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Showing posts with label portmans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label portmans. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The Way to Lilli's Heart...


Cardigan: Big W
Skirt: Portmans
Belt: City Chic
Shoes: Schuh

The way to Lilli's heart is... through her stomach?

Actually, that's probably not that far from the truth... The Sophisticate wooed me with fabulous restaurants, so there's probably a kernel of truth to it, but actually it's this new belt from City Chic that's set my heart aflutter today.

It was an exercise in impulse buying when I saw it in the shop last weekend. Theoretically I'd gone in to check out the new polkadot jacket I'd spotted online, but somehow this made its way into my shopping list as well. 


It's elasticised, so it's a great waist belt, and I'm looking forward to seeing what other outfits I can pair it with for that all-important pop of red.

Meanwhile, I've dusted off my favourite Schuh shoes, but they're really looking quite fragile now. Schuh doesn't seem to be making this style any more alas, and I'm trying to draw out the life span of the shoes, because I LUFF them, but I'm thinking about whether or not it's possible to hand them off to a shoemaker and ask them to make the same shoe for me IN ALL THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW (but mostly red). Anyone ever had this done?




Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Out of the Closet



Top: Liz Jordan @ Noni B
Vest: Target
Skirt: Portmans
Hat: Morgan & Taylor

On Friday my delicious housemate Joss and I had the very great honour of attending our first ever fashion parade!

I'd been invited by Chitra Mangma, the mastermind behind indie Melbourne label "Chitra's Closet" which is described online as "ultra feminine" "colourful" and "vintage", which all sound jolly to me.

The theme of the night was "The Cat's Meow" and it promised to pay homage to the romance and fantasy of the 1940's, with all its nipped-in waists, curvy silhouettes and fishtail skirts.

I got into the spirit of the evening with my most 40's-esque outfit, hat and all, and I ended up feeling quite at home amongst the glamourous models, and Chitra herself, who was decked out on the most adorable ensemble from the top of her yellow hat and polkadot cravat, to the edwardian style ankle boots.

Looking back on my notes for the night they're punctuated with "lovely!" and "gorgeous!" and "the buttons!" and "want!".

Chitra's put together a wonderfully timeless range of clothes for Melbourne's winter season - little details like contrasting buttons, flashes of scarlet silk lining, scalloped edges and kick-pleats - then she gave them names like "Maggie Gyllenhaals Secretary" and "Demure Bodice Ripper" and sent them down the runway on a range of gorgeous girls of all shapes and sizes.


I particularly loved the use of colour, lots of reds & lilacs:
and the little details like the scalloped hem on a vest teamed with pleated cuffs on a long sleeved blouse set my heart a'racing:


I think the highlight of the night for me was the tailor-made "Napoleon Jacket" which is custom-made for each customer, and was pitch-perfect teamed with an amazing polkadot vest that I immediately coveted, but was sadly a once-off:


So, congratulations Chitra on a beautiful and stylish new season - it looks like it's going to be amazing, thankyou for inviting me to be part of your special night. 

And an extra-special thankyou to Joss as well, who attended as my official photographer and did a stellar job!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Pinky and the Brain



Dress: Igigi
Belt: Portmans
Shoes: Zensu

Yay! Trivia Night tonight!

It's one of the highlights of my week, Trivia Night; I try to go every Tuesday for a giggle with a troupe of much-smarter people (the kind of people that can actually answer the questions, instead of just thinking of stupid alternative possibilities) including The Sophisticate, my Scrumptious Housemates and fellow blogger Fiona's also Scrumptious other half, Chris.

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter Weekend - I'm feeling very refreshed after a Whole Four Days Off.


Thursday, February 25, 2010

Frugal February: Heavy Machinery

Trousers: Jacqui E
Shoes: Wittner

This one's for my Mum who gave me this enormous piece of machinery for Christmas so that I could do something about the encroaching carpet of leaves that continuously covers my courtyard.

It's enormously good fun!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Frugal February: Muggy

Top: Katies
Skirt & Belt: Portmans
Shoes: Fillipo Raphael

It's been an almost unbearably muggy and miserable day today, but in the early afternoon we finally got some rain, so hopefully the cool change has arrived.

I'm doing some preparation for the first remix project of Frugal February, but I seem to have a list of things-to-do as long as my arm: I've been sorting through my wardrobe doing a drastic cull for my upcoming post-frockapalooza eBay sale, plus I've been doing my biannual ironing marathon (so that I don't run out of clothes during my no-buy month!). I've also downloaded the pattern for the Dr Who Scarf (from here), which I've promised to knit for the Sophisticate. And there's work, or course.

It's terrible, because with the humidity all I want to do is mooch around wearing not-much-at-all and doing even-less...

Monday, February 1, 2010

Frugal February: The Budgeting Begins!


Skirt & Belt: Portmans
Shoes: Wittner

I think it's pretty well established that I love shopping! Some might even say I have a bit of an, um, addiction. Probably my credit card would say that. Certainly after Christmas it's looking a little well-worn, so for February I'm instigating a new plan-of-attack.

It's called Frugal February.

I'm going to go the whole of February (notice how I've picked the shortest month?) without buying anything new. This - I'm sure you understand if you've been reading for a while - is A Big Deal.

Like I did with Frockapalooza I'll be posting every day, and I'll be trying to focus on budget-friendly labels from discount departments stores and chainstores. I'll also be doing at least one DIY or Remix a week. That way, if I feel like I want something new, I can have it on as little dosh as possible! My Budget Nazi (Love you, Haz-Mo's Ma) would be so proud.

No need to remix anything today as it's a whole new virgin outfit. Even though they're both a year or so old I've never teamed this great lace cardigan with my ruffly pencil skirt before. Now I'm wondering why... somehow they seem to be made for one another!


Saturday, January 2, 2010

Frockapalooza: Day 37 - Dishonorable Mentions

Hurrah! Frockapalooza has finally reached it's end, so to tie us up here's a few (dis)honorable mentions that didn't quite manage to make it in for one reason or another! They're still in my closet, so I felt like I had to include them.

So, that makes 41 dresses. 41.
Considering they made a movie called 27 Dresses, and I've left that number in the dust I'd say it's probably time to reassess my wardrobe!

At some point in the next few weeks I'm going to do a drastic cull, and I'll be putting the overflow up on eBay, so I'll let you know once I've got my act together and put them up on offer. I thought I'd donate some of the proceeds from the sale to one of my local charities.

So, without further ado - Frocapalooza, the (dis)honorable mentions:

Dress: 8Inkerman
Boots: Reiker Antistress via Shoebuy

Too hot for this dress over summer alas, but I still like it, it's great for snuggling.



Dress: Monsoon

I was actually going to wear this dress for New Year's, but when I put it on prior to coming to Canberra I discovered that I've lost enough cup sizes that it won't stay up. Quite sad about this, as I've worn it to almost every wedding I've been to over the last three years.


Dress: Thrifted via eBay

I bought this dress for the express reason that it zipped up the front like my favourite shirt dress, but it hasn't been worn for a while, and I sort of forgot it was in my cupboard at all (!)


Dress: Crossroads
Cardigan: Portmans
Shoes: Wittner

Still love this dress, but I forgot to pack it! I bought it a few years ago during the Year Of Great Frocks That Are Also Cheap, and it's the only one that's lasted the distance.


Cardigan: Crossroads
Boots: Duo Boots

Managed to drop a bit of oily something on the frill of this dress which prevented it from being worn in time!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Frockapalooza: Day 28 - Here's One I Prepared Earlier



Cardigan: Portmans
Shoes: Zu

Sorry folks - bit of a cheat here, with a Frockapalooza entry that I prepared for you back in Melbourne. When I packed my bags for Canberra I realised that I wouldn't have enough room to include all the remaining frocks, so I took a few emergency back-up photos instead.

I've spent most of the day today lolling about in my pyjamas and steadfastly ignoring the fact that tomorrow is Christmas Day and I still have one or two little bits and pieces to buy (gulp!)

How are you all going with your own Christmas preparations?

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Frockapalooza: Day 21 - Swinging In the Rain

Dress: Lily via Nordstrom
Shoes: Schuh
Cardigan: Portmans
Brooch: Sportsgirl

Spent another day in drenching rain, which always makes carstock a bit of a downer.

I'm looking down the barrel of a few weeks well-deserved holiday though with tomorrow my last day, so I've got a smile on my face.

I'm so insanely tempted to buy another pair of these shoes, I love them that much, but I'm wondering if that would be a GOOD purchase (i.e. I have a back-up pair when these Go-To-God) or BAD (irresponsible spending when you already have an identical pair).

Also, shh, don't tell anyone but I'm spending the evening in JEANS on account of being invited to a student film festival by The Sophistcate and wanting to look more like a Hip Young Thing than I ever manage to pull off in dresses and cardigans. Don't judge me if you see me ;)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Frockapalooza: Day 16 - Sherbert



Dress: Torrid
Cardigan: Portmans
Shoes: "Kokoda Collection" from Monambi
Headband: Mimco
Brooch: Hand-Me-Down

This dress really divided people last time I wore it, so you've not seen it on Frocks & Frou Frou for a while.

The psychadelic poppy print, and acidic colours don't seem to be to everyone's taste, but it reminds me of lemon sherbert and is perfect for hot summery days.

Pity today wasn't one of them!

Still, it was a nice enough day, and I spent it on Brunswick Street and at the Rose St Markets with a friend completely failing at doing Christmas shopping.

I'm really going to have to start being logical and serious about shopping for gifts - this is getting ridiculous! I'm usually wrapped and ready to go by now!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Countdown to Frockapalooza


Skirt: Portmans
Belt: Portmans
Shoes: Schuh

This outfit must be, really, the very epitome of Frocks & Frou Frou. A full floral skirt, silly red shoes with bows on them, and a magnificently Frou-Frou headband that looks like it's walked off Frida Kahlo's head and on to mine:

The delicious Kiki at Elastic Wasteland (easily the coolest brand name ever) sent me this some time ago, but this is the first time I've been able to blog it. It's an awesome summer statement headband and beautifully made. She's also got necklaces (love!) which you can see Sonya wearing on No More Mumus

So, this is my 199th post (woo!) which means that it's time for Frockapalooza!

I discovered upon the last cull of my wardrobe that I owned more than enough frocks to wear a different dress every day for a whole month without repeating!

The challenge was set.

Starting tomorrow I'm going to blog a different dress every day until I run out of dresses. There's a couple of new ones (blush) and a few favourites, and it'll carry us over Christmas too.

At the end of Frockapalooza I'm going to host a clothes swap/sale and clear out some of the overflow!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Green Machine

Dress: Crossroads www.crossroads.com.au
Cardigan: Portmans www.portmans.com.au
Shoes: Zoe Wittner www.wittner.com.au
I realised the other day that this is the only green outfit I have in my entire wardrobe. I love the dress, but somehow green is a colour that simply passed me by!
I think it was because green was the colour of my school uniform, and after years of enforced-green-wearing I've subconciously decided to never, ever, ever wear it again!

What do you think? Do you still wear the colours from your old school uniform? Perhaps you were one of the students from those forward-thinking schools that didn't have uniforms (oh, how I envied you). Let me know?


Friday, October 17, 2008

Coming Up Roses

Necklace: tidabeads @ etsy http://www.tidabeads.etsy.com/
Dress: remixed Lily @ Nordstrom http://www.nordstrom.com/
Shoes: Diana Ferrari http://www.dianaferrari.com.au/

In case you didn't know; I am a girly girl.

As a child my favourite colour was pink.
I took ballet.
I had lots of dolls.
And I would not, on pain of death, wear trousers. It was all skirts, all the time.
Which just goes to prove, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

It's coming into the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne at the moment, which means that everywhere I looks there are dresses, dresses and more dresses! And this season's ultra-pretty florals and full skirts are like my childhood dream wardrobe, so I'm going a little crazy here.

The one saving grace for my bank balance is that in most of this season's delicate florals and pretty pastels I look just this side of religious nutter so instead I have to opt for the less common bold prints and bright colours.

Cardigan: Crossroads http://www.crossroads.com.au/
Shoes: Diana Ferrari http://www.dianaferrari.com.au/

I just LOVE this Portmans skirt, and once I got over the shock of fitting into it (since when did the Portmans size 16 get so generous?) I wondered why I hadn't seen it before.

It would appear that Portmans made two versions of this skirt - the one I own, and a second identical skirt in a pretty pink and red Monet-esque print of blowsy roses. The second skirt is the one that went into general production and can be found instore currently. The first ended up in the clearance centre, where Lilli, in a fit of great excitement snapped it up for a song. There's more out there girls - keep your eyes peeled!

It has deep pockets (hurrah!) and a full skirt (double hurrah!) and - wait for it - a tulle petticoat. Yep, that's right. It's practically a tutu (swoon!!)

Also on the bright florals topic, today I picked up my new (now remixed) Nordstrom dress from the dressmaker:


I bought it at the same time as my new handbag and it was basically just an add-on because I couldn't bear to put my first Nordstrom order through, and not get some gorgeous frock.

It was drastically on sale, which is good. But it arrived, and was at least two sizes too big, which is less good, and after the cost of taking it in, taking it up, and giving it straps (because if I can possibly avoid strapless bras, I will) it was considerably less of a bargain than it had started out as.

It came back from the dressmakers a bit shorter than I had expected, and I'm not sure the straps were such a good idea after all, but it's still a lovely dress that looks like it was made for romantic picnics in the botanical gardens. I wonder if Himself will get the memo?