The Lookout

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Dress: Fate + Becker via Oh Jo Jo Boutique cotton

Jacket: FCUK via Shop 7 via Ipswich Antique Centre vintage denim

Loafers: Pitillos via Obsession Shoes patent leather, matte leather

Bag: Witchery woven straw, leather

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Taking some time on a chilly morning in early July to visit the Lookout Tower & surrounding parklands in historic Queens Park with its shaded rotunda, informative plaques and sweeping views over the Ipswich CBD including Limestone Street. Built on the limestone ridge, work on the tower's current form commenced in 1969 based on the old band rotunda that once stood on the hillslope. Popular among locals & tourists alike - particularly when watching the sun rise & set - it has become the crowning achievement of the Lions Club's proud Ipswich branch.

For this outing, I kept my outfit relatively simple: a beautiful bohemian floral rust & pink floral cotton prairie dress with elasticated waistline & teeny tiny gold buttons from a label called Fate + Becker that I picked up at the delightful Oh Jo Jo Boutique at the "top of town," a funky faded denim 1990s FCUK jacket from Shop 7 at Ipswich Antique Centre to ward off the chill in the air, a pair of black matte & patent heeled loafters with tassels from Pitillos via Obsession Shoes & finally, a natural woven handbag with black leather clasp from Witchery to carry all the essentials.

Scroll down to see how it all unfolded...

 

It's Showtime!

 

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Pinafore: Portmans denim

Blouse: Portmans chiffon, satin

Brogues: Dr Martens leather, rubber

Socks: Dotti cotton, satin

Bag: Pigeonhole leather

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It's showtime in Ipswich & if you're a long-time, avid follower or know me in real life, you'll already know that this is my favourite time of the year! In all honesty, I look forward to this (admittedly mini) three day extravaganza of all things agricultural, farming, cultural, artistic, historical & just plain FUN every single year & this year was no exception, with my mother & I attending - as is our tradition - on the morning of the very first day... otherwise known as the "People's Day" public holiday when many schools & businesses in the area are closed for the occasion - when skies were relatively clear & the temperature stayed pretty balmy for late Autumn in South East Queensland. Although my outfit ended up looking rather preppy, in fact I donned my denim for the event - an indigo, no-stretch, mini-length pinafore with deep v-neckline & belt from my local Portmans store - then added a white chiffon short-sleeved blouse with black satin piping details underneath (also Portmans), a pair of chunky chocolate brown (the imaginatively titled "Crazy Horse" shade) leather Dr Martens lace-up brogues with rubber soles for stability & comfort, sweet little white cotton socks with satin bows from Dotti & a black leather handbag-turned-crossbody bag from the funky Pigeonhole boutique in Brisbane to carry all the essentials while keeping my hands free. Not pictured: other essentials like my woven sunhat from Before Sunset which is an absolute must when walking around outside, a cotton anorak from Esprit that I picked up for under $5 at Vinnies for the ever-changing weather situation, large faux-tortiseshell sunglasses from Witchery & a large tote bag to carry the aforementioned items when not in use, as well as a waterbottle, snack, tissues & any potential purchases from the many different stallholders dotted around the venue.

So without further ado (as they say), scroll down & see how it all unfolded...

Historical Farming Tools & Engines

Penny Farthing Bicycles

Cracking the Whip

Community Garden Blooms

Poffertjes with Melted Butter & Icing Sugar

Bee Keeping was back!

Loaded Spud with Mushrooms, Onions & Cheese

Treating Myself