Gingham

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Dress: Meg by Design via Bristle gingham linen

Heels: Wittner leather, elastic

Bag: Review vinyl with gold hardware

Hinged Bangle: Samantha Wills resin, gold

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Nothing beats gingham for those lazy, picnic-by-the-water, long-begotten-salad-days-of-summer vibes... particularly if that gingham is a monochrome dress made from the softest, most scrumptious linen imaginable, like this little number from Meg by Design that is stocked at the divine Bristle by Melissa Simmonds boutique in Paddington. Obviously this dress is calling out for strappy white leather sandals & a straw bag but this time, I've elevated it for an overcast, cooler day spent shopping & running errands with a pair of black leather & elastic pointy-toed heels from Wittner, a textured vinyl handbag with gold hardware & painted "kissing" swans on the side from retro-inspired label Review & a chunky black resin hinged bangle with gold & onyx details from Samantha Wills to complete the look & take it "full circle" back to its bohemian roots.

Baby Doll

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Dress: Meg by Design via Bristle paper linen/cotton

Slip: Taking Shape elastane

Sandals: Jo Mercer laser cut leather

Bag: H&M woven straw

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Avid readers of this blog will already know that the Little Black Dress (LBD) is not really a big part of my clothing repertoire but every now & then, a dress catches my eye that is so gorgeous, I just can't resist going a little darker for daytime. This particular little number - a stunning paper linen/cotton baby doll dress with Peter Pan collar & little shell buttons from Meg by Design - caught my eye at the delightful Bristle by Melissa Simmonds boutique in Paddington & it was love at first sight! I've styled it up here with a functional black elastane slip from Taking Shape for modesty purposes, a pair of black laser-cut leather heeled sandals from Jo Mercer & a black woven straw shoulder bag from H&M that I bought for under $10 in their latest sale. Scroll down to see more...

Ingenue

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Dress: Anthea Crawford embroidered organza, embellished grosgrain belt

Heels: Kitten d'Amour patent leather, gold buckle

Bag: Gift, satin with 3D embellishment, vintage mixed metal brooches

Bangles: Gift, mixed metal

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Miss Penny in the backyard with the dress!

All dressed up to play the "Ingenue" at a recent 1930s inspired Murder Mystery Party & feeling like I've just stepped off the beloved Cluedo board... I'm wearing a gorgeous floral embroidered organza fit-to-flare dress with satin lining & embellished grosgrain ribbon belt from Anthea Crawford; a pair of sky-high shiny black patent high heels from retro-inspired label Kitten d'Amour; a black satin pouch bag with drawstring closure & 3D black & silver flowers gifted by a dear friend & embellished with a plethora of vintage mixed metal & gemstone butterfly & insect brooches from a variety of sources & finally, an armful of sparkly beaded bangles that another friend thoughtfully brought back from a trip to India.

Scroll down to see more...

Holly Jolly

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Dress: Anthea Crawford stretch lace

Mules: Country Road leather, wood heels

Bag: Renee Loves Frances painted cane

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver

Bracelet: Karen Walker silver, cameo

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Feeling festive on the first day of December by sharing all of the gorgeous photographs of this wonderful day in Brisbane City with my mother, reveling in all of the seasonal displays at department stores David Jones & Myer (including the traditional "Christmas Windows") & the historical Brisbane Arcade, as well as enjoying a delicious & leisurely brunch at the new Stanton Cafe & Bar in Queens Plaza before heading over to the art-deco grandeur of City Hall for a brief viewing of the "New Woman" exhibit at the Museum of Brisbane, revealing the personal stories & enduring legacies of some of the city's most ground-breaking female artists from the last 100 years. 

Whew! What a line-up!

For the occasion, I'm wearing a beautiful blue & white feather printed stretch lace wiggle dress with deep v-neckline & ruffled "cha cha" hem from celebrated Aussie designer Anthea Crawford, white leather point-toed mules with wooden cylindrical heels from Country Road, retro-inspired white painted cane handbag from Renee Loves Frances' boho-fantasy boutique in Bulimba, a chunky silver hinged bangle bangle from Wallace Bishop & a kitschy silver belcher bracelet with blue & white ceramic "girl with a ponytail" cameo from Karen Walker to complete the look & stay within the self-imposed blue, white & silver colour scheme.

Scroll down to see how it all unfolded...

Having fun helping the Brisbane Arcade to celebrate 95 wonderful years!

A mother/daughter selfie on the top floor of the Brisbane Arcade...

The ambiance of Stanton Cafe & Bar...

"Mushroom Medley"

Sauteed & lightly seasoned mushrooms tossed with double cream & on toasted sourdough

Iced Latte

"Traditional Breakfast"

Two organic eggs (done your way; in this case: scrambled) on toasted sourdough with tomatoes

Pot of Earl Grey Breakfast Tea

Rhubarb & Custard Danish

Carrot Cake with Walnuts & Candied Peel

Resisting the urge to purchase LITERALLY EVERYTHING in the David Jones Christmas section...

Having a laugh with the characters from this year's featured Christmas picture storybook, "Bear Stays Up for Christmas" by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman...

Posting my letter to Santa Claus!

"New Woman"

100 years of significant women artists in Brisbane, Queensland

Choosing the semi-circular window...

Can any Aussie children of the 1980s relate to this "Playschool" reference?!

Art Deco Vibes in the foyer of City Hall... avid readers of this blog will already know that is my absolute favourite design period due to all of the sumptuous curved features.

All Aboard the Santa Express for a magical journey to the North Pole!

Happy Travelers!

Can't resist a quick peek at this year's Christmas Window display before leaving...