Frocks & Frou Frou

Blouse: Dream Diva

Cardigan: Target

Skirt: Kelda Leigh

Shoes: Chie Mihara

Brooch (gifted by Haz-Mo's Mama): Tango and James

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to discover that here at Chez Lillipilli it's all about comfort. I don't like "support garments", I don't believe in slimming pantihose, and nine times out of ten I'll wear flats over heels.

A few months ago a girlfriend of mine introduced me to a particular shoe designer "Chie Mihara" whose speciality isn't simply classic, almost retro looking footwear, but shoes that are designed for comfort.

Chie set up her own footwear brand after having worked at an orthopaedic shoe store learning about foot anatomy and common foot problems. All her shoes are made with an anatomical footbed designed specifically to accommodate a woman's foot. She says (rightly so!) that all women are workers and that while we want to look "feminine, beautiful and attractive" we shouldn't have to sacrifice comfort to do so. 

This video gives you a bit of an idea as to her philosophy, and you can all "aww" over her adorable accent, too:

Now, I can vouch for both the extremely comfortable comfortableness of these shoes, and the frightening price tag (you're looking at several hundred dollars a pair. On sale) but here's my secret. eBay. Keep your eyes peeled, because they pop up all the time, and instead of spending five times what you'd normally pay for a pair of shoes, you can pay what you'd normally spend for a pair five times as good.

Blouse: Dream Diva

Vest: Target

Skirt: Tartanista

Stockings: Ambra

Shoes: Chie Mihara

So, I found some grey ribbed tights from Myer on reader Lauren's recommendation - they're pretty good, though I'm going to keep looking for a pair that are slightly lighter as well.

It's a long weekend in Australia this weekend, but due to the miserable weather and the fact that I'm a bit skint until next paycheck I'm being very domestic and have so far spent the weekend baking at home.

The Sophisticate's best friend is abandoning us for the warmer climes of Sydney, so to see him off (and better encourage him to come back to us!) I hosted a home-cooked meal last night with a delicious herby tomato quiche and apple crumble for dessert. Today's been pancakes, then scones with home-made jam. Om nom nom nom.

I'm not sure how much detail you can make out on my brooch, but I quite love it. I picked it up earlier this week at one of my bookstores: Brunswick Bound which, in addition to having a great range of carefully hand-picked books, has some of the best accessories I've seen.

It's by, er, someone. I've lost the card it was on originally on, but maybe Sarah McNeil? There were a few of her brooches in the same cabinet...

ETA: Eagle-eyed reader Madeline let me know that the brooch was made by Julia Swaney - Have a look at her store, the brooches are too gorgeous for words! Thanks, Madeline!

Beret: Myer

Shirt: Dream Diva

Sweater: Sussan

Skirt: Tartanista

Stockings: ambra

Shoes: Naturaliser

Well, hi there Winter! I've missed you so!

My electric blanket's back on the bed (is there anything nicer than slipping between warm sheets on a cold evening?) I've hauled my jackets out of storage (hello, darlings) and I've reclaimed my hats and gloves from the bottom drawer where they're been hibernating since last year.

It's always funny at this time of the year... I don't know if it's just Melbourne, the changing of the seasons, or Australia but last Saturday I was hitting up the sunny Sydney markets in a short sleeved frock, and this Saturday I'm snatching a few extra hours snuggling in my warm bed before finally getting up just in time to prepare for a special afternoon tea with a new soul sister whose fascination with kids books rivals my own.

She brought a divine rosewater & lime semolina cake, and I cracked open my seldom used tea set (a much treasured 30th birthday gift from Haz Mo's Ma and the Cashless Cashmere) for a proper honest-to-God tea party.

Considering my school-girl get-up it probably wouldn't have been too amiss for me to pop a couple of soft toys on the spare chairs... and I love that my date probably wouldn't have even raised an eyebrow if I had.

Jacket: Dream Diva

Jeans: Piper Woman @ Myer

Singlet top: Kmart

Shoes: Zensu

Business meets pleasure in this awesome curvy jacket from Dream Diva.

I remember how excited I was when I saw it - finally, someone was doing business-wear in plus sizes that weren't all about boxy shapes and shoulder pads.

Of course, I don't work in an office, so it took me a few weeks to convince myself that it would a be a Good Investment (and I've barely worn it since then, so it looks like I may have been fooling myself after all) but I know a few curvy office girls who were over the moon when this popped up on the Dream Diva website who no doubt have been wearing it regularly since then.

Sadly Dream Diva seems to have gone somewhat the way of City Chic, and aren't doing that much professional-wear anymore.

What is it with Australia's Plus Size labels and party clothes? Every shop for curvy girls seems to cater exclusively for either older women with a penchant for hanky hems and random dangly bits or party girls in their teens and early twenties who like nothing more than strapless party dresses, boob tubes and denim mini skirts.

Do we really not have the market to sustain plus size labels that have something that falls in the middle? Something like a Witchery for girls that don't have the proportions of a twelve year old boy? Any ideas?

Dress: Dream Diva

T-shirt: Giordano

Shoes: Wittner

Different background y'all! I'm visiting The Sophisticate in his awesome inner-city pad, and he agreed to take today's wardrobe shot since the light was fading and I was keen to show off my outfit.

I've never really done the strapless-dress-over-tshirt look before, but for a while now I've been mooning over an adorable dress pattern from Colette Patterns so I thought I'd spend a day rocking a similar look and see how I felt.

I saw the dress made up on Kathy Vale's Etsy Shop, then again on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing and thought that I'd have a stab at making it myself. Could be disaster of course, but I'm holding my breath that I can muster the sewing skills necessary, because I really love the look, and it seems to be the bloggers dress of choice! Anyone on here made it? Can someone give me any advice?

Dress: Dream Diva

Shrug: City Chic

Leggings: My Size

Shoes: Wittner

I bought this dress to wear on New Years Eve and loved it, but all night long the boning in the sides were cutting in under my underarms and being generally very annoying.

They didn't seem to be doing any actual good - the dress pretty much held itself up anyway - so I got my trusty sewing scissors and did a bit of impromptu dress surgery.

The "bones" were just little strips of plastic, and the edges were cut straight, which explains why the corners were so damn prickly - without them the dress is very comfortable and, teamed with a shrug, I can even wear it with a bra... mmnnnn.... practical....

Dress: Dream Diva

Oh! And while we're doing guest appearances, look at my beautiful little sister on New Year's in her Dream Diva dress. Doesn't she look gorgeous?

Dress: Dream Diva

Shoes: Schuh

Well, thank God that's over with!

I've never been happier to see New Year's in, but 2009 was a really challenging year for me so I couldn't be happier to see the fireworks at midnight and realize that my best-of-times-worst-of-times year was finally over.

I spent New Year's Eve at a degustation dinner in Canberra, with my family and friends and just had a lovely time, though basically had to be rolled home afterwards Violet Beauregarde style.

I hope everyone had a great New Year's, and that you're all looking forward to seeing what 2010 will bring - I know I am!

Thankyou to everyone for reading this past year, I've really enjoyed your comments and the stories that you've shared with me.

Stay tuned for 2010.... it only gets better from here!