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?

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?

23Nov2014

Print your Instagram photos with Origrami

Posted in Photography, Travel by Brianna Johnson

SO YOU’VE filled your Instagram with lots of pretty pictures… Now what?
A Sydney-based couple came up with a way to stop photos from slipping into obscurity in cyber space.
Through their app, Origrami, you can select and print your Instagram or phone camera roll photos onto retro-style cards and get them delivered right to your door.

I love a good mail day!

I’d wanted to do this for ages with photos from my Europe holiday.
As I mentioned before in my post about getting over the post-holiday slump, having prints in your hot little hands can make the trip real and remind your sad brain that you did actually go. (Even if it doesn’t feel like it!)

Okay, I need to go back to Greece now.

There are a range of themes you can pick for your prints and I chose the ‘retroprints’ option – 36 photos with a Polaroid-style white border.
You can also choose what the back of the print looks like and what information it includes.
I selected one that showed the date, caption, geotag location and number of likes the photo had when I posted it to Instagram.
I don’t geotag my photos so that didn’t show up but I mostly wanted it for the caption anyway.
The back of the prints came in a rainbow of colours and are just as pretty as the prints themselves.

ALL of the colours.

At first I was disappointed about how dull the colours seemed but, as Origrami explain on their website, viewing a photo on your phone with the light from the screen behind it is very different to viewing a print.
They explain the colours also have to be converted for printing and this can also mean a loss of vibrancy.
That was the only problem I had and I love these prints!!

I also printed some from my recent trip to the Melbourne Cup!

Now I just have to think of a way to display them all.

What are your favourite things to photograph? Would you use a printing service like this?

7Nov2014

Beating post holiday blues

Posted in Life, Travel by Brianna Johnson

When the good times are over it’s hard not to be sad!

POST-HOLIDAY blues are rough.

You come back after this amazing time away and return to the same home, the same job and the same routine. (Not to mention any mess you left behind while you were frantically packing.)

I’ve just come back from a few days in Melbourne and I went on an incredible five-week trip to Europe earlier this year so I know this feeling all too well.

Seeing loads of amazing places can make the boring chores when you return even more dreary.

One moment you’re sailing across crystal clear water in Greece and the next you’re back in the morning traffic.

Heading into the supermarket to try and find something for dinner when you’ve eaten nothing but amazing meals since you left is a bit of an anti-climax.
And don’t even get me started on standing in line at the bank.

One of the worst things people can ask when you return is “are you glad to be home?” Because sometimes, the answer is no.

Getting deep into post-holiday blues can mean you get to the point where you’d push your own mother out of the way if it meant getting on a plane out of here. (Sorry mum.)

I knew I was sad but it took me a while to realise I was actually mourning my holiday.

I’d been planning my trip to Europe for years and I couldn’t believe it was over.

Months down the track I could hardly bear to look at my photos because it made my heart ache with sadness. (OK, I know that seems overdramatic but that’s just how it was.)

You start to second-guess everything you did.

Why didn’t I enjoy the planning stage more and savour every tiny moment of the months leading up to it?

I can’t say I didn’t soak it all up while I was there because I know I did but it’s still hard to think about all the times I was jet lagged so I went to bed early instead of enjoying the Parisian summer.

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel though.

Here are my top tips for getting over feeling like you want to quit everything and buy a one-way ticket to a tropical island.

Unpack straight away. Getting rid of that suitcase and pile of dirty washing can be therapeutic – and chances are you’ll find some nice things you’ve purchased at the same time. This is also a good time to have a clean-out because, if you’re anything like me, there’s probably no room for all of those new clothes in your wardrobe anyway.
Learn from your mistakes. As you’re unpacking, check what you didn’t use to help you plan for next time, because no one likes excess baggage fees.
Sort out, print and display your photos. I’ll be honest, this one isn’t easy right away, but having a reminder that you really did go and it wasn’t just a dream can be comforting. Actually holding a photo in your hot little hands can make it easier to recall every detail of the scene. I took an Instax mini Polaroid camera with me and it was perfect!
- In the past I’ve been guilty of taking loads of photos and storing them on my computer for years. What a waste! I recently placed an order through an app run by a Sydney couple called Origrami. It lets you print photos from your Instagram feed and phone photo roll and posts them to your house. Easy! See my review here.

Go nuts on Tripadvisor. Loved a place? Really wish you’d been warned there was a school full of screaming children near your hotel? (Yes, this happened in Paris. I can only imagine it was a sports carnival because the cheering went on ALL DAY.) This is a great way to tell everyone about it. Save them from making the same mistakes, or let them on a well-kept secret.
Read up on all of the unanswered questions from your trip. What is the winter like in Greece? Are you supposed to flush toilet paper in Rome? You’re going to find out! (Mild but wet and no.)
Look into being a tourist in your own state. The travel bug can be soothed with a bit of exploring that won’t damage your credit card any more than it already has been.
Think of all the people and things your home has that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. If you’ve got good friends to help you numb the pain with fast food and wine, that’s worth coming home to.
And lastly but most importantly, PLAN ANOTHER TRIP. Never stop exploring.

What are your tips for getting over post-holiday blues? Let me know in the comments!

THIS is what I left behind! Spent an incredible day sailing on this off the coast of Paros, in the Greek Islands.

Oh, Paris! There’s nothing quite like it.

Extraordinary days

Tag Archives: Greece

All black, everything | OOTD

Silver skirts aren’t just for discos

Print your Instagram photos with Origrami

Beating post holiday blues