Many Happy Returns

A few pictures of what I wore to celebrate my Mum's birthday with a night full of family, friends & delicious food - roast lamb with all the trimmings & a pink-iced birthday cake!

*

Dress: Charlie Brown elastane

Wedges: Soft Soul @ Myer

Bag: Vintage, 1960s straw (from Hawaii)

Beaded Bracelets: Gift (from China)

Bangle: Gift (from China)

Ring: Gift (from China)

*

This Charlie Brown maxi dress is quite the style statement with its vivid, all-over psychedelic print & flowing trapeze shape. I love how the high, semi-fitted neckline gives way to almost-kaftan-like proportions with the extended side panels & tie back detail, as shown below. Just the thing for a balmy Queensland summer evening. 

To capitalise on the "groovy" 1960s/1970s vibe, black patent & neutral rope wedge heeled platforms were added, giving me inches of extra height while still maintaining the outfit's casual vent, as well as a small woven straw handbag - a present from a dear friend who lives in Hawaii - whose spiral sides echo the "Vertigo-style" (you know, the Alfred Hitchcock movie?) swirls inherent in the pattern of the dress. 

Jewellery was kept to a minimum - merely a few delicate gold, cream & white beaded bracelets, a gold & cream bangle juxtaposed with a chunky cocktail ring - all gifts/souvenirs from Louise's recent trip to China. 

Keep scrolling down for pictures from the evening's festivities...

Well, there's nothing left to say except...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!

Thank you for being my tireless companion, faithful guide, ceaseless cheerleader & shoulder to cry on. 

You have always been a wonderful mother & now that I am older, you are also an amazing friend. I love you always & forever. 

Not afraid to wear bold colour as Little Red Riding Hood... 

80's hair, don't care: rocking a bowl cut & a perm for the Bicentenary...

And check out those homemade Australia stickers - crafty!

My mother, my friend... Stylish in 2014

*

And last but not least... It is a fashion blog after all & this really made me chuckle...

Ahem, it's funny cos it's true...

www.forwardeverforward.com

Entertaining Angels

*

Dress: Simona crepe

Heels: Target suede

Bag: Sportsgirl

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver & elastic

Cuff: Colette silver plated & beaded

Ring: Colette silver plated, beaded & elastic

*

Was lucky enough to be given tickets by a friend *cough cough* Assistant Director *cough cough* to attend the Ipswich Little Theatre Society's matinee production of "Entertaining Angels." The 2 Act play is set in a quaint English village & revolves around a Priest's widow who, upon his death, discovers that her Missionary sister (who has spent the last 20-something years helping the needy in Africa) had a love child with him that they both kept secret...

A bit like Midsomer Murders without the murder part, the amateur theatre production was in equal parts thought-provoking, laugh-out-loud-funny & tear-jerking. And what's more, it was staged at the historic Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator Theatre for that glimpse into the past... See the website here for details regarding the site's transformation from Incinerator to Theatre space. What a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon, enjoying the combination of both history & culture!

A balmy spring afternoon needed a dress to match & this crepe Simona number - with vivid floral print & floaty trapeze shape with low v-neck & batwing sides - is the perfect smart-casual option; a mix of ease & sophistication. 

Creating a cohesive look with accessories was achieved by choosing 2 of the colours inherent in the print & adding items in those hues - pink suede "pumps" or court shoes & a black handbag. 

Some women are frightened to deviate from the ingrained "matching shoes & handbag" rule that has existed for generations but in my opinion, fashion is meant to be fun & fashion rules are meant to be broken... I mean, we've all kind of moved on from the whole "blue & green should never be seen" thing, haven't we? Those colours look GREAT together! The best way to ease into the whole "it doesn't match, it goes" thing is to ensure that each colour is prominently featured. After all, people rarely look at the ensemble as a whole & often just look at parts, so if each individual PART matches, you're good to go... 

In this instance, jewellery was a cinch, as this Colette cuff & ring set matched perfectly! All that remains was to "even it up" on the other arm with my trusty silver hinged bangle & voila! Trinkets sorted.

*

Beachside Brunch

Up early on Saturday morning to take a day trip to the Gold Coast with the family, now the Queensland "Schoolies" have vacationed & vacated... Loving it on the quieter end of the so-called "Glitter Strip" at Coolangatta, home of amazing cafes, quirky boutiques & stunning views of the sea & sand... 

Taking a walk in the shade between Greenmount & Rainbow Bay...

Stopping for the obligatory outfit shots by the stairs... Oh, the life of a fashion blogger...

Dress: Blue Illusion silk

Sandals: Betts for Her patent

Bag: Vera May patent

Hat: Vintage, 1950s straw & raffia

Cuff: Wallace Bishop silver

Beaded Bracelets: Emmala wooden (from Coolangatta Markets)

*

The most important accessory for a hot & sunny day: a sunhat. 

This one is a vintage beauty with stylised cloche shape that I picked up from The Ipswich Antique Centre in mint condition, even down to the intact hand-beading on the little raffia flowers dotted around the front & down to the brim. 

One of the most comfortably pairs of sandals that I've ever owned due to the slight wedge heel & the elastic straps that hug the ankles. And the best bit? The fact that they are made from black patent means that they still have a "dressy" look & will match both casual & smart casual ensembles. WIN.

Getting my feet wet at beautiful Rainbow Bay...

After a walk on the beach, it was time for brunch before a quick browse at the myriad of shops dotted around McLean Street. We decided on Cecada Modern Dining overlooking the beach & were so glad we did: the prices were competitive, the portion sizes massive, the service exemplary & the food divine! Scroll down to see for yourself: 

Dad getting ready to tuck into the "Big Breakfast."

Mum tucking into a plate of sausages, scrambled eggs & baked beans.

For me, it was Eggs Benedict with mushrooms & a side order of hash browns, washed down with a chai latte while breathing in the glorious salt spray from the water beyond... 

It doesn't get much better than that. Heaven.