New Shoes

Do you approve?
I need to purchase shoes which offer good support and the option of inserting orthotics. No heels for this little black duck I'm afraid. Of course this makes me sad but I have to be sensible nowadays.
On sale which is always attractive, mind you 'On Sale' around these here parts is still expensive compared to other countries.
These new leopard flats were introduced to my shoe collection yesterday and given a hearty welcome.
Happy days!

Annie xx

But I Have Nothing To Wear...

Well yes I do have outfits to choose from for an evening of dining out and a performance in the city, however, after flicking through a Grazia magazine looking at sublime young creatures in gorgeous fashionable gear I really have the urge to vamp up my wardrobe.
Easier said than done. My conservative tastes stem from growing up in the era of all pieces matchy matchy with no mixing of patterns etc etc etc.
I suspect Conservative is in my DNA.
Conservative comes into its own when packing for trips..black, white, grey is a no brainer and I can set foot on the plane knowing the contents of my luggage will speak to each other throughout the journey. No hissy fits allowed amongst my apparel thank you.

The first two pics from the magazine caught my eye but probably more suited to hip young things who can wear towering heels. Like my daughter.
The third pic is more my DNA. Safe, predictable, neutral.
Do you ever have the urge to break out and reinvent the contents of your wardrobe?

Annie xx

A Creative Moment

Hello all, winter here and it's cold. The dog and I are chasing the sun around the house to warm our bones.

Thought I would share this little assignment I gave myself recently. My daughter has a huge collection of fashion magazines so I commandeered one issue of Harpers Bazaar to make a simple layout of cards for my mother's care home. Many stylish ladies of advanced years still appreciate gazing at pictures of pretty clothes and I felt some flash cards would be nice for the residents to peruse.

I enjoyed myself immensely and may do a series for the residents if I can gather more visuals of shoots which are appropriate for the mature lady. Luckily this edition contained pics which were not risque.

The effort reinvigorated a creative side of my personality I should nurture.

Unfortunately this photo would not load correctly so the models are standing on their heads which is kind of funny. Why do some iPhone photos do this I wonder? For love nor money I couldn't get those gals standing on their feet.
Anyway I hope you get the idea...

Cutting (I use a mini guillotine contraption), spacing, layout and laminating is therapeutic and not to be underestimated.
If the opportunity to be creative comes your way embrace it, for it matters not how big or small the task... just Enjoy.

Annie xx

Our Resident Canine Fashionista

Our adorable ageing pooch needed yet another jacket to keep her toasty warm as winter approaches.

Selecting this new house coat/dressing gown took me a considerable amount of time and consideration and foofing around. Rather an embarrassing amount of time actually.
The perky cap sleeves are giving me endless amusement. Too cute.

Obviously there's been a rush on doggy coats because the available patterns left in store, in her size, were what can only be described as Butch. So I grabbed this model in the hope she would approve.

A picture speaks a thousand words...  'Hurry up. I'm so over this photo shoot'

Love her :)

Annie & Tessa xx

Glamour....

and a proud Mother!

Okay am I allowed to sing from the roof top that my girl's name's in print.

I try to be humble where my children are concerned but I burst at the seams with mother love as they both progress and climb their respective career ladders. 

Darling daughter is slogging her way in the fashion industry, studying and working in this field and she was assistant stylist on this shoot. Her dream is to be a successful fashion stylist. On occasion she travels to a far flung location for a dawn start and returns home close to midnight. A glamorous profession yes...but very hard work.

So here's a few gorgeous pics from the magazine. 

Today is my first view of this magazine spread and I believe all involved did a magnificent job.
Oh and my girl informs me she is a dab hand with a clothes steamer!

Annie xx

Ikea hunting and gathering and Orange

Do you enjoy visiting Ikea?

Have you trekked to Ikea and vowed Not to purchase, only browse? 

I took a girlfriend along once and the willpower she displayed was phenomenal! Didn't purchase a single solitary item. Unlike moi.

So Mr redroses and I hauled ourselves down the motorway on a hunting and gathering expedition to buy a few things, one being a fold-out sofa bed contraption for visitors.

I'm one of those people who is tactile with a capital T. I must touch and visualise and in this case lie on the bed to feel the vibe. And hope any relatives who sleep on this will be comfy. A gentleman and his wife were trying out the bed next to us and he gave us a giggle by saying it pays to not give visiting rellies anything too comfy or they'll never leave.
Slogging it out at Ikea also requires sturdy walking shoes to navigate the maze.

I'm not ashamed to admit to blog land that this place does my head in but I'm learning to deep breathe and hasten with caution when deciphering the catalogue, measurements and Swedish model descriptions. Mistakes happen.

Sustenance is vital to the whole experience and I don't know about you but I must have fish and chips and two large mugs of tea while we recuperate in the cafeteria before hitting the self-serve docks.

All in all I like Ikea but do find you have to work hard to achieve the end result. Especially when it comes to the biggish purchases and flat pack jigsaw puzzles. Good thing Mr redroses enjoys the notion of a challenge. Providing he gets a restorative coffee at half time!

Now onto a bit of fashion...orange is everywhere and many bloggers are writing pieces about it in the fashion world. Recently I bought home another frock and this one is totally orange. I have never been drawn to this colour but have decided to live dangerously and so I couldn't pass up this little cotton number.
I'm also in awe of talented seamstresses who run up creations, like Patricia from Red Cardinal. Pop over and take a peek at the lovely orange shift dress she's produced.
Trouble is I was taught to sew from a young age but have never enjoyed the experience. Nowadays I only do the odd alteration.
Plus I've never meet a sewing machine that tolerates my impatient technique!

Do you belong to that clever camp that can conjure up a fabulicious creation from a bolt of cloth?

Annie

High Heels

Spring has sprung and southern hemisphere bloggers are happy campers and ready to embrace balmy warm days and sunshine in the months ahead.

Kind of puts a spring in our step!

So to celebrate spring I felt some frivolity was in order. To coin a term used by the lovely Faux Fuchsia my whippersnapper twentysomething daughter has an amazing shoe collection and heels are her pride and joy. Darling Daughter is artistic/creative and sees her shoe collection as works of Art. Studying and working in  fashion also feeds the love affair.

Now before anyone worries about her travelling the path of fallen arches and bunions, DD might wear heels once/twice a week when out and about with friends for the evening but pretty little flats are her mainstay.

These boots were made for walking...maybe not? DD sourced these off ebay purely for display and a giggle.

       Love these red Tony Bianco booties. Big sigh from yours truly who can no longer wear high heels

DD is also a bargain hunter and found these for $20. Reduced from $200. Not bad 

                          Vivienne Westwood. DD pounced on these in an adorable op shop in Tokyo.

Last but not least...mandatory footwear for any fashionista whippersnapper attending rock music festivals in the rain. Nothing but leopard print will do.


I know what you are thinking. Yes I worried myself silly when she discovered sky scrapper heels but young women these days have perfected the art of shazaying along without a care in the world.

Do you remember your first pair of heels? Were your parents horrified?!
xx