Leafy Green

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Dress: Flirt by Mr K chiffon (from Figure 8 Fashion, Ipswich)

Vest: Emme silk & fringe

Wedges: Novo suede & rattan

Bag: Novo patent

Cuff: Southbank Markets resin & diamante

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Yesterday's pictures - with amazing lush, green background - were shot by my best friend Belinda at her home in a leafy green suburb of Brisbane after a day spent watching "The Theory of Everything" at the flicks & shopping up a storm at the refurbished Indooroopilly Shoppingtown... & before an afternoon & evening spent in "toy assembly hell" punctuated by  moments of joy while devouring delicious, home-cooked fare...

But I digress.

This gorgeous pastel & monochrome swirl print chiffon Flirt by Mr K trapeze dress was intended to be/marketed as an "After 5" option, but I could immediately see its potential as a stunning smart-casual, day-wear choice, particularly when mixed with a black silk, sleeveless, long-line fringed vest, pair of suede & rattan wedges with leather ankle straps & boxy, black patent handbag for a laid-back, bohemian vibe. 

Scroll down for a closer look at the stunning high, draped neckline.

Cue "selfies"...

Jewellery was kept minimal - a single statement piece all that was required. 

The piece in question was a chunky, resin rose cuff with diamante accents - found at the Southbank Markets - to pick up on the pastel shades from the dress' unique print. 

Keep scrolling for more pictures from the afternoon & evening...

Jeremy getting ready for some afternoon fun with his Aunty Frances & new toy...

Helmet at the ready.

"Adult Assembly Required" - Talk about an understatement!

After taking 2 (sometimes 3) adults almost 4 hours to click the extremely tight pieces together, Jeremy's new "Water Play Set" finally sees its first drop of the water - at 8pm on a school night. We'll just call it an "epic present fail" & leave it at that... Although, I must say it was hilarious when he thanked me "for keeping up the good work" 2 & a half hours in...

About to tuck into a delicious home-cooked meal. There's nothing better, particularly when your best friend is cooking it for you... Beef mince, carrot & zucchini pot pie with beans, broccoli & corn. Yum.

Jeremy enjoying said meal...

Clearly it tastes as good as it looks...

When Chinese New Year sneaks up on you...

Thank you for the lion marionette, Uncle Louis & Aunty Louise! Jeremy loved it!

It didn't involve "Adult Assembly," so that - in itself - was a bonus...

HAPPY NEW YEAR - Year of the Goat 2015! 

Peace & love to all.

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And my verdict on the film that has generated a great deal of Oscar buzz, particularly for its two superb leading actors, Eddie Redmayne & Felicity Jones?

No word is more accurate than amazing. Amazing likeness to the real-life people they portray. Amazing screenplay encompassing so many years of an abundant life. Amazing cinematography with events occurring both in "real time" & as stylised "almost-private-family-home-movies." Amazing soundtrack that truly captured the emotion & gravitas of the situation, the diagnosis & the love between Stephen & Jane. Amazing life. Amazing lives. Even more amazing ending when you realise that despite the fact that she stood by him when he was told that he had a mere two years to live - erroneous as he has had at least another 50 - they still parted ways some twenty years later, though continue to be friends... 

I suppose that life isn't a fairytale after all. It's real & it's messy & it can be hard & at times, manifestly unfair. The best we can all hope for is time. Time to be together. Time to make things right. Time to change our destiny. Time to live life as best we can with what we have. After all, as the man himself so eloquently said, "Where there is life, there is hope."

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