christmas dresses 2011

As I slowly but surely pack away all our worldly belongings, (moving day has been finalised the week after the wedding - eeeek!) I am coming to terms with the fact that for the next year I will be living out of a bag. Or a camper. Whatever. Point is that we are trying to narrow down exactly what it is we will take on our big trip. Nitty gritty's like which shoes, books, electronic chargers, first aid supplies, and clothes. Clothes. Hmmm...can I do the next 12 months with 3 pairs of jeans, 2 jumpers, 5 tops, 3 shorts and 2 skirts? Because that's basically all I'm taking. Because that's basically all we can fit. Hmph.

So as I start to think and look towards Christmas day I'm getting a bit sad that I won't have a pretty dress with me as usual to wear on the jolly holiday. We are planning on coming home for Christmas from where we will be in December (Boort in north west Victoria), but by then all our clothes will be in storage. No matter, here are some that I would like to be wearing, a little bit of sparkle or a little bit of Mrs Clause...

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Do you wear something special on Christmas day? Or do you go more for board shorts and thongs and a hit of cricket on the beach? I like to wear something special as I think it's a special day!

my hens day wardrobe

So I know it's still 8 weeks away but I have been scouting around for a dress to wear to my hens day (my sisters have organised a marquee at the local country races). If you follow me on Pinterest I'm sorry for the bombardment of pretty dresses I've been pinning! So undecided, but then...

...yesterday whilst on a shopping mission for bridesmaids shoes I found the dress - very similar to this one from Asos. It was a little bit too big though and no size 8's left :( but my mum assured me she could take in the side seams. Sold. 

But how to accesorise? I am thinking nude! Seeing as though it's a day at the races I wanted a great hat or fascinator, but can not for the life of me find anything 'nude'? I do like this ivory one from Forever New though, their new website in dangerous. Plus I'm scared my bridesmaids might want me to wear a stupid veil or something...?! I did purchase a pearl and gold bracelet from Big W - but it's way better than this Diva one! And it was $4! Brilliant. 

Psssst....secret: these shoes are actually the ones I ended up buying for the bridesmaids after hunting all over Australia for 4 different sizes ;)

Image board by Emma Durkin for Cinderella at Brindabella

winter 2011

Better late than never right? Usually I do a 'what-I-want-to-wear' mood board at the start of a season, well this time I'm doing a 'what-I-actually-wore' scenario instead. This winter was super wet in my part of the world, meaning I lived in my boots. My wardrobe staple these days is also black skinny leg jeans and basic black tops, bit boring I know but it's my true Melbournian coming out, plus you can splash colour around like this warm rusty red... 

DUFFLE COAT - MODCLOTH

SKINNY LEG JEANS - JUST JEANS

BOOTS - TONY BIANCO

COWL NECK TOP - WITCHERY

SATCHEL BAG - FOREVER NEW

STUD EARRINGS - SPORTSGIRL

SCARF - FOREVER 21

How did you keep cosy this winter? Do you have winter staples that you wear religiously? I am a sucker for being clad head to toe in grey and black for three months of the year, bring on Spring colour!

Mood board by Emma Durkin for Cinderella at Brindabella

frock it

Inevitably, my sister's are in the midst of planning my hen's day. A day at the country races is planned sipping champagne. Splendid. 

In other news, over at This Mid 30's Life there is a little play-along going on called Frock It. The idea is to choose a frock that has caught your eye this week. Something beautiful, something silly, something you see yourself wearing, you see yourself not being able to afford (!!!) or something you thought was worthy of telling the world about.

Well, you can see where I'm going can't you? Thoughts wandered to what I would wear to an occasion such as one's own hen's day. I saw this pretty frock which caught my eye...

via my Pinterest boards

Cute right? Not too sure I'd want something so short though. I'd want to be comfortable after all. And let's face it, I probably have five dresses hanging in my wardrobe right now suitable for the occasion. Like this electric blue maxi dress which is a standout favourite staple of mine...

My cousins, me and my sister. Don't mind the sunburnt nose.

Kmart. Thirty bucks. Thank you very much.

stripe mania

On the weekend I went to the hairdressers. I usually try and get my hair cut and coloured every six weeks. Yeah right. With work I can only go on a Saturday morning, and we always have a million things on a weekend to do. Mr M also thinks me sitting in a hairdressers for a few hours is utterly ridiculous. So, it's more like 8-10 weeks between drinks visits and every single time I tell my hairdresser (who also happens to be my best friends sister) that I'll be a good girl next time and come in sooner. I promise. After all, part of my new years resolutions was to take better care of my hair, to help it grow and be healthy for the wedding. Sigh.

I took this photo as part of Holly's Stripe Mania going on over on decor8 and on twitter, and well everywhere! It's in our not-so-finished-yet-in-the-decorating-stakes bedroom here in the ramshackle farmhouse, but basically it's a carbon copy of our bedroom in the cottage until I come up with a better brainwave.

Cardigan with belt: Big W

Stripe top: RM Williams (also seen here)

Skirt: Old jeans I made into a denim skirt

Leggings: Target

Ballet flats you can't see: Kmart

What can I say I'm a cheap-skate-chain-store shopper?? Cept for the RM top which I wear everywhere.

Have a lovely day, it's freeeeeeezing here! Brrr.....

Images by Emma Durkin for Cinderella at Brindabella

made for walkin'

I have been on the Etsy-prowl for awhile now for some vintage cowboy boots. Boots I can wear in winter over jeans and tights, or with high waisted full skirts in summer. The trick was though to find a pair which had that perfect worn-in, beautiful colouring of leather. And I think I have found just that.

Is it just me or does the scene from the first ever episode of Friends pop into your head whenever you talk about boots? Rachel walks out on her Mr Potato Head marriage to Barry, telling her Daddy in the process that she 'maybe' doesn't need his money...then proceeds to buy a smoking pair of boots on Daddy's credit card.

"They're my new, 'I don't need a job, I don't need my parents, I've got great boots' boots!" 

Just me? Ok.

Tessa seemed to think I was wanting her to perform for me (or I had food in them-there-pockets) so promptly plonked herself in front of me...

...which caused the off-leash workers Lily and Pippa to come and investigate also...

So for the safety of my camera sitting precariously on the tripod and tails a'wagging violently, I called the shoot a wrap. The ramshackle farmhouse will hopefully be getting a lick of paint this winter so I'm trying to utilise its flaking appearance whilst I can for some rustic images!

I'm fairly besotted with my boots and am toe tapping my way to the nearest ho-down or hitchin' rail...I think this is going to be a beautiful and long-lasting relationship with many adventures for my boots and I.

Have you got a favourite vintage item in your wardrobe?


Boots from MoMoDeluxe
Skirt from Ananya 
Belt from Supre
Shirt from Target


Images by Emma Durkin for Cinderella at Brindabella

the royal wedding: what would you wear?

There has been enough speculation about what the future Queen of England will wear on her wedding day (rumour has it she has three different gowns and she will choose one of them to wear on the morning of the wedding, in case one gets leaked to the press).

But while everyone else has been debating taffeta trains and lace cap sleeves I have been patiently waiting by my mailbox for an invitation to the big occassion. I know, how rude to not invite Queen Kate's biggest fan?! In amongst all the hullabaloo about horses and carriages, cavier and champagne and the ten flowergirls I have secretly been fantasising about what it would be like to actually attend such an event. What does one wear to a royal event? A once in a lifetime, tell your grandchildren about it type of occasion? It would have to be ultra fancy and long, yet modern and ethereal with sparkling jewels and the perfect shoes.

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What would you wear if you were to miraculously find a lost-in-the-post royal invitation in your mailbox? Would you go all out with stylists and hair and make-up as if it was the Oscars or try and blend into the cucumber sandwiches and pims drinking guests? 

Image board by Emma Durkin for Cinderella at Brindabella.

autumn 2011

What I would like to be wearing this Autumn...

ORIGINAL BLUEBELL JEANS BY EMERSON MADE | LEATHER JACKET BY JUST JEANS | PLANT THE SEEDS OF KINDNESS TOP BY MODCLOTH | IVORY KNIT BOBBLE BEANIE BY WITCHERY | POISON IVY RING BY SPORTSGIRL | MINERAL EYESHADOW BY SWEET PEA AND FAY | GREEN BOW SCHOULDERBAG BY ELAABAGS | ANNA LOAFER BY TOAST

...how about you?? With the Aussie dollar doing so well against the US I am seriously thinking about going on a little spending spree. Modcloth has my happy clicking finger all aflutter.

Image by Emma Durkin for Cinderella at Brindabella

behold: bhldn

Just in case you hadn't heard (or have been living under a rock) Anthropologie, goddess of all things beautifully bohemian, has just launched a wedding line, BHLDN (pronounced 'beholden'). And it is gorgeous.

  

There are lots of little gems like feathered capelets, pretty satin sashes and yummy peep-toe shoes. The wedding gowns themselves are beautifully unexpected, with touches of non-bridal styles. I love the Dior 'new-look' inspired shorter dresses and the champagne tones throughout them all.

The inspiration board builder is an exciting feature which I can't wait to try out (much like the one at Style Me Pretty). Even if your not in the market for a certain white gown, I am eyeing off some of the dresses and shoes in a non-wedding related drool fest.

what to wear, what to wear

Last year I mused on the possibilities of what to wear on Christmas day, a pretty festive frock would surely fit the bill. But this year it is blisteringly cold in my part of the world, we even had a fire last night, in December! There was snow on the mountains yesterday so who knows, we might even have a white Christmas somewhere in a Victorian summer?? Hmmm perhaps not.

I'd love to think that I could get around in a Dior-new-look and heels number, cheers with some eggnog and sing fa-la-la-la all 1950's housewife on you but the reality is Christmas day is spent in the chaos of ripped wrapping paper, assembling new toys for my nieces, a hit and giggle with champagne in hand on Mum's tennis court and then dinner on the beach with Mr M's family. So casual jeans and shirt it is! This would be what I would want to wear to ring in the arrival of the jolly fat man in the red suit...

The perfect amount of casual comfort, natural thongs, bag and belt, some Christmas sparkle and warm cardigan to snuggle on Christmas evening walk on the beach. What will you be wearing this Saturday 25th?

Jeans: Levis

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Shirt: Modcloth

Bag and shoes: Country Road

Belt: Just Jeans

Earrings and headband: Forever21

{ Spring Summer Myer Ad }

I cannot get the song from the new Myer ad out of my head. Have you seen in? Jen Hawkins looking her best I reckon. That makes two of us in this household that are in love with her now. Wouldn't mind some of the clothes too.

     

Hope your weekend was relaxing and refreshing. Mine involved missing out on a vintage red industrial light fitting at a clearing sale and making lots of yummy coffee and eating too much cake. I didn't partake in point and shoot this week but you can click on over to fat mum slim to see some other weekend snaps.

{ Winter 2010 }

I seemed to have missed the beginning of June...but here is what I would like to be wearing this winter. Snug as a bug in a knitted dress, tights, boots and beret. I hate how as soon as the weather turns chilly I drag out all black and grey clothing - I want something fun and bright in winter to cheer me up! (Have you noticed I don't like the cold??) If you personally know me you'll know I'm quite partial to a hat, and also if you know me you could save up for this turquoise bag for my birthday in October :)

Trench: Mod Cloth

Jumper dress: Dorothy Perkins

Boots: Forever21

Bag: Paulina Carcach

Belt: Anthropologie

Beret: Shop Gossip Girl

Ring: Equip

{ Bloganista Sister #2 }

I thought it about time I get into participating in one of my favourite flickr groups again - Bloganistas. Viv over at ish and chi has some great Fashion Friday's and I have wanted to bring more to my blog lately other than kids homewares, minky blankets and my random musings.

Today is bull sale day. Monty's parents run a Charolais and Red Angus stud, and our embryo transfer (and natural) calves born here at Ythanbrae are bought back by them. (It's a bit of a complex idea to get your head around, my mum and sister's struggle). So I'm off to the auction in about....twenty ten minutes....I'm late! Last year I was 'booking the sale' in my day job with Elders, this year I am avid spectator/child wrangler whilst Mr M is working behind the scenes to make sure those big cheeky bulls behave!

Top: black singlet from Target

Cardigan: cream knitted from el cheapo shop at Westfield Plenty Valley.

Jeans: Sportsgirl

Boots: Payless Shoes (I thought they would last two seconds until flooded with water, this is their third winter and have been best $60 ever spent!)

Belt: Supre

Pendant Watch: gift from Matt's friends for my 21st birthday 

{ Image by Little Miss Emma }

{ Tuesday's Object of Desire }

Love, love, LOVE this pretty cardigan from etsy seller Autumn Dame. It was featured in an Etsy Finds email and I was immediately drawn to it's bright colour, cute pockets and gorgeous floral detail. Looking through winter clothes which are inevitably going to be dragged out on parade again very soon, it's all very black, grey, navy, brown, tweed, plaid etc. I think something fun and bright to wear in winter is just what the doctor ordered...too bad I'm on a bit of a spending ban at the moment (possibly due to last week's Spotlight blowout...)

{ Interior and Fashion Inspiration }

Today I would love to be sitting here sipping my morning cup of tea with Tessa. I love a good window seat. I'm finding it fun/interesting lately to either design my home around my wardrobe tastes or dress according to how my home-life is feeling. Today I need to do some serious tidying up so not feeling like wearing a cute dress like this! Although maybe I should - who said I can't scrub the bathroom in heels??!

If you are in Melbourne this weekend Little Miss Emma will be showing at the Sister's Market at the St Kilda Town Hall on Saturday. Pop in to see some beautifully handmade goodies by some seriously talented people - I would love to see you!

{ Interior from here, fashion from here }

{ Tuesday's Object of Desire }

Perhaps I am behind the times here, but I have just discovered Zazzle. My Tuesday's Object of Desire this week is this cute pair of Ked's I designed. How cool is it designing your own funky footwear? I didn't upload any fancy design or illustrations but I'd still be pretty happy to kick around in these!

{ Image from Zazzle }

{ Autumn 2010 }

The 1st of March. Goodbye Summer - you were good to me this year, not too hot like last summer, but still gloriously sunny days and warm mornings and evenings. As much as I try to tell myself I am a bit excited about hot chocolates, mitten wearing and lighting the fire again - I know the novelty of winter wears off after the first frostbitten morning of not wanting to get out of my warm bed. 

The beginning of Autumn is nice though - the changing of the seasons which is so evident in my part of the world. Yea's main street is a long avenue with big old European trees, the crunchy leaves always make me happy. 

Autumn also makes me think more about wearing coats again, bringing out my boots and wrapping a light scarf around myself, to wean myself into heavy winter layers. Here is a snapshot of what I would like to be wearing this Autumn:

My perfect Autumn outfit: a pretty shirt dress, light coat, scarf, jangly bangles, chocolate toned sunnies to ward off the Autumn glase and a handy bright satchel bag. (Before I delve into the greys and blacks of my winter wardrobe!) 

Where to find all this goodness:

Anthropologie (now shipping to Australia!)

Toast

Sportsgirl

Rubi Shoes

Witchery

Country Road

And...a glimpse of Autumn at Ythanbrae to brighten your day.

{ Image by Little Miss Emma }

{ Bloganista Sister }

I am getting a bit addicted to flickr these days - I took awhile to jump on the bandwagon but now it is eating up all of my internet usage! I am trying to be more of a contributer rather than a voyeur (although that's fun too). 

Mainly I like the home tours, all time favourite is this amazingly kitschy and cute house. It is making me giddy with inspiration of bright, poppy colours and Scandinavian yumminess. The Interior Styling group has also got me all inspired, I am looking forward to entering images in all the challenges and (hopefully) once I get my head in gear I will be styling/photographing the cottage a lot more than I did last year - I'm sorry!

My latest flickr fascination though has been the group Bloganistas - Viv from ish and chi pointed me in that direction and it's a lot of fun to see how other people put together outfits and also to get others perspectives and opinions on your own wardrobe. A top that you are 'sick' of and have had forever someone might comment and say it really suits you, and then you think yeah there was a reason this has been such a good staple! One girls trash is another's treasure and all that.

Here is my latest entry...

Hat: bought at Melbourne's Big Day Out two years ago - I think it was about $30-$40

Sunglasses: Cotton On $15

Top: RM Williams $30 (on sale, usually $60)

Shorts: el cheapo shop in Lilydale $10

Thongs: Rubi shoes $8.50 on clearance table

Go over and explore...it's fun and you might get hooked like me!

{ Image by Little Miss Emma - a glimpse into the master bedroom of the cottage...and my DIY restoration job of my wardrobe, I plan to blog about it at some point. Stay tuned! }

{ Christmas Day Dresses }

Just like Chantelle over at Fat Mum Slim, I too feel like wearing something new on Christmas Day. Enter the problem: serious spending ban. However, if I were to buy a pretty little something to wear, this is probably what it would be...

We are going to Mr. M's family Christmas Eve at the extended family's beach house in Inverloch, then Christmas lunch to my Mum's about 50 minutes drive away, in my beloved Thorpdale. Need comfy, sit on the lawn to open pressies with Mr. M's niece and nephew kind of dress, comfy to travel in, look super stunning at formal Christmas lunch at my mum's {obviously more stunning than my sisters, isn't Christmas lovely?!} and then fall asleep in a beanbag after stuffed full of turkey, ham and plum pudding, gracefully of course, with my nieces bashing me on the head with some sort of new inflatable toy.

All of this of course - if I wasn't on a mass spending ban. Ho hum.

Do you like to wear something pretty/new/special on Christmas day? Or do you end up wearing your pajama's all day? Does your family just play cricket on the beach so thongs and boardies are worn, or do you do a full traditional lunch and a nice shirt or dress is required?

I'd love to hear how you and your family celebrate Christmas and what sort of dress code is adhered to!

{ All dresses found on Polyvore }

{ Tinkerbell Grown Up }

I saw this image and just immediately thought that it looked like Tinkerbell all grown up. I love Peter Pan, I wonder what Tink and the Lost Boys are up to these days?

{ Image found here }