Scroll down to see what's been happening around here lately...
Hitting the shops - mother/daughter style - at the newly expanded Orion Springfield Central. Wearing all shades of blue, black, silver & white.
*
Posing up a storm on one of Plantations' famed "peacock chairs" in a royal blue & black floral jacquard fit-to-flare dress with portrait neckline from Anthea Crawford, black knitted cardigan with fringing from Table Eight (available at Rockmans), white faux fur "fluffy" jacket from my local Big W, long black leather boots by R.M Williams from a little store in Boonah, 40 denier nylon tights from Razzamatazz, faux snakeskin handbag from Forever New for all the essentials, monochrome animal print chiffon scarf with black tassel detail from Taking Shape & finally, a tribal-inspired hinged bangle from Adorne. Phew! Talk about a mouthful! Things certainly get complicated when Winter layering comes into play...
Pumpkin Soup with Cream & Cheesy Toast on the Side
Lamb Shank with Garlic Mash
Deconstructed Red Velvet Cupcake
*
Getting ready for kinder-gymnastics with a certain crazy toddler... Beating the morning chill in a pansy-printed stretch jersey dress from Anthea Crawford, baby pink "puffer" jacket from Kmart, black sport-luxe boots from Forever New, 40 denier Razzamatazz tights to keep my legs toasty-warm, faux snakeskin bag (also from Forever New) in a shade of grey/blue to match the blue/pink/black colour palette & finally, a pattern-mixed cotton scarf with tassels from Millers.
Yup. Under two years old. Clearly his mother has many years pretending to love watching sport ahead of her, right? #sweetbabyjames
*
Sweet little gifts from a friend's recent trip to Japan.
*
Curing my #mondayitis in a cobalt stretch lace (with black underlay) dress from Anthea Crawford, black knit cardigan with fringing from Table Eight, black patent lace-up boots from Wittner & 40 denier Razzamatazz tights.
What maximalist dreams are made of!
Delicious Warm Chicken Salad with Kipfler Potatoes from Java Lounge Cafe at Paddington.
Yes, I know, you may be confused because I said the word "chicken." Hell must indeed be freezing over or something, right? Well, let's just say that I'm a recent convert who will ONLY eat the "fowl" meat (get it?) from this particular cafe; nowhere else.
*
Gymastics again; this time in a mirror-printed stretch jersey from Anthea Crawford, tie dye cotton jacket from Tree of Life, blush suede sport-luxe boots & matching handbag from Forever New... & tiny nylon sockettes from Mix by Coles.
Who can resist this happy little face?
#sweetbabyjames
*
Best. Ever.
Nonchalantly leaning against pool fences (well, once upon a time) in a textured stretch jacquard peplum dress from Anthea Crawford, woven waterfall jacket with fringe detail from Tree of Life, "dirty" tan leather heeled boots with funky cross-over detail from Lavish (purchased at Trade Secret for minimal cost... yay!) & desert-coloured woven cross-body bag to carry all the essentials... also from Tree of Life; I adore that place...
*
For the love of lemons! Yummy lemon drops in a beautiful little tin made by French company Les Anis de Flavigny & brought back for me from a recent overseas trip by some dear family friends.
*
Embracing the chilly temperatures in sumptuous fabrics - a velour & printed jacquard fit-to-flare dress from Anthea Crawford, heavy ribbed knit long-line cardigan/duster from Table Eight, patent boots with cross-over strap & silver buckle from Wittner, 40 denier nylon tights from Razzamatazz & boxy patent handbag with silver hardware from Novo. Chunky handmade silver market stall jewellery with purple semi-precious stones, diamantes & beads; purchased in India & brought back for me by a dear friend who lived there for a time.
In case you were wondering, that small flash of white on the left-hand side of some of the photographs is a certain spoilt Spoodle... #photobomb
*
Loving this new novel from Jessie Burton, whose debut tome "The Miniaturist" is currently being made into a feature film. Only 53 pages in & I have to admit that "The Muse" may be soon to follow suit!
*
Shopaholic Stylist Wear - a velour & green printed jacquard fit-to-flare dress from (you guessed it!) Anthea Crawford, black leather cropped jacket with stretch jersey panels from Portmans, fringed woven poncho from Loot, comfortable black patent lace-up boots from Wittner, 40 denier Razzmatazz tights (the PERFECT weight for Queensland) & boxy black patent handbag from Novo. Both of my gorgeous rings were birthday gifts from dear friends.
Stopping for a B.L.A.T on Turkish Bread from Crema Espresso.
The best part is that the food is as brilliant as the service. YUM!
Washing it all down with a Chocolate, Strawberry & Coconut Frappe with Cream...
*
Praying for all those innocents killed or maimed in yet another egregious & unwarranted act of terror; this time in Nice, France. #prayfornice #prayforpeace
*
Obligatory change-room mirror outfit pictures in a jersey & floral printed scuba fit-to-flare dress from Anthea Crawford (my go-to style at the moment), grey marle asymmetrical knit from Forever New (I bought an extra small so it would sit well with the 1950s style of the dress), black patent boots with chunky heels from Wittner, 40 denier Razzamatazz tights & boxy patent handbag from Novo. When it came to jewellery, less was more - just this chunky rubber & beaded long necklace from Taking Shape that I wrapped around my neck a few times to pick up on the shades of pink inherent in the skirt.
Filling up on Vietnamese Street Rolls from 8th Street, Mt Gravatt.
These particular ones were Mongolian Beef with Hoisin Sauce on the side...
Quenching my thirst with a Gong Cha Chinese Milk Tea with "Black Pearl" Tapioca Balls...
*
Antiquing in a crepe shift dress from Anthea Crawford, vintage Indian fabric jacket from Tree of Life, silver studded brogues from Wittner, 40 denier Razzamatazz tights, faux snakeskin handbag from Forever New & risque bangle from Musee de la Orangerie in Paris featuring mirror prints of the painting "Nude on a White Cushion" (1917) by Modigliani.
Hometown Haunts
Silly behaviour with some "mustache mints" that friends brought back from a trip to New Zealand...
*
Monday, Monday (as The Mamas & The Papas would say...) in a fit-to-flare dress from Anthea Crawford, woven three-quarter-sleeved jacket with fringing from Tree of Life, patent lace-up boots from Wittner & chunky silver market stall necklace to really make a statement.
Work of Art; Moveable Feast; Labour of Love
Once again, chicken. Once again, Java Lounge Cafe...
Banana Smoothie + Honey
Selfie Against Wallpaper, 2016
*
Yup. KAPOW!
#chocoholic #almondmilk #coldpressed #organic
*
Heading off to a "Christmas in July" ballet performance of "The Nutcracker" with some dear friends wearing - let's face it - a ballet-inspired ensemble featuring this amazing mesh, lace & tulle fit-to-flare prom dress from Chi Chi London, black leather cropped jacket from Portmans, black suede & elastic heels from Wittner to evoke the idea of "pointe shoes" & a sparkly shoulder bag from Taking Shape. Accessories were simple & statement-making: a chunky, Victorian silver bracelet with oversized filigree heart locket & teeny tiny key from Kellie's Antiques & mauve felt headpiece from (now defunct) Tie Rack to "tie" (get it?) the look together.
*
A "Date Night" of a different kind!
Loving the cold pressed almond milk drinks from Aussie brand Impressed.
*
Preening in from of the department store mirror on an unseasonably warm Winter's day in Queensland wearing a horizontal striped dress from Asos, silver studded brogues from Wittner, boxy vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Sportsgirl & Disney Couture "Alice in Wonderland" Mad Hatter's Tea Party cuff & ring.
*
Nestled amongst the greenery before Sunday Brunch at Verdant Cafe (part of the Greenway Garden Centre, Mt Ommaney) wearing a tapestry-print satin fit-to-flare dress with portrait neckline from Anthea Crawford, long-line netting duster/cardigan by Absolutely Fabulous that I found at Trottie Becke's in Ipswich City Square, silver studded brogues from Wittner (fast becoming my favourite shoe OF ALL TIME), 40 denier tights from Razzamatazz & boxy vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Sportsgirl. Clearly I was aiming for a "heart theme" when it came to jewellery - a fob necklace with large silver heart pendant & brushed silver cuff from Wallace Bishop & chunky silver ring from Mahnee in Coolangatta, purchased on my last September holiday there.
Smashed Avocado with Lemon & Cumin on Toasted Sourdough with Fetta, Rocket & Tomato
Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce; Mushroom & Spinach on the Side
Serenity in Suburbia
*
Loving these divine Myrtle & Moss products; all Australian made with essential oils, particularly when they're displayed in my bathroom on this green ceramic leaf plate from Villeroy & Boch.
*
Monday Mirror Poses in an overblown rose-printed satin fit-to-flare dress from Anthea Crawford, knitted blush tunic with floral yoke detail from Genson (purchased in the Gift Shop of the aforementioned Greenway Garden Centre), silver studded brogues from Wittner, 40 denier tights from Razzmatazz & a selection of funky rings - the silver ones from Thousand Island Dressing in Paddington & the clear quartz beauties from Inkuku at The Flour Mill, Ipswich.
Yet more chicken. This time in the form of a Chicken B.L.A.T from my favourite Java Lounge Cafe in Paddington... aka the only place on earth that I will ingest chicken & LOVE IT! Wonders will never cease, I guess...
*
