Cinderella

*

Dress: Kitten D'Amour satin, tulle, lace, embroidery

Anorak: Events organza

Ankle Boots: Hael & Jax embroidered suede

Bag: French Connection suede, vinyl with silver hardware

Bangles: Gift, mixed metal, beads, sparkles

*

Finally posting all the photographs of the beautiful outfit I wore to attend a (not so) recent performance of the Australian Ballet's magical interpretation of Charles Perrault's Cinderella (1697). With all of the craziness of the festive season, some of my favourite ensembles were seemingly lost in the shuffle, but I am endeavoring to make up for lost time in this new year. 

For this particular occasion, I wore an utterly divine ballet-inspired mini dress made from cream satin & tulle with black lace & floral embroidery from "so Frenchy so chic" label Kitten D'Amour (renowned for its retro-spirited designs) with a sheer black lace organza longline anorak from a brand called Events that I actually picked up for under $10 at the Lifeline store in Brisbane City - it was missing a button, which was a seriously easy fix - which just goes to show that you can find awesome items absolutely anywhere, especially if you're willing to rummage. Instead of the expected shiny black patent ankle boots that seem permanently affixed to my feet, I decided on a pair of heavily embellished ankle boots from Hael & Jax that I found at a funky little boutique called Hummingbird in Paddington & carried a boxy suede handbag with oversized silver handles from French Connection. When it came to jewellery, I layered up beaded mixed metal bangles that a dear friend gifted to me after a trip to India, adding that final touch of daytime sparkle. 

Scroll down to see the look without the anorak...

Fourth Child

*

Dress: Anthea Crawford textured stretch pique

Heels: Wittner leather

Bag: Renee Loves Frances cane

Bracelet: Gift, Wanfu jade beads

Bangle: Gift, jade (from Shanghai Markets)

*

Heading out to eat at one of my all-time favourite places, Fourth Child, where the homemade pie with potatoes & side salad is second to none... & the portion sizes are huge! I'm posing in the doorway of a recently renovated historical shopfront wearing a gorgeous, summery hibiscus printed stretch pique dress with cold shoulder detailing from Anthea Crawford, fresh white leather heels from Wittner with matching cane handbag from the darling Renee Loves Frances at Bulimba & some jade jewellery pieces that my brother brought back from Shanghai for me - a beaded bracelet from Wanfu jade & a thin bangle from the night markets - to complete the look.

Washing it all down with a refreshing iced berry smoothie, topped with coconut...

Going South

*

Dress: Sacha Drake embroidered cotton

Sandals: Wittner leather

Bag: Renee Loves Frances cane

Hinged Bangle: Precious Stones silver

Ring: Eagle Street Markets silver

*

It seems that I just can't stay away from Southbank Parklands in the summertime... & this time, I've brought my parents along for a morning exploring all that the Cultural Precinct has to offer, namely the Queensland Museum's Monkeys! exhibit & the Queensland Art Gallery's APT9 exhibition before heading over for lunch at San Kai Japanese Restaurant & a swim in the lagoon. 

In an effort to "beat the heat" (possibly the most overused expression in Queensland, if not Australia at this time of year) I'm wearing a gorgeous white & blue embroidered broderie cotton midi dress with scoop neckline, ruffled yoke detailing & obi-style tie belt from Aussie designer Sacha Drake mixed with fresh, white accessories in the form of a pair of strappy leather gladiator sandals from Wittner & retro-inspired cane handbag from the amazing Renee Loves Frances boutique at Bulimba. Jewellery was kept simple - the stunning silver "wave" hinged bangle from Precious Stones that my parents generously gifted me for Christmas last year & a funky silver ball ring that I picked up years & years ago from the Eagle Street Markets.

Scroll down to see how it all unfolded...

Mother & Daughter

Stopping for what is arguably the BEST chai latte (not too sweet, not too bitter, nice amount of cinnamon, piping hot) in Brisbane at The Library Cafe...

Heading in to see the Monkeys!

Truth be told, this was my second time through the exhibit & I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first. Some of the taxidermy specimens (on loan from the Edinburgh Museum) are over 200 years old & are incredibly well preserved. I understand that taxidermy is not to everyone's taste & that some people find it ghoulish but I just want to assure you that the bodies of these remarkable animals are being treated with the utmost reverence & respect (small groups at regular intervals) & that the very fact that they can be seen up close & personal by people all over the world who would perhaps otherwise never have the chance to glimpse them in the wild is such an asset to conservation efforts.

I would highly recommend going to check it out before it finishes at the end of January.

Whale Mall

Still my absolute favourite after 30 years...

APT9

Snippets of my favourite pieces from the Queensland Art Gallery's permanent collection...

Father & Daughter in front of the Pelican Statuary... 

it always reminds me of Mr Proud, Mr Ponder & Mr Percival from Colin Thiele's novel, "Storm Boy"

Living Art, perhaps?

Refreshing "Sakura Bloom" cocktail from San Kai Japanese... 

while I wait for my delicious food to arrive...

Happy Anniversary to the most amazing couple that I know.

Thank you for our family.