After nearly 15 days without the internet - through no fault of my own & despite copious attempts to rectify the situation through one of the biggest telecommunications & media companies in the country (it's a wonder I don't have blisters all over my feet from the ridiculous "run around" I got...) - I am finally "at one" with technology & able to post. What a way to welcome 2017, am I right?!
As the Snoopy & Charlie Brown "happy dance" picture above would (subtly... ha ha) imply, hallelujah for being able to check my emails regularly, scroll through Facebook & actually like or comment on Instagram feeds! Heck, than goodness for being able to communicate with my friends & followers again; I've missed you all. I know that people constantly say that modern technology is keeping us further apart than ever before (blah blah blah) but as far as I'm concerned, these two weeks were by far the most isolating as I truly value the connections I've made with people from all walks of life, all over the world. Taking a break when & if you choose is one thing; having that thrust upon you is quite another.
But I digress with all this "long time, no see" stuff. You want to see the fashion, right? Of course you do... & with summer holidays drawing to a close, there's certainly some lifestyle snippets thrown in for good measure. This post is a long & picture-heavy one but I've got so much to share...
Trying out the new Schnitz chain restaurant that opened at my local shopping centre. Jury's still out... I'll need to taste some other options... but my non-chicken burger did taste nice & was incredibly filling. I'm looking all "fashion blogger" in front of their cute window boxes in a monochrome floral silk empire-line dress (with satin straps, added by my seamstress) that a dear friend gave me for Christmas last year; flat black sandals from Corelli (exclusive to Williams the Shoemen) that I picked up in the Boxing Day sales; speckled monochrome shoulder bag with silver hardware from Nine West to carry all of my essentials; shiny silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop & mother-of-pearl rings from Thousand Island Dressing in Paddington.
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Fancy in Floral for morning tea with a friend. This amazing thick mesh fit-to-flare dress with sweetheart neckline & box-pleated skirt was a Christmas gift from a friend & I've styled it up with a pair of pink strappy leather heels with zippers & tassels from Wittner, crochet & straw purse from Sabah Lifestyle for a bohemian touch & a leather & floral ceramic necklace that was brought back for me from a little market stall in China.
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Clearly immersing myself in the embellished-flat-sandal trend...
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Obligatory changeroom selfie in this vibrant rose-printed twill fit-to-flare dress from Anthea Crawford; pink leather strappy heels from Wittner (they go with far more than you would initially imagine...) & matching modern silver & pearl necklace & bracelets from Thousand Island Dressing for that "prim & proper with a twist" vibe that I'm loving this season.
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Retro Homemade Vanilla Slice.
So blessed to have a mother who's a great baker!
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Park Life on a sultry afternoon with some of my all-time favourite people. Particularly loving the painted "cloud" paths that lead to a gorgeous old-fashioned rotunda. I'm wearing a dark floral cotton fit-to-flare dress from That Shop in Coolangatta & a pair of super-comfy sandals-turned-joggers from Sandgroper at Se Bliss. Loving that bronze hue for the warmer months!
Looking up & loving the craftsmanship...
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Styling Job Style:
Heading out to meet a client in a stunning jewel-tone-blue textured guipure lace dress from Anthea Crawford; black "net" leather heels from Wittner to add a little edge; white vinyl bowling-style handbag with black hardware from Colette by Colette Hayman to "lift" the look & matching Minnie Mouse charm bracelet & oversized cocktail ring by Disney Couture.
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Celebrating my parents' 35th Wedding Anniversary with a trip to one of our favourite Yum Cha places at Sunnybank. I'm posing up a storm in the veritable jungle of my younger brother's front yard in a gorgeous embroidered floral organza fit-to-flare dress with modified sweetheart neckline, tulle underlay & embellished tie belt from Anthea Crawford; baby pink laser-cut pointy-toed heels with tie-up ankle straps from Wittner with matching cross-body bag from Forever New & finally, a stack of sparkly mixed-metal beaded bangles that a dear friend brought back from India.
Keeping the summer sun out of my eyes with these "bug eye" resin sunglasses from a funky little shop called Windswept & Interesting on Mount Tamborine.
The Happy Couple
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Call me the breeze
I keep blowin' down the road
Call Me The Breeze: Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
ON REPEAT
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A hot summer evening needs a vibrant outfit choice & this "Aurora Borealis" tapered shift dress from Monsoon (purchased at the Oxford Street, London store in 2012 & still going strong) certainly fits the bill! I've styled it with a pair of woven black sandals with stacked tan heels from Forever New, single strap leather handbag with gold hardware from Leona Edmiston & matching Minnie Mouse charm bracelet & faceted-bead cocktail ring from Disney Couture.
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Retail therapy with a dear friend in downtown Brisbane before heading to Irish Murphy's Pub for one of their delicious lunchtime specials. It's a case of when-sweaty-meets-stylish in a divine blue jacquard dress from Anthea Crawford with shoulder "bow" details; black leather cage heels from Wittner; duck-egg-blue vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Forever New to lighten things up; shiny silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop & finally, matching silver & black pearl necklace & bracelet combo from Thousand Island Dressing in Paddington.
What to order when it's too hot for Guinness Pie or Irish Stew?
Spicy Calamari with Chips & Salad.
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Heatwave conditions call for cool & simple ensembles.
Case in point: this pale blue broderie englaise midi dress from Basque (exclusive to Myer), embellished rose gold flat sandals from Forever New & nude vinyl shoulder bag from Sportsgirl. Nothing else needed.
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Obligatory changeroom selfie in this eclectic ensemble: a striped & floral cotton fit-to-flare dress with sweetheart neckline, thin straps & grosgrain tie belt from Anthea Crawford; white leather tie sandals with colourful pom poms (!) from Wittner; pattern-mixed woven clutch with black resin clasp from Nine West & a selection of tribal jewellery - a Tibetan silver hinged bangle from a little store in Maleny & semi-precious stone bracelet from Tree of Life on one wrist; a vintage silver & semi-precious stone cuff gifted to me by a dear friend on the other...
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Adventures in babysitting... during a heatwave. I'm wearing a brightly-patterned silk shift dress with tie belt from Hammock & Vine.
Cupcakes... & Kate Knapp!
Love her work, particularly Twigseeds & the delightful Ruby Red Shoes.
Playing in the pool...
Splashdown!
Tuckered out...
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Endeavoring to "beat the heat" (it's certainly a common Queensland phrase during the summertime) in an edgy printed cotton drawstring smock with bubble hem & shoelace straps from Hache, embellished horsehair "toe" sandals from Gios Eppo (purchased from my local Trade Secret store) & pearlised gold handbag from Forever New.
Truth be told, I've had this dress for at least 5 years; it's definitely one of my perpetual favourites. If I haven't sweated profusely or spilled anything, I try to "air out" items of clothing as much to possible to avoid over-washing & when a dunk is the only option, I handwash & then lightly spin. It seems to keep my clothes looking like new for an extended amount of time & I always feel a little thrill when I take one of my "old faithfuls" out of the closet for a style-up & spin!
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Summer Go-To Dinner:
Fresh smoked salmon cooked in the skillet with a little bit of oil (five minutes, tops) & a cup of jasmine rice, done in the microwave in only 40 seconds. Cut or rip up the salmon & stir through; the oil negates the need for any kind of sauce... although I'm not a great lover of any kind of sauce anyway. Voila!
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A few quick snaps before heading out for lunch with a dear friend & her new baby boy! I'm a bit "tangled up in blue" (thank you, Bob Dylan) in a glitter floral printed twill fit-to-flare dress from Anthea Crawford; white leather cage heels from Wittner; pattern-mixed navy & white striped vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Forever New; shiny silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop & gorgeous silver & navy "cameo" bracelet from Karen Walker.
Pulled Pork & Coleslaw on a Toasted Brioche Bun with Crispy Chips on the Side; actually one of the best meals I've ordered at The Coffee Club in a long, long while...
Sweet Baby Ryan... what an absolute darling!
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Obligatory changeroom selfie in this rather "girly" ensemble: a delicate floral shantung fit-to-flare dress with mullet hemline from Anthea Crawford, flesh tone/dusky pink strappy leather heels from Wittner with matching ruffled handbag from Forever New, Victorian silver bracelet with oversized heart locket & teeny tiny key from Kellie's Antiques, rose gold & silver watch from Guess & vintage fork-turned-bangle from Lancaster's Antiques in Toowoomba to complete the "long ago & far away" style look.
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Simple & with a touch of sparkle for one hot day - a floaty pleated dress from Asos, embellished gold "leaf" flat sandals from Corelli (exclusive to Williams the Shoemen), soft gold vinyl shoulder bag from Sportsgirl (with clever removable strap to create a clutch if needed), mixed metal sparkly bangle stack from India & cutesy polka dot sunglasses from Seafolly.
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Stormy Night Reading...
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Fun & Games with these darling munchkins at my local Art Gallery...
I'm wearing a rose-printed twill fit-to-flare dress from Anthea Crawford & a pair of baby-pink rubber sandshoes from Novo to join in on the action in the Construction Zone & Tape Maze.
Theatrical Faker
Little Fish; Big Pond
Pushing ALL of our buttons...
Nothing like a bit of pattern-mixing...
These two. There are no words.
Doing his Great-Granddad proud at Coles. Nothing like sniffing out a bargain!
So grateful for the darling souvenirs from Japan, Isabella & Olivia!
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Afternoons in the sultry south-east... I'm wearing a black jersey & floral twill fit-to-flare dress with mullet hemline from City Chic; black patent gladiator-style wedge sandals from Betts for Her; duck-egg-blue vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Forever New; beaded bracelets from Sportsgirl & an utterly amazing oversized rose gold & neoprene watch from Chisel.
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Spending some time with this cutie pie! Nearly ten months old... where does the time go?!
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