Full of Soul

 

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Dress: Anthea Crawford scuba/neoprene

Heels: Bresley via Obsession Shoes lurex

Clutch: A Cobblers Inn embroidered silk/satin

Necklace: Gift, Prouds silver

Pendant: Gift, Trottie Becke silver, amber

Bracelet Stack: Gift, vintage Mexican silver

Bracelet: Gift, 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles vintage silver

Ring: Gift, Precious Stones Jewellers silver, amber

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Finally sharing all of the gorgeous pictures from recent family birthday celebrations at one of our all-time favourite restaurants in my beloved River City, Creole Soul Kitchen at Spring Hill! We've been dining here for years & each time it's an absolutely amazing experience - a great relaxed ambiance, friendly yet efficient staff members, charismatic & caring owners who clearly love what they do & importantly, brilliant soul food that's the ideal mix of sweet & sour... honestly, I've told so many family & friends about it as it NEVER disappoints. 

For the occasion - balmy Thursday evening - I wore a beautiful new burgundy neoprene/scuba midi-length dress with 3D floral neckline from celebrated Australian label Anthea Crawford, styled up with a pair of coral lurex heels with ankle strap & bows from a label called Bresley that I picked up at the delightful Obsession Shoes at the "top of town" in Ipswich & a funky burgundy, coral, red & purple floral embroidered/crewel work silk/satin envelope-shaped handbag from A Cobblers Inn on Vulture Street at West End to carry all the essentials. When it came to jewellery, I really pushed the boat out by adding a silver belcher necklace from Prouds with a silver & amber pendant from hippie emporium Trottie Becke, matching silver & amber cocktail ring from the lovely ladies at Precious Stones Jewellers, a stack of vintage Mexican silver bangles that some dear friends brought back from a trip overseas & finally, a single heavier silver bangle from 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles (formerly Coolangatta, now Tweed Heads) that my brother gave me as a birthday gift a few years ago to complete the look.

Scroll down to see how it all unfolded... including the food glorious food that we enjoyed & a peek at my lovely presents...

Devilled Eggs

Chicken Fried Steak

Chicken & Biscuit

Creole Curly Fries with Cheese, Herbs & Truffle Dipping Sauce

Eggplant Sticks with Icing Sugar & Spicy Dipping Sauce

Crispy Pork Belly

Sausage Gumbo with Rice & Buttered Toast

Piping Hot Latte

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake with Ice Cream... sooo good & worth the 20 minute wait...

"Elementary, my dear Watson..."

Holly, Jolly (part 3)

 

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Dress: Fate + Becker via Oh Jo Jo Boutique broderie, cotton

Sandals: Laura Vita via Obsession Shoes leather

Bag: Oh Jo Jo Boutique vinyl

Scrunchie: TK Maxx silk/satin, ribbon

Bangle Stack: Gift, vintage Mexican silver

Bangle: Gift, 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles vintage silver

Brooch: Thousand Island Dressing silver, resin

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Here they are... the final festive pictures from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day celebrations for 2025! For us, Boxing Day is all about spending time with extended family, opening presents, playing games & eating delicious food... including some cheeky Christmas Day leftovers... 

For a hot & humid day in South East Queensland, I chose a stunning, delicate white floral broderie midi dress with tie straps & soft cotton lining from Fate + Becker from Oh Jo Jo Boutique, styled up with a pair of handpainted yellow floral leather strappy sandals from French label Laura Vita that were found at the delightful Obsession Shoes at the "top of town" in Ipswich & a cylindrical lemon yellow vinyl handbag (also Oh Jo Jos) to carry all the essentials with a red silk/satin scrunchie with green ribbon trim from TK Maxx tied around the handle. When it came to jewellery, I chose some beloved favourites - a pair of vintage Mexican silver bangles that some dear friends brought back from overseas, a single vintage silver bangle (gifted by my younger brother) from 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles at the coast & a sweet little silver & enamel bumble bee brooch from Thousand Island Dressing in Paddington in honour of sweet little Matilda Bee who sadly lost her life in the Bondi Beach terror attack to complete the look.

Scroll down to see how it all unfolded...

Keep scrolling to see some final snippets from all of the 2025 Christmas season...

All dressed up for a spot of Christmas shopping wearing this stunning brown & white checked ramie midi-length shirtdress with gold buttons & belt buckle from Australian label Portmans, chocolate brown vegan leather t-bar heels with buttons & bows from "girly" label Kitten D'Amour for a modicum of height, a funky upcycled leather patchwork handbag from Hive Marketplace with plush beaded butterfly bag charm from Kindred Boutique & a single gold bangle from Lovisa to complete the look.

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The delicious fare (barramundi with potato mash & broccolini) from Ballistic Beer Co for the work Christmas party...

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Festive season in Paddington - including lunch at Sassafrass Cafe - wearing a gorgeous blush, brown & white floral cotton fit-to-flare midi dress with belt from Portmans, a pair of tan leather sandals with ankle straps by Rilassare via Obsession Shoes at the "top of town" in Ipswich, a pink-painted woven straw circular shoulder bag from funky boutique Renee Loves Frances to carry all the essentials & my usual beloved vintage silver pieces.

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Making up little "Christmas Christian Care Packages" for my cousin's rambunctious munchkins...

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Enjoying a "classic" Christmas movie ("Home Alone," anyone?!) with a hot cup of tea...

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A cup of hot chocolate with all the trimmings... 

mini marshmallows & crushed peppermint pieces!

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In my happy place (boutique changing rooms!) & in my hometown wearing a gorgeous red floral cotton mini dress from Portmans, a pair of red vegan leather t-bar wedges from Kitten D'Amour for height, a natural woven straw crossbody bag from Target to carry all the essentials & a stack of vintage handpainted wooden Kashmiri bangles - gifted by a dear friend - in festive colours to complete the look.

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Navy & white gingham cotton midi dress from Oh Jo Jo Boutique for the win - complete with funky clay gingerbread man brooch from Paper Boat Press via Queensland Art Gallery Gift Shop in a nod to the silly season - on a hot & humid day in South East Queensland...

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All dressed up for the "Hallelujah Chorus" in a stunning red & white polka dot print chiffon asymmetrical midi dress with ruffled neckline from Portmans (spotted grosgrain ribbon additions made by me) styled up with a pair of gold woven metallic leather heels from Bresley via Obsession Shoes for height, a natural woven handbag with wooden beaded handle from TK Maxx & a pair of gold bangles from Lovisa for a touch of daytime shine.

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"Bee Sting" Donut from Crusty Devils Bakery as a little pre-Christmas treat...