Happy stroll through Carlton Gardens

happy feet

happy hat

happy flower

happy Sleekit 

Today was just a glorious day in Melbourne. I took a stroll through Carlton Gardens on my lunch break, had a spot of lunch with my sis at nearby Gertrude St and took the time to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of this iconic Melbourne site. Everything about today had 'happy' written all over it, even the pavement was a wee bit happy.

dress: Cue

tights: Myer

shoes: Nine West

bag: Mimco

belt: Oasis

watch: Gift from my beloved

hat: Sportsgirl

Can't live without my stripey tee

Do you have an item of clothing that you just can't live without? For me, it's my stripey tee. Bought for $20 in the bargain bin at Genki, it has quite literally been worn to death! Every time I put it in the wash another hole appears and I'm way to lazy to sew it, if only I could find another... A stripey tee will never go out of fashion, every wardrobe should have one but unfortunately for me, my little stripey tee is on its last legs. So here's a wee dedication post to my stripey tee. R.I.P tee : (

The Social Studio - The Cutting Table

The Social Studio is an initiative in Melbourne where the young refugee community can utilise their skills in design and fashion to create garments from recycled fabrics and excess manufacturing materials. The venture creates training and employment in the fashion industry and hospitality, you can read more about it over here.

I was recently informed that The Social Studio will be launching a new venture, sister-cafe, The Cutting Table, at 126 Smith St in Collingwood, just next door to The Social Studio. The cutting table is the heart of The Social Studio. Around the cutting table, people from all cultures and religions come together to learn, to design, to create, to share stories and to be part of a community.
The new menu features African inspired burgers, delicious African appetisers and daily specials, with Halal meats, free range chicken and eggs and fresh produce. 

I will be definitely be checking this out, you should too and while your there, check out their new TSS3 collection, I love the black trench with red lining and wooah, those gold leggings!

Easter bonnet

Hope your enjoying your Easter break, eating endless chocolate and parading around in your jammies till dawn. At Easter time I normally buy myself a new outfit but saving for my New York trip in October, I gifted myself a new accessory instead; an Easter bonnet. I love the colour and the wool is so soft n warm (also hides a multitude of sins, my hair currently needs coloured and err washed). I find adding accessories is the cheapest and most effective way to update your wardrobe, accents of colour also add a little sparkle to dark hues worn at this time of year. Enjoy the rest of the holiday! 

dress: To the Max

tights: Leona Edmiston

shoes: Best n Less $20

hat: Peter Alexander $25

Easter bunny and creme eggs

So what does Easter mean to you? For me, it's sunny days with family and a steady supply of creme eggs. When I was wee, Easter was all about going to Mass and some bloke called God and creme eggs. I no longer practice Catholicism but I still enjoy Easter. Now that I have a little one of my own I can be the Easter bunny which I'm particularly looking forward to.

This is such a beautiful time in Melbourne, I may have mentioned before Autumn is my favourite season in this stunning city. Whatever you are up to over the Easter holiday, make sure you take time to relax and eat as much chocolate as humanly possible.
Happy Easter gorgeous readers. 

Outfit

shoes: Nine West

trousers: Zara

trench: Gap

bag: Peter Alexaner

brooch: Gift from Jussy & Kymmmy (thankyou ladies)

sunnies: Urban Outfitters

hat: Sportsgirl

belt: Oasis

Recycle and unwind

 Gifted frankie magazine and nail polish from my good friend Stephanie

 Saturday afternoon outfit

top: bought in a sale $10

belt: Husk

shoes: Nine West

trousers: Cue

nail polish: pret a polish

 Shoes thrifted

 Sunday afternoon lounging at the beach with my boys and Frankie

My weekend started with a gift from my gorgeous (extremely thoughtful) friend Stephanie. Recycled Frankie mags and a beautiful nail polish all packaged up for me. Recycling your mags with friends is a great idea and simple gesture to help our environment. On Saturday afternoon, I did my usual trip to the market to stock up on fruit n veg (apologies for scowly face) and Sunday afternoon was spent at the beach with my boys, making sand pies, paddling through the sea and reading my newly acquired Frankie mags. Happy Days.

frankie magazine is a national bi-monthly based in Australia, aimed at women (and men) looking for a magazine that’s as smart, funny, sarcastic, friendly, cute, rude, arty, curious and caring as they are.

Friday pink and Arab Strap

I think I may be going through a barbie phase, hot pink is floating ma boat at the mo, $7 target pucciesque scarf is my new favoured accessory, I'm gonna wear it out. 

Another weekend beckons folks, why not start it with a wee bit of Arab Strap, makes me chorttle every time I listen to this tune, enjoy! See you next week

dress: Zimmerman

belt: Bahamonde

Scarf: Target  

Inspired - in Vogue

 

Inspired by a recent editorial in Vogue, (post here) and also the beautiful bouquet of flowers gifted by my beloved I thought I would have a bit of a play with the pj look. I would quite happily parade around in my pj's all the time if they could look this good and it would be lovely to lounge around, read books, magazines and sip on a Martini...ah, sighs with thought bubble overhead...quickly back to reality and thinking, what's for tea. The look is all about luxury; silks, gold, pattern prints and florals, I might just take my pj's out to play. What do you think?

silk trousers: Fleur Wood

dress: Zara

bangles: Diva

necklace: Drown

shoes: Prada

orchids

Weekend at The Werribee Mansion

And so, secret anniversary location revealed - wonderful, relaxing, luxurious Werribee Mansion Hotel. Formerly St Joseph’s Seminary and created by the Corpus Christi College in 1926, the hotel used to house and educate thousands of young men who were in training for priesthood from the late 1920s to the 1970s. As you can see from these shots the location is simply stunning and once there you don't have to move a muscle; bar, spa, winery and restaurant all in the one location. Our kinda getaway - Lazy!

My anniversary weekend started with a surprise bouquet of lily and orchid flowers followed by gourmet picnic on the grounds, a trip to the Spa for a facial, and the finale, drinks and dinner in Joseph's restaurant.  We shared the most incredible dessert which I would go back for alone. Pictured here, it's called 'The Carnival' : toffee apples, jelly, caramelised pop corn, candy floss and topped off with ice cream - heavenly!

We both had such a lovely time and it was good to take a little time out for just the two of us. If you go, take your cheque book, it's pricey, we may be on beans for the rest of the month but so worth it.

Happy Anniversary beloved

It's my sixth wedding anniversary this weekend! He is whisking me away to a secret location. All I know is, there will be a spa, restaurant and grounds to picnic on....mmmm stay tuned.

I'm still very much in love with my husband, he is, and always will be my soul mate. Sure, there are times when you have to work at it but for the most part we have a great solid relationship. I love you with all my heart, Happy Anniversary xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Black and orange

10 mins after this pic was taken, I de-robbed and slapped on some sunscreen, that's Melbourne for you, four seasons in one day - as they say. Contrary to popular myth, I do like a bit of black, love how my orange heels pop by contrast. 

The clocks did go back and well, didn't quite get the lie in I yearned for but another very pleasant weekend in sunny/windy/cold/sunny Melbourne. How was your weekend??

dress: Ben Sherman

coat: Witchery

hat: Sportsgirl

shoes: Nine West

scarf: gifted

orange flowers freshly picked by my son

Friday morning faux fur

And so, the weekend beckons, can't believe we are into April already.  Got some dinner with friends tonight and thought I might dress up for the occasion curtesy of my faux fur and recently purchased pink fleuro shoes, other than that I plan to sleep, (I was gifted an all-in-one Dalmatian dog sleep suit; ears on the hood and all, once in, I may never get out - maybe I should do a little post so you can see...) and make the most of that all important extra hour in bed (our clocks go back this weekend). Hope you have a great weekend, got any plans, do tell and does it involve an all-in-one sleep suit?

top: Witchery

skirt: Global Rags

scarf worn as belt: Mimco

faux fur: Cue

shoes: Nine West

tights: Myer

watch: gift from my beloved