Glass Slipper Dreaming

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Dress: Review satin, lace, sequins, velvet

Capelet: Vuios velvet

Ankle Boots: Wittner patent leather

Bag: Portmans suede

Bangles: Gift, rose gold

Ring: Gift, rose gold

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As a child, I absolutely adored fairytales & one of my favourites was always Cinderella. In fact, my mother has this beautiful, illustrated hardcover book that was hers as a child in the 1960s that I always loved to look through over & over again, as the pictures were just so whimsical & magical to behold.  Imagine my delight when some dear friends asked me to accompany them to see a ballet performance of Charles Perrault's 1697 version of the tale, replete with magnanimous fairy-godmother, pumpkin carriage & fated glass slipper... 

The occasion definitely called for something a little bit special & I was happy to oblige in the form of this stunning combination of divine navy sequinned floral lace drop-waisted dress with blush pink satin lining & velvet piping detail from Aussie label Review & sumptuous black velvet cropped capelet from Vuios (purchased many years ago from a tiny, nameless boutique at Sunnybank & kept in a box for just such an occasion) that "picked up on" the dress' little velvet trim to create a cohesive, wintertime ensemble. When it came to accessories, I donned a pair of shiny black patent ankle boots with pointy-toes from Wittner to elongate my frame, carried a suede & vinyl roll-top shoulder bag/clutch from Portmans & finished the look with rose gold jewellery pieces - a pair of dragon-headed bangles & a ring engraved with mosaic-like picture of the sun - gifted to me by a thoughtful friend on the occasion of my 30th birthday. 

Mirror Mirror

Lips red as the rose

Hair black as ebony

Skin white as snow

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Dress: Basque via Myer silk/satin

Trench: Events Clothing organza, satin

Heels: Wittner suede, elastic strap

Bag: Nine West vinyl with chrome hardware

Necklace: Gift, Gian Paolo Maria leather, pewter (handmade in Paris)

Bangle with Charms: Pandora silver, onyx

Ring: Pandora silver, onyx

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Mirror Mirror on the wall...

Finally posting pictures of the outfit I wore to attend a stunning performance of Snow White (one of my all-time favourite fairytales; particularly in the original tale, Snow White & Rose Red) by famed international company Ballet Preljocaj at QPAC. Avid readers of this blog will already know that I am a die-hard balletomane - despite not being able to dance a step myself; two left feet & all - & the production did not disappoint: the dancing was divine, the scenery magnificent & the costumes breathtaking; certainly a "new take on an old classic," as it were.

When it came to my ensemble, I wanted to capture some of the original story's "innocence lost & regained" theme with a moody, dark rose printed silk/satin fit-to-flare dress from Basque at Myer & sheer black organza long-line trench with satin lapel details & mismatched buttons from Events Clothing (purchased for an absolute bargain price at the Lifeline Emporium in the middle of Brisbane City) for that touch of dramatic flair. When it came to footwear, this funky pair of ballet-inspired suede & elastic strap heels from Wittner were the obvious choice but instead of carrying a "matching" handbag (as expected), I opted for a pop of brighter colour with this sumptuous burgundy vinyl tote with chrome hardware from Nine West, a birthday present from my wonderful parents.

Scroll down to check it out in detail; poison apple included...

As for the jewellery, I decided to go with a "heart" theme - you know, the Wicked Queen pays the Huntsman to find Snow White, kill her & bring the beating heart back... so she can eat it, some versions say... pretty macabre stuff, but little children seem to "eat it up," if you'll excuse the pun - & wore my silver bangle with onyx heart charms with matching heart ring from Pandora (a 30th birthday present) & this ah-mazing handmade pewter heart with chunky leather necklace from Gian Paolo Maria in Paris, given to me by the mother of a dear friend.

Keep scrolling to get up close & personal...

It is when we are most lost that we sometimes find our truest friends...

You're never too old to be young.

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Tulle & Lace & Sparkle... Oh My!

"A dream is a wish your heart makes."

Finally posting all the pictures of the outfit I wore to attend a ballet performance of Cinderella (one of my all-time favourite fairytales) as a birthday treat! Avid readers of this blog will already know what a balletomane I am - particularly with regards to the costumes - & this definitely influenced my choice of attire... a veritable barrage of all things tulle, lace, feather & sparkle... Go ahead, take a closer look...

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Dress: Chi Chi London mesh, tulle, lace, embroidery

Heels: Novo patent leather

Bag: Gift, vintage glitter resin, metal

Bangles: Gift (from India) metal, wood, beads

Watch: Vintage, brasss (belonged to my Nanna)

Headpiece: Gift, feathers, glitter, beading

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When it came to choosing the perfect dress, there was only one option as far as I was concerned: this divine fit-to-flare midi-length prom dress from Chi Chi London (gifted by a dear friend) in a dramatic dark hue with burnished gold floral embroidery on the bodice & the layered tulle skirt; the thin, shoestring straps edged with a contrasting scalloped floral lace. Scroll down to see it in its unencumbered glory...

As usual, I donned my usual black, closed-toe platforms to "anchor" the look but they just weren't fanciful enough... Cue these shiny, dainty beauties from Novo with art deco inspired t-bar straps, adding height & elongating my legs while acting as the epitome of comfort - & all this without having to add any of those gel-patch-thingies that they advertise on the television during typically "girly" shows like Love Child or Offspring. There isn't much more you can ask from a formal shoe, is there? 

The touch of whimsy continued with my choice of handbag - a glittery, gold resin "hard case" purse from the 1950s that a dear friend gave me for my 3oth birthday that picked up on the delicate, hand-embroidery that I spoke about earlier. In the interest of full-disclosure, I will admit that I purchased a small blush coloured felt pouch with a drawstring closure (from a shop called Cinta in Ipswich City Square) to fit inside the bag & carry all of my essentials as I don't particularly relish members of the public knowing exactly what I'm carrying with me at any given time.

Avid readers of this blog probably already know that when it comes to jewellery, my motto is "More is More" & this was certainly the case, as I stacked sparkly Indian bangles in shades of black, silver, gold & pink on my right arm (gifted by a dear friend who used to live there) & left the other arm bare save for a delicate vintage brass watch that once belonged to my Nanna & was lovingly restored to its former (read: working) state thanks to my parents.

Finally, there is the headpiece - a feather & bead creation akin to what is worn by ACTUAL ballerinas & brought all the way from London for me to wear for the occasion. Keep scrolling to see it up close...

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