Scroll down to see what's been happening around here lately...
Remember, if you want to make sure that you never miss a dress, follow me on Instagram as francespenny!
Savoring the last few moments of Winter with a trip down #ootd "Memory Lane," starting with this particular favourite - a stunning Art Deco printed silk smock from Charlie Brown (now exclusive to Myer stores), black three-quarter-sleeved blazer in an unknown poly-blend from a little boutique at Mt Tamborine for shape, neoprene & suede heeled booties from Corelli at Williams, matte 40 denier nylon Razzamatazz tights to keep my legs toasty & warm, a Vera May handbag with rosette detail & hard clasp opening & finally, a gorgeous vintage silver dragonfly cuff from Kellie's Antiques in the Brisbane Arcade to mirror the print of the dress.
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Getting on the bandwagon of "Colouring for Mindfulness" with Faber Castell Connector Pens (nothing like really going back to my childhood!)... All this abject craziness powered by popcorn, of course!
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Loving layers in this colourful ensemble, comprising mainly of Taking Shape pieces - a black elastane slip with lace ruffled hemline & printed chiffon overlay tunic - mixed with a pair of comfortable black patent gladiator sandals from Betts, puce patent handbag by Vera May (purchased from Simona Ricci at Mt Ommaney) & a gorgeous black silk scarf with fringing & semi-precious stone pendant from a company called Cute 2 Boot, found at a little pop-up store on the Gold Coast.
"...No-one's getting fat except Mama Cass..."
Creeque Alley, The Mamas & The Papas (1967)
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Dark & romantic floral shades with this stunning satin Anthea Crawford dress with asymmetrical neckline & waist gathers, black mesh long-line duster from Taking Shape, stretch belt with silver "infinity" buckle from Blue Illusion (belted over the duster for a little something different... just call it a stylist's trick), burgundy patent Mary-Poppins-style heeled brogues with bright ribbon laces from Rivers, black matte 40 denier Razzamatazz tights for warmth, boxy black patent handbag from Novo. When it came to jewellery, more was DEFINITELY more - a chunky silver androgynous watch from Guess, black faceted beaded bracelet with tie detail from Adorne & a trio of mauve faceted beaded bracelets from Lovisa.
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Jumping to it in a black crepe jumpsuit with low v-neckline, waist tie detail & tapered legs from Sussan, black mesh tee from Fairmart in Ipswich City Square (bought from the princely sum of $3), shiny patent platforms from Emerson at Big W for height & hard-case vinyl clutch with kitschy Audrey Hepburn as "Holly Golightly" on either side. Completing the edgy ensemble was a studded scarf from Katies & chrome woven bangles from Autograph Fashion.
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NEW SHOES!
I love a good #shoefie & these loafers from Wittner are amazing - the perfect mix of matte leather, patent leather & neoprene with a tapered toe.
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Controlling a WHOLE LOTTA DRESS (this amazing grey floral printed thick neoprene fit-to-flare from Asos) with unexpected accessories like any good stylist would... a pair of cobalt blue suede lace-up heels from Betts, heavily embellished envelope clutch from Rockmans, chunky vintage wooded beaded bangle & silver "Ganesh" elephant cuff from India & a trendy long silver necklace with circular pendants proclaiming "Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken." Sage advice, indeed... Thanks, Jenny.
Also, please take note of the awesome silver "fake tattoo" on my wrist. It was part of a collection Sportsgirl did this time last year. Really, really hoping they bring them back for Spring/Summer 16-17 as they were brilliant & even suitable to be worn by this girl with the incredibly sensitive skin... yup, no face painting for me as a child. It's still hard to talk about; sob.
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When a burger tastes as good as the ones at Grill'd, L-O-V-E is certainly the word!
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Dual colour dressing in this black & red ensemble; ideal for a styling job with a challenging client. This funky, multi-printed silk midi-length dress is from Oroton & looks as though it was MADE to match the edgy black cotton "painter's smock" jacket from Laika by Dogstar with red broderie englaise cuffs & silk necktie detail. Frankly, the look is so strong that no further embellishment was required (disgregarding my androgynous silver Guess watch for timing purposes) other than a pair of black "molded plastic rose" Mary-Jane-style wedges from Novo... which remind me of Disney's "Beauty & the Beast" for some strange reason (I'm thinking the stained glass beginning), perhaps because this year is the 20th anniversary...
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Curing my #mondayitis by watching 1973 horror movie classic "The Wicker Man" on DVD. Absolutely love this Scottish-made cult phenomenon... & the Midsomer Murders episode it inspired called "The Straw Woman." Check both out if you haven't seen them - they are certainly worth the watch!
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Monochrome Madness in a work-a-day textured jacquard shift dress from Anthea Crawford with tapered three-quarter-sleeves & a square neckline, horizontal striped wool cape with leather edging & sport-luxe boots from Forever New, little black nylon sockettes from Mix by Coles & vinyl tote bag from Basque at Myer to hold ALL of the essentials... & even more... When it came to jewellery, silver was my go-to (it works exceptionally well with black & white from a tonal perspective) in a chunky, androgynous watch from Guess augmented by a clear resin bangle from Sea Wish Coolangatta & clear resin & silver bird ring from Thousand Island Dressing at Paddington.
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Changeroom Selfie Time!
Stunning burgundy "dot" lace dress with black underlay from French Connection (purchased on a recent shopping spree at Brisbane Airport DFO) in a ladylike fit-to-flare shape with high neckline, quirky black laser cut sport-luxe jacket from Dion Lee for Target, black suede & elastic strap "ballerina" heels from Wittner, burgundy vinyl handbag from Nine West (a birthday present from my parents) & a silver ring with onyx semi-precious stone from Georgini.
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Feeling like a "Happy Hippie" with all of these knitted ponchos in my possession!
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"Swinging Sixties Style" for a day out with a dear friend in a vintage gold dupione silk shift dress with heavily hand-embroidered neckline & sleeves (made to measure), black suede & elastic "ballerina" heels from Wittner, vintage carved "nut bag" with leather strap detail & pair of rings - an oversized bronze flower ring with diamantes from Thousand Island Dressing in Paddington & a brushed silver "leaf" or "leaning heart" (never can work out which one) ring that a friend brought me back from the Salamanca Markets in Tasmania.
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If you want to view paradise
Simply look around & view it
Anything you want to; do it
Want to change the world?
There's nothing to it...
Come with me & you'll be in a world of pure imagination
Pure Imagination (from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, 1971)
RIP Gene Wilder. Thanks for putting a face to Roald Dahl's amazing Willy Wonka.
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Babysitting Style 101:
* Stretchy lace-over-printed-neoprene dress from Anthea Crawford
* Comfortable & brightly woven cardigan from a little store at Mt Tamborine
* Closed-in, lace up joggers from Adidas (blue racing stripes for a little pizzazz!)
* Chunky yellow resin ring for a "pop" of colour; one piece that cannot be broken (even if dropped!) by little hands from Thousand Island Dressing at Paddington
Furry Feline Photobomber... yup, it's Scout!
#wearesiameseifyouplease #meow
Best Koala Impressions with #sweetbabyjames
Sleepy Koala Impersonation by #sweetbabyriley
LOVING these souvenir furry ears from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary...
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Cupboard bursting with Springtime colour...
Who am I kidding!? It was bursting with Winter colour as well!
#dresstherainbow
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MORE Babysitting Style 101:
* Loose, flowy floral woven shift dress with ruffled three-quarter-sleeve from Jayson Brunsdon Black Label at Myer for ease of movement
* Loose, flowy checked sleeveless knit vest from Sussan for warmth
* Closed-in white leather flatform brogues from Wittner for comfort
* Ikat printed cross-body bag from Tree of Life for hands-free baby wrangling
At the very start of a great lifetime's adventure...
#sweetbabyriley
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Thank you for all the beautiful souvenirs from Laos, little brother! Glad that you had a wonderful time & are home safely!
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These are the faces of two individuals about to see "The Secret Life of Pets" on the BIG screen... The company was fabulous but the film could have been better; I was confused (& slightly disturbed) by the inclusion of the homicidal, revenge-seeking fluffy bunny in a kid's movie but maybe that's because I'm so used to watching Disney offerings?
Anyhoo, we enjoyed eating copious amounts of buttered popcorn & Malteasers, washed down with Frozen Coke, so all in all, it was a winning Sunday morning in my book.
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Lazy Monday morning in a blue stretch lace dress with high neckline from Esprit (another purchase from my DFO Brisbane Airport spree), knitted blue & yellow wool poncho from Genison Style (found at the little boutique inside Greenway Garden Centre), black suede lace-up gladiators from Novo, woven cross-body bag with fringing from Sportsgirl & a vintage silver bangle from India.
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Obligatory Changeroom Selfie in a rose-printed silk fit-to-flare dress with tulle underlay from Basque at Myer, black suede & elastic "ballerina" heels from Wittner, black leather necklace with oversized heart pendant (handmade in Paris & gifted to me by a dear friend), brushed silver cuff from Wallace Bishop & chunky, androgynous watch from Guess.
And in case you were wondering... both of those dresses hanging up at the edges of the picture now reside in my wardrobe...
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Here comes trouble...
#cheeky #brotherlylove #cuties
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Symphony in black, blush & orange for a day of shopping in the City.
This amazing floral silk/satin fit-to-flare dress with square neckline is from Leona by Leona Edmiston, the patent leather & neoprene loafers are from Wittner, the black & gold handbag is from Genison Style (via Greenway Garden Centre) & chunky beaded necklace from Adorne, purchased at a little boutique called Saba's on Grange in my hometown, where the service & styling is always sublime!
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