Monster Birthday

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Dress: Montique jacquard

Heels: Wittner metallic leather with gold buckles

Bag: Nine West textured vinyl with gold hardware

Hinged Bangle: Samantha Wills resin, gold, faceted beads

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Finally sharing pictures from a wonderful night out celebrating my father's 60th birthday with dinner at one of our all-time favourite boutique restaurants, Creole Soul Kitchen, where the fare is so mouthwatering that I am actually inadvertently drooling as I type this. Seriously, it's that good... as you'll see when you scroll down a little later.

But I digress. For the occasion, I decided to wear "an oldie but a goodie" in the form of this stunning blue floral jacquard empire-line dress with origami-folded skirt from Montique, mixing it with shiny metallic gold leather pointy-toed heels with buckles from Wittner, textured gold vinyl shoulder bag with chunky gold chain strap from Nine West & a moulded black resin hinged bangle with gold & black faceted beading details from boho Australian designer Samantha Wills to complete the look. 

Now's the time to scroll down & take a peek at how the evening unfolded...

Family Photographs to mark the occasion...

And a cheeky look at the "Man of the Hour" opening his presents...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAYNE!

You are the best father that anyone could ever ask for & an inspirational person.

Wishing you a year ahead full of all the wonderful things that you so richly deserve.

Love you always.

Me & Ewe (Part Two)

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Dress: Anthea Crawford coated cotton

Heels: Wittner leather

Clutch: Adorne vinyl with wool tassels

Scarf: Tree of Life cotton

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver

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Well, I did warn you, dear readers, that Teneriffe was one of my all-time favourite haunts... This time, I was brunching with my father & here I am posing with Gloria "The Woolstore Ewe" on a rainy old day wearing a vibrant pink & purple leaf-printed, coated cotton dress with tapered neckline & pleated waist detailing from Anthea Crawford (an oldie but a goodie, last worn on Christmas Day a few years ago) with a contrasting blue & raspberry printed cotton scarf with frayed edges from Tree of Life for that bohemian vibe, a pair of blush leather pointy-toed, lace-up heels from Wittner & a matching soft vinyl envelope clutch with oversized woolen tassels in a various shades of pink, purple, raspberry, green & grey/blue from Adorne to draw the outfit together. Jewellery was kept simple: a chunky silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop for some daytime shine.

Scroll down to see how the morning unfolded, including a peek at some of the absolutely DIVINE all-day brunch options available at Brio Breakfast Cafe... 

Dad meets Gloria

Father/Daughter Selfie by the Brisbane River

Breakfast Stack: 

Spinach, Potato Cake, Fresh Tomato, Haloumi, Smoked Salmon, Poached Egg & Basil Pesto with Herbed Mushrooms on the Side

Corn Fritters with Poached Eggs, Grilled Haloumi & Fresh Tomato Salsa

Bananarama Smoothie with Honey, Peanut Butter & Cinnamon

Summertime at Southbank

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Dress: Elliatt lace

Sandals: Wittner leather with gold star studs

Bag: Sportsgirl vinyl with gold hardware

Tote Bag: Peace Angel recycled/upcycled fabric pieces

Sunglasses: Witchery faux tortoiseshell

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Southbank truly is the best of both worlds. An oasis of calm & culture with beaches, splash parks, playgrounds, rainforest, epiculture gardens, cafes & restaurants, boutiques, live music, art galleries & a museum... with a bustling cityscape full of department stores & office buildings just a short walk away across one of the many bridges spanning the mighty Brisbane River. My all-time favourite days at the Parklands are balmy rather than stifling hot, with a gently breeze blowing along the water's edge & the sun intermittently hidden behind a fluffy grey cloud threatening a short, sharp shower... still warm enough to swim but cool enough to enjoy a walk through the rainforest before sitting down to lunch at Brooklyn Depot, one of my new dining obsessions. The day in question was one of those magical summer days when it's all just perfect & I'm excited to share the photographs with you...

I'm posing in the shadow of the Nepalese Temple & Wheel of Brisbane wearing a gorgeous 1960s style white lace mini dress with flesh-tone lining from new Australian brand, Elliatt, blush leather gladiator sandals with gold star studding from Wittner, metallic soft gold vinyl crossbody bag from Sportsgirl to carry all the essentials, a large rainbow-coloured tote bag made from hundreds of recycled/upcycled pieces of material from a brand called Peace Angel (found at a fabulous bohemian store in my hometown called Trottie Becke) to carry everything I need to take a much-needed dip & eschewing all other accessories, a pair of oversized faux tortoiseshell glasses from Witchery to keep the Queensland sun out of my eyes.

Scroll down to see how the rest of the day unfolded...

Mother & Daughter

Father & Daughter

Taking a closer look...

All ready for a swim in my new pair of togs from Autograph Fashion (loving the retro playsuit feel), black mesh top from Rockmans & squashable, washable, indestructible woven sunhat from Before Sunset.

Post Swim Eats at the aforementioned Brooklyn Depot... a big, juicy burger always seems to hit the spot after a swim in the sunshine, doesn't it?!