Mural

*

Dress: Anthea Crawford embroidered mesh, satin, tulle

Heels: Jo Mercer leather, elastic

Bag: Nine West vinyl, indigo denim with silver hardware

Bangles: Gift, mixed metal, sparkles

Bangle: Gift, Megan Hess gold, resin, painting

*

Much like my last post, the pictures on the blog today are from a few weeks ago now when you could still get your "retail therapy" in person, rather than from online shopping. I'm standing in front of Imogene Peach's vibrant mural on one of the walls at Indooroopilly Shoppingtown wearing a gorgeous blue & black embroidered floral mesh A-line midi dress with black satin underlay & tulle at the hemline from Aussie designer label Anthea Crawford, edgy black leather heels with elastic ankle straps from Jo Mercer, a boxy black vinyl & indigo denim handbag with silver hardware from Nine West, an armful of sparkly mixed metal bangles that a dear friend gifted me from overseas & a beautiful gold bangle from Megan Hess with blue & black fashion illustrations around it that I was given for Christmas last year.

Speaking of "retail therapy," I have compiled a list of ten places that are still open for online shopping & delivery for those of you who might like to purchase a little something to make self-isolation easier or just want to keep up to date with the latest trends for when this whole coronavirus debacle is over. This is by no means a comprehensive list, just a few places (both near & far) that I like to make purchases from or drool over when I'm "browser" shopping...

1 Anthea Crawford (www.antheacrawford.com.au) 

This is pretty self-explanatory as I'm sure that avid readers of the blog know that the vast majority of dresses I wear come from this Australian "ethical clothing" designer. So many beautiful pieces to add to the wishlist...

2 Review (www.review-australia.com)

Once again, beautiful clothing & accessories for the "girly" girl in all of us. Note to those wishing to purchase online: make sure you read all of the sizing information carefully as in my experience, they tend to run rather small.

3 David Jones (www.davidjones.com.au)

The beloved department store has a plethora of items online including fashion, accessories, food, homewares & gifts. Honestly no better place to purchase brands like Zimmermann, Lee Mathews & Trelise Cooper if you're inspired by Aussie designers.

4 Myer (www.myer.com.au)

It's definitely "My Store" & a wonderful online shopping experience for anything from fashion to homewares... even Easter goods if you're so inclined. I've stocked up to celebrate the season despite social isolation.

5 Bristle (www.bristle.com.au)

A collection of artisan & creative products from all over the world, including owner Melissa's own paintings. Misty's Salted Caramel (in all available flavours) is a firm favourite.

6 Browns General Store (www.brownsgeneralstore.com.au)

A unique retailer, based in Paddington, focused on supporting local creatives, fair trade & ethically made goods - fashion, homewares & gifts.

7 That Shop (www.thatshop.com.au)

An Australian, family-owned small business offering a selection of retro-inspired clothing & accessories from all over the world. Brilliant customer service, fast delivery.

8 Love Daphne (www.lovedaphne.com.au)

A small, retro-inspired boutique from Bathurst, Love Daphne specialises in fashion & accessories from the 1940s & 1950s all at varied price points. Wonderful customer service, super fast delivery.

9 Ravensburger (www.ravensburger.com.au)

Jigsaw puzzles are seriously having a renaissance in this time of social isolation/quarantining at home & at this point, Ravensburger's Aussie website is one of the only ones with 1000 piece puzzles left in stock. Yes, they are more expensive than many other jigsaw brands but in my experience, the quality is vastly better.

10 Etsy (www.etsy.com)

The original & the best website for online shopping from a variety of retailers - mostly handmade or vintage - from all over the world. Honestly, saying that you're "just looking" can lead down a rabbit hole that lasts for hours & hours... You'll find a whole host of things you never knew you couldn't live without!

Retail Therapy

*

Dress: Sacha Drake silk

Sandals: Wittner perforated leather

Bag: Vera May via Simona Ricci patent, paint with silver hardware

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver

Ring: Oroton silver

*

Sharing a few snippets from back when in-person "retail therapy" was a thing, before our lives were all turned upside down by this coronavirus nightmare. I've been shopping at Indooroopilly Shoppingtown with my parents since I was a child & regardless of what I think about any/all of the changes & renovations made to the centre, I still love it & it still brings back happy memories for me. Traipsing around, ducking in to little cafes for something quick to eat, looking in store windows, talking to sales assistants, swinging bags full of purchases for those I love most... these are all of the little things I am SERIOUSLY missing while in social isolation/lockdown & things that I long to be able to do again, someday in the future. On this particular occasion - early Easter shopping with my  parents before some brunch at one of our favourites, Passiontree Velvet - I'm wearing a gorgeous floral silk shift dress with tie belt from Aussie label Sacha Drake, a pair of black perforated leather heeled sandals from Wittner for the ideal fusion of comfort & style, a black vinyl cylindrical handbag with chrome hardware from French Connection to carry all the essentials, a chunky silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop & finally, a delicate little silver circle ring from Oroton for that touch of daytime shine.

Devonshire Tea: Scones with Jam & Clotted Cream

Ham & Cheese Baguette with Pickles & Side Salad

Passion Soda with Frozen Blueberries, Lemon & Mint

Sister Jane

*

Dress: Sister Jane via Asos polyblend, organza

Sandals: Wittner leather, silver buckles

Bangles: Autograph Fashion chrome

Hat: Forever New straw

*

Sister Jane is one of my all-time favourite labels. Created in London, it's all about unique, vintage-inspired designs with an emphasis on that whimsical eccentricity that the Brits are famous for. This particular option - a gorgeous yellow, white & green floral polyblend mini smock with ruffled yoke neckline & black organza sleeves that I purchased from the Asos online concession - is exactly that & I've tried to "tone it down" for daytime with a pair of black leather heeled sandals with silver buckles from Wittner, matching chunky chrome bangles from Autograph Fashion & a black woven sunhat from Forever New that always makes me feel like an extra in a John Wayne western film to complete the look.

Palm Trees & Red Leopards

*

Dress: Retrospec'd cotton

Sandals: Jo Mercer leather, chrome buckles

Bag: French Connection vinyl with chrome hardware

Belt: HellBunny via That Shop patent, elastic

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver

*

These pictures were taken less than a month ago & already the world has changed so dramatically that for many people, it's almost unrecognisable. I'll admit that on this particular day I was just getting a few things from a local shopping centre with my father & took for granted our time spent sitting & sipping gelato milkshakes before snapping these few sweet pictures outside on the amazing palm-tree-swing set up but looking back on it, it's little things like this that I can't wait to get back to when this is all over. Sweet smiles, happy moments. 

Truth be told, this COVID 19 (coronavirus) stuff is all very frightening, confusing & distressing & it's hard not to get bogged down in feelings of hopelessness or despair when it comes to the medical & economic implications of all that we're seeing & hearing in the media on a near-constant basis & I wanted to address that here for all of my readers who may be wondering why I'm continuing to post what could be considered "frivolous" posts about fashion & lifestyle when it seems like the world is falling apart around our ears... I hope that my little part of the internet where I share with you what I wore & what I did is something that you can draw inspiration from, relate to in some small way or even peruse to pass the time & I really don't want that to change if at all possible. There are plenty of media outlets where the best information & advice can be found regarding our new reality or where there are forums to discuss all manner of issues resulting from the fallout & I would prefer that this become/remain a place of sanctuary where - however briefly - we can all find a few minutes quietude or at least distraction. I know there are many other fashion & lifestyle bloggers who are thinking along the same lines & hopefully, together, we can bring some semblance of peace while we pray that this too shall pass.

In these snapshots, I'm wearing a gorgeous, retro-inspired red leopard printed cotton fit-to-flare dress from Retrospec'd cinched in with an elastic bow belt from HellBunny via That Shop, a pair of black leather sandals with mid-heels & chrome buckles from Jo Mercer, a black vinyl handbag from French Connection to carry all the essentials & finally, a chunky silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop for some daytime shine.