Austen

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Dress: Eplisse lace & chiffon

Heels: Bon Bons patent

Bag: Vintage, beaded

Headpiece: Lovisa faux flower

Necklace & Locket: Prouds silver

Bangle: Gift, vintage silver

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www.jasna.org 

Finally posting some pictures from what seems like a long ago dancing-class-with-a-difference, where we focused on learning the steps from English Regency (sometimes known as English Country) Dances such as "La Boulangere," the only one to be mentioned in a Jane Austen novel. Seeing that I am quite the Austen fan... well, not as much as the Bronte sisters, but I DO adore Pride & Prejudice (1813) in particular... I was suitably chuffed with this turn of events...

Capturing this era (1811-1820) in modern clothing was actually quite daunting, as I don't often wear empire-line line dresses with midi-length, flowing skirts... Luckily for me, I remembered this fabulous Eplisse number that I last wore to a 2014 Christmas Party & suddenly everything fell into place. Made of a beautifully pleated chiffon with rolled hem to movement & possessed of a well-placed scoop neckline & bodice in a black lace overlay, the dress captured the essence of the period perfectly while remaining firmly in the present-day with its monochromatic colour palette. 

As usual, I donned my comfortable yet stylish "dancing shoes" - a pair of black patent Mary Janes - & carried my vintage black beaded evening bag for a bit of festive daytime sparkle. After all, why not? Attending a brilliant dancing class for relaxation & enjoyment, surrounded by new friends, calls for a little something special, don't you think?!? 

When it came to jewellery & accessories, once again I kept it minimal (to avoid any possible projectiles while dipping & spinning, you know how it is when effort & desire outstrips ability & natural talent...) with a monochromatic faux-flower headband, vintage silver fleur de lis hinged bangle with dainty safety chain & large, circular locket containing pictures of my beloved mother & father. Lockets were extremely popular during the Regency Era, containing both painted "miniature" portraits of loved ones or "cameo" silhouetted representations/interpretations of their facial features. 

Scroll down for a closer look at mine:

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And for my fellow Mr Darcy lovers out there, I just couldn't resist... 

Truth be told, the entire time I was learning the steps, this dialogue was running through my mind, leading not only to a few clumsy mis-steps & a complete mental blank on exactly which way to "progress down the line," as it were, but to what is perhaps my favourite 15 word sentence in the entire history of literature, also shared below...

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Portraiture

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Dress: Anthea Crawford

Heels: Novo patent sandals

Bag: Novo patent

Bangle: Gift (from India)

Bracelets: Gift, Eb & Ive beaded, silver & shell

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The dictionary definition of the word, "portraiture" is the recording of an individual's appearance or personality, whether in a painting, sculpture or other medium. This seemed particularly pertinent today, as I wore an ensemble - for a trip to Paddington to enjoy luncheon with the mother of a dear friend overseas - that I would consider to be the epitome of my style aesthetic, classic & sophisticated meets kitschy & bohemian... an ensemble that, as it happens, also features a stunning, rather prominent "portrait" neckline...

For me, the interplay between the elements of this outfit - though divergent - work particularly well to create a cohesive look that is pleasing to the eye:

* A structured dress in a sumptuous fabric, covered in a bright, eye-catching print with lavish design details such as the ah-mazing folded portrait neckline that shows just a cheeky hint of decolletage, shown in detail below...

** A pair of classic black patent platform sandals with a twist - a foot & leg elongating t-bar strap - with matching black patent boxy handbag, adding an element of shine whilst ensuring that the lush, graphic floral pattern of the dress was the star...

*** A chunky, vintage Indian bangle with silver accents & circular mirrors to pick up the shades of blue in the dress & reflect them...

**** An eclectic "stack" of beachy, bohemian, beaded bracelets - with silver & shell charms - tied together with a length of blue leather rope, bringing a relaxed vibe to an otherwise quite "buttoned up," sophisticated look... 

"... I may not always love you, but as long as there are stars above you, you'll never need to doubt it, I'll make you so sure about it; God only knows what I'd be without you..."

God Only Knows - The Beach Boys (1966)

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Instantly #5

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Dress: Ellis & Dewey crushed cotton

Sandals: Soft Soul @ Myer leather & patent

Clutch: Kmart woven plastic

Necklace: Gift (from Chinese Pearl Markets)

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Doing it up right for the 1st #monochromaticmonday on Instagram with a mixture of spots, chevron & colour-blocking in a myriad of textures...

"...we're only getting older, baby & I've been thinking about it lately; does it ever drive you crazy, just how fast the night changes?..." 

Night Changes - One Direction (2014)

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Kaftan: Vintage, cotton

Sandals: Corelli @ Williams leather lace-up

Bag: Vintage, carved nut & leather (from India)

Bangle: Lovisa, wood

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Shades of black & red for a simple, yet bold, vintage look...

Babysitting one of my favourite little people, Sweet Baby James...

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Dress: Martini chiffon & crepe

Sandals: Airflex sequin & leather

Bag: Adorne vinyl & studs

Necklace: Adorne silver & resin

Bangle: Adorne resin

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Hard meets soft with a floaty, 1970s style maxi dress & silver accessories - a pair of sparkly wedge sandals & studded rectangular handbag. Betty-Rubble-style jewellery completes the look... After all, who doesn't want to look like a character from one of their favourite cartoons, given the chance?!?

"...the answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind..."

Blowin' in the Wind - Peter, Paul & Mary (1963)

Waking up to Peter, Paul & Mary's melodic rendition of a Dylan classic on a rainy day in the River City...

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Dress: Anthea Crawford jersey

Sandals: Bare Traps @ Simona Ricci leather & embellishment

Bag: LouenHide leather

Scarf: Morgan & Taylor chiffon

Bangle: Gift (from India)

Ring: Souvenir from V&A Museum, London gold & diamante

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Autumnal colours & pattern-mixing mixed with gold accents & embellishment for sweet sparkle & shine...

Loving this oversized gold & diamante bow ring that I picked up as a souvenir from the V&A Museum in London - one of the best places we visited during our trip, full of amazing paintings, sculpture & artefacts.

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Dress: Anthea Crawford textured pique

Wedges: Novo suede & rattan

Bag: Colette vinyl

Scarf: Vintage, silk (from Venice)

Belt: Blue Illusion bronze, leather & elastic

Cuff: Disney Couture bronze, silver & resin (Winnie the Pooh)

Ring: Disney Couture bronze, silver & resin (Winnie the Pooh)

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Bright primary colours mixed with black & tan for an edgy, eclectic look...

Ever since I was a little girl & watched Disney's Winnie the Pooh movie that my grandmother had taped one Sunday evening, I have been absolutely enamored with the celebrated "bear with very little brain." In fact, when I recently traveled to Britain & visited the London Zoo, I was particularly excited to see the sculpture & hear the story of the "real life" black bear that inspired A. A. Milne to bring this cherished fictional character to life as a best friend for his darling little boy, Christopher Robin. 

The books are classics for the both the young & young-at-heart, but my personal favourite is The House at Pooh Corner, with what I consider to be one of the most heartfelt & emotional dedications ever written:

Thus, it is a such a pleasure to wear these gorgeous Disney Couture pieces - featuring my beloved Winnie & sweet little Piglet - made of a heavy brushed bronze & shiny silver filigree.

"...the rhythm of my heart is beating like a drum with the words 'I Love You' rolling off my tongue; forever will I roam, but I know my place is home, where the ocean meets the sky..."

Rhythm of my Heart - Rod Stewart (1991)

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Dress: Hi There By Karen Walker silk

Sandals: Bare Traps @ Simona Ricci leather & embellishment

Bag: LouenHide leather

Ring: Hourglass Jewellers silver, resin & hessian

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Sometimes, it only takes a few elements to make a statement... In this case, a sweet, daisy patterned shift with a bow at the neck mixed with a pair of gold leather sandals with embellished straps, slouchy leather shoulder bag & chunky silver ring with hessian-filled-resin centres.

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