CITIZEN LOVES: Desiree of Pull Your Socks Up!

It was love at first sight.

I'm not sure how I found her, but the moment my eyes spilled on Pull Your Socks Up!,  I fell head over heels + was instantly smitten. Twinkling eyes, mischievous grin, Black Milk leggings, a pair of Docs, this plus 40 beauty wowed me with her in-your-face style. I loved how she showed no intention to dress "age appropriately" but instead wore her vintage frocks with swagger and dare I say it: SEX APPEAL. This lovely woman is H-O-T and gorgeous and looks every bit like a late night version of fun. With her tagline, "Growing Old Disgracefully," this lady from Down Under makes growing older look remarkably good. 

Say hello to Desiree. I'm sure you're going to love her too. 

THE CITIZEN: What's your name and where are you from?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: I'm Desiree of Pull Your Socks Up! I was born in New Zealand and I've been living in Brisbane, Australia for 21 years.

THE CITIZEN: How long have you been blogging?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: I "stalked" a variety of personal style blogs for a couple of years before I realised I had plenty of stuff in my wardrobe I adored but wasn't wearing. I decided nearly two years ago that a blog would be a great way to record my wardrobe adventures.

Style Du Jour: Desiree drinks in her adventures one cup at a time.

THE CITIZEN: What inspired you to start Pull Your Socks Up?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: When I started the blog, I was unable to work at the time in my job as a print journalist, as I suffered from a major depressive illness. I really missed writing and wanted to stay sharp and connected with the world.
I felt the title "Pull Your Socks Up!" was perfect for me and still do to this day. I'm ageing, I'm the mother of four children, I'm blase about trends and I believe that for women my age, there is a crossroads where you decide to either toe the line or live life your own way. I'm convinced the decision a woman makes about how she's going to live out the second half of her life has long-term effects on her self-esteem and mental health.
I refuse to "pull my socks up" and behave. I have respect for women of all ages and hope they can live their lives with their hearts free of the burden of being a drone.

THE CITIZEN: How would you describe Pull Your Socks Up! to someone who's never read it?

Dressing to Express: Desiree shamelessly mixes her eras and styles and lets her style speak for itself.

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: A place where I feel free to show others you don't have to be a slave to trends or wear top-to-toe authentic era clothing. I show people what I wear in real life and it's a mish-mash of eras and styles. There are no rules.

"There is a crossroads where you decide to either toe the line or live life your own way. "

THE CITIZEN: You are on the +40 blogroll, so I know you're over 40. And you just celebrated a birthday. Would you care to share your age?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: I'm a 44-year-old Aquarian, born in the year the world went mad, 1968.

THE CITIZEN: What's your newest fashion crush?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: Oh dear, I'm sure it's not fashionable to be crushing on acrobats, carnies and cooch dancers from the 1930s, but that's what is making my heart skip at the moment. I have a feeling it's not going away for a while yet, so it's yes to satin, vintage circus and stage costumes, sequins, frilly bloomers, fishnets, nutty leggings, shiny shoes, floral headbands and frequently wearing my underwear as outerwear.
So age inappropriate and wonderful ... I'm living my ethos to "grow old disgracefully."

THE CITIZEN: What's your "day job" and how does it influence your blog?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: I studied, trained and worked as a print journalist and I'm now full-time care-giver to my husband, The Phoenix, who is recovering from some health issues.
My blog gives me a chance to write, although I found it very difficult to write about myself at first. I was so used to the news writing style and feature writing other peoples' stories.
I'm not as fussy about my writing style now, as people visit my blog to have a look at some loopy pictures and read some of my thoughts and styling ideas. They're not there to learn what is happening in global politics today.

THE CITIZEN: The tagline for Pull Your Socks Up! is "growing old disgracefully." What do you mean by growing old disgracefully,and why is that a good thing?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: So many of my outfit choices are definitely considered inappropriate for a 44-year-old mother of four. But why? I dress for my body shape and height. I conceal some of my flaws like my "horrific" belly stretch marks, yet not give a damn about signs of ageing like my neck crepe, crows feet, wrinkles and sagging skin.
To live what I hope will be a long life, I must feel happy, even if my choices displease others. If that means I need to wear glitter shoes and feathers in my hair now or when I'm 77, then it's just too bad. I'm not harming anyone, my attitude and inner joy can be infectious and I think it makes people smile and feel happy. That's the irony of "growing old disgracefully" - it makes people think about what's "right."

Disgraceful: Her brilliant pattern mixes, bold accessories + original style are anything but "age appropriate."

THE CITIZEN: Please share 3 of your favorite blogs with us!

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: I love my long-time bloggy mates and have some very exciting new followers. I've recently been introduced to: Evil Dressmaker and Girl With the Flower, yet I believe that La Dama, from Vintage Passions Just Like Mine, and I were separated at birth.

Happy Ever After: Desiree and the Phoenix on their wedding day.

THE CITIZEN: You recently got married. Congrats and best wishes! Tell me, are there any secrets to finding your true love? What advice would you give a lonely heart?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: Aaahh ... true love. I don't believe you find it. It finds you. My husband and I were not looking for love. We were both so shocked at finding one another when we did ... now we can't bear to be apart.
Advice: treasure and nurture your friendships because when love goes wrong, they're your life-support. But it works both ways, they need to make the effort too. It teaches a lonely heart compassion and builds self-esteem.

THE CITIZEN: Any fashion advice for women?

Desiree, NOT wearing capri pants

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: Don't wear three-quarter/capri pants. They straight from Satan's sweat shops. Unless they were worn at Woodstock and are covered in patches, badges, ash and fringing.

THE CITIZEN: Any last words?

PULL YOUR SOCKS UP: Thank you so much for inviting me to be your featured blogger this month, I feel so honoured that people are just the slightest bit interested in reading my blog. Molti baci!

http://pullyoursoxup.blogspot.com

You may want to use this moment to add her to your blogroll now. And you're welcome.