Brother of Mine

A few pictures of what I wore to help my brother Louis celebrate his 26th birthday yesterday. The celebration began with presents & cake at the family home before a quick change & a delicious al fresco dinner at Soul Bistro, Milton. 

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LOOK #1

Dress: Vintage, Eurobella denim

Wedges: Novo suede & rattan

Bag: Vera May patent & painting

Beaded Bracelets: Emmala wooden & silver

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The vibrant vintage dress I picked up a few weeks ago from the Vintage Hippy's stall at The End of the Line Festival in Woolloongabba was the perfect choice for a relaxed morning at home - a comfortable denim fabric with sweet mixed pattern of spots & floral. Often, button-down dresses don't work for top-heavy women but as the garment was slightly oversized, I was able to have my seamstress sew down the buttonholes to stop the dreaded "gaping," meaning that the cute little moulded buttons are now for show & the dress has to be pulled on over my head. 

Casual accessories were then added: a pair of peeptoe suede wedges with raffia heels & a circular patent handbag with twee picture of a cat at a garden gate on either side. Jewellery was kept to a minimum with a pair of wooden beaded bracelets with little silver charms that I picked up at the Coolangatta Markets on a recent beach holiday. 

Scroll down for a little peek at the celebration... particularly the yummy two-tier chocolate cake with chocolate Vienna cream filling!

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LOOK #2

Dress: Anthea Crawford guipure lace

Heels: Novo patent

Bag: Novo patent

Wrap: Anthea Crawford silk

Necklace: Thousand Island Dressing silver & pearl

Bangle: Thousand Island Dressing silver & pearl

Cuff: Wallace Bishop silver

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After first donning a laid-back ensemble for presents & cake at home, it was time to venture out to Soul Bistro at Milton for a combined birthday dinner for Louis & our cousin Nicholas, who was born on the 22nd of December 1994 when the birthday boy was 6.

This stunning pink guipure lace empire-line dress was ideal, the sumptuous colour fitting for merry-making on a summer evening. Guipure lace is a type of French lace with a dense, interwoven pattern that looks almost like embroidery but without any visible backing net. It is lace of great depth & visual interest. 

What I love most is the way that sculpted lace creates a "frame" for the funky necklace - a silver choker with black pearl ends that was then matched back with a bangle of the same, as well as my favourite silver cuff. What is also lovely is the way that the size of the black pearls in the necklace are equal to the centre of the dress' lace flowers... like it was mean to be...

Such a statement dress requires simple accessories that will allow the DRESS to shine, in this case a pair of black patent platform sandals with a t-bar strap & a plain black patent handbag, pictured below:  

And for the unexpected breezy conditions, the ideal finishing touch: a gorgeous Anthea Crawford floral & geometric print silk wrap, replete with the same shade of pink as the lace... Loving it when I can wear as many of my Christmas presents as possible - the necklace & bracelet a gift from my Poppy & his wife, Jocelyn & the printed wrap part of my Anthea Crawford customer Christmas box.

Keep scrolling for a few more pictures, this time from the evening... 

Absolutely delicious Moroccan pork pie with a crusty, puff pastry top & a pile of chickpea battered, sweet potato chips. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 

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All that's left to say is

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOUIS!

The best gift I have ever been given was in 1988 when you were born to be my brother, my best friend, my protector; my twin 5 years apart.

Here's a little trip down memory lane, which I'm sure you'll be mortified by...

Watermelon kisses as a toddler...

Present opening fun...

Toothy grins at 7 & 2 years old...

Little pioneer girl & a strange, modern-clad boy from the future...

School day smiles at 8 & 3 years old, respectively...

And one with Nicholas. Still celebrating birthdays together all these years later...

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On the ninth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Nine ladies dancing

Eight maids-a-milking

Seven swans-a-swimming

Six geese-a-laying

Five gold rings

Four calling birds

Three French hens

Two turtledoves 

And a partridge in a pear tree

In the spirit of the nostalgia that has dominated this post, the following decorations are all old-fashioned glimpses into the past...

#1 Santa Claus is Coming to Town

The Christmas decoration I chose for myself in 2013. We choose a new one every year, which is a great way to build up a meaningful & eclectic tree. I love the way he looks as though he is jumping out of the tree with his sack of presents for all the girls & boys.

#2 Which Witch is Which?

Either a witch or a little lady-gnome - this Villeroy & Boch decoration was a gift from a dear friend a few years ago. 

#3 Luck of the Irish

This sweet little ceramic snowman with candy cane was a souvenir that my friend Jenny brought back from her trip to Ireland as she knows how much I adore Christmas.

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#4 Littlest Angel

This dear little Royal Albert angel was a gift from a friend many years ago & actually plays music when you press a little panel on the bottom. 

#5 Hi Ho!

These 2 little dwarves were given to us by my Poppy's wife, Jocelyn, who had them on her Christmas tree years ago. They came all the way from America!

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