

I'm stoked (Peta will love the Coastie coming out in me there) to report that I'm back working casually within education admin at a local independent school's Sports Department. I've actually worked in a very similar position before in Hervey Bay - which was my very favourite job of all time - so I'm super-ready to get my teeth stuck in. I was given a great and easy entry to the team at the College, and everyone has been very friendly (whilst also offering semi-joking condolences, as my new boss is quite the character and his booming voice precedes him wherever he goes, as does his reputation for being the socialite of the department). He's already turned up at my desk with coffee and chocolate brownies from the school canteen, so we're gonna get along juuuuust fiiiiiine.

I'm managing to balance my casual Lorna Jane shifts (which are just too much fun, honestly... working with some of those girls on Noosa's Hastings Street is one of the best ways to spend a day) with my College work, but I'm aware that I won't be able to make that last forever.

For the moment though, life is grand, I have time up my sleeve to hang with the people that matter, and both BB and I are happy and comfortable and enjoying life. And that's all that matters, isn't it?

What's moving and shaking in your life lately? Big changes afoot, or are you enjoying a calm spell?

Getting the ol' blood pumping

Well, here we go again. Another ranty post brought on by reading Woogsworld.

Now before you carry on, please know that Mrs Woog is a good and excellent person, and the ranting that will shortly ensue is not directed at her, but aimed at the disgusting twerps she wrote about the other day in her blog post called Keep walking, you fat mole. Ugh.

If you haven't yet done so, head over and read it here, or let me give you a simple run down:

• A woman puts on clothes.
• A woman walks along a footpath in an effort to get the ol' blood pumping.
• A carload of teenage boys yell abuse at her.

What the hey? This is not ok. But it is certainly not a one-off incident.

When I regularly exercised outdoors (this was a good long while ago, and I needed all kinds of promises from housemates that they would keep any tempting chocolate out of the fridge to not ruin my efforts), I would often get yelled at by men in whizzy little wanky cars. You know, Nissan Silvias and 1998 model Subaru WRXs... the kind of cars driven by grown men who never quite outgrew the pizza-delivery-boy stage.

I wasn't getting complimented or asked out, I was getting 'encouragement'. Because being told that your ass is huge is super-encouraging. I regularly would hear that tell-tale whooshzaaaa of a crappy little turbo blow-off thingy, cringe in anticipation, then hear 'Hey fat bitch!' or 'Long way to go before I'd f*** you!'

Let it be known that I was not exercising outdoors to reach a point where I would be attractive enough for these boy-racers to procreate with, I was exercising because my doctor thought it would be a good idea, and because I lived a 45 minute walk from my home in the inner city suburbs and it was faster to walk than catch public transport. I walked because I liked the time to think, to decompress after a day at work. What planet do those guys live on that makes them think for one second that my walking at a pace not unlike that of a sleepy turtle (although I think I rocked that lycra better than a turtle) was for their benefit?

I've also been egged as I walked along a main road. It was so horrible. The worst. And oh my word eggs are harder than you expect when they hit you hard on the boob.

I know that not everyone thinks this is a big problem, but I do. I spend a significant portion of my week up close and personal with women who have poor self-esteem and are wanting to change the outside of their body to feel better on the inside. A significant portion of my week squishing big boobs into sports bras, pulling up high-rise exercise tights to above belly-buttons to prevent them rolling down, and explaining in hushed tones that pawpaw ointment is BRILLIANT for preventing chafe on thighs that rub.

I've seen women cry when my colleagues and I passionately proclaim that they are allowed to exercise, and that nobody is at all interested in their camel toe (although, I can fit you in tights that won't give you a camel toe, I assure you). I have heard women tell me that they are at a great point in their life where that feel like they don't need permission to exercise and be comfortable in their bodies, and I love it.

Yes, I get all Spice Girls and make women come out of the change room in their huffypuffy* pants and strut around to Katy Perry's Roar. Sometimes they really need it, and I love that they can get it.

However, I hate knowing that there's a chance (a high chance) that walking their dog, strolling with their kids, riding a bike for the first time since they were 12 years old, they'll get yelled at. They don't need to be bigger for the abuse to be hurled either; I know women sizes 6 to 22 who have received charming** comments from guys driving past. (And occasionally girls. Carloads of teenage girls full of language you wouldn't expect from a sailor.)

So how do we stop it? I don't know. I know we need to talk about it though. Talk to our family and friends, both male and female and share that it happened. If you have to (and I am totally fine with this), call someone who thinks you're hot and tell them - get a nice little compliment out of them to balance the crap.

Have you been hollered at by some idiot while out exercising? What did you do? (And what would you have yelled back if you were witty enough?)

* Brilliant Woogs-word for workout tights.

** Not charming. Actually pretty shit.

*** In more pleasant news, I have a pretty fabulous giveaway next week, so pap back soon for a chance to win something special.

Taking the big leap (or the story of my time at Lorna Jane)

A long and rambling blog post during the first week of January NOT about resolutions... how different and novel.

Instead, I'll be wrapping up quite the chunky chapter of my life, my time working at Lorna Jane.

I honestly never expected it to be what it was for me. It was stressful, overwhelming, commercial and demotivating. It was also inspiring, positive, ridiculously entertaining, and a huge jump-off point for me for the future.

I started working at Lorna Jane in Noosa in early 2013, as a casual retail assistant (although my official job title was Sales Gun and Active Stylist - ergh). I had previously been employed by Lorna Jane as a Store Manager when I lived in Brisbane in 2010/11, but left just as I started due to bad timing and other opportunities. When I commenced in 2013, I didn't want a full-time role, I just wanted to have a little fun, earn a little money (and try not to spend it on work clothes) and spend time thinking about what I *really* want to do, particularly with the blog. (Since my level of blog posting has dropped since working at LJ, we can conclude that it wasn't the best idea.)

I was employed by a dynamic and inspiring woman, and really enjoyed spending time with my Store Manager. The wonderful 2IC Carmel was (and continues to be) one of my dearest friends, mainly because she's got a heart of gold, and is the best listener I've ever met. I enjoyed my work, I grizzled about the drive (50 minutes each way), and loved the location. Noosa's Main Beach really is a stunning spot, and being able to connect with visitors from all over the world was the best part of my days. Not too long after I commenced at Lorna Jane, my Store Manager (a woman with fantastic entrepreneurial business interests outside her day job) resigned, and both Carmel and I were temporarily promoted, to Store Manager and 2IC respectively. I remember thinking at the time, is this really what I want? But to retain control of my hours, and continue working at a boutique-style store I loved (instead of being shunted around as a casual to icky shopping centre stores), I rolled with it. I spent hours encouraging the store's social media following, and helped to really grow the store's mainly tourist trade into a strong local market.

Spending time snapping pics for social media really was the easiest part of my job, with stunning views like this. (Pic from @livinglovingnoosa Instagram page.)

After a busy 2013/14 Summer, Carmel and I switched roles, and I became the Store Manager of Lorna Jane Noosa with a brilliant team around me, which made everything easier and cruisier. I drove to work 5 days a week to spend long and sunny days with girls who were funny, enthusiastic, and supportive.

My store enjoyed a visit from blogging royalty with The Remarkables came to Noosa.
From left: Nikki of  Styling You, Chantelle of Fat Mum Slim and bub Luella (who I'd steal if left unattended), Mrs Woog of Woogsworld (hates activewear; and due to my supreme bullying skills, now wears huffy-puffy pants with pride), me (grinning like a Cheshire Cat), and Beth of BabyMac.

As always, circumstances change, and when the great casuals moved on to uni, babies, and other exciting things, Carmel and I were left wondering what was next. As fortuitous fate and excellent circumstance would have it, we worked close to the Witchery store on Hastings St in Noosa, where our lovely friend Bev had worked. (You may know her as the very stylish blogger Iris May Style.) Bev had recently left Witchery to take up a position at a large Country Road store much closer to home (she, like Carmel and I, had been doing a fairly long commute north to Noosa every day), and she offered us the opportunity to apply for roles at her store. While Carmel took her up on this, and is now loving her much healthier work-life balance at Country Road, the timing wasn't great for me, and I didn't think that leaving Lorna Jane to stay in retail was really where my heart was directing me.

Work selfies with Lorna looking over my shoulder.

More awkward than you'd expect.

The middle of 2014 was a fairly crappy time for me. I was given a 2IC who was neither supportive nor hard-working, and under-performing casual staff were moved to my store for me to 'straighten out', which only had the effect of depressing me and driving loyal customers right out the door.

With the resignation of the 2IC who really didn't want to be there, sunshine and bloody rainbows turned up with my new Assistant Manager, Nikki. A local girl who'd been away in a mining town and wanted to come home to Noosa, Nikki arrived with a smile on her face and a willingness to work, and OHMYGAWD that's exactly I needed. The news that I'd be getting another store on Hastings St (not moving stores, mind you... getting another store) was mildly scary and quite exciting at the same time. For those not in the activewear scene, Lorna Jane also designs a smaller high-end range called Uniquely Lorna Jane, which is a fairly exclusive sports-luxe collection. This range is only available online and in a handful of stores across the country, and I was to be getting one of these stores. For at least 6 months, I'd no longer be a Store Manager, I'd be a Cluster Manager. Excellent.

Nikki and I celebrating our gorgeous new store,

just one moment before we opened for business! 

Nikki and I were surrounded for the most part by exceptional and adorable casuals, ranging in age from 17 to 50, and I was enjoying every part of the craziness that was the preparation and opening of the new store, while trying not to let the existing store become a big ol' mess. (I kinda failed. The stockroom = organisational disaster). Seeing me running down Hastings Street, a stack of LJ thrown over my shoulder, while I dragged a huge rail of stock between the two stores became quite a common Noosa sight.

I always knew that another Christmas in retail would be beyond shitty for me. My husband often travels for his business, and knowing that he would definitely be enjoying time off at home over Christmas while I worked every damn day would drive me mental. (As well as giving him the grumps too... with me coming home exhausted and demanding dinner every night.) Carmel was loving working with Bev, and I was occasionally talking about doing something a little more, well... me.

You see, I'm not a regular ol' Lorna Jane girl. Unlike my best friend Peta, I can't bear the gym. I don't love to sweat, and I'll take the snooze button over a workout every damn time. The problem was, I was feeling beyond crap at even having this mindset, because I was surrounded by the bounciest, most energetic souls I've ever met. And I can't even blame them - I was the one who found and hired them!

So, and yes, I really should cut this long story shorter... I resigned. I resigned to take a big chance, and step away from a regular (although obviously crappy because RETAIL) wage, and bounce out into the world doing stuff I love.

Strangely, it was Bev of Iris May Style (who stole my Carmel) who kickstarted my new venture and moved me on from Lorna Jane. (Let's not let Lorna Jane know, they may ban her from ever speaking to another LJ employee!) Bev got me talking to a wonderfully influential woman in the health and wellness field, and I am moving forward in a role with her, looking after her sales, social media and admin requirements... and I'M THRILLED! I'm actually working for myself instead of as an employee, and the lack of job security is terrifying (yes, I'm a sooky Cancerian, what of it) but exhilarating at the same time.

I've counselled with my wonderfully-supportive husband, and also a few friends (including Peta, Bev and Carmel), and everyone was telling me to just do it. Take a chance, try something new, learn on the run, make mistakes, and have fun. It was time to take that big leap.

Bikinis, coffee & good company.
This is seriously how Team Vitality celebrated our Christmas and end-of-year signoff - a dip in the surf, then coffee delivered to the tidal lagoon at Marcoola.
(Pic from @nfogdenmoore Instagram page.)

I'm still not really able to verbalise what it is that I'll be doing, there are so many possible projects flying up in the air at the moment, but if you head over to The Vitality Coach and have a wee squiz around, you'll be as excited as I am! (And if you have time, check out some of her podcasts... PERFECT for getting your head around your New Year resolutions, and preparing an excellent mindset for 2015.)

There you have it. I guess it does all come back to a New Year situation, anyway. 2015 really will be incredible, not just for me, but for everyone who's taking some chances and trying new things.

What has been the biggest leap of your life so far?

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