I thought this couple strolling along the streets of the Venetian lagoon island of Burano looked very chic. I love the woman’s smart backpack and gladiator sandals to add an edge to a white sleeveless coat.

Life is short – ask for directions then buy the shoes.

It was a sign I’m sure. Where else would I find to ask directions on losing my way to my hotel in Venice than a shoe shop! And yes, if I ever find the shop again it’s more than likely I will buy a pair of shoes. After all I wasn’t going to waste an opportunity, and in the midst of my panic of being lost I did notice that the shop had a nice range.

Finally, my hotel on the right

After two weeks of travelling and trying to keep a bit of sparkle to tired eyes and dry skin amid long-haul and multiple short-haul flights, I decided that a perfect pick me up was a new lipstick shade, It Girl from Sephora’s rouge cream range. I love their true colour and creamy texture.

Add a crisp white blouse and you’re good to go

Ellery white poplin shirt

Often simple ideas are the best.

A vase of fresh flowers can instantly brighten up a room. Sipping a cup of tea in your favourite armchair can be bliss.

So when co-ordinating or accessorising your day’s outfit can seem a bit of a challenge, don’t underestimate the power of a sleek white blouse to do the dressing up for you.

A tailored shirt suggests poise, instant glamour and self-confidence.

There is no need complicate things!

Take time to smell the roses!

I have always loved Chloe and now I’m also infatuated with its hand cream companion. I’ve found it not only a light and luxurious balm but also a soothing scent as I’m about to sleep. As I breathe in its scent it calms me and nudges my mind toward happy dreams.

“Perfume is the key to our memories”
― Kate Lord Brown, The Perfume Garden

I had the good fortune to reconnect with a wonderful and talented artist, Benitta, who is going from strength to strength in her career. I found out that her amazing talent now includes that of set designer/illustrator for children’s shows around the world!

And I love her work with rhino sculptures for Sydney’s Taronga Zoo! I have 5 acres of backyard I’d love to fill with these!  What do you think?

Elvis rhino
http://www.benitta.com

Today became all rather comedic, in a sadly twisted sort of way.  Today would have been my Mum’s 98th birthday.  Having lost her only 5 months ago, I had been searching for a way that could help me cope through today so that I wouldn’t remember it as a totally sad day.

So I decided on a course of action that I had never thought to do before but which I hoped would help me to release my emotions and maybe begin a new tradition for those days when I want her to know I am thinking of her.  My aim was to pen a little note to her and tie it to a string of pretty balloons and release them into the wind.  My loving wishes would be carried high and soar closer to the heavens and to her.  Or so I planned.

The morning of my planned release it was discovered that balloons full of my hot air would hardly get off the ground, and that the thoughts I wanted to send sky-ward would in fact float like a lead balloon.  An urgent call to the local party supply store ended in further disappointment – they were closed for the day, and helium hand-pumps I discovered are a rarity!

So while I continue to work towards making this new tradition to honour my Mum a reality, since it is her birthday I will dedicate this post to her, as a treasured mother who showed me that its never too late to try new things – she did after all emigrate from New Zealand to Australia at the age of 90!  So although I didn’t get the balloons off the ground today, and since I think about her all the time, they will take flight very soon, with many more balloons to follow…

A very stylish lady

Dolce and Gabbana floral dress

In times of heartache it is nice to be reminded of happy, fun things, be it a bright toe-tapping tune, a pop of coloured blooms in a store window; things that bring a smile to your face.

For me, I was stirred when I popped into the Dolce & Gabbana boutique on Collins Street in Melbourne.

Dolce & Gabbana

The store had a fabulous display of some of the latest clothes from their SS 2014 collection.  I loved this happy red dress with its playful polka-dots, long sleeves and flirty skirt.  I think it is classic elegance and looks like it would be effortless to wear and you’d always turn heads wearing it.

With the recent passing of my Mum, the Dolce and Gabbana floral dress pictured reminded me how she helped me learn to sew as a teenager and helped me choose fabrics and patterns.  Mum wasn’t a fan of black and I recall being a bit nervous when I wanted to buy a fabric that scattered dainty coloured flowers onto a black background – but she liked it and it was one of my favourite dresses.  I will always remember my Mum as an elegant and accomplished lady; she was careful about how she dressed, and I like to think my sense of style is part of her legacy to me.