PRETTY LADIES

 This week Australia was host to special visitors.

 Our Head of State King Charles III arrived with Queen Camilla for a short visit on the way to a Commonwealth Conference in Samoa.

Sadly on this occasion the royal couple cannot visit Brisbane as originally planned due.  The King's ongoing Cancer treatment has meant he must curtail long and exhausting tours.

They arrived in Sydney on Friday night after the long flights from London, but still looked remarkably fresh.

Queen Camilla wore the Australian Wattle brooch, which was originally given to the late Queen Elizabeth II on her initial visit here in 1954.  The brooch came on each subsequent visit to our shores.

Back in 2016 I bought my own replica of the Wattle Brooch when we were in London.  Like many tourists, we went on the Buckingham Palace tour and ended up in their gorgeous gift shop.

Unsurprisingly, I ended up bringing home my own rhinestone version of this Australian designed white and yellow diamond brooch.

My mother told me about this piece when I was a little girl and I love to see tradition being maintained.

Sunday church in Sydney

Of course, I am always interested in the royal fashions.  Camilla has found her own style and always looks polished, understated and elegant, as befits her position.  The fact she is in my own age bracket makes me particularly interested in what works for her.

National War Memorial in Canberra

Parliament House, Canberra

National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Greeting by Indigenous Australians

An Aussie Barbeque in Sydney

Cruise on Sydney Harbour

Final appearance at Sydney Opera House this afternoon.

There were numerous other meetings and visits over the five days: political and other particular interests for His Majesty, and several charities in which the Queen is involved.

The royal couple were well received by large crowds at designated events, and will need a rest day before the next leg of their tour.

From time to time, Camilla is seen carrying a Chanel handbag, lucky lady.

The occasional bottle of Chanel No 5 is as close as I get to touching on the amazing Chanel brand.

I recently went with a friend to see a new Ballet:

'Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon', a performance by the Queensland Ballet.

We loved it, of course.

The Ballet was a full length production, covering all the major events of Chanel's very colourful life.

The following images are from Google Images:

The design of her logo

Another very enjoyable trip to the theatre was a 'date night' for the Red Cardinals.  

We went to see the lovely British actress and television personality, Joanna Lumley, live on stage talking about her life and travels.  In recent years she has been making wonderful documentaries as she goes to places such as India (where she was born), Japan, the Silk Road, the Spice Road, and many more.  Her charming personality was as evident on stage as in the series, and we loved every minute.  If you are interested in seeing far away lands, her travel shows make for very enjoyable viewing.

Hope you are all well.

Have a great week.

XXXX

A SPECIAL FASHION EXHIBITION

 

Welcome to October, dear Reader..

A popular and highly successful exhibition finishes this weekend at Brisbane's GoMA (Gallery of Modern Art).

'Iris Van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' celebrates the work of innovative and acclaimed Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen.

Almost 100 of Van Herpen's fabulous and unusual gowns are displayed, along with a selection of contemporary art which mirrors some of her themes.  Gowns designed for Cate Blanchett, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, and many other A-listers have excited Brisbane patrons for the past three month.

Here is a selection from my personal photo shots on one of my many visits to enjoy and admire these incredible creations.

Many of the fine layered fabrics are laser cut, and 3D printing techniques have made some of the elaborate shapes..

The fine petal-like layers fascinate the viewer..

Accompanying accessories..

Everything is surprisingly wearable - there are videos of models walking them on the catwalk..

I looked as closely as I could, and observed that many are built upon a layer of fine skin-coloured tulle,

 with a simple invisible zip at the back..

Those with more solid, sculptural forms, I am guessing are hinged at the sides and possibly laced up the back.  The most intriguing ones were shown in positions where I could not get a close look around the sides :)

Back to my sewing machine for a bit of basic home sewing over the weekend..

What are you doing?

Take care and be good.

XXXX

REFLECTIONS

 We are missing our three smallest grandchildren, who are on holiday in Ireland, the home country of their mother.

I have been looking at pictures from our journey to the Emerald Isle eight years ago for the wedding of our son and his Irish lass.

The above photo was my first ever sighting of a primrose and  shamrocks, which you can see in the grass.  We had arrived at the beautiful area of their wedding venue, South of Dublin in County Wexford.  

I recently learnt that my Irish forebears came from a little West of this location, in Kilkenny.

We trust the little family is having a grand time getting acquainted with  their Irish kinfolk.  Gorgeous photos have been seen...

I saw this picture online, a map of Australia superimposed over Europe.

We tend to forget the vastness of our continent, as most of its centre is desert, or semi-desert.  It is hard to imagine all those European countries plus the U.K. and the North Sea would fit into our land mass!

The Red Cardinals live on the yellow (Russian) area, East of Kiev and a bit further North.  Brisbane is on the Pacific coast.

Seen on my daily walk:

Two wild ducks, paddling in our shallow local creek.

It is very dry these days, and the creek will dry up soon if we do not get a bit of rain.

As usual I checked out the photos from the Emmys.

Meryl Street looks lovely in her pink pants suit.

I would enjoy wearing this, although not sure to what event!

This is old-school elegance on Naomi Watts..

Reece Weatherspoon, growing up gracefully...

I do enjoy seeing the fashions on the older women.

Recently, there have been attempts to get 'back into sewing' at the Red Cardinal nest.
Old patterns have been donated as they no longer fit my ageing body.
I am testing a 'Curvy Petite' pattern which I bought online from the US.
So far it is looking promising....

I bought this silky rayon fabric from Big Spot, the only remaining fabric store on our side of Brisbane. (I know, so disappointing and shocking).

Remember this is the Tropics, and in the next few months, it will become very hot indeed.  I plan to make palazzo pants and a sleeveless top to get me through the Summer.

I wear a lot of neutrals, but now and then my inner heart escapes to the bright and dramatic...

The first bud, full of promise for our annual display of blue Agapanthus.

(The Jacaranda is also covered in buds as we speak...)

Spring and Summer are well underway at our nest.

Do you stitch and sew too?  I'd love to know...

Have a great week

XXXX

PS I paper collaged an old school case from my children (which has held Lego for years).  A Parisian theme sprang to mind :)