As I write this, Sydney is in the midst of a Spring heatwave and my wardrobe is not ready! Most of my belongings (and summer wardrobe) are still sitting idle in a stuffy little storage unit in the depths of Melbourne’s suburbs. With the combination of warm weather and no longer being able to stand the weight of knowing I’m yet to sort through all of my things, I’ll be heading to Melbourne soon to work on what I’m calling the great dig.
Much like my newfound Archeologist friends, whom I met during my northern hem summer spent in Greece (if you’re wondering what the clothes I wore there are up to, I foolishly swapped them back around en route to my Sydney sublet), I need to excavate what I have, find the pieces of real value (be that sentimental or monetary), re-pack, re-organise, de-clutter and downsize the storage unit ready so it’s all ready to be shipped to the States.
I am so excited to be reacquainted with certain garments of mine (more so as I sit here sweating) but I am also equally dreading it. I guess because most of my neglected belongings, boxed up and neglected, don’t really feel a part of me anymore. Not only has my style literally changed since I’ve been living on the road (at this point for almost a year) but I have changed a lot too. In that I don’t really want to go back to the previous version of me who was, frankly, far less happy and less authentic.
Which brings me to an overarching feeling of imposter syndrome. Here I am on the brink of releasing a book on vintage clothing (out on November 28th, btw), a topic I certainly know a lot about, yet I currently feel I’m no longer embodying. This is partly due to the practical matter of not having physical space for mountains of fab vintage finds, but also because I’m not nearly as driven by clothes any more. It’s as though I wrote this two-decade-long vintage obsession out of my system.
In saying that, this feeling of being an imposter has forced me to reconnect with what I feel the core of my book is actually about, and that’s finding your authentic style via vintage. This is something that I will preach until the end because I bloody believe it. Even though this living on the road has been liberating in the sense clothes no longer dictate my day, I still love the thrill that only sourcing secondhand fashion can bring, not to mention I believe it can conjure up true style like no other kind of clothing.
I recently shared of my imposter syndrome with my boyfriend who reminded me of my book’s title, How To Be Fabulous, and subsequently reminded me that I am still fabulous, even if I’m not spending my weekends scouring vintage markets right now. He is right. And actually, all of the vintage shopping done in my 20s, and now all of the travelling I’ve recently done in my early 30s, are beginning to thread the new version of me together, the version of me who has a deeper message to share behind fab things like where to buy the best preloved designer garments.
I may not wear many fifties frocks anymore, but I still believe in style, sustainability, saving money and in authenticity - plus I still squeal at the sight of an amazing vintage find. In this I’ve realised that in many ways the book I’ve written is an ode to the younger me, who had a strong sense of style, an appetite for preloved clothes, but who didn’t yet have a strong sense of self. Who would have thought that secondhand clothes would help get her there.
With that, if you want to get down to the essence of your style, or if you simply want a fabulously instructive shopping guide brimming with beautiful imagery, why don’t you pre-order a copy* of How To Be Fabulous using my affiliate link with Booktopia. I have a feeling you’ll arrive at the book ready for a fashion overhaul, but leave with a deeper sense of who you are.
Now, on to this months recommendations…
*Note this is for Australia or New Zealand residents only for now - my next manifestation is an international agent, darling!
Read
Frankly my reading hasn’t been flowing quite the same since I’ve been living like a turtle - with all I own practically on my back. Perhaps this is down to the physical distance from my book shelf, or the fear of over-accumulating ahead of settling, which is forcing me to overthink every single book purchase I make (I know, I can hear you - get a damn Kindle, Charlotte).
In any case I always have a book on the go, be it on audible or in paperback form. I recently listened to Julia Child’s 1997 biography, Appetite for Life, by Noel Riley Fitch.
God it was GOOD.
As to be expected, Julia Child led a delicious life which started with her as a privileged Pasadena, private school girl and ended with her as the nations sweetheart. It’s widely known she was a late bloomer, not having met her husband until her ancient early thirties, and not having found cooking until her late thirties. Always one for a slow burn, it then took her eight years to co-write Mastering the Art of French Cooking, the book which started it all.
Beyond her extraordinary story, what struck me most about Julia was her attitude. Always upbeat, always warm, always thorough, prepared yet totally unafraid to make mistakes. She saw herself first and foremost as a cooking teacher, though her audience came to love her personality and wouldn’t necessarily be deboning a chicken with her as they watched one of her many cooking shows. One wonders if her late rise to fame was a part of this charm - she’d already been around the block by the time she started on TV, and thus had a strong sense of self.
Overall the book (at a cool 23.5 hours long when listened to) is a reminder to follow your passions, not be impatient and let a little joie de vivre into your career (not to mention add butter to everything you eat).
Watch
On the weekend I watched Mulholland Drive (after a couple of cocktails, just to make it even weirder). Obviously David Lynch is a genius and it’s one of the best films ever made. What I really thought about this time though was how extraordinary Naomi Watts’ is in the movie.
We all know this was her breakout role, but, feeling so moved by her performance, I got Googling after my rewatch only to find out she auditioned for 10 bloody years to no success before landing that part! The story of how it came about is extraordinary enough, Mr Lynch never taking the conventional route to find his stars, but the fact she was overlooked for so long was honestly quite upsetting. Much to do with today’s theme, I read that the reason she clicked with David Lynch was because she felt he allowed her to be herself, vs a cold and crowded audition room in which she was always questioning her talent, her presence and even her sexiness. It just goes to show that what’s needed for success is really that trifecta of talent, discipline, luck plus the space to be authentic.
As for the film, the dreamlike, vivid atmosphere, the capturing of that unique light (and darkness) of Los Angeles, the weird characters weaving together… More than anything the way the film leaves you hanging yet not asking for more. God it’s so GOOD too.
Wear -
Just as I’ve been slagging off fashion, I have of course still been shopping here and there. I tend to follow an 80:20 rule with secondhand:new stuff, because I do draw the line at wearing preloved knickers. My wardrobe has been feeling especially sparse since I arrived in Sydney, so I recently bought a few things from my old workplace, Moss & Spy.
Moss & Spy is a divine Australian brand by Lia Tsimos. Everything she designs is beautifully made by local sewists, in styles which are timeless and somewhat fashion-forward. I left the shop with a lovely white dress and ice blue cashmere jump - both perfect for spring (unless there’s a heatwave).
I also spent a good chunk of my visit to the boutique trying on gowns. Whilst the life of a relatively unknown writer is far from a glamorous one, you never know when David Lynch might come across your headshot (or the publishing equivalent comes across your novel manuscript) and you need to be red carpet ready!
I was a guest on the fantastic podcast, Self-Help Junkie, this month in which I talked about my favourite self-help book, Letting Go by Dr David R Hawkins, as well as long distance relationships! I have to say I think this is my favourite podcast interview I’ve ever done. The host & producer Erica gives good interview, but, upon listening back, I also think that I really sound like myself as I spoke - no doubt as I got to discuss the vast worlds of self-help and spirituality (my first equal faves with secondhand clothes).
Look, who am I kidding, I still love buying clothes (and books). I’m just feeling a little different these days. Much more like me. As it turns out, the way to be fabulous is to simply be yourself (preferably whilst wearing a divine, sustainably sourced outfit).
Hello! I'm in the market for some gorgeous '50s frocks, so let me know if I can "help"!
Also, if you loved Julia Child's biography, let me recommend a few other things?
One of my favourite books is Provence, 1970: https://www.wob.com/en-au/books/luke-barr/provence-1970/9780307718358/GOR007639368 That's the sort of book I would love to write.
And then of course, if you're in a watching mood, the new series "Julia" (2022) about her foray into television will resonate with you, I think. I'm keen to watch the documentary "Julia" (2021), but haven't seen it yet.
Finally, I loved this profile on her and her husband Paul by Ruth Reichl: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/julia-childs-recipe-for-a-thoroughly-modern-marriage-86160745/
(It goes without saying I've pre-ordered, I hope! x)