Seasonal Shopaholic

*

Dress: Saint the Label crushed cotton

Mules: Wittner leather

Bag: Elk the Label leather with pewter hardware

Necklace: Gifted, pearls & semi-precious stone beads

Bracelet: Gifted, pearls & semi-precious stone beads

Cuff: Commercial Road Antiques vintage buffalo horn

*

It's no secret that I loved to hit the shops anytime, anywhere - in fact, once I found oodles to purchase from literally THE ONLY store (a chemist) that was open in Ipswich City Square after 5 o'clock - but the festive season is by far my favourite time to browse due to all the beautiful Christmas decor that really brightens the spirits & makes your heart sing. The fact that almost every store has sales, sales, sales also helps, of course!

On this particular occasion, my mother & I decided to head to the newly refurbished Garden City Shopping Centre to enjoy a morning of window shopping & yum cha... possibly ticking a few more items off the Christmas shopping list on the way... so I wore one of my favourite outfits of the year & incidentally the one I chose for my birthday celebrations in April. The amazing white crushed cotton shift with curved hemline from Saint The Label provided the ultimate backdrop for an amazing pair of dark tan leather heeled mules from Wittner & shoulder bag from Elk the Label, pearl & semi-precious stone beaded necklace & matching bracelet that some dear friends found in Israel to give me as birthday gift & finally, a chunky vintage buffalo horn cuff from Commercial Road Antiques.

Scroll down to see how it all unfolded...

Thirty Four

*

Dress: Saint the Label crushed cotton

Mules: Wittner matte leather

Bag: Elk leather with chrome hardware

Necklace: Gift, semi precious stone beads & pearls

Bracelet: Gift, semi precious stone beads & pearls

Cuff: Commercial Road Antiques vintage buffalo horn

*

So excited to be sharing photographs from my recent birthday celebrations with all you dear readers. Unfortunately I had to miss some of the festivities due to ill health (talk about bad timing!) but it was a magical few days regardless. The day before my birthday, I traveled with family to the Queensland Museum to view the "Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives" exhibition - on loan all the way from the British Museum - & was chuffed to "style up" some new clothing, accessories & jewellery (all thoughtful birthday gifts) for the occasion. I wore a funky textured/crushed cotton smock dress with cocoon hemline from Saint the Label in a gorgeous off-white shade & tan matte leather mules from Wittner with matching leather shoulder bag from Elk, found at the stunning Mott & Mulberry store at Indooroopilly. When it came to jewellery, I donned a gorgeous matching necklace & bracelet set from Israel (gifted by dear, dear friends) comprised of multi-strand, semi-precious stone beads & white natural pearls... & on the other arm, a vintage buffalo horn cuff that I found at Commercial Road Antiques & happily purchased with some of my "birthday money." 

Scroll down to see how the afternoon unfolded...

*

Instead of a traditional birthday cake, I opted for a box of yummy macaroons in three flavours - vanilla, strawberry & pistachio - from the delectable French-themed Passiontree Velvet & I was not disappointed! They were absolutely amazing... even more so when my mother added the little sugar ladybirds as a finishing touch...

*

After being so ill with extreme vertigo the night before - yup, that would be after viewing the Egyptian Mummies & before a delicious dinner at my favourite creole restaurant (sigh) - I decided to wear the same outfit again on my actual birthday, seeing that I adored it so darn much. Luckily for me, the vertigo subsided enough (if I didn't move my head around too much) to be able to enjoy lunch at Fourth Child with my mother & some dear family friends, including my Goddaughter, Tobin, which was really special.

Keep scrolling for a peek at the morning's festivities...

Shirley Temple, of course!

Homemade Beef Pie with Roast Potatoes & Side Salad

*