Retail Therapy

 

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Dress: Review polyblend/elastane

Heels: Kitten D'Amour vegan leather, buttons

Bag: Review textured vinyl, faux pearls with gold hardware

Hinged Bangle: Samantha Wills resin, gold

Ring: Samantha Wills gold, onyx

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Enjoying a bit of retail therapy with my mother (well, early Christmas shopping if I'm honest) at one of my all-time favourite shopping haunts, Indooroopilly Shoppingtown... I know, I know, it's not called that anymore, but it will forever be for me, as that's what it was called when we used to drive there after school as a family to shop for "something special" on a Thursday night in the 90s. In fact, I still remember how much I absolutely adored their Christmas display every year with a whole "Santa Land" set up inside the Myer store that just transported you to a place of magic & wonder that was just so inspiring for the whimsical dreamer of a child that I was back then. Hint, hint for 2021...

But I digress.

Christmas list safely stashed in my handbag & vermicelli lunch at the Phuc Viet Deli on my mind, I had my long-suffering photographer snap a few pictures outside the newly-renovated newsagency on the top floor while rocking this gorgeous animal printed polyblend/elastane wiggle dress & black textured vinyl handbag with faux pearl handles & gold hardware from retro-inspired Aussie label Review, a pair of comfortable yet stylish black vegan leather round-toed heels with t-bar detailing & teeny tiny buttons from Kitten D'Amour (they are absolutely KILLING it with the shoes this year... I honestly want every single pair at this point) & a gold & black resin hinged bangle with matching gold & onyx teardrop ring from boho-luxe brand Samantha Wills.

Shen Yun

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Dress: Anthea Crawford dupione silk & lace

Mules: Wittner satin & resin

Clutch: Alannah Hill beaded

Bangles: Gift, vintage silver

Ring: Gift, marcasite & mother of pearl

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Finally sharing pictures of the stunning ensemble that I styled up to attend Shen Yun's impeccably choreographed, beautifully danced, resplendently costumed Brisbane performance for 2018. If you've never had the opportunity to experience the divine & transcendent spectacle, then it comes highly recommended & if you have already had the pleasure, then you'll understand why I consider dressing up for the event to be so important! It is ethereal & otherwordly; truly, truly breathtaking.

For me, it was the chance to don the dress that I had already planned to wear on Christmas Day but was unfortunately thwarted by the extreme heat & humidity that Queensland was experiencing - a sumptuous petrol blue dupione silk number from Anthea Crawford with deep v-neckline & tiered high/low hemline with guipure lace inserts. When it came to accessories, it was all about the textural mix - a pair of black satin mules with silver resin heels from Wittner & heavily beaded, art deco inspired, chrome envelope clutch from girly Australian label Alannah Hill. Jewellery was simple yet effective to allow the dress to shine; a pair of vintage silver bangles that a dear friend brought back from India as part of my Christmas present & a dainty silver marcasite ring with mother of pearl centre that was a 30th birthday present to complete the look.