The Carnival May Be Over... But The Party Never (Really) Ends When You're A Kid...

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Dress: Chercher La Femme silk/cotton

Sandals: Bare Traps

Bag: Mascotte vinyl

Diamante Bracelets: Colette

Pink Faceted Bead Bracelets: Colette

Clear Faceted Bead Bracelet: Witchery

Pearl Bangle: Gift

Silver with Pink & Purple Crystal Hinged Clasp Bracelet: Swarovski

Ring: Pumpkin Patch

Hat: Vintage, 1960s (from Ipswich Antique Centre)

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The Carnival is over & it was great! 

Had the pleasure of attending a dear family friend's daughter's 8th birthday party & even a 43 degree scorcher of a day couldn't dampen spirits at the Carnival themed celebration. 

A event like this required a lightweight cotton dress that was cool enough for the heatwave conditions, comfortable enough to help out with party games & cute enough for the old-time carnival atmosphere & this little number from Chercher la Femme really fit the bill. In fact, it could be said that it even surpassed my expectations as the addition of silk into the cotton fabrication - a hydrangea pattern unique to the brand - meant that it hung beautifully, didn't cling & didn't crush. WINNING.

Sprightly spring accessories were then added in the form of a pair of flesh tone sandals with beaded t-bar strap embellishment, a flesh tone & mauve snakeskin embossed vinyl handbag,  a cute diamante bow ring & armfuls of eclectic bangles & bracelets. Grouping together jewellery items of different textures, colours, sizes & price-points works best from a visual interest perspective, helping to create that louche, well-travelled, "gypset" look that is consistently in fashion for spring/summer. 

One item was missing from the ensemble - a hat - & this "new" vintage acquisition, a straw 1960s modified fedora with white crochet band & straw "bow" detail (echoing the shape of the tiny diamante ring) was the perfect finishing touch, providing a stylish way for me to protect myself from the sun's biting rays. 

But about the carnival...

Festivities included a Balloon Pop Game, Balls in the Clown's Mouths, Lolly Toss, Guess How Many Mentos are in the Jar, Knock'em Down Cans, Duck Pond, Crazy Golf, Bean Bag Toss & the chance to get your picture taken with a ringmaster, clown & ferocious lion jumping through a flaming hoop... as well as chance to have your fill of popcorn, lollies, chips & birthday cake - cupcakes in a little carousel, no less, with tiny Polly Pocket riders!

Roll Up! Roll Up! (or, in this case, scroll down) to see some party pictures...

As I said, the Carnival may be over, but the party never really ends when you're a kid & the summer holidays are on the horizon...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA KAREN!

May the year ahead be filled with as much fun, magic & wonder as you'd find 

at any great carnival! 

(Keep scrolling for a little peek at what we gave the Birthday Girl.)

'Feline' Fine

Gorgeous 30th birthday present from some dear family friends. It says: 

"She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes..."

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Dress: Chercher La Femme linen

Jacket: Portmans embroidered & fringed silk

Booties: Corelli @ Williams

Clutch: Colette

Headband: Lovisa

Hinged Bangle: Vintage 1940s silver

Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver & elastic

Bracelet: Palas silver, brass & leather

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The best thing about wearing a good quality, plain coloured shift in a luminous fabric & funky cut is how easily it can go from day to night with a simple switching of accessories. I wore this dress for a meeting during the day with my favourite cropped leather jacket (I'm sure you've seen it on this blog a million times...) & patent handbag before switching it up for an evening with the girls by adding a cat themed headband & clutch... fitting when you consider the fact that I call this new acquisition the "Uncle Andrew Special" after a beloved family member who always quips, "Saucer of milk, ladies?" when we get together to gossip... or as I like to call it, share the latest news...

Even Scout couldn't resist getting in on the action & boy, does she LOVE to talk! A true Siamese, she has a comment (or complaint) to make about absolutely everything that goes on in our house... In retrospect, I probably should have thought twice before calling her after Jean Louise "Scout" Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird, as she seems to have taken on many of her namesake's exuberant & mischievous personality traits...

Sticking with the feline theme, I took some pictures of my new Morgan & Taylor wool jockey cap with cat ears! It was a gift & the perfect new addition to my winter hat collection...

All Laced Up Part 1

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Dress: Chercher La Femme

Jacket: Indy C faux leopard

Boots: Corelli @ Williams

Fox Face Clutch: Typo felt

Belt: Blue Illusion

Bangles: Witchery

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Dress: Autograph

Bolero Jacket: Autograph

Boots: Corelli @ Williams

Clutch: Kardashian Kollection

Necklace: Witchery

Gold Bangle: Adorne

Butterfly Bracelet: from Montville

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Dress: Asos 

Vest: Grab faux fur

Wedges: Emerson suede

Snakeskin Clutch: Adorne

Necklace: TS

Ring: Georgini

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Dress: Gift

Jacket: Portmans silk

Heels: Bon Bons patent Mary Janes

Shell Clutch: Target

Cuff: Kellie's Antiques art nouveau silver dragonfly

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Dress: Chisca

Blazer: Kamiko tapestry

Wedges: Emerson suede

Wool Clutch: Sportsgirl

Necklace: Samantha Willis

Cuff: Wallace Bishop silver

Bangle: Tree of Life

Silver Ball Ring: from Southbank Markets

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Lace is great for every season but it's particularly beautiful in winter when mixed with luxurious textures like (faux) fur, velvet, leather & suede. 

Winter is also the perfect time to add a touch of whimsy to such a "grown up" fabric choice with accessories as ribbons & bows, bright hats, kitschy brooches & cuffs as well as novelty clutches like the shell & (my personal favourite) the on-trend fox. 

Stay tuned tomorrow for even more wonderful winter lace options...