Off & Racing: Mighty Oak

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Dress: Forever New poly-blend chiffon

Heels: Novo patent leather

Clutch: Sportsgirl vinyl with gold hardware

Bag Charm: Gift, faux fur

Bangle: Disney Couture "Cheshire Cat" gold, resin, diamante

Headpiece: Forever New satin, faux flowers, netting

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Oaks Day. Otherwise known as "Ladies Day," it is the time for pastel colours, florals, chiffons, lace & everything girly. Rather than my usual go-to print, I donned something completely different in the form of this rose blush poly-blend chiffon art deco style smock with ruffled hemline & lace-up back detailing from Forever New mixed with patent leather t-bar heels from Novo & dark rose vinyl clutch with gold hardware from Sportsgirl, amped up by the addition of a faux fur rabbit bag charm for that touch of whimsy. Jewellery was simple - merely a gold & pink resin bangle with tiny diamantes & Cheshire Cat charms from Disney Couture - to keep the focus on the oversized faux floral & netting headpiece (also) from Forever New that pulled all of the varying "rose" tones of the look together to form a cohesive whole. 

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Off & Racing: Winner's Cup

 

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Dress: Anthea Crawford jacquard

Heels: Wittner matte laser cut leather

Clutch: Wittner patent leather

Cuff: Gift, silver (from Vienna)

Brooch: RockLeaf silver & eucalyptus leaf

Headpiece: La Plume de Fleur faux flowers, gumnuts, ribbon

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Melbourne Cup Day. While many are looking forward to "the race that stops a nation" & having a flutter on the horses, I'm all about the fashion. While Derby Day may be all about the monochrome, the first Tuesday in November is all about mixing the classic with the contemporary to create something wholly unique & Australian. For me, there was only one choice: this sumptuous blush pink & green floral jacquard "cold shoulder" fit-to-flare dress with high/low hemline from Anthea Crawford, worn with pink matte leather, laser cut, pointy-toed heels & matching patent leather rectangular clutch from Wittner. Jewellery was simple yet effective - a shiny art deco style cuff from Vienna (gifted to me by some dear friends) & a eucalyptus-leaf-dipped-in-silver brooch from RockLeaf - to allow the stunning floral headpiece from La Plume de Fleur to truly shine. Found on Etsy & completely handmade, it truly is a work of art, comprised of (faux) eucalyptus leaves, native flowers & even gumnuts!

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Off & Racing: Monochrome Magic

 

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Dress: Lover silk/chiffon

Slip: Taking Shape elastane

Booties: Wittner neoprene

Bag: French Connection suede with silver hardware

Bag Charm: Gift, faux fur

Bracelet: Pandora silver & onyx

Ring: Pandora silver & onyx

Headpiece: Target satin, mesh, hessian, grosgrain ribbon

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Derby Day. Traditionally a time for monochrome ensembles with a more "high fashion" vibe. I'm posing up a storm in a floral printed silk/chiffon smock with high gathered neckline & three-quarter-length balloon sleeves & matching waist tie belt from Aussie label Lover, stretchy black elastane slip from Taking Shape, funky black neoprene peeptoe booties with marbled heels from Wittner & boxy suede handbag with oversized silver hoop handles from French Connection, taken to the "next level" with the addition of a faux fur rabbit charm for good luck. Jewellery was kept simple - a matching silver & onyx charm bracelet & ring set from Pandora - so that the epic, sculptural fascinator (mesh, hessian & grosgrain ribbon on a satin band) from Target (yes, really!) could take centre stage. It really was quite the statement-maker sitting atop my even shorter, newly-chopped bob haircut!

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