Lady Melbourne: January 2009

31.1.09

House Keeping

I do believe that the heat must have gotten to the maids, because the mail box didn't get looked at until today and low and behold I've found that I was given these blog awards.

These are the gorgeous fellow bloggers who bestowed me with the honour:

Siljes Fashion - Norway

Penny Lane - London

AusStyle - Melbourne

In turn I would like to return the honour by tagging:

Back to the couch....

30.1.09

Happy Friday

Well, us Melbournians have made it to the end of a very long, hot week. I thought a cocktail dress and a drink were in order, if not deserved!

I have showcased Lady Melbourne under the air conditioning this week, but I can assure you there were plenty of hot, melting moments under the sweltering sun.

This dress is from the Tina Kalivas for Target range from about 2 years ago now. In my opinion it was the best Designer for Target range to date, and it was the first in Australia. Since then they have realised the pull of a designer label- the quality has dropped and prices risen.

I did not buy a single thing from the Stella McCartney or Zac Posen range, despite the hype and frenzy surrounding their respective ranges.

Anywho!

Have a lovely Friday where ever you are, to every one who has asked for a little bit of our heat I hope it leaves town and heads your way!

Tuxedo dress: Tina Kalivas

Bow tie: No recollection what so ever on this one!

Vintage glass: A gift

29.1.09

Keepin' it cool

I worked from home today on account of the atrocious weather we are still experiencing. The pup and I hung out on the couch devouring frozen yogurt, quite a balancing act I had going with a laptop and a dog that decided raspberry yogurt was more interesting than licking himself.

I thought if I wore something nautical in flavour, it would remind me of the sea, ergo I might feel a little cooler. It didn't work.
LM
x
P.S: I'm now on Facebook, look to your right for the tag. Let's be friends!

28.1.09

Dear me, someone hand me a fan!

If you are reading Australian blogs at the moment, particularly Melbourne based ones, you will probably already know about the heat wave we are experiencing. 43c, that's 109f. Enough said.

I picked this dress up second hand the other day for peanuts, it's so light weight and sheer I thought with a week ahead of sweltering heat it would be perfect. Plus it fits with my 'only colour for summer' policy for new clothes which isn't really working out but you know, I tried!

New sunnies as well, I was inspired by a very fashionable friend of mine who has the Tom Ford pair. I thought if I like these I'll search out a pair of my own.

Not to be outdone I've worked out how to play around with my hair and keep the fringe back, sans head band which is lovely because we all know I like to change things around.

Dress: Savers

Glasses: Scarlet & Sly

Necklace: Chanel

Bracelet: Forever New

Heels: Tony Bianco

27.1.09

Black cat...

So Australian Vogue this month tells us to try out the new Max Factor felt tip liquid eye liner. I love winged eyeliner as much as the next girl, but tend to stick to my Chanel pencil.

Anyhow, I went to three Priceline stores to find it but it was sold out, clearly I'm not alone in following Vogue's advice.

Being the impatient soul that I am, I couldn't leave empty handed so I bought the L'Oreal version instead, knowing that there are probably ten brands that might offer me the same but better.

Low and behold it is lovely, goes on well and so far has stayed on all day. Resisted 40 degree heat so that's a thumbs up from me!

22.1.09

Happy Friday

I was on a photoshoot yesterday, and it inspired me so much that I took these shots of my jewellery. The silver flower ring was a gift, I love it!
Here is a look behind the scenes:
Edit- this photoshoot was not for Lady Melbourne, I was simply the model for the day. The label whose shoot it was likes the blog so much, hence my own wardrobe being used. Thats all I can reveal until they are ready to publish the pictures themselves!

Dirty studio floor= dirty feet!These are my own pictures, I think the new ring deserved it.

Happy Friday everyone!

Large black/silver diamonte camellia rings: Mouche

Brooch: Chanel

Ring: Chanel
Bag: Camden Market
Top: Lady Melbourne
Leopard Brooch/Bracelet: Convent Garden Jewellery Market
Earrings: Chanel
Nail polish: Maybelline Wet Shine in Cherry Rain

19.1.09

Chiconomic

I don't normally go in for the 'sales,' because I don't believe after boxing day you really, truly get the big discounts. So I save my money for mid to late Jan when the sales are winding up and whats left has been discounted sometimes up to 3 or 4 times.

I was on quite a mission to get an outfit for $100, not really because of budget constraints but because I love a good challenge, specially when it comes to shopping.

All the clothes in the post are brand new and I'm pleased to say I came in close to the target I had set for myself.

The above dress is from Barkins at DFO in Essendon, I paid $19 for it. Brand new, not a single thing wrong with it. There were 5 on the rack, go forth and shop!

Tony Bianco shoes, were $119 each, now reduced to 2 pairs for $50.

Amorni Bag, on sale for $25, no original price tag so I can't tell the saving.

Sunnies reduced to $10 from $25, Max Power at DFO(I know, I still can't believe I walked into a store whose title sounds like a diet shake. Who am I to refuse a bargain?).

Coin bracelet, $15 from Forever New.

Total cost of outfit: $119AUS.

Now theres just the little issue of the Scanlan and Theodore sale.......

17.1.09

Lady Melbourne in her natural habitat: part II

Sometimes a gal has to work for her diamonds, I'm lucky enough to work in an environment surrounded by black and white art work, not to mention the mirrored table tops. It's a pleasure being there everyday.

Jacket: On loan from Lulki

Tshirt: Valley Girl

Collar: Marché aux Puces, Paris

Skirt: Episode

Ballet flats: Hong Kong

16.1.09

Happy Friday!

I have been such a lazy bones with Happy Friday this January so I thought why not bring out the sequins to celebrate it's return. I do like a nice cocktail outfit, this dress is a couple of seasons old now but it still gets noticed when I wear it. I picked it up at DJ's but it's actually FCUK.
Anyhow, happy Friday all!

15.1.09

A piece of Paris....

A little piece of Paris for the afternoon, lovely.

Dress: Vintage Louis Ferraud

Camellia: Chanel

Pendant: Chanel

Locket: Gift

Paris brooch: Street vendor, Paris

14.1.09

An old favourite!

Well, the new year has kept me nice and busy, but I'm glad to say that as the dust settles on the first days of January I've spent some quality time with my camera and the couch finally. I thought it was about time to dust of this petticoat.
I spent the day planning for a photo shoot next week with Melbourne based label Lulki with the help from a little friend of mine, can you spot him?

Ballet flats with Swarovski crystals: Hong Kong
Ring: Mouche
Petticoat: Trash and Treasure
Dress worn as blouse: Yeojin Bae for Target

11.1.09

As time goes by.....

I love this dress, it's just so hard to show you the correct colour on the computer. It is much deeper, but not garish in any way.

Some of you may recognise it from the Yoejin Bae Designers for Target range from a few years back. Just sorry I didn't buy it in black!

Apologies for my absence, I've barely been home the last couple of days, it being summertime and all you need to make the most of the sunshine!
Jewels: Czech cut crystal from my travels to Prague

Dress: Yeojin Bae for Target

7.1.09

As the sun sets

I love this dress, it doesn't belong to me, it's just on a long term loan. I think I need to buy if from the owner, only I don't think she'll part with it!

I've popped on one of the collars I bought in Paris, a perfect black and white ensemble in my opinion.

Sunset is my favourite time of the day, the lighting can be hard and soft all at once. I don't use any artificial lighting in my photos, just natural light so to me, capturing the light like this imbues them with a sense of romanticism that can't be replicated day to day. I won't get the light exactly the same every day, that's why it's special.

Dress: On loan from Miss. Sian Darling

Collar: Paris flea market

6.1.09

Picture this....

I bought these stencil frames at Ikea on the weekend, I've also got a really large cherry blossom that covers almost an entire wall. That will feature in up coming posts but I think these are just brilliant!

I know I'm not the first to discover them, I spotted them in a decorating magazine but I'm quite pleased with the result, specially as it gives me a new background to work with.

Blouse: Actually a dress(scroll down please for the post!)

Skirt: Pierre Cardin

Belt: Camden Market

Bow Tie in hair: Opp Shop

5.1.09

Lady Melbourne's Top 10 Posts of 2008

Entering my third year blogging, I thought it was appropriate to look back and reflect on what was a huge year for Lady Melbourne, 2008.
The blog simply wouldn't have reached the achievements it has without you the readers, so thank you for your support and readership.
Before we proceed however, I do need to acknowledge some Australian bloggers who have been a fantastic support to LM in 2008.

Fashion Hayley Hits Home

I first met Hayley on the streets of Melbourne when I was doing a shoot and she was shooting for Melbourne Street Fashion. I hung out with her at Spring Fashion Week and even managed to crash the official after party with her on my arm. One very cool Melbourne chic indeed.

Imelda
Imelda's support, encouragement and cheeky challenges bought Lady Melbourne to new heights in 2008. From a Lady to a Despot, blogging wouldn't be the same without er, her.

Aus Style
If any of you can be bothered tracking back, you will soon discover that back when Lady Melbourne was read by just Mother Melbourne and His Lordship, the sole commenter and public supporter was Aus Style.

She was one of the first Australian bloggers to discover and comment on these pages, and her rise is testament to what a talent this young gal possesses. Thank you Aus Style for your on going support.

So here we go, a look back at 2008!

OakBank Racing Carnival

Early in the year I attended and covered the Oak Bank Easter Racing Carnival in Adelaide. A country style race meet with some very stylish ladies, Adelaide showed us that it's not just Melbourne's little sister after all.

The Way We Wear: Vintage Fair, interview with Peter Jago

I attended this event expecting to see racks of vintage clothes, not Peter Jago amongst many other incredible personalities exhibiting.

Completely spur of the moment he granted me an interview, a high light I won't forget!

Column for Metro News

Probably the high light for me as a blogger, in May Lady Melbourne was made into a fashion and beauty column in print for Metro News in Melbourne.

Their on going support has been tremendous for the blog, if you are in Melbourne I recommend you pick up a copy- it's free!

Petticoats: A Love Affair

Had I any idea that this petticoat would be so popular I would have one in every colour! Quintessential Lady Like glamour, this outfit was one of the most popular with my readers all year.

Valentines Day

A lovely, sweet post early on in the year, one of my very own favourites.

What You Know and Love

This post sums up what the blog is all about- modern vintage, lady like glamour. It inspired the banner and new layout, and will be made into a painting by a German artist in 2009.