Parka Perfection

I have totally fallen for this parka - pictured here on the right.... It looks just wonderful. Love the colour, the shape, the furry (fake I hasten to add) trim around the hood, and, - oh I could go on and on.



It's just come out in UK - and they are saying it can be worn there now (it's still pretty chilly over in England) with lots of layers. Later on when it gets a bit warmer perhaps just thrown over a dress or jeans and a tee.

A very trans-seasonal piece and also I feel, very 'trans-hemisphere' too....

Now, I could definitely see this working here in Australia too. It would fit right into my winter wardrobe in Melbourne so easily.

Here's the official 'blurb' :

Dark olive green parka featuring a concealed zip fastening under press-stud flap, two flap top and two zipped pockets on front, press-studded epaulettes, gun flaps and storm flap, a drawstring at waist and hem, underarm eyelets for ventilation and a hood with press-stud tab fastening to front, drawstring and a detachable faux racoon fur trim. Burberry Brit parka has a vent at the back, press-studs to cuffs and a button detachable quilted lining.

One small problem. It's a little pricey to say the least.

Now, what can I sell on ebay? Or maybe I might win the lottery (if I did it!) or perhaps my number will come up on the UK's premium bonds? I can but hope. I love it that much.

Any new pieces from the new season (whichever hemisphere you live in) that you've fallen for? And, will you indulge?!

Frothy Underpinnings

My blog pal 'That's Not My Age' posted about some gorgeous underwear that she was thinking of investing in last week... See HERE. And at the time I was awaiting a package from delicious lingerie company - Mimi Holliday (by Damaris) Like TNMA, I have to admit that the state of my 'knicker drawer' is rather a sorry one. And I am not one for matching sets (more's the pity laments Mr SE) - adore the idea of them but just have not got myself sufficiently into the matching underwear mindset. However, this could change..... This underwear is beautiful. It is sexy but supportive and the bras do not look like the 'over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders' I have had to put up with in the past. Although I do like bras by Prima Donna - but a girl has to have a little froth and lightness in her life at times. And so I present to you :

Above. Exhibit A - black French lace and silk 'French Knicker' - this will go with a plain black seamless bra I already own (the matching bra to this one from Mimi Holliday was completely SOLD out in my size). Sad, but good for my bank balance.

And Exhibit B ..... above and below... such delicate underpinnings... And a MATCHING set - be still my beating heart. It fits and looks gorgeous...... - this is the 'blurb' about this design from the website :

A darling oyster 100% silk satin and white lace story- Rossetti is the ultimate in lady-like elegance and right on trend for a ballet inspired fresh Spring look. The subtly between the graphic white French lace and soft oyster silk satin creates a luxurious effect- it is a very wearable and understated story....

And from the website - the pics below to show you what they look like on - well, you didn't think I was going to model them - god forbid ;-) ?!

Above the set "Rossetti" and below :

The black French knicker.... ("Bisou Bisou")


Their arrival is perfect timing. Mr SE and I are going away this weekend (it's a long weekend here in the state of Victoria) off to the Margaret River region in Western Australia. Can't wait!!!

Embracing a bit of inner 'rock chick'

It may or may not surprise you that I am a little bit partial to a little bit of rock chick....

Must have been something to do with being heavily influenced by Fleetwood Mac whilst in my late teens / early twenties and wanting desperately to waft around looking like Stevie Nicks. Still love their music and Stevie. This scarf above below really ticks all the boxes and am happy to say was given to me for my birthday... (dear Mr SE)

A modern classic. Gorgeous. Have worn it with white floppy linen trousers and white tee and grey cotton vee neck sweater.

And, talking of rock chick the apple does not fall far from the tree.... This skulls silver 'friendship bracelet' from Links of London is currently on darling daughter's wish list. Rather lovely. For her of course. Me being ever mindful of the mutton and lamb scenario.

However, I do think that my new Chanel nail polish (Black Pearl) is also a teensy bit rock chick. The colour is most unusual. Sort of grey, sort of blue and a little bit green too. Slatey would be a good description.

Yup. I love it. And in the words of Stevie and friends - "You can go your own way" (and I will, if I so choose!).

Wednesday I am going to use it for a pedicure I have booked. Did my own nails last night just to show you the colour but I am rather loving being a little daring (for me) - usually I just wear very neutral colours on my fingernails.

Hope you all had/are having, a lovely weekend.

20 Years - A Birthday Party!

On Friday evening we rushed back from work and then went out to a very special party. It was the 20th Birthday of the company I am working for and the party was called "20 Years in Fashion". The dress was 'Black and White Vogue' and, as you can see from the photograph below, everyone stuck to the theme and all looked very celebratory... Ark Clothing started 20 years ago by two friends - Jen Layton and Christine Metcalfe and they began with children's clothing - selling first of all 'party plan' style from their homes. As the business grew they branched into women's fashion instead and now 20 years later are still going strong (no mean feat in these economic times) with three stand alone boutiques in Melbourne as well as selling wholesale to many boutiques across Australia and internationally. I have to say that although I have only been with the company since July I already feel a valued staff member and it is great to be with a company that still has a fundamental family feel.

The waitresses below - all looking so cute in their black and white outfits.

The entertainment - a tap dancing troupe - extremely energetic and fun to watch!

Note, the party was held in the new company headquarters - you can see behind the tap dancers the sample boards and design plans ! All the clothing is not only designed in Melbourne but it is all also made here too and that in itself is unusual these days.

And here we both are with our outfits... I wore my black lace party dress and added the white by way of my pearl collection (remember I told you before that I mix my op. shop / charity shop pearls with my Chanel ones?!) We were also each given a pearl necklace too - a lovely touch.

Mr SE wore his dinner suit/tuxedo/DJ - very smart! He looks good in black and white..

So, - HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY to The Ark.

For more information about The Ark - go to http://www.theark.com.au/ They also have a blog (top right of the home page) and I have been asked to write occasionally for them - I did the last post about furnishings in the new store.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

New shoes and another new/older purchase

Last week I purchased these ballet shoes above..... They are black suede and the most comfortable shoes I have tried on in a long, long time.....It was an immediate decision - "Yes, I'll take them please" - and I almost thought about buying a second pair exactly the same (isn't that what fashion savvy professionals tell us to do?!!) Okay, I know - another pair of plain black ballet shoes, but the thing that makes these stand out from so many others (apart from the comfort factor) is.........

The small (very small - undetectable when looking at the shoe from the front) little wedge which automatically lengthens the leg - and I am sure, unless you are 6ft nothing with legs that go on forever this is a Good Thing....! ('She Wore it Well' (great blog btw) would not need the extra wedge to lengthen hers - lucky girl!!)

Anyway, I digress...These lovely shoes came from The Ark shop near me and also they were very good value too for a pair of handmade shoes (with their own little cotton drawstring bag too) - $89.00. Amazing. www.theark.com.au

Secondly, this purchase - made about 3 months ago at the place advertised above..... A pair of classic wool straight leg black trousers at a discounted price.... About a third of their original cost.
Lovely quality, great fit and for me a good shape with a flat front and a side zip - perfect... Only trouble is I have to take them to be shortened... I still have not done so - I MUST this week....Apparently Armani trousers are never supplied hemmed - that part you have to do yourself !!

Ah well, you can't win 'em all, all the time!!

Juicy Bear

A little about this wonderful Melbourne company - Juicy Bear - and I love the name almost as much as I love their products which are all beautifully soft and comfortable garments (mainly tee shirts and tops)...... They are all made in Australia which in itself is unusual in this day and age of many garments being manufactured in China . Granted this does make them a little more expensive than many other tee shirts but the fit and the designs are also far superior than most.

Sarah Walker and Lucy Sherman are the creators of Juicy Bear. The girls had a need and after tirelessly looking for the perfect tee, decided that if they could not find one, they would create one themselves.

The result was a versatile, indispensable tee - one that does not hug, shrink or ride up; a tee that is made using 100% pure Egyptian cotton; a tee that is cut much longer in the body to elongate the waist and hide any natural ‘waist padding’; a tee that you can layer, mix and match all the colours and own a whole collection so you can always start building your perfect outfit. Just like a favourite pair of jeans – Juicy Bear will form to fit your body shape beautifully.

As demand grew, so did the range. Juicy Bear now uses beautiful soft 100% Australian Merino wool for their winter collections, applying the same design principles as those seen with the cotton tees. The following photographs taken from their website - http://www.juicybear.com.au/ are indicative of the lovely garments they produce. The website also gives stockists both here in Australia and abroad.

Classic white short sleeved tee.

Long sleeved tee.

'A' line slightly flared striped tee.


I own a striped grey and white tee from them and a plain white one too and I hope to add some Merino wool tops too this Autumn.

Meanwhile a great weekend to one and all - Mr SE is off to watch the Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday and tomorrow I am working at Peony.....

Nightie Nightie or PJ's all the way!

What do you prefer?? Or wear as a rule...?





I am the first to admit that nightdresses or gowns like the one above look very elegant but I would never wear them preferring my comfortable pyjamas with a white tee shirt as bed wear... I think Mr SE would prefer to see me in satin and lace but that just 'isn't me'!






These above are my favourites at the moment which I bought from lovely J.Crew when we were over in USA last November (unfortunately J.Crew do not ship overseas or maybe I should say, fortunately, for the credit card's sake).... They look great, quite smart I think and are cotton and soft - what more could one ask for?