Tis the Season #2

Ready for some more snippets from the Penny Family festive celebrations? I thought you would be! So without further ado, start scrolling...

Posing with a certain Spoilt Spoodle after attending a stunning performance of "The Nutcracker" by the Queensland Ballet Company. It's become something of a tradition around these parts, getting all dressed up in fairytale-inspired attire & reveling in the magic of the timeless tale of Marie Stahlbaum's favourite Christmas toy, which comes alive & after defeating the Mouse King, whisks her away to an enchanted kingdom populated by dolls... 

This year, I pulled out all the stops, wearing a stunning ballet-inspired, floral embroidered mesh fit-to-flare "prom" dress from Chi Chi London in a soft shade of peach; distressed chambray denim jacket from Mix by Coles to ward off the chill of the air-conditioning; faux snakeskin heels from Nine West for a bit of edge; vintage 1960s woven plastic "rose" handbag with bamboo handles that I discovered at Paddington Antique Centre & funky woven, shell & beaded matching cuff & ring from a market stall at the Botanical Gardens. 

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Nonchalantly loitering in my younger brother's lush front garden while waiting to help decorate his Christmas tree. I'm trying - somewhat unsuccessfully - to "beat the heat" in a stretchy jersey dress in a rather bright shade of yellow from Charlie Brown, sparkly gold wedge sandals from Corelli (purchased at my local Williams the Shoemen), gold leather cross-body bag from Sportsgirl for all the essentials & the amazing vintage scarab hinged bangle from New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Keep scrolling for some pictures of the finished tree...

Scooby Dooby Doo!

Taa Daa!

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Heading to the hospital to meet a dear friend's new arrival, a sweet little boy named Ryan. See below for a peek at his darling little three-day-old face...

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Marvelling at the wonder of a friend's Christmas Lights display, the large elements made almost entirely from recycled materials (bottles, cans etc). Mark it on your calendar: check out Hillier Court Christmas Lights in 2017! See Facebook for more details.

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Myer Christmas Windows 2016

Colourful among the Brisbane Arcade's monochrome Christmas decorations (after checking out the Myer Christmas Windows) in a vivid rose-printed twill fit-to-flare dress with tulle underlay from Anthea Crawford, black leather "cage" heels from Wittner, speckled shoulder bag with silver hardware from Nine West with matching silver jewellery - an antique bracelet with oversized heart locket & teeny tiny key from Kellie's Antiques, brushed silver cuff from Wallace Bishop & vintage fork-turned-bracelet from Lancaster's Antique Centre by the railway line in Toowoomba.

Finishing the evening with a family dinner at the amazing Creole Soul Kitchen in Spring Hill. Not only was the service second-to-none, the pork belly was hands-down the BEST that I have ever tasted in my life! Can't wait to go back & try more of that down-home, Southern American soul food...

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Relaxing by the pool while catching up with dear family friends & their darling daughters. I'm wearing a silky, floral print, empire-line dress with boning & satin straps (a gift, designer unknown); tan & metallic flat sandals from Forever New; a litany of beaded bangles given to me by a friend who used to live in India for a touch of daytime sparkle.

Isabella opens her presents...

Olivia follows suit...

Selfie Time!

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