Instamonth - Farewell April, Hello May!

I know I am not the most consistent of bloggers, but I am a pretty consistent Instagrammer (where I update daily, which mirrors my Tumblr too), if you don't follow me on Instagram or Tumblr, thiis is some of what I got up to in April (a fun, fashion and food-filled month!):

Happy May 1st everyone!

TGIF! Any exciting plans for the weekend?


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MBFWA Day 1 Street Style - What I/we wore

Apologies for going MIA once again, it has been a hectic few week weeks, leading up to MBFWA, the week at the Australian Fashion Week itself, and then coming back to the little ones being on school holidays.

It was an action-packed but lovely week spent in Sydney for MBFWA with my sister Elisa (who also blogs at Jadorais), spent to-ing and fro-ing to shows, squeezing a bite to eat whenever we could, and laughing a lot at trying to snap pictures (I am hands down the most camera awkward/shy person ever, truly).

I will save 'What we saw' for a further post.  I am afraid I didn't get the chance/time to snap 'Street Style' shots like I did to previous fashion weeks, but took a few for day 1, so will share them with you here.

What I wore:


Dress: COS (a few seasons old), Cuffs and Collar: Etsy (cuffs from Etsy US and collar from Etsy UK), Bag: Chanel quilted Boy (some available at Real Real and Vestiaire Collective), Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana (available from Net a Porter and Bergdorf Goodman), Shoes: Aska Collection Harem loafers (I found them TTS - in case I get asked).

 Cuffs and Collar: Etsy (cuffs from Etsy US and collar from Etsy UK), Bag: Chanel quilted Boy (some available at Real Real and Vestiaire Collective), Sunglasses: Ray Ban Polarized folding Wayfarer, Shoes: Aska Collection Harem loafer, Headband: Assad Mounser

PS. Little Picture from when I visited the Chanel Couture Ateliers in Paris

Please excuse my goldfish expression.  I stumbled on this picture of myself by accident, and had no idea I was being photographed, haha.  Photo by Jamie Cho (Sydney-based photographer). Love my Sarah Frances Kuhn camera strap which has served me well quite a few years now.

 Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana (available from Net a Porter and Bergdorf Goodman)

 Which way again?

 The best thing about this year's MBFWA was attending it with my sister Elisa (of Jadorais)

Day 1 we managed to squeeze a little lunch between shows, yay.

What they wore:

My sister Elisa, blogger for Jadorais:

Blouse: Daniel Avakian (whose show we watched later that day), Clutch: West Elm (lent this to her, and loved the pop of colour it added to the outfit), Boots: Alexander McQueen (love! A few seasons old I'm afraid), Leather shorts: Blessed are the Meek, Leather Coat: Alk'aemi (I have loved this Perth-based label for over a decade!)

 Elisa and I are fans of Kerrie Hess's beautiful work, so I just had to snap this picture, she was a vision in this beautiful outfit.

Absolutely adored Carmen Hamilton's (of The Chronicles of Her) pyjama stripes by Bassike, and am trying very hard to resist this Balenciaga tote (and the smaller crossbody version too - somebody please stop me! Or not)

Met this beauty, fellow Ministry of Talent (and former Adelaidean) blogger of 'Friend in Fashion' Jasmin Howell in a gorgeous Macgraw ensemble I just loved (we saw their show that day, and I'm already coveting way too many pieces).

The one and only Christine Centenera, by the time I decided to go for it and try for a picture I was a little late, but ah well...

All pictures taken by me (except for the ones I'm in, of course, those were taken by my sister Elisa)

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My trick for breaking in shoes in fast-forward' and painless mode...

It's all about comfort these days, grey marl (or marle) sweatshirt and cashmere...uber comfy!

Remember my recent post when I purchased my Dieppa Restrepo Cali oxfords?  I had heard how notoriously hard/painful they were to break in, but that once they did, they'd be more than worthwhile.  Since it is all about comfort for me nowadays, I can't remember the last time I've had to break in a pair of shoes.  So as soon as it arrived I used a trick I learned several years ago, to fast-forward the process.  So instead of months (yes, I heard some people saying it took them months! Yikes!), it took me less than a couple of hours.  It is nothing new, but I don't think all employ it: it is the hairdryer 'trick':

Simply take your hairdryer, and blow the sections that would rub or are snug from within the shoe (others blow from 20 cms or so away from the outside, but I do from within), for about 2 mins or so, my feet are wide, so I am for where my feet are widest.  Then quickly slip your feet while the shoes are warm with some socks on.  Many use thick socks for initial discomfort that pays off, but I merely used sockettes.  Presto! I wore them around the house for a little while, and very quickly they went from a little-too-snug and stiff to very very comfy, like I've had them for years!

Easy peasy!

I had already bought these half a size smaller than my usual size, on the recommendation of Need Supply Co. (where I bought my shoes from), even though I had heard mixed opinions as to whether they ran big or not (some said not).  I do find these fairly narrow but long (my feet are very wide).  Whenever I first put these on now, they feel narrow for one minute before relaxing into uber comfy shoes.  Needless to say, I have been wearing them almost every day since their arrival!

I'm now eyeing what other colours I should get it in next, haha, black patent?

PS. Remember my post on 'How to wear Oxford shoes' a few years ago? Never say never...

 Watch: Daniel Wellington (available at East Dane (i.e. Shopbop's counterpart), Need Supply Co. and at Selfridges), Madewell 1937 sweatshirt (sold out, I'm afraid), Alexander Wang swing tank cashmere dress (from years ago), Celine knot bracelet, Balenciaga bow ring (available at Matches Fashion), and Sarah & Sebastian line ring next to my wedding/e-ring.

 Glasses from Jimmy Fairly (remember this post?) Dieppa Restrepo Cali Oxfords in Antilop (available from Need Supply Co. and The Dreslyn) and Issue 2 of Peut-être Magazine (Issue 9 is at the printers! We're so excited! Watch this space!)

Dieppa Restrepo Cali Oxfords in Antilop (available from Need Supply Co. and The Dreslyn)

photos via iPhone/Instagram

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Pressed Juices - you can't get enough of a good thing

During my recent trip to Sydney one of THE things I most wanted to do was try Pressed Juices, as we didn't have it here then.  Situated around the corner from where I was staying meant that I was there almost daily, sampling a rainbow-ful of juices and discovering their Raw Coconut Parfait (I must've bought at least 5 during that week!).  I have always been a juice and green smoothie fan, and just couldn't get enough of it!

Fast forward a few weeks, and I finally got to visit the newly opened store here in Adelaide!  I sure hope they open more locations (as I don't get to the city much nowadays), but am so happy they are closer than say, Sydney! Needless to say I armed myself with a few bottles of juices and a Raw Coconut Parfait to bring home.

I am toying with the idea of trying their Master Cleanse - has anyone tried their Cleanses?  Basically it'd be an excuse to drink this stuff all day long...yuuuuuum!

Anyone else a PJ fan? 

  Bad pic - great juices - pic taken in the Surry Hills store

I could eat this all day every day! Young coconut flesh with chia seeds soaked in berry juice, blueberries, buckinis and pepitas, all in a coconut shell (I have 3 young coconuts in my fridge at a time, as I absolutely LOVE them, and so do Lil' Brigs 1 & 2)

 Another favourite and must-have (especially when on the run - like I was during the MBFWA): espresso almond mylk, a coffee and breakfast on the run that is oh-so-good!

Outfit - Boots: Isabel Marant, Pants: Scanlan & Theodore, Silk Shirt: Willow, Bag: Chanel Boy

 The Adelaide store - wish this were my fridge!

 Another of my faves: avocado, banana, coconut water (love), cucumber, kale, lime, mesclun and pineapple - the coconut/lychee/pineapple is also sooooooo good!

 My Pressed Juices haul this week, am going to try to get there again to restock today...

Outfit: Stella McCartney swing trench, Scanlan & Theodore pants, Isabel Marant Dicker boots, Proenza Schouler PS11 bag

Breakfast in a shell

Boots: Isabel Marant Dickers in Gris (available here, anthracite available here and here...), Blush: Hourglass Ambient Blush in Mood Exposure (purchased here), Yachiko Brush: Nars, Handgel: Aesop, Bracelet: Celine, Rings: Balenciaga bow (from Matchesfashion), Sarah & Sebastian Petite Pearl ring, Aurelie Bidermann Love ring (available here), Elemis Illuminating Flash Balm, Proenza Schouler PS11 bag (available from Net-a-Porter and Net-a-Porter US, and directly from Proenza Schouler HERE) and Ray Ban folding wayfarer sunglasses

pics all mine via iPhone/Instagram

NOT A SPONSORED POST

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What I wore on Day 3 of MBFWA: Ellery 'Wendy' dress via Glamcorner, Chanel Boy bag and Isabel Marant Betty sneakers

Sorry for the long break once again, it has been a crazy and wonderful few weeks with both Lil' Brigs 1 & 2's birthday, as well as an early birthday celebration for my mom, while my sister and nephew were visiting from Sydney.  I hope to share some pics of the parties, but before I do so, I thought it is better 'late than never', to share about the outfit I wore on Day 3 of MBFWA.

While in hospital last December, Glamcorner sent me an email kindly offering me their Online Dress Hire services to me. They soon realized I was actually in hospital and apologized for the bad timing, but I welcomed the distraction.  I had heard of designer bags for hire (even if I hadn't, Sex and the City put 'Bag borrow or steal' out there for everyone to see), but not dresses for hire.  I filed it in my 'to think about later when I'm better' box, but the madness of family coming over for Christmas, and the Christmas holiday itself, quashed all thoughts aside.

But what a brilliant thing to have.  How often have we shelled out a mini-fortune on a dress that often  only gets worn once (or in my case, not at all)? That plus the cost of dry-cleaning makes a 'special occasion' dress quite an expensive exercise. 

I often have friends and family asking me to help them find a nice dress for a certain occasion, be it a wedding, a birthday party, or even a special dinner.  I don't usually have this conundrum, most people need a dress for an occasion, whereas I need an occasion to wear my dresses, haha!  I didn't think I would really need a 'dress hire service'.

That was, until I started packing for my trip to Sydney to celebrate New Year's Eve with my sisters.  I considered taking Glamcorner up on their offer, but then realized it was too short notice (although I now know they are so fast I would've made it after all).  The next opportunity arose when I realized that my lack of physical activity (due to bedrest and so forth) led to a little weight gain, which meant the dress I had in mind to wear to a milestone birthday party in February no longer fit. Once again, I realized this a little late, the day before the party.  Finally, as I was packing for Sydney and Australian Fashion Week, I had all my outfits packed, but thought I wanted another option, but my suitcase was already jam-packed.  I had an 'aha' moment and remembered Glamcorner once again.

There were many designers to choose from, from Alex Perry to Aurelio Costarella, Jayson Brundson, Lover, Ellery and even Badgley Mishka (you know, for your next red carpet event). When browsing online through their dresses I immediately was drawn to Australian designer Ellery's dresses, and this gorgeous Wendy dress in particular, something I'd love to have in my wardrobe but that I wouldn't get many chances to wear.  I forgot to photograph the 'funky' white back' of the dress, which is why I wore it with the white sneakers I had already packed for Sydney.  I loved the lantern skirt (not shown to its full advantage in my pics), and the beautiful print on the fabric. 

Daisy from Glamcorner was so incredibly helpful to get the dress to me on time (especially with a difficult schedule that week), and as with their 'try on service',  sent me both size 8 and 10 (I wasn't sure what size I was, and thought I'd err on the side of caution, but the 8 fit me like a dream).  A courier delivered this gorgeous box bright and early (as I requested), in what looked like a glamorous glossy pizza box!  Ok, probably nothing like a pizza box, and it felt so glam opening it up to reveal the gorgeous Ellery dress inside.  With the dress came all the instructions on how to return it (which was a breeze, with a self-addressed satchel included), which made everything so lovely and straightforward.  The hardest part was parting with this gorgeous dress!

 Pizza delivery?  A courier delivered the dress early in the morning as I requested (that week was pretty tight schedule-wise), and it arrived in a gorgeous large box, complete with a bow.

 Beautifully and carefully packaged, I seriously felt like a movie star pulling this dress out of the box...

Such a gorgeous print and silk fabric!

 At Sydney's Carriageworks for the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Australia - with my favourite Dries Van Noten necklace

Isabel Marant Betty sneakers and Chanel Boy bag

Thank you so much Daisy and Glamcorner!  I will definitely be recommending you to my friends next time they ask me for help in finding a dress for an occasion!

xx

CC

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