Literary

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Dress: Anthea Crawford stretch jacquard

Sandals: Novo suede

Bag: Gift, embroidered canvas

Cuff: EKKA Markets gold, rose gold, semi-precious stone

Ring: EKKA Markets gold, rose gold, semi-precious stone

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Finally posting pictures of the outfit I wore to attend a "Meet The Author & Illustrator" event (for school librarians & other literature lovers) on an overcast evening in the River City last Thursday. Basically, a selection of Australian authors & illustrators were given the chance to speak about their latest or most popular works to small "focus" groups, answering a myriad of questions while providing facts sheets & bookmarks for future reference. Authors included Nick Earls (of ZigZag Street fame), James Moloney (anyone in my eighth grade English class probably has fond memories of Bridge to Wiseman's Cove) & Pamela Rushby (remember the Lift Off books that served as companions to the television show?) to name a few. It certainly was a font of imagination & originality, much to the delight of this Creative Industries graduate.

This black & purple floral, shiny-stretch-jacquard Anthea Crawford dress - with its striking portrait neckline, waist darting & tasteful below-the-knee hemline - was the perfect base for an eclectic masterpiece of my own, particularly when mixed with a pair of black suede Novo sandals with fringed & zippered heels & a brightly coloured, heavily embellished handbag that was a sent to me by a dear friend who currently lives overseas.

Owing to the "busy" pattern-mixing of the dress & handbag, jewellery was kept minimal yet sculptural - a matching gold, rose gold & semi-precious stone cuff & ring that I picked up from the mini-markets at last year's EKKA celebrations. Scroll down to check both pieces out in detail:

Keep scrolling to see some snippets from the evening...

Moonlight Campus Walks

Crazy #selfies with Finn

The original "fantasy" illustration by artist Lachlan Creagh that I won during one of the night's many raffles. Keep an eye out for his latest work, pictures for the quasi-fairytale The Little Bad Wolf in September this year... after the preview I've seen, you won't be disappointed!

Divine modern illustrations of Margery Williams Bianco's 1922 classic, The Velveteen Rabbit, by French-born artist Helene Magisson... I just couldn't resist purchasing a signed copy for my own bookshelf!

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Bright, Bold Blooms

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Dress: Estelle silk/satin

Sandals: Novo leather & elastic

Bag: Anthea Crawford vinyl

Bangles: Gift, rose gold

Ring: Gift, rose gold

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It's no secret that I love bright & bold garments, especially in the Summertime when lighter shades & whimsical prints just seem to lend themselves to Queensland's steamy, sticky days & breezy, balmy nights. This stunning, large-scale floral silk/satin vintage-style fit-to-flare dress from Estelle was the ideal choice for a spot of late-night shopping in the River City, particularly when mixed with a pair of flesh-tone leather & elastic gladiator sandals from Novo & a colour-blocked vinyl handbag (an amazing "Gift With Purchase") from Anthea Crawford. Statement rose gold jewellery pieces completed the look - a pair of tribal bangles in shape of stylised "dragons" & matching "sun" ring; given to me for Christmas by a dear friend.

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Made In Monochrome

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Dress: Contony silk

Sandals: Novo suede

Bag: Sportsgirl vinyl

Bangle: Gift, wood & beading (from India)

Wrap Bangle: Southbank Markets resin

Chunky Ring: Gone Dotti resin

Ring: Sportsgirl silver

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Posting some pictures from a few weekends ago in honour of #monochromemonday. This silk Contony split-back shift dress, in a stunning black & white botanical-printed silk, was the perfect easy-breezy option for a catch-up over coffee & girly shopping trip in the suburbs.

When it came to footwear, these suede beauties from Novo - with fringed & zippered backs - were the ideal mix of comfort & style, particularly when mixed with a boxy vinyl handbag from Sportsgirl, replete with silver hardware.

Layering on the jewellery added dimension to this look - a chunky black wooden bangle with sparkly beading from India on one arm & a clear resin wrap-around bangle from the Southbank Markets on the other; a chunky resin ring with hand-drawn little birds in the centre from Gone Dotti on one finger & a thin silver ring from Sportsgirl on another. Scroll down to check them all out in detail:

This is where the #monochrome theme ended...

Keep scrolling to see the delicious "pink" milkshake & cupcake from The Shingle Inn!

YUM YUM!

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Lately...

Scroll down to see what's been happening around here...

Breakfast of Champions: Cranberry & Pomegranate Muesli from Woolworths with Byron Bay Organic Honey... waiting for the full cream milk to be added!

Heading out to visit #sweetbabyjames in a silky, striped shift from Suzanne Grae, lace-up wedge sandals from Corelli at Williams the Shoemen, duck-egg-blue cross-body bag from Novo & Australian rainforest printed "beach bag" from Colette by Colette Hayman, gifted by a dear friend for Christmas.

#sweetbabyjames reading the HILARIOUS Pig the Pug Book Series by Australian author Aaron Blabey. Highly recommended as they are laugh-out-loud funny & for all ages!

Refreshing sparkling apple cider on a stifling hot February day...

Brissie-bound in a funky stretchy black jersey & rose print jacquard 50s style dress from Anthea Crawford, black suede sandals - with fringing! - from Novo, stunning embroidered handbag from India & sparkly jewellery... all gifts from dear friends.

Jotting down thoughts in my Jane Austen Journal...

Cubby House Building: Part 2

#sweetbabyjames #shedboy #futuretradie #tinytradie

Cubby House Building: Part 3

#sweetbabyjames #swagger #surveyinghiskingdom

Delicious Fettucine Carbonara from Fasta Pasta, heavy on the garlic (just the way I like it!)

Heading to Meditation Class in a stretchy burgundy "kaftan style" maxidress from Paper Scissors Frock, black leather sandals from Novo, embroidered & embellished bag from Rockmans & tribal jewellery from Oxfam & Tree of Life.

St Valentines Day

#loveday

Morning spent with #sweetbabyollie while big brother Jeremy is at school

Afternoons spent watching Scooby Doo re-runs from the 1960s...

Under ominous skies

Friday afternoon fun in a stretchy, graphic print jersey dress from Anthea Crawford with black leather & elastic gladiator sandals & duck-egg-blue cross-body bag from Novo.

"Rained Out" Friday Afternoon Cricket Fun

Goodbye Harper. Thank you.

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