Give Me Bows

Apples and Sunsets

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 21:15:00 +0000

A snapshot of life over the past fortnight... we had the pleasure of attending a beautiful wedding ceremony overlooking the harbour... a pretty sunset after a blue sky day... trying to increase my intake of fruit and veggies each day... a cute thank you card from Rachel... a new striped notebook for keeping track of recipes... I am always painting my nails at the last minute before rushing out the door, so polish with 60 second drying time is really handy... What have you been up to lately? x

Stripes and Pleats

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 06:36:00 +0000

I am a little bit obsessed with stripes at the moment, it has taken over my old penchant for floral prints. I am so glad we only have one more month of winter to go here, it will be such a relief to be able to throw on a cotton sundress on a weekend morning and be out the door in a few minutes. Winter dressing definitely requires more thought, planning and washing! I hope you are having a lovely weekend x

♥ Marcs navy stripe top
♥ Review pleated skirt
♥ Mollini 'Paris' ballet flats
♥ Nails Inc 'Baker Street' polish

Sprinkles

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 00:13:00 +0000

This week Rachel kindly invited me along to the Australian launch of Nails Inc, a nail brand from the UK. I tend to stick to the same classic polish shades, so I was interested to see what was new in the nail polish world. At the launch, I fell in love with the Sprinkles range. It's quite a clever little polish in that you get an opaque base layer and a sprinkles top layer all in the one coat. The multicoloured sprinkles are mattified so they are suitable for daytime wear (and resemble the sprinkles on a cupcake).

My favourite shades were Sweets Way (an ivory base with pastel blue, pink and silver sprinkles) and Topping Lane (a pink base with cherry, silver and purple sprinkles). The range will be available in beauty salons and department stores in the very near future.

Review online

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:40:00 +0000

In exciting news, one of my very favourite Australian-brands Review has opened an online store (and yes, they offer international shipping too). The bad news is I am on a mini shopping ban and must resist snapping up some of their sale items at 70% off. These images are from their new Pop! collection for Spring. I have to admit, just the thought of Spring makes me incredibly happy right now. Winter has dragged on long enough, that's for sure. Australian brands on the whole have been very slow to take up online retailing, and I am really glad to see it finally happening! x

Stripes and Strawberries

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 21:05:00 +0000

A snapshot of the weekend just past... coffee and magazine reading as always... enjoying walking the streets in the beautiful sunny weather... wearing stripes on both Saturday and Sunday... enjoying a few sweet treats (cherry strudel and pancakes with strawberries and cream) as a conscious break from my reasonably successful health kick over the past few months (more on that later). Treats taste so much better when they are an occasional indulgence, rather than an everyday thing! x

Faux Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 03:45:00 +0000

We are almost spot on halfway through winter here, and just as everyone has been feeling a bit down and over the constant cold and wet weather, we have woken up to the most beautiful warm and sunny day - bliss! I would like to move overseas one day, for a little while at least, but I am a little apprehensive about living through 'real' winters with snow and fleeting daylight hours. It's a good reminder of how lucky we are here in Australia! I hope you are having a happy weekend. x

♥ Review stripe round collar top
♥ Marcs wool mini skirt
♥ Vintage Ferragamo bow pumps
♥ Mimco headband

Around and About

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 06:26:00 +0000

Happy weekend everyone! Things have been slightly quiet around here lately, as life has thrown a few curve balls my way. I do intend to post more frequently again, and on that note, I have been getting into the habit of carrying my camera around with me more (it was one of my new years resolutions after all). I love going on walks and admiring all of the lovely terrace houses with their matching wrought iron fences. Winter is not so bad when the sun is out. The crisp air can be really refreshing and it clears my head. I am about to head off to celebrate the engagement of the lovely Rachel and her fiance, it's really exciting news and I am thrilled for them! What are you up to? x

Rain and lace

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 03:25:00 +0000

A little snapshot of life lately: Brightly coloured nail polish to fight the winter blues... being distracted by old fashion magazines while trying to de-clutter the house (I have always love Parisian themed collages)... rain, rain and more rain... shopping for sewing supplies at Lincraft; I am trying to learn how to alter clothes myself so everything fits 'just right'... purchased a pretty blouse from Rodeo Show in a vintage floral print. What have you been up to lately? x

Black and white

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Is there an old fashion rule about not wearing white in winter? Oh well, it's hard enough to find something to wear to brunch when it's freezing cold, I am not going to complicate matters by trying to remember all the rules! It's been a very productive weekend here. I have had such a busy schedule lately, leaving me with a long list of errands and chores to catch up on, but I am finally getting back on track. There is nothing better then starting the week knowing everything is in order... it leaves your mind clear and free. x

♥ Boutique by Jaeger lace dress
♥ Alannah Hill coat
♥ Vintage Ferragamo bow pumps
♥ Mimco leopard print headband

Classics

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 22:50:00 +0000

I have been make a concerted effort not to shop over the past few months, however it is proving rather hard at the moment with so many lovely pieces available (not to mention the sales on at the moment!). It seems like there are a lot of classic items around (like silk shirts, breton stripe tops, pencil skirts and wool coats). It's such a nice change from the shops being flooded with 'trendy' throw-away things, so I have used the opportunity to tick a few things off my wish list. And thanks to the end-of-season sales, discount codes and eBay, I didn't do too much damage to the old bank account. Have you picked up anything nice recently? x

♥ Topshop rose print blouse
♥ Marcs navy and green striped tee
♥ Review pleated skirt

Mod Dressing

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 11:42:00 +0000

I am currently a little bit obsessed with this 60s-inspired winter lookbook by Marcs, particularly given that it has been freezing cold and raining non-stop here all weekend. I love the mix of pleated skirts, cosy knits and tailored coats. It's a good reminder that you can pile on layers of clothing in winter and still look cute, if you choose the right pieces. I have taken to stalking their website, hoping to catch an end of season sale!

These Days

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 27 May 2012 06:39:00 +0000

How is your Sunday going? I have been stuck at home with a cold (well, except for a cafe visit for much-needed coffee), so I am feeling a bit restless. It's not all bad though - I have watched a bunch of documentaries, made many a hot chocolate and done a smidgen of online shopping too. And now I have even found the energy to blog (well, at least a little!). Below is a small snapshot of life lately... including Autumn leaves falling absolutely everywhere... weekend picnics at the local park... long Sunday brunches... enjoying skirts without stockings before it becomes too chilly... and picking out flowers at the florist. x

Pearl Studded

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:03:00 +0000

I used to hesitate before posting the same dress on the blog twice (crazy I know!). But the truth is I wear the same pieces day in and day out, mixing and matching to make different combinations, with the aim of getting the most out of everything. I also really enjoy seeing how other bloggers re-style their pieces, and I like that it encourages a more sustainable, less wasteful mindset and mode of living. So now I am not so fussed that this dress, cardigan and ballet flats have all appeared in different posts previously. I hope you had a lovely weekend, it went way too fast for me! x

♥ Modcloth Too Much Fun dress
♥ Forever New angora pearl cardigan
♥ Vintage Ferragamo bow pumps
♥ Rings from Modcloth and Diva

Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:21:00 +0000

A couple of favourite quotes to celebrate the arrival of the weekend. They are by Dr. Seuss and the French author Albert Camus, respectively. Have a lovely Friday everyone. x

Layering

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:12:00 +0000

Happy Wednesday everyone! What a busy week it has been so far, it took me a while to figure out what day it was. It's been freezing in Sydney for the past few days, so last night I found myself flicking through the old inspiration folder on my laptop for some cold-weather outfit ideas. Here are two of my favourites x

Outfit inspiration from Review: Heidi skirted coat by Forever New ♥ Edie silk peter pan collar blouse by Boutique by Jaeger ♥ Enormous swiss dot tights by Kate Spade ♥ Swing me around skirt by Modcloth ♥

Outfit inspiration from Jigsaw: Black faux fur stole with ribbon tie by Joules ♥ How could you Nantes? dress by Modcloth ♥ Essential elegance skirt by Modcloth ♥ Laira red suede heels by Rubert Sanderson ♥

High Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:05:00 +0000

This weekend I attended a high tea meet with some of the lovely ladies from the Vogue forums at a restaurant in Sydney called Agape. The tables were set with gorgeous cups and saucers, tea pots and cake stands in pastel blues, greens, pinks and yellows. It reminded me a little of Alice In Wonderland. The highlight was the scones with plum jam and chantilly cream... so good! I also committed a bit of high tea sin by having a cappuccino (and a sparkling wine) in place of tea. It was fun to catch up with a lovely group of women and I would like to say a big thank you to May (my fashion twin) for organising the day.

From Paris With Love

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:23:00 +0000

I don't often post lookbooks as I prefer creating original content, but I really do love these shots by Australian-brand Review, particularly the black and white illustrated Parisian background. Their new winter collection is called From Paris With Love and I love the mix of faux fur stoles, round collars, a-line skirts, pretty prints and capes. Sometimes I try to kid myself that I am not a total feminine-loving girlie-girl - I kind of want to be cooler than that - but I can't hide my true colours for long! Do you have a favourite piece?

Autumn Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 06 May 2012 05:04:00 +0000

Here are a few pretty items I picked up recently in preparation for the Autumn/Winter season. I haven't done one of these posts in a while and truth be told it's because I've not been shopping much lately. It's taken many years but I am slowly coming around to the mindset of buying a select number of quality pieces, rather than having a wardrobe bursting full of things that fall apart after a wash or two. The floral silk dress and leopard print ballet flats are from Marcs, a store which is slowly becoming a favourite after the influence of a sweet work colleague. I am going back to our courtyard to enjoy the last rays of sunshine, I hope you have had a lovely weekend! x

Velvet Buttons

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:04:00 +0000

As you can see, it's my annual pants-wearing day. To be honest, I have been drawn to pants lately as part of my push to create a wardrobe that is a little more grown-up (the tailored kind at least, I still don't find jeans very comfortable). I don't think pants will ever occupy a lot of real estate in my wardrobe, but it's nice to have a few pairs to throw on when the wind is blowing a gale. I also like how they can tone-down more feminine pieces. Happy days! x

♥ Kookai fitted singlet top
♥ Wheels & Dollbaby Dita Rose cardigan
♥ Forever New tailored pants
♥ Vintage Ferragamo pumps

Weekend Life

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Here is a little snapshot of weekend life over the past fortnight... including long walks in the fresh air to clear my head... a floral dress for afternoon ciders with a friend... admiring the photography and fashion in the latest Vogue... a favourite breakfast of oats, yoghurt and berries... browsing herb and chili plants at the markets... and wine shopping (oh the choice!). What have you been up to? x

Current Reading List

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:14:00 +0000

I have always been a reader and thought it would be nice to very occasionally share with you the books that I have recently finished, in case you are looking for a little reading inspiration. I would also love to hear any book recommendations you have!

♥ I purchased The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini at the airport on a recent work trip (my flight home was delayed and I had over four hours to fill). It was a beautiful, tragic story and it was interesting to take a peek at everyday life in Afghanistan in the mid-20th century.

♥ A sweet work colleague lent me The Thread by Victoria Hislop. It is a mix of drama and romance, set in Thessaloniki, Greece around the time of the first world war. I loved this one and couldn't put it down.

♥ I picked up Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer from our local bookstore before it closed down recently (I am really going to miss being able to browse books in real life!). It wasn't so much the plot that kept me reading, but the quirky writing style of the author and the really wonderful characters.

Layering and Autumn Leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:48:00 +0000

It's definitely toasted banana bread and cappuccino kind of weather today. I love it at the beginning of Autumn when the sun is shining and the air is crisp... the days are getting shorter and the leaves have started to fall from the trees. I never thought I would say this as I am such a summer-dress-kind-of-girl, but I am really looking forward to layering outfits with cardigans and tights and scarves. On that note, does anyone know where to buy cropped cardigans these days? They tend to look better with 50s-style dresses than longer ones, but alas, I have had no luck in my hunt for some. x

♥ Review Fiona Rose dress
♥ Miss Shop cardigan
♥ Review faux fur stole (taken off a cardigan)
♥ Vintage Ferragamo bow pumps

Rain and Pretty Things

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Hi lovelies, I hope your week is going well. We have been experiencing rain, rain and more rain in Sydney and I have been keenly eying off a pair of these Mel ankle boot wellingtons to help me survive the walk on the way to work (how cute is the bow feature!). It's not all bad though, the rain has been a good excuse for hot breakfasts, lots of tea and staying rugged up indoors. On that positive note, here are a few things that have made me smile in the past little while. How about you? x

A little bit naughty but oh-so-good! I don't have much of a sweet tooth
but I can always make an exception for this.

I have been having so much tea and coffee to get me through the wet weather,

my vintage tea set is definitely getting a good work out.

How gorgeous is this change room in a vintage store I stumbled across?

I didn't want to leave!

Navy and Lace

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Hello! I hope you are having a happy weekend. I have spent most of my time wardrobe-sorting, sewing and going out for cocktails with the lovely miss Rachel for her birthday. I haven't managed to take many outfit photos lately and it's mostly because I have to wander far and wide in search of suitable locations. I am quite envious of bloggers who have the perfect well-lit bedroom or pretty backyard in which to take speedy last-minute snaps. Our house suffers from a lack of photo-friendly natural light and clear walls (to stand in front of). I definitely need to get a little more creative and work on a solution or two! x

♥ Alannah Hill She's Girl Cool blouse
♥ Krista Hochwallner lace pencil skirt
♥ Vintage Ferragamo bow pumps
♥ Assorted rings from Diva

A Mini Break

noreply@blogger.com (Elyse (Give Me Bows)) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:25:00 +0000

Happy Easter weekend! I hope whether you celebrate the occasion or not, you have had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the extra days off work. I have been visiting family, which more or less entails loads of reading, relaxing and indulging... it's a hard life sometimes. I am not much of a chocolate girl myself (shocking I know) but I am willing to have a little bit of dark chocolate with my coffee... for health reasons, of course! What have you been up to? x