Polka Dotted

*

Top: Lee Mathews cotton, organza

Skirt: Lee Mathews cotton, organza, grosgrain ribbon

Heels: Kitten D'Amour patent, vegan suede

Bag: French Connection vinyl with chrome hardware

Cuff: Najo via Precious Stones Jewellers silver

Bangles: Gorman resin

Mask: Oroton breathable hemp/cotton

*

Hard to believe these gorgeous pictures - taken at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens after a styling job in the city - got lost in the camera-phone-to-computer shuffle but here we are, a few months later & they've been found & posted, so that's a win. I absolutely ADORE this beautiful ensemble (a thoughtful birthday gift from some dear friends) from celebrated Aussie designer Lee Mathews - an organza button-down top with cotton pockets & collar & matching elastic-waist tiered skirt with grosgrain ribbon tie belt in a darling black & creamy-white polka dotted print - that I've styled up with a pair of vintage-inspired cream patent & black suede round-toed heels with leg-lengthening t-bar strap, teeny tiny buttons & bows from Kitten D'Amour, a black vinyl handbag with chrome hardware from French Connection to carry all the essentials, a silver circular "tribal" cuff from Najo via Precious Stones Jewellers & a pair of chunky resin flower-shaped bangles from eclectic label Gorman in shades of black & cream respectively. Finally, there's the addition of what could be called 2020's hottest accessory - a face mask. This one is from Oroton & is made of a breathable hemp/cotton blend that is antimicrobial for up to thirty washes, so the investment of $29 was well worth it in my opinion, particularly if there's another "wave" of the virus & we all have to start wearing them again during the long, hot summer months. Scroll down to see a few pictures of the whole kit & caboodle. Honestly, I can't wait until we're all looking back on this sorry scenario in years to come, thinking about how awful it was to be so scared & so separated & how lucky we are to be through it & in a brand new world where people are vaccinated, protected & as healthy as they can possibly be.

Overcast by the Duck Pond

 

*

Dress: Stine Goya jacquard

Ankle Boots: Wittner patent leather

Bag: Gift, vintage carved nut, leather

Large Cuff: Gift, copper

Small Cuff: Gift, copper

*

Avid readers of this blog will already know how much I absolutely adore wearing all manner of jacquard fabrics as I love the way it is stiff/heavy enough to create shape. This gorgeous floral baby doll dress, from one of my new favourite designers, Stine Goya, is the perfect example, as the material barely even touches the body, creating balloon like shapes from the tiers of fabric & short hemline. The perfect muted tones for an overcast day spent in the city at a styling job, I've styled it up with a pair of shiny black patent ankle boots from Wittner (the chunky heel an ideal way to add some height while remaining comfortable), a funky black carved nut handbag with leather patchwork clasp from the 1970s that some dear friends gifted me & a matching pair of bohemian "sunrise" and "Celtic knot" inspired cuffs that were also a thoughtful present for my birthday last year.

Scroll down to see more, including a further peek at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens' gorgeous duck ponds...

Riverside Reverie

 

*

Dress: Anthea Crawford mesh, laser cut satin, tulle

Cardigan: Leaf mesh

Heels: Kitten D'Amour vegan leather, buttons

Bag: French Connection vinyl with chrome hardware

Bangle: Dinosaur Designs resin

Ring: Dinosaur Designs resin

*

Spending a few moments dancing in nature by the river in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens after a recent appointment in the city. Despite the overwhelming need for exercise caution as the Covid 19 threat isn't over & could resurface at any time, it felt cathartic to be able to get back to some semblance of normality or "regularly scheduled programming" & waste a bit of time just taking deep breaths & enjoying life in one of my happy places. Quite frankly, after the 2020 that we've all had, we all probably deserve a break, however miniscule... I'm wearing a gorgeous black mesh & silver laser cut satin A line dress with tulle underlay for shape from the inimitable Anthea Crawford, a black mesh three-quarter-sleeved cardigan with tied front, cinched at the smallest part of my waist for shape from a now-defunct little boutique called Leaf, a pair of vintage-inspired black vegan leather heels with t-bar detailing & teeny tiny buttons from Kitten D'Amour & matching black vinyl handbag with chrome hardware & striped cotton crossbody strap from French Connection to carry all the essentials like hand sanitizer, gloves & a mask. When it came to jewellery, less was definitely more: a black resin wave bangle & rosette ring from celebrated creative duo Dinosaur Designs.

Scroll down to see a few more pictures of this look...

Keep scrolling for more pictures, this time as the wind began to blow...