Friday 31 August 2012

Rug Up My Summer Dress

Hi everybody! I don't know about you but I am counting down the days until I can feel the gentle warmth of the Summer sun. I am so bored of my winter wardrobe and am eager to shed the layers and jump into my summer dresses. Being the terribly impatient girl that I am, I thought I'd share with you how to rug up a summer dress. The easiest way to do this is to throw a pair of boots over stockings or thick socks, add a blazer or a coat and finish up with some winter accessories such as a scarf or hat.

Melburnians have been lucky enough to experience some warmer weather and when I say 'warmer' I mean not pouring with rain and howling winds. I photographed my below look on a mild winters day. The sun was shining but there was still a slight chill in the air. It was the perfect temperature to rug up a summer dress.  I teamed my new oasap.com dress (here) with brown stockings, ankle boots and a floppy felt hat. I accessorised with my vintage bag, spike necklace and bracelet. I feel like I could be on an episode of  the television show 'The Farmer Wants A Wife' in this outfit. 

I have styled some 'Rug up my summer dress' looks for you below. Why wait for Spring, let's move the new season closer by layering over our summer dresses.








Sunday 26 August 2012

The Feather Shop Showroom Opens!

Spring Racing Carnival is quickly approaching and us girls know how much planning and preparation goes into our racing outfits.  Therefore it's never too early to start getting organised. I am very excited to share the opening of 'The Feather Shop Showroom.' The Feather shop is known for its fabulous online store selling millinery supplies. However, it just opened its new retail showroom last week. I was lucky enough to be invited to be part of this special event. The Feather Shop Showroom supplies fancy feathers, millinery supplies, ribbons, flowers, veil, lace, hair accessories, haberdashery supplies and much more, basically everything you need to create the perfect headpiece. 
   Workshops are now available at the Feather Shop showroom to guide you in designing and creating your own headpieces. This would be the perfect opportunity to match a headpiece to complete your racing attire. Workshop parties are also available at the Feather Shop. They are a great idea for Hens Parties or Baby Showers.  
'Like' the Feather Shop's Facebook Page here to be informed of the latest products and workshops available.
The Feather Shop Showroom Opening hours:
 Monday-Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm. 

Click here to view the Feather Shop Online Store.

 Below are some of the amazing products available from the Feather Shop. 


In the below image I am wearing a headpiece created using 'The Feather Shop' products, made by the owner of the Feather Shop.


Tuesday 21 August 2012

The Peplum Top


Hi everyone! I am sure you have already caught onto the 'Peplum' trend which is saturating boutiques and online shops. I have always loved this style and actually designed a peplum jacket and dress in my Queen Of the Sky Collection in 2009/10 (shown at the bottom of this post). What I love about this trend piece is how it seems to flatter all body shapes. The 'Peplum Top' can be a perfect staple in your wardrobe as it complements all bottoms including all styles of pants, shorts, and flouncy or pencil line skirts. I have certainly taken a liking to this trend and have bought several peplum tops in various colours, both long and short sleeve. You might remember my mustard peplum top I wore in the recent post 'Patterned Tights.'

Below I have styled a cut out peplum top with a full floral skirt. I feel so feminine and flirty in this look. I have styled several Peplum Top looks with different bottoms for you to reference at the bottom of my look. I can't wait to take this trend into my summer wardrobe.



















Here are a couple of  designs from my 'Queen Of The Sky Collection' where I used the peplum shape:

Have a great week!

Sunday 12 August 2012

Fashion Goes Sporty

I don't know about you but with the hype around the Olympics, I feel this competitiveness coming out of me and yearn to challenge my husband to a game of tennis, basketball or even just a race to the end of the street. I love the Olympics and the positive energy it creates in those who participate and spectate from all corners of the globe.  I actually found myself tearing up during the opening ceremony. It warms me to see how this 2 week sporting spectacle brings the world together.  It transcends religion, race and cultural boundaries and simplifies the celebration of hard work, discipline and fair competition.

Fashion has certainly taken on the Olympic fever. In fact sport inspired looks were one of the strongest themes to walk down the runway during New York Spring 2012 Fashion Week.  Tailored track pants, parachute dresses, mesh details and loose silhouettes have been explored with a street style edge.  Alexander Wang, Stella McCartney, Altuzarra and Rag & Bone were some designers who presented this trend.


I had a bit of fun styling my sporty look below. I just bought this mesh bomber jacket and thought it could work beautifully over a short flouncy skirt to help create a clash between sporty and feminine. I did go a bit sporty mad and added my New York Yankee cap. You all know by now that I like to push a theme to its absolute limit.  I have styled some sporty inspired looks for you below.

For those of you who have followed Dusty Petals from the very beginning you will remember my post 'Sporty Chic' which shared my inner 'Tomboy' through fashion. Click here to check it out.












I had to share these incredible trainers.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Patterned Tights

I don't know about you, but I am so tired of wearing black stockings day after day during winter. I came across these dotted tights and knew they would help create a bit more fun as well as add variety to my winter looks. There are so many creative patterned tights available in varied colours, that we all really have no excuse to be boring in winter. I have styled my new dotted tights with a pair of floral jacquard shorts, a peplum mustard top and reintroduced the dots with my vintage shirt. 

I have sourced some patterned tights for you below my look.  I have also styled some options as to how you can incorporate these fun tights into your winter look. 








(From left to right)
ZOHARA One Way Grey Tights $27.00

Sunday 5 August 2012

Hot 'Red' Pants

Hi everyone! I wanted to share with you my new obsession for 'Red Pants.' I am so excited with the endless styling possibilities with this 'red' hot trend. Your red pants can turn you into a 'Rock Chick' by teaming a band tee-shirt layered with a fluffy or heavy black jacket and boots. Or if you wanted to play the 'Preppy' part, style a printed blouse under a tweed cropped jacket and ballet flats. Maybe you want to go back to the 50's and style your cropped red pants with a tied up blouse, head scarf and luscious red lips. Finally, red pants scream out 'nautical,' so add a navy and white striped top to follow this theme. The variety is never-ending. I encourage you to jump on this trend and enjoy splashing some colour into your winter wardrobe. They also are the perfect transitional piece for your spring & summer wardrobe. 
I have styled some fun 'Red Pant' looks for you below with, as always, a direct link to an online reference. Happy shopping!











Have a wonderful week!