Instantly #11

For those of you who still don't follow me on Instagram, here's what you've missed lately...

And remember, if you change your mind, just click on the little Instagram icon on the right hand side of the screen & you can join in the fun & the fashion!

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Dress: Vintage, homemade tweed

Jacket: City Chic vinyl

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Leona Edmiston vinyl & gold hardware

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Heading out on a cold Winter's day wearing a handmade black, blue & silver checked tweed shift with high neckline & set-in sleeves. Updating this clearly 1960s number was easy - I simply added a cropped, "leather-look" vinyl motorcycle jacket from City Chic, black suede & neoprene booties from Corelli & boxy patent handbag from Novo. 

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Tunic: Tree of Life rayon

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

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Continuing with the "blue" theme, this time a simple outfit comprising of only 3 pieces - a three-quarter-sleeved Tree of Life mini tunic in floaty rayon with embroidery & a tassel at the neckline, matte 40 denier tights from Razzamatazz & my trusty pair (well, one of 2) of suede & neoprene heeled booties from Corelli.

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Dress: Anthea Crawford jersey

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Novo patent

Pashmina: Market Stall cashmere

Jacket: Vintage, Trinkit Hunter denim & decoupage

Rings: Tree of Life silver

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Looking "fancy in floral" with this gorgeous pansy-printed jersey dress from Anthea Crawford - the v-neckline balancing out the three-quarter-length sleeves to show a tiny hint of skin - matched with a floral embossed pashmina in the softest cashmere as well as a vintage denim jacket from Trinkit Hunter with handmade floral decoupage details for when the weather took a turn for the worse!

And a close up of the silver "rings on my fingers" for the day - all are from my local Tree of Life store.

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Dress: Vintage, Evelyn Eve poly-blend 

Cape: Sportsgirl wool & vinyl

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Bag: Novo patent

Bangles: Witchery resin, bronze, silver & ribbon

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Heading out for the afternoon wearing a 1970s Evelyn Eve maxi dress in a vibrant red, white & orange print on a black poly-blend background. A bright orange wool midi-length cape with black vinyl piping from Sportsgirl was then worn over the top to ward off the incoming chill. Anchoring the look was a pair of black suede & neoprene heeled booties from Corelli, matte 40 denier tights from Razzamatazz & a boxy, patent handbag from Novo. Clear resin bangles from Witchery - with touches of bronze & silver... & even a bow made out of black ribbon - completed the look.

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Kaftan: Vintage, handmade & embroidered brocade

Cape: Sportsgirl wool & vinyl

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Novo patent

Thick Bangle: Vintage, American brass

Thin Bangle: Tree of Life brass

Oval Ring: Equip brass & resin

Circle Ring: Creative Waves brass, printed paper & resin

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Clearly loving the bright orange wool & black vinyl piped Sportsgirl cape from the previous look - this time pairing it with a handmade forest green brocade maxi kaftan from the late 1960s/early 1970s covered with a myriad of red, orange & white hand-embroidered flowers & a heavy, hand-embroidered neckline. 

Once again, the look was anchored by a pair of black suede & neoprene heeled booties from Corelli, matte 40 denier Razzamatazz tights & a boxy, patent handbag from Novo. 

When it came to jewellery, more was definitely more - a chunky, vintage American twisted brass bangle from a recent "Frock Up Brisbane" event, thin brass bangle from Tree of Life, chunky brass & orange resin oval ring from the Equip sale & a funky, "octopus" style brass & printed paper ring from a now-defunct store at Coolangatta called Creative Waves. See below for close-ups of all the pieces & while you're there, check out my awesome fake tattoos from the Dalai Lama's "Ocean of Wisdom" Tour...

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Dress: Witchery knit & crepe

Slip: TS elastane

Cape: Suzanne Grae wool

Booties: Corelli @ Wiliams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Novo patent

Cuff: Gift (from China) material, beads, bells

Sunglasses: Witchery

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A change of pace from my usual "hippyish" attire with a bit of Beatnik style! Absolutely loving this spliced Witchery dress with a button-down knit striped top & black crepe skirt - despite my need for an elastane slip underneath to ensure modesty. 

As usual, my trusty black suede & neoprene heeled booties from Corelli anchor the look, particularly when mixed with a pair of matte 40 denier Razzamatazz tights & a boxy, patent bag from Novo. 

Pattern-mixing flair comes in with the addition of this fringed red, black & grey tribal print wool cape from my local Suzanne Grae store, as well as the only piece of jewellery this outfit needs: a stunning ethnic handicraft from China, made by traditional artisans to be sold for money to aid communities decimated by recent earthquake activity. Check it out in detail below:

 

...& what kind of Beatnik would I be if I didn't wear a pair of round-framed sunglasses? Luckily I don't need to find out, as this new season tortoiseshell pair from Witchery really add a perfect finishing touch to the whole ensemble.

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Dress: Vintage, handmade chiffon

Coat: Vintage, handmade blanket with silk lining

Cape: Sportsgirl wool & vinyl

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Novo patent

Ring: Equip brass & resin

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Trotting out the gorgeous, bright orange wool & black vinyl piped Sportsgirl cape once again, with yet ANOTHER vintage gem - this time a homemade floral silk chiffon maxi dress from the 1970s with fluted, three-quarter-length sleeves & high, sequinned neckline. 

As with many of my Winter looks, black suede & neoprene heeled booties from Corelli anchor the look, matched with a pair of matte 40 denier Razzamatazz tights & a boxy, patent handbag Novo handbag to carry all of my essentials. Jewellery was kept to a minimum, merely a chunky bronze & resin cocktail ring from the sale at my local Equip store... & the remnants of my temporary tattoos - those things seemed to take forever to go!

To ward off the evening chill when late-night shopping, I added yet another layer in the form of this vintage, homemade jacket that was made by my seamstress Desley in the 1970s. Truth be told, I actually have a blanket that is the exact fabric, however this one is lined in a luxurious cream silk & has a hood! Scroll down for a peek:

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Instantly #10

For those of you who don't follow me on Instagram, here are some of the fashion moments you've been missing... and if you change your mind & want to join in the fun, click on the Instagram button on the right hand side of the screen...

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Dress: River Island neoprene

Jacket: City Chic faux leather

Heels: Emerson @ Big W patent

Clutch: Adorne patent

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver & elastic

Bangle & Charms: Pandora silver & onyx

Ring: Pandora silver & onyx

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Heading out in a bright orange neoprene dress that I bought in the River Island store on Oxford Street 3 years ago during a family trip to Europe. Many fashion pundits said that neoprene was just a "fad" & wouldn't last but as the new season collections would attest, it is still going strong! 

The dress itself is pretty edgy, so to capitalise on that, I chose a funky black leather bolero from City Chic & patent accessories including a pair of black patent platforms from Emerson @ Big W & Grand Prix "checked" clutch from Adorne. Finishing the look was a chunky, silver hinged bangle from Wallace Bishop & matching Pandora charm bangle & ring set.

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Dress: Dorothy Perkins neoprene & lace

Bolero: Martini fur

Wedges: Betts for Her suede

Clutch: Gift, vinyl

Bangle: Gift, silver & resin

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Wearing neoprene again, this time embellished with black lace & this time from the Dorothy Perkins store on Oxford Street in London. I call this my "Gothic Ballerina" look due to the side placement of the lace, low v-neckline & lace-up suede wedges from Betts for Her. Cooler temperatures meant that a further layer was required & the fur bolero from Martini was perfect; providing warmth without covering up the waistline of the dress. 

Edging up the look was this epic monochrome "magazine cover" decoupage clutch that was a thoughtful 31st birthday present from a dear family friend. Check it out in detail below, as well as the wide black & silver hinged bangle that was another birthday present from another good friend, another year...

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Dress: Vintage, silk

Slip: TS elastane

Kimono: Now @ Kmart poly-blend

Jacket: Lyla & Co faux fur

Heels: Emerson @ Big W patent

Clutch: Gift, vinyl

Bangle with Charms: Pandora silver & onyx

Ring: Pandora silver & onyx

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Monochrome Monday madness strikes again with this "trippy" layered look, beginning with a vintage white & black spotted silk shift with buttoned-down pussy-bow neckline. The sheerness of the material meant that a slip was required & my trusty, straight cut version from TS really did the trick; keeping things streamlined while adding warmth. Further layers were then added in the form of a floral poly-blend kimono - with fringed hemline - from Now @ Kmart & furry white jacket from Lyla & Co @ Big W. 

Black patent platforms from Emerson @ Big W & the aforementioned "magazine cover" decoupage clutch completed the look, as well as a matching Pandora charm bangle & ring set. Scroll down to take a look at the obligatory Instagram flat lay...

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Dress: Pins & Needles silk & satin

Trench: Katies poly-blend

Vest: Lee Cooper @ Big W faux fur

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Leona Edmiston vinyl

Bangle: Disney Couture gold & resin

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After all of the structured neoprene dresses, a floaty, bias cut option was a a nice change of pace. This stunning blush pink & mauve floral silk tiered dress from Pins & Needles, with its short sleeve & cowl neckline has a distinct Art Deco vibe, particularly when matched with a pair of suede & neoprene Corelli @ Williams booties, a rather prim, black vinyl handbag with gold hardware from Leona Edmiston & a thick pink resin Disney Couture bangle with gold "Alice in Wonderland" charms. 

If Winter in Queensland means one thing, that thing must certainly be "layers" & they were central to this look. The soft, beige trench coat from Katies & sleeveless faux fur vest from Lee Cooper @ Big W provided warmth, visual interest & choice, as I could change the outfit into different "versions" during the day - just the trench coat over the dress, just the faux fur vest over the dress or just the dress itself if the weather warmed up substantially.

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Kaftan: Vintage, crepe

Cape: Sportsgirl knit

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

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It was a Meditation Class kind-of-morning in a vintage, navy crepe maxi kaftan with stunning gold edging detail; the floaty shape & wide wingspan providing movement. 

As usual, black accessories "anchored" the look - this time a pair of black suede & neoprene heeled booties from Corelli @ Williams & matte 40 denier Razzamatazz tights - while a navy & white striped knit cape from Sportsgirl (with fringing!) kept me "toasty" & added to the bohemian vibe of the occasion.

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Dress: Millers devore

Cardigan: Millers devore

Booties: Corelli @ Williams suede & neoprene

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier

Bag: Novo patent

Scarf: Gift, handmade wool

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A "cold snap" in the Sunshine State meant that it was time to pull out some of my heavier fabrics & layers - particularly this floral devore tunic & cardigan from my local Millers store. Once again, black accessories were the "go" in the form of a pair of black suede & neoprene Corelli heeled booties, 40 denier tights from Razzamatazz & a boxy, patent Novo handbag.  

Finishing the look was a thick knitted scarf in a vibrant shade of blue that I was a given as a present from a family friend many years ago & haven't had much chance to wear due to recent unseasonably warm Winters. The "pop" of colour really served to brighten up the entire ensemble, evidenced below:

Late night shopping meant a quick change into something EVEN WARMER was required, so the heeled booties were exchanged for a chunkier pair of Corelli @ Williams lace-ups & I swapped the scarf for an incredibly warm Nepalese woven wool poncho from Tree of Life with a fringed, handkerchief hemline, front pocket & hood!

The clashing of patterns may be daunting for some, but the fact that many of the hues in the tunic were repeated in the poncho meant that the look worked well. The beauty of the "mix" can be seen below:

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