Autumn leaves.

(Sequin hem dress - gifted by SHE INSIDE, cardigan - Topshop, heels - Nicholas, rings - Sabo Skirt)

Photos by the lovely Karen Li. 

Reading the title of this post now, I realise its unintentional duality in addressing not only the obvious theme of these images but also the fact that we are soon departing autumn with the incipient Australian winter. Indeed, the morning air is chillier and my bed is noticeably more difficult to crawl out of in the bleary hours of dawn, but it is in these types of moments where we're chasing the auburn sun amidst a backdrop of russet and burnt orange hued maple leaves that I truly feel like I live in the most beautiful place in the world ... 

And how pretty is this sequin hem dress? I'm not one to shy away from sequins for a day-time look and layered with the appropriate knits, it makes the transitional weather all the more resplendent! 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Floodlit {and another giveaway!}.

(Top - this is a plain tee from Cubic Collective, white ruched skirt/sequin clutch - HELLO PARRY, kimono - Sportsgirl, shoes - Jeffrey Campbell) 

                                                                                              Photos by John Li. 

I think one of the hallmarks of a prodigious photographer is their ability to negotiate lighting to add to the tone of the image in any situation - a skill I certainly struggle with at the moment! As you can probably tell, I had serious difficulties with regulating the exposure in these images. The generously sunny afternoon combined with limited time to adjust camera settings meant a series of images flooded with light ... besides the fact that my outfit is almost completely washed out, I actually think it's quite whimsical, don't you? 

I also recently reached my 100th blog post (yay!) so to commemorate the occasion, I have collaborated with the delightful online store HELLO PARRY who is generously giving the ruched skirt featured in this post to one of my beautiful readers! It's such a beautifully versatile skirt - I guarantee this is a worthy investment of your time. :) 

                                                                          How to enter:

(1) Like Hello Parry on Facebook here or on Instagram (@helloparry)

(2) Follow frocks & other frivolities on Facebook, Bloglovin', or GFC

(3) Leave a comment on here or the Facebook wall with your email so I can contact you if you're the lucky winner! 

And yes, of course you will have an extra entry if you share the Facebook photo. <3

Open for international readers, closes June 6.

Good luck, pretty little things! 

Much love, Mandy. xx 

Need : Karen Walker on a budget.

Sarroff Designs Nicole Glam sunglasses $29.95

Karen Walker Number One sunglasses $220

I'm not usually an advocate of designer emulations but in these seriously dubious economic times, a little recession chic goes a long way! These tortoiseshell Sarroff Designs sunglasses from The Iconic (my latest obsession, by the way) are exactly what I need to fill the modified cat-eye void in my life. 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Cubic Collective VIP launch.

I was recently invited to Cubic Collective's VIP Black Card launch, promoting an exciting new era of shopping where VIPs can use their cards with specially integrated QR codes to gain access to discounts and other exclusive features using the QR scanner app on their mobile phone. I am a shameless troglodyte so when the exquisitely wonderful Julia elucidated this shopping experience to me, I was absolutely in awe at the novelty of this notion! 

It was also my first time visiting Julia and Andy's delightful store and with its impeccably curated labels (Shakuhachi, Maurie & Eve, Alice McCall, this is a plain tee, and more) they are truly the ultimate purveyors of sartorial fundamentals for both men and women. For any of you who reside in the Gold Coast, this is one store you need to frequent for your dose of perfect t-shirts or denim. If not, you can visit their online store here!

Thank you again to the lovely Elle who mediated my invitation and Julia and Andy for hosting such a beautiful afternoon.

Much love, Mandy. xx

Cubic Collective

6/3171 Surfers Paradise Boulevarde, Surfers Paradise 

Mustard skirt perfection, part 2 : the Bohemian girl.

(Top - Finders Keepers from Edge Boutique, Mustard split maxi skirt - SABO SKIRT, floral wreaths - Sportsgirl, shoes - Jeffrey Campbell) 

Perhaps you might remember that a while ago, the beautiful Yazzi and I shot these images and we were so smitten with this gorgeous mustard skirt by the genius ladies at SABO SKIRT that it soon became quite apparent that a three-part series was obligatory. 

This is part two; where we hid surreptitiously between bushes with whimsical floral wreaths in our hair and watched the sunlight slowly fade into the sea and unleashed our inner Bohemian spirits with relentless abandon ....

                                                 Have a sparkling weekend everyone. :)  

{Also, congratulations to the lovely Jen Kumnick from brrgundy who won the LBD giveaway! For the rest of you, there is another wonderful giveaway impending so don't be disheartened.}

                                                               Much love, Mandy. xx

Interview with Something Fabulous

There are times when you stumble upon a blog that is truly special, where you feel the compulsive urge to read through every single post; the kind that is perfect for those rainy days with nothing else but a hot cup of tea, and that is so abundant with effeminately gorgeous posts that you leave the blog feeling so reinvigorated with a sense of ... prettiness. Something Fabulous is certainly one such blog so when the lovely Kate approached me to do a little interview for her weekly 'Miss Fabulous' feature, I was only too delighted! If you haven't already bookmarked her glittery blog, I'm certain you will after you visit it. :)

Thank you again Kate for the pretty words and feature! 

You can read the rest of the interview here and do send Kate some love from me. ;) 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Lusting : glittery camera straps.

Image source : Bloom Theory Straps

Stardust II // Stardust I

How resplendent are these whimsical camera straps? If you don't have my proclivity for sequins, these adorable straps also come embellished in chiffon, tulle, and bows ... 

Find one that tickles your fancy here!

Also, last chance to enter my LBD giveaway here as it ends tomorrow! 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Peace wanted.

('Peace Wanted Tank' - gifted by Joveeba, cardigan - Joveeba [old], leatherette shorts - Topshop, neon crop top - ASOS, neon necklace - Rocks Paper Metal, stilettos - Nicholas)

Photos taken by John Li. 

I was given this tank top by the ever-so-lovely Cindy from cndrlln after winning a competition on her blog (go and have a looksie - she has impeccable style). She happens to work for one of my favourite labels, Joveeba, a purveyor of classic styles that outlast the seasonal trends but always have an aesthetic twist that still sets them apart from a design perspective. This knit cardigan, for example, has the most versatile almond shade and the perfect ratio of slouch that makes me long to live in it throughout the chillier days. 

Apologies for the graininess of the photos - I suspect my ISO settings were too high! :(  

Also, don't forget to enter my LBD giveaway because the deadline is fast impending on May 15! 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Instagram : of late.

 Since I am not in possession of a photographer boyfriend, documenting my outfits on a daily basis is a somewhat difficult task. In a completely inadequate attempt to show you what my casual aesthetic is like, I've been posting various images on Instagram - for those of you who are already following me, apologies for the superfluous inundation! ;) 

In summary:

1. Final med ball with my favourite girls, wearing a scintillating sartorial confection by Rachel Gilbert. 

2. I've been living in this French Connection knit and sabo skirt chain necklace to the point of nausea. 

3. Gold and glittery predilections for ominous weather. 

4 & 6. Obsessive affinity for white-on-white. Such a pristine palette!

5. My life for the next few weeks with my precious puma companion. 

6. A rare moment when the weather is cold enough for my military coat from Romwe.

Also, don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY before May 15 here!

Much love, Mandy. xx

Sequins by the sea.

(Top - Pamela Usanto, skirt - ASOS, shoes - Tony Bianco, rings - Karen Walker, Sabo Skirt, vintage) 

                                                                           Photos by the exquisite Love Yaz.

There are moments when you stumble upon a designer whose sartorial creations are so synchronous to your personal aesthetic that it leaves you slightly breathless and yearning to possess everything that manifests from their talent. Pamela Usanto, with her whimsical materials, couture-like designs, and exquisitely meticulous craftsmanship, instantaneously had this effect on me when I came across her work a year ago. This blouse, a rare sample item of gossamer lace and intricate hand beading, is so beautifully delicate that there are no words that can ever serve to describe it with justice. Such a dream to wear and most certainly a piece that I will be coveting beyond the seasonal trends. 

                                                             Much love, Mandy. xx

Devil's food cake.

Before I begin my melliferous dwellings on how gorgeously decadent this cake is, please allow me to apologise. As you may be aware, this blog was supposed to be a medium to document my relentless love of not only fashion but also baking and at its inception, I had envisioned that I would bake a weekly array of delicious goods and capture whimsical images of them whilst simultaneously managing not to outgrow my wardrobe. But somehow, the natural evolution of my blog began to emphasise the 'frocks' and less so, 'the other frivolities' and despite my valiant attempt to bake more regularly, life (that is, final year of med school and all its concomitant paperwork) rudely intercepted me at every step. This week, I finally had an excuse to triage baking to the top of my priorities because it was my dear father's birthday ... which was such a relief for my recent baking withdrawals!

But moreover, the cake. 

I have been an avid fan of David Lebovitz for aeons (his tiramisu and panna cotta recipes are regulars in my repertoire) so when I needed a reliable resolution to my dad's fastidious tastes ("please, not too much sugar Mandy and you know I hate icing!"), I remembered this recipe of his that I had bookmarked a few months ago. The cake itself is technically quite simple (I did have majestic plans to create chocolate lace to embroider the margins but in the end I went for a more minimalist aesthetic) but it is the moist chocolate base swimming in the rich ganache frosting that makes it transcendent. I wish I took a picture of the interiors because it was one of my neatest layering works to date! Definitely a recipe that is kind to any baking skill level and will most certainly please every chocoholic's palate. 

...And my fussy dad's verdict? Well, I think the fact that he ate it for breakfast the next morning is irrefutable proof that it was a raging success. ;) 

Recipe link here

Much love, Mandy. xx