Franny Gets Frocked: Beachy Keen

Finally sharing all the beautiful photographs from a recent family trip to Queensland's beautiful Gold Coast! It's our tradition to holiday at the beach every year for a week or more (if possible) together the same way we always did growing up & despite the weather not playing nice every day (a little bit windy, a little bit rainy on some days) we had a wonderful time reveling in the salty air, long & leisurely walks along the sand & at the water's edge, taking a quick little dip when the weather permitted, browsing around the Coolangatta Markets, ducking in & out of the many little boutiques along the main street & a little further afield at Burleigh Heads & across the border at the Tweed & finally, eating some absolutely delicious food from the many, many choices available!

Scroll down to see what we did, what we ate & of course, what I wore...

Starting off strong with lunch at George's Paragon after we arrived & got settled into our accomodation. I'm tucking in to my plate of pan fried calamari with rice wearing a gorgeous green & duck egg blue floral embroidered cotton midi dress from cult label Gorman, styled up with a chunky blue knitted cardigan from Ally to ward off the slight chill in the air (you can see it sitting on the seat beside me) & my favourite vintage Mexican silver bangles on one arm & single vintage silver bangle from 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles on the other.

Always room for dessert... especially if it's as delicious as the caramel gelato from Luna's Deli...

Late afternoon walks in the setting sun at North Kirra Beach wearing my trusty pair of indigo denim bermuda shorts from Best & Less, a sweet blue & white cotton top with "seaside" embroidery that I picked up from my local TK Maxx this time last year, a chunky white wool knitted vintage jumper from Empire Antiques at Paddington that I nonchalantly draped over my shoulders, a pair of chocolate brown vegan leather sandals from Blowfish Malibu via Williams Shoes, a blue woven paper crossbody bag from Esteems Boutique to carry all the essentials & my oversized faux tortoiseshell sunglasses from Witchery to complete the look.

Breakfast from 4 Pines x Boardriders Cafe with a view....

Honestly, absolutely the BEST breaky burger & hash brown I've ever tasted!

Morning walks along the beach at Coolangatta & Greenmount in between showers wearing a pair of retro-inspired acid wash denim shorts from Best & Less, a cutesy blue & white striped puff-sleeved top with bow closures from TK Maxx, a chunky blue cardigan from Ally that you might have sighted in the previous pictures, my white leather Birkenstock sandals, blue woven paper bag from Esteems Boutique & aforementioned faux tortoiseshell sunglasses from Witchery to keep the glare out of my eyes.

Cheeky little snack from Luna Deli & a quick change of clothes (thanks to the rain)...

Sitting pretty with my iced chai latte at Cayman Cafe in my 1960s inspired faded blue denim shift dress with button front from my local Target store, a lemon yellow fuzzy cardigan from Ally to stay warm, my metallic vegan leather sandals from Blowfish Malibu, vintage 1980s woven straw handbag with neutral "flame" details from RetroWorld Collective to carry the essentials & ever-present Witchery faux tortoiseshell sunnies.

After the rain & under the rainbow as the afternoon closes in & we head out & about in search of some fish & chips. A few quick little "happy snaps" at North Kirra in my new (sale) woven cotton cropped sweater from Ghanda in divine shades of grey & blue...

Happy Snapper for the goods! Divine barramundi & potato scallops with lemon...

Whale watching from our unit with his binoculars as the sun dips...

But first, coffee!

This one from a random place on James Street at Burleigh Heads while checking out all the little independent boutiques dotted along...

Leisurely lunch with my younger brother at The Social Brew - I ordered the mimosa & the slow-cooked pulled-lamb tacos & they were both utterly divine! Although it doesn't seem like it in this picture, it was absolutely pouring outside & I'm wearing a full kit from Gorman - embroidered white linen top with puff sleeves & matching denim overalls, as well as my favourite vintage Mexican silver bangle stack & boho luxe ceramic fish bracelets from Seed Heritage for those beachy vibes...

Hot chocolate... yes, it was that rainy & cold...

Can't resist the pastries from The Bread Social... talk about the ideal way to start the day!

A stunning Sunday morning spent where Queensland meets New South Wales at the Tweed wearing a pair of faded blue denim bermuda shorts from Best & Less, a white broderie englaise cotton top with lace detailing at the hemline from TK Maxx, grey & blue woven cotton cropped sweater from Ghanda, my white leather Birkenstock sandals, blue woven paper crossbody bag from Esteems Boutique & faux tortoiseshell sunnies to ward off... the actual sunshine this time!

Ditching the sweater for a walk along the beach, a fish print cotton voile scarf/wrap from my local Target store & a banana smoothie from Coolangatta Surf Club Cafe & a trip to the Gold Coast Markets that were set up right in front of our unit block!

Slow Cooked Lamb Empanada

Sunday afternoon at the beach wearing my indigo denim bermuda shorts, a sweet vintage 1970s embroidered cotton Mexican top from Strange Days, mint green woven paper crossbody bag with fringing from The Shoemaker's Inn at West End to carry the essentials, woven straw sunhat from Roxy to ward off the sun's rays & trusty faux tortoiseshell sunnies...