Nautical

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Dress: Asos White broderie cotton

Sandals: InStep via Williams Shoes vinyl

Bag: Forever New vinyl with silver hardware

Rings: Studio Leanne handmade painted ceramic

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There's no better colour combination to wear in the summertime than white & navy. For some reason, it just feels so darn fresh & has those nautical, by-the-beach vibes that are a perennial favourite wherever you are... including a laid-back, family lunch at The Racehorse Hotel. I'm wearing a darling white broderie cotton trapeze dress with high collar, empire line & ruffled hem from Asos White, a pair of navy vinyl sandals with comfortable wedge heels from InStep via Williams Shoes that I picked up for under $10 in the recent sale, a navy & white striped vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Forever New to carry all the essentials & finally, a pair of handmade, oversized painted ceramic vinyl cocktail rings in the shape of a heart & circle, respectively from Melbourne artist & jewellery designer Studio Leanne, one of my best-ever Etsy finds. 

Scroll down for a little peek at the food & beverages we enjoyed...

Grilled Barramundi, Roast Potatoes, Green Beans, Tomato Salsa & Olive Oil

Washing it all down with a refreshing, icy-cold Wild Berry Cider...

Double Duty

There's nothing better than a dress that is versatile enough to be worn day or night with a few simple accessory changes. This gorgeous navy & black boucle shift dress from celebrated Aussie designer Carla Zampatti is classic enough to "do double duty" season after season, year after year & was ideal for a day spent "out & about," first at Passiontree Velvet for brunch before a spot of shopping at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre then later in the day for a family dinner at The Racehorse Hotel.

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Dress: Carla Zampatti boucle

Jacket: Just Jeans leather

Belt: Hell Bunny via That Shop patent leather, elastic

Ankle Boots: Wittner matte, patent leather, silver zippers

Bag: Parfait Ce Cabas neoprene with silver hardware

Charm Bracelet: Pandora silver, onyx

Ring: Pandora silver, onyx

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For the morning, I styled up the boucle shift with a shiny, patent leather cinch belt from Hell Bunny via That Shop, edgy black leather jacket with Victoriana collar from Just Jeans (more than ten years old & still going strong), patent & mate ankle boots with silver side zippers from Wittner, toile neoprene shoulder bag from Parfait Ce Cabas & a matching silver & onyx charm bracelet & heart ring from Pandora, gifted to me by a dear friend for my 30th birthday.

Smashed Avo on Sour Dough with Lemon & Pepper

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Dress: Carla Zampatti boucle

Cardigan: Review metallic knit

Belt: Hell Bunny via That Shop patent leather, elastic

Ankle Boots: Wittner matte, patent leather, silver zippers

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier nylon

Bag: Parfait Ce Cabas neoprene with silver hardware

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For the evening, I wore the same dress & cinch belt combination, added a pair of black 40 denier nylon tights from Razzamatazz to keep my legs feeling toasty-warm & finally, swapped the leather jacket for a navy & silver metallic knitted cardigan - cropped at the waist for a vintage-inspired fit - from "girly" Aussie label Review for that touch of nighttime sparkle.

Seared Barramundi with Roast Potatoes & Beans