Uniform : the perfect sunglasses.

(Chiffon blouse gifted by BaBassu, shorts - Zara, shoes - Sense Diffusion, sunglasses - Sabre)

                                                                  Photos by the one and only Tanya Constantino. 

As I expressed in my previous uniform post, my daily sartorial aesthetic generally consists of shorts and a shirt with an abundance of accessories to add interest to an otherwise prosaic ensemble. I have such an affection for feline sunglasses and these Sabre ones have the perfect contour! 

And again, I inadvertently matched them with leopard-themed shoes (remember I did it here?) - I suppose I can't escape my 'animal instincts' haha. 

                                                                       Love, Mandy. xx 

In my wardrobe : three of a kind.

 1. Neon crop top ASOS // 2. White mesh crop top - Finders Keepers // 3. Red crop top - Sportsgirl

 Whenever I have a personal affinity towards a trend, I always seem to latch onto it with serial purchases and even though I'm not particularly audacious enough to wear cropped tops on their own, I love the idea of wearing them under sheer tops or layered with the finest knits for the transitional season. 

Love, Mandy. xx 

Monday inspiration : white on white.

(Images: tumblr, weheartit, Tuula, Song of Style, Studded Hearts) In my kitchen ...  I long for perfectly alabaster white chocolate cupcakes snow capped with gorgeously light buttercream frosting or equally delectable macarons bound together with white chocolate ganache. In my wardrobe ... I want to wear crisp white ensembles for that clean minimalist aesthetic with a whimsical ring of daisies woven into my hair. In my bedroom ... I yearn to wake up to billowing white curtains and the scent of jasmine that is as fresh as my white-washed walls.  

                                                        Have a sparkling week, everyone!

                                                                        Love, Mandy. xx 

Snapshot.

Photos by the always amazing Tanya Constantino.

Perhaps it is due to my olive complexion, but I have always been the type of girl with a predilection for white (rather than black) clothes and gold (rather than silver) jewellery.  There is something about a perfectly pristine alabaster hue that makes an outfit incredibly chic and provides the perfect canvas for gold accessories. At the moment I'm even more intent on stripping down the colour spectrum further and trying white-on-white! 

Hope you have a beautifully stylish weekend! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Polka dots and leopard spots.

 (Top - vintage, leopard skirt - eBay, belt - ASOS, shoes - Nicholas, clutch - HELLO PARRY)

Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily has been holding a fun event called the 'March Style Shakeup' where each day in March is allocated a specific style for readers to experiment with various sartorial genres that one would usually stray from (for example, wearing pants if you have an affinity for skirts ... and vice versa) and spot prizes are given to the most stylish photos submitted (I won one for submitting the first photo on Instagram yay!). This particular day was dedicated to spots so I decided to pair clashing prints together with my favourite vintage shirt that I inherited from my mummy and a skirt I acquired from eBay for eight dollars! I absolutely loved the combination even though it seemed to have a man-repelling effect on the streets ... haha. 

                             Join the March Style Shakeup fun here! I would love to see your photos!

                                                                   Photos by John Li. 

                                                                    Love, Mandy. xx 

Lauren Conrad x The Coveteur.

(Images via The Coveteur)

I never really latched onto her television series, but I do love the exquisitely effeminate aesthetic of Lauren Conrad's clothing line 'Paper Crown' with its abundance of layered chiffon, floaty silhouettes, and pastel palettes. As always, The Coveteur captures her lovely abode and beautiful paraphernalia to perfection and I'm now lusting for some pretty vintage books to display on my shelves! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Lusting : white and gold sandals.

Topshop "Frankie Cuff Metal Sandals"

Topshop "Gold Glitter Sandals"

I am seriously lamenting over the fact that these little beauties weren't available a few months ago for me to frolic around in and proceed with the obligatory summer frivolities ... 

Have an absolutely exquisite weekend, everyone!

Love, Mandy. xx

Emerald.

(Dress - BaBassu, belt - vintage, shoes - Steve Madden, clutch - Hello Parry) 

                                                                                   Photos by Tanya Constantino.

Over the years, I have become both meticulous and fastidious about the types of clothes that suit me. The colour palette of my wardrobe, for instance, is somewhat limited to the neutral/nude/blush part of the spectrum with a sporadic outburst of colour here and there. This dress, a lovely gift from the kind people at BaBassu, is quite an aberrant article of clothing in my wardrobe with its luscious deep emerald green - a colour I would never gravitate to on my own accord. However, I immediately fell in love with the floaty chiffon and pleats the moment I slipped into it and was pleasantly surprised at the regal tones against my skin. The belt is actually my grandma's - a vintage treasure that I have struggled to match with the rest of my wardrobe - but it is apparently an apt companion to this dress! 

                                                                      Love, Mandy. xx

Into the wild.

(Skirt - Angel Biba via BEGINNING BOUTIQUE, top - Zara, shoes - Elizabeth & James, belt - vintage) 

Photos by Tanya Constantino. 

As I was editing these photos, I realised in retrospect that I had inadvertently matched my delightful snake print skirt with the print of my sandals, and that I had accessorised my fingers with other wild adornments (note the claw and jaguar rings!). Sartorial serendipity, indeed. 

Love, Mandy. xx

Weekends.

(1. Exquisite breakfast at Spendelove, Ferry Rd Markets // 2. Gorgeous interiors at Elk Espresso, Broadbeach // 3. Morning insulin spike with waffles at Elk Espresso)

Whilst I will be spending this weekend working (which is fine because I absolutely love my current rotation in Emergency!), I leave you all with a few images from previous weekends spent languorously in the company of gorgeous people and beautifully sunlit beachside cafes with the humdrum of people clamouring to take a well-deserved break from a hectic week, worlds away from the corporate jungle that they've enslaved themselves to ...

Have a beautifully indulgent Sunday and don't forget to do something utterly frivolous! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Dappled light.

(Jacket - Portmans, top - Zara, shorts - Bec & Bridge, sequin clutch - HELLO PARRY, watch - Michael Kors, bracelets - La Moda & Swarovski, shoes - Stuart Weitzman) 

My beautiful and talented friend Tanya captured these images of me as we chased the last rays of the dissipating afternoon light - I think there's something really transcendent about a setting sun against nude tones. 

Also, I'm really excited to announce frocks and other frivolities' collaboration with the beautiful online store HELLO PARRY, where I bought this exquisite sequin clutch. Go and have a look at their website - it is absolutely abundant with pretty things that you never realised you needed! 

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Love, Mandy. xx

East of Grey label launch party.

Photos of me taken by my talented friend Tekin Tekbiyik. 

A while ago, I was invited to the launch of East of Grey - a Gold Coast based fashion label and vintage store directed by the beautiful and talented Kim Bailey. Set amongst a Parisian-themed setting, Kim showcased her lovely collection as well as all her meticulously curated vintage finds that she has accumulated over the years. It was not only a whimsically gorgeous night, but also a truly fun one as we tried our hand at styling and dressed up in all the pretty clothes that were on display. My personal favourite was the scalloped vintage tank pictured above (styled with my favourite Cameo sequin shorts and Jeffrey Campbell heels) - it has the most exquisite gold embroidery that is a rare commodity in this age of mass production. Thank you for such a memorable night Kim! 

And to all my lovely readers, if you are in the Sanctuary Cove area, pop in and send some love to East of Grey at The Hub - I'm certain you will find a vintage treasure that you will covet forever! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Lusting : Lucette.

Lucette Desert Angel Foil Clutch

I always used to be the type of person who would gravitate to ample bags that could store all the content of my life in it. Lately, however, I have had an increasing affinity to more petite styles slung casually over the shoulders or clutched with an abundance of accessories. This Lucette clutch encompasses the best of both worlds and would absolutely match everything in my wardrobe. 

Love, Mandy. xx

In the navy.

(Top - ASOS, skirt - Backstage, clutch - Forever New, belt - ASOS, bra - Victoria's Secret, cuff - eBay) 

This is the kind of default weekend outfit I gravitate to when I feel like I have absolutely nothing to wear, despite the deluge of clothes on my bedroom floor (I'm sure I'm not the only one). When I'm in such a sartorially lackadaisical disposition, I always keep the outfits minimalistic and let the accessories do all the work for me.

Hope you all have a beautifully splendid weekend! 

Love, Mandy. xx