Thirty Two

This year I turned thirty-two. 

It truly was wonderful to be able to celebrate yet another "turn around the sun" with my family & friends at a variety of special occasions. Moreover, I was blessed to be afforded a multitude of thoughtful gifts & heartfelt birthday wishes. Scroll down for a peek at how it all unfolded...

*

LOOK #1: Feel the Power

Dress: Chi Chi London (via Asos) woven jacquard, silk & tulle

Sandals: Novo suede lace-up

Bag: Vera May (via Simona Ricci) patent with gold hardware

Bangles: Gift, silver & gold beaded (from India)

Ring: Gift, glass

*

Avid readers of this blog will already know of my deep & abiding love for European history & how much I enjoyed the Medieval Power exhibit at the Queensland Museum (for a trip down memory lane, click here) so attending the final Medieval Power: After Dark evening with the family - an event filled with medieval food, music, dancing, sword-fighting, pastimes like garland weaving & calligraphy - seemed like an amazing, unique way to celebrate my big 3-2. 

To be honest, the start of the night was less-than-ideal in terms of event organisation but after it all calmed down & the crowd thinned out, we had an AMAZING time; checking out the exhibit, handcrafting flower garlands, witnessing realistic sword fights between noblemen, learning about the highly complicated calligraphy process, exercising our "two left feet" with some dancing & finally, filling our tummies with delicious beer-battered Sweet Potato Fries, Cornish Pasties, Custard-Apple Danishes (best ones I've ever had) & Mulled Wine.

But I digress. 

This is a fashion blog, so I should probably talk about the outfit I carefully styled to match the occasion, starting with this stunning black & gold modified-fleur-de-lis print silk A-line dress with black silk & tulle underlay from Chi Chi London (via Asos) that I altered by exposing the aforementioned underlayers to create interest & movement. 

Black suede, laser-cut, lace-up sandals from Novo were chosen to add some edge, as well as a gorgeous grey patent handbag with gold hardware from Vera May for a luxurious feel. Sparkly jewellery completed the look - armfuls of gold & silver beaded bangles from India (gifted by a dear friend who lived over there) & a chunky glass "pinkie" ring.

Now that all the outfit details are taken care of, keep scrolling to see how the night unfolded, beginning with Southbank Parklands at dusk...

Afternoon tea at The Book Cafe:

Egg & Spinach Frittata with Chili Tomato Salsa & Potato Salad on the Side, washed down with a Sparkling Raspberry Mineral Water

"Feeling the Power" inside the event...

Flower Garlands... yep, we made these ourselves!

Sword Fighting

Family Photographs...

Southbank Parklands after dark

Nepalese Temple

Tirra Lirra by the River

#yepiwentthere #tennysonreference #ladyofshallot

*

Beautiful gifts from my loving parents...

*

*

LOOK #2: Many Happy Returns in Monochrome 

Dress: Anthea Crawford jersey & corded lace

Sandals: Novo suede with fringing

Bag: Nine West vinyl with silver hardware

Necklace: Gift, silver & agate

Cuffs: Gift, silver & agate

*

When it came to the day of my birth, I was delighted to be able to spend the morning brunching with some dear friends & the evening dining on roast lamb with my loving family. Monochrome isn't usually a go-to look for me - I am often the most colourfully-clad person in any room - but this beautiful dress from Anthea Crawford (a birthday present) completely won me over. After all, what's not to love? The black jersey bodice with draped v-neckline, floaty black & white corded lace skirt with tulle underlay & grosgrain waist ribbon with bow detail & sparkly "belt buckle" are PERFECTION in my eyes, particularly when I give it a little twirl...

In keeping with the monochromatic theme, black suede sandals with fringed heels from Novo were chosen, as well as a "speckled" vinyl shoulder bag with silver hardware from Nine West (another birthday present!) for a funky & unexpected twist.

With regards to jewellery, it was "matchy-matchy" all the way with these amazing silver & agate sculptural cuffs & necklace, another amazing present from a dear friend. Check each piece out in detail below:

Outfit description completed, continue scrolling down to see snippets from our family celebration & the gifts I was THRILLED to unwrap...

*

*