Wintertime in Boonah

 

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Dress: Stine Goya jacquard

Mules: Wittner leather

Bag: Elk via Mott & Mulberry leather

Ring: Tree of Life silver, turquoise

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When the weather in South East Queensland starts to cool down, one of my favourite traditions is a visit to the small township of Boonah in the Scenic Rim for a browse around the main street department stores, op shops, organic produce vendors & funky boutiques followed by brunch at Flavours Cafe, built on the site of the historic Boonah Butter Factory & home of the milkshake in the old-fashioned anodised cup! For the occasion, I donned a gorgeous black, brown & blue floral print jacquard puff-sleeve mini smock dress with tiered hemline from Danish designer Stine Goya, styled up with a pair of tan leather pointy-toed mules from Wittner, a matching tan leather crossbody bag from a label called Elk that I picked up at the delightful Mott & Mulberry boutique at Indooroopilly & finally, a chunky silver & turquoise ring from my local Tree of Life store to pick on the blue inherent in the dress print.

Scroll down to see how the morning unfolded...

New hat for a special event coming up...

Homestyle Zucchini Fritters washed down with a Vanilla Milkshake...

Rock n Roll Love Letter

 

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Dress: Stine Goya jacquard

Jacket: Just Jeans leather

Ankle Boots: Wittner patent leather

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier nylon

Bag: Swinging Chicks Shop via Etsy velvet

Cuff: Vintage, Tibetan silver, enamel

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Feeling all kinds of rock n roll vibes in this pretty-meets-tough ensemble, styled up to celebrate the release of Baz Luhrmann's AMAZING Elvis biopic/film extravaganza, filmed primarily right here on the Gold Coast. As a huge fan of the King (particularly his "Blue Hawaii" early years & plethora of teen dream movies) this was something not be missed! For the occasion, I wore a gorgeous floral jacquard puff sleeve mini smock dress with high ruffled neckline in shades of black, brown, mustard & blue from Danish designer label Stine Goya, a cropped black leather jacket with Victorian style buttoned collar from Just Jeans (perfectly worn in after more than a decade of wintertime wear), a pair of black 1960s inspired patent leather boots from Wittner as a nod to my favourite decade of Elvis' storied career, 40 denier nylon tights from Razzamatazz to keep my legs feeling toasty-warm, a black velvet knot bag from Spanish boutique Swinging Chicks Shop via Etsy & finally, a chunky silver & enamel Tibetan cuff that I picked up at a little shop in downtown Maleny a few years ago now.

Scroll down for a closer look at the jewellery...

Nile Blue

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Dress: Stine Goya brocade

Capelet: Vintage, velvet

Ankle Boots: Wittner matte leather

Bag: Witchery leather, woven straw

Hinged Bangle: Samantha Wills resin, gold

Ring: Samanta Wills gold, onyx

Mask: Oroton woven hemp

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One of the things that I love about the change-of-season temperatures in Queensland (nope, not the lugging around of jumpers after 10am...) is the way they always lead to a plethora of "layering" techniques in my outfits that never fail to add interest. Case in point: this absolutely amazing vintage gold velvet capelet with long front panels that a dear (late) friend gifted me as a present just before Covid took hold, that I've managed to incorporate into my sartorial repertoire quite a few times this year. I've styled it up for an archaeological lecture in the River City (featuring the "forgotten women pharoahs") with a stunning blue, black & gold floral brocade puff-sleeve mini smock dress from Scandinavian label Stine Goya - blue being a revered colour in Ancient Egyptian society - as well as a pair of black matte leather ankle boots from Wittner, a black leather & natural woven straw handbag from Witchery to carry all the essentials, a chunky black resin & gold hinged bangle & matching gold & onyx teardrop ring from boho-luxe designer Samantha Wills & of course, the obligatory black woven hemp facemask from Oroton to complete the pandemic-chic look.

Scroll down to see a few snapshots of the look  without the capelet...

Lately

 

All dressed up in shades of green for St Patrick's Day - a beautiful, vintage-inspired silky fit-to-flare midi dress that a dear friend gifted me with a white organza & mesh petticoat underneath from Hell Bunny, a mint green taffeta jacket with tie from Carla Zampatti to cinch it all in, a pair of black satin heeled mules from Wittner & a black silk corsage from Kitten D'Amour to pull it all together.

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Missing all of the events that I would traditionally mark in my calendar a year in advance. Can't wait until Buddha's Birthday celebrations are back at Southbank Parklands where they belong...

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Another delicious meal from Viet Delite on Grey Street... this is the Vermicelli Noodle Salad with Tofu & Vegetarian Spring Rolls... so good!

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Enjoying a piping hot chai latte from Hello Garry Espresso after yet another wonderful hair cut & colour from the lovely Shabana at Krop Hair. I'm wearing a gorgeous blue & white Indian block printed cotton maxi dress with button detailing from Tree of Life, a pair of blue vegan leather deco heels from Kitten D'Amour for added height & a natural woven straw handbag from my local H&M store to carry all the essentials.

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Letting sleeping dogs lie...

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All the fairy feels (just call me Tinkerbell...) in this gorgeous white floral organza mini dress with puff sleeves, oversized collar & tulip hemline from whimsical British label Sister Jane & a pair of art-deco-inspired silver suede & leather sandals from Ziera via online emporium Styletread.

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Absolutely LIVING on Guzman y Gomez's slow cooked beef hard case tacos with extra rice & corn chips with guacamole on the side...

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Embracing cooler temperatures in this stunning poppy-printed cotton sateen midi dress, cinched in with a wide black patent belt (both from Hell Bunny) & covered with a cropped black knitted cardigan with faux pearl accents & matching textured vinyl handbag with faux pearl handles from Review & a pair of black leather & elastic strappy heels from Jo Mercer to complete the look...

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The joy of supporting small businesses in trying times...

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Opposites attract in this gorgeous white floral broderie cotton smock dress with puff sleeves & tied back detailing from Asos Design & white elastane slip from Taking Shape (underneath for modesty purposes), styled up with a pair of black leather & elastic pointy-toed heels from Wittner, boxy black suede & vinyl handbag with silver handles from French Connection to carry all the essentials, a chunky black horn necklace from Retro World & a vintage silver bangle & black horn with silver patch from 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles at Coolangatta. Just add about 5 jumpers & it would be suitable for actually going outside the house today in the westerly winds...

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Wintertime Playlist

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It's easy being green, especially in this gorgeous ensemble! A khaki cotton mini smock dress from Decjuba mixed with a vintage handpainted cotton kimono from Arkive Vintage, a pair of tan leather mules from Wittner & a matching tan leather crossbody bag from Elk via Mott & Mulberry at Indooroopilly.

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Homecooked meat & three vegetables...

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Another haircut & colour, another gorgeous set of pictures along a tree-line street in suburban Brisbane! I'm wearing a beautiful printed floral cotton midi dress with button-down neckline & drawstring waist from slow fashion designer Ankoa, a pair of black vegan leather heels with buckle from Kitten D'Amour & a black vinyl handbag from French Connection.

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Winter Uniform: this outfit on repeat. An absolutely divine peony printed chiffon midi dress with puff sleeves & tie neckline from Anthea Crawford, snuggly knitted wool ombre cardigan from Pink Diamond via Trottie Becke boutique in my hometown, my trusty pair of black leather & elastic pointy-toed heels from Wittner & a black leather shoulder bag from Pigeonhole to carry all my stuff around easily.

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Takeaway from Marinara Italian Restaurant is always a good idea...

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That in-between weather... Swanning around my garden wearing a beautiful pink, white & gold floral rayon maxi dress from Hummingbird the Shop, a white knitted longline cardigan from Metalicus, a pair of soft gold vegan leather deco heels & a pink corsage from Kitten D'Amour to draw it all together.

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Low-key Mothers Day celebrations with a few lovely gifts, some gorgeous Monet-inspired lanterns from Absolutely Fabulous boutique in Woolloongabba, a beautiful blue & white checked cotton smock dress from Bohemian Traders & a home made Coconut Cream Pie...

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Puppy Love in a sweet blue & white floral cotton shirtdress from Wellington Factory...

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Dressing Room at Dusk

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Heading out to the River City in a stunning winter floral brocade tiered mini dress from Stine Goya, a funky yellow handpainted cotton kimono, a pair of black vegan leather heels with a single buckle & vintage-inspired black back seam tights from Kitten D'Amour, a black satin woven handbag from Country Road & finally, a gorgeous vintage beaded tribal necklace from the delightful Beautiful Pangea.

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Blending in but standing out in a pink & black spotted quilted cotton mini dress with puff sleeves from Asos Design, a pair of black leather & elastic pointy-toed heels from Wittner, a black leather shoulder bag from Pigeonhole & two silk rosettes (one in black & one in pink) from Kitten D'Amour to complete the look...

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Broccoli & Cheese Frittata

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Unleashing my inner paleontologist with this dinosaur fossil Lego set... a generous gift from a dear friend & the perfect way to wile away the hours during a Covid 19 lockdown...