My Obsession with Rayon

Dress - Trashy Diva 'Sweetie' Dress
Shoes - Novo
Glasses - Wildfox

So that's three rayon dresses in a row that I've blogged this month! Even cotton feels too heavy at the moment - this past week we've had days where it's reached 39 degrees. I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing less glamorous than pincurls going limp from sweat and having to peel my dress off my skin when its absolutely drenched.

There is a reason I don't leave home without a parasol, it is less of a fashion statement and more of a necessity! Luckily I do own a number of rayon dresses now, all of them by Trashy Diva, and this morning I managed to track down another rayon dress in the Sweetie style on Ebay...despite having placed myself on a ban from buying dresses this year...

Rayon is the quintessential 1940s fabric, it was hugely popular during the war and post war period as its production was not affected by wartime shortages the way fabrics such as wool and silk were. The 'Sweetie' dress is a reproduction of the iconic 40s shirtwaist dress and probably my all time favorite Trashy Diva style! I love the way the cut accentuates an hour glass figure, the contrasting buttons and belt buckle.

Parrots!

Dress - Trashy Diva
Shoes - Novo

Every now and then I pop into the local garden center to pick up some plants to replace the ones I've killed. I love plants but I am terrible at remembering to water them so normally I will buy three things and if I'm really good two of them end up surviving. At the moment I am looking at buying some nice luscious green plants to put on our veranda and turn the area into a nice spot for drinking cider and cocktails, however I might have to get some plastic plants as well as real ones to complete the look. Knowing my complete inability to keep up with watering, the plastic plants stand a better chance!

I've had this Trashy Diva dress for nearly four years now, I think, and it was the first one of their dresses I ever bought. I wear it a lot and it's still going strong with no signs of wear - a testament to how well made Trashy Diva dresses are! The reason I will always buy repro is because I know I am getting a quality investment piece that will last me for years and will remain timeless while fashion continues to change.

Black Kimono

Dress - Trashy Diva (currently on sale!)
Shoes - Novo
Parasol - Ebay

I wanted my first post for 2015 to be a little different and dramatic - and I feel that this dress is exactly that! On the weekend I went to the theater to see an illusionist performance and because I love dressing to a theme I thought this dress was appropriately glamorous and magical. I am in love with the way the silky fabric swishes and swirls when I move and the cut of the sleeves. Normally black isn't a colour I reach for on a hot day but this dress is wonderfully airy and cooling. My favorite thing about it though is that I instantly feel like a 1940s screen siren the moment I slip it on!

Trixie!

Trixie top c/o Bernie Dexter
Trixie skirt c/o Bernie Dexter
Shoes - Betts

Like I said - this summer is going to be all about two piece sets! As you know, I love my Bernie Dexter dresses so you can only imagine my excitement when Bernie Dexter released a beautiful range of matching skirts and tops! The tops and skirts are sold separately so they can be mixed and matched according to size to ensure the best fit so it is important to measure yourself carefully. My measurements are 32 - 26 - 34 and I am wearing the top in an XS and the skirt in an S. The Trixie top is boned and has an elastic back, so it can be worn with or without a bra as it is structured and not only is it very comfortable, it also provides good support. When it comes to skirts I like mine to be fitted - but still have a bit of room to spare just in case I expand after a big meal, so for me the size S was just right!

Tropical Flowers

Dress - Trashy Diva
Shoes - I Love Billy
Parasol (gift)

Waking up to the sound of cicadas in the morning is like waking up to a siren trying to warn me that its going to be hot and I need to barricade myself inside. But November is not without its charm - it's actually a time of year I'm really fond of because it means eating mango's for breakfast and lunch, and drinking lychee mocktails with dinner. This morning I felt like exploring the inside of this domed building I always pass on my walk through the gardens and I was not disappointed as the lilies were in bloom and everything inside was beautiful and tranquil. It would be the perfect place to go and meditate because its easy to sit down and drift off for a few moments, even on a day as hot as today was.

You Say 'Tomato', I Say 'Tomato'

It has been a busy week and the weekend is going to be even busier! I have had my younger brother, who is still at school, staying with me and these photos were taken on a very windy morning (which is why my hair is standing on end in some photos) before doing the school run. This has given me a chance to try out my parenting skills, by which I mean putting a pizza/chicken nuggets in the oven and parking my brother in front of the TV to watch back to back episodes of The Walking Dead. Which is the way it's supposed to be done - right?

The past few days have been hot, stormy and muggy so I have reverted to my summer uniform of Bernie Dexter's Chelsea dresses, which I would have to say are my all time favorite style. At this point I have packed away nearly everything that doesn't have a halterneck or skinny straps, with the exception of a few rayon dresses. I am really looking forward to getting out of town this weekend and going on a mini road trip with some friends to attend a wedding in New South Wales where hopefully it will be a bit cooler. I'm also excited about having my hair and makeup done and getting the rare opportunity to wear a formal gown!

Jungle

Top & Skirt - Tara Starlet
Shoes - I Love Billy

This summer is going to be all about two piece sets! I am not the biggest fan of wearing separates, but what I do love is matching sets and during this past winter I managed to get a hold of a number of adorable playsuits that I can't wait to blog about! Sets like this are so perfect for our Queensland summers that I have no idea why it's only now that I finally own a few. I wore this set by Tara Starlet to the Finders Keepers markets today and had a wonderful time drinking iced tea in the shade and browsing all manner of lovely stalls selling vintage dresses and knick knacks. I resisted the urge to buy some gorgeous 60s dresses but now that I'm home I'm really kicking myself for not doing so!