Sunday 13 December 2015

Reflecting on Change | Favourite DIY Top & Pants

Long time no fashion post! I've finally come to accept that the nature of my blog has fundamentally changed. When I first started blogging -- gosh, 4.5 years ago -- it was all about showing off my cheap fashion purchases. Slowly, DIY projects began to feature as I discovered my crafty side. Next, my blog became a platform for talking about science, and then a place for me to explore fashion from a more socially-conscious stance. 2 years ago, I toyed with the idea of making a Youtube channel and tentatively uploaded my first video. Posts slowly changed from "look at the stuff I'm wearing!" to "make the stuff I'm wearing!" And here we are today.
Because I began to spend more and more time on my youtube channel, I started to feel like I was neglecting my blog. I felt bad about this because, after all, my blog and its readers were fundamentally important to the initial success of my videos. But as video-making became more and more time consuming, blogging and outfit photos fell by the wayside.
But I finally am in a place where I don't see this change as a sad or negative thing. This blog has been an incredibly important space for me for the past 4 years - it's allowed me to express myself and my style, gain a lot of confidence, make friends, learn how to sew, learn how to communicate science, meet up with wonderful people, escape the daily struggles of living with a chronic illness, and so much more. Just because I'm not as active on it anymore doesn't negate any of that.
One really positive thing that's come from not blogging my outfits everyday is that it's given me a lot more freedom to play around with my personal style. When my content was all about my daily outfits, I always felt like I needed to stay "on brand". If I started wearing something completely different from my usual style, I thought that people would lose interest. I mean, I was always fine with playing around with different fashion genres a little bit, but I still had my set "style".

This, however, is soooo not an outfit would have ever worn previously. I'm not even wearing winged eyeliner!! (What!) I've started wearing snapback caps and pants! Sometimes I dress really minimally, with a simple black top and grey skirt! What?! But this has actually been really liberating for me - recently I felt like my style was in stasis and didn't feel comfortable in what I was wearing a lot of the time, so it's been exciting getting to play around with lots of different styles!
But I have been wondering - Is anybody still out there, reading what I have to say on this blog? Say hi if you are! Especially if you're an old friend of the blog, I'd love to hear from you. What are you up to these days?? While I guess it's cool (and, frankly, terrifying) to have a couple of hundred thousand people regularly watching my videos, it does make me a bit sad to have lost the more closely-knit community that I had around my blog!

Anyway, onto my outfit: this top has to be one of my favourite DIY patterns I've made so far. I've made three of these and recently converted it into a swing dress as well! It's so damn flattering on my body, but probably my favourite thing about it is that I don't have to wear a bra with it (coz it's kinda tight-fitting and holds everything up?? haha). This necklace was a lovely present from Cristina at Now or Never Jewelry, who makes all these pieces herself. It goes with these high-neck tops soooooo perfectly. 10/10 recommend giving her store a visit!

Outfit details
Top - DIY
Necklace - c/o Now or Never Jewelry
Pants - Thrifted
Shoes - Naot Kedma
Lipstick - Bella by Stila Cosmetics 


All my love,







Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

39 comments:

  1. I've been following you since 2013 (I think at least!), and I haven't stopped since. I know what you mean with a change in style - when I first started reading your blog I had a very similar fashion sense, which has since evolved to something a little different, and I love it. I love being able to express myself in different ways, just like you have been! I wish I had the courage to get out there and do more with my sewing like you have, you've done such an amazing job building yourself up!

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  2. I'm following you here, and on YouTube, and Facebook, and-- basically, I'm EVERYWHERE. :D
    I think it's natural that you and your sense of style and whatnot changes over time. People change. Staying the same year after year would get boring over time, so I think it's great you're broadening your horizons and trying different things. I love your videos and I've never thought that they "take away" something from the blog, but more like they add something. You keep doing you! :)

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  3. Hey Annika!! I found your blog about 2 years ago when I was in a textiles class, trying to find a tutorial for something to make! I was so excited when you first made a video, because YouTube has always been my favourite platform hehe
    You're actually a huge inspiration for my channel, and I hope to one day collab with you!
    I think it's really natural that your style has evolved :) also now that you're shifting towards YouTube, and have a couple Facebook pages, your community is changing, but I think in a good way
    Anyway, just wanted to say hi (I still read your blog haha) hope you have a lovely day!
    Natasha Rose

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  4. I've been following you since.... early 2012 (I remember the first post I saw was your fabric-embellished brogues!) When I started following you it was because you dressed quite like me (but better!). Now I love the ethical component and although I don't have a sewing machine I still love watching your videos and seeing the method behind making clothes. My sense of style has changed so much over this time too, and I'm also much more minimalist now - is this adulthood?!

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    1. Hey there Miriam! oh, WHOA - That was so long ago! Baby blogger times :')
      Also - maybe it is adulthood!!? I don't know. I hope not. Or maybe I do? I always thought I'd want to dress like a child haha. Adulthood is confusing and scary haha.

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  5. I've been following you since..late 2013? I'm not sure. I definitely noticed your style changing, but I think that's not a bad thing! My own style has changed so much over the past two years, it's insane. I like what you're going on YouTube, keep doing what makes you happy!

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  6. Definitely still reading! I think I started following your blog early 2014 (probably around the same time I made my blog) I don't mind your change in style, or format - It has grown as you have grown, which I think is a natural part of an online presence. :)

    http://theemeraldruby.com

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    1. You've always been sooo so supportive! :) you're so lovely!

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  7. I definitely still read everything here even if it's just a post saying you've got a new video up. And I definitely have noticed lots of changes! I remember thinking your pastel hair was so cool and then there were wigs and then youtube became a thing and now you're here. Which also makes me realize I've kept up with one blog for a long time haha

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  8. I read your blog, but I'm also fairly new here so I don't really know what it has been like in the past ;D

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  9. Aww! I've been reading for a little over 2 years, I think? Anyway, I love your blog and seeing how it's changed. I think I can speak for a lot of your community when I say that you've opened our eyes to a lot of incredible new ideas, both socially and scientifically. Keep up your amazing work!
    .xx

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  10. I read your blog and watch your you tube, its the best of both worlds.

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  11. Hi ^^
    I'm pretty new on your blog but I still wanted to say hi. so yeah.
    How are you doing?

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  12. Haha yes I'm still here and I totally feel you. I'm dressing so much more minimally now (I honestly can't remember the last time I wore a dress or skirt), and in general didn't really want to post my own outfits. It was too much of a hassle. But I still read everyone else and I watch your videos even though I don't even own a sewing machine. You're an inspiration! But yeah, I think a lot of us bloggers are experiencing that change as we're growing up a little bit. I've noticed it in a lot of people, and I've noticed some people who have stayed the same style are starting to seem tedious. So change is totally good. Haha I don't know what else I'm trying to say. You rock, that is all. :)

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    1. Lauren!! You said it all perfectly. Thank you!! xxx

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  13. I've only been reading for less than a year. I saw you on campus, in the Wentworth building, a few months ago. I didn't want to be awkward and say hello, but know that even outside Youtube or the blog you have a following ;)

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    1. Hahaha omg! Say hallo next time ;) I'm going to be at uni 4ever haha

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  14. Still here! I've been following your blog since 2012 and it's been a pleasure watching it evolve. It (and you!) has been an endless inspiration and helped me define my personal style. I was a bit teary-eyed to see outfit posts become less frequent but everything you're doing is SO AMAZING and I'm incredibly proud of you!! <3 I can't wait to see what's next :)

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    1. Hannah :) you have always been such an amazing support! <3 THANK YOU!

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  15. Hey Annika! I actually discovered you back in 2013 when you were featured on Birdie.com and have absolutely loved your content for the past two years! Your multiple aesthetics really speak to me - from vintage, to simple, to quirky and just a little bit kistch! I remember being excited when I watched your first ever video and you only had 500 or so subscribers and its incredible to see the success you've received - congratulations, its very well deserved! I also love that your blog is a place where I can learn to - how to make conscious purchases, find niche items and refine my own skills. Looking forward to see where you will go next! Love from a fellow slightly nerdy Sydneysider who loves the 50s fair :)

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  16. I think I've been following since 2013, and remember submitting an Adventure Time X Annika drawing for a competition on your blog! Loved reading about another girl in science, who posts outfits of herself and watching you grow has been really wonderful. Keep doing what you're doing and don't be afraid to change and evolve!

    secret-hipster.blogspot.com/

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    1. Adele <3 I know that you still read because you're one of my most frequent blog commenters!! Thank you so much :D
      And I remember that competition oh my goodness!!! I need to go and find the page now! :O

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  17. I followed you from Lookbook and have stayed reading for a few years now. I've also changed in style massively and I have to say, patterned trousers are my new thing so I'm loving those on you. I've also got into sewing recently so I'll be following your online presence for as long as you'll be here

    https://matchamilady.wordpress.com/

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  18. We provide you a huge range of online China products in UK. Our vision is to give you comfort for all fields of life. Everything would be at your on click.

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  19. Always reading everything! And looking at youtube when I can... But I usually catch-up on social things when I'm in places when it's not appropriate to have noise, so, not so much! Anyway, you're awesome whatever you're up to, so carry on doing what you're doing/what you want to do at the time! <3<3

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  20. Hi, Im still here reading your blog (and being inspired by you)!

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  21. Been lurking for nearly 1,5 years... Sheesh the time flies - I discovered you because I am interested in all the sewing and find a lot of inspiration on your blog! - But sadly I haven't done any sewing, I just don't know how to start! I read your blog every time you post something and I really love your 'down to earth' kinda way to do your blog/videos!

    So, long time lurker & continuous lurker,
    Cheers from Denmark!

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  22. I still read your blog! I kind-of like getting updates for youtube videos via blogs since sometimes authors can add more information about the video on the blog. Does that make sense? Plus I do like random outfit posts.

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  23. well, I follow your blog for quite some time ( about 2 years now) and you're still super amazing <3

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  24. Im fairly new to your blog and youtube channel but your blog is possibly one of my favourites to read

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  25. I started following your blog in 2013 when I was living in Japan. I've loved following your journey since then and seeing how your style has evolved. You inspired me to buy my sewing machine and to support slow fashion and I've become an absolute thrifting queen! Keep doing what you do, girl. Big love from Ireland :-)

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  26. I completely understand having to balance a blog and YouTube. (Well not "have to" more like "want to") It's so tricky! You just gotta do what you feel lead to do.

    Also, your blog is a forever-follow for me. Even though I watch a heap of YouTube videos, I'm first and foremost a blogger and love reading blog posts. I think video & written word each have their advantage so I relate to different ways content is presented. Ex: I dislike "lookbooks" and "OOTD" videos, I prefer seeing pictures of outfits. I'm sure I have an unpopular opinion on that! lol Though I love a creative video that uses the most of the visuals like when you've done your "quick change" videos in the past. OMG, I love how you present your outfits in that way! But when people just stand in front of a camera and get close-ups of their necklace? That's a no-go for me!

    Keep on doing you because you're doing a freakin' fabulous job, Annika!

    Hannah | The Outfit Repeater

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  27. As fellow neuroscience nerd, I do (and will forever) check in to see what you're up to. I admit I don't get on You Tube as often as I'd like, but whenever I do I love your tutorials. Yours was actually one of the first blogs I every started following (waaaaay before I ever started on of my own). Reading your blog is always like coming home. =)
    hugs, -Kara
    www.thedressedesthetic.com

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a message! I read every single one. Don't forget to check back for a reply if you leave a question! ♥

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