Australian dream.

{Coat - c/o 6KS; top - Sportsgirl; shorts - Bec & Bridge; necklace - Pree Brulee}

To say I am besotted with Australia would be an understatement of great severity and as a tribute to this beautiful country, a {somewhat restrained} list of why anyone would be just as enamoured:

cerulean seas and pristine sands

balmy summer evenings

intoxicating humidity

sea salt lingering in tousled hair

carefree, free-spirited beings

coconut oil

golden sunkissed skin

dappled light & ocean breezes

the infinite possibility of dreams.

Happy Australia Day everyone! Could not possibly be prouder to be an Aussie. <3 

Much love, Mandy. xx

{P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway!}

New beginnings {& a giveaway!}.

{Top - Wilde Willow; shorts - Bec & Bridge (old season); clutch - The Luxe Project; shoes - Jeffrey Campbell}

Images by my favourite Love Yaz. <3 

Am not even going to begin to deny that the space between now and the last post has been one occupied by a rather hectic agenda - certainly the most glamorous side of being a doctor...

But finally, finally, have summoned some time in between the long arduous hours in the hospital to spend in the golden Australian sunshine with family, friends, and even watch my beautiful cousin marry her love {oh Mei-Yan, what a joyous day!} - such a luxury that I habitually took for granted in the formative years...

...And to apologise profusely for the terribly rude absence, I have collaborated with the incredible team at The Luxe Project and am hosting a giveaway for the absolutely lovely clutch featured in this post. 

This is a collaboration I am particularly fond of as I find myself drawn to ethical and sustainable fashion choices that don't compromise on style - and The Luxe Project are impossibly perfect purveyors of gorgeous accessories that add charm and vivacity to any outfit. Their one-of-a-kind accessories are absolutely obligatory for tropical summer holidays and languid beach trips but the ultimate clincher is their holistic, sustainable ethos that is becoming an increasingly important consideration in my recent purchases.

To enter, simply:

(1) Like The Luxe Project on Facebook or follow them on Instagram {@theluxeproject}

(2) Like this blog on Facebook or follow on Instagram {@frocks_frivolities}

(3) Comment on this post, Facebook, or Instagram so I know you've entered!

The competition will close on February 3 :) 

Sending love, as always, and wishing you all a splendid week!

Mandy xxx

the golden hour.

{Top - Cameo the label; skirt - BCBG Maxazria; watch - Michael Kors}

Images by the loveliest Love Yaz. <3 

...And amid mountains of forgotten paperwork and an inbox overflowing with unopened emails, we suddenly find ourselves in the heat of the Australian summer with Christmas astonishingly almost upon us. 

It's interesting how travelling the world opens one's eyes to the beauty on your very own doorstep. These images were taken in the neighbourhood that I grew up in and yet, I only just realised how lovely the sun sets on these LA-esque streets, imbuing them with a perfect golden hue of light. Utterly whimsical and yet completely taken for granted all these years. 

Apologies for the delayed post but have been busy busy busy with many exciting projects, which I am bursting to tell you all about very very soon...

Have a scintillating week and sending copious amounts of sunshine to my readers in the colder parts of the world. <3

Much love, Mandy. xx

{P.S. Sending an enormous amount of love to my darling friend Brookie, who has been ever so supportive over the last few weeks - you are treasured friend! <3}

Happiness : {the frocks & other frivolities' guide}.

And sometimes, in the most impossibly transcendent means, there are blessed times when your dreams become glittering stars in the most perfectly aligned constellation, which has been the last few weeks for me in a nutshell ... and since it is Monday, and a fresh new week, felt the need to share a list that brings warmth to the heart and happiness to the soul:

long languorous weekends
ice cream, copious amounts of it
golden sundrenched skin
working towards childhood dreams
living the childhood dreams
relentless laughter
the dreamy summer sun on the cusp of setting
chlorine lingering in the hair after a morning swim
ocean breeze after a run
witnessing your baby brother grow
vertiginous billowing curtains
sour gummy candy
small, but significant, accomplishments at work
the timbre of rain against a window
coral lipstick

love.

Hope this inspires you to find your own happy list this week.

Much love, Mandy. xx

{Images by the impossibly lovely Love Yaz}

Accessorise.

{Bag 1 - Jerome Dreyfuss Bobi Leopard bag; Bag 2 - Oliver Line Backer clutch}

Images by the lovely Love Yaz <3 

Of pervasive utility these days:

The first, in its perfectly spotted graphic and deceptively ample interior, has become a weekend staple to nonchalantly throw over any minimalist outfit (or as I have done, with leopard on leopard). 

The second has been a trend hero and salvages even the most basic of outfits on days when there is too much sun to tan in and pristine beaches to lie languorously on to deliberate over complex outfit decisions...

Much love, Mandy. xx

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