Vineyard.

{Dress - "Belinda frock" custom made c/o Elisabeth Mary Smith; belt - market; floral wreath - ASOS; shoes - Jeffrey Campbell}

Images, as always, by the lovely Love Yaz <3 

 ...And again, it was one of those weeks that passed in a flurry of wonderful events and inevitably, this post has come at a time that is {not so} fashionably late but there are so many gorgeous things in store for the weeks ahead and exciting news impending so I promise you it is worth the lengthy intervals between posts! 

Of all the frocks I have worn on this blog, this one gifted so generously by the lovely people at Elisabeth Mary Smith is perhaps most congruent to my personal style with its overtly effeminate aesthetic and flattering contour, which imparts it with an incredibly high frolic factor {perfect for languorous Sundays spent in mountainous vineyards beneath cloudless blue skies}. In this world of mass production, it is an absolute rarity to find a label that pays attention to meticulous details - from the exquisite bespoke designs tailored to fit you to perfection to the delicate brown paper packaging that induces the childhood giddiness evoked at Christmas. Moreoever, their elegant and classic designs means that you will covet their delightful frocks for many seasons to come. <3

...And further, you may recall from my previous post that I am in the process of economising my wardrobe, wanted to show you how a simple cap-sleeved frock can be styled into a romantic off-shoulder gown with the zipper done up only partially and the addition of a few discerning tucks! :) 

Much love and have a gorgeous week ahead, Mandy. xx

Common denominator.

{Bomber jacket - Cameo; dress - Finders Keepers; clutch - Oliver the label all from Lalabazaar boutique; shoes - Guess}

Images by the infinitely exquisite Love Yaz.

With the recent acquisition of a new abode (oh yes, beautifully exciting times indeed!) and a few other lovely side projects, there has necessitated a serious means of economising my wardrobe and ensuring maximal utility from minimal pieces. Whether this delightful bomber jacket is nonchalantly slung over the shoulders, tied at the waist, or worn the conventional way (as in my previous post), I love the diversity of permutations created from the same elements. 

In a time where sustainability is an incredibly chic sartorial ethos to possess, I hope this post has inspired you to instil some creativity into your life and create different looks from your wardrobe too! 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Grand stand.

{Bomber jacket - Cameo; dress - Keepsake; clutch - Oliver all from Lalabazaar boutique; heels - Guess}

Photos by the lovely Love Yaz.

In the halcyon days of our distant youth, Yazzi (the exquisite photographer of most of my blog's images, if you haven't already noticed) and I were quite avid tennis players (and, in fact, is how we met - isn't life just lovely sometimes?) so as we frolicked around Beaudesert Sports Club in the golden afternoon sun, I couldn't help ponder on our beautifully humble beginnings : two girls playing for the love of sport ... I don't think we could have anticipated the serendipity that would eventuate in us expressing our creative hearts together in a completely different medium ten years into the future. 

...And isn't it just utterly delightful that life unites people in wonderfully unexpected ways? If there has been a cherished friend who has diminished in the haze of your prettily chaotic life, may this serve as a reminder to perhaps send a little love note, or better yet, arrange for an afternoon of coffee and cake...

Much love, Mandy xx

bucolic.

{Dress - Sabo Skirt; sunglasses - Karen Walker; shoes - Jeffrey Campbell}

Photos by the exquisite Love Yaz. 

Whilst I have always been one to revel in an agenda overflowing with meetings with distinguished people, creative projects, and beautiful ideas for the future, there are absolutely times when one must escape the frenetic pace of it all and return to a simpler existence with nothing more than a camera and a pretty white frock to frolic the meadows in... 

Hope you are all having a lovely week thus far {and that it has been more lucid then mine!}. 

Much love, Mandy. xx

Lighthouse.

{Capelet dress - c/o Style Keepers; clutch - c/o Hello Parry; shoes - YSL tribute pumps}

Photos by my love Love Yaz

...And because the weeks have been tumultuous and filled with an overflowing inbox of unattended emails, lingering work hours, and general loose ends, have only just had a spare moment to catch my breath and reunite with my childhood love Yazzi of whom has just returned from her European sojourn (do drop by her tumblr for her exquisite shots)...

...And my, didn't we have a lovely time frolicking about to the dappled haze of sunset at Cleveland Point - the place where so many childhood memories are stored and by sheer default of the heart will forever feel like home...

Hoping you are all having a scintillating week!

Much love, Mandy. xx

Olive grove.

{Jacket & skirt - Les Petites... ; bag - Botkier; shoes - Valentino}

Photos by my lovely friend Suzie Q during our rendezvous in London (do drop by her blog and send her my love!). <3

This week, the days seem to have tumbled along at such a rapid velocity that I have barely had time to attend to blog matters ... but there has been lovely life decisions, holiday dreaming, and exquisite banana cake involved so there will be plenty to share incipiently! 

On a more sartorial note, I have been utterly smitten with all shades of olive of late and this skirt suit that I found in the quaint cobblestone depths of Le Marais in Paris have been the most utilitarian items in my wardrobe with their perfect Parisian tailoring and their versatile hue. And since I am never one for half-hearted pursuits, I expect this (surprisingly) flattering hue will be permeating the rest of my closet soon...

Hope your week ahead is absolutely dazzling! 

Much love, Mandy. xx

settling.

{Jacket - Cameo; top - Three of Something; skirt - Keepsake; all c/o lalabazaar.com, clutch - MNO.logie}

Photos by the exquisite Love Yaz.

Finally, finally, after weeks of a peripatetic existence, I'm somewhat settling again back home rather like leaves on the autumn ground - calm, restless at times, often too eager to drift with the breeze...

...And whilst it is lovely to welcome the familiarity of routine and structure back into life, I can't help but feel that I left my heart somewhere across the sea and that old friend wanderlust beckons and I find myself, yet again, grateful that I have a beautiful dream career that distracts me from its perpetual allure...

Much love, Mandy. xx

{P.S. Don't forget to follow us on bloglovin' if you haven't already!}

chelsea blossoms.

{Top - Equipment; cardigan - Oroton; skirt - Zara; bag - Botkier; belt - ASOS; shoes - Guiseppe Zanotti}

Images taken by my gorgeous friend Minnie of the amazing blog Minnie Knows <3

As the northerly winds begin to blow their gentle chill across Australia, on a small street of perfectly congruent alabaster flats in London there are cherry blossoms ripening with the spring underneath the placid European sun. I could not have asked for a more perfect day when I spent the day with my new favourite Londoner, Minnie, a few weeks ago as we frolicked around Chelsea, devouring a leisurely brunch on Kings Road, followed by petal gelato cones...

Much love, Mandy. xx

motel.

{Skirt and top - c/o TRACYEINNY; shoes - YSL}

Images by the gorgeous Love Yaz. 

My YSL-clad feet are well and truly planted back on home ground with the completion of my first day back at work in the restless ennui of a small town hospital in St George. Literally landed from London two days ago and generously imparted myself with 24 hours to reset my Circadian rhythm - completely worth it for an extra day in my beloved London! 

On a more sartorial note, tracyeinny is the most amazing purveyor of affordable fashion trends that doesn't compromise quality - this leatherette skirt has consolidated itself very stalwartly in my heart and you will find that almost everything on their site is utterly lovely. 

Thank you for all your patience with my slow posts but I hope I can resume the organisation soon!

Much love, Mandy. xx