Boxing Clever

Contrary to popular belief/supposition, this shopaholic absolutely HATES the Boxing Day Sales. Well, not the sales themselves (who doesn't love saving between 50 & 70% on dresses, shoes & accessories from their favourite brands?!) but the "event" it has become; the baying crowds, the pushing & shoving, the impatience, the rudeness & sense of entitlement of many shoppers-on-a-mission. Not all, of course, some people retain a sense of decorum & common decency... they're just in the minority, unfortunately. I much prefer to do my retail therapy on a weekday morning, just as each store opens for the day, when it's so quiet there may only be 2 or 3 other shoppers in the store & I can have my pick of dressing rooms & choice of merchandise.

But I digress.

For the Pennys, Boxing Day is basically a lazy day of board games, television marathons, turkey & ham leftovers & finding places for our opened presents; a time to decompress after all the festive planning, parties, gift wrapping & cooking. That doesn't mean a break from fashion blogging or outfit styling, however, so scroll down to see the look I quickly pulled together:

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Dress: Virtu @ Taking Shape cotton & tulle

Sandals: Novo leather & lace-up

Bag: Gift, woven silk thread & beads

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This cotton dress from Virtu @ Taking Shape really was the perfect choice - the print with its monochrome background & bright, large-scale pink foreground roses adding a touch of sass to the sweet, fit-to-flare 1950s shape with high scooped neckline, tapered waist with cute, built-in bow belt & tulle underskirt for volume. 

Rather than add some girly sandals to the mix, I chose a black leather, lace-up pair from Novo - super comfortable despite their height - for an unexpected, edgy touch... & also to elongate my legs & create a more streamlined silhouette overall, things that seem insignificant but really matter when you are only 5 foot tall...

Sure, I didn't really NEED to carry a bag with this look, but this amazing crochet & beaded flower number - part of my Christmas present from some dear family friends - just seemed MADE for it; kitschy & funky at the same time as well as oh-so-festive! If there's one thing I've learned from being a fashion blogger for a year & a half, it's that when things are meant to be, you should let them be. So I am, as you can see below:

Well, now that the fashion has been taken care of, keep on scrolling to see how the day in question unfolded...

FYI: This Murder Mystery Mansion Game - made by University Games & sold at the new Kidstuff store at Springfield Lakes & other places, I'm sure - is absolutely BRILLIANT! Sure, it's not high-octane, but it does require you to engage the "little grey cells" (as you can see, I've also been watching Agatha Christie's Poirot re-runs over the last few days) & watch your competitors do the same, which can be quite amusing. It's basically a cross between Cluedo & Mastermind where one team chooses the mystery (using character, motive, place, weapon cards) & then watches as the other team uses logic, reasoning & let's face it, LUCK to solve it, no die/dice required. If you get a chance to play or purchase, I would - it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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