The Show Must Go On

 

I'm so excited to be sharing snippets from this year's wet & rainy Ipswich Show, which I attended, as tradition dictates, with my mother & enjoyed some of my beloved showtime activities including perusing the artwork, schoolwork, photography, miniatures, food & cooking displays, needlework & scrapbooking as well as checking out the Ipswich Historical Society display, Ipswich Orchid Society display & the agricultural wares. In addition, I was happy to spend some time in Sideshow Alley checking out all the games of chance & skill (while brandishing an umbrella against the elements, of course) & visiting the award-winning ducks, geese & chickens despite being disappointed to not be able to find usual favourites like the baby animals, canaries, beekeeping & Rotary Club sausage sizzle. Oh well, there's always next year... which should be (weather permitting) bigger & better than ever for the event's 150th anniversary!

Scroll down to see what we did, what we saw & what I wore...

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Dress: Olga de Polga via Sea Wish Coolangatta cotton/rayon

Cardigan: Unique Vintage via That Shop knit, embroidery

Sneakers: Adidas leather, elastic

Bag: French Connection vinyl, pompoms

Bangle Stack: Gift, vintage Mexican silver

Bangle: Gift, 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles vintage silver

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Oddly weather appropriate in this inadvertently nautical-themed ensemble featuring a gorgeous navy & white checked cotton/rayon drop-waist midi dress from Olga de Polga, discovered at the gorgeous Sea Wish Coolangatta boutique; a vintage-inspired white knit cardigan with navy mermaid-pin-up-girl embroidery from Unique Vintage via That Shop to ward off the chill in the air; a pair of comfortable yet stylish white & off-white leather & elastic sneakers from Adidas; a navy vinyl circular cross-body bag with pompom strap from French Connection to carry all the essentials while keeping my hands free & some of my treasured jewellery pieces - a vintage Mexican silver bangle stack, gifted by some dear friends & a chunky vintage silver bangle from (sadly now defunct) 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles, given to me by my brother - to complete the look.

Keep scrolling for even more snippets...

The shared umbrella probably wasn't our best idea...

Classic Combination

 

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Dress: Anthea Crawford crepe, lace, trim

Cardigan: Leaf mesh (pictured below)

Heels: Jo Mercer leather, elastic

Bag: French Connection suede, silver hardware

Cuff: Gian Paolo Maria via Lannah Dunn pewter, Swarovski crystals, semi precious stones

Ring: Swarovski crystals, semi precious stones

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In our fast-paced world filled with florid colours, sometimes it's nice to slow down & choose a classic monochromatic colour combination & timeless dress silhouette to attend an art appreciation event in the River City. For the occasion, I donned this stunning satin-backed-crepe drop waist dress with white floral lace high/low hemline & black guipure lace trim from celebrated Aussie designer Anthea Crawford, a pair of black leather & elastic strappy heels from Jo Mercer for a modicum of height, a boxy black suede & vinyl handbag with oversized silver handles from French Connection (at least five years old now) to carry all the essentials & some stunning jewellery pieces - a funky, handmade pewter cuff with Swarovksi crystals & semi precious stones from Gian Paolo Maria in Paris, found at the delightful Lannah Dunn store off the Queen Street Mall & a matching Swarovski crystal cocktail ring, thoughtful gifts from my parents & younger brother for my thirtieth birthday.

Scroll down to see more, including a few snaps of the look with a black mesh cardigan from (now defunct) fashion label Leaf when the weather began to cool down...