Q's, Q's and more Queue's

Top - Target Tee

Skirt - Jacqui E

Belt - (drum roll please .....) Anthropologie! Snakebite in Grey 

Shoes - Anapelle

Jewellery - Key Necklace by Tiffany

It was a very casual day, involving spending ALOT of time in government queues ... firstly time in DMV changing my registration, then off to Births, Deaths and Marriages to get another copy of my marriage certificate - apparently the one I was given at my wedding isn't actually proof of my marriage - I needed the one that they provided for a fee of $50!  Pffft ... Got to love the hoops they make you jump through.  On a positive note, I am now hitting all new gaming high-scores on my iphone :)

Five years of strength worn down with one disarming smile

This dress, which when it fit me perfectly, was hardly ever worn.  Now that its a little too big, I'm wearing it as my default 'need to get dressed, but feel like jeans' look.  Combined with my flats and my tiffany key, I'm set to go on a very special shopping trip with my daughter, along with a few errands around town.

 

Do you remember your first pet?

Mine was a chow-chow - a beautiful fluffy dog with a blue tongue named Kieko. Man, I loved that dog.

My poor mum though, had no choice in the matter - after saying no to my many plea's of pet ownership, my dad took it upon himself to right the injustice and brought a little 'suprise' home for us!  

Didn't take long though to win over Mum's heart <3

Somehow, I seem to find myself in the same position as my poor harried mother ... constantly saying no to another mouth in the house.  Until Grace finally used this line on me ... "Mummy, I have lots of love in my heart and I really want to share it with a special friend ... please can I have a gold fish?"

So here we are, leaving to go purchase our first pet - I give you, the ruffle girls ;)

The 'doll on a stick' is from the ekka (State Fair) that we went to earlier in the week.  I have started a post about the Ekka trip but somehow haven't gotten around to posting it.  I will have to do that this afternoon (I'll add it to my to-do list. Right after I drop my camera off for a service, but before any housecleaning is done.  Priorities right?)

Jacqui-E: Fitting Room Review

 Jo Jo Knit Dresss in Bark/Sleet ($119.95) 
Top part of this dress was a lovely stretchy t-shirt jersey, with a fully lined cotton skirt that fell just below the knee.  The waistband was also cotton with very little stretch, providing the dress with a little bit of structure.  I went into this store speifically to purchase this dress with a credit that I had.  Unfortunately the waist just hit wrongly for me, and the cap sleeves nailed the last one in for me - this dress was a not coming home.

Animal Ra-Ra Skirt ($89.95)

Unknown (and hideous!) top ($89.95)
I have no idea why I picked this top to try with the skirt, but it was purely just to try the skirt. This top is 100% designed for small chests.  But on me?  I have no words to say.  Actually, yes I do.  Hideous.

Now onto more pleasant times, the Animal Raa-Raa Skirt.  I took a size too big, as it was the only one they had, and I would have to say that this is TTS.  The ruffles are slightly pleated in appearance, and fall in such a complimentary way.  I have no idea what is happening to the skirt shot online by Jacqui E - very blurry!   I loved this skirt so much, I had the SA arrange a hold in another store. Love!

  

 Lily Ruffle Top in Eggplant ($79.95)

Brooke Ruffle Skirt ($89.95)

The newfound adoration of Jacqui-E continued with these little numbers. 

Both found a new home - my wardrobe!

 The Lily Ruffle top came in two colours, both the purple and a pale ivory.  Both are gorgeous, and I may have to return to bring an ivory home.  Completely sheer, the top is designed to have a Cami underneath.  A collarless open neckline gives way to some understated ruffles, and the gentle flutter sleeves top it off.  The skirt is also lovely - straight skirt topped off with a flat lying ruffle on the front and a elastic waistband makes it very versatile - adjusting on high or low waists.

Milly Animal Chiffon Hem Cardigan ($59.95 was $89.95)
I actually had been contemplating buying this at full price a couple of months ago, but couldn't really justify yet another cardi for $90 - but at the sale price I snapped it up. The colour appears different in the photos, but it is closer to grey than lavender, with a lovely soft black as the print contrast.  Finished off with a sheer black chiffon ruffle on the hem, it perfectly covers my 'bump zone' when wearing jeans or pants.  TTS and I highly recommend at sale price.

Disc Black Glass Bead Necklace ($29.95)
Long silver chain that can be looped for double strand effect or worn long.
Black Glass flat discs are randomly grouped together at different intervals.
Really, really pretty.  Really, really overpriced.  Really, really loved it.
But I'll save my pennies, because it really isn't worth the price tag.

(edit:  I went back the next day and bought this - yeah, yeah, I know. Let's not tell hubs what I paid for such a simple necklace hey? It will be our little secret ...)

OOTD: Different Day, Different Pose

I know, I know - I've developed a little bit of a habit of stiking the same pose.  Usually it's one (or two if feeling particularly cheerful) on the hips and a great big cheesy smile, followed by the cross the legs and look down at my shoes. Same pose, everytime does not make an exciting blog post.  So I shook it up a little, and the results are posted. Yep, funnily enough it looks the same to me aswell. Except with dead zombie arms.

Anywho, I never know how to wear this top.  It has giant flutter sleeves and no shape through the waist, so between my boobs and hips I gain 5 kgs :) On the plus side, the pattern, colours and cute crocheted (is that a word?) hem, is what is keeping it in the cupboard. Just. 

I tried popping this cropped cardigan over it, trying to define the waist, I think the top itself just hits at the wrong length.  While I love the comfort factor of this whole outfit (and could use this on a fat day) I don't think it made a huge impression on me. 

I am sure you are thinking, "where have I seen those shoes before?" Well let me help.  

On me. Everyday for the last three months.

As I said in my last OOTD post:  Hardest. Working. Shoes. Ever.

Top - Colorado

Jeans - Portmans

Cropped Cardigan - Jacqui-E

Shoes - Annapelle at David Jones

Earrings - Roses from Sportsgirl (yep, total cheap shamless knockoff from Mimco)

Headband - from under my bed :)

OOTD - Shopping with Mum & Jacqui-E Fitting Room Reviews to come ....

These are both terrible iphone shots for OOTD - but I loved scooting around town today with my mum in this dress and cardi.  The unflappable Annapelle flats were out AGAIN today, but why not?  They are probably the hardest working shoes in my cupboard :) 

I lost a bit of weight recently so this dress is now probably a size too large for me, but the stretch in the bust and the fogiveness and softness in the skirt just makes this an 'all day dress', that was calling my name this morning. (Secretly I may, or may not, be stalking this exact dress a couple of sizes smaller ...)  I also threw on a little cropped cardi just for a little more warmth and coverage - it was cold today!  No jewellery but the basics and I was ready in five minutes flat.

Dress - Jacqui-E (similar found here)

Cardigan - Jacqui-E (similar found here)

Shoes - Annapelle from David Jones

Activity - Fitting Room Reviews at (where else?) Jacqui-E

Now that's a giveaway!

Wow, wow, wowsy, wow - now that's a giveaway!  The incredible Roxy over at Effortless Anthropologie is holding a generous giveaway - $250 Anthro Card!  Now, quick quick, go follow and enter!!!!

Dressing Down (OOTD)

Had a lovely night out with Hubs, drinks then off to a movie.  

Those with kids would realise that a great babysitter is worth her weight in gold - and I think we may have found our gold statue!  It was a great night with an ok movie - Knight and Day.  Unfortunatley Tom's couch-jumping and crazy talk may have killed my enjoyment of his movies, if you could suspend any thought of realism - this movie was fun, with Cameron Diaz delivering some hysterical one-liners.  I love this dress and originally purchased it to wear to my son's baptism with a pair or sky high stiletto's.  However, I haven't worn it since then, always feeling like it was a little too dressy for everyday wear.  This is my attempt to start making my wardrone work for it's living ;)  While it is definately a summer-weight dress, I winterised (is that even a word?!?) it using thick 120denier stockings and woollen cardigan.  Hopefully the flats have dressed it down making the outfit on a whole much more user friendly.

Dress - Leona Edmiston

Stockings - Levante (seriously the BEST stockings I have come across)

Cardigan - The Works

Shoes - Annapelle

Hairband - Water Lily Alice Band by Mimco (no longer available)