Silver Bells

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

Dressed in holiday style

In the air

There's a feeling of Christmas

Children laughing, people passing

Meeting smile after smile

And on every street corner you'll hear:

Silver bells, silver bells

It's Christmas time in the city

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

Soon it will be Christmas Day

In which I stimulate the economy with a host of festive-induced purchases... 

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Dress: Anthea Crawford textured jacquard

Sandals: Bare Traps 

Bag: Adorne vinyl

Cuff: Gian Paolo Maria

Hinged Bangle: Oxfam silver

Ring: Swarovski silver & crystal

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Hitting up the shops for one last Christmas shopping "hurrah," enjoying the frenetic hustle & bustle of the crowds, purchasing some last minute extras & perusing the Myer Christmas Windows, somewhat of a tradition in our family...

2014 was a take on the story, Santa Claus & the 3 Bears by Maria Modugno - a festive twist on the classic Goldilocks & the 3 Bears written by Robert Southey in 1837 - with Santa stepping in as the cheerful intruder! Leaving their pudding to cool on the kitchen table, the unsuspecting bears head outdoors for a crisp evening walk & are shocked at what they find upon their return. Their pudding... eaten! Their chairs... broken! Their cozy beds... slept in! And it looks like the culprit is still there, fast asleep in Baby Bear's bed is someone awfully familiar... 

But I digress.

This gorgeous textured jacquard dress in a crisp shade of seafoam green is the ideal option for a day when the weather is (extremely!) warm but spirits are bright in the city. The stunning pleated v-neckline elongates the neck while showing a pleasing amount of decolletage while the waist gathers mould the body to give the illusion of a smaller waistline. Winning. 

Silver accessories were the order of the day with a pair of embellished, kitten-heeled sandals & a rectangular short-strap handbag with stud details. 

A special time of year requires distinctive jewellery & these 3 items fit the bill: a silver hinged bangle from Oxfam that I wore to my high school formal all those years ago, an exquisite Gian Paolo Maria handmade Swarovski crystal & semi-precious stone cuff from Paris & a Swarovski cocktail ring with many of the same crystals as the cuff... the latter pieces were birthday presents bought from different stores, yet meant to be worn together. I LOVE it when things come together like that... 

 Scroll down for a more detailed view.

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On the twelfth day of Christmas

My true love sent to me:

Twelve drummer drumming

Eleven pipers piping

Ten lords-a-leaping

Nine ladies dancing

Eights 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

There's only one way to finish this 12 Days of Christmas Decorations series & that's with the the tree topper that signifies that we are finished decorating the tree for another year... Many people have stars on their tree, but we have always had this beautiful ceramic angel, bought when I was just a little baby - the last & most beautiful decoration to be placed on our family tree. 

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