Plaid shirt and faux-leather pants | OOTD

Posted in Fashion by Brianna Johnson

WINTER is here!

Even though Perth weather is never really that severe, we’ve finally started having cold, clear days and freezing nights.

I’ve been lucky enough to have been galavanting around the world in far warmer climates during our last two winters but this year there are no holiday in sight so I’m really feeling the winter weather!

I found this soft plaid shirt in a op-shop and the bright colours immediately caught my eye.

Red and blue plaid shirt and leather pants OOTD | Extraordinary Days Blog

I love the colours of this shirt.

The brand is Hot Options, which is a Target range — but that’s the thing about charity shops – you never know what you’re going to find!

I love the way it feels and it’s casual enough to throw on any time I need something warm but I wanted to show how it could be dressed up — mostly to avoid any connotations to stereotypical flannelette shirt-wearing bogans!

How cool is this creek bed near my house? I’ll definitely have to come back here more often.

I also brought out this pair of black faux-leather pants that I’ve had for years but never really had the courage to wear them without something long over the top because of the tight fit.

But life’s too short to leave awesome clothes sitting in your cupboard!

This little black bag goes with everything.

This triple chain crystal necklace is from Minc Collections.

For a bit of shine I brought out my Minc Collections three-chain necklace.

This piece has a piece of raw clear quartz, a foreign-looking coin and a large flat piece of amethyst and I love the way it looks — even if it’s a bit heavy! (You can check out the rest of the collection here. I seriously want just about every piece on their website!)

A pair of sturdy Rubi Shoes ankle boots finished the whole thing off. These are my go-to footwear during the cooler months.

A lovely sunbeam came out just before I packed up.

This was also my first time heading out with my tripod and DSLR remote – getting the focus and framing right was far trickier than I imagined!

But I’m excited to keep practicing — even though I’ve got lovely family and friends who help whenever I ask this will just streamline things and help me get more outfits up on here!

How would you style a plaid shirt? Let me know in the comments below!

28Jun2015

All black, everything | OOTD

Posted in Fashion by Brianna Johnson

SOMETIMES you just can’t got past wearing all black!

All black OOTD with Greek spiral symbol and ankle boots | Extraordinary Days blog

I love the pop of blue and green these earrings give.

It’s been a staple for me for the past few years but I like to mix in different textures to make things interesting and to prevent my outfit from sending out waitress vibes.

I’ve owned this faux leather vest for at least three years but I’ve only worn it a handful of times — what a waste!

I liked mixing it with this skirt because the soft, feminine vibes even out the toughness of the vest.

I love a comfortable pair of boots.

I picked out the skirt from an overflowing sales rack in Ally (I love this store! I previously picked up another of my favourite t-shirts from there too) and I couldn’t go past it.

I saw this symbol a lot during my travels in Greece last year and since I found the skirt almost one year to the day that I left, I decided to take it as a good sign.

The symbol means good luck and the continuation of life and things moving forward. I liked it so much I got it tattooed on my ankle too.

The boots are from Rubi shoes are are a fine replacement for my old, battered pair that probably wouldn’t have lasted another winter.

Why, hello there!

I love when my jewellery matches my outfit!

Do you love rocking an all-black outfit? What are your go-to pieces?

21Jun2015

A day trip to Bunbury | photos

Posted in Fashion, Photography, Travel by Brianna Johnson

THIS has been a long time coming!

It’s been a while since my last post – life just seems to get in the way sometimes.

Bunbury, Western Australia | Extraordinary Days blog

There was so much cool street art!

But this a jump back onto the horse.

Last month I took a trip down to Bunbury with my lovely friend Candice.

We had actually planned to go all the way down to Busselton to see the jetty and the underwater observatory underneath it but car trouble meant we only got as far as Bunbury.

It was a really lovely day out and I wanted to share some of my photos from the day.

There were so many stairs!

View from the lookout.

Photo by Candice – she’s really got a unique view of the world!

OOTD tres cool jumper and sneaker heels | Extraordinary Days blog

I love finding cool backgrounds for outfit posts!

This jumper is just… Très cool! I picked it up at H&M the last time I was in Melbourne (but you can get one here) and the holographic wallet is from Collette.

I also wore these sneaker heels in another outfit post. They remind me of the shoes the Barden Bellas wore during the final in Pitch Perfect.

I love getting out and about and exploring new places.

Even though Bunbury is only a couple of hours for Perth, I’d never really spent any time there, so it was great to feel like a tourist for a day, wandering around and finding cool street art.

I can’t wait to get out and do this again!

Have you tried being a tourist in your own city? Tell me about it in the comments below!

14May2015

Silver skirts aren’t just for discos

Posted in Fashion by Brianna Johnson

THIS skirt is too cool to wear only in the evening!
I picked up this metallic number from H&M when I was travelling last year but I didn’t want to restrict myself to only bringing it out for parties or nights on the town.
I toned it down for daytime wear with this light and relaxed navy blue button down shirt. Having a semi-casual top really calms down the bright silver.

Silver metallic skirt and navy blue shirt

This skirt is just so fun.

I first wore this outfit out and about in Athens in the scorching heat!
(Oh how I wish I could get on a plane and go back.)
I paired this outfit with some of my regular jewellery pieces, most of which were also picked up along my travels.

These are some of my favourite pieces of jewellery.

The silver disc is a replica of the Phaistos Disc, an ancient Greek relic that is surrounded by mystery to this day. (Intriguing!)
I spotted the hand with all-seeing eye bracelet in a gift shop near the black sand beach in Santorini and the square spiral ring in a jewellery store in Fira town, also on Santorini. (As you may have seen in previous outfit posts, I loved this symbol and the notions behind it – good luck and life moving forward – so much that I got it tattooed on my ankle!

Have you seen the other outfit I picked up while I was in Europe?

Would you wear this skirt during the day? Or do you think something so bright should only come out at night?

7May2015

What I’ve learned from six months of blogging

Posted in Life by Brianna Johnson

IT’S been a big six months!
When I first started this little spot on the internet, I had no idea how much I would love it.
While I put off starting this for months longer than I should have, I was really glad when I finally did.
It’s been a massive learning curve though! Here are some of the things I picked up on during the past six months.

What I've learned in six months of blogging | Extraordinary Days blog

It’s been a whirlwind ride!

Everything takes time:
From brainstorming ideas to writing posts, taking photos and putting posts together, blogging is a time-consuming process.
That doesn’t even take into account all the time you’ll spend on your blog’s Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin and Pinterest pages to promote your blog!
This is something I really didn’t expect when I started this blog. It’s a labour of love but it takes a while to put everything together!

You have to be organised:
It just won’t work if you aren’t.
I have to fit in a full-time job, about two and a half hours per day commuting, seeing friends and sleep. It can be done but it isn’t easy.
When I started writing this post I was on a plane, watching Captain America – you just learn to fit in blog activities with your schedule.
For example, I get my lovely family and friends to take outfit photos before events and I’ll take a range of photos in advance so they’re ready to use whenever I need them.

Other people are so inspiring:
There are so many people out there creating amazing content.
Whether they’ve been blogging for a few years or a few months, there are a lot of really cool people on the Internet!
Twitter and Bloglovin are the ways I use most to find new blogs. (Check out my Twitter feed here, I’m always retweeting awesome content from wicked bloggers I find!)

Don’t expect people to interact with your blog if you don’t do it with anyone else’s:
Your blog doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Unfortunately there are people out there that think just promoting their own content is enough – but interacting with others is an awesome part of the blogger community!
The best way to do this is read, read and read some more! And if you like what you’ve read, let the author know!
Joining a Twitter chat is also a great way to meet new people and bounce ideas off each other. Check out these great list of blog chats I found here and here – so useful!)
We’re all in this together!

Sponsored posts are a very fine line to tread:
While there are bloggers out there who can pull of doing a sponsored post (they’ve usually been doing it for a while and have a great reputation), it’s not for everyone.
I find it frustrating that so many new bloggers say yes to everything that gets sent to them.
Most of the time I have no idea if that’s what they actually think about a product or it’s what they want the company to read.
Building up a strong reputation first is important so people know they can trust you.

Some days you just don’t be feeling it:
Blog burnout is real.
There are times where you won’t want to even look at your computer screen, let alone create and promote posts. I went through a really stressful time last month (which helped me create this post about awesome ways to tackle stress)
On days like this, it’s OKAY to take a break, switch off for a day and do something you enjoy.
You’ll feel better in the long run and come back refreshed.

Have fun and do it because you love it:
There are a lot of people who give blogging a go and just don’t love it as much as others.
But for those who stick around, it’s because they absolutely love what they do.
It’s your little space on the Internet, do with it what you will!

I’m looking forward to another big six months!
I can’t thank you enough for reading this blog, whether you’ve been around from the start or whether this is your first visit.
Without you, this would be much more like shouting into the void and I love sharing my life and experiences in this way.

Do you have a blog? What have you learned? (Also, make sure to post a link to your blog so I can check it out!)

26Apr2015

Sneaker heels and aviator sunglasses

Posted in Fashion, Life by Brianna Johnson

A FEW years ago I would have said these shoes were hideous and impractical, but somehow they’ve won me over.
I wore this outfit on my birthday on the 16th – how was that already over a week ago?
This month has been insane and has gone so quickly.
It was the first time I wasn’t able to get the day off on my birthday but I am lucky enough to have lovely colleagues who made my day great!

Sneaker heels, sparkly top and aviator sunglasses | Extraordinary Days

Just caught the last of the sunshine!

I picked up the sneaker heels in Valley Girl on one of my last trips to Melbourne and they fast became my favourite shoes to travel in.
I like the relaxed vibe they give to this outfit and I know they’ll give my boots a run for their money this winter.

The perfect outfit for a lazy day running errands or going to lunch.

And how great are the glasses?! I’ve been eyeing off reflective sunnies for ages but I just can’t pull off the completely round frames that every off-duty model seems to be sporting these days.
So when I spotted this aviator-style pair in Cotton On (during a strictly guilt-free birthday shopping trip on my birthday) I knew I needed them in my life!
These Jay Jays jeans are good, sturdy staples that have lasted for ages even though they were cheap.
When it comes to jeans I’m really not fussy – I’ve worn more expensive ones and they give just the same as cheap version.

These heels are surprisingly comfortable.

I picked up the top from a clothes swap event so I have no idea what brand it is! I love how it’s light and the shape the cuffed sleeves gives it.
On my wrist is my Fitbit – a lovely birthday gift from Michael – and it’s helping me keep track of all the running around I do. With a shirt this shiny I really didn’t feel the need for any more jewellery.
The lipstick is MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus – it’s such an awesome shade of pink! (Watch this space for a separate review of it soon.)
And last but not least, a simple black bag brings the whole thing together!

This lipstick is MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus.

What do you think of sneaker heels? Would you give them a try?

5Apr2015

Flower crowns and glitter

Posted in Beauty, Fashion by Brianna Johnson

I THINK I just fell in love with flower crowns!
I’ve always liked them but never found the right outfit to wear them with.
Today’s outfit is part boho vibe and partly filled with glitter.

I love this headband!

Flower crown headband spring / fairy-inspired outfit

I mixed in blues and purples in my accessories to match the headband.

Flower crown headband spring / fairy-inspired outfit and glitter handbag

This skirt has an opaque mini-skirt under a sheer maxi skirt.

I picked this skirt up at a clothes swap event and wanted to keep the rest of my accessories fairly neutral. (Okay, for me, silver glitter counts as a neutral!)
I like how this skirt has an opaque mini skirt underneath the sheer maxi skirt – it makes it just that little bit lighter and different.
For my jewellery I followed the colours in the flower crown – blues and lavender.

The weather was great today!

Simple makeup was key to this light, daytime look.

I kept my makeup quite simple but with hints of glitter.
I used two Sleek Makeup palettes in this look: the Precious Metals Highlighting Palette and the Eye and Cheek Palette in Dancing Til Dusk.
For my eyes I used Two Faced Shadow Insurance and the two gold colours in the Sleek Eye and Cheek Palette – one matte and one with shimmer, as well as the silver colour from the Highlighting Palette for underneath my eyebrow arch.
I used the pale gold highlighters on my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and on my cupid’s bow.
My mascara is Maybelline The Falsies Volum’ Express Flared — it’s been my go-to mascara for years!
I used the light pink shimmery colour from this Max Factor Flip Stick, too.

[Top to bottom] Sleek Eye and Cheek Pallete in Dancing til Dusk, Max Factor Flipstick Colour Effect in Boreal Mauve and Sleek Highlighting Pallette in Precious Metals.

[Top to bottom] Sleek Eye and Cheek Palete in Dancing til Dusk, Max Factor Flipstick Colour Effect in Boreal Mauve and Sleek Highlighting Palette in Precious Metals.

I’ll take any excuse to use highlighter.

The cat decided he wanted to be part of the photoshoot!

This is definitely an outfit I’ll be bringing out again.
Perfect for sunny days with the family and eating lots of food!
This also really makes me want to buy 100 huge flower crowns. I wish I’d discovered them earlier!

Is glitter one of your staples, either in outfits or in beauty products?

8Mar2015

My sister’s wardrobe | navy on navy

Posted in Fashion by Brianna Johnson

I’M SO excited to introduce this new feature!

I love creating outfit posts but I missed being behind the camera… So I called on the most stylish person I know – my sister Lois.

My Sister's Wardrobe part one - navy hat, dress and gold lettering necklace | Extraordinary Days

I’m so excited about this feature!

The premise is simple: double the wardrobes means double the amount of awesome outfits I can feature!

I love her seemingly effortless sense of style and how she puts a look together, coordinating from head to toe.

My Sister's Wardrobe part one - navy hat, dress, white Michael Kors handbag and gold lettering necklace | Extraordinary Days

Talk about a million-dollar smile!

Lois described this outfit as something she’d wear for an outdoors lunch in warmer weather or a low-key event.

“I’ve previously worn this outfit to a 30th birthday event at a cider house,” she said.

“It’s good if you know you’re going to spend a long time outdoors or for sitting on the grass under a marquee.”

I love the matching gold necklace and hat band.

She said the dress was a frequent go-to item in her wardrobe because of the potential to dress it up or down.

“I’ve worn this dress just to the shops before with a pair of flats or sandals – it’s really versatile,” she said.

“Wearing it with this felt hat makes me feel like a lady. It’s not a hat I would wear on a really warm day though because it is quite thick.”

She paired it with a bright pink pair of floral pumps and a white and gold Michael Kors tote.

My Sister's Wardrobe part one - pink floral pumps with cork | Extraordinary Days

These pumps are bright and fun.

My Sister's Wardrobe part one - navy dress and white Michael Kors handbag| Extraordinary Days

This Michael Kors handbag is just immaculate.

This pink NYX lipstick gives a pop of colour.

I hope you enjoyed part one of this new feature!

I love navy as an alternative to black — do you feel the same? Let me know in the comments!

21Feb2015

My ultimate outfit and a holographic handbag

Posted in Fashion, Travel by Brianna Johnson

Every now and again you put together an outfit that just ticks all of the boxes.
As I mentioned in my holiday wrap-up post earlier this week, I found the most incredible handbag.
While shopping with two of my loveliest gal pals in Melbourne this week I spotted it in a little store called Kinki Gerlinki in Brunswick.

Holographic Bao Bao geometric bag | Extraordinary Days

I. Am. Drooling.

The brand is Bao Bao and this extraordinary bag crumples and reflects the light in an innumerable amount of ways.
I paired it with an outfit that combines two of my favourite elements: leopard print and faux leather!
I picked up the cardigan and skirt the day before at H&M. Can I just say I am SO EXCITED for them to finally come to Perth this year?! We’re catching up with the rest of the world!

Melbourne holiday - leopard print, faux leather and holographic bag | Extraordinary Days

My ultimate outfit.

The cardigan is quite flowy so I tucked it into the skirt to accentuate my waist. I also put on my Samantha Wills necklace – I just can’t get enough of it right now! (Have you seen the other ways I styled this? Click here and here.)
I finished it off with my comfiest pair of flats – perfect for walking around the city all day! MAC’s Rebel lipstick felt right for this trendy city. (I reviewed it a while ago here.)

I can’t get enough of this bag!

Let’s have another look at that bag! I decided it was an early birthday present for myself and now I’m just trying not to buy everything else in the collection!

Bao Bao handbag.

Look at how it crumples!

When I saw it in the shop window I KNEW I needed it to be mine!

I have a feeling I’m going to be leaving this in the sun a lot just to watch it shine.

It also came with a wrist strap that can be attached instead of the chain.

I can’t stop looking at it!
Would you wear a holographic-material bag? How would you style it? Let me know in the comments!

A wonderful trip to Melbourne | photos

I’VE just got back from a few amazing days in Melbourne!
One of my lovely friends Kelsey moved there a few years ago and since her wedding is fast approaching and I’m one of the bridesmaids, I headed over with our friend Lisha to help her begin looking for wedding dresses.
It was a jam-packed few days but I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Today I wanted to share some of my photos with you and take a look back at this trip.

Oh Melbourne!

This is a good way to fly. An incredible magazine, too.

Plane views over the clouds | Extraordinary Days

I love getting the window seat.

Holographic handbag and black floral dress | Extraordinary Days

I love holographic bags.

It’s not Melbourne without a funky cocktail bar – this was at Cabinet in the CBD.

A sequin skirt and sandals for a busy day of shopping!

I love dessert!

Arthur’s Seat views. Breathtaking!

The beautiful restaurant at Arthur’s seat.

I was asked if I was a make up artist when I bought all of this! Needless to say I was VERY flattered.

Out for breakfast!

I love a big breakfast.

The Tea Salon in Emporium. This place is just adorable!

Cakes at The Tea Salon.

Luxurious ice tea from The Tea Salon.

Beautiful!

I love these ladies!

MY FAVOURITE PLACE.

Melbourne holiday - black sneaker heels | Extraordinary Days

I wore these new babies on the plane and felt pretty cool.

I kept busy on the flight home with A Beautiful Mess’ blogging course and Firefly.

Sort of caught the sunset.

I had such a good time! The wedding dress shopping was successful and we got our bridesmaid’s dresses sorted.
We also took a trip out to the Peninsula Hot Springs – this was an absolutely incredible experience and deserves a post of its own – so stay tuned for that.
If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen I bought an incredible handbag while I was away… but this also deserves a post all to itself! It’ll be up as a bonus post this week.
And best of all I got to spend lots of quality time with two of my favourite friends, who always know how to have a good time.
Every time I visit this city I just want to pack my bags and move over there. Maybe I will, one day.

Have you ever been to Melbourne? What did you think?

Extraordinary days

Tag Archives: fblogger

Plaid shirt and faux-leather pants | OOTD

All black, everything | OOTD

A day trip to Bunbury | photos

Silver skirts aren’t just for discos

What I’ve learned from six months of blogging

Sneaker heels and aviator sunglasses

Flower crowns and glitter

My sister’s wardrobe | navy on navy

My ultimate outfit and a holographic handbag

A wonderful trip to Melbourne | photos