A favourite Spring outfit

After a Winter of cool weather (ok, 10 degrees is mighty cold for a Queenslander), aren’t we all daydreaming about those balmy days at the end of Spring? This feminine-yet-tomboyish outfit would be perfect to wear on bike rides, to brunches and on picnics…

Fate Lilibeth chambray dress from Birdsnest, Amity necklace from Indera Beads, Longoria Fedora from Blue Bungalow, Philly Putty crossbody Louenhide bag, Chill Leopard sandals from Freya and Sabine.

I wear similar spins on this outfit pretty regularly, adding or subtracting a stripe sweater tied around my waist, a kimono, or mixing up the sleeveless shirtdress to one with a print. Simples.

Coffee and cuddles with @traineemama and the twins at @ohdarlingcafe; I feel like we've definitely seen the last of the winter weather! Summer vibes in today's #everydaystyle, wearing @wardrobenoosa chambray dress and @rockmansfashion fringed kimono. 

Is there ever really a day when a chambray dress ISN'T suitable? Unlikely. Today's @stylingyou #everydaystyle for a trip to the closest Westfield to spend the last of the voucher I won in a competition hosted by @prettychuffed a year ago. 😂 I managed to score plenty of @typoshop goodies (in previous post), a large lantern from @duskaustralia and the latest Bill Bryson book, The Road to Little Dribbling. Throw in a tasty lunch at Schnitz and a great coffee, and I'm pretty happy with how my Sunday panned out. What did your Sunday look like? 

Dinner out at @helloharryb with some babes because it's Monday. Who even needs a reason? Today's @stylingyou #everydaystyle is a surprise @suzanne_grae find - this casual shirtdress is cool as a cucumber and goes with everything - perfect for today's @foxinflats #Darecember prompt, #printmix. My Kate Spade bright geo cosmetic clutch throws up some print clash no matter what I'm wearing! 

Another Summer Sunday wearing another chambray frock from gorgeous little Noosa boutique @goddesshq with my lovely new @louenhide Sydney bag-in-a-bag (scored as a prize at the @stylingyou #everydaystyle lunch last weekend - thanks @irismaystyle). This sunshiny yellow and tan is perfect with light denim for a morning strolling through Caloundra Markets with @brigalo before going home to relax, then heading to Noosa this afternoon to celebrate Christmas with the @livinglovingnoosa girls. (This photo couldn't be squintier, but I'm having an awesome day, so whatevs.) 

 Do you have a go-to outfit this season?


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Festive Day Out: visit the Southbank Christmas Markets in Brisbane

I am finally feeling the festive spirit, after visiting the Southbank Christmas Markets with Brooke of Blonde Ambition during the week. Working in retail always casts a little bit of shade on the Christmas season, but not working full-time during this Summer is an absolute delight - it means I get to do all the Christmassy things!

The Southbank Christmas Markets are based on the traditional, charming Christkindlmarkts that spring up in Germany, Austria and other countries during the Advent season, and just like their European counterparts, you can shop for unique, handmade holiday gifts and decorations from local vendors, drink Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) flavoured iced tea, and taste European inspired food and delicacies during December - all without rugging up and braving the northern Winter chill.

Before hitting the Christmas markets, why not stop by the Southbank beach for some peoplewatching, swimming, and getting some sand in your cityslicker toes? Southbank's beach is as popular as ever, and with lifesavers on duty all school holidays, it's a fantastic day out!

Arriving to the sounds of traditional carols played by a brass ensemble puts you in a festive mood straight away!

One of my favourite stalls, Fox and Fallow, where you can shop for super-adorable chalkboards, cards and stationery. Owner/designer Janet was painting this lovely Christmas message and chatting with market shoppers at the same time, and I loved pretty much everything in her stall.

I mean, how gorgeous and special is this Fox and Fallow Christmas card? You can't blame me for stocking up for next year, can you?

More sweet cards... you can guess which one was my favourite, can't you?

I"m so predictable.

After a little Christmas shopping, I highly recommend stopping by the Nitrogenie stall to get a little energy kick; and if you've got kids, they'll love watching the magic icecream being made.

Brooke and I each enjoyed a Christmas donut topped with condensed milk and custard icrecream, with a generous serve of gingerbread crumble on top. That icecream = amazing!

While you let that condensed milk goodness course through your veins (or block your arteries, whatevs), take a seat in the market square and watch the entertainment. These little angels were cute enough to wrap up and give on Christmas Day, but I'm sure there are laws against that kinda thing. On the upside, I walked around humming acapella versions of Silent Night and Jingle Bells for the rest of the evening.

Iced tea. This is where it's at, folks. I tried the Glühwein-flavoured version, and it was DELICIOUS! Think a slightly tropical and chilled version of mulled wine, and you've got the right idea. So refreshing for a Summer night in Brisbane.

As the sun dropped in the sky, the lights scattered throughout the precinct started to show.

Some of the lights are interactive too - it you cycle fast enough on the elf-bikes stationed at the large tree, the lights shine even brighter. Perfect for working off your donut, or churros, or Christmas ham and gravy roll, or German kransky, or chocolate brownies... yep, there's plenty of food here to try!

Can you imagine anything prettier?

When all your presents have been bought, you can pop over to the lovelies at Santa's Wrap Bar, where elves will wrap your gifts in the sweetest scandi-print wrap for a gold-coin donation to Youngcare and Hummingbird House. Good looking gifts = good karma vibes, y'all.

I kept my outfit simple and Summery with a festive twist. Muui off-shoulder ruffle chambray dress and Harris Scarfe sandals, with my market-staple giant green Louenhide bag and a sentimental favourite coral, jade and silver necklace from our engagement holiday in Port Douglas to add a little merry red and green.

 

Thank you to Brisbane Marketing who spoiled me with a collection of great goodies from vendors including Fox and Fallow, The Design Farm (their ontrend pieces can be found locally at Lamington on Hastings St), Curly Jo Design, and The Cocoa Elf. It's so great to see small businesses given the opportunity to have a lot of foot traffic at markets like these, particularly when the shopping centres have such a large portion of the gift-giving market wrapped up (see what I did there). I'll take a day at the markets over a day at a Westfield any time!

I had a great time at Southbank, and would really love to make visiting the Christmas markets an annual festive tradition - not least because it's perfect for picking up some unique and handmade last-minute gifts! The markets are on from 11am-8pm daily through to Wednesday 23 December, except 17-21 December when they will be open until 9pm - so make a night of it and chefck out the Christmas movies showing, as well as the fireworks displays! (Hot tip, while most people are still at work at the start of this week, head to the markets on Monday or Tuesday to avoid the weekend crowds and get the chance to chat to the vendors - quieter days at markets are always my favourite.)

If you're not local, Mantra on the Quay has a great accommodation deal this Summer if you're planning on visiting Brisbane to enjoy all the free events in the city:

Stay 3 nights and save up to 10% - rates start from $158 per night for 1 bedroom apartment
Stay 5 nights and save 20% - rates start from $140 per night for 1 bedroom apartment
(Offer is valid for booking and travel until 29 February 2016, subject to availability, minimum 3 night stay & 5 night stay respectively, conditions apply. Visitwww.mantra.com.au for bookings.)

Where have you purchased the bulk of your Christmas gifts from this year? Small businesses and market vendors, or larger stores? Why not experience the wonder of a traditional Christmas Market with a Brisbane twist?

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Wardrobe favourites: the chambray dress

I've mentioned a few (or a million) times how I feel about chambray and am demonstrating that love quite strongly, with the last two Sundays in a row being Chambray Sundays!

Muui off-shoulder ruffle chambray dress, $85 available from Archfashion

Also... pockets for the win.

(worn with Birk-style sandals from Harris Scarfe and new Louenhide zip purse, gifted at #everydaystyle luncheon)

When I spotted the off-the-shoulder Muui chambray dress, it was a no brainer! I knew it would be such a great dress for Summer, so easy to dress up and down, and hello pocketses.

Sass sleeveless chambray shirtdress, $89.95 available from The Iconic

(worn with Birk-style sandals and new Louenhide Sydney bag-in-a-bag)

This super-simple chambray shirtdress will get a heap of wear casually over Summer, but I can't wait to layer it a little for the cooler months, with leggings and skinny jeans underneath.

Here are a few more of my favourite chambray dress finds, there's one for every style and occasion this Summer.

1. Sussan sleeveless chambray shirtdress $129.95 / 2. Sass sleeveless chambray shirtdress (from The Iconic) $89.95 / 3. Oasis chambray dress (from ASOS) $81.00 / 4. Katies chambray dress $69.95 / 5. Boohoo Grace lace-front chambray dress $34.00

Over to you … where have you spotted chambray dresses recently? And are you a fan of Summer-weight denim like me?

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Trends to try - Watercolour whimsy

As we head into the beginnings of the Summer party season, I start seeking holiday outfits. Outfits that will work on stinking hot days by the pool, out to lunch with friends, and all the way to sunset cocktails.

Washing straight off the canvas, these bright and breezy watercolour prints are splashing their way into my heart and wardrobe this Summer. And I think they might just be the holiday outfits I need.

The light, airy prints make me happy just looking at them—and they're pretty enough to wear from day to date night. (And the cut of this top and frock make them very forgiving, keeping you looking your best while still leaving space for some holiday indulging.)

Forever New Elsa top, Bohemian Traders Utility shorts, Rayban classic aviators, Louenhide crossbody bag (similar here), Sofia Cruz espadrille wedges (I am in LURVE), Marc Jacobs Daisy Purse Spray

Witchery Gathered Neck Dress, Seed Andrea Espadrille, Witchery mini nail duo in Cobalt, Suzanne Grae bead necklace, A Girl I Know Alissa bracelet, Rimmel Oh My Gloss in Snog

Would you wear watercolour print? Or do you find them wishy-washy? {See what I did there? Hehe.}

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Footy Fashion (Queenslander!)

So we all know that international colour authority Pantone announced Marsala as their 2015 Colour of the Year. Because that's a thing.

Described as a naturally robust and earthy wine red, according to the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability.

Now I don't know about that, because stability and confidence are not my natural jam, but I DO know that Marsala bears a very strong resemblance to my sports colour of choice... maroon. Whether you say mar-own or mar-oon, it's the only colour to sport at football games of any code in Queensland during Winter.

If you're not a sports-follower, feel free to click away now (I'll provide a helpful link to cute puppy videos here, you're welcome). But if you do like watching sportsters play sports and get interviewed about sports and talk sports in Queensland, it's a fairly good bet that you've got a maroon jersey or two in your wardrobe.

Me, I have two; and I'm pretty sure BB has three. My first and forever football love will be the Queensland Maroons in State of Origin footy, but of course I support the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL competition. Neither of us can get behind the Brisbane Lions though, that's just embarrassing.

Ok, so let's talk jerseys. It's so hard to wear them well, and by well, I mean cute. They're invariably a heavy cotton, with a collar that just wont sit right; but they can be cute.

Now, my husband would probably kill me if he read this, but I firmly believe the trick to looking good in a jersey is to pick a team with a great colour. I'm talking the teals, the royal and navy blues, the maroons. Avoid barracking for a team whose colours are mustard gold or brown (sorry Hawks fans), and you'll probably be fine. This is why my AFL team is Collingwood - everyone looks amaze in monochrome!

And for Pete's sake, don't dress up too much. A flat boot and a skinny-leg jean are really all that you can pull off with something as casual as a jersey; and the real footy-loving girls will always mock that sporty sister who is trying to wear a pencil miniskirt or pointy heels with her recently purchased jersey, just to impress the new boyfriend. (Although, we've all done it.)

QLD Maroons jersey from Rebel Sport, Katies Uplifting Slim jeans, Supersoft by Diana Ferrari Brianne boots, Louenhide Arden crossbody bag, Rimmel Oh My Gloss in Snog, Rimmel Salon Pro in Urban Purple, Saba beanie

Someone who can pull off a great footy look with a jersey and a skirt is my lovely friend Brooke of Blonde Ambition; I love the navy boots and opaque tights!

Adorable sidenote: Brooke was born on Origin night (I'm not telling how many years ago), and her father, a typical QLD publican, still managed to get to the game on time! I don't know if she could be any more of a Queensland girl!

Here's another photo of some seriously stylish jerseys. No, you're not seeing double - Peta and her twin Vanessa look rather cute in their matching Maroons gear.

On Wednesday night, BB and I were fortunate enough to be guests at a corporate State of Origin viewing at the Gold Class cinemas in Chermside - can we all just take a moment to appreciate how cool it is to watch a great footy game in the comfort of a leather recliner, with delicious meals, alcohol, popcorn and choc-top icecreams brought right to you? Lush. I've gotta thank Suncoast Asphalt for the great night out!

I wore QLD Maroons jersey from Rebel Sport, Katies Uplifting Slim jeans, Colorado Tara boots, Louenhide Crossbody bag, Rimmel Oh My Gloss in Snog, Rimmel Salon Pro in Urban Purple

Who's your team? And did you choose them based on their colours?

Weekends don't need to be fancy to be excellent

How does that saying go? A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content? Well, how about a long weekend spent doing not much around the house brings a week of overdue laundry?

I've been lucky enough to enjoy two long weekends in a row - well, last weekend was a regular two day weekend, but due to my dropping a shift a week at Lorna Jane, I now get both Saturdays and Sundays off, like regular working people! And this past weekend was a divine three-day weekend that I got to spend with BB, doing lovely Wintery things, thanks to the Sunshine Coast Show holiday.

To be honest, the long weekend started pretty poorly. I wasn't feeling at all well when I got home from work on Thursday evening, even though BB text me this photo:

How I wasn't excited about receiving this text from BB as I counted down the last hour of work

before heading home on Thursday evening, I'll never know!

After a delicious dinner of spaghetti bolognaise and an early night, Friday dawned grey and cool. We shmoozed around with Stevie in the house for the morning before heading out for a coffee and perhaps a stroll around the local Homemaker Centre, looking for bedroom furniture inspiration. As often happens, we got pretty sidetracked and ended up buying an entire room for furniture... for the family room!

I've taken some before shots, and will blog about this room's transformation as we go - it's going to be quite the change. (On a sidenote, if you're near the Sunshine Coast and interested in buying a chocolate leather three-seater recliner couch and two recliners in excellent condition, shoot me an email - we'll need them out of the family room soon!)

The buying process at Oz Design Furniture actually took two days, with the whole 'must head home and measure up' thing; but both BB and I love the direction we've chosen for that room. It's currently a room with a big TV on one wall and a couch facing it, but we really want to make it more social and welcoming, more of a place for conversations and interactions, so we're getting two couches to face each other instead. We have a cosy media room as well, so it's going to be nice to have the family room less about the TV.

Sunday was another very relaxed day, but slightly more social - we met up with Trainee Mama and family for Australia's Biggest Morning Tea before heading up the range to enjoy a hearty lunch together at the Mary Cairncross Reserve Cafe - thank goodness there was a were blankets at each table and a large fireplace burning when we arrived, the cafe literally sits in the clouds!

I chose the toasted lamb wrap with shredded braised lamb shanks, sweet potato and beetroot ($14.95);

while BB decided on the chicken fajita ($17.95) - it was the largest fajita I've ever seen, he could hardly get his big man-hands around it!

Now, this ain't a restaurant review blog, but it must be said that the meals were incredibly filling and good value for money, and pretty darn tasty. It's a great space for a family get-together, and the blankets to tuck over your legs were a nice touch.

Peta and I obviously couldn't leave without an outfit photo, although a flat grey background was about all we could muster - remember, we were in the clouds!

I wore Dotti long-sleeve tee, French Connection vest and jeans, and brightened it all up with my Tangerine Louenhide Baby Switch and coral Oroton brolly. 

I was pretty toasty in my furry vest; I've had it a few years now but only pull it out once or twice a Winter. Peta was rocking a fluffy vest as well, and the husbos thought it was funny to joke that they had tweeted each other prior to meeting up this morning to arrange to wear matching hoodies. In hindsight, open-ish ballet flats were a bad idea, my feet were frozen and I was jealous of Peta in her Hunter wellies. (Note to self, keep an eye out for coral Hunters ever going on sale!)

Good times with these two, although I confess I was really only hugging Ned because he's like a little soft squidgy radiator, emanating heat. 

I think I've got back into the swing of having two days off with my husband pretty well, we're hoping more short camping trips are on the cards  over the next few months as well as more more local Sunday drives and exploring.

How was your weekend? Was it long? And did you manage to avoid all household chores like me?

New Lou - my gorgeous new Louenhide Switch

Here's a quick post, purely to show off my new Louenhide Switch bag. And no, it's not coral.

The very very generous folk at Louenhide discovered that I absolutely love my current Louenhide bags (I have quite a few), and offered me a new bag of my choice. Cue hair-pulling, heartrate-rising stress.

I'm in love with my Baby Switch, but my Barrel and Poppet bags are brilliant too. I seriously mulled this over for too long and confused the issue, so ended up being a greedy-guts and asked for a lovely big Switch - I've not actually seen this bag at my local Louenhide stockists, and was curious. 

And how I managed to get past the coral, navy and toffee options to choose something way out of my comfort zone is beyond me,  I definitely can't explain it. Hello Spearmint, you're so fresh and sassy.

 

They're all so me!

I took this bag out for its first proper spin today, and while I'll review its practicality later in the week, can I just say that I am such a huge fan. The colour, the strap length, the size... all perfect.

Piper stripe shift dress, Louenhide Switch bag (gifted, and thank you very much),

Big W Emerson flats

Dear Louenhide,

Please continue to make excellent accessories. I am thrilled that you are branching into clothes as well, and can't wait to share news and images of your gorgeous SS14 garment collection here. 

Thank you for giving me this bag, I promise to cherish it and tell everyone that I love it, just as I have with my previous Louenhides. 

Your loyal fan,
Katy