Two dresses for a wedding

Using the same accessories and in the same price range are two gorgeous dresses  managed to find on sale at David Jones and Myer respectively.

The one on the left is a Thurley maxi dress that was light and airy with the most gorgeous details and with the beige lines running through the flowy material, made it ok to wear as a guest to a wedding without it seeming like I am wearing white.

The one on the right above is a Coast cocktail dress made for a different vibe, but still so gorgeous in its own right with its lace panel bodice and the figure flattering A-Line skirt, I just couldn't leave it on the rack.

So the question now is, which dress should I wear to a wedding at the art gallery with a waterfront reception area afterwards?

Academy Awards 2013

I can't tell you how much I love this day every year. The fashion gets me all the time, and here's my record again, archiving my impressions for next year's notes.

Trailing on from last year's onslaught of white/blush/ivory gowns are the following selection. I love three of them, Octavia Spencer's Tadashi Shoji, Charlize Theron's and Jennifer Lawrence's stunning Diors.

White Gowns

The other spotted trend- shimmer (on black). I especially loved Naomi Watts' Armani Prive, Stacy Keibler stuns again this year in Naeem Khan. Can't say I quite like the others in this selection at all.

Metallic Gowns

The dresses that feature black and white, I only liked Zoe Saldana's Alexis Mabille Couture gown out of this repertoire, but I must say one of my recent purchases bear resemblance to Shaun Robinson's gown so I musn't have disliked it that much.

Black and White

They may not have won and academy award, but oh my have they were show stoppers on the red carpet. Amy Adams' Oscar de la Renta and Jennifer Garner's Gucci are just gorgeous. I think Sally Field has style too in her Valentino.

Ruffles Galore

A couple of polarising dresses. Most people thought they were stunning but I was disappointed that Anne Hathaway didn't wear Valentino as per the rumours. The Prada dress was too washed out a colour for her. But I forgive it because the  T&Co accessorising from her back was subtly sexy (check out the next pic). Jessica Chastain in Armani was also too pale for me, but I know many thought it was stylish.

Pale Dresses

No one liked Samantha Barks' dress on Twitter it may seem and I think the Real Housewife got it really wrong too. Plunging Necklines are really hard to keep classy and I am not a fan.

Plunging necklines

Other's that I liked

Kerry Washington's beautiful MiuMiu

Sandra Bullock improved significantly from last year in elegant Elie Saab

Reese Witherspoon in Louis Vuitton

And just about everyone's favourite couple on the carpet this year. 

Commitment of the heart

I went to a wedding last night after work. Don't ask, kinda don't wanna waste twenty minutes of your life, just wanted to share on the thrills of helping out with wedding plans again. It's been so long.

I was the first person to arrive at the venue. Eventhough I was family (in-laws), I really had no idea what was the reception schedule, I could only base it on how we had it done last year, find out what the venue's boundaries are and say I will follow up when the family arrives and I have found out the answers they seek.

I did rock up with music though. Stolen off Mr.HEA's computer as he has less Indie taste in music. Then half an hour before the reception start time it was a whirlwind as the wines arrive, reception decorations were set out, the cupcake tiers set up, table numbers and seat charts communicated and wishing well assembled. I got given duties to man the reception table.

I was rather lonely, attending the wedding by myself without Mr. HEA, the last time I did this, it was a while ago and I wasn't surrounded by family. Sob story aside though it was fun playing with the kids at these family events. I didn't care if I was considered the clucky lady chasing down any child that would let me hold them or take them around.

Here are some aspects of the night to share with you all, I am back on my crappy iPhone this week so bear with the once again lower resolution pictures. At least I don't have to block out faces I suppose (I don't like showing pics of children on the web usually, but the below I hope are not clear enough to be in any way incriminating for them).

Cupcakes that the groom's sister made. How loving!

Pretty bouquet of ranunculas and roses

Check out the little flower girls in their cutesy dresses from Target. They wore floral headbands too (K is for Kani style)purchased from the Marrickville Markets, but the headbands had fallen off by this time of the night as they went crazy hyper from the sugat in the icing and kept twirling in their flouncy skirts. You remember what that was like?

Wondered if you'd be interested in seeing her dress. It was simple and elegant, with the sash straps extending to the small of her back and ending with three dainty sash rossettes and a sweet little train. Childhood sweethearts of twenty years, finally tying the knot. If that is not a commitment of the heart as any, then there is no hope for the rest of us.

Oblivious to the festivities, a child sits in the middle of the stage, kept entertained blowing bubbles.

Sunday OOTD

I have been dying to wear this dress eversince I picked it up in the markets at Brisbane. It's a nice little pleather skater cutout dress with an animal print, to keep it fun, but not too crayzee that I couldn't wear it to work. Friday afternoon I ran around Met Centre trying to complete the outfit.

I needed a belt having decided that I haven't got the time to get the Tory Burch skinny belt I really want (fast as shopbop might be in their delivery). A colleague had tipped me that Sheike was selling these lovely coloured skinny belts for only $20, so I was there in a jiffy. Not before this cute twill jacket from Ally's caught my eye though. It was only $40! Score! Much needed in this cold weather.

Modelling pics. The belt matches the colours in my Collete necklace perfectly

 I wore it to a darling friend's engagement party which was an intimate yet casual affair at Bondi Social, which overlooks the beach. Lovely house sparkling and a simple but tasteful selection of beer on tap. The food was really good too at this place. Great Fish and Chips, and I wish there was more of that vietnamese spring roll that was packed full of flavour. But I only got the one sadly...


We finished off the engagement party winding down at Moo's, a Black & White burger, washed down with a Berry Ripe Milkshake. Yummo!

 In a semi food-coma now so am just gonna knock off here and veg out...

<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1467257/restaurant/Sydney/Bondi-Bondi-Beach/MOO-Gourmet-Burgers-Bondi-Beach"><img alt="MOO Gourmet Burgers on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1467257/biglink.gif" style="border:none;padding:0px;width:200px;height:146px" /></a>

Saturday in Manic May

Writing this in the sun rays streaming into my writing nook, reflecting flecks of crystal light onto the wall behind the whiskey trolley that bears my Husband's antique crystal decanter, listening to the boppy strains of Bic Runga's latest album Belle while recovering from Saturday.

Aside from the routine loads of laundry I had to run yesterday morning, I pulled together a brunch pizza for my beloved which we waffled down because he's looked up The Avengers Gold Class schedule and we are aiming to make it to the 12.15pm sesh.



Tomatoes, sausage, bacon, eggs and mozarella on a pizza, If that's not the perfect cure to Hubby's Baxter Inn hangover, then what is?



Events Cinema's Gold class in Bondi Junction is quite something, walking through the frosted sliding doors to a private lounge where the fully stocked bar and cosy couches make it difficult to remind yourself that you are here to watch a movie. The Avengers is a really good movie with a great hilarious script which takes time building rapport between the characters of the movie so that you can take in the teamwork that goes into the fight scenes. Everyone performs well except for the Robin-Scherbatsky chick who really should stick to How I Met Your Mother. We laid back in our reclining couches and are brought our frozen cokes when the movie starts and it was an intimate experience with all of only thirty pax in the theatre. It almost seems rude to laugh out loud in the movie.

We went home with plenty of time for a Grocery run and a fantastic dinner. I set a lamb rack in the oven and made a few random sides based on what else was in the pantry and the Cinco de Mayo forces must have been at play because I made a salsa of sorts and a mean jalapeno mince with El Paso nacho dip unknowingly to go with the lamb. A rather beserk combination but Mr.HEA laps it up anyways.

 

Then it was time to stick on the falsies and smouldering eyes, a fresh slick of lipstick and some cute Charles & Keith black party ankle boots and head out to The Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills for some serious partying. In my hazy, tipsy stupour I remembered I hadn't taken a proper shot of my OOTD all day so I did this in the bar. Does this make me a loo blogger? Why else do they put full length mirrors in cubicles? Oh to let you check you haven't got your skirt tucked into your hose. Why else?

Rules by Mary dress, Leona Edmiston stockings, LV epi electric Iena clutch



  Hmmm... it's time now for another day and I am a little worse for wear having knocked back a few vodka cranberries last night because it was so warm in the bar. The Birthday girl wore a goegeous peplum dress which makes me make a mental note to self that I will need to check out this style on me if it is as hot as all the Mercedes Benz Fashionistas during fashion week imply. The Beresford Hotel is a place for Hawt people seriously. At least last night it appeared to be like that. Just tons of beautiful people all having a great time, present company included of course.

Oh yeah, I was meant to wrap up in the start of the last paragraph, I do ramble on. Have a great day everyone! I most certainly intend to!



Purchases from Shopbop

I bought two items last week from shopbop on the 7th March and they arrived today in less than a week!
These are the items I bought on the models:

                                                            Rory beca Sofia lace blazer

                                        Free people New romantics Adriatic queen dress
I should note to self that I am more of a size 6 when shopping online. I dunno why I keep kidding myself that I can fill out an 8.

This is me in the blazer which I think look great with skinny jeans. No way am I wearing lace shorts out.
Also here's the Adriatic queen paired with both a tube and a grey singlet that mimics the top of the dress

I say this is my new favourite dress. I think I'd wear it with the black tube. What'd ya think?


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Academy awards 2012

There are just so many nudes and whites this year on the red carpet! How many of these will become inspirations for wedding dresses this year?

From left to right:
Cameron Diaz in Gucci
Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab
Louise Roe in Black Halo
Giuliana Rancic in Tony Ward
Kelly Ripa in Carolina Herrera
Rooney Mara in Givenchy
Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji
Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford
Shailene Woodley in Valentino Couture

I am also liking these red carpet choices:

Esperanza Spalding





Penelope Cruz in Armani Prive





Stacy Keibler in Marchesa





Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood






Not so loving





As Edith Head quotes,"

Your dresses should be tight enough to show you are a woman and loose enough to show you're a lady"

I don't think Sandra Bullock got the ratios of that one right this year either.

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Tropical themed wedding Part Deux

Yes you have seen this one before but I bought earrings for it today!

 Tada!

I love popping into Colette everynow and then for quick jewellery fixes. I also picked up this short scarlett exquisite stone necklace to go with my shoes that I plan to wear for my birthday tomorrow. I am pairing it with my new Cue top and a black skirt, thus the need for a burst of colour in accessorizing.

Also within my shopping haul today, Victoria's basement now sell a range of Martha Stewart's Arts and Crafts which would have been helpful during my wedding planning...anyways, S and I had always wanted a pendant light for our dining space, but couldn't commit to which one, so today I found this robin egg blue solution:

 Zooming in on the lone rose from the garden that I saved from the thunderstorms

Wee! Happy Birthday to me!!! And my Blog! It was one year old on the 16th of February but I didn't check it until today. Ah well... good to see it's still going strong!

A tropical themed wedding

I have a formal wedding reception to attend and the theme has been set to be tropical. I am not the best at deciphering dress codes, but we have been told bright colours were in order.

Short of running out to buy a brand new bright orange halter neck maxi-dress from Sheike (I saw it over the weekend) that I am not sure I'd ever wear again...I am at ends on what I should be wearing to this wedding.

Last night, after a long agonizing over my wardrobe, I thought this might kind of work.





It's an assymetrical dress made out of chiffon. I bought it from a small boutique from when I went to Melbourne over NYE. I thought the black and gold long necklace might go well with it.





The gold accents on these sandals would then match that on the necklace.





And I'd wear these gold bangles too.

Haven't decided on earrings yet as I don't have any nice gold ones. I am not even sure if I should wear chunky ones or drop earrings considering I already have a long necklace.

Ah well, I still have the week to find something...


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In the mood for love

I had laid eyes on Passion

When I first had a glimpse...

I had no doubts I wanted a qipao for my wedding day. Mum wore one on her day and I remember finding it once in her wardrobe as a child. Fingering the smooth red velvet and the gold phoenix embroidery in wonder I vowed that if I ever grew into the dress, I'd wear it when I got married.

That never eventuated as we lost the dress when I was eleven.

This one dress became my obsession as you would have followed and gauged here, here, here and here. Ok I know you get the picture. But so many were enthralled with the dress after the reception that I just could not help but start believing the garment was really very worth its while.



One of the most enchanting part of the dress was the row of ruby buttons down the back






When Dancing Life's Dance, keep your eyes on your partner


Perhaps I really believed the dress had the mystical power to turn you into an Asian princess on your wedding night, or just due to my fun fact #7, I loaned it to a dear dear girlfriend, almost like a sister to me, who got married recently. I cannot have been happier to see her in my dress, to have it fit perfectly and to see her blithe figure embraced by the hauntingly beautiful dress. I hope the dress helped her achieve her wish of wearing a traditional dress and an evening gown during her wedding (she didn't have the luxury of time to organise her own modern cheongsam which I think she's covetted for the reception) and that she felt every bit as special and proud of our cultural heritage as I did on my own wedding night.











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