Resplendent

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Dress: Gift, mesh, beading

Heels: C'est Bon (via Williams the Shoemen) glitter

Clutch: C'est Bon (via Williams the Shoemen) glitter

Headpiece: Lovisa faux pearl, beads, felt, feather

Bracelets: Lovisa faux pearl

Hathpool: Gift, silver (from India)

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After posting pictures of the beautiful outfit I wore to attend a very special black tie function, I am now sharing what I wore to the Roaring Twenties themed "after party," starting with this absolutely divine vintage champagne lined, hand-beaded mesh shift dress with capped sleeves & below-the-knee hemline, gifted to me by the mother of the dear friend who escorted me to the event. Check it out in all its glory below...

Sparkly accessories were again on the agenda, this time a pair of silver glitter pointy-toed court shoes & matching clutch by C'est Bon from Williams the Shoemen to enhance the "shine" of the dress' beading. Jewellery was more muted, however, an armful of faux pearl bracelets from Lovisa & a silver embossed hathpool from a friend who once resided in India; each adding that unexpected bohemian element to an otherwise "dressy " ensemble. Scroll down for a more detailed view:

The Art Deco period was known for its feathered headwear & this funky piece (also from Lovisa) truly made a statement, toning in with the beading & embroidery on the dress, matching the faux pearl "arm party" on my right wrist & really "popping" against my blunt, brunette bob.

Completing the look was this gorgeous blush-coloured satin & faux fur wrap - ideal for warding off the chill of the air-conditioning - that I had also donned in the morning over the jewel-toned embroidered lace midi-dress. Keep scrolling to see how it worked with more muted tones...

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Regal

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Dress: Chi Chi London (vias Asos) lace, tulle, silver thread embroidery

Wrap: Gift, faux fur, satin

Heels: Novo satin, glitter

Clutch: Adorne (via Saba's on Grange) satin, gold

Headpiece: Gift, faux flowers

Bangles: Gift, gold, silver, sparkly beads

Ring: V&A Museum gold & diamantes

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Finally posting pictures of the beautiful outfit I wore to attend a black tie function (as the "plus one" of a very dear friend) with a right-royal guest-of-honour quite a few weeks ago... Such a special & once-in-a-lifetime event called for an outfit that was undeniably "regal" & I believe I was able to use my styling prowess to capture that feeling, beginning with this jewel-tone blue midi-dress by Chi Chi London (via Asos) resplendent with sumptous lace, mesh, shimmering embroidery... & layer-upon-layer of absolutely divine tulle!

Scroll down to see it in all its glory...

When it came to footwear, these darling satin & glitter, pointy-toed court shoes from Novo were the perfect shade of gold & the ideal touch of shimmer for a daytime event... particularly when mixed with this burnished gold satin "hard" rectangular box clutch from Adorne, purchased for a local store called Saba's on Grange that really is a hidden gem of amazing fashion, accessories & jewellery in the heart of suburbia!

If there was ever a "right time" to wear sparkly jewellery, this was it - a trio of gold & silver beaded bracelets from India & an oversized cocktail ring in the shape of the bow that I picked up in the gift shop of the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in London during our 2012 European holiday. Keep scrolling to see the pieces in detail:

The final finishing touches to the opulent ensemble are shown below - a gorgeous faux floral headpiece in Autumnal colours to sit atop my blunt, brunette bob & a blush coloured, faux fur & satin wrap to ward off the chill of the ever-present (well, this is Queensland) air-conditioners; both thoughtfully gifted to me by the mother of the friend who escorted me to the event...

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Gala

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Dress: Anthea Crawford stretch jacquard

Capelet: Gift, feathers (made in Paris)

Heels: L&J Shoe Gallery satin & diamante

Bag: Vera May patent & resin with silver hardware

Hathpool: Gift, silver (from India)

Cuff: Gian Paolo Maria from Lannah Dunn silver, crystal & resin

Ring: Swarovski silver, crystal & resin

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Finally posting pictures of the stunning outfit I wore to attend an academic gala with a friend from overseas a fortnight ago. Avid readers of this blog will know what I mean when I say I have a penchant for dressing up & regularly style up ensembles many would consider to be "formal" but this was something completely different (insert drum roll) black tie...

Enter this divine navy & copper baroque stretch jacquard Anthea Crawford dress with v-neckline, tapered waist & midi "mullet" (shorter front; longer back) hemline, topped with a funky & wholly unexpected velvet & real feather capelet, handmade in Paris & gifted to me by the mother of the dear friend I was accompanying. Both items seemed MADE for each other, adding an expensive & bespoke element to the look in its entirety.

A pair of classy black satin peeptoe platforms with onyx diamantes for a touch of daytime sparkle - purchased from L&J Shoe Gallery a few years ago to wear to a wedding & worn only once - were the perfect footwear choice; while an art deco style patent & "marbled" resin Vera May handbag with silver hardware was ideal for carrying all of the essentials... like a certain stick of Revlon lipstick in a shade of red called "Romance" that really amped up "wow" factor when it came to my make-up. Check it out above.

When it came to jewellery, more was definitely more. After all, what better chance than a gala to wear some of my most beautiful pieces? On one arm, I donned a chunky silver cuff with eclectic mix of Swarovski crystal & bead embellishments, handmade in Paris by Gian Paolo Maria & purchased as 30th birthday gift from Lannah Dunn & wore a matching Swarovski crystal & bead ring on my finger. On the other hand, I showcased an intricate silver hathpool, made in India & given to me for the occasion. For those who are unaware, a hathpool is a piece of ceremonial jewellery linking a bracelet to a ring via an intricate "harness" design.

Remember when I mentioned the v-neckline of the dress earlier?

Well, scroll down to check it out in all its glory without the feather capelet...

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