Off & Racing: Winner's Cup

 

*

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

*

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!

*

Off & Racing: Monochrome Magic

 

*

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

*

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!

*

Sanctuary Cove

*

Dress: Phase Eight silk

Sandals: Wittner matte leather

Bag: Forever New vinyl with silver hardware

Bracelet: Silver (from a little boutique in Maleny)

Ring: Thousand Island Dressing shell

*

Finally posting all the pictures from a dear friend's recent birthday celebration lunch at George's Paragon, Sanctuary Cove. There really is something magical about looking out over the water while enjoying good food & good company. I tried to capture that nautical spirit with my ensemble: a navy & white large spotted silk fit-to-flare dress with large "bow" tie belt from Phase Eight (kindly gifted to me by another dear friend), white matte leather heeled "cage" sandals from Wittner & a navy & white striped vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Forever New for a bit of pattern-mixing. Jewellery was kept simple & rustic: a handmade silver bracelet from a little boutique in Maleny (on the main street, across the road from that amazing cafe & deli that tourists will drive quite a distance just to sample the wares) & a chunky shell cocktail ring from Thousand Island Dressing at Paddington.

Well, now that the fashion is taken care of, scroll down to see how it all unfolded...

Barramundi with Kipfler Potatoes, Broccolini & Tartare Sauce

Silas tucks in

Grinning with my Goddaughter

Baklava for Dessert

My younger brother is all about the football...

Friends for 28 years & counting!

Happy Birthday Mirandah Jane!

Wishing you a year ahead filled with health & happiness.

Can't get enough of that beautiful scenery... the sky reflecting on the water was just magical

*

American Classic

*

Dress: Anthea Crawford twill

Cardigan: Yarra Trail mesh

Sneakers: Converse Chuck Taylor canvas & rubber

Bag: Forever New vinyl with silver hardware

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver

*

The weather had me reaching for a cardigan today... which reminded me of this amazing look from a little earlier in the year, featuring one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes that I have E-V-E-R owned: canvas high top Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers! They are pretty much an American classic & go with absolutely everything (well, almost) including a beautiful twill dress like this Anthea Crawford fit-to-flare number, black mesh three-quarter-sleeved cardigan from Aussie brand Yarra Trail & mauve vinyl handbag with silver hardware from Forever New. The reason they work so well? I think it's the "traditional" black colouring (white rubber soles notwithstanding) & shiny quilted silver tips that just give it that little something extra while providing optimum levels of comfort. And the best bit? They were under $100 & pretty much last forever, meaning the cost per wear is negligible. A little something different from this fashion blogger but none-the-less, something to think about when dressing for slightly cooler days...