Heatwave

Finally posting all the pictures from a wonderful few days spent in the company of some dear friends & their gorgeous little munchkin! Scroll down to see how it all unfolded...

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Dress: Sunny Girl cotton via Sweet & Vicious, Mooloolaba

Sandals: Corelli at Williams leather & embellishment

Bag: Strand Markets straw

Necklace: Eb & Ive wood beads via Sweet & Vicious, Mooloolaba

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Posing near this gorgeous botanical mural at a local shopping centre - the ideal place to hang out during a heatwave due to the air-conditioning - in an ensemble that truly helped me to "beat the heat" as they say: a light, brightly-printed cotton fit-to-flare dress with cotton lining (!) from Sunny Girl (purchased from a little boutique called Sweet & Vicious at Mooloolaba...truly a treasure trove), flat tan leather sandals with embellished front straps from Corelli at Williams the Shoemen, straw shoulder bag from a little market stall The Strand in Coolangatta & finally, a chunky, thrice-looped wooden beaded necklace from Eb & Ive to add a little extra "oomph" to the already summery vibes.

Nothing like an all-day breakfast! This yummy plate was from Beach House Bar & Grill - Smashed Avocado on Sour Dough with Lettuce, Onion, Poached Eggs, Sauteed Mushrooms & a Hash Brown on the side.

Playing in the backyard with these three little mischief-makers as the breeze started to ramp up & the temperature began to cool down...

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Dress: Little Party Dress stretch lace

Sandals: Mila Paoli leather

Bag: Sportsgirl vinyl with gold hardware

Hat: Vintage, Ipswich Antique Centre straw & raffia

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Again with the posing; this time by a funky, bohemian-style turtle mural at Redcliffe! I'm wearing a rather dainty blush pink stretch lace maxi dress with faux cropped bodice detailing from Aussie company Little Party Dress (the choice of many discerning Instagrammers right now - click here to see the amazing range), matching pink leather flat sandals with gold studding from Mila Paoli that really are the optimal choice for daytripping in comfort, soft gold vinyl crossbody bag with gold hardware from Sportsgirl & finally, a vintage straw cloche hat with raffia embroidered flowers from Ipswich Antique Centre to ward off the sun's harmful rays.

Keep scrolling to see what we did, what we ate... & my new togs from my local Kmart store of all places!

Looking out at the sea view from our favourite haunt, Cafe Diversity...

Turkish Eggs with Cornbread & Mushroom Arancini on the side

Washing it all down with a Mixed Berry Smoothie

Loving the Art Deco vibes in this amazing pair of monochrome spotted togs with 1920s style skirt & pattern-mixed chiffon longline tie-front kaftan cover-up from Kmart. Not bad for a mere $37! Once again, I'm wearing my vintage straw cloche to keep the sun off my face & a pair of moulded rubber "starfish" thongs from Aussie Soles.

Patiently waiting to go for a swim...

Beautiful "Settlement Cove" Lagoon

A real little "water baby" already!

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Soul Kind of Feeling

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Dress: Zimmerman silk

Slip: Taking Shape elastane

Heels: Wittner leather & elastic

Bag: French Connection leather & suede with silver hardware

Ring: Georgini silver & onyx

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One of our all-time favourite places to grab a bite to eat in Brisbane City is the Creole Soul Kitchen at Spring Hill, where the spicy, Southern American style food is absolutely amazing, the service is brilliant (very personalised due to the size of the restaurant & the fact that the owner is there most nights to chat to customers, help wait tables during busy periods & act as sommelier when required) & the decor is retro heaven... particularly for die-hard antique lovers like the Penny family! This time, we decided to take a friend with us to finally experience what it is we are constantly drooling over. 

For such an occasion, I decided to wear something a little special, not least because the Queensland weather was still warm enough to do so: a stunning polka dot printed silk midi dress with high neckline, long fluted sleeves, tie waist & tiered hemline in contrasting fabrics from celebrated Australian brand, Zimmermann. I have to say, it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT when it came to this art deco inspired number, particularly when I paired with a comfortable black elastane slip from Taking Shape, black leather pointy-toed heels from Wittner & a boxy little black suede handbag with oversized silver handles from French Connection. Quite honestly, I could foresee wearing this dress in many different situations for many, many years to come due to its timeless nature; handy for the whole cost-per-wear situation as well. When it came to jewellery, it was something simple - a silver & onyx cocktail ring from Georgini - for that ideal finishing touch.

Well, now that you've read all about the fashion, scroll down to see how the rest of the evening unfolded...

Eggplant Sticks (dusted with icing sugar for that salty/sweet combo)

Arancini Balls

Waffle Cut Fries with Aioli

Chicken & Sausage Gumbo

Pork Belly

Sibling Selfie!

Dinner with Friends

Churros with Chocolate Sauce

Spicy Rice Pudding/Creme Brulee with Poached Peaches

Molten Mud Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Washing it all down with a strong Cappucino...

What can I say? I'm a fashion blogger!

I couldn't resist the urge to pose in such a spectacular dress in Kerry's amazing garden...

Clearly the spices have kicked in...

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Gone (Polka) Dotty

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Dress: Review cotton with patent belt

Cardigan: Review knit

Heels: Wittner leather & elastic

Bag: Sportsgirl vinyl with silver hardware

Necklace with Pendant: Wallace Bishop silver

Bracelet: Vintage, Kellie's Antique Victorian silver

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Finally posting pictures from a lovely morning spent traipsing around Brisbane City with my mother, checking out all the shops, giving our credit cards a workout (ha!) before stopping for lunch at one of our all-time favourite haunts, Grill'd. There's just something about a burger that you just really crave sometimes, you know!? 

Anyway, I'm posing while waiting for our piping hot meals to arrive in a dainty little matching ensemble from Aussie brand Review in the form of a spotted cotton fit-to-flare dress with thin patent belt & soft knitted cardigan, cropped to my waistline. When it came to accessories, I couldn't go past my matte leather, pointy-toed heels from Wittner - that ideal mix of style & comfort - & my trusty black vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Sportsgirl to carry all the essentials. Jewellery was simple & silver: a gorgeous fob necklace with oversized heart pendant from Wallace Bishop & chunky vintage bracelet with oversized heart locket & teeny tiny key from Kellie's Antiques in the Brisbane Arcade.

Let's hear it for the mouth-watering sliders, crunchy herbed chips with mayo & "moreish" zucchini chips... washed down with a soft drink & iced tea, respectively....

Playing the wallflower in the middle of the Myer Centre... without the cardigan, that is...

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