What I wore: Port Douglas holiday part 1

We have returned last week from our annual anniversary holiday to Port Douglas, and I'm almost finished the holiday laundry pile! (It's always the very first thing I get started on the minute we get home... because if I don't, it can take months!).

I say annual, although we hadn't been to Port Douglas for three years prior to this trip. After BB proposed on Four Mile Beach in 2011, and we got married in 2012 in the beautiful beachside Rex Smeal Park and held our wedding reception in Harrisons Restaurant (the only hatted restaurant in the region!), we decided that we'd love to come back for every anniversary. Late April is a gorgeous time to visit Far North QLD, and it's never Easter or school holidays, so we're able to snag some pretty good flight and accommodation deals. After enjoying a relaxing PD holiday for our first anniversary in 2013, we were persuaded to join friends on a cruise trip for our second, and then our third anniversary fell right when BB was unable to take a break due to a really good work opportunity. Whilst I certainly wasn't upset or mad, we were both disappointed, and when we booked the trip for this year, we were both super-excited to head north and celebrate anniversary number four... until the realisation that we couldn't take our puppy Stevie sunk in.

We have had short breaks away from Stevie since she joined our family in January last year, and she accompanied us on our Outback QLD trip in Winter; but neither of us knew just how hard it would to be say goodbye to her for a whole week. We were confident she'd have a wonderful time visiting her grandma and grandad (my parents), but GAWD we both had to reel in the emotions a few times when we started missing her. 

I'll try to blog about our holiday chronologically, but let's be honest, I always forget to take photos when I'm on vacation, and sometimes we were just having way too good a time for me to start snapping away! Maybe I'll just share some highlights for you all...

Our first full day on holiday in Port Douglas, and we started our morning with a long (almost 8km!) walk before freshening up and getting changed to hit Macrossan Street for a stroll and lunch. I wore Suzanne Grae off-shoulder top (this Florence Broadhurst-inspired print is so fun), Jag chambray shorts, Harris Scarfe sandals and my favourite Louenhide crossbody bag (now on SALE for $29!). Oh, and PINEAPPLE earrings because QUEENSLAND

Shopping in Tommy Bahama is pretty much the only time I join my husband shopping - he always knows what he's after, and rarely needs my help - but in Tommy Bahama, I love to bring him the brightest Hawaiian print shirts and crazy Bermuda shorts. The change rooms are always freaking awesome too... like a little tropical corner of George Clooney's house in The Descendants.

On day 1, we hit Port Douglas' newest bar, Barbados Port Douglas, because I'd been salivating for weeks in the lead-up to our holiday over their signature cocktail menu. The Weniki Tiki cocktail I chose didn't disappoint - house-infused Belvedere Vodka, Passoa, coconut cream, pineapple juice and shredded coconut made for the perfect tropical welcome drink!

Overlooking the beautiful waters of Port Douglas, Barbados Port Douglas will fast become the go-to bar for locals and tourists alike. The bar's lime-washed timber furnishings, navy and white stripe awnings and umbrellas, and the small touches like embroidered canvas coasters are reminiscent of a Queensland-style beach house, but with a luxe Hamptons twist.

Even though this was ostensibly a romantic holiday for BB and I to celebrate our anniversary, we managed to get a little social and head out for dinner with our friend Jemma, who recently moved from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns. She drove up the coast road to Port Douglas and we enjoyed a beautiful meal at Star of Siam (probably the best Thai restaurant in QLD), even though Jem and I dared BB to eat the whole chilli garnish on his plate... sorry honey! I wore a stunning and oh-so-comfy Passion Q off-the-shoulder dress* from White Haven Emporium, with Samantha Wills earrings and a necklace purchased on our last visit to the fantastic Port Douglas markets. 

This dodgy-as photo does this frock NO justice... I blame the cocktails and beers that BB and I enjoyed at dinner. I really should start remembering to take outfit photos before dinner, shouldn't I?

The following night we dined at Watergate Port Douglas, where the duck pancakes are possibly the world's greatest entree; and I wore a dramatic print dress from Sequins and Sand. This Achilleas dress* is a showstopper, there's no ironing required (a travel requirement for me!), and the Greek design and draping fabric really shows off the striking print to perfection. It's so new that it's not even featured on their website yet... but keep an eye out for this stunner!

I'm a big fan of white cotton off-the-shoulder frocks, and this new Iris Dress* from local resortwear designer Anannasa is the perfect transition piece for me to wear one of my favourite styles in Autumn. It's a little longer than most white cotton dresses, which means that you can belt and blouse it nicely, and the longer sleeve is super pretty. This style was SO easy to throw on over my togs to go downstairs to the pool, and is definitely cute enough to dress up and wear out for dinner - the ideal holiday frock, really!

I'll share a few more outfits in my next blog post, and you might just spot a trend that I obviously can't let go of!

*Super-awesomely gifted. You should really know by now that I won't wear anything I don't love, so consider these pieces fantastic!

So are you like me, already planning next Summer's holidays?Do you have a holiday tradition like we do?

Wardrobe favourites - Earn your stripes

Whether they’re vertical, horizontal, diagonal, mixed or matched, stripes will forever remain the best looking lines in the whole wide world.

They’re the BFF that has it all: cool enough to wear during a casual day out running errands, polished enough to take out to dinner, relaxed enough to join you for a Netflix and chill session (and let's all agree that this takes on a very literal meaning when you're married - like, we actually watch Netflix whilst chilling). They're also right there for you when you need a little confidence, making all the difference in a basic striped T-shirt, or crisp button down shirt.

Ever since Brigitte Bardot wore striped tees and shift dresses in the 60's and 70's, everyone with a fashion clue has resorted to this simple style. It carries a little French allure, and a lot of international cool.

I wear both vertical and horizontal stripes year-round, and whilst I once worked with a delightful human who thought it her right to remind me that 'bigger girls shouldn't wear horizontal stripes' almost once a week, I feel like everyone's grown a brain, and it's finally fashionably acceptable for everyone to wear stripes of any direction!

Here are my top picks for stripe dresses, shirts and tees, heading into Australia's Autumn/Winter season:

A striped dress is perfect for workwear, or almost any occasion when jeans and a stripe tee won't cut the mustard. It looks so polished and sophisticated, but you 're just there feeling all comfy because you're in the softest of fabrics!

Surafina Sportif Stripe Dress in Black

Hello hi-lo, I love you.

Bonds Besties Tank Dress in Black/White Stripe

This scoopneck is flattering on anyone, and adding a blazer is all you need to take this from the beach to the office. Such a fan.

Billy J Amber Stripe Maxi (currently on sale)

For a maxi version of the classic stripe tank dress, I love this Billy J style. The high-neck and splits to the knee make it smart enough to wear to the polo with a hat and pair of towering wedges, or to the beach with sandals.

Boohoo Plus Katie Stripe Skater Dress

Well, this is just charming, and I would rock it long and hard during Winter over tights and boots.

A striped button-down shirt, in either a breezy linen or a crisp cotton is the perfect addition to every possible outfit, especially at this time of year. Throw over your togs when you move from the pool to the bar, or slip one on with a darker denim for instant attitude.

Sussan Stripe Shirt

I've seen this instore, and it's as cute and comfy as you'd like it to be, without being bulky with this chest-pockets. Well-played, Sussan. 

Target Longline Stripe Shirt

Again, the chest pockets had me all worried, but I've tried it on, and I can't for the life of me remember why I didn't buy it! It's a classic, and I hope Target repeats this style in a few other colourways this season. (Navy or pink , please and thank you Mrs Target Designer)

Of course, I'm saving the best for last – striped tops and tees. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a lifelong member of the stripe tee club (I believe our 2016 #teamstripes President, Veep and Secretary are Brooke of Blonde Ambition, Melissa of Suger Coat It and Peta of Trainee Mama... we convene regularly on social media!), and I am always looking for another perfect addition to my stripe tee shelf (which is now two shelves, but don't tell BB, please).

Regulars here will also know that Winter is my least favourite season, and I only manage to get through July and August each year without depressive bouts of Seasonal Affective Disorder because it's a great opportunity to wear stripe tees with jeans and blazers. Almost my favourite sartorial situation ever.

Katies 3/4 Sleeve PU Trim Stripe Tee

The tiny little leatherette detail on this means that I consider it dressy enough for dinner out, just add dark skinny jeans and a flat riding boot. Because 3 inches of leatherette will always dress me up. 

Rockmans Rib Stripe Top (currently on sale)

Channel your inner Jen Lindley and pop a funnelneck stripe top on before you wax lyrical about all the important issues for teens in the 90's. #dawsonscreekforever

Seed NYC Sequin Stripe Tee

This is another style that I've checked out instore, and it's a luxe-looking tee. The white bias on the neckline is super flattering, and I can imagine this being uber-cute in Spring too, with denim shorts.

Suzanne Grae Gold Foil Sport Stripe Tee in Black/Gold

I have this tee in it's previous incarnation (navy/white stripe with silver spots) and I love it. The cap sleeves are the perfect length, and it looks adorable with coloured jeans or shorts.

My navy/white/silver version of the Suzanne Grae tee

Vigorella Rayon Stripe Boxy Tee

The over-size drape of this tee makes for ultimate comfort, and would be perfect for travel (note to self, remember this when planning capsule wardrobe for upcoming Asia trip).

Frankie and Co Sailor Stripe Knit

Well, this cotton knit is just all kinds of fun. Suede elbow patches and a wide v-neckline make for a nautical version of the classic Breton. V. v. cute.

Do you see any stripe must-haves here that you're loving this season ? I'd love to know if you're #teamstripes too, use the tag on Instagram next time you pop on your stripes!