Holidaze: Part One

Hello Again!

Avid readers of this blog may have noticed the unfortunate lack of posts over the last two weeks, due to technical difficulties experienced while on holidays at the Gold Coast. Well, I'm back now, refreshed by the salt water, recharged by the sea air & FINALLY possessed of a working Wi-Fi, so prepare for some picture-heavy posts over the next few days depicting a succession of "boho" beach-inspired ensembles, breath-taking scenery, mouth-watering meals & playground hi-jinks with a certain 6 year old boy & his baby brother...

Scroll down to get started & if you want a sneak peek of what's to come, start following me on Instagram ASAP by clicking on the "camera" icon on the right-hand-side of the page!

*

Dress: Vintage, Jaylan of California cotton

Anorak: Aztec Rose chambray

Sandals: Emerson @ Big W leather & elastic

Bag: Tree of Life patchwork

Sunglasses: Witchery (faux) tortoiseshell

*

Heading out for a walk by the water in a 1960s, vintage chevron cotton smock by Jaylan of California (purchased from Etsy) covered by a light chambray anorak by Aztec Rose (purchased from my local Trade Secret store) in a complimentary shade of washed-out, coastal blue. Completing the easy-breezy look was a pair of silver elastic sandals from Big W, acquired for the princely sum of $6, a funky, patchwork hippie shoulder bag from Tree of Life (made from old saris) & a pair of Witchery circular tortoiseshell sunglasses. 

Snapper Rocks

Looking out towards Froggy's Beach

Vegetarian Noodle Box for dinner

*

"Rainbow Bay" lives up to its name...

*

Dress: Little Tienda cotton & embroidery

Kimono: Tree of Life silk (vintage saris)

Sandals: Emerson @ Big W leather & elastic

Bag: Tree of Life patchwork

Sunglasses: Witchery (faux) tortoiseshell

Beaded Bracelets: Eb & Ive bead & shell

Bangle: Vintage, silver & semi-precious stone

*

Long walks around Greenmount & Coolangatta in a bright yellow cotton shift with rainbow floral embroidery from the divine Little Tienda, the "Little Shop of Mexico" based in Brisbane & pattern-mixed kimono from Tree of Life - made in India from old silk saris - to ward off the brisk sea-breezes. Flat silver elastic sandals from Big W provided stylish comfort, while a bohemian-style, patchwork shoulder bag from Tree of Life held all of my essentials. Jewellery was kept relatively minimal - a single, vintage silver & semi-precious stone bangle on one arm & a five beaded bracelets with "coastal" shell charms from Eb & Ive on the other. Once again, Witchery sunglasses kept the sun out of my eyes, this time in an oversized, almost Cat's Eye style...

View from the top...

Delicious Yum Cha from Thanh Binh Bamboo at The Strand, Coolangatta

Washing it all down with a very tall glass of lemonade...

And finishing the meal with Jamoca Almond Fudge ice-cream from Baskin Robbins!

*

*

Dress: Vintage, Shane poly-blend muu-muu

Anorak: Aztec Rose drill cotton

Thongs: Mambo rubber

Bag: Rusty Australia @ Ripcurl vinyl & fabric

Ring: Southbank Markets silver, paper & resin

*

Channeling La Rue (from TV's Gidget) in a brightly-patterned, late 1960s Shane muu-muu from the Ipswich Antique Centre, mustard drill cotton anorak from Aztec Rose, funky Mambo rubber thongs & Ikat printed cross-body bag from the Ripcurl store beside Coolangatta McDonalds! Minimal jewellery this time; merely a kitschy oval ring depicting a sort of "Pop Art" version of an American Indian chief that I picked up years ago (5 at least!) from the Southbank Markets.

*

*

Dress: Eve Hunter devore

Cardigan: Trottie Becke mesh

Sandals: Corelli @ Williams leather

Bag: Jag vinyl

Scarf: Cute2Boot silk/cotton with silver pendant

Watch: Guess silver

Chunky Beaded Bracelet: Du Monde, Paddington silver & shell

Trio of Bracelets: Gift, bead, shell & ribbon

*

A few balcony shots before a spot of shopping at the newly-refurbished Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, wearing a tiered hibiscus devore shift in a pleasing shade of bright pink by Eve Hunter (purchased from Figure 8 Fashion in Ipswich) & a white cropped three-quarter-sleeved mesh cardigan from Trottie Becke (also an Ipswich stalwart) to ward off the chill. 

Black accessories "anchored" the look - a pair of lace-up wedge sandals from Williams the Shoemen & a faux-croc (vinyl) Jag handbag that I bought many years ago when working for Zelows Handbags & Travelgoods. 

When it came to jewellery, more was definitely more: a bright pink silk/cotton scarf with stunning circular silver pendant from Cute2Boot, silver Guess watch from their new "androgynous" range, chunky silver & shell beaded bracelet from Du Monde in Paddington & a trio of beaded bracelets with silver charm & black ribbon tie, given to me as a Christmas gift by dear friends a few years ago.

Trio of "Sliders" & Sweet Potato Fries from Grill'd...

Sometimes there's nothing better than a burger by the beach!

*

*

Dress: Vintage, Mexican cotton & embroidery (from Trinkit Hunter)

Sandals: Hush Puppies leather gladiator flats

Bag: Rusty Australia @ Ripcurl vinyl & fabric

Hat: Before Sunset (from EKKA)

Bangle: Gift, vintage silver

Beaded Bracelets with Charms: Emmala by Emma silver & wood (from Coolangatta Arts & Crafts Markets)

*

Another afternoon full of exploration in a vintage Mexican cotton smock - replete with sweet, floral hand-embroidery - from Trinkit Hunter, black leather Hush Puppies gladiator flats, my trusty vinyl & Ikat print Rusty cross-body bag & woven sunhat by Before Sunset, bought from a little stall at the Brisbane EKKA. 

Jewellery was minimal & had a laid-back, coastal vibe: a vintage silver bangle sent to me by a dear friend in India & a pair of handmade, wooden beaded bracelets with silver charms & tassels bought from Emmala by Emma at the Coolangatta Arts & Crafts Markets on holidays last year! 

Keeping cool & hydrated with a McDonalds Sour Berry Frozen Fanta

Loving the feeling of sand beneath my toes...

*