by Catherine on October 26, 2011
{Dotti chambray dress, Panama hat from Calico House, vintage Ray Bans; cheap market sandals}
Denim dresses were a distinct trend in Europe last summer, and now it’s our turn. I’ve been living in this little Dotti number*, which, done in a printed cotton fabric could look quite flimsy. But in chambray, and with a few brushed nickel buttons up the front to reference another more micro-trend – dungarees, the dress feels hipper and hard-wearing. Paired with flat sandals and a broad panama hat it’s just the thing to throw on for a laid-back day at the beach.
*This dress got DIY-ed before these shots; It was originally cut very short for someone as high-waisted and long-legged as moi, so I took down the hem to add a few inches to the length.
by Catherine on October 19, 2011
{Seed shorts and knit; Dotti tank, vintage jewellery and head scarf; cheap market sandals, Roots backpack seen here}
The unpredictable weather hasn’t stopped us from spending the past week on the beaches of Stradbroke Island and the Gold Coast, showing our overseas visitors all our favourite spots around Brisbane. This laid back, cosy knit with metallic detailing is the perfect warm weather topper for days that start collecting shells in blustery bays and end with cocktails on a patio overlooking the water. I love the feeling of salty wind in my long damp hair, so vintage silk scarves will always be my favourite accessory for taming beachy waves without completely losing the sense of letting it all blow wild.
by Catherine on September 27, 2011
Putting together a look relaxed enough to be ‘active-wear’ and chic enough for a beautiful brunch in the city can be challenging, so I have a couple go-to strategies. (1) To get basic wardrobe staples like sweet flats, jeans, and fresh cotton tees to feel modern and interesting I like to deploy a pop of on-trend colour, like an orange lip. (2) Juxtapose simple pieces with glam accessories, like a vintage crystal necklace with a Breton stripe tee. (3) When I hit the cycle track or beach, I choose sunnies that look cool but don’t cost the earth (so, for instance, if I happen to be cycling and they fly off my face straight into the river when I hit the brakes to avoid running over a small child I won’t be crying harder than the toddler. Hey, it’s happened. And thank goodness not to my vintage Ray Bans!)
{H&M top; Country Road pants; vintage necklace; Zara shoes; Topshop sunnies; Revlon Orange Flip lipstick: Revlon Matte Suede nail polish – my new favourite for summer!}
by Catherine on September 21, 2011
{Purple Ginger dress (also discussed here); Guess tennis shoes; little heirloom gold and silver necklaces}
I can’t help thinking that I may have found the perfect summer dress – one of those illusive goes-virtually-anywhere garments that’s a little bit of everything in just the right measure. Whether I’m dressing up for work or pared down for the weekend, this flirty, sporty, incredibly comfortable take on a shirt dress will certainly be on heavy rotation this summer. The graphic blue and white stripes are classic nautical with a slightly ditzy quality that adds dimension. The shape is clean and immaculately tailored, but still flowy and nonchalant. The demure collar balances a thigh skimming hemline that flutters in the breeze. And it has really good pockets. Plus, it’s what I was wearing when Mr. Spring slipped one very sparkly ring on my finger. Isn’t it wonderful when love at first sight grows deeper and deeper?
by Catherine on September 15, 2011
{Fate maxi dress; op-shop knit; Sass & Bide ‘truth be told’ belt; Neemah Designs sandals (also seen here); YSL ring}
Spring has brought a softer, hazier morning light to my hilltop suburb, and I couldn’t resist getting out with the tripod before work to experiment with the rays filtering through the leafy canopy. I love these transitional times of year when cozy knits can be paired with barely-there sandals, and sombre tones still feel right when mixed with bright summery hues. Later this month when the mercury does rise, layering will be totally out of the question here in steamy Brisbane, so I’ve been on the lookout for super-cool accessories – like this Sass & Bide belt – to bring my wardrobe’s old hot weather favourites right up to date.
by Catherine on August 31, 2011
{Mink Pink palazzo pants • vintage linen jacket, bag, necklace • Topshop tee • Andre Assous metalic medges}
For weeks now Mr. Spring has been telling me to wait for the first big thunderstorm to signal the start of spring. Sure enough, last night the skies opened up with a mighty crack, so I feel confident this morning in declaring that palazzo pant season is officially open! There’s something so deliciously languid about palazzo pants that they require bright sun, humidity, and balmy breezes so even if you’re wearing them to the office you still feel that you’re on vacation in Antibes, or Marrakesh, or somewhere equally where glamorous where the idle rich have been known, historically, to swan around in wildly flowy trousers. In real life I plan on living in this swooshy pair* teamed with billowy tees and tanks on the weekend, sensible silk blouses for work, and always the highest heels I can muster to balance out all that wonderful crimson volume! Addios winter!
*click here for a great offer from the chic boutique where I picked them up! Brisbane girls only!)
by Catherine on August 25, 2011
{Vintage crystal necklace from the 1950s, found at the Woolloongabba Antiques Centre, Stall #55}
You know when you have the vague idea of a beautiful thing forming in your mind… so you search for it out in the real world… and never seem to quite find it… but you won’t settle for imperfection… and then you see it… and it surprised you a little… because it’s even more lovely than how you imagined… and it’s right there in your hand… don’t you love when that happens?
by Catherine on August 8, 2011
I know Brisbane’s winter must be on its way out because the days are getting longer and a warm breeze has finally returned. I noticed it for the first time walking across the playing fields at this Saturday at Bulimba. Mr. Spring and I had spent most of the the morning at the phone store trying to sort out our mobile plans. Once that was done we figured we’d earned a treat and headed over to one of our favourite daytime haunts - The Park Bench Espresso Bar. Just off Oxford St and overlooking the Bulimba Memorial fields, it’s the perfect little sun-trap of a cafe, with brightly coloured pillows, magazines, and newspapers spread around inviting patrons to linger and enjoy.
{If chai lattes are your thing, Park Bench Espesso serves the best ones in Brisbane. You heard it here.}
{The changing season has me reaching for light jackets, floaty scarves, and sun hats. I found this Chanel-inspired tweed jacket at FCUK many years ago – the look has been in style since 1926, so it was as safe a fashion investment as I could ever hope to make. To avoid the pitfall of looking like you’re on your way to bridge club and luncheon, mix it with the rough patina of a vintage leather satchel, a contrasting pattered top, or more casual pieces like a pair of beat up old sneakers.}
{Getting to grips with my new iphone under the shade of the Morton Bay fig trees in Enoggera Park, Bulimba. Don’t forget to follow The Spring on Twitter: things are going to be heating up now that I’m connected on the go!}
{Dotti chambray dress, Panama hat from Calico House, vintage Ray Bans; cheap market sandals}
