the perfect little black dress
I’m not a super fashionista – I don’t really like to THINK too much about my clothing. Whilst I adore fashion and love feeling like I look well put-together, more often than not, my yearning for comfort and speedy getting ready wins when I’m getting dressed.
I tend to buy things that are incredibly easy to wear, since I hate layering, matching, and the stress of coordinating items. I’d much rather buy statement pieces that stand on their own, rather than having to create a “look”. This is especially true of event outfits and dresses – I want to be able to throw something on and feel fabulous in 5 minutes flat!
Here’s one of my favourite dresses that I can throw on and forget about, add a pair of earrings and black heels, and run out the door.
I bought this from Zampera, a great little boutique in Ivanhoe, a few months ago. It was affordable (under $200), extremely well made, and best of all, fits comfortably enough for me to have a GIANT meal, and still not look like I’m wearing a maternity dress. S really hates when I wear shapeless dresses, whereas I love them because well, I love to eat. This dress is a GREAT compromise!
Plus, I love it because it’s a little black dress without being a little black dress – it’s lacy and racy, feels glamourous, and can be just slipped on with little fuss. On this occasion, (as you can tell from my terrible hair) – I got ready in about 20 minutes flat (put dress on, sweep hair into a clip, simple makeup). In fact the thing that took longest was pulling on stockings without getting runs in them. (Yes, I’m hopeless. And it was winter!)
Best yet, it’s not a dress that will date or go out of fashion, and understated enough that I can wear it to various kinds of events without feeling like I’m looking the same old, same old. Ultimate bonus – S thinks it’s smokin’ hot. Done and DONE. It’s made me realise I need more such pieces in my wardrobe, simple and elegant, glamorous yet super easy to wear.
Do you have such items in your arsenal? One that you can just throw on, forget about, and feel great in? Where did you get it from, and what makes it perfect? SHARE THE DETAILS WITH ME PLEASE – what is an item of clothing that you adore?
Read Moretorquay weekend
Every so often, S and I like to take a 2 day roadtrip somewhere to re-connect, regroup, and just spend some quality romantic time together. We try to book these in advance – my weekend dance schedule often means weekends are fraught with busy-ness. Last weekend was booked in months ago, and we decided to head to Torquay since it’s near the end of summer. We figured trying to get any sunshine would be good!
We did a lot of things in 2 days – the things about S and I is that we both love activities, and we love doing things together. We started our Saturday with some coffee and munchies at Scorched, a gorgeous little restaurant by the Esplanade.
mmm snackies!
I had the fried school prawns. Delectable.
the view from Scorched
Then we cafe-hopped a bit, watching the day go by with newspapers, coffees, and lovely chatting time.
how could you not enjoy sitting across this magnificence?
After a wonderful morning, we checked in at the Crowne Plaza, which had come recommended by a friend. We weren’t disappointed, it’s a really nice hotel with friendly staff, really nice facilities, and close to everything as well! As soon as we got in, S suggested I go do a couple of spa treatments whilst he went to the gym. TOTAL SCORE, HE IS SUCH A CLEVER MAN.
Off to the spa I skipped off to, and then later, feeling very relaxed and glowing (and him all gym-bunnied), we met for a steam room session, and then jumped in pool for a bit of a splash. It was an afternoon of absolute pampering and fun, with lots of giggles, an impromptu swimming coaching session for me, and super invigorating.
We had a quick drink in the hotel bar – you gotta love big hotels sometimes for their facilities. Thirsty? Just go downstairs and order a cold golden ale! Whoo hoo! Then got primped and ready for dinner. We headed to Geelong, and had dinner at a bar right on the water.
ZOMG the handsomeness!
S wanted to see me in dress featuring some colour, so I happily complied.
silk dress from bali market.
mmm a wonderful night!
Date nights with S are always dreamy – we stroll, hand in hand, the wind in our hair, we order comfort food and have a few drinks, and everything always seems to pass in some kind of wonderful, light-drenched movie scene kind of way. The photo above reflects it perfectly!
We ended date night by watching a quality movie together (a tv screen with Brad, George and Matt in Oceans Thirteen, and a handsome man right by my side – PERFECTION!).
Sunday morning, we checked out, then headed to Geelong for some crepes. If you haven’t been to Panache, you MUST go – it’s just awesomeness. Their chai lattes are also wondrous, especially on a day that is pretending to be the last day of summer but feels more like the dead of winter.
a gorgeous way to start the day!
bolognese stuffed crepe. OH MY GOSHNESS HEAVEN.
Then, because I whined until he agreed, we hit up a couple of wonderful antique markets. And ended up having so much giggling fun with antics, poses and whispered agreements about items we would NEVER buy, that at one point, I laughed till I nearly had a asthma attack. Uh huh. We are just really mature like that.
hello, handsome!
Yes, I’m wearing S’s shirt from the day before. Don’t judge me – it was cold and the shirt was SO comfy!!
medieval dental chair
With that much laughter beneath our belt, and so much romantic time and all round glowing happiness, it was time to head home.
driving home sweet home!
So that was that folks, what goes on when S and I disappear for the weekend! It was truly long overdue (we haven’t been away since I’ve been injured because long car rides make Mr Spine angry), and exactly what we needed. It’s also given us a taste of our upcoming overseas trip in May, so we are now doubly excited in anticipation! Hurray for love and days away!!
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inheriting love
My mum was a super stylish dresser – all through my childhood, I remember coveting everything she owned. Indeed, I remember wishing fervently that I would grow up and somehow assimilate her effortless style, her confident walk, and her always-in-fashion effervescence that leaves everyone she meets happy and at ease.
It wasn’t that my mum shopped a lot, or collected fashionable items incessantly. Instead, she had an admirably doting husband who always bought her classy outfits that oozed elegance. My father was a sucker for beautiful dresses, tasteful jewellery and timeless accessories, and lucky for him, my mum was a naturally elegant lady who pulled them off with aplomb.
I’ve written before about my wonderful father’s magnificent tastes in gift buying for my mum, but on this last trip back to Singapore, I got to reap the benefits of this romantic man’s penchants. My mum, upon hearing that I was now a “small handbag girl” (due to my back injury), promptly started pulling out some of her handbags for me to choose from. My sister and I watched on with glee as she pulled bag after bag from her treasure trove of a wardrobe, with both handbags new and vintage for us to try on, vainly model in front of the mirror, and paw at.
Lucky me, this one’s siren call started long before she removed it from its dust bag. Purchased in the 80′s I’m guessing, I spotted its rich navy leather tassel sticking out of the top of its protective cover.
mmm come to mumma!
I gasped and started pointing frantically, “THAT ONE MUMMY! I WANT THAT ONE PLEEEEEEASE!” and she pulled it out for me. EXCITEMENT! Everything you could possibly want in a handbag – a narrow profile, perfect length chain straps, buttery soft navy leather that’s quilted (oh so current) and of course the stamp that makes it irresistible and priceless to all daughters – it belonged to my mummy.
The amazing thing was its condition – it was still BRAND NEW, because this was one gift from my father she evidently prized. And it’s been around SO long, that it matches current fashions, and better yet, this year Bally actually went back to making leather tasselled accessories! Super win! I love that mum happily gave me this handbag (with a promise that I would look after it well!) and can’t wait to start planning outfits around it.
So there you have it, one of the favourite things I brought back from Singapore, though you can’t really classify it as shopping. Using it is not only going to make me feel fashionably like mum on a daily basis, but also leave me with the kind of happiness and warmth of heart that only sentimental family love can bring… Or perhaps, the kind of simple joy that can be likened to feeling like a 5 year old girl, wearing her mum’s pearls and high heels and feeling VERY glam indeed!
Read More5 happy things
This last week I’ve been battling with a lot on a personal level – difficult news that reminds me of my family being so far away, as well as pushing through pain barriers to train adequately for my dancing comeback, and sheer busy-ness as we prepare to travel next week. I thought I’d have a think about some happy things instead, and as always, if you want to identify them, they are plentiful, and all around us.
1. Our neighbours have the most gorgeous, massive tree in their backyard, and it hangs over ours too. On a beautiful day in Melbourne, as today was, all I need to do for some peace and solace is wander out into our back garden and gaze upon the blue calm sky. I’m lucky to have a wonderful thinking spot just 5 seconds from my back door.
2. On weekends, S and I like to head up to the strip of shops and cafes and have breakfast together. It’s one of the few meals we get to have together (and at the appropriate time) most weeks, due to our schedules! This last week we found a lovely cafe called Fuel, and the food was good, coffee great, and even better, we bumped into a couple of my old students there! As we went to pay, this sign made me smile, and I knew I’d found a cafe with spunk, and worth our patronage.
3. I performed! For the first time in 6 months. 6 months ago there was a possibility I may not dance again. I’ve been crushed, despondent, and fearful. On Saturday night, after a long period of impatient recovery, and still not quite 100% yet, I performed. Not a routine that was horrifically difficult for me (that’s next weekend!) but still crazy scary as I was in heels, shaky legged, not as strong or flexible as I used to be, and hadn’t been training for very long. It was nice waking up 2 mornings later, trying to shake the soreness lurking, to see these babies lying on the coffee table, reminding me of the triumph from the other night. (Well, and how I’d staggered home, peeled them off and flung them on the coffee table).
4. Speaking of heels. I’ve now managed 2 occasions in heels – first to Kat & Leigh’s engagement, and then to drinks on Friday night with my girls. Like I said, I’ve spent much of the last 6 months in trackies and laying about the house, so getting dressed up and wearing heels was a tiny slice of heaven. The bonus? Seeing the look on S’s face when he saw me. (He said he was going to disallow the outing, I looked too nice. Gotta love the man.) It may sound crazy, but feeling like a woman again goes a long way to confidence boosting when you haven’t left the house much in months.
5. S’s parents and family have made me feel so incredibly welcomed into their arms. They visited this Sunday and the afternoon was filled with warmth and laughter. They’re so caring, brightened my day when I was sore, tired, in pain and apprehensive about next week’s performances, and I’m so grateful that I’ve not only got the most perfect man, but that he comes with wonderful relations too.
There’s my 5 happy things this week. What are yours?
Read Morenaughty wants
Have been flicking through the MNG Autumn-Winter 2010 collection, and the below are things I covet – hopefully they’ll still be in the Singapore stores when I’m there in February!
Want want want. So naughty. WANT ANYWAY!
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