Whoaaa, talk about late. It's half-way through the month, but I'm a goal-setting kind of girl. And I find few things more fun than writing down lists of goals and dreaming big. Unfortunately, I don't always get my goals done. Sometimes I don't even get started! (Okay, a lot of the time.) But I won't stop trying and redirecting my path to awesomeness.

Previous Goals 

• Zilch! 

October Goals 

The blank stare of a girl who is afraid of what needs to be done

1. Submit research report A
2. Submit research report N 
3. Create Melbourne business site 
4. Sort listings per page issue 
5. Read 5 books (1/5) -- Graphic novels do count
6. Revamp blog design

I'm being a bit secretive, aye? Reports are work-related, so I'm keeping mum about those. The business site is to rollout my upcoming biz (with my dad and bro) at the same time as another 'branch.' Listings thing is a website issue. It's not really an issue; it's just something we're looking into changing. BOOKS. I'm doing a GoodReads challenge. And I'm only slightly past the halfway point. (There are only a couple months left to do reading!!!!!) Finally blog design needs to be changed. This theme is hard to manage, and I want something a bit flashier, maybe. (That's a big maybe.)

Do you have any goals for October? Share them with me below! Or join the link-up. I know it's late in the month, but it's never too late to get started on our aspirations. Gotta work.


  xx Priya

P.S. Title image edited from work by Markus Spiske via Raumrot.

Hey! If you've seen my last post, you know I've figured out my OOTD collage app. Hopefully I'll use it consistently. Just a reminder, by the way, that this is not a fashion blog. I like clothes, but I don't have the energy, creativity or budget to manage a fashion blog. This is just my life.

For more in the #33in33 series, see here. And for more Outfit Of The Day (!), see here.

And back to the clothes.

Look 5 - Tectonics Shift

Lunch with my dad before his flight home to Australia! We had Japanese again. Those bento boxes are really filling, huh? I love dressing in simple, easy to wear clothes like skirts, tees, flats and cardigans. But if my feetsies could handle it, I'd defo wear sky-high heels from dusk til dawn. Alas, lately I haven't had much of a chance to wear my beloved high heels. But these comfort ballet flats have really been good to me. And, yes, they really had the label COMFORT when I bought them.

Breakdown:

• Size 14 black tee - Kmart 
• Size 14 zigzag print skirt - Valley Girl 
• Size L white long cardigan - Cotton On 
• Size 10 grey ballet flats - Big W
• 30" steel-boned corset, laced at ~34" (not pictured) - The Corset Shop Akl

Look 6 - Free Flowing

Doritos time! Quickly threw this on to head to the grocery. It's so comfortable to wear all this together, but I feel like the high waist draws too much attention to my corseted waist and my cheat. I kept wrapping my cardigan around me self-consciously. Maybe high-waisted just isn't my style? I'll try these pants on again though and see if the discomfort goes away.


Breakdown:

• Size L white Angry Birds tee - JayJays 
• Size L print pants - Not sure (gift)
• Size L white long cardigan - Cotton On 
• Size 10 white sandals - The Warehouse
• 30" steel-boned corset, laced at ~34" (not pictured) - The Corset Shop Akl

Look 7 - Keep Me Warm in Spring

Was I feeling chilly? You bet. My answer to the cold was to wear my favourite coat and a long-sleeved top. Yeah, my legs were bare! But there's so much padding that it never really gets that cold. ;) Plus, the coat was long and warm so yayyyy. I think I wore this out for dinner.

Breakdown:

• Size 16 long-sleeved top - Kmart
• Size 14 purple coat - Glassons
• Size L floral skirt - Cotton On 
• Size 10 grey ballet flats - Big W
• 30" steel-boned corset, laced at ~34" (not pictured) - The Corset Shop Akl

Look 8 - Um, Hi. One frappe please

I went to a blogger meetup tonight! Fingers crossed I wasn't a complete crazy since I'm such an awkward person. Deep sigh. Anyway the meetup was in such a convenient venue for me, so I'll definitely be going again! I learned some stuff, and I got to meet new people and help someone out.

Breakdown:

• Size green striped tee - Valley Girl
• Size L blue-green cardigan - Kmart 
• Size L floral skirt - Cotton On 
• Size 10 nude platform heels (casual) - Rubi Shoes by Cotton On
• 30" steel-boned corset, laced at ~34" (not pictured) - The Corset Shop Akl

Well, I do believe I've just fulfilled one of my Weekly Wishes! Maybe it was too easy. I should keep on going and see if I can catch up!

Like my outfits? Or want to join in? You really must try a capsule wardrobe. It feels freeing.


  xx Priya

P.S. Title image edited from PicJumbo work by Viktor Hanacek.

On 26 Semptember 2014, I finally finally gave up. My mental health could not handle working with my mountains of clothes. I mean I already threw out/donated bags/boxes of my clothing before, but there was still too much. It was frustrating finding something to wear. I didn't want to go out. I just wanted to stay home.

I had started reading a book called The 100 Thing Challenge, and I was intrigued. Could I live with less? Definitely. Could I live with only 100 Things? Yeah, no. But it listed something called Project333 in the book. I googled it. I fell in love. Over the next few days, I started planning my 33 items and preparing things for storage and donation.

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In its simplest form, Project333 just means have only 33 items of clothing for going out for 3 whole months. Shoes, shirts, dresses, pants, accessories, etc. are all included. Sentimental items like wedding rings are not. But the rules are flexible, so I didn't count my accessories. #33in33 is basically an extra challenge on top. Yes, you're still limited to the same things. But now you must also prepare 33 different outfits! I thought that was interesting, so I was all like yeahhh I'm doing this.

You've already seen some of my outfits here.

But I thought I should actually show you the constraints I'm working with. Here we go!

Project333 Clothes List 

  xx Priya

P.S. Title image edited from work by Viiktor Hanacek via PicJumbo.

Like I said in my Weekly Wishes, I'm currently doing Project333 and the mini challenge #33in33. It started on 1 October, but I've only officially posted 4 looks out of the 14 I should have done by now! I'm playing a game of catch up. Sigh. 

Oh, I should probably explain what those things are, right? (I'll make a more elaborate post next time. But for now...)

From the Project333 website:

• When: Every three months (It’s never too late to start so join in anytime!)
• What: 33 items including clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear and shoes.
• What not: these items are not counted as part of the 33 items – wedding ring or another sentimental piece of jewelry that you never take off, underwear, sleep wear, in-home lounge wear,  and workout clothing (you can only wear your workout clothing to workout)
• How: Choose your 33 items, box up the remainder of your fashion statement, seal it with tape and put it out of sight.
• What else: consider that you are creating a wardrobe that you can live, work and play in for three months. Remember that this is not a project in suffering. If your clothes don’t fit or are in poor condition, replace them.

But enough of my babbling, here are looks 1-4 of my #33in33.

Look 1 - Have Dinner With Me?

I wore this for a dinner party at home. It was the first time we had my dad over, and he came all the way from Australia (!!). There were meant to be more people, but somehow it was just me, my dad, my S.O., his sister and his mum. Oh well. I can always wear it again.

Breakdown:

• Size 14 black top - Kmart 
• Black waisted belt - Off-brand
• Size 16 white and navy skirt - Big W 
• Size 10 nude platform heels - Rubi Shoes by Cotton On  
• 30" steel-boned corset, laced at ~33" (not pictured) - The Corset Shop Akl

Look 2 - Is It Really Spring Yet?

This was actually my official look 1 for #33in33, but I like how the other outfit looked more, so I listed it first haha. I went out for dinner with my dad. I think we ate at a Taiwanese place.

It's meant to be spring now, but it feels so cold still! I brought my warm winter coat to keep me warm but left my legs bare because --- it is meant to be spring, and I will dress for spring if I want to!

Breakdown:

• Size 14 floral top - Kmart 
• Size 16 black skirt - Big W 
• Size L white long cardigan - Cotton On 
• Size 14 purple coat - Glassons
• Size 10 grey ballet flats (not pictured) - Big W  
• 30" steel-boned corset, laced at ~34" (not pictured) - The Corset Shop Akl

Look 3 - Be Back Real Quick

Mr Penguin and I went out real quick to go to the shops. We went to Burger King? Or we went to the grocery? Possibly we did both. In case you haven't noticed, I really like neutral colours. Shades of grey seem peaceful to me. Also, my corset went slanted on my here. It's really annoying. I think I need a custom-fit one next time!

Breakdown:

• Size S green top - Oneil (? not sure, it was a gift) 
• Size 18 polka dot jeans - Kmart 
• Size 10 grey ballet flats - Big W
• Size L blazer - Cotton On 
• 30" steel-boned corset, laced at ~34" (not pictured) - The Corset Shop Akl

Look 4 - Ode to Summer

Dinner again, this time Japanese with my dad. The denim coat would've gone better with different shoes, I know.  I threw it on last second because I realised it'd be cold. In retrospect, I should've worn different shoes... Oh well. Cringe. I guess I secretly wish summer were here already.

Breakdown:

• Denim coat - Offbrand gift 
• Yellow floral dress/shirt thing - Terri Lynn (gift, and doesn't have sizing info) 
• Size 9 white thong sandal heels - The Warehouse
• Black waisted belt - off-brand
• Size 16 black skirt - Big W 
• 30" steel-boned corset, laced at ~34" (not pictured) - The Corset Shop Akl

Next time I'll try posting a collage image of the items along with the actual outfit on me. I still have to do some laundry and take the photos, so hopefully that will be sorted by looks 5-8!

Well, do you think you can survive 3 months with only 33 items? Or put together 33 different outfits with those 33 items? If you think so, you should do Project333 with me! I'm really enjoying the ease with which I can get dressed these days. I just really need to take pictures for social media!


  xx Priya
P.S. Title image edited from Unsplash by Keith Misner.

First Weekly Wishes link-up for this blog! From The Nectar Collective's site:

Welcome to Weekly Wishes, a personal goal setting community where you can share your upcoming dreams and connect with other goal-setters. I’d love for you to join us and add a link to your own goal-oriented blog post! It’s a great way to make new friends from around the world and gain some motivation to achieve your weekly aspirations.

This Week's Personal Goals

1. 10 hours of research 

2. 8 outfits for #33in33 

3. Keep floor clean!

xx Priya
P.S. Title image edited from Unsplash by Alejandro Escamilla. "Office Desk", "Polaroid Icon Image" edited from Raumrot by Markus Spiske. "Procrastination 1" edited from Fated Snowfox.

Hey! Confession: My name isn't really Priya.

I know, I know. We just started this thing, and I've already lied to you. Sort of.

My legal name isn't Priya, but it's the name I was given when I lived in a Hare Krishna temple that summer I was, like, seven or eight. I also have a Chinese name. What, why? I'm part-Chinese (it's such a small fraction, I don't even know why I brought it up!), and I went to a Chinese school for a couple of years.

I like my 'real' names (I have three because in my culture who doesn't have a minimum of at least two first names?), but I also like the name Priya. Wikipedia says it means "dear, beloved." My biological mother told me it means "love". That was one of the last times I talked to her, well, Facebook messaged.

I'm reading this post over and thinking it sounds really convoluted and made up. Like, wow this girl really wants attention. I guess I had a colourful childhood.

Like...

When I was around four, my bio mom Sachi (who at the time was not yet Sachi) ran off with me and my infant brother. We lived in the slums. I remember sleeping on a thin plastic mat on concrete. I also remember feeling free.

When I was five (I think I was five), I was playing with our landlord's daughter. By then, my dad had lost all his money but had gotten a respectable job. She told me if I couldn't catch the balloon she tossed up, creatures would take over the world. I lunged for it... and missed. I listened to her detail how monsters were taking over, and my dad was struggling to get us to us. How he died. I cried.

Later, my dad picked me up. I don't think I played with her again. (Children are cruel.)

When I was seven...

Huh. Not sure why I'm sharing all of this. It's not that interesting.


Um. My name is Priya, sort of. I'll go by Priya for this blog. I guess I'll talk about my life, corsets, TV and whatever else I can think of. Mostly I'll talk about me.

I'm not sure why I started this blog. (Lie.)

I guess I want to talk about myself to someone who wants to listen. (True.) I don't want to talk to a counsellor; they never care. I don't want to talk to my parents. I don't feel like talking to my boyfriend. I don't really open up to my friends anymore.

Maybe I do want the attention. But I wouldn't lie. I'm too tired all the time.

Welcome to my lifestyle blog! There isn't much, but I hope you get a kick out of it. Even if it's only a teensy tiny bit.

xx Priya

P.S. The title? It's totes a throwback to that Camp Rock 2 song.

P.P.S. First image edited from Unsplash by Caleb Thal. Second image is from my webcam.