THE CITIZEN INDEX

Friday, March 16, 2012

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!


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

28 comments:

Forest City Fashionista said...

Bella, thanks for featuring one of my fave bloggers! She makes some marvelous points about style and aging, especially "There is a crossroads where you decide to toe the line or live life your own way". The women I love are the ones who have decided to live life their own way. There's no one who can rock a vintage circus costume like Desiree!

The Style Crone said...

I too was instantly smitten when I found Desiree. She is so creative and fearless, and I admire her writing and her 'take' on aging. What a beauty, inside and out!

Sasha Maria said...

I LOVE her blog to pieces. Definitely a great feature!

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Great interview Bella, Desiree is one of my favourite inspirational women. Definitely one to follow x

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic interview! Thanks for introducing me to such a fun, stylish, inspiring blog!

SeƱora Allnut said...

fabulousness and fun!!, I love her style!
besos

doradadama said...

I love that prosti dream so much!
She is such an inspirational criatura.
Oh so honored!! we are separated at birth locas.
Gracias for this fabuloso interview of my favorite biatch.
besones

mtg said...

She is so cute. I can relate to Desiree... I have chronic pain and depression and having my little blog somehow helps me.
Love all her Frida Kahlo-like floral head pieces.
xx
maya
http://byebyesoccermom.blogspot.com/

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Thank you so much Bella!! God I sound so amazing that I amaze myself - haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Actually I'm getting a bit of a hot flush and goosebumps - so excited and honoured am I that you chose to feature me:)) Grazie mille il mio amico. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Heather Fonseca said...

I love pull your socks up! Her posts are so wild. She's a true inspiration, though I'm not sure I agree about the capris...

Helga said...

I FRIGGING LOVE DESIREE!!!!
She has SO inspired me! I orten,when wondering what to wear,or how to style something, "what would Desiree do?!,and it saves me evrytime!
She is a GODDESS!
XXX

Anonymous said...

What a fun interview with Desiree! She has influenced things I've begun to buy at thrift stores...and soon, retirement looming, I may MAKE THE CHOICE!

Thrifted Shift said...

What a cool lady! I can't wait to check out her blog! The photos you chose are awesome, I love those Melissa+Vivienne Westwood heels on her!
--TS

Vix said...

Desiree is fabulous! What a cool interview. I love her! xxx

Stacey said...

Love this interview! It's awesome when one of my fav bloggers interviews another of my fave bloggers!

Unknown said...

She is so great and her crazyness is delicious, one of my favorites!

The Foolish Aesthete said...

She's terrific! Definitely growing old very gracefully. I love her attitude in life. Thanks for sharing her with us. xxx

propriatress said...

age is a number...a number that has bad habits, and not "bad habits" in the good way....What a sparkly delight! she is.... ;-)

mispapelicos said...

Wonderful feature, bella. I always loved Desiree too.
Much love dear friends.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Unknown said...

LOL I LOVE Desiree! I'm in total agreement with her fashion advice....I REALLY loathe capris! Thanks for such a great feature Bella! Hugs! ~Serene

Melanie said...

Desiree was one of the first style blogs I started reading. I was mesmerized - I still am. She is one of those bloggers I stand back in awe and admiration like a little field mouse. Her vitality and her ability to be true to herself stylistically are incredible inspirations. She is the Ultimate Diva, in the best sense. Thank you for this story.

Curtise said...

I think I really want to be Desiree, but instead I just stalk her slavishly because she is so bloody fabulous! I am honoured to have her as a blog buddy. Great interview with a gorgeous woman. xxxx

FASHION TALES said...

I love Desiree's blog, always fun, colourful and inspiring style and with brilliant humour. Great feature! One of my favs.

Veshoevius said...

Aw she's one of my faves - Desiree is truly inspirational and what a fab interview! I feel like I found out so much I never knew about her.

Jill said...

Thanks for a great interview about someone I just love. I need to channel Desiree's spirit more often and break out of my comfort zone sartorially! Thank you Bella and Desiree! XO, Jill

Unknown said...

Ah Desiree is one of my favourite bloggers! what a great interview. xx

Unknown said...

Fabulous interview - thank you Bella - Desiree is so fabulous, so inspirational and truly, wonderfully, marvellously HERSELF! Sarah xxx

JTWisdom said...

Hi Bella,

Great feature on Desiree. Love her style.