Leopardy Goodness

I do like a good leopard print outfit. I wouldn't go as far as to say I was obsessed with animal skin patterns- but I have a decent amount of them represented in the Wardroom. To be fair- most fabric patterns and colours are!

I love that leopard in particular is very versatile when it comes to matching it with other colours. You can play it safe with gold or black but you can really lift it by matching with brighter blues and greens. Of all the possible colour combo's-red with leopard has to be my favourite.

I know I have a tendency to over co-ordinate. I am by no means in denial about this. It is not uncommon for me to take 2 or 3 matching accessories off before I leave the house. Even I occasionally know when I have gone too far. (I did say occasionally... sometimes I may realise but don't care and wear them all anyway!) The reason I mention the over matching is that red is the easiest colour for me to fall into that way. There is an abundance of reds in pretty much everything just waiting to be worn.  Belts, hats, hair flowers and jewellery. You name it. I probably have 2 of them in red. Ok. Probably more than 2. My point is- red is dangerous this way.

For this outfit I have obviously gone very matchy- but I think I have managed to stay on the acceptable side of the line. Leopard in itself is a good way to break the colour up I find.

This dress is a fantastic score. I bought it from the cotton on outlet store and it cost me a cool $15.00. I didn't get a close up shot- but it has adjustable straps AND a ruffle on the top. An elasticated waistband and a flattering skirt cut rounds it all off. Yes. I am quite fond of this dress. I'm sure it will come as no surprise to hear that I have another in the same cut- just a different colour! (Frockstar post pending)

Another point to mention about the versatilty of this dress is that it is nice and light for the Summer- but looks just as good with black tights and cardi's for an instant Winter ensemble too. 

I have gone for my stock standard red skinny belt, hair flower and patent peep toe wedges for this wearing. In fact- that is the combo I have gone with every wearing now that I think about it... Note to self. Try it with a different colour next time.

I thought I would also take the opportunity to showcase one of my favourite rockabilly cardigans too. My cardigan section of the wardroom is getting a little bit out of control. I don't know how many cardi's your average girl would have- but I would put money on the fact that I am probably quadrupling that amount. At least. I am now in a self imposed "black cardi ban" as these are pretty well covered. I am a sucker for embroidery on black cardi's though. I guess that's how they got to be so well represented in the first place...

This one was another great trademe purchase. I think it cost me about $40.00 which isn't too bad for a good quality cardigan. It's quite a bit thicker than a lot that I have - and its brushed too so nice and fluffy feeling on your skin. I LOVE the embroidery at the back as well as the detailing on the front! I could explain this in great in detail - or I could shut up and let these pics speak their thousand words...

Frill AND a bow!



Another Flissmas over for another year. It's hard to believe we are down to the final hours of 2011.It really is true what they say. Time goes much faster as you get older. I swear this year went by in a total blur...

I chose this dress for my final post of 2011. I also chose it to wear to my family Christmas dinner on the 24th in fact. Lucky I already had the picture ready to go- as I managed to dribble gravy right down the front of it at dinner. I blame the pre-food gins but in all honesty it probably would have happened if I was sober too.

If it isn't the fabric that grabs me on a potential new frock- its the additional details. You know. An asymmetric hemline. A faux button detailing. Any intricate or even (dare I say)  un-necessary addition will often be the straw that breaks my bank accounts back.

This is a dress that managed to pull me in with not 1, not 2 but 4 major hooks. First up is the fabric. A stunning mint green with an almost metallic pearl sheen to it with light undertones of white gold throughout. This alone absolutely screams out to me "50s formal wear".

The 2nd hook is the frill detailing down one side of the bodice. It's an unusual touch- and ties in particularly well with the 3rd hook- a cowl neck feature that continues and tapers out at the waist.

The 4th hook and possibly even my favourite of the lot- is the SUPER CUTE bow on the shoulder right above the 2nd hook frill. If I wasn't already totally in love with this dress (and let's face it- I was pretty much already there...) then the bow was the definitive detail to really send me over the edge.

I have paired this dress with a skinny red belt and red heels for not only this picture- but for all it's wearings so far. I know that I have other options available- but I really think I am onto a permanent winner with the red/mint green combo.

I have worn this dress a few times now and I would hesitantly even consider it as a late entrant into "Frock of the Year 2011". As this prestigious title hasn't even really existed until I typed it just now there won't be any awards thrown out willy nilly. As I have been surprisingly reserved with the all over dress buying in 2011-  I have found myself mainly riding on the coat tails of last years purchases. I will forgo any last minute pomp and ceremony for 2011- but am formally committing to a post in roughly one years time to honour "Frock of the Year 2012!"

As I bid 2011 adieu I can't help but ponder what to wear to our annual New Years party at our place. This dress is currently a front runner but I feel like it has already has it's time in the festive seasons limelight. The last party we have hosted this beauty made an appearance so that means it can't be worn to this one too... (my worst fears were recognised at the same gathering when a party goer pointed out that she had seen me wear the same frock teh party before as well! ) I am considering putting together this years party ensemble from the ground up and starting with the shoes. This is largely due to a huge blister I have recently aquired from a pair of jandals. The other (and ridiculous I realise) thing to consider is that I am capable of expertly matching my drinkig vessel and even straw with the evening's outift. While I recognise this is taking things waaaay too far- I also know that it makes me happy knowing that this level of co-ordination has been reached. Now if only I can just stop pointing this out to people after a few drinks...

Another Floral Frock

I have always been a "floral" kindofa girl. My first real word was "Flower".  I have proteas tattooed on my back and I would be very hard pressed to find an outfit that I didn't have a matching hair flower for. It is good to be prepared kids.

Given my penchant for all things flowery this dress was a no brainer. It was a day 1 in Melbourne purchase from the Dangerfield/ Princess Highway/ Revival/ Alannah Hill factory shop on Brunswick St. (I swear if I could pick just 1 store to go to in a Melbourne visit it will always be this one! Committing to just one frock shop is a pretty big deal really...)

A simple spaghetti stapped dress with a tie back waist and a nice frilled detailing on the neckline. The colour scheme (while vaguely predictable) has an interesting background shade of a colour somewhere between beige and cream. Lets call it sand for the sake of this post. Now arguably someone with my pasty complexion shouldn't really be wearing any colour called sand. Thankfully there are so many other colours represented in the floral pattern there was no issues with my legs blending in too much.

I have chosen to match the reds. It seemed to be the easiest option. Red shoes and red bow for my hair with obligatory Christian Dior red lippie. I have since worn this dress again and a red belt doesn't seem to go astray either.  It also works particularly well with my little red riding hood. (I am starting to think that is my most versatile piece purchased in the last year... it goes with so much!)

NB- With most Summery dresses I own- I do that typical girl thing of changing the season just by adding black tights and a black cardi. If you don't already do that it is a great way to double your Winter wardrobe in one easy go.

Turquoise Frills and Lace

In the last few years I have learnt many things. I have learnt how to sprint up and down my stairs at home in stilettos. I have learnt how to make the perfect self saucing pudding. I have learnt how to play backgammon and I have learnt that there is a very fine line between 80's lingerie and derby outfits. Point in case.

This little number came from my derby trip to Adelaide a few months back. It stemmed from one of a very few genuine op shops we managed to find in our short stay. (I think it cost me about $7.00 Australian)

It has a very frilled edge along the neck line and this theme is continued along the back straps also. Turquoise lace bodice with a turquoise satin flip skirt. SO many shades of awesome in one outfit. (this is obviously subjective)



So I am 99% sure that this was originally a negligee. Now it has a new lease of life as one of my favourite training outfits. I just need to find the right coloured leg warmers and my ensemble is complete...

Pastel Flowers

This frock has been kicking around in my collection for quite some time now- and I will admit I have worn it a grand total of ONCE. In my striving to work my way through more of my obscure outfits so I have attempted to try a Winter spin on a Summer dress. Black tights are great for that- and a black belt ties that all together quite nicely I feel...




This dress came with a fabric belt. To be honest I don't think it does a lot for the overall shape of the dress so I have decided to use it as a headband instead. It seems a pity to bot use it for something... right?


The cut itself is quite simple. A v neck, sleeveless style with a frill around the bottom. The colours in the fabric are quite hard to get an accurate picture to represent. The green is in reality much much brighter - and I like the contrast between that with the pastel shade of pink and baby blue with outlines of indigo.




I quite like the "winter" approach to this frock. I'm sure I can get it into a higher rotation with a bit of additional effort!

Lilac Cupcakes

I first saw these shoes on trademe and feel in love with them. They had a buy now price of $100.00 though and I couldn't quite bring myself to commit to the purchase.

The next time I saw them was a few weeks back at Wild Pair. Price tag of $139.00. Still did not commit to them.

The 3rd (and final) time I saw them for sale was in the Paperbag Princess on Tuesday afternoon. Price tag of $20.00. They were even in my size! It was an extremely happy moment I can assure you...

The brand of these shoes is T.U.K. I first discovered these in Melbourne and have spent a bit of time browsing their online store. You should have a look too... HERE. There are many pairs of shoes there that I would love to own. Sigh.

Anyway. There is a lot going on in this particular pair. Shall we cover the details. Yes. Yes we shall.

• Lilac and Black is a great colour combo. Not an easy to match an outfit with I have discovered- but am working on it!



• A nice high wedge for under cover midgets like myself.



• Frills around the ankle



• Peep toe front



• Bow details on the front AND the back



• Cupcake, skull and rose motifs on the wedge



• Dangling skull charm detail on the back of the ankle

When I wore them to work yesterday I had 2 people ask if I had them custom made. They are fairly obviously the kind of shoes I would like... The only thing I would have done differently is made them green!

So in conclusion- I am still riding the warm fuzzy's from this bargain. Aaah. Nothing quite like it.